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EXHIBIT 4.7
SOVEREIGN SPECIALTY CHEMICALS, INC.
$150,000,000
11-7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2010
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
March 29, 2000
MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
Incorporated
J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES INC
CHASE SECURITIES INC.
c/o Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated
World Financial Center
North Tower
New York, New York 10281
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Sovereign Specialty Chemicals, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(the "Company"), proposes to issue and sell to Merrill Lynch & Co., Merrill
Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and
Chase Securities Inc. (collectively, the "Initial Purchasers"), upon the terms
and subject to the conditions set forth in a purchase agreement dated March 24,
2000 (the "Purchase Agreement") among the Company, the Initial Purchasers, and
the subsidiaries of the Company party thereto (the "Guarantors" and, together
with the Company, the "Issuers"), $150,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its
11-7/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2010 (the "Notes"). The Notes will be
unconditionally guaranteed (the "Guaranties" and, together with the Notes, the
"Securities") by each of the Guarantors pursuant to the terms of the Indenture.
Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to
such terms in the Purchase Agreement.
As an inducement to the Initial Purchasers to enter into the
Purchase Agreement and in satisfaction of a condition to the obligations of the
Initial Purchasers thereunder, the Issuers agree with the Initial Purchasers,
for the benefit of the holders (including the Initial Purchasers) of the
Securities, the Exchange Securities (as defined herein) and the Private Exchange
Securities (as defined herein) (collectively, the "Holders"), as follows:
1. Registered Exchange Offer. The Issuers shall (i) prepare
and, not later than 60 days following the date of original issuance of the
Securities (the "Issue Date"), file with the Commission a registration statement
(the "Exchange Offer Registration Statement") on an appropriate form under the
Securities Act with respect to a proposed offer to the Holders of the Securities
(the "Registered Exchange Offer") to issue and deliver to such Holders, in
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exchange for the Securities, a like aggregate principal amount of debt
securities of the Company that are identical in all material respects to the
Securities and are guaranteed by the Guarantors with terms identical in all
material respects with the Guaranties (the "Exchange Securities"), except (x)
for the transfer restrictions relating to the Securities, (y) the provisions
relating to an increase in the rate of interest discussed in section 7 below
will be eliminated and (z) interest thereon will accrue from the last date which
interest was paid on the Securities or if no such interest has been paid, from
the date of their original issue, (ii) use their reasonable best efforts to
cause the Exchange Offer Registration Statement to become effective under the
Securities Act no later than 180 days after the Issue Date and the Registered
Exchange Offer to be consummated no later than 210 days after the Issue Date and
(iii) keep the Exchange Offer Registration Statement effective for not less than
30 days (or longer, if required by applicable law) after the date on which
notice of the Registered Exchange Offer is mailed to the Holders (such period
being called the "Exchange Offer Registration Period"). The Exchange Securities
will be issued under the Indenture or an indenture (the "Exchange Securities
Indenture") between the Issuers and the Trustee or such other bank or trust
company that is reasonably satisfactory to the Initial Purchasers, as trustee
(the "Exchange Securities Trustee"), such indenture to be identical in all
material respects to the Indenture, except for the transfer restrictions
relating to the Securities (as described above).
Upon the effectiveness of the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement, the Issuers shall promptly commence the Registered Exchange Offer, it
being the objective of such Registered Exchange Offer to enable each Holder
electing to exchange Securities for Exchange Securities (assuming that such
Holder (a) is not an affiliate of the Company or any of the Guarantors within
the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act or an Exchanging Dealer (as
defined herein) not complying with the requirements of the next sentence, (b) is
not an Initial Purchaser holding Securities that have, or that are reasonably
likely to have, the status of an unsold allotment in an initial distribution,
(c) acquires the Exchange Securities in the ordinary course of such Holder's
business and (d) has no arrangements or understandings with any person to
participate in the distribution of the Exchange Securities) and to trade such
Exchange Securities from and after their receipt without any limitations or
restrictions under the Securities Act and without material restrictions under
the securities laws of a substantial portion of the several states of the United
States. The Initial Purchasers and each Exchanging Dealer acknowledge that,
pursuant to current interpretations by the Commission's staff of Section 5 of
the Securities Act, each Holder that is a broker-dealer electing to exchange
Securities, acquired for its own account as a result of market-making activities
or other trading activities, for Exchange Securities (an "Exchanging Dealer"),
is required to deliver a prospectus containing substantially the information set
forth in Annexes A, B and C hereto in connection with a sale of any such
Exchange Securities received by such Exchanging Dealer pursuant to the
Registered Exchange Offer.
If, prior to the consummation of the Registered Exchange
Offer, any Holder holds any Securities acquired by it that have, or that are
reasonably likely to be determined to have, the status of an unsold allotment in
an initial distribution, or any Holder is not entitled to
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participate in the Registered Exchange Offer, the Issuers shall, upon the
request of any such Holder, simultaneously with the delivery of the Exchange
Securities in the Registered Exchange Offer, issue and deliver to any such
Holder, in exchange for the Securities held by such Holder (the "Private
Exchange"), a like aggregate principal amount of debt securities of the Company
that are identical in all material respects to the Exchange Securities and are
guaranteed by the Guarantors with terms identical in all material respects to
the Guaranties (the "Private Exchange Securities"). The Private Exchange
Securities will be issued under the same indenture as the Exchange Securities,
and the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the
Private Exchange Securities to bear the same CUSIP number as the Exchange
Securities.
In connection with the Registered Exchange Offer, the Issuers
shall:
(a) mail to each Holder a copy of the prospectus forming part
of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement, together with an
appropriate letter of transmittal and related documents;
(b) keep the Registered Exchange Offer open for not less than
20 business days (or longer, if required by applicable law) after the
date on which notice of the Registered Exchange Offer is mailed to the
Holders;
(c) utilize the services of a depositary for the Registered
Exchange Offer with an address in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of
New York;
(d) permit Holders to withdraw tendered Securities at any time
prior to the close of business, New York City time, on the last
business day on which the Registered Exchange Offer shall remain open;
and
(e) otherwise comply in all respects with all laws that are
applicable to the Registered Exchange Offer.
As soon as practicable after the close of the Registered
Exchange Offer and any Private Exchange, as the case may be, the Issuers shall:
(a) accept for exchange all Securities tendered and not
validly withdrawn pursuant to the Registered Exchange Offer and the
Private Exchange in accordance and with the terms thereof;
(b) deliver to the Trustee for cancellation all Securities so
accepted for exchange; and
(c) cause the Trustee or the Exchange Securities Trustee, as
the case may be, promptly to authenticate and deliver to each Holder,
Exchange Securities or Pri-
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vate Exchange Securities, as the case may be, equal in principal amount
to the Securities of such Holder so accepted for exchange.
Each of the Issuers shall use its reasonable best efforts to
keep the Exchange Offer Registration Statement effective and to amend and
supplement the prospectus contained therein in order to permit such prospectus
to be used by all persons subject to the prospectus delivery requirements of the
Securities Act for such period of time as such persons must comply with such
requirements in order to resell the Exchange Securities; provided that (i) in
the case where such prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto must be
delivered by an Exchanging Dealer, such period shall be the lesser of 180 days
and the date on which all Exchanging Dealers have sold all Exchange Securities
held by them and (ii) the Issuers shall make such prospectus and any amendment
or supplement thereto available to any broker-dealer for use in connection with
any resale of any Exchange Securities for a period of not less than 180 days
after the consummation of the Registered Exchange Offer.
The Indenture or the Exchange Securities Indenture, as the
case may be, shall provide that the Securities, the Exchange Securities and the
Private Exchange Securities shall vote and consent together on all matters as
one class and that none of the Securities, the Exchange Securities or the
Private Exchange Securities will have the right to vote or consent as a separate
class on any matter.
Interest on each Exchange Security and Private Exchange
Security issued pursuant to the Registered Exchange Offer and in the Private
Exchange will accrue from the last interest payment date on which interest was
paid on the Securities surrendered in exchange therefor or, if no interest has
been paid on the Securities, from the Issue Date.
Each Holder participating in the Registered Exchange Offer
shall be required to represent to the Company that at the time of the
consummation of the Registered Exchange Offer (i) any Exchange Securities
received by such Holder will be acquired in the ordinary course of business,
(ii) such Holder will have no arrangements or understanding with any person to
participate in the distribution of the Securities or the Exchange Securities
within the meaning of the Securities Act and (iii) such Holder is not an
affiliate (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) of the Company, if
it is such an affiliate, such Holder will comply with the registration and
prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act to the extent applicable,
and shall have made such other representations as may be reasonably necessary
under applicable Commission rules, regulations or interpretations.
Notwithstanding any other provisions hereof, the Issuers will
use their best efforts to ensure that (i) any Exchange Offer Registration
Statement and any amendment thereto and any prospectus forming part thereof and
any supplement thereto complies in all material respects with the Securities Act
and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, (ii) any Exchange
Offer Registration Statement and any amendment thereto does not, when it becomes
effective, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a
material
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fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein
not misleading and (iii) any prospectus forming part of any Exchange Offer
Registration Statement, and any supplement to such prospectus, does not, as of
the consummation of the Registered Exchange Offer, include an untrue statement
of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make
the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading.
2. Shelf Registration. If (i) because of any change in law or
applicable interpretations thereof by the Commission's staff the Issuers are not
permitted to effect the Registered Exchange Offer as contemplated by Section 1
hereof, or (ii) any Securities validly tendered pursuant to the Registered
Exchange Offer are not exchanged for Exchange Securities within 300 days after
the Issue Date, or (iii) any Initial Purchaser so requests with respect to
Securities or Private Exchange Securities not eligible to be exchanged for
Exchange Securities in the Registered Exchange Offer and held by it following
the consummation of the Registered Exchange Offer, or (iv) any applicable law or
interpretations thereof by the Commission's staff do not permit any Holder to
participate in the Registered Exchange Offer, or (v) any Holder that
participates in the Registered Exchange Offer does not receive freely
transferable Exchange Securities in exchange for tendered Securities (other than
due solely to the status of a Holder (other than an Initial Purchaser) as an
affiliate of any of the Issuers within the meaning of the Securities Act, and
other than any state securities law restrictions which, individually or in the
aggregate, do not materially adversely affect the ability of any such Holder to
resell the securities held by such Holder), or (vi) the Company so elects, then
the following provisions shall apply:
(a) Each of the Issuers shall use its reasonable best efforts
to file as promptly as practicable (but in no event more than 30 days after so
required or requested pursuant to this Section 2) with the Commission, and
thereafter shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause to be declared
effective, a shelf registration statement on an appropriate form under the
Securities Act relating to the offer and sale of the Transfer Restricted
Securities (as defined below) by the Holders thereof from time to time in
accordance with the methods of distribution set forth in such registration
statement (hereafter, a "Shelf Registration Statement" and, together with any
Exchange Offer Registration Statement, a "Registration Statement").
(b) Each of the Issuers shall use its reasonable best efforts
to keep the Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective in order to
permit the prospectus forming part thereof to be used by Holders of Transfer
Restricted Securities for a period ending on the earlier of (i) two years from
the Issue Date or such shorter period that will terminate when all the Transfer
Restricted Securities covered by the Shelf Registration Statement have been sold
pursuant thereto or cease to be outstanding and (ii) the date on which the
Securities become eligible for resale without volume restrictions pursuant to
Rule 144 under the Securities Act or otherwise cease to be Transfer Restricted
Securities (in any such case, such period being called the "Shelf Registration
Period"). An Issuer shall be deemed not to have used its reasonable best efforts
to keep the Shelf Registration Statement effective during the requisite pe-
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riod if it voluntarily takes any action that would result in Holders of Transfer
Restricted Securities covered thereby not being able to offer and sell such
Transfer Restricted Securities during that period, unless such action is
required by applicable law; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not
apply to actions taken by the Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors in good
faith and for valid business reasons (not including avoidance of their
obligations hereunder), including, without limitation, the acquisition or
divestiture of assets, so long as the Company within 45 days thereafter complies
with the requirements of Section 4(j) hereof. Any such period during which the
Company fails to keep the registration statement effective and usable for offers
and sales of Securities and Exchange Securities is referred to as a "Suspension
Period." A Suspension Period shall commence on and include the date that the
Company gives notice to the Holders to the effect that, in the reasonable
judgment of the Company, the use of the Shelf Registration Statement would
materially interfere with a valid business purpose of the Company and the
Guarantors and that the Shelf Registration Statement is no longer effective or
the prospectus included therein is no longer usable for offers and sales of
Securities and Exchange Securities and shall end on the date when each Holder of
Securities and Exchange Securities covered by such registration statement either
receives the copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by
Section 4(j) hereof or is advised in writing by the Company that use of the
prospectus may be resumed. If one or more Suspension Periods occur, the two year
time period referenced above shall be extended by the number of days included in
each such Suspension Period; provided that the Company may only suspend the
availability of the Shelf Registration Statement for up to two periods of up to
45 consecutive days (except for the 45-day period immediately prior to maturity
of the Securities).
(c) Notwithstanding any other provisions hereof, the Issuers
will use their best efforts to ensure that (i) any Shelf Registration Statement
and any amendment thereto and any prospectus forming part thereof and any
supplement thereto complies in all material respects with the Securities Act and
the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, (ii) any Shelf
Registration Statement and any amendment thereto (in either case, other than
with respect to information included therein in reliance upon or in conformity
with written information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of any Holder
specifically for use therein (the "Holders' Information")) does 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 not misleading and
(iii) any prospectus forming part of any Shelf Registration Statement, and any
supplement to such prospectus (in either case, other than with respect to
Holders' Information), does not include an untrue statement of a material fact
or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements
therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading.
3. Additional Interest. (a) The parties hereto agree that the
Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities will suffer damages if the Issuers
fail to fulfill their obligations under Section 1 or Section 2, as applicable,
and that it would not be feasible to ascertain the extent of such damages.
Accordingly, if (i) the applicable Registration Statement is not filed
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with the Commission on or prior to 60 days after the Issue Date, (ii) the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement or the Shelf Registration Statement, as
the case may be, is not declared effective within 180 days after the Issue Date,
(iii) the Registered Exchange Offer is not consummated on or prior to 210 days
after the Issue Date, or (iv) the Shelf Registration Statement is filed and
declared effective within 180 days after the Issue Date but shall thereafter
cease to be effective (at any time that the Issuers are obligated to maintain
the effectiveness thereof) without being succeeded within 60 days by an
additional Registration Statement filed and declared effective (each such event
referred to in clauses (i) through (iv), a "Registration Default"), the interest
rate borne by the Transfer Restricted Securities shall be increased ("Additional
Interest") by one-quarter of one percent per annum upon the occurrence of each
Registration Default, which rate (as so increased) will increase by one quarter
of one percent each 90-day period that such Additional Interest continues to
accrue under any such circumstance, provided that the maximum aggregate increase
in the interest rate will in no event under this Agreement exceed one percent
(1%) per annum. Immediately following the cure of a Registration Default the
accrual of Additional Interest with respect to that particular Registration
Default will cease. As used herein, the term "Transfer Restricted Securities"
means each Security until the earliest of (i) the date on which such Security
has been exchanged for a freely transferable Exchange Security in the Registered
Exchange Offer, (ii) the date on which it has been effectively registered under
the Securities Act and disposed of in accordance with the Shelf Registration
Statement or (iii) the date on which it is distributed to the public pursuant to
Rule 144 under the Securities Act or is saleable pursuant to Rule 144(k) under
the Securities Act. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section
3(a), the Issuers shall not be required to pay Additional Interest to a Holder
of Transfer Restricted Securities if such Holder failed to comply with its
obligations to make the representations set forth in the last paragraph of
Section 1 or failed to provide the information required to be provided by it, if
any, pursuant to Section 4(n). Additional interest shall not accrue during any
Suspension Period permitted pursuant to Section 2(b).
(b) The Company shall notify the Trustee and the Paying Agent
under the Indenture within three business days after the happening of each and
every Registration Default. The Issuers shall pay the Additional Interest due on
the Transfer Restricted Securities by depositing with the Paying Agent (which
may not be an Issuer for these purposes), in trust, for the benefit of the
Holders thereof, prior to 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the next interest
payment date specified by the Indenture and the Securities, 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 and the
Securities 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 date of the applicable Registration Default.
(c) The parties hereto agree that the Additional Interest
provided for in this Section 3 constitute a reasonable estimate of and are
intended to constitute the sole damages that will be suffered by Holders of
Transfer Restricted Securities by reason of the failure of (i)
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the Shelf Registration Statement or the Exchange Offer Registration Statement to
be filed, (ii) the Shelf Registration Statement to remain effective or (iii) the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement to be declared effective and the
Registered Exchange Offer to be consummated, in each case to the extent required
by this Agreement.
4. Registration Procedures. In connection with any
Registration Statement, the following provisions shall apply:
(a) The Issuers shall (i) furnish to each Initial Purchaser,
prior to the filing thereof with the Commission, a copy of the Registration
Statement and each amendment thereof and each supplement, if any, to the
prospectus included therein and shall use its reasonable best efforts to reflect
in each such document, when so filed with the Commission, such comments as any
Initial Purchaser may reasonably propose; and (ii) in the case of the Exchange
Offer Registration Statement (x) include in the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement a section entitled "Plan of Distribution" which section shall contain
the substance of Annex C hereto or otherwise be acceptable to Merrill Lynch and
(y) include in the transmittal letter or similar documentation to be executed by
exchange offerees in order to participate in the Registered Exchange Offer, a
provision containing the substance of Annex D hereto.
(b) The Company shall advise each Exchanging Dealer and the
Holders of Transfer Restricted Securities and, if requested by any such person,
confirm such advice in writing (which advice pursuant to clauses (ii)-(v) hereof
shall be accompanied by an instruction to suspend the use of the prospectus
until the requisite changes have been made):
(i) when any Registration Statement and any
amendment thereto has been filed with the Commission and when such
Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto has
become effective;
(ii) of any request by the Commission for post
effective amendments or supplements to any Registration Statement or
the prospectus included therein or for additional information after the
Registration Statement has become effective;
(iii) of the issuance by the Commission of any
stop order suspending the effectiveness of any Registration Statement
or the initiation of any proceedings for that purpose;
(iv) of the receipt by the Issuers of any
notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the
Securities, the Exchange Securities or the Private Exchange Securities
for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any
proceeding for such purpose; and
(v) of the happening of any event that requires the
making of any changes in any Registration Statement or the prospectus
included therein in order that
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the statements therein are not misleading and do not omit to state a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading.
(c) The Issuers will make every reasonable effort to obtain
the withdrawal at the earliest possible time of any order suspending the
effectiveness of any Registration Statement.
(d) The Issuers will furnish to each Holder of Transfer
Restricted Securities included within the coverage of any Shelf Registration
Statement, without charge, at least one conformed copy of such Shelf
Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, including
financial statements and schedules and, if any such Holder so requests in
writing, all exhibits thereto (including those, if any, incorporated by
reference).
(e) The Issuers will, during the Shelf Registration Period,
promptly deliver to each Holder of Transfer Restricted Securities included
within the coverage of any Shelf Registration Statement, without charge, as many
copies of the prospectus (including each preliminary prospectus) included in
such Shelf Registration Statement and any amendment or supplement thereto as
such Holder may reasonably request; and each Issuer consents to the use of such
prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto by each of the selling Holders
of Transfer Restricted Securities in connection with the offer and sale of the
Transfer Restricted Securities covered by such prospectus or any amendment or
supplement thereto.
(f) The Issuers will furnish to each Initial Purchaser and
each Exchanging Dealer, and to any other Holder who so requests, without charge,
at least one conformed copy of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement and any
post-effective amendment thereto, including financial statements and schedules
and, if any Initial Purchaser or Exchanging Dealer or any such Holder so
requests in writing, all exhibits thereto (including those, if any, incorporated
by reference).
(g) The Issuers will, during the Exchange Offer Registration
Period or the Shelf Registration Period, as applicable, promptly deliver to each
Exchanging Dealer and such other persons that are required to deliver a
prospectus following the Registered Exchange Offer, without charge, as many
copies of the final prospectus included in the Exchange Offer Registration
Statement or the Shelf Registration Statement and any amendment or supplement
thereto as such Exchanging Dealer or other persons may reasonably request; and
each of the Issuers consents to the use of such prospectus or any amendment or
supplement thereto by any such Initial Purchaser, Exchanging Dealer or other
persons, as applicable, as aforesaid.
(h) Prior to the effective date of any Registration Statement,
each of the Issuers will use its reasonable best efforts to register or qualify,
or cooperate with the Holders of Securities, Exchange Securities or Private
Exchange Securities included therein and their respective counsel in connection
with the registration or qualification of, such Securities, Exchange Securities
or Private Exchange Securities for offer and sale under the securities or blue
sky laws of such jurisdictions as any such Holder reasonably requests in writing
and do any
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and all other acts or things necessary or advisable to enable the offer and sale
in such jurisdictions of the Securities, Exchange Securities or Private Exchange
Securities covered by such Registration Statement; provided that none of the
Issuers will be required to qualify generally to do business or as a dealer in
Securities in any jurisdiction where it is not then so qualified or to take any
action which would subject it to general service of process or to taxation in
any such jurisdiction where it is not then so subject.
(i) In connection with the filing of a Shelf Registration
Statement, the Issuers will cooperate with the Holders of Securities or Private
Exchange Securities to facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of
certificates representing Securities or Private Exchange Securities to be sold
pursuant to such Registration Statement free of any restrictive legends and in
such denominations (consistent with the provisions of the Indenture) and
registered in such names as the Holders thereof may reasonably request in
writing prior to sales of Securities or Private Exchange Securities pursuant to
such Registration Statement.
(j) If any event contemplated by Section 4(b)(ii) through (v)
occurs during the period for which the Issuers are required to maintain an
effective Registration Statement, the Issuers will as promptly as practicable
prepare and file with the Commission a post-effective amendment to the
Registration Statement or a supplement to the related prospectus or file any
other required document so that, as thereafter delivered to purchasers of the
Securities, Exchange Securities or Private Exchange Securities from a Holder,
the prospectus will not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit
to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in
the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.
(k) Not later than the effective date of the applicable
Registration Statement, the Issuers will provide a CUSIP number for the
Securities, the Exchange Securities and the Private Exchange Securities, as the
case may be, and provide the applicable trustee with printed certificates for
the Securities, the Exchange Securities or the Private Exchange Securities, as
the case may be, in a form eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust
Company.
(l) The Issuers will comply with all applicable rules and
regulations of the Commission and the Company will make generally available to
its security holders as soon as reasonably practicable after the effective date
of the applicable Registration Statement an earning statement satisfying the
provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act.
(m) The Issuers will cause the Indenture or the Exchange
Securities Indenture, as the case may be, to be qualified under the Trust
Indenture Act as required by applicable law in a timely manner.
(n) The Issuers may require each Holder of Transfer Restricted
Securities to be registered pursuant to any Shelf Registration Statement to
furnish to the Company such information concerning the Holder and the
distribution of such Transfer Restricted Securities as the Issuers may from time
to time reasonably require for inclusion in such Shelf Registra-
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tion Statement, and the Issuers may exclude from such registration the Transfer
Restricted Securities of any Holder that fails to furnish such information
within a reasonable time after receiving such request.
(o) In the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, each Holder
of Transfer Restricted Securities to be registered pursuant thereto agrees by
acquisition of such Transfer Restricted Securities that, upon receipt of any
notice from the Company pursuant to Section 4(b)(ii) through (v), such Holder
will discontinue disposition of such Transfer Restricted Securities until such
Holder's receipt of copies of the supplemental or amended prospectus
contemplated by Section 4(j) or until advised in writing (the "Advice") by the
Company that the use of the applicable prospectus may be resumed and if so
directed by the Company, such Holder will deliver to the Company (at the
Company's expense) all copies in such Holder's possession of the prospectus
covering such Transfer Restricted Securities. If the Company shall give any
notice under Section 4(b)(ii) through (v) during the period that the Issuers are
required to maintain an effective Registration Statement (the "Effectiveness
Period"), such 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 seller of Transfer Restricted Securities
covered by such Registration Statement shall have received (x) the copies of the
supplemental or amended prospectus contemplated by Section 4(j) (if an amended
or supplemental prospectus is required) or (y) the Advice (if no amended or
supplemental prospectus is required).
(p) In the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, the Issuers
shall enter into such customary agreements (including, if requested, an
underwriting agreement in customary form) and take all such other customary
action, if any, as Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the
Securities, and Private Exchange Securities being sold or the managing
underwriters (if any) shall reasonably request in order to facilitate any
disposition of such Securities pursuant to such Shelf Registration Statement.
(q) In the case of a Shelf Registration Statement, the Issuers
shall (i) make reasonably available for inspection by a representative of, and
Special Counsel (as defined below) acting for, Holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Securities and Private Exchange Securities
being sold and any underwriter participating in any disposition of Securities or
Private Exchange Securities pursuant to such Shelf Registration Statement, all
relevant financial and other records, pertinent corporate documents and
properties of the Company and its subsidiaries and (ii) use its reasonable best
efforts to have its officers, directors, employees, accountants and counsel
supply all relevant information reasonably requested by such representative,
Special Counsel or any such underwriter (an "Inspector") in connection with such
Shelf Registration Statement.
(r) In the case of an underwritten Shelf Registration
Statement, the Issuers shall, if requested by Holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the Securities and Private Exchange Securities being sold,
their Special Counsel or the managing underwriters in
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connection with such Shelf Registration Statement, use their reasonable best
efforts to cause (i) their counsel to deliver an opinion relating to the Shelf
Registration Statement and the Securities or Private Exchange Securities, as
applicable, in customary form, (ii) their officers to execute and deliver all
customary documents and certificates requested by Holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Securities and Private Exchange Securities
being sold, their Special Counsel or the managing underwriters (if any) and
(iii) their independent public accountants to provide a comfort letter or
letters in customary form, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the
managing underwriters subject to receipt of appropriate documentation as
contemplated, and only if permitted, by Statement of Auditing Standards No. 72.
5. Registration Expenses. The Issuers will bear all expenses
incurred in connection with the performance of its obligations under Sections 1,
2, 3 and 4 and the Issuers will reimburse the Holders of Transfer Restricted
Securities hereof for the reasonable fees and disbursements of one firm of
attorneys (in addition to any local counsel) chosen by the Holders of a majority
in aggregate principal amount of the Securities and the Private Exchange
Securities to be sold pursuant to each Registration Statement under Section 2
hereof (the "Special Counsel") acting for the Initial Purchasers or Holders in
connection therewith.
6. Indemnification. (a) In the event of a Shelf Registration
Statement or in connection with any prospectus delivery pursuant to an Exchange
Offer Registration Statement by an Initial Purchaser or Exchanging Dealer, as
applicable, the Issuers shall jointly and severally, indemnify and hold harmless
each Holder (including, without limitation, any such Initial Purchaser or
Exchanging Dealer), its affiliates, their respective officers, directors,
employees, representatives and agents, and each person, if any, who controls
such Holder within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act
(collectively referred to for purposes of this Section 6 and Section 7 as a
Holder) from and against any loss, claim, damage or liability, joint or several,
or any action in respect thereof (including, without limitation, any loss,
claim, damage, liability or action relating to purchases and sales of
Securities, Exchange Securities or Private Exchange Securities), to which that
Holder may become subject, whether commenced or threatened, under the Securities
Act, the Exchange Act, any other federal or state statutory law or regulation,
at common law or otherwise, insofar as such loss, claim, damage, liability or
action arises out of, or is based upon, (i) any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of a material fact contained in any such Registration Statement
or any prospectus forming part thereof or in any amendment or supplement thereto
or (ii) the 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, and shall reimburse each Holder promptly upon demand for any legal
or other expenses reasonably incurred by that Holder in connection with
investigating or defending or preparing to defend against or appearing as a
third party witness in connection with any such loss, claim, damage, liability
or action as such expenses are incurred; provided, however, that the Issuers
shall not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim,
damage, liability or action arises out of, or is based upon, an untrue statement
or al-
13
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leged untrue statement in or omission or alleged omission from any of such
documents in reliance upon and in conformity with any Holders' Information; and
provided, further, that with respect to any untrue statement in or omission from
any related preliminary prospectus, the indemnity agreement contained in this
Section 6(a) shall not inure to the benefit of any Holder from whom the person
asserting any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action received Securities,
Exchange Securities or Private Exchange Securities to the extent that such loss,
claim, damage, liability or action of or with respect to such Holder results
from the fact that both (A) a copy of the final prospectus was not sent or given
to such person at or prior to the written confirmation of the sale of such
Securities, Exchange Securities or Private Exchange Securities to such person
and (B) the untrue statement in or omission from the related preliminary
prospectus was corrected in the final prospectus unless, in either case, such
failure to deliver the final prospectus was a result of non-compliance by the
Company with Section 4(e), or 4(g).
(b) In the event of a Shelf Registration Statement, each
Holder, severally and not jointly, shall indemnify and hold harmless the
Issuers, their affiliates, their respective officers, directors, employees,
representatives and agents, and each person, if any, who controls the Issuers
within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act (collectively
referred to for purposes of this Section 6(b) and Section 7 as the Issuers),
from and against any loss, claim, damage or liability, joint or several, or any
action in respect thereof, to which the Issuers may become subject, whether
commenced or threatened, under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, any other
federal or state statutory law or regulation, at common law or otherwise,
insofar as such loss, claim, damage, liability or action arises out of, or is
based upon, (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material
fact contained in any such Registration Statement or any prospectus forming part
thereof or in any amendment or supplement thereto or (ii) the 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, but in each case only
to the extent that the untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission
or alleged omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with any
Holders' Information furnished to the Issuers by such Holder, and shall
reimburse the Issuers upon demand for any legal or other expenses reasonably
incurred by the Issuers in connection with investigating or defending or
preparing to defend against or appearing as a third party witness in connection
with any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action as such expenses are
incurred; provided, however, that no such Holder shall be liable for any
indemnity claims hereunder in excess of the amount of net proceeds received by
such Holder from the sale of Securities, Exchange Securities or Private Exchange
Securities pursuant to such Shelf Registration Statement.
(c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this
Section 6 of notice of any claim or the commencement of any action, the
indemnified party shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the
indemnifying party pursuant to Section 6(a) or 6(b), notify the indemnifying
party in writing of the claim or the commencement of that action; provided,
however, that the failure to notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve it
14
-14-
from any liability which it may have under this Section 6 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 party shall not relieve it from any liability which it
may have to an indemnified party otherwise than under this Section 6. If any
such claim or action shall be brought against an indemnified party, and it shall
notify the indemnifying party thereof, the indemnifying party shall be entitled
to participate therein and, to the extent that it wishes, jointly with any other
similarly notified indemnifying party, to assume the defense thereof with
counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party. After notice from the
indemnifying party to the indemnified party of its election to assume the
defense of such claim or action, the indemnifying party shall not be liable to
the indemnified party under this Section 6 for any legal or other expenses
subsequently incurred by the indemnified party in connection with the defense
thereof other than the reasonable costs of investigation; provided, however,
that an indemnified party shall have the right to employ its own counsel in any
such action, but the fees, expenses and other charges of such counsel for the
indemnified party will be at the expense of such indemnified party unless (1)
the employment of counsel by the indemnified party has been authorized in
writing by the indemnifying party, (2) the indemnified party has reasonably
concluded (based upon advice of counsel to the indemnified party) that there may
be legal defenses available to it or other indemnified parties that are
different from or in addition to those available to the indemnifying party, (3)
a conflict or potential conflict exists (based upon advice of counsel to the
indemnified party) between the indemnified party and the indemnifying party (in
which case the indemnifying party will not have the right to direct the defense
of such action on behalf of the indemnified party) or (4) the indemnifying party
has not in fact employed counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified
party to assume the defense of such action within a reasonable time after
receiving notice of the commencement of the action, in each of which cases the
reasonable fees, disbursements and other charges of counsel will be at the
expense of the indemnifying party or parties. It is understood that the
indemnifying party or parties shall not, in connection with any proceeding or
related proceedings in the same jurisdiction, be liable for the reasonable fees,
disbursements and other charges of more than one separate firm of attorneys (in
addition to any local counsel) at any one time for all such indemnified party or
parties. Each indemnified party, as a condition of the indemnity agreements
contained in Sections 6(a) and 6(b), shall use all reasonable efforts to
cooperate with the indemnifying party in the defense of any such action or
claim. No indemnifying party shall be liable for any settlement of any such
action effected without its written consent (which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld), but if settled with its written consent or if there be a
final judgment for the plaintiff in any such action, the indemnifying party
agrees to indemnify and hold harmless any indemnified party from and against any
loss or liability by reason of such settlement or judgment. No indemnifying
party shall, without the prior written consent of the indemnified party (which
consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), effect any settlement of any
pending or threatened proceeding in respect of which any indemnified party is or
could have been a party and indemnity could have been sought hereunder by such
indemnified party, unless such settlement includes an unconditional release of
such indemnified party from all liability on claims that are the subject matter
of such proceeding.
15
-15-
7. Contribution. If, other than in accordance with its terms,
the indemnification provided for in Section 6 is unavailable or insufficient to
hold harmless an indemnified party under Section 6(a) or 6(b), then each
indemnifying party shall, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party,
contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result
of such loss, claim, damage or liability, or action in respect thereof, (i) in
such proportion as shall be appropriate to reflect the relative benefits
received by the Company from the offering and sale of the Securities, on the one
hand, and a Holder with respect to the sale by such Holder of Securities,
Exchange Securities or Private Exchange Securities, on the other, 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 the Issuers on
the one hand and such Holder on the other with respect to the statements or
omissions that resulted in such loss, claim, damage or liability, or action in
respect thereof, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The
relative benefits received by the Issuers on the one hand and a Holder on the
other with respect to such offering and such sale shall be deemed to be in the
same proportion as the total net proceeds from the offering of the Securities
(before deducting expenses) received by or on behalf of the Issuers as set forth
in the table on the cover of the Offering Memorandum, on the one hand, bear to
the total proceeds received by such Holder with respect to its sale of
Securities, Exchange Securities or Private Exchange Securities, on the other.
The relative fault 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 the Issuers or
information supplied by the Issuers on the one hand or to any Holders'
Information supplied by such Holder on the other, the intent of the parties and
their relative knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or
prevent such untrue statement or omission. The parties hereto agree that it
would not be just and equitable if contributions pursuant to this Section 7 were
to be determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation
that does not take into account the equitable considerations referred to herein.
The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the loss,
claim, damage or liability, or action in respect thereof, referred to above in
this Section 7 shall be deemed to include, for purposes of this Section 7, any
legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in
connection with investigating or defending or preparing to defend any such
action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 7, an
indemnifying party that is a Holder of Securities, Exchange Securities or
Private Exchange Securities shall not be required to contribute any amount in
excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Securities, Exchange
Securities or Private Exchange Securities sold by such indemnifying party to any
purchaser exceeds the amount of any damages which such indemnifying party has
otherwise paid or become liable to pay by reason of any 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.
8. Rules 144 and 144A. Each of the Issuers shall, for so long
as it is subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, use its
reasonable best efforts to file
16
-16-
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 the Issuers are not required to file
such reports, they shall, upon the written request of any Holder of Transfer
Restricted Securities, provide other information so long as necessary to permit
sales of such Holder's securities pursuant to Rules 144 and 144A. Each of the
Issuers covenants that it will take such further reasonable action as any Holder
of Transfer Restricted Securities may reasonably request, all to the extent
required from time to time to enable such Holder to sell Transfer Restricted
Securities without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation
of the exemptions provided by Rules 144 and 144A (including, without limitation,
the requirements of Rule 144A(d)(4)). Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in
this Section 8 shall be deemed to require the Issuers to register any of their
securities pursuant to the Exchange Act.
9. Underwritten Registrations. If any of the Transfer
Restricted Securities covered by any Shelf Registration Statement 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 shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), and such Holders shall be
responsible for all underwriting commissions and discounts in connection
therewith.
No person may participate in any underwritten registration
hereunder unless such person (i) agrees to sell such person's 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 reasonably
required under the terms of such underwriting arrangements.
10. Miscellaneous. (a) Amendments and Waivers. The provisions
of this Agreement may not be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or
consents to departures from the provisions hereof may not be given, unless the
Company has obtained the written consent of Holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the Securities, the Exchange Securities and the Private
Exchange Securities, taken as a single class. 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 whose Securities, Exchange
Securities or Private Exchange Securities are being sold pursuant to a
Registration Statement and that does not directly or indirectly materially
affect the rights of other Holders may be given by Holders of a majority in
aggregate principal amount of the Securities, the Exchange Securities and the
Private Exchange Securities being sold by such Holders pursuant to such
Registration Statement.
(b) Notices. All notices and other communications provided for
or permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, first-class
mail, telecopier or air courier guaranteeing next-day delivery:
17
-17-
(1) if to a Holder, at the most current address given by
such Holder to the Company in accordance with the provisions of this
Section 10(b), which address initially is, with respect to each Holder,
the address of such Holder maintained by the Registrar under the
Indenture, with a copy in like manner to Merrill Lynch & Co., J.P.
Morgan Securities Inc. and Chase Securities Inc.;
(2) if to an Initial Purchaser, initially at its address
set forth in the Purchase Agreement; and
(3) if to the Issuers, initially at the address of the
Company set forth in the Purchase Agreement.
All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have
been duly given: when delivered by hand, if personally delivered; one business
day after being delivered to a next-day air courier; five business days after
being deposited in the mail; and when receipt is acknowledged by the recipient's
telecopier machine, if sent by telecopier.
(c) Successors And Assigns. This Agreement shall be
binding upon the Issuers and their successors and assigns.
(d) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number
of counterparts (which may be delivered in original form or by telecopier) 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.
(e) Definition of Terms. For purposes of this Agreement, (a)
the term "business day" means any day on which the New York Stock Exchange, Inc.
is open for trading, (b) the term "subsidiary" has the meaning set forth in Rule
405 under the Securities Act and (c) except where otherwise expressly provided,
the term "affiliate" has the meaning set forth in Rule 405 under the Securities
Act.
(f) Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for
convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the
meaning hereof.
(g) Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
(h) Remedies. In the event of a breach by the Issuers or by
any Holder of any of their obligations under this Agreement, each Holder or the
Issuers, as the case may be, in addition to being entitled to exercise all
rights granted by law, including recovery of damages (other than the recovery of
damages for a breach by the Issuers of their obligations under Sections 1 or 2
hereof for which Additional Interest has been paid pursuant to Section 3
hereof), will be entitled to specific performance of its rights under this
Agreement. The Issuers and each Holder agree that monetary damages would not be
adequate compensation for
18
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any loss incurred by reason of a breach by it of any of the provisions of this
Agreement and hereby further agree 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.
