EXHIBIT 10.3
PLEDGE AGREEMENT
----------------
PLEDGE AGREEMENT, dated as of May 7, 1996 (as amended, modified or
supplemented from time to time, this "Agreement"), made by each of the
undersigned (each, a "Pledgor" and, together with any other entity that becomes
a party hereto pursuant to Section 22 hereof, the "Pledgors"), in favor of
BANKERS TRUST COMPANY, as Collateral Agent (the "Pledgee"), for the benefit of
the Secured Creditors (as defined below). Except as otherwise defined herein,
terms used herein and defined in the Credit Agreement (as defined below) shall
be used herein as therein defined.
W I T N E S S E T H :
- - - - - - - - - -
WHEREAS, Diagnostics Holding, Inc. ("Holdings"), Dade International Inc.
(the "Borrower"), various financial institutions from time to time party thereto
(the "Banks"), and Bankers Trust Company, as Agent (together with any successor
agent, the "Agent", and together with the Pledgee and the Banks, the "Bank
Creditors"), have entered into a Credit Agreement, dated as of May 7, 1996 (as
amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, the "Credit Agreement"),
providing for the making of Loans to the Borrower and the issuance of, and
participation in, Letters of Credit for the account of the Borrower, all as
contemplated therein;
WHEREAS, the Borrower may from time to time be party to one or more (i)
interest rate agreements, interest rate cap agreements, interest rate collar
agreements or other similar agreements or arrangements, (ii) foreign exchange
contracts, currency swap agreements or similar agreements or arrangements
designed to protect against the fluctuations in currency values and/or (iii)
other types of hedging agreements from time to time (each such agreement or
arrangement with an Other Creditor (as hereinafter defined), an "Interest Rate
Protection Agreement or Other Hedging Agreement"), with a Bank or an affiliate
of a Bank (each such Bank or affiliate, even if the respective Bank subsequently
ceases to be a Bank under the Credit Agreement for any reason, together with
such Bank's or affiliate's successors and assigns, collectively, the "Other
Creditors," and together with Bank Creditors, the "Secured Creditors");
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Holdings Guaranty, Holdings has guaranteed to the
Secured Creditors the payment when due of all obligations and liabilities of the
Borrower under or with respect to the Credit Documents and the Interest Rate
Protection Agreements or Other Hedging Agreements;
Page 2
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Subsidiary Guaranty, each Pledgor (other than
Holdings and the Borrower) has jointly and severally guaranteed to the Secured
Creditors the payment when due of all obligations and liabilities of the
Borrower under or with respect to the Credit Documents and the Interest Rate
Protection Agreements or Other Hedging Agreements;
WHEREAS, it is a condition precedent to the making of Loans to the Borrower
under the Credit Agreement that each Pledgor shall have executed and delivered
to the Pledgee this Agreement; and
WHEREAS, each Pledgor desires to execute this Agreement to satisfy the
conditions described in the preceding paragraph;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the benefits accruing to each Pledgor,
the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, each Pledgor
hereby makes the following representations and warranties to the Pledgee and
hereby covenants and agrees with the Pledgee as follows:
1. SECURITY FOR OBLIGATIONS. This Agreement is made by each Pledgor for
the benefit of the Secured Creditors to secure:
(i) the full and prompt payment when due (whether at the stated
maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) of all obligations and liabilities
(including obligations which, but for the automatic stay under Section
362(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, would become due) of such Pledgor, now
existing or hereafter incurred under, arising out of or in connection with
any Credit Document to which such Pledgor is a party and the due
performance and compliance by such Pledgor with the terms of each such
Credit Document (all such obligations and liabilities under this clause
(i), except to the extent consisting of obligations or indebtedness with
respect to Interest Rate Protection Agreements or Other Hedging Agreements,
being herein collectively called the "Credit Document Obligations");
(ii) the full and prompt payment when due (whether at the stated
maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) of all obligations (including
obligations which, but for the automatic stay under Section 362(a) of the
Bankruptcy Code, would become due) and liabilities of such Pledgor, now
existing or hereafter incurred under, arising out of or in connection with
any Interest Rate Protection Agreement or Other Hedging Agreement
including, in the case of Pledgors other than the Borrower, all obligations
of such Pledgor under its Guaranty in respect of Interest
Page 3
Rate Protection Agreements or Other Hedging Agreements (all such
obligations and liabilities under this clause (ii) being herein
collectively called the "Other Obligations");
(iii) any and all sums advanced by the Pledgee in order to preserve
the Collateral (as hereinafter defined) or preserve its security interest
in the Collateral;
(iv) in the event of any proceeding for the collection or enforcement
of any indebtedness, obligations, or liabilities referred to in clauses
(i), (ii) and (iii) above, after an Event of Default (such term, as used in
this Agreement, shall mean any Event of Default under, and as defined in,
the Credit Agreement, or any payment default by the Borrower under any
Interest Rate Protection Agreement or Other Hedging Agreement and shall in
any event include, without limitation, any payment default (after the
expiration of any applicable grace period) on any of the Obligations (as
hereinafter defined)) shall have occurred and be continuing, the reasonable
expenses of retaking, holding, preparing for sale or lease, selling or
otherwise disposing or realizing on the Collateral, or of any exercise by
the Pledgee of its rights hereunder, together with reasonable attorneys'
fees and court costs; and
(v) all amounts paid by any Secured Creditor as to which such Secured
Creditor has the right to reimbursement under Section 11 of this Agreement;
all such obligations, liabilities, sums and expenses set forth in clauses (i)
through (v) of this Section 1 being herein collectively called the
"Obligations".
