UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d)

of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): July 30, 2020

 

 

ASTRONOVA, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Rhode Island   0-13200   05-0318215

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

600 East Greenwich Avenue

West Warwick, RI 02893

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(401) 828-4000

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code

Not applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

 

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

 

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

 

Title of Each Class

 

Trading Symbol(s)

 

Name of Each Exchange on

which Registered

Common Stock, $0.05 Par Value   ALOT   NASDAQ Global Market

Emerging growth company  ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐

 

 

 


Item 1.01

Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

The information set forth in Item 2.03 below is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 2.03

Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.

On July 30, 2020, AstroNova, Inc. (the “Company”) entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “A&R Credit Agreement”) with Bank of America, N.A., as lender (the “Lender”), ANI ApS, a Danish private limited liability company and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, and TrojanLabel ApS, a Danish private limited liability company and wholly-owned subsidiary of ANI ApS (“TrojanLabel”). The A&R Credit Agreement amended and restated the Credit Agreement dated as of February 28, 2017 (the “Existing Credit Agreement”) by and among the Company, ANI ApS, TrojanLabel and the Lender. In connection with the A&R Credit Agreement, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Security and Pledge Agreement (the “Security Agreement”) and a mortgage in favor of the Lender with respect to the Company’s owned real property in West Warwick, Rhode Island (the “Mortgage”). Immediately prior to the closing of the A&R Credit Agreement, the Company repaid $1,500,000 in principal amount of term loans outstanding under the Existing Credit Agreement.

Under the A&R Credit Agreement, the Company is the sole borrower and its obligations are guaranteed by ANI ApS and TrojanLabel. The A&R Credit Agreement provides for (i) a term loan to the Company in the principal amount of $15,232,000, which was used to refinance the outstanding term loans borrowed by the Company and ANI ApS under the Existing Credit Agreement and a portion of the outstanding revolving loans borrowed by the Company under the Existing Credit Agreement, and (ii) a $10,000,000 revolving credit facility available to the Company for general corporate purposes. Revolving credit loans may be borrowed, at the Company’s option, in U.S. Dollars or, subject to certain conditions, Euros, British Pounds, Canadian Dollars or Danish Kroner. At the closing of the A&R Credit Agreement, the Company borrowed the entire term loan and $6,500,000 in principal amount under the revolving credit facility.

Like the Existing Credit Agreement, the A&R Credit Agreement requires that the term loan be paid in quarterly installments on the last day of each fiscal quarter of the Company over the term of the A&R Credit Agreement. The A&R Credit Agreement modified the term loan repayment schedule as follows: the principal amount of each quarterly installment required to be paid on the last day of each of the Company’s fiscal quarters ending July 31, 2020 and October 31, 2020 was reduced by $500,000 for each quarter to $802,000; the principal amount of the quarterly installment required to be paid on the last day of the Company’s fiscal quarter ending January 31, 2021 was reduced by $300,000 to $1,052,000; the principal amount of the quarterly installment required to be paid on the last day of the Company’s fiscal quarter ending April 30, 2021 was reduced by $250,000 to $1,144,000; the principal amount of each quarterly installment required to be paid on the last day of each of the Company’s fiscal quarters ending July 31, 2021, October 31, 2021, January 31, 2022 and April 30, 2022 remains $1,394,000; the entire remaining principal balance of the term loan is required to be paid on June 15, 2022. The Company may voluntarily prepay the term loan, in whole or in part, from time to time without premium

 

2


or penalty (other than customary breakage costs, if applicable). The Company may repay borrowings under the revolving credit facility at any time without premium or penalty (other than customary breakage costs, if applicable), but in any event no later than June 15, 2022, and any outstanding revolving loans thereunder will be due and payable in full, and the revolving credit facility will terminate, on such date. The Company may reduce or terminate the revolving line of credit at any time, subject to certain thresholds and conditions, without premium or penalty.

As under the Existing Credit Agreement, the loans under the A&R Credit Agreement are subject to certain mandatory prepayments, subject to various exceptions, from (a) net cash proceeds from certain dispositions of property, (b) net cash proceeds from certain issuances of equity, (c) net cash proceeds from certain issuances of additional debt and (d) net cash proceeds from certain extraordinary receipts.

Amounts repaid under the revolving credit facility may be reborrowed, subject to continued compliance with the A&R Credit Agreement. No amount of the term loan that is repaid may be reborrowed.

The interest rates under the A&R Credit Agreement were modified as follows. The term loan and revolving credit loans bear interest at a rate per annum equal to, at the Company’s option, either (a) the LIBOR Rate (or in the case of revolving credit loans denominated in a currency other than U.S. Dollars, the applicable quoted rate), plus a margin that varies within a range of 2.15% to 3.65% based on the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio, or (b) a fluctuating reference rate equal to the highest of (i) the federal fund rate plus 0.50%, (ii) Bank of America’s publicly announced prime rate, (iii) the LIBOR Rate plus 1.00% or (iv) 1.00%, plus a margin that varies within a range of 1.15% to 2.65% based on the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio. In addition to certain other fees and expenses that the Company is required to pay to the Lender, the Company is required to pay a commitment fee on the undrawn portion of the revolving credit facility that varies within a range of .25% and .675% based on the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio.

As under the Existing Credit Agreement, the Company must comply with various customary financial and non-financial covenants under the A&R Credit Agreement. In addition to the financial covenants under the Existing Credit Agreement, which consisted of a maximum consolidated leverage ratio, a minimum consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio and a minimum level of EBITDA, the A&R Credit Agreement includes a consolidated asset coverage ratio and a minimum level of liquidity. The primary non-financial covenants limit the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ ability to incur future indebtedness, to place liens on assets, to pay dividends or distributions on their capital stock, to repurchase or acquire their capital stock, to conduct mergers or acquisitions, to sell assets, to alter their capital structure, to make investments and loans, to change the nature of their business, and to prepay subordinated indebtedness, in each case subject to certain exceptions and thresholds as set forth in the A&R Credit Agreement.

The Lender is entitled to accelerate repayment of the loans and to terminate its revolving credit commitment under the A&R Credit Agreement upon the occurrence of any of various customary events of default, which include, among other events, the following (which are

 

3


subject, in some cases, to certain grace periods): failure to pay when due any principal, interest or other amounts in respect of the loans, breach of any of the Company’s covenants or representations under the loan documents, default under any other of the Company’s or its subsidiaries’ significant indebtedness agreements, a bankruptcy, insolvency or similar event with respect to the Company or any of its subsidiaries, a significant unsatisfied judgment against the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or a change of control of the Company.

In addition to the guarantees by ANI ApS and TrojanLabel, the Company’s obligations under the A&R Credit Agreement are also secured by substantially all of the personal property assets of the Company (including a pledge of the equity interests held by the Company in ANI ApS, in the Company’s wholly-owned German subsidiary AstroNova GmbH, and in the Company’s wholly-owned French subsidiary AstroNova SAS), subject to certain exceptions, and by a mortgage on Company’s owned real property in West Warwick, Rhode Island.

In connection with the Company’s entry into the A&R Credit Agreement, and as a condition of the Lender’s entry into the A&R Credit Agreement, the Company terminated its interest rate swap and cross-currency interest rate swap (the “Swaps”) that it previously used to manage the interest rate and foreign currency exchange risks associated with its prior borrowings under the Existing Credit Agreement. The Company paid approximately $700,000 in connection with the termination of the Swaps.

Copies of the A&R Credit Agreement, the Security Agreement and the Mortgage have been filed as Exhibits 10.1, 10.2 and 10.3 hereto, respectively, and are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 9.01

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

 

Exhibit No.

  

Exhibit

10.1    Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of July 30, 2020 among AstroNova, Inc., ANI ApS, TrojanLabel ApS, and Bank of America, N.A.
10.2    Amended and Restated Security and Pledge Agreement dated as of July 30, 2020 among AstroNova, Inc. and Bank of America, N.A.
10.3    Open-End Mortgage Deed to Secure Present and Future Loans under Chapter 25 of Title 34 of the Rhode Island General Laws, Assignment of Leases and Rents, Security Agreement and Fixture Filing dated as of July 30, 2020 among AstroNova, Inc. and Bank of America, N.A.

 

4


SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

   

ASTRONOVA, INC.

Dated: August 5, 2020     By:  

/s/ David S. Smith

     

David S. Smith

     

Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

5

EX-10.1

Ehibit 10.1

 

 

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

Dated as of July 30, 2020

among

ASTRONOVA, INC.,

as the Borrower,

CERTAIN SUBSIDIARIES OF THE BORROWER PARTY HERETO,

as the Guarantors

and

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,

as the Lender

 

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

Article I

 

DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS

     1  

1.01

 

Defined Terms

     32  

1.02

 

Other Interpretive Provisions

     33  

1.03

 

Accounting Terms

     34  

1.04

 

Rounding

     34  

1.05

 

Times of Day; Rates

     34  

1.06

 

Letter of Credit Amounts

     34  

1.07

 

UCC Terms

     34  

1.08

 

Exchange Rates; Currency Equivalents

     34  

1.09

 

Additional Alternative Currencies

     35  

1.10

 

Change of Currency

     35  

Article II

 

COMMITMENTS AND CREDIT EXTENSIONS

     36  

2.01

 

Loans

     36  

2.02

 

Borrowings, Conversions and Continuations of Loans

     36  

2.03

 

Letters of Credit

     38  

2.04

 

Reserved

     43  

2.05

 

Prepayments

     43  

2.06

 

Termination or Reduction of Commitments

     45  

2.07

 

Repayment of Loans

     45  

2.08

 

Interest and Default Rate

     46  

2.09

 

Fees

     47  

2.10

 

Computation of Interest and Fees; Retroactive Adjustments of Applicable Rate

     47  

2.11

 

Payments Generally

     48  

2.12

 

Cash Collateral

     48  

2.13

 

Incremental Commitments

     49  

2.14

 

Register

     49  

2.15

 

Bifurcation

  

Article III

 

TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY

     50  

3.01

 

Taxes

     50  

3.02

 

Illegality

     51  

3.03

 

Inability to Determine Rates

     52  

3.04

 

Increased Costs; Reserves on Eurocurrency Rate Loans

     53  

3.05

 

Compensation for Losses

     54  

 

i


3.06

 

Survival

     55  

Article IV

 

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CREDIT EXTENSIONS

     55  

4.01

 

Conditions of Initial Credit Extension

     55  

4.02

 

Conditions to all Credit Extensions

     57  

Article V

 

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

     58  

5.01

 

Existence, Qualification and Power

     58  

5.02

 

Authorization; No Contravention

     58  

5.03

 

Governmental Authorization; Other Consents

     59  

5.04

 

Binding Effect

     59  

5.05

 

Financial Statements; No Material Adverse Effect

     59  

5.06

 

Litigation

     60  

5.07

 

No Default

     60  

5.08

 

Ownership of Property

     60  

5.09

 

Environmental Compliance

     60  

5.10

 

Maintenance of Insurance

     61  

5.11

 

Taxes

     61  

5.12

 

ERISA Compliance

     61  

5.13

 

Margin Regulations; Investment Borrower Act

     62  

5.14

 

Disclosure

     62  

5.15

 

Solvency

     63  

5.16

 

Casualty, Etc

     63  

5.17

 

Sanctions Concerns and Anti-Corruption Laws

     63  

5.18

 

Responsible Officers

     63  

5.19

 

Subsidiaries; Equity Interests; Loan Parties

     63  

5.20

 

Collateral Representations

     64  

5.21

 

EEA Financial Institutions

     65  

5.22

 

Intellectual Property; Licenses, Etc

     65  

5.23

 

Labor Matters

     66  

5.24

 

Representations as to Foreign Obligors

     66  

5.25

 

Borrower Loan Documents

     67  

Article VI

 

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

     67  

6.01

 

Financial Statements

     67  

6.02

 

Certificates; Other Information

     69  

6.03

 

Notices

     70  

6.04

 

Payment of Obligations

     71  

 

ii


6.05

 

Preservation of Existence, Etc

     71  

6.06

 

Maintenance of Properties

     71  

6.07

 

Maintenance of Insurance

     71  

6.08

 

Compliance with Laws

     72  

6.09

 

Books and Records

     72  

6.10

 

Inspection Rights

     72  

6.11

 

Use of Proceeds

     73  

6.12

 

Reserved

     73  

6.13

 

Covenant to Guarantee Obligations

     73  

6.14

 

Covenant to Give Security

     73  

6.15

 

Further Assurances

     74  

6.16

 

Reserved

     75  

6.17

 

Compliance with Environmental Laws

     75  

6.18

 

Preparation of Environmental Reports

     76  

6.19

 

Approvals and Authorizations

     76  

6.20

 

Anti-Corruption Laws

     76  

6.21

 

Reserved

     76  

6.22

 

Pari Passu Ranking

     76  

Article VII

 

NEGATIVE COVENANTS

     77  

7.01

 

Liens

     77  

7.02

 

Indebtedness

     78  

7.03

 

Investments

     80  

7.04

 

Fundamental Changes

     81  

7.05

 

Dispositions

     82  

7.06

 

Restricted Payments

     82  

7.07

 

Change in Nature of Business

     83  

7.08

 

Transactions with Affiliates

     83  

7.09

 

Burdensome Agreements

     84  

7.10

 

Use of Proceeds

     84  

7.11

 

Financial Covenants

     84  

7.12

 

Reserved

     85  

7.13

  Amendments of Organization Documents; Fiscal Year; Legal Name, State of Formation; Form of Entity and Accounting Changes      85  

7.14

 

Sale and Leaseback Transactions

     85  

7.15

 

Prepayments, Etc. of Indebtedness

     85  

 

iii


7.16

 

Sanctions

     86  

7.17

 

Anti-Corruption Laws

     86  

7.18

 

AstroNova Aerospace, Inc

     86  

Article VIII

 

EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

     86  

8.01

 

Events of Default

     86  

8.02

 

Remedies upon Event of Default

     88  

8.03

 

Application of Funds

     89  

Article IX

 

CONTINUING GUARANTY

     89  

9.01

 

Guaranty

     89  

9.02

 

Rights of Lender

     90  

9.03

 

Certain Waivers

     90  

9.04

 

Obligations Independent

     91  

9.05

 

Subrogation

     91  

9.06

 

Termination; Reinstatement

     91  

9.07

 

Stay of Acceleration

     91  

9.08

 

Condition of Borrower

     91  

9.09

 

Appointment of Borrower

     92  

9.10

 

Right of Contribution

     92  

9.11

 

Keepwell

     92  

Article X

 

MISCELLANEOUS

     92  

10.01

 

Amendments, Etc

     92  

10.02

 

Notices; Effectiveness; Electronic Communications

     92  

10.03

 

No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies; Enforcement

     93  

10.04

 

Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver

     94  

10.05

 

Payments Set Aside

     95  

10.06

 

Successors and Assigns

     95  

10.07

 

Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality

     95  

10.08

 

Right of Setoff

     96  

10.09

 

Interest Rate Limitation

     97  

10.10

 

Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness

     97  

10.11

 

Survival of Representations and Warranties

     98  

10.12

 

Severability

     98  

10.13

 

Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Etc

     98  

10.14

 

Waiver of Jury Trial

     99  

10.15

 

Subordination

     99  

 

iv


10.16

 

No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility

     100  

10.17

 

Electronic Execution

     100  

10.18

 

USA PATRIOT Act Notice

     101  

10.19

 

ENTIRE AGREEMENT

     101  

10.20

 

Judgment Currency

     101  

10.21

 

Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions

     101  

 

v


BORROWER PREPARED SCHEDULES

 

Schedule 1.01(b)    Responsible Officers
Schedule 1.01(c)    Fiscal Quarters
Schedule 5.10    Insurance
Schedule 5.12    Pension Plans
Schedule 5.19(a)    Subsidiaries, Joint Ventures, Partnerships and Other Equity Investments
Schedule 5.19(b)    Loan Parties
Schedule 5.20(b)    Intellectual Property
Schedule 5.20(c)    Documents, Instrument, and Tangible Chattel Paper
Schedule 5.20(d)(i)    Deposit Accounts & Securities Accounts
Schedule 5.20(d)(ii)    Electronic Chattel Paper & Letter-of-Credit Rights
Schedule 5.20(e)    Commercial Tort Claims
Schedule 5.20(f)    Pledged Equity Interests
Schedule 5.20(g)(i)    Mortgaged Properties
Schedule 5.20(g)(ii)    Other Properties
Schedule 6.14    Excluded Accounts; Danish Foreign Account
Schedule 7.01    Existing Liens
Schedule 7.02    Existing Indebtedness
Schedule 7.03    Existing Investments

LENDER PREPARED SCHEDULES

 

Schedule 1.01(a)    Certain Addresses for Notices
Schedule 1.01(d)    Mortgaged Property Support Documentation

EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit A    Form of Compliance Certificate
Exhibit B    Form of Joinder Agreement
Exhibit C    Form of Loan Notice
Exhibit D    Form of Permitted Acquisition Certificate
Exhibit E    Form of Solvency Certificate
Exhibit F    Form of Notice of Loan Prepayment

 

vi


AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

This AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT is entered into as of July 30, 2020, among ASTRONOVA, INC., a Rhode Island corporation (the “Borrower”), the Guarantors (defined herein), and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as the Lender (the “Lender”).

PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS:

WHEREAS, the Borrower entered into that certain Credit Agreement dated as of February 28, 2017 by, among others, the Borrower, the guarantors party thereto and the Lender (as amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Existing Credit Agreement”);

WHEREAS, immediately prior to the effectiveness of this Agreement, the outstanding principal amount of Revolving Loans (under as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement) is $11,500,000 (the “Existing Revolver Outstandings”); the aggregate principal amount of the Danish Term Loan (under and as defined in the Existing Term Loan) is $4,232,000 (the “Existing Danish Term Loan”), and the aggregate principal amount of the U.S. Term Loan (under and as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement) is $6,000,000 (the “Existing U.S. Term Loan”, and, together with the Existing Danish Term Loan and the Existing Revolver Outstandings, the “Existing Outstandings”) (after giving effect to the prepayment of the Existing U.S. Term Loan on the Closing Date, in an aggregate principal amount of $1,500,000);

WHEREAS, the parties hereto have agreed to amend and restate the Existing Credit Agreement as provided in this Agreement, which Agreement shall become effective upon the satisfaction of the conditions precedent set forth in Section 4.01 hereof; and

WHEREAS, it is the intent of the parties hereto that this Agreement not constitute a novation of the obligations and liabilities existing under the Existing Credit Agreement or evidence repayment of any of such obligations and liabilities and that this Agreement amend and restate in its entirety the Existing Credit Agreement and re-evidence the obligations of the Borrower outstanding thereunder in accordance with the terms hereof.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, the parties hereto covenant and agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS

 

1.01

Defined Terms.

As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

Accounts Receivable Percentage” means, at all times prior to the completion of the Post-Closing Field Exam, eighty percent (80%), and upon the completion of the Post-Closing Field Exam and at all times thereafter, eighty percent (80%) or such other percentage as may be determined by the Lender in its reasonable discretion in consultation with the Borrower based on the results of the Post-Closing Field Exam.

Acquisition” means the acquisition, whether through a single transaction or a series of related transactions, of (a) a majority of the Voting Stock or other controlling ownership interest in another Person (including the purchase of an option, warrant or convertible or similar type security to acquire such a

 

1


controlling interest at the time it becomes exercisable by the holder thereof), whether by purchase of such equity or other ownership interest or upon the exercise of an option or warrant for, or conversion of securities into, such equity or other ownership interest, or (b) assets of another Person which constitute all or substantially all of the assets of such Person or of a division, line of business or other business unit of such Person.

Affiliate” means, with respect to a specified Person, another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified.

Agreement” means this Credit Agreement.

Agreement Currency” has the meaning specified in Section 10.20.

Alternative Currency” means each of the following currencies: Euros, British Pounds, Canadian Dollars and Danish Krone, together with each other currency (other than Dollars) that is approved in accordance with Section 1.09; provided that for each Alternative Currency, such requested currency is an Eligible Currency.

Alternative Currency Equivalent” means, at any time, with respect to any amount denominated in Dollars, the equivalent amount thereof in the applicable Alternative Currency as determined by the Lender at such time on the basis of the Spot Rate (determined in respect of the most recent Revaluation Date) for the purchase of such Alternative Currency with Dollars.

Alternative Currency Sublimit” means an amount equal to the lesser of the Revolving Commitment and $5,000,000. The Alternative Currency Sublimit is part of, and not in addition to, the Revolving Commitment.

Applicable Rate” means, (i) for any day on or prior to the date on which the Compliance Certificate for the Fiscal Quarter ending on January 31, 2021 has been delivered to the Lender, the rate per annum set forth below for Level 4, and (ii) for any date thereafter, the rate per annum set forth below opposite the applicable Level then in effect (based on the Consolidated Leverage Ratio):

 

 

Applicable Rate

 

Level      Consolidated
Leverage Ratio
   Eurocurrency
Rate
   Letter of
Credit Fees
   Base Rate    Commitment Fee
1    < 1.00:1    215 bps    215 bps    115 bps    25 bps
2    > 1.00:1 but
< 2.00:1
   265 bps    265 bps    165 bps    37.5 bps
3    > 2.00:1    315 bps    315 bps    215 bps    50 bps
4    N/A    365 bps    365 bps    265 bps    67.5 bps

Any increase or decrease in the Applicable Rate resulting from a change in the Consolidated Leverage Ratio shall become effective as of the first Business Day immediately following the date a Compliance Certificate is delivered pursuant to Section 6.02(a); provided, however, that if a Compliance Certificate is not delivered when due in accordance with such Section, then, Pricing Level 4 shall apply unless otherwise agreed to by the Lender, in each case as of the first Business Day after the date on which such Compliance Certificate was required to have been delivered and in each case shall remain in effect until the first Business Day following the date on which such Compliance Certificate is delivered.

 

2


Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this definition, the determination of the Applicable Rate for any period shall be subject to the provisions of Section 2.10(b). Any adjustment in the Applicable Rate shall be applicable to all Credit Extensions then existing or subsequently made or issued.

Applicable Time” means, with respect to any borrowings and payments in any Alternative Currency, the local time in the place of settlement for such Alternative Currency as may be determined by the Lender to be necessary for timely settlement on the relevant date in accordance with normal banking procedures in the place of payment.

Approved Fund” means, any Person (other than a natural person) that is engaged in making, purchasing, holding or investing in bank loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business and that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.

Attributable Indebtedness” means, on any date, (a) in respect of any Capitalized Lease of any Person, the capitalized amount thereof that would appear on a balance sheet of such Person prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP, and (b) in respect of any Synthetic Lease Obligation, the capitalized amount of the remaining lease or similar payments under the relevant lease or other applicable agreement or instrument that would appear on a balance sheet of such Person prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP if such lease or other agreement or instrument were accounted for as a Capitalized Lease.

Audited Financial Statements” means the audited Consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for each of the fiscal years ended January 31, 2018, January 31, 2019 and January 31, 2020 and the related Consolidated statements of income or operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for such fiscal year of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, including the notes thereto.

Authorization to Share Insurance Information” means the authorization in form and substance satisfactory to the Lender (or such other form as required by each of the Loan Party’s insurance companies).

Availability” means, on any date of determination, the Revolving Commitments then applicable minus the aggregate amount of Revolving Borrowings then outstanding.

Availability Period” means in respect of the Revolving Facility, the period from and including the Closing Date to the earliest of (i) the Maturity Date for the Revolving Facility, (ii) the date of termination of the Revolving Commitment pursuant to Section 2.06, and (iii) the date of termination of the Revolving Commitment of the Lender to make Revolving Loans and L/C Credit Extensions pursuant to Section 8.02.

Bail-In Action” means the exercise of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by the applicable EEA Resolution Authority in respect of any liability of an EEA Financial Institution.

Bail-In Legislation” means, with respect to any EEA Member Country implementing Article 55 of Directive 2014/59/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, the implementing law for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.

Bank of America” means Bank of America, N.A. and its successors.

 

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Base Rate” means for any day a fluctuating rate of interest per annum equal to the highest of (a) the Federal Funds Rate plus one-half of one percent (0.50%), (b) the rate of interest in effect for such day as publicly announced from time to time by Bank of America as its “prime rate,” and (c) the Eurocurrency Rate plus one percent (1.00%); and if the Base Rate shall be less than one percent (1.00%), such rate shall be deemed one percent (1.00%) for purposes of this Agreement. The “prime rate” is a rate set by Bank of America based upon various factors including Bank of America’s costs and desired return, general economic conditions and other factors, and is used as a reference point for pricing some loans, which may be priced at, above, or below such announced rate. Any change in such prime rate announced by Bank of America shall take effect at the opening of business on the day specified in the public announcement of such change.

Base Rate Loan” means a Revolving Loan or a Term Loan that bears interest based on the Base Rate. All Base Rate Loans are only available to the Borrower and shall be denominated in Dollars.

Beneficial Ownership Certification” means a certification regarding beneficial ownership required by the Beneficial Ownership Regulation.

Beneficial Ownership Regulation” means 31 C.F.R. § 1010.230.

Borrower” has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph hereto.

Borrowing” means a Revolving Borrowing or a Term Borrowing, as the context may require.

Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks are authorized to close under the Laws of, or are in fact closed in, the state where the Lender’s Office is located and:

(a) if such day relates to any interest rate settings as to a Eurocurrency Rate Loan denominated in Dollars, any fundings, disbursements, settlements and payments in Dollars in respect of any such Eurocurrency Rate Loan, or any other dealings in Dollars to be carried out pursuant to this Agreement in respect of any such Eurocurrency Rate Loan, means any such day that is also a London Banking Day;

(b) if such day relates to any interest rate settings as to a Eurocurrency Rate Loan denominated in Euro, any fundings, disbursements, settlements and payments in Euro in respect of any such Eurocurrency Rate Loan, or any other dealings in Euro to be carried out pursuant to this Agreement in respect of any such Eurocurrency Rate Loan, means a TARGET Day;

(c) if such day relates to any interest rate settings as to a Eurocurrency Rate Loan denominated in a currency other than Dollars or Euro, means any such day on which dealings in deposits in the relevant currency are conducted by and between banks in the London or other applicable offshore interbank market for such currency; and

(d) if such day relates to any fundings, disbursements, settlements and payments in a currency other than Dollars or Euro in respect of a Eurocurrency Rate Loan denominated in a currency other than Dollars or Euro, or any other dealings in any currency other than Dollars or Euro to be carried out pursuant to this Agreement in respect of any such Eurocurrency Rate Loan (other than any interest rate settings), means any such day on which banks are open for foreign exchange business in the principal financial center of the country of such currency.

Canadian Dollar” and “CAD” means the lawful currency of Canada.

 

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Capital Expenditures” means, with respect to any Person for any period, any expenditure in respect of the purchase or other acquisition of any fixed or capital asset (excluding normal replacements and maintenance which are properly charged to current operations, and excluding Acquisitions).

Capital Expenditure Testing Termination Date” means the Fiscal Quarter end date, if ever, after April 30, 2021 as of which Consolidated EBITDA of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries exceeds $9,500,000 for two (2) consecutive Fiscal Quarters ended on and before such date, as evidenced by delivery of the Compliance Certificates for such Fiscal Quarters.

Capitalized Leases” means all leases that have been or should be, subject to Section 1.03(b) hereof, recorded as capitalized leases in accordance with GAAP.

Cash Collateralize” means, to pledge and deposit with or deliver to the Lender, as collateral for L/C Obligations or the Obligations, (a) cash or deposit account balances, (b) backstop letters of credit entered into on terms, from issuers and in amounts satisfactory to the Lender, and/or (c) if the Lender shall agree, in its sole discretion, other credit support, in each case, in Dollars and pursuant to documentation in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Lender. “Cash Collateral” shall have a meaning correlative to the foregoing and shall include the proceeds of such cash collateral and other credit support.

Cash Equivalents” means any of the following types of Investments, to the extent owned by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries free and clear of all Liens (other than Permitted Liens):

(a) readily marketable obligations issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States or any agency or instrumentality thereof having maturities of not more than twelve (12) months from the date of acquisition thereof; provided that the full faith and credit of the United States is pledged in support thereof;

(b) time deposits with, or insured certificates of deposit or bankers’ acceptances of, any commercial bank that (i) (A) is the Lender or (B) is organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia or is the principal banking subsidiary of a bank holding company organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, and is a member of the Federal Reserve System, (ii) issues (or the parent of which issues) commercial paper rated as described in clause (c) of this definition and (iii) has combined capital and surplus of at least $1,000,000,000, in each case with maturities of not more than ninety (90) days from the date of acquisition thereof;

(c) commercial paper issued by any Person organized under the laws of any state of the United States and rated at least “Prime-1” (or the then equivalent grade) by Moody’s or at least “A-1” (or the then equivalent grade) by S&P, in each case with maturities of not more than one hundred eighty (180) days from the date of acquisition thereof; and

(d) Investments, classified in accordance with GAAP as current assets of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, in money market investment programs registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, which are administered by financial institutions that have the highest rating obtainable from either Moody’s or S&P, and the portfolios of which are limited solely to Investments of the character, quality and maturity described in clauses (a), (b) and (c) of this definition.

Cash Management Agreement” means any agreement that is not prohibited by the terms hereof to provide treasury or cash management services, including deposit accounts, overnight draft, credit cards, debit cards, p-cards (including purchasing cards and commercial cards), funds transfer, automated clearinghouse, zero balance accounts, returned check concentration, controlled disbursement, lockbox, account reconciliation and reporting and trade finance services and other cash management services.

 

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CFC” means a Person that is a controlled foreign corporation under Section 957 of the Code.

Change in Law” means the occurrence, after the Closing Date, of any of the following: (a) the adoption or taking effect of any law, rule, regulation or treaty, (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the administration, interpretation, implementation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority or (c) the making or issuance of any request, rule, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) by any Governmental Authority; provided that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith and (ii) all requests, rules, guidelines or directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a “Change in Law”, regardless of the date enacted, adopted or issued.

Change of Control” means an event or series of events by which

(a) any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, but excluding any employee benefit plan of such person or its subsidiaries, and any person or entity acting in its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of any such plan) becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except that a person or group shall be deemed to have “beneficial ownership” of all securities that such person or group has the right to acquire, whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time (such right, an “option right”)), directly or indirectly, of thirty-five percent (35%) or more of the Equity Interests of the Borrower entitled to vote for members of the board of directors or equivalent governing body of the Borrower on a fully-diluted basis (and taking into account all such securities that such “person” or “group” has the right to acquire pursuant to any option right); or

(b) during any period of twelve (12) consecutive months, a majority of the members of the board of directors or other equivalent governing body of the Borrower cease to be composed of individuals (i) who were members of that board or equivalent governing body on the first day of such period, (ii) whose election or nomination to that board or equivalent governing body was approved by individuals referred to in clause (i) above constituting at the time of such election or nomination at least a majority of that board or equivalent governing body or (iii) whose election or nomination to that board or other equivalent governing body was approved by individuals referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) above constituting at the time of such election or nomination at least a majority of that board or equivalent governing body.

Closing Date” means July 30, 2020.

Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

Collateral” means all of the “Collateral” and “Mortgaged Property” referred to in the Collateral Documents and all of the other property that is or is intended under the terms of the Collateral Documents to be subject to Liens in favor of the Lender for the benefit of the Secured Parties.

 

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Collateral Documents” means, collectively, the Security Agreement, the Mortgages, any related Mortgaged Property Support Documents, each Joinder Agreement, each of the collateral assignments, security agreements, pledge agreements or other similar agreements delivered to the Lender pursuant to Section 6.13, and each of the other agreements, instruments or documents that creates or purports to create a Lien in favor of the Lender for the benefit of the Secured Parties.

Commitment” means either of the Term Commitment or the Revolving Commitment, as the context may require.

Commodity Exchange Act” means the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.), as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.

Compliance Certificate” means a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit A.

Connection Income Taxes” means Other Connection Taxes that are imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated) or that are franchise taxes or branch profits taxes.

Consolidated” means, when used with reference to financial statements or financial statement items of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries or any other Person, such statements or items on a consolidated basis in accordance with the consolidation principles of GAAP.

Consolidated Assets” means, as of any date of determination, without duplication, for the Borrower and its Domestic Subsidiaries on a Consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, the sum of (a) the applicable Accounts Receivable Percentage multiplied by accounts receivable in which the Lender has a first priority (subject to Permitted Liens to the extent permitted to have priority over the Lender’s Lien under the terms of this Agreement) perfected security interest pursuant to the Collateral Documents, net of the allowance for bad debt, plus (b) 45% of inventory located in the U.S. and in which the Lender has a first priority (subject to Permitted Liens to the extent permitted to have priority over the Lender’s Lien under the terms of this Agreement) perfected security interest pursuant to the Collateral Documents; provided that the aggregate amount added pursuant to clause (b) shall at no time exceed $15,000,000.

Consolidated Asset Coverage Ratio” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Assets to (b) the sum of the aggregate amount of Revolving Borrowings and Term Loans then outstanding.

Consolidated Capital Expenditures” means, for any period, for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a Consolidated basis, all Capital Expenditures but excluding expenditures to the extent made with the proceeds of any Involuntary Disposition used to purchase property that is useful in the business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.

Consolidated EBITDA” means, for any period, the sum of the following determined on a Consolidated basis, without duplication, for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP, (a) Consolidated Net Income for the most recently completed Measurement Period plus (b) the following to the extent deducted in calculating such Consolidated Net Income (without duplication): (i) Consolidated Interest Charges, (ii) the provision for federal, state, local and foreign income taxes payable, (iii) depreciation and amortization expense, (iv) non-cash charges and losses (excluding any such non-cash charges or losses to the extent (A) there were cash charges with respect to such charges and losses in past accounting periods or (B) there is a reasonable expectation that there will be cash charges with respect to such charges and losses in future accounting periods), (v) in connection with any Permitted Acquisition, all reasonable transaction fees, costs, charges and expenses incurred before or within 120 days following the consummation of such acquisition in the aggregate amount not to exceed $1,000,000 per four Fiscal Quarter

 

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period, and (vi) fees, expenses and charges (whether cash or non-cash) incurred in connection with the termination of any derivative or hedging financial instrument during the Fiscal Year ending January 31, 2021, less (c) without duplication and to the extent reflected as a gain or otherwise included in the calculation of Consolidated Net Income for such period (i) non-cash gains (excluding any such non-cash gains to the extent (A) there were cash gains with respect to such gains in past accounting periods or (B) there is a reasonable expectation that there will be cash gains with respect to such gains in future accounting periods).

Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (a) (i) Consolidated EBITDA, less (ii) the aggregate amount of all non-financed cash Consolidated Capital Expenditures; provided that, Capital Expenditures of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries incurred in connection with the implementation of new enterprise resource planning software and systems not to exceed an aggregate amount of $2,500,000, shall be excluded from the deduction in this clause (a)(ii), less (iii) Restricted Payments paid in cash, less (iv) the aggregate amount of all federal, state, local and foreign income taxes paid in cash to (b) the sum of (i) Consolidated Interest Charges to the extent paid in cash, and (ii) the aggregate principal amount of all redemptions or similar acquisitions for value of outstanding Consolidated Funded Indebtedness or regularly scheduled principal payments on Consolidated Funded Indebtedness, but excluding (x) any such payments to the extent refinanced through the incurrence of additional Indebtedness otherwise expressly permitted under Section 7.02, in each case, of or by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the most recently completed Measurement Period and (y) for avoidance of doubt, (A) any such intercompany payments made in connection with the closing of this Agreement to refinance the Existing Danish Term Loan or in respect of the termination of hedging arrangements previously entered into by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to the Existing Term Loans, (B) the Closing Date Prepayment, or (C) payments by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries to the Lender or its affiliates in respect of the termination of hedging arrangements previously entered into by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to the Existing Term Loans.

Consolidated Funded Indebtedness” means, as of any date of determination, for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a Consolidated basis, the sum of (a) the outstanding principal amount of all obligations, whether current or long-term, for borrowed money (including Obligations hereunder) and all obligations evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, loan agreements or other similar instruments; (b) all purchase money Indebtedness; (c) the maximum amount available to be drawn under issued and outstanding letters of credit (including standby and commercial), bankers’ acceptances, bank guaranties, surety bonds and similar instruments; (d) all obligations in respect of the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than trade accounts payable in the ordinary course of business); (e) all Attributable Indebtedness; (f) all obligations to purchase, redeem, retire, defease or otherwise make any payment prior to the Maturity Date in respect of any Equity Interests or any warrant, right or option to acquire such Equity Interest, valued, in the case of a redeemable preferred interest, at the greater of its voluntary or involuntary liquidation preference plus accrued and unpaid dividends; (g) without duplication, all Guarantees with respect to outstanding Indebtedness of the types specified in clauses (a) through (f) above of Persons other than the Borrower or any Subsidiary; and (h) all Indebtedness of the types referred to in clauses (a) through (g) above of any partnership or joint venture (other than a joint venture that is itself a corporation or limited liability company) in which the Borrower or a Subsidiary is a general partner or joint venturer, unless such Indebtedness is expressly made non-recourse to the Borrower or such Subsidiary. Notwithstanding the foregoing, solely for purposes of calculating compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section 7.11, Consolidated Funded Indebtedness shall not include Indebtedness permitted by Section 7.02(g) hereof unless and until such Indebtedness is confirmed to be unforgivable pursuant to the terms of the Paycheck Protection Program (in which case the amount thereof included shall be limited to the principal amount thereof so confirmed to be unforgivable).

 

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Consolidated Interest Charges” means, for any Measurement Period, the sum of (a) all interest, premium payments, debt discount, fees, charges and related expenses in connection with borrowed money (including capitalized interest) or in connection with the deferred purchase price of assets, in each case to the extent treated as interest in accordance with GAAP, (b) all interest paid or payable with respect to discontinued operations and (c) the portion of rent expense under Capitalized Leases that is treated as interest in accordance with GAAP, in each case, of or by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a Consolidated basis for the most recently completed Measurement Period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, solely for purposes of calculating compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section 7.11, interest premium payments, debt discount, fees, charges and related expenses relating to Indebtedness described in Section 7.02(g) shall be excluded unless and until such Indebtedness is confirmed to be unforgivable pursuant to the terms of the Paycheck Protection Program (in which case the amount(s) thereof included shall be limited to the amount(s) thereof so confirmed to be unforgivable).

Consolidated Leverage Ratio” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Funded Indebtedness as of such date to (b) Consolidated EBITDA for the most recently completed Measurement Period.

Consolidated Net Income” means, at any date of determination, the net income (or loss) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a Consolidated basis for the most recently completed Measurement Period; provided that Consolidated Net Income shall exclude (a) extraordinary gains and extraordinary losses and charges for such Measurement Period, (b) the net income of any Subsidiary during such Measurement Period to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by such Subsidiary of such income is not permitted by operation of the terms of its Organization Documents or any agreement, instrument or Law applicable to such Subsidiary during such Measurement Period, except that the Borrower’s equity in any net loss of any such Subsidiary for such Measurement Period shall be included in determining Consolidated Net Income, and (c) any income (or loss) for such Measurement Period of any Person if such Person is not a Subsidiary, except that the Borrower’s equity in the net income of any such Person for such Measurement Period shall be included in Consolidated Net Income up to the aggregate amount of cash actually distributed by such Person during such Measurement Period to the Borrower or a Subsidiary as a dividend or other distribution (and in the case of a dividend or other distribution to a Subsidiary, such Subsidiary is not precluded from further distributing such amount as described in clause (b) of this proviso). Notwithstanding the foregoing, solely for the purpose of calculating compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section 7.11 of this Agreement, Consolidated Net Income shall not include or be increased by the amount of any cancellation of Indebtedness described in Section 7.02(g) that is forgiven.

Contractual Obligation” means, as to any Person, any provision of any security issued by such Person or of any agreement, instrument or other undertaking to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its property is bound.

Control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. “Controlling” and “Controlled” have meanings correlative thereto. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, a Person shall be deemed to be Controlled by another Person if such other Person possesses, directly or indirectly, power to vote ten percent (10%) or more of the securities having ordinary voting power for the election of directors, managing general partners or the equivalent.

Cost of Acquisition” means, with respect to any Acquisition, as at the date of entering into any agreement therefor, the sum of the following (without duplication): (a) the value of the Equity Interests of the Borrower or any Subsidiary to be transferred in connection with such Acquisition, (b) the amount of any cash and fair market value of other property (excluding property described in clause (a) and the unpaid

 

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principal amount of any debt instrument) given as consideration in connection with such Acquisition, (c) the amount (determined by using the face amount or the amount payable at maturity, whichever is greater) of any Indebtedness incurred, assumed or acquired by the Borrower or any Subsidiary in connection with such Acquisition, (d) the amounts of all additional purchase price amounts in the form of earnouts and other contingent obligations that should be recorded on the financial statements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP in connection with such Acquisition, (e) the amounts of all amounts paid in respect of covenants not to compete and consulting agreements that should be recorded on the financial statements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP, and other affiliated contracts in connection with such Acquisition, and (f) the aggregate fair market value of all other consideration given by the Borrower or any Subsidiary in connection with such Acquisition. For purposes of determining the Cost of Acquisition for any transaction, the Equity Interests of the Borrower or any Subsidiary shall be valued in accordance with GAAP.

Credit Extension” means each of the following: (a) a Borrowing and (b) an L/C Credit Extension.

Danish Foreign Accounts” has the meaning specified in Section 6.14(d).

Danish Krone” means the lawful currency of Denmark.

Debt Issuance” means the issuance by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary of any Indebtedness other than Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.02(a) through (m).

Debtor Relief Laws” means the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor relief Laws of the United States or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect.

Default” means any event or condition that constitutes an Event of Default or that, with the giving of any notice, the passage of time, or both, would be an Event of Default.

Default Rate” means (a) with respect to any Obligation for which a rate is specified, a rate per annum equal to two percent (2.00%) in excess of the rate otherwise applicable thereto and (b) with respect to any Obligation for which a rate is not specified or available, a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate for Revolving Loans that are Base Rate Loans plus two percent (2.00%), in each case, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law.

Designated Lender” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.02(b).

Designated Jurisdiction” means any country or territory to the extent that such country or territory is the subject of any Sanction.

Disposition” or “Dispose” means the sale, transfer, license, lease or other disposition (including any Sale and Leaseback Transaction) of any property by the Borrower or any Subsidiary (or the granting of any option or other right to do any of the foregoing), including any sale, assignment, transfer or other disposal, with or without recourse, of any notes or accounts receivable or any rights and claims associated therewith.

Disqualified Equity Interest” means any Equity Interest that (a) by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event, matures (excluding any maturity as the result of an optional redemption by the issuer thereof) or is mandatorily redeemable (other than solely for Equity Interests that do not constitute Disqualified Equity

 

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Interests and cash in lieu of fractional shares of such Equity Interests) pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof (other than solely for Equity Interests that do not constitute Disqualified Equity Interests and cash in lieu of fractional shares of such Equity Interests), in whole or in part, on or prior to the date that is 181 days after the Maturity Date, (b) is convertible into or exchangeable (unless at the sole option of the issuer thereof) for (i) debt securities or other Indebtedness or (ii) any Equity Interest referred to in clause (a) above (other than solely for Equity Interests that do not constitute Disqualified Equity Interests and cash in lieu of fractional shares of such Equity Interests), in each case at any time on or prior to the date that is 180 days after the Maturity Date, (c) contains any repurchase obligation that may come into effect prior to payment in full of all Obligations, (d) requires cash dividend payments (other than distributions permitted pursuant to Section 7.06(e)) prior to the date that is 181 days after the Maturity Date; provided, however, that (i) an Equity Interest in any Person that would not constitute a Disqualified Equity Interest but for terms thereof giving holders thereof the right to require such Person to redeem or purchase such Equity Interest upon the occurrence of an “asset sale” or a “change of control” (or similar event, however denominated) shall not constitute a Disqualified Equity Interest if any such requirement becomes operative only after repayment in full of all the Loans and all other Obligations that are accrued and payable, the cancellation, expiration or Cash Collateralization of all Letters of Credit and the termination or expiration of the Commitments and (ii) an Equity Interest in any Person that is issued to any employee or to any plan for the benefit of employees or by any such plan to such employees shall not constitute a Disqualified Equity Interest solely because it may be required to be repurchased by such Person or any of its subsidiaries in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations or as a result of such employee’s termination, death or disability.

Division” or “Divide” shall mean, in the event a Loan Party is a limited liability company, (a) the division of any such Loan Party into two or more newly formed limited liability companies (whether or not such Borrower is a surviving entity following any such division) pursuant to Section 18-217 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act or any similar provision under any similar act governing limited liability companies organized under the laws of any other State or Commonwealth or of the District of Columbia, or (b) the adoption of a plan contemplating, or the filing of any certificate with any applicable Governmental Authority that results or may result in, any such division.

Dollar” and “$” mean lawful money of the United States.

Dollar Equivalent” means, at any time, (a) with respect to any amount denominated in Dollars, such amount, and (b) with respect to any amount denominated in any Alternative Currency, the equivalent amount thereof in Dollars as determined by the Lender at such time on the basis of the Spot Rate (determined in respect of the most recent Revaluation Date) for the purchase of Dollars with such Alternative Currency.

Domestic Subsidiary” means any direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Borrower that is organized under the laws of any political subdivision of the United States.

EEA Financial Institution” means (a) any credit institution or investment firm established in any EEA Member Country which is subject to the supervision of an EEA Resolution Authority, (b) any entity established in an EEA Member Country which is a parent of an institution described in clause (a) of this definition, or (c) any financial institution established in an EEA Member Country which is a subsidiary of an institution described in clauses (a) or (b) of this definition and is subject to consolidated supervision with its parent;

EEA Member Country” means any of the member states of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.

 

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EEA Resolution Authority” means any public administrative authority or any person entrusted with public administrative authority of any EEA Member Country (including any delegee) having responsibility for the resolution of any EEA Financial Institution.

Eligible Currency” means any lawful currency other than Dollars that is readily available, freely transferable and convertible into Dollars in the international interbank market available to the Lender in such market and as to which a Dollar Equivalent may be readily calculated. If, after the designation by the Lender of any currency as an Alternative Currency, any change in currency controls or exchange regulations or any change in the national or international financial, political or economic conditions are imposed in the country in which such currency is issued, result in, in the reasonable opinion of the Lender (in the case of any Loans or Letters of Credit to be denominated in an Alternative Currency), (a) such currency no longer being readily available, freely transferable and convertible into Dollars, (b) a Dollar Equivalent is no longer readily calculable with respect to such currency, (c) providing such currency is impracticable for the Lender or (d) no longer a currency in which the Lender is willing to make such Credit Extensions (each of (a), (b), (c), and (d) a “Disqualifying Event”), then the Lender shall promptly notify the Borrower, and such country’s currency shall no longer be an Alternative Currency until such time as the Disqualifying Event(s) no longer exist. Within, five (5) Business Days after receipt of such notice from the Lender, the Borrower shall repay all Loans in such currency to which the Disqualifying Event applies or convert such Loans into the Dollar Equivalent of Loans in Dollars, subject to the other terms contained herein.

Environmental Laws” means any and all federal, state, local, and foreign statutes, laws, regulations, ordinances, rules, judgments, orders, decrees, permits, concessions, grants, franchises, licenses, agreements or governmental restrictions relating to pollution and the protection of the environment or the release of any materials into the environment, including those related to hazardous substances or wastes, air emissions and discharges to waste or public systems.

Environmental Liability” means any liability, contingent or otherwise (including any liability for damages, costs of environmental remediation, fines, penalties or indemnities), of the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any of their respective Subsidiaries directly or indirectly resulting from or based upon (a) violation of any Environmental Law, (b) the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage, treatment or disposal of any Hazardous Materials, (c) exposure to any Hazardous Materials, (d) the release or threatened release of any Hazardous Materials into the environment or (e) any contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.

Environmental Permit” means any permit, approval, identification number, license or other authorization required under any Environmental Law.

Equity Interests” means, with respect to any Person, all of the shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, all of the warrants, options or other rights for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, all of the securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person or warrants, rights or options for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of such shares (or such other interests), and all of the other ownership or profit interests in such Person (including partnership, member or trust interests therein), whether voting or nonvoting, and whether or not such shares, warrants, options, rights or other interests are outstanding on any date of determination.

Equity Issuance” means, any issuance by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary to any Person of its Equity Interests, other than (a) any issuance of its Equity Interests pursuant to the exercise of options or warrants, (b) any issuance of its Equity Interests pursuant to the conversion of any debt securities to equity

 

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or the conversion of any class of equity securities to any other class of equity securities, (c) any issuance of options or warrants relating to its Equity Interests, and (d) any issuance by a Loan Party of its Equity Interests as consideration for a Permitted Acquisition. The term “Equity Issuance” shall not be deemed to include any Disposition or any Debt Issuance.

ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.

ERISA Affiliate” means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) under common control with the Borrower within the meaning of Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code (and Sections 414(m) and (o) of the Code for purposes of provisions relating to Section 412 of the Code).

ERISA Event” means (a) a Reportable Event with respect to a Pension Plan; (b) the withdrawal of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Pension Plan subject to Section 4063 of ERISA during a plan year in which such entity was a “substantial employer” as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA or a cessation of operations that is treated as such a withdrawal under Section 4062(e) of ERISA; (c) a complete or partial withdrawal by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan or notification that a Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization; (d) the filing of a notice of intent to terminate, the treatment of a Pension Plan amendment as a termination under Section 4041 or 4041A of ERISA; (e) the institution by the PBGC of proceedings to terminate a Pension Plan; (f) any event or condition which constitutes grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Pension Plan; (g) the determination that any Pension Plan is considered an at-risk plan or a plan in endangered or critical status within the meaning of Sections 430, 431 and 432 of the Code or Sections 303, 304 and 305 of ERISA; (h) the imposition of any liability under Title IV of ERISA, other than for PBGC premiums due but not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA, upon the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate or (g) a failure by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate to meet all applicable requirements under the Pension Funding Rules in respect of a Pension Plan, whether or not waived, or the failure by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate to make any required contribution to a Multiemployer Plan.

EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule” means the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule published by the Loan Market Association (or any successor person), as in effect from time to time.

Euro” and “” mean the single currency of the Participating Member States.

Eurocurrency Rate means:

(a) for any Interest Period, with respect to any Credit Extension:

(i) denominated in a LIBOR Quoted Currency, the rate per annum equal to the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”), or a comparable or successor rate which rate is approved by the Lender, as published on the applicable Bloomberg screen page (or such other commercially available source providing such quotations as may be designated by the Lender from time to time) (in such case, the “LIBOR Rate”) at or about 11:00 a.m. (London time) on the Rate Determination Date, for deposits in the relevant currency, with a term equivalent to such Interest Period;

(ii) denominated in Canadian Dollars, the rate per annum equal to the Canadian Dollar Offered Rate (“CDOR”), or a comparable or successor rate which rate is approved by the Lender, as published on the applicable Bloomberg screen page (or such other commercially available source providing such quotations as may be designated by the Lender from time to time) (in such case, the “CDOR Rate”) at or about 10:00 a.m. (Toronto, Ontario time) on the first day of such Interest Period (or such other day as is generally treated as the rate fixing day by market practice in such interbank market, as determined by the Lender) or if such day is not a Business Day, then on the immediately preceding Business Day) with a term equivalent to such Interest Period;

 

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(iii) with respect to any Credit Extension denominated in any other Non-LIBOR Quoted Currency, the rate per annum as designated with respect to such Alternative Currency at the time such Alternative Currency is approved by the Lender and the relevant Lenders pursuant to Section 1.09(a); and

(b) for any interest rate calculation with respect to a Base Rate Loan on any date, the rate per annum equal to the LIBOR Rate, at or about 11:00 a.m. (London time) determined two (2) Business Days prior to such date for Dollar deposits being delivered in the London interbank market for deposits in Dollars with a term of one (1) month commencing that day;

provided that (i) to the extent a comparable or successor rate is approved by the Lender in connection with any rate set forth in this definition, the approved rate shall be applied in a manner consistent with market practice; provided, further that to the extent such market practice is not administratively feasible for the Lender, such approved rate shall be applied in a manner as otherwise reasonably determined by the Lender and (ii) if the Eurocurrency Rate shall be less than one percent (1.00%), such rate shall be deemed one percent (1.00%) for purposes of this Agreement.

Eurocurrency Rate Loan” means a Loan that bears interest at a rate based on clause (a) of the definition of “Eurocurrency Rate”. Eurocurrency Rate Loans may be denominated in Dollars or in an Alternative Currency. All Loans denominated in an Alternative Currency must be Eurocurrency Rate Loans.

Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 8.01.

Excluded Accounts” has the meaning specified in Section 6.14(d).

Excluded Property” means, with respect to any Loan Party, (a) any owned or leased real property; (b) unless requested by the Lender, any Intellectual Property for which a perfected Lien thereon is not effected either by filing of a Uniform Commercial Code financing statement or by appropriate evidence of such Lien being filed in either the United States Copyright Office or the United States Patent and Trademark Office; (c) unless requested by Lender, any personal property (other than personal property described in clause (b) above) for which the attachment or perfection of a Lien thereon is not governed by the Uniform Commercial Code; and (d) unless requested by Lender if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Equity Interests of any Immaterial Subsidiary.

Excluded Swap Obligation” means, with respect to any Loan Party, any Swap Obligation if, and to the extent that, all or a portion of the Guaranty of such Loan Party of, or the grant by such Loan Party of a Lien to secure, such Swap Obligation (or any Guarantee thereof) is or becomes illegal under the Commodity Exchange Act or any rule, regulation or order of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (or the application or official interpretation thereof) by virtue of such Loan Party’s failure for any reason to constitute an “eligible contract participant” as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act (determined after giving effect to Section 9.11 and any other “keepwell, support or other agreement” for the benefit of such Loan Party and any and all guarantees of such Loan Party’s Swap Obligations by other Loan Parties) at the time the Guaranty of such Loan Party, or grant by such Loan Party of a Lien, becomes effective with respect to such Swap Obligation. If a Swap Obligation arises under a Master Agreement governing more than one Swap Contract, such exclusion shall apply only to the portion of such Swap Obligation that is attributable to Swap Contracts for which such Guaranty or Lien is or becomes excluded in accordance with the first sentence of this definition.

 

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Excluded Taxes” means any of the following Taxes, imposed on or with respect to the Lender or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to the Lender, (a) Taxes imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated), franchise Taxes, and branch profits Taxes, in each case, (i) imposed as a result of the Lender being organized under the laws of, or having its principal office or its applicable lending office located in, the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (or any political subdivision thereof) or (ii) that are Other Connection Taxes, (b) any U.S. federal withholding Taxes imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of the Lender with respect to an applicable interest in a Loan or Commitment pursuant to a law in effect on the date on which (i) the Lender acquires such interest in the Loan or Commitment or (ii) the Lender changes its lending office, except, in each case, to the extent that, pursuant to Section 3.01, amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable to the Lender immediately before it changed its lending office, or (c) Taxes attributable to the Lender’s failure to comply with Section 3.01(d).

Existing Credit Agreement” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Preamble hereto.

Existing Obligations” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Preamble hereto.

Existing Revolving Commitments” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Preamble hereto.

Existing Revolving Loans” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Preamble hereto.

Existing Term Loans” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Preamble hereto.

Extraordinary Receipt” means any cash received by or paid to or for the account of any Person not in the ordinary course of business constituting proceeds of insurance (other than proceeds of business interruption insurance to the extent such proceeds constitute compensation for lost earnings and proceeds of Involuntary Dispositions), indemnity payments and any purchase price adjustments (to the extent that such indemnity payments or purchase price adjustments are received in connection with an acquisition that was financed with the proceeds of any Loans); provided, however, that an Extraordinary Receipt shall not include (a) cash receipts from proceeds of insurance, indemnity payments or purchase price adjustments to the extent that such proceeds, awards or payments are received by any Person in respect of any third party claim against such Person and applied to pay (or to reimburse such Person for its prior payment of) such claim and the costs and expenses of such Person with respect thereto or (b) with respect to proceeds of insurance, to the extent that the amounts so received are applied within one hundred eighty (180) days of receipt of such amounts for the purpose of repairing or remedying the condition giving rise to the claim for insurance or to replace the affected property or assets with assets used or useful in the business of such Person.

Facility” means the Term Facility or the Revolving Facility, as the context may require.

Facility Office” means the office designated by the Lender through which the Lender will perform its obligations under this Agreement.

Facility Termination Date” means the date as of which all of the following shall have occurred: (a) all of the Commitments have terminated, (b) all Obligations have been paid in full (other than contingent indemnification obligations), and (c) all Letters of Credit have terminated or expired (other than Letters of Credit as to which other arrangements with respect thereto satisfactory to the Lender shall have been made).

 

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FASB ASC” means the Accounting Standards Codification of the Financial Accounting Standards Board.

Federal Funds Rate” means, for any day, the rate per annum equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the Business Day next succeeding such day; provided that (a) if such day is not a Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be such rate on such transactions on the next preceding Business Day as so published on the next succeeding Business Day, and (b) if no such rate is so published on such next succeeding Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be the average rate (rounded upward, if necessary, to a whole multiple of 1/100 of 1%) charged to Bank of America on such day on such transactions as determined by the Lender.

Fee Letter” means that certain letter agreement dated as of the Closing Date, between the Borrower and the Lender, as amended, modified, supplemented or restated from time to time.

Fiscal Quarter” means each fiscal quarter of the Borrower, as set forth on Schedule 1.01(c) attached hereto.

Flood Hazard Property” means any Mortgaged Property that is in an area designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency as having special flood or mudslide hazards.

Foreign Accounts” means the deposit accounts and the securities accounts held by the Borrower outside of the United States.

Foreign Subsidiary Accounts” has the meaning specified in Section 6.14(d).

Foreign Cash Equivalents” means Investments denominated in Dollars, Canadian Dollars, Sterling, Euro or Danish Krone wholly owned by any of the Foreign Subsidiaries free and clear of all Liens (other than Permitted Liens) and not guaranteed by any member of the Group in: (a) certificates of deposit maturing within one year after the date of acquisition thereof and issued by a bank or financial institution that (i) is organized under the laws of the United Kingdom, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, Denmark, France or Germany, (ii) which has a rating for its long-term unsecured and non-credit-enhanced debt obligations of at least “Prime-1” (or the then equivalent grade) by Moody’s, at least “F1” (or the then equivalent grade) by Fitch Ratings Ltd or at least “A-1” (or the then equivalent grade) by S&P, and (iii) has combined capital and surplus of at least $1,000,000,000; (b) readily marketable debt obligations issued or directly and fully guaranteed by the government of the United Kingdom, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, Denmark, France or Germany, or by any agency or instrumentality of any of them having an equivalent credit rating, maturing within twelve (12) months from the date of acquisition thereof and not convertible or exchangeable to any other security; provided that the full faith and credit of such foreign country is pledged in support thereof and that obligations issued by such foreign country, agency or instrumentality are rated at least “Prime-1” (or the then equivalent grade) by Moody’s, at least “F1” (or the then equivalent grade) by Fitch Ratings Ltd or at least “A-1” (or the then equivalent grade) by S&P; (c) commercial paper not convertible or exchangeable to any other security for which a recognised trading market exists issued by any Person organized under the laws of the United Kingdom, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, Denmark, France or Germany which matures within one year after the date of acquisition thereof and which has a credit rating of at least “Prime-1” (or the then equivalent grade) by Moody’s, at least “F1” (or the then equivalent grade) by Fitch Ratings Ltd or at least “A-1” (or the then equivalent grade) by S&P; or (d) money market funds which invest substantially all their assets in securities of the types described in paragraphs (a) to (c) above which have a credit rating of at least “Prime-1” (or the then equivalent grade) by Moody’s, at least “F1” (or the then equivalent grade) by Fitch Ratings Ltd or at least “A-1” (or the then equivalent grade) by S&P, in each case to the extent that investment can be turned into cash on not more than 30 days’ notice.

 

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Foreign Obligor” means a Loan Party that is a Foreign Subsidiary.

Foreign Subsidiary” means any direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Borrower that is not a Domestic Subsidiary.

FRB” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States.

Funding Indemnity Letter” means a funding indemnity letter in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Lender.

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States set forth from time to time in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (or agencies with similar functions of comparable stature and authority within the accounting profession) including, without limitation, the FASB Accounting Standards Codification, that are applicable to the circumstances as of the date of determination, consistently applied and subject to Section 1.03.

Governmental Authority” means the government of the United States or any other nation, or of any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government (including, without limitation, the Financial Conduct Authority, the Prudential Regulation Authority and any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank).

Guarantee” means, as to any Person, (a) any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of such Person guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness of the kind described in clauses (a) through (g) of the definition thereof or other obligation payable or performable by another Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of such Person, direct or indirect, (i) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation, (ii) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the obligee in respect of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment or performance of such Indebtedness or other obligation, (iii) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity or level of income or cash flow of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other obligation, or (iv) entered into for the purpose of assuring in any other manner the obligee in respect of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment or performance thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part), or (b) any Lien on any assets of such Person securing any Indebtedness of the kind described in clauses (a) through (g) of the definition thereof or other obligation of any other Person, whether or not such Indebtedness or other obligation is assumed or expressly undertaken by such Person (or any right, contingent or otherwise, of any holder of such Indebtedness to obtain any such Lien). The amount of any Guarantee shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the related primary obligation, or portion thereof, in respect of which such Guarantee is made or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by the guaranteeing Person in good faith. The term “Guarantee” as a verb has a corresponding meaning.

Guarantors” means, collectively, (a) the Subsidiaries of the Borrower as are listed on the signature pages hereto as “Guarantors” and any other Subsidiaries of the Borrower as may from time to time become a party to this Agreement as a Guarantor pursuant to Section 6.13, and (b) the Borrower with respect to Secured Obligations owing by any Loan Party arising under Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements and any Swap Obligation of a Specified Loan Party (determined before giving effect to Sections 9.01 and 9.11) under the Guaranty.

 

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Guaranteed Obligations” has the meaning set forth in Section 9.01.

Guaranty” means, collectively, the Guarantee made by the Guarantors under Article IX in favor of the Secured Parties, together with each other guaranty delivered pursuant to Section 6.12.

Hazardous Materials” means all explosive or radioactive substances or wastes and all hazardous or toxic substances, wastes or other pollutants, including petroleum or petroleum distillates, natural gas, natural gas liquids, asbestos or asbestos-containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas, toxic mold, infectious or medical wastes and all other substances, wastes, chemicals, pollutants, contaminants or compounds of any nature in any form regulated pursuant to any Environmental Law.

Honor Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.03(c).

IFRS” means international accounting standards within the meaning of IAS Regulation 1606/2002 to the extent applicable to the relevant financial statements delivered under or referred to herein.

Immaterial Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Borrower as to which, as of any relevant date of determination, (a) the consolidated total assets of such Subsidiary do not exceed an amount equal to 5.0% of the consolidated total assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the last day of the most recently ended fiscal quarter and (b) the revenues of such Subsidiary for such fiscal quarter do not exceed an amount equal to 5.0% of the consolidated revenues of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such quarter; provided that Immaterial Subsidiaries shall not account for, in the aggregate, (i) more than 10% of such consolidated total assets, or (ii) more than 10% of such consolidated revenues, each as described in the previous sentence.

Indebtedness” means, as to any Person at a particular time, without duplication, all of the following, whether or not included as indebtedness or liabilities in accordance with GAAP:

(a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money and all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, loan agreements or other similar instruments;

(b) the maximum amount of all direct or contingent obligations of such Person arising under letters of credit (including standby and commercial), bankers’ acceptances, bank guaranties, surety bonds and similar instruments;

(c) net obligations of such Person under any Swap Contract;

(d) all obligations (including, without limitation, earnout obligations) of such Person to pay the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than trade accounts payable in the ordinary course of business);

(e) indebtedness (excluding prepaid interest thereon) secured by a Lien on property owned or being purchased by such Person (including indebtedness arising under conditional sales or other title retention agreements), whether or not such indebtedness shall have been assumed by such Person or is limited in recourse;

(f) all Attributable Indebtedness in respect of Capitalized Leases and Synthetic Lease Obligations of such Person;

(g) all Disqualified Equity Interests of such Person, valued at the greater of its voluntary or involuntary liquidation preference plus accrued and unpaid dividends; and

 

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(h) all Guarantees of such Person in respect of any of the foregoing.

For all purposes hereof, the Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any partnership or joint venture (other than a joint venture that is itself a corporation or limited liability company) in which such Person is a general partner or a joint venturer, unless such Indebtedness is expressly made non-recourse to such Person. The amount of any net obligation under any Swap Contract on any date shall be deemed to be the Swap Termination Value thereof as of such date. In calculating “Indebtedness” hereunder, Indebtedness described in Section 7.02(g) shall be excluded unless and until such Indebtedness has been confirmed to be unforgivable (in which case the amount thereof included shall be limited to the amount thereof so confirmed to be unforgivable) in accordance with the Paycheck Protection Program; provided, however, that any cash interest payments actually paid on such Indebtedness shall be included in calculation of interest payments on Indebtedness.

Indemnified Taxes” means (a) Taxes, other than Excluded Taxes, imposed on or with respect to any payment made by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party under any Loan Document and (b) to the extent not otherwise described in clause (a), Other Taxes.

Indemnitees” has the meaning specified in Section 10.04(b).

Information” has the meaning specified in Section 10.07.

Intellectual Property” has the meaning set forth in the Security Agreement.

Intercompany Debt” has the meaning specified in Section 7.02(d).

Interest Payment Date” means, (a) as to any Eurocurrency Rate Loan the last day of each Interest Period applicable to such Loan and the Maturity Date of the Facility under which such Loan was made; provided, however, that if any Interest Period for a Eurocurrency Rate Loan exceeds three (3) months, the respective dates that fall every three (3) months after the beginning of such Interest Period shall also be Interest Payment Dates; and (b) as to any Base Rate Loan, the last Business Day of each Fiscal Quarter and the Maturity Date of the Facility under which such Loan was made.

Interest Period” means, as to each Eurocurrency Rate Loan, the period commencing on the date such Eurocurrency Rate Loan is disbursed or converted to or continued as a Eurocurrency Rate Loan and ending on the date one (1), two (2) or three (3) months thereafter (in each case, subject to availability for the interest rate applicable to the relevant currency), as selected by the Borrower in the applicable Loan Notice; provided that:

(a) any Interest Period that would otherwise end on a day that is not a Business Day shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such Business Day falls in another calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day;

(b) any Interest Period that begins on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period; and

(c) no Interest Period shall extend beyond the Maturity Date of the Facility under which such Loan was made.

 

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Investment” means, as to any Person, any direct or indirect acquisition or investment by such Person consisting of (a) the purchase or other acquisition of Equity Interests of another Person, (b) a loan, advance or capital contribution to, Guarantee or assumption of Indebtedness of, or purchase or other acquisition of any other Indebtedness or interest in, another Person (including any partnership or joint venture interest in such other Person and any arrangement pursuant to which the investor guarantees Indebtedness of such other Person), or (c) the purchase or other acquisition (in one transaction or a series of transactions) of assets of another Person which constitute all or substantially all of the assets of such Person or of a division, line of business or other business unit of such Person. For purposes of covenant compliance, the amount of any Investment shall be the amount actually invested, without adjustment for subsequent increases or decreases in the value of such Investment.

Involuntary Disposition” means any loss of, damage to or destruction of, or any condemnation or other taking for public use of, any property of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary.

IRS” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.

ISP” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the “International Standby Practices 1998” published by the Institute of International Banking Law & Practice, Inc. (or such later version thereof as may be in effect at the time of issuance).

Issuer Documents” means with respect to any Letter of Credit, the Letter of Credit Application, and any other document, agreement and instrument entered into by the Lender and the Borrower (or any Subsidiary) or in favor of the Lender and relating to such Letter of Credit.

Joinder Agreement” means a joinder agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit B executed and delivered in accordance with the provisions of Section 6.13.

Judgment Currency” has the meaning specified in Section 10.20.

Laws” means, collectively, all international, foreign, federal, state and local statutes, treaties, rules, guidelines, regulations, ordinances, codes and administrative or judicial precedents or authorities, including the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority charged with the enforcement, interpretation or administration thereof, and all applicable administrative orders, directed duties, requests, licenses, authorizations and permits of, and agreements with, any Governmental Authority, in each case whether or not having the force of law.

L/C Credit Extension” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the issuance thereof or extension of the expiry date thereof, or the increase of the amount thereof.

L/C Obligations” means, as at any date of determination, the aggregate amount available to be drawn under all outstanding Letters of Credit plus the aggregate of all Unreimbursed Amounts. For purposes of computing the amount available to be drawn under any Letter of Credit, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.06. For all purposes of this Agreement, if on any date of determination a Letter of Credit has expired by its terms but any amount may still be drawn thereunder by reason of the operation of Rule 3.14 of the ISP, such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be “outstanding” in the amount so remaining available to be drawn.

Lender” means Bank of America, N.A. (or any of its designated branch offices or affiliates) and its successors and assigns. The term “Lender” shall include any Designated Lender.

 

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Lender’s Office” means, with respect to any currency, the Lender’s address and, as appropriate, account as set forth on Schedule 1.01(a) with respect to such currency, or such other address or account with respect to such currency as the Lender may from time to time notify the Borrower; which office may include any Affiliate of the Lender or any domestic or foreign branch of the Lender or such Affiliate.

Letter of Credit” means any standby letter of credit issued hereunder. Letters of Credit may be issued in Dollars or in an Alternative Currency.

Letter of Credit Application” means an application and agreement for the issuance or amendment of a Letter of Credit in the form from time to time in use by the Lender.

Letter of Credit Expiration Date” means the day that is seven (7) days prior to the Maturity Date then in effect for the Revolving Facility (or, if such day is not a Business Day, the next preceding Business Day).

Letter of Credit Fee” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(g).

Letter of Credit Sublimit” means an amount equal to the lesser of (a) $5,000,000 and (b) the Revolving Facility. The Letter of Credit Sublimit is part of, and not in addition to, the Revolving Facility.

LIBOR” has the meaning specified in the definition of Eurocurrency Rate.

LIBOR Quoted Currency” means Dollars and Euros, in each case as long as there is a published LIBOR rate with respect thereto.

Lien” means any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, collateral assignment, collateral deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or otherwise), charge, or preference, priority or other security interest or preferential arrangement in the nature of a security interest of any kind or nature whatsoever (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any easement, right of way or other encumbrance on title to real property and any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing).

Liquidity” means the unrestricted cash and Cash Equivalents of the Borrower.

Loan” means an extension of credit by the Lender to the Borrower under Article II in the form of a Term Loan or a Revolving Loan.

Loan Documents” means, collectively, (a) this Agreement, (b) the Guaranty, (c) the Collateral Documents, (d) the Fee Letter, (e) each Issuer Document, (f) each Joinder Agreement, (g) any agreement creating or perfecting rights in Cash Collateral pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.12, and (h) all other certificates, agreements, documents and instruments executed and delivered, in each case, by or on behalf of any Loan Party pursuant to the foregoing (but specifically excluding any Secured Hedge Agreement or any Secured Cash Management Agreement).

Loan Notice” means a notice of (a) a Borrowing, (b) a conversion of Loans from one Type to the other, or (c) a continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans, pursuant to Section 2.02(a), which, if in writing, shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit C or such other form as may be approved by the Lender (including any form on an electronic platform or electronic transmission system as shall be approved by the Lender), appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower.

Loan Parties” means, collectively, the Borrower and each Guarantor.

 

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London Banking Day” means any day on which dealings in Dollar deposits are conducted by and between banks in the London interbank eurodollar market.

Mandatory Cost” means any amount incurred periodically by the Lender during the term of the Facility which constitutes fees, costs or charges imposed on lenders generally in the jurisdiction in which the Lender is domiciled, subject to regulation, or has its Facility Office by any Governmental Authority.

Master Agreement” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Swap Contract.”

Material Adverse Effect” means (a) a material adverse change in, or a material adverse effect upon, the operations, business, properties, liabilities (actual or contingent) or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole; (b) a material impairment of the rights and remedies of the Lender under any Loan Document, or of the ability of any Loan Party to perform its obligations under any Loan Document to which it is a party; or (c) a material adverse effect upon the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability against any Loan Party of any Loan Document to which it is a party.

Maturity Date” means (a) with respect to the Revolving Facility, June 15, 2022 and (b) with respect to the Term Facility, June 15, 2022; provided, however, that, in each case, if such date is not a Business Day, the Maturity Date shall be the next preceding Business Day.

Measurement Period” means, at any date of determination, the most recently completed four (4) fiscal quarters of the Borrower; provided for purposes of calculation of any item in a financial ratio or a financial covenant, any Acquisition or Disposition occurring during or after such Measurement Period shall be calculated on a Pro Forma Basis.

Minimum Collateral Amount” means, at any time, with respect to Cash Collateral consisting of cash or deposit account balances provided in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.12(a)(i) or (a)(ii), an amount equal to one hundred five percent (105%) of the Outstanding Amount of all L/C Obligations, and (d) otherwise, an amount equal to one hundred five percent (105.0%) of the Outstanding Amount of all applicable Obligations.

Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and any successor thereto.

Mortgage” or “Mortgages” means, individually and collectively, as the context requires, each of the fee or leasehold mortgages, deeds of trust and deeds executed by a Loan Party that purport to grant a Lien to the Lender (or a trustee for the benefit of the Lender) for the benefit of the Secured Parties in any Mortgaged Properties, in form and substance satisfactory to the Lender, including without limitation, that certain Open-End Mortgage Deed to Secure Present and Future Loans under Chapter 25 of Title 34 of the Rhode Island General Laws, Assignment of Leases and Rents, Security Agreement and Fixture Filing dated as of the Closing Date made by the Borrower in favor of the Lender, as amended, modified, supplemented or restated from time to time.

Mortgaged Property” means any owned property of a Loan Party listed on Schedule 5.20(g)(i) and any other owned real property of a Loan Party that is or will become encumbered by a Mortgage in favor of the Lender in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

Mortgaged Property Support Documents” means with respect to any real property subject to a Mortgage, the deliveries and documents described on Schedule 1.01(d) attached hereto.

 

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Multiemployer Plan” means any employee benefit plan of the type described in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, to which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate makes or is obligated to make contributions, or during the preceding five (5) plan years, has made or been obligated to make contributions.

Multiple Employer Plan” means a Plan which has two or more contributing sponsors (including the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate) at least two of whom are not under common control, as such a plan is described in Section 4064 of ERISA.

Net Cash Proceeds” means the aggregate cash or Cash Equivalents proceeds received by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary in respect of any Disposition, Equity Issuance, Debt Issuance or Involuntary Disposition, net of (a) direct costs incurred in connection therewith (including, without limitation, legal, accounting and investment banking fees and sales commissions), (b) taxes paid or payable as a result thereof, (c) in the case of any Disposition or any Involuntary Disposition, the amount necessary to retire any Indebtedness secured by a Permitted Lien on the related property; it being understood that “Net Cash Proceeds” shall include, without limitation, any cash or Cash Equivalents received upon the sale or other disposition of any non-cash consideration received by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary in any Disposition, Equity Issuance, Debt Issuance or Involuntary Disposition, provided that with respect to any Disposition or Involuntary Disposition, and (d) so long as no Event of Default exists, all money actually reinvested within one hundred eighty (180) days of receipt of such cash proceeds to replace the affected assets with assets used or useful in the business, or repair, replace or reconstruct damaged property or property affected by loss, destruction, damage, condemnation, confiscation, requisition, seizure or taking, as applicable, and in each case, only if such proceeds are held in a deposit account subject to the control of Lender until such proceeds are actually applied to replace, repair or reconstruct such property, as the case may be (with such proceeds remaining in such deposit account after the one hundred eighty (180) period day set forth above constituting Net Cash Proceeds received by a Loan Party immediately after the expiration of such period).

Non-Extension Notice Date” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(b)(iv).

Non-LIBOR Quoted Currency” means any currency other than a LIBOR Quoted Currency.

Non-Reinstatement Deadline” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(b)(iv).

Notice of Loan Prepayment” means a notice of prepayment with respect to a Loan, which shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit F or such other form as may be approved by the Lender (including any form on an electronic platform or electronic transmission system as shall be approved by the Lender), appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer.

Obligations” means (a) all advances to, and debts, liabilities, obligations, covenants and duties of, any Loan Party arising under any Loan Document or otherwise with respect to any Loan or Letter of Credit and (b) all costs and expenses incurred in connection with enforcement and collection of the foregoing, including the fees, charges and disbursements of counsel, in each case whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assumption), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising and including interest, expenses and fees that accrue after the commencement by or against any Loan Party or any Affiliate thereof pursuant to any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Laws naming such Person as the debtor in such proceeding, regardless of whether such interest, expenses and fees are allowed claims in such proceeding; provided that Obligations of a Loan Party shall exclude any Excluded Swap Obligations with respect to such Loan Party.

OFAC” means the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Department of the Treasury.

 

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Organization Documents” means, (a) with respect to any corporation, the certificate or articles of incorporation and the bylaws (or equivalent or comparable constitutive documents with respect to any non-U.S. jurisdiction); (b) with respect to any limited liability company, the certificate or articles of formation or organization and operating agreement or limited liability company agreement (or equivalent or comparable documents with respect to any non-U.S. jurisdiction); (c) with respect to any partnership, joint venture, trust or other form of business entity, the partnership, joint venture or other applicable agreement of formation or organization (or equivalent or comparable documents with respect to any non-U.S. jurisdiction) and (d) with respect to all entities, any agreement, instrument, filing or notice with respect thereto filed in connection with its formation or organization with the applicable Governmental Authority in the jurisdiction of its formation or organization (or equivalent or comparable documents with respect to any non-U.S. jurisdiction).

Other Connection Taxes” means, with respect to the Lender, any Taxes now or hereafter imposed as a result of a present or former connection between the Lender and the jurisdiction (or any political subdivision thereof) imposing such charge (other than connections arising from the Lender having executed, delivered, become a party to, performed its obligations under, received payments under, received or perfected a security interest under, engaged in any other transaction pursuant to or enforced any Loan Document).

Other Taxes” means all present or future documentary, stamp, court, intangible, recording, filing or similar Taxes that arise from the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or registration of, from the receipt or perfection of a security interest under, any Loan Document.

Outstanding Amount” means (a) with respect to Term Loans and Revolving Loans on any date, the Dollar Equivalent amount of the aggregate outstanding principal amount thereof after giving effect to any borrowings and prepayments or repayments of Term Loans and Revolving Loans, as the case may be, occurring on such date; and (b) with respect to any L/C Obligations on any date, the Dollar Equivalent amount of the aggregate outstanding amount of such L/C Obligations on such date after giving effect to any L/C Credit Extension occurring on such date and any other changes in the aggregate amount of the L/C Obligations as of such date, including as a result of any reimbursements by the Borrower of Unreimbursed Amounts.

Participant Register” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.14(b).

Participating Member State” means any member state of the European Union that adopts or has adopted the Euro as its lawful currency in accordance with legislation of the European Union relating to Economic and Monetary Union.

Patriot Act” means the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001, Pub. L. No. 107-56, 115 Stat. 272 (2001).

PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.

Pension Act” means the Pension Protection Act of 2006.

Pension Funding Rules” means the rules of the Code and ERISA regarding minimum required contributions (including any installment payment thereof) to Pension Plans and set forth in, with respect to plan years ending prior to the effective date of the Pension Act, Section 412 of the Code and Section 302 of ERISA, each as in effect prior to the Pension Act and, thereafter, Section 412, 430, 431, 432 and 436 of the Code and Sections 302, 303, 304 and 305 of ERISA.

 

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Pension Plan” means any employee pension benefit plan (including a Multiple Employer Plan or a Multiemployer Plan) that is maintained or is contributed to by the Borrower and any ERISA Affiliate and is either covered by Title IV of ERISA or is subject to the minimum funding standards under Section 412 of the Code.

Permitted Acquisition” means an Acquisition by a Loan Party (the Person or division, line of business or other business unit of the Person to be acquired in such Acquisition shall be referred to herein as the “Target”), in each case that is a type of business (or assets used in a type of business) permitted to be engaged in by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, in each case so long as:

(a) no Default shall then exist or would exist after giving effect thereto;

(b) the Loan Parties shall demonstrate to the reasonable satisfaction of the Lender that, after giving effect to the Acquisition on a Pro Forma Basis, the Loan Parties are in Pro Forma Compliance;

(c) the Lender shall have received (or shall receive within 30 days after the closing of such Acquisition) a first priority perfected security interest (subject only to Permitted Liens) in all property (including, without limitation, Equity Interests) acquired with respect to the Target in accordance with the terms of Section 6.13 and the Target, if a Person, (i) shall become a wholly-owned Subsidiary of a Loan Party and, if the Target is a Foreign Subsidiary, the Loan Parties shall comply with the limitations set forth in Section 7.03 and (ii) shall, within 30 days after the closing of such Acquisition, a Joinder Agreement in accordance with the terms of Section 6.13; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, if the Target is not a Domestic Subsidiary, the Lender shall have received a security interest only to the extent required by the terms of Section 6.13;

(d) the Lender shall have received at least twenty (20) days prior to the consummation of such Acquisition (i) a description of the material terms of such Acquisition, (ii) audited financial statements (or, if unavailable, management-prepared financial statements) of the Target for its two most recent fiscal years and for any fiscal quarters ended within the fiscal year to date, in each case that ended at least, in the case of such annual financial, 120 days, or in the case of any such quarterly financial statements, 60 days prior to the date of consummation of such Acquisition, (iii) consolidated projected income statements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (giving effect to such Acquisition), and (iv) not less than five (5) Business Days prior to the consummation of any Permitted Acquisition, a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit D, executed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower certifying that such Permitted Acquisition complies with the requirements of this Agreement;

(e) the Target shall have earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization for the four (4) fiscal quarter period prior to the acquisition date in an amount greater than $0, with respect to any acquisition where the cash portion of the total consideration to be paid upon consummation of such acquisition is $5,000,000 or more;

(f) such Acquisition shall not be a “hostile” Acquisition and shall have been approved by the board of directors (or equivalent) and/or shareholders (or equivalent) of the applicable Loan Party and the Target;

(g) after giving effect to such Acquisition and any Borrowings made in connection therewith, the aggregate Liquidity plus Availability shall be in the aggregate at least $5,000,000, provided that of such aggregate amount, at least $2,500,000 must be attributable to Liquidity;

 

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(h) the Cost of Acquisition paid by the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries (i) in connection with any single Acquisition shall not exceed $10,000,000 and (ii) for all Acquisitions made during the term of this Agreement shall not exceed $20,000,000; and

(i) the closing of such Acquisition shall occur on or after January 31, 2021.

Permitted Liens” has the meaning set forth in Section 7.01.

Permitted Transfers” means (a) Dispositions of inventory in the ordinary course of business; (b) Dispositions of property to the Borrower or any Subsidiaries, provided that (a) if the transferor is a U.S. Loan Party the transfer must be to a U.S. Loan Party or the transfer must be otherwise permitted as an Investment by Section 7.03, (b) if the transferor is a Foreign Obligor the transfer must be to a Loan Party or the transfer must be an Investment otherwise permitted by Section 7.03, (c) Dispositions of accounts receivable in connection with the collection or compromise thereof; (d) licenses, sublicenses, leases or subleases granted to others not interfering in any material respect with the business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries; and (e) the sale or disposition of cash or Cash Equivalents for fair market value.

Person” means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, Governmental Authority or other entity.

Plan” means any employee benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA (including a Pension Plan), maintained for employees of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate or any such Plan to which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is required to contribute on behalf of any of its employees.

Pledged Equity” has the meaning specified in the Security Agreement.

Post-Closing Field Exam” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.16(c).

Pro Forma Basis” and “Pro Forma Effect” means, for any Disposition of all or substantially all of a division or a line of business, for any Acquisition, or for any Restricted Payment, whether actual or proposed, for purposes of determining compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section 7.11, each such transaction or proposed transaction shall be deemed to have occurred on and as of the first day of the relevant Measurement Period, and the following pro forma adjustments shall be made:

(a) in the case of an actual or proposed Disposition, all income statement items (whether positive or negative) attributable to the line of business or the Person subject to such Disposition shall be excluded from the results of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such Measurement Period;

(b) in the case of an actual or proposed Acquisition, income statement items (whether positive or negative) attributable to the property, line of business or the Person subject to such Acquisition shall be included in the results of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such Measurement Period;

(c) interest accrued during the relevant Measurement Period on, and the principal of, any Indebtedness repaid or to be repaid or refinanced in such transaction shall be excluded from the results of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such Measurement Period; and

(d) any Indebtedness actually or proposed to be incurred or assumed in such transaction shall be deemed to have been incurred as of the first day of the applicable Measurement Period, and interest thereon shall be deemed to have accrued from such day on such Indebtedness at the applicable rates provided therefor (and in the case of interest that does or would accrue at a formula or floating rate, at the rate in effect at the time of determination) and shall be included in the results of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such Measurement Period.

 

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Pro Forma Compliance” means, with respect to any transaction, that such transaction does not cause, create or result in a Default after giving Pro Forma Effect, based upon the results of operations for the most recently completed Measurement Period to (a) such transaction and (b) all other transactions which are contemplated or required to be given Pro Forma Effect hereunder that have occurred on or after the first day of the relevant Measurement Period.

Qualified ECP Guarantor” means, at any time, each Loan Party with total assets exceeding $10,000,000 or that qualifies at such time as an “eligible contract participant” under the Commodity Exchange Act and can cause another Person to qualify as an “eligible contract participant” at such time under Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

Qualified Equity Interest” means any Equity Interest that is not a Disqualified Equity Interest.

Qualifying Control Agreement” means an agreement, among a Loan Party, a depository institution or securities intermediary and the Lender, which agreement is in form and substance acceptable to the Lender and which provides the Lender with “control” (as such term is used in Article 9 of the UCC) over the deposit account(s) or securities account(s) described therein.

Register” has the meaning specified in Section 2.14(a).

Related Parties” means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, trustees, administrators, managers, advisors and representatives of such Person and of such Person’s Affiliates.

Reportable Event” means any of the events set forth in Section 4043(c) of ERISA, other than events for which the thirty (30) day notice period has been waived.

Request for Credit Extension” means (a) with respect to a Borrowing, conversion or continuation of Term Loans or Revolving Loans, a Loan Notice and (b) with respect to an L/C Credit Extension, a Letter of Credit Application.

Responsible Officer” means the chief executive officer, president, chief financial officer, treasurer, assistant treasurer or controller of a Loan Party and, solely for purposes of the delivery of incumbency certificates pursuant to Section 4.01, the secretary or any assistant secretary of a Loan Party, and, solely for purposes of notices given pursuant to Article II, any other officer or employee of the applicable Loan Party so designated by any of the foregoing officers in a notice to the Lender or any other officer or employee of the applicable Loan Party designated in or pursuant to an agreement between the applicable Loan Party and the Lender. Any document delivered hereunder that is signed by a Responsible Officer of a Loan Party shall be conclusively presumed to have been authorized by all necessary corporate, partnership and/or other action on the part of such Loan Party and such Responsible Officer shall be conclusively presumed to have acted on behalf of such Loan Party and not in such person’s individual capacity. To the extent requested by the Lender, each Responsible Officer will provide an incumbency certificate and to the extent requested by the Lender, appropriate authorization documentation, in form and substance satisfactory to the Lender.

Restricted Payment” means (a) any dividend or other distribution, direct or indirect, on account of any shares (or equivalent) of any class of Equity Interests of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, now

 

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or hereafter outstanding, (b) any redemption, retirement, sinking fund or similar payment, purchase or other acquisition for value, direct or indirect, of any shares (or equivalent) of any class of Equity Interests of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, now or hereafter outstanding, and (c) any payment made to retire, or to obtain the surrender of, any outstanding warrants, options or other rights to acquire shares of any class of Equity Interests of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, now or hereafter outstanding.

Restricted Payments Conditions” means, for any Restricted Payment, that (a) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, (b) the Loan Parties are in Pro Forma Compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section 7.11, and (c) Liquidity plus Availability is equal to at least $5,000,000.

Restricted Payments Milestone” means that the Borrower has achieved and delivered Compliance Certificates confirming the achievement, as of the end of any Fiscal Quarter ending on or after January 31, 2021, of Consolidated EBITDA measured on a trailing twelve (12) month basis of at least $12,000,000 for the two (2) consecutive fiscal quarters then ended.

Revaluation Date” means (a) with respect to any Loan, each of the following: (i) each date of a Borrowing of a Eurocurrency Rate Loan denominated in an Alternative Currency, (ii) each date of a continuation of a Eurocurrency Rate Loan denominated in an Alternative Currency pursuant to Section 2.02, and (iii) such additional dates as the Lender shall determine; and (b) with respect to any Letter of Credit, each of the following: (i) each date of issuance, amendment and/or extension of a Letter of Credit denominated in an Alternative Currency, (ii) each date of any payment by the Lender under any Letter of Credit denominated in an Alternative Currency, and (iii) such additional dates as the Lender shall determine.

Revolving Borrowing” means a borrowing consisting of simultaneous Revolving Loans of the same Type and, in the case of Eurocurrency Rate Loans, having the same Interest Period made by the Lender pursuant to Section 2.01(b).

Revolving Commitment” means the Lender’s obligation to (a) make Revolving Loans to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01(b) and (b) issue Letters of Credit for the account of the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.03. The Revolving Commitment on the Closing Date is $10,000,000.

Revolving Facility” means, at any time, the aggregate amount of the Lender’s Revolving Commitment at such time.

Revolving Loan” has the meaning specified in Section 2.01(b).

Revolving Prepayment Amounts” has the meaning set forth in Section 2.05(b)(iii).

S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC, a subsidiary of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., and any successor thereto.

Sale and Leaseback Transaction” means, with respect to any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, any arrangement, directly or indirectly, with any Person whereby such Loan Party or such Subsidiary shall sell or transfer any property used or useful in its business, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, and thereafter rent or lease such property or other property that it intends to use for substantially the same purpose or purposes as the property being sold or transferred.

Same Day Funds” means (a) with respect to disbursements and payments in Dollars, immediately available funds, and (b) with respect to disbursements and payments in an Alternative Currency, same day or other funds as may be determined by the Lender to be customary in the place of disbursement or payment for the settlement of international banking transactions in the relevant Alternative Currency.

 

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Sanction(s)” means any sanction administered or enforced by the United States Government (including, without limitation, OFAC), the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, Her Majesty’s Treasury (“HMT”) or other relevant sanctions authority.

SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions.

Secured Cash Management Agreement” means any Cash Management Agreement between the any Loan Party and any of its Subsidiaries and the Lender or an Affiliate of the Lender.

Secured Hedge Agreement” means any interest rate, currency, foreign exchange, or commodity Swap Contract required or not prohibited under Article VI or VII between any Loan Party and any of its Subsidiaries and the Lender or an Affiliate of the Lender.

Secured Obligations” means (a) all Obligations, (b) all obligations arising under Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements, and (c) all costs and expenses incurred in connection with enforcement and collection of the foregoing, including the fees, charges and disbursements of counsel, in each case whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assumption), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising and including interest, expenses and fees that accrue after the commencement by or against any Loan Party or any Affiliate thereof of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Laws naming such Person as the debtor in such proceeding, regardless of whether such interest, expenses and fees are allowed claims in such proceeding; provided that Secured Obligations of a the Borrower and each Guarantor shall exclude any Excluded Swap Obligations with respect to such Person.

Secured Parties” means, collectively, the Lender (including any Designated Lenders) the Affiliates of the Lender party to Secured Cash Management Agreements and Secured Hedge Agreements and the Indemnitees.

Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, including all amendments thereto and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Security Agreement” means the Security and Pledge Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date, executed in favor of the Lender by each of the Loan Parties.

Solvency Certificate” means a solvency certificate in substantially in the form of Exhibit E.

Solvent” and “Solvency” mean, with respect to any Person or group of Persons taken together on a Consolidated basis on any date of determination, that on such date (a) the fair value of the property of such Person or group is greater than the total amount of liabilities, including contingent liabilities, of such Person or group, (b) the present fair saleable value of the assets of such Person or group is not less than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of such Person or group on its debts as they become absolute and matured, (c) such Person or group does not intend to, and does not believe that it will, incur debts or liabilities beyond such Person’s or group’s ability to pay such debts and liabilities as they mature, (d) such Person or group is not engaged in business or a transaction, and is not about to engage in business or a transaction, for which such Person’s or group’s property would constitute an unreasonably small capital, and (e) such Person or group is able to pay its debts and liabilities, contingent obligations and other commitments as they mature in the ordinary course of business. The amount of contingent liabilities at any time shall be computed as the amount that, in the light of all the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability.

 

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Special Notice Currency” means at any time an Alternative Currency, other than the currency of a country that is a member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development at such time located in North America or Europe.

Specified Loan Party” means any Loan Party that is not then an “eligible contract participant” under the Commodity Exchange Act (determined prior to giving effect to Section 9.11).

Spot Rate” for a currency means the rate determined by the Lender to be the rate quoted by the Person acting in such capacity as the spot rate for the purchase by such Person of such currency with another currency through its principal foreign exchange trading office at approximately 11:00 a.m. on the date two (2) Business Days prior to the date as of which the foreign exchange computation is made; provided that the Lender may obtain such spot rate from another financial institution designated by the Lender if the Person acting in such capacity does not have as of the date of determination a spot buying rate for any such currency; and provided further that the Lender may use such spot rate quoted on the date as of which the foreign exchange computation is made in the case of any Letter of Credit denominated in an Alternative Currency.

Subordinated Debt” means Indebtedness incurred by any Loan Party which by its terms (a) is subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment of the Secured Obligations and (b) contains other terms, including without limitation, standstill, interest rate, maturity and amortization, and insolvency-related provisions, in all respects acceptable to the Lender in its sole discretion.

Subordinated Debt Documents” means all agreements (including without limitation intercreditor agreements, instruments and other documents) pursuant to which Subordinated Debt has been or will be issued or otherwise setting forth the terms of any Subordinated Debt.

Subsidiary” of a Person means a corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other business entity of which a majority of the shares of Voting Stock is at the time beneficially owned, or the management of which is otherwise controlled, directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to a “Subsidiary” or to “Subsidiaries” shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Loan Parties.

Swap Contract” means (a) any and all rate swap transactions, basis swaps, credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity swaps, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options or forward bond or forward bond price or forward bond index transactions, interest rate options, forward foreign exchange transactions, cap transactions, floor transactions, collar transactions, currency swap transactions, cross-currency rate swap transactions, currency options, spot contracts, or any other similar transactions or any combination of any of the foregoing (including any options to enter into any of the foregoing), whether or not any such transaction is governed by or subject to any master agreement, and (b) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement, or any other master agreement (any such master agreement, together with any related schedules, a “Master Agreement”), including any such obligations or liabilities under any Master Agreement.

 

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Swap Obligations” means with respect to any Loan Party any obligation to pay or perform under any agreement, contract or transaction that constitutes a “swap” within the meaning of Section 1a(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

Swap Termination Value” means, in respect of any one or more Swap Contracts, after taking into account the effect of any legally enforceable netting agreement relating to such Swap Contracts, (a) for any date on or after the date such Swap Contracts have been closed out and termination value(s) determined in accordance therewith, such termination value(s), and (b) for any date prior to the date referenced in clause (a), the amount(s) determined as the mark-to-market value(s) for such Swap Contracts, as determined based upon one or more mid-market or other readily available quotations provided by any recognized dealer in such Swap Contracts (which may include the Lender or any Affiliate of the Lender).

Synthetic Lease Obligation” means the monetary obligation of a Person under (a) a so-called synthetic, off-balance sheet or tax retention lease, or (b) an agreement for the use or possession of property (including Sale and Leaseback Transactions), in each case, creating obligations that do not appear on the balance sheet of such Person but which, upon the application of any Debtor Relief Laws to such Person, would be characterized as the indebtedness of such Person (without regard to accounting treatment).

Target” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Permitted Acquisition.”

TARGET2” means the Trans-European Automated Real-time Gross Settlement Express Transfer payment system which utilizes a single shared platform and which was launched on November 19, 2007.

TARGET Day” means any day on which TARGET2 (or, if such payment system ceases to be operative, such other payment system, if any, determined by the Lender to be a suitable replacement) is open for the settlement of payments in Euro.

Taxes” means any present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings (including backup withholding), fees, assessments or other charges of whatever nature now or hereafter imposed by any Governmental Authority and all interest, penalties, additions to tax or similar liabilities with respect to such taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings (including backup withholding), fees, assessments or other charges.

Term Borrowing” means a borrowing consisting of simultaneous Term Loans of the same Type and, in the case of Eurocurrency Rate Loans, having the same Interest Period made by the Lender pursuant to Section 2.01(a).

Term Commitment” means the Lender’s obligation to make the Term Loan to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01(a). The Term Commitment on the Closing Date shall be $15,232,000.

Term Facility” means, at any time, (a) on or prior to the Closing Date, the aggregate amount of the Term Commitment at such time and (b) thereafter, the aggregate principal amount of the Term Loans outstanding at such time.

Term Loan” means the advance made by the Lender under the Term Facility pursuant to Section 2.01(a).

Threshold Amount” means $1,000,000.

Total Revolving Outstandings” means the aggregate Outstanding Amount of all Revolving Loans and L/C Obligations.

 

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Type” means, with respect to a Loan, its character as a Base Rate Loan or a Eurocurrency Rate Loan.

UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of New York; provided that, if perfection or the effect of perfection or non-perfection or the priority of any security interest in any Collateral is governed by the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in a jurisdiction other than the State of New York, “UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in such other jurisdiction for purposes of the provisions hereof relating to such perfection, effect of perfection or non-perfection or priority.

UCP” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits, International Chamber of Commerce (“ICC”) Publication No. 600 (or such later version thereof as may be in effect at the time of issuance).

United States” and “U.S.” mean the United States of America.

Unreimbursed Amount” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(c).

U.S. Loan Party” means any Loan Party that is organized under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, or the District of Columbia.

Voting Stock” means, with respect to any Person, Equity Interests issued by such Person the holders of which are ordinarily, in the absence of contingencies, entitled to vote for the election of directors (or persons performing similar functions) of such Person, even though the right to so vote has been suspended by the happening of such contingency.

Write-Down and Conversion Powers” means, with respect to any EEA Resolution Authority, the write-down and conversion powers of such EEA Resolution Authority from time to time under the Bail-In Legislation for the applicable EEA Member Country, which write-down and conversion powers are described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule.

 

1.02

Other Interpretive Provisions.

With reference to this Agreement and each other Loan Document, unless otherwise specified herein or in such other Loan Document:

(a) The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include,” “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation.” The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall.” Unless the context requires otherwise, (i) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document (including the Loan Documents and any Organization Document) shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, amended and restated, modified, extended, restated, replaced or supplemented from time to time (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein or in any other Loan Document), (ii) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns, (iii) the words “hereto,” “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder,” and words of similar import when used in any Loan Document, shall be construed to refer to such Loan Document in its entirety and not to any particular provision thereof, (iv) all references in a Loan Document to Articles, Sections, Preliminary Statements, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Preliminary Statements, Exhibits and Schedules to, the Loan Document in which such

 

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references appear, (v) any reference to any law shall include all statutory and regulatory rules, regulations, orders and provisions consolidating, amending, replacing or interpreting such law and any reference to any law or regulation shall, unless otherwise specified, refer to such law or regulation as amended, modified, extended, restated, replaced or supplemented from time to time, and (vi) the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights. Any and all references to “Borrower” regardless of whether preceded by the term a, any, each of, all, and/or, or any other similar term shall be deemed to refer, as the context requires, to each and every (and/or any one or all) parties constituting the Borrower, individually and/or in the aggregate.

(b) In the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “from” means “from and including;” the words “to” and “until” each mean “to but excluding;” and the word “through” means “to and including.”

(c) Section headings herein and in the other Loan Documents are included for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

 

1.03

Accounting Terms.

(a) Generally. All accounting terms not specifically or completely defined herein shall be construed in conformity with, and all financial data (including financial ratios and other financial calculations) required to be submitted pursuant to this Agreement shall be prepared in conformity with, GAAP applied on a consistent basis, as in effect from time to time, applied in a manner consistent with that used in preparing the Audited Financial Statements, except as otherwise specifically prescribed herein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of determining compliance with any covenant (including the computation of any financial covenant) contained herein, (i) Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries shall be deemed to be carried at 100% of the outstanding principal amount thereof, and the effects of FASB ASC 825 and FASB ASC 470-20 on financial liabilities shall be disregarded and (ii) leases shall continue to be classified and accounted for on a basis consistent with that reflected in the Audited Financial Statements in respect of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding any change in GAAP pursuant to FASB ASC 842 or otherwise relating thereto, unless the parties hereto shall enter into a mutually acceptable amendment addressing such changes, as provided for above.

(b) Changes in GAAP. If at any time any change in GAAP would affect the computation of any financial ratio or requirement set forth in any Loan Document, and either the Borrower or Lender shall so request, the Lender and the Borrower shall negotiate in good faith to amend such ratio or requirement to preserve the original intent thereof in light of such change in GAAP; provided that, until so amended, (i) such ratio or requirement shall continue to be computed in accordance with GAAP prior to such change therein and (ii) the Borrower shall provide to the Lender financial statements and other documents required under this Agreement or as reasonably requested hereunder setting forth a reconciliation between calculations of such ratio or requirement made before and after giving effect to such change in GAAP.

(c) Pro Forma Treatment. Each Disposition of all or substantially all of a line of business, and each Acquisition, by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries that is consummated during any Measurement Period shall, for purposes of determining compliance with the financial covenants set forth in Section 7.11 and for purposes of determining the Applicable Rate, be given Pro Forma Effect as of the first day of such Measurement Period.

 

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1.04

Rounding.

Any financial ratios required to be maintained by the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement shall be calculated by dividing the appropriate component by the other component, carrying the result to one place more than the number of places by which such ratio is expressed herein and rounding the result up or down to the nearest number (with a rounding-up if there is no nearest number).

 

1.05

Times of Day; Rates.

Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to times of day shall be references to Eastern time (daylight or standard, as applicable).

The Lender does not warrant, nor accept responsibility, nor shall the Lender have any liability with respect to the administration, submission or any other matter related to the rates in the definition of “Eurocurrency Rate” or with respect to any comparable or successor rate thereto.

 

1.06

Letter of Credit Amounts.

Unless otherwise specified herein, the amount of a Letter of Credit at any time shall be deemed to be the Dollar Equivalent of the stated amount of such Letter of Credit in effect at such time; provided, however, that with respect to any Letter of Credit that, by its terms or the terms of any Issuer Document related thereto, provides for one or more automatic increases in the stated amount thereof, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be the Dollar Equivalent of the maximum stated amount of such Letter of Credit after giving effect to all such increases, whether or not such maximum stated amount is in effect at such time.

 

1.07

UCC Terms.

Terms defined in the UCC in effect on the Closing Date and not otherwise defined herein shall, unless the context otherwise indicates, have the meanings provided by those definitions. Subject to the foregoing, the term “UCC” refers, as of any date of determination, to the UCC then in effect.

 

1.08

Exchange Rates; Currency Equivalents.

(a) The Lender shall determine the Spot Rates as of each Revaluation Date to be used for calculating Dollar Equivalent amounts of Credit Extensions and Outstanding Amounts denominated in Alternative Currencies. Such Spot Rates shall become effective as of such Revaluation Date and shall be the Spot Rates employed in converting any amounts between the applicable currencies until the next Revaluation Date to occur. Except for purposes of financial statements delivered by Loan Parties hereunder or calculating financial covenants hereunder or except as otherwise provided herein, the applicable amount of any currency (other than Dollars) for purposes of the Loan Documents shall be such Dollar Equivalent amount as so determined by the Lender.

(b) Wherever in this Agreement in connection with a Borrowing, conversion, continuation or prepayment of a Eurocurrency Rate Loan or the issuance, amendment or extension of a Letter of Credit, an amount, such as a required minimum or multiple amount, is expressed in Dollars, but such Borrowing, Eurocurrency Rate Loan or Letter of Credit is denominated in an Alternative Currency, such amount shall be the relevant Alternative Currency Equivalent of such Dollar amount (rounded to the nearest unit of such Alternative Currency, with 0.5 of a unit being rounded upward), as determined by the Lender.

 

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1.09

Additional Alternative Currencies.

(a) The Borrower may from time to time request that Eurocurrency Rate Loans be made and/or Letters of Credit be issued in a currency other than those specifically listed in the definition of “Alternative Currency”; provided that (i) such requested currency is an Eligible Currency and (ii) such requested currency shall only be treated as a “LIBOR Quoted Currency” to the extent that there is published LIBOR rate for such currency. In the case of any such request with respect to the making of Eurocurrency Rate Loans, such request shall be subject to the approval of the Lender, and in the case of any such request with respect to the issuance of Letters of Credit, such request shall be subject to the approval of the Lender.

(b) Any such request shall be made to the Lender not later than 11:00 a.m., twenty (20) Business Days prior to the date of the desired Credit Extension (or such other time or date as may be agreed by the Lender in its sole discretion).

(c) If the Lender consents to making Eurocurrency Rate Loans or Letters of Credit in such requested currency and the Lender reasonably determines that an appropriate interest rate is available to be used for such requested currency, the Lender shall so notify the Borrower and may amend the definition of Eurocurrency Rate for any Non-LIBOR Quoted Currency to the extent necessary to add the applicable Eurocurrency Rate for such currency and (ii) to the extent the definition of Eurocurrency Rate reflects the appropriate interest rate for such currency or has been amended to reflect the appropriate rate for such currency, such currency shall thereupon be deemed for all purposes to be an Alternative Currency for purposes of any Borrowings of Eurocurrency Rate Loans or the issuance of Letters of Credit, as applicable.

1.10 Change of Currency. Each obligation of the Borrower to make a payment denominated in the national currency unit of any member state of the European Union that adopts the Euro as its lawful currency after the Closing Date shall be redenominated into Euro at the time of such adoption. If, in relation to the currency of any such member state, the basis of accrual of interest expressed in this Agreement in respect of that currency shall be inconsistent with any convention or practice in the London interbank market for the basis of accrual of interest in respect of the Euro, such expressed basis shall be replaced by such convention or practice with effect from the date on which such member state adopts the Euro as its lawful currency; provided that if any Borrowing in the currency of such member state is outstanding immediately prior to such date, such replacement shall take effect, with respect to such Borrowing, at the end of the then current Interest Period.

(b) Each provision of this Agreement shall be subject to such reasonable changes of construction as the Lender may from time to time specify to be appropriate to reflect the adoption of the Euro by any member state of the European Union and any relevant market conventions or practices relating to the Euro.

(c) Each provision of this Agreement also shall be subject to such reasonable changes of construction as the Lender may from time to time specify to be appropriate to reflect a change in currency of any other country and any relevant market conventions or practices relating to the change in currency.

 

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ARTICLE II

COMMITMENTS AND CREDIT EXTENSIONS

 

2.01

Loans.

(a) Term Borrowing. Immediately prior to the effectiveness of this Agreement, the Existing U.S. Term Loan and the Existing Danish Term Loan were outstanding under the Existing Credit Agreement (the “Existing Term Loans”) in an aggregate principal amount equal to $10,232,000 (after giving effect to the prepayment of the Existing Term Loans by the Borrower on the Closing Date, in an aggregate principal amount of $1,500,000 (such prepayment, the “Closing Date Prepayment”)) and the Existing Revolver Outstandings were outstanding under the Existing Credit Agreement in an aggregate principal amount equal to $11,500,000. On the date hereof and after giving effect to the Closing Date Prepayment, the Existing Term Loans and $5,000,000 of Existing Revolver Outstandings shall be converted to and shall be deemed to be, and hereby constitute, on the Closing Date, the “Term Loan” hereunder, which shall be outstanding in the aggregate principal amount of $15,232,000.

(b) Revolving Borrowings. Immediately prior to the effectiveness of this Agreement, the Existing Revolver Outstandings were outstanding in an aggregate principal amount equal to $11,500,000. On the date hereof, $6,500,000 of the Existing Revolver Outstandings shall be converted to and shall be deemed to be, and hereby constitute, on the Closing Date, “Revolving Loans” hereunder. After giving effect to the foregoing sentence, the remaining undrawn principal amount of the “Revolving Commitment” hereunder shall be $3,500,000. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Lender agrees to make loans (each such loan, a “Revolving Loan”) to the Borrower, in Dollars or in one or more Alternative Currencies, from time to time, on any Business Day during the Availability Period, in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any time outstanding the amount of the Revolving Commitment; provided, however, that after giving effect to any Revolving Borrowing, (i) the Total Revolving Outstandings shall not exceed the Revolving Facility and (ii) the aggregate Outstanding Amount of all Loans denominated in Alternative Currencies shall not exceed the Alternative Currency Sublimit. Within the limits of the Revolving Commitment, and subject to the other terms and conditions hereof, the Borrower may borrow Revolving Loans, prepay under Section 2.05, and reborrow under this Section 2.01(b). Revolving Loans may be Base Rate Loans or Eurocurrency Rate Loans, as further provided herein; provided, however, any Revolving Borrowings made on the Closing Date or any of the three (3) Business Days following the Closing Date shall be made as Base Rate Loans unless the Borrower delivers a Funding Indemnity Letter not less than three (3) Business Days prior to the date of such Revolving Borrowing.

 

2.02

Borrowings, Conversions and Continuations of Loans.

(a) Notice of Borrowing. Each Borrowing, each conversion of Loans from one Type to the other, and each continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans shall be made upon the Borrower’s irrevocable notice to the Lender, which may be given by (A) telephone or (B) a Loan Notice; provided that any telephonic notice must be confirmed immediately by delivery to the Lender of a Loan Notice. Each such notice must be received by the Lender not later than 11:00 a.m. (i) three (3) Business Days prior to the requested date of any Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans denominated in Dollars or of any conversion of Eurocurrency Rate Loans denominated in Dollars to Base Rate Loans, (ii) four (4) Business Days (or five (5) Business Days in the case of a Special Notice Currency) prior to the requested date of any Borrowing or continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans denominated in Alternative Currencies, and (iii) on the requested date of any Borrowing of Base Rate Loans; provided, however, that if the Borrower wishes to request Eurocurrency Rate Loans having an Interest Period other than one (1), two (2) or three (3) months in duration as provided in the definition of “Interest Period”, the applicable notice must be received by the Lender not later than 11:00 a.m. (i) four (4) Business Days prior to the

 

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requested date of such Borrowing, conversion or continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans denominated in Dollars, or (ii) five (5) Business Days (or six (6) Business Days in the case of a Special Notice Currency) prior to the requested date of such Borrower, conversion or continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans denominated in Alternative Currencies. Not later than 11:00 a.m., (i) three (3) Business Days before the requested date of such Borrowing, conversion or continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans denominated in Dollars, or (ii) four (4) Business Days (or five (5) Business Days in the case of a Special Notice Currency) prior to the requested date of such Borrower, conversion or continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans denominated in Alternative Currencies, the Lender shall notify the Borrower (which notice may be by telephone) whether or not the requested Interest Period is available. Each Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans shall be, unless otherwise agreed by Lender, in a principal amount of the Dollar Equivalent of $250,000 or a whole multiple of the Dollar Equivalent of $100,000 in excess thereof (or, in connection with any conversion or continuation of a Term Loan, if less, the entire principal thereof then outstanding). Except as provided in Section 2.03(c), each Borrowing of or conversion to Base Rate Loans shall be, unless otherwise agreed by Lender, in a principal amount of the Dollar Equivalent of $250,000 or a whole multiple of the Dollar Equivalent of $100,000 in excess thereof (or, in connection with any conversion or continuation of a Term Loan, if less, the entire principal thereof then outstanding). Each Loan Notice (whether telephonic or written) shall specify (A) the applicable Facility and whether the Borrower is requesting a Borrowing, a conversion of Loans from one Type to the other, or a continuation of Loans, as the case may be, under such Facility, (B) the requested date of the Borrowing, conversion or continuation, as the case may be (which shall be a Business Day), (C) the principal amount of Loans to be borrowed, converted or continued, (D) the Type of Loans to be borrowed or to which existing Loans are to be converted, (E) if applicable, the duration of the Interest Period with respect thereto, and (F) the currency of the Loans to be borrowed. If the Borrower fails to specify a currency in a Loan Notice requesting a Borrowing, then the Loans so requested shall be made in Dollars. If the Borrower fails to specify a Type of Loan in a Loan Notice or if the Borrower fails to give a timely notice requesting a conversion or continuation, then the applicable Loans shall be made as, or converted to, Base Rate Loans; provided, however, that in the case of a failure to timely request a continuation of Loans denominated in an Alternative Currency, such Loans shall be continued as Eurocurrency Rate Loans in their original currency with an Interest Period of one (1) month. Any such automatic conversion to Base Rate Loans shall be effective as of the last day of the Interest Period then in effect with respect to the applicable Eurocurrency Rate Loans. If the Borrower requests a Borrowing of, conversion to, or continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans in any such Loan Notice, but fails to specify an Interest Period, it will be deemed to have specified an Interest Period of one (1) month. Except as permitted pursuant to Section 2.02(c), no Loan may be converted into or continued as a Loan denominated in a different currency, but instead must be repaid in the original currency of such Loan and reborrowed in the other currency.

(b) Advances. Following receipt of a Loan Notice for a Facility, upon satisfaction of the applicable conditions set forth in Section 4.02 (and, if such Borrowing is the initial Credit Extension, Section 4.01), the Lender shall make the requested funds available to the Borrower either by (i) crediting the account of the Borrower on the books of Bank of America with the amount of such funds or (ii) wire transfer of such funds, in each case in accordance with instructions provided to (and reasonably acceptable to) the Lender by the Borrower.

(c) Eurocurrency Rate Loans. Except as otherwise provided herein, a Eurocurrency Rate Loan may be continued or converted only on the last day of an Interest Period for such Eurocurrency Rate Loan. During the existence of a Default, no Loans may be requested as, converted to or continued as Eurocurrency Rate Loans without the consent of the Lender, and the Lender may demand that any or all of the outstanding Eurocurrency Rate Loans denominated in Dollars be converted immediately to Base Rate Loans and any or all of the then outstanding Eurocurrency Rate Loans denominated in an Alternative Currency be prepaid, or redenominated into Dollars in the amount of the Dollar Equivalent thereof, on the last day of the then current Interest Period with respect thereto.

 

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(d) Interest Periods. After giving effect to all Term Borrowings, all conversions of Term Loans from one Type to the other, and all continuations of Term Loans as the same Type, there shall not be more than three (3) Interest Periods in effect in respect of the Term Facility. After giving effect to all Revolving Borrowings, all conversions of Revolving Loans from one Type to the other, and all continuations of Revolving Loans as the same Type, there shall not be more than five (5) Interest Periods in effect in respect of the Revolving Facility.

 

2.03

Letters of Credit.

(a) The Letter of Credit Commitment.

(i) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Lender agrees (A) from time to time on any Business Day during the period from the Closing Date until the Letter of Credit Expiration Date, to issue Letters of Credit for the account of the Borrower or any of its domestic Subsidiaries or, in the Lender’s sole and absolute discretion any of its Foreign Subsidiaries, and to amend or extend Letters of Credit previously issued by it, in accordance with Section 2.03(b), and (B) to honor drawings under the Letters of Credit; provided that after giving effect to any L/C Credit Extension with respect to any Letter of Credit, (x) the Total Revolving Outstandings shall not exceed the Revolving Facility and (y) the Outstanding Amount of the L/C Obligations shall not exceed the Letter of Credit Sublimit. Each request by the Borrower for the issuance or amendment of a Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be a representation by the Borrower that the L/C Credit Extension so requested complies with the conditions set forth in the proviso to the preceding sentence. Within the foregoing limits, and subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Borrower’s ability to obtain Letters of Credit shall be fully revolving, and accordingly the Borrower may, during the foregoing period, obtain Letters of Credit to replace Letters of Credit that have expired or that have been drawn upon and reimbursed.

(ii) The Lender shall not be under any obligation to issue any Letter of Credit if:

(A) subject to Section 2.03(b)(iii), the expiry date of the requested Letter of Credit would occur more than twelve (12) months after the date of issuance or last extension, unless the Lender has approved such expiry date; or

(B) the expiry date of the requested Letter of Credit would occur after the Letter of Credit Expiration Date, unless the Lender has approved such expiry date.

(C) any order, judgment or decree of any Governmental Authority or arbitrator shall by its terms purport to enjoin or restrain the Lender from issuing the Letter of Credit, or any Law applicable to the Lender or any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over the Lender shall prohibit, or request that the Lender refrain from, the issuance of letters of credit generally or the Letter of Credit in particular or shall impose upon the Lender with respect to the Letter of Credit any restriction, reserve or capital requirement (for which the Lender is not otherwise compensated hereunder) not in effect on the Closing Date, or shall impose upon the Lender any unreimbursed loss, cost or expense which was not applicable on the Closing Date and which the Lender in good faith deems material to it;

(D) the issuance of the Letter of Credit would violate one or more policies of the Lender applicable to letters of credit generally;

(E) except as otherwise agreed by the Lender, the Letter of Credit is in an initial stated amount less than $50,000;

 

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(F) except as otherwise agreed by the Lender, the Letter of Credit is to be denominated in a currency other than Dollars or an Alternative Currency;

(G) the Letter of Credit contains any provisions for automatic reinstatement of the stated amount after any drawing thereunder; or

(H) the Lender does not as of the issuance date of the requested Letter of Credit issue Letters of Credit in the requested currency.

(iii) The Lender shall be under no obligation to amend any Letter of Credit if (A) the Lender would have no obligation at such time to issue such Letter of Credit in its amended form under the terms hereof, or (B) the beneficiary of such Letter of Credit does not accept the proposed amendment to the Letter of Credit.

(b) Procedures for Issuance and Amendment of Letters of Credit; Auto-Extension Letters of Credit.

(i) Each Letter of Credit shall be issued or amended, as the case may be, upon the request of the Borrower delivered to the Lender in the form of a Letter of Credit Application, appropriately completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower and/or such Subsidiary, as required by the L/C Issuer. Such Letter of Credit Application may be sent by fax transmission, by United States mail, by overnight courier, by electronic transmission using the system provided by the Lender, by personal delivery or by any other means acceptable to the Lender. Such Letter of Credit Application must be received by the Lender not later than 11:00 a.m. at least five (5) Business Days (or such later date and time as the Lender may agree in a particular instance in its sole discretion) prior to the proposed issuance date or date of amendment, as the case may be. In the case of a request for an initial issuance of a Letter of Credit, such Letter of Credit Application shall specify in form and detail satisfactory to the Lender: (A) the proposed issuance date of the requested Letter of Credit (which shall be a Business Day); (B) the amount and currency thereof and in the absence of specification of currency shall be deemed a request for a Letter of Credit denominated in Dollars; (C) the expiry date thereof; (D) the name and address of the beneficiary thereof; (E) the documents to be presented by such beneficiary in case of any drawing thereunder; (F) the full text of any certificate to be presented by such beneficiary in case of any drawing thereunder; (G) the purpose and nature of the requested Letter of Credit; and (H) such other matters as the Lender may require. In the case of a request for an amendment of any outstanding Letter of Credit, such Letter of Credit Application shall specify in form and detail satisfactory to the Lender (1) the Letter of Credit to be amended; (2) the proposed date of amendment thereof (which shall be a Business Day); (3) the nature of the proposed amendment; and (4) such other matters as the Lender may require. Additionally, the Borrower shall furnish to the Lender such other documents and information pertaining to such requested Letter of Credit issuance or amendment, including any Issuer Documents, as the Lender may require.

(ii) Promptly after its delivery of any Letter of Credit or any amendment to a Letter of Credit to an advising bank with respect thereto or to the beneficiary thereof, the Lender will also deliver to the Borrower a true and complete copy of such Letter of Credit or amendment.

(iii) If the Borrower so requests in any applicable Letter of Credit Application, the Lender may, in its sole discretion, agree to issue a standby Letter of Credit that has automatic extension provisions (each, an “Auto-Extension Letter of Credit”); provided that any such Auto-Extension Letter of Credit must permit the Lender to prevent any such extension at least once in each twelve (12) month period (commencing with the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit) by

 

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giving prior notice to the beneficiary thereof not later than a day (the “Non-Extension Notice Date”) in each such twelve (12) month period to be agreed upon at the time such Letter of Credit is issued. Unless otherwise directed by the Lender, the Borrower shall not be required to make a specific request to the Lender for any such extension. Once an Auto-Extension Letter of Credit has been issued, the Lender shall permit the extension of such Letter of Credit at any time to an expiry date not later than the Letter of Credit Expiration Date; provided, however, that the Lender shall not permit any such extension if (A) the Lender has determined that it would not be permitted, or would have no obligation at such time to issue such Letter of Credit in its revised form (as extended) under the terms hereof (by reason of the provisions of clause (ii) or (iii) of Section 2.03(a) or otherwise), or (B) it has received notice (which may be by telephone or in writing) on or before the day that is seven (7) Business Days before the Non-Extension Notice Date from the Borrower that one or more of the applicable conditions specified in Section 4.02 is not then satisfied, and directing the Lender not to permit such extension.

(iv) If the Borrower so requests in any applicable Letter of Credit Application, the Lender may, in its sole discretion, agree to issue a Letter of Credit that permits the automatic reinstatement of all or a portion of the stated amount thereof after any drawing thereunder (each, an “Auto-Reinstatement Letter of Credit”). Unless otherwise directed by the Lender, the Borrower shall not be required to make a specific request to the Lender to permit such reinstatement. Once an Auto-Reinstatement Letter of Credit has been issued, except as provided in the following sentence, the Lender may reinstate all or a portion of the stated amount thereof in accordance with the provisions of such Letter of Credit. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if such Auto-Reinstatement Letter of Credit permits the Lender to decline to reinstate all or any portion of the stated amount thereof after a drawing thereunder by giving notice of such non-reinstatement within a specified number of days after such drawing (the “Non-Reinstatement Deadline”), the Lender shall not permit such reinstatement if it has received a notice (which may be by telephone or in writing) on or before the day that is seven (7) Business Days before the Non-Reinstatement Deadline from the Borrower that one or more of the applicable conditions specified in Section 4.02 is not then satisfied (treating such reinstatement as an L/C Credit Extension for purposes of this clause) and directing the Lender not to permit such reinstatement.

(c) Drawings and Reimbursements. Upon receipt from the beneficiary of any Letter of Credit of any notice of a drawing under such Letter of Credit, the Lender shall notify the Borrower thereof. In the case of a Letter of Credit denominated in an Alternative Currency, the Borrower shall reimburse the Lender in such Alternative Currency, unless (i) the Lender (at its option) shall have specified in such notice that it will require reimbursement in Dollars, or (ii) in the absence of any such requirement for reimbursement in Dollars, the Borrower shall have notified the Lender promptly following receipt of the notice of drawing that the Borrower will reimburse the Lender in Dollars. In the case of any such reimbursement in Dollars of a drawing under a Letter of Credit denominated in an Alternative Currency, the Lender shall notify the Borrower of the Dollar Equivalent of the amount of the drawing promptly following the determination thereof. Not later than 2:00 p.m. on the date of any payment by the Lender under a Letter of Credit to be reimbursed in Dollars, or the Applicable Time on the date of any payment by the Lender under a Letter of Credit to be reimbursed in an Alternative Currency (each such date, an “Honor Date”), the Borrower shall reimburse the Lender in an amount equal to the amount of such drawing and in the applicable currency. In the event that (A) a drawing denominated in an Alternative Currency is to be reimbursed in Dollars pursuant to the second sentence in this Section 2.03(c) and (B) the Dollar amount paid by the Borrower, whether on or after the Honor Date, shall not be adequate on the date of that payment to purchase in accordance with normal banking procedures a sum denominated in the Alternative Currency equal to the drawing, the Borrower agrees, as a separate and independent obligation, to indemnify the Lender for the loss resulting from its inability on that date to purchase the Alternative Currency in the full amount of the drawing. If the Borrower fails to so reimburse the Lender by such time, the Borrower shall be deemed to have requested a

 

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Revolving Borrowing of Base Rate Loans to be disbursed on the Honor Date in an amount equal to the amount of the unreimbursed drawing (expressed in Dollars in the amount of the Dollar Equivalent thereof in the case of a Letter of Credit denominated in an Alternative Currency) (the “Unreimbursed Amount”), without regard to the minimum and multiples specified in Section 2.02 for the principal amount of Base Rate Loans. Any notice given by the Lender pursuant to this Section 2.03(c) may be given by telephone if immediately confirmed in writing; provided that the lack of such an immediate confirmation shall not affect the conclusiveness or binding effect of such notice.

(d) Obligations Absolute. The obligation of the Borrower to reimburse the Lender for each drawing under each Letter of Credit shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be paid strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under all circumstances, including the following:

(i) any lack of validity or enforceability of such Letter of Credit, this Agreement, or any other Loan Document;

(ii) the existence of any claim, counterclaim, setoff, defense or other right that the Borrower or any Subsidiary may have at any time against any beneficiary or any transferee of such Letter of Credit (or any Person for whom any such beneficiary or any such transferee may be acting), the Lender or any other Person, whether in connection with this Agreement or by such Letter of Credit, the transactions contemplated hereby or any agreement or instrument relating thereto, or any unrelated transaction;

(iii) any draft, demand, endorsement, certificate or other document presented under or in connection with such Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent, invalid or insufficient in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect; or any loss or delay in the transmission or otherwise of any document required in order to make a drawing under such Letter of Credit;

(iv) waiver by the Lender of any requirement that exists for the Lender’s protection and not the protection of the Borrower or any waiver by the Lender which does not in fact materially prejudice the Borrower;

(v) honor of a demand for payment presented electronically even if such Letter of Credit requires that demand be in the form of a draft;

(vi) any payment made by the Lender in respect of an otherwise complying item presented after the date specified as the expiration date of, or the date by which documents must be received under, such Letter of Credit if presentation after such date is authorized by the UCC, the ISP or the UCP, as applicable;

(vii) any payment by the Lender under such Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or certificate that does not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit; or any payment made by the Lender under such Letter of Credit to any Person purporting to be a trustee in bankruptcy, debtor-in-possession, assignee for the benefit of creditors, liquidator, receiver or other representative of or successor to any beneficiary or any transferee of such Letter of Credit, including any arising in connection with any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law;

(viii) any other circumstance or happening whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, including any other circumstance that might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries; or

 

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(ix) any adverse change in the relevant exchange rates or in the availability of the relevant Alternative Currency to the Borrower or any Subsidiary or in the relevant currency markets generally.

The Borrower shall promptly examine a copy of each Letter of Credit and each amendment thereto that is delivered to it and, in the event of any claim of noncompliance with the Borrower’s instructions or other irregularity, the Borrower will immediately notify the Lender. The Borrower shall be conclusively deemed to have waived any such claim against the Lender and its correspondents unless such notice is given as aforesaid.

(e) Role of the Lender. The Lender and the Borrower agree that, in paying any drawing under a Letter of Credit, the Lender shall not have any responsibility to obtain any document (other than any sight or time draft, certificates and documents expressly required by the Letter of Credit) or to ascertain or inquire as to the validity or accuracy of any such document or the authority of the Person executing or delivering any such document. The Borrower hereby assumes all risks of the acts or omissions of any beneficiary or transferee with respect to its use of any Letter of Credit; provided, however, that this assumption is not intended to, and shall not, preclude the Borrower’s pursuing such rights and remedies as it may have against the beneficiary or transferee at law or under any other agreement. None of the Lender, any of its Related Parties nor any correspondent, participant or assignee of the Lender shall be liable or responsible for any of the matters described in Section 2.03(d). In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, the Lender may accept documents that appear on their face to be in order, without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, and the Lender shall not be responsible for the validity or sufficiency of any instrument transferring, endorsing or assigning or purporting to transfer, endorse or assign a Letter of Credit or the rights or benefits thereunder or proceeds thereof, in whole or in part, which may prove to be invalid or ineffective for any reason. The Lender may send a Letter of Credit or conduct any communication to or from the beneficiary via the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (“SWIFT”) message or overnight courier, or any other commercially reasonable means of communicating with a beneficiary.

(f) Applicability of ISP and UCP; Limitation of Liability. Unless otherwise expressly agreed by the Lender and the Borrower when a Letter of Credit is issued (including any such agreement applicable to an Existing Letter of Credit), the rules of the ISP shall apply to each standby Letter of Credit. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Lender shall not be responsible to the Borrower for, and the Lender’s rights and remedies against the Borrower shall not be impaired by, any action or inaction of the Lender required or permitted under any law, order, or practice that is required or permitted to be applied to any Letter of Credit or this Agreement, including the Law or any order of a jurisdiction where the Lender or the beneficiary is located, the practice stated in the ISP or UCP, as applicable, or in the decisions, opinions, practice statements, or official commentary of the ICC Banking Commission, the Bankers Association for Finance and Trade—International Financial Services Association (BAFT-IFSA), or the Institute of International Banking Law & Practice, whether or not any Letter of Credit chooses such law or practice.

(g) Letter of Credit Fees. The Borrower shall pay to the Lender a Letter of Credit fee (the “Letter of Credit Fee”) for each Letter of Credit equal to the Applicable Rate times the Dollar Equivalent of the daily amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit. For purposes of computing the daily amount available to be drawn under any Letter of Credit, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.06. Letter of Credit Fees shall be (A) due and payable on the first Business Day following each Fiscal Quarter end, commencing with the first such date to occur after the issuance of such Letter of Credit, on the Letter of Credit Expiration Date and thereafter on demand and (B) computed on a quarterly basis in arrears. If there is any change in the Applicable Rate during any quarter, the daily amount available to be drawn under each Letter of Credit shall be computed and multiplied by the Applicable Rate separately for each period during such quarter that such Applicable Rate was in effect.

 

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(h) Conflict with Issuer Documents. In the event of any conflict between the terms hereof and the terms of any Issuer Document, the terms hereof shall control.

(i) Letters of Credit Issued for Subsidiaries. Notwithstanding that a Letter of Credit issued or outstanding hereunder is in support of any obligations of, or is for the account of, a Subsidiary, the Borrower shall be obligated to reimburse the Lender hereunder for any and all drawings under such Letter of Credit. The Borrower hereby acknowledge that the issuance of Letters of Credit for the account of Subsidiaries inures to the benefit of the Borrower, and that the Borrower’s business derives substantial benefits from the businesses of such Subsidiaries.

2.04 Reserved.

2.05 Prepayments.

(a) Optional. The Borrower may, upon notice to the Lender pursuant to delivery to the Lender of a Notice of Loan Prepayment, at any time or from time to time voluntarily prepay Term Loans and/or Revolving Loans in whole or in part without premium or penalty subject to Section 3.05; provided that, unless otherwise agreed by the Lender (A) such notice must be received by Lender not later than 11:00 a.m. (1) three (3) Business Days prior to any date of prepayment of Eurocurrency Rate Loans denominated in Dollars, (2) four (4) Business Days (or five (5), in the case of prepayment of Loans denominated in Special Notice Currencies) prior to any date of prepayment of Eurocurrency Rate Loans denominated in Alternative Currencies, and (3) on the date of prepayment of Base Rate Loans; (B) any prepayment of Eurocurrency Rate Loans denominated in Dollars shall be in a principal amount of $250,000 or a whole multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof; (C) any prepayment of Eurocurrency Rate Loans denominated in Alternative Currencies shall be in a minimum principal amount of $250,000 or a whole multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof; and (D) any prepayment of Base Rate Loans shall be in a principal amount of $250,000 or a whole multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof or, in each case, if less, the entire principal amount thereof then outstanding. Each such notice shall specify the date, the currency and amount of such prepayment and the Type(s) of Loans to be prepaid and, if Eurocurrency Rate Loans are to be prepaid, the Interest Period(s) of such Loans. If such notice is given by the Borrower, the Borrower shall make such prepayment and the payment amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date specified therein. Any prepayment of a Eurocurrency Rate Loan shall be accompanied by all accrued interest on the amount prepaid, together with any additional amounts required pursuant to Section 3.05. Each prepayment of the outstanding Term Loans pursuant to this Section 2.05(a) shall be applied to the principal repayment installments thereof in inverse order of maturity.

(b) Mandatory.

(i) Dispositions and Involuntary Dispositions. The Borrower shall prepay the Term Loan and the Revolving Loans and/or Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations as hereinafter provided in an aggregate amount equal to 100% of the Net Cash Proceeds received by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, from all Dispositions (other than Permitted Transfers) and Involuntary Dispositions within five (5) days of the date of such Disposition or Involuntary Disposition, provided that such prepayment shall only be made to the extent Net Cash Proceeds exceeds $1,000,000 in the aggregate in a fiscal year.

(ii) Equity Issuance. Immediately upon the receipt by the Borrower or any Domestic Subsidiary of the Net Cash Proceeds of any Equity Issuance that are not used or to be used within

 

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thirty (30) days to consummate a Permitted Acquisition or Permitted Investment, the Borrower shall prepay the Term Loan and the Revolving Loans and/or Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations, as applicable, as hereinafter provided in an aggregate amount equal to 100% of such Net Cash Proceeds.

(iii) Debt Issuance. Immediately upon the receipt by the Borrower or any Domestic Subsidiary of the Net Cash Proceeds of any Debt Issuance, the Borrower shall prepay the Term Loan and the Revolving Loans and/or Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations, as applicable, as hereinafter provided in an aggregate amount equal to 100% of such Net Cash Proceeds.

(iv) Extraordinary Receipts. Immediately upon receipt by the Borrower or any Domestic Subsidiary of any Extraordinary Receipt received by or paid to or for the account of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, and not otherwise included in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) of this Section, the Borrower shall prepay the Term Loan and the Revolving Loans and/or Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations, as applicable, as hereinafter provided in an aggregate principal amount equal to 100% of all Net Cash Proceeds received therefrom.

(v) Application of Payments. Each prepayment of Loans pursuant to the foregoing provisions of Section 2.05(b)(i)-(iv) shall be applied, first, to the principal repayment installments of the relevant Term Loan in inverse order of maturity, including, without limitation, the final principal repayment installment on the Maturity Date, and, second, if such prepayment is by the Borrower, to the Revolving Facility in the manner set forth in clause (vii) of this Section 2.05(b).

(vi) Revolving Outstandings. If for any reason the Total Revolving Outstandings at any time exceed the Revolving Facility at such time, the Borrower shall immediately prepay Revolving Loans (together with all accrued but unpaid interest thereon) and/or Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations in an aggregate amount equal to such excess; provided, however, that the Borrower shall not be required to Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations pursuant to this Section 2.05(b)(vi) unless, after the prepayment of the Revolving Loans, the Total Revolving Outstandings exceed the Revolving Facility at such time.

(vii) Application of Other Payments. Prepayments of the Revolving Facility made pursuant to this Section 2.05(b), first, shall be applied to the outstanding Revolving Loans, and, second, shall be used to Cash Collateralize the remaining L/C Obligations; and, in the case of prepayments of the Revolving Facility required pursuant to clause (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) of this Section 2.05(b), the amount remaining, if any, after the prepayment in full of all Revolving Loans outstanding at such time and the Cash Collateralization of the remaining L/C Obligations in full (the sum of such prepayment amounts, cash collateralization amounts and remaining amount being, collectively, the “Revolving Prepayment Amounts”) may be retained by the Borrower and its Domestic Subsidiaries for use in the ordinary course of its business, and the Revolving Facility shall not be automatically reduced by any Revolving Prepayment Amount. Upon the drawing of any Letter of Credit that has been Cash Collateralized, the funds held as Cash Collateral shall be applied (without any further action by or notice to or from the Borrower or any other Loan Party that has provided Cash Collateral) to reimburse the Lender.

(viii) Alternative Currencies. If the Lender notifies the Borrower at any time that the Outstanding Amount of all Loans and L/C Obligations denominated in Alternative Currencies at such time exceeds an amount equal to 105% of the Alternative Currency Sublimit then in effect, then, within two (2) Business Days after receipt of such notice, the Borrower shall prepay Loans and/or Cash Collateralize Letters of Credit in an aggregate amount sufficient to reduce such Outstanding Amount as of such date of payment to an amount not to exceed 100% of the Alternative Currency Sublimit then in effect.

 

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Within the parameters of the applications set forth above, prepayments pursuant to this Section 2.05(b) shall be applied first to Base Rate Loans and then to Eurocurrency Rate Loans in direct order of Interest Period maturities. All prepayments under this Section 2.05(b) shall be subject to Section 3.05, but otherwise without premium or penalty, and shall be accompanied by interest on the principal amount prepaid through the date of prepayment.

2.06 Termination or Reduction of Commitments.

(a) Optional. The Borrower may, upon notice to the Lender, terminate the Revolving Facility or the Letter of Credit Sublimit, or from time to time permanently reduce the Revolving Facility or the Letter of Credit Sublimit; provided that (i) any such notice shall be received by the Lender not later than 11:00 a.m. five (5) Business Days prior to the date of termination or reduction, (ii) any such partial reduction shall be in an aggregate amount of $500,000 or any whole multiple of $100,000 in excess thereof and (iii) the Borrower shall not terminate or reduce (A) the Revolving Facility if, after giving effect thereto and to any concurrent prepayments hereunder, the Total Revolving Outstandings would exceed the Revolving Facility or (B) the Letter of Credit Sublimit if, after giving effect thereto, the Outstanding Amount of L/C Obligations not fully Cash Collateralized hereunder would exceed the Letter of Credit Sublimit.

(b) Mandatory.

(i) The Term Commitment shall be automatically and permanently reduced to zero on the Closing Date, after giving effect

to Section 2.01(a).

(ii) Reserved.

(iii) If after giving effect to any reduction or termination of the Revolving Commitment under this Section 2.06, the Letter of Credit Sublimit or the Alternative Currency Sublimit exceeds the Revolving Facility at such time, the Letter of Credit Sublimit or the Alternative Currency Sublimit, as the case may be, shall be automatically reduced by the amount of such excess.

(c) Payment of Fees. All fees in respect of the Revolving Facility accrued until the effective date of any termination of the Revolving Facility shall be paid on the effective date of such termination.

2.07 Repayment of Loans.

(a) Term Loans. The Borrower shall repay to the Lender the aggregate principal amount of the Term Loan outstanding in installments, with each payment of the Term Facility to be due and payable on the last day of each Fiscal Quarter of the Borrower (commencing with the Fiscal Quarter ending July 31, 2020) in the applicable amount in accordance with the following schedule (which amount shall be reduced as a result of the application of prepayments in accordance with the order of priority set forth in Section 2.05), unless accelerated sooner pursuant to Section 8.02:

 

Fiscal Quarter Ending    Installment Amount

July 31, 2020 and October 31, 2020

   $802,000

January 31, 2021

   $1,052,000

April 30, 2021

   $1,144,000

 

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July 31, 2021, October 31, 2021, January 31, 2022 and April 30, 2022    $1,394,000

Maturity Date

   Aggregate Principal Amount Outstanding

; provided, however, that (i) the final principal repayment installment of the Term Loan shall be repaid on the Maturity Date for the Term Facility and in any event shall be in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of all Term Loans outstanding on such date and (ii) (A) if any principal repayment installment to be made by the Borrower (other than principal repayment installments on Eurocurrency Rate Loans) shall come due on a day other than a Business Day, such principal repayment installment shall be due on the next succeeding Business Day, and such extension of time shall be reflected in computing interest or fees, as the case may be and (B) if any principal repayment installment to be made by the Borrower on a Eurocurrency Rate Loan shall come due on a day other than a Business Day, such principal repayment installment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless the result of such extension would be to extend such principal repayment installment into another calendar month, in which event such principal repayment installment shall be due on the immediately preceding Business Day.

(b) Revolving Loans. The Borrower shall repay to the Lender on the Maturity Date for the Revolving Facility the aggregate principal amount of all Revolving Loans outstanding on such date.

2.08 Interest and Default Rate.

(a) Interest. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.08(b), (i) each Eurocurrency Rate Loan under a Facility shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof for each Interest Period from the applicable borrowing date at a rate per annum equal to the Eurocurrency Rate for such Interest Period plus the Applicable Rate for such Facility; and (ii) each Base Rate Loan under a Facility shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof from the applicable borrowing date at a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate for such Facility. To the extent that any calculation of interest or any fee required to be paid under this Agreement shall be based on (or result in) a rate that is less than one percent (1.00%), such rate shall be deemed one percent (1.00%) for purposes of this Agreement.

(b) Default Rate.

(i) If any amount of principal of any Loan is not paid when due (without regard to any applicable grace periods), whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, such amount shall thereafter bear interest at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws.

(ii) If any amount (other than principal of any Loan) payable by the Borrower under any Loan Document is not paid when due (without regard to any applicable grace periods), whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, then upon the request of the Lender such amount shall thereafter bear interest at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws.

(iii) Upon the request of the Lender, while any Event of Default exists (including a payment default), all outstanding Obligations (including Letter of Credit Fees) may accrue at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws.

 

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(iv) Accrued and unpaid interest on past due amounts (including interest on past due interest) shall be due and payable upon demand.

(c) Interest Payments. Interest on each Loan shall be due and payable in arrears on each Interest Payment Date applicable thereto and at such other times as may be specified herein. Interest hereunder shall be due and payable in accordance with the terms hereof before and after judgment, and before and after the commencement of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law.

2.09 Fees.

In addition to certain fees described in subsection (g) of Section 2.03:

(a) Commitment Fee. The Borrower shall pay to the Lender a commitment fee in Dollars equal to the Applicable Rate times the actual daily amount by which the Revolving Facility exceeds the sum of (i) the Outstanding Amount of Revolving Loans and (ii) the Outstanding Amount of L/C Obligations. The commitment fee shall accrue at all times during the Availability Period, including at any time during which one or more of the conditions in Article IV is not met, and shall be due and payable quarterly in arrears on the last Business Day of each Fiscal Quarter, commencing with the first such date to occur after the Closing Date, and on the last day of the Availability Period for the Revolving Facility. The commitment fee shall be calculated quarterly in arrears, and if there is any change in the Applicable Rate during any quarter, the actual daily amount shall be computed and multiplied by the Applicable Rate separately for each period during such quarter that such Applicable Rate was in effect.

(b) Other Fees. The Borrower shall pay to the Lender, in Dollars, such fees as shall have been separately agreed upon in writing (including, without limitation, amounts set forth in the Fee Letter) in the amounts and at the times so specified. Such fees shall be fully earned when paid and shall not be refundable for any reason whatsoever.

2.10 Computation of Interest and Fees; Retroactive Adjustments of Applicable Rate.

(a) Computation of Interest and Fees. All computations of interest for Base Rate Loans (including Base Rate Loans determined by reference to the Eurocurrency Rate) shall be made on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be, and actual days elapsed. All other computations of fees and interest shall be made on the basis of a 360-day year and actual days elapsed (which results in more fees or interest, as applicable, being paid than if computed on the basis of a 365-day year), or, in the case of interest in respect of Loans denominated in Alternative Currencies as to which market practice differs from the foregoing, in accordance with such market practice. Interest shall accrue on each Loan for the day on which the Loan is made, and shall not accrue on a Loan, or any portion thereof, for the day on which the Loan or such portion is paid, provided that any Loan that is repaid on the same day on which it is made shall, subject to Section 2.11, bear interest for one (1) day. Each determination by the Lender of an interest rate or fee hereunder shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.

(b) Financial Statement Adjustments or Restatements. If, as a result of any restatement of or other adjustment to the financial statements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries or for any other reason, the Borrower or the Lender determines that (i) the Consolidated Leverage Ratio as calculated by the Borrower as of any applicable date was inaccurate and (ii) a proper calculation of the Consolidated Leverage Ratio would have resulted in higher pricing for such period, the Borrower shall immediately and retroactively be obligated to pay to the Lender promptly on demand by the Lender (or, after the occurrence of an actual or deemed entry of an order for relief with respect to the Borrower under the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, automatically and without further action by the Lender), an amount equal to the excess of the amount of interest and fees that should have been paid for such period over the amount of interest

 

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and fees actually paid for such period. This paragraph shall not limit the rights of the Lender under any provision of this Agreement to payment of any Obligations hereunder at the Default Rate or under Article VIII. The Borrower’s obligations under this paragraph shall survive the termination of the Commitments and the repayment of all other Obligations hereunder.

2.11 Payments Generally.

All payments to be made by the Borrower shall be made free and clear of and without condition or deduction for any counterclaim, defense, recoupment or setoff. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein and except with respect to principal of and interest on Loans denominated in an Alternative Currency, all payments by the Borrower hereunder shall be made to the Lender at the Lender’s Office in Dollars and in Same Day Funds not later than 2:00 p.m. on the date specified herein. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all payments by the Borrower hereunder with respect to principal and interest on Loans denominated in an Alternative Currency shall be made to the Lender at the Lender’s Office in such Alternative Currency and in Same Day Funds not later than the Applicable Time specified by the Lender on the dates specified herein. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Lender may require that any payments due under this Agreement be made in the United States. If, for any reason, the Borrower is prohibited by any Law from making any required payment hereunder in an Alternative Currency, such Borrower shall make such payment in Dollars in the Dollar Equivalent of the Alternative Currency payment amount. All payments received by the Lender (i) after 2:00 p.m., in the case of payments in Dollars, or (ii) after the Applicable Time specified by the Lender, in the case of payments in an Alternative Currency, shall in each case be deemed received on the next succeeding Business Day and any applicable interest or fee shall continue to accrue. Subject to Section 2.07(a) and as otherwise specifically provided for in this Agreement, if any payment to be made by the Borrower shall come due on a day other than a Business Day, payment shall be made on the next following Business Day, and such extension of time shall be reflected in computing interest or fees, as the case may be.

2.12 Cash Collateral.

(a) Certain Credit Support Events. If (i) as of the Letter of Credit Expiration Date, any L/C Obligation for any reason remains outstanding, or (ii) the Borrower shall be required to provide Cash Collateral pursuant to the terms hereof, the Borrower shall immediately following any request by the Lender, provide Cash Collateral in an amount not less than the applicable Minimum Collateral Amount. Additionally, if the Lender notifies the Borrower at any time that the Outstanding Amount of all L/C Obligations at such time exceeds 105% of the Letter of Credit Sublimit then in effect, then within two (2) Business Days after receipt of such notice, the Borrower shall provide Cash Collateral for the Outstanding Amount of the L/C Obligations in an amount not less than the amount by which the Outstanding Amount of all L/C Obligations exceeds the Letter of Credit Sublimit.

(b) Grant of Security Interest. The Borrower hereby grants to (and subjects to the control of) the Lender and agrees to maintain, a first priority security interest in all such cash, deposit accounts and all balances therein, and all other property so provided as collateral pursuant hereto, and in all proceeds of the foregoing, all as security for the obligations to which such Cash Collateral may be applied pursuant to Section 2.12(c). If at any time the Lender determines that Cash Collateral is subject to any right or claim of any Person other than the Lender, or that the total amount of such Cash Collateral is less than the Minimum Collateral Amount, the Borrower will, promptly upon demand by the Lender, pay or provide to the Lender additional Cash Collateral in an amount sufficient to eliminate such deficiency. All Cash Collateral (other than credit support not constituting funds subject to deposit) shall be maintained in one or more blocked, non-interest bearing deposit accounts at Bank of America. The Borrower shall pay on demand therefor from time to time all customary account opening, activity and other administrative fees and charges in connection with the maintenance and disbursement of Cash Collateral.

 

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(c) Application. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Cash Collateral provided under any of this Section 2.12 or Sections 2.03, 2.05 or 8.02 in respect of Letters of Credit shall be held and applied to the satisfaction of the specific L/C Obligations and other obligations for which the Cash Collateral was so provided, prior to any other application of such property as may be provided for herein.

(d) Release. Cash Collateral (or the appropriate portion thereof) provided to secure obligations shall be released promptly following the determination by the Lender that there exists excess Cash Collateral; provided, however, (i) any such release shall be without prejudice to, and any disbursement or other transfer of Cash Collateral shall be and remain subject to, any other Lien conferred under the Loan Documents and the other applicable provisions of the Loan Documents, and (ii) the Person providing Cash Collateral and the Lender may agree that Cash Collateral shall not be released but instead held to support future anticipated obligations.

2.13 Reserved.

2.14 Register.

(a) The Lender, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, shall maintain an account or ledger in which it shall record (i) the names and addresses of any Persons owning an interest in any Loan or other Obligation made hereunder, (ii) the amount of each Loan and Borrowing made hereunder, (iii) the amount of any principal due and payable or to become due and payable from the Borrower and the interest rate with respect thereto, and (iv) the other details relating to the Loans and other Obligations (the “Register”). In order for any sale, assignment, grant of participation or other transfer of any Loan or other Obligation to become effective, the Lender shall amend such Register to reflect any sale, assignment, grant of participation or other transfer otherwise properly affected pursuant to this Agreement. The entries in the Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and the Borrower, the Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

(b) If at any time the Lender sells a participation, the Lender shall, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrower, maintain a register on which it enters the name and address of each participant and the principal amounts (and stated interest) of each participant’s interest in any Loan or other Obligation made hereunder (the “Participant Register”); provided that no Lender shall have any obligation to disclose all or any portion of the Participant Register (including the identity of any participant or any information relating to a participant’s interest in any commitments, loans or its other obligations under any Loan Document) to any Person except to the extent that such disclosure is necessary to establish that such commitment, loan or other obligation is in registered form under Section 5f.103-1(c) of the United States Treasury Regulations. The entries in the Participant Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error, and such Lender shall treat each Person whose name is recorded in the Participant Register as the owner of such participation for all purposes of this Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary.

 

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ARTICLE III

TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY

3.01 Taxes.

(a) Except as required by applicable law, all payments to the Lender made by or on account of any obligation of any Loan Party hereunder or any other Loan Document will be made without deduction or withholding for any Taxes with respect to such payments. If any Taxes are required by applicable law to be deducted or withheld, the applicable Loan Party agrees to pay the full amount of such deducted or withheld Taxes to the relevant Governmental Authority and, to the extent such Taxes are Indemnified Taxes, the sum payable by the applicable Loan Party shall be increased as necessary so that after such deduction or withholding has been made (including such deductions or withholdings applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 3.01(a)) the Lender receives an amount equal to the sum it would have received had no such deduction or withholding been made.

(b) The applicable Loan Party shall timely pay to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law, or at the option of the Lender timely reimburse it for the payment of, any Other Taxes.

(c) Without duplication of any obligation under this Section 3.01, the applicable Loan Party will indemnify and hold harmless the Lender, and reimburse the Lender within ten (10) days after demand therefor, for the full amount of any Indemnified Taxes payable or paid by the Lender or required to be withheld or deducted from a payment to the Lender by such Loan Party, and any reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Indemnified Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate setting forth the amount of such payment or liability delivered to the Loan Party by the Lender shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The applicable Loan Party will furnish to the Lender, within thirty (30) days after the date the payment of any withheld Taxes by the Loan Party to a Governmental Authority pursuant to Section 3.01 is due pursuant to applicable law, certified copies of tax receipts, or other evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Lender, evidencing such payment by the Loan Party.

(d) The Lender shall deliver to the applicable Loan Party on or prior to the date on which the Lender becomes the Lender under this Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of any Loan Party), properly completed and executed copies of IRS Form W-9 (or successor form) or applicable IRS Form W-8 (or successor form) certifying that the Lender is exempt from U.S. backup withholding Tax. The Lender further agrees that if reasonably requested by the applicable Loan Party to the extent it is entitled to any other exemption from or a reduction of withholding Tax with respect to payments made hereunder or under any other Loan Document, it shall deliver to such Loan Party, at the time or times reasonably requested by such Loan Party, such properly completed and executed documentation prescribed by applicable law or the taxing authorities of a jurisdiction pursuant to such applicable law or reasonably requested by such Loan Party as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a reduced rate of withholding. In addition, the Lender, if reasonably requested by a Loan Party, shall deliver such other documentation reasonably requested by a Loan Party as will enable such Loan Party to determine whether or not the Lender is subject to withholding or information reporting requirements and to enable the Loan Party to comply with such requirements. The Lender agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify the applicable Loan Party in writing of its legal inability to do so. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 3.01, the completion, execution and submission of any documentation (other than the IRS Form W-9 (or successor form) described in the first sentence of this Section 3.01(d) or information required to comply with the obligations of an applicable Loan Party under Common Reporting Standards) shall not be required if in the Lender’s reasonable judgment such completion execution or submission would subject the Lender to any material unreimbursed cost or expense or would materially prejudice the legal or commercial position of the Lender.

 

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(e) In addition to the foregoing, if the Lender claims any indemnity payment or additional payment amounts payable pursuant to this Section 3.01, then at the request of the applicable Loan Party it shall use reasonable efforts (consistent with legal and regulatory restrictions) to designate a different lending office for funding or booking the Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder to another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if in the judgment of the Lender the making of such a filing, change or assignment would avoid the need for or reduce the amount of any such indemnity payment or additional amount that may thereafter accrue, would not require the Lender to disclose any information the Lender deems confidential and would not, in the sole determination of the Lender, be otherwise disadvantageous to the Lender. The applicable Loan Party shall pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by the Lender in connection with any such designation or assignment.

(f) If the Lender determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it has received a refund of any Taxes as to which it has been indemnified pursuant to this Section 3.01 (including by the payment of additional amounts pursuant to this Section 3.01), it shall pay to the indemnifying party an amount equal to such refund (but only to the extent of indemnity payments, including for additional amounts, made under this Section 3.01 with respect to the Taxes giving rise to such refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by such indemnified party and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant Governmental Authority with respect to such refund). Such indemnifying party, upon the request of such indemnified party, shall repay to such indemnified party the amount paid over pursuant to this Section 3.01(f) (plus any penalties, interest or other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) in the event that such indemnified party is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 3.01(f), in no event will the indemnified party be required to pay any amount to an indemnifying party pursuant to this Section 3.01(f) the payment of which would place the indemnified party in a less favorable net after-tax position than the indemnified party would have been in if the Tax subject to indemnification and giving rise to such refund had not been deducted, withheld or otherwise imposed and the indemnification payments or additional amounts with respect to such Tax had never been paid. This Section 3.01(f) shall not be construed to require any indemnified party to make available its Tax returns (or any other information relating to its Taxes that it deems confidential) to the indemnifying party or any other Person.

3.02 Illegality.

(a) If Lender determines that any Law has made it unlawful, or that any Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful, for Lender or its applicable Lending Office to perform any of its obligations hereunder or to make, maintain or fund or charge interest with respect to any Credit Extension or to determine or charge interest rates based upon the Eurocurrency Rate, or any Governmental Authority has imposed material restrictions on the authority of Lender to purchase or sell, or to take deposits of, Dollars or any Alternative Currency in the applicable interbank market, then, on notice thereof by Lender to the Borrower, (a) any obligation of Lender to issue, make, maintain, fund or charge interest with respect to any such Credit Extension or continue Eurocurrency Rate Loans in the affected currency or currencies or, in the case of Eurocurrency Rate Loans in Dollars, to convert Base Rate Loans to Eurocurrency Rate Loans shall be suspended, and (b) if such notice asserts the illegality of Lender making or maintaining Base Rate Loans, the interest rate on which is determined by reference to the Eurocurrency Rate component of the Base Rate, the interest rate on which Base Rate Loans of Lender shall, if necessary to avoid such illegality, be determined by Lender without reference to the Eurocurrency Rate component of the Base Rate, in each case until Lender notifies the Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to such determination no longer exist. Upon receipt of such notice, (i) the Borrower shall, upon demand from

 

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Lender, prepay or, if applicable and such Loans are denominated in Dollars, convert all Eurocurrency Rate Loans of Lender to Base Rate Loans (the interest rate on which Base Rate Loans of Lender shall, if necessary to avoid such illegality, be determined by Lender without reference to the Eurocurrency Rate component of the Base Rate), either on the last day of the Interest Period therefor, if Lender may lawfully continue to maintain such Eurocurrency Rate Loans to such day, or immediately, if Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain such Eurocurrency Rate Loans and (ii) if such notice asserts the illegality of Lender determining or charging interest rates based upon the Eurocurrency Rate, the Lender shall during the period of such suspension compute the Base Rate applicable to Lender without reference to the Eurocurrency Rate component thereof until the Borrower is advised in writing by Lender that it is no longer illegal for Lender to determine or charge interest rates based upon the Eurocurrency Rate. Upon any such prepayment or conversion, the Borrower shall also pay accrued interest on the amount so prepaid or converted.

(b) If, in any applicable jurisdiction, Lender or any Designated Lender determines that any Law has made it unlawful, or that any Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful, for Lender or its applicable Designated Lender to (i) perform any of its obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document, (ii) to fund or maintain its participation in any Loan or Letter of Credit or (iii) issue, make, maintain, fund or charge interest or fees with respect to any Credit Extension Lender shall promptly notify the Borrower, and until such notice by Lender is revoked, any obligation of Lender to issue, make, maintain, fund or charge interest or fees with respect to any such Credit Extension shall be suspended, and to the extent required by applicable Law, cancelled. Upon receipt of such notice, the Loan Parties shall, (A) repay outstanding Obligations) to the extent such illegality is applicable thereto, (B) to the extent applicable, Cash Collateralize that portion of applicable L/C Obligations comprised of the aggregate undrawn amount of Letters of Credit to the extent not otherwise Cash Collateralized and (C) take all reasonable actions requested by Lender to mitigate or avoid such illegality.

(c) Lender may at its option make any Credit Extension to the Borrower by causing any domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of Lender (a “Designated Lender”) to make such Credit Extension; provided that any exercise of such option shall not affect the obligation of the relevant Borrower to repay such Credit Extension in accordance with the terms of this Agreement; provided, however, if the Lender determines that any Law has made it unlawful, or that any Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful, for the Lender or its applicable Designated Lender to (i) perform any of its obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document, (ii) to fund or maintain its participation in any Loan or (iii) issue, make, maintain, fund or charge interest or fees with respect to any Credit Extension to any Designated Borrower who is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than the United States, a State thereof or the District of Columbia then, on notice thereof by the Lender to the Borrower, and until such notice by the Lender is revoked, any obligation of the Lender or its Designated Lender to issue, make, maintain, fund or charge interest or fees with respect to any such Credit Extension shall be suspended, and to the extent required by applicable Law, cancelled. Upon receipt of such notice, the Loan Parties shall, take all reasonable actions requested by the Lender to mitigate or avoid such illegality. Any Designated Lender shall be considered a Lender.

3.03 Inability to Determine Rates.

If in connection with any request for a Eurocurrency Rate Loan or a conversion to or continuation thereof, the Lender determines that (a) deposits (whether in Dollars or an Alternative Currency) are not being offered to banks in the applicable offshore interbank eurodollar market for such currency for the applicable amount and Interest Period of such Eurocurrency Rate Loan, (b) adequate and reasonable means do not exist for determining the Eurocurrency Rate for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed Eurocurrency Rate Loan (whether denominated in Dollars or an Alternative Currency) or in connection with an existing or proposed Base Rate Loan, (c) a fundamental change has occurred in the foreign exchange or interbank markets with respect to such Alternative Currency (including, without

 

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limitation, changes in national or international financial, political or economic conditions or currency exchange rates or exchange controls) or (d) the Eurocurrency Rate for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed Eurocurrency Rate Loan does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to the Lender of funding such Eurocurrency Rate Loan, the Lender will promptly so notify the Borrower. Thereafter, (i) the obligation of the Lender to make or maintain Eurocurrency Rate Loans in the affected currency or currencies shall be suspended (to the extent of the affected Eurocurrency Rate Loans or Interest Periods), and (ii) in the event of a determination described in the preceding sentence with respect to the Eurocurrency Rate component of the Base Rate, the utilization of the Eurocurrency Rate component in determining the Base Rate shall be suspended, in each case until the Lender revokes such notice. Upon receipt of such notice, the Borrower may revoke any pending request for a Borrowing of, conversion to or continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans in the affected currency or currencies (to the extent of the affected Eurocurrency Rate Loans or Interest Periods) or, failing that, will be deemed to have converted such request into a request for a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans in the amount specified therein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the case of such pending request, the Lender, in consultation with the Borrower, may establish an alternative interest rate for funding Loans in the applicable currency and amount, and with the same Interest Period as the Loan requested to be made, converted or continued, as the case may be in which case, such alternative rate of interest shall apply with respect to such Loans.

3.04 Increased Costs; Reserves on Eurocurrency Rate Loans.

(a) Increased Costs Generally. If any Change in Law shall:

(i) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended or participated in by, the Lender (except any reserve requirement contemplated by Section 3.04(e));

(ii) subject the Lender to any Taxes with respect to this Agreement or any other Loan Document, other than (A) Indemnified Taxes, (B) Taxes described in clause (b) or (c) of the definition of Excluded Taxes and (C) Connection Income Taxes; or

(iii) impose on the Lender or the London interbank market any other condition, cost or expense (other than Taxes) affecting this Agreement or Eurocurrency Rate Loans made by the Lender or any Letter of Credit;

and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to the Lender of making, converting to, continuing or maintaining any Loan (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan), or to increase the cost to the Lender of issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit (or of maintaining its obligation to issue any Letter of Credit), or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by the Lender hereunder (whether of principal, interest or any other amount) then, upon request of the Lender, the Borrower will pay to the Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate the Lender for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.

(b) Capital Requirements. If the Lender determines that any Change in Law affecting the Lender or the Lender’s Office or the Lender’s holding company, if any, regarding capital or liquidity requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on the Lender’s capital or on the capital of the Lender’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of this Agreement, the Commitments of the Lender or the Loans made by or the Letters of Credit issued by the Lender, to a level below that which the Lender or the Lender’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration the Lender’s policies and the policies of the Lender’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy), then from time to time the Borrower will pay to the Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate the Lender or the Lender’s holding company for any such reduction suffered.

 

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(c) Mandatory Costs. If Lender incurs any Mandatory Costs attributable to the Obligations, attributable to a Change in Law, then from time to time the Borrower will pay (or cause to be paid) to the Lender such Mandatory Costs. Such amount shall be expressed as a percentage rate per annum and shall be payable on the full amount of the applicable Obligations.

(d) Certificates for Reimbursement. A certificate of the Lender setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate the Lender or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in subsection (a), (b) or (c) of this Section and delivered to the Borrower shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The Borrower shall pay the Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within ten (10) days after receipt thereof.

(e) Reserves on Eurocurrency Rate Loans. The Borrower shall pay to the Lender, (i) as long as the Lender shall be required to maintain reserves with respect to liabilities or assets consisting of or including eurocurrency funds or deposits (currently known as “Eurocurrency liabilities”), additional interest on the unpaid principal amount of each Eurocurrency Rate Loan equal to the actual costs of such reserves allocated to such Loan by the Lender (as determined by the Lender in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive), and (ii) as long as the Lender shall be required to comply with any reserve ratio requirement or analogous requirement of any other central banking or financial regulatory authority imposed in respect of the maintenance of the Commitments or the funding of the Loans, such additional costs (expressed as a percentage per annum and rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest five decimal places) equal to the actual costs allocated to such Commitment or Loan by the Lender (as determined by the Lender in good faith, which determination shall be conclusive), which in each case shall be due and payable on each date on which interest is payable on such Loan, provided the Borrower shall have received at least ten (10) days’ prior notice of such additional interest or costs from the Lender. If the Lender fails to give notice ten (10) days prior to the relevant Interest Payment Date, such additional interest shall be due and payable ten (10) days from receipt of such notice.

(f) Delay in Requests. Failure or delay on the part of the Lender to demand compensation pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 3.04 shall not constitute a waiver of the Lender’s right to demand such compensation, provided that the Borrower shall not be required to compensate the Lender pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section for any increased costs incurred or reductions suffered more than nine (9) months prior to the date that the Lender notifies the Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions and of the Lender’s intention to claim compensation therefor (except that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the nine (9) month period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof).

3.05 Compensation for Losses.

Upon demand of the Lender from time to time, the Borrower shall promptly compensate the Lender for and hold the Lender harmless from any loss, cost or expense incurred by it as a result of:

(a) any continuation, conversion, payment or prepayment of any Loan other than a Base Rate Loan on a day other than the last day of the Interest Period for such Loan (whether voluntary, mandatory, automatic, by reason of acceleration, or otherwise);

 

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(b) any failure by the Borrower (for a reason other than the failure of the Lender to make a Loan) to prepay, borrow, continue or convert any Loan other than a Base Rate Loan on the date or in the amount notified by the Borrower; or

(c) any failure by the Borrower to make payment of any Loan or drawing under any Letter of Credit (or interest due thereon) denominated in an Alternative Currency on its scheduled due date or any payment thereof in a different currency;

including any loss of anticipated profits, any foreign exchange losses and any loss or expense arising from the liquidation or reemployment of funds obtained by it to maintain such Loan or from fees payable to terminate the deposits from which such funds were obtained or from the performance of any foreign exchange contract. The Borrower shall also pay any customary administrative fees charged by the Lender in connection with the foregoing.

For purposes of calculating amounts payable by the Borrower to the Lender under this Section 3.05, the Lender shall be deemed to have funded each Eurocurrency Rate Loan made by it at the Eurocurrency Rate for such Loan by a matching deposit or other borrowing in the applicable interbank market for such currency for a comparable amount and for a comparable period, whether or not such Eurocurrency Rate Loan was in fact so funded.

3.06 Survival.

All of the Borrower’s obligations under this Article III shall survive termination of the Commitments and the repayment of all other Obligations hereunder.

ARTICLE IV

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CREDIT EXTENSIONS

4.01 Conditions of Initial Credit Extension.

The obligation of the Lender to make its initial Credit Extension hereunder is subject to satisfaction of the following conditions precedent:

(a) Execution of Credit Agreement; Loan Documents. The Lender shall have received (i) counterparts of this Agreement, executed by a Responsible Officer of each Loan Party, (ii) counterparts of the Security Agreement, each Mortgage and related Mortgaged Property Support Document and each other Collateral Document, executed by a Responsible Officer of the applicable Loan Parties and a duly authorized officer of each other Person party thereto, as applicable and (iii) counterparts of any other Loan Document, executed by a Responsible Officer of the applicable Loan Party and a duly authorized officer of each other Person party thereto.

(b) Officer’s Certificate. The Lender shall have received a certificate of a Responsible Officer dated the Closing Date, certifying as to the Organization Documents of each Loan Party (which, to the extent filed with a Governmental Authority, shall be certified as of a recent date by such Governmental Authority), the resolutions of the governing body of each Loan Party, the good standing, existence or its equivalent of each Loan Party and of the incumbency (including specimen signatures) of the Responsible Officers of each Loan Party.

 

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(c) Legal Opinions of Counsel. The Lender shall have received (i) an opinion or opinions (including an opinion with respect to the Guarantors which are Foreign Subsidiaries) of counsel for the Loan Parties dated the Closing Date and addressed to the Lender, in form and substance acceptable to the Lender, including customary opinions from the Borrower’s Rhode Island and New York counsel, and (ii) an opinion of Danish counsel to the Lender, addressed to the Lender and in form and substance acceptable to the Lender.

(d) Financial Statements. The Lender shall have received copies of the financial statements referred to in Section 5.05, each in form and substance satisfactory to each of them.

(e) Personal Property Collateral. The Lender shall have received, in form and substance satisfactory to the Lender:

(i) (A) searches of UCC filings in the jurisdiction of incorporation or formation, as applicable, of each Loan Party and each jurisdiction where any Collateral is located or where a filing would need to be made in order to perfect the Lender’s security interest in the Collateral, copies of the financing statements on file in such jurisdictions and evidence that no Liens exist other than Permitted Liens and (B) tax lien, judgment and bankruptcy searches;

(ii) searches of ownership of Intellectual Property in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the United States Copyright Office and such patent/trademark/copyright filings as requested by the Lender in order to perfect the Lender’s security interest in the Intellectual Property in the United States;

(iii) completed UCC financing statements for each appropriate jurisdiction as is necessary, in the Lender’s sole discretion, to perfect the Lender’s security interest in the Collateral;

(iv) stock or membership certificates, if any, evidencing the Pledged Equity and undated stock or transfer powers duly executed in blank, in each case to the extent such Pledged Equity is certificated;

(v) to the extent required to be delivered, filed, registered or recorded pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Collateral Documents, all instruments, documents (including, if necessary, relevant page(s) of the share register book of the Borrower showing the pledge registration) and chattel paper in the possession of any of the Loan Parties, together with allonges or assignments as may be necessary or appropriate to create and perfect the Lender’s security interest in the Collateral; and

(f) Real Property Collateral.

(i) The Lender shall have received, in form and substance satisfactory to the Lender all Mortgaged Property Support Documents with respect to each Mortgaged Property.

(ii) The Lender shall have received, in form and substance satisfactory to the Lender, a completed “Life-of-Loan” Federal Emergency Management Agency Standard Flood Hazard Determination with respect to each Mortgaged Property (together with a notice about special flood hazard area status and flood disaster assistance duly executed by each Loan Party relating thereto.

(g) Liability, Casualty, Property, Terrorism and Business Interruption Insurance. The Lender shall have received copies of declaration pages, if requested by the Lender and certificates of insurance evidencing liability, casualty, property, and business interruption insurance and appropriate endorsements thereto meeting the requirements set forth herein or in the Collateral Documents or as required by the Lender.

 

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(h) Solvency Certificate. The Lender shall have received a Solvency Certificate signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower as to the financial condition, solvency and related matters of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken together as a group on a Consolidated basis and each Loan Party, after giving effect to the initial borrowings under the Loan Documents and the other transactions contemplated hereby.

(i) Existing Term Loan Repayment. Immediately prior to the effectiveness of this Agreement, the Borrower shall repay an aggregate principal amount of the Existing Term Loans equal to $1,500,000.

(j) Loan Notice. The Lender shall have received a Loan Notice with respect to the Loans to be made on the Closing Date.

(k) Reserved.

(l) Reserved.

(m) Consents. The Lender shall have received evidence that all members, boards of directors, governmental, shareholder and material third party consents and approvals necessary in connection with the entering into of this Agreement have been obtained.

(n) Fees and Expenses. The Lender shall have received all fees and expenses, if any, owing pursuant to Section 2.09.

(o) Licensing Requirements. The Lender shall have obtained all applicable licenses, consents, permits and approvals as deemed necessary by the Lender in order to execute and perform the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents.

(p) Due Diligence. The Lender shall have completed a due diligence investigation of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in scope, and with results, satisfactory to the Lender.

(q) Closing Certificate. The Lender shall have received a closing certificate from a Responsible Officer certifying as to the conditions set forth in Section 4.02 and as to such matters the Lender reasonably requests or requires.

(r) Other Documents. All other documents provided for herein or which the Lender may reasonably request or require as set forth on the closing checklist.

(s) Additional Information. Such additional information and materials which the Lender shall reasonably request or require as set forth on the closing checklist.

4.02 Conditions to all Credit Extensions.

The obligation of the Lender to honor any Request for Credit Extension (other than a Loan Notice requesting only a conversion of Loans to the other Type, or a continuation of Eurocurrency Rate Loans) is subject to the following conditions precedent:

(a) Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of the Borrower and each other Loan Party contained in Article II, Article V or any other Loan Document, or which are contained

 

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in any document furnished at any time under or in connection herewith or therewith, shall (i) with respect to representations and warranties that contain a materiality qualification, be true and correct on and as of the date of such Credit Extension and (ii) with respect to representations and warranties that do not contain a materiality qualification, be true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date of such Credit Extension, and except that for purposes of this Section 4.02, the representations and warranties contained in Sections 5.05(a) and (b) shall be deemed to refer to the most recent statements furnished pursuant to Sections 6.01(a) and (b), respectively.

(b) Default. No Default shall exist, or would result from such proposed Credit Extension or from the application of the proceeds thereof.

(c) Request for Credit Extension. The Lender shall have received a Request for Credit Extension in accordance with the requirements hereof.

(d) Alternative Currency. In the case of a Credit Extension to be denominated in an Alternative Currency, such currency remains an Eligible Currency.

(e) Legal Impediment. There shall be no impediment, restriction, limitation or prohibition imposed under Law or by any Governmental Authority, as to the proposed financing under this Agreement or the repayment thereof or as to rights created under any Loan Document or as to application of the proceeds of the realization of any such rights.

Each Request for Credit Extension submitted by the Borrower shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty that the conditions specified in Sections 4.02(a) and (b) have been satisfied on and as of the date of the applicable Credit Extension.

ARTICLE V

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

Each Loan Party represents and warrants to the Lender, as of the date made or deemed made, that:

5.01 Existence, Qualification and Power.

Each Loan Party and each of its Subsidiaries (a) is duly organized or formed, validly existing and, as applicable, in good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, (b) has all requisite power and authority and all requisite governmental licenses, authorizations, consents and approvals to (i) own or lease its assets and carry on its business and (ii) execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the Loan Documents to which it is a party, and (c) is duly qualified and is licensed and, as applicable, in good standing under the Laws of each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease or operation of properties or the conduct of its business requires such qualification or license; except in each case referred to in clause (b)(i) or (c), to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The copy of each Organization Document of each Loan Party provided to the Lender pursuant to the terms of this Agreement is, as of the date of this provision, a true and correct copy of each such document, each of which, as of such date, is valid and in full force and effect.

5.02 Authorization; No Contravention.

The execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of each Loan Document to which such Person is or is to be a party have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other

 

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organizational action, and do not and will not (a) contravene the terms of any of such Person’s Organization Documents; (b) conflict with or result in any breach or contravention of, or the creation of any Lien (other than a Permitted Lien) under, or require any payment to be made under (i) any material Contractual Obligation to which such Person is a party or affecting such Person or the properties of such Person or any of its Subsidiaries, except for conflicts, breaches or contraventions that could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, individually or in the aggregate or (ii) any order, injunction, writ or decree of any Governmental Authority or any arbitral award to which such Person or its property is subject; or (c) violate any Law.

5.03 Governmental Authorization; Other Consents.

No approval, consent, exemption, authorization, or other action by, or notice to, or filing with, any Governmental Authority is necessary or required in connection with (a) the execution, delivery or performance by, any Loan Party of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (b) the grant by any Loan Party of the Liens granted by it pursuant to the Collateral Documents or (c) the perfection or maintenance of the Liens created under the Collateral Documents (including the first priority nature thereof (subject only to Permitted Liens)), other than (i) authorizations, approvals, actions, notices and filings which have been duly obtained or made, (ii) filings to perfect the Liens created by the Collateral Documents and (iii) filings with the SEC in connection with the Loan Parties’ disclosure obligations under securities laws.

5.04 Binding Effect.

This Agreement has been, and each other Loan Document, when delivered hereunder, will have been, duly executed and delivered by each Loan Party that is party thereto. This Agreement constitutes, and each other Loan Document when so delivered will constitute, a legal, valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party, enforceable against each Loan Party that is party thereto in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject to general principals of equity.

5.05 Financial Statements; No Material Adverse Effect.

(a) Audited Financial Statements. The Audited Financial Statements (i) were prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein; (ii) fairly present in all material respects the financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the date thereof and their results of operations, cash flows and changes in shareholder’s equity for the period covered thereby in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein; and (iii) show all material indebtedness and other liabilities, direct or contingent, of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the date thereof, including liabilities for taxes, material commitments and Indebtedness.

(b) Quarterly Financial Statements. The unaudited Consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries dated May 2, 2020, and the related Consolidated statements of income or operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the Fiscal Quarter ended on that date (i) were prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly noted therein, and (ii) fairly present in all material respects the financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the date thereof and their results of operations, cash flows and changes in shareholder’s equity for the period covered thereby, subject, in the case of clauses (i) and (ii), to the absence of footnotes and to normal year-end audit adjustments.

 

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(c) Material Adverse Effect. Since January 31, 2020, there has been no event or circumstance, either individually or in the aggregate, that has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(d) Reserved.

(e) Forecasted Financials. The consolidated forecasted balance sheets, statements of income and cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries delivered to the Lender prior to the Closing Date in connection with Section 4.01 or pursuant to Section 6.01 were prepared in good faith on the basis of the assumptions stated therein, which assumptions were fair in light of the conditions existing at the time of delivery of such forecasts, and represented, at the time of delivery, the Borrower’s good faith estimate of its future financial condition and performance (it being understood that actual results may be materially and/or adversely different).

5.06 Litigation.

There are no actions, suits, proceedings, claims or disputes pending or, to the knowledge of the Loan Parties after due and diligent investigation, threatened or contemplated, at law, in equity, in arbitration or before any Governmental Authority, by or against any Loan Party or any Subsidiary or against any of their properties or revenues that (a) purport to affect or pertain to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or any of the transactions contemplated hereby, or (b) either individually or in the aggregate could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

5.07 No Default.

Neither any Loan Party nor any Subsidiary thereof is in default under or with respect to, or a party to, any Contractual Obligation that could, either individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

5.08 Ownership of Property.

Each Loan Party and each of its Subsidiaries has good record and marketable title in fee simple to, or valid leasehold interests in, all real property necessary or used in the ordinary conduct of its business, except for such defects as could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

5.09 Environmental Compliance.

(a) The Loan Parties and their respective Subsidiaries conduct in the ordinary course of business such review of the effect of existing Environmental Laws and claims alleging potential liability or responsibility for violation of any Environmental Law on their respective businesses, operations and properties as they reasonably deem appropriate, and the Loan Parties have reasonably concluded that such Environmental Laws and claims could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) Neither any Loan Party nor any of its Subsidiaries is undertaking, and has not completed, either individually or together with other potentially responsible parties, any investigation or assessment or remedial or response action relating to any actual or threatened release, discharge or disposal of Hazardous Materials at any site, location or operation, either voluntarily or pursuant to the order of any Governmental Authority or the requirements of any Environmental Law, in each case that could reasonably be expected

 

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to have a Material Adverse Effect; and all Hazardous Materials generated, used, treated, handled or stored at, or transported to or from, any property currently or formerly owned or operated by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries have been disposed of in a manner not reasonably expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

5.10

Maintenance of Insurance.

The properties of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries are insured with financially sound and reputable insurance companies not Affiliates of the Borrower, in such amounts, with such deductibles and covering such risks as are customarily carried by companies engaged in similar businesses and owning similar properties in localities where the applicable Loan Party or the applicable Subsidiary operates. The general liability, casualty, property, terrorism and business interruption insurance coverage of the Loan Parties as in effect on the Closing Date, and as of the last date such Schedule was required to be updated in accordance with Sections 6.02, 6.14 and 6.15, is outlined as to carrier, policy number, expiration date, type, amount and deductibles on Schedule 5.10 and such insurance coverage complies with the requirements set forth in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

 

5.11

Taxes.

Each Loan Party and its Subsidiaries have timely filed (giving effect to available extension periods) all federal, material state, material non-U.S. income and other material tax returns and reports required to be filed, and have paid all federal, material state, material non-U.S. income and other material taxes, assessments, fees and other governmental charges levied or imposed upon them or their properties, income or assets otherwise due and payable, except those which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted and for which adequate reserves have been provided in accordance with GAAP. There is no proposed tax assessment against any Loan Party or any Subsidiary that would, if made, have a Material Adverse Effect, nor is there any tax sharing agreement applicable to the Borrower or any Subsidiary.

 

5.12

ERISA Compliance.

(a) Each Plan that is subject to United States federal or state laws is in compliance in all material respects with the applicable provisions of ERISA, the Code and other United States federal or state laws. Each Pension Plan that is intended to be a qualified plan under Section 401(a) of the Code has received a favorable determination letter or is subject to a favorable opinion letter from the IRS to the effect that the form of such Plan is qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code and the trust related thereto has been determined by the IRS to be exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(a) of the Code, or an application for such a letter is currently being processed by the IRS. To the best knowledge of the Loan Parties, nothing has occurred that would prevent or cause the loss of such tax-qualified status.

(b) There are no pending or, to the best knowledge of the Loan Parties, threatened claims, actions or lawsuits, or action by any United States federal or state Governmental Authority, with respect to any Plan that could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. There has been no prohibited transaction or violation of the fiduciary responsibility rules with respect to any Plan that has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(c) (i) No ERISA Event has occurred, and no Loan Party nor any ERISA Affiliate is aware of any fact, event or circumstance that could reasonably be expected to constitute or result in an ERISA Event with respect to any Pension Plan; (ii) the Borrower and each ERISA Affiliate has met all applicable requirements under the Pension Funding Rules in respect of each Pension Plan, and no waiver of the minimum funding standards under the Pension Funding Rules has been applied for or obtained; (iii) as of

 

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the most recent valuation date for any Pension Plan, the funding target attainment percentage (as defined in Section 430(d)(2) of the Code) is sixty percent (60%) or higher and no Loan Party nor any ERISA Affiliate knows of any facts or circumstances that could reasonably be expected to cause the funding target attainment percentage for any such plan to drop below sixty percent (60%) as of the most recent valuation date; (iv) no Loan Party nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred any liability to the PBGC other than for the payment of premiums, and there are no premium payments which have become due that are unpaid; (v) neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has engaged in a transaction that could be subject to Section 4069 or Section 4212(c) of ERISA; and (vi) no Pension Plan has been terminated by the plan administrator thereof nor by the PBGC, and no event or circumstance has occurred or exists that could reasonably be expected to cause the PBGC to institute proceedings under Title IV of ERISA to terminate any Pension Plan.

(d) Neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate maintains or contributes to, or has any unsatisfied obligation to contribute to, or liability under, any active or terminated Pension Plan other than (i) on the Closing Date, those listed on Schedule 5.12 hereto and (ii) thereafter, Pension Plans not otherwise prohibited by this Agreement.

(e) As of the Closing Date and throughout the term of this Agreement, no Loan Party is (i) an employee benefit plan subject to Title I of ERISA, (ii) a plan or account subject to Section 4975 of the Code; (iii) an entity deemed to hold “plan assets” of any such plans or accounts for purposes of ERISA or the Code; or (iv) a “governmental plan” within the meaning of ERISA.

 

5.13

Margin Regulations; Investment Company Act.

(a) Margin Regulations. The Borrower are not engaged and will not engage, principally or as one of its important activities, in the business of purchasing or carrying margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U issued by the FRB), or extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock. Following the application of the proceeds of each Borrowing or drawing under each Letter of Credit, not more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the value of the assets (either of the Borrower only or of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a Consolidated basis) subject to the provisions of Section 7.01 or Section 7.05 or subject to any restriction contained in any agreement or instrument between the Borrower and the Lender or any Affiliate of the Lender relating to Indebtedness and within the scope of Section 8.01(e) will be margin stock.

(b) Investment Company Act. None of the Borrower, any Person Controlling the Borrower, or any Subsidiary is or is required to be registered as an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

5.14

Disclosure.

No report, financial statement, certificate or other information furnished (whether in writing or orally) by or on behalf of any Loan Party to the Lender in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and the negotiation of this Agreement or delivered hereunder or under any other Loan Document (in each case as modified or supplemented by other information so furnished, and in each case taken together with all such other information) contains any material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided that, with respect to projected financial information or other forward-looking information, each Loan Party represents only that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time (it being understood that actual results may be materially and/or adversely different).

 

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5.15

Solvency.

The Borrower, individually, is and the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken together as a group on a Consolidated basis are, Solvent.

 

5.16

Casualty, Etc.

Neither the businesses nor the properties of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries are affected by any fire, explosion, accident, strike, lockout or other labor dispute, drought, storm, hail, earthquake, embargo, act of God or of the public enemy or other casualty (whether or not covered by insurance) that, either individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

5.17

Sanctions Concerns and Anti-Corruption Laws.

(a) Sanctions Concerns. No Loan Party, nor any Subsidiary, nor, to the knowledge of the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries, any director, officer, employee, agent, affiliate or representative thereof, is an individual or entity that is, or is owned or controlled by any individual or entity that is (i) currently the subject or target of any Sanctions, (ii) included on OFAC’s List of Specially Designated Nationals, HMT’s Consolidated List of Financial Sanctions Targets and the Investment Ban List, or any similar list enforced by any other relevant sanctions authority or (iii) located, organized or resident in a Designated Jurisdiction.

(b) Anti-Corruption Laws. The Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries have conducted their business in compliance with the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, the UK Bribery Act 2010 and other similar anti-corruption legislation in other jurisdictions, and have instituted and maintained policies and procedures designed to promote and achieve compliance with such laws.

 

5.18

Responsible Officers.

Set forth on Schedule 1.01(b) are Responsible Officers, holding the offices indicated next to their respective names, as of the Closing Date and as of the last date such Schedule was required to be updated in accordance with Sections 6.02, 6.13 and 6.14 and such Responsible Officers are duly elected and qualified officers of such Loan Party and those set forth on the applicable officer’s certificate delivered pursuant to Section 4.01 (and as the same may be updated, modified or otherwise supplemented) are duly authorized to execute and deliver, on behalf of the respective Loan Party, this Agreement, and the other Loan Documents.

 

5.19

Subsidiaries; Equity Interests; Loan Parties.

(a) Subsidiaries, Joint Ventures, Partnerships and Equity Investments. Set forth on Schedule 5.19(a), is the following information which is true and complete in all respects as of the Closing Date and as of the last date such Schedule was required to be updated in accordance with Sections 6.02, 6.13 and 6.14: (i) a complete and accurate list of all Subsidiaries, joint ventures and partnerships and other equity investments of the Loan Parties as of the Closing Date and as of the last date such Schedule was required to be updated in accordance with Sections 6.02, 6.13 and 6.14, and annotated to identify Immaterial Subsidiaries, (ii) the number of shares of each class of Equity Interests in each Subsidiary outstanding, (iii) the number and percentage of outstanding shares of each class of Equity Interests owned by the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries and (iv) the class or nature of such Equity Interests (i.e. voting, non-voting, preferred, etc.). The outstanding Equity Interests in all Subsidiaries are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and are owned free and clear of all Liens other than Permitted Liens under Section 7.01(c) or Section 7.01(k). There are no outstanding subscriptions, options, warrants, calls, rights or other agreements or commitments (other than stock options granted to employees or directors and directors’ qualifying shares) of any nature relating to the Equity Interests of any Subsidiary of any Loan Party, except as contemplated in connection with the Loan Documents.

 

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(b) Loan Parties. Set forth on Schedule 5.19(b) is a complete and accurate list of all Loan Parties, showing as of the Closing Date, or as of the last date such Schedule was required to be updated in accordance with Sections 6.02, 6.13 and 6.14 (as to each Loan Party) (i) the exact legal name, (ii) any former legal names of such Loan Party in the four (4) months prior to the Closing Date, (iii) the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, as applicable, (iv) the type of organization, (v) the jurisdictions in which such Loan Party is qualified to do business, (vi) the address of its chief executive office, (vii) the address of its principal place of business, (viii) its U.S. federal taxpayer identification number or, in the case of any non-U.S. Loan Party that does not have a U.S. taxpayer identification number, its unique identification number issued to it by the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization and (ix) the organization identification number of such Loan Party.

 

5.20

Collateral Representations.

(a) Collateral Documents. The provisions of the Collateral Documents are effective to create in favor of the Lender a legal, valid and enforceable first priority Lien (subject to Permitted Liens) on all right, title and interest of the respective Loan Parties in the Collateral described therein. Except for filings completed prior to the Closing Date and as contemplated hereby and by the Collateral Documents, no filing or other action will be necessary to perfect or protect such Liens.

(b) Intellectual Property. Set forth on Schedule 5.20(b) as of the Closing Date and as of the last date such Schedule was required to be updated in accordance with Sections 6.02, 6.13 and 6.14 is a list of all registered or issued Intellectual Property (including all applications for registration and issuance) owned by each of the Loan Parties or that each of the Loan Parties has an exclusive in-bound license right to (including the name/title, current owner, registration or application number, and registration or application date and such other information as reasonably requested by the Lender), in each case that is registered or in respect of which an application for registration has been applied for in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office or the U.S. Copyright Office.

(c) Documents, Instrument, and Tangible Chattel Paper. Set forth on Schedule 5.20(c), as of the Closing Date and as of the last date such Schedule was required to be updated in accordance with Sections 6.02, 6.13 and 6.14, is a description of all Documents, Instruments, and Tangible Chattel Paper of the Loan Parties (including the Loan Party owning such Document, Instrument and Tangible Chattel Paper and such other information as reasonably requested by the Lender).

(d) Deposit Accounts, Electronic Chattel Paper, Letter-of-Credit Rights, and Securities Accounts.

(i) Set forth on Schedule 5.20(d)(i), as of the Closing Date and as of the last date such Schedule was required to be updated in accordance with Sections 6.02, 6.13 and 6.14, is a description of all Deposit Accounts and Securities Accounts of the Loan Parties, including the name of (A) the applicable Loan Party, (B) in the case of a Deposit Account, the depository institution and whether such account is a zero balance account or a payroll account, and (C) in the case of a Securities Account, the Securities Intermediary or issuer, as applicable.

(ii) Set forth on Schedule 5.20(d)(ii), as of the Closing Date and as of the last date such Schedule was required to be updated in accordance with Sections 6.02, 6.13 and 6.14, is a description of all Electronic Chattel Paper (as defined in the UCC) and Letter-of-Credit Rights (as defined in the UCC) of the Loan Parties, including the name of (A) the applicable Loan Party, (B) in the case of Electronic Chattel Paper (as defined in the UCC), the account debtor and (C) in the case of Letter-of-Credit Rights (as defined in the UCC), the issuer or nominated person, as applicable.

 

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(e) Commercial Tort Claims. Set forth on Schedule 5.20(e), as of the Closing Date and as of the last date such Schedule was required to be updated in accordance with Sections 6.02, 6.13 and 6.14, is a description of all Commercial Tort Claims of the Loan Parties (detailing such Commercial Tort Claim in such detail as reasonably requested by the Lender).

(f) Pledged Equity Interests. Set forth on Schedule 5.20(f), as of the Closing Date and as of the last date such Schedule was required to be updated in accordance with Sections 6.02, 6.13 and 6.14, is a list of (i) all Pledged Equity and (ii) all other Equity Interests required to be pledged to the Lender pursuant to the Collateral Documents (in each case, detailing the Grantor (as defined in the Security Agreement), the Person whose Equity Interests are pledged, the number of shares of each class of Equity Interests, the certificate number (if applicable) and percentage ownership of outstanding shares of each class of Equity Interests and the class or nature of such Equity Interests (i.e. voting, non-voting, preferred, etc.).

(g) Properties. Set forth on Schedule 5.20(g)(i), as of the Closing Date and as of the last date such Schedule was required to be updated in accordance with Sections 6.02, 6.13 and 6.14, is a list of all Mortgaged Properties (including (i) the name of the Loan Party owning such Mortgaged Property, (ii) the number of buildings located on such Mortgaged Property, (iii) the property address, (iv) the city, county, state and zip code which such Mortgaged Property is located). Set forth on Schedule 5.20(g)(ii), as of the Closing Date and as of the last date such Schedule was required to be updated in accordance with Sections 6.02, 6.13 and 6.14, is a list of (A) each headquarters location of the Loan Parties, (B) each other location where any significant administrative or governmental functions are performed, (C) each other location where the Loan Parties maintain any books or records (electronic or otherwise) and (D) each location where any personal property Collateral is located at any premises owned or leased by a Loan Party (in each case, including (1) an indication if such location is leased or owned, (2), if leased, the name of the lessor, and if owned, the name of the Loan Party owning such property, (3) the address of such property (including, the city, county, state and zip code) and (4) to the extent owned, the approximate fair market value of such property).

 

5.21

EEA Financial Institutions.

No Loan Party is an EEA Financial Institution.

 

5.22

Intellectual Property; Licenses, Etc.

Each Loan Party and each of its Subsidiaries own, or possess the right to use, all of the trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights, patents, patent rights, franchises, licenses and other intellectual property rights that are reasonably necessary for the operation of their respective businesses, without conflict with the rights of any other Person, except as could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. To the best knowledge of the Borrower, no slogan or other advertising device, product, process, method, substance, part or other material now employed, or now contemplated to be employed, by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries infringes upon any rights held by any other Person, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. No claim or litigation regarding any of the foregoing is pending or, to the best knowledge of the Borrower, threatened, which, either individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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5.23

Labor Matters.

There are no collective bargaining agreements or Multiemployer Plans covering the employees of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries as of the Closing Date and neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary has suffered any strikes, walkouts, work stoppages or other material labor difficulty within the last five (5) years preceding the Closing Date.

 

5.24

Representations as to Foreign Obligors.

The Borrower and each Foreign Obligor represents and warrants to the Lender that:

(a) Such Foreign Obligor is subject to civil and commercial Laws with respect to its obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party (collectively as to such Foreign Obligor, the “Applicable Foreign Obligor Documents”), and the execution, delivery and performance by such Foreign Obligor of the Applicable Foreign Obligor Documents constitute and will constitute private and commercial acts and not public or governmental acts. Neither such Foreign Obligor nor any of its property has any immunity from jurisdiction of any court or from any legal process (whether through service or notice, attachment prior to judgment, attachment in aid of execution, execution or otherwise) under the laws of the jurisdiction in which such Foreign Obligor is organized and existing in respect of its obligations under the Applicable Foreign Obligor Documents.

(b) The Applicable Foreign Obligor Documents are in proper legal form under the Laws of the jurisdiction in which such Foreign Obligor is organized and existing for the enforcement thereof against such Foreign Obligor under the Laws of such jurisdiction, and to ensure the legality, validity, enforceability, priority or admissibility in evidence of the Applicable Foreign Obligor Documents. It is not necessary to ensure the legality, validity, enforceability, priority or admissibility in evidence of the Applicable Foreign Obligor Documents that the Applicable Foreign Obligor Documents be filed, registered or recorded with, or executed or notarized before, any court or other authority in the jurisdiction in which such Foreign Obligor is organized and existing or that any registration charge or stamp or similar tax be paid on or in respect of the Applicable Foreign Obligor Documents or any other document, except for (i) any such filing, registration, recording, execution or notarization as has been made or is not required to be made until the Applicable Foreign Obligor Document or any other document is sought to be enforced and (ii) any charge or tax as has been timely paid.

(c) As of the Closing Date and provided that the Lender has complied with its obligations in Section 3.01(d), there is no tax, levy, impost, duty, fee, assessment or other governmental charge, or any deduction or withholding, imposed by any Governmental Authority in or of the jurisdiction in which such Foreign Obligor is organized and existing (other than any Other Connection Taxes) either (i) on or by virtue of the execution or delivery of the Applicable Foreign Obligor Documents or (ii) on any payment to be made by such Foreign Obligor pursuant to the Applicable Foreign Obligor Documents, except as has been disclosed to the Lender. As of the Closing Date and provided that the Lender has complied with its obligations in Section 3.01(d), it is not required under the Laws of the jurisdiction in which any Foreign Obligor is incorporated or resident or at the address specified for the Borrower or such Foreign Obligor on Schedule 1.01(a) to make any deduction for or on account of Tax (other than any Other Connection Taxes) from any payment it may make under any Loan Documents.

(d) The execution, delivery and performance of the Applicable Foreign Obligor Documents executed by such Foreign Obligor are, under applicable foreign exchange control regulations of the jurisdiction in which such Foreign Obligor is organized and existing, not subject to any notification or authorization except (i) such as have been made or obtained or (ii) such as cannot be made or obtained until a later date (provided that any notification or authorization described in clause (ii) shall be made or obtained as soon as is reasonably practicable).

 

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(e) The choice of the law of the State of New York as the governing law of the Loan Documents will be recognized and enforced in the Foreign Obligors’ respective jurisdictions of incorporation and any judgment obtained in New York in relation to a Loan Document will be recognized and enforced in the such Foreign Obligor’s jurisdiction of incorporation.

(f) Under the Laws of the jurisdiction in which the Foreign Obligors are incorporated it is not necessary that the Loan Documents be filed, recorded or enrolled with any court or other authority in that jurisdiction or that any stamp, registration or similar tax be paid on or in relation to the Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents.

5.25 Borrower Loan Documents. The execution and delivery by the Borrower of the Loan Documents to which it is a party and the performance by it of its obligations thereunder (including its Guaranty) are in furtherance of its corporate purposes and necessary or convenient to the conduct, promotion and attainment of its business, and it shall derive a substantial benefit therefrom.

5.26 Beneficial Ownership. The information included in the Beneficial Ownership Certification is true and correct in all respects.

5.27 Regulation H. No Mortgaged Property is a Flood Hazard Property unless the Lender shall have received the following: (a) the applicable Loan Party’s written acknowledgment of receipt of written notification from the Lender (i) as to the fact that such Mortgaged Property is a Flood Hazard Property, (ii) as to whether the community in which each such Flood Hazard Property is located is participating in the National Flood Insurance Program and (iii) such other flood hazard determination forms, notices and confirmations thereof as requested by the Lender and (b) copies of insurance policies or certificates of insurance of the applicable Loan Party evidencing flood insurance reasonably satisfactory to the Lender and naming the Lender as loss payee. All flood hazard insurance policies required hereunder have been obtained and remain in full force and effect, and the premiums thereon have been paid in full.

ARTICLE VI

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

Each of the Loan Parties hereby covenants and agrees that on the Closing Date and thereafter until the Facility Termination Date, such Loan Party shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to:

 

6.01

Financial Statements.

Deliver to the Lender, in form and detail satisfactory to the Lender:

(a) Audited Financial Statements. As soon as available, but in any event within one hundred twenty (120) days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower, a Consolidated (and, if requested by the Lender, management prepared consolidating) balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such fiscal year, and the related Consolidated (and, if requested by the Lender, management prepared consolidating) statements of income or operations and cash flows, and related Consolidated statements changes in shareholders’ equity for such fiscal year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, all in reasonable detail and prepared in accordance with GAAP, such Consolidated statements to be audited and accompanied by a report and opinion of an independent certified public accountant of nationally recognized standing reasonably acceptable to the Lender, which report and opinion shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and shall not be subject to any “going concern” or like qualification or exception (exceptions may be required as a result of (x) a prospective Event of Default with respect to any breach of any financial covenant or (y) the impending maturity of either Facility) or any qualification or exception as to the scope of such audit.

 

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(b) Quarterly Financial Statements. As soon as available, but in any event within forty five (45) days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each fiscal year of the Borrower (commencing with the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2020), a Consolidated (and, if requested by the Lender, management prepared consolidating) balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such quarter, and the related Consolidated (and, if requested by the Lender, management prepared consolidating) statements of income or operations and cash flows and related Consolidated statement of changes in shareholders’ equity for such quarter and for the portion of the Borrower’s fiscal year then ended setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding quarter of the previous fiscal year and the corresponding portion of the previous fiscal year, all in reasonable detail and prepared in accordance with GAAP, such Consolidated statements to be duly certified by the chief executive officer, chief financial officer, treasurer or controller of the Borrower who is a Responsible Officer of the Borrower as fairly presenting in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, subject only to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes and such consolidating statements to be certified by the chief executive officer, chief financial officer, treasurer or controller that is a Responsible Officer of the Borrower to the effect that such statements are fairly stated in all material respects when considered in relation to the Consolidated financial statements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.

(c) Monthly Financial Statements. As soon as available, but in any event within thirty (30) days after the end of each of the first two (2) fiscal months of each fiscal quarter of the Borrower (commencing with the fiscal month ended June 30, 2020), a Consolidated (and, if requested by the Lender, management prepared consolidating) balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such month, and the related Consolidated (and, if requested by the Lender, management prepared consolidating) statements of income or operations for such month and for the portion of the Borrower’s fiscal year then ended setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding month of the previous fiscal year and the corresponding portion of the previous fiscal year, all in reasonable detail and prepared in accordance with GAAP, such Consolidated statements to be duly certified by the chief executive officer, chief financial officer, treasurer or controller of the Borrower who is a Responsible Officer of the Borrower as fairly presenting in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, subject only to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes and such consolidating statements to be certified by the chief executive officer, chief financial officer, treasurer or controller that is a Responsible Officer of the Borrower to the effect that such statements are fairly stated in all material respects when considered in relation to the Consolidated financial statements of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.

(d) Business Plan and Budget. As soon as available, but in any event within sixty (60) days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower, an annual business plan and budget of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a Consolidated basis, including forecasts prepared by management of the Borrower, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Lender, of Consolidated balance sheets and statements of income or operations and cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a fiscal year basis and, in the case of such forecasted statements of income, on a fiscal quarterly basis for the immediately following fiscal year.

As to any information contained in materials furnished pursuant to Section 6.02(f), the Borrower shall not be separately required to furnish such information under Section 6.01(a) or (b) above, but the foregoing shall not be in derogation of the obligation of the Borrower to furnish the information and materials described in Sections 6.01(a) and (b) above at the times specified therein.

 

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6.02

Certificates; Other Information.

Deliver to the Lender, in form and detail satisfactory to the Lender:

(a) Compliance Certificate. Concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in Sections 6.01(a), (b) and (c) (commencing with the delivery of the financial statements for the quarter ended June 30, 2020), a duly completed Compliance Certificate signed by the chief executive officer, chief financial officer, treasurer or controller which is a Responsible Officer of the Borrower, and in the event of any change in generally accepted accounting principles used in the preparation of such financial statements, the Borrower shall also provide, if necessary for the determination of compliance with Section 7.11, a statement of reconciliation conforming such financial statements to GAAP. Unless the Lender requests executed originals, delivery of the Compliance Certificate may be by electronic communication including fax or email and shall be deemed to be an original and authentic counterpart thereof for all purposes.

(b) Updated Schedules. Concurrently with the delivery of the Compliance Certificate referred to in Section 6.02(a), updated Schedules to this Agreement, to the extent permitted to be updated pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, which may be attached to the Compliance Certificate, to the extent required to make the representation related to such Schedule true and correct as of the date of such Compliance Certificate.

(c) Calculations. Concurrently with the delivery of the Compliance Certificate referred to in Section 6.02(a) required to be delivered with the financial statements referred to in Section 6.01(a), a certificate (which may be included in such Compliance Certificate) including (i) the amount of all Restricted Payments, Investments (including Permitted Acquisitions), Dispositions, Capital Expenditures, Debt Issuances and Equity Issuance that were made during the prior fiscal year and (ii) amounts received in connection with any Extraordinary Receipt during the prior fiscal year.

(d) Audit Reports; Management Letters; Recommendations. Promptly after any request by the Lender, copies of any detailed audit reports, management letters or recommendations submitted to the board of directors (or the audit committee of the board of directors) of any Loan Party by independent accountants in connection with the accounts or books of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, or any audit of any of them.

(e) Annual Reports; Etc. Except to the extent publicly filed, promptly after the same are available, copies of each annual report, proxy or financial statement or other report or communication sent generally to the stockholders of the Borrower, and copies of all annual, regular, periodic and special reports and registration statements which the Borrower may file or be required to file with the SEC under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or with any national securities exchange, and in any case not otherwise required to be delivered to the Lender pursuant hereto.

(f) Subordinated Debt Statements and Reports. Promptly after the furnishing thereof, copies of any statement or report furnished to any holder of Subordinated Debt of any Loan Party or of any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to the terms of any indenture, loan or credit or similar agreement and not otherwise required to be furnished to the Lender pursuant to Section 6.01 or any other clause of this Section.

(g) SEC Notices. Promptly, and in any event within five (5) Business Days after receipt thereof by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof, copies of each material notice or other material correspondence received from the SEC (or comparable agency in any applicable non-U.S. jurisdiction) concerning any investigation or possible investigation or other inquiry by such agency regarding financial or other operational results of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof.

 

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(h) Notices. Not later than five (5) Business Days after receipt thereof by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof, copies of all notices, requests and other documents (including amendments, waivers and other modifications) so received under or pursuant to any instrument, indenture, loan or credit or similar agreement regarding or related to any breach or default by any party thereto or any other event that could reasonably be expected to materially impair the value of the interests or the rights of any Loan Party in a manner that could, or that otherwise could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and, from time to time upon request by the Lender, such information and reports regarding such instruments, indentures and loan and credit and similar agreements as the Lender may reasonably request.

(i) Environmental Notice. Promptly after the assertion or occurrence thereof, notice of any action or proceeding against or of any noncompliance by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries with any Environmental Law or Environmental Permit that could (i) reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) cause any property described in the Mortgages to be subject to any restrictions on ownership, occupancy, use or transferability under any Environmental Law.

(j) Additional Information. Promptly, such additional information regarding the business, financial, legal or corporate affairs of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof, or compliance with the terms of the Loan Documents, as the Lender may from time to time reasonably request.

Documents required to be delivered pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or (b) or Section 6.02 (e) or (f) (to the extent any such documents are included in materials otherwise filed with the SEC) may be delivered electronically and if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date (a) on which the Borrower post such documents, or provides a link thereto on the Borrower’s website on the Internet at the website address listed on Schedule 1.01(a); or (b) on which such documents are posted on the Borrower’s behalf on an Internet or intranet website, if any, to which the Lender has access (whether a commercial, third-party website or whether sponsored by the Lender); provided that: (i) the Borrower shall deliver paper copies of any such documents to the Lender upon its request to the Borrower to deliver such paper copies and (ii) upon Lender’s request and provide to the Lender by e-mail electronic versions (i.e., soft copies) of such documents.

 

6.03

Notices.

Promptly, but in any event within three (3) Business Days, notify the Lender:

(a) of the occurrence of any Default;

(b) of any matter that has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, including any such matter constituting (i) breach or non-performance of, or any default under, a Contractual Obligation of the Borrower or any Subsidiary; (ii) any dispute, litigation, investigation, proceeding or suspension between the Borrower or any Subsidiary and any Governmental Authority; or (iii) the commencement of, or any material development in, any litigation or proceeding affecting the Borrower or any Subsidiary, including pursuant to any applicable Environmental Laws;

(c) of the occurrence of any ERISA Event;

(d) of any material change in accounting policies or financial reporting practices by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof, including any determination by the Borrower referred to in Section 2.10(b); and

(e) of any (i) occurrence of any Disposition of property or assets for which the Borrower are required to make a mandatory prepayment pursuant to Section 2.05(b)(i), (ii) Equity Issuance for which the

 

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Borrower are required to make a mandatory prepayment pursuant to Section 2.05(b)(ii), (iii) Debt issuance for which the Borrower are required to make a mandatory prepayment pursuant to Section 2.05(b)(iii), and (iv) receipt of any Extraordinary Receipt for which the Borrower are required to make a mandatory prepayment pursuant to Section 2.05(b)(iv).

Each notice pursuant to this Section 6.03 shall be accompanied by a statement of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower setting forth details of the occurrence referred to therein and to the extent applicable, stating what action the Borrower have taken and proposes to take with respect thereto. Each notice pursuant to Section 6.03(a) shall describe with particularity any and all provisions of this Agreement and any other Loan Document that have been breached.

 

6.04

Payment of Obligations.

Pay and discharge as the same shall become due and payable (giving effect to any available extension), all its material obligations and liabilities, including (a) all material tax liabilities, assessments and governmental charges or levies upon it or its properties or assets, unless the same are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted and adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP are being maintained by the Borrower or such Subsidiary and (b) all lawful claims which, if unpaid, would by law become a Lien (other than a Permitted Lien) upon its property.

 

6.05

Preservation of Existence, Etc.

(a) Preserve, renew and maintain in full force and effect its legal existence and good standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its organization except in a transaction permitted by Section 7.04 or 7.05;

(b) take all reasonable action to maintain all rights, privileges, permits, licenses and franchises necessary or desirable in the normal conduct of its business, except to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and

(c) preserve or renew all of its registered patents, trademarks, trade names and service marks, the non-preservation of which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

6.06

Maintenance of Properties.

(a) Maintain, preserve and protect all of its material properties and equipment necessary in the operation of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted;

(b) make all necessary repairs thereto and renewals and replacements thereof except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and

(c) use the standard of care typical in the industry in the operation and maintenance of its facilities.

 

6.07

Maintenance of Insurance.

(a) Maintenance of Insurance. Maintain with financially sound and reputable insurance companies not Affiliates of the Borrower, insurance with respect to its properties and business against loss or damage of the kinds customarily insured against by Persons engaged in the same or similar business, of such types and in such amounts as are customarily carried under similar circumstances by such other Persons, including, without limitation, (i) terrorism insurance, (ii) cyber coverage, and (iii) flood hazard insurance on all Mortgaged Properties that are Flood Hazard Properties, on such terms and in such amounts as required by the National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994 or as otherwise required by the Lender.

 

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(b) Evidence of Insurance. Cause the Lender to be named as lender’s loss payable or loss payee, as applicable, as its interest may appear, and/or additional insured with respect of any such insurance providing liability coverage or coverage in respect of any Collateral, and cause, unless otherwise agreed to by the Lender, each provider of any such insurance to agree, by endorsement upon the policy or policies issued by it or by independent instruments furnished to the Lender that it will give the Lender thirty (30) days prior written notice before any such policy or policies shall be altered or cancelled (or ten (10) days prior notice in the case of cancellation due to the nonpayment of premiums). Annually, upon expiration of current insurance coverage, the Loan Parties shall provide, or cause to be provided, to the Lender, such evidence of insurance as required by the Lender, including, but not limited to: (i) certified copies of such insurance policies, (ii) evidence of such insurance policies (including, without limitation and as applicable, ACORD Form 28 certificates (or similar form of insurance certificate), and ACORD Form 25 certificates (or similar form of insurance certificate)), (iii) declaration pages for each insurance policy and (iv) lender’s loss payable endorsement if the Lender for the benefit of the Secured Parties is not on the declarations page for such policy. As requested by the Lender, the Loan Parties agree to deliver to the Lender an Authorization to Share Insurance Information.

(c) Redesignation. Promptly notify the Lender of any Mortgaged Property that is or becomes, a Flood Hazard Property.

 

6.08

Compliance with Laws.

Comply with the requirements of all Laws and all orders, writs, injunctions and decrees applicable to it or to its business or property, except in such instances in which (a) such requirement of Law or order, writ, injunction or decree is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted; or (b) the failure to comply therewith could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

6.09

Books and Records.

(a) Maintain proper books of record and account, in which full, true and correct entries in conformity with GAAP (in all material respects) consistently applied shall be made of all financial transactions and matters involving the assets and business of such Loan Party or such Subsidiary, as the case may be; and

(b) maintain such books of record and account in material conformity with all material applicable requirements of any Governmental Authority having regulatory jurisdiction over such Loan Party or such Subsidiary, as the case may be.

 

6.10

Inspection Rights.

(a) Permit representatives and independent contractors of the Lender to visit and inspect any of its properties, to examine its corporate, financial and operating records, and make copies thereof or abstracts therefrom, and to discuss its affairs, finances and accounts with its directors, officers, and independent public accountants, all at the expense of the Borrower and at such reasonable times during normal business hours and as often as may be reasonably desired, upon reasonable advance notice to the Borrower; provided, however, that when an Event of Default exists the Lender (or any of its respective representatives or independent contractors) may do any of the foregoing at the expense of the Borrower at any time during normal business hours and without advance notice.

 

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(b) If requested by the Lender in its sole discretion, permit the Lender and its representatives, upon reasonable advance notice to the Borrower, to conduct, at the expense of the Borrower, an annual (i) personal property asset appraisal on personal property Collateral of the Loan Parties and (ii) field exam on the accounts receivable, inventory, payables, controls and systems of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.

(c) If requested by the Lender in its sole discretion, permit the Lender, and its representatives, upon reasonable advance notice to the Borrower, to conduct an annual audit of the Collateral at the expense of the Borrower.

 

6.11

Use of Proceeds.

Use the proceeds of the Term Loan solely to refinance the Existing Obligations and use the proceeds of the Revolving Loans to refinance the Existing Obligations and for general corporate purposes not in contravention of any Law or of any Loan Document.

 

6.12

Reserved.

 

6.13

Covenant to Guarantee Obligations.

The Loan Parties will cause each of their Subsidiaries whether newly formed, after acquired or otherwise existing to promptly (and in any event within thirty (30) days after such Subsidiary is formed or acquired (or such longer period of time as agreed to by the Lender in its reasonable discretion)) become a Guarantor hereunder by way of execution of a Joinder Agreement; provided, however, (i) no Foreign Subsidiary disclosed on the Schedules provided in connection with this Agreement and existing on the Closing Date other than those listed in the signature pages hereof under the heading “Guarantor” shall be required to become a Guarantor unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, (ii) no Subsidiary that is a CFC shall be required to become a Guarantor hereunder with respect to, or otherwise guarantee, any Obligations or as otherwise limited in Section 9.01(b) and (iii) no Immaterial Subsidiary shall be required to become a Guarantor unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing. In connection therewith, the Loan Parties shall give notice to the Lender not less than ten (10) days prior to creating a Subsidiary (or such shorter period of time as agreed to by the Lender in its reasonable discretion), or acquiring the Equity Interests of any other Person. In connection with the foregoing, the Loan Parties shall deliver to the Lender, with respect to each new Guarantor to the extent applicable, substantially the same documentation required pursuant to Sections 4.01(b) and (e) and 6.14 and such other documents or agreements as the Lender may reasonably request, including without limitation, updated Schedules 1.01(b), 5.10, 5.19(a), 5.19(b), 5.20(b), 5.20(c), 5.20(d)(i), 5.20(d)(ii), 5.20(e), 5.20(f), and 5.20(g).

 

6.14

Covenant to Give Security.

Except with respect to Excluded Property:

(a) Equity Interests and Personal Property. The Borrower and each Guarantor that is a Domestic Subsidiary will cause the Pledged Equity and all of its tangible and intangible personal property now owned or hereafter acquired by it to be subject at all times to a first priority, perfected Lien (subject to Permitted Liens to the extent permitted by the Loan Documents) in favor of the Lender for the benefit of the Secured Parties to secure the Secured Obligations pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Collateral Documents. The Borrower and each Guarantor that is a Domestic Subsidiary shall provide opinions of counsel and any filings and deliveries reasonably necessary in connection therewith to perfect the security interests therein, all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Lender promptly (and in any event within thirty (30) days, after such Pledged Equity and personal property is acquired or formed, as applicable, or such longer period of time as agreed to by the Lender in its reasonable discretion).

 

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(b) Real Property. If any Loan Party intends to acquire a fee ownership interest in any real property (“Real Estate”) after the Closing Date and such Real Estate has a fair market value in excess of $500,000, it shall provide to the Lender within sixty (60) days (or such extended period of time as agreed to by the Lender in writing) a Mortgage and such Mortgaged Property Support Documents as the Lender may request to cause such Real Estate to be subject at all times to a first priority, perfected Lien (subject in each case to Permitted Liens) in favor of the Lender for the benefit of the Secured Parties to secure the Secured Obligations pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Collateral Documents.

(c) Reserved.

(d) Deposit Accounts and Securities Accounts. Neither the Borrower nor any of the Guarantors that are Domestic Subsidiaries shall open, maintain or otherwise have any deposit or other accounts (including securities accounts) at any bank or other financial institution other than the Lender, or any other account where money or securities are or may be deposited or maintained with any Person, other than (i) the Borrower’s account with Greenwood Credit Union, identified on Schedule 6.14 hereto, provided that such account contain only the proceeds of the Indebtedness described in Section 7.02(g) hereof; (ii) the Borrower’s accounts set forth on Schedule 6.14 and designated as unrestricted accounts or Foreign Accounts; provided that the balance in any such account other than the Borrower’s Canadian dollar account with Royal Bank does not exceed the Dollar Equivalent of $100,000 and the aggregate balance in all such accounts including the Borrower’s Canadian dollar account with Royal Bank does not exceed the Dollar Equivalent of $500,000 (the “Excluded Accounts”), (iii) the foreign accounts owned by the Danish Guarantors set forth on Schedule 6.14 (the “Danish Foreign Accounts”), provided that, at all times, the aggregate balance of all Danish Foreign Accounts shall not exceed the Dollar Equivalent of $1,500,000, and the foreign accounts owned by any of the other Foreign Subsidiaries set forth on Schedule 6.14 (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, the Danish Foreign Accounts) (the “Foreign Subsidiary Accounts”), provided that, at all times, the aggregate balance of all Foreign Subsidiary Accounts shall not exceed the Dollar Equivalent of (x) at all times prior to January 31, 2021, $3,500,000 and (y) at all times on and after January 1, 2021, $2,500,000, (iv) deposit accounts that are maintained at all times with depository institutions as to which the Lender shall have received a Qualifying Control Agreement, or at any time prior to the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, with respect to the Excluded Accounts and (v) solely with respect to securities accounts, securities accounts that are maintained at all times with financial institutions as to which the Lender shall have received a Qualifying Control Agreement. For avoidance of doubt, accounts described in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of the preceding sentence shall not be required to be subject to a Qualifying Control Agreement.

(e) Updated Schedules. Concurrently with the delivery of any Collateral pursuant to the terms of this Section, the Borrower shall provide the Lender with the applicable updated Schedules: 5.19(a), 5.19(b), 5.20(b)(i), 5.20(c), 5.20(d)(i), 5.20(d)(ii), 5.20(e), 5.20(f), and 5.20(g).

(f) Further Assurances. Subject to Section 6.15, at any time upon request of the Lender, promptly execute and deliver any and all further instruments and documents and take all such other action (including promptly completing any registration or stamping of documents as may be applicable) as the Lender may deem necessary or desirable to maintain in favor of the Lender, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, Liens and insurance rights on the Collateral that are duly perfected in accordance with the requirements of, or the obligations of the Loan Parties under, the Loan Documents and all applicable Laws.

 

6.15

Further Assurances.

Promptly upon request by the Lender, (a) correct any material defect or error that may be discovered in any Loan Document or in the execution, acknowledgment, filing or recordation thereof, and (b) do, execute, acknowledge, deliver, record, re-record, file, re-file, register and re-register any and all

 

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such further acts, deeds, certificates, assurances and other instruments (including promptly completing any registration or stamping of documents as may be applicable) as the Lender may reasonably require from time to time in order to (i) carry out more effectively the purposes of the Loan Documents, (ii) to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, subject any Loan Party’s or any of its Subsidiaries’ properties, assets, rights or interests to the Liens now or hereafter intended to be covered by any of the Collateral Documents, (iii) perfect and maintain the validity, effectiveness and priority of any of the Collateral Documents and any of the Liens intended to be created thereunder and (iv) assure, convey, grant, assign, transfer, preserve, protect and confirm more effectively unto the Secured Parties the rights granted or now or hereafter intended to be granted to the Secured Parties under any Loan Document or under any other instrument executed in connection with any Loan Document to which any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries is or is to be a party, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to do so; provided however, unless an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the U.S. Loan Parties shall not be required to obtain a landlord waiver, collateral access agreement or similar waiver or agreement with respect to any location of a U.S. Loan Party where any personal property Collateral is located.

6.16 Post-Closing Conditions. The Borrower shall deliver, or shall cause to be delivered, and shall perform each of the following, in each case in form and substance satisfactory to the Lender:

(a) within thirty (30) days after the Closing Date (or such later date as may be agreed by the Lender in writing, in its discretion), such endorsements to the Borrower’s insurance policies as may be required by this Agreement and the Collateral Documents;

(b) within ninety (90) days after the Closing Date (or such later date as may be agreed by the Lender in writing, in its discretion), a survey of the Mortgaged Property, together with such amendments and/or endorsements to the title insurance policy as the Lender may reasonably require;

(c) within ninety (90) days after the Closing Date (or such later date as may be agreed by the Lender in writing, in its discretion), permit representatives of the Lender to visit and inspect any of the Borrower’s properties (such inspection, the “Post-Closing Field Exam”), to examine and make abstracts or copies from any of their respective books and records, to conduct a collateral audit and analysis of their respective operations and the Collateral, to verify the amount and age of the accounts receivable, the identity and credit of the respective account debtors, to review the billing practices of the Borrower and to discuss the Loan Parties’ respective affairs, finances and accounts with their respective officers, employees and independent public accountants, all to the Lender’s reasonable satisfaction; and

(d) within five (5) Business Days after the Closing Date (or such later date as may be agreed by the Lender in writing, in its discretion), evidence that the Borrower’s insurance policies have been renewed.

 

6.17

Compliance with Environmental Laws.

(i) With respect to the Mortgaged Property, comply, and cause all lessees and other Persons operating or occupying its properties to comply, and with respect to all other locations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, comply in all material respects, with all applicable Environmental Laws and Environmental Permits; (ii) obtain and renew all Environmental Permits necessary for its operations and properties; and (iii) conduct any investigation, study, sampling and testing, and undertake any cleanup, removal, remedial or other action necessary to remove and clean up all Hazardous Materials from any of its properties, in accordance with the requirements of all Environmental Laws; provided, however, that neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries shall be required to undertake any such cleanup, removal, remedial or other action to the extent that its obligation to do so is being contested in good faith and by proper proceedings and appropriate reserves are being maintained with respect to such circumstances in accordance with GAAP.

 

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6.18

Preparation of Environmental Reports.

At the reasonable request of the Lender from time to time, provide to the Lender within sixty (60) days after such request, at the expense of the Borrower, an environmental site assessment report for any of its properties described in such request, prepared by an environmental consulting firm acceptable to the Lender, indicating the presence or absence of Hazardous Materials and the estimated cost of any compliance, removal or remedial action in connection with any Hazardous Materials on such properties; without limiting the generality of the foregoing, if the Lender determines at any time that a material risk exists that any such report will not be provided within the time referred to above, the Lender may retain an environmental consulting firm to prepare such report at the expense of the Borrower, and the Borrower hereby grant and agree to cause any Subsidiary that owns any property described in such request to grant at the time of such request to the Lender, such firm and any agents or representatives thereof an irrevocable non-exclusive license, subject to the rights of tenants, to enter onto their respective properties to undertake such an assessment.

 

6.19

Approvals and Authorizations.

Maintain all authorizations, consents, approvals and licenses from, exemptions of, and filings and registrations with, each Governmental Authority of the jurisdiction in which each Loan Party is organized and existing, and all approvals and consents of each other Person in such jurisdiction, in each case that are required in connection with the Loan Documents.

 

6.20

Anti-Corruption Laws.

Conduct its business in compliance with the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, the UK Bribery Act 2010 and other similar anti-corruption legislation in other jurisdictions and maintain policies and procedures designed to promote and achieve compliance with such laws.

 

6.21

Reserved.

 

6.22

Pari Passu Ranking.

Ensure that the payment obligations of the Foreign Obligors under the Loan Documents rank and continue to rank at least pari passu with the claims of all of the Foreign Obligors’ other unsecured and unsubordinated creditors, except for obligations mandatorily preferred by law applying to companies generally.

 

6.23

KYC Cooperation.

Promptly following any request therefor, provide information and documentation reasonably requested by the Lender for purposes of compliance with applicable “know your customer” and anti-money-laundering rules and regulations, including, without limitation, the PATRIOT Act and the Beneficial Ownership Regulation.

 

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ARTICLE VII

NEGATIVE COVENANTS

Each of the Loan Parties hereby covenants and agrees that on the Closing Date and thereafter until the Facility Termination Date, no Loan Party shall, nor shall it permit any Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly:

 

7.01

Liens.

Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon any of its property, assets or revenues, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, except for the following (the “Permitted Liens”):

(a) Liens pursuant to any Loan Document, any Secured Hedge Agreement or any Secured Cash Management Agreement;

(b) Liens existing on the Closing Date and listed on Schedule 7.01 and any renewals or extensions thereof, provided that (i) the property covered thereby is not changed, (ii) the amount secured or benefited thereby is not increased except as contemplated by Section 7.02(b), (iii) no direct or any contingent obligor with respect thereto is added and (iv) any renewal or extension of the obligations secured or benefited thereby is permitted by Section 7.02(b);

(c) Liens for taxes, assessments and government chargers not yet due or which are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted, if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the applicable Person in accordance with GAAP;

(d) Statutory Liens such as carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s or other like Liens arising in the ordinary course of business which secure amounts that are not overdue for a period of more than sixty (60) days, or which are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted; provided adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on the books of the applicable Person;

(e) pledges or deposits (including obligations with respect to letters of credit or bank guarantees issued in lieu of such deposits or pledges) in the ordinary course of business in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security legislation, other than any Lien imposed by ERISA;

(f) deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts and leases (other than Indebtedness), statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature (including obligations with respect to letters of credit or bank guarantees issued in lieu of such deposits) incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(g) easements, rights-of-way, restrictions and other similar encumbrances affecting real property which, in the aggregate, are not substantial in amount, and which do not in any case materially detract from the value of the property subject thereto or materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the applicable Person;

(h) Liens securing judgments for the payment of money (or appeal or other surety bonds relating to such judgments) not constituting an Event of Default under Section 8.01(h);

 

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(i) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.02(c); provided that (i) such Liens do not at any time encumber any property other than the property financed by such Indebtedness and (ii) the Indebtedness secured thereby does not exceed the cost or fair market value, whichever is lower, of the property being acquired on the date of acquisition;

(j) bankers’ Liens, rights of setoff and other similar Liens existing solely with respect to cash and Cash Equivalents on deposit in one or more accounts maintained by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries with the Lender, in each case in the ordinary course of business in favor of the bank or banks with which such accounts are maintained, securing solely the customary amounts owing to such bank with respect to cash management and operating account arrangements; provided, that in no case shall any such Liens secure (either directly or indirectly) the repayment of any Indebtedness;

(k) Liens arising out of judgments or awards not resulting in an Event of Default; provided the applicable Loan Party or Subsidiary shall in good faith be prosecuting an appeal or proceedings for review;

(l) Any interest or title of a lessor, lessee, licensor, licensee, sublessor or sublessee under any lease, license or sublease entered into by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof in the ordinary course of business and covering only the assets so leased, licensed or subleased, and any statutory Liens securing obligations owing to landlords under leases in the ordinary course of business;

(m) Liens of a collection bank arising under Section 4-210 of the UCC on items in the course of collection;

(n) Any zoning, building or similar laws or rights reserved to or vested in any Governmental Authority;

(o) [reserved];

(p) Liens on property of a Person existing at the time such Person is merged into or consolidated with the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower or becomes a Subsidiary of the Borrower; provided that such Liens were not created in contemplation of such merger, consolidation or Investment and do not extend to any assets other than those of the Person merged into or consolidated with the Borrower or such Subsidiary or acquired by the Borrower or such Subsidiary; and

(q) other Liens on specific assets securing Indebtedness or other obligations outstanding in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $1,000,000 at any time, provided that no such Lien shall be a Lien on all or substantially all assets of any Loan Party.

 

7.02

Indebtedness.

Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness, except:

(a) Indebtedness under the Loan Documents;

(b) Indebtedness outstanding on the Closing Date and listed on Schedule 7.02 and any refinancings, refundings, renewals or extensions thereof; provided that the amount of such Indebtedness is not increased at the time of such refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension except by an amount equal to a reasonable premium or other reasonable amount paid, and fees and expenses reasonably incurred, in connection with such refinancing and by an amount equal to any existing commitments unutilized thereunder and no direct or any contingent obligor with respect thereto is added, as a result of or in connection with such refinancing, refunding, renewal or extension; and, still further, that the terms relating

 

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to principal amount, amortization, maturity, collateral (if any) and subordination, standstill and related terms (if any), and other material terms taken as a whole, of any such refinancing, refunding, renewing or extending Indebtedness, and of any agreement entered into and of any instrument issued in connection therewith, are no less favorable in any material respect to the Loan Parties or the Lender than the terms of any agreement or instrument governing the Indebtedness being refinanced, refunded, renewed or extended and the interest rate applicable to any such refinancing, refunding, renewing or extending Indebtedness does not exceed the then applicable market interest rate;

(c) (i) Indebtedness in respect of Capitalized Leases, Synthetic Lease Obligations and purchase money obligations for the acquisition of fixed or capital assets (other than in a Permitted Acquisition) within the limitations set forth in Section 7.01(i); provided, however, that the aggregate amount of all such Indebtedness at any one time outstanding shall not exceed $2,500,000; and (ii) Indebtedness of a Person that becomes a subsidiary after the Closing Date in connection with a Permitted Acquisition (but not incurred in contemplation thereof) in respect of Capitalized Leases, Synthetic Lease Obligations and purchase money obligations for fixed or capital assets within the limitations set forth in Section 7.01(i); provided that the aggregate amount of all such Indebtedness at any one time outstanding shall not exceed $2,500,000;

(d) Unsecured Indebtedness of a Subsidiary of the Borrower owed to the Borrower or a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Borrower, which Indebtedness shall meet the following requirements: (i) to the extent required by the Lender, or in any event in the case of Indebtedness owed by any Subsidiary of the Borrower to any U.S. Loan Party, such Indebtedness shall be evidenced by promissory notes and be pledged to the Lender as Collateral for the Secured Obligations in accordance with the terms of the Security Agreement, (ii) with respect to any Indebtedness owed by a U.S. Loan Party to any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party or by any Foreign Obligor to any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party, be on terms (including subordination terms) reasonably acceptable to the Lender and (iii) be otherwise permitted under the provisions of Section 7.03 (“Intercompany Debt”);

(e) Guarantees of the Borrower or any Subsidiary in respect of Indebtedness otherwise permitted hereunder of the Borrower or Subsidiary; provided that any guaranty by a Loan Party of Indebtedness of a Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party shall only be permitted to the extent constituting an investment permitted by Section 7.03(c);

(f) obligations (contingent or otherwise) existing or arising under any Swap Contract, provided that (i) such obligations are (or were) entered into by such Person in the ordinary course of business for the purpose of directly mitigating risks associated with fluctuations in interest rates or foreign exchange rates and (ii) such Swap Contract does not contain any provision exonerating the non-defaulting party from its obligation to make payments on outstanding transactions to the defaulting party;

(g) Indebtedness constituting loans in a principal amount of up to $6,000,000 under the Paycheck Protection Act;

(h) Indebtedness secured by Liens permitted by Section 7.01(q), and extensions, renewals and refinancing thereof, provided that the aggregate principal amount of all such Indebtedness at any time outstanding shall not exceed $1,000,000;

(i) in connection with any Permitted Acquisition, Indebtedness owing to seller(s) of a Target in the form of unsecured seller notes or earnouts incurred in connection therewith, provided that (i) at the time of incurrence of any such Indebtedness, and after giving effect thereto, no Event of Default then exists or would result therefrom; (ii) such seller notes and earnouts shall not exceed 25% of the Cost of Acquisition for such Permitted Acquisition and (iii) such seller notes or earnouts shall be subordinated to Lender on terms reasonably satisfactory to the Lender;

 

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(j) Indebtedness secured by Liens permitted by Section 7.01(e) or Section 7.01(f), incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(k) Indebtedness consisting of unpaid insurance premiums (not in excess of one (1) year’s premiums) owing to insurance companies and insurance brokers incurred in connection with the financing of insurance premiums in the ordinary course of business;

(l) unsecured Indebtedness incurred by the Borrower to repurchase Qualified Equity Interests of the Borrower issued to employees, consultants, agents, officers and directors of the Borrower provided that at the time of incurrence of any such Indebtedness, and after giving effect thereto, no Event of Default exists or would result therefrom and subject to the limitation as set forth in Section 7.06(d); and

(m) other unsecured Indebtedness not contemplated by the above provisions in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $100,000 at any time outstanding; provided that, at the time of the incurrence thereof the Loan Parties are in Pro Forma Compliance with each of the financial covenants set forth in Section 7.11.

 

7.03

Investments.

Make or hold any Investments, except:

(a) Investments held by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents;

(b) advances to officers, directors and employees of the Borrower and Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount not to exceed $500,000 at any time outstanding, for travel, entertainment, relocation and analogous ordinary business purposes;

(c) (i) Investments by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in their respective Subsidiaries outstanding on the Closing Date, (ii) additional Investments by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in Domestic Subsidiaries that are Loan Parties, (iii) additional Investments by Subsidiaries of the Borrower that are not Loan Parties (other than inactive Subsidiaries per Section 7.18) in other Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties, (iv) so long as no Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from making such Investment at the time of the making of such Investment, additional Investments by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in wholly-owned Foreign Subsidiaries that are Loan Parties in an aggregate amount invested from the Closing Date not to exceed $2,500,000 outstanding at any time calculated after giving effect to any returns or distributions of, or with respect to, capital or repayment of principal against Indebtedness constituting Investments actually received by the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as applicable, (v) so long as no Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from making such Investment at the time of the making of such Investment, additional Investments by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in wholly-owned Foreign Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties in an aggregate amount invested from the Closing Date not to exceed $1,000,000 outstanding at any time calculated after giving effect to any returns or distributions of, or with respect to, capital or repayment of principal against Indebtedness constituting Investments actually received by the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as applicable, provided in each case, the provisions of Section 7.02(d) shall be met with respect to Intercompany Debt and (vi) Investments in the form of intercompany transfers to settle the assumption by the Borrower of the Existing Danish Term Loan and to settle and terminate the hedging arrangements previously entered into with respect thereto.

 

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(d) Investments consisting of extensions of credit in the nature of accounts receivable or notes receivable arising from the grant of trade credit in the ordinary course of business, and Investments received in satisfaction or partial satisfaction thereof from financially troubled account debtors to the extent reasonably necessary in order to prevent or limit loss;

(e) Guarantees permitted by Section 7.02;

(f) Investments existing on the Closing Date (other than those referred to in Section 7.03(c)(i)) and set forth on Schedule 7.03;

(g) Permitted Acquisitions (other than of CFCs and Subsidiaries held directly or indirectly by a CFC, which Investments are covered by Section 7.03(c)(iv));

(h) Investments (including debt obligations) received in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of suppliers and customers and in settlement of delinquent obligations of, and other disputes with, customers and suppliers arising in the ordinary course of business;

(i) other Investments not contemplated by the above provisions not exceeding $1,000,000 in the aggregate in any fiscal year of the Borrower;

(j) [reserved];

(k) [reserved]; and

(l) Investments by foreign branch operations of the Borrower (subject to the limitations on Excluded Accounts set forth in Section 6.14(d)) or by Foreign Subsidiaries in Foreign Cash Equivalents.

 

7.04

Fundamental Changes.

Merge, dissolve, Divide, liquidate, consolidate with or into another Person, or Dispose of (whether in one transaction or in a series of transactions) all or substantially all of its assets (whether now owned or hereafter acquired) to or in favor of any Person, except that, so long as no Default exists or would result therefrom:

(a) any Subsidiary may merge with (i) the Borrower; provided that the Borrower shall be the continuing or surviving Person, or (ii) any one or more other Subsidiaries, provided that when any Loan Party is merging with another Subsidiary, such Loan Party shall be the continuing or surviving Person;

(b) any Loan Party may Dispose of all or substantially all of its assets (upon voluntary liquidation or otherwise) to the Borrower or to another Loan Party;

(c) any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party may dispose of all or substantially all its assets (including any Disposition that is in the nature of a liquidation) to (i) another Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party or (ii) to a Loan Party; and subsequently dissolve following such Disposition;

(d) in connection with any Permitted Acquisition, any Subsidiary of the Borrower may merge into or consolidate with any other Person or permit any other Person to merge into or consolidate with it; provided that (i) the Person surviving such merger shall be a wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Borrower and (ii) in the case of any such merger to which any Loan Party (other than the Borrower) is a party, such Loan Party is the surviving Person; and

 

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(e) so long as no Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom, the Borrower and any of its Subsidiaries may merge into or consolidate with any other Person or permit any other Person to merge into or consolidate with it; provided, however, that in each case, immediately after giving effect thereto (i) in the case of any such merger to which the Borrower is a party, the Borrower is the surviving Person and (ii) in the case of any such merger to which any Loan Party (other than the Borrower) is a party, such Loan Party is the surviving Person.

 

7.05

Dispositions.

Make any Disposition or enter into any agreement to make any Disposition (including, without limitation, by way of a Division), except:

(a) Permitted Transfers;

(b) Dispositions of obsolete or worn out property or property no longer used or useful in the disposing party’s business, in each case, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, in the ordinary course of business;

(c) Dispositions of equipment or real property to the extent that (i) such property is exchanged for credit against the purchase price of similar replacement property or (ii) the proceeds of such Disposition are reasonably promptly applied to the purchase price of such replacement property;

(d) Dispositions permitted by Section 7.04 or Section 7.06 or constituting Investments permitted under Section 7.03;

(e) Dispositions of accounts receivables to a third party in connection with the compromise, settlement or collection thereof in the ordinary course of business exclusive of factoring or similar arrangements so long as (i) the account debtor with respect thereto has instituted or consented to the institution of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law and (ii) all such Dispositions do not exceed $500,000 in the aggregate in any fiscal year;

(f) other Dispositions so long as (i) the consideration paid in connection therewith shall be cash or Cash Equivalents paid contemporaneously with consummation of the transaction and shall be in an amount not less than the fair market value of the property disposed of, (ii) if such transaction is a Sale and Leaseback Transaction, such transaction is not prohibited by the terms of Section 7.14, (iii) such transaction does not involve the sale or other disposition of a minority Equity Interests in any Subsidiary, (iv) such transaction does not involve a sale or other disposition of receivables other than receivables owned by or attributable to other property concurrently being disposed of in a transaction otherwise permitted under this Section, and (v) the aggregate net book value of all of the assets sold or otherwise disposed of by the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries in all such transactions occurring after the Closing Date shall not exceed $500,000; and

(g) any Involuntary Disposition not reasonably expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

7.06

Restricted Payments.

Declare or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, or incur any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to do so, or, solely in the case of Subsidiaries issue or sell any Equity Interests or accept any capital contributions, except that, so long as (x) with respect to each clause (a) through (g) below, no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at the time of any action described therein or would result therefrom, and (y) with respect to each clause (d) through (f) below, the Borrower has achieved the Restricted Payments Milestone and the Restricted Payment Conditions have been satisfied at the time of making such Restricted Payment:

 

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(a) each Subsidiary may make Restricted Payments to any Person that owns Equity Interests in such Subsidiary, ratably according to their respective holdings of the type of Equity Interest in respect of which such Restricted Payment is being made;

(b) the Borrower and each Subsidiary may declare and make dividend payments or other distributions payable solely in Qualified Equity Interests of such Person;

(c) any Subsidiary may issue or sell any Qualified Equity Interest to the Borrower or Subsidiary if any related or resulting Investment would otherwise be permitted under Section 7.03;

(d) the Borrower may redeem, repurchase or acquire Qualified Equity Interests of the Borrower issued to employees, consultants, agents, officers and directors of the Borrower, provided that the aggregate amount of all such redemptions do not exceed $500,000 during any fiscal year;

(e) the Borrower may declare and pay dividends on its Qualified Equity Interests in an aggregate amount not to exceed $2,500,000 in any fiscal year;

(f) the Borrower may repurchase Qualified Equity Interests of the Borrower, provided that the aggregate amount of all such redemptions do not exceed $5,000,000 in any fiscal year; and

(g) the Borrower may issue Qualified Equity interests.

 

7.07

Change in Nature of Business.

Engage in any material line of business substantially different from those lines of business conducted by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on the Closing Date or any business substantially related or incidental thereto.

 

7.08

Transactions with Affiliates.

Enter into or permit to exist any transaction or series of transactions with any officer, director or Affiliate of such Person other than (a) advances of working capital among other Loan Parties, (b) transfers of cash and assets among Loan Parties or any cash and assets from any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party to any Loan Party, (c) intercompany transactions expressly permitted by this Agreement, (d) normal and reasonable compensation and reimbursements of expenses, and indemnifications of officers and directors, (e) other transactions among Loan Parties, (f) transactions among Foreign Obligors, (g) transactions among Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties, (i) employment, service, and severance agreements with officers and directors in the ordinary course of business and (j) except as otherwise specifically limited in this Agreement, other transactions which are entered into in the ordinary course of such Person’s business on fair and reasonable terms and conditions substantially as favorable to such Person as would be obtainable by it in a comparable arms-length transaction with a Person other than an officer, director or Affiliate, provided, that no Foreign Obligor will engage in any transactions that would violate any capital maintenance requirement under applicable law or limit in any way the enforcement or amount of its Guaranty.

 

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7.09

Burdensome Agreements.

Enter into, or permit to exist, any Contractual Obligation (except for this Agreement and the other Loan Documents) that (a) encumbers or restricts the ability of (i) any such Person to act as a Loan Party (to the extent required by the Loan Documents); (ii) any Subsidiary to make Restricted Payments to any Loan Party, (iii) any Subsidiary to pay any Indebtedness or other obligation owed to any Loan Party, (iv) any Subsidiary to make loans or advances to any Loan Party, or (v) any Loan Party to create in favor of the Lender or any of the other Secured Parties any Lien upon any of its properties or assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, except (x) encumbrances or restrictions under or by reason of applicable law, (y) non-assignment provisions or other restrictions on transfer existing under lease, license or other contract, and (z) in the case of clause (a)(v) only, for any document or instrument governing Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 7.02(c), provided that any such restriction contained therein relates only to the asset or assets constructed or acquired in connection therewith, or (b) requires the grant of any Lien on property for any obligation if a Lien on such property is given as security for the Secured Obligations.

 

7.10

Use of Proceeds.

Use the proceeds of any Credit Extension, whether directly or indirectly, and whether immediately, incidentally or ultimately, to purchase or carry margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U of the FRB) or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock or to refund indebtedness originally incurred for such purpose.

 

7.11

Financial Covenants.

(a) Consolidated Leverage Ratio. Commencing with the Measurement Period ending with the Fiscal Quarter ending January 31, 2021, permit the Consolidated Leverage Ratio as of the end of any Measurement Period to be greater than 3.00 to 1.00.

(b) Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. Commencing with the Measurement Period ending with the Fiscal Quarter ending January 31, 2021, permit the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio as of the end of any Measurement Period to be less than 1.25 to 1.00.

(c) Minimum EBITDA. Permit Consolidated EBITDA for any Measurement Period ending as of the end of any Fiscal Quarter set forth below to be less than the amount set forth below for such Measurement Period:

 

Fiscal Quarter Ending    Minimum Consolidated EBITDA

July 31, 2020

   $5,500,000

October 31, 2020

   $5,500,000

January 31, 2020 and

each Fiscal Quarter

thereafter

   $7,000,000

(d) Consolidated Asset Coverage Ratio. Permit the Consolidated Asset Coverage Ratio to be less than or equal to 1.00 to 1.00, determined as of the last day of any Fiscal Quarter.

(e) Minimum Liquidity. Permit Liquidity to be less than $2,500,000.

 

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7.12

Capital Expenditures.

From the Closing Date through the Capital Expenditure Testing Termination Date, make or become legally obligated to make any Capital Expenditure, except for Capital Expenditures in the ordinary course of business not exceeding, in the aggregate for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries during each fiscal quarter set forth below, the amount set forth opposite such Fiscal Quarter:

 

Fiscal Quarter Ending   

Maximum Capital

Expenditures

Closing Date through and including

the Fiscal Quarter ending October 31, 2020

   $600,000

Fiscal Quarter ending January 31, 2021

   $450,000

Fiscal Quarter ending April 30,

2021 and each Fiscal Quarter ending thereafter

   $400,000

; provided, however, that so long as no Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from such expenditure, any portion of any amount set forth above, if not expended in the Fiscal Quarter for which it is permitted above, may be carried over for expenditure in the next following Fiscal Quarter for up to four (4) consecutive Fiscal Quarters thereafter; and provided, further, with respect to any Fiscal Quarter, Capital Expenditures made during any such Fiscal Quarter shall be deemed to be made first with respect to the applicable limitation for such Fiscal Quarter and then with respect to any carry forward amount to the extent applicable.

 

7.13

Amendments of Organization Documents; Fiscal Year; Legal Name, State of Formation; Form of Entity and Accounting Changes.

(a) Amend any of its Organization Documents if such amendment would be materially adverse to the interests of the Lender;

(b) change its fiscal year;

(c) without providing ten (10) days prior written notice to the Lender (or such extended period of time as agreed to by the Lender), change its name, state of formation, form of organization or principal place of business; or

(d) make any material change in accounting policies or reporting practices, except as required by GAAP.

7.14 Sale and Leaseback Transactions. Enter into any Sale and Leaseback Transaction.

 

7.15

Prepayments, Etc. of Indebtedness.

Prepay, redeem, purchase, defease or otherwise satisfy any Subordinated Debt prior to the scheduled maturity thereof in any manner (including by the exercise of any right of setoff) (or obligate itself to do so), or make any payment in violation of any subordination, standstill or collateral sharing terms of or governing any Subordinated Debt.

 

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7.16

Sanctions.

Directly or indirectly, use any Credit Extension or the proceeds of any Credit Extension, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such Credit Extension or the proceeds of any Credit Extension to any Person, to fund any activities of or business with any Person, or in any Designated Jurisdiction, that, at the time of such funding, is the subject of Sanctions, or in any other manner that will result in a violation by any Person of Sanctions.

 

7.17

Anti-Corruption Laws.

Directly or indirectly, use any Credit Extension or the proceeds of any Credit Extension for any purpose which would breach the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, the UK Bribery Act 2010 and other similar anti-corruption legislation in other jurisdictions.

 

7.18

AstroNova Aerospace, Inc.

The Loan Parties shall not permit AstroNova Aerospace, Inc. to incur any liabilities or hold any assets other than de minimis assets and liabilities pending dissolution.

ARTICLE VIII

EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

 

8.01

Events of Default.

Any of the following shall constitute an Event of Default:

(a) Non-Payment. The Borrower or any other Loan Party fail to pay (i) when and as required to be paid herein and in the currency required hereunder, any amount of principal of any Loan or any L/C Obligation or deposit any funds as Cash Collateral in respect of L/C Obligations, or (ii) within three (3) days after the same becomes due, any interest on any Loan or on any L/C Obligation, or any fee due hereunder, or (iii) within five (5) days after the same becomes due, any other amount payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document; or

(b) Specific Covenants. (i) Any Loan Party fails to perform or observe any term, covenant or agreement contained in (x) any of Section 6.01, 6.02, 6.03, 6.05(a), 6.08, 6.10, 6.11, Article VII or Article IX or (y) after giving effect to any grace or cure period therein, the Security Agreement; or (ii) any “Event of Default” under and as defined in the Mortgage occurs; or

(c) Other Defaults. Any Loan Party fails to perform or observe any other covenant or agreement (not specified in Section 8.01(a) or (b) above) contained in any Loan Document on its part to be performed or observed and such failure continues for thirty (30) days; or

(d) Representations and Warranties. Any representation, warranty, certification or statement of fact made or deemed made by or on behalf of the Borrower or any other Loan Party herein, in any other Loan Document, or in any document delivered in connection herewith or therewith shall be incorrect or misleading in any material respect (or in any respect to the extent qualified by materiality) when made or deemed made, or

 

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(e) Cross-Default. (i) Any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof (A) fails to make any payment when due (whether by scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand, or otherwise) in respect of any Indebtedness or Guarantee of Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness hereunder and Indebtedness under Swap Contracts) having an aggregate principal amount (including amounts owing to all creditors under any combined or syndicated credit arrangement) of more than the Threshold Amount, or (B) fails to observe or perform any other agreement or condition relating to any such Indebtedness or Guarantee or contained in any instrument or agreement evidencing, securing or relating thereto, or any other event occurs, the effect of which default or other event is to cause, or to permit the holder or holders of such Indebtedness or the beneficiary or beneficiaries of such Guarantee (or a trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or holders or beneficiary or beneficiaries) to cause, with the giving of notice if required, such Indebtedness to be demanded or to become due or to be repurchased, prepaid, defeased or redeemed (automatically or otherwise), or an offer to repurchase, prepay, defease or redeem such Indebtedness to be made, prior to its stated maturity, or such Guarantee to become payable or cash collateral in respect thereof to be demanded; or (ii) there occurs under any Swap Contract an Early Termination Date (as defined in such Swap Contract) resulting from (A) any event of default under such Swap Contract as to which a Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof is the Defaulting Party (as defined in such Swap Contract) or (B) any Termination Event (as so defined) under such Swap Contract as to which a Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof is an Affected Party (as so defined) and, in either event, the Swap Termination Value owed by such Loan Party or such Subsidiary as a result thereof is greater than the Threshold Amount; or

(f) Insolvency Proceedings, Etc. Any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof institutes or consents to the institution of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, or makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors; or applies for or consents to the appointment of any receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator, liquidator, rehabilitator or similar officer for it or for all or any material part of its property; or any receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator, liquidator, rehabilitator or similar officer is appointed without the application or consent of such Person and the appointment continues undischarged or unstayed for sixty (60) calendar days; or any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law relating to any such Person or to all or any material part of its property is instituted without the consent of such Person and continues undismissed or unstayed for sixty (60) calendar days, or an order for relief is entered in any such proceeding; or

(g) Inability to Pay Debts; Attachment. (i) Any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof becomes unable or admits in writing its inability or fails generally to pay its debts as they become due, or (ii) any writ or warrant of attachment or execution or similar process is issued or levied against all or any material part of the property of any such Person and is not released, vacated or fully bonded within thirty (30) days after its issue or levy; or

(h) Judgments. There is entered against any Loan Party or any Subsidiary thereof (i) one or more final judgments or orders for the payment of money in an aggregate amount (as to all such judgments and orders) exceeding the Threshold Amount (to the extent not covered by independent third-party insurance as to which the insurer is rated at least “A” by A.M. Best Company, has been notified of the potential claim and does not dispute coverage), or (ii) any one or more non-monetary final judgments that have, or could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect and, in either case, (A) enforcement proceedings are commenced by any creditor upon such judgment or order, or (B) there is a period of thirty (30) consecutive days during which a stay of enforcement of such judgment, by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, is not in effect; or

(i) ERISA. (i) An ERISA Event occurs with respect to a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan which has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in liability of any Loan Party under Title IV of ERISA to the Pension Plan, Multiemployer Plan or the PBGC in an aggregate amount in excess of the Threshold Amount, or (ii) the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate fails to pay when due, after the expiration of any applicable grace period, any installment payment with respect to its withdrawal liability under Section 4201 of ERISA under a Multiemployer Plan in an aggregate amount in excess of the Threshold Amount; or

 

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(j) Invalidity of Loan Documents. Any provision of any Loan Document, at any time after its execution and delivery and for any reason other than as expressly permitted hereunder or thereunder or satisfaction in full of all Obligations arising under the Loan Documents, ceases to be in full force and effect; or any Loan Party or any other Person contests in any manner the validity or enforceability of any provision of any Loan Document; or any Loan Party denies that it has any or further liability or obligation under any provision of any Loan Document, or purports to revoke, terminate or rescind any provision of any Loan Document or it is or becomes unlawful for a Loan Party to perform any of its obligations under the Loan Documents; or

(k) Collateral Documents. Any Collateral Document after delivery thereof pursuant to the terms of the Loan Documents shall for any reason cease to create a valid and perfected first priority Lien (subject to Permitted Liens) on the Collateral purported to be covered thereby (subject to any exceptions or other terms set forth in the Collateral Documents), or any Loan Party shall assert the invalidity of such Liens; or

(l) Change of Control. There occurs any Change of Control.

If a Default shall have occurred under the Loan Documents, then such Default will continue to exist until it either is cured (to the extent specifically permitted) in accordance with the Loan Documents or is otherwise expressly waived by Lender as determined in accordance with Section 10.01; and once an Event of Default occurs under the Loan Documents, then such Event of Default will continue to exist until it is expressly waived by the Lender, as required hereunder in Section 10.01.

 

8.02

Remedies upon Event of Default.

If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Lender may take any or all of the following actions:

(a) declare the Commitments of the Lender to make Loans and L/C Credit Extensions to be terminated, whereupon such commitments and obligation shall be terminated;

(b) declare the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans, all interest accrued and unpaid thereon, and all other amounts owing or payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document to be immediately due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower;

(c) require that the Borrower Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations (in an amount equal to the Minimum Collateral Amount with respect thereto); and

(d) exercise all rights and remedies available to it under the Loan Documents or applicable Law or equity;

provided, however, that upon the occurrence of an actual or deemed entry of an order for relief with respect to the Borrower under the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, the obligation of the Lender to make Loans and L/C Credit Extensions shall automatically terminate, the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans and all interest and other amounts as aforesaid shall automatically become due and payable, and the obligation of the Borrower to Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations as aforesaid shall automatically become effective, in each case without further act of the Lender.

 

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8.03

Application of Funds.

After the exercise of remedies provided for in Section 8.02 (or after the Loans have automatically become immediately due and payable and the L/C Obligations have automatically been required to be Cash Collateralized as set forth in the proviso to Section 8.02) or if at any time insufficient funds are received by and available to the Lender to pay fully all Secured Obligations then due hereunder, any amounts received on account of the Secured Obligations shall, subject to the provisions of Section 2.12, be applied by the Lender in its sole discretion. Excluded Swap Obligations with respect to any Loan Party shall not be paid with amounts received from such Loan Party or its assets.

ARTICLE IX

CONTINUING GUARANTY

 

9.01

Guaranty.

(a) Guaranty. Each Guarantor hereby absolutely and unconditionally, jointly and severally guarantees, as primary obligor and as a guaranty of payment and performance and not merely as a guaranty of collection, prompt payment when due, whether at stated maturity, by required prepayment, upon acceleration, demand or otherwise, and at all times thereafter, of any and all of the Secured Obligations, whether for principal, interest, premiums, fees, indemnities, damages, costs, expenses or otherwise, of the Borrower or any other Subsidiary to the Secured Parties, arising hereunder or under any other Loan Document, any Loan Document, any Secured Cash Management Agreement or any Secured Hedge Agreement (including all renewals, extensions, amendments, refinancings and other modifications thereof and all costs, attorneys’ fees and expenses incurred by the Secured Parties in connection with the collection or enforcement thereof) (for each Guarantor, subject to the proviso in this sentence, its “Guaranteed Obligations”); provided that (a) the Guaranteed Obligations of a Guarantor shall exclude any Excluded Swap Obligations with respect to such Guarantor, (b) the liability of each Guarantor, which is a Domestic Subsidiary, individually with respect to this Guaranty shall be limited to an aggregate amount equal to the largest amount that would not render its obligations hereunder subject to avoidance under Section 548 of the Bankruptcy Code of the United States or any comparable provisions of any applicable state law or other applicable Law, in each case to the extent applicable, and (c) the liability of each Guarantor which is a Foreign Subsidiary incorporated in Denmark, shall be limited to the amount equivalent to the higher of the Equity (as defined below) (x) on the date of this Agreement (or, if later, the date such entity accedes to this Agreement) and (y) at the time(s) that a payment of a Guaranteed Obligation is requested from it. Notwithstanding anything set out to the contrary in this Agreement, the obligations of each Guarantor which is a Foreign Subsidiary under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party shall be limited if and to the extent required to comply with Danish statutory provisions including, without limitation, Section 206(1) (as modified by Section 206(2)) of Consolidated Act No. 763 of 23 July 2019 on public and private limited liability companies as amended and supplemented from time to time (the Danish Companies Act) and (ii) Section 210(1) (as modified by Section 210(2) and Sections 211 and 212 of the Danish Companies Act).

For the purposes of this Section 9.01(a) “Equity” shall be the equity of the relevant Foreign Subsidiary calculated in accordance with its generally accepted accounting principles, however:

(i) adjusted upwards if and to the extent any book value is less than the market value by adding an amount equal to such difference; and

 

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(ii) adjusted by adding back obligations (in the amounts outstanding at the time when a claim for payment is made) of such Foreign Subsidiary (and its direct or indirect Subsidiaries) in respect of any intercompany loan owing by it (or its direct or indirect Subsidiaries) to a Borrower and originally borrowed by that Borrower under this Agreement and on-lent (directly or indirectly) by that Borrower to such Foreign Subsidiary (or its direct or indirect Subsidiaries), including, for the avoidance of doubt, in respect of ANI ApS any amount outstanding under the Existing Danish Term Loan prior to the date of this Agreement which has been refinanced hereunder.

(b) General. The Lender’s books and records showing the amount of the Obligations, the Guaranteed Obligations and the Secured Obligations and shall be admissible in evidence in any action or proceeding, and shall be binding upon each Guarantor, and conclusive for the purpose of establishing the amount thereof. This Guaranty shall not be affected by the genuineness, validity, regularity or enforceability of the Secured Obligations or any instrument or agreement evidencing any Secured Obligations, or by the existence, validity, enforceability, perfection, non-perfection or extent of any collateral therefor, or by any fact or circumstance relating to the Secured Obligations which might otherwise constitute a defense to the obligations of the Guarantors, or any of them, under this Guaranty, and each Guarantor hereby irrevocably waives any defenses it may now have or hereafter acquire in any way relating to any or all of the foregoing.

 

9.02

Rights of Lender.

Each Guarantor consents and agrees that the Secured Parties may, at any time and from time to time, without notice or demand, and without affecting the enforceability or continuing effectiveness hereof: (a) amend, extend, renew, compromise, discharge, accelerate or otherwise change the time for payment or the terms of the Secured Obligations or any part thereof; (b) take, hold, exchange, enforce, waive, release, fail to perfect, sell, or otherwise dispose of any security for the payment of this Guaranty or any Secured Obligations; (c) apply such security and direct the order or manner of sale thereof as the Lender in its sole discretion may determine; and (d) release or substitute one or more of any endorsers or other guarantors of any of the Secured Obligations. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Guarantor consents to the taking of, or failure to take, any action which might in any manner or to any extent vary the risks of such Guarantor under this Guaranty or which, but for this provision, might operate as a discharge of such Guarantor.

 

9.03

Certain Waivers.

Each Guarantor waives (a) any defense arising by reason of any disability or other defense of the Borrower or any other guarantor, or the cessation from any cause whatsoever (including any act or omission of any Secured Party) of the liability of the Borrower or any other Loan Party; (b) any defense based on any claim that such Guarantor’s obligations exceed or are more burdensome than those of the Borrower or any other Loan Party; (c) the benefit of any statute of limitations affecting any Guarantor’s liability hereunder; (d) any right to proceed against the Borrower or any other Loan Party, proceed against or exhaust any security for the Secured Obligations, or pursue any other remedy in the power of any Secured Party whatsoever; (e) any benefit of and any right to participate in any security now or hereafter held by any Secured Party; and (f) to the fullest extent permitted by law, any and all other defenses or benefits that may be derived from or afforded by applicable Law limiting the liability of or exonerating guarantors or sureties. Each Guarantor expressly waives all setoffs and counterclaims and all presentments, demands for payment or performance, notices of nonpayment or nonperformance, protests, notices of protest, notices of dishonor and all other notices or demands of any kind or nature whatsoever with respect to the Secured Obligations, and all notices of acceptance of this Guaranty or of the existence, creation or incurrence of new or additional Secured Obligations.

 

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9.04

Obligations Independent.

The obligations of each Guarantor hereunder are those of primary obligor, and not merely as surety, and are independent of the Secured Obligations and the obligations of any other guarantor, and a separate action may be brought against each Guarantor to enforce this Guaranty whether or not the Borrower or any other Person is joined as a party.

 

9.05

Subrogation.

No Guarantor shall exercise any right of subrogation, contribution, indemnity, reimbursement or similar rights with respect to any payments it makes under this Guaranty until all of the Secured Obligations and any amounts payable under this Guaranty have been indefeasibly paid and performed in full and the Commitments and the Facilities are terminated. If any amounts are paid to a Guarantor in violation of the foregoing limitation, then such amounts shall be held in trust for the benefit of the Secured Parties and shall forthwith be paid to the Secured Parties to reduce the amount of the Secured Obligations, whether matured or unmatured.

 

9.06

Termination; Reinstatement.

This Guaranty is a continuing and irrevocable guaranty of the Guarantors with respect to all Secured Obligations and other Guaranteed Obligations now or hereafter existing and shall remain in full force and effect until the Facility Termination Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Guaranty shall continue in full force and effect or be revived, as the case may be, if any payment by or on behalf of the Borrower or a Guarantor is made, or any of the Secured Parties exercises its right of setoff, in respect of any of the Secured Obligations and such payment or the proceeds of such setoff or any part thereof is subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by any of the Secured Parties in their discretion) to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party, in connection with any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Laws or otherwise, all as if such payment had not been made or such setoff had not occurred and whether or not the Secured Parties are in possession of or have released this Guaranty and regardless of any prior revocation, rescission, termination or reduction. The obligations of each Guarantor under this paragraph shall survive termination of this Guaranty.

 

9.07

Stay of Acceleration.

If acceleration of the time for payment of any of the Secured Obligations is stayed, in connection with any case commenced by or against a Guarantor or either of the Borrower under any Debtor Relief Laws, or otherwise, all such amounts shall nonetheless be payable by each Guarantor, jointly and severally, immediately upon demand by the Secured Parties.

 

9.08

Condition of Borrower.

Each Guarantor acknowledges and agrees that it has the sole responsibility for, and has adequate means of, obtaining from the Borrower and any other guarantor such information concerning the financial condition, business and operations of the Borrower and any such other guarantor as such Guarantor requires, and that none of the Secured Parties has any duty, and such Guarantor is not relying on the Secured Parties at any time, to disclose to it any information relating to the business, operations or financial condition of either of the Borrower or any other guarantor (each Guarantor waiving any duty on the part of the Secured Parties to disclose such information and any defense relating to the failure to provide the same).

 

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9.09

Appointment of Borrower.

Each of the Loan Parties hereby appoints the Borrower to act as its agent for all purposes of this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and all other documents and electronic platforms entered into in connection herewith and agrees that (a) the Borrower may execute such documents and provided such authorizations on behalf of such Loan Parties as the Borrower deems appropriate in its sole discretion and each Loan Party shall be obligated by all of the terms of any such document and/or authorization executed on its behalf, (b) any notice or communication delivered by the Lender to the Borrower shall be deemed delivered to each Loan Party and (c) the Lender may accept, and be permitted to rely on, any document, authorization, instrument or agreement executed by the Borrower on behalf of each of the Loan Parties.

 

9.10

Right of Contribution.

The Guarantors agree among themselves that, in connection with payments made hereunder, each Guarantor shall have contribution rights against the other Guarantors as permitted under applicable Law.

 

9.11

Keepwell.

Each Loan Party that is a Qualified ECP Guarantor at the time the Guaranty or the grant of a Lien under the Loan Documents, in each case, by any Specified Loan Party becomes effective with respect to any Swap Obligation, hereby jointly and severally, absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably undertakes to provide such funds or other support to each Specified Loan Party with respect to such Swap Obligation as may be needed by such Specified Loan Party from time to time to honor all of its obligations under the Loan Documents in respect of such Swap Obligation (but, in each case, only up to the maximum amount of such liability that can be hereby incurred without rendering such Qualified ECP Guarantor’s obligations and undertakings under this Article IX voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer, and not for any greater amount). The obligations and undertakings of each Qualified ECP Guarantor under this Section shall remain in full force and effect until the Secured Obligations have been indefeasibly paid and performed in full. Each Loan Party intends this Section to constitute, and this Section shall be deemed to constitute, a guarantee of the obligations of, and a “keepwell, support, or other agreement” for the benefit of, each Specified Loan Party for all purposes of the Commodity Exchange Act.

ARTICLE X

MISCELLANEOUS

 

10.01

Amendments, Etc.

No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and no consent to any departure by the Borrower or any other Loan Party therefrom, shall be effective unless in writing signed by the Lender and the Borrower or the applicable Loan Party, as the case may be, and each such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given.

 

10.02

Notices; Effectiveness; Electronic Communications.

(a) Notices Generally. Except in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and except as provided in subsection (b) below), all notices and other communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service, mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by fax transmission or e-mail transmission as follows, and all notices and other communications expressly permitted hereunder to be given by telephone shall be made to the applicable telephone number, to the address, fax number, e-mail address or telephone number specified for the Borrower or any other Loan Party or the Lender on Schedule 1.01(a).

 

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Notices and other communications sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received; notices and other communications sent by fax transmission shall be deemed to have been given when sent (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient). Notices and other communications delivered through electronic communications to the extent provided in subsection (b) below shall be effective as provided in such subsection (b).

(b) Electronic Communications. Notices and other communications to the Lender hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication (including e-mail, FPML messaging and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures approved by the Lender. The Lender or the Borrower may each, in its discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it, provided that approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or communications.

Unless the Lender otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement), and (ii) notices and other communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received by the intended recipient upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement by the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return email address or other written acknowledgement) indicating that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor; provided that, for both clauses (i) and (ii), if such notice, email or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice, email or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient.

(c) Change of Address, Etc. The Borrower and the Lender may change its address, fax number or telephone number or e-mail address for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto.

(d) Reliance by Lender. The Lender shall be entitled to rely and act upon any notices (including, without limitation, telephonic or electronic notices, Loan Notices, Letter of Credit Applications and Notice of Loan Prepayment) purportedly given by or on behalf of any Loan Party even if (i) such notices were not made in a manner specified herein, were incomplete or were not preceded or followed by any other form of notice specified herein, or (ii) the terms thereof, as understood by the recipient, varied from any confirmation thereof. The Loan Parties shall indemnify the Lender and the Related Parties of each of them from all losses, costs, expenses and liabilities resulting from the reliance by such Person on each notice purportedly given by or on behalf of a Loan Party. All telephonic notices to and other telephonic communications with the Lender may be recorded by the Lender, and each of the parties hereto hereby consents to such recording.

 

10.03

No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies; Enforcement.

No failure by the Lender to exercise, and no delay by any such Person in exercising, any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder or under any other Loan Document preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege. The rights, remedies, powers and privileges herein provided, and provided under each other Loan Document, are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges provided by law.

 

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10.04

Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver.

(a) Costs and Expenses. The Loan Parties shall pay (i) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Lender and its Affiliates (including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel for the Lender), in connection with the preparation, negotiation, execution, delivery and administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or any amendments, modifications or waivers of the provisions hereof or thereof (whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated), (ii) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Lender in connection with the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or any demand for payment thereunder and (iii) all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Lender (including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for the Lender), and shall pay all fees and time charges for attorneys who may be employees of the Lender, in connection with the enforcement or protection of its rights (A) in connection with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including its rights under this Section, or (B) in connection with Loans made or Letters of Credit issued hereunder, including all such out-of-pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or negotiations in respect of such Loans or Letters of Credit.

(b) Indemnification by the Loan Parties. The Loan Parties, jointly and severally with respect to all Secured Obligations and all Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries shall indemnify the Lender and each Related Party (each such Person being called an “Indemnitee”) against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and related expenses (including the fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for any Indemnitee), and shall indemnify and hold harmless each Indemnitee from all fees and time charges and disbursements for attorneys who may be employees of any Indemnitee, incurred by any Indemnitee or asserted against any Indemnitee by any Person (including the Borrower or any other Loan Party) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby or thereby, the performance by the parties hereto of their respective obligations hereunder or thereunder or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, or the administration of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including in respect of any matters addressed in Section 3.01), (ii) any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use or proposed use of the proceeds therefrom (including any refusal by the Lender to honor a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit if the documents presented in connection with such demand do not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit), (iii) any actual or alleged presence or release of Hazardous Materials on or from any property owned or operated by a Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Environmental Liability related in any way to a Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, or (iv) any actual or prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory, whether brought by a third party or by the Borrower or any other Loan Party or any of the Borrower’s or such Loan Party’s directors, shareholders or creditors, and regardless of whether any Indemnitee is a party thereto; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or related expenses (x) are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnitee or (y) result from a claim brought by the Borrower or any other Loan Party against an Indemnitee for breach in bad faith of such Indemnitee’s obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document, if the Borrower or such Loan Party has obtained a final and nonappealable judgment in its favor on such claim as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction.

 

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(c) Waiver of Consequential Damages, Etc. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, no Loan Party shall assert, and each Loan Party hereby waives, and acknowledges that no other Person shall have, any claim against any Indemnitee, on any theory of liability, for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof. No Indemnitee referred to in subsection (b) above shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by unintended recipients of any information or other materials distributed to such unintended recipients by such Indemnitee through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.

(d) Payments. All amounts due under this Section shall be payable not later than ten (10) Business Days after demand therefor.

(e) Survival. The agreements in this Section and the indemnity provisions of Section 10.02(d) shall survive the termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all the other Secured Obligations.

 

10.05

Payments Set Aside.

To the extent that any payment by or on behalf of the Borrower is made to the Lender, or the Lender exercises its right of setoff, and such payment or the proceeds of such setoff or any part thereof is subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by the Lender in its discretion) to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party, in connection with any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or otherwise, then to the extent of such recovery, the obligation or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment had not been made or such setoff had not occurred.

 

10.06

Successors and Assigns.

This Agreement is binding on each Loan Party’s and the Lender’s successors and assignees (including, without limitation, successors and assigns by way of Division). Each Loan Party agrees that it may not assign this Agreement without the Lender’s prior consent. Subject to the conditions set forth herein (including the requirements to maintain a Register or Participant Register, as applicable, as set forth in Section 2.14), the Lender may sell participations in or assign this loan, and may exchange information about the Loan Parties (including, without limitation, any information regarding any hazardous substances) with actual or potential participants or assignees, provided, that, the prior written consent of the Borrower shall be required unless (i) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at the time of such assignment or participation or (ii) such assignment or participation is to an Affiliate of the Lender or an Approved Fund, provided further that, the Borrower shall be deemed to have consented to any such assignment or participation unless it shall object thereto by written notice to the Lender within five (5) Business Days after having received notice thereof. If a participation is sold or the loan is assigned, the purchaser will have the right of set-off against the Borrower (subject to the terms of the Loan Documents).

 

10.07

Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality.

(a) Treatment of Certain Information. The Lender agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (i) to its Affiliates, its auditors and to its Related Parties (it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information

 

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confidential), (ii) to the extent required or requested by any regulatory authority purporting to have jurisdiction over such Person or its Related Parties (including any self-regulatory authority, such as the National Association of Insurance Commissioners), (iii) to the extent required by applicable Laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process, (iv) to any other party hereto, (v) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or under any other Loan Document or any action or proceeding relating to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or the enforcement of rights hereunder or thereunder, (vi) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section, to (A) any assignee of or participant in, or any prospective assignee of or participant in, any of its rights and obligations under this Agreement or (B) any actual or prospective party (or its Related Parties) to any swap, derivative or other transaction under which payments are to be made by reference to any Loan Party and its obligations, this Agreement or payments hereunder, (vii) on a confidential basis to any rating agency in connection with rating any Loan Party or its Subsidiaries or the credit facilities provided hereunder, (viii) with the consent of the Borrower or to the extent such Information (1) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section or (2) becomes available to the Lender or any of its Affiliates on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than the Borrower. For purposes of this Section, “Information” means all non-public information received from any Loan Party or any Subsidiary relating to any Loan Party or any Subsidiary or any of their respective businesses, other than any such information that is available to the Lender on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by any Loan Party or any Subsidiary. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own confidential information. In addition, the Lender may disclose the existence of this Agreement and information about this Agreement to market data collectors, similar service providers to the lending industry and service providers the Lender in connection with the administration of this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and the Commitments.

(b) Press Releases. The Loan Parties and their Affiliates agree that they will not in the future issue any press releases or other public disclosure using the name of the Lender or its Affiliates or referring to this Agreement or any of the Loan Documents without the prior written consent of the Lender, unless (and only to the extent that) the Loan Parties or such Affiliate is required to do so under law and then, in any event the Loan Parties or such Affiliate will consult with such Person before issuing any such press release or other similar public disclosure.

(c) Customary Advertising Material. The Loan Parties consent to the publication by the Lender of customary advertising material relating to the transactions contemplated hereby using the name, product photographs, logo or trademark of the Loan Parties.

 

10.08

Right of Setoff.

(a) If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Lender and each of its Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, in whatever currency) at any time held and other obligations (in whatever currency) at any time owing by the Lender or any such Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower or any other Loan Party against any and all of the obligations of the Borrower or any other Loan Party now or hereafter existing under this Agreement or any other Loan Document to the Lender or its Affiliates, irrespective of whether or not the Lender or Affiliate shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and although such obligations of the Borrower or such Loan Party may be contingent or unmatured, secured or unsecured, or are owed to a branch, office or Affiliate of the Lender different from the branch, office or Affiliate holding such deposit or obligated on such indebtedness. The rights of the Lender and its Affiliates under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that the Lender or its Affiliates may have. The Lender agrees to notify the Borrower promptly after any such setoff and application, provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application.

 

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(b) If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Lender and each of its Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final, in whatever currency) at any time held and other obligations (in whatever currency) at any time owing by the Lender or any such Affiliate to or for the credit or the account of the Borrower or any other Foreign Loan Party against any and all of the obligations of the Borrower or such Foreign Obligor now or hereafter existing under this Agreement or any other Loan Document to the Lender or its Affiliates, irrespective of whether or not the Lender or Affiliate shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any other Loan Document and although such obligations of the Borrower or such Foreign Obligor may be contingent or unmatured, secured or unsecured, or are owed to a branch, office or Affiliate of the Lender different from the branch, office or Affiliate holding such deposit or obligated on such indebtedness. The rights of the Lender and its Affiliates under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that the Lender or its Affiliates may have. The Lender agrees to notify the Borrower promptly after any such setoff and application, provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such setoff and application.

10.09 Interest Rate Limitation.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any Loan Document, the interest paid or agreed to be paid under the Loan Documents shall not exceed the maximum rate of non-usurious interest permitted by applicable Law (the “Maximum Rate”). If the Lender shall receive interest in an amount that exceeds the Maximum Rate, the excess interest shall be applied to the principal of the Loans or, if it exceeds such unpaid principal, refunded to the Borrower. In determining whether the interest contracted for, charged, or received by the Lender exceeds the Maximum Rate, such Person may, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, (a) characterize any payment that is not principal as an expense, fee, or premium rather than interest, (b) exclude voluntary prepayments and the effects thereof, and (c) amortize, prorate, allocate, and spread in equal or unequal parts the total amount of interest throughout the contemplated term of the Obligations hereunder.

 

10.10

Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness.

This Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto in different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Agreement, the other Loan Documents, and any separate letter agreements with respect to fees payable to the Lender, constitute the entire contract among the parties relating to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements and understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof. Except as provided in Section 4.01, this Agreement shall become effective when it shall have been executed by the Lender and when the Lender shall have received counterparts hereof that, when taken together, bear the signatures of each of the other parties hereto. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or any certificate delivered thereunder, by fax transmission or e-mail transmission (e.g. “pdf” or “tif”) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement or such other Loan Document or certificate. Without limiting the foregoing, to the extent a manually executed counterpart is not specifically required to be delivered under the terms of any Loan Document, upon the request of any party, such fax transmission or e-mail transmission shall be promptly followed by such manually executed counterpart.

 

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10.11

Survival of Representations and Warranties.

All representations and warranties made hereunder and in any other Loan Document or other document delivered pursuant hereto or thereto or in connection herewith or therewith shall survive the execution and delivery hereof and thereof. Such representations and warranties have been or will be relied upon by the Lender, regardless of any investigation made by the Lender or on its behalf and notwithstanding that the Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default at the time of any Credit Extension, and shall continue in full force until the Facility Termination Date.

 

10.12

Severability.

If any provision of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, (a) the legality, validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall not be affected or impaired thereby and (b) the parties shall endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions. The invalidity of a provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

 

10.13

Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Etc.

(a) GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS (EXCEPT, AS TO ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH THEREIN) AND ANY CLAIMS, CONTROVERSY, DISPUTE OR CAUSE OF ACTION (WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE) BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT (EXCEPT, AS TO ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH THEREIN) AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY AND THEREBY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

(b) SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION. THE BORROWER AND EACH OTHER LOAN PARTY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT COMMENCE ANY ACTION, LITIGATION OR PROCEEDING OF ANY KIND OR DESCRIPTION, WHETHER IN LAW OR EQUITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT OR IN TORT OR OTHERWISE, AGAINST THE LENDER OR ANY RELATED PARTY IN ANY WAY RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS RELATING HERETO OR THERETO, IN ANY FORUM OTHER THAN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SITTING IN NEW YORK COUNTY AND OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, AND ANY APPELLATE COURT FROM ANY THEREOF, AND EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS TO THE JURISDICTION OF SUCH COURTS AND AGREES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF ANY SUCH ACTION, LITIGATION OR PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN SUCH NEW YORK STATE COURT OR, IN SUCH FEDERAL COURT. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION, LITIGATION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT OR IN ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT SHALL AFFECT ANY RIGHT THAT THE LENDER MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT AGAINST THE BORROWER OR ANY OTHER LOAN PARTY OR ITS PROPERTIES IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION.

 

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(c) WAIVER OF VENUE. THE BORROWER AND EACH OTHER LOAN PARTY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY OBJECTION THAT IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT IN ANY COURT REFERRED TO IN PARAGRAPH (B) OF THIS SECTION. THE BORROWER AND EACH OTHER LOAN PARTY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE DEFENSE OF AN INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT.

(d) SERVICE OF PROCESS. EACH PARTY HERETO (OTHER THAN ANY FOREIGN OBLIGOR) IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR NOTICES IN SECTION 10.02. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT WILL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY HERETO TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW.

(e) SERVICE OF PROCESS FOR FOREIGN OBLIGORS. WITHOUT PREJUDICE TO ANY OTHER MODE OF SERVICE ALLOWED UNDER ANY RELEVANT LAW, EACH FOREIGN OBLIGOR: (i) IRREVOCABLY APPOINTS THE BORROWER AS ITS AGENT FOR SERVICE OF PROCESS IN RELATION TO ANY PROCEEDINGS BEFORE THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK IN CONNECTION WITH ANY LOAN DOCUMENT, WITH SUCH SERVICE OR PROCESS ON SUCH AGENT TO BE IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR NOTICES IN SECTION 10.02, AND (ii) AGREES THAT FAILURE BY A PROCESS AGENT TO NOTIFY THE DANISH BORROWER AND ANY FOREIGN OBLIGOR OF THE PROCESS WILL NOT INVALIDATE THE PROCEEDINGS CONCERNED. THE BORROWER AND EACH FOREIGN OBLIGOR EXPRESSLY AGREES AND CONSENTS TO THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION 10.13(e).

 

10.14

Waiver of Jury Trial.

EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (a) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PERSON HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PERSON WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER AND (b) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.

 

10.15

Subordination.

Each Loan Party (a “Subordinating Loan Party”) hereby subordinates the payment of all obligations and indebtedness of any other Loan Party owing to it, whether now existing or hereafter arising, including but not limited to any obligation of any such other Loan Party to the Subordinating Loan Party as subrogee

 

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of the Secured Parties or resulting from such Subordinating Loan Party’s performance under this Guaranty, to the indefeasible payment in full in cash of all Secured Obligations. If the Secured Parties so request, any such obligation or indebtedness of any such other Loan Party to the Subordinating Loan Party shall be enforced and performance received by the Subordinating Loan Party as trustee for the Secured Parties and the proceeds thereof shall be paid over to the Secured Parties on account of the Secured Obligations, but without reducing or affecting in any manner the liability of the Subordinating Loan Party under this Agreement. Without limitation of the foregoing, so long as no Default has occurred and is continuing, the Loan Parties may make and receive payments with respect to Intercompany Debt as otherwise permitted hereunder; provided, that in the event that any Loan Party receives any payment of any Intercompany Debt at a time when such payment is prohibited by this Section, such payment shall be held by such Loan Party, in trust for the benefit of, and shall be paid forthwith over and delivered, upon written request, to the Lender.

 

10.16

No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility.

In connection with all aspects of each transaction contemplated hereby (including in connection with any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any other Loan Document), the Borrower and each other Loan Party acknowledges and agrees, and acknowledges its Affiliates’ understanding, that: (a) (i) the services regarding this Agreement provided by the Lender and any Affiliate thereof are arm’s-length commercial transactions between the Borrower, each other Loan Party and their respective Affiliates, on the one hand, and the Lender and its Affiliates, on the other hand, (ii) the Borrower and the other Loan Parties has consulted its own legal, accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it has deemed appropriate, and (iii) the Borrower and each other Loan Party is capable of evaluating, and understands and accepts, the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions contemplated hereby and by the other Loan Documents; (b) (i) the Lender and its Affiliates each is and has been acting solely as a principal and, except as expressly agreed in writing by the relevant parties, has not been, is not, and will not be acting as an advisor, agent or fiduciary, for Borrower, any other Loan Party or any of their respective Affiliates, or any other Person and (ii) neither the Lender nor any of its Affiliates has any obligation to the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any of their respective Affiliates with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby except those obligations expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents; and (c) the Lender and its Affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that involve interests that differ from those of the Borrower, the other Loan Parties and their respective Affiliates, and neither the Lender nor any of its Affiliates has any obligation to disclose any of such interests to the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any of their respective Affiliates. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Borrower and each other Loan Party hereby waives and releases any claims that it may have against the Lender or any of its Affiliates with respect to any breach or alleged breach of agency or fiduciary duty in connection with any aspect of any transactions contemplated hereby.

 

10.17

Electronic Execution.

The words “delivery,” “execute,” “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” and words of like import in any Loan Document or any other document executed in connection herewith shall be deemed to include electronic signatures, the electronic matching of assignment terms and contract formations on electronic platforms approved by the Lender, or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature, physical delivery thereof or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in any applicable Law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act, or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act; provided that notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Lender is under no obligation to agree to accept electronic signatures in any form or in any format unless expressly agreed to by the Lender pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided further without limiting the foregoing, upon the request of the Lender, any electronic signature shall be promptly followed by such manually executed counterpart.

 

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10.18

USA PATRIOT Act Notice.

The Lender hereby notifies the Borrower and the other Loan Parties that pursuant to the requirements of the USA PATRIOT Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the “Act”), it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each Loan Party, which information includes the name and address of each Loan Party and other information that will allow the Lender to identify each Loan Party in accordance with the Act. The Borrower and the Loan Parties agree to, promptly following a request by the Lender, provide all such other documentation and information that the Lender requests in order to comply with its ongoing obligations under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the Act.

 

10.19

ENTIRE AGREEMENT.

THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS REPRESENT THE FINAL AGREEMENT AMONG THE PARTIES AND MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS, OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES. THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS AMONG THE PARTIES.

 

10.20

Judgment Currency.

If, for the purposes of obtaining judgment in any court, it is necessary to convert a sum due hereunder or any other Loan Document in one currency into another currency, the rate of exchange used shall be that at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the Lender could purchase the first currency with such other currency on the Business Day preceding that on which final judgment is given. The obligation of the Borrower in respect of any such sum due from it to the Lender hereunder or under the other Loan Documents shall, notwithstanding any judgment in a currency (the “Judgment Currency”) other than that in which such sum is denominated in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Agreement (the “Agreement Currency”), be discharged only to the extent that on the Business Day following receipt by the Lender of any sum adjudged to be so due in the Judgment Currency, the Lender may in accordance with normal banking procedures purchase the Agreement Currency with the Judgment Currency. If the amount of the Agreement Currency so purchased is less than the sum originally due to the Lender from the Borrower in the Agreement Currency, such Borrower agrees, as a separate obligation and notwithstanding any such judgment, to indemnify the Lender against such loss. If the amount of the Agreement Currency so purchased is greater than the sum originally due to the Lender in such currency, the Lender agrees to return the amount of any excess to such Borrower (or to any other Person who may be entitled thereto under applicable law)

 

10.21

Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of EEA Financial Institutions.

(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Loan Document or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among any of the parties thereto, the Borrower and the Lender each acknowledges that any liability of any EEA Financial Institution arising under any Loan Document, to the extent such liability is unsecured, may be subject to the write-down and conversion powers of an EEA Resolution Authority and agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by:

(b) the application of any Write-Down and Conversion Powers by an EEA Resolution Authority to any such liabilities arising hereunder which may be payable to it by any party hereto that is an EEA Financial Institution; and

 

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(c) the effects of any Bail-in Action on any such liability, including, if applicable:

(i) a reduction in full or in part or cancellation of any such liability;

(ii) a conversion of all, or a portion of, such liability into shares or other instruments of ownership in such EEA Financial Institution, its parent undertaking, or a bridge institution that may be issued to it or otherwise conferred on it, and that such shares or other instruments of ownership will be accepted by it in lieu of any rights with respect to any such liability under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; or

(iii) the variation of the terms of such liability in connection with the exercise of the write-down and conversion powers of any EEA Resolution Authority.

[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the date first above written.

 

BORROWER:     ASTRONOVA, INC.
    By:   /s/ David S. Smith
    Name:   David S. Smith
    Title:   Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

GUARANTORS:     ANI APS
    By:   /s/ Gregory A. Woods
    Name:   Gregory A. Woods
    Title:   Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board

 

    TROJANLABEL APS
    By:   /s/ Gregory A. Woods
    Name:   Gregory A. Woods
    Title:   Chairman of the Board


BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,
as Lender
By:   /s/ Nicholas Storti
Name:   Nicholas Storti
Title:   Senior Vice President
EX-10.2

Exhibit 10.2

AMENDED AND RESTATED SECURITY AND PLEDGE AGREEMENT

THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED SECURITY AND PLEDGE AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of July 30, 2020 among ASTRONOVA, INC., a Rhode Island corporation (the “Borrower”), and such other parties that may become Grantors hereunder after the date hereof (together with the Borrower, each individually a “Grantor”, and collectively, the “Grantors”) and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., in its capacity as lender and as agent for the Secured Parties (in such capacity, the “Lender”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Borrower previously entered into that certain Credit Agreement dated as of February 28, 2017 by, among others, the Borrower, the guarantors party thereto and the Lender (as amended, restated, supplemented, or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Existing Credit Agreement”);

WHEREAS, in connection with the Existing Credit Agreement, the Borrower and certain other grantors entered into that certain Security and Pledge Agreement dated as of February 28, 2017 in favor of the Lender (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Existing Pledge and Security Agreement”);

WHEREAS, the parties hereto, among others, have agreed to amend and restate the Existing Credit Agreement, which shall become effective upon the satisfaction of the conditions precedent set forth in Section 4.01 of that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of the date hereof (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “A&R Credit Agreement”), pursuant to which the Lender together with certain of its branch offices and affiliates have agreed to make Loans and issue Letters of Credit upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein;

WHEREAS, one of the conditions precedent to the A&R Credit Agreement is the execution by the Grantors of this Agreement; and

WHEREAS, it is the intent of the parties hereto that this Agreement not constitute a novation of the obligations and liabilities existing under the Existing Pledge and Security Agreement or evidence repayment of any of such obligations and liabilities and that this Agreement amend and restate in its entirety the Existing Pledge and Security Agreement and re-evidence the obligations of the Grantors outstanding thereunder, as modified by the A&R Credit Agreement and this Agreement.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, the parties hereto covenant and agree as follows:

1. Definitions.

(a) Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the A&R Credit Agreement. With reference to this


Agreement, unless otherwise specified herein: (i) the definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined, (ii) whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms, (iii) the words “include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation”, (iv) the word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall”, (v) any definition of, or reference to, any agreement, instrument or other document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document, as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth herein), (vi) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s permitted successors and assigns, (vii) the words “herein”, “hereof” and “hereunder”, and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof, (viii) all references herein to Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, this Agreement, (ix) the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights, (x) the term “documents” includes any and all instruments, documents, agreements, certificates, notices, reports, financial statements and other writings, however evidenced, whether in physical or electronic form, (xi) in the computation of periods of time from a specified date to a later specified date, the word “from” means “from and including;” the words “to” and “until” each mean “to but excluding;” and the word “through” means “to and including”, (xii) Section headings herein are included for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement and (xiii) where the context requires, terms relating to the Collateral or any part thereof, when used in relation to a Grantor, shall refer to such Grantor’s Collateral or the relevant part thereof.

(b) The following terms shall have the meanings set forth in the UCC (defined below): Accession, Account, Account Debtor, Adverse Claim, As-Extracted Collateral, Certificated Security, Chattel Paper, Commercial Tort Claim, Consumer Goods, Deposit Account, Document, Electronic Chattel Paper, Equipment, Farm Products, Financial Asset, Fixtures, General Intangible, Goods, Instrument, Inventory, Investment Company Security, Investment Property, Letter-of-Credit Right, Manufactured Home, Payment Intangible, Proceeds, Securities Account, Securities Intermediary, Security, Software, Supporting Obligation and Tangible Chattel Paper.

(c) In addition, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

Assignment of Claims Act” means the Assignment of Claims Act of 1940 (41 U.S.C. Section 15, 31 U.S.C. Section 3737, and 31 U.S.C. Section 3727), including all amendments thereto and regulations promulgated thereunder.

Collateral” has the meaning provided in Section 2 hereof.

Control” means the manner in which “control” is achieved under the UCC with respect to any Collateral for which the UCC specifies a method of achieving “control”.

 

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Copyright License” means any agreement now or hereafter in existence, providing for the grant to any Grantor of any rights (including, without limitation, the grant of rights for a party to be designated as an author or owner and/or to enforce, defend, use, display, copy, manufacture, distribute, exploit and sell, make derivative works, and require joinder in suit and/or receive assistance from another party) covered in whole or in part by a Copyright of any other Person.

Copyrights” means, collectively, all of the following of any Person: (i) all copyrights, works protectable by copyright, copyright registrations and copyright applications anywhere in the world, (ii) all derivative works, counterparts, extensions and renewals of any of the foregoing, (iii) all income, royalties, damages and payments now or hereafter due and/or payable under any of the foregoing or with respect to any of the foregoing, including, without limitation, damages or payments for past, present and future infringements, violations or misappropriations of any of the foregoing, (iv) the right to sue for past, present and future infringements, violations or misappropriations of any of the foregoing and (v) all rights corresponding to any of the foregoing throughout the world.

Government Contract” means a contract between any Grantor and an agency, department or instrumentality of the United States or any state, municipal or local Governmental Authority located in the United States or all obligations of any such Governmental Authority arising under any Account now or hereafter owing by any such Governmental Authority, as Account Debtor, to any Grantor.

Intellectual Property” means, collectively, all of the following of any Grantor: (i) all systems software and applications software (including source code and object code), all documentation for such software, including, without limitation, user manuals, flowcharts, functional specifications, operations manuals, and all formulas, processes, ideas and know-how embodied in any of the foregoing, (ii) concepts, discoveries, improvements and ideas, know-how, technology, reports, design information, trade secrets, practices, specifications, test procedures, maintenance manuals, research and development, inventions (whether or not patentable), blueprints, drawings, data, customer lists, catalogs, and all physical embodiments of any of the foregoing, (iii) Patents and Patent Licenses, Copyrights and Copyright Licenses, Trademarks and Trademark Licenses, in each case of such Grantor and (iv) other agreements with respect to any rights in any of the items described in the foregoing clauses (i), (ii), and (iii).

Issuer” means the issuer of any Pledged Equity.

Patent License” means any agreement, now or hereafter in existence, providing for the grant to any Grantor of any rights (including, without limitation, the right for a party to be designated as an owner and/or to enforce, defend, make, have made, make improvements, manufacture, use, sell, import, export, and require joinder in suit and/or receive assistance from another party) covered in whole or in part by a Patent of any other Person.

 

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Patents” means collectively, all of the following of any Person: (i) all patents, all inventions and patent applications anywhere in the world, (ii) all improvements, counterparts, reissues, divisional, re-examinations, extensions, continuations (in whole or in part) and renewals of any of the foregoing and improvements thereon, (iii) all income, royalties, damages or payments now or hereafter due and/or payable under any of the foregoing or with respect to any of the foregoing, including, without limitation, damages or payments for past, present or future infringements, violations or misappropriations of any of the foregoing, (iv) the right to sue for past, present and future infringements, violations or misappropriations of any of the foregoing and (v) all rights corresponding to any of the foregoing throughout the world.

Pledged Equity” means, with respect to each Grantor, 100% of the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of each Subsidiary of such Grantor that is directly owned by such Grantor, in each case together with the certificates (or other agreements or instruments), if any, representing such shares, and all options and other rights, contractual or otherwise, with respect thereto, including, but not limited to, the following:

(1) all Equity Interests representing a dividend thereon, or representing a distribution or return of capital upon or in respect thereof, or resulting from a stock split, revision, reclassification or other exchange therefor, and any subscriptions, warrants, rights or options issued to the holder thereof, or otherwise in respect thereof; and

(2) in the event of any consolidation or merger involving any Issuer and in which such Issuer is not the surviving Person, all shares of each class of the Equity Interests of the successor Person formed by or resulting from such consolidation or merger, to the extent that such successor Person is a direct Subsidiary of a Grantor.

provided, however, unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Borrower shall not be obligated to pledge the Equity Interests of (i) the following of its Subsidiaries, AstroNova (Shanghai) Trading Co., Ltd, a Chinese limited liability company, AstroDigital Data de México, S.A., de C.V., a Mexican sociedad anónima de capital variable, and AstroNova Aerospace, Inc., a Delaware corporation; or (ii) any Foreign Subsidiaries formed after the Effective Date with the primary purpose of providing the Borrower with a foreign sales office, and provided further that such Foreign Subsidiary (x) holds minimal operational assets and no other material assets and (y) constitutes an Immaterial Subsidiary for purposes of the A&R Credit Agreement.

Trademark License” means any agreement, now or hereafter in existence, providing for the grant to any Grantor of any rights in (including, without limitation, the right for a party to be designated as an owner and/or to enforce, defend, use, mark, police, and require joinder in suit and/or receive assistance from another party) covered in whole, or in part, by a Trademark of any other Person.

 

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Trademarks” means, collectively, all of the following of any Person: (i) all trademarks, trade names, corporate names, company names, business names, fictitious business names, internet domain names, trade styles, service marks, logos, other business identifiers, whether registered or unregistered, all registrations and recordings thereof, and all applications in connection therewith (other than each United States application to register any trademark or service mark prior to the filing under applicable Law of a verified statement of use for such trademark or service mark) anywhere in the world, (ii) all counterparts, extensions and renewals of any of the foregoing, (iii) all income, royalties, damages and payments now or hereafter due and/or payable under any of the foregoing or with respect to any of the foregoing, including, without limitation, damages or payments for past, present or future infringements, violations, dilutions or misappropriations of any of the foregoing, (iv) the right to sue for past, present or future infringements, violations, dilutions or misappropriations of any of the foregoing and (v) all rights corresponding to any of the foregoing (including the goodwill) throughout the world.

Vehicles” means all cars, trucks, trailers, construction and earth moving equipment and other vehicles covered by a certificate of title under the laws of any state, all tires and all other appurtenances to any of the foregoing.

Vessel” means any watercraft or other artificial contrivance used, or capable of being used, as a means of transportation on water (including, without limitation, those whose primary purpose is the maritime transportation of cargo or which are otherwise engaged, used or useful in any business activities of the Grantors) which are owned by and registered (or to be owned and registered) in the name of any of the Grantors, including, without limitation, any Vessel leased or otherwise registered in the foregoing parties’ names, pursuant to a lease or other operating agreement constituting a capital lease obligation, in each case together with all related spares, equipment and any additional improvements, vessel owned, bareboat chartered or operated by a Grantor other than Vessels owned by an entity other than a Grantor and which are managed under Vessel management agreements.

UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in the state of New York except as such term may be used in connection with the perfection of the Collateral and then the applicable jurisdiction with respect to such affected Collateral shall apply.

USPTO” means the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Work” means any work that is subject to copyright protection pursuant to Title 17 of the United States Code.

2. Grant of Security Interest in the Collateral. To secure the prompt payment and performance in full when due, whether by lapse of time, acceleration, mandatory prepayment or otherwise, of the Secured Obligations, each Grantor hereby grants to the Lender, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a continuing security interest in, and a right to set off against, any and all right, title and interest of such Grantor in and to all of the following, whether now owned or existing or owned, acquired, or arising hereafter (collectively, the “Collateral”): (a) all Accounts; (b) all cash,

 

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currency and Cash Equivalents; (c) all Chattel Paper (including Electronic Chattel Paper and Tangible Chattel Paper); (d) those certain Commercial Tort Claims set forth on Schedule 5.20(e) to the A&R Credit Agreement (as updated from time to time in accordance with the A&R Credit Agreement); (e) all Deposit Accounts; (f) all Documents; (g) all Equipment; (h) all Fixtures; (i) all General Intangibles; (j) all Goods; (k) all Instruments; (l) all Intellectual Property; (m) all Inventory; (n) all Investment Property (subject to the applicable limitations set forth in the definition of Pledged Equity); (o) all Letter-of-Credit Rights; (p) all Payment Intangibles; (q) all Pledged Equity; (r) all Securities Accounts; (s) all Software; (t) all Supporting Obligations; (u) all Vehicles; (v) all books and records pertaining to the Collateral; (w) all Accessions and all Proceeds and products of any and all of the foregoing and (x) all other personal property of any kind or type whatsoever now or hereafter owned by such Grantor or as to which such Grantor now or hereafter has the power to transfer interest therein.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the security interests granted under this Agreement shall not extend to (a) Excluded Property (including, without limitation, any Equity Interests of Subsidiaries not constituting Pledged Equity as provided in the definition thereof), (b) any General Intangible, permit, lease, license, contract or other Instrument of a Grantor to the extent the grant of a security interest in such General Intangible, permit, lease, license, contract or other Instrument in the manner contemplated by this Agreement, under the terms thereof or under applicable Law, is prohibited and would result in the termination thereof or give the other parties thereto the right to terminate, accelerate or otherwise alter such Grantor’s rights, titles and interests thereunder (including upon the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both) or (c) any United States intent-to-use trademark applications to the extent that, and solely during the period in which the grant of a security interest therein would impair the validity or enforceability of or render void or result in the cancellation of, any registration issued as a result of such intent-to-use trademark applications under applicable Law; provided that upon submission and acceptance by the USPTO of an amendment to allege use pursuant to 15 U.S.C. Section 1060(a) or any successor provision), such intent-to-use trademark application shall be considered Collateral; provided, further that (i) any such limitation described in the foregoing clause (b) on the security interests granted hereunder shall only apply to the extent that any such prohibition or right to terminate or accelerate or alter the Grantor’s rights is not rendered ineffective pursuant to the UCC or any other applicable Law (including Debtor Relief Laws) or principles of equity and (ii) in the event of the termination or elimination of any such prohibition or right or the requirement for any consent contained in any applicable Law, General Intangible, permit, lease, license, contract or other Instrument, to the extent sufficient to permit any such item to become Collateral hereunder, or upon the granting of any such consent, or waiving or terminating any requirement for such consent, a security interest in such General Intangible, permit, lease, license, contract or other Instrument shall be automatically and simultaneously granted hereunder and shall be included as Collateral hereunder.

The Grantors and the Lender, on behalf of the Secured Parties, hereby acknowledge and agree that the security interest created hereby in the Collateral (a) constitutes continuing collateral security for all of the Secured Obligations, whether now existing or hereafter arising and (b) is not to be construed as an assignment of any Intellectual Property.

3. Representations and Warranties. Each Grantor hereby represents and warrants to the Lender, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, that until the Facility Termination Date, that:

 

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(a) Ownership. Each Grantor is the legal and beneficial owner of its Collateral and has the right to pledge and grant a security interest in the same. There exists no Adverse Claim (other than Permitted Liens under Section 7.01(c) and Section 7.01(k) of the A&R Credit Agreement) with respect to the Pledged Equity of such Grantor.

(b) Security Interest/Priority. This Agreement creates a valid security interest in favor of the Lender, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, in the Collateral of such Grantor and, when properly perfected by filing, shall constitute a valid and perfected, first priority (subject only to Permitted Liens that by their nature may have priority) security interest in such Collateral (including all uncertificated Pledged Equity consisting of partnership or limited liability company interests that do not constitute Securities), to the extent such security interest can be perfected by filing under the UCC, free and clear of all Liens except for Permitted Liens. No Grantor has authenticated any agreement authorizing any secured party thereunder to file a financing statement, except to perfect Permitted Liens. The taking possession by the Lender of the certificated securities (if any) evidencing the Pledged Equity and all other Instruments constituting Collateral will perfect and establish the first priority (subject only to Permitted Liens that by their nature may have priority) of the Lender’s security interest in all the Pledged Equity evidenced by such certificated securities and such Instruments. With respect to any Collateral consisting of a Deposit Account, Securities Entitlement or Securities Account, upon execution and delivery by the applicable Grantor, the applicable Securities Intermediary and the Lender of an agreement granting control to the Lender over such Collateral, the Lender shall have a valid and perfected, first priority security interest in such Collateral.

(c) Types of Collateral. None of the Collateral consists of, or is the Proceeds of, (i) As-Extracted Collateral, (ii) Consumer Goods, (iii) Farm Products, (iv) Manufactured Homes, (v) standing timber, (vi) an aircraft, airframe, aircraft engine or related property, (vii) an aircraft leasehold interest, (viii) a Vessel or (ix) any other interest in or to any of the foregoing.

(d) Accounts. (i) Each Account of the Grantors and the papers and documents relating thereto are genuine and in all material respects what they purport to be, (ii) each Account arises out of (A) a bona fide sale of goods sold and delivered by such Grantor (or is in the process of being delivered) or (B) services theretofore actually rendered by such Grantor to, the account debtor named therein, and (iii) no Account of a Grantor is evidenced by any Instrument or Chattel Paper unless such Instrument or Chattel Paper, to the extent requested by the Lender, has been endorsed over and delivered to, or submitted to the control of, the Lender.

(e) Equipment and Inventory. With respect to any Equipment and/or Inventory of a Grantor, each such Grantor has exclusive possession and control of such Equipment and Inventory of such Grantor except for (i) Equipment leased by such Grantor as a lessee, (ii) Equipment or Inventory in transit with common carriers or (iii) Equipment and/or Inventory in the possession or control of a warehouseman, bailee or any agent or processor of such Grantor to the extent such Grantor has complied with Section 4(e).

 

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(f) Authorization of Pledged Equity. All Pledged Equity (i) is duly authorized and validly issued, (ii) is fully paid and, to the extent applicable, nonassessable and is not subject to the preemptive rights of any Person, (iii) is beneficially owned as of record by a Grantor, and (iv) constitutes all the issued and outstanding shares of all classes of the equity of such Issuer issued to such Grantor.

(g) No Other Equity Interests, Instruments, Etc. As of the Closing Date, (i) no Grantor owns any certificated Equity Interests in any Subsidiary that are required to be pledged and delivered to the Lender hereunder pursuant to the definition of Pledged Equity except as set forth on Schedule 5.20(f) to the A&R Credit Agreement (as updated from time to time in accordance with the A&R Credit Agreement), and (ii) no Grantor holds any Instruments, Documents or Tangible Chattel Paper required to be pledged and delivered to the Lender pursuant to Section 4(c)(i) of this Agreement other than as set forth on Schedule 5.20(c) to the A&R Credit Agreement (as updated from time to time in accordance with the A&R Credit Agreement). All such certificated securities, Instruments, Documents and Tangible Chattel Paper have been delivered to the Lender to the extent (A) requested by the Lender or (B) as required by the terms of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

(h) Partnership and Limited Liability Company Interests. Except as previously disclosed to the Lender, none of the Collateral consisting of an interest in a partnership or a limited liability company (i) is dealt in or traded on a securities exchange or in a securities market, (ii) by its terms expressly provides that it is a Security governed by Article 8 of the UCC, (iii) is an Investment Company Security, (iv) is held in a Securities Account or (v) constitutes a Security or a Financial Asset.

(i) [Reserved].

(j) Consents; Etc. No approval, consent, exemption, authorization or other action by, notice to, or filing with, any Governmental Authority or any stockholder, is necessary or required for (i) the grant by such Grantor of the security interest in the Collateral granted hereby (to the extent that such interest may be granted under the UCC) or for the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement by such Grantor, (ii) the perfection of such security interest (to the extent such security interest can be perfected by filing under the UCC, the granting of control (to the extent required under Section 4(c) hereof) or by filing an appropriate notice with the USPTO or the United States Copyright Office) or (iii) subject to applicable law, the exercise by the Lender or the Secured Parties of the rights and remedies provided for in this Agreement (including, without limitation, as against any Issuer), except for (A) the filing or recording of UCC financing statements or other filings under the Assignment of Claims Act, (B) the filing of appropriate notices with the USPTO and the United States Copyright Office, (C) obtaining control to perfect the Liens created by this Agreement (to the extent required under Section 4(c) hereof), (D) such actions as may be required by Laws affecting the offering and sale of securities, (E) such actions as may be required by applicable foreign Laws affecting the pledge of the Pledged Equity of Foreign Subsidiaries, (F) consents, authorizations, filings or other actions which have been obtained or made, (G) as may be required with respect to Vehicles registered under a certificate of title and (H) as may be required under the Federal Assignment of Claims Act.

 

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(k) Commercial Tort Claims. As of the Closing Date, no Grantor has any Commercial Tort Claims seeking damages in excess of $20,000 other than as set forth on Schedule 5.20(e) to the A&R Credit Agreement (as updated from time to time in accordance with the A&R Credit Agreement).

(l) Copyrights, Patents and Trademarks.

(i) Except as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, to the knowledge of the Grantor all Intellectual Property of such Grantor is valid, subsisting, unexpired, enforceable and has not been abandoned.

(ii) No holding, decision or judgment has been rendered by any Governmental Authority that would limit, cancel or question the validity of any Intellectual Property of any Grantor that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(iii) All applications pertaining to the Copyrights, Patents and Trademarks of each Grantor have been duly and properly filed, and all registrations or letters pertaining to such Copyrights, Patents and Trademarks have been duly and properly filed and issued, except to the extent that any failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

(iv) [Reserved].

(v) Except as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, each Grantor and each of its Subsidiaries, own, or possess the right to use, all of the Intellectual Property that is reasonably necessary for the operation of their respective businesses, without conflict with the rights of any other Person.

(vi) Except as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, no slogan or other advertising device, product, process, method, substance, part or other material now employed, or now contemplated to be employed by any Grantor or any of its Subsidiaries infringes upon any rights held by any other Person.

(vii) No proceeding, claim or litigation regarding any of the foregoing is pending or, to the best knowledge of such Grantor, threatened, which, either individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

4. Covenants. Each Grantor covenants that until the Facility Termination Date, that such Grantor shall:

 

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(a) Maintenance of Perfected Security Interest; Further Information.

(i) Except as otherwise expressly permitted by this Agreement, maintain the security interest created by this Agreement as a first priority perfected security interest (subject only to Permitted Liens to the extent permitted to have priority over the Secured Parties’ security interest) and shall defend such security interest against the claims and demands of all Persons whomsoever (other than the holders of Permitted Liens to the extent permitted to have priority over the Secured Parties’ security interest).

(ii) From time to time furnish to the Lender upon the Lender’s or any Lender’s reasonable request, statements and schedules further identifying and describing the assets and property of such Grantor and such other reports in connection therewith as the Lender or such Lender may reasonably request, all in reasonable detail.

(b) Required Notifications. Each Grantor shall promptly notify the Lender, in writing, of: (i) any Lien (other than Permitted Liens) on any of the Collateral which would adversely affect the ability of the Lender to exercise any of its remedies hereunder and (ii) the occurrence of any other event which could reasonably be expected to have a material impairment on the aggregate value of the Collateral or on the security interests created hereby.

(c) Perfection through Possession and Control.

(i) If any amount in excess of $50,000 payable under or in connection with any of the Collateral shall be or become evidenced by any Instrument or Tangible Chattel Paper or Supporting Obligation, or if any property constituting Collateral shall be stored or shipped subject to a Document, ensure that such Instrument, Tangible Chattel Paper, Supporting Obligation or Document is either in the possession of such Grantor at all times or, if requested by the Lender to perfect its security interest in such Collateral, is delivered to the Lender duly endorsed in a manner satisfactory to the Lender. Such Grantor shall ensure that any Collateral consisting of Tangible Chattel Paper is marked with a legend acceptable to the Lender indicating the Lender’s security interest in such Tangible Chattel Paper.

(ii) Deliver to the Lender promptly upon the receipt thereof by or on behalf of a Grantor, all certificates and instruments constituting Certificated Securities (other than in respect of any Equity Interests of Subsidiaries not constituting Pledged Equity) or Pledged Equity. Prior to delivery to the Lender, all such certificates constituting Pledged Equity shall be held in trust by such Grantor for the benefit of the Lender pursuant hereto. All such certificates representing Pledged Equity shall be delivered in suitable form for transfer by delivery or shall be accompanied by duly executed instruments of transfer or assignment in blank, substantially in the form provided in Exhibit A hereto or other form acceptable to the Lender.

 

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(iii) Subject to Section 6.14 of the A&R Credit Agreement, if any Collateral shall consist of Deposit Accounts, Electronic Chattel Paper, Letter-of-Credit Rights, Securities Accounts or uncertificated Investment Property, execute and deliver (and, with respect to any Collateral consisting of a Securities Account or uncertificated Investment Property, cause the Securities Intermediary or the Issuer, as applicable, with respect to such Investment Property to execute and deliver) to the Lender all control agreements, assignments, instruments or other documents as reasonably requested by the Lender for the purposes of obtaining and maintaining Control of such Collateral. If any Collateral shall consist of Deposit Accounts or Securities Accounts, comply with all applicable requirements of Section 6.14 of the A&R Credit Agreement.

(d) Filing of Financing Statements, Notices, etc. Each Grantor shall execute and deliver to the Lender and/or file such agreements, assignments or instruments (including affidavits, notices, reaffirmations and amendments and restatements of existing documents, as the Lender may reasonably request) and do all such other things as the Lender may reasonably deem necessary or appropriate (i) to assure to the Lender its security interests hereunder, including (A) such instruments as the Lender may from time to time reasonably request in order to perfect and maintain the security interests granted hereunder in accordance with the UCC, including, without limitation, financing statements (including continuation statements), (B) with regard to Copyrights, a Notice of Grant of Security Interest in Copyrights substantially in the form of Exhibit B or other form acceptable to the Lender, (C) with regard to Patents, a Notice of Grant of Security Interest in Patents for filing with the USPTO substantially in the form of Exhibit C or other form acceptable to the Lender and (D) with regard to Trademarks, a Notice of Grant of Security Interest in Trademarks for filing with the USPTO substantially in the form of Exhibit D or other form acceptable to the Lender, (ii) to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and (iii) to otherwise protect and assure the Lender of its rights and interests hereunder. Furthermore, each Grantor also hereby irrevocably makes, constitutes and appoints the Lender, its nominee or any other person whom the Lender may designate, as such Grantor’s attorney in fact with full power and for the limited purpose to prepare and file (and, to the extent applicable, sign) in the name of such Grantor any financing statements, or amendments and supplements to financing statements, renewal financing statements, notices or any similar documents which in the Lender’s reasonable discretion would be necessary or appropriate in order to perfect and maintain perfection of the security interests granted hereunder, such power, being coupled with an interest, being and remaining irrevocable until the Facility Termination Date. Each Grantor hereby agrees that a carbon, photographic or other reproduction of this Agreement or any such financing statement is sufficient for filing as a financing statement by the Lender without notice thereof to such Grantor wherever the Lender may in its sole discretion desire to file the same.

(e) [Reserved.]

 

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(f) Treatment of Accounts. If an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, not grant or extend the time for payment of any Account, or compromise or settle any Account for less than the full amount thereof, or release any person or property, in whole or in part, from payment thereof, or amend, supplement or modify any Account in any manner that could reasonably be likely to adversely affect the value thereof, or allow any credit or discount thereon, other than as normal and customary in the ordinary course of a Grantor’s business. After an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or upon request of the Lender, each Grantor will deliver to the Lender a copy of each material demand, notice or document received by it that questions or calls into doubt the validity or enforceability of any Account.

(g) Commercial Tort Claims. Execute and deliver such statements, documents and notices and do and cause to be done all such things as may be required by the Lender, or required by Law to create, preserve, perfect and maintain the Lender’s security interest in any Commercial Tort Claims initiated by or in favor of any Grantor.

(h) Inventory. With respect to the Inventory of each Grantor:

(i) At all times maintain inventory records reasonably satisfactory to the Lender, keeping correct and accurate records (in all material respects) itemizing and describing the kind, type, quality and quantity of Inventory and such Grantor’s cost therefor.

(ii) Produce, use, store and maintain the Inventory with all reasonable care and caution and in accordance with applicable standards of any insurance and in conformity with applicable Laws (including the requirements of the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended and all rules, regulations and orders related thereto).

(i) Books and Records. Mark its books and records (and shall cause the Issuer of the Pledged Equity of such Grantor to mark its books and records) to reflect the security interest granted pursuant to this Agreement.

(j) Nature of Collateral. At all times maintain the Collateral as personal property and not affix any of the Collateral to any real property in a manner which would change its nature from personal property to real property or a Fixture to real property, unless the Lender shall have a perfected Lien on such Fixture or real property.

(k) Issuance or Acquisition of Equity Interests in Partnerships or Limited Liability Companies.

(i) Not without executing and delivering, or causing to be executed and delivered, to the Lender such agreements, documents and instruments as the Lender may reasonably require, issue or acquire any Pledged Equity consisting of an interest in a partnership or a limited liability company that (A) is dealt in or traded on a securities exchange or in a securities market, (B) by its terms expressly provides that it is a Security governed by Article 8 of the UCC, (C) is an investment company security, (D) is held in a Securities Account or (E) constitutes a Security or a Financial Asset.

 

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(ii) Without the prior written consent of the Lender, no Grantor will (A) vote to enable, or take any other action to permit, any applicable Issuer to issue any Investment Property or Equity Interests constituting partnership or limited liability company interests, except for those additional Investment Property or Equity Interests constituting partnership or limited liability company interests that will be subject to the security interest granted herein in favor of the Secured Parties, or (B) enter into any agreement or undertaking, except in connection with a Disposition permitted under Section 7.05 of the A&R Credit Agreement, restricting the right or ability of such Grantor or the Lender to sell, assign or transfer any Investment Property or Pledged Equity or Proceeds thereof. The Grantors will defend the right, title and interest of the Lender in and to any Investment Property and Pledged Equity against the claims and demands of all Persons whomsoever.

(iii) If any Grantor shall become entitled to receive or shall receive (A) any Certificated Securities (including, without limitation, any certificate representing a stock dividend or a distribution in connection with any reclassification, increase or reduction of capital or any certificate issued in connection with any reorganization), option or rights in respect of the ownership interests of any Issuer, whether in addition to, in substitution of, as a conversion of, or in exchange for, any Investment Property (other than in respect of Equity Interests that are Excluded Property), or otherwise in respect thereof, or (B) any sums paid upon or in respect of any Investment Property upon the liquidation or dissolution of any Issuer, such Grantor shall accept the same as the agent of the Secured Parties, hold the same in trust for the Secured Parties, segregated from other funds of such Grantor, and promptly deliver the same to the Lender, on behalf of the Secured Parties, in accordance with the terms hereof.

(l) Intellectual Property.

(i) Not do any act or omit to do any act whereby any material Copyright may become invalidated and (A) not do any act, or omit to do any act, whereby any material Copyright may become injected into the public domain; (B) take all necessary steps as it shall deem appropriate under the circumstances, to maintain and pursue each application (and to obtain the relevant registration) of each material Copyright owned by a Grantor and to maintain each registration of each material Copyright owned by a Grantor including, without limitation, filing of applications for renewal where necessary; and (C) take such actions as it shall deem appropriate in its business judgment under the circumstances to protect such Copyright, including, where such Grantor deems appropriate, the bringing of suit for infringement, dilution or impairment or seeking injunctive relief and seeking to recover any and all damages for such infringement, misappropriation, dilution or impairment.

 

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(ii) Not make any assignment or agreement in conflict with the security interest granted to the Lender in the Copyrights of each Grantor except as permitted by the A&R Credit Agreement.

(iii) (A) Continue to employ each material Trademark with the appropriate notice of registration, if applicable and (B) not (and not permit any licensee or sublicensee thereof to) do any act or omit to do any act whereby any material Trademark may become invalidated.

(iv) Not do any act, or omit to do any act, whereby any material Patent may become abandoned or dedicated.

(v) [Reserved.]

(vi) Take all reasonable and necessary steps, including, without limitation, in any proceeding before the USPTO, or any similar office or agency in any other country or any political subdivision thereof, to maintain and pursue each application (and to obtain the relevant registration) and to maintain each registration of each material Patent and Trademark, including, without limitation, filing of applications for renewal, affidavits of use and affidavits of incontestability.

(vii) Promptly sue for infringement, misappropriation, dilution or impairment, to seek injunctive relief where appropriate and to recover any and all damages for any infringement, misappropriation, dilution or impairment of any material Patent or Trademark, or to take such other actions, in each case if and as it shall reasonably deem appropriate under the circumstances to protect such Patent or Trademark.

(viii) Not make any assignment or agreement in conflict with the security interest granted to the Lender in the Patents or Trademarks of each Grantor except as permitted by the A&R Credit Agreement.

(ix) Grants to the Lender a royalty-free license to use such Grantor’s Intellectual Property in connection with the enforcement of the Lender’s rights hereunder, but only to the extent any license or agreement granting such Grantor rights in such Intellectual Property do not prohibit such use by the Lender.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Grantors may, in their business judgment, abandon or fail to maintain, pursue, preserve, protect or employ any Copyright, Patent or Trademark which they deem in their commercially reasonable judgment not to be material to their businesses.

 

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(m) Equipment. Maintain each item of Equipment in good working order and condition (reasonable wear and tear and obsolescence excepted).

(n) Government Contracts. Promptly notify the Lender, in writing, if it is a party to or enters into any Governmental Contract under or as a result of which any Governmental Authority or Authorities, as account debtors, owe monetary obligations greater than $500,000 in the aggregate to any Grantor under any Accounts.

(o) Vehicles. Upon the request of the Lender upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, file or cause to be filed in each office in each jurisdiction which the Lender shall deem reasonably advisable to perfect its Liens on the Vehicles, all applications for certificates of title or ownership (and any other necessary documentation) indicating the Lender’s first priority Lien on the Vehicle (subject to any Permitted Liens) covered by such certificate.

(p) Internet Property Rights. With respect to its rights, titles and interests in and to any internet domain names or registration rights relating thereto, and any internet websites or the content thereof (collectively, “Internet Property Rights”) whether now existing or hereafter created or acquired and wheresoever located, each Grantor shall after an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or upon the reasonable request of the Lender, cause to be delivered to the Lender an undated transfer document with respect to each of its internet domain names, duly executed in blank by such Grantor and in the form required by the applicable internet domain name registrar, sufficient to effect the transfer of each internet domain name to the transferee thereof named in such transfer form upon delivery to such registrar.

(q) Further Assurances. Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 4:

(i) Promptly upon the request of the Lender and at the sole expense of the Grantors, duly execute and deliver, and have recorded, such further instruments and documents and take such further actions as the Lender may reasonably request for the purpose of obtaining or preserving the full benefits of this Agreement and of the rights and powers herein granted, including, without limitation, (A) with respect to Government Contracts, assignment agreements and notices of assignment, in form and substance satisfactory to the Lender, duly executed by any Grantors party to such Government Contract in compliance with the Assignment of Claims Act (or analogous state applicable Law), and (B) all applications, certificates, instruments, registration statements, and all other documents and papers the Lender may reasonably request and as may be required by law in connection with the obtaining of any consent, approval, registration, qualification, or authorization of any Person deemed necessary or appropriate for the effective exercise of any rights under this Agreement; provided that no Grantor shall be required to take any action to perfect a security interest in any Collateral as to which the Lender reasonably determines that the costs and burdens to the Grantors of perfecting a security interest in such Collateral (including any applicable stamp, intangibles or other taxes) are excessive in relation to value to the Lender afforded thereby.

 

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(ii) From time to time upon the Lender’s reasonable request, promptly furnish such updates to the information disclosed pursuant to this Agreement and the A&R Credit Agreement, including any Schedules hereto or thereto, such that such updated information is true and correct as of the date so furnished.

(iii) Unless an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Grantors shall not be required to obtain a landlord waiver, collateral access agreement or similar waiver or agreement with respect to any location of a Grantor where any personal property Collateral is located.

5. Authorization to File Financing Statements. Each Grantor hereby authorizes the Lender to prepare and file such financing statements (including continuation statements) or amendments thereof or supplements thereto or other instruments as the Lender may from time to time deem necessary or appropriate in order to perfect and maintain the security interests granted hereunder in accordance with the UCC, which such financing statements may describe the Collateral in the same manner as described herein or may contain an indication or description of Collateral that describes such property in any other manner as the Lender may determine, in its sole discretion, is necessary, advisable or prudent to ensure the perfection of the security interest in the Collateral granted herein, including, without limitation, describing such property as “all assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired” or “all personal property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired.”

6. Advances. On failure of any Grantor to perform any of the covenants and agreements contained herein or in any other Loan Document, the Lender may, at its sole option and in its sole discretion, perform the same and in so doing may expend such sums as the Lender may reasonably deem advisable in the performance thereof, including, without limitation, the payment of any insurance premiums, the payment of any taxes, a payment to obtain a release of a Lien or potential Lien, expenditures made in defending against any adverse claim and all other expenditures which the Lender may make for the protection of the security hereof or which may be compelled to make by operation of Law. All such sums and amounts so expended shall be repayable by the Grantors on a joint and several basis promptly upon timely notice thereof and demand therefor, shall constitute additional Secured Obligations and shall bear interest from the date said amounts are expended at the Default Rate. No such performance of any covenant or agreement by the Lender on behalf of any Grantor, and no such advance or expenditure therefor, shall relieve the Grantors of any Default or Event of Default. The Lender may make any payment hereby authorized in accordance with any bill, statement or estimate procured from the appropriate public office or holder of the claim to be discharged without inquiry into the accuracy of such bill, statement or estimate or into the validity of any tax assessment, sale, forfeiture, tax lien, title or claim except to the extent such payment is being contested in good faith by a Grantor in appropriate proceedings and against which adequate reserves are being maintained in accordance with GAAP.

7. Remedies.

 

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(a) General Remedies. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default and during continuation thereof, the Lender on behalf of the Secured Parties shall have, in addition to the rights and remedies provided herein, in the Loan Documents, in any other documents relating to the Secured Obligations, or by any applicable Law (including, but not limited to, levy of attachment, garnishment and the rights and remedies set forth in the UCC of the jurisdiction applicable to the affected Collateral), the rights and remedies of a secured party under the UCC (regardless of whether the UCC is the law of the jurisdiction where the rights and remedies are asserted and regardless of whether the UCC applies to the affected Collateral), and further, the Lender may, with or without judicial process or the aid and assistance of others, (i) enter on any premises on which any of the Collateral may be located and, without resistance or interference by the Grantors, take possession of the Collateral, (ii) dispose of any Collateral on any such premises, (iii) require the Grantors to assemble and make available to the Lender at the expense of the Grantors any Collateral at any place and time designated by the Lender which is reasonably convenient to both parties, (iv) remove any Collateral from any such premises for the purpose of effecting sale or other disposition thereof, (v) without demand and without advertisement, notice, hearing or process of law, all of which each of the Grantors hereby waives to the fullest extent permitted by Law, at any place and time or times, sell, lease, assign, give option or options to purchase, or otherwise dispose of and deliver the Collateral or any part thereof (or contract to do any of the foregoing), in one or more parcels any or all Collateral held by or for it at public or private sale (which in the case of a private sale of Pledged Equity, shall be to a restricted group of purchasers who will be obligated to agree, among other things, to acquire such securities for their own account, for investment and not with a view to the distribution or resale thereof), at any exchange or broker’s board or elsewhere, by one or more contracts, in one or more parcels, for money, upon credit or otherwise, at such prices and upon such terms as the Lender deems advisable, in its sole discretion (subject to any and all mandatory legal requirements) and/or (vi) complete and tender each internet domain name transfer document in its own name, place and stead of the Grantor in order to effect the transfer of any internet domain name registration, either to the Lender or to another transferee, as the case may be and maintain, obtain access to, and continue to operate, in its own name or in the name, place and stead of such Grantor, such Grantor’s internet website and the contents thereof, and all related advertising, linking and technology licensing and other contractual relationships, in each case in connection with the maintenance, preservation, operation, sale or other disposition of the Collateral or for any other purpose permitted under the Loan Documents or by applicable Law. Each Grantor acknowledges that any such private sale may be at prices and on terms less favorable to the seller than the prices and other terms which might have been obtained at a public sale and, notwithstanding the foregoing, agrees that such private sale shall be deemed to have been made in a commercially reasonable manner and, in the case of a sale of Pledged Equity, that the Lender shall have no obligation to delay sale of any such securities for the period of time necessary to permit the Issuer of such securities to register such securities for public sale under the Securities Act of 1933. The Lender shall have the right upon any such public sale or sales, and, to the extent permitted by applicable Law, upon any such private sale or sales, to purchase the whole or any part of the Collateral so sold. Neither the Lender’s compliance with applicable Law nor its disclaimer of warranties relating to the Collateral shall be considered to adversely affect the commercial reasonableness of any sale.

