WABASH NATIONAL Corp 8-K, filed Oct 6, 2021
WABASH NATIONAL Corp (WNC)
About this 8-K
WABASH NATIONAL Corp filed this 8-K on October 6, 2021.
Items reported
- Item 1.01: Entered into a material agreement
- Item 2.03: New debt or off-balance-sheet obligation
- Item 9.01: Financial statements and exhibits
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM
CURRENT REPORT
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| Item 1.01. | Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement |
On October 6, 2021, Wabash National Corporation (the “Company”) closed its previously announced offering of $400 million in aggregate principal amount of its 4.50% unsecured senior notes due 2028 (the “Notes”). The sale of the Notes resulted in net proceeds to the Company of approximately $394.9 million, after deducting the initial purchasers’ discounts and commissions and other estimated offering expenses. The Company previously announced an amendment to its existing revolving credit facility increasing the facility size by $50 million to $225 million. The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Notes offering and a portion of the increased capacity under the revolving credit facility to fund the redemption in full of its outstanding 5.50% Senior Notes due 2025, to repay in full the outstanding borrowings under its term loan credit Agreement and to pay all related fees and expenses.
The Notes were issued pursuant to an indenture dated as of October 6, 2021, by and among the Company, certain subsidiary guarantors named therein (the “Guarantors”) and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (the “Indenture”). The Notes will bear interest at the rate of 4.50% and will pay interest semi-annually in cash in arrears on each April 15 and October 15 of each year, beginning on April 15, 2022. The Notes will mature on October 15, 2028. At any time prior to October 15, 2024, the Company may redeem some or all of the Notes for cash at a redemption price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes being redeemed plus an applicable make-whole premium set forth in the Indenture and accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the redemption date.
Prior to October 15, 2024, the Company may redeem up to 40% of the Notes at a redemption price of 104.500% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the redemption date, with the proceeds of certain equity offerings so long as if, after any such redemption occurs, at least 60% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes remains outstanding. On and after October 15, 2024, the Company may redeem some or all of the Notes at redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount) equal to 102.250% for the twelve-month period beginning on October 15, 2024, 101.125% for the twelve-month period beginning October 15, 2025 and 100.000% beginning on October 15, 2026, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the redemption date. Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined in the Indenture), unless the Company has exercised its optional redemption right in respect of the Notes, the holders of the Notes will have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or a portion of the Notes at a price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes, plus any accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the date of repurchase.
The Notes will be guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by all direct and indirect existing and future domestic restricted subsidiaries, subject to certain restrictions. The Notes and related guarantees will be the Company and the Guarantors’ general unsecured senior obligations and will be subordinated to all of the Company and the Guarantors’ existing and future secured debt to the extent of the assets securing that secured obligation. In addition, the Notes will be structurally subordinated to any existing and future debt of any of the Company’s subsidiaries that are not Guarantors, to the extent of the assets of those subsidiaries.
The Indenture restricts the Company’s ability and the ability of certain of its subsidiaries to: (i) incur additional indebtedness; (ii) pay dividends or make other distributions in respect of, or repurchase or redeem, its capital stock or with respect to any other interest or participation in, or measured by, its profits; (iii) make loans and certain investments; (iv) sell assets; (v) create or incur liens; (vi) enter into transactions with affiliates; and (vii) consolidate, merge or sell all or substantially all of its assets. These covenants are subject to a number of important exceptions and qualifications.
During any time when the Notes are rated investment grade by at least two of Moody’s, Fitch and Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services and no Default (as defined in the Indenture) has occurred and is continuing, many of such covenants will be suspended and the Company and its subsidiaries will cease to be subject to such covenants during such period.
The Indenture contains customary events of default, including payment defaults, breaches of covenants, failure to pay certain judgments and certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency and reorganization. If an event of default occurs and is continuing, the principal amount of the Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, may be declared immediately due and payable. These amounts automatically become due and payable if an event of default relating to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occurs.
Copies of the Indenture and of the form of Notes are filed as Exhibit 4.1 and Exhibit 4.2, respectively, to this Form 8-K and are incorporated herein by reference. The description of the Indenture and the Notes in this Form 8-K is a summary and is qualified in its entirety by the terms of the Indenture and the Notes.
Item 2.03. Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.
The information set forth under Item 1.01 of this Current Report is incorporated into this Item 2.03 by reference.
Forward-Looking Statements
This Current Report on Form 8-K, including Exhibit 99.1, (“Current Report”) contains certain forward-looking statements as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements convey the Company’s current expectations or forecasts of future events. All statements contained in this Current Report other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, among other things, all statements regarding the Notes offering, revolving credit facility and term loan credit agreement. These and the Company’s other forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those implied by the forward-looking statements. Without limitation, these risks and uncertainties include a continued or prolonged shutdown or reduction of our operations, substantially reduced customer orders or sales volumes and supply disruptions due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, the continued integration of Supreme into the Company’s business, adverse reactions to the transaction by customers, suppliers or strategic partners, uncertain economic conditions including the possibility that customer
demand may not meet our expectations, increased competition, reliance on certain customers and corporate partnerships, risks of customer pick-up delays, shortages and costs of raw materials including the impact of tariffs or other international trade developments, risks in implementing and sustaining improvements in the Company’s manufacturing operations and cost containment, dependence on industry trends and timing, supplier constraints, labor costs and availability, customer acceptance of and reactions to pricing changes and costs of indebtedness. Readers should review and consider the various disclosures made by the Company in this Current Report and in the Company’s reports to its stockholders and periodic reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits
| 4.1 | Indenture, dated as of October 6, 2021, by and among Wabash National Corporation, the several guarantors named therein and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee. | |
| 4.2 | Form of 4.50% Senior Notes due 2028. | |
| 99.1 | Press Release of Wabash National Corporation, dated October 6, 2021. | |
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (the Cover Page Interactive Data File is embedded within the Inline XBRL document). | |
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.
| WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION | ||||||
| Date: October 6, 2021 |
By: | /s/ Michael N. Pettit | ||||
| Michael N. Pettit | ||||||
| Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | ||||||
Exhibit 4.1
WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION,
as Company
and the Guarantors party hereto from time to time
4.50% Senior Notes due 2028
INDENTURE
Dated as of October 6, 2021
and
Wells Fargo Bank, National Association,
as Trustee
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Page | ||||||
| ARTICLE I |
| |||||
| DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE |
| |||||
| Section 1.01 |
Definitions | 1 | ||||
| Section 1.02 |
Other Definitions | 39 | ||||
| Section 1.03 |
Rules of Construction | 40 | ||||
| ARTICLE II |
| |||||
| THE NOTES |
| |||||
| Section 2.01 |
Amount of Notes | 41 | ||||
| Section 2.02 |
Form and Dating | 42 | ||||
| Section 2.03 |
Execution and Authentication | 42 | ||||
| Section 2.04 |
Registrar and Paying Agent | 42 | ||||
| Section 2.05 |
Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust | 43 | ||||
| Section 2.06 |
Holder Lists | 43 | ||||
| Section 2.07 |
Transfer and Exchange | 44 | ||||
| Section 2.08 |
Replacement Notes | 45 | ||||
| Section 2.09 |
Outstanding Notes | 45 | ||||
| Section 2.10 |
Cancellation | 45 | ||||
| Section 2.11 |
Defaulted Interest | 46 | ||||
| Section 2.12 |
CUSIP Numbers, ISINs, Etc | 46 | ||||
| Section 2.13 |
Calculation of Principal Amount of Notes | 46 | ||||
| ARTICLE III |
| |||||
| REDEMPTION |
| |||||
| Section 3.01 |
Redemption | 46 | ||||
| Section 3.02 |
Applicability of Article | 46 | ||||
| Section 3.03 |
Notices to Trustee | 47 | ||||
| Section 3.04 |
Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed | 47 | ||||
| Section 3.05 |
Notice of Optional Redemption | 47 | ||||
| Section 3.06 |
Effect of Notice of Redemption | 48 | ||||
| Section 3.07 |
Deposit of Redemption Price | 48 | ||||
| Section 3.08 |
Notes Redeemed in Part | 49 | ||||
| ARTICLE IV |
| |||||
| COVENANTS |
| |||||
| Section 4.01 |
Payment of Notes | 49 | ||||
| Section 4.02 |
Reports and Other Information | 49 | ||||
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| Page | ||||||
| Section 4.03 |
Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock | 51 | ||||
| Section 4.04 |
Limitation on Restricted Payments | 58 | ||||
| Section 4.05 |
Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries | 63 | ||||
| Section 4.06 |
Asset Sales | 65 | ||||
| Section 4.07 |
Transactions with Affiliates | 68 | ||||
| Section 4.08 |
Change of Control | 70 | ||||
| Section 4.09 |
Compliance Certificate | 72 | ||||
| Section 4.10 |
Further Instruments and Acts | 73 | ||||
| Section 4.11 |
Future Guarantors | 73 | ||||
| Section 4.12 |
Liens | 73 | ||||
| Section 4.13 |
[Intentionally Omitted] | 74 | ||||
| Section 4.14 |
Maintenance of Office or Agency | 74 | ||||
| Section 4.15 |
Existence | 74 | ||||
| Section 4.16 |
Covenant Suspension | 74 | ||||
| ARTICLE V |
| |||||
| SUCCESSOR COMPANY |
| |||||
| Section 5.01 |
When Company and Guarantors May Merge or Transfer Assets | 75 | ||||
| ARTICLE VI |
| |||||
| DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES |
| |||||
| Section 6.01 |
Events of Default | 78 | ||||
| Section 6.02 |
Acceleration | 79 | ||||
| Section 6.03 |
Other Remedies | 80 | ||||
| Section 6.04 |
Waiver of Past Defaults | 80 | ||||
| Section 6.05 |
Control by Majority | 80 | ||||
| Section 6.06 |
Limitation on Suits | 81 | ||||
| Section 6.07 |
Rights of the Holders to Receive Payment | 81 | ||||
| Section 6.08 |
Collection Suit by Trustee | 81 | ||||
| Section 6.09 |
Trustee May File Proofs of Claim | 81 | ||||
| Section 6.10 |
Priorities | 82 | ||||
| Section 6.11 |
Undertaking for Costs | 82 | ||||
| Section 6.12 |
Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws | 82 | ||||
| ARTICLE VII |
| |||||
| TRUSTEE |
| |||||
| Section 7.01 |
Duties of Trustee | 82 | ||||
| Section 7.02 |
Rights of Trustee | 84 | ||||
| Section 7.03 |
Individual Rights of Trustee | 85 | ||||
| Section 7.04 |
Trustee’s Disclaimer | 86 | ||||
| Section 7.05 |
Notice of Defaults | 86 | ||||
| Section 7.06 |
Reports by Trustee to the Holders | 86 | ||||
| Section 7.07 |
Compensation and Indemnity | 86 | ||||
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| Page | ||||||
| Section 7.08 |
Replacement of Trustee | 88 | ||||
| Section 7.09 |
Successor Trustee by Merger | 88 | ||||
| Section 7.10 |
Eligibility; Disqualification | 89 | ||||
| Section 7.11 |
Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Company | 89 | ||||
| ARTICLE VIII |
| |||||
| DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; DEFEASANCE |
| |||||
| Section 8.01 |
Discharge of Liability on Notes; Defeasance | 89 | ||||
| Section 8.02 |
Conditions to Defeasance | 90 | ||||
| Section 8.03 |
Application of Trust Money | 91 | ||||
| Section 8.04 |
Repayment to Company | 91 | ||||
| Section 8.05 |
Indemnity for U.S. Government Obligations | 92 | ||||
| Section 8.06 |
Reinstatement | 92 | ||||
| ARTICLE IX |
| |||||
| AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS |
| |||||
| Section 9.01 |
Without Consent of the Holders | 92 | ||||
| Section 9.02 |
With Consent of the Holders | 93 | ||||
| Section 9.03 |
Revocation and Effect of Consents and Waivers | 94 | ||||
| Section 9.04 |
Notation on or Exchange of Notes | 95 | ||||
| Section 9.05 |
Trustee to Sign Amendments | 95 | ||||
| Section 9.06 |
Additional Voting Terms; Calculation of Principal Amount | 95 | ||||
| Section 9.07 |
Compliance with the Trust Indenture Act | 95 | ||||
| ARTICLE X |
| |||||
| [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED] |
| |||||
| ARTICLE XI |
| |||||
| [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED] |
| |||||
| ARTICLE XII |
| |||||
| GUARANTEE |
| |||||
| Section 12.01 |
Guarantee | 95 | ||||
| Section 12.02 |
Limitation on Liability | 97 | ||||
| Section 12.03 |
Non-Impairment | 98 | ||||
| Section 12.04 |
Successors and Assigns | 98 | ||||
| Section 12.05 |
No Waiver | 98 | ||||
| Section 12.06 |
Modification | 98 | ||||
| Section 12.07 |
Execution of Supplemental Indenture for Future Guarantors | 99 | ||||
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| Page | ||||||
| ARTICLE XIII |
| |||||
| MISCELLANEOUS |
| |||||
| Section 13.01 |
Intentionally Omitted | 99 | ||||
| Section 13.02 |
Notices | 99 | ||||
| Section 13.03 |
Communication by the Holders with Other Holders | 100 | ||||
| Section 13.04 |
Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent | 100 | ||||
| Section 13.05 |
Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion | 100 | ||||
| Section 13.06 |
When Notes Disregarded | 101 | ||||
| Section 13.07 |
Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar | 101 | ||||
| Section 13.08 |
Legal Holidays | 101 | ||||
| Section 13.09 |
Governing Law | 101 | ||||
| Section 13.10 |
No Recourse Against Others | 101 | ||||
| Section 13.11 |
Successors | 101 | ||||
| Section 13.12 |
Multiple Originals | 101 | ||||
| Section 13.13 |
Table of Contents; Headings | 102 | ||||
| Section 13.14 |
Indenture Controls | 102 | ||||
| Section 13.15 |
Severability | 102 | ||||
| Section 13.16 |
Waiver of Jury Trial | 102 | ||||
| Section 13.17 |
U.S.A Patriot Act | 102 | ||||
| Section 13.18 |
Submission to Jurisdiction | 102 | ||||
| Section 13.19 |
FATCA | 103 | ||||
| Appendix A | – | Provisions Relating to Initial Notes and Additional Notes |
EXHIBIT INDEX
| Exhibit A | – | Form of Note | ||
| Exhibit B | – | Form of Transferee Letter of Representation | ||
| Exhibit C | – | Form of Supplemental Indenture |
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INDENTURE, dated as of October 6, 2021, among WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (together with its successors and assigns, the “Company”), the Guarantors party hereto from time to time and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee.
Each party agrees as follows for the benefit of the other parties and for the equal and ratable benefit of the holders of (i) $400,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 4.50% Senior Notes due 2028 issued on the date hereof (the “Initial Notes”) and (ii) Additional Notes issued from time to time (together with the Initial Notes, the “Notes”):
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
Section 1.01 Definitions.
“ABL Credit Agreement” means (i) the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of December 21, 2018, as amended as of September 28, 2020 and as of September 28, 2021, among the Company, Wells Fargo Capital Finance, LLC, as administrative agent, and the other parties thereto, as amended, restated, supplemented, waived, replaced (whether or not upon termination, and whether with the original lenders or otherwise), restructured, repaid, refunded, refinanced and/or otherwise modified from time to time, including any agreement or indenture extending the maturity thereof, refinancing, replacing or otherwise restructuring all or any portion of the Indebtedness under such agreement or agreements or indenture or indentures or any successor or replacement agreement or agreements or indenture or indentures or increasing the amount loaned or issued thereunder or altering the maturity thereof (except to the extent any such refinancing, replacement or restructuring is designated by the Company to not be included in the definition of “ABL Credit Agreement”) and (ii) whether or not the credit agreement referred to in clause (i) remains outstanding, if designated by the Company to be included in the definition of “ABL Credit Agreement,” one or more (A) debt facilities or commercial paper facilities, providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, securitization or receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from lenders against such receivables) or letters of credit, (B) debt securities, indentures or other forms of debt financing (including convertible or exchangeable debt instruments or bank guarantees or bankers’ acceptances), or (C) instruments or agreements evidencing any other Indebtedness, in each case, with the same or different borrowers or issuers and, in each case, as amended, supplemented, modified, waived, extended, restructured, repaid, renewed, refinanced, restated, replaced (whether or not upon termination, and whether with the original lenders or otherwise) and/or refunded in whole or in part from time to time.
“Acquired Indebtedness” means, with respect to any specified Person:
(1) Indebtedness of any other Person existing at the time such other Person is merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into or became a Restricted Subsidiary of such specified Person, and
(2) Indebtedness secured by a Lien encumbering any asset acquired by such specified Person.
Acquired Indebtedness will 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 such assets.
“Additional Notes” means the Notes issued under the terms of this Indenture subsequent to the Issue Date (except for Notes authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, Notes issued on the Issue Date pursuant to Section 2.07, 2.08, 2.09, 3.08, 4.06(e), 4.08(c) or Appendix A).
“Additional Refinancing Amount” means, in connection with the Incurrence of any Refinancing Indebtedness, the aggregate principal amount of additional Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock Incurred to pay accrued and unpaid interest, premiums (including tender premiums), expenses, defeasance costs and fees (including consent fees) in respect thereof.
“Agent” means any Registrar, Paying Agent, Authenticating Agent, Notes Custodian or agent for service of notices and demands.
“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 purposes of this definition, “control” (including, with correlative meanings, the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with”), as used with respect to any Person, means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by agreement or otherwise.
“Applicable Premium” means, with respect to any Note on any applicable redemption date, as determined by the Company, the greater of:
(1) 1% of the then outstanding principal amount of the Note; and
(2) the excess of:
(a) the present value at such redemption date of (i) the redemption price of the Note, at October 15, 2024 (such redemption price being set forth in Paragraph 5 of the Note), plus (ii) all required interest payments due on the Note through October 15, 2024 (excluding accrued but unpaid interest), computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate as of such redemption date, plus 50 basis points; over
(b) the then outstanding principal amount of the Note.
Any calculation of the Applicable Premium shall be made by the Company and delivered to the Trustee pursuant to an Officers’ Certificate.
“Applicable Procedures” means, with respect to any matter at any time relating to a Global Note, the rules, policies and procedures of the Depository applicable to such matter.
“Asset Sale” means:
(1) the sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition (whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions) of property or assets (including by way of Sale/Leaseback Transactions) outside the ordinary course of business of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (each referred to in this definition as a “disposition”); or
(2) the issuance or sale of Equity Interests (other than directors’ qualifying shares and shares issued to foreign nationals or other third parties to the extent required by applicable law) of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary) (whether in a single transaction or a series of related transactions),
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in each case other than:
(a) a disposition of Cash Equivalents or Investment Grade Securities;
(b) the disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or any Guarantor in a manner permitted pursuant to Section 5.01 or any disposition that constitutes a Change of Control;
(c) any Restricted Payment or Permitted Investment that is permitted to be made, and is made, under Section 4.04;
(d) any disposition of assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or issuance or sale of Equity Interests of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, which assets or Equity Interests so disposed or issued in any single transaction or series of related transactions have an aggregate Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the Company), taken together with all other dispositions of assets pursuant to this clause (d), not to exceed the greater of $30 million and 15% of Consolidated EBITDA as of the date of such disposition or issuance in the aggregate in any one calendar year;
(e) any disposition of property or assets, or the sale or issuance of securities, by the Company to a Restricted Subsidiary or by a Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary;
(f) any disposition of the Capital Stock of any joint venture to the extent required by, or made pursuant to, the terms of customary buy-sell type arrangements entered into in connection with the formation of such joint venture;
(g) any disposition of retail outlets owned by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary with an aggregate value not to exceed $40 million;
(h) any exchange of assets (including a combination of assets and Cash Equivalents) for assets related to a Similar Business of comparable or greater market value or usefulness to the business of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries as a whole, as determined in good faith by the Company;
(i) sales of assets received by the Company upon the foreclosure on a Lien or any similar action with respect to any property or other asset of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(j) any involuntary loss, damage or destruction of property; provided, that the proceeds are deemed to be Net Proceeds for purposes Section 4.06;
(k) any involuntary condemnation, seizure or taking, by exercise of the power of eminent domain or otherwise, or confiscation or requisition of use of property; provided, that the proceeds are deemed to be Net Proceeds for purposes of Section 4.06;
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(l) any disposition of Equity Interests in, or Indebtedness or other securities of, an Unrestricted Subsidiary;
(m) the lease, assignment or sublease of any real or personal property in the ordinary course of business;
(n) any sale of inventory, receivables or other current assets in the ordinary course of business;
(o) any grant in the ordinary course of business of any license or sublicense of patents, trademarks, know-how, registrations therefore or any other intellectual property, or the license, leasing or subleasing of other property in the ordinary course of business;
(p) any swap of assets, or lease, assignment or sublease of any real or personal property, in exchange for services (including in connection with any outsourcing arrangements) of comparable or greater value or usefulness to the business of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries as a whole, as determined in good faith by the Company;
(q) a transfer of assets of the type specified in the definition of “Securitization Financing” (or a fractional undivided interest therein), including by a Securitization Subsidiary in a Qualified Securitization Financing;
(r) any financing transaction with respect to property constructed, acquired, replaced, repaired or improved by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, including any Sale/Leaseback Transaction or asset securitization permitted by this Indenture;
(s) the creation of any Permitted Lien and any dispositions in connection with Permitted Liens;
(t) 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 and in each case comprising all or a portion of the consideration in respect of such sale or acquisition;
(u) dispositions of accounts receivables in connection with the compromise, settlement, write-off or collection thereof or in bankruptcy or similar proceedings and exclusive of factoring or similar arrangements;
(v) any surrender, expiration or waiver of contract rights or the settlement, release, recovery on or surrender of contract, tort or other claims of any kind;
(w) any sale or other disposition of damaged, worn-out, used, surplus, fully depreciated, replaced or obsolete assets in the ordinary course of business and dispositions of property no longer used or useful in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(x) the unwinding of any Hedging Obligations in the ordinary course of business; and
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(y) the lapse or abandonment in the ordinary course of business of any registrations or application for registration of any patents, trademarks, copyrights, and other intellectual property rights not necessary in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries.
“Bank Indebtedness” means any and all amounts payable under or in respect of (a) the Credit Agreements and the other Credit Agreement Documents, as amended, restated, supplemented, waived, replaced (whether or not upon termination, and whether with the original lenders or otherwise), restructured, repaid, refunded, refinanced and/or otherwise modified from time to time (including after termination of a Credit Agreement), including any agreement or indenture extending the maturity thereof, refinancing, replacing or otherwise restructuring all or any portion of the Indebtedness under such agreement or agreements or indenture or indentures or any successor or replacement agreement or agreements or indenture or indentures or increasing the amount loaned or issued thereunder or altering the maturity thereof, including principal, premium (if any), interest (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to the Company whether or not a claim for post-filing interest is allowed in such proceedings), fees, charges, expenses, reimbursement obligations, guarantees and all other amounts payable thereunder or in respect thereof and (b) whether or not the Indebtedness referred to in clause (a) remains outstanding, if designated by the Company to be included in this definition, one or more (A) debt facilities or commercial paper facilities, providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, reserve-based loans, securitization or receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from lenders against such receivables) or letters of credit, (B) debt securities, indentures or other forms of debt financing (including convertible or exchangeable debt instruments or bank guarantees or bankers’ acceptances), or (C) instruments or agreements evidencing any other Indebtedness, in each case, with the same or different borrowers or issuers and, in each case, as amended, supplemented, modified, extended, restructured, renewed, refinanced, restated, replaced and/or refunded in whole or in part from time to time.
“Board of Directors” means, as to any Person, the board of directors or managers, as applicable, of such Person or any direct or indirect parent of such Person (or, if such Person is a partnership, the board of directors or other governing body of the general partner of such Person) or any duly authorized committee thereof.
“Borrowing Base” means the sum of (i) 85% of the book value of accounts (as defined in the Uniform Commercial Code) of the Company and the Guarantors, (ii) the sum of (1) 85% of the value of inventory consisting of finished goods (including without limitation new and used trailers, FRAC tanks and portable storage containers) and work in process, and (2) 70% of the value of inventory consisting of raw materials; provided that for the purposes of this clause (ii), (x) value shall be calculated at the lower of cost or market on a basis consistent with the Company’s historical accounting practices, and (y) build to order inventory shall be excluded and (iii) 90% of the value of build to order inventory (calculated at cost on a basis consistent with the Company’s historical accounting practices).
“Business Day” means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banking institutions are authorized or required by law to close in New York City or the place of payment.
“Capital Markets Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness consisting of bonds, debentures, notes or other similar debt securities issued in (a) a public offering registered under the Securities Act, (b) a private placement to institutional investors that is resold in accordance with Rule 144A or Regulation S of the Securities Act, whether or not it includes registration rights entitling the holders of such debt securities to registration thereof with the SEC or (c) a placement to institutional investors. The term “Capital Markets Indebtedness” shall not include any Indebtedness under commercial bank facilities or similar Indebtedness, Capitalized Lease Obligation or recourse transfer of any financial asset or any other type of Indebtedness incurred in a manner not customarily viewed as a “securities offering.”
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“Capital Stock” means:
(1) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock or shares;
(2) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of corporate stock;
(3) in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership or membership interests (whether general or limited); and
(4) any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets of, the issuing Person.
“Capitalized Lease Obligation” means, at the time any determination thereof is to be made, the amount of the liability in respect of a capital lease that would at such time be required to be capitalized and reflected as a liability on a balance sheet (excluding the footnotes thereto) in accordance with GAAP; provided that obligations of the Company or the Restricted Subsidiaries, or of a special purpose or other entity not consolidated with the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries, either existing on the Issue Date or created thereafter that (a) initially were not included on the consolidated balance sheet of the Company as capital lease obligations and were subsequently characterized as capital lease obligations or, in the case of such a special purpose or other entity becoming consolidated with the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries were required to be characterized as capital lease obligations upon such consolidation, in either case, due to a change in accounting treatment or otherwise, or (b) did not exist on the Issue Date and were required to be characterized as capital lease obligations but would not have been required to be treated as capital lease obligations on the Issue Date had they existed at that time, shall for all purposes not be treated as Capitalized Lease Obligations or Indebtedness. Notwithstanding the foregoing, “Capitalized Lease Obligations” shall not include obligations relating to a lease that was (or would be) classified and accounted for by the Company and its Subsidiaries as an operating lease under GAAP as in effect prior to the effectiveness of Accounting Standards Codification 842.
“Cash Equivalents” means:
(1) U.S. dollars, pounds sterling, euros, Canadian dollars, the national currency of any member state in the European Union or such other local currencies held by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary from time to time in the ordinary course of business;
(2) securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the U.S. government, Canada or any country that is a member of the European Union or any agency or instrumentality thereof in each case maturing not more than two years from the date of acquisition;
(3) certificates of deposit, time deposits and eurodollar time deposits with maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition, bankers’ acceptances, in each case with maturities not exceeding one year and overnight bank deposits, in each case, that are either (i) with any commercial bank having capital and surplus in excess of $250 million and whose long-term debt is rated “A” or the equivalent thereof by Moody’s or S&P (or reasonably equivalent ratings of another internationally recognized ratings agency) or (ii) are less than or equal to $250,000 in the aggregate and are issued by any other bank insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation;
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(4) repurchase obligations for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (2) and (3) above entered into with any financial institution meeting the qualifications specified in clause (3) above;
(5) commercial paper issued by a corporation (other than an Affiliate of the Company) rated at least “A-1” or the equivalent thereof by Moody’s or S&P (or reasonably equivalent ratings of another internationally recognized ratings agency) and in each case maturing within one year after the date of acquisition;
(6) readily marketable direct obligations issued by any state of the United States of America or any political subdivision thereof or any Canadian province having at least a rating of Aa3 from Moody’s or a rating of AA- from S&P (or reasonably equivalent ratings of another internationally recognized ratings agency) in each case with maturities not exceeding two years from the date of acquisition;
(7) Indebtedness issued by Persons with a rating of “A” or higher from S&P or “A2” or higher from Moody’s (or reasonably equivalent ratings of another internationally recognized ratings agency) in each case with maturities not exceeding two years from the date of acquisition;
(8) investment funds investing at least 95% of their assets in securities of the types described in clauses (1) through (7) above; and
(9) instruments equivalent to those referred to in clauses (1) through (8) above denominated in any foreign currency comparable in credit quality and tenor to those referred to above and commonly used by corporations for cash management purposes in any jurisdiction outside the United States of America to the extent reasonably required in connection with any business conducted by any Subsidiary organized in such jurisdiction.
“cash management services” means cash management services for collections, treasury management services (including controlled disbursement, overdraft, automated clearing house fund transfer services, return items and interstate depository network services), any demand deposit, payroll, trust or operating account relationships, commercial credit cards, merchant card, purchase or debit cards, non-card e-payables services, and other cash management services, including electronic funds transfer services, lockbox services, stop payment services and wire transfer services.
“Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following:
(1) the sale, lease or transfer (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any Person or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, or any successor provision) other than to the Company or its Subsidiaries; or
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(2) the Company becomes aware (by way of a report or any other filing pursuant to Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, proxy, vote, written notice or otherwise) of the acquisition by any Person or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, or any successor provision), including any group acting for the purpose of acquiring, holding or disposing of securities (within the meaning of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) under the Exchange Act), in a single transaction or in a related series of transactions, by way of merger, consolidation, amalgamation or other business combination or purchase of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, or any successor provision), of more than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company, in each case, other than an acquisition where the holders of the voting stock of the Company as of immediately prior to such acquisition hold 50% or more of the Voting Stock of the ultimate parent of the Company or successor thereto immediately after such acquisition (provided no holder of the voting stock of the Company as of immediately prior to such acquisition owns, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company immediately after such acquisition).
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
“Common Stock” shall mean, with respect to any Person, any and all shares, interests, participations and other equivalents (however designated, whether voting or non-voting) of such Person’s common stock, whether now outstanding or issued after the Issue Date, and includes, without limitation, all series and classes of such common stock.
“Consolidated Depreciation and Amortization Expense” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the total amount of depreciation and amortization expense, including the amortization of intangible assets and deferred financing fees and amortization of unrecognized prior service costs and actuarial gains and losses related to pensions and other post-employment benefits, of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period on a consolidated basis and otherwise determined in accordance with GAAP.
“Consolidated EBITDA” means, as of any date of determination, the EBITDA of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which financial statements are publicly available, on a consolidated basis, calculated on a pro forma basis consistent with the calculations made under the definition of Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.
“Consolidated Interest Expense” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum, without duplication, of:
(1) consolidated interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, to the extent such expense was deducted in computing Consolidated Net Income (including the interest component of Capitalized Lease Obligations and net payments and receipts (if any) pursuant to interest rate Hedging Obligations, amortization of deferred financing fees and original issue discount, debt issuance costs, commissions, fees and expenses, expensing of any bridge, commitment or other financing fees and non-cash interest expense attributable to movement in mark to market valuation of Hedging Obligations or other derivatives (in each case permitted hereunder) under GAAP); plus
(2) consolidated capitalized interest of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, whether paid or accrued; plus
(3) commissions, discounts, yield and other fees and charges Incurred in connection with any Securitization Financing which are payable to Persons other than the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries; minus
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(4) 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 the Company to be the rate of interest implicit in such Capitalized Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP.
“Consolidated Net Income” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the aggregate of the Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, on a consolidated basis; provided, however, that:
(1) any net after-tax extraordinary, nonrecurring or unusual gains or losses (less all fees and expenses relating thereto) or expenses or charges shall be excluded;
(2) any severance expenses, relocation expenses, restructuring expenses, curtailments or modifications to pension and post-retirement employee benefit plans, excess pension charges, any expenses related to any reconstruction, decommissioning, recommissioning or reconfiguration of fixed assets for alternate uses and fees, expenses or charges relating to facilities closing costs, acquisition integration costs, facilities opening costs, project start-up costs, business optimization costs, signing, retention or completion bonuses, expenses or charges related to any issuance of Equity Interests, Investment, acquisition, disposition, recapitalization or issuance, repayment, refinancing, amendment or modification of Indebtedness (in each case, whether or not successful), and any fees, expenses or charges related to the Transactions, in each case, shall be excluded;
(3) effects of purchase accounting adjustments (including the effects of such adjustments pushed down to such Person and such Subsidiaries and including, without limitation, the effects of adjustments to (A) Capitalized Lease Obligations or (B) any other deferrals of income) in amounts required or permitted by GAAP, resulting from the application of purchase accounting or the amortization or write-off of any amounts thereof, net of taxes, shall be excluded;
(4) the Net Income for such period shall not include the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles during such period;
(5) any net after-tax income or loss from disposed, abandoned, transferred, closed or discontinued operations or fixed assets and any net after-tax gains or losses on disposal of disposed, abandoned, transferred, closed or discontinued operations or fixed assets shall be excluded;
(6) any net after-tax gains or losses (less all fees and expenses or charges relating thereto) attributable to business dispositions or asset dispositions other than in the ordinary course of business (as determined in good faith by management of the Company) shall be excluded;
(7) any net after-tax gains or losses (less all fees and expenses or charges relating thereto) attributable to the early extinguishment of indebtedness, Hedging Obligations or other derivative instruments shall be excluded;
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(8) (a) the Net Income for such period of any Person that is not a Subsidiary of such Person, or is an Unrestricted Subsidiary, or that is accounted for by the equity method of accounting, shall be included only to the extent of the amount of dividends or distributions or other payments paid in cash (or to the extent converted into cash) to the referent Person or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof in respect of such period and (b) the Net Income for such period shall include any dividend, distribution or other payment in cash (or to the extent converted into cash) received by the referent Person or a Subsidiary thereof (other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary of such referent Person) from any Person in excess of, but without duplication of, the amounts included in subclause (a);
(9) solely for the purpose of determining the amount available for Restricted Payments under clause (1) of the definition of “Cumulative Credit,” the Net Income for such period of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than any Guarantor) shall be excluded to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by such Restricted Subsidiary of its Net Income is not at the date of determination permitted without any prior governmental approval (which has not been obtained) or, directly or indirectly, by the operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders, unless such restrictions with respect to the payment of dividends or similar distributions have been legally waived; provided that the Consolidated Net Income of such Person shall be increased by the amount of dividends or other distributions or other payments actually paid in cash (or converted into cash) by any such Restricted Subsidiary to such Person, to the extent not already included therein;
(10) an amount equal to the amount of Tax Distributions actually made to any parent or equity holder of such Person in respect of such period in accordance with Section 4.04(b)(xi) shall be included as though such amounts had been paid as income taxes directly by such Person for such period;
(11) any impairment charges or asset write-offs, in each case pursuant to GAAP, and the amortization of intangibles and other fair value adjustments arising pursuant to GAAP shall be excluded;
(12) any non-cash expense realized or resulting from stock option plans, employee benefit plans or post-employment benefit plans, or grants or sales of stock, stock appreciation or similar rights, stock options, restricted stock, preferred stock or other rights shall be excluded;
(13) any (a) non-cash compensation charges, (b) costs and expenses after the Issue Date related to employment of terminated employees, or (c) costs or expenses realized in connection with or resulting from stock appreciation or similar rights, stock options or other rights existing on the Issue Date of officers, directors, managers and employees, in each case of such Person or any Restricted Subsidiary, shall be excluded;
(14) accruals and reserves that are established or adjusted within 12 months after the Issue Date and that are so required to be established or adjusted in accordance with GAAP or as a result of adoption or modification of accounting policies shall be excluded;
(15) non-cash gains, losses, income and expenses resulting from fair value accounting required by the applicable standard under GAAP and related interpretations shall be excluded;
(16) any currency translation gains and losses related to currency remeasurements of Indebtedness, and any net loss or gain resulting from hedging transactions for currency exchange risk, shall be excluded;
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(17) (a) to the extent covered by insurance and actually reimbursed, or, so long as such Person 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 (i) not denied by the applicable carrier in writing within 180 days and (ii) in fact reimbursed within 365 days of the date of such evidence (with a deduction for any amount so added back to the extent not so reimbursed within 365 days), expenses with respect to liability or casualty events or business interruption shall be excluded and (b) amounts in respect of which such Person has determined that there exists reasonable evidence that such amounts will in fact be reimbursed by insurance in respect of lost revenues or earnings in respect of liability or casualty events or business interruption shall be included (with a deduction for amounts actually received up to such estimated amount, to the extent included in Net Income in a future period); and
(18) non-cash charges for deferred tax asset valuation allowances shall be excluded.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, for the purpose of Section 4.04 only, there shall be excluded from Consolidated Net Income any dividends, repayments of loans or advances or other transfers of assets from Unrestricted Subsidiaries or Restricted Subsidiaries to the extent such dividends, repayments or transfers increase the amount of Restricted Payments permitted under Section 4.04 pursuant to clauses (4) and (5) of the definition of “Cumulative Credit.”
“Consolidated Non-Cash Charges” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the non-cash charges, expenses, losses and other items (other than Consolidated Depreciation and Amortization Expense) of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries reducing Consolidated Net Income of such Person for such period on a consolidated basis and otherwise determined in accordance with GAAP, provided that if any such non-cash charge, expense, loss or other item represents an accrual or reserve for potential cash items in any future period, the cash payment in respect thereof in such future period shall be subtracted from EBITDA in such future period to the extent paid, but excluding from this proviso, for the avoidance of doubt, amortization of a prepaid cash item that was paid in a prior period.
“Consolidated Secured Net Leverage Ratio” means, with respect to any Person, at any date, the ratio of (i) Secured Indebtedness of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date of calculation (determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP); less the amount of Unrestricted Cash held by such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date of determination to (ii) Consolidated EBITDA of such Person for the four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding such date on which such additional Indebtedness is Incurred.
In the event that the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary Incurs, repays, repurchases or redeems any Indebtedness, or issues, repurchases or redeems Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Consolidated Secured Net Leverage Ratio is being calculated but prior to the event for which the calculation of the Consolidated Secured Net Leverage Ratio is made (the “Consolidated Secured Net Leverage Calculation Date”), then the Consolidated Secured Net Leverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect to such Incurrence, repayment, repurchase or redemption of Indebtedness, or such issuance, repurchase or redemption of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period; provided that the Company may elect to treat all or any portion of the commitment under any Indebtedness as being Incurred at such time, in which case any subsequent Incurrence of Indebtedness under such commitment shall not be deemed, for purposes of this calculation, to be an Incurrence at such subsequent time.
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To the extent (i) the Company elects to treat all or any portion of the commitment under any Indebtedness as being Incurred or (ii) the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary elects to treat Indebtedness as having been Incurred prior to the actual Incurrence thereof pursuant to Section 4.03(c)(3), the Company shall deem all or such portion of such commitment or such Indebtedness, as applicable, as having been Incurred and to be outstanding for purposes of calculating the Consolidated Secured Net Leverage Ratio for any period in which the Company makes any such election and for any subsequent period until such commitments or such Indebtedness, as applicable, are no longer outstanding.
For purposes of making the computation referred to above, Investments, acquisitions, dispositions, mergers, amalgamations, consolidations and discontinued operations (as determined in accordance with GAAP), in each case with respect to an operating unit of a business, that the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary has made during the four-quarter reference period or subsequent to such reference period and on or prior to or simultaneously with the Consolidated Secured Net Leverage Calculation Date (each, for purposes of this definition, a “pro forma event”) shall be calculated on a pro forma basis assuming that all such Investments, acquisitions, dispositions, mergers, amalgamations, consolidations or discontinued operations (and the change of any associated fixed charge obligations and the change in 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 with or into the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary since the beginning of such period shall have consummated any pro forma event that would have required adjustment pursuant to this definition, then the Consolidated Secured Net Leverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect thereto for such period as if such pro forma event had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period. If since the beginning of such period any Restricted Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary or any Unrestricted Subsidiary is designated a Restricted Subsidiary, then the Consolidated Secured Net Leverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect thereto for such period as if such designation had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period.
For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to any pro forma event, the pro forma calculations shall be made in good faith by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Company. Any such pro forma calculation may include adjustments appropriate, in the reasonable good faith determination of the Company, to reflect operating expense reductions and other operating improvements or synergies reasonably expected to result from the applicable event within 12 months of the date the applicable event is consummated. For the avoidance of doubt, adjustments to the computation of the Consolidated Secured Net Leverage Ratio arising from any pro forma event and made in accordance with this paragraph and the paragraph immediately above shall not be subject to the 15% cap set forth in clause (9) of the definition of “EBITDA.”
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 Consolidated Secured Net Leverage Calculation Date had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Hedging Obligations applicable to such Indebtedness if such Hedging Obligation has a remaining term in excess of 12 months). 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 on a pro forma basis shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during the applicable period. 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 deemed to have been based upon the rate actually chosen, or, if none, then based upon such optional rate chosen as the Company may designate.
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For purposes of this definition, any amount in a currency other than U.S. dollars will be converted to U.S. dollars based on the average exchange rate for such currency for the most recent twelve month period immediately prior to the date of determination in a manner consistent with that used in calculating EBITDA for the applicable period.
“Consolidated Taxes” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the provision for taxes based on income, profits or capital, including, without limitation, state, franchise, property and similar taxes, foreign withholding taxes (including penalties and interest related to such taxes or arising from tax examinations) and any Tax Distributions taken into account in calculating Consolidated Net Income.
“Consolidated Total Indebtedness” means, as of any date of determination, an amount equal to the sum (without duplication) of (1) the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Indebtedness of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries (excluding any undrawn letters of credit and similar instruments) consisting of bankers’ acceptances and Indebtedness for borrowed money, plus (2) the aggregate amount of all outstanding Disqualified Stock of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries and all Preferred Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries, with the amount of such Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock equal to the greater of their respective voluntary or involuntary liquidation preferences, in each case determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.
“Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio” means, with respect to any Person, at any date, the ratio of (i) Consolidated Total Indebtedness of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date of calculation (determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP) less the amount of Unrestricted Cash held by such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date of determination to (ii) Consolidated EBITDA of such Person for the four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding such date on which such additional Indebtedness is Incurred.
In the event that the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary Incurs, repays, repurchases or redeems any Indebtedness, or issues, repurchases or redeems any Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, subsequent to the commencement of the period for which the Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio is being calculated but prior to the event for which the calculation of the Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio is made (the “Consolidated Total Net Leverage Calculation Date”), then the Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect to such Incurrence, repayment, repurchase or redemption of Indebtedness, or such issuance, repurchase or redemption of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period.
For purposes of making the computation referred to above, Investments, acquisitions, dispositions, mergers, amalgamations, consolidations and discontinued operations (as determined in accordance with GAAP), in each case with respect to an operating unit of a business, that the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary has made during the four-quarter reference period or subsequent to such reference period and on or prior to or simultaneously with the Consolidated Total Net Leverage Calculation Date (each, for purposes of this definition, a “pro forma event”) shall be calculated on a pro forma basis assuming that all such Investments, acquisitions, dispositions, mergers, amalgamations, consolidations, or discontinued operations (and the change of any associated fixed charge obligations and the change in 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 with or into the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary since the beginning of such period shall have consummated any pro forma event that would have required adjustment pursuant to this definition, then the Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect thereto for such period as if such pro forma event had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period. If since the beginning of such period any Restricted Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary or any Unrestricted Subsidiary is designated a Restricted Subsidiary, then the Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect thereto for such period as if such designation had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period.
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For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to any pro forma event, the pro forma calculations shall be made in good faith by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Company. Any such pro forma calculation may include adjustments appropriate, in the reasonable good faith determination of the Company, to reflect operating expense reductions and other operating improvements or synergies reasonably expected to result from the applicable event within 12 months of the date the applicable event is consummated. For the avoidance of doubt, adjustments to the computation of the Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio arising from any pro forma event and made in accordance with this paragraph and the paragraph immediately above shall not be subject to the 15% cap set forth in clause (9) of the definition of “EBITDA.”
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 Consolidated Total Net Leverage Calculation Date had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Hedging Obligations applicable to such Indebtedness if such Hedging Obligation has a remaining term in excess of 12 months). 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 on a pro forma basis shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during the applicable period. 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 deemed to have been based upon the rate actually chosen, or, if none, then based upon such optional rate chosen as the Company may designate.
For purposes of this definition, any amount in a currency other than U.S. dollars will be converted to U.S. dollars based on the average exchange rate for such currency for the most recent twelve month period immediately prior to the date of determination in a manner consistent with that used in calculating EBITDA for the applicable period.
“Contingent Obligations” means, with respect to any Person, any obligation of such Person guaranteeing any leases, dividends or other obligations that do not constitute Indebtedness (“primary obligations”) of any other Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, including, without limitation, 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
(b) to maintain working capital or equity capital of the primary obligor or otherwise to maintain the net worth or solvency of the primary obligor; or
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(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.
“Corporate Trust Office” means the designated office of the Trustee in the United States of America at which at any particular time its corporate trust business in relation to this Indenture shall be principally administered, which office at the date of execution of this Indenture is located at Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, CTSO Mail Operations, MAC N9300-070, 600 South Fourth Street, Seventh Floor, Minneapolis, MN 55415, Attn: Corporate Trust Services, Wabash National Account Manager, and for purposes of Agent services such office shall also mean the office or agency of the Trustee located at 600 South Fourth Street, 7th Floor, Minneapolis, MN 55415, Attn: Corporate Trust Operations, or such other address as the Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the holders and the Company, or the principal corporate trust office of any successor Trustee (or such other address as such successor Trustee may designate from time to time by notice to the holders and the Company).
“Credit Agreement” means each of the ABL Credit Agreement and the Term Credit Agreement.
“Credit Agreement Documents” means the collective reference to any Credit Agreement, any notes issued pursuant thereto and the guarantees thereof, and the collateral documents relating thereto, as amended, supplemented, restated, renewed, refunded, replaced (whether or not upon termination, and whether with the original lenders or otherwise), restructured, repaid, refinanced and/or otherwise modified, in whole or in part, from time to time.
“Credit Facilities” means one or more credit facilities, debt facilities, commercial paper facilities or instruments or other financing arrangements, in each case, providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, letters of credit, private placements, debt securities or other Indebtedness, including, without limitation, the Credit Agreements, in each case as the foregoing may be increased, amended, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced and/or refinanced in whole or in part from time to time, including (i) any related notes, letters of credit, guarantees, collateral documents, indentures, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith, and in each case as increased, amended, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced and/or refinanced from time to time, and (ii) any notes, guarantees, collateral documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection with any such increase, amendment, modification, renewal, refunding, replacement or refinancing.
“Cumulative Credit” means the sum of (without duplication):
(1) 50% of the Consolidated Net Income of the Company for the period (taken as one accounting period) from July 1, 2017 to the end of the Company’s most recently ended fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements are available at the time of such Restricted Payment (or, in the case such Consolidated Net Income for such period is a deficit, minus 100% of such deficit), plus
(2) 100% of the aggregate net proceeds, including cash and the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the Company) of property other than cash, received by the Company after the Issue Date from the issue or sale of Equity Interests of the Company or any direct or indirect parent entity of the Company (excluding Refunding Capital Stock, Designated Preferred Stock, Excluded Contributions, and Disqualified Stock), including Equity Interests issued upon exercise of warrants or options (other than an issuance or sale to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary), plus
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(3) 100% of the aggregate amount of contributions to the capital of the Company received in cash and the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the Company) of property other than cash received by the Company after the Issue Date (other than Excluded Contributions, Refunding Capital Stock, Designated Preferred Stock, and Disqualified Stock), plus
(4) 100% of the principal amount of any Indebtedness, or the liquidation preference or maximum fixed repurchase price, as the case may be, of any Disqualified Stock of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary issued after the Issue Date (other than Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock issued to a Restricted Subsidiary) which has been converted into or exchanged for Equity Interests in the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) or any direct or indirect parent of the Company (provided, in the case of any such parent, such Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock is retired or extinguished), plus
(5) 100% of the aggregate amount received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in cash and the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the Company) of property other than cash received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary from:
(A) the sale or other disposition (other than to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) of Restricted Investments made by the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries and from repurchases and redemptions of such Restricted Investments from the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries by any Person (other than the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary) and from repayments of loans or advances, and releases of guarantees, which constituted Restricted Investments (other than in each case to the extent that the Restricted Investment was made pursuant to Section 4.04(b)(vii)),
(B) the sale (other than to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) of the Capital Stock of an Unrestricted Subsidiary, or
(C) a distribution or dividend from an Unrestricted Subsidiary, plus
(6) in the event any Unrestricted Subsidiary has been redesignated as a Restricted Subsidiary or has been merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys its assets to, or is liquidated into the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the Company) of the Investment of the Company or the Restricted Subsidiaries in such Unrestricted Subsidiary (which, if the Fair Market Value of such Investment shall exceed $25 million, shall be determined by the Board of Directors of the Company) at the time of such redesignation, combination or transfer (or of the assets transferred or conveyed, as applicable) (other than in each case to the extent that the designation of such Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary was made pursuant to Section 4.04(b)(vii) or constituted a Permitted Investment).
“Default” means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time or both would be, an Event of Default.
“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 a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with an Asset Sale that is so designated as Designated Non-cash Consideration pursuant to an Officers’ Certificate, setting forth such valuation, less the amount of Cash Equivalents received in connection with a subsequent sale of such Designated Non-cash Consideration.
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“Designated Preferred Stock” means Preferred Stock of the Company or any direct or indirect parent of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock), that is issued for cash (other than to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or an employee stock ownership plan or trust established by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries) and is so designated as Designated Preferred Stock, pursuant to an Officers’ Certificate, on the issuance date thereof.
“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 redeemable or exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event:
(1) matures (excluding any maturity as the result of an optional redemption by the issuer thereof) or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise (other than as a result of a casualty, condemnation, change of control, asset sale or similar event),
(2) is convertible or exchangeable for Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, or
(3) is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part (other than solely as a result of a casualty, condemnation, change of control, asset sale or similar event), in each case prior to 91 days after the earlier of the maturity date of the Notes or the date the Notes are no longer outstanding; provided, however, that 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 shall be deemed to be Disqualified Stock; provided, further, however, that if such Capital Stock is issued to any employee or to any plan for the benefit of employees of the Company or its Subsidiaries or by any such plan to such employees, such Capital Stock shall not constitute Disqualified Stock solely because it may be required to be repurchased by such Person in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations or as a result of such employee’s termination, resignation, death or disability; provided, further, that any class of Capital Stock of such Person that by its terms authorizes such Person to satisfy its obligations thereunder by delivery of Capital Stock that is not Disqualified Stock shall not be deemed to be Disqualified Stock.
“EBITDA” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the Consolidated Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period plus, without duplication, to the extent the same was deducted in calculating Consolidated Net Income:
(1) Consolidated Taxes; plus
(2) Fixed Charges and costs of surety bonds in connection with financing activities; plus
(3) Consolidated Depreciation and Amortization Expense; plus
(4) Consolidated Non-Cash Charges; plus
(5) any expenses or charges (other than Consolidated Depreciation and Amortization Expense) related to any issuance of Equity Interests, Investment, acquisition, disposition, recapitalization or the incurrence, modification or repayment 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 Transactions, the Notes or any Bank Indebtedness, (ii) any amendment or other modification of the Notes or other Indebtedness and (iii) commissions, discounts, yield and other fees and charges (including any interest expense) related to any Qualified Securitization Financing; plus
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(6) business optimization expenses and other restructuring charges, reserves or expenses (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall include, without limitation, the effect of facility closures, facility consolidations, retention, severance, systems establishment costs, contract termination costs, future lease commitments and excess pension charges); plus
(7) the amount of loss or discount on sale of assets to a Securitization Subsidiary in connection with a Qualified Securitization Financing; plus
(8) any costs or expense incurred 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 any Guarantor or net cash proceeds of an issuance of Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) solely to the extent that such net cash proceeds are excluded from the calculation of the Cumulative Credit; plus
(9) the amount of net cost savings, operating improvements or synergies projected by the Company in good faith to be realized within 12 months following the date of any operational changes, business realignment projects or initiatives, restructurings or reorganizations which have been or are intended to be initiated (other than those operational changes, business realignment projects or initiatives, restructurings or reorganizations entered into in connection with any pro forma event (as defined in the definition of “Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio”) (calculated on a pro forma basis as though such cost savings had been realized on the first day of such period), net of the amount of actual benefits realized during such period from such actions; provided that such net cost savings and operating improvements or synergies are reasonably identifiable and quantifiable; provided, further, that the aggregate amount added to EBITDA pursuant to this clause (9) shall not exceed 15% of EBITDA for such period (determined after giving effect to such adjustments);
less, without duplication, to the extent the same increased Consolidated Net Income,
(10) non-cash items increasing Consolidated Net Income for such period (excluding the recognition of revenue in accordance with GAAP or any items which represent the reversal of any accrual of, or cash reserve for, anticipated cash charges that reduced EBITDA in any prior period and any items for which cash was received in a prior period).
“Equity Interests” means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other rights to acquire Capital Stock (but excluding any debt security that is convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock).
“Equity Offering” means any public or private sale after the Issue Date of common Capital Stock or Preferred Stock of the Company or any direct or indirect parent of the Company, as applicable (other than Disqualified Stock), other than:
(1) public offerings with respect to the Company’s or such direct or indirect parent’s common stock registered on Form S-4 or Form S-8;
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(2) issuances to any Subsidiary of the Company; and
(3) any such public or private sale that constitutes an Excluded Contribution.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.
“Excluded Contributions” means the Cash Equivalents or other assets (valued at their Fair Market Value as determined in good faith by the Company) received by the Company after the Issue Date from:
(1) contributions to its common equity capital, and
(2) the sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Company or to any Subsidiary management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement) of Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock and Designated Preferred Stock) of the Company,
in each case designated as Excluded Contributions pursuant to an Officers’ Certificate.
“Fair Market Value” means, with respect to any asset or property, the price which could be negotiated in an arm’s-length transaction, for cash, between a willing seller and a willing and able buyer, neither of whom is under undue pressure or compulsion to complete the transaction.
“Fitch” means Fitch Ratings Inc. or any successor to its rating agency business.
“Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the ratio of Consolidated EBITDA of such Person for such period to the Fixed Charges of such Person for such period.
In the event that the Company or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries Incurs, repays, repurchases or redeems any Indebtedness (other than in the case of any Qualified Securitization Financing, in which case interest expense shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during the applicable period) or issues, repurchases 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 the event for which the calculation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio is made (the “Fixed Charge Calculation Date”), then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect to such Incurrence, repayment, repurchase or redemption of Indebtedness, or such issuance, repurchase or redemption of Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period; provided that the Company may elect pursuant to an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee to treat all or any portion of the commitment under any Indebtedness as being Incurred at such time, in which case any subsequent Incurrence of Indebtedness under such commitment shall not be deemed, for purposes of this calculation, to ban an Incurrence at such subsequent time.
To the extent (i) the Company elects pursuant to an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee to treat all or any portion of the commitment under any Indebtedness as being Incurred or (ii) the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary elects to treat Indebtedness as having been Incurred prior to the actual Incurrence thereof pursuant to Section 4.03(c)(3), the Company shall deem all or such portion of such commitment or such Indebtedness, as applicable, as having been Incurred and to be outstanding for purposes of calculating the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for any period in which the Company makes any such election and for any subsequent period until such commitments or such Indebtedness, as
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applicable, are no longer outstanding. For purposes of making the computation referred to above, Investments, acquisitions, dispositions, mergers, amalgamations, consolidations and discontinued operations (as determined in accordance with GAAP), in each case with respect to an operating unit of a business, that the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary has made during the four-quarter reference period or subsequent to such reference period and on or prior to or simultaneously with the Fixed Charge Calculation Date (each, for purposes of this definition, a “pro forma event”) shall be calculated on a pro forma basis assuming that all such Investments, acquisitions, dispositions, mergers, amalgamations, consolidations, or discontinued operations (and the change of any associated fixed charge obligations and the change in 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 with or into the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary since the beginning of such period shall have made consummated any pro forma event, 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 pro forma event had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period. If since the beginning of such period any Restricted Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary or any Unrestricted Subsidiary is designated a Restricted Subsidiary, then the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated giving pro forma effect thereto for such period as if such designation had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period.
For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to any pro forma event, the pro forma calculations shall be made in good faith by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Company. Any such pro forma calculation may include adjustments appropriate, in the reasonable good faith determination of the Company, to reflect operating expense reductions and other operating improvements or synergies reasonably expected to result from the applicable event within 12 months of the date the applicable event is consummated. For the avoidance of doubt, adjustments to the computation of the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (or of Consolidated EBITDA) arising from any pro forma event and made in accordance with this paragraph and the paragraph immediately above shall not be subject to the 15% cap set forth in clause (9) of the definition of “EBITDA.”
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 Calculation Date had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Hedging Obligations applicable to such Indebtedness if such Hedging Obligation has a remaining term in excess of 12 months). 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 on a pro forma basis shall be computed based upon the average daily balance of such Indebtedness during the applicable period. 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 deemed to have been based upon the rate actually chosen, or, if none, then based upon such optional rate chosen as the Company may designate.
For purposes of this definition, any amount in a currency other than U.S. dollars will be converted to U.S. dollars based on the average exchange rate for such currency for the most recent twelve month period immediately prior to the date of determination in a manner consistent with that used in calculating EBITDA for the applicable period.
“Fixed Charges” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum, without duplication, of: (1) Consolidated Interest Expense of such Person for such period, and (2) all cash dividend payments (excluding items eliminated in consolidation) on any series of Preferred Stock or Disqualified Stock of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries.
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“Foreign Subsidiary” means a Restricted Subsidiary not organized or existing under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof or the District of Columbia.
“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in effect from time to time in the United States. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any change in generally accepted accounting principles or in the application thereof after the Issue Date would affect the computation of any financial ratio or requirement set forth in the Notes or this Indenture, then the Company may deliver notice to the Trustee that such change will not apply for any determinations thereafter under the Notes or this Indenture. For the purposes of this Indenture, the term “consolidated” with respect to any Person shall mean such Person consolidated with its Restricted Subsidiaries, and shall not include any Unrestricted Subsidiary, but the interest of such Person in an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be accounted for as an Investment.
“guarantee” means a guarantee (other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business), direct or indirect, in any manner (including, without limitation, letters of credit and reimbursement agreements in respect thereof, but excluding customary and reasonable indemnity obligations in effect on the Issue Date or entered into in connection with any acquisition, disposition or other transaction permitted under this Indenture (other than such obligations with respect to Indebtedness)), of all or any part of any Indebtedness or other obligations. The amount of any guarantee shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the related primary obligation, or portion thereof, in respect of which such guarantee is made or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof and, in the case of any guarantee in the form of an obligation to purchase property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the holder of such primary obligation of the payment thereof, shall be net of the value of the applicable property, securities or services purchased by the guaranteeing Person, in each case as determined by the guaranteeing Person in good faith.
“Guarantee” means any guarantee of the obligations of the Company under this Indenture and the Notes by any Guarantor in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture.
“Guarantor” means any Subsidiary of the Company that Guarantees the Notes by executing this Indenture or a supplemental indenture in the form of Exhibit C attached hereto; provided that upon the release or discharge of such Person from its Guarantee in accordance with this Indenture, such Person shall cease to be a Guarantor.
“Hedging Obligations” means, with respect to any Person, the obligations of such Person under:
(1) currency exchange, interest rate or commodity swap agreements, currency exchange, interest rate or commodity cap agreements and currency exchange, interest rate or commodity collar agreements; and
(2) other agreements or arrangements designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in currency exchange, interest rates or commodity prices.
“holder” or “noteholder” means the Person in whose name a Note is registered on the Registrar’s books.
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“Immaterial Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary of the Company that (i) is not a borrower under, and is not a guarantor or in any other manner liable with respect to any Indebtedness of the Company under, the Credit Agreements or any Capital Markets Indebtedness of the Company or any of the Guarantors with a principal amount equal to or in excess of $50 million, or (ii) has total revenues or total assets (in each case after the elimination of intercompany items) of less than 5.0% of the total consolidated revenues of the Company and its Subsidiaries or the consolidated total assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, as applicable, as of the last day of, or during, as applicable, the most recently ended period of four consecutive fiscal quarters for which financial statements are publicly available; provided that a Subsidiary shall not be permitted to be an Immaterial Subsidiary under this clause (ii) if the aggregate amount of total consolidated revenues or consolidated total assets for all Immaterial Subsidiaries under this clause (ii) exceeds 10.0% of the total consolidated revenues of the Company and its Subsidiaries or 10.0% of the consolidated total assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, as applicable, as of the last day of, or during, as applicable, the most recently completed period of four consecutive fiscal quarters for which financial statements are publicly available. Any Subsidiary designated as an Immaterial Subsidiary under clause (ii) of the immediately preceding sentence that fails to meet the foregoing as of the last day of any such four consecutive fiscal quarter period shall continue to be deemed an “Immaterial Subsidiary” under such clause (ii) until the date that is one Business Day following the filing, transmittal or making available of annual or quarterly financial statements pursuant to the covenant set forth under Section 4.02 with respect to the last quarter of such four consecutive fiscal quarter period.
“Incur” means issue, assume, guarantee, incur or otherwise become liable for; provided, however, that any Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a Person existing at the time such person becomes a Subsidiary (whether by merger, amalgamation, consolidation, acquisition or otherwise) shall be deemed to be Incurred by such Person at the time it becomes a Subsidiary. “Incurred” and “Incurrence” shall have like meanings.
“Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Person:
(1) the principal of any indebtedness of such Person (a) in respect of borrowed money, (b) evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments, (c) representing the deferred and unpaid purchase price of any property (except any such balance that constitutes (i) a trade payable or similar obligation to a trade creditor Incurred in the ordinary course of business, (ii) any earn-out obligations until such obligation becomes a liability on the balance sheet of such Person in accordance with GAAP and is not paid within 30 days after becoming due and payable or (iii) a liability accrued in the ordinary course of business), which purchase price is due more than 12 months after the date of placing the property in service or taking delivery and title thereto, or (d) in respect of Capitalized Lease Obligations, if and to the extent that any of the foregoing indebtedness would appear as a liability on a balance sheet (excluding the footnotes thereto) of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP;
(2) to the extent not otherwise included, any obligation of such Person to be liable for, or to pay, as obligor, guarantor or otherwise, the obligations referred to in clause (1) of another Person (other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business); and
(3) to the extent not otherwise included, Indebtedness of another Person secured by a Lien on any asset owned by 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 (as determined in good faith by the Company) of such asset at such date of determination, and (b) the amount of such Indebtedness of such other Person;
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provided, however, that, notwithstanding the foregoing, Indebtedness shall be deemed not to include (1) Contingent Obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business and not in respect of borrowed money; (2) deferred or prepaid revenues; (3) purchase price holdbacks in respect of a portion of the purchase price of an asset to satisfy warranty or other unperformed obligations of the respective seller; (4) Obligations under or in respect of any Qualified Securitization Financing; (5) trade and other ordinary course payables, accrued expenses and intercompany liabilities arising in the ordinary course of business; (6) obligations in respect of cash management services; (7) in the case of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries (x) all intercompany Indebtedness having a term not exceeding 364 days (inclusive of any roll-over or extensions of terms) and made in the ordinary course of business and (y) intercompany liabilities in connection with cash management, tax and accounting operations of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries; (8) any obligations in respect of customer advances received and held in the ordinary course of business; (9) obligations under appeal bonds, surety bonds, performance bonds or performance guaranties (or bank guarantees or letters of credit in lieu thereof) or similar instruments entered into in the ordinary course of business; (10) any indebtedness that has been defeased, discharged and/or redeemed in accordance with its terms by the deposit of cash and/or Cash Equivalents or has been cash collateralized; (11) other than to the extent capitalized or paid “in kind”, interest, fees, premiums or expenses, if any, relating to the principal amount of Indebtedness; or (12) any obligations under any Permitted Bond Hedge or Permitted Warrant.
Notwithstanding anything in this Indenture to the contrary, Indebtedness shall not include, and shall be calculated without giving effect to, the effects of Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic No. 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; and any such amounts that would have constituted Indebtedness under this Indenture but for the application of this sentence shall not be deemed an Incurrence of Indebtedness under this Indenture.
For purposes hereof, the amount of any Permitted Convertible Debt shall be the aggregate stated principal amount thereof without giving effect to any obligation to pay cash or deliver shares with value in excess of such principal amount, and without giving effect to any integration thereof with any Permitted Bond Hedge pursuant to Treasury Regulation § 1.1275-6.
“Indenture” means this Indenture as amended or supplemented from time to time.
“Independent Financial Advisor” means an accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm or consultant, in each case of nationally recognized standing, that is, in the good faith determination of the Company, qualified to perform the task for which it has been engaged.
“Interest Payment Date” has the meaning set forth in Exhibit A hereto.
“Investment Grade Rating” means a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the equivalent) by Moody’s, BBB- (or the equivalent) by S&P, BBB- (or the equivalent) by Fitch, or an equivalent rating by any other Rating Agency in the event that any of Moody’s, S&P and/or Fitch has not then rated the Notes.
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“Investment Grade Securities” means:
(1) securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the U.S. government or any agency or instrumentality thereof (other than Cash Equivalents),
(2) securities that have a rating equal to or higher than at least two of the following: Baa3 (or equivalent) by Moody’s, BBB- (or equivalent) by S&P and BBB- (or equivalent) by Fitch, but excluding any debt securities or loans or advances between and among the Company and its Subsidiaries,
(3) investments in any fund that invests exclusively in investments of the type described in clauses (1) and (2) which fund may also hold material amounts of cash pending investment and/or distribution, and
(4) corresponding instruments in countries other than the United States customarily utilized for high quality investments and in each case with maturities not exceeding two years from the date of acquisition.
“Investments” means, with respect to any Person, all investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the form of loans (including guarantees), advances or capital contributions (excluding accounts receivable, credit card and debit card receivables, trade credit and advances to customers and distributors and commission, travel and similar advances to officers, directors, employees, managers, distributors and consultants made in the ordinary course of business and any assets or securities received in satisfaction or partial satisfaction thereof from financially troubled account debtors to the extent reasonably necessary in order to prevent or limit loss and any prepayments and other credits to suppliers made in the ordinary course of business), purchases or other acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other securities issued by any other Person and investments that are required by GAAP to be classified on the balance sheet of such Person in the same manner as the other investments included in this definition to the extent such transactions involve the transfer of cash or other property. For purposes of covenant compliance, the amount of any Investment shall be the amount actually invested, without adjustment for subsequent increases or decreases in the value of such Investment, but without duplication of any other increase in baskets or amounts under the indenture, giving effect to any returns or distributions of capital or repayment of principal actually received in cash by such Person with respect thereto (but only to the extent that the aggregate amount of all such returns, distributions and repayments with respect to such Investment does not exceed the principal amount of such Investment). For purposes of the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary” and Section 4.04:
(1) “Investments” shall include the portion (proportionate to the Company’s equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the Company) of the net assets of such Subsidiary at the time that such Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that upon a redesignation of such Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary, the Company shall be deemed to continue to have a permanent “Investment” in an Unrestricted Subsidiary equal to an amount (if positive) equal to:
(a) its “Investment” in such Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation less
(b) the portion (proportionate to its equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the Company) of the net assets of such Subsidiary at the time of such redesignation; and
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(2) any property transferred to or from an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be valued at its Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the Company) at the time of such transfer, in each case as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company.
“Issue Date” means the date on which the Notes are originally issued.
“Lien” means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, security interest or similar encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement or any financing lease in the nature thereof); provided that in no event shall an operating lease or an agreement to sell be deemed to constitute a Lien.
“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or any successor to its rating agency business.
“Net Income” means, with respect to any Person, the net income (loss) of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries, determined in accordance with GAAP and before any reduction in respect of Preferred Stock dividends.
“Net Proceeds” means the aggregate cash proceeds received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in respect of any Asset Sale (including, without limitation, any cash received in respect of or upon the sale or other disposition of any Designated Non-cash Consideration received in any Asset Sale and any cash payments received by way of deferred payment of principal pursuant to a note or installment receivable or otherwise, but only as and when received, but excluding the assumption by the acquiring person of Indebtedness relating to the disposed assets or other consideration received in any other non-cash form), net of the direct costs relating to such Asset Sale and the sale or disposition of such Designated Non-cash Consideration (including, without limitation, legal, accounting and investment banking fees, and brokerage and sales commissions), and any relocation expenses Incurred as a result thereof, taxes paid or payable as a result thereof (including Tax Distributions and after taking into account any available tax credits or deductions and any tax sharing arrangements related solely to such disposition), amounts required to be applied to the repayment of principal, premium (if any) and interest on Indebtedness required (other than pursuant to Section 4.06(b)) to be paid as a result of such transaction, and any deduction of appropriate amounts to be provided by the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries as a reserve in accordance with GAAP against any liabilities associated with the asset disposed of in such transaction and retained by the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries after such sale or other disposition thereof, including, without limitation, pension and other post-employment benefit liabilities and liabilities related to environmental matters or against any indemnification obligations associated with such transaction.
“Notes Obligations” means Obligations in respect of the Notes, this Indenture and the Guarantees.
“Obligations” means any principal, interest, 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; provided that Obligations with respect to the Notes shall not include fees or indemnifications in favor of third parties other than the Trustee and the holders of the Notes.
“Offering Memorandum” means the offering memorandum, dated September 22, 2021, relating to the issuance of the Initial Notes.
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“Officer” means, with respect to any Person, the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, President, any Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President or Vice President, the Treasurer or the Secretary of such Person.
“Officers’ Certificate” means, with respect to any Person, a certificate signed on behalf of such Person by two Officers of such Person, one of whom must be the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer, the treasurer or the principal accounting officer of such Person, which meets the requirements set forth in this Indenture.
“Opinion of Counsel” means, with respect to any Person, a written opinion signed by legal counsel. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to such Person or other counsel acceptable to the Trustee. Each such opinion shall include the statements provided for in Section 13.05, if and to the extent required by the provisions thereof.
“Pari Passu Indebtedness” means: (a) with respect to the Company, the Notes and any Indebtedness which ranks pari passu in right of payment to the Notes; and (b) with respect to any Guarantor, its Guarantee and any Indebtedness which ranks pari passu in right of payment to such Guarantor’s Guarantee.
“Permitted Bond Hedges” shall mean any call options or capped call options referencing the Company’s Common Stock purchased by the Company substantially concurrently with the issuance of Permitted Convertible Debt in order to hedge the Company’s obligations in respect of such Permitted Convertible Debt.
“Permitted Convertible Debt” means Indebtedness permitted under this Indenture that is (x) optionally convertible into Common Stock of the Company (and/or cash based on the value of such Common Stock) and/or (y) optionally exchangeable for Common Stock of the Company (and/or cash based on the value of such Common Stock).
“Permitted Investments” means:
(1) any Investment in the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;
(2) any Investment in Cash Equivalents or Investment Grade Securities;
(3) any Investment by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in a Person that is engaged in a Similar Business if as a result of such Investment (a) such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary, or (b) such Person, in one transaction or a series of related transactions, is merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into, or transfers or conveys all or substantially all of its assets to, or is liquidated into, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary;
(4) any Investment in securities or other assets not constituting Cash Equivalents and received in connection with an Asset Sale made pursuant to Section 4.06 or any other disposition of assets not constituting an Asset Sale;
(5) any Investment existing on, or made pursuant to binding commitments existing on, the Issue Date or an Investment consisting of any extension, modification or renewal of any Investment existing on the Issue Date; provided that the amount of any such Investment may be increased (x) as required by the terms of such Investment as in existence on the Issue Date or (y) as otherwise permitted under this Indenture;
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(6) loans and advances to officers, directors, employees or consultants of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (i) in the ordinary course of business in an aggregate outstanding amount (valued at the time of the making thereof, and without giving effect to any write-downs or write-offs thereof) not to exceed the greater of $15 million and 7.5% of Consolidated EBITDA at the time such loan or advance is made, (ii) in respect of payroll payments and expenses in the ordinary course of business and (iii) in connection with such person’s purchase of Equity Interests of the Company or any direct or indirect parent of the Company solely to the extent that the amount of such loans and advances shall be contributed to the Company in cash as common equity;
(7) any Investment acquired by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in satisfaction of judgments, settlements of debt or compromises of obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business;
(8) any Investment acquired by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (a) in exchange for any other Investment or accounts receivable held by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary in connection with or as a result of a bankruptcy, workout, reorganization or recapitalization of the issuer of such other Investment or accounts receivable, or (b) as a result of a foreclosure by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary with respect to any secured Investment or other transfer of title with respect to any secured Investment in default;
(9) Hedging Obligations permitted under Section 4.03(b)(x);
(10) any Investment by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in a Similar Business having an aggregate Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the Company), taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (10) that are at that time outstanding, not to exceed the sum of (x) the greater of $100 million and 40% of Consolidated EBITDA at the time such Investment is made, plus (y) an amount equal to any returns (including dividends, interest, distributions, returns of principal, profits on sale, repayments, income and similar amounts) actually received in respect of any 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); provided, however, that if any Investment pursuant to this clause (10) is made in any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary at the date of the making of such Investment and such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary after such date, such Investment shall thereafter be deemed to have been made pursuant to clause (1) above and shall cease to have been made pursuant to this clause (10) for so long as such Person continues to be a Restricted Subsidiary;
(11) additional Investments by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary having an aggregate Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the Company), taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (11) that are at that time outstanding, not to exceed the sum of (x) the greater of $100 million and 40% of Consolidated EBITDA as of the date of such Investment, plus (y) an amount equal to any returns (including dividends, interest, distributions, returns of principal, profits on sale, repayments, income and similar amounts) actually received in respect of any 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); provided, however, that if any Investment pursuant to this clause (11) is made in any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary at the date of the making of such Investment and such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary after such date, such Investment shall thereafter be deemed to have been made pursuant to clause (1) above and shall cease to have been made pursuant to this clause (11) for so long as such Person continues to be a Restricted Subsidiary;
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(12) loans and advances to officers, directors or employees for business-related travel expenses, moving expenses and other similar expenses, in each case Incurred in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice or to fund such person’s purchase of Equity Interests of the Company or any direct or indirect parent of the Company;
(13) Investments the payment for which consists of Equity Interests of the Company (other than Disqualified Stock) or any direct or indirect parent of the Company, as applicable; provided, however, that such Equity Interests will not increase the amount available for Restricted Payments under clause (3) of the definition of “Cumulative Credit”;
(14) any transaction to the extent it constitutes an Investment that is permitted by and made in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.07(b) (except transactions described in clauses (iii), (v), (vii), (ix)(B) and (xvi) of Section 4.07(b));
(15) guarantees issued in accordance with Section 4.03 and Section 4.11;
(16) Investments consisting of or to finance purchases and acquisitions of inventory, supplies, materials, services or equipment or purchases of contract rights or licenses or leases of intellectual property;
(17) any Investment in a Securitization Subsidiary or any Investment by a Securitization Subsidiary in any other Person in connection with a Qualified Securitization Financing, including Investments of funds held in accounts permitted or required by the arrangements governing such Qualified Securitization Financing or any related Indebtedness;
(18) any Investment in an entity which is not a Restricted Subsidiary to which a Restricted Subsidiary sells Securitization Assets pursuant to a Securitization Financing;
(19) Investments of a Restricted Subsidiary acquired after the Issue Date or of an entity merged into, amalgamated with, or consolidated with the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in a transaction that is not prohibited by Section 5.01 after the Issue Date to the extent that such Investments were not made in contemplation of such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation and were in existence on the date of such acquisition, merger, amalgamation or consolidation;
(20) Investments in the ordinary course of business consisting of Uniform Commercial Code Article 3 endorsements for collection or deposit and Uniform Commercial Code Article 4 customary trade arrangements with customers;
(21) advances in the form of a prepayment of expenses, so long as such expenses are being paid in accordance with customary trade terms of the Company or the Restricted Subsidiaries;
(22) Investments in joint ventures or Unrestricted Subsidiaries not to exceed the greater of $50 million and 20% of Consolidated EBITDA as of the date of such Investment in the aggregate at any one time outstanding, plus an amount equal to any returns (including dividends, interest, distributions, returns of principal, profits on sale, repayments, income and similar amounts) actually received in respect of any 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); provided, however, that if any Investment pursuant to this clause (22) is made in any Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary at the date of the making of such Investment and such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary after such date, such Investment shall thereafter be deemed to have been made pursuant to clause (1) above and shall cease to have been made pursuant to this clause (22) for so long as such Person continues to be a Restricted Subsidiary;
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(23) any Investment in any Subsidiary of the Company or any joint venture in connection with intercompany cash management arrangements or related activities arising in the ordinary course of business;
(24) any Investment by the Company consisting of a Permitted Bond Hedge;
(25) to the extent constituting an Investment, escrow deposits to secure indemnification obligations in connection with (i) a disposition that is not an Asset Sale or (ii) an acquisition of any business, assets or a Subsidiary not prohibited by the indenture; and
(26) to the extent constituting an Investment, payments to fund any retirement, benefit or pension fund obligations or contributions or similar claims, obligations or contributions.
“Permitted Liens” means, with respect to any Person:
(1) pledges or deposits and other Liens granted by such Person under workmen’s compensation laws, unemployment insurance laws or similar legislation, or good faith deposits in connection with bids, tenders, contracts (other than for the payment of Indebtedness) or leases to which such Person is a party, or deposits to secure public or statutory obligations of such Person or deposits of cash or U.S. government bonds to secure surety or appeal bonds, performance and return of money bonds, or deposits as security for contested taxes or import duties or for the payment of rent, in each case Incurred in the ordinary course of business;
(2) Liens imposed by law, such as landlord’s, carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s, construction or other like Liens securing obligations that are not overdue by more than 30 days or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings or other Liens arising out of judgments or awards against such Person with respect to which such Person shall then be proceeding with an appeal or other proceedings for review;
(3) Liens for taxes, assessments or other governmental charges not yet overdue by more than 30 days or that are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings;
(4) Liens in favor of issuers of performance and surety bonds or bid bonds or with respect to other regulatory requirements or letters of credit, bankers’ acceptances or similar obligations issued pursuant to the request of and for the account of such Person in the ordinary course of its business;
(5) minor survey exceptions, minor encumbrances, trackage rights, special assessments, easements or reservations of, or rights of others for, licenses, rights-of-way, sewers, electric lines, telegraph and telephone lines and other similar purposes, servicing agreements, development agreements, site plan agreements and other similar encumbrances incurred in the ordinary course of business or zoning or other restrictions as to the use of real properties or Liens incidental to the conduct of the business of such Person or to the ownership of its properties which were not Incurred in connection with Indebtedness and which do not in the aggregate materially adversely affect the value of said properties or materially impair their use in the operation of the business of such Person;
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(6) (A) Liens on assets of a Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor securing Indebtedness of a Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor permitted to be Incurred pursuant to Section 4.03;
(B) Liens securing Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to Section 4.03(b)(i) and obligations under cash management services and Hedging Obligations secured in connection with Credit Facilities permitted under this Indenture;
(C) Liens securing Obligations in respect of Indebtedness permitted to be Incurred pursuant to clause (iv), (xiii) (to the extent such guarantees are issued in respect of any Indebtedness) or (xiv) of Section 4.03(b);
(7) Liens existing on the Issue Date (other than Liens in favor of the lenders under the Credit Agreements);
(8) Liens on assets, property or shares of stock of a Person at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary; provided, however, that such Liens are not created or Incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person becoming such a Subsidiary; provided, further, however, that such Liens may not extend to any other property owned by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than pursuant to after-acquired property clauses in effect with respect to such Lien at the time of acquisition on property of the type that would have been subject to such Lien notwithstanding the occurrence of such acquisition);
(9) Liens on assets or property at the time the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary acquired the assets or property, including any acquisition by means of a merger, amalgamation or consolidation with or into the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that such Liens are not created or Incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such acquisition; provided, further, however, that the Liens may not extend to any other property owned by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than pursuant to after-acquired property clauses in effect with respect to such Lien at the time of acquisition on property of the type that would have been subject to such Lien notwithstanding the occurrence of such acquisition);
(10) Liens securing Indebtedness or other obligations of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary owing to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary permitted to be Incurred in accordance with Section 4.03;
(11) Liens securing Hedging Obligations not incurred in violation of this Indenture;
(12) Liens on inventory or other goods and proceeds of any Person securing such Person’s obligations in respect of documentary letters of credit, bank guarantees or bankers’ acceptances issued or created for the account of such Person to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other goods;
(13) leases and subleases of real property which do not materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Company or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries;
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(14) Liens arising from Uniform Commercial Code financing statement filings regarding operating leases or other obligations not constituting Indebtedness;
(15) Liens in favor of the Company or any Guarantor;
(16) Liens on assets of the type specified in the definition of “Securitization Financing” Incurred in connection with a Qualified Securitization Financing;
(17) pledges and deposits and other Liens made in the ordinary course of business to secure liability to insurance carriers;
(18) Liens on the Equity Interests of Unrestricted Subsidiaries;
(19) leases or subleases, and licenses or sublicenses (including with respect to intellectual property) granted to others in the ordinary course of business, and Liens on real property which is not owned but is leased or subleased by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;
(20) Liens to secure any refinancing, refunding, extension, renewal or replacement (or successive refinancings, refundings, extensions, renewals or replacements) as a whole, or in part, of any Indebtedness secured by any Lien referred to in clauses (6), (7), (8), (9), (10), (11), (15) and (25) of this definition; provided, however, that (x) such new Lien shall be limited to all or part of the same property (including any after acquired property to the extent it would have been subject to the original Lien) that secured the original Lien (plus improvements on and accessions to such property, proceeds and products thereof, customary security deposits and any other assets pursuant to the after-acquired property clauses to the extent such assets secured (or would have secured) the Indebtedness being refinanced, refunded, extended, renewed or replaced), and (y) the Indebtedness secured by such Lien at such time is not increased to any amount greater than the sum of (A) the outstanding principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of the applicable Indebtedness described under clauses (6), (7), (8), (9), (10), (11), (15) and (25) at the time the original Lien became a Permitted Lien under this Indenture, (B) unpaid accrued interest and premiums (including tender premiums), and (C) an amount necessary to pay any underwriting discounts, defeasance costs, commissions, fees and expenses related to such refinancing, refunding, extension, renewal or replacement; provided, further, however, that in the case of any Liens to secure any refinancing, refunding, extension or renewal of Indebtedness secured by a Lien referred to in clause (6)(B) or (6)(C), the principal amount of any Indebtedness Incurred for such refinancing, refunding, extension or renewal shall be deemed secured by a Lien under clause (6)(B) or (6)(C) and not this clause (20) for purposes of determining the principal amount of Indebtedness outstanding under clause (6)(B) or (6)(C);
(21) Liens on equipment of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary granted in the ordinary course of business to the Company’s or such Restricted Subsidiary’s client at which such equipment is located;
(22) judgment and attachment Liens not giving rise to an Event of Default and notices of lis pendens and associated rights related to litigation being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been made;
(23) Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention, consignment or similar arrangements for the sale or purchase of goods entered into in the ordinary course of business;
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(24) Liens incurred to secure cash management services or to implement cash pooling arrangements in the ordinary course of business;
(25) (a) Liens securing an aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness or other obligations not to exceed the maximum principal amount of Indebtedness that, as of the date such Indebtedness or other obligations were incurred and such Liens were created, and upon giving effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness or other obligations and creation of such Liens and the application of proceeds therefrom on such date, would not cause the Consolidated Secured Net Leverage Ratio of the Company to exceed 3.25 to 1.00; and (b) other Liens securing obligations the outstanding principal amount of which does not, taken together with the principal amount of all other obligations secured by Liens incurred under this clause (25)(b) that are at that time outstanding, exceed the greater of $60 million and 30% of Consolidated EBITDA at the time of incurrence;
(26) any encumbrance or restriction (including put and call arrangements) with respect to Capital Stock of any joint venture or similar arrangement securing obligations of such joint venture or pursuant to any joint venture or similar agreement;
(27) any amounts held by a trustee in the funds and accounts under any indenture issued in escrow pursuant to customary escrow arrangements pending the release thereof, or under any indenture pursuant to customary discharge, redemption or defeasance provisions;
(28) Liens (i) arising by virtue of any statutory or common law provisions relating to banker’s Liens, rights of setoff or similar rights and remedies as to deposit accounts or other funds maintained with a depository or financial institution, (ii) attaching to commodity trading accounts or other commodity brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business or (iii) encumbering reasonable customary initial deposits and margin deposits and similar Liens attaching to brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes;
(29) Liens (i) in favor of credit card companies pursuant to agreements therewith and (ii) in favor of customers;
(30) Liens that are contractual rights of setoff relating to purchase orders and other agreements entered into with customers, suppliers or service providers of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;
(31) in the case of real property that constitutes a leasehold interest, any Lien to which the fee simple interest (or any superior leasehold interest) is subject;
(32) agreements to subordinate any interest of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in any accounts receivable or other prices arising from inventory consigned by the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to an agreement entered into in the ordinary course of business;
(33) Liens on securities that are the subject of repurchase agreements constituting Cash Equivalents under clause (4) of the definition thereof; and
(34) Liens securing insurance premium financing arrangements; provided that such Liens are limited to the applicable unearned insurance premiums.
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“Permitted Warrant” shall mean any call options in respect of the Company’s Common Stock that are sold by the Company substantially concurrently with the issuance of Permitted Convertible Debt.
“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any other entity.
“Preferred Stock” means any Equity Interest with preferential right of payment of dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution, or winding-up.
“Qualified Securitization Financing” means any Securitization Financing of a Securitization Subsidiary that meets the following conditions:
(1) the Board of Directors of the Company shall have determined in good faith that such Qualified Securitization Financing (including financing terms, covenants, termination events and other provisions) is in the aggregate economically fair and reasonable to the Company and the Securitization Subsidiary;
(2) all sales of Securitization Assets and related assets to the Securitization Subsidiary are made at Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the Company); and
(3) the financing terms, covenants, termination events and other provisions thereof shall be market terms (as determined in good faith by the Company) and may include Standard Securitization Undertakings.
The grant of a security interest in any Securitization Assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Securitization Subsidiary) to secure Bank Indebtedness, Indebtedness in respect of the Notes or any Refinancing Indebtedness with respect to the Notes shall not be deemed a Qualified Securitization Financing.
“Rating Agency” means (1) each of Moody’s, S&P and Fitch and (2) if any of Moody’s, S&P or Fitch (or, in each case, any replacement thereof pursuant to this definition) ceases to rate the Notes for reasons outside of the Company’s control, a “nationally recognized statistical rating organization” within the meaning of Rule 15cs-1(c)(2)(vi)(F) under the Exchange Act selected by the Company or any direct or indirect parent of the Company as a replacement agency for Moody’s, S&P or Fitch, as the case may be.
“Record Date” has the meaning specified in Exhibit A hereto.
“Restricted Cash” means cash and Cash Equivalents held by the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries that would appear as “restricted” on a consolidated balance sheet of the Company or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries.
“Restricted Investment” means an Investment other than a Permitted Investment.
“Restricted Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, any Subsidiary of such Person other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary of such Person. Unless the context otherwise requires, the term “Restricted Subsidiary” shall mean a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company.
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“Sale/Leaseback Transaction” means an arrangement relating to property now owned or hereafter acquired by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary whereby the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary transfers such property to a Person and the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary leases it from such Person, other than leases between any of the Company and a Restricted Subsidiary or between Restricted Subsidiaries.
“S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Group or any successor to the rating agency business thereof.
“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Secured Indebtedness” means any Consolidated Total Indebtedness secured by a Lien.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder.
“Securitization Assets” means any of the following assets (or interests therein) from time to time originated, acquired or otherwise owned by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or in which the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary has any rights or interests, in each case, without regard to where such assets or interests are located: (1) accounts receivable (including any bills of exchange), (2) royalty and other similar payments made related to the use of trade names and/or other intellectual property, business support, training and/or other services, (3) revenues related to distribution and merchandising of the products of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries, (4) intellectual property rights relating to the generation of any of the foregoing types of assets, and (5) any other assets and property to the extent customarily included in securitization transactions of the relevant type in the applicable jurisdictions (as determined by the Company in good faith).
“Securitization Fees” means distributions or payments made directly or by means of discounts with respect to any participation interests issued or sold in connection with, and all other fees paid to a Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with, any Securitization Financing.
“Securitization Financing” means any transaction or series of transactions that may be entered into by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries may sell, convey or otherwise transfer to (a) a Securitization Subsidiary (in the case of a transfer by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries); and (b) any other Person (in the case of a transfer by a Securitization Subsidiary), or may grant a security interest in, any Securitization Assets (whether now existing or arising in the future) of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and any assets related thereto including, without limitation, all collateral securing such Securitization Assets, all contracts and all guarantees or other obligations in respect of such Securitization Assets, proceeds of such Securitization Assets and other assets which are customarily transferred or in respect of which security interests are customarily granted in connection with asset securitization transactions involving Securitization Assets and any Hedging Obligations entered into by the Company or any such Subsidiary in connection with such Securitization Assets.
“Securitization Repurchase Obligation” means any obligation of a seller of Securitization Assets in a Qualified Securitization Financing to repurchase Securitization Assets arising as a result of a breach of a representation, warranty or covenant or otherwise, including as a result of a Securitization Asset or portion thereof becoming subject to any asserted defense, dispute, off-set 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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“Securitization Subsidiary” means a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary (or another Person formed for the purposes of engaging in Qualified Securitization Financing with the Company in which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries makes an Investment and to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries transfers Securitization Assets and related assets) which engages in no activities other than in connection with the financing of Securitization Assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, all proceeds thereof and all rights (contractual or other), collateral and other assets relating thereto, and any business or activities incidental or related to such business, and which is designated by the Board of Directors of the Company (as provided below) as a Securitization Subsidiary and:
(a) no portion of the Indebtedness or any other obligations (contingent or otherwise) of which (i) is guaranteed by the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary (excluding (A) guarantees by any other Securitization Subsidiary and (B) guarantees of obligations (other than the principal of and interest on, Indebtedness) pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings), (ii) is recourse to or obligates the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary (other than any other Securitization Subsidiary) in any way other than pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings, or (iii) subjects any property or asset of the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary (other than any other Securitization Subsidiary), directly or indirectly, contingently or otherwise, to the satisfaction thereof, other than pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings;
(b) with which neither the Company nor any Restricted Subsidiary (other than any other Securitization Subsidiary) has any material contract, agreement, arrangement or understanding other than on terms which the Company reasonably believes to be no less favorable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary than those that might be obtained at the time from Persons that are not Affiliates of the Company (other than pursuant to Standard Securitization Undertakings); and
(c) to which neither the Company nor any Restricted Subsidiary (other than any other Securitization 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 Securitization Undertakings).
Any such designation by the Board of Directors of the Company shall be evidenced to the Trustee by filing with the Trustee a certified copy of the resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company giving effect to such designation and an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the foregoing conditions.
“Significant Subsidiary” means any Restricted Subsidiary that would be a “Significant Subsidiary” within the meaning of Rule 1-02 under Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC (or any successor provisions).
“Similar Business” means (x) any business the majority of whose revenues are derived from businesses or activities conducted by the Company and its Subsidiaries on the Issue Date, (y) any business that is a natural outgrowth or reasonable extension, development, expansion of any business or activities conducted by the Company and its subsidiaries on the Issue Date or any business similar, reasonably related, incidental, complementary or ancillary to any of the foregoing and (z) any business that in the Company’s good faith business judgment constitutes a reasonable diversification of businesses conducted by the Company and its Subsidiaries.
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“Standard Securitization Undertakings” means representations, warranties, covenants, indemnities, limited recourse and guarantees of performance entered into by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries which the Company has determined in good faith to be customary in a Securitization Financing including, without limitation, those relating to the servicing of the assets of a Securitization Subsidiary, it being understood that any Securitization Repurchase Obligation shall be deemed to be a Standard Securitization Undertaking.
“Stated Maturity” means, with respect to any security, the date specified in such security as the fixed date on which the final payment of principal of such security is due and payable, including pursuant to any mandatory redemption provision (but excluding any provision providing for the repurchase of such security at the option of the holder thereof upon the happening of any contingency beyond the control of the issuer unless such contingency has occurred).
“Subordinated Indebtedness” means (a) with respect to the Company, any Indebtedness of the Company which is by its terms subordinated in right of payment to the Notes, and (b) with respect to any Guarantor, any Indebtedness of such Guarantor which is by its terms subordinated in right of payment to its Guarantee.
“Subsidiary” means, with respect to any Person, (1) any corporation, association or other business entity (other than a partnership, joint venture or limited liability company) 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, and (2) any partnership, joint venture or limited liability company of which (x) more than 50% of the capital accounts, distribution rights, total equity and voting interests or general and 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 (y) such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person is a controlling general partner or otherwise controls such entity. Unless the context otherwise requires, the term “Subsidiary” shall mean a Subsidiary of the Company.
“Suspension Period” means the period of time between a Covenant Suspension Event and the related Reversion Date.
“Tax Distributions” means any distributions described in Section 4.04(b)(xi).
“Term Credit Agreement” means (i) the Credit Agreement, dated as of September 28, 2020, among the Company, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, and the other parties thereto, as amended, restated, supplemented, waived, replaced (whether or not upon termination, and whether with the original lenders or otherwise), restructured, repaid, refunded, refinanced or otherwise modified from time to time, including any agreement or indenture extending the maturity thereof, refinancing, replacing or otherwise restructuring all or any portion of the Indebtedness under such agreement or agreements or indenture or indentures or any successor or replacement agreement or agreements or indenture or indentures or increasing the amount loaned or issued thereunder or altering the maturity thereof (except to the extent any such refinancing, replacement or restructuring is designated by the Company to not be included in the definition of “Term Credit Agreement”) and (ii) whether or not the credit agreement referred to in clause (i) remains outstanding, if designated by the Company to be included in the definition of “Term Credit Agreement,” one or more (A) debt facilities or commercial paper facilities, providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, securitization or receivables financing
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(including through the sale of receivables to lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from lenders against such receivables) or letters of credit, (B) debt securities, indentures or other forms of debt financing (including convertible or exchangeable debt instruments or bank guarantees or bankers’ acceptances), or (C) instruments or agreements evidencing any other Indebtedness, in each case, with the same or different borrowers or issuers and, in each case, as amended, supplemented, modified, waived, extended, restructured, repaid, renewed, refinanced, restated, replaced (whether or not upon termination, and whether with the original lenders or otherwise) or refunded in whole or in part from time to time.
“TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. Sections 77aaa-77bbbb) as amended and in effect on the date of this Indenture.
“Transactions” means the issuance and sale of the Notes pursuant to the Offering Memorandum, the application of the proceeds of the notes (including to repay other Indebtedness) and any increase or other modification of the ABL Credit Agreement in connection with the foregoing.
“Treasury Rate” means, as of the applicable redemption date, as determined by the Company, the yield to maturity as of such redemption date of United States Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) that has become publicly available at least two Business Days prior to such redemption date (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source of similar market data)) most nearly equal to the period from such redemption date to October 15, 2024; provided, however, that if the period from such redemption date to October 15, 2024, as applicable, is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actively traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year will be used.
“Trust Officer” or “Responsible Officer” means:
(1) any officer within the corporate trust department of the Trustee, including any vice president, assistant vice president, assistant secretary, assistant treasurer, trust officer or any other officer or assistant officer of the Trustee who customarily performs functions similar to those performed by the persons who at the time shall be such corporate trust officers, respectively, who shall have direct responsibility for the administration of the indenture, or
(2) any other officer of the Trustee to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of such person’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.
“Trustee” means the party named as such in the preamble to this Indenture until a successor replaces it and, thereafter, means the successor.
“Uniform Commercial Code” means the Uniform Commercial Code as the same may from time to time be in effect in the State of New York or the Uniform Commercial Code (or similar code or statute) of another jurisdiction, to the extent it may be required to apply to any item or items.
“Unrestricted Cash” means cash and Cash Equivalents in excess of any Restricted Cash that would be stated on the balance sheet of a Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries.
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“Unrestricted Subsidiary” means:
(1) any Subsidiary of the Company that at the time of determination shall be designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary by the Board of Directors of 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 of the Company) to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided that the Company could make a Restricted Payment or Permitted Investment in an amount equal to the Fair Market Value as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of such Subsidiary pursuant to Section 4.04 and such amount is thereafter treated as a Restricted Payment or Permitted Investment for the purpose of calculating the amount available in connection with Section 4.04.
The Company may designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that immediately after giving effect to such designation:
(x) (1) the Company could Incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.03(a) or (2) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Company would be no less than such ratio immediately prior to such designation, in each case on a pro forma basis taking into account such designation, and
(y) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.
Any such designation by the Company shall be evidenced to the Trustee by promptly filing with the Trustee a copy of the resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company or any committee thereof giving effect to such designation and an Officers’ Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the foregoing provisions.
“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 by the United States of America, which, in each case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and shall also include a depository 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 depository 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 depository 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 depository receipt.
“Voting Stock” of any Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of such Person that is at the time entitled to vote in the election of the Board of Directors of such Person.
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“Weighted Average Life to Maturity” means, when applied to any Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, as the case may be, at any date, the quotient obtained by dividing (1) the sum of the products of the number of years from the date of determination to the date of each successive scheduled principal payment of such Indebtedness or redemption or similar payment with respect to such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock multiplied by the amount of such payment, by (2) the sum of all such payments.
“Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary” is any Wholly Owned Subsidiary that is a Restricted Subsidiary.
“Wholly Owned Subsidiary” of any Person means a Subsidiary of such Person 100% of the outstanding Capital Stock or other ownership interests of which (other than directors’ qualifying shares or shares required pursuant to applicable law) shall at the time be owned by such Person or by one or more Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of such Person.
Section 1.02 Other Definitions.
| Term |
Section | |
| $ | 1.03(j) | |
| Affiliate Transaction | 4.07(a) | |
| Agent Members | Appendix A | |
| Asset Sale Offer | 4.06(b) | |
| Authentication Order | 2.03 | |
| Bankruptcy Law | 6.01 | |
| Change of Control Offer | 4.08(b) | |
| Company | Preamble | |
| covenant defeasance option | 8.01(b) | |
| Covenant Suspension Event | 4.16 | |
| Custodian | 6.01 | |
| Definitive Note | Appendix A | |
| Depository | Appendix A | |
| Event of Default | 6.01 | |
| Excess Proceeds | 4.06(b) | |
| Global Notes | Appendix A | |
| Global Notes Legend | Appendix A | |
| Guaranteed Obligations | 12.01(a) | |
| Increased Amount | 4.12(d) | |
| Initial Notes | Preamble | |
| legal defeasance option | 8.01(b) | |
| Notes | Preamble | |
| Notes Custodian | Appendix A | |
| Notice of Default | 6.01 | |
| Offer Period | 4.06(d) | |
| Paying Agent | 2.04(a) | |
| Permitted Jurisdictions | 5.01(a) | |
| protected purchaser | 2.08 | |
| QIB | Appendix A | |
| Refinancing Indebtedness | 4.03(b)(xiv) | |
| Refunding Capital Stock | 4.04(b)(ii) |
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| Registrar | 2.04(a) | |
| Regulation S | Appendix A | |
| Regulation S Global Notes | Appendix A | |
| Regulation S Notes | Appendix A | |
| Restricted Notes Legend | Appendix A | |
| Restricted Payments | 4.04(a) | |
| Restricted Period | Appendix A | |
| Retired Capital Stock | 4.04(b)(ii) | |
| Reversion Date | 4.16 | |
| Rule 144A | Appendix A | |
| Rule 144A Global Notes | Appendix A | |
| Rule 144A Notes | Appendix A | |
| Rule 501 | Appendix A | |
| Successor Company | 5.01(a)(i) | |
| Successor Guarantor | 5.01(b)(i) | |
| Suspended Covenants | 4.16 | |
| Tax Group | 4.04(b)(xi) | |
| Transfer Restricted Definitive Notes | Appendix A | |
| Transfer Restricted Global Notes | Appendix A | |
| Transfer Restricted Notes | Appendix A | |
| Trustee | Preamble | |
| U.S. dollars | 1.03(j) | |
| Unrestricted Definitive Notes | Appendix A | |
| Unrestricted Global Notes | Appendix A |
Section 1.03 Rules of Construction. Unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) a term has the meaning assigned to it;
(b) an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in accordance with GAAP;
(c) “or” is not exclusive;
(d) “including” means including without limitation;
(e) words in the singular include the plural and words in the plural include the singular;
(f) 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;
(g) 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;
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(h) 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; and
(i) “$” and “U.S. dollars” each refer to United States dollars, or such other money of the United States of America that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.
ARTICLE II
THE NOTES
Section 2.01 Amount of Notes. The aggregate principal amount of Initial Notes which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture on the Issue Date is $400,000,000.
The Company may from time to time after the Issue Date issue Additional Notes under this Indenture in an unlimited principal amount, so long as (i) the Incurrence of the Indebtedness represented by such Additional Notes is at such time permitted by Section 4.03 and (ii) such Additional Notes are issued in compliance with the provisions set forth below. With respect to any Additional Notes issued after the Issue Date, there shall be (a) established in or pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors of the Company and (b) (i) set forth or determined in the manner provided in an Officers’ Certificate or (ii) established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of such Additional Notes:
(1) the aggregate principal amount of such Additional Notes which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture;
(2) the issue price and issuance date of such Additional Notes, including the date from which interest on such Additional Notes shall accrue; and
(3) if applicable, that such Additional Notes shall be issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Notes and, in such case, the respective depositaries for such Global Notes, the form of any legend or legends which shall be borne by such Global Notes in addition to or in lieu of those set forth in Exhibit A hereto and any circumstances in addition to or in lieu of those set forth in Section 2.2 of Appendix A in which any such Global Note may be exchanged in whole or in part for Additional Notes registered, or any transfer of such Global Note in whole or in part may be registered, in the name or names of Persons other than the depositary for such Global Note or a nominee thereof.
If any of the terms of any Additional Notes are established by action taken pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officers’ Certificate or an indenture supplemental hereto setting forth the terms of the Additional Notes.
The Initial Notes and any Additional Notes may, at the Company’s option, be treated as a single class of securities for all purposes under this Indenture, including, without limitation, waivers, amendments, redemptions and offers to purchase; provided that if the Additional Notes are not fungible with the Initial Notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Additional Notes will have a separate CUSIP number and/or ISIN, if applicable.
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Section 2.02 Form and Dating. Provisions relating to the Notes are set forth in Appendix A, which is hereby incorporated in and expressly made a part of this Indenture. The (i) Initial Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication and (ii) any Additional Notes (if issued as Transfer Restricted Notes) and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall each be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, which is hereby incorporated in and expressly made a part of this Indenture. The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, stock exchange rule, agreements to which the Company or any Guarantor is subject, if any, or usage (provided that any such notation, legend or endorsement is in a form acceptable to the Company). Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication. The Notes shall be issuable only in registered form without interest coupons and in denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.
Section 2.03 Execution and Authentication. The Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery upon a written order of the Company signed by one Officer of the Company (an “Authentication Order”) (a) Initial Notes for original issue on the date hereof in an aggregate principal amount of $400,000,000 and (b) subject to the terms of this Indenture, Additional Notes in an aggregate principal amount to be determined at the time of issuance and specified therein. Such Authentication Order shall specify the amount of separate Note certificates to be authenticated, the principal amount of each of the Notes to be authenticated, the date on which the original issue of Notes is to be authenticated, whether the Notes are to be Initial Notes or Additional Notes, the registered holder of each of the Notes and delivery instructions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Indenture or Appendix A, any issuance of Additional Notes after the Issue Date shall be in a principal amount of at least $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.
One Officer shall sign the Notes for the Company by manual or PDF signature.
If an Officer whose signature is on a Note no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Note, the Note shall be valid nevertheless.
A Note shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the Trustee (or an authenticating agent as described immediately below) manually signs the certificate of authentication on the Note. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Note has been authenticated under this Indenture.
The Trustee may appoint one or more authenticating agents reasonably acceptable to the Company to authenticate the Notes. Any such appointment shall be evidenced by an instrument signed by the Trustee, a copy of which shall be furnished to the Company. Unless limited by the terms of such appointment, an authenticating agent may authenticate Notes whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as any Registrar, Paying Agent or agent for service of notices and demands.
Section 2.04 Registrar and Paying Agent.
(a) The Company shall maintain (i) an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (the “Registrar”) and (ii) an office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment (the “Paying Agent”). The Registrar shall keep a register of the Notes and of their transfer and exchange. The Company may have one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrars. The term “Paying Agent” includes the Paying Agent and any additional paying agents. The Company initially appoints the Trustee as Registrar, Paying Agent and the Notes Custodian with respect to the Global Notes.
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(b) The Company may 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 any such agent. If the Company fails to maintain a Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such and shall be entitled to appropriate compensation therefor pursuant to Section 7.07. The Company or any of its wholly-owned domestically organized Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.
(c) The Company may remove any Registrar or Paying Agent upon written notice to such Registrar or Paying Agent and to the Trustee; provided, however, that no such removal shall become effective until (i) if applicable, acceptance of an appointment by a successor Registrar or Paying Agent, as the case may be, as evidenced by an appropriate agreement entered into by the Company and such successor Registrar or Paying Agent, as the case may be, and delivered to the Trustee or (ii) notification to the Trustee that the Trustee shall serve as Registrar or Paying Agent until the appointment of a successor in accordance with clause (i) above. The Registrar or Paying Agent may resign at any time upon written notice to the Company and the Trustee; provided, however, that the Trustee may resign as Paying Agent or Registrar only if the Trustee also resigns as Trustee in accordance with Section 7.08.
(d) The Company shall be responsible for making calculations called for under the Notes and this Indenture, including but not limited to determination of interest, additional interest, redemption price, Applicable Premium, premium, if any, and any other amounts payable on the Notes. The Company will make the calculations in good faith and, absent manifest error, its calculations will be final and binding on the holders. The Company will provide a schedule of its calculations to the Trustee when requested by the Trustee, and the Trustee is entitled to rely conclusively on the accuracy of the Company’s calculations without independent verification. The Trustee shall forward the Company’s calculations to any holder of the Notes upon the written request of such holder.
Section 2.05 Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust. Prior to 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on each due date of the principal of and interest on any Note, the Company shall deposit with each Paying Agent (or if the Company or any of its wholly owned domestically organized Subsidiaries is acting as Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto) a sum sufficient to pay such principal and interest when so becoming due. The Company shall require each Paying Agent (other than the Trustee) to agree in writing that a Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of holders or the Trustee all money held by a Paying Agent for the payment of principal of and interest on the Notes, and shall notify the Trustee in writing of any default by the Company in making any such payment. If the Company or any of its wholly owned domestically organized Subsidiaries acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate the money held by it as Paying Agent and hold it in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed by such Paying Agent. Upon complying with this Section 2.05, a Paying Agent shall have no further liability for the money delivered to the Trustee.
Section 2.06 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 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 2.07 Transfer and Exchange. The Notes shall be issued in registered form and shall be transferable only upon the surrender of a Note for registration of transfer and in compliance with Appendix A. When a Note is presented to the Registrar with a request to register a transfer, the Registrar shall register the transfer as requested if its requirements (including, among other things, the furnishing of appropriate endorsements and transfer documents) therefor are met. When Notes are presented to the Registrar with a request to exchange them for an equal principal amount of Notes of other denominations, the Registrar shall make the exchange as requested if the same requirements are met. To permit registration of transfers and exchanges, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate Notes at the Registrar’s request. The Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to pay all taxes, assessments or other governmental charges in connection with any transfer or exchange pursuant to this Section 2.07. The Company shall not be required to make, and the Registrar need not register, transfers or exchanges of any Notes selected for redemption (except, in the case of Notes to be redeemed in part, the portion thereof not to be redeemed) or of any Notes for a period of 15 days before the mailing or sending of a notice of redemption of Notes to be redeemed.
Prior to the due presentation for registration of transfer of any Note, the Company, the Guarantors, the Trustee, the Paying Agent and the Registrar may deem and treat the Person in whose name a Note is registered as the absolute owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and interest, if any, on such Note and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Note is overdue, and none of the Company, the Guarantors, the Trustee, the Paying Agent or the Registrar shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
Any holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Note shall, by acceptance of such beneficial interest, agree that transfers of beneficial interests in such Global Note may be effected only through a book-entry system maintained by (a) the holder of such Global Note (or its agent) or (b) any holder of a beneficial interest in such Global Note, and that ownership of a beneficial interest in such Global Note shall be required to be reflected in a book entry.
All Notes 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 surrendered upon such transfer or exchange.
The Trustee shall have no 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 (including any transfers between or among Depository participants or beneficial owners of interests in any Global Note) 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.
None of the Trustee, Registrar or Paying Agent shall have any responsibility for any actions taken or not taken by the Depository.
The transferor of any note shall provide or cause to be provided to the Trustee all information necessary to allow the Trustee to comply with any applicable tax reporting obligations, including without limitation any cost basis reporting obligations under Code Section 6045. The Trustee may rely on information provided to it and shall have no responsibility to verify or ensure the accuracy of such information.
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Section 2.08 Replacement Notes. If a mutilated Note is surrendered to the Registrar or if the holder of a Note claims that the Note has been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken, the Company shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a replacement Note if the requirements of Section 8-405 of the Uniform Commercial Code are met, such that the holder (a) satisfies the Company and the Trustee within a reasonable time after such holder has notice of such loss, destruction or wrongful taking and the Registrar does not register a transfer prior to receiving such notification, (b) makes such request to the Company and the Trustee prior to the Note being acquired by a protected purchaser as defined in Section 8-303 of the Uniform Commercial Code (a “protected purchaser”) and (c) satisfies any other reasonable requirements of the Company and the Trustee. Such holder shall furnish an indemnity bond sufficient in the judgment of the Trustee, with respect to the Trustee, and the Company, with respect to the Company, to protect the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent and the Registrar, as applicable, from any loss or liability that any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced and subsequently presented or claimed for payment. The Company and the Trustee may charge the holder for their expenses in replacing a Note (including without limitation, attorneys’ fees and disbursements in replacing such Note). In the event any such mutilated, lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken Note has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may pay such Note instead of issuing a new Note in replacement thereof.
Every replacement Note is an additional obligation of the Company.
The provisions of this Section 2.08 are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken Notes.
Section 2.09 Outstanding Notes. Notes outstanding at any time are all Notes authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation and those described in this Section 2.09 as not outstanding. Subject to Section 13.06, a Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate of the Company holds the Note.
If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.08 (other than a mutilated Note surrendered for replacement), it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee and the Company receive proof satisfactory to them that the replaced Note is held by a protected purchaser. A mutilated Note ceases to be outstanding upon surrender of such Note and replacement thereof pursuant to Section 2.08.
If the principal amount of any Note is considered paid under Section 4.01, it ceases to be outstanding and interest on it ceases to accrue.
If a Paying Agent segregates and holds in trust, in accordance with this Indenture, on a redemption date or maturity date money sufficient to pay all principal and interest payable on that date with respect to the Notes (or portions thereof) to be redeemed or maturing, as the case may be, and no Paying Agent is 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 (or portions thereof) cease to be outstanding and interest on them ceases to accrue.
Section 2.10 Cancellation. The Company at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and each Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee and no one else shall cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment or cancellation and shall dispose of canceled Notes in accordance with its internal policies and customary procedures. The Company may not issue new Notes to replace Notes it has redeemed, paid or delivered to the Trustee for cancellation for any
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reason other than in connection with a transfer or exchange. If the Company or any Guarantor acquires any of the Notes, such acquisition shall not operate as a satisfaction of the Indebtedness represented by such Notes unless and until the same are surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation pursuant to this Section 2.10. The Trustee shall not authenticate Notes in place of canceled Notes other than pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.
Section 2.11 Defaulted Interest. If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Notes, the Company shall pay the defaulted interest then borne by the Notes (plus interest on such defaulted interest to the extent lawful) in any lawful manner. The Company may pay the defaulted interest to the Persons who are holders on a subsequent special record date. The Company shall fix or cause to be fixed any such special record date and payment date to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee and shall promptly deliver or cause to be delivered to each affected holder a notice that states the special record date, the payment date and the amount of defaulted interest to be paid.
Section 2.12 CUSIP Numbers, ISINs, Etc. The Company in issuing the Notes may use CUSIP numbers, ISINs or other similar numbers, if then generally in use, and the Trustee may use any such CUSIP numbers and ISINs in notices of redemption 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 or as contained in any notice of a redemption, that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes and that any such redemption shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company shall advise the Trustee in writing of any change in any such CUSIP numbers, ISINs or other similar numbers.
Section 2.13 Calculation of Principal Amount of Notes. The aggregate principal amount of the Notes, at any date of determination, shall be the principal amount of the Notes at such date of determination. With respect to any matter requiring consent, waiver, approval or other action of the holders of a specified percentage of the principal amount of all the Notes, such percentage shall be calculated, on the relevant date of determination, by dividing (a) the principal amount, as of such date of determination, of Notes, the holders of which have so consented, by (b) the aggregate principal amount, as of such date of determination, of the Notes then outstanding, in each case, as determined in accordance with the preceding sentence, and Section 13.06 of this Indenture.
ARTICLE III
REDEMPTION
Section 3.01 Redemption. The Notes (a) may be redeemed in whole or from time to time in part, subject to the conditions and at the redemption prices set forth in Paragraph 5 of the form of Note set forth in Exhibit A hereto which is hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of this Indenture and (b) are subject to repurchase following an Asset Sale pursuant to Section 4.06 or in connection with a Change of Control pursuant to Section 4.08, in each case together with accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the date of redemption or repurchase, as applicable (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date).
Section 3.02 Applicability of Article. Redemption of Notes at the election of the Company or otherwise, as permitted or required by any provision of this Indenture, shall be made in accordance with such provision and this Article III.
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Section 3.03 Notices to Trustee. If the Company elects to redeem Notes pursuant to the optional redemption provisions of Paragraph 5 of the Note, the Company shall notify the Trustee in an Officers’ Certificate of (i) the Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the redemption shall occur, (ii) the redemption date, (iii) the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed and (iv) the redemption price. The Company shall give notice to the Trustee provided for in this paragraph at least 20 days (or such shorter period as is acceptable to the Trustee) but not more than 60 days before a redemption date if the redemption is a redemption pursuant to Paragraph 5 of the Note. The Company may also include a request in such Officers’ Certificate that the Trustee give the notice of redemption in the Company’s name and at its expense and setting forth the redemption notice to be given as an exhibit to such Officers’ Certificate containing the information to be stated in such notice as provided in Section 3.05.
If the Redemption Price is not known at the time such notice is to be given, the actual Redemption Price, calculated as described in the terms of the Notes, will be set forth in an Officers’ Certificate of the Company delivered to the Trustee no later than two Business Days prior to the Redemption Date.
Any notice given pursuant to the first paragraph of this section may be canceled if written notice from the Company of such cancellation is actually received by the Trustee on the Business Day immediately prior to notice of such redemption being mailed to any holder or otherwise delivered in accordance with the applicable procedures of the Depository and shall thereby be void and of no effect. The Company shall deliver to the Trustee such documentation and records as shall enable the Trustee to select the Notes to be redeemed pursuant to Section 3.04.
Section 3.04 Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed. In the case of any partial redemption, selection of the Notes for redemption will be made by the Trustee on a pro rata basis to the extent practicable or by lot or by such other method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate (and, in such manner that complies with the requirements of the Depository, if applicable); provided that no Notes of $2,000 or less shall be redeemed in part. The Notes to be selected shall be selected from outstanding Notes not previously called for redemption. The Notes may be selected for redemption portions of the principal of Notes that have denominations larger than $2,000. Notes and portions of them that are selected for redemption shall be in amounts of $2,000 or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. Provisions of this Indenture that apply to Notes called for redemption also apply to portions of Notes called for redemption. The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of the Notes or portions of Notes to be redeemed.
Section 3.05 Notice of Optional Redemption.
(a) At least 15 but not more than 60 days before a redemption date pursuant to Paragraph 5 of the Note, the Company shall mail or cause to be mailed by first-class mail, or delivered electronically if held by the Depository, a notice of redemption to each holder whose Notes are to be redeemed at its registered address (with a copy to the Trustee), except that redemption notices may be mailed or otherwise delivered more than 60 days prior to the redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Notes or a satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture pursuant to Article VIII.
Any such notice shall identify the Notes to be redeemed and shall state:
(i) the redemption date and any conditions to such redemption described in reasonable detail;
(ii) the redemption price and the amount of accrued interest to, but excluding, the redemption date;
(iii) the name and address of the Paying Agent;
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(iv) that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the redemption price, plus accrued and unpaid interest;
(v) if fewer than all the outstanding Notes are to be redeemed, the principal amounts of the particular Notes to be redeemed, the aggregate principal amount of Notes to be redeemed;
(vi) that, subject to satisfaction of any conditions specified in such notice, unless the Company defaults in making such redemption payment or the Paying Agent is prohibited from making such payment pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, interest on Notes (or portion thereof) called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date;
(vii) the CUSIP number and/or ISIN, if any, printed on the Notes being redeemed; and
(viii) that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP number or ISIN, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Notes.
(b) At the Company’s request in an Officers’ Certificate, the Trustee shall deliver the notice of redemption in the Company’s name and at the Company’s expense. In such event, the Company shall notify the Trustee of such request at least five (5) Business Days (or such shorter period as is acceptable to the Trustee) prior to the date such notice is to be provided to holders. Such notice may not be canceled once delivered to holders of Notes.
(c) The Company shall provide written notice to the Trustee at least one Business Day prior to the redemption date (or such shorter period as may be acceptable to the Trustee) if any such conditional redemption has been rescinded or delayed, and upon receipt the Trustee shall provide such notice to each holder of the notes in the same manner in which the notice of redemption was given.
Section 3.06 Effect of Notice of Redemption. Subject to satisfaction or waiver of the conditions precedent set forth therein, once notice of redemption is mailed or otherwise delivered in accordance with Section 3.05, Notes called for redemption become due and payable on the redemption date and at the redemption price stated in the notice, except as provided in the final paragraph of paragraph 5 of the Notes. Upon surrender to the Paying Agent, such Notes shall be paid at the redemption price stated in the notice, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date; provided, however, that if the redemption date is after a regular Record Date and on or prior to the next Interest Payment Date, the accrued interest shall be payable to the holder of the redeemed Notes registered on the relevant Record Date. Notice of redemption shall be deemed to be given when mailed or delivered electronically, if held by the Depository, whether or not the holder receives the notice. Failure to give notice or any defect in the notice to any holder shall not affect the validity of the notice to any other holder.
Section 3.07 Deposit of Redemption Price. With respect to any Notes, prior to 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the redemption date, the Company shall deposit with the Paying Agent (or, if the Company or any of their wholly-owned domestically organized Subsidiaries is the Paying Agent, shall segregate and hold in trust) money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and accrued and unpaid interest on all Notes or portions thereof to be redeemed on that date other than Notes or portions of Notes called for redemption that have been delivered by the Company to the Trustee for cancellation. On and after the redemption date, interest shall cease to accrue on Notes or portions thereof called for redemption so long as the Company has deposited with the Paying Agent funds sufficient to pay the redemption price of, plus accrued and unpaid interest on, the Notes or portions thereof to be redeemed, unless the Paying Agent is prohibited from making such payment pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.
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Section 3.08 Notes Redeemed in Part. If any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption relating to such Note shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to be redeemed. Upon surrender and cancellation of a Note that is redeemed in part, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate for the holder (at the Company’s expense) (or transfer by book entry) a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Note surrendered and cancelled.
ARTICLE IV
COVENANTS
Section 4.01 Payment of Notes. The Company shall promptly pay the principal of and interest on the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes and in this Indenture. An installment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest shall be considered paid on the date due if on such date the Trustee or the Paying Agent holds as of 11:00 a.m., New York City time, money in immediately available funds and designated for and sufficient to pay all principal, premium, if any, and interest then due and the Trustee or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, is not prohibited from paying such money to the holders on that date pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.
The Company shall pay interest on overdue principal at the rate specified therefor in the Notes, and it shall pay interest on overdue installments of interest at the same rate borne by the Notes to the extent lawful.
Section 4.02 Reports and Other Information.
(a) Notwithstanding that the Company may not be subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or otherwise report on an annual and quarterly basis on forms provided for such annual and quarterly reporting pursuant to rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC, the Company will file with the SEC and promptly provide to the Trustee (and upon written request provide the holders with copies thereof, without cost to each holder, within 5 days after receipt of such request):
(i) within the time period specified in the SEC’s rules and regulations for non-accelerated filers, annual reports on Form 10-K (or any successor or comparable form) containing the information required to be contained therein (or required in such successor or comparable form), except to the extent permitted to be excluded by the SEC;
(ii) within the time period specified in the SEC’s rules and regulations for non-accelerated filers (except for any delay permitted by Rule 13a-13(a) promulgated under the Exchange Act), reports on Form 10-Q (or any successor or comparable form) containing the information required to be contained therein (or required in such successor or comparable form), except to the extent permitted to be excluded by the SEC;
(iii) promptly from time to time after the occurrence of an event required to be therein reported (and in any event within the time period specified in the SEC’s rules and regulations), such other reports on Form 8-K (or any successor or comparable form), except to the extent permitted to be excluded by the SEC; and
(iv) subject to the foregoing, any other information, documents and other reports which the Company would be required to file with the SEC if it were subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act;
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provided, however, that the Company shall not be so obligated to file such reports with the SEC if the SEC does not permit such filing, in which event the Company will make available such information to prospective purchasers of Notes in addition to providing such information to the Trustee and the holders, in each case, within the time the Company would be required to file such information with the SEC if it were subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act as provided above; provided, further, that such reports will not be required to contain the separate financial information for the Company or the Guarantors contemplated by Rule 3-10 under Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC (or any successor provision). In addition to providing such information to the Trustee in such event, the Company shall make available to the holders, prospective investors, market makers affiliated with any initial purchaser of the Notes and securities analysts the information required to be provided pursuant to the foregoing clauses (i), (ii) and (iii), by posting such information to its web site or on IntraLinks or any comparable online data system or website, it being understood that the Trustee shall have no responsibility to determine if such information has been posted on any website.
If the Company has designated any Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary and if any such Unrestricted Subsidiary or group of Unrestricted Subsidiaries, if taken together as one Subsidiary, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary of the Company, then the annual and quarterly information required by clauses (i) and (ii) of this Section 4.02(a) shall include a reasonably detailed presentation, either on the face of the financial statements or in the footnotes thereto, of the financial condition and results of operations of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries separate from the financial condition and results of operations of such Unrestricted Subsidiaries.
(b) In the event that:
(i) the rules and regulations of the SEC permit the Company and any direct or indirect parent of the Company to report at such parent entity’s level on a consolidated basis and such parent entity is not engaged in any business in any material respect other than incidental to its ownership, directly or indirectly, of the capital stock of the Company, or
(ii) any direct or indirect parent of the Company is or becomes a Guarantor of the Notes,
consolidating reporting at such parent entity’s level in a manner consistent with that described in this Section 4.02 for the Company will satisfy this Section 4.02, and the Company is permitted to satisfy its obligations in this Section 4.02 with respect to financial information relating to the Company by furnishing financial information relating to such direct or indirect parent; provided that such financial information is accompanied by consolidating information that explains in reasonable detail the differences between the information relating to such direct or indirect parent and any of its Subsidiaries other than the Company and its Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and the information relating to the Company and its Subsidiaries on a standalone basis, on the other hand.
(c) In addition, the Company will make such information available to prospective investors upon request. In addition, the Company shall, for so long as any Notes remain outstanding during any period when it is not subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, or otherwise permitted to furnish the SEC with certain information pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) of the Exchange Act, furnish to the holders of the Notes and to prospective investors, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.
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(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company will be deemed to have furnished the reports referred to in this Section 4.02 to the Trustee and the holders if the Company has filed such reports with the SEC via the EDGAR filing system (or any successor thereto) and such reports are publicly available, it being understood that the Trustee shall have no responsibility to determine if such information has been posted on any website. 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 the indenture, or participate in any conference calls.
(e) Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee pursuant to this Section 4.02 is for informational purposes only, and the Trustee’s receipt thereof shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants under this Indenture (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers’ Certificates).
Section 4.03 Limitation on Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock.
(a) (i) the Company shall not, and shall not permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, Incur any Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) or issue any shares of Disqualified Stock; and (ii) the Company shall not permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries (other than any Guarantor) to issue any shares of Preferred Stock; provided, however, that the Company and any Guarantor may Incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness) or issue shares of Disqualified Stock, and any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor may Incur Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness), issue shares of Disqualified Stock or issue shares of Preferred Stock, in each case if the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Company for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date on which such additional Indebtedness is Incurred or such Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock is issued would have been at least 2.00 to 1.00 determined on a pro forma basis (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), as if the additional Indebtedness had been Incurred, or the Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock had been issued, as the case may be, and the application of proceeds therefrom had occurred at the beginning of such four-quarter period; provided, that the amount of Indebtedness (including Acquired Indebtedness), Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock that may be incurred or issued, as applicable, pursuant to the foregoing by Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Guarantors, together with any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof, shall not exceed, in the aggregate, the greater of $60 million and 30% of Consolidated EBITDA as of the date of such Incurrence or issuance (plus, in the case of any Refinancing Indebtedness, the Additional Refinancing Amount).
(b) The limitations set forth in Section 4.03(a) shall not apply to:
(i) (A) the Incurrence by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness under the ABL Credit Agreement up to an aggregate principal amount outstanding (including the face amount of letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances thereunder) at the time of Incurrence that, together with the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness outstanding under clause (xvi) below at the time of incurrence, does not exceed an amount equal to the greater of (x) $300 million and (y) the Borrowing Base; provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit discretionary protective advances made under the ABL Credit Agreement in an amount not to exceed 10% in excess of the amount otherwise permitted under this clause (i)(A) at the time of such advance; and (B) the Incurrence by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of Indebtedness under the Term Credit Agreement and/or other Credit Facilities (including the issuance and creation of letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances thereunder) up to an aggregate principal amount outstanding at the time of Incurrence that does not exceed an amount equal to the greater of (x) $200 million and (y) an amount of Secured Indebtedness which, on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the incurrence thereof (without giving effect to the netting of proceeds thereof) would not cause the Consolidated Secured Net Leverage Ratio to exceed 3.25 to 1.00;
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(ii) the Incurrence by the Company and the Guarantors of Indebtedness represented by the Initial Notes and the Guarantees;
(iii) Indebtedness, Preferred Stock and Disqualified Stock existing on the Issue Date (other than Indebtedness described in clauses (i) and (ii) of this Section 4.03(b));
(iv) Indebtedness (including Capitalized Lease Obligations, synthetic lease obligations, mortgage financings and purchase money obligations) Incurred by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, Disqualified Stock issued by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary and Preferred Stock issued by any Restricted Subsidiary to finance (whether prior to or within 270 days after) all or any part of the acquisition, lease, construction, repair, replacement or improvement of property (real or personal) or equipment (whether through the direct purchase of assets or the Capital Stock of any Person owning such assets) in an aggregate principal amount or liquidation preference that, when aggregated with the principal amount or liquidation preference of all other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock then outstanding and Incurred pursuant to this clause (iv), together with any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof Incurred pursuant to clause (xiv) below, does not exceed at any one time outstanding the greater of $60 million and 30% of Consolidated EBITDA as of the date of such Incurrence or issuance (plus, in the case of any Refinancing Indebtedness, the Additional Refinancing Amount);
(v) Indebtedness Incurred by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary constituting reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit and bank guarantees issued in the ordinary course of business, and arrangements in connection therewith, including without limitation letters of credit in respect of workers’ compensation claims, health, disability or other benefits to employees or former employees or their families or property, casualty or liability insurance or self-insurance, and letters of credit in connection with the maintenance of, or pursuant to the requirements of, environmental law or permits or licenses from governmental authorities, or other Indebtedness with respect to reimbursement type obligations regarding workers’ compensation claims;
(vi) Indebtedness arising from agreements of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary providing for indemnification, adjustment of acquisition or purchase price or similar obligations (including earn-outs), in each case, Incurred or assumed in connection with the Transactions, any Investments or any acquisition or disposition of any business, assets or a Subsidiary not prohibited by this Indenture, other than guarantees of Indebtedness Incurred by any Person acquiring all or any portion of such business, assets or Subsidiary for the purpose of financing such acquisition;
(vii) Indebtedness of the Company to a Restricted Subsidiary, provided that (except in respect of intercompany current liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business in connection with the cash management, tax and accounting operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries) any such Indebtedness owed to a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor is subordinated in right of payment to the obligations of the Company under the Notes; provided, further, that any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock or any other event which results in any such Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or any other subsequent transfer of any such Indebtedness (except any pledge of such Indebtedness constituting a Permitted Lien but not the transfer thereof upon foreclosure) shall be deemed, in each case, to be an Incurrence of such Indebtedness not permitted by this clause (vii);
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(viii) shares of Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary issued to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary; provided that any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock or any other event which results in any Restricted Subsidiary that holds such shares of Preferred Stock of another Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or any other subsequent transfer of any such shares of Preferred Stock (except to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary) shall be deemed, in each case, to be an issuance of shares of Preferred Stock not permitted by this clause (viii);
(ix) Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary; provided that if a Guarantor incurs such Indebtedness to a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor (except in respect of intercompany current liabilities incurred in the ordinary course of business in connection with the cash management, tax and accounting operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries), such Indebtedness is subordinated in right of payment to the Guarantee of such Guarantor; provided, further, that any subsequent issuance or transfer of any Capital Stock or any other event which results in any Restricted Subsidiary holding such Indebtedness ceasing to be a Restricted Subsidiary or any other subsequent transfer of any such Indebtedness (except to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary or any pledge of such Indebtedness constituting a Permitted Lien but not the transfer thereof upon foreclosure) shall be deemed, in each case, to be an Incurrence of such Indebtedness not permitted by this clause (ix);
(x) Hedging Obligations that are not incurred for speculative purposes;
(xi) obligations (including reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit, bank guarantees, warehouse receipts and similar instruments) in respect of performance, bid, appeal and surety bonds, completion guarantees and similar obligations provided by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice or industry practice;
(xii) Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock of the Company or Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary in an aggregate principal amount or liquidation preference, which when aggregated with the principal amount and liquidation preference of all other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock then outstanding and Incurred pursuant to this clause (xii), together with any Refinancing Indebtedness in respect thereof incurred pursuant to clause (xiv) below, does not exceed at any one time outstanding the greater of $150 million and 60% of Consolidated EBITDA as of the date of such Incurrence or issuance (plus, in the case of any Refinancing Indebtedness, the Additional Refinancing Amount) (it being understood that any Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to this clause (xii) shall cease to be deemed Incurred or outstanding for purposes of this clause (xii) but shall be deemed Incurred for purposes of Section 4.03(a) from and after the first date on which the Company, or the Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, could have Incurred such Indebtedness under Section 4.03(a) without reliance upon this clause (xii)); provided, that the amount of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock that may be Incurred or issued, as applicable, pursuant to this clause (xii) by Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Guarantors, and any Refinancing Indebtedness of Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Guarantors incurred in respect thereof, shall not exceed, in the aggregate, the greater of $60 million and 30% of Consolidated EBITDA at the time of Incurrence or issuance (plus, in the case of any Refinancing Indebtedness, the Additional Refinancing Amount);
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(xiii) any guarantee 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 Incurred by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary is permitted under the terms of this Indenture; provided that (A) if such Indebtedness is by its express terms subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or the Guarantee of such Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, any such guarantee with respect to such Indebtedness shall be subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or such Guarantee, as applicable, substantially to the same extent as such Indebtedness is subordinated to the Notes or the Guarantee, as applicable, and (B) if such guarantee is of Indebtedness of the Company, such guarantee is Incurred in accordance with, or not in contravention of, Section 4.11 solely to the extent Section 4.11 is applicable;
(xiv) the Incurrence by the Company or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries of Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock, or by any Restricted Subsidiary of Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary, that serves to refund, refinance, renew, replace or defease any Indebtedness Incurred or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued as permitted under Section 4.03(a) and clauses (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (xii), (xiv), (xv) and (xix) of this Section 4.03(b) up to the outstanding principal amount (or, if applicable, the liquidation preference, face amount, or the like) or, if greater, committed amount (only to the extent the committed amount could have been Incurred on the date of initial Incurrence and was deemed Incurred at such time for the purposes of this Section 4.03) of such Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, in each case at the time such Indebtedness was Incurred or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock was issued pursuant to Section 4.03(a) or clauses (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (xii), (xiv), (xv) and (xix) of this Section 4.03(b), or any Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock Incurred to so refund or refinance such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, plus any additional Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock Incurred to pay premiums (including tender premiums), accrued and unpaid interest, expenses, defeasance costs and fees (including consent fees) in connection therewith (subject to the following proviso, “Refinancing Indebtedness”) prior to its respective maturity; provided, however, that such Refinancing Indebtedness:
(1) has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity at the time such Refinancing Indebtedness is Incurred which is not less than the shorter of (x) the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock being refunded, refinanced or defeased and (y) 91 days following the Stated Maturity of the Notes (provided that this subclause (1) will not apply to any refunding or refinancing of any Secured Indebtedness);
(2) to the extent such Refinancing Indebtedness refinances (a) Indebtedness junior to the Notes or a Guarantee, as applicable, such Refinancing Indebtedness is junior to the Notes or the Guarantee, as applicable, or (b) Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, such Refinancing Indebtedness is Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock; and
(3) shall not include (x) Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor that refinances Indebtedness of the Company or a Guarantor, or (y) Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary that refinances Indebtedness of an Unrestricted Subsidiary;
(xv) Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock of (A) the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary incurred to finance an acquisition or (B) Persons that are acquired by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or are merged, consolidated or amalgamated with or into the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in accordance with the terms of this Indenture (so long as, in the case of this clause (B) such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock is not incurred in contemplation of such acquisition, merger, consolidation or amalgamation); provided that upon giving effect to such acquisition or merger, consolidation or amalgamation, either:
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(1) the Company would be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.03(a); or
(2) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Company would be no less than immediately prior to such acquisition or merger, consolidation or amalgamation;
(xvi) Indebtedness Incurred by a Securitization Subsidiary in a Qualified Securitization Financing that is not recourse to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary other than a Securitization Subsidiary (except for Standard Securitization Undertakings); provided that the amount of Indebtedness outstanding under this clause (xvi) shall not exceed, when aggregated with all Indebtedness outstanding under clause (i) at the time of Incurrence, the maximum amount permitted under clause (i);
(xvii) Indebtedness arising from 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; provided that such Indebtedness is extinguished within thirty days of its Incurrence;
(xviii) Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary supported by a letter of credit or bank guarantee issued pursuant to Bank Indebtedness, in a principal amount not in excess of the stated amount of such letter of credit;
(xix) Indebtedness or issuance of Disqualified Stock and Preferred Stock of Restricted Subsidiaries of the Company that are not Guarantors in an aggregate principal amount or liquidation preference not to exceed at any one time outstanding (together with any Refinancing Indebtedness of Restricted Subsidiaries that are not Guarantors incurred in respect thereof pursuant to clause (xiv) above) the greater of $60 million and 30% of Consolidated EBITDA as of the date of such Incurrence or issuance (plus, in the case of any Refinancing Indebtedness, the Additional Refinancing Amount);
(xx) Indebtedness representing deferred compensation to employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries incurred in the ordinary course of business;
(xxi) Indebtedness of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary consisting of (A) the financing of insurance premiums or (B) take-or-pay obligations contained in supply arrangements, in each case, in the ordinary course of business;
(xxii) Indebtedness consisting of Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to current or former officers, directors and employees thereof or any direct or indirect parent thereof, their respective estates, spouses or former spouses, in each case to finance the purchase or redemption of Equity Interests of the Company or any direct or indirect parent of the Company to the extent described in Section 4.04(b)(iv);
(xxiii) Indebtedness in respect of Obligations of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to pay the deferred purchase price of goods or services or progress payments in connection with such goods and services; provided that such obligations are incurred in connection with open accounts extended by suppliers on customary trade terms in the ordinary course of business and not in connection with the borrowing of money or any Hedging Obligations;
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(xxiv) Indebtedness of the Company in respect of any Permitted Warrants and any Permitted Bond Hedges; and
(xxv) Indebtedness arising from customer deposits and advance payments received from customers in the ordinary course of business.
(c) For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.03:
(1) in the event that an item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (or any portion thereof) meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of permitted Indebtedness described in clauses (i) through (xxv) of Section 4.03(b) above or is entitled to be Incurred pursuant to Section 4.03(a), then the Company may, in its sole discretion, classify or reclassify, or later divide, classify or reclassify (as if Incurred at such later time), such item of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (or any portion thereof) in any manner that complies with this Section 4.03; provided that Indebtedness outstanding under the Credit Agreements on the Issue Date shall be incurred under clause (i) of Section 4.03(b) above and may not be reclassified (but, for the avoidance of doubt, Indebtedness incurred under clause (i) may be so divided, classified or reclassified within clause (i));
(2) at the time of incurrence, the Company will be entitled to divide and classify an item of Indebtedness in more than one of the categories of Indebtedness described in Section 4.03(a) or clauses (i) through (xxv) of Section 4.03(b) (or any portion thereof) without giving pro forma effect to the Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to any other clause or paragraph of Section 4.03 (or any portion thereof) when calculating the amount of Indebtedness that may be Incurred pursuant to any such clause or paragraph (or any portion thereof); and
(3) in connection with the Incurrence (including with respect to any Incurrence on a revolving basis pursuant to a revolving loan commitment) of any Indebtedness under Section 4.03(a), clause (i) of Section 4.03(b) or clause (xv) of Section 4.03(b), the Company or the applicable Restricted Subsidiary may at any time prior to the actual Incurrence of such Indebtedness designate such Incurrence as having occurred on the date of such prior notice, and any related subsequent actual Incurrence will be deemed for all purposes under this Indenture to have been Incurred on the date of such prior notice.
Accrual of interest, the accretion of accreted value, the payment of interest or dividends in the form of additional Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock, as applicable, amortization of original issue discount, the accretion of liquidation preference, the reclassification of preferred stock as Indebtedness due to a change in accounting principles, and increases in the amount of Indebtedness outstanding solely as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rate of currencies will not be deemed to be an Incurrence of Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock for purposes of this Section 4.03. Guarantees of, or obligations in respect of letters of credit relating to, Indebtedness which is otherwise included in the determination of a particular amount of Indebtedness shall not be included in the determination of such amount of Indebtedness; provided that the Incurrence of the Indebtedness represented by such guarantee or letter of credit, as the case may be, was in compliance with this Section 4.03.
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The amount of any Indebtedness outstanding as of any date will be:
(1) the accreted value of the Indebtedness, in the case of any Indebtedness issued with original issue discount;
(2) the principal amount of the Indebtedness, in the case of any other Indebtedness;
(3) in the case where the Indebtedness of a Person arises by reason of such Person having guaranteed Indebtedness of another Person and the amount of such Guarantee is limited to an amount less than the principal amount of the Indebtedness so Guaranteed, such amount as so limited; and
(4) in respect of Indebtedness of another Person secured by a Lien on the assets of the specified person, the lesser of:
(A) the Fair Market Value of such assets at the date of determination; and
(B) the amount of the Indebtedness of the other Person;
provided, for the avoidance of doubt, that Indebtedness will not include any liability for federal, state, local or other taxes.
For purposes of determining compliance with any U.S. dollar-denominated restriction on the Incurrence of 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 or first Incurred (whichever yields the lower U.S. dollar equivalent), in the case of revolving credit debt. However, if the Indebtedness is Incurred to refinance other Indebtedness denominated in a foreign currency, and the 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 the refinancing, the U.S. dollar-denominated restriction will be deemed not to have been exceeded so long as the principal amount of the refinancing Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount of the Indebtedness being refinanced.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 4.03, the maximum amount of Indebtedness that the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries may Incur pursuant to this Section 4.03 shall not be deemed to be exceeded, with respect to any outstanding Indebtedness, 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, will be calculated based on the currency exchange rate applicable to the currencies in which the respective Indebtedness is denominated that is in effect on the date of the refinancing.
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Section 4.04 Limitation on Restricted Payments.
(a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly:
(i) declare or pay any dividend or make any distribution on account of any of the Company’s or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries’ Equity Interests, including any payment made in connection with any merger, amalgamation or consolidation involving the Company (other than (A) dividends or distributions payable solely in Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company; or (B) dividends or distributions by a Restricted Subsidiary so long as, in the case of any dividend or distribution payable on or in respect of any class or series of securities issued by a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Wholly Owned Restricted Subsidiary, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary receives at least its pro rata share of such dividend or distribution in accordance with its Equity Interests in such class or series of securities);
(ii) purchase or otherwise acquire or retire for value any Equity Interests of the Company or any direct or indirect parent of the Company;
(iii) make any principal payment on, or redeem, repurchase, defease or otherwise acquire or retire for value, in each case prior to any scheduled repayment or scheduled maturity, any Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company, or any Guarantor (other than the payment, redemption, repurchase, defeasance, acquisition or retirement of (A) Subordinated Indebtedness in anticipation of satisfying a sinking fund obligation, principal installment or final maturity, in each case due within one year of the date of such payment, redemption, repurchase, defeasance, acquisition or retirement and (B) Indebtedness permitted under clauses (vii) and (ix) of Section 4.03(b)); or
(iv) make any Restricted Investment
(all such payments and other actions set forth in clauses (i) through (iv) above being collectively referred to as “Restricted Payments”), unless, at the time of such Restricted Payment:
(1) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof;
(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction on a pro forma basis, the Company could Incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness under Section 4.03(a); and
(3) such Restricted Payment, together with the aggregate amount of all other Restricted Payments made by the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries after the Issue Date (including Restricted Payments permitted by clauses (vi)(C) and (viii) of Section 4.04(b), but excluding all other Restricted Payments permitted by Section 4.04(b)), is less than the amount equal to the Cumulative Credit.
