EXECUTION VERSION
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
This REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT, dated December 10, 2002 (the
"Agreement"), is entered into by and among TriMas Corporation, a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), each of the Company's subsidiaries listed on the
signature pages hereof (such subsidiaries, the "Guarantors"), Credit Suisse
First Boston Corporation and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., as representatives of
the several initial purchasers (collectively, the "Initial Purchasers").
The Company, the Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers are parties to
the Purchase Agreement, dated November 25, 2002 (the "Purchase Agreement"),
which provides for the sale by the Company to the Initial Purchasers of
$85,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company's 9 7/8% Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2012 (the "Securities"), which will be fully and
unconditionally guaranteed on an unsecured senior subordinated basis by each of
the Guarantors (the "Guarantees"). As an inducement to the Initial Purchasers to
enter into the Purchase Agreement, the Company and the Guarantors have agreed to
provide to the Initial Purchasers and their direct and indirect transferees the
registration rights set forth in this Agreement. The execution and delivery of
this Agreement is a condition to the closing under the Purchase Agreement.
In consideration of the foregoing, the parties hereto agree as follows:
Section 1. Definitions.
As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following
meanings:
"Business Day" shall mean any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or
other day on which commercial banks in New York City are authorized or required
by law to remain closed.
"Closing Date" shall mean the Closing Date as defined in the Purchase
Agreement.
"Company" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble and shall
also include the Company's successors.
"Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended from time to time.
"Exchange Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2(a)(ii)
hereof.
"Exchange Offer" shall mean the exchange offer by the Company and the
Guarantors of Exchange Securities for Registrable Securities pursuant to Section
2(a) hereof.
"Exchange Offer Registration" shall mean a registration under the
Securities Act effected pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof.
"Exchange Offer Registration Statement" shall mean an exchange offer
registration statement on Form S-4 (or, if applicable, on another appropriate
form) and all amendments and
supplements to such registration statement, in each case including the
Prospectus contained therein, all exhibits thereto and any document incorporated
by reference therein.
"Exchange Securities" shall mean the 9 7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes
due 2012 issued by the Company and guaranteed by the Guarantors under the
Indenture containing terms identical to the Securities and the Guarantees
(except that the Exchange Securities will not be subject to restrictions on
transfer or to any increase in annual interest rate for failure to comply with
this Agreement) and to be offered to Holders of Securities in exchange for
Securities pursuant to the Exchange Offer.
"Guarantors" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble and shall
also include any successors to the Guarantors.
"Holders" shall mean the Initial Purchasers, for so long as they own
any Registrable Securities, and each of their successors, assigns and direct and
indirect transferees who become owners of Registrable Securities under the
Indenture; provided that for purposes of Sections 4 and 5 of this Agreement, the
term "Holders" shall include Participating Broker-Dealers.
"Indemnified Person" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(c)
hereof.
"Indemnifying Person" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5(c)
hereof.
"Indenture" shall mean the Indenture relating to the Securities, dated
as of June 6, 2002, among the Company, the Guarantors and The Bank of New York,
as trustee, as the same may be amended from time to time in accordance with the
terms thereof.
"Initial Purchasers" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.
"Inspector" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(m) hereof.
"Majority Holders" shall mean the Holders of a majority of the
aggregate principal amount of outstanding Registrable Securities; provided that
whenever the consent or approval of Holders of a specified percentage of
Registrable Securities is required hereunder, Registrable Securities owned
directly or indirectly by the Company or any of its affiliates shall not be
counted in determining whether such consent or approval was given by the Holders
of such required percentage or amount.
"Participating Broker-Dealers" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 4(a) hereof.
"Person" shall mean an individual, partnership, limited liability
company, corporation, trust or unincorporated organization, or a government or
agency or political subdivision thereof.
"Purchase Agreement" shall have the meaning set forth in the preamble.
"Prospectus" shall mean the prospectus included in a Registration
Statement, including any preliminary prospectus, and any such prospectus as
amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement, including a prospectus
supplement with respect to the terms of the offering of any portion of the
Registrable Securities covered by a Shelf Registration Statement,
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and by all other amendments and supplements to such prospectus, and in each case
including any document incorporated by reference therein.
"Registrable Securities" shall mean the Securities; provided that the
Securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities (i) when a Registration
Statement with respect to such Securities has been declared effective under the
Securities Act and such Securities have been exchanged or disposed of pursuant
to such Registration Statement, (ii) when such Securities have been sold
pursuant to Rule 144 or are eligible for resale pursuant to Rule 144(k) (or any
similar provision then in force, but not Rule 144A) under the Securities Act or
(iii) when such Securities cease to be outstanding.
"Registration Expenses" shall mean any and all expenses incident to
performance of or compliance by the Company and the Guarantors with this
Agreement, including without limitation: (i) all SEC, stock exchange or National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. registration and filing fees, (ii) all
fees and expenses incurred in connection with compliance with state securities
or blue sky laws (including reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for any
Underwriters or Holders in connection with blue sky qualification of any
Exchange Securities or Registrable Securities), (iii) all expenses of any
Persons in preparing or assisting in preparing, word processing, printing and
distributing any Registration Statement, any Prospectus and any amendments or
supplements thereto, any underwriting agreements, securities sales agreements or
other similar agreements and any other documents relating to the performance of
and compliance with this Agreement, (iv) all rating agency fees, (v) all fees
and disbursements relating to the qualification of the Indenture under
applicable securities laws, (vi) the fees and disbursements of the Trustee and
its counsel, (vii) the fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company and the
Guarantors and, in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, the fees and
disbursements of one counsel for the Holders (which counsel shall be selected by
the Majority Holders and which counsel may also be counsel for the Initial
Purchasers) and (viii) the fees and disbursements of the independent public
accountants of the Company and the Guarantors, including the expenses of any
special audits or "comfort" letters required by or incident to the performance
of and compliance with this Agreement, but excluding fees and expenses of
counsel to the Underwriters (other than fees and expenses set forth in clause
(ii) above) or the Holders and underwriting discounts and commissions and
transfer taxes, if any, relating to the sale or disposition of Registrable
Securities by a Holder.
"Registration Statement" shall mean any registration statement of the
Company and the Guarantors that covers any of the Exchange Securities or
Registrable Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement and all
amendments and supplements to any such registration statement, including
post-effective amendments, in each case including the Prospectus contained
therein, all exhibits thereto and any document incorporated by reference
therein.
"SEC" shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission.
"Securities Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from
time to time.
"Shelf Registration" shall mean a registration effected pursuant to
Section 2(b) hereof.
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"Shelf Registration Statement" shall mean a "shelf" registration
statement of the Company and the Guarantors that covers all the Registrable
Securities (but no other securities unless approved by the Holders whose
Registrable Securities to be covered by such Shelf Registration Statement) on an
appropriate form under Rule 415 under the Securities Act, or any similar rule
that may be adopted by the SEC, and all amendments and supplements to such
registration statement, including post-effective amendments, in each case
including the Prospectus contained therein, all exhibits thereto and any
document incorporated by reference therein.
"Staff" shall mean the staff of the SEC.
"Trust Indenture Act" shall mean the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
amended from time to time.
"Trustee" shall mean the trustee with respect to the Securities under
the Indenture.
"Underwriter" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3 hereof.
"Underwritten Offering" shall mean an offering in which Registrable
Securities are sold to an Underwriter for reoffering to the public.
Section 2. Registration Under the Securities Act.
(a) To the extent not prohibited by any applicable law or applicable
interpretations of the Staff, the Company and the Guarantors shall use their
reasonable best efforts to (i) cause to be filed an Exchange Offer Registration
Statement covering an offer to the Holders to exchange all the Registrable
Securities for Exchange Securities and (ii) have such Registration Statement
remain effective until the closing of the Exchange Offer. The Company and the
Guarantors shall commence the Exchange Offer promptly after the Exchange Offer
Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC and use their reasonable
best efforts to complete the Exchange Offer not later than 60 days after such
effective date.
The Company and the Guarantors shall commence the Exchange Offer by
mailing the related Prospectus, appropriate letters of transmittal and other
accompanying documents to each Holder stating, 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 Registrable Securities
validly tendered and not properly withdrawn will be
accepted for exchange;
(ii) the dates of acceptance for exchange (which shall be
a period of at least 20 Business Days from the date
such notice is mailed) (each, an "Exchange Date");
(iii) that any Registrable Security not tendered will
remain outstanding and continue to accrue interest
but will not retain any rights under this Agreement;
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(iv) that any Holder electing to have a Registrable
Security exchanged pursuant to the Exchange Offer
will be required to surrender such Registrable
Security, together with the appropriate letters of
transmittal, to the institution and at the address
(located in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New
York) and in the manner specified in the notice,
prior to the close of business on the last Exchange
Date; and
(v) that any Holder will be entitled to withdraw its
election, not later than the close of business on the
last Exchange Date, by sending to the institution and
at the address (located in the Borough of Manhattan,
The City of New York) specified in the notice, a
telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter
setting forth the name of such Holder, the principal
amount of Registrable Securities delivered for
exchange and a statement that such Holder is
withdrawing its election to have such Securities
exchanged.
As a condition to participating in the Exchange Offer, a Holder will be
required to represent to the Company and the Guarantors that (i) any Exchange
Securities to be received by it will be acquired in the ordinary course of its
business, (ii) at the time of the commencement of the Exchange Offer it has no
arrangement or understanding with any Person to participate in the distribution
(within the meaning of the Securities Act) of the Exchange Securities in
violation of the provisions of the Securities Act, (iii) it is not an
"affiliate" (within the meaning of Rule 405 under Securities Act) of the Company
or any Guarantor and (iv) if such Holder is a broker-dealer that will receive
Exchange Securities for its own account in exchange for Registrable Securities
that were acquired as a result of market-making or other trading activities,
then such Holder will deliver a Prospectus in connection with any resale of such
Exchange Securities.
As soon as practicable after the last Exchange Date, the Company and
the Guarantors shall:
(i) accept for exchange Registrable Securities or
portions thereof validly tendered and not properly
withdrawn pursuant to the Exchange Offer; and
(ii) deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Trustee for
cancellation all Registrable Securities or portions
thereof so accepted for exchange by the Company and
issue, and cause the Trustee to promptly authenticate
and deliver to each Holder, Exchange Securities equal
in principal amount to the principal amount of the
Registrable Securities surrendered by such Holder.
The Company and the Guarantors shall use their reasonable best efforts
to complete the Exchange Offer as provided above and shall comply with the
applicable requirements of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act and other
applicable laws and regulations in connection with the Exchange Offer. The
Exchange Offer shall not be subject to any conditions, other than that the
Exchange Offer does not violate any applicable law or applicable interpretations
of the Staff.
(b) In the event that (i) the Company and the Guarantors determine that
the Exchange Offer Registration provided for in Section 2(a) above is not
available or may not be completed as
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soon as practicable after the last Exchange Date because it would violate any
applicable law or applicable interpretations of the Staff, (ii) the Exchange
Offer is not for any other reason completed by 210 days after the Closing Date
or (iii) the Exchange Offer has been completed and in the opinion of counsel for
the Initial Purchasers a Registration Statement must be filed and a Prospectus
must be delivered by the Initial Purchasers in connection with any offering or
sale of Registrable Securities held by the Initial Purchasers, the Company and
the Guarantors shall use their reasonable best efforts to cause to be filed as
soon as practicable after such determination, date or notice of such opinion of
counsel is given to the Company, as the case may be, a Shelf Registration
Statement providing for the sale of all the Registrable Securities by the
Holders thereof (or Initial Purchasers that are holders thereof in the case of a
Shelf Registration Statement filed pursuant to clause (iii) of this sentence)
and to have such Shelf Registration Statement declared effective by the SEC.
In the event that the Company and the Guarantors are required to file a
Shelf Registration Statement solely as a result of the matters referred to in
clause (iii) of the preceding sentence, the Company and the Guarantors shall use
their reasonable best efforts to file and have declared effective by the SEC
both an Exchange Offer Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2(a) with
respect to all Registrable Securities and a Shelf Registration Statement (which
may be a combined Registration Statement with the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement) with respect to offers and sales of Registrable Securities held by
the Initial Purchasers after completion of the Exchange Offer. The Company and
the Guarantors agree to use their reasonable best efforts to keep the Shelf
Registration Statement continuously effective until the expiration of the period
referred to in Rule 144(k) under the Securities Act with respect to the
Registrable Securities or such shorter period that will terminate when all the
Registrable Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement have been
sold pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement. The Company and the
Guarantors further agree to supplement or amend the Shelf Registration Statement
and the related Prospectus if required by the rules, regulations or instructions
applicable to the registration form used by the Company for such Shelf
Registration Statement or by the Securities Act or by any other rules and
regulations thereunder for shelf registration or if reasonably requested by a
Holder of Registrable Securities with respect to information relating to such
Holder, and to use their reasonable best efforts to cause any such amendment to
become effective and such Shelf Registration Statement and Prospectus to become
usable as soon as thereafter practicable. The Company and the Guarantors agree
to furnish to the Holders of Registrable Securities copies of any such
supplement or amendment promptly after its being used or filed with the SEC.
(c) The Company and the Guarantors shall pay all Registration Expenses
in connection with the registration pursuant to Section 2(a) and Section 2(b)
hereof. Each Holder shall pay all underwriting discounts and commissions and
transfer taxes, if any, relating to the sale or disposition of such Holder's
Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement.
(d) An Exchange Offer Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2(a)
hereof or a Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2(b) hereof will
not be deemed to have become effective unless it has been declared effective by
the SEC; provided that if, after it has been declared effective, the offering of
Registrable Securities pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement is interfered
with by any stop order, injunction or other order or requirement of the
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SEC or any court or other governmental or regulatory agency or body, such
Registration Statement will be deemed not to have become effective during the
period of such interference until the offering of Registrable Securities
pursuant to such Registration Statement may legally resume.
In the event that either the Exchange Offer is not completed or a Shelf
Registration Statement, if required hereby, is not declared effective within 210
days of the Closing Date, the interest rate on the Registrable Securities will
be increased by 1.00% per annum until the Exchange Offer is completed or the
Shelf Registration Statement, if required hereby, is declared effective by the
SEC or the Securities become freely tradable under the Securities Act.
(e) Without limiting the remedies available to the Initial Purchasers
and the Holders, the Company and the Guarantors acknowledge that any failure by
the Company or the Guarantors to comply with their obligations under Section
2(a) and Section 2(b) hereof may result in material irreparable injury to the
Initial Purchasers or the Holders for which there is no adequate remedy at law,
that it will not be possible to measure damages for such injuries precisely and
that, in the event of any such failure, the Initial Purchasers or any Holder may
obtain such relief as may be required to specifically enforce the Company's and
the Guarantors' obligations under Section 2(a) and Section 2(b) hereof.
Section 3. Registration Procedures.
In connection with their obligations pursuant to Section 2(a) and
Section 2(b) hereof, the Company and the Guarantors shall as expeditiously as
possible:
(a) prepare and file with the SEC a Registration Statement on the
appropriate form under the Securities Act, which form (x) shall be selected by
the Company and the Guarantors, (y) shall, in the case of a Shelf Registration,
be available for the sale of the Registrable Securities by the selling Holders
thereof and (z) shall comply as to form in all material respects with the
requirements of the applicable form and include all financial statements
required by the SEC to be filed therewith; and use their reasonable best efforts
to cause such Registration Statement to become effective and remain effective
for the applicable period in accordance with Section 2 hereof;
(b) prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and post-effective
amendments to each Registration Statement as may be necessary to keep such
Registration Statement effective for the applicable period in accordance with
Section 2 hereof and cause each Prospectus to be supplemented by any required
prospectus supplement and, as so supplemented, to be filed pursuant to Rule 424
under the Securities Act; and keep each Prospectus current during the period
described in Section 4(3) of and Rule 174 under the Securities Act that is
applicable to transactions by brokers or dealers with respect to the Registrable
Securities or Exchange Securities;
(c) in the case of a Shelf Registration, furnish to each Holder of
Registrable Securities, to counsel for the Initial Purchasers, to counsel for
such Holders and to each Underwriter of an Underwritten Offering of Registrable
Securities, if any, without charge, as many copies of each Prospectus, including
each preliminary Prospectus, and any amendment or
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supplement thereto in order to facilitate the sale or other disposition of the
Registrable Securities thereunder; and the Company and the Guarantors consent to
the use of such Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto in accordance
with applicable law by each of the selling Holders of Registrable Securities and
any such Underwriters in connection with the offering and sale of the
Registrable Securities covered by and in the manner described in such Prospectus
or any amendment or supplement thereto in accordance with applicable law;
(d) use their reasonable best efforts to register or qualify the
Registrable Securities under all applicable state securities or blue sky laws of
such jurisdictions as any Holder of Registrable Securities covered by a
Registration Statement shall reasonably request in writing by the time the
applicable Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC; cooperate
with the Holders in connection with any filings required to be made with the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.; and do any and all other acts
and things that may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable each Holder
to complete the disposition in each such jurisdiction of the Registrable
Securities owned by such Holder; provided that neither the Company nor any
Guarantor shall be required to (i) qualify as a foreign corporation or other
entity or as a dealer in securities in any jurisdiction where it would not
otherwise be required to so qualify, (ii) file any general consent to service of
process in any such jurisdiction or (iii) subject itself to taxation in any such
jurisdiction if it is not so subject;
(e) in the case of a Shelf Registration, notify each Holder of
Registrable Securities, counsel for such Holders and counsel for the Initial
Purchasers promptly and, if requested by any such Holder or counsel, confirm
such advice in writing (i) when a Registration Statement has become effective
and when any post-effective amendment thereto has been filed and becomes
effective, (ii) of any request by the SEC or any state securities authority for
amendments and supplements to a Registration Statement and Prospectus or for
additional information after the Registration Statement has become effective,
(iii) of the issuance by the SEC or any state securities authority of any stop
order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement or the initiation
of any proceedings for that purpose, (iv) if, between the effective date of a
Registration Statement and the closing of any sale of Registrable Securities
covered thereby, the representations and warranties of the Company or any
Guarantor contained in any underwriting agreement, securities sales agreement or
other similar agreement, if any, relating to an offering of such Registrable
Securities cease to be true and correct in all material respects or if the
Company or any Guarantor receives any notification with respect to the
suspension of the qualification of the Registrable Securities for sale in any
jurisdiction or the initiation of any proceeding for such purpose, (v) of the
happening of any event during the period a Shelf Registration Statement is
effective that makes any statement made in such Registration Statement or the
related Prospectus untrue in any material respect or that requires the making of
any changes in such Registration Statement or Prospectus in order to make the
statements therein not misleading and (vi) of any determination by the Company
or any Guarantor that a post-effective amendment to a Registration Statement
would be appropriate;
(f) use their reasonable best efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any
order suspending the effectiveness of a Registration Statement at the earliest
possible moment and provide immediate notice to each Holder of the withdrawal of
any such order;
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(g) in the case of a Shelf Registration, furnish to each Holder of
Registrable Securities, without charge, at least one conformed copy of each
Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto (without any
documents incorporated therein by reference or exhibits thereto, unless
requested);
(h) in the case of a Shelf Registration, cooperate with the selling
Holders of Registrable Securities to facilitate the timely preparation and
delivery of certificates representing Registrable Securities to be sold and not
bearing any restrictive legends and enable such Registrable Securities to be
issued in such denominations and registered in such names (consistent with the
provisions of the Indenture) as the selling Holders may reasonably request at
least one Business Day prior to the closing of any sale of Registrable
Securities;
(i) in the case of a Shelf Registration, upon the occurrence of any
event contemplated by Section 3(e)(iii) or 3(e)(v) hereof, use their reasonable
best efforts to prepare and file with the SEC a supplement or post-effective
amendment to a Registration Statement or the related Prospectus or any document
incorporated therein by reference or file any other required document so that,
as thereafter delivered to purchasers of the Registrable Securities, such
Prospectus will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of
the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; and the Company
and the Guarantors shall notify the Holders of Registrable Securities to suspend
use of the Prospectus as promptly as practicable after the occurrence of such an
event, and such Holders hereby agree to suspend use of the Prospectus until the
Company and the Guarantors have amended or supplemented the Prospectus to
correct such misstatement or omission;
(j) a reasonable time prior to the filing of any Shelf Registration
Statement, any related Prospectus, any amendment to a Shelf Registration
Statement or amendment or supplement to a related Prospectus or of any document
that is to be incorporated by reference into a Shelf Registration Statement or a
related Prospectus after initial filing of a Shelf Registration Statement,
provide copies of such document to the Initial Purchasers and their counsel and
to the Holders of Registrable Securities and their counsel and make such of the
representatives of the Company and the Guarantors as shall be reasonably
requested by the Initial Purchasers or their counsel or the Holders of
Registrable Securities or their counsel available for discussion of such
document; and the Company and the Guarantors shall not at any time after initial
filing of a Shelf Registration Statement file any amendment to the Shelf
Registration Statement, any related Prospectus or any amendment of or supplement
to a Shelf Registration Statement or a related Prospectus or any document that
is to be incorporated by reference into a Shelf Registration Statement or a
related Prospectus, of which the Initial Purchasers and their counsel and the
Holders of Registrable Securities and their counsel shall not have previously
been advised and furnished a copy or to which the Initial Purchasers or their
counsel or the Holders or their counsel shall reasonably object;
(k) obtain a CUSIP number for all Exchange Securities or Registrable
Securities, as the case may be, not later than the effective date of a
Registration Statement;
(l) cause the Indenture to be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act
in connection with the registration of the Exchange Securities or Registrable
Securities, as the case may be;
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cooperate with the Trustee and the Holders 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 Trust Indenture Act; and execute, and use their reasonable
best efforts to cause the Trustee to execute, all 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;
(m) in the case of a Shelf Registration, make available for inspection
by a representative of the Holders of the Registrable Securities (an
"Inspector"), any Underwriter participating in any disposition pursuant to such
Shelf Registration Statement, and attorneys and accountants designated by the
Holders, at reasonable times and in a reasonable manner, all pertinent financial
and other records, pertinent documents and properties of the Company and the
Guarantors, and cause the respective officers, directors and employees of the
Company and the Guarantors to supply all information reasonably requested by any
such Inspector, Underwriter, attorney or accountant in connection with a Shelf
Registration Statement; provided that if any such information is identified by
the Company or any Guarantor as being confidential or proprietary, each Person
receiving such information shall take such actions as are reasonably necessary
to protect the confidentiality of such information to the extent such action is
otherwise not inconsistent with, an impairment of or in derogation of the rights
and interests of any Inspector, Holder or Underwriter;
(n) in the case of a Shelf Registration, use their reasonable best
efforts to cause all Registrable Securities to be listed on any securities
exchange or any automated quotation system on which similar securities issued or
guaranteed by the Company or any Guarantor are then listed if requested by the
Majority Holders, to the extent such Registrable Securities satisfy applicable
listing requirements;
(o) if reasonably requested by any Holder of Registrable Securities
covered by a Registration Statement, promptly incorporate in a Prospectus
supplement or post-effective amendment such information with respect to such
Holder as such Holder reasonably requests to be included therein and make all
required filings of such Prospectus supplement or such post-effective amendment
as soon as the Company has received notification of the matters to be
incorporated in such filing; and
(p) in the case of a Shelf Registration, enter into such customary
agreements and take all such other actions in connection therewith (including
those requested by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the
Registrable Securities being sold) in order to expedite or facilitate the
disposition of such Registrable Securities including, but not limited to, an
Underwritten Offering and in such connection, (i) to the extent possible, make
such representations and warranties to the Holders and any Underwriters of such
Registrable Securities with respect to the business of the Company and its
subsidiaries, the Registration Statement, Prospectus and documents incorporated
by reference or deemed incorporated by reference, if any, 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 Company and the Guarantors (which counsel and
opinions, in form, scope and substance, shall be reasonably satisfactory to the
Holders and such Underwriters and their respective counsel) addressed to each
selling Holder and Underwriter of Registrable Securities, covering the matters
customarily covered in opinions requested in underwritten
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offerings, (iii) obtain "comfort" letters from the independent certified public
accountants of the Company and the Guarantors (and, if necessary, any other
certified public accountant of any subsidiary of the Company or any Guarantor,
or of any business acquired by the Company or any Guarantor for which financial
statements and financial data are or are required to be included in the
Registration Statement) addressed to each selling Holder and Underwriter of
Registrable Securities, such letters to be in customary form and covering
matters of the type customarily covered in "comfort" letters in connection with
underwritten offerings and (iv) deliver such documents and certificates as may
be reasonably requested by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the
Registrable Securities being sold or the Underwriters, and which are customarily
delivered in underwritten offerings, to evidence the continued validity of the
representations and warranties of the Company and the Guarantors made pursuant
to clause (i) above and to evidence compliance with any customary conditions
contained in an underwriting agreement.
In the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, the Company may require
each Holder of Registrable Securities to furnish to the Company such information
regarding such Holder and the proposed disposition by such Holder of such
Registrable Securities as the Company and the Guarantors may from time to time
reasonably request in writing.
In the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, each Holder of
Registrable Securities agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from the Company
and the Guarantors of the happening of any event of the kind described in
Section 3(e)(iii) or 3(e)(v) hereof, such Holder will forthwith discontinue
disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement until
such Holder's receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus
contemplated by Section 3(i) hereof and, if so directed by the Company and the
Guarantors, such Holder will deliver to the Company and the Guarantors all
copies in its possession, other than permanent file copies then in such Holder's
possession, of the Prospectus covering such Registrable Securities that is
current at the time of receipt of such notice.
If the Company and the Guarantors shall give any such notice to suspend
the disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to a Registration Statement,
the Company and the Guarantors shall extend the period during which the
Registration Statement shall be maintained effective pursuant to this Agreement
by the number of days during the period from and including the date of the
giving of such notice to and including the date when the Holders shall have
received copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus necessary to resume
such dispositions. The Company and the Guarantors may give any such notice only
twice during any 365-day period and any such suspensions shall not exceed 30
days for each suspension and there shall not be more than two suspensions in
effect during any 365-day period.
The Holders of Registrable Securities covered by a Shelf Registration
Statement who desire to do so may sell such Registrable Securities in an
Underwritten Offering. In any such Underwritten Offering, the investment banker
or investment bankers and manager or managers (the "Underwriters") that will
administer the offering will be selected by the Majority Holders of the
Registrable Securities included in such offering and shall be reasonably
acceptable to the Company and the Guarantors.
11
Section 4. Participation of Broker-Dealers in Exchange Offer.
(a) The Staff has taken the position that any broker-dealer that
receives Exchange Securities for its own account in the Exchange Offer in
exchange for Securities that were acquired by such broker-dealer as a result of
market-making or other trading activities (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 Securities.
The Company and the Guarantors understand that it is the Staff's
position that if the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer 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 Securities, without naming the Participating Broker-Dealers or
specifying the amount of Exchange Securities owned by them, such Prospectus may
be delivered by Participating Broker-Dealers to satisfy their prospectus
delivery obligation under the Securities Act in connection with resales of
Exchange Securities for their own accounts, so long as the Prospectus otherwise
meets the requirements of the Securities Act.
(b) In light of the above, and notwithstanding the other provisions of
this Agreement, the Company and the Guarantors agree to amend or supplement the
Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, as would
otherwise be contemplated by Section 3(i), for a period of up to 180 days after
the last Exchange Date (as such period may be extended pursuant to the
penultimate paragraph of Section 3 of this Agreement), if requested by the
Initial Purchasers or by one or more Participating Broker-Dealers, in order to
expedite or facilitate the disposition of any Exchange Securities by
Participating Broker-Dealers consistent with the positions of the Staff recited
in Section 4(a) above. The Company and the Guarantors further agree that
Participating Broker-Dealers shall be authorized to deliver such Prospectus
during such period in connection with the resales contemplated by this Section
4; and
(c) The Initial Purchasers shall have no liability to the Company, any
Guarantor or any Holder with respect to any request that they may make pursuant
to Section 4(b) above.
Section 5. Indemnification and Contribution.
(a) The Company and each Guarantor, jointly and severally, agree to
indemnify and hold harmless each Initial Purchaser and each Holder, their
respective affiliates and each Person, if any, who controls any Initial
Purchaser or any Holder within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act
or Section 20 of the Exchange Act, from and against any and all losses, claims,
damages and liabilities (including, without limitation, legal fees and other
expenses incurred in connection with any suit, action or proceeding or any claim
asserted), joint or several, arising out of or based upon any untrue statement
or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Registration
Statement or any Prospectus, or arising out of or based upon any omission or
alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, except insofar as such
losses, claims, damages or liabilities are arising out of or based upon any
untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in
reliance upon and in conformity with any information relating to any Initial
Purchaser or any
12
Holder furnished to the Company in writing through the Initial Purchasers or any
selling Holder expressly for use therein. In connection with any Underwritten
Offering permitted by Section 3, the Company and the Guarantors will also
indemnify the Underwriters, if any, selling brokers, dealers and similar
securities industry professionals participating in the distribution, their
respective affiliates and each Person who controls such Persons (within the
meaning of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act) to the same extent as
provided above with respect to the indemnification of the Holders, if requested
in connection with any Registration Statement.
(b) Each Holder agrees, severally and not jointly, to indemnify and
hold harmless the Company, the Guarantors, the Initial Purchasers and the other
selling Holders, their respective affiliates, the directors of the Company and
the Guarantors, each officer of the Company and the Guarantors who signed the
Registration Statement and each Person, if any, who controls the Company, the
Guarantors, any Initial Purchaser and any other selling Holder within the
meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange Act to
the same extent as the indemnity set forth in paragraph (a) above, but only with
respect to any losses, claims, damages or liabilities arising out of or based
upon any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission
made in reliance upon and in conformity with any information relating to such
Holder furnished to the Company in writing by such Holder expressly for use in
any Registration Statement and any Prospectus.
(c) If any suit, action, proceeding (including any governmental or
regulatory investigation), claim or demand shall be brought or asserted against
any Person in respect of which indemnification may be sought pursuant to either
paragraph (a) or (b) above, such Person (the "Indemnified Person") shall
promptly notify the Person against whom such indemnification may be sought (the
"Indemnifying Person") in writing; provided that the failure to notify the
Indemnifying Person shall not relieve it from any liability that it may have
under this Section 5 except to the extent that it has been materially prejudiced
(through the forfeiture of substantive rights or defenses) by such failure; and
provided, further, that the failure to notify the Indemnifying Person shall not
relieve it from any liability that it may have to an Indemnified Person
otherwise than under this Section 5. If any such proceeding shall be brought or
asserted against an Indemnified Person and it shall have notified the
Indemnifying Person thereof, the Indemnifying Person shall retain counsel
reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Person to represent the Indemnified
Person and any others entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Section 5
that the Indemnifying Person may designate in such proceeding and shall pay the
fees and expenses of such counsel related to such proceeding. In any such
proceeding, any Indemnified Person shall have the right to retain its own
counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of
such Indemnified Person unless (i) the Indemnifying Person and the Indemnified
Person shall have mutually agreed to the contrary; (ii) the Indemnifying Person
has failed within a reasonable time to retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to
the Indemnified Person; (iii) the Indemnified Person shall have reasonably
concluded that there may be legal defenses available to it that are different
from or in addition to those available to the Indemnifying Person; or (iv) the
named parties in any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include
both the Indemnifying Person and the Indemnified Person and representation of
both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or
potential differing interests between them. It is understood and agreed that the
Indemnifying Person shall not, in connection with any proceeding or related
proceeding in the same jurisdiction, be liable for the fees and expenses of more
than one separate firm (in addition to any
13
local counsel) for all Indemnified Persons, and that all such fees and expenses
shall be reimbursed as they are incurred. Any such separate firm (x) for any
Initial Purchaser, its affiliates and any control Persons of such Initial
Purchaser shall be designated in writing by Credit Suisse First Boston
Corporation, (y) for any Holder, its affiliates and any control Persons of such
Holder shall be designated in writing by the Majority Holders and (z) in all
other cases shall be designated in writing by the Company. The Indemnifying
Person shall not be liable for any settlement of any proceeding effected without
its written consent, but if settled with such consent or if there be a final
judgment for the plaintiff, the Indemnifying Person agrees to indemnify each
Indemnified Person from and against any loss or liability by reason of such
settlement or judgment. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if at any time
an Indemnified Person shall have requested that an Indemnifying Person reimburse
the Indemnified Person for fees and expenses of counsel as contemplated by this
paragraph, the Indemnifying Person shall be liable for any settlement of any
proceeding effected without its written consent if (i) such settlement is
entered into more than 30 days after receipt by the Indemnifying Person of such
request and (ii) the Indemnifying Person shall not have reimbursed the
Indemnified Person in accordance with such request prior to the date of such
settlement. No Indemnifying Person shall, without the written consent of the
Indemnified Person, effect any settlement of any pending or threatened
proceeding in respect of which any Indemnified Person is or could have been a
party and indemnification could have been sought hereunder by such Indemnified
Person, unless such settlement (A) includes an unconditional release of such
Indemnified Person in form and substance satisfactory to such Indemnified Person
from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such proceeding and
(B) does not include any statement as to or any admission of fault, culpability
or a failure to act by or on behalf of any Indemnified Person.
(d) If the indemnification provided for in paragraphs (a) and (b) above
is unavailable to an Indemnified Person or insufficient in respect of any
losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to therein, then each
Indemnifying Person under such paragraph, in lieu of indemnifying such
Indemnified Person thereunder, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by
such Indemnified Person as a result of such losses, claims, damages or
liabilities (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative
benefits received by the Company and the Guarantors from the offering of the
Securities, on the one hand, and by the Holders from receiving Securities or
Exchange Securities registered under the Securities Act, on the other hand, or
(ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) is not permitted by applicable
law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative
benefits referred to in clause (i) but also the relative fault of the Company
and the Guarantors on the one hand and the Holders on the other in connection
with the statements or omissions that resulted in such losses, claims, damages
or liabilities, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The
relative fault of the Company and the Guarantors on the one hand and the Holders
on the other shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether
the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or
alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the
Company and the Guarantors or by the Holders and the parties' relative intent,
knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such
statement or omission.
(e) The Company, the Guarantors and the Holders agree that it would not
be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 5 were determined
by pro rata allocation (even if the Holders were treated as one entity for such
purpose) or by any other method of allocation that does not take account of the
equitable considerations referred to in paragraph (d) above. The
14
amount paid or payable by an Indemnified Person as a result of the losses,
claims, damages and liabilities referred to in paragraph (d) above shall be
deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth above, any legal or
other expenses incurred by such Indemnified Person in connection with any such
action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 5, in no event
shall a Holder be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by
which the total price at which the Securities or Exchange Securities sold by
such Holder exceeds the amount of any damages that such Holder 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.
(f) The remedies provided for in this Section 5 are not exclusive and
shall not limit any rights or remedies that may otherwise be available to any
Indemnified Person at law or in equity.
(g) The indemnity and contribution provisions contained in this Section
5 shall remain operative and in full force and effect regardless of (i) any
termination of this Agreement, (ii) any investigation made by or on behalf of
the Initial Purchasers, or Holder their respective affiliates or any Person
controlling any Initial Purchaser or any Holder, or by or on behalf of the
Company, the Guarantors, their respective affiliates or the officers or
directors of or any Person controlling the Company or the Guarantors, (iii)
acceptance of any of the Exchange Securities and (iv) any sale of Registrable
Securities pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement.
Section 6. Miscellaneous.
(a) No Inconsistent Agreements. The Company and the Guarantors
represent, warrant and agree that (i) the rights granted to the Holders
hereunder do not in any way conflict with and are not inconsistent with the
rights granted to the holders of any other outstanding securities issued or
guaranteed by the Company or any Guarantor under any other agreement and (ii)
neither the Company nor any Guarantor has entered into, or on or after the date
of this Agreement will enter into, any agreement that is inconsistent with the
rights granted to the Holders of Registrable Securities in this Agreement or
otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof.
(b) 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 unless the Company and the Guarantors have obtained the written consent of
Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding
Registrable Securities affected by such amendment, modification, supplement,
waiver or consent; provided that no amendment, modification, supplement, waiver
or consent to any departure from the provisions of Section 5 hereof shall be
effective as against any Holder of Registrable Securities unless consented to in
writing by such Holder.
(c) Notices. All notices and other communications provided for or
permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, registered
first-class mail, telex, telecopier, or any courier guaranteeing overnight
delivery (i) if to a Holder, at the most current address
15
given by such Holder to the Company by means of a notice given in accordance
with the provisions of this Section 6(c), which address initially is, with
respect to the Initial Purchasers, the address set forth in the Purchase
Agreement; and (ii) if to the Company and the Guarantors, initially at the
Company's address set forth in the Purchase Agreement and thereafter at such
other address, notice of which is given in accordance with the provisions of
this Section 6(c). All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have
been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; five
Business Days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed;
when answered back, if telexed; when receipt is acknowledged, if telecopied; and
on the next Business Day if timely delivered to an air courier guaranteeing
overnight delivery. Copies of all such notices, demands or other communications
shall be concurrently delivered by the Person giving the same to the applicable
Trustee, at the address specified in the Indenture.
(d) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit
of and be binding upon the successors, assigns and transferees of each of the
parties, including, without limitation and without the need for an express
assignment, subsequent Holders; provided that nothing herein shall be deemed to
permit any assignment, transfer or other disposition of Registrable Securities
in violation of the terms of the Purchase Agreement. If any transferee of any
Holder shall acquire Registrable Securities in any manner, whether by operation
of law or otherwise, such Registrable Securities shall be held subject to all
the terms of this Agreement, and by taking and holding such Registrable
Securities such Person shall be conclusively deemed to have agreed to be bound
by and to perform all of the terms and provisions of this Agreement and such
Person shall be entitled to receive the benefits hereof. The Initial Purchasers
(in their capacity as Initial Purchasers) shall have no liability or obligation
to the Company or the Guarantors with respect to any failure by a Holder to
comply with, or any breach by any Holder of, any of the obligations of such
Holder under this Agreement.
(e) Purchases and Sales of Securities. The Company and the Guarantors
shall not, and shall use their reasonable best efforts to cause their affiliates
(as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) not to, purchase and then
resell or otherwise transfer any Registrable Securities.
(f) Third Party Beneficiaries. Each Holder shall be a third party
beneficiary to the agreements made hereunder between the Company and the
Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Initial Purchasers, on the other hand, and
shall have the right to enforce such agreements directly to the extent it deems
such enforcement necessary or advisable to protect its rights or the rights of
other Holders hereunder.
(g) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts and by the parties hereto in 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) Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of
reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.
16
(i) GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. THE COMPANY AND THE
GUARANTORS EACH HEREBY AGREES TO SUBMIT TO THE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE
STATE OF NEW YORK, COUNTY OF NEW YORK, IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT
OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT.
(j) Miscellaneous. This Agreement contains the entire agreement between
the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all oral
statements and prior writings with respect thereto. This Agreement may not be
amended or modified except by a writing executed by each of the parties hereto.
Section headings herein are for convenience only and are not a part of this
Agreement. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction contained in this
Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or
unenforceable or against public policy, the remainder of the terms, provisions,
covenants and restrictions contained herein shall remain in full force and
effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated. The Company,
the Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers shall endeavor in good faith
negotiations to replace the invalid, void or unenforceable provisions with valid
provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of
the invalid, void or unenforceable provisions.
[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY BLANK]
17
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the
date first written above.
TRIMAS CORPORATION
By: /s/Todd R. Peters
----------------------------------------
Name: Todd R. Peters
Title:CFO & Executive Vice President
EACH OF THE GUARANTORS LISTED ON SCHEDULE I
HERETO:
By: /s/Todd R. Peters
----------------------------------------
Name: Todd R. Peters
Title:CFO & Executive Vice President
EACH OF THE GUARANTORS LISTED ON SCHEDULE II
HERETO:
By: /s/Todd R. Peters
----------------------------------------
Name: Todd R. Peters
Title:CFO & Executive Vice President
Confirmed and accepted as of the date first written above:
CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION
J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES INC.
Acting on behalf of themselves
and as the Representatives of
the several Purchasers
By CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON CORPORATION
By: /s/ Justin Vorwerk
----------------------------------------
Name: Justin Vorwerk
Title:
SCHEDULE I
Arrow Engine Company
Commonwealth Industries LLC
Compac Corporation
Consumer Products, Inc
Cuyam Corporation
Di-Rite Company
Entegra Fastener Corporation
Fulton Performance Products, Inc.
Hitch 'N Post, Inc.
Keo Cutters, Inc.
K.S. Disposition, Inc.
Lake Erie Screw Corporation
Monogram Aerospace Fasteners, Inc.
Netcong Investments, Inc.
NI Foreign Military Sales Corp.
NI Industries, Inc.
NI West, Inc.
Norris Cylinder Company
Norris Environmental Services, Inc.
Norris Industries, Inc.
Plastic Form, Inc.
Reska Spline Products, Inc.
Richards Micro-Tool, Inc.
Rieke Corporation
Rieke Leasing Co., Incorporated
Rieke of Indiana, Inc.
Rieke of Mexico, Inc.
Towing Products, Inc.
TriMas Company LLC
TriMas Fasteners, Inc.
TriMas Services Corp.
SCHEDULE II
Beaumont Bolt & Gasket, Inc.
Industrial Bolt & Gasket, Inc.
Lamons Metal Gasket Co.
Louisiana Hose & Rubber Co.