(i) No Inconsistent Agreements. Each of the Issuers
represents, warrants and agrees that (i) it has not entered into, shall not, on
or after the date of this Agreement, enter into any agreement that is
inconsistent with the rights granted to the Holders in this Agreement or
otherwise conflicts with the provisions hereof, (ii) it has not previously
entered into any agreement which remains in effect granting any registration
rights with respect to any of its debt securities to any person (except for the
registration rights agreement in connection with the Old Notes (as defined in
the Purchase Agreement) and (iii) without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, without the written consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the then outstanding Transfer Restricted Securities, it
shall not grant to any person the right to request the Issuers to register any
debt securities of the Issuers under the Securities Act unless the rights so
granted are not in conflict or inconsistent with the provisions of this
Agreement.
(j) No Piggyback on Registrations. Neither the Issuers nor any
of their security holders (other than the Holders of Transfer Restricted
Securities in such capacity) shall have the right to include any securities of
the Issuers in any Shelf Registration or Registered Exchange Offer other than
Transfer Restricted Securities.
(k) 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 best 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.
19
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Please confirm that the foregoing correctly sets forth the
agreement among the Issuers and the Initial Purchasers.
Very truly yours,
SOVEREIGN SPECIALTY CHEMICALS, INC.
By: /s/ Robert B. Covalt
-------------------------------
Name: Robert B. Covalt
Title: Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer
20
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Accepted:
MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED
By: /s/ Lex Maultsby
--------------------------------
Authorized Signatory
J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES INC.
By: /s/ Jose Briones
- -------------------------------------
Authorized Signatory
CHASE SECURITIES INC.
By: /s/ Gerald Murray
- -------------------------------------
Authorized Signatory
21
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Each of the Subsidiaries specified below agrees to become a
party to this Agreement as a Guarantor as of the date hereof:
OSI SEALANTS, INC.
By: /s/ Robert B. Covalt
----------------------------
Name: Robert B. Covalt
Title: Chairman
PIERCE & STEVENS CORP.
By: /s/ Robert B. Covalt
----------------------------
Name: Robert B. Covalt
Title: Chairman
SIA ADHESIVES, INC.
By: /s/ Robert B. Covalt
----------------------------
Name: Robert B. Covalt
Title: Chairman
TANNER CHEMICALS, INC.
By: /s/ Robert B. Covalt
----------------------------
Name: Robert B. Covalt
Title: Chairman
22
ANNEX A
Each broker-dealer that receives Exchange Securities for its
own account pursuant to the Registered Exchange Offer must acknowledge that it
will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such Exchange
Securities. The Letter of Transmittal states that by so acknowledging and by
delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is
an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act. This Prospectus, as
it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a
broker-dealer in connection with resales of Exchange Securities received in
exchange for Securities where such Securities were acquired by such
broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading
activities. The Company has agreed that, for a period of 180 days after the
Expiration Date (as defined herein), it will make this Prospectus available to
any broker-dealer for use in connection with any such resale. See "Plan of
Distribution."
23
ANNEX B
Each broker-dealer that receives Exchange Securities for its
own account in exchange for Securities, where such Securities were acquired by
such broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading
activities, must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection
with any resale of such Exchange Securities. See "Plan of Distribution".
24
ANNEX C
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
Each broker-dealer that receives Exchange Securities for its
own account pursuant to the Registered Exchange Offer must acknowledge that it
will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such Exchange
Securities. This Prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented from time to
time, may be used by a broker-dealer in connection with resales of Exchange
Securities received in exchange for Securities where such Securities were
acquired as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities.
The Issuers have agreed that, for a period of 180 days after the Expiration
Date, they will make this prospectus, as amended or supplemented, available to
any broker-dealer for use in connection with any such resale. In addition, until
_______________, 2000, all dealers effecting transactions in the Exchange
Securities may be required to deliver a prospectus.
The Issuers will not receive any proceeds from any sale of
Exchange Securities by broker-dealers. Exchange Securities received by
broker-dealers for their own account pursuant to the Registered Exchange Offer
may be sold from time to time in one or more transactions in the
over-the-counter market, in negotiated transactions, through the writing of
options on the Exchange Securities or a combination of such methods of resale,
at market prices prevailing at the time of resale, at prices related to such
prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. Any such resale may be made
directly to purchasers or to or through brokers or dealers who may receive
compensation in the form of commissions or concessions from any such
broker-dealer or the purchasers of any such Exchange Securities. Any
broker-dealer that resells Exchange Securities that were received by it for its
own account pursuant to the Registered Exchange Offer and any broker or dealer
that participates in a distribution of such Exchange Securities may be deemed to
be an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act and any profit on
any such resale of Exchange Securities and any commission or concessions
received by any such persons may be deemed to be underwriting compensation under
the Securities Act. The Letter of Transmittal states that, by acknowledging that
it will deliver and by delivering a prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be
deemed to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities
Act.
For a period of 180 days after the Expiration Date the Issuers
will promptly send additional copies of this Prospectus and any amendment or
supplement to this Prospectus to any broker-dealer that requests such documents
in the Letter of Transmittal. The Issuers have agreed to pay all expenses
incident to the Registered Exchange Offer other than commissions or concessions
of any broker-dealers and will indemnify the Holders of the Securities
25
(including any broker-dealers) against certain liabilities, including
liabilities under the Securities Act.
26
ANNEX D
[ ] CHECK HERE IF YOU ARE A BROKER-DEALER AND WISH TO RECEIVE 10
ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THE PROSPECTUS AND 10 COPIES OF ANY
AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO.
Name:
Address:
If the undersigned is not a broker-dealer, the undersigned represents that it is
not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, a distribution of Exchange
Securities. If the undersigned is a broker-dealer that will receive Exchange
Securities for its own account in exchange for Securities that were acquired as
a result of market-making activities or other trading activities, it
acknowledges that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of
such Exchange Securities; however, by so acknowledging and by delivering a
prospectus, the undersigned will not be deemed to admit that it is an
"underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act.