1
EXHIBIT 4.2
EXHIBIT A TO
PURCHASE AGREEMENT
================================================================================
10 1/4% SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2008
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
Dated July 7, 1998
by and among
SIMONDS INDUSTRIES INC.,
ARMSTRONG MANUFACTURING COMPANY,
SIMONDS HOLDING COMPANY, INC.,
and
SIMONDS INDUSTRIES FSC, INC.,
and
SALOMON BROTHERS INC,
FIRST UNION CAPITAL MARKETS,
a division of Wheat First Securities, Inc.,
and
SCHRODER & CO. INC.
================================================================================
2
This Registration Rights Agreement is made and entered into this 7th
day of July, 1998, by and among Simonds Industries Inc., a Delaware corporation
(the "COMPANY"), Armstrong Manufacturing Company, an Oregon corporation, Simonds
Holding Company, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and Simonds Industries FSC, Inc.,
a U.S. Virgin Islands corporation (the "GUARANTORS" and, together with the
Company, the "ISSUERS"), and Salomon Brothers Inc, First Union Capital Markets,
a division of Wheat First Securities Inc., and Schroder & Co. Inc. (the "INITIAL
PURCHASERS").
This Agreement is made pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, dated June
30, 1998, among the Company, the Guarantors and Initial Purchasers (the
"PURCHASE AGREEMENT"). In order to induce the Initial Purchasers to enter into
the Purchase Agreement, the Issuers have agreed to provide the registration
rights provided for in this Agreement to the Initial Purchasers and their direct
and indirect transferees. The execution and delivery of this Agreement is a
condition to the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Purchase
Agreement.
The parties hereby agree as follows:
1. DEFINITIONS
As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the
following meanings:
ADDITIONAL INTEREST: As defined in Section 4(a) hereof.
ADVICE: As defined in the last paragraph of Section 5 hereof.
AFFILIATE: With respect to any specified person, "Affiliate" shall
mean any other person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or
under direct or indirect common control with such specified person. For the
purposes of this definition, "control," when used with respect to any person,
means the power to direct the management and policies of such
3
person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting
securities, by contract or otherwise, and the terms "affiliated," "controlling"
and "controlled" have meanings correlative to the foregoing.
AGREEMENT: This Registration Rights Agreement, as the same may be
amended, supplemented or modified from time to time in accordance with the terms
hereof.
BUSINESS DAY: Any day except a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which
banking institutions in New York, New York generally are required or authorized
by law or other government action to be closed.
COMPANY: As defined in the preamble hereof.
CONSUMMATE OR CONSUMMATE: When used to qualify the term "Exchange
Offer" shall mean validly and lawfully to issue and deliver the Exchange Notes
pursuant to the Exchange Offer for all Notes validly tendered and not validly
withdrawn pursuant thereto in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
CONSUMMATION DATE: The date that is 20 Business Days immediately
following the date that the Exchange Registration Statement shall have been
declared effective by the SEC (or such later date as shall be required by
applicable law).
EFFECTIVENESS PERIOD: As defined in Section 3(a) hereof.
EXCHANGE ACT: The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the
rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC pursuant thereto.
EXCHANGE DATE: As defined in Section 2(d) hereof.
EXCHANGE NOTES: The 10 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2008, Series
B, of the Company, guaranteed on a senior subordinated basis by each of the
Guarantors, that are identical to the Notes in all material respects, except
that the provisions regarding restrictions on transfer shall be
- 2 -
4
modified, as appropriate, and the issuance thereof pursuant to the Exchange
Offer shall have been registered pursuant to an effective Registration Statement
in compliance with the Securities Act.
EXCHANGE OFFER: An offer to issue, in exchange for any and all of the
Notes, a like aggregate principal amount of Exchange Notes, which offer shall be
made by the Company pursuant to Section 2 hereof.
EXCHANGE REGISTRATION STATEMENT: As defined in Section 2(a) hereof.
GUARANTORS: As defined in the preamble hereof.
INDEMNIFIED PERSON: As defined in Section 7(a) hereof.
INDENTURE: The Indenture, dated as of July 7, 1998, among the Issuers
and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as trustee thereunder, pursuant to
which the Notes are issued, as amended or supplemented from time to time in
accordance with the terms thereof.
INITIAL PURCHASERS: As defined in the preamble hereof.
ISSUE DATE: As defined in Section 2(a).
ISSUERS: As defined in the preamble hereof.
NOTES: The 10 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2008, Series A, of
the Company, guaranteed on a senior subordinated basis by each of the
Guarantors, issued pursuant to the Indenture.
PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALER: As defined in Section 2(e) hereof.
PRIVATE EXCHANGE: As defined in Section 2(c) hereof.
- 3 -
5
PRIVATE EXCHANGE NOTES: As defined in Section 2(c) hereof.
PROSPECTUS: The prospectus included in any Registration Statement
(including, without limitation, a prospectus that discloses information
previously omitted from a prospectus filed as part of an effective registration
statement in reliance upon Rule 430A promulgated pursuant to the Securities
Act), as amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement, with respect to
the terms of the offering of any portion of the Notes, Exchange Notes or Private
Exchange Notes covered by such Registration Statement, and all other amendments
and supplements to any such prospectus, including post-effective amendments, and
all material incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by
reference, if any, in such prospectus.
REGISTRATION DEFAULT: As defined in Section 4(a) hereof.
REGISTRATION STATEMENT: Any registration statement of the Company and
the Guarantors that covers any of the Notes, Exchange Notes or Private Exchange
Notes pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, including the Prospectus,
amendments and supplements to such registration statement or Prospectus,
including pre- and post-effective amendments, all exhibits thereto, and all
material incorporated by reference or deemed to be incorporated by reference, if
any, in such registration statement.
RULE 144: Rule 144 promulgated by the SEC pursuant to the Securities
Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or
regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC as a replacement thereto having
substantially the same effect as such Rule.
RULE 144A: Rule 144A promulgated by the SEC pursuant to the Securities
Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or
regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC as a replacement thereto having
substantially the same effect as such Rule.
- 4 -
6
RULE 158: Rule 158 promulgated by the SEC pursuant to the Securities
Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or
regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC as a replacement thereto having
substantially the same effect as such Rule.
RULE 174: Rule 174 promulgated by the SEC pursuant to the Securities
Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or
regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC as a replacement thereto having
substantially the same effect as such Rule.
RULE 415: Rule 415 promulgated by the SEC pursuant to the Securities
Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or
regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC as a replacement thereto having
substantially the same effect as such Rule.
RULE 424: Rule 424 promulgated by the SEC pursuant to the Securities
Act, as such Rule may be amended from time to time, or any similar rule or
regulation hereafter adopted by the SEC as a replacement thereto having
substantially the same effect as such Rule.
SEC: The Securities and Exchange Commission.
SECURITIES ACT: The Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules
and regulations promulgated by the SEC thereunder.
