EXHIBIT 10.19
PENFORD CORPORATION
INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT
This Intercreditor Agreement (herein, the "Agreement") is entered into
as of October 7, 2003, among Harris Trust and Savings Bank, individually
("HTSB") and as administrative agent (the "Bank Agent") for the U.S. Lenders (as
hereinafter defined), the U.S. Lenders, each of whose address is set forth under
its signature hereon, and Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited ABN 11
005 357 522 (the "Australian Lender"), and in its capacity as the appointed
agent of debenture holders under the Debenture Trust Deed (as hereinafter
defined) and as "Agent" under the Syndicated Facility Agreement (in each such
capacity, "Australian Agent"), and ANZ Capel Court Limited ABN 30 004 768 807 in
its capacity as "Trustee" under the Debenture Trust Deed and in its capacity as
"Security Trustee" under the Security Trust Deed (as hereinafter defined) (in
each such capacity, "Australian Trustee") (the U.S. Lenders and the Australian
Lender being referred to herein collectively as the "Lenders" and individually
as a "Lender") pertaining to the financing of Penford Corporation (the "U.S.
Borrower"), Penford Holdings Pty. Ltd ("Penford Holdings") and Penford Australia
Limited ("Penford Australia" and, together with Penford Holdings, individually
an "Australian Borrower" and collectively the "Australian Borrowers" and,
together with the U.S. Borrower and the Australian Borrowers, individually a
"Borrower" and collectively the "Borrowers").
RECITALS
A. The U.S. Borrower is a party to that certain Credit Agreement dated
as of October 7, 2003, as the same may from time to time be amended,
supplemented, restated and otherwise modified (as so amended, supplemented,
restated and otherwise modified, the "U.S. Credit Agreement"), among the U.S.
Borrower, the from time to time guarantors parties thereto (the "U.S.
Guarantors"), the lenders who may from time to time be parties thereto
(individually a "U.S. Lender" and collectively the "U.S. Lenders"), and HTSB,
individually and as Bank Agent, pursuant to which the U.S. Lenders commit, among
other things and subject to certain terms and conditions, to make (a) a U.S.
$40,000,000 revolving credit facility (the "U.S. Revolving Credit") available to
the U.S. Borrower, and (b) a $40,000,000 term credit facility (the "U.S. Term
Credit");
B. Penford Australia is a party to that certain Syndicated Facility
Agreement dated November 15, 2000, as the same have been and may from time to
time hereafter be amended, supplemented, restated and otherwise modified (as so
amended, supplemented, restated and otherwise modified, the "Syndicated Facility
Agreement"), with the Australian Lender as "Agent" and "Participant" pursuant to
which the Australian Lender commits, among other things and subject to certain
terms and conditions, to make a revolving credit facility in an amount equal to
the Australian dollar equivalent of US$15,000,000 (the "Australian Revolving
Credit") available to the Australian Borrowers in the form of the acceptance of
bills and the creation of overdrafts;
C. Penford Holdings is a party to that certain Debenture Trust Deed
dated November 15, 2000, as the same have been and may from time to time
hereafter be amended, supplemented, restated and otherwise modified (as so
amended, supplemented, restated and otherwise modified, the "Debenture Trust
Deed"), with ANZ Capel Court Limited pursuant to which the Australian Lender
makes a term credit facility in an amount equal to the Australian dollar
equivalent of US$15,000,000 (the "Australian Term Credit") available to Penford
Holdings; and
D. Penford Australia is a party to that certain Letter of Offer dated
November 2, 2000, as the same have been and may from time to time hereafter be
amended, supplemented, restated and otherwise modified (as so amended,
supplemented, restated and otherwise modified, the "Australian Letter of Offer")
with the Australian Lender pursuant to which the Australian Lender may extend
credit and make certain financial accommodations to Penford Australia on the
terms set forth therein;
E. The Lenders desire to establish between themselves certain rights
and obligations regarding the Borrower and the sharing of Exposure for their
mutual benefit and guidance.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises set forth herein, and
for other good and valuable consideration, the Lenders, the Bank Agent, the
Australian Agent and the Australian Trustee hereby agree as follows.
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS.
Section 1.1. The following terms when used in this Agreement shall have
the following meanings:
"Aggregate Exposure" means, as of any date of determination, the sum of
the Exposure of all of the Lenders as of such date.
"Default" means any event which with the lapse of time, the giving of
notice, or both would constitute an Event of Default.