 

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To the extent the rights of notice cannot be legally waived hereunder, each Grantor agrees that any requirement of reasonable notice shall be met if such notice, specifying the place of any public sale or the time after which any private sale is to be made, is personally served on or mailed, postage prepaid, to the Borrower in accordance with the notice provisions of Section 10.02 of the A&R Credit Agreement at least ten (10) days before the time of sale or other event giving rise to the requirement of such notice. Each Grantor further acknowledges and agrees that any offer to sell any Pledged Equity which has been (A) publicly advertised on a bona fide basis in a newspaper or other publication of general circulation in the financial community of New York, New York (to the extent that such offer may be advertised without prior registration under the Securities Act of 1933), or (B) made privately in the manner described above shall be deemed to involve a “public sale” under the UCC, notwithstanding that such sale may not constitute a “public offering” under the Securities Act of 1933, and the Lender may, in such event, bid for the purchase of such securities. The Lender shall not be obligated to make any sale or other disposition of the Collateral regardless of notice having been given. To the extent permitted by applicable Law, any Secured Party may be a purchaser at any such sale. To the extent permitted by applicable Law, each of the Grantors hereby waives all of its rights of redemption with respect to any such sale. Subject to the provisions of applicable Law, the Lender may postpone or cause the postponement of the sale of all or any portion of the Collateral by announcement at the time and place of such sale, and such sale may, without further notice, to the extent permitted by Law, be made at the time and place to which the sale was postponed, or the Lender may further postpone such sale by announcement made at such time and place. To the extent permitted by applicable Law, each Grantor waives all claims, damages and demands it may acquire against the Lender or any Secured Party arising out of the exercise by them of any rights hereunder except to the extent any such claims, damages or demands result solely from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Lender or any other Secured Party as determined by a final non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction, in each case against whom such claim is asserted. Each Grantor agrees that the internet shall constitute a “place” for purposes of Section 9-610(b) of the UCC and that any sale of Collateral to a licensor pursuant to the terms of a license agreement between such licensor and a Grantor is sufficient to constitute a commercially reasonable disposition (including as to method, terms, manner, and time) within the meaning of Section 9-610 of the UCC.

(b) Remedies Relating to Accounts.

(i) During the continuation of an Event of Default, whether or not the Lender has exercised any or all of its rights and remedies hereunder, (A) each Grantor shall, at the request of the Lender, notify (such notice to be in form and substance satisfactory to the Lender) its Account Debtors subject to a security interest hereunder that such Accounts have been assigned to the Lender, for the benefit of the Secured Parties and promptly upon request of the Lender, instruct all account debtors to remit all payments in respect of Accounts to a mailing location selected by the Lender and (B) the Lender shall have the right to enforce any Grantor’s rights against its customers and account debtors, and the Lender or its designee may notify any Grantor’s customers and account debtors that the Accounts

 

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of such Grantor have been assigned to the Lender or of the Lender’s security interest therein, and may (either in its own name or in the name of a Grantor or both) demand, collect (including without limitation by way of a lockbox arrangement), receive, take receipt for, sell, sue for, compound, settle, compromise and give acquittance for any and all amounts due or to become due on any Account, and, in the Lender’s discretion, file any claim or take any other action or proceeding to protect and realize upon the security interest of the Secured Parties in the Accounts.

(ii)Each Grantor acknowledges and agrees that the Proceeds of its Accounts remitted to or on behalf of the Lender in accordance with the provisions hereof shall be solely for the Lender’s own convenience and that such Grantor shall not have any right, title or interest in such Accounts or in any such other amounts except as expressly provided herein. Neither the Lender nor the Secured Parties shall have any liability or responsibility to any Grantor for acceptance of a check, draft or other order for payment of money bearing the legend “payment in full” or words of similar import or any other restrictive legend or endorsement or be responsible for determining the correctness of any remittance.

(iii)During the continuation of an Event of Default, (A) the Lender shall have the right, but not the obligation, to make test verifications of the Accounts in any manner and through any medium that it reasonably considers advisable, and the Grantors shall furnish all such assistance and information as the Lender may require in connection with such test verifications, (B) upon the Lender’s request and at the expense of the Grantors, the Grantors shall cause independent public accountants or others satisfactory to the Lender to furnish to the Lender reports showing reconciliations, aging and test verifications of, and trial balances for, the Accounts and (C) the Lender in its own name or in the name of others may communicate with account debtors on the Accounts to verify with them to the Lender’s satisfaction the existence, amount and terms of any Accounts.

(iv) During the continuation of an Event of Default, upon the request of the Lender, each Grantor shall forward to the Lender, on the last Business Day of each week, deposit slips related to all cash, money, checks or any other similar items of payment received by the Grantor during such week, and, if requested by the Lender, copies of such checks or any other similar items of payment, together with a statement showing the application of all payments on the Collateral during such week and a collection report with regard thereto, in form and substance satisfactory to the Lender.

(c) Deposit Accounts/Securities Accounts. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default and during continuation thereof, the Lender may prevent withdrawals or other dispositions of funds in Deposit Accounts and Securities Accounts subject to control agreements or held with any Secured Party.

(d) Investment Property/Pledged Equity. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default and during the continuation thereof: the Lender shall have the right to receive any

 

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and all cash dividends, payments or distributions made in respect of any Investment Property or Pledged Equity or other Proceeds paid in respect of any Investment Property or Pledged Equity, and any or all of any Investment Property or Pledged Equity may, at the option of the Lender, be registered in the name of the Lender or its nominee, and the Lender or its nominee may, during the continuation of an Event of Default, exercise (i) all voting, corporate and other rights pertaining to such Investment Property, or any such Pledged Equity at any meeting of shareholders, partners or members of the relevant Issuers or otherwise and (ii) any and all rights of conversion, exchange and subscription and any other rights, privileges or options pertaining to such Investment Property or Pledged Equity as if it were the absolute owner thereof (including, without limitation, the right to exchange at its discretion any and all of the Investment Property or Pledged Equity upon the merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization or other fundamental change in the corporate, partnership or limited liability company structure of any Issuer or upon the exercise by any Grantor or the Lender of any right, privilege or option pertaining to such Investment Property or Pledged Equity, and in connection therewith, the right to deposit and deliver any and all of the Investment Property or Pledged Equity with any committee, depositary, transfer agent, registrar or other designated agency upon such terms and conditions as the Lender may determine), all without liability except to account for property actually received by it; but the Lender shall have no duty to any Grantor to exercise any such right, privilege or option and the Lender and the other Secured Parties shall not be responsible for any failure to do so or delay in so doing. In furtherance thereof, each Grantor hereby authorizes and instructs each Issuer with respect to any Collateral consisting of Investment Property and/or Pledged Equity to (A) comply with any instruction received by it from the Lender in writing that (1) states that an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and (2) is otherwise in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, without any other or further instructions from such Grantor, and each Grantor agrees that each Issuer shall be fully protected in so complying following receipt of such notice and prior to notice that such Event of Default is no longer continuing, and (B) during the continuation of an Event of Default, pay any dividends, distributions or other payments with respect to any Investment Property or Pledged Equity directly to the Lender. Unless an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Grantor shall be permitted to receive all cash dividends, payments or other distributions made in respect of any Investment Property and any Pledged Equity, to the extent permitted in the A&R Credit Agreement, and to exercise all voting and other corporate, company and partnership rights with respect to any Investment Property and Pledged Equity to the extent not inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

(e) Material Contractual Obligations. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default and during the continuation thereof, the Lender shall be entitled to (but shall not be required to): (i) proceed to perform any and all obligations of the applicable Grantor under any material Contractual Obligation and exercise all rights of such Grantor thereunder as fully as such Grantor itself could, (ii) do all other acts which the Lender may deem necessary or proper to protect its security interest granted hereunder, provided such acts are not inconsistent with or in violation of the terms of any of the A&R Credit Agreement, of the other Loan Documents or applicable Law, and (iii) sell, assign or otherwise transfer any material Contractual Obligation in accordance with the A&R Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents and applicable Law, subject, however, to the prior approval of each other party to such material Contractual Obligation, to the extent required under such material Contractual Obligation.

 

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(f) Access. In addition to the rights and remedies hereunder, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default and during the continuance thereof, the Lender shall have the right to enter and remain upon the various premises of the Grantors without cost or charge to the Lender, and use the same, together with materials, supplies, books and records of the Grantors for the purpose of collecting and liquidating the Collateral, or for preparing for sale and conducting the sale of the Collateral, whether by foreclosure, auction or otherwise. In addition, the Lender may remove Collateral, or any part thereof, from such premises and/or any records with respect thereto, in order to effectively collect or liquidate such Collateral. If the Lender exercises its right to take possession of the Collateral, each Grantor shall also at its expense perform any and all other steps reasonably requested by the Lender to preserve and protect the security interest hereby granted in the Collateral, such as placing and maintaining signs indicating the security interest of the Lender, appointing overseers for the Collateral and maintaining inventory records.

(g) Nonexclusive Nature of Remedies. Failure by the Lender or the Secured Parties to exercise any right, remedy or option under this Agreement, any other Loan Document, any other document relating to the Secured Obligations, or as provided by Law, or any delay by the Lender or the Secured Parties in exercising the same, shall not operate as a waiver of any such right, remedy or option. No waiver hereunder shall be effective unless it is in writing, signed by the party against whom such waiver is sought to be enforced and then only to the extent specifically stated, which in the case of the Lender or the Secured Parties shall only be granted as provided herein. To the extent permitted by Law, neither the Lender, the Secured Parties, nor any party acting as attorney for the Lender or the Secured Parties, shall be liable hereunder for any acts or omissions or for any error of judgment or mistake of fact or law other than their gross negligence or willful misconduct hereunder as determined by a final non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction. The rights and remedies of the Lender and the Secured Parties under this Agreement shall be cumulative and not exclusive of any other right or remedy which the Lender or the Secured Parties may have.

(h) Retention of Collateral. In addition to the rights and remedies hereunder, the Lender may, in compliance with Sections 9-620 and 9-621 of the UCC or otherwise complying with the requirements of applicable Law of the relevant jurisdiction, accept or retain the Collateral in satisfaction of the Secured Obligations. Unless and until the Lender shall have complied with such requirements, however, the Lender shall not be deemed to have retained any Collateral in satisfaction of any Secured Obligations for any reason.

(i) Waiver; Deficiency. Each Grantor hereby waives, to the extent permitted by applicable Laws, all rights of redemption, appraisement, valuation, stay, extension or moratorium now or hereafter in force under any applicable Laws in order to prevent or delay the enforcement of this Agreement or the absolute sale of the Collateral or any portion thereof. In the event that the proceeds of any sale, collection or realization are insufficient to

 

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pay all amounts to which the Lender or the Secured Parties are legally entitled, the Grantors shall be jointly and severally liable for the deficiency, together with interest thereon at the Default Rate, together with the costs of collection and the fees, charges and disbursements of counsel. Any surplus remaining after the full payment and satisfaction of the Secured Obligations shall be returned to the Grantors or to whomsoever a court of competent jurisdiction shall determine to be entitled thereto.

(j) Registration Rights.

(i) If the Lender shall determine that in order to exercise its right to sell any or all of the Collateral it is necessary or advisable to have such Collateral registered under the provisions of the Securities Act (any such Collateral, the “Restricted Securities Collateral”), the relevant Grantor will cause each applicable Issuer (and the officers and directors thereof) that is a Grantor or a Subsidiary of a Grantor to (A) execute and deliver all such instruments and documents, and do or cause to be done all such other acts as may be, in the reasonable opinion of the Lender, necessary or advisable to register such Restricted Securities Collateral, or that portion thereof to be sold, under the provisions of the Securities Act, (B) use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the registration statement relating thereto to become effective and to remain effective for a period of one year from the date of the first public offering of such Restricted Securities Collateral, or that portion thereof to be sold, and (C) make all amendments thereto and/or to the related prospectus which, in the opinion of the Lender, are necessary or advisable, all in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission applicable thereto. Each Grantor agrees to cause each applicable Issuer (and the officers and directors thereof) to comply with the provisions of the securities or “Blue Sky” laws of any and all jurisdictions which the Lender shall designate and to make available to its security holders, as soon as practicable, an earnings statement (which need not be audited) which will satisfy the provisions of the Securities Act.

(ii) Each Grantor agrees to use its commercially reasonable efforts to do or cause to be done all such other acts as may be necessary to make such sale or sales of all or any portion of the Restricted Securities Collateral valid and binding and in compliance with any and all other applicable Laws. Each Grantor further agrees that a breach of any of the covenants contained in this Section 7 will cause irreparable injury to the Lender and the other Secured Parties, that the Lender and the other Secured Parties have no adequate remedy at law in respect of such breach and, as a consequence, that each and every covenant contained in this Section 7 shall be specifically enforceable against such Grantor, and such Grantor hereby waives and agrees not to assert any defenses against an action for specific performance of such covenants except for a defense that no Event of Default has occurred under the A&R Credit Agreement.

8. Rights of the Lender.

 

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(a) Power of Attorney. In addition to other powers of attorney contained herein, each Grantor hereby designates and appoints the Lender, on behalf of the Secured Parties, and each of its designees or agents, as attorney-in-fact of such Grantor, irrevocably and with power of substitution, with authority to take any or all of the following actions upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default:

(i) to demand, collect, settle, compromise, adjust, give discharges and releases, all as the Lender may reasonably determine;

(ii) to commence and prosecute any actions at any court for the purposes of collecting any Collateral and enforcing any other right in respect thereof;

(iii) to defend, settle or compromise any action brought and, in connection therewith, give such discharge or release as the Lender may deem reasonably appropriate;

(iv) to receive, open and dispose of mail addressed to a Grantor and endorse checks, notes, drafts, acceptances, money orders, bills of lading, warehouse receipts or other instruments or documents evidencing payment, shipment or storage of the goods giving rise to the Collateral of such Grantor on behalf of and in the name of such Grantor, or securing, or relating to such Collateral;

(v) to sell, assign, transfer, make any agreement in respect of, or otherwise deal with or exercise rights in respect of, any Collateral or the goods or services which have given rise thereto, as fully and completely as though the Lender were the absolute owner thereof for all purposes;

(vi) to adjust and settle claims under any insurance policy relating thereto;

(vii) to execute and deliver all assignments, conveyances, statements, financing statements, continuation financing statements, security agreements, affidavits, notices and other agreements, instruments and documents that the Lender may determine necessary in order to perfect and maintain the security interests and liens granted in this Agreement and in order to fully consummate all of the transactions contemplated herein;

(viii) to institute any foreclosure proceedings that the Lender may deem appropriate;

(ix) to sign and endorse any drafts, assignments, proxies, stock powers, verifications, notices and other documents relating to the Collateral;

(x) to exchange any of the Pledged Equity or other property upon any merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization or other readjustment of the Issuer thereof and, in connection therewith, deposit any of the Pledged Equity with any committee, depository, transfer agent, registrar or other designated agency upon such terms as the Lender may reasonably deem appropriate;

 

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(xi) to vote for a shareholder resolution, or to sign an instrument in writing, sanctioning the transfer of any or all of the Pledged Equity into the name of the Lender or one or more of the Secured Parties or into the name of any transferee to whom the Pledged Equity or any part thereof may be sold pursuant to Section 7 hereof;

(xii) to pay or discharge taxes, liens, security interests or other encumbrances levied or placed on or threatened against the Collateral;

(xiii) to direct any parties liable for any payment in connection with any of the Collateral to make payment of any and all monies due and to become due thereunder directly to the Lender or as the Lender shall direct;

(xiv) to receive payment of and receipt for any and all monies, claims, and other amounts due and to become due at any time in respect of or arising out of any Collateral;

(xv) in the case of any Intellectual Property, execute and deliver, and have recorded, any and all agreements, instruments, documents and papers as the Lender may request to evidence the security interests created hereby in such Intellectual Property and the goodwill and General Intangibles of such Grantor relating thereto or represented thereby; and

(xvi) do and perform all such other acts and things as the Lender may reasonably deem to be necessary, proper or convenient in connection with the Collateral.

This power of attorney is a power coupled with an interest and shall be irrevocable until the Facility Termination Date. The Lender shall be under no duty to exercise or withhold the exercise of any of the rights, powers, privileges and options expressly or implicitly granted to the Lender in this Agreement, and shall not be liable for any failure to do so or any delay in doing so. The Lender shall not be liable for any act or omission or for any error of judgment or any mistake of fact or law in its individual capacity or its capacity as attorney-in-fact except acts or omissions resulting from its gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a final non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction. This power of attorney is conferred on the Lender solely to protect, preserve and realize upon its security interest in the Collateral and shall not impose any duty upon the Lender or any other Secured Party to exercise any such powers.

(b) Assignment by the Lender. The Lender may from time to time assign the Secured Obligations to a successor Lender appointed in accordance with the A&R Credit Agreement, and such successor shall be entitled to all of the rights and remedies of the Lender under this Agreement in relation thereto.

 

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(c) The Lender’s Duty of Care. Other than the exercise of reasonable care to assure the safe custody of the Collateral while being held by the Lender hereunder, the Lender shall have no duty or liability to preserve rights pertaining thereto, it being understood and agreed that the Grantors shall be responsible for preservation of all rights in the Collateral, and the Lender shall be relieved of all responsibility for the Collateral upon surrendering it or tendering the surrender of it to the Grantors. The Lender shall be deemed to have exercised reasonable care in the custody and preservation of the Collateral in its possession if the Collateral is accorded treatment substantially equal to that which the Lender accords its own property, which shall be no less than the treatment employed by a reasonable and prudent agent in the industry, it being understood that the Lender shall not have responsibility for taking any necessary steps to preserve rights against any parties with respect to any of the Collateral. In the event of a public or private sale of Collateral pursuant to Section 7 hereof, the Lender shall have no responsibility for (i) ascertaining or taking action with respect to calls, conversions, exchanges, maturities, tenders or other matters relating to any Collateral, whether or not the Lender has or is deemed to have knowledge of such matters, or (ii) taking any steps to clean, repair or otherwise prepare the Collateral for sale.

(d) Liability with Respect to Accounts. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, each of the Grantors shall remain liable under each of the Accounts to observe and perform all the conditions and obligations to be observed and performed by it thereunder, all in accordance with the terms of any agreement giving rise to each such Account. Neither the Lender nor any Secured Party shall have any obligation or liability under any Account (or any agreement giving rise thereto) by reason of or arising out of this Agreement or the receipt by the Lender or any Secured Party of any payment relating to such Account pursuant hereto, nor shall the Lender or any Secured Party be obligated in any manner to perform any of the obligations of a Grantor under or pursuant to any Account (or any agreement giving rise thereto), to make any payment, to make any inquiry as to the nature or the sufficiency of any payment received by it or as to the sufficiency of any performance by any party under any Account (or any agreement giving rise thereto), to present or file any claim, to take any action to enforce any performance or to collect the payment of any amounts which may have been assigned to it or to which it may be entitled at any time or times.

(e) Releases of Collateral.

(i) If any Collateral shall be sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of by any Grantor in a transaction permitted by the A&R Credit Agreement, then the Lender, at the request and sole expense of such Grantor, shall promptly execute and deliver to such Grantor all releases and other documents, and take such other action, reasonably necessary for the release of the Liens created hereby or by any other Collateral Document on such Collateral.

(ii) The Lender may release any of the Pledged Equity from this Agreement or may substitute any of the Pledged Equity for other Pledged Equity

 

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without altering, varying or diminishing in any way the force, effect, lien, pledge or security interest of this Agreement as to any Pledged Equity not expressly released or substituted, and this Agreement shall continue as a first priority lien on all Pledged Equity not expressly released or substituted.

9. Application of Proceeds. After the exercise of remedies provided for in Section 8.02 of the A&R Credit Agreement (or after the Loans have automatically become immediately due and payable and the L/C Obligations have automatically been required to be Cash Collateralized as set forth in Section 8.02 of the A&R Credit Agreement) any payments in respect of the Secured Obligations and any proceeds of the Collateral, when received by the Lender or any Secured Party in cash or Cash Equivalents will be applied in reduction of the Secured Obligations in the order set forth in the A&R Credit Agreement.

10. Continuing Agreement.

(a)This Agreement shall remain in full force and effect until the Facility Termination Date, at which time this Agreement shall be automatically terminated (other than obligations under this Agreement which expressly survive such termination) and the Lender shall, upon the request and at the expense of the Grantors, forthwith release all of its liens and security interests hereunder and shall execute and deliver all UCC termination statements and/or other documents reasonably requested by the Grantors evidencing such termination.

(b)This Agreement shall continue to be effective or be automatically reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment, in whole or in part, of any of the Secured Obligations is rescinded or must otherwise be restored or returned by the Lender or any Secured Party as a preference, fraudulent conveyance or otherwise under any Debtor Relief Law, all as though such payment had not been made; provided that in the event payment of all or any part of the Secured Obligations is rescinded or must be restored or returned, all reasonable costs and expenses (including without limitation any reasonable legal fees and disbursements) incurred by the Lender or any Secured Party in defending and enforcing such reinstatement shall be deemed to be included as a part of the Secured Obligations.

11. Amendments; Waivers; Modifications, etc. This Agreement and the provisions hereof may not be amended, waived, modified, changed, discharged or terminated except as set forth in Section 10.01 of the A&R Credit Agreement.

12. Successors in Interest. This Agreement shall be binding upon each Grantor, its successors and assigns and shall inure, together with the rights and remedies of the Lender and the Secured Parties hereunder, to the benefit of the Lender and the Secured Parties and their successors and permitted assigns.

13. Notices. All notices required or permitted to be given under this Agreement shall be in conformance with Section 10.02 of the A&R Credit Agreement; provided that notices and communications to the Grantors shall be directed to the Grantors, at the address of the U.S. Borrower set forth in Section 10.02 of the A&R Credit Agreement.

 

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14. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which where so executed and delivered shall be an original, but all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument. It shall not be necessary in making proof of this Agreement to produce or account for more than one such counterpart. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by fax transmission or other electronic mail transmission (e.g. “pdf” or “tif”) shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement. Without limiting the foregoing, to the extent a manually executed counterpart is not specifically required to be delivered, upon the request of any party, such fax transmission or electronic mail transmission shall be promptly followed by such manually executed counterpart.

15. Headings. The headings of the sections hereof are provided for convenience only and shall not in any way affect the meaning or construction of any provision of this Agreement.

16. Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction; Venue; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. The terms of Sections 10.13 and 10.14 of the A&R Credit Agreement with respect to governing law, submission to jurisdiction, venue and waiver of jury trial are incorporated herein by reference, mutatis mutandis, and the parties hereto agree to such terms.

17. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is determined to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, such provision shall be fully severable and the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect and shall be construed without giving effect to the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provisions.

18. Entirety. This Agreement, the other Loan Documents and the other documents relating to the Secured Obligations represent the entire agreement of the parties hereto and thereto, and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, oral or written, if any, including any commitment letters or correspondence relating to the Loan Documents, any other documents relating to the Secured Obligations, or the transactions contemplated herein and therein.

19. Other Security. To the extent that any of the Secured Obligations are now or hereafter secured by property other than the Collateral (including, without limitation, real property and securities owned by a Grantor), or by a guarantee, endorsement or property of any other Person, then the Lender shall have the right to proceed against such other property, guarantee or endorsement upon the occurrence of any Event of Default, and the Lender shall have the right, in its sole discretion, to determine which rights, security, liens, security interests or remedies the Lender shall at any time pursue, relinquish, subordinate, modify or take with respect thereto, without in any way modifying or affecting any of them or the Secured Obligations or any of the rights of the Lender or the Secured Parties under this Agreement, under any other of the Loan Documents or under any other document relating to the Secured Obligations.

20. Joinder. At any time after the date of this Agreement, one or more additional Persons may become party hereto by executing and delivering to the Lender a Joinder Agreement in the form of Exhibit B to the A&R Credit Agreement or such other form acceptable to the Lender. Immediately upon such execution and delivery of such Joinder Agreement (and without any further action), each such additional Person will become a party to this Agreement as an “Grantor” and have all of the rights and obligations of a Grantor hereunder and this Agreement and the schedules hereto shall be deemed amended by such Joinder Agreement.

 

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21. Consent of Issuers of Pledged Equity. Any Loan Party that is an Issuer hereby acknowledges, consents and agrees to the grant of the security interests in such Pledged Equity by the applicable Grantors pursuant to this Agreement, together with all rights accompanying such security interest as provided by this Agreement and applicable Law, notwithstanding any anti-assignment provisions in any operating agreement, limited partnership agreement or similar organizational or governance documents of such Issuer.

22. Joint and Several Obligations of Grantors.

(a) Each of the Grantors is accepting joint and several liability hereunder in consideration of the financial accommodations to be provided by the Lender under the A&R Credit Agreement, for the mutual benefit, directly and indirectly, of each of the Grantors and in consideration of the undertakings of each of the Grantors to accept joint and several liability for the obligations of each of them.

(b) Each of the Grantors jointly and severally hereby irrevocably and unconditionally accepts, not merely as a surety but also as a primary obligor, joint and several liability with the other Grantors with respect to the payment and performance of all of the Secured Obligations, it being the intention of the parties hereto that (i) all the Secured Obligations shall be the joint and several obligations of each of the Grantors without preferences or distinction among them and (ii) a separate action may be brought against each Grantor to enforce this Agreement whether or not the U.S. Borrower, any other Grantor or any other person or entity is joined as a party.

(c) Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained herein, in any other of the Loan Documents, to the extent the obligations of a Grantor shall be adjudicated to be invalid or unenforceable for any reason (including, without limitation, because of any applicable state or federal law relating to fraudulent conveyances or transfers) then the obligations of such Grantor hereunder shall be limited to the maximum amount that is permissible under applicable law (whether federal or state and including, without limitation, Debtor Relief Laws).

23. Marshaling. The Lender shall not be required to marshal any present or future collateral security (including but not limited to the Collateral) for, or other assurances of payment of, the Secured Obligations or any of them or to resort to such collateral security or other assurances of payment in any particular order, and all of its rights and remedies hereunder and in respect of such collateral security and other assurances of payment shall be cumulative and in addition to all other rights and remedies, however existing or arising. To the extent that it lawfully may, each Grantor hereby agrees that it will not invoke any law relating to the marshaling of collateral which might cause delay in or impede the enforcement of the Lender’s rights and remedies under this Agreement or under any other instrument creating or evidencing any of the Secured Obligations or under which any of the Secured Obligations is outstanding or by which any of the Secured Obligations is secured or payment thereof is otherwise assured, and, to the extent that it lawfully may, each Grantor hereby irrevocably waives the benefits of all such laws.

 

-28-


24. Injunctive Relief.

(a) Each Grantor recognizes that, in the event such Grantor fails to perform, observe or discharge any of its obligations or liabilities under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, any remedy of law may prove to be inadequate relief to the Lender and the other Secured Parties. Therefore, each Grantor agrees that the Lender and the other Secured Parties, at the option of the Lender and the other Secured Parties, shall be entitled to temporary and permanent injunctive relief in any such case without the necessity of proving actual damages.

(b) The Lender, the other Secured Parties and each Grantor hereby agree that no such Person shall have a remedy of punitive or exemplary damages against any other party to a Loan Document and each such Person hereby waives any right or claim to punitive or exemplary damages that they may now have or may arise in the future in connection with any dispute under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, whether such dispute is resolved through arbitration or judicially.

25. Amendment and Restatement. This Agreement constitutes an amendment and restatement of the Existing Pledge and Security Agreement effective from and after the date hereof. The execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby are not intended by the parties to be, and shall not constitute, a novation or an accord and satisfaction of the Guaranteed Obligations or any other obligations owing to the Lender under the Existing Pledge and Security Agreement. Each of the parties hereto hereby acknowledges and agrees that the pledge and grant of the security interests in the Collateral pursuant to this Agreement is not intended to, nor shall it be construed, as constituting a release of any prior pledge or security interests granted by Debtor in favor of the Lender under the Existing Pledge and Security Agreement, but is intended to constitute a restatement and reconfirmation of the prior security interests granted by any such Grantor in favor of the Lender in and to the Collateral.

[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

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Each of the parties hereto has caused a counterpart of this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered as of the date first above written.

 

GRANTORS:  

ASTRONOVA, INC.

  By:   /s/ David S. Smith
    Name:   David S. Smith
    Title:   Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

[Signature Page to AstroNova, Inc. Security and Pledge Agreement]


Accepted and agreed to as of the date first above written.

 

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Lender
By:   /s/ Nicholas Storti
Name:   Nicholas Storti
Title:   Senior Vice President

[Signature Page to AstroNova, Inc. Security and Pledge Agreement]


EXHIBIT A

[FORM OF]

IRREVOCABLE STOCK POWER

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers to __________________ the following Equity Interests of [___________], a [_________] [corporation] [limited liability company]:

 

No. of Shares   Certificate No.

and irrevocably appoints __________________________________ its agent and attorney-in-fact to transfer all or any part of such Equity Interests and to take all necessary and appropriate action to effect any such transfer. The agent and attorney-in-fact may substitute and appoint one or more persons to act for him.

 

 
By:    
Name:    

Title:

   

 

A-1


EXHIBIT B

[FORM OF]

NOTICE

OF

GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST

IN

COPYRIGHTS

United States Copyright Office

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Please be advised that pursuant to the Amended and Restated Security and Pledge Agreement dated as of July [__], 2020 (as amended, modified, extended, restated, renewed, replaced, or supplemented from time to time, the “Agreement”) by and among the Grantors party thereto (each an “Grantor” and collectively, the “Grantors”) and Bank of America, N.A., as lender (the “Lender”) for the Secured Parties referenced therein, the undersigned Grantor has granted a continuing security interest in and continuing lien upon the copyrights and copyright applications shown on Schedule 1 attached hereto to the Lender for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties.

The undersigned Grantor and the Lender, on behalf of the Secured Parties, hereby acknowledge and agree that the security interest in the foregoing copyrights and copyright applications (a) may only be terminated in accordance with the terms of the Agreement and (b) is not to be construed as an assignment of any copyright or copyright application.

 

Very truly yours,
[GRANTOR]
By:    
Name:    

Title:

   

 

Acknowledged and Accepted:
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Lender
By:    
Name:    

Title:

   

 

 

B-1


EXHIBIT C

[FORM OF]

NOTICE

OF

GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST

IN

PATENTS

United States Patent and Trademark Office

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Please be advised that pursuant to the Amended and Restated Security and Pledge Agreement dated as of July [__], 2020 (as amended, modified, extended, restated, renewed, replaced, or supplemented from time to time, the “Agreement”) by and among the Grantors party thereto (each an “Grantor” and collectively, the “Grantors”) and Bank of America, N.A., as lender (the “Lender”) for the Secured Parties referenced therein, the undersigned Grantor has granted a continuing security interest in and continuing lien upon the patents and patent applications shown on Schedule 1 attached hereto to the Lender for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties.

The undersigned Grantor and the Lender, on behalf of the Secured Parties, hereby acknowledge and agree that the security interest in the foregoing patents and patent applications (a) may only be terminated in accordance with the terms of the Agreement and (b) is not to be construed as an assignment of any patent or patent application.

 

Very truly yours,
[GRANTOR]
By:    
Name:    

Title:

   

 

Acknowledged and Accepted:
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Lender
By:    
Name:    

Title:

   

 

 

C-1


EXHIBIT D

[FORM OF]

NOTICE

OF

GRANT OF SECURITY INTEREST

IN

TRADEMARKS

United States Patent and Trademark Office

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Please be advised that pursuant to the Amended and Restated Security and Pledge Agreement dated as of July [__], 2020 (as amended, modified, extended, restated, renewed, replaced, or supplemented from time to time, the “Agreement”) and among the Grantors party thereto (each an “Grantor” and collectively, the “Grantors”) and Bank of America, N.A., as lender (the “Lender”) for the Secured Parties referenced therein, the undersigned Grantor has granted a continuing security interest in and continuing lien upon the trademarks and trademark applications shown on Schedule 1 attached hereto to the Lender for the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties.

The undersigned Grantor and the Lender, on behalf of the Secured Parties, hereby acknowledge and agree that the security interest in the foregoing trademarks and trademark applications (a) may only be terminated in accordance with the terms of the Agreement and (b) is not to be construed as an assignment of any trademark or trademark application.

 

Very truly yours,
[GRANTOR]
By:    
Name:    

Title:

   

 

Acknowledged and Accepted:
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as Lender
By:    
Name:    

Title:

   

 

 

D-1

EX-10.3

Exhibit 10.3

 

 

 

OPEN-END MORTGAGE DEED TO SECURE PRESENT

AND FUTURE LOANS UNDER CHAPTER 25 OF TITLE 34

OF THE RHODE ISLAND GENERAL LAWS,

ASSIGNMENT OF LEASES AND RENTS,

SECURITY AGREEMENT AND

FIXTURE FILING

by

ASTRONOVA, INC.,

a Rhode Island corporation,

as Mortgagor

and

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,

a national banking association,

as Mortgagee

This document serves as a Fixture Filing under the Rhode Island Uniform Commercial Code.

Mortgagor’s Organizational Identification Number is 000001534.

Property Commonly Known As: 600 East Greenwich Avenue

(a/k/a Assessor’s Plat 30, Lots 46, 40, 48, 24, 64 and 37)

City/County: West Warwick, Kent County

State: Rhode Island

 

 

 

RI CREB Mortgage - 810943

Revised June 12, 2019


OPEN-END MORTGAGE DEED TO SECURE PRESENT AND FUTURE LOANS UNDER CHAPTER 25 OF TITLE 34 OF THE RHODE ISLAND GENERAL LAWS, ASSIGNMENT OF LEASES AND RENTS, SECURITY AGREEMENT AND FIXTURE FILING

This OPEN-END MORTGAGE DEED TO SECURE PRESENT AND FUTURE LOANS UNDER CHAPTER 25 OF TITLE 34 OF THE RHODE ISLAND GENERAL LAWS, ASSIGNMENT OF LEASES AND RENTS, SECURITY AGREEMENT AND FIXTURE FILING is made as of the 30th day of July, 2020 (the “Effective Date”), by ASTRONOVA, INC., a Rhode Island corporation (herein referred to as “Mortgagor”), whose address is 600 East Greenwich Avenue, West Warwick, Rhode Island 02893, to BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., a national banking association (“Mortgagee”), whose address is 100 Westminster Street RI-536-10-01, Providence, RI 02903.

Recitals

WHEREAS, Mortgagor has requested that Mortgagee make the Loan (as hereinafter defined) to Mortgagor. As a condition precedent to making the Loan, Mortgagee has required that Mortgagor execute and deliver this Open-End Mortgage Deed to Secure Present and Future Loans Under Chapter 25 of Title 34 of The Rhode Island General Laws, Assignment of Leases and Rents, Security Agreement and Fixture Filing.

Grants and Agreements

Now, therefore, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged by Mortgagor, and in order to induce Mortgagee to make the Loan to Mortgagor, Mortgagor agrees as follows:

Article I

Definitions.

As used in this Mortgage, the terms defined in the Preamble hereto shall have the respective meanings specified therein, and the following additional terms shall have the meanings specified:

Accessories” means all fixtures, fittings, apparatus, equipment, systems, machinery, furnishings, appliances, building and construction materials, supplies and other articles of personal property and replacements thereof, of every kind and character, tangible and intangible (including software embedded therein), now owned or hereafter acquired by Mortgagor, which are now or hereafter attached to, affixed to, placed upon or situated in, on or about the Land or Improvements, or used in or necessary to the complete and proper planning, development, use, occupancy or operation thereof, or acquired (whether delivered to the Land or stored elsewhere) for use or installation in or on the Land or Improvements, and all Additions to the foregoing, all of which are hereby declared to be permanent accessions to the Land, but excluding the Movable Personal Property.

Accounts” means all accounts of Mortgagor within the meaning of the Uniform Commercial Code of the State, derived from or arising out of the use, occupancy or enjoyment of the Property or for services rendered therein or thereon.

Additions” means any and all alterations, additions, accessions and improvements to property, substitutions therefor, and renewals and replacements thereof.

Claim” means any liability, suit, action, claim, demand, loss, expense, penalty, fine, judgment or other cost of any kind or nature whatsoever, including fees, costs and expenses of attorneys, consultants, contractors and experts.

 

Page 1


Condemnation” means any taking of title to, use of, or any other interest in the Property under the exercise of the power of condemnation or eminent domain, whether temporarily or permanently, by any Governmental Authority or by any other Person acting under or for the benefit of a Governmental Authority.

Condemnation Awards” means any and all judgments, awards of damages (including severance and consequential damages), payments, proceeds, settlements, amounts paid for a taking in lieu of Condemnation, or other compensation heretofore or hereafter made, including interest thereon, and the right to receive the same, as a result of, or in connection with, any Condemnation or threatened Condemnation.

Contract of Sale” means any contract for the sale of all or any part of the Property or any interest therein, whether now in existence or hereafter executed.

Controlled Substances Act” means the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. Sections 801 et seq.), as amended from time to time, and any successor statute.

Default” means an event or circumstance which, with the giving of Notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default under the provisions of this Mortgage.

Design and Construction Documents” means, collectively, (a) all contracts for services to be rendered, work to be performed or materials to be supplied in the development of the Land or the construction or repair of Improvements, including all agreements with architects, engineers or contractors for such services, work or materials; (b) all plans, drawings and specifications for the development of the Land or the construction or repair of Improvements; (c) all permits, licenses, variances and other rights or approvals issued by or obtained from any Governmental Authority or other Person in connection with the development of the Land or the construction or repair of Improvements; and (d) all amendments of or supplements to any of the foregoing.

Encumbrance” means any Lien, easement, right of way, roadway (public or private), declaration, condition, covenant, or restriction (including any declaration, condition, covenant, or restriction in connection with any condominium development or cooperative housing development), Lease or other matter of any nature that would affect title to the Property.

Environmental Agreement” means the Environmental Indemnification and Release Agreement of even date herewith by and between Mortgagor and Mortgagee pertaining to the Property, as the same may from time to time be extended, amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified.

Event of Default” means an event or circumstance specified in Article VI and the continuance of such event or circumstance beyond the applicable grace and/or cure periods therefor, if any, set forth in Article VI.

Expenses” means all fees, charges, costs and expenses of any nature whatsoever, including, without limitation, any expenses set forth in the other Loan Documents, incurred at any time and from time to time (whether before or after an Event of Default) by Mortgagee in making the Loan, in protecting the security of this Mortgage, or in exercising or enforcing any rights, powers and remedies provided in this Mortgage or any of the other Loan Documents, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, court costs, receiver’s fees, management fees and costs incurred in the completion, repair, maintenance and operation of, or taking possession of, or selling, the Property.

Flood Insurance Laws” means, collectively, (a) the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, (b) the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973, and (c) the National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994, and any regulation promulgated thereto, each as amended and together with any successor Law of such type.

Governmental Authority” or “Governmental Authorities” means the government of the United States or any other nation, or of any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government (including any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank).

 

Page 2


Hedge Agreement” means any agreement, if and only if evidenced by a writing reciting that it is secured by this Mortgage, relating to any transaction that is a rate swap, basis swap transaction, forward rate transaction, commodity swap, commodity option, equity or equity index swap or option, bond option, note or bill option, interest rate option, forward foreign exchange transaction, cap transaction, spot or floor transaction, collar transaction, currency swap transaction, cross-currency rate swap transaction, swap option, currency option, credit swap or default transaction, T-lock, or any other similar transaction (including any option to enter into any of the foregoing) or any combination of the foregoing, and, unless the context otherwise clearly requires, any agreement or contract that constitutes a “swap” within the meaning of Section 1a(47) of the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. § 1 et seq.), as amended from time to time, and any successor statute, and CFTC Regulation 1.3(xxx), any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., and any other master agreement, entered into by Mortgagor, together with any related schedules and confirmations, as the same may be amended, restated, replaced, supplemented, superseded or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with its terms, relating to or governing any or all of the foregoing.

Improvements” means all buildings, structures and replacements thereof and other improvements now or hereafter existing, erected or placed on the Land, including all plant, equipment, apparatus, machinery and fixtures of every kind and nature whatsoever forming part of said structures and/or buildings together with any on-site improvements and off-site improvements in any way used or to be used in connection with the use, enjoyment, occupancy or operation of the Land.

Insurance Proceeds” means the insurance claims under and the proceeds of any and all policies of insurance covering the Property or any part thereof, including all returned and unearned premiums with respect to any insurance relating to such Property, in each case whether now or hereafter existing or arising.

Land” means the real property described in Exhibit A attached hereto and made a part hereof.

Law” or “Laws” means, collectively, all international, foreign, federal, state and local statutes, treaties, rules, guidelines, regulations, ordinances, codes and administrative or judicial precedents or authorities, including the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority charged with the enforcement, interpretation or administration thereof, and all applicable administrative orders, directed duties, requests, licenses, authorizations and permits of, and agreements with, any Governmental Authority, in each case whether or not having the force of law. With respect to Mortgagor and the Property, “Law” or “Laws” includes all Laws pertaining to the construction, sale, leasing or use of the Improvements and to access and facilities for handicapped or disabled persons, including without limitation and to the extent applicable, any building codes, the Controlled Substances Act, the Flood Insurance Laws, the Federal Architectural Barriers Act (42 U.S.C. § 4151 et seq.), the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 (42 U.S.C. § 3601 et seq.), the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq.), the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. § 794), each as amended to date and further amended from time to time.

Lease(s)” means all leases, license agreements and other occupancy or use agreements (whether oral or written), now or hereafter existing, which cover or relate to the Property or any part thereof, together with all options therefor, amendments thereto and renewals, modifications and guaranties thereof, including any cash or security deposited under the Leases to secure performance by the tenants of their obligations under the Leases, whether such cash or security is to be held until the expiration of the terms of the Leases or applied to one or more of the installments of rent coming due thereunder.

 

Page 3


Letter of Credit” or “Letters of Credit” means any letter of credit issued by Mortgagee for the account of Mortgagor or its nominee in connection with the Land or the Improvements, together with any and all extensions, renewals or modifications thereof, substitutions therefor or replacements thereof, if and only if evidenced by a writing reciting that the same is or are secured by this Mortgage.

Lien” has the meaning given to such term in the Loan Agreement.

Loan” means, collectively, the loans from Mortgagee to Mortgagor pursuant to the Loan Agreement, the repayment obligations in connection with which are evidenced by the Note.

Loan Agreement” means the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement of even date herewith between Mortgagor and Mortgagee which sets forth, among other things, the terms and conditions upon which the proceeds of the Loan will be disbursed, as the same may from time to time be extended, amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified.

Loan Documents” means this Mortgage, the Note, the Environmental Agreement, the Loan Agreement, any Hedge Agreement, any application or reimbursement agreement executed in connection with any Letter of Credit, and any and all other documents which Mortgagor or any other party or parties have executed and delivered, or may hereafter execute and deliver, to evidence, secure or guarantee the Obligations, or any part thereof, as the same may from time to time be extended, amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified.

Mortgage” means this Open-End Mortgage Deed to Secure Present and Future Loans Under Chapter 25 of Title 34 of The Rhode Island General Laws, Assignment of Leases and Rents, Security Agreement and Fixture Filing, as the same may from time to time be extended, renewed, amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified.

Movable Personal Property” means any item of tangible personal property owned by Borrower that is not a fixture or otherwise affixed or to become affixed to the Real Property. By way of example but not in limitation, Movable Personal Property would include desks, chairs and other furniture, curtains, portable dishwashers and portable microwave ovens, clothes washers and dryers and other portable equipment, and inventory.

Note” means, singly and collectively, (i) that certain Term Note of even date herewith made by Mortgagor payable to the order of Mortgagee in the principal face amount of Fifteen Million Two Hundred Thirty-Two Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($15,232,000.00) and (ii) that certain Revolving Note of even date herewith made by Mortgagor payable to the order of Mortgagee in the principal face amount of Ten Million and No/100 Dollars ($10,000,000.00), as the same may from time to time be extended, renewed, amended, restated, replaced, supplemented or otherwise modified.

Notice” means a notice, request, consent, demand or other communication given in accordance with the provisions of this Mortgage.

Obligations” means all present and future debts, advances, obligations and liabilities of Mortgagor to Mortgagee arising pursuant to, and/or on account of, the provisions of this Mortgage, the Note or any of the other Loan Documents, including the obligations: (a) to pay all principal, interest, late charges, prepayment premiums (if any) and other amounts due at any time under the Note; (b) to pay all Expenses, indemnification payments, fees and other amounts due at any time under this Mortgage or any of the other Loan Documents, together with interest thereon as herein or therein provided; (c) to pay and perform all obligations of Mortgagor under any Hedge Agreement between Mortgagor and Mortgagee (or its affiliate); (d) to perform, observe and comply with all of the other terms, covenants and conditions, expressed or implied, which Mortgagor is required to perform, observe or comply with pursuant to this Mortgage or any of the other Loan Documents; and (e) to pay and perform all future advances and other obligations that Mortgagor or any successor in ownership of all or part of the Property may agree to pay and/or perform (whether as principal, surety or guarantor) for the benefit of Mortgagee, when a writing evidences the parties’ agreement that the advance or obligation be secured by this Mortgage.

 

Page 4


Permitted Encumbrances” means (a) any matters set forth in any policy of title insurance issued to Mortgagee and insuring Mortgagee’s interest in the Property which are acceptable to Mortgagee as of the date hereof, (b) the Liens and interests of this Mortgage, (c) any Permitted Lien (as defined in the Loan Agreement), and (d) any other Encumbrance that Mortgagee shall expressly approve in writing in its sole and absolute discretion.

Person” means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, Governmental Authority or other entity.

Personalty” means all personal property of any kind or nature whatsoever, whether tangible or intangible and whether now owned or hereafter acquired, in which Mortgagor now has or hereafter acquires an interest and which is used in the construction of, or is placed upon, or is derived from or used in connection with the maintenance, use, occupancy or enjoyment of, the Property, including (a) the Accessories; (b) the Accounts; (c) all franchise, license, management or other agreements with respect to the operation of the Real Property or the business conducted therein (provided all of such agreements shall be subordinate to this Mortgage, and Mortgagee shall have no responsibility for the performance of Mortgagor’s obligations thereunder) and all general intangibles (including payment intangibles, trademarks, trade names, goodwill, software and symbols) related to the Real Property or the operation thereof; (d) all sewer and water taps, appurtenant water stock or water rights, allocations and agreements for utilities, bonds, letters of credit, letter-of-credit rights, permits, certificates, licenses, guaranties, warranties, causes of action, judgments, Claims, profits, security deposits, utility deposits, deposits or escrows for taxes, insurance or other matters, and all rebates or refunds of fees, Taxes, assessments, charges or deposits paid to any Governmental Authority related to the Real Property or the operation thereof; (e) all of Mortgagor’s rights and interests under all Hedge Agreements, including all rights to the payment of money from Mortgagee (or its affiliate) under any Hedge Agreement and all accounts, deposit accounts and general intangibles, including payment intangibles, described in any Hedge Agreement; (f) all insurance policies held by Mortgagor with respect to the Property or Mortgagor’s operation thereof; and (g) all money, instruments, chattel paper, or mortgages and documents (whether tangible or electronic) arising from or by virtue of any transactions related to the Property, and all deposits and deposit accounts of Mortgagor with Mortgagee related to the Property, including any such deposit account from which Mortgagor may from time to time authorize Mortgagee to debit and/or credit payments due with respect to the Loan; together with all Additions to and Proceeds of all of the foregoing, but excluding any Movable Personal Property.

Proceeds” when used with respect to any of the Property, means all proceeds of such Property, including all Insurance Proceeds and all other proceeds within the meaning of that term as defined in the Uniform Commercial Code of the State.

Property” means the Real Property and the Personalty and all other rights, interests and benefits of every kind and character which Mortgagor now has or hereafter acquires in, to or for the benefit of the Real Property and/or the Personalty and all other property and rights used or useful in connection therewith, including all Leases, all Rents, all Condemnation Awards, all Proceeds, and all of Mortgagor’s right, title and interest in and to all Design and Construction Documents, and all Contracts of Sale.

Property Assessments” means all Taxes, payments in lieu of taxes, water rents, sewer rents, assessments, condominium and owner’s association assessments and charges, maintenance charges and other governmental or municipal or public or private dues, charges and levies and any Liens (including federal tax liens) which are or may be levied, imposed or assessed upon the Property or any part thereof, or upon any Leases or any Rents, whether levied directly or indirectly or as excise taxes, as income taxes, or otherwise.

 

Page 5


Real Property” means the Land and Improvements, together with (a) all estates, title interests, title reversion rights, remainders, increases, issues, profits, rights of way or uses, additions, accretions, servitudes, strips, gaps, gores, liberties, privileges, water rights, water courses, alleys, passages, ways, vaults, licenses, tenements, franchises, hereditaments, royalties, appurtenances, air space, easements, rights-of-way, rights of ingress or egress, parking rights, timber, crops, mineral interests and other rights, now or hereafter owned by Mortgagor and belonging or appertaining to the Land or Improvements; (b) all Claims whatsoever of Mortgagor with respect to the Land or Improvements, either in law or in equity, in possession or in expectancy; (c) all estate, right, title and interest of Mortgagor in and to all streets, roads and public places, opened or proposed, now or hereafter adjoining or appertaining to the Land or Improvements; and (d) all options to purchase the Land or Improvements, or any portion thereof or interest therein, and any greater estate in the Land or Improvements, and all Additions to and Proceeds of the foregoing.

Rents” means all of the rents, royalties, issues, profits, revenues, earnings, income and other benefits of the Property or any part thereof, or arising from the use or enjoyment of the Property or any part thereof, including all such amounts paid under or arising from any of the Leases and all fees, charges, accounts or other payments for the use or occupancy of rooms or other public facilities within the Real Property or any part thereof.

State” means the state in which the Land is located.

Taxes” means all taxes and assessments, whether general or special, ordinary or extraordinary, or foreseen or unforeseen, which at any time may be assessed, levied, confirmed or imposed by any Governmental Authority or any community facilities or other private district on Mortgagor or on any of its properties or assets or any part thereof or in respect of any of its franchises, businesses, income or profits.

Transfer” means any direct or indirect sale, assignment, conveyance or transfer, including any Contract of Sale and any other contract or agreement to sell, assign, convey or transfer, in whole or in part, whether made voluntarily or by operation of Law or otherwise, and whether made with or without consideration.

Article II

Granting Clauses; Condition of Grant.

Section 2.1 Conveyances and Security Interests.

In order to secure the prompt payment and performance of the Obligations, Mortgagor (a) grants, bargains, sells, conveys, transfers and assigns with MORTGAGE COVENANTS, UPON THE STATUTORY CONDITION AND WITH THE STATUTORY POWER OF SALE the Real Property unto Mortgagee, all estate, right, title and interest of Mortgagor in and to the Real Property, whether now owned or held or hereafter acquired by Mortgagor, to have and hold the Real Property unto Mortgagee, its successors and assigns forever; and to hold the Real Property unto Mortgagee in fee simple forever; provided that Mortgagor may retain possession of the Real Property until the occurrence of an Event of Default; (b) grants to Mortgagee a security interest in the Personalty; (c) assigns to Mortgagee, and grants to Mortgagee a security interest in, all Condemnation Awards and all Insurance Proceeds; and (d) assigns to Mortgagee, and grants to Mortgagee a security interest in, all of Mortgagor’s right, title and interest in, but not any of Mortgagor’s obligations or liabilities under, all Design and Construction Documents, and all Contracts of Sale. All Persons who may have or acquire an interest in all or any part of the Property will be deemed to have notice of, and will be bound by, the terms of the Obligations and each other agreement or instrument made or entered into in connection with each of the Obligations. Such terms include any provisions in the Note, the Loan Agreement or any Hedge Agreement between Mortgagor and Mortgagee (or its affiliate) which provide that the interest rate on one or more of the Obligations may vary from time to time. The definition of “Obligations” includes future advances.

 

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Section 2.2 Absolute Assignment of Leases and Rents.

In consideration of the making of the Loan by Mortgagee to Mortgagor, the sum of Ten and No/100 Dollars ($10.00) and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, Mortgagor absolutely and unconditionally assigns the Leases and Rents to Mortgagee. This assignment is, and is intended to be, an unconditional, absolute and present assignment from Mortgagor to Mortgagee of all of Mortgagor’s right, title and interest in and to the Leases and the Rents and not an assignment in the nature of a pledge of the Leases and Rents or the mere grant of a security interest therein. So long as no Event of Default shall exist, however, and so long as Mortgagor is not in default in the performance of any obligation, covenant or agreement contained in the Leases, Mortgagor shall have a license (which license shall terminate automatically and without notice upon the occurrence of an Event of Default or a default by Mortgagor under the Leases) to collect, but not prior to accrual, all Rents. Mortgagor agrees to collect and hold all Rents in trust for Mortgagee and, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, to pay over all Rents to Mortgagee, or apply them as otherwise directed by Mortgagee.

Section 2.3 Security Agreement, Fixture Filing and Financing Statement.

This Mortgage creates a security interest in the Personalty, and, to the extent the Personalty is not real property, this Mortgage constitutes a security agreement from Mortgagor to Mortgagee under the Uniform Commercial Code of the State. Notwithstanding anything herein or in any other Loan Documents to the contrary, this Mortgage does not grant to Mortgagee a security interest in any Movable Personal Property. In addition to all of its other rights under this Mortgage and otherwise, Mortgagee shall have all of the rights of a secured party under the Uniform Commercial Code of the State, as in effect from time to time, or under the Uniform Commercial Code in force from time to time in any other state to the extent the same is applicable Law. This Mortgage shall be effective as a financing statement filed as a fixture filing with respect to all fixtures included within the Property and is to be filed for record in the land evidence records of each city or town where any part of the Property (including such fixtures) is situated. This Mortgage shall also be effective as a financing statement with respect to any other Property as to which a security interest may be perfected by the filing of a financing statement and may be filed as such in any appropriate filing or recording office. The respective mailing addresses of Mortgagor and Mortgagee are set forth in the opening paragraph of this Mortgage. A carbon, photographic or other reproduction of this Mortgage or any other financing statement relating to this Mortgage shall be sufficient as a financing statement for any of the purposes referred to in this Section. Mortgagor hereby irrevocably authorizes Mortgagee at any time and from time to time to file any initial financing statements, amendments thereto and continuation statements as authorized by applicable Law, reasonably required by Mortgagee to establish or maintain the validity, perfection and priority of the security interests granted in this Mortgage. The foregoing authorization includes Mortgagor’s irrevocable authorization for Mortgagee at any time and from time to time to file any initial financing statements and amendments thereto that indicate the Personalty (a) as “all assets” of Mortgagor or words of similar effect, but excluding any Movable Personal Property, regardless of whether any particular asset comprised in the Personalty falls within the scope of the Uniform Commercial Code of the State or the jurisdiction where the initial financing statement or amendment is filed, or (b) as being of an equal or lesser scope or with greater detail.