SHELF FILING EVENT: As defined in Section 3 hereof.
SHELF REGISTRATION: As defined in Section 3 hereof.
SHELF REGISTRATION STATEMENT: As defined in Section 3 hereof.
SPECIAL COUNSEL: Cahill Gordon & Reindel, special counsel to the
holders of Transfer Restricted Securities, or such other counsel as shall be
agreed upon by the Issuers and holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of Transfer Restricted Securities, the expenses of which holders of
- 5 -
7
Transfer Restricted Securities will be reimbursed by the Issuers pursuant to
Section 6 hereof.
TIA: The Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.
TRANSFER RESTRICTED SECURITIES: The Notes, upon original issuance
thereof, and at all times subsequent thereto, each Exchange Note as to which
Section 3(a)(iii) hereof is applicable upon original issuance and at all times
subsequent thereto and each Private Exchange Note upon original issuance thereof
and at all times subsequent thereto, until in the case of any such Note,
Exchange Note or Private Exchange Note, as the case may be, the earliest to
occur of (i) the date on which any such Note has been exchanged by a person
other than a Participating Broker-Dealer for an Exchange Note (other than with
respect to an Exchange Note as to which Section 3(a)(iii) hereof applies)
pursuant to the Exchange Offer, (ii) with respect to Exchange Notes received by
Participating Broker-Dealers in the Exchange Offer, the earlier of (x) the date
on which such Exchange Note has been sold by such Participating Broker-Dealer by
means of the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Registration Statement and (y)
the date on which the Exchange Registration Statement has been effective under
the Securities Act for a period of 6 months after the Consummation Date, (iii) a
Shelf Registration Statement covering such Note, Exchange Note or Private
Exchange Note has been declared effective by the SEC and such Note, Exchange
Note or Private Exchange Note, as the case may be, has been disposed of in
accordance with such effective Shelf Registration Statement, (iv) the date on
which such Note, Exchange Note or Private Exchange Note, as the case may be, is
distributed to the public pursuant to Rule 144 (or any similar provisions then
in effect) or is saleable pursuant to Rule 144(k) promulgated by the SEC
pursuant to the Securities Act or (v) the date on which such Note, Exchange Note
or Private Exchange Note, as the case may be, ceases to be outstanding for
purposes of the Indenture or any other indenture under which such Exchange Note
or Private Exchange Note was issued.
TRUSTEE: The trustee under the Indenture.
- 6 -
8
UNDERWRITTEN REGISTRATION OR UNDERWRITTEN OFFERING: A registration in
connection with which securities are sold to an underwriter for reoffering to
the public pursuant to an effective Registration Statement.
2. EXCHANGE OFFER
(a) To the extent not prohibited by any applicable law or applicable
interpretation of the staff of the SEC, the Issuers shall (A) prepare and, on or
prior to 60 days after the date of original issuance of the Notes (the "ISSUE
DATE"), file with the SEC a Registration Statement under the Securities Act with
respect to an offer by the Company to the holders of the Notes to issue and
deliver to such holders, in exchange for Notes, a like principal amount of
Exchange Notes, (B) use their best efforts to cause the Registration Statement
relating to the Exchange Offer to be declared effective by the SEC under the
Securities Act on or prior to 120 days after the Issue Date, and (C) commence
the Exchange Offer and use their best efforts to issue, on or prior to the
Consummation Date, the Exchange Notes. The offer and sale of the Exchange Notes
pursuant to the Exchange Offer shall be registered pursuant to the Securities
Act on the appropriate form (the "EXCHANGE REGISTRATION STATEMENT") and duly
registered or qualified under all applicable state securities or Blue Sky laws
and will comply with all applicable tender offer rules and regulations under the
Exchange Act and state securities or Blue Sky laws. The Exchange Offer shall not
be subject to any condition, other than that the Exchange Offer does not violate
any applicable law or interpretation of the staff of the SEC. Upon consummation
of the Exchange Offer in accordance with this Section 2, the Issuers shall have
no further registration obligations other than with respect to (i) Private
Exchange Notes, (ii) Exchange Notes held by Participating Broker-Dealers and
(iii) Notes or Exchange Notes as to which Section 3(a)(iii) hereof applies. No
securities shall be included in the Exchange Registration Statement other than
the Exchange Notes.
(b) The Issuers may require each holder of Notes as a condition to its
participation in the Exchange Offer to represent to the Issuers and their
counsel in writing (which
- 7 -
9
may be contained in the applicable letter of transmittal) that at the time of
the consummation of the Exchange Offer (i) any Exchange Notes received by such
holder will be acquired in the ordinary course of its business, (ii) such holder
will have no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the
distribution (within the meaning of the Securities Act) of the Exchange Notes
and (iii) such holder is not an Affiliate of an Issuer, or if it is an Affiliate
of an Issuer, it will comply with the registration and prospectus delivery
requirements of the Securities Act, to the extent applicable.
(c) If, prior to consummation of the Exchange Offer, an Initial
Purchaser holds any Notes acquired by it and having, or which are reasonably
likely to be determined to have, the status of an unsold allotment in the
initial distribution, or any other holder of Notes is not entitled to
participate in the Exchange Offer, the Company upon the request of such Initial
Purchaser or any such holder shall, simultaneously with the delivery of the
Exchange Notes in the Exchange Offer, issue and deliver to such Initial
Purchaser and any such holder, in exchange (the "PRIVATE EXCHANGE") for such
Notes held by such Initial Purchaser and any such holder, a like principal
amount of debt securities of the Company, guaranteed by each of the Guarantors
on a senior subordinated basis, that are identical in all material respects to
the Exchange Notes (the "PRIVATE EXCHANGE NOTES") (and which are issued pursuant
to the same indenture as the Exchange Notes). The Private Exchange Notes shall
bear the same CUSIP number as the Exchange Notes.
(d) Unless the Exchange Offer would not be permitted by any applicable
law or interpretation of the staff of the SEC, the Company shall mail the
Exchange Offer Prospectus and appropriate accompanying documents, including
appropriate letters of transmittal, to each holder of Notes providing, in
addition to such other disclosures as are required by applicable law:
(i) that the Exchange Offer is being made pursuant to this Agreement and
that all Notes validly tendered will be accepted for exchange;
- 8 -
10
(ii) the date of acceptance for exchange (the "EXCHANGE Date"), which
date shall in no event be later than the Consummation Date (unless otherwise
required by applicable law);
(iii) that holders of Notes electing to have a Note exchanged pursuant to
the Exchange Offer will be required to surrender such Note, together with the
enclosed letters of transmittal, to the institution and at the address
(located in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York) specified in the
notice prior to the close of business on the Exchange Date; and
(iv) that holders of Notes that do not tender all such securities
pursuant to the Exchange Offer may no longer have any registration rights
hereunder with respect to Notes not tendered.
Promptly after the Exchange Date, the Company shall:
(i) accept for exchange all Notes or portions thereof validly tendered
and not validly withdrawn pursuant to the Exchange Offer or the Private
Exchange; and
(ii) deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Trustee for cancellation
all Notes or portions thereof so accepted for exchange by the Company, and
issue, cause the Trustee under the Indenture (or the indenture pursuant to
which the Exchange Notes are issued) to authenticate, and mail to each holder
of Notes, Exchange Notes or Private Exchange Notes equal in principal amount
to the principal amount of the Notes surrendered by such holder.
(e) The Issuers and the Initial Purchasers acknowledge that the staff
of the SEC has taken the position that any broker-dealer that owns Exchange
Notes that were received by such broker-dealer for its own account in the
Exchange Offer (a "PARTICIPATING BROKER-DEALER") may be deemed to be an
"underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act and must deliver a
prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any
resale of such Exchange
- 9 -
11
Notes (other than a resale of an unsold allotment resulting from the original
offering of the Notes).
The Issuers and the Initial Purchasers also acknowledge that it is the
SEC staff's position that if the Prospectus contained in the Exchange
Registration Statement includes a plan of distribution containing a statement to
the above effect and the means by which Participating Broker-Dealers may resell
the Exchange Notes, without naming the Participating Broker-Dealers or
specifying the amount of Exchange Notes owned by them, such Prospectus may be
delivered by Participating Broker-Dealers to satisfy their prospectus delivery
obligations under the Securities Act in connection with resales of Exchange
Notes for their own accounts, so long as the Prospectus otherwise meets the
requirements of the Securities Act.
In light of the foregoing, if requested by a Participating
Broker-Dealer, the Issuers agree (x) to use their best efforts to keep the
Exchange Registration Statement continuously effective for a period of up to 6
months or such earlier date as each Participating Broker-Dealer shall have
notified the Company in writing that such Participating Broker-Dealer has resold
all Exchange Notes acquired in the Exchange Offer, (y) to comply with the
provisions of Section 5 of this Agreement, as they relate to the Exchange Offer
and the Exchange Registration Statement, and (z) to deliver to such
Participating Broker-Dealer a "cold comfort" letter of the independent public
accountants of the Issuers and a legal opinion as to matters reasonably
requested by such Participating Broker-Dealer relating to the Exchange
Registration Statement and the related Prospectus and any amendments or
supplements thereto.
(f) The Initial Purchasers shall have no liability to any
Participating Broker-Dealer with respect to any request made pursuant to Section
2(e).
(g) Interest on the Exchange Notes and the Private Exchange Notes will
accrue from the last interest payment date on which interest was paid on the
Notes surrendered in exchange
- 10 -
12
therefor or, if no interest has been paid on the Notes, from the date of the
original issuance of the Notes.
(h) The Exchange Notes and the Private Exchange Notes may be issued
under (i) the Indenture or (ii) an indenture identical in all material respects
to the Indenture, which in either event shall provide that the Exchange Notes
shall not be subject to the transfer restrictions set forth in the Indenture.
The Indenture or such indenture shall provide that the Exchange Notes, the
Private Exchange Notes and the Notes shall vote and consent together on all
matters as one class and that neither the Exchange Notes, the Private Exchange
Notes nor the Notes will have the right to vote or consent as a separate class
on any matter.
3. SHELF REGISTRATION
(a) If (i) the Company is not permitted to consummate the Exchange
Offer because the Exchange Offer is not permitted by any applicable law or
applicable interpretation of the staff of the SEC or (ii) the Company has not
consummated the Exchange Offer within 150 days of the Issue Date or (iii) any
holder of a Note notifies the Company on or prior to the Exchange Date that (A)
due to a change in law or policy it is not entitled to participate in the
Exchange Offer, (B) due to a change in law or policy it may not resell the
Exchange Notes acquired by it in the Exchange Offer to the public without
delivering a prospectus and the Prospectus contained in the Exchange
Registration Statement is not appropriate or available for such resales by such
holder or (C) it is a broker-dealer that owns Notes (including an Initial
Purchaser that holds Notes as part of an unsold allotment from the original
offering of the Notes) acquired directly from an Issuer or an Affiliate of an
Issuer or (iv) any holder of Private Exchange Notes so requests within 120 days
after the consummation of the Private Exchange (each such event referred to in
clauses (i) through (iv), a "SHELF FILING EVENT"), the Issuers shall cause to be
filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 415 a shelf registration statement (the
"SHELF REGISTRATION STATEMENT") prior to the later of (x) 120 days after the
Issue Date and (y) 90 days after the occurrence of
- 11 -
13
such Shelf Filing Event, relating to all Transfer Restricted Securities (the
"SHELF REGISTRATION") the holders of which have provided the information
required pursuant to Section 3(b) hereof, and shall use their best efforts to
have the Shelf Registration Statement declared effective by the SEC on or prior
to the later of (i) 180 days after the Issue Date and (ii) 90 days after the
occurrence of such Shelf Filing Event. In such circumstances, the Issuers shall
use their best efforts to keep the Shelf Registration Statement continuously
effective under the Securities Act, until (A) 24 months following the date on
which the Shelf Registration Statement was initially declared effective (subject
to extension pursuant to the last paragraph of Section 5 hereof) or (B) if
sooner, the date immediately following the date that all Transfer Restricted
Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement have been sold pursuant
thereto (the "EFFECTIVENESS PERIOD"); PROVIDED that the Effectiveness Period
shall be extended to the extent required to permit dealers to comply with the
applicable prospectus delivery requirements of Rule 174 and as otherwise
provided herein.
(b) No holder of Transfer Restricted Securities may include any of its
Transfer Restricted Securities in any Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to
this Agreement unless and until such holder furnishes to the Company in writing,
within 30 days after receipt of a request therefor, such information as the
Company may reasonably request for use in connection with any Shelf Registration
Statement or Prospectus or preliminary prospectus included therein. No holder of
Transfer Restricted Securities shall be entitled to Additional Interest pursuant
to Section 4 hereof unless and until such holder shall have provided all such
reasonably requested information. Each holder of Transfer Restricted Securities
as to which any Shelf Registration Statement is being effected agrees to furnish
promptly to the Company all information required to be disclosed in order to
make the information previously furnished to the Company by such holder not
materially misleading.
4. ADDITIONAL INTEREST
- 12 -
14
(a) The parties hereto agree that the holders of Transfer Restricted
Securities will suffer damages if the Issuers fail to fulfill their obligations
pursuant to Section 2 or Section 3, as applicable, and that it would not be
feasible to ascertain the extent of such damages. Accordingly, in the event that
(i) the applicable Registration Statement is not filed with the SEC on or prior
to the date specified herein for such filing, (ii) the applicable Registration
Statement has not been declared effective by the SEC on or prior to the date
specified herein for such effectiveness after such obligation arises, (iii) if
the Exchange Offer is required to be Consummated hereunder, the Company has not
exchanged Exchange Notes for all Notes validly tendered and not validly
withdrawn in accordance with the terms of the Exchange Offer by the Consummation
Date or (iv) the applicable Registration Statement is filed and declared
effective but shall thereafter cease to be effective without being succeeded
immediately by any additional Registration Statement covering the Notes, the
Exchange Notes or the Private Exchange Notes, as the case may be, which has been
filed and declared effective (each such event referred to in clauses (i) through
(iv), a "REGISTRATION DEFAULT"), then the interest rate on Transfer Restricted
Securities will increase ("ADDITIONAL INTEREST"), with respect to the first
90-day period immediately following the occurrence of such Registration Default,
by 0.50% per annum and will increase by an additional 0.50% per annum with
respect to each subsequent 90-day period until such Registration Default has
been cured, up to a maximum amount of 1.50% per annum with respect to all
Registration Defaults. Following the cure of a Registration Default, the accrual
of Additional Interest with respect to such Registration Default will cease and
upon the cure of all Registration Defaults the interest rate will revert to the
original rate.
(b) The Company shall notify the Trustee and paying agent under the
Indenture (or the trustee and paying agent under such other indenture under
which the Transfer Restricted Securities are issued) immediately upon the
happening of each and every Registration Default. The Company shall pay the
Additional Interest due on the Transfer Restricted Securities
- 13 -
15
by depositing with the paying agent (which shall not be the Company for these
purposes) for the Transfer Restricted Securities, in trust, for the benefit of
the holders thereof, prior to l1:00 a.m. on the next interest payment date
specified by the Indenture (or such other indenture), sums sufficient to pay the
Additional Interest then due. The Additional Interest due shall be payable on
each interest payment date specified by the Indenture (or such other indenture)
to the record holder entitled to receive the interest payment to be made on such
date. Each obligation to pay Additional Interest shall be deemed to accrue from
and including the applicable Registration Default.
(c) The parties hereto agree that the Additional Interest provided for
in this Section 4 constitutes a reasonable estimate of the damages that will be
suffered by holders of Transfer Restricted Securities by reason of the happening
of any Registration Default.
5. REGISTRATION PROCEDURES
In connection with the Issuers' registration obligations hereunder,
the Issuers shall effect such registrations on the appropriate form available
for the sale of the Notes, the Exchange Notes or Private Exchange Notes, as
applicable, to (i) in the case of the Exchange Offer, permit the exchange of
Exchange Notes for Notes in the Exchange Offer and, if applicable, resales of
Exchange Notes by Participating Broker-Dealers and (ii) in the case of a Shelf
Registration, permit the sale of the applicable Transfer Restricted Securities
in accordance with the method or methods of disposition thereof specified by the
holders of such Transfer Restricted Securities, and pursuant thereto the Issuers
shall as expeditiously as possible:
(a) In the case of a Shelf Registration, a reasonable period of time
prior to the initial filing of a Shelf Registration Statement or Prospectus
and a reasonable period of time prior to the filing of any amendment or
supplement thereto (including any document that would be incorporated or
deemed to be incorporated
- 14 -
16
therein by reference), furnish to the holders of the Transfer Restricted
Securities included in such Shelf Registration Statement, their Special
Counsel and the managing underwriters, if any, copies of all such documents
proposed to be filed, which documents (other than those incorporated or
deemed to be incorporated by reference) will be subject to the review of
such holders, their Special Counsel and such underwriters, if any, and
cause the officers and directors of the Issuers, counsel to the Issuers and
independent certified public accountants to the Issuers to respond to such
reasonable inquiries as shall be necessary, in the opinion of respective
counsel to such holders and such underwriters, to conduct a reasonable
investigation within the meaning of the Securities Act; PROVIDED that the
Issuers shall not be deemed to have kept a Shelf Registration Statement
effective during the applicable period if any of them voluntarily takes or
fails to take any reasonable action that results in holders of the Transfer
Restricted Securities covered thereby not being able to sell such Transfer
Restricted Securities pursuant to Federal securities laws during that
period (and the time period during which such Shelf Registration Statement
is required to remain effective hereunder shall be extended by the number
of days during which such holders of Transfer Restricted Securities are not
able to sell such Transfer Restricted Securities). The Issuers shall not
file any such Shelf Registration Statement or related Prospectus or any
amendments or supplements thereto which the holders of a majority of the
Transfer Restricted Securities included in such Shelf Registration
Statement shall reasonably object on a timely basis;
(b) Prepare and file with the SEC such amendments, including
post-effective amendments, to each Registration Statement as may be
necessary to keep such Registration Statement continuously effective for
the applicable time period required hereunder; cause the related Prospectus
to be supplemented by any required Prospectus supplement, and as so
supplemented to be filed pursuant to Rule 424; and
- 15 -
17
comply with the provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act with
respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such Registration
Statement during such period in accordance with the intended methods of
disposition by the sellers thereof set forth in such Registration Statement
as so amended or in such Prospectus as so supplemented;
(c) Notify the holders of Transfer Restricted Securities to be sold
or, in the case of an Exchange Offer, tendered for, their Special Counsel
and the managing underwriters, if any, promptly, and (if requested by any
such person), confirm such notice in writing, (i) (A) when a Prospectus or
any Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment is proposed to be
filed, and (B) with respect to a Registration Statement or any
post-effective amendment, when the same has become effective, (ii) of any
request by the SEC or any other Federal or state governmental authority for
amendments or supplements to a Registration Statement or related Prospectus
or for additional information, (iii) of the issuance by the SEC, any state
securities commission, any other governmental agency or any court of any
stop order, order or injunction suspending or enjoining the use of a
Prospectus or the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or the
initiation of any proceedings for that purpose, (iv) of the receipt by the
Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the
qualification or exemption from qualification of any of the Notes, Exchange
Notes or Private Exchange Notes for sale in any jurisdiction, or the
initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose, and (v) of
the happening of any event or information becoming known that makes any
statement made in a Registration Statement or related Prospectus or any
document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated therein by reference
untrue in any material respect or that requires the making of any changes
in such Registration Statement, Prospectus or documents so that it will not
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
material fact
- 16 -
18
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein,
not misleading, and that in the case of a Prospectus, it will not contain
any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein,
in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;
(d) Use their best efforts to avoid the issuance of or, if issued,
obtain the withdrawal of any order enjoining or suspending the use of a
Prospectus or the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or the lifting
of any suspension of the qualification (or exemption from qualification) of
any of the Notes, Exchange Notes or Private Exchange Notes for sale in any
jurisdiction, at the earliest practicable moment;
(e) If a Shelf Registration Statement is filed pursuant to Section 3
hereof and if requested by the managing underwriters, if any, or the
holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Transfer
Restricted Securities being sold pursuant to such Shelf Registration
Statement, (i) promptly incorporate in a Prospectus supplement or
post-effective amendment such information as the managing underwriters, if
any, and such holders reasonably believe should be included therein, and
(ii) make all required filings of such Prospectus supplement or such
post-effective amendment under the Securities Act as soon as practicable
after the Company has received notification of the matters to be
incorporated in such Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Issuers shall not be required to take any
action pursuant to this Section 5(e) that would, in the opinion of counsel
for the Issuers, violate applicable law;
(f) Upon written request to the Company, furnish to each holder of
Notes, Exchange Notes or Private Exchange Notes to be exchanged or sold
pursuant to a Registration Statement, their Special Counsel and each
managing underwriter, if any, without charge, at least one
- 17 -
19
conformed copy of such Registration Statement and each amendment thereto,
including financial statements and schedules, all documents incorporated or
deemed to be incorporated therein by reference, and all exhibits to the
extent requested (including those previously furnished or incorporated by
reference) as soon as practicable after the filing of such documents with
the SEC;
(g) Deliver to each holder of Notes, Exchange Notes or Private
Exchange Notes to be exchanged or sold pursuant to a Registration
Statement, their Special Counsel, and the underwriters, if any, without
charge, as many copies of the Prospectus (including each form of
prospectus) and each amendment or supplement thereto as such persons
reasonably request; and the Issuers hereby consent to the use of such
Prospectus and each amendment or supplement thereto by each of the selling
holders of Transfer Restricted Securities and the underwriters, if any, in
connection with the offering and sale of the Transfer Restricted Securities
covered by such Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto;
(h) Prior to any public offering of Notes, Exchange Notes or Private
Exchange Notes, use their best efforts to register or qualify or cooperate
with the holders of Notes, Exchange Notes or Private Exchange Notes to be
sold or tendered for, the underwriters, if any, and their respective
counsel in connection with the registration or qualification (or exemption
from such registration or qualification) of such Notes, Exchange Notes or
Private Exchange Notes for offer and sale under the securities or Blue Sky
laws of such jurisdictions within the United States as any such holder or
underwriter reasonably requests in writing; keep each such registration or
qualification (or exemption therefrom) effective during the period such
Registration Statement is required to be kept effective hereunder and do
any and all other acts or things necessary or advisable to enable the
disposition in such jurisdictions of the Notes, Exchange Notes or Private
Exchange Notes covered by the applicable Registration
- 18 -
20
Statement; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Issuers shall not be required to (i)
qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where they are not
then so qualified or (ii) take any action which would subject them to
general service of process or to taxation in any jurisdiction where they
are not so subject;
(i) In connection with any sale or transfer of Transfer Restricted
Securities that will result in such securities no longer being Transfer
Restricted Securities, cooperate with the holders thereof and the managing
underwriters, if any, to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of
certificates representing Transfer Restricted Securities to be sold, which
certificates shall not bear any restrictive legends and shall be in a form
eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust Company and to enable such
Transfer Restricted Securities to be in such denominations and registered
in such names as the managing underwriters, if any, or such holders may
request at least two Business Days prior to any sale of Transfer Restricted
Securities;
(j) Upon the occurrence of any event contemplated by Section 5(c)(v),
as promptly as practicable, prepare a supplement or amendment, including,
if appropriate, a post-effective amendment, to each Registration Statement
or a supplement to the related Prospectus or any document incorporated or
deemed to be incorporated therein by reference, and file any other required
document so that, as thereafter delivered, such Prospectus will not contain
an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein,
in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;
(k) Prior to the effective date of the Exchange Registration
Statement, to provide a CUSIP number for the Exchange Notes (and Private
Exchange Notes, if applicable);
- 19 -
21
(l) If a Shelf Registration Statement is filed pursuant to Section 3
hereof, enter into such agreements (including an underwriting agreement in
form, scope and substance as is customary in underwritten offerings) and
take all such other reasonable actions in connection therewith (including
those reasonably requested by the managing underwriters, if any, or the
holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Transfer
Restricted Securities being sold) in order to expedite or facilitate the
disposition of such Transfer Restricted Securities, and, whether or not an
underwriting agreement is entered into and whether or not the registration
is an underwritten registration, (i) make such representations and
warranties to the holders of such Transfer Restricted Securities and the
underwriters, if any, with respect to the business of the Company and its
subsidiaries (including with respect to businesses or assets acquired or to
be acquired by any of them), and the Shelf Registration Statement,
Prospectus and documents, if any, incorporated or deemed to be incorporated
by reference therein, in each case, in form, substance and scope as are
customarily made by issuers to underwriters in underwritten offerings, and
confirm the same if and when requested; (ii) obtain opinions of counsel to
the Issuers and updates thereof (which counsel and opinions (in form, scope
and substance) shall be reasonably satisfactory to the managing
underwriters, if any, and Special Counsel to the holders of the Transfer
Restricted Securities being sold), addressed to each selling holder of
Transfer Restricted Securities and each of the underwriters, if any,
covering the matters customarily covered in opinions requested in
underwritten offerings and such other matters as may be reasonably
requested by such Special Counsel and underwriters; (iii) use their best
efforts to obtain customary "cold comfort" letters and updates thereof from
the independent certified public accountants of the Company (and, if
necessary, any other independent certified public accountants of any
subsidiary of the Company or of any business acquired by the Company for
which financial statements and financial data is, or is
- 20 -
22
required to be, included in the Shelf Registration Statement), addressed
(where reasonably possible) to each selling holder of Transfer Restricted
Securities and each of the underwriters, if any, such letters to be in
customary form and covering matters of the type customarily covered in
"cold comfort" letters in connection with underwritten offerings; (iv) if
an underwriting agreement is entered into, the same shall contain
indemnification provisions and procedures no less favorable to the selling
holders and the underwriters, if any, than those set forth in Section 7
hereof (or such other provisions and procedures acceptable to holders of a
majority in aggregate principal amount of Transfer Restricted Securities
covered by such Shelf Registration Statement and the managing underwriters,
if any); and (v) deliver such documents and certificates as may be
reasonably requested by the holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the Transfer Restricted Securities being sold, their Special
Counsel and the managing underwriters, if any, to evidence the continued
validity of the representations and warranties made pursuant to clause (i)
above and to evidence compliance with any customary conditions contained in
the underwriting agreement or other agreement entered into by the Issuers;
(m) In the case of a Shelf Registration, make available for inspection
by a representative of the holders of Transfer Restricted Securities being
sold, any underwriter participating in any such disposition of Transfer
Restricted Securities, and any attorney, consultant or accountant retained
by such selling holders or underwriter, at the offices where normally kept,
during reasonable business hours, all financial and other records,
pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company and its
subsidiaries (including
- 21 -
23
with respect to businesses and assets acquired or to be acquired to the
extent that such information is available to the Company), and cause the
officers, directors, agents and employees of the Company and its
subsidiaries (including with respect to businesses and assets acquired or
to be acquired to the extent that such information is available to the
Company) to supply all information in each case reasonably requested by any
such representative, underwriter, attorney, consultant or accountant in
connection with such Shelf Registration; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that such
persons shall first agree in writing with the Company that any information
that is reasonably and in good faith designated by the Company in writing
as confidential at the time of delivery of such information shall be kept
confidential by such persons, unless (i) disclosure of such information is
required by court or administrative order or is necessary to respond to
inquiries of regulatory authorities, (ii) disclosure of such information is
required by law (including any disclosure requirements pursuant to Federal
securities laws in connection with the filing of the Shelf Registration
Statement or the use of any Prospectus), (iii) such information becomes
generally available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure or
failure to safeguard such information by such person or (iv) such
information becomes available to such person from a source other than the
Company and its subsidiaries and such source is not bound by a
confidentiality agreement; and PROVIDED, FURTHER, that the foregoing
inspection and information gathering shall be coordinated by one counsel
designated by and on behalf of such other persons;
(n) Provide an indenture trustee for the Notes and/or the Exchange
Notes and Private Exchange Notes, as the case may be, and cause an
indenture to be qualified under the TIA not later than the effective date
of the first Registration Statement relating to the Notes and/or the
Exchange Notes and Private Exchange Notes, as the case may be; and if such
indenture shall be the Indenture, in connection therewith, cooperate with
the Trustee and the holders of the Notes and/or the Exchange Notes and
Private Exchange Notes, to effect such changes to the Indenture as may be
required for the Indenture to be so qualified in accordance with the terms
of the TIA; and execute, and use
- 22 -
24
its reasonable efforts to cause the Trustee to execute, all customary
documents as may be required to effect such changes, and all other forms
and documents required to be filed with the SEC to enable the Indenture to
be so qualified in a timely manner;
(o) Comply with all applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and
make generally available to their securityholders earning statements
satisfying the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule
158, no later than 45 days after the end of any 12-month period (or 90 days
after the end of any 12-month period if such period is a fiscal year) (i)
commencing at the end of any fiscal quarter in which Transfer Restricted
Securities are sold to underwriters in a firm commitment or reasonable
efforts underwritten offering and (ii) if not sold to underwriters in such
an offering, commencing on the first day of the first fiscal quarter after
the effective date of a Registration Statement, which statement shall cover
said period, consistent with the requirements of Rule 158;
(p) Cooperate with each seller of Transfer Restricted Securities
covered by any Registration Statement and each underwriter, if any,
participating in the disposition of such Transfer Restricted Securities and
their respective counsel in connection with any filings required to be made
with the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.; and
(q) Use their best efforts to cause the Exchange Notes, if issued, to
be listed on the New York Stock Exchange on or prior to the consummation of
the Exchange Offer.
The Issuers may require a holder of Transfer Restricted Securities to
be included in a Registration Statement to furnish to the Issuers such
information regarding the distribution of such Transfer Restricted Securities as
is required by law to be disclosed in such Registration Statement
- 23 -
25
and the Issuers may exclude from such Registration Statement the Transfer
Restricted Securities of any holder who unreasonably fails to furnish such
information within a reasonable time after receiving such request.
If any such Registration Statement refers to any holder by name or
otherwise as the holder of any securities of an Issuer, then such holder shall
have the right to require (i) the insertion therein of language, in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to such holder, to the effect that the holding
by such holder of such securities is not to be construed as a recommendation by
such holder of the investment quality of the Issuers' securities covered thereby
and that such holding does not imply that such holder will assist in meeting any
future financial requirements of the Issuers, or (ii) in the event that such
reference to such holder by name or otherwise is not required by the Securities
Act, the deletion of the reference to such holder in any amendment or supplement
to the Registration Statement filed or prepared subsequent to the time that such
reference ceases to be required.
In the case of a Shelf Registration pursuant to Section 3 hereof, each
holder of Transfer Restricted Securities agrees by acquisition of such Transfer
Restricted Securities that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company of the
happening of any event of the kind described in Section 5(c)(ii), 5(c)(iii),
5(c)(iv) or 5(c)(v) hereof, such holder will forthwith discontinue disposition
of such Transfer Restricted Securities covered by such Registration Statement or
Prospectus until such holder's receipt of the copies of the supplemented or
amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 5(j) hereof, or until it is advised
in writing (the "ADVICE") by the Company that the use of the applicable
Prospectus may be resumed, and, in either case, has received copies of any
additional or supplemental filings that are incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated by reference in such Prospectus. If the Company shall give any such
notice, the Effectiveness Period shall be extended by the number of days during
such period from and including the date of the giving of such notice to and
including the date when each holder of Transfer Restricted Securities covered by
such Registration Statement
- 24 -
26
shall have received (x) the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus
contemplated by Section 5(j) hereof or (y) the Advice, and, in either case, has
received copies of any additional or supplemental filings that are incorporated
or deemed to be incorporated by reference in such Prospectus.
6. REGISTRATION EXPENSES
All fees and expenses incident to the performance of or compliance
with this Agreement by the Issuers shall be borne by the Issuers whether or not
any Registration Statement is filed or becomes effective and whether or not any
Notes, Exchange Notes or Private Exchange Notes are issued or sold pursuant to
any Registration Statement. The fees and expenses referred to in the foregoing
sentence shall include, without limitation, (i) all registration and filing fees
(including, without limitation, fees and expenses (A) with respect to filings
required to be made with the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
and (B) in compliance with securities or Blue Sky laws), (ii) printing expenses
(including, without limitation, expenses of printing certificates for Notes,
Exchange Notes and Private Exchange Notes in a form eligible for deposit with
The Depository Trust Company and of printing Prospectuses), (iii) reasonable
fees and disbursements of counsel for the Issuers and the Special Counsel, (iv)
fees and disbursements of all independent certified public accountants referred
to in Section 2(e) and Section 5(l)(iii) hereof (including, without limitation,
the expenses of any special audit and "cold comfort" letters required by or
incident to such performance), (v) if required, the reasonable fees and expenses
of any "qualified independent underwriter" and its counsel, and (vi) fees and
expenses of all other persons retained by the Issuers. In addition, the Issuers
shall pay their internal expenses (including, without limitation, all salaries
and expenses of their respective officers and employees performing legal or
accounting duties), the expense of any annual audit, and the fees and expenses
incurred in connection with the listing of the Notes, Exchange Notes or Private
Exchange Notes to be registered on any securities exchange. Notwithstanding the
foregoing or anything in this
- 25 -
27
Agreement to the contrary, each holder of Transfer Restricted Securities shall
pay all underwriting discounts and commissions of any underwriters with respect
to any Notes, Exchange Notes or Private Exchange Notes sold by it.
7. INDEMNIFICATION
(a) The Issuers agree, jointly and severally, to indemnify and hold
harmless (i) each Initial Purchaser, each holder of Notes, Exchange Notes and
Private Exchange Notes and each Participating Broker-Dealer, (ii) each person,
if any, who controls (within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or
Section 20 of the Exchange Act) any of the foregoing (any of the persons
referred to in this clause (ii) being hereinafter referred to as a "controlling
person"), and (iii) the respective officers, directors, partners, employees,
representatives and agents of the Initial Purchasers, each holder of Notes,
Exchange Notes and Private Exchange Notes, each Participating Broker-Dealer and
any controlling person (any person referred to in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) may
hereinafter be referred to as an "INDEMNIFIED PERSON"), from and against any and
all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and judgments arising out of or
relating to any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
contained in any Registration Statement, Prospectus or preliminary prospectus or
in any amendment or supplement thereto, or arising out of or relating to any
omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein (in the case of any
Prospectus or preliminary prospectus or supplement thereto, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, except insofar as such
losses, claims, damages, liabilities or judgments are caused by any such untrue
statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission based upon
information relating to any Indemnified Person furnished in writing to the
Issuers by or on behalf of such Indemnified Person expressly for use therein;
PROVIDED that the foregoing indemnity with respect to any preliminary prospectus
shall not inure to the benefit of any Indemnified Person from whom the person
asserting such losses, claims,
- 26 -
28
damages, liabilities and judgments purchased securities if such untrue statement
or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in such preliminary
prospectus is eliminated or remedied in the Prospectus and a copy of the
Prospectus shall not have been furnished to such person in a timely manner due
to the wrongful action or wrongful inaction of such Indemnified Person.
(b) In case any action shall be brought against any Indemnified
Person, based upon any Registration Statement or any such Prospectus or
preliminary prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto and with respect
to which indemnity may be sought against the Issuers hereunder, such Indemnified
Person shall promptly notify the Issuers in writing and the Company shall assume
the defense thereof, including the employment of counsel reasonably satisfactory
to such Indemnified Person and payment of all fees and expenses. Any Indemnified
Person shall have the right to employ separate counsel in any such action and
participate in the defense thereof, but the fees and expenses of such counsel
shall be at the expense of such Indemnified Person, unless (i) the employment of
such counsel shall have been specifically authorized in writing by the Issuers,
(ii) the Company shall have failed to assume the defense and employ counsel or
pay all such fees and expenses or (iii) the named parties to any such action
(including any impleaded parties) include both such Indemnified Person and an
Issuer and such Indemnified Person shall have been advised by counsel that there
may be one or more legal defenses available to it which are different from or
additional to those available to any such Issuer (in which case the Company
shall not have the right to assume the defense of such action on behalf of such
Indemnified Person, it being understood, however, that the Issuers shall not, in
connection with any one such action or separate but substantially similar or
related actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general
allegations or circumstances, be liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of
more than one separate firm of attorneys (in addition to any local counsel) for
all such Indemnified Persons, which firm shall be designated in writing by such
Indemnified Persons, and that all such reasonable fees
- 27 -
29
and expenses shall be reimbursed as they are incurred). The Issuers shall not be
liable for any settlement of any such action effected without their written
consent but if settled with the written consent of the Issuers, the Issuers
agree, jointly and severally, to indemnify and hold harmless each Indemnified
Person from and against any loss or liability by reason of such settlement. No
Issuer shall, without the prior written consent of each Indemnified Person,
effect any settlement of any pending or threatened proceeding in respect of
which any Indemnified Person is a party and indemnity could have been sought
hereunder by such Indemnified Person, unless such settlement includes an
unconditional release of such Indemnified Person from all liability on claims
that are the subject matter of such proceeding.
(c) In connection with any Registration Statement pursuant to which a
holder of Transfer Restricted Securities offers or sells Transfer Restricted
Securities, such holder agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and hold
harmless the Issuers, their respective directors and officers and any person
controlling an Issuer within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or
Section 20 of the Exchange Act, to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity
from the Issuers to each Indemnified Person but only with respect to information
relating to such holder furnished in writing by or on behalf of such holder
expressly for use in such Registration Statement. In any such case in which any
action shall be brought against an Issuer, any director or officer of an Issuer
or any person controlling an Issuer based on such Registration Statement and in
respect of which indemnity may be sought against a holder of Transfer Restricted
Securities, such holder shall have the rights and duties given to the Issuers
(except that if an Issuer shall have assumed the defense thereof, such holder
shall not be required to do so, but may employ separate counsel therein and
participate in the defense thereof but the fees and expenses of such counsel
shall be at the expense of such holder), and the Issuers, their respective
directors and officers and any person controlling an Issuer shall have the
rights and duties given to the Indemnified Persons by Section 7(b) hereof.
- 28 -
30
(d) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 7 is
unavailable to an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or judgments referred to herein, then each indemnifying party, in
lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party, shall contribute to the amount paid
or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims,
damages, liabilities and judgments (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to
reflect the relative benefits received by each indemnifying party on the one
hand and the indemnified party on the other hand from the offering of the Notes,
the Exchange Notes or the Private Exchange Notes, as the case may be (it being
expressly understood and agreed that the relative benefits received by the
Issuers from the offering of the Notes, Exchange Notes or Private Exchange
Notes, as the case may be, shall be the amount of the net proceeds received by
the Company from the sale of the Notes to the Initial Purchasers), or (ii) if
the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not permitted by applicable law,
in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits
referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of each indemnifying
party on the one hand and the indemnified party on the other hand in connection
with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or judgments, as well as any other relevant equitable
considerations. The relative fault of each indemnifying party on the one hand
and the indemnified party on the other hand shall be determined by reference to,
among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material
fact or the omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by
an indemnifying party or such indemnified party and the parties' relative
intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent
such statement or omission.
The Issuers and the Initial Purchasers agree that it would not be just
and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 7(d) were determined by
PRO RATA allocation (even if the Indemnified Person were treated as one entity
for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take
account of the equitable considerations referred to in the
- 29 -
31
immediately preceding paragraph. The amount paid or payable by an indemnified
party as a result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities or judgments
referred to in the immediately preceding paragraph shall be deemed to include,
subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or other expenses
reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating
or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this
Section 7, no Indemnified Person shall be required to contribute any amount in
excess of the amount by which the net profits received by it in connection with
the sale of the Notes, Exchange Notes or Private Exchange Notes contemplated by
this Agreement exceeds the amount of any damages which such Indemnified Person
has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue
statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent
misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act)
shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such
fraudulent misrepresentation. The Indemnified Person's obligations to contribute
pursuant to this Section 7(d) are several in proportion to the respective amount
of Notes, Exchange Notes or Private Exchange Notes included in any such
Registration Statement by each Indemnified Person and not joint.
8. RULES 144 AND 144A
Each of Issuers shall use its best efforts to file the reports
required to be filed by it under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act in a
timely manner and, if at any time it is not required to file such reports but in
the past had been required to or did file such reports, it will, upon the
request of any holder of Transfer Restricted Securities, make available other
information as required by, and so long as necessary to permit, sales of its
Transfer Restricted Securities pursuant to Rule 144A. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, nothing in this Section 8 shall be deemed to require an Issuer to
register any of its securities pursuant to the Exchange Act.