"Event of Default" means an "Event of Default" as defined in the U.S.
Credit Agreement, the Syndicated Facility Agreement or the Debenture Trust Deed.
"Exposure" means, with respect to any Lender, the U.S. Dollar
Equivalent of the aggregate principal amount of all Obligations, Hedging
Liability and Funds Transfer and Deposit Account Liability owed to such Lender
as of the date of determination. For purposes of determining any Lender's
Exposure, the principal amount of (a) any U.S. Letter of Credit issued pursuant
to the U.S. Credit Agreement shall be the amount of such Lender's participation
interest in the maximum amount available to be drawn under such U.S. Letter of
Credit, (b) any overdraft created pursuant to the Syndicated Credit Facility
shall be the amount of such overdraft, (c) any acceptance issued pursuant to the
Syndicated Credit Facility shall be the Outstanding Bill Amount (as defined in
the Syndicated Facility Agreement as in effect on the date hereof) relating
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thereto, and (d) any letter of credit issued pursuant to the Australian Letter
of Offer shall be the maximum amount available to be drawn thereunder.
"Pro Rata Share" means, as to any Lender, a percentage determined by
dividing the amount of such Lender's Exposure as of the date of determination by
the Aggregate Exposure as of the same date.
Section 1.2. Capitalized terms used in this Agreement shall, unless
otherwise specified, have the meanings so ascribed to them in the U.S. Credit
Agreement.
SECTION 2. SHARING OF EXPOSURE.
Section 2.1. The application of any proceeds of Collateral and the
rights of the Lenders to any proceeds of Collateral shall be determined in
strict compliance with the terms of the relevant Loan Documents. Notwithstanding
any provision of any of the Loan Documents to the contrary, following the
occurrence of an Event of Default and the acceleration of the Obligations, if
immediately after the application of any proceeds of Collateral pursuant to the
terms of the relevant Loan Documents, any Lender's Pro Rata Share of the
Aggregate Exposure is less than its Pro Rata Share of the Aggregate Exposure
immediately before the application of such proceeds of Collateral, then such
Lender shall purchase (on such date selected by the Bank Agent but in any event
no later than five (5) Business Days after the date of such application of
proceeds) for cash in U.S. Dollars at face value, but without recourse, ratably
from each of the other Lenders an undivided participation interest in such
amount of the Obligations, Hedging Liability and Funds Transfer and Deposit
Account Liability held by each such other Lenders (or interest therein) as shall
be necessary to cause each Lender's Exposure to equal its Pro Rata Share of the
Aggregate Exposure immediately before the application of the proceeds of
Collateral; provided, however, that if any such purchase is made by any Lender,
and if such payment or any part thereof is thereafter recovered from such
purchasing Lender, the related purchases from the other Lenders shall be
rescinded ratably and the purchase price restored as to the portion of such
payment so recovered, but without interest.
Section 2.2. The obligations of the Lenders to each other under Section
2.1 shall be absolute, irrevocable and unconditional under any and all
circumstances whatsoever and shall not be subject to any set-off, counterclaim
or defense to payment which any Lender may have or have had against any
Borrower, any Guarantor, the U.S. L/C Issuer, the Administrative Agent, or any
other Person whatsoever. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, such
obligations shall not be affected by any Default or Event of Default or by any
reduction or termination of any commitment of any Lender, and each payment by a
Lender under this Section 2.1 shall be made without any offset, abatement,
withholding or reduction whatsoever.
SECTION 3. ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS.
Section 3.1. Default Notices. Each Lender (or the Bank Agent on behalf
of the U.S. Lenders) shall give written notice to the other Lender (or the Bank
Agent on behalf of the U.S. Lenders) of the occurrence of an Event of Default
under the U.S Credit Agreement, the
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Syndicated Facility Agreement or the Australian Term Loan Agreement, as the case
may be, to which it is a party.
Section 3.2. Acceleration of Obligations. Upon the occurrence of an
Event of Default, under the U.S. Credit Agreement and the acceleration of the
maturity of the Obligations outstanding thereunder pursuant to Section 8.2 or
8.3 of the U.S. Credit Agreement, the Australian Lender (or the Australian
Agent, as applicable) shall take such action as may be necessary pursuant to the
Syndicated Facility Agreement and the Debenture Trust Deed to accelerate the
maturity of the Obligations outstanding thereunder and to demand payment of all
obligations outstanding under the Australian Letter of Offer.