2. DEFINITION OF STOCK, NOTES, SECURITIES, ETC. As used herein: (i) the
term "Stock" shall mean (x) with respect to corporations incorporated under the
laws of the United States or any State or territory thereof (each, a "Domestic
Corporation"), all of the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of any
Domestic Corporation at any time owned by each Pledgor and (y) with respect to
corporations not Domestic Corporations (each, a "Foreign Corporation"), all of
the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock at any time directly owned by
any Pledgor of any Foreign Corporation, provided that, except as provided in the
--------
last sentence of this Section 2, such Pledgor shall not be required to pledge
hereunder more than 65% of the total combined voting power of all classes of
capital stock of any Foreign Corporation entitled to vote; (ii) the term "Notes"
shall mean (x) all Intercompany Notes at any time issued to each Pledgor and (y)
all other promissory notes from time to time issued to, or held by, each
Pledgor; provided, that, except as provided in the last sentence of this Section
--------
2, no Pledgor shall be required to pledge hereunder any promissory notes
(including Intercompany Notes) issued to such Pledgor by any Subsidiary of such
Pledgor which is a Foreign Corporation
Page 4
and (iii) the term "Securities" shall mean all of the Stock and Notes. Each
Pledgor represents and warrants that on the date hereof (i) each Subsidiary of
such Pledgor, and the direct ownership thereof, is listed in Annex A hereto;
(ii) the Stock held by such Pledgor consists of the number and type of shares of
the stock of the corporations as described in Annex B hereto; (iii) such Stock
constitutes that percentage of the issued and outstanding capital stock of the
issuing corporation as is set forth in Annex B hereto; (iv) the Notes held by
such Pledgor consist of the promissory notes described in Annex C hereto where
such Pledgor is listed as the Lender; and (v) on the date hereof, such Pledgor
owns no other Securities. In the circumstances and to the extent provided in
Section 7.16 of the Credit Agreement, the 65% limitation set forth in clause
(i)(y) and the limitation in the proviso of clause (ii) in each case of this
Section 2 and in Section 3.2 hereof shall no longer be applicable and such
Pledgor shall duly pledge and deliver to the Pledgee such of the Securities not
theretofore required to be pledged hereunder.
3. PLEDGE OF SECURITIES, ETC.
3.1. Pledge. To secure the Obligations and for the purposes set forth in
------
Section 1 hereof, each Pledgor hereby: (i) grants to the Pledgee a security
interest in all of the Collateral owned by such Pledgor; (ii) pledges and
deposits as security with the Pledgee the Securities owned by such Pledgor on
the date hereof, and delivers to the Pledgee certificates or instruments
therefor, duly endorsed in blank in the case of Notes and accompanied by undated
stock powers duly executed in blank by such Pledgor in the case of Stock, or
such other instruments of transfer as are acceptable to the Pledgee; and (iii)
assigns, transfers, hypothecates, mortgages, charges and sets over to the
Pledgee all of such Pledgor's right, title and interest in and to such
Securities (and in and to all certificates or instruments evidencing such
Securities), to be held by the Pledgee, upon the terms and conditions set forth
in this Agreement.
3.2. Subsequently Acquired Securities. If any Pledgor shall acquire (by
--------------------------------
purchase, stock dividend or otherwise) any additional Securities at any time or
from time to time after the date hereof, such Pledgor will forthwith pledge and
deposit such Securities (or certificates or instruments representing such
Securities) as security with the Pledgee and deliver to the Pledgee certificates
therefor or instruments thereof, duly endorsed in blank in the case of Notes and
accompanied by undated stock powers duly executed in blank in the case of Stock,
or such other instruments of transfer as are acceptable to the Pledgee, and will
promptly thereafter deliver to the Pledgee a certificate executed by any
Authorized Officer of such Pledgor describing such Securities and certifying
that the same have been duly pledged with the Pledgee hereunder. Subject to the
last sentence of Section 2 hereof, no Pledgor shall be required at any time to
pledge hereunder (x) any Stock which is more than 65% of the total combined
voting power of all classes of capital stock of any Foreign
Page 5
Corporation entitled to vote or (y) any promissory notes (including Intercompany
Notes) issued to such Pledgor by any Subsidiary of such Pledgor which is a
Foreign Corporation.
3.3. Uncertificated Securities. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
-------------------------
contained in Sections 3.1 and 3.2 hereof, if any Securities (whether now owned
or hereafter acquired) are uncertificated securities, the respective Pledgor
shall promptly notify the Pledgee thereof, and shall promptly take all actions
required to perfect the security interest of the Pledgee under applicable law
(including, in any event, under Sections 8-313 and 8-321 of the New York UCC, if
applicable). Each Pledgor further agrees to take such actions as the Pledgee
deems reasonably necessary or desirable to effect the foregoing and to permit
the Pledgee to exercise any of its rights and remedies hereunder, and agrees to
provide an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Pledgee with
respect to any such pledge of uncertificated Securities promptly upon request of
the Pledgee.
3.4 Definition of Pledged Stock, Pledged Notes, Pledged Securities and
------------------------------------------------------------------
Collateral. All Stock at any time pledged or required to be pledged hereunder
- ----------
is hereinafter called the "Pledged Stock," all Notes at any time pledged or
required to be pledged hereunder are hereinafter called the "Pledged Notes," all
of the Pledged Stock and Pledged Notes together are hereinafter called the
"Pledged Securities," which together with all dividends and interest thereon, as
the case may be, and all proceeds thereof, including any securities and moneys
received and at the time held by the Pledgee hereunder, is hereinafter called
the "Collateral."
4. APPOINTMENT OF SUB-AGENTS; ENDORSEMENTS, ETC. The Pledgee shall have
the right to appoint one or more sub-agents for the purpose of retaining
physical possession of the Pledged Securities, which may be held (in the
discretion of the Pledgee) in the name of such Pledgor, endorsed or assigned in
blank or in favor of the Pledgee or any nominee or nominees of the Pledgee or a
sub-agent appointed by the Pledgee. The Pledgee agrees to promptly notify the
relevant Pledgor after the appointment of any sub-agent; provided, however, that
-------- -------
the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such
appointment.
5. VOTING, ETC., WHILE NO EVENT OF DEFAULT. Unless and until (i) an Event
of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and (ii) written notice thereof
shall have been given by the Pledgee to the relevant Pledgor (provided, that if
--------
an Event of Default specified in Section 9.05 of the Credit Agreement shall
occur, no such notice shall be required), each Pledgor shall be entitled to
exercise any and all voting and other consensual rights pertaining to the
Pledged Securities and to give all consents, waivers or ratifications in respect
thereof; provided, that no vote shall be cast or any consent, waiver or
--------
ratification given or any action taken which would violate or be inconsistent
with any of
Page 6
the terms of this Agreement, any other Credit Document or any Interest Rate
Protection Agreement or Other Hedging Agreement (collectively, the "Secured Debt
Agreements"), or which would have the effect of impairing the position or
interests of the Pledgee or any other Secured Creditor. All such rights of such
Pledgor to vote and to give consents, waivers and ratifications shall cease in
case an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, and Section 7 hereof
shall become applicable.
6. DIVIDENDS AND OTHER DISTRIBUTIONS. Unless an Event of Default shall
have occurred and be continuing, all cash dividends payable in respect of the
Pledged Stock and all payments in respect of the Pledged Notes shall be paid to
the respective Pledgor; provided, that all cash dividends payable in respect of
--------
the Pledged Stock which are determined by the Pledgee to represent in whole or
in part an extraordinary, liquidating or other distribution in return of capital
shall be paid, to the extent so determined to represent an extraordinary,
liquidating or other distribution in return of capital, to the Pledgee and
retained by it as part of the Collateral. Subject to the last sentence of
Section 3.2 hereof, Pledgee shall also be entitled to receive directly, and to
retain as part of the Collateral:
(i) all other or additional stock or other securities or property
(other than cash) paid or distributed by way of dividend or otherwise in
respect of the Pledged Stock;
(ii) all other or additional stock or other securities or property
(including cash) paid or distributed in respect of the Pledged Stock by way
of stock-split, spin-off, split-up, reclassification, combination of shares
or similar rearrangement; and
(iii) all other or additional stock or other securities or property
(including cash) which may be paid in respect of the Collateral by reason
of any consolidation, merger, exchange of stock, conveyance of assets,
liquidation or similar corporate reorganization.
7. REMEDIES IN CASE OF EVENT OF DEFAULT. In case an Event of Default
shall have occurred and be continuing, the Pledgee shall be entitled to exercise
all of the rights, powers and remedies (whether vested in it by this Agreement
or by any other Secured Debt Agreement or by law) for the protection and
enforcement of its rights in respect of the Collateral, and the Pledgee shall be
entitled, without limitation, to exercise the following rights, which each
Pledgor hereby agrees to be commercially reasonable:
(i) to receive all amounts payable in respect of the Collateral
payable to such Pledgor under Section 6 hereof;
Page 7
(ii) to transfer all or any part of the Pledged Securities into the
Pledgee's name or the name of its nominee or nominees (the Pledgee agrees
to promptly notify the relevant Pledgor after such transfer; provided,
---------
however, that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity
--------
of such transfer);
(iii) to accelerate any Pledged Note which may be accelerated in
accordance with its terms, and take any other action to collect upon any
Pledged Note (including, without limitation, to make any demand for payment
thereon);
(iv) subject to the giving of written notice to the relevant Pledgor
in accordance with clause (ii) of Section 5 hereof, to vote all or any part
of the Pledged Stock (whether or not transferred into the name of the
Pledgee) and give all consents, waivers and ratifications in respect of the
Collateral and otherwise act with respect thereto as though it were the
outright owner thereof (each Pledgor hereby irrevocably constituting and
appointing the Pledgee the proxy and attorney-in-fact of such Pledgor, with
full power of substitution to do so); and
(v) at any time or from time to time to sell, assign and deliver, or
grant options to purchase, all or any part of the Collateral, or any
interest therein, at any public or private sale, without demand of
performance, advertisement or notice of intention to sell or of the time or
place of sale or adjournment thereof or to redeem or otherwise (all of
which are hereby waived by each Pledgor), for cash, on credit or for other
property, for immediate or future delivery without any assumption of credit
risk, and for such price or prices and on such terms as the Pledgee in its
absolute discretion may determine; provided, that at least 10 days' written
---------
notice of the time and place of any such sale shall be given to such
Pledgor. Each Pledgor hereby waives and releases to the fullest extent
permitted by law any right or equity of redemption with respect to the
Collateral, whether before or after sale hereunder, and all rights, if any,
of marshalling the Collateral and any other security for the Obligations or
otherwise. At any such sale, unless prohibited by applicable law, the
Pledgee on behalf of the Secured Creditors may bid for and purchase all or
any part of the Collateral so sold free from any such right or equity of
redemption. Neither the Pledgee nor any Secured Creditor shall be liable
for failure to collect or realize upon any or all of the Collateral or for
any delay in so doing nor shall any of them be under any obligation to take
any action whatsoever with regard thereto.
8. REMEDIES, ETC., CUMULATIVE. Each right, power and remedy of the Pledgee
provided for in this Agreement or any other Secured Debt Agreement or now or
hereafter existing at law or in equity or by statute shall be cumulative and
concur-
Page 8
rent and shall be in addition to every other such right, power or remedy. The
exercise or beginning of the exercise by the Pledgee or any other Secured
Creditor of any one or more of the rights, powers or remedies provided for in
this Agreement or any other Secured Debt Agreement or now or here after existing
at law or in equity or by statute or otherwise shall not preclude the
simultaneous or later exercise by the Pledgee or any other Secured Creditor of
all such other rights, powers or remedies, and no failure or delay on the part
of the Pledgee or any other Secured Creditor to exercise any such right, power
or remedy shall operate as a waiver thereof. The Secured Creditors agree that
this Agreement may be enforced only by the action of the Agent or the Pledgee,
in each case acting upon the instructions of the Required Banks (or, after the
date on which all Credit Document Obligations have been paid in full, the
holders of at least the majority of the outstanding Other Obligations) and that
no other Secured Creditor shall have any right individually to seek to enforce
or to enforce this Agreement or to realize upon the security to be granted
hereby, it being understood and agreed that such rights and remedies may be
exercised by the Agent or the Pledgee or the holders of at least a majority of
the outstanding Other Obligations, as the case maybe, for the benefit of the
Secured Creditors upon the terms of this Agreement.
9. APPLICATION OF PROCEEDS. (a) All moneys collected by the Pledgee upon
any sale or other disposition of the Collateral pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement, to gether with all other moneys received by the Pledgee hereunder,
shall be applied in the manner provided in the Security Agreement.
(b) It is understood and agreed that the Pledgors shall remain
jointly and severally liable to the extent of any deficiency between the amount
of the proceeds of the Collateral hereunder and the aggregate amount of the
Obligations.
10. PURCHASERS OF COLLATERAL. Upon any sale of the Collateral by the
Pledgee hereunder (whether by virtue of the power of sale herein granted,
pursuant to judicial process or otherwise), the receipt of the Pledgee or the
officer making the sale shall be a sufficient discharge to the purchaser or
purchasers of the Collateral so sold, and such purchaser or purchasers shall not
be obligated to see to the application of any part of the purchase money paid
over to the Pledgee or such officer or be answerable in any way for the
misapplication or nonapplication thereof.
11. INDEMNITY. Each Pledgor jointly and severally agrees (i) to
indemnify and hold harmless the Pledgee in such capacity and each other Secured
Creditor from and against any and all claims, demands, losses, judgments and
liabilities of whatsoever kind or nature, and (ii) to reimburse the Pledgee and
each other Secured Creditor for all costs and expenses, including attorneys'
fees, growing out of or resulting from this
Page 9
Agreement or the exercise by the Pledgee of any right or remedy granted to it
hereunder or under any other Secured Debt Agreement except, with respect to
clauses (i) and (ii) above, for those arising from the Pledgee's or such other
Secured Creditor's gross negligence or willful misconduct. In no event shall the
Pledgee be liable, in the absence of gross negligence or willful misconduct on
its part, for any matter or thing in connection with this Agreement other than
to account for moneys actually received by it in accordance with the terms
hereof. If and to the extent that the obligations of the Pledgors under this
Section 11 are unenforceable for any reason, each Pledgor hereby agrees to make
the maximum contribution to the payment and satisfaction of such obligations
which is permissible under applicable law.
12. FURTHER ASSURANCES. Each Pledgor agrees that it will join with
the Pledgee in executing and, at such Pledgor's own expense, file and refile
under the applicable UCC or appropriate local equivalent, such financing
statements, continuation statements and other documents in such offices as the
Pledgee may deem reasonably necessary or appropriate and wherever required or
permitted by law in order to perfect and preserve the Pledgee's security
interest in the Collateral and hereby authorizes the Pledgee to file financing
statements and amendments thereto relative to all or any part of the Collateral
without the signature of such Pledgor where permitted by law, and agrees to do
such further acts and things and to execute and deliver to the Pledgee such
additional conveyances, assignments, agreements and instruments as the Pledgee
may reasonably require or deem advisable to carry into effect the purposes of
this Agreement or to further assure and confirm unto the Pledgee its rights,
powers and remedies hereunder.
13. THE PLEDGEE AS AGENT. The Pledgee will hold in accordance with
this Agreement all items of the Collateral at any time received under this
Agreement. It is expressly understood and agreed that the obligations of the
Pledgee as holder of the Collateral and interests therein and with respect to
the disposition thereof, and otherwise under this Agreement, are only those
expressly set forth in this Agreement. The Pledgee shall act hereunder on the
terms and conditions set forth herein and in Section 11 of the Credit Agreement.
14. TRANSFER BY PLEDGORS. Except for sales or dispositions of Colla
teral permitted pursuant to the Credit Agreement, no Pledgor will sell or
otherwise dispose of, grant any option with respect to, or mortgage, pledge or
otherwise encumber any of the Collateral or any interest therein (except in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement).
15. REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS OF PLEDGOR. Each
Pledgor represents, warrants and covenants that (i) it is the legal, record
Page 10
and beneficial owner of, and has good and marketable title to, all Securities
pledged by it hereunder, subject to no pledge, lien, mortgage, hypothecation,
security interest, charge, option or other encumbrance whatsoever, except the
liens and security interests created by this Agreement and liens permitted under
clauses (a) and (e) of Section 8.03 of the Credit Agreement; (ii) it has full
power, authority and legal right to pledge all the Securities pledged by it
pursuant to this Agreement; (iii) this Agreement has been duly authorized,
executed and delivered by such Pledgor and constitutes a legal, valid and
binding obligation of such Pledgor enforceable in accordance with its terms,
except to the extent that the enforceability hereof may be limited by applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws
affecting creditors' rights generally and by equitable principles (regardless of
whether enforcement is sought in equity or at law); (iv) no consent of any other
party (including, without limitation, any stockholder or creditor of such
Pledgor or any of its Subsidiaries) and no consent, license, permit, approval or
authorization of, exemption by, notice or report to, or registration, filing or
declaration with, any governmental authority is required to be obtained by such
Pledgor in connection with the execution, delivery or performance of this
Agreement, or in connection with the exercise of its rights and remedies
pursuant to this Agreement, except as may be required in connection with the
disposition of the Securities by laws affecting the offering and sale of
securities generally; (v) the execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement by such Pledgor does not violate any provision of any applicable law
or regulation or of any order, judgment, writ, award or decree of any court,
arbitrator or governmental authority, domestic or foreign, or of the certificate
of incorporation or by-laws of such Pledgor or of any securities issued by such
Pledgor or any of its Subsidiaries, or of any mortgage, indenture, lease, deed
of trust, agreement, instrument or undertaking to which such Pledgor or any of
its Subsidiaries is a party or which purports to be binding upon such Pledgor or
any of its Subsidiaries or upon any of their respective assets and will not
result in the creation or imposition of any lien or encumbrance on any of the
assets of such Pledgor or any of its Subsidiaries except as contemplated by this
Agreement; (vi) all the shares of Stock of Subsidiaries of Holdings have been
duly and validly issued, are fully paid and nonassessable; (vii) each of the
Pledged Notes constituting Intercompany Notes, when executed by the obligor
thereof, will be the legal, valid and binding obligation of such obligor,
enforceable in accordance with its terms, except to the extent that the
enforceability thereof may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting creditors' rights
generally and by equitable principles (regardless of whether enforcement is
sought in equity or at law); and (viii) the pledge and assignment of the
Securities pursuant to this Agreement, together with the delivery of the
Securities pursuant to this Agreement (which delivery has been made), creates a
valid and perfected first security interest in such Securities and the proceeds
thereof, subject to no prior lien or encumbrance or to any agreement purporting
to grant to any third party a lien or encumbrance on the property or assets of
such Pledgor which would include the Securities.
Page 11
Each Pledgor covenants and agrees that it will defend the Pledgee's right, title
and security interest in and to the Securities and the proceeds thereof against
the claims and demands of all persons whomsoever; and such Pledgor covenants and
agrees that it will have like title to and right to pledge any other property at
any time hereafter pledged to the Pledgee as Collateral hereunder and will
likewise defend the right thereto and security interest therein of the Pledgee
and the other Secured Creditors.
16. PLEDGORS' OBLIGATIONS ABSOLUTE, ETC. The obligations of each
Pledgor under this Agreement shall be absolute and unconditional and shall
remain in full force and effect without regard to, and shall not be released,
suspended, discharged, terminated or otherwise affected by, any circumstance or
occurrence whatsoever, including, without limitation: (i) any renewal,
extension, amendment or modification of or addition or supplement to or deletion
from any Secured Debt Agreement or any other instrument or agreement referred to
therein, or any assignment or transfer of any thereof; (ii) any waiver, consent,
extension, indulgence or other action or inaction under or in respect of any
such agreement or instrument or this Agreement; (iii) any furnishing of any
additional security to the Pledgee or its assignee or any acceptance thereof or
any release of any security by the Pledgee or its assignee; (iv) any limitation
on any party's liability or obligations under any such instrument or agreement
or any invalidity or unenforceability, in whole or in part, of any such
instrument or agreement or any term thereof; or (v) any bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, composition, adjustment, dissolution, liquidation or other like
proceeding relating to such Pledgor or any Subsidiary of such Pledgor, or any
action taken with respect to this Agreement by any trustee or receiver, or by
any court, in any such proceeding, whether or not such Pledgor shall have notice
or knowledge of any of the foregoing.
17. REGISTRATION, ETC. (a) If an Event of Default shall have
occurred and be continuing and any Pledgor shall have received from the Pledgee
a written request or requests that such Pledgor cause any registration,
qualification or compliance under any Federal or state securities law or laws to
be effected with respect to all or any part of the Pledged Stock, such Pledgor
as soon as practicable and at its expense will use its reasonable efforts to
cause such registration to be effected (and be kept effective) and will use its
reasonable efforts to cause such qualification and compliance to be effected
(and be kept effective) as may be so requested and as would permit or facilitate
the sale and distribution of such Pledged Stock, including, without limitation,
registration under the Securities Act of 1933 as then in effect (or any similar
statute then in effect), appropriate qualifications under applicable blue sky or
other state securities laws and appropriate compliance with any other government
requirements; provided, that the Pledgee shall furnish to such Pledgor such
--------
information regarding the Pledgee as such Pledgor may request in writing and as
shall be required in connection with any such registration,
Page 12
qualification or compliance. Such Pledgor will cause the Pledgee to be kept
reasonably advised in writing as to the progress of each such registration,
qualification or compliance and as to the completion thereof, will furnish to
the Pledgee such number of prospectuses, offering circulars or other documents
incident thereto as the Pledgee from time to time may reasonably request, and
will indemnify the Pledgee, each other Secured Creditor and all others
participating in the distribution of the Pledged Stock against all claims,
losses, damages and liabilities caused by any untrue statement (or alleged
untrue statement) of a material fact contained therein (or in any related
registration statement, notification or the like) or by any omission (or alleged
omission) to state therein (or in any related registration statement,
notification or the like) a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, except insofar as the
same may have been caused by an untrue statement or omission based upon
information furnished in writing to such Pledgor by the Pledgee or such other
Secured Creditor expressly for use therein.
(b) If at any time when the Pledgee shall determine to exercise its
right to sell all or any part of the Pledged Securities pursuant to Section 7
hereof, such Pledged Securities or the part thereof to be sold shall not, for
any reason whatsoever, be effectively registered under the Securities Act of
1933, as then in effect, the Pledgee may, in its sole and absolute discretion,
sell such Pledged Securities or part thereof by private sale in such manner and
under such circumstances as the Pledgee may deem necessary or advisable in order
that such sale may legally be effected without such registration; provided, that
--------
at least 10 days' notice of the time and place of any such sale shall be given
to such Pledgor. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in any such
event the Pledgee, in its sole and absolute discretion: (i) may proceed to make
such private sale notwithstanding that a registration statement for the purpose
of registering such Pledged Securities or part thereof shall have been filed
under such Securities Act; (ii) may approach and negotiate with a single
possible purchaser to effect such sale; and (iii) may restrict such sale to a
purchaser who will represent and agree that such purchaser is purchasing for its
own account, for investment, and not with a view to the distribution or sale of
such Pledged Securities or part thereof. In the event of any such sale, the
Pledgee shall incur no responsibility or liability for selling all or any part
of the Pledged Securities at a price which the Pledgee, in its sole and absolute
discretion, may in good faith deem reasonable under the circumstances,
notwithstanding the possibility that a substantially higher price might be
realized if the sale were deferred until after registration as aforesaid.
18. TERMINATION, RELEASE. (a) After the Termination Date (as
defined below), this Agreement shall terminate (provided that all indemnities
set forth herein including, without limitation, in Section 11 hereof shall
survive any such termination) and the Pledgee, at the request and expense of the
respective Pledgor, will promptly execute and deliver to such Pledgor a proper
instrument or instruments
Page 13
acknowledging the satisfaction and termination of this Agreement, and will duly
release from the security interest created hereby and assign, transfer and
deliver to such Pledgor (without recourse and without any representation or
warranty) such of the Collateral as may be in the possession of the Pledgee and
as has not theretofore been sold or otherwise applied or released pursuant to
this Agreement. As used in this Agreement, "Termination Date" shall mean the
date upon which the Total Commitment and all Interest Rate Protection Agreements
or Other Hedging Agreements have been terminated, no Note (as defined in the
Credit Agreement) or Letter of Credit is outstanding (other than Letters of
Credit, together with all Fees that have accrued and will accrue thereon through
the stated termination date of such Letters of Credit, which have been supported
in a manner satisfactory to the Letter of Credit Issuer in its sole and absolute
discretion) and all other Obligations (other than indemnities described in
Section 11 hereof and in Section 12.13 of the Credit Agreement which are not
then due and payable) have been paid in full.
(b) In the event that any part of the Collateral is sold or otherwise
disposed of in connection with a sale or other disposition permitted by Section
8.02 of the Credit Agreement or is otherwise released at the direction of the
Required Banks (or all the Banks if required by Section 12.12 of the Credit
Agreement), the Pledgee, at the request and expense of such Pledgor will duly
release from the security interest created hereby and assign, transfer and
deliver to such Pledgor (without recourse and without any representation or
warranty) such of the Collateral as is then being (or has been) so sold or
released and as may be in possession of the Pledgee and has not theretofore been
released pursuant to this Agreement.
(c) At any time that a Pledgor desires that Collateral be released as
provided in the foregoing Section 18(a) or (b), it shall deliver to the Pledgee
a certificate signed by an Authorized Officer of such Pledgor stating that the
release of the respective Collateral is permitted pursuant to Section 18(a) or
(b).
19. NOTICES, ETC. All notices and other communications hereunder
shall be in writing and shall be delivered or mailed by first class mail,
postage prepaid, addressed:
Page 14
(a) if to any Pledgor, at its address set forth opposite its signature
below;
(b) if to the Pledgee, at:
Bankers Trust Company
One Bankers Trust Plaza
New York, New York 10006
Attention: Mary Kay Coyle
Telephone No.:(212) 250-9094
Telecopier No.:(212) 250-7218
(c) if to any Bank (other than the Pledgee), at such address as such
Bank shall have specified in the Credit Agreement;
(d) if to any Other Creditor, at such address as such Other Creditor
shall have specified in writing to each Pledgor and the Pledgee;
or at such other address as shall have been furnished in writing by any Person
described above to the party required to give notice hereunder.