(b) The provisions of Section 4.04(a) shall not prohibit:
(i) the payment of any dividend or distribution or the consummation of any irrevocable redemption within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof, if at the date of declaration or the giving of notice of such irrevocable redemption, as applicable, such payment would have complied with the provisions of this Indenture;
(ii) (A) the payment, redemption, repurchase, retirement, defeasance or other acquisition of any Equity Interests (“Retired Capital Stock”) or Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company, any direct or indirect parent of the Company or any Guarantor in exchange for, or out of the proceeds of, the substantially concurrent sale of, Equity Interests of the Company or any direct or indirect parent of the Company or contributions to the equity capital of the Company (other than any Disqualified Stock or any Equity Interests sold to a Subsidiary of the Company) (collectively, including any such contributions, “Refunding Capital Stock”);
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(B) the declaration and payment of dividends on the Retired Capital Stock out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Company) of Refunding Capital Stock; and
(C) if immediately prior to the retirement of Retired Capital Stock, the declaration and payment of dividends thereon was permitted under clause (vi) of this Section 4.04(b) and not made pursuant to clause (ii)(B), the declaration and payment of dividends on the Refunding Capital Stock (other than Refunding Capital Stock the proceeds of which were used to redeem, repurchase, retire or otherwise acquire any Equity Interests of any direct or indirect parent of the Company) in an aggregate amount per year no greater than the aggregate amount of dividends per annum that were declarable and payable on such Retired Capital Stock immediately prior to such retirement;
(iii) the payment, redemption, repurchase, defeasance, or other acquisition or retirement of Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor made by exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale of, new Indebtedness of the Company or a Guarantor, which is Incurred in accordance with Section 4.03 so long as:
(A) the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of such new Indebtedness does not exceed the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable), plus any accrued and unpaid interest, of the Subordinated Indebtedness being so repaid, redeemed, repurchased, defeased, acquired or retired for value (plus the amount of any premium required to be paid under the terms of the instrument governing the Subordinated Indebtedness being so redeemed, repurchased, acquired or retired, plus any tender premiums, plus any defeasance costs, fees and expenses (including consent fees) incurred in connection therewith);
(B) such Indebtedness is subordinated to the Notes or the related Guarantee of such Guarantor, as the case may be, at least to the same extent as such Subordinated Indebtedness so repaid, purchased, exchanged, redeemed, repurchased, defeased, acquired or retired for value;
(C) such Indebtedness has a final scheduled maturity date equal to or later than the earlier of (x) the final scheduled maturity date of the Subordinated Indebtedness being so repaid, redeemed, repurchased, acquired or retired and (y) 91 days following the last maturity date of any Notes then outstanding; and
(D) such Indebtedness has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity at the time Incurred which is not less than the shorter of (x) the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Subordinated Indebtedness being so repaid, redeemed, repurchased, defeased, acquired or retired and (y) 91 days following the Stated Maturity of the Notes;
(iv) a Restricted Payment to pay for the repurchase, retirement or other acquisition for value of Equity Interests of the Company or any direct or indirect parent of the Company held by any future, present or former employee, director, officer or consultant of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or any direct or indirect parent of the Company pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or other agreement or arrangement; provided, however, that the aggregate Restricted Payments made under this clause (iv) do not exceed $20 million in any calendar year, with unused amounts in any calendar year being permitted to be carried over to succeeding calendar years up to a maximum of $30 million in any calendar year; provided, further, however, that such amount in any calendar year may be increased by an amount not to exceed:
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(A) the cash proceeds received by the Company or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries from the sale of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company or any direct or indirect parent of the Company (to the extent contributed to the Company) to employees, directors, officers or consultants of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries or any direct or indirect parent of the Company that occurs after the Issue Date (provided that the amount of such cash proceeds utilized for any such repurchase, retirement, other acquisition or dividend will not increase the amount available for Restricted Payments under Section 4.04(a)(iii)), plus
(B) the cash proceeds of key man life insurance policies received by the Company or any direct or indirect parent of the Company (to the extent contributed to the Company) or the Restricted Subsidiaries after the Issue Date;
provided that the Company may elect to apply all or any portion of the aggregate increase contemplated by clauses (A) and (B) above in any calendar year; and provided, further, that cancellation of Indebtedness owing to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary from any present or former employees, directors, officers or consultants of the Company, any Restricted Subsidiary or the direct or indirect parents of the Company in connection with a repurchase of Equity Interests of the Company or any of its direct or indirect parents will not be deemed to constitute a Restricted Payment for purposes of this Section 4.04 or any other provision of this Indenture;
(v) the declaration and payment of dividends or distributions to holders of any class or series of Disqualified Stock of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary issued or incurred in accordance with Section 4.03;
(vi) (A) the declaration and payment of dividends or distributions to holders of any class or series of Designated Preferred Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) issued after the Issue Date;
(B) a Restricted Payment to any direct or indirect parent of the Company, the proceeds of which will be used to fund the payment of dividends to holders of any class or series of Designated Preferred Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of any direct or indirect parent of the Company issued after the Issue Date; provided that the aggregate amount of dividends declared and paid pursuant to this clause (B) does not exceed the net cash proceeds actually received by the Company from any such sale of Designated Preferred Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) issued after the Issue Date; and
(C) the declaration and payment of dividends on Refunding Capital Stock that is Preferred Stock in excess of the dividends declarable and payable thereon pursuant to Section 4.04(b)(ii); provided, however, in the case of each of clauses (A) and (C) above of this clause (vi), that for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available immediately preceding the date of issuance of such Designated Preferred Stock, upon giving effect to such issuance (and the payment of dividends or distributions and treating such Designated Preferred Stock as Indebtedness for borrowed money for such purpose) on a pro forma basis (including a pro forma application of the net proceeds therefrom), the Company would have had a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of at least 2.00 to 1.00;
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(vii) Investments in joint ventures and Unrestricted Subsidiaries having an aggregate Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the Company), taken together with all other Investments made pursuant to this clause (vii) that are at that time outstanding, not to exceed the sum of (a) the greater of $50 million and 20% of Consolidated EBITDA as of the date of such Investment and (b) an amount equal to any returns (including dividends, interest, distributions, returns of principal, profits on sale, repayments, income and similar amounts) actually received in respect of any 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); provided, however, that if any Investment pursuant to this clause (vii) 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) of the definition of “Permitted Investments” and shall cease to have been made pursuant to this clause (vii) for so long as such Person continues to be the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary;
(viii) Restricted Payments that are made with (or in an aggregate amount that does not exceed the aggregate amount of) Excluded Contributions;
(ix) other Restricted Payments in an aggregate amount, when taken together with all other Restricted Payments made pursuant to this clause (ix) that are at that time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of $100 million and 40% of Consolidated EBITDA as of the date such Restricted Payment is made;
(x) the distribution, as a dividend or otherwise, of shares of Capital Stock of, or Indebtedness owed to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary by, Unrestricted Subsidiaries;
(xi) with respect to any taxable period for which the Company and/or any of its Subsidiaries are members of a consolidated, combined, affiliated, unitary or similar income tax group for U.S. federal and/or applicable state or local income tax purposes of which a direct or indirect parent of the Company is the common parent (a “Tax Group”), distributions to any direct or indirect parent of the Company to pay the portion of the taxes of such Tax Group attributable to the income of the Company and/or its applicable Subsidiaries in an amount not to exceed the amount of any U.S. federal, state and/or local income taxes (as applicable) that the Company and/or its applicable Subsidiaries would have paid for such taxable period had the Company and/or its applicable Subsidiaries been a stand-alone corporate taxpayer or a stand-alone corporate group with respect to such taxes; provided that distributions attributable to the income of any Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be permitted only to the extent that such Unrestricted Subsidiary made distributions to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary for such purpose;
(xii) any Restricted Payment, if applicable:
(A) in amounts required for any direct or indirect parent of the Company to pay fees and expenses (including franchise or similar taxes) required to maintain its corporate existence, customary salary, bonus and other benefits payable to, and indemnities provided on behalf of, officers and employees of any direct or indirect parent of the Company and general corporate operating and overhead expenses of any direct or indirect parent of the Company, in each case, to the extent such fees and expenses are attributable to the ownership or operation of the Company, if applicable, and its Subsidiaries;
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(B) in amounts required for any direct or indirect parent of the Company, if applicable, to pay interest and/or principal on Indebtedness the proceeds of which have been contributed to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary and that has been guaranteed by, or is otherwise considered Indebtedness of, the Company Incurred in accordance with Section 4.03; and
(C) in amounts required for any direct or indirect parent of the Company to pay fees and expenses related to any equity or debt offering of such parent (whether or not successful);
(xiii) repurchases of Equity Interests deemed to occur upon exercise of stock options, warrants or similar equity awards if such Equity Interests represent a portion of the exercise price of such options, warrants or similar equity awards;
(xiv) purchases of Securitization Assets pursuant to a Securitization Repurchase Obligation in connection with a Qualified Securitization Financing and the payment or distribution of Securitization Fees;
(xv) Restricted Payments by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to allow the payment of cash in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares upon the exercise of options or warrants or upon the conversion or exchange of Capital Stock of any such Person;
(xvi) the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition or retirement for value of any Subordinated Indebtedness pursuant to provisions similar to those described in Section 4.06 and Section 4.08; provided that all Notes tendered by holders of the Notes in connection with a Change of Control Offer or Asset Sale Offer, as applicable, have been repurchased, redeemed or acquired for value;
(xvii) payments or distributions to dissenting stockholders pursuant to applicable law, pursuant to or in connection with a consolidation, amalgamation, merger or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, that complies with Section 5.01; provided that as a result of such consolidation, amalgamation, merger or transfer of assets, the Company shall have made a Change of Control Offer (if required by this Indenture) and that all Notes tendered by holders in connection with such Change of Control Offer have been repurchased, redeemed or acquired for value;
(xviii) (i) payments of cash in respect of the purchase of a Permitted Bond Hedge, (ii) payments of cash in respect of the termination or settlement of any Permitted Warrant, and (iii) delivery of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) in respect of the termination or settlement of a Permitted Warrant;
(xix) the payment of a quarterly cash distribution on the Company’s Capital Stock, provided that upon giving effect to such payment, the Company would be permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in the Section 4.03(a) or the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Company would be no less than immediately prior to such payment; provided, further, that such distribution, taken together with all other Restricted Payments made pursuant to this clause (xix), shall not exceed $50 million in the aggregate in any fiscal year;
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(xx) the payment, redemption, repurchase, defeasance, or other acquisition or retirement of Permitted Convertible Debt;
(xxi) the redemption, repurchase, retirement, defeasance or other acquisition of any Disqualified Stock of the Company in exchange for, or out of the net cash proceeds of a substantially concurrent sale of, Disqualified Stock of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiaries Incurred in accordance with Section 4.03; and
(xxii) other Restricted Payments; provided that the Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio of the Company for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available, determined on a pro forma basis, is less than 3.25 to 1.00;
provided, however, that at the time of, and upon giving effect to, any Restricted Payment permitted under clauses (vi)(B), (vii), (ix), (x), (xii)(B), (xix) and (xxii) of this Section 4.04(b), no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof; provided, further, that any Restricted Payments made with property other than cash shall be calculated using the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the Company) of such property.
In the event that a Restricted Payment meets the criteria of, or may be made pursuant to, more than one of the clauses of this Section 4.04(b), Section 4.04(a) or the definition of “Permitted Investments,” the Company may classify, and from time to time, reclassify, such Restricted Payment if such classification would be permitted at the time of such reclassification. In addition, a Restricted Payment may be made in relation in part on one clause and in part on another clause.
(c) As of the Issue Date, all of the Subsidiaries of the Company will be Restricted Subsidiaries. For purposes of designating any Restricted Subsidiary as an Unrestricted Subsidiary, all outstanding Investments by the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries (except to the extent repaid) in the Subsidiary so designated will be deemed to be Restricted Payments in an amount determined as set forth in the last sentence of the definition of “Investments.” Such designation will only be permitted if a Restricted Payment or Permitted Investment in such amount would be permitted at such time and if such Subsidiary otherwise meets the definition of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
Section 4.05 Dividend and Other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries. The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or consensual restriction on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to:
(a) pay dividends or make any other distributions to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (1) on its Capital Stock; or (2) with respect to any other interest or participation in, or measured by, its profits; or
(b) make loans or advances to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that is a direct or indirect parent of such Restricted Subsidiary;
except in each case for such encumbrances or restrictions existing under or by reason of:
(1) (i) contractual encumbrances or restrictions in effect on the Issue Date and (ii) contractual encumbrances or restrictions pursuant to the Credit Agreements and the other Credit Agreement Documents and, in each case, similar contractual encumbrances effected by any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of such agreements or instruments;
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(2) this Indenture, the Notes or the Guarantees;
(3) applicable law or any applicable rule, regulation or order;
(4) any agreement or other instrument of a Person or with respect to any property acquired by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary which was in existence at the time of such acquisition (but not created in contemplation thereof or to provide all or any portion of the funds or credit support utilized to consummate such acquisition), which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person and its Subsidiaries, or the property or assets of the Person and its Subsidiaries, so acquired;
(5) contracts or agreements for the sale of assets, including any restriction with respect to a Restricted Subsidiary imposed pursuant to an agreement entered into for the sale or disposition of the Capital Stock or assets of such Restricted Subsidiary;
(6) Secured Indebtedness otherwise permitted to be Incurred pursuant to Section 4.03 and Section 4.12 that limits the right of the debtor to dispose of the assets securing such Indebtedness;
(7) restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by customers under contracts entered into in the ordinary course of business;
(8) customary provisions in joint venture agreements and other similar agreements;
(9) purchase money obligations for property acquired and Capitalized Lease Obligations in the ordinary course of business;
(10) customary provisions contained in leases, licenses and other similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business;
(11) customary provisions which prohibit the payment or making of dividends or other distributions other than on a pro rata basis;
(12) encumbrances and/or restrictions arising or agreed to in the ordinary course of business, not relating to any Indebtedness, and that do not, individually or in the aggregate, detract from the value of property or assets of the Restricted Subsidiary in any manner material to the Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole;
(13) any encumbrance or restriction that restricts in a customary manner the subletting, assignment or transfer of any property or asset that is subject to a lease, license or similar contract, or the assignment or transfer of any such lease, license (including without limitations, licenses of intellectual property) or other contracts;
(14) any encumbrance or restriction of a Securitization Subsidiary effected in connection with a Qualified Securitization Financing; provided, however, that such restrictions apply only to such Securitization Subsidiary;
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(15) other Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock (a) of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Guarantor or a Foreign Subsidiary or (b) of any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor or a Foreign Subsidiary so long as such encumbrances and restrictions contained in any agreement or instrument will not materially affect the Company’s or any Guarantor’s ability to make anticipated principal or interest payments on the Notes (as determined in good faith by the Company), provided that in the case of each of clauses (a) and (b), such Indebtedness, Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock is permitted to be Incurred subsequent to the Issue Date pursuant to Section 4.03;
(16) any Restricted Investment not prohibited by Section 4.04 and any Permitted Investment; or
(17) any encumbrances or restrictions of the type referred to in Section 4.05(a) or (b) above imposed by any amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings of the contracts, instruments or obligations referred to in clauses (1) through (16) above; provided that such amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements, refundings, replacements or refinancings are, in the good faith judgment of the Company, no more restrictive with respect to such dividend and other payment restrictions than those contained in the dividend or other payment restrictions prior to such amendment, modification, restatement, renewal, increase, supplement, refunding, replacement or refinancing.
For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.05, (i) the priority of any Preferred Stock in receiving dividends or liquidating distributions prior to dividends or liquidating distributions being paid on common stock shall not be deemed a restriction on the ability to make distributions on Capital Stock and (ii) the subordination of loans or advances made to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to other Indebtedness Incurred by the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary shall not be deemed a restriction on the ability to make loans or advances.
Section 4.06 Asset Sales.
(a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to, cause or make an Asset Sale, unless (x) the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, receives consideration at the time of such Asset Sale at least equal to the Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the Company) of the assets sold or otherwise disposed of, and, (y) unless such Asset Sale has a purchase price of less than $10 million, at least 75% of the consideration therefor received by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, is in the form of Cash Equivalents; provided that the amount of:
(i) any liabilities (as shown on the Company’s or a Restricted Subsidiary’s most recent balance sheet or in the notes thereto) of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary (other than liabilities that are by their terms subordinated to the Notes or any Guarantee) that are assumed by the transferee of any such assets or that are otherwise cancelled or terminated in connection with the transaction with such transferee,
(ii) any notes or other obligations or other securities or assets received by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are converted by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash within 180 days of the receipt thereof (to the extent of the cash received),
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(iii) Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary that is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such Asset Sale, to the extent that the Company and each other Restricted Subsidiary are released from any guarantee of payment of such Indebtedness in connection with the Asset Sale,
(iv) consideration consisting of Indebtedness of the Company (other than Subordinated Indebtedness) received after the Issue Date from Persons who are not the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, and
(v) any Designated Non-cash Consideration received by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in such Asset Sale having an aggregate Fair Market Value (as determined in good faith by the Company), taken together with all other Designated Non-cash Consideration received pursuant to this Section 4.06(a)(v) that is at that time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of $50 million and 25% of Consolidated EBITDA at the time of the receipt of such Designated Non-cash Consideration (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),
shall be deemed to be Cash Equivalents for the purposes of this Section 4.06(a).
(b) Within 365 days after the Company’s or any Restricted Subsidiary’s receipt of the Net Proceeds of any Asset Sale, the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary may apply the Net Proceeds from such Asset Sale, at its option:
(i) to repay (A) Secured Indebtedness (and, if the Indebtedness repaid is revolving credit Indebtedness, to correspondingly reduce commitments with respect thereto), (B) Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor, (C) Obligations under the Notes or (D) other Pari Passu Indebtedness (provided that if the Company or any Guarantor shall so reduce the Obligations under unsecured Pari Passu Indebtedness under this clause (D), the Company will equally and ratably reduce Notes Obligations pursuant to Section 3.01, through open-market purchases (provided that such purchases are at or above 100% of the principal amount thereof) or by making an offer (in accordance with the procedures set forth below for an Asset Sale Offer) to all holders to purchase at a purchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof (or, in the event that the Notes were issued with significant original issue discount, 100% of the accreted value thereof), plus accrued and unpaid interest on the pro rata principal amount of Notes), in each case other than Indebtedness owed to the Company or an Affiliate of the Company; or
(ii) to make (A) an investment in any one or more businesses (provided that if such investment is in the form of the acquisition of Capital Stock of a Person, such acquisition results in such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company), assets, or property, or (B) capital expenditures, in each case (x) used or useful in a Similar Business or (y) that replace the properties and assets that are the subject of such Asset Sale or to reimburse the cost of any of the foregoing incurred on or after the date on which the Asset Sale giving rise to such Net Proceeds was contractually committed; or
(iii) any combination of the foregoing.
In the case of Section 4.06(b)(ii), a binding commitment shall be treated as a permitted application of the Net Proceeds from the date of such commitment until the 18-month anniversary of the date of the receipt of such Net Proceeds; provided that in the event such binding commitment is later canceled or terminated for any reason before such Net Proceeds are so applied, then such Net Proceeds shall constitute Excess Proceeds.
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Pending the final application of any such Net Proceeds, the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary may temporarily reduce Indebtedness under a revolving credit facility, if any, or otherwise invest such Net Proceeds in any manner not prohibited by this Indenture. Any Net Proceeds from any Asset Sale that are not applied as provided and within the time period set forth in the first sentence of this Section 4.06(b) (it being understood that any portion of such Net Proceeds used to make an offer to purchase Notes, as described in clause (i) of this Section 4.06(b), shall be deemed to have been invested whether or not such offer is accepted) will be deemed to constitute “Excess Proceeds.” When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $50 million, the Company shall make an offer to all holders of Notes (and, at the option of the Company, to holders of any other Pari Passu Indebtedness) (an “Asset Sale Offer”) to purchase the maximum principal amount of Notes (and such other Pari Passu Indebtedness), that is at least $2,000 and an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds at an offer price in cash in an amount equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof (or, in the event the Notes or other Pari Passu Indebtedness were issued with significant original issue discount, 100% of the accreted value thereof), plus accrued and unpaid interest (or, in respect of such other Pari Passu Indebtedness, such lesser price, if any, as may be provided for by the terms of such other Pari Passu Indebtedness), to, but excluding, the date fixed for the closing of such offer, in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Indenture. The Company will commence an Asset Sale Offer with respect to Excess Proceeds within ten (10) Business Days after the date that Excess Proceeds exceeds $50 million by mailing, or delivering electronically if held by the Depository, a notice containing provisions similar to those set forth in this Indenture in Section 3.05(a), as applicable, with a copy to the Trustee. To the extent that the aggregate amount of Notes (and such other Pari Passu Indebtedness) tendered pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer is less than the Excess Proceeds, the Company may use any remaining Excess Proceeds for any purpose that is not prohibited by this Indenture. If the aggregate principal amount of Notes (and such other Pari Passu Indebtedness) surrendered by holders thereof exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Trustee, upon receipt of notice from the Company of the aggregate principal amount to be selected, shall select the Notes to be purchased in the manner described in Section 4.06(e). Upon completion of any such Asset Sale Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds shall be reset at zero.
(c) The Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations to the extent such laws or regulations are applicable in connection with the repurchase of the Notes pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of this Indenture, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations described in this Indenture by virtue thereof.
(d) Not later than the date upon which written notice of an Asset Sale Offer is delivered to the Trustee as provided above, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate as to (i) the amount of the Excess Proceeds, (ii) the allocation of the Net Proceeds from the Asset Sales pursuant to which such Asset Sale Offer is being made and (iii) the compliance of such allocation with the provisions of Section 4.06(b). Prior to 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the purchase date, the Company shall also deposit with the Trustee or the Paying Agent (or, if the Company or a Subsidiary is acting as the Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust) an amount equal to the Excess Proceeds to be held for payment in accordance with the provisions of this Section 4.06. Upon the expiration of the period for which the Asset Sale Offer remains open (the “Offer Period”), the Company shall deliver to the Trustee for cancellation the Notes or portions thereof that have been properly tendered to and are to be accepted
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by the Company. The Trustee (or the Paying Agent, if not the Trustee) shall, on the date of purchase, mail or deliver payment to each tendering holder in the amount of the purchase price. In the event that the Excess Proceeds delivered by the Company to the Trustee are greater than the purchase price of the Notes tendered, the Trustee shall deliver the excess to the Company immediately after the expiration of the Offer Period.
(e) Holders electing to have a Note purchased shall be required to surrender such Note, with an appropriate form duly completed, to the Company at the address specified in the notice at least three Business Days prior to the purchase date. Holders shall be entitled to withdraw their election if the Trustee or the Company receives not later than one Business Day prior to the purchase date, a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the holder, the principal amount of the Note which was delivered by the holder for purchase and a statement that such holder is withdrawing his election to have such Note purchased. If at the end of the Offer Period more Notes (and such other Pari Passu Indebtedness) are tendered pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer than the Company is required to purchase, selection of such Notes for purchase shall be made by the Trustee on a pro rata basis to the extent practicable, by lot or by such other method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate (and in such manner as complies with the requirements of the Depository, if applicable); provided that no Notes of $2,000 or less shall be purchased in part. Selection of such other Pari Passu Indebtedness shall be made pursuant to the terms of such other Pari Passu Indebtedness.
(f) Notices of an Asset Sale Offer shall be mailed by the Company by first class mail, postage prepaid, or delivered electronically if held by the Depository, at least 15 but not more than 60 days before the purchase date to each holder of Notes at such holder’s registered address. If any Note is to be purchased in part only, any notice of purchase that relates to such Note shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof that has been or is to be purchased.
Section 4.07 Transactions with Affiliates.
(a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, make any payment to, or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets to, or purchase any property or assets from, or enter into or make or amend any transaction or series of transactions, contract, agreement, understanding, loan, advance or guarantee with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate of the Company (each of the foregoing, an “Affiliate Transaction”) involving aggregate consideration in excess of $10 million, unless:
(i) such Affiliate Transaction is on terms that are not materially less favorable, taken as a whole, to the Company or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that could have been obtained in a comparable transaction by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary with an unrelated Person; and
(ii) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of $25 million, the Company delivers to the Trustee a resolution adopted in good faith by the majority of the Board of Directors of the Company, approving such Affiliate Transaction.
(b) The provisions of Section 4.07(a) shall not apply to the following:
(i) (A) transactions between or among the Company and/or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries (or an entity that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such transaction) or (B) any merger, consolidation or amalgamation of the Company and any direct parent of the Company or Affiliate of the Company; provided that such merger, consolidation or amalgamation is otherwise in compliance with the terms of this Indenture and effected for a bona fide business purpose;
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(ii) transactions with a Person (other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Company) that is an Affiliate of the Company solely because the Company owns, directly or through a Restricted Subsidiary, an Equity Interest in, or controls, such Person;
(iii) Restricted Payments permitted by Section 4.04 and “Permitted Investments” ;
(iv) the payment of reasonable and customary fees and reimbursement of expenses paid to, and indemnity provided on behalf of, officers, directors, employees, consultants or advisors of the Company, any Restricted Subsidiary, or any direct or indirect parent of the Company;
(v) transactions in which the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, delivers to the Trustee a letter from an Independent Financial Advisor stating that such transaction is fair to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary from a financial point of view or meets the requirements of clause (i) of Section 4.07(a);
(vi) payments or loans (or cancellation of loans) to officers, directors, employees or consultants;
(vii) any agreement as in effect as of the Issue Date or any amendment, modification or supplement thereto or any replacement thereof (so long as any such agreement together with all amendments, modifications, supplements or replacements thereto, taken as a whole, is not more disadvantageous to the holders of the Notes in any material respect than the original agreement as in effect on the Issue Date) or any transaction contemplated thereby;
(viii) the existence of, or the performance by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of its obligations under the terms of any equity holders or limited liability company agreement (including any registration rights agreement or purchase agreement related thereto) to which it is a party as of the Issue Date, and any transaction, agreement or arrangement described in the Offering Memorandum and, in each case, any amendment thereto or similar transactions, agreements or arrangements which it may enter into thereafter; provided, however, that the existence of, or the performance by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of its obligations under, any future amendment to any such existing transaction, agreement or arrangement or under any similar transaction, agreement or arrangement entered into after the Issue Date shall only be permitted by this clause (viii) to the extent that the terms of any such existing transaction, agreement or arrangement together with all amendments thereto, taken as a whole, or new transaction, agreement or arrangement are not otherwise more disadvantageous to the holders of the Notes in any material respect than the original transaction, agreement or arrangement as in effect on the Issue Date;
(ix) (A) transactions with customers, clients, suppliers or purchasers or sellers of goods or services, or transactions otherwise relating to the purchase or sale of goods or services, in each case in the ordinary course of business and otherwise in compliance with the terms of this Indenture, which are fair to the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries in the reasonable determination of the Company, or are on terms at least as favorable as might reasonably have been obtained at such time from an unaffiliated party or (B) transactions with joint ventures or Unrestricted Subsidiaries entered into in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice or industry norm;
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(x) any transaction effected as part of a Qualified Securitization Financing;
(xi) the issuance of Equity Interests (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company to any Person and the granting of registration and other customary rights in connection therewith;
(xii) the issuances of securities or other payments, awards or grants in cash, securities or otherwise pursuant to, or the funding of, employment arrangements, stock option, stock ownership, severance or termination plans or similar employee benefit agreements, arrangements or plans entered into by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practices and advances, reimbursements and payments pursuant thereto;
(xiii) the entering into of any tax sharing agreement or arrangement that complies with Section 4.04(b)(xi) and the performance under any such agreement or arrangement;
(xiv) any contribution to the capital of the Company;
(xv) transactions permitted by, and complying with, Section 5.01;
(xvi) transactions between the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary and any Person, a director or manager of which is also a director or manager of the Company or any direct or indirect parent of the Company; provided, however, that such director or manager abstains from voting as a director or manager of the Company or such direct or indirect parent of the Company, as the case may be, on any matter involving such other Person;
(xvii) pledges of Equity Interests of Unrestricted Subsidiaries;
(xviii) the formation and maintenance of any consolidated group or subgroup for tax, accounting or cash pooling or management purposes in the ordinary course of business;
(xix) any employment, consulting, service, termination, severance or indemnification agreements entered into by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary with officers and employees of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and the payment of compensation to officers and employees of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, including amounts paid pursuant to employee benefit plans, employee stock option or similar plans, in each case in the ordinary course of business or consistent with past practice; and
(xx) any capital contribution made by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to a joint venture to the extent otherwise permitted under this Indenture.
Section 4.08 Change of Control.
(a) Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each holder shall have the right to require the Company to repurchase all or any part of such holder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the date of repurchase (subject to the right of the holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date), in accordance with the terms contemplated in this Section
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4.08; provided, however, that notwithstanding the occurrence of a Change of Control, the Company shall not be obligated to purchase any Notes pursuant to this Section 4.08 in the event that it has previously or concurrently exercised its right to redeem such Notes by delivery of a notice of redemption in accordance with Article III of this Indenture. In the event that at the time of such Change of Control, the terms of any Bank Indebtedness restrict or prohibit the repurchase of Notes pursuant to this Section 4.08, then prior to the mailing or sending of the notice to the holders provided for in Section 4.08(b) but in any event within 30 days following any Change of Control, the Company shall: (i) repay in full all Bank Indebtedness or, if doing so will allow the purchase of Notes, offer to repay in full all Bank Indebtedness and repay the Bank Indebtedness of each lender and/or noteholder who has accepted such offer; or (ii) obtain the requisite consent under the agreements governing the Bank Indebtedness to permit the repurchase of the Notes as provided for in Section 4.08(b).
(b) Within 30 days following any Change of Control, except to the extent that the Company has exercised its right to redeem the Notes in accordance with Article III of this Indenture, the Company shall mail, or deliver electronically if held by the Depository, a notice (a “Change of Control Offer”) to each holder with a copy to the Trustee stating:
(i) that a Change of Control has occurred and that such holder has the right to require the Company to repurchase such holder’s Notes at a repurchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the date of repurchase (subject to the right of the holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest on the relevant Interest Payment Date);
(ii) the circumstances and relevant facts and financial information regarding such Change of Control;
(iii) the repurchase date (which shall be no earlier than 15 days nor later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed or sent); and
(iv) the instructions determined by the Company, consistent with this Section 4.08, that a holder must follow in order to have its Notes purchased.
(c) Holders electing to have a Note purchased shall be required to surrender the Note, with an appropriate form duly completed, to the Company at the address specified in the notice at least three Business Days prior to the purchase date. The holders shall be entitled to withdraw their election if the Trustee or the Company receives not later than one Business Day prior to the purchase date a telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the holder, the principal amount of the Note which was delivered for purchase by the holder and a statement that such holder is withdrawing its election to have such Note purchased. Holders whose Notes are purchased only in part shall be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered.
(d) On the purchase date, all Notes purchased by the Company under this Section 4.08 shall be delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, and the Company shall pay the purchase price plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the date of repurchase, to the holders entitled thereto.
(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 4.08 or any provision of this Indenture to the contrary, a Change of Control Offer may be made in advance of a Change of Control, and conditioned upon such Change of Control, if a definitive agreement is in place for the Change of Control at the time of making the Change of Control Offer.
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(f) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 4.08, the Company shall not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon (or in advance of, as described in clause (e) above) a Change of Control if 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 properly tendered and not withdrawn under such Change of Control Offer.
(g) Notes repurchased by the Company pursuant to a Change of Control Offer will have the status of Notes issued but not outstanding or will be retired and canceled at the option of the Company. Notes purchased by a third party pursuant to the preceding clause (f) will have the status of Notes issued and outstanding.
(h) At the time the Company delivers Notes to the Trustee which are to be accepted for purchase, the Company shall also deliver an Officers’ Certificate stating that such Notes are to be accepted by the Company pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of this Section 4.08.
A Note shall be deemed to have been accepted for purchase at the time the Trustee, directly or through an agent, mails or delivers payment therefor to the surrendering holder.
(i) Prior to any Change of Control Offer, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that all conditions precedent contained herein to the right of the Company to make such offer have been complied with.
(j) The Company shall comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and any other securities laws or regulations in connection with the repurchase of Notes pursuant to this Section 4.08. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with provisions of this Section 4.08, the Company shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this Section 4.08 by virtue thereof.
(k) If holders of not less than 90% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes validly tender and do not withdraw such Notes in a Change of Control Offer and the Company, or any third party making a Change of Control Offer in lieu of the Company as described above, purchases all of the Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn by such holders, the Company or such third party will have the right, upon not less than 15 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice, given not more than 30 days following such purchase pursuant to the Change of Control Offer, to redeem all Notes that remain outstanding following such purchase at a price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the date of redemption. Any such redemption shall be effected pursuant to Article III.
Section 4.09 Compliance Certificate. The Company shall deliver to the Trustee within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, beginning with the fiscal year ending on December 31, 2021, an Officers’ Certificate that need not comply with Section 13.05 stating that in the course of the performance by the signers (one of which shall be the principal executive officer, the principal financial officer or principal accounting officer, of the Company) of their duties as Officers of the Company they would normally have knowledge of any Default and whether or not the signers know of any Default that occurred during such period. If any Officer does, the certificate shall describe the Default, its status and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto. Except with respect to receipt of payments of principal and interest on the Notes and any Default or Event of Default information contained in the Officers’ Certificate delivered to it pursuant to this Section 4.09, the Trustee shall have no duty to review, ascertain or confirm the Company’s compliance with or the breach of any representation, warranty or covenant made in this Indenture.
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Section 4.10 Further Instruments and Acts. Upon request of the Trustee, the Company shall execute and deliver such further instruments and do such further acts as may be reasonably necessary or proper to carry out more effectively the purpose of this Indenture.
Section 4.11 Future Guarantors. From and after the Issue Date, the Company shall cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is not a Foreign Subsidiary or an Immaterial Subsidiary and that guarantees or becomes a borrower under a Credit Agreement or that, following the Issue Date, guarantees any Capital Markets Indebtedness of the Company or any of the Guarantors, to execute and deliver to the Trustee, within 20 days of such event, a supplemental indenture substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto pursuant to which such Subsidiary will guarantee payment of the Notes.
Section 4.12 Liens.
(a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of the Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, Incur or suffer to exist any Lien (except Permitted Liens) on any asset or property of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary securing Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary unless the Notes are equally and ratably secured with (or on a senior basis to, in the case of obligations subordinated in right of payment to the Notes) the obligations so secured until such time as such obligations are no longer secured by a Lien.
(b) Any Lien that is granted to secure the Notes or any Guarantee under Section 4.12(a) shall be automatically released and discharged at the same time as the release of the Lien that gave rise to the obligation to secure the Notes or such Guarantee under Section 4.12(a).
(c) For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.12, (i) a Lien securing an item of Indebtedness need not be permitted solely by reference to one category of permitted Liens (or any portion thereof) described in the definition of “Permitted Liens” or pursuant to Section 4.12(a) but may be permitted in part under any combination thereof and (ii) in the event that a Lien securing an item of Indebtedness (or any portion thereof) meets the criteria of one or more of the categories of permitted Liens (or any portion thereof) described in the definition of “Permitted Liens” or pursuant to Section 4.12(a), the Company may, in its sole discretion, classify or reclassify, or later divide, classify or reclassify (as if Incurred at such later time), such Lien securing such item of Indebtedness (or any portion thereof) in any manner that complies with this covenant and will be entitled to only include the amount and type of such Lien or such item of Indebtedness secured by such Lien (or any portion thereof) in one of the categories of permitted Liens (or any portion thereof) described in the definition of “Permitted Liens” or pursuant to Section 4.12(a) and, in such event, such Lien securing such item of Indebtedness (or any portion thereof) will be treated as being Incurred or existing pursuant to only such clause or clauses (or any portion thereof) or pursuant to Section 4.12(a) without giving pro forma effect to such item (or portion thereof) when calculating the amount of Liens or Indebtedness that may be Incurred pursuant to any other clause or paragraph.
(d) 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 or in the form of common stock of the Company, the payment of dividends on Preferred Stock in the form of additional shares of Preferred Stock of the same class, 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 described in clause (3) of the definition of “Indebtedness.”
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Section 4.13 [Intentionally Omitted].
Section 4.14 Maintenance of Office or Agency.
(a) The Company shall maintain an office or agency (which may be an office of the Trustee or an affiliate of the Trustee or Registrar) where Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange. The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of 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 at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee as set forth in Section 13.02.
(b) 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 such designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency for such purposes. The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.
(c) The Company hereby designates the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee or its agent as such office or agency of the Company in accordance with Section 2.04.
Section 4.15 Existence. The Company shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its legal existence and the rights, licenses, permits, privileges and franchises material to the conduct of its business; provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit any transaction permitted under Section 5.01, and the Company shall not be required to preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect any such right, license, permit, privilege, franchise or legal existence if the Company shall determine in good faith the preservation, renewal or keeping in full force and effect thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company.
Section 4.16 Covenant Suspension. If on any date following the Issue Date, (i) the Notes have Investment Grade Ratings from at least two of the Rating Agencies, and (ii) no Default has occurred and is continuing under this Indenture (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, any Default arising in connection with the event or transaction resulting in the achievement of such Investment Grade Ratings, which Default arises solely under one or more of the Suspended Covenants), then, beginning on that day (the occurrence of the events described in the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii) being collectively referred to as a “Covenant Suspension Event”), and subject to the provisions of the following paragraph, the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries shall not be subject to Sections 4.03, 4.04, 4.05, 4.06, 4.07, 4.11, 5.01(a)(iv) and 5.01(b) (collectively the “Suspended Covenants”).
In the event that the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries are not subject to the Suspended Covenants under this Indenture for any period of time as a result of the foregoing, and on any subsequent date (the “Reversion Date”) the Notes cease to have Investment Grade Ratings from at least two of the Rating Agencies, then the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries will thereafter again be subject to the Suspended Covenants under this Indenture with respect to future events.
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The Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate indicating the occurrence of each Covenant Suspension Event or Reversion Date within five Business Days of the occurrence thereof. The Trustee shall have no obligation to (i) independently determine or verify if such events have occurred, (ii) make any determination regarding the impact of any actions taken during the Suspension Period or the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries’ future compliance with their covenants or (iii) notify the holders of any Suspended Covenants or Reversion Date. The Trustee may provide a copy of such notice to any holder of Notes upon request.
On each Reversion Date, all Indebtedness Incurred, or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock issued, during the Suspension Period will be classified as having been Incurred or issued pursuant to Sections 4.03(a) and (b) (to the extent such Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock would be permitted to be Incurred or issued thereunder as of the Reversion Date and after giving effect to Indebtedness Incurred or issued prior to the Suspension Period and outstanding on the Reversion Date). To the extent such Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock would not be so permitted to be Incurred or issued pursuant to Sections 4.03(a) and (b), such Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock or Preferred Stock will be deemed to have been outstanding on the Issue Date, so that it is classified as permitted under Section 4.03(b)(iii). Calculations made after the Reversion Date of the amount available to be made as Restricted Payments under Section 4.04 will be made as though Section 4.04 had been in effect since the Issue Date and prior to, but not during, the Suspension Period. Accordingly, Restricted Payments made during the Suspension Period will not reduce the amount available to be made as Restricted Payments under Section 4.04(a). No Default or Event of Default will be deemed to have occurred on the Reversion Date as a result of any actions taken by the Company or the Restricted Subsidiaries during the Suspension Period or any actions taken at any time pursuant to any contractual obligation arising prior to the Reversion Date that were permitted under this Indenture at such time, regardless of whether such actions or events would have been permitted if the applicable Suspended Covenants remained in effect during such period. Within 30 days of such Reversion Date, the Company must comply with the terms of Section 4.11.
For purposes of Section 4.05, on the Reversion Date, any consensual encumbrances or consensual restrictions of the type specified in clause (a) or (b) thereof entered into during the Suspension Period will be deemed to have been in effect on the Issue Date, so that they are permitted under clause (1)(i) thereof.
For purposes of Section 4.07, any Affiliate Transaction entered into after the Reversion Date pursuant to a contract, agreement, loan, advance or guaranty with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate of the Company entered into during the Suspension Period will be deemed to have been in effect as of the Issue Date for purposes of clause (b)(vii) thereof.
For purposes of Section 4.06, on the Reversion Date, the unutilized Excess Proceeds amount will be reset to zero.
ARTICLE V
SUCCESSOR COMPANY
Section 5.01 When Company and Guarantors May Merge or Transfer Assets.