Section 3.3. Coordination of Enforcement Actions. The Lenders, the Bank
Agent and the Australian Trustee shall keep each other fully informed as to any
enforcement action being taken by them as a result of any Event of Default. The
relevant Lenders shall, and shall cause the Bank Agent and the Australian
Trustee to, cooperate with each other in the enforcement of the Liens granted to
each of them by the Borrowers or any of them.
SECTION 4. ASSIGNMENT OR SALE OF CLAIMS.
The Lenders hereby agree not to assign, transfer, sell or otherwise
dispose of any or all of their respective claims against the Borrowers except
upon 5 business days prior written notice to the other Lenders (or the Bank
Agent on behalf of the U.S. Lenders), and provided that no Lender shall assign
or transfer any interest in the Obligations held by it or permit any party to
become a party to the U.S Credit Agreement, the Syndicated Facility Agreement,
the Australian Letter of Offer or the Debenture Trust Deed unless such transfer
or assignment is made subject to this Agreement and such transferee, assignee or
person becomes a signatory to this Agreement and assumes the obligations of the
transferor or assignor or the obligations of a U.S. Lender or the Australian
Lender, as the case may be, hereunder from and after the time of such transfer
or assignment or the time such person becomes a party to the U.S Credit
Agreement, the Australian Letter of Offer, the Syndicated Facility Agreement or
the Debenture Trust Deed, as the case may be, all in a manner acceptable to the
Bank, provided further that any such assignment or transfer shall be subject to
the terms of Sections 12.11 and 12.12 of the U.S. Credit Agreement.
SECTION 5. LOAN ADMINISTRATION, WAIVERS, AMENDMENTS AND FORBEARANCES.
Section 5.1. Each Lender hereby agrees not to contest the validity,
enforceability, perfection or priority of the Lien of any other Lender.
Section 5.2. Each Lender waives any claims against the other Lender,
the Bank Agent, the Australian Agent or the Australian Trustee based on
marshaling of assets or any other equitable grounds as to the Collateral.
Section 5.3. Each Lender hereby agrees that it shall not make any
waivers, amendments, modifications and/or forbearances under its respective
agreements with any of the Borrowers or any guarantor thereof, except in
compliance with Section 12.13 of the U.S. Credit Agreement.
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Section 5.4. The Australian Lender hereby agrees that if a condition
precedent to its obligation to extend credit to an Australian Borrower under the
relevant Australian Loan Document is not met at a time when the conditions
precedent contained in Section 6.1 of the US Credit Agreement are met or have
been waived by the Required Lenders, the Australian Lender shall at the
direction of the Required Lenders waive compliance by the relevant Australian
Borrower with such condition precedent.
SECTION 6. RELATIONSHIP OF CREDITORS.
Section 6.1. Nothing set forth herein shall create or evidence a joint
venture, partnership or an agency relationship between the Lenders, the Bank
Agent, the Australian Agent and the Australian Trustee, or any of them.
Section 6.2. None of the Lenders, the Bank Agent, the Australian Agent,
the Australian Trustee, or any of their respective directors, officers, agents
or employees shall be responsible to any other Lender, the Bank Agent, the
Australian Agent, the Australian Trustee, or to any other person or entity for
any Borrower's solvency, financial condition or ability to repay the
Obligations, or for statements of any Borrower, oral or written, or for the
validity, sufficiency or enforceability of the Obligations, Hedging Liability,
Funds Transfer and Deposit Account Liability any of the Loan Documents, or any
Lien granted by any Borrower to any Lender, the Bank Agent, the Australian Agent
or the Australian Trustee in connection therewith. Each Lender has entered into
the U.S. Credit Agreement, the Syndicated Facility Agreement and the Debenture
Trust Deed, as the case may be, with the Borrowers based upon its own
independent investigation, and makes no warranty or representation to the other
Lenders, the Bank Agent, the Australian Agent or the Australian Trustee, nor
does it rely upon any representation of any other Lender, the Bank Agent, the
Australian Agent or the Australian Trustee with respect to matters identified or
referred to in this Section.
SECTION 7. THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARY.
This Agreement is not intended to benefit any third party (including
the Borrowers, or any guarantor of any Borrower's obligations to any of the
Lenders now or hereafter); and any Lender's performance or nonperformance of the
terms of this Agreement shall not give rise to any claim or cause of action to
any third party (including the Borrowers or any guarantor of any Borrower's
obligations to any Lender now or hereafter).
SECTION 8. NOTICES.
Any notice hereunder shall be transmitted by facsimile or next-day
express mail service. Notice shall be deemed to have been given on the date so
transmitted (if by facsimile) or on the business day following the date of
delivery to the express mail service (if by express mail service). Any notice
shall be transmitted or addressed, as the case may be, to the applicable Lender,
the Bank Agent or the Australian Trustee at its facsimile no. or address set
forth below, or such other facsimile no. or address as may be subsequently
designated in writing:
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1. If to the Bank Agent or HTSB: Harris Trust and
Savings Bank, 111 West Monroe Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603,
Attention: Food Group; Facsimile No. (312) 765-8095.
2. If to any other U.S. Lender: to the address set forth
on the signature page hereto.
3. If to the Australian Lender or the Australian Agent:
Level 1, 20 Martin Place, Sydney NSW 2000 Australia, Attention: James
Arnold; Facsimile No. 61 (02) 9227 1334.
4. If to the Australian Trustee: Level 2, 20 Martin
Place, Sydney NSW 2000 Australia, Attention: Kirsten Ludlow; Facsimile
No. 61 (02) 9227 1031.
SECTION 9. MISCELLANEOUS.
Section 9.1. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the
parties hereto with respect to the sharing of Exposure, and its provisions may
not be amended or waived in any manner except upon the written consent of each
Lender. No delay on the part of any Lender in exercising any right, claim or
remedy under this Agreement (or against any Borrower, the Collateral or any
guarantor of any Borrower's obligations to any lender) shall operate as a waiver
thereof; and no single or partial exercise or waiver of any right, claim or
remedy shall preclude any further exercise of such right, claim or remedy.
Section 9.2 This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, and by the different parties hereto on separate counterpart
signature pages, and all such counterparts taken together shall be deemed to
constitute one and the same instrument.
Section 9.3. Headings used in this Agreement are for reference only and
shall not affect the construction of this Agreement.
Section 9.4. This Agreement, and the rights and duties of the parties
hereto, shall be construed and determined in accordance with the internal laws
of the State of Illinois.
Section 9.5. Australian Trustee.
(a) Australian Trustee's Capacity. The Australian Trustee enters into
this Agreement in its capacity as trustee of the Penford Debenture Trust and the
Penford Security Trust.
(b) Australian Trustee Acts as Nominee. Notwithstanding any other
provision of this Agreement, each party to this Agreement (other than the
Australian Trustee) acknowledges that:
(i) the Australian Trustee (in its capacity as trustee of the
Penford Debenture Trust): (x) holds the benefit of this Agreement for
the benefit of the Debenture Holders; (y) is bound to act on the
instructions of the Debenture Holders pursuant to the terms of
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the Debenture Trust Deed; and (z) in the absence of such instructions
from the Debenture Holders or where a force majeure event exists, the
Australian Trustee is not bound to act.
(ii) the Australian Trustee (in its capacity as trustee of the
Penford Security Trust): (x) holds the benefit of this Agreement for
the benefit of the Beneficiaries; (y) is bound to act on the
instructions of the Beneficiaries pursuant to the terms of the Security
Trust Deed; and (z) in the absence of such instructions from the
Beneficiaries or where a force majeure event exists, the Australian
Trustee is not bound to act.
(c) Duties Limited. The obligations, duties and responsibilities of the
Australian Trustee (in its capacity as trustee of the Penford Debenture Trust)
are limited to those expressly set out in the Debenture Trust Deed and this
Agreement. The obligations, duties and responsibilities of the Australian
Trustee (in its capacity as trustee of the Penford Security Trust) are limited
to those expressly set out in the Security Trust Deed and this Agreement.
(d) Acknowledge Indemnity. It is acknowledged that:
(i) the Australian Trustee (in its capacity as trustee of the
Penford Debenture Trust) is entitled to be indemnified for its actions
under this Agreement: (x) out of the assets of the Penford Debenture
Trust; and (y) by the Debenture Holders, except where the Australian
Trustee has been guilty of fraud, willful misconduct or gross
negligence; and
(ii) the Australian Trustee (in its capacity as trustee of the
Penford Security Trust) is entitled to be indemnified for its actions
under this Agreement: (x) out of the assets of the Penford Security
Trust; and (y) by the Beneficiaries, except where the Australian
Trustee has been guilty of fraud, willful misconduct or gross
negligence.
(e) Limits on Liability. (i) Subject to Section 9.5(e)(ii) hereof, each
party to this Agreement (other than the Australian Trustee) acknowledges and
agrees that: (x) the Australian Trustee's liability under this Agreement is
limited to its ability to be indemnified in the manner set out in Section 9.5(d)
hereof; and (y) it will not have any recourse to the Australian Trustee beyond
that for which the Australian Trustee is entitled to be so indemnified as
contemplated by Section 9.5(d) hereof.
(ii) The limitation of liability set out in Section 9.5(e)(i)
hereof will not apply where the Australian Trustee has been guilty of
fraud, willful misconduct or gross negligence.
(f) Assignment by Australian Trustee. (i) Each party to this Agreement
(other than the Australian Trustee) acknowledges and agrees that the Australian
Trustee may assign its rights and novate or otherwise transfer its obligations
under this Agreement to any replacement trustee that is appointed under the
Debenture Trust Deed or the Security Trust Deed.
(ii) Each party to this Agreement (other than the Australian Trustee)
agrees that it will enter into a novation deed with any replacement trustee that
is appointed under the Debenture
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Trust Deed or the Security Trust Deed (in a form acceptable to the Australian
Trustee and the replacement trustee).
(g) Definitions. For purposes of this Section 9.5, the following terms
shall be defined as follows:
"Debenture Holder" has the same meaning as in the Debenture Trust Deed.
"Beneficiary" has the same meaning as in the Security Trust
Deed."Penford Debenture Trust" means the trust constituted under the Debenture
Trust Deed.
"Penford Security Trust" means the trust constituted under the Security
Trust Deed.
Section 9.6. EACH LENDER, THE BANK AGENT, THE AUSTRALIAN AGENT AND THE
AUSTRALIAN TRUSTEE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY
IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE
TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
[SIGNATURE PAGE TO FOLLOW]
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Dated as of the date first written above.
HARRIS TRUST AND SAVINGS BANK, individually
and as Bank Agent
By /s/ Karen Knudsen
Name Karen L. Knudsen
Title Vice President
WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.
By /s/ Catherine M. Jones
Name Catherine M. Jones
Title Vice President
Address:
WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.
1740 Broadway Mac# C7301-031
Denver, CO 80274
Attention: Catherine M. Jones
Telecopy: (303) 863-6670
Telephone: (303) 863-5070
U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
By /s/ Kenneth D. Brown
Name Kenneth D. Brown
Title Vice President
Address:
918-17th St., 4th Floor
Denver, CO 80202
Attention: Kenneth D. Brown
Telecopy: (303) 585-6935
Telephone: (303) 585-4202
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LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
By /s/ Keith J. Cable
Name Keith J. Cable
Title Assistant Vice President
Address:
135 S. LaSalle Bank
Suite 1110
Chicago, IL 60603
Attention: Keith J. Cable
Telecopy: (312) 904-6242
Telephone: (312) 904-7621
COOPERATIVE CENTRALE
RAIFFEISEN-BOERENLEENBANK B.A.,
"RABOBANK NEDERLAND," NEW YORK
BRANCH
By /s/ Kimberly Miller
Name Kimberly Miller
Title Vice President
By /s/ Edward J. Peyser
Name Edward J. Peyser
Title Managing Director
Address:
300 South Wacker Drive
Suite 3500
Chicago, IL 60606
Attention: Brad Peterson
Telecopy: (312) 408-8240
Telephone: (312) 408-8222
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AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND BANKING
GROUP LIMITED, as Australian Lender
and Australian Agent
By /s/ Steve Breslin
Name Steve Breslin
Title Associate Director/Attorney
ANZ CAPEL COURT LIMITED, as Australian
Trustee
By /s/ Kirsten Ludlow
Name Kirsten Ludlow
Title Attorney
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF BORROWERS
The undersigned, Borrowers, consents to the foregoing Agreement and
acknowledges that it is not a third party beneficiary of such Agreement; and
each Borrower waives any claim or right against any of the Lenders, the Bank
Agent, the Australian Agent and the Australian Trustee arising by virtue of said
Agreement.
Dated as of October 7, 2003.
PENFORD CORPORATION
By /s/ Steven O. Cordier
Name Steven O. Cordier
Title Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer
PENFORD AUSTRALIA LIMITED
By /s/ Steven O. Cordier
Name Steven O. Cordier
Title Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer
PENFORD HOLDINGS PTY. LTD.
By /s/ Steven O. Cordier
Name Steven O. Cordier
Title Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer