EXHIBIT 4.1
ETHYL CORPORATION
and each of the Guarantors named herein
8.875% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2010
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INDENTURE
Dated as of April 30, 2003
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WELLS FARGO BANK MINNESOTA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Trustee
CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE*
Trust Indenture
Act Section Indenture Section
310(a)(1)................................................................. 7.10
(a)(2)................................................................. 7.10
(a)(3)................................................................. N.A.
(a)(4)................................................................. N.A.
(a)(5)................................................................. 7.10
(b).................................................................... 7.10
(c).................................................................... N.A.
311(a).................................................................... 7.11
(b).................................................................... 7.11
(c).................................................................... N.A.
312(a).................................................................... 2.05
(b).................................................................... 12.03
(c).................................................................... 12.03
313(a).................................................................... 7.06
(b)(1)................................................................. N.A.
(b)(2)................................................................. 7.06; 7.07
(c).................................................................... 7.06;12.02
(d).................................................................... 7.06
314(a).................................................................... 4.03;12.02; 12.05
(b).................................................................... N.A
(c)(1)................................................................. 12.04
(c)(2)................................................................. 12.04
(c)(3)................................................................. N.A.
(d).................................................................... N.A.
(e).................................................................... 12.05
(f).................................................................... N.A.
315(a).................................................................... 7.01
(b).................................................................... 7.05,12.02
(c).................................................................... 7.01
(d).................................................................... 7.01
(e).................................................................... 6.11
316(a)(last sentence)................................................... 2.09
(a)(1)(A).............................................................. 6.05
(a)(1)(B).............................................................. 6.04
(a)(2)................................................................. N.A.
(b).................................................................... 6.07
(c).................................................................... 2.12
317(a)(1)................................................................. 6.08
(a)(2)................................................................. 6.09
(b).................................................................... 2.04
318(a).................................................................... 12.01
(b).................................................................... N.A.
(c).................................................................... 12.01
N.A. means not applicable.
* This Cross Reference Table is not part of the Indenture.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
ARTICLE 1.
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION
BY REFERENCE
Section 1.01 Definitions.................................................................................1
Section 1.02 Other Definitions..........................................................................19
Section 1.03 Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act..........................................19
Section 1.04 Rules of Construction......................................................................20
ARTICLE 2.
THE NOTES
Section 2.01 Form and Dating............................................................................20
Section 2.02 Execution and Authentication...............................................................21
Section 2.03 Registrar and Paying Agent.................................................................21
Section 2.04 Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust........................................................21
Section 2.05 Holder Lists...............................................................................22
Section 2.06 Transfer and Exchange......................................................................22
Section 2.07 Replacement Notes..........................................................................33
Section 2.08 Outstanding Notes..........................................................................33
Section 2.09 Treasury Notes.............................................................................34
Section 2.10 Temporary Notes............................................................................34
Section 2.11 Cancellation...............................................................................34
Section 2.12 Defaulted Interest.........................................................................34
ARTICLE 3.
REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT
Section 3.01 Notices to Trustee.........................................................................35
Section 3.02 Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed or Purchased.............................................35
Section 3.03 Notice of Redemption.......................................................................35
Section 3.04 Effect of Notice of Redemption.............................................................36
Section 3.05 Deposit of Redemption or Purchase Price....................................................36
Section 3.06 Notes Redeemed or Purchased in Part........................................................37
Section 3.07 Optional Redemption........................................................................37
Section 3.08 Mandatory Redemption.......................................................................37
Section 3.09 Offer to Purchase by Application of Excess Proceeds........................................38
ARTICLE 4.
COVENANTS
Section 4.01 Payment of Notes...........................................................................39
Section 4.02 Maintenance of Office or Agency............................................................40
Section 4.03 Reports....................................................................................40
Section 4.04 Compliance Certificate.....................................................................41
Section 4.05 Taxes......................................................................................41
Section 4.06 Stay, Extension and Usury Laws.............................................................41
Section 4.07 Restricted Payments........................................................................42
Section 4.08 Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries..................44
Section 4.09 Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock.................................45
Section 4.10 Asset Sales................................................................................47
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Section 4.11 Transactions with Affiliates...............................................................48
Section 4.12 Liens......................................................................................49
Section 4.13 Corporate Existence........................................................................50
Section 4.14 Offer to Repurchase Upon Change of Control.................................................50
Section 4.15 Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions..............................................51
Section 4.16 Payments for Consent.......................................................................52
Section 4.17 Additional Note Guarantees.................................................................52
Section 4.18 Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries....................................52
ARTICLE 5.
SUCCESSORS
Section 5.01 Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets...................................................52
Section 5.02 Successor Corporation Substituted..........................................................53
ARTICLE 6.
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
Section 6.01 Events of Default..........................................................................54
Section 6.02 Acceleration...............................................................................55
Section 6.03 Other Remedies.............................................................................56
Section 6.04 Waiver of Past Defaults....................................................................56
Section 6.05 Control by Majority........................................................................56
Section 6.06 Limitation on Suits........................................................................56
Section 6.07 Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment..............................................57
Section 6.08 Collection Suit by Trustee.................................................................57
Section 6.09 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim...........................................................57
Section 6.10 Priorities.................................................................................57
Section 6.11 Undertaking for Costs......................................................................58
ARTICLE 7.
TRUSTEE
Section 7.01 Duties of Trustee..........................................................................58
Section 7.02 Rights of Trustee..........................................................................59
Section 7.03 Individual Rights of Trustee...............................................................60
Section 7.04 Trustee's Disclaimer.......................................................................60
Section 7.05 Notice of Defaults.........................................................................60
Section 7.06 Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes.................................................60
Section 7.07 Compensation and Indemnity.................................................................60
Section 7.08 Replacement of Trustee.....................................................................61
Section 7.09 Successor Trustee by Merger, etc...........................................................62
Section 7.10 Eligibility; Disqualification..............................................................62
Section 7.11 Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company..........................................62
ARTICLE 8.
LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
Section 8.01 Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance...................................63
Section 8.02 Legal Defeasance and Discharge.............................................................63
Section 8.03 Covenant Defeasance........................................................................63
Section 8.04 Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance.................................................64
Section 8.05 Deposited Money and Government Securities to be Held in Trust; Other
Miscellaneous Provisions......................................................................................65
Section 8.06 Repayment to Company.......................................................................65
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Section 8.07 Reinstatement..............................................................................66
ARTICLE 9.
AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER
Section 9.01 Without Consent of Holders of Notes........................................................67
Section 9.02 With Consent of Holders of Notes...........................................................67
Section 9.03 Compliance with Trust Indenture Act........................................................69
Section 9.04 Revocation and Effect of Consents..........................................................69
Section 9.05 Notation on or Exchange of Notes...........................................................69
Section 9.06 Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc............................................................69
ARTICLE 10.
NOTE GUARANTEES
Section 10.01 Guarantee..................................................................................69
Section 10.02 Limitation on Guarantor Liability..........................................................70
Section 10.03 Execution and Delivery of Note Guarantee...................................................71
Section 10.04 Guarantors May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms.........................................71
Section 10.05 Releases Following Sale of Assets..........................................................72
ARTICLE 11.
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
Section 11.01 Satisfaction and Discharge.................................................................73
Section 11.02 Application of Trust Money.................................................................74
ARTICLE 12.
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 12.01 Trust Indenture Act Controls...............................................................74
Section 12.02 Notices....................................................................................74
Section 12.03 Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes..............................75
Section 12.04 Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.........................................75
Section 12.05 Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion..............................................76
Section 12.06 Rules by Trustee and Agents................................................................76
Section 12.07 No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and Stockholders...................76
Section 12.08 Governing Law..............................................................................76
Section 12.09 No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements..............................................76
Section 12.10 Successors.................................................................................77
Section 12.11 Severability...............................................................................77
Section 12.12 Counterpart Originals......................................................................77
Section 12.13 Table of Contents, Headings, etc...........................................................77
EXHIBITS
Exhibit A FORM OF NOTE
Exhibit B FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER
Exhibit C FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE
Exhibit D FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF ACQUIRING INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED
INVESTOR
Exhibit E FORM OF NOTE GUARANTEE
Exhibit F FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE
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INDENTURE dated as of April 30, 2003 among Ethyl Corporation, a Virginia
corporation (the "Company"), the Guarantors (as defined) and Wells Fargo Bank
Minnesota, National Association, as trustee (the "Trustee").
The Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee agree as follows for the
benefit of each other and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders (as
defined) of the 8.875% Senior Notes due 2010 (the "Initial Notes") and the
8.875% Senior Notes due 2010 (the "Exchange Notes" and, together with the
Initial Notes, the "Notes"):
ARTICLE 1.
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION
BY REFERENCE
Section 1.01 Definitions.
"144A Global Note" means a Global Note substantially in the form of
Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend
and deposited with or on behalf of, and registered in the name of, the
Depositary or its nominee that will be issued in a denomination equal to the
outstanding principal amount of the Notes sold in reliance on Rule 144A.
"Acquired Debt" means, with respect to any specified Person:
(1) Indebtedness of any other Person existing at the time such
other Person is merged with or into or became a Subsidiary of such
specified Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is incurred in
connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person merging with
or into, or becoming a Subsidiary of, such specified Person; and
(2) Indebtedness secured by a Lien encumbering any asset
acquired by such specified Person.
"Additional Notes" means any Notes (other than the Initial Notes) issued
under this Indenture in accordance with Sections 2.02 and 4.09 hereof, as part
of the same series as the Initial Notes.
"Affiliate" of any specified Person means any other Person directly or
indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common
control with such specified Person. For purposes of this definition, "control,"
as used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or
indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or
policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by
agreement or otherwise; provided that beneficial ownership of 10% or more of the
Voting Stock of a Person will be deemed to be control. For purposes of this
definition, the terms "controlling," "controlled by" and "under common control
with" will have correlative meanings.
"Agent" means any Registrar, co-registrar, Paying Agent or additional
paying agent.
"Applicable Premium" means, with respect to any Note on any Redemption
Date, the greater of:
(1) 1.0% of the principal amount of the Note; or
(2) the excess of:
(a) the present value at such Redemption Date of (i) the
redemption price of the Note at May 1, 2007 (such redemption price being
set forth in Section 3.07 hereof) plus (ii) all
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required interest payments due on the Note through May 1, 2007
(excluding accrued but unpaid interest), computed using a discount rate
equal to the Treasury Rate as of such Redemption Date plus 50 basis
points; over
(b) the principal amount of the Note, if greater.
"Applicable Procedures" means, with respect to any transfer or exchange
of or for beneficial interests in any Global Note, the rules and procedures of
the Depositary, Euroclear and Cedel that apply to such transfer or exchange.
"Asset Sale" means:
(1) the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of any
assets or rights; provided that the sale, conveyance or other
disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and
its Subsidiaries taken as a whole shall be governed by the Section 4.15
and/or Section 5.01 and not by the provisions of Section 4.10 hereof;
and
(2) the issuance of Equity Interests by the Company's Restricted
Subsidiaries or the sale of Equity Interests in any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries.
Notwithstanding the preceding, none of the following items will be deemed to be
an Asset Sale:
(1) any single transaction or series of related transactions
that involves assets having a fair market value of less than $5.0
million;
(2) a transfer of assets between or among the Company and its
Subsidiaries,
(3) an issuance of Equity Interests by a Subsidiary to the
Company or to another Subsidiary;
(4) the sale or lease of equipment, inventory or accounts
receivable or other assets in the ordinary course of business consistent
with past practice;
(5) the sale or other disposition of cash or Cash Equivalents;
(6) a Restricted Payment or Permitted Investment that is
permitted by Section 4.07 hereof;
(7) sales of property or equipment that has become worn out,
obsolete or damaged or otherwise unsuitable for use in connection with
the business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(8) any exchange of like property pursuant to Section 1031 of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended; provided that to the
extent such exchange involves property valued in excess of $1.0 million,
the property received by the Company in such exchange has a fair market
value equivalent to the fair market value of the property transferred by
the Company as evidenced by a resolution of the Board of Directors; and
(9) the license of patents, trademarks, copyrights and know-how
to third Persons in the ordinary course of business.
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"Attributable Debt" in respect of a sale and leaseback transaction
means, at the time of determination, the present value of the obligation of the
lessee for net rental payments during the remaining term of the lease included
in such sale and leaseback transaction including any period for which such lease
has been extended or may, at the option of the lessor, be extended. Such present
value shall be calculated using a discount rate equal to the rate of interest
implicit in such transaction, determined in accordance with GAAP.
"Bankruptcy Law" means Title 11, U.S. Code or any similar federal or
state law for the relief of debtors.
"Beneficial Owner" has the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 13d-3
and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that in calculating the beneficial
ownership of any particular "person" (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3)
of the Exchange Act), such "person" will be deemed to have beneficial ownership
of all securities that such "person" has the right to acquire by conversion or
exercise of other securities, whether such right is currently exercisable or is
exercisable only upon the occurrence of a subsequent condition. The terms
"Beneficially Owns" and "Beneficially Owned" have a corresponding meaning.
"Board of Directors" means:
(1) with respect to a corporation, the board of directors of the
corporation;
(2) with respect to a partnership, the Board of Directors of the
general partner of the partnership; and
(3) with respect to any other Person, the board or committee of
such Person serving a similar function.
"Broker-Dealer" has the meaning set forth in the Registration Rights
Agreement.
"Business Day" means any day other than a Legal Holiday.
"Capital Lease Obligation" means, at the time any determination thereof
is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that
would at such time be required to be capitalized on a balance sheet in
accordance with GAAP.
"Capital Stock" means:
(1) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock;
(2) in the case of an association or business entity, any and
all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents
(however designated) of corporate stock;
(3) in the case of a partnership or limited liability company,
partnership or membership interests (whether general or limited); and
(4) any other interest or participation that confers on a Person
the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or
distributions of assets of, the issuing Person.
"Cash Equivalents" means:
(1) United States dollars;
3
(2) securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or
insured by the United States government or any agency or instrumentality
of the United States government (provided that the full faith and credit
of the United States is pledged in support of those securities) having
maturities of not more than six months from the date of acquisition;
(3) certificates of deposit and eurodollar time deposits with
maturities of six months or less from the date of acquisition, bankers'
acceptances with maturities not exceeding six months and overnight bank
deposits, in each case, with any domestic commercial bank having capital
and surplus in excess of $500.00 million and a Thomson Bank Watch Rating
of "B" or better;
(4) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than thirty
days for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (2) and
(3) above entered into with any financial institution meeting the
qualifications specified in clause (3) above;
(5) commercial paper having the highest rating obtainable from
Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or Standard & Poor's Rating Services
and, in each case, maturing within six months after the date of
acquisition; and
(6) money market funds at least 95% of the assets of which
constitute Cash Equivalents of the kinds described in clauses (1)
through (5) of this definition.
"Cedel" means Cedel, S.A.
"Change of Control" means the occurrence of any of the following,
provided, however, that the occurrence of the Holding Company Formation will not
be deemed to be a Change of Control:
(1) the direct or indirect sale, transfer, conveyance or other
disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a
series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the
properties or assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries
taken as a whole to any "person" (as that term is used in Section
13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act);
(2) the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or
dissolution of the Company;
(3) the consummation of any transaction (including, without
limitation, any merger or consolidation) the result of which is that any
"person" (as defined above), becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or
indirectly, of more than 50% of the Voting Stock of the Company,
measured by voting power rather than number of shares;
(4) the first day on which a majority of the members of the
Board of Directors of the Company are not Continuing Directors; or
(5) the Company consolidates with, or merges with or into, any
Person, or any Person consolidates with, or merges with or into, the
Company, in any such event pursuant to a transaction in which any of the
outstanding Voting Stock of the Company or such other Person is
converted into or exchanged for cash, securities or other property,
other than any such transaction where the Voting Stock of the Company
outstanding immediately prior to such transaction is converted into or
exchanged for Voting Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the
surviving or transferee Person constituting a majority of the
outstanding shares of such Voting Stock of such surviving or transferee
Person (immediately after giving effect to such issuance).
"Company" means Ethyl Corporation, and any and all successors thereto.
4
"Consolidated Cash Flow" means, with respect to any specified Person
for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period plus:
(1) an amount equal to any extraordinary loss plus any net loss
realized by such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in
connection with an Asset Sale, to the extent such losses were deducted
in computing Consolidated Net Income; plus
(2) provision for taxes based on income or profits of such
Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent
that such provision for taxes was deducted in computing such
Consolidated Net Income; plus
(3) consolidated interest expense of such Person and its
Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued and
whether or not capitalized (including, without limitation, amortization
of debt issuance costs and original issue discount, non-cash interest
payments, the interest component of any deferred payment obligations,
the interest component of all payments associated with Capital Lease
Obligations, imputed interest with respect to Attributable Debt,
commissions, discounts and other fees and charges incurred in respect of
letter of credit or bankers' acceptance financings, and net of the
effect of all payments made or received pursuant to Hedging
Obligations), to the extent that any such expense was deducted in
computing such Consolidated Net Income; plus
(4) depreciation, amortization (including amortization of
goodwill and other intangibles but excluding amortization of prepaid
cash expenses that were paid in a prior period) and other non-cash
expenses (excluding any such non-cash expense to the extent that it
represents an accrual of or reserve for cash expenses in any future
period or amortization of a prepaid cash expense that was paid in a
prior period) of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such
period to the extent that such depreciation, amortization and other
non-cash expenses were deducted in computing such Consolidated Net
Income; minus
(5) non-cash items increasing such Consolidated Net Income for
such period, other than accrual of revenue in the ordinary course of
business,
in each case, on a consolidated basis and determined in accordance with GAAP.
"Consolidated Net Income" means, with respect to any specified Person
for any period, the aggregate of the Net Income of such Person and its
Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis, determined in
accordance with GAAP; provided that:
(1) the Net Income (but not loss) of any Person that is not a
Subsidiary or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting
will be included only to the extent of the amount of dividends or
distributions paid in cash to the specified Person or a Restricted
Subsidiary of the Person and the Net Income (but not loss) of any
Unrestricted Subsidiary will be excluded, whether or not distributed to
the specified Person or one of its Subsidiaries;
(2) the Net Income of any Restricted Subsidiary will be excluded
to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar
distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary of that Net Income is not at
the date of determination permitted without any prior governmental
approval (that has not been obtained) or, directly or indirectly, by
operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument,
judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulation
applicable to that Subsidiary or its stockholders;
5
(3) the Net Income of any Person acquired in a pooling of
interests transaction for any period prior to the date of such
acquisition will be excluded; and
(4) the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles
will be excluded.
"Consolidated Net Worth" means, with respect to any specified Person as
of any date, the sum of:
(1) the consolidated equity of the common stockholders of such
Person and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of such date; plus
(2) the respective amounts reported on such Person's balance
sheet as of such date with respect to any series of preferred stock
(other than Disqualified Stock) that by its terms is not entitled to the
payment of dividends unless such dividends may be declared and paid only
out of net earnings in respect of the year of such declaration and
payment, but only to the extent of any cash received by such Person upon
issuance of such preferred stock.
"Continuing Directors" means, as of any date of determination, any
member of the Board of Directors of the Company who:
(1) was a member of such Board of Directors on the date of this
Indenture; or
(2) was nominated for election or elected to such Board of
Directors with the approval of a majority of the Continuing Directors
who were members of such Board at the time of such nomination or
election.
"Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee" will be at the address of the
Trustee specified in Section 12.02 hereof or such other address as to which the
Trustee may give notice to the Company.
"Credit Agreement" means that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of
April 30, 2003, by and among the Company and Credit Suisse First Boston, Cayman
Island Branch, as Administration Agent and Co-Arranger, UBS Warburg LLC, as
Syndication Agent and Co-Manager and SunTrust Bank and LaSalle national Bank,
N.A., as Co-Documentation Agents, including any related notes, guarantees,
collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection
therewith, and in each case as amended, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced or
refinanced from time to time.
"Credit Facilities" means, one or more debt facilities (including,
without limitation, the Credit Agreement) or commercial paper facilities, in
each case with banks or other institutional lenders providing for revolving
credit loans, term loans, receivables financing (including through the sale of
receivables to such lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from
such lenders against such receivables) or letters of credit, in each case, as
amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced in whole
or in part from time to time.
"Custodian" means the Trustee, as custodian with respect to the Notes in
global form, or any successor entity thereto.
"Default" means any event that is, or with the passage of time or the
giving of notice or both would be, an Event of Default.
"Definitive Note" means a certificated Note registered in the name of
the Holder thereof and issued in accordance with Section 2.06 hereof,
substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto except that
6
such Note shall not bear the Global Note Legend and shall not have the "Schedule
of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note" attached thereto.
"Depositary" means, with respect to the Notes issuable or issued in
whole or in part in global form, the Person specified in Section 2.03 hereof as
the Depositary with respect to the Notes, and any and all successors thereto
appointed as depositary hereunder and having become such pursuant to the
applicable provision of this Indenture.
"Disqualified Stock" means any Capital Stock that, by its terms (or by
the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is
exchangeable, in each case at the option of the holder of the Capital Stock), or
upon the happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant
to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or redeemable at the option of the
holder of the Capital Stock, in whole or in part, on or prior to the date that
is 91 days after the date on which the Notes mature. Notwithstanding the
preceding sentence, any Capital Stock that would constitute Disqualified Stock
solely because the holders of the Capital Stock have the right to require the
Company to repurchase such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of a change of
control or an asset sale shall not constitute Disqualified Stock if the terms of
such Capital Stock provide that the Company may not repurchase or redeem any
such Capital Stock pursuant to such provisions unless such repurchase or
redemption complies with Section 4.07 hereof.
"Domestic Guarantors" means each of:
(1) Ethyl Asia Pacific Company, Ethyl Export Corporation, Ethyl
Interamerica Corporation, Ethyl Ventures, Inc., Interamerica Terminals
Corporation, The Edwin Cooper Corporation, Ethyl Additives Corporation,
Ethyl Petroleum Additives Inc., Ethyl Canada Holdings, Inc., and Ethyl
Japan Holdings, Inc.; and
(2) any other Domestic Subsidiary that executes a Note Guarantee
in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture;
and their respective successors and assigns.
"Domestic Subsidiary" means any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company
that was formed under the laws of the United States or any state of the United
States or the District of Columbia.
"Equity Interests" means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or
other rights to acquire Capital Stock (but excluding any debt security that is
convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock).
"Euroclear" means Euroclear System, which is operated by Morgan Guaranty
Trust Company of New York, Brussels office.
"Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
"Exchange Notes" means the Notes issued in the Exchange Offer pursuant
to Section 2.06(f) hereof.
"Exchange Offer" has the meaning set forth in the Registration Rights
Agreement.
"Exchange Offer Registration Statement" has the meaning set forth in the
Registration Rights Agreement.
7
"Existing Indebtedness" means Indebtedness of the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries (other than Indebtedness under the Credit Agreement) in
existence on the date of this Indenture, until such amounts are repaid.
"Fixed Charges" means, with respect to any specified Person for any
period, the sum, without duplication, of:
(1) the consolidated interest expense of such Person and its
Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued,
including, without limitation, amortization of debt issuance costs and
original issue discount, non-cash interest payments, the interest
component of any deferred payment obligations, the interest component of
all payments associated with Capital Lease Obligations, imputed interest
with respect to Attributable Debt, commissions, discounts and other fees
and charges incurred in respect of letter of credit or bankers'
acceptance financings, and net of the effect of all payments made or
received pursuant to Hedging Obligations; plus
(2) the consolidated interest of such Person and its Restricted
Subsidiaries that was capitalized during such period; plus
(3) any interest expense on Indebtedness of another Person that
is Guaranteed by such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries or
secured by a Lien on assets of such Person or one of its Restricted
Subsidiaries, whether or not such Guarantee or Lien is called upon; plus
(4) the product of (a) all dividends, whether paid or accrued
and whether or not in cash, on any series of preferred stock of such
Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, other than dividends on
Equity Interests payable solely in Equity Interests of the Company
(other than Disqualified Stock) or to the Company or a Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company, times (b) a fraction, the numerator of which
is one and the denominator of which is one minus the then current
combined federal, state and local statutory tax rate of such Person,
expressed as a decimal, in each case, on a consolidated basis and in
accordance with GAAP.
"Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio" means, with respect to any specified
Person for any period, the ratio of the Consolidated Cash Flow of such Person
for such period to the Fixed Charges of such Person for such period. In the
event that the specified Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries incurs,
assumes, Guarantees, repays, repurchases or redeems any Indebtedness (other than
ordinary working capital borrowings) or issues, repurchases or redeems preferred
stock subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Fixed Charge
Coverage Ratio is being calculated and on or prior to the date on which the
event for which the calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is made (the
"Calculation Date"), then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio will be calculated
giving pro forma effect to such incurrence, assumption, Guarantee, repayment,
repurchase or redemption of Indebtedness, or such issuance, repurchase or
redemption of preferred stock, and the use of the proceeds therefrom as if the
same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter reference
period.
In addition, for purposes of calculating the Fixed Charge Coverage
Ratio:
(1) acquisitions that have been made by the specified Person or
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including through mergers or
consolidations and including any related financing transactions, during
the four-quarter reference period or subsequent to such reference period
and on or prior to the Calculation Date will be given pro forma effect
as if they had occurred on the first day of the four-quarter reference
period and Consolidated Cash Flow for such reference period will be
calculated on a pro forma basis in accordance with Regulation S-X under
the
8
Securities Act, but without giving effect to clause (3) of the proviso
set forth in the definition of Consolidated Net Income;
(2) the Consolidated Cash Flow attributable to discontinued
operations, as determined in accordance with GAAP, and operations or
businesses disposed of prior to the Calculation Date, will be excluded;
and
(3) the Fixed Charges attributable to discontinued operations,
as determined in accordance with GAAP, and operations or businesses
disposed of prior to the Calculation Date, will be excluded, but only to
the extent that the obligations giving rise to such Fixed Charges will
not be obligations of the specified Person or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries following the Calculation Date.
"Foreign Subsidiary" means any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company,
other than a Domestic Subsidiary, that guarantees or otherwise provides direct
credit support for any Indebtedness of the Company.
"GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the
opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American
Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of
the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such
other entity as have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting
profession, which are in effect from time to time.
"Global Notes" means, individually and collectively, each of the
Restricted Global Notes and the Unrestricted Global Notes, substantially in the
form of Exhibit A hereto issued in accordance with Section 2.01, 2.06(b)(3),
2.06(b)(4), 2.06(d)(2) or 2.06(f) hereof.
"Global Note Legend" means the legend set forth in Section 2.06(g)(2),
which is required to be placed on all Global Notes issued under this Indenture.
"Government Securities" means direct obligations of, or obligations
guaranteed by, the United States of America, and the payment for which the
United States pledges its full faith and credit.
"Guarantee" means a guarantee other than by endorsement of negotiable
instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business, direct or
indirect, in any manner including, without limitation, by way of a pledge of
assets or through letters of credit or reimbursement agreements in respect
thereof, of all or any part of any Indebtedness.
"Guarantors" means each of:
(1) the Domestic Guarantors;
(2) Ethyl Europe SPRL, Ethyl Brasil Aditivos, LTDA, Ethyl
Administration GmbH, and Ethyl Services GmbH; and
(3) any other Foreign Subsidiary that executes a Note Guarantee
in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture;
and their respective successors and assigns.
9
"Hedging Obligations" means, with respect to any specified Person, the
obligations of such Person under:
(1) interest rate swap agreements, interest rate cap agreements
and interest rate collar agreements and other agreements or arrangements
designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in interest rates;
(2) any foreign exchange contract, currency swap agreement or
other similar agreement designed to protect such Person against
fluctuations in currency values; and
(3) forward contracts, commodity swap, commodity option and
other similar financial agreements or arrangements designed to protect
such Person against, or manage the exposure of such Person to,
fluctuations in commodity prices.
"Holder" means a Person in whose name a Note is registered.
"Holding Company Formation" means one or more related transactions in
which: (i) a Person acquires all of the issued and outstanding Capital Stock of
the Company in exchange for the issued and outstanding Capital Stock of such
Person, whether directly or indirectly or through a share exchange or subsidiary
merger; and , (ii) such Person assumes all of the Obligations of the Company
under the Notes, this Indenture and the Registration Rights Agreement.
"IAI Global Note" means a Global Note substantially in the form of
Exhibit A hereto bearing the Global Note Legend and the Private Placement Legend
and deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name of the Depositary
or its nominee that will be issued in a denomination equal to the outstanding
principal amount of the Notes sold to Institutional Accredited Investors.
"Indebtedness" means, with respect to any specified Person, any
indebtedness of such Person, whether or not contingent:
(1) in respect of borrowed money;
(2) evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments
or letters of credit (or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof);
(3) in respect of banker's acceptances;
(4) representing Capital Lease Obligations;
(5) representing the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase
price of any property, except any such balance that constitutes an
accrued expense or trade payable; or
(6) representing the balance deferred and unpaid of any Hedging
Obligations, except any such balance that constitutes an accrued expense
or trade payable incurred in the ordinary course of business;
if and to the extent any of the preceding items (other than letters of credit
and Hedging Obligations) would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet of the
specified Person prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, the term
"Indebtedness" includes all Indebtedness of others secured by a Lien on any
asset of the specified Person (whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by
the specified Person) and,
10
to the extent not otherwise included, the Guarantee by the specified Person of
any indebtedness of any other Person.
The amount of any Indebtedness outstanding as of any date will be:
(1) the accreted value of the Indebtedness, in the case of any
Indebtedness issued with original issue discount; and
(2) the principal amount of the Indebtedness, together with any
interest on the Indebtedness that is more than 30 days past due, in the
case of any other Indebtedness.
"Indenture" means this Indenture, as amended or supplemented from time
to time.
"Indirect Participant" means a Person who holds a beneficial interest
in a Global Note through a Participant.
"Initial Notes" means the first $150,000,000.00 aggregate principal
amount of Notes issued under this Indenture on the date hereof.
"Initial Purchasers" means Credit Suisse First Boston LLC, UBS Warburg
LLC and SunTrust Capital Markets, Inc.
"Institutional Accredited Investor" means an institution that is an
"accredited investor" as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the
Securities Act, who are not also QIBs.
"Investments" means, with respect to any Person, all direct or indirect
investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the forms
of loans (including Guarantees or other obligations), advances or capital
contributions (excluding commission, travel and similar advances to officers and
employees made in the ordinary course of business), purchases or other
acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other
securities, together with all items that are or would be classified as
investments on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP. If the Company
or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company sells or otherwise disposes of any
Equity Interests of any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company such that, after
giving effect to any such sale or disposition, such Person is no longer a
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, the Company will be deemed to have made an
Investment on the date of any such sale or disposition equal to the fair market
value of the Company's Investments in such Restricted Subsidiary that were not
sold or disposed of in an amount determined as provided in the final paragraph
of Section 4.07 hereof. The acquisition by the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary of Company of a Person that holds an Investment in a third Person
will be deemed to be an Investment by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary
in such third Person in an amount equal to the fair market value of the
Investments held by the acquired Person in such third Person in an amount
determined as provided in the final paragraph of Section 4.07 hereof. Except as
otherwise provided for herein, the amount of an Investment shall be its fair
value at the time the Investment is made and without giving effect to subsequent
changes in value.
"Legal Holiday" means a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking
institutions in the City of New York or at a place of payment are authorized by
law, regulation or executive order to remain closed. If a payment date is a
Legal Holiday at a place of payment, payment may be made at that place on the
next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue on
such payment for the intervening period.
11
"Letter of Transmittal" means the letter of transmittal to be prepared
by the Company and sent to all Holders of the Notes for use by such Holders in
connection with the Exchange Offer.
"Lien" means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge,
charge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset,
whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law
including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in
the nature thereof, any option or other agreement to sell or give a security
interest in and any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under
the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction.
"Liquidated Damages" means all liquidated damages then owing pursuant to
Section 6 of the Registration Rights Agreement.
"Moody's" means Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
"Net Income" means, with respect to any specified Person, the net income
(loss) of such Person, determined in accordance with GAAP and before any
reduction in respect of preferred stock dividends, excluding, however:
(1) any gain (but not loss), together with any related provision
for taxes on such gain (but not loss), realized in connection with:
(a) any Asset Sale; or
(b) the disposition of any securities by such Person or
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or the extinguishment of any
Indebtedness of such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; and
(2) any extraordinary gain (but not loss), together with any
related provision for taxes on such extraordinary gain (but not loss).
"Net Proceeds" means the aggregate cash proceeds received by the
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of any Asset Sale
(including, without limitation, any cash received upon the sale or other
disposition of any non-cash consideration received in any Asset Sale), net of
the direct costs relating to such Asset Sale, including, without limitation,
legal, accounting and investment banking fees, and sales commissions, and any
relocation expenses incurred as a result of the Asset Sale, taxes paid or
payable as a result of the Asset Sale, in each case, after taking into account
any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements, and
amounts required to be applied to the repayment of Indebtedness and any reserve
for adjustment in respect of the sale price of such asset or assets established
in accordance with GAAP.
"Non-Recourse Debt" means Indebtedness:
(1) as to which neither the Company nor any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries (a) provides credit support of any kind (including any
undertaking, agreement or instrument that would constitute
Indebtedness), (b) is directly or indirectly liable as a guarantor or
otherwise, or (c) constitutes the lender;
(2) no default with respect to which (including any rights that
the holders of the Indebtedness may have to take enforcement action
against an Unrestricted Subsidiary) would permit upon notice, lapse of
time or both any holder of any other Indebtedness of the Company or
12
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to declare a default on such other
Indebtedness or cause the payment of the Indebtedness to be accelerated
or payable prior to its stated maturity; and
(3) as to which the lenders have been notified in writing that
they will not have any recourse to the stock or assets of the Company or
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.
"Non-U.S. Person" means a Person who is not a U.S. Person.
"Note Guarantee" means the Guarantee by each Guarantor of the Company's
payment obligations under this Indenture and on the Notes, executed pursuant to
the provisions of this Indenture.
"Notes" has the meaning assigned to it in the preamble to this
Indenture. The Initial Notes and the Additional Notes shall be treated as a
single class for all purposes under this Indenture, and unless the context
otherwise requires, all references to the Notes shall include the Initial Notes
and any Additional Notes.
"Obligations" means any principal, interest, penalties, fees,
indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities payable under
the documentation governing any Indebtedness.
"Officer" means, with respect to any Person, the Chairman of the Board,
the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Operating Officer, the
Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, the Controller,
the Secretary or any Vice-President of such Person.
"Officers' Certificate" means a certificate signed on behalf of the
Company by two Officers of the Company, one of whom must be the principal
executive officer, the principal financial officer, the treasurer or the
principal accounting officer of the Company, that meets the requirements of
Section 12.05 hereof.
"Opinion of Counsel" means an opinion from legal counsel who is
reasonably acceptable to the Trustee, that meets the requirements of Section
12.05 hereof. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company, any
Subsidiary of the Company or the Trustee.
"Participant" means, with respect to the Depositary, Euroclear or Cedel,
a Person who has an account with the Depositary, Euroclear or Cedel,
respectively (and, with respect to DTC, shall include Euroclear and Cedel).
"Permitted Business" means any business that derives a majority of its
revenues from any of the businesses engaged in by the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries on April 30, 2003 and/or activities that are reasonably similar,
ancillary, incidental, complimentary or related to, or a reasonable extension,
development or expansion of, any of the businesses in which the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries are engaged on April 30, 2003.
"Permitted Investments" means:
(1) any Investment in the Company or in a Restricted Subsidiary
of the Company;
(2) any Investment in Cash Equivalents;
(3) any Investment by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary
of the Company in a Person, if as a result of such Investment:
13
(a) such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company; or
(b) such Person is merged, consolidated or amalgamated
with or into, or transfers or conveys substantially all of its assets
to, or is liquidated into, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company;
(4) any Investment made as a result of the receipt of non-cash
consideration from an Asset Sale that was made pursuant to and in
compliance with Section 4.10 hereof
(5) any Investment or acquisition of assets solely in exchange
for the issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of
the Company;
(6) any Investments received in compromise of obligations of
such persons incurred in the ordinary course of trade creditors or
customers that were incurred in the ordinary course of business,
including pursuant to any plan of reorganization or similar arrangement
upon the bankruptcy or insolvency of any trade creditor or customer;
(7) Hedging Obligations; and
(8) other Investments in any Person having an aggregate fair
market value (measured on the date each such Investment was made and
without giving effect to subsequent changes in value), when taken
together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (8)
since the date of this Indenture not to exceed $10.0 million.
"Permitted Liens" means:
(1) Liens securing Indebtedness and other Obligations under
Credit Facilities that were permitted by the terms of this Indenture to
be incurred;
(2) Liens in favor of the Company;
(3) Liens on property of a Person existing at the time such
Person is merged with or into or consolidated with the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; provided that such Liens were in
existence prior to the contemplation of such merger or consolidation and
do not extend to any assets other than those of the Person merged into
or consolidated with the Company or the Restricted Subsidiary;
(4) Liens on property existing at the time of acquisition of the
property by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company,
provided that such Liens were in existence prior to the contemplation of
such acquisition;
(5) Liens to secure the performance of statutory obligations,
letters of credit, surety or appeal bonds, performance bonds or other
obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of
business;
(6) Liens to secure Indebtedness (including Capital Lease
Obligations) permitted by clause (4) of Section 4.09(b) hereof covering
only the assets acquired with such Indebtedness;
(7) Liens existing on the date of this Indenture;
14
(8) Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or
claims that are not yet delinquent or that are being contested in good
faith by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and diligently
concluded, provided that any reserve or other appropriate provision as
is required in conformity with GAAP has been made therefor;
(9) Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business of the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company with respect to
obligations that do not exceed $10.0 million at any one time
outstanding;
(10) Liens on assets of Unrestricted Subsidiaries that secure
Non-Recourse Debt of Unrestricted Subsidiaries; and
(11) Liens to secure intercompany Indebtedness permitted by
clause (6) of Section 4.09(b).
"Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness" means any Indebtedness of the
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries issued in exchange for, or the net
proceeds of which are used to extend, refinance, renew, replace, defease or
refund other Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
(other than intercompany Indebtedness); provided that:
(1) the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of
such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal
amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of the Indebtedness extended,
refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded (plus all accrued
interest on the Indebtedness and the amount of all expenses and premiums
incurred in connection therewith);
(2) such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity
date later than the final maturity date of, and has a Weighted Average
Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the Weighted Average Life to
Maturity of, the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed,
replaced, defeased or refunded;
(3) if the Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed,
replaced, defeased or refunded is subordinated in right of payment to
the Notes, such Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness has a final maturity
date later than the final maturity date of, and is subordinated in right
of payment to, the Notes on terms at least as favorable to the Holders
of Notes as those contained in the documentation governing the
Indebtedness being extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or
refunded; and
(4) such Indebtedness is incurred either by the Company or by
the Restricted Subsidiary who is the obligor on the Indebtedness being
extended, refinanced, renewed, replaced, defeased or refunded.
"Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture,
association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, limited
liability company or government or other entity.
"Private Placement Legend" means the legend set forth in Section
2.06(g)(1) to be placed on all Notes issued under this Indenture except where
otherwise permitted by the provisions of this Indenture.
"QIB" means a "qualified institutional buyer" as defined in Rule 144A.
15
"Qualified Equity Offering" means an offering of common equity
securities yielding gross proceeds to the issuer of at least $15 million.
"Registration Rights Agreement" means the Registration Rights Agreement,
dated as of April 30, 2003, among the Company, the Guarantors and the other
parties named on the signature pages thereof, as such agreement may be amended,
modified or supplemented from time to time and, with respect to any Additional
Notes, one or more registration rights agreements among the Company, the
Guarantors and the other parties thereto, as such agreement(s) may be amended,
modified or supplemented from time to time, relating to rights given by the
Company to the purchasers of Additional Notes to register such Additional Notes
under the Securities Act.
"Regulation S" means Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act.
"Regulation S Global Note" means a Global Note bearing the Private
Placement Legend and deposited with or on behalf of the Depositary and
registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee, issued in a
denomination equal to the outstanding principal amount of the Notes initially
sold in reliance on Rule 903 of Regulation S.
"Responsible Officer," when used with respect to the Trustee, means any
officer within the Corporate Trust Administration of the Trustee (or any
successor group of the Trustee) or any other officer of the Trustee customarily
performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above designated
officers and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter,
any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of his knowledge of
and familiarity with the particular subject.
"Restricted Definitive Note" means a Definitive Note bearing the Private
Placement Legend.
"Restricted Global Note" means a Global Note bearing the Private
Placement Legend.
"Restricted Investment" means an Investment other than a Permitted
Investment.
"Restricted Period" means the 40-day distribution compliance period as
defined in Regulation S.
"Restricted Subsidiary" of a Person means any Subsidiary of the referent
Person that is not an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
"Rule 144" means Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act.
"Rule 144A" means Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act.
"Rule 903" means Rule 903 promulgated under the Securities Act.
"Rule 904" means Rule 904 promulgated the Securities Act.
"S&P" means Standard & Poor's Rating Group.
"SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
"Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
"Shelf Registration Statement" means the Shelf Registration Statement as
defined in the Registration Rights Agreement.
16
"Significant Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary that would be a
"significant subsidiary" as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X,
promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Regulation is in effect on
the date of this Indenture.
"Stated Maturity" means, with respect to any installment of interest or
principal on any series of Indebtedness, the date on which such payment of
interest or principal was scheduled to be paid in the original documentation
governing such Indebtedness, and shall not include any contingent obligations to
repay, redeem or repurchase any such interest or principal prior to the date
originally scheduled for the payment thereof.
"Subsidiary" means, with respect to any specified Person:
(1) any corporation, association or other business entity of
which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock
entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote
in the election of directors, managers or trustees of the corporation,
association or other business entity is at the time owned or controlled,
directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other
Subsidiaries of that Person (or a combination thereof); and
(2) any partnership (a) the sole general partner or the managing
general partner of which is such Person or a Subsidiary of such Person
or (b) the only general partners of which are that Person or one or more
Subsidiaries of that Person (or any combination thereof).
"Treasury Rate" means, as of any Redemption Date, the yield to maturity
as of such Redemption Date of United States Treasury securities with a constant
maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve
Statistical Release H.15 (519) that has become publicly available at least two
Business Days prior to the Redemption Date (or, if such Statistical Release is
no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data)) most
nearly equal to the period from the Redemption Date to May 1, 2007; provided,
however, that if the period from the Redemption Date to May 1, 2007 is less than
one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury
securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year will be used.
"TIA" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. Sections
77aaa-77bbbb) as in effect on the date on which this Indenture is qualified
under the TIA.
"Trustee" means the party named as such in the preamble to this
Indenture until a successor replaces it in accordance with the applicable
provisions of this Indenture and thereafter means the successor serving
hereunder.
"Unrestricted Global Note" means a permanent global Note substantially
in the form of Exhibit A1 attached hereto that bears the Global Note Legend and
that has the "Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note" attached
thereto, and that is deposited with or on behalf of and registered in the name
of the Depositary, representing a series of Notes that do not bear the Private
Placement Legend.
"Unrestricted Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary of the Company that is
designated by the Board of Directors as an Unrestricted Subsidiary pursuant to a
Board Resolution, but only to the extent that such Subsidiary:
(1) has no Indebtedness other than Non-Recourse Debt;
(2) is not party to any agreement, contract, arrangement or
understanding with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company unless the terms of any such agreement,
17
contract, arrangement or understanding are no less favorable to the
Company or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that might be obtained
at the time from Persons who are not Affiliates of the Company;
(3) a Person with respect to which neither the Company nor any
of its Restricted Subsidiaries has any direct or indirect obligation (a)
to subscribe for additional Equity Interests or (b) to maintain or
preserve such Person's financial condition or to cause such Person to
achieve any specified levels of operating results; and
(4) it is not guaranteeing or otherwise providing credit support
for any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries.
Any designation of a Subsidiary of the Company as an Unrestricted
Subsidiary will be evidenced to the Trustee by filing with the Trustee a
certified copy of the Board Resolution giving effect to such designation and an
Officers' Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the
preceding conditions and was permitted by Section 4.07 hereof. If at any time,
any Unrestricted Subsidiary would fail to meet the preceding requirements as an
Unrestricted Subsidiary, it will thereafter cease to be an Unrestricted
Subsidiary for purposes of this Indenture and any Indebtedness of such
Subsidiary will be deemed to be incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company as of such date and, if such Indebtedness is not permitted to be
incurred as of such date under Section 4.09 hereof, the Company will be in
default of such Section. The Board of Directors of the Company may at any time
designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided
that such designation will be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness by a
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of any outstanding Indebtedness of such
Unrestricted Subsidiary and such designation will only be permitted if (i) such
Indebtedness is permitted under Section 4.09 hereof, calculated on a pro forma
basis as if such designation had occurred at the beginning of the four-quarter
reference period and (ii) no Default or Event of Default would be in existence
following such designation.
"Unrestricted Definitive Note" means one or more Definitive Notes that
do not bear and are not required to bear the Private Placement Legend.
"U.S. Person" means a U.S. Person as defined in Rule 902(o) under the
Securities Act.
"Voting Stock" of any Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of
such Person that is at the time entitled to vote in the election of the Board of
Directors of such Person.
"Weighted Average Life to Maturity" means, when applied to any
Indebtedness at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing:
(1) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (a) the
amount of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity
or other required payments of principal, including payment at final
maturity, in respect of the Indebtedness, by (b) the number of years
(calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between such
date and the making of such payment; by
(2) the then outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness.
"Wholly Owned Subsidiary" of any specified Person means a Restricted
Subsidiary of such Person all of the outstanding Capital Stock or other
ownership interests of which (other than directors' qualifying shares) shall at
the time be owned by such Person or by one or more Wholly Owned
18
Subsidiaries of such Person or by such Person and one or more Wholly Owned
Subsidiaries of such Person.
Section 1.02 Other Definitions.
Defined in
Term Section
---- -------
"Affiliate Transaction"............................................................. 4.11
"Asset Sale Offer".................................................................. 3.09
"Authentication Order".............................................................. 2.02
"Change of Control Offer"........................................................... 4.15
"Change of Control Payment"......................................................... 4.15
"Change of Control Payment Date".................................................... 4.15
"Covenant Defeasance"............................................................... 8.03
"DTC"............................................................................... 2.03
"Event of Default".................................................................. 6.01
"Excess Proceeds"................................................................... 4.10
"incur"............................................................................. 4.09
"Legal Defeasance".................................................................. 8.02
"Offer Amount"...................................................................... 3.09
"Offer Period"...................................................................... 3.09
"Paying Agent"...................................................................... 2.03
"Permitted Debt".................................................................... 4.09
"Purchase Date"..................................................................... 3.09
"Redemption Date"................................................................... 3.07
"Registrar"......................................................................... 2.03
"Restricted Payments"............................................................... 4.07
Section 1.03 Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.
Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision
is incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture.
The following TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following
meanings:
"indenture securities" means the Notes;
"indenture security Holder" means a Holder of a Note;
"indenture to be qualified" means this Indenture;
"indenture trustee" or "institutional trustee" means the Trustee; and
"obligor" on the Notes and the Note Guarantees means the Company and the
Guarantors, respectively, and any successor obligor upon the Notes and the Note
Guarantees, respectively.
All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined by the TIA,
defined by TIA reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule under the TIA
have the meanings so assigned to them.
19
Section 1.04 Rules of Construction.
Unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) a term has the meaning assigned to it;
(2) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning
assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;
(3) "or" is not exclusive;
(4) words in the singular include the plural, and in the plural
include the singular;
(5) "will" shall be interpreted to express a command;
(6) provisions apply to successive events and transactions; and
(7) references to sections of or rules under the Securities Act
will be deemed to include substitute, replacement of successor sections
or rules adopted by the SEC from time to time.
ARTICLE 2.
THE NOTES
Section 2.01 Form and Dating.
(a) General. The Notes and the Trustee's certificate of authentication
will be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto. The Notes may have
notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule or
usage. Each Note will be dated the date of its authentication. The Notes shall
be in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof
The terms and provisions contained in the Notes will constitute, and are
hereby expressly made, a part of this Indenture and the Company, the Guarantors
and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture, expressly
agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby. However, to the
extent any provision of any Note conflicts with the express provisions of this
Indenture, the provisions of this Indenture shall govern and be controlling.
(b) Global Notes. Notes issued in global form will be substantially in
the form of Exhibit A attached hereto (including the Global Note Legend thereon
and the "Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note" attached
thereto). Notes issued in definitive form will be substantially in the form of
Exhibit A attached hereto (but without the Global Note Legend thereon and
without the "Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note" attached
thereto). Each Global Note will represent such of the outstanding Notes as will
be specified therein and each shall provide that it represents the aggregate
principal amount of outstanding Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and
that the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby may
from time to time be reduced or increased, as appropriate, to reflect exchanges
and redemptions. Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any
increase or decrease in the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes
represented thereby will be made by the Trustee or the Custodian, at the
direction of the Trustee, in accordance with instructions given by the Holder
thereof as required by Section 2.06 hereof.
(c) Euroclear and Cedel Procedures Applicable. The provisions of the
"Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System" and "Terms and Conditions
Governing Use of Euroclear" and the "General Terms
20
and Conditions of Cedel Banking" and "Customer Handbook" of Cedel will be
applicable to transfers of beneficial interests in the Regulation S Global Notes
that are held by Participants through Euroclear or Cedel.
Section 2.02 Execution and Authentication.
Two Officers must sign the Notes for the Company by manual or facsimile
signature.
If an Officer whose signature is on a Note no longer holds that office
at the time a Note is authenticated, the Note will nevertheless be valid.
A Note will not be valid until authenticated by the manual signature of
the Trustee. The signature will be conclusive evidence that the Note has been
authenticated under this Indenture.
The Trustee will, upon receipt of a written order of the Company signed
by two Officers (an "Authentication Order"), authenticate Notes for original
issue.
The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the
Company to authenticate Notes. An authenticating agent may authenticate Notes
whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to
authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An
authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with Holders or an
Affiliate of the Company.
Section 2.03 Registrar and Paying Agent.
The Company will maintain an office or agency where Notes may be
presented for registration of transfer or for exchange ("Registrar") and an
office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment ("Paying Agent"). The
Registrar will keep a register of the Notes and of their transfer and exchange.
The Company may appoint one or more co-registrars and one or more additional
paying agents. The term "Registrar" includes any co-registrar and the term
"Paying Agent" includes any additional paying agent. The Company may change any
Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Company will notify
the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this
Indenture. If the Company fails to appoint or maintain another entity as
Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such. The Company or any of
its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.
The Company initially appoints The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") to
act as Depositary with respect to the Global Notes.
The Company initially appoints the Trustee to act as the Registrar and
Paying Agent and to act as Custodian with respect to the Global Notes.
Section 2.04 Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.
The Company will require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to
agree in writing that the Paying Agent will hold in trust for the benefit of
Holders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the payment of
principal, premium or Liquidated Damages, if any, or interest on the Notes, and
will notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making any such
payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying
Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. The Company at any time may
require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. Upon payment
over to the Trustee, the Paying Agent (if other than the Company or a
Subsidiary) will have no further liability for the money. If the Company or a
Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it will segregate and hold in a separate trust
fund for the benefit of the Holders all money held by it as Paying Agent. Upon
21
any bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings relating to the Company, the
Trustee will serve as Paying Agent for the Notes.
Section 2.05 Holder Lists.
The Trustee will preserve in as current a form as is reasonably
practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of
all Holders and shall otherwise comply with TIA Setion 312(a). If the Trustee is
not the Registrar, the Company will furnish to the Trustee at least seven
Business Days before each interest payment date and at such other times as the
Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the
Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders of
Notes and the Company shall otherwise comply with TIA Section 312(a).
Section 2.06 Transfer and Exchange.
(a) Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes. A Global Note may not be
transferred as a whole except by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary,
by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or to another nominee of the
Depositary, or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary
or a nominee of such successor Depositary. All Global Notes will be exchanged by
the Company for Definitive Notes if:
(1) the Company delivers to the Trustee notice from the
Depositary that it is unwilling or unable to continue to act as
Depositary or that it is no longer a clearing agency registered under
the Exchange Act and, in either case, a successor Depositary is not
appointed by the Company within 120 days after the date of such notice
from the Depositary; or
(2) the Company in its sole discretion determines that the
Global Notes (in whole but not in part) should be exchanged for
Definitive Notes and delivers a written notice to such effect to the
Trustee.
Upon the occurrence of either of the preceding events in (1) or (2)
above, Definitive Notes shall be issued in such names as the Depositary shall
instruct the Trustee. Global Notes also may be exchanged or replaced, in whole
or in part, as provided in Sections 2.07 and 2.10 hereof. Every Note
authenticated and delivered in exchange for, or in lieu of, a Global Note or any
portion thereof, pursuant to this Section 2.06 or Section 2.07 or 2.10 hereof,
shall be authenticated and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a Global
Note. A Global Note may not be exchanged for another Note other than as provided
in this Section 2.06(a), however, beneficial interests in a Global Note may be
transferred and exchanged as provided in Section 2.06(b), (c) or (f) hereof.
(b) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in the Global Notes.
The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in the Global Notes will be
effected through the Depositary, in accordance with the provisions of this
Indenture and the Applicable Procedures. Beneficial interests in the Restricted
Global Notes will be subject to restrictions on transfer comparable to those set
forth herein to the extent required by the Securities Act. Transfers of
beneficial interests in the Global Notes also will require compliance with
either subparagraph (1) or (2) below, as applicable, as well as one or more of
the other following subparagraphs, as applicable:
(1) Transfer of Beneficial Interests in the Same Global Note.
Beneficial interests in any Restricted Global Note may be transferred to
Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest
in the same Restricted Global Note in accordance with the transfer
restrictions set forth in the Private Placement Legend; provided,
however, that prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period,
transfers of beneficial interests in the Regulation S Global Note may
not be
22
made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person
(other than an Initial Purchaser). Beneficial interests in any
Unrestricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery
thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global
Note. No written orders or instructions shall be required to be
delivered to the Registrar to effect the transfers described in this
Section 2.06(b)(1).
(2) All Other Transfers and Exchanges of Beneficial Interests in
Global Notes. In connection with all transfers and exchanges of
beneficial interests that are not subject to Section 2.06(b)(1) above,
the transferor of such beneficial interest must deliver to the Registrar
either:
(A) both:
(i) a written order from a Participant or an
Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in
accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the
Depositary to credit or cause to be credited a
beneficial interest in another Global Note in an amount
equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or
exchanged; and
(ii) instructions given in accordance with the
Applicable Procedures containing information regarding
the Participant account to be credited with such
increase; or
(B) both:
(i) a written order from a Participant or an
Indirect Participant given to the Depositary in
accordance with the Applicable Procedures directing the
Depositary to cause to be issued a Definitive Note in an
amount equal to the beneficial interest to be
transferred or exchanged; and
(ii) instructions given by the Depositary to the
Registrar containing information regarding the Person in
whose name such Definitive Note shall be registered to
effect the transfer or exchange referred to in (1)
above. Upon consummation of an Exchange Offer by the
Company in accordance with Section 2.06(f) hereof, the
requirements of this Section 2.06(b)(2) shall be deemed
to have been satisfied upon receipt by the Registrar of
the instructions contained in the Letter of Transmittal
delivered by the Holder of such beneficial interests in
the Restricted Global Notes. Upon satisfaction of all of
the requirements for transfer or exchange of beneficial
interests in Global Notes contained in this Indenture
and the Notes or otherwise applicable under the
Securities Act, the Trustee shall adjust the principal
amount of the relevant Global Note(s) pursuant to
Section 2.06(h) hereof.
(3) Transfer of Beneficial Interests to Another Restricted
Global Note. A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be
transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a
beneficial interest in another Restricted Global Note if the transfer
complies with the requirements of Section 2.06(b)(2) above and the
Registrar receives the following:
(A) if the transferee will take delivery in the form of
a beneficial interest in the 144A Global Note, then the
transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B
hereto, including the certifications in item (1) thereof;
23
(B) if the transferee will take delivery in the form of
a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note, then the
transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B
hereto, including the certifications in item (2) thereof; and
(C) if the transferee will take delivery in the form of
a beneficial interest in the IAI Global Note, then the
transferor must deliver a certificate in the form of Exhibit B
hereto, including the certifications, certificates and Opinion
of Counsel required by item (3) thereof, if applicable.
(4) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in a
Restricted Global Note for Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted
Global Note. A beneficial interest in any Restricted Global Note may be
exchanged by any holder thereof for a beneficial interest in an
Unrestricted Global Note or transferred to a Person who takes delivery
thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global
Note if the exchange or transfer complies with the requirements of
Section 2.06(b)(2) above and:
(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to
the Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights
Agreement and the holder of the beneficial interest to be
transferred, in the case of an exchange, or the transferee, in
the case of a transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of
Transmittal that it is not (i) a Broker-Dealer, (ii) a Person
participating in the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (iii)
a Person who is an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the
Company;
(B) such transfer is effected pursuant to the Shelf
Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration
Rights Agreement;
(C) such transfer is effected by a Broker-Dealer
pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in
accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or
(D) the Registrar receives the following:
(i) if the holder of such beneficial interest in
a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such
beneficial interest for a beneficial interest in an
Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder
in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the
certifications in item (1)(a) thereof; or
(ii) if the holder of such beneficial interest
in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such
beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery
thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an
Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder
in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the
certifications in item (4) thereof;
and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), if
the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so
require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to
the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in
compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on
transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend
are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the
Securities Act.
If any such transfer is effected pursuant to subparagraph (B) or (D)
above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the
Company shall issue and, upon receipt of an
24
Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee shall
authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal
amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of beneficial interests
transferred pursuant to subparagraph (B) or (D) above.
Beneficial interests in an Unrestricted Global Note cannot be exchanged
for, or transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of, a
beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note.
(c) Transfer or Exchange of Beneficial Interests for Definitive Notes.
(1) Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to
Restricted Definitive Notes. If any holder of a beneficial interest in a
Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for
a Restricted Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest to
a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Restricted
Definitive Note, then, upon receipt by the Registrar of the following
documentation:
(A) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a
Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial
interest for a Restricted Definitive Note, a certificate from
such holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the
certifications in item (2)(a) thereof;
(B) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to
a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, a certificate to the effect
set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in
item (1) thereof;
(C) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to
a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with
Rule 903 or Rule 904, a certificate to the effect set forth in
Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (2)
thereof;
(D) if such beneficial interest is being transferred
pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of
the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144, a certificate to
the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the
certifications in item (3)(a) thereof;
(E) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to
an Institutional Accredited Investor in reliance on an exemption
from the registration requirements of the Securities Act other
than those listed in subparagraphs (B) through (D) above, a
certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto,
including the certifications, certificates and Opinion of
Counsel required by item (3) thereof, if applicable;
(F) if such beneficial interest is being transferred to
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, a certificate to the
effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the
certifications in item (3)(b) thereof; or
(G) if such beneficial interest is being transferred
pursuant to an effective registration statement under the
Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit
B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(c) thereof,
the Trustee shall cause the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Global
Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section 2.06(h) hereof, and the
Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the
Person designated in the instructions a Definitive Note in the appropriate
principal amount. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial
interest in a Restricted Global
25
Note pursuant to this Section 2.06(c) shall be registered in such name or names
and in such authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such
beneficial interest shall instruct the Registrar through instructions from the
Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant. The Trustee shall
deliver such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose names such Notes are so
registered. Any Definitive Note issued in exchange for a beneficial interest in
a Restricted Global Note pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(1) shall bear the
Private Placement Legend and shall be subject to all restrictions on transfer
contained therein.
(2) Beneficial Interests in Restricted Global Notes to
Unrestricted Definitive Notes. A holder of a beneficial interest in a
Restricted Global Note may exchange such beneficial interest for an
Unrestricted Definitive Note or may transfer such beneficial interest to
a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted
Definitive Note only if:
(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to
the Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights
Agreement and the holder of such beneficial interest, in the
case of an exchange, or the transferee, in the case of a
transfer, certifies in the applicable Letter of Transmittal that
it is not (i) a Broker-Dealer, (ii) a Person participating in
the distribution of the Exchange Notes or (iii) a Person who is
an affiliate (as defined in Rule 144) of the Company;
(B) such transfer is effected pursuant to the Shelf
Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration
Rights Agreement;
(C) such transfer is effected by a Broker-Dealer
pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in
accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or
(D) the Registrar receives the following:
(i) if the holder of such beneficial interest in
a Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such
beneficial interest for a Definitive Note that does not
bear the Private Placement Legend, a certificate from
such holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including
the certifications in item (1)(b) thereof; or
(ii) if the holder of such beneficial interest
in a Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such
beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery
thereof in the form of a Definitive Note that does not
bear the Private Placement Legend, a certificate from
such holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including
the certifications in item (4) thereof;
and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), if
the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so
require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to
the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in
compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on
transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend
are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the
Securities Act.
(3) Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes to
Unrestricted Definitive Notes. If any holder of a beneficial interest in
an Unrestricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial
interest for a Definitive Note or to transfer such beneficial interest
to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note,
then, upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section
2.06(b)(2) hereof, the Trustee will cause the aggregate principal amount
of the
26
applicable Global Note to be reduced accordingly pursuant to Section
2.06(h) hereof, and the Company will execute and the Trustee will
authenticate and deliver to the Person designated in the instructions a
Definitive Note in the appropriate principal amount. Any Definitive Note
issued in exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section
2.06(c)(3) will be registered in such name or names and in such
authorized denomination or denominations as the holder of such
beneficial interest requests through instructions to the Registrar from
or through the Depositary and the Participant or Indirect Participant.
The Trustee will deliver such Definitive Notes to the Persons in whose
names such Notes are so registered. Any Definitive Note issued in
exchange for a beneficial interest pursuant to this Section 2.06(c)(3)
will not bear the Private Placement Legend.
(d) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Beneficial Interests.
(1) Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in
Restricted Global Notes. If any Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note
proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a Restricted
Global Note or to transfer such Restricted Definitive Notes to a Person
who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in a
Restricted Global Note, then, upon receipt by the Registrar of the
following documentation:
(A) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive Note
proposes to exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in a
Restricted Global Note, a certificate from such Holder in the
form of Exhibit C hereto, including the certifications in item
(2)(b) thereof;
(B) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being
transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A, a certificate
to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the
certifications in item (1) thereof;
(C) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being
transferred to a Non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in
accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904, a certificate to the
effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto, including the
certifications in item (2) thereof;
(D) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being
transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration
requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144,
a certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto,
including the certifications in item (3)(a) thereof;
(E) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being
transferred to an Institutional Accredited Investor in reliance
on an exemption from the registration requirements of the
Securities Act other than those listed in subparagraphs (B)
through (D) above, a certificate to the effect set forth in
Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications, certificates and
Opinion of Counsel required by item (3) thereof, if applicable;
(F) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being
transferred to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, a
certificate to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto,
including the certifications in item (3)(b) thereof; or
(G) if such Restricted Definitive Note is being
transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement
under the Securities Act, a certificate to the effect set forth
in Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item (3)(c)
thereof,
27
the Trustee will cancel the Restricted Definitive Note, increase
or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of, in
the case of clause (A) above, the appropriate Restricted Global
Note, in the case of clause (B) above, the 144A Global Note, in
the case of clause (C) above, the Regulation S Global Note, and
in all other cases, the IAI Global Note.
(2) Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in
Unrestricted Global Notes. A Holder of a Restricted Definitive Note may
exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global
Note or transfer such Restricted Definitive Note to a Person who takes
delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted
Global Note only if:
(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to
the Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights
Agreement and the Holder, in the case of an exchange, or the
transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the
applicable Letter of Transmittal that it is not (i) a
Broker-Dealer, (ii) a Person participating in the distribution
of the Exchange Notes or (iii) a Person who is an affiliate (as
defined in Rule 144) of the Company;
(B) such transfer is effected pursuant to the Shelf
Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration
Rights Agreement;
(C) such transfer is effected by a Broker-Dealer
pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in
accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or
(D) the Registrar receives the following:
(i) if the Holder of such Definitive Notes
proposes to exchange such Notes for a beneficial
interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate
from such Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto,
including the certifications in item (1)(c) thereof; or
(ii) if the Holder of such Definitive Notes
proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who shall
take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial
interest in the Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate
from such Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto,
including the certifications in item (4) thereof;
and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), if
the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so
require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to
the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in
compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on
transfer contained herein and in the Private Placement Legend
are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the
Securities Act.
Upon satisfaction of the conditions of any of the subparagraphs
in this Section 2.06(d)(2), the Trustee will cancel the Definitive Notes
and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of
the Unrestricted Global Note.
(3) Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in
Unrestricted Global Notes. A Holder of an Unrestricted Definitive Note
may exchange such Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted
Global Note or transfer such Definitive Notes to a Person who takes
delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted
Global Note at any time. Upon receipt of a
28
request for such an exchange or transfer, the Trustee will cancel the
applicable Unrestricted Definitive Note and increase or cause to be
increased the aggregate principal amount of one of the Unrestricted
Global Notes.
If any such exchange or transfer from a Definitive Note to a
beneficial interest is effected pursuant to subparagraphs (2)(B), (2)(D)
or (3) above at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been
issued, the Company will issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication
Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof, the Trustee will
authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate
principal amount equal to the principal amount of Definitive Notes so
transferred.
(e) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Definitive Notes. Upon
request by a Holder of Definitive Notes and such Holder's compliance with the
provisions of this Section 2.06(e), the Registrar will register the transfer or
exchange of Definitive Notes. Prior to such registration of transfer or
exchange, the requesting Holder must present or surrender to the Registrar the
Definitive Notes duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of
transfer in form satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by such Holder or
by its attorney, duly authorized in writing. In addition, the requesting Holder
must provide any additional certifications, documents and information, as
applicable, required pursuant to the following provisions of this Section
2.06(e).
(1) Restricted Definitive Notes to Restricted Definitive Notes.
Any Restricted Definitive Note may be transferred to and registered in
the name of Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a
Restricted Definitive Note if the Registrar receives the following:
(A) if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule 144A
under the Securities Act, then the transferor must deliver a
certificate in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the
certifications in item (1) thereof;
(B) if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule 903 or
Rule 904, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the
form of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications in item
(2) thereof; and
(C) if the transfer will be made pursuant to any other
exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities
Act, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form
of Exhibit B hereto, including the certifications, certificates
and Opinion of Counsel required by item (3) thereof, if
applicable.
(2) Restricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive
Notes. Any Restricted Definitive Note may be exchanged by the Holder
thereof for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or transferred to a Person
or Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted
Definitive Note if:
(A) such exchange or transfer is effected pursuant to
the Exchange Offer in accordance with the Registration Rights
Agreement and the Holder, in the case of an exchange, or the
transferee, in the case of a transfer, certifies in the
applicable Letter of Transmittal that it is not (i) a
broker-dealer, (ii) a Person participating in the distribution
of the Exchange Notes or (iii) a Person who is an affiliate (as
defined in Rule 144) of the Company;
(B) any such transfer is effected pursuant to the Shelf
Registration Statement in accordance with the Registration
Rights Agreement;
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(C) any such transfer is effected by a Broker-Dealer
pursuant to the Exchange Offer Registration Statement in
accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement; or
(D) the Registrar receives the following:
(i) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive
Notes proposes to exchange such Notes for an
Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such
Holder in the form of Exhibit C hereto, including the
certifications in item (1)(d) thereof; or
(ii) if the Holder of such Restricted Definitive
Notes proposes to transfer such Notes to a Person who
shall take delivery thereof in the form of an
Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such
Holder in the form of Exhibit B hereto, including the
certifications in item (4) thereof;
and, in each such case set forth in this subparagraph (D), if
the Registrar so requests, an Opinion of Counsel in form
reasonably acceptable to the Company to the effect that such
exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act
and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in
the Private Placement Legend are no longer required in order to
maintain compliance with the Securities Act.
(3) Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive
Notes. A Holder of Unrestricted Definitive Notes may transfer such Notes
to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted
Definitive Note. Upon receipt of a request to register such a transfer,
the Registrar shall register the Unrestricted Definitive Notes pursuant
to the instructions from the Holder thereof.
(f) Exchange Offer. Upon the occurrence of the Exchange Offer in
accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company will issue and,
upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 hereof,
the Trustee will authenticate:
(1) one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate
principal amount equal to the principal amount of the beneficial
interests in the Restricted Global Notes tendered into the Exchange
Offer by Persons that certify in the applicable Letters of Transmittal
that (A) they are not Broker-Dealers, (B) they are not participating in
a distribution of the Exchange Notes and (z) they are not affiliates (as
defined in Rule 144) of the Company; and
(2) Unrestricted Definitive Notes in an aggregate principal
amount equal to the principal amount of the Restricted Definitive Notes
accepted for exchange in the Exchange Offer.
Concurrently with the issuance of such Notes, the Trustee will cause
the aggregate principal amount of the applicable Restricted Global Notes to be
reduced accordingly, and the Company will execute and the Trustee will
authenticate and deliver to the Persons designated by the Holders of Definitive
Notes so accepted Unrestricted Definitive Notes in the appropriate principal
amount.
(g) Legends. The following legends will appear on the face of all Global
Notes and Definitive Notes issued under this Indenture unless specifically
stated otherwise in the applicable provisions of this Indenture.
(1) Private Placement Legend.
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(A) Except as permitted by subparagraph (B) below, each
Global Note and each Definitive Note (and all Notes issued in
exchange therefor or substitution thereof) shall bear the legend
in substantially the following form:
"THIS NOTE (OR ITS PREDECESSOR) WAS ORIGINALLY ISSUED IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT
FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE
"SECURITIES ACT"), AND THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE
TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION
THEREFROM. EACH PURCHASER OF THIS NOTE IS HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT THE SELLER OF
THIS NOTE MAY BE RELYING ON THE EXEMPTION FROM THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 5 OF
THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144A THEREUNDER.
THE HOLDER OF THIS NOTE AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMPANY THAT (A) THIS NOTE
MAY BE OFFERED, RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, ONLY (I) IN THE UNITED
STATES TO A PERSON WHOM THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED
INSTITUTIONAL BUYER (AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) IN A
TRANSACTION MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF RULE 144A, (II) OUTSIDE THE UNITED
STATES IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH RULE 903 OR RULE 904 OF
REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (III) PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM
REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144 THEREUNDER (IF
AVAILABLE), (IV) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT, OR (V) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR IN A TRANSACTION
EXEMPT FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, IN EACH OF
CASES (I) THROUGH (V) IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY
STATE OF THE UNITED STATES, AND (B) THE HOLDER WILL, AND EACH SUBSEQUENT HOLDER
IS REQUIRED TO, NOTIFY ANY PURCHASER OF THIS NOTE FROM IT OF THE RESALE
RESTRICTIONS REFERRED TO IN (A) ABOVE."
(B) Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Global Note or
Definitive Note issued pursuant to subparagraphs (b)(4), (c)(2),
(c)(3), (d)(2), (d)(3), (e)(2), (e)(3) or (f) of this Section
2.06 (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or substitution
thereof) will not bear the Private Placement Legend.
(2) Global Note Legend. Each Global Note will bear a legend in
substantially the following form:
"THIS GLOBAL NOTE IS HELD BY THE DEPOSITARY (AS DEFINED IN THE INDENTURE
GOVERNING THIS NOTE) OR ITS NOMINEE IN CUSTODY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE BENEFICIAL
OWNERS HEREOF, AND IS NOT TRANSFERABLE TO ANY PERSON UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES
EXCEPT THAT (1) THE TRUSTEE MAY MAKE SUCH NOTATIONS HEREON AS MAY BE REQUIRED
PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06 OF THE INDENTURE, (2) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE EXCHANGED
IN WHOLE BUT NOT IN PART PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.06(a) OF THE INDENTURE, (3) THIS
GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE FOR CANCELLATION PURSUANT TO SECTION
2.11 OF THE INDENTURE AND (IV) THIS GLOBAL NOTE MAY BE TRANSFERRED TO A
SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE COMPANY.
UNLESS AND UNTIL IT IS EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR NOTES IN DEFINITIVE
FORM, THIS NOTE MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE
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DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO
THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY THE DEPOSITARY OR ANY
SUCH NOMINEE TO A SUCCESSOR DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF SUCH SUCCESSOR
DEPOSITARY. UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE
OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY (55 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK) ("DTC"),
TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT,
AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER
NAME AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT
IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS MAY BE REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED
REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR
OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER
HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN."
(h) Cancellation and/or Adjustment of Global Notes. At such time as all
beneficial interests in a particular Global Note have been exchanged for
Definitive Notes or a particular Global Note has been redeemed, repurchased or
canceled in whole and not in part, each such Global Note will be returned to or
retained and canceled by the Trustee in accordance with Section 2.11 hereof. At
any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note
is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in
the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note or for Definitive
Notes, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note will be
reduced accordingly and an endorsement will be made on such Global Note by the
Trustee or by the Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such
reduction; and if the beneficial interest is being exchanged for or transferred
to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest
in another Global Note, such other Global Note will be increased accordingly and
an endorsement will be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the
Depositary at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such increase.
(i) General Provisions Relating to Transfers and Exchanges.
(1) To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the
Company will execute and the Trustee will authenticate Global Notes and
Definitive Notes upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance
with Section 2.02 or at the Registrar's request.
(2) No service charge will be made to a Holder of a Global Note
or to a Holder of a Definitive Note for any registration of transfer or
exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to
cover any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in
connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes or similar
governmental charge payable upon exchange or transfer pursuant to
Sections 2.10, 3.06, 3.09, 4.10, 4.15 and 9.05 hereof.
(3) The Registrar will not be required to register the transfer
of or exchange any Note selected for redemption in whole or in part,
except the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part.
(4) All Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued upon any
registration of transfer or exchange of Global Notes or Definitive Notes
will be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt,
and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Global
Notes or Definitive Notes surrendered upon such registration of transfer
or exchange.
(5) The Company will not be required:
32
(A) to issue, to register the transfer of or to exchange
any Notes during a period beginning at the opening of business
15 days before the day of any selection of Notes for redemption
under Section 3.02 hereof and ending at the close of business on
the day of selection;
(B) to register the transfer of or to exchange any Note
selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the
unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part; or
(C) to register the transfer of or to exchange a Note
between a record date and the next succeeding interest payment
date.
(6) Prior to due presentment for the registration of a transfer
of any Note, the Trustee, any Agent and the Company may deem and treat
the Person in whose name any Note is registered as the absolute owner of
such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and
interest on such Notes and for all other purposes, and none of the
Trustee, any Agent or the Company shall be affected by notice to the
contrary.
(7) The Trustee will authenticate Global Notes and Definitive
Notes in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.02 hereof.
(8) All certifications, certificates and Opinions of Counsel
required to be submitted to the Registrar pursuant to this Section 2.06
to effect a registration of transfer or exchange may be submitted by
facsimile.
Section 2.07 Replacement Notes.
If any mutilated Note is surrendered to the Trustee or the Company and
the Trustee receives evidence to its satisfaction of the destruction, loss or
theft of any Note, the Company will issue and the Trustee, upon receipt of an
Authentication Order, will authenticate a replacement Note if the Trustee's
requirements are met. If required by the Trustee or the Company, an indemnity
bond must be supplied by the Holder that is sufficient in the judgment of the
Trustee and the Company to protect the Company, the Trustee, any Agent and any
authenticating agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Note is
replaced. The Company may charge for its expenses in replacing a Note.
Every replacement Note is an additional obligation of the Company and
will be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture equally and
proportionately with all other Notes duly issued hereunder.
Section 2.08 Outstanding Notes.
The Notes outstanding at any time are all the Notes authenticated by
the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for
cancellation, those reductions in the interest in a Global Note effected by the
Trustee in accordance with the provisions hereof, and those described in this
Section as not outstanding. Except as set forth in Section 2.09 hereof, a Note
does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate of the
Company holds the Note; however, Notes held by the Company or a Subsidiary of
the Company shall not be deemed to be outstanding for purposes of Section
3.07(b) hereof.
If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.07 hereof, it ceases to be
outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the
replaced Note is held by a protected purchaser.
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If the principal amount of any Note is considered paid under Section
4.01 hereof, it ceases to be outstanding and interest on it ceases to accrue.
If the Paying Agent (other than the Company, a Subsidiary or an
Affiliate of any thereof) holds, on a redemption date or maturity date, money
sufficient to pay Notes payable on that date, then on and after that date such
Notes will be deemed to be no longer outstanding and will cease to accrue
interest.
Section 2.09 Treasury Notes.
In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of
Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Notes owned by the
Company, or by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or
under direct or indirect common control with the Company, will be considered as
though not outstanding, except that for the purposes of determining whether the
Trustee will be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent,
only Notes that the Trustee knows are so owned will be so disregarded.
Section 2.10 Temporary Notes.
Until certificates representing Notes are ready for delivery, the
Company may prepare and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order,
will authenticate temporary Notes. Temporary Notes will be substantially in the
form of certificated Notes but may have variations that the Company considers
appropriate for temporary Notes and as may be reasonably acceptable to the
Trustee. Without unreasonable delay, the Company will prepare and the Trustee
will authenticate definitive Notes in exchange for temporary Notes.
Holders of temporary Notes will be entitled to all of the benefits of
this Indenture.
Section 2.11 Cancellation.
The Company at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for
cancellation. The Registrar and Paying Agent will forward to the Trustee any
Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The
Trustee and no one else will cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of
transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and will destroy
canceled Notes (subject to the record retention requirement of the Exchange
Act). Certification of the destruction of all canceled Notes will be delivered
to the Company. The Company may not issue new Notes to replace Notes that it has
paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.
Section 2.12 Defaulted Interest.
If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Notes, it will
pay the defaulted interest in any lawful manner plus, to the extent lawful,
interest payable on the defaulted interest, to the Persons who are Holders on a
subsequent special record date, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes
and in Section 4.01 hereof. The Company will notify the Trustee in writing of
the amount of defaulted interest proposed to be paid on each Note and the date
of the proposed payment. The Company will fix or cause to be fixed each such
special record date and payment date, provided that no such special record date
may be less than 10 days prior to the related payment date for such defaulted
interest. At least 15 days before the special record date, the Company (or, upon
the written request of the Company, the Trustee in the name and at the expense
of the Company) will mail or cause to be mailed to Holders a notice that states
the special record date, the related payment date and the amount of such
interest to be paid.
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ARTICLE 3.
REDEMPTION AND PREPAYMENT
Section 3.01 Notices to Trustee.
If the Company elects to redeem Notes pursuant to the optional
redemption provisions of Section 3.07 hereof, it must furnish to the Trustee, at
least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, an Officers'
Certificate setting forth:
(1) the clause of this Indenture pursuant to which the
redemption shall occur;
(2) the redemption date;
(3) the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed; and
(4) the redemption price.
Section 3.02 Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed or Purchased.
If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed or purchased in an
offer to purchase at any time, the Trustee will select Notes for redemption or
purchase as follows:
(1) if the Notes are listed on any national securities exchange,
in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities
exchange on which the Notes are listed; or
(2) if the Notes are not listed on any national securities
exchange, on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such method as the Trustee
shall deem fair and appropriate.
In the event of partial redemption or purchase by lot, the particular
Notes to be redeemed or purchased will be selected, unless otherwise provided
herein, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the redemption or
purchase date by the Trustee from the outstanding Notes not previously called
for redemption or purchase.
The Trustee will promptly notify the Company in writing of the Notes
selected for redemption or purchase and, in the case of any Note selected for
partial redemption or purchase, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed or
purchased. Notes and portions of Notes selected will be in amounts of $1,000 or
whole multiples of $1,000; except that if all of the Notes of a Holder are to be
redeemed or purchased, the entire outstanding amount of Notes held by such
Holder, even if not a multiple of $1,000, shall be redeemed or purchased. Except
as provided in the preceding sentence, provisions of this Indenture that apply
to Notes called for redemption or purchase also apply to portions of Notes
called for redemption or purchase.
Section 3.03 Notice of Redemption.
Subject to the provisions of Section 3.09 hereof, at least 30 days but
not more than 60 days before a redemption date, the Company will mail or cause
to be mailed, by first class mail, a notice of redemption to each Holder whose
Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address, except that redemption
notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to a redemption date if the notice
is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Notes or a satisfaction and
discharge of this Indenture pursuant to Articles 8 or 11 of this Indenture.
35
The notice will identify the Notes to be redeemed and will state:
(1) the redemption date;
(2) the redemption price;
(3) if any Note is being redeemed in part, the portion of the
principal amount of such Note to be redeemed and that, after the
redemption date upon surrender of such Note, a new Note or Notes in
principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion will be issued in the
name of the Holder upon cancellation of the original Note;
(4) the name and address of the Paying Agent;
(5) that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the
Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;
(6) that, unless the Company defaults in making such redemption
payment, interest on Notes called for redemption ceases to accrue on and
after the redemption date;
(7) the paragraph of the Notes and/or Section of this Indenture
pursuant to which the Notes called for redemption are being redeemed;
and
(8) that no representation is made as to the correctness or
accuracy of the CUSIP number, if any, listed in such notice or printed
on the Notes.
At the Company's request, the Trustee will give the notice of
redemption in the Company's name and at its expense; provided, however, that the
Company has delivered to the Trustee, at least 45 days prior to the redemption
date, an Officers' Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and
setting forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided in the
preceding paragraph.
Section 3.04 Effect of Notice of Redemption.
Once notice of redemption is mailed in accordance with Section 3.03
hereof, Notes called for redemption become irrevocably due and payable on the
redemption date at the redemption price. A notice of redemption may not be
conditional.
Section 3.05 Deposit of Redemption or Purchase Price.
One Business Day prior to the redemption or purchase price date, the
Company will deposit with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent money sufficient
to pay the redemption or purchase price of and accrued interest and Liquidated
Damages, if any, on all Notes to be redeemed or purchased on that date. The
Trustee or the Paying Agent will promptly return to the Company any money
deposited with the Trustee or the Paying Agent by the Company in excess of the
amounts necessary to pay the redemption or purchase price of, and accrued
interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, on, all Notes to be redeemed or
purchased.
If the Company complies with the provisions of the preceding paragraph,
on and after the redemption or purchase date, interest will cease to accrue on
the Notes or the portions of Notes called for redemption or purchase. If a Note
is redeemed or purchased on or after an interest record date but on or prior to
the related interest payment date, then any accrued and unpaid interest shall be
paid to the Person in whose name such Note was registered at the close of
business on such record date. If any Note called
36
for redemption or purchase is not so paid upon surrender for redemption or
purchase because of the failure of the Company to comply with the preceding
paragraph, interest shall be paid on the unpaid principal, from the redemption
or purchase date until such principal is paid, and to the extent lawful on any
interest not paid on such unpaid principal, in each case at the rate provided in
the Notes and in Section 4.01 hereof.
Section 3.06 Notes Redeemed or Purchased in Part.
Upon surrender of a Note that is redeemed or purchased in part, the
Company will issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, the Trustee
will authenticate for the Holder at the expense of the Company a new Note equal
in principal amount to the unredeemed or unpurchased portion of the Note
surrendered.
Section 3.07 Optional Redemption.
(a) At any time prior to May 1, 2006, the Company may at its option on
any one or more occasions redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of
Notes (which includes Additional Notes, if any) issued under this Indenture at a
redemption price of 108.875% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and
unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, to the redemption date, with the
net cash proceeds of Qualified Equity Offerings; provided that:
(1) at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes
(which includes Additional Notes, if any) issued under this Indenture
remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption
(excluding Notes held by the Company and its Subsidiaries); and
(2) the redemption must occur within 90 days of the date of the
closing of such Qualified Equity Offering.
(b) On or after May 1, 2007 the Company may redeem all or a part of the
Notes upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' notice, at the redemption
prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below plus
accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, thereon, to the
applicable redemption date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning
on May 1 of the years indicated below:
Year Percentage
---- ----------
2007................................................... 104.438%
2008................................................... 102.219%
2009................................................... 100.000%
(c) At any time prior to May 1, 2007, the Company may also redeem all or
a part of the Notes upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior notice
mailed by first-class mail to each Holder's registered address, at a redemption
price equal to 100% of the principal amount of Notes redeemed plus the
Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated
Damages, if any, to the date of redemption (the "Redemption Date").
(d) Any redemption pursuant to this Section 3.07 shall be made pursuant
to the provisions of Section 3.01 through 3.06 hereof.
Section 3.08 Mandatory Redemption.
37
The Company is not required to make mandatory redemption or sinking
fund payments with respect to the Notes.
Section 3.09 Offer to Purchase by Application of Excess Proceeds.
In the event that, pursuant to Section 4.10 hereof, the Company is
required to commence an offer to all Holders to purchase Notes (an "Asset Sale
Offer"), it will follow the procedures specified below.
The Asset Sale Offer shall be made to all Holders and all holders of
other Indebtedness that is pari passu with the Notes containing provisions
similar to those set forth in this Indenture with respect to offers to purchase
or redeem with the proceeds of sales and assets. The Asset Sale Offer will
remain open for a period of at least 20 Business Days following its commencement
and not more than 30 Business Days, except to the extent that a longer period is
required by applicable law (the "Offer Period"). No later than three Business
Days after the termination of the Offer Period (the "Purchase Date"), the
Company will apply all Excess Proceeds (the "Offer Amount") to the purchase of
Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness (on a pro rata basis, if
applicable) or, if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes and
other Indebtedness tendered in response to the Asset Sale Offer. Payment for any
Notes so purchased will be made in the same manner as interest payments are
made.
If the Purchase Date is on or after an interest record date and on or
before the related interest payment date, any accrued and unpaid interest, and
Liquidated Damages, if any, will be paid to the Person in whose name a Note is
registered at the close of business on such record date, and no additional
interest will be payable to Holders who tender Notes pursuant to the Asset Sale
Offer.
Upon the commencement of an Asset Sale Offer, the Company will send, by
first class mail, a notice to the Trustee and each of the Holders, with a copy
to the Trustee. The notice will contain all instructions and materials necessary
to enable such Holders to tender Notes pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer. The
notice, which will govern the terms of the Asset Sale Offer, will state:
(1) that the Asset Sale Offer is being made pursuant to this
Section 3.09 and Section 4.10 hereof and the length of time the Asset
Sale Offer will remain open;
(2) the Offer Amount, the purchase price and the Purchase Date;
(3) that any Note not tendered or accepted for payment will
continue to accrue interest;
(4) that, unless the Company defaults in making such payment,
any Note accepted for payment pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer will
cease to accrue interest after the Purchase Date;
(5) that Holders electing to have a Note purchased pursuant to
an Asset Sale Offer may elect to have Notes purchased in integral
multiples of $1,000 only;
(6) that Holders electing to have a Note purchased pursuant to
any Asset Sale Offer will be required to surrender the Note, with the
form entitled "Option of Holder to Elect Purchase" on the reverse of the
Note completed, or transfer by book-entry transfer, to the Company, a
Depositary, if appointed by the Company, or a Paying Agent at the
address specified in the notice at least three days before the Purchase
Date;
(7) that Holders will be entitled to withdraw their election if
the Company, the Depositary or the Paying Agent, as the case may be,
receives, not later than the expiration of the Offer Period, a telegram,
telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the
38
Holder, the principal amount of the Note the Holder delivered for
purchase and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to
have such Note purchased;
(8) that, if the aggregate principal amount of Notes and other
pari passu Indebtedness surrendered by Holders exceeds the Offer Amount,
the Company will select the Notes and other pari passu Indebtedness to
be purchased on a pro rata basis based on the principal amount of Notes
and such other pari passu Indebtedness surrendered (with such
adjustments as may be deemed appropriate by the Company so that only
Notes in denominations of $1,000, or integral multiples thereof, will be
purchased); and
(9) that Holders whose Notes were purchased only in part will be
issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of
the Notes surrendered (or transferred by book-entry transfer).
On or before the Purchase Date, the Company will, to the extent lawful,
accept for payment, on a pro rata basis to the extent necessary, the Offer
Amount of Notes or portions thereof tendered pursuant to the Asset Sale Offer,
or if less than the Offer Amount has been tendered, all Notes tendered, and will
deliver to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating that such Notes or
portions thereof were accepted for payment by the Company in accordance with the
terms of this Section 3.09. The Company, the Depositary or the Paying Agent, as
the case may be, will promptly (but in any case not later than five days after
the Purchase Date) mail or deliver to each tendering Holder an amount equal to
the purchase price of the Notes tendered by such Holder and accepted by the
Company for purchase, and the Company will promptly issue a new Note, and the
Trustee, upon written request from the Company will authenticate and mail or
deliver such new Note to such Holder, in a principal amount equal to any
unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered. Any Note not so accepted shall be
promptly mailed or delivered by the Company to the Holder thereof. The Company
will publicly announce the results of the Asset Sale Offer on the Purchase Date.
Other than as specifically provided in this Section 3.09, any purchase
pursuant to this Section 3.09 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of
Sections 3.01 through 3.06 hereof.
ARTICLE 4.
COVENANTS
Section 4.01 Payment of Notes.
The Company will pay or cause to be paid the principal of, premium, if
any, and interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, on the Notes on the dates and
in the manner provided in the Notes. Principal, premium, if any, and interest
and Liquidated Damages, if any will be considered paid on the date due if the
Paying Agent, if other than the Company or a Subsidiary thereof, holds as of
10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on the due date money deposited by the Company in
immediately available funds and designated for and sufficient to pay all
principal, premium, if any, and interest then due. The Company will pay all
Liquidated Damages, if any, in the same manner on the dates and in the amounts
set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement.
The Company will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any
proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal at the rate equal to
1% per annum in excess of the then applicable interest rate on the Notes to the
extent lawful; it will pay interest (including post-petition interest in any
proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest and
Liquidated Damages (without regard to any applicable grace period) at the same
rate to the extent lawful.
39
Section 4.02 Maintenance of Office or Agency.
The Company will maintain in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New
York, an office or agency (which may be an office of the Trustee or an affiliate
of the Trustee, Registrar or co-registrar) where Notes may be surrendered for
registration of transfer or for exchange and where notices and demands to or
upon the Company in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served. The
Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any
change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company
fails to maintain any such required office or agency or fails to furnish the
Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and
demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.
The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other
offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or
all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided,
however, that no such designation or rescission will in any manner relieve the
Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in the Borough of
Manhattan, the City of New York for such purposes. The Company will give prompt
written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any
change in the location of any such other office or agency.
The Company hereby designates the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee
as one such office or agency of the Company in accordance with Section 2.03
hereof.
Section 4.03 Reports.
(a) Whether or not required by the rules and regulations of the
SEC, so long as any Notes are outstanding, the Company will furnish to
the Holders of Notes, within the time periods specified in the SEC's
rules and regulations (provided that such report shall be deemed
furnished to the extent timely filed with the SEC):
(1) all quarterly and annual financial information that
would be required to be contained in a filing with the SEC on
Forms 10-Q and 10-K if the Company were required to file such
forms, including a "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and, with respect
to the annual information only, a report thereon by the
Company's certified independent accountants; and
(2) all current reports that would be required to be
filed with the SEC on Form 8-K if the Company were required to
file such reports.
In addition, following the consummation of the Exchange Offer
contemplated by the Registration Rights Agreement, whether or not required by
the SEC, the Company will file a copy of all of the information and reports
referred to in clauses (1) and (2) above with the SEC for public availability
within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and regulations (unless the
SEC will not accept such a filing) and make such information available to
securities analysts and prospective investors upon request. The Company will at
all times comply with TIA Section 314(a).
(b) For so long as any Notes remain outstanding, the Company and the
Guarantors will furnish to the Holders and to securities analysts and
prospective investors, upon their request, the information required to be
delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.
40
Section 4.04 Compliance Certificate.
(a) The Company and each Guarantor (to the extent that such Guarantor is
so required under the TIA) shall deliver to the Trustee, within 90 days after
the end of each fiscal year, an Officers' Certificate stating that a review of
the activities of the Company and its Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal
year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officers with a view to
determining whether the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled its
obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to each such Officer
signing such certificate, that to the best of his or her knowledge the Company
has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every covenant contained in
this Indenture and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of
the terms, provisions and conditions of this Indenture (or, if a Default or
Event of Default has occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of Default
of which he or she may have knowledge and what action the Company is taking or
proposes to take with respect thereto) and that to the best of his or her
knowledge no event has occurred and remains in existence by reason of which
payments on account of the principal of or interest, if any, on the Notes is
prohibited or if such event has occurred, a description of the event and what
action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto.
(b) So long as not contrary to the then current recommendations of the
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the year-end financial
statements delivered pursuant to Section 4.03(a) above shall be accompanied by a
written statement of the Company's independent public accountants (who shall be
a firm of established national reputation) that in making the examination
necessary for certification of such financial statements, nothing has come to
their attention that would lead them to believe that the Company has violated
any provisions of Article 4 or Article 5 hereof or, if any such violation has
occurred, specifying the nature and period of existence thereof, it being
understood that such accountants shall not be liable directly or indirectly to
any Person for any failure to obtain knowledge of any such violation.
(c) So long as any of the Notes are outstanding, the Company will
deliver to the Trustee, forthwith upon any Officer becoming aware of any Default
or Event of Default, an Officers' Certificate specifying such Default or Event
of Default and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with
respect thereto.
Section 4.05 Taxes.
The Company will pay, and will cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries
to pay, prior to delinquency, all material taxes, assessments, and governmental
levies except such as are contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings
or where the failure to effect such payment is not adverse in any material
respect to the Holders of the Notes.
Section 4.06 Stay, Extension and Usury Laws.
The Company and each of the Guarantors covenants (to the extent that it
may lawfully do so) that it will not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any
manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension
or usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, that may
affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company and
each of the Guarantors (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby
expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenants that it
will not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of
any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the
execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted.
41
Section 4.07 Restricted Payments.
(a) The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:
(1) declare or pay any dividend or make any other payment or
distribution on account of the Company's or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries' Equity Interests (including, without limitation, any
payment in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) or to the direct or
indirect holders of the Company's or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries'
Equity Interests in their capacity as such, in each case other than
dividends or distributions payable in Equity Interests (other than
Disqualified Stock) of the Company or to the Company or a Restricted
Subsidiary of the Company;
(2) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for value
(including, without limitation, in connection with any merger or
consolidation involving the Company) any Equity Interests of the Company
or any direct or indirect parent of the Company;
(3) make any payment on or with respect to, or purchase, redeem,
defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Indebtedness that
is subordinated to the Notes or the Note Guarantees, except a payment of
interest or principal at the Stated Maturity thereof; or
(4) make any Restricted Investment (all such payments and other
actions set forth in these clauses (1) through (4) above being
collectively referred to as "Restricted Payments"),
unless, at the time of and after giving effect to such
Restricted Payment:
(1) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing or would occur as a consequence of such Restricted Payment;
and
(2) the Company would, at the time of such Restricted Payment
and after giving pro forma effect thereto as if such Restricted Payment
had been made at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period,
have been permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness
pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in the first
paragraph of Section 4.09; and
(3) such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount
of all other Restricted Payments made by the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries after the date of this Indenture (excluding Restricted
Payments permitted by clauses (2), (3), (4) and (5) of the next
succeeding paragraph), is less than the sum, without duplication of:
(A) 50% of the Consolidated Net Income of the Company
for the period (taken as one accounting period) from the
beginning of the first fiscal quarter commencing after the date
of this Indenture to the end of the Company's most recently
ended fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are
available at the time of such Restricted Payment (or, if such
Consolidated Net Income for such period is a deficit, less 100%
of such deficit), plus
(B) 100% of the aggregate net cash proceeds received by
the Company since the date of this Indenture as a contribution
to its common equity capital or from the issue or sale of Equity
Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) or from
the issue or sale of convertible or exchangeable Disqualified
Stock or convertible or exchangeable
42
debt securities of the Company that have been converted into or
exchanged for such Equity Interests (other than Equity Interests
(or Disqualified Stock or debt securities) sold to a Subsidiary
of the Company), plus
(C) to the extent that any Restricted Investment that
was made after the date of this Indenture is sold for cash or
otherwise liquidated or repaid for cash, the lesser of (i) the
cash return of capital with respect to such Restricted
Investment (less the cost of disposition, if any) and (ii) the
initial amount of such Restricted Investment.
(b) So long as no Default has occurred and is continuing or would be
caused thereby, the provisions of Section 4.07(a) will not prohibit:
(1) the payment of any dividend within 60 days after the date of
declaration of the dividend, if at the date of declaration the dividend
payment would have complied with the provisions of this Indenture;
(2) the redemption, repurchase, retirement, defeasance or other
acquisition of any subordinated Indebtedness of the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary or of any Equity Interests of the Company in
exchange for, or out of the net cash proceeds of the substantially
concurrent sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Company) of, Equity
Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock); provided that
the amount of any such net cash proceeds that are utilized for any such
redemption, repurchase, retirement, defeasance or other acquisition
shall be excluded from clause (3)(B) of the preceding paragraph;
(3) the defeasance, redemption, repurchase or other acquisition
of subordinated Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary
with the net cash proceeds from an incurrence of Permitted Refinancing
Indebtedness, so long as no Default has occurred and is continuing or
would be caused thereby;
(4) the payment of any dividend by a Restricted Subsidiary of
the Company to the holders of its Equity Interests on a pro rata basis;
and
(5) other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount since the
date of this Indenture not to exceed $25.0 million under this clause
(5).
The amount of all Restricted Payments (other than cash) will be the fair
market value on the date of the Restricted Payment of the asset(s) or securities
proposed to be transferred or issued by the Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary, as the case may be, pursuant to the Restricted Payment. The fair
market value of any assets or securities that are required to be valued by this
Section 4.07 will be determined by the Board of Directors whose resolution with
respect thereto shall be delivered to the Trustee. The Board of Directors'
determination must be based upon an opinion or appraisal issued by an
accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm of national standing if the
fair market value exceeds $5.0 million. Not later than the date of making any
Restricted Payment, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers'
Certificate stating that such Restricted Payment is permitted and setting forth
the basis upon which the calculations required by this Section 4.07 were
computed, together with a copy of any fairness opinion or appraisal required by
this Indenture.
43
Section 4.08 Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted
Subsidiaries.
(a) The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or permit to exist or become
effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any
Restricted Subsidiary to:
(1) pay dividends or make any other distributions on its Capital
Stock to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or with
respect to any other interest or participation in, or measured by, its
profits, or pay any indebtedness owed to the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries;
(2) make loans or advances to the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries; or
(3) transfer any of its properties or assets to the Company or
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.
(b) The restrictions in Section 4.08(a) will not apply to encumbrances
or restrictions existing under or by reason of:
(1) agreements governing Existing Indebtedness and Credit
Facilities as in effect on the date of this Indenture and any
amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases,
supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of those
agreements, provided that such amendments, modifications, restatements,
renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or
refinancings are no more restrictive, taken as a whole, with respect to
such dividend and other payment restrictions than those contained in
those agreements on the date of this Indenture;
(2) this Indenture, the Notes and the Note Guarantees;
(3) applicable law, regulation, rule or order;
(4) any instrument governing Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a
Person acquired by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries as
in effect at the time of such acquisition (except to the extent such
Indebtedness was incurred in connection with or in contemplation of such
acquisition), which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any
Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the
Person, or the property or assets of the Person, so acquired, provided
that, in the case of Indebtedness, such Indebtedness was permitted by
the terms of this Indenture to be incurred;
(5) customary non-assignment provisions in leases, licenses or
contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business and consistent
with past practices;
(6) purchase money obligations for property acquired in the
ordinary course of business that impose restrictions on the property so
acquired of the nature described in clause (3) of Section 4.08(a);
(7) any agreement for the sale or other disposition of a
Restricted Subsidiary that restricts distributions by that Restricted
Subsidiary pending its sale or other disposition;
44
(8) Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness, provided that the
restrictions contained in the agreements governing such Permitted
Refinancing Indebtedness are no more restrictive, taken as a whole, than
those contained in the agreements governing the Indebtedness being
refinanced;
(9) Liens securing Indebtedness otherwise permitted to be
incurred under Section 4.12 hereof that limit the right of the debtor to
dispose of the assets subject to such Liens;
(10) provisions with respect to the disposition or distribution
of assets or property in joint venture agreements , assets sale
agreements, stock sale agreements and other similar agreements entered
into in the ordinary course of business; and
(11) restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed
by customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of
business.
Section 4.09 Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock.
(a) The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, issue, assume, guarantee
or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable, contingently or otherwise,
with respect to (collectively, "incur") any Indebtedness (including Acquired
Debt), and the Company will not issue any Disqualified Stock and will not permit
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to issue any shares of preferred stock;
provided, however, that the Company may incur Indebtedness (including Acquired
Debt) or issue Disqualified Stock, and the Company's Restricted Subsidiaries may
incur Indebtedness or issue preferred stock, if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio
for the Company's most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which
internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on
which such additional Indebtedness is incurred or such Disqualified Stock or
preferred stock is issued would have been at least 2.25 to 1, determined on a
pro forma basis (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds
therefrom), as if the additional Indebtedness had been incurred or the preferred
stock or Disqualified Stock had been issued, as the case may be, at the
beginning of such four-quarter period.
(b) The provisions of Section 4.09(a) will not prohibit the incurrence
of any of the following items of Indebtedness (collectively, "Permitted Debt"):
(1) the incurrence by the Company and any Restricted
Subsidiaries of additional Indebtedness and letters of credit under
Credit Facilities in an aggregate principal amount at any one time
outstanding under this clause (1) (with letters of credit being deemed
to have a principal amount equal to the maximum potential liability of
the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries thereunder) not to exceed
$165.0 million less the aggregate amount of all Net Proceeds of Asset
Sales applied by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries since
the date of this Indenture to repay any term Indebtedness under a Credit
Facility or to repay any revolving credit Indebtedness under a Credit
Facility and effect a corresponding commitment reduction thereunder
pursuant to Section 4.10 hereof;
(2) the incurrence by the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries of the Existing Indebtedness;
(3) the incurrence by the Company and the Guarantors of
Indebtedness represented by the Notes and the related Note Guarantees,
in each case, to be issued on the date of this Indenture and the
Exchange Notes and the related Note Guarantees to be issued pursuant to
the Registration Rights Agreement;
45
(4) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries of Indebtedness represented by Capital Lease Obligations,
mortgage financings or purchase money obligations, in each case,
incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase
price or cost of construction or improvement of property, plant or
equipment used in the business of the Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary, in an aggregate principal amount, including all Permitted
Refinancing Indebtedness incurred to refund, refinance or replace any
Indebtedness incurred to this clause (4), not to exceed $10.0 million at
any time outstanding;
(5) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries of Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness in exchange for, or
the net proceeds of which are used to refund, refinance or replace
Indebtedness (other than intercompany Indebtedness) that was permitted
by this Indenture to be incurred under Section 4.09(a) or clauses (2),
(3), (4), (5) or (10) of this Section 4.09(b);
(6) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries of intercompany Indebtedness between or among the Company
and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided, however, that:
(A) if the Company or any Guarantor is the obligor on
such Indebtedness, such Indebtedness must be expressly
subordinated to the prior payment in full in cash of all
Obligations with respect to the Notes, in the case of the
Company, or the Note Guarantee, in the case of a Guarantor; and
(B) (1) any subsequent issuance or transfer of Equity
Interests that results in any such Indebtedness being held by a
Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof
and (2) any sale or other transfer of any such Indebtedness to a
Person that is not either the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary
thereof, will be deemed, in each case, to constitute an
incurrence of such Indebtedness by the Company or such
Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, that was not
permitted by this clause (6);
(7) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries of Hedging Obligations;
(8) the guarantee by the Company or any of the Guarantors of
Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company
that was permitted to be incurred by another provision of this Section
4.09;
(9) the incurrence of obligations in respect of performance, bid
and surety bonds and completion guarantees provided by the Company or
any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;
(10) the accrual of interest, the accretion or amortization of
original issue discount, the payment of interest on any Indebtedness in
the form of additional Indebtedness with the same terms, and the payment
of dividends on Disqualified Stock in the form of additional shares of
the same class of Disqualified Stock shall not be deemed to be an
incurrence of Indebtedness or an issuance of Disqualified Stock for
purposes of this Section 4.09; provided, in each such case, that the
amount thereof is included in Fixed Charges of the Company as accrued;
and
(11) the incurrence by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries of additional Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount
(or accreted value, as applicable) at any time
46
outstanding, including all Permitted Refinancing Indebtedness incurred
to refund, refinance or replace any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to
this clause (11), not to exceed $15.0 million.
The Company will not incur any Indebtedness (including Permitted Debt)
that is contractually subordinated in right of payment to any other Indebtedness
of the Company unless such Indebtedness is also contractually subordinated in
right of payment to the Notes on substantially identical terms; provided,
however, that no Indebtedness of the Company shall be deemed to be contractually
subordinated in right of payment to any other Indebtedness of the Company solely
by virtue of being unsecured.
For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.09, in the
event that an item of proposed Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one
of the categories of Permitted Debt described in clauses (1) through (11) above
or is entitled to be incurred pursuant to Section 4.09(a), the Company will be
permitted to classify such item of Indebtedness on the date of its incurrence,
or later reclassify all or a portion of such item of Indebtedness, in any manner
that complies with this Section 4.09. Indebtedness under Credit Facilities
outstanding on the date on which Notes are first issued and authenticated under
this Indenture will be deemed to have been incurred on such date in reliance on
the exemption provided by clause (1) of the definition of Permitted Debt.
Section 4.10 Asset Sales.
The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, consummate an Asset Sale unless:
(1) the Company (or the Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may
be) receives consideration at the time of such Asset Sale at least equal
to the fair market value of the assets or Equity Interests issued or
sold or otherwise disposed of;
(2) the fair market value is determined by the Company's Board
of Directors and evidenced by a resolution of the Board of Directors set
forth in an Officers' Certificate delivered to the Trustee; and
(3) at least 75% of the consideration received in the Asset Sale
by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary is in the form of cash or
Cash Equivalents. For purposes of this provision, each of the following
shall be deemed to be cash:
(A) any liabilities, as shown on the Company's most
recent consolidated balance sheet, of the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary (other than contingent liabilities and
liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the Notes or
any Note Guarantee) that are assumed by the transferee of any
such assets pursuant to a customary novation agreement that
releases the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary from further
liability; and
(B) any securities, notes or other obligations received
by the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary from such
transferee that are converted by the Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary into cash within 180 days of the closing of the Asset
Sale, to the extent of the cash received in that conversion.
The 75% limitation referred to in clause (3) above shall not apply to
any Asset Sale with respect to which the cash or Cash Equivalents portion of the
consideration received therefrom, determined in
47
accordance with subclauses (A) and (B) above, is equal to or greater than what
the after-tax proceeds would have been had that Asset Sale complied with the
aforementioned 75% limitation.
Within 360 days after the receipt of any Net Proceeds from an Asset
Sale, the Company may apply such Net Proceeds:
(1) to repay Indebtedness and other Obligations under a Credit
Facility and, if the Indebtedness repaid is revolving credit
Indebtedness, to correspondingly reduce commitments with respect
thereto;
(2) to acquire all or substantially all of the assets of, or a
majority of the Voting Stock of, another Permitted Business;
(3) to make a capital expenditure;
(4) to acquire other long-term assets that are used or useful in
a Permitted Business; or
(5) to acquire the minority interest in any Restricted
Subsidiary
Pending the final application of any such Net Proceeds, the Company may
temporarily reduce revolving credit borrowings or otherwise invest such Net
Proceeds in any manner that is not prohibited by this Indenture.
Any Net Proceeds from Asset Sales that are not applied or invested as
provided in the preceding paragraph will constitute "Excess Proceeds." When the
aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $10 million, within five days
thereof, the Company will make an Asset Sale Offer to all Holders of Notes and
all holders of other Indebtedness that is pari passu with the Notes containing
provisions similar to those set forth in this Indenture with respect to offers
to purchase or redeem with the proceeds of sales of assets in accordance with
Section 3.09 hereof to purchase the maximum principal amount of Notes and such
other pari passu Indebtedness that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds.
The offer price in any Asset Sale Offer will be equal to 100% of principal
amount plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, to the
date of purchase, and will be payable in cash. If any Excess Proceeds remain
after consummation of an Asset Sale Offer, the Company may use such Excess
Proceeds for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by this Indenture. If the
aggregate principal amount of Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness
tendered into such Asset Sale Offer exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the
Trustee will select the Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness to be
purchased on a pro rata basis based on the principal amount of Notes and such
other pari passu Indebtedness tendered. Upon completion of each Asset Sale
Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds shall be reset at zero.
The Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the
Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the
extent such laws and regulations are applicable in connection with each
repurchase of Notes pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer. To the extent that the
provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of
Section 3.09 or 4.10 of this Indenture, the Company will comply with the
applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have
breached its obligations under those provisions of this Indenture by virtue of
such conflict.
Section 4.11 Transactions with Affiliates.
(a) The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, make any payment to, or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise
dispose of any of its properties or assets to, or purchase
48
any property or assets from, or enter into or make or amend any transaction,
contract, agreement, understanding, loan, advance or guarantee with, or for the
benefit of, any Affiliate (each an "Affiliate Transaction"), unless:
(1) the Affiliate Transaction is on terms that are no less
favorable to the Company or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than
those that would have been obtained in a comparable transaction by the
Company or such Restricted Subsidiary with an unrelated Person; and
(2) the Company delivers to the Trustee:
(A) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series
of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate
consideration in excess of $5.0 million, a resolution of the
Board of Directors set forth in an Officers' Certificate
certifying that such Affiliate Transaction complies with clause
(1) of this Section 4.11(a) and that such Affiliate Transaction
has been approved by a majority of the disinterested members of
the Board of Directors; and
(B) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series
of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate
consideration in excess of $10.0 million, an opinion as to the
fairness to the Company of such Affiliate Transaction from a
financial point of view issued by an accounting, appraisal or
investment banking firm of national standing.
(b) The following items will not be deemed to be Affiliate Transactions
and, therefore, will not be subject to the provisions of Section 4.11(a):
(1) any employment agreement entered into by the Company or any
of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and
consistent with the past practice of the Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary;
(2) transactions between or among the Company and/or its
Restricted Subsidiaries;
(3) transactions with a Person that is an Affiliate of the
Company solely because the Company owns an Equity Interest in, or
controls, such Person;
(4) payment of reasonable directors fees, consistent with
industry practices, to Persons who are not otherwise employees of the
Company;
(5) sales of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) to
Affiliates of the Company; and
(6) Restricted Payments that are permitted by Section 4.07
hereof.
Section 4.12 Liens.
The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly create, incur, assume or suffer to exist
any Lien of any kind on any asset now owned or hereafter acquired, except
Permitted Liens, unless the Notes receive an equal and ratable lien.
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Section 4.13 Corporate Existence.
Subject to Article 5 hereof, the Company shall do or cause to be done
all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect:
(1) its corporate existence, and the corporate, partnership or
other existence of each of its Restricted Subsidiaries, in accordance
with the respective organizational documents (as the same may be amended
from time to time) of the Company or any such Subsidiary; and
(2) the rights (charter and statutory), licenses and franchises
of the Company and its Subsidiaries; provided, however, that the Company
shall not be required to preserve any such right, license or franchise,
or the corporate, partnership or other existence of any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries, if the Board of Directors shall determine that
the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the
business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a
whole, and that the loss thereof is not adverse in any material respect
to the Holders of the Notes
Section 4.14 Offer to Repurchase Upon Change of Control.
(a) Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Company will make an
offer (a "Change of Control Offer") to each Holder to repurchase all or any part
(equal to $1,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000) of each Holder's Notes at a
purchase price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus
accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages on the Notes repurchased, if
any, to the date of purchase (the "Change of Control Payment"). Within ten days
following any Change of Control, the Company will mail a notice to each Holder
describing the transaction or transactions that constitute the Change of Control
and stating:
(1) that the Change of Control Offer is being made pursuant to
this Section 4.15 and that all Notes tendered will be accepted for
payment;
(2) the purchase price and the purchase date, which shall be no
earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days from the date such notice
is mailed (the "Change of Control Payment Date");
(3) that any Note not tendered will continue to accrue interest;
(4) that, unless the Company defaults in the payment of the
Change of Control Payment, all Notes accepted for payment pursuant to
the Change of Control Offer will cease to accrue interest after the
Change of Control Payment Date;
(5) that Holders electing to have any Notes purchased pursuant
to a Change of Control Offer will be required to surrender the Notes,
with the form entitled "Option of Holder to Elect Purchase" on the
reverse of the Notes completed, to the Paying Agent at the address
specified in the notice prior to the close of business on the third
Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date;
(6) that Holders will be entitled to withdraw their election if
the Paying Agent receives, not later than the close of business on the
second Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date, a
telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name
of the Holder, the principal amount of Notes delivered for purchase, and
a statement that such Holder is withdrawing his election to have the
Notes purchased; and
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(7) that Holders whose Notes are being purchased only in part
will be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased
portion of the Notes surrendered, which unpurchased portion must be
equal to $1,000 in principal amount or an integral multiple thereof.
The Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the
Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the
extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with the
repurchase of the Notes as a result of a Change in Control. To the extent that
the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the
provisions of Sections 3.09 or 4.15 of this Indenture, the Company will comply
with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to
have breached its obligations under Section 3.09 or this Section 4.15 by virtue
of such conflict.
(b) On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Company will, to the
extent lawful:
(1) accept for payment all Notes or portions thereof properly
tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer;
(2) deposit with the Paying Agent an amount equal to the Change
of Control Payment in respect of all Notes or portions of Notes properly
tendered; and
(3) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the Notes
properly accepted together with an Officers' Certificate stating the
aggregate principal amount of Notes or portions of Notes being purchased
by the Company.
The Paying Agent will promptly mail to each Holder of Notes properly
tendered the Change of Control Payment for such Notes, and the Trustee will
promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book entry) to
each Holder a new Note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of
the Notes surrendered, if any; provided that each new Note will be in a
principal amount of $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof.
(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 4.15, the
Company will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a Change of
Control if a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the
times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in this
Section 4.15 and Section 3.09 hereof and purchases all Notes validly tendered
and not withdrawn under the Change of Control Offer.
Section 4.15 Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions.
The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, enter into any sale and leaseback transaction; provided that
the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may enter into a sale and leaseback
transaction if:
(1) the Company or that Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable,
could have (a) incurred Indebtedness in an amount equal to the
Attributable Debt relating to such sale and leaseback transaction under
the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test in Section 4.09(a) hereof and (b)
incurred a Lien to secure such Indebtedness pursuant to the provisions
of Section 4.12 hereof;
(2) the gross cash proceeds of that sale and leaseback
transaction are at least equal to the fair market value, as determined
in good faith by the Board of Directors and set forth in an Officers'
Certificate delivered to the Trustee, of the property that is the
subject of that sale and leaseback transaction; and
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(3) the transfer of assets in that sale and leaseback
transaction is permitted by, and the Company applies the proceeds of
such transaction in compliance with, Section 4.10 hereof.
Section 4.16 Payments for Consent.
The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid any
consideration to or for the benefit of any Holder of Notes for or as an
inducement to any consent, waiver or amendment of any of the terms or provisions
of this Indenture or the Notes unless such consideration is offered to be paid
and is paid to all Holders of the Notes that consent, waive or agree to amend in
the time frame set forth in the solicitation documents relating to such consent,
waiver or agreement.
Section 4.17 Additional Note Guarantees.
If the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries acquires or creates
another wholly-owned Domestic Subsidiary after the date of this Indenture, then
the Company will cause that newly acquired or created Domestic Subsidiary to
execute a Note Guarantee pursuant to a supplemental indenture in form and
substance satisfactory to the Trustee and deliver an Opinion of Counsel
satisfactory to the Trustee within ten Business Days of the date on which it was
acquired or created to the effect that such supplemental indenture has been duly
authorized, executed and delivered by that wholly owned Domestic Subsidiary and
constitutes a valid and binding agreement of that wholly owned Domestic
Subsidiary enforceable in accordance with its terms (subject to customary
exceptions); provided, however, the aforementioned shall not apply to
Subsidiaries that have properly been designated as Unrestricted Subsidiaries in
accordance with this Indenture for so long as they continue to constitute
Unrestricted Subsidiaries. The form of such Note Guarantee is attached as
Exhibit E hereto.
Section 4.18 Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries
The Board of Directors may designate any Restricted Subsidiary to be an
Unrestricted Subsidiary if that designation would not cause a Default. If a
Restricted Subsidiary is designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, the aggregate
fair market value of all outstanding Investments owned by the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries in such Subsidiary properly designated will be deemed to
be an Investment made as of the time of the designation. That designation will
only be permitted if the Investment would be permitted at that time and if the
Restricted Subsidiary otherwise meets the definition of an Unrestricted
Subsidiary. The Board of Directors may re-designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary
to be a Restricted Subsidiary if the re-designation would not cause a Default.
ARTICLE 5.
SUCCESSORS
Section 5.01 Merger, Consolidation, or Sale of Assets.
The Company shall not, directly or indirectly: (1) consolidate or merge
with or into another Person (whether or not the Company is the surviving
corporation), or (2) sell, assign, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of all
or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole, in one or more related transactions,
to another Person; unless:
(1) either:
(A) the Company is the surviving corporation; or
52
(B) the Person formed by or surviving any such
consolidation or merger (if other than the Company) or to which
such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition
has been made is a corporation organized or existing under the
laws of the United States, any state of the United States or the
District of Columbia;
(2) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or
merger (if other than the Company) or the Person to which such sale,
assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition shall have been
made assumes all the obligations of the Company under the Notes, this
Indenture and the Registration Rights Agreement pursuant to agreements
reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee;
(3) immediately after such transaction, no Default or Event of
Default exists; and
(4) the Company or the Person formed by or surviving any such
consolidation or merger (if other than the Company), or to which such
sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition has been
made:
(A) would have Consolidated Net Worth immediately after
the transaction equal to or greater than the Consolidated Net
Worth of the Company immediately preceding the transaction; and
(B) would, on the date of such transaction after giving
pro forma effect thereto and any related financing transactions
as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable
four-quarter period, be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of
additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage
Ratio test set forth in Section 4.09(a) hereof.
In addition, the Company will not, directly or indirectly, lease all or
substantially all of its properties or assets, in one or more related
transactions, to any other Person. This Section 5.01 will not apply to (1) a
sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of assets between or
among the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, or (2) a Holding
Company Formation.
In the case of a Holding Company Formation, (i) the Company shall be
released from its Obligations under the Notes, this Indenture and the
Registration Rights Agreement, provided that it become a Guarantor and a
Restricted Subsidiary, and (ii) such Person who acquires all of the issued and
outstanding Capital Stock of the Company shall succeed to, and be substituted
for the Company (so that from and after the date of such Holding Company
Formation, the provisions of this Indenture referring to the "Company" shall
refer instead to such Person and not to the Company), and may exercise every
right and power of the Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if
such Person had been named as the Company herein
Section 5.02 Successor Corporation Substituted.
Upon any consolidation or merger, or any sale, assignment, transfer,
lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets
of the Company in a transaction that is subject to, and that complies with the
provisions of, Section 5.01 hereof, the successor corporation formed by such
consolidation or into or with which the Company is merged or to which such sale,
assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition is made shall
succeed to, and be substituted for (so that from and after the date of such
consolidation, merger, sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition, the
provisions of this Indenture referring to the "Company" shall refer instead to
the successor corporation and not to the Company), and may exercise every right
and power of the Company under this Indenture with the same
53
effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Company herein;
provided, however, that, except in the case of a lease, the predecessor Company
shall not be relieved from the obligation to pay the principal of and interest
on the Notes except in the case of a sale of all of the Company's assets in a
transaction that is subject to, and that complies with the provisions of,
Section 5.01 hereof.
ARTICLE 6.
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
Section 6.01 Events of Default.
Each of the following is an "Event of Default":
(1) the Company defaults for 30 days in the payment when due of
interest on, or Liquidated Damages with respect to, the Notes ;
(2) the Company defaults in the payment when due (at maturity,
upon redemption or otherwise) of the principal of, or premium, if any,
on the Notes;
(3) the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries:
(A) fails to comply with the provisions of Sections
4.07, 4.09, 4.10 or 4.15 hereof for 30 days after notice to the
Company by the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in
aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding voting
as a single class;
(B) fails to comply with the provisions of Section 5.01
hereof;
(4) the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries fails to
observe or perform any other covenant, representation, warranty or other
agreement in this Indenture for 60 days after notice to the Company by
the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount
of the Notes then outstanding voting as a single class;
(5) a default occurs under any mortgage, indenture or instrument
under which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or
evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries (or the payment of which is guaranteed by
the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries), whether such
Indebtedness or guarantee now exists, or is created after the date of
this Indenture, if that default:
(A) is caused by a failure to pay principal of, or
interest or premium, if any, on such Indebtedness prior to the
expiration of the grace period provided in such Indebtedness on
the date of such default (a "Payment Default"); or
(B) results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness
prior to its express maturity,
and, in each case, the principal amount of any such
Indebtedness, together with the principal amount of any other
such Indebtedness under which there has been a Payment Default
or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates
$15.0 million or more;
(6) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
to pay final judgments aggregating in excess of $10.0 million, which
judgments are not paid, discharged or stayed for a period of 60 days
after any and all rights to appeal such judgment have expired;
54
(7) except as permitted by this Indenture, any Note Guarantee
shall be held in any judicial proceeding to be unenforceable or invalid
or shall cease for any reason to be in full force and effect or any
Guarantor, or any Person acting on behalf of any Guarantor, shall deny
or disaffirm its obligations under its Note Guarantee;
(8) the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or any
group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken as a whole, would
constitute a Significant Subsidiary pursuant to or within the meaning of
Bankruptcy Law:
(A) commences a voluntary case,
(B) consents to the entry of an order for relief against
it in an involuntary case,
(C) consents to the appointment of a custodian of it or
for all or substantially all of its property,
(D) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its
creditors, or
(E) generally is not paying its debts as they become
due; and
(9) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree
under any Bankruptcy Law that:
(A) is for relief against the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries
that, taken as a whole, would constitute a Significant
Subsidiary in an involuntary case;
(B) appoints a custodian of the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries
that, taken as a whole, would constitute a Significant
Subsidiary or for all or substantially all of the property of
the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or any group
of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken as a whole, would
constitute a Significant Subsidiary; or
(C) orders the liquidation of the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries
that, taken as a whole, would constitute a Significant
Subsidiary;
and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60
consecutive days; or
Section 6.02 Acceleration.
In the case of an Event of Default specified in clause (8) or (9) of
Section 6.01 hereof, with respect to the Company, any Restricted Subsidiary that
is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken
as a whole, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, all outstanding Notes
will become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. If any
other Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of
at least 25% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may declare all
the Notes to be due and payable immediately.
The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then
outstanding Notes by written notice to the Trustee may on behalf of all of the
Holders rescind an acceleration and its consequences if the rescission would not
conflict with any judgment or decree and if all existing Events of Default
(except
55
nonpayment of principal, interest or premium that has become due solely because
of the acceleration) have been cured or waived.
Section 6.03 Other Remedies.
If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue
any available remedy to collect the payment of principal, premium and Liquidated
Damages, if any, and interest on the Notes or to enforce the performance of any
provision of the Notes or this Indenture.
The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of
the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission
by the Trustee or any Holder of a Note in exercising any right or remedy
accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or
constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. All remedies are
cumulative to the extent permitted by law.
Section 6.04 Waiver of Past Defaults.
Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
then outstanding Notes by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of
all of the Notes waive an existing Default or Event of Default and its
consequences hereunder, except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the
payment of the principal of, premium and Liquidated Damages, if any, or interest
on, the Notes (including in connection with an offer to purchase); provided,
however, that the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
then outstanding Notes may rescind an acceleration and its consequences,
including any related payment default that resulted from such acceleration. Upon
any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default
arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this
Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or
impair any right consequent thereon.
Section 6.05 Control by Majority.
Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes
may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for
exercising any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power
conferred on it. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that
conflicts with law or this Indenture that the Trustee determines may be unduly
prejudicial to the rights of other Holders of Notes or that may involve the
Trustee in personal liability.
Section 6.06 Limitation on Suits.
A Holder of a Note may pursue a remedy with respect to this Indenture or
the Notes only if:
(1) the Holder of a Note gives to the Trustee written notice of
a continuing Event of Default;
(2) the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the then
outstanding Notes make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the
remedy;
(3) such Holder of a Note or Holders of Notes offer and, if
requested, provide to the Trustee indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee
against any loss, liability or expense;
(4) the Trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days
after receipt of the request and the offer and, if requested, the
provision of indemnity; and
56
(5) during such 60-day period the Holders of a majority in
principal amount of the then outstanding Notes do not give the Trustee a
direction inconsistent with the request.
A Holder of a Note may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of
another Holder of a Note or to obtain a preference or priority over another
Holder of a Note.
Section 6.07 Rights of Holders of Notes to Receive Payment.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any
Holder of a Note to receive payment of principal, premium and Liquidated
Damages, if any, and interest on the Note, on or after the respective due dates
expressed in the Note (including in connection with an offer to purchase), or to
bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective
dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.
Section 6.08 Collection Suit by Trustee.
If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(1) or (2) occurs and is
continuing, the Trustee is authorized to recover judgment in its own name and as
trustee of an express trust against the Company for the whole amount of
principal of, premium and Liquidated Damages, if any, and interest remaining
unpaid on the Notes and interest on overdue principal and, to the extent lawful,
interest and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and
expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses,
disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.
Section 6.09 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.
The Trustee is authorized to file such proofs of claim and other papers
or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the
Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses,
disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the
Holders of the Notes allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company
(or any other obligor upon the Notes), its creditors or its property and shall
be entitled and empowered to collect, receive and distribute any money or other
property payable or deliverable on any such claims and any custodian in any such
judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to
the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of
such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to
it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the
Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under
Section 7.07 hereof. To the extent that the payment of any such compensation,
expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and
any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof out of the estate in
any such proceeding, shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall
be secured by a Lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions,
dividends, money, securities and other properties that the Holders may be
entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan
of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise. Nothing herein contained shall be
deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on
behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or
composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder, or to authorize the
Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.
Section 6.10 Priorities.
If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article 6, it shall
pay out the money in the following order:
57
First: to the Trustee, its agents and attorneys for amounts due
under Section 7.07 hereof, including payment of all compensation,
expense and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee
and the costs and expenses of collection;
Second: to Holders of Notes for amounts due and unpaid on the
Notes for principal, premium and Liquidated Damages, if any, and
interest, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according
to the amounts due and payable on the Notes for principal, premium and
Liquidated Damages, if any and interest, respectively; and
Third: to the Company or to such party as a court of competent
jurisdiction shall direct.
The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to
Holders of Notes pursuant to this Section 6.10.
Section 6.11 Undertaking for Costs.
In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this
Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by
it as a Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party
litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the
court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable
attorneys' fees, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to
the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant.
This Section 6.11 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder of
a Note pursuant to Section 6.07 hereof, or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in
principal amount of the then outstanding Notes.
ARTICLE 7.
TRUSTEE
Section 7.01 Duties of Trustee.
(a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee
will exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and
use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise, as a prudent person would
exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person's own
affairs.
(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:
(1) the duties of the Trustee will be determined solely by the
express provisions of this Indenture and the Trustee need perform only
those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no
others, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this
Indenture against the Trustee; and
(2) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may
conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness
of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions
furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this
Indenture. However, the Trustee will examine the certificates and
opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of
this Indenture.
(c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liabilities for its own
negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful
misconduct, except that:
58
(1) this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of
this Section 7.01;
(2) the Trustee will not be liable for any error of judgment
made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is proved that
the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and
(3) the Trustee will not be liable with respect to any action it
takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction
received by it pursuant to Section 6.05 hereof.
(d) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of
this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs
(a), (b), and (c) of this Section 7.01.
(e) No provision of this Indenture will require the Trustee to expend or
risk its own funds or incur any liability. The Trustee will be under no
obligation to exercise any of its rights and powers under this Indenture at the
request of any Holders, unless such Holder has offered to the Trustee security
and indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.
(f) The Trustee will not be liable for interest on any money received by
it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company. Money held in
trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the
extent required by law.
Section 7.02 Rights of Trustee.
(a) The Trustee may conclusively rely upon any document believed by it
to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person. The
Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.
(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an
Officers' Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both. The Trustee will not be
liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on
such Officers' Certificate or Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee may consult with
counsel and the written advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel will be
full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any
action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance
thereon.
(c) The Trustee may act through its attorneys and agents and will not be
responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due
care.
(d) The Trustee will not be liable for any action it takes or omits to
take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within the rights or
powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.
(e) Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any
demand, request, direction or notice from the Company will be sufficient if
signed by an Officer of the Company.
(f) The Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of the
rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of
any of the Holders unless such Holders have offered to the Trustee reasonable
security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities that might be
incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.
59
Section 7.03 Individual Rights of Trustee.
The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner
or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Company or any Affiliate of
the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. However,
in the event that the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest it must
eliminate such conflict within 90 days, apply to the SEC for permission to
continue as trustee or resign. Any Agent may do the same with like rights and
duties. The Trustee is also subject to Sections 7.10 and 7.11 hereof.
Section 7.04 Trustee's Disclaimer.
The Trustee will not be responsible for and makes no representation as
to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Notes, it shall not be
accountable for the Company's use of the proceeds from the Notes or any money
paid to the Company or upon the Company's direction under any provision of this
Indenture, it will not be responsible for the use or application of any money
received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee, and it will not be
responsible for any statement or recital herein or any statement in the Notes or
any other document in connection with the sale of the Notes or pursuant to this
Indenture other than its certificate of authentication.
Section 7.05 Notice of Defaults.
If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing and if it is
known to the Trustee, the Trustee will mail to Holders of Notes a notice of the
Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case
of a Default or Event of Default in payment of principal of, premium or
Liquidated Damages, if any, or interest on any Note, the Trustee may withhold
the notice if and so long as a committee of its Responsible Officers in good
faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of the Holders
of the Notes.
Section 7.06 Reports by Trustee to Holders of the Notes.
(a) Within 60 days after each May 15 beginning with the May 15 following
the date of this Indenture, and for so long as Notes remain outstanding, the
Trustee will mail to the Holders of the Notes a brief report dated as of such
reporting date that complies with TIA Section 313(a) (but if no event described
in TIA Section 313(a) has occurred within the twelve months preceding the
reporting date, no report need be transmitted). The Trustee also will comply
with TIA Section 313(b)(2). The Trustee will also transmit by mail all reports
as required by TIA section 313(c).
(b) A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to the Holders of
Notes will be mailed by the Trustee to the Company and filed by the Trustee with
the SEC and each stock exchange on which the Notes are listed in accordance with
TIA Section 313(d). The Company will promptly notify the Trustee when the Notes
are listed on any stock exchange.
Section 7.07 Compensation and Indemnity.
(a) The Company will pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable
compensation for its acceptance of this Indenture and services hereunder. The
Trustee's compensation will not be limited by any law on compensation of a
trustee of an express trust. The Company will reimburse the Trustee promptly
upon request for all reasonable disbursements, advances and expenses incurred or
made by it in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses will
include the reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee's
agents and counsel.
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(b) The Company and the Guarantors will indemnify the Trustee against
any and all losses, liabilities or expenses incurred by it arising out of or in
connection with the acceptance or administration of its duties under this
Indenture, including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture against
the Company and the Guarantors (including this Section 7.07) and defending
itself against any claim (whether asserted by the Company, the Guarantors or any
Holder or any other Person) or liability in connection with the exercise or
performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder, except to the extent any
such loss, liability or expense may be attributable to its negligence or bad
faith. The Trustee will notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it
may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Company will not
relieve the Company or any of the Guarantors of their obligations hereunder. The
Company or such Guarantor will defend the claim and the Trustee will cooperate
in the defense. The Trustee may have separate counsel and the Company will pay
the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. Neither the Company nor any
Guarantor need pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent
will not be unreasonably withheld.
(c) The obligations of the Company and the Guarantors under this Section
7.07 will survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.
(d) To secure the Company's payment obligations in this Section 7.07,
the Trustee will have a Lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or
collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal and
interest on particular Notes. Such Lien will survive the satisfaction and
discharge of this Indenture.
(e) When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event
of Default specified in Section 6.01(8) or (9) hereof occurs, the expenses and
the compensation for the services (including the fees and expenses of its agents
and counsel) are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any
Bankruptcy Law.
(f) The Trustee will comply with the provisions of TIA Section 313(b)(2)
to the extent applicable.
Section 7.08 Replacement of Trustee.
(a) A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a
successor Trustee will become effective only upon the successor Trustee's
acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section 7.08.
(b) The Trustee may resign in writing at any time and be discharged from
the trust hereby created by so notifying the Company. The Holders of a majority
in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may remove the Trustee by so
notifying the Trustee and the Company in writing. The Company may remove the
Trustee if:
(1) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10 hereof;
(2) the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an
order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any
Bankruptcy Law;
(3) a custodian or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or
its property; or
(4) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.
(c) If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the
office of Trustee for any reason, the Company will promptly appoint a successor
Trustee. Within one year after the successor
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Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then
outstanding Notes may appoint a successor Trustee to replace the successor
Trustee appointed by the Company.
(d) If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the
retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Company, or
the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes
may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a
successor Trustee.
(e) If the Trustee, after written request by any Holder who has been a
Holder for at least six months, fails to comply with Section 7.10, such Holder
may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee
and the appointment of a successor Trustee.
(f) A successor Trustee will deliver a written acceptance of its
appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Thereupon, the
resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee will become effective, and the
successor Trustee will have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee
under this Indenture. The successor Trustee will mail a notice of its succession
to Holders. The retiring Trustee will promptly transfer all property held by it
as Trustee to the successor Trustee, provided all sums owing to the Trustee
hereunder have been paid and subject to the Lien provided for in Section 7.07
hereof. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section
7.08, the Company's obligations under Section 7.07 hereof will continue for the
benefit of the retiring Trustee.
Section 7.09 Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.
If the Trustee consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers all
or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation,
the successor corporation without any further act will be the successor Trustee.
Section 7.10 Eligibility; Disqualification.
There will at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is a corporation
organized and doing business under the laws of the United States of America or
of any state thereof that is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate
trustee power, that is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state
authorities and that has a combined capital and surplus of at least $100 million
as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.
This Indenture will always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements
of TIA Section 310(a)(1), (2) and (5). The Trustee is subject to TIA Section
310(b).
Section 7.11 Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.
The Trustee is subject to TIA Section 311(a), excluding any creditor
relationship listed in TIA Section 311(b). A Trustee who has resigned or been
removed shall be subject to TIA Section 311(a) to the extent indicated therein.
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ARTICLE 8.
LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
Section 8.01 Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
The Company may, at the option of its Board of Directors evidenced by a
resolution set forth in an Officers' Certificate, at any time, elect to have
either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof be applied to all outstanding Notes upon
compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article 8.
Section 8.02 Legal Defeasance and Discharge.
Upon the Company's exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option
applicable to this Section 8.02, the Company and each of the Guarantors will,
subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof,
be deemed to have been discharged from their obligations with respect to all
outstanding Notes (including the Note Guarantees) on the date the conditions set
forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, "Legal Defeasance"). For this purpose,
Legal Defeasance means that the Company and the Guarantors will be deemed to
have paid and discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the outstanding
Notes (including the Note Guarantees), which will thereafter be deemed to be
"outstanding" only for the purposes of Section 8.05 hereof and the other
Sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses (1) and (2) below, and to have
satisfied all their other obligations under such Notes, the Note Guarantees and
this Indenture (and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Company,
shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the
following provisions which will survive until otherwise terminated or discharged
hereunder:
(1) the rights of Holders of outstanding Notes to receive
payments in respect of the principal of, or interest or premium and
Liquidated Damages, if any, on such Notes when such payments are due
from the trust referred to in Section 8.04 hereof;
(2) the Company's obligations with respect to such Notes under
Article 2 and Section 4.02 hereof;
(3) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the
Trustee hereunder and the Company's and the Guarantors' obligations in
connection therewith; and
(4) this Article 8.
Subject to compliance with this Article 8, the Company may exercise its
option under this Section 8.02 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option
under Section 8.03 hereof.
Section 8.03 Covenant Defeasance.
Upon the Company's exercise under Section 8.01 hereof of the option
applicable to this Section 8.03, the Company and the Guarantors will, subject to
the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, be released
from each of their obligations under the covenants contained in Sections 4.07,
4.08, 4.09, 4.10, 4.11, 4.12, 4.13, 4.15, 4.16, 4.17, 4.18 and 4.19 hereof and
clause (4) of Section 5.01 hereof with respect to the outstanding Notes on and
after the date the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof are satisfied
(hereinafter, "Covenant Defeasance"), and the Notes will thereafter be deemed
not "outstanding" for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or
declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in
connection with such covenants, but will continue to be deemed "outstanding" for
all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such Notes will not be
deemed outstanding for accounting purposes). For this purpose, Covenant
Defeasance means that, with respect to
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the outstanding Notes and Note Guarantees, the Company and the Guarantors may
omit to comply with and will have no liability in respect of any term, condition
or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by
reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of
any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other
document and such omission to comply will not constitute a Default or an Event
of Default under Section 6.01 hereof, but, except as specified above, the
remainder of this Indenture and such Notes and Note Guarantees will be
unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Company's exercise under Section 8.01
hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.03 hereof, subject to the
satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 hereof, Sections
6.01(3) through 6.01(7) hereof will not constitute Events of Default.
Section 8.04 Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance.
In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance
under either Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof:
(1) the Company must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in
trust, for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes, cash in United
States dollars, non-callable Government Securities, or a combination
thereof, in amounts as will be sufficient, in the opinion of a
nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants, to pay the
principal of, premium and Liquidated Damages, if any, on the outstanding
Notes on the Stated Maturity or applicable Redemption Date, as the case
may be, and the Company must specify whether the Notes are being
defeased to maturity or to a particular Redemption Date;
(2) in the case of an election under Section 8.02 hereof, the
Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel in the United
States reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that:
(A) the Company has received from, or there has been
published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling; or
(B) since the date of this Indenture, there has been a
change in the applicable federal income tax law,
in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such
Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of the
outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for
federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance
and will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts,
in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the
case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;
(3) in the case of an election under Section 8.03 hereof, the
Company must deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel in the United
States reasonably acceptable to the Trustee confirming that the Holders
of the outstanding Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for
federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and
will be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same
manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such
Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;
(4) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing on the date of such deposit (other than a Default or Event of
Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such
deposit);
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(5) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance will not result
in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material
agreement or instrument (other than this Indenture) to which the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries is bound;
(6) the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Officers'
Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with
the intent of preferring the Holders of Notes over the other creditors
of the Company with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or
defrauding any other creditors of the Company or others; and
(7) the Company must deliver to the Trustee an Officers'
Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions
precedent provided for or relating to the Legal Defeasance or the
Covenant Defeasance have been complied with.
Section 8.05 Deposited Money and Government Securities to be Held in Trust;
Other Miscellaneous Provisions.
Subject to Section 8.06 hereof, all money and non-callable Government
Securities (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee (or other
qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 8.05, the
"Trustee") pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof in respect of the outstanding Notes
will be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the
provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or
through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as Paying Agent) as the
Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Notes of all sums due and to
become due thereon in respect of principal, premium and Liquidated Damages ,if
any, and interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except
to the extent required by law.
The Company will pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or
other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or non-callable Government
Securities deposited pursuant to Section 8.04 hereof or the principal and
interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other
charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the outstanding Notes.
Notwithstanding anything in this Article 8 to the contrary, the Trustee
will deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon the request of the
Company any money or non-callable Government Securities held by it as provided
in Section 8.04 hereof which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of
independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof
delivered to the Trustee (which may be the opinion delivered under Section
8.04(1) hereof), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required
to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
Section 8.06 Repayment to Company.
Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held
by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium or
Liquidated Damages, if any, or interest on any Note and remaining unclaimed for
two years after such principal, premium or Liquidated Damages, if any, or
interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on its request
or (if then held by the Company) will be discharged from such trust; and the
Holder of such Note will thereafter be permitted to look only to the Company for
payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with
respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee
thereof, will thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such
Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the
expense of the Company cause to be published once, in the New York Times and The
Wall Street Journal (national edition), notice that such money remains unclaimed
and that, after a
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date specified therein, which will not be less than 30 days from the date of
such notification or publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then
remaining will be repaid to the Company.
Section 8.07 Reinstatement.
If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any United States
dollars or non-callable Government Securities in accordance with Section 8.02 or
8.03 hereof, as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court
or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such
application, then the Company's and the Guarantors' obligations under this
Indenture and the Notes and the Note Guarantees will be revived and reinstated
as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof until
such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in
accordance with Section 8.02 or 8.03 hereof, as the case may be; provided,
however, that, if the Company makes any payment of principal of, premium or
Liquidated Damages, if any, or interest on any Note following the reinstatement
of its obligations, the Company will be subrogated to the rights of the Holders
of such Notes to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or
Paying Agent.
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ARTICLE 9.
AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER
Section 9.01 Without Consent of Holders of Notes.
Notwithstanding Section 9.02 of this Indenture, the Company, the
Guarantors and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture, the Note
Guarantees or the Notes without the consent of any Holder of a Note:
(1) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency or make a
modification of a formal, minor or technical nature;
(2) to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in
place of certificated Notes;
(3) to provide for the assumption of the Company's or a
Guarantor's obligations to the Holders of the Notes by a successor to
the Company pursuant to Article 5 hereof;
(4) to make any change that would provide any additional rights
or benefits to the Holders of the Notes or that does not adversely
affect the legal rights hereunder of any Holder of the Note;
(5) to comply with requirements of the SEC in order to effect or
maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA;
(6) to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes in
accordance with the limitations set forth in this Indenture as of the
date hereof; or
(7) to allow any Guarantor to execute a supplemental indenture
and/or a Note Guarantee with respect to the Notes.
Upon the request of the Company accompanied by a resolution of its Board
of Directors authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental
Indenture, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section
7.02 hereof, the Trustee will join with the Company and the Guarantors in the
execution of any amended or supplemental Indenture authorized or permitted by
the terms of this Indenture and to make any further appropriate agreements and
stipulations that may be therein contained, but the Trustee will not be
obligated to enter into such amended or supplemental Indenture that affects its
own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.
Section 9.02 With Consent of Holders of Notes.
Except as provided below in this Section 9.02, the Company and the
Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture (including, without limitation,
Section 3.09, 4.10 and 4.15 hereof), the Note Guarantees and the Notes with the
consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Notes
(including, without limitation, Additional Notes, if any) then outstanding
voting as a single class (including, without limitation, consents obtained in
connection with a tender offer or exchange offer for, or purchase of, the
Notes), and, subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07 hereof, any existing Default or
Event of Default (other than a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the
principal of, premium or Liquidated Damages, if any, or interest on the Notes,
except a payment default resulting from an acceleration that has been rescinded)
or compliance with any provision of this Indenture, the Note
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Guarantees or the Notes may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a
majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes voting as a single
class (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or exchange
offer for, or purchase of, the Notes). Section 2.08 hereof shall determine which
Notes are considered to be "outstanding" for purposes of this Section 9.02.
Upon the request of the Company accompanied by a resolution of its Board
of Directors authorizing the execution of any such amended or supplemental
Indenture, and upon the filing with the Trustee of evidence satisfactory to the
Trustee of the consent of the Holders of Notes as aforesaid, and upon receipt by
the Trustee of the documents described in Section 7.02 hereof, the Trustee will
join with the Company in the execution of such amended or supplemental Indenture
unless such amended or supplemental Indenture directly affects the Trustee's own
rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case
the Trustee may in its discretion, but will not be obligated to, enter into such
amended or supplemental Indenture.
It is not be necessary for the consent of the Holders of Notes under
this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment or
waiver, but it is sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.
After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 becomes
effective, the Company will mail to the Holders of Notes affected thereby a
notice briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver. Any failure of
the Company to mail such notice, or any defect therein, will not, however, in
any way impair or affect the validity of any such amended or supplemental
Indenture or waiver. Subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07 hereof, the Holders of a
majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding voting as a
single class may waive compliance in a particular instance by the Company with
any provision of this Indenture or the Notes. However, without the consent of
each Holder affected, an amendment or waiver under this Section 9.02 may not
(with respect to any Notes held by a non-consenting Holder):
(1) reduce the principal amount of Notes whose Holders must
consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;
(2) reduce the principal of or change the fixed maturity of any
Note or alter or waive any of the provisions with respect to the
redemption of the Notes except as provided above with respect to
Sections 3.09, 4.10 and 4.15 hereof;
(3) reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of
interest on any Note;
(4) waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of
principal of, or premium or Liquidated Damages, if any, or interest on
the Notes (except a rescission of acceleration of the Notes by the
Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then
outstanding Notes and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from
such acceleration);
(5) make any Note payable in money other than that stated in the
Notes;
(6) make any change in the provisions of this Indenture relating
to waivers of past Defaults or the rights of Holders of Notes to receive
payments of principal of, or interest or premium or Liquidated Damages,
if any, on the Notes;
(7) waive a redemption payment with respect to any Note (other
than a payment required by Sections 3.09, 4.10 and 4.15 hereof);
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(8) release any Guarantor from any of its obligations under its
Note Guarantee or this Indenture, except in accordance with the terms of
this Indenture; and
(9) make any change in Section 6.04 or 6.07 hereof or in the
foregoing amendment and waiver provisions.
Section 9.03 Compliance with Trust Indenture Act.
Every amendment or supplement to this Indenture or the Notes will be set
forth in a amended or supplemental Indenture that complies with the TIA as then
in effect.
Section 9.04 Revocation and Effect of Consents.
Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to
it by a Holder of a Note is a continuing consent by the Holder of a Note and
every subsequent Holder of a Note or portion of a Note that evidences the same
debt as the consenting Holder's Note, even if notation of the consent is not
made on any Note. However, any such Holder of a Note or subsequent Holder of a
Note may revoke the consent as to its Note if the Trustee receives written
notice of revocation before the date the waiver, supplement or amendment becomes
effective. An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance
with its terms and thereafter binds every Holder.
Section 9.05 Notation on or Exchange of Notes.
The Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an amendment,
supplement or waiver on any Note thereafter authenticated. The Company in
exchange for all Notes may issue and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an
Authentication Order, authenticate new Notes that reflect the amendment,
supplement or waiver.
Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Note will not
affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.
Section 9.06 Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.
The Trustee will sign any amended or supplemental Indenture authorized
pursuant to this Article 9 if the amendment or supplement does not adversely
affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. The Company
may not sign an amendment or supplemental Indenture until the Board of Directors
approves it. In executing any amended or supplemental indenture, the Trustee
will be entitled to receive and (subject to Section 7.01 hereof) will be fully
protected in relying upon, in addition to the documents required by Section
12.04 hereof, an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that
the execution of such amended or supplemental Indenture is authorized or
permitted by this Indenture.
ARTICLE 10.
Note guarantees
Section 10.01 Guarantee.
(a) Subject to this Article 10, each of the Guarantors hereby, jointly
and severally, unconditionally guarantees to each Holder of a Note authenticated
and delivered by the Trustee and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns,
irrespective of the validity and enforceability of this Indenture, the Notes or
the obligations of the Company hereunder or thereunder, that:
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(1) the principal of, premium and Liquidated Damages, if any,
and interest on the Notes will be promptly paid in full when due,
whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and
interest on the overdue principal of and interest on the Notes, if any,
if lawful, and all other obligations of the Company to the Holders or
the Trustee hereunder or thereunder will be promptly paid in full or
performed, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and
(2) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of
any Notes or any of such other obligations, that same will be promptly
paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the
extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or
otherwise.
Failing payment when due of any amount so guaranteed or any performance
so guaranteed for whatever reason, the Guarantors will be jointly and severally
obligated to pay the same immediately. Each Guarantor agrees that this is a
guarantee of payment and not a guarantee of collection.
(b) The Domestic Guarantors hereby agree that their obligations
hereunder are unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or
enforceability of the Notes or this Indenture, the absence of any action to
enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder of the Notes with respect
to any provisions hereof or thereof, the recovery of any judgment against the
Company, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might
otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor.
Each Guarantor hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing
of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Company,
any right to require a proceeding first against the Company, protest, notice and
all demands whatsoever and covenant that this Note Guarantee will not be
discharged except by complete performance of the obligations contained in the
Notes and this Indenture.
(c) If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise
to return to the Company, the Guarantors or any custodian, trustee, liquidator
or other similar official acting in relation to either the Company or the
Guarantors, any amount paid by either to the Trustee or such Holder, this Note
Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, will be reinstated in full
force and effect.
(d) Each Guarantor agrees that it will not be entitled to any right of
subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any obligations guaranteed
hereby until payment in full of all obligations guaranteed hereby. Each
Guarantor further agrees that, as between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and
the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (1) the maturity of the
obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article 6 hereof
for the purposes of this Note Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or
other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations
guaranteed hereby, and (2) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of
such obligations as provided in Article 6 hereof, such obligations (whether or
not due and payable) will forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantors for
the purpose of this Note Guarantee. The Guarantors will have the right to seek
contribution from any non-paying Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right
does not impair the rights of the Holders under the Note Guarantee.
Section 10.02 Limitation on Guarantor Liability.
Each Guarantor, and by its acceptance of Notes, each Holder, hereby
confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the Note Guarantee of
such Guarantor not constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes
of, or otherwise breach, Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act,
the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar federal or state law, or
other applicable non-U.S. law limiting the enforceability of the Note Guarantee,
to the extent applicable to any Note Guarantee or to any Guarantor. To
effectuate the foregoing intention, the Trustee, the Holders and
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the Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of such Guarantor
will be limited to the maximum amount that will, after giving effect to such
maximum amount and all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor
that are relevant under such laws, and after giving effect to any collections
from, rights to receive contribution from or payments made by or on behalf of
any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under
this Article 10, result in the obligations of such Guarantor under its Note
Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent transfer or conveyance and not otherwise
complying with any applicable federal, state or non-U.S. law.
Section 10.03 Execution and Delivery of Note Guarantee.
To evidence its Note Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01, each
Guarantor hereby agrees that a notation of such Note Guarantee substantially in
the form attached as Exhibit E hereto will be endorsed by an Officer of such
Guarantor on each Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and that this
Indenture will be executed on behalf of such Guarantor by one of its Officers.
Each Guarantor hereby agrees that its Note Guarantee set forth in
Section 10.01 will remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any failure
to endorse on each Note a notation of such Note Guarantee.
If an Officer whose signature is on this Indenture or on the Note
Guarantee no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the
Note on which a Note Guarantee is endorsed, the Note Guarantee will be valid
nevertheless.
The delivery of any Note by the Trustee, after the authentication
thereof hereunder, will constitute due delivery of the Note Guarantee set forth
in this Indenture on behalf of the Guarantors.
In the event that the Company creates or acquires any wholly owned
Domestic Subsidiary after the date of this Indenture, if required by Section
4.18 hereof, the Company will cause such Domestic Subsidiary to comply with the
provisions of Section 4.18 hereof and this Article 10, to the extent applicable.
Section 10.04 Guarantors May Consolidate, etc., on Certain Terms.
Except as otherwise provided in Section 10.05, no Guarantor may sell or
otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets to, or consolidate
with or merge with or into (whether or not such Guarantor is the surviving
Person) another Person, other than the Company or another Guarantor, unless:
(1) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no
Default or Event of Default exists; and
(2) either:
(a) subject to Section 10.05 hereof, the Person
acquiring the property in any such sale or disposition or the Person
formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger unconditionally
assumes all the obligations of that Guarantor, under this Indenture, its
Note Guarantee and the Registration Rights Agreement pursuant to a
supplemental indenture in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to
the Trustee; or
(b) the Net Proceeds of such sale or other disposition
are applied in accordance with the applicable provisions of this
Indenture, including without limitation, Section 4.10 hereof.
71
In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance and upon
the assumption by the successor Person, by supplemental indenture, executed and
delivered to the Trustee and satisfactory in form to the Trustee, of the Note
Guarantee endorsed upon the Notes and the due and punctual performance of all of
the covenants and conditions of this Indenture to be performed by the Guarantor,
such successor Person will succeed to and be substituted for the Guarantor with
the same effect as if it had been named herein as a Guarantor. Such successor
Person thereupon may cause to be signed any or all of the Note Guarantees to be
endorsed upon all of the Notes issuable hereunder which theretofore shall not
have been signed by the Company and delivered to the Trustee. All the Note
Guarantees so issued will in all respects have the same legal rank and benefit
under this Indenture as the Note Guarantees theretofore and thereafter issued in
accordance with the terms of this Indenture as though all of such Note
Guarantees had been issued at the date of the execution hereof.
Except as set forth in Articles 4 and 5 hereof, and notwithstanding
clauses (a) and (b) above, nothing contained in this Indenture or in any of the
Notes will prevent any consolidation or merger of a Guarantor with or into the
Company or another Guarantor, or will prevent any sale or conveyance of the
property of a Guarantor as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to the
Company or another Guarantor.
Section 10.05 Releases Following Sale of Assets.
(i) A Guarantor will be released and relieved of any obligations under
its Note Guarantee if the Company designates any Restricted Subsidiary that is a
Guarantor as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance with Section 4.19 hereof;
or (ii) in the event of any sale or other disposition of all or substantially
all of the assets of any Guarantor, by way of merger, consolidation or
otherwise, or a sale or other disposition of all to the Capital Stock of any
Guarantor, in each case to a Person that is not (either before or after giving
effect to such transactions) a Subsidiary of the Company, then such Guarantor
(in the event of a sale or other disposition, by way of merger, consolidation or
otherwise, of all of the capital stock of such Guarantor) or the corporation
acquiring the property (in the event of a sale or other disposition of all or
substantially all of the assets of such Guarantor) will be released and relieved
of any obligations under its Note Guarantee; provided that the Net Proceeds of
such sale or other disposition are applied in accordance with the applicable
provisions of this Indenture, including without limitation Section 4.10 hereof.
Upon delivery by the Company to the Trustee of an Officers' Certificate and an
Opinion of Counsel to the effect that such sale or other disposition was made by
the Company in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture, including
without limitation Section 4.10 hereof, the Trustee will execute any documents
reasonably required in order to evidence the release of any Guarantor from its
obligations under its Note Guarantee.
Any Guarantor not released from its obligations under its Note Guarantee
will remain liable for the full amount of principal of and interest on the Notes
and for the other obligations of any Guarantor under this Indenture as provided
in this Article 10.
72
ARTICLE 11.
satisfaction and discharge
Section 11.01 Satisfaction and Discharge.
This Indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect
as to all Notes issued hereunder, when:
(1) either:
(a) all Notes that have been authenticated, except lost,
stolen or destroyed Notes that have been replaced or paid and Notes for
whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust and
thereafter repaid to the Company, have been delivered to the Trustee for
cancellation; or
(b) all Notes that have not been delivered to the
Trustee for cancellation have become due and payable by reason of the
mailing of a notice of redemption or otherwise or will become due and
payable within one year and the Company or any Guarantor has irrevocably
deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in
trust solely for the benefit of the Holders, cash in U.S. dollars,
non-callable Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in such
amounts as will be sufficient without consideration of any reinvestment
of interest, to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the Notes
not delivered to the Trustee for cancellation for principal, premium and
Liquidated Damages, if any, and accrued interest to the date of maturity
or redemption;
(2) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing on the date of such deposit or will occur as a result of such
deposit and such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or
constitute a default under, any other instrument to which the Company or
any Guarantor is a party or by which the Company or any Guarantor is
bound;
(3) the Company or any Guarantor has paid or caused to be paid
all sums payable by it under this Indenture; and
(4) the Company has delivered irrevocable instructions to the
Trustee under this Indenture to apply the deposited money toward the
payment of the Notes at maturity or the redemption date, as the case may
be.
In addition, the Company must deliver an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of
Counsel to the Trustee stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and
discharge have been satisfied.
Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, if
money has been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (b) of clause
(1) of this Section, the provisions of Section 11.02 and Section 8.06 will
survive. In addition, nothing in this Section 11.01 will be deemed to discharge
those provisions of Section 7.07 hereof, that, by their terms, survive the
satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.
73
Section 11.02 Application of Trust Money.
Subject to the provisions of Section 8.06, all money deposited with the
Trustee pursuant to Section 11.01 shall be held in trust and applied by it, in
accordance with the provisions of the Notes and this Indenture, to the payment,
either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its
own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto,
of the principal (and premium, if any) and interest for whose payment such money
has been deposited with the Trustee; but such money need not be segregated from
other funds except to the extent required by law.
If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or
Government Securities in accordance with Section 11.01 by reason of any legal
proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental
authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the
Company's and any Guarantor's obligations under this Indenture and the Notes
shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to
Section 11.01; provided that if the Company has made any payment of principal
of, premium, if any, or interest on any Notes because of the reinstatement of
its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of
such Notes to receive such payment from the money or Government Securities held
by the Trustee or Paying Agent.
ARTICLE 12.
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 12.01 Trust Indenture Act Controls.
If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with
the duties imposed by TIA Section 318(c), the imposed duties will control.
Section 12.02 Notices.
Any notice or communication by the Company, any Guarantor or the Trustee
to the others is duly given if in writing and delivered in Person or mailed by
first class mail (registered or certified, return receipt requested), telex,
telecopier or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery, to the
others' address:
If to the Company and/or any Guarantor:
Ethyl Corporation
330 South Fourth Street
P.O. Box 2189
Richmond, VA 23218-2189
Telecopier No.: (804) 788-5519
Attention: M. Rudolph West, Secretary
With a copy to:
Hunton & Willoimas LLP
951 East Byrd Street
Richmond, VA 23219-4074
Telecopier No.: (804) 788-8218
Attention: Randall S. Parks
74
If to the Trustee:
Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, National Association
213 Court St., Suite 703
Middletown, CT 06457
Telecopier No.: (860) 704-6219
Attention: Corporate Trust Services
The Company, any Guarantor or the Trustee, by notice to the others may
designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or
communications.
All notices and communications (other than those sent to Holders) will
be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally
delivered; five Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage
prepaid, if mailed; when answered back, if telexed; when receipt acknowledged,
if telecopied; and the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier,
if sent by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery.
Any notice or communication to a Holder will be mailed by first class
mail, certified or registered, return receipt requested, or by overnight air
courier guaranteeing next day delivery to its address shown on the register kept
by the Registrar. Any notice or communication will also be so mailed to any
Person described in TIA Section 313(c), to the extent required by the TIA.
Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it will
not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders.
If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided above
within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee
receives it.
If the Company mails a notice or communication to Holders, it will mail
a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.
Section 12.03 Communication by Holders of Notes with Other Holders of Notes.
Holders may communicate pursuant to TIA Section 312(b) with other
Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Notes. The
Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and anyone else shall have the protection of
TIA Section 312(c).
Section 12.04 Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.
Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take
any action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee:
(1) an Officers' Certificate in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to the Trustee (which must include the statements set forth
in Section 12.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of the signers,
all conditions precedent and covenants, if any, provided for in this
Indenture relating to the proposed action have been satisfied; and
(2) an Opinion of Counsel in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to the Trustee (which must include the statements set forth
in Section 12.05 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel,
all such conditions precedent and covenants have been satisfied.
75
Section 12.05 Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.
Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition
or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided
pursuant to TIA Section 314(a)(4)) must comply with the provisions of TIA
Section 314(e) and must include:
(1) a statement that the Person making such certificate or
opinion has read such covenant or condition;
(2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the
examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions
contained in such certificate or opinion are based;
(3) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he or she
has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him
or her to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant
or condition has been satisfied; and
(4) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such
Person, such condition or covenant has been satisfied.
Section 12.06 Rules by Trustee and Agents.
The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of
Holders. The Registrar or Paying Agent may make reasonable rules and set
reasonable requirements for its functions.
Section 12.07 No Personal Liability of Directors, Officers, Employees and
Stockholders.
No director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of the
Company or any Guarantor, as such, will have any liability for any obligations
of the Company or the Guarantors under the Notes, this Indenture, the Note
Guarantees, or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such
obligations or their creation. Each Holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives
and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the
consideration for issuance of the Notes. The waiver may not be effective to
waive liabilities under the federal securities laws.
Section 12.08 Governing Law.
THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WILL GOVERN AND BE USED TO
CONSTRUE THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND THE NOTE GUARANTEES WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT
TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW TO THE EXTENT THAT THE APPLICATION
OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY.
Section 12.09 No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.
This Indenture may not be used to interpret any other indenture, loan or
debt agreement of the Company or its Subsidiaries or of any other Person. Any
such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this
Indenture.
76
Section 12.10 Successors.
All agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the Notes will bind
its successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture will bind its
successors. All agreements of each Guarantor in this Indenture will bind its
successors, except as otherwise provided in Section 10.05.
Section 12.11 Severability.
In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Notes is invalid,
illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the
remaining provisions will not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
Section 12.12 Counterpart Originals.
The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed
copy will be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.
Section 12.13 Table of Contents, Headings, etc.
The Table of Contents, Cross-Reference Table and Headings of the
Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of
reference only, are not to be considered a part of this Indenture and will in no
way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.
[Signatures on following page]
77
SIGNATURES
Dated as of the date first written above
ETHYL CORPORATION
by /s/ Thomas E. Gottwald
--------------------------------------------
Name: Thomas E. Gottwald
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
ETHYL ASIA PACIFIC COMPANY
by /s/ David A. Fiorenza
--------------------------------------------
Name: David A. Fiorenza
Title: Vice President and Treasurer
ETHYL EXPORT CORPORATION
by /s/ David A. Fiorenza
--------------------------------------------
Name: David A. Fiorenza
Title: President and Treasurer
ETHYL INTERAMERICA CORPORATION
by /s/ David A. Fiorenza
--------------------------------------------
Name: David A. Fiorenza
Title: Vice President and Treasurer
ETHYL VENTURES, INC.
by /s/ David A. Fiorenza
--------------------------------------------
Name: David A. Fiorenza
Title: President and Treasurer
INTERAMERICA TERMINALS CORPORATION
by /s/ David A. Fiorenza
----------------------------------
Name: David A. Fiorenza
Title: Treasurer
THE EDWIN COOPER CORPORATION
by /s/ David A. Fiorenza
----------------------------------
Name: David A. Fiorenza
Title: Treasurer
ETHYL ADDITIVES CORPORATION
by /s/ Thomas E. Gottwald
----------------------------------
Name: Thomas E. Gottwald
Title: President
ETHYL PETROLEUM ADDITIVES, INC.
by /s/ David A. Fiorenza
----------------------------------
Name: David A. Fiorenza
Title: Treasurer
ETHYL CANADA HOLDINGS, INC.
by /s/ David A. Fiorenza
----------------------------------
Name: David A. Fiorenza
Title: Treasurer
ETHYL JAPAN HOLDINGS, INC.
by /s/ David A. Fiorenza
-----------------------------------------------------
Name: David A. Fiorenza
Title: Treasurer
ETHYL EUROPE SPRL
by /s/ Trevor John Gigg; /s/ Michael Aronst Lewis
-----------------------------------------------------
Name: Trevor John Gigg; Michael Aronst Lewis
Title: Directors
ETHYL BRASIL ADITIVOS, LTDA
by /s/ Tito Leal; /s/ Jose Manuel da Silva Cardoso Dias
-----------------------------------------------------
Name: Tito Leal; Jose Manuel da Silva Cardoso Dias
Title: Delegate Managers
ETHYL ADMINISTRATION GMBH
by /s/ D. Kauzig
-----------------------------------------------------
Name: D. Kauzig
Title: Director
ETHYL SERVICES, GMBH
by /s/ D. Kauzig
-----------------------------------------------------
Name: D. Kauzig
Title: Director
TRUSTEE:
WELLS FARGO BANK MINNESOTA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
by /s/ Joseph P. O'Donnell
----------------------------------
Name: Joseph P. O'Donnell
Title: Corporate Trust Officer
SCHEDULE I
SCHEDULE OF GUARANTORS
The following schedule lists each Guarantor under the Indenture as of
the date of the Indenture:
Ethyl Asia Pacific Company
Ethyl Export Corporation
Ethyl Interamerica Corporation
Ethyl Ventures, Inc.
Interamerica Terminals Corporation
The Edwin Cooper Corporation
Ethyl Additives Corporation
Ethyl Petroleum Additives, Inc.
Ethyl Canada Holdings, Inc.
Ethyl Japan Holdings, Inc.
Ethyl Brasil Aditivos, LTDA
Ethyl Europe SPRL
Ethyl Administration GmbH
Ethyl Services, GmbH
S-1
EXHIBIT A
[Face of Note]
================================================================================
CUSIP ____________
ISIN ____________
__% Senior Notes due 2010
No.____ $____________
ETHYL CORPORATION
promises to pay to CEDE & CO.
or registered assigns,
the principal sum of ___________________________________________________________
Dollars on _____________, 20___.
Interest Payment Dates: ____________ and ____________
Record Dates: ____________ and ____________
Dated:_______________, 200_
ETHYL CORPORATION
By:
--------------------------------
Name:
Title:
This is one of the Notes referred to
in the within-mentioned Indenture:
WELLS FARGO BANK MINNESOTA, National Association
as Trustee
By:
----------------------------------
Authorized Signatory
================================================================================
A-1
Back of Note
8.875% Senior Notes due 2010
[Insert the Global Note Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions of the
Indenture]
[Insert the Private Placement Legend, if applicable pursuant to the provisions
of the Indenture]
Capitalized terms used herein have the meanings assigned to them in the
Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.
(1) INTEREST. Ethyl Corporation, a Virginia corporation (the
"Company"), promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this
Note at 8.875% per annum from April 30, 2003 until maturity and shall
pay the Liquidated Damages, if any, payable pursuant to Section 6 of the
Registration Rights Agreement referred to below. The Company will pay
interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, semi-annually in arrears on May
1 and November 1 of each year, or if any such day is not a Business Day,
on the next succeeding Business Day (each, an "Interest Payment Date").
Interest on the Notes will accrue from the most recent date to which
interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from the date
of issuance; provided that if there is no existing Default in the
payment of interest, and if this Note is authenticated between a record
date referred to on the face hereof and the next succeeding Interest
Payment Date, interest shall accrue from such next succeeding Interest
Payment Date; provided, further, that the first Interest Payment Date
shall be November 1, 2003. The Company will pay interest (including
post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on
overdue principal and premium, if any, from time to time on demand at a
rate that is 1% per annum in excess of the rate then in effect; it will
pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under
any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest and Liquidated
Damages, if any, (without regard to any applicable grace periods) from
time to time on demand at the same rate to the extent lawful. Interest
will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
(2) METHOD OF PAYMENT. The Company will pay interest on the
Notes (except defaulted interest) and Liquidated Damages, if any, to the
Persons who are registered Holders of Notes at the close of business on
the April 15 or October 15 next preceding the Interest Payment Date,
even if such Notes are canceled after such record date and on or before
such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.12 of the
Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. The Notes will be payable
as to principal, premium and Liquidated Damages, if any, and interest at
the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose within
or without the City and State of New York, or, at the option of the
Company, payment of interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, may be made
by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the
register of Holders; provided that payment by wire transfer of
immediately available funds will be required with respect to principal
of and interest, premium and Liquidated Damages, if any, on, all Global
Notes and all other Notes the Holders of which will have provided wire
transfer instructions to the Company or the Paying Agent. Such payment
will be in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at
the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private
debts.
(3) PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR. Initially, Wells Fargo Bank
Minnesota, National Association, the Trustee under the Indenture, will
act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may change any Paying
Agent or Registrar without notice to any Holder. The Company or any of
its Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity.
A-2
(4) INDENTURE. The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture
dated as of April 30, 2003 (the "Indenture") among the Company, the
Guarantors and the Trustee. The terms of the Notes include those stated
in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by reference to
the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (15 U.S. Code Sections
77aaa-77bbbb). The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are
referred to the Indenture and such Act for a statement of such terms. To
the extent any provision of this Note conflicts with the express
provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall
govern and be controlling. The Notes are unsecured obligations of the
Company.
(5) Optional Redemption.
(a) Except as set forth in subparagraphs (b) and (c) of this Paragraph
5, the Company will not have the option to redeem the Notes prior to May 1,
2007. Thereafter, the Company will have the option to redeem the Notes, in whole
or in part, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' notice, at the
redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) set forth below
plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, thereon to the
applicable redemption date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning
on May 1 of the years indicated below:
Year Percentage
---- ----------
2007............................................. 104.438%
2008............................................. 102.219%
2009............................................. 100.000%
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph
5, at any time prior to May 1, 2006, the Company may redeem up to 35% of the
original principal amount of the Notes with the net proceeds of a Qualified
Equity Offering at a redemption price equal to 108.875% of the principal amount
thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, to the
redemption date; provided that:
(i) at least 65% in aggregate principal amount of
the Notes (which includes Additional Notes, if
any) issued under the Indenture remains
outstanding immediately after the occurrence of
such redemption (excluding Notes held by the
Company and its Subsidiaries); and
(ii) the redemption occurs within 90 days of the date
of the closing of such Qualified Equity
Offering.
(c) At any time prior to May 1, 2007, the Company may also redeem all or
a part of the Notes upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior notice
mailed by first-class mail to each Holder's registered address, at a redemption
price equal to 100% of the principal amount of Notes redeemed plus the
Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated
Damages, if any, to the date of redemption.
(6) Mandatory Redemption.
The Company will not be required to make mandatory redemption or sinking
fund payments with respect to the Notes.
(7) Repurchase at Option of Holder.
A-3
(a) If there is a Change of Control, the Company will be
required to make an offer (a "Change of Control Offer") to each Holder to
repurchase all or any part (equal to $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof) of
each Holder's Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal
amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages thereon,
if any, to the date of purchase (the "Change of Control Payment"). Within 10
days following any Change of Control, the Company will mail a notice to each
Holder setting forth the procedures governing the Change of Control Offer as
required by the Indenture.
(b) If the Company or a Subsidiary consummates any Asset Sales,
within five days of each date on which the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds
exceeds $10 million, the Company will commence an offer to all Holders of Notes
and all holders of other Indebtedness that is pari passu with the Notes
containing provisions similar to those set forth in the Indenture with respect
to offers to purchase or redeem with the proceeds of sales of assets (an "Asset
Sale Offer") pursuant to Section 3.09 of the Indenture to purchase the maximum
principal amount of Notes (including any Additional Notes) and other pari passu
Indebtedness that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds at an offer price
in cash in an amount equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued
and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages thereon, if any, to the date fixed
for the closing of such offer, in accordance with the procedures set forth in
the Indenture. To the extent that the aggregate amount of Notes (including any
Additional Notes) and other pari passu Indebtedness tendered pursuant to an
Asset Sale Offer is less than the Excess Proceeds, the Company (or such
Subsidiary) may use such deficiency for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by
the Indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of Notes and other pari passu
Indebtedness surrendered by holders thereof exceeds the amount of Excess
Proceeds, the Trustee shall select the Notes and other pari passu Indebtedness
to be purchased on a pro rata basis. Holders of Notes that are the subject of an
offer to purchase will receive an Asset Sale Offer from the Company prior to any
related purchase date and may elect to have such Notes purchased by completing
the form entitled "Option of Holder to Elect Purchase" on the reverse of the
Notes.
(8) NOTICE OF REDEMPTION. Notice of redemption will be mailed at least
30 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each Holder
whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address. Notes in denominations
larger than $1,000 may be redeemed in part but only in whole multiples of
$1,000, unless all of the Notes held by a Holder are to be redeemed. On and
after the redemption date interest ceases to accrue on Notes or portions thereof
called for redemption.
(9) DENOMINATIONS, TRANSFER, EXCHANGE. The Notes are in registered form
without coupons in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000. The
transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged as provided in
the Indenture. The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other
things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the
Company may require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or
permitted by the Indenture. The Company need not exchange or register the
transfer of any Note or portion of a Note selected for redemption, except for
the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed in part. Also, the Company
need not exchange or register the transfer of any Notes for a period of 15 days
before a selection of Notes to be redeemed or during the period between a record
date and the corresponding Interest Payment Date.
(10) PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS. The registered Holder of a Note may be
treated as its owner for all purposes.
A-4
(11) AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER. Subject to certain exceptions,
the Indenture, the Note Guarantees or the Notes may be amended or supplemented
with the consent of the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of
the then outstanding Notes and Additional Notes, if any, voting as a single
class, and any existing default or compliance with any provision of the
Indenture, the Note Guarantees or the Notes may be waived with the consent of
the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes and
Additional Notes, if any, voting as a single class. Without the consent of any
Holder of a Note, the Indenture, the Note Guarantees or the Notes may be amended
or supplemented to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency or make a
modification of a formal, minor or technical nature, to provide for
uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated Notes, to
provide for the assumption of the Company's or any Guarantor's obligations to
Holders of the Notes in case of a merger or consolidation, to make any change
that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders of the Notes
or that does not adversely affect the legal rights under the Indenture of any
such Holder, to comply with the requirements of the SEC in order to effect or
maintain the qualification of the Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.
(12) DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES. Events of Default include: (i) default for
30 days in the payment when due of interest or Liquidated Damages on the Notes;
(ii) default in payment when due of principal of or premium, if any, on the
Notes when the same becomes due (at maturity, upon redemption or otherwise),
(iii) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries for 30 days
after notice to the Company by the Trustee or Holders of at least 25% in
aggregate principal amount of Notes then outstanding voting as a single class to
comply with Sections 4.07, 4.09, 4.10, 4.15, of the Indenture or failure by the
Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to comply with Section 5.01 of the
Indenture; (iv) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries for
60 days after notice to the Company by the Trustee or the Holders of at least
25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding voting as a
single class to comply with certain other agreements in the Indenture or the
Notes; (v) a default occurs under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under
which there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any
Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries (or the payment of which is guaranteed by the Company or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries), whether such Indebtedness or guarantee now exists, or
is created after the date of the Indenture, if that default: (A) is caused by a
failure to pay principal of, or interest or premium, if any, on such
Indebtedness prior to the expiration of the grace period provided in such
Indebtedness on the date of such default (a "Payment Default"); or (B) results
in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior to its express maturity, and, in
each case, the principal amount of any such Indebtedness, together with the
principal amount of any other such Indebtedness under which there has been a
Payment Default or the maturity of which has been so accelerated, aggregates
$15.0 million or more; (vi) failure by the Company or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to pay final judgments aggregating in excess of $10.0 million,
which judgments are not paid, discharged or stayed for a period of 60 days after
any and all rights to appeal such judgment are expired; (vii) except as
permitted by the Indenture, any Note Guarantee shall be held in any judicial
proceeding to be unenforceable or invalid or shall cease for any reason to be in
full force and effect or any Guarantor, or any Person acting on behalf of any
Guarantor, shall deny or disaffirm its obligations under its Note Guarantee and
(viii) certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency described in the Indenture
with respect to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Significant
Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would
constitute a Significant Subsidiary. If any Event of Default occurs and is
continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of
the then outstanding Notes may declare all the Notes to be due and payable.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of an Event of Default arising from
certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency, all outstanding Notes will become
due and payable without further action or notice. Holders may
A-5
not enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in the Indenture.
Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a majority in principal amount of the
then outstanding Notes may direct the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or
power. The Trustee may withhold from Holders of the Notes notice of any
continuing Default or Event of Default (except a Default or Event of Default
relating to the payment of principal or interest) if it determines that
withholding notice is in their interest. The Holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the Notes then outstanding by notice to the Trustee may on
behalf of the Holders of all of the Notes waive any existing Default or Event of
Default and its consequences under the Indenture except a continuing Default or
Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, premium and Liquidated
Damages, if any, or interest on, the Notes. The Company is required to deliver
to the Trustee annually a statement regarding compliance with the Indenture, and
the Company is required upon becoming aware of any Default or Event of Default,
to deliver to the Trustee a statement specifying such Default or Event of
Default.
(13) TRUSTEE DEALINGS WITH COMPANY. The Trustee, in its individual or
any other capacity, may make loans to, accept deposits from, and perform
services for the Company or its Affiliates, and may otherwise deal with the
Company or its Affiliates, as if it were not the Trustee, subject to certain
limitations in Article 7 of the Indenture.
(14) NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS. A director, officer, employee,
incorporator or stockholder, of the Company or any of the Guarantors, as such,
will not have any liability for any obligations of the Company or such Guarantor
under the Notes, the Note Guarantees or the Indenture or for any claim based on,
in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder
by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and
release are part of the consideration for the issuance of the Notes.
(15) AUTHENTICATION. This Note will not be valid until authenticated by
the manual signature of the Trustee or an authenticating agent.
(16) ABBREVIATIONS. Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a
Holder or an assignee, such as: TEN COM (= tenants in common), TEN ENT (=
tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (= joint tenants with right of survivorship
and not as tenants in common), CUST (= Custodian), and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts
to Minors Act).
(17) ADDITIONAL RIGHTS OF HOLDERS OF RESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTES AND
RESTRICTED DEFINITIVE NOTES. In addition to the rights provided to Holders of
Notes under the Indenture, Holders of Restricted Global Notes and Restricted
Definitive Notes will have all the rights set forth in the Registration Rights
Agreement dated as of April 30, 2003, among the Company, the Guarantors and the
other parties named on the signature pages thereof or, in the case of Additional
Notes, Holders of Restricted Global Notes and Restricted Definitive Notes will
have the rights set forth in one or more registration rights agreements, if any,
among the Company, the Guarantors and the other parties thereto, relating to
rights given by the Company and the Guarantors to the purchasers of any
Additional Notes (collectively, the "Registration Rights Agreement").
(18) CUSIP NUMBERS. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the
Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Company has caused
CUSIP numbers to be printed on the Notes and the Trustee may use CUSIP numbers
in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No representation is made
as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as
contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the
other identification numbers placed thereon.
A-6
The Company will furnish to any Holder upon written request and without
charge a copy of the Indenture and/or the Registration Rights Agreement.
Requests may be made to:
Ethyl Corporation
330 South Fourth Street
P.O. Box 2189
Richmond, VA 23218-2189
Attention: M. Rudolph West, Secretary
A-7
EXHIBIT A
ASSIGNMENT FORM
To assign this Note, fill in the form below:
(I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to:___________________________________
(Insert assignee's legal name)
________________________________________________________________________________
(Insert assignee's soc. sec. or tax I.D. no.)
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
(Print or type assignee's name, address and zip code)
and irrevocably appoint ________________________________________________________
to transfer this Note on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute
another to act for him.
Date: _______________
Your Signature:_____________________________
(Sign exactly as your name
appears on the face of this Note)
Signature Guarantee*: _________________________
* Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or
other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).
A-7
EXHIBIT A
OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE
If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant
to Section 4.10 or 4.15 of the Indenture, check the appropriate box below:
[ ]Section 4.10 [ ]Section 4.15
If you want to elect to have only part of the Note purchased by the
Company pursuant to Section 4.10 or Section 4.15 of the Indenture, state the
amount you elect to have purchased:
$_______________
Date: _______________
Your Signature:_____________________________
(Sign exactly as your name
appears on the face of this Note)
Tax Identification No.:_____________________
Signature Guarantee*: _________________________
* Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or
other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).
A-8
EXHIBIT A
SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL NOTE
The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for an interest in
another Global Note or for a Definitive Note, or exchanges of a part of another
Global Note or Definitive Note for an interest in this Global Note, have been
made:
Principal Amount
Amount of decrease in Amount of increase in of this Global Note Signature of authorized
Principal Amount of Principal Amount of following such officer of Trustee or
Date of Exchange this Global Note this Global Note decrease (or increase) Custodian
- ------------------------ ------------------------ ------------------------ ------------------------ ------------------------
A-9
EXHIBIT B
FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER
Ethyl Corporation
3330 South Fourth Street
P.O. Box 2189
Richmond, VA 23218-2189
Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, National Association
National Association
213 Court St., Suite 703
Middletown, CT 06457
Re: 8.875% Senior Notes due 2010
Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of April 30, 2003
(the "Indenture"), among Ethyl Corporation, as issuer (the "Company"), the
Guarantors named on the signature pages thereto and Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota,
N.A, as trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the
meanings given to them in the Indenture.
___________________, (the "Transferor") owns and proposes to transfer
the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified in Annex A hereto, in the
principal amount of $___________ in such Note[s] or interests (the "Transfer"),
to ___________________________ (the "Transferee"), as further specified in Annex
A hereto. In connection with the Transfer, the Transferor hereby certifies that:
[CHECK ALL THAT APPLY]
1. [ ] Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest
in the 144A Global Note or a Definitive Note Pursuant to Rule 144A. The Transfer
is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144A under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and, accordingly, the
Transferor hereby further certifies that the beneficial interest or Definitive
Note is being transferred to a Person that the Transferor reasonably believed
and believes is purchasing the beneficial interest or Definitive Note for its
own account, or for one or more accounts with respect to which such Person
exercises sole investment discretion, and such Person and each such account is a
"qualified institutional buyer" within the meaning of Rule 144A in a transaction
meeting the requirements of Rule 144A and such Transfer is in compliance with
any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States. Upon
consummation of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the
Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be
subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private Placement
Legend printed on the 144A Global Note and/or the Definitive Note and in the
Indenture and the Securities Act.
2. [ ] Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest
in the Regulation S Global Note or a Definitive Note pursuant to Regulation S.
The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or
Rule 904 under the Securities Act and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby
further certifies that (i) the Transfer is not being made to a Person in the
United States and (x) at the time the buy order was originated, the Transferee
was outside the United States or such Transferor and any Person acting on its
behalf reasonably believed and believes that the Transferee was outside the
United States or (y) the transaction was executed in, on or through the
facilities of a designated offshore securities market and neither such
Transferor nor any Person acting on its behalf knows that the transaction was
prearranged with a buyer in the United States, (ii) no directed selling efforts
have been made in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(b) or Rule
904(b) of Regulation S under the
B-1
Securities Act [and/,] (iii) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to
evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act [and (iv) if the
proposed transfer is being made prior to the expiration of the Restricted
Period, the transfer is not being made to a U.S. Person or for the account or
benefit of a U.S. Person (other than an Initial Purchaser)].903(b)(2) or (3)
Upon consummation of the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the
Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note will be
subject to the restrictions on Transfer enumerated in the Private Placement
Legend printed on the Regulation S Global Note and/or the Definitive Note and in
the Indenture and the Securities Act.
3. [ ] Check and complete if Transferee will take delivery of a
beneficial interest in the IAI Global Note or a Definitive Note pursuant to any
provision of the Securities Act other than Rule 144A or Regulation S. The
Transfer is being effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions
applicable to beneficial interests in Restricted Global Notes and Restricted
Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act and
any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States, and
accordingly the Transferor hereby further certifies that (check one):
(a) [ ] such Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in
accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act;
or
(b) [ ] such Transfer is being effected to the Company or a
subsidiary thereof;
or
(c) [ ] such Transfer is being effected pursuant to an
effective registration statement under the Securities Act and in
compliance with the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities
Act;
or
(d) [ ] such Transfer is being effected to an Institutional
Accredited Investor and pursuant to an exemption from the registration
requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 144A, Rule 144 or
Rule 904, and the Transferor hereby further certifies that it has not
engaged in any general solicitation within the meaning of Regulation D
under the Securities Act and the Transfer complies with the transfer
restrictions applicable to beneficial interests in a Restricted Global
Note or Restricted Definitive Notes and the requirements of the
exemption claimed, which certification is supported by (1) a certificate
executed by the Transferee in the form of Exhibit D to the Indenture and
(2) an Opinion of Counsel provided by the Transferor or the Transferee
(a copy of which the Transferor has attached to this certification), to
the effect that such Transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act.
Upon consummation of the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms
of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Note
will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the
Private Placement Legend printed on the IAI Global Note and/or the
Definitive Notes and in the Indenture and the Securities Act.
4. [ ] Check if Transferee will take delivery of a beneficial interest
in an Unrestricted Global Note or of an Unrestricted Definitive Note.
(a) [ ] Check if Transfer is pursuant to Rule 144. (i) The Transfer is
being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities
Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in the Indenture
and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the
B-2
United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture
and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain
compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer
in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial
interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on
transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted
Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.
(b) [ ] Check if Transfer is Pursuant to Regulation S. (i) The Transfer
is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under
the Securities Act and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in
the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the
United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture
and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain
compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer
in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial
interest or Definitive Note will no longer be subject to the restrictions on
transfer enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted
Global Notes, on Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.
(c) [ ] Check if Transfer is Pursuant to Other Exemption. (i) The
Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in compliance with an exemption from
the registration requirements of the Securities Act other than Rule 144, Rule
903 or Rule 904 and in compliance with the transfer restrictions contained in
the Indenture and any applicable blue sky securities laws of any State of the
United States and (ii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture
and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain
compliance with the Securities Act. Upon consummation of the proposed Transfer
in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the transferred beneficial
interest or Definitive Note will not be subject to the restrictions on transfer
enumerated in the Private Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Global
Notes or Restricted Definitive Notes and in the Indenture.
This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your
benefit and the benefit of the Company.
---------------------------------------
[Insert Name of Transferor]
By:
------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
Dated: _______________________
B-3
ANNEX A TO CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER
1. The Transferor owns and proposes to transfer the following:
[CHECK ONE OF (a) OR (b)]
(a) [ ] a beneficial interest in the:
(i) [ ] 144A Global Note (CUSIP _________), or
(ii) [ ] Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP _________),
or
(iii) [ ] IAI Global Note (CUSIP _________); or
(b) [ ] a Restricted Definitive Note.
2. After the Transfer the Transferee will hold:
[CHECK ONE]
(a) [ ] a beneficial interest in the:
(i) [ ] 144A Global Note (CUSIP _________), or
(ii) [ ] Regulation S Global Note (CUSIP _________),
or
(iii) [ ] IAI Global Note (CUSIP _________); or
(iv) [ ] Unrestricted Global Note (CUSIP _________);
or
(b) [ ] a Restricted Definitive Note; or
(c) [ ] an Unrestricted Definitive Note,
in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.
B-1
EXHIBIT C
FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE
Ethyl Corporation
3330 South Fourth Street
P.O. Box 2189
Richmond, VA 23218-2189
Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, National Association
National Association
213 Court St., Suite 703
Middletown, CT 06457
Re: 8.875% Senior Notes due 2010
(CUSIP ____________)
Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of April 30, 2003
(the "Indenture"), among Ethyl Corporation, as issuer (the "Company"), the
Guarantors named on the signature pages thereto and Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota,
National Association, as trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein
shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.
__________________________, (the "Owner") owns and proposes to exchange
the Note[s] or interest in such Note[s] specified herein, in the principal
amount of $____________ in such Note[s] or interests (the "Exchange"). In
connection with the Exchange, the Owner hereby certifies that:
1. Exchange of Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in a
Restricted Global Note for Unrestricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests
in an Unrestricted Global Note
(a) [ ] Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted
Global Note to beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. In connection
with the Exchange of the Owner's beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note
for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note in an equal principal
amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest is being acquired
for the Owner's own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been
effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the Global
Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Securities Act"), (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in
the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to
maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest in
an Unrestricted Global Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable
blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.
(b) [ ] Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted
Global Note to Unrestricted Definitive Note. In connection with the Exchange of
the Owner's beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for an Unrestricted
Definitive Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the Definitive Note is being
acquired for the Owner's own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has
been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions applicable to the
Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities
Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the Indenture and the
Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain compliance with
the Securities Act and (iv) the Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance
with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.
C-1
(c) [ ] Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to
beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. In connection with the
Owner's Exchange of a Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in an
Unrestricted Global Note, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest
is being acquired for the Owner's own account without transfer, (ii) such
Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions
applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with
the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on transfer contained in the
Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not required in order to maintain
compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the beneficial interest is being
acquired in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state
of the United States.
(d) [ ] Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to
Unrestricted Definitive Note. In connection with the Owner's Exchange of a
Restricted Definitive Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, the Owner hereby
certifies (i) the Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner's
own account without transfer, (ii) such Exchange has been effected in compliance
with the transfer restrictions applicable to Restricted Definitive Notes and
pursuant to and in accordance with the Securities Act, (iii) the restrictions on
transfer contained in the Indenture and the Private Placement Legend are not
required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act and (iv) the
Unrestricted Definitive Note is being acquired in compliance with any applicable
blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States.
2. Exchange of Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests in
Restricted Global Notes for Restricted Definitive Notes or Beneficial Interests
in Restricted Global Notes
(a) [ ] Check if Exchange is from beneficial interest in a Restricted
Global Note to Restricted Definitive Note. In connection with the Exchange of
the Owner's beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note for a Restricted
Definitive Note with an equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies that
the Restricted Definitive Note is being acquired for the Owner's own account
without transfer. Upon consummation of the proposed Exchange in accordance with
the terms of the Indenture, the Restricted Definitive Note issued will continue
to be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private
Placement Legend printed on the Restricted Definitive Note and in the Indenture
and the Securities Act.
(b) [ ] Check if Exchange is from Restricted Definitive Note to
beneficial interest in a Restricted Global Note. In connection with the Exchange
of the Owner's Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in the
[CHECK ONE] 144A Global Note, Regulation S Global Note, IAI Global Note with an
equal principal amount, the Owner hereby certifies (i) the beneficial interest
is being acquired for the Owner's own account without transfer and (ii) such
Exchange has been effected in compliance with the transfer restrictions
applicable to the Restricted Global Notes and pursuant to and in accordance with
the Securities Act, and in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities
laws of any state of the United States. Upon consummation of the proposed
Exchange in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the beneficial interest
issued will be subject to the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Private
Placement Legend printed on the relevant Restricted Global Note and in the
Indenture and the Securities Act.
This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your
benefit and the benefit of the Company.
______________________________________
[Insert Name of Transferor]
C-2
By:
-------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
Dated: ______________________
C-3
EXHIBIT D
FORM OF CERTIFICATE FROM
ACQUIRING INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR
Ethyl Corporation
3330 South Fourth Street
P.O. Box 2189
Richmond, VA 23218-2189
Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, National Association
National Association
213 Court St., Suite 703
Middletown, CT 06457
Re: 8.875% Senior Notes due 2010
Reference is hereby made to the Indenture, dated as of April 30, 2003
(the "Indenture"), among Ethyl Corporation, as issuer (the "Company"), the
Guarantors named on the signature pages thereto and Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota,
National Association, as trustee. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein
shall have the meanings given to them in the Indenture.
In connection with our proposed purchase of $____________ aggregate
principal amount of:
(a) [ ] a beneficial interest in a Global Note, or
(b) [ ] a Definitive Note,
we confirm that:
1. We understand that any subsequent transfer of the Notes or any
interest therein is subject to certain restrictions and conditions set forth in
the Indenture and the undersigned agrees to be bound by, and not to resell,
pledge or otherwise transfer the Notes or any interest therein except in
compliance with, such restrictions and conditions and the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "Securities Act").
2. We understand that the offer and sale of the Notes have not been
registered under the Securities Act, and that the Notes and any interest therein
may not be offered or sold except as permitted in the following sentence. We
agree, on our own behalf and on behalf of any accounts for which we are acting
as hereinafter stated, that if we should sell the Notes or any interest therein,
we will do so only (A) to the Company or any subsidiary thereof, (B) in
accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act to a "qualified institutional
buyer" (as defined therein), (C) to an institutional "accredited investor" (as
defined below) that, prior to such transfer, furnishes (or has furnished on its
behalf by a U.S. broker-dealer) to you and to the Company a signed letter
substantially in the form of this letter and an Opinion of Counsel in form
reasonably acceptable to the Company to the effect that such transfer is in
compliance with the Securities Act, (D) outside the United States in accordance
with Rule 904 of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (E) pursuant to the
provisions of Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act or (F) pursuant to an
effective registration statement under the Securities Act, and we further agree
to provide to any Person purchasing the Definitive Note or beneficial interest
in a Global Note from us in a transaction meeting the requirements of clauses
(A) through (E) of this paragraph a notice advising such purchaser that resales
thereof are restricted as stated herein.
D-1
3. We understand that, on any proposed resale of the Notes or
beneficial interest therein, we will be required to furnish to you and the
Company such certifications, legal opinions and other information as you and the
Company may reasonably require to confirm that the proposed sale complies with
the foregoing restrictions. We further understand that the Notes purchased by us
will bear a legend to the foregoing effect.
4. We are an institutional "accredited investor" (as defined in
Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) of Regulation D under the Securities Act) and
have such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters as to be
capable of evaluating the merits and risks of our investment in the Notes, and
we and any accounts for which we are acting are each able to bear the economic
risk of our or its investment.
5. We are acquiring the Notes or beneficial interest therein
purchased by us for our own account or for one or more accounts (each of which
is an institutional "accredited investor") as to each of which we exercise sole
investment discretion.
You and the Company are entitled to rely upon this letter and are
irrevocably authorized to produce this letter or a copy hereof to any interested
party in any administrative or legal proceedings or official inquiry with
respect to the matters covered hereby.
---------------------------------------------------
[Insert Name of Accredited Investor]
By:
------------------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
Dated: _______________________
D-1
EXHIBIT E
[FORM OF NOTE GUARANTEE]
For value received, each Guarantor (which term includes any successor
Person under the Indenture) has, jointly and severally, unconditionally
guaranteed, to the extent set forth in the Indenture and subject to the
provisions in the Indenture dated as of April 30, 2003 (the "Indenture") among
Ethyl Corporation, (the "Company"), the Guarantors listed on Schedule I thereto
and Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, National Association, as trustee (the
"Trustee"), (a) the due and punctual payment of the principal of, premium and
Liquidated Damages, if any, and interest on the Notes (as defined in the
Indenture), whether at maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, the
due and punctual payment of interest on overdue principal of and interest on the
Notes, if any, if lawful, and the due and punctual performance of all other
obligations of the Company to the Holders or the Trustee all in accordance with
the terms of the Indenture and (b) in case of any extension of time of payment
or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, that the same will be
promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the
extension or renewal, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise.
The obligations of the Guarantors to the Holders of Notes and to the Trustee
pursuant to the Note Guarantee and the Indenture are expressly set forth in
Article 10 of the Indenture and reference is hereby made to the Indenture for
the precise terms of the Note Guarantee. Each Holder of a Note, by accepting the
same, (a) agrees to and shall be bound by such provisions, (b) authorizes and
directs the Trustee, on behalf of such Holder, to take such action as may be
necessary or appropriate to effectuate the subordination as provided in the
Indenture and (c) appoints the Trustee attorney-in-fact of such Holder for such
purpose; provided, however, that the Indebtedness evidenced by this Note
Guarantee shall cease to be so subordinated and subject in right of payment upon
any defeasance of this Note in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture.
ETHYL ASIA PACIFIC COMPANY
By:
------------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
ETHYL EXPORT CORPORATION
By:
------------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
ETHYL INTERAMERICA CORPORATION
By:
------------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
E-1
EXHIBIT E
ETHYL VENTURES, INC.
By:
------------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
INTERAMERICA TERMINALS CORPORATION
By:
------------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
THE EDWIN COOPER CORPORATION
By:
------------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
ETHYL ADDITIVES CORPORATION
By:
------------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
ETHYL PETROLEUM ADDITIVES, INC.
By:
------------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
ETHYL CANADA HOLDINGS, INC.
By:
------------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
ETHYL JAPAN HOLDINGS, INC.
By:
------------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
E-2
EXHIBIT E
ETHYL EUROPE SPRL
By:
------------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
ETHYL BRASIL ADITIVOS, LTDA
By:
------------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
ETHYL ADMINISTRATION GMBH
By:
------------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
ETHYL SERVICES, GMBH
By:
------------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
E-3
EXHIBIT F
FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE
TO BE DELIVERED BY SUBSEQUENT GUARANTORS
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (this "Supplemental Indenture"), dated as of
________________, 200__, among __________________ (the "Guaranteeing
Subsidiary"), a subsidiary of Ethyl Corporation (or its permitted successor), a
Virginia corporation (the "Company"), the Company, the other Guarantors (as
defined in the Indenture referred to herein) and Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota,
National Association, as trustee under the Indenture referred to below (the
"Trustee").
W I T N E S S E T H
WHEREAS, the Company has heretofore executed and delivered to the
Trustee an indenture (the "Indenture"), dated as of April 30, 2003 providing for
the issuance of 8.875% Senior Notes due 2010 (the "Notes");
WHEREAS, the Indenture provides that under certain circumstances the
Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental
indenture pursuant to which the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall unconditionally
guarantee all of the Company's Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture on
the terms and conditions set forth herein (the "Note Guarantee"); and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Indenture, the Trustee is
authorized to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and
valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the
Guaranteeing Subsidiary and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the
equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes as follows:
1. CAPITALIZED TERMS. Capitalized terms used herein without
definition shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.
2. AGREEMENT TO GUARANTEE. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary hereby
agrees as follows:
(a) Along with all Guarantors named in the
Indenture, to jointly and severally Guarantee to each Holder of
a Note authenticated and delivered by the Trustee and to the
Trustee and its successors and assigns, the Notes or the
obligations of the Company hereunder or thereunder, that:
(i) the principal of, and premium and Liquidated
Damages, if any, and interest on the Notes will be promptly paid
in full when due, whether at maturity, by acceleration,
redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal
of and interest on the Notes, if any, if lawful, and all other
obligations of the Company to the Holders or the Trustee
hereunder or thereunder will be promptly paid in full or
performed, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof;
and
(ii) in case of any extension of time of payment or
renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, that same
will be promptly paid in full when due or performed in
accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether
at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise. Failing
payment when due of any amount so
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EXHIBIT F
guaranteed or any performance so guaranteed for whatever reason,
the Guarantors shall be jointly and severally obligated to pay
the same immediately.
(b) The obligations hereunder shall be
unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or
enforceability of the Notes or the Indenture, the absence of any
action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder
of the Notes with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof,
the recovery of any judgment against the Company, any action to
enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise
constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a
Guarantor.
(c) The following is hereby waived: diligence,
presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in
the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Company, any right
to require a proceeding first against the Company, protest,
notice and all demands whatsoever.
(d) This Note Guarantee shall not be discharged
except by complete performance of the obligations contained in
the Notes and the Indenture, and the Guaranteeing Subsidiary
accepts all obligations of a Guarantor under the Indenture.
(e) If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any
court or otherwise to return to the Company, the Guarantors, or
any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official
acting in relation to either the Company or the Guarantors, any
amount paid by either to the Trustee or such Holder, this Note
Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be
reinstated in full force and effect.
(f) The Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall not be
entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders
in respect of any obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in
full of all obligations guaranteed hereby.
(g) As between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and
the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (x) the maturity
of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as
provided in Article 6 of the Indenture for the purposes of this
Note Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other
prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the
obligations guaranteed hereby, and (y) in the event of any
declaration of acceleration of such obligations as provided in
Article 6 of the Indenture, such obligations (whether or not due
and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the
Guarantors for the purpose of this Note Guarantee.
(h) The Guarantors shall have the right to seek
contribution from any non-paying Guarantor so long as the
exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the Holders
under the Note Guarantee.
(i) Pursuant to Section 10.02 of the Indenture,
after giving effect to any maximum amount and all other
contingent and fixed liabilities that are relevant under any
applicable Bankruptcy or fraudulent conveyance laws, and after
giving effect to any collections from, rights to receive
contribution from or payments made by or on behalf of any other
Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor
under Article 10 of the Indenture, this new Note Guarantee shall
be limited to the maximum amount permissible such that the
obligations of such Guarantor under this Note Guarantee will not
constitute a fraudulent transfer or conveyance.
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EXHIBIT F
3. EXECUTION AND DELIVERY. Each Guaranteeing Subsidiary agrees that
the Note Guarantees shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding any
failure to endorse on each Note a notation of such Note Guarantee.
4. GUARANTEEING SUBSIDIARY MAY CONSOLIDATE, ETC. ON CERTAIN TERMS.
(a) The Guaranteeing Subsidiary may not sell or
otherwise dispose of all substantially all of its assets to, or
consolidate with or merge with or into (whether or not such
Guarantor is the surviving Person) another Person, other than
the Company or another Guarantor unless:
(i) immediately after giving effect to such
transaction, no Default or Event of Default exists; and
(ii) either (A) subject to Sections 10.04 and 10.05
of the Indenture, the Person acquiring the property in any such
sale or disposition or the Person formed by or surviving any
such consolidation or merger unconditionally assumes all the
obligations of that Guarantor, pursuant to a supplemental
indenture in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the
Trustee, under the Notes, the Indenture and the Note Guarantee
on the terms set forth herein or therein; or (B) the Net
Proceeds of such sale or other disposition are applied in
accordance with the applicable provisions of the Indenture,
including without limitation, Section 4.10 thereof.
(b) In case of any such consolidation, merger, sale
or conveyance and upon the assumption by the successor Person,
by supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee
and satisfactory in form to the Trustee, of the Note Guarantee
endorsed upon the Notes and the due and punctual performance of
all of the covenants and conditions of the Indenture to be
performed by the Guarantor, such successor Person shall succeed
to and be substituted for the Guarantor with the same effect as
if it had been named herein as a Guarantor. Such successor
Person thereupon may cause to be signed any or all of the Note
Guarantees to be endorsed upon all of the Notes issuable under
the Indenture which theretofore shall not have been signed by
the Company and delivered to the Trustee. All the Note
Guarantees so issued shall in all respects have the same legal
rank and benefit under the Indenture as the Note Guarantees
theretofore and thereafter issued in accordance with the terms
of the Indenture as though all of such Note Guarantees had been
issued at the date of the execution hereof.
(c) Except as set forth in Articles 4 and 5 and
Section 10.05 of Article 10 of the Indenture, and
notwithstanding clauses (a) and (b) above, nothing contained in
the Indenture or in any of the Notes shall prevent any
consolidation or merger of a Guarantor with or into the Company
or another Guarantor, or shall prevent any sale or conveyance of
the property of a Guarantor as an entirety or substantially as
an entirety to the Company or another Guarantor.
5. RELEASES.
(a) In the event of any sale or other disposition of
all or substantially all of the assets of any Guarantor, by way
of merger, consolidation or otherwise, or a sale or other
disposition of all of the capital stock of any Guarantor, in
each case to a Person that is not (either before or after giving
effect to such transaction) a Restricted Subsidiary of the
Company, then such Guarantor (in the event of a sale or other
disposition, by way of
F-3
EXHIBIT F
merger, consolidation or otherwise, of all of the capital stock
of such Guarantor) or the corporation acquiring the property (in
the event of a sale or other disposition of all or substantially
all of the assets of such Guarantor) will be released and
relieved of any obligations under its Note Guarantee; provided
that the Net Proceeds of such sale or other disposition are
applied in accordance with the applicable provisions of the
Indenture, including without limitation Section 4.10 of the
Indenture. Upon delivery by the Company to the Trustee of an
Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel to the effect
that such sale or other disposition was made by the Company in
accordance with the provisions of the Indenture, including
without limitation Section 4.10 of the Indenture, the Trustee
shall execute any documents reasonably required in order to
evidence the release of any Guarantor from its obligations under
its Note Guarantee.
(b) Any Guarantor not released from its obligations
under its Note Guarantee shall remain liable for the full amount
of principal of and interest on the Notes and for the other
obligations of any Guarantor under the Indenture as provided in
Article 10 of the Indenture.
6. NO RECOURSE AGAINST OTHERS. No past, present or future director,
officer, employee, incorporator, stockholder or agent of the Guaranteeing
Subsidiary, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Company
or any Guaranteeing Subsidiary under the Notes, any Note Guarantees, the
Indenture or this Supplemental Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect
of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of the
Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and
release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes. Such waiver may
not be effective to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws and it
is the view of the SEC that such a waiver is against public policy.
7. NEW YORK LAW TO GOVERN. THE INTERNAL LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW
YORK SHALL GOVERN AND BE USED TO CONSTRUE THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE BUT
WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW TO THE EXTENT
THAT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAWS OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED
THEREBY.
8. COUNTERPARTS. The parties may sign any number of copies of this
Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them
together represent the same agreement.
9. EFFECT OF HEADINGS. The Section headings herein are for
convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.
10. THE TRUSTEE. The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner
whatsoever for or in respect of the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental
Indenture or for or in respect of the recitals contained herein, all of which
recitals are made solely by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary and the Company.
F-4
EXHIBIT F
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental
Indenture to be duly executed and attested, all as of the date first above
written.
Dated: _______________, 20___
[GUARANTEEING SUBSIDIARY]
By:
-------------------------------
Name:
Title:
Ethyl Corporation
By:
-------------------------------
Name:
Title:
[EXISTING GUARANTORS]
By:
-------------------------------
Name:
Title:
WELLS FARGOBANK MINNESOTA,
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
as Trustee
By:
-------------------------------
Authorized Signatory
F-5