9. UNDERWRITTEN REGISTRATIONS
- 30 -
32
If any of the Transfer Restricted Securities covered by any Shelf
Registration are to be sold in an underwritten offering, the investment banker
or investment bankers and manager or managers that will administer the offering
will be selected by the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of
such Transfer Restricted Securities included in such offering, subject to the
consent of the Company (which will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed).
No person may participate in any underwritten registration hereunder
unless such person (i) agrees to sell such Transfer Restricted Securities on the
basis reasonably provided in any underwriting arrangements approved by the
persons entitled hereunder to approve such arrangements and (ii) completes and
executes all questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting
agreements and other documents required under the terms of such underwriting
arrangements.
10. MISCELLANEOUS
(a) REMEDIES. In the event of a breach by an Issuer or by a holder of
Notes, Exchange Notes or Private Exchange Notes of any of its obligations under
this Agreement, each holder of Notes, Exchange Notes or Private Exchange Notes
and each Issuer, in addition to being entitled to exercise all rights granted by
law, including recovery of damages, will be entitled to specific performance of
its rights under this Agreement. Subject to Section 4 hereof, the Issuers and
each holder of Notes, Exchange Notes and Private Exchange Notes agree that
monetary damages would not be adequate compensation for any loss incurred by
reason of a breach of any of the provisions of this Agreement and each hereby
further agrees that, in the event of any action for specific performance in
respect of such breach, it shall waive the defense that a remedy at law would be
adequate.
(b) NO INCONSISTENT AGREEMENTS. The Issuers will not enter into any
agreement with respect to their securities that is inconsistent with the rights
granted to the holders of Notes, Exchange Notes and Private Exchange Notes and
- 31 -
33
Indemnified Persons in this Agreement or otherwise conflicts with the provisions
hereof. Without the written consent of the holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the outstanding Transfer Restricted Securities, the Issuers
shall not grant to any person any rights which conflict with or are inconsistent
with the provisions of this Agreement.
(c) NO PIGGYBACK ON REGISTRATIONS. The Issuers shall not grant to any
of their securityholders (other than the holders of Transfer Restricted
Securities in such capacity) the right to include any of their securities in any
Registration Statement other than Transfer Restricted Securities.
(d) AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS. The provisions of this Agreement,
including the provisions of this sentence, may not be amended, modified or
supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from the provisions hereof
may not be given, otherwise than with the prior written consent of the holders
of not less than a majority of the then outstanding aggregate principal amount
of Transfer Restricted Securities; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, for the purposes of
this Agreement, Transfer Restricted Securities that are owned, directly or
indirectly, by the Issuers or any of their Affiliates are not deemed
outstanding. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a waiver or consent to depart from
the provisions hereof with respect to a matter that relates exclusively to the
rights of holders of Transfer Restricted Securities whose securities are being
sold pursuant to a Registration Statement and that does not directly or
indirectly affect the rights of other holders of Transfer Restricted Securities
may be given by holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Transfer Restricted Securities being sold by such holders pursuant to such
Registration Statement; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the provisions of this sentence
may not be amended, modified or supplemented except in accordance with the
provisions of the immediately preceding sentence. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
no amendment, modification, supplement, waiver or consent with respect to
Section 7 shall be made or given otherwise than with the prior written consent
of each Indemnified Person affected thereby.
- 32 -
34
(e) NOTICES. All notices and other communications provided for herein
shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, next-day air courier, certified
first-class mail, return receipt requested, telex or telecopier:
(i) if to the Issuers, as provided in the Purchase Agreement,
(ii) if to the Initial Purchasers, as provided in the Purchase
Agreement, or
(iii) if to any other person who is then the registered holder of Notes,
Exchange Notes or Private Exchange Notes, to the address of such holder as
it appears in the register therefor of the Company.
Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, all such
communications shall be deemed to have been duly given: when delivered by hand,
if personally delivered; one business day after being timely delivered to a
next-day air courier; five business days after being deposited in the mail,
postage prepaid, if mailed; when answered back, if telexed; and when receipt is
acknowledged by the recipient's telecopier machine, if telecopied.
(f) SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit
of and be binding upon the successors and permitted assigns of each of the
parties and shall inure to the benefit of each holder of Notes, Exchange Notes
and Private Exchange Notes. The Issuers may not assign any of their rights or
obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each holder of
Transfer Restricted Securities and each Indemnified Person. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, no successor or assignee of an Issuer shall have any of the rights
granted under this Agreement until such person shall acknowledge its rights and
obligations hereunder by a signed written statement of such person's acceptance
of such rights and obligations.
(g) COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts and by the parties hereto in
- 33 -
35
separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an
original and, all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same
Agreement.
(h) GOVERNING LAW; SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE
GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK,
AS APPLIED TO CONTRACTS MADE AND PERFORMED WITHIN THE STATE OF NEW YORK. THE
ISSUERS HEREBY IRREVOCABLY SUBMIT TO THE JURISDICTION OF ANY NEW YORK STATE
COURT SITTING IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK OR ANY FEDERAL
COURT SITTING IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK IN RESPECT OF
ANY SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, AND
EACH IRREVOCABLY ACCEPTS FOR ITSELF AND IN RESPECT OF ITS PROPERTY, GENERALLY
AND UNCONDITIONALLY, JURISDICTION OF THE AFORESAID COURTS.
(i) SEVERABILITY. The remedies provided herein are cumulative and not
exclusive of any remedies provided by law. If any term, provision, covenant or
restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be
invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions,
covenants and restrictions set forth herein shall remain in full force and
effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated, and the parties
hereto shall use their reasonable efforts to find and employ an alternative
means to achieve the same or substantially the same result as that contemplated
by such term, provision, covenant or restriction. It is hereby stipulated and
declared to be the intention of the parties that they would have executed the
remaining terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions without including any of
such that may be hereafter declared invalid, illegal, void or unenforceable.
(j) HEADINGS. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of
reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof. All
references made in this Agreement to "Section" and "paragraph" refer to such
Section or paragraph of this Agreement, unless expressly stated otherwise.
- 34 -
36
S-1
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Registration Rights
Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first written above.
SIMONDS INDUSTRIES INC.
By:
----------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
ARMSTRONG MANUFACTURING COMPANY
By:
----------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
SIMONDS HOLDING COMPANY, INC.
By:
----------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
SIMONDS INDUSTRIES FSC, INC.
By:
----------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
37
S-2
The foregoing Agreement is hereby confirmed and accepted as of the date first
above written.
SALOMON BROTHERS INC
FIRST UNION CAPITAL MARKETS,
a division of Wheat First
Securities, Inc.
SCHRODER & CO. INC.
By: SALOMON BROTHERS INC
By:
-------------------------
Name:
Title: