8-K
WHIRLPOOL CORP /DE/ NYSE 2000 North M-63 false 0000106640 0000106640 2026-06-12 2026-06-12 0000106640 us-gaap:CommonStockMember 2026-06-12 2026-06-12 0000106640 us-gaap:SeriesAPreferredStockMember 2026-06-12 2026-06-12
 
 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 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): June 12, 2026

 

 

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   1-3932   38-1490038
(State or other jurisdiction   (Commission   (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation)   File Number)   Identification No.)

 

2000 North M-63, Benton Harbor, Michigan   49022-2692
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

(269) 923-5000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

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:

 

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))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

 

Trading

symbol(s)

 

Name of each exchange

on which registered

Common stock, par value $1.00 per share   WHR   New York Stock Exchange and NYSE Texas
Depositary Shares, each representing a 1/20 interest in a share of 8.50% Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock   WHR-PRA   New York Stock Exchange

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).

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 Contract

Issuance of Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2031 and 2034

On June 16, 2026, Whirlpool Corporation (the “Company”) issued $1.0 billion in aggregate principal amount of its 7.500% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2031 (the “2031 Notes”) and $1.0 billion in aggregate principal amount of 7.875% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2034 (the “2034 Notes” and, together with the 2031 Notes, the “Notes”). The Notes were issued pursuant to an indenture, dated as of June 16, 2026 (the “Indenture”), by and among the Company, the other guarantors party thereto and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee and notes collateral agent. The sale of the Notes was not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and the Notes were sold on a private placement basis to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A under the Securities Act and outside the United States to non-U.S. persons in compliance with Regulation S under the Securities Act.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the issuance of the Notes, together with borrowings under its new asset-based revolving credit facility (the “ABL Credit Facility”), to (i) pay the consideration for all 1.250% Senior Notes due 2026 (the “2026 Existing Notes”) and 1.100% Senior Notes due 2027 (the “2027 Existing Notes” and, together with the 2026 Existing Notes, the “Existing Notes”), in each case issued by Whirlpool Finance Luxembourg S.à r.l., a wholly owned subsidiary of Whirlpool, that were validly tendered to the Company in a tender offer and consent solicitation (the “Concurrent Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation”), (ii) satisfy and discharge, in accordance with the indenture governing the Existing Notes, as amended pursuant to the Concurrent Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation (the “Existing Notes Indenture”), any such Existing Notes that remain outstanding following the completion of the Concurrent Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation, by irrevocably depositing with the trustee under the Existing Notes Indenture funds sufficient to pay the principal of and interest on such Existing Notes as and when due, (iii) repay the amount outstanding under the Company’s existing unsecured revolving credit facility, and (iv) pay fees and expenses in connection with the foregoing.

The 2031 Notes will mature on July 1, 2031 and bear interest at a rate of 7.500% per annum. The 2034 Notes will mature on July 1, 2034 and bear interest at a rate of 7.875% per annum. Interest on the Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on January 1 and July 1 of each year, beginning on January 1, 2027, and accrues from June 16, 2026.

The Notes are guaranteed by each domestic and Canadian subsidiary of the Company that is a borrower under, or a guarantor of, the Company’s obligations under the ABL Credit Facility (the “Guarantors”). The Notes and related guarantees are secured, on a second-priority basis, subject to Permitted Liens and Excluded Assets (each as defined in the Indenture), by substantially all the assets of the Company and the Guarantors that secure the obligations under the ABL Credit Facility on a first-priority basis. Some of the Company’s assets are excluded from the collateral, such as its domestic manufacturing facilities and other real estate, shares of capital stock of its subsidiaries or debts owing from its subsidiaries to the Company.

The Company may redeem all or part of the Notes of a series at any time prior to July 1, 2028, in the case of the 2031 Notes (the “2031 Notes First Call Date”), or July 1, 2029, in the case of the 2034 Notes (the “2034 Notes First Call Date” and, together with the 2031 Notes First Call Date, a “First Call Date”), at a redemption price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, plus a make-whole premium, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date. The Company may also redeem all or part of the Notes of a series at any time on or after the applicable First Call Date at the redemption prices set forth in the Indenture. In addition, at any time prior to the applicable First Call Date, the Company may redeem up to 40% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes of a series using proceeds of certain equity offerings, at the redemption prices specified in the Indenture. Further, if the Company or certain of its subsidiaries sell certain assets, the Company may be required to offer to use the net proceeds thereby to purchase the Notes of a series at a price equal to 100% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the repurchase date.

Upon the occurrence of specified kinds of changes of control and a ratings downgrade with respect to the Notes of a series, holders will have the right to require the Company to purchase all or any part of their Notes of such series at 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the repurchase date.


The Indenture limits, among other things, the ability of the Company and its restricted subsidiaries to (i) incur or guarantee additional indebtedness or issue disqualified stock or certain preferred stock; (ii) pay dividends on or make other distributions in respect of equity interests or make other restricted payments; (iii) create liens on certain assets to secure debt; (iv) make certain investments; (v) sell or otherwise dispose of certain assets; (vi) consolidate, merge, sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets; and (vii) designate the Company’s subsidiaries as unrestricted subsidiaries. These covenants are subject to a number of important limitations and exceptions. The Indenture provides for customary events of default (subject in certain cases to customary grace and cure periods).

The foregoing summary of the Indenture and the Notes is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete terms of the Indenture and the Notes, which are filed as Exhibits 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3 hereto, respectively, and incorporated by reference into this Item 1.01.

The ABL Credit Agreement

On June 16, 2026, the Company entered into an ABL Credit and Guaranty Agreement (the “ABL Credit Agreement”) by and among the Company, certain other borrowers and guarantors, the lenders referred to therein, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent. JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., BNP Paribas Securities Corp., Citibank, N.A., Mizuho Bank, Ltd., Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, BMO Capital Markets Corp, Goldman Sachs Bank USA, PNC Bank, National Association and TD Bank, N.A. acted as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners for the ABL Credit Agreement. The Bank of Nova Scotia, Fifth Third Bank, National Association, The Huntington National Bank and Standard Chartered Bank acted as Documentation Agents. The ABL Credit Agreement provides for the ABL Credit Facility in an aggregate principal amount of up to $2.0 billion, subject to a borrowing base comprised of eligible accounts, inventory, intellectual property, machinery and equipment, credit card receivables and eligible cash of the Company and certain of its subsidiaries. Borrowings under the ABL Credit Agreement may be used for working capital needs and other general corporate purposes. The commitments under the ABL Credit Agreement mature on the fifth anniversary of the effective date of the ABL Credit Agreement, unless earlier terminated in accordance with the terms of the ABL Credit Agreement. In connection with the effectiveness of the ABL Credit Agreement, the Company’s existing long-term credit agreement was repaid in full and the commitments thereunder terminated.

The interest rates payable with respect to the ABL Credit Agreement are based on the Company’s Availability (as defined in the ABL Credit Agreement). Borrowings under the ABL Credit Agreement bear interest, at the Company’s election and depending on the currency and type of borrowing, at rates based on Term SOFR Rate, the Alternate Base Rate (each as defined in the ABL Credit Agreement) or other applicable benchmark rates, plus an applicable margin ranging from 1.50% to 2.00% per annum for Term Benchmark advances and Daily Simple SONIA (each as defined in the ABL Credit Agreement) advances and from 0.50% to 1.00% per annum for Alternate Base Rate advances and Canadian Prime Rate (as defined in the ABL Credit Agreement) advances, in each case depending on Availability. The ABL Credit Agreement provides for borrowings denominated in Dollars, Euros, Sterling and Canadian Dollars.

The ABL Credit Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and covenants, including, among other things, a springing financial covenant requiring a consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio of not less than 1.00 to 1.00 for the most recently ended four-quarter period during any period commencing when Availability falls below the greater of 10% of the Line Cap (as defined in the ABL Credit Agreement) and $135,000,000 and continuing until Availability has exceeded such threshold for 20 consecutive days. The ABL Credit Agreement contains certain operational and informational covenants customary for this type of secured revolving credit facility, which limits, among other things, the ability of the Company and its restricted subsidiaries to (i) incur or guarantee additional indebtedness or issue disqualified stock or certain preferred stock; (ii) pay dividends on or make other distributions in respect of equity interests or make other restricted payments; (iii) create liens on certain assets to secure debt; (iv) make certain investments; (v) sell or otherwise dispose of certain assets; and (vi) consolidate, merge, sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets. These covenants are subject to a number of important limitations and exceptions. The ABL Credit Agreement provides for customary events of default (subject in certain cases to customary grace and cure periods).

The obligations under the ABL Credit Agreement are guaranteed by certain subsidiaries and secured by a first-priority lien on the assets of the Company and certain of its domestic and Canadian subsidiaries, subject to permitted liens and other exceptions set forth in the ABL Credit Agreement and related collateral documents. Many of the

 

3


lenders have in the past performed, and may in the future from time to time perform, investment banking, financial advisory, lending and/or commercial banking services, or other services for the Company and its subsidiaries, for which they have received, and may in the future receive, customary compensation and expense reimbursement.

The foregoing summary of the ABL Credit Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of the ABL Credit Agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 hereto and incorporated by reference into this Item 1.01.

 

Item 2.03

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

The information included in Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K under the headings “Issuance of Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2031 and 2034” and “The ABL Credit Agreement” is incorporated by reference into this Item 2.03.

 

Item 8.01

Other Events

Copies of the press releases relating to the early tender results and pricing of the Concurrent Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation are attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and Exhibit 99.2, respectively, and incorporated herein by reference.

This Current Report on Form 8-K does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall it constitute an offer to sell, solicitation or sale in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. Any offers of the securities would be made only by means of a confidential offering memorandum. In addition, this Current Report on Form 8-K does not constitute a notice of redemption or offer to purchase pursuant to the Concurrent Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation with respect to the 2026 Existing Notes or the 2027 Existing Notes. These securities have not been registered under the Securities Act or any state securities laws and, unless so registered, may not be offered or sold in the United States or to U.S. persons except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state laws.

 

Item 9.01.

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit
No.

  

Exhibit

 4.1    Indenture, dated as of June 16, 2026, by and among Whirlpool Corporation, the guarantor parties thereto and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee and notes collateral agent.
 4.2    Form of 7.500% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2031 (included as Exhibit A-1 to Exhibit 4.1).
 4.3    Form of 7.875% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2034 (included as Exhibit A-2 to Exhibit 4.1).
10.1*    ABL Credit and Guaranty Agreement by and among Whirlpool Corporation, certain other borrowers and guarantors, the lenders referred to therein, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent
99.1    Press Release issued by Whirlpool Corporation dated June 12, 2026, relating to the early tender results of the Concurrent Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation.
99.2    Press Release issued by Whirlpool Corporation dated June 15, 2026, relating to the pricing of the Concurrent Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation.
104    Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).

 

*

Schedules have been omitted from this filing pursuant to Item 601(a)(5) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The Company agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of any omitted schedule or exhibit to the SEC upon request.

 

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.

 

      WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
June 16, 2026     By:  

/s/ Roxanne L. Warner

    Name:   Roxanne L. Warner
    Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Exhibit 4.1

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION,

as Issuer,

the GUARANTORS from time to time parties hereto

AND

U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Trustee and Notes Collateral Agent

7.500% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2031

and

7.875% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2034

 

 

INDENTURE

Dated as of June 16, 2026

 

 

 


Table of Contents

 

         Page  
Article I DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE      1  

SECTION 1.1

  Definitions      1  

SECTION 1.2

  Other Definitions      66  

SECTION 1.3

  Inapplicability of the TIA      68  

SECTION 1.4

  Rules of Construction      68  
Article II THE NOTES      69  

SECTION 2.1

  Form, Dating and Terms      69  

SECTION 2.2

  Execution and Authentication      77  

SECTION 2.3

  Registrar and Paying Agent      78  

SECTION 2.4

  Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust      79  

SECTION 2.5

  Holder Lists      79  

SECTION 2.6

  Transfer and Exchange      80  

SECTION 2.7

  [Reserved]      83  

SECTION 2.8

  Form of Certificate To Be Delivered in Connection with Transfers to IAIs      83  

SECTION 2.9

  Form of Certificate To Be Delivered in Connection with Transfers Pursuant to Regulation S      85  

SECTION 2.10

  [Reserved]      86  

SECTION 2.11

  Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Notes      86  

SECTION 2.12

  Outstanding Notes      87  

SECTION 2.13

  Temporary Notes      88  

SECTION 2.14

  Cancellation      88  

SECTION 2.15

  Payment of Interest; Defaulted Interest      89  

SECTION 2.16

  CUSIP and ISIN Numbers      90  
Article III COVENANTS      90  

SECTION 3.1

  Payment of Notes      90  

SECTION 3.2

  Limitation on Indebtedness      91  

SECTION 3.3

  Limitation on Restricted Payments      99  

SECTION 3.4

  [Reserved]      107  

SECTION 3.5

  Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock      107  

SECTION 3.6

  Limitation on Liens      112  

SECTION 3.7

  Limitation on Liens at Company’s Election Following the Termination Date      113  

SECTION 3.8

  Limitation on Guarantees      115  

SECTION 3.9

  Change of Control Repurchase Event      116  

SECTION 3.10

  Reports      118  

SECTION 3.11

  [Reserved]      119  

SECTION 3.12

  Maintenance of Office or Agency      119  


SECTION 3.13

  [Reserved]      119  

SECTION 3.14

  [Reserved]      119  

SECTION 3.15

  [Reserved]      119  

SECTION 3.16

  Compliance Certificate      119  

SECTION 3.17

  [Reserved]      120  

SECTION 3.18

  [Reserved]      120  

SECTION 3.19

  Statement by Officers as to Default      120  

SECTION 3.20

  Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries      120  

SECTION 3.21

  Termination of Covenants      121  
Article IV SUCCESSOR COMPANY; SUCCESSOR PERSON      121  

SECTION 4.1

  Merger and Consolidation      121  

SECTION 4.2

  Merger and Consolidation of the Guarantors      123  
Article V REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES      124  

SECTION 5.1

  Notices to Trustee      124  

SECTION 5.2

  Selection of Notes To Be Redeemed      124  

SECTION 5.3

  Notice of Redemption      125  

SECTION 5.4

  Effect of Notice of Redemption      126  

SECTION 5.5

  Deposit of Redemption Price      126  

SECTION 5.6

  Notes Redeemed in Part      127  

SECTION 5.7

  Optional Redemption      127  

SECTION 5.8

  Mandatory Redemption      129  
Article VI DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES      129  

SECTION 6.1

  Events of Default      129  

SECTION 6.2

  Acceleration      132  

SECTION 6.3

  Other Remedies      133  

SECTION 6.4

  Waiver of Past Defaults      134  

SECTION 6.5

  Control by Majority      134  

SECTION 6.6

  Limitation on Suits      134  

SECTION 6.7

  Right of Holders to Receive Payment      135  

SECTION 6.8

  Collection Suit by Trustee      135  

SECTION 6.9

  Trustee May File Proofs of Claim      135  

SECTION 6.10

  Priorities      135  

SECTION 6.11

  Undertaking for Costs      136  
Article VII TRUSTEE      136  

SECTION 7.1

  Duties of Trustee      136  

SECTION 7.2

  Rights of Trustee      137  

SECTION 7.3

  Individual Rights of Trustee      139  

SECTION 7.4

  Trustee’s Disclaimer      140  

SECTION 7.5

  Notice of Defaults      140  

SECTION 7.6

  [Reserved]      140  

 

ii


SECTION 7.7

  Compensation and Indemnity      140  

SECTION 7.8

  Replacement of Trustee      141  

SECTION 7.9

  Successor Trustee by Merger      142  

SECTION 7.10

  Eligibility; Disqualification      142  

SECTION 7.11

  Trustee’s Application for Instruction from the Company      143  

SECTION 7.12

  Security Documents; Intercreditor Agreements      143  
Article VIII LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE      143  

SECTION 8.1

  Option To Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance; Defeasance      143  

SECTION 8.2

  Legal Defeasance and Discharge      143  

SECTION 8.3

  Covenant Defeasance      144  

SECTION 8.4

  Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance      145  

SECTION 8.5

  Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations To Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions      146  

SECTION 8.6

  Repayment to the Company      146  

SECTION 8.7

  Reinstatement      147  
Article IX AMENDMENTS      147  

SECTION 9.1

  Without Consent of Holders      147  

SECTION 9.2

  With Consent of Holders      149  

SECTION 9.3

  [Reserved]      151  

SECTION 9.4

  Revocation and Effect of Consents and Waivers      151  

SECTION 9.5

  Notation on or Exchange of Notes      151  

SECTION 9.6

  Trustee and Notes Collateral Agent to Sign Amendments      152  
Article X GUARANTEE      152  

SECTION 10.1

  Guarantee      152  

SECTION 10.2

  Limitation on Liability; Termination, Release and Discharge      154  

SECTION 10.3

  Right of Contribution      155  

SECTION 10.4

  No Subrogation      155  
Article XI COLLATERAL      156  

SECTION 11.1

  Security Documents      156  

SECTION 11.2

  Release of Collateral      157  

SECTION 11.3

  Suits to Protect the Collateral      159  

SECTION 11.4

  Authorization of Receipt of Funds by the Trustee Under the Security Documents      159  

SECTION 11.5

  Purchaser Protected      159  

SECTION 11.6

  Powers Exercisable by Receiver or Trustee      159  

SECTION 11.7

  Notes Collateral Agent      160  

 

iii


Article XII SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE      169  

SECTION 12.1

  Satisfaction and Discharge      169  

SECTION 12.2

  Application of Trust Money      170  
Article XIII MISCELLANEOUS      170  

SECTION 13.1

  [Reserved]      170  

SECTION 13.2

  Notices      170  

SECTION 13.3

  [Reserved]      173  

SECTION 13.4

  Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent      173  

SECTION 13.5

  Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion      173  

SECTION 13.6

  When Notes Disregarded      174  

SECTION 13.7

  Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar      174  

SECTION 13.8

  Legal Holidays      174  

SECTION 13.9

  Governing Law      174  

SECTION 13.10

  Jurisdiction      174  

SECTION 13.11

  Waivers of Jury Trial      174  

SECTION 13.12

  USA PATRIOT Act Section 326 Customer Identification Program      175  

SECTION 13.13

  No Recourse Against Others      175  

SECTION 13.14

  Successors      175  

SECTION 13.15

  Multiple Originals      175  

SECTION 13.16

  [Reserved]      175  

SECTION 13.17

  Table of Contents; Headings      175  

SECTION 13.18

  Force Majeure      175  

SECTION 13.19

  Severability      176  

 

EXHIBIT A-1    Form of Global Restricted 2031 Note
EXHIBIT A-2    Form of Global Restricted 2034 Note
EXHIBIT B    Form of Supplemental Indenture
EXHIBIT C    Form of Pari Intercreditor Agreement

 

iv


INDENTURE dated as of June 16, 2026 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this “Indenture”), among WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION, a corporation organized under the laws of the state of Delaware (the “Company”), the guarantors party hereto (the “Guarantors”) and U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association, as trustee (in such capacity, the “Trustee”) and as notes collateral agent (in such capacity, the “Notes Collateral Agent”).

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, the Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture to provide for the issuance of (i) the 7.500% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2031 issued on the date hereof (the “Initial 2031 Notes”), (ii) the 7.875% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2034 (the “Initial 2034 Notes” and together with the Initial 2031 Notes, the “Initial Notes”), and (iii) any additional Notes of a series (the “Additional Notes” and, together with the Initial Notes, the “Notes”) that may be issued after the Issue Date;

WHEREAS, the Company and each of the Guarantors have duly authorized the execution and delivery of this Indenture;

WHEREAS, all things necessary (i) to make the Notes, when executed and duly issued by the Company and authenticated and delivered hereunder, the valid obligations of the Company, (ii) to make the Guarantees, when this Indenture is executed by each Guarantor, the valid obligation of each Guarantor and (iii) to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the Company and each of the Guarantors have been done; and

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Notes by the Holders thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders, as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

SECTION 1.1 Definitions. “ABL Collateral Agent” means (i) in the case of Obligations under the ABL Credit Agreement and any “Bank Product Obligations” (including, without limitation, Hedging Agreements (as defined under the ABL Credit Agreement) as defined under the ABL Credit Agreement) secured pursuant thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., and any successor, in its capacity as administrative agent and collateral agent for the lenders and other secured parties under such ABL Credit Agreement (together with its successors and permitted assigns under such ABL Credit Agreement), and (ii) in the case of Additional First Lien Obligations, the collateral agent, administrative agent, trustee or similar agent under the applicable First Lien Documents, in each case, together with its successors in such capacity.

 

1


ABL Credit Agreement” means the asset-based revolving credit facility, dated on the date hereof, by and between the Company, as borrower, certain of its subsidiaries, as subsidiary borrowers, with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto from time to time, and in each case any Loan Documents (as defined therein), together with the related documents thereto (including the revolving loans thereunder, any letters of credit and reimbursement obligations related thereto, any guarantees and security documents), as amended, extended, supplemented, waived, renewed, restated, refunded, replaced, refinanced, restructured, supplemented, modified or otherwise changed (in whole or in part, and without limitation as to amount, terms, conditions, covenants and other provisions) from time to time, and any one or more agreements (and related documents) governing Indebtedness, including indentures, incurred to refinance, substitute, supplement, replace or add to (including increasing the amount available for borrowing, changing the maturity of any Indebtedness Incurred thereunder or contemplated thereby, or adding or removing any Person as a borrower, issuer or guarantor thereunder, in whole or in part), the borrowings and commitments then-outstanding or permitted to be outstanding under such ABL Credit Agreement or one or more successors to the ABL Credit Agreement or one or more new credit agreements.

ABL Indebtedness Priority Collateral” will be defined in the applicable Term Indebtedness Intercreditor Agreement, and is intended to indicate that portion of the Collateral subject to a Lien in favor of the ABL Collateral Agent and the other secured parties for which it acts over the Collateral assets of a type included in the calculation of the Aggregate Borrowing Base.

Acquired Indebtedness” means Indebtedness (1) of a Person or any of its Subsidiaries existing at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary, or (2) assumed in connection with the acquisition of assets from such Person, in each case whether or not Incurred by such Person in connection with such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or such acquisition or (3) of a Person at the time such Person merges with or into or consolidates or otherwise combines with the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary. Acquired Indebtedness shall be deemed to have been Incurred, with respect to clause (1) of the preceding sentence, on the date such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary and, with respect to clause (2) of the preceding sentence, on the date of consummation of such acquisition of assets and, with respect to clause (3) of the preceding sentence, on the date of the relevant merger, consolidation or other combination.

Additional Assets” means:

(1) any property or assets (other than Capital Stock) used or to be used by the Company, a Restricted Subsidiary or otherwise useful in a Similar Business (it being understood that capital expenditures on property or assets already used in a Similar Business or to replace any property or assets that are the subject of such Asset Disposition shall be deemed an investment in Additional Assets);

(2) the Capital Stock of a Person that is engaged in a Similar Business and becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of the acquisition of such Capital Stock by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; or

(3) Capital Stock constituting a minority interest in any Person that at such time is a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company.

 

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Additional First Lien Obligations” means any Indebtedness, permitted to be incurred under the then-extant First Lien Documents and this Indenture, that is secured by a Lien on the Collateral permitted by clause (19) of the definition of “Permitted Liens” that is senior in priority to the Liens on the Collateral securing the Notes and Additional Second Lien Obligations, if any, and having a Pari Passu Lien Priority with respect to the Collateral relative to the ABL Credit Agreement and/or the other First Lien Obligations; provided that, unless already a party thereto, the holders of such Indebtedness or their agent, trustee or authorized representative shall become party to the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement pursuant to the provisions thereof.

Additional Notes” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the second introductory paragraph of this Indenture.

Additional Second Lien Obligations” means any Indebtedness, permitted to be incurred under this Indenture, having Pari Passu Lien Priority relative to the Notes with respect to the Collateral; provided that (i) the holders of such Indebtedness or their agent, trustee or authorized representative shall become party to the Security Documents pursuant to the provisions thereof and (ii) the Liens securing such Additional Second Lien Obligations shall be the Liens created under the Security Documents in favor of the Notes Collateral Agent to secure the Notes (and related Guarantees) and such Additional Second Lien Obligations.

Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person, directly or indirectly, controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition, “control” when used with respect to any Person means the power to direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

Agent” or “Agents” means any or all of the Paying Agent(s), Transfer Agent(s) and/or Registrar(s).

Aggregate Borrowing Base” means the “Aggregate Borrowing Base,” as defined under the ABL Credit Agreement as of the Issue Date.

Alternative Currency” means each of Euro, British Pounds Sterling, Australian Dollars, Brazilian Real, Canadian dollars, Chinese Yuan, Danish Kroner, Egyptian Pound, Hong Kong Dollars, Indian Rupee, Indonesian Rupiah, Japanese Yen, Korean Won, Mexican Pesos, New Zealand Dollars, Russian Ruble, Singapore Dollars, Swedish Kroner, Swiss Francs and each other currency (other than United States dollars) that is a lawful currency (other than United States dollars) that is readily available and freely transferable and convertible into United States dollars.

Applicable Measurement Period” means the most recently ended four fiscal quarters immediately preceding the applicable calculation date for which internal financial statements are available.

 

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Applicable Premium” means the greater of (A) 1.0% of the principal amount of such Note and (B) on any redemption date, the excess (to the extent positive) of:

(1) the present value at such redemption date of (i) the redemption price of such Note at July 1, 2028, in the case of the Initial 2031 Notes, and the redemption price of such Note at July 1, 2029, in the case of the Initial 2034 Notes (such redemption price (expressed in percentage of principal amount) being set forth in the applicable table under Section 5.7(d) (excluding accrued but unpaid interest)), plus (ii) all required interest payments due on such Note to and including such date set forth in clause (i) (excluding accrued but unpaid interest), computed upon the redemption date using a discount rate equal to the Applicable Treasury Rate at such redemption date plus 50 basis points; over

(2) the outstanding principal amount of such Note;

in each case, as calculated by the Company or on behalf of the Company by such Person as the Company shall designate.

Applicable Treasury Rate” means the weekly average for each Business Day during the most recent week that has ended at least two Business Days prior to the redemption date of the yield to maturity at the time of computation of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (or, if such statistical release is not so published or available, any publicly available source of similar market data selected by the Company in good faith)) most nearly equal to the period from the redemption date to July 1, 2028, in the case of the Initial 2031 Notes, and July 1, 2029, in the case of the Initial 2034 Notes; provided, however, that if the period from the redemption date to July 1, 2028, in the case of the Initial 2031 Notes, and July 1, 2029, in the case of the Initial 2034 Notes, is not equal to the constant maturity of a United States Treasury security for which such a yield is given, the Applicable Treasury Rate shall be obtained by linear interpolation (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth of a year) from the yields of United States Treasury securities for which such yields are given, except that if the period from the redemption date to such applicable date is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year shall be used.

Asset Disposition” means:

(a) the voluntary sale, conveyance, transfer, lease, license or other disposition, whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, of property or assets (including by way of a Sale and Leaseback Transaction) of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (in each case other than Capital Stock of the Company) (each referred to in this definition as a “disposition”); or

(b) the issuance or sale of Capital Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries or directors’ qualifying shares and shares issued to foreign nationals as required under applicable law), whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions;

in each case, other than:

(1) a disposition by a Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that with respect to dispositions pursuant to this clause (1) that constitute Collateral (other than in the ordinary course of business), such dispositions may only be between and among the Company and the Guarantors;

 

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(2) a disposition of cash, Cash Equivalents or Investment Grade Securities, including any marketable securities portfolio owned by the Company and its Subsidiaries on the Issue Date;

(3) a disposition of inventory, goods or other assets (including abandoned operations) in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice;

(4) a disposition of obsolete, worn-out, uneconomic, damaged, non-core or surplus property or property, equipment or other assets that are no longer economically practical or commercially desirable to maintain (in the reasonable judgment of the Company) or used or useful in the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, whether now or hereafter owned or leased or acquired in connection with an acquisition or used or useful in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (including by ceasing to enforce, allowing the lapse, abandonment or invalidation of or discontinuing the use or maintenance of or putting into the public domain any intellectual property that is, in the reasonable judgment of the Company or the Restricted Subsidiaries, no longer used or useful in the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, or economically practicable to maintain);

(5) transactions permitted under Section 4.1 or a transaction that constitutes a Change of Control;

(6) an issuance of Capital Stock by a Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or to another Restricted Subsidiary or as part of or pursuant to an equity incentive or compensation plan approved by the Board of Directors;

(7) any dispositions of Capital Stock, properties or assets in a single transaction or series of related transactions with a fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Company) of less than the greater of (x) $150.0 million and (y) 17.5% of Consolidated EBITDA for the Applicable Measurement Period;

(8) any Restricted Payment that is permitted to be made, and is made, pursuant to Section 3.3 and the making of any Permitted Payment or Permitted Investment or, solely for purposes of Section 3.5(a)(3), asset sales, the proceeds of which are used to make such Restricted Payments or Permitted Investments;

(9) dispositions in connection with Permitted Liens, Permitted Intercompany Activities, Permitted Tax Restructuring and related transactions;

(10) dispositions of Investments or receivables in connection with the compromise, settlement or collection thereof in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice or in bankruptcy or similar proceedings and exclusive of factoring or similar arrangements;

 

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(11) the licensing or sub-licensing of intellectual property, or the licensing or sub-licensing of other general intangibles and licenses, sub-licenses, leases or subleases of other property in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice;

(12) foreclosure, condemnation, expropriation, forced disposition or any similar action with respect to any property or other assets or the existence of termination rights under any lease, license concession or other agreement;

(13) the sale, discount or other disposition (with or without recourse, and on customary or commercially reasonable terms) of inventory, accounts receivable or notes receivable arising in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice, or the conversion or exchange of accounts receivable for notes receivable;

(14) any issuance or sale of Capital Stock in, or Indebtedness or other securities of, an Unrestricted Subsidiary or any other disposition of Capital Stock, Indebtedness or other securities of an Unrestricted Subsidiary;

(15) any disposition of Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to an agreement or other obligation with or to a Person (other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) from whom such Restricted Subsidiary was acquired, or from whom such Restricted Subsidiary acquired its business and assets (having been newly formed in connection with such acquisition), made as part of such acquisition;

(16) (i) dispositions of property to the extent that such property is exchanged for credit against the purchase price of similar replacement property that is promptly purchased, (ii) dispositions of property to the extent that the proceeds of such disposition are promptly applied to the purchase price of such replacement property (which replacement property is actually promptly purchased), (iii) to the extent intended to qualify under Section 1031 of the Code (or any successor section), any exchange of like property (excluding any boot thereon) for use in a Similar Business, and (iv) any exchange of equipment to be leased, rented or otherwise used in a Similar Business;

(17) any disposition of receivables, or participations therein, in connection with any Permitted Receivables Facility, or the disposition of an account receivable in connection with the collection or compromise thereof in the ordinary course of business;

(18) any financing transaction with respect to property constructed, acquired, leased, renewed, relocated, expanded, replaced, repaired, maintained, upgraded or improved (including any reconstruction, refurbishment, renovation and/or development of real property) by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary after the Issue Date, including Sale and Leaseback Transactions and asset securitizations;

(19) sales, transfers or other dispositions of Investments in joint ventures or similar entities to the extent required by, or made pursuant to customary buy/sell arrangements between, the parties to such joint venture set forth in joint venture arrangements and similar binding arrangements;

 

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(20) the disposition of not more than 5.0% of the outstanding Capital Stock of a Foreign Subsidiary;

(21) any surrender or waiver of contractual rights or the settlement, release, waiver or surrender of contractual, tort, litigation or other claims of any kind;

(22) the unwinding of any Cash Management Obligations or Hedging Obligations;

(23) any swap of assets in exchange for services or other assets in the ordinary course of business of comparable or greater value or usefulness to the business as determined in good faith by the Company;

(24) any “fee in lieu” or other disposition of assets to any Governmental Authority or agency that continue in use by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, so long as the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may obtain title to such assets upon reasonable notice by paying a nominal fee;

(25) transfers of property or assets subject to casualty events upon receipt of the net proceeds of such casualty event; provided that any Cash Equivalents received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of such casualty event shall be deemed to be Net Available Cash of an Asset Disposition, and such Net Available Cash shall be applied in accordance with Section 3.5;

(26) Dispositions for Cash Equivalents of accounts receivable in connection with any receivables financing;

(27) a disposition of tax credits to the extent that the Company determines in good faith that the monetization thereof exceeds the benefit of retaining such tax credits;

(28) the lease, assignment, license, sublease or sublicense of any real or personal property (other than intellectual property and general intangibles) in the ordinary course of business or consistent with industry practice;

(29) any sale of property or assets, if the acquisition of such property or assets was financed with Excluded Contributions and the proceeds of such sale are used to make a Restricted Payment pursuant to Section 3.3(b)(12)(b);

(30) the disposition of any assets (including Capital Stock) (i) acquired in a transaction after the Issue Date, which assets are not useful in the core or principal business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, or (ii) made in connection with the approval of any applicable antitrust authority or otherwise necessary or advisable in the reasonable determination of the Company to consummate any acquisition; and

(31) any disposition of non-revenue producing assets to a Person who is providing services related to such assets, the provision of which has been or is to be outsourced by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to such Person.

 

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In the event that a transaction (or any portion thereof) meets the criteria of a permitted Asset Disposition and would also be a Permitted Investment or an Investment permitted under Section 3.3, the Company, in its sole discretion, will be entitled to divide and classify such transaction (or a portion thereof) as an Asset Disposition and/or one or more of the types of Permitted Investments or Investments permitted under Section 3.3.

Associate” means (i) any Person engaged in a Similar Business of which the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries are the legal and beneficial owners of between 20% and 50% of all outstanding Voting Stock and (ii) any joint venture entered into by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company.

Bankruptcy Code” means Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended.

Bankruptcy Law” means the Bankruptcy Code and any similar federal, state, provincial or foreign law for the relief of debtors.

Belgian Collateral Document” means a Belgian law governed movable assets pledge agreement, between KitchenAid Europa, Inc. as the pledgor and the Notes Collateral Agent as the pledgee, which shall be in substantially the form of the corresponding document delivered in connection with the ABL Credit Agreement but with such adjustments as are reasonably customary to remove any “asset based loan”-specific provisions.

Board of Directors” means (1) with respect to the Company or any corporation, the board of directors or managers, as applicable, of the corporation, or any duly authorized committee thereof; (2) with respect to any partnership, the board of directors or other governing body of the general partner of the partnership or any duly authorized committee thereof; (3) with respect to a limited liability company, the managing member or members or any duly authorized controlling committee thereof; and (4) with respect to any other Person, the board or any duly authorized committee of such Person serving a similar function. Whenever any provision requires any action or determination to be made by, or any approval of, a Board of Directors, such action, determination or approval shall be deemed to have been taken or made if approved by a majority of the directors on any such Board of Directors (whether or not such action or approval is taken as part of a formal board meeting or as a formal board approval).

Business Day” means each day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banking institutions in New York, New York, United States or in the jurisdiction of the place of payment are authorized or required by law to close. When the payment of any obligation or the performance of any covenant, duty or obligation is stated to be due or performance required on a day which is not a Business Day, the date of such payment or performance shall extend to the immediately succeeding Business Day and such extension of time shall not be reflected in computing interest or fees, as the case may be.

Canadian Collateral Agreement” means a collateral agreement among certain Guarantors (which shall include each Guarantor party to the “Canadian Collateral Agreement” (as defined in the ABL Credit Agreement) on the date of execution thereof) and the Notes Collateral Agent, which shall be in substantially the form of the “Canadian Collateral Agreement” (as defined in the ABL Credit Agreement) but with such adjustments as are reasonably customary to remove any “asset based loan”-specific provisions.

 

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Canadian Multi-Employer Plan” means any “multi-employer plan” within the meaning of the regulations under the Income Tax Act (Canada), as amended, and applicable federal, provincial or territorial pension standards legislation in Canada that is contributed to by a Guarantor that is a Canadian Subsidiary for its Canadian (employed in Canada) employees or former employees or under which a Guarantor that is a Canadian Subsidiary has any liability with respect to its Canadian (employed in Canada) employees or former employees.

Canadian Pension Plan” means each pension plan required to be registered under Canadian federal or provincial pension standards legislation that is sponsored, administered or contributed to by a Guarantor that is a Canadian Subsidiary for its Canadian employees or former employees, but does not include a Canadian Multi-Employer Plan, the Canada Pension Plan, the Québec Pension Plan as maintained by the Government of Canada or the Province of Québec, respectively, or any retirement savings or benefit plan that is both administered by a Governmental Authority and required under Canadian federal or provincial statutes for a Guarantor that is a Canadian Subsidiary to contribute to or otherwise participate.

Canadian Securities Laws” means all applicable securities laws in each of the provinces and territories of Canada, and the respective regulations and rules under such laws together with applicable published rules, policy statements, blanket orders, instruments, rules and notices of the securities regulatory authorities in such provinces and territories.

Canadian Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any Restricted Subsidiary of such Person that is organized or existing under the laws of Canada or any province or territory thereof. For the avoidance of doubt, any Subsidiary of such Subsidiary that is a Foreign Subsidiary shall not be considered a Canadian Subsidiary.

Capital Stock” of any Person means any and all shares of, rights to purchase or acquire, warrants, options or depositary receipts for, or other equivalents of or partnership or other interests in (however designated), equity of such Person, including any Preferred Stock, but excluding any debt securities convertible into, or exchangeable for, such equity.

Capitalized Lease Obligations” means an obligation that is required to be classified and accounted for as a capitalized lease (and, for the avoidance of doubt, not a straight-line or operating lease) for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP. The amount of Indebtedness represented by such obligation will be the capitalized amount of such obligation at the time any determination thereof is to be made as determined in accordance with GAAP, and the Stated Maturity thereof will be the date of the last payment of rent or any other amount due under such lease prior to the first date such lease may be terminated without penalty; provided that all obligations of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries that are or would be characterized as an operating lease as determined in accordance with GAAP as in effect on January 1, 2015 (whether or not such operating lease was in effect on such date) shall continue to be accounted for as an operating lease (and not as a Capitalized Lease Obligation) for purposes of this Indenture regardless of any change in GAAP following January 1, 2015 (that would otherwise require such obligation to be recharacterized as a Capitalized Lease Obligation).

 

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Captive Insurance Subsidiary” means (i) any Subsidiary of the Company operating for the purpose of (a) insuring the businesses, operations or properties owned or operated by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, including their future, present or former employee, director, officer, manager, contractor, consultant or advisor (or their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members), and related benefits and/or (b) conducting any activities or business incidental thereto (it being understood and agreed that activities which are relevant or appropriate to qualify as an insurance company for U.S. federal or state tax purposes shall be considered “activities or business incidental thereto”) or (ii) any Subsidiary of any such insurance subsidiary operating for the same purpose described in clause (i) above.

Cash Equivalents” means:

(1) (a) United States dollars, Canadian dollars, pounds sterling, yen, Euro or any national currency of any member state of the European Union; or (b) any other foreign currency held by the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

(2) securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States, Canadian, United Kingdom or Japanese governments, a member state of the European Union or, in each case, any agency or instrumentality of the foregoing (provided that the full faith and credit obligation of such country or such member state is pledged in support thereof), having maturities of not more than two years from the date of acquisition;

(3) certificates of deposit, time deposits, eurodollar time deposits, overnight bank deposits or bankers’ acceptances having maturities of not more than one year from the date of acquisition thereof issued by (a) any lender under the ABL Credit Agreement, or (b) any lender or by any bank, trust company or other financial institution (i) whose commercial paper is rated at least “A-2” or the equivalent thereof by S&P or at least “P-2” or the equivalent thereof by Moody’s (or if at the time neither is issuing comparable ratings, then a comparable rating of another Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization) or (ii) (in the event that the bank or trust company does not have commercial paper which is rated) having combined capital and surplus in excess of $250.0 million;

(4) repurchase obligations for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (2), (3) and (7) entered into with any bank meeting the qualifications specified in clause (3) above;

(5) commercial paper rated at least (A) “A-1” or higher by S&P or “P-1” or higher by Moody’s (or, if at the time, neither is issuing comparable ratings, then a comparable rating of another Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization selected by the Company) maturing within two years after the date of creation thereof or (B) “A-2” or higher by S&P or “P-2” or higher by Moody’s (or, if at the time, neither is issuing comparable ratings, then a comparable rating of another Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization selected by the Company) maturing within one year after the date of creation thereof, or, in each case, if no rating is available in respect of the commercial paper, the issuer of which has an equivalent rating in respect of its long-term debt;

 

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(6) marketable short-term money market and similar securities having a rating of at least “P-2” or “A-2” from either Moody’s or S&P, respectively (or, if at the time, neither is issuing comparable ratings, then a comparable rating of another Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization selected by the Company), and in each case maturing within 24 months after the date of creation or acquisition thereof;

(7) readily marketable direct obligations issued by any state, province, commonwealth or territory of the United States of America or any political subdivision, taxing authority or agency or instrumentality thereof, in each case, having one of the two highest ratings categories by S&P or Moody’s (or, if at the time, neither is issuing comparable ratings, then a comparable rating from another Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization selected by the Company) with maturities of not more than two years from the date of acquisition;

(8) readily marketable direct obligations issued by any foreign government or any political subdivision, taxing authority or agency or instrumentality thereof, in each case, having one of the two highest ratings categories obtainable by S&P or Moody’s (or, if at the time, neither is issuing comparable ratings, then a comparable rating from another Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization selected by the Company) with maturities of not more than two years from the date of acquisition;

(9) Investments with average maturities of 12 months or less from the date of acquisition in money market funds rated within the three highest ratings categories by S&P or Moody’s (or, if at the time, neither is issuing comparable ratings, then a comparable rating of another Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization selected by the Company);

(10) with respect to any Foreign Subsidiary: (i) obligations of the national government of the country in which such Foreign Subsidiary maintains its chief executive office and principal place of business provided such country is a member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, in each case maturing within one year after the date of investment therein, (ii) certificates of deposit of, bankers’ acceptances of, or time deposits with, any commercial bank which is organized and existing under the laws of the country in which such Foreign Subsidiary maintains its chief executive office and principal place of business provided such country is a member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, and whose short-term commercial paper rating from S&P is at least “A-1” or the equivalent thereof or from Moody’s is at least “P-1” or the equivalent thereof (any such bank being an “Approved Foreign Bank”), and in each case with maturities of not more than 270 days from the date of acquisition and (iii) the equivalent of demand deposit accounts which are maintained with an Approved Foreign Bank;

 

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(11) Indebtedness or Preferred Stock issued by Persons with a rating of (i) “A” or higher from S&P or “A-2” or higher from Moody’s (or, if at the time, neither is issuing comparable ratings, then a comparable rating of another Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization selected by the Company) with maturities of 24 months or less from the date of acquisition, or (ii) “A-” or higher from S&P or “A-3” or higher from Moody’s (or, if at the time, neither is issuing comparable ratings, then a comparable rating of another Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization selected by the Company) with maturities of 12 months or less from the date of acquisition;

(12) bills of exchange issued in the United States of America, Canada, the United Kingdom, a member state of the European Union or Japan eligible for rediscount at the relevant central bank and accepted by a bank (or any dematerialized equivalent);

(13) Cash Equivalents or instruments similar to those referred to in clauses (1) through (12) above denominated in Dollars or any Alternative Currency; and

(14) interests in any investment company, money market, enhanced high yield fund or other investment fund which invests 90% or more of its assets in instruments of the types specified in clauses (1) through (13) above.

In the case of Investments by any Foreign Subsidiary that is a Restricted Subsidiary or Investments made in a country outside the United States of America, Cash Equivalents shall also include (a) investments of the type and maturity described in clauses (1) through (8) and clauses (10), (11), (12) and (13) in this definition of foreign obligors, which Investments or obligors (or the parents of such obligors) have ratings described in such clauses or equivalent ratings from comparable foreign rating agencies and (b) other short-term investments utilized by Foreign Subsidiaries that are Restricted Subsidiaries in accordance with normal investment practices for cash management in investments analogous to the foregoing investments in clauses (1) through (13) and in this definition. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Cash Equivalents shall include amounts denominated in currencies other than those set forth in clause (1) above; provided that such amounts are converted into any currency listed in clause (1) as promptly as practicable and in any event within 10 Business Days following the receipt of such amounts. For the avoidance of doubt, any items identified as Cash Equivalents under this definition will be deemed to be Cash Equivalents for all purposes under this Indenture regardless of the treatment of such items under GAAP.

Cash Management Obligations” means (1) obligations in respect of any overdraft and related liabilities arising from treasury, depository, cash pooling arrangements, electronic fund transfer, treasury services and cash management services, including controlled disbursement services, working capital lines, lines of credit, overdraft facilities, foreign exchange facilities, deposit and other accounts and merchant services, or other cash management arrangements or any automated clearing house arrangements, (2) other obligations in respect of netting or setting off arrangements, credit, debit or purchase card programs, stored value card and similar arrangements and (3) obligations in respect of any other services related, ancillary or complementary to the foregoing (including any overdraft and related liabilities arising from treasury, depository, cash pooling arrangements and cash management services, corporate credit and purchasing cards and related programs or any automated clearing house transfers of funds).

 

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Cash Management Services” means any of the following to the extent not constituting a line of credit (other than an overnight draft facility that is not in default): automated clearing house transfers of funds, treasury, depository, credit or debit card, purchasing card and/or cash management services, including controlled disbursement services, overdraft facilities, foreign exchange facilities, deposit and other accounts and merchant services.

Change of Control” means:

(1) the Company becomes aware of (by way of a report or any other filing pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, proxy, vote, written notice or otherwise) any “person” or “group” of related persons (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act as in effect on the Issue Date), other than one or more Permitted Holders, is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act as in effect on the Issue Date), directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company other than in connection with any transaction or series of transactions in which the Company shall become the wholly owned Subsidiary of a parent entity of the Company of which no person or group, as noted above, holds more than 50% of the total voting power (other than a Permitted Holder); or

(2) the sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition (other than by way of merger, consolidation or other business combination transaction), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole to a Person, other than a Restricted Subsidiary or one or more Permitted Holders.

Change of Control Repurchase Event” means the occurrence of both a Change of Control and a Ratings Event.

Clearstream” means Clearstream Banking, Société anonyme, or any successor securities clearing agency.

Code” means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Collateral” means all of the assets and property subject to the Liens created pursuant to the Senior Collateral Documents or the Second Priority Collateral Documents, in each case, to secure one or more series of First Lien Obligations or Second Lien Obligations, respectively.

Company” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the recitals to this Indenture.

Consolidated Depreciation and Amortization Expense” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the total amount of depreciation and amortization expense and capitalized fees, including the amortization or write-off of (i) intangible assets and non-cash organizational costs, (ii) deferred financing and debt issuance fees, costs and expenses and (iii) capitalized expenditures, customer acquisition costs and incentive payments, media development costs, conversion costs and contract acquisition costs, the amortization of original issue discount resulting from the issuance of Indebtedness at less than par and amortization of favorable or unfavorable lease assets or liabilities, of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period on a consolidated basis and otherwise determined in accordance with GAAP and any write-down of assets or asset value carried on the balance sheet.

 

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Consolidated EBITDA” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period:

(1) increased (without duplication) by:

(a) provision for taxes based on income or profits or capital, including, without limitation, federal, state, provincial, local, foreign, unitary, excise, property, franchise and similar taxes and foreign withholding taxes (including any future taxes or other levies which replace or are intended to be in lieu of such taxes and any penalties and interest related to such taxes or arising from tax examinations) and similar taxes of such Person paid or accrued during such period, including any penalties and interest relating to any tax examinations, deducted (and not added back) in computing Consolidated Net Income; plus

(b) Fixed Charges of such Person for such period (including (x) net losses on any Hedging Obligations or other derivative instruments entered into for the purpose of hedging interest rate, currency or commodities risk, (y) bank fees and (z) costs of surety bonds in connection with financing activities, plus amounts excluded from the definition of “Consolidated Interest Expense” pursuant to clauses (s) through (y) in clause (1) thereof), in each case to the extent the same were deducted (and not added back) in calculating such Consolidated Net Income; plus

(c) Consolidated Depreciation and Amortization Expense of such Person for such period to the extent the same were deducted (and not added back) in computing Consolidated Net Income; plus

(d) any expenses or charges (other than depreciation or amortization expense) related to any actual, proposed or contemplated Equity Offering, Permitted Investment, acquisition, disposition, recapitalization or the incurrence of Indebtedness permitted to be incurred by this Indenture (including a refinancing thereof) (whether or not successful), including (i) such fees, expenses or charges related to the offering of the Notes, the ABL Credit Agreement and any other Debt Facilities, and (ii) any amendment, waiver or other modification of the Notes, the ABL Credit Agreement, receivables facilities, any other Debt Facilities, any other Indebtedness permitted to be Incurred under this Indenture or any Equity Offering, in each case, whether or not consummated, to the extent the same were deducted (and not added back) in computing Consolidated Net Income; plus

(e) (i) the amount of any restructuring charge, accrual or reserve (and adjustments to existing reserves), integration cost, inventory optimization programs, any non-cash increase in expense resulting from the revaluation of inventory, including any impact of changes to inventory valuation policy

 

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methods, including changes in capitalization of variances, or other inventory adjustments, or other business optimization expense or cost (including charges directly related to the implementation of cost-savings initiatives and tax restructurings) that is deducted (and not added back) in such period in computing Consolidated Net Income, including any one-time costs incurred in connection with acquisitions or divestitures after the Issue Date (whether or not successful), any severance, retention, signing bonuses, relocation, recruiting and other employee related costs, costs in respect of curtailments or modifications to pension and post-retirement employment benefit plans (including any settlement of pension liabilities) and new product introductions (including labor costs, scrap costs and lower absorption of costs, including due to decreased productivity and greater inefficiencies), systems development and establishment costs, operational and reporting systems, technology initiatives, future lease commitments and costs related to the opening and closure and/or consolidation of facilities (including severance, rent termination, moving and legal costs) and to exiting lines of business and consulting fees incurred with any of the foregoing and (ii) fees, costs and expenses associated with acquisition related litigation and settlements thereof; plus

(f) any other non-cash charges, write-downs, expenses, losses or items reducing Consolidated Net Income for such period including any impairment charges or the impact of purchase accounting (excluding any such non-cash charge, write-down or item to the extent it represents an accrual or reserve for a cash expenditure for a future period) or other items classified by the Company as special items less other non-cash items of income increasing Consolidated Net Income (excluding any such non-cash item of income to the extent it represents a receipt of cash in any future period); plus

(g) the amount of any non-controlling interest or minority interest expense consisting of Subsidiary income attributable to minority equity interests of third parties in any non-wholly owned Subsidiary; plus

(h) the amount of pro forma “run-rate” cost savings, operating expense reductions, other operating improvements, revenue enhancements and initiatives and synergies, including from the effect of new customer contracts, projects, material contracts or arrangements and increased pricing or volume in existing contracts or arrangements projected by the Company in good faith to be reasonably anticipated to be realizable or for which a plan for realization shall have been established within 24 months of the date thereof, in connection with any Permitted Investment, restructuring initiative, business optimization, cost savings initiative or similar action (including from any actions taken in whole or in part prior to such date), which will be added to Consolidated EBITDA as so projected until fully realized and calculated on a pro forma basis as though such cost savings, operating expense reductions, other operating improvements, revenue enhancements and initiatives and synergies had been realized on the first day of such period, net of the amount of actual benefits realized prior to or during such period from such actions; provided that the amount of such cost savings

 

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added back shall not exceed 20% of the Consolidated EBITDA in such period; and provided, further, that such cost savings are reasonably identifiable and the result of specified actions taken or initiated or to which substantial steps have been taken or initiated or are expected to be taken or initiated (all in the good faith determination of the Company); plus

(i) any costs or expenses incurred by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement or any stock subscription or shareholder agreement, to the extent that such cost or expenses are funded with cash proceeds contributed to the capital of the Company or net cash proceeds of an issuance of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company solely to the extent that such net cash proceeds are excluded from the calculation set forth in Section 3.3(a)(iii); plus

(j) rent expense as determined in accordance with GAAP not actually paid in cash during such period (net of rent expense paid in cash during such period over and above rent expense as determined in accordance with GAAP); plus

(k) cash receipts (or any netting arrangements resulting in reduced cash expenditures) not representing Consolidated EBITDA or Consolidated Net Income in any period to the extent non-cash gains relating to such income were deducted in the calculation of Consolidated EBITDA pursuant to clause (2) below for any previous period and not added back; plus

(l) realized foreign exchange losses resulting from the impact of foreign currency changes on the valuation of assets or liabilities on the balance sheet of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries; plus

(m) net realized losses from Hedging Obligations or embedded derivatives that require similar accounting treatment and the application of Accounting Standards Codification Topic 815 and related pronouncements; plus

(n) costs related to the implementation of operational and reporting systems and technology initiatives; plus

(o) losses, charges, costs, expenses or reserves, including lost earnings, related to or arising from supply chain disruptions, supplier shortages or delays, logistics interruptions, port congestion or closures, changes in foreign trade policies, tariffs, customs duties or other governmental trade actions, increases or volatility in the cost of raw materials, components, freight, transportation or energy, work stoppages, natural disasters, epidemics, pandemics or other facility or property disruptions or shutdowns, in each case to the extent reasonably identifiable and factually supportable and not duplicative of amounts added back pursuant to any other clause of this definition; plus

 

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(p) with respect to any joint venture, an amount equal to the proportion of those items described in clauses (a) and (c) above relating to such joint venture corresponding to the Company’s and its Restricted Subsidiaries’ proportionate share of such joint venture’s Consolidated Net Income (determined as if such joint venture were a Restricted Subsidiary) to the extent deducted (and not added back) in calculating Consolidated Net Income; plus

(q) any net loss included in the consolidated financial statements due to the application of Financial Accounting Standards No. 160 “Non-controlling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements” (“FAS 160”); plus

(r) any unusual, extraordinary, exceptional, infrequently occurring or non-recurring (1) product recall, product liability, warranty, field action, corrective action or customer accommodation costs, charges, expenses, accruals or reserves, including related regulatory, investigative, litigation, settlement, repair, replacement, remediation, logistics and professional advisory costs and (2) environmental investigation, remediation, corrective action, response action, monitoring, closure or decommissioning costs, charges, expenses, accruals or reserves (including costs arising under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act or analogous state, local or foreign environmental laws or regulations), including related regulatory, investigative, litigation, settlement, engineering, consulting and professional advisory costs, in each case to the extent not incurred in the ordinary course of business and not duplicative of amounts added back pursuant to any other clause of this definition; plus

(s) fees, costs, expenses, charges, losses or reserves relating to portfolio transformation initiatives, acquisitions, dispositions, investments, joint venture arrangements, deconsolidations, reductions in ownership interests, business separations, transitional services, brand licenses or similar strategic transactions, including any related equity method investment income or loss, restructuring charges, transaction costs, indemnity releases or reserves and other costs, charges or losses of any joint venture or equity method investee, in each case whether or not consummated and to the extent deducted in calculating Consolidated Net Income; and

(2) decreased (without duplication) by: (a) non-cash gains increasing Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period, excluding any non-cash gains to the extent they represent the reversal of an accrual or reserve for a potential cash item that reduced Consolidated EBITDA in any prior period and any non-cash gains with respect to cash actually received in a prior period so long as such cash did not increase Consolidated EBITDA in such prior period; plus (b) realized foreign exchange income or gains resulting from the impact of foreign currency changes on the valuation of assets or liabilities on the balance sheet of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries; plus (c) any net realized income or gains from Hedging Obligations or embedded derivatives that require similar accounting treatment and the application of Accounting Standards Codification Topic 815 and related pronouncements; plus (d) any net income included in Consolidated Net Income attributable to non-controlling interests pursuant to the application of Accounting Standards Codification Topic 810; and

 

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(3) increased or decreased (without duplication) by, as applicable, any adjustments resulting from the application of Accounting Standards Codification Topic 460 or any comparable regulation.

For purposes of testing the covenants under this Indenture in connection with any transaction, the Consolidated EBITDA of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries shall be adjusted to reflect such pro forma adjustments as are appropriate and consistent with the pro forma adjustment provisions set forth in the definition of “Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.”

Consolidated Interest Expense” means, with respect to any Person for any period, without duplication, the sum of:

(1) consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent such expense was deducted (and not added back) in computing Consolidated Net Income (including (a) amortization of original issue discount or premium resulting from the issuance of Indebtedness at less than par, (b) all commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters of credit or bankers’ acceptances, (c) non-cash interest payments (but excluding any non-cash interest expense attributable to the movement in the mark-to-market valuation of any Hedging Obligations or other derivative instruments pursuant to GAAP), (d) the interest component of Capitalized Lease Obligations, and (e) net payments, if any, pursuant to interest rate Hedging Obligations with respect to Indebtedness, and excluding (s) penalties and interest relating to taxes, (t) any additional cash interest owing pursuant to any registration rights agreement, (u) accretion or accrual of discounted liabilities other than Indebtedness, (v) any expense resulting from the discounting of any Indebtedness in connection with the application of purchase accounting in connection with any acquisition, (w) amortization of deferred financing fees, debt issuance costs, commissions, fees and expenses, (x) any expensing of bridge, commitment and other financing fees and (y) interest with respect to Indebtedness of any parent of such Person appearing upon the balance sheet of such Person solely by reason of push-down accounting under GAAP); less

(2) interest income for such period.

For purposes of this definition, interest on a Capitalized Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined by such Person to be the rate of interest implicit in such Capitalized Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP.

 

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Consolidated Net Income” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the net income (loss) of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period determined on a consolidated basis on the basis of GAAP; provided, however, that there will not be included in such Consolidated Net Income:

(1) any net income (loss) of any Person if such Person is not a Restricted Subsidiary, except that the Company’s equity in the net income of any such Person for such period will be included in such Consolidated Net Income up to the aggregate amount of cash or Cash Equivalents actually distributed or that (as reasonably determined by an Officer of the Company) could have been distributed by such Person during such period to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary as a dividend or other distribution or return on investment (subject, in the case of a dividend or other distribution or return on investment to a Restricted Subsidiary, to the limitations contained in clause (2) below);

(2) solely for the purpose of determining the amount available for Restricted Payments under Section 3.3(a)(iii)(B), any net income (loss) of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than the Guarantors) if such Subsidiary is subject to restrictions, directly or indirectly, on the payment of dividends or the making of distributions by such Restricted Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, to the Company or a Guarantor by operation of the terms of such Restricted Subsidiary’s articles, charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute or governmental rule or regulation applicable to such Restricted Subsidiary or its shareholders (other than (a) restrictions that have been waived or otherwise released, (b) restrictions pursuant to the ABL Credit Agreement, the Notes, or this Indenture, (c) restrictions in effect on the Issue Date with respect to a Restricted Subsidiary and other restrictions with respect to such Restricted Subsidiary that taken as a whole are not materially less favorable to Holders of Notes than such restrictions in effect on the Issue Date, and (d) any encumbrance or restriction arising pursuant to an agreement or instrument relating to any Indebtedness Incurred subsequent to the Issue Date and the encumbrances and restrictions contained in any such agreement or instrument taken as a whole are not materially less favorable to the Holders than the encumbrances and restrictions contained in the ABL Credit Agreement, together with the security documents associated therewith as in effect on the Issue Date), except that the Company’s equity in the net income of any such Restricted Subsidiary for such period will be included in such Consolidated Net Income up to the aggregate amount of cash or Cash Equivalents actually distributed or that could have been distributed by such Restricted Subsidiary during such period to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary as a dividend or other distribution (subject, in the case of a dividend to another Restricted Subsidiary, to the limitation contained in this clause);

(3) any net gain (or loss) realized upon the sale or other disposition of any asset (including pursuant to any Sale and Leaseback Transaction) or disposed operations of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiaries which is not sold or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business (as determined in good faith by an Officer or the Board of Directors of the Company);

(4) any extraordinary, exceptional, unusual, infrequently occurring or non-recurring gain, loss, charge or expense, including any restructuring costs, charges or reserves (whether or not classified as restructuring expense on the consolidated financial statements), relocation costs, integration and facilities’ or bases’ opening costs, facility consolidation and closing costs, severance costs and expenses, costs relating to pre-opening, opening and conversion costs for facilities, start-up or initial costs for any project, plant, facility, product refresh, new production line, division or new line of

 

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business, losses, costs or cost inefficiencies related to project terminations, facility or property disruptions or shutdowns, including due to work stoppages, natural disasters, epidemics or pandemics, signing, retention and completion bonuses, recruiting costs, costs incurred in connection with any cost savings initiatives, transition costs, contract terminations, litigation and arbitration fees, costs and charges, expenses in connection with one-time rate changes, management transition costs, losses associated with temporary decreases in work volume and expenses related to maintain underutilized personnel and non-recurring product and intellectual property development, other business optimization expenses or reserves (including costs and expenses relating to business optimization programs and new systems design and costs or reserves associated with improvements to IT and accounting functions), retention charges (including charges or expenses in respect of incentive plans), system establishment costs and implementation costs and operating expenses attributable to the implementation of cost-savings initiatives, and curtailments or modifications to pension and post-retirement employee benefit plans (including any settlement of pension liabilities and charges resulting from changes in estimates, valuations and judgments) and professional, legal, accounting, consulting and other service fees incurred with any of the foregoing, and advertising, launch, conversion, transition, underutilization and lower absorption costs associated with any of the foregoing;

(5) at the election of the Company with respect to any quarterly period, the cumulative effect, including charges, accruals, expenses and reserves, of a change in law, regulation or accounting principles and changes as a result of the adoption or modification of accounting policies, and any costs, charges, losses, fees or expenses in connection with the implementation or tracking of any such changes or modifications;

(6) any (i) non-cash compensation charge or expense arising from any grant of stock, stock options or other equity-based awards and any non-cash deemed finance charges in respect of any pension liabilities or other provisions and (ii) income (loss) attributable to deferred compensation plans or trusts;

(7) all deferred financing costs written off and premiums paid or other expenses incurred in connection with any early extinguishment of Indebtedness and any net gain (loss) from any write-off or forgiveness of Indebtedness;

(8) any unrealized gains or losses in respect of any Hedging Obligations or any ineffectiveness recognized in earnings related to qualifying hedge transactions or the fair value of changes therein recognized in earnings for derivatives that do not qualify as hedge transactions, in each case, in respect of any Hedging Obligations;

(9) any unrealized foreign currency translation or transaction gains or losses in respect of Indebtedness of any Person denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of such Person and any unrealized foreign exchange gains or losses relating to translation of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies;

 

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(10) any unrealized or realized gain or loss (after any offset) resulting in such period from currency translation increases or decreases or transaction gains or losses, including those related to currency remeasurements of Indebtedness (including any net loss or gain resulting from Hedging Obligations for currency risk), intercompany loans, accounts receivable, accounts payable, intercompany balances, other balance sheet items, Hedging Obligations or other obligations of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary owing to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary and any other realized or unrealized gains or losses relating to translation of assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies;

(11) any purchase accounting effects including adjustments to inventory, property and equipment, software and other intangible assets and deferred revenue in component amounts required or permitted by GAAP and related authoritative pronouncements (including the effects of such adjustments pushed down to the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries), as a result of any consummated acquisition, or the amortization or write-off of any amounts thereof (including any write-off of in process research and development);

(12) any goodwill or other intangible asset impairment charge or write-off, including impairment charges, write-offs or write-downs related to inventory, intangible assets, long-lived assets, goodwill, investments in debt or equity securities, including any losses with respect to the foregoing in bankruptcy, insolvency or similar proceedings, and investments recorded using the equity method, or as a result of a change in law or regulation, in connection with any disposition of assets and the amortization of intangibles arising pursuant to GAAP;

(13) any after-tax effect of income (loss) from the early extinguishment or cancellation of Indebtedness or any Hedging Obligations or other derivative instruments;

(14) accruals and reserves that are established or adjusted within twelve (12) months after the Issue Date that are so required to be established or adjusted as a result of the Refinancing Transactions in accordance with GAAP;

(15) any net unrealized gains and losses resulting from Hedging Obligations or embedded derivatives that require similar accounting treatment and the application of Accounting Standards Codification Topic 815 and related pronouncements; and

(16) any deferred tax expense associated with tax deductions or net operating losses arising as a result of the Refinancing Transactions, or the release of any valuation allowances related to such item.

In addition, to the extent not already excluded (or included, as applicable) in the Consolidated Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing, Consolidated Net Income shall be increased by the amount of: (i) any expenses, charges or losses that are reimbursed by indemnification or other reimbursement provisions in connection with any investment or any sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition of assets permitted hereunder, or, so long as the Company has made a determination that there exists reasonable evidence that such amount will in fact be reimbursed within 365 days of the date of such evidence (net of any amount so added back in a prior period

 

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to the extent not so reimbursed within the applicable 365-day period) and (ii) to the extent covered by insurance (including business interruption insurance) and actually reimbursed, or, so long as the Company has made a determination that there exists reasonable evidence that such amount will in fact be reimbursed by the insurer and only to the extent that such amount is in fact reimbursed within 365 days of the date of such evidence (net of any amount so added back in a prior period to the extent not so reimbursed within the applicable 365-day period), expenses, charges or losses with respect to liability or casualty events or business interruption.

Consolidated Total Net Indebtedness” means, as of any date of determination, (a) the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Indebtedness for borrowed money (other than Indebtedness with respect to Cash Management Services) of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries outstanding on such date minus (b) the aggregate amount of unrestricted cash and Cash Equivalents included on the consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of the end of the most recent fiscal period for which consolidated financial statements are available (which may, at the Company’s election, be internal financial statements) with such pro forma adjustments as are consistent with the pro forma adjustments set forth in the definition of “Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” and as determined in good faith by the Company.

Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (x) Consolidated Total Net Indebtedness as of such date to (y) the aggregate amount of Consolidated EBITDA for the period of the most recent four consecutive fiscal quarters ending prior to the date of such determination for which consolidated financial statements of the Company are available (which may, at the Company’s election, be internal financial statements), in each case with such pro forma adjustments as are consistent with the pro forma adjustments set forth in the definition of “Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.”

Consolidated Total Secured Net Leverage Ratio” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (x) Consolidated Total Net Indebtedness secured by a Lien as of such date to (y) the aggregate amount of Consolidated EBITDA for the period of the most recent four consecutive fiscal quarters ending prior to the date of such determination for which consolidated financial statements of the Company are available (which may, at the Company’s election, be internal financial statements), in each case with such pro forma adjustments as are consistent with the pro forma adjustments set forth in the definition of “Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.”

Contingent Obligations” means, with respect to any Person, any obligation of such Person guaranteeing in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, any operating lease, dividend or other obligation that does not constitute Indebtedness (“primary obligations”) of any other Person (the “primary obligor”), including any obligation of such Person, whether or not contingent:

(1) to purchase any such primary obligation or any property constituting direct or indirect security therefor;

(2) to advance or supply funds:

(a) for the purchase or payment of any such primary obligation; or

 

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(b) to maintain the working capital or equity capital of the primary obligor or otherwise to maintain the net worth or solvency of the primary obligor; or

(3) to purchase property, securities or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the owner of any such primary obligation of the ability of the primary obligor to make payment of such primary obligation against loss in respect thereof.

Controlled Investment Affiliate” means, as to any Person, any other Person, which directly or indirectly is in control of, is controlled by, or is under common control with such Person and is organized by such Person (or any Person controlling such Person) primarily for making direct or indirect equity or debt investments in the Company and/or other companies.

Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator, custodian or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.

Debt Facility” means, with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, one or more debt facilities, indentures or other arrangements (including the ABL Credit Agreement or commercial paper facilities and overdraft facilities) with banks, other financial institutions or investors providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, notes or receivables (including through the sale of receivables to such institutions or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from such institutions against such receivables or the creation of any Liens in respect of such receivables in favor of such institutions), letters of credit or other Indebtedness, in each case including all agreements, instruments and documents executed and delivered pursuant to or in connection with the foregoing (including any notes and letters of credit issued pursuant thereto and any guarantee and collateral agreement, copyright, patent or trademark security agreement, mortgages or letter of credit applications and other guarantees, pledges, agreements, security agreements and collateral documents) and in each case as amended, restated, modified, supplemented, renewed, refunded, replaced, restructured, refinanced, repaid, increased or extended in whole or in part from time to time (and whether in whole or in part and whether or not with the original administrative agent and lenders or another administrative agent or agents or other banks or institutions and whether provided under the original Debt Facility or one or more other credit or other agreements, indentures, financing agreements or otherwise). Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the term “Debt Facility” shall include any agreement or instrument (1) changing the maturity of any Indebtedness Incurred thereunder or contemplated thereby, (2) adding Subsidiaries of the Company as additional borrowers or guarantors thereunder, (3) increasing the amount of Indebtedness Incurred thereunder or available to be borrowed thereunder or (4) otherwise altering the terms and conditions thereof.

Default” means any event that is, or with the passage of time or the giving of notice or both would be, an Event of Default; provided that any Default that results solely from the taking of an action that would have been permitted but for the continuation of a previous Default will be deemed to be cured if such previous Default is cured prior to becoming an Event of Default.

Definitive Notes” means certificated Notes.

 

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Derivative Instrument” with respect to a Person, means any contract, instrument or other right to receive payment or delivery of cash or other assets to which such Person or any Affiliate of such Person that is acting in concert with such Person in connection with such Person’s investment in the Notes (other than a Screened Affiliate) is a party (whether or not requiring further performance by such Person), the value and/or cash flows of which (or any material portion thereof) are materially affected by the value and/or performance of the Notes and/or the creditworthiness of the Company and/or any one or more of the Guarantors (the “Performance References”).

Designated Non-Cash Consideration” means the fair market value (as determined in good faith by the Company) of non-cash consideration received by the Company or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with an Asset Disposition that is so designated as Designated Non-Cash Consideration pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate, setting forth the basis of such valuation, less the amount of cash or Cash Equivalents received in connection with a subsequent payment, redemption, retirement, sale or other disposition of such Designated Non-Cash Consideration. A particular item of Designated Non-Cash Consideration will no longer be considered to be outstanding when and to the extent it has been paid, redeemed or otherwise retired or sold or otherwise disposed of in compliance with Section 3.5.

Designated Preferred Stock” means, with respect to the Company, Preferred Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) (a) that is issued for cash (other than to the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company or an employee stock ownership plan or trust established by the Company or any such Subsidiary for the benefit of their employees to the extent funded by the Company or such Subsidiary) and (b) that is designated as “Designated Preferred Stock” pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate of the Company at or prior to the issuance thereof, the Net Cash Proceeds of which are excluded from the calculation set forth in Section 3.3(a)(iii)(C).

Disqualified Stock” means, with respect to any Person, any Capital Stock of such Person which 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:

(1) matures or is mandatorily redeemable for cash or in exchange for Indebtedness pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise; or

(2) is or may become (in accordance with its terms) upon the occurrence of certain events or otherwise redeemable or repurchasable for cash or in exchange for Indebtedness at the option of the holder of the Capital Stock in whole or in part,

in each case on or prior to the earlier of (a) the Stated Maturity of the Notes or (b) the date on which there are no Notes outstanding; provided, however, that (i) only the portion of Capital Stock which so matures or is mandatorily redeemable, is so convertible or exchangeable or is so redeemable at the option of the holder thereof prior to such date will be deemed to be Disqualified Stock and (ii) any Capital Stock that would constitute Disqualified Stock solely because the Holders thereof have the right to require such Person to repurchase such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of a change of control or asset sale (howsoever defined or referred to) shall not constitute Disqualified Stock if any such redemption or repurchase obligation is subject to compliance by the relevant Person with Section 3.3; provided, however, that if such Capital

 

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Stock is issued to any future, current or former employee, director, officer, manager, contractor, consultant or advisor (or their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members) (excluding the Permitted Holders (but not excluding any future, current or former employee, director, officer, manager, contractor, consultant or advisor) or Immediate Family Members), of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any other entity in which the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary has an Investment and is designated in good faith as an “affiliate” by the Board of Directors (or the compensation committee thereof) or any other plan for the benefit of current, former or future employees (or their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members) of the Company or its Subsidiaries or by any such plan to such employees (or their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members), such Capital Stock shall not constitute Disqualified Stock solely because it may be required to be repurchased by the Company or its Subsidiaries in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations.

Dollars” or “$” means the lawful money of the United States of America.

Domestic Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any Restricted Subsidiary of such Person other than a Foreign Subsidiary or a Canadian Subsidiary.

DTC” means The Depository Trust Company or any successor securities clearing agency.

Equity Interests” means shares of capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests in a limited liability company, beneficial interests in a trust or other equity ownership interests in a Person, and any warrants, options or other rights entitling the holder thereof to purchase or acquire any of the foregoing.

Equity Offering” means (x) a sale of Capital Stock of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) other than offerings registered on Form S-8 (or any successor form) under the Securities Act or any similar offering in other jurisdictions, or (y) the sale of Capital Stock or other securities, the proceeds of which are contributed to the equity (other than through the issuance of Disqualified Stock or Designated Preferred Stock or through an Excluded Contribution) of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

Euroclear” means Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear System, or any successor securities clearing agency.

Exchange Act” means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder, as amended.

Excluded Assets” means the following:

(1) any fee-owned real property and all leasehold or subleasehold interests in real property;

(2) any motor vehicles, aircraft and other assets subject to certificates of title (other than to the extent the security interest in such certificates of title may be perfected by the filing of UCC or PPSA financing statements);

 

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(3) assets in respect of which pledges and security interests are prohibited by applicable U.S. or Canadian federal, state, provincial or territorial law, rule or regulation or agreements with any United States or Canadian (or applicable state, provincial or territorial) Governmental Authority (other than to the extent that such prohibition would be rendered ineffective pursuant to Section 9-406, 9-407, 9-408, 9-409 or other applicable provisions of the UCC of any applicable jurisdiction, or the PPSA, or any other applicable law); provided that, immediately upon the ineffectiveness, lapse or termination of any such prohibitions, such assets shall automatically cease to constitute “Excluded Assets”;

(4) Equity Interests in any Person other than wholly-owned Subsidiaries to the extent not permitted by terms in such Person’s organizational or joint venture documents (unless any such restriction would be rendered ineffective pursuant to Section 9-406, 9-407, 9-408, 9-409 or other applicable provisions of the UCC of any applicable jurisdiction, or the PPSA, or any other applicable law);

(5) any lease, license or other agreement or any property subject to such lease, license or other agreement including a purchase money security interest or similar arrangement, in each case, to the extent that a grant of a security interest therein would violate or invalidate such lease, license or agreement or purchase money arrangement or create a right of termination in favor of any other party thereto (other than a Grantor) or would require the consent or approval of any other party thereto (other than a Grantor) (so long as such lease, license or other agreement is binding on such asset on the Issue Date or at the time of its acquisition and is not entered into in contemplation of the Issue Date or such acquisition, and other than (i) proceeds and receivables thereof, the assignment of which is expressly deemed effective under the UCC or PPSA notwithstanding such prohibition, (ii) to the extent that any such term has been waived or (iii) to the extent any such term would be rendered ineffective pursuant to Section 9-406, 9-407, 9-408, 9-409 or other applicable provisions of the UCC of any applicable jurisdiction, or the PPSA, or any other applicable law); provided that, immediately upon the ineffectiveness, lapse or termination of any such express term, such assets shall automatically cease to constitute “Excluded Assets”;

(6) Excluded Accounts;

(7) cash to secure letter of credit reimbursement obligations (other than in respect of letters of credit issued under the ABL Credit Agreement) to the extent such secured letters of credit are issued or permitted, and such cash collateral is otherwise permitted under this Indenture;

(8) any “intent-to-use” application for registration of a trademark filed pursuant to Section 1(b) of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1051, prior to the filing of a “Statement of Use” pursuant to Section 1(d) of the Lanham Act or an “Amendment to Allege Use” pursuant to Section 1(c) of the Lanham Act with respect thereto, to the extent, if any, that and solely during the period, if any, in which, the grant of a security interest therein would impair the validity or enforceability of any registration that issues from such intent-to-use application under applicable federal law;

 

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(9) Equity Interests in any (x) not-for-profit Subsidiary or (y) other Subsidiary if the granting of a security interest in such Equity Interests (i) is prohibited or restricted by any applicable law or any contractual obligation (limited, in the case of a contractual obligation, to such contractual obligations in existence on the Issue Date or on the date such Subsidiary was acquired by the Company or any other Subsidiary and that was not entered into in contemplation thereof) from providing a guarantee of the Obligations or (ii) would require a governmental consent, approval, license or authorization (including any regulatory consent, approval, license or authorization) in order to provide such security interest (other than any such consent, approval, license or authorization that has been obtained);

(10) voting Equity Interests in any Foreign Subsidiary representing more than 65% of the voting Equity Interests in such Foreign Subsidiary;

(11) any assets to the extent a security interest in such assets would result in material adverse tax consequences (as reasonably determined by the Company pursuant to the ABL Credit Agreement);

(12) Permitted Receivables Facility Assets;

(13) letter of credit rights (other than to the extent the security interest in such letter of credit rights may be perfected by the filing of UCC or PPSA financing statements) with a value of less than $5,000,000 individually and $10,000,000 in the aggregate;

(14) commercial tort claims with an estimated value by the Company of less than $5,000,000 individually and $10,000,000 in the aggregate;

(15) such assets as reasonably determined in accordance with the ABL Credit Agreement that the cost of obtaining such a security interest therein or perfection thereof are excessive in relation to the benefit to the Secured Parties of the security to be afforded thereby;

(16) the Specified Existing Senior Notes Equity/Debt; and

(17) any assets (other than Collateral securing obligations under certain Synthetic Lease Agreements pursuant to the First Lien Documents) securing obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary under any Synthetic Lease Agreement (in each case, as in effect on the Issue Date and without giving effect to any amendments, supplements or modifications to such Synthetic Lease Agreements after the Issue Date);

provided, however, that “Excluded Assets” shall not include (x) any proceeds, products, substitutions or replacements of Excluded Assets (unless such proceeds, products, substitutions or replacements would otherwise constitute Excluded Assets) and (y) any asset or property of a Grantor on which a Lien has been granted to secure obligations under the ABL Credit Agreement, Term Indebtedness Obligations or Additional Second Lien Obligations.

 

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For purposes of clause (16) above, references in Existing Senior Notes Indentures or any indenture governing any Applicable Refinanced Existing Senior Notes to “shares of stock,” “shares of capital stock,” “capital stock” or similar terms shall be interpreted to include all Equity Interests (including, without limitation, membership interests in limited liability companies, partnership interests in partnerships or limited partnerships, and any other ownership or equity interest in any Person); provided, that notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Indenture or in any other Note Document, in no event shall the aggregate principal amount of Obligations in respect of the Notes (together with any other Second Priority Debt Obligations) secured by the Specified Existing Senior Notes Principal Property exceed the Maximum Specified Principal Property Secured Amount at any time. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Specified M&E Assets shall not constitute Specified Existing Senior Notes Principal Property.

For the avoidance of doubt, “Collateral” excludes any and all assets and personal property owned or held by any Subsidiary of the Company that is not a Guarantor.

Excluded Accounts” means collectively, deposit accounts (other than any collection account established for purposes of effecting cash dominion under the ABL Credit Agreement), securities accounts, commodity accounts or any other deposit accounts, to the extent exclusively constituting (a) payroll and other employee wage and benefit accounts (including accounts consisting of Canada Pension Plan contributions or Québec Pension Plan contributions), (b) tax accounts, including sales tax accounts, (c) escrow, fiduciary or trust accounts, (d) designated disbursement accounts and bank accounts located outside of the U.S. or Canada, (e) deposit accounts, securities accounts or commodities accounts (i) that are zero balance accounts or (ii) the balances of which are transferred automatically on a daily basis to deposit accounts, securities account or commodities account that are not Excluded Accounts, (f) accounts holding cash collateral in escrow or in trust for the benefit of a third party in connection with a Permitted Encumbrance, (g) accounts that do not have an individual ending balance in excess of $10,000,000 or in the aggregate with each other account described in this clause (g), in excess of $25,000,000, (h) any account the balance of which consists solely of identifiable proceeds of any sale or other disposition of any Term Indebtedness Priority Collateral so long as all amounts on deposit therein constitute Term Indebtedness Priority Collateral, (i) segregated accounts established in connection with Permitted Receivables Facility Documents and the balance of which consists solely of identifiable proceeds and collections of Permitted Receivables Facility Assets, and (j) the funds or other property held in or maintained in any such account identified in clauses (a) through (i).

Excluded Contribution” means Net Cash Proceeds or property or assets received by the Company as capital contributions to the equity (other than through the issuance of Disqualified Stock or Designated Preferred Stock) of the Company after the Issue Date or from the issuance or sale (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary or an employee stock ownership plan or trust established by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company for the benefit of their employees to the extent funded by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary) of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock or Designated Preferred Stock) of the Company.

 

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Existing Senior Notes” means (i) the 1.250% Senior Notes due 2026 issued by Whirlpool Finance Luxembourg S.à r.l. (“Whirlpool Luxembourg”); (ii) the 1.100% Senior Notes due 2027 issued by Whirlpool Luxembourg; (iii) the 0.500% Senior Notes due 2028 issued by Whirlpool EMEA Finance S.à r.l.; (iv) the 4.750% Senior Notes due 2029 issued by the Company; (v) the 6.125% Senior Notes due 2030 issued by the Company; (vi) the 2.400% Senior Notes due 2031 issued by the Company; (vii) the 4.750% Senior Notes due 2032 issued by the Company; (viii) the 5.500% Senior Notes due 2033 issued by the Company; (ix) the 6.500% Senior Notes due 2033 issued by the Company; (x) the 5.750% Senior Notes due 2034 issued by the Company; (xi) the 5.150% Senior Notes due 2043 issued by the Company; (xii) the 4.500% Senior Notes due 2046 issued by the Company; and (xiii) the 4.600% Senior Notes due 2050 issued by the Company.

Existing Senior Notes Indentures” means, collectively, the indentures governing the Existing Senior Notes, in each case, as in effect on the Issue Date and to the extent the applicable series of Existing Senior Notes remains outstanding.

fair market value” may be conclusively established by means of an Officer’s Certificate or resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Company setting out such fair market value as determined by such Officer or such Board of Directors in good faith.

First Lien Documents” means (1) the ABL Credit Agreement and all related credit, guarantee and security documents and (2) the credit, guarantee and security documents governing the First Lien Obligations.

First Lien Obligations” means, collectively, (1) the Secured Obligations under the ABL Credit Agreement and any Cash Management Obligations and any Hedging Obligations secured pursuant thereto, or any other Debt Facilities that constitute Additional First Lien Obligations and (2) each Series of Additional First Lien Obligations.

First Lien Secured Parties” means the holders of First Lien Obligations.

First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement” means the intercreditor agreement (as the same may be amended, restated, or replaced from time to time) entered into concurrently with the ABL Credit Agreement between the ABL Collateral Agent and the Notes Collateral Agent.

Fitch” means Fitch Ratings, Inc. or any of its successors or assigns that is a Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization.

Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” means, with respect to any Person on any determination date, the ratio of Consolidated EBITDA of such Person for the most recent four consecutive fiscal quarters ending immediately prior to such determination date for which consolidated financial statements are available (which may, at the Company’s election, be internal financial statements) to the Fixed Charges of such Person for four consecutive fiscal quarters. In the event that the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary Incurs, assumes, Guarantees, redeems, defeases, retires or extinguishes any Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness incurred under any revolving credit facility unless such Indebtedness has been permanently repaid and has not been replaced) or issues or redeems Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is being calculated but prior to or simultaneously with the event for which the calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is made (the “Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio Calculation Date”), then the Fixed Charge Coverage

 

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Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect to such Incurrence, assumption, Guarantee, redemption, defeasance, retirement or extinguishment of Indebtedness, or such issuance or redemption of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period; provided, however, that the pro forma calculation shall not give effect to any Indebtedness Incurred on such determination date.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Indenture, in the event any Lien is incurred or other transaction is undertaken in reliance on any ratio-based exceptions, thresholds and baskets, such ratio(s) shall be calculated with respect to such incurrence, issuance or other transaction without giving effect to amounts being utilized under any other exceptions, thresholds or baskets (other than ratio-based baskets) on the same date. Each Lien incurred and each other transaction undertaken shall be deemed to have been incurred, issued or taken first, to the extent available, pursuant to the relevant ratio-based test.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Indenture, in the event any Lien is incurred or other transaction is undertaken in reliance on any ratio-based exceptions, thresholds and baskets, such ratio(s) shall be calculated without regard to the incurrence of any Indebtedness under any revolving facility or letter of credit facility (1) immediately prior to or in connection therewith or (2) used to finance working capital needs of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries.

For purposes of making the computation referred to above, any Investments, acquisitions, dispositions, mergers, amalgamations, consolidations, operational changes, business expansions and disposed or discontinued operations that have been made by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, during the four-quarter reference period or subsequent to such reference period and on or prior to or simultaneously with the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio Calculation Date shall be calculated on a pro forma basis assuming that all such Investments, acquisitions, dispositions, mergers, amalgamations, consolidations, operational changes, business expansions and disposed or discontinued operations (and the change in any associated fixed charge obligations and the change in Consolidated EBITDA resulting therefrom) had occurred on the first day of the four-quarter reference period. If since the beginning of such period any Person that subsequently became a Restricted Subsidiary or was merged or amalgamated with or into the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries since the beginning of such period shall have made any Investment, acquisition, disposition, merger, amalgamation, consolidation, operational change, business expansion or disposed or discontinued operation that would have required adjustment pursuant to this definition, then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect thereto for such period as if such Investment, acquisition, disposition, merger, amalgamation, consolidation, operational change, business expansion or disposed or discontinued operation had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period.

Notwithstanding anything in this definition to the contrary, when calculating the Consolidated Total Secured Net Leverage Ratio, the Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio or the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, as applicable, in each case in connection with a Limited Condition Acquisition, the date of determination of such ratio and of any default or event of default blocker shall, at the option of the Company, be the date the definitive agreements for such Limited Condition Acquisition are entered into and such ratios shall be calculated on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such Limited Condition Acquisition and the other transactions

 

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to be entered into in connection therewith (including any incurrence of Indebtedness and the use of proceeds thereof) as if they occurred at the beginning of the four-quarter reference period, and, for the avoidance of doubt, (x) if any such ratios are exceeded as a result of fluctuations in such ratio (including due to fluctuations in Consolidated EBITDA of the Company or the target company) at or prior to the consummation of the relevant Limited Condition Acquisition, such ratios will not be deemed to have been exceeded as a result of such fluctuations solely for purposes of determining whether the Limited Condition Acquisition is permitted hereunder and (y) such ratios shall not be tested at the time of consummation of such Limited Condition Acquisition or related transactions; provided, further, that if the Company elects to have such determinations occur at the time of entry into such definitive agreement, any such transaction shall be deemed to have occurred on the date the definitive agreements are entered and outstanding thereafter for purposes of subsequently calculating any ratios under this Indenture after the date of such agreement and before the consummation of such Limited Condition Acquisition and to the extent baskets were utilized in satisfying any covenants, such baskets shall be deemed utilized, but any calculation of Consolidated EBITDA or Consolidated Net Income for purposes of other incurrences of Indebtedness or Liens or making of Restricted Payments (not related to such Limited Condition Acquisition) shall not reflect such Limited Condition Acquisition until it is closed.

For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to a transaction, the pro forma calculations shall be made in good faith by a responsible financial or chief accounting officer of the Company (including cost savings and synergies); provided that such cost savings are reasonably identifiable, reasonably attributable to the action specified and reasonably anticipated to result from such actions. If any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest on such Indebtedness shall be calculated as if the rate in effect on the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio Calculation Date had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Hedging Obligations applicable to such Indebtedness). Interest on a Capitalized Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Company to be the rate of interest implicit in such Capitalized Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP. For purposes of making the computation referred to above, interest on any Indebtedness under a revolving credit facility computed with a pro forma basis shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during the applicable period except as set forth in the first paragraph of this definition. Interest on Indebtedness that may optionally be determined at an interest rate based upon a factor of a prime or similar rate, a eurocurrency interbank offered rate, or other rate, shall be determined to have been based upon the rate actually chosen, or if none, then based upon such optional rate chosen as the Company may designate.

Fixed Charges” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum of:

(1) Consolidated Interest Expense of such Person for such period;

(2) all cash dividends or other distributions paid (excluding items eliminated in consolidation) on any series of Preferred Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary of such Person during such period; and

 

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(3) all cash dividends or other distributions paid (excluding items eliminated in consolidation) on any series of Disqualified Stock during such period.

Foreign Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any Subsidiary of such Person that is not organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, the District of Columbia or Canada or any province or territory thereof, and any Subsidiary of such Subsidiary.

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America as in effect on the date of any calculation or determination required hereunder. Except as otherwise set forth in this Indenture, all ratios and calculations based on GAAP contained in this Indenture shall be computed in accordance with GAAP as in effect on the Issue Date. At any time after the Issue Date, the Company may elect to establish that GAAP shall mean the GAAP as in effect on or prior to the date of such election; provided that any such election, once made, shall be irrevocable. At any time after the Issue Date, the Company may elect to apply IFRS accounting principles in lieu of GAAP and, upon any such election, references herein to GAAP shall thereafter be construed to mean IFRS (except as otherwise provided in this Indenture), including as to the ability of the Company to make an election pursuant to the previous sentence; provided that any such election, once made, shall be irrevocable; provided, further, that any calculation or determination in this Indenture that requires the application of GAAP for periods that include fiscal quarters ended prior to the Company’s election to apply IFRS shall remain as previously calculated or determined in accordance with GAAP; provided, further, that the Company may only make such election if it also elects to report any subsequent financial reports required to be made by the Company, including pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act and Section 3.10 in IFRS. The Company shall give notice of any such election made in accordance with this definition to the Trustee and the Holders.

If there occurs a change in IFRS or GAAP, as the case may be, and such change would cause a change in the method of calculation of any standards, terms or measures (including all computations of amounts and ratios) used in this Indenture (an “Accounting Change”), then the Company may elect that such standards, terms or measures shall be calculated as if such Accounting Change had or had not occurred.

Governmental Authority” means any nation, sovereign or government, any state, province, territory or other political subdivision thereof, any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, administrative tribunal, central bank, stock exchange or other entity or authority exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory, self-regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government.

Grantor” means the Company and each Guarantor that is party to any Senior Collateral Documents as a “Grantor”.

 

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Guarantee” means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Indebtedness of any other Person, including any such obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such Person:

(1) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness of such other Person (whether arising by virtue of partnership arrangements, or by agreements to keep-well, to purchase assets, goods, securities or services, to take-or-pay or to maintain financial statement conditions or otherwise); or

(2) entered into primarily for purposes of assuring in any other manner the obligee of such Indebtedness of the payment thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part),

provided, however, that the term “Guarantee” will not include (x) endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice and (y) standard contractual indemnities or product warranties provided in the ordinary course of business, and provided, further, that the amount of any Guarantee shall be deemed to be the lower of (i) an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the primary obligation in respect of which such Guarantee is made and (ii) the maximum amount for which such guaranteeing Person may be liable pursuant to the terms of the instrument embodying such Guarantee or, if such Guarantee is not an unconditional guarantee of the entire amount of the primary obligation and such maximum amount is not stated or determinable, the amount of such guaranteeing Person’s maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by such Person in good faith. The term “Guarantee” used as a verb has a corresponding meaning.

Guarantor” means, with respect to each series of Notes, any Restricted Subsidiary that Guarantees the Notes, in each case until such Guarantee is released in accordance with the terms of this Indenture.

Hedging Obligations” means, with respect to any Person, the obligations of such Person under any interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest rate collar agreement, commodity swap agreement, commodity cap agreement, commodity collar agreement, foreign exchange contracts, currency swap agreement or similar agreement providing for the transfer or mitigation of interest rate, commodity price or currency risks either generally or under specific contingencies.

Holder” means each Person in whose name the Notes are registered on the Registrar’s books, which shall initially be the respective nominee of DTC.

IAI” means an institutional “accredited investor” as described in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3), (7), (9), (11), (12) or (13) under the Securities Act.

IFRS” means the international financial reporting standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board as in effect from time to time.

Immediate Family Members” means, with respect to any individual, such individual’s child, stepchild, grandchild or more remote descendant, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, former spouse, qualified domestic partner, sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law and daughter-in-law (including adoptive relationships, the estate of such individual and such other individuals above) and any trust, partnership or other bona fide estate-planning vehicle the only beneficiaries of which are any of the foregoing individuals or any private foundation or fund that is controlled by any of the foregoing individuals or any donor-advised fund of which any such individual is the donor.

 

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Incur” means issue, create, assume, enter into any Guarantee of, incur, extend or otherwise become liable for; provided, however, that any Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary (whether by merger, amalgamation, consolidation, acquisition or otherwise) will be deemed to be Incurred by such Restricted Subsidiary at the time it becomes a Restricted Subsidiary; and the terms “Incurred” and “Incurrence” have meanings correlative to the foregoing, and any Indebtedness pursuant to any revolving credit or similar facility shall only be “Incurred” at the time any funds are borrowed thereunder.

Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Person on any date of determination (without duplication):

(1) the principal of indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money;

(2) the principal of obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments;

(3) all reimbursement obligations of such Person in respect of letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances or other similar instruments (the amount of such obligations being equal at any time to the aggregate then undrawn and unexpired amount of such letters of credit or other instruments plus the aggregate amount of drawings thereunder that have not been reimbursed) (except to the extent such reimbursement obligations relate to trade payables and such obligations are satisfied within 30 days of Incurrence);

(4) the principal component of all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred and unpaid purchase price of property (except trade payables or similar obligations, including accrued expenses owed to a trade creditor), which purchase price is due more than one year after the date of placing such property in service or taking final delivery and title thereto;

(5) Capitalized Lease Obligations of such Person;

(6) the principal component of all obligations, or liquidation preference, of such Person with respect to any Disqualified Stock or, with respect to any Restricted Subsidiary, any Preferred Stock (but excluding, in each case, any accrued dividends);

(7) the principal component of all Indebtedness of other Persons secured by a Lien on any asset of such Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by such Person; provided, however, that the amount of such Indebtedness will be the lesser of (a) the fair market value of such asset at such date of determination (as determined in good faith by the Company) and (b) the amount of such Indebtedness of such other Persons;

(8) Guarantees by such Person of the principal component of Indebtedness of other Persons to the extent Guaranteed by such Person; and

 

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(9) to the extent not otherwise included in this definition, net obligations of such Person under Hedging Obligations (the amount of any such obligations to be equal at any time to the net payments under such agreement or arrangement giving rise to such obligation that would be payable by such Person at the termination of such agreement or arrangement);

with respect to clauses (1), (2), (4) and (5) above, if and to the extent that any of the foregoing Indebtedness (other than letters of credit and Hedging Obligations) would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet (excluding the footnotes thereto) of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP.

The term “Indebtedness” shall not include any lease, concession or license of property (or Guarantee thereof) which would be considered an operating lease pursuant to the proviso to the definition of “Capitalized Lease Obligations,” any prepayments of deposits received from clients or customers in the ordinary course of business, or obligations under any license, permit or other approval (or Guarantees given in respect of such obligations) Incurred prior to the Issue Date or in the ordinary course of business.

The amount of Indebtedness of any Person at any time in the case of a revolving credit or similar facility shall be the total amount of funds borrowed and then outstanding. The amount of any Indebtedness outstanding as of any date shall be (a) the accreted value thereof in the case of any Indebtedness issued with original issue discount and (b) the principal amount of Indebtedness, or liquidation preference thereof, in the case of any other Indebtedness. Indebtedness shall be calculated without giving effect to the effects of Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 815 and related interpretations to the extent such effects would otherwise increase or decrease an amount of Indebtedness for any purpose under this Indenture as a result of accounting for any embedded derivatives created by the terms of such Indebtedness.

Notwithstanding the above provisions, in no event shall the following constitute Indebtedness:

(1) Contingent Obligations Incurred in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice, other than assumptions of Indebtedness;

(2) Cash Management Services;

(3) any lease, concession or license of property (or Guarantee thereof) which would be considered an operating lease pursuant to the proviso to the definition of “Capitalized Lease Obligations” or any prepayments of deposits received from clients or customers in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice;

(4) obligations under any license, permit or other approval (or Guarantees given in respect of such obligations) incurred prior to the Issue Date or in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice;

 

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(5) in connection with the purchase by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of any business, any post-closing payment adjustments to which the seller may become entitled to the extent such payment is determined by a final closing balance sheet or such payment depends on the performance of such business after the closing; provided, however, that, at the time of closing, the amount of any such payment is not determinable and, to the extent such payment thereafter becomes fixed and determined, the amount is paid in a timely manner; or

(6) for the avoidance of doubt, any obligations in respect of workers’ compensation claims, early retirement or termination obligations, pension fund obligations or contributions or similar claims, obligations or contributions or social security or wage Taxes.

Initial Second Priority Debt Documents” means this Indenture and any notes, security documents, pledge agreements, debentures and other operative agreements evidencing or governing such indebtedness, including any Second Priority Collateral Documents and the other Note Documents.

Indenture” means this Indenture as amended or supplemented from time to time.

Initial Notes” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the second introductory paragraph of this Indenture.

Initial Purchasers” means Citigroup Global Markets Inc., BMO Capital Markets Corp., BNP Paribas Securities Corp., Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Mizuho Securities USA LLC, PNC Capital Markets LLC, TD Securities (USA) LLC, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Fifth Third Securities, Inc., Huntington Securities, Inc., Loop Capital Markets LLC, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, MUFG Securities Americas Inc., Periculum Advisors, LLC, Scotia Capital (USA) Inc., and Standard Chartered Bank.

Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding” means:

(1) any case or proceeding commenced by or against the Company or any other Grantor under any Bankruptcy Law, any other case or proceeding for the reorganization, recapitalization or adjustment or marshalling of the assets or liabilities of the Company or any other Grantor, any receivership or assignment for the benefit of creditors relating to the Company or any other Grantor or any similar case or proceeding relative to the Company or any other Grantor or its creditors, as such, in each case whether or not voluntary;

(2) any liquidation, dissolution, marshalling of assets or liabilities or other winding up of or relating to the Company or any other Grantor, in each case whether or not voluntary and whether or not involving bankruptcy or insolvency; or

(3) any other case or proceeding of any type or nature in which substantially all claims of creditors of the Company or any other Grantor are determined and any payment or distribution is or may be made on account of such claims.

Intercreditor Agreements” means, collectively, the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement and any Pari Intercreditor Agreement.

 

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Investment” means, with respect to any Person, all investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the form of any direct or indirect advance, loan or other extensions of credit (other than advances or extensions of credit to customers, suppliers, dealers, licensees, franchisees, future, present or former employees, directors, officers, managers, contractors, consultants or advisors of any Person in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice, and excluding any debt or extension of credit represented by a bank deposit other than a time deposit) or capital contribution to (by means of any transfer of cash or other property to others or any payment for property or services for the account or use of others), or any purchase or acquisition of Capital Stock, Indebtedness or other similar instruments issued by, such other Persons and all other items that are or would be classified as investments on a balance sheet prepared on the basis of GAAP; provided, however, that endorsements of negotiable instruments and documents in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice will not be deemed to be an Investment. If the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary issues, sells or otherwise disposes of any Capital Stock of a Person that is a Restricted Subsidiary such that, after giving effect thereto, such Person is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary, any Investment by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in such Person remaining after giving effect thereto will be deemed to be a new Investment at such time. Guarantees shall not be deemed to be Investments. The amount of any Investment outstanding at any time shall be the original cost of such Investment, reduced (at the Company’s option) by any dividend, distribution, interest payment, return of capital, repayment or other amount or value received in respect of such Investment; provided that to the extent that the amount of Restricted Payments outstanding at any time is so reduced by any portion of any such amount or value that would otherwise be included in the calculation of Consolidated Net Income, such portion of such amount or value shall not be so included for purposes of calculating the amount of Restricted Payments that may be made pursuant to Section 3.3(a).

For purposes of Section 3.3 and Section 3.20:

(1) “Investment” will include the portion (proportionate to the Company’s equity interest in a Restricted Subsidiary to be designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary) of the fair market value of the net assets of such Restricted Subsidiary of the Company at the time that such Restricted Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that upon a redesignation of such Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary, the Company will be deemed to continue to have a permanent “Investment” in an Unrestricted Subsidiary in an amount (if positive) equal to (a) the Company’s “Investment” in such Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation less (b) the portion (proportionate to the Company’s equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the fair market value of the net assets (as conclusively determined by the Board of Directors of the Company in good faith) of such Subsidiary at the time that such Subsidiary is so re-designated a Restricted Subsidiary; and

(2) any property transferred to or from an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be valued at its fair market value at the time of such transfer, in each case as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

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Investment Grade Securities” means:

(1) securities issued or directly and fully Guaranteed or insured by the United States or Canadian government or any agency or instrumentality thereof (other than Cash Equivalents);

(2) securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United Kingdom or Japanese governments, a member of the European Union, or any agency or instrumentality thereof (other than Cash Equivalents);

(3) debt securities or debt instruments with a rating of “BBB-” or higher from S&P or “Baa3” or higher by Moody’s or the equivalent of such rating by such rating organization or, if no rating of Moody’s or S&P then exists, the equivalent of such rating by any other Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization, but excluding any debt securities or instruments constituting loans or advances among the Company and its Subsidiaries;

(4) investments in any fund that invests exclusively in investments of the type described in clauses (1), (2) and (3) above which fund may also hold cash and Cash Equivalents pending investment or distribution; and

(5) corresponding instruments in countries other than the United States customarily utilized for high quality investments.

Investment Grade Status” shall occur when the Notes receive two of the following:

(1) a rating of “BBB-” or higher from S&P;

(2) a rating of “Baa3” or higher from Moody’s; or

(3) a rating of “BBB-” or higher from Fitch,

or the equivalent of such rating by such rating organization or, if no rating of S&P, Moody’s or Fitch then exists, the equivalent of such rating by any other Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization.

Issue Date” means June 16, 2026.

Junior Lien Obligations” means Obligations with respect to Indebtedness permitted to be incurred under this Indenture having Junior Lien Priority.

Junior Lien Priority” means Indebtedness that is secured by a Lien on the Collateral that is junior in priority to the Liens on the Collateral securing the Notes; provided that the Junior Lien Representative shall have executed and delivered an intercreditor agreement with the Notes Collateral Agent (which each Holder hereby authorizes the Notes Collateral Agent to enter into without their consent) in form and substance substantially similar to the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement, but with such changes thereto as are necessary to reflect the Notes as being the First Lien Obligations.

 

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Junior Lien Representative” means any duly authorized representative of any holders of Junior Lien Obligations, which representative is party to the intercreditor agreement described in the definition of Junior Lien Priority.

Lien” means any mortgage, pledge, security interest, encumbrance, lien, hypothecation or charge of any kind (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement or lease in the nature thereof).

Limited Condition Acquisition” means any acquisition, including by means of a merger or consolidation, by the Company or one or more of its Restricted Subsidiaries, the consummation of which is not conditioned upon the availability of, or on obtaining, third-party financing; provided that for purposes of determining compliance with Section 3.3, the Consolidated Net Income (and any other financial defined term derived therefrom) shall not include any Consolidated Net Income of or attributable to the target company or assets associated with any such Limited Condition Acquisition unless and until the closing of such Limited Condition Acquisition shall have actually occurred.

Long Derivative Instrument” means a Derivative Instrument (i) the value of which generally increases, and/or the payment or delivery obligations under which generally decrease, with positive changes to the Performance References and/or (ii) the value of which generally decreases, and/or the payment or delivery obligations under which generally increase, with negative changes to the Performance References.

Machinery and Equipment” means (a) for purposes of determining the eligibility criteria and other provisions relating to the Aggregate Borrowing Base, any “equipment” as such term is defined in Article 9 of the UCC owned by any Grantor, and in any event, shall include, but shall not be limited to, all machinery, equipment, furnishings and fittings now or hereinafter owned by any Grantor and all additions, all accessions thereto, wherever located, together with all attachments, components, parts, equipment and accessories installed thereon or affixed thereto and (b) solely in the case of equipment, for all other purposes, has the meaning assigned to such term in Article 9 of the UCC.

Management Advances” means loans or advances made to, or Guarantees with respect to loans or advances made to, future, present or former employees, directors, officers, managers, contractors, consultants or advisors (or their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members) of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary:

(1) (a) in respect of travel, entertainment, relocation or moving related expenses, payroll advances and other analogous or similar expenses or payroll expenses, in each case Incurred in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice or (b) for purposes of funding any such person’s purchase of Capital Stock (or similar obligations) of the Company or its Subsidiaries with (in the case of this sub-clause (b)) the approval of the Board of Directors;

(2) in respect of relocation or moving related expenses, payroll advances and other analogous or similar expenses or payroll expenses, in each case Incurred in connection with any closing or consolidation of any facility or office; or

 

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(3) not exceeding the greater of (x) $30.0 million and (y) 3.0% of Consolidated EBITDA for the Applicable Measurement Period in the aggregate outstanding at any time.

Mandatory Preferred Stock” means the 8.50% Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock of the Company.

Maximum Specified Principal Property Secured Amount” means, at any time, an amount equal to (i) 9.0% of “Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” (as defined in the Existing Senior Notes Indentures) (or the agreements governing any Applicable Refinanced Existing Senior Notes) minus (ii) the amount of “Attributable Debt” (as defined in the Existing Senior Notes Indentures) (or the agreements governing any Applicable Refinanced Existing Senior Notes) of the Company and its Subsidiaries outstanding at such time minus (iii) the aggregate principal amount of First Lien Obligations secured by a first-priority Lien on Specified Existing Senior Notes Principal Property.

Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or any of its successors or assigns that is a Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization.

Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization” means a nationally recognized statistical rating organization within the meaning of Section 3(a)(62) under the Exchange Act.

Net Available Cash” from an Asset Disposition means cash payments received (including any cash payments received by way of deferred payment of principal pursuant to a note or installment receivable or otherwise and net proceeds from the sale or other disposition of any securities received as consideration, but only as and when received, but excluding any other consideration received in the form of assumption by the acquiring person of Indebtedness or other obligations relating to the properties or assets that are the subject of such Asset Disposition or received in any other non-cash form) therefrom, in each case net of:

(1) all legal, accounting, investment banking, title and recording tax expenses, commissions and other fees and expenses Incurred, and all Taxes paid, reasonably estimated to be actually payable or accrued as a liability under GAAP (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any income, withholding and other Taxes payable as a result of the distribution of such proceeds to the Company and after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing agreements), as a consequence of such Asset Disposition;

(2) all payments made on any Indebtedness which is secured by any assets subject to such Asset Disposition, in accordance with the terms of any Lien upon such assets, or which by applicable law must be repaid out of the proceeds from such Asset Disposition;

(3) all distributions and other payments required to be made to minority interest holders (other than the Company or any of its respective Subsidiaries) in Subsidiaries or joint ventures as a result of such Asset Disposition;

 

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(4) the deduction of appropriate amounts required to be provided by the seller as a reserve, on the basis of GAAP, against any liabilities associated with the assets disposed of in such Asset Disposition and retained by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary after such Asset Disposition; and

(5) any funded escrow established pursuant to the documents evidencing any such sale or disposition to secure any indemnification obligations or adjustments to the purchase price associated with any such Asset Disposition; provided, however, that upon the termination of such escrow, Net Available Cash will be increased by any portion of funds therein that are released or otherwise transferred or distributed to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary.

Net Cash Proceeds,” with respect to any issuance or sale of Capital Stock, means the cash proceeds of such issuance or sale net of attorneys’ fees, accountants’ fees, underwriters’ or placement agents’ fees, listing fees, discounts or commissions and brokerage, consultant and other fees and charges actually Incurred in connection with such issuance or sale and net of Taxes paid or reasonably estimated to be actually payable as a result of such issuance or sale (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any income, withholding and other Taxes payable as a result of the distribution of such proceeds to the Company and after taking into account any available tax credit or deductions and any tax sharing agreements).

Net Short” means, with respect to a Holder or beneficial owner, as of a date of determination, either (i) the value of its Short Derivative Instruments exceeds the sum of (x) the value of its Notes plus (y) the value of its Long Derivative Instruments as of such date of determination or (ii) it is reasonably expected that such would have been the case were a Failure to Pay or Bankruptcy Credit Event (each as defined in the 2014 ISDA Credit Derivatives Definitions) to have occurred with respect to the Company or any Guarantor immediately prior to such date of determination.

Non-U.S. Person” means a Person who is not a U.S. Person (as defined in Regulation S).

Note Documents” means the Notes (including Additional Notes) of a particular series, the Guarantees related to such series, this Indenture and the Security Documents.

Notes” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the second introductory paragraph of this Indenture.

Notes Custodian” means the custodian with respect to the Global Notes (as appointed by DTC), or any successor Person thereto and shall initially be the Registrar.

Obligations” means any principal, interest (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to the Company or any Guarantor whether or not a claim for Post-Petition Interest is allowed in such proceedings), penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements (including, without limitation, reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances), damages and other liabilities payable under the documentation governing any Indebtedness.

 

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Offering Memorandum” means the Offering Memorandum dated June 2, 2026 relating to the offering of the Notes.

Officer” means, with respect to any Person, (1) the Chairman of the Board of Directors, any Director, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer, any Vice President, the Treasurer, any Assistant Treasurer, any Managing Director, the Secretary, any Assistant Secretary, the General Counsel or any Associate General Counsel (a) of such Person or (b) if such Person is owned or managed by a single entity, of such entity, or (2) any other individual designated as an “Officer” for the purposes of this Indenture by the Board of Directors of such Person.

Officer’s Certificate” means, with respect to any Person, a certificate signed by one Officer of such Person.

Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion from legal counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company or its Subsidiaries.

Pari Intercreditor Agreement” means an intercreditor agreement in substantially the form attached as Exhibit C to this Indenture, as amended, supplemented, restated, renewed, replaced or otherwise modified from time to time.

Pari Passu Lien Priority” means, relative to specified Indebtedness, having equal Lien priority on specified Collateral.

Paying Agent” means any Person authorized by the Company to pay the principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on any Note on behalf of the Company.

Performance References” has the meaning ascribed thereto in the definition of Derivative Instrument.

Permitted Asset Swap” means the concurrent purchase and sale or exchange of assets used or useful in a Similar Business or a combination of such assets and cash, Cash Equivalents between the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and another Person; provided that any cash or Cash Equivalents received in excess of the value of any cash or Cash Equivalents sold or exchanged must be applied in accordance with Section 3.5.

Permitted Encumbrance” means any Lien incurred under clauses (2)-(8), (10), (31)-(33) and (36) of the definition of “Permitted Liens.”

Permitted Holders” means, collectively, (1) the Company, (2) any one or more Persons, together with such Persons’ Affiliates, whose beneficial ownership constitutes or results in (x) a Change of Control in respect of which a Change of Control Offer is made in accordance with the requirements of this Indenture or (y) a Change of Control that does not constitute a Change of Control Repurchase Event, (3) members of management of the Company, (4) any Person who is acting solely as an underwriter in connection with a public or private offering of Capital Stock of the Company, acting in such capacity, and (5) any group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act or any successor provision) of which any of the foregoing are members; provided that, in the case of such group and without giving effect to the existence of such group or any other group and members of management, collectively, have beneficial ownership of more than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company.

 

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Permitted Intercompany Activities” means any transactions (A) between or among the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries that are entered into in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries and, in the reasonable determination of the Company, are necessary or advisable in connection with the ownership or operation of the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, including (i) payroll, cash management, purchasing, insurance and hedging arrangements; (ii) management, technology and licensing arrangements; and (iii) customary loyalty and rewards programs; and (B) between or among the Company, its Restricted Subsidiaries and any Captive Insurance Subsidiary.

Permitted Investment” means (in each case, by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries):

(1) Investments in (a) a Restricted Subsidiary (including the Capital Stock of, or guarantees of obligations of, a Restricted Subsidiary) or the Company or (b) a Person (including the Capital Stock of any such Person) that will, upon the making of such Investment, become a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that with respect to any Investment pursuant to this clause (1) of assets that constitute Collateral (other than in the ordinary course of business), such Investment may only be made in the Company or any Guarantor;

(2) Investments in another Person (including, to the extent constituting an Investment, in assets of a Person that represent all or substantially all of its assets or a division, business unit, product line or line of business, including research and development and related assets in respect of any product) if such Person is engaged in any Similar Business and as a result of such Investment such other Person, in one transaction or a series of transactions, is merged, amalgamated, consolidated or otherwise combined with or into, or transfers or conveys all or substantially all its assets (or such division, business unit, product line or business) to, or is liquidated into, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary;

(3) Investments in cash, Cash Equivalents or Investment Grade Securities;

(4) Investments in receivables owing to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary created or acquired in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice;

(5) Investments in payroll, travel, entertainment, relocation, moving-related and similar advances to cover matters that are expected at the time of such advances ultimately to be treated as expenses for accounting purposes and that are made in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice;

(6) Management Advances;

 

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(7) Investments received in settlement, compromise or resolution of debts created in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice and owing to, or of other claims asserted by, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or in exchange for any other Investment or accounts receivable, endorsements for collection or deposit held by the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary, or as a result of foreclosure, perfection or enforcement of any Lien, or in satisfaction of judgments or pursuant to any plan of reorganization or similar arrangement including upon the bankruptcy or insolvency of a debtor or litigation, arbitration or other disputes or otherwise with respect to any secured Investment or other transfer of title with respect to any secured Investment in default;

(8) Investments made as a result of the receipt of promissory notes or other non-cash consideration (including earn-outs) from a sale or other disposition of property or assets, including an Asset Disposition;

(9) Investments (a) existing or pursuant to binding commitments, agreements or arrangements in effect on the Issue Date and any modification, replacement, renewal, reinvestment or extension thereof; provided that the amount of any such Investment may not be increased except (i) as required by the terms of such Investment or binding commitment as in existence on the Issue Date (including in respect of any unused commitment), plus any accrued but unpaid interest (including any accretion of interest, original issue discount or the issuance of pay-in-kind securities) and premium payable by the terms of such Indebtedness thereon and fees and expenses associated therewith as of the Issue Date or (ii) as otherwise permitted under this Indenture and (b) made after the Issue Date in joint ventures of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries existing on the Issue Date;

(10) Hedging Obligations;

(11) endorsements of negotiable instruments and documents in the ordinary course of business, or pledges or deposits with respect to leases or utilities provided to third parties in the ordinary course of business or Liens otherwise described in the definition of “Permitted Liens” or made in connection with Liens permitted under Section 3.6;

(12) any Investment to the extent made using Capital Stock of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) as consideration;

(13) Investments consisting of (i) purchases or other acquisitions of inventory, supplies, materials, equipment and similar assets or (ii) licenses, sublicenses, cross-licenses, leases, subleases, assignments, contributions or other Investments of intellectual property, in each case, in the ordinary course of business pursuant to any joint development, joint venture or marketing arrangements with other Persons and any other Investments reasonably related or ancillary thereto;

 

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(14) (i) keepwells and similar arrangements in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice, and (ii) performance guarantees with respect to obligations that are permitted by this Indenture;

(15) Investments consisting of earnest money deposits required in connection with a purchase agreement, or letter of intent, or other acquisitions to the extent not otherwise prohibited by this Indenture;

(16) Investments of a Restricted Subsidiary acquired after the Issue Date or of an entity merged or amalgamated into or consolidated with the Company or merged or amalgamated into or consolidated with a Restricted Subsidiary after the Issue Date to the extent that such Investments were not made in contemplation of or in connection with such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation and were in existence on the date of such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation;

(17) Investments consisting of licensing or contribution of intellectual property pursuant to joint marketing arrangements with other Persons;

(18) contributions to a “rabbi” trust for the benefit of any employee, director, officer, manager, contractor, consultant, advisor or other service providers or other grantor trust subject to claims of creditors in the case of a bankruptcy of the Company, and Investments relating to non-qualified deferred payment plans in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice;

(19) Investments in joint ventures and similar entities and Unrestricted Subsidiaries having an aggregate fair market value, when taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause that are at the time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of (x) $200.0 million and (y) 22.5% of Consolidated EBITDA for the Applicable Measurement Period at the time of such Investment (with the fair market value of each Investment being measured at the time made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value) plus the amount of any returns (including dividends, payments, interest, distributions, returns of principal, profits on sale, repayments, income and similar amounts) in respect of such Investments (without duplication for purposes of Section 3.3 of any amounts applied pursuant to Section 3.3(a)(iii)) with the fair market value of each Investment being measured at the time made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value; provided, however, that if any Investment pursuant to this clause is made in any Person that is not the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary at the date of the making of such Investment and such person becomes the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary after such date, such Investment shall thereafter be deemed to have been made pursuant to clause (1) or (2) above and shall cease to have been made pursuant to this clause;

(20) additional Investments having an aggregate fair market value, taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (20) that are at that time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of (x) $275.0 million and (y) 30.0% of Consolidated EBITDA for the Applicable Measurement Period (with the fair market value of each Investment being measured at the time made and without giving effect to

 

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subsequent changes in value), plus the amount of any returns (including dividends, payments, interest, distributions, returns of principal, profits on sale, repayments, income and similar amounts) in respect of such Investments (without duplication for purposes of Section 3.3 of any amounts applied pursuant to Section 3.3(a)(iii)) with the fair market value of each Investment being measured at the time made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value; provided that if such Investment is in Capital Stock of a Person that subsequently becomes a Restricted Subsidiary, such Investment shall thereafter be deemed permitted under clause (1) or (2) above and shall not be included as having been made pursuant to this clause (20);

(21) [reserved];

(22) repurchases of Notes;

(23) Investments by an Unrestricted Subsidiary entered into prior to the day such Unrestricted Subsidiary is redesignated as a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to Section 3.20;

(24) any issuance or sale of Capital Stock, options, other equity-related interests or other securities, or other payments, awards or grants in cash, securities or otherwise pursuant to, or the funding of, or entering into, or maintenance of, any employment, consulting, collective bargaining or benefit plan, program, agreement or arrangement, related trust or other similar agreement and other compensation arrangements, options, warrants or other rights to purchase Capital Stock of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, restricted stock plans, long-term incentive plans, stock appreciation rights plans, participation plans or similar employee benefits or consultants’ plans (including valuation, health, insurance, deferred compensation, severance, retirement, savings or similar plans, programs or arrangements), the payment of compensation, reasonable fees and reimbursement of expenses to, or indemnities provided on behalf of, in each case, officers, employees, directors or consultants of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (whether directly or indirectly and including through any Person owned or controlled by any of such directors, officers or employees), in each case in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice;

(25) [reserved];

(26) the entry into, and payments by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to, any tax sharing agreements or other equity agreements among the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on customary terms;

(27) [reserved];

(28) [reserved];

(29) any Investment in any Subsidiary or any joint venture in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice (including any cash management arrangements, cash pooling arrangements, intercompany loans or activities related thereto);

 

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(30) customary Investments in connection with a receivables financing;

(31) guaranty and indemnification obligations arising in connection with surety bonds issued in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice;

(32) Investments (a) consisting of purchases and acquisitions of assets or services in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice, (b) made in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice in connection with obtaining, maintaining or renewing client, franchisee and customer contracts and loans or (c) advances, loans, extensions of credit (including the creation of receivables) or prepayments made to, and guarantees with respect to obligations of, franchisees, distributors, suppliers, lessors, licensors and licensees in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice;

(33) Investments in prepaid expenses, negotiable instruments held for collection and lease, utility and workers compensation, performance and similar deposits entered into as a result of the operations of the business in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice;

(34) Investments consisting of UCC Article 3 endorsements for collection or deposit and Article 4 trade arrangements with customers (or any comparable or similar provisions in other applicable jurisdictions) in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practices;

(35) any other Investment so long as, immediately after giving pro forma effect to the Investment and the incurrence of any Indebtedness the net proceeds of which are used to make such Investment, the Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio shall be no greater than 5.00 to 1.00; and

(36) non-cash Investments in connection with tax planning and reorganization activities, and Investments in connection with Permitted Intercompany Activities, Permitted Tax Restructuring and related transactions.

Permitted Liens” means (for the avoidance of doubt, except for purposes of Section 3.7), with respect to any Person:

(1) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to Section 3.2(b)(11) covering only the assets of such Subsidiary;

(2) pledges, deposits or Liens under workmen’s compensation laws, payroll taxes, unemployment insurance laws, social security laws or similar legislation, or insurance related obligations (including pledges or deposits securing liability to insurance carriers under insurance or self-insurance arrangements), or in connection with bids, tenders, completion guarantees, contracts (other than for borrowed money) or leases, or to secure utilities, licenses, public or statutory obligations, or to secure surety, indemnity, warranty, release, judgment, appeal or performance bonds, advance payment, guarantees of government contracts, completion guarantees or warranties (or other similar bonds, instruments or obligations), or as security for contested taxes or for import or customs duties or the payment of rent, or other obligations of like nature, in each case Incurred in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice;

 

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(3) Liens imposed by law or regulation, including carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, landlords’, suppliers’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s, architects’, construction contractors’ or other like Liens, in each case for sums not yet overdue for a period of more than 60 days or that are bonded or being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings;

(4) Liens for Taxes which are not overdue for a period of more than 60 days, or the nonpayment of which in the aggregate would not reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings; provided that appropriate reserves required pursuant to GAAP have been made in respect thereof;

(5) encumbrances, charges, ground leases, easements (including reciprocal easement agreements), survey exceptions, restrictions, encroachments, protrusions, by-law, regulation, zoning restrictions or reservations of, or rights of others for, licenses, rights of way, servitudes, sewers, electric lines, drains, telegraph, telephone and cable television lines and other similar purposes, or zoning, building codes or other restrictions (including minor defects and irregularities in title and similar encumbrances), in each case, as to the use of real properties, exceptions on title policies insuring liens granted on any mortgaged properties under the ABL Credit Agreement or Liens incidental to the conduct of the business of such Person or to the ownership of its properties, including servicing agreements, development agreements, site plan agreements, subdivision agreements, facilities sharing agreements, cost sharing agreements and other similar agreements, charges or encumbrances, which do not in the aggregate materially interfere with the ordinary course conduct of the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

(6) Liens (a) on assets or property of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary securing Hedging Obligations or Cash Management Services permitted under this Indenture; (b) that are contractual rights of set-off or, in the case of clause (i) or (ii) below, other bankers’ Liens (i) relating to treasury, depository and cash management services or any automated clearing house transfers of funds in the ordinary course of business and not given in connection with the issuance of Indebtedness, (ii) relating to the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds or relating to pooled deposit or sweep accounts to permit satisfaction of overdraft or similar obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Company or any Subsidiary or (iii) relating to purchase orders and other agreements entered into with customers of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business; (c) on cash accounts securing Indebtedness incurred with financial institutions in respect of customer deposits and advance payments received in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice from customers for goods or services purchased in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice; (d) encumbering reasonable customary initial deposits and margin deposits and similar Liens attaching to commodity trading accounts or other brokerage accounts incurred in

 

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the ordinary course of business; (e) on receivables (including related rights); (f) arising in connection with repurchase agreements on assets that are the subject of such repurchase agreements; and/or (g) (i) of a collection bank arising under Section 4-210 of the UCC on items in the course of collection and (ii) in favor of a banking institution arising as a matter of law encumbering deposits (including the right of set-off) arising in the ordinary course of business in connection with the maintenance of such accounts and (iii) arising under customary general terms of the account bank in relation to any bank account maintained with such bank and attaching only to such account and the products and proceeds thereof, which Liens, in any event, do not secure any Indebtedness;

(7) leases, licenses, subleases and sublicenses of assets (including real property and intellectual property rights);

(8) Liens arising out of judgments, decrees, orders or awards not giving rise to an Event of Default so long as (a) any appropriate legal proceedings which may have been duly initiated for the review of such judgment, decree, order or award have not been finally terminated or (b) no more than 60 days have passed after (i) such judgment, decree, order or award has become final or (ii) such period within which such proceedings may be initiated has expired;

(9) Liens (i) on assets or property of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary for the purpose of securing Capitalized Lease Obligations (or any interest or title of any lessor thereunder or under any operating lease) or Purchase Money Obligations, and (ii) on any interest or title of a lessor under any Capitalized Lease Obligations or operating lease;

(10) Liens perfected or evidenced by UCC financing statement filings (or similar filings in other applicable jurisdictions) regarding operating leases entered into by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

(11) Liens existing on, or provided for in written arrangements existing on, the Issue Date, excluding Liens securing the ABL Credit Agreement;

(12) Liens on property, other assets or shares of stock of a Person at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary (or at the time the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary acquires such property, other assets or shares of stock, including any acquisition by means of a merger, consolidation or other business combination transaction with or into the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary); provided, however, that such Liens are not created, Incurred or assumed in anticipation of or in connection with such other Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary (or such acquisition of such property, other assets or stock); provided, further, that such Liens are limited to all or part of the same property, other assets or stock (plus improvements, accession, proceeds or dividends or distributions in connection with the original property, other assets or stock) that secured (or, under the written arrangements under which such Liens arose, could secure) the obligations to which such Liens relate;

 

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(13) Liens on assets or property of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary securing Indebtedness or other obligations of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary owing to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary, or Liens in favor of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;

(14) Liens securing Refinancing Indebtedness Incurred to refinance Indebtedness that was previously so secured, and permitted to be secured under this Indenture; provided that any such Lien is limited to all or part of the same property or assets (plus improvements, accessions, proceeds or dividends or distributions in respect thereof) that secured (or, under the written arrangements under which the original Lien arose, could secure) the Indebtedness being refinanced (other than Liens permitted under clauses (6)(a), (9), (26) or (35) of this definition), or is in respect of property that is or could be the security for or subject to a Permitted Lien hereunder;

(15) (a) mortgages, liens, security interests, restrictions, encumbrances or any other matters of record that have been placed by any government, statutory or regulatory authority, developer, landlord or other third party on property over which the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company has easement rights or on any leased property and subordination or similar arrangements relating thereto and (b) any condemnation or eminent domain proceedings affecting any real property;

(16) any encumbrance or restriction (including put and call arrangements) with respect to Capital Stock of any joint venture or similar arrangement pursuant to any joint venture or similar agreement;

(17) Liens on property or assets under construction (and related rights) in favor of a contractor or developer or arising from progress or partial payments by a third party relating to such property or assets;

(18) Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, hire purchase, consignment or similar arrangements for the sale of goods entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(19) (x) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted to be incurred pursuant to Section 3.2(b)(1)(x); and (y) Liens securing Second Lien Obligations or Junior Lien Obligations permitted to be incurred pursuant to Section 3.2(b)(1)(y);

(20) [reserved];

(21) Liens on Capital Stock or other securities or assets of any Unrestricted Subsidiary that secure Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary;

(22) any security granted over the marketable securities portfolio described in clause (9) of the definition of “Cash Equivalents” in connection with the disposal thereof to a third party;

(23) Liens on specific items of inventory or other goods and proceeds of any Person securing such Person’s obligations in respect of bankers’ acceptances issued or created for the account of such Person to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other goods;

 

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(24) Liens on equipment of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary and located on the premises of any client or supplier in the ordinary course of business;

(25) Liens on assets or securities deemed to arise in connection with and solely as a result of the execution, delivery or performance of contracts to sell such assets or securities if such sale is otherwise permitted by this Indenture;

(26) Liens arising by operation of law or contract on insurance policies and the proceeds thereof to secure premiums thereunder, and Liens, pledges and deposits in the ordinary course of business securing liability for premiums or reimbursement or indemnification obligations of (including obligations in respect of letters of credit or bank guarantees for the benefit of) insurance carriers;

(27) Liens solely on any cash earnest money deposits made in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement permitted by this Indenture;

(28) Liens (i) on cash advances in favor of the seller of any property to be acquired in an Investment permitted pursuant to Permitted Investments to be applied against the purchase price for such Investment, and (ii) consisting of an agreement to sell any property in an asset sale permitted by Section 3.5, in each case, solely to the extent such Investment or asset sale, as the case may be, would have been permitted on the date of the creation of such Lien;

(29) Liens securing Indebtedness and other obligations in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the greater of (x) $250.0 million and (y) 27.5% of Consolidated EBITDA for the Applicable Measurement Period, at any one time outstanding;

(30) Liens then existing with respect to assets of an Unrestricted Subsidiary on the day such Unrestricted Subsidiary is redesignated as a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to Section 3.20;

(31) mortgages, pledges, Liens or charges existing on property acquired by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary through the exercise of rights arising out of defaults on receivables of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;

(32) interests of lessees in property owned by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary where such interests are created in the ordinary course of their respective leasing activities and are not created directly or indirectly in connection with the borrowing of money or the securing of Indebtedness by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;

(33) Liens on assets located outside of the United States of America and Canada arising by operation of law;

 

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(34) Liens securing Indebtedness arising from agreements providing for guarantees, indemnification, obligations in respect of earn-outs or other adjustments of purchase price or, in each case, similar obligations, in each case, Incurred or assumed in connection with the acquisition or disposition of any business or assets or Person or any Capital Stock of a Subsidiary;

(35) Liens securing Indebtedness consisting of accommodation guarantees for the benefit of trade creditors of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(36) statutory Liens or other deemed trusts in respect of contributions to a Canadian Pension Plan or a Canadian Multi-Employer Plan by the Company or any Guarantor in respect of ongoing (non-termination or non-wind up) funding obligations that are (i) not yet due; or (ii) immaterial and inadvertently delinquent as a result of reasonable error, provided that any contribution arrears described in this (ii) are rectified within 30 days of the Company or such Guarantor, as applicable, becoming aware thereof;

(37) any Liens securing obligations of the Company or the applicable Subsidiary under the Synthetic Lease Agreements as in effect on the Issue Date or any permitted Refinancing in respect thereof;

(38) Liens securing Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to Section 3.2(b)(4);

(39) Liens on receivables and related assets arising in connection with a receivables financing;

(40) Liens arising in connection with any Permitted Intercompany Activities, Permitted Tax Restructuring and related transactions;

(41) reservations, limitations, provisos and conditions expressed in any original grants from the Crown or other grants of real or immovable property, or interests in real or immovable property, that do not materially affect the use of the affected land for the purpose for which it is used by that Person;

(42) security given to a public utility or any Governmental Authority when required by the utility or authority in connection with the operation of the business of that Person;

(43) Liens on cash or other deposits or government securities held by a trustee or escrow agent under any indenture or other debt agreement governing Indebtedness permitted in accordance with this Indenture pending the release thereof, to the extent that such Lien is limited to such deposited amounts, or under any indenture or other debt agreement pursuant to customary discharge, redemption or defeasance provisions;

(44) Liens arising under any cash pooling arrangement or netting or set-off arrangement entered into in the ordinary course of business; and

 

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(45) the right reserved to or vested in any municipality or Governmental Authority by the terms of any lease, license, franchise, grant or permit acquired by that Person or by any statutory provision to terminate the lease, license, franchise, grant or permit, or to require annual or other payments as a condition to its continuance.

For purposes of this definition, in the event that a Permitted Lien meets the criteria of more than one of the types of Permitted Liens (at the time of incurrence or at a later date), the Company in its sole discretion may divide, classify or from time to time reclassify all or any portion of such Permitted Lien in any manner that complies with this covenant, and such Permitted Lien shall be treated as having been made pursuant only to the clause or clauses of the definition of “Permitted Lien” to which such Permitted Lien has been classified or reclassified.

For purposes of determining compliance with any U.S. dollar-denominated restriction on the incurrence of Liens with respect to Indebtedness, the U.S. dollar equivalent principal amount of Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency shall be calculated based on the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date such Indebtedness was Incurred, in the case of term debt, or first committed, in the case of revolving credit debt; provided that if such Indebtedness is Incurred to refinance other Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency, and such refinancing would cause the applicable U.S. dollar-denominated restriction to be exceeded if calculated at the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date of such refinancing, such U.S. dollar-denominated restriction shall be deemed not to have been exceeded so long as the principal amount of such refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed (a) the principal amount of such Indebtedness being refinanced plus (b) the aggregate amount of accrued and unpaid interest, fees, underwriting discounts, premiums (including tender premiums) and other costs and expenses (including original issue discount, upfront fees or similar fees) incurred in connection with such refinancing.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this definition, the maximum amount of Indebtedness with respect to which the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary may Incur Liens under this definition shall not be deemed to be exceeded solely as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rate of currencies. The principal amount of any Indebtedness Incurred to refinance other Indebtedness, if Incurred in a different currency from the Indebtedness being refinanced, shall be calculated based on the currency exchange rate applicable to the currencies in which such Refinancing Indebtedness is denominated that is in effect on the date of such refinancing.

Permitted Receivables Facility” means a receivables facility or facilities created under the Permitted Receivables Facility Documents, providing for the sale, transfer and/or pledge by the Company and/or one or more other Receivables Sellers of Permitted Receivables Facility Assets (thereby providing financing to the Company and/or such Receivables Seller(s)) to (i) third-party lenders or investors pursuant to the Permitted Receivables Facility Documents or (ii) a Receivables Entity (either directly or through another Receivables Seller), which in turn shall sell, transfer and/or pledge interests in the respective Permitted Receivables Facility Assets to third-party lenders or investors pursuant to the Permitted Receivables Facility Documents (with the Receivables Entity permitted to issue or convey purchaser interests, investor certificates, purchased interest certificates or other similar documentation evidencing interests in the Permitted Receivables Facility Assets) in return for the cash used by such Receivables Entity to acquire the Permitted Receivables Facility Assets from the Company and/or the respective Receivables Sellers, in each case as more fully set forth in the Permitted Receivables Facility Documents.

 

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Permitted Receivables Facility Assets” means Receivables (whether now existing or arising in the future) of the Receivables Sellers which are transferred, sold and/or pledged to (i) third-party lenders or investors pursuant to the Permitted Receivables Facility Documents and any related Permitted Receivables Related Assets which are also so transferred, sold and/or pledged to such third-party lenders or investors pursuant to the Permitted Receivables Facility Documents and all proceeds thereof or (ii) a Receivables Entity pursuant to a Permitted Receivables Facility and any related Permitted Receivables Related Assets which are also so transferred, sold and/or pledged to the Receivables Entity and all proceeds thereof.

Permitted Receivables Facility Documents” means each of the documents and agreements entered into in connection with any Permitted Receivables Facility, including all documents and agreements relating to the issuance, funding and/or purchase of certificates and purchased interests or the incurrence of loans, as applicable, in each case as such documents and agreements may be amended, modified, supplemented, refinanced or replaced from time to time.

Permitted Receivables Related Assets” means any assets that are customarily sold, transferred and/or pledged or in respect of which security interests are customarily granted in connection with asset securitization or structured or supply chain finance transactions involving receivables similar to Receivables and any collections or proceeds of any of the foregoing (including, without limitation, lock-boxes, deposit accounts, records in respect of Receivables and collections in respect of Receivables).

Permitted Receivables Facility Repurchase Obligation” means any obligation of the Company or a Receivables Seller to repurchase the assets it sold under a Permitted Receivables Facility as a result of a breach of a representation, warranty or covenant or otherwise, including as a result of a receivable or portion thereof becoming subject to any asserted defense, dilution, dispute, offset or counterclaim of any kind as a result of any action taken by, any failure to take action by or any other event relating to the seller.

Permitted Tax Restructuring” means any reorganizations and other activities related to Tax planning and Tax reorganization entered into prior to, on or after the Issue Date so long as such Permitted Tax Restructuring is not materially adverse to the Holders of the Notes (as reasonably determined by the Company in good faith).

Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, limited liability company, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity.

Post-Petition Interest” means any interest or entitlement to fees or expenses or other charges that accrue after the commencement of any bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding, whether or not allowed or allowable as a claim in any such bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding.

 

54


PPSA” means the Personal Property Security Act (Ontario) and the regulations thereunder as each may be amended from time to time (or another successor statute); provided that, if validity, perfection or effect of perfection or non-perfection or the priority of a security interest in any Collateral are governed by the personal property security laws of any Canadian jurisdiction other than Ontario, “PPSA” shall mean those personal property security laws (including the Civil Code of Québec) in such other jurisdiction for the purposes of the provisions hereof relating to such validity, perfection, effect of perfection or non-perfection or priority and for the definitions related to such provisions, as from time to time in effect.

Preferred Stock,” as applied to the Capital Stock of any Person, means Capital Stock of any class or classes (however designated) which is preferred as to the payment of dividends or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such Person, over shares of Capital Stock of any other class of such Person.

Purchase Money Obligations” means any Indebtedness Incurred to finance or refinance the acquisition, leasing, expansion, construction, installation, replacement, repair or improvement of property (real or personal), equipment or assets (including Capital Stock), and whether acquired through the direct acquisition of such property or assets or the acquisition of the Capital Stock of any Person owning such property or assets, or otherwise.

QIB” means any “qualified institutional buyer” as such term is defined in Rule 144A.

Rating Agency” means (1) each of Fitch, Moody’s and S&P, and (2) if Fitch, Moody’s or S&P ceases to rate the Notes for reasons outside of the Company’s control, a Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization selected by the Company or any parent of the Company as a replacement agency for Fitch, Moody’s or S&P, as the case may be.

Ratings Decline Period” means the period that (i) begins on the earlier of (a) a Change of Control or (b) the first public notice of the intention by the Company to effect a Change of Control and (ii) ends 60 days following the consummation of such Change of Control; provided that such period will be extended so long as the rating of the Notes is under publicly announced consideration for a possible downgrade by any of the Rating Agencies.

Ratings Event” means (x) a downgrade by one or more gradations (including gradations within ratings categories as well as between categories) or withdrawal of the rating of the Notes within the Ratings Decline Period by two of the three Rating Agencies if each such downgrading Rating Agency shall have put forth a statement to the effect that such downgrade is attributable in whole or in part to the applicable Change of Control and (y) the Notes are not rated investment grade (as contemplated under the definition of the term “Investment Grade Status”) by any Rating Agency.

Receivables” means any right to payment created by or arising from sales of goods, leases of goods or the rendition of services rendered no matter how evidenced whether or not earned by performance (whether constituting accounts, general intangibles, chattel paper or otherwise).

Receivables Entity” means a wholly-owned Subsidiary which engages in no activities other than in connection with the financing of accounts receivable of the Receivables Sellers and which is designated (as provided below) as a “Receivables Entity” (a) no portion of the Indebtedness or any other obligations (contingent or otherwise) of which (i) is guaranteed by the Company or any Subsidiary, or is otherwise recourse to or obligates the Company or any

 

55


Subsidiary in any way (other than pursuant to Standard Receivables Facility Undertakings) or (ii) subjects any property or asset of the Company or any Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, contingently or otherwise, to the satisfaction thereof, other than pursuant to Standard Receivables Facility Undertakings, (b) with which neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has any contract, agreement, arrangement or understanding (other than pursuant to the Permitted Receivables Facility Documents (including with respect to fees payable in the ordinary course of business in connection with the servicing of accounts receivable and related assets)) on terms less favorable to the Company or such Subsidiary than those that might be obtained at the time from persons that are not Affiliates of the Company, and (c) to which neither the Company nor any Subsidiary has any obligation to maintain or preserve such entity’s financial condition or cause such entity to achieve certain levels of operating results (other than pursuant to Standard Receivables Facility Undertakings).

Receivables Sellers” means the Company and those Subsidiaries that are from time to time party to the Permitted Receivables Facility Documents (other than any Receivables Entity).

Refinance” means refinance, refund, replace, renew, repay, modify, restate, defer, substitute, supplement, reissue, resell, extend or increase (including pursuant to any defeasance or discharge mechanism) and the terms “refinances,” “refinanced” and “refinancing” as used for any purpose in this Indenture shall have a correlative meaning.

Refinancing Indebtedness” means Indebtedness that is Incurred to refund, refinance, replace, exchange, renew, repay or extend (including pursuant to any defeasance or discharge mechanism) any Indebtedness (or unutilized commitment in respect of Indebtedness) existing on the Issue Date or Incurred in compliance with this Indenture (including Indebtedness of the Company that refinances Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary and Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary that refinances Indebtedness of the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary), including Indebtedness that refinances Refinancing Indebtedness, and Indebtedness incurred pursuant to a commitment that refinances any Indebtedness or unutilized commitment; provided, however, that:

(1) if the Indebtedness being refinanced is Subordinated Indebtedness, such Refinancing Indebtedness has a Stated Maturity at the time such Refinancing Indebtedness is Incurred which is not less than the remaining Stated Maturity of the Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock being refunded or refinanced;

(2) Refinancing Indebtedness shall not include:

(a) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of a Subsidiary of the Company that is not a Guarantor that refinances Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of the Company or a Guarantor; or

(b) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary that refinances Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of an Unrestricted Subsidiary;

 

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(3) such Refinancing Indebtedness has an aggregate principal amount (or if Incurred with original issue discount, an aggregate issue price) that is equal to or less than the aggregate principal amount (or if Incurred with original issue discount, the aggregate accreted value) then outstanding (plus fees, underwriting discounts and expenses, including any premium and defeasance costs) under the Indebtedness being refinanced; and

(4) to the extent such Refinancing Indebtedness is secured Indebtedness, the Liens securing such Refinancing Indebtedness have a Lien priority equal to or junior to the Liens securing the Indebtedness being refunded, refinanced, replaced, redeemed, repurchased or retired.

Refinancing Indebtedness in respect of any Debt Facility or any other Indebtedness may be Incurred from time to time after the termination, discharge or repayment of any such Debt Facility or other Indebtedness.

Refinancing Transactions” has the meaning provided in the Offering Memorandum.

Regulation S” means Regulation S under the Securities Act.

Regulation S-X” means Regulation S-X under the Securities Act.

Responsible Officer” means any officer with the corporate trust department of the Trustee or the Notes Collateral Agent (or any successor group of the Trustee or the Notes Collateral Agent) who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture and also means, with respect to a particular corporate trust matter, any other officer to whom such matter is referred because of such person’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

Restricted Investment” means any Investment other than a Permitted Investment.

Restricted Notes” means Initial Notes and Additional Notes bearing one of the restrictive legends described in Section 2.1(d).

Restricted Notes Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.1(d)(1).

Restricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Company, whether existing on or after the Issue Date, other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary. Unless otherwise specified or the context requires otherwise, all references to Restricted Subsidiary mean a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company.

Rule 144A” means Rule 144A under the Securities Act.

S&P” means S&P Global Ratings or any of its successors or assigns that is a Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization.

Sale and Leaseback Transaction” means any arrangement providing for the leasing by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of any real or tangible personal property, which property has been or is to be sold or transferred by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary to a third Person in contemplation of such leasing.

 

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Screened Affiliate” means any Affiliate of a Holder (i) that makes investment decisions independently from such Holder and any other Affiliate of such Holder that is not a Screened Affiliate, (ii) that has in place customary information screens between it and such Holder and any other Affiliate of such Holder that is not a Screened Affiliate and such screens prohibit the sharing of information with respect to the Company or its Subsidiaries, (iii) whose investment policies are not directed by such Holder or any other Affiliate of such Holder that is acting in concert with such Holder in connection with its investment in the Notes, and (iv) whose investment decisions are not influenced by the investment decisions of such Holder or any other Affiliate of such Holder that is acting in concert with such Holder in connection with its investment in the Notes.

SEC” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor thereto.

Second Lien Obligations” means, collectively, (1) the Obligations under the Notes, the Guarantees and this Indenture and (2) each Series of Additional Second Lien Obligations.

Second Lien Representative” means (1) in the case of any Obligations under this Indenture, the Notes Collateral Agent and (2) any duly authorized representative of any holders of Second Lien Obligations, which representative is named as such in a joinder agreement to the Security Documents.

Second Lien Secured Parties” means (1) holders (including the holders of any Additional Notes subsequently issued under and in compliance with the terms of this Indenture) of the Notes, (2) the Trustee and the Notes Collateral Agent and (3) the holders from time to time of any Additional Second Lien Obligations and any trustee, authorized representative or agent of the holders of such Additional Second Lien Obligations.

Second Priority Collateral” means any “Collateral” (or any equivalent term) as defined in any Second Priority Debt Document or any other assets of the Company or any other Grantor with respect to which a Lien is granted or purported to be granted pursuant to a Second Priority Collateral Document as security for any Second Priority Debt Obligation.

Second Priority Collateral Documents” means the Security Documents and the “Security Documents” (or similar term) as defined in any Second Priority Debt Document, any intercreditor agreement (upon and after the initial execution and delivery thereof by the initial parties thereto) and each of the collateral agreements, security agreements and other instruments and documents executed and delivered by the Company or any other Grantor for purposes of providing collateral security for any Second Priority Debt Obligation.

Second Priority Debt” means (a) the Indebtedness incurred in connection with this Indenture or any other Indebtedness secured by the Second Priority Collateral and (b) any other Indebtedness that is incurred, issued or guaranteed by the Company and/or any Guarantor, which Indebtedness and guarantees are secured by the Second Priority Collateral on a subordinate basis without regard to control of remedies to the First Lien Obligations (and which is not secured by Liens on any assets of the Company or any other Grantor other than the Second Priority Collateral or which are not included in the Senior Collateral unless otherwise declined by the First Lien Secured Parties pursuant to the relevant Intercreditor Agreement); provided, however,

 

58


that (i) such Indebtedness is permitted to be incurred, issued, secured and guaranteed on such basis by each then-extant Senior Debt Document and Second Priority Debt Document and (ii) the Representative for the holders of such Indebtedness shall have become party to the relevant Intercreditor Agreement pursuant to, and by satisfying the conditions set forth in, the relevant Intercreditor Agreement. Second Priority Debt shall include any registered equivalent notes and guarantees thereof by the Guarantors issued in exchange therefor.

Second Priority Debt Documents” means the Initial Second Priority Debt Documents and, with respect to any other series, issue or class of Second Priority Debt, the promissory notes, note purchase agreements, indentures, credit agreements, the Second Priority Collateral Documents or other operative agreements evidencing or governing such indebtedness, including the Second Priority Collateral Documents.

Second Priority Debt Facility” means each indenture, credit agreement, note purchase agreement or other governing agreement with respect to any Second Priority Debt.

Second Priority Debt Obligations” means the Obligations described in the Second Priority Debt Documents and, with respect to any other series, issue or class of Second Priority Debt, (a) all principal of, and interest, fees and expenses (including, without limitation, any interest, fees or expenses and other amounts (if any) which accrue after the commencement of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, whether or not allowed or allowable as a claim in any such proceeding) payable with respect to, such Second Priority Debt and (b) all other amounts payable to the related Second Priority Debt Parties under the related Second Priority Debt Documents.

Second Priority Debt Parties” means the Second Priority Representative and the holders of the Second Priority Debt Obligations and, with respect to any other series, issue or class of Second Priority Debt, the holders of such indebtedness, the Representative with respect thereto, any trustee or agent therefor under any related Second Priority Debt Documents and the beneficiaries of each indemnification or reimbursement obligation undertaken by the Company or any other Grantor under any related Second Priority Debt Documents.

Second Priority Representative” means (i) in the case of this Indenture, U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as Representative for the secured parties under this Indenture and (ii) in the case of any other Second Priority Debt Facility and the secured parties thereunder, the trustee, administrative agent, collateral agent, security agent or similar agent under such Second Priority Debt Facility that is named as the “Representative” in respect of such Second Priority Debt Facility in the applicable joinder agreement thereto.

Secured Parties” means the First Lien Secured Parties and the Second Lien Secured Parties.

Securities Act” means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder, as amended.

Security Agreement” means that certain Security Agreement, dated as of the Issue Date, among the Company, the Guarantors and the Notes Collateral Agent.

 

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Security Documents” means, collectively, the Security Agreement, other security agreements relating to the Collateral and the instruments filed and recorded in appropriate jurisdictions to preserve and protect the Liens on the Collateral (including, without limitation, UCC financing statements and intellectual property security agreements) applicable to the Collateral, each for the benefit of the Notes Collateral Agent, as amended, amended and restated, modified, renewed or replaced from time to time.

Senior Collateral” means any “Collateral” (or any equivalent term) as defined in any Senior Debt Document or any other assets of the Company or any other Grantor with respect to which a Lien is granted or purported to be granted pursuant to a Senior Collateral Document as security for any First Lien Obligations.

Senior Collateral Documents” means the “Security Agreement” and the other “Security Documents” (or similar term) as defined in accordance with the ABL Credit Agreement, any intercreditor agreement (upon and after the initial execution and delivery thereof by the initial parties thereto) and each of the collateral agreements, security agreements and other instruments and documents executed and delivered by the Company or any other Grantor for purposes of providing collateral security for any First Lien Obligation.

Senior Debt Documents” means the ABL Credit Agreement, the Senior Collateral Documents related thereto and any additional senior debt documents from time to time.

Senior Indebtedness” means:

 

  (1)

all Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor outstanding under the ABL Credit Agreement, the Existing Senior Notes or the Notes and related Guarantees (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to the Company or any Guarantor whether or not a claim for Post-Petition Interest is allowed in such proceedings), and any and all other fees, expense reimbursement obligations, indemnification amounts, penalties, and other amounts (whether existing on the Issue Date or thereafter created or incurred) and all obligations of the Company or any Guarantor to reimburse any bank or other Person in respect of amounts paid under letters of credit, acceptances or other similar instruments;

 

  (2)

all Cash Management Obligations and Hedging Obligations (and guarantees thereof) owing to a lender or any of its Affiliates (or any Person that was a lender or an Affiliate of such lender at the time the applicable agreement giving rise to such Hedging Obligation was entered into); provided that such Cash Management Obligations and Hedging Obligations, as the case may be, are permitted to be incurred under the terms of this Indenture;

 

  (3)

any other Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor permitted to be incurred under the terms of this Indenture, unless the instrument under which such Indebtedness is incurred expressly provides that it is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or any related Guarantee; and

 

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  (4)

all Obligations with respect to the items listed in the preceding clauses (1), (2) and (3); provided, however, that Senior Indebtedness shall not include:

 

  (i)

any obligation of such Person to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

 

  (ii)

any liability for federal, state, local or other taxes owed or owing by such Person;

 

  (iii)

any accounts payable or other liability to trade creditors arising in the ordinary course of business;

 

  (iv)

any Indebtedness or other Obligation of such Person which is subordinate or junior in right of payment to any other Indebtedness or other Obligation of such Person; or

 

  (v)

that portion of any Indebtedness that at the time of incurrence is incurred in violation of this Indenture.

Senior Representative” means (i) in the case of any Obligations under the ABL Credit Agreement or the secured parties under the ABL Credit Agreement, the ABL Collateral Agent, and (ii) in the case of any additional senior debt facility as described in the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement and the additional secured parties thereunder, the trustee, administrative agent, collateral agent, security agent or similar agent under such additional senior debt facility that is named as the “Representative” in respect of such additional senior debt facility under the Intercreditor Agreement or in the applicable joinder agreement to the Intercreditor Agreement.

Series” means (a) with respect to the Second Lien Secured Parties, (i) the holders of the Notes and the Notes Collateral Agent and (ii) the holders from time to time of any other Second Lien Obligations represented by a common Second Lien Representative and each Second Lien Representative of such Indebtedness, (b) with respect to any Second Lien Obligations, each of (i) the Obligations under this Indenture and (ii) any other Obligations with respect to other Indebtedness represented by a common Second Lien Representative, which is by its terms intended to be secured equally and ratably with the Notes; provided that the holders of such Indebtedness or their Second Lien Representative shall become party to the Security Documents, (c) with respect to the First Lien Secured Parties, (i) the holders of the Obligations under the ABL Credit Agreement, the Cash Management Obligations and Hedging Obligations secured pursuant thereto, or any other Debt Facilities and (ii) the holders from time to time of any other First Lien Obligations represented by a common ABL Collateral Agent and (d) with respect to any First Lien Obligations, each (i) of the Obligations under the ABL Credit Agreement, the Cash Management Obligations and Hedging Obligations secured pursuant thereto, or any other Debt Facilities and (ii) any other First Lien Obligations with respect to other Indebtedness represented by a common ABL Collateral Agent.

Settlement Indebtedness” means any payment or reimbursement obligation in respect of a Settlement Payment.

Settlement Payment” means the transfer, or contractual undertaking (including by automated clearing house transaction) to effect a transfer, of cash or other property to effect a settlement.

 

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Short Derivative Instrument” means a Derivative Instrument (i) the value of which generally decreases, and/or the payment or delivery obligations under which generally increase, with positive changes to the Performance References and/or (ii) the value of which generally increases, and/or the payment or delivery obligations under which generally decrease, with negative changes to the Performance References.

Significant Subsidiary” means any Restricted Subsidiary that would be a “significant subsidiary” as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02(w)(1) of Regulation S-X, promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act, as such regulation is in effect on the Issue Date.

Similar Business” means (a) any businesses, services or activities engaged in by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any Associates on the Issue Date, (b) any businesses, services and activities engaged in by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any Associates that are related, complementary, synergistic, incidental, ancillary or similar to any of the foregoing or are extensions or developments of any thereof and (c) a Person conducting a business, service or activity specified in clauses (a) and (b), and any Subsidiary thereof. For the avoidance of doubt, any Person that invests in or owns Capital Stock or Indebtedness of another Person that is engaged in a Similar Business shall be deemed to be engaged in a Similar Business.

Specified Existing Senior Notes Assets” means, collectively, Specified Existing Senior Notes Equity/Debt and Specified Existing Senior Notes Principal Property.

Specified Existing Senior Notes Equity/Debt” means, any shares of stock or Debt (as defined in the Existing Senior Notes Indentures or in any indenture governing any Applicable Refinanced Existing Senior Notes) of any Subsidiary of the Company subject to the “limitations on liens” covenants included in the Existing Senior Notes Indentures (and without giving effect to any amendments, supplements or modifications thereto after the Issue Date) for so long as such Existing Senior Notes are outstanding and limit such liens (or refinancings and replacements thereof which include the same (or substantially similar) “limitation on liens” covenants that are outstanding and limit such liens (the “Applicable Refinanced Existing Senior Notes”)). For the avoidance of doubt, references in any Existing Senior Notes Indentures or any indenture governing any Applicable Refinanced Existing Senior Notes to “shares of stock,” “shares of capital stock,” “capital stock” or similar terms shall be interpreted to include all Equity Interests (including, without limitation, membership interests in limited liability companies, partnership interests in partnerships or limited partnerships, and any other ownership or equity interest in any Person).

Specified Existing Senior Notes Principal Property” means, subject to the last sentence of this definition, any Principal Property (as defined in the Existing Senior Notes Indentures or in any indenture governing any Applicable Refinanced Existing Senior Notes), owned or leased by the Company or any Subsidiary that is subject to the “limitations on liens” covenants included in the Existing Senior Notes Indentures (and without giving effect to any amendments, supplements or modifications thereto after the Issue Date) for so long as such Existing Senior Notes are outstanding and limit such liens (or Applicable Refinanced Existing Senior Notes which include the same (or substantially similar) “limitation on liens” covenants that are outstanding and limit such liens); provided that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Indenture or in any

 

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other Note Document, in no event shall the aggregate principal amount of Obligations in respect of the Notes (together with any other Second Priority Debt Obligations) secured by the Specified Existing Senior Notes Principal Property exceed the Maximum Specified Principal Property Secured Amount at any time. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Specified M&E Assets shall not constitute Specified Existing Senior Notes Principal Property.

Specified M&E Assets” means any Machinery and Equipment that the Company and the ABL Collateral Agent have agreed, in writing, is not Specified Existing Senior Notes Principal Property (in accordance with the terms of the ABL Credit Agreement).

Standard Receivables Facility Undertakings” means representations, warranties, covenants, performance guarantees, servicing obligations, and indemnities entered into by the Company or any Subsidiary thereof, including any “bad boy” or similar guarantee and any Permitted Receivables Facility Repurchase Obligation, in connection with the Permitted Receivables Facility which are reasonably customary in an accounts receivable financing transaction.

Stated Maturity” means, with respect to any security, the date specified in such security as the fixed date on which the payment of principal of such security is due and payable, including pursuant to any mandatory redemption provision, but shall not include any contingent obligations to repay, redeem or repurchase any such principal prior to the date originally scheduled for the payment thereof.

Subordinated Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Person, any Indebtedness (whether outstanding on the Issue Date or thereafter Incurred) which is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Notes pursuant to a written agreement.

Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person:

(1) any corporation, association, or other business entity (other than a partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or similar entity) of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time of determination owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof;

(2) any partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or similar entity of which:

(a) more than 50% of the capital accounts, distribution rights, total equity and voting interests or general or limited partnership interests, as applicable, are owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof whether in the form of membership, general, special or limited partnership interests or otherwise; and

(b) such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person is a controlling general partner or otherwise controls such entity; or

 

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(3) at the election of the Company, any partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or similar entity of which such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person is a controlling general partner or otherwise controls such entity.

Synthetic Lease Agreement” means any agreement entered into by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries governing any synthetic lease (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any Synthetic Lease Agreement entered into prior to the Issue Date); provided that any such agreement is of a type and on terms customary for comparable transactions in the good faith judgment of the Company or such Subsidiary.

Taxes” means all present and future taxes, levies, imposts, deductions, charges, assessments, duties and withholdings and any charges of a similar nature (including interest, penalties and other liabilities with respect thereto) that are imposed by any government or other taxing authority, including but not limited to income, sales, use, transfer, rental, ad valorem, value-added, stamp, property consumption, franchise, license, capital, net worth, gross receipts, excise, occupancy, intangibles or similar tax, charges or assessments.

Term Indebtedness Agreement” means an agreement providing for the incurrence of secured term loans or indenture providing for the issuance of secured notes by the Company or any other Guarantor, and subject to a Term Indebtedness Intercreditor Agreement, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time and as replaced or refinanced in whole or in part (whether with the same group of lenders or a different group of lenders) in accordance with the terms of this Indenture, the ABL Credit Agreement and of such Term Indebtedness Intercreditor Agreement.

Term Indebtedness Documents” means, collectively, the Term Indebtedness Agreement and all other agreements, instruments, documents and certificates executed and/or delivered in connection therewith, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms of this Indenture, the ABL Credit Agreement and of the Term Indebtedness Intercreditor Agreement.

Term Indebtedness Intercreditor Agreement” means, to the extent executed in connection with the incurrence of any Term Indebtedness Obligations, a customary intercreditor agreement, which agreement shall provide that (i) the Liens on the ABL Indebtedness Priority Collateral securing such Term Indebtedness Obligations shall rank junior to the Liens on the ABL Indebtedness Priority Collateral securing the Secured Obligations under the ABL Credit Agreement and (ii) the Liens on the Term Indebtedness Priority Collateral securing the Term Indebtedness Obligations shall rank senior to the Liens on the Term Indebtedness Priority Collateral securing the Secured Obligations under the ABL Credit Agreement.

Term Indebtedness Obligations” means the Indebtedness and other obligations of the Company and its Subsidiaries under the Term Indebtedness Documents.

Term Indebtedness Priority Collateral” means collateral on which future secured term loan lenders and/or secured bond holders have a first priority lien, as permitted under the ABL Credit Agreement.

TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended.

 

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Transfer Agent” means any Person authorized by the Company to effect the transfer of any Note on behalf of the Company.

Trustee” means the party named as such in this Indenture until a successor replaces it and, thereafter, means the successor.

U.S. Government Obligations” means securities that are (1) direct obligations of the United States of America for the timely payment of which its full faith and credit is pledged or (2) obligations of a Person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America the timely payment of which is unconditionally Guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation of the United States of America, which, in either case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuers thereof, and shall also include a depositary receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act), as custodian with respect to any such U.S. Government Obligations or a specific payment of principal of or interest on any such U.S. Government Obligations held by such custodian for the account of the holder of such depositary receipt; provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such depositary receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligations or the specific payment of principal of or interest on the U.S. Government Obligations evidenced by such depositary receipt.

UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time 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.

Unrestricted Subsidiary” means:

(1) any Subsidiary of the Company that at the time of determination is an Unrestricted Subsidiary (as designated by the Company in the manner provided below); and

(2) any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

The Company may designate any Subsidiary of the Company (including any newly acquired or newly formed Subsidiary or a Person becoming a Subsidiary through merger, consolidation or other business combination transaction, or Investment therein) to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary only if:

(1) such Subsidiary or any of its Subsidiaries does not own any Capital Stock or Indebtedness of, or own or hold any Lien on any property of, the Company or any other Subsidiary of the Company which is not a Subsidiary of the Subsidiary to be so designated or otherwise an Unrestricted Subsidiary; and

(2) such designation and the Investment of the Company in such Subsidiary complies with Section 3.3.

 

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Notwithstanding anything else herein to the contrary, the Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, sell, convey, transfer, exclusively license, exclusively sublicense or otherwise dispose of (including pursuant to an Investment) any material intellectual property that is owned by, or exclusively licensed to, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to any Unrestricted Subsidiary.

Unsecured Capitalized Lease Obligations” means Capitalized Lease Obligations not secured by a Lien and any other lease obligation that is not required to be accounted for as a financing or capital lease on both the balance sheet and the income statement for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP. For the avoidance of doubt, an operating lease shall be considered an Unsecured Capitalized Lease Obligation.

Unsecured Capitalized Leases” means all leases underlying Unsecured Capitalized Lease Obligations.

Voting Stock” of a Person means all classes of Capital Stock of such Person then outstanding and normally entitled to vote in the election of directors.

SECTION 1.2 Other Definitions.

 

Term

   Defined in
Section
Additional Restricted Notes    2.1(b)
Agent Members    2.1(e)(2)
Applicable Premium Deficit    8.4(1)
Asset Disposition Offer    3.5(b)
Authenticating Agent    2.2
Canadian Restricted Notes Legend    2.1(d)
Change of Control Offer    3.9(a)
Change of Control Payment    3.9(a)
Change of Control Payment Date    3.9(a)(2)
Covenant Defeasance    8.3
Default Direction    6.1
Defaulted Interest    2.15
Directing Holder    6.1

 

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Term

   Defined in
Section
Election Date    3.3(b)
Event of Default    6.1
Excess Proceeds    3.5(a)
Foreign Disposition    3.5(e)
Global Notes    2.1(b)
Guaranteed Obligations    10.1
Increased Amount    3.6
Initial Default    6.3
Institutional Accredited Investor Global Note    2.1(b)
Institutional Accredited Investor Notes    2.1(b)
Issuer Order    2.2
Legal Defeasance    8.2
Legal Holiday    13.8
Noteholder Direction    6.1
Notes Register    2.3
Permitted Payment    3.3(b)
Position Representation    6.1
protected purchaser    2.11
Redemption Date    5.7(a)
Refunding Capital Stock    3.3(b)
Registrar    2.3
Regulation S Global Note    2.1(b)
Regulation S Notes    2.1(b)
Resale Restriction Termination Date    2.6(b)

 

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Term

   Defined in
Section
Restricted Payments    3.3(a)
Restricted Period    2.1(b)
Rule 144A Global Note    2.1(b)
Rule 144A Notes    2.1(b)
Special Interest Payment Date    2.15(a)
Special Record Date    2.15(a)
Successor Company    4.1(a)(1)
Terminated Covenants    3.21(a)
Verification Covenant    6.1

SECTION 1.3 Inapplicability of the TIA. No provisions of the TIA are incorporated by reference in or made a part of this Indenture. Unless specifically provided in this Indenture, no terms that are defined in the TIA have the meanings specified therein for purposes of this Indenture.

SECTION 1.4 Rules of Construction. Unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) a term has the meaning assigned to it;

(2) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;

(3) “or” is not exclusive;

(4) “including” means including without limitation;

(5) words in the singular include the plural and words in the plural include the singular;

(6) “will” shall be interpreted to express a command;

(7) the principal amount of any non-interest bearing or other discount security at any date shall be the principal amount thereof that would be shown on a balance sheet of the issuer dated such date prepared in accordance with GAAP;

 

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(8) the principal amount of any preferred stock shall be (i) the maximum liquidation value of such preferred stock or (ii) the maximum mandatory redemption or mandatory repurchase price with respect to such preferred stock, whichever is greater;

(9) all amounts expressed in this Indenture or in any of the Notes in terms of money refer to the lawful currency of the United States of America;

(10) the words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision; and

(11) unless otherwise specifically indicated, the term “consolidation” means the consolidation of the accounts of each of the Restricted Subsidiaries with those of the Company in accordance with GAAP; provided that “Consolidation” will not include consolidation of the accounts of any Unrestricted Subsidiary, but the interest of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in any Unrestricted Subsidiary will be accounted for as an investment. The term “Consolidated” has a correlative meaning.

ARTICLE II

THE NOTES

SECTION 2.1 Form, Dating and Terms.

(a) The aggregate principal amount of Notes that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited. The Initial 2031 Notes issued on the date hereof will be in an aggregate principal amount of $1,000,000,000 and the Initial 2034 Notes issued on the date hereof will be in an aggregate principal amount of $1,000,000,000. In addition, the Company may issue, from time to time in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture, any Additional Notes of a series (as provided herein). Furthermore, Notes of a series may be authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer, exchange or in lieu of, other Notes of such series pursuant to Sections 2.2, 2.6, 2.11, 2.13, 5.6 or 9.5, in connection with an Asset Disposition Offer pursuant to Section 3.5 or in connection with a Change of Control Offer pursuant to Section 3.9.

With respect to any Additional Notes of a series, the Company shall set forth in (i) an Officer’s Certificate or (ii) one or more indentures supplemental hereto, the following information:

(1) the aggregate principal amount of such Additional Notes of such series to be authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture;

(2) the issue price and the issue date of such Additional Notes of such series, including the date from which interest shall accrue; and

(3) whether such Additional Notes of such series shall be Restricted Notes of such series.

 

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In authenticating and delivering Additional Notes of a series, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive and shall be fully protected in relying upon, in addition to the Opinion of Counsel and Officer’s Certificate required by Section 13.4, an Opinion of Counsel as to the due authorization, execution, delivery, validity and enforceability of such Additional Notes of such series. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, no Opinion of Counsel or Officer’s Certificate shall be required with respect to the Initial Notes to be authenticated and delivered on the Issue Date.

The Initial Notes of a series and the Additional Notes of such series shall, in each case, be considered collectively as a single class for all purposes of this Indenture. If any Additional Notes of a series are not fungible with the Initial Notes of such series for U.S. federal income tax purposes or if the Company otherwise determines that any Additional Notes of such series should be differentiated from the Initial Notes of such series, such Additional Notes of such series will have a separate CUSIP number; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, such Additional Notes of such series will otherwise have the same terms as and will still constitute a single series with all other Notes of such series issued under this Indenture for all purposes other than issue date and first interest payment date. Holders of the Initial Notes of a series and the Additional Notes of such series will vote and consent together on all matters to which such Holders of Notes of such series are entitled to vote or consent as one class, and none of the Holders of the Initial Notes of such series or the Additional Notes of such series shall have the right to vote or consent as a separate class on any matter to which such Holders of Notes of such series are entitled to vote or consent.

(b) The Initial Notes were offered and sold by the Company pursuant to a purchase agreement, dated June 2, 2026, among the Company, the Guarantors and the Initial Purchasers. The Initial Notes of a series and any Additional Notes of such series (if issued as Restricted Notes) (the “Additional Restricted Notes”) will be resold initially only to (A) QIBs in reliance on Rule 144A and (B) Non-U.S. Persons in reliance on Regulation S. Such Initial Notes of a series and Additional Restricted Notes of such series may thereafter be transferred to, among others, QIBs, purchasers in reliance on Regulation S and IAIs in accordance with Rule 501 under the Securities Act (and, if applicable, in compliance with Canadian Securities Laws), in each case, in accordance with the procedure described herein. Additional Notes offered after the date hereof may be offered and sold by the Company from time to time pursuant to one or more purchase agreements in accordance with applicable law.

Initial Notes of a series and Additional Restricted Notes of such series offered and sold to QIBs in the United States in reliance on Rule 144A (the “Rule 144A Notes”) shall be issued in the form of a permanent global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 and Exhibit A-2, as applicable, which is hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of this Indenture, including appropriate legends as set forth in Section 2.1(d) (the “Rule 144A Global Note”). The Rule 144A Global Note shall be deposited with the Registrar, as custodian for DTC, duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided. The Rule 144A Global Note may be represented by more than one certificate, if so required by DTC’s rules regarding the maximum principal amount to be represented by a single certificate. The aggregate principal amount of the Rule 144A Global Note may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Registrar, as custodian for DTC or its nominee, as hereinafter provided.

 

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Initial Notes of a series and any Additional Restricted Notes of such series offered and sold outside the United States (the “Regulation S Notes”) in reliance on Regulation S shall be issued in the form of a permanent global Note substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 and Exhibit A-2, as applicable, including appropriate legends as set forth in Section 2.1(d) (the “Regulation S Global Note”) within a reasonable period after the expiration of the Restricted Period (as defined below) upon delivery of the certification contemplated by Section 2.8. Each Regulation S Global Note will be deposited upon issuance with, or on behalf of, the Registrar as custodian for DTC in the manner described in this Article II. Prior to the 40th day after the later of the commencement of the offering of the Initial Notes of a series and the Issue Date (such period through and including such 40th day, the “Restricted Period”), interests in the Regulation S Global Note of such series may only be transferred to Non-U.S. persons pursuant to Regulation S, unless exchanged for interests in a Global Note of such series in accordance with the transfer and certification requirements described herein.

Investors may hold their interests in the Regulation S Global Note through organizations other than Euroclear or Clearstream that are participants in DTC’s system or directly through Euroclear or Clearstream, if they are participants in such systems, or indirectly through organizations which are participants in such systems. If such interests are held through Euroclear or Clearstream, Euroclear and Clearstream will hold such interests in the applicable Regulation S Global Note on behalf of their participants through customers’ securities accounts in their respective names on the books of their respective depositaries. Such depositaries, in turn, will hold such interests in the applicable Regulation S Global Note in customers’ securities accounts in the depositaries’ names on the books of DTC.

The Regulation S Global Note may be represented by more than one certificate, if so required by DTC’s rules regarding the maximum principal amount to be represented by a single certificate. The aggregate principal amount of the Regulation S Global Note may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Registrar, as custodian for DTC or its nominee, as hereinafter provided.

Initial Notes of a series and Additional Restricted Notes of such series resold to IAIs (the “Institutional Accredited Investor Notes”) in the United States shall be issued in the form of a permanent global Note of such series substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 and Exhibit A-2, as applicable, including appropriate legends as set forth in Section 2.1(d) (the “Institutional Accredited Investor Global Note”) deposited with the Registrar, as custodian for DTC, duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee as hereinafter provided. The Institutional Accredited Investor Global Note may be represented by more than one certificate, if so required by DTC’s rules regarding the maximum principal amount to be represented by a single certificate. The aggregate principal amount of the Institutional Accredited Investor Global Note may from time to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on the records of the Registrar, as custodian for DTC or its nominee, as hereinafter provided.

The Rule 144A Global Note, the Regulation S Global Note and the Institutional Accredited Investor Global Note are sometimes collectively herein referred to as the “Global Notes.”

 

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The principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on the Notes shall be payable at the office or agency of Paying Agent designated by the Company maintained for such purpose (which shall initially be the office of the Trustee maintained for such purpose), or at such other office or agency of the Company as may be maintained for such purpose pursuant to Section 2.3; provided, however, that each installment of interest, if any, may be paid (i) at the option of the Paying Agent, by check mailed to addresses of the Persons entitled thereto as such addresses shall appear on the Notes Register or (ii) by wire transfer of immediately available funds to an account located in the United States maintained by the payee, subject to the last sentence of this paragraph. Payments in respect of Notes of a series represented by a Global Note of such series (including principal, premium, if any, and interest) will be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by DTC. Payments in respect of Notes of a series represented by Definitive Notes of such series (including principal, premium, if any, and interest) held by a Holder of at least $1,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Notes of such series represented by Definitive Notes of such series will be made in accordance with the Notes Register, or by wire transfer to a U.S. dollar account maintained by the payee with a bank in the United States if such Holder elects payment by wire transfer by giving written notice to the Trustee or the Paying Agent to such effect designating such account no later than 15 days immediately preceding the relevant due date for payment (or such other date as the Trustee may accept in its discretion).

The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule or usage, in addition to those set forth on Exhibit A-1 and Exhibit A-2, as applicable, and in Section 2.1(d). The Company shall approve any notation, endorsement or legend on the Notes. Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication. The terms of the Notes set forth in Exhibit A-1 and Exhibit A-2, as applicable, are part of the terms of this Indenture and, to the extent applicable, the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture, expressly agree to be bound by such terms.

(c) Denominations. The Notes shall be issuable only in fully registered form in minimum denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.

(d) Restrictive Legends. Unless and until (i) an Initial Note of a series or an Additional Note of such series issued as a Restricted Note is sold under an effective registration statement or (ii) the Company receives an opinion of counsel satisfactory to it to the effect that neither such legend nor the related restrictions on transfer are required in order to maintain compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act (and, in the event such Note bears the Canadian Restricted Notes Legend, compliance with Canadian Securities Laws):

(1) the Rule 144A Global Note, the Regulation S Global Note and the Institutional Accredited Investor Global Note shall bear the following legend on the face thereof:

“THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”). THE HOLDER HEREOF, BY PURCHASING THIS SECURITY, AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMPANY THAT THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE RESOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED (X) PRIOR TO THE LATER OF THE ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE ISSUANCE

 

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HEREOF AND OF THE LAST DATE ON WHICH THE COMPANY OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE COMPANY WAS THE OWNER HEREOF (OR ANY PREDECESSOR SECURITY HERETO) OR (Y) BY ANY HOLDER THAT WAS AN AFFILIATE OF THE COMPANY AT ANY TIME DURING THE THREE MONTHS PRECEDING THE DATE OF SUCH TRANSFER, IN EITHER CASE OTHER THAN

(1) TO THE COMPANY,

(2) SO LONG AS THIS SECURITY IS ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (“RULE 144A”), TO A PERSON WHOM THE SELLER REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 144A, PURCHASING FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE RESALE, PLEDGE OR OTHER TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A (AS INDICATED BY THE BOX CHECKED BY THE TRANSFEROR ON THE CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER ON THE REVERSE OF THIS SECURITY), IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (AS INDICATED BY THE BOX CHECKED BY THE TRANSFEROR ON THE CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER ON THE REVERSE OF THIS SECURITY),

(3) IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (AS INDICATED BY THE BOX CHECKED BY THE TRANSFEROR ON THE CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER ON THE REVERSE OF THIS SECURITY),

(4) TO AN INSTITUTION THAT IS AN “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” AS DEFINED IN RULE 501(a)(1), (2), (3), (7), (9), (11), (12) OR (13) OF REGULATION D UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (AS INDICATED BY THE BOX CHECKED BY THE TRANSFEROR ON THE CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER ON THE REVERSE OF THIS SECURITY) THAT IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION, AND A CERTIFICATE WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE COMPANY OR THE TRUSTEE IS DELIVERED BY THE TRANSFEREE TO THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE,

(5) PURSUANT TO ANY EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT PROVIDED BY RULE 144 (IF APPLICABLE) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, OR

(6) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT,

IN EACH CASE, IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES. AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR HOLDING THIS SECURITY AGREES THAT IT WILL FURNISH TO THE COMPANY AND THE TRUSTEE SUCH CERTIFICATES,

 

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OPINIONS OF COUNSEL AND OTHER INFORMATION AS THEY MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT THE TRANSFER BY IT OF THIS SECURITY COMPLIES WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS. THE HOLDER HEREOF, BY PURCHASING THIS SECURITY, REPRESENTS AND AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMPANY THAT IT IS (1) A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 144A OR (2) PURCHASING FROM A PERSON NOT PARTICIPATING IN THE INITIAL DISTRIBUTION OF THIS SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR SECURITY), THAT IT IS AN INSTITUTION THAT IS AN “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” AS DEFINED IN RULE 501(a) (1), (2), (3), (7), (9), (11), (12) OR (13) OF REGULATION D UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND THAT IT IS HOLDING THIS SECURITY FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES AND NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION OR (3) A NON-U.S. PERSON OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF (OR AN ACCOUNT SATISFYING THE REQUIREMENTS OF PARAGRAPH (k)(2)(i) OF RULE 902 UNDER) REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.”

(7) Each Global Note, whether or not an Initial Note, shall also bear the following legend on the face thereof:

UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”) TO THE COMPANY OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO NOMINEES OF CEDE & CO. OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSOR’S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN SECTIONS 2.1 AND 2.6 OF THE INDENTURE (AS DEFINED HEREIN).

(8) Any Global Note or Definitive Note evidencing, in whole or in part, Notes initially sold to one or more purchasers resident in Canada, shall also bear the following legend on the face thereof (the “Canadian Restricted Notes Legend”):

“UNLESS PERMITTED UNDER CANADIAN SECURITIES LEGISLATION, THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY MUST NOT TRADE THE SECURITY BEFORE THE DATE THAT IS FOUR MONTHS AND A DAY AFTER THE LATER OF (I) THE DATE ON WHICH THE SECURITY IS ISSUED, AND (II) THE DATE THE COMPANY BECOMES A REPORTING ISSUER IN ANY PROVINCE OR TERRITORY OF CANADA.”

 

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(e) Book-Entry Provisions. (i) This Section 2.1(e) shall apply only to Global Notes deposited with the Registrar, as custodian for DTC.

(1) Each Global Note of a series initially shall (x) be registered in the name of DTC or the nominee of DTC, (y) be delivered to the Notes Custodian of such series for DTC and (z) bear legends as set forth in Section 2.1(d). Transfers of a Global Note of a series (but not a beneficial interest therein) will be limited to transfers thereof in whole, but not in part, to DTC, its successors or its respective nominees, except as set forth in Section 2.1(e)(4) and 2.1(f). If a beneficial interest in a Global Note of a series is transferred or exchanged for a beneficial interest in another Global Note of such series, the Notes Custodian will (x) record a decrease in the principal amount of the Global Note of such series being transferred or exchanged equal to the principal amount of such transfer or exchange and (y) record a like increase in the principal amount of the other Global Note of such series. Any beneficial interest in one Global Note of a series that is transferred to a Person who takes delivery in the form of an interest in another Global Note of such series, or exchanged for an interest in another Global Note of such series, will, upon transfer or exchange, cease to be an interest in such Global Note of such series and become an interest in the other Global Note of such series and, accordingly, will thereafter be subject to all transfer and exchange restrictions, if any, and other procedures applicable to beneficial interests in such other Global Note of such series for as long as it remains such an interest.

(2) Members of, or participants in, DTC (“Agent Members”) shall have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global Note of a series held on their behalf by DTC or by the Notes Custodian as the custodian of DTC or under such Global Note of such series, and DTC may be treated by the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee as the absolute owner of such Global Note of such series for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall prevent the Company, the Trustee or any agent of the Company or the Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other authorization furnished by DTC or impair, as between DTC and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices of DTC governing the exercise of the rights of a holder of a beneficial interest in any Global Note.

(3) In connection with any transfer of a portion of the beneficial interest in a Global Note of a series pursuant to Section 2.1(f) to beneficial owners who are required to hold Definitive Notes of such series, the Notes Custodian shall reflect on its books and records the date and a decrease in the principal amount of such Global Note of such series in an amount equal to the principal amount of the beneficial interest in the Global Note of such series to be transferred, and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery, one or more Definitive Notes of like tenor and amount.

 

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(4) In connection with the transfer of an entire Global Note of a series to beneficial owners pursuant to Section 2.1(f), such Global Note of such series shall be deemed to be surrendered to the Registrar for cancellation, and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery, to each beneficial owner identified by DTC in exchange for its beneficial interest in such Global Note of such series, an equal aggregate principal amount of Definitive Notes of such series of authorized denominations.

(5) The registered Holder of a Global Note of a series may grant proxies and otherwise authorize any person, including Agent Members and persons that may hold interests through Agent Members, to take any action which a Holder of such Notes of such series is entitled to take under this Indenture or the Notes of such series.

(6) Any Holder of a Global Note of a series shall, by acceptance of such Global Note of such series, agree that transfers of beneficial interests in such Global Note of such series may be effected only through a book-entry system maintained by (i) the Holder of such Global Note of such series (or its agent) or (ii) any holder of a beneficial interest in such Global Note of such series, and that ownership of a beneficial interest in such Global Note of such series shall be required to be reflected in a book entry.

(f) Definitive Notes. Except as provided below, owners of beneficial interests in Global Notes of a series will not be entitled to receive Definitive Notes of such series. Definitive Notes of a series shall be transferred to all beneficial owners in exchange for their beneficial interests in a Global Note of such series if (A) DTC notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary for such Global Note of such series or DTC ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, at a time when DTC is required to be so registered in order to act as depositary, and in each case a successor depositary is not appointed by the Company within 120 days of such notice or (B) an Event of Default with respect to Notes of a series has occurred and is continuing. In the event of the occurrence of any of the events specified in clause (A) or (B) of the preceding sentence, the Company shall promptly make available to the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent a reasonable supply of Definitive Notes of such series. In addition, any Note of a series transferred to an affiliate (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act) of the Company or evidencing a Note of such series that has been acquired by an affiliate in a transaction or series of transactions not involving any public offering must, until one year after the last date on which either the Company or any affiliate of the Company was an owner of the Note of such series, be in the form of a Definitive Note of such series and bear the legend regarding transfer restrictions in Section 2.1(d). If required to do so pursuant to any applicable law or regulation, beneficial owners may also obtain Definitive Notes of such series in exchange for their beneficial interests in a Global Note of such series upon written request in accordance with DTC’s and the Registrar’s procedures.

(1) Any Definitive Note of a series delivered in exchange for an interest in a Global Note of such series pursuant to Section 2.1(e) shall, except as otherwise provided by Section 2.6(d), bear the applicable legend regarding transfer restrictions applicable to the Global Note of such series set forth in Section 2.1(d).

 

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(2) If a Definitive Note of a series is transferred or exchanged for a beneficial interest in a Global Note of such series, the Registrar will (x) cancel such Definitive Note of such series, (y) record an increase in the principal amount of such Global Note of such series equal to the principal amount of such transfer or exchange and (z) in the event that such transfer or exchange involves less than the entire principal amount of the canceled Definitive Note of such series, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery, to the transferring Holder a new Definitive Note of such series representing the principal amount not so transferred.

(3) If a Definitive Note of a series is transferred or exchanged for another Definitive Note of such series, (x) the Registrar will cancel the Definitive Note of such series being transferred or exchanged, (y) the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery, one or more new Definitive Notes of such series in authorized denominations having an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such transfer or exchange to the transferee (in the case of a transfer) or the Holder of the canceled Definitive Note of such series (in the case of an exchange), registered in the name of such transferee or Holder, as applicable, and (z) if such transfer or exchange involves less than the entire principal amount of the canceled Definitive Note of such series, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery to the Holder thereof, one or more Definitive Notes of such series in authorized denominations having an aggregate principal amount equal to the untransferred or unexchanged portion of the canceled Definitive Notes of such series, registered in the name of the Holder thereof.

(4) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Indenture, in no event shall a Definitive Note of a series be delivered upon exchange or transfer of a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note of such series prior to the end of the Restricted Period.

SECTION 2.2 Execution and Authentication. One Officer shall sign the Notes for the Company by manual, facsimile or electronic signature. If the Officer whose signature is on a Note no longer holds such office at the time the Trustee or Authenticating Agent authenticates the Note, the Note shall be valid nevertheless.

A Note shall not be valid until an authorized officer of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent authenticates the Note. The signature of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent on a Note shall be conclusive evidence that such Note has been duly and validly authenticated and issued under this Indenture. The Trustee may authenticate the Note by manual, facsimile or electronic signature. Electronically imaged signatures such as .pdf files, faxed signatures or other electronic signatures to the Note shall have the same effect as original signatures. A Note shall be dated the date of its authentication.

At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the Authenticating Agent shall authenticate and make available for delivery: (1) Initial 2031 Notes for original issue on the Issue Date in an aggregate principal amount of $1,000,000,000 and Initial 2034 Notes for original issue on the Issue Date in an aggregate principal amount of $1,000,000,000, and (2) subject to the terms of this Indenture, Additional Notes of a series for

 

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original issue in an unlimited principal amount, in each case upon a written order of the Company signed by one Officer (the “Issuer Order”). Such Issuer Order shall specify whether the Notes of a series will be in the form of Definitive Notes or Global Notes of such series, the amount of the Notes of such series to be authenticated, the date on which the original issue of Notes of such series is to be authenticated, the holder of the Notes of such series and whether the Notes of such series are to be Initial Notes of such series or Additional Notes of such series.

The Trustee may appoint an agent (the “Authenticating Agent”) reasonably acceptable to the Company to authenticate the Notes. Any such appointment shall be evidenced by an instrument signed by a Responsible Officer, a copy of which shall be furnished to the Company. Unless limited by the terms of such appointment, any such Authenticating Agent may authenticate Notes whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by an Authenticating Agent. An Authenticating Agent has the same rights as any Registrar, Paying Agent or agent for service of notices and demands.

In case the Company or any Guarantor, pursuant to Article IV or Section 10.2, as applicable, shall be consolidated, merged or amalgamated with or into any other Person or shall convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any Person, and the successor Person resulting from such consolidation, or surviving such merger, or into which the Company or any Guarantor shall have been merged, or the Person which shall have received a conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition as aforesaid, shall have executed an indenture supplemental hereto with the Trustee pursuant to Article IV, any of the Notes of a series authenticated or delivered prior to such consolidation, merger, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition may (but shall not be required), from time to time, at the request of the successor Person, be exchanged for other Notes of such series executed in the name of the successor Person with such changes in phraseology and form as may be appropriate to reflect such successor Person, but otherwise in substance of like tenor as the Notes of such series surrendered for such exchange and of like principal amount; and the Trustee, upon the Issuer Order of the successor Person, shall authenticate and make available for delivery Notes of such series as specified in such order for the purpose of such exchange. If Notes of a series shall at any time be authenticated and delivered in any new name of a successor Person pursuant to this Section 2.2 in exchange or substitution for or upon registration of transfer of any Notes of such series, such successor Person, at the option of the Holders but without expense to them, shall provide for the exchange of all Notes of such series at the time outstanding for Notes of such series authenticated and delivered in such new name.

SECTION 2.3 Registrar and Paying Agent. The Company shall maintain an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (the “Registrar”) and an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment. The Registrar shall keep a register of the Notes and of their transfer and exchange (the “Notes Register”). The Company may have one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent, and the term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar.

The Company shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Registrar or Paying Agent not a party to this Indenture. The agreement shall implement the provisions of this Indenture that relate to such agent. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of each such agent. The Company or any Guarantor may act as Paying Agent, Registrar or Transfer Agent.

 

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The Company initially appoints the Trustee as Registrar, Paying Agent and Transfer Agent for the Notes. The Company may change any agent without prior notice to the Holders, but upon written notice to such agent and to the Trustee; provided, however, that no such removal shall become effective until (i) acceptance of any appointment by a successor as evidenced by an appropriate agreement entered into by the Company and such successor agent, as the case may be, and delivered to the Trustee and the passage of any waiting or notice periods required by DTC’s procedures or (ii) written notification to the Trustee that the Trustee shall serve as agent until the appointment of a successor in accordance with clause (i) above. The agent may resign at any time upon written notice to the Company and the Trustee.

SECTION 2.4 Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust. By no later than 12:00 p.m. (New York time) on the date on which any principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Note of a series is due and payable, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay such principal, premium or interest when due in immediately available funds or at the option of the Paying Agent, payment of interest, if any, may be made by check mailed to the Holders of the Notes of such series at their respective addresses set forth in the register of Holders; provided that all payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest with respect to the Notes of such series represented by one or more Global Notes of such series registered in the name of DTC or its nominee will be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the Holder or Holders thereof. The Company shall require each Paying Agent (other than the Trustee) to agree in writing that such Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee all money held by such Paying Agent for the payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes of such series (whether such assets have been distributed to it by the Company or other obligors on the Notes of such series), shall notify the Trustee in writing of any default by the Company or any Guarantor in making any such payment and shall during the continuance of any default by the Company (or any other obligor upon the Notes of such series) in the making of any payment in respect of the Notes of such series, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith deliver to the Trustee all sums held in trust by such Paying Agent for payment in respect of the Notes of such series together with a full accounting thereof. If the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate the money held by it as Paying Agent and hold it as a separate trust fund. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent (other than the Trustee) to pay all money held by it to the Trustee and to account for any funds or assets disbursed by such Paying Agent. Upon complying with this Section 2.4, the Paying Agent (if other than the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company) shall have no further liability for the money delivered to the Trustee. Upon any bankruptcy, reorganization or similar proceeding with respect to the Company, the Trustee shall serve as Paying Agent for the Notes.

SECTION 2.5 Holder Lists. The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of Holders. If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company, on its own behalf and on behalf of each of the Guarantors, shall furnish or cause the Registrar to furnish to the Trustee, in writing at least five Business Days before each interest payment date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of Holders.

 

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SECTION 2.6 Transfer and Exchange.

(a) A Holder may transfer a Note of a series (or a beneficial interest therein) to another Person or exchange a Note of such series (or a beneficial interest therein) for another Note of such series or Notes of such series of any authorized denomination by presenting to the Transfer Agent a written request therefor stating the name of the proposed transferee or requesting such an exchange, accompanied by any certification, opinion or other document required by this Section 2.6. The Transfer Agent will promptly register any transfer or exchange that meets the requirements of this Section 2.6 by noting the same in the Notes Register maintained by the Registrar for the purpose, and no transfer or exchange will be effective until it is registered in such Notes Register. The transfer or exchange of any Note of such series (or a beneficial interest therein) may only be made in accordance with this Section 2.6 and Section 2.1(e) and 2.1(f), as applicable, and, in the case of a Global Note of such series (or a beneficial interest therein), the applicable rules and procedures of DTC, Euroclear and Clearstream. The Registrar shall refuse to register any requested transfer or exchange that does not comply with this paragraph.

(b) Transfers of Rule 144A Notes and Institutional Accredited Investor Notes. The following provisions shall apply with respect to any proposed registration of transfer of a Rule 144A Note of a series or an Institutional Accredited Investor Note of a series prior to the date that is one year after the later of the date of its original issue and the last date on which the Company or any Affiliate of the Company was the owner of such Notes of such series (or any predecessor thereto) (the “Resale Restriction Termination Date”):

(1) a registration of transfer of a Rule 144A Note of such series or an Institutional Accredited Investor Note of such series or a beneficial interest therein to a QIB shall be made upon the representation of the transferee in the form as set forth on the reverse of the Note of such series that it is purchasing for its own account or an account with respect to which it exercises sole investment discretion and that it and any such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A, and is aware that the sale to it is being made in reliance on Rule 144A and acknowledges that it has received such information regarding the Company as the undersigned has requested pursuant to Rule 144A or has determined not to request such information and that it is aware that the transferor is relying upon its foregoing representations in order to claim the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A; provided that no such written representation or other written certification shall be required in connection with the transfer of a beneficial interest in the Rule 144A Global Note of such series to a transferee in the form of a beneficial interest in that Rule 144A Global Note of such series in accordance with this Indenture and the applicable procedures of DTC.

(2) a registration of transfer of a Rule 144A Note of a series or an Institutional Accredited Investor Note of a series or a beneficial interest therein to an IAI shall be made upon receipt by the Registrar or its agent of a certificate substantially in the form set forth in Section 2.8 from the proposed transferee and the delivery of an Opinion of Counsel, certification and/or other information satisfactory to it; and

 

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(3) a registration of transfer of a Rule 144A Note of a series or an Institutional Accredited Investor Note of a series or a beneficial interest therein to a Non-U.S. Person shall be made upon receipt by the Registrar or its agent of a certificate substantially in the form set forth in Section 2.9 from the proposed transferee and the delivery of an Opinion of Counsel, certification and/or other information satisfactory to it.

(c) Transfers of Regulation S Notes. The following provisions shall apply with respect to any proposed transfer of a Regulation S Note of a series prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period:

(1) a transfer of a Regulation S Note of such series or a beneficial interest therein to a QIB shall be made upon the representation of the transferee, in the form of assignment on the reverse of the certificate, that it is purchasing the Note of such series for its own account or an account with respect to which it exercises sole investment discretion and that it and any such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A, is aware that the sale to it is being made in reliance on Rule 144A and acknowledges that it has received such information regarding the Company as the undersigned has requested pursuant to Rule 144A or has determined not to request such information and that it is aware that the transferor is relying upon its foregoing representations in order to claim the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A;

(2) a transfer of a Regulation S Note of such series or a beneficial interest therein to an IAI shall be made upon receipt by the Registrar or its agent of a certificate substantially in the form set forth in Section 2.8 from the proposed transferee and the delivery of an Opinion of Counsel, certification and/or other information satisfactory to the Company; and

(3) a transfer of a Regulation S Note of such series or a beneficial interest therein to a Non-U.S. Person shall be made upon receipt by the Registrar or its agent of a certificate substantially in the form set forth in Section 2.9 hereof from the proposed transferee and receipt by the Registrar or its agent of an Opinion of Counsel, certification and/or other information satisfactory to the Company.

After the expiration of the Restricted Period, interests in the Regulation S Note of such series may be transferred in accordance with applicable law without requiring the certification set forth in Section 2.8, Section 2.9 or any additional certification.

(d) Restricted Notes Legend. Upon the transfer, exchange or replacement of Notes of such series not bearing a Restricted Notes Legend, the Registrar shall deliver Notes of such series that do not bear a Restricted Notes Legend. Upon the transfer, exchange or replacement of Notes of such series bearing a Restricted Notes Legend, the Registrar shall deliver only Notes of such series that bear a Restricted Notes Legend unless (1) an Initial Note of such series is being transferred pursuant to an effective registration statement or (2) there is

 

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delivered to the Registrar an Opinion of Counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Company and the Registrar to the effect that neither such legend nor the related restrictions on transfer are required in order to maintain compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act or, as applicable, Canadian Securities Laws. Any Additional Notes sold in a registered offering shall not be required to bear the Restricted Notes Legend.

(e) [Reserved].

(f) Retention of Written Communications. The Registrar shall retain copies of all letters, notices and other written communications received pursuant to Section 2.1 or this Section 2.6. The Company shall have the right to inspect and make copies of all such letters, notices or other written communications at any reasonable time upon the giving of reasonable prior written notice to the Registrar.

(g) Obligations with Respect to Transfers and Exchanges of Notes. To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company shall, subject to the other terms and conditions of this Article II, execute and the Trustee shall authenticate Definitive Notes and Global Notes at the Company’s and Registrar’s written request.

No service charge shall be made to a Holder for any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company and the Trustee may require the Holder to pay a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax, assessments or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes, assessments or similar governmental charges payable upon exchange or transfer pursuant to Sections 2.2, 2.11, 2.13, 3.5, 5.6 or 9.5).

The Company (and the Registrar) shall not be required to register the transfer of or exchange of any Note of a series (A) for a period beginning (1) 15 calendar days before the mailing of a notice of an offer to repurchase or redeem Notes of such series and ending at the close of business on the day of such mailing or (2) 15 calendar days before an interest payment date and ending on such interest payment date or (B) called for redemption, except the unredeemed portion of any Note of such series being redeemed in part.

Prior to the due presentation for registration of transfer of any Note of a series, the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent or the Registrar may deem and treat the person in whose name a Note of such series is registered as the owner of such Note of such series for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of, premium, if any, and (subject to the first paragraph of the form of Note of such series attached hereto as Exhibit A-1 and Exhibit A-2, as applicable) interest on such Note of such series and for all other purposes whatsoever, including without limitation the transfer or exchange of such Note of such series, whether or not such Note of such series is overdue, and none of the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent or the Registrar shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

Any Definitive Note of a series delivered in exchange for an interest in a Global Note of such series pursuant to Section 2.1(f) shall, except as otherwise provided by Section 2.6(d), bear the applicable legend regarding transfer restrictions applicable to the Definitive Note of such series set forth in Section 2.1(d).

 

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All Notes of a series issued upon any transfer or exchange pursuant to the terms of this Indenture shall evidence the same debt and shall be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as the Notes of such series surrendered upon such transfer or exchange.

(h) No Obligation of the Trustee. (1) Neither the Trustee, nor the Registrar, shall have any responsibility or obligation to any beneficial owner of a Global Note of a series, a member of, or a participant in, DTC or other Person with respect to the accuracy of the records of DTC or its nominee or of any participant or member thereof, with respect to any ownership interest in the Notes of such series or with respect to the delivery to any participant, member, beneficial owner or other Person (other than DTC) of any notice (including any notice of redemption or purchase) or the payment of any amount or delivery of any Notes of such series (or other security or property) under or with respect to such Notes of such series. All notices and communications to be given to the Holders and all payments to be made to Holders in respect of the Notes of such series shall be given or made only to or upon the order of the registered Holders (which shall be DTC or its nominee in the case of a Global Note of such series). The rights of beneficial owners in any Global Note of a series shall be exercised only through DTC subject to the applicable rules and procedures of DTC. The Trustee may rely and shall be fully protected in relying upon information furnished by DTC with respect to its members, participants and any beneficial owners.

Neither the Trustee nor the Registrar shall have any obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Note of a series (including any transfers between or among DTC participants, members or beneficial owners in any Global Note of such series) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by, the terms of this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof. Neither the Trustee, the Registrar nor any of their respective agents shall have any responsibility for any actions taken or not taken by DTC.

SECTION 2.7 [Reserved].

SECTION 2.8 Form of Certificate To Be Delivered in Connection with Transfers to IAIs.

[Date]

Whirlpool Corporation

2000 North M-63

Benton Harbor, Michigan 49022-2692

Attention: Treasurer

U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association

60 Livingston Avenue

EP-MN-S3MC

St. Paul, MN 55107-2292

 

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Re:

Whirlpool Corporation

Ladies and Gentlemen:

This certificate is delivered to request a transfer of $[    ] principal amount of the [7.500][7.875]% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due [2031][2034] (the “Notes”) of Whirlpool Corporation (the “Company”).

Upon transfer, the Notes would be registered in the name of the new beneficial owner as follows:

 

Name:               
Address:               
Taxpayer ID Number:               

The undersigned represents and warrants to you that:

1. We are an institutional “accredited investor” (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3), (7), (9), (11), (12) or (13) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”)) purchasing for our own account or for the account of such an institutional “accredited investor,” and we are acquiring the Notes not with a view to, or for offer or sale in connection with, any distribution in violation of the Securities Act. We have such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risk of our investment in the Notes and we invest in or purchase securities similar to the Notes in the normal course of our business. We and any accounts for which we are acting are each able to bear the economic risk of our or its investment.

2. We understand that the Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act and, unless so registered, may not be sold except as permitted in the following sentence. We agree on our own behalf and on behalf of any investor account for which we are purchasing Notes to offer, sell or otherwise transfer such Notes prior to the Resale Restriction Termination Date only (a) to the Company, or any Subsidiary thereof, (b) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, (c) in a transaction complying with the requirements of Rule 144A under the Securities Act, to a person we reasonably believe is a “qualified institutional buyer” under Rule 144A of the Securities Act (a “QIB”) that is purchasing for its own account or for the account of a QIB and to whom notice is given that the transfer is being made in reliance on Rule 144A, (d) pursuant to offers and sales to non-U.S. persons that occur outside the United States within the meaning of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (e) to an institutional “accredited investor” within the meaning of Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3), (7), (9), (11), (12) or (13) under the Securities Act that is purchasing for its own account or for the account of such an institutional “accredited investor,” in each case for investment purposes and not with a view to or for offer or sale in connection with any distribution in violation of the Securities Act or (f) pursuant to any other available exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, subject in each of the foregoing cases to any requirement of law that the disposition of our property or the property of such investor account or accounts be at all times within our or their control and in compliance with any applicable state securities laws. The

 

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foregoing restrictions on resale will not apply subsequent to the Resale Restriction Termination Date. If any resale or other transfer of the Notes is proposed to be made pursuant to clause (e) above prior to the Resale Restriction Termination Date, the transferor shall deliver a letter from the transferee substantially in the form of this letter to the Company and the Trustee and Registrar, which shall provide, among other things, that the transferee is an institutional “accredited investor” (within the meaning of Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3), (7), (9), (11), (12) or (13) under the Securities Act) and that it is acquiring such Notes for investment purposes and not for distribution in violation of the Securities Act. Each purchaser acknowledges that the Company and the Trustee and Registrar reserve the right prior to any offer, sale or other transfer prior to the Resale Restriction Termination Date of the Notes pursuant to clauses (d), (e) or (f) above to require the delivery of an opinion of counsel, certifications and/or other information satisfactory to the Company.

3. We [are][are not] an Affiliate of the Company.

 

TRANSFEREE:    
BY:    

SECTION 2.9 Form of Certificate To Be Delivered in Connection with Transfers Pursuant to Regulation S.

[Date]

Whirlpool Corporation

2000 North M-63

Benton Harbor, Michigan 49022-2692

Attention: Treasurer

U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association

60 Livingston Avenue

EP-MN-S3MC

St. Paul, MN 55107-2292

Re: Whirlpool Corporation (the “Company”) [7.500% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2031] [7.875% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2034] (the “Notes”)

Ladies and Gentlemen:

In connection with our proposed sale of $[   ] aggregate principal amount of the Notes, we confirm that such sale has been effected pursuant to and in accordance with Regulation S under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and, accordingly, we represent that:

(a) the offer of the Notes was not made to a person in the United States;

 

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(b) either (i) at the time the buy order was originated, the transferee was outside the United States or we and any person acting on our behalf reasonably believed that the transferee was outside the United States or (ii) the transaction was executed in, on or through the facilities of a designated offshore securities market and neither we nor any person acting on our behalf knows that the transaction has been pre-arranged with a buyer in the United States;

(c) no directed selling efforts have been made in the United States in contravention of the requirements of Rule 903(a)(2) or Rule 904(a)(2) of Regulation S, as applicable; and

(d) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

In addition, if the sale is made during a restricted period and the provisions of Rule 903(b)(2), Rule 903(b)(3) or Rule 904(b)(1) of Regulation S are applicable thereto, we confirm that such sale has been made in accordance with the applicable provisions of Rule 903(b)(2), Rule 903(b)(3) or Rule 904(b)(1), as the case may be.

We also hereby certify that we [are][are not] an Affiliate of the Company and, to our knowledge, the transferee of the Notes [is][is not] an Affiliate of the Company.

The Trustee, Registrar and the Company are entitled to conclusively rely upon this letter and are irrevocably authorized to produce this letter or a copy hereof to any interested party in any administrative or legal proceedings or official inquiry with respect to the matters covered hereby. Terms used in this certificate have the meanings set forth in Regulation S.

 

Very truly yours,

[Name of Transferor]

By:    
  Authorized Signature

SECTION 2.10 [Reserved].

SECTION 2.11 Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Notes. If a mutilated Note of a series is surrendered to the Registrar or if the Holder of a Note of a series claims that the Note of such series has been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken, the Company shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a replacement Note of such series if the requirements of Section 8-405 of the Uniform Commercial Code are met, such that the Holder (a) satisfies the Company or the Trustee that such Note of such series has been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken within a reasonable time after such Holder has notice of such loss, destruction or wrongful taking and the

 

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Registrar has not registered a transfer prior to receiving such notification, (b) makes such request to the Company and the Trustee and the Registrar prior to the Note of such series being acquired by a protected purchaser as defined in Section 8-303 of the Uniform Commercial Code (a “protected purchaser”), (c) satisfies any other reasonable requirements of the Trustee; provided, however, that if after the delivery of such replacement Note of such series, a protected purchaser of the Note of such series for which such replacement Note of such series was issued presents for payment or registration such replaced Note of such series, the Trustee and/or the Company shall be entitled to recover such replacement Note of such series from the Person to whom it was issued and delivered or any Person taking therefrom, except a protected purchaser, and shall be entitled to recover upon the security or indemnity provided therefor to the extent of any loss, damage, cost or expense incurred by the Company or the Trustee in connection therewith. Such Holder shall furnish an indemnity bond sufficient in the judgment of (i) the Trustee to protect the Trustee and (ii) the Company to protect the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent and the Registrar, from any loss which any of them may suffer if a Note of a series is replaced, and, in the absence of notice to the Company, any Guarantor or the Trustee that such Note of such series has been acquired by a protected purchaser, the Company shall execute, and upon receipt of an Issuer Order, the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery, in exchange for any such mutilated Note of such series or in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Note of such series, a new Note of such series of like tenor and principal amount, bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Note of a series has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in their discretion may, instead of issuing a new Note of such series, pay such Note of such series.

Upon the issuance of any new Note of a series under this Section 2.11, the Company may require that such Holder pay a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other reasonable expenses (including the fees and expenses of counsel and of the Trustee) in connection therewith.

Subject to the proviso in the initial paragraph of this Section 2.11, every new Note of a series issued pursuant to this Section 2.11, in lieu of any mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Note of such series shall constitute an original additional contractual obligation of the Company, any Guarantor (if applicable) and any other obligor upon the Notes of such series, whether or not the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Note of such series shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Notes of such series duly issued hereunder.

The provisions of this Section 2.11 are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes.

SECTION 2.12 Outstanding Notes. Notes of a series outstanding at any time are all Notes of such series authenticated by the Trustee except for those cancelled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those paid pursuant to Section 2.11 and those described in this Section 2.12 as not outstanding. A Note of a series does not cease to be outstanding in the event the Company or an Affiliate of the Company holds the Note of such series; provided, however,

 

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that (i) for purposes of determining which are outstanding for consent or voting purposes hereunder, the provisions of Section 13.6 shall apply and (ii) in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in making a determination whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of outstanding Notes of such series are present at a meeting of Holders of Notes of such series for quorum purposes or have consented to or voted in favor of any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver, amendment or modification hereunder, or relying upon any such quorum, consent or vote, only Notes of such series which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee or the Registrar actually knows to be held by the Company or an Affiliate of the Company shall not be considered outstanding.

If a Note of a series is replaced pursuant to Section 2.11 (other than a mutilated Note of such series surrendered for replacement), it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee or the Registrar and the Company receive proof satisfactory to them that the replaced Note of such series is held by a protected purchaser. A mutilated Note of a series ceases to be outstanding upon surrender of such Note of such series and replacement pursuant to Section 2.11.

If the Paying Agent holds in trust, in accordance with this Indenture, on a Redemption Date or maturity date, money sufficient to pay all principal, premium, if any, and accrued interest payable on that date with respect to the Notes of a series (or portions thereof) to be redeemed or maturing, as the case may be, and the Paying Agent is not prohibited from paying such money to the Holders on that date pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, then on and after that date such Notes of such series (or portions thereof) cease to be outstanding and interest on them ceases to accrue.

SECTION 2.13 Temporary Notes. In the event that Definitive Notes of a series are to be issued under the terms of this Indenture, until such Definitive Notes of such series are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and the Trustee or Authenticating Agent shall authenticate temporary Notes of such series. Temporary Notes of a series shall be substantially in the form, and shall carry all rights, of Definitive Notes of such series but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Notes of such series. Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare and the Trustee or Authenticating Agent shall authenticate Definitive Notes. After the preparation of Definitive Notes of a series, the temporary Notes of such series shall be exchangeable for Definitive Notes of such series upon surrender of the temporary Notes of such series at any office or agency maintained by the Company for that purpose and such exchange shall be without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Notes of a series, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee or Authenticating Agent shall, upon receipt of an Issuer Order, authenticate and make available for delivery in exchange therefor, one or more Definitive Notes of such series representing an equal principal amount of Notes of such series. Until so exchanged, the Holder of temporary Notes of a series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as a Holder of Definitive Notes of such series.

SECTION 2.14 Cancellation. The Company at any time may deliver Notes of a series to the Registrar for cancellation. The Registrar shall automatically cancel all Notes of a series surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment or cancellation and dispose of such Notes of such series in accordance with its internal policies and customary procedures (subject to the record retention requirements of the Exchange Act). If the Company or any

 

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Guarantor acquires any of the Notes of a series, such acquisition shall not operate as a redemption or satisfaction of the Indebtedness represented by such Notes of such series unless and until the same are surrendered to the Registrar for cancellation pursuant to this Section 2.14. The Company may not issue new Notes of a series to replace Notes of such series it has paid or delivered to the Registrar for cancellation for any reason other than in connection with a transfer or exchange.

At such time as all beneficial interests in a Global Note of a series have either been exchanged for Definitive Notes of such series, transferred, redeemed, repurchased or canceled, such Global Note of such series shall be returned by DTC to the Registrar for cancellation or retained and canceled by the Registrar. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note of a series is exchanged for Definitive Notes of such series, transferred in exchange for an interest in another Global Note of such series, redeemed, repurchased or canceled, the principal amount of Notes of such series represented by such Global Note of such series shall be reduced and an adjustment shall be made on the books and records of the Registrar with respect to such Global Note of such series, by the Registrar, to reflect such reduction.

SECTION 2.15 Payment of Interest; Defaulted Interest. Interest on any Note of a series which is payable, and is punctually paid or duly provided for, on any interest payment date shall be paid to the Person in whose name such Note of such series (or one or more predecessor Notes of such series) is registered at the close of business on the regular record date for such payment at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose pursuant to Section 2.3.

Any interest on any Note of a series which is payable, but is not paid when the same becomes due and payable and such nonpayment continues for a period of 30 days shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on the regular record date, and such defaulted interest and (to the extent lawful) interest on such defaulted interest at the rate borne by the Notes of such series (such defaulted interest and interest thereon herein collectively called “Defaulted Interest”) shall be paid by the Company, at its election in each case, as provided in clause (a) or (b) below:

(a) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the Persons in whose names the Notes of a series (or their respective predecessor Notes of such series) are registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date (as defined below) for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each Note and the date (not less than 30 days after such notice) of the proposed payment (the “Special Interest Payment Date”), and at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or Paying Agent an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this Section 2.15(a). Thereupon the Company shall fix a record date (the “Special Record Date”) for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which date shall be not more than 20 calendar days and not less than 15 calendar days prior to the Special Interest Payment Date and not less than 10 calendar days after the receipt by the Paying Agent of the notice of the proposed payment. The Company shall

 

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promptly notify the Trustee and the Paying Agent in writing of such Special Record Date, and in the name and at the expense of the Company, the Trustee shall cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date and Special Interest Payment Date therefor to be given in the manner provided for in Section 13.2, not less than 10 calendar days prior to such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date and Special Interest Payment Date therefor having been so given, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid on the Special Interest Payment Date to the Persons in whose names the Notes of a series (or their respective predecessor Notes of such series) are registered at the close of business on such Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the provisions in Section 2.15(b).

(b) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Notes may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after written notice given by the Company to the Trustee and the Paying Agent of the proposed payment pursuant to this Section 2.15(b), such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Paying Agent.

Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.15, each Note of a series delivered under this Indenture upon registration of, transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Note of such series shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Note of such series.

SECTION 2.16 CUSIP and ISIN Numbers. The Company in issuing the Notes of a series may use “CUSIP” and “ISIN” numbers and, if so, the Trustee shall use “CUSIP” and “ISIN” numbers in notices of redemption or purchase as a convenience to Holders; provided, however, that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Notes of such series or as contained in any notice of a redemption or purchase and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes of such series, and any such redemption or purchase shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such CUSIP and ISIN numbers. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee and Registrar in writing of any change in the CUSIP and ISIN numbers.

ARTICLE III

COVENANTS

SECTION 3.1 Payment of Notes. The Company shall promptly pay, by 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the date due, principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes of a series at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose or, at the option of the Paying Agent, payment of interest, if any, may be made by check mailed to the Holders of the Notes of such series at their respective addresses set forth in the Notes Register or by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the Holders thereof; provided that all payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest with respect to Notes of such series represented by one or more Global Notes of such series registered in the name of or held by DTC or its nominee shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the Holders thereof. Until otherwise designated by the Company, the Company’s office or agency maintained for such purpose will be the office of the Trustee.

 

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SECTION 3.2 Limitation on Indebtedness.

(a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, incur any Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness); provided, however, that the Company and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries may incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness), if on the date of such incurrence and after giving pro forma effect thereto (including pro forma application of the proceeds thereof), the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries is greater than 2.00 to 1.00; provided further, that the amount of Indebtedness incurred by Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Guarantors pursuant to this Section 3.2(a) and outstanding at any one time shall not exceed the greater of (x) $100.0 million and (y) 10.0% of Consolidated EBITDA for the Applicable Measurement Period and any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof.

(b) Section 3.2(a) shall not prohibit the incurrence of the following Indebtedness:

(1) (x) Indebtedness under any Debt Facility (including letters of credit or bankers’ acceptances issued or created under any Debt Facility), and Guarantees in respect of such Indebtedness, up to an aggregate principal amount outstanding not exceeding the greater of (a) $2.75 billion and (b) an amount equal to the Aggregate Borrowing Base at the time of incurrence; and (y) Indebtedness represented by Second Lien Obligations or Junior Lien Obligations in an aggregate outstanding principal amount which, when taken together with the principal amount of all other Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this subclause (y) and then outstanding, does not exceed an amount equal to (i) $1.0 billion plus (ii) an aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness that would not cause, on the date of incurrence of such Indebtedness and after giving effect thereto, the Consolidated Total Secured Net Leverage Ratio to exceed 3.00 to 1.00, and, in the case of each of clause (x) and (y), any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof;

(2) Guarantees by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness or other obligations of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary so long as the incurrence of such Indebtedness or other obligations is not prohibited by the terms of this Indenture;

(3) Indebtedness of the Company to any Restricted Subsidiary or Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that:

(A) any subsequent issuance or transfer of Capital Stock or any other event which results in any such Indebtedness being held by a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary; and

(B) any sale or other transfer of any such Indebtedness to a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

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shall be deemed, in each case, to constitute an incurrence of such Indebtedness by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be;

(4) Indebtedness represented by (i) the Notes (other than any Additional Notes), including the Guarantee thereof, (ii) any Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness incurred pursuant to clauses (1) and (4)(i) of this Section 3.2(b)) outstanding on the Issue Date and the Guarantees thereof, (iii) Refinancing Indebtedness incurred in respect of any Indebtedness described in this clause (4) or clauses (2), (5) or (10) of this Section 3.2(b) or incurred pursuant to Section 3.2(a), and (iv) Management Advances;

(5) Indebtedness of (x) the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary incurred or issued to finance an acquisition or Investment or (y) Persons that are acquired by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or merged into, amalgamated or consolidated with the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with the terms of this Indenture (including designating an Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary); provided that after giving pro forma effect to such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation, either:

(A) the Company would be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to Section 3.2(a);

(B) either the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries would not be lower or the Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries would not be higher, in each case, than it was immediately prior to such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation; or

(C) such Indebtedness constitutes Acquired Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness incurred in contemplation of the transaction or series of related transactions pursuant to which such Person became a Restricted Subsidiary or was otherwise acquired by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary); provided that, in the case of this clause (C), the only obligors with respect to such Indebtedness shall be those Persons who were obligors of such Indebtedness prior to such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation;

(6) Hedging Obligations (excluding Hedging Obligations entered into for speculative purposes);

(7) Indebtedness (i) represented by Capitalized Lease Obligations or Purchase Money Obligations in an aggregate outstanding principal amount which, when taken together with the principal amount of all other Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this subclause (i) and then outstanding, does not exceed the greater of (x) $100.0 million and (y) 10.0% of Consolidated EBITDA for the Applicable Measurement Period (for the avoidance of doubt, Unsecured Capitalized Leases shall be permitted in an unlimited amount pursuant to clause (20)), and any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof and (ii) arising out of Sale and Leaseback Transactions;

 

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(8) Indebtedness in respect of (i) workers’ compensation claims, health, disability or other employee benefits, property, casualty or liability insurance, self-insurance obligations, customer guarantees, performance, indemnity, surety, judgment, bid, appeal, advance payment (including progress premiums), customs, value added or other tax or other guarantees or other similar bonds, instruments or obligations, completion guarantees and warranties or relating to liabilities, obligations or guarantees incurred in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice; (ii) the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice; (iii) customer deposits and advance payments (including progress premiums) received from customers for goods or services purchased in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice; (iv) letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances, discounted bills of exchange, discounting or factoring of receivables or payables for credit management purposes, warehouse receipts, guarantees or other similar instruments or obligations issued or entered into, or relating to liabilities or obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice; (v) Cash Management Obligations; and (vi) Settlement Indebtedness;

(9) Indebtedness arising from agreements providing for guarantees, indemnification, obligations in respect of earn-outs, deferred purchase price or other adjustments of purchase price or, in each case, similar obligations, in each case, incurred or assumed in connection with the acquisition or disposition of any business, assets, a Person (including any Capital Stock of a Subsidiary) or Investment (other than Guarantees of Indebtedness incurred by any Person acquiring or disposing of such business, assets, Person or Investment for the purpose of financing such acquisition or disposition);

(10) Indebtedness in an aggregate outstanding principal amount which, when taken together with the principal amount of all other Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause and then outstanding, shall not exceed 100.0% of the net cash proceeds received by the Company from the issuance or sale (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary) of its Capital Stock or otherwise contributed to the equity (in each case, other than through the issuance of Disqualified Stock, Designated Preferred Stock or an Excluded Contribution) of the Company, in each case, subsequent to the Issue Date, and any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof; provided, however, that (i) any such net cash proceeds that are so received or contributed shall not increase the amount available for making Restricted Payments to the extent the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries incur Indebtedness in reliance thereon and (ii) any net cash proceeds that are so received or contributed shall be excluded for purposes of incurring Indebtedness pursuant to this clause to the extent such net cash proceeds or cash have been applied to make Restricted Payments;

(11) Indebtedness of Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Guarantors in an aggregate outstanding principal amount which, when taken together with the principal amount of all other Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (11) and then outstanding, does not exceed the greater of (x) $150.0 million and (y) 17.5% of Consolidated EBITDA for the Applicable Measurement Period, and any Refinancing

 

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Indebtedness in respect thereof; provided that any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (11) may only be incurred in good faith for bona fide business purposes and not for any transaction or series of transactions which is for the purpose of materially reducing the value of the Collateral or disadvantaging the Holders in respect of their rights as creditors relative to other creditors;

(12)(a) Indebtedness issued by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to any future, present or former employee, director, officer, manager, contractor, consultant or advisor (or their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members) of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, in each case to finance the purchase or redemption of Capital Stock of the Company that is not prohibited by Section 3.3 and (b) Indebtedness consisting of obligations under deferred compensation or any other similar arrangements incurred in the ordinary course of business, consistent with past practice or in connection with the Refinancing Transactions, any Investment or any acquisition (by merger, consolidation, amalgamation or otherwise);

(13) Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries consisting of (i) the financing of insurance premiums or (ii) take-or-pay obligations contained in supply arrangements, in each case incurred in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice;

(14) Indebtedness in an aggregate outstanding principal amount which, when taken together with the principal amount of all other Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause and then outstanding, shall not exceed the greater of (x) $250.0 million and (y) 27.5% of Consolidated EBITDA for the Applicable Measurement Period and any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof;

(15) Indebtedness in respect of any Permitted Receivables Facility;

(16) any obligation, or guaranty of any obligation, of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to reimburse or indemnify a Person extending credit to customers of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary incurred in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice for all or any portion of the amounts payable by such customers to the Person extending such credit;

(17) Indebtedness to a customer to finance the acquisition of any equipment necessary to perform services for such customer; provided that the terms of such Indebtedness are consistent with those entered into with respect to similar Indebtedness prior to the Issue Date, including, if so consistent, that (1) the repayment of such Indebtedness is conditional upon such customer ordering a specific amount of goods or services and (2) such Indebtedness does not bear interest or provide for scheduled amortization or maturity;

(18) Indebtedness incurred by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to the extent that the net proceeds thereof are promptly deposited with the Trustee to satisfy or discharge the Notes or exercise the Company’s legal defeasance or covenant defeasance, in each case, in accordance with this Indenture;

 

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(19) Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries arising pursuant to any Permitted Intercompany Activities, Permitted Tax Restructuring and related transactions;

(20) Unsecured Capitalized Leases; and

(21) obligations in respect of Disqualified Stock in an amount not to exceed $50.0 million outstanding at the time of incurrence.

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Indenture or in any Note Document, any Indebtedness (including intercompany loans and Guarantees of Indebtedness) incurred after the Issue Date owed by the Company or a Guarantor to any non-Guarantor Subsidiary shall be subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations under the Notes (this clause (c), the “Double-Dip Provision”) pursuant to an intercompany subordination agreement.

(d) For purposes of determining compliance with, and the outstanding principal amount of any particular Indebtedness incurred pursuant to and in compliance with, this Section 3.2:

(1) in the event that all or any portion of any item of Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one of the types of Indebtedness described in Section 3.2(a) and (b), the Company, in its sole discretion, shall classify, and may from time to time reclassify, such item of Indebtedness (or any portion thereof) and only be required to include the amount and type of such Indebtedness in Section 3.2(a) or one of the clauses of Section 3.2(b);

(2) additionally, all or any portion of any item of Indebtedness may later be reclassified as having been incurred pursuant to any type of Indebtedness described in Section 3.2(a) or (b) so long as such Indebtedness is permitted to be incurred pursuant to such provision and any related Liens are permitted to be incurred at the time of reclassification (it being understood that any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to one of the clauses of Section 3.2(b) shall cease to be deemed incurred or outstanding for purposes of such clause but shall be deemed incurred for the purposes of Section 3.2(a) from and after the first date on which the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries could have incurred such Indebtedness under Section 3.2(a) without reliance on such clause);

(3) all Indebtedness outstanding on the Issue Date under the ABL Credit Agreement shall be deemed incurred on the Issue Date under Section 3.2(b)(1)(x);

(4) in the case of any Refinancing Indebtedness, when measuring the outstanding amount of such Indebtedness, such amount shall not include the aggregate amount of accrued and unpaid interest, dividends, premiums (including tender premiums), defeasance costs, underwriting discounts, fees, costs and expenses (including original issue discount, upfront fees or similar fees) in connection with such refinancing;

(5) Guarantees of, or obligations in respect of letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances or other similar instruments relating to, or Liens securing, Indebtedness that is otherwise included in the determination of a particular amount of Indebtedness shall not be included;

 

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(6) if obligations in respect of letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances or other similar instruments are incurred pursuant to any Debt Facility and are being treated as incurred pursuant to Section 3.2(a) or any clause of Section 3.2(b) and the letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances or other similar instruments relate to other Indebtedness, then such other Indebtedness shall not be included;

(7) the principal amount of any Disqualified Stock of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, or Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary, will be equal to the greater of the maximum mandatory redemption or repurchase price (not including, in either case, any redemption or repurchase premium) or the liquidation preference thereof;

(8) Indebtedness permitted by this Section 3.2 need not be permitted solely by reference to one provision permitting such Indebtedness but may be permitted in part by one such provision and in part by one or more other provisions of this Section 3.2 permitting such Indebtedness;

(9) for all purposes under this Indenture, including for purposes of calculating the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, the Consolidated Total Secured Net Leverage Ratio or the Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio, as applicable, in connection with the incurrence, issuance or assumption of any Indebtedness pursuant to Section 3.2(a) or (b) or the incurrence or creation of any Lien pursuant to the definition of “Permitted Liens,” the Company may elect, at its option, to treat all or any portion of the committed amount of any Indebtedness (and the issuance and creation of letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances thereunder) which is to be incurred (or any commitment in respect thereof) or secured by such Lien, as the case may be, as being incurred as of such election date, and, if such Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, the Consolidated Total Secured Net Leverage Ratio, the Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio or other provision of this Indenture, as applicable, is complied with (or satisfied) with respect thereto on such election date, any subsequent borrowing or reborrowing thereunder (and the issuance and creation of letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances thereunder) will be deemed to be permitted under this Section 3.2 or the definition of “Permitted Liens,” as applicable, whether or not the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, the Consolidated Total Secured Net Leverage Ratio, the Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio or other provision of this Indenture, as applicable, at the actual time of any subsequent borrowing or reborrowing (or issuance or creation of letters of credit or bankers’ acceptances thereunder) is complied with (or satisfied) for all purposes (including as to the absence of any continuing Default or Event of Default);

(10) when calculating the availability under any basket or ratio under this Indenture or compliance with any provision of this Indenture in connection with any Limited Condition Acquisition and any actions or transactions related thereto (including acquisitions, Investments, the incurrence, issuance or assumption of Indebtedness and the use of proceeds thereof, the incurrence or creation of Liens, repayments, Restricted Payments and Asset Dispositions), in each case, at the option of the Company (the

 

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Company’s election to exercise such option, an “LCA Election”), the date of determination for availability under any such basket or ratio and whether any such action or transaction is permitted (or any requirement or condition therefor is complied with or satisfied (including as to the absence of any continuing Default or Event of Default)) under this Indenture shall be deemed to be the date (the “LCA Test Date”) either (a) the definitive agreement for such Limited Condition Acquisition is entered into (or, if applicable, the date of delivery of an irrevocable declaration of a Restricted Payment or similar event), or (b) solely in connection with an acquisition to which the United Kingdom City Code on Takeovers and Mergers applies, the date on which a “Rule 2.7 announcement” of a firm intention to make an offer (or equivalent announcement in another jurisdiction) (an “LCA Public Offer”) in respect of a target of a Limited Condition Acquisition and, in each case, if, after giving pro forma effect to the Limited Condition Acquisition and any actions or transactions related thereto (including acquisitions, Investments, the incurrence, issuance or assumption of Indebtedness and the use of proceeds thereof, the incurrence or creation of Liens, repayments, Restricted Payments and Asset Dispositions) and any related pro forma adjustments, the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries would have been permitted to take such actions or consummate such transactions on the relevant LCA Test Date in compliance with such ratio, test or basket (and any related requirements and conditions), such ratio, test or basket (and any related requirements and conditions) shall be deemed to have been complied with (or satisfied) for all purposes (in the case of Indebtedness, for example, whether such Indebtedness is committed, issued, assumed or incurred at the LCA Test Date or at any time thereafter); provided, that (a) if financial statements for one or more subsequent fiscal quarters shall have become available, the Company may elect, in its sole discretion, to redetermine all such ratios, tests or baskets on the basis of such financial statements, in which case, such date of redetermination shall thereafter be the applicable LCA Test Date for purposes of such ratios, tests or baskets, (b) except as contemplated in the foregoing clause (a), compliance with such ratios, tests or baskets (and any related requirements and conditions) shall not be determined or tested at any time after the applicable LCA Test Date for such Limited Condition Acquisition and any actions or transactions related thereto (including acquisitions, Investments, the incurrence, issuance or assumption of Indebtedness and the use of proceeds thereof, the incurrence or creation of Liens, repayments, Restricted Payments and Asset Dispositions) and (c) Consolidated Interest Expense for purposes of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio will be calculated using an assumed interest rate as reasonably determined by the Company.

For the avoidance of doubt, if the Company has made an LCA Election, (1) if any of the ratios, tests or baskets for which compliance was determined or tested as of the LCA Test Date would at any time after the LCA Test Date have been exceeded or otherwise failed to have been complied with as a result of fluctuations in any such ratio, test or basket, including due to fluctuations in Consolidated EBITDA of the Company or the Person subject to such Limited Condition Acquisition, such baskets, tests or ratios will not be deemed to have been exceeded or failed to have been complied with as a result of such fluctuations; (2) if any related requirements and conditions (including as to the absence of any continuing Default or Event of Default) for which compliance or satisfaction was determined or tested as of the LCA Test Date would at any time after the LCA Test Date not have been complied with or satisfied (including due to the

 

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occurrence or continuation of a Default or Event of Default), such requirements and conditions will not be deemed to have been failed to be complied with or satisfied (and such Default or Event of Default shall be deemed not to have occurred or be continuing); and (3) in calculating the availability under any ratio, test or basket in connection with any action or transaction unrelated to such Limited Condition Acquisition following the relevant LCA Test Date and prior to the earlier of the date on which such Limited Condition Acquisition is consummated or the date that the definitive agreement or date for redemption, purchase or repayment specified in an irrevocable notice for such Limited Condition Acquisition is terminated, expires or passes (or, if applicable, the irrevocable notice is terminated, expires or passes or, as applicable, the offer in respect of an LCA Public Offer for, such acquisition is terminated), as applicable, without consummation of such Limited Condition Acquisition, any such ratio, test or basket shall be determined or tested giving pro forma effect to such Limited Condition Acquisition;

(11) notwithstanding anything in this Section 3.2 to the contrary, in the case of any Indebtedness incurred to refinance Indebtedness initially incurred in reliance on a clause of Section 3.2(b) measured by reference to a percentage of Consolidated EBITDA at the time of incurrence, if such refinancing would cause the percentage of Consolidated EBITDA restriction to be exceeded if calculated based on the percentage of Consolidated EBITDA on the date of such refinancing, such percentage of Consolidated EBITDA restriction shall not be deemed to be exceeded so long as the principal amount of such refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount of such Indebtedness being refinanced, plus accrued and unpaid interest, dividends, premiums (including tender premiums), defeasance costs, underwriting discounts, fees, costs and expenses (including original issue discount, upfront fees or similar fees) in connection with such refinancing; and

(12) the amount of Indebtedness issued at a price that is less than the principal amount thereof will be equal to the amount of the liability in respect thereof determined in accordance with GAAP.

(e) Accrual of interest, accrual of dividends, the accretion of accreted value, the accretion or amortization of original issue discount, the payment of interest in the form of additional Indebtedness, the payment of dividends in the form of additional shares of Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock or the reclassification of commitments or obligations not treated as Indebtedness due to a change in GAAP, will not be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness for purposes of this Section 3.2.

(f) If at any time an Unrestricted Subsidiary becomes a Restricted Subsidiary, any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary shall be deemed to be incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary as of such date (and, if such Indebtedness is not permitted to be incurred as of such date under this Section 3.2, the Company shall be in default of this Section 3.2).

(g) For purposes of determining compliance with any Dollar-denominated restriction on the incurrence of Indebtedness, the Dollar equivalent principal amount of Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency shall be calculated based on the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date such Indebtedness was incurred, in the case of term debt, or first committed, in the case of revolving credit debt; provided that if such Indebtedness is

 

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incurred to refinance other Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency, and such refinancing would cause the applicable Dollar-denominated restriction to be exceeded if calculated at the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date of such refinancing, such Dollar-denominated restriction shall be deemed not to have been exceeded so long as the principal amount of such refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed (a) the principal amount of such Indebtedness being refinanced plus (b) the aggregate amount of accrued and unpaid interest, dividends, premiums (including tender premiums), defeasance costs, underwriting discounts, fees, costs and expenses (including original issue discount, upfront fees or similar fees) in connection with such refinancing.

(h) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 3.2, the maximum amount of Indebtedness that the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary may incur pursuant to this Section 3.2 shall not be deemed to be exceeded solely as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rate of currencies. The principal amount of any Indebtedness incurred to refinance other Indebtedness, if incurred in a different currency from the Indebtedness being refinanced, shall be calculated based on the currency exchange rate applicable to the currencies in which such respective Indebtedness is denominated that is in effect on the date of such refinancing.

(i) For purposes of this Indenture, (1) unsecured Indebtedness shall not be treated as subordinated or junior to secured Indebtedness merely because it is unsecured and (2) Senior Indebtedness shall not be treated as subordinated or junior to any other Senior Indebtedness merely because it has a junior priority with respect to the same collateral or is secured by different collateral or because it is guaranteed by different obligors.

SECTION 3.3 Limitation on Restricted Payments.

(a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, to:

(1) declare or pay any dividend or make any distribution on or in respect of the Company’s or any Restricted Subsidiary’s Capital Stock (including any such payment in connection with any merger or consolidation involving the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) except:

(A) dividends, payments or distributions payable in Capital Stock of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) or in options, warrants or other rights to purchase such Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company; and

(B) dividends, payments or distributions payable to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary (and, in the case of any such Restricted Subsidiary making such dividend or distribution, to holders of its Capital Stock other than the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary on no more than a pro rata basis);

(2) purchase, repurchase, redeem, retire or otherwise acquire for value any Capital Stock of the Company held by Persons other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;

 

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(3) purchase, repurchase, redeem, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value, prior to scheduled maturity, scheduled repayment or scheduled sinking fund payment, any Subordinated Indebtedness (other than (a) any such purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement in anticipation of satisfying a sinking fund obligation, principal installment or final maturity, in each case, due within one year of the date of purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement and (b) any Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary); or

(4) make any Restricted Investment;

(any such dividend, distribution, payment, purchase, redemption, repurchase, defeasance, other acquisition, retirement or Restricted Investment referred to in clauses (1) through (4) above (other than any exceptions thereto) are referred to herein as a “Restricted Payment”), if at the time the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary makes such Restricted Payment:

(i) other than in the case of (i) a Restricted Investment and (ii) amounts attributable to subclauses (A) and (C) through (F) of clause (iii) below, an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing (or would result immediately thereafter therefrom);

(ii) [reserved]; or

(iii) the aggregate amount of such Restricted Payment and all other Restricted Payments made subsequent to the Issue Date (and not returned or rescinded) (including Permitted Payments made pursuant to Section 3.3(b)(1) (without duplication), but excluding all other Restricted Payments permitted by Section 3.3(b)) would exceed the sum of (without duplication):

(A) $200.0 million;

(B) 50% of Consolidated Net Income for the period (treated as one accounting period) from the first day of the first fiscal quarter in which the Issue Date occurs to the end of the most recent fiscal quarter ending prior to the date of such Restricted Payment for which consolidated financial statements of the Company are available (which may, at the Company’s election, be internal financial statements) (or, in the case such Consolidated Net Income is a deficit, minus 100% of such deficit) (which amount under this clause (B) shall not be less than zero);

(C) 100% of the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds, and the fair market value of property or assets or marketable securities, received by the Company from the issue or sale of its Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock or Designated Preferred Stock) subsequent to the first day of the first fiscal quarter in which the Issue Date occurs or otherwise contributed to the equity (other than through the issuance of Disqualified Stock or Designated Preferred Stock) of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary (including the aggregate principal amount of any Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary contributed to the

 

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Company or a Restricted Subsidiary for cancellation) or that becomes part of the capital of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary through consolidation or merger subsequent to the Issue Date (other than (x) Net Cash Proceeds or property or assets or marketable securities received from an issuance or sale of such Capital Stock to a Restricted Subsidiary or an employee stock ownership plan or trust established by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company for the benefit of its employees to the extent funded by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, (y) Net Cash Proceeds or property or assets or marketable securities to the extent that any Restricted Payment has been made from such proceeds in reliance on Section 3.3(b)(6) and (z) Excluded Contributions);

(D) 100% of the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds, and the fair market value of property or assets or marketable securities, received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary from the issuance or sale (other than to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or an employee stock ownership plan or trust established by the Company or any Subsidiary for the benefit of their employees to the extent funded by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary) by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary subsequent to the first day of the first fiscal quarter in which the Issue Date occurs of any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Designated Preferred Stock that has been converted into or exchanged for Capital Stock of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock or Designated Preferred Stock) plus, without duplication, the amount of any cash, and the fair market value of property or assets or marketable securities, received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary upon such conversion or exchange;

(E) 100% of the aggregate amount received in cash and the fair market value, as determined in good faith by the Company, of marketable securities or other property received by means of: (i) the sale or other disposition (other than to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) of, or other returns on Investment from, Restricted Investments made by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries and repurchases and redemptions of, or cash distributions or cash interest received in respect of, such Restricted Investments from the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries and repayments of loans or advances, and releases of guarantees, which constitute Restricted Investments by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries, in each case after the first day of the first fiscal quarter in which the Issue Date occurs; or (ii) the sale or other disposition (other than to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) of the Capital Stock of an Unrestricted Subsidiary or a dividend, payment or distribution from an Unrestricted Subsidiary (other than to the extent of the amount of the Investment that constituted a Permitted Investment or was made under Section 3.3(b)(17), which will instead increase the amount available under the applicable clause of the definition of “Permitted Investment” or Section 3.3(b)(17), as the case may be) or a dividend from a Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary after the first day of the first fiscal quarter in which the Issue Date occurs; and

 

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(F) in the case of the redesignation of an Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary or the merger, amalgamation or consolidation of an Unrestricted Subsidiary into the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary or the transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of an Unrestricted Subsidiary to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary after the first day of the first fiscal quarter in which the Issue Date occurs, the fair market value of the Investment in such Unrestricted Subsidiary (or the assets transferred), as determined in good faith by the Company, at the time of the redesignation of such Unrestricted Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary or at the time of such merger, amalgamation or consolidation or transfer of assets (after taking into consideration any Indebtedness associated with the Unrestricted Subsidiary so designated or merged, amalgamated or consolidated or Indebtedness associated with the assets so transferred), other than to the extent of the amount of the Investment that constituted a Permitted Investment or was made under Section 3.3(b)(17) and will increase the amount available under the applicable clause of the definition of “Permitted Investment” or Section 3.3(b)(17), as the case may be.

(b) The foregoing provisions of Section 3.3(a) will not prohibit any of the following (collectively, “Permitted Payments”):

(1) the payment of any dividend or distribution within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof, if at the date of declaration such payment would have complied with the provisions of this Indenture or the redemption, repurchase or retirement of Indebtedness if, at the date of any redemption notice, such payment would have complied with the provisions of this Indenture as if it were and is deemed at such time to be a Restricted Payment at the time of such notice;

(2) any prepayment, purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance, discharge, retirement or other acquisition or retirement of Capital Stock, including accrued and unpaid dividends thereon, or Subordinated Indebtedness made by exchange (including any such exchange pursuant to the exercise of a conversion right or privilege in connection with which cash is paid in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares) for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale of, Capital Stock of the Company to the extent contributed to the Company (in each case, other than Disqualified Stock or Designated Preferred Stock) (“Refunding Capital Stock”) or a substantially concurrent contribution to the equity (other than through the issuance of Disqualified Stock or Designated Preferred Stock or through an Excluded Contribution) of the Company; provided, however, that to the extent so applied, the Net Cash Proceeds, or fair market value of property or assets or of marketable securities, from such sale of Capital Stock or such contribution will be excluded from Section 3.3(a)(iii);

(3) any prepayment, purchase, repurchase, exchange, redemption, defeasance, discharge, retirement or other acquisition of Subordinated Indebtedness made by exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale of, Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;

(4) any prepayment, purchase, repurchase, exchange, redemption, defeasance, discharge, retirement or other acquisition of Preferred Stock of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary made by exchange for or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale of Preferred Stock of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be;

 

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(5) any prepayment, purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance, discharge or other acquisition or retirement of Subordinated Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary:

(A) from Net Available Cash to the extent permitted under Section 3.5; or

(B) following the occurrence of (i) a Change of Control (or other similar event described therein as a “change of control”) or (ii) an Asset Disposition (or similar event described therein as an “asset disposition” or “asset sale”), but only if the Company shall have first complied with Section 3.5 or Section 3.9, as applicable, and purchased all Notes tendered pursuant to the offer to repurchase all the Notes required thereby, prior to purchasing, repurchasing, redeeming, defeasing or otherwise acquiring or retiring such Subordinated Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock; or

(C) consisting of Acquired Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness Incurred (i) to provide all or any portion of the funds utilized to consummate the transaction or series of related transactions pursuant to which such Person became a Restricted Subsidiary or was otherwise acquired by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary or (ii) otherwise in connection with or contemplation of such acquisition);

(6) a Restricted Payment to pay for the prepayment, purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance, discharge or other acquisition or retirement for value of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) or equity appreciation rights of the Company or of any Restricted Subsidiary held by any future, present or former employee, director, officer, manager, contractor, consultant or advisor (or their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members) of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to any management equity plan, stock option plan, phantom equity plan or any other management, employee benefit or other compensatory plan or agreement (and any successor plans or arrangements thereto), employment, termination or severance agreement, or any stock subscription or equityholder agreement (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any principal and interest payable on any Indebtedness issued by the Company in connection with such prepayment, purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance, discharge, retirement or other acquisition), including any Capital Stock rolled over, accelerated or paid out by or to any employee, director, officer, manager, contractor, consultant or advisor (or their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members) of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with any transaction; provided, however, that the aggregate Restricted Payments made under this clause (6) do not exceed the greater of (x) $30.0 million and (y) 3.0% of Consolidated EBITDA for the Applicable Measurement Period in any fiscal year (with unused amounts in any fiscal year being carried over to succeeding fiscal years subject to a maximum of the greater of (x) $60.0 million and (y) 6.0% of Consolidated EBITDA for the Applicable Measurement Period in any fiscal year); provided, further, that such amount in any fiscal year may be increased by an amount not to exceed:

 

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(A) the cash proceeds from the sale of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock or Designated Preferred Stock or Excluded Contributions) or equity appreciation rights or the exercise of options or warrants or other rights to purchase or acquire Capital Stock of the Company and, to the extent contributed to the capital of the Company (other than through the issuance of Disqualified Stock or Designated Preferred Stock or an Excluded Contribution) or Capital Stock, in each case to any future, present or former employee, director, officer, manager, contractor, consultant or advisor (or their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members) of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries that occurred after the Issue Date, to the extent the cash proceeds from the sale of such Capital Stock have not otherwise been applied to the payment of Restricted Payments by virtue of Section 3.3(a)(iii); plus

(B) the cash proceeds of key man life insurance policies received by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries after the Issue Date; less

(C) the amount of any Restricted Payments made in previous calendar years pursuant to clauses (A) and (B) of this clause (6);

provided, that the Company may elect to apply all or any portion of the aggregate increase contemplated by subclauses (A) and (B) of this clause (6) in any fiscal year; and provided, further, that (i) cancellation of Indebtedness owing to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary from any future, present or former employee, director, officer, manager, contractor, consultant or advisor (or their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members) of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with a repurchase of Capital Stock of the Company and (ii) the repurchase of Capital Stock deemed to occur upon the exercise of options, warrants or similar instruments if such Capital Stock represents all or a portion of the exercise price thereof and payments, in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares of such Capital Stock or withholding to pay other taxes payable in connection therewith, in the case of each of clauses (i) and (ii), will not be deemed to constitute a Restricted Payment for purposes of this Section 3.3 or any other provision of this Indenture;

(7) the declaration and payment of dividends on Disqualified Stock of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary;

(8) payments made or expected to be made by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in respect of withholding or similar taxes payable in connection with the exercise or vesting of Capital Stock or any other equity award by any future, present or former employee, director, officer, manager, contractor, consultant or advisor (or their respective Controlled Investment Affiliates or Immediate Family Members) of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary and purchases, repurchases, redemptions, defeasances or other acquisitions or retirements of Capital Stock deemed to occur upon the exercise, conversion or exchange of stock options, warrants, equity-based awards or other rights in respect thereof if such Capital Stock represents a portion of the exercise price thereof or payments in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares of such Capital Stock or in respect of withholding or similar taxes payable upon exercise or vesting thereof;

 

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(9) [reserved];

(10) [reserved];

(11) [reserved];

(12) Restricted Payments (a) in an amount not to exceed the amount of Excluded Contributions or (b) in an amount equal to the amount of net cash proceeds from an asset sale or disposition in respect of property or assets acquired, if the acquisition of such property or assets was financed with Excluded Contributions;

(13) (i) the declaration and payment of dividends on Designated Preferred Stock of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary issued after the Issue Date; (ii) the declaration and payment of dividends on Refunding Capital Stock that is Preferred Stock and (iii) the declaration and payment of dividends on the Mandatory Preferred Stock; provided, however, in the case of clauses (i) and (ii), that for the most recently ended four fiscal quarters for which consolidated financial statements are available (which may, at the Company’s election, be internal financial statements) immediately preceding the date of issuance of such Designated Preferred Stock or declaration of such dividends on such Refunding Capital Stock, after giving effect to such payment on a pro forma basis the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries is at least 2.00 to 1.00;

(14) distributions, by dividend or otherwise, or other transfer or disposition of shares of Capital Stock of, or equity interests in, an Unrestricted Subsidiary (or a Restricted Subsidiary that owns one or more Unrestricted Subsidiaries and no other material assets), or Indebtedness owed to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary by an Unrestricted Subsidiary (or a Restricted Subsidiary that owns one or more Unrestricted Subsidiaries and no other material assets), in each case, other than Unrestricted Subsidiaries, the primary assets of which are cash and Cash Equivalents or proceeds thereof;

(15) [reserved];

(16) any Restricted Payment made in connection with the Refinancing Transactions and any fees, costs and expenses (including all legal, accounting and other professional fees, costs and expenses) related thereto or used to fund amounts owed to Affiliates in connection with the Refinancing Transactions;

(17) (i) Restricted Payments (including loans or advances) in an aggregate amount outstanding at the time made not to exceed the greater of (x) $200.0 million and (y) 22.5% of Consolidated EBITDA for the Applicable Measurement Period at such time, and (ii) so long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing (or would result therefrom) any Restricted Payments, so long as, after giving pro forma effect to the payment of any such Restricted Payment, the Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio shall be no greater than 4.50 to 1.00;

 

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(18) mandatory redemptions of Disqualified Stock issued as a Restricted Payment or as consideration for a Permitted Investment; provided that the amount of such redemptions is no greater than the amount that constituted a Restricted Payment or Permitted Investment;

(19) [reserved];

(20) the making of (i) cash payments made by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to satisfy the payment of principal, interest or premium related to, or the conversion or exchange obligation upon conversion or exchange of, convertible or exchangeable Indebtedness issued in a convertible or exchangeable notes offering and any payments by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to satisfy the exercise, settlement or termination of any related capped call, hedge, warrant or other similar transactions and (ii) cash payments by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to satisfy the liquidation preference, dividends or premium related to, or the conversion obligation upon conversion of, Preferred Stock and any payments by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to satisfy the exercise, settlement or termination of any related capped call, hedge, warrant or other similar transactions;

(21) payments or distributions to dissenting stockholders pursuant to applicable law (including in connection with, or as a result of, exercise of dissenters’ or appraisal rights and the settlement of any claims or action (whether actual, contingent or potential)), pursuant to or in connection with a merger, amalgamation, consolidation or transfer of assets that complies with Section 4.1; and

(22) any Restricted Payment made in connection with Permitted Intercompany Activities, Permitted Tax Restructuring or related transactions.

For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 3.3, in the event that a Restricted Payment or Investment (or portion thereof) meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Permitted Payments described in the clauses above, or is permitted pursuant to this Section 3.3(a) and/or one or more of the clauses contained in the definition of “Permitted Investment,” the Company will be entitled to divide or classify (or later divide, classify or reclassify in whole or in part in its sole discretion) such Restricted Payment or Investment (or portion thereof) in any manner that complies with this Section 3.3, including as an Investment pursuant to one or more of the clauses contained in the definition of “Permitted Investment.”

The amount of all Restricted Payments (other than cash) shall be the fair market value on the date of such Restricted Payment of the asset(s) or securities proposed to be paid, transferred or issued by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, pursuant to such Restricted Payment. The fair market value of any cash Restricted Payment shall be its face amount, and the fair market value of any non-cash Restricted Payment, property or assets other than cash shall be determined conclusively by the Company acting in good faith.

 

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In connection with any commitment, definitive agreement or similar event relating to an Investment, the Company or applicable Restricted Subsidiary may designate such Investment as having occurred on the date of the commitment, definitive agreement or similar event relating thereto (such date, the “Election Date”) if, after giving pro forma effect to such Investment and all related transactions in connection therewith and any related pro forma adjustments, the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries would have been permitted to make such Investment on the relevant Election Date in compliance with this Indenture, and any related subsequent actual making of such Investment will be deemed for all purposes under this Indenture to have been made on such Election Date, including for purposes of calculating any ratio, compliance with any test, usage of any baskets hereunder (if applicable) and Consolidated EBITDA and for purposes of determining whether there exists any Default or Event of Default (and all such calculations on and after the Election Date until the termination, expiration, passing, rescission, retraction or rescindment of such commitment, definitive agreement or similar event shall be made on a pro forma basis giving effect thereto and all related transactions in connection therewith).

Unrestricted Subsidiaries may use value transferred from the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in a Permitted Investment to purchase or otherwise acquire Indebtedness or Capital Stock of the Company or any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries, and to transfer value to the holders of the Capital Stock of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary and to Affiliates thereof, and such purchase, acquisition, or transfer will not be deemed to be a “direct or indirect” action by the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries.

If the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary makes a Restricted Payment which at the time of the making of such Restricted Payment would in the good faith determination of the Company be permitted under the provisions of this Indenture, such Restricted Payment shall be deemed to have been made in compliance with this Indenture notwithstanding any subsequent adjustments made in good faith to the Company’s financial statements affecting Consolidated Net Income or Consolidated EBITDA of the Company for any period.

For the avoidance of doubt, this Section 3.3 shall not restrict the making of, or dividends or other distributions in amounts sufficient to make, any “AHYDO catch-up payment” with respect to, and required by the terms of, any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.

SECTION 3.4 [Reserved].

SECTION 3.5 Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock.

(a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, make any Asset Disposition unless:

(1) the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, receives consideration (including by way of relief from, or by any other Person assuming responsibility for, any liabilities, contingent or otherwise) at least equal to the fair market value (such fair market value to be determined on the date of contractually agreeing to such Asset Disposition), as determined in good faith by the Company, of the shares and assets subject to such Asset Disposition (including, for the avoidance of doubt, if such Asset Disposition is a Permitted Asset Swap);

 

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(2) if on a pro forma basis after giving effect to such Asset Disposition and the use of proceeds therefrom the Consolidated Total Secured Net Leverage Ratio exceeds 2.50 to 1.00, in any such Asset Disposition, or series of related Asset Dispositions (except to the extent the Asset Disposition is a Permitted Asset Swap), at least 75% of the consideration from such Asset Disposition (including by way of relief from, or by any other Person assuming responsibility for, any liabilities, contingent or otherwise), together with all other Asset Dispositions since the Issue Date (on a cumulative basis), received by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, is in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents; and

(3) within 545 days from the later of (A) the date of such Asset Disposition and (B) the receipt of the Net Available Cash from such Asset Disposition (the “Asset Disposition Proceeds Application Period”), an amount equal to 100% of such Net Available Cash is applied, to the extent the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, elects (or is required by the terms of any Indebtedness):

(A) to the extent such Net Available Cash is from an Asset Disposition of Collateral, to repay either (i) the First Lien Obligations, (ii) Obligations under the Notes or (iii) Second Lien Obligations (other than the Notes); provided that if the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries shall so repay any Second Lien Obligations other than the Notes, the Company will either reduce Obligations under the Notes on a pro rata basis by, at its option, (A) redeeming Notes pursuant to Section 5.7 or (B) purchasing Notes through open market purchases, or making an offer (in accordance with the procedures set forth below for an Asset Disposition Offer) to all Holders to purchase their Notes on a ratable basis with such other Second Lien Obligations for no less than 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus the amount of accrued but unpaid interest, if any, thereon up to the principal amount of Notes to be repurchased;

(B) if the assets that are the subject of such Asset Disposition do not constitute Collateral, to repay either (i) the First Lien Obligations, (ii) Obligations under the Notes or (iii) Obligations under any other Senior Indebtedness; provided that if the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries shall so repay any Senior Indebtedness other than the Notes, the Company will either reduce Obligations under the Notes on a pro rata basis by, at its option, (A) redeeming Notes pursuant to Section 5.7 or (B) purchasing Notes through open market purchases, or making an offer (in accordance with the procedures set forth below for an Asset Disposition Offer) to all Holders to purchase their Notes on a ratable basis with such other Senior Indebtedness for no less than 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus the amount of accrued but unpaid interest, if any, thereon up to the principal amount of Notes to be repurchased

(C) if the Net Available Cash is received by a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor, to permanently reduce Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor, other than Indebtedness owed to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary;

 

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(D) to make (a) an Investment in any one or more businesses; provided that such Investment in any business is in the form of the acquisition of Capital Stock and results in the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, owning an amount of the Capital Stock of such business such that it constitutes or continues to constitute a Restricted Subsidiary, (b) capital expenditures or (c) acquisitions of other property or assets (other than Capital Stock), in the case of each of clauses (a), (b) and (c), either (x) that are used or useful in a Similar Business or (y) that replace the businesses, properties and/or assets that are the subject of such Asset Disposition;

(E) to make an Investment in Additional Assets; or

(F) any combination of the foregoing.

provided that, in the case of clauses (D) or (E) above, a binding commitment shall be treated as a permitted application of Net Available Cash from the date of such commitment with the good faith expectation that an amount equal to Net Available Cash shall be applied to satisfy such commitment within 180 days of such commitment;

provided further that, (1) pending the final application of the amount of any such Net Available Cash in accordance with clause (A) or (B) of Section 3.5(a)(3), the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may temporarily reduce Indebtedness (including obligations under the ABL Credit Agreement) or otherwise use such Net Available Cash in any manner not prohibited by this Indenture; and (2) the Company (or any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be) may elect to invest in Additional Assets prior to receiving the Net Available Cash attributable to any given Asset Disposition (provided that such investment shall be made no earlier than the earliest of notice to the Trustee of the relevant Asset Disposition, execution of a definitive agreement for the relevant Asset Disposition, and consummation of the relevant Asset Disposition) and deem the amount so invested to be applied pursuant to and in accordance with Section 3.5(a)(3)(B) with respect to such Asset Disposition. Any Net Available Cash that is not applied or invested as provided for in Section 3.5(a)(3) shall constitute “Excess Proceeds”; provided that any amount of proceeds offered to Holders in accordance with clauses (A) and (B) of Section 3.5(a)(3) or pursuant to an Asset Disposition Offer made at any time after the Asset Disposition shall be deemed to have been applied as required and shall not be deemed to be Excess Proceeds without regard to the extent to which such offer is accepted by the Holders.

(b) On the 546th day after the later of (A) an Asset Disposition or (B) the receipt of such Net Available Cash, if the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds under this Indenture exceeds the greater of (x) $250.0 million and (y) 27.5% of Consolidated EBITDA for the Applicable Measurement Period (the “Excess Proceeds Offer Amount”), the Company shall make an offer to all Holders and, if required or permitted by the terms of other Second Lien Obligations (in the case of an Asset Disposition of Collateral) or other Senior Indebtedness (in the case of an Asset Disposition of assets that do not constitute Collateral), to the holders of such other Second Lien Obligations or Senior Indebtedness, as applicable (an “Asset Disposition Offer”), to purchase the maximum aggregate principal amount of the Notes and such other Second Lien Obligations or Senior Indebtedness (solely with respect to such other Second Lien Obligations or Senior Indebtedness, the accreted value thereof, if not inconsistent with the definitive documents governing such Obligations or Indebtedness), with respect to the Notes

 

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only, that is equal to $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds at an offer price, with respect to the Notes only, in cash in an amount equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to, but excluding, the date fixed for the closing of such offer, in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Indenture and, if applicable, the other documents governing the other Second Lien Obligations or Senior Indebtedness, as the case may be. The Company will commence an Asset Disposition Offer with respect to Excess Proceeds within 20 Business Days after the date that Excess Proceeds exceed the Excess Proceeds Offer Amount by transmitting electronically or by mailing the notice required pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, with a copy to the Trustee. The Company may satisfy the foregoing obligations with respect to any Net Available Cash received from an Asset Disposition by making an Asset Disposition Offer with respect to such Net Available Cash (the “Advance Portion”) prior to the expiration of the Asset Disposition Proceeds Application Period with respect to all or a part of the Net Available Cash in advance of being required to do so by this Indenture (the “Advance Offer”).

(c) To the extent that the aggregate principal amount (or accreted value, as applicable) of Notes and such other Second Lien Obligations or Senior Indebtedness, as applicable, tendered pursuant to an Asset Disposition Offer is less than the Excess Proceeds (or, in the case of an Advance Offer, the Advance Portion), the Company may use any remaining Excess Proceeds (or, in the case of an Advance Offer, the Advance Portion) in any manner not prohibited by this Indenture. If the aggregate principal amount (or accreted value, as applicable) of Notes or the other Second Lien Obligations or Senior Indebtedness, as applicable, surrendered in an Asset Disposition Offer exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds (or, in the case of an Advance Offer, the Advance Portion), the Trustee shall select the Notes and the Company or the representative of such other Second Lien Obligations or Senior Indebtedness shall select such other Second Lien Obligations or Senior Indebtedness to be purchased or repaid on a pro rata basis based on the accreted value or principal amount of the Notes or such other Second Lien Obligations or Senior Indebtedness, as applicable, tendered; provided that no Notes of $2,000 or less shall be repurchased in part. Upon completion of any such Asset Disposition Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds shall be reset at zero, and in the case of an Advance Offer, the amount of Net Available Cash the Company is offering to apply in such Advance Offer shall be excluded in subsequent calculations of Excess Proceeds.

(d) To the extent that any portion of Net Available Cash payable in respect of the Notes is denominated in a currency other than U.S. dollars, the amount thereof payable in respect of the Notes shall not exceed the net amount of funds in U.S. dollars that is actually received by the Company upon converting such portion into U.S. dollars.

(e) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section 3.5, (i) to the extent that any of the Net Available Cash of any Asset Disposition by a Foreign Subsidiary (a “Foreign Disposition”) is (x) prohibited or delayed by applicable local law, (y) restricted by applicable organizational documents or any agreement or (z) subject to other onerous organizational or administrative impediments, in each case, from being repatriated to the United States, the portion of such Net Available Cash so affected will not be required to be applied in compliance with this Section 3.5, and such amounts may be retained by the applicable Foreign Subsidiary so long, but only so long, as the applicable local law, documents or agreements will not permit repatriation to the United States (the Company hereby agreeing to use reasonable efforts (as determined in the

 

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Company’s reasonable business judgment) to otherwise cause the applicable Foreign Subsidiary to within one year following the date on which the respective payment would otherwise have been required, promptly take all commercially reasonable actions with respect to the applicable local law, applicable organizational impediments or other impediment to permit such repatriation), and if within one year following the date on which the respective payment would otherwise have been required, such repatriation of any of such affected Net Available Cash is permitted under the applicable local law, applicable organizational impediment or other impediment, such repatriation will be promptly effected and the amount of such repatriated Net Available Cash will be promptly (and in any event not later than five Business Days after such repatriation could be made) applied (net of additional Taxes payable or reserved against as a result thereof) (whether or not repatriation actually occurs) in compliance with this Section 3.5 and (ii) to the extent that the Company has determined in good faith that repatriation of any of or all the Net Available Cash of any Foreign Disposition would have an adverse Tax consequence (which for the avoidance of doubt, includes, but is not limited to, any prepayment whereby doing so the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective affiliates and/or equity owners would incur a tax liability, including a tax dividend, deemed dividend pursuant to Code Section 956 or a withholding tax), the Net Available Cash so affected may be retained by the applicable Foreign Subsidiary. The non-application of any prepayment amounts as a consequence of the foregoing provisions will not, for the avoidance of doubt, constitute a Default or an Event of Default.

(f) For the purposes of Section 3.5(a)(2), the following will be deemed to be cash:

(1) the assumption by the transferee of Indebtedness or other liabilities, contingent or otherwise, of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary (other than Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company or a Guarantor) and the release of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary from all liability on such Indebtedness or other liability in connection with such Asset Disposition;

(2) securities, notes or other obligations received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company from the transferee that are converted by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash or Cash Equivalents, or by their terms are required to be satisfied for cash and Cash Equivalents (to the extent of the cash or Cash Equivalents received), in each case, within 180 days following the closing of such Asset Disposition;

(3) Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary that is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such Asset Disposition, to the extent that the Company and each other Restricted Subsidiary are released from any Guarantee of payment of such Indebtedness in connection with such Asset Disposition;

(4) consideration consisting of Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary received after the Issue Date from Persons who are not the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; and

 

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(5) any Designated Non-Cash Consideration received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in such Asset Dispositions having an aggregate fair market value, taken together with all other Designated Non-Cash Consideration received pursuant to this Section 3.5 that is at that time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of (x) $250.0 million and (y) 27.5% of Consolidated EBITDA for the Applicable Measurement Period (with the fair market value of each item of Designated Non-Cash Consideration being measured at the time received and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value).

(g) The Asset Disposition Offer notice, if sent in a manner herein provided, shall be conclusively presumed to have been given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice. If the notice is sent in a manner herein provided and any Holder fails to receive such notice or a Holder receives such notice but it is defective, such Holder’s failure to receive such notice or such defect shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the purchase of the Notes as to all other Holders that properly received such notice without defect. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws, rules or regulations, including Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act, conflict with the provisions of this Indenture, the Company shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations described in this Indenture by virtue of compliance therewith.

The provisions of this Indenture relative to the Company’s obligation to make an offer to repurchase the Notes as a result of an Asset Disposition may be waived or modified with the written consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then-outstanding Notes.

SECTION 3.6 Limitation on Liens.

(a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, create or Incur any Lien (except Permitted Liens) that secures obligations under any Indebtedness or any related guarantee, on any asset or property of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary.

(b) With respect to any Lien securing Indebtedness that was permitted to secure such Indebtedness at the time of the Incurrence of such Indebtedness, such Lien shall also be permitted to secure any Increased Amount of such Indebtedness. The “Increased Amount” of any Indebtedness shall mean any increase in the amount of such Indebtedness in connection with any accrual of interest, the accretion of accreted value, the amortization of original issue discount, the payment of interest in the form of additional Indebtedness with the same terms, accretion of original issue discount or liquidation preference and increases in the amount of Indebtedness outstanding solely as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rate of currencies or increases in the value of property securing Indebtedness.

(c) For so long as the Existing Senior Notes or the Applicable Refinanced Existing Senior Notes are outstanding and include “limitations on liens” covenants limiting the incurrence of Liens over Specified Existing Senior Notes Assets, if the Collateral includes any Specified Existing Senior Notes Principal Property, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Indenture, none of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall create, incur or assume any Lien upon any Specified Existing Senior Notes Assets securing Indebtedness for borrowed money in an amount exceeding (w) 9.9% of “Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” (as defined in

 

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the Existing Senior Notes Indentures or the agreements governing any Applicable Refinanced Existing Senior Notes) minus (x) the amount of “Attributable Debt” (as defined in the Existing Senior Notes Indentures or the agreements governing any Applicable Refinanced Existing Senior Notes) of the Company and its Subsidiaries outstanding at such time minus (y) the aggregate outstanding amount of First Lien Obligations secured by a first-priority Lien on Specified Existing Senior Notes Principal Property, if any, minus (z) the aggregate outstanding amount of Notes (together with any other Second Priority Debt Obligations) secured by a Lien on Specified Existing Senior Notes Principal Property, if any.

SECTION 3.7 Limitation on Liens at Company’s Election Following the Termination Date. Following the Termination Date, the Company may elect by written notice to the Trustee to be subject with respect to the Notes of a series to the limitation on liens and restrictions on sale and leaseback provisions pursuant to this Section 3.7 in lieu of Section 3.6.

(a) While the Notes of a series remain outstanding, the Company shall not, nor shall it permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, secure Indebtedness for money borrowed by placing a Lien on any Principal Property now or hereafter owned or leased by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or on any shares of stock or Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary without equally and ratably securing all of the Notes of such series, unless after giving effect thereto (1) the aggregate principal amount of all such secured Indebtedness then outstanding plus (2) all Attributable Debt of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in respect of sale and leaseback transactions pursuant to Section 3.7(c) covering Principal Properties, other than sale and leaseback transactions permitted under Section 3.7(c)(ii), would not exceed an amount equal to 10% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets.

(b) Section 3.7(a) shall not apply to, and there shall be excluded in computing secured Indebtedness for purposes of Section 3.7(a), certain permitted Liens, including:

(1) Liens existing as of the Issue Date on property or assets of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(2) Liens on property or assets of, or on any shares of stock or Indebtedness of, any corporation existing at the time such corporation becomes a Restricted Subsidiary;

(3) Liens on property or assets or shares of stock or Indebtedness existing at the time of acquisition and certain purchase money or similar Liens;

(4) Liens to secure certain development, operation, construction, alteration, repair or improvement costs;

(5) Liens in favor of, or which secure Indebtedness owing to, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary;

(6) Liens in connection with government contracts, including the assignment of money due or to come due thereon;

 

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(7) certain Liens in connection with legal proceedings or arising in the ordinary course of business and not in connection with the borrowing of money;

(8) Liens on property securing tax-exempt obligations issued by a domestic governmental issuer to finance the cost of acquisition or construction of such property; and

(9) extensions, substitutions, replacements or renewals of the foregoing.

(c) So long as any of the Notes of a series remain outstanding, the Company shall not, nor shall it permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into any sale and leaseback transaction, except a lease for a period not exceeding three years, after the Issue Date covering any Principal Property which was or is owned or leased by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary and which has been or is to be sold or transferred more than 120 days after such property has been owned by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary and completion of construction and commencement of full operation thereof, unless (i) the Attributable Debt in respect thereto and all other sale and leaseback transactions entered into after the Issue Date (other than those the proceeds of which are applied to reduce Indebtedness under clause (ii) below), plus the aggregate principal amount of then outstanding secured Indebtedness not otherwise permitted or excepted without equally and ratably securing the Notes of such series, does not exceed 10% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets, or (ii) an amount equal to the greater of the net proceeds of the sale or the fair market value of the Principal Property leased is applied within 120 days after the sale or transfer to the voluntary retirement of Funded Debt of the Company (including debt securities constituting Funded Debt).

(d) Solely for purposes of this Section 3.7, the following terms have the meanings as set forth below:

Attributable Debt” means the amount determined by multiplying the greater, at the time such sale and leaseback transaction is entered into, of (i) the fair value of the real property subject to such arrangement (as determined by the Company) or (ii) the net proceeds of the sale of such real property to the lender or investor, by a fraction of which the numerator is the unexpired initial term of the lease of such real property as of the date of determination and of which the denominator is the full initial term of such lease; provided that solely for purposes of this Section 3.7, sales and leasebacks with respect to facilities financed with certain tax-exempt securities are excepted from the definition of “Attributable Debt.”

Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” means the aggregate amount of assets, less applicable reserves and other properly deductible items, after deducting (i) all current liabilities, excluding any current liabilities constituting Funded Debt by reason of being extendible or renewable, and (ii) all goodwill, trade names, trademarks, patents, unamortized debt discount and expense and other like intangibles, all as set forth on the most recent balance sheet of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries and computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

 

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Funded Debt” means all Indebtedness for money borrowed, or evidenced by a bond, debenture, note or similar instrument or agreement whether or not for money borrowed, having a maturity of more than 12 months from the date as of which the amount thereof is to be determined or having a maturity of less than 12 months but by its terms being renewable or extendible beyond 12 months from such date at the option of the borrower.

Lien” means any pledge, mortgage or other lien, including lease purchase, installment purchase and other title retention financing arrangements, on or in respect of any Principal Property owned or leased by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, or on any shares of stock or Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary.

Principal Property” means any building, structure or other facility, together with the land upon which it is erected and fixtures comprising a part thereof, owned or leased by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, used primarily for manufacturing and located in the United States, the gross book value on the books of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary (without deduction of any depreciation reserve) of which on the date as of which the determination is being made exceeds 1.0% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets, other than any such building, structure or other facility or any portion thereof or any such fixture (together with the land upon which it is erected and fixtures comprising a part thereof) (i) which is financed by industrial development bonds which are tax-exempt pursuant to Section 103 of the Code (or which receive similar tax treatment under any subsequent amendments thereto or successor laws thereof), or (ii) which, in the opinion of the Board of Directors, is not of material importance to the total business conducted by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

SECTION 3.8 Additional Guarantees.

(a) The Company shall not permit any of its Domestic Subsidiaries or Canadian Subsidiaries (other than the Guarantors) to become a guarantor of the Company’s obligations under the ABL Credit Agreement, unless:

(1) such Restricted Subsidiary within 60 days executes and delivers a supplemental indenture to this Indenture providing for a Guarantee by such Restricted Subsidiary and joinders to the Security Documents or new Security Documents, as applicable, together with any other filings and agreements required by the Security Documents as have been filed with respect to the ABL Credit Agreement to create or perfect the security interests for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes in the Collateral of such Restricted Subsidiary; and

(2) such Restricted Subsidiary waives and will not in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any rights of reimbursement, indemnity or subrogation or any other rights against the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary as a result of any payment by such Restricted Subsidiary under its Guarantee until payment in full of Obligations under this Indenture;

provided that this Section 3.8 shall not be applicable (i) to any guarantee of any Restricted Subsidiary that existed at the time such Person became a Restricted Subsidiary and was not incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary, or (ii) in the event that the Guarantee of the Company’s obligations under the Notes or this Indenture by such Subsidiary would not be permitted under applicable law.

 

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(b) The Company may elect, in its sole discretion, to cause any Subsidiary that is not otherwise required to be a Guarantor to become a Guarantor, in which case, such Subsidiary shall not be required to comply with the 60-day period set forth in Section 3.8(a).

SECTION 3.9 Change of Control Repurchase Event. If a Change of Control Repurchase Event occurs, unless a third party makes a Change of Control Offer or the Company has previously or substantially concurrently therewith delivered a redemption notice with respect to all the outstanding Notes pursuant to Section 3.9(c), the Company shall make an offer to purchase all of the Notes pursuant to the offer described below (a “Change of Control Offer”) at a price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the repurchase date; provided that if the repurchase date is on or after the record date and on or before the corresponding interest payment date, then Holders in whose names the Notes are registered at the close of business on such record date will receive interest on the repurchase date (the “Change of Control Payment”). Within 30 days following any Change of Control Repurchase Event, the Company will deliver or cause to be delivered a notice of such Change of Control Offer electronically in accordance with the applicable procedures of DTC, or, at the Company’s option, by first-class mail, with a copy to the Trustee, to each Holder of Notes at the address of such Holder appearing in the Notes Register or otherwise in accordance with the applicable procedures of DTC, with the following information (provided that to the extent that the provisions of any securities laws, rules or regulations, including Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act, conflict with the provisions of this Section 3.9, the Company shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this Section 3.9 by virtue of compliance therewith):

(1) that a Change of Control Offer is being made pursuant to this Section 3.9, and that all Notes properly tendered and not validly withdrawn pursuant to such Change of Control Offer will be accepted for payment by the Company;

(2) the purchase price and the purchase date, which will be no earlier than 10 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is delivered (the “Change of Control Payment Date”);

(3) that any Note not properly tendered or validly withdrawn will remain outstanding and continue to accrue interest;

(4) that unless the Company defaults in the payment of the Change of Control Payment, all Notes accepted for payment pursuant to the Change of Control Offer will cease to accrue interest, on the Change of Control Payment Date;

(5) that Holders electing to have any Notes purchased pursuant to a Change of Control Offer will be required to surrender such Notes, with the form entitled “Option of Holder to Elect Purchase” on the reverse of such Notes completed, to the Paying Agent specified in the notice at the address specified in the notice prior to the close of business on the third Business Day preceding the Change of Control Payment Date;

 

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(6) that Holders will be entitled to withdraw their tendered Notes and their election to require the Company to purchase such Notes; provided that the Paying Agent receives, not later than the close of business on the second Business Day prior to the expiration date of the Change of Control Offer, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder of the Notes, the principal amount of Notes tendered for purchase, and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing its tendered Notes and its election to have such Notes purchased;

(7) that Holders whose Notes are being purchased only in part will be issued new Notes and such new Notes will be equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered and that the unpurchased portion of the Notes must be equal to at least $2,000 or any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess of $2,000;

(8) if such notice is delivered prior to the occurrence of a Change of Control, stating that the Change of Control Offer is conditional on the occurrence of such Change of Control;

(9) describing the transaction or transactions that constitute the Change of Control Repurchase Event; and

(10) the other instructions, as determined by the Company, consistent with this Section 3.9, that a Holder must follow.

The Paying Agent will promptly mail the Change of Control Payment to each tendering Holder for such Notes, and the Trustee will promptly authenticate and mail (or cause to be transferred by book-entry) to each Holder a new Note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, if any; provided that each such new Note will be in a minimum principal amount of $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. The Company will publicly announce the results of the Change of Control Offer on or as soon as practicable after the Change of Control Payment Date.

If the Change of Control Payment Date is on or after an interest record date and on or before the related interest payment date, any accrued and unpaid interest, if any, will be paid on the relevant interest payment date to the Person in whose name a Note is registered at the close of business on such record date.

(b) On the Change of Control Payment Date, the Company will, to the extent permitted by law:

(1) accept for payment all Notes issued by it or portions thereof properly tendered pursuant to the Change of Control Offer;

(2) deposit with the Paying Agent an amount equal to the aggregate Change of Control Payment in respect of all Notes or portions thereof so tendered; and

 

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(3) deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Registrar for cancellation the Notes so accepted together with an Officer’s Certificate to the Trustee stating that such Notes or portions thereof have been tendered to and purchased by the Company.

(c) The Company will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer following a Change of Control Repurchase Event if (1) a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth in this Indenture applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Company and purchases all Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer or (2) a notice of redemption of all outstanding Notes has been given pursuant to Section 5.7, unless and until there is a default in the payment of the redemption price on the applicable redemption date or the redemption is not consummated due to the failure of a condition precedent contained in the applicable redemption notice to be satisfied. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Indenture, a Change of Control Offer may be made in advance of a Change of Control, conditional upon such Change of Control.

(d) In the event that Holders of not less than 90% of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes of either series accept a Change of Control Offer and the Company purchases all of the Notes of such series held by such Holders, the Company will have the right, upon not less than 10 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice, given not more than 30 days following the purchase pursuant to the Change of Control Offer described in this Section 3.9, to redeem all of the Notes of such series that remain outstanding following such purchase at a redemption price equal to the Change of Control Payment plus, to the extent not included in the Change of Control Payment, accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes of such series that remain outstanding, to, but excluding, the redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the redemption date).

(e) While the Notes are in global form and the Company makes an offer to purchase all of the Notes pursuant to the Change of Control Offer, a Holder may exercise its option to elect for the purchase of the Notes through the facilities of DTC, subject to its rules and regulations.

SECTION 3.10 Reports.

(a) So long as the Notes of a series remain outstanding, the Company shall file with the Trustee, within 15 days after the Company is required to file the same with the SEC, copies of the annual reports and of the information, documents, and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of the foregoing as the SEC may from time to time by rules and regulations prescribe) which the Company may be required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act, or if the Company is not required to file information, documents, or reports pursuant to either of such sections of the Exchange Act, then to file with the Trustee and the SEC, in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the SEC, such of the supplementary and periodic information, documents, and reports which may be required pursuant to Section 13 of the Exchange Act, or in respect of a security listed and registered on a national securities exchange as may be prescribed from time to time in such rules and regulations.

 

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(b) The Company shall file with the Trustee and the SEC, in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed from time to time by the SEC, such additional information, documents and reports with respect to compliance by the Company with the conditions and covenants provided for in this Indenture as may be required by such rules and regulations.

(c) Delivery of reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and its receipt of such reports shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of the covenants under this Indenture or the Notes (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officer’s Certificates). The Trustee shall not be obligated to monitor or confirm, on a continuing basis or otherwise, the Company’s compliance with the covenants or with respect to any reports or other documents filed with the SEC or EDGAR or any website under this Indenture, or participate in any conference calls.

SECTION 3.11 [Reserved].

SECTION 3.12 Maintenance of Office or Agency . The Company will maintain an office or agency where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for payment and where, if applicable, the Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange. The corporate trust office of the Trustee, located at U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, 60 Livingston Avenue, EP-MN-S3MC, St. Paul, MN 55107-2292, Attention: Global Corporate Trust Services, Quinn DePompolo, shall be such office or agency of the Company, unless the Company shall designate and maintain some other office or agency for one or more of such purposes. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any change in the location of any such office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations and surrenders may be made or served at the corporate trust office of the Trustee, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all such presentations and surrenders.

The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind any such designation. The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

SECTION 3.13 [Reserved].

SECTION 3.14 [Reserved].

SECTION 3.15 [Reserved].

SECTION 3.16 Compliance Certificate . The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company ending after January 1, 2027, an Officer’s Certificate stating that to the best knowledge of the signer thereof the Company is not in default in the performance and observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of this Indenture (without regard to any period of grace or requirement of notice provided hereunder) and, if the Company shall be in default, specifying all such defaults and the nature and status thereof of which such signer may have knowledge. The individual signing any certificate given by any Person pursuant to this Section 3.16 shall be the principal executive, financial or accounting Officer of such Person.

 

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SECTION 3.17 [Reserved].

SECTION 3.18 Certain Post-Closing Matters. No later than 90 days after the Issue Date (or such later date as the Notes Collateral Agent may agree in its sole discretion), (i) KitchenAid Europa, Inc. shall deliver to the Notes Collateral Agent the duly executed copy of the Belgian Collateral Document and (ii) the Notes Collateral Agent shall have received a duly executed copy of the Canadian Security Agreement.

SECTION 3.19 Statement by Officers as to Default. The Company shall deliver to the Trustee, within 30 days after the Company becomes aware of the occurrence of any Event of Default under Sections 6.1(5) or (9) and any event that with the giving of notice or a lapse of time would become an Event of Default under Sections 6.1(4) or (8), an Officer’s Certificate setting forth the details of such Event of Default or Default, its status and the actions which the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto. The Trustee will not be deemed to have knowledge of any Defaults or Events of Default unless written notice of an event, which is in fact a Default, has been delivered to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee pursuant to the notice provisions in this Indenture.

SECTION 3.20 Designation of Restricted and Unrestricted Subsidiaries. The Company may designate any Restricted Subsidiary to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary if that designation would not cause an Event of Default. If a Restricted Subsidiary is designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, the aggregate fair market value of all outstanding Investments owned by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in the Subsidiary designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be deemed to be an Investment made as of the time of the designation and will reduce the amount available for Restricted Payments under Section 3.3 or under one or more clauses of the definition of “Permitted Investment”, as determined by the Company. That designation will only be permitted if the Investment would be permitted at that time and if the Restricted Subsidiary otherwise meets the definition of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

Any designation of a Subsidiary of the Company as an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be evidenced to the Trustee by delivering to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate certifying that such designation complies with the preceding conditions and was not prohibited by Section 3.3. If, at any time, any Unrestricted Subsidiary would fail to meet the preceding requirements as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, it will thereafter cease to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary for purposes of this Indenture and any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary will be deemed to be incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company as of such date.

The Company may at any time designate or redesignate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company; provided that such designation will be deemed to be an incurrence of Indebtedness by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company of any outstanding Indebtedness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary, and such designation will only be permitted if no Default or Event of Default would be in existence following such designation. Any such designation by the Company shall be evidenced to the Trustee by delivering to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate certifying that such designation complies with the preceding conditions.

 

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SECTION 3.21 Termination of Covenants on Achievement of Investment Grade Status.

(a) Following the first day, with respect to a series of Notes, (i) the Notes of such series have achieved Investment Grade Status; and (ii) no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing under this Indenture, then, beginning on that day (the “Termination Date”), the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall permanently no longer be subject to Sections 3.2, 3.3, 3.5, 3.8, 3.20, 4.1(a)(3) and 10.2 (the “Terminated Covenants”).

(b) Following the Termination Date, notwithstanding that the Notes of such series may cease to have such Investment Grade Status or an Event of Default may occur, the Terminated Covenants shall be inapplicable to the parties to this Indenture and have no further force and effect.

(c) Following the Termination Date, the Liens on the Collateral securing the Notes of such series shall automatically and without the need for any further action by any Person be released in whole upon the occurrence of the Termination Date and have no further force and effect.

(d) Following the Termination Date, notwithstanding that the Notes of such series may cease to have such Investment Grade Status or an Event of Default may occur, the Company may elect by written notice to the Trustee to be subject to the provisions limiting liens pursuant to Section 3.7 in lieu of Section 3.6.

(e) Neither the Trustee nor the Notes Collateral Agent shall have any duty to monitor the ratings of the Notes of a series, shall be deemed to have any knowledge of the ratings of the Notes of such series or shall have any duty to notify Holders if the Notes of such series achieve Investment Grade Status, and each shall assume the Terminated Covenants are in effect until it is notified in writing that the Notes of such series have achieved Investment Grade Status.

ARTICLE IV

SUCCESSOR COMPANY; SUCCESSOR PERSON

SECTION 4.1 Merger and Consolidation of the Company.

(a) The Company will not consolidate with or merge with or into or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all its assets to, any Person, unless:

(1) the Company is the surviving Person or the resulting, surviving or transferee Person (the “Successor Company”) will be a Person organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State of the United States or the District of Columbia and the Successor Company (if not the Company) will expressly assume, via a supplemental indenture or other documents and instruments, all the obligations of the Company under the Notes, this Indenture and the applicable Security Documents and if such Successor Company is not a corporation, a co-obligor of the Notes is a corporation organized or existing under such laws;

 

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(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction (and treating any Indebtedness that becomes an obligation of the applicable Successor Company or any Subsidiary of the applicable Successor Company as a result of such transaction as having been Incurred by the applicable Successor Company or such Subsidiary at the time of such transaction), no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing;

(3) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, either (a) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Company (or, if applicable, the Successor Company thereto) is at least 2.00 to 1.00 or (b) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Company (or, if applicable, the Successor Company thereto) would not be lower than it was immediately prior to giving effect to such transaction;

(4) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indenture (if any) comply with this Indenture and an Opinion of Counsel stating that such supplemental indenture (if any) has been duly authorized, executed and delivered and this Indenture and the supplemental indenture are legal, valid and binding agreements enforceable against the applicable Successor Company (in each case, in form satisfactory to the Trustee); provided that in giving an Opinion of Counsel, counsel may rely on an Officer’s Certificate as to any matters of fact, including as to satisfaction of clauses (2) and (3) above;

(5) to the extent any assets of the Person which is merged or consolidated with or into the Company are assets of the type which would constitute Collateral under the Security Documents, the Company or the Successor Company, as applicable, will take such action, if any, as may be reasonably necessary to cause such property and assets to be made subject to the Lien of the applicable Security Documents and shall take all reasonably necessary action so that such Lien is perfected to the extent required by the applicable Security Documents; and

(6) the Collateral owned by or transferred to the Successor Company shall: (a) continue to constitute Collateral under this Indenture and the Security Documents and (b) be subject to the Lien in favor of the Notes Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Trustee and the Holders of the Notes.

(b) For purposes of this Section 4.1(a), the sale, lease, license, conveyance, assignment, transfer, or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of one or more Subsidiaries of the Company, which properties and assets, if held by the Company instead of such Subsidiaries, would constitute all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company on a consolidated basis, shall be deemed to be the transfer of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company.

 

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(c) The Successor Company will succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under the Notes, this Indenture or the Security Documents, but in the case of a lease of all or substantially all its assets, the predecessor company will not be released from its obligations under such Notes, this Indenture or the Security Documents.

(d) Notwithstanding the preceding clauses (a)(2), (a)(3) or (a)(4) of this Section 4.1, (1) the Company may consolidate or otherwise combine with, merge into or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to a Guarantor, (2) the Company may consolidate or otherwise combine with or merge into an Affiliate incorporated or organized for the purpose of changing the legal domicile of the Company, reincorporating the Company in another jurisdiction, or changing the legal form of the Company, (3) any Restricted Subsidiary may consolidate or otherwise combine with, merge into or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to the Company or a Guarantor, (4) any Restricted Subsidiary may consolidate or otherwise combine with, merge into or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to any other Restricted Subsidiary and (5) the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may complete any Permitted Tax Restructuring.

(e) The foregoing provisions (other than the requirements of clause (a)(2) of this Section 4.1) shall not apply to the creation of a new Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company.

SECTION 4.2 Merger and Consolidation of the Guarantors

(a) Subject to Section 10.2(b), no Guarantor shall, and the Company shall not permit a Guarantor to, consolidate with or merge with or into or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all its assets to, any Person, unless:

(1) such Guarantor is the surviving Person or the resulting, surviving or transferee Person (the “Successor Person”) will be a Person organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State of the United States or the District of Columbia and the Successor Person (if not such Guarantor) will expressly assume, via a supplemental indenture or other documents and instruments, all the obligations of the Guarantor under the Guarantees and such Guarantor’s related Guarantee;

(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction (and treating any Indebtedness that becomes an obligation of the applicable Successor Person or any Subsidiary of the applicable Successor Person as a result of such transaction as having been Incurred by the applicable Successor Person or such Subsidiary at the time of such transaction), no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and

(3) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indenture (if any) comply with this Indenture and an Opinion of Counsel stating that such supplemental indenture (if any) has been duly authorized, executed and delivered and this Indenture and the supplemental indenture are legal, valid and binding agreements enforceable against it (in each case, in form satisfactory to the Trustee); provided that in giving an Opinion of Counsel, counsel may rely on an Officer’s Certificate as to any matters of fact, including as to satisfaction of clause (2) above;

 

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The Successor Person shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, such Guarantor under this Indenture and such Guarantor’s Guarantee and such Guarantor shall automatically be released and discharged from its obligations under this Indenture and such Guarantor’s Guarantee.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) any Guarantor may consolidate or otherwise combine with, merge into or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to another Guarantor or the Company, (b) any Guarantor may consolidate or otherwise combine with or merge into an Affiliate incorporated or organized for the purpose of changing the legal domicile of such Guarantor, reincorporating such Guarantor in another jurisdiction, or changing the legal form of such Guarantor and (c) any Restricted Subsidiary may consolidate or otherwise combine with, merge into or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to such Guarantor.

ARTICLE V

REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES

SECTION 5.1 Notices to Trustee. If the Company elects to redeem Notes of a series pursuant to the optional redemption provisions of Section 5.7 hereof, it must furnish to the Trustee and the Paying Agent, at least 10 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, an Officer’s Certificate setting forth:

(1) the clause of this Indenture pursuant to which the redemption shall occur;

(2) the redemption date;

(3) the principal amount of Notes of such series to be redeemed; and

(4) the redemption price.

SECTION 5.2 Selection of Notes To Be Redeemed. If less than all of the Notes of a series are to be redeemed pursuant to Section 5.7, in an Asset Disposition Offer pursuant to Section 3.5 or a redemption pursuant to Section 5.8, the Trustee will select Notes of such series for redemption (a) if the Notes of such series are in global form in accordance with the applicable procedures of DTC, and an appropriate notation shall be made on such Notes of such series to decrease the principal amount thereof to equal the unredeemed portion thereof; and (b) if the Notes of such series are in definitive form, by lot or on a pro rata basis (subject to adjustments to maintain the authorized Notes denomination requirements) except:

 

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(1) if the Notes of such series are listed on any national securities exchange, in compliance with the requirements of the principal national securities exchange on which the Notes of such series are listed; or

(2) if otherwise required by law.

No Notes of $2,000 in aggregate principal amount or less shall be redeemed in part. In the event of partial redemption, the particular Notes of a series to be redeemed will be selected, unless otherwise provided herein, not less than 10 nor more than 60 days prior to the redemption date by the Trustee from the outstanding Notes of such series not previously called for redemption.

The Trustee will promptly notify the Company in writing of the Notes of a series selected for redemption and, in the case of any Note selected for partial redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. Notes and portions of Notes selected will be in amounts of $2,000 or whole multiples of $1,000; except that if all of the Notes of a series of a Holder are to be redeemed, the entire outstanding amount of Notes of such series held by such Holder, even if not a multiple of $1,000, shall be redeemed. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, provisions of this Indenture that apply to Notes of a series called for redemption also apply to portions of Notes of such series called for redemption.

SECTION 5.3 Notice of Redemption. At least 10 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, the Company will send or cause to be sent, by electronic delivery or, at the Company’s option, first-class mail, postage prepaid, a notice of redemption to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at the address of such Holder appearing in the Notes Register or otherwise in accordance with the applicable procedures of DTC; provided that such notice may be delivered electronically or mailed more than 60 days before a redemption date if such notice is issued in connection with a redemption pursuant to Article VIII or Article XII of this Indenture.

The notice will identify the Notes of a series (including the CUSIP or ISIN number) to be redeemed and will state:

(1) the redemption date;

(2) the redemption price;

(3) if any Note of such series is being redeemed in part, the portion of the principal amount of such Note of such series to be redeemed and that, after the redemption date upon surrender of such Note of such series, a new Note or Notes of such series in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion will be issued upon cancellation of the original Note of such series;

(4) the name and address of the Paying Agent;

(5) that Notes of such series called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price;

 

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(6) that, unless the Company defaults in making such redemption payment, interest, if any, on Notes of such series called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date;

(7) the paragraph of the Notes of such series and/or Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the Notes of such series called for redemption are being redeemed; and

(8) that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Notes of such series.

At the Company’s request, the Trustee will give the notice of redemption in the Company’s name and at its expense; provided, however, that the Company has delivered to the Trustee, at least 10 days prior to the redemption date (or such shorter period as the Trustee may agree), an Officer’s Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided in the preceding paragraph.

SECTION 5.4 Effect of Notice of Redemption. Except as provided for herein, once notice of redemption is sent in accordance with Section 5.3, Notes called for redemption become irrevocably due and payable on the redemption date at the redemption price. Notice of any redemption of the Notes may, at the Company’s discretion, be given prior to the completion of a transaction (including, without limitation, an Equity Offering, an incurrence of Indebtedness, a Change of Control or other transaction) and any redemption or notice of redemption may, at the Company’s discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including, but not limited to, completion of a related transaction. If such redemption or purchase is so subject to satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, such notice shall describe each such condition, and if applicable, shall state that, in the Company’s discretion, the redemption date may be delayed until such time (including more than 60 days after the date the notice of redemption was mailed or delivered, including by electronic transmission) as any or all such conditions shall be satisfied, or such redemption may not occur and such notice may be rescinded in the event that any or all such conditions shall not have been satisfied by the redemption date, or by the redemption date as so delayed. In addition, the Company may provide in such notice that payment of the redemption price and performance of the Company’s obligations with respect to such redemption may be performed by another Person.

SECTION 5.5 Deposit of Redemption Price. Prior to 12:00 p.m. New York Time on the redemption date, the Company will deposit with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption price of, and accrued interest, if any, on, all Notes of a series to be redeemed on that date. The Trustee or the Paying Agent will promptly return to the Company any money deposited with the Trustee or the Paying Agent by the Company in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the redemption price of, and accrued interest, if any, on, all Notes of a series to be redeemed.

If the Company complies with the provisions of the preceding paragraph, on and after the redemption date, interest, if any, will cease to accrue on the Notes or the portions of Notes of a series called for redemption. If a Note of a series is redeemed on or after an interest record date but on or prior to the corresponding interest payment date, then any accrued and unpaid interest

 

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shall be paid on the redemption date to the Holder in whose name such Note of such series was registered at the close of business on such record date. If the Company delivers global notes to the Trustee for cancellation on a date that is on or after the record date and on or before the corresponding interest payment date, then any accrued and unpaid interest shall be paid in accordance with the applicable procedures of DTC. If any Note of a series called for redemption is not so paid upon surrender for redemption because of the failure of the Company to comply with the preceding paragraph, interest shall be paid on the unpaid principal, from the redemption date until such principal is paid, and to the extent lawful on any interest not paid on such unpaid principal, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes of such series and in Section 3.1.

SECTION 5.6 Notes Redeemed in Part. Upon surrender of a Note of a series that is redeemed in part, in the case of Definitive Notes of such series the Company will issue and, upon receipt of an Issuer Order, the Trustee will authenticate for the Holder at the expense of the Company a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Note surrendered; provided that each such new Note will be in a minimum principal amount of $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.

SECTION 5.7 Optional Redemption.

(a) At any time prior to July 1, 2028, in the case of the Initial 2031 Notes (the “2031 Notes First Call Date”), or July 1, 2029, in the case of the Initial 2034 Notes (the “2034 Notes First Call Date” and, together with the 2031 Notes First Call Date, a “First Call Date”), the Company may redeem the Notes of a series in whole or in part, at its option, upon not less than 10 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice by electronic delivery or, at the Company’s option, first-class mail, postage prepaid, with a copy to the Trustee, to each Holder of Notes of such series to the address of such Holder appearing in the Notes Register, at a redemption price (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount of the Notes of such series to be redeemed) equal to 100.000% of the principal amount of Notes of such series redeemed plus the relevant Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date (the “Redemption Date”), subject to the rights of holders of the Notes of such series on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date.

(b) At any time and from time to time prior to the applicable First Call Date, the Company may, at its option, upon not less than 10 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice by electronic delivery or, at the Company’s option, first-class mail, postage prepaid, with a copy to the Trustee, to each Holder of Notes of such series to the address of such Holder appearing in the Notes Register, redeem Notes of such series up to 40% of the original aggregate principal amount of Notes of such series (including Additional Notes of such series) issued under this Indenture, at a redemption price (expressed as a percentage of the principal amount of the Notes of such series to be redeemed) equal to 107.500% of the principal amount in the case of the Initial 2031 Notes and 107.875% of the principal amount in the case of the Initial 2034 Notes, in each case, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the applicable Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of record of the Notes of such series on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date, with the Net Cash Proceeds received by the Company of one or more Equity Offerings of the Company; provided that not less than 50% of the aggregate principal amount of the then-outstanding Notes of such series issued under this Indenture remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence

 

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of each such redemption (including Additional Notes of such series, but excluding Notes of such series held by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries), unless all such Notes of such series are redeemed substantially concurrently; provided, further, that each such redemption occurs not later than 180 days after the date of closing of the related Equity Offering. The Trustee shall select the Notes of such series to be redeemed in the manner described under Sections 5.1 through 5.6.

(c) Except pursuant to clauses (a), (b) and (f) of this Section 5.7, the Notes of a series will not be redeemable at the Company’s option prior to the applicable First Call Date.

(d) At any time and from time to time on or after the applicable First Call Date, the Company may redeem the Notes of a series, in whole or in part, upon not less than 10 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice by electronic delivery or, at the Company’s option, first-class mail, postage prepaid, with a copy to the Trustee to each Holder of Notes of such series to the address of such Holder appearing in the Notes Register, at the redemption prices (expressed as percentages of the principal amount of the Notes of such series to be redeemed) set forth in the table below, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the applicable Redemption Date, subject to the right of Holders of record of the Notes of such series on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date, if redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on July 1 of each of the years indicated in the table below:

Initial 2031 Notes

 

Period

   Percentage  

2028

     103.750

2029

     101.875

2030 and thereafter

     100.000

Initial 2034 Notes

 

Period

   Percentage  

2029

     103.938

2030

     101.969

2031 and thereafter

     100.000

(e) On and after the applicable Redemption Date, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes of a series or any portion of the Notes of such series called for redemption (unless the Company defaults in the payment of the redemption price and accrued interest).

(f) Notwithstanding the foregoing, in connection with any tender offer for either series of Notes, including a Change of Control Offer or Asset Disposition Offer, if Holders of not less than 90% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes of such series validly tender and do not withdraw such Notes of such series in such tender offer and the Company, or any third party making such tender offer in lieu of the Company, purchases all of the Notes of such series validly tendered and not withdrawn by such Holders, the Company or

 

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such third party will have the right upon not less than 10 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice, given not more than 30 days following such purchase date, to redeem all Notes of such series that remain outstanding following such purchase, at a redemption price equal to the price offered to each other Holder (excluding any early tender or incentive fee) in such tender offer plus, to the extent not included in the tender offer payment, accrued and unpaid interest, if any, thereon, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date. In determining whether the Holders of at least 90% of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes of such series have validly tendered and not validly withdrawn such Notes of such series in a tender offer, including a Change of Control Offer or Asset Disposition Offer, Notes of such series owned by the Company or its Affiliates or by funds controlled or managed by any Affiliate of the Company, or any successor thereof, shall be deemed to be outstanding for the purposes of such tender offer.

(g) The Company’s actions and determinations in determining the redemption prices shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error. The Trustee shall have no duty to determine, or verify the calculation of, the redemption prices with respect to the Notes of a series.

(h) Any redemption pursuant to this Section 5.7 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 5.1 through 5.6.

SECTION 5.8 Mandatory Redemption. The Company is not required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes; provided, however, that under certain circumstances, the Company may be required to offer to purchase Notes pursuant to Section 3.5 and Section 3.9. The Company and its equity holders, including its Affiliates or members of its management, among other parties, may at any time and from time to time purchase, repurchase, redeem, exchange, defease or otherwise acquire or retire its or any of its subsidiaries’ outstanding debt securities or loans, including the Notes, by any means other than a redemption that is subject to the provisions under this Article V (and, for the avoidance of doubt, without being subject to the pro rata requirement under Section 5.2), upon such terms, at such prices and with such considerations as the Company, its equity holders, including its Affiliates or members of its management, among other parties, may determine, including, without limitation, in negotiated transactions, open market purchases, by tender offer or any other transactions with one or more Holders and/or beneficial owners of Notes.

ARTICLE VI

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

SECTION 6.1 Events of Default. Each of the following is an “Event of Default”:

(1) a failure to pay any interest on any Note of a series when due and payable, and continuance of such failure for a period of 30 days;

(2) failure to pay the principal on any Note of a series as and when the same shall become due and payable either at the Stated Maturity of such Note, upon redemption, by declaration or otherwise;

(3) [reserved];

 

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(4) default in the performance, or breach, of any other covenant or warranty of the Company relating to a series of the Notes and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 90 days after due notice by the Trustee or by the Holders of at least 30.0% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes of such series;

(5) failure to pay any portion of the principal of any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company which Indebtedness is in excess of $50.0 million outstanding principal amount or under any instrument by which there may be secured or evidenced any Indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company, which Indebtedness is in excess of $10.0 million outstanding principal amount, when due and payable after the expiration of any applicable grace period with respect thereto or the acceleration of such Indebtedness, if such acceleration is not annulled within 10 days after written notice;

(6) the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together as of the latest audited consolidated financial statements for the Company, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

(A) commences a voluntary case or proceeding;

(B) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case or proceeding;

(C) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for substantially all of its property;

(D) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors;

(E) consents to or acquiesces in the institution of a bankruptcy or an insolvency proceeding against it; or

(F) takes any comparable action under any foreign laws relating to insolvency;

(7) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

(A) is for relief against the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together as of the latest audited consolidated financial statements for the Company, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, in an involuntary case;

(B) appoints a Custodian of the Company, any Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together as of the latest audited consolidated financial statements for the Company, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, for substantially all of its property;

 

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(C) orders the winding up or liquidation of the Company, any Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together as of the latest audited consolidated financial statements for the Company, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary; or

(D) any similar relief is granted under any foreign laws and the order, decree or relief remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days;

(8)(i) the Liens created by the Security Documents shall at any time not constitute a valid and perfected Lien on any material portion of the Collateral intended to be covered thereby (unless perfection is not required by this Indenture or the Security Documents) other than (A) in accordance with the terms of the relevant Security Document and this Indenture, (B) the satisfaction in full of all Obligations under this Indenture or (C) any loss of perfection that results from the failure of the Notes Collateral Agent or the collateral agent under the ABL Credit Agreement (or any action or inaction of the Notes Collateral Agent or the collateral agent under the ABL Credit Agreement) to maintain possession of certificates delivered to it representing securities pledged under the Security Documents and (ii) such default continues for 30 days after receipt of written notice given by the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 30.0% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of a series; and

(9) the Company or any Guarantor that is a Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Guarantors that, taken together (as of the latest audited consolidated financial statements for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries) would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) shall assert, in any pleading in any court of competent jurisdiction, that any security interest in any Security Document is invalid or unenforceable.

Any notice of Default, notice of acceleration or instruction to the Trustee to provide a notice of Default, notice of acceleration or take any other action (a “Noteholder Direction”) provided by any one or more Holders (each a “Directing Holder”) must be accompanied by a written representation from each such Holder delivered to the Company and the Trustee that such Holder is not (or, in the case such Holder is DTC or its nominee, that such Holder is being instructed solely by beneficial owners that are not) Net Short (a “Position Representation”), which representation, in the case of a Noteholder Direction relating to the delivery of a notice of Default (a “Default Direction”) shall be deemed repeated at all times until the resulting Event of Default is cured or otherwise ceases to exist or the Notes of a series are accelerated. In addition, each Directing Holder is deemed, at the time of providing a Noteholder Direction, to covenant to provide the Company with such other information as the Company may reasonably request from time to time in order to verify the accuracy of such Noteholder’s Position Representation within five Business Days of request therefor (a “Verification Covenant”). In any case in which the Holder is DTC or its nominee, any Position Representation or Verification Covenant required hereunder shall be provided by the beneficial owner of the Notes of a series in lieu of DTC or its nominee, and DTC shall be entitled to conclusively rely on such Position Representation and Verification Covenant in delivering its direction to the Trustee.

 

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If, following the delivery of a Noteholder Direction, but prior to acceleration of the Notes of a series, the Company determines in good faith that there is a reasonable basis to believe a Directing Holder was, at any relevant time, in breach of its Position Representation and provides to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that the Company has initiated litigation in a court of competent jurisdiction seeking a determination that such Directing Holder was, at such time, in breach of its Position Representation, and seeking to invalidate any Default, Event of Default or acceleration (or notice thereof) that resulted from the applicable Noteholder Direction, the cure period with respect to such Default shall be automatically stayed and the cure period with respect to such Default or Event of Default shall be automatically reinstituted and any remedy stayed pending a final and non-appealable determination of a court of competent jurisdiction on such matter. If, following the delivery of a Noteholder Direction, but prior to acceleration of the Notes of a series, the Company provides to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that a Directing Holder failed to satisfy its Verification Covenant, the cure period with respect to such Default shall be automatically stayed and the cure period with respect to any Default or Event of Default that resulted from the applicable Noteholder Direction shall be automatically reinstituted and any remedy stayed pending satisfaction of such Verification Covenant. Any breach of the Position Representation shall result in such Holder’s participation in such Noteholder Direction being disregarded; and, if, without the participation of such Holder, the percentage of Notes of such series held by the remaining Holders that provided such Noteholder Direction would have been insufficient to validly provide such Noteholder Direction, such Noteholder Direction shall be void ab initio, with the effect that such Default or Event of Default shall be deemed never to have occurred, acceleration voided and the Trustee shall be deemed not to have received such Noteholder Direction or any notice of such Default or Event of Default.

Notwithstanding anything in the preceding two paragraphs to the contrary, any Noteholder Direction delivered to the Trustee during the pendency of an Event of Default as the result of a bankruptcy or similar proceeding shall not require compliance with the foregoing paragraphs.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Trustee shall be entitled to conclusively rely on any Noteholder Direction delivered to it in accordance with this Indenture, shall have no duty to inquire as to or investigate the accuracy of any Position Representation, enforce compliance with any Verification Covenant, verify any statements in any Officer’s Certificate delivered to it, or otherwise make calculations, investigations or determinations with respect to Derivative Instruments, Net Shorts, Long Derivative Instruments, Short Derivative Instruments or otherwise. The Trustee shall have no liability to the Company, any Holder or any other Person in acting in good faith on a Noteholder Direction or for the accuracy or content of any Noteholder Direction, Position Representation, Verification Covenant or otherwise.

SECTION 6.2 Acceleration. If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default described in clause (6) or (7) of Section 6.1 with respect to the Company) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee by notice to the Company or the Holders of at least 30.0% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes of such series by written notice to the Company and the Trustee, may declare the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on all the Notes of a series to be due and payable. Upon such a declaration, such principal, premium and accrued and unpaid interest will be due and payable immediately.

 

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In the event of a declaration of acceleration of a series of the Notes because an Event of Default specified in clause (5) of Section 6.1 has occurred and is continuing, the declaration of acceleration of the Notes of such series shall be automatically annulled if the event of default or payment default triggering such Event of Default pursuant to clause (5) of Section 6.1 shall be remedied or cured, or waived by the holders of the Indebtedness, or the Indebtedness that gave rise to such Event of Default shall have been discharged in full, in each case, within 30 days after the declaration of acceleration with respect thereto and if:

(1) the annulment of the acceleration of the Notes of such series would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction;

(2) all existing Events of Default, except nonpayment of principal, premium or interest on the series of Notes that became due solely because of the acceleration of such series of the Notes, have been cured or waived; provided that any time period to cure any actual or alleged Default or Event of Default may be extended or stayed by a court of competent jurisdiction; and

(3) there has been paid to or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay all amounts due to the Trustee and to reimburse the Trustee for reasonable expenses, disbursements and fees incurred by the Trustee, its agents and its counsel, in such capacity, in connection with such acceleration.

If an Event of Default described in clause (6) or (7) of Section 6.1 with respect to the Company occurs and is continuing, the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on all the Notes of such series will become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holders.

SECTION 6.3 Other Remedies. If an Event of Default with respect to Notes of a series occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available contractual remedy under this Indenture by proceeding at law or in equity to collect the payment of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on the Notes of such series or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes of such series or this Indenture.

The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. No remedy is exclusive of any other remedy. All available remedies are cumulative.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, (i) if a Default for a failure to report or failure to deliver a required certificate in connection with another default (the “Initial Default”) occurs, then at the time such Initial Default is cured, such Default for a failure to report or failure to deliver a required certificate in connection with another default that resulted solely because of that Initial Default will also be cured without any further action and (ii) any Default or Event of Default for the failure to comply with the time periods prescribed in Section 3.10 or otherwise to deliver any notice or certificate pursuant to any other provision of this Indenture shall be deemed to be cured upon the delivery of any such report required by Section 3.10 or such notice or certificate, as applicable, even though such delivery is not within the prescribed period specified in this Indenture.

 

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SECTION 6.4 Waiver of Past Defaults. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes of a series under this Indenture may (a) waive all past or existing Defaults or Events of Default and their consequences under this Indenture and the Security Documents (except with respect to nonpayment of principal, premium or interest) and (b) rescind any such acceleration with respect to such Notes of such series and its consequences if (1) rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction and (2) there has been paid to or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay all amounts due to the Trustee under this Indenture and to reimburse the Trustee for any and all fees, expenses and disbursements incurred by the Trustee, its agents and its counsel, in such capacity, in connection with such acceleration.

SECTION 6.5 Control by Majority. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes of a series may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee pursuant to this Indenture or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee pursuant to this Indenture. If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall be required in the exercise of its powers to use the degree of care that a prudent person would use in the conduct of its own affairs. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture or the Notes or, subject to Sections 7.1 and 7.2, that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other Holders or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability (it being understood that the Trustee has no duty to determine whether any action is prejudicial to any Holder); provided, however, that the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee that is not inconsistent with such direction. Prior to taking any such action hereunder, each of the Trustee and the Notes Collateral Agent shall be entitled to indemnification satisfactory to it against all fees, losses, liabilities and expenses that may be caused by taking or not taking such action.

SECTION 6.6 Limitation on Suits. Subject to Section 7.2, except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal or interest when due, in accordance with Section 6.7, no Holder may pursue any remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Notes of a series unless:

(1) such Holder has previously given the Trustee written notice that an Event of Default is continuing;

(2) Holders of at least 30.0% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes of such series have requested in writing the Trustee to pursue the remedy;

(3) such Holders have offered in writing and, if requested, provided to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;

(4) the Trustee has not complied with such request within 60 days after the receipt of the written request and the offer of security or indemnity; and

 

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(5) the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes of such series have not given the Trustee a written direction that, in the opinion of the Trustee, is inconsistent with such request within such 60-day period.

SECTION 6.7 Right of Holders to Receive Payment. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture (including, without limitation, Section 6.6), the contractual right of any Holder to receive payment of interest on the Notes of a series held by such Holder after the due date therefor or to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or with respect to such Holder’s Notes of such series shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder (and, for the avoidance of doubt, the amendment, supplement or modification in accordance with the terms of this Indenture of Articles III and IV and Section 6.1(4), and the related definitions shall be deemed not to impair the contractual right of any Holder to receive payments of principal of and interest on such Holder’s Notes of such series on or after the due dates therefor or to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or with respect to such Holder’s Note of such series).

SECTION 6.8 Collection Suit by Trustee. If an Event of Default specified in clauses (1) or (2) of Section 6.1 occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company for the whole amount then due and owing (together with interest, if any, to the extent lawful) and the amounts provided for in Section 7.7.

SECTION 6.9 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim. The Trustee may file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the Holders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company, its Subsidiaries or its or their respective creditors or properties and, unless prohibited by law or applicable regulations, may be entitled and empowered to participate as a member of any official committee of creditors appointed in such matter and may vote on behalf of the Holders in any election of a trustee in bankruptcy or other Person performing similar functions, and any Custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for the compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its respective agents and its respective counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.7.

No provision of this Indenture shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder thereof or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

SECTION 6.10 Priorities.

(a) If the Trustee collects any money or property pursuant to this Article VI, it shall pay out the money or property in the following order:

FIRST: to the Trustee and to the Notes Collateral Agent, in each case, for amounts due to them under Section 7.7;

 

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SECOND: to Holders for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes of a series for principal of, or premium, if any, and interest, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes of such series for principal of, or premium, if any, and interest, respectively; and

THIRD: to the Company, or to the extent the Trustee collects any amount for any Guarantor, to such Guarantor.

(b) The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Section 6.10. At least 10 days before such record date, the Company shall send or cause to be sent to each Holder and the Trustee a notice that states the record date, the payment date and amount to be paid.

SECTION 6.11 Undertaking for Costs. In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section 6.11 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by the Company or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in outstanding principal amount of the Notes.

ARTICLE VII

TRUSTEE

SECTION 7.1 Duties of Trustee.

(a) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise as a prudent Person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such Person’s own affairs.

(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default known to the Trustee:

(1) the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

(2) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates, opinions or orders furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture or the Notes, as the case may be. However, in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provisions hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall examine such certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture or the Notes, as the case may be (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).

 

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(c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its own grossly negligent action, its own grossly negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct, except that:

(1) this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section 7.1;

(2) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer unless it is proved that the Trustee was grossly negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;

(3) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.5; and

(4) No provision of this Indenture or the Notes shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or thereunder or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds to believe that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

(d) Every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section 7.1.

(e) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company.

(f) Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

(g) Every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section 7.1.

SECTION 7.2 Rights of Trustee. Subject to Section 7.1:

(a) The Trustee may conclusively rely on and shall be fully protected in acting or refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order or other paper or document (whether in its original or facsimile form) reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document. The Trustee shall receive and retain financial reports and statements of the Company as provided herein, but shall have no duty to review or analyze such reports or statements to determine compliance with covenants or other obligations of the Company.

 

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(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officer’s Certificate and/or an Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on an Officer’s Certificate or Opinion of Counsel.

(c) The Trustee may execute any of the trusts and powers hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly by or through its attorneys and agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it hereunder.

(d) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith which it believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.

(e) The Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection, and the advice or opinion of counsel relating to this Indenture and the Notes shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, omitted or suffered by it hereunder or under the Notes in good faith and in accordance with the advice or opinion of such counsel.

(f) The Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of any Default or Event of Default with respect to the Notes unless either (1) with respect to any payment default a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge of such Default or Event of Default or (2) a written notice of such Default or Event of Default shall have been received by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee at the corporate trust office of the Trustee specified in Section 13.2, and such notice references the Notes and this Indenture, and such notice is identified as a “Notice of Default.”

(g) The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee (in any capacity hereunder), each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder, including the Notes Collateral Agent.

(h) The Trustee shall not be under any obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture or the Notes at the request or direction of any of the Holders pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered and, if requested, provided to the Trustee indemnity or security satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense which may be incurred therein or thereby.

(i) The Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any fact or matter unless such fact or matter is known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee.

(j) Whenever in the administration of this Indenture or the Notes, the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action hereunder or thereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of negligence or willful misconduct on its part, conclusively rely upon an Officer’s Certificate.

 

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(k) The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, coupon or other paper or document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine, during business hours and upon reasonable notice, the books, records and premises of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries, personally or by agent or attorney at the sole cost of the Company and shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation.

(l) The Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the performance of its powers and duties hereunder.

(m) The Trustee may request that the Company deliver an Officer’s Certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture or the Notes.

(n) In no event shall the Trustee be liable to any Person for special, punitive, indirect, consequential or incidental loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, lost profits), even if the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage.

(o) Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice from the Company shall be sufficient if signed by one Officer of the Company.

(p) The Trustee may employ a custodian, agent, nominee or delegate to transact or concur in transacting any business and to do or concur in doing any acts required to be done by the Trustee (including the receipt and payment of money) and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any such agent appointed with due care.

(q) The Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for the computation of any interest payments or redemption amounts or other amounts hereunder or in connection with the Notes.

(r) The permissive rights of the Trustee enumerated herein shall not be construed as duties.

SECTION 7.3 Individual Rights of Trustee. The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Company, the Guarantors or their Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. Any Paying Agent, Registrar, co-registrar or co-paying agent may do the same with like rights. However, the Trustee must comply with Section 7.10. In addition, the Trustee shall be permitted to engage in transactions with the Company.

 

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SECTION 7.4 Trustee’s Disclaimer. The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture, the Notes, the Intercreditor Agreements or the Security Documents, shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the sale of the Notes, shall not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee or any money paid to the Company pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, the Intercreditor Agreements or the Security Documents and shall not be responsible for any statement of the Company in this Indenture or in any document issued in connection with the sale of the Notes or in the Notes other than the Trustee’s certificate of authentication.

SECTION 7.5 Notice of Defaults. If a Default occurs and is continuing and a Responsible Officer is informed of such occurrence by the Company, the Trustee shall give notice of the Default to the Holders within 60 days after being notified by the Company. Except in the case of a Default in payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on any Note of a series, the Trustee may withhold the notice if and so long as it in good faith determines that withholding the notice is in the interests of Holders.

SECTION 7.6 [Reserved].

SECTION 7.7 Compensation and Indemnity. The Company shall pay to the Trustee (in any capacity hereunder) from time to time compensation for its services hereunder and under the Notes as the Company and the Trustee shall from time to time agree in writing. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company shall reimburse the Trustee upon request for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred or made by it, including, but not limited to, costs of collection, costs of preparing reports, certificates and other documents, costs of preparation and mailing of notices to Holders. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation and expenses, disbursements and advances of the agents, counsel, accountants and experts of the Trustee. The Company shall indemnify each of the Trustee and its officers, directors, employees, representatives and agents from and against any and all loss, liability, damages, claims or expense, including taxes (other than taxes based upon the income of such Person) (including reasonable attorneys’ and agents’ fees and expenses), incurred by it without willful misconduct or gross negligence, as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction, on its part in connection with the administration of this trust and the performance of its duties hereunder and under the Notes, including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture (including this Section 7.7) and the Notes and of defending itself against any claims (whether asserted by any Holder, the Company or otherwise). The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity of which it has received written notice. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company of its obligations hereunder. The Company shall defend the claim and the Trustee shall provide reasonable cooperation at the Company’s expense in the defense. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Trustee may conduct its own defense in its sole discretion. The Trustee may have one separate counsel and the Company shall pay the fees and expenses of such counsel.

 

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The Company need not pay for any settlement made without its consent, which consent may not be unreasonably withheld. For the avoidance of doubt, the Company will not, without the prior written consent of the Trustee, and/or the Agents, as applicable, settle any claim in respect of which indemnification may be sought, regardless of whether or not the Trustee, or the Agents are an actual or potential party thereto, unless such settlement (a) includes an express, complete and unconditional release of the Trustee, and/or the Agents, as applicable, with respect to all claims asserted in such litigation or proceeding, or relating to the engagement of the Trustee, or the Agents, such release to be set forth in an instrument signed by all parties to such settlement and (b) does not include a statement as to an admission of fault, culpability or failure to act by or on behalf of the Trustee, and/or the Agents, as applicable, or any of their affiliates. The Company shall consult with Trustee, or the Agents, as applicable, regarding any claim or settlement thereof and provide the Trustee, and the Agents, as applicable, with any reasonably requested information or copies of documents relating to a claim or settlement thereof.

To secure the Company’s payment obligations in this Section 7.7, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee other than money or property held in trust to pay principal of and interest on particular Notes. Such lien shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture and the appointment of any successor Trustee. The Trustee’s right to receive payment of any amounts due under this Section 7.7 shall not be subordinate to any other liability or Indebtedness of the Company.

The Company’s payment and other obligations pursuant to this Section 7.7 shall survive the discharge of this Indenture and any resignation or removal of the Trustee under Section 7.8. Without prejudice to any other rights available to the Trustee under applicable law, when the Trustee incurs fees, expenses or renders services after the occurrence of a Default specified in clause (7) or clause (8) of Section 6.1, the expenses (including the reasonable fees and expenses of its counsel) are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

SECTION 7.8 Replacement of Trustee. The Trustee may resign at any time by so notifying the Company in writing not less than 30 days prior to the effective date of such resignation. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes may remove the Trustee by so notifying the removed Trustee in writing not less than 30 days prior to the effective date of such removal and may appoint a successor Trustee with the Company’s written consent, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld. The Company shall remove the Trustee if:

(1) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10;

(2) the Trustee is adjudged bankrupt or insolvent;

(3) a receiver or other public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

(4) the Trustee otherwise becomes incapable of acting.

If the Trustee resigns or is removed by the Company or by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes and such Holders do not reasonably promptly appoint a successor Trustee pursuant to the preceding paragraph, or if a vacancy exists in the office of the Trustee for any reason (the Trustee in such event being referred to herein as the retiring Trustee), the Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee.

 

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A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee shall send a notice of its succession to Holders. The retiring Trustee shall, at the expense of the Company, promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, subject to the lien provided for in Section 7.7, and the recognition thereof by the successor Trustee.

If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee or the Holders of at least 10% in principal amount of the Notes may petition, at the Company’s expense, any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

If the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10, any Holder who has been a bona fide holder of a Note for at least six months may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

Notwithstanding the replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.8, the Company’s obligations under Section 7.7 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee. The predecessor Trustee shall have no liability for any action or inaction of any successor Trustee.

SECTION 7.9 Successor Trustee by Merger. If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all its corporate trust business or assets to, another corporation or banking association, the resulting, surviving or transferee corporation without any further act shall be the successor Trustee.

In case at the time such successor or successors by merger, conversion or consolidation to the Trustee shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture, any of the Notes shall have been authenticated but not delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor trustee, and deliver such Notes so authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Notes shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee may authenticate such Notes either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the successor to the Trustee; provided that the right to adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor Trustee or authenticate Notes in the name of any predecessor Trustee shall only apply to its successor or successors by merger, consolidation or conversion.

SECTION 7.10 Eligibility; Disqualification. The Trustee shall have a combined capital and surplus of at least $50 million as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition. If the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest, the Trustee must (i) eliminate such conflict within 90 days of acquiring such conflict or (ii) within 10 days of the end of such 90-day period, provide notice of such conflict to the Company and resign; provided, however, that the Trustee shall be permitted to engage in transactions with the Company and its Affiliates and Subsidiaries.

If the Trustee becomes a creditor, directly or indirectly, of the Company or the Guarantors within three months before an Event of Default or after an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, the Trustee will hold in a segregated account for the benefit of the Trustee, in its individual capacity, and the Holders an amount equal to any payment of such creditor claims or any property received in respect thereof.

 

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SECTION 7.11 Trustee’s Application for Instruction from the Company. Any application by the Trustee for written instructions from the Company may, at the option of the Trustee, set forth in writing any action proposed to be taken or omitted by the Trustee under this Indenture and the date on and/or after which such action shall be taken or such omission shall be effective. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken by, or omission of, the Trustee in accordance with a proposal included in such application on or after the date specified in such application (which date shall not be less than three Business Days after the date any Officer of the Company actually receives such application, unless any such Officer shall have consented in writing to any earlier date) unless prior to taking any such action (or the effective date in the case of an omission), the Trustee shall have received written instructions in response to such application specifying the action to be taken or omitted.

SECTION 7.12 Security Documents; Intercreditor Agreements. By their acceptance of the Notes, the Holders hereby authorize and direct the Trustee and the Notes Collateral Agent, as the case may be, to execute and deliver the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement and the Pari Intercreditor Agreement, if any, and any other Security Documents in which the Trustee or the Notes Collateral Agent, as applicable, is named as a party executed on or after the Issue Date. It is hereby expressly acknowledged and agreed that, in doing so, the Trustee and the Notes Collateral Agent are not responsible for the terms or contents of such agreements, or for the validity or enforceability thereof, or the sufficiency thereof for any purpose. Whether or not so expressly stated therein, in entering into, or taking (or forbearing from) any action under, the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement, the Pari Intercreditor Agreement, if any, or any other Security Documents, the Trustee and the Notes Collateral Agent each shall have all of the rights, privileges, benefits, immunities, indemnities and other protections granted to it under this Indenture (in addition to those that may be granted to it under the terms of such other agreement or agreements).

ARTICLE VIII

LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

SECTION 8.1 Option To Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance; Defeasance. The Company may, at its option and at any time, elect to have either Section 8.2 or 8.3 be applied to all outstanding Notes upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article VIII.

SECTION 8.2 Legal Defeasance and Discharge. Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.1 hereof of the option applicable to this Section 8.2, the Company and each of the Guarantors will, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.4 hereof, be deemed to have been discharged from their obligations with respect to all outstanding Notes (including the Guarantees) of a series and the applicable Security Documents on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, “Legal Defeasance”). For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Company and the Guarantors will be deemed to have paid and

 

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discharged the entire Indebtedness represented by the outstanding Notes (including the Guarantees) of such series, which will thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 8.5 hereof and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses (1) and (2) below, and to have satisfied all of their other obligations under such Notes of such series, the Guarantees, this Indenture and the Security Documents (and the Trustee, on written demand of and at the expense of the Company, shall execute such instruments reasonably requested by the Company acknowledging the same) and to have cured all then existing Events of Default, except for the following provisions which will survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder:

(1) the rights of Holders of Notes of such series issued under this Indenture to receive payments in respect of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on the Notes of such series when such payments are due solely out of the trust referred to in Section 8.4;

(2) the Company’s obligations with respect to the Notes of such series under Article II concerning issuing temporary Notes, registration of such Notes, mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes and Section 3.12 hereof concerning the maintenance of an office or agency for payment and money for security payments held in trust;

(3) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee and the Notes Collateral Agent and the Company’s or Guarantors’ obligations in connection therewith; and

(4) this Article VIII with respect to provisions relating to Legal Defeasance.

SECTION 8.3 Covenant Defeasance. Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.1 of the option applicable to this Section 8.3, the Company and each of the Guarantors will, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.4, be released from each of their obligations under the covenants contained in Section 3.2, 3.3, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 3.10, 3.16, 3.19, 3.20 and 3.21 and Section 4.1 (except Section 4.1(a)(1) and 4.1(a)(2)) hereof with respect to the outstanding Notes of a series on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 8.4 are satisfied (hereinafter, “Covenant Defeasance”), and the Notes of such series will thereafter be deemed not “outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but will continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder. For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to the outstanding Notes and Guarantees of a series, the Company and the Guarantors may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.1, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Notes and Guarantees will be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.1 of the option applicable to this Section 8.3, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.4, Section 6.1(4) (solely with respect to the defeased covenants listed above) shall not constitute an Event of Default.

 

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SECTION 8.4 Conditions to Legal or Covenant Defeasance. In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance under either Section 8.2 or 8.3 hereof:

(1) the Company must irrevocably deposit with the Paying Agent, in trust, for the benefit of the Holders, cash in U.S. dollars, U.S. Government Obligations, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes of a series issued under this Indenture on the stated maturity date or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may be; provided that upon any redemption that requires the payment of the Applicable Premium, the amount deposited shall be sufficient for purposes of this Indenture to the extent that an amount is deposited with the Trustee equal to the Applicable Premium calculated as of the date of the notice of redemption, with any deficit as of the redemption date (any such amount, the “Applicable Premium Deficit”) only required to be deposited with the Trustee on or prior to the redemption date. Any Applicable Premium Deficit shall be set forth in an Officer’s Certificate delivered to the Trustee substantially concurrently with the deposit of such Applicable Premium Deficit that confirms that such Applicable Premium Deficit shall be applied toward such redemption and (ii) must specify whether such Notes are being defeased to maturity or to a particular redemption date;

(2) in the case of Legal Defeasance, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee and the Paying Agent an Opinion of Counsel confirming that, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions;

(A) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the United States Internal Revenue Service a ruling; or

(B) since the Issue Date, there has been a change in the applicable U.S. federal income tax law;

in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions, the beneficial owners of the Notes of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;

(3) in the case of Covenant Defeasance, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee and the Paying Agent an Opinion of Counsel confirming that, subject to customary assumptions and exclusions, the beneficial owners of the Notes of such series will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;

 

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(4) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee and Paying Agent an Opinion of Counsel stating that, as of the date of such opinion and subject to customary assumptions and exclusions, following the deposit, the trust funds will not be subject to the effect of Section 546 or 547 of Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended, or any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally under any applicable U.S. federal or state law;

(5) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee and Paying Agent an Officer’s Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying, defrauding or preferring any creditors of the Company; and

(6) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee and Paying Agent an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel (which Opinion of Counsel may be subject to customary assumptions and exclusions), each stating that all conditions precedent provided for or relating to the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance, as the case may be, have been complied with.

SECTION 8.5 Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations To Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions. Subject to Section 8.6, all money and U.S. Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee or the Paying Agent (or other qualifying trustee, collectively for purposes of this Section 8.5, the “Trustee”) pursuant to Section 8.4 in respect of the outstanding Notes of a series will be held in trust and applied by the Trustee or the Paying Agent, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes of such series and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such Notes of such series of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium, and interest, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

The Company will pay and indemnify the Trustee and each Paying Agent against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or U.S. Government Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 8.4 or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders of the outstanding Notes.

Notwithstanding anything in this Article VIII to the contrary, the Trustee or the Paying Agent will deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon the request of the Company any money or U.S. Government Obligations held by it as provided in Section 8.4 which are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

SECTION 8.6 Repayment to the Company. Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of, premium or interest on, any Note and remaining unclaimed for two years after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on its written request unless an abandoned property law designates another Person or (if then held by

 

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the Company) will be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Note will thereafter be permitted to look only to the Company for payment thereof unless an abandoned property law designates another Person, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, will thereupon cease.

SECTION 8.7 Reinstatement. If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or U.S. Dollars or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Section 8.2 or 8.3, as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or Governmental Authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Company’s and the Guarantors’ obligations under this Indenture and the Notes and the Guarantees will be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.2 or 8.3 until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 8.2 or 8.3, as the case may be; provided, however, that, if the Company makes any payment of principal of, premium, or interest, if any, on, any Note following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company will be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money or U.S. Government Obligations held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

ARTICLE IX

AMENDMENTS

SECTION 9.1 Without Consent of Holders. Notwithstanding Section 9.2 of this Indenture, the Company, any Guarantor (with respect to its Guarantee), the Trustee and the Notes Collateral Agent, as applicable, may amend or supplement this Indenture, the Security Documents, the Intercreditor Agreements and any Guarantee or the Notes to:

(1) cure any ambiguity, omission, mistake, defect, error or inconsistency, conform any provision to any provision under the heading “Description of Notes” in the Offering Memorandum or reduce the minimum denomination of the Notes;

(2) provide for the assumption by a successor Person of the obligations of the Company or a Guarantor under any Note Document or to comply with Section 4.1;

(3) provide for uncertificated Notes of a series in addition to or in place of certificated Notes of such series or to alter the provisions of this Indenture relating to the form of the Notes of such series (including related definitions);

(4) add to or modify the covenants for the benefit of the Holders or provide for a Guarantee or surrender any right or power conferred upon the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;

(5) make any change (including changing the CUSIP or other identifying number on any Notes of a series) that would provide any additional rights or benefits to the Holders or that does not adversely affect the rights of any Holder in any material respect;

 

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(6) at the Company’s election, comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection with the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA, if such qualification is required;

(7) make such provisions as necessary (as determined in good faith by the Company) for the issuance of Additional Notes of a series in accordance with the limitations set forth in this Indenture;

(8) add a Guarantor or a co-obligor of the Notes of a series under this Indenture, the Intercreditor Agreements and/or the Security Documents or to release any such Guarantor or Guarantee in accordance with this Indenture if at the time of such release such Guarantor is not otherwise required to be a Guarantor;

(9) evidence and provide for the acceptance and appointment under this Indenture of a successor Trustee, a successor Notes Collateral Agent or a successor Paying Agent hereunder pursuant to the requirements hereof or to provide for the accession by the Trustee to any Note Document;

(10) comply with the rules and procedures of any applicable securities depositary;

(11) conform the text of this Indenture, the Security Documents, the Intercreditor Agreements, Guarantees or the Notes to any provision of “Description of Notes” in the Offering Memorandum;

(12) mortgage, pledge, hypothecate or grant any other Lien in favor of the Trustee or the Notes Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Holders, as additional security for the payment and performance of all or any portion of the Obligations under this Indenture and the Notes, in any property or assets, including any which are required to be mortgaged, pledged or hypothecated, or in which a Lien is required to be granted to or for the benefit of the Trustee or the Notes Collateral Agent pursuant to this Indenture, any of the Security Documents or otherwise;

(13) in the case of an Intercreditor Agreement, subject the security interests in the Collateral in respect of any First Lien Obligations and/or Second Lien Obligations to the terms of the relevant Intercreditor Agreement, in each case to the extent the incurrence of such Indebtedness, and the grant of all Liens on the Collateral held for the benefit of such Indebtedness, were permitted under this Indenture;

(14) permit the creation, intended priority and registration of Liens on the Collateral to secure any First Lien Obligations and/or Second Lien Obligations in accordance with this Indenture, the Security Documents and any Intercreditor Agreement (including, without limitation, the appointment of the Notes Collateral Agent or any other collateral agent to hold the Collateral on behalf of the Holders and the holders of First Lien Obligations and/or Second Lien Obligations, as applicable);

 

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(15) make any amendment to the provisions of this Indenture relating to the transfer and legending of Notes of a series not prohibited by this Indenture, including, without limitation, to facilitate the issuance and administration of Notes of such series; provided, however, that compliance with this Indenture as so amended would not result in Notes of such series being transferred in violation of the Securities Act or any other applicable securities law;

(16) in connection with any permitted Refinancing or replacement of the ABL Credit Agreement, at the request and sole expense of the Company, to amend the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement (i) to add parties (or any authorized agent or trustee therefor) providing any such Refinancing or replacement Indebtedness and (ii) to establish that Liens on any Collateral securing such Refinancing or replacement Indebtedness will have the same priority as the Liens on any Collateral securing the Indebtedness being Refinanced or replaced, all on the terms provided for in the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement immediately prior to such Refinancing or replacement;

(17) release Collateral from the Lien of this Indenture and the Security Documents when permitted or required by the Security Documents or this Indenture; or

(18) add replacement First Lien Obligations and/or Additional Second Lien Obligations to the relevant Intercreditor Agreement.

Subject to Section 9.2, upon the request of the Company, and upon receipt by the Trustee and the Notes Collateral Agent of the documents described in Sections 9.6 and 13.6, the Trustee and the Notes Collateral Agent, as applicable, will join with the Company and the Guarantors in the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture, security documents or intercreditor agreements, unless such amended or supplemental indenture affects the Trustee’s or Notes Collateral Agent’s own rights, duties, liabilities or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee or Notes Collateral Agent may in its discretion, but will not be obligated to, enter into such amended or supplemental indenture, security documents or intercreditor agreements.

SECTION 9.2 With Consent of Holders. Except as provided below in this Section 9.2, the Company, the Guarantors, the Trustee and the Notes Collateral Agent may amend, supplement or otherwise modify this Indenture, any Guarantee, the Security Documents and the Notes issued hereunder with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes of such series then outstanding and issued under this Indenture (including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, such Notes of such series) and, subject to Section 6.4, any existing Default or Event of Default (other than a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest, if any, on the Notes of such series, except a payment default resulting from an acceleration that has been rescinded) or compliance with any provision of this Indenture, the Notes, the Guarantees and the Security Documents may be waived with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes of such series then outstanding issued under this Indenture (including consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, such Notes of such series). Section 2.12 and Section 13.6 shall determine which Notes are considered to be “outstanding” for the purposes of this Section 9.2.

 

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Upon the request of the Company, and upon the filing with the Trustee and the Notes Collateral Agent, as applicable, of evidence of the consent of the Holders of Notes as aforesaid, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Sections 9.6 and 13.6, the Trustee and the Notes Collateral Agent, as applicable, will join with the Company and the Guarantors in the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture, security documents or intercreditor agreements unless such amended or supplemental indenture, security documents or intercreditor agreements affects the Trustee’s or the Notes Collateral Agent’s own rights, duties, liabilities or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee or the Notes Collateral Agent may in its discretion, but will not be obligated to, enter into such amended or supplemental indenture, security documents or intercreditor agreements.

Without the consent of each Holder of Notes affected, an amendment or waiver may not, with respect to any such Notes of such series held by a non-consenting Holder:

(1) reduce the principal amount of such Notes of such series whose Holders must consent to an amendment;

(2) reduce the stated rate of or extend the stated time for payment of interest on any such Note of such series (other than provisions relating to Section 3.5 and Section 3.9);

(3) reduce the principal of or extend the Stated Maturity of any such Note of such series (other than provisions relating to Section 3.5 and Section 3.9);

(4) reduce the premium payable upon the redemption of any such Note of such series or change the time at which any such Note of such series may be redeemed, in each case as set forth in Section 5.7 (other than provisions specifying the notice periods for effecting a redemption, which may be amended by Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Notes of such series then outstanding);

(5) make any such Note of such series payable in currency other than that stated in such Note of such series;

(6) impair the right of any Holder to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment of principal of and interest on such Holder’s Notes of such series on or after the due dates therefor;

(7) waive a Default or Event of Default with respect to the nonpayment of principal, premium or interest (except pursuant to a rescission of acceleration of the Notes of such series by the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of such Notes of such series outstanding and a waiver of the payment default that resulted from such acceleration);

(8) amend, modify or waive the Double-Dip Provision; or

(9) make any change in the amendment or waiver provisions which require the Holders’ consent described in this Section 9.2.

 

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Without the consent of the Holders of at least 6623% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes of a series then outstanding, no amendment, supplement or waiver with respect to the Notes of such series shall be made to any Security Document, any Intercreditor Agreement or the provisions in this Indenture dealing with the Collateral that would result in the release of all or substantially all of the Collateral from the Liens of the Security Documents (except as permitted by the terms of this Indenture, the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreements).

It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Indenture to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof. A consent to any amendment or waiver under this Indenture by any Holder of Notes of a series given in connection with a tender of such Holder’s Notes of such series will not be rendered invalid by such tender.

After an amendment or supplement under this Section 9.2 becomes effective, the Company shall mail to Holders a notice briefly describing such amendment or supplement. The failure to give such notice to all Holders, or any defect therein, shall not impair or affect the validity of an amendment or supplement.

SECTION 9.3 [Reserved].

SECTION 9.4 Revocation and Effect of Consents and Waivers. Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Note of a series is a continuing consent by the Holder of a Note of such series and every subsequent Holder of a Note or portion of a Note of such series that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Note of such series, even if notation of the consent or waiver is not made on any Note of such series. However, any such Holder of a Note of a series or subsequent Holder of a Note of such series may revoke the consent or waiver as to such Holder’s Note of such series or portion of its Note of such series if the Trustee receives written notice of revocation before the date the amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective. An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms and thereafter binds every Holder.

The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to give their consent or take any other action described above or required or permitted to be taken pursuant to this Indenture. If a record date is fixed, then notwithstanding the immediately preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Holders at such record date (or their duly designated proxies), and only those Persons, shall be entitled to give such consent or to revoke any consent previously given or to take any such action, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders after such record date. No such consent shall be valid or effective for more than 120 days after such record date.

SECTION 9.5 Notation on or Exchange of Notes. The Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an amendment, supplement or waiver on any Note of a series thereafter authenticated. The Company in exchange for all Notes of a series may issue and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Issuer Order, authenticate new Notes of such series that reflect the amendment, supplement or waiver.

 

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Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Note will not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.

SECTION 9.6 Execution of Amendments, Supplements or Waivers. The Trustee and, as applicable, the Notes Collateral Agent shall sign any amended or supplemental indenture, security documents or intercreditor agreements authorized pursuant to this Article IX if the amendment or supplement does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee and, as applicable, the Notes Collateral Agent. In executing any amended or supplemental indenture, the Trustee will be entitled to receive and (subject to Sections 7.1 and 7.2) shall be fully protected in conclusively relying upon, in addition to the documents required by Section 13.4, an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture or security documents or intercreditor agreements is authorized or permitted by this Indenture or the Security Documents, as applicable, and is valid, binding and enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms. Guarantors may, but shall not be required to, execute supplemental indentures that do not modify such Guarantor’s Guarantee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Opinion of Counsel shall be required in connection with the addition of a Guarantor under this Indenture upon (i) execution and delivery by such Guarantor and the Trustee of a supplemental indenture to this Indenture, the form of which is attached as Exhibit B hereto and (ii) delivery of an Officer’s Certificate complying with the provisions of Sections 9.6, 13.4 and 13.5.

ARTICLE X

GUARANTEE

SECTION 10.1 Guarantee. Subject to the provisions of this Article X, each Guarantor hereby fully, unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees, as primary obligor and not merely as surety, jointly and severally with each other Guarantor, on a second-priority senior secured basis to each Holder of the Notes, and the Trustee and the Notes Collateral Agent the full and punctual payment when due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, by redemption or otherwise, of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes and all other obligations and liabilities of the Company under this Indenture (including without limitation interest accruing after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy, or the commencement of any insolvency, reorganization or like proceeding, relating to the Company or any Guarantor whether or not a claim for post-filing or Post-Petition Interest is allowed in such proceeding and the obligations under Section 7.7) (all the foregoing being hereinafter collectively called the “Guaranteed Obligations”). Each Guarantor agrees that the Guaranteed Obligations will rank equally in right of payment with other Indebtedness of such Guarantor, except to the extent such other Indebtedness is subordinate to the Guaranteed Obligations, in which case the obligations of the Guarantors under the Guarantees will rank senior in right of payment to such other Indebtedness. Each Guarantor agrees that its Guarantee will be secured on a second-priority basis by the Collateral owned by such Guarantor subject to certain Liens permitted under this Indenture and, in respect of certain assets, to the limitation set forth in the definition of “Excluded Assets”.

To evidence its Guarantee set forth in this Section 10.1, each Guarantor hereby agrees that this Indenture shall be executed on behalf of such Guarantor by an Officer of such Guarantor.

 

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Each Guarantor hereby agrees that its Guarantee set forth in this Section 10.1 shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the absence of the endorsement of any notation of such Guarantee on the Notes.

If an Officer whose signature is on this Indenture no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Note, the Guarantee shall be valid nevertheless.

Each Guarantor further agrees (to the extent permitted by law) that the Guaranteed Obligations may be extended or renewed, in whole or in part, without notice or further assent from it, and that it will remain bound under this Article X notwithstanding any extension or renewal of any Guaranteed Obligation.

Each Guarantor waives presentation to, demand of payment from and protest to the issuer of any of the Guaranteed Obligations and also waives notice of protest for nonpayment. Each Guarantor waives notice of any default under the Notes or the Guaranteed Obligations.

Each Guarantor further agrees that its Guarantee herein constitutes a Guarantee of payment when due (and not a Guarantee of collection) and waives any right to require that any resort be had by any Holder to any security held for payment of the Guaranteed Obligations.

Except as set forth in Section 10.2, the obligations of each Guarantor hereunder shall not be subject to any reduction, limitation, impairment or termination for any reason (other than payment of the Guaranteed Obligations in full), including any claim of waiver, release, surrender, alteration or compromise, and shall not be subject to any defense of setoff, counterclaim, recoupment or termination whatsoever or by reason of the invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of the Guaranteed Obligations or otherwise. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Guaranteed Obligations of each Guarantor herein shall not be discharged or impaired or otherwise affected by (a) the failure of any Holder to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any right or remedy against the Company or any other person under this Indenture, the Notes or any other agreement or otherwise; (b) any extension or renewal of any thereof; (c) any rescission, waiver, amendment or modification of any of the terms or provisions of this Indenture, the Notes or any other agreement; (d) the release of any security held by any Holder for the Guaranteed Obligations; (e) the failure of any Holder to exercise any right or remedy against any other Guarantor; (f) any change in the ownership of the Company; (g) any default, failure or delay, willful or otherwise, in the performance of the Guaranteed Obligations, or (h) any other act or thing or omission or delay to do any other act or thing which may or might in any manner or to any extent vary the risk of any Guarantor or would otherwise operate as a discharge of such Guarantor as a matter of law or equity.

Each Guarantor agrees that its Guarantee herein shall remain in full force and effect until payment in full of all the Guaranteed Obligations or such Guarantor is released from its Guarantee in compliance with Section 10.2, Article VIII or Article XII. Each Guarantor further agrees that its Guarantee herein shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment, or any part thereof, of principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on any of the Guaranteed Obligations is rescinded or must otherwise be restored by any Holder upon the bankruptcy or reorganization of the Company or otherwise.

 

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In furtherance of the foregoing and not in limitation of any other right which any Holder has at law or in equity against any Guarantor by virtue hereof, upon the failure of the Company to pay any of the Guaranteed Obligations when and as the same shall become due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, by redemption or otherwise, each Guarantor hereby promises to and will, upon receipt of written demand by the Trustee, forthwith pay, or cause to be paid, in cash, to the Holders or the Trustee on behalf of the Holders an amount equal to the sum of (i) the unpaid amount of such Guaranteed Obligations then due and owing and (ii) accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on such Guaranteed Obligations then due and owing (but only to the extent not prohibited by law) (including interest accruing after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or the commencement of any insolvency, reorganization or like proceeding relating to the Company or any Guarantor whether or not a claim for post-filing or Post-Petition Interest is allowed in such proceeding).

Each Guarantor further agrees that, as between such Guarantor, on the one hand, and the Holders, on the other hand, (x) the maturity of the Guaranteed Obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in this Indenture for the purposes of its Guarantee herein and (y) in the event of any such declaration of acceleration of such Guaranteed Obligations, such Guaranteed Obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantor for the purposes of this Guarantee.

Each Guarantor also agrees to pay any and all fees, costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred by the Trustee, the Notes Collateral Agent or the Holders in enforcing any rights under this Section.

SECTION 10.2 Limitation on Liability; Termination, Release and Discharge.

(a) The Guarantors with respect to the Notes will fully and unconditionally guarantee the payment of all of the principal of, and any premium and interest on, the Notes when due, whether at its Stated Maturity or otherwise. Any term or provision of this Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, the obligations of each Guarantor hereunder will be limited to the maximum amount as will, after giving effect to all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor and after giving effect to any collections from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under its Guarantee or pursuant to its contribution obligations under this Indenture, result in the obligations of such Guarantor under its Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under federal, foreign or state law and not otherwise being void or voidable under any similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally.

(b) Any Guarantee of a Guarantor with respect to the Notes of a series shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged upon:

(1) a sale, exchange, transfer or other disposition (including by way of merger, amalgamation, consolidation or dividend distribution) of the Capital Stock of a Guarantor or the sale, exchange, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Guarantor to a Person other than to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary and as otherwise not prohibited by this Indenture;

 

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(2) the designation in accordance with this Indenture of a Guarantor as an Unrestricted Subsidiary or the occurrence of any event after which the Guarantor is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary;

(3) defeasance or discharge of the Notes pursuant to Article VIII or Article XII;

(4) upon the merger, amalgamation or consolidation of any Guarantor with and into the Company or another Guarantor or upon the liquidation of such Guarantor, in each case, in compliance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture;

(5) upon the Termination Date with respect to the Notes of such series pursuant to Section 3.21;

(6) in connection with any enforcement of rights or remedies with respect to shared collateral in accordance with the terms of the Intercreditor Agreements; and

(7) pursuant to Article IX.

SECTION 10.3 Right of Contribution. Each Guarantor hereby agrees that to the extent that any Guarantor shall have paid more than its proportionate share of any payment made on the obligations under the Guarantees, such Guarantor shall be entitled to seek and receive contribution from and against the Company or any other Guarantor who has not paid its proportionate share of such payment. The provisions of this Section 10.3 shall in no respect limit the obligations and liabilities of each Guarantor to the Trustee and the Holders and each Guarantor shall remain liable to the Trustee and the Holders for the full amount guaranteed by such Guarantor hereunder.

SECTION 10.4 No Subrogation. Notwithstanding any payment or payments made by each Guarantor hereunder, no Guarantor shall be entitled to be subrogated to any of the rights of the Trustee or any Holder against the Company or any other Guarantor or any collateral security or guarantee or right of offset held by the Trustee or any Holder for the payment of the Guaranteed Obligations, nor shall any Guarantor seek or be entitled to seek any contribution or reimbursement from the Company or any other Guarantor in respect of payments made by such Guarantor hereunder, until all amounts owing to the Trustee and the Holders by the Company on account of the Guaranteed Obligations are paid in full. If any amount shall be paid to any Guarantor on account of such subrogation rights at any time when all of the Guaranteed Obligations shall not have been paid in full, such amount shall be held by such Guarantor in trust for the Trustee and the Holders, segregated from other funds of such Guarantor, and shall, forthwith upon receipt by such Guarantor, be turned over to the Trustee in the exact form received by such Guarantor (duly indorsed by such Guarantor to the Trustee, if required), to be applied against the Guaranteed Obligations.

 

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ARTICLE XI

COLLATERAL

SECTION 11.1 Security Documents.

(a) The due and punctual payment of the principal of, premium and interest on the Notes when and as the same shall be due and payable, whether on an Interest Payment Date, at maturity, by acceleration, repurchase, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal of, premium and interest on the Notes and performance of all other obligations of the Company and the Guarantors to the Holders, the Trustee or the Notes Collateral Agent under this Indenture, the Notes, the Guarantees, the Intercreditor Agreements and the Security Documents, according to the terms hereunder or thereunder, shall be secured as provided in the Security Documents, which define the terms of the Liens that secure the obligations, subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreements. The Trustee, the Company and the Guarantors hereby acknowledge and agree that the Notes Collateral Agent holds the Collateral as security for the benefit of the Holders, the Trustee and the Notes Collateral Agent and pursuant to the terms of the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreements. Each Holder, by accepting a Note, consents and agrees to the terms of the Security Documents (including the provisions providing for the possession, use, release and foreclosure of Collateral) and the Intercreditor Agreements as the same may be in effect or may be amended from time to time in accordance with their terms and this Indenture and the Intercreditor Agreements, and authorizes and directs the Notes Collateral Agent to enter into the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreements. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing herein shall require the Trustee or the Notes Collateral Agent to file financing statements or continuation statements, or be responsible for maintaining the security interests purported to be created as described herein (except for the safe custody of any Collateral in its possession and the accounting for moneys actually received by it hereunder or under any other Security Documents) and such responsibility shall be solely that of the Company.

(b) The Company shall deliver to the Notes Collateral Agent copies of all documents required to be filed pursuant to the Security Documents, and will do or cause to be done all such acts and things as may be reasonably required by the next sentence of this Section 11.1(b), to assure and confirm to the Notes Collateral Agent the security interest in the Collateral contemplated hereby, by the Security Documents or any part thereof, as from time to time constituted, so as to render the same available for the security and benefit of this Indenture and of the Notes secured hereby, according to the intent and purposes herein expressed. The Company shall, and shall cause the Restricted Subsidiaries to, take any and all actions and make all filings (including the filing of UCC financing statements, continuation statements and amendments thereto) required to cause the Security Documents to create and maintain, as security for the obligations of the Company and the Guarantors to the secured parties under this Indenture, the Notes, the Guarantees, the Intercreditor Agreements and the Security Documents, a valid and enforceable perfected Lien and security interest in and on all of the Collateral (subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreements and the Security Documents), in favor of the Notes Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Holders and the Trustee subject to no Liens other than Permitted Liens.

 

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(c) Subject to the applicable limitations and exceptions set forth in the Security Documents, the Intercreditor Agreements and this Indenture (including with respect to Excluded Assets) from and after the Issue Date, and subject to certain limitations and exceptions, if the Company or any Guarantor creates any additional security interest upon any property or asset that would constitute Collateral to secure any First Lien Obligations, it must substantially concurrently grant a second-priority perfected security interest (subject to Permitted Liens) upon such property or asset in favor of the Notes Collateral Agent, as security for the Notes and the Additional Second Lien Obligations (if any) unless such lien is declined by the Notes Collateral Agent.

(d) Notwithstanding anything in this Indenture or any Security Document to the contrary, (i) Liens required to be granted from time to time pursuant to this Indenture shall be subject to exceptions and limitations set forth in the Security Documents, (ii) control agreements shall not be required with respect to any deposit accounts, securities accounts or commodities accounts; and (iii) no actions in any non-U.S., non-Canadian or non-Belgian jurisdiction or required by the laws of any non-U.S., non-Canadian or non-Belgian jurisdiction shall be required to be taken to create any security interests in assets located or titled outside of the U.S., Canada or Belgium or to perfect or make enforceable any security interests in any such assets (it being understood that there shall be no Security Document (or other security agreements or pledge agreements) governed under the laws of any non-U.S., non-Canadian or non-Belgian jurisdiction);

SECTION 11.2 Release of Collateral.

(a) Collateral may be released from the Lien and security interest created by the Security Documents at any time and from time to time in accordance with the provisions of the Security Documents, the Intercreditor Agreements and this Indenture. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Security Documents, the Intercreditor Agreements and this Indenture, the assets constituting Collateral will be automatically released from the Liens securing the Notes of a series under any one or more of the following circumstances:

(1) pursuant to the terms and conditions of the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement, if in connection with (i) the enforcement or exercise of any rights or remedies with respect to the shared collateral, including any sale, transfer or other disposition of Collateral by any Senior Secured Party upon an Event of Default (as defined in the Senior Debt Documents), including in an insolvency or liquidation proceeding, or (ii) any sale, transfer or other disposition of any shared collateral by any Grantor (other than in connection with any enforcement or exercise of rights or remedies with respect to the shared collateral which shall be governed by clause (i)) permitted under the terms of the Senior Debt Documents and under this Indenture, the Designated Senior Representative (as defined in the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement), for itself and on behalf of the other Senior Secured Parties releases any of the liens under the Senior Collateral Documents on the shared collateral;

 

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(2) to enable the Company or a Guarantor to consummate the sale, transfer or other disposition of any property or assets to a Person that is not the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to the extent not prohibited under Section 3.5;

(3) in the case of a Guarantor that is released from its Guarantee with respect to the Notes of such series pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, the release of the assets of such Guarantor;

(4) with respect to Collateral that is Capital Stock, upon the dissolution or liquidation of the issuer of that Capital Stock that is not prohibited by this Indenture;

(5) with respect to any Collateral that becomes an “Excluded Asset,” upon it becoming an Excluded Asset;

(6) upon the Termination Date with respect to the Notes of such series pursuant to Section 3.21;

(7) as described under Article 9.

(b) The Liens on the Collateral securing the Notes of a series and the Guarantees also will be terminated and released:

(1) upon payment in full of the principal of, together with accrued and unpaid interest on, the Notes of such series and all other Obligations under this Indenture, the Guarantees and the Security Documents that are due and payable at or prior to the time such principal, together with accrued and unpaid interest, is paid;

(2) upon a Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance under this Indenture as described under Section 8.2 or 8.3 or a discharge of this Indenture as described under Article XII; or

(3) pursuant to the Intercreditor Agreements.

(c) With respect to any release of Collateral, upon receipt of an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel each stating that all conditions precedent under this Indenture and the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreements, as applicable, to such release have been met and that it is permitted for the Trustee or Notes Collateral Agent to execute and deliver the documents requested by the Company in connection with such release and any necessary or proper instruments of termination, satisfaction or release prepared by the Company, the Trustee and the Notes Collateral Agent shall, without recourse, representation or warranty, execute, deliver or acknowledge (at the Company’s expense) such instruments or releases to evidence the release of any Collateral permitted to be released pursuant to this Indenture or the Security Documents or the Intercreditor Agreements. Neither the Trustee nor the Notes Collateral Agent shall be liable for any such release undertaken in reliance upon any such Officer’s Certificate or Opinion of Counsel, and notwithstanding any term hereof or in any Security Document or in the Intercreditor Agreements to the contrary, the Trustee and the Notes Collateral Agent shall not be under any obligation to release any such Lien and security interest, or execute and deliver any such instrument of release, satisfaction or termination, unless and until it receives such Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel.

 

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SECTION 11.3 Suits to Protect the Collateral.

(a) Subject to the provisions of Article VII, the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreements, the Trustee may or may direct the Notes Collateral Agent to take all actions it determines in order to:

(1) enforce any of the terms of the Security Documents; and

(2) collect and receive any and all amounts payable in respect of the obligations hereunder.

(b) Subject to the provisions of the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreements, the Trustee and the Notes Collateral Agent shall have the power to institute and to maintain such suits and proceedings as the Trustee or the Notes Collateral Agent may determine to prevent any impairment of the Collateral by any acts which may be unlawful or in violation of any of the Security Documents or this Indenture, and such suits and proceedings as the Trustee or the Notes Collateral Agent may determine to preserve or protect its interests and the interests of the Holders in the Collateral. Nothing in this Section 11.3 shall be considered to impose any such duty or obligation to act on the part of the Trustee or the Notes Collateral Agent.

SECTION 11.4 Authorization of Receipt of Funds by the Trustee Under the Security Documents.

(a) Subject to the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement, the Trustee is authorized to receive any funds for the benefit of the Holders distributed under the Security Documents, and to make further distributions of such funds to the Holders according to the provisions of this Indenture.

SECTION 11.5 Purchaser Protected.

(a) In no event shall any purchaser in good faith of any property purported to be released hereunder be bound to ascertain the authority of the Notes Collateral Agent or the Trustee to execute the release or to inquire as to the satisfaction of any conditions required by the provisions hereof for the exercise of such authority or to see to the application of any consideration given by such purchaser or other transferee; nor shall any purchaser or other transferee of any property or rights permitted by this Article XI to be sold be under any obligation to ascertain or inquire into the authority of the Company or the applicable Guarantor to make any such sale or other transfer.

SECTION 11.6 Powers Exercisable by Receiver or Trustee.

(a) In case the Collateral shall be in the possession of a receiver or trustee, lawfully appointed, the powers conferred in this Article XI upon the Company or a Guarantor with respect to the release, sale or other disposition of such property may be exercised by such receiver or trustee, and an instrument signed by such receiver or trustee shall be deemed the equivalent of any similar instrument of the Company or a Guarantor or of any Officer or Officers thereof required by the provisions of this Article XI; and if the Trustee or the Notes Collateral Agent shall be in the possession of the Collateral under any provision of this Indenture, then such powers may be exercised by the Trustee or the Notes Collateral Agent.

 

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SECTION 11.7 Notes Collateral Agent.

(a) The Company, the Guarantors and each of the Holders by acceptance of the Notes hereby designate and appoint the Notes Collateral Agent as its agent under this Indenture, the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreements and the Company and each of the Holders by acceptance of the Notes hereby irrevocably authorize the Notes Collateral Agent to take such action on its behalf under the provisions of this Indenture, the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreements and to exercise such powers and perform such duties as are expressly delegated to the Notes Collateral Agent by the terms of this Indenture, the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreements, and consents and agrees to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreements and each Security Document, as the same may be in effect or may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with their respective terms. The Notes Collateral Agent agrees to act as such on the express conditions contained in this Section 11.7. Each Holder agrees that any action taken by the Notes Collateral Agent in accordance with the provision of this Indenture, the Intercreditor Agreements and the Security Documents, and the exercise by the Notes Collateral Agent of any rights or remedies set forth herein and therein shall be authorized and binding upon all Holders. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained elsewhere in this Indenture, the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreements, the duties of the Notes Collateral Agent shall be ministerial and administrative in nature, and the Notes Collateral Agent shall not have any duties or responsibilities, except those expressly set forth herein and in the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreements to which the Notes Collateral Agent is a party, nor shall the Notes Collateral Agent have or be deemed to have any trust or other fiduciary relationship with the Trustee, any Holder or any Grantor, and no implied covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties, obligations or liabilities shall be read into this Indenture, the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreements or otherwise exist against the Notes Collateral Agent. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing sentence, the use of the term “agent” in this Indenture with reference to the Notes Collateral Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any applicable law. Instead, such term is used merely as a matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between independent contracting parties.

(b) The Notes Collateral Agent may perform any of its duties under this Indenture, the Security Documents or the Intercreditor Agreements by or through receivers, agents, employees, attorneys-in-fact or with respect to any specified Person, such Person’s Affiliates, and the respective officers, directors, employees, agents, advisors and attorneys-in-fact of such Person and its Affiliates (a “Related Person”), and shall be entitled to advice of counsel concerning all matters pertaining to such duties, and shall be entitled to act upon, and shall not be liable and shall be fully protected in taking action in reliance upon any advice or opinion given by legal counsel. The Notes Collateral Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any receiver, agent, employee, attorney-in-fact or Related Person that it selects as long as such selection was made in good faith and with due care.

 

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(c) None of the Notes Collateral Agent or any of its respective Related Persons shall be (i) liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by any of them under or in connection with this Indenture or the transactions contemplated hereby (except for its own gross negligence or willful misconduct) or under or in connection with any Security Document or the Intercreditor Agreements or the transactions contemplated thereby (except for its own gross negligence or willful misconduct), or (ii) be responsible in any manner to any of the Trustee or any Holder for any recital, statement, representation, warranty, covenant or agreement made by the Company or any other Grantor or Affiliate of any Grantor, or any Officer or Related Person thereof, contained in this Indenture, the Security Documents or the Intercreditor Agreements, or in any certificate, report, statement or other document referred to or provided for in, or received by the Notes Collateral Agent under or in connection with, this Indenture, the Security Documents or the Intercreditor Agreements, or the validity, effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability or sufficiency of this Indenture, the Security Documents or the Intercreditor Agreement, or for any failure of any Grantor or any other party to this Indenture, the Security Documents or the Intercreditor Agreement to perform its obligations hereunder or thereunder. None of the Notes Collateral Agent or any of its respective Related Persons shall be under any obligation to the Trustee or any Holder to ascertain or to inquire as to the observance or performance of any of the agreements contained in, or conditions of, this Indenture, the Security Documents or the Intercreditor Agreements or to inspect the properties, books, or records of any Grantor or any Grantor’s Affiliates.

(d) The Notes Collateral Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in relying, upon any writing, resolution, notice, consent, certificate, affidavit, letter, facsimile, certification, telephone message, statement, or other communication, document or conversation (including those by telephone or e-mail) believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been signed, sent, or made by the proper Person or Persons, and upon advice and statements of legal counsel (including, without limitation, counsel to the Company or any other Grantor), independent accountants and other experts and advisors selected by the Notes Collateral Agent. The Notes Collateral Agent shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, or other paper or document. The Notes Collateral Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing to take any action under this Indenture, the Security Documents or the Intercreditor Agreements unless it shall first receive such advice or concurrence of the Trustee or the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes as it determines and, if it so requests, it shall first be indemnified to its satisfaction by the Holders against any and all liability and expense which may be incurred by it by reason of taking or continuing to take any such action. The Notes Collateral Agent shall in all cases be fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting, under this Indenture, the Security Documents or the Intercreditor Agreements in accordance with a request, direction, instruction or consent of the Trustee or the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes and such request and any action taken or failure to act pursuant thereto shall be binding upon all of the Holders.

(e) The Notes Collateral Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default, unless a Responsible Officer of the Notes Collateral Agent shall have received written notice from the Trustee or the Company referring to this Indenture, describing such Default or Event of Default and stating that such notice is a “notice of default.” The Notes Collateral Agent shall take such action with respect to such Default or Event of Default as may be requested by the Trustee in accordance with Article VI or the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes (subject to this Section 11.7 and the Security Documents).

 

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(f) The Notes Collateral Agent may resign at any time by notice to the Trustee and the Company, such resignation to be effective upon the acceptance of a successor agent to its appointment as Notes Collateral Agent. If the Notes Collateral Agent resigns under this Indenture, the Company shall appoint a successor collateral agent. If no successor collateral agent is appointed prior to the intended effective date of the resignation of the Notes Collateral Agent (as stated in the notice of resignation), the Holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes of such series then outstanding, may appoint a successor collateral agent, subject to the consent of the Company (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld and which shall not be required during a continuing Event of Default). If no successor collateral agent is appointed and consented to by the Company pursuant to the preceding sentence within 30 days after the intended effective date of resignation (as stated in the notice of resignation) the Notes Collateral Agent shall be entitled to petition a court of competent jurisdiction to appoint a successor, at the Company’s expense. Upon the acceptance of its appointment as successor collateral agent hereunder, such successor collateral agent shall succeed to all the rights, powers and duties of the retiring Notes Collateral Agent, and the term “Notes Collateral Agent” shall mean such successor collateral agent, and the retiring Notes Collateral Agent’s appointment, powers and duties as the Notes Collateral Agent shall be terminated. After the retiring Notes Collateral Agent’s resignation or removal hereunder, the provisions of this Section 11.7 (and Section 7.7) shall continue to inure to its benefit and the retiring or removed Notes Collateral Agent shall not by reason of such resignation or removal be deemed to be released from liability as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was the Notes Collateral Agent under this Indenture. If the Notes Collateral Agent consolidates, merges, sells, converts into or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to another corporation, such successor corporation without any further act shall be the successor Notes Collateral Agent.

(g) U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association shall initially act as Notes Collateral Agent and shall be authorized to appoint co-Notes Collateral Agents as necessary in its sole discretion. Except as otherwise explicitly provided herein or in the Security Documents or the Intercreditor Agreements, neither the Notes Collateral Agent nor any of its respective officers, directors, employees or agents or other Related Persons shall be liable for failure to demand, collect or realize upon any of the Collateral or for any delay in doing so or shall be under any obligation to sell or otherwise dispose of any Collateral upon the request of any other Person or to take any other action whatsoever with regard to the Collateral or any part thereof. The Notes Collateral Agent shall be accountable only for amounts that it actually receives as a result of the exercise of such powers, and neither the Notes Collateral Agent nor any of its officers, directors, employees or agents shall be responsible for any act or failure to act hereunder, except for its own gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a final order of a court of competent jurisdiction.

(h) The Notes Collateral Agent is authorized and directed to (i) enter into the Security Documents to which it is party, whether executed on or after the Issue Date, (ii) enter into the Intercreditor Agreements, whether executed on or after the Issue Date, (iii) make the representations of the Holders set forth in the Security Documents and Intercreditor Agreements, (iv) bind the Holders on the terms as set forth in the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreements and (v) perform and observe its obligations under the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreements.

 

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(i) If at any time or times the Trustee shall receive (i) by payment, foreclosure, set-off or otherwise, any proceeds of Collateral or any payments with respect to the obligations arising under, or relating to, this Indenture, except for any such proceeds or payments received by the Trustee from the Notes Collateral Agent pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, or (ii) payments from the Notes Collateral Agent in excess of the amount required to be paid to the Trustee pursuant to Article VI, the Trustee shall promptly turn the same over to the Notes Collateral Agent, in kind, and with such endorsements as may be required to negotiate the same to the Notes Collateral Agent such proceeds to be applied by the Notes Collateral Agent pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreements.

(j) The Notes Collateral Agent is each Holder’s agent for the purpose of perfecting the Holders’ security interest in assets which, in accordance with Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code can be perfected only by possession. Should the Trustee obtain possession of any such Collateral, upon request from the Company, the Trustee shall notify the Notes Collateral Agent thereof and promptly shall deliver such Collateral to the Notes Collateral Agent or otherwise deal with such Collateral in accordance with the Notes Collateral Agent’s instructions.

(k) Neither the Trustee nor the Notes Collateral Agent shall have any obligation whatsoever to the Trustee (in the case of the Notes Collateral Agent) or any of the Holders to assure that the Collateral exists or is owned by any Grantor or is cared for, protected, or insured or has been encumbered, or that the Notes Collateral Agent’s Liens have been properly or sufficiently or lawfully created, perfected, protected, maintained or enforced or are entitled to any particular priority, or to determine whether all of the Grantor’s property constituting collateral intended to be subject to the Lien and security interest of the Security Documents has been properly and completely listed or delivered, as the case may be, or the value, genuineness, ownership, validity, marketability or sufficiency thereof or title thereto, or to exercise at all or in any particular manner or under any duty of care, disclosure, or fidelity, or to continue exercising, any of the rights, authorities, and powers granted or available to the Notes Collateral Agent pursuant to this Indenture, any Security Document or the Intercreditor Agreement other than pursuant to the instructions of the Trustee or the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes or as otherwise provided in the Security Documents.

(l) If the Company or any Guarantor (i) incurs any obligations in respect of First Lien Obligations at any time when no intercreditor agreement is in effect or at any time when Indebtedness constituting First Lien Obligations entitled to the benefit of an existing First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement is concurrently retired, and (ii) delivers to the Notes Collateral Agent an Officer’s Certificate so stating and requesting the Notes Collateral Agent to enter into an intercreditor agreement (on substantially the same terms as the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement) in favor of a designated agent or representative for the holders of the First Lien Obligations so incurred, together with an Opinion of Counsel, the Notes Collateral Agent shall (and is hereby authorized and directed to) enter into such intercreditor agreement (at

 

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the sole expense and cost of the Company, including legal fees and expenses of the Notes Collateral Agent), bind the Holders on the terms set forth therein and perform and observe its obligations thereunder; provided that neither an Officer’s Certificate nor an Opinion of Counsel shall be required in connection with the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement to be entered into by the Notes Collateral Agent on the Issue Date.

(m) No provision of this Indenture, the Intercreditor Agreements or any Security Document shall require the Notes Collateral Agent (or the Trustee) to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or thereunder or to take or omit to take any action hereunder or thereunder or take any action at the request or direction of Holders (or the Trustee in the case of the Notes Collateral Agent) if it shall not have received indemnity satisfactory to the Notes Collateral Agent and the Trustee against potential costs and liabilities incurred by the Notes Collateral Agent relating thereto. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Indenture, the Intercreditor Agreements or the Security Documents, in the event the Notes Collateral Agent is entitled or required to commence an action to foreclose or otherwise exercise its remedies to acquire control or possession of the Collateral, the Notes Collateral Agent shall not be required to commence any such action or exercise any remedy or to inspect or conduct any studies of any property or take any such other action if the Notes Collateral Agent has determined that the Notes Collateral Agent may incur personal liability as a result of the presence at, or release on or from, the Collateral or such property, of any hazardous substances. The Notes Collateral Agent shall at any time be entitled to cease taking any action described in this clause if it no longer reasonably deems any indemnity, security or undertaking from the Company or the Holders to be sufficient.

(n) The Notes Collateral Agent shall (i) not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in connection with this Indenture, the Intercreditor Agreements and the Security Documents or instrument referred to herein or therein, except to the extent that any of the foregoing are found by a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction to have resulted from its own gross negligence or willful misconduct, (ii) shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Notes Collateral Agent may agree in writing with the Company (and money held in trust by the Notes Collateral Agent need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law) and (iii) may consult with counsel of its selection and the advice or opinion of such counsel as to matters of law shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, omitted or suffered by it in good faith and in accordance with the advice or opinion of such counsel. The grant of permissive rights or powers to the Notes Collateral Agent shall not be construed to impose duties to act.

(o) Neither the Notes Collateral Agent nor the Trustee shall be liable for delays or failures in performance resulting from acts beyond its control. Such acts shall include but not be limited to acts of God, strikes, lockouts, riots, acts of war, epidemics, governmental regulations superimposed after the fact, fire, communication line failures, computer viruses, power failures, earthquakes or other disasters. Neither the Notes Collateral Agent nor the Trustee shall be liable for any indirect, special, punitive, incidental or consequential damages (including, but not limited to, lost profits) whatsoever, even if it has been informed of the likelihood thereof and regardless of the form of action.

 

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(p) The Notes Collateral Agent does not assume any responsibility for any failure or delay in performance or any breach by the Company or any other Grantor under this Indenture, the Intercreditor Agreements and the Security Documents. The Notes Collateral Agent shall not be responsible to the Holders or any other Person for any recitals, statements, information, representations or warranties contained in this Indenture, the Security Documents, the Intercreditor Agreements or in any certificate, report, statement, or other document referred to or provided for in, or received by the Notes Collateral Agent under or in connection with, this Indenture, the Intercreditor Agreements or any Security Document; the execution, validity, genuineness, effectiveness or enforceability of the Intercreditor Agreements and any Security Documents of any other party thereto; the genuineness, enforceability, collectability, value, sufficiency, location or existence of any Collateral, or the validity, effectiveness, enforceability, sufficiency, extent, perfection or priority of any Lien therein; the validity, enforceability or collectability of any obligations; the assets, liabilities, financial condition, results of operations, business, creditworthiness or legal status of any obligor; or for any failure of any obligor to perform its obligations under this Indenture, the Intercreditor Agreements and the Security Documents. The Notes Collateral Agent shall have no obligation to any Holder or any other Person to ascertain or inquire into the existence of any Default or Event of Default, the observance or performance by any obligor of any terms of this Indenture, the Intercreditor Agreements and the Security Documents, or the satisfaction of any conditions precedent contained in this Indenture, the Intercreditor Agreements and any Security Documents. The Notes Collateral Agent shall not be required to initiate or conduct any litigation or collection or other proceeding under this Indenture, the Intercreditor Agreements and the Security Documents unless expressly set forth hereunder or thereunder. The Notes Collateral Agent shall have the right at any time to seek instructions from the Trustee or Holders with respect to the administration of this Indenture, the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreements.

(q) The parties hereto and the Holders hereby agree and acknowledge that neither the Notes Collateral Agent nor the Trustee shall assume, be responsible for or otherwise be obligated for any liabilities, claims, causes of action, suits, losses, allegations, requests, demands, penalties, fines, settlements, damages (including foreseeable and unforeseeable), judgments, expenses and costs (including but not limited to, any remediation, corrective action, response, removal or remedial action, or investigation, operations and maintenance or monitoring costs, for personal injury or property damages, real or personal) of any kind whatsoever, pursuant to any environmental law as a result of this Indenture, the Intercreditor Agreements, the Security Documents or any actions taken pursuant hereto or thereto. Further, the parties hereto and the Holders hereby agree and acknowledge that in the exercise of its rights under this Indenture, the Intercreditor Agreements and the Security Documents, the Notes Collateral Agent or the Trustee may hold or obtain indicia of ownership primarily to protect the security interest of the Notes Collateral Agent or the Trustee in the Collateral and that any such actions taken by the Notes Collateral Agent or the Trustee shall not be construed as or otherwise constitute any participation in the management of such Collateral. In the event that the Notes Collateral Agent or the Trustee is required to acquire title to an asset for any reason, or take any managerial action of any kind in regard thereto, in order to carry out any fiduciary or trust obligation for the benefit of another, which in the Notes Collateral Agent or the Trustee’s sole discretion may cause the Notes Collateral Agent or the Trustee to be considered an “owner or operator” under the provisions of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (“CERCLA”), 42 U.S.C. §9601, et seq., or otherwise cause the Notes Collateral Agent or the

 

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Trustee to incur liability under CERCLA or any other federal, state or local law, the Notes Collateral Agent and the Trustee reserve the right, instead of taking such action, to either resign as the Notes Collateral Agent or the Trustee or arrange for the transfer of the title or control of the asset to a court-appointed receiver. Neither the Notes Collateral Agent nor the Trustee shall be liable to the Company, the Guarantors or any other Person for any environmental claims or contribution actions under any federal, state or local law, rule or regulation by reason of the Notes Collateral Agent or the Trustee’s actions and conduct as authorized, empowered and directed hereunder or relating to the discharge, release or threatened release of hazardous materials into the environment. If at any time it is necessary or advisable for property to be possessed, owned, operated or managed by any Person (including the Notes Collateral Agent or the Trustee) other than the Company or the Guarantors, a majority in interest of Holders shall direct the Notes Collateral Agent or the Trustee to appoint an appropriately qualified Person (excluding the Notes Collateral Agent or the Trustee) who they shall designate to possess, own, operate or manage, as the case may be, the property.

(r) Upon the receipt by the Notes Collateral Agent of a written request of the Company signed by an Officer (a “Security Document Order”), the Notes Collateral Agent is hereby authorized to execute and enter into, and shall execute and enter into, without the further consent of any Holder or the Trustee, any Security Document to be executed after the Issue Date. Such Security Document Order shall (i) state that it is being delivered to the Notes Collateral Agent pursuant to, and is a Security Document Order referred to in, this Section 11.7(r), and (ii) instruct the Notes Collateral Agent to execute and enter into such Security Document. Any such execution of a Security Document shall be at the direction and expense of the Company, upon delivery to the Notes Collateral Agent of an Officer’s Certificate and Opinion of Counsel stating that all conditions precedent to the execution and delivery of the Security Document have been satisfied; provided, that in no event shall the Notes Collateral Agent be required to enter into a Security Document that adversely affects it. The Holders, by their acceptance of the Notes, hereby authorize and direct the Notes Collateral Agent to execute such Security Documents.

(s) Upon the written request of the Company and delivery of an Officer’s Certificate to the Notes Collateral Agent certifying that a particular asset constitutes an Excluded Asset, attaching a form of certification, the Notes Collateral Agent will provide such certification to the Company (which may be provided by the Company to a third party) certifying that such Excluded Asset is not subject to the Lien under the Security Documents.

(t) Subject to the provisions of the applicable Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreements, each Holder, by acceptance of the Notes of a series, agrees that the Notes Collateral Agent shall execute and deliver the Intercreditor Agreements and the Security Documents to which it is a party and all agreements, documents and instruments incidental thereto, and act in accordance with the terms thereof. For the avoidance of doubt, the Notes Collateral Agent shall have no discretion under this Indenture, the Intercreditor Agreements or the Security Documents and shall not be required to make or give any determination, consent, approval, request or direction without the written direction of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes or the Trustee or as otherwise provided in the Security Documents, as applicable.

 

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(u) After the occurrence and continuance of an Event of Default and subject to the terms of the Security Documents, the Trustee, acting at the direction of the Holders of a majority of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes of a series then outstanding, may direct the Notes Collateral Agent in connection with any action required or permitted by this Indenture, the Security Documents or the Intercreditor Agreement.

(v) The Notes Collateral Agent is authorized to receive any funds for the benefit of itself, the Trustee and the Holders distributed under the Security Documents or the Intercreditor Agreement and to the extent not prohibited under the Intercreditor Agreements, and subject to the terms of the Security Documents, for turnover to the Trustee to make further distributions of such funds to itself, the Trustee and the Holders in accordance with the provisions of Section 6.10 and the other provisions of this Indenture.

(w) In each case that the Notes Collateral Agent may or is required hereunder or under any Security Document or any Intercreditor Agreement to take any action (an “Action”), including without limitation to make any determination, to give consents, to exercise rights, powers or remedies, to release or sell Collateral or otherwise to act hereunder or under any Security Document or any Intercreditor Agreement, the Notes Collateral Agent may seek direction from the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes or other required secured parties pursuant to the Security Documents. The Notes Collateral Agent shall not be liable with respect to any Action taken or omitted to be taken by it in accordance with the direction from the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes or other required secured parties pursuant to the Security Documents. If the Notes Collateral Agent shall request direction from the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes or other required secured parties pursuant to the Security Documents with respect to any Action, the Notes Collateral Agent shall be entitled to refrain from such Action unless and until the Notes Collateral Agent shall have received direction from the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes, and the Notes Collateral Agent shall not incur liability to any Person by reason of so refraining.

(x) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Indenture or in any Security Document or any Intercreditor Agreement, in no event shall the Notes Collateral Agent or the Trustee be responsible for, or have any duty or obligation with respect to, the recording, filing, registering, perfection, protection or maintenance of the security interests or Liens intended to be created by this Indenture, the Security Documents or the Intercreditor Agreements (including without limitation the filing or continuation of any UCC financing or continuation statements or similar documents or instruments), nor shall the Notes Collateral Agent or the Trustee be responsible for, and neither the Notes Collateral Agent nor the Trustee makes any representation regarding, the validity, effectiveness or priority of any of the Security Documents or the security interests or Liens intended to be created thereby.

(y) Before the Notes Collateral Agent acts or refrains from acting in each case at the request or direction of the Company or the Guarantors, it may require an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, which shall conform to the provisions of this Section 11.7. The Notes Collateral Agent shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such certificate or opinion.

 

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(z) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Notes Collateral Agent shall act pursuant to the instructions of the Holders and the Trustee or other required secured parties pursuant to the Security Documents, solely with respect to the Security Documents and the Collateral.

(aa) The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to compensation and to be indemnified pursuant to Section 7.7, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Notes Collateral Agent as if the Notes Collateral Agent were named as the Trustee herein and the Security Documents and the Intercreditor Agreements were named as this Indenture herein. For the avoidance of doubt, the rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Notes Collateral Agent hereunder, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified prior to taking action, shall survive the satisfaction, discharge or termination of this Indenture or its earlier termination, resignation or removal of the Notes Collateral Agent, in such capacity.

(bb) The Company and the Guarantors shall furnish to the Trustee and the Notes Collateral Agent, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year ending after the Issue Date, an Officer’s Certificate (which may be the same certificate required to be delivered by the Company pursuant to Section 3.16) either (i) (x) stating that such action has been taken with respect to the recording, filing, re-recording, and refiling of this Indenture or the Security Documents, as applicable, as are necessary to maintain the perfected Liens of the applicable Security Documents securing the obligations under applicable law to the extent required by the Security Documents other than any action as described therein to be taken, and (y) stating that on the date of such Officer’s Certificate, all UCC financing statements, financing statement amendments and continuation statements have been or will be executed and filed that are necessary, as of such date or promptly thereafter and during the succeeding 12 months, fully to maintain the perfection (to the extent required by the Security Documents) of the security interests of the Notes Collateral Agent securing the obligations thereunder and under the Security Documents with respect to the Collateral; provided that if there is a required filing of a continuation statement or other instrument within such 12-month period and such continuation statement or amendment is not effective if filed at the time of the Officer’s Certificate, such Officer’s Certificate may so state and in that case the Company and the Guarantors shall cause a continuation statement or amendment to be timely filed so as to maintain such Liens and security interests securing Obligations or (ii) stating that no such action is necessary to maintain such Liens or security interests.

(cc) The Notes Collateral Agent shall exercise reasonable care in the custody of any Collateral in its possession or control or any income thereon. The Notes Collateral Agent shall be deemed to have exercised reasonable care in the custody of Collateral in its possession if the Collateral is accorded treatment substantially equal to that which it accords similar property held for its own benefit and shall not be liable or responsible for any loss or diminution in value of any of the Collateral, including, without limitation, by reason of the act or omission of any carrier, forwarding agency or other agent or bailee selected by the Notes Collateral Agent in good faith. The Notes Collateral Agent shall be permitted to use overnight carriers to transmit possessory collateral and shall not be liable for any items lost or damaged in transit.

 

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(dd) Neither the Notes Collateral Agent nor the Trustee shall have any responsibility or liability for the actions or omissions of the ABL Collateral Agent or any other “Controlling Collateral Agent” under the Intercreditor Agreements, as applicable, nor shall the Trustee or Notes Collateral Agent be obligated at any time to indemnify any person in connection with the exercise of any remedy under the Security Documents.

ARTICLE XII

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

SECTION 12.1 Satisfaction and Discharge. This Indenture with respect to the Notes of a series will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect as to all Notes of such series issued hereunder, when:

(a) either:

(1) all Notes of such series that have been authenticated and delivered (except lost, stolen or destroyed Notes of such series and Notes of such series for which provision for payment was previously made and thereafter the funds have been released to the Company) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

(2) all Notes of such series not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation (i) have become due and payable, (ii) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year or (iii) are to be called for redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense of, the Company;

(b) the Company has deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee, money in U.S. dollars, U.S. Government Obligations, or a combination thereof, as applicable, in such amounts as will be sufficient to pay and discharge the entire Indebtedness on such Notes of such series not previously delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal, premium, if any, and interest to the date of deposit (in the case of Notes of such series that have become due and payable), or to the Stated Maturity or redemption date, as the case may be; provided that upon any redemption that requires the payment of the Applicable Premium, the amount deposited shall be sufficient for purposes of this Indenture to the extent that an amount is deposited with the Trustee equal to the Applicable Premium calculated as of the date of the notice of redemption, as calculated by the Company or on behalf of the Company by such Person as the Company shall designate, with any Applicable Premium Deficit only required to be deposited with the Trustee on or prior to the redemption date, and any Applicable Premium Deficit shall be set forth in an Officer’s Certificate delivered to the Trustee substantially concurrently with the deposit of such Applicable Premium Deficit that confirms that such Applicable Premium Deficit shall be applied toward such redemption;

(c) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable by the Company under this Indenture; and

 

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(d) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent to satisfaction and discharge have been satisfied; provided that any such counsel may rely on any Officer’s Certificate as to matters of fact (including as to compliance with clauses (a), (b) and (c) in this Section 12.1).

Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, if money has been deposited with the Registrar pursuant to clause (b) of this Section 12.1, the provisions of Sections 12.2 and 8.6 hereof will survive.

SECTION 12.2 Application of Trust Money. Subject to the provisions of Section 8.6 hereof, all money deposited with the Trustee or the Paying Agent pursuant to Section 12.1 hereof shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium) and interest, if any, for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee or the Paying Agent; but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

If the Trustee or the Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Section 12.1 hereof by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or Governmental Authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Company’s and any Guarantor’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 12.1 hereof; provided that if the Company has made any payment of principal of, or premium or interest on, any Notes because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money or U.S. Government Obligations held by the Trustee or the Paying Agent.

ARTICLE XIII

MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 13.1 [Reserved].

SECTION 13.2 Notices. Any notice, request, direction, consent or communication made pursuant to the provisions of this Indenture or the Notes shall be in writing and delivered in person, delivered by commercial courier service, sent by facsimile, electronic mail or mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

 

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if to the Company or to any Guarantor:

[Date]

Whirlpool Corporation

2000 North M-63

Benton Harbor, Michigan 49022-2692

Attention: Treasurer

with a copy to:

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

333 West Wolf Point Plaza

Chicago, IL 60654

Attention: Michael P. Keeley, P.C.

Facsimile: (312) 862-2200

if to the Trustee or the Notes Collateral Agent, at its corporate trust office, which corporate trust office for purposes of this Indenture is at the date hereof located at:

U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association

60 Livingston Avenue

EP-MN-S3MC

St. Paul, MN 55107-2292

Attn: Global Corporate Trust Services, Quinn DePompolo

The Company or the Trustee or the Notes Collateral Agent by written notice to the other may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

All notices or other communications required or permitted to be given by the Company to any Paying Agent or Registrar under this Indenture shall be in the English language or, if not in English and if so required by the Paying Agent or Registrar, be accompanied by a certified English translation.

All notices to Holders of Notes shall be validly given if electronically delivered or mailed to the Holders at their respective addresses in the Notes Register and shall be sufficiently given if so sent within the time prescribed. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any Note, for so long as any Notes are represented by Global Notes and where this Indenture or any Note provides for notice of any event (including any notice of redemption or purchase) to Holders of Notes (whether by mail or otherwise), such notice shall be sufficiently given if given to DTC (or its designee), pursuant to the standing instructions from DTC or its designee, which will give such notices to the Holders of book-entry interests.

Any notice or communication to the Company, the Guarantors or Holders of Notes shall be deemed to have been given on the date of such publication or, if published more than once on different dates, on the first date on which publication is made; provided that, if notices are mailed, such notice shall be deemed to have been given on the earlier of such publication and the fifth day after being so mailed. Any notice or communication mailed to a Holder shall be mailed to such Person by first-class mail or other equivalent means and shall be sufficiently given to such Holder if so mailed within the time prescribed.

 

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Failure to electronically deliver or mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders. If a notice or communication is electronically delivered or mailed in the manner provided above, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it, except that notices to the Trustee shall be effective only upon receipt.

The Trustee may accept electronic transmission; provided that the Trustee shall not have any duty or obligation to verify or confirm that the Person sending instructions, directions, reports, notices or other communications or information by electronic transmission is, in fact, a Person authorized to give such instructions, directions, reports, notices or other communications or information on behalf of the party purporting to send such electronic transmission; and the Trustee shall not have any liability for any losses, liabilities, costs or expenses incurred or sustained by any party as a result of such reliance upon or compliance with such instructions, directions, reports, notices or other communications or information. Each other party to this Indenture agrees to assume all risks arising out of the use of electronic methods to submit instructions, directions, reports, notices or other communications or information to the Trustee, including, without limitation, the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized instructions, notices, reports or other communications or information, and the risk of interception and misuse by third parties.

Facsimile, documents executed, scanned and transmitted electronically and electronic signatures, including those created or transmitted through electronic mail (with an attachment in .PDF or similar format) or a software platform or application, shall be deemed original signatures for purposes of this Indenture and all other Security Documents and all matters and agreements related thereto, with such facsimile, scanned and electronic signatures having the same legal effect as original signatures. The parties agree that this Indenture or any other Security Document or any instrument, agreement or document necessary for the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Indenture or the other Security Documents or related hereto or thereto (including, without limitation, addendums, amendments, notices, instructions, communications with respect to the delivery of securities or the wire transfer of funds or other communications) (“Executed Documentation”) may be accepted, executed or agreed to through the use of an electronic signature in accordance with applicable laws, rules and regulations in effect from time to time applicable to the effectiveness and enforceability of electronic signatures. Any Executed Documentation accepted, executed or agreed to in conformity with such laws, rules and regulations will be binding on all parties hereto to the same extent as if it were physically executed and each party hereby consents to the use of any third party electronic signature capture service providers as may be reasonably chosen by a signatory hereto or thereto. When the Trustee or Notes Collateral Agent, as applicable, acts on any Executed Documentation sent by electronic transmission, the Trustee or Notes Collateral Agent, as applicable, will not be responsible or liable for any losses, costs or expenses arising directly or indirectly from its reliance upon and compliance with such Executed Documentation, notwithstanding that such Executed Documentation (a) may not be an authorized or authentic communication of the party involved or in the form such party sent or intended to send (whether due to fraud, distortion or otherwise) or (b) may conflict with, or be inconsistent with, a subsequent written instruction or

 

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communication; it being understood and agreed that the Trustee or Notes Collateral Agent, as applicable shall conclusively presume that Executed Documentation that purports to have been sent by an authorized officer of a Person has been sent by an authorized officer of such Person. The party providing Executed Documentation through electronic transmission or otherwise with electronic signatures agrees to assume all risks arising out of such electronic methods, including, without limitation, the risk of the Trustee or Notes Collateral Agent, as applicable, acting on unauthorized instructions and the risk of interception and misuse by third parties.

SECTION 13.3 [Reserved].

SECTION 13.4 Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent. Upon any request or application by the Company or any of the Guarantors to the Trustee and/or the Notes Collateral Agent to take or refrain from taking any action under this Indenture, the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, shall furnish to the Trustee or, if such action relates to a Security Document, the Notes Collateral Agent:

(1) an Officer’s Certificate in form satisfactory to the Trustee or the Notes Collateral Agent (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 13.5 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been satisfied; and

(2) an Opinion of Counsel in form satisfactory to the Trustee or the Notes Collateral Agent (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 13.5 hereof) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent have been satisfied and all covenants have been complied with; provided, however, that such opinion shall not be required for the initial issuance of the Notes of such series.

SECTION 13.5 Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion. Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a covenant or condition provided for in this Indenture shall include:

(1) a statement that the individual making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;

(2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

(3) a statement that, in the opinion of such individual, he has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and

(4) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such individual, such covenant or condition has been complied with.

In giving such Opinion of Counsel, counsel may rely as to factual matters on an Officer’s Certificate or on certificates of public officials.

 

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SECTION 13.6 When Notes Disregarded. In determining whether the Holders of the required aggregate principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Notes owned by the Company, any Guarantor or any Affiliate of them shall be disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding, except that, for the purpose of determining whether the Trustee or the Notes Collateral Agent shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Notes which a Responsible Officer of the Trustee or the Notes Collateral Agent actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. Also, subject to the foregoing, only Notes outstanding at the time shall be considered in any such determination.

SECTION 13.7 Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar. The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by, or at meetings of, Holders. The Registrar and the Paying Agent may make reasonable rules for their functions.

SECTION 13.8 Legal Holidays. A “Legal Holiday” is a Saturday, a Sunday or other day on which banking institutions are authorized or required by law to be closed in New York, New York or the jurisdiction of the place of payment. If a payment date or Redemption Date is a Legal Holiday, payment shall be made on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period (unless otherwise required). If a regular record date is a Legal Holiday, the record date shall not be affected.

SECTION 13.9 Governing Law. THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND THE GUARANTEES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

SECTION 13.10 Jurisdiction. The Company and the Guarantors agree that any suit, action or proceeding against the Company or any Guarantor brought by any Holder, the Trustee or the Notes Collateral Agent arising out of or based upon this Indenture, the Guarantee or the Notes may be instituted in any state or Federal court in the Borough of Manhattan, New York, New York, and any appellate court from any thereof, and each of them irrevocably submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of such courts in any suit, action or proceeding. The Company and the Guarantors irrevocably waive, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection to any suit, action, or proceeding that may be brought in connection with this Indenture, the Guarantee or the Notes, including such actions, suits or proceedings relating to securities laws of the United States of America or any state thereof, in such courts whether on the grounds of venue, residence or domicile or on the ground that any such suit, action or proceeding has been brought in an inconvenient forum. The Company and the Guarantors agree that final judgment in any such suit, action or proceeding brought in such court shall be conclusive and binding upon the Company or the Guarantors, as the case may be, and may be enforced in any court to the jurisdiction of which the Company or the Guarantors, as the case may be, are subject by a suit upon such judgment.

SECTION 13.11 Waivers of Jury Trial. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AND EACH HOLDER BY ITS ACCEPTANCE OF A NOTE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES OR THE GUARANTEES AND FOR ANY COUNTERCLAIM THEREIN.

 

174


SECTION 13.12 USA PATRIOT Act Section 326 Customer Identification Program. In order to comply with the laws, rules, regulations and executive orders in effect from time to time applicable to banking institutions, including, without limitation, those relating to the funding of terrorist activities and money laundering, including Section 326 of the USA PATRIOT Act of the United States (the “Applicable AML Law”), the Trustee and the Notes Collateral Agent are required to obtain, verify, record and update certain information relating to individuals and entities which maintain a business relationship with the Trustee or the Notes Collateral Agent. Accordingly, each of the parties to this Indenture agrees to provide to the Trustee and the Notes Collateral Agent, upon request by either of them from time to time, such identifying information and documentation as may be available for such party in order to enable the Trustee and the Notes Collateral Agent to comply with the Applicable AML Law.

SECTION 13.13 No Recourse Against Others. No director, officer, employee, incorporator, stockholder or shareholder of the Company, the Guarantors or any of their respective Subsidiaries or Affiliates, as such (other than the Company and the Guarantors), shall have any liability for any obligations of the Company or the Guarantors under the Notes, the Guarantees or this Indenture or the Security Documents or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes of such series.

SECTION 13.14 Successors. All agreements of the Company and each Guarantor in this Indenture and the Notes shall bind their respective successors. All agreements of the Trustee and the Notes Collateral Agent in this Indenture shall bind their respective successors.

SECTION 13.15 Multiple Originals. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement. The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF or other electronic signatures shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.

SECTION 13.16 [Reserved].

SECTION 13.17 Table of Contents; Headings. The table of contents, cross-reference table and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not intended to be considered a part hereof and shall not modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

SECTION 13.18 Force Majeure. In no event shall the Trustee or the Notes Collateral Agent be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or

 

175


military disturbances, pandemics, epidemics, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services, it being understood that the Trustee and the Notes Collateral Agent shall use reasonable best efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.

SECTION 13.19 Severability. In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

[Signatures on following pages]

 

176


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Indenture to be duly executed all as of the date and year first written above.

 

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
By:   /s/ Roxanne L. Warner
Name:   Roxanne L. Warner
Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer


INSINKERATOR LLC
By:   /s/ Scott E. Cartwright
  Name: Scott E. Cartwright
  Title: Treasurer
INSINKERATOR CANADA CO.
By:   /s/ Scott E. Cartwright
  Name: Scott E. Cartwright
  Title: Treasurer
KITCHENAID EUROPA, INC.
By:   /s/ Scott E. Cartwright
  Name: Scott E. Cartwright
  Title: Treasurer
KITCHENAID GLOBAL LLC
By:   /s/ Scott E. Cartwright
  Name: Scott E. Cartwright
  Title: Treasurer
MAYTAG PROPERTIES, LLC
By:   /s/ Scott E. Cartwright
  Name: Scott E. Cartwright
  Title: Treasurer
MAYTAG SALES, INC.
By:   /s/ Scott E. Cartwright
  Name: Scott E. Cartwright
  Title: Treasurer
WCGP NOVA SCOTIA CO.
By:   /s/ Scott E. Cartwright
  Name: Scott E. Cartwright
  Title: Treasurer


WHIRLPOOL AMERICA LLC
By:   /s/ Scott E. Cartwright
  Name: Scott E. Cartwright
  Title: Treasurer
WHIRLPOOL CANADA CO.
By:   /s/ Scott E. Cartwright
  Name: Scott E. Cartwright
  Title: Treasurer
WHIRLPOOL CANADA LP, by its general partner, WCGP NOVA SCOTIA Co.
By:   /s/ Scott E. Cartwright
  Name: Scott E. Cartwright
  Title: Treasurer
WHIRLPOOL GH GROUP LLC
By:   /s/ Scott E. Cartwright
  Name: Scott E. Cartwright
  Title: Treasurer
WHIRLPOOL PROPERTIES, INC.
By:   /s/ Scott E. Cartwright
  Name: Scott E. Cartwright
  Title: Treasurer


U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as Trustee and Notes Collateral Agent
By:   /s/ Quinton M. DePompolo
  Name: Quinton M. DePompolo
  Title: Vice President
By:   /s/ Quinton M. DePompolo
  Name: Quinton M. DePompolo
  Title: Vice President


EXHIBIT A-1

Form of Note1

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

[7.500% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2031]

 

CUSIP No. _______________    No. ___
$____________   

Whirlpool Corporation, a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Company”, which term includes its successors and assigns), promises to pay to    , or registered assigns, the principal sum of $   ([   ] United States Dollars) [(or such lesser or greater amount as shall be outstanding hereunder from time to time in accordance with Sections 2.1 and 2.6 of the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof)]2 (the “Principal Amount”) on July 1, 2031. The Company promises to pay interest semi-annually in cash on January 1 and July 1 of each year (each, an “Interest Payment Date”), commencing [•], at the rate of 7.500% per annum, until the Principal Amount is paid or made available for payment. [Interest on this Note will accrue from the most recent date to which interest on this Note or any of its predecessor Notes has been paid or duly provided for or, if no interest has been paid, from the Issue Date.]3 [Interest on this Note will accrue (or will be deemed to have accrued) from the most recent date to which interest on this Note or any of its predecessor Notes has been paid or duly provided for or, if no such interest has been paid, from    4.]5 Interest on the Notes shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in such Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose name this Note (or one or more predecessor Notes) is registered at the close of business on the regular record date for such interest, which shall be the June 15 or December 15 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, next preceding such Interest Payment Date. Any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided for will forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such regular record date and may either be paid to the Person in whose name this Note (or one or more predecessor Notes) is registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the Trustee, notice whereof shall be given to Holders of Notes not more than 15 days nor less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date, or be paid at any time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Notes may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, all as more fully provided in said Indenture.

 

 
1 

Insert any applicable legends from Article II.

2 

Include only if the Note is issued in global form.

3 

Include only for Initial Notes.

4 

Insert the Interest Payment Date immediately preceding the date of issuance of the applicable Additional Notes, or if the date of issuance of such Additional Notes is an Interest Payment Date, such date of issuance.

5 

Include only for Additional Notes.

 

A-1-1


Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on this Note will be made at the office of the applicable Paying Agent, or such other office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose; provided, however, that at the option of the Company payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Notes Register or by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the Holders.

Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Note set forth on the attached Additional Terms of the Notes, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee referred to herein in accordance with Section 2.2 of the Indenture, this Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.

 

A-1-2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed.

 

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

 

A-1-3


This is one of the Notes referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

Dated:

 

A-1-4


Additional Terms of the Notes

This Note is one of the duly authorized issue of 7.500% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2031 of the Company (herein called the “Notes”), issued under an Indenture, dated as of June 16, 2026 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, herein called the “Indenture,” which term shall have the meanings assigned to it in such instrument), among the Company, the Guarantors from time to time parties thereto (the “Guarantors”) and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee (herein called the “Trustee,” which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture) and notes collateral agent (herein called the “Notes Collateral Agent,” which term includes any successor notes collateral agent under the Indenture), and reference is hereby made to the Indenture for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company, any other obligor upon this Note, the Trustee, the Notes Collateral Agent and the Holders of the Notes and of the terms upon which the Notes are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture. The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture for a statement of such terms. Additional Notes may be issued under the Indenture which will vote as a class with the Notes and otherwise be treated as Notes for purposes of the Indenture.

All terms used in this Note that are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

This Note is entitled to certain Guarantees made for the benefit of the Holders as set forth in Article X of the Indenture. Reference is made to Article X of the Indenture for terms relating to such Guarantees, including the release, termination and discharge thereof. Neither the Company nor any Guarantor shall be required to make any notation on this Note to reflect any Guarantee or any such release, termination or discharge.

This Note and the Guarantees hereof shall be secured by Collateral, on the terms and conditions set forth in the Indenture and the Security Documents. The Notes Collateral Agent holds a Lien in the Collateral for the benefit of the Trustee and the Holders, in each case pursuant to the Security Documents. Each Holder, by accepting this Note, consents and agrees to the terms of the Security Documents (including the provisions providing for the possession, use, release and foreclosure of Collateral) and the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement and Pari Intercreditor Agreement, if any, each as may be in effect or may be amended from time to time in accordance with their terms and the Indenture.

The Notes are subject to optional redemption, and may be the subject of a Change of Control Offer and an Asset Disposition Offer, as further described in the Indenture. Except as provided in the Indenture, the Company shall not be required to make any mandatory or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance at any time of the entire indebtedness of this Note or certain restrictive covenants and certain Events of Default with respect to this Note, in each case upon compliance with certain conditions set forth in the Indenture.

 

A-1-5


The Indenture, the Guarantees or the Notes may be amended or supplemented as provided in the Indenture.

No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Note or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and any premium and interest on this Note at the times, place and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.

As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the transfer of this Note is registrable in the Notes Register, upon surrender of this Note for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Company in a place of payment, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Registrar duly executed by, the Holder hereof or such Holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Notes of like tenor, of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.

The Notes are issuable only in fully registered form without coupons in minimum denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the Notes are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Notes of like tenor of a different authorized denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same.

No service charge shall be made for any such registration, transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax, assessment or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

Prior to due presentment of this Note for registration or transfer, the Company, any other obligor in respect of this Note, the Trustee and any agent of the Company, such other obligor or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Note is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Note be overdue, and none of the Company, any other obligor upon this Note, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

No director, officer, employee, incorporator, stockholder or shareholder of the Company, the Guarantors or any of their respective Subsidiaries or Affiliates, as such (other than the Company and the Guarantors), shall have any liability for any obligations of the Company or the Guarantors under the Notes, the Guarantees or this Indenture or the Security Documents or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.

THE INDENTURE AND THE NOTES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. THE TRUSTEE, THE COMPANY, ANY OTHER OBLIGOR IN RESPECT OF THE NOTES AND (BY THEIR ACCEPTANCE OF THE NOTES) THE HOLDERS, AGREE TO SUBMIT TO THE JURISDICTION OF ANY UNITED STATES FEDERAL OR STATE COURT LOCATED IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN, IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE INDENTURE, THE NOTES OR THE GUARANTEES.

 

A-1-6


[FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER]

FOR VALUE RECEIVED the undersigned Holder hereby sell(s), assign(s) and transfer(s) unto

Insert Taxpayer Identification No.

(Please print or typewrite name and address including zip code of assignee)

 

                            

                            

the within Note and all rights thereunder, hereby irrevocably constituting and appointing

 

                            

attorney to transfer such Note on the books of the Company with full power of substitution in the premises.

This Note is being sold, assigned and transferred (check one):

 

[ ] (a)

to the Company;

or

 

[ ] (b)

to a person whom the Holder reasonably believes is a qualified institutional buyer within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, purchasing for its own account or for the account of a qualified institutional buyer to whom notice is given that the resale, pledge or other transfer is being made in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933;

or

 

[ ] (c)

in an offshore transaction in accordance with Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933;

or

 

[ ] (d)

to an institution that is an “accredited investor” as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3), (7), (9), (11), (12) or (13) of Regulation D under the Securities Act of 1933 that is acquiring this Note for investment purposes and not for distribution;

or

 

[ ] (e)

pursuant to any exemption from registration under the Securities Act of 1933 provided by Rule 144 (if applicable) under the Securities Act of 1933;

 

A-1-7


or

 

[ ] (f)

pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933;

or

 

[ ] (g)

this Note is being transferred other than in accordance with (a), (b) or (f) above and documents are being furnished which comply with the conditions of transfer set forth in this Note and the Indenture.

If none of the foregoing boxes is checked, the Trustee or other Note Registrar shall not be obligated to register this Note in the name of any Person other than the Holder hereof unless and until the conditions to any such transfer of registration set forth herein and in Section 2.6 of the Indenture shall have been satisfied.

 

Date:           
      NOTICE: The signature to this assignment must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the within-mentioned instrument in every particular, without alteration or any change whatsoever.
     
Signature Guarantee:             

Signatures must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

A-1-8


TO BE COMPLETED BY PURCHASER IF (b) ABOVE IS CHECKED.

The undersigned represents and warrants that it is purchasing this Note for its own account or an account with respect to which it exercises sole investment discretion and that it and any such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and is aware that the sale to it is being made in reliance on Rule 144A and acknowledges that it has received such information regarding the Company as the undersigned has requested pursuant to Rule 144A or has determined not to request such information and that it is aware that the transferor is relying upon the undersigned’s foregoing representations in order to claim the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A.

 

Dated:_____________________         

 

      NOTICE: To be executed by an executive officer

 

A-1-9


OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

If you wish to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 3.5 or 3.9 of the Indenture, check the box: [   ].

If you wish to have a portion of this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 3.5 or 3.9 of the Indenture, state the amount (in principal amount) below:

$       

Date:       

Your Signature:       

(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Note)

Signature Guarantee:       

Signatures must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

A-1-10


SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN GLOBAL NOTE

The following increases or decreases in this Global Note have been made:

 

Date of

Exchange

   Amount of
decreases in
Principal
Amount of this
Global Note
   Amount of
increases in
Principal
Amount of this
Global Note
   Principal amount
of this Global
Note following
such decreases
or increases
   Signature of
authorized
officer of
Trustee or Notes
Custodian

 

A-1-11


EXHIBIT A-2

Form of Note6

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

[7.875% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2034]

 

CUSIP No.            No.      

$       

Whirlpool Corporation, a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Company”, which term includes its successors and assigns), promises to pay to      , or registered assigns, the principal sum of $       ([     ] United States Dollars) [(or such lesser or greater amount as shall be outstanding hereunder from time to time in accordance with Sections 2.1 and 2.6 of the Indenture referred to on the reverse hereof)]7 (the “Principal Amount”) on July 1, 2034. The Company promises to pay interest semi-annually in cash on January 1 and July 1 of each year (each, an “Interest Payment Date”), commencing [•], at the rate of 7.875% per annum, until the Principal Amount is paid or made available for payment. [Interest on this Note will accrue from the most recent date to which interest on this Note or any of its predecessor Notes has been paid or duly provided for or, if no interest has been paid, from the Issue Date.]8 [Interest on this Note will accrue (or will be deemed to have accrued) from the most recent date to which interest on this Note or any of its predecessor Notes has been paid or duly provided for or, if no such interest has been paid, from      9.]10 Interest on the Notes shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in such Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose name this Note (or one or more predecessor Notes) is registered at the close of business on the regular record date for such interest, which shall be the June 15 or December 15 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, next preceding such Interest Payment Date. Any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided for will forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such regular record date and may either be paid to the Person in whose name this Note (or one or more predecessor Notes) is registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the Trustee, notice whereof shall be given to Holders of Notes not more than 15 days nor less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date, or be paid at any time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent

with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Notes may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, all as more fully provided in said Indenture.

 
6 

Insert any applicable legends from Article II.

7 

Include only if the Note is issued in global form.

8 

Include only for Initial Notes.

9 

Insert the Interest Payment Date immediately preceding the date of issuance of the applicable Additional Notes, or if the date of issuance of such Additional Notes is an Interest Payment Date, such date of issuance.

10 

Include only for Additional Notes.

 

A-2-1


Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on this Note will be made at the office of the applicable Paying Agent, or such other office or agency of the Company maintained for that purpose; provided, however, that at the option of the Company payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Notes Register or by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by the Holders.

Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Note set forth on the attached Additional Terms of the Notes, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee referred to herein in accordance with Section 2.2 of the Indenture, this Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.

 

A-2-2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed.

 

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

A-2-3


This is one of the Notes referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

Dated:

 

A-2-4


Additional Terms of the Notes

This Note is one of the duly authorized issue of 7.875% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2034 of the Company (herein called the “Notes”), issued under an Indenture, dated as of June 16, 2026 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, herein called the “Indenture,” which term shall have the meanings assigned to it in such instrument), among the Company, the Guarantors from time to time parties thereto (the “Guarantors”) and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee (herein called the “Trustee,” which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture) and notes collateral agent (herein called the “Notes Collateral Agent,” which term includes any successor notes collateral agent under the Indenture), and reference is hereby made to the Indenture for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company, any other obligor upon this Note, the Trustee, the Notes Collateral Agent and the Holders of the Notes and of the terms upon which the Notes are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture. The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture for a statement of such terms. Additional Notes may be issued under the Indenture which will vote as a class with the Notes and otherwise be treated as Notes for purposes of the Indenture.

All terms used in this Note that are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

This Note is entitled to certain Guarantees made for the benefit of the Holders as set forth in Article X of the Indenture. Reference is made to Article X of the Indenture for terms relating to such Guarantees, including the release, termination and discharge thereof. Neither the Company nor any Guarantor shall be required to make any notation on this Note to reflect any Guarantee or any such release, termination or discharge.

This Note and the Guarantees hereof shall be secured by Collateral, on the terms and conditions set forth in the Indenture and the Security Documents. The Notes Collateral Agent holds a Lien in the Collateral for the benefit of the Trustee and the Holders, in each case pursuant to the Security Documents. Each Holder, by accepting this Note, consents and agrees to the terms of the Security Documents (including the provisions providing for the possession, use, release and foreclosure of Collateral) and the First Lien/Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement and Pari Intercreditor Agreement, if any, each as may be in effect or may be amended from time to time in accordance with their terms and the Indenture.

The Notes are subject to optional redemption, and may be the subject of a Change of Control Offer and an Asset Disposition Offer, as further described in the Indenture. Except as provided in the Indenture, the Company shall not be required to make any mandatory or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance at any time of the entire indebtedness of this Note or certain restrictive covenants and certain Events of Default with respect to this Note, in each case upon compliance with certain conditions set forth in the Indenture.

 

A-2-5


The Indenture, the Guarantees or the Notes may be amended or supplemented as provided in the Indenture.

No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Note or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and any premium and interest on this Note at the times, place and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.

As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the transfer of this Note is registrable in the Notes Register, upon surrender of this Note for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Company in a place of payment, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Registrar duly executed by, the Holder hereof or such Holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Notes of like tenor, of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.

The Notes are issuable only in fully registered form without coupons in minimum denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the Notes are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Notes of like tenor of a different authorized denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same.

No service charge shall be made for any such registration, transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any transfer tax, assessment or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

Prior to due presentment of this Note for registration or transfer, the Company, any other obligor in respect of this Note, the Trustee and any agent of the Company, such other obligor or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Note is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Note be overdue, and none of the Company, any other obligor upon this Note, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

No director, officer, employee, incorporator, stockholder or shareholder of the Company, the Guarantors or any of their respective Subsidiaries or Affiliates, as such (other than the Company and the Guarantors), shall have any liability for any obligations of the Company or the Guarantors under the Notes, the Guarantees or this Indenture or the Security Documents or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each Holder by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.

THE INDENTURE AND THE NOTES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. THE TRUSTEE, THE COMPANY, ANY OTHER OBLIGOR IN RESPECT OF THE NOTES AND (BY THEIR ACCEPTANCE OF THE NOTES) THE HOLDERS, AGREE TO SUBMIT TO THE JURISDICTION OF ANY UNITED STATES FEDERAL OR STATE COURT LOCATED IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN, IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THE INDENTURE, THE NOTES OR THE GUARANTEES.

 

A-2-6


[FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER]

FOR VALUE RECEIVED the undersigned Holder hereby sell(s), assign(s) and transfer(s) unto

Insert Taxpayer Identification No.

(Please print or typewrite name and address including zip code of assignee)

 

                         

                         

the within Note and all rights thereunder, hereby irrevocably constituting and appointing

 

                         

attorney to transfer such Note on the books of the Company with full power of substitution in the premises.

This Note is being sold, assigned and transferred (check one):

 

[ ] (a)

to the Company;

or

 

[ ] (b)

to a person whom the Holder reasonably believes is a qualified institutional buyer within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, purchasing for its own account or for the account of a qualified institutional buyer to whom notice is given that the resale, pledge or other transfer is being made in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933;

or

 

[ ] (c)

in an offshore transaction in accordance with Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933;

or

 

[ ] (d)

to an institution that is an “accredited investor” as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3), (7), (9), (11), (12) or (13) of Regulation D under the Securities Act of 1933 that is acquiring this Note for investment purposes and not for distribution;

or

 

[ ] (e)

pursuant to any exemption from registration under the Securities Act of 1933 provided by Rule 144 (if applicable) under the Securities Act of 1933;

 

A-2-7


or

 

[ ] (f)

pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933;

or

 

[ ] (g)

this Note is being transferred other than in accordance with (a), (b) or (f) above and documents are being furnished which comply with the conditions of transfer set forth in this Note and the Indenture.

If none of the foregoing boxes is checked, the Trustee or other Note Registrar shall not be obligated to register this Note in the name of any Person other than the Holder hereof unless and until the conditions to any such transfer of registration set forth herein and in Section 2.6 of the Indenture shall have been satisfied.

Date:    

 

NOTICE: The signature to this assignment must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the within-mentioned instrument in every particular, without alteration or any change whatsoever.

Signature Guarantee: ___________________________

Signatures must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

A-2-8


TO BE COMPLETED BY PURCHASER IF (b) ABOVE IS CHECKED.

The undersigned represents and warrants that it is purchasing this Note for its own account or an account with respect to which it exercises sole investment discretion and that it and any such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and is aware that the sale to it is being made in reliance on Rule 144A and acknowledges that it has received such information regarding the Company as the undersigned has requested pursuant to Rule 144A or has determined not to request such information and that it is aware that the transferor is relying upon the undersigned’s foregoing representations in order to claim the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A.

 

Dated:_________________________________      

 

     

NOTICE: To be executed by an executive

officer

 

A-2-9


OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

If you wish to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 3.5 or 3.9 of the Indenture, check the box: [ ].

If you wish to have a portion of this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 3.5 or 3.9 of the Indenture, state the amount (in principal amount) below:

$_____________

Date:__________

Your Signature:___________

(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Note)

Signature Guarantee:_____________

Signatures must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” meeting the requirements of the Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

A-2-10


SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN GLOBAL NOTE

The following increases or decreases in this Global Note have been made:

 

Date of

Exchange

  

Amount of

decreases in

Principal

Amount of this

Global Note

  

Amount of

increases in

Principal

Amount of this

Global Note

  

Principal amount

of this Global

Note following

such decreases

or increases

  

Signature of

authorized

officer of

Trustee or Notes

Custodian

 

A-2-11


EXHIBIT B

[FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE]

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of [   ] (this “Supplemental Indenture”), among [name of Guarantor(s)] (the “Guarantor(s)”), Whirlpool Corporation, a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Company”, which term includes its successors and assigns), and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee (in such capacity, the “Trustee”) and as notes collateral agent (in such capacity, the “Notes Collateral Agent”) under the Indenture referred to below.

WITNESSETH:

WHEREAS, the Company, the Trustee and the Notes Collateral Agent have heretofore become parties to an Indenture, dated as of June 16, 2026 (as amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified, the “Indenture”), providing for the issuance of 7.500% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2031 (the “2031 Notes”) and 7.875% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2034 (the “2034 Notes” and, together with the 2031 Notes, the “Notes”);

WHEREAS, the Indenture provides that under certain circumstances each Guarantor shall execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which such Guarantor shall unconditionally guarantee, on a senior secured basis, all of the Company’s obligations under the Notes of each series and the Indenture pursuant to a Guarantee on the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the Indenture;

WHEREAS, each Guarantor desires to enter into such supplemental indenture for good and valuable consideration, including substantial economic benefit in that the financial performance and condition of such Guarantor is dependent on the financial performance and condition of the Company, the obligations hereunder of which such Guarantor has guaranteed; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.1 of the Indenture, the parties hereto are authorized to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture to amend the Indenture with respect to the Notes of a series, without the consent of any Holder of Notes of such series;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the Guarantor(s), the Company, the Trustee and the Notes Collateral Agent mutually covenant and agree for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes of such series as follows:

1. Defined Terms. As used in this Supplemental Indenture, terms defined in the Indenture or in the preamble or recitals hereto are used herein as therein defined. The words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereby” and other words of similar import used in this Supplemental Indenture refer to this Supplemental Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Section hereof.

 

B-1


2. Agreement to Guarantee. [The] [Each] Guarantor hereby agrees, jointly and severally with all other Guarantors and irrevocably, fully and unconditionally, to Guarantee the Guaranteed Obligations under the Indenture and the Notes of a series on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in Article X of the Indenture and to be bound by (and shall be entitled to the benefits of) all other applicable provisions of the Indenture as a Guarantor.

3. Termination, Release and Discharge. [The] [Each] Guarantor’s Guarantee shall terminate and be of no further force or effect, and [the] [each] Guarantor shall be released and discharged from all obligations in respect of such Guarantee, as and when provided in Section 10.2 of the Indenture.

4. Severability. In case any provision in this Supplemental Indenture shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and such provision shall be ineffective only to the extent of such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability.

5. Parties. Nothing in this Supplemental Indenture is intended or shall be construed to give any Person, other than the Holders and the Trustee, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of [the] [each] Guarantor’s Guarantee or any provision contained herein or in Article X of the Indenture.

6. Governing Law. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. THE TRUSTEE, THE NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT, THE COMPANY, ANY OTHER OBLIGOR IN RESPECT OF THE NOTES AND (BY THEIR ACCEPTANCE OF THE NOTES) THE HOLDERS AGREE TO SUBMIT TO THE JURISDICTION OF ANY UNITED STATES FEDERAL OR STATE COURT LOCATED IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN, IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE.

7. Ratification of Indenture; Supplemental Indentures Part of Indenture. Except as expressly amended hereby, the Indenture is in all respects ratified and confirmed and all the terms, conditions and provisions thereof shall remain in full force and effect. This Supplemental Indenture shall form a part of the Indenture for all purposes, and every Holder of Notes heretofore or hereafter authenticated and delivered shall be bound hereby. The Trustee makes no representation or warranty as to the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture or as to the accuracy of the recitals to this Supplemental Indenture.

8. Counterparts. The parties hereto may sign one or more copies of this Supplemental Indenture in counterparts, all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement. The exchange of copies of this Supplemental Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or PDF transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Supplemental Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Supplemental Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF or other electronic signatures shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.

 

B-2


9. Headings. The Section headings herein are for convenience of reference only and shall not be deemed to alter or affect the meaning or interpretation of any provisions hereof.

10. Trustee Not Responsible. The Trustee shall not be responsible for the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture, nor for the recitals herein.

 

B-3


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

 

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

[NAME OF GUARANTOR(S)],

as Guarantor

By:    
  Name:
  Title:
U.S. BANK. TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee and Notes Collateral Agent.
By:    
  Name:
  Title:
By:    
  Name:
  Title:

 

B-4


EXHIBIT C

[Form of Pari Intercreditor Agreement]

 

C-1


SECOND LIEN INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT

among

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

as the Company,

the other Grantors party hereto,

[U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION]

as Authorized Representative for the Initial Indenture Secured Parties,

[     ]

as the Initial Additional Authorized Representative for the Initial Additional Pari Secured Parties, and each additional Authorized Representative from time to time party hereto dated as of [     ]

 

 

1


SECOND LIEN INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT, dated as of [      ] (as the same may be amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, this “Agreement”), among WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION (the “Company”), the other Grantors (as defined below) party hereto, [U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION], as Authorized Representative for the Initial Indenture Secured Parties (as each such term is defined below) (in such capacity and together with its successors in such capacity, “Initial Indenture Authorized Representative”), [     ], as [_______] under the Initial Additional Pari Agreement (as defined below) for the Initial Additional Pari Secured Parties (as defined below) (in such capacity and together with its successors in such capacity, “Initial Additional Authorized Representative”), and each additional Authorized Representative from time to time party hereto for the other Additional Pari Secured Parties of the Series (as defined below) with respect to which it is acting in such capacity.

In consideration of the mutual agreements herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Initial Indenture Authorized Representative (for itself and on behalf of the Initial Indenture Secured Parties), the Initial Additional Authorized Representative (for itself and on behalf of the Initial Additional Pari Secured Parties), the Grantors, and each additional Authorized Representative (for itself and on behalf of the Additional Pari Secured Parties of the applicable Series) agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

Definitions

SECTION 1.01 Certain Defined Terms. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein have the meanings set forth in the Initial Pari Indenture or, if defined in the New York UCC, the meanings specified therein. As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:

Additional Pari Class Debt” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.12.

Additional Pari Class Debt Parties” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.12.

Additional Pari Class Debt Representative” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.12.

Additional Pari Collateral Documents” means any collateral agreement, security agreement, pledge agreement or any other document now existing or entered into after the date hereof and any accessions, supplements or joinders thereto, in each case, that create Liens on any assets or properties of any Grantor to secure any Additional Pari Obligations, and shall include the Initial Additional Pari Collateral Documents.

Additional Pari Documents” means, with respect to the Initial Additional Pari Obligations or any Series of Additional Pari Class Debt, the notes, indentures, note purchase agreements, credit agreements, security documents and other operative agreements evidencing or governing such indebtedness and liens securing such indebtedness, including the Initial Additional Pari Documents and the Additional Pari Collateral Documents and each other agreement entered into for the purpose of securing the Initial Additional Pari Obligations or any Series of Additional Pari Class Debt; provided that, in each case, the Indebtedness thereunder (other than the Initial Additional Pari Obligations) has been designated as Additional Pari Class Debt pursuant to Section 5.12 hereof.

 

2


Additional Pari Obligations” means (a) all amounts owing to any Additional Pari Secured Party (including the Initial Additional Pari Secured Parties) pursuant to the terms of any Additional Pari Document (including the Initial Additional Pari Documents), including, without limitation, all amounts in respect of any principal, premium, interest (including any interest, fees and expenses accruing subsequent to the commencement of a Bankruptcy Case at the rate provided for in the respective Additional Pari Document, whether or not such interest, fees and expenses is an allowed claim under any such proceeding or under applicable state, federal or foreign law), penalties, fees, expenses, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities, and guarantees of the foregoing amounts and (b) any renewals or extensions of the foregoing. Additional Pari Obligations shall include any [________] (as defined in the Initial Pari Indenture) or indebtedness incurred under [     ] that, in each case, constitutes Additional Pari Class Debt and guarantees thereof by the Grantors issued in exchange therefor.

Additional Pari Secured Parties” means the holders of any Additional Pari Obligations and any Authorized Representative with respect thereto, and shall include the Initial Additional Pari Secured Parties and the Additional Pari Class Debt Parties.

Agreement” has the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

Applicable Authorized Representative” means, with respect to any Shared Collateral, (i) until the Non-Controlling Authorized Representative Enforcement Date, the Major Controlling Authorized Representative, and (ii) from and after the Non-Controlling Authorized Representative Enforcement Date, the Major Non-Controlling Authorized Representative.

Authorized Representative” means, at any time, (i) in the case of any Initial Indenture Secured Obligations or the Initial Indenture Secured Parties, the Initial Indenture Authorized Representative, (ii) in the case of the Initial Additional Pari Obligations or the Initial Additional Pari Secured Parties, the Initial Additional Authorized Representative, and (iii) in the case of any other Series of Additional Pari Obligations or Additional Pari Secured Parties that become subject to this Agreement after the date hereof, the Additional Pari Class Debt Representative for such Series named in the applicable Joinder Agreement.

Bankruptcy Case” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.06(b).

Bankruptcy Code” means Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended.

Bankruptcy Law” means the Bankruptcy Code and any similar federal, state or foreign law for the relief of debtors.

Collateral” means any “Collateral” (as defined in the Initial Indenture Collateral Documents) or any other [    ] Collateral Documents or any other assets and properties subject to Liens created pursuant to any Pari Collateral Document to secure one or more Series of Pari Obligations.

Company” has the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

Controlling Secured Parties” means, with respect to any Shared Collateral, the Series of Pari Secured Parties whose Authorized Representative is the Applicable Authorized Representative for such Shared Collateral.

DIP Financing” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.06(b).

DIP Financing Liens” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.06(b).

 

3


DIP Lenders” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.06(b).

Discharge” means, with respect to any Shared Collateral and any Series of Pari Obligations, the date on which (i) such Series of Pari Obligations is no longer secured by such Shared Collateral pursuant to the terms of the documentation governing such Series of Pari Obligations, (ii) any letters of credit issued under the Secured Credit Documents governing such Series of Pari Obligations, if any, have terminated or been cash collateralized or backstopped (in the amount and form required under the applicable Secured Credit Documents) and (iii) all commitments of the Pari Secured Parties of such Series under their respective Secured Credit Documents, if any, have terminated. The term “Discharged” shall have a corresponding meaning.

Event of Default” means an “Event of Default” (or similarly defined term) as defined in any Secured Credit Document.

Grantors” means the Company and each Subsidiary or direct or indirect parent company of the Company which has granted a security interest pursuant to any Pari Collateral Document to secure any Series of Pari Obligations. The Grantors existing on the date hereof are set forth in Annex I hereto.

Impairment” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 1.03.

Initial Additional Authorized Representative” has the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

Initial Additional Pari Agreement” means that certain [________] (as such agreement may be amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time or refunded, refinanced, restructured, replaced, renewed, repaid, increased or extended from time to time (whether in whole or in part, whether with the original [_____] or other trustees, agents and lenders or otherwise, and whether provided under the original [_____] or one or more other credit agreements, indentures, note purchase agreements or otherwise, including any agreement extending the maturity thereof or otherwise restructuring all or any portion of the Indebtedness thereunder or increasing the amount loaned or issued thereunder or altering the maturity thereof, unless such instrument or document expressly provides that it is not intended to be and is not the Initial Pari Indenture)).

Initial Additional Pari Collateral Documents” means that certain “[U.S. Collateral Agreement]” and the other “Collateral Documents” (each as defined in the Initial Additional Pari Agreement) and any accessions, supplements or joinders thereto and each other agreement entered into in favor of the Initial Additional Authorized Representative for the purpose of securing any Initial Additional Pari Obligations.

Initial Additional Pari Documents” means the Initial Additional Pari Agreement, the debt securities issued thereunder, the Initial Additional Pari Collateral Documents and any security documents and other operative agreements evidencing or governing the Indebtedness thereunder, and the Liens securing such Indebtedness, including any agreement entered into for the purpose of securing the Initial Additional Pari Obligations.

Initial Additional Pari Obligations” means the “Obligations” as such term is defined in the Initial Additional Pari Collateral Documents (or similar term in any Refinancing thereof).

Initial Additional Pari Secured Parties” means the Initial Additional Authorized Representative and the holders of the Initial Additional Pari Obligations issued pursuant to the Initial Additional Pari Agreement.

 

4


Initial Indenture Collateral Documents” means that certain “U.S. Collateral Agreement” and the other “Collateral Documents” (each as defined in the Initial Pari Indenture) and any accessions, supplements or joinders thereto and each other agreement entered into in favor of the Initial Indenture Authorized Representative for the purpose of securing any Initial Indenture Secured Obligations.

Initial Indenture Debt Documents” means the Initial Pari Indenture and the notes, indentures, note purchase agreements, credit agreements, security documents and other operative agreements evidencing or governing such indebtedness and liens securing such indebtedness, including the Initial Indenture Collateral Documents.

Initial Indenture Secured Obligations” means all “Obligations” as defined in the Initial Pari Indenture (or any similar term in any Refinancing thereof).

Initial Indenture Secured Parties” means the Initial Indenture Authorized Representative and the holders of the Initial Indenture Secured Obligations issued pursuant to the Initial Indenture Debt Documents.

Initial Pari Indenture” means that certain [Indenture] (as such agreement may be amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time or refunded, refinanced, restructured, replaced, renewed, repaid, increased or extended from time to time (whether in whole or in part, whether with the original trustee or other agents and lenders or otherwise, and whether provided under the original indenture or one or more other credit agreements, indentures, note purchase agreements or otherwise, including any agreement extending the maturity thereof or otherwise restructuring all or any portion of the Indebtedness thereunder or increasing the amount loaned or issued thereunder or altering the maturity thereof, unless such instrument or document expressly provides that it is not intended to be and is not the Initial Pari Indenture)).

Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding” means:

(1) any case or proceeding commenced by or against the Company or any other Grantor under any Bankruptcy Law, any other proceeding for the reorganization, recapitalization or adjustment or marshalling of the assets or liabilities of the Company or any other Grantor, any receivership or assignment for the benefit of creditors relating to the Company or any other Grantor or any similar case or proceeding relative to the Company or any other Grantor or its creditors, as such, in each case whether or not voluntary;

(2) any liquidation, dissolution, marshalling of assets or liabilities or other winding up of or relating to the Company or any other Grantor, in each case whether or not voluntary and whether or not involving bankruptcy or insolvency; or

(3) any other proceeding of any type or nature in which substantially all claims of creditors of the Company or any other Grantor are determined and any payment or distribution is or may be made on account of such claims.

Intervening Creditor” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.01(a).

Joinder Agreement” means a joinder to this Agreement substantially in the form of Annex II hereto required to be delivered by an Additional Pari Class Debt Representative pursuant to Section 5.12 hereof in order to establish an additional Series of Additional Pari Class Debt and add Additional Pari Class Debt Parties hereunder.

 

5


Lien” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Initial Pari Indenture.

Major Controlling Authorized Representative” means, with respect to any Shared Collateral, the Authorized Representative of the Series of Pari Obligations that constitutes the largest outstanding principal amount of any then outstanding Series of Pari Obligations with respect to such Shared Collateral.

Major Non-Controlling Authorized Representative” means, with respect to any Shared Collateral, the Authorized Representative of the Series of Pari Obligations that constitutes the largest outstanding principal amount of any then outstanding Series of Pari Obligations with respect to such Shared Collateral (other than the Series of Pari Obligations for which the Major Controlling Authorized Representative is the Authorized Representative).

New York UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code as from time to time in effect in the State of New York.

Non-Controlling Authorized Representative” means, at any time with respect to any Shared Collateral, any Authorized Representative that is not the Applicable Authorized Representative at such time with respect to such Shared Collateral.

Non-Controlling Authorized Representative Enforcement Date” means, with respect to any Non-Controlling Authorized Representative, the date which is 90 consecutive days (throughout which consecutive 90 day period such Non-Controlling Authorized Representative was the Major Non-Controlling Authorized Representative) after the occurrence of each of (i) the Second Priority Enforcement Date (as defined in the Senior Intercreditor Agreement) shall have occurred, (ii) an Event of Default (under and as defined in the Additional Pari Document under which such Non-Controlling Authorized Representative is the Authorized Representative) and (iii) each Authorized Representative’s receipt of written notice from such Non-Controlling Authorized Representative certifying that (x) such Non-Controlling Authorized Representative is the Major Non-Controlling Authorized Representative and that an Event of Default (under and as defined in the Additional Pari Document under which such Non-Controlling Authorized Representative is the Authorized Representative) has occurred and is continuing and (y) the Additional Pari Obligations of the Series with respect to which such Non-Controlling Authorized Representative is the Authorized Representative are currently due and payable in full (whether as a result of acceleration thereof or otherwise) in accordance with the terms of the applicable Additional Pari Document; provided that the Non-Controlling Authorized Representative Enforcement Date shall be stayed and shall not occur and shall be deemed not to have occurred with respect to any Shared Collateral (1) at any time the Designated Senior Representative (as defined in the Senior Intercreditor Agreement) or the Applicable Authorized Representative has commenced and is diligently pursuing any enforcement action with respect to such Shared Collateral or (2) at any time the Grantor which has granted a security interest in such Shared Collateral is then a debtor under or with respect to (or otherwise subject to) any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding. If the Non-Controlling Authorized Representative or any other Non-Controlling Secured Party exercises any rights or remedies with respect to the Shared Collateral in accordance with the immediately preceding sentence of this paragraph and thereafter the Majority Controlling Authorized Representative or any other Controlling Secured Party commences (or attempts to commence) the exercise of any of its rights or remedies with respect to the Shared Collateral (including seeking relief from the automatic stay or any other stay in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding), the Non-Controlling Authorized Representative Enforcement Date shall be deemed not to have occurred and the Non-Controlling Authorized Representative or any other Non-Controlling Secured Party shall stop exercising any such rights or remedies with respect to the Shared Collateral.

Non-Controlling Secured Parties” means, with respect to any Shared Collateral, the Pari Secured Parties which are not Controlling Secured Parties with respect to such Shared Collateral.

 

6


Pari Collateral Documents” means, collectively, (i) the Initial Indenture Collateral Documents and (ii) the Additional Pari Collateral Documents.

Pari Obligations” means, collectively, (i) the Initial Indenture Secured Obligations and (ii) each Series of Additional Pari Obligations.

Pari Secured Parties” means (i) the Initial Indenture Secured Parties and (ii) the Additional Pari Secured Parties with respect to each Series of Additional Pari Obligations.

Person” shall mean any individual, partnership, joint venture, firm, corporation, limited liability company, unlimited liability company, association, trust, or other enterprise or any Governmental Authority.

Possessory Collateral” means any Shared Collateral in the possession of an Authorized Representative (or its agents or bailees), to the extent that possession thereof perfects a Lien thereon under the Uniform Commercial Code of any jurisdiction. Possessory Collateral includes, without limitation, any Certificated Securities, Promissory Notes, Instruments, and Chattel Paper, in each case, delivered to or in the possession of the Authorized Representative under the terms of the Pari Collateral Documents.

Post-Petition Interest” means any interest or entitlement to fees or expenses or other charges that accrue after the commencement of any bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding, whether or not allowed or allowable as a claim in any such bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding.

Proceeds” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.01(a).

Refinance” means, in respect of any indebtedness, to refinance, extend, renew, defease, amend, increase, modify, supplement, restructure, refund, replace or repay such indebtedness, or to issue other indebtedness or enter alternative financing arrangements, in exchange or replacement for such indebtedness (in whole or in part), including by adding or replacing lenders, creditors, agents, borrowers and/or guarantors, and including in each case, but not limited to, after the original instrument giving rise to such indebtedness has been terminated and including, in each case, through any credit agreement, indenture or other agreement. “Refinanced” and “Refinancing” have correlative meanings.

Secured Credit Document” means (i) each Initial Indenture Debt Document, (ii) each Initial Additional Pari Document, and (iii) each Additional Pari Document.

Senior Intercreditor Agreement” means the Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of June [__], 2026 (as amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified or replaced from time to time), among the Company, the grantors from time to time party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the Initial Indenture Authorized Representative, in its capacity as trustee and as Designated Second Priority Representative.

Series” means (a) with respect to the Pari Secured Parties, each of (i) the Initial Indenture Secured Parties (in their capacities as such), (ii) the Initial Additional Pari Secured Parties (in their capacities as such), and (iii) the Additional Pari Secured Parties (in their capacities as such) that become subject to this Agreement after the date hereof that are represented by a common Authorized Representative (in its capacity as such for such Additional Pari Secured Parties) and (b) with respect to any Pari Obligations, each of (i) the Initial Indenture Secured Obligations, (ii) the Initial Additional Pari Obligations, and (iii) the Additional Pari Obligations incurred after the date hereof pursuant to any Additional Pari Document, which pursuant to any Joinder Agreement, are to be represented hereunder by a common Authorized Representative (in its capacity as such for such Additional Pari Obligations).

 

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Shared Collateral” means, at any time, Collateral in which the holders (or their Authorized Representative on their behalf) of two or more Series of Pari Obligations hold a valid and perfected security interest at such time. If more than two Series of Pari Obligations are outstanding at any time and the holders of less than all Series of Pari Obligations hold a valid and perfected security interest in any Collateral at such time, then such Collateral shall constitute Shared Collateral for those Series of Pari Obligations that hold a valid and perfected security interest in such Collateral at such time and shall not constitute Shared Collateral for any Series which does not have a valid and perfected security interest in such Collateral at such time.

SECTION 1.02 Interpretive Provision. The interpretive provisions contained in Section [__] of the Initial Pari Indenture are incorporated herein, mutatis mutandis, as if a part hereof.

SECTION 1.03 Impairments. It is the intention of the Pari Secured Parties of each Series that the holders of Pari Obligations of such Series (and not the Pari Secured Parties of any other Series) bear the risk of (i) any determination by a court of competent jurisdiction that (x) any of the Pari Obligations of such Series are unenforceable under applicable law or are subordinated to any other obligations (other than another Series of Pari Obligations), (y) any of the Pari Obligations of such Series do not have an enforceable security interest in any of the Collateral securing any other Series of Pari Obligations and/or (z) any intervening security interest exists securing any other obligations (other than another Series of Pari Obligations) on a basis ranking prior to the security interest of such Series of Pari Obligations but junior to the security interest of any other Series of Pari Obligations or (ii) the existence of any Collateral for any other Series of Pari Obligations that is not Shared Collateral for such Series (any such condition referred to in the foregoing clause (i) or (ii) with respect to any Series of Pari Obligations, an “Impairment” of such Series); provided that the existence of a maximum claim with respect to any mortgaged real property that applies to all or any series of Pari Obligations shall not be deemed to be an Impairment of any Series of Pari Obligations. In the event of any Impairment with respect to any Series of Pari Obligations, the results of such Impairment shall be borne solely by the holders of such Series of Pari Obligations, and the rights of the holders of such Series of Pari Obligations (including, without limitation, the right to receive distributions in respect of such Series of Pari Obligations pursuant to Section 2.01) set forth herein shall be modified to the extent necessary so that the effects of such Impairment are borne solely by the holders of the Series of such Pari Obligations subject to such Impairment. Additionally, in the event the Pari Obligations of any Series are modified pursuant to applicable law (including, without limitation, pursuant to Section 1129 of the Bankruptcy Code), any reference to such Pari Obligations or the Pari Collateral Documents governing such Pari Obligations shall refer to such obligations or such documents as so modified.

ARTICLE II

Priorities and Agreements with Respect to Shared Collateral

SECTION 2.01 Priority of Claims.

(a) Anything contained herein or in any of the Secured Credit Documents to the contrary notwithstanding (but subject to Section 1.03), if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, and the Designated Senior Representative (as defined in the Senior Intercreditor Agreement), the Applicable Authorized Representative or any Pari Secured Party is taking action to enforce rights in respect of any Shared Collateral, or any distribution is made in respect of any Shared Collateral in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding of the Company or any other Grantor or any Pari Secured Party receives any payment pursuant to the Senior Intercreditor Agreement or any other intercreditor agreement (other than this Agreement) with respect to any Shared Collateral, the proceeds of any sale, collection or other liquidation of any such Shared

 

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Collateral by any Pari Secured Party or received by the Applicable Authorized Representative or any Pari Secured Party pursuant to any such intercreditor agreement with respect to such Shared Collateral and proceeds of any such distribution to which the Pari Obligations are entitled under any intercreditor agreement (other than this Agreement) (subject, in the case of any such proceeds and distribution, to the sentence immediately following) (all proceeds of any sale, collection or other liquidation of any Shared Collateral and any payment or distribution made in respect of Shared Collateral pursuant to any intercreditor agreement or in an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding being collectively referred to as “Proceeds”), shall be applied (i) FIRST, to the payment of all amounts owing to each Authorized Representative (in its capacity as such) pursuant to the terms of any Secured Credit Document, (ii) SECOND, subject to Section 1.03, to the payment in full of the Pari Obligations of each Series on a ratable basis, with such Proceeds to be applied to the Pari Obligations of a given Series in accordance with the terms of the applicable Secured Credit Documents and (iii) THIRD, after payment of all Pari Obligations, to the Company and the other Grantors or their successors or assigns, as their interests may appear, or to whomsoever may be lawfully entitled to receive the same, or as a court of competent jurisdiction may direct; provided that following commencement of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding with respect to any Grantor, solely for purposes of this Section 2.01(a) and not any other Secured Credit Document, in the event the value of the Shared Collateral is not sufficient for the entire amount of Post-Petition Interest on the Pari Obligations to be allowed under Sections 506(a) and (b) of the Bankruptcy Code or any other applicable provision of the Bankruptcy Code or other bankruptcy law in such Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, the amount of Pari Obligations of each Series of Pari Obligations shall include only the maximum amount of Post-Petition Interest allowable under Sections 506(a) and (b) of the Bankruptcy Code or any other applicable provision of the Bankruptcy Code or other bankruptcy law in such Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding. If, despite the provisions of this Section 2.01(a), any Pari Secured Party shall receive any payment or other recovery in excess of its portion of payments on account of the Pari Obligations to which it is then entitled in accordance with this Section 2.01(a), such Pari Secured Party shall hold such payment or recovery in trust for the benefit of all Pari Secured Parties for distribution in accordance with this Section 2.01(a). Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to any Shared Collateral for which a third party (other than a Pari Secured Party) has a lien or security interest that is junior in priority to the security interest of any Series of Pari Obligations but senior (as determined by appropriate legal proceedings in the case of any dispute) to the security interest of any other Series of Pari Obligations (such third party, an “Intervening Creditor”), the value of any Shared Collateral or Proceeds allocated to such Intervening Creditor shall be deducted on a ratable basis solely from the Shared Collateral or Proceeds to be distributed in respect of the Series of Pari Obligations with respect to which such Impairment exists.

(b) It is acknowledged that the Pari Obligations of any Series may, subject to the limitations set forth in the then extant Secured Credit Documents, be increased, extended, renewed, replaced, restated, supplemented, restructured, repaid, refunded, Refinanced or otherwise amended or modified from time to time, all without affecting the priorities set forth in Section 2.01(a) or the provisions of this Agreement defining the relative rights of the Pari Secured Parties of any Series.

(c) Notwithstanding the date, time, method, manner or order of grant, attachment or perfection of any Liens securing any Series of Pari Obligations granted on the Shared Collateral and notwithstanding any provision of the Uniform Commercial Code of any jurisdiction, or any other applicable law or the Secured Credit Documents or any defect or deficiencies in the Liens securing the Pari Obligations of any Series or any other circumstance whatsoever (but, in each case, subject to Section 1.03), each Pari Secured Party hereby agrees that the Liens securing each Series of Pari Obligations on any Shared Collateral shall be of equal priority.

 

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SECTION 2.02 [Reserved].

SECTION 2.03 Actions with Respect to Shared Collateral; Prohibition on Contesting Liens.

(a) Only the Applicable Authorized Representative shall act or refrain from acting with respect to any Shared Collateral (including with respect to any intercreditor agreement with respect to any Shared Collateral) and no other Pari Secured Party shall or shall instruct any Authorized Representative to, and no Authorized Representative that is not the Applicable Authorized Representative shall, commence any judicial or nonjudicial foreclosure proceedings with respect to, seek to have a trustee, receiver, liquidator or similar official appointed for or over, attempt any action to take possession of, exercise any right, remedy or power with respect to, or otherwise take any action to enforce its security interest in or realize upon, or take any other action available to it in respect of, any Shared Collateral (including with respect to any intercreditor agreement with respect to any Shared Collateral), whether under any Additional Pari Collateral Document, applicable law or otherwise, it being agreed that only the Applicable Authorized Representative (or a person authorized by it), acting in accordance with the applicable Pari Collateral Documents, shall be entitled to take any such actions or exercise any such remedies with respect to Shared Collateral at such time.

(b) With respect to any Shared Collateral, (i) the Applicable Authorized Representative shall act only on the instructions of the Pari Secured Parties of the Series of Pari Obligations for which it is the Authorized Representative, (ii) the Applicable Authorized Representative shall not follow any instructions with respect to such Shared Collateral (including with respect to any intercreditor agreement with respect to any Shared Collateral) from any Non-Controlling Authorized Representative (or any other Pari Secured Party other than the Controlling Secured Parties) and (iii) no Non-Controlling Authorized Representative or other Pari Secured Party (other than the Controlling Secured Parties) shall or shall instruct the Applicable Authorized Representative to, commence any judicial or non-judicial foreclosure proceedings with respect to, seek to have a trustee, receiver, liquidator or similar official appointed for or over, attempt any action to take possession of, exercise any right, remedy or power with respect to, or otherwise take any action to enforce its security interest in or realize upon, or take any other action available to it in respect of, any Shared Collateral (including with respect to any intercreditor agreement with respect to any Shared Collateral), whether under any Pari Collateral Document, applicable law or otherwise, it being agreed that only the Applicable Authorized Representative (or a person authorized by it), acting on the instructions of the Controlling Secured Parties and in accordance with the applicable Pari Collateral Documents, shall be entitled to take any such actions or exercise any such remedies with respect to such Shared Collateral.

(c) Notwithstanding the equal priority of the Liens securing each Series of Pari Obligations with respect to any Shared Collateral, the Applicable Authorized Representative with respect thereto may deal with such Shared Collateral as if such Applicable Authorized Representative had a senior Lien on such Collateral. No Non-Controlling Authorized Representative or Non-Controlling Secured Party in respect of any Shared Collateral will contest, protest or object to any foreclosure proceeding or action brought by the Applicable Authorized Representative or any Controlling Secured Party or any other exercise by the Applicable Authorized Representative or any Controlling Secured Party of any rights and remedies relating to such Shared Collateral, or to cause the Applicable Authorized Representative to do so. The foregoing shall not be construed to limit the rights and priorities of any Pari Secured Party or any Authorized Representative with respect to any Collateral not constituting Shared Collateral.

(d) Each of the Pari Secured Parties agrees that it will not (and hereby waives any right to) question or contest or support any other Person in contesting, in any proceeding (including any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding), the perfection, priority, validity, attachment or enforceability of a Lien held by or on behalf of any of the Pari Secured Parties in all or any part of the Collateral, or the provisions of this Agreement; provided that nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to prevent or impair the rights of any Authorized Representative to enforce this Agreement.

 

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SECTION 2.04 No Interference; Payment Over.

(a) Each Pari Secured Party agrees that (i) it will not challenge or question, or support any other Person in challenging or questioning, in any proceeding the validity or enforceability of any Pari Obligations of any Series or any Pari Collateral Document or the validity, attachment, perfection or priority of any Lien under any Pari Collateral Document or the validity or enforceability of the priorities, rights or duties established by or other provisions of this Agreement; (ii) it will not take or cause to be taken any action the purpose or intent of which is, or could be, to interfere, hinder or delay, in any manner, whether by judicial proceedings or otherwise, any sale, transfer or other disposition of any Shared Collateral by the Applicable Authorized Representative, (iii) except as provided in Section 2.03, it shall have no right to (A) direct the Applicable Authorized Representative or any other Pari Secured Party to exercise, and shall not exercise, any right, remedy or power with respect to any Shared Collateral (including pursuant to any intercreditor agreement) or (B) consent to the exercise by the Applicable Authorized Representative or any other Pari Secured Party of any right, remedy or power with respect to any Shared Collateral, (iv) it will not institute any suit or assert in any suit, Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding or other proceeding any claim against the Applicable Authorized Representative or any other Pari Secured Party seeking damages from or other relief by way of specific performance, instructions or otherwise with respect to any Shared Collateral, and none of the Applicable Authorized Representative or any other Pari Secured Party shall be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Applicable Authorized Representative or other Pari Secured Party with respect to any Shared Collateral in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, (v) if not the Applicable Authorized Representative, it will not seek, and hereby waives any right, to have any Shared Collateral or any part thereof marshaled upon any foreclosure or other disposition of such Collateral and (vi) it will not attempt, directly or indirectly, whether by judicial proceedings or otherwise, to challenge the enforceability of any provision of this Agreement; provided that nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to prevent or impair the rights of any of the Applicable Authorized Representative or any other Pari Secured Party to enforce this Agreement.

(b) Each Pari Secured Party hereby agrees that if it shall obtain possession of any Shared Collateral or shall realize any Proceeds or payment in respect of any such Shared Collateral, pursuant to any Pari Collateral Document or by the exercise of any rights available to it under applicable law or in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding or through any other exercise of remedies (including pursuant to any intercreditor agreement), at any time prior to the Discharge of each of the Pari Obligations, then it shall hold such Shared Collateral, Proceeds or payment in trust for the other Pari Secured Parties and promptly transfer such Shared Collateral, Proceeds or payment, as the case may be, to the Applicable Authorized Representative, to be distributed in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.01 hereof.

SECTION 2.05 Automatic Release of Liens.

(a) If, at any time the Applicable Authorized Representative forecloses upon or otherwise exercises remedies against any Shared Collateral resulting in a sale, transfer or disposition thereof, then (whether or not any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding is pending at the time) the Liens in favor of each other Authorized Representative for the benefit of each Series of Pari Secured Parties, and of any Pari Secured Parties, upon such Shared Collateral will automatically be released and discharged as and when, but only to the extent, such Liens of the Applicable Authorized Representative on such Shared Collateral are released and discharged; provided that any Proceeds of any Shared Collateral realized therefrom shall be allocated and applied pursuant to Section 2.01.

(b) Each Authorized Representative agrees to execute and deliver (at the sole cost and expense of the Grantors) all such authorizations and other instruments as shall reasonably be requested by the Applicable Authorized Representative to evidence and confirm any release of Shared Collateral provided for in this Section.

 

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SECTION 2.06 Certain Agreements with Respect to Bankruptcy or Insolvency Proceedings.

(a) This Agreement shall continue in full force and effect notwithstanding the commencement of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding (including any Bankruptcy Case) by or against the Company, any other Grantor or any of their respective Subsidiaries. The parties hereto acknowledge that the provisions of this Agreement are intended to be and shall be enforceable as contemplated by Section 510(a) of the Bankruptcy Code or any equivalent provision of any other Bankruptcy Law.

(b) If the Company and/or any other Grantor shall become subject to a case (a “Bankruptcy Case”) under the Bankruptcy Code or any other applicable Bankruptcy Law and shall, as debtor(s)-in-possession, move for approval of financing (the “DIP Financing”) to be provided by one or more lenders (the “DIP Lenders”) under Section 364 of the Bankruptcy Code or any equivalent provision of any other Bankruptcy Law or the use of cash collateral under Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code or any equivalent provision of any other Bankruptcy Law, each Pari Secured Party (other than any Controlling Secured Party or the Authorized Representative of any Controlling Secured Party) agrees that it will raise no objection to any such financing or to the Liens on the Shared Collateral securing the same (“DIP Financing Liens”) or to any use of cash collateral that constitutes Shared Collateral, unless the Applicable Authorized Representative shall then oppose or object to such DIP Financing or such DIP Financing Liens or use of cash collateral (and (i) to the extent that such DIP Financing Liens are senior to the Liens on any such Shared Collateral for the benefit of the Controlling Secured Parties, each Non-Controlling Secured Party will subordinate its Liens with respect to such Shared Collateral on the same terms as the Liens of the Controlling Secured Parties (other than any Liens of any Pari Secured Parties constituting DIP Financing Liens) are subordinated thereto, and (ii) to the extent that such DIP Financing Liens rank pari passu with the Liens on any such Shared Collateral granted to secure the Pari Obligations of the Controlling Secured Parties, each Non-Controlling Secured Party will confirm the priorities with respect to such Shared Collateral as set forth herein), in each case so long as (A) the Pari Secured Parties of each Series retain the benefit of their Liens on all such Shared Collateral pledged to the DIP Lenders, including proceeds thereof arising after the commencement of such proceeding, with the same priority vis-à-vis all the other Pari Secured Parties (other than any Liens of the Pari Secured Parties constituting DIP Financing Liens) as existed prior to the commencement of the Bankruptcy Case, (B) the Pari Secured Parties of each Series are granted Liens on any additional collateral pledged to any Pari Secured Parties as adequate protection or otherwise in connection with such DIP Financing or use of cash collateral (in each case, except to the extent a Lien on additional collateral is granted to one Series in consideration of Collateral of such Series that is not Shared Collateral for a Series that does not receive a Lien on such additional collateral), with the same priority vis-à-vis the Pari Secured Parties as set forth in this Agreement (other than any Liens of the Pari Secured Parties constituting DIP Financing Liens), (C) if any amount of such DIP Financing or cash collateral is applied to repay any of the Pari Obligations, such amount is applied pursuant to Section 2.01 (in each case, except to the extent a payment is made to one Series in consideration of Collateral of such Series that is not Shared Collateral for a Series that does not receive such payment), and (D) if any Pari Secured Parties are granted adequate protection, including in the form of periodic payments, in connection with such DIP Financing or use of cash collateral, the proceeds of such adequate protection are applied pursuant to Section 2.01 (in each case, except to the extent such adequate protection is granted to one Series in consideration of Collateral of such Series that is not Shared Collateral for a Series that does not receive such adequate protection); provided that the Pari Secured Parties of each Series shall have a right to object to the grant of a Lien to secure the DIP Financing over any Collateral subject to Liens in favor of the Pari Secured Parties of such Series or its Authorized Representative that shall not constitute Shared Collateral; and provided, further, that the Pari Secured Parties receiving adequate protection shall not object to any other Pari Secured Party receiving adequate protection comparable to any adequate protection granted to such Pari Secured Parties (other than as a provider of DIP Financing) in connection with a DIP Financing or use of cash collateral.

 

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SECTION 2.07 Reinstatement. In the event that any of the Pari Obligations shall be paid in full and such payment or any part thereof shall subsequently, for whatever reason (including an order or judgment for disgorgement or avoidance of a preference under the Bankruptcy Code, or any Bankruptcy Law or other similar law, or the settlement of any claim in respect thereof), be required to be returned or repaid, the terms and conditions of this Article II shall be fully applicable thereto until all such Pari Obligations shall again have been paid in full in cash.

SECTION 2.08 Insurance. As between the Pari Secured Parties, the Applicable Authorized Representative shall have the right to adjust or settle any insurance policy or claim covering or constituting Shared Collateral in the event of any loss thereunder and to approve any award granted in any condemnation or similar proceeding affecting the Shared Collateral.

SECTION 2.09 Refinancings. The Pari Obligations of any Series may be Refinanced, in whole or in part, in each case, without notice to, or the consent (except to the extent a consent is otherwise required to permit the Refinancing transaction under any Secured Credit Document) of any Pari Secured Party of any other Series, all without affecting the priorities provided for herein or the other provisions hereof; provided that the Authorized Representative of the holders of any such Refinancing indebtedness shall have executed a Joinder Agreement on behalf of the holders of such Refinancing indebtedness.

SECTION 2.10 Gratuitous Bailee/Agent for Perfection.

(a) Possessory Collateral shall be delivered to the Applicable Authorized Representative. Notwithstanding the foregoing, each Authorized Representative agrees to hold all Possessory Collateral that is in its possession or control (or in the possession or control of its agents or bailees) as gratuitous bailee (such bailment being intended, among other things, to satisfy the requirements of Sections 8-106, 8-301(a)(2) and 9-313(c) of the Uniform Commercial Code, to the extent applicable) for the benefit of each other Pari Secured Party for which such Possessory Collateral is Shared Collateral and any assignee solely for the purpose of perfecting the security interest granted in such Possessory Collateral, if any, pursuant to the applicable Pari Collateral Documents, in each case, subject to the terms and conditions of this Section 2.10. Solely with respect to any Deposit Accounts constituting Shared Collateral under the control of any Authorized Representative (within the meaning of 9-104 of the Uniform Commercial Code), each such Authorized Representative agrees to also hold over such Deposit Accounts as gratuitous agent for each other Pari Secured Party for which such Deposit Account is Shared Collateral and any assignee for the purpose of perfecting the security interest in such Deposit Accounts, subject to the terms and conditions of this Section 2.10. At any time an Authorized Representative ceases to be Applicable Authorized Representative with respect to any Possessory Collateral, such former Applicable Authorized Representative shall, at the request of the new Applicable Authorized Representative and at the cost and expense of the Company, promptly deliver all such Possessory Collateral to such new Applicable Authorized Representative together with any necessary endorsements (or otherwise allow such new Applicable Authorized Representative to obtain control of such Possessory Collateral). The Company shall take such further action as is required to effectuate the transfer contemplated hereby and shall indemnify each Authorized Representative for loss or damage suffered by such Authorized Representative as a result of such transfer except for loss or damage suffered by such Authorized Representative as a result of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a final non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.

(b) The duties or responsibilities of each Authorized Representative under this Section 2.10 shall be limited solely to holding any Shared Collateral constituting Possessory Collateral as gratuitous bailee or constituting Deposit Accounts as gratuitous agent (such bailment or agency being intended, among other things, to satisfy the requirements of Sections 8-106, 8-301(a)(2), 9-313(c) and 9-104 of the Uniform Commercial Code, to the extent applicable) for the benefit of each other Pari Secured Party for purposes of perfecting the Lien held by such Pari Secured Parties thereon.

 

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ARTICLE III

Existence and Amounts of Liens and Obligations

SECTION 3.01 Determinations with Respect to Amounts of Liens and Obligations. Whenever any Authorized Representative shall be required, in connection with the exercise of its rights or the performance of its obligations hereunder, to determine the existence or amount of any Pari Obligations of any Series, or the Shared Collateral subject to any Lien securing the Pari Obligations of any Series, it may request that such information be furnished to it in writing by each other Authorized Representative and shall be entitled to make such determination or not make any determination on the basis of the information so furnished; provided, however, that if an Authorized Representative shall fail or refuse reasonably promptly to provide the requested information, the requesting Authorized Representative shall be entitled to make any such determination by such method as it may, in the exercise of its good faith judgment, determine, including by reliance upon a certificate of the Company. Each Authorized Representative may rely conclusively, and shall be fully protected in so relying, on any determination made by it in accordance with the provisions of the preceding sentence (or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction) and shall have no liability to any Grantor, any Pari Secured Party or any other Person as a result of such determination.

ARTICLE IV

The Applicable Authorized Representative

SECTION 4.01 Authority.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, nothing herein shall be construed to impose any fiduciary or other duty on any Applicable Authorized Representative to any Non-Controlling Secured Party or give any Non-Controlling Secured Party the right to direct any Applicable Authorized Representative, except that each Applicable Authorized Representative shall be obligated to distribute Proceeds of any Shared Collateral in accordance with Section 2.01 hereof.

(b) In furtherance of the foregoing, each Non-Controlling Secured Party acknowledges and agrees that the Applicable Authorized Representative shall be entitled, for the benefit of the Pari Secured Parties, to sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of or deal with any Shared Collateral as provided herein and in the Pari Collateral Documents, as applicable, pursuant to which the Applicable Authorized Representative is the collateral agent for such Shared Collateral, without regard to any rights to which the Non-Controlling Secured Parties would otherwise be entitled as a result of the Pari Obligations held by such Non-Controlling Secured Parties. Without limiting the foregoing, each Non-Controlling Secured Party agrees that none of the Applicable Authorized Representative, the Controlling Secured Parties or any other Pari Secured Party shall have any duty or obligation first to marshal or realize upon any type of Shared Collateral (or any other Collateral securing any of the Pari Obligations), or to sell, dispose of or otherwise liquidate all or any portion of such Shared Collateral (or any other Collateral securing any Pari Obligations), in any manner that would maximize the return to the Non-Controlling Secured Parties, notwithstanding that the order and timing of any such realization, sale, disposition or liquidation may affect the amount of Proceeds actually received by the Non-Controlling Secured Parties from such realization, sale, disposition or liquidation. Each of the Pari Secured Parties waives any claim it may now or hereafter have against the Authorized Representative of any other Series of Pari Obligations or any other Pari Secured Party of any other Series arising out of (i) any

 

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actions in accordance with this Agreement which any Authorized Representative or the Pari Secured Parties take or omit to take (including, actions with respect to the creation, perfection or continuation of Liens on any Collateral, actions with respect to the foreclosure upon, sale, release or depreciation of, or failure to realize upon, any of the Collateral and actions with respect to the collection of any claim for all or any part of the Pari Obligations from any account debtor, guarantor or any other party) in accordance with the Pari Collateral Documents or any other agreement related thereto or to the collection of the Pari Obligations or the valuation, use, protection or release of any security for the Pari Obligations, (ii) any election in accordance with this Agreement by any Applicable Authorized Representative or any holders of Pari Obligations, in any proceeding instituted under the Bankruptcy Code, of the application of Section 1111(b) of the Bankruptcy Code or any equivalent provision of any other Bankruptcy Law or (iii) subject to Section 2.06, any borrowing by, or grant of a security interest or administrative expense priority under Section 364 of the Bankruptcy Code or any equivalent provision of any other Bankruptcy Law, by a Grantor or any of its Subsidiaries, as debtor-in-possession. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Applicable Authorized Representative shall not accept any Shared Collateral in full or partial satisfaction of any Pari Obligations pursuant to Section 9-620 of the Uniform Commercial Code of any jurisdiction, without the consent of each Authorized Representative representing holders of Pari Obligations for whom such Collateral constitutes Shared Collateral.

SECTION 4.02 Exculpatory Provisions. The Applicable Authorized Representative shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Applicable Authorized Representative:

(i) shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing;

(ii) shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby; provided that the Applicable Authorized Representative shall not be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of its counsel, may expose the Applicable Authorized Representative to liability or that is contrary to this Agreement or applicable law;

(iii) shall not, except as expressly set forth herein, have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to a Grantor or any of its Affiliates that is communicated to or obtained by the Person serving as the Applicable Authorized Representative or any of its Affiliates in any capacity;

(iv) shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it (1) in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct or (2) in reliance on a certificate of an Authorized Officer of the Company stating that such action is permitted by the terms of this Agreement. The Applicable Authorized Representative shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Event of Default under any Series of Pari Obligations unless and until notice describing such Event of Default and referencing the applicable agreement is given to the Applicable Authorized Representative;

(v) shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (1) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Pari Collateral Documents, (2) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, (3) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or therein or the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default, (4) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, any other Pari Collateral Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, or the creation, perfection or priority of any Lien purported to be created by the Pari Collateral Documents, (5) the value or the sufficiency of any Collateral for any Series of Pari Obligations, or (6) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in any Secured Credit Document, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Applicable Authorized Representative; and

 

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(vi) need not segregate money held hereunder from other funds except to the extent required by law. The Applicable Authorized Representative shall be under no liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise agreed in writing.

ARTICLE V

Miscellaneous

SECTION 5.01 Notices. 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 facsimile, as follows:

 

  (a)

if to the Company or any Grantor, to the Company, at its address at:

Whirlpool Corporation

2000 North M-63

Benton Harbor, Michigan 49022

Attn:

Phone:

Email:

 

  (b)

if to the Initial Indenture Authorized Representative, to its address at:

[Complete]

with a copy, which shall not constitute notice, to:

[Complete]

 

  (c)

if to the Initial Additional Authorized Representative, to it at:

[Complete]

(d) if to any other Authorized Representative, to it at the address set forth in the applicable Joinder Agreement.

Any party hereto may change its address or facsimile number for notices and other communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto. All notices and other communications given to any party hereto in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been given on the date of receipt (if a Business Day) and on the next Business Day thereafter (in all other cases) if delivered by hand or overnight courier service or sent by facsimile or on the date three (3) Business Days after dispatch by certified or registered mail if mailed, in each case delivered, sent or mailed (properly addressed) to such party as provided in this Section 5.01 or in accordance with the latest unrevoked direction from such party given in accordance with this Section 5.01. As agreed to in writing among each Authorized Representative from time to time, notices and other communications may also be delivered by e-mail to the e-mail address of a representative of the applicable Person provided from time to time by such Person.

 

16


SECTION 5.02 Waivers; Amendment; Joinder Agreements.

(a) No failure or delay on the part of any party hereto in exercising any right, remedy, privilege or power hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right, remedy, privilege or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right, remedy, privilege or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, privilege or power. The rights, powers, privileges and remedies of the parties hereto are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights, powers, privileges or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or consent to any departure by any party therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by Section 5.02(b), and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. No notice or demand on any party hereto in any case shall entitle such party to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.

(b) Neither this Agreement nor any provision hereof may be terminated (other than in accordance with Section 5.16 herein), waived, amended or modified (other than pursuant to any Joinder Agreement) except pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by each Authorized Representative and the Grantors.

(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, without the consent of any Pari Secured Party, any Authorized Representative may become a party hereto by execution and delivery of a Joinder Agreement in accordance with Section 5.12 and upon such execution and delivery, such Authorized Representative and the Additional Pari Secured Parties and Additional Pari Obligations of the Series for which such Authorized Representative is acting shall be subject to the terms hereof, so long as such Authorized Representative shall have become party to the Senior Intercreditor Agreement and such Authorized Representative and the Additional Pari Secured Parties and Additional Pari Obligations of the Series for which such Authorized Representative is acting in accordance with the terms thereof.

(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, in connection with any Refinancing of Pari Obligations of any Series, or the incurrence of Additional Pari Obligations of any Series, the Authorized Representatives then party hereto shall enter (and are hereby authorized to enter without the consent of any other Pari Secured Party or any Grantor), at the request of any Authorized Representative or the Company, into such amendments or modifications of this Agreement as are reasonably necessary to reflect such Refinancing or such incurrence and are reasonably satisfactory to each such Authorized Representative, provided that any Authorized Representative may condition its execution and delivery of any such amendment or modification on a receipt of a certificate from an Authorized Officer of the Company to the effect that such Refinancing or incurrence and such amendment are permitted by the then existing Secured Credit Documents.

SECTION 5.03 Parties in Interest. This Agreement and the rights and benefits hereof shall inure to the benefit of each of the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns and shall inure to the benefit of and bind each of the Pari Secured Parties. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to or shall impair the obligations of any Grantor, which are absolute and unconditional, to pay the Pari Obligations as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms.

SECTION 5.04 Survival of Agreement. All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by any party in this Agreement shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement.

 

17


SECTION 5.05 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by one or more of the parties to this Agreement on any number of separate counterparts (including by facsimile or other electronic transmission), and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument.

SECTION 5.06 Severability. Any provision of this Agreement that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

SECTION 5.07 GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

SECTION 5.08 Submission to Jurisdiction Waivers; Consent to Service of Process. Each Authorized Representative, on behalf of itself and the Pari Secured Parties of the Series for whom it is acting, irrevocably and unconditionally:

(a) submits for itself and its property in any legal action or proceeding relating to this Agreement to which it is a party to the exclusive general jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York or the courts of the United States for the Southern District of New York, in each case sitting in New York City in the Borough of Manhattan, and appellate courts from any thereof;

(b) consents that any such action or proceeding may be brought in such courts and waives (to the extent permitted by applicable law) any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the venue of any such action or proceeding in any such court or that such action or proceeding was brought in an inconvenient court and agrees not to plead or claim the same or to commence or support any such action or proceeding in any other courts;

(c) agrees that service of process in any such action or proceeding may be effected by mailing a copy thereof by registered or certified mail (or any substantially similar form of mail), postage prepaid, to such Person at its address set forth in Section 5.01;

(d) agrees that nothing herein shall affect the right of any other party hereto (or any Secured Party) to effect service of process in any other manner permitted by law or to commence legal proceedings or otherwise proceed against the Company or any other Grantor in any other jurisdiction; and

(e) waives, to the maximum extent not prohibited by law, any right it may have to claim or recover in any legal action or proceeding referred to in this Section 5.08 any special, exemplary, punitive or consequential damages.

SECTION 5.09 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES (TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW) THE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING, CLAIM OR COUNTERCLAIM BROUGHT BY ANY PARTY RELATED TO OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR THE PERFORMANCE OF SERVICES HEREUNDER.

SECTION 5.10 Headings. Article, Section and Annex headings used herein are included for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement.

 

18


SECTION 5.11 Conflicts. This Agreement and the rights and obligations of the parties hereto are subject in all respects to the Senior Intercreditor Agreement. In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of any of the Pari Collateral Documents or any of the other Secured Credit Documents, the provisions of this Agreement shall control. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the relative rights and obligations of the Pari Secured Parties on the one hand, and the Senior Secured Parties (as defined in the Senior Intercreditor Agreement), on the other hand, with respect to any Shared Collateral shall be governed by the terms of the Senior Intercreditor Agreement and in the event of any conflict between this Agreement and the Senior Intercreditor Agreement with respect to such rights and obligations with respect to the Shared Collateral, the provisions of the Senior Intercreditor Agreement shall control.

SECTION 5.12 Additional Pari Class Debt. To the extent, but only to the extent, permitted by the provisions of the Senior Intercreditor Agreement and the Secured Credit Documents, the Grantors may incur additional indebtedness after the date hereof that is permitted by the Senior Intercreditor Agreement and the Secured Credit Documents to be incurred and secured on an equal and ratable basis by the Liens securing the Pari Obligations (such indebtedness referred to as “Additional Pari Class Debt”). Any such Additional Pari Class Debt, together with obligations relating thereto, may be secured by such Liens if and subject to the condition that the trustee, administrative agent or similar representative for the holders of such Additional Pari Class Debt (each, an “Additional Pari Class Debt Representative” and, together with the holders of such Additional Pari Class Debt, the “Additional Pari Class Debt Parties”), in each case acting on behalf of the holders of such Additional Pari Class Debt, become a party to this Agreement by satisfying the conditions set forth in clauses (i) through (iv) of the immediately succeeding paragraph.

In order, with respect to any Additional Pari Class Debt, for an Additional Pari Class Debt Representative to become a party to this Agreement,

(i) such Additional Pari Class Debt Representative and each Grantor shall have executed and delivered an instrument substantially in the form of Annex II (with such changes as may be reasonably approved by such Authorized Representatives and such Additional Pari Class Debt Representative) pursuant to which such Additional Pari Class Debt Representative becomes an “Authorized Representative” hereunder and such Additional Pari Class Debt and the related Additional Pari Class Debt Parties become subject hereto and bound hereby;

(ii) the Company shall have (x) delivered to each Authorized Representative true and complete copies of each of the Additional Pari Documents relating to such Additional Pari Class Debt, certified as being true and correct by an Authorized Officer of the Company, (y) identified in a certificate of an Authorized Officer of the Company such Additional Pari Class Debt, stating the initial aggregate principal amount or face amount thereof, and the obligations to be designated as Additional Pari Obligations and certified that such obligations are permitted to be incurred and secured on a pari passu basis with the then-extant Pari Obligations and by the terms of the then-extant Secured Credit Documents and (z) delivered to each Authorized Representative evidence that such Additional Pari Class Debt Representative shall have become party to the Senior Intercreditor Agreement pursuant to Section 8.09 thereof;

(iii) all filings, recordations and/or amendments or supplements to the Pari Collateral Documents necessary or desirable in the reasonable judgment of such Additional Pari Class Debt Representative to confirm and perfect the Liens securing the relevant obligations relating to such Additional Pari Class Debt shall have been made, executed and/or delivered (or, with respect to any such filings or recordations, acceptable provisions to perform such filings or recordations shall have been taken in the reasonable judgment of such Additional Pari Class Debt Representative), and all fees and Taxes in connection therewith shall have been paid (or acceptable provisions to make such payments have been taken in the reasonable judgment of such Additional Pari Class Debt Representative); and

(iv) the Additional Pari Documents, as applicable, relating to such Additional Pari Class Debt shall provide that each Additional Pari Class Debt Party with respect to such Additional Pari Class Debt will be subject to and bound by the provisions of this Agreement in its capacity as a holder of such Additional Pari Class Debt.

 

19


SECTION 5.13 Agent Capacities. Except as expressly provided herein or in the Initial Indenture Collateral Documents, the Initial Indenture Authorized Representative is acting in the capacities of [trustee and collateral agent] solely for the Initial Indenture Secured Parties. Except as expressly provided herein or in the Initial Additional Pari Documents, [    ], as [_____] is acting in the capacity of Initial Additional Authorized Representative solely for the Initial Additional Pari Secured Parties and not individually. Except as expressly set forth herein, no Authorized Representative shall have any duties or obligations in respect of any of the Collateral, all of such duties and obligations, if any, being subject to and governed by the applicable Secured Credit Documents.

SECTION 5.14 Additional Grantors. In the event any Subsidiary of a Grantor shall have granted a Lien on any of its assets to secure any Pari Obligations, such Grantor shall cause such Subsidiary, if not already a party hereto, to the extent required pursuant to the applicable Secured Credit Documents, to become a party hereto as a “Grantor”. Upon the execution and delivery by any Subsidiary of a Grantor of a Grantor Joinder Agreement in substantially the form of Annex III hereof, any such Subsidiary shall become a party hereto and a Grantor hereunder with the same force and effect as if originally named as such herein. The execution and delivery of any such instrument shall not require the consent of any other party hereto (except to the extent obtained on or prior to such date). The rights and obligations of each party hereto shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the addition of any new Grantor as a party to this Agreement.

SECTION 5.15 Integration. This Agreement together with the other Secured Credit Documents and the Pari Collateral Documents represents the agreement of each of the Grantors and the Pari Secured Parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and there are no promises, undertakings, representations or warranties by any Grantor or any Pari Secured Party relative to the subject matter hereof not expressly set forth or referred to herein or in the other Secured Credit Documents or the Pari Collateral Documents (other than the Senior Intercreditor Agreement).

SECTION 5.16 Termination. This Agreement shall continue in full force and effect until, and shall terminate automatically and without any further action by any party hereto upon, the Discharge of all of the Pari Obligations of each Series; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) the rights and obligations of the parties hereto under Section 2.07 (Reinstatement) shall survive any such termination, and this Agreement shall be reinstated in accordance with the terms of Section 2.07 in the event that any payment in respect of any Pari Obligations is rescinded or must otherwise be returned or repaid by any Pari Secured Party for any reason, all as more fully set forth herein, and (b) the provisions of Sections 2.10 (Gratuitous Bailee/Agent for Perfection), 4.02 (Exculpatory Provisions), 5.03 (Parties in Interest), 5.04 (Survival of Agreement), 5.07 (Governing Law), 5.08 (Submission to Jurisdiction Waivers; Consent to Service of Process) and 5.09 (Waiver of Jury Trial), together with any other provision hereof that by its terms is intended to survive, shall survive any termination of this Agreement.

 

20


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

 

[U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION], as Authorized Representative for the Initial Indenture Secured Parties
By:    
Name:
Title:

 

By:    
Name:
Title:

 

[     ]
as Initial Additional Authorized Representative
By:    
Name:
Title:

 

 

21


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have hereunto signed this Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement as of the date first written above.

 

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
By:    
Name:  
Title:  

 

[NAME OF GRANTOR]
By:    
Name:
Title:

 

 

[Signature Page to Second Lien Intercreditor Agreement]


ANNEX I

Grantors

 

ANNEX I - 1


ANNEX II

[FORM OF] JOINDER NO. [  ] dated as of [  ], 20[  ] (this “Joinder Agreement”) to the SECOND LIEN INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT dated as of [    ] (the “Pari Intercreditor Agreement”), among WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION (the “Company”), certain subsidiaries and affiliates of the Company (each, a “Grantor”), [U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION], as Authorized Representative for the Initial Indenture Secured Parties, [     ], as the Initial Additional Authorized Representative and the additional Authorized Representatives from time to time a party thereto.1

A. Capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Pari Intercreditor Agreement. Section 1.02 contained in the Pari Intercreditor Agreement is incorporated herein, mutatis mutandis, as if a part hereof.

B. As a condition to the ability of the Company to incur Additional Pari Obligations and to secure such Additional Pari Class Debt with the liens and security interests created by the Additional Pari Collateral Documents, the Additional Pari Class Debt Representative in respect of such Additional Pari Class Debt is required to become an Authorized Representative, and such Additional Pari Class Debt and the Additional Pari Class Debt Parties in respect thereof are required to become subject to and bound by, the Pari Intercreditor Agreement. Section 5.12 of the Pari Intercreditor Agreement provides that such Additional Pari Class Debt Representative may become an Authorized Representative, and such Additional Pari Class Debt and such Additional Pari Class Debt Parties may become subject to and bound by the Pari Intercreditor Agreement upon the execution and delivery by the Additional Pari Class Debt Representative of an instrument in the form of this Joinder Agreement and the satisfaction of the other conditions set forth in Section 5.12 of the Pari Intercreditor Agreement. The undersigned Additional Pari Class Debt Representative (the “New Representative”) is executing this Joinder Agreement in accordance with the requirements of the Pari Intercreditor Agreement and the Pari Collateral Documents.

Accordingly, the New Representative agrees as follows:

SECTION 1. In accordance with Section 5.12 of the Pari Intercreditor Agreement, the New Representative by its signature below becomes an Authorized Representative under, and the related Additional Pari Class Debt and Additional Pari Class Debt Parties become subject to and bound by, the Pari Intercreditor Agreement with the same force and effect as if the New Representative had originally been named therein as an Authorized Representative, and the New Representative, on its behalf and on behalf of such Additional Pari Class Debt Parties, hereby agrees to all the terms and provisions of the Pari Intercreditor Agreement applicable to it as Authorized Representative and to the Additional Pari Class Debt Parties that it represents as Additional Pari Secured Parties. Each reference to an “Authorized Representative” in the Pari Intercreditor Agreement shall be deemed to include the New Representative. The Pari Intercreditor Agreement is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

SECTION 2. The New Representative represents and warrants to each Authorized Representative and the other Pari Secured Parties, individually, that (i) it has full power and authority to enter into this Joinder Agreement, in its capacity as [trustee/administrative agent/collateral agent] under [describe new facility], (ii) this Joinder Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by it and constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms and, (iii) the Additional Pari Documents relating to such Additional Pari Class Debt provide that, upon its entry into this Joinder Agreement, the Additional Pari Class Debt Parties in respect of such Additional Pari Class Debt will be subject to and bound by the provisions of the Pari Intercreditor Agreement as Additional Pari Secured Parties.

 
1 

In the event of the Refinancing of the [    ] Obligations, revise to reflect joinder by a new [    ] Collateral Agent

 

ANNEX II - 1


SECTION 3. This Joinder Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Joinder Agreement shall become effective when each Authorized Representative shall have received a counterpart of this Joinder Agreement that bears the signatures of the New Representative. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Joinder Agreement by facsimile or other electronic transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Joinder Agreement.

SECTION 4. Except as expressly supplemented hereby, the Pari Intercreditor Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 5. THIS JOINDER AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

SECTION 6. In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Joinder Agreement should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, no party hereto shall be required to comply with such provision for so long as such provision is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, but the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein and in the Pari Intercreditor Agreement shall not in any way be affected or impaired. The parties hereto shall endeavor in good-faith negotiations to replace the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

SECTION 7. All communications and notices hereunder shall be in writing and given as provided in Section 5.01 of the Pari Intercreditor Agreement. All communications and notices hereunder to the New Representative shall be given to it at its address set forth below its signature hereto.

[Remainder of this page intentionally left blank – signature pages follow]

 

ANNEX II - 2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the New Representative has duly executed this Joinder Agreement to the Pari Intercreditor Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

[NAME OF NEW REPRESENTATIVE], as [    ] and as [______] for the holders of [    ],
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
Address for notices:

 

 

Attention:  

 

Telecopy:  

 

 

ANNEX II - 3


Acknowledged by:
WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
[NAME OF GRANTOR]
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

ANNEX II - 4


ANNEX III

[FORM OF] GRANTOR JOINDER AGREEMENT NO. [ ] dated as of [ ] (this “Joinder Agreement”) to the SECOND LIEN INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT dated as of [    ] (the “Pari Intercreditor Agreement”), among WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION, (the “Company”), certain subsidiaries and affiliates of the Company (each, a “Grantor”), and the Authorized Representatives from time to time a party thereto.

Capitalized terms used herein but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Pari Intercreditor Agreement.

[ ], a [ ] [corporation] [limited liability company] and an Affiliate of the Company (the “Additional Grantor”), has granted a Lien on all or a portion of its assets to secure Pari Obligations and such Additional Grantor is not a party to the Pari Intercreditor Agreement.

The Additional Grantor wishes to become a party to the Pari Intercreditor Agreement and to acquire and undertake the rights and obligations of a Grantor thereunder. The Additional Grantor is entering into this Joinder Agreement in accordance with the provisions of the Pari Intercreditor Agreement in order to become a Grantor thereunder.

Accordingly, the Additional Grantor agrees as follows, for the benefit of the Authorized Representatives and the Pari Secured Parties:

SECTION 1.01 Accession to the Pari Intercreditor Agreement. The Additional Grantor hereby (a) accedes and becomes a party to the Pari Intercreditor Agreement as a “Grantor”, (b) agrees to all the terms and provisions of the Pari Intercreditor Agreement and (c) acknowledges and agrees that the Additional Grantor shall have the rights and obligations specified under the Pari Intercreditor Agreement with respect to a “Grantor”, and shall be subject to and bound by the provisions of the Pari Intercreditor Agreement.

SECTION 1.02 Representations and Warranties of the Additional Grantor. The Additional Grantor represents and warrants to the Authorized Representatives and the Pari Secured Parties on the date hereof that this Joinder Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by it and constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms.

SECTION 1.03 Parties in Interest. This Joinder Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns, as well as the other Pari Secured Parties, all of whom are intended to be bound by, and to be third party beneficiaries of, this Joinder Agreement.

SECTION 1.04 Counterparts. This Joinder Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, but all such counterparts together shall constitute but one and the same instrument. This Joinder Agreement shall become effective when the Authorized Representatives shall have received a counterpart of this Joinder Agreement that bears the signature of the Additional Grantor. Delivery of an executed signature page to this Joinder Agreement by facsimile or other electronic transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually signed counterpart of this Joinder Agreement.

SECTION 1.05 Governing Law. THIS JOINDER AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

 

ANNEX III - 1


SECTION 1.06 Notices. Any notice or other communications herein required or permitted shall be in writing and given as provided in Section 5.01 of the Pari Intercreditor Agreement.

SECTION 1.07 Incorporation by Reference. The provisions of Sections 1.02, 5.04, 5.06, 5.08, 5.09, 5.10, 5.11 and 5.12 of the Pari Intercreditor Agreement are hereby incorporated by reference, mutatis mutandis, as if set forth in full herein.

 

ANNEX III - 2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Additional Grantor has duly executed this Joinder Agreement to the Pari Intercreditor Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

[ADDITIONAL GRANTOR]
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

ANNEX III - 3

Exhibit 10.1

Execution Version

ABL CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT

dated as of June 16, 2026

among

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

INSINKERATOR LLC

KITCHENAID GLOBAL LLC

WHIRLPOOL PROPERTIES, INC.

MAYTAG PROPERTIES, LLC

CERTAIN FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

and

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,

as Administrative Agent

and

THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA,

FIFTH THIRD BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

THE HUNTINGTON NATIONAL BANK,

and

STANDARD CHARTERED BANK,

as Documentation Agents

and

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.

BNP PARIBAS SECURITIES CORP.,

CITIBANK, N.A.,

MIZUHO BANK, LTD.,

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

BMO CAPITAL MARKETS CORP,

GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA,

PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

and

TD BANK, N.A.,

as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  
ARTICLE 1. DEFINITIONS      1  

Section 1.01

 

Definitions

     1  

Section 1.02

 

Accounting Terms and Determinations

     73  

Section 1.03

 

Interest Rates; Benchmark Notification

     74  

Section 1.04

 

Other Interpretive Provisions

     75  

Section 1.05

 

Limited Condition Transactions

     75  

Section 1.06

 

Letter of Credit Amounts

     76  

Section 1.07

 

Exchange Rates; Currency Equivalents

     76  

Section 1.08

 

Canadian Terms

     77  
ARTICLE 2. THE FACILITY      77  

Section 2.01

 

Description of Facility

     77  

Section 2.02

 

Availability of Facility; Required Payments

     77  

Section 2.03

 

Advances

     78  

Section 2.04

 

Letter of Credit Subfacility

     81  

Section 2.05

 

Reserved

     87  

Section 2.06

 

Reserved

     87  

Section 2.07

 

Fees

     87  

Section 2.08

 

General Facility Terms

     88  

Section 2.09

 

Borrowing Subsidiaries; Additional Borrowing Subsidiaries

     97  

Section 2.10

 

Reserved

     97  

Section 2.11

 

Cash Collateral

     97  

Section 2.12

 

Defaulting Lenders

     98  

Section 2.13

 

[Reserved]

     100  

Section 2.14

 

Incremental Credit Extensions

     100  

Section 2.15

 

Protective Advances

     102  
ARTICLE 3. CHANGE IN CIRCUMSTANCES      103  

Section 3.01

 

Taxes

     103  

Section 3.02

 

Increased Costs

     105  

Section 3.03

 

Changes in Capital Adequacy Regulations

     106  

Section 3.04

 

Availability of Types and Currencies

     107  

Section 3.05

 

Funding Indemnification

     110  

Section 3.06

 

Mitigation of Additional Costs or Adverse Circumstances; Replacement of Lenders

     111  

Section 3.07

 

Lender Statements; Survival of Indemnity

     111  
ARTICLE 4. GUARANTY      112  

Section 4.01

 

Guaranty

     112  

Section 4.02

 

Waivers

     112  

Section 4.03

 

Guaranty Absolute

     113  

Section 4.04

 

Continuing Guaranty

     113  

 

i


Section 4.05

 

Delay of Subrogation

     114  

Section 4.06

 

Acceleration

     114  

Section 4.07

 

Reinstatement

     114  

Section 4.08

 

Keepwell

     115  
ARTICLE 5. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT      115  

Section 5.01

 

Effectiveness

     115  

Section 5.02

 

Initial Advance to Each Additional Borrowing Subsidiary

     118  

Section 5.03

 

Each Extension of Credit

     119  
ARTICLE 6. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES      119  

Section 6.01

 

Existence and Standing

     119  

Section 6.02

 

Authorization and Validity

     120  

Section 6.03

 

No Conflict; Government Consent

     120  

Section 6.04

 

Financial Statements

     120  

Section 6.05

 

Material Adverse Change

     121  

Section 6.06

 

Taxes

     121  

Section 6.07

 

Litigation

     121  

Section 6.08

 

ERISA; Canadian Pensions

     121  

Section 6.09

 

Accuracy of Information

     122  

Section 6.10

 

Subsidiaries

     122  

Section 6.11

 

Compliance with Laws

     122  

Section 6.12

 

AML Laws, Anti-Corruption Laws and Sanctions

     122  

Section 6.13

 

Investment Company Act

     123  

Section 6.14

 

Environmental Matters

     123  

Section 6.15

 

Ownership of Property; Liens

     123  

Section 6.16

 

No Default

     123  

Section 6.17

 

Affected Financial Institution

     123  

Section 6.18

 

Security Interests in Collateral

     123  

Section 6.19

 

Solvency

     124  

Section 6.20

 

Eligible Accounts

     124  

Section 6.21

 

Eligible Inventory

     124  

Section 6.22

 

Eligible Intellectual Property

     124  

Section 6.23

 

Eligible Machinery and Equipment

     124  
ARTICLE 7. COVENANTS      125  

Section 7.01

 

Financial Reporting; Borrowing Base

     125  

Section 7.02

 

Use of Proceeds

     127  

Section 7.03

 

Notice of Material Events

     127  

Section 7.04

 

Existence

     128  

Section 7.05

 

Taxes

     128  

Section 7.06

 

Insurance; Maintenance of Property

     128  

Section 7.07

 

Compliance with Laws

     129  

Section 7.08

 

Inspection of Property; Books and Records; Discussions; Appraisals; Field Examinations

     129  

Section 7.09

 

Consolidations, Mergers, Dissolution and Sale of Assets

     131  

Section 7.10

 

Liens

     134  

Section 7.11

 

Indebtedness

     139  

 

ii


Section 7.12

 

Existing Senior Lux Finance Notes

     142  

Section 7.13

 

Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio

     142  

Section 7.14

 

Ownership of Borrowing Subsidiaries

     142  

Section 7.15

 

Investments, Loans, Advances, Guarantees and Acquisitions

     142  

Section 7.16

 

Swap Agreements

     144  

Section 7.17

 

Transactions with Affiliates

     144  

Section 7.18

 

Restricted Payments

     145  

Section 7.19

 

Restrictive Agreements

     146  

Section 7.20

 

Restricted Indebtedness and Amendments to Restricted Indebtedness Documents

     147  

Section 7.21

 

Covenant to Guaranty Obligations and Give Security

     148  

Section 7.22

 

Further Assurances; Additional Security

     149  

Section 7.23

 

Certain Post-Closing Obligations

     150  

Section 7.24

 

Account Control Agreements

     150  

Section 7.25

 

Credit Card Notifications

     150  

Section 7.26

 

Canadian Defined Benefit Plan and Canadian Defined Benefit Multi-Employer Plan

     151  
ARTICLE 8. DEFAULTS      151  

Section 8.01

 

Representations and Warranties

     151  

Section 8.02

 

Payment

     151  

Section 8.03

 

Covenants

     151  

Section 8.04

 

Other Indebtedness

     152  

Section 8.05

 

Bankruptcy

     152  

Section 8.06

 

Receivership, Etc.

     152  

Section 8.07

 

Judgments

     152  

Section 8.08

 

ERISA

     153  

Section 8.09

 

Guaranty

     153  

Section 8.10

 

Change of Control

     153  

Section 8.11

 

Invalidity of Liens

     153  

Section 8.12

 

Invalidity of Loan Documents

     153  
ARTICLE 9. ACCELERATION, WAIVERS, AMENDMENTS AND REMEDIES      154  

Section 9.01

 

Acceleration; Allocation of Payments after Acceleration

     154  

Section 9.02

 

Judgment Currency

     156  

Section 9.03

 

Amendments

     156  

Section 9.04

 

Preservation of Rights

     158  
ARTICLE 10. GENERAL PROVISIONS      158  

Section 10.01

 

Survival of Representations

     158  

Section 10.02

 

Governmental Regulation

     159  

Section 10.03

 

Headings

     159  

Section 10.04

 

Entire Agreement

     159  

Section 10.05

 

Several Obligations

     159  

Section 10.06

 

Expenses; Indemnification

     159  

Section 10.07

 

Severability of Provisions

     160  

Section 10.08

 

Nonliability of Lenders

     160  

Section 10.09

 

CHOICE OF LAW

     160  

 

iii


Section 10.10

 

CONSENT TO JURISDICTION

     161  

Section 10.11

 

WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL; WAIVER OF CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES

     161  

Section 10.12

 

Binding Effect; Termination

     162  

Section 10.13

 

Confidentiality

     162  

Section 10.14

 

Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of Affected Financial Institutions

     163  

Section 10.15

 

Release of Subsidiary Guarantors and Collateral

     164  

Section 10.16

 

Appointment for Perfection

     166  

Section 10.17

 

Acknowledgement Regarding Any Supported QFCs

     166  
ARTICLE 11. THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT      167  

Section 11.01

 

Appointment and Authority

     167  

Section 11.02

 

Rights as a Lender

     168  

Section 11.03

 

Exculpatory Provisions

     168  

Section 11.04

 

Reliance by Administrative Agent

     169  

Section 11.05

 

Delegation of Duties

     169  

Section 11.06

 

Resignation of Administrative Agent

     169  

Section 11.07

 

Acknowledgements of Lenders and Issuing Lenders

     170  

Section 11.08

 

Reimbursement and Indemnification

     172  

Section 11.09

 

No Other Duties, etc.

     173  

Section 11.10

 

Certain ERISA Matters

     173  

Section 11.11

 

Borrower Communications

     174  

Section 11.12

 

Collateral Matters

     175  

Section 11.13

 

Credit Bidding

     176  

Section 11.14

 

Secured Cash Management Agreements, Secured Hedge Agreements, Secured Pari Lease Agreements Supply Chain Financings, Import/Export Financings and Bilateral Letters of Credit

     177  
ARTICLE 12. SETOFF; RATABLE PAYMENTS      179  

Section 12.01

 

Setoff

     179  

Section 12.02

 

Ratable Payments

     179  
ARTICLE 13. BENEFIT OF AGREEMENT; PARTICIPATIONS; ASSIGNMENTS      180  

Section 13.01

 

Successors and Assigns

     180  

Section 13.02

 

Participations

     180  

Section 13.03

 

Assignments

     181  

Section 13.04

 

Dissemination of Information

     184  

Section 13.05

 

Tax Treatment

     184  

Section 13.06

 

SPCs

     184  

Section 13.07

 

Pledges

     185  

Section 13.08

 

Interest Rate Limitation

     185  
ARTICLE 14. NOTICES      185  

Section 14.01

 

Giving Notice

     185  

Section 14.02

 

Change of Address

     186  
ARTICLE 15. COUNTERPARTS      186  
ARTICLE 16. PATRIOT ACT NOTICE      187  

 

iv


EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit A    –     Note
Exhibit B    –     Assumption Agreement
Exhibit C    –     Assignment Agreement
Exhibit D    –     Compliance Certificate
Exhibit E    –     Form of Solvency Certificate
Exhibit F    –     Form of Perfection Certificate
Exhibit G    –     Form of Counterpart Agreement
Exhibit H    –     Form of Borrowing Base Certificate
Exhibit I    –     Form of Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement

SCHEDULES

 

Schedule I    –     Commitments
Schedule II    –     Payment Offices of the Administrative Agent
Schedule III    –     Pricing Schedule
Schedule IV    –     Notices
Schedule V    –     Designated Cash Management Agreements
Schedule VI    –     Designated Hedging Agreements
Schedule VII    –     Supply Chain Financings
Schedule VIII    –     Bilateral Letters of Credit
Schedule IX    –     Import/Export Financings
Schedule 1.01    –     Subsidiary Guarantors
Schedule 1.02    –     Existing Synthetic Lease Agreements
Schedule 1.03    –     Credit Card Issuers
Schedule 1.04    –     Credit Card Processors
Schedule 2.04    –     Existing Letters of Credit
Schedule 6.08    –     Plans
Schedule 6.10    –     Subsidiaries
Schedule 7.10    –     Existing Liens
Schedule 7.11    –     Existing Indebtedness
Schedule 7.17    –     Transactions with Affiliates
Schedule 7.23    –     Certain Post-Closing Obligations

 

v


ABL CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT

This ABL Credit and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of June 16, 2026, is among Whirlpool Corporation, a Delaware corporation, InSinkErator LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, KitchenAid Global LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Whirlpool Properties, Inc., a Michigan corporation, Maytag Properties, LLC, a Michigan limited liability company, the other Borrowers from time to time party hereto, the Subsidiary Guarantors from time to time party hereto, the Lenders from time to time party hereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent for such Lenders and The Bank of Nova Scotia, Fifth Third Bank, National Association, The Huntington National Bank and Standard Chartered Bank, as Documentation Agents.

WITNESSETH:

WHEREAS, the Borrowers have requested that the Lenders extend credit to the Borrowers in the form of a senior secured revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of $2,000,000,000, the proceeds of which will be used, among other things, for working capital needs and general corporate purposes of the Borrowers and their respective Subsidiaries;

WHEREAS, the Lenders are willing to extend such credit to the Borrowers on the terms and conditions set forth herein;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the undertakings set forth herein and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE 1.

DEFINITIONS

Section 1.01 Definitions.

As used in this Credit Agreement:

2031 Senior Secured Notes” means those certain 7.500% Senior Notes due 2031 issued by Whirlpool pursuant to the Senior Secured Notes Indenture in the original aggregate principal amount of $1,000,000,000 as amended, restated, modified and/or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof.

2034 Senior Secured Notes” means those certain 7.875% Senior Notes due 2034 issued by Whirlpool pursuant to the Senior Secured Notes Indenture in the original aggregate principal amount of $1,000,000,000 as amended, restated, modified and/or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof.

ABL Indebtedness Priority Collateral” is defined in the applicable Term Indebtedness Intercreditor Agreement, and is intended to indicate that portion of the Collateral subject to a Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent and the other secured parties for which it acts over the Collateral assets of a type included in the calculation of the Borrowing Base. For the avoidance of doubt, following the IP Release, Intellectual Property shall not constitute ABL Indebtedness Priority Collateral and following the M&E Release, Machinery and Equipment shall not constitute ABL Indebtedness Priority Collateral.

Account” is defined in the U.S. Collateral Agreement and the Canadian Collateral Agreement.


Account Debtor” means any Person obligated on an Account.

Acquired Accounts” is defined in the definition of “Eligible Accounts”.

Acquired Asset Applicable Advance Rate” means (i) with respect to any Acquired Account that constitutes (x) a Non-Investment Grade Eligible Account, 63.75% or (y) an Investment Grade Eligible Account, 67.5% and (ii) with respect to any Acquired Inventory that constitutes (w) Eligible Finished Goods, 60%, (x) Eligible Raw Materials, 37.5%, (y) Eligible Service Parts, 37.5%, or (z) Eligible In-Transit Inventory, 20%.

Acquired Intellectual Property” is defined in the definition of “Eligible Intellectual Property”.

Acquired Inventory” is defined in the definition of “Eligible Inventory”.

Acquired Machinery and Equipment” is defined in the definition of “Eligible Machinery and Equipment”.

Additional Borrowing Subsidiary” means any Additional Canadian Borrowing Subsidiary and/or any Additional U.S. Borrowing Subsidiary, as the context requires.

Additional Canadian Borrowing Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary Guarantor that is (i) a Canadian Loan Party (or any Subsidiary of Whirlpool that becomes a Canadian Loan Party concurrently with becoming an Additional Canadian Borrowing Subsidiary) and (ii) duly designated by Whirlpool pursuant to Section 2.09 to request Advances hereunder, which such Subsidiary Guarantor shall have satisfied the conditions precedent set forth in Section 5.02.

Additional U.S. Borrowing Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary Guarantor that is (i) not a Canadian Loan Party (or any Subsidiary of Whirlpool that becomes a Subsidiary Guarantor concurrently with becoming an Additional U.S. Borrowing Subsidiary) and (ii) duly designated by Whirlpool pursuant to Section 2.09 to request Advances hereunder, which such Subsidiary Guarantor shall have satisfied the conditions precedent set forth in Section 5.02.

Additional Lender” means any Person that is not an existing Lender and has agreed to provide Incremental Commitments pursuant to Section 2.14.

Adjustment Date” is defined in the Pricing Schedule.

Administrative Agent” means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as agent for the Lenders pursuant to Article 11, and not in its individual capacity as a Lender, and any successor Administrative Agent appointed pursuant to Article 11.

Administrative Questionnaire” means an Administrative Questionnaire in a form supplied by the Administrative Agent.

Advance” means a borrowing hereunder consisting of the aggregate amount of the several Loans, including Protective Advances, made by the Lenders to the applicable Borrower at the same time, of the same Type and Agreed Currency and, in the case of Term Benchmark Advances, for the same Interest Period.

 

2


Affiliate” means with respect to any Person, any other Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such Person. As used herein, the term “Control” means possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms “Controlled” and “Controlling” have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

Aggregate Borrowing Base” means, at any time, the Dollar Amount of the sum of the U.S. Borrowing Base plus the Canadian Borrowing Base; provided that in no event shall the Canadian Borrowing Base comprise more than $200,000,000.

Aggregate Commitment” means the aggregate of the Commitments of all the Lenders hereunder (which, as of the date of this Credit Agreement, is $2,000,000,000), as amended from time to time pursuant to the terms hereof.

Agreed Currency” means, subject to Section 3.04, (a) (i) Dollars, (ii) euros, (iii) Sterling and (iv) Canadian Dollars and (b) solely with respect to Letters of Credit, Dollars and Canadian Dollars; provided that no additional currencies may be added after the Effective Date without the consent of Whirlpool, each Lender and the Administrative Agent.

Alternate Base Rate” means, on any date of determination and with respect to all Dollar-denominated Floating Rate Advances, a fluctuating rate of interest per annum equal to the sum of (a) the highest of (i) the NYFRB Rate in effect on such date plus 0.50% per annum, (ii) the Prime Rate and (iii) the Term SOFR Reference Rate for a one month Interest Period as published two U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to such date of determination (or if such day is not a U.S. Government Securities Business Day, the immediately preceding U.S. Government Securities Business Day) plus 1% plus (b) the Alternate Base Rate Margin for such date of determination; provided that for the purpose of this definition, the Term SOFR Rate for any U.S. Government Securities Business Day shall be based on the Term SOFR Reference Rate at approximately 5:00 a.m. Chicago time on such U.S. Government Securities Business Day (or any amended publication time for the Term SOFR Reference Rate, as specified by the CME Term SOFR Administrator in the Term SOFR Reference Rate methodology); and provided, further, that if the Alternate Base Rate as so determined under clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) above would be less than 1.00%, such rate shall be deemed to be equal to 1.00% for the purposes of this Credit Agreement. Any change in the Alternate Base Rate due to a change in the Prime Rate, the NYFRB Rate or the Term SOFR Rate shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in the Prime Rate, the NYFRB Rate or the Term SOFR Rate, respectively. If the Alternate Base Rate is being used as an alternate rate of interest pursuant to Section 3.04 (for the avoidance of doubt, only until the Benchmark Replacement has been determined pursuant to Section 3.04(b)), then the Alternate Base Rate shall be the greater of clauses (i) and (ii) above and shall be determined without reference to clause (iii) above.

Alternate Base Rate Margin” means a rate per annum determined in accordance with the Pricing Schedule.

AML Laws” means, with respect to Whirlpool or any of its Subsidiaries, all laws, rules, and regulations of any jurisdiction applicable to Whirlpool or such Subsidiary from time to time concerning or relating to anti-money laundering, including the Canadian AML Legislation.

Annual Field Examination” is defined in Section 7.08(e).

Annual Inventory Appraisal” is defined in Section 7.08(b).

 

3


Annual IP Appraisal” is defined in Section 7.08(c).

Annual M&E Appraisal” is defined in Section 7.08(d).

Anti-Corruption Laws” means, with respect to Whirlpool or any of its Subsidiaries, all laws, rules, and regulations of any jurisdiction applicable to Whirlpool or such Subsidiary from time to time concerning or relating to bribery or corruption including, without limitation, the UK Bribery Act 2010, the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 and the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act (Canada).

Applicable Parties” is defined in Section 11.11(c).

Applicable Screen Rate” means, with respect to Dollar-denominated Term Benchmark Advances, the Term SOFR Reference Rate, with respect to Euro-denominated Term Benchmark Advances, the EURIBOR Screen Rate and, with respect to Canadian Dollar-denominated Term Benchmark Advances, the Term CORRA Rate.

Approved Borrower Portal” is defined in Section 11.11(a).

Arrangers” means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., BNP Paribas Securities Corp., Citibank, N.A., Mizuho Bank, Ltd., Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, BMO Capital Markets Corp, Goldman Sachs Bank USA, PNC Bank, National Association and TD Bank, N.A.

Article” means an article of this Credit Agreement unless another document is specifically referenced.

Assumption Agreement” means an agreement of a Subsidiary of Whirlpool addressed to the Lenders in substantially the form of Exhibit B hereto pursuant to which such Subsidiary agrees to become a “Borrower” and be bound by the terms and conditions of this Credit Agreement.

Attributable Receivables Indebtedness” means, at any time, the principal amount of Indebtedness which (i) if a Permitted Receivables Facility is structured as a lending agreement or other similar agreement, constitutes the principal amount of such Indebtedness or (ii) if a Permitted Receivables Facility is structured as a purchase agreement or other similar agreement, would be outstanding at such time under the Permitted Receivables Facility if the same were structured as a lending agreement rather than a purchase agreement or such other similar agreement (whether such amount is described as “capital” or otherwise).

Authorized Officer” means, with respect to any Loan Party, (i) the Chairman of the Board of such Loan Party, (ii) the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of such Loan Party, (iii) the Vice President and Treasurer of such Loan Party and (iv) any other officer of such Loan Party authorized by resolution of the board of directors (or any other applicable governing body) of such Loan Party to execute and deliver on behalf of such Loan Party this Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document.

Authorized Representative” means any Authorized Officer and any other officer, employee or agent of a Loan Party designated from time to time as an Authorized Representative in a written notice from any Authorized Officer to the Administrative Agent.

Availability” means at any time, an amount equal to (a) the Line Cap minus (b) the Total Revolving Extensions of Credit then outstanding.

 

4


Available Tenor” means, as of any date of determination and with respect to the then-current Benchmark for any Agreed Currency, as applicable, any tenor for such Benchmark (or component thereof) or payment period for interest calculated with reference to such Benchmark (or component thereof), as applicable, that is or may be used for determining the length of an Interest Period for any term rate or otherwise, for determining any frequency of making payments of interest calculated pursuant to this Credit Agreement as of such date and not including, for the avoidance of doubt, any tenor for such Benchmark that is then-removed from the definition of “Interest Period” pursuant to Section 3.04(e).

Average Daily Used Percentage” means, for any fiscal quarter of Whirlpool, the percentage derived by dividing (a) the sum of (x) the average daily principal balance of all Advances outstanding during such Fiscal Quarter plus (y) the average daily undrawn amount of all outstanding LOC Obligations by (b) the average daily amount of the aggregate Commitments during such Fiscal Quarter.

Bail-In Action” is defined in Section 10.14.

Bankruptcy Code” means Title 11, United States Code, Sections 1 et seq., as the same may have been and may hereafter be amended from time to time, and any successor thereto or replacement therefor which may be hereafter enacted.

Belgian Civil Code” means the Belgian oud Burgerlijk Wetboek/ancien Code Civil of 21 March 1804 and, with effect from its applicable effective date, the Belgian new Burgerlijk Wetboek/Code Civil introduced pursuant to the law of 13 April 2019 introducing a Civil Code and inserting book 8 (Evidence) in the Civil Code.

Belgian Collateral Document” means the Belgian law governed movable assets pledge agreement, dated as of the Effective Date (or such later date as may be contemplated by Section 7.23), between KitchenAid Europa, Inc. as the pledgor and the Administrative Agent as the pledgee.

Benchmark” means, initially, with respect to any (i) Floating Rate Loan denominated in Sterling, SONIA or (ii) Term Benchmark Loan, the Relevant Rate for such Agreed Currency; provided that if a Benchmark Transition Event and the related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred with respect to the applicable Relevant Rate or the then-current Benchmark for such Agreed Currency, then “Benchmark” means the applicable Benchmark Replacement to the extent that such Benchmark Replacement has replaced such prior benchmark rate pursuant to Section 3.04(b).

Benchmark Replacement” means, for any Available Tenor, the first alternative set forth in the order below that can be determined by the Administrative Agent for the applicable Benchmark Replacement Date; provided that, in the case of any Loan denominated in euro or Sterling, “Benchmark Replacement” shall mean the alternative set forth in (2) below:

(1) (a) in the case of any Loan denominated in Dollars, Daily Simple SOFR and/or (b) in the case of any Loan denominated in Canadian Dollars, the Daily Simple CORRA;

(2) the sum of: (a) the alternate benchmark rate that has been selected by the Administrative Agent and Whirlpool as the replacement for the then-current Benchmark for the applicable Corresponding Tenor giving due consideration to (i) any selection or recommendation of a replacement benchmark rate or the mechanism for determining such a rate by the Relevant Governmental Body or (ii) any evolving or then-prevailing market convention for determining a benchmark rate as a replacement for the then-current Benchmark for syndicated credit facilities denominated in the applicable Agreed Currency at such time in the United States and (b) the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment;

 

5


If the Benchmark Replacement as determined pursuant to clause (1) or (2) above would be less than zero, the Benchmark Replacement will be deemed to be zero for the purposes of this Credit Agreement.

Benchmark Replacement Adjustment” means, with respect to any replacement of the then-current Benchmark with an Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for any applicable Interest Period and Available Tenor for any setting of such Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement, the spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) that has been selected by the Administrative Agent and Whirlpool for the applicable Corresponding Tenor giving due consideration to (i) any selection or recommendation of a spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of such Benchmark with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement by the Relevant Governmental Body on the applicable Benchmark Replacement Date and/or (ii) any evolving or then-prevailing market convention for determining a spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of such Benchmark with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for syndicated credit facilities denominated in the applicable Agreed Currency at such time.

Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes” means, with respect to any Benchmark Replacement and/or any Term Benchmark Loan denominated in Dollars, any technical, administrative or operational changes (including changes to the definition of “Alternate Base Rate,” the definition of “Canadian Prime Rate”, the definition of “Business Day,” the definition of “U.S. Government Securities Business Day,” the definition of “Interest Period,” timing and frequency of determining rates and making payments of interest, timing of borrowing requests or prepayment, conversion or continuation notices, length of lookback periods, the applicability of breakage provisions, and other technical, administrative or operational matters) that the Administrative Agent decides may be appropriate to reflect the adoption and implementation of such Benchmark and to permit the administration thereof by the Administrative Agent in a manner substantially consistent with market practice (or, if the Administrative Agent decides that adoption of any portion of such market practice is not administratively feasible or if the Administrative Agent determines that no market practice for the administration of such Benchmark exists, in such other manner of administration as the Administrative Agent decides is reasonably necessary in connection with the administration of this Credit Agreement).

Benchmark Replacement Date” means, with respect to any Benchmark, the earliest to occur of the following events with respect to such then-current Benchmark:

(1) in the case of clause (1) or (2) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event,” the later of (a) the date of the public statement or publication of information referenced therein and (b) the date on which the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) permanently or indefinitely ceases to provide all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof); or

(2) in the case of clause (3) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event,” the first date on which such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) has been determined and announced by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) to be no longer representative; provided, that such non-representativeness will be determined by reference to the most recent statement or publication referenced in such clause (c) and even if any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) continues to be provided on such date.

 

6


For the avoidance of doubt, (i) if the event giving rise to the Benchmark Replacement Date occurs on the same day as, but earlier than, the Reference Time in respect of any determination, the Benchmark Replacement Date will be deemed to have occurred prior to the Reference Time for such determination and (ii) the “Benchmark Replacement Date” will be deemed to have occurred in the case of clause (1) or (2) with respect to any Benchmark upon the occurrence of the applicable event or events set forth therein with respect to all then-current Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof).

Benchmark Transition Event” means, with respect to any Benchmark, the occurrence of one or more of the following events with respect to such then-current Benchmark:

(1) a public statement or publication of information by or on behalf of the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) announcing that such administrator has ceased or will cease to provide all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof), permanently or indefinitely, provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof);

(2) a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof), the Federal Reserve Board, the NYFRB, the Bank of Canada, the CME Term SOFR Administrator, the central bank for the Agreed Currency applicable to such Benchmark, an insolvency official with jurisdiction over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component), a resolution authority with jurisdiction over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component) or a court or an entity with similar insolvency or resolution authority over the administrator for such Benchmark (or such component), in each case, which states that the administrator of such Benchmark (or such component) has ceased or will cease to provide all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) permanently or indefinitely; provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide any Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or such component thereof); or

(3) a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof) announcing that all Available Tenors of such Benchmark (or such component thereof) are no longer, or as of a specified future date will no longer be, representative.

For the avoidance of doubt, a “Benchmark Transition Event” will be deemed to have occurred with respect to any Benchmark if a public statement or publication of information set forth above has occurred with respect to each then-current Available Tenor of such Benchmark (or the published component used in the calculation thereof).

 

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Benchmark Unavailability Period” means, with respect to any Benchmark, the period (if any) (x) beginning at the time that a Benchmark Replacement Date pursuant to clauses (1) or (2) of that definition has occurred if, at such time, no Benchmark Replacement has replaced such then-current Benchmark for all purposes hereunder in accordance with Section 3.04 and (y) ending at the time that a Benchmark Replacement has replaced such then-current Benchmark for all purposes hereunder in accordance with Section 3.04.

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

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

BHC Act Affiliate” of a party means an “affiliate’ (as such term is defined under, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. 1841(k)) of such party.

Bilateral Letter of Credit Bank” means any Person that, (a) at the time it issues a Bilateral Letter of Credit permitted hereunder, is a Lender, the Administrative Agent or an Arranger or an Affiliate of a Lender, the Administrative Agent or an Arranger, in its capacity as an issuer of such Bilateral Letter of Credit or (b) in the case of any Bilateral Letter of Credit issued prior to, and existing on, the Effective Date, any Person that is, on the Effective Date, a Lender, the Administrative Agent or an Arranger or Affiliate of a Lender, the Administrative Agent or an Arranger, in its capacity as an issuer of such Bilateral Letter of Credit.

Bilateral Letter of Credit” means (i) any commercial documentary letter of credit issued for the account of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary, (ii) any irrevocable letter of credit issued pursuant to which the issuing institution agrees to make payments for the account of Loan Party or any Subsidiary in respect of obligations of such Person incurred pursuant to contracts made or performances undertaken or to be undertaken or like matters relating to contracts to which such Person is or proposes to become a party in furtherance of such Person’s good faith business purposes, or (iii) any bank guarantee issued for the account of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary for a purpose described in clause (i) or (ii), in the case of each of clauses (i), (ii) and (iii), that is issued by a Bilateral Letter of Credit Bank and is listed on Schedule VIII hereto or, after the Effective Date, has been designated by Whirlpool in writing to the Administrative Agent as a “Bilateral Letter of Credit”; provided, that in respect of any Bilateral Letter of Credit so designated after the Effective Date, Whirlpool shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an updated version of Schedule VIII reflecting such Bilateral Letter of Credit and the principal or similar amount of Bilateral Letter of Credit Obligations in respect thereof. The Bilateral Letters of Credit on the Effective Date are identified as such in Schedule VIII hereto.

Bilateral Letter of Credit Obligations” means any and all obligations of a Loan Party or any Subsidiary, whether absolute or contingent and howsoever and whensoever created, arising, evidenced or acquired (including all renewals, extensions and modifications thereof and substitutions therefor), in connection with Bilateral Letters of Credit.

Borrower” means, individually, Whirlpool or any Borrowing Subsidiary, and “Borrowers” means collectively, Whirlpool and each Borrowing Subsidiary.

Borrower Communications” means, collectively, any Borrowing Notice, Interest Election Request, notice of prepayment, notice requesting the issuance, amendment or extension of a Letter of Credit or other notice, demand, communication, information, document or other material provided by or on behalf of any Loan Party pursuant to any Loan Document or the transactions contemplated therein which is distributed by Whirlpool to the Administrative Agent through an Approved Borrower Portal.

 

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Borrowing Base” means the U.S. Borrowing Base and/or the Canadian Borrowing Base, as the context requires.

Borrowing Base Assets” means assets included in the calculation of the Borrowing Base.

Borrowing Base Certificate” means a certificate, signed and certified as accurate and complete by a Responsible Officer of Whirlpool, in substantially the form of Exhibit H or another form which is acceptable to the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion.

Borrowing Date” means a date on which an Advance is made hereunder.

Borrowing Notice” means a request by a Borrower for an Advance in accordance with Section 2.03, which shall be substantially in the form approved by the Administrative Agent and separately provided to the Borrowers.

Borrowing Subsidiary” means a U.S. Borrowing Subsidiary or a Canadian Borrowing Subsidiary, as the context requires, and “Borrowing Subsidiaries” means, collectively, the U.S. Borrowing Subsidiaries and the Canadian Borrowing Subsidiaries.

Budget” is defined in Section 7.01(i).

Business Day” means any day (other than a Saturday or a Sunday) on which banks are open for business in New York City; provided that (a) in relation to Loans denominated in Sterling, “Business Day” means any day (other than a Saturday or a Sunday) on which banks are open for business in London, (b) in relation to Loans denominated in euros and in relation to the calculation or computation of the EURIBOR Rate, “Business Day” means any day which is a TARGET Day, (c) in relation to Loans referencing the Term SOFR Rate and any interest rate settings, fundings, disbursements, settlements or payments of any such Loans referencing the Term SOFR Rate, “Business Day” means any such day that is a U.S. Government Securities Business Day and (d) in relation to Loans denominated in Canadian Dollars, any day (other than a Saturday or a Sunday) on which banks are open for business in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Canadian AML Legislation” means, collectively, the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act (Canada), the Criminal Code (Canada) and the United Nations Act (Canada), including the Regulations Implementing the United Nations Resolutions on the Suppression of Terrorism (Canada) and the United Nations Al-Qaida and Taliban Regulations (Canada) promulgated under the United Nations Act (Canada), and other applicable anti-money laundering laws applicable in Canada, including any rules, regulations, directives, guidelines or orders thereunder.

Canadian Borrowing Base” means at any time, the Dollar Amount of the sum of (without duplication of any asset included in the U.S. Borrowing Base):

(a) (i) 85% of the book value of the Canadian Loan Parties’ Non-Investment Grade Eligible Accounts at such time and (ii) 90% of the book value of the Canadian Loan Parties’ Investment Grade Eligible Accounts, plus

(b) the lesser of (i) the amount equal to 85% multiplied by the Net Orderly Liquidation Value percentage identified in the most recent Inventory appraisal ordered by the Administrative Agent multiplied by the lesser of market value and cost of the Canadian Loan Parties’ Eligible Finished Goods valued on a first-in-first-out basis and (ii) 80% multiplied by the lesser of market value and cost of the Canadian Loan Parties’ Eligible Finished Goods valued on a first-in-first-out basis, plus

 

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(c) the lesser of (i) the amount equal to 85% multiplied by the Net Orderly Liquidation Value percentage identified in the most recent Inventory appraisal ordered by the Administrative Agent multiplied by the lesser of market value and cost of the Canadian Loan Parties’ Eligible Raw Materials valued on a first-in-first-out basis and (ii) 50 % multiplied by the lesser of market value and cost of the Canadian Loan Parties’ Eligible Raw Materials valued on a first-in-first-out basis, plus

(d) the lesser of (i) the amount equal to 85% multiplied by the Net Orderly Liquidation Value percentage identified in the most recent Inventory appraisal ordered by the Administrative Agent multiplied by the lesser of market value and cost of the Canadian Loan Parties’ Eligible Service Parts valued on a first-in-first-out basis and (ii) 50% multiplied by the lesser of market value and cost of the Canadian Loan Parties’ Eligible Service Parts valued on a first-in-first-out basis; plus

(e) the lesser of (i) the amount equal to 85% multiplied by the Net Orderly Liquidation Value percentage identified in the most recent Inventory appraisal ordered by the Administrative Agent multiplied by the lesser of market value and cost of the Canadian Loan Parties’ Eligible Semi-Finished Goods valued on a first-in-first-out basis and (ii) 35% multiplied by the lesser of market value and cost of the Canadian Loan Parties’ Eligible Semi-Finished Goods valued on a first-in-first-out basis; plus

(f) 90% of the Canadian Loan Parties Eligible Credit Card Receivables; plus

(g) the lesser of (i) the amount equal to 85% multiplied by the Net Orderly Liquidation Value percentage identified in the most recent Inventory appraisal ordered by the Administrative Agent multiplied by the lesser of market value and cost of the Canadian Loan Parties’ Eligible In-Transit Inventory valued on a first-in-first-out basis and (ii) 70% multiplied by the lesser of market value and cost of the Canadian Loan Parties’ Eligible In-Transit Inventory valued on a first-in-first-out basis, but in no event to exceed, when taken together with amounts referred to in clause (h) of the definition of the U.S. Borrowing Base, 10% of the Line Cap; plus

(h) 100.0% of the Canadian Loan Parties’ Eligible Cash; provided that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, amounts referred to in this clause (h), when taken together with amounts referred to in clause (j) of the definition of U.S. Borrowing Base, shall not constitute more than 10% of Specified Availability; minus

(i) Reserves (without duplication of Reserves imposed in connection with the U.S. Borrowing Base).

The Administrative Agent may, in its Permitted Discretion adjust Reserves used in computing the Canadian Borrowing Base in accordance with the definition of Reserves. The Canadian Borrowing Base at any time shall be determined by reference to the most recent Borrowing Base Certificate delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 7.01(j) of this Credit Agreement.

Canadian Borrowing Subsidiary” means, individually, any Additional Canadian Borrowing Subsidiary, and “Canadian Borrowing Subsidiaries” means, collectively, each Additional Canadian Borrowing Subsidiary.

 

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Canadian Collateral” means Collateral consisting of assets or interests in assets of the Canadian Loan Parties, or assets or interests of the other Loan Parties which are subject to the PPSA or the UCC or are otherwise located in Canada or the United States, in each case now owned or hereafter acquired, and the proceeds thereof.

Canadian Collateral Agreement” means the collateral agreement, dated as of the Effective Date, among the Canadian Loan Parties party thereto and the Administrative Agent.

Canadian Collateral Documents” means, collectively, the Canadian Collateral Agreement, any Account Control Agreements, each of the collateral assignments and supplements to all of the foregoing, security agreements, deeds of hypothec, pledge agreements, intellectual property security agreements or other similar agreements, in each case, entered into by a Canadian Loan Party and delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Sections 5.01(a), 7.21, 7.22 or 7.23 and each of the other agreements, instruments or documents that creates or purports to create a Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties in the Canadian Collateral.

Canadian Defined Benefit Plan” means any Canadian Pension Plan which contains a “defined benefit provision”, as defined in subsection 147.1(1) of the Canadian Tax Act, other than a Canadian Defined Benefit Multi-Employer Plan.

Canadian Defined Benefit Multi-Employer Plan” means any Canadian Multi-Employer Plan that contains a “defined benefit provision”, as defined in subsection 147.1(1) of the Canadian Tax Act.

Canadian Dollars”, “C$” and “Cdn$” means the lawful money of Canada.

Canadian Economic Sanctions and Export Control Laws” means any Canadian laws, regulations or orders governing dealings with countries, entities, organizations, or individuals subject to economic sanctions and similar measures, including, without limitation, the United Nations Act (Canada), Special Economic Measures Act (Canada), the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act (Sergei Magnitsky Law) (Canada), Freezing Assets of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act (Canada), Part II.1 of the Criminal Code (Canada), Export and Import Permits Act (Canada), Defence Production Act (Canada), and the Foreign Extraterritorial Measures Act (Canada).

Canadian Employee Benefit Plan” is defined in Section 11.10.

Canadian Insolvency Laws” means each of the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (Canada), the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (Canada), and the Winding-Up and Restructuring Act (Canada), each as now and hereafter in effect, any successors to such statutes and any other applicable insolvency or other similar law of Canada or any province or territory thereof, including any corporate or other law of Canada or any province or territory thereof permitting a debtor to obtain a stay or a compromise of the claims of its creditors against it.

Canadian Loan Party” means any Loan Party organized under the laws of Canada or any province or territory thereof, including for the avoidance of doubt, each Canadian Borrowing Subsidiary.

Canadian Multi-Employer Plan” means any “multi-employer plan” within the meaning of the regulations under the Canadian Tax Act and applicable federal, provincial or territorial pension standards legislation in Canada that is contributed to by a Canadian Loan Party for its Canadian (employed in Canada) employees or former employees or under which a Canadian Loan Party has any liability with respect to its Canadian (employed in Canada) employees or former employees.

 

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Canadian Pension Event” means the occurrence of any of the following: (a) the board of directors of a Canadian Loan Party passes a resolution to voluntarily terminate or wind up in whole or in part any Canadian Defined Benefit Plan administered by a Canadian Loan Party, or any Canadian Loan Party otherwise initiates any action or filing to voluntarily terminate or wind up in whole or in part any Canadian Defined Benefit Plan administered by a Canadian Loan Party, (b) the institution of proceedings by a Governmental Authority to terminate in whole or in part any Canadian Defined Benefit Plan administered by a Canadian Loan Party, including notice being given by a Governmental Authority that it intends to order a wind up in whole or in part of such Canadian Defined Benefit Plan, (c) the wind up or termination (in whole or in part) of any Canadian Defined Benefit Plan administered by a Canadian Loan Party, (d) the withdrawal of any Canadian Loan Party from any Canadian Defined Benefit Multi-Employer Plan where any additional contributions by such Canadian Loan Party are triggered by such withdrawal, (e) the appointment by a Governmental Authority of a replacement administrator or trustee to wind up or terminate (in whole or in part) any Canadian Defined Benefit Plan administered by a Canadian Loan Party, and (f) there is a cessation of required Canadian Loan Party contributions to the pension fund of a Canadian Defined Benefit Plan administered by a Canadian Loan Party.

Canadian Pension Plans” means each pension plan required to be registered under Canadian federal or provincial pension standards legislation and/or the Canadian Tax Act that is sponsored, administered or contributed to by a Canadian Loan Party for its Canadian employees or former employees, but does not include a Canadian Multi-Employer Plan, the Canada Pension Plan, the Québec Pension Plan as maintained by the Government of Canada or the Province of Québec, respectively, or any other statutory retirement savings or benefit plan that is both administered by a Governmental Authority and required under Canadian federal or provincial statutes for a Canadian Loan Party to contribute to or otherwise participate.

Canadian Prime Rate” means, on any day, the rate determined by the Administrative Agent to be equal to the sum of (i) the higher of (a) the rate equal to the PRIMCAN Index rate that appears on the Bloomberg screen at 10:15 a.m. Toronto time on such day (or, in the event that the PRIMCAN Index is not published by Bloomberg, any other information services that publishes such index from time to time, as selected by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion) and (b) the Term CORRA Reference Rate for a one month Interest Period plus 1.0 % per annum plus (ii) the Canadian Prime Rate Margin for such date of determination; provided, that if the above rate as so determined under clause (i) above shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be equal to zero for purposes of this Agreement. Any change in the Canadian Prime Rate due to a change in the PRIMCAN Index or the Term CORRA Reference Rate shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change.

Canadian Prime Rate Loans” means Floating Rate Loans for which the applicable rate of interest is based upon the Canadian Prime Rate.

Canadian Prime Rate Margin” means a rate per annum determined in accordance with the Pricing Schedule.

Canadian Priority Payables Reserve” means, without duplication, reserves (determined from time to time by the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion) representing a trust, deemed trust, Lien or other claim on the Collateral ranking or capable of ranking in priority to or pari passu with one or more of the Liens of the Secured Parties granted in the Loan Documents for each of the following: (a) the amount past due and owing by any Canadian Loan Party, or the accrued amount for which such Canadian Loan Party has an obligation to remit, to a governmental authority or other Person pursuant to any applicable law, rule or regulation, in respect of (i) goods and services taxes, harmonized sales tax, sales taxes, employee income taxes, municipal taxes and other taxes payable or to be remitted or withheld; (ii) workers’ compensation or employment insurance; (iii) vacation

 

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or holiday pay or unpaid wages or claims under the Wage Earner Protection Program Act (Canada); (iv) Canada Pension Plan, Quebec Pension Plan or other statutory pension plan contributions under which a Canadian Loan Party is required to contribute and such pension plans is administered by a Governmental Authority; and (v) other like charges and demands to the extent that any Governmental Authority or other Person could reasonably claim a trust, Lien or other claim ranking or capable of ranking in priority to or pari passu with one or more of the Liens of the Secured Parties granted in the Loan Documents; and (b) the aggregate amount of any other liabilities of any Canadian Loan Party (i) in respect of unpaid or unremitted pension plan contributions, normal cost contributions or special payments under a Canadian Defined Benefit Plan or Canadian Defined Benefit Multi-Employer Plan, or (ii) representing any unfunded liability, solvency deficiency or wind-up deficiency with respect to a Canadian Defined Benefit Plan or Canadian Defined Benefit Multi-Employer Plan, or (iii) which are secured by a trust, deemed trust, Lien or other claim on any Collateral, in all cases, pursuant to any applicable law, rule or regulation only to the extent such trust, deemed trust, Lien or other claim ranks or is capable of ranking in priority to or pari passu with one or more of the Liens of the Secured Parties granted in the Loan Documents (such as trusts, deemed trusts, Liens or other claims in favor of employees, landlords, warehousemen, customs brokers/freight forwarders, carriers, mechanics, materialmen, labourers, or suppliers)

Canadian Tax Act” means the Income Tax Act (Canada), as amended.

Capital Expenditures” means for any period, with respect to any Person, the aggregate of all expenditures by such Person and its Subsidiaries for the acquisition or leasing (pursuant to a Finance Lease) of fixed or capital assets or additions to equipment (including replacements, capitalized repairs and improvements during such period) that is required to be capitalized under GAAP on a consolidated balance sheet of such Person and its Subsidiaries.

Cash Collateralize” means, to pledge and deposit with or deliver to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of one or more of the Issuing Lenders or Lenders, as collateral for LOC Obligations or obligations of Lenders to fund participations in respect of LOC Obligations, cash or deposit account balances or, if the Administrative Agent and each applicable Issuing Lender shall agree in their sole discretion, other credit support, in each case pursuant to documentation in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and each applicable Issuing 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 Management Agreement” means any agreement to provide cash management services, including treasury, depository, overdraft, card services (including services related to credit cards, including purchasing and commercial cards, prepaid cards, including payroll, stored value and gift cards, merchant services processing and debit cards), electronic funds transfer and other cash management arrangements or automated clearinghouse transfer of funds, or any similar services.

Cash Management Bank” means (a) any Person that, at the time it enters into a Cash Management Agreement with Whirlpool or any Subsidiary (which may include such an agreement where a third party intermediary is party to such agreement with Whirlpool or any Subsidiary and such third party intermediary enters into a “back-to-back” agreement or similar arrangement whereby such Person assumes all or a portion of the risk and/or funding obligations under such agreement with Whirlpool or such Subsidiary provided that no such Person pursuant to such “back-to-back” agreement or similar agreement (except the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates) shall be considered a Cash Management Bank until such time as it shall have delivered written notice to the Administrative Agent that such a transaction has been entered into and that such Person constitutes a Cash Management Bank entitled to the benefits of Article 4 and the Collateral Documents), is a

 

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Lender, the Administrative Agent or an Arranger or an Affiliate of a Lender, the Administrative Agent or an Arranger, in its capacity as a party to such Cash Management Agreement and (b) in the case of any Cash Management Agreement entered into prior to, and existing on, the Effective Date, any Person that is, on the Effective Date, a Lender, the Administrative Agent or an Arranger or Affiliate of a Lender, the Administrative Agent or an Arranger, in its capacity as a party to such Cash Management Agreement (which may include such an agreement where a third party intermediary is party to such agreement with Whirlpool or any Subsidiary and such third party intermediary enters into a “back-to-back” agreement or similar arrangement whereby such Person assumes all or a portion of the risk and/or funding obligations under such agreement with Whirlpool or such Subsidiary provided that no such Person pursuant to such “back to “back” agreement or similar agreement (except the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates) shall be considered a Cash Management Bank until such time as it shall have delivered written notice to the Administrative Agent that such a transaction has been entered into and that such Person constitutes a Cash Management Bank entitled to the benefits of Article 4 and the Collateral Documents).

Central Bank Rate” means, (A) the greater of (i) for any Loan denominated in (a) Sterling, the Bank of England (or any successor thereto)’s “Bank Rate” as published by the Bank of England (or any successor thereto) from time to time and (b) euro, one of the following three rates as may be selected by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion: (1) the fixed rate for the main refinancing operations of the European Central Bank (or any successor thereto), or, if that rate is not published, the minimum bid rate for the main refinancing operations of the European Central Bank (or any successor thereto), each as published by the European Central Bank (or any successor thereto) from time to time, (2) the rate for the marginal lending facility of the European Central Bank (or any successor thereto), as published by the European Central Bank (or any successor thereto) from time to time or (3) the rate for the deposit facility of the central banking system of the Participating Member States, as published by the European Central Bank (or any successor thereto) from time to time and (ii) zero; plus (B) the applicable Central Bank Rate Adjustment; provided that if the Central Bank Rate as so determined would be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be equal to zero for the purposes of this Credit Agreement.

Central Bank Rate Adjustment” means, for any day, for any Loan denominated in (a) euro, a rate equal to the difference (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) of (i) the average of the EURIBOR Rate for the five most recent Business Days preceding such day for which the EURIBOR Screen Rate was available (excluding, from such averaging, the highest and the lowest EURIBOR Rate applicable during such period of five Business Days) minus (ii) the Central Bank Rate in respect of euro in effect on the last Business Day in such period and (b) Sterling, a rate equal to the difference (which may be a positive or negative value or zero) of (i) the average of SONIA for the five most recent Business Days preceding such day for which SONIA was available (excluding, from such averaging, the highest and the lowest SONIA applicable during such period of five Business Days) minus (ii) the Central Bank Rate in respect of Sterling in effect on the last Business Day in such period. For purposes of this definition, (x) the term Central Bank Rate shall be determined disregarding clause (B) of the definition of such term and (y) the EURIBOR Rate on any day shall be based on the EURIBOR Screen Rate on such day at approximately the time referred to in the definition of such term for deposits in euro for a maturity of one month.

Charges” is defined in Section 13.08.

CME Term SOFR Administrator” means CME Group Benchmark Administration Limited as administrator of the forward-looking term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) (or a successor administrator).

 

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Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, reformed or otherwise modified from time to time.

Collateral” means all of the “Collateral” referred to in the Collateral Documents and all of the other property provided as collateral security under the terms of the Collateral Documents, including for certainty the Canadian Collateral; provided that, the Collateral shall exclude the Excluded Assets.

Collateral Access Agreement” means any landlord waiver or other agreement, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, between the Administrative Agent and any third party (including any bailee, consignee, customs broker, or other similar Person) in possession of any Collateral or any landlord of any real property where any Collateral is located, as such landlord waiver or other agreement may be amended, restated, or otherwise modified from time to time.

Collateral Deposit Account” is defined in the U.S. Collateral Agreement and the Canadian Collateral Agreement.

Collateral Documents” means, collectively, the U.S. Collateral Documents, the Canadian Collateral Documents, the Belgian Collateral Document and each of the other agreements, instruments or documents that creates or purports to create a Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties in the Collateral.

Collection Account” means individually and collectively, each “Collection Account” referred to in the U.S. Collateral Agreement and the Canadian Collateral Agreement.

Commencement Date” is defined in Section 7.13.

Commitment” means, (i) for each Lender, the obligation of such Lender (a) to make Loans to the Borrowers under this Credit Agreement, (b) to purchase Participation Interests in Letters of Credit in accordance with Section 2.04(c) or (c) to make Protective Advances to the Borrowers under this Credit Agreement, in each case not exceeding in the aggregate the amount set forth on Schedule I hereto or as set forth in an applicable Assignment Agreement in the form of Exhibit C hereto received by the Administrative Agent under the terms of Section 13.03, as such amount may be modified from time to time pursuant to the terms of this Credit Agreement and (ii) with respect to each Issuing Lender, the Permanent LOC Commitment and the First-Year LOC Commitment. On the Effective Date, the maximum Commitment of each Lender shall be the amount set forth under “Commitment” on Schedule I hereto.

Commitment Increase” is defined in Section 2.14(a).

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” is defined in Section 7.01(c).

Consolidated EBITDA” means, for any period, Consolidated Net Income for such period plus (without duplication) (i) an amount, which in the determination of such net income has been deducted for (a) Consolidated Interest Expense for such period, (b) taxes in respect of, or measured by, income or excess profits of Whirlpool and its Consolidated Subsidiaries for such period, (c) identifiable and verifiable non-recurring cash restructuring charges, (d) depreciation and

 

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amortization expense for such period, (e) non-cash charges, losses and expenses and fees for such period, (f) non-recurring, extraordinary or unusual charges, losses and expenses for such period, (g) any expenses, charges, or fees (whether or not successful) related to the transactions contemplated by this Credit Agreement or any equity offering, Permitted Acquisition, Investment, acquisition, Disposition, recapitalization, merger, amalgamation or consolidation or the incurrence, modification, refinancing, redemption, repurchase, amendment or waiver of any Indebtedness (including the Obligations), Swap Agreements and amendments or modifications to any Loan Document, (h) any losses for such period attributable to early extinguishment of Indebtedness, obligations under any Swap Agreement or other derivative instruments, including any deferred financing costs written off and premiums paid or other expenses incurred directly in connection therewith, (i) any losses (or gains) attributable to realized foreign exchange losses (or gains) resulting from the impact of foreign currency changes on the valuation of assets or liabilities or on Indebtedness or other obligations denominated in a currency other than the functional currency, in each case, not in the ordinary course of business, (j) costs or expenses pursuant to any management equity plan, employee stock ownership plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement or any stock subscription or shareholder agreement, to the extent that such costs or expenses are funded with cash proceeds contributed to the capital of Whirlpool or net cash proceeds of an issuance of Equity Interests of Whirlpool (other than Disqualified Equity Interests), (k) minority interest expense consisting of Subsidiary income attributable to minority equity interests of third parties in any non-wholly owned Subsidiary, (l) any loss on sale of securitization assets and related assets, (m) any charge, loss, expense, write-off or accrual to the extent indemnified or insured by a third party (including pursuant to any acquisition agreement, indemnification agreement or insurance policy) to the extent actually reimbursed, or so long as such amount is in fact indemnified or insured and reasonable evidence exists that such amount will be reimbursed by the indemnitor or insurer (in each case, with a deduction for any amount so added back to the extent not so reimbursed within 365 days following such determination), (n) any non-cash charges, losses or expenses arising from adjustments to contingent liabilities, deferred purchase price obligations, deferred compensation, earn-out obligations or similar obligations, (o) costs and expenses incurred in connection with being a public company (including compliance with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission), (p) cash receipts (or any netting arrangements resulting in reduced cash expenditures) not representing Consolidated EBITDA or Consolidated Net Income in any period to the extent non-cash gains relating to such income were previously deducted in calculating Consolidated EBITDA, (q) non-recurring costs, charges and expenses incurred in connection with (I) the opening, pre-opening or start-up of new facilities, stores, offices, manufacturing plants, distribution centers or other business units, (II) transitioning, integrating, relocating or consolidating facilities, functions, personnel or operations, (III) entry into new lines of business or markets, (IV) launching, transitioning or integrating new product lines, services, software, systems or operational initiatives and (V) other start-up, transition, relocation, expansion or business optimization activities; provided that the aggregate amount added pursuant to the foregoing clauses (I) through (V) shall not exceed 15.0% of Consolidated EBITDA for such period (calculated after giving effect to the addition of all such amounts) and (r) any charges, losses and expenses (including settlement costs, judgments, fines, penalties, legal fees and other related costs) in connection with any litigation, investigation, arbitration, claim, proceeding or other dispute, plus (ii) “run rate” cost savings, operating expense reductions and synergies (other than revenue synergies) related to mergers and other business combinations, acquisitions, divestitures, restructurings, cost savings initiatives and other similar initiatives consummated after the Effective Date that are reasonably identifiable and factually supportable and projected by Whirlpool, in good faith to result from actions that have been taken or with respect to which steps have been taken or are expected to be taken (in the reasonable and good faith determination of Whirlpool), within eighteen (18) months after a merger or other business combination, acquisition, divestiture, restructuring, cost savings

 

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initiative or other initiative is consummated, net of the amount of actual benefits realized during such period from such actions, in each case calculated on a pro forma basis as though such cost savings, operating expense reductions and synergies (other than revenue synergies) had been realized on the first day of such period for which Consolidated EBITDA is being determined and as if such cost savings, operating expense reductions and synergies (other than revenue synergies) were realized during the entirety of such period; provided that the aggregate amount added pursuant to this clause (ii) shall not exceed 15.0% of Consolidated EBITDA for such period (calculated after giving effect to the addition of all such amounts), and plus (or minus) (iii) to the extent included in the determination of such Consolidated Net Income (x) losses (or income) from discontinued operations for such period and (y) losses (or gains) from the effects of accounting changes during such period. For the purpose of calculating Consolidated EBITDA for any period, if during such period Whirlpool or one of its Consolidated Subsidiaries shall have made a Material Acquisition or Material Disposition, Consolidated EBITDA for such period shall, to the extent reasonably practicable, be calculated after giving pro forma effect to such Material Acquisition or Material Disposition as if such Material Acquisition or Material Disposition occurred on the first day of such period, and shall include any pro forma adjustments permitted to be made pursuant to clause (ii) above.

Consolidated First Lien Net Leverage Ratio” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (a) (i) Consolidated Funded First Lien Indebtedness of Whirlpool and its Consolidated Subsidiaries as of such date, minus (ii) the aggregate Unrestricted Cash of Whirlpool and its Consolidated Subsidiaries on such date to (b) Consolidated EBITDA for the most recent period of four fiscal quarters of Whirlpool and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, in each case, calculated on a pro forma basis in a manner consistent with Section 1.02.

Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” means for any period, the ratio of (a) Consolidated EBITDA for such period less the aggregate amount actually paid by Whirlpool and its Subsidiaries during such period on account of Capital Expenditures which are not financed from the proceeds of any Indebtedness (other than the Loans) to (b) Consolidated Fixed Charges for such period. For the avoidance of doubt, for purposes of calculating the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, Consolidated Fixed Charges shall exclude any interest expense paid in cash during such period in respect of any Synthetic Lease Agreement (other than a Secured Pari Lease Agreement).

Consolidated Fixed Charges” means for any period, the sum (without duplication) of (a) Consolidated Interest Expense for such period paid in cash, (b) scheduled principal payments made during such period on account of principal of Indebtedness of Whirlpool or any Subsidiary (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, (i) mandatory prepayments of any kind on account thereof and (ii) the payment in full of any remaining outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness on the scheduled maturity date thereof to the extent refinanced with the proceeds of Indebtedness on such scheduled maturity date), (c) payments for income taxes made in cash during such period, (d) Restricted Payments made in cash during such period (other than Restricted Payments made pursuant to Section 7.18(l)) and (e) scheduled cash payments in respect of obligations under Finance Leases, all calculated for Whirlpool and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis and, to the extent applicable, in accordance with GAAP.

Consolidated Funded First Lien Indebtedness” means, as of any date of determination, Consolidated Funded Indebtedness that is secured by a first priority Lien on the Collateral, including any Crossing-Lien Indebtedness.

 

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Consolidated Funded Indebtedness” means, as of any date of determination, the sum, without duplication, of (a) the aggregate Indebtedness of Whirlpool and its Consolidated Subsidiaries calculated on a consolidated basis as of such date in accordance with GAAP, (b) Secured Pari Lease Obligations and (c) Indebtedness of the type referred to in clauses (a) or (b) hereof of another Person guaranteed by Whirlpool or any of its Consolidated Subsidiaries, but excluding in each case (to the extent included therein), without duplication (i) the aggregate amount of Indebtedness of Whirlpool and its Consolidated Subsidiaries consisting of the undrawn amount of all letters of credit outstanding and bankers acceptances as of such date, (ii) Indebtedness in respect of any Swap Agreement, (iii) intercompany Indebtedness owed among Whirlpool and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, (iv) prior to the date such Indebtedness is required to be repaid as set forth in the definition thereof, any Senior Notes Refinancing Indebtedness (and the proceeds from such Senior Notes Refinancing Indebtedness) and (v) any Synthetic Lease Obligations other than Secured Pari Lease Obligations. For the avoidance of doubt, Consolidated Funded Indebtedness includes all Indebtedness described in clause (i) of the definition of “Attributable Receivables Indebtedness”.

Consolidated Funded Secured Indebtedness” means, as of any date of determination, Consolidated Funded Indebtedness that is secured by a Lien on such date.

Consolidated Interest Expense” means, for any period, the consolidated interest expense of Whirlpool and its Consolidated Subsidiaries for such period (as determined in accordance with GAAP). For the purpose of calculating Consolidated Interest Expense for any period, if during such period Whirlpool or one of its Consolidated Subsidiaries shall have made a Material Acquisition or Material Disposition, Consolidated Interest Expense for such period shall, to the extent reasonably practicable, be calculated after giving pro forma effect to such Material Acquisition or Material Disposition as if such Material Acquisition or Material Disposition occurred on the first day of such period, as determined in good faith by Whirlpool and detailed, to the extent reasonably practicable, in the applicable Compliance Certificate; provided that Whirlpool shall not make such adjustments with respect to any Material Acquisition or Material Disposition unless adjustments are made to Consolidated EBITDA with respect to such Material Acquisition or Material Disposition.

Consolidated Net Income” means, for any period, the consolidated net income (or loss) of Whirlpool and its Consolidated Subsidiaries for such period (as determined in accordance with GAAP).

Consolidated Secured Net Leverage Ratio” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (a) (i) Consolidated Funded Secured Indebtedness of Whirlpool and its Consolidated Subsidiaries as of such date, minus (ii) the aggregate Unrestricted Cash of Whirlpool and its Consolidated Subsidiaries on such date to (b) Consolidated EBITDA for the most recent period of four fiscal quarters of Whirlpool and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, in each case, calculated on a pro forma basis in a manner consistent with Section 1.02.

Consolidated Subsidiary” means, as of any date of determination, any Subsidiary the accounts of which would be consolidated with those of Whirlpool in its consolidated financial statements if such statements were prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP.

Consolidated Total Assets” means, as of the date of any determination, total assets of Whirlpool and its Subsidiaries calculated in accordance with GAAP on a consolidated basis as of such date.

Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (a) (i) Consolidated Funded Indebtedness of Whirlpool and its Consolidated Subsidiaries as of such date, minus (ii) the aggregate Unrestricted Cash of Whirlpool and its Consolidated Subsidiaries on such date to (b) Consolidated EBITDA for the most recent period of four fiscal quarters of Whirlpool and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, in each case, calculated on a pro forma basis in a manner consistent with Section 1.02.

 

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Control” is defined in the definition of Affiliate.

Controlled Group” means all members of a controlled group of corporations and all trades or businesses (whether or not incorporated) under common control that, together with any Loan Party, are treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.

Convertible Preferred Stock” means Whirlpool’s 8.50% Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock issued on February 27, 2026.

CORRA” means the Canadian Overnight Repo Rate Average administered and published by the CORRA Administrator.

CORRA Administrator” means the Bank of Canada (or any successor administrator).

CORRA Determination Date” is defined in the definition of “Daily Simple CORRA”.

CORRA Rate Day” is defined in the definition of “Daily Simple CORRA”.

Corresponding Tenor” with respect to any Available Tenor means, as applicable, either a tenor (including overnight) or an interest payment period having approximately the same length (disregarding business day adjustment) as such Available Tenor.

Counterpart Agreement” means a joinder to this Credit Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit G.

Covered Entity” means any of the following:

(a) a “covered entity” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 252.82(b);

(b) a “covered bank” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 47.3(b); or

(c) “covered FSI” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 382.2(b).

Covered Party” is defined in Section 10.17.

Credit Agreement” means this Credit and Guaranty Agreement, as it may be amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

Credit Card Agreements” means all agreements now or hereafter entered into by any Loan Party for the benefit of a Loan Party, in each case with any Credit Card Issuer or any Credit Card Processor, as the same now exist or may hereafter be amended, modified, supplemented, extended, renewed, restated or replaced.

Credit Card Issuer” means any of the credit card issuers or electronic payment services providers listed on Schedule 1.03, and any other credit card issuer or electronic payment services provider reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

 

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Credit Card Notification” means, collectively, the notices to Credit Card Issuers or Credit Card Processors who are parties to Credit Card Agreements, which Credit Card Notifications shall require the ACH or wire transfer no less frequently than each Business Day (and whether or not there are then any outstanding Obligations) of all payments due from Credit Card Processors to (i) a Lock Box subject to a Lock Box Agreement, (ii) a Deposit Account that is a Collateral Deposit Account, or (iii) any other deposit account in the United States or Canada with respect to which a springing deposit account control agreement is in place between the applicable Loan Party, the applicable depositary institution and the Administrative Agent (or over which the Administrative Agent has “control” whether or not pursuant to a control agreement).

Credit Card Processor” means any of the credit card or electronic payment processors or clearinghouses listed on Schedule 1.04, and any other credit card or electronic payment processor or clearinghouse reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

Credit Card Receivables” means, collectively, (a) all present and future rights of the Loan Parties to payment from any Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor arising from sales of goods or rendition of services to customers who have purchased such goods or services using a credit or debit card or an electronic payment service and (b) all present and future rights of the Loan Parties to payment from any Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor in connection with the sale or transfer of Accounts arising pursuant to the sale of goods or rendition of services to customers who have purchased such goods or services using a credit or debit card or an electronic payment service, including, but not limited to, all amounts at any time due or to become due from any Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor under the Credit Card Agreements or otherwise, in each case above calculated net of prevailing interchange charges and net of billing for interest, fees or late charges.

Crossing-Lien Indebtedness” means, collectively, (i) the Secured Obligations and (ii) any Term Indebtedness Obligations.

Customary Term A Loans” means any term loans that are syndicated primarily to Persons regulated as banks in the primary syndication thereof, that, when made, have scheduled amortization of at least 2.5% per year prior to maturity, and that contain other provisions customary for “term A loans,” as reasonably determined by Whirlpool in consultation with the Administrative Agent.

Daily Simple CORRA” means, for any day (a “CORRA Rate Day”), a rate per annum equal to CORRA for the day (such day “CORRA Determination Date”) that is five (5) Business Days prior to (i) if such CORRA Rate Day is a Business Day, such CORRA Rate Day or (ii) if such CORRA Rate Day is not a Business Day, the Business Day immediately preceding such CORRA Rate Day, in each case, as such CORRA is published by the CORRA Administrator on the CORRA Administrator’s website. Any change in Daily Simple CORRA due to a change in CORRA shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in CORRA without notice to the applicable Borrower. If by 5:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on any given CORRA Determination Date, CORRA in respect of such CORRA Determination Date has not been published on the CORRA Administrator’s website and a Benchmark Replacement Date with respect to the Daily Simple CORRA has not occurred, then CORRA for such CORRA Determination Date will be CORRA as published in respect of the first preceding Business Day for which such CORRA was published on the CORRA Administrator’s website, so long as such first preceding Business Day is not more than five (5) Business Days prior to such CORRA Determination Date; provided further that, if Daily Simple CORRA as so determined would be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be equal to zero for the purposes of calculating such rate.

 

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Daily Simple SOFR” means, for any day (a “SOFR Rate Day”), a rate per annum equal to (a) SOFR for the day (such day “SOFR Determination Date”) that is five (5) U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to (i) if such SOFR Rate Day is an U.S. Government Securities Business Day, such SOFR Rate Day or (ii) if such SOFR Rate Day is not a U.S. Government Securities Business Day, the U.S. Government Securities Business Day immediately preceding such SOFR Rate Day, in each case, as such SOFR is published by the SOFR Administrator on the SOFR Administrator’s Website; provided that if Daily Simple SOFR as so determined would be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be equal to zero for the purposes of this Credit Agreement. Any change in Daily Simple SOFR due to a change in SOFR shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in SOFR without notice to the Borrowers.

Daily Simple SONIA” means, for any day (a “SONIA Interest Day”), an interest rate per annum equal to sum of (a) SONIA for the day that is five Business Days prior to (A) if such SONIA Interest Day is a Business Day, such SONIA Interest Day or (B) if such SONIA Interest Day is not a Business Day, the Business Day immediately preceding such SONIA Interest Day plus (b) the Daily Simple SONIA Margin for such day; provided that if the rate described in clause (a) above shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for the purposes of this Credit Agreement. Any change in Daily Simple SONIA due to a change in SONIA shall be effective from and including the effective date of such change in SONIA without notice to the Borrowers.

Daily Simple SONIA Margin” means a rate per annum determined in accordance with the Pricing Schedule.

Debtor Relief Laws” means the Bankruptcy Code 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, including any Canadian Insolvency Laws.

Deemed M&E Period” means the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the earlier of (i) the date that is sixty (60) days after the Effective Date and (ii) the date on which the Initial M&E Appraisal is received by the Administrative Agent.

Initial M&E Appraisal” means the first Machinery and Equipment appraisal received by the Administrative Agent following the Effective Date.

Default” means an event described in Article 8.

Default Right” has the meaning assigned to that term in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. §§ 252.81, 47.2 or 382.1, as applicable.

Defaulting Lender” means, subject to Section 2.12(b), any Lender that (a) has failed to (i) fund all or any portion of its Loans within two Business Days of the date such Loans were required to be funded hereunder unless such Lender notifies the Administrative Agent and Whirlpool in writing that such failure is the result of such Lender’s determination that one or more conditions precedent to funding (each of which conditions precedent, together with any applicable default, shall be specifically identified in such writing) has not been satisfied, (ii) pay to the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Lender or any other Lender any other amount required to be paid by it hereunder (including in respect of its participation in Letters of Credit) within two Business Days of the date when due or (iii) fund any portion of its Protective Advances, (b) has notified Whirlpool, the Administrative Agent or any Issuing Lender in writing that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations hereunder, or has made a public statement to that effect (unless such writing or

 

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public statement relates to such Lenders’ obligation to fund a Loan or Protective Advance hereunder and states that such position is based on such Lender’s determination that a condition precedent to funding (which condition precedent, together with any applicable default, shall be specifically identified in such writing or public statement) cannot be satisfied), (c) has failed, within three Business Days after written request by the Administrative Agent or Whirlpool, to confirm in writing to the Administrative Agent and Whirlpool that it will comply with its prospective funding obligations hereunder (provided that such Lender shall cease to be a Defaulting Lender pursuant to this clause (c) upon receipt of such written confirmation by the Administrative Agent and Whirlpool), or (d) has, or has a direct or indirect parent company that has, (i) become the subject of a proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or a Bail-In Action, or (ii) had appointed for it a receiver, custodian, conservator, trustee, administrator, assignee for the benefit of creditors (other than by way of an Undisclosed Administration (as defined below)) or similar Person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business or assets, including the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other state or federal regulatory authority acting in such a capacity; provided that a Lender shall not be a Defaulting Lender solely by virtue of the ownership or acquisition of any equity interest in that Lender or any direct or indirect parent company thereof by a governmental authority so long as such ownership interest does not result in or provide such Lender with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Lender (or such governmental authority) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made with such Lender. Any determination by the Administrative Agent that a Lender is a Defaulting Lender under clauses (a) through (d) above shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error, and such Lender shall be deemed to be a Defaulting Lender (subject to Section 2.12(b)) upon delivery of written notice of such determination to Whirlpool, each Issuing Lender and each Lender. “Undisclosed Administration” means in relation to a Lender the appointment of an administrator, provisional liquidator, conservator, receiver, trustee, custodian or other similar official by a supervisory authority or regulator under or based on the law in the country where such Lender is subject to home jurisdiction supervision if applicable law requires that such appointment is not to be publicly disclosed.

Delaware Divided LLC” means any Delaware LLC which has been formed upon the consummation of a Delaware LLC Division.

Delaware LLC” means any limited liability company organized or formed under the laws of the State of Delaware.

Delaware LLC Division” means the statutory division of any Delaware LLC into two or more Delaware LLCs pursuant to Section 18-217 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act.

Deposit Account Control Agreement” means individually and collectively, each “Deposit Account Control Agreement” referred to in the U.S. Collateral Agreement and the Canadian Collateral Agreement.

Designated Cash Management Agreements” means, collectively, Secured Cash Management Agreements with any Cash Management Bank that are (i) secured by Liens on the Collateral pursuant to the applicable Collateral Documents and (ii) in respect of which the applicable Lender (whether in its own capacity as Cash Management Bank or on behalf its Affiliate as Cash Management Bank) and Whirlpool have both provided notice thereof to the Administrative Agent, together with any related information reasonably requested thereby, in each case, in accordance with Section 11.14(b); provided that each Cash Management Agreement listed on Schedule V shall be deemed a “Designated Cash Management Agreement” on the Effective Date; provided, further,

 

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that in respect of any Secured Cash Management Agreement that is designated a “Designated Cash Management Agreement” after the Effective Date in accordance with Section 11.14(b), Whirlpool shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an updated version of Schedule V reflecting such Designated Cash Management Agreement.

Designated Cash Management Reserves” means reserves as may be established or modified by the Administrative Agent in accordance with Section 11.14(b) with respect to anticipated monetary obligations under Designated Cash Management Agreements owing to any Cash Management Bank. Each Lender may, from time to time, notify the Administrative Agent and Whirlpool of any increase or decrease in the anticipated monetary obligations under a Designated Cash Management Agreement and, upon receipt of such notice, the Administrative Agent shall adjust the Designated Cash Management Reserves with respect thereto, in its Permitted Discretion; provided that Designated Cash Management Reserves shall not be increased if such increase would result in Availability being less than zero.

Designated Hedging Agreements” means, collectively, Secured Hedge Agreements with any Hedge Bank that are (i) secured by Liens on the Collateral pursuant to the applicable Collateral Documents and (ii) in respect of which the applicable Lender (whether in its own capacity as Hedge Bank or on behalf its Affiliate as Hedge Bank) and Whirlpool have both provided notice thereof to the Administrative Agent, together with any related information reasonably requested thereby, in each case, in accordance with Section 11.14(b); provided that each Secured Hedge Agreement listed on Schedule VI shall be deemed a “Designated Hedging Agreement” on the Effective Date; provided, further, that in respect of any Secured Hedge Agreement that is designated a “Designated Hedging Agreement” after the Effective Date in accordance with Section 11.14(b), Whirlpool shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an updated version of Schedule VI reflecting such Designated Hedging Agreement.

Designated Hedging Reserves” means reserves as may be established or modified by the Administrative Agent in accordance with Section 11.14(b) with respect to anticipated monetary obligations under Designated Hedging Agreements owing to any Hedge Bank. Each Lender may, from time to time, notify the Administrative Agent and Whirlpool of any increase or decrease in the anticipated monetary obligations under a Designated Hedging Agreement and, upon receipt of such notice, the Administrative Agent shall adjust the Designated Hedging Reserves with respect thereto, in its Permitted Discretion; provided that Designated Hedging Reserves shall not be increased if such increase would result in Availability being less than zero.

Designated Synthetic Lease Reserves” means all Reserves that the Administrative Agent from time to time establishes in its Permitted Discretion for Secured Pari Lease Obligations then outstanding. Whirlpool may (or Whirlpool and a Lease Bank or other holder of Secured Pari Lease Obligations together may), from time to time, notify the Administrative Agent (and the applicable Lease Bank or other holder of Secured Pari Lease Obligations, if such notice has not come from a Lease Bank or other holder of Secured Pari Lease Obligations) of any decrease in the amount of Secured Pari Lease Obligations under a Secured Pari Lease Agreement and, upon receipt of such notice, the Administrative Agent shall adjust the Designated Synthetic Lease Reserves with respect thereto, in its Permitted Discretion.

Disposition” or “Dispose” means the sale, transfer, license, sublicense, cross-license, lease, sublease or other disposition (in one transaction or in a series of transactions and whether effected pursuant to a division or otherwise) of any Property by any Person (including any sale and leaseback transaction and any issuance of Equity Interests of a Subsidiary of such Person), 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 and including any disposition of property to a Delaware Divided LLC pursuant to a Delaware LLC Division.

 

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Disqualified Equity Interests” means any Equity Interests that, by their terms (or by the terms of any security or other Equity Interest into which they are convertible or for which they are exchangeable) or upon the happening of any event or condition, (a) mature or are mandatorily redeemable (other than solely for Qualified Equity Interests), pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise (except as a result of a change of control or asset sale so long as any rights of the holders thereof upon the occurrence of a change of control or asset sale event shall be subject to the prior repayment in full of the Loans and all other Obligations that are accrued and payable and the termination of the Commitments), (b) are redeemable at the option of the holder thereof (other than solely for Qualified Equity Interests) (except as a result of a change of control or asset sale so long as any rights of the holders thereof upon the occurrence of a change of control or asset sale event shall be subject to the prior repayment in full of the Loans and all other Obligations that are accrued and payable and the termination of the Commitments), in whole or in part, (c) provide for the mandatory scheduled payment of dividends in cash or (d) are or become convertible into or exchangeable for Indebtedness or any other Equity Interests that would constitute Disqualified Equity Interests, in each case prior to the date that is ninety one (91) days after the Termination Date in effect at the time of issuance of such Equity Interests; provided that, only the portion of Equity Interests which so mature or are mandatorily redeemable, are redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, provide for the mandatory scheduled payment of dividends or which are or become convertible as described above shall be deemed to be Disqualified Equity Interests; provided further, however, that any Equity Interests that would not constitute Disqualified Equity Interests but for provisions thereof giving holders thereof (or the holders of any security into or for which such Equity Interests is convertible, exchangeable or exercisable) the right to require the issuer thereof to redeem such Equity Interests upon the occurrence of any change of control, any offering of Equity Interests or any Disposition occurring prior to the date that is ninety one (91) days after the Termination Date in effect at the time of issuance of such Equity Interests shall not constitute Disqualified Equity Interests if such Equity Interests provide that the issuer thereof will not redeem any such Equity Interests pursuant to such provisions prior to the repayment in full of the Loans and all other Obligations that are accrued and payable and the termination of the Commitments; and provided further, however, that, notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) if such Equity Interests are issued pursuant to any plan for the benefit of directors, officers, employees, members of management, managers or consultants or by any such plan to such directors, officers, employees, members of management, managers or consultants, in each case in the ordinary course of business of the Whirlpool or any Subsidiary, such Equity Interests shall not constitute Disqualified Equity Interests solely because they may be required to be repurchased by the issuer thereof in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations, and (ii) no Equity Interests held by any future, present or former employee, director, officer, manager, member of management or consultant (or their respective Affiliates or Immediate Family Members) of the Whirlpool or any Subsidiary shall be considered Disqualified Equity Interests because such Equity Interests are redeemable or subject to repurchase pursuant to any management equity subscription agreement, stock option, stock appreciation right or other stock award agreement, stock ownership plan, put agreement, stockholder agreement or similar agreement that may be in effect from time to time.

Disqualified Institution” means, collectively, those Persons that are (i) competitors of the Whirlpool or its Subsidiaries, identified in writing by Whirlpool to the Administrative Agent from time to time, (ii) such other persons identified in writing by Whirlpool to the Administrative Agent prior to the Effective Date and (iii) Affiliates of the Persons identified pursuant to clauses (i) or (ii) that are either clearly identifiable by name based solely on the similarity of name to the name of any entity on the DQ List or identified in writing by Whirlpool to the Administrative Agent (in

 

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each case, other than any affiliate that is a bona fide debt fund or investment vehicle that is primarily engaged in the making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans, bonds and other similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course); provided that, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in no event shall a supplement apply retroactively to disqualify any parties that have previously acquired an assignment, participation interest or trade hereunder that is otherwise permitted hereunder; provided, further, that no designation of a person as a “Disqualified Institution” shall be effective until three (3) Business Days following the Administrative Agent’s receipt of notice of such designation (which notice shall be delivered by email to [***]).

Documentation Agents” means The Bank of Nova Scotia, Fifth Third Bank, National Association, The Huntington National Bank and Standard Chartered Bank, each in its respective capacity as documentation agent for the credit facility evidenced by this Credit Agreement.

Documents” is defined in the U.S. Collateral Agreement and the Canadian Collateral Agreement.

Dollar Amount” of any currency at any date means (i) the amount of such currency if such currency is Dollars or (ii) the equivalent amount of Dollars if such currency is any currency other than Dollars, determined by using the rate of exchange for the purchase of dollars with such currency last provided (either by publication or otherwise provided to the Administrative Agent) by Reuters on the Business Day (New York City time) immediately preceding the date of determination or if such service ceases to be available or ceases to provide a rate of exchange for the purchase of Dollars with such currency, as provided by such other publicly available information service which provides that rate of exchange at such time in place of Reuters chosen by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion (or if such service ceases to be available or ceases to provide such rate of exchange, the equivalent of such amount in Dollars as determined by the Administrative Agent using any method of determination it deems appropriate in its sole discretion). If for any reason such conversion rates are not available, the Dollar Amount shall be determined by the Administrative Agent using any method of determination it deems appropriate in its sole discretion. The Dollar Amount of each Term Benchmark Advance shall be established two Business Days prior to the first day of each Interest Period with respect thereto.

Dollar Continuation/Conversion Notice” is defined in Section 2.03(f).

Dollars” and “$” each mean lawful money of the United States of America.

Domestic Subsidiary” means a Subsidiary organized under the laws of a jurisdiction located in the United States of America or Canada other than a Subsidiary substantially all of the assets of which consist of the Equity Interests of (and/or receivables or other amounts due from) one or more “controlled foreign corporations” within the meaning of Section 957 of the Code (other than any “controlled foreign corporations” organized under the laws of Canada or any province or territory thereof), so long as such Subsidiary (i) does not conduct any business or activities other than the ownership of such Equity Interests and/or receivables and (ii) does not incur and is not otherwise liable for any Indebtedness or other liabilities (other than liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business as a holding company).

DQ List” is defined in Section 13.03(e)(iv).

ECP” means an “eligible contract participant” as defined in Section 1(a)(18) of the Commodity Exchange Act or any regulations promulgated thereunder and the applicable rules issued by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and/or the SEC.

 

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Effective Date” is defined in Section 5.01.

Electronic Signature” means an electronic sound, symbol, or process attached to, or associated with, a contract or other record and adopted by a Person with the intent to sign, authenticate or accept such contract or record.

Eligible Accounts” means at any time, the Accounts of the Loan Parties which the Administrative Agent determines in its Permitted Discretion are eligible as the basis for the extension of Loans and the issuance of Letters of Credit. Without limiting the Administrative Agent’s Permitted Discretion provided herein, Eligible Accounts shall not include any Account:

(a) which is not subject to a first priority perfected security interest in favor of the Administrative Agent;

(b) which is subject to any Lien other than (i) a Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent and (ii) a Permitted Encumbrance which does not have priority over the Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent, and (iii) a Lien permitted by this Agreement that is subject to an intercreditor agreement (including for the avoidance of doubt any Term Indebtedness Intercreditor Agreement or Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement) or subordination agreement, in each case, which does not have priority over the Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent;

(c) (i) which is unpaid more than 90 days after the date of the original invoice therefor or more than 60 days after the original due date therefor or (ii) which has been written off the books of the Loan Parties or otherwise designated as uncollectible (in determining the aggregate amount from the same Account Debtor that is unpaid hereunder there shall be excluded the amount of any net credit balances relating to Accounts due from such Account Debtor which are unpaid more than 90 days from the date of the original invoice therefor or more than 60 days from the original due date);

(d) which is owing by an Account Debtor for which more than 50% of the Accounts owing from such Account Debtor and its Affiliates are ineligible pursuant to clause (c) above;

(e) (i) which is owing by Lowes and/or its Affiliates (so long as Lowes and such applicable Affiliates have securities that are rated BBB- or better by S&P or Baa3 or better by Moody’s) to the extent the aggregate amount of Accounts owing from Lowes and such Affiliates exceeds 40% of the aggregate Eligible Accounts, but only to the extent of such excess, (ii) which is owing by Home Depot and/or its Affiliates (so long as Home Depot and such applicable Affiliates have securities that are rated BBB- or better by S&P or Baa3 or better by Moody’s) to the extent the aggregate amount of Accounts owing from Home Depot and such Affiliates exceeds 30% of the aggregate Eligible Accounts, but only to the extent of such excess and (iii) which is owing by an Account Debtor (other than Lowes and its Affiliates and Home Depot and its Affiliates, in each case, to the extent satisfying the rating criteria set forth in the preceding clause (i) or (ii), as applicable) to the extent the aggregate amount of Accounts owing from such Account Debtor and its Affiliates to the Loan Parties exceeds 25% of the aggregate Eligible Accounts, but only to the extent of such excess;

(f) with respect to which any covenant, representation or warranty contained in this Credit Agreement or in the U.S. Collateral Agreement or the Canadian Collateral Agreement has been breached or is not true in any material respect;

 

26


(g) which (i) does not arise from the sale of goods in the ordinary course of business, (ii) is not evidenced by an invoice or other documentation satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (utilizing its Permitted Discretion) which has been sent to the Account Debtor, (iii) represents a progress billing, (iv) is contingent upon a Loan Party’s completion of any further performance, (v) represents a sale on a bill-and-hold, guaranteed sale, sale-and-return, sale on approval, consignment, cash-on-delivery or any other repurchase or return basis or (vi) relates to payments of interest;

(h) (i) for which the goods giving rise to such Account have not been shipped to the Account Debtor by a Loan Party or if such Account was invoiced more than once or (ii) for which the goods giving rise to such Account have been shipped to the Account Debtor by FOB destination and such goods have not yet been received by the Account Debtor;

(i) with respect to which any check or other instrument of payment has been returned uncollected for any reason;

(j) which is owed by an Account Debtor which has (i) applied for, suffered, or consented to the appointment of any receiver, custodian, trustee, or liquidator of its assets, (ii) had possession of all or substantially all of its property taken by any receiver, custodian, trustee or liquidator, (iii) filed, or had filed against it, any request or petition for liquidation, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment of debts, adjudication as bankrupt, winding-up, or voluntary or involuntary case under any state or federal bankruptcy laws (other than post-petition accounts payable of an Account Debtor that is a debtor-in-possession under the Bankruptcy Code or any other federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law, including any Canadian Insolvency Law, and reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent), (iv) admitted in writing its inability, or is generally unable to, pay its debts as they become due, (v) become insolvent, or (vi) ceased operation of its business;

(k) which is owed by any Account Debtor which has sold all or a substantially all of its assets;

(l) which is owed in any currency other than Dollars, Canadian Dollars, Euros, Pounds Sterling or Australian Dollars;

(m) which is owed by (i) the government (or any department, agency, public corporation, or instrumentality thereof) of any country other than the U.S. or Canada unless such Account is backed by a letter of credit acceptable to the Administrative Agent which is in the possession of, and is directly drawable by, the Administrative Agent, or (ii) the government of the U.S. or Canada, or any department, agency, public corporation, or instrumentality thereof, unless, if required by applicable law, the Federal Assignment of Claims Act of 1940, as amended (31 U.S.C. § 3727 et seq. and 41 U.S.C. § 15 et seq.), or the Financial Administration Act (Canada), as amended, and any other steps necessary to perfect the Lien of the Administrative Agent in such Account have been complied with to the Administrative Agent’s satisfaction;

(n) which is owed by any Affiliate of any Loan Party or any employee, officer, director, agent or stockholder of any Loan Party or any of its Affiliates;

(o) which is owed by an Account Debtor or any Affiliate of such Account Debtor to which any Loan Party is indebted, but only to the extent of such indebtedness, or is subject to any security, deposit, progress payment, retainage or other similar advance made by or for the benefit of an Account Debtor, in each case to the extent thereof;

 

27


(p) which is subject to any counterclaim, deduction, defense, setoff or dispute but only to the extent of any such counterclaim, deduction, defense, setoff or dispute;

(q) which is evidenced by any promissory note, chattel paper or instrument;

(r) which is owed by an Account Debtor (i) located in any jurisdiction which requires filing of a “Notice of Business Activities Report” or other similar report in order to permit the applicable Loan Party to seek judicial enforcement in such jurisdiction of payment of such Account, unless the applicable Loan Party has filed such report or qualified to do business in such jurisdiction or (ii) which is a Sanctioned Person;

(s) with respect to which any Loan Party has made any agreement with the Account Debtor for any reduction thereof, other than discounts and adjustments given in the ordinary course of business, or any Account which was partially paid and the applicable Loan Party created a new receivable for the unpaid portion of such Account;

(t) which does not comply in all material respects with the requirements of all applicable laws and regulations, whether Federal, state, provincial, territorial or local, including the Federal Consumer Credit Protection Act, the Federal Truth in Lending Act and Regulation Z of the Federal Reserve Board;

(u) which is for goods that have been sold under a purchase order or pursuant to the terms of a contract or other agreement or understanding (written or oral) that indicates that any Person other than a Loan Party has or has had an ownership interest in such goods, or which indicates any party other than a Loan Party as payee or remittance party;

(v) which was created on cash on delivery terms;

(w) which is a Foreign Account unless such Account is backed by (i) a Letter of Credit acceptable to the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion and which is, if requested by the Administrative Agent, in the possession of, and is directly drawable by, the Administrative Agent or (ii) other credit support acceptable to the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion;

(x) which the Administrative Agent determines in its Permitted Discretion may not be paid by reason of the Account Debtor’s inability to pay;

(y) which is owed by an Account Debtor for which any accounts receivable, instruments, chattel paper, obligations, general intangibles and other similar assets, in each case relating to receivables owing by such Account Debtor are subject to (x) a Permitted Receivables Facility or (y) any arrangements with C2FO; or

(z) which is a floorplan Account.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless agreed by the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion, if Accounts are acquired outside of the ordinary course of business (including in a Permitted Acquisition) (such Accounts, “Acquired Accounts”), such Acquired Accounts shall not constitute Eligible Accounts until after the delivery to the Administrative Agent of a field examination in respect thereof that is reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion (it being understood that, notwithstanding the limits set forth in Section 7.08(e) regarding reimbursement of expenses of the Administrative Agent, such field examination shall be at the expense of such Loan Party); provided, however, that, any Acquired Account for

 

28


which no such field examination has been delivered to the Administrative Agent that otherwise constitutes an Eligible Account shall be included in the determination of the applicable Borrowing Base for a period of up to 90 days following the acquisition of such Acquired Account, which amount included for any such Acquired Account shall be calculated as the Acquired Asset Applicable Advance Rate for such Acquired Account multiplied by the book value of such Acquired Account; provided, further, that in no event may Acquired Accounts, together with Acquired Inventory, constitute more than 10% of the Aggregate Borrowing Base (as calculated prior to the inclusion of any Acquired Accounts and Acquired Inventory).

Without duplication of any Reserve or the eligibility criteria above, in determining the amount of an Eligible Account, the face amount of an Account may, in the Administrative Agent’s Permitted Discretion, be reduced by, without duplication, to the extent not reflected in such face amount, (i) the amount of all accrued and actual discounts, claims, credits or credits pending, promotional program allowances, price adjustments, finance charges or other allowances (including any amount that any Loan Party may be obligated to rebate to an Account Debtor pursuant to the terms of any agreement or understanding), in each case, relating to such Eligible Account and (ii) the aggregate amount of all cash received in respect of such Account but not yet applied by the applicable Loan Party to reduce the amount of such Account. Standards of eligibility may be made more restrictive from time to time by the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion with any such changes to be effective four Business Days after delivery of notice thereof to Whirlpool and the Lenders; provided that during the period following notice and prior to the imposition of such change, there shall be no extension of credit that would result in Availability being less than the amount by which Availability would be reduced after the imposition of such change; provided, further, that if notice to Whirlpool and the Lenders is not practicable or if failure to implement any such change within a shorter time period would, in the good faith judgment of the Administrative Agent, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect or materially and adversely affect the Collateral or the rights of the Lenders under the Loan Documents, such change may be implemented within a shorter time as determined by the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion; provided, further, that any Borrowing Base Certificate delivered during such four Business Day period will reflect any such changes.

Eligible Cash” means, at any time, the aggregate amount of Unrestricted Cash (other than any Permitted Investments) of each Loan Party which is (a) held in one or more deposit accounts maintained at the Administrative Agent, identified in writing to the Administrative Agent, located in the United States of America or Canada, which at all times is subject to a springing Deposit Account Control Agreement and with respect to which the Administrative Agent has a perfected first priority Lien; provided that for so long as Availability (as determined without regard to any Eligible Cash) shall be less than the greater of (i) $445,000,000 and (ii) 25% of the Line Cap, such deposit accounts shall be subject to daily balance reporting (which shall include updates from the most recently delivered Borrowing Base Certificate that reflect any changes in Eligible Cash); (b) available for use by such Loan Party, without condition or restriction and (c) free and clear of any pledge, security interest, lien, claim or other Lien (other than (x) a Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent described in the preceding clause (a), (y) a Permitted Encumbrance which does not have priority over the Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent, or (z) a Lien permitted by this Agreement that is subject to an intercreditor agreement (including for the avoidance of doubt any Term Indebtedness Intercreditor Agreement or Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement) or subordination agreement, in each case, which does not have priority over the Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent). For the avoidance of doubt, any cash held in a Material Indebtedness Contingency Account shall not constitute Eligible Cash.

 

29


Eligible Credit Card Receivables” means all Credit Card Receivables of the Loan Parties which satisfy the criteria set forth below:

(a) such Credit Card Receivables arise from the actual and bona fide sale and delivery of goods or rendition of services by such Loan Party in the ordinary course of the business of such Loan Party and comply in all material respects with each of the applicable representations and warranties (or, if qualified by materiality, in all respects) and covenants made in the Loan Documents relating to such Credit Card Receivables;

(b) such Credit Card Receivables have not been outstanding for more than five Business Days (or, if such Credit Card Receivable is due to such Loan Party from the American Express Company or its Affiliates, seven Business Days);

(c) the Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor obligated in respect of such Credit Card Receivable has not failed to remit any monthly payment in respect of such Credit Card Receivable;

(d) the Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor with respect to such Credit Card Receivables has not asserted a counterclaim, defense or dispute against such Credit Card Receivables (other than customary set-offs to fees and chargebacks consistent with the practices of such Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor with such Person from time to time), but the portion of the Credit Card Receivables owing by such Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor in excess of the amount owing by such Person to such Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor pursuant to such fees and chargebacks shall be deemed Eligible Credit Card Receivables;

(e) the Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor with respect to such Credit Card Receivables has not set off against amounts otherwise payable by such Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor to the applicable Loan Party for the purpose of establishing a reserve or collateral for obligations of such Loan Party to such Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor (other than customary set-offs and chargebacks consistent with the practices of such Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor from time to time) but the portion of the Credit Card Receivables owing by such Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor in excess of the set-off amounts shall be deemed Eligible Credit Card Receivables;

(f) such Credit Card Receivables (x) are owned by a Loan Party and such Loan Party has a good title to such Credit Card Receivables, (y) are subject to a valid and perfected first priority Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent (it being the intent that chargebacks in the ordinary course by Credit Card Processors or Credit Card Issuers shall not be deemed violative of this clause), and (z) are not subject to any other Lien (other than (i) the Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent, (ii) any non-consensual Permitted Encumbrances that does not have priority over the Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent, or (iii) a Lien permitted by this Agreement that is subject to an intercreditor agreement (including for the avoidance of doubt any Term Indebtedness Intercreditor Agreement or Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement) or subordination agreement, in each case, that does not have priority over the Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent );

(g) the Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor with respect to such Credit Card Receivables is not subject to an event of the type described in Section 8.05 or 8.06;

(h) no event of default has occurred under the Credit Card Agreement of such Loan Party with the Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor who has issued the credit card or debit card or handles payments under the credit card or debit card used in the sale which gave rise to such Credit Card Receivables which event of default gives such Credit Card Issuer or Credit Card Processor the right to cease or suspend payments to such Loan Party;

 

30


(i) to the knowledge of the applicable Loan Party, the customer using the credit card or debit card giving rise to such Credit Card Receivable shall not have returned the merchandise purchased giving rise to such Credit Card Receivable;

(j) to the extent required by Section 7.25 and subject to the grace period provided in Section 7.25, the Credit Card Receivables are subject to Credit Card Notifications;

(k) the Credit Card Processor is organized and has its principal offices or assets within the United States or Canada or is otherwise acceptable to the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion; and

(l) such Credit Card Receivables are not evidenced by chattel paper or an instrument of any kind (unless such chattel paper or instrument is in the possession of the Administrative Agent, and to the extent necessary or appropriate, endorsed to the Administrative Agent), and have not been reduced to judgment.

Any Credit Card Receivables which are not Eligible Credit Card Receivables shall nevertheless be part of the Collateral as and to the extent provided in the Collateral Documents.

Standards of eligibility may be made more restrictive from time to time by the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion with any such changes to be effective four Business Days after delivery of notice thereof to Whirlpool and the Lenders; provided that during the period following notice and prior to the imposition of such change, there shall be no extension of credit that would result in Availability being less than the amount by which Availability would be reduced after the imposition of such change; provided, further, that if notice to Whirlpool and the Lenders is not practicable or if failure to implement any such change within a shorter time period would, in the good faith judgment of the Administrative Agent, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect or materially and adversely affect the Collateral or the rights of the Lenders under the Loan Documents, such change may be implemented within a shorter time as determined by the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion; provided, further, that any Borrowing Base Certificate delivered during such four Business Day period will reflect any such changes.

Eligible Finished Goods” means, Eligible Inventory that (a) is located in the United States, Canada or Belgium or is in-transit to the United States, Canada or Belgium and (b) constitutes finished goods to be sold by Whirlpool in the ordinary course of business of the Borrower, excluding Eligible Raw Materials, Eligible Semi-Finished Goods and Eligible Service Parts.

Eligible In-Transit Inventory” means all Eligible Finished Goods of the Loan Parties that constitute Eligible Inventory in reliance on the proviso to clause (h) of the definition of “Eligible Inventory”.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrative Agent may, from time to time, in the exercise of its Permitted Discretion, exclude particular Inventory from “Eligible In-Transit Inventory” in the event the Administrative Agent determines that such Inventory is subject to any Person’s right of reclamation, repudiation, stoppage in transit or other event which may adversely impact the ability of the Administrative Agent to realize upon such Inventory. Standards of eligibility may be made more restrictive from time to time by the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion with any such changes to be effective four Business Days after delivery of notice thereof to

 

31


Whirlpool and the Lenders; provided that during the period following notice and prior to the imposition of such change, there shall be no extension of credit that would result in Availability being less than the amount by which Availability would be reduced after the imposition of such change; provided, further, that if notice to Whirlpool and the Lenders is not practicable or if failure to implement any such change within a shorter time period would, in the good faith judgment of the Administrative Agent, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect or materially and adversely affect the Collateral or the rights of the Lenders under the Loan Documents, such change may be implemented within a shorter time as determined by the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion; provided, further, that any Borrowing Base Certificate delivered during such four Business Day period will reflect any such changes.

Eligible Intellectual Property” means Intellectual Property used in connection with a Loan Party’s business which is acceptable to the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion for inclusion in the U.S. Borrowing Base and which, except as otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent, satisfies all of the following conditions:

(a) such Intellectual Property is validly registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office or the U.S. Copyright Office, as applicable;

(b) such Intellectual Property is solely owned by a Loan Party that has good, valid and marketable title thereto, free and clear of any Lien (other than a valid and perfected first priority Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent), and such Loan Party is identified as the owner thereof in the records of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office or the U.S. Copyright Office, as applicable;

(c) such Intellectual Property is not subject to any licensing, trademark, trade name or other agreement with any third Person (i) which would require any consent of such third Person for the sale or disposition of such Intellectual Property (which consent has not been obtained in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent) or the payment of any monies to such third Person upon such sale or other disposition or (ii) from whom a Loan Party has received notice of a dispute in respect of such agreement;

(d) such Intellectual Property is not subject to any valid claim or assertion (whether in writing, by suit or otherwise) that such Loan Party’s ownership or use of such Intellectual Property violates the Intellectual Property of any other Person;

(e) such Intellectual Property is subject to a valid and perfected first priority Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent, and without limiting the foregoing, the Administrative Agent shall have received evidence that all actions that the Administrative Agent may reasonably deem necessary or appropriate in order to create and perfect valid first priority on such Intellectual Property (including, without limitation, filings at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office or the U.S. Copyright Office, as applicable) have been taken;

(f) such Intellectual Property conforms to all representations, warranties or other provisions in this Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents relating to Intellectual Property in all material respects;

(g) the Administrative Agent shall have received an appraisal of such Intellectual Property by a third party appraiser reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and otherwise in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent; and

(h) there are no facts, events or occurrences which would impair the validity, enforceability or usability of such Intellectual Property.

 

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For clarity, Eligible Intellectual Property shall not include any proceeds generated from the use or license of such Intellectual Property.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Intellectual Property is acquired outside of the ordinary course of business (including in a Permitted Acquisition) (such Intellectual Property, “Acquired Intellectual Property”), such Acquired Intellectual Property shall not constitute Eligible Intellectual Property until after the delivery to the Administrative Agent of an Intellectual Property appraisal in respect thereof that is reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion (it being understood that, notwithstanding the limits set forth in Section 7.08(c) regarding reimbursement of expenses of the Administrative Agent, such Intellectual Property appraisal shall be at the expense of such Loan Party).

Standards of eligibility may be made more restrictive from time to time by the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion with any such changes to be effective four Business Days after delivery of notice thereof to Whirlpool and the Lenders; provided that during the period following notice and prior to the imposition of such change, there shall be no extension of credit that would result in Availability being less than the amount by which Availability would be reduced after the imposition of such change; provided, further, that if notice to Whirlpool and the Lenders is not practicable or if failure to implement any such change within a shorter time period would, in the good faith judgment of the Administrative Agent, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect or materially and adversely affect the Collateral or the rights of the Lenders under the Loan Documents, such change may be implemented within a shorter time as determined by the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion; provided, further, that any Borrowing Base Certificate delivered during such four Business Day period will reflect any such changes.

Eligible Inventory” means at any time, the Inventory of the Loan Parties which the Administrative Agent determines in its Permitted Discretion is eligible as the basis for the extension of Loans and the issuance of Letters of Credit. Without limiting the Administrative Agent’s Permitted Discretion provided herein, Eligible Inventory shall not include any Inventory:

(a) which is not subject to a first priority perfected Lien (subject only to (x) tax liens described in Section 7.10(b) and subject to Reserves therefor in the Administrative Agent’s Permitted Discretion and (y) Liens described in Section 7.10(e) to the extent such Inventory is not ineligible pursuant to clause (j) below) in favor of the Administrative Agent;

(b) which is subject to any Lien other than (i) a Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent (subject only to (x) tax liens described in Section 7.10(b) and subject to Reserves therefor in the Administrative Agent’s Permitted Discretion and (y) Liens described in Section 7.10(e) to the extent such Inventory is not ineligible pursuant to clause (j) below), (ii) a Permitted Encumbrance which does not have priority over the Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent, (iii) a Lien permitted by this Agreement that is subject to an intercreditor agreement (including for the avoidance of doubt any Term Indebtedness Intercreditor Agreement or Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement) or subordination agreement, in each case, which does not have priority over the Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent or (iv) in the case of Inventory at a warehouse or other third party storage facility or in transit with a common carrier (and such Inventory is otherwise in compliance with clause (h) below), any Lien arising under applicable law in respect of which an appropriate Reserve shall have been established by the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion;

 

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(c) which is, in the Administrative Agent’s Permitted Discretion, slow moving, obsolete, unmerchantable, defective, used, unfit for sale, not salable at prices approximating at least the cost of such Inventory in the ordinary course of business or unacceptable due to age, type, category and/or quantity;

(d) with respect to which any covenant, representation or warranty contained in this Credit Agreement or in the U.S. Collateral Agreement or the Canadian Collateral Agreement has been breached or is not true and which does not conform to all standards imposed by any Governmental Authority in the United States, Canada or Belgium;

(e) in which any Person other than a Loan Party shall (i) have any direct or indirect ownership, interest or title to such Inventory or (ii) be indicated on any purchase order or invoice with respect to such Inventory as having an interest therein;

(f) which is not raw materials or finished goods;

(g) which constitutes work-in-process, spare or replacement parts, subassemblies, packaging and shipping material, manufacturing supplies, samples, prototypes, displays or display items, bill-and-hold or ship-in-place goods, goods that are returned or marked for return, repossessed goods, defective or damaged goods, goods held on consignment, or goods which are not of a type held for sale in the ordinary course of business;

(h) which is in transit with a common carrier from vendors and suppliers or has not been released or cleared for sale by US Customs and Border Protection, Food and Drug Administration or other regulatory agencies; provided that Inventory in transit from vendors and suppliers may be included as Eligible Inventory despite the foregoing provision of this clause (h) so long as:

 

  (i)

the Administrative Agent shall have received (i) a true and correct copy of the bill of lading and other shipping documents for such Inventory and (ii) evidence of satisfactory casualty insurance naming the Administrative Agent as lender loss payable and otherwise covering such risks as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request; provided, that the requirement for the Administrative Agent to have received such copies and/or evidence set forth in this clause (i) shall be waived for the first 60 days following the Effective Date (or such longer period as the Administrative Agent may agree in its sole discretion);

 

  (ii)

the common carrier with respect thereto is not an Affiliate of the applicable vendor or supplier;

 

  (iii)

the customs broker is not an Affiliate of any Loan Party;

 

  (iv)

if the bill of lading is non-negotiable, the Inventory must be in transit in the U.S., and at any time after 60 days following the Effective Date (or such longer period as Administrative Agent may agree in its sole discretion), the Administrative Agent shall have received, if requested, a duly executed Collateral Access Agreement, in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, from the applicable customs broker, freight forwarder or carrier for such Inventory;

 

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  (v)

if the bill of lading is negotiable, the Inventory must be in transit from outside the U.S., and the Administrative Agent shall have received (i) confirmation that the bill is issued in the name of a Loan Party and consigned to the order of the Administrative Agent, and an acceptable agreement has been executed with such Loan Party’s customs broker, in which the customs broker agrees that it holds the negotiable bill as agent for the Administrative Agent and has granted the Administrative Agent access to the Inventory, and (ii) an estimate from such Loan Party of the customs duties and customs fees associated with such Inventory in order to establish an appropriate Reserve;

 

  (vi)

such Inventory shall not have been in transit for more than 45 days;

(i) [reserved];

(j) which is located in any third party warehouse or is in the possession of a bailee (other than a third party processor) and is not evidenced by a Document, unless (i) such warehouseman or bailee has delivered to the Administrative Agent a Collateral Access Agreement and such other documentation as the Administrative Agent may require or (ii) a Rent Reserve has been established by the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion;

(k) which is being processed offsite at a third party location or outside processor, or is in-transit to or from such third party location or outside processor other than Eligible In-Transit Inventory;

(l) which is a discontinued product or component thereof;

(m) which is the subject of a consignment by the applicable Loan Party as consignor;

(n) which is perishable;

(o) which contains or bears any intellectual property rights licensed to the applicable Loan Party unless the Administrative Agent is reasonably satisfied in its Permitted Discretion that it may sell or otherwise dispose of such Inventory (including, without limitation, through fair use and/or patent exhaustion) without (i) infringing the rights of such licensor, (ii) violating any contract with such licensor, or (iii) incurring any liability with respect to payment of royalties other than royalties incurred pursuant to sale of such Inventory under the current licensing agreement;

(p) which is not reflected in a current perpetual inventory report or on the general ledger of the Loan Parties (unless such Inventory is reflected in a report to the Administrative Agent as “in transit” Inventory);

(q) for which reclamation rights have been asserted by the seller;

(r) which has been acquired from a Sanctioned Person; or

(s) which the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion determines is unacceptable.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless agreed by the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion, if Inventory is acquired outside of the ordinary course of business (including in a Permitted Acquisition) (such Inventory, “Acquired Inventory”), such Acquired Inventory shall not constitute Eligible Inventory until after the delivery to the Administrative Agent of an Inventory appraisal in respect thereof that is reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion (it being understood that, notwithstanding the limits set forth in

 

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Section 7.08(b) regarding reimbursement of expenses of the Administrative Agent, such Inventory appraisal shall be at the expense of such Loan Party); provided, however, that, any Acquired Inventory for which no such appraisal has been delivered to the Administrative Agent that otherwise constitutes Eligible Inventory, Eligible Finished Goods, Eligible Raw Materials, Eligible Service Parts or Eligible In-Transit Inventory shall be included in the determination of the applicable Borrowing Base for a period of up to 90 days following the acquisition of such Acquired Inventory, which amount included for any such Acquired Inventory shall be calculated as the Acquired Asset Applicable Advance Rate for such Acquired Inventory multiplied by the lesser of market value and cost of such Acquired Inventory valued on a first-in-first-out basis; provided, further, that in no event may Acquired Inventory, together with Acquired Accounts, constitute more than 10% of the Aggregate Borrowing Base (as calculated prior to the inclusion of any Acquired Inventory and Acquired Accounts). For the avoidance of doubt any amount included for any Acquired Inventory that constitutes Eligible In-Transit Inventory shall remain subject to the applicable sublimit set forth in the applicable Borrowing Base for Eligible In-Transit Inventory.

Standards of eligibility may be made more restrictive from time to time by the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion with any such changes to be effective four Business Days after delivery of notice thereof to Whirlpool and the Lenders; provided that during the period following notice and prior to the imposition of such change, there shall be no extension of credit that would result in Availability being less than the amount by which Availability would be reduced after the imposition of such change; provided, further, that if notice to Whirlpool and the Lenders is not practicable or if failure to implement any such change within a shorter time period would, in the good faith judgment of the Administrative Agent, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect or materially and adversely affect the Collateral or the rights of the Lenders under the Loan Documents, such change may be implemented within a shorter time as determined by the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion; provided, further, that any Borrowing Base Certificate delivered during such four Business Day period will reflect any such changes.

Eligible Jurisdiction” means (a) each jurisdiction where any Borrower is organized and (b) each of Belgium, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom; provided that the Administrative Agent may, in its Permitted Discretion, add one or more countries to those Eligible Jurisdictions pursuant to this clause (b).

Eligible Machinery and Equipment” means the Machinery and Equipment owned by the Loan Parties and meeting each of the following requirements:

(a) the Loan Parties have good title to such Machinery and Equipment;

(b) the Loan Parties have the right to subject such Machinery and Equipment to a Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent;

(c) such Machinery and Equipment is subject to a first priority perfected security interest in favor of the Administrative Agent and is free and clear of all other Liens of any nature whatsoever (except for (i) a Permitted Encumbrance which does not have priority over the Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent and (ii) a Lien permitted by this Agreement that is subject to an intercreditor agreement (including for the avoidance of doubt any Term Indebtedness Intercreditor Agreement or Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement) or subordination agreement, in each case, which does not have priority over the Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent;

(d) the full purchase price for such Machinery and Equipment has been paid by the applicable Loan Party;

 

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(e) such Machinery and Equipment is located in the U.S. and on premises (i) owned by a Loan Party or (ii) leased by a Loan Party where (x) the lessor has delivered to the Administrative Agent a Collateral Access Agreement or (y) a Rent Reserve has been established by the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion;

(f) such Machinery and Equipment is in good working order and condition (ordinary wear and tear excepted) and is used or held for use by the applicable Loan Party in the ordinary course of business of such Loan Party; and

(g) such Machinery and Equipment (i) is not subject to any agreement which restricts the ability of such Loan Party to use, sell, transport or dispose of such Machinery and Equipment or which restricts the Administrative Agent’s ability to take possession of, sell or otherwise dispose of such Machinery and Equipment and (ii) has not been purchased from a Sanctioned Person.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Machinery and Equipment is acquired outside of the ordinary course of business (including in a Permitted Acquisition) (such Machinery and Equipment, “Acquired Machinery and Equipment”), such Acquired Machinery and Equipment shall not constitute Eligible Machinery and Equipment until after the delivery to the Administrative Agent of a Machinery and Equipment appraisal in respect thereof that is reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion (it being understood that, notwithstanding the limits set forth in Section 7.08(d) regarding reimbursement of expenses of the Administrative Agent, such Machinery and Equipment appraisal shall be at the expense of such Loan Party).

Standards of eligibility may be made more restrictive from time to time by the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion with any such changes to be effective four Business Days after delivery of notice thereof to Whirlpool and the Lenders; provided that during the period following notice and prior to the imposition of such change, there shall be no extension of credit that would result in Availability being less than the amount by which Availability would be reduced after the imposition of such change; provided, further, that if notice to Whirlpool and the Lenders is not practicable or if failure to implement any such change within a shorter time period would, in the good faith judgment of the Administrative Agent, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect or materially and adversely affect the Collateral or the rights of the Lenders under the Loan Documents, such change may be implemented within a shorter time as determined by the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion; provided, further, that any Borrowing Base Certificate delivered during such four Business Day period will reflect any such changes.

Eligible Raw Materials” means, Eligible Inventory that is (a) located in the United States or Canada and (b) constitutes raw materials used or consumed by Whirlpool in the ordinary course of business in the manufacture or production of other inventory, excluding Eligible Finished Goods, Eligible Semi-Finished Goods and Eligible Service Parts.

Eligible Semi-Finished Goods” means, Inventory (a) which would constitute Eligible Inventory in all respects but for clause (g) of the definition thereof, (b) that is located in the United States or Canada and (c) that constitutes semi-finished goods produced or used by a Loan Party in the ordinary course of business, including components, hardware, assemblies and motors, and excluding Eligible Finished Goods, Eligible Service Parts and Eligible Raw Materials.

Eligible Service Parts” means, Inventory (a) which would constitute Eligible Inventory in all respects but for clauses (g) of the definition thereof, (b) that is located in the United States or Canada and (c) that constitutes service parts, excluding Eligible Finished Goods, Eligible Semi-Finished Goods and Eligible Raw Materials.

 

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Environmental Laws” means any and all federal, state, local and foreign statutes, laws, judicial decisions, regulations, ordinances, rules, judgments, orders, decrees, plans, injunctions, permits, concessions, grants, franchises, licenses, agreements and other governmental restrictions relating to the environment, the effect of the environment on human health or to emissions, discharges or releases of pollutants, contaminants, hazardous substances or wastes into the environment, including, without limitation, ambient air, surface water, ground water, or land, or otherwise relating to the manufacture, processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of pollutants, contaminants, hazardous substances or wastes or the clean-up or other remediation thereof.

Equity Interests” means shares of capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests in a limited liability company, beneficial interests in a trust or other equity ownership interests in a Person, and any warrants, options or other rights entitling the holder thereof to purchase or acquire any of the foregoing.

ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time, and the regulations promulgated and the rulings issued thereunder.

EURIBOR Rate” means, with respect to any Term Benchmark Advance denominated in euros and for any Interest Period, the sum of (a) the EURIBOR Screen Rate, two TARGET Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period plus (b) the Term Benchmark Margin for such day; provided that if the rate described in clause (a) above shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for the purposes of this Credit Agreement.

EURIBOR Screen Rate” means the euro interbank offered rate administered by the European Money Markets Institute (or any other person which takes over the administration of that rate) for the relevant period displayed (before any correction, recalculation or republication by the administrator) on page EURIBOR01 of the Thomson Reuters screen (or any replacement Thomson Reuters page which displays that rate) or on the appropriate page of such other information service which publishes that rate from time to time in place of Thomson Reuters as published at approximately 11:00 a.m. Brussels time on the applicable date of determination. If such page or service ceases to be available, the Administrative Agent may specify another page or service displaying the relevant rate after consultation with Whirlpool.

euro” means the common currency of participating members of the European Union.

European Union” means the European countries that are signatories to the Treaty on European Union.

Existing Letters of Credit” means the letters of credit existing on the Effective Date and identified on Schedule 2.04.

Existing Long-Term Credit Agreement” means that certain Fifth Amended and Restated Long-Term Credit Agreement, dated as of May 3, 2022, among Whirlpool, certain other borrowers, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., individually and as Administrative Agent, and certain lenders named therein, as amended by Amendment No. 1 to Fifth Amended and Restated Long-Term Credit Agreement, dated as of May 1, 2026, and as further amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

 

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Existing Senior Notes” means, collectively, (a) Whirlpool’s 4.750% Senior Notes due 2029, 6.125% Senior Notes due 2030, 2.400% Senior Notes due 2031, 4.700% Senior Notes due 2032, 5.500% Senior Notes due 2033, 6.500% Senior Notes due 2033, 5.750% Senior Notes due 2034, 5.150% Senior Notes due 2043, 4.500% Senior Notes due 2046 and 4.600% Senior Notes due 2050, (b) the Existing Senior Lux Finance Notes and (c) Whirlpool EMEA Finance S.à r.l.’s 0.500% Senior Notes due 2028, in each case, outstanding on the Effective Date.

Existing Senior Notes Indentures” means, collectively, the indentures governing the Existing Senior Notes, in each case, as in effect on the Effective Date and to the extent the applicable series of Existing Senior Notes remains outstanding.

Existing Senior Lux Finance Notes” means Whirlpool Finance Luxembourg S.à r.l.’s 1.250% Senior Notes due 2026 and 1.100% Senior Notes due 2027.

Existing Synthetic Lease Agreements” means those documents identified as “Existing Synthetic Lease Agreements” on Schedule 1.02.

Excluded Accounts” means, collectively, deposit accounts (other than any Collection Account), securities account, commodity account or any other deposit account, to the extent exclusively constituting (a) payroll and other employee wage and benefit accounts (including accounts consisting of Canada Pension Plan contributions or Québec Pension Plan contributions), (b) tax accounts, including sales tax accounts, (c) escrow, fiduciary or trust accounts, (d) designated disbursement accounts and bank accounts located outside of the U.S. or Canada, (e) deposit accounts, securities accounts or commodities accounts (i) that are zero balance accounts or (ii) the balances of which are transferred automatically on a daily basis to deposit accounts, securities account or commodities account that are not Excluded Accounts, (f) accounts holding cash collateral in escrow or in trust for the benefit of a third party in connection with a Permitted Encumbrance, (g) accounts that do not have an individual ending balance in excess of $10,000,000 or in the aggregate with each other account described in this clause (g), in excess of $25,000,000, (h) any account the balance of which consists solely of identifiable proceeds of any sale or other disposition of any Term Indebtedness Priority Collateral so long as all amounts on deposit therein constitute Term Indebtedness Priority Collateral, (i) segregated accounts established in connection with Permitted Receivables Facility Documents and the balance of which consists solely of identifiable proceeds and collections of Permitted Receivables Facility Assets, and (j) the funds or other property held in or maintained in any such account identified in clauses (a) through (j).

Excluded Assets” means:

(a) any fee-owned real property and all leasehold or subleasehold interests in real property;

(b) any motor vehicles, aircraft and other assets subject to certificates of title (other than to the extent the security interest in such certificates of title may be perfected by the filing of UCC or PPSA financing statements);

(c) assets in respect of which pledges and security interests are prohibited by applicable U.S. or Canadian federal, state, provincial or territorial law, rule or regulation or agreements with any United States or Canadian (or applicable state, provincial or territorial) Governmental Authority (other than to the extent that such prohibition would be rendered ineffective pursuant to Section 9-406, 9-407, 9-408, 9-409 or other applicable provisions of the UCC of any applicable jurisdiction, or the PPSA, or any other applicable law); provided that, immediately upon the ineffectiveness, lapse or termination of any such prohibitions, such assets shall automatically cease to constitute “Excluded Assets”;

 

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(d) Equity Interests in any Person other than wholly-owned Subsidiaries to the extent not permitted by terms in such Person’s organizational or joint venture documents (unless any such restriction would be rendered ineffective pursuant to Section 9-406, 9-407, 9-408, 9-409 or other applicable provisions of the UCC of any applicable jurisdiction, or the PPSA, or any other applicable law);

(e) any lease, license or other agreement or any property subject to such lease, license or other agreement including a purchase money security interest or similar arrangement, in each case, to the extent that a grant of a security interest therein would violate or invalidate such lease, license or agreement or purchase money arrangement or create a right of termination in favor of any other party thereto (other than a Loan Party) or would require the consent or approval of any other party thereto (other than a Loan Party) (so long as such lease, license or other agreement is binding on such asset on the Effective Date or at the time of its acquisition and is not entered into in contemplation of the Effective Date or such acquisition, and other than (i) proceeds and receivables thereof, the assignment of which is expressly deemed effective under the UCC or PPSA notwithstanding such prohibition, (ii) to the extent that any such term has been waived or (iii) to the extent any such term would be rendered ineffective pursuant to Section 9-406, 9-407, 9-408, 9-409 or other applicable provisions of the UCC of any applicable jurisdiction, or the PPSA, or any other applicable law); provided that, immediately upon the ineffectiveness, lapse or termination of any such express term, such assets shall automatically cease to constitute “Excluded Assets”;

(f) Excluded Accounts;

(g) cash to secure letter of credit reimbursement obligations (other than in respect of Letters of Credit) to the extent such secured letters of credit are issued or permitted, and such cash collateral is permitted, by this Credit Agreement;

(h) any “intent-to-use” application for registration of a trademark filed pursuant to Section 1(b) of the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1051, prior to the filing of a “Statement of Use” pursuant to Section 1(d) of the Lanham Act or an “Amendment to Allege Use” pursuant to Section 1(c) of the Lanham Act with respect thereto, to the extent, if any, that and solely during the period, if any, in which, the grant of a security interest therein would impair the validity or enforceability of any registration that issues from such intent-to-use application under applicable federal law;

(i) Equity Interests in any (x) not-for-profit Subsidiary or (y) other Subsidiary if the granting of a security interest in such Equity Interests (i) is prohibited or restricted by any applicable law or any contractual obligation (limited, in the case of a contractual obligation, to such contractual obligations in existence on the Effective Date or on the date such Subsidiary was acquired by Whirlpool or any other Subsidiary and that was not entered into in contemplation thereof) from providing a Guaranty of the Obligations or (ii) would require a governmental consent, approval, license or authorization (including any regulatory consent, approval, license or authorization) in order to provide such security interest (other than any such consent, approval, license or authorization that has been obtained);

(j) voting Equity Interests in any Foreign Subsidiary representing more than 65% of the voting Equity Interests in such Foreign Subsidiary;

(k) any assets to the extent a security interest in such assets would result in material adverse Tax consequences (as reasonably determined by the Borrowers in consultation with the Administrative Agent);

 

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(l) Permitted Receivables Facilities Assets;

(m) Specified Assets; and

(n) any assets (other than any Collateral securing Secured Pari Lease Obligations pursuant to the Collateral Documents) securing obligations of Whirlpool or any Subsidiary under any Synthetic Lease Agreement (in each case, as in effect on the Effective Date and without giving effect to any amendments, supplements or modifications to such Synthetic Lease Agreements after the Effective Date);

provided that, “Excluded Assets” shall not include (x) any proceeds, products, substitutions or replacements of Excluded Assets (unless such proceeds, products, substitutions or replacements would otherwise constitute Excluded Assets), (y) any asset or property of a Loan Party included in the calculation of the Borrowing Base and (z) any asset or property of a Loan Party on which a Lien has been granted to secure Term Indebtedness Obligations or Junior Indebtedness.

Excluded Import/Export Financing Agreement” is defined in the definition of “Import/Export Financing.”

Excluded Subsidiary” means:

(a) any Immaterial Subsidiary;

(b) any Subsidiary that is not a wholly-owned Subsidiary;

(c) any not-for-profit Subsidiary;

(d) any Subsidiary (i) that is prohibited or restricted by any applicable law or any contractual obligation (limited, in the case of a contractual obligation, to such contractual obligations in existence on the Effective Date or on the date such Subsidiary was acquired by Whirlpool or any other Subsidiary and that was not entered into in contemplation thereof) from providing a Guaranty of the Obligations, (ii) that would require a governmental consent, approval, license or authorization (including any regulatory consent, approval, license or authorization) in order to provide a Guaranty of the Obligations (other than any such consent, approval, license or authorization that has been obtained), (iii) if the provision of a Guaranty of the Obligations by such Subsidiary would result in adverse tax consequences to Whirlpool, as reasonably determined by the Borrowers in consultation with the Administrative Agent or (iv) that is a Foreign Subsidiary;

(e) without limiting clause (d) above, any Subsidiary acquired by Whirlpool or any other Subsidiary after the Effective Date that, at the time of the relevant acquisition, is an obligor in respect of assumed Indebtedness that is permitted under this Credit Agreement to the extent (and for so long as) the documentation governing the applicable assumed Indebtedness prohibits such Subsidiary from providing a Guaranty of the Obligations so long as such restriction was not incurred in contemplation of such acquisition;

(f) any Receivables Entity;

(g) any captive insurance Subsidiary or special-purpose entity; or

 

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(h) any other Subsidiary with respect to which, in the reasonable judgment of the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers, the burden or cost of providing a Guaranty of the Obligations outweighs the benefits afforded thereby.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, (x) in no event shall any Borrower be an “Excluded Subsidiary” and (y) no Domestic Subsidiary of Whirlpool that owns or holds an exclusive license or exclusive sublicense to any Material Intellectual Property shall constitute an Excluded Subsidiary.

Excluded Supply Chain Financing Agreement” is defined in the definition of “Supply Chain Financing.”

Excluded Swap Obligation” means, with respect to any Loan Party, any Specified 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 security interest to secure, such Specified Swap Obligation (or any Guaranty 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 of any thereof) by virtue of such Loan Party’s failure for any reason to constitute an ECP at the time the Guaranty of such Loan Party or the grant of such security interest becomes effective with respect to such Specified Swap Obligation. If a Specified Swap Obligation arises under a master agreement governing more than one swap, such exclusion shall apply only to the portion of such Specified Swap Obligation that is attributable to swaps for which such Guaranty or security interest is or becomes illegal.

FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Credit Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), any current or future regulations or official interpretations thereof, any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b)(1) of the Code, any intergovernmental agreements entered into in connection with the implementation of the foregoing, and any fiscal or regulatory legislation, rules or practices adopted pursuant to such intergovernmental agreement, or any treaty or convention entered into in connection with the implementation of the foregoing.

Federal Funds Effective Rate” means, for any period, a fluctuating interest rate per annum equal for each day during such period to (i) the rate published for such day (or, if such day is not a Business Day, for the next preceding Business Day) by the NYFRB for overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System; or (ii) if such rate is not so published for any day which is a Business Day, the quotation for such day on such transactions received by the Administrative Agent from a Federal funds broker of recognized standing selected by it; provided that if the Federal Funds Effective Rate shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for purposes of this Credit Agreement.

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

Fee Letter” means that certain Fee Letter dated as of February 12, 2026, by and among Whirlpool and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

Finance Lease” means any lease in which the obligation for rentals with respect thereto is required to be capitalized on a balance sheet of the lessee in accordance with GAAP; provided, that “Finance Lease” shall not include obligations or liabilities of any Person to pay rent or other amounts under any lease of (or other arrangement conveying the right to use) real or personal property, or a combination thereof, which obligations would be required to be classified and accounted for as an operating lease under GAAP as in effect on December 31, 2015. For the avoidance of doubt, in no event shall any operating lease constitute a “Finance Lease”.

 

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Financials” means the annual or quarterly financial statements, and accompanying certificates and other documents, of Whirlpool and its Subsidiaries required to be delivered pursuant to Section 7.01(a) or Section 7.01(b).

First-Year LOC Commitment” means, for each Issuing Lender, the commitment of such Lender to issue Letters of Credit not exceeding the amount set forth on Schedule I hereto under the column “First-Year LOC Commitment”, provided that the aggregate face amount of all such issuances at any time outstanding (together with the amounts of any unreimbursed drawings thereon) shall not exceed the LOC Committed Amount; provided, further, that the First-Year LOC Commitments shall automatically terminate and expire on the First-Year LOC Commitment Termination Date.

First-Year LOC Commitment Termination Date” means June 16, 2027.

Fitch” means Fitch Ratings Inc.

Fixed Amount” means, as of any date of determination, an amount equal to (i) the greater of (x) $1,000,000,000 and (y) 100% of Consolidated EBITDA for the most recent period of four fiscal quarters of Whirlpool and its Consolidated Subsidiaries minus (ii) the aggregate amount of Incremental Commitments then outstanding minus (iii) the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 7.11(v) minus (iv) the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 7.11(f) in reliance on clause (iii)(x) thereof.

Floating Rate Advance” means (a) a Dollar-denominated Advance which bears interest at the Alternate Base Rate, (b) a Sterling-denominated Advance which bears interest at Daily Simple SONIA or (c) a Canadian Dollar-denominated Advance which bears interest at the Canadian Prime Rate.

Floating Rate Loan” means (a) a Dollar-denominated Loan which bears interest at the Alternate Base Rate, (b) a Sterling-denominated Loan which bears interest at Daily Simple SONIA or (c) a Canadian Dollar-denominated Loan which bears interest at the Canadian Prime Rate.

Foreign Account” means an Account that is owed by an Account Debtor which (i) does not maintain its chief executive office in the U.S., Canada, Australia or any Eligible Jurisdiction (including any state, province or territory thereof) or (ii) is not organized under applicable law of the U.S., any state of the U.S., the District of Columbia, Canada, any province or territory of Canada, Australia, or any Eligible Jurisdiction.

Foreign Currency Continuation/Conversion Notice” is defined in Section 2.03(g).

Foreign Significant Subsidiary” means, as of any date of determination, any Foreign Subsidiary of Whirlpool (a) whose total assets as of the most recent available quarterly or year-end financial statements exceed 10.00% of Consolidated Total Assets (excluding intercompany amounts and balances) of Whirlpool and its Consolidated Subsidiaries at such date, determined in accordance with GAAP or (b) whose Consolidated EBITDA for the most recent period of four fiscal quarters for which financial statements are available exceeds 10.00% of Consolidated EBITDA for the most recent period of four fiscal quarters for which financial statements are available of Whirlpool and its Consolidated Subsidiaries.

 

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Foreign Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary which is not a Domestic Subsidiary.

Fronting Exposure” means, at any time there is a Defaulting Lender, with respect to any Issuing Lender, such Defaulting Lender’s Ratable Share of the outstanding LOC Obligations with respect to Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Lender other than LOC Obligations as to which such Defaulting Lender’s participation obligation has been reallocated to other Lenders or Cash Collateralized in accordance with the terms hereof.

Full Cash Dominion Period” means (a) each period when a Default shall have occurred and be continuing and (b) each period beginning on the third consecutive Business Day on which Availability is less than the greater of (x) 10% of the Line Cap and (y) $135,000,000; provided that any such Full Cash Dominion Period commencing pursuant to clause (b) shall end when and if Availability shall have been not less than such specified level for twenty (20) consecutive days.

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America.

Government Acts” is defined in Section 2.04(i)(i).

Governmental Authority” means the government of the United States of America, Canada or any other nation or 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.

Guarantors” means, collectively, Whirlpool (except with regard to its own Obligations) and each Subsidiary Guarantor.

Guaranty” of any Person (the “guarantor”) means any agreement by which such Person assumes, guarantees, endorses, contingently agrees to purchase or provide funds for the payment of, or otherwise becomes liable upon the obligation of any other Person, or agrees to maintain the net worth or working capital or other financial condition of any other Person or otherwise assures any creditor of such other Person against loss, and shall include, without limitation, the contingent liability of such Person under or in relation to any letter of credit (or similar instrument), but shall exclude endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business.

Hedge Bank” means any Person that, (a) at the time it enters into a Swap Agreement, is a Lender, the Administrative Agent or an Arranger or an Affiliate of a Lender, the Administrative Agent or an Arranger, in its capacity as a party to such Swap Agreement or (b) in the case of any Swap Agreement entered into prior to, and existing on, the Effective Date, any Person that is, on the Effective Date, a Lender, the Administrative Agent or an Arranger or Affiliate of a Lender, the Administrative Agent or an Arranger, in its capacity as a party to such Swap Agreement.

Home Depot” means Home Depot Inc., a Delaware corporation.

Immaterial Subsidiary” means, as of any date of determination, any Subsidiary of Whirlpool that has been designated by Whirlpool on Schedule 6.10 or by written notice to the Administrative Agent as an “Immaterial Subsidiary” from time to time and (a) whose total assets as of the most recent available quarterly or year-end financial statements do not exceed 5.00% of Consolidated Total Assets (excluding intercompany amounts and balances) of Whirlpool and its Consolidated Subsidiaries at such date, determined in accordance with GAAP and (b) whose Consolidated EBITDA for the most recent period of four fiscal quarters for which financial statements are

 

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available does not exceed 5.00% of Consolidated EBITDA for the most recent period of four fiscal quarters for which financial statements are available of Whirlpool and its Consolidated Subsidiaries; provided that (i) the total assets of all such Subsidiaries as of the most recent available quarterly or year-end financial statements shall not exceed 10.00 % of Consolidated Total Assets (excluding intercompany amounts and balances) of Whirlpool and its Consolidated Subsidiaries at such date, determined in accordance with GAAP and (ii) the Consolidated EBITDA of all such Subsidiaries for the most recent period of four fiscal quarters for which financial statements are available shall not exceed 10.00% of Consolidated EBITDA of Whirlpool and its Consolidated Subsidiaries for such period. For any determination made as of or prior to the time any Person becomes an indirect or direct Subsidiary of Whirlpool, such determination and designation shall be made based on financial statements provided by or on behalf of such Person in connection with the acquisition of such Person or such Person’s assets. Whirlpool may change the designation of any Subsidiary as an Immaterial Subsidiary by providing written notice to the Administrative Agent; provided that any Subsidiary of Whirlpool formed or acquired after the Effective Date, as applicable, that meets the requirements of an “Immaterial Subsidiary” set forth herein shall be deemed designated as an “Immaterial Subsidiary” unless Whirlpool otherwise notifies the Administrative Agent in writing. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, no Subsidiary of Whirlpool that owns or holds an exclusive license or exclusive sublicense to any Material Intellectual Property shall constitute an Immaterial Subsidiary.

Immediate Family Member” means, with respect to any individual, such individual’s child, stepchild, grandchild or more remote descendant, parent, stepparent, grandparent, spouse, former spouse, domestic partner, former domestic partner, sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law and daughter-in-law (including adoptive relationships), any trust, partnership or other bona fide estate-planning vehicle the only beneficiaries of which are any of the foregoing individuals, such individual’s estate (or an executor or administrator acting on its behalf), heirs or legatees or any private foundation or fund that is controlled by any of the foregoing individuals or any donor-advised fund of which any such individual is the donor.

Import/Export Finance Bank” means any Person that, (a) at the time it enters into an Import/Export Financing permitted hereunder, is a Lender, the Administrative Agent or an Arranger or an Affiliate of a Lender, the Administrative Agent or an Arranger, in its capacity as a party to such Import/Export Financing or (b) in the case of any Import/Export Financing entered into prior to, and existing on, the Effective Date, any Person that is, on the Effective Date, a Lender, the Administrative Agent or an Arranger or Affiliate of a Lender, the Administrative Agent or an Arranger, in its capacity as a party to such Import/Export Financing.

Import/Export Finance Obligations” means obligations of Whirlpool or any Subsidiary relating to Import/Export Financings with an Import/Export Finance Bank, other than Import/Export Financings arising under an Excluded Import/Export Financing Agreement.

Import/Export Financing” means any financing arrangement in respect of importing and/or exporting goods of Whirlpool or any Subsidiary outside the United States or domestic trade financing outside the United States so long as, (i) other than pursuant to this Agreement and the Collateral Documents, such Indebtedness is unsecured and (ii) such Indebtedness represents amounts not in excess of those which Whirlpool or any of its Subsidiaries would otherwise have been obligated to pay with respect to such financing arrangements, in each case, that is provided by a Lender or any of its Affiliates and is listed on Schedule IX hereto or, after the Effective Date, has been designated by Whirlpool in writing to the Administrative Agent as an “Import/Export Financing” and in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $50,000,000 at any time outstanding for all Import/Export Financing; provided, that in respect of any Import/Export Financing so

 

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designated after the Effective Date, Whirlpool shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an updated version of Schedule IX reflecting such Import/Export Financing and the principal or similar amount of Import/Export Finance Obligations in respect thereof. The Import/Export Financings on the Effective Date are identified as such in Schedule IX hereto. Whirlpool or the relevant Subsidiary and the Import/Export Finance Bank providing Import/Export Financing may designate in writing to the Administrative Agent any Import/Export Financing agreement as an agreement not intended to be included as an Import/Export Finance Obligations for purposes of this Agreement (such agreement, an “Excluded Import/Export Financing Agreement”).

Incremental Amendment” is defined in Section 2.14(f).

Incremental Commitments” is defined in Section 2.14(a).

Incremental Facility Closing Date” is defined in Section 2.14(d).

Incremental Lenders” is defined in Section 2.14(c).

Incremental Loan” is defined in Section 2.14(b).

Indebtedness” means, without duplication, with respect to each Borrower and each Subsidiary of a Borrower, such Person’s (i) obligations for borrowed money, (ii) obligations representing the deferred purchase price of any of its Property or services (other than accounts payable arising in the ordinary course of such Person’s business payable on terms customary in the trade) which are due and payable more than one year after the incurrence of such obligations, (iii) obligations, whether or not assumed, secured by Liens (other than Permitted Encumbrances that are not otherwise included within this definition of “Indebtedness”) or payable out of the proceeds or production from any Property now or hereafter owned or acquired by such Person, (iv) obligations which are evidenced by notes, acceptances, or other instruments, (v) obligations under Finance Leases which would be shown as a liability on a balance sheet of such Person, (vi) net liabilities under any agreement, device or arrangement designed to protect at least one of the parties thereto from the fluctuation of interest rates, exchange rates or forward rates applicable to such party’s assets, liabilities or exchange transactions (including any cancellation, buy back, reversal, termination or assignment thereof), (vii) Indebtedness of another Person for which such Person is obligated pursuant to a Guaranty, (viii) obligations in respect of Attributable Receivables Indebtedness, (ix) Secured Pari Lease Obligations and (x) Disqualified Equity Interests. For the avoidance of doubt, in no event shall obligations of any such Person in respect of any operating lease constitute “Indebtedness”. The Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any other entity (including any partnership in which such Person is a general partner) to the extent such Person is liable therefor as a result of such Person’s ownership interest in or other relationship with such entity, except to the extent the terms of such Indebtedness provide that such Person is not liable therefor.

Intellectual Property” means Intellectual Property as defined in the U.S. Collateral Agreement and the Canadian Collateral Agreement.

Interest Period” means, with respect to a Term Benchmark Advance (a) denominated in Dollars or euros, the period commencing on the date of such Advance and ending on the day that is one, three or six months thereafter or (b) denominated in Canadian Dollars, the period commencing on the date of such Advance and ending on the day that is one or three months thereafter (in each case, subject to the availability for the Benchmark applicable to such Advance), as the applicable Borrower may elect; provided, that (i) if any Interest Period would end on a day other than a

 

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Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day unless such next succeeding Business Day would fall in the next calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day and (ii) any Interest Period that commences on the last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in the last calendar month of such Interest Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the last calendar month of such Interest Period. For purposes hereof, the date of an Advance initially shall be the date on which such Advance is made and thereafter shall be the effective date of the most recent conversion or continuation of such Advance.

Intercompany Note” means an intercompany note in the form mutually agreed by the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent.

Inventory” is defined in the U.S. Collateral Agreement and the Canadian Collateral Agreement.

Investment” is defined in Section 7.15.

Investment Grade Eligible Accounts” means Eligible Accounts owing by an Account Debtor whose securities are rated BBB- or better by S&P or Baa3 or better by Moody’s at such time.

IP Release” is defined in the definition of “U.S. Borrowing Base”.

Issuing Lender” means any of JPMorgan, BNP Paribas, Citibank, N.A., Mizuho Bank, Ltd., Wells Fargo Bank, National Association and any other Lender approved by Whirlpool (and consented to by such Lender).

JPMorgan” means JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., and its successors.

Junior Indebtedness” means (a) the Senior Notes, (b) any Material Subordinated Indebtedness, (c) any Indebtedness (other than any Consolidated Funded First Lien Indebtedness) of Whirlpool and its Subsidiaries that is secured by a Lien on the Collateral that is junior to the Lien on the Collateral securing the Obligations (for the avoidance of doubt, not including any Crossing-Lien Indebtedness) and (d) any Material Unsecured Indebtedness of Whirlpool and its Subsidiaries.

Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement” means that certain Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of the Effective Date by and among the Administrative Agent, the Senior Secured Notes Agent, and the Loan Parties party thereto, or to the extent executed in connection with the incurrence of any Indebtedness, any other intercreditor agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit I, which agreement shall provide that the Liens on the Collateral securing such Indebtedness shall rank junior to the Liens on the Collateral securing the Secured Obligations.

LCT Test Date” is defined in Section 1.05.

Lease Bank” means any Person that (a) at the time it enters into a Secured Pari Lease Agreement with Whirlpool or any Subsidiary, is a Lender, the Administrative Agent or an Arranger or an Affiliate of a Lender, the Administrative Agent or an Arranger, in its capacity as a party to such Secured Pari Lease Agreement, (b) in the case of any Secured Pari Lease Agreement in effect on or prior to the Effective Date, is, as of the Effective Date (x) a Lender, the Administrative Agent or an Arranger or an Affiliate of a Lender, the Administrative Agent or an Arranger, in its capacity as a party to such Secured Pari Lease Agreement or (y) party to such Secured Pari Lease Agreement and designated in writing to the Administrative Agent or (c) in the case of any Secured Pari Lease Agreement entered into after the Effective Date, is (x) a commercial bank or (y) otherwise reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, in each case, designated in writing to the Administrative Agent.

 

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Lender-Related Person” is defined in Section 10.06(b).

Lenders” means the financial institutions listed on the signature pages of this Credit Agreement, each commercial bank that shall become a party hereto pursuant to Section 2.14 and their respective permitted successors and assigns. Unless the context otherwise requires, the term “Lenders” includes the Lenders and the Issuing Lenders.

Lending Installation” means any office, branch, subsidiary or affiliate of any Lender or the Administrative Agent.

Letter of Credit” means any letter of credit issued by an Issuing Lender for the account of a Borrower in accordance with Section 2.04.

Liabilities” is defined in Section 10.06(b).

Lien” means any lien (statutory or other), mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, encumbrance or preference, priority or other security agreement or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever (including, without limitation, the interest of a vendor or lessor under any conditional sale, Finance Lease or other title retention agreement).

Line Cap” means at any time, an amount equal to the lesser of (a) (x) the Aggregate Commitments minus (y) applicable Reserves (without duplication of Reserves imposed in connection with the Borrowing Base) and (b) the Aggregate Borrowing Base.

Limited Condition Transaction” means any acquisition or Investment that (a) is not prohibited hereunder (subject to Section 1.05) and (b) is not conditioned on the availability of, or on obtaining, third-party financing.

Limited Condition Transaction Agreement” is defined in Section 1.05(a).

Loan” means, with respect to a Lender, such Lender’s portion, if any, of any Advance, including Protective Advances.

Loan Documents” means this Credit Agreement, each Note, the LOC Documents, the Collateral Documents, the Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, any Incremental Amendment, the Assumption Agreements and all other agreements to which a Loan Party is a party and that are expressly identified as Loan Documents therein; provided that no Swap Agreement shall constitute a Loan Document.

Loan Parties” means, collectively, each Borrower and each Subsidiary Guarantor; provided that, as used in the definition of “U.S. Borrowing Base”, “Loan Party” shall exclude each Canadian Loan Party.

LOC Committed Amount” means (x) prior to the First-Year LOC Commitment Termination Date, $415,000,000 and (y) on and after the First-Year LOC Commitment Termination Date, $250,000,000, in each case, as it may be reduced from time to time pursuant to the terms hereof.

 

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LOC Documents” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, such Letter of Credit, any amendments thereto, any documents delivered in connection therewith, any application therefor, and any agreements, instruments, guarantees or other documents (whether general in application or applicable only to such Letter of Credit) governing or providing for (i) the rights and obligations of the parties concerned or at risk or (ii) any collateral security for such obligations. The term “LOC Documents” shall not include any underlying agreements between the account party and the beneficiary of a Letter of Credit.

LOC Obligations” means, at any time, the sum of (i) the maximum amount which is, or at any time thereafter may become, available to be drawn under Letters of Credit then outstanding, assuming compliance with all requirements for drawings referred to in such Letters of Credit plus (ii) the aggregate amount of all drawings under Letters of Credit honored by the applicable Issuing Lender but not theretofore reimbursed by the applicable Borrower.

Lowes” means Lowe’s Companies, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

M&E Release” is defined in the definition of “U.S. Borrowing Base”.

Machinery and Equipment” means (a) for purposes of the definition of “Eligible Machinery and Equipment” and provisions relating to the Borrowing Base, shall mean any “equipment” as such term is defined in Article 9 of the UCC owned by any Loan Party, and in any event, shall include, but shall not be limited to, all machinery, equipment, furnishings and fittings now or hereinafter owned by any Loan Party and all additions, all accessions thereto, wherever located, together with all attachments, components, parts, equipment and accessories installed thereon or affixed thereto and (b) solely in the case of equipment, for all other purposes, has the meaning assigned to such term in Article 9 of the UCC.

“Master Agreement” is defined in the definition of “Swap Agreement”.

Material Acquisition” means any acquisition or series of related acquisitions that involves consideration (including assumption of debt) with a fair market value, as of the date of the closing thereof, in excess of US$500,000,000 ; provided that Whirlpool may, in its sole discretion, treat an acquisition or series of related acquisitions that involve consideration of less than US$500,000,000 as a Material Acquisition.

Material Adverse Effect” means a material adverse effect on (i) the business, Property, financial condition or results of operations of Whirlpool and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (ii) the ability of any Borrower to perform its payment obligations under the Loan Documents, or (iii) the validity or enforceability of any of the Loan Documents or the rights or remedies of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders thereunder.

Material Disposition” means any disposition of property or series of related dispositions of property that involves consideration (including assumption of debt) with a fair market value, as of the date of the closing thereof, in excess of US$500,000,000; provided that Whirlpool may, in its sole discretion, treat a disposition or series of related dispositions that involves consideration of less than US$500,000,000 as a Material Disposition.

Material Domestic Subsidiary” means any Domestic Subsidiary that (i) is not an Immaterial Subsidiary or (ii) is a guarantor of any Term Indebtedness Obligations or Junior Indebtedness.

 

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Material Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount, for all such Indebtedness taken together, of $500,000,000 or more; provided that, Indebtedness in an individual principal amount of less than $50,000,000 shall be disregarded for purposes of calculating such aggregate amount.

Material Indebtedness Contingency Account” is defined in the definition of “Material Indebtedness Contingency Cash Amount”.

Material Indebtedness Contingency Cash Amount” means the amount of Unrestricted Cash deposited in a fully-blocked deposit account with the Administrative Agent subject to a control agreement or assignment of deposit account reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (such account, the “Material Indebtedness Contingency Account”) that is designated by Whirlpool as a Material Debt Contingency Amount with respect to specified Material Indebtedness; provided that (i) the Material Indebtedness Contingency Account may be an interest bearing money market deposit account and (ii) if reasonably necessary to repay or redeem such specified Material Indebtedness, Loan Parties may transfer such Unrestricted Cash to a deposit account maintained by a Loan Party or subsidiary thereof outside the United States which is not a fully blocked deposit account subject to a control agreement in which case such Unrestricted Cash shall continue to constitute Material Indebtedness Contingency Cash Amount for such time (not to exceed ten (10) Business Days) as may be reasonably necessary in advance of such repayment or redemption.

Material Indebtedness Maturity Reserve” means, as of any date of determination, a reserve equal to the aggregate principal amount of (i) Material Indebtedness maturing within ninety-one (91) days after such date minus (ii) the Material Indebtedness Contingency Cash Amount.

Material Intellectual Property” means any Intellectual Property which is material to the business of Whirlpool and its Domestic Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

Material Subordinated Indebtedness” means any Subordinated Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount of $100,000,000 or more.

Material Unsecured Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount of $75,000,000 or more that is not secured by a Lien on any property of Whirlpool and its Subsidiaries.

Maturity Limitations” means, with respect to any Indebtedness, that (i) such Indebtedness shall not have a final scheduled maturity date earlier than the Termination Date (provided, that the foregoing limitation shall not apply to (x) a customary bridge facility with a maturity date not longer than one year which, subject to customary conditions, automatically converts into long-term debt satisfying the requirements of this clause (i) and (y) customary 364-day bridge loans) and (ii) as of the date such Indebtedness is incurred, such Indebtedness shall have amortization (subject to the immediately preceding clause (i)) determined by Whirlpool and the applicable lenders; provided that, such Indebtedness (x) in the form of Customary Term A Loans shall not amortize at an annual rate in excess of 10.00% and (y) in any other form shall not amortize at an annual rate in excess of 5.00%.

Maximum Permitted Receivables Facility Amount” means an amount equal to the greater of (i) $200,000,000 and (ii) 20% of Consolidated EBITDA for the most recent period of four fiscal quarters of Whirlpool and its Subsidiaries.

Maximum Rate” is defined in Section 13.08.

 

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Maximum Specified Principal Property Secured Amount” means, at any time, an amount equal to (i) 9.0% of “Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” (as defined in the Existing Senior Notes Indentures) (or the agreements governing any Applicable Refinanced Existing Senior Notes) minus (ii) the amount of “Attributable Debt” (as defined in the Existing Senior Notes Indentures) (or the agreements governing any Applicable Refinanced Existing Senior Notes) of Whirlpool and its subsidiaries outstanding at such time.

Minimum Collateral Amount” means, at any time, (i) with respect to Cash Collateral consisting of cash or deposit account balances, an amount equal to 103% of the Fronting Exposure of all Issuing Lenders with respect to Letters of Credit issued and outstanding at such time and (ii) otherwise, an amount determined by the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Lenders in their sole discretion.

Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.

Net Cash Proceeds” means:

(a) with respect to any Disposition by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries of assets, the amount of cash proceeds actually received (directly or indirectly) from time to time (whether as initial consideration or through the payment or disposition of deferred consideration, but only as and when so received) by or on behalf of such Loan Party or such Subsidiary, in connection therewith after deducting therefrom only (i) the amount of any Indebtedness secured by any Permitted Lien on any asset (other than (A) Indebtedness owing to the Administrative Agent or any Lender under this Credit Agreement or the other Loan Documents, (B) Term Indebtedness Obligations owing to the Term Indebtedness Administrative Agent or any lender under the Term Indebtedness Documents and (C) Indebtedness assumed by the purchaser of such asset) which is required to be, and is, repaid in connection with such sale or disposition, (ii) fees, commissions, and expenses related thereto and required to be paid by such Loan Party or such Subsidiary in connection with such sale or disposition, (iii) Taxes paid or payable to any taxing authorities by such Loan Party or such Subsidiary in connection with such sale or disposition, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that the amounts so deducted are, at the time of receipt of such cash, actually paid or payable to a Person that is not an Affiliate of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, and are properly attributable to such transaction, and (iv) all amounts that are set aside as a reserve (A) for adjustments in respect of the purchase price of such assets, (B) for any liabilities associated with such sale or casualty, to the extent such reserve is required by GAAP, and (C) for the payment of unassumed liabilities relating to the assets sold or otherwise disposed of at the time of, or within 30 days after, the date of such sale or other disposition; and

(b) with respect to the issuance or incurrence of any Indebtedness by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, or the issuance by any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries of any Equity Interests, the aggregate amount of cash actually received (directly or indirectly) from time to time (whether as initial consideration or through the payment or disposition of deferred consideration, but only as and when so received) by or on behalf of such Loan Party or such Subsidiary in connection with such issuance or incurrence, after deducting therefrom only (i) fees, commissions, and expenses related thereto and required to be paid by such Loan Party or such Subsidiary in connection with such issuance or incurrence, and (ii) Taxes paid or payable to any taxing authorities by such Loan Party or such Subsidiary in connection with such issuance or incurrence, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that the amounts so deducted are, at the time of receipt of such cash, actually paid or payable to a Person that is not an Affiliate of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries, and are properly attributable to such transaction.

 

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Net Forced Liquidation Value” means, with respect to Intellectual Property of any Person, the net forced liquidation value thereof as determined in an appraisal of such Intellectual Property by a third party appraiser reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and which appraisal is otherwise in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

Net Orderly Liquidation Value In Place” means, with respect to Machinery and Equipment of any Person, (i) prior to the receipt by the Administrative Agent of the Initial M&E Appraisal, the net orderly liquidation value in place expected to be realized at an orderly, negotiated sale held within reasonable time period from the most recent Machinery and Equipment estimated appraisal received by the Administrative Agent and shared with Whirlpool on or prior to the Effective Date and (ii) from and after receipt by the Administrative Agent of the Initial M&E Appraisal, the net orderly liquidation value in place expected to be realized at an orderly, negotiated sale held within reasonable time period from the most recent Machinery and Equipment appraisal ordered by the Administrative Agent.

Net Orderly Liquidation Value” means with respect to Inventory of any Person, the net orderly liquidation value expected to be realized at an orderly, negotiated sale held within reasonable time period from the most recent Inventory appraisal ordered by the Administrative Agent.

New York Process Agent” is defined in Section 10.10(b).

Non-Consenting Lender” means any Lender that does not approve any consent, waiver or amendment that (i) requires the approval of all Lenders or all affected Lenders in accordance with the terms of Section 9.03 and (ii) has been approved by the Required Lenders.

Non-Defaulting Lender” means, at any time, each Lender that is not a Defaulting Lender at such time.

Non-Investment Grade Eligible Accounts” means Eligible Accounts that are not Investment Grade Eligible Accounts.

Non-Loan Party” means any Subsidiary of Whirlpool that is not a Loan Party.

Note” means a promissory note in substantially the form of Exhibit A hereto, with appropriate insertions, duly executed and delivered to the Administrative Agent by the applicable Borrower for the account of a Lender and payable to such Lender, including any amendment, modification, renewal or replacement of such promissory note.

NYFRB” means the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

NYFRB Rate” means, for any day, the greater of (a) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such day and (b) the Overnight Bank Funding Rate in effect on such day (or for any day that is not a Business Day, for the immediately preceding Business Day); provided that if none of such rates are published for any day that is a Business Day, the term “NYFRB Rate” means the rate for a federal funds transaction quoted at 11:00 a.m. on such day received by the Administrative Agent from a federal funds broker of recognized standing selected by it; provided, further, that if any of the aforesaid rates as so determined would be less than 0%, such rate shall be deemed to be 0% for purposes of this Credit Agreement.

 

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Obligations” means all unpaid principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on the Loans and the Notes, all LOC Obligations, all accrued and unpaid fees, all obligations of the Guarantors under Article 4 and all other reimbursements, indemnities or other obligations of the Borrowers, any Loan Party or any Subsidiary arising under the Loan Documents (including all interest and expenses accruing after the commencement of a proceeding under any bankruptcy law, whether or not constituting an allowed claim in such proceeding).

OID” means original issue discount.

Original Borrowers” is defined in Section 5.01.

Overnight Bank Funding Rate” means, for any day, the rate comprised of both overnight federal funds and overnight eurodollar transactions denominated in Dollars by U.S.-managed banking offices of depository institutions, as such composite rate shall be determined by the NYFRB as set forth on the NYFRB’s website, currently at http://www.newyorkfed.org, or any successor source from time to time, and published on the next succeeding Business Day by the NYFRB as an overnight bank funding rate.

Participant” is defined in Section 13.02(a).

Participant Register” is defined in Section 13.02(e).

Participation Interest” means a purchase by a Lender of a participation in Letters of Credit or LOC Obligations as provided in Section 2.04(c).

Patriot Act” is defined in Article 16.

Payment Conditions” means (a) no Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from the specified transaction and (b) at all times during the Pro Forma Period either (i) after giving effect to the proposed event as if it occurred on the first day of the Pro Forma Period, a daily average pro forma Availability is greater than the greater of (x) 20% of the Line Cap and (y) $310,000,000, or (ii) after giving effect to the proposed event on a pro forma basis as if it occurred on the first day of the Pro Forma Period, (A) a daily average pro forma Availability during the Pro Forma Period greater than the greater of (x) 15% of the Line Cap and (y) $225,000,000 and (B) a Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the most recently ended four quarter period greater than 1.00:1.00.

Payment Date” means the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December.

Payment Office” means with respect to the Administrative Agent for each of the Agreed Currencies (a) the office, branch or affiliate of the Administrative Agent specified as its “Payment Office” for such currency in Schedule II hereto or (b) such other office, branch, affiliate or correspondent bank of the Administrative Agent as it may from time to time specify to each Borrower and each Lender as its Payment Office for such currency.

PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any entity succeeding to any or all of its functions under ERISA.

Perfection Certificate” means a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit F or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.

 

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Permanent LOC Commitment” means, for each Issuing Lender, the commitment of such Lender to issue Letters of Credit not exceeding the amount set forth on Schedule I hereto under the column “Permanent LOC Commitment”, provided that the aggregate face amount of all such issuances at any time outstanding (together with the amounts of any unreimbursed drawings thereon) shall not exceed the LOC Committed Amount.

Permitted Acquisition” means any transaction, or any series of related transactions, consummated on or after the date of this Credit Agreement, by which any Borrower or any Subsidiary of a Borrower (i) acquires any going business or all or substantially all of the assets of any firm, corporation or any division or business unit thereof, whether through purchase of assets, merger or otherwise, or (ii) directly or indirectly acquires (in one transaction or in a series of transactions) all or substantially all or substantially all the Equity Interests in, a Person or division or line of business of a Person, in each case of the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), if, at the time of and immediately after giving effect thereto, in the case of an acquisition, merger or consolidation involving any Borrower, such Borrower is the surviving entity of such merger and/or consolidation (unless, in the case of a Borrowing Subsidiary, such Subsidiary is terminated as a Borrowing Subsidiary prior to or concurrently with such transaction).

Permitted Discretion” means a determination made in good faith and in the exercise of reasonable (from the perspective of a secured asset-based lender) business judgment.

Permitted Encumbrances” means Liens of the type described in Sections 7.10(b), (d), (e), (g), (h),(j) through (p), (y) and (ee); provided that the term “Permitted Encumbrances” shall not include any Lien securing Indebtedness for borrowed money.

Permitted Investments” means:

(a) direct obligations of, or obligations the principal of and interest on which are unconditionally guaranteed by, the United States of America or Canada (or by any agency thereof), in each case maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof;

(b) investments in commercial paper maturing within 270 days from the date of acquisition thereof and having, at such date of acquisition, a credit rating of at least A-1 from S&P, P-1 from Moody’s or F-1 by Fitch;

(c) investments in certificates of deposit, banker’s acceptances and time deposits maturing within 180 days from the date of acquisition thereof issued or guaranteed by or placed with, and money market deposit accounts issued or offered by, any domestic office of any commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States of America or any State thereof or Canada or any province or territory thereof which has a combined capital and surplus and undivided profits of not less than $500,000,000;

(d) fully collateralized repurchase agreements with a term of not more than thirty (30) days for securities described in clause (a) above and entered into with a financial institution satisfying the criteria described in clause (c) above;

(e) money market funds that (i) comply with the criteria set forth in SEC Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 or any analogous rule, regulation or applicable law under any federal and provincial securities laws in Canada, (ii) are rated AAA by S&P, Aaa by Moody’s or AAA by Fitch and (iii) have portfolio assets of at least $5,000,000,000;

 

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(f) marketable general obligations issued by any state of the United States or any political subdivision of any such state or Canada or any province or territory or other political subdivision thereof or any public instrumentality thereof maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof and, at the time of acquisition thereof, having a credit rating of A or better from S&P, Moody’s or Fitch; and

(g) in the case of any Subsidiary of Whirlpool organized or having its principal place of business outside the United States, investments consisting of the currency of the jurisdiction in which such Person is organized or has its principal place of business or conducts business or denominated in such currency which are similar to the items specified in clause (a) of this definition.

Permitted Lien” means a Lien permitted pursuant to Section 7.10.

Permitted Receivables Facility” means a receivables facility or facilities created under the Permitted Receivables Facility Documents, providing for the sale, transfer and/or pledge by Whirlpool and/or one or more other Receivables Sellers of Permitted Receivables Facility Assets (thereby providing financing to Whirlpool and/or such Receivables Seller(s)) to (i) third-party lenders or investors pursuant to the Permitted Receivables Facility Documents or (ii) a Receivables Entity (either directly or through another Receivables Seller), which in turn shall sell, transfer and/or pledge interests in the respective Permitted Receivables Facility Assets to third-party lenders or investors pursuant to the Permitted Receivables Facility Documents (with the Receivables Entity permitted to issue or convey purchaser interests, investor certificates, purchased interest certificates or other similar documentation evidencing interests in the Permitted Receivables Facility Assets) in return for the cash used by such Receivables Entity to acquire the Permitted Receivables Facility Assets from Whirlpool and/or the respective Receivables Sellers, in each case as more fully set forth in the Permitted Receivables Facility Documents.

Permitted Receivables Facility Assets” means Receivables (whether now existing or arising in the future) of the Receivables Sellers which are transferred, sold and/or pledged to (i) third-party lenders or investors pursuant to the Permitted Receivables Facility Documents and any related Permitted Receivables Related Assets which are also so transferred, sold and/or pledged to such third-party lenders or investors pursuant to the Permitted Receivables Facility Documents and all proceeds thereof or (ii) a Receivables Entity pursuant to a Permitted Receivables Facility and any related Permitted Receivables Related Assets which are also so transferred, sold and/or pledged to the Receivables Entity and all proceeds thereof.

Permitted Receivables Facility Documents” means each of the documents and agreements entered into in connection with any Permitted Receivables Facility, including all documents and agreements relating to the issuance, funding and/or purchase of certificates and purchased interests or the incurrence of loans, as applicable, in each case as such documents and agreements may be amended, modified, supplemented, refinanced or replaced from time to time.

Permitted Receivables Related Assets” means any assets that are customarily sold, transferred and/or pledged or in respect of which security interests are customarily granted in connection with asset securitization or structured or supply chain finance transactions involving receivables similar to Receivables and any collections or proceeds of any of the foregoing (including, without limitation, lock-boxes, deposit accounts, records in respect of Receivables and collections in respect of Receivables).

Permitted Receivables Facility Repurchase Obligation” means any obligation of Whirlpool or a Receivables Seller to repurchase the assets it sold under a Permitted Receivables Facility as a result of a breach of a representation, warranty or covenant or otherwise, including as a result of a receivable or portion thereof becoming subject to any asserted defense, dilution, dispute, offset or counterclaim of any kind as a result of any action taken by, any failure to take action by or any other event relating to the seller.

 

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Permitted Refinancing” means, with respect to any Person, any modification, refinancing, re-funding, renewal, restructuring, replacement or extension of any Indebtedness of such Person; provided that (a) the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) thereof does not exceed the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of the Indebtedness so modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed, restructured, replaced or extended except by an amount equal to (x) unpaid accrued interest and premium (including tender premiums) thereon plus other amounts owing or paid related to such Indebtedness, and fees, commissions and expenses (including upfront fees and original issue discount) incurred, in connection with such modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal, replacement or extension and (y) any existing commitments unutilized thereunder, except as otherwise permitted under Section 7.11, (b) other than with respect to a Permitted Refinancing in respect of Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section 7.11(e), such modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal, restructuring, replacement or extension has a final maturity date equal to or later than the final maturity date of, and has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity equal to or greater than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of, the Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed, replaced or extended, (c) if such Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed, restructured, replaced or extended is Subordinated Indebtedness, such modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal, replacement or extension is subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations on terms (1) that reflect market terms and conditions (as reasonably determined by the Borrowers) at the time of incurrence or issuance of such Permitted Refinancing or (2) otherwise reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, and (d) to the extent such Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed, restructured, replaced or extended is secured by the Collateral and/or subject to intercreditor arrangements for the benefit of the Lenders, such modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal, restructuring, replacement or extension is either (1) unsecured or (2) secured and, if secured, subject to intercreditor arrangements on terms at least as favorable, taken as a whole (as reasonably determined by the Borrowers), to the Lenders as those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed, restructured, replaced or extended. Any reference to a Permitted Refinancing in this Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be interpreted to mean (a) a Permitted Refinancing of the subject Indebtedness and (b) any further refinancings constituting a Permitted Refinancing of the Indebtedness resulting from a prior Permitted Refinancing.

Person” means any corporation, other body corporate, natural person, firm, joint venture, partnership, limited liability company, trust, unincorporated organization, enterprise, government or any department or agency of any government.

Plan” means an employee pension benefit plan which is covered by Title IV of ERISA or subject to the minimum funding standards under Section 412 of the Code as to which any Loan Party or any other member of the Controlled Group may have any liability. For avoidance of doubt, the term “Plan” excludes any Foreign Plan and any Canadian Employee Benefit Plan including any Canadian Pension Plan and Canadian Multi-Employer Plan.

Platform” is defined in Section 14.01(c).

 

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PPSA” means the Personal Property Security Act (Ontario) and the regulations thereunder as each may be amended from time to time (or another successor statute); provided, that, if validity, perfection or effect of perfection or non-perfection or the priority of a security interest in any Collateral are governed by the personal property security laws of any Canadian jurisdiction other than Ontario, “PPSA” shall mean those personal property security laws (including the Civil Code of Québec) in such other jurisdiction for the purposes of the provisions hereof relating to such validity, perfection, effect of perfection or non-perfection or priority and for the definitions related to such provisions, as from time to time in effect.

Pricing Schedule” means Schedule III attached hereto.

Prime Rate” means the rate of interest last quoted by The Wall Street Journal as the “Prime Rate” in the U.S. or, if The Wall Street Journal ceases to quote such rate, the highest per annum interest rate published by the Federal Reserve Board in Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) (Selected Interest Rates) as the “bank prime loan” rate or, if such rate is no longer quoted therein, any similar rate quoted therein (as determined by the Administrative Agent) or any similar release by the Federal Reserve Board (as determined by the Administrative Agent). Each change in the Prime Rate shall be effective from and including the date such change is publicly announced or quoted as being effective.

Pro Forma Period” means with respect to any Disposition, Restricted Payment, Investment or Restricted Debt Payment (any of the foregoing, a “Specified Event”), the period (a) commencing 30 days prior to the date such Specified Event is proposed by Whirlpool to occur and (b) ending on the date such Specified Event is proposed by Whirlpool to occur.

Property” of a Person means any and all property and assets, whether real, personal, tangible, intangible, or mixed (including Equity Interests), of such Person.

Protective Advance Exposure” means at any time, the sum of the aggregate amount of all outstanding Protective Advances at such time. The Protective Advance Exposure of any Lender at any time shall be its Ratable Share of the total Protective Advance Exposure at such time.

Protective Advances” is defined in Section 2.15(a).

Protesting Lender” is defined in Section 2.09.

Purchaser” is defined in Section 13.03(a).

QFC” has the meaning assigned to the term “qualified financial contract” in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. 5390(c)(8)(D).

QFC Credit Support” is defined in Section 10.17.

Qualified Equity Interests” means any Equity Interests that are not Disqualified Equity Interests.

Ratable Share” means, with respect to any Lender, the percentage of the total Commitments represented by such Lender’s Commitment; provided that in the case of Section 2.11 when a Defaulting Lender shall exist, “Ratable Share” shall mean the percentage of the total Commitments (disregarding any Defaulting Lender’s Commitment) represented by such Lender’s Commitment. If the Commitments have terminated or expired, the Ratable Shares shall be determined based upon the Commitments most recently in effect, giving effect to any assignments and to any Lender’s status as a Defaulting Lender at the time of determination.

Ratio Debt” is defined in Section 7.11(l).

 

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Recipient” is defined in Section 3.01(c).

Receivables” means any right to payment created by or arising from sales of goods, leases of goods or the rendition of services rendered no matter how evidenced whether or not earned by performance (whether constituting accounts, general intangibles, chattel paper or otherwise).

Receivables Entity” means a wholly-owned Subsidiary which engages in no activities other than in connection with the financing of accounts receivable of the Receivables Sellers and which is designated (as provided below) as a “Receivables Entity” (a) no portion of the Indebtedness or any other obligations (contingent or otherwise) of which (i) is guaranteed by Whirlpool or any Subsidiary, or is otherwise recourse to or obligates Whirlpool or any Subsidiary in any way (other than pursuant to Standard Receivables Facility Undertakings) or (ii) subjects any property or asset of Whirlpool or any Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, contingently or otherwise, to the satisfaction thereof, other than pursuant to Standard Receivables Facility Undertakings, (b) with which neither Whirlpool nor any Subsidiary has any contract, agreement, arrangement or understanding (other than pursuant to the Permitted Receivables Facility Documents (including with respect to fees payable in the ordinary course of business in connection with the servicing of accounts receivable and related assets)) on terms less favorable to Whirlpool or such Subsidiary than those that might be obtained at the time from persons that are not Affiliates of Whirlpool, and (c) to which neither Whirlpool nor any Subsidiary has any obligation to maintain or preserve such entity’s financial condition or cause such entity to achieve certain levels of operating results (other than pursuant to Standard Receivables Facility Undertakings). Any such designation shall be evidenced to the Administrative Agent by delivering to the Administrative Agent an officer’s certificate of Whirlpool certifying that, to the best of such officer’s knowledge and belief after consultation with counsel, such designation complied with the foregoing conditions.

Receivables Sellers” means Whirlpool and those Subsidiaries that are from time to time party to the Permitted Receivables Facility Documents (other than any Receivables Entity).

Reference Time” with respect to any setting of the then-current Benchmark means (1) if such Benchmark is the Term SOFR Rate, 5:00 a.m. (Chicago time) on the day that is two U.S. Government Securities Business Days preceding the date of such setting, (2) if such Benchmark is the EURIBOR Rate, 11:00 a.m. Brussels time two TARGET Days preceding the date of such setting, (3) if such Benchmark is SONIA, then four Business Days prior to such setting, (4) if such Benchmark is the Term CORRA Rate, 1:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on the day that is two Business Days preceding the date of such setting or (5) if such Benchmark is none of the Term SOFR Rate, the EURIBOR Rate, SONIA or the Term CORRA Rate, the time determined by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion.

Register” is defined in Section 13.03(c).

Regulation U” means Regulation U of the Federal Reserve Board from time to time in effect and shall include any successor or other regulations or official interpretations of the Federal Reserve Board relating to the extension of credit by banks for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock applicable to member banks of the Federal Reserve System.

Regulation X” means Regulation X of the Federal Reserve Board from time to time in effect and shall include any successor or other regulations or official interpretations of the Federal Reserve Board relating to the obtaining of credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock from (among others) member banks of the Federal Reserve System.

 

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Regulatory Authority” is defined in Section 10.13.

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.

Relevant Governmental Body” means (i) with respect to a Benchmark Replacement in respect of Loans denominated in Dollars, the Federal Reserve Board and/or the NYFRB, the CME Term SOFR Administrator, as applicable, or a committee officially endorsed or convened by the Federal Reserve Board and/or the NYFRB or, in each case, any successor thereto, (ii) with respect to a Benchmark Replacement in respect of Loans denominated in Sterling, the Bank of England, or a committee officially endorsed or convened by the Bank of England or, in each case, any successor thereto, (iii) with respect to a Benchmark Replacement in respect of Loans denominated in euros, the European Central Bank, or a committee officially endorsed or convened by the European Central Bank, (iv) with respect to a Benchmark Replacement in respect of Loans denominated in Canadian Dollars, the Bank of Canada, or a committee officially endorsed or convened by the Bank of Canada or, in each case, any successor thereto and (v) with respect to a Benchmark Replacement in respect of Loans denominated in any other currency, (a) the central bank for the currency in which such Benchmark Replacement is denominated or any central bank or other supervisor which is responsible for supervising either (1) such Benchmark Replacement or (2) the administrator of such Benchmark Replacement or (b) any working group or committee officially endorsed or convened by (1) the central bank for the currency in which such Benchmark Replacement is denominated, (2) any central bank or other supervisor that is responsible for supervising either (A) such Benchmark Replacement or (B) the administrator of such Benchmark Replacement, (3) a group of those central banks or other supervisors or (4) the Financial Stability Board or any part thereof.

Relevant Rate” means (i) with respect to any Term Benchmark Advance denominated in Dollars, the Term SOFR Rate, (ii) with respect to any Term Benchmark Advance denominated in euros, the EURIBOR Rate, (iii) with respect to any Term Benchmark Advance denominated in Canadian Dollars, the Term CORRA Rate or (iv) with respect to any Advance denominated in Sterling, Daily Simple SONIA.

Rent Reserve” means with respect to any store, warehouse distribution center, regional distribution center or depot where any Inventory subject to Liens arising by operation of law is located, unless such warehouseman or bailee has delivered to the Administrative Agent a Collateral Access Agreement, a reserve equal to three months’ rent at such store, warehouse distribution center, regional distribution center or depot.

Report” means reports prepared by the Administrative Agent or another Person showing the results of appraisals, field examinations or audits pertaining to the assets of the Loan Parties from information furnished by or on behalf of Whirlpool, after the Administrative Agent has exercised its rights of inspection pursuant to this Credit Agreement, which Reports may be distributed to the Lenders by the Administrative Agent.

Reportable Event” means a reportable event as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA with respect to a Plan, excluding, however, such events as to which the PBGC by regulation waived the requirement of Section 4043(a) of ERISA that it be notified within 30 days of the occurrence of such event. For clarity, Reportable Event excludes a Canadian Pension Event.

 

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Required Lenders” means, at any time, Lenders in the aggregate holding more than 50% of the sum of the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the outstanding Advances and Participation Interests in LOC Obligations plus the aggregate unused Commitments each as in effect at such time; provided that if any Lender shall be a Defaulting Lender at such time, there shall be excluded from the determination of Required Lenders at such time the Advances, Participation Interests and Commitment of such Lender at such time; provided, further, that, the Required Lenders must include (a) at any time there are two (2) or fewer un-affiliated Lenders, all of the Lenders and (b) at any time there are more than two (2) un-affiliated Lenders, two or more un-affiliated Lenders.

Reserves” means, without duplication of any other reserves or items that are otherwise addressed or excluded through eligibility criteria, such reserves as the Administrative Agent deems necessary, in its Permitted Discretion, to maintain (including, without limitation, an availability reserve, reserves for accrued and unpaid interest on the Obligations, Designated Cash Management Reserves, Designated Hedging Reserves, Designated Synthetic Lease Reserves, Canadian Priority Payables Reserves, Material Indebtedness Maturity Reserves, reserves for the cost of liquidation of Eligible Inventory, Eligible Accounts, Eligible Credit Card Receivables, Eligible Machinery and Equipment or any costs or other amounts due in connection with any enforcement action, work-out or restructuring, reserves for variance between perpetual inventory report and the general ledger of the Loan Parties, volatility reserves, Rent Reserves, reserves for dilution of Accounts, reserves for Inventory shrinkage, reserves for changes in eligibility criteria, reserves for customs charges and shipping charges related to any Inventory in transit, reserves for contingent liabilities of any Loan Party, reserves for uninsured losses of any Loan Party, reserves for uninsured, underinsured, un-indemnified or under-indemnified liabilities or potential liabilities with respect to any litigation and reserves for taxes, fees, assessments, and other governmental charges) with respect to the Collateral or any Loan Party. Any imposition of, establishment of, or increase to any reserves (other than Material Indebtedness Maturity Reserves, Designated Cash Management Reserves, Designated Hedging Reserves, Designated Synthetic Lease Reserves and Canadian Priority Payables Reserves, in each case, which may become effective immediately upon written notice to Whirlpool and the Lenders) shall be effective five Business Days after delivery of written notice thereof to Whirlpool and the Lenders (which notice will include a reasonably detailed description of the Reserves being established or increased); provided that during the period following notice and prior to the imposition of such change, there shall be no extension of credit that would result in Availability being less than the amount by which Availability would be reduced after the imposition of such change. During such five Business Day period, the Administrative Agent will, if requested, discuss any such new or modified Reserve with the Borrowers. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, (a) the amount of any such Reserve or change will have a reasonable relationship to the event, condition or other matter that is the basis for such Reserve or such change as determined by the Administrative Agent in good faith and (b) no Reserves or changes will be duplicative of other reserves or changes or items that are otherwise addressed, excluded or already accounted for through eligibility criteria (including collection/advance rates).

Restricted Debt Payment” is defined in Section 7.20.

Restricted Indebtedness” means any (a) Junior Indebtedness and (b) Term Indebtedness Obligations.

Restricted Indebtedness Documents” means any document, agreement or instrument evidencing any Restricted Indebtedness or entered into in connection with any Restricted Indebtedness, in each case, on terms and conditions satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

 

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Restricted Payment” means any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other Property) with respect to any Equity Interests in Whirlpool or any Subsidiary, or any payment (whether in cash, securities or other Property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any such Equity Interests in Whirlpool or any Subsidiary or any option, warrant or other right to acquire any such Equity Interests in Whirlpool or any Subsidiary.

Reuters” means, as applicable, Thomson Reuters Corp., Refinitiv, or any successor thereto.

Revaluation Date” shall mean (a) with respect to any Loan denominated in any currency other than Dollars, each of the following: (i) the date of the Advance of such Loan and (ii) (A) with respect to any Term Benchmark Loan, each date of a conversion into or continuation of such Loan pursuant to the terms of this Credit Agreement and (B) with respect to any Floating Rate Loan, each date that is on the numerically corresponding day in each calendar month that is one month after the Advance of such Loan (or, if there is no such numerically corresponding day in such month, then the last day of such month); (b) with respect to any Letter of Credit denominated in a currency other than Dollars, each of the following: (i) the date on which such Letter of Credit is issued, (ii) the first Business Day of each calendar month and (iii) the date of any amendment of such Letter of Credit that has the effect of increasing the face amount thereof; and (c) any additional date as the Administrative Agent may determine at any time when a Default exists.

S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Rating Services, a Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC business.

Sanctioned Country” means, at any time, a country, region or territory which is itself, or whose government is, the subject or target of any comprehensive Sanctions (as of the date of this Credit Agreement, the Crimea, so-called Donetsk People’s Republic, so-called Luhansk People’s Republic, Cuba, Iran, and North Korea).

Sanctioned Person” means, at any time, (a) any Person listed in any Sanctions-related list of designated Persons maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the U.S. Department of State, the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, any European Union member state, His Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom, Switzerland or the Government of Canada or any of its agencies or departments (including pursuant to Canadian Economic Sanctions and Export Control Laws), (b) any Person operating, organized or resident in a Sanctioned Country or (c) any Person 50% or more owned or controlled by any such Person or Persons described in the foregoing clauses (a) or (b).

Sanctions” means economic or financial sanctions or trade embargoes imposed, administered or enforced from time to time by (a) the U.S. government, including those administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury or the U.S. Department of State, (b) the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, any European Union member state, His Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom or Switzerland, (c) the Government of Canada or any of its agencies or departments (including pursuant to Canadian Economic Sanctions and Export Control Laws) or (d) any other sanctions authority in the jurisdiction of organization of any Borrowing Subsidiary.

Scheduled Borrowing Base Delivery Date” means any date on which Whirlpool is obligated to deliver a Borrowing Base Certificate pursuant to Section 7.01(j).

 

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Section” means a numbered Section of this Credit Agreement, unless another document is specifically referenced.

Secured Cash Management Agreement” means any Cash Management Agreement that is entered into by and between any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries and any Cash Management Bank.

Secured Cash Management Obligations” means any and all obligations of the Loan Parties or any of their Subsidiaries, whether absolute or contingent and howsoever and whensoever created, arising, evidenced or acquired (including all renewals, extensions and modifications thereof and substitutions therefor) in connection with Secured Cash Management Agreements.

Secured Hedge Agreement” means any Swap Agreement that is entered into by and between a Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries and any Hedge Bank.

Secured Hedging Obligations” means any and all obligations of the Loan Parties or any of their Subsidiaries, whether absolute or contingent and howsoever and whensoever created, arising, evidenced or acquired (including all renewals, extensions and modifications thereof and substitutions therefor) in connection with Secured Hedge Agreements.

Secured Junior Indebtedness” means any Junior Indebtedness that is secured by a Lien on any portion of the Collateral.

Secured Obligations” means, collectively, the Obligations, the Secured Cash Management Obligations, the Secured Hedging Obligations, the Secured Pari Lease Obligations, the Supply Chain Finance Obligations, the Bilateral Letter of Credit Obligations and the Import/Export Finance Obligations; provided that the definition of “Secured Obligations” shall not create or include any guarantee by any Loan Party of (or grant of security interest by any Loan Party to support, as applicable) any Excluded Swap Obligations of such Loan Party for purposes of determining any obligations of any Loan Party.

Secured Pari Lease Agreements” means each Existing Synthetic Lease Agreement that is designated as a “Secured Pari Lease Agreement” on Schedule 1.02 and any other Synthetic Lease Agreement that is entered into by and between any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries and any Lease Bank and designated in writing by Whirlpool to the Administrative Agent as a Secured Pari Lease Agreement.

Secured Pari Lease Obligations” means any and all obligations of the Loan Parties or any of their Subsidiaries, whether absolute or contingent and howsoever and whensoever created, arising, evidenced or acquired (including all renewals, extensions and modifications thereof and substitutions therefor) in connection with Secured Pari Lease Agreements; provided that in no event shall (a) the amount of Secured Pari Lease Obligations in respect of any Secured Pari Lease Agreement exceed the amount set forth on Schedule 1.02 in respect of such Secured Pari Lease Agreement and (b) the principal or similar amount of all Secured Pari Lease Obligations, collectively and in the aggregate, exceed $75,000,000 plus any amounts permitted to be secured pursuant to Section 7.10(c); provided, further, that in respect of any Secured Pari Lease Agreement entered into after the Effective Date, Whirlpool shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an updated version of Schedule 1.02 reflecting such Secured Pari Lease Agreement and the principal or similar amount of Secured Pari Lease Obligations in respect thereof.

 

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Secured Parties” means, collectively, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, the Issuing Lenders, with respect to any Secured Cash Management Agreement, the Cash Management Banks, with respect to any Secured Hedge Agreement, the Hedge Banks, with respect to any Secured Pari Lease Obligation, the Lease Banks, with respect to any Supply Chain Finance Obligations, the Supply Chain Finance Banks, with respect to any Import/Export Finance Obligations, the Import/Export Finance Banks, with respect to any Bilateral Letters of Credit, the Bilateral Letter of Credit Banks, each co-agent or sub-agent appointed by the Administrative Agent from time to time pursuant to Section 11.05, and the other Persons the Secured Obligations owing to which are or are purported to be secured by the Collateral under the terms of the Loan Documents.

Senior Notes” means, collectively, the Existing Senior Notes and the Senior Secured Notes.

Senior Notes Refinancing Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness of Whirlpool or any of its Subsidiaries that has been issued for the purpose of consummating a Permitted Refinancing, in whole or in part, of the Senior Notes; provided that (a) the release of the proceeds thereof to Whirlpool and its Subsidiaries is contingent upon the consummation of such Permitted Refinancing and, pending such release, such proceeds are held in escrow (and if such Permitted Refinancing is not consummated within one hundred eighty (180) days following the incurrence of such Indebtedness, such proceeds shall be promptly applied to satisfy and discharge all obligations of Whirlpool and its Subsidiaries in respect of such Indebtedness and, in any event, within fifteen (15) days following the end of such one hundred eighty (180) day period) or (b) such Indebtedness contains a “special mandatory redemption” provision (or other similar provision) or otherwise permits such Indebtedness to be redeemed or prepaid if such Permitted Refinancing is not consummated within one hundred eighty (180) days following the incurrence of such Indebtedness (and if such Permitted Refinancing is otherwise not consummated within such one hundred eighty (180) day period, such Indebtedness is so redeemed or prepaid promptly and, in any event, within fifteen (15) days following the end of such one hundred eighty (180) day period).

Senior Secured Notes” means, collectively, the 2031 Senior Secured Notes and the 2034 Senior Secured Notes.

Senior Secured Notes Agent” means U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, in its capacity as notes collateral agent under the Senior Secured Notes Indenture and other Senior Secured Notes Documents.

Senior Secured Notes Documents” means any and all agreements and guaranties relating to the Senior Secured Notes, including but not limited to the Senior Secured Notes and the Senior Secured Notes Indenture, as amended, restated, modified and/or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof.

Senior Secured Notes Indebtedness” means the Indebtedness and the other obligations owing to the Senior Secured Notes Agent, the trustee under the Senior Secured Notes Indenture and holders of the Senior Secured Notes.

Senior Secured Notes Indenture” means that certain Indenture, dated as of the Effective Date, among, inter alios, Whirlpool, as issuer, U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as trustee and the Senior Secured Notes Agent, as amended, restated, modified and/or supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof.

SOFR” means a rate equal to the secured overnight financing rate as administered by the SOFR Administrator.

 

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SOFR Administrator” means the NYFRB (or a successor administrator of the secured overnight financing rate).

SOFR Administrator’s Website” means the NYFRB’s website, currently at http://www.newyorkfed.org, or any successor source for the secured overnight financing rate identified as such by the SOFR Administrator from time to time.

SOFR Determination Date” is defined in the definition of “Daily Simple SOFR”.

SOFR Rate Day” is defined in the definition of “Daily Simple SOFR”.

Solvency Certificate” means a certificate substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit E.

Solvent” means, as to any Person as of any date of determination, that on such date (a) the fair value of the property of such Person is greater than the total amount of liabilities, including contingent liabilities, of such Person, (b) the present fair saleable value of such Person is not less than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of such Person on its debts, including contingent debts, as they become absolute and matured, (c) such Person is able to pay its debts and liabilities as they mature and (d) such Person is not engaged in a business or a transaction, and is not about to engage in a business or a transaction, for which such Person’s property would constitute an unreasonably small capital. The amount of any contingent liability at any time shall be computed as the amount that, in light of all of the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability.

SONIA” means, with respect to any Business Day, a rate per annum equal to the Sterling Overnight Index Average for such Business Day published by the SONIA Administrator on the SONIA Administrator’s Website on the immediately succeeding Business Day.

SONIA Administrator” means the Bank of England (or any successor administrator of the Sterling Overnight Index Average).

SONIA Administrator’s Website” means the Bank of England’s website, currently at http://www.bankofengland.co.uk, or any successor source for the Sterling Overnight Index Average identified as such by the SONIA Administrator from time to time.

Specified Assets” means, collectively, (a) letter of credit rights (other than to the extent the security interest in such letter of credit rights may be perfected by the filing of UCC or PPSA financing statements) with a value of less than $5,000,000 individually and $10,000,000 in the aggregate, (b) commercial tort claims with an estimated value by the Borrowers of less than $5,000,000 individually and $10,000,000 in the aggregate, (c) such assets as to which the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers reasonably agree that the cost of obtaining such a security interest therein or perfection thereof are excessive in relation to the benefit to the Secured Parties of the security to be afforded thereby and (d) Specified Existing Senior Notes Equity/Debt.

Specified Availability” means, at any time, the Line Cap at such time but calculated as if (a) no Reserves have been imposed or are in effect and (b) Eligible Cash is equal to zero.

Specified Default” means (a) a Default pursuant to Section 8.02, Section 8.05 and Section 8.06 and (b) any other default designated by the Incremental Lenders, if any, providing the Indebtedness that is to be used to finance the applicable acquisition or Investment that is a Limited Condition Transaction.

 

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Specified Event” is defined in the definition of “Pro Forma Period”.

Specified Existing Senior Notes Assets” means, collectively, Specified Existing Senior Notes Equity/Debt and Specified Existing Senior Notes Principal Property.

Specified Existing Senior Notes Equity/Debt” means any shares of stock or Debt (as defined in the Existing Senior Notes Indentures or in any indenture governing any Applicable Refinanced Existing Senior Notes) of any Subsidiary of Whirlpool that is subject to the “limitations on liens” covenants included in the Existing Senior Notes Indentures (and without giving effect to any amendments, supplements or modifications thereto after the Effective Date) for so long as such Existing Senior Notes are outstanding and limit such liens (or refinancings and replacements thereof which include the same (or substantially similar) “limitation on liens” covenants that are outstanding and limit such liens (the “Applicable Refinanced Existing Senior Notes”)). Solely for purposes of this definition, references in any Existing Senior Notes Indentures or any indenture governing any Applicable Refinanced Existing Senior Notes to “shares of stock,” “shares of capital stock,” “capital stock” or similar terms shall be interpreted to include all Equity Interests (including, without limitation, membership interests in limited liability companies, partnership interests in partnerships or limited partnerships, and any other ownership or equity interest in any Person).

Specified Existing Senior Notes Principal Property” means, subject to the last sentence of this definition, any Principal Property (as defined in the Existing Senior Notes Indentures or in any indenture governing any Applicable Refinanced Existing Senior Notes), owned or leased by Whirlpool or any Subsidiary that is subject to the “limitations on liens” covenants included in the Existing Senior Notes Indentures (and without giving effect to any amendments, supplements or modifications thereto after the Effective Date) for so long as such Existing Senior Notes are outstanding and limit such liens (or Applicable Refinanced Existing Senior Notes which include the same (or substantially similar) “limitation on liens” covenants that are outstanding and limit such liens); provided that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan Document, in no event shall the principal amount of the Secured Obligations secured by the Specified Existing Senior Notes Principal Property exceed the Maximum Specified Principal Property Secured Amount at any time. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Specified M&E Assets shall not constitute Specified Existing Senior Notes Principal Property.

Specified M&E Assets” means any Machinery and Equipment that Whirlpool and the Administrative Agent, in its Permitted Discretion, have agreed, in writing, is not Specified Existing Senior Notes Principal Property.

Specified Swap Obligation” 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 or any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder.

Standard Receivables Facility Undertakings” means representations, warranties, covenants, performance guarantees, servicing obligations, and indemnities entered into by Whirlpool or any Subsidiary thereof, including any “bad boy” or similar guarantee and any Permitted Receivables Facility Repurchase Obligation, in connection with the Permitted Receivables Facility which are reasonably customary in an accounts receivable financing transaction.

Sterling means the lawful money of the United Kingdom.

 

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Subordinated Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness of Whirlpool or any Subsidiary (other than intercompany Indebtedness owed among Whirlpool and its Subsidiaries) the payment of which is subordinated to payment of the obligations under the Loan Documents pursuant to terms and conditions reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

Subsidiary” of a Person means (i) any corporation or other body corporate more than 50% of the outstanding securities having ordinary voting power of which shall at the time be owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or by one or more of its Subsidiaries or by such Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries, or (ii) any partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture or similar business organization more than 50% of the ownership interests having ordinary voting power of which shall at the time be, directly or indirectly, so owned or controlled. Unless otherwise expressly provided, all references herein to a “Subsidiary” shall mean a Subsidiary of Whirlpool.

Subsidiary Guarantor” means each Subsidiary of Whirlpool that is a signatory hereto and each other Subsidiary of Whirlpool that executes a Counterpart Agreement until such Subsidiary is released in accordance with Section 10.15. The Subsidiary Guarantors on the Effective Date are identified as such in Schedule 1.01 hereto.

Supermajority Lenders” means, at any time, Lenders in the aggregate holding more than 66 2/3% of the sum of the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the outstanding Advances and Participation Interests in LOC Obligations plus the aggregate unused Commitments each as in effect at such time; provided that if any Lender shall be a Defaulting Lender at such time, there shall be excluded from the determination of Supermajority Lenders at such time the Advances, Participation Interests and Commitment of such Lender at such time; provided, further, that, the Supermajority Lenders must include (a) at any time there are two (2) or fewer un-affiliated Lenders, all of the Lenders and (b) at any time there are more than two (2) un-affiliated Lenders, two or more un-affiliated Lenders.

Supply Chain Finance Bank” means any Person that, (a) at the time it enters into a Supply Chain Financing permitted hereunder, is a Lender, the Administrative Agent or an Arranger or an Affiliate of a Lender, the Administrative Agent or an Arranger, in its capacity as a party to such Supply Chain Financing or (b) in the case of any Supply Chain Financing entered into prior to, and existing on, the Effective Date, any Person that is, on the Effective Date, a Lender, the Administrative Agent or an Arranger or Affiliate of a Lender, the Administrative Agent or an Arranger, in its capacity as a party to such Supply Chain Financing.

Supply Chain Finance Obligations” means obligations of Whirlpool or any Subsidiary relating to Supply Chain Financings with a Supply Chain Finance Bank, other than Supply Chain Financings arising under an Excluded Supply Chain Financing Agreement.

Supply Chain Financing” means credit support in respect of trade payables of Whirlpool or any Subsidiary, in each case issued for the benefit of any bank, financial institution or other person that has acquired such trade payables pursuant to “supply chain” or other similar financing for vendors and suppliers of Whirlpool or any Subsidiaries, so long as (i) other than pursuant to this Agreement and the Collateral Documents, such Indebtedness is unsecured, (ii) the terms of such trade payables shall not have been extended in connection with the Supply Chain Financing and (iii) such Indebtedness represents amounts not in excess of those which Whirlpool or any of its Subsidiaries would otherwise have been obligated to pay to its vendor or supplier in respect of the applicable trade payables, in each case, that is provided by a Lender or any of its Affiliates and is listed on Schedule VII hereto or, after the Effective Date, has been designated by Whirlpool in writing to the Administrative Agent as a “Supply Chain Financing”; provided, that in respect of any Supply Chain

 

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Financing so designated after the Effective Date, Whirlpool shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an updated version of Schedule VII reflecting such Supply Chain Financing. The Supply Chain Financings on the Effective Date are identified as such in Schedule VII hereto. Whirlpool or the relevant Subsidiary and the Supply Chain Finance Bank providing Supply Chain Financing may designate in writing to the Administrative Agent any Supply Chain Financing agreement as an agreement not intended to be included as a Supply Chain Finance Obligation for purposes of this Agreement (such agreement, an “Excluded Supply Chain Financing Agreement”).

Supported QFC” is defined in Section 10.17.

Swap Agreement” means (a) any agreement with respect to any swap, forward, future or derivative transaction or option or similar agreement involving, or settled by reference to, one or more rates, currencies, commodities, equity or debt instruments or securities, or economic, financial or pricing indices or measures of economic, financial or pricing risk or value or any similar transaction or any combination of these transactions 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 such master agreement, together with any related schedules, a “Master Agreement”), including any such obligations or liabilities under any Master Agreement; provided that no phantom stock or similar plan providing for payments only on account of services provided by current or former directors, officers, employees or consultants of Whirlpool or the Subsidiaries shall be a Swap Agreement.

Synthetic Lease Agreement” means any agreement entered into by Whirlpool or any of its Subsidiaries governing any synthetic lease (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the Existing Synthetic Lease Agreements); provided that any such agreement is of a type and on terms customary for comparable transactions in the good faith judgment of Whirlpool or such Subsidiary.

Synthetic Lease Obligations” means any obligations of Whirlpool or any of its Subsidiaries under any Synthetic Lease Agreement.

Synthetic Lease Services” means services provided to Whirlpool and its Subsidiaries by a Lease Bank in respect of Synthetic Lease Agreements.

T2” means the real time gross settlement system operated by the Eurosystem, or any successor system.

TARGET Day” means any day on which T2 (or, if such payment system ceases to be operative, such other payment system, if any, determined by the Administrative Agent to be a suitable replacement) is open for the settlement of payments in Euro.

Taxes” is defined in Section 3.01(a).

Term Benchmark Advance” means (a) a Dollar-denominated Advance which bears interest at the Term SOFR Rate, other than pursuant to clause (iii) of the definition of Alternate Base Rate with respect to Term SOFR, (b) a euro-denominated Advance which bears interest at the EURIBOR Rate or (c) a Canadian Dollar-denominated Advance which bears interest at the Term CORRA Rate.

Term Benchmark Loan” means (a) a Dollar-denominated Loan which bears interest at the Term SOFR Rate, (b) a euro-denominated Loan which bears interest at the EURIBOR Rate, (c) a Canadian Dollar-denominated Loan which bears interest at the Term CORRA Rate.

 

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Term Benchmark Margin” means a rate per annum determined in accordance with the Pricing Schedule.

Term CORRA Rate” means, with respect to any Term Benchmark borrowing denominated in Canadian Dollars, the sum of (a) the Term CORRA Reference Rate for a tenor comparable to the applicable Interest Period on the day (such day, the “Periodic Term CORRA Determination Day”) that is two (2) Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period, as such rate is published by the Term CORRA Administrator; provided, however, that if as of 1:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on any Periodic Term CORRA Determination Day, the Term CORRA Reference Rate for the applicable tenor has not been published by the Term CORRA Administrator and a Benchmark Replacement Date with respect to the Term CORRA Reference Rate has not occurred, then Term CORRA Rate will be the Term CORRA Reference Rate for such tenor as published by the Term CORRA Administrator on the first preceding Business Day for which such Term CORRA Reference Rate for such tenor was published by the Term CORRA Administrator so long as such first preceding Business Day is not more than five (5) Business Days prior to such Periodic Term CORRA Determination Day plus (b) the Term Benchmark Margin for such day; provided further that, if the rate described in clause (a) above as so determined would be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be equal to zero for the purposes of calculating such rate.

Term CORRA Administrator” means CanDeal Benchmark Administration Services, Inc., TSX Inc., or any successor administrator.

Term CORRA Reference Rate” means the forward-looking term rate based on CORRA.

Term Indebtedness Agent” means the administrative agent or trustee under any Term Indebtedness Agreement (or any successor agent or trustee thereunder or under any replacement thereof).

Term Indebtedness Agreement” means an agreement providing for the incurrence of secured term loans or indenture providing for the issuance of secured notes by Whirlpool or any other Loan Party in an aggregate principal amount permitted by Section 7.11(l) or (v) hereof, and subject to a Term Indebtedness Intercreditor Agreement, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time and as replaced or refinanced in whole or in part (whether with the same group of lenders or a different group of lenders) in accordance with the terms hereof and of such Term Indebtedness Intercreditor Agreement.

Term Indebtedness Documents” means, collectively, the Term Indebtedness Agreement and all other agreements, instruments, documents and certificates executed and/or delivered in connection therewith, as the same may be amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof and of the Term Indebtedness Intercreditor Agreement.

Term Indebtedness Intercreditor Agreement” means, to the extent executed in connection with the incurrence of any Term Indebtedness Obligations, a customary intercreditor agreement in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent and Whirlpool, which agreement shall provide that (i) the Liens on the ABL Indebtedness Priority Collateral securing such Term Indebtedness Obligations shall rank junior to the Liens on the ABL Indebtedness Priority Collateral securing the Secured Obligations and (ii) the Liens on the Term Indebtedness Priority Collateral securing the Term Indebtedness Obligations shall rank senior to the Liens on the Term Indebtedness Priority Collateral securing the Secured Obligations. Such intercreditor agreement shall be posted to the Lenders not less than five (5) Business Days, or such shorter time as is acceptable to the Required Lenders, before execution thereof and, if the Required Lenders shall not have objected to such agreement within five (5) Business Days after posting, then the Required Lenders shall be deemed to have agreed that the Administrative Agent’s entry into such intercreditor agreement is reasonable and to have consented to such intercreditor agreement and to the Administrative Agent’s execution thereof.

 

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Term Indebtedness Obligations” means the Indebtedness and other obligations of Whirlpool and its Subsidiaries under the Term Indebtedness Documents.

Term Indebtedness Priority Collateral” is defined in the applicable Term Indebtedness Intercreditor Agreement, and is intended to indicate that portion of the Collateral (if any) subject to a Lien in favor of the Term Indebtedness Agent and the other secured parties for which it acts over the Collateral other than the ABL Indebtedness Priority Collateral; provided that in no event shall Term Indebtedness Priority Collateral include assets of a type included in the calculation of the Borrowing Base. For the avoidance of doubt, following the IP Release, Intellectual Property shall constitute Term Indebtedness Priority Collateral and following the M&E Release Machinery and Equipment shall constitute Term Indebtedness Priority Collateral.

Term SOFR Determination Day” is defined in the definition of “Term SOFR Reference Rate”.

Term SOFR Rate” means, with respect to any Term Benchmark Advance denominated in Dollars and for any tenor comparable to the applicable Interest Period, the sum of (a) the Term SOFR Reference Rate at approximately 5:00 a.m., Chicago time, two U.S. Government Securities Business Days prior to the commencement of such tenor comparable to the applicable Interest Period, as such rate is published by the CME Term SOFR Administrator plus (b) the Term Benchmark Margin for such day; provided that if the rate described in clause (a) above shall be less than zero, such rate shall be deemed to be zero for the purposes of this Credit Agreement.

Term SOFR Reference Rate” means, for any day and time (such day, the “Term SOFR Determination Day”), with respect to any Term Benchmark Advance denominated in Dollars and for any tenor comparable to the applicable Interest Period, the rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent as the forward-looking term rate based on SOFR. If by 5:00 pm (New York City time) on such Term SOFR Determination Day, the “Term SOFR Reference Rate” for the applicable tenor has not been published by the CME Term SOFR Administrator and a Benchmark Replacement Date with respect to the Term SOFR Rate has not occurred, then the Term SOFR Reference Rate for such Term SOFR Determination Day will be the Term SOFR Reference Rate as published in respect of the first preceding U.S. Government Securities Business Day for which such Term SOFR Reference Rate was published by the CME Term SOFR Administrator, so long as such first preceding Business Day is not more than five (5) Business Days prior to such Term SOFR Determination Day.

Termination and Release Date” is defined in Section 10.15(c).

Termination Date” means the earlier of (a) the fifth anniversary of the Effective Date and (b) the date on which the Commitments terminate pursuant to the terms of this Credit Agreement.

Total Revolving Extensions of Credit” means at any time, the Dollar Amount of the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Advances plus the outstanding LOC Obligations.

Trade Date” is defined in Section 13.03(e)(i).

 

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Treaty on European Union” means the Treaty of Rome of March 25, 1957, as amended by the Single European Act 1986 and the Maastricht Treaty (which was signed at Maastricht on February 1, 1992 and came into force on November 1, 1993), as amended from time to time.

Type” means, with respect to any Loan or Advance, its nature as a Floating Rate Advance or Loan or a Term Benchmark Advance or Loan.

UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time 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.

Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement” means the applicable Benchmark Replacement excluding the related Benchmark Replacement Adjustment.

Unmatured Default” means an event which but for the lapse of time or the giving of notice, or both, would constitute a Default.

Unliquidated Obligations” means, at any time, any Obligations (or portion thereof) that are contingent in nature or unliquidated at such time, including any Obligation that is: (i) an obligation to reimburse a bank for drawings not yet made under a letter of credit issued by it; (ii) any other obligation (including any guarantee) that is contingent in nature at such time; or (iii) an obligation to provide collateral to secure any of the foregoing types of obligations.

Unrestricted Cash” means unrestricted cash and Permitted Investments owned by any Loan Party or its Subsidiaries and not controlled by or subject to any Lien in favor of any creditor (other than (v) Liens created under the Loan Documents, (w) Liens permitted by this Agreement that are subject to an intercreditor agreement (including for the avoidance of doubt any Term Indebtedness Intercreditor Agreement or Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement) or subordination agreement, in each case, which do not have priority over the Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent, (x) unperfected Liens permitted pursuant to Section 7.10(b) or (l), (y) Liens permitted pursuant to Section 7.10(n) and (z) customary rights of setoff and similar items (including, without limitation, Liens permitted pursuant to Section 7.10(h)) related to the account where such funds are located).

Unused Commitment Fee Rate” means a rate per annum determined in accordance with the Pricing Schedule.

U.S. Borrowing Base” means at any time, the sum of (without duplication of any asset included in the Canadian Borrowing Base):

(a) (i) 85% of the book value of the Loan Parties’ Non-Investment Grade Eligible Accounts at such time and (ii) 90% of the book value of the Loan Parties’ Investment Grade Eligible Accounts, plus

(b) the lesser of (i) the amount equal to 85% multiplied by the Net Orderly Liquidation Value percentage identified in the most recent Inventory appraisal ordered by the Administrative Agent multiplied by the lesser of market value and cost of the Loan Parties’ Eligible Finished Goods valued on a first-in-first-out basis and (ii) 80% multiplied by the lesser of market value and cost of the Loan Parties’ Eligible Finished Goods valued on a first-in-first-out basis; provided that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, amounts referred to in this clause (b) attributable to Inventory located in Belgium shall in no event exceed $100,000,000, plus

 

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(c) the lesser of (i) the amount equal to 85% multiplied by the Net Orderly Liquidation Value percentage identified in the most recent Inventory appraisal ordered by the Administrative Agent multiplied by the lesser of market value and cost of the Loan Parties’ Eligible Raw Materials valued on a first-in-first-out basis and (ii) 50 % multiplied by the lesser of market value and cost of the Loan Parties’ Eligible Raw Materials valued on a first-in-first-out basis, plus

(d) the lesser of (i) the amount equal to 85% multiplied by the Net Orderly Liquidation Value percentage identified in the most recent Inventory appraisal ordered by the Administrative Agent multiplied by the lesser of market value and cost of the Loan Parties’ Eligible Service Parts valued on a first-in-first-out basis and (ii) 50% multiplied by the lesser of market value and cost of the Loan Parties’ Eligible Service Parts valued on a first-in-first-out basis; plus

(e) the lesser of (i) the amount equal to 85% multiplied by the Net Orderly Liquidation Value percentage identified in the most recent Inventory appraisal ordered by the Administrative Agent multiplied by the lesser of market value and cost of the Loan Parties’ Eligible Semi-Finished Goods valued on a first-in-first-out basis and (ii) 35% multiplied by the lesser of market value and cost of the Loan Parties’ Eligible Semi-Finished Goods valued on a first-in-first-out basis; plus

(f) 90% of the Loan Parties Eligible Credit Card Receivables; plus

(g) 50% of the Net Forced Liquidation Value of the Loan Parties’ Eligible Intellectual Property, but in no event to exceed the lesser of (i) $225,000,000 and (ii) 20% of the Line Cap; provided that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, amounts referred to in this clause (g), when taken together with amounts referred to in clause (i) below, shall not exceed the lesser of (A) at any time prior to the effectiveness of both of the IP Release and the M&E Release, (x) $575,000,000 and (y) 35% of the Line Cap and (B) at any time following the effectiveness of the M&E Release but prior to the effectiveness of the IP Release, (x) $225,000,000 and (y) 20 % of the Line Cap; provided that, the $225,000,000 dollar amount set forth in this clause (g) shall be reduced automatically on the last day of each fiscal quarter beginning on or around September 30, 2026, based on a twenty-year straight-line amortization schedule (i.e., 1.25% per fiscal quarter); provided, further, that, the percentage amount set forth in the preceding clause (A)(y) shall be amortized quarterly such that by September 30, 2036, such amount is 30% of the Line Cap (i.e., 0.125% per fiscal quarter); plus

(h) the lesser of (i) the amount equal to 85% multiplied by the Net Orderly Liquidation Value percentage identified in the most recent Inventory appraisal ordered by the Administrative Agent multiplied by the lesser of market value and cost of the Loan Parties’ Eligible In-Transit Inventory valued on a first-in-first-out basis and (ii) 70% multiplied by the lesser of market value and cost of the Loan Parties’ Eligible In-Transit Inventory valued on a first-in-first-out basis, but in no event to exceed, when taken together with amounts referred to in clause (g) of the definition of the Canadian Borrowing Base, 10% of the Line Cap; plus

(i) (i) during the Deemed M&E Period, 70% of the Net Orderly Liquidation Value In Place of the Loan Parties’ Eligible Machinery and Equipment and (ii) following the Deemed M&E Period and solely to the extent the Administrative Agent has received the Initial M&E Appraisal, 85% of the Net Orderly Liquidation Value In Place of the Loan Parties’ Eligible Machinery and Equipment provided that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, amounts referred to in this clause (i), when taken together with amounts referred to in clause (g) above, shall not exceed

 

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(A) at any time prior to the effectiveness of both of the IP Release and the M&E Release, the lesser of (x) $575,000,000 and (y) 35% of the Line Cap and (B) at any time following the effectiveness of the IP Release but prior to the effectiveness of the M&E Release, the lesser of (x) $355,000,000 and (y) 25% of the Line Cap; provided, further, that, the percentage amount set forth in the preceding clause (A)(y) shall be amortized quarterly such that by September 30, 2036, such amount is 30% of the Line Cap (i.e., 0.125% per fiscal quarter); provided, further, that, in no event shall amounts referred to in this clause (i) contributed by Specified Existing Senior Notes Principal Property exceed the Maximum Specified Principal Property Secured Amount; plus

(j) 100.0% of the Loan Parties’ Eligible Cash; provided that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, amounts referred to in this clause (j), when taken together with amounts referred to in clause (h) of the definition of Canadian Borrowing Base, shall not constitute more than 10% of Specified Availability; minus

(k) Reserves (without duplication of Reserves imposed in connection with the Canadian Borrowing Base);

The Administrative Agent may, in its Permitted Discretion adjust Reserves used in computing the U.S. Borrowing Base in accordance with the definition of Reserves. The U.S. Borrowing Base at any time shall be determined by reference to the most recent Borrowing Base Certificate delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 7.01(j) of this Credit Agreement.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in connection its entry into any Term Indebtedness Agreement, (i) Whirlpool may elect to permanently remove Eligible Intellectual Property from the determination of the Borrowing Base concurrently with the effectiveness of such Term Indebtedness Agreement and the subordination of the Administrative Agent’s Lien on such Intellectual Property to the Liens of the Term Indebtedness Agent (collectively, the “IP Release”) and (ii) Whirlpool may elect to permanently remove Eligible Machinery and Equipment from the determination of the Borrowing Base concurrently with the effectiveness of such Term Indebtedness Agreement and the subordination of the Administrative Agent’s Lien on such Machinery and Equipment to the Liens of the Term Indebtedness Agent (collectively, the “M&E Release”); provided that, (i) immediately before and after giving effect to the IP Release and/or M&E Release (including any repayment of Advances in connection therewith), (x) no Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom and (y) pro forma Availability shall not be less than 20% of the Line Cap and (ii) neither the IP Release nor the M&E Release shall be permitted unless the Administrative Agent receives a completed Borrowing Base Certificate concurrently with the IP Release and/or the M&E Release, as applicable, and prepared on a pro forma basis for the IP Release and/or the M&E Release, as applicable. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 9.03, the Administrative Agent and Whirlpool shall be permitted to amend this Agreement and the other Loan Documents in order to effectuate the IP Release and M&E Release without the consent of any Lender or Issuing Lender required.

U.S. Borrowing Subsidiary” means, individually, InSinkErator LLC, KitchenAid Global LLC, Whirlpool Properties, Inc., Maytag Properties, LLC or any Additional U.S. Borrowing Subsidiary, and “U.S. Borrowing Subsidiaries” means, collectively, InSinkErator LLC, KitchenAid Global LLC, Whirlpool Properties, Inc., Maytag Properties, LLC and each Additional U.S. Borrowing Subsidiary.

U.S. Collateral Agreement” means the collateral agreement, dated as of the Effective Date, among the Loan Parties (other than the Canadian Loan Parties) party thereto and the Administrative Agent.

 

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U.S. Collateral Documents” means, collectively, the U.S. Collateral Agreement, any Account Control Agreements, each of the collateral assignments and supplements to all of the foregoing, security agreements, pledge agreements, intellectual property security agreements or other similar agreements, in each case, entered into by a Loan Party (other than a Canadian Loan Party) and delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Sections 5.01(a), 7.21, 7.22 or 7.23 and each of the other agreements, instruments or documents that creates or purports to create a Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties in the Collateral (other than the Canadian Collateral).

U.S. Government Securities Business Day” means any day except for (i) a Saturday, (ii) a Sunday or (iii) a day on which the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association recommends that the fixed income departments of its members be closed for the entire day for purposes of trading in United States government securities.

U.S. Special Resolution Regimes” is defined in Section 10.17.

Weighted Average Life to Maturity” means, when applied to any Indebtedness at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing: (i) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (a) the amount of each then remaining scheduled installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required scheduled payments of principal, including payment at final scheduled maturity, in respect thereof, by (b) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between such date and the making of such payment; by (ii) the then outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness; provided that the effects of any prepayments made on such Indebtedness shall be disregarded in making such calculation.

Whirlpool” means Whirlpool Corporation, a Delaware corporation, and its successors and assigns.

The foregoing definitions shall be equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of the defined terms.

Section 1.02 Accounting Terms and Determinations.

(a) Unless otherwise specified herein, all accounting terms used herein shall be interpreted, all accounting determinations hereunder shall be made, and all financial statements required to be delivered hereunder shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP. All calculations made for the purposes of determining compliance with this Credit Agreement shall (except as otherwise expressly provided herein) be made by application of GAAP applied on a basis consistent with the most recent annual or quarterly financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 7.01; provided, however, if (i) Whirlpool shall object to determining such compliance on such basis at the time of delivery of such financial statements due to any change in GAAP or the rules promulgated with respect thereto or (ii) either the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders shall so object in writing within 60 days after delivery of such financial statements (or after the Lenders have been informed of the change in GAAP affecting such financial statements, if later), then such calculations shall be made on a basis consistent with the most recent financial statements delivered by Whirlpool to the Lenders as to which no such objection shall have been made.

(b) All pro forma computations required to be made hereunder giving effect to any acquisition or Disposition, or issuance, incurrence or assumption of Indebtedness, or other transaction shall in each case be calculated giving pro forma effect thereto (and, in the case of any pro forma computation made hereunder to determine whether such acquisition or Disposition, or issuance, incurrence or assumption of Indebtedness, or other transaction is permitted to be consummated hereunder, to any other such transaction consummated since the first day of the period covered by any component of such pro forma computation and on or prior to the date of such computation) as if such transaction had occurred on the first day of the

 

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period of four consecutive fiscal quarters ending with the most recent fiscal quarter for which financial statements shall have been delivered pursuant to Section 7.01(a) or 7.01(b) (or, prior to the delivery of any such financial statements, ending with the last fiscal quarter included in the financial statements most recently filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission), and, to the extent applicable, to the historical earnings and cash flows associated with the assets acquired or disposed of and to “run-rate” cost savings, operating expense reductions and other cost synergies permitted to be included pursuant to clause (ii) of the definition of Consolidated EBITDA and any related incurrence or reduction of Indebtedness. If any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro forma effect, the interest on such Indebtedness shall be calculated as if the rate in effect on the date of determination had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Swap Agreement applicable to such Indebtedness).

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, financial ratios and tests, including the Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio, the Consolidated Secured Net Leverage Ratio and the Consolidated First Lien Net Leverage Ratio and compliance with covenants determined by reference to Consolidated EBITDA (including any component definitions thereof), shall be calculated in the manner prescribed by this Section 1.02 (including with respect to calculations based on the most recent four quarter periods, based on the financial statements referenced in Section 1.02(a)); provided that notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 1.02, (i) when calculating any such ratio or test for purposes of Section 7.13, the events described in this Section 1.02 that occurred subsequent to the end of the applicable period shall not be given pro forma effect and (ii) when calculating any such ratio or test for purposes of the incurrence of Ratio Debt, (A) cash and Permitted Investments resulting directly from the incurrence of any such Indebtedness shall be excluded from the pro forma calculation of any applicable ratio or test and (B) all concurrently incurred commitments in respect of such Ratio Debt shall be deemed to be fully drawn.

Section 1.03 Interest Rates; Benchmark Notification.

The interest rate on a Loan denominated in an Agreed Currency may be derived from an interest rate benchmark that may be discontinued or is, or may in the future become, the subject of regulatory reform. Upon the occurrence of a Benchmark Transition Event, Section 3.04(b) provides a mechanism for determining an alternative rate of interest. The Administrative Agent does not warrant or accept any responsibility for, and shall not have any liability with respect to, the administration, submission, performance or any other matter related to any interest rate used in this Credit Agreement, or with respect to any alternative or successor rate thereto, or replacement rate thereof, including without limitation, whether the composition or characteristics of any such alternative, successor or replacement reference rate will be similar to, or produce the same value or economic equivalence of, the existing interest rate being replaced or have the same volume or liquidity as did any existing interest rate prior to its discontinuance or unavailability. The Administrative Agent and its affiliates and/or other related entities may engage in transactions that affect the calculation of any interest rate used in this Credit Agreement or any alternative, successor or alternative rate (including any Benchmark Replacement) and/or any relevant adjustments thereto, in each case, in a manner adverse to the Borrowers. The Administrative Agent may select information sources or services in its reasonable discretion to ascertain any interest rate used in this Credit Agreement, any component thereof, or rates referenced in the definition thereof, in each case pursuant to the terms of this Credit Agreement, and shall have no liability to the Borrowers, any Lender or any other person or entity for damages of any kind, including direct or indirect, special, punitive, incidental or consequential damages, costs, losses or expenses (whether in tort, contract or otherwise and whether at law or in equity), for any error or calculation of any such rate (or component thereof) provided by any such information source or service.

 

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Section 1.04 Other Interpretive Provisions.

For all purposes under the Loan Documents, in connection with any division or plan of division under Delaware law (or any comparable event under a different jurisdiction’s laws): (a) if any asset, right, obligation or liability of any Person becomes the asset, right, obligation or liability of a different Person, then it shall be deemed to have been transferred from the original Person to the subsequent Person, and (b) if any new Person comes into existence, such new Person shall be deemed to have been organized on the first date of its existence by the holders of its Equity Interests at such time.

Section 1.05 Limited Condition Transactions.

In the event that Whirlpool notifies the Administrative Agent in writing that any proposed acquisition or Investment is a Limited Condition Transaction and that Whirlpool wishes to test the conditions to such acquisition or Investment and, if applicable and solely with respect to an acquisition, the Indebtedness that is to be used to finance such acquisition in accordance with this Section 1.05, then the following provisions shall apply (other than with respect to (x) any Incremental Loans and/or Incremental Commitments pursuant to Section 2.14 provided in connection with such acquisition if specified otherwise by the Incremental Lenders’ Incremental Loans and/or Incremental Commitments, as applicable and (y) any other Loans or Advances made under this Agreement):

(a) any condition to such Limited Condition Transaction or, solely with respect to an acquisition, such Indebtedness that requires that no Unmatured Default or Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of such Limited Condition Transaction or the incurrence of such Indebtedness, shall be satisfied if (i) no Unmatured Default or Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of the execution (the “LCT Test Date”) of the definitive purchase agreement, merger agreement, or other agreement governing such Limited Condition Transaction (any such agreement, a “Limited Condition Transaction Agreement”) and (ii) no Specified Default shall have occurred and be continuing both immediately before and immediately after giving effect to such Limited Condition Transaction and all other transactions in connection therewith (including the incurrence of such Indebtedness);

(b) any condition to such Limited Condition Transaction or such Indebtedness that the representations and warranties in this Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be true and correct at the time of consummation of such Limited Condition Transaction or the incurrence of such Indebtedness shall be deemed satisfied if (i) all representations and warranties in this Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents are true and correct in all material respects (except for any representation and warranty that is qualified by materiality or reference to Material Adverse Effect, which such representation and warranty shall be true and correct in all respects) as of the LCT Test Date, or if such representation speaks as of an earlier date, as of such earlier date and (ii) as of the date of consummation of such Limited Condition Transaction, (A) the representations and warranties under the relevant definitive agreement governing such Limited Condition Transaction as are material to the lenders providing such Indebtedness (including, if applicable, the Lenders) shall be true and correct, but only to the extent that Whirlpool or its applicable Subsidiary has the right to terminate its obligations under such agreement or otherwise decline to close such Limited Condition Transaction as a result of a breach of such representations and warranties or the failure of those representations and warranties to be true and correct and (B) certain of the representations and warranties in this Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents which are customary for similar “funds certain” financings and required by the lenders (including, if applicable, the Lenders) providing such Indebtedness shall be true and correct in all material respects (except for any representation and warranty that is qualified by materiality or reference to Material Adverse Effect, which such representation and warranty shall be true and correct in all respects);

(c) any financial ratio test or condition to be tested in connection with such Limited Condition Transaction and the availability of Indebtedness will be tested as of the LCT Test Date, in each case after giving effect to the relevant Limited Condition Transaction and all other transactions in connection therewith (including the incurrence or assumption of any Indebtedness), on a pro forma basis where applicable, and, for the avoidance of doubt, (i) such ratios and baskets shall not be tested at the time of

 

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consummation of such Limited Condition Transaction and (ii) if any of such ratios are exceeded or conditions are not met following the LCT Test Date, but prior to the closing of such Limited Condition Transaction, as a result of fluctuations in such ratio or amount (including due to fluctuations in Consolidated EBITDA of Whirlpool or the Person subject to such Limited Condition Transaction), at or prior to the consummation of the relevant transaction or action, such ratios will not be deemed to have been exceeded and such conditions will not be deemed unmet as a result of such fluctuations solely for purposes of determining whether the relevant transaction or action is permitted to be consummated or taken; and

(d) except as provided in the next sentence, in connection with any subsequent calculation of any ratio or basket on or following the relevant LCT Test Date and prior to the earlier of the date on which such Limited Condition Transaction is consummated and the date that the relevant Limited Condition Transaction Agreement is terminated or expires without consummation of such Limited Condition Transaction, any such ratio or basket shall be calculated (i) on a pro forma basis assuming such Limited Condition Transaction and other transactions in connection therewith (including the incurrence or assumption of Indebtedness) have been consummated and (ii) assuming such Limited Condition Transaction and other transactions in connection therewith (including the incurrence or assumption of Indebtedness) have not been consummated. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any calculation of a ratio in connection with determining whether or not Whirlpool is in compliance with the financial covenant set forth in Section 7.13 shall, in each case be calculated assuming such Limited Condition Transaction and other transactions in connection therewith (including the incurrence or assumption of Indebtedness) have not been consummated.

The foregoing provisions shall apply with similar effect during the pendency of multiple Limited Condition Transactions such that each of the possible scenarios is separately tested. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the provisions of this Section 1.05 shall not apply when determining the amount of Availability under this Agreement or whether the Availability component of the definition of Payment Conditions or the conditions to borrowing under Article 5 have been satisfied.

Section 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 Amount of the stated amount of such Letter of Credit available to be drawn at such time; provided that with respect to any Letter of Credit that, by its terms, provides for one or more automatic increases in the available amount thereof, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be the Dollar Amount of the maximum amount of such Letter of Credit after giving effect to all such increases, whether or not such maximum amount is available to be drawn at such time.

Section 1.07 Exchange Rates; Currency Equivalents.

(a) The Administrative Agent or the Issuing Lender, as applicable, shall determine the Dollar Amount amounts of Term Benchmark Advances or Floating Rate Advances or Letter of Credit extensions denominated in a currency other than Dollars. Such Dollar Amount shall become effective as of such Revaluation Date and shall be the Dollar Amount of such amounts until the next Revaluation Date to occur. Except for purposes of financial statements delivered by Whirlpool hereunder or calculating financial covenants hereunder or except as otherwise provided herein, the applicable amount of any Agreed Currency (other than Dollars) for purposes of the Loan Documents shall be such Dollar Amount as so determined by the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Lender, as applicable.

(b) Wherever in this Credit Agreement in connection with an Advance, conversion, continuation or prepayment of a Term Benchmark Loan or Floating 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 Advance, Loan or Letter of Credit is denominated in a currency other than Dollars, such amount shall be the Dollar Amount of such amount (rounded to the nearest unit of such currency, with 0.5 of a unit being rounded upward), as determined by the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Lender, as the case may be.

 

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Section 1.08 Canadian Terms.

All terms used in this Agreement which are defined in Article 8 or Article 9 of the UCC, when used to define a category or categories of the Collateral which is subject to the PPSA, shall include the equivalent category or categories of property set forth in the applicable PPSA. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, (i) any term defined in this Agreement by reference to the “Uniform Commercial Code” or “UCC” with respect to the Canadian Loan Parties or Canadian Collateral shall also have any extended, alternative or analogous meaning given to such term in the applicable PPSA and other applicable Canadian laws (including, without limitation, the Bills of Exchange Act (Canada) and the Depository Bills and Notes Act (Canada)), in all cases for the extension, preservation or betterment of the security and rights of the Collateral, (ii) any and all references in this Agreement to Article 7, Article 8 or Article 9 of the UCC shall be deemed to refer also to applicable Canadian securities transfer laws including the Securities Transfer Act, 2006 (Ontario), as amended from time to time, (iii) any and all references in this Agreement to a financing statement, continuation statement, amendment or termination statement shall be deemed to refer also to the analogous documents used under the applicable PPSA, including, without limitation, where applicable, financing change statements, (iv) any and all references to federal or state securities law of the United States shall be deemed to refer also to analogous federal and provincial securities laws in Canada, and (v) any and all references to state or federal bankruptcy laws shall be deemed to refer also to any insolvency proceeding occurring in Canada or under Canadian federal, provincial or territorial law.

ARTICLE 2.

THE FACILITY

Section 2.01 Description of Facility.

Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Credit Agreement, the Lenders hereby grant to the Borrowers a revolving credit facility pursuant to which:

(i) each Lender severally agrees to make Loans in Agreed Currencies to each of the Borrowers in accordance with Section 2.03; and

(ii) each Issuing Lender agrees to issue Letters of Credit in Agreed Currencies for the account of each of the Borrowers in accordance with Section 2.04;

provided that (A) in no event may the Dollar Amount of the Total Revolving Extensions of Credit exceed the Aggregate Commitment, (B) in no event may the Dollar Amount of the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Loans made by a Lender plus such Lender’s ratable share of the outstanding LOC Obligations plus such Lender’s Protective Advance Exposure then outstanding exceed such Lender’s Commitment and (C) in no event may the Total Revolving Extensions of Credit exceed the Line Cap, subject to the authority of the Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion, to make Protective Advances pursuant to the terms of Section 2.15.

Section 2.02 Availability of Facility; Required Payments.

Subject to all of the terms and conditions of this Credit Agreement, each Borrower may borrow, repay and reborrow Advances and, subject to Section 2.04(a), request Letters of Credit at any time prior to the latest scheduled Termination Date. The Commitment of each Lender shall expire on the Termination Date applicable to such Lender. Each applicable Borrower promises to pay its outstanding Loans and its other unpaid Obligations in respect of each Lender in full on the Termination Date applicable to such Lender.

 

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Section 2.03 Advances.

(a) Advances. Each Lender severally agrees, on the terms and conditions set forth in this Credit Agreement to make Loans to the Borrowers from time to time, from and including the Effective Date and prior to the Termination Date applicable to such Lender, in amounts the Dollar Amount of which shall not exceed in the aggregate at any one time outstanding the amount equal to the excess of (i) its Commitment over (ii) its Participation Interests. Each Advance hereunder shall consist of borrowings made from the several Lenders ratably in proportion to the ratio that their respective Commitments bear to the Aggregate Commitment. The Advances shall be repaid as provided by the terms of Sections 2.02 and 2.03(g).

(b) Types of Advances. The Advances may be Floating Rate Advances or Term Benchmark Advances, or a combination thereof, selected by the applicable Borrower in accordance with Sections 2.03(e), 2.03(f) and 2.03(g).

(c) Reductions in Aggregate Commitment.

(i) Ratable Reductions. Whirlpool may permanently reduce the Aggregate Commitment in whole, or in part ratably among the Lenders in an amount of $25,000,000 or an integral multiple of $5,000,000 in excess thereof, upon at least three Business Days’ written notice to the Administrative Agent, which notice shall specify the amount of any such reduction; provided, however, that the amount of the Aggregate Commitment may not be reduced below the Dollar Amount of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Advances plus the outstanding LOC Obligations; provided further that any such notice may state by its terms that it is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit facilities, incurrences of Indebtedness, dispositions or other expected sources of funds, in which case such notice may be revoked by the applicable Borrower by notice to the Administrative Agent in the event that such condition is not satisfied; provided further that no such termination or reduction of the Aggregate Commitment shall be permitted if, after giving effect to any prepayments of the Loans made on the effective date thereof, the Total Revolving Extensions of Credit would exceed the Line Cap.

(ii) Non-Ratable Reduction. As long as no Default or Unmatured Default exists at the time of such request and at the time of reduction, Whirlpool shall have the right, at any time, upon at least ten Business Days’ notice to a Defaulting Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), to terminate in whole such Lender’s Commitment. Such termination shall be effective, (x) with respect to such Lender’s unused Commitment, on the date set forth in such notice, provided, however, that such date shall be no earlier than ten Business Days after receipt of such notice and (y) with respect to each Loan outstanding to such Lender, in the case of a Base Rate Loan, on the date set forth in such notice and, in the case of a Term Benchmark Loan, on the last day of the then current Interest Period relating to such Loan. Upon termination of a Lender’s Commitment under this Section 2.03(c), the Borrowers will pay or cause to be paid all principal of, and interest accrued to the date of such payment on, Loans owing to such Lender and pay any accrued Unused Commitment Fees or Letter of Credit issuance fees payable to such Lender pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.07, and all other amounts payable to such Lender hereunder (including, but not limited to, any indemnification for Taxes under Section 3.01 and any increased costs or other amounts owing under Section 3.02 or 3.03); and upon such payments, the obligations of such Lender hereunder shall, by the provisions hereof, be released and discharged; provided, however, that such Lender’s rights under Sections 3.01, 3.02, 3.03, and 10.06, and its obligations under Section 11.08 shall survive such release and discharge as to matters occurring prior to such date. The aggregate amount of the Commitment of the Lenders once reduced pursuant to this Section 2.03(c)(ii) may not be reinstated.

 

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(d) Minimum Amount of Each Advance. Each Advance made or continued hereunder shall be in the minimum Dollar Amount of $5,000,000 or a higher integral multiple of $1,000,000; provided, however, that any Dollar-denominated Floating Rate Advance may be in the aggregate amount of the unused Aggregate Commitment.

(e) Method of Selecting Types and Interest Periods for New Advances. Subject to all of the terms and conditions of this Credit Agreement, each Borrower shall select the Type of Advance and, in the case of each Term Benchmark Advance, the Interest Period applicable thereto, for each Advance from time to time made to it. A Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent an irrevocable notice signed by an Authorized Officer of such Borrower substantially in the form of a Borrowing Notice not later than (x) 1:00 P.M. (New York City time) (1) on the Borrowing Date of each Floating Rate Advance denominated in Dollars, (2) five Business Days before the Borrowing Date for each Floating Rate Advance denominated in Sterling, (3) three Business Days before the Borrowing Date for each Term Benchmark Advance denominated in Dollars or Canadian Dollars, (4) four Business Days before the Borrowing Date for each Term Benchmark Advance denominated in euro and (y) 11:00 A.M. (New York City time) on the Borrowing Date for each Floating Rate Advance denominated in Canadian Dollars; provided that, if such Borrowing Notice is submitted through an Approved Borrower Portal, the foregoing signature requirement may be waived at the sole discretion of the Administrative Agent. A Borrowing Notice shall in accordance with all the terms and conditions of this Credit Agreement specify:

(i) the Borrower to which such Advance is to be made;

(ii) the Borrowing Date, which shall be a Business Day, of such Advance;

(iii) the Type of Advance selected;

(iv) the Agreed Currency of such Advance;

(v) the aggregate amount of such Advance;

(vi) in the case of each Term Benchmark Advance, the Interest Period applicable thereto; and

(vii) the account information for the account of the Borrower that shall be credited with the proceeds of such Advance.

(f) Continuation and Conversion of Dollar-Denominated Advances. Subject to all of the terms and conditions of this Credit Agreement, each Floating Rate Advance shall continue as a Floating Rate Advance unless and until such Floating Rate Advance is paid or converted into one or more Dollar-denominated or Canadian Dollar-denominated, as applicable, Term Benchmark Advances. Subject to all of the terms and conditions of this Credit Agreement, each Term Benchmark Advance denominated in Dollars shall continue as a Dollar-denominated Term Benchmark Advance until the end of the then applicable Interest Period therefor, at which time such Term Benchmark Advance shall be automatically converted into a Floating Rate Advance denominated in Dollars unless (x) such Term Benchmark Advance is paid by the applicable Borrower or the applicable Borrower shall have given the Administrative Agent an irrevocable notice signed by an Authorized Officer of such Borrower, such notice which shall be

 

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substantially in the form approved by the Administrative Agent and separately provided to the Borrowers (a “Dollar Continuation/Conversion Notice”) requesting that, at the end of such Interest Period, such Term Benchmark Advance continue as a Dollar-denominated Term Benchmark Advance for the same or another specified Interest Period, be converted into one or more new Dollar-denominated Term Benchmark Advances each having a specified new Interest Period or be converted into a Floating Rate Advance or (y) any Default shall have occurred and be continuing; provided that, if such Dollar Continuation/Conversion Notice is submitted through an Approved Borrower Portal, the foregoing signature requirement may be waived at the sole discretion of the Administrative Agent. Accordingly, but subject to all of the terms and conditions of this Credit Agreement, each Borrower may elect from time to time to convert all or any part (subject to Section 2.03(d)) of a Dollar-denominated Advance of any Type made to it into the other Type of Dollar-denominated Advance; provided that any conversion of a Term Benchmark Advance shall be made on, and only on, the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto. The applicable Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent a Dollar Continuation/Conversion Notice with respect to each continuation or conversion of a Dollar-denominated Advance not later than 12:00 Noon (New York City time) at least three Business Days prior to the date of the requested continuation or conversion, specifying in accordance with all of the terms and conditions of this Credit Agreement:

(i) the requested date, which shall be a Business Day, of such continuation or conversion;

(ii) the aggregate amount and Type of the Advance which is to be continued or converted;

(iii) the amount and Type(s) of the Dollar-denominated Advance(s) into which such Advance is to be continued or converted; and

(iv) in the case of each continuation of or conversion into a Dollar-denominated Term Benchmark Advance, the Interest Period applicable thereto (provided that if no Interest Period is specified, the applicable Borrower shall be deemed to have requested an Interest Period of one month).

(g) Payment or Continuation and Conversion of Euro or Canadian Dollars Denominated Advances. Subject to all of the terms and conditions of this Credit Agreement, each Term Benchmark Advance denominated in euro or Canadian Dollars shall continue as a Term Benchmark Advance until the end of the then applicable Interest Period therefor, at which time such Term Benchmark Advance shall mature and be payable by the applicable Borrower on the last day of the applicable Interest Period unless the applicable Borrower shall have given the Administrative Agent an irrevocable notice signed by an Authorized Officer of such Borrower, such notice which shall be substantially in the form approved by the Administrative Agent and separately provided to the Borrowers (a “Foreign Currency Continuation/Conversion Notice”) requesting that, at the end of such Interest Period, such Term Benchmark Advance either continue as a Term Benchmark Advance denominated in the same currency for the same or another specified Interest Period or be converted into one or more new Term Benchmark Advances each denominated in the same currency as that of the converted Term Benchmark Advance and having a specified new Interest Period; provided that, if such Foreign Currency Continuation/Conversion Notice is submitted through an Approved Borrower Portal, the foregoing signature requirement may be waived at the sole discretion of the Administrative Agent; provided further that if after giving effect to any such conversion or continuation, the Total Revolving Extensions of Credit would exceed the Line Cap, such Borrower shall prepay an aggregate principal amount of such Term Benchmark Advance on the last day of the Interest Period then ending such that the Total Revolving Extensions of Credit does not exceed the Line Cap. Accordingly, but subject to all of the terms and conditions of this Credit Agreement, each Borrower may elect from time to time to convert all or any part (subject to Section 2.03(d)) of a Term Benchmark

 

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Advance denominated in euro or Canadian Dollars, as applicable, made to it into any other Term Benchmark Advance(s) denominated in euro or Canadian Dollars, as applicable; provided that any such conversion shall be made on, and only on, the last day of the Interest Period applicable to the converted Term Benchmark Advance. The applicable Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent a Foreign Currency Continuation/Conversion Notice with respect to each continuation or conversion of a Term Benchmark Advance denominated in (x) euro not later than 12:00 Noon (New York City time) at least four Business Days or (y) Canadian Dollars not later than 12:00 Noon (New York City time) at least three Business Days, in each case, prior to the date of the requested continuation or conversion specifying in accordance with all of the terms and conditions of this Credit Agreement:

(i) the requested date, which shall be a Business Day, of such continuation or conversion;

(ii) the aggregate amount of the euro-denominated or Canadian Dollar-denominated, as applicable, Term Benchmark Advance which is to be continued or converted;

(iii) the amount(s) of the Term Benchmark Advance(s) into which such Term Benchmark Advance is to be continued or converted; and

(iv) the Interest Period applicable to each new Term Benchmark Advance (provided that if no Interest Period is specified or if a Default has occurred and is continuing, the applicable Borrower shall be deemed to have requested an Interest Period of one month).

(h) Notice to Lenders. The Administrative Agent shall give prompt notice to each Lender of each Dollar Continuation/Conversion Notice and each Foreign Currency Continuation/Conversion Notice received by it.

Section 2.04 Letter of Credit Subfacility.

(a) Issuance. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof and in reliance upon the representations and warranties set forth herein and upon the agreements of the other Lenders set forth in this Section 2.04, each Issuing Lender agrees to issue, and each Lender severally agrees to participate in the issuance by such Issuing Lender of, standby Letters of Credit in Agreed Currencies from time to time from the Effective Date until the date thirty days prior to latest scheduled Termination Date as any Borrower may request, in a form acceptable to such Issuing Lender; provided, however, that (i) the Dollar Amount of the LOC Obligations outstanding shall not at any time exceed the LOC Committed Amount, (ii) the Total Revolving Extensions of Credit shall not at any time exceed the Aggregate Commitment, (iii) the Dollar Amount of the LOC Obligations in respect of Letters of Credit issued by any Issuing Lender shall not at any time exceed (x) prior to the First-Year LOC Commitment Termination Date, the First-Year LOC Commitment of such Issuing Lender and (y) on and after the First-Year LOC Commitment Termination Date, the Permanent LOC Commitment of such Issuing Lender, in each case of the foregoing clauses (x) and (y), without the consent of such Issuing Lender and (iv) the Total Revolving Extensions of Credit shall not at any time exceed the Line Cap, subject to the authority of the Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion, to make Protective Advances pursuant to the terms of Section 2.15. No Issuing Lender shall issue any Letter of Credit if (x) the original expiry date of such Letter of Credit is more than one year from the date of issuance (provided that such Letter of Credit may contain customary “evergreen” provisions pursuant to which the expiry date is automatically extended by a specific time period unless such Issuing Lender gives notice to the beneficiary of such Letter of Credit at least a specified time period prior to the expiry date then in effect), (y) such Letter of Credit has an expiry date extending beyond the date that is five Business Days before the Termination Date or (z) with respect to any Letter of Credit (A) issued prior to the First-Year LOC Commitment Termination Date and (B) the issuance of which would cause the Dollar

 

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Amount of the LOC Obligations in respect of Letters of Credit issued by any Issuing Lender to exceed the Permanent LOC Commitment of such Issuing Lender, such Letter of Credit has an expiry date extending beyond the First-Year LOC Commitment Termination Date; provided that the participation of each Lender in each such Letter of Credit shall terminate in full on the Termination Date applicable to such Lender; provided further that at the time of the issuance or extension of any such Letter of Credit having an expiry date beyond the date referred to in clause (y) above, the applicable Borrower shall provide the applicable Issuing Lender cash collateral or another form of collateral, in each case acceptable to the applicable Issuing Lender, in respect of such Letter of Credit. No Issuing Lender shall be under any obligation to issue any Letter of Credit if the issuance of such Letter of Credit would violate any applicable laws, rules, regulations or orders or any generally applicable policy of such Issuing Lender, including, without limitation, any order, judgment or decree of any government authority or arbitrator that by its terms purports to enjoin or restrain such Issuing Lender from issuing such Letter of Credit, or any request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) from any governmental authority with jurisdiction over such Issuing Lender that prohibits, or requests that such Issuing Lender refrain from the issuance of letters of credit generally or such Letter of Credit in particular or that imposes upon such Issuing Lender with respect to such Letter of Credit any restriction, reserve or capital requirement (for which such Issuing Lender is not otherwise compensated hereunder) not in effect on the Effective Date, or that imposes upon such Issuing Lender any unreimbursed loss, cost or expense which was not applicable on the Effective Date and which such Issuing Lender in good faith deems material to it. Each Letter of Credit shall be a standby letter of credit and shall comply with the related LOC Documents. If requested by the Issuing Lender, the applicable Borrower also shall submit a letter of credit application on the Issuing Lender’s standard form in connection with any request for a Letter of Credit. The issuance and expiry dates of each Letter of Credit shall be a Business Day. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Issuing Lender shall have no obligation hereunder to issue any Letter of Credit the proceeds of which would be made available to any Person (i) to fund any activity or business of or with any Sanctioned Person in violation of Sanctions, or in any Sanctioned Country or (ii) in any manner that would result in a violation of any Sanctions by any party to this Credit Agreement.

The parties hereto agree that the Existing Letters of Credit shall be deemed to be Letters of Credit for all purposes under this Agreement, without any further action by Whirlpool, any Issuing Lender or any other Person.

(b) Notice and Reports. Any Borrower may request the issuance of a Letter of Credit by submitting a request therefor (which may be transmitted by electronic communication, including an Approved Borrower Portal, if arrangements for doing so have been approved by the respective Issuing Lender) to the applicable Issuing Lender (by completion of the appropriate application forms of such Issuing Lender) at least three Business Days (or, in the case of any Letter of Credit to be issued as a “back-to-back” or “counter” letter of credit, five Business Days) prior to the requested date of issuance. At least monthly (and more frequently upon request) such Issuing Lender shall provide to the Administrative Agent a detailed report specifying the Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Lender which are then issued and outstanding.

(c) Participation. Each Lender, upon issuance of a Letter of Credit, shall be deemed to have purchased without recourse a Participation Interest from the applicable Issuing Lender in such Letter of Credit and the obligations arising thereunder and any collateral relating thereto, in each case in an amount equal to its pro rata share of the obligations under such Letter of Credit (ratably in proportion to the ratio that its respective Commitment bears to the Aggregate Commitment) and shall absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably assume and be obligated to pay to such Issuing Lender and discharge when due, its pro rata share of the obligations arising under such Letter of Credit. Without limiting the scope and nature of each Lender’s Participation Interest in any Letter of Credit, to the extent that the applicable Issuing Lender has not been reimbursed as required hereunder or under any such Letter of Credit, each such Lender shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of such Issuing Lender its pro rata share of such unreimbursed

 

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drawing in same day funds on the day of notification by the Administrative Agent of an unreimbursed drawing pursuant to the provisions of subsection (d) below. The obligation of each Lender to so reimburse each Issuing Lender shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by the occurrence of an Unmatured Default, a Default or any other occurrence or event. Any such reimbursement shall not relieve or otherwise impair the obligation of the applicable Borrower to reimburse the applicable Issuing Lender under any Letter of Credit, together with interest as hereinafter provided. Each Lender acknowledges and agrees that its participation in each Letter of Credit will be automatically adjusted to reflect such Lender’s ratable share of the obligations under such Letter of Credit at each time such Lender’s Commitment is amended pursuant to an assignment in accordance with Section 13.01 or otherwise pursuant to this Credit Agreement.

(d) Reimbursement.

(i) The Issuing Lender for any Letter of Credit shall, within the time allowed by applicable laws or the specific terms of the Letter of Credit following its receipt thereof, examine all documents purporting to represent a demand for payment under such Letter of Credit. Such Issuing Lender shall promptly after such examination notify the Administrative Agent and the applicable Borrower in writing of such demand for payment if such Issuing Lender has or will honor a drawing thereunder. The applicable Borrower promises to reimburse the applicable Issuing Lender (such reimbursement to be made to the Administrative Agent for the account of such Issuing Lender) not later than 12:00 P.M. (New York City time), on (x) the Business Day that the applicable Borrower receives notice of such drawing, if such notice is received on such day prior to 10:00 A.M. (New York City time) or (y) if clause (x) above does not apply, the Business Day immediately following the day that such Borrower receives such notice, in each case, either in same day funds in the same Agreed Currency as the related drawing or with an Advance (A) in the case of a drawing funded in any Agreed Currency other than Canadian Dollars, in Dollars in the Dollar Amount of such drawing and (B) in the case of a drawing funded in Canadian Dollars, in Canadian Dollars in the amount of such drawing; provided that, after giving effect to such Advance, the Line Cap would not be exceeded at such time. Unless such Borrower shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent and the applicable Issuing Lender that such Borrower intends to otherwise reimburse such Issuing Lender for such drawing, such Borrower shall be deemed to have requested that the Lenders make an Advance in (x) Dollars in the Dollar Amount of the drawing or (y) in Canadian Dollars in the amount of the drawing, as applicable, as provided in subsection (e) below on the related Letter of Credit, the proceeds of which will be used to satisfy the related reimbursement obligations. Each Issuing Lender will promptly notify the Administrative Agent, who shall, in turn, promptly notify the other Lenders of the amount of any unreimbursed drawing and each Lender shall promptly pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of such Issuing Lender in (x) Dollars and in immediately available funds, the Dollar Amount or (y) Canadian Dollars and in immediately available fund, the amount, as applicable, of such Lender’s pro rata share of such unreimbursed drawing. Such payment shall be made on the day such notice is received by such Lender from the Administrative Agent if such notice is received at or before 11:00 A.M. (New York City time), and otherwise such payment shall be made at or before 1:00 P.M. (New York City time) on the Business Day next succeeding the day such notice is received. If such Lender does not pay such amount to the Administrative Agent for the account of the applicable Issuing Lender in full upon such request, such Lender shall, on demand, pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of such Issuing Lender interest on the unpaid amount during the period from the date of such drawing until such Lender pays such amount to the Administrative Agent for the account of such Issuing Lender in full at a rate per annum equal to, if paid within two Business Days of the date that such Lender is required to make payments of such amount pursuant to the preceding sentence, the NYFRB Rate and thereafter at a rate equal to the Alternate Base Rate. Each Lender’s obligation to make such payment to the applicable Issuing Lender, and the right of such Issuing Lender to receive the same,

 

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shall be absolute and unconditional, shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever and without regard to the termination of this Credit Agreement or the Commitments hereunder, the existence of an Unmatured Default or a Default or the acceleration of the obligations of the Borrowers hereunder and shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever. Simultaneously with the making of each such payment by a Lender to the Administrative Agent for the account of the applicable Issuing Lender, such Lender shall, automatically and without any further action on the part of the Administrative Agent, such Issuing Lender or such Lender, acquire a Participation Interest in an amount equal to such payment (excluding the portion of such payment constituting interest owing to such Issuing Lender) in the related unreimbursed drawing portion of the LOC Obligation and in the interest thereon and in the related LOC Documents, and shall have a claim against the applicable Borrower with respect thereto.

(ii) Each Borrower’s reimbursement obligations as provided in this Section shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be performed strictly in accordance with the terms of this Credit Agreement under any and all circumstances whatsoever and irrespective of (A) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit or this Credit Agreement, or any term or provision therein, (B) any draft or other document presented under a Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent or invalid in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect, (C) payment by the Issuing Lender under a Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or other document that does not comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit, or (D) any other event or circumstance whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, that might, but for the provisions of this Section, constitute a legal or equitable discharge of, or provide a right of setoff against, the applicable Borrower’s obligations hereunder.

(e) Repayment with Advances. On any day on which a Borrower shall have requested, or been deemed to have requested an Advance to reimburse a drawing under a Letter of Credit, the Administrative Agent shall give notice to the Lenders that an Advance has been requested or deemed requested by such Borrower to be made in connection with a drawing under a Letter of Credit, in which case an Advance comprised of (x) Dollar-denominated Floating Rate Loans in the Dollar Amount of the unreimbursed drawing or (y) Canadian Dollar-denominated Floating Rate Loans in the amount of the unreimbursed drawing, as applicable, shall be immediately made to such Borrower by all Lenders (notwithstanding any termination of the Commitments pursuant to Section 9.01) ratably in proportion to the ratio that their respective Commitments bear to the Aggregate Commitment (determined before giving effect to any termination of the Commitments pursuant to Section 9.01) and the proceeds thereof shall be paid directly to the Administrative Agent for the account of the applicable Issuing Lender for application to the respective LOC Obligations. Each such Lender hereby irrevocably agrees to make its pro rata share of each such Advance immediately upon any such request or deemed request in the amount, in the manner and on the date specified in the preceding sentence notwithstanding (i) the amount of such borrowing may not comply with the minimum amount for Advances otherwise required hereunder, (ii) whether any conditions specified in Section 5.03 are then satisfied, (iii) whether an Unmatured Default or a Default then exists, (iv) failure for any such request or deemed request for such Advance to be made by the time otherwise required hereunder, (v) whether the date of such borrowing is a date on which Advances are otherwise permitted to be made hereunder or (vi) any termination of the Commitments relating thereto immediately prior to or contemporaneously with such borrowing. In the event that any Advance cannot for any reason be made on the date otherwise required above (including, without limitation, as a result of the commencement of a proceeding under the Bankruptcy Code with respect to any Borrower), then each such Lender hereby agrees that it shall forthwith purchase (as of the date such borrowing would otherwise have occurred, but adjusted for any payments received from the applicable Borrower on or after such date and prior to such purchase) from the applicable Issuing Lender such Participation Interests in the outstanding LOC Obligations as shall be necessary to cause each such Lender to share in such LOC Obligations ratably

 

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in proportion to the ratio that their respective Commitments bear to the Aggregate Commitment (determined before giving effect to any termination of the Commitments pursuant to Section 9.01)), provided that at the time any purchase of Participation Interests pursuant to this sentence is actually made, the purchasing Lender shall be required to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of such Issuing Lender, to the extent not paid to such Issuing Lender by the applicable Borrower in accordance with the terms of subsection (d) above, interest on the principal amount of Participation Interests purchased for each day from and including the day upon which such borrowing would otherwise have occurred to but excluding the date of payment for such Participation Interests, at the rate equal to, if paid within two Business Days of the date of the Advance, the NYFRB Rate, and thereafter at a rate equal to the Alternate Base Rate.

(f) Designation of Subsidiaries as Account Parties. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Credit Agreement, including without limitation Section 2.04(a), a Letter of Credit issued hereunder may contain a statement to the effect that such Letter of Credit is issued for the account of any Subsidiary of Whirlpool, provided that notwithstanding such statement, and without derogating from any rights of the applicable Issuing Bank (whether arising by contract, at law, in equity or otherwise) against such Subsidiary in respect of such Letter of Credit, Whirlpool (i) shall reimburse, indemnify and compensate the applicable Issuing Lender hereunder for such Letter of Credit (including to reimburse any and all drawings thereunder) as if such Letter of Credit had been issued solely for the account of Whirlpool and (ii) irrevocably waives any and all defenses that might otherwise be available to it as a guarantor or surety of any or all of the obligations of such Subsidiary in respect of such Letter of Credit. Whirlpool hereby acknowledges that the issuance of such Letters of Credit for its Subsidiaries inures to the benefit of Whirlpool, and that Whirlpool’s business derives substantial benefits from the businesses of such Subsidiaries.

(g) Renewal, Extension. The amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit shall, for purposes hereof, be treated in all respects the same as the issuance of a new Letter of Credit hereunder.

(h) Uniform Customs and Practices. The Issuing Lenders may have the Letters of Credit be subject to The Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits (the “UCP”) or the International Standby Practices 1998 (the “ISP98”), in either case as published as of the date of issue by the International Chamber of Commerce, in which case the UCP or the ISP98, as applicable, may be incorporated therein and deemed in all respects to be a part thereof.

(i) Indemnification; Nature of Issuing Lenders’ Duties.

(i) In addition to its other obligations under this Section 2.04, each Borrower hereby agrees to pay, and protect, indemnify and save each Lender harmless from and against, any and all claims, demands, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, charges and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees), other than Taxes, which shall be governed by Sections 3.01 and 3.02, that such Lender may incur or be subject to as a consequence, direct or indirect, of (A) the issuance of any Letter of Credit or (B) the failure of the applicable Issuing Lender to honor a drawing under a Letter of Credit as a result of any act or omission, whether rightful or wrongful, of any present or future de jure or de facto government or Governmental Authority (all such acts or omissions, herein called “Government Acts”).

(ii) As between the Borrowers and the Lenders (including the Issuing Lenders), the applicable Borrower shall assume all risks of the acts, omissions or misuse of any Letter of Credit by the beneficiary thereof. Neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender (including the Issuing Lenders), nor any of their Related Parties shall be responsible: (A) for reason of or in connection with the issuance or transfer of any Letter of Credit; (B) for any payment or failure to make any payment thereunder (irrespective of any of the circumstances referred to in Section 2.04(d)(ii)

 

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hereof); (C) for the form, validity, sufficiency, accuracy, genuineness or legal effect of any document submitted by any party in connection with the application for and issuance of any Letter of Credit, even if it should in fact prove to be in any or all respects invalid, insufficient, inaccurate, fraudulent or forged; (D) for the validity or sufficiency of any instrument transferring or assigning or purporting to transfer or assign any Letter of Credit or the rights or benefits thereunder or proceeds thereof, in whole or in part, that may prove to be invalid or ineffective for any reason; (E) for errors, omissions, interruptions or delays in transmission or delivery of any messages, by mail, cable, telegraph, telex or otherwise, whether or not they be in cipher; (F) for any loss or delay in the transmission or otherwise of any document required in order to make a drawing under a Letter of Credit or of the proceeds thereof; (G) for any error in interpretation of technical terms or any consequence arising from causes beyond the control of the Issuing Lender; and (H) for any consequences arising from causes beyond the control of such Lender, including, without limitation, any Government Acts provided that the foregoing shall not be construed to excuse the Issuing Lender from liability to the applicable Borrower to the extent of any direct damages (as opposed to special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages, claims in respect of which are hereby waived by the applicable Borrower to the extent permitted by applicable law) suffered by the applicable Borrower that are caused by the Issuing Lender’s failure to exercise care when determining whether drafts and other documents presented under a Letter of Credit comply with the terms thereof. The parties hereto expressly agree that, in the absence of gross negligence, bad faith and willful misconduct on the part of the Issuing Lender (as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment), the Issuing Lender shall be deemed to have exercised care in each such determination. In furtherance of the foregoing and without limiting the generality thereof, the parties agree that, with respect to documents presented which appear on their face to be in substantial compliance with the terms of a Letter of Credit, the Issuing Lender may, in its sole discretion, either accept and make payment upon such documents without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary, or refuse to accept and make payment upon such documents if such documents are not in strict compliance with the terms of such Letter of Credit. None of the above shall affect, impair, or prevent the vesting of any Issuing Lender’s rights or powers hereunder.

(iii) In furtherance and extension and not in limitation of the specific provisions hereinabove set forth, any action taken or omitted by any Lender (including any Issuing Lender), under or in connection with any Letter of Credit or the related certificates, if taken or omitted in good faith, shall not put such Lender under any resulting liability to any Borrower. It is the intention of the parties that this Credit Agreement shall be construed and applied to protect and indemnify each Lender (including the Issuing Lenders) against any and all risks involved in the issuance of the Letters of Credit, all of which risks are hereby assumed by the Borrowers, including, without limitation, any and all Government Acts. No Lender (including the Issuing Lenders) shall, in any way, be liable for any failure by any Issuing Lender to pay any drawing under any Letter of Credit as a result of any Government Acts or any other cause beyond the control of such Issuing Lender.

(iv) Nothing in this Section 2.04(i) is intended to limit the reimbursement obligations of any Borrower contained in subsection (d) above. The obligations of each Borrower under this Section 2.04(i) shall survive the termination of this Credit Agreement. No act or omission of any current or prior beneficiary of a Letter of Credit shall in any way affect or impair the rights of the Lenders (including the Issuing Lenders) to enforce any right, power or benefit under this Credit Agreement.

 

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(v) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 2.04(i), no Borrower shall have any obligation to indemnify any Issuing Lender in respect of any liability incurred by such Issuing Lender (A) arising solely out of the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct of such Issuing Lender, as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment, or (B) caused by such Issuing Lender’s failure to pay under any Letter of Credit after presentation to it of a request strictly complying with the terms and conditions of such Letter of Credit, as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction, unless such payment is prohibited by any law, regulation, court order or decree.

(j) Responsibility of Issuing Lenders. It is expressly understood and agreed that the obligations of the Issuing Lenders hereunder to the Lenders are only those expressly set forth in this Credit Agreement and that the Issuing Lenders shall be entitled to assume that the conditions precedent set forth in Section 5.03 have been satisfied unless it shall have acquired actual knowledge or received written notice from the applicable Borrower, the Administrative Agent or any Lender that any such condition precedent has not been satisfied; provided, however, that nothing set forth in this Section 2.04 shall be deemed to prejudice the right of any Lender to recover from any Issuing Lender any amounts made available by such Lender to such Issuing Lender pursuant to this Section 2.04 in the event that it is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment that the payment with respect to a Letter of Credit constituted gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of such Issuing Lender.

(k) Conflict with LOC Documents. In the event of any conflict between this Credit Agreement and any LOC Document (including any letter of credit application), this Credit Agreement shall control.

(l) Appointment of Issuing Lender. Each of the Lenders listed on Schedule I hereto as having “Permanent LOC Commitments” or “First-Year LOC Commitments” is hereby appointed as Issuing Lender hereunder and under each other Loan Document and each of the Lenders authorizes each Issuing Lender to act on behalf of the Lenders with respect to any Letters of Credit and related LOC Documents.

Section 2.05 Reserved.

Section 2.06 Reserved.

Section 2.07 Fees.

(a) Unused Commitment Fee. Whirlpool hereby agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender (other than a Defaulting Lender), ratably in proportion to their Commitments, a commitment fee at the Unused Commitment Fee Rate on the excess of (i) the daily actual amount of the Aggregate Commitment of the Lenders over (ii) all Loans plus LOC Obligations of the Lenders, for the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the Termination Date applicable to such Lender, which fee shall be payable quarterly in arrears on the fifteenth day following each Payment Date and on the Termination Date applicable to such Lender.

(b) Administration Fees. Whirlpool hereby agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for its own account such arrangement and administration fees as are heretofore and hereafter agreed upon in writing by Whirlpool and the Administrative Agent (including all fees due and payable pursuant to the terms of the Fee Letter).

(c) Letter of Credit Fees.

(i) In consideration of the issuance of Letters of Credit hereunder, each Borrower hereby agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of each Lender (other than a Defaulting Lender), an issuance fee on the actual daily maximum amount available to be drawn under each such Letter of Credit issued for the account of such Borrower computed at a per annum rate for each day from the date of issuance to the date of expiration equal to the Term Benchmark Margin in effect from time to time; such issuance fee shall be allocated among the Lenders ratably in proportion to the ratio that their respective Commitments bear to the Aggregate Commitment and shall be payable quarterly in arrears on the fifteenth day following each Payment Date and on the Termination Date applicable to such Lender.

 

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(ii) In addition to the issuance fee payable pursuant to clause (i) above, each Borrower hereby agrees to pay to each Issuing Lender, without sharing by the other Lenders (A) a letter of credit fronting fee on the actual daily maximum amount available to be drawn under each Letter of Credit issued for the account of such Borrower computed at a per annum rate equal to 0.125%, for each day from the date of issuance to the date of expiration (which fronting fee shall be payable quarterly in arrears on the fifteenth day following each Payment Date, and on the Termination Date applicable to such Issuing Lender) and (B) the customary charges and expenses from time to time of such Issuing Lender with respect to the issuance, amendment, transfer, administration, cancellation and conversion of, and drawings under, such Letters of Credit; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, such fronting fee shall not be in duplication of any fronting fee payable pursuant to any letter agreement separately agreed among Whirlpool and an Issuing Lender.

(d) Other Fees. Whirlpool agrees to pay to the Arrangers, each for their own accounts, the fees payable in the amounts and at the times separately agreed upon between the Borrowers and the Arrangers.

Section 2.08 General Facility Terms.

(a) Method of Borrowing. On each Borrowing Date, each applicable Lender shall make available its Loan or Loans, if any, in the requested Agreed Currency, (i) if such Loan is a Term Benchmark Advance denominated in Dollars, not later than 2:00 P.M. (New York City time) in funds immediately available to the Administrative Agent, at its address specified in or pursuant to Article 14, (ii) if such Loan is a Floating Rate Advance denominated in Dollars, not later than 3:00 P.M. (New York City time) in funds immediately available to the Administrative Agent, at its address specified in or pursuant to Article 14 and (iii) if such Loan is denominated in another currency, not later than 12:00 Noon, local time in the city of the Administrative Agent’s Payment Office for such currency, in funds immediately available to the Administrative Agent, at the Administrative Agent’s Payment Office for such currency. The Administrative Agent will make the funds so received from the applicable Lenders available to the applicable Borrower at the Administrative Agent’s aforesaid address. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.08(a), to the extent that a Loan made by a Lender matures on the Borrowing Date of a requested Loan denominated in the same Agreed Currency as that of the maturing Loan, such Lender shall apply the proceeds of the Loan it is then making to the repayment of principal of the maturing Loan.

(b) Prepayments.

(i) Optional Prepayments. Each Borrower may from time to time prepay all of its outstanding Floating Rate Advances, or, in a minimum aggregate Dollar Amount of $5,000,000 (and in integral multiples of $1,000,000 if in excess thereof), any portion of the outstanding Floating Rate Advances. The applicable Borrower shall give the Administrative Agent notice by telephone or electronic mail (confirmed by telecopy or electronic communication, including an Approved Borrower Portal, if arrangements for doing so have been approved by the Administrative Agent) with respect to each such prepayment not later than 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) one Business Day prior to the date of the requested prepayment. Each Borrower may from time to time prepay all of its outstanding Term Benchmark Advances, or, in a minimum aggregate Dollar Amount of $5,000,000 and in integral multiples of $1,000,000 if in excess thereof, any portion of the outstanding Term Benchmark Advances. The applicable Borrower shall give the

 

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Administrative Agent notice with respect to each such prepayment not later than 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) three Business Days prior to the date of the requested prepayment; provided that any such notice may state by its terms that it is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit facilities, incurrences of Indebtedness, dispositions or other expected sources of funds, in which case such notice may be revoked by the applicable Borrower by notice to the Administrative Agent in the event that such condition is not satisfied. Any such prepayment pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.08 of a Term Benchmark Advance prior to the end of its applicable Interest Period shall be subject to the provisions of Section 3.05.

(ii) Mandatory Prepayments.

(A) Aggregate Commitment. If at any time, (x) the Dollar Amount of the Total Revolving Extensions of Credit exceeds the Aggregate Commitment (minus applicable Reserves) or (y) the Dollar Amount of the Total Revolving Extensions of Credit (excluding for such purposes Protective Advances) exceeds the Aggregate Borrowing Base, the Borrowers immediately shall prepay outstanding Advances, (after all Advances have been repaid) cash collateralize LOC Obligations and/or prepay (in the case of clause (x) above) outstanding Protective Advances in an aggregate amount equal to such excess (it being understood that the Borrowers shall prepay Loans and/or Protective Advances prior to cash collateralization of the total LOC Obligations).

(B) LOC Committed Amount. If at any time, the sum of the Dollar Amount of the aggregate principal amount of LOC Obligations shall exceed 103% of the LOC Committed Amount, the Borrowers immediately shall cash collateralize LOC Obligations in an amount sufficient to eliminate such excess.

(C) Solely to the extent any (i) Term Indebtedness Obligations are outstanding that require repayment of such Term Indebtedness Obligations with the proceeds of any Disposition of Borrowing Base Assets pursuant to the Term Indebtedness Documents and subject to any Term Indebtedness Intercreditor Agreement (including as to the allocation of proceeds of mixed Collateral) or (ii) Secured Junior Indebtedness is outstanding that requires repayment of such Secured Junior Indebtedness with the proceeds of any Disposition of Borrowing Base Assets pursuant to the documents governing such Secured Junior Indebtedness and subject to any Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement (including as to the allocation of proceeds of mixed Collateral), in the event and on each such occasion that Net Cash Proceeds are received by or on behalf of Whirlpool or any Loan Party in respect of any Disposition of Borrowing Base Assets (other than a Disposition of cash or cash equivalents) pursuant to Section 7.09(a)(x), Whirlpool shall, immediately after such Net Cash Proceeds are received by Whirlpool or any Loan Party, first, prepay the Loans and, second, cash collateralize the LOC Obligations as set forth in Section 2.08(b)(ii)(D) below (without a corresponding reduction in Commitments) in an aggregate amount equal to the lesser of (x) 100% of such Net Cash Proceeds received by a Loan Party solely with respect to the Disposition of such Borrowing Base Assets (other than a Disposition of cash or cash equivalents) as determined by Whirlpool in its reasonable judgment, which amount shall not be less than the amount of the Borrowing Base attributable to such Borrowing Base Assets and (y) the Dollar Amount of the Total Revolving Extensions of Credit then outstanding, provided that Whirlpool shall have 90 days after receipt of such Net Cash Proceeds to apply the Net Cash Proceeds from such event (or a portion thereof) to acquire (or replace or rebuild) assets expected to be used or useful in the business of the Loan Parties and no prepayment shall be required pursuant to this paragraph in respect of the portion of such Net Cash Proceeds so applied; provided, further, that (i) to the extent of

 

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any such Net Cash Proceeds therefrom that have not been so applied by the end of such 90 day period, a prepayment shall be required at such time in an amount equal to such Net Cash Proceeds that have not been so applied and (ii) to the extent a Full Cash Dominion Period is in effect at any time during such 90-day period, a prepayment shall immediately be required at such time in an amount equal to such Net Cash Proceeds that have not been so applied. For the avoidance of doubt, (i) dispositions of Inventory and settling of Accounts in the ordinary course of business and transfers of Permitted Receivables Facility Assets (including Permitted Receivables Related Assets) under Permitted Receivables Facilities shall not result in any prepayment pursuant to this Section 2.08(b)(ii)(C) and (ii) at any time that (x) no Term Indebtedness Obligations are outstanding that require repayment of such Term Indebtedness Obligations with the proceeds of any Disposition of Borrowing Base Assets pursuant to the Term Indebtedness Documents and (y) no Secured Junior Indebtedness is outstanding that require repayment of such Secured Junior Indebtedness with the proceeds of any Disposition of Borrowing Base Assets pursuant to the documents governing such Secured Junior Indebtedness, then no repayment shall be required pursuant to this Section 2.08(b)(ii)(C).

(D) The application of any prepayment pursuant to this Section 2.08(b) shall be applied first, to Floating Rate Loans, second, to Term Benchmark Loans and third, to cash collateralize LOC Obligations

(E) On each Business Day during any Full Cash Dominion Period, the Administrative Agent shall apply, subject to Section 2.08(f)(i), all funds credited to any applicable Collection Account as of 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on such Business Day (whether or not immediately available) and first to prepay any Protective Advances that may be outstanding, second to prepay other Loans (without a corresponding reduction in Commitments).

(c) Interest Rates; Interest Periods. Subject to Section 2.08(d), (i) each Floating Rate Advance (and each Floating Rate Loan making up such Floating Rate Advance) shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof, for each day from and including the date such Advance is made or is converted from a Term Benchmark Advance pursuant to Section 2.03(f) to but excluding the date it is paid or is converted into a Term Benchmark Advance pursuant to Section 2.03(f), at a rate per annum equal, in the case of Dollar-denominated Floating Rate Advances, to the Alternate Base Rate for such day, in the case of Sterling-denominated Floating Rate Advances, to Daily Simple SONIA for such day and, in the case of Canadian Dollar-denominated Floating Rate Advances, to the Canadian Prime Rate for such day and (ii) each Term Benchmark Advance (and each Term Benchmark Loan making up such Term Benchmark Advance) shall bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof from and including the first day of each Interest Period applicable thereto to (but not including) the last day of such Interest Period at a rate per annum equal, in the case of Dollar-denominated Term Benchmark Advances, to the Term SOFR Rate for each day during such Interest Period, in the case of euro-denominated Term Benchmark Advances, to the EURIBOR Rate for each day during such Interest Period and, in the case of Canadian Dollar-denominated Term Benchmark Advances, to the Term CORRA Rate for each day during such Interest Period. Changes in the rate of interest on each Floating Rate Advance will take effect simultaneously with each change in the Alternate Base Rate or Daily Simple SONIA, as applicable. No Interest Period shall end after the latest scheduled Termination Date.

 

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(d) Rate after Certain Defaults.

(i) During the existence of any Default under Section 8.02(i), each Advance (and each Loan making up such Advance) not paid when due, whether by acceleration or otherwise, and any reimbursement obligation arising from any Letter of Credit not paid when due shall, in each case, bear interest on the outstanding principal amount thereof, for each day from and including the date such Advance matures (or the date such reimbursement obligation arises), whether by acceleration or otherwise, to but excluding the date it is paid, at the rate otherwise applicable to such Advance plus 2% per annum or, if no rate is applicable, the Alternate Base Rate plus 2% per annum, payable on demand.

(ii) During the existence of any Default under Section 8.02(ii), to the fullest extent permitted by law and provided that Whirlpool shall have received notice at least one Business Day prior to the imposition thereof, the amount of any interest, fee or other amount payable hereunder that is not paid when due shall bear interest for each day from and including the date such payment is due, to but excluding the date it is paid, at the Alternate Base Rate plus 2% per annum, payable on demand.

(iii) During the existence of any Default, the Required Lenders may, at their option, by notice to the Borrowers, declare that no Advance may be converted into or continued as a Dollar-denominated Term Benchmark Advance.

(e) Interest Payment Dates; Interest Basis. Interest accrued on each Dollar-denominated and Canadian Dollar-denominated Floating Rate Advance shall be payable on each Payment Date, commencing on the first such date to occur after the date hereof, on any date on which such Floating Rate Advance is prepaid or converted, whether due to acceleration or otherwise, at maturity and thereafter on demand. Interest accrued on each Sterling-denominated Floating Rate Advance shall be payable on each date that is on the numerically corresponding date in each calendar month that is one month after the borrowing of such loan. commencing on the first such date to occur after the date hereof, on any date on which such Floating Rate Advance is prepaid, whether due to acceleration or otherwise, at maturity and thereafter on demand. Subject to the next sentence, interest accrued on each Term Benchmark Advance shall be payable on the last day of its applicable Interest Period, on any date on which such Term Benchmark Advance is prepaid, whether due to acceleration or otherwise, at maturity and thereafter on demand. Interest accrued on each Term Benchmark Advance having an Interest Period longer than three months shall also be payable on the last day of each three-month interval (in the case of Term Benchmark Advances) during such Interest Period. Interest on all Term Benchmark Advances (other than Term Benchmark Advances denominated in Canadian Dollars), all Dollar-denominated Floating Rate Advances which bear interest based on the NYFRB Rate or the Term SOFR Rate and all fees due hereunder shall be calculated for the actual number of days elapsed on the basis of a 360-day year. Interest on all Dollar-denominated Floating Rate Advances which bear interest based on the Prime Rate, all Sterling-denominated Floating Rate Advances, all Term Benchmark Advances denominated in Canadian Dollars and all Floating Rate Advances denominated in Canadian Dollars shall be calculated for the actual number of days elapsed on the basis of a 365, or when appropriate 366, day year. Interest shall be payable for the day an Advance is made but not for the day of any payment on the amount paid if payment is received prior to 12:00 Noon (local time) at the place of payment. If any payment of principal of, or interest on, an Advance or of fees due hereunder shall become due on a day which is not a Business Day, such payment shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day and, in the case of a principal payment such extension of time shall be included in computing interest in connection with such payment. Each Borrower promises to pay interest on its respective Advances as provided in this Section 2.08(e).

For purposes of disclosure pursuant to the Interest Act (Canada), the annual rates of interest or fees to which the rates of interest or fees provided in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents (and stated herein or therein, as applicable, to be computed on the basis of 360 days or any other period of time less than a calendar year) are equivalent are the rates so determined multiplied by the actual number of days in the applicable calendar year and divided by 360 or such other period of time, respectively. The principle of deemed reinvestment of interest does not apply to any interest calculation under this Agreement and the rates of interest stipulated in this Agreement are intended to be nominal rates and not effective rates or yields.

 

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If any provision of this Agreement or Loan Documents would oblige any Canadian Loan Party to make any payment of interest or other amount payable to a Lender in an amount or calculated at a rate which would be prohibited by law or would result in a receipt by such Lender of “interest” at a “criminal rate” (as such terms are construed under the Criminal Code (Canada)), then, notwithstanding such provision, such amount or rate shall be deemed to have been adjusted with retroactive effect to the maximum amount or rate of interest, as the case may be, as would not be so prohibited by applicable law or so result in a receipt by such Lender of “interest” at a “criminal rate”, such adjustment to be effected, to the extent necessary (but only to the extent necessary), as follows: first, by reducing the amount or rate of interest, and, thereafter, by reducing any fees, commissions, costs, expenses, premiums and other amounts required to be paid to such Lender which would constitute interest for purposes of section 347 of the Criminal Code (Canada). Any amount or rate of interest referred to in this Section shall be determined in accordance with generally accepted actuarial practices and principles as an effective annual rate of interest over the term that the applicable Loan remains outstanding on the assumption that any charges, fees or expenses that fall within the meaning of “interest” (as defined in the Criminal Code (Canada)) shall, if they relate to a specific period of time, be pro-rated over that period of time and otherwise be pro-rated over the period from the Effective Date to the relevant maturity date, as applicable, and, in the event of a dispute, a certificate of a Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries appointed by the Administrative Agent shall be conclusive for the purposes of such determination.

(f) Method of Payment.

(i) General. Each Advance and each reimbursement obligation with respect to a drawing under a Letter of Credit shall be paid, repaid or prepaid in the currency in which such Advance or the related drawing was made in the amount borrowed or paid and interest payable thereon shall be paid in such currency. All fees payable hereunder shall be paid on the dates due, in Dollars. Subject to the last sentence of Section 2.08(a), (A) all amounts of principal, interest, fees and other Obligations payable by the Borrowers in Dollars under the Loan Documents shall be made in Dollars by 1:00 P.M. (New York City time) on the date when due in funds immediately available, without condition or deduction for any counterclaim, defense, recoupment or setoff, to the Administrative Agent at the Administrative Agent’s address specified pursuant to Article 14, or at such other Lending Installation of the Administrative Agent as may be specified in writing by the Administrative Agent to the Borrowers and (B) all other amounts of principal, interest and other Obligations payable by the Borrowers in any currency other than Dollars under the Loan Documents shall be made in such currency by 12:00 Noon (local time) on the date when due, in funds immediately available, without condition or deduction for any counterclaim, defense, recoupment or setoff, for the account of the Administrative Agent, as applicable, at its Payment Office for such currency. Prior to the existence of a Default, all amounts due hereunder and all payments of reimbursement obligations arising from drawings under Letters of Credit shall be made ratably among all of the Lenders in the case of all payments (other than reimbursement obligations under Letters of Credit paid to and fronting fees retained by the applicable Issuing Lender for its own account and the administrative fees retained by the Administrative Agent for its own account. Except as provided in Section 9.01(b), during the existence of any Default, all payments of principal due hereunder and all payments of reimbursement obligations arising from drawings under Letters of Credit shall be applied ratably among all outstanding Advances and Participation Interests. Each payment delivered to the Administrative Agent for the account of any Lender shall be delivered promptly, but in any event not later than the close of business on the date received by the Administrative Agent if received by the Administrative Agent by 12:00 Noon (local time), by

 

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the Administrative Agent to such Lender in the same type and currency of funds which the Administrative Agent received at such Lender’s address specified pursuant to Article 14 or at any Lending Installation specified by such Lender in a written notice received by the Administrative Agent. If the Administrative Agent shall fail to pay any Lender the amount due such Lender pursuant to this Section when due, the Administrative Agent shall be obligated to pay to such Lender interest on the amount that should have been paid hereunder for each day from the date such amount shall have become due until the date such amount is paid at the NYFRB Rate for such day. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.08(f), if, after the making of any Advance or issuance of any Letter of Credit in any currency other than Dollars, currency control or exchange regulations are imposed in the country which issues such currency with the result that different types of such currency (the “New Currency”) are introduced and the type of currency in which the Advance was made or such Letter of Credit was issued (the “Original Currency”) no longer exists or the applicable Borrower is not able to make payment to the Administrative Agent for the account of the applicable Lenders in such Original Currency, then all payments to be made by such Borrower hereunder or under any other Loan Document in such currency shall be made in such amount and such type of the New Currency as shall be equivalent (based upon market value) to the amount of such payment otherwise due hereunder or under such Loan Document in the Original Currency, it being the intention of the parties hereto that the Borrowers take all risks of the imposition of any such currency control or exchange regulations. In addition, notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.08(f), if, after the making of any Advance or issuance of any Letter of Credit in any currency other than Dollars, the applicable Borrower is not able to make payment to the Administrative Agent for the account of the applicable Lenders in the type of currency in which such Advance was made or such Letter of Credit was issued (or in any New Currency as set forth above) because of the imposition of any such currency control or exchange regulation, then such Advance or reimbursement obligations shall instead be repaid when due in Dollars in a principal amount equal to the Dollar Amount (as of the date of repayment) of such Advance or such reimbursement obligations. In the event any amount paid to any Lender hereunder is rescinded or must otherwise be returned by the Administrative Agent each Lender shall, upon the request of the Administrative Agent repay to the Administrative Agent the amount so paid to such Lender, with interest for the period commencing on the date such payment is returned by the Administrative Agent until the date the Administrative Agent receives such repayment at a rate per annum equal to, during the period to but excluding the date two Business Days after such request, the NYFRB Rate, and thereafter, the Alternate Base Rate plus two percent (2%) per annum.

(g) Evidence of Debt; Telephonic Notices. Each Lender is hereby authorized to record, in accordance with its usual practice, the date, the currency, the amount and the maturity of each of its Loans made hereunder; provided, however, that any failure to so record shall not affect any Borrower’s obligations under this Credit Agreement. Upon the request of any Lender made through the Administrative Agent such Lender’s Loans shall be evidenced by a Note. Except as otherwise set forth herein, each Borrower hereby authorizes the Lenders and the Administrative Agent to extend or continue Advances and effect selections of Types of Advances based on telephonic notices made by any Person or Persons the Administrative Agent or any Lender reasonably believes to be an Authorized Representative. If requested by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, each Borrower agrees to deliver promptly to the Administrative Agent a written confirmation of each telephonic notice given by it signed by an Authorized Representative. If the written confirmation differs in any material respect from the action taken by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, the records of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall govern absent manifest error.

(h) Notification of Advances, Interest Rates and Prepayments. Promptly after receipt thereof, the Administrative Agent will notify each Lender of the contents of each Aggregate Commitment reduction notice, Borrowing Notice, Dollar Continuation/Conversion Notice, Foreign Currency Continuation/Conversion Notice, and repayment notice received by it hereunder. In addition, with respect

 

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to each Borrowing Notice, the Administrative Agent shall notify each Lender of its pro rata share of the Advance to be made pursuant to such Borrowing Notice. The Administrative Agent will notify the applicable Borrower and each Lender of the interest rate applicable to each Term Benchmark Advance promptly upon determination of such interest rate and will give each Borrower and each Lender prompt notice of each change in the Alternate Base Rate and, if any Floating Rate Advance denominated in Sterling is then outstanding, Daily Simple SONIA and, if any Floating Rate Advance denominated in Canadian Dollars is outstanding, the Canadian Prime Rate; provided, however, that the Administrative Agent’s failure to give any such notice will not affect any Borrower’s obligation to pay interest to the Lenders at the applicable interest rate.

(i) Non-Receipt of Funds by the Administrative Agent. Unless the applicable Borrower or Lender, as the case may be, notifies the Administrative Agent prior to the date on which it is scheduled to make payment to the Administrative Agent of (i) in the case of a Lender, the proceeds of a Loan or (ii) in the case of a Borrower, a payment of principal, interest or fees to the Administrative Agent for the account of the applicable Lenders, that it does not intend to make such scheduled payment, the Administrative Agent may assume that such scheduled payment has been made. The Administrative Agent may, but shall not be obligated to, make the amount of such scheduled payment available to the intended recipient in reliance upon such assumption. If such Lender or Borrower, as the case may be, has not in fact made such scheduled payment to the Administrative Agent, the recipient of such scheduled payment shall, on demand by the Administrative Agent, repay to the Administrative Agent the amount so made available together with interest thereon in respect of each day during the period commencing on the date such amount was so made available by the Administrative Agent until the date the Administrative Agent recovers such amount at a rate per annum equal to (x) in the case of such a repayment due from a Lender, the NYFRB Rate for such day, or (y) in the case of such a repayment due from a Borrower, the interest rate applicable to the relevant Loan.

(j) [Reserved].

(k) Lending Installations. Subject to Section 3.06, each Lender may (i) from time to time book its Loans at any Lending Installation(s) selected by such Lender, and (ii) by written or telecopy notice to the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers, designate (or change any such prior designation) a Lending Installation through which Loans of a particular Type will be made by it and for whose account payments on such Loans are to be made. All terms of this Credit Agreement shall apply to any such Lending Installation and any Notes of a Lender shall be deemed held by such Lender for the benefit of its appropriate Lending Installation. Each Lender will notify the Administrative Agent and Whirlpool on or prior to the date of this Credit Agreement of the Lending Installation which it intends to utilize for each Type and currency of Loan hereunder.

(l) Withholding Tax Exemption and Administrative Agent Form.

(i) Any Lender that is a “United States person” within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code shall deliver to the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent on or prior to the date on which such Lender becomes a Lender under this Credit Agreement (and from time to time thereafter upon the reasonable request of the Borrowers or the Administrative Agent), executed originals of IRS Form W-9 certifying that such Lender is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding tax on interest paid by a Borrower incorporated in the United States;

 

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(ii) Each Lender that is not a United States person within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code (such Lender a “Foreign Lender”) shall:

(A) deliver to the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent two duly completed copies of: (i) United States Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN, or W-8BEN-E, as applicable, (ii) United States Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI, or (iii) United States Internal Revenue Service Form W-8IMY, accompanied by United States Internal Revenue Service Form W-8ECI, W-8BEN, or W-8BEN-E, as applicable, or successor applicable form, as the case may be; provided that if the form provided by a Foreign Lender at the time such Foreign Lender first becomes a party to this Credit Agreement together with any applicable accompanying certificates, do not establish a full exemption from United States withholding tax on interest, any such United States withholding tax at such rate shall be considered excluded from the obligation to gross up pursuant to Section 3.01(c);

(1) deliver to the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent two further copies of any such form or certification on or before the date that any such form or certification expires or becomes obsolete and after the occurrence of any event requiring a change in the most recent form previously delivered by it to the Borrowers; and

(2) obtain such extensions of time for filing and complete such forms or certifications as may reasonably be requested by the Borrowers or the Administrative Agent; or

(B) in the case of any Foreign Lender that is not a “bank” within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, and that is claiming the benefits of the exemption for portfolio interest under Section 881(c) of the Code, such Foreign Lender shall also provide the Borrowers and Administrative Agent a certificate (1) representing to the Borrowers (for the benefit of the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent) that it is not a bank within the meaning of Section 881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, (2) agreeing to furnish to the Borrowers, on or before the date of any payment by the Borrowers, with a copy to the Administrative Agent, two accurate and complete original signed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN, or W-8BEN-E, as applicable, or successor applicable form certifying to such Lender’s legal entitlement at the date of such certificate to an exemption from U.S. withholding tax under the provisions of Section 881(c) of the Code with respect to payments to be made under this Credit Agreement (and to deliver to the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent two further copies of such form on or before the date it expires or becomes obsolete and after the occurrence of any event requiring a change in the most recently provided form and, if necessary, obtain any extensions of time reasonably requested by the Borrowers or the Administrative Agent for filing and completing such forms), and (3) agreeing, to the extent legally entitled to do so, upon reasonable request by the Borrowers, to provide to the Borrowers (for the benefit of the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent) such other forms as may be reasonably required in order to establish the legal entitlement of such Lender to an exemption from withholding with respect to payments under this Credit Agreement; provided, that any Lender that delivers the forms and representation provided in this clause (B) must also deliver to the Borrowers or the Administrative Agent two accurate, complete and signed copies of either Internal Revenue Service Form W-8BEN, or W-8BEN-E, as applicable, or W-8ECI, or, in each case, an applicable successor form, establishing a complete exemption from withholding of United States federal income tax imposed on the payment of any fees, if applicable, to such Lender.

 

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Notwithstanding the above, if any change in treaty, law or regulation has occurred after the date such Person becomes a Lender hereunder which renders all such forms inapplicable or which would prevent such Lender from duly completing and delivering any such form with respect to it and such Lender so advises the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent then such Lender shall be exempt from such requirements. Each Person that shall become a Lender or a participant of a Lender pursuant to Section 13.02 or 13.03 shall, upon the effectiveness of the related transfer, be required to provide all of the forms, certifications and statements required pursuant to this subsection (i); provided that in the case of a participant of a Lender, the obligations of such participant of a Lender pursuant to this subsection (i) shall be determined as if the participant of a Lender were a Lender except that such participant of a Lender shall furnish all such required forms, certifications and statements to the Lender from which the related participation shall have been purchased.

(iii) If any withholding, deduction or other taxes shall be or become applicable after the date of this Credit Agreement to any payments by any of the Borrowers to a Lender hereunder or under any other Loan Document, such Lender shall use reasonable efforts to make, fund or maintain the Loan or Loans or issuance of or participations in Letters of Credit, as the case may be, through another Lending Installation located in another jurisdiction so as to reduce, to the fullest extent possible, the liability of the relevant Borrowers hereunder, if the making, funding or maintenance of such Loan or Loans and the issuance of and participations in Letters of Credit through such other Lending Installation does not, in the reasonable judgment of the Lender, materially affect the Lender of such Loan or Letter of Credit.

(iv) If a payment made to a Lender would be subject to United States federal withholding tax imposed by FATCA if such Lender were to fail to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of FATCA (including those contained in Section 1471(b) or 1472(b) of the Code, as applicable), such Lender shall deliver to the Borrowers, at the time or times prescribed by law and at such time or times reasonably requested in writing by the Borrowers, such documentation prescribed by applicable law (including as prescribed by Section 1471(b)(3)(C)(i) of the Code) and such additional documentation reasonably requested in writing by the Borrowers as may be necessary for the Borrowers to comply with its obligations under FATCA, to determine that such Lender has complied with such Lender’s obligations under FATCA or to determine the amount to deduct and withhold from such payment. For purposes of this Section 2.08(l)(iv) “FATCA” shall include any amendments made to FATCA after the date of this Credit Agreement.

(v) On or before the date the Administrative Agent (or any successor thereto) becomes a party to this Credit Agreement, such Administrative Agent shall deliver to each Borrower two properly completed and duly executed copies of the documentation prescribed in clause (i) or (ii) below, as applicable (together with all required attachments thereto): (i) IRS Form W-9 or any successor thereto certifying that it is exempt from U.S. federal backup withholding tax, or (ii) (A) two duly executed copies of IRS Form W-8ECI (or other applicable IRS Form W-8 if the Administrative Agent has agreed to be treated as a “Qualified Intermediary”) with respect to any amounts payable to the Administrative Agent for its own account, and (B) with respect to any amounts payable to the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders, two properly completed and duly signed copies of IRS Form W-8IMY (or successor form) certifying that the Administrative Agent is either (a) a “qualified intermediary” assuming primary withholding responsibility under Chapters 3 and 4 of the Code and primary Form 1099 reporting and backup withholding responsibility for payments it receives for the accounts of others, or (b) a “United States person” for U.S. federal withholding Tax purposes (as contemplated by Section 1.1441-1(b)(2)(iv) of the United States Treasury Regulations) and the payments it receives for the account of such Lenders are not effectively connected with the conduct of its trade or business in the United States, in the case of each of clause (a) and (b), with the effect that the Borrowers can make payments to the Administrative Agent without deduction or withholding of any taxes imposed by the United States. The Administrative Agent agrees that if any form or certification it previously delivered pursuant to this Section 2.08(l)(v) expires or becomes obsolete or inaccurate in any respect, it shall update such form or certification or promptly notify Borrowers of its legal inability to do so.

 

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(m) Allocation of the Aggregate Commitment Among the Borrowers. The Borrowers understand and agree that (i) subject to the terms and conditions of this Credit Agreement, the Lenders will honor Borrowing Notices and requests for the issuance of Letters of Credit in the order received by the Administrative Agent and (ii) as a result, one or more of the Borrowers may be unable to borrow or increase borrowings hereunder if other Borrowers have already borrowed hereunder in amounts which have caused the Dollar Amount of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Loans plus the outstanding LOC Obligations to equal the Line Cap.

Section 2.09 Borrowing Subsidiaries; Additional Borrowing Subsidiaries.

Whirlpool may at any time or from time to time designate any of its Domestic Subsidiaries that are Subsidiary Guarantors to become an “Additional Borrowing Subsidiary” (and thereby a “Borrowing Subsidiary” and a “Borrower”) hereunder by satisfying the conditions precedent set forth in Section 5.02.

If Whirlpool shall designate an Additional Borrowing Subsidiary hereunder, any Lender may, with notice to the Agent and Whirlpool, fulfill its Commitment by causing an Affiliate of such Lender to act as the Lender in respect of such Additional Borrowing Subsidiary.

As soon as practicable after receiving notice from Whirlpool or the Administrative Agent of Whirlpool’s intent to designate a Guarantor as an Additional Borrowing Subsidiary, and in any event no later than five Business Days after the delivery of such notice, any Lender that may not legally or as a result of its internal policies lend to, establish credit for the account of and/or do any business whatsoever with such Additional Borrowing Subsidiary directly or through an Affiliate of such Lender as provided in the immediately preceding paragraph (a “Protesting Lender”) shall so notify Whirlpool and the Administrative Agent in writing. If each Protesting Lender is unable to assign its Commitment in full in accordance with Section 3.06 and/or 13.03 to a Person that is not a Protesting Lender prior to such the date that such Additional Borrowing Subsidiary shall have the right to borrow hereunder, Whirlpool shall, effective on or before such date, cancel its request to designate such Subsidiary as an “Additional Borrowing Subsidiary” hereunder.

Upon satisfaction of such conditions precedent such Domestic Subsidiary shall for all purposes be a party hereto as a Borrower as fully as if it had executed and delivered this Credit Agreement.

So long as the principal of and interest on any Advances made to any Borrowing Subsidiary under this Credit Agreement and any LOC Obligations of such Borrowing Subsidiary shall have been repaid or paid in full and all other obligations of such Borrowing Subsidiary under this Credit Agreement shall have been fully performed (and all Letters of Credit issued for the account of such Borrowing Subsidiary have been fully cash-collateralized to the satisfaction of the Administrative Agent and the applicable Issuing Lender), Whirlpool may, by not less than five Business Days’ prior notice to the Administrative Agent (which shall promptly notify the Lenders thereof), terminate such Borrowing Subsidiary’s status as a Borrower hereunder whereupon such Subsidiary shall cease to be a Borrower or a Borrowing Subsidiary.

Section 2.10 Reserved.

Section 2.11 Cash Collateral.

At any time that there shall exist a Defaulting Lender, within one Business Day following the written request of the Administrative Agent or any Issuing Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent) Whirlpool shall Cash Collateralize the Issuing Lenders’ Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender (determined after giving effect to Section 2.12(a)(iv) and any Cash Collateral provided by such Defaulting Lender) in an amount not less than the Minimum Collateral Amount.

 

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(a) Grant of Security Interest. Whirlpool, and to the extent provided by any Defaulting Lender, such Defaulting Lender, hereby grants to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Issuing Lenders, and agrees to maintain, a first priority security interest in all such Cash Collateral as security for the Defaulting Lenders’ obligation to fund participations in respect of LOC Obligations, to be applied pursuant to clause (b) below. If at any time the Administrative Agent determines that Cash Collateral is subject to any right or claim of any Person other than the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Lenders as herein provided, or that the total amount of such Cash Collateral is less than the Minimum Collateral Amount, Whirlpool will, promptly upon demand by the Administrative Agent, pay or provide to the Administrative Agent additional Cash Collateral in an amount sufficient to eliminate such deficiency (after giving effect to any Cash Collateral provided by the Defaulting Lender).

(b) Application. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Credit Agreement, Cash Collateral provided under this Section 2.11 or Section 2.12 in respect of Letters of Credit shall be applied to the satisfaction of the Defaulting Lender’s obligation to fund participations in respect of LOC Obligations (including, as to Cash Collateral provided by a Defaulting Lender, any interest accrued on such obligation) for which the Cash Collateral was so provided, prior to any other application of such property as may otherwise be provided for herein.

(c) Termination of Requirement. Cash Collateral (or the appropriate portion thereof) provided to reduce any Issuing Lender’s Fronting Exposure shall no longer be required to be held as Cash Collateral and shall be returned to the Person that provided such Cash Collateral pursuant to this Section 2.11 following (i) the elimination of the applicable Fronting Exposure (including by the termination of Defaulting Lender status of the applicable Lender), or (ii) the determination by the Administrative Agent and each Issuing Lender that there exists excess Cash Collateral (in which case any Cash Collateral provided by any Borrower shall be returned prior to the return of any Cash Collateral to any Defaulting Lender); provided that, subject to Section 2.12 the Person providing Cash Collateral and each Issuing Lender may agree that Cash Collateral shall be held to support future anticipated Fronting Exposure or other obligations.

Section 2.12 Defaulting Lenders.

(a) Defaulting Lender Adjustments. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Credit Agreement, if any Lender becomes a Defaulting Lender, then, until such time as such Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, to the extent permitted by applicable law:

(i) Waivers and Amendments. Such Defaulting Lender’s right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent with respect to this Credit Agreement shall be restricted as set forth in the definition of Required Lenders.

(ii) Defaulting Lender Waterfall. Any payment of principal, interest, fees or other amounts received by the Administrative Agent for the account of such Defaulting Lender (whether voluntary or mandatory, at maturity, pursuant to Article 8 or otherwise) or received by the Administrative Agent from a Defaulting Lender pursuant to Section 12.01 shall be applied at such time or times as may be determined by the Administrative Agent as follows: first, to the payment of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to the Administrative Agent hereunder; second, to the payment on a pro rata basis of any amounts owing by such Defaulting Lender to any Issuing Lender hereunder; third, to Cash Collateralize the Issuing Lenders’ Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender in accordance with Section 2.11; fourth, as the Borrowers may request (so long as no Default or Unmatured Default exists), to the funding of any Advance in respect of

 

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which such Defaulting Lender has failed to fund its portion thereof as required by this Credit Agreement, as determined by the Administrative Agent; fifth, if so determined by the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers, to be held in a deposit account and released pro rata in order to (x) satisfy such Defaulting Lender’s potential future funding obligations with respect to Advances under this Credit Agreement and (y) Cash Collateralize the Issuing Lenders’ future Fronting Exposure with respect to such Defaulting Lender with respect to future Letters of Credit issued under this Credit Agreement, in accordance with Section 2.11; sixth, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Lenders, the Issuing Lenders as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Lender or the Issuing Lenders against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Credit Agreement; seventh, to the payment of any amounts owing to the Borrowers as a result of any judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction obtained by any Borrower against such Defaulting Lender as a result of such Defaulting Lender’s breach of its obligations under this Credit Agreement; and eighth, to such Defaulting Lender or as otherwise directed by a court of competent jurisdiction; provided that if (x) such payment is a payment of the principal amount of any Advances or Participation Interests in respect of which such Defaulting Lender has not fully funded its appropriate share, and (y) such Advances were made or the related Letters of Credit were issued at a time when the conditions set forth in Section 5.03 were satisfied or waived, such payment shall be applied solely to pay the Loans of, and Participation Interests owed to, all Non-Defaulting Lenders on a pro rata basis prior to being applied to the payment of any Loans of, or Participation Interests owed to, such Defaulting Lender until such time as all Advances and funded and unfunded participations in LOC Obligations are held by the Lenders pro rata in accordance with the Commitments without giving effect to Section 2.12(a)(iv). Any payments, prepayments or other amounts paid or payable to a Defaulting Lender that are applied (or held) to pay amounts owed by a Defaulting Lender or to post Cash Collateral pursuant to this Section 2.12(a)(ii) shall be deemed paid to and redirected by such Defaulting Lender, and each Lender irrevocably consents hereto. Notwithstanding the foregoing, amounts received from any Loan Party shall not be applied to any Excluded Swap Obligation of such Loan Party.

(iii) Certain Fees. (A) No Defaulting Lender shall be entitled to receive any Unused Commitment Fee for any period during which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender (and Whirlpool shall not be required to pay any such fee that otherwise would have been required to have been paid to that Defaulting Lender).

(A) Each Defaulting Lender shall be entitled to receive fees payable under Section 2.07(c)(i) for any period during which that Lender is a Defaulting Lender only to the extent allocable to its Ratable Share of the stated amount of Letters of Credit for which it has provided Cash Collateral pursuant to Section 2.11.

(B) With respect to any Unused Commitment Fee or fees payable under Section 2.07(c)(i) not required to be paid to any Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (A) or (B) above, the Borrowers shall (x) pay to each Non-Defaulting Lender that portion of any such fee otherwise payable to such Defaulting Lender with respect to such Defaulting Lender’s participation in LOC Obligations that has been reallocated to such Non-Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (iv) below, (y) pay to each Issuing Lender the amount of any such fee otherwise payable to such Defaulting Lender to the extent allocable to such Issuing Lender’s Fronting Exposure to such Defaulting Lender, and (z) not be required to pay the remaining amount of any such fee.

 

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(iv) Reallocation of Participations to Reduce Fronting Exposure or Protective Advance Exposure. All or any part of the Participation Interests of such Defaulting Lender in the LOC Obligations or Protective Advance Exposure of such Defaulting Lender, as applicable, shall be reallocated among the non-Defaulting Lenders in accordance with their respective Ratable Shares but only to the extent (x) the sum of all non-Defaulting Lenders’ outstanding Advances and Participation Interests in the LOC Obligations plus such Defaulting Lender’s Participation Interest in the LOC Obligations plus such Defaulting Lender’s Protective Advance Exposure does not exceed the total of all non-Defaulting Lenders’ Commitments and (y) the conditions set forth in Section 5.03 are satisfied at such time (and, unless Whirlpool shall have otherwise notified the Administrative Agent at such time, Whirlpool shall be deemed to have represented and warranted that such conditions are satisfied at such time). Subject to Section 10.14, no reallocation hereunder shall constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder against a Defaulting Lender arising from that Lender having become a Defaulting Lender, including any claim of a Non-Defaulting Lender as a result of such Non-Defaulting Lender’s increased exposure following such reallocation.

(v) Cash Collateral. If the reallocation described in clause (iv) above cannot, or can only partially, be effected, the Borrowers shall, without prejudice to any right or remedy available to it hereunder or under law, within one Business Day following notice by the Administrative Agent, (x) first, prepay such Protective Advance Exposure and (y) second, Cash Collateralize the Issuing Lenders’ Fronting Exposure in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 2.11.

(b) Defaulting Lender Cure. If Whirlpool, the Administrative Agent and each Issuing Lender agree in writing that a Lender is no longer a Defaulting Lender, the Administrative Agent will so notify the parties hereto, whereupon as of the effective date specified in such notice and subject to any conditions set forth therein (which may include arrangements with respect to any Cash Collateral), that Lender will, to the extent applicable, purchase at par that portion of outstanding Loans of the other Lenders or take such other actions as the Administrative Agent may determine to be necessary to cause the Loans, Protective Advances and funded and unfunded participations in Letters of Credit to be held pro rata by the Lenders in accordance with the Commitments (without giving effect to Section 2.12(a)(iv), whereupon such Lender will cease to be a Defaulting Lender; provided that no adjustments will be made retroactively with respect to fees accrued or payments made by or on behalf of the Borrowers while that Lender was a Defaulting Lender; and provided, further, that except to the extent otherwise expressly agreed by the affected parties, no change hereunder from Defaulting Lender to Lender will constitute a waiver or release of any claim of any party hereunder arising from that Lender’s having been a Defaulting Lender.

(c) New Letters of Credit. So long as any Lender is a Defaulting Lender, the Issuing Lenders shall not be required to issue, amend or increase any Letter of Credit, unless it is satisfied that the related exposure will be 100% covered by the Commitments of the Non-Defaulting Lenders and/or Cash Collateral will be provided by the Borrowers in accordance with Section 2.11, and Participation Interests in any such newly issued or increased Letter of Credit shall be allocated among non-Defaulting Lenders in a manner consistent with Section 2.12(a)(iv) (and Defaulting Lenders shall not participate therein).

Section 2.13 [Reserved].

Section 2.14 Incremental Credit Extensions.

(a) Incremental Commitments. Any Borrower may at any time or from time to time after the Effective Date incur one or more increases in the amount of the Commitments (a “Commitment Increase” and the revolving commitments thereunder, the “Incremental Commitments”).

(b) Incremental Loans. On any Incremental Facility Closing Date, subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the terms and conditions in this Section 2.14, (i) each Incremental Lender shall make its Commitment available to the Borrowers (when borrowed, an “Incremental Loan”) in an amount equal to its Incremental Commitment so established on such date and (ii) each Incremental Lender shall become a Lender hereunder with respect to the Incremental Commitment of such Lender that becomes effective on such date.

 

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(c) Incremental Lenders. Incremental Commitments may be provided, by any existing Lender (but no existing Lender will have an obligation to make any Incremental Commitment, nor will the Borrowers have any obligation to approach any existing Lender to provide any Incremental Commitment) or by any Additional Lender (each such existing Lender or Additional Lender providing such Incremental Commitment or Incremental Loan, an “Incremental Lender”, and, collectively, the “Incremental Lenders”); provided that the Administrative Agent and each Issuing Lender shall have consented (not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) to such Additional Lender’s providing such Incremental Commitments solely to the extent such consent, if any, would be required under Section 13.03 for an assignment of Loans or Commitments, as applicable, to such Additional Lender.

(d) Effectiveness of Incremental Amendment. The effectiveness of any Incremental Amendment, and the Incremental Commitments thereunder, shall be subject to the satisfaction on the date thereof (the “Incremental Facility Closing Date”) of each of the following conditions:

(i) after giving effect to such Incremental Commitments, the conditions of Section 5.03 shall be satisfied (it being understood that (x) the condition in Section 5.01(i) may be satisfied notwithstanding the existence of any Unmatured Default so long as no Default exists and (y) all references to “the applicable Borrowing Date” or similar language in such Section 5.03 shall be deemed to refer to the Incremental Facility Closing Date); provided that the Incremental Lenders party to such Incremental Amendment shall be permitted to, in connection with any Incremental Commitment the primary purpose of which is to finance a Limited Condition Transaction, (A) reduce any delivery deadline with respect to any Borrowing Notice and (B) waive in full or in part any of the conditions set forth in Section 5.03(ii) (other than, in connection with a Limited Condition Transaction, the accuracy, to the extent required by the applicable Incremental Lenders, of any “specified representations”) and Section 5.03(i) (other than with respect to any Default under Section 8.02, 8.05 or 8.06);

(ii) each Incremental Commitment shall be in an aggregate principal amount that is not less than $10,000,000 and shall be in an increment of $5,000,000 (provided that such amount may be less than $10,000,000 and not in an increment of $5,000,000 if such amount represents all remaining availability under the limit set forth in Section 2.14(d)(iii)), in each case, unless otherwise agreed by the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent; and

(iii) the aggregate principal amount of all Incremental Commitments shall not exceed the Fixed Amount.

(e) Required Terms.

(i) The terms and provisions of Incremental Commitments shall be subject to the same terms and conditions as any Commitments then existing on the Incremental Facility Closing Date (and be deemed added to, and made a part of, such Commitments) (it being understood that, if required to consummate any Incremental Commitments, the Borrowers may increase the pricing, interest rate margins, rate floors and undrawn fees on the applicable Commitments being increased for all lenders under such Commitments, but additional upfront or similar fees may be payable to the lenders participating in such Incremental Commitments without any requirement to pay such amounts to any existing Lenders).

 

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(f) Incremental Amendment. Commitments in respect of Incremental Commitments shall become additional Commitments pursuant to an amendment (an “Incremental Amendment”) to this Credit Agreement and, as appropriate, the other Loan Documents, executed by the Loan Parties, each Incremental Lender providing such Commitments, the Administrative Agent and each Issuing Lender. The Incremental Amendment may, without the consent of any other Loan Party, the Administrative Agent or any Lender, effect such amendments to this Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents as may be necessary or appropriate, in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers, (i) to effect the implementation of the applicable Incremental Commitments and Incremental Loans pursuant to the provisions of this Section 2.14 and (ii) to modify the terms or conditions applicable to Loans outstanding prior to the effectiveness of such Incremental Amendment to the extent reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent and Whirlpool to be beneficial to all of the existing Lenders relative to such terms or conditions as in effect prior to the effectiveness of such Incremental Amendment. The Borrowers will use the proceeds of the Incremental Commitments for any purpose not prohibited by this Credit Agreement.

(g) Reallocation of Revolving Credit Exposure. Upon any Incremental Facility Closing Date on which Incremental Commitments are effected pursuant to this Section 2.14, (a) each of the existing Lenders shall assign to each of the Incremental Lenders, and each of the Incremental Lenders shall purchase from each of the existing Lenders, at the principal amount thereof, such interests in the Incremental Loans outstanding on such Incremental Facility Closing Date as shall be necessary in order that, after giving effect to all such assignments and purchases, such Loans will be held by existing Lenders and Incremental Lenders ratably in accordance with their Commitments after giving effect to the addition of such Incremental Commitments to the existing Commitments, (b) each Incremental Commitment shall be deemed for all purposes a Commitment and each Loan made thereunder shall be deemed, for all purposes, a Loan and (c) each Incremental Lender shall become a Lender with respect to the Incremental Commitments and all matters relating thereto. The Administrative Agent and the Lenders hereby agree that the minimum borrowing and prepayment requirements in Section 2.03 and 2.08(b)(i) of this Credit Agreement shall not apply to the transactions effected pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence.

(h) This Section 2.14 shall supersede any provisions in Section 9.03 or Section 12.02 to the contrary.

Section 2.15 Protective Advances.

(a) Subject to the limitations set forth below, the Administrative Agent is authorized by Whirlpool and the Lenders, from time to time in the Administrative Agent’s Permitted Discretion (but shall have absolutely no obligation to), to make Loans to a Borrower, on behalf of all Lenders, which the Administrative Agent, in its Permitted Discretion, deems necessary or desirable (i) to preserve or protect the Collateral, or any portion thereof, (ii) to enhance the likelihood of, or maximize the amount of, repayment of the Loans and other Obligations, or (iii) to pay any other amount chargeable to or required to be paid by such Borrower pursuant to the terms of this Credit Agreement, including payments of reimbursable expenses (including costs, fees, and expenses as described in Section 10.06) and other sums payable under the Loan Documents (any of such Loans are herein referred to as “Protective Advances”); provided that, as of the date of the making of any Protective Advance, the aggregate amount of outstanding Protective Advances shall not exceed 10% of the Commitments outstanding as of such date; provided further that the Total Revolving Extensions of Credit outstanding any time shall not exceed the Aggregate Commitments. Protective Advances may be made even if the conditions precedent set forth in Section 5.03 have not been satisfied. The Protective Advances shall be secured by the Liens in favor of the Administrative Agent in and to the Collateral and shall constitute Obligations hereunder. All Protective Advances shall be Dollar-denominated or Canadian Dollar-denominated Floating Rate Loans. The Administrative Agent’s authorization to make Protective Advances may be revoked at any time by the Required Lenders. Any such revocation must be in writing and shall become effective prospectively upon

 

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the Administrative Agent’s receipt thereof. At any time (a) the amount equal to (i) the Line Cap minus (ii) the Total Revolving Extensions of Credit then outstanding (calculated, with respect to any Defaulting Lender, as if such Defaulting Lender had funded its Ratable Share of all outstanding Loans) exceeds the amount of any Protective Advance and (b) the conditions precedent set forth in Section 5.03 have been satisfied, the Administrative Agent may request the Lenders to make a Loan to repay a Protective Advance. At any other time the Administrative Agent may require the Lenders to fund their risk participations described in Section 2.15(b).

(b) Upon the making of a Protective Advance by the Administrative Agent (whether before or after the occurrence of an Unmatured Default), each Lender shall be deemed, without further action by any party hereto, to have unconditionally and irrevocably purchased from the Administrative Agent, without recourse or warranty, an undivided interest and participation in such Protective Advance in proportion to its Ratable Share. From and after the date, if any, on which any Lender is required to fund its participation in any Protective Advance purchased hereunder, the Administrative Agent shall promptly distribute to such Lender such Lender’s Ratable Share of all payments of principal and interest and all proceeds of Collateral received by the Administrative Agent in respect of such Protective Advance (appropriately adjusted, in the case of interest payments, to reflect the period of time during which such Lender’s participating interest was outstanding and funded and, in the case of principal and interest payments, to reflect such Lender’s pro rata portion of such payment if such payment is not sufficient to pay the principal of and interest on all Protective Advances then due).

ARTICLE 3.

CHANGE IN CIRCUMSTANCES

Section 3.01 Taxes.

(a) Payments to be Free and Clear. Except as otherwise provided in Section 3.01(b) and Section 3.01(c), all sums payable by each Loan Party under the Loan Documents, whether in respect of principal, interest, fees or otherwise, shall be paid without deduction for any present and future taxes, levies, imposts, deductions, charges or withholdings imposed by any government or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof (but excluding franchise taxes and any tax imposed on or measured by the net income, receipts, profits or gains) and all interest, penalties or similar liabilities with respect thereto (collectively, “Taxes”), which amounts shall be paid by the applicable Loan Party as provided in Section 3.01(b) below.

(b) Grossing-up of Payments. Except as otherwise provided in Section 3.01(c), if any Loan Party or any other Person is required by law to make any deduction or withholding on account of any Taxes from any sum paid or expressed to be payable by such Loan Party to any Lender under this Credit Agreement:

(A) the applicable party shall notify the Administrative Agent and, if such party is not the applicable Loan Party, the Administrative Agent will notify the applicable Loan Party of any such requirement or any change in any such requirement as soon as such party becomes aware of it;

(B) the applicable Loan Party shall be entitled to make such deduction or withholding and shall pay all Taxes before the date on which penalties attached thereto become due and payable, such payment to be made (if the liability to pay is imposed on such Loan Party) for its own account or (if that liability is imposed on any other party to this Credit Agreement) on behalf of and in the name of that party;

 

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(C) the sum payable by the applicable Loan Party in respect of which the relevant deduction, withholding or payment is required shall (except, in the case of any such payment, to the extent that the amount thereof is not ascertainable when that sum is paid) be increased to the extent necessary to ensure that, after the making of that deduction, withholding or payment, that party receives on the due date and retains (free from any liability in respect of any such deduction, withholding or payment of Taxes) a sum equal to that which it would have received and so retained had no such deduction, withholding or payment of Taxes been required or made; and

(D) within thirty days after payment of any sum from which the applicable Loan Party is required by law to make any deduction or withholding of Taxes, and within thirty days after the due date of payment of any Tax or other amount which it is required to pay pursuant to the foregoing subsection (B) of this Section 3.01(b), the applicable Loan Party shall, to the extent it is legally entitled to do so, deliver to the Administrative Agent all such certified documents and other evidence as to the making of such deduction, withholding or payment (x) as are reasonably satisfactory to the affected parties as proof of such deduction, withholding or payment and of the remittance thereof to the relevant taxing or other authority, and (y) to the extent commercially reasonable, as are required by any such party to enable it to claim a tax credit with respect to such deduction, withholding or payment.

(c) Conditions to Gross-up. Notwithstanding any provision of this Section 3.01 to the contrary, no Loan Party shall have any obligation to pay any Taxes pursuant to this Section 3.01, or to pay any additional amounts to the Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Issuing Lender pursuant to Section 3.01(b), to the extent that they are, or result from, (i) Taxes imposed on or measured by net income (however denominated), franchise Taxes, and branch profits Taxes, in each case, (A) imposed as a result of such recipient being organized under the laws of, or having its principal office or, in the case of any Lender, its applicable lending office located in, the jurisdiction imposing such Tax (or any political subdivision thereof) or (B) Taxes imposed as a result of a present or former connection between such recipient and the jurisdiction imposing such Tax, (ii) United States withholding taxes imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of such Lender with respect to an applicable interest in a Loan or Commitment pursuant to a law in effect on the date on which (A) such Lender acquires such interest in the Loan or Commitment (other than pursuant to an assignment request by the Loan Parties under Section 3.06) or (B) such Lender changes its lending office (other than pursuant to Section 3.06), except in each case to the extent that, pursuant to Section 3.01(b), amounts with respect to such Taxes were payable either to such Lender’s assignor immediately before such Lender became a party hereto or to such Lender immediately before it changed its lending office, (iii) Taxes attributable to the failure of any Lender, any Issuing Lender or the Administrative Agent (a “Recipient”) to comply with its obligations pursuant to Section 2.08(l) or Section 13.05, (iv) any Taxes imposed under FATCA and (v) any Canadian withholding Taxes that are required to be deducted or withheld on or in respect of any payment (or deemed payment under the Canadian Tax Act), to or for the benefit of any Recipient, as a result of (i) such Recipient not dealing at arm’s length (for purposes of the Canadian Tax Act) with a Loan Party, (ii) such Recipient being a “specified non-resident shareholder” (as defined in subsection 18(5) of the Canadian Tax Act) of a Loan Party or not dealing at arm’s length (for purposes of the Canadian Tax Act) with a “specified shareholder” (as defined in subsection 18(5) of the Canadian Tax Act) of a Loan Party, or (iii) a Loan Party being a “specified entity” (as defined in subsection 18.4(1) of the Canadian Tax Act) in respect of such Recipient, other than, in the case of (v)(i) through (v)(iii), where (x) the non-arm’s length relationship, (y) the Recipient being a “specified non-resident shareholder” of a Loan Party or not dealing at arm’s length with a “specified shareholder” of a Loan Party, or (z) a Loan Party being a “specified entity” in respect of such Recipient, as applicable, arises as a result of such Recipient executing, delivering, being a party to, engaging in any transactions pursuant to, performing its obligations under, receiving payments under, receiving or perfecting a security interest under, or enforcing, this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

 

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(d) Refunds. If any Lender determines, in its sole discretion exercised in good faith, that it had received a refund in respect of Taxes paid by any Loan Party, it shall promptly pay such refund, together with any other amounts paid by such Loan Party pursuant to Section 3.01 in connection with such refunded Taxes, to such Loan Party, provided that such Loan Party agrees to promptly return such refund to the applicable Lender after it receives notice from the applicable Lender that the applicable Lender is required by law to repay refund to the relevant Tax authority. Nothing in this Section shall be deemed to require any Lender to disclose confidential tax information. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this paragraph (d), in no event will the indemnified party be required to pay any amount to an indemnifying party pursuant to this paragraph (d) 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.

(e) Indemnification by Loan Parties. Each Loan Party shall, severally with respect to such Loan Party’s Loans, indemnify each Lender and the Administrative Agent, as applicable, for the full amount of Taxes (including any Taxes imposed by any jurisdiction on amounts payable under this Section 3.01), but excluding any Taxes described in Section 3.01(c), imposed on or paid by such Lender or the Administrative Agent in respect of sums payable under this Credit Agreement (as the case may be) and any liability (including penalties, interest and expenses) arising therefrom or with respect thereto provided that if such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, fails to file notice to such Loan Party of the imposition of such Taxes within 120 days following the receipt of actual written notice of the imposition of such Taxes, there will be no obligation for such Loan Party to pay interest or penalties attributable to the period beginning after such 120th day and ending 7 days after such Loan Party receives notice from such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be. This indemnification shall be made within 30 days from the date such Lender or the Administrative Agent (as the case may be) makes written demand therefor.

(f) FATCA Treatment of Amendment and Restatement. For purposes of determining withholding Taxes imposed under FATCA, from and after the effective date of this Credit Agreement, the Loan Parties and the Administrative Agent shall treat (and the Lenders hereby authorize the Administrative Agent to treat) this Credit Agreement as not qualifying as a “grandfathered obligation” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.1471-2(b)(2)(i).

Section 3.02 Increased Costs.

If, at any time after the date of this Credit Agreement, the adoption of any applicable law or the application of any applicable governmental or quasi-governmental rule, regulation policy, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law), or any Change (as defined in Section 3.03 below) therein, or any change in the interpretation or administration thereof, or the compliance of any Lender therewith,

(i) imposes or increases or deems applicable any reserve, assessment, insurance charge, special deposit or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended by, any Lender or any applicable Lending Installation,

(ii) imposes any other condition (excluding Taxes), or

 

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(iii) subjects a Lender to any Taxes (other than (I) Taxes for which a Borrower is required to pay additional amounts or indemnify the Lender under Section 3.01(b) or 3.01(e) or (II) Taxes described in Section 3.01(c)) on its loans, loan principal, letters of credit, commitments, or other obligations, or its deposits, reserves, other liabilities or capital attributable thereto, and the result of which is to increase the cost to any Lender or any applicable Lending Installation of making, funding or maintaining Term Benchmark Loans or Sterling-denominated Floating Rate Loans or Letters of Credit or reduces any amount receivable by any Lender or any applicable Lending Installation in connection with Term Benchmark Loans or Sterling-denominated Floating Rate Loans or Letters of Credit, or requires any Lender or any applicable Lending Installation to make any payment calculated by reference to the amount of Term Benchmark Loans or Sterling-denominated Floating Rate Loans held or interest received by it, by an amount deemed material by such Lender,

then, within 30 days of demand by such Lender, the applicable Borrower or Whirlpool shall pay such Lender that portion of such increased expense incurred or reduction in an amount received which such Lender determines is attributable to making, funding and maintaining its Term Benchmark Loans or Sterling-denominated Floating Rate Loans or Letters of Credit and its Commitment to make Term Benchmark Loans or Sterling-denominated Floating Rate Loans or issue or participate in Letters of Credit, which determination shall be made in good faith and substantially consistent with similarly situated customers of such Person under agreements having provisions similar to this Section 3.02 after consideration of such factors as such Person then reasonably determines to be relevant; provided, however, that any amount payable pursuant to this Section 3.02 shall be limited to the amount incurred from and after the date one hundred fifty days prior to the date that such Lender makes such demand, provided that if such change in or in the interpretation of any law or regulation giving rise to such increased cost is retroactive, then the 150-day period referred to in the preceding proviso shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof; and provided, further, that any amount payable pursuant to this Section 3.02 shall be paid by the applicable Borrower to the extent that such amount is reasonably allocable to such Borrower and the Advances made to it and shall otherwise be payable by Whirlpool.

Section 3.03 Changes in Capital Adequacy Regulations.

If a Lender determines that the amount of capital or liquidity required or expected to be maintained by such Lender, any Lending Installation of such Lender or any corporation controlling such Lender in connection with this Credit Agreement, its Loans, its Letters of Credit or its obligation to make Loans or to issue or participate in Letters of Credit hereunder, is increased as a result of a Change (as hereafter defined), then, within 30 days of demand by such Lender (with a copy of such demand to the Administrative Agent), the applicable Borrower or Whirlpool shall pay such Lender the amount which such Lender reasonably determines is necessary to compensate it for any shortfall in the rate of return on the portion of such increased capital which such Lender determines is attributable to this Credit Agreement, its Loans, its Letters of Credit or its obligation to make Loans or issue Letters of Credit hereunder (after taking into account such Lender’s policies as to capital adequacy or liquidity), which determination shall be made in good faith and substantially consistent with similarly situated customers of such Person under agreements having provisions similar to this Section 3.03 after consideration of such factors as such Person then reasonably determines to be relevant; provided, however, that any amount payable pursuant to this Section 3.03 shall be limited to the amount incurred from and after the date one hundred fifty days prior to the date that such Lender makes such demand; provided further, that if such change in or in the interpretation of any law or regulation giving rise to such increased capital or liquidity is retroactive, then the 150-day period referred to in the preceding proviso shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof; and provided, further, that any amount payable pursuant to this Section 3.02 shall be paid by the applicable Borrower to the extent that such amount is reasonably allocable to such Borrower and the Advances made to it and shall otherwise be payable by Whirlpool. “Change” means (i) any change after the date of this Credit Agreement in the Risk-Based Capital Guidelines (as hereafter defined), or (ii) any adoption of or change in any other law, governmental or quasi-governmental rule, regulation, policy,

 

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guideline, interpretation, or directive (whether or not having the force of law) after the date of this Credit Agreement which affects the amount of capital or liquidity required or expected to be maintained by any Lender or any Lending Installation or any corporation controlling any Lender, provided that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (x) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines or directives thereunder or issued in connection therewith and (y) 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”, regardless of the date enacted, adopted or issued. “Risk-Based Capital Guidelines” means (x) the risk-based capital guidelines in effect in the United States on the date of this Credit Agreement, including transition rules, and (y) the corresponding capital regulations promulgated by regulatory authorities outside the United States in effect on the date of this Credit Agreement, including transition rules.

Section 3.04 Availability of Types and Currencies.

(a) Subject to clauses (b), (c), (d), (e), (f) and (g) of this Section 3.04, if:

(i) the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) (A) prior to the commencement of any Interest Period for a Term Benchmark Advance, that adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the Term SOFR Rate, the EURIBOR Rate or the Term CORRA Rate (including because the Applicable Screen Rate is not available or published on a current basis), for the applicable Agreed Currency and such Interest Period or (B) at any time, that adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining SONIA; or

(ii) the Administrative Agent is advised by the Required Lenders that (A) prior to the commencement of any Interest Period for a Term Benchmark Advance, the Term SOFR Rate, the EURIBOR Rate or the Term CORRA Rate for the applicable Agreed Currency and such Interest Period will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders (or Lender) of making or maintaining their Loans (or its Loan) included in such Advance for the applicable Agreed Currency and such Interest Period or (B) at any time, SONIA will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders (or Lender) of making or maintaining their Loans (or its Loan) denominated in Sterling;

then the Administrative Agent shall give notice thereof to the Borrowers and the Lenders by telephone, telecopy or electronic mail as promptly as practicable thereafter and, until (x) the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrowers and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist with respect to the relevant Benchmark and (y) a Borrower delivers a new Continuation/Conversion Notice or Foreign Currency Continuation/Conversion Notice (each, an “Interest Election Request”) in accordance with the terms of Section 2.03(f) or (g) or a new Borrowing Notice in accordance with the terms of Section 2.03(e), (A) for Loans denominated in Dollars, any Interest Election Request that requests the conversion of any Advance to, or continuation of any Advance as, a Term Benchmark Advance and any Borrowing Notice that requests a Term Benchmark Advance shall instead be deemed to be an Interest Election Request or a Borrowing Notice, as applicable, for a Floating Rate Advance denominated in Dollars, (B) for Loans denominated in euro or Sterling, any Interest Election Request that requests the continuation of any Advance as, a Term Benchmark Advance and any Borrowing Notice that requests a Term Benchmark Advance or SONIA Advance, in each case, for the relevant Benchmark, shall be ineffective and (C) for Loans denominated in Canadian Dollars, any Interest Election Request that requests the conversion of any Advance to, or continuation of any Advance as, a Term Benchmark Advance and any Borrowing notice that requests a Term Benchmark Advance shall instead be deemed to be an Interest Election Request or a Borrowing Notice, as applicable, for Floating Rate Advance denominated in Canadian Dollars; provided that if the circumstances giving rise to such notice affect only one Type of Advances, then all other Types of Advances shall be permitted.

 

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Furthermore, if any Term Benchmark Loan or Floating Rate Loan denominated in Sterling is outstanding on the date of the Borrowers’ receipt of the notice from the Administrative Agent referred to in this Section 3.04(a) with respect to a Relevant Rate applicable to such Loan, then until (x) the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrowers and the Lenders that the circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist with respect to the relevant Benchmark and (y) the applicable Borrower delivers a new Interest Election Request in accordance with the terms of Section 2.03(f) or (g) or a new Borrowing Notice in accordance with the terms of Section 2.03(e), (A) for Loans denominated in Dollars, any Term Benchmark Loan shall on the last day of the Interest Period applicable to such Loan (or the next succeeding Business Day if such day is not a Business Day), be converted by the Administrative Agent to, and shall constitute, a Floating Rate Loan denominated in Dollars, (B) for Loans denominated in Canadian Dollars, any Term Benchmark Loan shall on the last day of the Interest Period applicable to such Loan (or the next succeeding Business Day if such day is not a Business Day), be converted by the Administrative Agent to, and shall constitute, a Floating Rate Loan denominated in Canadian Dollars and (C) for Loans denominated in euro or Sterling, (1) any Term Benchmark Loan shall, on the last day of the Interest Period applicable to such Loan (or the next succeeding Business Day if such day is not a Business Day) bear interest at the Central Bank Rate for euro plus the Term Benchmark Margin; provided that, if the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) that the Central Bank Rate for euro cannot be determined, any outstanding affected Term Benchmark Loans denominated in euro shall, at the applicable Borrower’s election prior to such day: (A) be prepaid by such Borrower on such day or (B) solely for the purpose of calculating the interest rate applicable to such Term Benchmark Loan, such Term Benchmark Loan denominated in euro shall be deemed to be a Term Benchmark Loan denominated in Dollars and shall accrue interest at the same interest rate applicable to Term Benchmark Loans denominated in Dollars at such time and (2) any Floating Rate Loan denominated in Sterling shall bear interest at the Central Bank Rate for Sterling plus the Daily Simple SONIA Margin; provided that, if the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) that the Central Bank Rate for Sterling cannot be determined, any outstanding affected Floating Rate Loans denominated in Sterling at the applicable Borrower’s election, shall either (A) be converted into Floating Rate Loans denominated in Dollars (in an amount equal to the Dollar Amount of Sterling) immediately or (B) be prepaid in full immediately.

(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, if a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred prior to the Reference Time in respect of any setting of the then-current Benchmark, then (x) if a Benchmark Replacement is determined in accordance with clause (1) of the definition of “Benchmark Replacement” with respect to Dollars for such Benchmark Replacement Date, such Benchmark Replacement will replace such Benchmark (including any related adjustments) for all purposes hereunder in respect of such Benchmark setting and subsequent Benchmark settings without any amendment to, or further action or consent of any other party to, this Credit Agreement and (y) if a Benchmark Replacement is determined in accordance with clause (2) of the definition of “Benchmark Replacement” with respect to any Agreed Currency for such Benchmark Replacement Date, such Benchmark Replacement will replace such Benchmark (including any related adjustments) for all purposes hereunder in respect of any Benchmark setting at or after 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on the fifth (5th) Business Day after the date notice of such Benchmark Replacement is provided to the Lenders without any amendment to, or further action or consent of any other party to, this Credit Agreement so long as the Administrative Agent has not received, by such time, written notice of objection to such Benchmark Replacement from Lenders comprising the Required Lenders.

 

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(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, the Administrative Agent will have the right to make Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes from time to time and, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, any amendments implementing such Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes will become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to this Credit Agreement.

(d) The Administrative Agent will promptly notify the Borrowers and the Lenders of (i) any occurrence of a Benchmark Transition Event, (ii) the implementation of any Benchmark Replacement, (iii) the effectiveness of any Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes, (iv) the removal or reinstatement of any tenor of a Benchmark pursuant to clause (f) below and (v) the commencement or conclusion of any Benchmark Unavailability Period. Any determination, decision or election that may be made by the Administrative Agent or, if applicable, any Lender (or group of Lenders) pursuant to this Section 3.04, including any determination with respect to a tenor, rate or adjustment or of the occurrence or non-occurrence of an event, circumstance or date and any decision to take or refrain from taking any action or any selection, will be conclusive and binding absent manifest error and may be made in its or their sole discretion and without consent from any other party to this Credit Agreement, except, in each case, as expressly required pursuant to this Section 3.04.

(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, at any time (including in connection with the implementation of a Benchmark Replacement), (i) if the then-current Benchmark is a term rate (including the Term SOFR Rate, the EURIBOR Rate or the Term CORRA Rate ) and either (A) any tenor for such Benchmark is not displayed on a screen or other information service that publishes such rate from time to time as selected by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion or (B) the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of such Benchmark has provided a public statement or publication of information announcing that any tenor for such Benchmark is or will be no longer representative, then the Administrative Agent may modify the definition of “Interest Period” for any Benchmark settings at or after such time to remove such unavailable or non-representative tenor and (ii) if a tenor that was removed pursuant to clause (i) above either (A) is subsequently displayed on a screen or information service for a Benchmark (including a Benchmark Replacement) or (B) is not, or is no longer, subject to an announcement that it is or will no longer be representative for a Benchmark (including a Benchmark Replacement), then the Administrative Agent may modify the definition of “Interest Period” for all Benchmark settings at or after such time to reinstate such previously removed tenor.

(f) Upon the Borrowers’ receipt of notice of the commencement of a Benchmark Unavailability Period, the Borrowers may revoke any request for a Term Benchmark Advance or Floating Rate Advance of, conversion to or continuation of Term Benchmark Loans to be made, converted or continued during any Benchmark Unavailability Period and, failing that, either (x) the applicable Borrower will be deemed to have converted any request for (A) a Term Benchmark Advance denominated in Dollars into a request for an Advance of or conversion to a Floating Rate Advance denominated in Dollars or (B) a Term Benchmark Advance denominated in Canadian Dollars into a request for an Advance of or conversion to a Floating Rate Advance denominated in Canadian Dollars or (y) any Borrowing Notice for a Term Benchmark Advance denominated in euro or any SONIA Advance, and any Foreign Currency Continuation/Conversion Notice (other than with respect to Loans denominated in Canadian Dollars), shall be ineffective. During any Benchmark Unavailability Period or at any time that a tenor for the then-current Benchmark is not an Available Tenor, the component of Alternate Base Rate or the Canadian Prime Rate, as applicable based upon the then-current Benchmark or such tenor for such Benchmark, as applicable, will not be used in any determination of Alternate Base Rate and Canadian Prime Rate, as applicable. Furthermore, if any Term Benchmark Loan or Floating Rate Loan denominated in Sterling is outstanding on the date of the Borrowers’ receipt of notice of the commencement of a Benchmark Unavailability Period with respect to a Relevant Rate applicable to such Loan, then until such time as a Benchmark Replacement for the applicable Agreed Currency is implemented pursuant to this Section 3.04, (A) for Loans

 

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denominated in Dollars, any Term Benchmark Loan shall on the last day of the Interest Period applicable to such Loan (or the next succeeding Business Day if such day is not a Business Day), be converted by the Administrative Agent to, and shall constitute a Floating Rate Loan denominated in Dollars on such day, (B) for Loans denominated in Canadian Dollars, any Term Benchmark Loan shall on the last day of the Interest Period applicable to such Loan (or the next succeeding Business Day if such day is not a Business Day), be converted by the Administrative Agent to, and shall constitute a Floating Rate Loan denominated in Canadian Dollars on such day or (C) for Loans denominated in euro or Sterling, (1) any Term Benchmark Loan shall, on the last day of the Interest Period applicable to such Loan (or the next succeeding Business Day if such day is not a Business Day) bear interest at the Central Bank Rate for euro plus the Term Benchmark Margin; provided that, if the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) that the Central Bank Rate for euro cannot be determined, any outstanding affected Term Benchmark Loans denominated in euro shall, at the applicable Borrower’s election prior to such day: (A) be prepaid by such Borrower on such day or (B) solely for the purpose of calculating the interest rate applicable to such Term Benchmark Loan, such Term Benchmark Loan denominated in euro shall be deemed to be a Term Benchmark Loan denominated in Dollars and shall accrue interest at the same interest rate applicable to Term Benchmark Loans denominated in Dollars at such time and (2) any Floating Rate Loan denominated in Sterling shall bear interest at the Central Bank Rate for Sterling plus the Daily Simple SONIA Margin; provided that, if the Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive and binding absent manifest error) that the Central Bank Rate for Sterling cannot be determined, any outstanding affected Floating Rate Loans denominated in Sterling at the applicable Borrower’s election, shall either (A) be converted into Floating Rate Loans denominated in Dollars (in an amount equal to the Dollar Amount of such Loan) immediately or (B) be prepaid in full immediately.

(g) Illegality. If any Lender determines that maintenance at a suitable Lending Installation of any Type of its Term Benchmark Loans, Floating Rate Loans denominated in Sterling or any Letter of Credit denominated in any Agreed Currency would violate any applicable law, rule, regulation or directive, whether or not having the force of law, and notifies the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent of such determination, then, subject to Section 3.06, the affected currency shall cease to be an Agreed Currency and the Administrative Agent shall suspend the availability of the affected Type and currency of Advance and Letters of Credit and, if such Lender determines that it is necessary, require that any such Loan of the affected Type and currency be repaid or any Letters of Credit denominated in the affected currency be cash collateralized; provided, that if each Lender that shall have delivered the foregoing notice (x) determines that the circumstances causing such illegality have ceased to exist and that maintenance at a suitable Lending Installation of its Term Benchmark Loans denominated in euro or its Floating Rate Loans denominated in Sterling would no longer violate any applicable law, rule, regulation or directive, whether or not having the force of law, and notifies the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent of such determination, or (y) shall be replaced pursuant to Section 3.06 or shall otherwise cease to be a Lender with a Commitment hereunder, then such currency shall again be an Agreed Currency and the affected Type and currency of Advance shall again be available.

Section 3.05 Funding Indemnification.

In the event of (a) the payment of any principal of any Term Benchmark Loan other than on the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto (including as a result of a Default), (b) the conversion of any Term Benchmark Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, (c) the failure to borrow, convert, continue or prepay any Term Benchmark Loan on the date specified in any notice delivered pursuant hereto (regardless of whether such notice may be revoked under Section 2.08(b)(i) and is revoked in accordance therewith), (d) the assignment of any Term Benchmark Loan other than on the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto as a result of a request by Whirlpool pursuant to Section 3.06 or (e) the failure to borrow or prepay any Sterling-denominated Floating Rate Loan on the date

 

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specified in any notice delivered pursuant hereto (regardless of whether such notice may be revoked under Section 2.08(b)(i) and is revoked in accordance therewith), then, in any such event, the applicable Borrower shall compensate each Lender for the loss, cost and expense attributable to such event. A certificate of any Lender setting forth any amount or amounts that such Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section shall be delivered to the applicable Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The applicable Borrower shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 30 days after receipt thereof.

Section 3.06 Mitigation of Additional Costs or Adverse Circumstances; Replacement of Lenders.

If, in respect of any Lender, circumstances arise which would or would upon the giving of notice result in:

(i) an increase in the liability of a Borrower to such Lender under Section 3.01, 3.02 or 3.03;

(ii) the unavailability of a Type or currency of Advance under Section 3.04(a); or

(iii) a Lender being unable to deliver the forms required by Section 2.08(l);

then, without in any way limiting, reducing or otherwise qualifying the applicable Borrower’s obligations under any of the Sections referred to above in this Section 3.06, such Lender shall promptly upon becoming aware of the same notify the Administrative Agent thereof and shall, in consultation with the Administrative Agent and Whirlpool and to the extent that it can do so without disadvantaging itself, take such reasonable steps as may be reasonably open to it to mitigate the effects of such circumstances (including, without limitation, the designation of an alternate Lending Installation or the transfer of its Loans to another Lending Installation). If and so long as a Lender has been unable to take, or has not taken, steps acceptable to Whirlpool to mitigate the effect of the circumstances in question, or if any Lender is a Defaulting Lender, a Non-Consenting Lender or a Protesting Lender or shall have objected to the designation of any Additional Borrowing Subsidiary, such Lender shall be obliged, at the request and expense of Whirlpool, to assign all its rights and obligations hereunder to another Lender (or an Affiliate of another Lender) or any other Person nominated by Whirlpool with the approval of the Administrative Agent and each Issuing Lender (each of which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) and willing to participate in the facility in place of such Lender; provided that (i) all obligations owed to such assigning Lender (including, if such Lender is an Issuing Lender, the cancellation or replacement of or other accommodation with respect to outstanding Letters of Credit in a manner satisfactory to it) shall be paid in full and (ii) such Person satisfies all of the requirements of this Credit Agreement including, but not limited to, providing the forms required by Sections 2.08(l) and 13.03(b). Notwithstanding any such assignment, the obligations of the Borrowers under Sections 3.01, 3.02, 3.03 and 10.06 shall survive any such assignment and be enforceable by such Lender.

Section 3.07 Lender Statements; Survival of Indemnity.

Each Lender shall deliver to the applicable Borrower and Whirlpool a written statement of such Lender as to the amount due, if any, under Section 3.01, 3.02, 3.03 or 3.05. Such written statement shall set forth in reasonable detail the calculations upon which such Lender determined such amount and shall be final, conclusive and binding on the applicable Borrower in the absence of manifest error. Unless otherwise provided herein, the amount specified in the written statement shall be payable within 30 days after receipt by the applicable Borrower and Whirlpool of the written statement. The obligations of any Borrower under Sections 3.01, 3.02, 3.03 or 3.05 shall survive payment of any other of such Borrower’s Obligations and the termination of this Credit Agreement.

 

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ARTICLE 4.

GUARANTY

Section 4.01 Guaranty.

For valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, and to induce the Lenders to make Loans and issue or participate in Letters of Credit, and to induce each counterparty to a Secured Cash Management Agreement, Secured Hedge Agreement, Secured Pari Lease Agreement, Supply Chain Financing, Import/Export Financing or Bilateral Letter of Credit to enter into or issue, as applicable, such a Secured Cash Management Agreement, Secured Hedge Agreement, Secured Pari Lease Agreement, Supply Chain Financing, Import/Export Financing and Bilateral Letter of Credit, respectively, each Guarantor hereby irrevocably, absolutely and unconditionally guarantees, to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, prompt payment and performance when due, whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise, and at all times thereafter, of the Secured Obligations, and such Guarantor further agrees to pay any and all reasonable expenses (including, without limitation, all reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel) which may be paid or incurred by the Administrative Agent in enforcing, or obtaining advice of counsel in respect of, any of their rights under the guaranty contained in this Article 4 in accordance with Section 10.06; provided that references therein to Whirlpool shall be deemed references to each of the Guarantors for purposes hereof). Each Guarantor also agrees that all payments under this guaranty shall be made in the same currency and manner as provided herein for the Secured Obligations. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrative Agent, the other Secured Parties and the Guarantors hereby agree that the Obligations of each Guarantor under this Article 4 at any time shall be limited to the maximum amount as will result in such obligations of such Guarantor under this Article 4 not constituting a fraudulent transfer or conveyance for purposes of the Bankruptcy Code or any other federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law, including any Canadian Insolvency Law.

Each Guarantor agrees that whenever, at any time, or from time to time, it shall make any payment to any Secured Party on account of its liability under this Article 4, it will notify the Administrative Agent and such other Secured Party, as applicable, in writing that such payment is made under the guaranty contained in this Article 4 for such purpose. No payment or payments made by any Borrower or any other Person or received or collected by any Secured Party from such Borrower or any other Person by virtue of any action or proceeding or any setoff or appropriation or application, at any time or from time to time, in reduction of or in payment of the Secured Obligations shall be deemed to modify, reduce, release or otherwise affect the liability of such Guarantor under this Article 4 which, notwithstanding any such payment or payments, shall remain liable for the unpaid and outstanding Secured Obligations until, subject to Section 4.07, the Termination and Release Date.

Section 4.02 Waivers.

Each Guarantor waives notice of the acceptance of this guaranty and of the extension or continuation of the Secured Obligations or any part thereof. Each Guarantor further waives presentment, protest, notice of notices delivered or demand made on such Guarantor or any Borrower or action or delinquency in respect of the Secured Obligations or any part thereof, including any right to require the Administrative Agent and the Secured Parties to sue such Guarantor or any Borrower, any other Guarantor or any other Person obligated with respect to the Secured Obligations or any part thereof, or otherwise to enforce payment thereof against any collateral securing the Secured Obligations or any part thereof.

 

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Section 4.03 Guaranty Absolute.

This guaranty is a guaranty of payment and not of collection, it is a primary obligation of each Guarantor and not one of surety, and the validity and enforceability of this guaranty shall be absolute and unconditional irrespective of, and shall not be impaired or affected by, any of the following: (a) any extension, modification or renewal of, or indulgence with respect to, or substitutions for, the Secured Obligations or any part thereof or any agreement relating thereto at any time; (b) any failure or omission to enforce any right, power or remedy with respect to the Secured Obligations or any part thereof or any agreement relating thereto, or any collateral; (c) any waiver of any right, power or remedy or of any default with respect to the Secured Obligations or any part thereof or any agreement relating thereto, or any collateral; (d) any release, surrender, compromise, settlement, waiver, subordination or modification, with or without consideration, of any collateral, any other guaranties with respect to the Secured Obligations or any part thereof, or any other obligation of any Person with respect to the Secured Obligations or any part thereof; (e) the enforceability or validity of the Secured Obligations or any part thereof or the genuineness, enforceability or validity of any agreement relating thereto or with respect to any collateral; (f) the application of payments received from any source to the payment of obligations other than the Secured Obligations, any part thereof or amounts which are not covered by this guaranty even though the Administrative Agent and the Secured Parties might lawfully have elected to apply such payments to any part or all of the Secured Obligations or to amounts which are not covered by this guaranty; (g) any change in the ownership of any Borrower or the insolvency, bankruptcy or any other change in the legal status of any Borrower; (h) the change in or the imposition of any law, decree, regulation or other governmental act which does or might impair, delay or in any way affect the validity, enforceability or payment when due of the Secured Obligations; (i) the failure of any Borrower to maintain in full force, validity or effect or to obtain or renew when required all governmental and other approvals, licenses or consents required in connection with the Secured Obligations or this guaranty, or to take any other action required in connection with the performance of all obligations pursuant to the Secured Obligations or this guaranty; (j) the existence of any claim, setoff or other rights which any Guarantor may have at any time against any Borrower, or any other Person in connection herewith or an unrelated transaction; or (k) any other circumstances, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing, which could constitute a defense to a guarantor; all whether or not any Guarantor shall have had notice or knowledge of any act or omission referred to in the foregoing clauses (a) through (j) of this Section 4.03. It is agreed that each Guarantor’s liability hereunder is several and independent of any other guaranties or other obligations at any time in effect with respect to the Secured Obligations or any part thereof and that such Guarantor’s liability hereunder may be enforced regardless of the existence, validity, enforcement or non-enforcement of any such other guaranties or other obligations or any provision of any applicable law or regulation purporting to prohibit payment by any Borrower of the Secured Obligations in the manner agreed upon between such Borrower and the Administrative Agent and the Secured Parties.

Section 4.04 Continuing Guaranty.

The Lenders may make or continue Loans to and issue Letters of Credit for the account of any of the Borrowers from time to time and the Cash Management Banks, the Hedge Banks, the Lease Banks, the Supply Chain Finance Banks, the Import/Export Finance Banks and the Bilateral Letter of Credit Banks may continue to enter or issue, as applicable, into Cash Management Agreements, Swap Agreements, Synthetic Lease Agreements, Supply Chain Financings, Import/Export Financings and Bilateral Letters of Credit, respectively, without notice to or authorization from any Guarantor regardless of the financial or other condition of any Borrower at the time any Loan is made or continued, any Letter of Credit is issued or entered into, as applicable, or any Cash Management Agreement, Swap Agreement, Synthetic Lease Agreement, Supply Chain Financings, Import/Export Financings or Bilateral Letters of Credit entered into, and no Lender or Secured Party shall have any obligation to disclose or discuss with any Guarantor its assessment of the financial condition of any of the Borrowers. This guaranty shall continue in effect, notwithstanding any extensions, modifications, renewals or indulgences with respect to, or substitution for, the Secured Obligations or any part thereof, until the Termination and Release Date.

 

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Each Guarantor shall remain obligated under this Article 4 notwithstanding that, without any reservation of rights against such Guarantor, and without notice to or further assent by such Guarantor, any demand for payment of or reduction in the principal amount of any of the Secured Obligations made by any Secured Party may be rescinded by such Secured Party, as applicable, and any of the Secured Obligations continued, and the Secured Obligations, or the liability of any other party upon or for any part thereof, or any collateral security or guarantee therefor or right of offset with respect thereto, may, from time to time, in whole or in part, be renewed, extended, amended, modified, accelerated, compromised, waived, surrendered or released by such Secured Party, and this Credit Agreement and any other documents executed and delivered in connection herewith may be amended, modified, supplemented or terminated, in whole or in part, as the Lenders (or the Required Lenders, as the case may be) may deem advisable from time to time, and any collateral security, guarantee or right of offset at any time held by any Secured Party for the payment of the Secured Obligations may be sold, exchanged, waived, surrendered or released. No Secured Party shall have any obligation to protect, secure, perfect or insure any lien at any time held by it as security for the Secured Obligations or for the guaranty contained in this Article 4 or any property subject thereto.

Section 4.05 Delay of Subrogation.

Notwithstanding any payment made by any Guarantor pursuant to this Article 4 or any set-off or application of funds of such Guarantor by any Secured Party in connection with the guaranty contained in this Article 4, no Guarantor shall be entitled to be subrogated to any of the rights of any Secured Party against any Borrower or any collateral security or guarantee or right of offset held by any Secured Party for the payment of the Secured Obligations, nor shall any Guarantor seek or be entitled to seek any contribution or reimbursement from any Borrower in respect of payments made by such Guarantor under this Article 4, until the Termination and Release Date. If any amount shall be paid to any Guarantor on account of such subrogation rights at any time prior to the Termination and Release Date, such amount shall be held by such Guarantor in trust for the Secured Parties, segregated from other funds of such Guarantor, and shall, forthwith upon receipt by such Guarantor, be turned over to the Administrative Agent in the exact form received by such Guarantor (duly indorsed by such Guarantor to the Administrative Agent, if required), to be applied against the Secured Obligations, whether matured or unmatured, in such order as the Administrative Agent may determine.

Section 4.06 Acceleration.

Each Guarantor agrees that, as between such Guarantor on the one hand, and the Secured Parties and the Administrative Agent, on the other hand, the obligations of any Borrower guaranteed under this Article 4 may be declared to be forthwith due and payable, or may be deemed automatically to have been accelerated, as provided in Section 9.01 for purposes of this Article 4, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition (whether in a bankruptcy proceeding affecting such Borrower or otherwise) preventing such declaration as against such Borrower and that, in the event of such declaration or automatic acceleration, such obligations (whether or not due and payable by such Borrowing Subsidiary) shall forthwith become due and payable by such Guarantor for purposes of this Article 4.

Section 4.07 Reinstatement.

The obligations of each Guarantor under this Article 4 shall be automatically reinstated if and to the extent that for any reason any payment by or on behalf of any Person in respect of the Secured Obligations is rescinded or must be otherwise restored by any holder of any of the Secured Obligations, whether as a result of any proceedings in bankruptcy or reorganization or otherwise, and each Guarantor agrees that it will indemnify the Administrative Agent and each Lender on demand for all reasonable costs and expenses (including, without limitation, fees and expenses of counsel) incurred by the Administrative Agent or such Lender in connection with such rescission or restoration, including any such costs and expenses incurred in defending against any claim alleging that such payment constituted a preference, fraudulent transfer or similar payment under any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law.

 

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Section 4.08 Keepwell.

The Borrowers hereby absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably undertake to provide such funds or other support as may be needed from time to time by each Subsidiary Guarantor to honor all of its obligations under Article 4 in respect of Specified Swap Obligations (provided, however, that each Borrower shall only be liable under this Section 4.08 for the maximum amount of such liability that can be hereby incurred without rendering its obligations under this Section 4.08 voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer, and not for any greater amount). The Borrowers intend that this Section 4.08 constitute, and this Section 4.08 shall be deemed to constitute, a “keepwell, support, or other agreement” for the benefit of each Subsidiary Guarantor for all purposes of Section 1a(18)(A)(v)(II) of the Commodity Exchange Act.

ARTICLE 5.

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

Section 5.01 Effectiveness.

This Credit Agreement shall not be effective and no Lender shall be required to fund its portion of the initial Advance nor will any Issuing Lender be required to issue Letters of Credit hereunder to any Borrower which is an original signatory hereto (each, an “Original Borrower” and collectively, the “Original Borrowers”) until a date (the “Effective Date”) upon which following conditions have been satisfied (or waived in accordance with Section 9.03):

(a) The Original Borrowers have furnished or caused to be furnished to the Administrative Agent the following:

(i) a copy of the articles, certificate or charter of incorporation or similar document or documents of each Loan Party, certified by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary or other Authorized Representative of such Loan Party or by the appropriate governmental officer in the jurisdiction of incorporation or organization or other formation of such Loan Party within thirty days of the Effective Date;

(ii) a certificate of good standing, to the extent applicable, for each Loan Party from its jurisdiction of incorporation or organization dated within thirty days of the Effective Date;

(iii) a copy, certified as of the Effective Date by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary or other Authorized Representative of each Loan Party of its by-laws or similar governing document, to the extent applicable;

(iv) a copy, certified as of the Effective Date by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary or other Authorized Representative of each Loan Party, of the resolutions of its board of directors (and resolutions of other bodies, if any are reasonably deemed necessary by counsel for any Lender) authorizing the execution of this Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents to be executed by it;

 

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(v) an incumbency certificate, executed as of the Effective Date by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of each Loan Party, which shall identify by name and title and bear the signature of all Authorized Officers which shall be authorized to execute Loan Documents on behalf of such Loan Party, upon which certificate the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall be entitled to rely until informed of any change in writing by such Loan Party;

(vi) a certificate, signed by an Authorized Officer of Whirlpool stating that on the Effective Date the conditions specified in Sections 5.01(g) and (h) have been satisfied;

(vii) customary written opinions of (w) Mayer Brown LLP, United States counsel to Whirlpool and certain of the Loan Parties, (x) Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, Canadian counsel to Whirlpool and certain of the Loan Parties, (y) Stewart McKelvey, Nova Scotia counsel to Whirlpool and certain of the Loan Parties and (z) Scott Dorfman, Senior Counsel and Assistant Corporate Secretary of Whirlpool and internal counsel to the Loan Parties, dated the Effective Date and addressed to the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders;

(viii) a certificate, signed by an Authorized Officer stating that since December 31, 2025, except as disclosed in filings with the Securities Exchange Commission prior to the Effective Date, there has been no development or event relating to or affecting Whirlpool or any of its Subsidiaries that has had or could be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

(ix) The results of recent lien searches, including intellectual property lien searches, in each of the jurisdictions in which UCC or PPSA financing statements will be made or intellectual property security agreements will be filed, as applicable, to evidence or perfect security interests required to be evidenced or perfected;

(x) a Solvency Certificate;

(xi) a Perfection Certificate, together with all attachments contemplated thereby;

(xii) a Note executed by the applicable Borrower in favor of each Lender requesting a Note at least two (2) Business Days prior to the Effective Date;

(xiii) duly executed copies of the U.S. Collateral Agreement, the Canadian Collateral Agreement and the Belgian Collateral Document, together with (in each case, except as contemplated by Section 7.23):

(A) one or more intellectual property security agreements, duly executed and delivered by each Loan Party required to be party thereto pursuant to the U.S. Collateral Agreement and/or the Canadian Collateral Agreement; and

(B) UCC-1 or PPSA financing statements with respect to each Loan Party, in proper form for filing with the applicable Governmental Authority or evidence of such filing having been made;

(xiv) a copy of the Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, duly executed by the Administrative Agent, the Senior Secured Notes Agent and the Loan Parties;

(xv) certified copies of the Senior Secured Notes Documents, which shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, together with evidence that the transaction contemplated thereunder have been consummated in accordance with their terms; and

 

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(xvi) copies of the amendments to each of the Existing Synthetic Lease Agreements (which amendments permit the incurrence of Indebtedness under this Agreement and under the Senior Secured Notes), in each case, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

(b) The Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall have received duly executed counterparts of this Credit Agreement from each party hereto;

(c) The Lenders, the Arrangers, the Administrative Agent and their respective Affiliates shall have received all fees required to be paid, and all expenses relating to the negotiation, execution and delivery of this Credit Agreement and which are required to be paid to such parties pursuant to the terms hereof for which invoices have been presented by not later than the Business Day prior to the proposed Effective Date.

(d) All governmental and third party approvals necessary in connection with the financing contemplated hereby shall have been obtained and be in full force and effect.

(e) (i) The Lenders shall have received such documents and other information as may be required for “know your customer” or similar requirements to the extent requested at least ten days prior to the proposed Effective Date and (ii) to the extent any Loan Party qualifies as a “legal entity customer” under the Beneficial Ownership Regulation, at least five days prior to the Effective Date, any Lender that has requested, in a written notice to such Loan Party at least 10 days prior to the Effective Date, a Beneficial Ownership Certification in relation to such Loan Party shall have received such Beneficial Ownership Certification.

(f) All amounts under the Existing Long-Term Credit Agreement shall have been paid in full and any commitments thereunder terminated in full, including with the proceeds of Advances made hereunder on the Effective Date.

(g) No Unmatured Default or Default has occurred or is continuing as of the Effective Date, or will result from the proposed Advance on the Effective Date or from the application of proceeds thereof; and

(h) The representations and warranties contained in Article 6 shall be true and correct in all material respects (without duplication of any materiality qualifiers set forth therein) on and as of the Effective Date (except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date, in which case they shall be true and correct in all material respects (without duplication of any materiality qualifiers set forth therein) as of such earlier date).

(i) The Administrative Agent shall have received (i) a field examination conducted by the Administrative Agent or its designee of the Accounts and related working capital matters of Whirlpool and its Subsidiaries and of the related data processing and other systems of Whirlpool and its Subsidiaries, the results of which shall be satisfactory to the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion and (ii) appraisals of the Inventory and Intellectual Property of Whirlpool and its Subsidiaries from a firm (or firms) satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, which appraisals shall be satisfactory to the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion.

(j) The Administrative Agent shall have received a completed Borrowing Base Certificate, prepared as of April 30, 2026.

 

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(k) After giving effect to all extensions of credit to be made on the Effective Date, Availability on a pro forma basis shall be greater than or equal to 30% of the Line Cap.

Without limiting the generality of the provisions of Section 9.03, for purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in this Section 5.01, each Lender and Issuing Lender that has signed this Credit Agreement (and each such Lender’s or Issuing Lender’s Affiliates, successors and/or assigns) shall be deemed to have consented to, approved or accepted or to be satisfied with, each document or other matter required thereunder to be consented to or approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to a Lender and Issuing Lender unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from such Lender prior to the proposed Effective Date specifying its objection thereto.

Section 5.02 Initial Advance to Each Additional Borrowing Subsidiary.

No Lender shall be required to fund its portion of an Advance nor shall any Issuing Lender be required to issue Letters of Credit hereunder to an Additional Borrowing Subsidiary unless such Additional Borrowing Subsidiary has furnished or caused to be furnished:

(a) to the Administrative Agent the following:

(i) An Assumption Agreement executed and delivered by such Additional Borrowing Subsidiary and containing the written consent of Whirlpool at the foot thereof, as contemplated by Section 2.09;

(ii) A copy of the articles, certificate or charter of incorporation or other similar document of such Additional Borrowing Subsidiary, to the extent applicable in its jurisdiction of organization, certified (to the extent customary in the jurisdiction of such Additional Borrowing Subsidiary) by the appropriate governmental officer in the jurisdiction of incorporation of such Additional Borrowing Subsidiary within thirty days of the date of delivery;

(iii) A certificate of good standing, to the extent applicable, for such Additional Borrowing Subsidiary from its jurisdiction of incorporation dated within thirty days of the date of delivery;

(iv) A copy, certified as of the date of delivery by the Secretary or, the Assistant Secretary or an Authorized Representative of such Additional Borrowing Subsidiary, of its by-laws or similar document, as applicable and to the extent applicable in its jurisdiction of organization;

(v) A copy, certified as of the date of delivery by the Secretary, the Assistant Secretary or an Authorized Representative of such Additional Borrowing Subsidiary, of the resolutions of its board of directors (and resolutions of other bodies, if any are reasonably deemed necessary by counsel for any Lender) authorizing the execution of its Assumption Agreement and the other Loan Documents to be executed by it;

(vi) An incumbency certificate, executed as of the date of delivery by the Secretary, the Assistant Secretary or an Authorized Representative of such Additional Borrowing Subsidiary, which shall identify by name and title and bear the signature of the officers of such Additional Borrowing Subsidiary authorized to sign its Assumption Agreement and the other Loan Documents to be executed by such Additional Borrowing Subsidiary and to receive extensions of credit hereunder, upon which certificate the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall be entitled to rely until informed of any change in writing by such Additional Borrowing Subsidiary;

 

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(vii) Written opinions of counsel to such Additional Borrowing Subsidiary given upon the express instructions of each Additional Borrowing Subsidiary, each dated the date of delivery and addressed to the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;

(viii) Documentation and other evidence as is reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or any Lender at least five Business Days in advance of the initial Advance to or issuance of a Letter of Credit on behalf of such Additional Borrowing Subsidiary in order for the Administrative Agent or such Lender to carry out and be satisfied it has complied with the results of all necessary “know your customer” or other similar checks under all applicable laws and regulations; and

(b) to the extent such Additional Borrowing Subsidiary qualifies as a “legal entity customer” under the Beneficial Ownership Regulation, at least five days prior to the expected initial Advance to or issuance of a Letter of Credit for the account of such Additional Borrowing Subsidiary, any Lender that has requested, in a written notice to such Additional Borrowing Subsidiary at least 10 days prior to such date, a Beneficial Ownership Certification in relation to such Additional Borrowing Subsidiary shall have received such Beneficial Ownership Certification.

Section 5.03 Each Extension of Credit.

No Lender shall be required to fund its portion of any Advance (including, without limitation, the initial Advance hereunder, but excluding any Protective Advance) nor shall any Issuing Lender be required to issue any Letter of Credit, unless on the applicable Borrowing Date:

(i) Prior to and after giving effect to such Advance or issuance of such Letter of Credit there exists no Default or Unmatured Default;

(ii) The representations and warranties contained in Article 6 are true and correct in all material respects (without duplication of any materiality qualifiers set forth therein) on and as of such Borrowing Date or date of issuance of any Letter of Credit (except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date, in which case they are true and correct in all material respects (without duplication of any materiality qualifiers set forth therein) as of such earlier date); and

(iii) The applicable Borrower shall have delivered the applicable notices described in Section 2.03(e) or 2.04(b).

Each request for extension of credit hereunder (other than with respect to a Protective Advance) shall constitute a representation and warranty by the applicable Borrower that the conditions contained in Sections 5.03(i) and (ii) have been satisfied.

ARTICLE 6.

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

Each of the Borrowers represents and warrants to the Lenders that:

Section 6.01 Existence and Standing.

It and each of its Subsidiaries is duly incorporated or otherwise organized, validly existing and (to the extent applicable) in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation or organization or other formation and has all requisite authority to conduct its business in each jurisdiction in which its business is conducted, except in the case of its good standing (other than with respect to Whirlpool or any other Borrower) as would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

 

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Section 6.02 Authorization and Validity.

Each Loan Party has the power and authority and legal right to execute and deliver the Loan Documents to which it is a party and to perform its obligations thereunder. Each Loan Party’s execution and delivery of the Loan Documents to which it is a party and the performance of its obligations thereunder have been duly authorized by proper corporate or other proceedings, and the Loan Documents to which it is a party constitute its legal, valid and binding obligations enforceable against it in accordance with their terms, except as enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and the availability of equitable remedies for the enforcement of certain obligations (other than the payment of money) contained herein or therein may be limited by equitable principles generally and by principles of good faith and fair dealing.

Section 6.03 No Conflict; Government Consent.

The execution and delivery by each Loan Party of the Loan Documents to which it is a party, and the consummation of the transactions therein contemplated, and such Loan Party’s compliance with the provisions thereof will, in each case, not violate any law, rule, regulation, order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree or award binding on such Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries or the articles, certificate or charter of incorporation or by-laws or other organizational or constitutional documents of such Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries or the provisions of any indenture, instrument or agreement to which such Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or is subject, or by which such Loan Party or its Property is bound, or conflict with or constitute a default thereunder, or result in the creation or imposition of any Lien in, of or on the Property of it or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to the terms of any such indenture, instrument or agreement, in any such case which violation, conflict, default, creation or imposition has not had or could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, other than Liens granted to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties on the Effective Date or otherwise permitted pursuant to Section 7.10. The grant by any Loan Party of the Liens granted by it pursuant to the Collateral Documents or the perfection or maintenance of the Liens created under the Collateral Documents (including the priority thereof) do not require any consent or approval of, registration or filing with, or any other action by, any Governmental Authority, except in each case for filings and actions completed on or prior to the Effective Date and as contemplated hereby and by the Collateral Documents necessary to perfect or maintain the Liens on the Collateral granted by the Loan Parties in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties (including, without limitation, UCC and PPSA financing statements (including precautionary fixture filings, as necessary), filings in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the United States Copyright Office and the Canadian Intellectual Property Office); provided that fixture filings shall only be required with respect to Machinery and Equipment included in the Borrowing Base (other than any Specified M&E Assets). No order, consent, approval, license, authorization, or validation of, or filing, recording or registration with or exemption by, any governmental or public body or authority, or any subdivision thereof, is required to authorize, or is required in connection with, its execution, delivery and performance of, or the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability of, any of the Loan Documents to which any Loan Party is a party other than those the absence of which has not had or could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 6.04 Financial Statements.

The December 31, 2025 financial statements of Whirlpool and its Consolidated Subsidiaries were prepared in accordance with GAAP in effect on the date such statements were prepared and fairly present the financial condition of Whirlpool and its Consolidated Subsidiaries at such date and the results of their operations for the period then ended.

 

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Section 6.05 Material Adverse Change.

Except as disclosed in Whirlpool’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 or Form 8-K filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission made after February 11, 2026 but prior to the Effective Date, there has been no material adverse change since December 31, 2025 in the business, Property, financial condition or results of operations of Whirlpool and its Consolidated Subsidiaries.

Section 6.06 Taxes.

Whirlpool and its Subsidiaries have filed all United States federal income tax returns and all other material tax returns which are required to be filed and have paid all taxes due pursuant to said returns or pursuant to any assessment received by Whirlpool or any of its Subsidiaries, except such taxes, if any, as are being contested in good faith and as to which adequate reserves are being maintained and except to the extent that any such failure to make such filings or payments would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. No tax liens have been filed and no claims are being asserted with respect to any such taxes other than any such liens or claims that would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 6.07 Litigation.

Except as disclosed in Whirlpool’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 or Form 8-K filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission made after February 11, 2026 but prior to the Effective Date, there is no litigation, arbitration, governmental investigation, proceeding or inquiry pending or, to its knowledge, threatened against or affecting it or any of its Subsidiaries which has had or would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 6.08 ERISA; Canadian Pensions.

(a) As of the Effective Date, Schedule 6.08 hereto (and as of the date of any supplement thereto, as to Schedule 6.08 as so supplemented) identifies each Plan. Each Plan complies with all applicable requirements of law and regulations, no Reportable Event has occurred with respect to any Plan, no Loan Party or any other member of the Controlled Group has withdrawn from any Plan or initiated steps to do so, and no steps have been taken to terminate any Plan, except, in each case, to the extent that any of the events described in this sentence, together with all other such events, which shall have occurred, taken in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(b) In the five year period prior to the date on which this representation is made or deemed made, no Canadian Pension Event has occurred and is continuing or is reasonably expected to occur that, when taken together with all other such Canadian Pension Events for which liability is reasonably expected to occur, would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, the Canadian Pension Plans administered by a Canadian Loan Party, if any, are duly registered under the Canadian Tax Act (if required to be so registered) and applicable pension standards legislation which require registration, have been administered in compliance in form and operation with their terms and with the Canadian Tax Act and applicable pension standards legislation and no event has occurred which could reasonably be expected to cause the loss of such registered status. Except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, there are no outstanding disputes concerning the assets of the Canadian Pension Plans. No Canadian Loan Party is required to contribute to any Canadian Defined Benefit Plan or Canadian Defined Benefit Multi-Employer Plan other than those existing as of the date hereof. Except as would not reasonably be expected

 

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to have a Material Adverse Effect, a Canadian Loan Party required to make any employer contributions to a Canadian Pension Plan or a Canadian Multi-Employer Plan has made such contributions in a timely manner in accordance with the terms of such plans and all applicable laws. No Lien other than a Permitted Encumbrance, has arisen in respect of any Canadian Loan Party in connection with any Canadian Pension Plan or Canadian Multi-Employer Plan.

Section 6.09 Accuracy of Information.

(a) No information or report furnished by it or any of its Subsidiaries to the Administrative Agent or the Lenders in connection with the negotiation of, or compliance with, the Loan Documents contains any material misstatement of fact or omits to state a material fact necessary to make the statements contained therein not misleading.

(b) With respect to each Original Borrower, as of the Effective Date, to the best knowledge of such Original Borrower, the information included in the Beneficial Ownership Certification, if any, provided by it on or prior to the Effective Date to any Lender in connection with this Credit Agreement is true and correct in all respects. With respect to each Additional Borrowing Subsidiary, as of the effective date of the applicable Assumption Agreement, to the best knowledge of such Additional Borrowing Subsidiary, the information included in the Beneficial Ownership Certification, if any, provided by it on or prior to the effective date of the applicable Assumption Agreement to any Lender in connection with this Credit Agreement is true and correct in all respects.

Section 6.10 Subsidiaries.

As of the Effective Date, Schedule 6.10 hereto (and as of the date of any supplement thereto, as to Schedule 6.10 as so supplemented) identifies each Subsidiary, noting whether such Subsidiary is a Material Domestic Subsidiary and whether such Subsidiary is an Excluded Subsidiary, the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, as the case may be, the percentage of issued and outstanding shares of each class of its Equity Interests owned by Whirlpool and the other Subsidiaries and, if such percentage is not 100% (excluding directors’ qualifying shares as required by law), a description of each class issued and outstanding.

Section 6.11 Compliance with Laws.

It and its Subsidiaries have complied with all applicable statutes, rules, regulations, orders and restrictions of any domestic or foreign government, or any instrumentality or agency thereof, having jurisdiction over the conduct of their respective businesses or the ownership of their respective Property, except where non-compliance with any such statute, rule, regulation, order or restriction cannot reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 6.12 AML Laws, Anti-Corruption Laws and Sanctions.

Whirlpool has implemented and maintains in effect policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure compliance by Whirlpool, its Subsidiaries, and by their respective directors, officers, employees and agents in connection with such respective individuals’ actions on behalf of Whirlpool or the applicable Subsidiary, with applicable Anti-Corruption Laws, applicable AML Laws and applicable Sanctions, and Whirlpool, each other Borrower and, to Whirlpool’s knowledge, its other Subsidiaries and their respective officers, employees, directors and agents, are in compliance with applicable Anti-Corruption Laws, applicable AML Laws and applicable Sanctions. None of (a) Whirlpool, any Subsidiary or any of their respective directors, officers or employees, or (b) to the knowledge of Whirlpool, any agent of Whirlpool or any Subsidiary that will act in any capacity in connection with or benefit from the credit facility established hereby, is a Sanctioned Person. The borrowing by any Borrower of any Advance, the request by any Borrower for the issuance of any Letter of Credit and the use of proceeds thereof by any Borrower will not cause a violation of any applicable Anti-Corruption Law, applicable AML Law or Sanctions applicable to any party hereto.

 

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Section 6.13 Investment Company Act.

Neither Whirlpool nor any other Loan Party is an “investment company” or is required to be registered as an “investment company”, in each case, as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

Section 6.14 Environmental Matters.

In the ordinary course of its business, Whirlpool conducts an ongoing review of the effect of Environmental Laws on the business, operations and properties of Whirlpool and its Subsidiaries, in the course of which it identifies and evaluates associated liabilities and costs (including, without limitation, any capital or operating expenditures required for clean-up or closure of properties presently or previously owned, any capital or operating expenditures required to achieve or maintain compliance with environmental protection standards imposed by law or as a condition of any license, permit or contract, any related constraints on operating activities, including any periodic or permanent shutdown of any facility or reduction in the level of or change in the nature of operations conducted thereat, any costs or liabilities in connection with off-site disposal of wastes or hazardous substances, and any actual or potential liabilities to third parties, including employees, and any related costs and expenses). On the basis of this review, Whirlpool has concluded that such associated liabilities and costs, including the costs of compliance with Environmental Laws, would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 6.15 Ownership of Property; Liens.

(a) Each of Whirlpool and its Subsidiaries has good title to, or valid leasehold interests in, all its Property material to its business, which is not subject to any Lien except for (i) Liens permitted by Section 7.10 and (ii) minor defects in title that do not interfere with its ability to conduct its business as currently conducted or to utilize such Property for its intended purposes.

(b) Each of Whirlpool and its Subsidiaries owns, or is licensed or otherwise has the right to use, all Intellectual Property material to its business as currently conducted, and such use thereof by Whirlpool and its Subsidiaries does not infringe upon the rights of any other Person, except for such infringements that, individually or in the aggregate, would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 6.16 No Default.

No Unmatured Default or Default has occurred and is continuing.

Section 6.17 Affected Financial Institution.

No Loan Party is an Affected Financial Institution (as defined in Section 10.14).

Section 6.18 Security Interests in Collateral.

Subject to Section 7.23 (including with respect to any Lien that cannot be created, pledged or perfected on the Effective Date after the use by Whirlpool of commercially reasonable efforts to create, pledge or perfect any such Lien in the Collateral on the Effective Date), the Collateral Documents are effective to create in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties legal, valid and enforceable Liens on and security interests in, the Collateral described therein and to the extent intended to be created thereby, except to the extent that the enforceability thereof may be limited by applicable

 

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bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws generally affecting creditors’ rights and by equitable principles (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in equity or at law), and (i) when all appropriate filings or recordings are made in the appropriate offices as may be required under applicable laws, (which filings or recordings shall be made to the extent required by any Collateral Documents) (ii) upon the taking of possession or control by the Administrative Agent of such Collateral with respect to which a security interest may be perfected only by possession or control (which possession or control shall be given to the Administrative Agent to the extent required by any Collateral Document) and (iii) in the case of Collateral Consisting of Deposit Accounts or Securities Accounts (each, as defined in the U.S. Collateral Agreement and the Canadian Collateral Agreement), when such Deposit Accounts or Securities Accounts, as applicable, are subject to an Account Control Agreement (as defined in the U.S. Collateral Agreement and the Canadian Collateral Agreement) (other than any Deposit Account in Canada in respect of which a security interest may only be perfected by filing under the applicable PPSA), the Liens created by such Collateral Documents will constitute so far as possible under relevant law fully perfected Liens on, and security interests in, all right, title and interest of the Loan Parties in such Collateral, in each case subject to no Liens other than Liens permitted under Section 7.10, but only to the extent that such Liens are required to be perfected by the terms of the Loan Documents.

Section 6.19 Solvency.

Whirlpool and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole are Solvent.

Section 6.20 Eligible Accounts.

As of the date of any Borrowing Base Certificate, the Accounts included in the calculation of Eligible Accounts and Eligible Credit Card Receivables on such Borrowing Base Certificate satisfy in all material respects the requirements of an “Eligible Account” or “Eligible Credit Card Receivable”, as applicable, hereunder.

Section 6.21 Eligible Inventory.

As of the date of any Borrowing Base Certificate, the Inventory included in the calculation of Eligible Inventory on such Borrowing Base Certificate satisfy in all material respects the requirements of “Eligible Inventory” hereunder.

Section 6.22 Eligible Intellectual Property.

As of the date of any Borrowing Base Certificate, the Intellectual Property included in the calculation of Eligible Intellectual Property on such Borrowing Base Certificate satisfy in all material respects the requirements of “Eligible Intellectual Property” hereunder.

Section 6.23 Eligible Machinery and Equipment.

As of the date of any Borrowing Base Certificate, the Machinery and Equipment included in the calculation of Eligible Machinery and Equipment on such Borrowing Base Certificate satisfy in all material respects the requirements of “Eligible Machinery and Equipment” hereunder.

 

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ARTICLE 7.

COVENANTS

During the term of this Credit Agreement, unless the Required Lenders shall otherwise consent in writing:

Section 7.01 Financial Reporting; Borrowing Base.

The Borrowers will maintain, for Whirlpool and each of its Subsidiaries, a system of accounting established and administered in accordance with GAAP, and furnish to the Administrative Agent, for distribution to the Lenders:

(a) Within 90 days after the close of each of Whirlpool’s fiscal years, an audit report certified by independent certified public accountants of recognized national standing selected by Whirlpool, prepared in accordance with GAAP principles on a consolidated basis for Whirlpool and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, including a consolidated balance sheet as of the end of such period and related consolidated statements of earnings and cash flows, without a “going concern” or like qualification or exception, or qualification arising out of the scope of the audit (other than a “going concern” or like qualification or exception, or qualification arising out of the scope of the audit, if such qualification or exception is related solely to an upcoming maturity date hereunder or under the maturity of any Term Indebtedness Obligations or any Senior Notes or any actual or potential inability to satisfy any financial covenants contained herein or in the documentation therefor on a future date or in a future period); provided that Whirlpool shall not be required to furnish separately any such financial statements that are filed electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Whirlpool at the times specified herein;

(b) Within 60 days after the close of each of the first three quarterly periods of each of Whirlpool’s fiscal years, for Whirlpool and the Consolidated Subsidiaries, an unaudited consolidated balance sheet as at the close of such period and a consolidated statement of earnings and cash flows for the period from the beginning of such fiscal year to the end of such quarter, all certified, subject to year-end audit adjustments, by an Authorized Officer; provided that Whirlpool shall not be required to furnish separately any such financial statements that are filed electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Whirlpool at the times specified herein;

(c) Together with the financial statements required pursuant to clauses (a) and (b) above, a compliance certificate in substantially the form of Exhibit D (a “Compliance Certificate”) hereto signed by an Authorized Officer showing, in reasonable detail, the calculation of the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the most recently ended four quarter period and stating that no Default or Unmatured Default exists, or if any Default or Unmatured Default exists, stating the nature and status thereof;

(d) Promptly upon the furnishing thereof to the shareholders of Whirlpool, copies of all financial statements, reports and proxy statements so furnished, provided that Whirlpool shall not be required to furnish separately any such financial statements, reports and proxy statements that are filed electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Whirlpool at the times specified herein;

(e) Promptly upon the filing thereof, copies of all registration statements and annual, quarterly, monthly or other regular reports which Whirlpool or any of its Subsidiaries files with the Securities and Exchange Commission; provided that documents that are required to be delivered pursuant to this clause (e) shall be deemed to be delivered on the date on which Whirlpool or any of its Subsidiaries files such documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission and provides written notification of such filing to the Administrative Agent;

(f) [Reserved];

(g) Within a reasonable time after receipt of a request therefor, which time shall in any event be not less than two days nor more than thirty days, such other information (including non-financial information and information and documentation reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or any Lender for purposes of compliance with applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the Patriot Act and the Beneficial Ownership Regulation) as the Administrative Agent or any Lender may from time to time reasonably request;

 

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(h) Promptly after a Borrower has notified the Administrative Agent of any intention by such Borrower to treat the Advances as being a “reportable transaction” (within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.6011-4), a duly completed copy of IRS Form 8886 or any successor form;

(i) as soon as available, and in any event no later than 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of Whirlpool, a detailed consolidated budget for the following fiscal year (including a projected consolidated balance sheet of Whirlpool and its Subsidiaries as of the end of the following fiscal year, the related consolidated statements of projected earnings and projected cash flows and a description of the underlying assumptions applicable thereto (collectively, the “Budget”), which Budget shall in each case be accompanied by a certificate of an Authorized Officer stating that such Budget is based on reasonable estimates, information and assumptions and that such Authorized Officer has no reason to believe that such Budget is incorrect or misleading in any material respect;

(j) as soon as available but in any event within 20 calendar days of the end of each calendar month (or within three Business Days of the end of each week (i) during a Full Cash Dominion Period or (ii) during any period (x) commencing on the date that is the third consecutive Business Day on which Availability is less than the greater of (A) $225,000,000 and (B) 15% of the Line Cap and (y) ending on the first date thereafter on which Availability has not been less than the greater of (A) $225,000,000 and (B) 15% of the Line Cap at any time for 20 consecutive calendar days), as of the last day of the period then ended, a Borrowing Base Certificate and the information supporting the Aggregate Borrowing Base calculation required by the Borrowing Base Certificate (including the information set forth on the schedule of reporting requirements attached thereto (in each case as modified from time to time by the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion)) or, in addition, at Whirlpool’s discretion, a Borrowing Base Certificate and the information supporting the Aggregate Borrowing Base calculation required by the Borrowing Base Certificate (including the information set forth on the schedule of reporting requirements attached thereto (in each case as modified from time to time by the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion)) may be delivered as of a date subsequent to the last date of the period covered by the most recently delivered Borrowing Base Certificate but prior to end of any subsequent month (during monthly Borrowing Base reporting) or week (during any period of weekly borrowing base reporting), and if Whirlpool so elects, then Whirlpool must deliver a Borrowing Base Certificate within 5 Business Days of the end of each week until the next Scheduled Borrowing Base Delivery Date. Whirlpool shall be required to update the aggregate amount and schedule, in each case, related to ineligible Accounts and ineligible Inventory concurrently with the delivery of each Borrowing Base Certificate; and

(k) an annex with each Borrowing Base Certificate delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 7.01(j) if, subsequent to the Effective Date, a Loan Party shall acquire or obtain any Inventory that is included as Eligible Inventory in the Borrowing Base that contains or bears intellectual property rights licensed to any Loan Party that may not be sold or otherwise disposed of without (i) infringing the rights of such licensor, (ii) violating any contract with such licensor, or (iii) incurring any liability with respect to payment of royalties other than royalties incurred pursuant to the sale of such Inventory under the current licensing agreement, which annex shall specify all reasonable details the Inventory so acquired or obtained; and

(l) together with each Borrowing Base Certificate, (A) a detailed aging, by total, of each Loan Party’s Accounts, together with a reconciliation and supporting documentation for any reconciling items noted, (B) a detailed calculation of those Accounts that are not eligible for any Borrowing Base, (C) notice of all claims, offsets, or disputes asserted by Account Debtors with respect to each Loan Party’s Accounts, (D) Inventory system/perpetual reports specifying the cost and the wholesale market value of each Loan Party’s Inventory, by category, with additional detail showing additions to and deletions therefrom, together with a reconciliation to such Loan Party’s general ledger, (E) a detailed calculation of Inventory that is not eligible for any Borrowing Base, (F) a report regarding each Loan Party’s accrued, but unpaid, tariffs, in a

 

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form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, (G) a summary aging, by vendor, of each Loan Party’s accounts payable and any book overdraft and an aging, by vendor, of any held checks, (H) a calculation of the Maximum Specified Principal Property Secured Amount and (I) and any additional reports or information with respect to any Borrowing Base as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request.

Documents required to be delivered pursuant to Section 7.01(a), (b) or (l) (to the extent any such documents are included in materials otherwise filed with the SEC) shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date (i) on which Whirlpool posts such documents, or provides a link thereto on its website on the Internet at the website address listed on its signature page hereto, or (ii) on which such documents are posted on Whirlpool’s behalf on an Internet or intranet website, if any, to which each Lender and the Administrative Agent has access (whether a commercial, third-party website or whether sponsored by the Administrative Agent).

Section 7.02 Use of Proceeds.

Each of the Borrowers will use the proceeds of the Advances and the issuance of Letters of Credit only for general corporate purposes (including the financing of Permitted Acquisitions) and to repay outstanding Advances or replace existing Letters of Credit issued for the account of any Borrower. No Borrower will, and no Borrower will permit any of its Subsidiaries to, use any of the proceeds of the Advances to purchase or carry any “margin stock” (as defined in Regulation U) or in contravention of Regulation X. No Borrower will request any Advance or Letter of Credit, and no Borrower shall use, or permit its Subsidiaries and its or their respective directors, officers, employees and agents to use, the proceeds of any Advance or Letter of Credit (A) in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization of the payment or giving of money, or anything else of value, to any Person in violation of any applicable Anti-Corruption Laws or applicable AML Laws, (B) for the purpose of funding, financing or facilitating any activities, business or transaction of or with any Sanctioned Person, or in any Sanctioned Country, except to the extent such activities, business or transaction would be permissible under existing Sanctions laws or (C) in any manner that would result in the violation of any Sanctions applicable to any party hereto.

Section 7.03 Notice of Material Events.

Whirlpool will give notice in writing to the Administrative Agent for distribution to the Lenders promptly after any Authorized Officer referenced in clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) of the definition of Authorized Officer or any assistant treasurer becomes aware of any of the following:

(a) the occurrence of any Default or Unmatured Default;

(b) the filing or commencement of any action, suit, proceeding or investigation by or before any arbitrator or Governmental Authority against Whirlpool or any Subsidiary thereof, including pursuant to any applicable Environmental Laws, that would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

(c) the occurrence of any Reportable Event or Canadian Pension Event that, alone or together with any other Reportable Events and/or Canadian Pension Events that have occurred, would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

(d) notice of any action arising under any Environmental Law against Whirlpool or any Subsidiary or of any noncompliance by Whirlpool or any Subsidiary with any Environmental Law or any permit, approval, license or other authorization required thereunder that would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

 

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(e) any material change in accounting or financial reporting practices by Whirlpool or any Subsidiary;

(f) any other development that results in, or could reasonably be expected to result in, a Material Adverse Effect;

(g) any change in the information provided in the Beneficial Ownership Certification delivered to such Lender that would result in a change to the list of beneficial owners identified in such certification;

(h) entry into by any Loan Party in any new Permitted Receivables Facility (not including any Permitted Refinancing of any existing Permitted Receivables Facility) after the Effective Date or the accounts receivable, instruments, chattel paper, obligations, general intangibles and other similar assets of any Account Debtor of a Loan Party becoming subject to a Permitted Receivables Facility if such Account Debtor was not already subject to such Permitted Receivables Facility; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall Whirlpool be required to provide notice pursuant to this clause (h) of a sale or transfer pursuant to a Permitted Receivables Facility or of extensions or Permitted Refinancings of any Permitted Receivables Facility; provided further that Whirlpool may, at its option, provide updates regarding Account Debtors or the accounts receivable, instruments, chattel paper, obligations, general intangibles and other similar assets of which are subject to a Permitted Receivables Facility; and

(i) any Term Indebtedness Documents entered into by Whirlpool or any Subsidiary and any amendments thereto.

Section 7.04 Existence.

Each of the Borrowers will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, do all things necessary to remain duly incorporated or otherwise organized, validly existing and (to the extent applicable) in good standing in its jurisdiction of incorporation or organization and maintain all requisite authority to conduct its business in each jurisdiction in which the character of the properties owned or leased by it therein or in which the transaction of its business is such that failure to maintain such authority has resulted or could result in a Material Adverse Effect; provided, however, that the existence of any Subsidiary which is not a Borrower may be terminated and any right, franchise or license of any Subsidiary which is not a Borrower may be terminated or abandoned (x) to the extent otherwise permitted under this Credit Agreement and (y) if in the good faith judgment of the appropriate officer or officers of Whirlpool, such termination or abandonment is in its best interest and is not materially disadvantageous to the Lenders.

Section 7.05 Taxes.

Each of the Borrowers will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, pay when due all material taxes, assessments and governmental charges and levies upon it or its income, profits or Property, except those which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted (or, in the case of any such tax, those the payment of which can be delayed without penalty) and with respect to which adequate reserves have been set aside or those the nonpayment of which would not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 7.06 Insurance; Maintenance of Property.

Each of the Borrowers will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to (either in the name of Whirlpool or any Subsidiary of Whirlpool which is a parent company of such Subsidiary or in such Subsidiary’s own name), (a) keep and maintain all Property material to the conduct of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, and (b) maintain with financially sound and reputable insurance companies, or by way of such self-insurance as Whirlpool considers appropriate,

 

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insurance on its Property in such amounts and covering such risks of loss of a character usually insured by corporations of comparable size and financial strength and with comparable risks. Each such policy of liability or casualty insurance maintained by or on behalf of the Loan Parties shall, subject to Section 7.23, (a) in the case of each liability insurance policy (other than workers’ compensation, director and officer liability or other policies in which such endorsements are not customary), name the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, as an additional insured thereunder, (b) in the case of each casualty insurance policy, contain a lender’s loss payable clause or endorsement that names the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties, as the lender’s loss payee thereunder and (c) to the extent available from the applicable insurer, provide for at least thirty (30) days’ (or such shorter number of days as may be agreed to by the Administrative Agent or is otherwise customary) prior written notice to the Administrative Agent of any cancellation of such policy.

Section 7.07 Compliance with Laws.

Each of the Borrowers will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, comply with all laws, rules, regulations, orders, writs, judgments, injunctions, decrees or awards to which it may be subject (including, without limitation, all laws, rules or regulations under ERISA with respect to members of the Controlled Group and all environmental laws and regulations) which, if violated, would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Whirlpool will maintain in effect and enforce policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure compliance by Whirlpool and its Subsidiaries and by their respective directors, officers, employees and agents in connection with such individuals’ actions on behalf of Whirlpool or the applicable Subsidiary, with applicable Anti-Corruption Laws, applicable AML Laws and applicable Sanctions.

Section 7.08 Inspection of Property; Books and Records; Discussions; Appraisals; Field Examinations.

(a) Each of the Borrowers will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, permit the Lenders, by their respective representatives and agents, to inspect at all reasonable times, and at the risk and expense of the inspecting party, any of the Properties, corporate books and financial records of such Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries, to examine and make copies (subject to any confidentiality agreement reasonably acceptable to the applicable Borrower and the inspecting party, copyright laws and similar reasonable requirements) of the books of accounts and other financial records of such Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries, and to discuss the affairs, finances and accounts of such Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries with, and to be advised as to the same by, their respective officers at such reasonable times and intervals as the Lenders may designate; provided, however, that unless a Default exists the Administrative Agent and the Lenders (or any of their respective representatives or independent contractors), taken as a whole, may only exercise its inspection rights hereunder twice per fiscal year; provided further, that representatives of Whirlpool may be present during such inspections and discussions at all times unless a Default shall have occurred and be continuing. No Borrower or other Subsidiary will be required pursuant to this Section 7.08 to disclose or permit the inspection, examination, copying or discussion of any document, information or other matter (i) that constitutes non-financial trade secrets or non-financial proprietary information, (ii) in respect of which disclosure to the Administrative Agent or any Lender (or their respective designees) is prohibited by law or any contractual obligation or (iii) that is subject to attorney client or similar privilege or constitutes attorney work product.

(b) No more than once in each twelve month period, at the request of the Administrative Agent, the Loan Parties will cooperate with an appraiser selected and engaged by the Administrative Agent to provide Inventory appraisals or updates thereof (the “Annual Inventory Appraisal”), prepared on a basis reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, such appraisals and updates to include information required by applicable law and regulations; provided that (i) if a Default has occurred and is continuing, there shall be no limitation on the number or frequency of such appraisals and (ii) in addition to the Annual

 

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Inventory Appraisal, if Availability is less than the greater of (x) 15% of the Line Cap and (y) $225,000,000 for a period of five consecutive Business Days, the Loan Parties will cooperate with the Administrative Agent to provide such appraisals (at the request of the Administrative Agent) on one additional occasion during such twelve month period. For purposes of this Section 7.08(b), it is understood and agreed that a single appraisal may consist of appraisals conducted at multiple relevant sites and involve one or more relevant Loan Parties and their assets. All such appraisals shall be commenced upon reasonable notice to Whirlpool and performed during normal business hours of Whirlpool, and all reasonable out-of-pocket costs of such appraisals shall be at the sole expense of the Loan Parties.

(c) No more than once in each twelve month period, at the request of the Administrative Agent, the Loan Parties will cooperate with an appraiser selected and engaged by the Administrative Agent to provide Intellectual Property appraisals or updates thereof (the “Annual IP Appraisal”), prepared on a basis reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, such appraisals and updates to include information required by applicable law and regulations; provided that (i) if a Default has occurred and is continuing, there shall be no limitation on the number or frequency of such appraisals and (ii) in addition to the Annual IP Appraisal, if Availability is less than the greater of (x) 15% of the Line Cap and (y) $225,000,000 for a period of five consecutive Business Days, the Loan Parties will cooperate with the Administrative Agent to provide such appraisals (at the request of the Administrative Agent) on one additional occasion during such twelve month period. For purposes of this Section 7.08(c), it is understood and agreed that a single appraisal may consist of appraisals conducted at multiple relevant sites and involve one or more relevant Loan Parties and their assets. All such appraisals shall be commenced upon reasonable notice to Whirlpool and performed during normal business hours of Whirlpool, and all reasonable out-of-pocket costs of such appraisals shall be at the sole expense of the Loan Parties.

(d) No more than once in each twelve month period, at the request of the Administrative Agent, the Loan Parties will cooperate with an appraiser selected and engaged by the Administrative Agent to provide Machinery and Equipment appraisals or updates thereof (the “Annual M&E Appraisal”), prepared on a basis reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, such appraisals and updates to include information required by applicable law and regulations; provided that (i) if a Default has occurred and is continuing, there shall be no limitation on the number or frequency of such appraisals and (ii) in addition to the Annual M&E Appraisal, if Availability is less than the greater of (x) 15% of the Line Cap and (y) $225,000,000 for a period of five consecutive Business Days, the Loan Parties will cooperate with the Administrative Agent to provide such appraisals (at the request of the Administrative Agent) on one additional occasion during such twelve month period. For purposes of this Section 7.08(d), it is understood and agreed that a single appraisal may consist of appraisals conducted at multiple relevant sites and involve one or more relevant Loan Parties and their assets. All such appraisals shall be commenced upon reasonable notice to Whirlpool and performed during normal business hours of Whirlpool, and all reasonable out-of-pocket costs of such appraisals shall be at the sole expense of the Loan Parties.

(e) No more than once in each twelve month period, at the request of the Administrative Agent, the Loan Parties will permit, upon reasonable notice, the Administrative Agent or its designee to conduct a field examination (the “Annual Field Examination”) to ensure the adequacy of Collateral included in any Borrowing Base and related reporting and control systems and determine any variance between the Loan Parties’ general ledger and perpetual inventory report; provided that (i) if a Default has occurred and is continuing, there shall be no limitation on the number or frequency of such field examinations and (ii) in addition to the Annual Field Examination, if Availability is less than the greater of (x) 15% of the Line Cap and (y) $225,000,000 for a period of five consecutive Business Days, the Loan Parties will permit the Administrative Agent to conduct such examinations (at the request of the Administrative Agent) on one additional occasion during such twelve month period. For purposes of this Section 7.08(e), it is understood and agreed that (i) a single field examination may be conducted at multiple relevant sites and involve one or more relevant Loan Parties and their assets and (ii) the Administrative Agent shall use commercially reasonable efforts to coordinate any such field exams. All such field examinations shall be commenced upon reasonable notice to Whirlpool and performed during normal business hours of Whirlpool, and all reasonable out-of-pocket costs of such field examinations shall be at the sole expense of the Loan Parties.

 

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(f) Concurrently with the Annual Field Examination Whirlpool will provide an updated customer list for each Loan Party, which list shall state the customer’s name, mailing address and phone number, delivered electronically in a text formatted file acceptable to the Administrative Agent and certified as true and correct by an Authorized Officer of Whirlpool.

Section 7.09 Consolidations, Mergers, Dissolution and Sale of Assets.

(a) Dispositions. Whirlpool will not, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, make any Disposition, except:

(i) as long as no Default exists or would result therefrom, Dispositions of (i) obsolete or worn out Property in the ordinary course of business, (ii) Property in the ordinary course of business that Whirlpool reasonably determines is no longer useful in its or its Subsidiaries’ business and (iii) tax credits to the extent that Whirlpool determines in good faith that the monetization thereof exceeds the benefit of retaining such tax credits;

(ii) Dispositions of inventory and Permitted Investments in the ordinary course of business;

(iii) 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;

(iv) Dispositions of Property by any Subsidiary to any Borrower or another Subsidiary (provided that any such Disposition by a Loan Party must be to another Loan Party); provided that, if as a result of such Disposition, the Subsidiary acquiring such Property ceases to be an Excluded Subsidiary, such Borrower shall take, and shall cause such Material Domestic Subsidiary to take, the actions specified in Section 7.21 within the time limits set forth therein;

(v) Dispositions permitted by Section 7.09(b);

(vi) leases, licenses, subleases or sublicenses (including the provision of open source software under an open source license) granted in the ordinary course of business and on ordinary commercial terms that do not interfere in any material respect with the business of Whirlpool and its Subsidiaries;

(vii) Dispositions of Intellectual Property rights that (i) are no longer used or useful in the business of Whirlpool and its Subsidiaries or (ii) Whirlpool determines in its reasonable business judgment are no longer economically viable to maintain or pursue;

(viii) as long as no Default exists or would result therefrom, the discount, write-off or Disposition of accounts receivable deemed doubtful or uncollectible, in each case in the ordinary course of business;

(ix) Restricted Payments permitted by Section 7.18 and Investments permitted by Section 7.15;

 

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(x) Dispositions of property (other than a Disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of Whirlpool and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis); provided that (i) at the time of such Disposition (other than any such Disposition made pursuant to a legally binding commitment entered into at a time when no Default has occurred and is continuing), no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result from such Disposition, (ii) the consideration received for such property shall be in an amount at least equal to the fair market value (provided that with respect to any Disposition of Eligible Inventory fair market value shall be in no event less than the value ascribed to such assets in the most recent Borrowing Base Certificate delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 7.01(j)) thereof (as determined by Whirlpool in good faith) and (iii) with respect to any Disposition (other than any Disposition identified to Administrative Agent by Whirlpool as Project CH prior to the date of this Agreement) pursuant to this clause (x) for a purchase price in excess of the greater of (x) $50,000,000 and (y) 5% of Consolidated EBITDA for the most recent period of four fiscal quarters of Whirlpool and its Subsidiaries, as determined at the time a legally binding commitment to make such Disposition is entered into, or if there is no such legally binding commitment, at the time of such Disposition, Whirlpool or any of its Subsidiaries shall receive not less than (x) with respect to any consideration received when a Full Cash Dominion Period is not in effect, 75% of such consideration in the form of cash or Permitted Investments or (y) with respect to any consideration received when a Full Cash Dominion Period is in effect, 100% of such consideration in the form of cash or Permitted Investments; provided, however, that for the purposes of this clause (x)(iii), the following shall be deemed to be cash: (A) any liabilities (as shown on Whirlpool’s most recent balance sheet provided hereunder or in the footnotes thereto) of Whirlpool or such Subsidiary, other than liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the payment in cash of the Obligations, that (i) are assumed by the transferee with respect to the applicable Disposition or (ii) are otherwise cancelled or terminated in connection with the transaction with such transferee (other than intercompany debt owed to Whirlpool or its Subsidiaries) and, in each case, for which Whirlpool and all of its Subsidiaries shall have been validly released by all applicable creditors in writing, (B) any securities, notes or other obligations or assets received by Whirlpool or the applicable Subsidiary from such transferee that are converted by Whirlpool or such Subsidiary into Permitted Investments (to the extent of the Permitted Investments received) within 180 days following the closing of the applicable Disposition, (C) any assets received by Whirlpool or such Subsidiary to the extent used or useful in the business of Whirlpool and its Subsidiaries, (D) so long as a Full Cash Dominion Period is not in effect at the time of receipt of such consideration, aggregate non-cash consideration received by the Whirlpool or any Subsidiary having an aggregate fair market value (determined as of the closing of the applicable Disposition for which such non-cash consideration is received) not to exceed the greater of (x) $100,000,000 and (y) 10% of Consolidated EBITDA for the most recent period of four fiscal quarters of Whirlpool and its Subsidiaries (net of any non-cash consideration converted into Permitted Investments), (E) [reserved] and (F) the requirements of Section 2.08(b)(ii)(C), to the extent applicable, are complied with in connection therewith;

(xi) Whirlpool or any Subsidiary may transfer, sell and/or pledge Permitted Receivables Facility Assets (including Permitted Receivables Related Assets) under Permitted Receivables Facilities;

(xii) Dispositions of non-core or obsolete assets (other than Borrowing Base Assets) acquired in connection with Permitted Acquisitions;

(xiii) Dispositions to dissenting shareholders (x) pursuant to applicable law or (y) in connection with the settlement or other satisfaction of legal claims made pursuant to or in connection with a merger, amalgamation, consolidation or transfer of assets that is not prohibited by this Credit Agreement;

 

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(xiv) Dispositions in connection with the unwinding or settlement of Swap Agreements permitted by Section 7.16;

(xv) Dispositions of Property resulting from any casualty, condemnation or other similar event with respect to such Property (including any transfer of damaged or destroyed Property to insurers and any Disposition of Property to governmental authorities or any agency thereof in connection with any condemnation or eminent domain proceeding); and

(xvi) Dispositions of Investments in any joint ventures or non-wholly owned Subsidiaries, to the extent required by, or made pursuant to, customary buy/sell arrangements between the parties to such joint venture or shareholders of such non-wholly owned Subsidiary set forth in the shareholders agreements, joint venture agreements, organizational documents or similar binding agreements relating to such joint venture or non-wholly owned Subsidiary; provided that no Dispositions may be made pursuant to this Section 7.09(a)(xii) to the extent such joint venture or non-wholly owned Subsidiary was, prior to a previous Disposition of Equity Interests in such joint venture or non-wholly owned Subsidiary made pursuant to another provision of this Section 7.09(a), a wholly-owned Subsidiary.

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) none of Whirlpool or any of its Subsidiaries will Dispose of Material Intellectual Property to any Person that is not Whirlpool or a Subsidiary Guarantor (other than non-exclusive licenses, non-exclusive sublicenses or non-exclusive cross-licenses, in each case, granted in the ordinary course of business and on ordinary commercial terms that do not interfere in any material respect with the business of Whirlpool and its Subsidiaries) and (ii) in no event shall any Disposition of Borrowing Base Assets (other than a Disposition of cash and cash equivalents) and contributing more than 2.5% of the Aggregate Borrowing Base (other than Dispositions permitted pursuant to Section 7.09(a)(ii)) be permitted unless the Administrative Agent receives a completed Borrowing Base Certificate concurrently with such Disposition.

(b) Consolidations, Mergers and Dissolution.

(i) Whirlpool will not, nor will it permit any Subsidiary to, merge into or amalgamate or consolidate with any other Person, or permit any other Person to merge into, amalgamate or consolidate with it, or Dispose of all or substantially all/any substantial part of its assets, or all or substantially all of the Equity Interests of any of its Subsidiaries (including, in each case, pursuant to a Delaware LLC Division and, in each case, whether now owned or hereafter acquired), or liquidate or dissolve, except that, if at the time thereof and immediately after giving effect thereto no Default shall have occurred and be continuing:

(A) any Person may merge into Whirlpool in a transaction in which Whirlpool is the surviving corporation;

(B) any Person (including a Subsidiary) may merge into or amalgamate with a Borrower or another Subsidiary; provided that any such merger or amalgamation involving (A) Whirlpool must result in Whirlpool as the surviving entity, (B) a Borrowing Subsidiary must result a Borrowing Subsidiary as the surviving or resulting entity (unless such Subsidiary is terminated as a Borrowing Subsidiary prior to or contemporaneously with such transaction) or (C) a Subsidiary Guarantor must result in a Subsidiary Guarantor as the surviving or resulting entity; provided, further that, if as a result of a merger or amalgamation between Subsidiaries that are not Loan Parties, the surviving or resulting Subsidiary ceases to be an Excluded Subsidiary, Whirlpool shall take, and shall cause such Subsidiary to take, the actions specified in Section 6.18 within the time limits set forth therein;

 

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(C) any Subsidiary may convey, sell, lease, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of any or all of its assets to a Loan Party; provided, that, the consideration for any such disposition by any Person other than a Guarantor shall not exceed the fair value of such assets;

(D) (1) any Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party may convey, sell, lease, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of any or all of its assets (upon voluntary liquidation or dissolution or otherwise) to Whirlpool or any other Loan Party or other Subsidiary or (2) any Loan Party (other than Whirlpool) may convey, sell, lease, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of any or all of its assets (upon voluntary liquidation or dissolution or otherwise) to any other Loan Party;

(E) (1) Whirlpool may engage in a Disposition of Equity Interests in any Subsidiary and (2) any Subsidiary may engage in any Disposition, in each case, the purpose of which is to effect a Disposition permitted by Section 7.09(a); and

(F) any Subsidiary that is an Excluded Subsidiary may liquidate or dissolve if Whirlpool determines in good faith that such liquidation or dissolution is in the best interests of Whirlpool and is not materially disadvantageous to the Lenders.

(ii) Whirlpool will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, engage to any material extent in any business other than businesses of the type conducted by Whirlpool and its Subsidiaries on the date of execution of this Credit Agreement and businesses reasonably related thereto.

(iii) Whirlpool will not, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, change its fiscal year from the basis in effect on the Effective Date without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

Section 7.10 Liens.

No Borrower will, nor will any Borrower permit any of its Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien in or on any of its Property, except:

(a) any Lien on any property or asset of Whirlpool or any Subsidiary existing on the date hereof and (to the extent securing obligations in excess of $25,000,000) set forth in Schedule 7.10; provided that (i) such Lien shall not apply to any other property or asset of Whirlpool or any Subsidiary and (ii) such Lien shall secure only those obligations which it secures on the date hereof and extensions, renewals and replacements thereof that do not increase the outstanding principal amount thereof (except by the amount of any accrued interest and premiums with respect to such Indebtedness and transaction fees, costs and expenses in connection with such extension, renewal or replacement);

(b) Liens for taxes not delinquent and Liens for taxes which are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted and in respect to which such Borrower or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, shall have set aside on its books an adequate reserve;

 

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(c) Liens on fixed or capital assets (and proceeds thereof) acquired, constructed or improved by Whirlpool or any Subsidiary; provided that (i) such security interests secure Indebtedness permitted by Section 7.11(e), (ii) such security interests and the Indebtedness secured thereby are initially incurred prior to or within 180 days after such acquisition or the completion of such construction or improvement, (iii) the Indebtedness secured thereby does not exceed 100% of the cost of acquiring, constructing or improving such fixed or capital assets (including related transaction fees, costs and expenses) and (iv) such security interests shall not apply to any other property or assets of Whirlpool or any Subsidiary (other than accessions and proceeds of such fixed or capital assets and in the case of Liens securing any Secured Pari Lease Obligations); provided that, in the case of any Secured Pari Lease Obligations, such Secured Pari Lease Obligations may be secured by Liens on the Collateral on a pari passu basis with the Liens securing the Secured Obligations pursuant to the definition of Secured Pari Lease Obligations);

(d) (A) any deposit or pledge as security for the performance of any contract or understanding not directly or indirectly in connection with the borrowing of money or the security of Indebtedness, if made and continuing in the ordinary course of business, (B) any deposit or pledge with any governmental agency required or permitted to qualify any Borrower or any Subsidiary of a Borrower to conduct business, to maintain self-insurance or to obtain the benefits of any law pertaining to workmen’s compensation, unemployment insurance, old age pensions, social security or similar matters, or to obtain any stay or discharge in any legal or administrative proceedings, (C) deposits or pledges made in the ordinary course of business to obtain the release of mechanics’, workmen’s, repairmen’s or warehousemen’s Liens or the release of property in the possession of a common carrier, (D) easements, licenses, franchises, rights-of-way, zoning restrictions, restrictions on the use of real property, defects, encroachments, protrusions, reservations or encumbrances on or over any real property which do not materially detract from the value of such real property or its use in the business of the applicable Borrower or Subsidiary, and title defects or irregularities that are of a minor nature and do not materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of Whirlpool and its Subsidiaries, or (E) other deposits or pledges similar to those referred to in clauses (B) and (C) of this Section 7.10(d), if made and continuing in the ordinary course of business;

(e) Liens of carriers, warehousemen, mechanics, laborers and materialmen for sums that are not overdue by more than 30 days or being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted, if such reserve or other appropriate provision, if any, as shall be required by GAAP shall have been made therefor;

(f) Liens (i) in favor of a Borrower or a Subsidiary on assets of a Subsidiary that is not a Loan Party securing permitted intercompany Indebtedness and (ii) in favor of a Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor;

(g) mortgages, pledges, Liens or charges existing on Property acquired by any Borrower or any Subsidiary of a Borrower through the exercise of rights arising out of defaults on receivables of any Borrower or any Subsidiary of a Borrower;

(h) any banker’s Lien or right of offset on moneys of any Borrower or any Subsidiary of a Borrower in favor of any lender or holder of its commercial paper deposited with such lender or holder in the ordinary course of business;

(i) any Liens securing obligations of Whirlpool or the applicable Subsidiary under the Existing Synthetic Lease Agreements as in effect on the Effective Date or any Permitted Refinancing in respect thereof;

(j) interests of lessees in Property owned by any Borrower or any Subsidiary of a Borrower where such interests are created in the ordinary course of their respective leasing activities and are not created directly or indirectly in connection with the borrowing of money or the securing of Indebtedness by any Borrower or any Subsidiary of a Borrower;

 

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(k) Liens incidental to the conduct of the business of any Borrower or any Subsidiary of a Borrower or the ownership of their respective Properties which were not incurred in connection with the borrowing of money or the obtaining of advances or credit, and which do not in the aggregate materially detract from the value of their Properties or materially impair the use thereof in the operation of their businesses;

(l) Judgment liens which are not a Default under Section 8.07;

(m) Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a matter of law or regulation to secure the payment of customs duties in connection with the importation of goods and deposits made to secure statutory obligations in the form of excise taxes;

(n) Statutory liens of depository or collecting banks on items in collection and any accompanying documents or the proceeds thereof;

(o) Liens arising from precautionary UCC or PPSA financing statement filings regarding operating leases;

(p) Liens on assets located outside of the United States of America and Canada arising by operation of law;

(q) Liens created pursuant to any Loan Document (it being understood that Liens under the Loan Documents securing any Secured Pari Lease Obligations in respect of any Secured Pari Lease Agreements entered into after the Effective Date shall be required to be permitted pursuant to clause (c) above and not this clause (q));

(r) Liens on Collateral securing obligations in respect of Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.11(l); provided that (x) if such Indebtedness is in the form of Term Indebtedness Obligations, any such Liens are subject to a Term Indebtedness Intercreditor Agreement and (y) if such Indebtedness is not in the form of Term Indebtedness Obligations and ranks junior in right of security with the Secured Obligations, any such Liens are subject to a Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement;

(s) Liens securing Indebtedness of Whirlpool or any Subsidiary in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not to exceed the greater of (x) $200,000,000 and 20% of Consolidated EBITDA for the most recent period of four fiscal quarters of Whirlpool and its Consolidated Subsidiaries; provided that any such Indebtedness for borrowed money secured pursuant to this clause (s) shall rank junior in right of security with the Secured Obligations;

(t) Liens on property of a Person existing at the time such Person is acquired by, merged into or amalgamated or consolidated with Whirlpool or any Subsidiary of Whirlpool or becomes a Subsidiary of Whirlpool securing Indebtedness permitted by Section 7.11(f); provided that such Liens (x) were not created by or at the direction of Whirlpool or any of its Subsidiaries (other than any such Subsidiary that was not a Subsidiary at the time of such creation or direction) in contemplation of such merger, amalgamation, consolidation or acquisition, (y) do not extend to any assets other than those of the Person so merged into or consolidated with Whirlpool or such Subsidiary or acquired by Whirlpool or such Subsidiary and (z) secure only those obligations and commitments which they secure on the date of such acquisition or the date such Person becomes a Subsidiary, as the case may be, and extensions, renewals and replacements thereof that do not increase the outstanding principal amount thereof (except by the amount of any accrued interest and premiums with respect to such Indebtedness and transaction fees, costs and expenses in connection with such extension, renewal or replacement);

 

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(u) in the case of any non-wholly owned Subsidiary, any put and call arrangements related to its Equity Interests set forth in its organizational documents or any related joint venture or similar agreement;

(v) Liens on Permitted Receivables Facility Assets arising under Permitted Receivables Facilities;

(w) Liens on insurance policies and the proceeds thereof securing the financing of the premiums with respect thereto;

(x) Liens on specific items of inventory or other goods and proceeds thereof of any Borrower or Subsidiary securing obligations in respect of bankers’ acceptances issued or created for the account of such Person to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other goods in the ordinary course of business;

(y) Liens consisting of leases or subleases and licenses or sublicenses granted to others that do not interfere with the ordinary course of business of Whirlpool and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole or materially impair the value or use of the property subject thereto;

(z) Liens on the assets of Foreign Subsidiaries securing obligations under Swap Agreements entered into by such Foreign Subsidiaries that are permitted by Section 7.16 and that do not constitute Secured Obligations;

(aa) Liens on the assets of Non-Loan Parties securing Indebtedness of Non-Loan Parties permitted under Section 7.11;

(bb) Liens on cash or other deposits or government securities held by a trustee or escrow agent under any indenture or other debt agreement governing Indebtedness permitted hereunder pending the release thereof, to the extent that such Lien is limited to such deposited amounts, or under any indenture or other debt agreement pursuant to customary discharge, redemption or defeasance provisions;

(cc) Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar arrangements for the sale of goods entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(dd) Liens arising under any cash pooling arrangement or netting or set-off arrangement entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(ee) statutory Liens or other deemed trusts in respect of contributions to a Canadian Pension Plan or a Canadian Multi-Employer Plan by any Canadian Loan Party in respect of ongoing (non-termination or non-wind up) funding obligations that are (i) not yet due; or (ii) immaterial and inadvertently delinquent as a result of reasonable error, provided that any contribution arrears described in this (ii) are rectified within a reasonable period of time after the applicable Canadian Loan Party becoming aware thereof;

(ff) reservations, limitations, provisos and conditions expressed in any original grants from the Crown or other grants of real or immovable property, or interests in real or immovable property, that do not materially affect the use of the affected land for the purpose for which it is used by that Person;

(gg) security given to a public utility or any Governmental Authority when required by the utility or authority in connection with the operation of the business of that Person;

 

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(hh) the right reserved to or vested in any municipality or Governmental Authority by the terms of any lease, license, franchise, grant or permit acquired by that person or by any statutory provision to terminate the lease, license, franchise, grant or permit, or to require annual or other payments as a condition to its continuance;

(ii) Liens on Collateral securing obligations in respect of Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.11(v); provided that (x) if such Indebtedness is in the form of Term Indebtedness Obligations, any such Liens are subject to a Term Indebtedness Intercreditor Agreement and (y) if such Indebtedness is not in the form of Term Indebtedness Obligations and ranks junior in right of security with the Secured Obligations, any such Liens are subject to a Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement; and

(jj) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.11(m)(ii) or (m)(iii), in each case, so long as such Liens are subject to the terms and conditions of the Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

For so long as the Existing Senior Notes or the Applicable Refinanced Existing Senior Notes are outstanding and include “limitations on liens” covenants limiting the incurrence of liens over Specified Existing Senior Notes Assets, at any time during which the Collateral includes any Specified Existing Senior Notes Principal Property, notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, (i) none of Whirlpool or any of its Subsidiaries will create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon any Specified Existing Senior Notes Assets securing Indebtedness for borrowed money in an amount exceeding (x) 9.9% of “Consolidated Net Tangible Assets” (as defined in the Existing Senior Notes Indentures) (or the agreements governing any Applicable Refinanced Existing Senior Notes) less (y) the amount of “Attributable Debt” (as defined in the Existing Senior Notes Indentures) (or the agreements governing any Applicable Refinanced Existing Senior Notes) of Whirlpool and its subsidiaries outstanding at such time less (z) the aggregate outstanding amount of Secured Obligations secured by a first priority lien on Specified Existing Senior Notes Principal Property and (ii) none of Whirlpool or any of its Subsidiaries will create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien (other than a Permitted Encumbrance or other Permitted Lien described in clauses (a), (d), (i), (aa), (ff), (gg) or (hh) above) upon any real property (other than real property that is Specified Existing Senior Notes Principal Property) located in the United States or Canada and owned by a Loan Party where any Machinery and Equipment contributing more than $20,000,000 to the Aggregate Borrowing Base is located.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, none of Whirlpool or any of its Subsidiaries will create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon Material Intellectual Property to or in favor of any Person that is not Whirlpool or a Subsidiary Guarantor (other than non-exclusive licenses, non-exclusive sublicenses or non-exclusive cross-licenses, in each case, granted in the ordinary course of business and on ordinary commercial terms that do not interfere in any material respect with the business of Whirlpool and its Subsidiaries) other than Liens granted pursuant to the Collateral Documents and the documentation governing any Indebtedness outstanding pursuant to Section 7.11(l) or (v).

For the avoidance of doubt, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, (x) no intention to subordinate any Lien granted in favor of the Administrative Agent and the Secured Parties is to be hereby implied or expressed by the permitted existence of Liens permitted under this Section 7.10 except in connection with any Crossing-Lien Indebtedness and (y) in no event shall any Lien on the Collateral granted in favor of any Person (other than the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties) rank pari passu with any Lien securing the Secured Obligations granted in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties under any Loan Document (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any Lien granted to any creditor that is a Secured Party securing any Indebtedness or other obligations other than Liens securing the Secured Obligations granted in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties under any Loan Document).

 

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Section 7.11 Indebtedness.

Whirlpool will not, nor will it permit its Subsidiaries to, contract, create, incur, assume or permit to exist Indebtedness except:

(a) the Obligations;

(b) Indebtedness existing on the date hereof and (to the extent in an aggregate outstanding principal amount of at least $25,000,000) set forth in Schedule 7.11 and any Permitted Refinancing thereof (and including with respect to any Permitted Receivables Facilities included on such Schedule, expansions of such Permitted Receivables Facilities and increases to the aggregate dollar amount available pursuant to such Permitted Receivables Facilities in each case so long as such expansion or increase does not include the addition of any additional account debtors (other than Affiliates of existing account debtors));

(c) Indebtedness of Whirlpool to any Subsidiary and of any Subsidiary to Whirlpool or any other Subsidiary; provided that, from and after the date 60 days after the Effective Date (or such later date as the Administrative Agent may agree in its sole discretion), all such Indebtedness of any Loan Party owed to any Non-Loan Party shall be unsecured and subordinated to the Secured Obligations pursuant to the Intercompany Note or subordinated in another manner reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent; provided, further, that intercompany Indebtedness incurred in the ordinary course of business for cash management purposes shall not be required to be subordinated;

(d) Guarantees by Whirlpool of Indebtedness of any Subsidiary and by any Subsidiary of Indebtedness of Whirlpool or any other Subsidiary; provided that (A) no Guaranty by any Subsidiary of the Senior Notes, any Subordinated Indebtedness, any Ratio Debt, any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 7.11(q) and any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 7.11(v), in each case incurred by a Loan Party, or a Permitted Refinancing of any of the foregoing shall be permitted unless such guaranteeing party shall have also provided a Guaranty of the Secured Obligations on the terms set forth herein, and (B) if the Indebtedness being Guaranteed is subordinated to the Secured Obligations, such Guaranty shall be subordinated to the Guaranty of the Secured Obligations on terms at least as favorable, taken as a whole (as reasonably determined by Whirlpool), to the Lenders as those contained in the subordination of such Indebtedness;

(e) Indebtedness of Whirlpool or any Subsidiary incurred to finance the acquisition, construction or improvement of any fixed or capital assets, including Finance Leases and Synthetic Lease Obligations and any Indebtedness assumed in connection with the acquisition of any such assets or secured by a Lien on any such assets prior to the acquisition thereof, and, in each case, any Permitted Refinancing thereof; provided that (i) such Indebtedness (other than any Permitted Refinancing thereof) to acquire such assets is incurred prior to or within 180 days after such acquisition or the completion of such construction or improvement and (ii) the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness permitted by this clause (e) at any time outstanding shall not exceed the greater of (x) $500,000,000 and 50% of Consolidated EBITDA for the most recent period of four fiscal quarters of Whirlpool and its Consolidated Subsidiaries;

(f) (A) Indebtedness of any Person that becomes a Subsidiary after the date hereof; provided that (i) such Indebtedness exists at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary and is not created in contemplation of or in connection with such Person becoming a Subsidiary (ii) at the time of and immediately after giving effect to the assumption of such Indebtedness, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing and (iii) either (x) such Indebtedness is in an amount not to exceed the Fixed Amount or (y) at the time of and immediately after giving effect to the assumption of such Indebtedness, the Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio calculated on a pro forma basis does not exceed 6.50 to 1.00, and (B) any Permitted Refinancing thereof;

 

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(g) Indebtedness of Whirlpool or any Subsidiary as an account party in respect of trade letters of credit;

(h) Indebtedness of Whirlpool or any Subsidiary in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not to exceed the greater of (x) $200,000,000 and 20% of Consolidated EBITDA for the most recent period of four fiscal quarters of Whirlpool and its Consolidated Subsidiaries;

(i) Indebtedness under any Swap Agreement, provided that such Swap Agreement complies with Section 7.16;

(j) (A) Subordinated Indebtedness; provided that (i) after giving effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness, the Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio calculated on a pro forma basis does not exceed 5.50 to 1.00, (ii) the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness outstanding in reliance on this Section 7.11(j) in respect of which the primary obligor or a guarantor thereof is a Non-Loan Party shall not exceed in the aggregate (x) the greater of (A) $250,000,000 and (B) 25% of Consolidated EBITDA for the most recent period of four fiscal quarters of Whirlpool and its Consolidated Subsidiaries minus (y) the aggregate amount of Indebtedness incurred by Non-Loan Parties under Sections 7.11(l), 7.11(n) and 7.11(v) (in each case determined at the time of incurrence) and (iii) such Indebtedness shall be subject to the Maturity Limitations, and (B) any Permitted Refinancing thereof;

(k) Indebtedness of Whirlpool or any Subsidiary incurred pursuant to Permitted Receivables Facilities; provided that the Attributable Receivables Indebtedness thereunder with respect to any Permitted Receivables Facilities entered into by any Loan Party and permitted pursuant to this clause (k) shall not exceed the Maximum Permitted Receivables Facility Amount at any time outstanding;

(l) (A) Indebtedness (including in the form of Term Indebtedness Obligations) of Whirlpool or any Subsidiary; provided that at the time of and immediately after giving pro forma effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness (when aggregated with the amount of any Permitted Refinancing thereof then outstanding) and assuming all commitments thereunder are fully drawn (i) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (ii) (x) if such Indebtedness is in the form of Term Indebtedness Obligations, the Consolidated First Lien Net Leverage Ratio calculated on a pro forma basis does not exceed 2.50 to 1.00, (y) if such Indebtedness is not in the form of Term Indebtedness Obligations and is secured by Liens on the Collateral that rank junior in priority to the Liens securing the Secured Obligations, the Consolidated Secured Net Leverage Ratio calculated on a pro forma basis does not exceed 4.00 to 1.00 and (z) if such Indebtedness is unsecured, the Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio calculated on a pro forma basis does not exceed 6.50 to 1.00, (iii) the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness outstanding in reliance on this Section 7.11(l) in respect of which the primary obligor or a guarantor thereof is a Non-Loan Party shall not exceed in the aggregate (x) the greater of (A) $250,000,000 and (B) 25% of Consolidated EBITDA for the most recent period of four fiscal quarters of Whirlpool and its Consolidated Subsidiaries minus (y) the aggregate amount of Indebtedness incurred by Non-Loan Parties under Sections 7.11(j), 7.11(n) and 7.11(v) (in each case determined at the time of incurrence) and (iv) such Indebtedness shall be subject to the Maturity Limitations (Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this clause (l), “Ratio Debt”), and (B) any Permitted Refinancing thereof;

(m) (i) Indebtedness of Whirlpool and its Subsidiaries in respect of the Existing Senior Notes outstanding on the Effective Date, and (other than with respect to the Existing Senior Lux Finance Notes) any Permitted Refinancing thereof (including any Senior Notes Refinancing Indebtedness), (ii) 2031 Senior Notes Indebtedness, in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding $1,000,000,000 and so long as such Indebtedness is subject to the terms and conditions of the Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, and any Permitted Refinancing thereof (including any Senior Notes Refinancing Indebtedness) and (iii) 2034 Senior Notes Indebtedness, in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding $1,000,000,000 and so long as such Indebtedness is subject to the terms and conditions of the Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and any Permitted Refinancing thereof (including any Senior Notes Refinancing Indebtedness);

 

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(n) Indebtedness of Non-Loan Parties in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not to exceed (i) the greater of (x) $250,000,000 and (y) 25% of Consolidated EBITDA for the most recent period of four fiscal quarters of Whirlpool and its Consolidated Subsidiaries minus (ii) the aggregate amount of Indebtedness incurred by Non-Loan Parties under Sections 7.11(j), 7.11(l) and 7.11(v);

(o) Indebtedness consisting of cash management services, including treasury, depository, overdraft, credit or debit card, purchasing cards, electronic funds transfer and other cash management arrangements of Whirlpool or any Subsidiary;

(p) Indebtedness of Whirlpool and its Subsidiaries in respect of the Existing Synthetic Lease Agreements and any Permitted Refinancing thereof;

(q) (A) Indebtedness incurred to finance a Permitted Acquisition (or similar Investment not prohibited hereunder); provided that at the time of and immediately after giving pro forma effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness (when aggregated with the amount of any Permitted Refinancing thereof then outstanding) and the use of proceeds thereof and assuming all commitments thereunder are fully drawn (i) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing and (ii) the Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio calculated on a pro forma basis does not exceed 6.50 to 1.00, and any Permitted Refinancing thereof; provided, further, that such Indebtedness shall be (i) subject to the Maturity Limitations and (ii) unsecured or, if secured, shall be secured only to the extent otherwise permitted by Section 7.10; and (B) any Permitted Refinancing in respect thereof;

(r) Indebtedness arising from agreements of Whirlpool or any Subsidiary providing for indemnification, adjustment of purchase price, earnouts or similar obligations, in each case, incurred or assumed in connection with the acquisition or disposition of any business, assets or Subsidiary permitted hereunder;

(s) Indebtedness representing deferred compensation, severance, pension and health and welfare retirement benefits or the equivalent to current and former employees of Whirlpool and its Subsidiaries incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(t) Indebtedness in respect of (i) letters of credit, bank guarantees and similar instruments issued for the account of Whirlpool or any Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business supporting obligations under workers’ compensation, health, disability or other employee benefits, casualty or liability insurance, unemployment insurance and other social security laws and (ii) obligations in connection with self-insurance arrangements in the ordinary course of business;

(u) Guarantees of Indebtedness, indemnities and obligations in respect of surety bonds, workers’ compensation claims, performance bonds, bid bonds, customs or government contracts and similar obligations, in each case, made in the ordinary course of business;

(v) (A) Indebtedness in an amount not to exceed the Fixed Amount; provided that at the time of and immediately after giving pro forma effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness (when aggregated with the amount of any Permitted Refinancing thereof then outstanding) and assuming all commitments thereunder are fully drawn (i) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing; provided that, in connection with any such Indebtedness, the primary purpose of which is to finance a Limited Condition Transaction, the lenders providing such Indebtedness may waive in full or in part the condition set forth in this clause (i) (other than with respect to any Default under Section 8.02, 8.05 or 8.06) and (iii) the aggregate principal

 

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amount of Indebtedness outstanding in reliance on this Section 7.11(v) in respect of which the primary obligor or a guarantor thereof is a Non-Loan Party shall not exceed in the aggregate (x) the greater of (A) $250,000,000 and (B) 25% of Consolidated EBITDA for the most recent period of four fiscal quarters of Whirlpool and its Consolidated Subsidiaries minus (y) the aggregate amount of Indebtedness incurred by Non-Loan Parties under Sections 7.11(j), 7.11(l) and 7.11(n) (in each case determined at the time of incurrence); provided, further, that such Indebtedness shall be subject to the Maturity Limitations; and (B) any Permitted Refinancing thereof;

(w) Indebtedness in respect of Supply Chain Financings (to the extent constituting Indebtedness) and/or Bilateral Letters of Credit; and

(x) Indebtedness in respect of Import/Export Financings in an aggregate amount not to exceed $50,000,000 at any time.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, Indebtedness may be incurred substantially concurrently under Sections 7.11(l) and 7.11 (v) (in each case, to the extent compliant therewith) and proceeds from any such incurrence may be utilized in a single transaction or series of related transactions by, unless Whirlpool elects otherwise, first, calculating the incurrence under Section 7.11(l) (without inclusion of any amounts incurred substantially concurrently under Section 7.11(v)) and then calculating the incurrence under Section 7.11(v).

Section 7.12 Existing Senior Lux Finance Notes.

Within twenty (20) Business Days following the Effective Date, Whirlpool and/or a Subsidiary shall repay all amounts outstanding under, or otherwise satisfy and discharge by irrevocably depositing with the trustee under the Existing Notes Indentures governing such Existing Senior Lux Finance Notes funds sufficient to pay such amounts outstanding under, the Existing Senior Lux Finance Notes.

Section 7.13 Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.

During any period commencing on a date (each a “Commencement Date”) occurring on or after Effective Date on which Availability is less than the greater of (x) 10% of the Line Cap and (y) $135,000,000, and continuing until the date on which Availability shall have exceeded the threshold set forth above for twenty (20) consecutive days after the Commencement Date, permit the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the most recently ended four quarter period (including, for the avoidance of doubt, the most recently ended four quarter period on the applicable Commencement Date) to be less than 1.00 to 1.00.

Section 7.14 Ownership of Borrowing Subsidiaries.

Each Borrowing Subsidiary shall at all times be a wholly-owned Subsidiary of Whirlpool.

Section 7.15 Investments, Loans, Advances, Guarantees and Acquisitions.

Whirlpool will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, purchase, hold or acquire (including pursuant to any merger, amalgamation or consolidation with any Person that was not a wholly owned Subsidiary prior to such merger, amalgamation or consolidation) any Equity Interests, evidences of indebtedness or other securities (including any option, warrant or other right to acquire any of the foregoing) of, make or permit to exist any loans or advances to, Guaranty any obligations of, or make or permit to exist any investment or any other interest in, any other Person (other than Equity Interests exercisable or convertible into, or exchangeable for, Equity Interests of Whirlpool and its Subsidiaries), or purchase or otherwise acquire (in one transaction or a series of transactions) any Person or any assets of any other Person constituting a business unit (each of the foregoing, an “Investment”), except:

(a) Permitted Investments;

 

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(b) Permitted Acquisitions; provided that the Payment Conditions are met;

(c) Investments by Whirlpool and its Subsidiaries existing on the date hereof in the Equity Interests of its Subsidiaries and joint ventures;

(d) Investments, loans or advances made by Whirlpool in or to any Subsidiary and made by any Subsidiary in or to Whirlpool or any other Subsidiary, in each case, in the ordinary course of business (including to provide funds as necessary to enable an applicable Foreign Subsidiary to comply with changes in statutory or contractual capital requirements (other than any contractual requirement that constitutes a Guarantee)); provided that no such Investments, loans or advances shall include any Borrowing Base Assets (other than cash and cash equivalents);

(e) Guarantees constituting Indebtedness permitted by Section 7.11 and Guarantees of obligations of Subsidiaries;

(f) Swap Agreements permitted by Section 7.16;

(g) other Investments as along as the Payment Conditions are met;

(h) (i) contributions of Permitted Receivables Facility Assets and cash deemed received from proceeds of Permitted Receivables Facility Assets to any Receivables Entity to the extent required or made pursuant to Permitted Receivables Facility Documents or to the extent necessary to keep such Receivables Entity properly capitalized to avoid insolvency or consolidation with a Loan Party or any of the Subsidiaries and (ii) loans or advances made by Whirlpool or any Receivables Seller to the Receivables Entity for the purchase price of the Receivables and the Permitted Receivables Facility Assets;

(i) other Investments in any Person having an aggregate fair market value (measured on the date each such Investment was made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value), when taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (j) that are at the time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of (x) $150,000,000 and (y) 15% of Consolidated EBITDA for the most recent period of four fiscal quarters of Whirlpool and its Subsidiaries;

(j) Investments in connection with the transaction identified to Administrative Agent by Whirlpool as Project AB prior to the date hereof (x) in an aggregate amount in any calendar year not to exceed $80,000,000 (with unused amounts, if not used in any calendar year, carried forward to subsequent years and deemed first applied in such calendar years, as applicable) and (y) so long as the amount of such Investments, in the aggregate, do not exceed $240,000,000 at any time outstanding;

(k) Investments by Whirlpool or any of its Subsidiaries in joint ventures having an aggregate fair market value (measured on the date each such Investment was made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value), when taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (l) that are at the time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of (x) $50,000,000 and (y) 5% of Consolidated EBITDA for the most recent period of four fiscal quarters of Whirlpool and its Subsidiaries;

(l) Investments consisting of (i) extensions of trade credit, (ii) deposits made in connection with the purchase of goods or services or the performance of leases, licenses or contracts, in each case, in the ordinary course of business, (iii) notes receivable of, or prepaid royalties and other extensions of credit to, customers and suppliers that are not Affiliates of Whirlpool and that are made in the ordinary course of business and (iv) guarantees made in the ordinary course of business in support of obligations of Whirlpool or any Subsidiary not constituting Indebtedness, including operating leases and obligations owing to suppliers, customers and licensees;

 

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(m) Investments acquired in connection with the settlement of delinquent accounts receivable in the ordinary course of business or in connection with the bankruptcy or reorganization of suppliers or customers; and

(n) Investments held by a Subsidiary acquired after the Effective Date or of a Person merged or consolidated with or into Whirlpool or a Subsidiary after the Effective Date, in each case as permitted hereunder, to the extent that such Investments existed at the time of such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation and were not made in contemplation of or in connection with such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation.

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, none of Whirlpool or any of its Subsidiaries will make an Investment of Material Intellectual Property in any Person that is not Whirlpool or a Subsidiary Guarantor (other than non-exclusive licenses, non-exclusive sublicenses or non-exclusive cross-licenses, in each case, granted in the ordinary course of business and on ordinary commercial terms that do not interfere in any material respect with the business of Whirlpool and its Subsidiaries).

Section 7.16 Swap Agreements.

Whirlpool will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into any Swap Agreement, except (a) Swap Agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business to hedge or mitigate risks to which Whirlpool or any Subsidiary has actual exposure or in connection with the repurchase of any Equity Interests of Whirlpool to the extent permitted by Section 7.18, and (b) Swap Agreements entered into in order to effectively cap, collar or exchange interest rates (from fixed to floating rates, from one floating rate to another floating rate or otherwise) with respect to any interest-bearing liability or Investment of Whirlpool or any Subsidiary.

Section 7.17 Transactions with Affiliates.

Whirlpool will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, sell, lease or otherwise transfer any property or assets to, or purchase, lease or otherwise acquire any property or assets from, or otherwise engage in any other transactions with, any of its Affiliates, except (a) on terms and conditions not less favorable to Whirlpool or such Subsidiary than could be obtained on an arm’s-length basis from unrelated third parties, (b) transactions between or among Whirlpool and its wholly owned Subsidiaries not involving any other Affiliate, (c) any Restricted Payment permitted by Section 7.18, any Investments permitted by Section 7.15 and any Restricted Debt Payment permitted by Section 7.20, (d) any transaction entered into by a Person prior to the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary or is merged or consolidated into Whirlpool or a Subsidiary (provided that such transaction is not entered into in contemplation of such event), (e) reasonable director, officer and employee compensation (including bonuses) and other benefits (including pursuant to any employment agreement or any retirement, health, stock option or other benefit plan) and indemnification and insurance arrangements, in each case, as determined in good faith by Whirlpool’s board of directors or senior management, (f) any transaction involving aggregate payments or consideration of less than $10,000,000, (g) transactions contemplated by any Permitted Receivables Facility Documents, (h) transactions pursuant to agreements or arrangements in existence on the Effective Date and listed on Schedule 7.17 or any amendment, modification, supplement, extension, renewal or replacement thereof (so long as any such amendment, modification, supplement, extension, renewal or replacement is not less favorable to the Lenders than the original agreement or arrangement as in effect on the Effective Date). Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, none of Whirlpool or any of its Subsidiaries will Dispose of Material Intellectual Property to any Affiliate that is not Whirlpool or a Subsidiary Guarantor (other than non-exclusive licenses, non-exclusive sublicenses or non-exclusive cross-licenses, in each case, granted in the ordinary course of business and on ordinary commercial terms that do not interfere in any material respect with the business of Whirlpool and its Subsidiaries).

 

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Section 7.18 Restricted Payments.

Whirlpool will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, declare or make, or agree to pay or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, except:

(a) Whirlpool may declare and pay dividends with respect to its Equity Interests payable solely in additional shares of its common stock;

(b) Subsidiaries may declare and pay dividends or other distributions ratably with respect to their Equity Interests or, in the case of any non-wholly owned Subsidiary, dividends and other distributions made to holders of Equity Interests on a pro rata basis;

(c) Whirlpool may make Restricted Payments pursuant to and in accordance with stock compensation plans or other benefit plans for management or employees of Whirlpool and its Subsidiaries;

(d) Whirlpool and each Subsidiary may purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire its Equity Interests with the proceeds received from the substantially concurrent issuance of Qualified Equity Interests of such Person;

(e) other Restricted Payments as long as the Payment Conditions are met;

(f) Whirlpool may pay any dividend if, at the time of declaration thereof, such dividend was permitted by another clause of this Section 7.18 and such dividend is paid within sixty (60) days after the date of declaration thereof;

(g) [reserved];

(h) [reserved];

(i) Whirlpool shall be permitted to make any payments and/or deliveries required pursuant to the terms of, and otherwise perform its obligations with respect to any, Convertible Preferred Stock; provided that at the time of and immediately after giving effect to any such payments and/or deliveries made in reliance on this clause (i), (x) a Full Cash Dominion Period is not in effect and would not result therefrom and (y) no Specified Default shall have occurred and be continuing;

(j) Whirlpool shall be permitted to make cash dividends paid in respect of its common stock in an aggregate amount in any calendar year not to exceed $275,000,000 (with unused amounts, if not used in any calendar year, carried forward one year to the immediately succeeding calendar year and deemed first applied in such calendar year);

(k) Whirlpool may make cash payments in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares in connection with the exercise, settlement or cancellation of warrants, options or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for Equity Interests in Whirlpool;

(l) Restricted Payments made or expected to be made by Whirlpool or any Subsidiary in respect of any repurchases (including in respect of withholding or similar Taxes payable in connection therewith) of Equity Interests held by any future, present or former employee, director, manager or consultant (or their respective estates, Affiliates or Immediate Family Members) including deemed repurchases in connection with the exercise of stock options or the vesting or issuance of other equity incentive awards in an aggregate amount in any calendar year not to exceed the greater of (i) $25,000,000 and (ii) 2.5% of Consolidated EBITDA for the most recent period of four fiscal quarters of Whirlpool and its Consolidated Subsidiaries; and

 

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(m) Any Subsidiary (i) that is a pass-through entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes with respect to any taxable period may make Restricted Payments that are reasonably necessary to enable each direct or indirect holder of the Equity Interests in such Subsidiary to pay taxes on its allocated share of the taxable income of such Subsidiary for such period at the highest applicable combined marginal U.S., federal and local income tax rate applicable to such holder, (ii) that is a member of a consolidated, combined, unitary or similar Tax group of which Whirlpool is the common parent may declare and pay dividends or make distributions (including pursuant to a tax sharing agreement or similar arrangement) to the extent necessary to permit Whirlpool or any other Loan Party to pay any federal, state, local or foreign Taxes of such Tax Group to the extent such dividends or distributions do not exceed the amount Whirlpool and its Subsidiaries would have paid as a stand-alone group; provided that the amounts permitted to be paid pursuant to either clause (i) or clause (ii) of this paragraph (m) shall be without duplication of the amounts permitted to be paid pursuant to the other clause.

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, none of Whirlpool or any of its Subsidiaries will Dispose of or declare or make a Restricted Payment of Material Intellectual Property to a Person that is not Whirlpool or a Subsidiary Guarantor (other than non-exclusive licenses, non-exclusive sublicenses or non-exclusive cross-licenses, in each case, granted in the ordinary course of business and on ordinary commercial terms that do not interfere in any material respect with the business of Whirlpool and its Subsidiaries).

Section 7.19 Restrictive Agreements.

Whirlpool will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into or permit to exist any agreement or other arrangement with any Person that directly or indirectly prohibits, restricts or imposes any condition upon (a) the ability of Whirlpool or any Subsidiary to create, incur or permit to exist any Lien upon any of its property or assets or (b) the ability of any Subsidiary to pay dividends or other distributions with respect to holders of its Equity Interests or to make or repay loans or advances to Whirlpool or any other Subsidiary or to Guaranty any Indebtedness of Whirlpool or any other Subsidiary; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to (i) restrictions and conditions imposed by law, (ii) any agreement relating to any Indebtedness not prohibited by this Credit Agreement, (iii) customary non-assignment provisions of any contract not prohibited by this Credit Agreement, (iv) customary restrictions on cash or other deposits imposed by customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business, (v) contracts for the sale of Property permitted under Section 7.09, including customary restrictions with respect to a Subsidiary pursuant to an agreement that has been entered into for the sale of all or substantially all of the Equity Interests or assets of such Subsidiary permitted thereunder, (vi) purchase money obligations for Property acquired in the ordinary course of business, and not otherwise prohibited hereunder, that impose restrictions on the Property so acquired; (vii) any agreement of a Person acquired by Whirlpool or any of its Subsidiaries (or of a Subsidiary of such Person which becomes a Subsidiary) in existence at the time of such acquisition (but not created in contemplation thereof), which restriction is not applicable to Whirlpool or any of its Subsidiaries, or properties of any such Person, other than the Person, or properties or Subsidiaries of the Person, so acquired; (viii) customary provisions in joint venture agreements and other similar agreements applicable to joint ventures; (ix) restrictions or conditions imposed by any agreement relating to secured Indebtedness permitted by this Credit Agreement, to the extent such restrictions or conditions apply only to the property or assets securing such Indebtedness; (x) customary provisions restricting assignment of any agreement entered into in the ordinary course of business; (xi) restrictions and conditions arising under any agreement relating to any Permitted Receivables Facility; (xii) customary provisions in licenses, sublicenses, leases and subleases entered into in the ordinary course of business; and (xiii) restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by suppliers, customers or landlords under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business.

 

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Section 7.20 Restricted Indebtedness and Amendments to Restricted Indebtedness Documents.

(a) Whirlpool will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly voluntarily prepay, defease or in substance defease, purchase, redeem, retire or otherwise acquire prior to its stated maturity date, any Restricted Indebtedness or any Indebtedness from time to time outstanding under the Restricted Indebtedness Documents (collectively, “Restricted Debt Payments”) (it being understood that (x) payments of regularly scheduled interest and amortization of principal and (y) mandatory prepayments, in each case, in respect of any Restricted Indebtedness and required pursuant to the Restricted Indebtedness Documents governing such Restricted Indebtedness shall, in each case, not constitute a voluntary prepayment), except for:

(i) Restricted Debt Payments as long as the Payment Conditions are met;

(ii) Restricted Debt Payments made with the proceeds of any issuance of Qualified Equity Interests by Whirlpool;

(iii) Restricted Debt Payments made with the proceeds of any Permitted Refinancing or other issuance or incurrence of Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.11(l) or Section 7.11(v); and

(iv) solely for purposes of complying with Section 7.12, Restricted Debt Payments made with respect to the Existing Senior Lux Finance Notes.

(b) Whirlpool will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, amend the Restricted Indebtedness Documents or any document, agreement or instrument evidencing any Indebtedness incurred pursuant to the Restricted Indebtedness Documents (or any Permitted Refinancing thereof) or pursuant to which such Indebtedness is issued where such amendment, modification or supplement provides for the following or which has any of the following effects:

(i) shortens or accelerates the date upon which any installment of principal or interest becomes due or adds any additional mandatory redemption provisions;

(ii) shortens the final maturity date of such Indebtedness or otherwise accelerates the amortization schedule with respect to such Indebtedness;

(iii) increases the rate of interest accruing on such Indebtedness;

(iv) provides for the payment of additional fees or increases existing fees; or

(v) amends or modifies any financial or negative covenant (or covenant which prohibits or restricts Whirlpool or any Subsidiary from taking certain actions) in a manner which is more onerous or more restrictive in any material respect to Whirlpool or such Subsidiary or which is otherwise materially adverse to Whirlpool, any Subsidiary and/or the Lenders or, in the case of any such covenant, which places material additional restrictions on Whirlpool or such Subsidiary or which requires Whirlpool or such Subsidiary to comply with more restrictive financial ratios or which requires Whirlpool to better its financial performance, in each case

 

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(taken as a whole) from that set forth in the existing applicable covenants in the Restricted Indebtedness Documents or the applicable covenants in this Credit Agreement unless such provisions shall (x) be reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, (y) only apply to periods after the Termination Date or (z) be added for the benefit of the outstanding Loans; it being understood and agreed that in each such case, no consent of the Administrative Agent and/or any Lender shall be required in connection with adding such covenant, and it may be added by Whirlpool in consultation with the Administrative Agent.