(a) The Company may not, directly or indirectly, consolidate, amalgamate or merge with or into or wind up or convert into (whether or not the Company is the surviving Person), or, directly or indirectly through one or more Restricted Subsidiaries, sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets in one or more related transactions (excluding the creation of any Lien) to, any Person unless:
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(i) the Company is the surviving Person or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation, amalgamation, merger, winding-up or conversion (if other than the Company) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition will have been made is a corporation, partnership or limited liability company or similar entity organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, or the District of Columbia (the Company or such Person, as the case may be, being herein called the “Successor Company”); provided that in the event that the Successor Company is not a corporation, a co-obligor of the Notes is a corporation;
(ii) the Successor Company (if other than the Company) expressly assumes all the obligations of the Company under this Indenture pursuant to supplemental indentures in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee;
(iii) immediately after giving effect to such transaction (and treating any Indebtedness which becomes an obligation of the Successor Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries as a result of such transaction as having been Incurred by the Successor Company or such Restricted Subsidiary at the time of such transaction) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing;
(iv) immediately after giving pro forma effect to such transaction, as if such transaction had occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period (and treating any Indebtedness which becomes an obligation of the Successor Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries as a result of such transaction as having been Incurred by the Successor Company or such Restricted Subsidiary at the time of such transaction), either
(1) the Successor Company would be permitted to Incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness pursuant to the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test set forth in Section 4.03(a); or
(2) the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Company would be no less than such ratio immediately prior to such transaction;
(v) if the Company is not the Successor Company, each Guarantor, unless it is the other party to the transactions described above, shall have by supplemental indenture confirmed that its Guarantee shall apply to such Person’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes; and
(vi) the Successor Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, amalgamation or transfer and such supplemental indentures (if any) comply with all conditions precedent thereto set forth in this Indenture.
The Successor Company (if other than the Company) will succeed to, and be substituted for, the Company under this Indenture and the Notes, and in such event the Company will automatically be released and discharged from its obligations under this Indenture and the Notes. Notwithstanding the foregoing clauses (iii) and (iv) of this Section 5.01(a), (A) the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may merge, consolidate or amalgamate with or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to a Restricted Subsidiary or, provided that the Company is the Successor Company, the Company, and (B) the Company may merge, consolidate or amalgamate with an Affiliate incorporated solely for the purpose of reincorporating the Company in another state of the United States or the District of Columbia (collectively, “Permitted Jurisdictions”) or may convert into a corporation, partnership or limited liability company. This Section 5.01(a) will not apply to a sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of assets between or among the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries.
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(b) Subject to the provisions of Section 12.02(b), no Guarantor shall, and the Company shall not permit any such Guarantor to, consolidate, amalgamate or merge with or into or wind up or convert into (whether or not such Guarantor is the surviving Person), or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of (excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, the creation of any Lien) all or substantially all of its properties or assets in one or more related transactions to, any Person unless:
(i) either (A) such Guarantor is the surviving Person or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation, amalgamation or merger (if other than such Guarantor) or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition shall have been made is a company, corporation, partnership or limited liability company or similar entity organized or existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia (such Guarantor or such Person, as the case may be, being herein called the “Successor Guarantor”) and the Successor Guarantor (if other than such Guarantor) expressly assumes all the obligations of such Guarantor under this Indenture and the Notes or the Guarantee, as applicable, pursuant to a supplemental indenture in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, or (B) such sale or disposition or consolidation, amalgamation or merger is not in violation of Section 4.06; and
(ii) the Successor Guarantor (if other than such Guarantor) shall have delivered or caused to be delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, amalgamation, merger or transfer and such supplemental indenture (if any) comply with all conditions precedent thereto set forth in this Indenture.
Except as otherwise provided in this Indenture, the Successor Guarantor (if other than such Guarantor) will succeed to, and be substituted for, such Guarantor under this Indenture and the Notes or the Guarantee, as applicable, and such Guarantor will automatically be released and discharged from its obligations under this Indenture and the Notes or its Guarantee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (1) a Guarantor may merge, amalgamate or consolidate with an Affiliate incorporated solely for the purpose of reincorporating such Guarantor in a Permitted Jurisdiction or may convert into a limited liability company, corporation, partnership or similar entity organized or existing under the laws of any Permitted Jurisdiction and (2) a Guarantor may merge, amalgamate or consolidate with the Company or another Guarantor.
In addition, notwithstanding the foregoing, a Guarantor may consolidate, amalgamate or merge with or into or wind up or convert into, liquidate, dissolve, or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets to the Company or any Guarantor.
Any reference herein to a merger, transfer, consolidation, amalgamation, consolidation, assignment, sale, disposition or transfer, or similar term, shall be deemed to apply to a division of or by a limited liability company, or an allocation of assets to a series of a limited liability company (or the unwinding of such a division or allocation), as if it were a merger, transfer, consolidation, amalgamation, consolidation, assignment, sale, disposition or transfer, or similar term, as applicable, to, of or with a separate Person. Any division of a limited liability company shall constitute a separate Person hereunder (and each division of any limited liability company that is a Subsidiary, joint venture or any other like term shall also constitute such a Person or entity).
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ARTICLE VI
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES
Section 6.01 Events of Default. An “Event of Default” occurs with respect to Notes if:
(a) there is a default in any payment of interest on any Note when due, and such default continues for a period of 30 days;
(b) there is a default in the payment of principal or premium, if any, of any Note when due at its Stated Maturity, upon optional redemption, upon required repurchase, upon declaration or otherwise;
(c) there is a failure by the Company for 120 days after receipt of written notice given by the Trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding (with a copy to the Trustee) to comply with any of its obligations, covenants or agreements in Section 4.02;
(d) there is a failure by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary for 60 days after written notice given by the Trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding (with a copy to the Trustee) to comply with its other obligations, covenants or agreements (other than a default referred to in clauses (a), (b) or (c) above) contained in the Notes or this Indenture;
(e) there is a failure by the Company or any Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Subsidiaries that together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) to pay any Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness owing to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) within any applicable grace period after final maturity or the acceleration of any such Indebtedness by the holders thereof because of a default, in each case, if the total amount of such Indebtedness unpaid or accelerated exceeds $50 million or its foreign currency equivalent;
(f) the Company or any Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Subsidiaries that together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:
(i) commences a voluntary case;
(ii) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary case;
(iii) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for any substantial part of its property; or
(iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors or takes any comparable action under any foreign laws relating to insolvency,
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(g) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:
(i) is for relief against the Company or any Significant Subsidiary in an involuntary case;
(ii) appoints a Custodian of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary or for any substantial part of its property; or
(iii) orders the winding-up or liquidation of the Company or any Significant Subsidiary;
or any similar relief is granted under any foreign laws and, in each case, the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 days;
(h) there is a failure by the Company or any Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Subsidiaries that together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) to pay final judgments aggregating in excess of $50 million or its foreign currency equivalent (net of any amounts which are covered by enforceable insurance policies issued by solvent carriers), which judgments are not discharged, waived or stayed for a period of 60 days; or
(i) the Guarantee of a Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Subsidiaries that together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) with respect to the Notes ceases to be in full force and effect (except as contemplated by the terms thereof), or the Company or any other Guarantor that qualifies as a Significant Subsidiary (or any group of Subsidiaries that together would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) denies or disaffirms its obligations under this Indenture or any Guarantee with respect to the Notes and such Default continues for 10 days.
The foregoing shall constitute Events of Default whatever the reason for any such Event of Default and whether it is voluntary or involuntary or is effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body.
However, a default under clause (c) or (d) above shall not constitute an Event of Default until the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of outstanding Notes notify the Company, with a copy to the Trustee (if given by the holders), of the default and the Company fails to cure such default within the time specified in clause (c) or (d) hereof after receipt of such notice. Such notice must specify the Default, demand that it be remedied and state that such notice is a “Notice of Default.”
The term “Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, United States Code, or any similar Federal or state law for the relief of debtors. The term “Custodian” means any receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator, custodian or similar official under any Bankruptcy Law.
Section 6.02 Acceleration. If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(f) or (g) hereof with respect to the Company) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee by notice to the Company or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of outstanding Notes by notice to the Company, with a copy to the Trustee, may declare the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued but unpaid interest on all the Notes to be due and payable. Upon such a declaration, such principal and interest shall be due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(f) or (g) with respect to the Company occurs, the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on all the Notes will become immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any holders. The holders of a majority in principal amount of outstanding Notes may rescind and annul any such acceleration with respect to the Notes and its consequences if (a) the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to pay (i) all overdue interest on all Notes, (ii) the principal of and premium, if any, on any Notes that have become due otherwise than by such declaration or occurrence of acceleration and interest thereon at the rate prescribed therefor by such Notes, and (iii) to
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the extent that payment for such interest is lawful, interest upon overdue interest, if any, at the rate prescribed therefor by such Notes, (b) all existing Events of Default, other than the nonpayment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes that have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived and (c) the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction. The Company shall pay the Trustee any amounts owing pursuant to Section 7.07 promptly following any such rescission.
In the event of any Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(e), such Event of Default and all consequences thereof (excluding, however, any resulting payment default) shall be annulled, waived and rescinded, automatically and without any action by the Trustee or the holders of the Notes, if within 45 days after such Event of Default arose the Company delivers an Officers’ Certificate to the Trustee stating that (x) the Indebtedness or guarantee that is the basis for such Event of Default has been discharged or (y) the holders thereof have rescinded or waived the acceleration, notice or action (as the case may be) giving rise to such Event of Default or (z) the default that is the basis for such Event of Default has been cured, it being understood that in no event shall an acceleration of the principal amount of the Notes as described above be annulled, waived or rescinded upon the happening of any such events.
Section 6.03 Other Remedies. If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy at law or in equity to collect the payment of principal of or interest on the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes, the Guarantees, 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. To the extent required by law, all available remedies are cumulative.
Section 6.04 Waiver of Past Defaults. Provided the Notes are not then due and payable by reason of a declaration of acceleration, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding by written notice to the Trustee may waive an existing Default and its consequences except (a) a Default in the payment of the principal of or interest on a Note or (b) a Default arising from the failure to redeem or purchase any Note when required pursuant to the terms of this Indenture. When a Default is waived, it is deemed cured and the Company, the Trustee and the holders will be restored to their former positions and rights under this Indenture, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any consequent right.
Section 6.05 Control by Majority. The holders of a majority in principal amount of outstanding Notes may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee. The Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture or that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other holder (it being understood that the Trustee does not have an affirmative duty to ascertain whether or not any such directions are unduly prejudicial to such holders) or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability. Prior to taking any action under this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to indemnification satisfactory to it in its sole discretion against all losses and expenses caused by taking or not taking such action.
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Section 6.06 Limitation on Suits.
(a) Except to enforce the contractual right to receive payment of principal, premium (if any) or interest when due, no holder may pursue any remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Notes unless:
(i) such holder has previously given the Trustee written notice that an Event of Default is continuing,
(ii) holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes have requested the Trustee to pursue the remedy,
(iii) such holders have offered the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense,
(iv) the Trustee has not complied with such request within 60 days after the receipt of the request and the offer of security or indemnity, and
(v) the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes have not given the Trustee a direction inconsistent with such request within such 60-day period.
(b) A holder may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another holder or to obtain a preference or priority over another holder (it being understood that the Trustee shall have no obligation to ascertain whether or not such actions or forbearances are unduly prejudicial to any other holder).
Section 6.07 Rights of the Holders to Receive Payment. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the contractual right of any holder to receive payment of principal of and interest on the Notes held by such holder, on or after the respective due dates expressed or provided for in the Notes, or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such holder.
Section 6.08 Collection Suit by Trustee. If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(a) or (b) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company or any other obligor on the Notes for the whole amount then due and owing (together with interest on overdue principal and (to the extent lawful) on any unpaid interest at the rate provided for in the Notes) and the amounts provided for in Section 7.07.
Section 6.09 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim. The Trustee may file such proofs of claim, statements of interest and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for reasonable compensation, expenses disbursements and advances of the Trustee (including counsel, accountants, experts or such other professionals as the Trustee deems necessary, advisable or appropriate)) and the holders allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company, the Guarantors, their creditors or their property, shall be entitled to participate as a member, voting or otherwise, of any official committee of creditors appointed in such matters and, unless prohibited by law or applicable regulations, 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 reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and its counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07. To the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and
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counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07 hereof out of the estate in any such proceeding shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a Lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other properties that the holders may be entitled to receive in such proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise. Nothing herein contained 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, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any holder in any such proceeding.
Section 6.10 Priorities. Any money or property collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article VI and any other money or property distributable in respect of the Company’s or any Guarantor’s obligations under this Indenture after an Event of Default shall be applied in the following order:
FIRST: to the Trustee for amounts due hereunder (including the reasonable compensation and expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee’s agents, counsel, accountants and experts in accordance with Section 7.07);
SECOND: to the holders for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes for principal and interest, respectively; and
THIRD: to the Company or, to the extent the Trustee collects any amount for any Guarantor, to such Guarantor.
The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to the holders pursuant to this Section 6.10. At least 15 days before such record date, the Trustee shall deliver to each holder and the Company a notice that states the record date, the payment date and the 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 a holder pursuant to Section 6.07 or a suit by holders of more than 10% in principal amount of the Notes.
Section 6.12 Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws. Neither the Company nor any Guarantor (to the extent it may lawfully do so) shall at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company and the Guarantors (to the extent that they may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waive all benefit or advantage of any such law, and shall not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but shall suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.
ARTICLE VII
TRUSTEE
Section 7.01 Duties of Trustee.
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(a) The Trustee, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to the Notes and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default which may have occurred, undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture. If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture and shall use the same degree of care and skill in their 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:
(i) 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 (it being agreed that the permissive right of the Trustee to do things enumerated in this Indenture shall not be construed as a duty); and
(ii) 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 or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. The Trustee shall be under no duty to make any investigation as to any statement contained in any such instance, but may accept the same as conclusive evidence of the truth and accuracy of such statement or the correctness of such opinions. However, in the case of certificates or opinions required by any provision hereof to be provided to it, the Trustee shall examine the form of certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).
(c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act or its own willful misconduct, except that:
(i) this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section 7.01;
(ii) 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 negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;
(iii) 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 from the holders of not less than 50% of the principal amount of outstanding Notes; and
(iv) no provision of this Indenture 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 in the exercise of any of its rights or powers.
(d) Every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee, including, without limitation, relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee, is subject to paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section 7.01.
(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.
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(f) Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.
Section 7.02 Rights of Trustee.
(a) The Trustee may conclusively rely on any document (whether in its original or facsimile form) 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.
(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officers’ Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both, which shall conform to the provisions of Section 13.05. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on the Officers’ Certificate or Opinion of Counsel.
(c) The Trustee may exercise any of the rights or powers hereof and perform any of its duties directly or may act by or through agents or attorneys and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent or attorney appointed with due care.
(d) The Trustee shall not be responsible or 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 the Indenture; provided, however, that the Trustee’s conduct does not constitute willful misconduct or negligence.
(e) The Trustee may consult with counsel of its own selection and the advice or opinion of counsel with respect to legal matters 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 in good faith and in accordance with the advice or opinion of such counsel.
(f) The Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, consent, order, approval, bond, debenture, note or other paper or document unless requested in writing to do so by the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding, 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 the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney, at the expense of the Company and shall Incur no liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation.
(g) The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders pursuant to this Indenture, unless such holders shall have offered to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be Incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.
(h) The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including its right to be compensated, reimbursed and indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder.
(i) The Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith at the direction of the holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Notes as to the time, method and place of conducting any proceedings for any remedy available to the Trustee or the exercising of any power conferred by this Indenture.
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(j) Any action taken, or omitted to be taken, by the Trustee in good faith pursuant to this Indenture upon the request or 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 upon future holders of Notes and upon Notes executed and delivered in exchange therefor or in place thereof.
(k) The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice of any Default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a Default or an Event of Default by the Company or by the holders of at least 25% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes then outstanding is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the Notes and this Indenture.
(l) The Trustee may request that the Company deliver an Officers’ Certificate setting forth the names of individuals and/or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture, which Officers’ Certificate may be signed by any Person authorized to sign an Officers’ Certificate, including any Person specified as so authorized in any such certificate previously delivered and not superseded.
(m) The Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for punitive, special, indirect, or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of actions.
(n) The Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the execution of the trusts and powers under this Indenture.
(o) In no event shall the Trustee 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: any act or provision of any present or future law or regulation or governmental authority, natural disaster, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, labor dispute, disease, epidemic or pandemic, quarantine, national emergency and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software and hardware) services, communications system failure, malware or ransomware or other unavailability of the Federal Reserve Bank wire or facsimile or telex system or other funds transfer system or other wire or communication facility or unavailability of any securities clearing system; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.
Section 7.03 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 or its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee. However, in the event that the Trustee acquires any conflicting interest (as defined in Section 310(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939) it must eliminate such conflict within 90 days or resign. Any Paying Agent or Registrar may do the same with like rights and duties. The Trustee must also comply with Sections 7.10 and 7.11 hereof.
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Section 7.04 Trustee’s Disclaimer. The Trustee shall not be responsible or liable for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture, the Guarantees or the Notes, it shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Notes or for any funds received and disbursed in accordance with the Indenture or for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee, and it shall not be responsible for any information, statement or recital of the Company or any Guarantor in this Indenture or in any offering memorandum, prospectus, prospectus supplement or other disclosure material or document prepared, issued or distributed in connection with the sale or issuance of the Notes or in the Notes other than the Trustee’s certificate of authentication. The Trustee shall not be charged with knowledge of the identity of any Significant Subsidiary unless either (a) a Responsible Officer shall have actual knowledge thereof or (b) the Trustee shall have received written notice thereof in accordance with Section 13.02 hereof from the Company, any Guarantor or any holder. In accepting the trust hereby created, the Trustee acts solely as Trustee under this Indenture and not in its individual capacity and all persons, including without limitation the holders of Notes and the Company having any claim against the Trustee arising from this Indenture shall look only to the funds and accounts held by the Trustee hereunder for payment except as otherwise provided herein. The Trustee shall have no obligation to independently determine or verify if any Change of Control or any other event has occurred or if an Asset Sale Offer is required to be made, or notify the holders of any such event. The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as to any act or omission of any Rating Agency or any rating with respect to the Notes. The Trustee shall not be bound to ascertain or inquire as to the performance, observance, or breach of any covenants, conditions, representations, warranties or agreements on the part of the Company or the Guarantors. Under no circumstances shall the Trustee be liable in its individual capacity for the obligations evidenced by the Notes or the Guarantees. The Trustee shall have no obligation to pursue any action that is not in accordance with applicable law.
Section 7.05 Notice of Defaults. If a Default occurs and is continuing and is actually known to a Responsible Officer of the Trustee, the Trustee shall mail, or deliver electronically if held by the Depository, to each holder of the Notes notice of the Default within 90 days after it occurs. Except in the case of a Default in the payment of principal of, premium (if any) or interest on any Note, the Trustee may withhold notice if and so long as a committee of its Trust Officers in good faith determines that withholding notice is in the interests of the noteholders. The Company is required to deliver to the Trustee, annually, a certificate indicating whether the signers thereof know of any Default that occurred during the previous year. The Company also is required to deliver to the Trustee, within 30 days after the occurrence thereof, written notice of any event which would constitute certain Defaults, their status and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take in respect thereof.
Section 7.06 Reports by Trustee to the Holders. As promptly as practicable after each May 15th beginning with the May 15th following the date of this Indenture, and in any event within 60 days of each May 15th, the Trustee shall mail to each holder a brief report dated as of such May 15th that complies with Section 313(a) of the TIA if and to the extent required thereby. The Trustee shall also comply with Section 313(b) of the TIA.
Pursuant to Section 313(d) of the TIA, a copy of each report at the time of its mailing to the holders shall be filed with the SEC and each stock exchange (if any) on which the Notes are listed if the Notes are listed. The Company agrees to notify promptly the Trustee whenever the Notes become listed on any stock exchange and of any delisting thereof. All reports pursuant to this Section 7.06 shall be provided in accordance with Section 313(c) of the TIA.
Section 7.07 Compensation and Indemnity. The Company shall pay to the Trustee from time to time such compensation for the Trustee’s acceptance of this Indenture and its services hereunder as mutually agreed to in writing between the Company and the Trustee. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company shall
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reimburse the Trustee upon request for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses Incurred or made by it, including costs of collection, in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation and expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee’s agents, counsel, accountants and experts and court costs. The Company and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, shall indemnify the Trustee or any predecessor Trustee and their directors, officers, employees and agents against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage or expense (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses and including taxes (other than taxes based upon, measured by or determined by the income of the Trustee)) Incurred by or in connection with the acceptance or administration of this trust and the performance of its duties hereunder or the exercise of its rights and powers under the Notes and the Guarantees, including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture or Guarantee against the Company or any Guarantor (including this Section 7.07) and defending itself against or investigating any claim (whether asserted by the Company, any Guarantor, any holder or any other Person), and including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses and court costs incurred in connection with any action, claim or suit brought to enforce the Trustee’s right to compensation, reimbursement or indemnification. The obligation to pay such amounts shall survive the payment in full or defeasance of the Notes or the removal or resignation of the Trustee. The Trustee shall notify the Company of any claim for which it may seek indemnity promptly upon obtaining actual knowledge thereof; provided, however, that any failure so to notify the Company shall not relieve the Company or any Guarantor of its indemnity obligations hereunder. The Company shall defend the claim and the indemnified party shall provide reasonable cooperation at the Company’s expense in the defense. Such indemnified parties may have separate counsel and the Company and such Guarantor, as applicable, shall pay the fees and expenses of such counsel; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to pay such fees and expenses if it assumes such indemnified parties’ defense and, in such indemnified parties’ reasonable judgment, there is no actual or potential conflict of interest between the Company and the Guarantors, as applicable, and such parties in connection with such defense. The Company need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss, liability or expense Incurred by an indemnified party through such party’s own willful misconduct, negligence or bad faith, as finally adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction. The Company and Guarantors need not pay for any settlement made without their consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
To secure the Company’s and the Guarantors’ payment obligations in this Section 7.07, 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. The Trustee’s right to receive payment of any amounts due under this Section 7.07 shall not be subordinate to any other liability or Indebtedness of the Issuer.
The Company’s and the Guarantors’ payment obligations pursuant to this Section 7.07 shall survive the satisfaction or discharge of this Indenture, any rejection or termination of this Indenture under any bankruptcy law or the resignation or removal of the Trustee. Without prejudice to any other rights available to the Trustee under applicable law, when the Trustee Incurs expenses after the occurrence of a Default specified in Section 6.01(f) or (g) with respect to the Company, the expenses are intended to constitute expenses of administration under the Bankruptcy Law.
No provision of this Indenture shall require 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 in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not assured to its satisfaction.
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“Bad faith” for purposes of this Section 7.07 shall not apply to any act or omission of the Trustee taken pursuant to any Company Order, Officers’ Certificate, Opinion of Counsel, or any other notice, request or direction delivered by the Company or any Guarantor to the Trustee pursuant to this Indenture.
Section 7.08 Replacement of Trustee.
(a) The Trustee may resign at any time upon 30 days’ notice by so notifying the Company in writing. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes may remove the Trustee upon 30 days’ notice by so notifying in writing the Trustee and the Company in writing and may appoint a successor Trustee. The Company shall remove the Trustee if:
(i) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10;
(ii) the Trustee is adjudged bankrupt or insolvent;
(iii) a receiver or other public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or
(iv) the Trustee otherwise becomes incapable of acting.
(b) If the Trustee resigns, 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, or if a vacancy exists in the office of 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.
(c) A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Immediately after the delivery of such written acceptance, subject to the Lien provided for in Section 7.07, (i) the retiring Trustee shall transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee, (ii) the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and (iii) the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee shall, at the expense of the Company, mail or send a notice of its succession to the holders. Each such notice shall include the name of the successor Trustee and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.
(d) 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 10% in principal amount of the Notes may petition at the expense of the Company any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.
(e) If the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10, unless the Trustee’s duty to resign is stayed as provided in Section 310(b) of the TIA, 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.
(f) Notwithstanding the replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.08, the Company’s obligations under Section 7.07 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.
Section 7.09 Successor Trustee by Merger. If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers or sells all or substantially all its corporate trust business or assets to, another corporation or banking association, the resulting, surviving or transferee corporation or banking association without any further act shall be the successor Trustee.
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Section 7.10 Eligibility; Disqualification. The Trustee shall at all times satisfy the requirements of Section 310(a) of the TIA. 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. The Trustee shall comply with Section 310(b) of the TIA, subject to its right to apply for a stay of its duty to resign under the penultimate paragraph of Section 310(b) of the TIA; provided, however, that there shall be excluded from the operation of Section 310(b)(1) of the TIA any series of securities issued under this Indenture and any indenture or indentures under which other securities or certificates of interest or participation in other securities of the Company are outstanding if the requirements for such exclusion set forth in Section 310(b)(1) of the TIA are met.
Section 7.11 Preferential Collection of Claims Against the Company. The Trustee shall comply with Section 311(a) of the TIA, excluding any creditor relationship listed in Section 311(b) of the TIA. A Trustee who has resigned or been removed shall be subject to Section 311(a) of the TIA to the extent indicated.
ARTICLE VIII
DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE; DEFEASANCE
Section 8.01 Discharge of Liability on Notes; Defeasance.
(a) This Indenture shall be discharged and shall cease to be of further effect (except as to surviving rights and immunities of the Trustee and rights of transfer or exchange of Notes, as expressly provided for in this Indenture) as to all outstanding Notes when:
(i) either (A) all the Notes theretofore authenticated and delivered (except lost, stolen or destroyed Notes which have been replaced or paid and Notes for whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation or (B) all of the Notes (1) have become due and payable, (2) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year or (3) if redeemable at the option of the Company, 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, and the Company has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee funds in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire Indebtedness and Obligations on the Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes to, but excluding, the date of deposit together with irrevocable instructions from the Company directing the Trustee to apply such funds to the payment thereof at maturity or redemption, 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 date of the redemption only required to be deposited with the Trustee on or prior to 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the date of the redemption;
(ii) the Company and/or the Guarantors have paid all other sums payable under this Indenture; and
(iii) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that all conditions precedent under this Indenture relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture have been complied with.
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(b) Subject to Sections 8.01(c) and 8.02, the Company at any time may terminate (i) all of its obligations under the Notes and this Indenture with respect to the holders of the Notes (“legal defeasance option”), and (ii) its obligations under Sections 4.02, 4.03, 4.04, 4.05, 4.06, 4.07, 4.08, 4.11, 4.12, 4.15 and 4.16, and the operation of Section 5.01 for the benefit of the holders of the Notes, and Sections 6.01(e), 6.01(f) (in the case of Section 6.01(f) with respect to Significant Subsidiaries only), 6.01(g) and 6.01(h) (“covenant defeasance option”). The Company may exercise its legal defeasance option notwithstanding its prior exercise of its covenant defeasance option. If the Company exercises its legal defeasance option or its covenant defeasance option, each Guarantor will be released from all of its obligations with respect to its Guarantee.
If the Company exercises its legal defeasance option, payment of the Notes may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default with respect thereto. If the Company exercises its covenant defeasance option, payment of the Notes may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default specified in Sections 6.01(c), 6.01(d), 6.01(e), 6.01(f) (in the case of Section 6.01(f), with respect only to Significant Subsidiaries), 6.01(g), 6.01(h) or 6.01(i) or because of the failure of the Company to comply with Section 5.01(a)(iv).
Upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth herein and upon request of the Company, the Trustee shall acknowledge in writing the discharge of those obligations that the Company terminates.
(c) Notwithstanding clauses (a) and (b) above, the Company’s obligations in Sections 2.04, 2.05, 2.06, 2.07, 2.08 and 2.09 and Article VII, including, without limitation, Sections 7.07 and 7.08 and in this Article VIII and the rights and immunities of the Trustee under this Indenture shall survive until the Notes have been paid in full. Thereafter, the Company’s obligations in Sections 7.07, 7.08, 8.05 and 8.06 and the rights and immunities of the Trustee under this Indenture shall survive such satisfaction and discharge.
Section 8.02 Conditions to Defeasance.
(a) The Company may exercise its legal defeasance option or its covenant defeasance option only if:
(i) the Company irrevocably deposits in trust with the Trustee cash in U.S. dollars, U.S. Government Obligations or a combination thereof sufficient to pay the principal of and premium (if any) and interest on the Notes when due at maturity or redemption, as the case may be;
(ii) with respect to U.S. Government Obligations or a combination of money and U.S. Government Obligations, the Company delivers to the Trustee a written certificate from an Independent Financial Advisor delivered to the Trustee expressing its opinion that the payments of principal and interest when due and without reinvestment of the deposited U.S. Government Obligations plus any deposited money without investment will provide cash at such times and in such amounts as will be sufficient to pay principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes to maturity or redemption, 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 date of the redemption only required to be deposited with the Trustee on or prior to 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the date of the redemption;
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(iii) no Default specified in Section 6.01(f) or (g) with respect to the Company shall have occurred or is continuing on the date of such deposit;
(iv) the deposit does not constitute a default under any other material agreement or instrument binding on the Company;
(v) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee in the case of the legal defeasance option, an Opinion of Counsel stating that (1) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or (2) since the date of this Indenture 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, the beneficial owners will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance had not occurred. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Opinion of Counsel required by the immediately preceding sentence with respect to a legal defeasance need not be delivered if all of the Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation (x) have become due and payable or (y) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within one year, or if redeemable at the option of the Company, 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;
(vi) such exercise does not impair the right of any holder to receive payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such holder’s Notes on or after the due dates therefore or to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to such holder’s Notes;
(vii) in the case of the covenant defeasance option, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the beneficial owners will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and defeasance and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance had not occurred; and
(viii) the Company delivers to the Trustee an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent to the defeasance and discharge of the Notes to be so defeased and discharged as contemplated by this Article VIII have been complied with.
(b) Before or after a deposit, the Company may make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the redemption of such Notes at a future date in accordance with Article III.
Section 8.03 Application of Trust Money. The Trustee shall hold in trust money or U.S. Government Obligations (including proceeds thereof) deposited with it pursuant to this Article VIII. The Trustee shall apply the deposited money and the money from U.S. Government Obligations through each Paying Agent and in accordance with this Indenture to the payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes so discharged or defeased.
Section 8.04 Repayment to Company. Each of the Trustee and each Paying Agent shall promptly turn over to the Company upon request any money or U.S. Government Obligations held by it as provided in this Article VIII that, in the written opinion of an Independent Financial Advisor, delivered to the Trustee (which delivery shall only be required if U.S. Government Obligations have been so deposited), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent discharge or defeasance in accordance with this Article VIII.
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Subject to any applicable abandoned property law, the Trustee and each Paying Agent shall pay to the Company upon written request any money held by them for the payment of principal or interest that remains unclaimed for two years, and, thereafter, holders entitled to the money must look to the Company for payment as general creditors, and the Trustee and each Paying Agent shall have no further liability with respect to such monies.
Section 8.05 Indemnity for U.S. Government Obligations. The Company shall pay and shall indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against deposited U.S. Government Obligations or the principal and interest received on such U.S. Government Obligations.
Section 8.06 Reinstatement. If the Trustee or any Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with this Article VIII 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 obligations under this Indenture and the Notes so discharged or defeased shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article VIII until such time as the Trustee or any Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with this Article VIII; provided, however, that, if the Company has made any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, any such 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 any Paying Agent.
ARTICLE IX
AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS
Section 9.01 Without Consent of the Holders.
(a) The Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee may amend this Indenture, the Notes or the Guarantees without notice to or the consent of any holder:
(i) to cure any ambiguity, omission, mistake, defect or inconsistency;
(ii) to provide for the assumption by a Successor Company (with respect to the Company) of the obligations of the Company under this Indenture and the Notes;
(iii) to provide for the assumption by a Successor Guarantor (with respect to any Guarantor), as the case may be, of the obligations of a Guarantor under this Indenture and its Guarantee;
(iv) to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of uncertificated Notes;
(v) to conform the text of this Indenture, the Notes or the Guarantees to any provision of the “Description of Notes” in the Offering Memorandum based upon an Officers’ Certificate delivered to the Trustee stating that such provision was intended to be a substantially verbatim recitation of this Indenture, the Notes or the Guarantees;
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(vi) to add a Guarantee with respect to the Notes,
(vii) to add collateral to secure the Notes;
(viii) to release a Guarantor from its Guarantee when permitted or required under the terms of this Indenture;
(ix) to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the holders or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company;
(x) to comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection with qualifying, or maintaining the qualification of, this Indenture under the TIA, if applicable;
(xi) to comply with the rules of any applicable securities depositary;
(xii) to make any amendment to the provisions of this Indenture relating to the transfer and legending of the Notes;
(xiii) to evidence and provide for the acceptance and appointments under this Indenture of a successor trustee;
(xiv) to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder in any material respect; or
(xv) to effect any provisions of this Indenture or to make changes to this Indenture to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes.
(b) After an amendment under this Section 9.01 becomes effective, the Company shall mail, or otherwise deliver in accordance with the procedures of the Depository, to the holders a notice briefly describing such amendment. The failure to give such notice to all holders, or any defect therein, shall not impair or affect the validity of an amendment under this Section 9.01.
Section 9.02 With Consent of the Holders. The Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee may amend this Indenture, the Notes and the Guarantees, and any past Default or compliance with any provisions of this Indenture, the Notes or the Guarantees may be waived, with the consent of the Company and the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding voting as a single class. However, without the consent of each holder of an outstanding Note directly and adversely affected thereby, no amendment or waiver may:
(1) reduce the amount of Notes whose holders must consent to an amendment;
(2) reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest on any Note;
(3) reduce the principal of, premium or change the Stated Maturity of any Note (which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall not prohibit amendments to or waivers from Section 4.06 or Section 4.08 at any time prior to the occurrence of the relevant Asset Sale or Change of Control);
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(4) reduce the premium payable upon the redemption of any Note or change the time at which any Note may be redeemed in accordance with Article III (but excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, for purposes of all clauses herein, any change to advance notice provisions);
(5) make any Note payable in money other than that stated in such Note;
(6) expressly subordinate the Notes or any Guarantee to any other Indebtedness of the Company or any Guarantor;
(7) impair the contractual right of any holder to receive payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on such holder’s Notes on or after the due dates therefor or to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to such holder’s Notes;
(8) make any change in the amendment provisions which require each holder’s consent or in the waiver provisions; or
(9) release a Guarantor from its Guarantee if such release is neither otherwise permitted nor otherwise required under the terms of this Indenture.
It shall not be necessary for the consent of the holders under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.
After an amendment under this Section 9.02 becomes effective, the Company shall mail, or otherwise deliver in accordance with the procedures of the Depository, to the holders a notice briefly describing such amendment. The failure to give such notice to all holders, or any defect therein, shall not impair or affect the validity of an amendment under this Section 9.02.
Section 9.03 Revocation and Effect of Consents and Waivers.
(a) A consent to an amendment or a waiver by a holder of a Note shall bind the holder and every subsequent holder of that Note or portion of the Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting holder’s Note, even if notation of the consent or waiver is not made on the Note. However, any such holder or subsequent holder may revoke the consent or waiver as to such holder’s Note or portion of the Note if the Trustee receives the notice of revocation before the date on which the amendment becomes effective. After an amendment or waiver becomes effective, it shall bind every holder. An amendment or waiver becomes effective upon the (i) receipt by the Company or the Trustee of consents by the holders of the requisite principal amount of securities, (ii) satisfaction of conditions to effectiveness as set forth in this Indenture and any indenture supplemental hereto containing such amendment or waiver and (iii) execution of such amendment or waiver (or supplemental indenture) by the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee.
(b) 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.
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Section 9.04 Notation on or Exchange of Notes. If an amendment, supplement or waiver changes the terms of a Note, the Company may require the holder of the Note to deliver it to the Trustee. The Trustee may place an appropriate notation on the Note regarding the changed terms and return it to the holder. Alternatively, if the Company or the Trustee so determine, the Company in exchange for the Note shall issue and, upon written order of the Company signed by an Officer, the Trustee shall authenticate a new Note that reflects the changed terms. Failure to make the appropriate notation or to issue a new Note shall not affect the validity of such amendment, supplement or waiver.
Section 9.05 Trustee to Sign Amendments. The Trustee shall sign any amendment, supplement or waiver authorized pursuant to this Article IX if the amendment, supplement or waiver does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee. If it does, the Trustee may but need not sign it. In signing such amendment, supplement or waiver, the Trustee shall (subject to Section 7.01) be fully protected in conclusively relying upon, (i) an Officers’ Certificate stating that such amendment, supplement or waiver is authorized or permitted by this Indenture, that all conditions precedent thereto have been complied with, and that it is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company and any Guarantors, enforceable against them in accordance with its terms, subject to customary exceptions, (ii) an Opinion of Counsel stating that such amendment, supplement or waiver is authorized or permitted by this Indenture, that all conditions precedent thereto have been met or waived and that it is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company and any Guarantors, enforceable against them in accordance with its terms, subject to customary exceptions, (iii) with respect to any supplement relating to any Additional Notes, a copy of the resolution of the Board of Directors, certified by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Company, authorizing the execution of such amendment, supplement or waiver and (iv) if such amendment, supplement or waiver is executed pursuant to Section 9.02, evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee of the consent of the holders required to consent thereto.