Section 2.4 Release of Mortgage and Termination of Assignments and Financing Statements.

If and when Mortgagor has paid and performed all of the Obligations, and no further advances are to be made under the Loan Agreement, Mortgagee will provide a discharge of the Property and a release of the lien of this Mortgage and termination statements for filed financing statements, if any, to Mortgagor. Mortgagor shall be responsible for the recordation of such release and the payment of any recording and filing costs. Upon the recording of such release and the filing of such termination statements, the absolute assignments set forth in Section 2.2 shall automatically terminate and become null and void.

 

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Article III

Representations and Warranties.

Mortgagor makes the following representations and warranties to Mortgagee:

Section 3.1 Title to Real Property.

Mortgagor (a) owns good and marketable fee simple title to the Real Property, (b) owns all of the beneficial and equitable interest in and to the Real Property, and (c) is lawfully seized and possessed of the Real Property. Mortgagor has the right and authority to mortgage and convey the Real Property and does hereby mortgage and convey the Real Property with general warranty to Mortgagee. The Real Property is subject to no Encumbrances other than the Permitted Encumbrances.

Section 3.2 Title to Other Property.

Mortgagor has good title to the Personalty, and the Personalty is not subject to any Encumbrance other than the Permitted Encumbrances. None of the Leases, Rents, Design and Construction Documents, or Contracts of Sale are subject to any Encumbrance other than the Permitted Encumbrances.

Section 3.3 Property Assessments.

The Real Property is assessed for purposes of Property Assessments as a separate and distinct parcel from any other property, such that the Real Property shall never become subject to the Lien of any Property Assessments levied or assessed against any property other than the Real Property.

Section 3.4 Independence of the Real Property.

No buildings or other improvements on property not covered by this Mortgage rely on the Real Property or any interest therein to fulfill any requirement of any Governmental Authority for the existence of such property, building or improvements; and none of the Real Property relies, or will rely, on any property not covered by this Mortgage or any interest therein to fulfill any requirement of any Governmental Authority. The Real Property has been properly subdivided from all other property in accordance with the requirements of any applicable Governmental Authorities.

Section 3.5 Existing Improvements.

The existing Improvements, if any, were constructed, and are being used and maintained, in accordance with all applicable Laws, including zoning Laws.

Section 3.6 Leases and Tenants.

The Leases are valid and are in full force and effect, and Mortgagor is not in default under any of the terms thereof. Except as expressly permitted in the Loan Agreement, Mortgagor has not accepted any Rents in advance of the time the same became due under the Leases and has not forgiven, compromised or discounted any of the Rents. Mortgagor has title to and the right to assign the Leases and Rents to Mortgagee, and no other assignment of the Leases or Rents has been granted. To the best of Mortgagor’s knowledge and belief, no tenant or tenants occupying, individually or in the aggregate, more than five percent (5%) of the net rentable area of the Improvements are in default under their Lease(s) or are the subject of any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar proceeding.

 

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Article IV

Affirmative Covenants.

Section 4.1 Obligations.

Mortgagor agrees to promptly pay and perform all of the Obligations, time being of the essence in each case.

Section 4.2 Property Assessments; Documentary Taxes.

Mortgagor (a) will promptly pay in full and discharge all Property Assessments, and (b) will furnish to Mortgagee, upon demand, the receipted bills for such Property Assessments prior to the day upon which the same shall become delinquent. Property Assessments shall be considered delinquent as of the first day any interest or penalty commences to accrue thereon. Mortgagor will promptly pay all stamp, documentary, recordation, transfer and intangible taxes and all other taxes that may from time to time be required to be paid with respect to the Loan, the Note, this Mortgage or any of the other Loan Documents.

Section 4.3 Permitted Contests.

Mortgagor shall not be required to pay any of the Property Assessments, or to comply with any Law, so long as Mortgagor shall in good faith, and at its cost and expense, contest the amount or validity thereof, or take other appropriate action with respect thereto, in good faith and in an appropriate manner or by appropriate proceedings; provided that (a) such proceedings operate to prevent the collection of, or other realization upon, such Property Assessments or enforcement of the Law so contested, (b) there will be no sale, forfeiture or loss of the Property during the contest, (c) Mortgagee or the Property is not subject to any Claim as a result of such contest, other than if paid or discharged as required below, and (d) Mortgagor provides assurances satisfactory to Mortgagee (including the establishment of an appropriate reserve account with Mortgagee) of its ability to pay such Property Assessments or comply with such Law in the event Mortgagor is unsuccessful in its contest. Each such contest shall be promptly prosecuted to final conclusion or settlement, and Mortgagor shall indemnify and save Mortgagee harmless against all Claims in connection therewith. Promptly after the settlement or conclusion of such contest or action, Mortgagor shall comply with such Law and/or pay and discharge the amounts which shall be levied, assessed or imposed or determined to be payable, together with all penalties, fines, interests, costs and expenses in connection therewith.

Section 4.4 Compliance with Laws.

Except as expressly set forth in the Loan Agreement, Mortgagor will comply with and not violate, and cause to be complied with and not violated, all present and future Laws applicable to the Property and its use and operation.

Section 4.5 Maintenance and Repair of the Property.

Mortgagor, at Mortgagor’s sole expense, will (a) keep and maintain Improvements and Accessories in as good a condition as exists as of the Effective Date, ordinary wear and tear excepted, (b) make all necessary or appropriate repairs and Additions to Improvements and Accessories, so that each part of the Improvements and all of the Accessories shall at all times be in good condition and fit and proper for the respective purposes for which they were originally intended, erected, or installed, and (c) commit or permit no waste.

Section 4.6 Additions to Security.

All right, title and interest of Mortgagor in and to all Improvements and Additions hereafter constructed or placed on the Property and in and to any Accessories hereafter acquired shall, without any further mortgage, conveyance, assignment or other act by Mortgagor, become subject to the Lien of this Mortgage as fully and completely, and with the same effect, as though now owned by Mortgagor and specifically described in the granting clauses hereof. Mortgagor agrees, however, to execute and deliver to Mortgagee such further documents as may be required by the terms of the Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

 

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Section 4.7 Subrogation.

To the extent permitted by Law, Mortgagee shall be subrogated, notwithstanding its release of record, to any Lien now or hereafter existing on the Property to the extent that such Lien is paid or discharged by Mortgagee whether or not from the proceeds of the Loan. This Section shall not be deemed or construed, however, to obligate Mortgagee to pay or discharge any Lien.

Section 4.8 Leases.

(a) Except as expressly permitted in the Loan Agreement, Mortgagor shall not enter into any Lease with respect to all or any portion of the Property without the prior written consent of Mortgagee, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.

(b) Mortgagee shall not be obligated to perform or discharge any obligation of Mortgagor under any Lease. The assignment of Leases provided for in this Mortgage in no manner places on Mortgagee any responsibility for (i) the control, care, management or repair of the Property, (ii) the carrying out of any of the terms and conditions of the Leases, (iii) any waste committed on the Property, or (iv) any dangerous or defective condition on the Property (whether known or unknown).

(c) No approval of any Lease by Mortgagee shall be for any purpose other than to protect Mortgagee’s security and to preserve Mortgagee’s rights under the Loan Documents, and no such approval shall result in a waiver of a Default or Event of Default.

Section 4.9 Statutory Condition

This Mortgage is upon the STATUTORY CONDITION and upon the further condition that there be no breach of or default under any of the terms, provisions, covenants and agreements of any of the Loan Documents or any other instruments or agreements to secure the indebtedness secured hereby and that all such terms, provisions and agreements be duly and fully kept and performed.

Article V

Negative Covenants.

Section 5.1 Encumbrances.

Mortgagor will not permit any of the Property to become subject to any Encumbrance other than the Permitted Encumbrances. Within thirty (30) days after the filing of any mechanic’s lien or other Lien or Encumbrance against the Property, Mortgagor will promptly discharge or stay execution of the same by payment or filing a bond or otherwise as permitted by Law. So long as Mortgagee’s security has been protected by the filing of a bond or otherwise in a manner satisfactory to Mortgagee in its sole and absolute discretion, Mortgagor shall have the right to contest in good faith any Claim, Lien or Encumbrance, provided that Mortgagor does so diligently and without prejudice to Mortgagee or delay in completing construction of the Improvements. Mortgagor shall give Mortgagee Notice of any default under any Lien and Notice of any foreclosure or threat of foreclosure with respect to any of the Property. Mortgagor agrees that it shall indemnify and hold Mortgagee harmless against any loss or liability, cost or expense, including any judgments, attorneys’ fees and costs, costs of appeal bonds and printing costs, arising out of or relating to any proceeding instituted by any claimant alleging priority over the lien of this Mortgage.

Section 5.2 Transfer of the Property.

Mortgagor will not Transfer, or contract to Transfer, all or any part of the Property or any legal or beneficial interest therein (except for certain Transfers of the Accessories expressly permitted in this Mortgage and except for Transfers permitted under the Loan Agreement). Any Disposition (as defined in the Loan Agreement) prohibited under the terms of the Loan Agreement shall be deemed to be a prohibited Transfer of the Property.

 

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Section 5.3 Removal, Demolition or Alteration of Accessories and Improvements.

Except to the extent permitted by the following sentence and the Loan Agreement, no Improvements or Accessories shall be removed, demolished or materially altered without the prior written consent of Mortgagee. Provided no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, Mortgagor may remove and dispose of, free from the Lien of this Mortgage, such Accessories as from time to time become worn out or obsolete, provided that, at the time of, or prior to, such removal, any such Accessories that, in the Mortgagor’s reasonable business judgment, are material to the operation of the Property or the Mortgagor’s business with respect thereto are replaced with other Accessories which are free from Liens other than Permitted Encumbrances (and by such removal and replacement Mortgagor shall be deemed to have subjected such Accessories to the Lien of this Mortgage).

Section 5.4 Additional Improvements.

Mortgagor will not construct any Improvements other than those presently on the Land and those described in the Loan Agreement without the prior written consent of Mortgagee. Mortgagor will complete and pay for, within a reasonable time, any Improvements that Mortgagor is permitted to construct on the Land. Mortgagor will construct and erect any permitted Improvements (a) strictly in accordance with all applicable Laws and any private restrictive covenants, (b) entirely on lots or parcels of the Land, (c) so as not to encroach upon any easement or right of way or upon the land of others, and (d) wholly within any building restriction and setback lines applicable to the Land.

Section 5.5 Restrictive Covenants, Zoning, etc.

Without the prior written consent of Mortgagee, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed absent an Event of Default, Mortgagor will not initiate, join in, or consent to any change in, any restrictive covenant, easement, zoning ordinance, or other public or private restrictions limiting or defining the uses which may be made of the Property. Mortgagor (a) will promptly perform and observe, and cause to be performed and observed, all of the terms and conditions of all material agreements affecting the Property, and (b) will do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve intact and unimpaired any and all easements, appurtenances and other interests and rights in favor of, or constituting any portion of, the Property.

Article VI

Events of Default.

The occurrence or happening, from time to time, of any one or more of the following shall constitute an Event of Default under this Mortgage:

Section 6.1 Payment Obligations.

Mortgagor fails to pay any of the Obligations when due, subject to all applicable grace periods and as governed by Section 8.01(a) of the Loan Agreement.

Section 6.2 Transfers.

Mortgagor Transfers, or contracts to Transfer, all or any part of the Property or any legal or beneficial interest therein (except for Transfers of the Accessories expressly permitted under this Mortgage or the Loan Agreement). Any Disposition (as defined in the Loan Agreement) prohibited under the terms of the Loan Agreement shall be deemed to be a prohibited Transfer of the Property constituting an Event of Default.

 

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Section 6.3 Other Obligations.

Mortgagor fails to promptly perform or comply with any of the Obligations set forth in this Mortgage (other than those expressly described in other Sections of this Article), and such failure continues uncured for a period of thirty (30) days after Notice from Mortgagee to Mortgagor, unless (a) such failure, by its nature, is not capable of being cured within such period, and (b) within such period, Mortgagor commences to cure such failure and thereafter diligently prosecutes the cure thereof, and (c) Mortgagor causes such failure to be cured no later than ninety (90) days after the date of such Notice from Mortgagee.

Section 6.4 Event of Default Under Other Loan Documents.

An Event of Default (as defined in the Loan Agreement) occurs under the Loan Agreement.

Section 6.5 Reserved.

Section 6.6 Default Under Leases.

Mortgagor fails duly to perform its material obligations under any Lease, and such failure is not cured within the grace period, if any, provided in the Lease.

Section 6.7 Default Under Other Mortgage Documents.

An event of default occurs after giving effect to any applicable grace or cure periods under any other mortgage, deed of trust, or security agreement covering the Property, if any, including any Permitted Encumbrances.

Section 6.8 Execution; Attachment.

Any execution or attachment is levied against all or any material part of the Property, and such execution or attachment is not set aside, discharged or stayed within thirty (30) days after the same is levied.

Article VII

Rights and Remedies.

Upon the happening of any Event of Default, Mortgagee shall have the right, in addition to any other rights or remedies available to Mortgagee under any of the Loan Documents, applicable Law, or equity to exercise any one or more of the following rights, powers or remedies:

Section 7.1 Acceleration.

Mortgagee may accelerate any or all (as determined by Mortgagee in its sole discretion) of the Obligations, whereupon such Obligations shall become immediately due and payable, and Mortgagee may also terminate any Hedge Agreement and such Hedge Agreement shall immediately terminate, all of the foregoing without notice of default, notice of acceleration or intention to accelerate, presentment or demand for payment, protest, notice of protest, notice of nonpayment or dishonor, or notices or demands of any kind or character (all of which are hereby expressly waived by Mortgagor).

Section 7.2 Mortgagee’s Right to Enter and Take Possession, Operate and Apply Income.

(i) Mortgagee may demand that Mortgagor surrender the actual possession of the Property and upon such demand, Mortgagor shall forthwith surrender same to Mortgagee and, to the extent permitted by law, Mortgagee itself, or by such officers or agents as it may appoint, may enter and take possession of all of the Property and may exclude Mortgagor and its agents and employees wholly therefrom.

(ii) If Mortgagor shall for any reason fail to surrender or deliver the Property or any part thereof after Mortgagee’s demand, Mortgagee may obtain a judgment or order conferring on Mortgagee the right to immediate possession or requiring the Mortgagor to deliver immediate possession to Mortgagee, to the entry of which judgment or decree the Mortgagor hereby specifically consents.

 

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(iii) Mortgagee may from time to time: (A) continue and complete construction of, hold, store, use, operate, manage and control the Property and conduct the business thereof; (B) make all reasonably necessary maintenance, repairs, renewals, replacements, additions, betterments and improvements thereto and thereon and purchase or otherwise acquire additional Personalty; (C) insure or keep the Property insured; (D) exercise all the rights and powers of the Mortgagor in its name or otherwise with respect to the same; and (E) enter into agreements with others (including new Leases or amendments, extensions, or cancellations to existing Leases) all as Mortgagee from time to time may determine in its sole discretion. Mortgagor hereby constitutes and irrevocably appoints Mortgagee its true and lawful attorney-in-fact, which appointment is coupled with an interest, with full power of substitution, and empowers said attorney or attorneys in the name of Mortgagor, but at the option of said attorney-in-fact, to do any and all acts and execute any and all agreements that Mortgagee may deem necessary or proper to implement and perform any and all of the foregoing.

Section 7.3 Collection of Rents.

Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, the license granted to Mortgagor to collect the Rents shall be automatically and immediately revoked, without further notice to or demand upon Mortgagor. Mortgagee may, but shall not be obligated to perform any or all obligations of the landlord under any or all of the Leases, and Mortgagee may, but shall not be obligated to, exercise and enforce any or all of Mortgagor’s rights under the Leases. Without limitation to the generality of the foregoing, Mortgagee may notify the tenants under the Leases that all Rents are to be paid to Mortgagee, and following such notice all Rents shall be paid directly to Mortgagee and not to Mortgagor or any other Person other than as directed by Mortgagee, it being understood that a demand by Mortgagee on any tenant under the Leases for the payment of Rent shall be sufficient to warrant payment by such tenant of Rent to Mortgagee without the necessity of further consent by Mortgagor. Mortgagor hereby irrevocably authorizes and directs the tenants under the Leases to pay all Rents to Mortgagee instead of to Mortgagor, upon receipt of written notice from Mortgagee, without the necessity of any inquiry of Mortgagor and without the necessity of determining the existence or non-existence of an Event of Default. Mortgagor hereby appoints Mortgagee as Mortgagor’s attorney-in-fact with full power of substitution, which appointment shall take effect upon the occurrence of an Event of Default and is coupled with an interest and is irrevocable prior to the full and final payment and performance of the Obligations, in Mortgagor’s name or in Mortgagee’s name: (a) to endorse all checks and other instruments received in payment of Rents and to deposit the same in any account selected by Mortgagee; (b) to give receipts and releases in relation thereto; (c) to institute, prosecute and/or settle actions for the recovery of Rents; (d) to modify the terms of any Leases including terms relating to the Rents payable thereunder; (e) to cancel any Leases; (f) to enter into new Leases; and (g) to do all other acts and things with respect to the Leases and Rents which Mortgagee may deem necessary or desirable to protect the security for the Obligations. Any Rents received shall be applied first to pay all Expenses and next in reduction of the other Obligations. Mortgagor shall pay, on demand, to Mortgagee, the amount of any deficiency between (i) the Rents received by Mortgagee, and (ii) all Expenses incurred together with interest thereon as provided in the Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

Section 7.4 Foreclosure.

Mortgagee may exercise the STATUTORY POWER OF SALE. Any sale made hereunder may be as an entirety or in such parcels as Mortgagee may request. To the extent permitted by applicable Law, any sale may be adjourned by announcement at the time and place appointed for such sale without further notice except as may be required by law. If the proceeds of such sale of less than the whole of the Property shall be less than the aggregate of the Obligations, this Mortgage and the lien hereof shall remain in full force and effect as to the unsold portion of the Property just as though no sale had been made and

 

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the STATUTORY POWER OF SALE shall also apply to any future sales. A sale may cover not only the Real Property but also the Personalty and other interests which are a part of the Property, or any part thereof, as a unit and as a part of a single sale, or the sale may be of any part of the Property separately from the remainder of the Property. After each sale, the Mortgagee shall make to the purchaser or purchasers at such sale good and sufficient conveyances, conveying the property so sold to the purchaser or purchasers in fee simple, subject to the Permitted Encumbrances (and to such leases and other matters, if any), and shall receive the proceeds of said sale or sales and apply the same as herein provided. In the event any sale hereunder is not completed or is defective in the opinion of Mortgagee, such sale shall not exhaust the power of sale hereunder and Mortgagee shall have the right to cause a subsequent sale or sales to be made hereunder. Any and all statements of fact or other recitals made in any deed or deeds or other conveyances given by the Mortgagee as to nonpayment of the Obligations or as to the occurrence of any default, or as to Mortgagee’s having declared all of said indebtedness to be due and payable, or as to the request to sell, or as to notice of time, place and terms of sale and the properties to be sold having been duly given, or as to any other act or thing having been duly done by Mortgagee shall be taken as prima facie evidence of the truth of the facts so stated and recited.

Section 7.5 Receiver.

Mortgagee may apply to any court of competent jurisdiction to have a receiver appointed to enter upon and take possession of the Property, collect the Rents therefrom and apply the same as the court may direct, such receiver to have all of the rights and powers permitted under the Laws of the State. To the extent permitted by law, the right of the appointment of such receiver shall be a matter of strict right without regard to the value or the occupancy of the Property or the solvency or insolvency of Mortgagor. The expenses, including receiver’s fees, reasonable attorneys’ fees, costs and agent’s commission incurred pursuant to the powers herein contained, together with interest thereon at the default rate under the Note, shall be secured hereby and shall be due and payable by Mortgagor immediately without notice or demand.    Notwithstanding the appointment of any receiver or other custodian, Mortgagee shall be entitled as pledgee to the possession and control of any cash or deposits at the time held by, payable, or deliverable under the terms of this Mortgage to the Mortgagee, and the Mortgagee shall have the right to offset the unpaid Obligations against any such cash or deposits in such order as Mortgagee may elect.

Section 7.6 Uniform Commercial Code.

Mortgagee may exercise any or all of its rights and remedies under the Uniform Commercial Code as adopted by the State as in effect from time to time, (or under the Uniform Commercial Code in force from time to time in any other state to the extent the same is applicable Law) or other applicable Law as well as all other rights and remedies possessed by Mortgagee, all of which shall be cumulative. Mortgagee is hereby authorized and empowered to enter the Property or other place where the Personalty may be located without legal process, and to take possession of the Personalty without notice or demand, which hereby are waived to the maximum extent permitted by the Laws of the State. Upon demand by Mortgagee, Mortgagor shall make the Personalty available to Mortgagee at a place reasonably convenient to Mortgagee. Mortgagee may proceed under the Uniform Commercial Code as to all or any part of the Personalty, and in conjunction therewith may exercise all of the rights, remedies and powers of a secured creditor under the Uniform Commercial Code. Any notification required by the Uniform Commercial Code shall be deemed reasonably and properly given if sent in accordance with the Notice provisions of this Mortgage at least ten (10) days before any sale or other disposition of the Personalty. Mortgagee may choose to dispose of some or all of the property, in any combination consisting of both Personalty and Real Property, in one or more public or private sales to be held in accordance with the Law and procedures applicable to real property, as permitted by Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code. Mortgagor agrees that such a sale of Personalty together with Real Property constitutes a commercially reasonable sale of the Personalty.

 

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Section 7.7 Application of Proceeds

Unless otherwise provided by applicable Law, all proceeds from the sale of the Property or any part thereof pursuant to the rights and remedies set forth in this Article and any other proceeds received by Mortgagee from the exercise of any of its other rights and remedies hereunder or under the other Loan Documents shall be applied first to pay all Expenses and next in reduction of the other Obligations, in such manner and order as Mortgagee may elect.

Section 7.8 Remedies Cumulative and Concurrent.

No right, power or remedy of Mortgagee as provided in the Note, this Mortgage, the Guaranty, or the other Loan Documents is intended to be exclusive of any other right, power, or remedy of Mortgagee, but each and every such right, power and remedy shall be cumulative and concurrent and in addition to any other right, power or remedy available to Mortgagee now or hereafter existing at law or in equity and may be pursued separately, successively or together against Mortgagor, any guarantor, or any endorser, co-maker, or surety of the Obligations, or the Property or any part thereof, or any one or more of them, at the sole discretion of Mortgagee. The failure of Mortgagee to exercise any such right, power or remedy shall in no event be construed as a waiver or release thereof.

Section 7.9 Waiver, Delay or Omission.

No waiver of any Event of Default hereunder shall extend to or affect any subsequent or any other Event of Default then existing, or impair any rights, powers or remedies consequent thereon, and no delay or omission of Mortgagee to exercise any right, power or remedy shall be construed to waive any such Event of Default or to constitute acquiescence therein.

Section 7.10 Credit of Mortgagee.

To the maximum extent permitted by the Laws of the State, upon any sale made under or by virtue of this Article, Mortgagee may bid for and acquire the Property, or any part thereof, and in lieu of paying cash therefor may apply to the purchase price, any portion of or all of the unpaid Obligations in such order as Mortgagee may elect.

Section 7.11 Sale.

Any sale or sales made under or by virtue of this Article shall operate to divest all the estate, right, title, interest, claim and demand whatsoever at law or in equity, of the Mortgagor and all Persons, except tenants pursuant to Leases approved by Mortgagee, claiming by, through or under Mortgagor in and to the properties and rights so sold, whether sold to Mortgagee or to others.

Section 7.12 Proofs of Claim.

In the case of any receivership, insolvency, bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition, seizure of the Property by any Governmental Authority, or other judicial proceedings affecting the Mortgagor, any guarantor, any endorser, co-maker, or surety of the Obligations, or any of their respective properties, the Mortgagee, to the extent permitted by law, shall be entitled to file such proofs of claim and other documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have its claim allowed in such proceedings for the entire unpaid Obligations at the date of the institution of such proceedings, and for any additional amounts which may become due and payable after such date.

Section 7.13 Waiver of Redemption, Notice, Marshaling, Etc.

Mortgagor hereby waives and releases, for itself and anyone claiming through, by, or under it, to the maximum extent permitted by the Laws of the State:

(i) all benefit that might accrue to Mortgagor by virtue of any present or future Law exempting the Property, or any part of the proceeds arising from any sale thereof, from attachment, levy or sale on execution, or providing for any appraisement, valuation, stay of execution, exemption from civil process, redemption or extension of time for payment,

 

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(ii) unless specifically required herein, all notices of default, or Mortgagee’s actual exercise of any option or remedy under the Loan Documents, or otherwise, and

(iii) any right to have the Property marshaled.

Section 7.14 Discontinuance of Proceedings.

If Mortgagee shall have proceeded to enforce any right under any Loan Document and such proceedings shall have been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, then except as may be provided in any written agreement between Mortgagor and Mortgagee providing for the discontinuance or abandonment of such proceedings, Mortgagor and Mortgagee shall be restored to their former positions and the rights, remedies and powers of Mortgagee shall continue as if no such proceedings had been instituted.

Section 7.15 Mortgagee’s Actions.

Mortgagee may, at any time without notice to any Person and without consideration, do or refrain from doing any or all of the following actions, and neither the Mortgagor, any guarantor, any endorser, co-maker, or surety of the Obligations, nor any other Person (hereinafter in this Section collectively referred to as the “Obligor”) now or hereafter liable for the payment and performance of the Obligations shall be relieved from the payment and performance thereof, unless specifically released in writing by Mortgagee: (a) agree to renew, extend or modify the terms of the Note, this Mortgage and the other Loan Documents, or any of them; (b) forbear or extend the time for the payment or performance of any or all of the Obligations; (c) apply payments by any Obligor to the reduction of the unpaid Obligations in such manner, in such amounts, and at such times and in such order and priority as Mortgagee may see fit; (d) release any Obligor; (e) substitute or release in whole or in part the Property or any other collateral or any portion thereof now or hereafter held as security for the Obligations without affecting, disturbing or impairing in any manner whatsoever the validity and priority of the lien of this Mortgage upon the Property which is not released or substituted, or the validity and priority of any security interest of the Mortgagee in such other collateral which is not released or substituted; (f) subordinate the lien of this Mortgage or the lien of any other security interest in any other collateral now or hereafter held as security for the Obligations; (g) join in the execution of a plat or replat of the Land (provided, however, notwithstanding the foregoing, Mortgagee will join in such plat or replat of the Land so long as such plat or replat is acceptable to Mortgagee); (h) join in and consent to the filing of a declaration of condominium or declaration of restrictive covenants regarding all or any part of the Land; (i) consent to the granting of any easement on the Land; and (j) generally deal with any Obligor or any other party as Mortgagee may see fit.

Section 7.16 Other Remedies.

Mortgagee shall have the right from time to time to protect, exercise and enforce any legal or equitable remedy against Mortgagor provided under the Loan Documents or by applicable Laws.

Article VIII

Miscellaneous.

Section 8.1 Rights, Powers and Remedies Cumulative.

Each right, power and remedy of Mortgagee as provided for in this Mortgage, or in any of the other Loan Documents or now or hereafter existing by Law, shall be cumulative and concurrent and shall be in addition to every other right, power or remedy provided for in this Mortgage, or in any of the other Loan Documents or now or hereafter existing by Law, and the exercise or beginning of the exercise by Mortgagee of any one or more of such rights, powers or remedies shall not preclude the simultaneous or later exercise by Mortgagee of any or all such other rights, powers or remedies.

 

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Section 8.2 No Waiver by Mortgagee.

No course of dealing or conduct by or among Mortgagee and Mortgagor shall be effective to amend, modify or change any provisions of this Mortgage or the other Loan Documents. No failure or delay by Mortgagee to insist upon the strict performance of any term, covenant or agreement of this Mortgage or of any of the other Loan Documents, or to exercise any right, power or remedy consequent upon a breach thereof, shall constitute a waiver of any such term, covenant or agreement or of any such breach, or preclude Mortgagee from exercising any such right, power or remedy at any later time or times. By accepting payment after the due date of any of the Obligations, Mortgagee shall not be deemed to waive the right either to require prompt payment when due of all other Obligations, or to declare an Event of Default for failure to make prompt payment of any such other Obligations. Neither Mortgagor nor any other Person now or hereafter obligated for the payment of the whole or any part of the Obligations shall be relieved of such liability by reason of (a) the failure of Mortgagee to comply with any request of Mortgagor or of any other Person to take action to foreclose this Mortgage or otherwise enforce any of the provisions of this Mortgage, or (b) any agreement or stipulation between any subsequent owner or owners of the Property and Mortgagee, or (c) Mortgagee’s extending the time of payment or modifying the terms of this Mortgage or any of the other Loan Documents without first having obtained the consent of Mortgagor or such other Person. Regardless of consideration, and without the necessity for any notice to or consent by the holder of any subordinate Lien on the Property, Mortgagee may release any Person at any time liable for any of the Obligations or any part of the security for the Obligations and may extend the time of payment or otherwise modify the terms of this Mortgage or any of the other Loan Documents without in any way impairing or affecting the Lien of this Mortgage or the priority of this Mortgage over any subordinate Lien. The holder of any subordinate Lien shall have no right to terminate any Lease regardless of whether or not such Lease is subordinate to this Mortgage. Mortgagee may resort to the security or collateral described in this Mortgage or any of the other Loan Documents in such order and manner as Mortgagee may elect in its sole discretion.

Section 8.3 Waivers and Agreements Regarding Remedies.

To the full extent Mortgagor may do so under applicable law, Mortgagor hereby voluntarily and knowingly:

(a) agrees that it will not at any time plead, claim or take advantage of any Laws now or hereafter in force providing for any appraisement, valuation, stay, extension or redemption, and waives and releases all rights of redemption, valuation, appraisement, stay of execution, exemption from civil process, extension of time for payment and notice of election to accelerate the Obligations;

(b) waives all rights to a marshaling of the assets of Mortgagor, including the Property, or to a sale in the inverse order of alienation in the event of a foreclosure of the Property, and agrees not to assert any right under any Law pertaining to the marshaling of assets, the sale in inverse order of alienation, the exemption of homestead, the administration of estates of decedents, or other matters whatsoever to defeat, reduce or affect the right of Mortgagee under the terms of this Mortgage to a sale of the Property without any prior or different resort for collection, or the right of Mortgagee to the payment of the Obligations out of the proceeds of sale of the Property in preference to every other claimant whatsoever;

(c)    waives any right to bring or utilize any defense, counterclaim or setoff, other than one which denies the existence or sufficiency of the facts upon which any foreclosure action is grounded. If any defense, counterclaim or setoff, other than one permitted by the preceding clause, is timely raised in a foreclosure action, such defense, counterclaim or setoff shall be dismissed. If such defense, counterclaim or setoff is based on a Claim which could be tried in an action for money damages, such Claim may be brought in a separate action which shall not thereafter be consolidated with the foreclosure action. The bringing of such separate action for money damages shall not be deemed to afford any grounds for staying the foreclosure action; and

 

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(d) waives and relinquishes any and all rights and remedies which Mortgagor may have or be able to assert by reason of the provisions of any Laws pertaining to the rights and remedies of sureties.

Section 8.4 Successors and Assigns.

All of the grants, covenants, terms, provisions and conditions of this Mortgage shall run with the Land and shall apply to and bind the successors and assigns of Mortgagor (including any permitted subsequent owner of the Property), and inure to the benefit of Mortgagee, its successors and assigns.

Section 8.5 No Warranty by Mortgagee.

By inspecting the Property or by accepting or approving anything required to be observed, performed or fulfilled by Mortgagor or to be given to Mortgagee pursuant to this Mortgage or any of the other Loan Documents, Mortgagee shall not be deemed to have warranted or represented the condition, sufficiency, legality, effectiveness or legal effect of the same, and such acceptance or approval shall not constitute any warranty or representation with respect thereto by Mortgagee.

Section 8.6 Amendments.

This Mortgage may not be modified or amended except by an agreement in writing, signed by the party against whom enforcement of the change is sought.

Section 8.7 Severability.

In the event any one or more of the provisions of this Mortgage or any of the other Loan Documents shall for any reason be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, in whole or in part or in any other respect, or in the event any one or more of the provisions of the Loan Documents operates or would prospectively operate to invalidate this Mortgage or any of the other Loan Documents, then and in either of those events, at the option of Mortgagee, such provision or provisions only shall be deemed null and void and shall not affect the validity of the remaining Obligations, and the remaining provisions of the Loan Documents shall remain operative and in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, prejudiced or disturbed thereby.

Section 8.8 Notices.

All Notices required or which any party desires to give hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall be in writing and, unless otherwise specifically provided in such other Loan Document, shall be deemed sufficiently given or furnished if delivered by personal delivery, by nationally recognized overnight courier service or by certified United States mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the party to whom directed at the applicable address specified in the Preamble to this Mortgage (unless changed by similar notice in writing given by the particular party whose address is to be changed). The address at which Mortgagee will accept written notices pursuant to Section 34-25-10(b) and Section 34-25-11 of the Rhode Island General Laws of 1956, as amended, is ASTRONOVA, INC., 600 East Greenwich Avenue, West Warwick, Rhode Island 02893. Any Notice shall be deemed to have been given either at the time of personal delivery or, in the case of courier or mail, as of the date of first attempted delivery at the address and in the manner provided herein, or, in the case of facsimile, upon receipt; provided that service of a Notice required by any applicable statute shall be considered complete when the requirements of that statute are met. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no notice of change of address shall be effective except upon actual receipt. This Section shall not be construed in any way to affect or impair any waiver of notice or demand provided in this Mortgage or in any other Loan Document or to require giving of notice or demand to or upon any Person in any situation or for any reason.

Section 8.9 Joint and Several Liability.

If Mortgagor consists of two (2) or more Persons, the term “Mortgagor” shall also refer to all Persons signing this Mortgage as Mortgagor, and to each of them, and all of them are jointly and severally bound, obligated and liable hereunder. Mortgagee may release, compromise, modify or settle with any of Mortgagor, in whole or in part, without impairing, lessening or affecting the obligations and liabilities of the others of Mortgagor hereunder or under the Note. Any of the acts mentioned aforesaid may be done without the approval or consent of, or notice to, any of Mortgagor.

 

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Section 8.10 Rules of Construction.

The words “hereof,” “herein,” “hereunder,” “hereto,” and other words of similar import refer to this Mortgage in its entirety. The terms “agree” and “agreements” mean and include “covenant” and “covenants.” The words “include” and “including” shall be interpreted as if followed by the words “without limitation.” The headings of this Mortgage are for convenience of reference only and shall not be considered a part hereof and are not in any way intended to define, limit or enlarge the terms hereof. Any reference to a Property street address(es) is for administrative and reference purposes only. In the event of any conflict between a Property street address(es) listed herein and Exhibit A attached hereto, the legal description set forth on Exhibit A shall control. All references (a) made in the neuter, masculine or feminine gender shall be deemed to have been made in all such genders, (b) made in the singular or plural number shall be deemed to have been made, respectively, in the plural or singular number as well, (c) to the Loan Documents are to the same as extended, amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time unless expressly indicated otherwise, (d) to the Land, Improvements, Personalty, Real Property or Property shall mean all or any portion of each of the foregoing, respectively, and (e) to Articles or Sections are to the respective Articles or Sections contained in this Mortgage unless expressly indicated otherwise. Any term used or defined in the Uniform Commercial Code of the State, as in effect from time to time, which is not defined in this Mortgage shall have the meaning ascribed to that term in the Uniform Commercial Code of the State. If a term is defined in Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code of the State differently than in another Article of the Uniform Commercial Code of the State, the term shall have the meaning specified in Article 9.

Section 8.11 Governing Law.

This Mortgage shall be construed, governed and enforced in accordance with the Laws in effect from time to time in the State (without regard to its conflict of law principles).

Section 8.12 Time of Essence.

It is specifically agreed that time is of the essence as to all matters provided for in this Mortgage.

Section 8.13 Survival of Warranties and Covenants.

The warranties, representations, covenants and agreements set forth in this Mortgage shall survive the making of the Loan and the execution and delivery of the Note, and shall continue in full force and effect until all of the Obligations shall have been paid and performed in full.

Section 8.14 Forum.

Mortgagor hereby irrevocably submits generally and unconditionally for itself and in respect of its property with respect to the Loan and this Mortgage to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any state court or any United States federal court sitting in the State specified in the governing law section of this Mortgage and to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any state court or any United States federal court sitting in the state in which any of the Property is located. Mortgagor hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by Law, any objection that Mortgagor may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue in any such court and any claim that any such court is an inconvenient forum. Nothing herein shall affect the right of Mortgagee to serve process in any manner permitted by Law or limit the right of Mortgagee to bring proceedings against Mortgagor in any other court or jurisdiction.

Section 8.15 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.

MORTGAGOR AND MORTGAGEE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVE, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A

 

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TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING OR ACTION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS MORTGAGE OR ANY OTHER DOCUMENT EXECUTED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY).

EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY:

(a) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT, OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PERSON HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PERSON WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER;

(b) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THIS WAIVER AND THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION WERE A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT FOR THE PARTIES ENTERING INTO THE LOAN DOCUMENTS;

(c) CERTIFIES THAT THIS WAIVER IS KNOWINGLY, WILLINGLY, AND VOLUNTARILY MADE;

(d) AGREES AND UNDERSTANDS THAT THIS WAIVER CONSTITUTES A WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY OF ALL CLAIMS AGAINST ALL PARTIES TO SUCH PROCEEDING OR ACTION, INCLUDING CLAIMS AGAINST PARTIES WHO ARE NOT PARTIES TO THIS OR ANY OTHER AGREEMENT, AND FURTHER AGREES THAT SUCH PARTY SHALL NOT SEEK TO CONSOLIDATE ANY SUCH PROCEEDING OR ACTION WITH ANY OTHER PROCEEDING OR ACTION IN WHICH A JURY TRIAL CANNOT BE OR HAS NOT BEEN WAIVED;

(e) AGREES THAT MORTGAGOR AND MORTGAGEE ARE EACH HEREBY AUTHORIZED TO FILE A COPY OF THIS SECTION IN ANY PROCEEDING OR ACTION AS CONCLUSIVE EVIDENCE OF THIS WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL; AND

(f) REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS THAT SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN REPRESENTED IN THE SIGNING OF THIS MORTGAGE AND IN THE MAKING OF THIS WAIVER BY INDEPENDENT LEGAL COUNSEL, OR HAS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE REPRESENTED BY INDEPENDENT LEGAL COUNSEL SELECTED OF ITS OWN FREE WILL, AND THAT IT HAS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS THIS WAIVER WITH COUNSEL.

Section 8.16 State-Specific Provisions.

(a) Principles of Construction. In the event of any inconsistencies between the terms and conditions of this Section 8.16 and the terms and conditions of this Mortgage, the terms and conditions of this Section 8.16 shall control and be binding.

=

(b) Statutory Power of Sale. This Mortgage is upon the STATUTORY CONDITION and upon the further condition that all covenants and agreements of Mortgagor contained herein and in the Loan Agreement, the Note and all related documents shall be kept and fully performed, for any breach of which Mortgagee shall have the STATUTORY POWER OF SALE.

Said STATUTORY CONDITION and STATUTORY POWER OF SALE, as well as the MORTGAGE COVENANTS contained in the granting clause of this Mortgage, are those contained in the General Laws of the State of Rhode Island. Provided further however, to the extent permitted by law, publication, pursuant to said STATUTORY POWER OF SALE, of notice of the time and place of sale may be made by publishing the same at least once each week for three (3) successive weeks in a public newspaper published daily in the City of Providence, Rhode Island, and not as otherwise provided in said STATUTORY POWER OF SALE.

 

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(c) Future Advances; Rhode Island Open-End Mortgage. This Mortgage permits and secures any and all current and future advances to Mortgagor evidenced by (or pursuant to) any one or more of the following: the Note, the Loan Agreement, and the other Loan Documents, such other note or notes as may be signed by Mortgagor payable to Lender and such other agreement(s) as may be entered into by Mortgagor with Lender, and signed by Borrower. The unpaid principal balance of indebtedness outstanding under this Mortgage shall at no time exceed Twenty-Six Million Seven Hundred Thirty-Two Thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($26,732,000.00). Borrower will accept notices pursuant to R.I.G.L. §34-25-10(B) and §34-25-11 at the address and in the manner specified in Section 8.8 of this Mortgage.

Section 8.17 Entire Agreement.

The Loan Documents constitute the entire understanding and agreement between Mortgagor and Mortgagee with respect to the transactions arising in connection with the Loan, and supersede all prior written or oral understandings and agreements between Mortgagor and Mortgagee with respect to the matters addressed in the Loan Documents. In particular, and without limitation, the terms of any commitment by Mortgagee to make the Loan are merged into the Loan Documents. Except as incorporated in writing into the Loan Documents, there are no representations, understandings, stipulations, agreements or promises, oral or written, with respect to the matters addressed in the Loan Documents.

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Blank; Signatures Follow]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Mortgagor has caused this Mortgage to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

MORTGAGOR:

ASTRONOVA, INC.,

a Rhode Island corporation

By:

 

/s/ Stephen Petrarca

Name:

 

    Stephen Petrarca

Title:

 

    VP - Operations

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

COUNTY OF _Kent_________

In     W. Warwick, RI________, on this 27th day of July, 2020, before me personally appeared Stephen Petrarca __________, the _ VP - Operations______ of AstroNova, Inc., a Rhode Island corporation, to me known and known by me to be the party executing the foregoing instrument on behalf of said corporation, and acknowledged said instrument and the execution thereof to be his/her free act and deed in said capacity and the free act and deed of said corporation.

 

/s/ Christine Mathias

Notary Public

Print Name_Christine Mathias_________

My Commission Expires_May 1, 2024__

[SEAL]

 

Signature Page


Exhibit A

Legal Description

Parcel I: (Assessor’s Plat 30, Lot 46)

That certain tract or parcel of land, with all buildings and improvements thereon, situated southerly of East Greenwich Avenue in the Town of West Warwick, County of Kent and State of Rhode Island, being shown and delineated as “South Plot” on that certain plan entitled, “Plan of Property and Topographical Survey for: Atlan-Tol Industries, Inc., location West Warwick, Rhode Island, Dated April 11, 1978, by Waterman Associates as revised May 18, 1979 by John L. Flock, R.L.S. No. 1542, which plan was recorded in the Records of Land Evidence of the Town of West Warwick Rhode Island on July 17, 1979, (the “Plan”), and bounded and described as follows:

Beginning at a stake set in the northerly line of land now or formerly of Fenton G. Keyes Associates and in the westerly line of land now or formerly of Joseph E. MacPhee, which point is the southeasterly corner of the parcel designated “Area = 6.00A” on that certain plan entitled, “Property to be Conveyed by Quaker Lane Investment Corp. Dated Aug. 1969 Location West Warwick, R.I. by Robert B. Boyer Assoc.” which plan is recorded in the Records of Land Evidence of the Town of West Warwick, in Plat Book 2 at page 13, said point of beginning being the southeasterly corner of the parcel herein described;

Thence running N. 5°-07’-29” W, bounded easterly by MacPhee land three hundred forty-four and 68/100 (344.68) to a corner;

thence turning an interior angle of 91°-16’-52” and running S. 86°-09’-23” W. bounded northerly by land now or formerly of The Industrial Foundation of Rhode Island three hundred seventy-five and 36/100 (375.36) feet to the 80’ Wide Right of Way shown on the Plan;

thence turning an interior angle of 90° and running S. 3°-50’-37” E. bounded westerly by the 80’ wide Right of Way three hundred forty-four and 59/100 (344.59) feet to a corner and land now or formerly of Fenton G. Keyes Associates;

thence turning an interior angle of 90° and running N 86°-09’-23” E. bounded southerly by said Keyes Associates land three hundred eighty-three and 07/100 (383.07) feet to the point and place of beginning, the first described course forming an interior angle of 88°43’-08” with the last described course. Said parcel contains 3.00 acres more or less.

Together with the easements for utilities and parking set forth in a deed from Atlan-Tol Industries, Inc. to Rhode Island Port Authority and Economic Development Corporation recorded in said land evidence records in Book 98 at page 528.

Parcel 1 is conveyed with a right of way, in common with others, for purposes of egress and ingress to and from East Greenwich Avenue and for all purposes for which streets are commonly used, as granted and described in the deed from, “QUAKER LANE INVESTMENT CORPORATION TO ATLANTIC TOOL COMPANY, dated December 3, 1969, and recorded in the Records of Lane Evidence in the Town of West Warwick, in Book 70 at page 427, which right of way is shown as “80’ Wide Right of Way” on the Plan hereinabove-referred to.

 

Exhibit A


Parcel 2: (Assessor’s Plat 30, Lot 40)

That certain tract or parcel of land, with all buildings and improvements thereon, situated southerly of East Greenwich Avenue in the Town of West Warwick, County of Kent and State of Rhode Island and bounded and described as follows:

Beginning at a point in the southerly line of land now or formerly of Jeep Spray Service, Inc. and at the northwesterly corner of land now or formerly of Joseph E. MacPhee, et ux.;

Thence running westerly bounding northerly on said Jeep Spray Service, Inc. land sixty-nine and 34/100 (69.34) feet to a corner;

Thence turning an interior angle of 270°-00’ and running northerly bounding easterly on land of said Jeep Spray Service, Inc. ninety-five and 00/100 (95.00) feet to a corner, said corner being the southwesterly terminus of a twenty-five (25) feet wide right of way;

Thence turning an interior angle of 89°-26’-43” and running westerly in a line twenty-five (25) feet southerly from and parallel with the southerly line of said East Greenwich Avenue and bounding northerly on said right of way two hundred and 72/200 (200.72) feet to the point of curvature of a curve having a radius of one hundred (100) feet;

Thence running westerly and southerly in the arc of said curve and bounding northerly on said right of way and westerly on land now or formerly of Fenton G. Keyes Associates, a right of way eighty (80) feet in width, one hundred fifty-eight and 62/100 (158.62) feet to the point of tangency of said curve;

Thence running southerly bounding westerly on land of said Fenton G. Keyes Associates two hundred seventy-six and 56/100 (276.56) feet to a corner;

Thence turning an interior angle of 90° and running easterly bounding southerly on land leased by Atlan-Tol Industries, Inc. three hundred seventy-five and 36/100 (375.36) feet to a corner;

thence turning an interior angle of 88°-43’-08” and running northerly bounding easterly on said MacPnee land two hundred seventy-six and 82/100 (276.82) feet to the point of beginning and Containing 130,676 square feet of land, or 3 acres of land, Said last course forming an interior angle of 92°-43’ with said first course.

Parcel 2 is conveyed together with a right of way, in common with others, for purposes of egress and ingress to and from East Greenwich Avenue and for all purposes for which streets are commonly used, as granted and described in the deed from Ouaker Lane Investment Corporation to Atlantic Tool Company, dated December 3, 1969, and recorded in the Records of Land Evidence in the Town of West Warwick, in Book 70 at page 427, which right of way in shown as “80” Wide Right of Way” on the Plan hereinabove referred to.

 

Exhibit A


Parcel 3: (Assessor’s Plat 30, Lots 48 and 24)

That certain lot or parcel of land together with all buildings and improvements thereon located on the southerly side of East Greenwich Avenue in the Town of West Warwick, State of Rhode Island bounded and described as follows:

Beginning at a stake set in the southerly line of East Greenwich Avenue, said point being the northwesterly corner of the herein described parcel and the northeasterly corner of land now or formerly of Jeep Spray Service, Inc.;

Thence running southerly bounded westerly by said Jeep Spray land a distance of one hundred seventeen and 06/100 (117.06) feet, more or less, to a point;

Thence turning an interior angle of 270°-00’-00” and running westerly bounded northerly by said Jeep Spray land distance of thirty and 81/100 (30.81) feet to a granite bound and land now or formerly of Rhode Island Industrial Facilities Corporation;

thence turning an interior angle of 87°-17’-00” and running southerly bounded westerly in part by said Rhode Island Industrial Facilities Corporation land, in part by land now or formerly of the Rhode Island Port Authority and Economic Development Corporation and in part by land now or formerly of Fenton G. Keyes Associates a distance of six hundred seventy-two and 83/100 (672.83) feet to a granite bound;

thence turning an interior angle of 93°-02’-00” and running easterly bounded southerly by said Keyes land a distance of one hundred fifty-three and 87/100 (153.87) feet to a stake and land now or formerly of Marvin S. and Christine M. Webber;

thence turning an interior angle of 89°-52’-00” and running northerly bounded easterly by said Webber land a distance of three hundred four and 36/100 (304.36) feet to a pipe set n the ground;

thence turning an interior angle of 186°-59’-22” and running northerly bounded easterly by said Webber land a distance of one hundred twenty-six and 89/100 (126.89) feet more or less to a stake and land now or formerly of Carpenter Jenkins Funeral Home;

thence turning an interior angle of 80°-43’-38” and running westerly a distance of one hundred thirty-two and 02/100 (132.02) feet to a stake;

thence turning an interior angle of 272°-06’-00” and running northerly bounded easterly by said Carpenter Jencks land a distance of three hundred sixty-three and 00/100 (363.00) feet more or less to a stake and the southerly line of East Greenwich Avenue;

thence turning an interior angle of 91°-54’-21” and running westerly along the southerly line of East Greenwich Avenue a distance of forty and 02/100 (40.02) feet to the point and place of beginning, said last described course forming an interior angle of 88° -05-39” with the first described course.

Said parcel contains 91.928 square feet or 2.1104 acres.

 

Exhibit A


Parcel 4: (Assessor’s Plat 30, Lot 64)

That certain tract or parcel of land with all buildings and improvements thereon, situated in the Town of West Warwick, County of Kent and State of Rhode Island, bounded and described as follows:

Beginning at a point in the southerly line of East Greenwich Avenue said point being the northwesterly corner of land now or formerly of Robert B. Everson and John MacPhee and running southerly bounded easterly by said Everson and MacPhee land 25 feet; thence turning an interior angle of 90 degrees 33’17” and running westerly in a straight line 25 feet southerly of and parallel to the southerly line of East Greenwich Avenue two hundred and one and 35/100 (201.35) feet; thence turning southwesterly along the arc of a curve (r=100.00 feet tan=101.55) one hundred fifty-eight and 62/100 (158.62) feet; thence running southerly in a straight line parallel to and eighty (80) feet easterly of the easterly line of land now or formerly of Alfred Besson six hundred twenty-one and 15/100 (621.15) feet to a point; thence turning an interior angle of 90 degrees and running westerly eighty and 00/100 (80.00) feet to a point; thence turning an interior angle of 90 degrees and running northerly seven hundred forty-eight and 93/100 (748.93) feet to the southerly line of East Greenwich Avenue, this last course being bounded westerly in part by land described above and in part by land now or formerly of Alfred T. Besson; thence turning an interior angle of 89 degrees 79” and running easterly bounded northerly by the southerly line of East Greenwich Avenue three hundred eighty-two and 91/100 (382.91) feet to the point and place of beginning, this last described course and the first described course from an interior angle of 89 degrees 26’43”.

The above described parcel is shown on that certain plan entitled, “Property to be conveyed by Quaker Lane Investment Corp. located in West Warwick, R.I. by Robert B. Boyer & Assoc.” which plan in recorded in the Land Evidence Records is the Town of West Warwick, R.I. in Plan Book 2, Page 13.

Parcel 5: (Assessor’s Plat 30, Lot 37)

That certain tract or parcel of land with all buildings and improvements thereon, situated in the Town of West Warwick, County of Kent and State of Rhode Island, bounded and described as follows:

Beginning at a point in the southerly line of East Greenwich Avenue, said point being at a stone wall on land now or formerly of Forward Development Company, Inc., thence southerly with said stone wall and bounding easterly on land now or formerly of Forward Development Company, Inc. five hundred ninety-seven and 00/100 (597.00) feet, more or less, to another stone wall at land now or formerly of Forward Development Company, Inc.; thence westerly with said stone wall and bounding southerly on land now or formerly of Forward Development Company, Inc. one hundred twenty-five (125.00) feet, more or less, to a fence post, and land now or formerly of Arthur Caron, Jr.; thence northerly in part with and bounding easterly upon said Caron land and in part with and bounding westerly upon land now or formerly of Kenneth W. Keane et ux five hundred ninety-seven (597.00) feet, more or less, to said East Greenwich Avenue; thence easterly, bounding northerly on said East Greenwich Avenue one hundred thirty-three (133.00) feet, more or less, to the point and place or beginning.

 

Exhibit A


EXCEPTING THEREFROM SO MUCH OF THE ABOVE DESCRIBED PREMISES AS WAS CONVEYED BY DEED FROM ALFRED J. BESSON TO ROBERT E. HOULE AND BARBARA M. HOULE, RECORDED IN BOOK 75 AT PAGE 14 OF THE WEST WARWICK LAND EVIDENCE RECORDS, more particularly bounded and described as follows:

That certain parcel of land with all the buildings and improvements thereon, situated in the Town of West Warwick, County of Kent, State of Rhode Island, bounded and described as follows:

Beginning at a point in the southerly line of East Greenwich Avenue, said point is the northwesterly corner of the herein described property, and said point is the northeasterly corner of now or lately Kenneth W. Keane et ux; thence turning southerly bounding westerly on last named land a distance of two hundred forty (240) feet to a point; thence turning and running easterly parallel with the southerly line of East Greenwich Avenue a distance of one hundred twenty-nine (129) feet more or less to land now or lately Quaker Lane Investment Corp. thence turning and running northerly bounding easterly on last named land a distance of two hundred forty (240) feet to East Greenwich Avenue; thence turning and running westerly bounding northerly on East Greenwich Avenue, a distance of one hundred thirty-three (133) feet to land now or lately of Kenneth W. Keane et ux, and the point and place of beginning.

 

Exhibit A