Section 7.21 Covenant to Guaranty Obligations and Give Security.

(a) Upon the formation or acquisition by any Loan Party of any new direct or indirect Subsidiary (other than any Excluded Subsidiary), upon a Subsidiary ceasing to be an Excluded Subsidiary, or upon a Subsidiary providing a Guaranty with respect to the Senior Notes and/or any Term Indebtedness Obligations, Whirlpool shall, at Whirlpool’s expense:

(i) (x) Within sixty (60) days (as such time may be extended by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion) following the creation or acquisition of such Subsidiary or following such Subsidiary ceasing to be an Excluded Subsidiary (it being understood that quarterly determinations of whether any Immaterial Subsidiary has become a Material Domestic Subsidiary will be made within thirty (30) days after the financial statements are required to be delivered hereunder pursuant to Section 7.01(a) and 7.01(b), as applicable, and such sixty (60) day period contemplated by this Section 7.21(a)(i) shall begin upon such thirtieth day) or (y) concurrently with the provision of a Guaranty in respect of the Senior Notes and/or any Term Indebtedness Obligations, as the case may be, by such Subsidiary, cause such Subsidiary to (a) become a Subsidiary Guarantor and provide the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, a Lien on its assets (other than Excluded Assets) to secure the Secured Obligations by executing and delivering to the Administrative Agent a joinder to the U.S. Collateral Agreement or the Canadian Collateral Agreement, as applicable, a Counterpart Agreement, a counterpart of the Intercompany Note (if applicable) and/or such other documents as the Administrative Agent shall deem appropriate for such purpose in its reasonable discretion, (b) deliver to the Administrative Agent such resolutions, member or partner consents, certificates, legal opinions and such other related documents as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request with respect to each such Subsidiary, all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, (c) to the extent requested by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, provide all documentation and other information about such Subsidiary as shall be required by applicable regulatory authorities under applicable “know your customer” and anti-money laundering rules and regulations, including the Patriot Act and the Beneficial Ownership Regulation (and such Subsidiary shall become a Subsidiary Guarantor and a Loan Party hereunder upon delivery of the items described in clauses (a), (b) and (c)) and (d) deliver an updated Schedule 6.10;

(ii) (x) within sixty (60) days (as such time may be extended by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion) after such formation or acquisition or after such Subsidiary ceases to be an Excluded Subsidiary (it being understood that quarterly determinations of whether any Immaterial Subsidiary has become a Material Domestic Subsidiary will be made within thirty (30) days after the financial statements are required to be delivered hereunder pursuant to Section 7.01(a) and 7.01(b), as applicable, and such sixty (60) day period contemplated by this Section 7.21(a)(ii) shall begin upon such thirtieth day) or (y) concurrently with the provision of a Guaranty in respect of the Senior Notes and/or any Term Indebtedness Obligations, as the case may be, by such Subsidiary, cause each direct and indirect parent (to the extent such parent is a Loan Party) of such Subsidiary to pledge its interests in such Subsidiary to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, to secure such parent’s Secured Obligations (if it has not already done so) and to deliver to the Administrative Agent all certificated Equity Interests of such Subsidiary (if any) together with transfer powers in respect thereof endorsed in blank, and cause such Subsidiary:

 

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(A) to duly execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, any additional collateral and security agreements or supplements thereto (including intellectual property security agreements), as reasonably specified by and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, to secure payment of all the Secured Obligations of such Subsidiary, and constituting Liens on the personal property (other than Excluded Assets) of such Subsidiary; and

(B) to take whatever action (including the filing of UCC and PPSA financing statements (including precautionary fixture filings, as necessary) and intellectual property security agreements, the giving of notices and the entry into Account Control Agreements) may be necessary or advisable in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent to provide the Administrative Agent valid and subsisting first priority perfected Liens on properties purported to be subject to the Collateral Documents, subject to any Liens permitted under Section 7.10; provided that fixture filings shall only be required with respect to Machinery and Equipment included in the Borrowing Base (other than any Specified M&E Assets).

Notwithstanding any of the foregoing to the contrary, the Collateral shall be subject to the limitations and exclusions set forth in the applicable Collateral Documents and it is understood and agreed that:

(i) no action shall be required to perfect any Lien with respect to (A) any vehicle or other asset subject to a certificate of title or (B) letter of credit rights, in each case, except to the extent that a security interest therein is perfected by filing a UCC or PPSA financing statement (or equivalent) (which shall be the only required perfection action);

(ii) no Loan Party shall be required to perfect a security interest in any asset to the extent perfection of a security interest in such asset would be prohibited under any applicable law;

(iii) the Administrative Agent shall not require the taking of a Lien on, or require the perfection of any Lien granted in, those assets as to which the cost of obtaining or perfecting such Lien (including any Tax or expenses relating to such Lien) is excessive in relation to the benefit to the Lenders of the security afforded thereby as reasonably determined by Whirlpool and the Administrative Agent; and

(iv) the Loan Parties shall not have any obligation to perfect any security interest or Lien, or record any notice thereof, in any Intellectual Property included in the Collateral in any jurisdiction other than (x) the United States of America, (y) Canada and (z) the jurisdiction of incorporation, association, organization, formation or registration of an applicable Loan Party.

Section 7.22 Further Assurances; Additional Security.

Promptly upon the reasonable request by the Administrative Agent, Whirlpool will (a) correct any material defect or error that may be discovered in any Loan Document or in the execution, acknowledgement, filing or recordation thereof, and (b) do, execute, acknowledge, deliver, record, re-record, file, re-file, register and re-register any and all such further acts, deeds, certificates, assurances and other instruments as the Administrative Agent, or any Lender through the Administrative Agent, may

 

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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 properties, assets, rights or interests to the Liens now or hereafter intended to be covered by any of the Collateral Documents or Section 7.21, (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) subject to the limitations set forth in Section 7.21, 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 Subsidiary is or is to be a party, and cause each Subsidiary to do so.

Section 7.23 Certain Post-Closing Obligations.

As promptly as practicable, and in any event within the time periods after the Effective Date specified in Schedule 7.23 (which may be extended by the Administrative Agent in its sole discretion), Whirlpool and each other Loan Party shall deliver the documents or take the actions specified on Schedule 7.23.

Section 7.24 Account Control Agreements.

(a) With respect to any new Deposit Account that is not an Excluded Account opened by a Loan Party after the Effective Date or any Excluded Account that ceases to be an Excluded Account, deliver to the Administrative Agent within the time period specified in the U.S. Collateral Agreement or Canadian Collateral Agreement (as applicable) any Deposit Account Control Agreement and/or Securities Account Control Agreement, as applicable and required to be delivered pursuant to the U.S. Collateral Agreement and/or the Canadian Collateral Agreement, in each case, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

(b) Whirlpool shall not remove any portion of a Material Indebtedness Contingency Cash Amount from the Material Indebtedness Contingency Account unless (i) the amount of such Material Indebtedness Contingency Cash Amount so removed is used to pay the outstanding principal amount of the Material Indebtedness in respect of which such Material Indebtedness Contingency Cash Amount was designated, (ii) prior to such removal, the Material Indebtedness in respect of which such Material Indebtedness Contingency Cash Amount was designated has been paid in full or (iii) it has provided the Administrative Agent with five (5) Business Days’ prior written notice of such removal and the Administrative Agent has established a Material Indebtedness Maturity Reserve for the Material Indebtedness in respect of which such Material Indebtedness Contingency Cash Amount was designated; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, if reasonably necessary to repay or redeem all or a portion of any Material Indebtedness, Whirlpool may transfer all or any portion of the Material Indebtedness Contingency Cash Amount to a deposit account maintained by a Loan Party or subsidiary thereof outside the United States which is not a fully blocked deposit account or subject to a control agreement, in each case, for a period not to exceed ten (10) Business Days and such transfer shall not be deemed to violate this Section 7.24(b).

Section 7.25 Credit Card Notifications.

Except as otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent, each Loan Party shall deliver to the Administrative Agent, no later than the day that is 60 days after the Effective Date (or such later date as the Administrative Agent may decide in its sole discretion) Credit Card Notifications executed on behalf of each such Loan Party and delivered to each Credit Card Issuer and Credit Card Processor, in form reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

 

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Section 7.26 Canadian Defined Benefit Plan and Canadian Defined Benefit Multi-Employer Plan.

Except for any pension plans and other Canadian supplemental pension plans (including the Canadian Pension Plans) existing as of the date hereof, no Loan Party shall contribute to or assume or have any liability in respect of any (i) Canadian Defined Benefit Plan, or (ii) any Canadian Defined Benefit Multi-Employer Plan, in each case without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent which shall not be unreasonably withheld.

ARTICLE 8.

DEFAULTS

The occurrence of any one or more of the following events shall constitute a Default:

Section 8.01 Representations and Warranties.

Any representation or warranty made or deemed made by or on behalf of any Borrower or any Subsidiary to the Lenders, the Issuing Lenders or the Administrative Agent under or in connection with this Credit Agreement or in any certificate or other information delivered in connection with this Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document shall have been incorrect in any material respect (or, in the case of any representation or warranty already qualified by materiality, in any respect) when made or deemed made.

Section 8.02 Payment.

(i) Nonpayment of principal under the Loan Documents or reimbursement obligations arising from drawings under Letters of Credit when due, or

(ii) nonpayment of interest or of any unused commitment fee, letter of credit fee, fronting fee or any other obligations under any of the Loan Documents within five Business Days after the same becomes due.

Section 8.03 Covenants.

(a) The breach by any Borrower of any of the terms or provisions of Section 7.02, 7.03(a) 7.04 (as to existence of the Borrowers (other than any Borrowing Subsidiary that has been terminated as a Borrowing Subsidiary prior to or contemporaneously with ceasing to exist)), 7.09, 7.10, 7.11, 7.12, 7.13, 7.14, 7.15, 7.16, 7.17, 7.18, 7.19, 7.20, 7.23 or 7.24.

(b) The breach by Whirlpool of any of the terms of provisions of Section 7.01(j) and such breach shall continue unremedied for a period of five (5) or more Business Days (in the case of a monthly Borrowing Base Certificate) or three (3) or more Business Days (in the case of a weekly Borrowing Base Certificate) after the earlier of (i) receipt of written notice from the Administrative Agent or any Lender as to such breach or (ii) the date on which an Authorized Representative of a Borrower became aware of such breach;

(c) The breach by any Borrower (other than a breach which constitutes a Default under Section 8.01, 8.02, 8.03(a) or 8.03(b)) of any of the terms or provisions of this Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document and such breach shall continue unremedied for a period of thirty or more days after the earlier of (i) receipt of written notice from the Administrative Agent or any Lender as to such breach or (ii) the date on which an Authorized Representative of a Borrower became aware of such breach.

 

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Section 8.04 Other Indebtedness.

Failure of any Borrower or Subsidiary of a Borrower to make any payment when due in respect of Indebtedness (other than the Obligations) in an aggregate amount greater than $150,000,000 (or the Dollar Amount of Indebtedness denominated in a currency other than Dollars); or the default by any Borrower or any Subsidiary of a Borrower in the performance of any term, provision or condition contained in any agreement under which any Indebtedness (other than the Obligations) in an aggregate amount greater than $150,000,000 (or the Dollar Amount of Indebtedness denominated in a currency other than Dollars) was created or is governed, the effect of which is to cause, or to permit the holder or holders of such Indebtedness to cause such Indebtedness to become due prior to its stated maturity; or Indebtedness (other than the Obligations) in an aggregate amount greater than $150,000,000 (or the Dollar Amount of Indebtedness denominated in a currency other than Dollars) shall be declared to be due and payable or required to be prepaid (other than (x) by a regularly scheduled payment or (y) mandatory prepayments of the Term Indebtedness Obligations required by any Term Indebtedness Agreement, but subject to the terms of the applicable Term Indebtedness Intercreditor Agreement) prior to the stated maturity thereof.

Section 8.05 Bankruptcy.

Any Loan Party, any Material Domestic Subsidiary of a Loan Party or any Foreign Significant Subsidiary of a Loan Party shall (i) have an order for relief entered with respect to it under the Bankruptcy Code or any other bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law (including Canadian Insolvency Laws) as now or hereafter in effect, (ii) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors, (iii) fail to pay, or admit in writing its inability to pay, its debts generally as they become due, (iv) apply for, seek, consent to, or acquiesce in the appointment of a receiver, interim receiver, receiver-manager, custodian, trustee, examiner, liquidator or similar official for it or any substantial portion of its Property, (v) institute any proceeding seeking an order for relief under the Bankruptcy Code or any other bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law (including Canadian Insolvency Laws) as now or hereafter in effect or seeking to adjudicate it as bankrupt or insolvent, or seeking dissolution, winding up, liquidation, reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of it or its debts under the Bankruptcy Code or any other law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization or relief of debtors (including Canadian Insolvency Laws) or fail to file an answer or other pleading denying the material allegations of any such proceeding filed against it or (vi) take any corporate action to authorize or effect any of the foregoing actions set forth in this Section 8.05.

Section 8.06 Receivership, Etc.

Without the application, approval or consent of any Loan Party, any Material Domestic Subsidiary of a Loan Party or any Foreign Significant Subsidiary of a Loan Party, a receiver, interim receiver, receiver-manager, trustee, examiner, liquidator or similar official shall be appointed for any Loan Party, any Material Domestic Subsidiary of a Loan Party or any Foreign Significant Subsidiary of a Loan Party or any substantial portion of the Property of any such Person, or a proceeding described in Section 8.05(v) shall be instituted against any Loan Party, any Material Domestic Subsidiary of a Loan Party or any Foreign Significant Subsidiary of a Loan Party and such appointment continues undischarged or such proceeding continues undismissed or unstayed for a period of 90 consecutive days.

Section 8.07 Judgments.

Any Borrower or any Subsidiary of a Borrower shall fail within sixty days to pay, bond or otherwise discharge or settle one or more judgments or orders for the payment of money in excess of $150,000,000 in the aggregate which is not stayed on appeal or otherwise being appropriately contested in good faith.

 

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Section 8.08 ERISA.

A contribution failure occurs with respect to any Plan sufficient to give rise to a lien under Section 303(k) of ERISA, a Loan Party or any other member of the Controlled Group commits to withdraw from any Plan, or any notice of intent to terminate a Plan shall be filed by a member of the Controlled Group and/or any Plan administrator, or the PBGC shall institute proceedings under Title IV of ERISA to terminate or to cause a trustee to be appointed to administer any such Plan, or a condition shall exist which would entitle the PBGC to obtain a decree adjudicating that any such Plan must be terminated, or a Canadian Pension Event occurs, in each case which would reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 8.09 Guaranty.

The Guaranty of the Secured Obligations pursuant to Article 4 shall cease to be in full force and effect as a legal, valid, binding and enforceable obligation of Whirlpool or any other Subsidiary Guarantor or Whirlpool and any Subsidiary Guarantor shall disaffirm or seek to disaffirm any of its obligations under or with respect to its guaranty of the Secured Obligations pursuant to Article 4, in each case, other than as expressly permitted thereunder or hereunder.

Section 8.10 Change of Control.

(a) Any person or group of persons (within the meaning of Section 13 or 14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) shall have acquired beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under said Act) of 40% or more of the outstanding shares of common stock of Whirlpool; or, during any period of 12 consecutive calendar months, individuals who were directors of Whirlpool on the first day of such period (together with any new directors whose election or nomination to the board of directors of Whirlpool was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then still in office who were either directors at the beginning of such period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved) shall cease for any reason other than retirement, death, or disability to constitute a majority of the board of directors of Whirlpool.

(b) A “Change of Control” (or functional equivalent thereof) has occurred under the Senior Secured Notes Indenture.

Section 8.11 Invalidity of Liens.

Any Collateral Document after delivery thereof pursuant to Section 5.01 or Section 7.21 shall for any reason (other than pursuant to its terms or the terms of this Credit Agreement) cease to create a valid and perfected first priority Lien on the Collateral purported to be covered thereby, subject to Liens permitted under Section 7.10, (ii) any Lien created or purported to be created by the Collateral Documents shall cease to have the lien priority established or purported to be established by any applicable intercreditor agreement (including the Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement) (other than in accordance with its terms or the terms of this Credit Agreement) or (iii) any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries shall contest in writing the validity or perfection of any Lien in a material portion of Collateral purported to be covered by the Collateral Documents for any reason.

Section 8.12 Invalidity of Loan Documents.

Any material provision of any Loan Document for any reason ceases to be valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with its terms (or Whirlpool or any Subsidiary shall challenge the enforceability of any Loan Document or shall assert in writing, or engage in any action or inaction based on any such assertion, that any provision of any of the Loan Documents has ceased to be or otherwise is not valid, binding and enforceable in accordance with its terms).

 

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ARTICLE 9.

ACCELERATION, WAIVERS, AMENDMENTS AND REMEDIES

Section 9.01 Acceleration; Allocation of Payments after Acceleration.

(a) If any Default described in Section 8.05 or 8.06 occurs, the obligations of the Lenders to make Loans and issue Letters of Credit hereunder shall automatically terminate and the Obligations of the Borrowers (which shall include, without limitation, the delivery to the Administrative Agent of additional cash, to be held by the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, in a cash collateral account as additional security for the LOC Obligations in respect of subsequent drawings under all then outstanding Letters of Credit in an amount equal to 103% of the maximum aggregate amount which may be drawn under all Letters of Credit then outstanding) shall immediately become due and payable without presentment, demand, protest or notice of any kind (all of which each Borrower hereby expressly waives) or any other election or action on the part of the Administrative Agent or any Lender. If any other Default occurs, the Administrative Agent may, and at the request of the Required Lenders shall (i) terminate or suspend the obligations of the Lenders to make Loans and issue Letters of Credit hereunder, (ii) declare the Obligations of the Borrowers to be due and payable, or both, (iii) direct the Borrowers to pay to the Administrative Agent additional cash, to be held by the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders, in a cash collateral account as additional security for the LOC Obligations in respect of subsequent drawings under all then outstanding Letters of Credit in an amount equal to 103% of the maximum aggregate amount which may be drawn under all Letters of Credit then outstanding or (iv) exercise on behalf of itself, the Lenders and the Issuing Lenders all rights and remedies available to it, the Lenders and the Issuing Lenders under the Loan Documents and applicable law, in each case upon written notice to the Borrowers, whereupon such obligations shall terminate or be suspended, as the case may be, and/or the Obligations shall become immediately due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or further notice of any kind, all of which each Borrower hereby expressly waives.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, after acceleration of the Obligations, all amounts collected or received by the Administrative Agent or any Lender on account of amounts outstanding under any of the Loan Documents shall be paid over or delivered as follows:

FIRST, to the payment of all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including without limitation reasonable attorneys’ fees) of the Administrative Agent or any of the Lenders in connection with enforcing the rights of the Lenders under the Loan Documents;

SECOND, to payment of any fees owed to the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Lender or any Lender;

THIRD, to payment of interest due in respect of the Protective Advances payable to the Lenders hereunder;

FOURTH, to payment of the outstanding principal amount of the Protective Advances, pro rata, as set forth below;

FIFTH, to the payment of all accrued interest (other than interest in respect of Protective Advances) payable to the Lenders hereunder;

 

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SIXTH, ratably (i) to the payment (on a ratable basis) of the outstanding principal amount of the Advances (other than Protective Advances) and to the payment or cash collateralization of the outstanding LOC Obligations and (ii) to any other amounts owing with respect to Designated Cash Management Agreements, up to the amount of Designated Cash Management Reserves then in effect with respect thereto, Designated Hedging Agreements, up to the amount of Designated Hedging Reserves then in effect with respect thereto, and Secured Pari Lease Obligations, up to the amount of Designated Synthetic Lease Reserves then in effect with respect thereto, in each case, pro rata, as set forth below;

SEVENTH, to any other amounts owing with respect to Bilateral Letter of Credit Obligations and Supply Chain Finance Obligations (in the case of Supply Chain Finance Obligations in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $400,000,000), in each case, pro rata, as set forth below;

EIGHTH, to any other amounts owing with respect to Secured Cash Management Obligations (other than pursuant to any Designated Cash Management Agreement, but including any amounts not paid pursuant to clause “SIXTH” above), Secured Hedging Obligations (other than pursuant to any Designated Hedging Agreement, but including any amounts not paid pursuant to clause “SIXTH” above), any remaining Secured Pari Lease Obligations (other than any amounts paid pursuant to clause “SIXTH” above) and any remaining Supply Chain Finance Obligations (other than any amounts paid pursuant to clause “SEVENTH” above) in each case, pro rata, as set forth below;

NINTH, to any amounts owing with respect to Import/Export Finance Obligations, pro rata, as set forth below;

TENTH, to all other Obligations which shall have become due and payable under the Loan Documents and not repaid pursuant to clauses “FIRST” through “NINTH” above; and

ELEVENTH, to the payment of the surplus, if any, to whoever may be lawfully entitled to receive such surplus.

In carrying out the foregoing, (a) amounts received shall be applied in the numerical order provided until exhausted prior to application to the next succeeding category; (b) each of the applicable Secured Parties shall receive an amount equal to its pro rata share (based on the proportion that the then outstanding Loans, LOC Obligations, Secured Cash Management Obligations, Secured Hedging Obligations, Secured Pari Lease Obligations, Bi-Lateral Letter of Credit Obligations, Supply Chain Finance Obligations and Import/Export Finance Obligations held by such Secured Party bears to the aggregate then outstanding Advances, LOC Obligations, Secured Cash Management Obligations, Secured Hedging Obligations, Secured Pari Lease Obligations, Bi-Lateral Letter of Credit Obligations, Supply Chain Finance Obligations and Import/Export Finance Obligations, respectively) of amounts available to be applied pursuant to clauses “FIRST”, “THIRD,” “FOURTH”, “FIFTH”, “SIXTH”, “SEVENTH”, “EIGHTH”, “NINTH” and “TENTH” above; and (c) to the extent that any amounts available for distribution pursuant to clause “SIXTH” above are attributable to the issued but undrawn amount of outstanding Letters of Credit, such amounts shall be held by the Administrative Agent in a cash collateral account and applied (x) first, to reimburse the Issuing Lenders from time to time for any drawings under such Letters of Credit and (y) then, following the expiration of all Letters of Credit, to all other obligations of the types described in clauses “SIXTH”, “SEVENTH”, “EIGHTH”, “NINTH” and “TENTH” above in the manner provided in this Section 9.01.

 

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Section 9.02 Judgment Currency.

(i) The Borrowers’ obligations under the Loan Documents to make payments in an applicable Agreed Currency (the “Obligation Currency”) shall not be discharged or satisfied by any tender or recovery pursuant to any judgment expressed in or converted into any currency other than the Obligation Currency, except to the extent that such tender or recovery results in the effective receipt by the Administrative Agent or a Lender of the full amount of the Obligation Currency expressed to be payable to the Administrative Agent or such Lender under the Loan Documents. If, for the purpose of obtaining or enforcing judgment against any Borrower in any court or in any jurisdiction, it becomes necessary to convert into or from any currency other than the Obligation Currency (such other currency being hereinafter referred to as the “Judgment Currency”) an amount due in the Obligation Currency, the conversion shall be made at the Dollar Amount, determined as of the Business Day immediately preceding the day on which the judgment is given (such Business Day being hereinafter referred to as the “Judgment Currency Conversion Date”).

(ii) If there is a change in the rate of exchange prevailing between the Judgment Currency Conversion Date and the date of actual payment of the amount due, such amount payable by the applicable Borrower shall be reduced or increased, as applicable, such that the amount paid in the Judgment Currency, when converted at the rate of exchange prevailing on the date of payment, will produce the amount of the Obligation Currency which could have been purchased with the amount of Judgment Currency stipulated in the judgment or judicial award at the rate of exchange prevailing on the Judgment Currency Conversion Date. Each Borrower agrees to pay any additional amounts payable by it under this subsection (ii) as a separate obligation notwithstanding any such judgment or judicial award.

Section 9.03 Amendments.

(a) Subject to the provisions of this Article 9, the Required Lenders (or the Administrative Agent with the consent in writing of the Required Lenders) and the Borrowers may enter into agreements supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding or modifying any provisions to the Loan Documents or changing in any manner the rights of the Lenders or the Borrowers hereunder or waiving any Default or Unmatured Default hereunder; provided, however, that no such supplemental agreement shall without the consent of each Lender directly affected thereby (or, with respect to clause (iv) below, (x) each Affiliate of a Lender that is a Cash Management Bank, Hedge Bank, Lease Bank, Supply Chain Finance Bank, Import/Export Finance Bank or Bilateral Letter of Credit Bank, in each case, directly affected thereby or (y) each holder of Secured Pari Lease Obligations directly affected thereby):

(i) Extend the maturity of any Loan or reduce the principal amount thereof, or reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of any interest thereon or extend the time of payment of any reimbursement obligation under a Letter of Credit;

(ii) Reduce the rate or extend any fixed date of payment of any fees due hereunder;

(iii) Change any provision of this Credit Agreement (including Section 2.03(c)(i) and 12.02) in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments or pro rata reduction of Commitments required hereby;

(iv) Change the payment waterfall provisions of Section 2.12(a)(ii) or 9.01(b);

(v) Change the percentages specified in the definition of “Required Lenders” or “Supermajority Lenders” or change any other provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to waive, amend or otherwise modify any rights hereunder or thereunder or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder or thereunder to reduce the number or percentage of Lenders specified therein;

 

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(vi) Extend the Termination Date or increase the amount of the Commitment of any Lender hereunder, or permit any Borrower to assign its rights or obligations under this Credit Agreement;

(vii) Amend or modify, or waive any requirement under, this Section 9.03; or

(viii) subordinate (x) the Administrative Agent’s Liens on all or substantially all of the Collateral to the Liens on such Collateral securing any other Indebtedness for borrowed money or (y) the Obligations (including any guaranty thereof) under the Loan Documents in right of payment to the obligations under any Indebtedness for borrowed money; provided that no such Lender’s consent shall be required if such Lender is offered a reasonable, bona fide opportunity to participate on a pro rata basis in any such Indebtedness permitted to be issued as a result of such waiver, amendment or modification; provided, further, that this clause (viii) shall not apply to (x) customary Lien subordination provisions in connection with any purchase money debt, equipment leases and similar obligations otherwise permitted hereunder and (y) the subordination of Liens on assets that are not Borrowing Base Assets (including upon effecting the IP Release, Intellectual Property and upon effecting the M&E Release, Machinery and Equipment) securing Term Indebtedness Obligations or obligations in respect of bond or other financings, in each case, to the extent permitted hereunder;

provided, further, however, that no such supplemental agreement shall without the consent of each Lender (x) release Whirlpool from its obligations under 7.21 or under the Collateral Documents or (y) release all or substantially all of the value of the guaranty contained in Article 4 or all or substantially all of the value of the Collateral (in each case, subject to Section 10.15).

(b) No amendment of any provision of this Credit Agreement relating to the Administrative Agent shall be effective without the written consent of the Administrative Agent. No amendment to Section 2.04 or any other provision hereof relating to any Issuing Lender shall be effective without the written consent of such Issuing Lender. The Administrative Agent may waive payment of the fee required under Section 13.03(b) without obtaining the consent of any of the Lenders.

(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Credit Agreement and any other Loan Document may be amended (or amended and restated) with the written consent of the Required Lenders, the Administrative Agent and Whirlpool (x) to add one or more credit facilities to this Credit Agreement and to permit extensions of credit from time to time outstanding thereunder and the accrued interest and fees in respect thereof to share ratably in the benefits of this Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents with the Loans and the accrued interest and fees in respect thereof and (y) to include appropriately the Lenders holding such credit facilities in any determination of the Required Lenders and Lenders.

(d) If the Administrative Agent and Whirlpool acting together identify any ambiguity, omission, mistake, typographical error or other defect in any provision of this Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, then the Administrative Agent and Whirlpool shall be permitted to amend, modify or supplement such provision to cure such ambiguity, omission, mistake, typographical error or other defect, and such amendment shall become effective without any further action or consent of any other party to this Credit Agreement.

(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Lender consent is required to effect any amendment, modification or supplement to any Term Indebtedness Intercreditor Agreement, any Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement or other intercreditor agreement or arrangement permitted under this Credit Agreement that is expressly contemplated by any Term Indebtedness Intercreditor Agreement, any Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement or other intercreditor agreement or arrangement permitted under this Credit Agreement; provided, further, that no such agreement shall amend, modify or otherwise adversely affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent.

 

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(f) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, guarantees, collateral security documents and related documents entered into in connection with this Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents may be in a form reasonably determined by the Administrative Agent and may be, together with this Credit Agreement, amended, supplemented and waived with the consent of the Administrative Agent at the request of Whirlpool without the need to obtain the consent of any other Lender if such amendment, supplement or waiver is delivered in order (i) to comply with applicable law or advice of counsel, (ii) to cause such guarantee, collateral security document or other document to be consistent with this Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents, or (iii) to effect the granting, perfection, protection, expansion or enhancement of any security interest in any Collateral or additional property to become Collateral for the benefit of the Secured Parties.

(g) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, no amendment waver, amendment, supplement or modification of this Credit Agreement shall (i) increase the advance rates set forth in the definition of “U.S. Borrowing Base” or “Canadian Borrowing Base” or add new categories of eligible assets, without the written consent of the Supermajority Lenders or (ii) modify eligibility criteria, as such eligibility criteria are in effect on the Effective Date (including adding new categories of eligible assets or eliminating any category of the Reserves in effect on the Effective Date; provided, however, that, for the avoidance of doubt, notwithstanding anything in this Section 9.03 to the contrary, (i) the Administrative Agent may, in its Permitted Discretion and without the consent of any other Lenders, eliminate any category of Reserve that was added after the Effective Date by the Administrative Agent) in any manner that has the effect of increasing the amounts available to be borrowed hereunder without the written consent of the Supermajority Lenders and (ii) no Supermajority Lender consent is required to effectuate the IP Release or the M&E Release.

Section 9.04 Preservation of Rights.

No delay or omission of the Lenders or the Administrative Agent to exercise any right under the Loan Documents shall impair such right or be construed to be a waiver of any Default or Unmatured Default or an acquiescence therein, and the making of a Loan notwithstanding the existence of a Default or Unmatured Default or the inability of any Borrower to satisfy the conditions precedent to such Loan or Letter of Credit shall not constitute any waiver or acquiescence. Any single or partial exercise of any such right shall not preclude other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, and no waiver, amendment or other variation of the terms, conditions or provisions of the Loan Documents whatsoever shall be valid unless in writing signed by the Lenders or the Required Lenders, as applicable, pursuant to Section 9.03, and then only to the extent in such writing specifically set forth. All remedies contained in the Loan Documents or by law afforded shall be cumulative and all shall be available to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders until the Obligations have been paid in full.

ARTICLE 10.

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 10.01 Survival of Representations.

All representations and warranties of the Borrowers contained in this Credit Agreement shall survive the making of the Loans and issuance of the Letters of Credit herein contemplated.

 

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Section 10.02 Governmental Regulation.

Anything contained in this Credit Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, no Lender shall be obligated to extend credit to any Borrower in violation of any limitation or prohibition provided by any applicable statute or regulation.

Section 10.03 Headings.

Section headings in the Loan Documents are for convenience of reference only, and shall not govern the interpretation of any of the provisions of the Loan Documents.

Section 10.04 Entire Agreement.

The Loan Documents embody the entire agreement and understanding among the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and supersede all prior agreements and understandings among the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders relating to the subject matter thereof except as contemplated in Section 2.07(b).

Section 10.05 Several Obligations.

The respective obligations of the Lenders hereunder are several and not joint and no Lender shall be the partner or agent of any other (except to the extent to which the Administrative Agent is authorized to act as such). The failure of any Lender to perform any of its obligations hereunder shall not relieve any other Lender from any of its obligations hereunder. No Lender shall have any liability for the failure of any other Lender to perform its obligations hereunder. This Credit Agreement shall not be construed so as to confer any right or benefit upon any Person other than the parties to this Credit Agreement, each Indemnified Person and their respective successors and assigns.

Section 10.06 Expenses; Indemnification.

(a) Whirlpool shall reimburse the Administrative Agent for any reasonable and documented costs, internal charges and out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable and documented attorneys’ fees, but only for a single outside counsel and any necessary local counsel) paid or incurred by the Administrative Agent in connection with the preparation, negotiation review, execution, delivery, amendment, modification and administration of the Loan Documents (it being understood that expenses reimbursed by Whirlpool under this Section 10.06(a) shall include reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with (A) appraisals, environmental reviews and insurance reviews, (B) field examinations and the preparation of Reports based on the fees charged by a third party retained by the Administrative Agent or the internally allocated fees for each Person employed by the Administrative Agent with respect to each field examination, (C) forwarding loan proceeds, collecting checks and other items of payment and establishing and maintaining the accounts and lock boxes, and reasonable and documented out-of-pocket costs and expenses of preserving and protecting the Collateral and (D) any financial advisor retained by, or on behalf of, the Administrative Agent in its Permitted Discretion). Whirlpool also agrees to reimburse the Administrative Agent and the Lenders for any reasonable and documented costs, internal charges and out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable and documented attorneys’ fees but only for a single outside counsel (and, in the case that there is a conflict between the Administrative Agent and any Lender, or between any of the Lenders, of one counsel for each conflicting Lender) and any necessary local counsel) paid or incurred by the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with the collection and enforcement of the Loan Documents. Whirlpool further agrees to indemnify the Administrative Agent, each Arranger, each Issuing Lender and each Lender and each of their respective Related Parties (each an “Indemnified Person”), excluding Taxes which shall be governed by Section 3.01 of this Credit Agreement, against all losses, claims, damages, penalties, judgments, liabilities and expenses (including, without limitation, all expenses of litigation or preparation therefor whether or not the Administrative Agent, an Issuing Lender, a Lender or any other Indemnified Person is a party thereto) which any of them may pay

 

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or incur arising out of or relating to the Loan Documents, the transactions contemplated hereby or the direct or indirect application or proposed application of the proceeds of any Loan or Letter of Credit (including any refusal by an Issuing 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) hereunder; provided, however, that Whirlpool shall not be liable to any Indemnified Person for any such loss, claim, damage, penalty, judgment, liability or expense (i) resulting from such Indemnified Person’s (or any of its Related Parties’) gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment, (ii) resulting from a successful claim brought by any of the Borrowers against an Indemnified Person or any of its Related Parties for breach in bad faith of such Indemnified Person’s (or such Related Party’s) obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment or (iii) resulting from a dispute among Indemnified Persons not involving any action on the part of a Borrower (other than a claim against the Administrative Agent or any Arranger in its capacity as such). This Section 10.06 shall not apply with respect to taxes other than any taxes that represent losses, claims, damages, etc. arising from any non-tax claim. The obligations of Whirlpool under this Section 10.06 shall survive the termination of this Credit Agreement.

(b) To the extent permitted by applicable law each Borrower and any Loan Party shall not assert, and each Borrower and each Loan Party hereby waives, any claim against the Administrative Agent, any Arranger, any Documentation Agent, any Issuing Lender and any Lender, and any Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person being called a “Lender-Related Person”) for any losses, claims (including intraparty claims), demands, damages or liabilities of any kind (“Liabilities”) arising from the use by others of information or other materials (including, without limitation, any personal data) obtained through telecommunications, electronic or other information transmission systems (including the Internet, any Platform and any Approved Borrower Portal).

Section 10.07 Severability of Provisions.

Any provision in any Loan Document that is held to be inoperative, unenforceable, or invalid in any jurisdiction shall, as to that jurisdiction, be inoperative, unenforceable, or invalid without affecting the remaining provisions in that jurisdiction or the operation, enforceability, or validity of that provision in any other jurisdiction, and to this end the provisions of all Loan Documents are declared to be severable.

Section 10.08 Nonliability of Lenders.

The Administrative Agent, each Lender and their Affiliates may have economic interests that conflict with those of the Borrowers. The relationship between the Borrowers and the Lenders and the Administrative Agent shall be solely that of borrower and lender. Neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall have any fiduciary responsibilities to any Borrower. Neither the Administrative Agent nor any Lender undertakes any responsibility to the Borrowers to review or inform any of the Borrowers of any matter in connection with any phase of the business or operations of any of the Borrowers.

Section 10.09 CHOICE OF LAW.

This Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents 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 Credit 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.

 

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Section 10.10 CONSENT TO JURISDICTION; SERVICE OF PROCESS.

(a) Each party hereto 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 any other party hereto, or any Related Party of the foregoing in any way relating to this Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document or the transactions relating hereto or thereto, in any forum other than the courts of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York sitting in New York County (or in the event such courts lack subject matter jurisdiction, the courts of the State of New York sitting in New York County), and in each case any appellate court from any thereof, and each of the parties hereto irrevocably and unconditionally submits to the jurisdiction of such courts and agrees that all claims in respect of any such action, litigation or proceeding may be heard and determined in such New York State court or, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, in such federal court. Each of the parties hereto agrees 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. Each party hereto 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 Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document in any court referred to above. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably 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.

(b) EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO SERVICE OF PROCESS IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR NOTICES IN ARTICLE 14. NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT WILL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY PARTY HERETO TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW.

Each Foreign Subsidiary hereby agrees to irrevocably and unconditionally appoint Whirlpool or an agent for service of process located in the City of New York (the “New York Process Agent”), reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, as its agent to receive on behalf of such Foreign Subsidiary and its property service of copies of the summons and complaint and any other process which may be served in any action or proceeding in any such New York State or Federal court described in paragraph (a) of this Section and agrees promptly to appoint a successor New York Process Agent in the City of New York (which successor New York Process Agent shall accept such appointment in a writing reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent) prior to the termination for any reason of the appointment of the initial New York Process Agent. Such service may be made by mailing (by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid) or delivering a copy of such process to such Person in care of the Process Agent at the Process Agent’s address, and each such Foreign Subsidiary hereby irrevocably authorizes and directs the Process Agent to accept such service on its behalf.

Section 10.11 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL; WAIVER OF CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES.

AS AN INDUCEMENT TO ENTER INTO THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT, EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY JUDICIAL PROCEEDING INVOLVING, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, ANY MATTER (WHETHER SOUNDING IN TORT, CONTRACT OR OTHERWISE) IN ANY WAY ARISING OUT OF, RELATED TO, OR CONNECTED WITH ANY LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE RELATIONSHIP ESTABLISHED THEREUNDER. Each party hereto agrees not to assert any claim against any other party hereto, any of their Affiliates, or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, attorneys or agents, or any theory of liability for special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages arising out of or otherwise relating to any transactions contemplated therein; provided that, nothing in this Section 10.11 shall relieve any Borrower and each Loan Party of any obligation it may have to indemnify an Indemnified Person, as provided in Section 10.06(a), against any special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages asserted against such Indemnified Person by a third party.

 

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Section 10.12 Binding Effect; Termination.

(i) This Credit Agreement shall become effective at such time when all of the conditions set forth in Section 5.01 have been satisfied or shall have been waived in accordance with Section 9.03 and it shall have been executed by the Original Borrowers and the Administrative Agent, and the Administrative Agent shall have received copies hereof (telefaxed or otherwise) which, when taken together, bear the signatures of each Lender, and thereafter this Credit Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent and each Lender and their respective successors and assigns.

(ii) This Credit Agreement shall be a continuing agreement and shall remain in full force and effect until the Termination and Release Date. Upon termination, the Borrowers shall have no further obligations (other than the indemnification provisions that survive) under the Loan Documents; provided that should any payment, in whole or in part, of the Obligations be rescinded or otherwise required to be restored or returned by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, whether as a result of any proceedings in bankruptcy or reorganization or otherwise, then the Loan Documents shall automatically be reinstated and all amounts required to be restored or returned and all costs and expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent or a Lender in connection therewith shall be deemed included as part of the Obligations.

Section 10.13 Confidentiality.

Each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to its and its Affiliates’ directors, officers, employees and agents, including accountants, legal counsel and other advisors (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 confidential); (b) to the extent requested by any regulatory authority or self-regulatory body; (c) to the extent required by applicable laws or regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal process; (d) to any other party to this Credit Agreement; (e) in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or any suit, action or proceeding relating to this Credit Agreement or the enforcement of rights hereunder; (f) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as those of this Section 10.13, to (i) any Purchaser of or Participant in, or any prospective Purchaser of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this Credit Agreement (ii) any direct or indirect contractual counterparty or prospective counterparty (or such contractual counterparty’s or prospective counterparty’s professional advisor) to any credit derivative transaction relating to the Obligations or (iii) to any credit insurance provider relating to any Borrower and the Obligations; (g) with the consent of Whirlpool; (h) to the extent such Information (i) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of this Section 10.13 or (ii) becomes available to the Administrative Agent or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than Whirlpool and its Subsidiaries; (i) to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners or any other similar organization or any nationally recognized rating agency that requires access to information about a Lender’s or its Affiliates’ investment portfolio in connection with ratings issued with respect to such Lender or its Affiliates; or (j) in connection with customary advertisements in financial and other newspapers and periodicals or on a home page or similar place for dissemination of customary information on the worldwide web and similar promotional materials, in the form of a “tombstone” or otherwise describing the names of the Borrowers, and the type, size and Effective Date of the credit facilities; provided that, without the prior written consent of Whirlpool, such advertisements may not disclose any information other than the existence of this Agreement, the size and type of the credit facilities, the parties to the Loan Documents and the Effective Date. For the purposes of this Section, “Information” means all information received from

 

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the Borrowers relating to Whirlpool and its Subsidiaries or their business, other than any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by Whirlpool and its Subsidiaries and other than information pertaining to this Credit Agreement routinely provided by the Arrangers to data service providers, including league table providers, that serve the lending industry. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided in this Section 10.13 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.

For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Section 10.13 shall prohibit any Person from voluntarily disclosing or providing any Information within the scope of this confidentiality provision to any governmental, regulatory or self-regulatory organization (any such entity, a “Regulatory Authority”) to the extent that any such prohibition on disclosure set forth in this Section 10.13 shall be prohibited by the laws or regulations applicable to such Regulatory Authority.

Section 10.14 Acknowledgement and Consent to Bail-In of Affected Financial Institutions.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Credit Agreement, any Loan Document or in any other agreement, arrangement or understanding among any such parties, each party hereto acknowledges that any liability of any Affected 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 the applicable Resolution Authority and agrees and consents to, and acknowledges and agrees to be bound by:

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

(b) 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 Affected Financial Institution, its parent entity, 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 Credit 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 the applicable Resolution Authority.

As used in this Credit Agreement:

Affected Financial Institution” means (a) any EEA Financial Institution or (b) any UK Financial Institution.

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

 

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Bail-In Legislation” means (a) 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, regulation rule or requirement for such EEA Member Country from time to time which is described in the EU Bail-In Legislation Schedule and (b) with respect to the United Kingdom, Part I of the United Kingdom Banking Act 2009 (as amended from time to time) and any other law, regulation or rule applicable in the United Kingdom relating to the resolution of unsound or failing banks, investment firms or other financial institutions or their affiliates (other than through liquidation, administration or other insolvency proceedings).

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.

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.

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.

Resolution Authority” means an EEA Resolution Authority or, with respect to any UK Financial Institution, a UK Resolution Authority.

UK Financial Institutions” means any BRRD Undertaking (as such term is defined under the PRA Rulebook (as amended from time to time) promulgated by the United Kingdom Prudential Regulation Authority) or any Person falling within IFPRU 11.6 of the FCA Handbook (as amended from time to time) promulgated by the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority, which includes certain credit institutions and investment firms, and certain affiliates of such credit institutions or investment firms.

UK Resolution Authority” means the Bank of England or any other public administrative authority having responsibility for the resolution of any UK Financial Institution.

Write-Down and Conversion Powers” means, (a) 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, and (b) with respect to the United Kingdom, any powers of the applicable Resolution Authority under the Bail-In Legislation to cancel, reduce, modify or change the form of a liability of any UK Financial Institution or any contract or instrument under which that liability arises, to convert all or part of that liability into shares, securities or obligations of that Person or any other Person, to provide that any such contract or instrument is to have effect as if a right had been exercised under it or to suspend any obligation in respect of that liability or any of the powers under that Bail-In Legislation that are related to or ancillary to any of those powers.

Section 10.15 Release of Subsidiary Guarantors and Collateral.

(a) A Subsidiary Guarantor (other than a Borrowing Subsidiary (unless such Subsidiary is terminated as a Borrowing Subsidiary prior to or contemporaneously with such transaction)) shall automatically be released from its obligations under Article 4 and the Collateral Documents upon the consummation of any transaction permitted by this Credit Agreement as a result of which such Subsidiary

 

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Guarantor ceases to be a Subsidiary (provided that, if any Subsidiary Guarantor ceases to be a Subsidiary as a result of a Disposition of less than all of its outstanding Equity Interests, unless such Disposition is a good faith Disposition to a bona fide unaffiliated third party (as determined by Whirlpool in good faith) for fair market value and for a bona fide business purpose (as determined by Whirlpool in good faith), such Subsidiary Guarantor shall not be released from its obligations under Article 4 and the Collateral Documents); provided that, if so required by this Credit Agreement, the Required Lenders shall have consented to such transaction and the terms of such consent shall not have provided otherwise. In connection with any termination or release pursuant to this Section 10.15, the Administrative Agent shall (and is hereby irrevocably authorized by each Lender to) execute and deliver to any Loan Party, at such Loan Party’s expense, all documents that such Loan Party shall reasonably request to evidence such termination or release; provided that, if requested by the Administrative Agent, Whirlpool has delivered a certificate, executed by a Authorized Officer of Whirlpool on or prior to the date any such action is requested to be taken by the Administrative Agent, certifying that the applicable transaction is permitted under the Loan Documents (and the Lenders hereby authorize the Administrative Agent to rely upon such certificate in performing its obligations under this Section 10.15). Any execution and delivery of documents pursuant to this Section 10.15 shall be without recourse to or warranty by the Administrative Agent.

(b) Further, the Administrative Agent shall (and is hereby irrevocably authorized by each Lender to), upon the request of Whirlpool, release any Subsidiary Guarantor (other than a Borrowing Subsidiary) from its obligations under Article 4 and the Collateral Documents if (i) such Subsidiary Guarantor becomes an Excluded Subsidiary or is otherwise not required pursuant to the terms of this Credit Agreement to be a Subsidiary Guarantor (provided that, if any Subsidiary Guarantor becomes an Excluded Subsidiary by virtue of clause (2) of the definition thereof, such Subsidiary Guarantor shall not be released from its obligations under Article 4 and the Collateral Documents solely by virtue of becoming an Excluded Subsidiary of the type described in clause (2) of the definition thereof as a result of a disposition of less than all of its outstanding Equity Interests, unless such Disposition is a good faith Disposition to a bona fide unaffiliated third party (as determined by Whirlpool in good faith) for fair market value and for a bona fide business purpose (as determined by Whirlpool in good faith) (it being understood that this proviso shall not limit the release of any Subsidiary Guarantor that otherwise qualifies as an Excluded Subsidiary for reasons other than by virtue of clause (2) of the definition thereof)) or (ii) such release is approved, authorized or ratified by the requisite Lenders pursuant to Section 9.03.

(c) At such time as the principal and interest on the Loans, the fees, expenses and other amounts payable under the Loan Documents and the other Secured Obligations (other than Secured Hedging Obligations not yet due and payable (except that Designated Hedging Agreements shall be either terminated and paid-in-full for any obligations resulting from such termination or the Hedge Bank and the applicable Loan Party or Subsidiary shall have agreed to alternative arrangements in their reasonable discretion or otherwise accepted reasonably acceptable credit support), Secured Cash Management Obligations not yet due and payable, Secured Pari Lease Obligations not yet due and payable, Supply Chain Finance Obligations not yet due and payable, Import/Export Finance Obligations not yet due and payable, Bilateral Letter of Credit Obligations not yet due and payable, Unliquidated Obligations for which no claim has been made and other Obligations expressly stated to survive such payment and termination) shall have been paid in full in cash, the Commitments shall have been terminated and all Letters of Credit (other than those that have been 103% cash collateralized) have been cancelled or have expired (without any drawing having been made thereunder that has not been rejected or honored) and all amounts drawn or paid thereunder have been reimbursed in full (the “Termination and Release Date”), the Collateral Documents, the Guaranty under Article 4 and all obligations (other than those expressly stated to survive such termination) of each Subsidiary Guarantor thereunder shall automatically terminate, all without delivery of any instrument or performance of any act by any Person.

 

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(d) The Liens granted to the Administrative Agent by the Loan Parties on any Collateral shall automatically terminate and be released and the Administrative Agent is hereby authorized to, and shall, deliver any documentation reasonably requested in order to document such release (i) upon the Termination and Release Date, (ii) on Collateral constituting property being sold or disposed of to any Person (other than to a Loan Party) in compliance with the terms of this Credit Agreement, (iii) on Collateral constituting property leased to Whirlpool or any Subsidiary under a lease which has expired or been terminated in a transaction permitted under this Credit Agreement, (iv) as required to effect any sale or other disposition of such Collateral in connection with any exercise of remedies of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders pursuant to Section 9.01 or (v) on assets that constitute Excluded Assets. Any such release shall not in any manner discharge, affect, or impair the Secured Obligations or any Liens (other than those expressly being released) upon (or obligations of the Loan Parties in respect of) all interests retained by the Loan Parties, including the proceeds of any sale, all of which shall continue to constitute part of the Collateral.

(e) Each of the Lenders, on behalf of itself and any of its Affiliates that are Secured Parties, irrevocably authorizes the Administrative Agent to subordinate any Lien on any assets granted to or held by the Administrative Agent under any Loan Document to the holder of any Lien on such property that is permitted by Section 7.10(a), (c), (r), (t) or (v). In each case as specified in this Section 10.15(e), the Administrative Agent will (and each Lender irrevocably authorizes the Administrative Agent to), at Whirlpool’s expense, execute and deliver to the applicable Loan Party such documents as such Loan Party may reasonably request to evidence the release of such item of Collateral from the assignment and security interest granted under the Collateral Documents or to subordinate its interest in such item, or to evidence the release of such Guarantor from its obligations under Article 4, in each case in accordance with the terms of the Loan Documents and this Section 10.15; provided that, if requested by the Administrative Agent, Whirlpool has delivered a certificate, executed by a Authorized Officer of Whirlpool on or prior to the date any such action is requested to be taken by the Administrative Agent, certifying that the applicable transaction is permitted under the Loan Documents and such release or subordination is permitted pursuant to this Section 10.15(e) (and the Lenders hereby authorize the Administrative Agent to rely upon such certificate in performing its obligations under this Section 10.15(e)).

Section 10.16 Appointment for Perfection.

Each Lender hereby appoints each other Lender as its agent for the purpose of perfecting Liens, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent and the Secured Parties, in assets which, in accordance with Article 9 of the UCC or any other applicable law can be perfected only by possession or control. Should any Lender (other than the Administrative Agent) obtain possession or control of any such Collateral, such Lender shall notify the Administrative Agent thereof, and, promptly upon the Administrative Agent’s request therefor shall deliver such Collateral to the Administrative Agent or otherwise deal with such Collateral in accordance with the Administrative Agent’s instructions.

Section 10.17 Acknowledgement Regarding Any Supported QFCs.

To the extent that the Loan Documents provide support, through a guarantee or otherwise, for Swap Agreements or any other agreement or instrument that is a QFC (such support “QFC Credit Support” and each such QFC a “Supported QFC”), the parties acknowledge and agree as follows with respect to the resolution power of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation under the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and Title II of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (together with the regulations promulgated thereunder, the “U.S. Special Resolution Regimes”) in respect of such Supported QFC and QFC Credit Support (with the provisions below applicable notwithstanding that the Loan Documents and any Supported QFC may in fact be stated to be governed by the laws of the State of New York and/or of the United States or any other state of the United States):

 

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In the event a Covered Entity that is party to a Supported QFC (each, a “Covered Party”) becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, the transfer of such Supported QFC and the benefit of such QFC Credit Support (and any interest and obligation in or under such Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support, and any rights in property securing such Supported QFC or such QFC Credit Support) from such Covered Party will be effective to the same extent as the transfer would be effective under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and such QFC Credit Support (and any such interest, obligation and rights in property) were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. In the event a Covered Party or a BHC Act Affiliate of a Covered Party becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, Default Rights under the Loan Documents that might otherwise apply to such Supported QFC or any QFC Credit Support that may be exercised against such Covered Party are permitted to be exercised to no greater extent than such Default Rights could be exercised under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if the Supported QFC and the Loan Documents were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States. Without limitation of the foregoing, it is understood and agreed that rights and remedies of the parties with respect to a Defaulting Lender shall in no event affect the rights of any Covered Party with respect to a Supported QFC or any QFC Credit Support.

ARTICLE 11.

THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

Section 11.01 Appointment and Authority.

(a) Each of the Lenders and the Issuing Lenders hereby irrevocably appoints JPMorgan to act on its behalf as the Administrative Agent and collateral agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions on its behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms hereof or thereof, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. Further, each of the Lenders and the Issuing Lenders, on behalf of itself and any of its Affiliates that are Secured Parties, hereby irrevocably empower and authorize JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) to execute and deliver the Collateral Documents and all related documents or instruments as shall be necessary or appropriate to effect the purposes of the Collateral Documents and the Guaranty. The provisions of this Article are solely for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Issuing Lenders, and no Borrower shall have rights as a third-party beneficiary of any of such provisions. It is understood and agreed that the use of the term “agent” herein or in any other Loan Documents (or any other similar term) with reference to the Administrative Agent is not intended to connote any fiduciary or other implied (or express) obligations arising under agency doctrine of any applicable law. Instead such term is used as a matter of market custom, and is intended to create or reflect only an administrative relationship between contracting parties. Each Secured Party, whether or not a party hereto, will be deemed, by its acceptance of the benefits of the Collateral and the guaranty set forth in Article 4, to have agreed to the provisions of this Article.

(b) In respect of the Belgian Collateral Document, the Administrative Agent shall act as vertegenwoordiger/représentant for the purposes of article 5 of the Belgian law of 15 December 2004 on financial collateral (Wet betreffende financiële zekerheden en houdende diverse fiscale bepalingen inzake zakelijke-zekerheidsovereenkomsten en leningen met betrekking tot financiële instrumenten/Loi relative aux sûretés financières et portant des dispositions fiscales diverses en matière de conventions constitutives de sûreté réelle et de prêts portant sur des instruments financiers) (as amended from time to time) and article 3 of Title XVII, Book III (Zakelijke zekerheden op roerende goederen/Des sûretés réelles mobilières) of the Belgian Civil Code as applicable, and otherwise on the terms of this Agreement.

 

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Section 11.02 Rights as a Lender.

The Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder shall have the same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent, and the term “Lender” or “Lenders” shall, unless otherwise expressly indicated or unless the context otherwise requires, include the Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder in its individual capacity. Such Person and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, own securities of, act as the financial advisor or in any other advisory capacity for, and generally engage in any kind of business with, any Borrower or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if such Person were not the Administrative Agent hereunder and without any duty to account therefor to the Lenders.

Section 11.03 Exculpatory Provisions.

(a) The Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, and its duties hereunder shall be administrative in nature. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent:

(i) shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether a Default or Unmatured Default has occurred and is continuing;

(ii) shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and powers expressly contemplated hereby or by the other Loan Documents that the Administrative Agent is required to exercise as directed in writing by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be expressly provided for herein or in the other Loan Documents); provided that the Administrative Agent shall not be required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of its counsel, may expose the Administrative Agent to liability or that is contrary to any Loan Document or applicable law, including for the avoidance of doubt any action that may be in violation of the automatic stay under any Debtor Relief Law or that may effect a forfeiture, modification or termination of property of a Defaulting Lender in violation of any Debtor Relief Law; and

(iii) shall not, except as expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents, have any duty to disclose, and shall not be liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to any Borrower or any of its Affiliates that is communicated to or obtained by the Person serving as the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity.

(b) The Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it (i) with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary, or as the Administrative Agent shall believe in good faith shall be necessary, under the circumstances as provided in Sections 9.01 and 9.03), or (ii) in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment. The Administrative Agent shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default or Unmatured Default unless and until notice describing such Default or Unmatured Default is given to the Administrative Agent in writing by a Borrower, a Lender or an Issuing Lender and stating such notice is “a notice of Default or Unmatured Default”.

(c) The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made in or in connection with this Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set forth herein or therein or the occurrence of any Default or Unmatured Default, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Credit Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, (v) the satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article 5 or elsewhere herein, other than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent or (vi) the creation, perfection or priority of Liens on the Collateral or the existence of the Collateral.

 

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Section 11.04 Reliance by Administrative Agent.

The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent, statement, instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or otherwise authenticated by the proper Person. The Administrative Agent also may rely upon any statement made to it orally or by telephone and believed by it to have been made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon, provided that the Administrative Agent shall not rely on any oral or telephonic communication of any Borrowing Notice (which shall be in writing and otherwise in compliance with Section 2.03(e)) or any other communication directing the transfer of funds to the account of any Borrower. In determining compliance with any condition hereunder to the making of a Loan, or the issuance, extension, renewal or increase of a Letter of Credit, that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction of a Lender or an Issuing Lender, the Administrative Agent may presume that such condition is satisfactory to such Lender or Issuing Lender unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice to the contrary from such Lender or Issuing Lender prior to the making of such Loan or the issuance of such Letter of Credit. The Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (who may be counsel for Whirlpool), independent accountants and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel, accountants or experts.

Section 11.05 Delegation of Duties.

The Administrative Agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers hereunder or under any other Loan Document by or through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the Administrative Agent. The Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all of its duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through their respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of this Article shall apply to any such sub-agent and to the Related Parties of the Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent. The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any sub-agents except to the extent that a court of competent jurisdiction determines in a final and non appealable judgment that the Administrative Agent acted with gross negligence or willful misconduct in the selection of such sub-agents.

Section 11.06 Resignation of Administrative Agent.

(a) The Administrative Agent may at any time give notice of its resignation to the Lenders, the Issuing Lenders and Whirlpool. Upon receipt of any such notice of resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right, subject, so long as no Default is continuing, to the consent (not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) of Whirlpool, to appoint a successor, which shall be a bank with an office in the United States, or an Affiliate of any such bank with an office in the United States, and which in any event shall not be a Defaulting Lender. If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within thirty (30) days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its resignation (or such earlier day as shall be agreed by the Required Lenders) (the “Resignation Effective Date”), then the retiring Administrative Agent may (but shall not be obligated to), on behalf of the Lenders and the Issuing Lenders, appoint a successor meeting the qualifications set forth above (including that such successor be consented to by Whirlpool so long as no Default is continuing and that such successor shall not be a Defaulting Lender). Whether or not a successor has been appointed, such resignation shall become effective in accordance with such notice on the Resignation Effective Date.

 

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(b) If the Person serving as Administrative Agent is a Defaulting Lender pursuant to clause (d) of the definition thereof, the Required Lenders may, to the extent permitted by applicable law, by notice in writing to Whirlpool and such Person remove such Person as Administrative Agent and, in consultation with Whirlpool, appoint a successor meeting the qualifications set forth in clause (a) above (including that such successor be consented to by Whirlpool so long as no Default is continuing and that such successor shall not be a Defaulting Lender). If no such successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within thirty (30) days (or such earlier day as shall be agreed by the Required Lenders) (the “Removal Effective Date”), then such removal shall nonetheless become effective in accordance with such notice on the Removal Effective Date.

(c) With effect from the Resignation Effective Date or the Removal Effective Date (as applicable) (1) the retiring or removed Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan Documents; provided that, solely for purposes of maintaining any security interest granted to the Administrative Agent under any Collateral Document for the benefit of the Secured Parties, the retiring Administrative Agent shall continue to be vested with such security interest as collateral agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, and continue to be entitled to the rights set forth in such Collateral Document and Loan Document, and, in the case of any Collateral in the possession of the Administrative Agent, shall continue to hold such Collateral, in each case until such time as a successor Administrative Agent is appointed and accepts such appointment in accordance with this Section (it being understood and agreed that the retiring Administrative Agent shall have no duty or obligation to take any further action under any Collateral Document, including any action required to maintain the perfection of any such security interest) and (2) all payments, communications and determinations provided to be made by, to or through the Administrative Agent shall instead be made by or to each Lender and Issuing Lender directly, until such time, if any, as the Required Lenders appoint a successor Administrative Agent as provided for above. Upon the acceptance of a successor’s appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder, such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring or removed Administrative Agent and the retiring or removed Administrative Agent shall be discharged from all of its duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents. The fees payable by the Borrowers to a successor Administrative Agent shall be the same as those payable to its predecessor unless otherwise agreed between Whirlpool and such successor. After the resignation or removal of the Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, the provisions of this Article and Section 10.06 shall continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring or removed Administrative Agent, its sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken or omitted to be taken by any of them while the retiring or removed Administrative Agent was acting as Administrative Agent and in respect of matters referred to in the proviso under clause (1) above. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any retiring Administrative Agent shall continue to be subject to Section 10.13.

Section 11.07 Acknowledgements of Lenders and Issuing Lenders.

(a) Each Lender represents and warrants that (i) the Loan Documents set forth the terms of a commercial lending facility, (ii) it is engaged in making, acquiring or holding commercial loans and in providing other facilities set forth herein as may be applicable to such Lender in the ordinary course of business, and not for the purpose of purchasing, acquiring or holding any other type of financial instrument (and each Lender agrees not to assert a claim in contravention of the foregoing), (iii) it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, any Arranger or any other Lender, or any of their Related Parties, and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Credit Agreement as a Lender, and to make, acquire or hold Loans hereunder and (iv) it is sophisticated with respect to decisions to make, acquire and/or hold commercial loans and to provide other facilities set forth herein, as may be applicable to such Lender, and either it, or the Person exercising discretion in making its decision to make, acquire and/or hold such

 

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commercial loans or to provide such other facilities, is experienced in making, acquiring or holding such commercial loans or providing such other facilities. Each Lender also acknowledges that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, any Arranger or any other Lender, or any of their Related Parties, and based on such documents and information (which may contain material, non-public information within the meaning of the United States securities laws concerning Whirlpool and its Affiliates) as it shall from time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based upon this Credit Agreement, any other Loan Document or any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder.

(b) Each Lender, by delivering its signature page to this Credit Agreement on the Effective Date, or delivering its signature page to an Assignment and Assumption or any other Loan Document pursuant to which it shall become a Lender hereunder, shall be deemed to have acknowledged receipt of, and consented to and approved, each Loan Document and each other document required to be delivered to, or be approved by or satisfactory to, the Administrative Agent or the Lenders on the Effective Date.

(c) (i) Each Lender hereby agrees that (x) if the Administrative Agent notifies such Lender that the Administrative Agent has determined in its sole discretion that any funds received by such Lender from the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates (whether as a payment, prepayment or repayment of principal, interest, fees or otherwise; individually and collectively, a “Payment”) were erroneously transmitted to such Lender (whether or not known to such Lender), and demands the return of such Payment (or a portion thereof), such Lender shall promptly, but in no event later than one Business Day thereafter (or such later date as the Administrative Agent, may, in its sole discretion, specify in writing), return to the Administrative Agent the amount of any such Payment (or portion thereof) as to which such a demand was made in same day funds, together with interest thereon (except to the extent waived in writing by the Administrative Agent) in respect of each day from and including the date such Payment (or portion thereof) was received by such Lender to the date such amount is repaid to the Administrative Agent at the greater of the NYFRB Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation from time to time in effect, and (y) to the extent permitted by applicable law, such Lender shall not assert, and hereby waives, as to the Administrative Agent, any claim, counterclaim, defense or right of set-off or recoupment with respect to any demand, claim or counterclaim by the Administrative Agent for the return of any Payments received, including without limitation any defense based on “discharge for value” or any similar doctrine. A notice of the Administrative Agent to any Lender under this Section 11.07(c) shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.

(ii) Each Lender hereby further agrees that if it receives a Payment from the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates (x) that is in a different amount than, or on a different date from, that specified in a notice of payment sent by the Administrative Agent (or any of its Affiliates) with respect to such Payment (a “Payment Notice”) or (y) that was not preceded or accompanied by a Payment Notice, it shall be on notice, in each such case, that an error has been made with respect to such Payment. Each Lender agrees that, in each such case, or if it otherwise becomes aware a Payment (or portion thereof) may have been sent in error, such Lender shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent of such occurrence and, upon demand from the Administrative Agent, it shall promptly, but in no event later than one Business Day thereafter (or such later date as the Administrative Agent, may, in its sole discretion, specify in writing), return to the Administrative Agent the amount of any such Payment (or portion thereof) as to which such a demand was made in same day funds, together with interest thereon (except to the extent waived in writing by the Administrative Agent) in respect of each day from and including the date such Payment (or portion thereof) was received by such Lender to the date such amount is repaid to the Administrative Agent at the greater of the NYFRB Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation from time to time in effect.

 

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(iii) Each Borrower and each other Loan Party hereby agrees that (x) in the event an erroneous Payment (or portion thereof) are not recovered from any Lender that has received such Payment (or portion thereof) for any reason, the Administrative Agent shall be subrogated to all the rights of such Lender with respect to such amount and (y) an erroneous Payment shall not pay, prepay, repay, discharge or otherwise satisfy any Obligations owed by any Borrower or any other Loan Party.

(iv) Each party’s obligations under this Section 11.07(c) shall survive the resignation or replacement of the Administrative Agent or any transfer of rights or obligations by, or the replacement of, a Lender, the termination of the Commitments or the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of all Obligations under any Loan Document.

(d) The Lenders acknowledge that there may be a constant flow of information (including information which may be subject to confidentiality obligations in favor of the Loan Parties) between the Loan Parties and their Affiliates, on the one hand, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and its Affiliates, on the other hand. Without limiting the foregoing, the Loan Parties or their Affiliates may provide information, including updates to previously provided information to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and/or its Affiliates acting in different capacities, including as Lender, lead bank, arranger or potential securities investor, independent of such entity’s role as administrative agent hereunder. The Lenders acknowledge that neither JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. nor its Affiliates shall be under any obligation to provide any of the foregoing information to them. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein or in any other Loan Document, except for notices, reports and other documents expressly required to be furnished to the Lenders by the Administrative Agent herein, the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility to provide, and shall not be liable for the failure to provide, any Lender with any credit or other information concerning the Loans, the Lenders, the business, prospects, operations, property, financial and other condition or creditworthiness of any of the Loan Parties or any of their respective Affiliates that is communicated to, obtained by, or in the possession of, the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in any capacity, including any information obtained by the Administrative Agent in the course of communications among the Administrative Agent and any Loan Party, any Affiliate thereof or any other Person. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any such information may (but shall not be required to) be shared by the Administrative Agent with one or more Lenders, or any formal or informal committee or ad hoc group of such Lenders, including at the direction of a Loan Party.

Section 11.08 Reimbursement and Indemnification.

The Lenders agree to reimburse and indemnify the Administrative Agent ratably in proportion to their respective Commitments for (i) any amounts not reimbursed by the Borrowers for which the Administrative Agent (acting as such) is entitled to reimbursement by the Borrowers under the Loan Documents, (ii) for any other expenses not reimbursed by the Borrowers incurred by the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders, in connection with the preparation, execution, delivery, administration and enforcement of the Loan Documents, and (iii) for any liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind and nature whatsoever and not reimbursed by the Borrowers which may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against the Administrative Agent (acting as such) in any way relating to or arising out of the Loan Documents or any other document delivered in connection therewith or the transactions contemplated thereby, or the enforcement of any of the terms thereof or of any such other documents, provided that no Lender shall be liable for any of the foregoing to the extent they arise from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Administrative Agent as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment.

 

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Section 11.09 No Other Duties, etc.

Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, none of the bookrunners, arrangers, syndication agent or documentation agents listed on the cover page hereof shall have any powers, duties or responsibilities under this Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, except in its capacity, as applicable, as the Administrative Agent, a Lender or an Issuing Lender hereunder. No bookrunner, arranger, syndication agent or documentation agent shall have or be deemed to have any fiduciary relationship with any Lender.

Section 11.10 Certain ERISA Matters.

(a) Each Lender (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, the Administrative Agent and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of any Borrower, that at least one of the following is and will be true:

(i) such Lender is not using “plan assets” (within the meaning of Section 3(42) of ERISA or otherwise) of one or more Benefit Plans with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments or this Credit Agreement,

(ii) the transaction exemption set forth in one or more PTEs, such as PTE 84-14 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by independent qualified professional asset managers), PTE 95-60 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company general accounts), PTE 90-1 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving insurance company pooled separate accounts), PTE 91-38 (a class exemption for certain transactions involving bank collective investment funds) or PTE 96-23 (a class exemption for certain transactions determined by in-house asset managers), is applicable with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Credit Agreement,

(iii) (A) such Lender is an investment fund managed by a “Qualified Professional Asset Manager” (within the meaning of Section VI of PTE 84-14), that (I) is not ineligible pursuant to Section I(g) of PTE 84-14 and (II) has satisfied the requirements of Section I(k) of PTE 84-14, (B) such Qualified Professional Asset Manager made the investment decision on behalf of such Lender to enter into, participate in, administer and perform the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Credit Agreement, (C) the entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Credit Agreement satisfies the requirements of sub-sections (b) through (f) of Section I of PTE 84-14 and (D) to the best knowledge of such Lender, the requirements of subsection (a) of Section I of PTE 84-14 are satisfied with respect to such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Credit Agreement, or (iv) such other representation, warranty and covenant as may be agreed in writing between the Administrative Agent, in its sole discretion, and such Lender.

(b) In addition, unless either (1) sub-clause (i) in the immediately preceding clause (a) is true with respect to a Lender or (2) a Lender has provided another representation, warranty and covenant in accordance with sub-clause (iv) in the immediately preceding clause (a), such Lender further (x) represents and warrants, as of the date such Person became a Lender party hereto, to, and (y) covenants, from the date such Person became a Lender party hereto to the date such Person ceases being a Lender party hereto, for the benefit of, the Administrative Agent and not, for the avoidance of doubt, to or for the benefit of any Borrower, that the Administrative Agent is not a fiduciary with respect to the assets of such Lender involved in such Lender’s entrance into, participation in, administration of and performance of the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the Commitments and this Credit Agreement (including in connection with the reservation or exercise of any rights by the Administrative Agent under this Credit Agreement, any Loan Document or any documents related hereto or thereto).

 

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As used in this Section 11.10:

Benefit Plan” means any of (a) an “employee benefit plan” (as defined in ERISA) that is subject to Title I of ERISA, (b) a “plan” as defined in and subject to Section 4975 of the Code or (c) any Person whose assets include (for purposes of ERISA Section 3(42) or otherwise for purposes of Title I of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) the assets of any such “employee benefit plan” or “plan”. For the avoidance of doubt, the definition of “Benefit Plan” shall exclude any benefit plan that is contributed to by a Canadian Loan Party for its Canadian (employed in Canada) employees or former employees or under which a Canadian Loan Party has any liability with respect to its Canadian (employed in Canada) employees or former employees (“Canadian Employee Benefit Plan”) including Canadian Pension Plan, Canadian Multi-Employer Plan.

PTE” means a prohibited transaction class exemption issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, as any such exemption may be amended from time to time.

Section 11.11 Borrower Communications.

(a) The Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the Issuing Lenders agree that the Borrowers may, but shall not be obligated to, make any Borrower Communications to the Administrative Agent through an electronic platform chosen by the Administrative Agent to be its electronic transmission system (the “Approved Borrower Portal”).

(b) Although the Approved Borrower Portal and its primary web portal are secured with generally-applicable security procedures and policies implemented or modified by the Administrative Agent from time to time (including, as of the Effective Date, a user ID/password authorization system), each of the Lenders, each of the Issuing Lenders and the Borrowers acknowledges and agrees that the distribution of material through an electronic medium is not necessarily secure, that the Administrative Agent is not responsible for approving or vetting the representatives or contacts of the Borrowers that are added to the Approved Borrower Portal, and that there may be confidentiality and other risks associated with such distribution. Each of the Lenders, each of the Issuing Lenders and the Borrowers hereby approve distribution of Borrower Communications through the Approved Borrower Portal and understands and assumes the risks of such distribution.

(c) THE APPROVED BORROWER PORTAL IS PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE”. THE APPLICABLE PARTIES (AS DEFINED BELOW) DO NOT WARRANT THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE BORROWER COMMUNICATION, OR THE ADEQUACY OF THE APPROVED BORROWER PORTAL AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM LIABILITY FOR ERRORS OR OMISSIONS IN THE APPROVED BORROWER PORTAL AND THE BORROWER COMMUNICATIONS. NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY RIGHTS OR FREEDOM FROM VIRUSES OR OTHER CODE DEFECTS, IS MADE BY THE APPLICABLE PARTIES IN CONNECTION WITH THE BORROWER COMMUNICATIONS OR THE APPROVED BORROWER PORTAL. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, ANY ARRANGER, ANY DOCUMENTATION AGENT OR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE RELATED PARTIES (COLLECTIVELY, “APPLICABLE PARTIES”) HAVE ANY LIABILITY TO ANY LOAN PARTY,

 

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ANY LENDER, ANY ISSUING LENDER OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FOR DAMAGES OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING DIRECT OR INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, LOSSES OR EXPENSES (WHETHER IN TORT, CONTRACT OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF ANY OF THE BORROWER’S TRANSMISSION OF BORROWER COMMUNICATIONS THROUGH THE INTERNET OR THE APPROVED BORROWER PORTAL.

(d) Each of the Lenders, each of the Issuing Lenders and the Borrowers agree that the Administrative Agent may, but (except as may be required by applicable law) shall not be obligated to, store the Borrower Communications on the Approved Borrower Portal in accordance with the Administrative Agent’s generally applicable document retention procedures and policies.

(e) Nothing herein shall prejudice the right of the Borrowers to give any notice or other communication pursuant to any Loan Document in any other manner specified in such Loan Document.

Section 11.12 Collateral Matters.

(a) Except with respect to the exercise of setoff rights in accordance with Section 12.01 or with respect to a Secured Party’s right to file a proof of claim in an insolvency proceeding, no Secured Party shall have any right individually to realize upon any of the Collateral or to enforce any Guaranty of the Secured Obligations, it being understood and agreed that all powers, rights and remedies under the Loan Documents may be exercised solely by the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Secured Parties in accordance with the terms thereof. In its capacity, the Administrative Agent is a “representative” of the Secured Parties within the meaning of the term “secured party” as defined in the UCC. In the event that any Collateral is hereafter pledged by any Person as collateral security for the Secured Obligations, the Administrative Agent is hereby authorized, and hereby granted a power of attorney, to execute and deliver on behalf of the Secured Parties any Loan Documents necessary or appropriate to grant and perfect a Lien on such Collateral in favor of the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Secured Parties. The Lenders hereby authorize the Administrative Agent, at its option and in its discretion, to release any Lien granted to or held by the Administrative Agent upon any Collateral (i) as described in Section 10.15(d); (ii) as permitted by, but only in accordance with, the terms of the applicable Loan Document; or (iii) if approved, authorized or ratified in writing by the Required Lenders, unless such release is required to be approved by all of the Lenders hereunder. Upon request by the Administrative Agent at any time, the Lenders will confirm in writing the Administrative Agent’s authority to release particular types or items of Collateral pursuant hereto. Upon any sale or transfer to any Person that is not a Loan Party of assets constituting Collateral which is permitted pursuant to the terms of any Loan Document, or consented to in writing by the Required Lenders or all of the Lenders, as applicable, and upon at least three (3) Business Days’ (or such shorter period permitted by the Administrative Agent) prior written request by the Borrowers to the Administrative Agent, the Administrative Agent shall (and is hereby irrevocably authorized by the Lenders to) execute such documents as may be necessary to evidence the release of the Liens granted to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties herein or pursuant hereto upon the Collateral that was sold or transferred; provided that, (i) the Administrative Agent shall not be required to execute any such document on terms which, in the Administrative Agent’s reasonable opinion, would expose the Administrative Agent to liability or create any obligation or entail any consequence other than the release of such Liens without recourse or warranty, and (ii) such release shall not in any manner discharge, affect or impair the Secured Obligations or any Liens upon (or obligations of the Loan Parties in respect of) all interests retained by any Loan Party, including the proceeds of the sale, all of which shall continue to constitute part of the Collateral. Any execution and delivery by the Administrative Agent of documents in connection with any such release shall be without recourse to or warranty by the Administrative Agent; provided, further that, if requested by the Administrative Agent, the Borrowers shall deliver a certificate, executed by a Authorized Officer of such Borrower on or prior to the date any such action is requested to be taken by the Administrative Agent, certifying that the applicable transaction is permitted under the Loan Documents and such release is permitted pursuant to this Section 11.12(a) (and the Lenders hereby authorize the Administrative Agent to rely upon such certificate in performing its obligations under this Section 11.12(a)).

 

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(b) In furtherance of the foregoing and not in limitation thereof, no Secured Cash Management Agreement, Secured Hedge Agreement, Secured Pari Lease Agreement, Supply Chain Financing or Bilateral Letter of Credit will create (or be deemed to create) in favor of any Secured Party that is a party thereto any rights in connection with the management or release of any Collateral or of the obligations of any Loan Party under any Loan Document. By accepting the benefits of the Collateral, each Secured Party that is a party to any such Secured Cash Management Agreement, Secured Hedge Agreement, Secured Pari Lease Agreement, Supply Chain Financing or Bilateral Letter of Credit, as applicable, shall be deemed to have appointed the Administrative Agent to serve as administrative agent and collateral agent under the Loan Documents and agreed to be bound by the Loan Documents as a Secured Party thereunder, subject to the limitations set forth in this paragraph.

(c) The Secured Parties irrevocably authorize and instruct the Administrative Agent to (i) enter into the Collateral Agreement on the Effective Date, (ii) upon the reasonable request of the applicable Loan Party, subordinate any Lien on any property granted to or held by the Administrative Agent under any Loan Document to the holder of any Lien on such property that is permitted by Sections 7.10(a), (c), (r), (t), (v) and (ii), (iii) to automatically release any purported Lien in favor of the Administrative Agent on any property that is an Excluded Asset and upon the request of the applicable Loan Party to evidence such release with such reasonably requested documentation and filings, (iv) to release any Lien granted to or held by Administrative Agent upon any Collateral as otherwise may be expressly provided in the relevant Collateral Document or intercreditor agreement, and (v) execute any intercreditor agreements and/or subordination agreements with any holder of any Indebtedness or Liens permitted by this Credit Agreement to the extent such intercreditor agreement and/or subordination agreement is required. The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have a duty to ascertain or inquire into any representation or warranty regarding the existence, value or collectability of the Collateral, the existence, priority or perfection of the Administrative Agent’s Lien thereon or any certificate prepared by any Loan Party in connection therewith, nor shall the Administrative Agent be responsible or liable to the Lenders or any other Secured Party for any failure to monitor or maintain any portion of the Collateral.

Section 11.13 Credit Bidding.

The Secured Parties hereby irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent, at the direction of the Required Lenders, to credit bid all or any portion of the Obligations (including by accepting some or all of the Collateral in satisfaction of some or all of the Obligations pursuant to a deed in lieu of foreclosure or otherwise) and in such manner purchase (either directly or through one or more acquisition vehicles) all or any portion of the Collateral (a) at any sale thereof conducted under the provisions of the Bankruptcy Code, including under Sections 363, 1123 or 1129 of the Bankruptcy Code, or any similar laws in any other jurisdictions to which a Loan Party is subject, or (b) at any other sale, foreclosure or acceptance of collateral in lieu of debt conducted by (or with the consent or at the direction of) the Administrative Agent (whether by judicial action or otherwise) in accordance with any applicable law. In connection with any such credit bid and purchase, the Obligations owed to the Secured Parties shall be entitled to be, and shall be, credit bid by the Administrative Agent at the direction of the Required Lenders on a ratable basis (with Obligations with respect to contingent or unliquidated claims receiving contingent interests in the acquired assets on a ratable basis that shall vest upon the liquidation of such claims in an amount proportional to the liquidated portion of the contingent claim amount used in allocating the contingent interests) for the asset or assets so purchased (or for the equity interests or debt instruments of the acquisition vehicle or vehicles that are issued in connection with such purchase). In connection with any such bid, (i) the Administrative Agent shall be authorized to form one or more acquisition vehicles and to assign any successful credit bid to such

 

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acquisition vehicle or vehicles, (ii) each of the Secured Parties’ ratable interests in the Obligations which were credit bid shall be deemed without any further action under this Credit Agreement to be assigned to such vehicle or vehicles for the purpose of closing such sale, (iii) the Administrative Agent shall be authorized to adopt documents providing for the governance of the acquisition vehicle or vehicles (provided that, any actions by the Administrative Agent with respect to such acquisition vehicle or vehicles, including any disposition of the assets or equity interests thereof, shall be governed, directly or indirectly, by, and the governing documents shall provide for, control by the vote of the Required Lenders or their permitted assignees under the terms of this Credit Agreement or the governing documents of the applicable acquisition vehicle or vehicles, as the case may be, irrespective of the termination of this Credit Agreement and without giving effect to the limitations on actions by the Required Lenders contained in Section 9.03 of this Credit Agreement), (iv) the Administrative Agent on behalf of such acquisition vehicle or vehicles shall be authorized to issue to each of the Secured Parties, ratably on account of the relevant Obligations which were credit bid, interests, whether as equity, partnership interests, limited partnership interests or membership interests, in any such acquisition vehicle and/or debt instruments issued by such acquisition vehicle, all without the need for any Secured Party or acquisition vehicle to take any further action, and (v) to the extent that Obligations that are assigned to an acquisition vehicle are not used to acquire Collateral for any reason (as a result of another bid being higher or better, because the amount of Obligations assigned to the acquisition vehicle exceeds the amount of Obligations credit bid by the acquisition vehicle or otherwise), such Obligations shall automatically be reassigned to the Secured Parties pro rata with their original interest in such Obligations and the equity interests and/or debt instruments issued by any acquisition vehicle on account of such Obligations shall automatically be cancelled, without the need for any Secured Party or any acquisition vehicle to take any further action. Notwithstanding that the ratable portion of the Obligations of each Secured Party are deemed assigned to the acquisition vehicle or vehicles as set forth in clause (ii) above, each Secured Party shall execute such documents and provide such information regarding the Secured Party (and/or any designee of the Secured Party which will receive interests in or debt instruments issued by such acquisition vehicle) as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request in connection with the formation of any acquisition vehicle, the formulation or submission of any credit bid or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by such credit bid.

Section 11.14 Secured Cash Management Agreements, Secured Hedge Agreements, Secured Pari Lease Agreements Supply Chain Financings, Import/Export Financings and Bilateral Letters of Credit.

(a) Except as otherwise expressly set forth herein or in any Loan Document, no Cash Management Bank, Hedge Bank, Lease Bank, Supply Chain Finance Bank, Import/Export Finance Bank or Bilateral Letter of Credit Bank that obtains the benefits of Section 9.01(b), any Guaranty or any Collateral by virtue of the provisions hereof or of any Guaranty (including under Article 4) or any Collateral Document shall have any right to notice of any action or to consent to, direct or object to any action hereunder or under any other Loan Document or otherwise in respect of the Collateral (including the release or impairment of any Collateral) (or to notice of or consent to any amendment, waiver or modification of the provisions hereof or any Collateral Document) other than in its capacity as a Lender (if applicable) and, in such case, only to the extent expressly provided in the Loan Documents. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article 11 or Section 9.01(b) to the contrary, the Administrative Agent shall not be required to verify the payment of, or that other satisfactory arrangements have been made with respect to, Secured Obligations arising under Secured Cash Management Agreements, Secured Hedge Agreements, Secured Pari Lease Agreements, Supply Chain Financings, Import/Export Financings and Bilateral Letters of Credit unless the Administrative Agent has received written notice of such Secured Obligations, together with such supporting documentation as the Administrative Agent may request, from the applicable Cash Management Bank, Hedge Bank, Lease Bank, Supply Chain Finance Bank, Import/Export Finance Bank or Bilateral Letter of Credit Bank. The Administrative Agent shall not be required to verify the payment of, or that other satisfactory arrangements have been made with respect to, Secured Obligations arising under

 

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Secured Cash Management Agreements, Secured Hedge Agreements, Secured Pari Lease Agreements, Supply Chain Financings, Import/Export Financings and Bilateral Letters of Credit in the case of a Termination and Release Date. Each Cash Management Bank, Hedge Bank, Lease Bank, Supply Chain Finance Bank, Import/Export Finance Bank or Bilateral Letter of Credit Bank not a party to this Credit Agreement that has given the notice contemplated by the preceding sentence shall, by such notice, be deemed to have acknowledged and accepted the appointment of the Administrative Agent pursuant to the terms of this Article 11 for itself and its Affiliates as if a “Lender” party hereto.

(b) Each Lender may from time to time elect by notice in writing to the Administrative Agent and Whirlpool that (x)(i) a Cash Management Agreement with any Cash Management Bank is to be a “Designated Cash Management Agreement” having monetary obligations that are subject to the waterfall provisions set forth in Section 9.01(b), which election shall be effective upon Whirlpool’s written consent to such designation and (ii) upon the effectiveness of such election, the Administrative Agent shall establish a Designated Cash Management Reserve with respect to any such Designated Cash Management Agreement in an amount (which amount shall be specified in such notice) equal to the anticipated monetary obligations of Whirlpool or the applicable Subsidiary under such Designated Cash Management Agreement owing to any Cash Management Bank, so long as, immediately after giving effect thereto, Availability would be not less than zero, or (y)(i) a Secured Hedge Agreement with any Hedge Bank is to be a “Designated Hedging Agreement” having monetary obligations that are subject to the waterfall provisions set forth in Section 9.01(b), which election shall be effective upon Whirlpool’s written consent to such designation and (ii) upon the effectiveness of such election, the Administrative Agent shall establish a Designated Hedging Reserve with respect to any such Designated Hedging Agreement in an amount (which amount shall be specified in such notice) equal to the anticipated monetary obligations of Whirlpool or the applicable Subsidiary under such Designated Hedging Agreement owing to any Hedge Bank, so long as, immediately after giving effect thereto, Availability would be not less than zero; provided that no monetary obligations under any Designated Cash Management Agreement or Designated Hedging Agreement shall receive any benefit of the designation under this Section 11.14(b) after the Termination Date; provided, further, that no Cash Management Arrangement shall be designated as a “Designated Cash Management Agreement” and no Secured Hedge Agreement shall be designated as a “Designated Hedging Agreement” if, at the time of such designation, the establishment of a Designated Cash Management Reserve or Designated Hedging Reserve in connection with such Designated Cash Management Agreement or Designated Hedging Agreement, as applicable, would result in Availability being less than zero. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, any Cash Management Agreement with the Administrative Agent (or an Affiliate thereof) and any Swap Agreement with the Administrative Agent (or an Affiliate thereof) shall receive the benefit of the applicable designation under this Section 11.14(b) regardless of whether any notice contemplated under this Section 11.14(b) is actually delivered or any election is actually made. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, no designation of any Cash Management Agreement as a “Designated Cash Management Agreement”, or of any Swap Agreement as a Designated Hedging Agreement shall be effected unless Whirlpool has provided its prior written consent to such designation.

(c) Each Lender (or Whirlpool, with the consent of such Lender) may from time to time elect by notice in writing to the Administrative Agent and Whirlpool that (x)(i) a Designated Cash Management Agreement with any Cash Management Bank is to no longer be a “Designated Cash Management Agreement” and (ii) the Administrative Agent shall reduce in full any Designated Cash Management Reserve with respect thereto, or (y)(i) a Secured Hedge Agreement with any Hedge Bank is to no longer be a “Designated Hedging Agreement” and (ii) the Administrative Agent shall reduce in full any Designated Hedging Reserve with respect thereto.

 

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(d) Each of the Cash Management Banks, Hedge Banks, Lease Banks, Supply Chain Finance Banks, Import/Export Finance Banks and Bilateral Letter of Credit Banks hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to enter into any intercreditor agreement, subordination agreement or other agreement or arrangement permitted under this Credit Agreement, and any amendment, modification, supplement or joinder with respect thereto, and each of the Cash Management Banks, Hedge Banks, Lease Banks, Supply Chain Finance Banks, Import/Export Finance Banks and Bilateral Letter of Credit Banks acknowledges that any such agreement or arrangement is binding upon such Cash Management Bank, Hedge Bank, Lease Bank, Supply Chain Finance Bank, Import/Export Finance Bank and Bilateral Letter of Credit Bank, as applicable.

ARTICLE 12.

SETOFF; RATABLE PAYMENTS

Section 12.01 Setoff.

In addition to, and without limitation of, any rights of the Lenders under applicable law, if any Default occurs, any and all deposits (including all account balances, whether provisional or final and whether or not collected or available) and any other indebtedness at any time held or owing by any Lender to or for the credit or account of any Loan Party may be offset and applied toward the payment of the Obligations of such Loan Party (or in the case of any Setoff of amounts owning to or for the credit or account of Whirlpool, toward the payment of the Obligations of any other Loan Party) owing to such Lender, whether or not the Obligations, or any part thereof, shall then be due, matured or unmatured, contingent or non-contingent; provided that in the event that any Defaulting Lender shall exercise any such right of setoff, (x) all amounts so set off shall be paid over immediately to the Administrative Agent for further application in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.12 and, pending such payment, shall be segregated by such Defaulting Lender from its other funds and deemed held in trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Lenders, and the Lenders, and (y) the Defaulting Lender shall provide promptly to the Administrative Agent a statement describing in reasonable detail the Obligations owing to such Defaulting Lender as to which it exercised such right of setoff. The rights of each Lender under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff) that such Lender may have. Each Lender agrees to notify the applicable Loan Party and the Administrative Agent 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.

Section 12.02 Ratable Payments.

If, after the occurrence of a Default, any Lender, whether by setoff or otherwise, has payment made to it upon its share of any Advance or LOC Obligations (other than payments received pursuant to Article 3) in a greater proportion than that received by any other Lender, such Lender agrees, promptly upon demand, to purchase a portion of the Loans comprising such Advance held by the other Lenders or to purchase a Participation Interest in such LOC Obligations so that after such purchase each Lender will hold its ratable proportion of Loans comprising such Advance or Participation Interests in such LOC Obligations. The Lenders further agree among themselves that if payment to a Lender obtained by such Lender through the exercise of a right of setoff, banker’s lien, counterclaim or other event as aforesaid shall be rescinded or must otherwise be restored, each Lender which shall have shared the benefit of such payment shall, by payment in cash or a repurchase of a participation theretofore sold, return its share of that benefit (together with its share of any accrued interest payable with respect thereto) to each Lender whose payment shall have been rescinded or otherwise restored. The Borrowers agree that any Lender so purchasing such a participation may, to the fullest extent permitted by law, exercise all rights of payment, including setoff, banker’s lien or counterclaim, with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a holder of such Loan, LOC Obligation or other obligation in the amount of such participation. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Credit Agreement, if any Lender or the Administrative Agent shall fail to remit to the Administrative Agent or any other Lender an amount payable by such Lender or the Administrative

 

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Agent to the Administrative Agent or such other Lender pursuant to this Credit Agreement on the date when such amount is due, such payments shall be made together with interest thereon if paid within two Business Days of the date when such amount is due at a per annum rate equal to the NYFRB Rate and thereafter at a per annum rate equal to the Alternate Base Rate until the date such amount is paid to the Administrative Agent or such other Lender. If under any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law, any Lender receives a secured claim in lieu of a setoff to which this Section 12.02 applies, such Lender shall, to the extent practicable, exercise its rights in respect of such secured claim in a manner consistent with the rights of the Lenders under this Section 12.02 to share in the benefits of any recovery on such secured claim.

ARTICLE 13.

BENEFIT OF AGREEMENT; PARTICIPATIONS; ASSIGNMENTS

Section 13.01 Successors and Assigns.

The terms and provisions of the Loan Documents shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Borrowers, the Lenders, the Issuing Lenders and the Administrative Agent and their respective successors and assigns, except that (i) no Borrower shall have the right to assign its rights or obligations under the Loan Documents without the consent of all of the Lenders, and (ii) any assignment by any Lender must be made in compliance with Section 13.03. The Administrative Agent may treat the payee of any Note as the owner thereof for all purposes hereof unless and until such payee complies with Section 13.03 in the case of an assignment thereof or, in the case of any other transfer, a written notice of the transfer is filed with the Administrative Agent. Any assignee or transferee of a Lender’s rights or obligations hereunder agrees by acceptance thereof to be bound by all the terms and provisions of the Loan Documents. Any request, authority or consent of any Person, who at the time of making such request or giving such authority or consent is the holder of any Note, shall be conclusive and binding on any subsequent holder, transferee or assignee of such Note or of any Note or Notes issued in exchange therefor.

Section 13.02 Participations.

(a) Permitted Participations; Effect. Any Lender may, in accordance with applicable law, at any time sell to one or more banks or other entities (but not to Whirlpool or any of Whirlpool’s Affiliates or to a natural Person (or a holding company, investment vehicle or trust for, or owned and operated for the primary benefit of, a natural Person) or to any Disqualified Institution as set forth in Section 13.03(e)) (“Participants”) participating interests in all or a portion of its rights, obligations or rights and obligations under the Loan Documents. In the event of any such sale by a Lender of participating interests to a Participant, such Lender’s obligations under the Loan Documents shall remain unchanged, such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations, all amounts payable by the Borrowers under this Credit Agreement shall be determined as if such Lender had not sold such participating interests, and the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender’s rights and obligations under the Loan Documents.

(b) Voting Rights. Each Lender shall retain the sole right to approve, without the consent of any Participant, any amendment, modification or waiver of any provision of the Loan Documents other than any amendment, modification or waiver with respect to any Loan or Commitment in which such Participant has an interest which forgives principal, interest or fees or reduces the interest rate or fees payable with respect to any such Loan, Letter of Credit or Commitment, postpones any date fixed for any regularly-scheduled payment of principal of, or interest or fees on, any such Loan, Letter of Credit or Commitment, releases any guarantor of any such Loan or releases any substantial portion of collateral, if any, securing any such Loan.

 

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(c) Benefit of Setoff. The Borrowers agree that each Participant shall be deemed to have the right of setoff provided in Section 12.01 in respect of its participating interest in amounts owing under the Loan Documents to the same extent as if the amount of its participating interest were owing directly to it as a Lender under the Loan Documents, provided that each Lender shall retain the right of setoff provided in Section 12.01 with respect to the amount of participating interests sold to each Participant. The Lenders agree to share with each Participant, and each Participant, by exercising the right of setoff provided in Section 12.01, agrees to share with each Lender, any amount received pursuant to the exercise of its right of setoff, such amounts to be shared in accordance with Section 12.02 as if each Participant were a Lender.

(d) Effect of Participation. The Borrowers agree that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 3.01, 3.02 and 3.05 (subject to the requirements and limitations therein, including the requirements under Section 2.08(l) (it being understood that the documentation required under Section 2.08(l) shall be delivered to the participating Lender)) to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to Section 13.03; provided that such Participant (A) agrees to be subject to the provisions of Section 3.06 as if it were an assignee under Section 13.03; and (B) shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Sections 3.01 or 3.02, with respect to any participation, than its participating Lender would have been entitled to receive, except to the extent such entitlement to receive a greater payment results from a Change that occurs after the Participant acquired the applicable participation. Each Lender that sells a participation agrees, at the Borrowers’ request and expense, to use reasonable efforts to cooperate with the Borrowers to effectuate the provisions of Section 3.06 with respect to any Participant. To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 12.01 as though it were a Lender; provided that such Participant agrees to be subject to Section 12.02 as though it were a Lender.

(e) Participant Register. Each Lender that sells a participation shall, acting solely for this purpose as a non-fiduciary agent of the Borrowers, 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 the Loans or other obligations under the Loan Documents (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, letters of credit 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, letter of credit 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 Credit Agreement notwithstanding any notice to the contrary. For the avoidance of doubt, the Administrative Agent (in its capacity as Administrative Agent) shall have no responsibility for maintaining a Participant Register.

Section 13.03 Assignments.

(a) Permitted Assignments. Any Lender may, in the ordinary course of its business and in accordance with applicable law, at any time assign to one or more banks or other entities (but not to Whirlpool or any of Whirlpool’s Affiliates or to a natural Person (or a holding company, investment vehicle or trust for, or owned and operated for the primary benefit of, a natural Person) or to any Disqualified Institution as set forth in clause (e) below) (“Purchasers”) any part of its rights and obligations under the Loan Documents; provided that, (i) unless otherwise provided herein, no assignment may be made without the prior written consent of Whirlpool and the Administrative Agent (such consents not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) unless the proposed Purchaser is a Lender or an Affiliate thereof and (ii) unless Whirlpool and the Administrative Agent shall otherwise consent (each in their sole discretion), (x) such assigning Lender shall retain after giving effect to such assignment a Commitment which is not less

 

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than $15,000,000 (unless such Lender is assigning all of its Commitment), (y) such assignment shall be in an amount which is not less than $25,000,000 (or, if less, the remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s Commitment) and in integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess thereof and (z) such assigning Lender has provided Whirlpool with notice of such assignment at least three Business Days prior to the effective date thereof (which effective date, for the avoidance of doubt, shall be subject to the consents referred to in clause (i) above), including such information regarding the Purchaser as Whirlpool may reasonably request; provided, however, that if a Default under Section 8.02 or (solely with respect to Whirlpool or any other Borrower) 8.05 or 8.06 has occurred and is continuing, the consent of Whirlpool shall not be required. Each such assignment shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto or in such other form as may be agreed to by the parties thereto. The consent of each Issuing Lender (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) shall be required prior to any assignment becoming effective.

(b) Effect; Effective Date. Upon (i) delivery to the Administrative Agent of an Assignment Agreement substantially in the form attached as Exhibit C hereto or any other form (including electronic records generated by the use of an electronic platform) approved by the Administrative Agent (an “Assignment”), together with any consent required by Section 13.03(a), (ii) payment of a $3,500 processing fee to the Administrative Agent for processing such assignment and (iii) recordation of such assignment in the Register as required by Section 13.03(c), such assignment shall become effective on the effective date specified in such Assignment. On and after the effective date of such assignment, such Purchaser shall for all purposes be a Lender party to this Credit Agreement and any other Loan Document executed by the Lenders and shall have all the rights and obligations of a Lender under the Loan Documents, to the same extent as if it were an original party hereto, and no further consent or action by the Borrowers, the Lenders or the Administrative Agent shall be required to release the transferor Lender with respect to the percentage of the Aggregate Commitment, Loans and Participation Interests assigned to such Purchaser.

(c) Register. The Borrowers hereby designate the Administrative Agent to serve as the Borrowers’ non-fiduciary agent, solely for the purpose of this paragraph, to maintain a register (the “Register”) on which the Administrative Agent will record each Lender’s Commitment, the Loans made by each Lender, and each repayment in respect of the principal amount of the Loans of each Lender and annexed to which the Administrative Agent shall retain a copy of each Assignment delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 13.03(b). The entries in the Register shall be conclusive, in the absence of manifest error, and the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall treat each Person in whose name a Loan is registered as the owner thereof for all purposes of this Credit Agreement, notwithstanding notice or any provisions herein to the contrary. A Lender’s Commitment and the Loans made pursuant thereto may be assigned or otherwise transferred in whole or in part only by registration of such assignment or transfer in the Register. Any assignment or transfer of a Lender’s Commitment or the Loans made pursuant thereto shall be registered in the Register only upon delivery to the Administrative Agent of an Assignment duly executed by the assignor thereof. No assignment or transfer of a Lender’s Commitment or the Loans made pursuant thereto shall be effective unless such assignment or transfer shall have been recorded in the Register by the Administrative Agent as provided in this Section. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrowers and any Lender at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

(d) No Assignment to Certain Persons. No assignment shall be made to (i) Whirlpool or any of Whirlpool’s Affiliates, (ii) to any Defaulting Lender or any of its Subsidiaries, or any Person who, upon becoming a Lender hereunder, would constitute a Defaulting Lender or a Subsidiary thereof or (iii) a natural Person (or a holding company, investment vehicle or trust for, or owned and operated for the primary benefit of, a natural Person).

 

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(e) Disqualified Institutions.

(i) No assignment or participation shall be made to any Person that was a Disqualified Institution as of the date (the “Trade Date”) on which the assigning Lender entered into a binding agreement to sell and assign or grant a participation in all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this Credit Agreement to such Person (unless Whirlpool has consented to such assignment or participation in writing in its sole discretion, in which case such Person will not be considered a Disqualified Institution for the purpose of such assignment or participation). Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, with respect to any assignee or Participant that becomes a Disqualified Institution after the applicable Trade Date (including as a result of the delivery of a written supplement to the list of “Disqualified Institutions” referred to in, the definition of “Disqualified Institution”), (x) such assignee or Participant shall not retroactively be disqualified from becoming a Lender or Participant and (y) the execution by the applicable Borrower of an Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignee will not by itself result in such assignee no longer being considered a Disqualified Institution. Any assignment or participation in violation of this clause (e)(i) shall not be void, but the other provisions of this clause (e) shall apply.

(ii) If any assignment or participation is made to any Disqualified Institution without Whirlpool’s prior written consent in violation of clause (i) above, or if any Person becomes a Disqualified Institution after the applicable Trade Date, Whirlpool may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to the applicable Disqualified Institution and the Administrative Agent, require such Disqualified Institution to assign, without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in this Section 13.03), all of its interest, rights and obligations under this Credit Agreement to one or more Persons (other than an a natural person, a Defaulting Lender, Whirlpool, any of Whirlpool’s Subsidiaries or any of Whirlpool’s Affiliates) at the lesser of (x) the principal amount thereof and (y) the amount that such Disqualified Institution paid to acquire such interests, rights and obligations in each case plus accrued interest, accrued fees and all other amounts (other than principal amounts) payable to it hereunder.

(iii) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Credit Agreement, Disqualified Institutions to whom an assignment or participation is made in violation of clause (i) above (A) will not have the right to (x) receive information, reports or other materials provided to Lenders by Whirlpool, the Administrative Agent or any other Lender, (y) attend or participate in meetings attended by the Lenders and the Administrative Agent, or (z) access any electronic site established for the Lenders or confidential communications from counsel to or financial advisors of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders and (B) (x) for purposes of any consent to any amendment, waiver or modification of, or any action under, and for the purpose of any direction to the Administrative Agent or any Lender to undertake any action (or refrain from taking any action) under this Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, each Disqualified Institution will be deemed to have consented in the same proportion as the Lenders that are not Disqualified Institutions consented to such matter and (y) for purposes of voting on any plan of reorganization, each Disqualified Institution party hereto hereby agrees (1) not to vote on such plan of reorganization, (2) if such Disqualified Institution does vote on such plan of reorganization notwithstanding the restriction in the foregoing clause (1), such vote will be deemed not to be in good faith and shall be “designated” pursuant to Section 1126(e) of the Bankruptcy Code (or any similar provision in any other applicable laws), and such vote shall not be counted in determining whether the applicable class has accepted or rejected such plan of reorganization in accordance with Section 1126(c) of the Bankruptcy Code (or any similar provision in any other applicable laws) and (3) not to contest any request by any party for a determination by the bankruptcy court (or other applicable court of competent jurisdiction) effectuating the foregoing clause (2).

 

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(iv) The Administrative Agent shall have the right, and Whirlpool hereby expressly authorizes the Administrative Agent, to (A) post the list of Disqualified Institutions provided by Whirlpool and any updates thereto from time to time (collectively, the “DQ List”) on a Platform, including that portion of such Platform that is designated for “public side” Lenders and/or (B) provide the DQ List to each Lender or potential Lender requesting the same.

(v) The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible or have any liability for, or have any duty to ascertain, inquire into, monitor or enforce, compliance with the provisions hereof relating to Disqualified Institutions. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent shall not (x) be obligated to ascertain, monitor or inquire as to whether any other Lender or Participant or prospective Lender or Participant is a Disqualified Institution or (y) have any liability with respect to or arising out of any assignment or participation of Loans, or disclosure of confidential information, by any other Person to any Disqualified Institution.

Section 13.04 Dissemination of Information.

Each Borrower authorizes each Lender to disclose to any Participant or Purchaser or any other Person acquiring an interest in the Loan Documents by operation of law (each a “Transferee”) and any prospective Transferee any and all information in such Lender’s possession concerning the creditworthiness of the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries.

Section 13.05 Tax Treatment.

If any interest in any Loan Document is transferred to any Transferee, the transferor Lender shall cause such Transferee, as a condition to such transfer, to comply with the provisions of Section 2.08(l).

Section 13.06 SPCs.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any Lender (a “Granting Lender”) may grant to a special purpose funding vehicle (an “SPC”) the option to fund all or any part of any Advance that such Granting Lender would otherwise be obligated to fund pursuant to this Credit Agreement; provided that (i) nothing herein shall constitute a commitment by any SPC to fund any Advance, (ii) if an SPC elects not to exercise such option or otherwise fails to fund all or any part of such Advance, the Granting Lender shall be obligated to fund such Advance pursuant to the terms hereof, (iii) no SPC shall have any voting rights pursuant to Section 9.03 (all such voting rights shall be retained by the Granting Lenders), (iv) with respect to notices, payments and other matters hereunder, the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall not be obligated to deal with an SPC, but may limit their communications and other dealings relevant to such SPC to the applicable Granting Lender and (v) the Granting Lender has provided Whirlpool with three Business Days prior notice of such assignment, including such information regarding the SPC as Whirlpool may reasonably request. The funding of an Advance by an SPC hereunder shall utilize the Commitment of the Granting Lender to the same extent that, and as if, such Advance were funded by such Granting Lender. Each party hereto hereby agrees that no SPC shall be liable for any indemnity or payment under this Credit Agreement for which a Lender would otherwise be liable for so long as, and to the extent, the Granting Lender provides such indemnity or makes such payment. In furtherance of the foregoing, each party hereto hereby agrees (which agreements shall survive termination of this Credit Agreement) that, prior to the date that is one year and one day after the payment in full of all outstanding commercial paper or other senior indebtedness of any SPC, it will not institute against, or join any other Person in instituting against, such SPC any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, insolvency or liquidation proceedings under the laws of the United States or any State thereof. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Credit Agreement, any SPC may disclose on a confidential basis any non-public information relating to its funding of Advances to any rating agency, commercial paper dealer or provider of any surety, guarantee or credit or liquidity enhancements to such SPC. This Section may not be amended without the prior written consent of each Granting Lender, all or any part of whose Advance is being funded by an SPC at the time of such amendment.

 

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Section 13.07 Pledges.

Notwithstanding any other provision set forth in this Credit Agreement, any Lender may at any time create a security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Credit Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender, including, without limitation, any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve Bank in accordance with Regulation A of the Federal Reserve Board or any central bank, and this Section shall not apply to any such pledge or assignment of a security interest; provided that, no such pledge or assignment of a security interest shall release a Lender from any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender party hereto.

Section 13.08 Interest Rate Limitation.

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if at any time the interest rate applicable to any Loan, together with all fees, charges and other amounts which are treated as interest on such Loan under applicable law (collectively the “Charges”), shall exceed the maximum lawful rate (the “Maximum Rate”) which may be contracted for, charged, taken, received or reserved by the Lender holding such Loan in accordance with applicable law, the rate of interest payable in respect of such Loan hereunder, together with all Charges payable in respect thereof, shall be limited to the Maximum Rate and, to the extent lawful, the interest and Charges that would have been payable in respect of such Loan but were not payable as a result of the operation of this Section shall be cumulated and the interest and Charges payable to such Lender in respect of other Loans or periods shall be increased (but not above the Maximum Rate therefor) until such cumulated amount, together with interest thereon at the applicable Overnight Rate to the date of repayment, shall have been received by such Lender.

ARTICLE 14.

NOTICES

Section 14.01 Giving Notice.

(a) Except as otherwise permitted by Section 2.08(g) or as provided in subsections (b) and (c) below, all notices and other communications provided to any party hereto under this Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be in writing or by telecopy (and promptly confirmed) and addressed or delivered to, in the case of any Borrower or the Administrative Agent, at its address set forth on Schedule IV hereto and in the case of any Lender, to its address provided in its Administrative Questionnaire, or at such other address as may be designated by such party in a notice to the other parties. Any notice, if mailed and properly addressed with postage prepaid, or sent overnight delivery via a reputable carrier, shall be deemed given when received; any notice, if transmitted by telecopy, shall be deemed given when transmitted. Notices delivered through Platforms or Approved Borrower Portals, to the extent provided in subsections (b) or (c) below, shall be effective as provided in said subsections.

(b) Notices and other communications to any Borrower, any Loan Party, the Lenders, the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Lenders hereunder may be delivered or furnished by using Approved Borrower Portals pursuant to procedures approved by the Administrative Agent; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices pursuant to Article 2 unless otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent and the applicable Lender. The Administrative Agent or any Borrower may, 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.

 

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(c) So long as JPMorgan or any of its Affiliates is the Administrative Agent, materials required to be delivered pursuant to Section 7.01(a), (b), (c), (d) and (e) shall be delivered to the Administrative Agent in an electronic or other acceptable medium in a format acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders by e-mail at the e-mail address separately provided to Whirlpool or if by another medium to the address of the Administrative Agent. In the event such materials are transmitted to such e-mail address such transmission shall satisfy the Borrowers’ obligation to deliver such materials. The Borrowers agree that the Administrative Agent may make such materials, as well as any other written information, documents, instruments and other material relating to the Borrowers, any of their Subsidiaries or any other materials or matters relating to this Credit Agreement, the Notes or any of the transactions contemplated hereby (collectively, the “Communications”) available to the Lenders by posting such notices on Intralinks or a substantially similar electronic system (the “Platform”). The Borrowers acknowledge that (i) the distribution of material through an electronic medium is not necessarily secure and that there are confidentiality and other risks associated with such distribution, (ii) the Platform is provided “as is” and “as available” and (iii) neither the Administrative Agent nor any of its Affiliates warrants the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of the Communications or the Platform and each expressly disclaims liability for errors or omissions in the Communications or the Platform. No warranty of any kind, express, implied or statutory, including, without limitation, any warranty of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement of third party rights or freedom from viruses or other code defects, is made by the Administrative Agent or any of its Affiliates in connection with the Platform.

(d) Each Lender agrees that notice to it (as provided in the next sentence) (a “Notice”) specifying that any Communications have been posted to the Platform shall constitute effective delivery of such information, documents or other materials to such Lender for purposes of this Credit Agreement; provided that if requested by any Lender the Administrative Agent shall deliver a copy of the Communications to such Lender by email or telecopier. Each Lender agrees (i) to notify the Administrative Agent in writing of such Lender’s e-mail address to which a Notice may be sent by electronic transmission (including by electronic communication) on or before the date such Lender becomes a party to this Credit Agreement (and from time to time thereafter to ensure that the Administrative Agent has on record an effective e-mail address for such Lender) and (ii) that any Notice may be sent to such e-mail address.

Section 14.02 Change of Address.

Subject to Section 10.10, each Borrower, the Administrative Agent and each Lender may change the address for service of notice upon it by a notice in writing to the other parties hereto.

ARTICLE 15.

COUNTERPARTS

This Credit Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, all of which taken together shall constitute one agreement, and any of the parties hereto may execute this Credit Agreement by signing any such counterpart. This Credit Agreement shall be effective when it has been executed by the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and the Administrative Agent has either received such executed counterparts or has been notified, by telecopy, that such party has executed its counterparts.

Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of (x) this Credit Agreement, (y) any other Loan Document and/or (z) any document, amendment, approval, consent, information, notice, certificate, request, statement, disclosure or authorization related to this Credit Agreement, any other Loan Document and/or the transactions contemplated hereby and/or thereby (each an “Ancillary Document”) that is an Electronic Signature transmitted by telecopy, emailed pdf. or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of an actual executed signature page shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Credit Agreement, such other Loan Document or such Ancillary Document, as applicable. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” “delivery,” and words of like import in or

 

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relating to this Credit Agreement, any other Loan Document and/or any Ancillary Document shall be deemed to include Electronic Signatures, deliveries or the keeping of records in any electronic form (including deliveries by telecopy, emailed pdf. or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of an actual executed signature page), 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; provided that nothing herein shall require the Administrative Agent to accept Electronic Signatures in any form or format without its prior written consent and pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided, further, without limiting the foregoing, (i) to the extent the Administrative Agent has agreed to accept any Electronic Signature, the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders shall be entitled to rely on such Electronic Signature purportedly given by or on behalf of any Borrower or any other Loan Party without further verification thereof and without any obligation to review the appearance or form of any such Electronic Signature and (ii) upon the request of the Administrative Agent or any Lender, any Electronic Signature shall be promptly followed by a manually executed counterpart. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Borrower hereby (A) agrees that, for all purposes, including without limitation, in connection with any workout, restructuring, enforcement of remedies, bankruptcy proceedings or litigation among the Administrative Agent, the Lenders, the Borrowers and the other Loan Parties, Electronic Signatures transmitted by telecopy, emailed pdf. or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of an actual executed signature page and/or any electronic images of this Credit Agreement, any other Loan Document and/or any Ancillary Document shall have the same legal effect, validity and enforceability as any paper original, (B) the Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders may, at its option, create one or more copies of this Credit Agreement, any other Loan Document and/or any Ancillary Document in the form of an imaged electronic record in any format, which shall be deemed created in the ordinary course of such Person’s business, and destroy the original paper document (and all such electronic records shall be considered an original for all purposes and shall have the same legal effect, validity and enforceability as a paper record), (C) waives any argument, defense or right to contest the legal effect, validity or enforceability of this Credit Agreement, any other Loan Document and/or any Ancillary Document based solely on the lack of paper original copies of this Credit Agreement, such other Loan Document and/or such Ancillary Document, respectively, including with respect to any signature pages thereto and (D) waives any claim against any Lender-Related Person for any Liabilities arising solely from the Administrative Agent’s and/or any Lender’s reliance on or use of Electronic Signatures and/or transmissions by telecopy, emailed pdf. or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of an actual executed signature page, including any Liabilities arising as a result of the failure of any Borrower and/or any Loan Party to use any available security measures in connection with the execution, delivery or transmission of any Electronic Signature.

ARTICLE 16.

PATRIOT ACT NOTICE

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

 

187


(b) Each Loan Party acknowledges that, pursuant to the Canadian AML Legislation, each Lender may be required to obtain, verify and record information regarding each Loan Party, its directors, authorized signing officers, direct or indirect shareholders or other Persons in control of each Loan Party, and the transactions contemplated hereby. Each Loan Party shall promptly provide all such information, including supporting documentation and other evidence, as may be reasonably requested by such Lender, in order to comply with any applicable Canadian AML Legislation, whether now or hereafter in existence.

 

188


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Borrowers, the Administrative Agent and the Lenders have caused this Credit Agreement to be duly executed by their duly authorized officers, all as of the day and year first above written.

 

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
By:   /s/ Scott Cartwright
 

Name:  Scott Cartwright

 

Title:   Treasurer

INSINKERATOR LLC
By:   /s/ Scott Cartwright
 

Name:  Scott Cartwright

 

Title:   Treasurer

KITCHENAID GLOBAL LLC
By:   /s/ Scott Cartwright
 

Name:  Scott Cartwright

 

Title:   Treasurer

WHIRLPOOL PROPERTIES, INC.
By:   /s/ Scott Cartwright
 

Name:  Scott Cartwright

 

Title:   Treasurer

MAYTAG PROPERTIES, LLC
By:   /s/ Scott Cartwright
 

Name:  Scott Cartwright

 

Title:   Treasurer

 

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION – CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT


MAYTAG SALES, INC.
By:   /s/ Scott Cartwright
 

Name:  Scott Cartwright

 

Title:   Treasurer

KITCHENAID EUROPA, INC.
By:   /s/ Scott Cartwright
 

Name:  Scott Cartwright

 

Title:   Treasurer

WHIRLPOOL GH GROUP LLC
By:   /s/ Scott Cartwright
 

Name:  Scott Cartwright

 

Title:   Treasurer

WHIRLPOOL AMERICA LLC
By:   /s/ Scott Cartwright
 

Name:  Scott Cartwright

 

Title:   Treasurer

INSENKERATOR CANADA CO.
By:   /s/ Scott Cartwright
 

Name:  Scott Cartwright

 

Title:   Treasurer

WHIRLPOOL CANADA LP, by its General Partner WCGP NOVA SCOTIA CO.
By:   /s/ Scott Cartwright
 

Name:  Scott Cartwright

 

Title:   Treasurer

 

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION – CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT


WHIRLPOOL CANADA CO.
By:   /s/ Scott Cartwright
 

Name:  Scott Cartwright

 

Title:   Treasurer

WCGP NOVA SCOTIA CO.

By:   /s/ Scott Cartwright
 

Name:  Scott Cartwright

 

Title:   Treasurer

 

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION – CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT


JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent,
Issuing Lender and a Lender
By:   /s/ Jackie Castillo
 

Name:  Jackie Castillo

 

Title:   Authorized Officer

 

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION – CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT


BNP PARIBAS, as Issuing Lender and a Lender
By:   /s/ Guelay Mese
  Name: Guelay Mese
  Title: Managing Director
By:   /s/ Zachary Kaiser
  Name: Zachary Kaiser
  Title: Director

 

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION – CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT


CITIBANK, N.A., as Issuing Lender and a Lender
By:   /s/ Nicole Quintana
  Name: Nicole Quintana
  Title: Vice President

 

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION – CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT


MIZUHO BANK, LTD., as Issuing Lender and a Lender
By:   /s/ Tracy Rahn
  Name: Tracy Rahn
  Title: Managing Director

 

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION – CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT


WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Issuing Lender and a Lender
By:   /s/ Michael Matranga
  Name: Michael Matranga
  Title: Authorized Signatory

 

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION – CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT


BANK OF MONTREAL, as a Lender
By:   /s/ Steve Teufel
  Name: Steve Teufel
  Title: Director

 

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION – CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT


GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA, as a Lender
By:   /s/ Ananda DeRoche
  Name: Ananda DeRoche
  Title: Authorized Signatory

 

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION – CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT


PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as a Lender
By:   /s/ Mark C. Matson
  Name: Mark C. Matson
  Title: Senior Vice President

 

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION – CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT


TD BANK, N.A., as a Lender
By:   /s/ Virginia Pulverenti
  Name: Virginia Pulverenti
  Title: Vice President

 

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION – CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT


FIFTH THIRD BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as a Lender
By:   /s/ John Psellas
  Name: John Psellas
  Title: Managing Director/Authorized Signer

 

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION – CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT


THE HUNTINGTON NATIONAL BANK, as a Lender
By:   /s/ John M. Sorber
  Name: John M. Sorber
  Title: Senior Vice President

 

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION – CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT


THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA, as a Lender
By:   /s/ Dhirendra Udharamaney
  Name: Dhirendra Udharamaney
  Title: Managing Director

 

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION – CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT


STANDARD CHARTERED BANK, as a Lender
By:   /s/ Ben Wynne-Davies
  Name: Ben Wynne-Davies
  Title: Managing Director

 

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION – CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT


THE NORTHERN TRUST COMPANY, as a Lender
By:   /s/ Will Hicks
  Name: Will Hicks
  Title: Vice President

 

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION – CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT


OLD NATIONAL BANK, as a Lender
By:   /s/ Michael E. May
  Name: Michael E. May
  Title: Senior Vice President

 

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION – CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT


BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., as a Lender
By:   /s/ Philip Debush
  Name: Philip Debush
  Title: Senior Vice President

 

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION – CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT


MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC., as a Lender
By:   /s/ Michael King
  Name: Michael King
  Title: Vice President

 

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION – CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT


MUFG BANK, LTD., as a Lender
By:   /s/ Jeehae Kim
  Name: Jeehae Kim
  Title: Vice President

 

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION – CREDIT AND GUARANTY AGREEMENT


EXHIBIT A

(to Credit Agreement)

NOTE

 

        

Whirlpool Corporation, a Delaware corporation, InSinkErator LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, KitchenAid Global LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Whirlpool Properties, Inc., a Michigan corporation, and Maytag Properties, LLC, a Michigan limited liability company (collectively, the “Borrowers”), promise to pay to the order of _________________ (the “Lender”) the unpaid principal amount of each Loan made by the Lender to the Borrowers pursuant to the ABL Credit and Guaranty Agreement dated as of June 16, 2026 among Whirlpool Corporation, InSinkErator LLC, KitchenAid Global LLC, Whirlpool Properties, Inc., Maytag Properties, LLC, the other borrowers from time to time party thereto, the subsidiary guarantors from time to time party thereto, the lenders (including, without limitation, the Lender) from time to time party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent for such lenders (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), on the dates, in the currency and funds, and at the place determined pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, together with interest, in like currency and funds, on the unpaid principal amount hereof at the rates and on the dates determined pursuant to the Credit Agreement.

The Lender shall, and is hereby authorized to, record on the schedule attached hereto, or to otherwise record in accordance with its usual practice, the date, amount, currency and maturity of each Loan and the date and amount of each principal payment hereunder, provided, however, that any failure to so record shall not affect the Borrowers’ obligations under any Loan Document.

This Note is one of the Notes issued pursuant to, and is entitled to the benefits of, the Credit Agreement, to which reference is hereby made for a settlement of the terms and conditions under which this Note may be prepaid or its maturity date accelerated. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein are used with the meanings attributed to them in the Credit Agreement. This Note shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York.


WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
By:  

  

  Name:
  Title:
INSINKERATOR LLC
By:  

  

  Name:
  Title:
KITCHENAID GLOBAL LLC
By:  

  

  Name:
  Title:
WHIRLPOOL PROPERTIES, INC.
By:  

  

  Name:
  Title:
MAYTAG PROPERTIES, LLC
By:  

  

  Name:
  Title:


SCHEDULE OF LOANS AND PAYMENTS OF PRINCIPAL

 

Date

 

Principal

Amount and

Currency of

Loan

 

Maturity of

Loan

  

Principal

Amount Paid

  

Unpaid Balance


EXHIBIT B

(to Credit Agreement)

ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT

____________, 20__

To the Lenders party to the

Credit Agreement referred

to below

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is made to the ABL Credit and Guaranty Agreement dated as of June 16, 2026 among Whirlpool Corporation, InSinkErator LLC, KitchenAid Global LLC, Whirlpool Properties, Inc., Maytag Properties, LLC, the other borrowers from time to time party thereto, the subsidiary guarantors from time to time party thereto, the lenders from time to time party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent for such lenders (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time through the date hereof, the “Credit Agreement”). Terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein are used herein as defined therein.

The undersigned, _________, a _________ [corporation] [limited liability company], wishes to become a “Borrower” under the Credit Agreement and, accordingly, hereby agrees that (i) from the date hereof it shall be a “Borrower” under the Credit Agreement, and (ii) from the date hereof and until the payment in full of the principal of and interest on all Advances made to it under the Credit Agreement and performance of all of its other Obligations thereunder, and until termination thereunder of its status as a “Borrower” as provided below, it shall perform, comply with and be bound by each of the provisions of the Credit Agreement which is stated to apply to any “Borrower” to the same extent as if it had originally signed the Credit Agreement as a “Borrower” party thereto. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the undersigned hereby (i) confirms, represents and warrants that it has heretofore received a true and correct copy of the Credit Agreement (including any modifications thereof or supplements or waivers thereto) as in effect on the date hereof, and (ii) confirms, reaffirms and restates, as of the date hereof, the representations and warranties set forth in Article 6 of the Credit Agreement provided that such representations and warranties shall be and hereby are deemed amended so that each reference therein to “this Credit Agreement”, including, without limitation, each such reference included in the term “Loan Documents”, shall be deemed to be a collective reference to this Assumption Agreement, the Credit Agreement and the Credit Agreement as supplemented by this Assumption Agreement.

So long as the principal of and interest on all Advances made to the undersigned under the Credit Agreement shall have been paid in full and all other obligations of the undersigned under the Credit Agreement shall have been fully performed, Whirlpool may by not less than five Business Days’ prior notice to the Administrative Agent terminate the undersigned’s status as a “Borrower” under the Credit Agreement.


THIS ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has duly executed and delivered this Assumption Agreement as of the date and year first above written.

 

    [Name of Additional Borrowing Subsidiary]
    By:  

 

    Title:  

 

Address for Notices under

the Credit Agreement:

 

 

 

 

 

 

By its signature, Whirlpool hereby consents to _________ becoming an Additional Borrowing Subsidiary and acknowledges that _________ shall also be a Borrowing Subsidiary whose obligations shall be guaranteed by each Guarantor pursuant to Article 4 of the Credit Agreement:

 

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

By:  

 

Title:  

 


CUSIP Number:_______________

EXHIBIT C

(to Credit Agreement)

ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT

This Assignment Agreement (this “Assignment”) is dated as of the Effective Date set forth below and is entered into by and between [the][each]1 Assignor identified in item 1 below ([the][each, an] “Assignor”) and [the][each]2 Assignee identified in item 2 below ([the][each, an] “Assignee”). [It is understood and agreed that the rights and obligations of [the Assignors][the Assignees]3 hereunder are several and not joint.]4 Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement identified below (as amended, the “Credit Agreement”), receipt of a copy of which is hereby acknowledged by [the][each] Assignee. The Standard Terms and Conditions set forth in Annex 1 attached hereto are hereby agreed to and incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this Assignment as if set forth herein in full.

For an agreed consideration, [the][each] Assignor hereby irrevocably sells and assigns to [the Assignee][the respective Assignees], and [the][each] Assignee hereby irrevocably purchases and assumes from [the Assignor][the respective Assignors], subject to and in accordance with the Standard Terms and Conditions and the Credit Agreement, as of the Effective Date inserted by the Administrative Agent as contemplated below (i) all of [the Assignor’s][the respective Assignors’] rights and obligations in [its capacity as a Lender][their respective capacities as Lenders] under the Credit Agreement and any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto to the extent related to the amount and percentage interest identified below of all of such outstanding rights and obligations of [the Assignor][the respective Assignors] under the respective facilities identified below (including without limitation any letters of credit, guarantees, and swingline loans included in such facilities), and (ii) to the extent permitted to be assigned under applicable law, all claims, suits, causes of action and any other right of [the Assignor (in its capacity as a Lender)][the respective Assignors (in their respective capacities as Lenders)] against any Person, whether known or unknown, arising under or in connection with the Credit Agreement, any other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto or the loan transactions governed thereby or in any way based on or related to any of the foregoing, including, but not limited to, contract claims, tort claims, malpractice claims, statutory claims and all other claims at law or in equity related to the rights and obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clause (i) above (the rights and obligations sold and assigned by [the][any] Assignor to [the][any] Assignee pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) above being referred to herein collectively as [the][an] “Assigned Interest”). Each such sale and assignment is without recourse to [the][any] Assignor and, except as expressly provided in this Assignment, without representation or warranty by [the][any] Assignor.

 
1 

For bracketed language here and elsewhere in this form relating to the Assignor(s), if the assignment is from a single Assignor, choose the first bracketed language. If the assignment is from multiple Assignors, choose the second bracketed language.

2 

For bracketed language here and elsewhere in this form relating to the Assignee(s), if the assignment is to a single Assignee, choose the first bracketed language. If the assignment is to multiple Assignees, choose the second bracketed language.

3 

Select as appropriate.

4 

Include bracketed language if there are either multiple Assignors or multiple Assignees.


1.    Assignor[s]:   
2.    Assignee[s]:   
   [Assignee is an [Affiliate][Approved Fund] of [identify Lender]
3.    Borrowers:    Whirlpool Corporation (“Whirlpool”), InSinkErator LLC, KitchenAid Global LLC, Whirlpool Properties, Inc. and Maytag Properties, LLC
4.    Administrative Agent:    JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as the administrative agent under the Credit Agreement
5.    Credit Agreement:    The ABL Credit and Guaranty Agreement dated as of June 16, 2026 among Whirlpool Corporation, InSinkErator LLC, KitchenAid Global LLC, Whirlpool Properties, Inc., Maytag Properties, LLC, each other Borrower party thereto, each other Subsidiary Guarantor party thereto, the Lenders party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and the other agents party thereto
6.    Assigned Interest[s]:   

 

Assignor[s]5

   Assignee[s]6      Facility
Assigned7
     Aggregate Amount of
Commitment/Loans
for all Lenders8
     Amount of
Commitment/Loans
Assigned8
     Percentage
Assigned of
Commitment/
Loans9
     CUSIP
Number
 
         $        $          %     
         $        $          %     
         $        $          %     
 
5 

List each Assignor, as appropriate.

6 

List each Assignee, as appropriate.

7 

Fill in the appropriate terminology for the types of facilities under the Credit Agreement that are being assigned under this Assignment (e.g., “Commitment”, etc.)

8 

Amount to be adjusted by the counterparties to take into account any payments or prepayments made between the Trade Date and the Effective Date.

9 

Set forth, to at least 9 decimals, as a percentage of the Commitment/Loans of all Lenders thereunder.


[7. Trade Date:       ____________________ ]10

[Page break]

 

 
10 

To be completed if the Assignor(s) and the Assignee(s) intend that the minimum assignment amount is to be determined as of the Trade Date.


Effective Date: __________ __, 20___ [TO BE INSERTED BY ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND WHICH SHALL BE THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF RECORDATION OF TRANSFER IN THE REGISTER THEREFOR.]

The terms set forth in this Assignment are hereby agreed to:

 

ASSIGNOR[S]11
[NAME OF ASSIGNOR]
By:  

  

  Title:
[NAME OF ASSIGNOR]
By:  

  

  Title:
ASSIGNEE[S]12
[NAME OF ASSIGNEE]
By:  

  

  Name:
  Title:
[NAME OF ASSIGNEE]
By:  

  

  Title:
 
11 

Add additional signature blocks as needed. Include both Fund/Pension Plan and manager making the trade (if applicable).

12 

Add additional signature blocks as needed. Include both Fund/Pension Plan and manager making the trade (if applicable).


[Consented to and]13 Accepted:

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as
Administrative Agent and as Issuing Lender
By:  

  

  Name:
  Title:
[ISSUING LENDER], as Issuing Lender
By:  

  

  Name:
  Title:
[ISSUING LENDER], as Issuing Lender
By:  

  

  Name:
  Title:
 
13 

To be added only if the consent of the Administrative Agent is required by the terms of the Credit Agreement.


[Consented to:]14
[NAME OF RELEVANT PARTY]
By:  

  

  Title:
 
14 

To be added only if the consent of Whirlpool and/or other parties is required by the terms of the Credit Agreement.


ANNEX 1

STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR

ASSIGNMENT

1. Representations and Warranties.

1.1 Assignor[s]. [The][Each] Assignor (a) represents and warrants that (i) it is the legal and beneficial owner of [the][the relevant] Assigned Interest, (ii) [the][such] Assigned Interest is free and clear of any lien, encumbrance or other adverse claim, (iii) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and (iv) it is not a Defaulting Lender; and (b) assumes no responsibility with respect to (i) any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Loan Documents or any collateral thereunder, (iii) the financial condition of Whirlpool and its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person obligated in respect of any Loan Document, or (iv) the performance or observance by Whirlpool and its Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person of any of their respective obligations under any Loan Document.

1.2. Assignee[s]. [The][Each] Assignee (a) represents and warrants that (i) it has full power and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to become a Lender under the Credit Agreement, (ii) it meets all the requirements to be an assignee under Section 13.03 of the Credit Agreement (subject to such consents, if any, as may be required thereunder), (iii) from and after the Effective Date, it shall be bound by the provisions of the Credit Agreement as a Lender thereunder and, to the extent of [the][the relevant] Assigned Interest, shall have the obligations of a Lender thereunder, (iv) it is sophisticated with respect to decisions to acquire assets of the type represented by the Assigned Interest and either it, or the Person exercising discretion in making its decision to acquire the Assigned Interest, is experienced in acquiring assets of such type, (v) it has received a copy of the Credit Agreement, and has received or has been accorded the opportunity to receive copies of the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 7.01 thereof, as applicable, and such other documents and information as it deems appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and to purchase [the][such] Assigned Interest, (vi) it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and to purchase [the][such] Assigned Interest, and (vii) if it is a Lender that is not incorporated under the laws of the United States of America or a state thereof attached to the Assignment is any documentation required to be delivered by it pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, duly completed and executed by [the][such] Assignee; and (b) agrees that (i) it will, independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent, [the][any] Assignor or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Loan Documents, and (ii) it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of the Loan Documents are required to be performed by it as a Lender.


2. Payments. From and after the Effective Date, the Administrative Agent shall make all payments in respect of [the][each] Assigned Interest (including payments of principal, interest, fees and other amounts) to [the][the relevant] Assignee whether such amounts have accrued prior to, on or after the Effective Date. The Assignor[s] and the Assignee[s] shall make all appropriate adjustments in payments by the Administrative Agent for periods prior to the Effective Date or with respect to the making of this assignment directly between themselves. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrative Agent shall make all payments of interest, fees or other amounts paid or payable in kind from and after the Effective Date to [the][the relevant] Assignee.

3. General Provisions. This Assignment shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. This Assignment may be executed in any number of counterparts, which together shall constitute one instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Assignment by telecopy shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Assignment. This Assignment shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York.


EXHIBIT D

(to Credit Agreement)

COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

 

To:

The Lenders party to the

ABL Credit and Guaranty Agreement described below

This Compliance Certificate is furnished pursuant to that certain ABL Credit and Guaranty Agreement dated as of June 16, 2026 among Whirlpool Corporation (“Whirlpool”), InSinkErator LLC, KitchenAid Global LLC, Whirlpool Properties, Inc., Maytag Properties, LLC, the other borrowers from time to time party thereto, the subsidiary guarantors from time to time party thereto, the lenders from time to time party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent for such lenders (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time through the date hereof, the “Credit Agreement”). Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms used in this Compliance Certificate have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Credit Agreement.

THE UNDERSIGNED HEREBY CERTIFIES THAT:

1. I am the duly elected __________________________of Whirlpool;

2. I have reviewed the terms of the Credit Agreement and I have made, or have caused to be made under my supervision, a detailed review of the transactions and conditions of Whirlpool and its Consolidated Subsidiaries during the accounting period covered by the attached financial statements;

3. The examinations described in paragraph 2 above did not disclose, and I have no knowledge of, the existence of any condition or event which constitutes a Default or Unmatured Default during or at the end of the accounting period covered by the attached financial statements or as of the date of this Certificate[, except as set forth below];

4. Attached hereto as Schedule I are the reasonably detailed calculations of the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the four fiscal quarters ended [____________], and if applicable, demonstrating compliance with Section 7.13 of the Credit Agreement.

5. [Described below are the exceptions, if any, to paragraph 3 above:]

[list, in detail, the nature of each condition or event, the period during which it has existed and the action which the Borrowers have taken, are taking, or propose to take with respect to each such condition or event]

The foregoing certifications, together with the computations set forth in Schedule I hereto and the financial statements delivered with this Certificate in support hereof, are made and delivered this ___ day of _________, 20__.


Whirlpool has caused this Certificate to be executed and delivered by its Authorized Officer thereunto duly authorized on the date first above written.

 

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 


SCHEDULE I TO COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio

 

1.  Consolidated EBITDA for the most recent period of four fiscal quarters ending on the date of calculation (see Exhibit A attached)

   $ __________  

2.  Aggregate amount actually paid by Whirlpool and its Subsidiaries during such period on account of Capital Expenditures which are not financed from the proceeds of any Indebtedness (other than the Loans)

   $ __________  

3.  Consolidated Fixed Charges for the most recent period of four fiscal quarters ending on the date of calculation15

   $ __________  

4.  Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (Line 1 – Line 2) ÷ Line 3

     :1.00  
  

 

 

 
 
15 

Shall exclude any interest expense paid in cash during such period in respect of any Synthetic Lease Agreement (other than a Secured Pari Lease Agreement).


EXHIBIT A TO

SCHEDULE I TO COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

Calculation of Consolidated EBITDA*

 

1.  Consolidated Net Income

   $ __________  

2.  To the extent such amounts were deducted in the determination of consolidated net income for the applicable period,

   $ __________  

(A)  Consolidated Interest Expense

  

(1)   Per financial statements:

   $ __________  

(2)   Pro forma from Material Acquisitions (positive) and/or Material Dispositions (negative):

   $ __________:  

(B)  Taxes in respect of, or measured by, income or excess profits of Whirlpool and its Consolidated Subsidiaries

   $ __________  

(C)  Identifiable and verifiable non-recurring restructuring charges taken by Whirlpool

   $ __________  

(D)  Depreciation and amortization expense

   $ __________  

(E)  Non-cash charges, losses and expenses and fees

   $ __________  

(F)  Non-recurring, extraordinary or unusual charges, losses and expenses

   $ __________  

(G)  Any expenses, charges, or fees (whether or not successful) related to the transactions contemplated by this Credit Agreement or any equity offering, Permitted Acquisition, Investment, acquisition, Disposition, recapitalization, merger, amalgamation or consolidation or the incurrence, modification, refinancing, redemption, repurchase, amendment or waiver of any Indebtedness (including the Obligations), Swap Agreements and amendments or modifications to any Loan Document

   $ __________  

(H)  Any losses for such period attributable to early extinguishment of Indebtedness, obligations under any Swap Agreement or other derivative instruments, including any deferred financing costs written off and premiums paid or other expenses incurred directly in connection therewith

   $ __________  


(I)   Any losses (or gains) attributable to realized foreign exchange losses (or gains) resulting from the impact of foreign currency changes on the valuation of assets or liabilities or on Indebtedness or other obligations denominated in a currency other than the functional currency, in each case, not in the ordinary course of business

   $ __________  

(J)   Costs or expenses pursuant to any management equity plan, employee stock ownership plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement or any stock subscription or shareholder agreement, to the extent that such costs or expenses are funded with cash proceeds contributed to the capital of Whirlpool or net cash proceeds of an issuance of Equity Interests of Whirlpool (other than Disqualified Equity Interests)

   $ __________  

(K)  Minority interest expense consisting of Subsidiary income attributable to minority equity interests of third parties in any non-wholly owned Subsidiary

   $ __________  

(L)  Any loss on sale of securitization assets and related assets

   $ __________  

(M)  Any charge, loss, expense, write-off or accrual to the extent indemnified or insured by a third party (including pursuant to any acquisition agreement, indemnification agreement or insurance policy) to the extent actually reimbursed, or so long as such amount is in fact indemnified or insured and reasonable evidence exists that such amount will be reimbursed by the indemnitor or insurer (in each case, with a deduction for any amount so added back to the extent not so reimbursed within 365 days following such determination)

   $ __________  

(N)  Any non-cash charges, losses or expenses arising from adjustments to contingent liabilities, deferred purchase price obligations, deferred compensation, earn-out obligations or similar obligations

   $ __________  

(O)  Costs and expenses incurred in connection with being a public company (including compliance with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission)

   $ __________  

(P)  Cash receipts (or any netting arrangements resulting in reduced cash expenditures) not representing Consolidated EBITDA or Consolidated Net Income in any period to the extent non-cash gains relating to such income were previously deducted in calculating Consolidated EBITDA

   $ __________  


(Q)  Non-recurring costs, charges and expenses incurred in connection with (I) the opening, pre-opening or start-up of new facilities, stores, offices, manufacturing plants, distribution centers or other business units, (II) transitioning, integrating, relocating or consolidating facilities, functions, personnel or operations, (III) entry into new lines of business or markets, (IV) launching, transitioning or integrating new product lines, services, software, systems or operational initiatives and (V) other start-up, transition, relocation, expansion or business optimization activities**

   $ __________  

(R)  Any charges, losses and expenses (including settlement costs, judgments, fines, penalties, legal fees and other related costs) in connection with any litigation, investigation, arbitration, claim, proceeding or other dispute

   $ __________  

(S)  Pro forma Material Acquisition (positive) or Disposition (negative) EBITDA

   $ __________  

3.  Sum of Lines 2(A) through 2(S)

   $ __________  

4.  “run rate” cost savings, operating expense reductions and synergies (other than revenue synergies) related to mergers and other business combinations, acquisitions, divestitures, restructurings, cost savings initiatives and other similar initiatives consummated after the Effective Date that are reasonably identifiable and factually supportable and projected by Whirlpool, in good faith to result from actions that have been taken or with respect to which steps have been taken or are expected to be taken (in the reasonable and good faith determination of Whirlpool), within eighteen (18) months after a merger or other business combination, acquisition, divestiture, restructuring, cost savings initiative or other initiative is consummated, net of the amount of actual benefits realized during such period from such actions, in each case calculated on a pro forma basis as though such cost savings, operating expense reductions and synergies (other than revenue synergies) had been realized on the first day of such period for which Consolidated EBITDA is being determined and as if such cost savings, operating expense reductions and synergies (other than revenue synergies) were realized during the entirety of such period***

   $ __________  


5.  To the extent such amounts were included in the determination of Consolidated Net Income for the applicable period,

  

(A)  losses (or income) from discontinued operations****

   $ __________  

(B)  losses (or gains) from the effects of accounting changes****

   $ __________  

6.  Sum of Lines 5(A) and 5(B)

   $ __________  

7.  Consolidated EBITDA (Line 1 + Line 3 + Line 4 + Line 6)

   $ __________  
 
*

For the purpose of calculating Consolidated EBITDA for any period, if during such period Whirlpool or one of its Consolidated Subsidiaries shall have made a Material Acquisition or Material Disposition, Consolidated EBITDA for such period shall, to the extent reasonably practicable, be calculated after giving pro forma effect to such Material Acquisition or Material Disposition as if such Material Acquisition or Material Disposition occurred on the first day of such period, and shall include any pro forma adjustments to be made pursuant to Line 3.

**

The aggregate amount added pursuant to Line 2(Q) shall not exceed 15.0% of Consolidated EBITDA for such period (calculated after giving effect to the addition of all such amounts)

***

The aggregate amount added pursuant to Line 4 shall not exceed 15.0% of Consolidated EBITDA for such period (calculated after giving effect to the addition of all such amounts).

****

Income or gains described in Lines 5(A) and 5(B) shall be recorded as negative numbers.


EXHIBIT E

(to Credit Agreement)

FORM OF SOLVENCY CERTIFICATE

[__________] [__], 20[__]

This Solvency Certificate (this “Certificate”) is delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a)(x) of that certain ABL Credit and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of June 16, 2026 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), by and among Whirlpool Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“Whirlpool”), the other borrowers from time to time party thereto, the subsidiary guarantors from time to time party thereto, the lenders from time to time party thereto, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as the Administrative Agent. Capitalized terms used in this Certificate but not otherwise defined in this Certificate shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement:

I, [__________], the [Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer][Vice President and Treasurer] of Whirlpool, in such capacity and not in an individual capacity, do hereby certify, on behalf of Whirlpool, that as of the date hereof and giving pro forma effect to the incurrence, as applicable, of indebtedness under the Credit Agreement on the date hereof, with respect to Whirlpool individually and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole:

(a) the fair value of their property is greater than the total amount of their liabilities, including contingent liabilities;

(b) their present fair saleable value is not less than the amount that will be required to pay their probable liability on their debts, including contingent debts, as they become absolute and matured;

(c) they are able to pay their debts and liabilities as they mature; and

(d) they are not engaged in a business or a transaction, and are not about to engage in a business or transaction, for which their property would constitute an unreasonably small capital.

I, [__________], the [Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer][Vice President and Treasurer] of Whirlpool, in such capacity and not in an individual capacity, do hereby further certify that no Loan Party intends to, nor will permit any Subsidiary to, and no Loan Party believes that it or any Subsidiary will, incur debts beyond its ability to pay such debts as they mature, taking into account the timing of and amounts of cash to be received by it or any such Subsidiary and the timing of the amounts of cash to be payable on or in respect of its Indebtedness or the Indebtedness of any such Subsidiary.

For purposes hereof, the amount of any contingent liability at any time shall be computed as the amount that, in 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.


The undersigned is generally familiar with the business and financial position of Whirlpool and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis.

[Remainder of this page intentionally left blank]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Whirlpool has caused this certificate to be executed on its behalf by its [Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer][Vice President and Treasurer] as of the date first written above.

 

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title: [Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer][Vice President and Treasurer]


EXHIBIT F

(to Credit Agreement)

FORM OF PERFECTION CERTIFICATE

[ ], 2026

Reference is hereby made to (i) that certain ABL Credit and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of June 16, 2026 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time prior to the date hereof, the “Credit Agreement”), among Whirlpool Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), the other Borrowers and Subsidiary Guarantors from time to time party thereto, the Lenders from time to time party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, (ii) that certain ABL Security Agreement, dated as of June 16, 2026 (the “U.S. Collateral Agreement”), among the Loan Parties party thereto and the Administrative Agent and (iii) that certain ABL Canadian Security Agreement, dated as of June 16, 2026 (the “Canadian Collateral Agreement”, together with the U.S. Collateral Agreement, the “Collateral Agreements”), among the Loan Parties party thereto and the Administrative Agent.

Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Credit Agreement, the U.S. Collateral Agreement or the Canadian Collateral Agreement, as applicable.

As of the date hereof, the undersigned, an Authorized Officer of the following Loan Parties, hereby certifies, in such capacity and not in any individual capacity, to the Administrative Agent and each other Secured Party, in respect of such Loan Parties as follows:

I. Names. The exact legal name of each Loan Party, including any French form of name, as such name appears in its respective organizational document filed with the relevant office of such Loan Party’s jurisdiction of organization or formation, as applicable, is set forth on Schedule 1(a). Each Loan Party is (i) the type of entity disclosed next to its name on Schedule 1(a) and (ii) a registered organization except to the extent disclosed on Schedule 1(a). Also set forth on Schedule 1(a) is the jurisdiction of organization or formation for each Loan Party.

A. Set forth on Schedule 1(b) hereto is a list of any other legal names (other than any registered assumed names, trade names, fictitious names or other similar names) of each Loan Party (or any other business or organization to which each Loan Party became the successor by merger, consolidation, acquisition, change in form, nature or jurisdiction of organization or otherwise) has had in the past five years, together with the date of the relevant change.

B. Set forth on Schedule 1(c) is a list of all other names used by each Loan Party on any filings with the Internal Revenue Service or jurisdictional equivalent at any time within the past five years. Except as set forth on Schedule 1(c), no Loan Party has changed its jurisdiction of organization at any time during the past four months.

II. Current Locations. The chief executive office of each Loan Party (and location of books and records, if different than the chief executive office), principal place of business, registered office or domicile (as defined under the Civil Code of Quebec) of each Canadian Loan Party is located at the address set forth on Schedule 2 hereto.

III. Extraordinary Transactions. Except for those purchases, acquisitions and other transactions described on Schedule 3 hereto, all of the Collateral has been originated by each Loan Party in the ordinary course of business or consists of goods which have been acquired by such Loan Party in the ordinary course of business from a person in the business of selling goods of that kind.


IV. Stock Ownership and Other Equity Interests. Attached hereto as Schedule 4(a) is a true and correct list of each of all of the authorized, and the issued and outstanding, stock, partnership interests, limited liability company membership interests or other equity interest of each Loan Party (other than the Company) and its Subsidiaries and the record and beneficial owners of such stock, partnership interests, membership interests or other equity interests setting forth the percentage of such equity interests pledged under the applicable Collateral Agreement.

A. Set forth on Schedule 4(b) is each equity investment held by each Loan Party that represents 50% or less of the equity of the entity in which such investment was made setting forth the percentage of such equity interests required to be pledged under the applicable Collateral Agreement.

V. Instruments and Tangible Chattel Paper. Attached hereto as Schedule 5 is a true and correct list of all promissory notes, instruments (other than checks to be deposited in the ordinary course of business), tangible chattel paper, electronic chattel paper and other evidence of indebtedness held by each Loan Party as of the date hereof with a principal amount in excess of $5,000,000 individually and $10,000,000 in the aggregate, including all intercompany notes between or among any two or more Loan Parties or any of their Subsidiaries, stating if such instruments, chattel paper or other evidence of indebtedness is pledged under the Collateral Documents.

VI. Intellectual Property.

A. Attached hereto as Schedule 6(a) is a schedule setting forth all of each Loan Party’s Patents, Trademarks or Industrial Designs (each as defined in the applicable Collateral Agreement), that are applied for or registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office or any similar office or agency in any State of the United States or the Canadian Intellectual Property Office or any similar office or agency within Canada, as applicable, including the name of the registered owner or applicant and the registration, application, or publication number, as applicable, of each Patent, Trademark or Industrial Design owned by each Loan Party.

B. Attached hereto as Schedule 6(b) is a schedule setting forth all of each Loan Party’s Copyrights (as defined in the applicable Collateral Agreement) that are applied for or registered with the United States Copyright Office or any similar office or agency in any State of the United States or the Canadian Intellectual Property Office or any similar office or agency within Canada, as applicable, including the name of the registered owner and the registration number of each Copyright owned by each Loan Party.

C. Attached hereto as Schedule 6(c) is a schedule setting forth all material Copyright Licenses (as defined in the applicable Collateral Agreement) to which a Loan Party is a party for Copyrights, that are applied for or registered with the United States Copyright Office or any similar office or agency in any State of the United States or the Canadian Intellectual Property Office or any similar office or agency within Canada, as applicable, whether or not recorded with the United States Copyright Office, or any similar office or agency in any State of the United States or the Canadian Intellectual Property Office or any similar office or agency within Canada, as applicable, in each case including, but not limited to, the relevant signatory parties to each license along with the date of execution thereof and, if applicable, a recordation number or other such evidence of recordation.

VII. Commercial Tort Claims. Attached hereto as Schedule 7 is a true and correct list of all Commercial Tort Claims (as defined in the UCC) held by each Loan Party to its knowledge, valued at over $5,000,000 individually or $10,000,000 in the aggregate, including a brief description thereof.


VIII. Letter-of-Credit Rights. Attached hereto as Schedule 8 is a true and correct list of all Letters of Credit as of March 31, 2026, with a fair market value in excess $5,000,000 individually or $10,000,000 in the aggregate issued in favor of each Loan Party.

IX. Inventory Locations. Set forth on Schedule 9(a) opposite the name of each Loan Party is a true and correct list of all the locations owned by such Loan Party where Collateral consisting of Inventory with an aggregate value in excess of $5,000,000 is located (or is in transit to).

 

A.

Set forth on Schedule 9(b) opposite the name of each Loan Party is a true and correct list of all the locations leased by such Loan Party where Collateral consisting of Inventory with an aggregate value in excess of $5,000,000 is located (or is in transit to).

 

B.

Set forth on Schedule 9(c) opposite the name of each Loan Party is a true and correct list of all the locations where Collateral consisting of Inventory with an aggregate value in excess of $5,000,000 is located (or is in transit to) and which locations are public warehouses or other locations where such Inventory is held by a bailee or on consignment.

X. Deposit Accounts. Set forth on Schedule 10 is a true and correct list each of each Loan Party’s Deposit Accounts, along with the name and address of the depository institution or securities intermediary, as applicable, at which such account is maintained, the account number for such account, a description of the type of Deposit Account (e.g., payroll, general operating, or other) and (in the case of each Deposit Account) whether such accounts constitutes an Excluded Account. No Loan Party has or maintains any Deposit Account other than those listed on Schedule 10.

[The Remainder of this Page has been intentionally left blank]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Perfection Certificate as of the date first written above.

 

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
INSINKERATOR LLC
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
KITCHENAID GLOBAL LLC
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
WHIRLPOOL PROPERTIES, INC.
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
MAYTAG PROPERTIES, LLC
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:


MAYTAG SALES, INC.
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
KITCHENAID EUROPA, INC.
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
WHIRLPOOL GH GROUP LLC
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
WHIRLPOOL AMERICA LLC
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
INSINKERATOR CANADA CO.
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
WHIRLPOOL CANADA LP, by its General
Partner WCGP NOVA SCOTIA CO.
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:


WHIRLPOOL CANADA CO.
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
WCGP NOVA SCOTIA CO.
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:


Schedule 1(a)

Legal Names, etc.

 

Legal Name

  

Type of

Entity

  

Registered

Organization

(Yes/No)

  

State or Country of

Formation


Schedule 1(b)

Prior Organizational Names

 

Entity

 

Prior Legal Name

 

Date Changed


Schedule 1(c)

Changes in Corporate Identity; Other Names

[ ]


Schedule 2

Chief Executive Offices

 

Loan Party

  

Address

 

Loan Party

 

Chief Executive Office or Domicile

 

Registered Office

 

Location of Books and Records


Schedule 3

Transactions Other Than in the Ordinary Course of Business

1. [ ]


Schedule 4(a)

Equity Interests of Loan Parties (other than the Company) and Subsidiaries

[ ]


Schedule 4(b)

Other Equity Interests

[ ]


Schedule 5

Instruments and Tangible Chattel Paper

[ ]


Schedule 6(a)

PATENTS:

United States Patents:

 

    

Title

   Application
Number
     Patent
Number
     Record Owner  
1.            
2.            
3.            

United States Patent Applications:

 

Title

   Application
Number
   Record Owner

Canadian Patents:

 

    

Title

   Patent
Number
     Record
Owner
 
1.         
2.         
3.         

Canadian Patent Applications:

 

Title

   Application
Number
   Record Owner


TRADEMARKS:

United States Trademark Registrations:

 

    

Trademark

   Registration
Number
     Serial
Number
     Registered
Owner
 
1.            
2.            
3.            

United States Trademark Applications:

 

    

Trademark

   Registration
Number
     Serial
Number
     Registered
Owner
 
1.            
2.            
3.            

State Trademark Registrations and Applications:

None.

Canadian Trademark Registrations:

 

No.

  

Trademark

   Application
Number
     Registration
Number
     Registered
Owner
 
1.            
2.            
3.            


INDUSTRIAL DESIGNS:

Canadian Industrial Design Registrations:

 

    

OWNER

   TITLE      REG. NO.  
1.         
2.         
3.         


Schedule 6(b)

COPYRIGHTS:

United States Copyright Registrations and Applications:

 

    

Copyright

   Registration
Number
     Registered Owner  
1.         
2.         
3.         


Schedule 6(c)

COPYRIGHT LICENSES

[ ]


Schedule 7

Commercial Tort Claims

1. [ ]


Schedule 8

Letter of Credit Rights

[ ]


Schedule 9

Inventory Locations

(a)

 

Loan Party

   Address

(b)

 

Loan Party

   Lessor    Address

(c)

 

Loan Party

   Third-
Party
   Address


Schedule 10

Deposit Accounts

 

Loan Party

   Depository
Institution
   Address    Account Number    Description    Excluded
Deposit
Account
(Y/N)


EXHIBIT G

(to Credit Agreement)

FORM OF COUNTERPART AGREEMENT

[ ], 20[ ]

This COUNTERPART AGREEMENT (this “Counterpart Agreement”) is delivered pursuant to that certain ABL Credit and Guaranty Agreement dated as of June 16, 2026 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), among WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (“Whirlpool”), the other Borrowers from time to time party thereto, the Subsidiary Guarantors from time to time party thereto, each lender from time to time party thereto (collectively, the “Lenders” and individually, a “Lender”) and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.

Section 1. Pursuant to Section 7.21 of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby:

(a) agrees that this Counterpart Agreement may be attached to the Credit Agreement and that by the execution and delivery hereof, the undersigned becomes a Subsidiary Guarantor under the Credit Agreement and agrees to be bound by all of the terms thereof;

(b) represents and warrants that each of the representations and warranties set forth in the Credit Agreement and each other Loan Document that is applicable to the undersigned that is qualified by materiality is true and correct in all respects (except for any such representation and warranty that is not conditioned by materiality, in which case such representation and warranty is true and correct in all material respects) as of the date hereof both before and after giving effect to this Counterpart Agreement, except to the extent such representations and warranties specifically relate to an earlier date, in which case such representations and warranties are true and correct in all material respects (or all respects if qualified by materiality) as of such earlier date;

(c) in accordance with Article 4 of the Credit Agreement, irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees, as primary obligor and not merely as surety, the prompt and complete payment and performance by each Borrower when due (whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) of the Secured Obligations (including, without limitation, all reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of counsel) which may be paid or incurred by any Secured Party in enforcing or obtaining advice of counsel in respect of, any of their rights under the guarantee contained in Article 4 thereof; and

(d) the undersigned hereby (i) agrees that this Counterpart Agreement may be attached to the U.S. Collateral Agreement or the Canadian Collateral Agreement (collectively, the “Collateral Agreements” and each individually, a “Collateral Agreement”), as applicable, (ii) agrees that the undersigned will comply with all the terms and conditions of the applicable Collateral Agreement as if it were an original signatory thereto, (iii) grants to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties a security interest in all of the undersigned’s right, title and interest in and to all “Collateral”


(as such term is defined in the applicable Collateral Agreement) of the undersigned, in each case whether now or hereafter existing or in which the undersigned now has or hereafter acquires an interest and wherever the same may be located and (iv) delivers to the Administrative Agent supplements to all schedules attached to the applicable Collateral Agreement. All such Collateral shall be deemed to be part of the “Collateral” and hereafter be subject to each of the terms and conditions of the applicable Collateral Agreement.

Section 2. The undersigned agrees from time to time, upon request of Administrative Agent, to take such additional actions and to execute and deliver such additional documents and instruments as Administrative Agent may request in accordance with the terms of Sections 7.21 and 7.22 of the Credit Agreement to effect the transactions contemplated by, and to carry out the intent of, this Counterpart Agreement. Neither this Counterpart Agreement nor any term hereof may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated, except by an instrument in writing signed by the party (including, if applicable, any party required to evidence its consent to or acceptance of this Counterpart Agreement) against whom enforcement of such change, waiver, discharge or termination is sought. Any notice or other communication herein required or permitted to be given shall be given pursuant to Article 14 of the Credit Agreement, and for all purposes thereof, the notice address of the undersigned shall be the address as set forth on the signature page hereof. In case any provision in or obligation under this Counterpart Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions or obligations, or of such provision or obligation in any other jurisdiction, shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

Section 3. THIS COUNTERPART AGREEMENT 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 COUNTERPART AGREEMENT AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

Section 4. THE UNDERSIGNED HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY CONSENTS TO THE JURISDICTION PROVISIONS SET FORTH IN SECTION 10.10 OF THE CREDIT AGREEMENT AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY THE LAW, ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A JURY TRIAL, IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 10.11 OF THE CREDIT AGREEMENT.

[Remainder of this page intentionally left blank]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Counterpart Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by its duly authorized officer as of the date above first written.

 

[NAME OF SUBSIDIARY]
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
Address for Notices:

 

 

 

Attention:
Telecopier:
with a copy to:

 

 

 

Attention:
Telecopier:

 

ACKNOWLEDGED AND ACCEPTED,

as of the date above first written:

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,

as Administrative Agent

By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  


EXHIBIT H

(to Credit Agreement)

FORM OF BORROWING BASE CERTIFICATE


LOGO

 

Whirlpool Corporation

 

Summary BBC Availability as of: 01/00/00

(Actual in USD)

       

Certificate #:

Certificate Date:

Period Start Date:

Period End Date:

 

 

 

  

COLLATERAL AVAILABILITY

   USA      Canada      Total  

Gross Accounts Receivable Availability

   $ —       $ —       $ —   

Net Accounts Receivable Availability

   $ —       $ —       $ —   

Effective advance rate

     n/a        n/a        n/a  

Gross Credit Card A/R Availability

   $ —       $ —       $ —   

Net Credit Card A/R Availability

   $ —       $ —       $ —   

Effective advance rate

     n/a        n/a        n/a  

Gross Inventory Availability

   $ —       $ —       $ —   

Net Inventory Availability

   $ —       $ —       $ —   

Effective advance rate

     n/a        n/a        n/a  

Gross In-Transit Inventory Availability

   $ —       $ —       $ —   

Net In-Transit Inventory Availability

   $ —       $ —      

Effective advance rate

     n/a        n/a        n/a  

Cash Collateral

   $ —       $ —       $ —   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Availability before Reserves - AR, INV, CASH, CC AR

   $ —       $ —      

Less: Reserves

   $        $        $    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Availability after Reserves - AR, INV, CASH

   $ —       $ —       $ —   

Tradename (IP) Collateral

        

M&E Collateral $ -

         $ —   

Consolidated Availability - AR, INV, CASH, IP, M&E

        

Total net consolidated availability (Line Cap $2,000,000,000)

        

Suppressed Availability

        

Less: Current Revolving Loans

         $    

Less: Outstanding Letters of Credit

         $    

Less: Other Exposure

         $    
        

 

 

 

Aggregate Exposure

         $    
        

 

 

 

Availability Not Borrowed

        
        

 

 

 

 

 

,         

 

 

 

Signed By

                        

Name:

 


EXHIBIT I

(to Credit Agreement)

FORM OF JUNIOR LIEN INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT


JUNIOR LIEN INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT

among

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION,

as the Company

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,

as Senior Representative for the Initial Credit Agreement Secured Parties,

U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as the Second Priority Representative, and

each additional Representative from time to time party hereto

dated as of [ ], 2026


JUNIOR LIEN INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT, dated as of [ ], 2026 (as the same may be amended, restated, amended and restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time pursuant to the terms hereof, this “Agreement”), among WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Representative for the Initial Credit Agreement Secured Parties (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”), U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Representative for the Initial Second Priority Debt Parties (in such capacity, the “Initial Second Priority Representative”), and each additional Second Priority Representative and Senior Representative that from time to time becomes a party hereto pursuant to Section 8.09.

In consideration of the mutual agreements herein contained and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Administrative Agent (for itself and on behalf of the Initial Credit Agreement Secured Parties), the Initial Second Priority Representative (for itself and on behalf of the Initial Second Priority Debt Parties), each additional Senior Representative (for itself and on behalf of the Additional Senior Debt Parties under the applicable Additional Senior Debt Facility), the Grantors, and each additional Second Priority Representative (for itself and on behalf of the Second Priority Debt Parties under the applicable Second Priority Debt Facility) agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

Definitions

SECTION 1.01 Certain Defined Terms. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein have the meanings set forth in the Initial Credit Agreement or, if defined in the New York UCC, the meanings specified therein. As used in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified below:

Additional Senior Debt” means any Indebtedness that is issued, incurred or guaranteed by the Company and/or any Guarantor (other than Indebtedness constituting Initial Credit Agreement Obligations) which Indebtedness and guarantees are secured by the Senior Collateral (or a portion thereof) on a basis that is senior to the Second Priority Debt Obligations; provided, however, that (i) such Indebtedness is permitted to be issued, incurred, secured and guaranteed on such basis by each then extant Senior Debt Document and Second Priority Debt Document and (ii) the Representative for the holders of such Indebtedness shall have (A) executed and delivered this Agreement as of the date hereof or become party to this Agreement pursuant to, and by satisfying the conditions set forth in, Section 8.09 hereof and (B) become a party to a Term Indebtedness Intercreditor Agreement to the extent required under the Initial Credit Agreement; provided, further, that, if such Indebtedness will be the initial Additional Senior Debt incurred by the Company and/or any Grantors, the Administrative Agent and the Representative for such Indebtedness shall have executed and delivered a Term Indebtedness Intercreditor Agreement. Additional Senior Debt shall include any Registered Equivalent Notes and guarantees thereof by the Guarantors.

Additional Senior Debt Documents” means, with respect to any series, issue or class of Additional Senior Debt, the promissory notes, indentures, credit agreements, the Senior Collateral Documents or other operative agreements evidencing or governing such Indebtedness.

Additional Senior Debt Facility” means each indenture, credit agreement or other governing agreement with respect to any Additional Senior Debt.


Additional Senior Debt Obligations” means, with respect to any series, issue or class of Additional Senior Debt, (a) all principal of, and interest, fees and expenses (including, without limitation, any interest, fees or expenses which accrues after the commencement of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, whether or not allowed or allowable as a claim in any such proceeding) payable with respect to, such Additional Senior Debt, (b) all other amounts payable by any Grantor to the related Additional Senior Debt Parties under the related Additional Senior Debt Documents, (c) any Secured Hedge Obligations secured under the Senior Collateral Documents securing the related series, issue or class of Additional Senior Debt Obligations, (d) any Secured Cash Management Obligations secured under the Senior Collateral Documents securing the related series, issue or class of Additional Senior Debt Obligations, (e) any Secured Pari Lease Obligations secured under the Senior Collateral Documents securing the related series, issue or class of Additional Senior Debt Obligations, (f) any Supply Chain Finance Obligations secured under the Senior Collateral Documents securing the related series, issue or class of Additional Senior Debt Obligations, (g) any Bilateral Letter of Credit Obligations secured under the Senior Collateral Documents securing the related series, issue or class of Additional Senior Debt Obligations, (h) any Import/Export Finance Obligations secured under the Senior Collateral Documents securing the related series, issue or class of Additional Senior Debt Obligations and (i) any renewals, replacements, Refinancings or extensions of the foregoing. Additional Senior Debt Obligations shall include any Term Indebtedness Obligations or other permitted Indebtedness that, in each case, constitutes Additional Senior Debt and guarantees thereof by the Grantors issued in exchange therefor.

Additional Senior Debt Parties” means, with respect to any series, issue or class of Additional Senior Debt, the holders of such Indebtedness, the Representative with respect thereto, any trustee or agent therefor under any related Additional Senior Debt Documents and the beneficiaries of each indemnification or reimbursement obligation undertaken by the Company or any Guarantor under any related Additional Senior Debt Documents.

Administrative Agent” has the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement and shall include any successor administrative agent and collateral agent as provided in Section 11.06 of the Initial Credit Agreement; provided, however, that if the Initial Credit Agreement is Refinanced, then all references herein to the Administrative Agent shall refer to the administrative agent (or trustee) under the Refinancing.

Agreement” has the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

Bankruptcy Code” means Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended.

Bankruptcy Law” means the Bankruptcy Code and any similar federal, state, provincial, territorial or foreign law for the relief of debtors, including any Debtor Relief Laws.

Bilateral Letter of Credit Obligations” shall have the meaning provided in any applicable Senior Debt Documents.

Class Debt” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.09.

Class Debt Parties” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.09.

Class Debt Representatives” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.09.

Collateral” means the Senior Collateral and the Second Priority Collateral.


Collateral Documents” means the Senior Collateral Documents and the Second Priority Collateral Documents.

Company” has the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement.

Debt Facility” means any Senior Facility and any Second Priority Debt Facility.

Designated Second Priority Representative” means (i) the Initial Second Priority Representative, until such time as the Second Priority Debt Facility under the Initial Second Priority Debt Documents ceases to be the only Second Priority Debt Facility under this Agreement and (ii) thereafter, the Second Priority Representative designated from time to time by the Second Priority Majority Representatives, in a written notice to the Designated Senior Representative and the Company hereunder, as the “Designated Second Priority Representative” for purposes hereof. The Designated Senior Representative may treat the Initial Second Priority Representative as Designated Second Priority Representative until such time as it receives a written notice from the Company or the Initial Second Priority Representative that the Initial Second Priority Representative was replaced as Designated Second Priority Representative.

Designated Senior Representative” means (i) if at any time there is only one Senior Representative for a Senior Facility with respect to which the Discharge of Senior Obligations has not occurred, such Senior Representative and (ii) at any time when clause (i) does not apply, the Applicable Authorized Representative (or similar term) (as defined in any Term Indebtedness Intercreditor Agreement) at such time. The Designated Second Priority Representative may treat the Administrative Agent as Designated Senior Representative until such time as it receives a written notice from the Company or the Administrative Agent that the Administrative Agent was replaced as Designated Senior Representative.

DIP Financing” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.01.

Discharge” means, except as otherwise provided in Section 5.06 and Section 6.04, with respect to any Debt Facility, the date on which all of the following shall have occurred (i) such Debt Facility and the Senior Obligations or Second Priority Debt Obligations thereunder, as the case may be, are no longer secured by, and no longer required to be secured by, the Shared Collateral pursuant to the terms of the documentation governing such Debt Facility, (ii) any letters of credit issued under the relevant Debt Facility have terminated or been cash collateralized or backstopped or “grandfathered” under a future credit facility (in the amount and form required under the applicable Debt Facility) and (iii) the termination of all commitments to lend or otherwise extend credit under such Debt Facility and the relevant Senior Debt Documents or Second Priority Debt Documents.

Discharge of Initial Credit Agreement Obligations” means the Discharge of the Initial Credit Agreement Obligations; provided that the Discharge of Initial Credit Agreement Obligations shall not be deemed to have occurred in connection with a Refinancing of such Initial Credit Agreement Obligations with an Additional Senior Debt Facility secured by such Shared Collateral under one or more Additional Senior Debt Documents which has been designated in writing by the Senior Representative (under the Initial Credit Agreement so Refinanced) to the Designated Second Priority Representative as the “Initial Credit Agreement” for purposes of this Agreement.

Discharge of Senior Obligations” means the date on which the Discharge of Initial Credit Agreement Obligations and the Discharge of the Senior Obligations in respect of each Additional Senior Debt Facility has occurred.


Grantors” means the “Grantors” as defined in the Security Agreement (or similar term).

Guarantors” means the “Guarantors” as defined in the Initial Credit Agreement (or similar term).

Import/Export Finance Obligations” shall have the meaning provided in any applicable Senior Debt Documents.

Initial Credit Agreement” means that certain ABL Credit and Guaranty Agreement, dated as of June 16, 2026, among the Company, each other Borrower party thereto, each Subsidiary Guarantor party thereto, the lenders from time to time party thereto, and the Administrative Agent (as such agreement may be amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified, Refinanced, extended, restructured or replaced from time to time (whether in whole or in part, whether with the original Administrative Agent and Lenders or other agents and lenders or otherwise, and whether provided under the original Initial Credit Agreement or one or more other credit agreements, indentures, note purchase agreements or otherwise, including any agreement extending the maturity thereof or otherwise restructuring all or any portion of the Indebtedness thereunder or increasing the amount loaned or issued thereunder or altering the maturity thereof, in each case as and to the extent permitted by the Initial Credit Agreement, unless such agreement, instrument or document expressly provides that it is not intended to be and is not the Initial Credit Agreement)).

Initial Credit Agreement Loan Documents” means the Initial Credit Agreement and the other “Loan Documents” as defined in the Initial Credit Agreement (or similar term).

Initial Credit Agreement Obligations” means the “Secured Obligations” as defined in the Initial Credit Agreement (or similar term in any Refinancing thereof).

Initial Credit Agreement Secured Parties” means the “Secured Parties” as defined in the Initial Credit Agreement (or similar term in any Refinancing thereof).

Initial Second Priority Collateral Documents” means that certain “U.S. Collateral Agreement” and the other “Collateral Documents”, each as defined in the Initial Second Priority Debt Documents and each of the collateral agreements, security agreements, pledge agreements, debentures and other instruments and documents executed and delivered by the Company or any other Grantor for purposes of providing collateral security for the Initial Second Priority Debt Obligations.

Initial Second Priority Debt” means the Second Priority Debt incurred pursuant to the Initial Second Priority Debt Documents.

Initial Second Priority Debt Agreement” mean that certain Indenture, dated as of June 16, 2026, among the Company, as issuer, the guarantors party thereto and the Initial Second Priority Representative, as trustee and notes collateral agent (as the same may be amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified from time to time or refunded, Refinanced, restructured, replaced, renewed, repaid, increased or extended from time to time (whether in whole or in part, whether with the original trustee and noteholders or other agents or trustees and lenders or noteholders or otherwise, and whether provided under the original Initial Second Priority Debt Agreement or one or more other credit agreements, indentures, note purchase agreements or otherwise, including any agreement extending the maturity thereof or otherwise restructuring all or any portion of the Indebtedness thereunder or increasing the amount loaned or issued thereunder or altering the maturity thereof, unless such agreement, instrument or document expressly provides that it is not intended to be and is not a “Second Lien Debt Agreement”)).


Initial Second Priority Debt Documents” means the Initial Second Priority Debt Agreement and any notes, security documents, pledge agreements, debentures and other operative agreements evidencing or governing such Indebtedness, including any Initial Second Priority Collateral Documents and the other “Note Documents” as defined in the Initial Second Priority Debt Agreement.

Initial Second Priority Debt Obligations” means the “Obligations” as defined in the Initial Second Priority Debt Documents (or similar term in any Refinancing thereof).

Initial Second Priority Debt Parties” means the Initial Second Priority Representative and the holders of the Initial Second Priority Debt Obligations issued pursuant to the Initial Second Priority Debt Documents, the Representative with respect thereto, any trustee or agent therefor under any related Initial Second Priority Debt Documents and the beneficiaries of each indemnification or reimbursement obligation undertaken by the Company or any other Grantor under any related Initial Second Priority Debt Documents.

Initial Second Priority Representative” has the meaning assigned to such term in the introductory paragraph to this Agreement.

Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding” means:

(1) any case or proceeding commenced by or against the Company or any other Grantor or the filing of any petition by or against the Company or any other Grantor under any Bankruptcy Law, any other case or proceeding for the reorganization, recapitalization or adjustment or marshalling of the assets or liabilities of the Company or any other Grantor, any receivership or assignment for the benefit of creditors relating to the Company or any other Grantor or any similar case or proceeding relative to the Company or any other Grantor or its creditors, as such, in each case whether or not voluntary;

(2) any liquidation, dissolution, marshalling of assets or liabilities or other winding up of or relating to the Company or any other Grantor, in each case whether or not voluntary and whether or not involving bankruptcy or insolvency; or

(3) any other case or proceeding of any type or nature in which substantially all claims of creditors of the Company or any other Grantor are determined and any payment or distribution is or may be made on account of such claims.

Intellectual Property” shall have the meaning provided in the Initial Credit Agreement.

Joinder Agreement” means a supplement to this Agreement substantially in the form of Annex II or Annex III hereof required to be delivered by a Representative to the Designated Senior Representative and the Designated Second Priority Representative, as applicable, pursuant to Section 8.09 hereof in order to include an additional Debt Facility hereunder and to become the Representative hereunder for the Senior Secured Parties or Second Priority Debt Parties, as the case may be, under such Debt Facility.

Lien” shall have the meaning provided in the Initial Credit Agreement.

New York UCC” means the Uniform Commercial Code as from time to time in effect in the State of New York.

Person” shall have the meaning provided in the Initial Credit Agreement.


Pledged or Controlled Collateral” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.05(a).

Proceeds” means the proceeds of any sale, collection or other liquidation of Shared Collateral and any payment or distribution made in respect of Shared Collateral in an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding and any amounts received by any Senior Representative or any Senior Secured Party from a Second Priority Debt Party in respect of Shared Collateral pursuant to this Agreement.

Purchase Event” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.07.

Recovery” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 6.04.

Refinance” means, in respect of any indebtedness, to refinance, extend, renew, defease, amend, increase, modify, supplement, restructure, refund, replace or repay such indebtedness, or to issue other indebtedness or enter into alternative financing arrangements, in exchange or replacement for such indebtedness (in whole or in part), including by adding or replacing lenders, creditors, agents, borrowers and/or guarantors, and including in each case, but not limited to, after the original instrument giving rise to such indebtedness has been terminated and including, in each case, through any credit agreement, indenture, note purchase agreement, or other agreement. “Refinanced” and “Refinancing” have correlative meanings.

Registered Equivalent Notes” means, with respect to any notes originally issued in a Rule 144A or other private placement transaction under the Securities Act of 1933, substantially identical notes (having the same guarantees) issued in a dollar-for-dollar exchange therefor pursuant to an exchange offer registered with the SEC.

Release” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.01(a).

Replacement Senior Obligations” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.08.

Representatives” means the Senior Representatives and the Second Priority Representatives.

SEC” means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and any successor thereto.

Second Priority Class Debt” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.09.

Second Priority Class Debt Parties” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.09.

Second Priority Class Debt Representative” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.09.

Second Priority Collateral” means any “Collateral” (or any equivalent term) as defined in any Second Priority Debt Document or any other assets of the Company or any other Grantor with respect to which a Lien is granted or purported to be granted pursuant to a Second Priority Collateral Document as security for any Second Priority Debt Obligation.

Second Priority Collateral Documents” means the Initial Second Priority Collateral Documents and each of the other collateral agreements, security agreements and other instruments and documents executed and delivered by the Company or any other Grantor for purposes of providing collateral security for any Second Priority Debt Obligation.


Second Priority Debt” means (a) the Initial Second Priority Debt and (b) any other Indebtedness that is incurred, issued or guaranteed by the Company and/or any Guarantor, which Indebtedness and guarantees are secured by the Second Priority Collateral on a subordinate basis without regard to control of remedies to the Senior Obligations (and which is not secured by Liens on any assets of the Company or any other Grantor other than the Second Priority Collateral or which are not included in the Senior Collateral unless otherwise declined by the Senior Class Debt Parties pursuant to Section 2.04(a)); provided, however, that (i) such Indebtedness is permitted to be incurred, issued, secured and guaranteed on such basis by each then extant Senior Debt Document and Second Priority Debt Document and (ii) the Representative for the holders of such Indebtedness shall have become party to this Agreement pursuant to, and by satisfying the conditions set forth in, Section 8.09 hereof. Second Priority Debt shall include any Registered Equivalent Notes and guarantees thereof by the Guarantors issued in exchange therefor.

Second Priority Debt Documents” means the Initial Second Priority Debt Documents and, with respect to any other series, issue or class of Second Priority Debt, the promissory notes, note purchase agreements, indentures, credit agreements, the Second Priority Collateral Documents or other operative agreements evidencing or governing such Indebtedness, including the Second Priority Collateral Documents.

Second Priority Debt Facility” means each indenture, credit agreement, note purchase agreement or other governing agreement with respect to any Second Priority Debt.

Second Priority Debt Obligations” means the Initial Second Priority Debt Obligations and, with respect to any other series, issue or class of Second Priority Debt, (a) all principal of, and interest, fees and expenses (including, without limitation, any interest, fees or expenses and other amounts (if any) which accrue after the commencement of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, whether or not allowed or allowable as a claim in any such proceeding) payable with respect to, such Second Priority Debt and (b) all other amounts payable to the related Second Priority Debt Parties under the related Second Priority Debt Documents.

Second Priority Debt Parties” means the Initial Second Priority Debt Parties and, with respect to any other series, issue or class of Second Priority Debt, the holders of such Indebtedness, the Representative with respect thereto, any trustee or agent therefor under any related Second Priority Debt Documents and the beneficiaries of each indemnification or reimbursement obligation undertaken by the Company or any other Grantor under any related Second Priority Debt Documents.

Second Priority Enforcement Date” means, with respect to any Second Priority Representative, the date which is 180 consecutive days after the occurrence of both (i) an Event of Default (under and as defined in the Second Priority Debt Document for which such Second Priority Representative has been named as Representative) and (ii) the Designated Senior Representative’s and each other Representative’s receipt of written notice from such Second Priority Representative that (x) such Second Priority Representative is the Designated Second Priority Representative and that an Event of Default (under and as defined in the Second Priority Debt Document for which such Second Priority Representative has been named as Representative) has occurred and is continuing and (y) the Second Priority Debt Obligations of the series with respect to which such Second Priority Representative is the Second Priority Representative are currently due and payable in full (whether as a result of acceleration thereof or otherwise) in accordance with the terms of the applicable Second Priority Debt Document; provided that the Second Priority Enforcement Date shall be stayed and shall not occur and shall be deemed not to have occurred (1)


at any time the Designated Senior Representative (including any Person acting on its behalf) has commenced and is diligently pursuing any enforcement action with respect to all or a material portion of the Shared Collateral or (2) at any time the Grantor which has granted a security interest in the Shared Collateral is then a debtor under or with respect to (or otherwise subject to) any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding. If the Designated Second Priority Representative or any other Second Priority Debt Party exercises any rights or remedies with respect to the Shared Collateral in accordance with the immediately preceding sentence of this definition and thereafter the Designated Senior Representative or any other Senior Secured Party commences (or attempts to commence) the exercise of any of its rights or remedies with respect to the Shared Collateral (including seeking relief from the automatic stay or any other stay in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding), the Second Priority Enforcement Date shall be deemed not to have occurred and the Designated Second Priority Representative and each other Second Priority Debt Party shall stop exercising any such rights or remedies with respect to the Shared Collateral and shall otherwise cooperate with the Designated Senior Representative in the exercise of remedies pursuant to the terms hereof.

Second Priority Lien” means the Liens on the Second Priority Collateral in favor of Second Priority Debt Parties under the Second Priority Collateral Documents.

Second Priority Majority Representatives” means Second Priority Representatives representing at least a majority of the then aggregate amount of Second Priority Debt Obligations.

Second Priority Representative” means (i) in the case of the Initial Second Priority Debt Agreement, the Initial Second Priority Representative and (ii) in the case of any other Second Priority Debt Facility and the Second Priority Debt Parties thereunder, the trustee, administrative agent, collateral agent, security agent or similar agent under such Second Priority Debt Facility that is named as the Representative in respect of such Second Priority Debt Facility in the applicable Joinder Agreement.

Secured Cash Management Obligations” shall mean any “Secured Cash Management Obligations” or similar terms in any applicable Senior Debt Documents.

Secured Hedge Obligations” shall have the meaning provided in any applicable Senior Debt Documents.

Secured Obligations” means the Senior Obligations and the Second Priority Debt Obligations.

Secured Pari Lease Obligations” shall have the meaning provided inany applicable Senior Debt Documents.

Secured Parties” means the Senior Secured Parties and the Second Priority Debt Parties.

Security Agreement” means, collectively, the “U.S. Collateral Agreement” and the “Canadian Collateral Agreement” as defined in the Initial Credit Agreement.

Senior Class Debt” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.09.

Senior Class Debt Parties” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.09.

Senior Class Debt Representative” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 8.09.


Senior Collateral” means any “Collateral” (or any equivalent term) as defined in any Initial Credit Agreement Loan Document or any other Senior Debt Document or any other assets of the Company or any other Grantor with respect to which a Lien is granted or purported to be granted pursuant to a Senior Collateral Document as security for any Senior Obligations.

Senior Collateral Documents” means the Security Agreement and the other “Collateral Documents” (or similar term) as defined in the Initial Credit Agreement and any accessions, supplements or joinders thereto, any Term Indebtedness Intercreditor Agreement (upon and after the initial execution and delivery thereof by the initial parties thereto) and each of the collateral agreements, security agreements, pledge agreements and other instruments and documents executed and delivered by the Company or any other Grantor for purposes of providing collateral security for any Senior Obligation.

Senior Debt Documents” means the Initial Credit Agreement Loan Documents and any Additional Senior Debt Documents.

Senior Facilities” means the Initial Credit Agreement and any Additional Senior Debt Facilities.

Senior Lien” means the Liens on the Senior Collateral in favor of the Senior Secured Parties under the Senior Collateral Documents.

Senior Obligations” means the Initial Credit Agreement Obligations and any Additional Senior Debt Obligations.

Senior Representative” means (i) in the case of any Initial Credit Agreement Obligations or the Initial Credit Agreement Secured Parties, the Administrative Agent, and (ii) in the case of any Additional Senior Debt Facility and the Additional Senior Debt Parties thereunder (including with respect to any Additional Senior Debt Facility initially covered hereby on the date of this Agreement), the trustee, administrative agent, collateral agent, security agent or similar agent under such Additional Senior Debt Facility that is named as the Representative in respect of such Additional Senior Debt Facility hereunder or in the applicable Joinder Agreement.

Senior Secured Parties” means the Initial Credit Agreement Secured Parties and any Additional Senior Debt Parties.

Shared Collateral” means, at any time, Collateral in which the holders of Senior Obligations under at least one Senior Facility and the holders of Second Priority Debt Obligations under at least one Second Priority Debt Facility (or their Representatives) hold or purport to hold a security interest at such time (or, in the case of the Senior Facilities, are deemed pursuant to Article II to hold a security interest). If, at any time, any portion of the Senior Collateral under one or more Senior Facilities does not constitute Second Priority Collateral under one or more Second Priority Debt Facilities, then such portion of such Senior Collateral shall constitute Shared Collateral only with respect to the Second Priority Debt Facilities for which it constitutes Second Priority Collateral and shall not constitute Shared Collateral for any Second Priority Debt Facility which does not have a security interest in such Collateral at such time.

Subsidiary” shall have the meaning provided in the Initial Credit Agreement or, if the Initial Credit Agreement shall no longer be in effect, in the Senior Facility (if any) with the largest outstanding principal amount of any then outstanding Senior Facility.

Supply Chain Finance Obligations” shall have the meaning provided in any applicable Senior Debt Documents.


Term Indebtedness Intercreditor Agreement” has the meaning assigned to such term in the Initial Credit Agreement.

Uniform Commercial Code” or “UCC” shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time in the State of New York; provided, however, that if a term is defined in Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code differently than in another Article thereof, the term shall have the meaning set forth in Article 9; provided, further, that, if by reason of mandatory provisions of law, perfection, or the effect of perfection or non-perfection, of a security interest in any Collateral or the availability of any remedy hereunder is governed by the Uniform Commercial Code or other applicable personal property security laws (including the PPSA) as in effect in a jurisdiction other than New York, “UCC” or “Uniform Commercial Code” shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code or other applicable personal property security laws (including the PPSA) as in effect in such other jurisdiction from time to time for purposes of the provisions hereof relating to such perfection or effect of perfection or non-perfection or availability of such remedy, as the case may be.

SECTION 2.01 Interpretive Provision. The interpretive provisions contained in Article I of the Initial Credit Agreement are incorporated herein, mutatis mutandis, as if a part hereof.


ARTICLE II

Priorities and Agreements with Respect to Shared Collateral

SECTION 2.01 Subordination. Notwithstanding the date, time, manner or order of filing or recordation of any document or instrument or grant, attachment or perfection of any Liens granted to any Second Priority Representative or any Second Priority Debt Parties on the Shared Collateral or of any Liens granted to any Senior Representative or any other Senior Secured Party on the Shared Collateral (or any actual or alleged defect in any of the foregoing) and notwithstanding any provision of the UCC, any applicable law, any Second Priority Debt Document or any Senior Debt Document or any other circumstance whatsoever, each Second Priority Representative, on behalf of itself and each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, hereby agrees that (a) any Lien on the Shared Collateral securing or purporting to secure any Senior Obligations now or hereafter held by or on behalf of any Senior Representative or any other Senior Secured Party or other agent or trustee therefor, regardless of how acquired, whether by grant, statute, operation of law, subrogation or otherwise, shall have priority over and be senior in all respects and prior to any Lien on the Shared Collateral securing or purporting to secure any Second Priority Debt Obligations and (b) any Lien on the Shared Collateral securing or purporting to secure any Second Priority Debt Obligations now or hereafter held by or on behalf of any Second Priority Representative or any other Second Priority Debt Parties or other agent or trustee therefor, regardless of how acquired, whether by grant, statute, operation of law, subrogation or otherwise, shall be junior and subordinate in all respects to all Liens on the Shared Collateral securing or purporting to secure any Senior Obligations. All Liens on the Shared Collateral securing or purporting to secure any Senior Obligations shall be and remain senior in all respects and prior to all Liens on the Shared Collateral securing or purporting to secure any Second Priority Debt Obligations for all purposes, whether or not such Liens securing or purporting to secure any Senior Obligations are subordinated to any Lien securing any other obligation of the Company, any Grantor or any other Person or otherwise subordinated, voided, avoided, invalidated or lapsed.SECTION 2.02 Nature of Senior Lender Claims. Each Second Priority Representative, on behalf of itself and each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, acknowledges that (a) a portion of the Senior Obligations may be revolving in nature and that the amount thereof that may be outstanding at any time or from time to time may be increased or reduced and subsequently reborrowed, (b) the terms of the Senior Debt Documents and the Senior Obligations may be amended, restated, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified, and the Senior Obligations, or a portion thereof, may be Refinanced from time to time and (c) the aggregate amount of the Senior Obligations may be increased, in each case, without notice to or consent by the Second Priority Representatives or the Second Priority Debt Parties and without affecting the provisions hereof. The Lien priorities provided for in Section 2.01 shall not be altered or otherwise affected by any amendment, restatement, amendment and restatement, supplement or other modification, or any Refinancing, of either the Senior Obligations or the Second Priority Debt Obligations, or any portion thereof. As between the Company and the other Grantors and the Second Priority Debt Parties, the foregoing provisions will not limit or otherwise affect the obligations of the Company and the Grantors contained in any Second Priority Debt Document with respect to the incurrence of additional Senior Obligations.

SECTION 2.03 Prohibition on Contesting Liens. Each of the Second Priority Representatives, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, agrees that it shall not (and hereby waives any right to) contest or support any other Person in contesting, in any proceeding (including any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding), the validity, extent, perfection, priority or enforceability of any Lien securing, or the allowability of any claims asserted with respect to, any Senior Obligations held (or purported to be held) by or on behalf of any Senior Representative or any of the other Senior Secured Parties or other agent or trustee therefor in any Senior Collateral, and each Senior Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Senior Secured Party under its Senior Facility, agrees that it shall not (and hereby waives any right to) contest or support any other Person


in contesting, in any proceeding (including any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding), the validity, extent, perfection, priority or enforceability of any Lien securing, or the allowability of any claims asserted with respect to, any Second Priority Debt Obligations held (or purported to be held) by or on behalf of any Second Priority Representative or any of the Second Priority Debt Parties in the Second Priority Collateral. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no provision in this Agreement shall be construed to prevent or impair the rights of any Senior Representative to enforce this Agreement (including the priority of the Liens securing the Senior Obligations as provided in Section 2.01) or any of the Senior Debt Documents.

SECTION 2.04 No New Liens.

(a) Except as otherwise set forth herein, the parties hereto agree that it is their intention that the Senior Collateral and the Second Priority Collateral be identical. Accordingly, the parties hereto agree, subject to the other provisions of this Agreement, to cooperate in good faith (and to direct their counsel to cooperate in good faith) in the case of any ambiguity or uncertainty, to determine the specific items included in the Senior Collateral and the Second Priority Collateral, the steps taken to perfect the Liens thereon, and the identity of the Persons having Senior Obligations or Second Priority Obligations.

(b) Subject to the terms hereof including Section 2.06 herein, the parties hereto agree that:

(i) so long as the Discharge of Senior Obligations has not occurred, (i) none of the Grantors shall grant or permit any additional Liens on any asset or property of any Grantor to secure any Second Priority Debt Obligation unless it has granted, or substantially concurrently therewith grants, a Lien on such asset or property of such Grantor to secure the Senior Obligations (unless each Senior Representative has declined such grant in writing on behalf of the applicable Senior Secured Parties); and (ii) if any Second Priority Representative or any Second Priority Debt Party shall hold any Lien on any assets or property of any Grantor securing any Second Priority Debt Obligations that are not also subject to the first-priority Liens securing all Senior Obligations under the Senior Collateral Documents, such Second Priority Representative or Second Priority Debt Party (x) shall notify the Designated Senior Representative promptly upon becoming aware thereof and, unless (I) such Grantor shall promptly grant a similar Lien on such assets or property to each Senior Representative as security for the Senior Obligations or (II) each Senior Representative has declined such grant in writing on behalf of the applicable Senior Secured Parties, shall assign such Lien to the Designated Senior Representative as security for all Senior Obligations for the benefit of the Senior Secured Parties (but may retain a junior lien on such assets or property subject to the terms hereof) and (y) until such assignment or such grant of a similar Lien to each Senior Representative, shall be deemed to also hold and have held such Lien for the benefit of each Senior Representative and the other Senior Secured Parties as security for the Senior Obligations, subject to the Lien priorities set forth in this Agreement. To the extent that the provisions of the immediately preceding sentence are not complied with for any reason, without limiting any other right or remedy available to any Senior Representative or any other Senior Secured Party, each Second Priority Representative agrees, for itself and on behalf of the other Second Priority Debt Parties, that any amounts received by or distributed to any Second Priority Debt Party pursuant to or as a result of any Lien granted in contravention of this Section 2.04 shall be subject to Section 4.01 and Section 4.02; and

(ii) so long as the Discharge of Second Priority Obligations has not occurred, (i) none of the Grantors shall grant or permit any additional Liens on any asset or property of any Grantor to secure any Senior Lien Obligation unless it has granted, or substantially concurrently therewith grants, a Lien on such asset or property of such Grantor to secure the Second Priority Obligations (unless each Second Priority Representative has declined such grant in writing on behalf of the applicable Second Priority Secured Parties); and (ii) if any Senior Representative or any Senior Secured Party shall hold any Lien on any assets or property of any Grantor securing any Senior Obligations that are not also subject to the second-


priority Liens securing all Second Priority Obligations under the Second Priority Collateral Documents, such Senior Representative or Senior Secured Party (x) shall notify the Designated Second Priority Representative promptly upon becoming aware thereof and, unless (I) such Grantor shall promptly grant a similar Lien on such assets or property to each Second Priority Representative as security for the Second Priority Obligations or (II) each Second Priority Representative has declined such grant in writing on behalf of the applicable Second Priority Debt Parties, shall also hold and be deemed to have held such Lien for the benefit of each Second Priority Representative and the other Second Priority Debt Parties as security for the Second Priority Obligations, subject to the Lien priorities set forth in this Agreement. To the extent that the provisions of the immediately preceding sentence are not complied with for any reason, without limiting any other right or remedy available to any Second Priority Debt Representative or any other Second Priority Debt Party, each Senior Representative agrees, for itself and on behalf of the other Senior Secured Parties, that any amounts received by or distributed to any Senior Secured Party pursuant to or as a result of any Lien granted in contravention of this Section 2.04 shall be subject to Section 4.01 and Section 4.02.

(c) The existence of a maximum claim with respect to any real property subject to a mortgage which applies to all Secured Obligations shall not be deemed to be a difference in Collateral among any series, issue or class of Senior Obligations or Second Priority Debt Obligations.

SECTION 2.05 Perfection of Liens. Except for the limited agreements of the Senior Representatives pursuant to Section 5.05 hereof, (i) none of the Senior Representatives or the Senior Secured Parties shall be responsible for perfecting and maintaining the perfection of Liens with respect to the Shared Collateral for the benefit of the Second Priority Representatives or the Second Priority Debt Parties, and (ii) none of the Second Priority Representatives or the Second Priority Debt Parties shall be responsible for perfecting and maintaining the perfection of Liens with respect to the Shared Collateral for the benefit of the Senior Representatives or the Senior Secured Parties. The provisions of this Agreement are intended solely to govern the respective Lien priorities as between the Senior Secured Parties and the Second Priority Debt Parties and shall not impose on the Senior Representatives, the Senior Secured Parties, the Second Priority Representatives, the Second Priority Debt Parties or any agent or trustee therefor any obligations in respect of the disposition of Proceeds of any Shared Collateral which would conflict with prior perfected claims therein in favor of any other Person or any order or decree of any court or governmental authority or any applicable law.

SECTION 2.06 Certain Cash Collateral. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or any other Senior Debt Documents or Second Priority Debt Documents to the contrary, Collateral consisting of cash and cash equivalents pledged to secure Senior Obligations consisting of reimbursement obligations in respect of Letters of Credit pursuant to Sections 2.04, 2.08(b), 2.11, 2.12 or 9.01 of the Initial Credit Agreement (or any equivalent successor provision) shall be applied as specified in such provision of the Initial Credit Agreement and will not constitute Shared Collateral and will not be subject to the requirements of Sections 2.04 and 2.05 of this Agreement.

ARTICLE III

Enforcement

SECTION 3.01 Exercise of Remedies.

(a) So long as the Discharge of Senior Obligations has not occurred, whether or not any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding has been commenced by or against the Company or any other Grantor, (i) neither any Second Priority Representative nor any Second Priority Debt Party will (w) exercise or seek to exercise any rights or remedies (including setoff or recoupment) with respect to any Shared Collateral in respect of any Second Priority Debt Obligations or otherwise commence, or join with any


Person (other than the Senior Secured Parties and the Senior Representatives upon the request of the Designated Senior Representative) in commencing, any action or proceeding with respect to such rights or remedies (including any enforcement, collection, execution, levy or foreclosure action or proceeding, with respect to any Lien held by it on the Shared Collateral under any of the Second Priority Debt Documents or otherwise in respect of the Second Priority Debt Obligations), (x) contest, protest or object to any foreclosure or enforcement proceeding or action brought with respect to the Shared Collateral or any other Senior Collateral by any Senior Representative or any Senior Secured Party in respect of the Senior Obligations, the exercise of any right by any Senior Representative or any Senior Secured Party (or any agent or sub-agent on their behalf) in respect of the Senior Obligations under any lockbox agreement, control agreement, landlord waiver or bailee’s letter or similar agreement or arrangement to which any Senior Representative or any Senior Secured Party either is a party or may have rights as a third party beneficiary, or any other exercise by any such party of any rights and remedies relating to the Shared Collateral under the Senior Debt Documents or otherwise in respect of the Senior Collateral or the Senior Obligations, or (y) object to the forbearance by the Senior Secured Parties from bringing or pursuing any foreclosure or enforcement proceeding or action or any other exercise of any rights or remedies relating to the Shared Collateral in respect of Senior Obligations and (ii) except as otherwise provided herein, the Senior Representatives and the Senior Secured Parties shall have the exclusive right to enforce rights, exercise remedies (including setoff or recoupment and the right to credit bid their debt) and make determinations regarding the release, disposition or restrictions with respect to the Shared Collateral without any consultation with or the consent of any Second Priority Representative or any Second Priority Debt Party or (z) institute (or direct or support any other Person in instituting) any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding against any Grantor; provided, however, that (A) in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding commenced by or against the Company or any other Grantor, any Second Priority Representative may file a claim, proof of claim or statement of interest with respect to the Second Priority Debt Obligations under its Second Priority Debt Facility in a manner that is not inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement, (B) any Second Priority Representative may take any action (not adverse to the prior Liens on the Shared Collateral securing the Senior Obligations or the rights of the Senior Representatives or the Senior Secured Parties to exercise remedies in respect thereof) in order to create, prove, perfect, preserve or protect (but not enforce) its rights in, and perfection and priority of its Lien on, the Shared Collateral, (C) any Second Priority Representative and the Second Priority Debt Parties may exercise their rights and remedies as unsecured creditors, solely to the extent not inconsistent with this Agreement, (D) any Second Priority Representative may exercise the rights and remedies provided for in Section 6.03 and the Second Priority Debt Parties may file any responsive or defensive pleadings in opposition to any motion, claim, adversary proceeding or other pleading made by any person objecting to or otherwise seeking the disallowance of the claims or Liens of the Second Priority Debt Parties or the avoidance of any Second Priority Lien to the extent not inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement, (E) any Second Priority Debt Party may vote on any proposal, plan of reorganization, plan of liquidation, agreement for composition, or other type of plan of compromise or arrangement proposed in or in connection with any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding in a manner that conforms to the terms and conditions of this Agreement (including Section 6.10(b)), (F) from and after the Second Priority Enforcement Date, the Designated Second Priority Representative (or a person authorized by it) may exercise or seek to exercise any rights or remedies (including setoff) with respect to any Shared Collateral in respect of any Second Priority Debt Obligations, or institute any action or proceeding with respect to such rights or remedies (including any action of foreclosure), but only so long as (1) the Designated Senior Representative has not commenced and is not diligently pursuing any enforcement action with respect to all or a material portion of the Shared Collateral or (2) the Grantor which has granted a security interest in such Shared Collateral is not then a debtor under or with respect to (or otherwise subject to) any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, (G) any Second Priority Representative and the Second Priority Debt Parties may bid to acquire any Shared Collateral in any foreclosure or enforcement action, but solely to the extent such bid provides for the payment in full in cash of all Senior Obligations, (H) any Second Priority Representative and the Second Priority Debt Parties may accelerate the Second Priority Obligations in accordance with the terms of the Second Priority Debt Documents, provided


that no Second Priority Debt Party may take any other or further actions to collect upon any Second Priority Obligations following such acceleration in a manner that violates the terms of this Agreement and (I) any Second Priority Representative and the Second Priority Debt Parties may enforce the terms of subordination agreements with third-parties (other than any third-parties that are party to a subordination or intercreditor agreement with any of the Senior Secured Parties) in a manner that does not violate the terms of this Agreement. In exercising rights and remedies with respect to the Senior Collateral, the Senior Representatives and the Senior Secured Parties may enforce the provisions of the Senior Debt Documents and exercise remedies thereunder, all in such order and in such manner as they may determine in the exercise of their sole discretion. Such exercise and enforcement shall include the rights of an agent appointed by them to sell or otherwise dispose of Shared Collateral upon foreclosure or otherwise, to incur expenses in connection with such sale or disposition and to exercise all the rights and remedies of a secured lender under the Uniform Commercial Code of any applicable jurisdiction and of a secured creditor under Bankruptcy Laws of any applicable jurisdiction.

(b) So long as the Discharge of Senior Obligations has not occurred, except as expressly provided in the proviso in clause (ii) of Section 3.01(a), each Second Priority Representative, on behalf of itself and each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, agrees that it will not take or receive any Shared Collateral or any Proceeds of Shared Collateral in connection with the exercise of any right or remedy (including setoff or recoupment) with respect to any Shared Collateral in respect of Second Priority Debt Obligations. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, unless and until the Discharge of Senior Obligations has occurred, except as expressly provided in the proviso in clause (ii) of Section 3.01(a) and in Article VI, the sole right of the Second Priority Representatives and the Second Priority Debt Parties with respect to the Shared Collateral is to (x) hold a Lien on the Shared Collateral in respect of Second Priority Debt Obligations pursuant to the Second Priority Debt Documents for the period and to the extent granted therein (y) receive a share of the Proceeds thereof, if any, after the Discharge of Senior Obligations has occurred and (z) enforce the terms of this Agreement.

(c) Subject to the proviso in clause (ii) of Section 3.01(a), (i) each Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, agrees that neither such Second Priority Representative nor any such Second Priority Debt Party will take any action that would hinder or otherwise interfere with or delay any exercise of remedies undertaken by any Senior Representative or any Senior Secured Party with respect to the Shared Collateral under the Senior Debt Documents, including any sale, lease, exchange, transfer or other disposition of the Shared Collateral, whether by foreclosure or otherwise, and (ii) each Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, hereby waives any and all rights it or any such Second Priority Debt Party may have as a junior lien creditor or otherwise to object to the manner in which the Senior Representatives or the Senior Secured Parties seek to enforce or collect the Senior Obligations or the Liens granted on any of the Senior Collateral, regardless of whether any action or failure to act by or on behalf of any Senior Representative or any other Senior Secured Party is adverse to the interests of the Second Priority Debt Parties.

(d) Each Second Priority Representative hereby acknowledges and agrees that no covenant, agreement or restriction contained in any Second Priority Debt Document shall be deemed to restrict in any way the rights and remedies of the Senior Representatives or the Senior Secured Parties with respect to the Senior Collateral as set forth in this Agreement and the Senior Debt Documents.

(e) Until the Discharge of Senior Obligations, except as expressly provided in the proviso in clause (ii) of Section 3.01(a), the Designated Senior Representative (or any Person authorized by it) shall have the exclusive right to exercise any right or remedy with respect to the Shared Collateral and shall have the exclusive right to determine and direct the time, method and place for exercising such right or remedy or conducting any proceeding with respect thereto. Following the Discharge of Senior


Obligations, the Designated Second Priority Representative (or any Person authorized by it) shall have the exclusive right to exercise any right or remedy with respect to the Collateral, and the Designated Second Priority Representative (or any Person authorized by it) shall have the exclusive right to direct the time, method and place of exercising or conducting any proceeding for the exercise of any right or remedy available to the Second Priority Debt Parties with respect to the Collateral, or of exercising or directing the exercise of any trust or power conferred on the Second Priority Representatives, or for the taking of any other action authorized by the Second Priority Collateral Documents; provided, however, that nothing in this Section 3.01 shall impair the right of any Second Priority Representative or other agent or trustee acting on behalf of the Second Priority Debt Parties to take such actions with respect to the Collateral after the Discharge of Senior Obligations as may be otherwise required or authorized pursuant to any intercreditor agreement governing the Second Priority Debt Parties or the Second Priority Debt Obligations.

SECTION 3.02 Cooperation. Subject to the proviso in clause (ii) of Section 3.01(a), each Second Priority Representative, on behalf of itself and each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, agrees that, unless and until the Discharge of Senior Obligations has occurred, it will not commence, or join with any Person (other than the Senior Secured Parties and the Senior Representatives upon the request of the Designated Senior Representative) in commencing, any enforcement, collection, execution, levy or foreclosure action or proceeding with respect to any Lien held by it in the Shared Collateral under any of the Second Priority Debt Documents.

SECTION 3.03 Actions upon Breach. Should any Second Priority Representative or any Second Priority Debt Party, contrary to this Agreement, in any way take, attempt to take or threaten to take any action with respect to the Shared Collateral (including any attempt to realize upon or enforce any remedy with respect to this Agreement) or fail to take any action required by this Agreement, any Senior Representative or other Senior Secured Party (in its or their own name or in the name of the Company or any other Grantor) or the Company may obtain relief against such Second Priority Representative or such Second Priority Debt Party by injunction, specific performance or other appropriate equitable relief. Each Second Priority Representative, on behalf of itself and each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, hereby (i) agrees that the Senior Secured Parties’ damages from the actions of the Second Priority Representatives or any Second Priority Debt Party may at that time be difficult to ascertain and may be irreparable and waives any defense that the Company, any other Grantor or the Senior Secured Parties cannot demonstrate damage or be made whole by the awarding of damages and (ii) irrevocably waives any defense based on the adequacy of a remedy at law and any other defense that might be asserted to bar the remedy of specific performance in any action that may be brought by any Senior Representative or any other Senior Secured Party.

ARTICLE IV

Payments

SECTION 4.01 Application of Proceeds. After an Event of Default (as defined therein) under any Senior Debt Document has occurred and until such Event of Default is cured or waived, so long as the Discharge of Senior Obligations has not occurred, the Shared Collateral or Proceeds thereof received in connection with the sale or other disposition of, or collection on, such Shared Collateral upon the exercise of remedies or, except as otherwise expressly set forth in Article VI, in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding shall be applied by the Designated Senior Representative to the Senior Obligations in such order as specified in the relevant Senior Debt Documents until the Discharge of Senior Obligations has occurred. Upon the Discharge of Senior Obligations, each applicable Senior Representative shall deliver promptly to the Designated Second Priority Representative any Shared Collateral or Proceeds thereof held by it in the same form as received, with any necessary endorsements, or as a court of competent jurisdiction may otherwise direct, to be applied by the Designated Second Priority Representative to the Second Priority Debt Obligations in such order as specified in the relevant Second Priority Debt Documents.


SECTION 4.02 Payments Over. Unless and until the Discharge of Senior Obligations has occurred, and regardless of whether an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding has been commenced, any Shared Collateral or Proceeds thereof received by any Second Priority Representative or any Second Priority Debt Party in connection with the exercise of any right or remedy (including setoff or recoupment) relating to the Shared Collateral, whether or not in contravention of this Agreement, or otherwise (except as otherwise expressly set forth in Article VI) shall be segregated and held in trust for the benefit of and forthwith paid over to the Designated Senior Representative for the benefit of the Senior Secured Parties in the same form as received, with any necessary endorsements, or as a court of competent jurisdiction may otherwise direct. The Designated Senior Representative is hereby authorized to make any such endorsements as agent for each of the Second Priority Representatives or any such Second Priority Debt Party. This authorization is coupled with an interest and is irrevocable.

ARTICLE V

Other Agreements

SECTION 5.01 Releases.

(a) Each Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, agrees that, if in connection with (i) the enforcement or exercise of any rights or remedies with respect to the Shared Collateral, including any sale, transfer or other disposition of Collateral by any Senior Secured Party upon an Event of Default (as defined in Senior Debt Documents), including in an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, or (ii) any sale, transfer or other disposition of any Shared Collateral (other than in connection with any enforcement or exercise of rights or remedies with respect to the Shared Collateral which shall be governed by clause (i)) permitted under the terms of the Senior Debt Documents and the terms of the Second Priority Debt Documents, the Designated Senior Representative, for itself and on behalf of the other Senior Secured Parties releases any of the Senior Liens on the Shared Collateral (a “Release”), then the Liens on such Shared Collateral securing any Second Priority Debt Obligations shall be released automatically and without any further action, concurrently with the Release of all Senior Liens granted upon such Shared Collateral to secure Senior Obligations; provided that such Liens shall attach to the Proceeds of such sale, transfer, or other disposition of such Shared Collateral that are not otherwise applied to the Senior Obligations in accordance with this Agreement, in the priority set forth in this Agreement, without any further action, and each Second Priority Representative shall, for itself and on behalf of the other applicable Second Priority Class Debt Parties, promptly execute and deliver to the Designated Senior Representative and the applicable Grantors such termination statements, releases and other documents as the Designated Senior Representative or any applicable Grantor may reasonably request to effectively confirm such Release. Similarly, if the equity interests of any Person are foreclosed upon or otherwise disposed of pursuant to clause (i) or (ii) above and in connection therewith the Designated Senior Representative releases the Senior Liens on the property or assets of such Person or releases such Person from its guarantee of Senior Obligations, then the Second Priority Lien on such property or assets of such Person or such Person’s guarantee of Second Priority Debt Obligations shall be automatically released to the same extent. Nothing in this Section 5.01(a) will be deemed to affect any agreement of a Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of the Second Priority Debt Parties under its Second Priority Debt Facility, to release the Liens on the Second Priority Collateral as set forth in the relevant Second Priority Debt Documents.


(b) Each Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Designated Senior Representative and any officer or agent of the Designated Senior Representative, with full power of substitution, as its true and lawful attorney-in-fact with full irrevocable power and authority in the place and stead of such Second Priority Representative or such Second Priority Debt Party or in the Designated Senior Representative’s own name, from time to time in the Designated Senior Representative’s discretion, for the purpose of carrying out the terms of Section 5.01(a), to take any and all appropriate action and to execute any and all documents and instruments that may be necessary or desirable to accomplish the purposes of Section 5.01(a), including any termination statements, endorsements or other instruments of transfer or release. The Designated Senior Representative hereby agrees to take action reasonably requested by the Grantors to carry out the terms of this Section 5.01(b) or to accomplish the purposes of Section 5.01(a).

(c) Unless and until the Discharge of Senior Obligations has occurred, each Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, hereby consents to the application, whether prior to or after an Event of Default (as defined in any Senior Debt Document) of Proceeds of Shared Collateral to the repayment of Senior Obligations pursuant to the Senior Debt Documents; provided that nothing in this Section 5.01(c) shall be construed to prevent or impair the rights of the Second Priority Representatives or the Second Priority Debt Parties to receive Proceeds in connection with the Second Priority Debt Obligations not otherwise in contravention of this Agreement, including regularly scheduled payments of principal, premium, interest, fees and other amounts as set forth in Section 5.04.

(d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any Second Priority Collateral Document, in the event the terms of a Senior Collateral Document and a Second Priority Collateral Document each require any Grantor to (i) make payment in respect of any item of Shared Collateral, (ii) deliver or afford control over any item of Shared Collateral to, or deposit any item of Shared Collateral with, (iii) register ownership of any item of Shared Collateral in the name of or make an assignment of ownership of any Shared Collateral or the rights thereunder to, (iv) cause any securities intermediary, commodity intermediary, bank or other Person acting in a similar capacity to agree to comply, in respect of any item of Shared Collateral, with instructions or orders from, or to treat, in respect of any item of Shared Collateral, as the entitlement holder, (v) hold any item of Shared Collateral in trust for (to the extent such item of Shared Collateral cannot be held in trust for multiple parties under applicable law), (vi) obtain the agreement of a bailee or other third party to hold any item of Shared Collateral for the benefit of or subject to the control of or, in respect of any item of Shared Collateral, to follow the instructions of, (vii) deliver any endorsements related to insurance covering items of Shared Collateral or (viii) obtain the agreement of a landlord with respect to access to leased premises where any item of Shared Collateral is located or waivers or subordination of rights with respect to any item of Shared Collateral in favor of, in any case, both the Designated Senior Representative and any Second Priority Representative or Second Priority Debt Party, such Grantor may, until the applicable Discharge of Senior Obligations has occurred, comply with such requirement under the Second Priority Collateral Document as it relates to such Shared Collateral by taking any of the actions set forth above only with respect to, or in favor of, the Designated Senior Representative; provided that notwithstanding anything to the contrary, any action or compliance with respect to the foregoing by any Grantor shall not cause a default or event of default to exist under any Senior Debt Document or any Second Priority Debt Document.

SECTION 5.02 Insurance and Condemnation Awards. Unless and until the Discharge of Senior Obligations has occurred, the Designated Senior Representative and the Senior Secured Parties shall have the sole and exclusive right, subject to the rights of the Grantors under the Senior Debt Documents, (a) to adjust settlement for any insurance policy covering the Shared Collateral in the event of any loss thereunder and (b) to approve any award granted in any condemnation or similar proceeding affecting the Shared Collateral, in each case in accordance with the Senior Debt Documents. Unless and until the Discharge of Senior Obligations has occurred, all Proceeds of any such policy and any such award,


if in respect of the Shared Collateral, shall be paid (unless otherwise permitted to be paid to the Company or a Grantor pursuant to the terms of the Senior Debt Documents and the Second Priority Debt Documents, in which case such proceeds shall be paid to the Company or such Grantor) (i) first, prior to the occurrence of the Discharge of Senior Obligations, to the Designated Senior Representative for the benefit of Senior Secured Parties pursuant to the terms of the Senior Debt Documents, (ii) second, after the occurrence of the Discharge of Senior Obligations, to the Designated Second Priority Representative for the benefit of the Second Priority Debt Parties pursuant to the terms of the applicable Second Priority Debt Documents, and (iii) third, if no Second Priority Debt Obligations or Senior Obligations are outstanding (other than unasserted contingent obligations and expense reimbursement obligations), to the owner of the subject property, such other Person as may be entitled thereto or as a court of competent jurisdiction may otherwise direct. If any Second Priority Representative or any Second Priority Debt Party shall, at any time, receive any Proceeds of any such insurance policy or any such award in contravention of this Agreement, it shall pay such Proceeds over to the Designated Senior Representative in accordance with the terms of Section 4.02.

SECTION 5.03 Amendments to Debt Documents.

(a) The Senior Debt Documents may be amended, restated, amended and restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in accordance with their terms, and the Senior Obligations may be Refinanced or replaced, in whole or in part, in each case, without the consent of any Second Priority Representative or any Second Priority Debt Party, all without affecting the Lien priorities provided for herein or the other provisions hereof; provided, however, that, without the consent of the Second Priority Majority Representatives no such amendment, restatement, supplement, modification or Refinancing (or successive amendments, restatements, supplements, modifications or Refinancings) shall contravene any provision of this Agreement.

(b) The Second Priority Debt Documents may be amended, restated, amended and restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified in accordance with their terms, and the Second Priority Debt Obligations may be Refinanced or replaced, in whole or in part, in each case, without the consent of any Senior Representative or any Senior Secured Party, all without affecting the Lien priorities provided for herein or the other provisions hereof; provided, however, that, without the consent of the Senior Representatives, no such amendment, restatement, supplement, modification or Refinancing (or successive amendments, restatements, supplements, modifications or Refinancings) shall contravene any provision of this Agreement. Each Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, agrees that each material Second Priority Collateral Document under its Second Priority Debt Facility shall include the following language (or language to similar effect reasonably approved by the Designated Senior Representative):

“Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) the liens and security interests granted to the Second Priority Representative pursuant to this Agreement are expressly subject and subordinate to the liens and security interests granted in favor of the Senior Secured Parties (as defined in the Intercreditor Agreement referred to below), including liens and security interests granted to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, pursuant to or in connection with the Initial Credit Agreement, dated as of June 16, 2026 (as the same may be amended, restated, amended and restated, extended, supplemented, replaced, refinanced or otherwise modified from time to time), by and among Whirlpool Corporation (the “Company”), the other borrowers and subsidiary guarantors from time to time party thereto, the lenders from time to time party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the other parties party thereto and (ii) the exercise of any right or remedy by the Second Priority Representative hereunder is subject to the limitations and provisions of the Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of June 16, 2026 (as


amended, restated, amended and restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Intercreditor Agreement”), among the Company, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Representative for the Initial Credit Agreement Secured Parties, U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as Initial Second Priority Representative, and each additional Second Priority Representative and Senior Representative from time to time party thereto. In the event of any conflict between the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement and the terms of this Agreement, the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement shall govern.”

(c) In the event that each applicable Senior Representative and/or the Senior Secured Parties enter into any amendment, waiver or consent in respect of any of the Senior Collateral Documents for the purpose of adding to or deleting from, or waiving or consenting to any departures from any provisions of, any Senior Collateral Document or changing in any manner the rights of the Senior Representatives, the Senior Secured Parties, the Company or any other Grantor thereunder (including the release of any Liens in Senior Collateral and/or the release of any Guarantor of its guaranty of the Initial Credit Agreement Obligations) in a manner that is applicable to all Senior Facilities, then such amendment, waiver or consent shall apply automatically to any comparable provision of each comparable Second Priority Collateral Document without the consent of any Second Priority Representative or any Second Priority Debt Party and without any action by any Second Priority Representative, the Company or any other Grantor; provided, however, that (i) no such amendment, waiver or consent shall (A) remove assets subject to the Second Priority Liens or release any such Liens, except to the extent that such release is permitted or required by Section 5.01(a) and provided that there is a substantially concurrent release of the corresponding Senior Liens or (B) impose duties that are adverse on any Second Priority Representative without its prior written consent and (ii) written notice of such amendment, waiver or consent shall have been given to each Second Priority Representative within thirty (30) Business Days after the effectiveness of such amendment, waiver or consent; provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the effectiveness and validity thereof.

(d) The Company agrees, to the extent not already in their possession, to deliver to each of the Designated Senior Representative and the Designated Second Priority Representative copies of (i) any material amendments, supplements or other modifications to the material Senior Debt Documents or the material Second Priority Debt Documents and (ii) any new material Senior Debt Documents or material Second Priority Debt Documents in each case promptly after effectiveness thereof.

SECTION 5.04 Rights as Unsecured Creditors. The Second Priority Representatives and the Second Priority Debt Parties may exercise rights and remedies as unsecured creditors against the Company and any other Grantor in accordance with the terms of the Second Priority Debt Documents and applicable law so long as such rights and remedies do not violate, or are not otherwise inconsistent with, any provision of this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit the receipt by any Second Priority Representative or any Second Priority Debt Party of the required payments of principal, premium, interest, fees and other amounts due under the Second Priority Debt Documents so long as such receipt is not the direct or indirect result of the exercise by a Second Priority Representative or any Second Priority Debt Party of rights or remedies as a secured creditor in respect of Shared Collateral. In the event any Second Priority Representative or any Second Priority Debt Party becomes a judgment lien creditor in respect of Shared Collateral as a result of its enforcement of its rights as an unsecured creditor in respect of Second Priority Debt Obligations, such judgment lien shall be subordinated to the Liens securing Senior Obligations on the same basis as the other Liens securing the Second Priority Debt Obligations are so subordinated to such Liens securing Senior Obligations under this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement shall impair or otherwise adversely affect any rights or remedies the Senior Representatives or the Senior Secured Parties may have with respect to the Senior Collateral.


SECTION 5.05 Gratuitous Bailee for Perfection.

(a) Each Senior Representative acknowledges and agrees that if it shall at any time hold a Lien securing any Senior Obligations on any Shared Collateral that can be perfected by the possession, control, or notation, of such Shared Collateral or of any account in which such Shared Collateral is held, and if such Shared Collateral or any such account is in fact in the possession or under the control of, or notation, in the name of, such Senior Representative, or of agents or bailees of such Person (such Shared Collateral being referred to herein as the “Pledged or Controlled Collateral”), the applicable Senior Representative shall also hold such Pledged or Controlled Collateral as sub-agent or gratuitous bailee (such bailment being intended, among other things, to satisfy the requirements of Sections 8-301(a)(2), 9-104, 9-106 and 9-313(c) of the Uniform Commercial Code, to the extent applicable) for the relevant Second Priority Representatives, in each case solely for the purpose of perfecting the Liens granted under the relevant Second Priority Collateral Documents and subject to the terms and conditions of this Section 5.05.

(b) In the event that any Senior Representative (or its agents or bailees) has Lien filings against Intellectual Property that is part of the Shared Collateral that are necessary for the perfection of Liens in such Shared Collateral, such Senior Representative agrees to hold such Liens as sub-agent and gratuitous bailee (such bailment being intended, among other things, to satisfy the requirements of Sections 8-301(a)(2) and 9-313(c) of the Uniform Commercial Code, to the extent applicable) for the relevant Second Priority Representatives and any assignee thereof, solely for the purpose of perfecting the security interest granted in such Liens pursuant to the relevant Second Priority Collateral Documents, subject to the terms and conditions of this Section 5.05.

(c) Except as otherwise specifically provided herein, until the Discharge of Senior Obligations has occurred, the Senior Representatives and the Senior Secured Parties shall be entitled to deal with the Pledged or Controlled Collateral in accordance with the terms of the Senior Debt Documents as if the Liens under the Second Priority Collateral Documents did not exist. The rights of the Second Priority Representatives and the Second Priority Debt Parties with respect to the Pledged or Controlled Collateral shall at all times be subject to the terms of this Agreement.

(d) The Senior Representatives and the Senior Secured Parties shall have no obligation whatsoever to the Second Priority Representatives or any Second Priority Debt Party to assure that any of the Pledged or Controlled Collateral is genuine or owned by the Grantors or to protect or preserve rights or benefits of any Person or any rights pertaining to the Shared Collateral, except as expressly set forth in this Section 5.05. The duties or responsibilities of the Senior Representatives under this Section 5.05 shall be limited solely to holding, controlling, or being notated on, the Shared Collateral and the related Liens referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 5.05 as sub-agent and gratuitous bailee (such bailment being intended, among other things, to satisfy the requirements of Sections 8-301(a)(2), 9-104, 9-106 and 9-313(c) of the Uniform Commercial Code, to the extent applicable) for the relevant Second Priority Representative for purposes of perfecting the Lien held by such Second Priority Representative.

(e) The Senior Representatives shall not have by reason of the Second Priority Collateral Documents or this Agreement, or any other document, a fiduciary relationship in respect of any Second Priority Representative or any Second Priority Debt Party, and each Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, hereby waives and releases the Senior Representatives from all claims and liabilities arising pursuant to the Senior Representatives’ roles under this Section 5.05 as sub-agents and gratuitous bailees with respect to the Shared Collateral.


(f) Upon the Discharge of Senior Obligations, each applicable Senior Representative shall, at the Grantors’ sole cost and expense, (i) (A) deliver to the Designated Second Priority Representative, to the extent that it is legally permitted to do so, all Shared Collateral, including all Proceeds thereof, held or controlled by such Senior Representative or any of its agents or bailees, including the transfer of possession and control, as applicable, of the Pledged or Controlled Collateral, together with any necessary endorsements and notices to depositary banks, securities intermediaries and commodities intermediaries or (B) direct and deliver such Shared Collateral as a court of competent jurisdiction may otherwise direct, (ii) notify any applicable insurance carrier that it is no longer entitled to be a loss payee or additional insured under the insurance policies of any Grantor issued by such insurance carrier, and (iii) notify any governmental authority involved in any condemnation or similar proceeding involving any Grantor that the Designated Second Priority Representative is entitled to approve any awards granted in such proceeding. The Company and the other Grantors shall take such further action as is required to effectuate the transfer contemplated hereby and shall indemnify each Senior Representative for loss or damage suffered by such Senior Representative as a result of such transfer, except for loss or damage suffered by any such Person as a result of its own (or its related parties’) gross negligence, material breach, bad faith or willful misconduct as determined by a final non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction. The Senior Representatives have no obligations to follow instructions from any Second Priority Representative or any other Second Priority Debt Party in contravention of this Agreement.

(g) None of the Senior Representatives nor any of the other Senior Secured Parties shall be required to marshal any present or future collateral security for any obligations of the Company or any Guarantor to any Senior Representative or any Senior Secured Party under the Senior Debt Documents or any assurance of payment in respect thereof or to any Second Priority Debt Party, or to resort to such collateral security or other assurances of payment in any particular order, and all of their rights in respect of such collateral security or any assurance of payment in respect thereof shall be cumulative and in addition to all other rights, however existing or arising.

SECTION 5.06 When Discharge of Senior Obligations Deemed To Not Have Occurred. If, at any time substantially concurrently with or after the Discharge of Senior Obligations has occurred, the Company or any Guarantor consummates any Refinancing or incurs any Senior Obligations (other than in respect of the payment of indemnities surviving the Discharge of Senior Obligations), then such Discharge of Senior Obligations shall automatically be deemed not to have occurred for all purposes of this Agreement (other than with respect to any actions taken prior to the date of such consummation or incurrence as a result of the occurrence of such first Discharge of Senior Obligations) and the applicable agreement governing such Senior Obligations shall automatically be treated as a Senior Debt Document for all purposes of this Agreement, including for purposes of the Lien priorities and rights in respect of Shared Collateral set forth herein and the agent, representative or trustee for the holders of such Senior Obligations shall be the Senior Representative for all purposes of this Agreement. Upon receipt of notice of such incurrence (including the identity of the new Senior Representative), each Second Priority Representative (including the Designated Second Priority Representative) shall promptly (a) enter into such documents and agreements (at the expense of the Company), including amendments or supplements to this Agreement, as the Company or such new Senior Representative shall reasonably request in writing in order to provide the new Senior Representative the rights of a Senior Representative contemplated hereby, (b) deliver to such Senior Representative, to the extent that it is legally permitted to do so, all Shared Collateral, including all Proceeds thereof, held or controlled by such Second Priority Representative or any of its agents or bailees, including the transfer of possession and control, as applicable, of the Pledged or Controlled Collateral, together with any necessary endorsements and notices to depositary banks, securities intermediaries and commodities intermediaries, and assign its rights under any landlord waiver or bailee’s letter or any similar agreement or arrangement granting it rights or access to Shared Collateral or in connection with notations on certificates of title and (c) notify any governmental authority involved in any condemnation or similar proceeding involving a Grantor that the new Senior Representative is entitled to approve any awards granted in such proceeding.


SECTION 5.07 Purchase Right. Without prejudice to the enforcement of the Senior Secured Parties’ remedies, the Senior Secured Parties agree that following (a) the acceleration of the Senior Obligations in accordance with the terms of the Senior Debt Documents or (b) the commencement of an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding (each, a “Purchase Event”), within thirty (30) days of the Purchase Event, one or more of the Second Priority Debt Parties may elect to purchase (which purchase shall include the cash collateralization of Letters of Credit, Secured Hedge Obligations, Secured Cash Management Obligations, Secured Pari Lease Obligations, Bilateral Letter of Credit Obligations, Supply Chain Finance Obligations, and Import/Export Finance Obligations) all, but not less than all, of the aggregate amount of outstanding Senior Obligations outstanding at the time of purchase at par, plus any premium that would be applicable upon prepayment of the Senior Obligations and accrued and unpaid interest, fees, and expenses without warranty or representation or recourse (except for representations and warranties required to be made by assigning lenders pursuant to the Assignment and Acceptance). If such right is exercised, the parties shall close promptly thereafter but in any event within ten (10) Business Days of the request. If one or more of the Second Priority Debt Parties exercise such purchase right, it shall be exercised pursuant to documentation mutually acceptable to each of the Senior Representative and the Second Priority Representative, subject to any consent rights of the Company under the Initial Credit Agreement or any applicable Senior Debt Document. If more than one Second Priority Debt Party has exercised such purchase right and the aggregate amount of all purchase rights exercised exceeds the amount of the Senior Obligations, the amount with respect to which each exercising Second Priority Debt Party shall be deemed to have exercised its purchase right shall be reduced on a ratable basis according to the amounts of the original exercises of such purchase right by each such Second Priority Debt Party. If none of the Second Priority Debt Parties timely exercise such right, the Senior Secured Parties shall have no further obligations pursuant to this Section 5.07 for such Purchase Event and may take any further actions in their sole discretion in accordance with the Senior Debt Documents and this Agreement.

ARTICLE VI

Insolvency or Liquidation Proceedings.

SECTION 6.01 Financing Issues. Until the Discharge of Senior Obligations has occurred, if the Company or any other Grantor shall be subject to any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding and any Senior Representative or any Senior Secured Party shall desire to consent (or not object) to the sale, use or lease of cash or other collateral or to consent (or not object) to the Company’s or any other Grantor’s obtaining financing under Section 363 or Section 364 of the Bankruptcy Code or any similar provision of any other Bankruptcy Law (“DIP Financing”), then each Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, agrees that it will raise no objection to and will not otherwise contest such sale, use or lease of such cash or other collateral or such DIP Financing (provided that the foregoing shall not prevent the Second Priority Debt Parties from proposing any other DIP Financing to any Grantors or to a court of competent jurisdiction so long as such DIP Financing does not “roll up” any Second Priority Debt Obligation and such DIP Financing shall be secured by Liens which are junior to the Senior Obligations and shall otherwise be subject to this Agreement as Second Priority Obligations) and, except to the extent permitted by the proviso in clause (ii) of Section 3.01(a) and Section 6.03, will not request adequate protection or any other relief in connection therewith and, to the extent the Liens securing any Senior Obligations are subordinated or pari passu with the Liens securing such DIP Financing, will subordinate (and will be deemed hereunder to have subordinated) its Liens in the Shared Collateral to (x) the Liens securing such DIP Financing (and all obligations relating thereto) on the same basis as the Liens securing the Second Priority Debt Obligations are so subordinated to the Liens securing the Senior Obligations under this Agreement, (y) any adequate protection Liens granted to the Senior Secured Parties, and (z) any “carve-out” for professional and United States Trustee fees agreed to by the Senior Representatives or any administration charge, director’s and officer’s charge or similar court-ordered charge including any such similar court-ordered charge in a


receivership proceeding. Until the Discharge of Senior Obligations has occurred, each Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, further agrees that it will raise no (a) objection to (and will not otherwise contest) any motion for relief from any stay (including under Section 362 of the Bankruptcy Code or any similar provision of any other Bankruptcy Law) or from any injunction against foreclosure or enforcement in respect of Senior Obligations made by any Senior Representative or any other Senior Secured Party, (b) objection to (and will not otherwise contest) any lawful exercise by any Senior Secured Party of the right to credit bid Senior Obligations at any sale or sale in foreclosure of Senior Collateral or under Section 363(k) of the Bankruptcy Code or any similar provision of any other Bankruptcy Law, (c) objection to (and will not otherwise contest) any other request for judicial relief made in any court by any Senior Secured Party relating to the lawful enforcement of any Lien on Senior Collateral, or (d) objection to (and will not otherwise contest or oppose) any order relating to a sale or other disposition of assets of any Grantor (including under Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code or any similar provision of any other Bankruptcy Law) for which any Senior Representative has consented or not objected that provides, to the extent such sale or other disposition is to be free and clear of Liens, that the Liens securing the Senior Obligations and the Second Priority Debt Obligations will attach to the Proceeds of the sale on the same basis of priority as the Liens on the Shared Collateral securing the Senior Obligations rank to the Liens on the Shared Collateral securing the Second Priority Debt Obligations pursuant to this Agreement; provided, however, that notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, any Second Priority Representative or Second Priority Debt Party may raise any objection to the bidding and related procedures proposed to be utilized in connection with such sale or disposition that may be raised by an unsecured creditor of any Grantor (without limiting the foregoing, each Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each other Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, agrees that it may not raise any objection based on rights afforded by Sections 363(e) and (f) of the Bankruptcy Code (or comparable provisions of any other Bankruptcy Law) to secured creditors with respect to Liens granted to such Person in respect of such assets); provided, further, that the Second Priority Debt Parties are not deemed to have waived any rights to credit bid on the Shared Collateral in any such sale or disposition under Section 363(k) of the Bankruptcy Code (or any similar provision under the Bankruptcy Code or any other applicable law or Bankruptcy Law), so long as any such credit bid provides for the payment in full in cash of the Senior Obligations.

SECTION 6.02 Relief from Stay. Until the Discharge of Senior Obligations has occurred, each Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, agrees that none of them shall seek relief from the automatic stay or any other stay in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding (including under Section 362 of the Bankruptcy Code or any similar provision of any other Bankruptcy Law) or take any action in derogation thereof, in each case in respect of any Shared Collateral, without the prior written consent of the Designated Senior Representative, or object to any motion for relief from the automatic stay or any other stay in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding (including under Section 362 of the Bankruptcy Code or any similar provision of any other Bankruptcy Law) with respect to the Shared Collateral made by any Senior Representative or any other Senior Secured Party.

SECTION 6.03 Adequate Protection. Each Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, agrees that none of them shall (A) object, contest or support any other Person objecting to or contesting (a) any request by any Senior Representative or any Senior Secured Parties for adequate protection, (b) any objection by any Senior Representative or any Senior Secured Parties to any motion, relief, action or proceeding based on any Senior Representative’s or Senior Secured Party’s claiming a lack of adequate protection, or (c) the payment of interest, fees, expenses or other amounts of any Senior Representative or any other Senior Secured Party under Section 506(b) of the Bankruptcy Code or any similar provision of any other Bankruptcy Law or (B) assert or support any claim for costs or expenses of preserving or disposing of any Collateral under Section 506(c) of the Bankruptcy Code or any similar provision of any other Bankruptcy


Law. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Section 6.03 or in Section 6.01, in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, (i) if the Senior Secured Parties (or any subset thereof) are granted adequate protection in the form of a Lien on additional or replacement collateral and/or superpriority claims in connection with any DIP Financing or use of cash collateral under Section 363 or 364 of the Bankruptcy Code or any similar provision of any other Bankruptcy Law (other than in a role of DIP Financing provider), then each Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, may seek or request adequate protection in the form of a Lien on such additional or replacement collateral and/or a superpriority claim (as applicable), which (A) Lien is subordinated to the Liens securing or providing adequate protection for, or claims with respect to, all Senior Obligations and such DIP Financing (and all obligations relating thereto and any “carve-out”) on the same basis as the other Liens securing the Second Priority Debt Obligations are so subordinated to the Liens securing Senior Obligations under this Agreement and/or (B) superpriority claim is subordinated to all superpriority claims of the Senior Secured Parties on the same basis as the liens of the Second Priority Debt Parties are subordinated to the liens of the Senior Secured Parties under this Agreement, and each Second Priority Representative, on behalf of itself and the Second Priority Debt Parties under its Second Priority Debt Facility, shall have irrevocably agreed, pursuant to Section 1129(a)(9) of the Bankruptcy Code (or comparable provisions of any other Bankruptcy Law), in any stipulation and/or order granting such adequate protection, that such junior superpriority claims may be paid under any plan of reorganization in any combination of cash, debt, equity or other property having a value on the effective date of such plan equal to the allowed amount of such claims, and (ii) in the event any Second Priority Representatives, for themselves and on behalf of the Second Priority Debt Parties under their Second Priority Debt Facilities, seek or request adequate protection and such adequate protection is granted in the form of a Lien on additional or replacement collateral and/or a superpriority claim, then such Second Priority Representatives, for themselves and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under their Second Priority Debt Facilities, agree that each Senior Representative shall also be granted a senior Lien on such additional or replacement collateral and/or a superpriority claim (as applicable) as security and adequate protection for the Senior Obligations and any such DIP Financing and that any such Lien on such additional or replacement collateral and/or superpriority claim securing or providing adequate protection for the Second Priority Debt Obligations shall be subordinated to the Liens on such collateral securing, and claims with respect to, the Senior Obligations and any such DIP Financing (and all obligations relating thereto and any “carve-out”) and any other Liens and superpriority claims granted to the Senior Secured Parties as adequate protection on the same basis as the other Liens securing the Second Priority Debt Obligations are so subordinated to such Liens securing Senior Obligations under this Agreement so long as each such Second Priority Representative, on behalf of itself and the Second Priority Debt Parties, shall have irrevocably agreed, pursuant to Section 1129(a)(9) of the Bankruptcy Code, in any stipulation and/or order granting such adequate protection, that such junior superpriority claims may be paid under any plan of reorganization in any combination of cash, debt, equity or other property having a value on the effective date of such plan equal to the allowed amount of such claims, provided that to the extent the Senior Secured Parties are not granted such adequate protection in such form, any amounts recovered by or distributed to any Second Priority Debt Party pursuant to or as a result of any Lien on such additional or replacement collateral so granted to the Second Priority Debt Parties shall be subject to Section 4.02. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, to the extent that the Senior Secured Parties are granted adequate protection in the form of payments in the amount of current post-petition/post-filing fees, expenses, interest and/or other cash payments, then the Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, shall not be prohibited from seeking and retaining adequate protection in the form of payments in the amount of current post-petition/post-filing incurred fees and expenses and interest and/or other cash payments (as applicable), subject to the right of the Senior Secured Parties to object to the reasonableness of the amounts of fees and expenses and interest or other cash payments so sought by the Second Priority Debt Parties, and any such payments on account of such fees and expenses shall not be subject to Section 4.02 herein.


SECTION 6.04 Preference Issues. If any Senior Secured Party is required in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding or otherwise to disgorge, turn over or otherwise pay any amount to the estate of the Company or any other Grantor (or any trustee, receiver or similar Person therefor), because the payment of such amount was declared to be or avoided as fraudulent or preferential or a transfer undervalue in any respect or for any other reason, any amount (a “Recovery”), whether received as Proceeds of security, enforcement of any right of setoff, recoupment, or otherwise, then the Senior Obligations shall be reinstated to the extent of such Recovery and deemed to be outstanding as if such payment had not occurred and the Senior Secured Parties shall be entitled to the benefits of this Agreement until a Discharge of Senior Obligations with respect to all such recovered amounts. If this Agreement shall have been terminated prior to such Recovery, this Agreement shall be reinstated in full force and effect, and such prior termination shall not diminish, release, discharge, impair or otherwise affect the obligations of the parties hereto. Each Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, hereby agrees that none of them shall be entitled to benefit from any avoidance action (or such equivalent thereto as may exist under any applicable Bankruptcy Law) affecting or otherwise relating to any distribution or allocation made in accordance with this Agreement, whether by preference, fraudulent transfer or conveyance, transfer undervalue or otherwise, it being understood and agreed that the benefit of such avoidance action (or such equivalent thereto as may exist under any applicable Bankruptcy Law) otherwise allocable to them shall instead be allocated and turned over for application in accordance with the priorities set forth in this Agreement.

SECTION 6.05 Separate Grants of Security and Separate Classifications. Each Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, acknowledges and agrees that (a) the grants of Liens pursuant to the Senior Collateral Documents and the Second Priority Collateral Documents constitute separate and distinct grants of Liens and (b) because of, among other things, their differing rights in the Shared Collateral, the Second Priority Debt Obligations are fundamentally different from the Senior Obligations and do not have a commonality of interest and must be separately classified in any proposal, plan of reorganization, compromise or arrangement, plan of liquidation, agreement for composition, or similar dispositive restructuring plan proposed, confirmed, sanctioned or adopted in an Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding. To further effectuate the intent of the parties as provided in the immediately preceding sentence, if it is held that any claims of the Senior Secured Parties and the Second Priority Debt Parties in respect of the Shared Collateral constitute a single class of claims (rather than separate classes of senior and junior secured claims), then each Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, hereby acknowledges and agrees that all distributions from the Shared Collateral shall be made as if there were separate classes of senior and junior secured claims against the Grantors in respect of the Shared Collateral, with the effect being that, to the extent that the aggregate value of the Shared Collateral is sufficient (for this purpose ignoring all claims held by the Second Priority Debt Parties), the Senior Secured Parties shall be entitled to receive, in addition to amounts distributed to them in respect of principal, pre-petition/pre-filing interest, fees and expenses and other claims, all amounts owing in respect of post-petition/post-filing interest, fees and expenses (whether or not allowed or allowable in such Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding) before any distribution from the Shared Collateral is made in respect of the Second Priority Debt Obligations, with each Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, hereby acknowledging and agreeing to turn over to the Designated Senior Representative amounts otherwise received or receivable by them to the extent necessary to effectuate the intent of this sentence, even if such turnover has the effect of reducing the claim or recovery of the Second Priority Debt Parties.

SECTION 6.06 No Waivers of Rights of Senior Secured Parties. Nothing contained herein shall, except as expressly provided herein, prohibit or in any way limit any Senior Representative or any other Senior Secured Party from objecting in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding or otherwise to any action taken by any Second Priority Debt Party, including the seeking by any Second Priority Debt Party of adequate protection or the asserting by any Second Priority Debt Party of any of its rights and remedies under the Second Priority Debt Documents or otherwise.


SECTION 6.07 Application. This Agreement, which the parties hereto expressly acknowledge is a “subordination agreement” under Section 510(a) of the Bankruptcy Code or any similar provision of any other Bankruptcy Law, shall be effective before, during and after the commencement of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding. The relative rights as to the Shared Collateral and Proceeds thereof shall continue after the commencement of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding on the same basis as prior to the date of the petition (or other originating process) therefor, subject to any court order approving the financing of, or use of cash collateral by, any Grantor. All references herein to any Grantor shall include such Grantor as a debtor-in-possession and any receiver, interim receiver, liquidator, trustee or similar or analogous official for such Grantor.

SECTION 6.08 Other Matters. To the extent that any Second Priority Representative or any Second Priority Debt Party has or acquires rights under Section 363 or Section 364 of the Bankruptcy Code or any similar provision of any other Bankruptcy Law with respect to any of the Shared Collateral, such Second Priority Representative, on behalf of itself and each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, agrees not to assert any such rights without the prior written consent of each Senior Representative; provided that if requested by any Senior Representative, such Second Priority Representative shall timely exercise such rights in the manner requested by the Designated Senior Representative, including any rights to payments in respect of such rights.

SECTION 6.09 506(c) Claims. Until the Discharge of Senior Obligations has occurred, each Second Priority Representative, on behalf of itself and each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, agrees that it will not assert or enforce any claim under Section 506(c) of the Bankruptcy Code or any similar provision of any other Bankruptcy Law senior to or on a parity with the Liens securing the Senior Obligations for costs or expenses of preserving or disposing of any Shared Collateral.

SECTION 6.10 Reorganization Securities; Voting.

(a) If, in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding, debt obligations of the reorganized debtor secured by Liens upon any property of the reorganized debtor are distributed, pursuant to a plan of reorganization, plan of liquidation, agreement for composition, or similar dispositive restructuring plan, on account of both the Senior Obligations and the Second Priority Debt Obligations, then, to the extent the debt obligations distributed on account of the Senior Obligations and on account of the Second Priority Debt Obligations are secured by Liens upon the same assets or property, the provisions of this Agreement will survive the distribution of such debt obligations pursuant to such plan and will apply with like effect to the Liens securing such debt obligations.

(b) No Second Priority Debt Party (whether in the capacity of a secured creditor or an unsecured creditor) shall propose, vote in favor of, or otherwise directly or indirectly support any plan of reorganization, plan of liquidation, agreement for composition, or similar dispositive restructuring plan that is inconsistent with, or in violation of, the priorities or other provisions of this Agreement, other than with the prior written consent of the Designated Senior Representative.

SECTION 6.11 Section 1111(b) of the Bankruptcy Code. The Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, shall not object to, oppose, support any objection to, or take any other action to impede, the right of any Senior Secured Party to make an election under Section 1111(b)(2) of the Bankruptcy Code or any similar provision of any other Bankruptcy Law. The Second Priority Representative, for itself and on behalf of each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, waives any claim it may hereafter have against any senior claimholder arising out of the election by any Senior Secured Party of the application of Section 1111(b)(2) of the Bankruptcy Code or any similar provision of any other Bankruptcy Law.


SECTION 6.12 Post-Petition/Post-Filing Interest.

(a) Neither the Second Priority Representative nor any other Second Priority Debt Party shall oppose or seek to challenge any claim by the Senior Representative or any other Senior Secured Party for allowance in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding of Senior Obligations consisting of claims for post-petition/post-filing interest, fees, or expenses under Section 506(b) of the Bankruptcy Code or any similar provision of any other Bankruptcy Law or otherwise (without taking into account the Second Priority Debt Obligations or the Second Priority Lien).

(b) Neither the Senior Representative nor any other Senior Secured Party shall oppose or seek to challenge any claim by the Second Priority Representative or any other Second Priority Debt Party for allowance in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding of Second Priority Debt Obligations consisting of claims for post-petition/post-filing interest, fees, or expenses under Section 506(b) of the Bankruptcy Code or any similar provision of any other Bankruptcy Law or otherwise, to the extent of the value of the Lien of the Second Priority Representative on behalf of the Second Priority Debt Parties on the Shared Collateral (after taking into account the Senior Obligations and the Senior Lien).

ARTICLE VII

Reliance; Etc.

SECTION 7.01 Reliance. The consent by the Senior Secured Parties to the execution and delivery of the Second Priority Debt Documents to which the Senior Secured Parties have consented and all loans and other extensions of credit made or deemed made on and after the date hereof by the Senior Secured Parties to the Company or any Subsidiary shall be deemed to have been given and made in reliance upon this Agreement. Each Second Priority Representative, on behalf of itself and each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, acknowledges that it and such Second Priority Debt Parties have, independently and without reliance on any Senior Representative or other Senior Secured Party, and based on documents and information deemed by them appropriate, made their own credit analysis and decision to enter into the Second Priority Debt Documents to which they are party or by which they are bound, this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, and they will continue to make their own credit decisions in taking or not taking any action under the Second Priority Debt Documents or this Agreement.

SECTION 7.02 No Warranties or Liability. Each Second Priority Representative, on behalf of itself and each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, acknowledges and agrees that neither any Senior Representative nor any other Senior Secured Party has made any express or implied representation or warranty, including with respect to the execution, validity, legality, completeness, collectibility or enforceability of any of the Senior Debt Documents, the ownership of any Shared Collateral or the perfection or priority of any Liens thereon. The Senior Secured Parties will be entitled to manage and supervise their respective loans and extensions of credit under the Senior Debt Documents in accordance with law and as they may otherwise, in their sole discretion, deem appropriate, and the Senior Secured Parties may manage their loans and extensions of credit without regard to any rights or interests that the Second Priority Representatives and the Second Priority Debt Parties have in the Shared Collateral or otherwise, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement. Neither any Senior Representative nor any other Senior Secured Party shall have any duty to any Second Priority Representative or Second


Priority Debt Party to act or refrain from acting in a manner that allows, or results in, the occurrence or continuance of an event of default or default under any agreement with the Company or any Subsidiary (including the Second Priority Debt Documents), regardless of any knowledge thereof that they may have or be charged with. Except as expressly set forth in this Agreement, the Senior Representatives, the Senior Secured Parties, the Second Priority Representatives and the Second Priority Debt Parties have not otherwise made to each other, nor do they hereby make to each other, any warranties, express or implied, nor do they assume any liability to each other with respect to (a) the enforceability, validity, value or collectibility of any of the Senior Obligations, the Second Priority Debt Obligations or any guarantee or security which may have been granted to any of them in connection therewith, (b) any Grantor’s title to or right to transfer any of the Shared Collateral or (c) any other matter except as expressly set forth in this Agreement.

SECTION 7.03 Obligations Unconditional. All rights, interests, agreements and obligations of the Senior Representatives, the Senior Secured Parties, the Second Priority Representatives and the Second Priority Debt Parties hereunder shall remain in full force and effect irrespective of:

(a) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Senior Debt Document or any Second Priority Debt Document;

(b) any change in the time, manner or place of payment of, or in any other terms of, all or any of the Senior Obligations or Second Priority Debt Obligations, or any amendment or waiver or other modification, including any increase in the amount thereof, whether by course of conduct or otherwise, of the terms of the Initial Credit Agreement or any other Senior Debt Document or of the terms of any Second Priority Debt Document;

(c) any exchange of any security interest in any Shared Collateral or any other collateral or any amendment, waiver or other modification, whether in writing or by course of conduct or otherwise, of all or any of the Senior Obligations or Second Priority Debt Obligations or any guarantee thereof;

(d) the commencement of any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding in respect of the Company or any other Grantor; or

(e) any other circumstances that otherwise might constitute a defense available to, or a discharge of, (i) the Company or any other Grantor in respect of the Senior Obligations (other than as set forth in Section 5.06 hereof or other payments or performance) or (ii) any Second Priority Representative or Second Priority Debt Party in respect of this Agreement.

ARTICLE VIII

Miscellaneous

SECTION 8.01 Conflicts. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of any Senior Debt Document or any Second Priority Debt Document, the provisions of this Agreement shall govern. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the relative rights and obligations of the Senior Representatives and the Senior Secured Parties (as amongst themselves) with respect to any Senior Collateral shall be governed by the terms of a Term Indebtedness Intercreditor Agreement and in the event of any conflict between such Term Indebtedness Intercreditor Agreement and this Agreement with respect to such rights and obligations, the provisions of such Term Indebtedness Intercreditor Agreement shall control.


SECTION 8.02 Continuing Nature of this Agreement; Severability. Subject to Section 5.06 and Section 6.04, this Agreement shall continue to be effective until the Discharge of Senior Obligations shall have occurred. This is a continuing agreement of Lien subordination, and the Senior Secured Parties may continue, at any time and without notice to the Second Priority Representatives or any Second Priority Debt Party, to extend credit and other financial accommodations and lend monies to or for the benefit of the Company or any Guarantor constituting Senior Obligations in reliance hereon. The terms of this Agreement shall survive and continue in full force and effect in any Insolvency or Liquidation Proceeding. Any provision of this Agreement that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate the remaining provisions hereof, and any such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

SECTION 8.03 Amendments; Waivers.

(a) No failure or delay on the part of any party hereto in exercising any right, remedy, privilege or power hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right, remedy, privilege or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right, remedy, privilege or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, privilege or power. The rights, powers, privileges and remedies of the parties hereto are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights, powers, privileges or remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement or consent to any departure by any party therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this Section 8.03, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. No notice or demand on any party hereto in any case shall entitle such party to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.

(b) This Agreement may be amended in writing signed by each Representative (in each case, acting in accordance with the documents governing the applicable Debt Facility) and the Grantors. Any such amendment, supplement or waiver shall be in writing and shall be binding upon the Senior Secured Parties and the Second Priority Debt Parties and their respective successors and assigns.

(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, without the consent of any Secured Party, any Representative that is not a Disqualified Institution may become a party hereto by execution and delivery of a Joinder Agreement in accordance with Section 8.09 of this Agreement and upon such execution and delivery, such Representative and the Secured Parties and Senior Obligations or Second Priority Debt Obligations of the Debt Facility for which such Representative is acting shall be subject to the terms hereof.

SECTION 8.04 Information Concerning Financial Condition of the Company and the Subsidiaries. The Senior Representatives, the Senior Secured Parties, the Second Priority Representatives and the Second Priority Debt Parties shall each be responsible for keeping themselves informed of (a) the financial condition of the Company and its Subsidiaries and all endorsers or guarantors of the Senior Obligations or the Second Priority Debt Obligations and (b) all other circumstances bearing upon the risk of nonpayment of the Senior Obligations or the Second Priority Debt Obligations. The Senior Representatives, the Senior Secured Parties, the Second Priority Representatives and the Second Priority Debt Parties shall have no duty to advise any other party hereunder of information known to it or them regarding such condition or any such circumstances or otherwise. In the event that any Senior Representative, any Senior Secured Party, any Second Priority Representative or any Second Priority Debt Party, in its sole discretion, undertakes at any time or from time to time to provide any such information to any other party, it shall be under no obligation to (i) make, and the Senior Representatives, the Senior Secured Parties, the Second Priority Representatives and the Second Priority Debt Parties shall not make or be deemed to have made, any express or implied representation or warranty, including with respect to the accuracy, completeness, truthfulness or validity of any such information so provided, (ii) provide any additional information or to provide any such information on any subsequent occasion, (iii) undertake any investigation or (iv) disclose any information that, pursuant to accepted or reasonable commercial finance practices, such party wishes to maintain confidential or is otherwise required to maintain confidential.


SECTION 8.05 Subrogation. Each Second Priority Representative, for and on behalf of itself and each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, hereby agrees not to assert any rights of subrogation it may acquire as a result of any payment hereunder until the Discharge of Senior Obligations has occurred.

SECTION 8.06 Application of Payments. Except as otherwise provided herein, all payments received by the Senior Secured Parties may be applied, reversed and reapplied, in whole or in part, to such part of the Senior Obligations as the Senior Secured Parties, in their sole discretion, deem appropriate, in accordance with the terms of the Senior Debt Documents. Each Second Priority Representative, on behalf of itself and each Second Priority Debt Party under its Second Priority Debt Facility, assents to any such extension or postponement of the time of payment of the Senior Obligations or any part thereof and to any other indulgence with respect thereto, to any substitution, exchange or release of any security that may at any time secure any part of the Senior Obligations and to the addition or release of any other Person primarily or secondarily liable therefor.

SECTION 8.07 Additional Grantors. The Grantors agree that, if any Subsidiary shall become a Grantor after the date hereof, it will promptly cause such Subsidiary to become party hereto by executing and delivering an instrument substantially in the form of Annex I. Upon such execution and delivery, such Subsidiary will become a Grantor hereunder with the same force and effect as if originally named as a Grantor herein. The execution and delivery of such instrument shall not require the consent of any other party hereunder (except in the case of other Grantors, to the extent already obtained), and will be acknowledged by the Designated Second Priority Representative and the Designated Senior Representative. The rights and obligations of each Grantor hereunder shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the addition of any new Grantor as a party to this Agreement.

SECTION 8.08 Refinancings. The Senior Obligations and the Second Priority Debt may be refinanced or replaced, in whole or in part, in each case, without notice to, or the consent (except to the extent a consent is otherwise required to permit the refinancing or replacement under any Senior Debt Document or Second Priority Debt Document) of any Senior Representative, any Second Priority Representative or any other Secured Party, all without affecting the Lien priorities provided for herein or the other provisions hereof; provided that the requirements of Section 8.09 shall be satisfied with respect to any such refinancing or replacement debt that is Senior Class Debt or Second Priority Class Debt (for the avoidance of doubt, other than the Initial Second Priority Debt). The Designated Second Priority Representative hereby agrees that at the request of the Company, in connection with a refinancing or replacement of Senior Obligations in accordance with Section 5.06 (“Replacement Senior Obligations”), it will enter into a customary agreement with the agent for the Replacement Senior Obligations containing terms and conditions substantially similar to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

SECTION 8.09 Additional Debt Facilities. To the extent, but only to the extent, permitted by the provisions of the then extant Senior Debt Documents and the Second Priority Debt Documents, the Company or any Guarantor may incur or issue and sell one or more series or classes of Second Priority Debt and one or more series or classes of Additional Senior Debt. Any such additional class or series of Second Priority Debt (the “Second Priority Class Debt”) may be secured by a second or lower priority (subject to an intercreditor agreement required pursuant to Second Priority Debt Documents), subordinated Lien on Shared Collateral, in each case under and pursuant to the relevant Second Priority Collateral Documents for such Second Priority Class Debt, if and subject to the condition that the Representative of any such Second Priority Class Debt (each, a “Second Priority Class Debt


Representative”), acting on behalf of the holders of such Second Priority Class Debt (such Representative and holders in respect of any Second Priority Class Debt being referred to as the “Second Priority Class Debt Parties”), becomes a party to this Agreement by satisfying conditions (i) through (iii), as applicable, of this Section 8.09. Any such additional class or series of Senior Facilities (the “Senior Class Debt”; and the Senior Class Debt and Second Priority Class Debt, collectively, the “Class Debt”) may be secured by a senior Lien on Shared Collateral, in each case under and pursuant to the relevant Senior Collateral Documents, if and subject to the condition that the Representative of any such Senior Class Debt (each, a “Senior Class Debt Representative”; and the Senior Class Debt Representatives and Second Priority Class Debt Representatives, collectively, the “Class Debt Representatives”), acting on behalf of the holders of such Senior Class Debt (such Representative and holders in respect of any such Senior Class Debt being referred to as the “Senior Class Debt Parties”; and the Senior Class Debt Parties and Second Priority Class Debt Parties, collectively, the “Class Debt Parties”), becomes a party to this Agreement by satisfying the conditions set forth in clauses (i) through (iii), as applicable, of this Section 8.09. In order for a Class Debt Representative to become a party to this Agreement:

(i) such Class Debt Representative shall have executed and delivered a Joinder Agreement substantially in the form of Annex II (if such Representative is a Second Priority Class Debt Representative) or Annex III (if such Representative is a Senior Class Debt Representative) (with such changes as may be reasonably approved by the Designated Senior Representative and such Class Debt Representative) pursuant to which it becomes a Representative hereunder, and the Class Debt in respect of which such Class Debt Representative is the Representative and the related Class Debt Parties become subject hereto and bound hereby;

(ii) the Company shall have delivered to the Designated Senior Representative and Designated Second Priority Representative an Officer’s Certificate stating that the conditions set forth in this Section 8.09 are satisfied (or waived) with respect to such Class Debt and, if requested, (a) true and complete copies of each of the material Second Priority Debt Documents or material Senior Debt Documents, as applicable, relating to such Class Debt, certified as being true and correct in all material respects by an Authorized Officer of the Company and (b) copies of the Joinder Agreement referred to in clause (i) above; and identifying the obligations to be designated as Additional Senior Debt or Second Priority Debt, as applicable, and certifying that such obligations are permitted to be incurred and secured (I) in the case of Additional Senior Debt, on a senior basis under each of the Senior Debt Documents and Second Priority Debt Documents and (II) in the case of Second Priority Debt, on a junior basis under each of the Senior Debt Documents and Second Priority Debt Documents; and

(iii) the Second Priority Debt Documents or Senior Debt Documents, as applicable, relating to such Class Debt shall provide that each Class Debt Party with respect to such Class Debt will be subject to and bound by the provisions of this Agreement in its capacity as a holder of such Class Debt.

SECTION 8.10 Consent to Jurisdiction; Waivers. Each Representative, on behalf of itself and the Secured Parties of the Debt Facility for which it is acting, irrevocably and unconditionally:

(a) submits for itself and its property in any legal action or proceeding relating to this Agreement to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of New York or the courts of the United States for the Southern District of New York, in each case sitting in New York City in the Borough of Manhattan, and appellate courts from any thereof;

(b) consents that any such action or proceeding shall be brought in such courts and waives (to the extent permitted by applicable law) any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the venue of any such action or proceeding in any such court or that such action or proceeding was brought in an inconvenient court and agrees not to plead or claim the same or to commence or support any such action or proceeding in any other courts;


(c) agrees that service of process in any such action or proceeding shall be effected by mailing a copy thereof by registered or certified mail (or any substantially similar form of mail), postage prepaid, to such Person at its address set forth in Section 8.11;

(d) agrees that nothing herein shall affect the right of any other party hereto (or any Secured Party) to effect service of process in any other manner permitted by law; and

(e) waives, to the maximum extent not prohibited by law, any right it may have to claim or recover in any legal action or proceeding referred to in this Section 8.10 any special, exemplary, punitive or consequential damages.

SECTION 8.11 Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications provided for or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be sent:

(i) if to the Company or any other Grantor, to the Company, at its address at:

Whirlpool Corporation

********

********

Attn: ********

Phone: ********

Email: ********

(ii) if to the Second Priority Representative to it at:

U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association

********

********

Attention: ********

(iii) if to the Administrative Agent, to it at:

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

********

********

Attention: ********

(iv) if to any other Representative, to it at the address specified by it in the Joinder Agreement delivered by it pursuant to Section 8.09.

Unless otherwise specifically provided herein, any notice or other communication herein required or permitted to be given shall be in writing and may be personally served, faxed, electronically mailed or sent by courier service or U.S. mail and shall be deemed to have been given when delivered in person or by courier service, upon receipt of a fax or electronic mail or upon receipt via U.S. mail (registered or certified, with postage prepaid and properly addressed). For the purposes hereof, the addresses of the parties hereto shall be as set forth above or, as to each party, at such other address as may be designated by such party in a written notice to all of the other parties. As agreed to in writing among each Representative from time to time, notices and other communications may also be delivered by e-mail to the e-mail address of a representative of the applicable person provided from time to time by such person.


SECTION 8.12 Further Assurances. Each Senior Representative, on behalf of itself and each Senior Secured Party under the Senior Facility for which it is acting, and each Second Priority Representative, on behalf of itself and each Second Priority Debt Party under the Second Priority Debt Facility for which it is acting, agrees that it will take such further action and shall execute and deliver such additional documents and instruments (in recordable form, if requested) as the other parties hereto may reasonably request to effectuate the terms of, and the Lien priorities contemplated by, this Agreement.

SECTION 8.13 GOVERNING LAW; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.

THIS AGREEMENT 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 AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

AS AN INDUCEMENT TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT, EACH PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY JUDICIAL PROCEEDING INVOLVING, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, ANY MATTER (WHETHER SOUNDING IN TORT, CONTRACT OR OTHERWISE) IN ANY WAY ARISING OUT OF, RELATED TO, OR CONNECTED WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR THE RELATIONSHIP ESTABLISHED HEREUNDER.

SECTION 8.14 Binding on Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Senior Representatives, the Senior Secured Parties, the Second Priority Representatives, the Second Priority Debt Parties, the Company, the other Grantors party hereto and their respective permitted successors and assigns.

SECTION 8.15 Section Headings. Section headings herein are for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation hereof.

SECTION 8.16 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by one or more of the parties to this Agreement on any number of separate counterparts (including by facsimile or other electronic transmission), and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument.

SECTION 8.17 Authorization. By its signature, each Person (other than an individual) executing this Agreement on behalf of a party hereto represents and warrants to the other parties hereto that it is duly authorized to execute this Agreement. The Administrative Agent represents and warrants that this Agreement is binding upon the Initial Credit Agreement Secured Parties under the Initial Credit Agreement Loan Documents. The Initial Second Priority Representative represents and warrants that this Agreement is binding upon the Initial Second Priority Debt Parties under the Second Priority Debt Documents. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement that is an Electronic Signature transmitted by telecopy, emailed pdf. or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of an actual executed signature page shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” “delivery,” and words of like import in or relating to this Agreement shall be deemed to include Electronic Signatures, deliveries or the keeping of records in any electronic form (including deliveries by telecopy, emailed pdf. or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of an actual executed signature page), each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature.


SECTION 8.18 Third Party Beneficiaries; Successors and Assigns. The lien priorities set forth in this Agreement and the rights and benefits hereunder in respect of such lien priorities shall inure solely to the benefit of the Senior Representatives, the Senior Secured Parties, the Second Priority Representatives and the Second Priority Debt Parties, and the Grantors and their respective permitted successors and assigns.

SECTION 8.19 Effectiveness. This Agreement shall become effective when executed and delivered by the parties hereto.

SECTION 8.20 Administrative Agent and Representative. It is understood and agreed that (a) the Administrative Agent is entering into this Agreement in its capacity as administrative agent and collateral agent under the Initial Credit Agreement and the provisions of Article XI of the Initial Credit Agreement applicable to the “Administrative Agent” (as defined therein) thereunder shall also apply to the Administrative Agent hereunder and (b) the Initial Second Priority Representative is entering into this Agreement in its capacity as “trustee” under the Initial Second Priority Debt Agreement and the provisions of Article VII of the Initial Second Priority Debt Agreement applicable to the “Trustee” (as defined therein) thereunder shall also apply to the Initial Second Priority Representative hereunder.

SECTION 8.21 Relative Rights. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, nothing in this Agreement is intended to or will (a) (except to the extent expressly contemplated herein) amend, waive or otherwise modify the provisions of the Initial Credit Agreement, any other Senior Debt Document or any Second Priority Debt Documents, or permit the Company or any other Grantor to take any action, or fail to take any action, to the extent such action or failure would otherwise constitute a breach of, or default under, the Initial Credit Agreement or any other Senior Debt Document or any Second Priority Debt Documents, (b) change the relative priorities of the Senior Obligations or the Liens granted under the Senior Collateral Documents on the Shared Collateral (or any other assets) as among the Senior Secured Parties, (c) otherwise change the relative rights of the Senior Secured Parties in respect of the Shared Collateral as among such Senior Secured Parties, or (d) obligate the Company or any other Grantor to take any action, or fail to take any action, that would otherwise constitute a breach of, or default under, the Initial Credit Agreement or any other Senior Debt Document or any Second Priority Debt Document.

SECTION 8.22 Survival of Agreement. All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by any party in this Agreement shall be considered to have been relied upon by the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement.

[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Initial Second Priority Representative

By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  


WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION, as a Grantor
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
[Other Grantors], each as a Grantor
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  


ANNEX I

SUPPLEMENT NO. [•], dated as of [•], to the JUNIOR LIEN INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT, dated as of June 16, 2026 (as the same may be amended, restated, amended and restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement”), by and among Whirlpool Corporation (the “Company”), the other grantors party thereto (each, a “Grantor”), JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent under the Initial Credit Agreement, U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as Initial Second Priority Representative, and the additional Representatives from time to time a party thereto.

A. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement. Section 1.02 contained in the Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement is incorporated herein, mutatis mutandis, as if a part hereof.

B. The Grantors have entered into the Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement. Pursuant to the Initial Credit Agreement, certain Additional Senior Debt Documents and certain Second Priority Debt Documents, certain newly acquired or organized Subsidiaries of the Company are required to enter into the Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement. Section 8.07 of the Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement provides that such Subsidiaries may become party to the Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement by execution and delivery of an instrument in the form of this Supplement. The undersigned Subsidiary (the “New Grantor”) is executing this Supplement in accordance with the requirements of the Initial Credit Agreement, the Second Priority Debt Documents and Additional Senior Debt Documents.

Accordingly, the New Grantor agrees as follows:

SECTION 1. In accordance with Section 8.07 of the Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, the New Grantor by its signature below becomes a Grantor under the Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement with the same force and effect as if originally named therein as a Grantor, and the New Grantor hereby agrees to all the terms and provisions of the Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement applicable to it as a Grantor thereunder. Each reference to a “Grantor” in the Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement shall be deemed to include the New Grantor. The Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

SECTION 2. The New Grantor represents and warrants to the Designated Senior Representative and the other Secured Parties on the date hereof that this Supplement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by it and constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with its terms (except as the enforceability thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar laws relating to the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and by general equitable principles).

SECTION 3. This Supplement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Supplement shall become effective when the Designated Senior Representative shall have received a counterpart of this Supplement that bears the signature of the New Grantor. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Supplement that is an Electronic Signature transmitted by telecopy, emailed pdf. or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of an actual executed signature page shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” “delivery,” and words of like import in or relating to this Agreement shall be deemed to include Electronic Signatures, deliveries or the keeping of records in any electronic form (including deliveries by telecopy, emailed pdf. or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of an actual executed signature page), each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature.


SECTION 4. Except as expressly supplemented hereby, the Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 5. THIS SUPPLEMENT AND ANY CLAIMS, CONTROVERSY, DISPUTE OR CAUSE OF ACTION (WHETHER IN CONTRACT TORT OR OTHERWISE) BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS REPRESENTATIVE SUPPLEMENT AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

SECTION 6. In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Supplement should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, no party hereto shall be required to comply with such provision for so long as such provision is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, but the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein and in the Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement shall not in any way be affected or impaired.

SECTION 7. All communications and notices hereunder shall be in writing and given as provided in Section 8.11 of the Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement. All communications and notices hereunder to the New Grantor shall be given to it in care of the Company as specified in the Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement.

SECTION 8. The Company agrees to reimburse the Designated Senior Representative for its reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses in connection with this Supplement, including the reasonable and documented fees, other charges and disbursements of counsel for the Designated Senior Representative to the extent reimbursable under the Senior Debt Documents.

[Remainder of this page intentionally left blank – signature pages follow]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the New Grantor has duly executed this Supplement to the Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

[NAME OF NEW GRANTOR]

 

By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

Acknowledged by:

 

[•],

as Designated Senior Representative

 

By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
[•], as Designated Second Priority Representative
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:


ANNEX II

[FORM OF] REPRESENTATIVE SUPPLEMENT NO. [•], dated as of [•] (this “Representative Supplement”), to the JUNIOR LIEN INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT, dated as of June 16, 2026 (as the same may be amended, restated, amended and restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement”), by and among Whirlpool Corporation (the “Company”), the other grantors party thereto (each, a “Grantor”), JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent under the Initial Credit Agreement, U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as Initial Second Priority Representative, and the additional Representatives from time to time a party thereto.

A. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement. Section 1.02 contained in the Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement is incorporated herein, mutatis mutandis, as if a part hereof.

B. As a condition to the ability of the Company to incur Second Priority Debt and to secure such Second Priority Class Debt with the Second Priority Lien and to have such Second Priority Class Debt guaranteed by the Grantors on a subordinated lien basis, in each case under and pursuant to the Second Priority Collateral Documents, the Second Priority Class Debt Representative in respect of such Second Priority Class Debt is required to become a Representative under, and such Second Priority Class Debt and the Second Priority Class Debt Parties in respect thereof are required to become subject to and bound by, the Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement. Section 8.09 of the Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement provides that such Second Priority Class Debt Representative may become a Representative under, and such Second Priority Class Debt and such Second Priority Class Debt Parties may become subject to and bound by, the Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, pursuant to the execution and delivery by the Second Priority Class Debt Representative of an instrument in the form of this Representative Supplement and the satisfaction of the other conditions set forth in Section 8.09 of the Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement. The undersigned Second Priority Class Debt Representative (the “New Representative”) is executing this Representative Supplement in accordance with the requirements of the Senior Debt Documents and the Second Priority Debt Documents.

Accordingly, the New Representative agrees as follows:

SECTION 1. In accordance with Section 8.09 of the Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, the New Representative by its signature below becomes a Representative under, and the related Second Priority Class Debt and Second Priority Class Debt Parties become subject to and bound by, the Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement with the same force and effect as if the New Representative had originally been named therein as a Representative, and the New Representative, on behalf of itself and such Second Priority Class Debt Parties, hereby agrees to all the terms and provisions of the Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement applicable to it as a Second Priority Representative and to the Second Priority Class Debt Parties that it represents as Second Priority Debt Parties. Each reference to a “Representative” or “Second Priority Representative” in the Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement shall be deemed to include the New Representative. The Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

SECTION 2. The New Representative represents and warrants to the Designated Senior Representative and the other Secured Parties that (i) it has full power and authority to enter into this Representative Supplement, in its capacity as [agent] [trustee under [describe new facility]], (ii) this Representative Supplement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by it and constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with the terms of this Representative Supplement and (iii) the Second Priority Debt Documents relating to such Second Priority Class Debt provide that, upon the New Representative’s entry into this Representative Supplement, the Second Priority Class Debt Parties in respect of such Second Priority Class Debt will be subject to and bound by the provisions of the Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement as Second Priority Debt Parties.


SECTION 3. This Representative Supplement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Representative Supplement shall become effective when the Designated Senior Representative shall have received a counterpart of this Representative Supplement that bears the signature of the New Representative. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Representative Supplement that is an Electronic Signature transmitted by telecopy, emailed pdf. or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of an actual executed signature page shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” “delivery,” and words of like import in or relating to this Agreement shall be deemed to include Electronic Signatures, deliveries or the keeping of records in any electronic form (including deliveries by telecopy, emailed pdf. or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of an actual executed signature page), each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature.

SECTION 4. Except as expressly supplemented hereby, the Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 5. THIS REPRESENTATIVE SUPPLEMENT AND ANY CLAIMS, CONTROVERSY, DISPUTE OR CAUSE OF ACTION (WHETHER IN CONTRACT TORT OR OTHERWISE) BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS REPRESENTATIVE SUPPLEMENT AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

SECTION 6. In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Representative Supplement should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, no party hereto shall be required to comply with such provision for so long as such provision is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, but the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein and in the Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement shall not in any way be affected or impaired.

SECTION 7. All communications and notices hereunder shall be in writing and given as provided in Section 8.11 of the Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement. All communications and notices hereunder to the New Representative shall be given to it at the address set forth below its signature hereto.

SECTION 8. The Company agrees to reimburse the Designated Senior Representative for its reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses in connection with this Representative Supplement, including the reasonable and documented fees, other charges and disbursements of counsel for the Designated Senior Representative to the extent reimbursable under the Senior Debt Documents.

[Signature pages follow]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the New Representative and the Designated Senior Representative have duly executed this Representative Supplement to the Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

[NAME OF NEW REPRESENTATIVE],

 

By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
Address for notices:
                  

                  

 

Attention of:  

 

Telecopy:  

 


Acknowledged by:
WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION, as a Grantor
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

[Other Grantors],

each as a Grantor

By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  


ANNEX III

[FORM OF] REPRESENTATIVE SUPPLEMENT NO. [•], dated as of [•] (this “Representative Supplement”), to the JUNIOR LIEN INTERCREDITOR AGREEMENT, dated as of June 16, 2026 (as the same may be amended, restated, amended and restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement”), by and among Whirlpool Corporation (the “Company”), the other grantors party thereto (each, a “Grantor”), JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent under the Initial Credit Agreement, U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as Initial Second Priority Representative, and the additional Representatives from time to time a party thereto.

A. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement. Section 1.02 contained in the Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement is incorporated herein, mutatis mutandis, as if a part hereof.

B. As a condition to the ability of the Company to incur Senior Class Debt after the date of the Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement and to secure such Senior Class Debt with the Senior Lien and to have such Senior Class Debt guaranteed by the Grantors on a senior lien basis, in each case under and pursuant to the Senior Collateral Documents, the Senior Class Debt Representative in respect of such Senior Class Debt is required to become a Representative under, and such Senior Class Debt and the Senior Class Debt Parties in respect thereof are required to become subject to and bound by, the Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement. Section 8.09 of the Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement provides that such Senior Class Debt Representative may become a Representative under, and such Senior Class Debt and such Senior Class Debt Parties may become subject to and bound by, the Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, pursuant to the execution and delivery by the Senior Class Debt Representative of an instrument in the form of this Representative Supplement and the satisfaction of the other conditions set forth in Section 8.09 of the Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement. The undersigned Senior Class Debt Representative (the “New Representative”) is executing this Representative Supplement in accordance with the requirements of the Senior Debt Documents and the Second Priority Debt Documents.

Accordingly, the New Representative agrees as follows:

SECTION 1. In accordance with Section 8.09 of the Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement, the New Representative by its signature below becomes a Representative under, and the related Senior Class Debt and Senior Class Debt Parties become subject to and bound by, the Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement with the same force and effect as if the New Representative had originally been named therein as a Representative, and the New Representative, on behalf of itself and such Senior Class Debt Parties, hereby agrees to all the terms and provisions of the Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement applicable to it as a Senior Representative and to the Senior Class Debt Parties that it represents as Senior Secured Parties. Each reference to a “Representative” or “Senior Representative” in the Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement shall be deemed to include the New Representative. The Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

SECTION 2. The New Representative represents and warrants to the Designated Senior Representative and the other Secured Parties that (i) it has full power and authority to enter into this Representative Supplement, in its capacity as [agent] [trustee under [describe new facility]], (ii) this Representative Supplement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by it and constitutes its legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against it in accordance with the terms of this Representative Supplement and (iii) the Senior Debt Documents relating to such Senior Class Debt provide that, upon the New Representative’s entry into this Representative Supplement, the Senior Class Debt Parties in respect of such Senior Class Debt will be subject to and bound by the provisions of the Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement as Secured Parties.


SECTION 3. This Representative Supplement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Representative Supplement shall become effective when the Designated Senior Representative shall have received a counterpart of this Representative Supplement that bears the signature of the New Representative. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Representative Supplement that is an Electronic Signature transmitted by telecopy, emailed pdf. or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of an actual executed signature page shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Agreement. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” “delivery,” and words of like import in or relating to this Agreement shall be deemed to include Electronic Signatures, deliveries or the keeping of records in any electronic form (including deliveries by telecopy, emailed pdf. or any other electronic means that reproduces an image of an actual executed signature page), each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature.

SECTION 4. Except as expressly supplemented hereby, the Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 5. THIS REPRESENTATIVE SUPPLEMENT AND ANY CLAIMS, CONTROVERSY, DISPUTE OR CAUSE OF ACTION (WHETHER IN CONTRACT TORT OR OTHERWISE) BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS REPRESENTATIVE SUPPLEMENT AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

SECTION 6. In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Representative Supplement should be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, no party hereto shall be required to comply with such provision for so long as such provision is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, but the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein and in the Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement shall not in any way be affected or impaired.

SECTION 7. All communications and notices hereunder shall be in writing and given as provided in Section 8.11 of the Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement. All communications and notices hereunder to the New Representative shall be given to it at the address set forth below its signature hereto.

SECTION 8. The Company agrees to reimburse the Designated Senior Representative for its reasonable and documented out-of-pocket expenses in connection with this Representative Supplement, including the reasonable and documented fees, other charges and disbursements of counsel for the Designated Senior Representative to the extent reimbursable under the Senior Debt Documents.

[Signature pages follow]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the New Representative and the Designated Senior Representative have duly executed this Representative Supplement to the Junior Lien Intercreditor Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

 

[NAME OF NEW REPRESENTATIVE],

 

By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
Address for notices:
                
                
Attention of:  

 

Telecopy:  

 


Acknowledged by:

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION,

as a Grantor

By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

[Other Grantors],

each as a Grantor

By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  


SCHEDULE III

(to Credit Agreement)

PRICING SCHEDULE (PART I)

Each of “Unused Commitment Fee Rate”, “Term Benchmark Margin”, “Daily Simple SONIA Margin”, “Alternate Base Rate Margin” and “Canadian Prime Rate Margin” means, for any day, the rate set forth below, in basis points per annum, in the row opposite such term and in the column corresponding to the Availability or Average Daily Used Percentage, as applicable, that applies for such day:

 

Level

  

Availability

  

Term Benchmark Margin /

Daily Simple SONIA Margin

  

Alternate Base Rate Margin /

Canadian Prime Rate Margin

I

   ≥ 66.6% of the Line Cap    1.50%    0.50%

II

   < 66.6% but ≥ 33.3% of the Line Cap.    1.75%    0.75%

III

   < 33.3% of the Line Cap    2.00%    1.00%

 

Level

  

Average Daily Used Percentage

  

Unused Commitment Fee Rate

I

   ≥ 50%    0.25%

II

   <50%    0.30%

For purposes of this Pricing Schedule, (a) changes in the Term Benchmark Margin, Daily Simple SONIA Margin, Alternate Base Rate Margin and Canadian Prime Rate Margin resulting from changes in the average daily Availability shall (i) become effective on the third Business Day (the “Adjustment Date”) of each calendar month and shall remain in effect until the next change to be effected pursuant to this paragraph and (ii) be based on the average daily Availability for the immediately preceding calendar month and (b) changes to the Unused Commitment Fee Rate shall become effective on the third Business Day of each fiscal quarter based upon the Average Daily Used Percentage during the most recently ended fiscal quarter and shall remain in effect until the next change to be effected pursuant to this paragraph. If, as of any date that a Borrowing Base Certificate is scheduled to be delivered pursuant to Section 7.01(j), any Borrowing Base Certificate required to be delivered by such date shall not have been delivered, then, until the next Business Day after the date on which each such required Borrowing Base Certificate is delivered, the Administrative Agent, acting at the direction of the Required Lenders, shall declare that the highest rate set forth in each column of the Pricing Schedule shall apply. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) Availability shall be deemed to be in Level II from the Effective Date to the date of delivery to the Administrative Agent of the Borrowing Base Certificate required by Section 7.01(j) for the first calendar month ended after the Effective Date and (ii) Average Daily Used Percentage shall be deemed to be in Level I from the Effective Date to the date of delivery to the Administrative Agent of the Borrowing Base Certificate required by Section 7.01(j) for the calendar month ended concurrently with the first Fiscal Quarter ended after the Effective Date.


Notwithstanding the foregoing, each of the “Unused Commitment Fee Rate”, “Term Benchmark Margin”, “Daily Simple SONIA Margin”, “Alternate Base Rate Margin” and “Canadian Prime Rate Margin” in respect of any Incremental Commitments or Incremental Loans shall be the applicable percentages per annum set forth in the relevant Incremental Amendment in accordance with Section 2.14.

Exhibit 99.1

Whirlpool Announces Cash Tender Offer Early Results

BENTON HARBOR, Mich., June 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ – Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) (“Whirlpool” or the “Company”) is releasing early results as of 5:00 p.m., Central European time (11:00 a.m., New York City time), on June 12, 2026 (the “Early Tender Expiration”), of its previously announced (i) tender offer (the “Tender Offer”) to purchase for cash any and all of the outstanding 1.250% Notes due 2026 (the “2026 Notes”) and 1.100% Notes due 2027 (the “2027 Notes” and together with the 2026 Notes, the “Notes”) of Whirlpool Finance Luxembourg S.à r.l., a private limited liability company (société à responsabilité limitée) organized under the laws of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg (the “Issuer”) and wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, and (ii) solicitation of consents from holders of the 2027 Notes (the “Consent Solicitation”) to a proposed amendment (the “Proposed Amendment”) to the indenture governing the 2027 Notes, dated as of November 2, 2016 (the “Indenture”).

The following table details the aggregate principal amount of Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn at or prior to the Early Tender Expiration, according to information provided by the Tender and Information Agent.

 

Title of Notes

   ISIN/Common Code(1)    Aggregate
Principal
Amount
Outstanding (2)
     Aggregate
Principal
Amount
Tendered at
the Early
Tender
Expiration
     Percent of
Outstanding
Principal Amount
Tendered at the
Early Tender
Expiration
 

1.250% Notes due 2026

   XS1514149159 /

151414915

   500,000,000      365,313,000        73.06

1.100% Notes due 2027

   XS1716616179
/ 171661617
   600,000,000      546,715,000        91.12

 

(1)

No representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the ISINs or Common Codes listed in this release and the Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement (as defined below) or printed on the Notes. They are provided solely for the convenience of holders of the Notes.

(2)

As of May 29, 2026.

The withdrawal deadline for the Tender Offer expired at 5:00 p.m., Central European time (11:00 a.m., New York City time), on June 12, 2026 (the “Withdrawal Time”). As a result, tendered Notes may no longer be withdrawn.

The Company has elected to exercise its right to make payment for Notes that were validly tendered at or prior to the Early Tender Expiration and that are accepted for purchase on or about June 18, 2026 (the “Early Settlement Date”). Each holder of the Notes (each, a “Holder” and collectively, the “Holders”) who validly tendered and did not validly withdraw its Notes at or prior to the Early Tender Expiration and whose Notes are accepted for purchase will be entitled to receive the Total Consideration, which includes the Early Tender Premium (each as defined in the Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement), together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, from and including the last date on which interest has been paid to, but excluding, the Early Settlement Date on the Notes accepted for purchase. The Total Consideration for each series of Notes accepted for purchase will be determined at or around 4:00 p.m., Central European time (10:00 a.m., New York City time), on June 15, 2026 (the “Price Determination Date”) in accordance with standard market practice and as described in the Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement.


The Company will announce the Total Consideration for each series of Notes as soon as reasonably practicable after the Price Determination Date.

In connection with the Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation, the Company is expected to consummate an offering of $2.0 billion aggregate principal amount of senior secured notes (the “Financing Transaction”), consisting of $1.0 billion in aggregate principal amount of 7.500% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2031 and $1.0 billion in aggregate principal amount of 7.875% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2034 on or about June 16, 2026. The Company expects to use a portion of the net proceeds from the Financing Transaction to pay the applicable consideration for all tendered Notes, plus accrued interest and all related fees and expenses.

As a result of receiving the requisite consents in the Consent Solicitation to adopt the Proposed Amendment, the Company, the Issuer and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as successor-in-interest to U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”), will enter into a supplemental indenture to the Indenture (the “Supplemental Indenture”) giving effect to the Proposed Amendment. The Proposed Amendment will not become operative unless and until the Company purchases all 2027 Notes validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) in the Tender Offer. Upon becoming operative, the Proposed Amendment will apply to all Holders of the 2027 Notes.

The Company will continue to accept Notes tendered after the Early Tender Expiration. The Tender Offer and the Consent Solicitation will expire at 5:00 p.m., Central European time (11:00 a.m., New York City time), on June 30, 2026, unless extended by the Company in its sole discretion (such time and date, as the same may be extended, the “Expiration Time”). Holders of Notes who validly tender their Notes following the Early Tender Expiration and at or prior to the Expiration Time will be entitled to receive the Tender Offer Consideration. No tenders submitted after the Expiration Time will be valid. Payment for the Notes that are validly tendered at or prior to the Expiration Time and that are accepted for purchase will be made on a date promptly following the Expiration Time, which is currently anticipated to be July 6, 2026, the third business day following the Expiration Time (the “Final Settlement Date”).

The terms and conditions of the Tender Offer and the Consent Solicitation are described in an Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement, dated June 1, 2026 (the “Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement”). The Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation are subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement.

The Company reserves the right to terminate or extend the Tender Offer or the Consent Solicitation if any condition to the Tender Offer or the Consent Solicitation is not satisfied (or otherwise in its sole discretion), and to amend the Tender Offer or the Consent Solicitation in any respect.

Citigroup Global Markets Inc. is the dealer manager and solicitation agent (the “Dealer Manager”) in the Tender Offer and the Consent Solicitation. Global Bondholder Services Corporation has been retained to serve as the tender and information agent (the “Tender and Information Agent”) for the Tender Offer and the Consent Solicitation. Questions regarding the Tender Offer and the Consent Solicitation should be directed to Citigroup Global Markets Inc. by telephone at +1 (212) 723-6106 (call collect) or +1 (800) 558-3745 (toll-free). Requests for copies of the Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement and other related materials should be directed to Global Bondholder Services Corporation by telephone at (212) 430- 3774 (bankers and brokers, call collect) or (855) 654-2014 (all other, toll-free); or by email at [email protected].


None of the Company, its board of directors, the Dealer Manager, the Tender and Information Agent, the trustee under the Indenture, or any of their respective affiliates, makes any recommendation as to whether any Holder should tender or deliver, or refrain from tendering or delivering, any or all of such Holder’s Notes, and none of the Company nor any of its affiliates has authorized any person to make any such recommendation. Holders must make their own decision as to whether to tender any of their Notes and, if so, the principal amounts of Notes to tender. If any Holder is in any doubt as to the contents of this release, or the Offer to Purchase, or the action it should take, the Holder should seek its own financial and legal advice, including in respect of any tax consequences, immediately from its stockbroker, bank manager, solicitor, accountant, or other independent financial, tax, or legal adviser. The Tender Offer and the Consent Solicitation are made only by the Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement. Holders are urged to read the Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement carefully before making any decision with respect to the Tender Offer or the Consent Solicitation. The Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement contains important information that should be read carefully before any decision is made with respect to the Tender Offer or the Consent Solicitation. This release does not describe all the material terms of the Tender Offer or the Consent Solicitation, and no decision should be made by any Holder on the basis of this release. The terms and conditions of the Tender Offer are described in the Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement, and this release must be read in conjunction with the Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement. The Tender Offer and the Consent Solicitation are not being made to Holders of Notes in any jurisdiction in which the making or acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the securities, blue sky or other laws of such jurisdiction. In any jurisdiction where the securities, blue sky or other laws require the Tender Offer and the Consent Solicitation to be made by a licensed broker or dealer, the Tender Offer and the Consent Solicitation will be deemed to be made on behalf of the Company by the Dealer Manager or one or more registered brokers or dealers that are licensed under the laws of such jurisdiction. Any individual or entity whose Notes are held on its behalf by a broker, dealer, bank, custodian, trust company, or other nominee must contact such entity if it wishes to tender such Notes pursuant to the Tender Offer.

This release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor does it constitute an offer, solicitation or sale of these securities, in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale is unlawful.

ABOUT WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) is a leading home appliance company, in constant pursuit of improving life at home. As the only major U.S.-based manufacturer of kitchen and laundry appliances, the company is driving meaningful innovation to meet the evolving needs of consumers through its iconic brand portfolio, including Whirlpool, KitchenAid, JennAir, Maytag, Amana, Brastemp, Consul, and InSinkErator. In 2025, the company reported approximately $16 billion in annual net sales—close to 90% of which were in the Americas—41,000 employees and 35 manufacturing and technology research centers.

WEBSITE DISCLOSURE

We routinely post important information for investors on our website, WhirlpoolCorp.com, in the “Investors” section. We also intend to update the “Hot Topics Q&A” portion of this webpage as a means of disclosing material, non-public information and for complying with our disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Accordingly, investors should monitor the “Investors” section of our website, in addition to following our press releases, SEC filings, public conference calls, presentations and webcasts. The information contained on, or that may be accessed through, our webpage is not incorporated by reference into, and is not a part of, this document.


WHIRLPOOL ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements made by us or on our behalf. Certain statements contained in this document do not relate strictly to historical or current facts and may contain forward-looking statements that reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance. As such, they are considered “forward-looking statements” which provide current expectations or forecasts of future events. Such statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as “may,” “could,” “will,” “should,” “possible,” “plan,” “predict,” “forecast,” “potential,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “believe,” “may impact,” “on track,” “guarantee,” “seek,” and the negative of these words and words and terms of similar substance. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to the expected timing and terms of the Tender Offer, our ability to complete the Tender Offer and, with respect to the 2027 Notes, the Consent Solicitation on the anticipated timeline or at all, as well as any other statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact. These forward-looking statements should be considered with the understanding that such statements involve a variety of risks and uncertainties, known and unknown, and may be affected by inaccurate assumptions. Consequently, no forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual results may vary materially.

Many risks, contingencies and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from Whirlpool’s forward-looking statements. Among these factors are: (1) intense competition in the home appliance industry, and the impact of the changing retail environment, including direct-to-consumer sales; (2) Whirlpool’s ability to maintain or increase sales to significant trade customers and builders; (3) Whirlpool’s ability to maintain its reputation and brand image; (4) Whirlpool’s ability to achieve its business objectives and successfully manage its strategic portfolio transformation and outsourced business unit service model; (5) Whirlpool’s ability to understand consumer preferences and successfully develop new products; (6) Whirlpool’s ability to obtain and protect intellectual property rights; (7) acquisition, divestiture, and investment-related risks, including risks associated with our past transactions; (8) the ability of suppliers of critical parts, components and manufacturing equipment to deliver sufficient quantities to Whirlpool in a timely and cost-effective manner; (9) risks related to Whirlpool’s international operations; (10) Whirlpool’s ability to respond to unanticipated social, political and/or economic events, including epidemics/pandemics; (11) information technology system and cloud failures, data security breaches, data privacy compliance, network disruptions, and cybersecurity attacks; (12) product liability and product recall costs; (13) Whirlpool’s ability to attract, develop and retain executives and other qualified employees; (14) the impact of labor relations; (15) fluctuations in the cost of key materials (including steel, resins, and base metals) and components and the ability of Whirlpool to offset cost increases; (16) Whirlpool’s ability to manage foreign currency fluctuations; (17) impacts from goodwill, intangible asset and/or inventory impairment charges; (18) health care cost trends, regulatory changes and variations between results and estimates that could increase future funding obligations for pension and postretirement benefit plans; (19) impacts from credit rating agency downgrades; (20) litigation, tax, and legal compliance risk and costs; (21) the effects and costs of governmental investigations or related actions by third parties; (22) changes in the legal and regulatory environment including environmental, health and safety regulations, data privacy, taxes and AI; (23) the impacts of changes in foreign trade policies, including tariffs; (24) Whirlpool’s ability to respond to the impact of climate change and climate change or other environmental regulation; (25) the uncertain global economy and changes in economic conditions; (26) financing and liquidity uncertainty including payment of dividends on our 8.50% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock; (27) the dilutive effect of conversion and potential dividend payments in common stock for our 8.50% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock; (28) the liquidation preference of our 8.50% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock above our common stock; and (29) reduced operational flexibility and liquidity under our ABL Credit Facility.


Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, and investors are advised to review disclosures in our filings with the SEC. It is not possible to foresee or identify all factors that could cause actual results to differ from expected or historic results. Therefore, investors should not consider the foregoing factors to be an exhaustive statement of all risks, uncertainties, or factors that could potentially cause actual results to differ from forward-looking statements. Additional information concerning these factors can be found in our periodic filings with the SEC, including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as updated by our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and other filings we make with the SEC.

European Economic Area

Neither this Tender Offer, the Consent Solicitation, nor any other transaction set forth in the Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement constitutes a non-exempt offer of securities to the public within the meaning of the EU Prospectus Regulation and the Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation are not subject to the obligation to publish a prospectus under the EU Prospectus Regulation. The Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement is not a prospectus for the purposes of the EU Prospectus Regulation.

General

None of the Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement, this announcement or the electronic transmission thereof constitutes an offer to buy or the solicitation of an offer to sell Notes (and tenders of Notes for purchase pursuant to the Tender Offer will not be accepted from Holders) in any circumstances in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful. In those jurisdictions where the securities, blue sky or other laws require the Tender Offer or Consent Solicitation to be made by a licensed broker or dealer and a dealer manager or any of its respective affiliates is such a licensed broker or dealer in any such jurisdiction, the Tender Offer or Consent Solicitation shall be deemed to be made by the respective dealer manager or such affiliates, as the case may be, on behalf of the Company in such jurisdiction. Neither the Tender Offer, the Consent Solicitation nor our website may be used for, or in connection with, any invitation to anyone in any jurisdiction or under any circumstances in which such invitation is not authorized or is unlawful.

SOURCE Whirlpool Corporation

Exhibit 99.2

Whirlpool Announces Pricing of Cash Tender Offer

BENTON HARBOR, Mich., June 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ – Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) (“Whirlpool” or the “Company”) announced today the pricing of its previously announced (i) tender offer (the “Tender Offer”) to purchase for cash any and all of the outstanding 1.250% Notes due 2026 (the “2026 Notes”) and 1.100% Notes due 2027 (the “2027 Notes” and together with the 2026 Notes, the “Notes”) of Whirlpool Finance Luxembourg S.à r.l., a private limited liability company (société à responsabilité limitée) organized under the laws of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg (the “Issuer”) and wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, and (ii) solicitation of consents from holders of the 2027 Notes (the “Consent Solicitation”) to a proposed amendment (the “Proposed Amendment”) to the indenture governing the 2027 Notes, dated as of November 2, 2016 (the “Indenture”).

The following table details the Reference Yield, FixedSpread, Tender Offer Consideration, Early Tender Premium and Total Consideration (each as defined in the Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement (as defined below)) for each series of Notes.

 

Title of Notes

  

ISIN/Common
Code(1)

  

Reference Yield

   

Fixed Spread

    

Tender Offer
Consideration(2)(3)

    

Early  Tender
Premium(2)

    

Total
Consideration(2)(3)(4)(5)

 

1.250% Notes due 2026

   XS1514149159 /

151414915

     2.345     50 bps      944.09      50.00      994.09  

1.100% Notes due 2027

   XS1716616179 /
171661617
     2.534     50 bps      923.94      50.00      973.94  

 

(1)

No representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the ISINs or Common Codes listed in this release and the Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement or printed on the Notes. They are provided solely for the convenience of holders of the Notes.

(2)

Per €1,000 principal amount of Notes tendered and accepted for purchase.

(3)

Excludes accrued and unpaid interest from the last date on which interest has been paid to, but excluding, the Early Settlement Date or the Final Settlement Date (each as defined below), as applicable, that will be paid on theNotes accepted for purchase.

(4)

Includes the Early Tender Premium.

(5)

The Total Consideration in respect of each series of Notes was calculated at or around 4:00 p.m., Central European time (10:00 a.m., New York City time), today in accordance with standard market practice, as described in the Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement.

The Company has elected to exercise its right to make payment for Notes that were validly tendered at or prior to 5:00 p.m., Central European time (11:00 a.m., New York City time), on June 12, 2026 (the “Early Tender Expiration”) and that are accepted for purchase on or about June 18, 2026 (the “Early Settlement Date”). Each holder of the Notes (each, a “Holder” and collectively, the “Holders”) who validly tendered and did not validly withdraw its Notes at or prior to the Early Tender Expiration and whose Notes are accepted for purchase will be entitled to receive the Total Consideration (as set forth in the table above), which includes the Early Tender Premium (as set forth in the table above), together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, from and including the last date on which interest has been paid to, but excluding, the Early Settlement Date on the Notes accepted for purchase.

In connection with the Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation, the Company is expected to consummate an offering of $2.0 billion aggregate principal amount of senior secured notes (the “Financing Transaction”), consisting of $1.0 billion in aggregate principal amount of 7.500% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2031 and $1.0 billion in aggregate principal amount of 7.875% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2034 on or about June 16, 2026. The Company expects to use a portion of the net proceeds from the Financing Transaction to pay the applicable consideration for all tendered Notes, plus accrued interest and all related fees and expenses.


The Company will continue to accept Notes tendered after the Early Tender Expiration. The Tender Offer and the Consent Solicitation will expire at 5:00 p.m., Central European time (11:00 a.m., New York City time), on June 30, 2026, unless extended by the Company in its sole discretion (such time and date, as the same may be extended, the “Expiration Time”). Holders of Notes who validly tender their Notes following the Early Tender Expiration and at or prior to the Expiration Time will be entitled to receive the Tender Offer Consideration. No tenders submitted after the Expiration Time will be valid. Payment for the Notes that are validly tendered at or prior to the Expiration Time and that are accepted for purchase will be made on a date promptly following the Expiration Time, which is currently anticipated to be July 6, 2026, the third business day following the Expiration Time (the “Final Settlement Date”).

The terms and conditions of the Tender Offer and the Consent Solicitation are described in an Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement, dated June 1, 2026 (the “Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement”). The Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation are subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement.

The Company reserves the right to terminate or extend the Tender Offer or the Consent Solicitation if any condition to the Tender Offer or the Consent Solicitation is not satisfied (or otherwise in its sole discretion), and to amend the Tender Offer or the Consent Solicitation in any respect.

Citigroup Global Markets Inc. is the dealer manager and solicitation agent (the “Dealer Manager”) in the Tender Offer and the Consent Solicitation. Global Bondholder Services Corporation has been retained to serve as the tender and information agent (the “Tender and Information Agent”) for the Tender Offer and the Consent Solicitation. Questions regarding the Tender Offer and the Consent Solicitation should be directed to Citigroup Global Markets Inc. by telephone at +1 (212) 723-6106 (call collect) or +1 (800) 558-3745 (toll-free). Requests for copies of the Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement and other related materials should be directed to Global Bondholder Services Corporation by telephone at (212) 430-3774 (bankers and brokers, call collect) or (855) 654-2014 (all other, toll-free); or by email at [email protected].

None of the Company, its board of directors, the Dealer Manager, the Tender and Information Agent, the trustee under the Indenture, or any of their respective affiliates, makes any recommendation as to whether any Holder should tender or deliver, or refrain from tendering or delivering, any or all of such Holder’s Notes, and none of the Company nor any of its affiliates has authorized any person to make any such recommendation. Holders must make their own decision as to whether to tender any of their Notes and, if so, the principal amounts of Notes to tender. If any Holder is in any doubt as to the contents of this release, or the Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement, or the action it should take, the Holder should seek its own financial and legal advice, including in respect of any tax consequences, immediately from its stockbroker, bank manager, solicitor, accountant, or other independent financial, tax, or legal adviser. The Tender Offer and the Consent Solicitation are made only by the Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement. Holders are urged to read the Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement carefully before making any decision with respect to the Tender Offer or the Consent Solicitation. The Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement contains important information that should be read carefully before any decision is made with respect to the Tender Offer or the Consent Solicitation. This release does not describe all the material terms of the Tender Offer or the Consent Solicitation, and no decision should be made by any Holder on the basis of this release. The terms and conditions of the Tender Offer are described in the Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement, and this release must be read in conjunction with the Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement. The Tender Offer and the Consent Solicitation are not being made to Holders of Notes in any jurisdiction in which the making or


acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the securities, blue sky or other laws of such jurisdiction. In any jurisdiction where the securities, blue sky or other laws require the Tender Offer and the Consent Solicitation to be made by a licensed broker or dealer, the Tender Offer and the Consent Solicitation will be deemed to be made on behalf of the Company by the Dealer Manager or one or more registered brokers or dealers that are licensed under the laws of such jurisdiction. Any individual or entity whose Notes are held on its behalf by a broker, dealer, bank, custodian, trust company, or other nominee must contact such entity if it wishes to tender such Notes pursuant to the Tender Offer.

This release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor does it constitute an offer, solicitation or sale of these securities, in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale is unlawful.

ABOUT WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION

Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR) is a leading home appliance company, in constant pursuit of improving life at home. As the only major U.S.-based manufacturer of kitchen and laundry appliances, the company is driving meaningful innovation to meet the evolving needs of consumers through its iconic brand portfolio, including Whirlpool, KitchenAid, JennAir, Maytag, Amana, Brastemp, Consul, and InSinkErator. In 2025, the company reported approximately $16 billion in annual net sales—close to 90% of which were in the Americas—41,000 employees and 35 manufacturing and technology research centers.

WEBSITE DISCLOSURE

We routinely post important information for investors on our website, WhirlpoolCorp.com, in the “Investors” section. We also intend to update the “Hot Topics Q&A” portion of this webpage as a means of disclosing material, non-public information and for complying with our disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Accordingly, investors should monitor the “Investors” section of our website, in addition to following our press releases, SEC filings, public conference calls, presentations and webcasts. The information contained on, or that may be accessed through, our webpage is not incorporated by reference into, and is not a part of, this document.

WHIRLPOOL ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements made by us or on our behalf. Certain statements contained in this document do not relate strictly to historical or current facts and may contain forward-looking statements that reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance. As such, they are considered “forward-looking statements” which provide current expectations or forecasts of future events. Such statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as “may,” “could,” “will,” “should,” “possible,” “plan,” “predict,” “forecast,” “potential,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “believe,” “may impact,” “on track,” “guarantee,” “seek,” and the negative of these words and words and terms of similar substance. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to the expected timing and terms of the Tender Offer, our ability to complete the Tender Offer and, with respect to the 2027 Notes, the Consent Solicitation on the anticipated timeline or at all, as well as any other statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact. These forward-looking statements should be considered with the understanding that such statements involve a variety of risks and uncertainties, known and unknown, and may be affected by inaccurate assumptions. Consequently, no forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual results may vary materially.


Many risks, contingencies and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially from Whirlpool’s forward-looking statements. Among these factors are: (1) intense competition in the home appliance industry, and the impact of the changing retail environment, including direct-to-consumer sales; (2) Whirlpool’s ability to maintain or increase sales to significant trade customers and builders; (3) Whirlpool’s ability to maintain its reputation and brand image; (4) Whirlpool’s ability to achieve its business objectives and successfully manage its strategic portfolio transformation and outsourced business unit service model; (5) Whirlpool’s ability to understand consumer preferences and successfully develop new products; (6) Whirlpool’s ability to obtain and protect intellectual property rights; (7) acquisition, divestiture, and investment-related risks, including risks associated with our past transactions; (8) the ability of suppliers of critical parts, components and manufacturing equipment to deliver sufficient quantities to Whirlpool in a timely and cost-effective manner; (9) risks related to Whirlpool’s international operations; (10) Whirlpool’s ability to respond to unanticipated social, political and/or economic events, including epidemics/pandemics; (11) information technology system and cloud failures, data security breaches, data privacy compliance, network disruptions, and cybersecurity attacks; (12) product liability and product recall costs; (13) Whirlpool’s ability to attract, develop and retain executives and other qualified employees; (14) the impact of labor relations; (15) fluctuations in the cost of key materials (including steel, resins, and base metals) and components and the ability of Whirlpool to offset cost increases; (16) Whirlpool’s ability to manage foreign currency fluctuations; (17) impacts from goodwill, intangible asset and/or inventory impairment charges; (18) health care cost trends, regulatory changes and variations between results and estimates that could increase future funding obligations for pension and postretirement benefit plans; (19) impacts from credit rating agency downgrades; (20) litigation, tax, and legal compliance risk and costs; (21) the effects and costs of governmental investigations or related actions by third parties; (22) changes in the legal and regulatory environment including environmental, health and safety regulations, data privacy, taxes and AI; (23) the impacts of changes in foreign trade policies, including tariffs; (24) Whirlpool’s ability to respond to the impact of climate change and climate change or other environmental regulation; (25) the uncertain global economy and changes in economic conditions; (26) financing and liquidity uncertainty including payment of dividends on our 8.50% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock; (27) the dilutive effect of conversion and potential dividend payments in common stock for our 8.50% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock; (28) the liquidation preference of our 8.50% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock above our common stock; and (29) reduced operational flexibility and liquidity under our ABL Credit Facility. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, and investors are advised to review disclosures in our filings with the SEC. It is not possible to foresee or identify all factors that could cause actual results to differ from expected or historic results. Therefore, investors should not consider the foregoing factors to be an exhaustive statement of all risks, uncertainties, or factors that could potentially cause actual results to differ from forward-looking statements. Additional information concerning these factors can be found in our periodic filings with the SEC, including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as updated by our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and other filings we make with the SEC.

European Economic Area

Neither this Tender Offer, the Consent Solicitation, nor any other transaction set forth in the Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement constitutes a non-exempt offer of securities to the public within the meaning of the EU Prospectus Regulation and the Tender Offer and Consent Solicitation are not subject to the obligation to publish a prospectus under the EU Prospectus Regulation. The Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement is not a prospectus for the purposes of the EU Prospectus Regulation.

General

None of the Offer to Purchase and Consent Solicitation Statement, this announcement or the electronic transmission thereof constitutes an offer to buy or the solicitation of an offer to sell Notes (and tenders of Notes for purchase pursuant to the Tender Offer will not be accepted from Holders) in any circumstances in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful. In those jurisdictions where the securities, blue sky or other


laws require the Tender Offer or Consent Solicitation to be made by a licensed broker or dealer and a dealer manager or any of its respective affiliates is such a licensed broker or dealer in any such jurisdiction, the Tender Offer or Consent Solicitation shall be deemed to be made by the respective dealer manager or such affiliates, as the case may be, on behalf of the Company in such jurisdiction. Neither the Tender Offer, the Consent Solicitation nor our website may be used for, or in connection with, any invitation to anyone in any jurisdiction or under any circumstances in which such invitation is not authorized or is unlawful.

SOURCE Whirlpool Corporation