Section 9.06 Additional Voting Terms; Calculation of Principal Amount. All Notes issued under this Indenture shall vote and consent together on all matters (as to which any of such Notes may vote) as one class and no Notes will have the right to vote or consent as a separate class on any matter. Determinations as to whether holders of the requisite aggregate principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent shall be made in accordance with this Article IX and Section 2.13.
Section 9.07 Compliance with the Trust Indenture Act. From the date on which this Indenture is qualified under the TIA (if such date occurs), every amendment, waiver or supplement to this Indenture or the Notes shall comply with the TIA as then in effect.
ARTICLE X
[INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]
ARTICLE XI
[INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]
ARTICLE XII
GUARANTEE
Section 12.01 Guarantee.
(a) On and after the Issue Date, each Guarantor, by executing and delivering this Indenture or a supplemental indenture to this Indenture substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto, hereby jointly and severally guarantees, on an unsecured, unsubordinated basis, as a primary obligor and not merely as a
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surety, to each holder and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns the performance and punctual payment when due, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, of all obligations of the Company under this Indenture and the Notes, whether for payment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes, expenses (including reasonable counsel fees and expenses incurred by the Trustee), indemnification or otherwise (all the foregoing being hereinafter collectively called the “Guaranteed Obligations”). Each Guarantor further agrees that the Guaranteed Obligations may be extended or renewed, in whole or in part, without notice or further assent from any Guarantor, and that each Guarantor shall remain bound under this Article XII notwithstanding any extension or renewal of any Guaranteed Obligation.
(b) Each Guarantor waives presentation to, demand of payment from and protest to the Company 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. The Guarantee of each Guarantor hereunder shall not be affected by (i) the failure of any holder or the Trustee 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; (ii) any extension or renewal of this Indenture or the Notes; (iii) any rescission, waiver, amendment or modification of any of the terms or provisions of this Indenture or the Notes; (iv) the release of any security held by any holder or the Trustee for the Guaranteed Obligations or each Guarantor; (v) the failure of any holder or Trustee to exercise any right or remedy against any other guarantor of the Guaranteed Obligations; or (vi) any change in the ownership of each Guarantor, except as provided in Section 12.02(b). Each Guarantor hereby waives any right to which it may be entitled to have its Guarantee hereunder divided among the Guarantors, such that such Guarantor’s Guarantee would be less than the full amount claimed.
(c) Each Guarantor hereby waives any right to which it may be entitled to have the assets of the Company first be used and depleted as payment of the Company’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes or such Guarantor’s Guarantee hereunder prior to any amounts being claimed from or paid by such Guarantor hereunder. Each Guarantor hereby waives any right to which it may be entitled to require that the Company be sued prior to an action being initiated against such Guarantor.
(d) Each Guarantor further agrees that its Guarantee herein constitutes a guarantee of payment and performance when due (and not a guarantee of collection) and waives any right to require that any resort be had by any holder or the Trustee to any security held for payment of the Guaranteed Obligations.
(e) The Guarantee of each Guarantor is, to the extent and in the manner set forth in this Article XII, equal in right of payment to all existing and future Pari Passu Indebtedness and senior in right of payment to all existing and future Subordinated Indebtedness of such Guarantor.
(f) Except as expressly set forth in Sections 5.01(b), 8.01(b), 12.02 and 12.06, the Guarantee of each Guarantor hereunder shall not be subject to any reduction, limitation, impairment or termination for any reason, 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 Guarantee of each Guarantor herein shall not be discharged or impaired or otherwise affected by the failure of any holder or the Trustee to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any remedy under this Indenture, the Notes or any other agreement, by any waiver or modification of any thereof, by any default, failure or delay, willful or otherwise, in the performance of the Guaranteed Obligations, or by 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 any Guarantor as a matter of law or equity.
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(g) Except as expressly set forth in Section 12.02(b), each Guarantor agrees that its Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect until payment in full of all the Guaranteed Obligations of such Guarantor. 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 or interest on any Guaranteed Obligation is rescinded or must otherwise be restored by any holder or the Trustee upon the bankruptcy or reorganization of the Company or otherwise.
(h) In furtherance of the foregoing and not in limitation of any other right which any holder or the Trustee has at law or in equity against any Guarantor by virtue hereof, upon the failure of the Company to pay the principal of or interest on any Guaranteed Obligation when and as the same shall become due, whether at maturity, by acceleration, by redemption or otherwise, or to perform or comply with any other Guaranteed Obligation, each Guarantor hereby promises to and shall, upon receipt of written demand by the Trustee, forthwith pay, or cause to be paid, in cash, to the holders or the Trustee an amount equal to the sum of (i) the unpaid principal amount of such Guaranteed Obligations, (ii) accrued and unpaid interest on such Guaranteed Obligations (but only to the extent not prohibited by applicable law) and (iii) all other monetary obligations of the Company to the holders and the Trustee.
(i) Each Guarantor agrees that it shall not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the holders in respect of any Guaranteed Obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all Guaranteed Obligations. Each Guarantor further agrees that, as between it, on the one hand, and the holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (i) the maturity of the Guaranteed Obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article VI for the purposes of the Guarantee herein, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations guaranteed hereby, and (ii) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such Guaranteed Obligations as provided in Article VI, such Guaranteed Obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantors for the purposes of this Section 12.01. The Guarantors will have the right to seek contribution from any non-paying Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the holders under the Guarantee herein.
(j) Each Guarantor also agrees to pay any and all expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) incurred by the Trustee in enforcing any rights under this Section 12.01.
(k) Upon request of the Trustee, each Guarantor shall execute and deliver such further instruments and do such further acts as may be reasonably necessary to carry out more effectively the purpose of this Indenture.
Section 12.02 Limitation on Liability.
(a) Any term or provision of this Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, the maximum aggregate amount of the Guaranteed Obligations guaranteed hereunder by each Guarantor shall not exceed the maximum amount that can be hereby guaranteed by the applicable Guarantor without rendering the Guarantee, as it relates to such Guarantor, voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally or capital maintenance or corporate benefit rules applicable to guarantees for obligations of affiliates.
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(b) A Guarantee as to any Guarantor shall automatically terminate and be of no further force or effect and such Guarantor shall be automatically released from all obligations under this Article XII upon:
(i) the sale, disposition, exchange or other transfer (including through merger, consolidation, amalgamation or otherwise) of the Capital Stock (including any sale, disposition or other transfer following which the applicable Guarantor is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary), of the applicable Guarantor if such sale, disposition, exchange or other transfer is made in a manner not in violation of this Indenture;
(ii) the designation of such Guarantor as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.04 and the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary”;
(iii) the release or discharge (other than as a result of payment thereon by such Guarantor following a default by the direct obligor on the Credit Agreements or the applicable Capital Markets Indebtedness) by such Guarantor of its guarantee pursuant to (A) the Credit Agreements and (B) all Capital Markets Indebtedness of the Company or any other Guarantor; provided that such Guarantor is no longer an obligor or borrower under any of the Credit Agreements;
(iv) the Company’s exercise of its legal defeasance option or covenant defeasance option under Article VIII or if the Company’s obligations under this Indenture are discharged in accordance with the terms of this Indenture; or
(v) such Restricted Subsidiary ceasing to be a Subsidiary as a result of any foreclosure of any pledge or security interest securing Bank Indebtedness or other exercise of remedies in respect thereof.
Section 12.03 Non-Impairment. The failure to endorse a Guarantee on any Note shall not affect or impair the validity thereof.
Section 12.04 Successors and Assigns. This Article XII shall be binding upon each Guarantor and its successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the successors and assigns of the Trustee and the holders and, in the event of any transfer or assignment of rights by any holder or the Trustee, the rights and privileges conferred upon that party in this Indenture and in the Notes shall automatically extend to and be vested in such transferee or assignee, all subject to the terms and conditions of this Indenture.
Section 12.05 No Waiver. Neither a failure nor a delay on the part of either the Trustee or the holders in exercising any right, power or privilege under this Article XII shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall a single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise of any right, power or privilege. The rights, remedies and benefits of the Trustee and the holders herein expressly specified are cumulative and not exclusive of any other rights, remedies or benefits which either may have under this Article XII at law, in equity, by statute or otherwise.
Section 12.06 Modification. No modification, amendment or waiver of any provision of this Article XII, nor the consent to any departure by any Guarantor therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Trustee, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. No notice to or demand on any Guarantor in any case shall entitle any Guarantor to any other or further notice or demand in the same, similar or other circumstances.
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Section 12.07 Execution of Supplemental Indenture for Future Guarantors. Each Subsidiary which is required to become a Guarantor of the Notes pursuant to Section 4.11 shall, within ten Business Days, execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto pursuant to which such Subsidiary shall become a Guarantor under this Article XII and shall guarantee the Guaranteed Obligations. Concurrently with the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture, the Company shall deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel and an Officers’ Certificate, as provided under Section 9.05.
ARTICLE XIII
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 13.01 Intentionally Omitted.
Section 13.02 Notices.
(a) Any notice or communication required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and delivered in person, via facsimile, by nationally recognized overnight delivery service or mailed by first-class mail addressed as follows:
if to the Company or a Guarantor:
c/o Wabash National Corporation
3900 McCartey Lane
Lafayette, IN 47905
Attention: Chief Financial Officer
with a copy to:
Foley & Lardner LLP
777 E. Wisconsin Ave.
Floor 39
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Attention: Jason Hille
if to the Trustee:
Wells Fargo Bank, National Association
CTSO Mail Operations, MAC N9300-070
600 South Fourth Street, Seventh Floor
Minneapolis, MN 55415
Attn: Corporate Trust Services, Wabash National Account Manager
The Company or the Trustee by notice to the other may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.
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(b) Any notice or communication mailed to a holder shall be mailed, first class mail, to the holder at the holder’s address as it appears on the registration books of the Registrar and shall be sufficiently given if so mailed within the time prescribed. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any Note, where this Indenture or any Note provides for notice of any event (including any notice of redemption or repurchase) to a holder of a Global Note (whether by mail or otherwise), such notice shall be sufficiently given if given to the Depository (or its designee) pursuant to the standing instructions from the Depository or its designee, including by electronic mail in accordance with its applicable procedures.
(c) Failure to mail or send 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 mailed in the manner provided above, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.
The Trustee may, in its sole discretion, agree to accept and act upon instructions or directions pursuant to this Indenture sent by e-mail, facsimile transmission or other similar electronic methods. If the party elects to give the Trustee e-mail or facsimile instructions (or instructions by a similar electronic method) and the Trustee in its discretion elects to act upon such instructions, the Trustee’s understanding of such instructions shall be deemed controlling. The Trustee shall not be liable for any losses, costs or expenses arising directly or indirectly from the Trustee’s reliance upon and compliance with such instructions notwithstanding such instructions conflict or are inconsistent with a subsequent written instruction. The party providing electronic instructions agrees to assume all risks arising out of the use of such electronic methods to submit instructions and directions to the Trustee, including without limitation the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized instructions, and the risk or interception and misuse by third parties.
Section 13.03 Communication by the Holders with Other Holders. The holders may communicate pursuant to Section 312(b) of the TIA with other holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Notes. The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar and other Persons shall have the protection of Section 312(c) of the TIA.
Section 13.04 Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent. Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take or refrain from taking any action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee at the request of the Trustee:
(a) an Officers’ Certificate in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee 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 complied with; and
(b) except upon the issuance of the Initial Notes, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent have been complied with.
Section 13.05 Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion. Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a covenant or condition provided for in this Indenture (other than pursuant to Section 4.09) shall include:
(a) a statement that the individual making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;
(b) 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;
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(c) 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
(d) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such individual, such covenant or condition has been complied with; provided, however, that with respect to matters of fact an Opinion of Counsel may rely on an Officers’ Certificate or certificates of public officials.
Section 13.06 When Notes Disregarded. In determining whether the holders of the required principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Notes owned by the Company, the Guarantors or by any Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with the Company or the Guarantors shall be disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding, except that, for the purpose of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Notes which a Trust Officer of the Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. Subject to the foregoing, only Notes outstanding at the time shall be considered in any such determination.
Section 13.07 Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent and Registrar. The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or a meeting of the holders. The Registrar and a Paying Agent may make reasonable rules for their functions.
Section 13.08 Legal Holidays. If a payment date is not a Business Day, payment shall be made on the next succeeding day that is a Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on such payment date, and no interest shall accrue on any amount that would have been otherwise payable on such payment date if it were a Business Day for the intervening period. If a regular Record Date is not a Business Day, the Record Date shall not be affected.
Section 13.09 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 No Recourse Against Others. No past, present or future director, officer, employee, manager or incorporator of, and no holder of any Equity Interests in, the Company or any direct or indirect parent company of the Company, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Company or any Guarantor under the Notes, the Guarantees or this Indenture, as applicable, or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for issuance of the Notes.
Section 13.11 Successors. All agreements of the Company and the Guarantors in this Indenture and the Notes shall bind such person’s successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors.
Section 13.12 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.
One signed copy is enough to prove this Indenture. Notwithstanding the foregoing, 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 and signature pages for all purposes. This Indenture shall be valid, binding, and
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enforceable against a party when executed and delivered by an authorized individual on behalf of the party by means of (i) an original manual signature; (ii) a faxed, scanned, or photocopied manual signature, or (iii) any other electronic signature permitted by the federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, state enactments of the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, and/or any other relevant electronic signatures law, including any relevant provisions of the UCC (collectively, “Signature Law”), in each case to the extent applicable. Each faxed, scanned, or photocopied manual signature, or other electronic signature, shall for all purposes have the same validity, legal effect, and admissibility in evidence as an original manual signature. Each party hereto shall be entitled to conclusively rely upon, and shall have no liability with respect to, any faxed, scanned, or photocopied manual signature, or other electronic signature, of any other party and shall have no duty to investigate, confirm or otherwise verify the validity or authenticity thereof. This Indenture may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but such counterparts shall, together, constitute one and the same instrument. For the avoidance of doubt, original manual signatures shall be used for execution or indorsement of writings when required under the UCC or other Signature Law due to the character or intended character of the writings.
Section 13.13 Table of Contents; Headings. The table of contents 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 13.14 Indenture Controls. If and to the extent that any provision of the Notes limits, qualifies or conflicts with a provision of this Indenture, such provision of this Indenture shall control.
Section 13.15 Severability. In case any provision in this 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.
Section 13.16 Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH OF THE COMPANY, THE GUARANTORS THE TRUSTEE, AND BY ITS ACCEPTANCE THEREOF, EACH HOLDER OF A NOTE, HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES OR THE TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
Section 13.17 U.S.A. Patriot Act. The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (“U.S.A. Patriot Act”), the Trustee, like all financial institutions and in order to help fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering, is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account with the Trustee. The parties to this Indenture agree that they will provide the Trustee with such information as it may request in order for the Trustee to satisfy the requirements of the U.S.A. Patriot Act.
Section 13.18 Submission to Jurisdiction. The parties irrevocably submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any New York State or federal court sitting in the Borough of Manhattan, City of New York, over any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Indenture. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the parties irrevocably waive and agree not to assert, by way of motion, as a defense or otherwise, any claim that it is not subject to the jurisdiction of any such court, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court and any claim that any such suit, action or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.
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Section 13.19 FATCA. In order to enable the Trustee to comply with applicable tax laws, rules and regulations (including directives, guidelines and interpretations promulgated by competent authorities) in effect from time to time (“Applicable Law”), the Company agrees to provide to the Trustee tax information about holders or the transactions contemplated hereby (including any modification to the terms of such transactions), to the extent such information is directly available to the Company, and to the extent that the provision is permitted under Applicable Law, so that the Trustee can determine whether it has tax-related obligations under Applicable Law and the Company acknowledges that the Trustee shall be entitled to make any withholding or deduction from payments under this Indenture to the extent necessary to comply with Applicable Law.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first written above.
| COMPANY: | ||
| WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION | ||
| By: | /s/ Michael N. Pettit | |
| Name: | Michael N. Pettit | |
| Title: | Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | |
| GUARANTORS: | ||
| WABASH NATIONAL TRAILER CENTERS, INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ Michael N. Pettit | |
| Name: | Michael N. Pettit | |
| Title: | Treasurer and Controller | |
| WABASH NATIONAL, L.P. | ||
| By: | /s/ Michael N. Pettit | |
| Name: | Michael N. Pettit | |
| Title: | Treasurer and Controller, Wabash National Trailer Centers, Inc., as General Partner of Wabash National, L.P. | |
| WABASH WOOD PRODUCTS, INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ Michael N. Pettit | |
| Name: | Michael N. Pettit | |
| Title: | Vice President and Treasurer | |
| TRANSCRAFT CORPORATION | ||
| By: | /s/ Michael N. Pettit | |
| Name: | Michael N. Pettit | |
| Title: | Vice President and Treasurer | |
[Signature Page to Indenture]
| WALKER GROUP HOLDINGS LLC | ||
| By: | /s/ Michael N. Pettit | |
| Name: | Michael N. Pettit | |
| Title: | Treasurer and Controller, Wabash National Trailer Centers, Inc., as General Partner of Wabash National, L.P., as sole member of Walker Group Holdings LLC | |
| WALKER STAINLESS EQUIPMENT COMPANY LLC | ||
| By: | /s/ Michael N. Pettit | |
| Name: | Michael N. Pettit | |
| Title: | Wabash National Trailer Centers, Inc., as General Partner of Wabash National, L.P., as sole member of Walker Group Holdings LLC, as sole member of Walker Stainless Equipment Company LLC | |
| BRENNER TANK SERVICES LLC | ||
| By: | /s/ Michael N. Pettit | |
| Name: | Michael N. Pettit | |
| Title: | Treasurer and Controller, Wabash National Trailer Centers, Inc., as General Partner of Wabash National, L.P., as sole member of Walker Group Holdings LLC, as sole member of Brenner Tank Services LLC | |
| BRENNER TANK LLC | ||
| By: | /s/ Michael N. Pettit | |
| Name: | Michael N. Pettit | |
| Title: | Treasurer and Controller, Wabash National Trailer Centers, Inc. as General Partner of Wabash National, L.P. as sole member of Walker Group Holdings LLC as sole member of Brenner Tank LLC | |
[Signature Page to Indenture]
| BULK SOLUTIONS LLC | ||
| By: | /s/ Michael N. Pettit | |
| Name: | Michael N. Pettit | |
| Title: | Treasurer and Controller, Wabash National Trailer Centers, Inc., as General Partner of Wabash National, L.P., as sole member of Walker Group Holdings LLC, as sole member of Bulk Solutions LLC | |
| SUPREME INDUSTRIES, INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ Michael N. Pettit | |
| Name: | Michael N. Pettit | |
| Title: | Vice President and Treasurer | |
| SUPREME CORPORATION | ||
| By: | /s/ Michael N. Pettit | |
| Name: | Michael N. Pettit | |
| Title: | Vice President and Assistant Treasurer | |
| SUPREME INDIANA OPERATIONS, INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ Michael N. Pettit | |
| Name: | Michael N. Pettit | |
| Title: | Vice President and Assistant Treasurer | |
| SUPREME CORPORATION OF GEORGIA | ||
| By: | /s/ Michael N. Pettit | |
| Name: | Michael N. Pettit | |
| Title: | Vice President and Assistant Treasurer | |
| SUPREME CORPORATION OF TEXAS | ||
| By: | /s/ Michael N. Pettit | |
| Name: | Michael N. Pettit | |
| Title: | Vice President and Assistant Treasurer | |
[Signature Page to Indenture]
| SUPREME TRUCK BODIES OF CALIFORNIA, INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ Michael N. Pettit | |
| Name: | Michael N. Pettit | |
| Title: | Vice President and Assistant Treasurer | |
| SUPREME MID-ATLANTIC CORPORATION | ||
| By: | /s/ Michael N. Pettit | |
| Name: | Michael N. Pettit | |
| Title: | Vice President and Assistant Treasurer | |
| SC TOWER STRUCTURAL LAMINATING, INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ Michael N. Pettit | |
| Name: | Michael N. Pettit | |
| Title: | Vice President and Assistant Treasurer | |
| SUPREME UPFIT SOLUTIONS & SERVICES, INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ Michael N. Pettit | |
| Name: | Michael N. Pettit | |
| Title: | Vice President and Assistant Treasurer | |
| CLOUD OAK FLOORING COMPANY, INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ Michael N. Pettit | |
| Name: | Michael N. Pettit | |
| Title: | Vice President and Treasurer | |
| NATIONAL TRAILER FUNDING, L.L.C. | ||
| By: | /s/ Michael N. Pettit | |
| Name: | Michael N. Pettit | |
| Title: | Treasurer and Controller, Wabash National Trailer Centers, Inc., as sole member of National Trailer Funding, L.C.C. | |
[Signature Page to Indenture]
| WABASH NATIONAL MANUFACTURING, L.P. | ||
| By: | /s/ Michael N. Pettit | |
| Name: | Michael N. Pettit | |
| Title: | Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Wabash National Corporation, as General Partner of Wabash National Manufacturing, L.P. | |
| CONTINENTAL TRANSIT CORPORATION | ||
| By: | /s/ Michael N. Pettit | |
| Name: | Michael N. Pettit | |
| Title: | Treasurer | |
| WABASH NATIONAL SERVICES, L.P. | ||
| By: | /s/ Michael N. Pettit | |
| Name: | Michael N. Pettit | |
| Title: | Treasurer and Controller, Wabash National Trailer Centers, Inc., as General Partner of Wabash National Services, L.P. | |
| FTSI DISTRIBUTION COMPANY, L.P. | ||
| By: | /s/ Michael N. Pettit | |
| Name: | Michael N. Pettit | |
| Title: | Treasurer and Controller, Wabash National Trailer Centers, Inc., as General Partner of FTSI Distribution Company, L.P. | |
[Signature Page to Indenture]
| WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, not in its individual capacity, but solely as Trustee | ||
| By: | /s/ Corey J. Dahlstrand | |
| Name: Corey J. Dahlstrand | ||
| Title: Corporate Trust Officer | ||
[Signature Page to Indenture]
APPENDIX A
PROVISIONS RELATING TO INITIAL NOTES AND ADDITIONAL NOTES
1. Definitions.
1.1 Definitions.
For the purposes of this Appendix A the following terms shall have the meanings indicated below:
“Definitive Note” means a certificated Initial Note and Additional Note (bearing the Restricted Notes Legend if the transfer of such Note is restricted by applicable law) that does not include the Global Notes Legend.
“Depository” means The Depository Trust Company, its nominees and their respective successors.
“Global Notes Legend” means the legend set forth under that caption in Exhibit A to this Indenture.
“Notes Custodian” means the custodian with respect to a Global Note (as appointed by the Depository) or any successor person thereto, who shall initially be the Trustee.
“QIB” means a “qualified institutional buyer” as defined in Rule 144A.
“Regulation S” means Regulation S under the Securities Act.
“Regulation S Notes” means all Initial Notes offered and sold outside the United States in reliance on Regulation S.
“Restricted Notes Legend” means the legend set forth in Section 2.2(f)(i) herein.
“Restricted Period,” with respect to any Notes, means the period of 40 consecutive days beginning on and including the later of (a) the day on which such Notes are first offered to persons other than distributors (as defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act) in reliance on Regulation S, notice of which day shall be promptly given by the Company to the Trustee, and (b) the Issue Date, and with respect to any Additional Notes that are Transfer Restricted Notes, it means the comparable period of 40 consecutive days.
“Rule 144A” means Rule 144A under the Securities Act.
“Rule 144A Notes” means all Initial Notes offered and sold to QIBs in reliance on Rule 144A.
“Rule 501” means Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act.
“Transfer Restricted Definitive Notes” means Definitive Notes that bear or are required to bear or are subject to the Restricted Notes Legend.
Appendix A-1
“Transfer Restricted Global Notes” means Global Notes that bear or are required to bear or are subject to the Restricted Notes Legend.
“Transfer Restricted Notes” means the Transfer Restricted Definitive Notes and Transfer Restricted Global Notes.
“Unrestricted Definitive Notes” means Definitive Notes that are not required to bear, or are not subject to, the Restricted Notes Legend.
“Unrestricted Global Notes” means Global Notes that are not required to bear, or are not subject to, the Restricted Notes Legend.
1.2 Other Definitions.
| Term: |
Defined in Section: | |
| Agent Members |
2.1(b) | |
| Global Notes |
2.1(b) | |
| Regulation S Global Notes |
2.1(b) | |
| Rule 144A Global Notes |
2.1(b) |
2. The Notes.
2.1 Form and Dating; Global Notes.
(a) The Initial Notes issued on the date hereof will be (i) privately placed by the Company pursuant to the Offering Memorandum and (ii) sold, initially only to (1) QIBs in reliance on Rule 144A and (2) Persons other than U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S) in reliance on Regulation S. Such Initial Notes may thereafter be transferred to, among others, QIBs, purchasers in reliance on Regulation S. Additional Notes offered after the date hereof may be offered and sold by the Company from time to time pursuant to one or more agreements in accordance with applicable law.
(b) Global Notes. (i) Except as provided in clause (d) of Section 2.2 below, Rule 144A Notes initially shall be represented by one or more Notes in definitive, fully registered, global form without interest coupons (collectively, the “Rule 144A Global Notes”).
Regulation S Notes initially shall be represented by one or more Notes in fully registered, global form without interest coupons, the “Regulation S Global Notes”, which shall be registered in the name of the Depository or the nominee of the Depository for the accounts of the designated agents holding on behalf of Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear system (“Euroclear”) or Clearstream Banking, Société Anonyme (“Clearstream”). The Regulation S Global Note shall be deemed a “temporary global note” for purposes of Regulation S until the expiration of the Restricted Period, whereupon such Regulation S Global Note will henceforth be deemed a “permanent global note” for purposes of Regulation S and the “temporary global note” shall also be deemed cancelled. 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 Trustee and the Depository or its nominee, as the case may be, in connection with transfers of interest as hereinafter provided.
The provisions of the “Operating Procedures of the Euroclear System” and “Terms and Conditions Governing Use of Euroclear” and the “General Terms and Conditions of Clearstream Banking” and “Customer Handbook” of Clearstream shall be applicable to transfers of beneficial interests in the Regulation S Global Note that are held by participants through Euroclear or Clearstream.
Appendix A-2
The term “Global Notes” means the Rule 144A Global Notes and the Regulation S Global Notes. The Global Notes shall bear the Global Notes Legend. The Global Notes initially shall (i) be registered in the name of the Depository or the nominee of such Depository, in each case for credit to an account of an Agent Member (as defined below), (ii) be delivered to the Trustee as custodian for such Depository and (iii) bear the Restricted Notes Legend.
Members of, or direct or indirect participants in, the Depository (collectively, the “Agent Members”) shall have no rights under this Indenture with respect to any Global Note held on their behalf by the Depository, or the Trustee as its custodian, or under the Global Notes.
The Depository may be treated by the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee as the sole owner of the Global Notes for all purposes under this Indenture and the Notes. 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 the Depository, or impair, as between the Depository and its Agent Members, the operation of customary practices governing the exercise of the rights of a holder of any Note. The Trustee and each Agent are hereby authorized to act in accordance with Applicable Procedures. Neither the Trustee nor any Agent shall have responsibility for any actions taken or not taken by the Depository.
(ii) Transfers of Global Notes shall be limited to transfer in whole, but not in part, to the Depository, its successors or their respective nominees. Interests of beneficial owners in the Global Notes may be transferred or exchanged for Definitive Notes only in accordance with the applicable rules and procedures of the Depository and the provisions of Section 2.2. In addition, a Global Note shall be exchangeable for Definitive Notes if (x) the Depository (1) notifies the Company at any time that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary for such Global Note and a successor depositary is not appointed within 90 days or (2) has ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act and a successor depositary is not appointed within 90 days, (y) the Company, at its option, notifies the Trustee that the Company elects to cause the issuance of Definitive Notes or (z) there shall have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default with respect to such Global Note and a request has been made for such exchange; provided that in no event shall the Regulation S Global Note be exchanged by the Company for Definitive Notes prior to (x) the expiration of the Restricted Period and (y) the receipt by the Registrar of any certificates required pursuant to Rule 903(b)(3)(ii)(B) under the Securities Act. In all cases, Definitive Notes delivered in exchange for any Global Note or beneficial interests therein shall be registered in the names, and issued in any approved denominations, requested by or on behalf of the Depository in accordance with its customary procedures.
(iii) In connection with the transfer of a Global Note as an entirety to beneficial owners pursuant to subsection (ii) of this Section 2.1(b), such Global Note shall be deemed to be surrendered to the Trustee for cancellation, and the Company shall execute, and, upon written order of the Company signed by an Officer, the Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery, to each beneficial owner identified by the Depository in writing in exchange for its beneficial interest in such Global Note, an equal aggregate principal amount of Definitive Notes of authorized denominations.
(iv) Any Transfer Restricted Note delivered in exchange for an interest in a Global Note pursuant to Section 2.2 shall, except as otherwise provided in Section 2.2, bear the Restricted Notes Legend.
Appendix A-3
(v) Notwithstanding the foregoing, through the Restricted Period, a beneficial interest in a Regulation S Global Note may be held only through Euroclear or Clearstream unless delivery is made in accordance with the applicable provisions of Section 2.2.
(vi) The holder of any Global Note 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 is entitled to take under this Indenture or the Notes.
2.2 Transfer and Exchange.
(a) Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes. A Global Note may not be transferred as a whole except as set forth in Section 2.1(b). Global Notes will not be exchanged by the Company for Definitive Notes except under the circumstances described in Section 2.1(b)(ii). Global Notes also may be exchanged or replaced, in whole or in part, as provided in Section 2.08 of this Indenture. Beneficial interests in a Global Note may be transferred and exchanged as provided in Section 2.2(b).
(b) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in Global Notes. The transfer and exchange of beneficial interests in the Global Notes shall be effected through the Depository, in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and the applicable rules and procedures of the Depository. Beneficial interests in Transfer Restricted Global Notes shall be subject to restrictions on transfer comparable to those set forth herein to the extent required by the Securities Act. Beneficial interests in Global Notes shall be transferred or exchanged only for beneficial interests in Global Notes. Transfers and exchanges of beneficial interests in the Global Notes also shall require compliance with either subparagraph (i) or (ii) below, as applicable, as well as one or more of the other following subparagraphs, as applicable:
(i) Transfer of Beneficial Interests in the Same Global Note. Beneficial interests in any Transfer Restricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in the same Transfer Restricted Global Note in accordance with the transfer restrictions set forth in the Restricted Notes Legend; provided, however, that prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, transfers of beneficial interests in a Regulation S Global Note may not be made to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person. A beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note may be transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note. No written orders or instructions shall be required to be delivered to the Registrar to effect the transfers described in this Section 2.2(b)(i).
(ii) All Other Transfers and Exchanges of Beneficial Interests in Global Notes. In connection with all transfers and exchanges of beneficial interests in any Global Note that is not subject to Section 2.2(b)(i), the transferor of such beneficial interest must deliver to the Registrar (1) a written order from an Agent Member given to the Depository in accordance with the applicable rules and procedures of the Depository directing the Depository to credit or cause to be credited a beneficial interest in another Global Note in an amount equal to the beneficial interest to be transferred or exchanged and (2) instructions given in accordance with the applicable rules and procedures of the Depository containing information regarding the Agent Member account to be credited with such increase. Upon satisfaction of all of the requirements for transfer or exchange of beneficial interests in Global Notes contained in this Indenture and the Notes or otherwise applicable under the Securities Act, the Trustee shall adjust the principal amount of the relevant Global Note pursuant to Section 2.2(g).
Appendix A-4
(iii) Transfer of Beneficial Interests to Another Restricted Global Note. A beneficial interest in a Transfer Restricted Global Note may be transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Transfer Restricted Global Note if the transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.2(b)(ii) above and the Registrar receives the following:
(A) if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in a Rule 144A Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form attached to the applicable Note; and
(B) if the transferee will take delivery in the form of a beneficial interest in a Regulation S Global Note, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form attached to the applicable Note.
(iv) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in a Transfer Restricted Global Note for Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note. A beneficial interest in a Transfer Restricted Global Note may be exchanged by any holder thereof for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note if the exchange or transfer complies with the requirements of Section 2.2(b)(ii) above and the Registrar receives the following:
(A) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Transfer Restricted Global Note proposes to exchange such beneficial interest for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form attached to the applicable Note; or
(B) if the holder of such beneficial interest in a Transfer Restricted Global Note proposes to transfer such beneficial interest to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form attached to the applicable Note,
and, in each such case, if the Company or the Registrar so request or if the applicable rules and procedures of the Depository so require, an Opinion of Counsel in a form reasonably acceptable to the Company and the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Restricted Notes Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. If any such transfer or exchange is effected pursuant to this subparagraph (iv) at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of a written order of the Company in the form of an Officers’ Certificate in accordance with Section 2.01 of this Indenture, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of beneficial interests transferred or exchanged pursuant to this subparagraph (iv).
(v) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in an Unrestricted Global Note for Beneficial Interests in a Transfer Restricted Global Note. Beneficial interests in an Unrestricted Global Note cannot be exchanged for, or transferred to Persons who take delivery thereof in the form of, a beneficial interest in a Transfer Restricted Global Note.
(c) Transfer and Exchange of Beneficial Interests in Global Notes for Definitive Notes. A beneficial interest in a Global Note may not be exchanged for a Definitive Note except under the circumstances described in Section 2.1(b)(ii). A beneficial interest in a Global Note may not be transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Definitive Note except under the circumstances described in Section 2.1(b)(ii).
Appendix A-5
(d) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Beneficial Interests in Global Notes. Transfers and exchanges of Definitive Notes for beneficial interests in the Global Notes also shall require compliance with either subparagraph (i), (ii) or (iii) below, as applicable:
(i) Transfer Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Transfer Restricted Global Notes. If any holder of a Transfer Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in a Transfer Restricted Global Note or to transfer such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in a Transfer Restricted Global Note, then, upon receipt by the Registrar of the following documentation:
(A) if the holder of such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Transfer Restricted Note for a beneficial interest in a Transfer Restricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form attached to the applicable Note;
(B) if such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act, a certificate from such holder in the form attached to the applicable Note;
(C) if such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to a non-U.S. Person in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act, a certificate from such holder in the form attached to the applicable Note;
(D) if such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act, a certificate from such holder in the form attached to the applicable Note;
(E) [Reserved]; or
(F) if such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note is being transferred to the Company or a Subsidiary thereof, a certificate from such holder in the form attached to the applicable Note;
the Trustee shall cancel the Transfer Restricted Definitive Note, and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of the appropriate Transfer Restricted Global Note.
(ii) Transfer Restricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes. A holder of a Transfer Restricted Definitive Note may exchange such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note only if the Registrar receives the following:
(A) if the holder of such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form attached to the applicable Note; or
Appendix A-6
(B) if the holder of such Transfer Restricted Definitive Notes proposes to transfer such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note, a certificate from such holder in the form attached to the applicable Note,
and, in each such case, if the Company or the Registrar so request or if the applicable rules and procedures of the Depository so require, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Company and the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Restricted Notes Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act. Upon satisfaction of the conditions of this subparagraph (ii), the Trustee shall cancel the Transfer Restricted Definitive Notes and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of the Unrestricted Global Note. If any such transfer or exchange is effected pursuant to this subparagraph (ii) at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of a written order of the Company in the form of an Officers’ Certificate, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of Transfer Restricted Notes transferred or exchanged pursuant to this subparagraph (ii).
(iii) Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes. A holder of an Unrestricted Definitive Note may exchange such Unrestricted Definitive Note for a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note or transfer such Unrestricted Definitive Note to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in an Unrestricted Global Note at any time. Upon receipt of a request for such an exchange or transfer, the Trustee shall cancel the applicable Unrestricted Definitive Note and increase or cause to be increased the aggregate principal amount of one of the Unrestricted Global Notes. If any such transfer or exchange is effected pursuant to this subparagraph (iii) at a time when an Unrestricted Global Note has not yet been issued, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of a written order of the Company in the form of an Officers’ Certificate, the Trustee shall authenticate one or more Unrestricted Global Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of Unrestricted Definitive Notes transferred or exchanged pursuant to this subparagraph (iii).
(iv) Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Beneficial Interests in Transfer Restricted Global Notes. An Unrestricted Definitive Note cannot be exchanged for, or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of, a beneficial interest in a Transfer Restricted Global Note.
In connection with any proposed exchange of a Definitive Note for a Global Note, the Company or the Depository shall be required to provide or cause to be provided to the Trustee all information necessary to allow the Trustee to comply with any applicable tax reporting obligations, including without limitation any cost basis reporting obligations under Code Section 6045. The Trustee may rely on information provided to it and shall have no responsibility to verify or ensure the accuracy of such information.