20. WAIVER; AMENDMENT. None of the terms and conditions of this
Agreement may be changed, waived, modified or varied in any manner whatsoever
unless in writing duly signed by each Pledgor directly affected thereby and the
Pledgee (with the written consent of either (x) the Required Banks (or all the
Banks if required by Section 12.12 of the Credit Agreement) at all times prior
to the time on which all Credit Document Obligations have been paid in full or
(y) the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding Other Obligations at
all times after the time on which all Credit Document Obligations have been paid
in full); provided, that any change, waiver, modification or variance affecting
--------
the rights and benefits of a single Class (as defined below) of Secured
Creditors (and not all Secured Creditors in a like or similar manner) shall
require the written consent of the Requisite Creditors (as defined below) of
such Class. For the purpose of this Agreement, the term "Class" shall mean each
class of Secured Creditors, i.e., whether (i) the Bank Creditors as holders of
----
the Credit Document Obligations or (ii) the Other Creditors as holders of the
Other Obligations. For the purpose of this Agreement, the term "Requisite
Creditors" of any Class shall mean each of (i) with respect to the Credit
Document Obligations, the Required Banks and (ii) with respect to the Other
Obligations, the holders of at least a majority of all obligations outstanding
from time to time under the Interest Rate Protection Agreements or Other Hedging
Agreements.
Page 15
21. MISCELLANEOUS. This Agreement shall be binding upon the
successors and assigns of each Pledgor and shall inure to the benefit of and be
enforceable by the Pledgee and its successors and assigns. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL
BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAW OF THE
STATE OF NEW YORK. The headings in this Agreement are for purposes of reference
only and shall not limit or define the meaning hereof. This Agreement may be
executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but
all of which shall constitute one instrument.
22. ADDITIONAL PLEDGORS. It is understood and agreed that any
Subsidiary of Holdings that is required to execute a counterpart of this
Agreement after the date hereof pursuant to Sections 7.16 and/or 8.16 of the
Credit Agreement shall automatically become a Pledgor hereunder by executing a
counterpart hereof and delivering the same to the Pledgee.
* * *
Page 16
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Pledgor and the Pledgee have caused this Agreement
to be executed by their duly elected officers duly authorized as of the date
first above written.
Address: DIAGNOSTICS HOLDING, INC., as a
Pledgor
1717 Deerfield Road
Deerfield, Illinois
Attention: Michael P. Bucklo
Colin R. Silvester By /s/ John Connaughton
______________________________
Title: Vice President and
Assistant Treasurer
Address: DADE INTERNATIONAL INC., as a
Pledgor
1717 Deerfield Road
Deerfield, Illinois
Attention: Michael P. Bucklo By /s/ Colin Sylvester
Colin R. Silvester ______________________________
Title: Vice President and
Treasurer
Address: BURDICK & JACKSON, INC.,
as a Pledgor
1953 S. Harvey Street
Muskegon, Michigan
Attention: Michael P. Bucklo
Colin R. Silvester By /s/ Colin Sylvester
______________________________
Title: Vice President and
Treasurer
Page 17
Address: DADE DIAGNOSTICS OF P.R., INC.,
as a Pledgor
Road 115 22.6
Aguada Industrial Area
Aguada, Puerto Rico
Attention: Michael P. Bucklo By /s/ Colin Sylvester
Colin R. Silvester ______________________________
Title: Vice President and
Treasurer
Address: DADE FINANCE, INC.,
as a Pledgor
1717 Deerfield Road
Deerfield, Michigan
Attention: Michael P. Bucklo By /s/ Colin Sylvester
Colin R. Silvester ______________________________
Title: Vice President and
Treasurer
Address: DADE LYTENING SYSTEMS INC.,
as a Pledgor
35 Cherry Hill Drive
Danvers, Massachusetts
Attention: Michael P. Bucklo
Colin R. Silvester By /s/ Colin Sylvester
______________________________
Title: Vice President and
Treasurer
Address: DADE MICROSCAN, INC.,
as a Pledgor
1584 Enterprise Boulevard
West Sacramento, California
Attention: Michael P. Bucklo
Colin R. Silvester By /s/ Colin Sylvester
______________________________
Title: Vice President and
Treasurer
Page 18
Address: DADE CHEMISTRY SYSTEMS INC.,
as a Pledgor
_____________________
Attention: Michael P. Bucklo
Colin R. Silvester By /s/ Colin Sylvester
______________________________
Title: Vice President and
Treasurer
BANKERS TRUST COMPANY,
as Collateral Agent,
as Pledgee
By /s/ Christopher Kinslow
_____________________________
Title: Vice President