Appendix A-7
(e) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Definitive Notes. Upon request by a holder of Definitive Notes and such holder’s compliance with the provisions of this Section 2.2(e), the Registrar shall register the transfer or exchange of Definitive Notes. Prior to such registration of transfer or exchange, the requesting holder shall present or surrender to the Registrar the Definitive Notes duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instruction of transfer in a form satisfactory to the Registrar duly executed by such holder or by its attorney, duly authorized in writing. In addition, the requesting holder shall provide any additional certifications, documents and information, as applicable, required pursuant to the following provisions of this Section 2.2(e).
(i) Transfer Restricted Definitive Notes to Transfer Restricted Definitive Notes. A Transfer Restricted Definitive Note may be transferred to and registered in the name of a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of a Transfer Restricted Definitive Note if the Registrar receives the following:
(A) if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form attached to the applicable Note;
(B) if the transfer will be made pursuant to Rule 903 or Rule 904 under the Securities Act, then the transferor must deliver a certificate in the form attached to the applicable Note;
(C) if the transfer will be made pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act in accordance with Rule 144 under the Securities Act, a certificate in the form attached to the applicable Note;
(D) [Reserved]; and
(E) if such transfer will be made to the Company or a Subsidiary thereof, a certificate in the form attached to the applicable Note.
(ii) Transfer Restricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. Any Transfer Restricted Definitive Note may be exchanged by the holder thereof for an Unrestricted Definitive Note or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note if the Registrar receives the following:
(A) if the holder of such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note proposes to exchange such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note for an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder in the form attached to the applicable Note; or
(B) if the holder of such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note proposes to transfer such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note to a Person who shall take delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note, a certificate from such holder in the form attached to the applicable Note,
and, in each such case, if the Company or the Registrar so request, an Opinion of Counsel in form reasonably acceptable to the Company and the Registrar to the effect that such exchange or transfer is in compliance with the Securities Act and that the restrictions on transfer contained herein and in the Restricted Notes Legend are no longer required in order to maintain compliance with the Securities Act.
Appendix A-8
(iii) Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Unrestricted Definitive Notes. A holder of an Unrestricted Definitive Note may transfer such Unrestricted Definitive Notes to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of an Unrestricted Definitive Note at any time. Upon receipt of a request to register such transfer, the Registrar shall register the Unrestricted Definitive Notes pursuant to the instructions from the holder thereof.
(iv) Unrestricted Definitive Notes to Transfer Restricted Definitive Notes. An Unrestricted Definitive Note cannot be exchanged for, or transferred to a Person who takes delivery thereof in the form of, a Transfer Restricted Definitive Note.
At such time as all beneficial interests in a particular Global Note have been exchanged for Definitive Notes or a particular Global Note has been redeemed, repurchased or canceled in whole and not in part, each such Global Note shall be returned to or retained and canceled by the Trustee in accordance with Section 2.10 of this Indenture. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note or for Definitive Notes, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note shall be reduced accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depository at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such reduction; and if the beneficial interest is being exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note, such other Global Note shall be increased accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depository at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such increase.
(f) Legend.
(i) Except as permitted by the following paragraph (ii), (iii) or (iv), each Note certificate evidencing the Global Notes and any Definitive Notes (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or in substitution thereof) shall bear a legend in substantially the following form (each defined term in the legend being defined as such for purposes of the legend only):
“THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE. BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF OR OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN, THE ACQUIRER (1) REPRESENTS THAT (A) IT AND ANY ACCOUNT FOR WHICH IT IS ACTING IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) AND THAT IT EXERCISES SOLE INVESTMENT DISCRETION WITH RESPECT TO EACH SUCH ACCOUNT, (B) IT IS AN INSTITUTIONAL “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” (WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 501(a) (1), (2), (3) OR (7) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) (AN “INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR”) OR (C) IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON (WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) AND (2) AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMPANY THAT IT WILL NOT OFFER, SELL, PLEDGE OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS NOTE OR ANY BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN, EXCEPT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT AND ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES AND ONLY (A) TO THE COMPANY OR ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH HAS BECOME EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) TO A QUALIFIED
Appendix A-9
INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (D) IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 904 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (E) IN A PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NOT LESS THAN $100,000, TO AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR THAT, PRIOR TO SUCH TRANSFER, DELIVERS TO THE TRUSTEE A DULY COMPLETED AND SIGNED CERTIFICATE (THE FORM OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE TRUSTEE) RELATING TO THE RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE, OR (F) PURSUANT TO THE EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE) OR ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT. PRIOR TO THE REGISTRATION OF ANY TRANSFER IN ACCORDANCE WITH (2)(C) ABOVE OR (2)(D) ABOVE, A DULY COMPLETED AND SIGNED CERTIFICATE (THE FORM OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE TRUSTEE) MUST BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE. PRIOR TO THE REGISTRATION OF ANY TRANSFER IN ACCORDANCE WITH (2)(E) OR (F) ABOVE, THE COMPANY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF SUCH LEGAL OPINIONS, CERTIFICATIONS OR OTHER EVIDENCE AS MAY REASONABLY BE REQUIRED IN ORDER TO DETERMINE THAT THE PROPOSED TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. NO REPRESENTATION IS MADE AS TO THE AVAILABILITY OF ANY RULE 144 EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.”
Each Definitive Note shall bear the following additional legend:
“IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER, THE HOLDER WILL DELIVER TO THE REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT SUCH CERTIFICATES AND OTHER INFORMATION AS SUCH TRANSFER AGENT MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT THE TRANSFER COMPLIES WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.”
(ii) Upon any sale or transfer of a Transfer Restricted Definitive Note, the Registrar shall permit the holder thereof to exchange such Transfer Restricted Note for a Definitive Note that does not bear the legends set forth above and rescind any restriction on the transfer of such Transfer Restricted Definitive Note if the holder certifies in writing to the Registrar that its request for such exchange was made in reliance on Rule 144 (such certification to be in the form set forth on the reverse of the Initial Note).
(iii) Upon a sale or transfer after the expiration of the Restricted Period of any Initial Note acquired pursuant to Regulation S, all requirements that such Initial Note bear the Restricted Notes Legend shall cease to apply and the requirements requiring any such Initial Note be issued in global form shall continue to apply.
(iv) Any Additional Notes sold in a registered offering shall not be required to bear the Restricted Notes Legend.
Appendix A-10
(g) Cancellation or Adjustment of Global Note. At such time as all beneficial interests in a particular Global Note have been exchanged for Definitive Notes or a particular Global Note has been redeemed, repurchased or canceled in whole and not in part, each such Global Note shall be returned to or retained and canceled by the Trustee in accordance with Section 2.10 of this Indenture. At any time prior to such cancellation, if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note or for Definitive Notes, the principal amount of Notes represented by such Global Note shall be reduced accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depository at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such reduction; and if the beneficial interest is being exchanged for or transferred to a Person who will take delivery thereof in the form of a beneficial interest in another Global Note, such other Global Note shall be increased accordingly and an endorsement shall be made on such Global Note by the Trustee or by the Depository at the direction of the Trustee to reflect such increase.
(h) Obligations with Respect to Transfers and Exchanges of Notes.
(i) To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate, Definitive Notes and Global Notes upon receipt of a written order from the Company in the form of an Officers’ Certificate.
(ii) No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of Notes, but the Company may require payment of 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 charge payable upon exchanges pursuant to Sections 3.06, 4.06 and 4.08 of this Indenture).
(iii) Prior to the due presentation for registration of transfer of any Note, the Company, the Trustee, a Paying Agent or the Registrar may deem and treat the person in whose name a Note is registered as the absolute owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and interest on such Note and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Note is overdue, and none of the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent or the Registrar shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
(iv) All Notes 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 surrendered upon such transfer or exchange.
(i) No Obligation of the Trustee.
(i) The Trustee shall have no responsibility or obligation to any beneficial owner of a Global Note, a member of, or a participant in the Depository or any other Person with respect to the accuracy of the records of the Depository or its nominee or of any participant or member thereof, with respect to any ownership interest in the Notes or with respect to the delivery to any participant, member, beneficial owner or other Person (other than the Depository) of any notice (including any notice of redemption or repurchase) or the payment of any amount, under or with respect to such Notes. All notices and communications to be given to the holders and all payments to be made to the holders under the Notes shall be given or made only to the registered holders (which shall be the Depository or its nominee in the case of a Global Note). The rights of beneficial owners in any Global Note shall be exercised only through the Depository subject to the applicable rules and procedures of the Depository. The Trustee may rely and shall be fully protected in relying upon information furnished by the Depository with respect to its members, participants and any beneficial owners.
Appendix A-11
(ii) The Trustee shall have no 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 (including any transfers between or among Depository participants, members or beneficial owners in any Global Note) 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.
Appendix A-12
EXHIBIT A
[FORM OF FACE OF NOTE]
[Global Notes Legend]
“UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”), NEW YORK, NEW YORK, 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 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 DTC, TO NOMINEES OF DTC 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 THE INDENTURE REFERRED TO ON THE REVERSE HEREOF.”
[Restricted Notes Legend]
“THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE. BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF OR OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN, THE ACQUIRER (1) REPRESENTS THAT (A) IT AND ANY ACCOUNT FOR WHICH IT IS ACTING IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) AND THAT IT EXERCISES SOLE INVESTMENT DISCRETION WITH RESPECT TO EACH SUCH ACCOUNT, (B) IT IS AN INSTITUTIONAL “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” (WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 501(a) (1), (2), (3) OR (7) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) (AN “INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR”) OR (C) IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON (WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) AND (2) AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMPANY THAT IT WILL NOT OFFER, SELL, PLEDGE OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS NOTE OR ANY BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN, EXCEPT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT AND ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES AND ONLY (A) TO THE COMPANY OR ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH HAS BECOME EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) TO A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (D) IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 904 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (E) IN A PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NOT LESS THAN $100,000, TO AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR THAT, PRIOR TO SUCH TRANSFER, DELIVERS TO THE TRUSTEE A DULY COMPLETED AND SIGNED CERTIFICATE (THE FORM OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE TRUSTEE) RELATING TO THE RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE, OR (F) PURSUANT TO THE EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE) OR ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM
Exhibit A-1
THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT. PRIOR TO THE REGISTRATION OF ANY TRANSFER IN ACCORDANCE WITH (2)(C) ABOVE OR (2)(D) ABOVE, A DULY COMPLETED AND SIGNED CERTIFICATE (THE FORM OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE TRUSTEE) MUST BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE. PRIOR TO THE REGISTRATION OF ANY TRANSFER IN ACCORDANCE WITH (2)(E) OR (F) ABOVE, THE COMPANY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF SUCH LEGAL OPINIONS, CERTIFICATIONS OR OTHER EVIDENCE AS MAY REASONABLY BE REQUIRED IN ORDER TO DETERMINE THAT THE PROPOSED TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. NO REPRESENTATION IS MADE AS TO THE AVAILABILITY OF ANY RULE 144 EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.”
[Definitive Notes Legend]
“IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER, THE HOLDER WILL DELIVER TO THE REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT SUCH CERTIFICATES AND OTHER INFORMATION AS SUCH TRANSFER AGENT MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT THE TRANSFER COMPLIES WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.”
[FORM OF NOTE]
WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION
| No. [ ] | CUSIP [ ] | |
| ISIN [ ] | ||
| $[ ] |
4.50% Senior Note due 2028
WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation, promises to pay to Cede & Co., or registered assigns, the principal sum set forth on the Schedule of Increases or Decreases in Global Note attached hereto on October 15, 2028.
Interest Payment Dates: April 15 and October 15, commencing April 15, 2022.
Record Dates: April 1 and October 1.
Additional provisions of this Note are set forth on the other side of this Note.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this instrument to be duly executed.
| WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION | ||
| By: |
| |
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
Dated:
| TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION | ||
| WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL | ||
| ASSOCIATION | ||
| as Trustee, certifies that this is one of the Notes | ||
| referred to in the Indenture. | ||
| By: |
| |
| Authorized Signatory | ||
| Dated: | ||
[FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF NOTE]
4.50% Senior Note Due 2028
1. Interest
WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (such entity, and its successors and assigns under the Indenture hereinafter referred to, being herein called, the “Company”), promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at the rate per annum shown above. The Company shall pay interest semiannually on April 15 and October 15 of each year (each, an “Interest Payment Date”), commencing [April 15, 2022]1. Interest on the Notes shall accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for or, if no interest has been paid or duly provided for, from [October 6, 2021]2, until the principal hereof is due. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. The Company shall pay interest on overdue principal at the rate borne by the Notes, and it shall pay interest on overdue installments of interest at the same rate to the extent lawful.
2. Method of Payment
The Company shall pay interest on the Notes (except defaulted interest) to the Persons who are registered holders at the close of business on April 1 or October 1 (whether or not a Business Day) (each, a “Record Date”) immediately preceding the Interest Payment Date even if Notes are canceled after the Record Date and on or before the Interest Payment Date. Holders must surrender Notes to the Paying Agent to collect principal payments. The Company shall pay principal, premium, if any, and interest in money of the United States of America that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts. Payments in respect of the Notes represented by a Global Note (including principal, premium, if any, and interest) shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by The Depository Trust Company or any successor depositary. The Company shall make all payments in respect of a certificated Note (including principal, premium, if any, and interest) at the office of the Paying Agent, except that, at the option of the Company, payment of interest may be made by mailing a check to the registered address of each holder thereof; provided, however, that payments on the Notes may also be made, in the case of a holder of at least $1,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Notes, 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 Paying Agent to such effect designating such account no later than 30 days immediately preceding the relevant due date for payment (or such other date as the Trustee may accept in its discretion).
3. Paying Agent and Registrar
Initially, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee under the Indenture (the “Trustee”), will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may remove any Registrar or Paying Agent upon written notice to such Registrar or Paying Agent and to the Trustee; provided, however, that no such removal shall become effective until (i) if applicable, acceptance of an appointment by a successor Registrar or Paying Agent, as the case may be, is delivered to the Trustee and to the Company or (ii) notification to the Trustee that the Trustee shall serve as Registrar or Paying Agent until the appointment of a successor in accordance with clause (i) above. The Company or any of its wholly-owned domestically organized Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.
| 1 | For Initial Notes |
| 2 | For Initial Notes |
4. Indenture
The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of October 6, 2021 (the “Indenture”), among the Company, the Trustee and the Guarantors party thereto. Capitalized terms used herein are used as defined in the Indenture, unless otherwise indicated. The Notes are subject to all terms and provisions of the Indenture, and the holders (as defined in the Indenture) are referred to the Indenture for a statement of such terms and provisions. If and to the extent that any provision of the Notes limits, qualifies or conflicts with a provision of the Indenture, such provision of the Indenture shall control.
The Notes are unsecured, unsubordinated obligations of the Company. [This Note is one of the Initial Notes referred to in the Indenture.]3 The Notes include the Initial Notes and any Additional Notes. The Initial Notes and any Additional Notes may, at the Company’s option, be treated as a single class of securities for all purposes under the Indenture, including, without limitation, waivers, amendments, redemptions and offers to purchase; provided that if the Additional Notes are not fungible with the Initial Notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Additional Notes will have a separate CUSIP number and/or ISIN, if applicable. The Indenture imposes certain limitations on the ability of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries to, among other things, make certain Investments and other Restricted Payments, Incur Indebtedness, enter into consensual restrictions upon the payment of certain dividends and distributions by such Restricted Subsidiaries, enter into or permit certain transactions with Affiliates, create or Incur Liens and make Asset Sales. The Indenture also imposes limitations on the ability of the Company and each Guarantor to consolidate or merge with or into any other Person or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of its property.
From and after the Issue Date, the Guarantors (including each Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is not a Foreign Subsidiary and that is required to guarantee the Guaranteed Obligations pursuant to Section 4.11 of the Indenture) shall jointly and severally guarantee the Guaranteed Obligations pursuant to the terms of the Indenture.
5. Redemption
On or after October 15, 2024, the Company may redeem the Notes at its option, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, upon not less than 15 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice mailed (or caused to be mailed) by the Company by first-class mail, or delivered electronically in accordance with the procedures of The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) if held by DTC, to each holder’s registered address (with a copy to the Trustee), at the following redemption prices (expressed as a percentage of principal amount), plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date), if redeemed during the 12-month period commencing on October 15 of the years set forth below:
| Period |
Redemption Price | |||
| 2024 |
102.250 | % | ||
| 2025 |
101.125 | % | ||
| 2026 and thereafter |
100.000 | % | ||
| 3 | For Initial Notes |
In addition, prior to October 15, 2024, the Company may redeem the Notes at its option, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, upon not less than 15 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice mailed (or caused to be mailed) by the Company by first-class mail, or delivered electronically if held by DTC, to each holder’s registered address (with a copy to the Trustee), at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed, plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the applicable redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time and from time to time on or prior to October 15, 2024, the Company may redeem in the aggregate up to 40% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes (calculated after giving effect to any issuance of Additional Notes) with the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings (1) by the Company or (2) by any direct or indirect parent of the Company to the extent the net cash proceeds thereof are contributed to the common equity capital of the Company or are used to purchase Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company, at a redemption price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount thereof) of 104.50%, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date); provided, however, that at least 60% of the original aggregate principal amount of the Notes (calculated without giving effect to any issuance of Additional Notes) must remain outstanding after each such redemption; provided, further, that such redemption shall occur within 90 days after the date on which any such Equity Offering is consummated upon not less than 15 nor more than 60 days’ notice mailed (or caused to be mailed) by the Company by first-class mail, or delivered electronically if held by DTC, to the registered address of each holder of Notes being redeemed (with a copy to the Trustee) and otherwise in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Indenture.
Notice of any redemption upon any Equity Offering may be given prior to the completion thereof. In addition, any such redemption described above or notice thereof may, at the Company’s discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including, but not limited to, completion of the related Equity Offering in the case of a redemption upon completion of an Equity Offering. The Company shall provide written notice to the Trustee at least one Business Day prior to the redemption date (or such shorter period as may be acceptable to the Trustee) if any such conditional redemption has been rescinded or delayed, and upon receipt the Trustee shall provide such notice to each holder of the notes in the same manner in which the notice of redemption was given.
6. Mandatory Redemption
The Company shall not be required to make any mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes. However, under certain circumstances, the Company may be required to offer to purchase Notes as described in Paragraph 8.
7. Notice of Redemption
Notices of redemption will be mailed (or caused to be mailed) by first-class mail, or delivered electronically if held by DTC, at least 15 but not more than 60 days before the redemption date, to each holder of Notes to be redeemed at its registered address (with a copy to the Trustee), except that redemption notices may be mailed or otherwise delivered more than 60 days prior to the redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Notes or a satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture pursuant to Article VIII thereof. On and after the redemption date, interest shall cease to accrue on Notes or portions thereof called for redemption so long as the Company has deposited with the Paying Agent funds sufficient to pay the redemption price of, plus accrued and unpaid interest on, the Notes or portions thereof to be redeemed, unless the Paying Agent is prohibited from making such payment pursuant to the terms of the Indenture.
8. Repurchase of Notes at the Option of the Holders upon Change of Control and Asset Sales
Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each holder shall have the right, subject to certain conditions specified in the Indenture, to require the Company to repurchase all or any part of such holder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the date of repurchase (subject to the right of the holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date), as provided in, and subject to the terms of, the Indenture.
In accordance with Section 4.06 of the Indenture, the Company will be required to offer to purchase Notes following an Asset Sale upon the occurrence of certain events.
9. [Intentionally Omitted]
10. Denominations; Transfer; Exchange
The Notes are in registered form, without coupons, in denominations of $2,000 principal amount and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. A holder shall register the transfer of or exchange of the Notes in accordance with the Indenture. Upon any registration of transfer or exchange, the Registrar and the Trustee may require a holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Company may require a holder to pay any taxes required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Company shall not be required to make, and the Registrar need not register, transfers or exchanges of any Notes selected for redemption (except, in the case of a Note to be redeemed in part, the portion thereof not to be redeemed) or of any Notes for a period of 15 days before the mailing or sending of a notice of redemption of Notes to be redeemed.
11. Persons Deemed Owners
The registered holder of this Note shall be treated as the owner of it for all purposes.
12. Unclaimed Money
Subject to any applicable abandoned property law, the Trustee and each Paying Agent shall pay to the Company upon written request any money held by them for the payment of principal or interest that remains unclaimed for two years, and, thereafter, holders entitled to the money must look to the Company for payment as general creditors, and the Trustee and each Paying Agent shall have no further liability with respect to such monies.
13. Discharge and Defeasance
Subject to certain conditions, the Company at any time may terminate some of or all its obligations under the Notes and the Indenture if the Company deposits with the Trustee cash in U.S. dollars, U.S. Government Obligations or a combination thereof sufficient to pay the principal of and premium (if any) and interest on the Notes when due at maturity or redemption, as the case may be.
14. Amendment; Waiver
Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture, (i) the Indenture or the Notes may be amended with the written consent of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding and (ii) any past default or compliance with any provisions may be waived with the written consent of the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding.
The Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee may amend the Indenture, the Notes and the Guarantees without notice to or the consent of any holder (i) to cure any ambiguity, omission, mistake, defect or inconsistency; (ii) to provide for the assumption by a Successor Company (with respect to the Company) of the obligations of the Company under the Indenture and the Notes; (iii) to provide for the assumption by a Successor Guarantor (with respect to any Guarantor), as the case may be, of the obligations of a Guarantor under the Indenture and its Guarantee; (iv) to provide for certificated Notes in addition to or in place of uncertificated Notes; (v) to conform the text of the Indenture, the Notes or the Guarantees to any provision of the “Description of Notes” in the Offering Memorandum, as stated in an Officers’ Certificate; (vi) to add a Guarantee with respect to the Notes, (vii) to add collateral to secure the Notes; (viii) to release a Guarantor from its Guarantee when permitted or required under the terms of the Indenture; (ix) to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the holders or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company; (x) to comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection with qualifying or maintaining the qualification of, the Indenture under the TIA (if applicable); (xi) to comply with the rules of any applicable securities depositary; (xii) to make any amendment to the provisions of the Indenture relating to the transfer and legending of the notes; (xiii) to evidence and provide for the acceptance and appointment under the Indenture of a successor trustee thereunder pursuant to the requirements thereof; (xiv) to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder in any material respect; or (xv) to effect any provisions of the Indenture or to make changes to the Indenture to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes.
15. Defaults and Remedies
If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(f) or (g) of the Indenture with respect to the Company) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee by notice to the Company or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of outstanding Notes by notice to the Company, with a copy to the Trustee, may declare the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued but unpaid interest on all the Notes to be due and payable. Upon such a declaration, such principal and interest will be due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(f) or (g) of the Indenture with respect to the Company occurs, the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on all the Notes will become immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any holders. The holders of a majority in principal amount of outstanding Notes may rescind any such acceleration with respect to the Notes and its consequences.
If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by the Indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders pursuant to the Indenture, unless such holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity or security satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be Incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction. Except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal, premium (if any) or interest when due, no holder may pursue any remedy with respect to the Indenture or the Notes unless (i) such holder has previously given the Trustee written notice that an Event of Default is continuing, (ii) holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes have requested the Trustee to pursue the remedy, (iii) such holders have offered the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense, (iv) the Trustee has not complied with such request within 60 days after the receipt of the request and the offer of security or indemnity, and (v) the holders of
a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes have not given the Trustee a direction inconsistent with such request within such 60-day period. The holders of a majority in principal amount of outstanding Notes may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or the Indenture or that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other holder (it being understood that the Trustee shall have no obligation to ascertain whether or not such actions or forbearances are unduly prejudicial to any other holder) or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability. Prior to taking any action under the Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to indemnification satisfactory to it in its sole discretion against all losses and expenses caused by taking or not taking such action.
16. Trustee Dealings with the Company
The Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee.
17. No Recourse Against Others
No past, present or future director, officer, employee, manager or incorporator of the Company or any direct or indirect parent company of the Company, and no holder of any Equity Interests in the Company or any direct or indirect parent company of the Company, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Company or any Guarantor under the Notes, the Indenture or the Guarantees, as applicable, or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability.
18. Authentication
This Note shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the Trustee (or an authenticating agent) manually signs the certificate of authentication on the other side of this Note.
19. Abbreviations
Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a holder or an assignee, such as TEN COM (=tenants in common), TEN ENT (=tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (=joint tenants with rights of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (=custodian), and U/G/M/A (=Uniform Gift to Minors Act).
20. Governing Law
THIS SECURITY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
21. CUSIP Numbers; ISINs
The Company has caused CUSIP numbers and ISINs to be printed on the Notes and has directed the Trustee to use CUSIP numbers and ISINs in notices of redemption as a convenience to the holders. No representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed thereon.
The Company will furnish to any holder of Notes upon written request and without charge to the holder a copy of the Indenture which has in it the text of this Note.
ASSIGNMENT FORM
To assign this Note, fill in the form below:
I or we assign and transfer this Note to:
(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)
(Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. No.
and irrevocably appoint agent to transfer this Note on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.
| Date: | Your Signature: |
Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Note.
Signature Guarantee:
| Date: |
| |||
| Signature must be guaranteed by a participant in a recognized signature guarantee medallion program or other signature guarantor program reasonably acceptable to the Trustee | Signature of Signature Guarantee |
CERTIFICATE TO BE DELIVERED UPON EXCHANGE OR
REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER RESTRICTED NOTE
This certificate relates to $ principal amount of Notes held in (check applicable space) book-entry or definitive form by the undersigned.
The undersigned (check one box below):
| ☐ | has requested the Trustee by written order to deliver in exchange for its beneficial interest in the Global Note held by the Depository a Note or Notes in definitive, registered form of authorized denominations and in an aggregate principal amount equal to its beneficial interest in such Global Note (or the portion thereof indicated above); |
| ☐ | has requested the Trustee by written order to exchange or register the transfer of a Note or Notes. |
In connection with any transfer of any of the Notes evidenced by this certificate occurring while this Note is still a Transfer Restricted Definitive Note or a Transfer Restricted Global Note, the undersigned confirms that such Notes are being transferred in accordance with its terms:
CHECK ONE BOX BELOW
| (1) | ☐ | to the Company or a Subsidiary; or | ||
| (2) | ☐ | to the Registrar for registration in the name of the holder, without transfer; or | ||
| (3) | ☐ | pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933; or | ||
| (4) | ☐ | inside the United States to a “qualified institutional buyer” (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933) that purchases for its own account or for the account of a qualified institutional buyer to whom notice is given that such transfer is being made in reliance on Rule 144A, in each case pursuant to and in compliance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933; or | ||
| (5) | ☐ | outside the United States in an offshore transaction within the meaning of Regulation S under the Securities Act in compliance with Rule 904 under the Securities Act of 1933 and such Note shall be held immediately after the transfer through Euroclear or Clearstream until the expiration of the Restricted Period (as defined in the Indenture); or | ||
| (6) | ☐ | to an institutional “accredited investor” (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act of 1933) that has furnished to the Trustee a signed letter in the form of Exhibit B containing certain representations and agreements; or | ||
| (7) | ☐ | pursuant to another available exemption from registration provided by Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933. | ||
Unless one of the boxes is checked, the Trustee will refuse to register any of the Notes evidenced by this certificate in the name of any Person other than the registered holder thereof; provided, however, that if box (5), (6) or (7) is checked, the Company or the Trustee may require, prior to registering any such transfer of the Notes, such legal opinions, certifications and other information as the Company or the Trustee have reasonably requested to confirm that such transfer is being made pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933.
| Date: | Your Signature: |
Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Note.
Signature Guarantee:
| Date: |
| |||
| Signature must be guaranteed by a participant in a recognized signature guarantee medallion program or other signature guarantor program reasonably acceptable to the Trustee | Signature of Signature Guarantee |
TO BE COMPLETED BY PURCHASER IF (4) 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 in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A, and such transfer is in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and any applicable foreign securities laws, and the undersigned 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 it 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.
| Date: |
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| NOTICE: To be executed by an executive officer |
[TO BE ATTACHED TO GLOBAL NOTES]
SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN GLOBAL NOTE
The initial principal amount of this Global Note is $ . The following increases or decreases in this Global Note have been made:
| Date of Exchange |
Amount of Decrease in Principal Amount of this Global Note |
Amount of Increase in Principal Amount of this Global Note |
Principal Amount of this Global Note following such Decrease or Increase |
Signature of Authorized Signatory of Trustee or Notes Custodian | ||||
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OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE
If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.06 (Asset Sale) or 4.08 (Change of Control) of the Indenture, check the box:
Asset Sale ☐ Change of Control ☐
If you want to elect to have only part of this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.06 (Asset Sale) or 4.08 (Change of Control) of the Indenture, state the amount ($2,000 or any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof):
$
| Date: | Your Signature: |
| ||
| (Sign exactly as your name appears on | ||||
| the other side of this Note) |
Signature Guarantee:
Signature must be guaranteed by a participant in a recognized
signature guarantee medallion program or other signature
guarantor program reasonably acceptable to the Trustee
EXHIBIT B
[FORM OF TRANSFEREE LETTER OF REPRESENTATION]
TRANSFEREE LETTER OF REPRESENTATION
WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION
c/o Wells Fargo Bank, National Association
as Trustee and Registrar –
DAPS REORG
600 South Fourth Street, 7th Floor
Minneapolis, MN 55415
Telephone No.: (800) 344-5128
Fax No.: (866) 969-1290
Email: DAPSREORG@wellsfargo.com
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This certificate is delivered to request a transfer of $[ ] principal amount of the 4.50% Senior Notes due 2028 (the “Notes”) of WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION (collectively with its successors and assigns, 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) or (7) 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” at least $100,000 principal amount of the Notes, 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 risks 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 date that is one year after the later of the date of original issue and the last date on which either of the Company or any affiliate of the Company was the owner of such Notes (or any predecessor thereto) (the “Resale Restriction Termination Date”) only (a) to the Company or any subsidiary thereof, (b) in the United States to a person whom we reasonably believe is a qualified institutional buyer (as defined in rule 144A under the Securities Act) in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A, (c) outside the United States in an offshore transaction in accordance with Rule 904 of Regulation S under the Securities Act, (d) pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Securities Act provided by Rule 144 thereunder (if applicable) or (e) pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act, in each of cases (a) through (e) in accordance with any
Exhibit B-1
applicable securities laws of any state of the United States. In addition, we will, and each subsequent holder is required to, notify any purchaser of the Note evidenced hereby of the resale restrictions set forth above. The 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 to an institutional “accredited investor” 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, which shall provide, among other things, that the transferee is an institutional “accredited investor” within the meaning of Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) 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 reserve the right prior to the offer, sale or other transfer prior to the Resale Restriction Termination Date of the Notes pursuant to clause 1(b), 1(c) or 1(d) above to require the delivery of an opinion of counsel, certifications or other information satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee.
Dated:
| TRANSFEREE: , |
| By: |
Exhibit B-2
EXHIBIT C
[FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE]
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (this “Supplemental Indenture”) dated as of [ ], among [NEW GUARANTOR] (the “New Guarantor”), a direct or indirect subsidiary of WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION (or its successor), a Delaware corporation (“Wabash”), and WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, a national banking association, as trustee under the indenture referred to below (the “Trustee”).
W I T N E S S E T H :
WHEREAS Wabash National Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), the Guarantors (as defined in the Indenture referred to herein) and the Trustee have heretofore executed an indenture, dated as of October 6, 2021 (as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, the “Indenture”), providing for the issuance of the Company’s 4.50% Senior Notes due 2028 (the “Notes”), initially in the aggregate principal amount of $400,000,000;
WHEREAS Sections 4.11 and 12.07 of the Indenture provide that under certain circumstances Wabash is required to cause the New Guarantor to execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which the New Guarantor shall guarantee the Guaranteed Obligations;
WHEREAS, all conditions precedent, covenants and requirements set forth in Articles 4, 9 and 12 of the Indenture necessary to make this Supplemental Indenture a valid and legally binding instrument in accordance with its terms have been complied with, performed and fulfilled, and the execution and delivery hereof by the parties have been in all respects duly authorized; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Sections 7.02, 9.05 and 13.04 of the Indenture, an Officers’ Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel have been delivered to the Trustee each stating that all conditions precedent have been complied with, and that this Supplemental Indenture is a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company and the New Guarantor in accordance with its terms, subject to certain exceptions; and
WHEREAS pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Indenture, the Trustee and the Company are authorized to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the New Guarantor, the Company and the Trustee mutually covenant and agree for the benefit of each other and for the equal and ratable benefit of the holders of the Notes as follows:
1. Defined Terms. As used in this Supplemental Indenture, terms defined in the Indenture or in the preamble or recital hereto are used herein as therein defined, except that the term “holders” in this Supplemental Indenture shall refer to the term “holders” as defined in the Indenture and the Trustee acting on behalf of and for the benefit of such holders. 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.
2. Agreement to Guarantee. The New Guarantor hereby agrees, jointly and severally with all existing Guarantors (if any), to guarantee the Guaranteed Obligations on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in Article XII of the Indenture and to be bound by all other applicable provisions of the Indenture and the Notes and to perform all of the obligations and agreements of a Guarantor under the Indenture.
Exhibit C-1
3. Notices. All notices or other communications to the New Guarantor shall be given as provided in Section 13.02 of the Indenture.
4. 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.
5. Governing Law; Jury Trial Waiver. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. EACH OF THE COMPANY, THE NEW GUARANTOR, THE TRUSTEE, AND EACH HOLDER OF A NOTE BY ITS ACCEPTANCE THEREOF, HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, THE GUARANTEE BY THE NEW GUARANTOR OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY.
6. Trustee Makes No Representation. The Trustee accepts the amendments of the Indenture effected by this Supplemental Indenture on the terms and conditions set forth in the Indenture, including the terms and provisions defining and limiting the liabilities and responsibilities of the Trustee. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Trustee shall not be responsible or liable in any manner whatsoever for or with respect to any of the recitals or statements contained herein, all of which recitals or statements are made solely by the Company, or for or with respect to (i) the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture or any of the terms or provisions hereof, (ii) the proper authorization hereof by the Company and the New Guarantor, in each case, by action or otherwise, (iii) the due execution hereof by the Company and the New Guarantor or (iv) the consequences of any amendment herein provided for, and the Trustee makes no representation with respect to any such matters. All of the provisions contained in the Indenture in respect of the rights, privileges, immunities, powers, and duties of the Trustee shall be applicable in respect of this Supplemental Indenture as fully and with like force and effect as though fully set forth in full herein.
7. Counterparts. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement. One signed copy is enough to prove this Supplemental Indenture. Notwithstanding the foregoing, 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 and signature pages for all purposes.
8. Effect of Headings. The Section headings of this Supplemental 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 here.
Exhibit C-2
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first written above.
| WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION | ||
| By: |
| |
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
| [NEW GUARANTOR], as a Guarantor | ||
| By: |
| |
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
| WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, not in its individual capacity, but solely as Trustee | ||
| By: |
| |
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
Exhibit C-3
Exhibit 4.2
FACE OF NOTE
UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”), NEW YORK, NEW YORK, 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 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 DTC, TO NOMINEES OF DTC 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 THE INDENTURE REFERRED TO ON THE REVERSE HEREOF.
THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE. BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF OR OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN, THE ACQUIRER (1) REPRESENTS THAT (A) IT AND ANY ACCOUNT FOR WHICH IT IS ACTING IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) AND THAT IT EXERCISES SOLE INVESTMENT DISCRETION WITH RESPECT TO EACH SUCH ACCOUNT, (B) IT IS AN INSTITUTIONAL “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” (WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 501(a) (1), (2), (3) OR (7) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) (AN “INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR”) OR (C) IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON (WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) AND (2) AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMPANY THAT IT WILL NOT OFFER, SELL, PLEDGE OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS NOTE OR ANY BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN, EXCEPT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT AND ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES AND ONLY (A) TO THE COMPANY OR ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH HAS BECOME EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) TO A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (D) IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 904 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (E) IN A PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NOT LESS THAN $100,000, TO AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR THAT, PRIOR TO SUCH TRANSFER, DELIVERS TO THE TRUSTEE A DULY COMPLETED AND SIGNED CERTIFICATE (THE FORM OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE TRUSTEE) RELATING TO THE RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE, OR (F) PURSUANT TO THE EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE) OR ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT. PRIOR TO THE REGISTRATION OF ANY TRANSFER IN ACCORDANCE WITH (2)(C) ABOVE OR (2)(D) ABOVE, A DULY COMPLETED AND SIGNED CERTIFICATE (THE FORM OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE TRUSTEE) MUST BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE. PRIOR TO THE REGISTRATION OF ANY TRANSFER IN ACCORDANCE WITH (2)(E) OR (F) ABOVE, THE COMPANY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF SUCH LEGAL OPINIONS, CERTIFICATIONS OR OTHER EVIDENCE AS MAY REASONABLY BE REQUIRED IN ORDER TO DETERMINE THAT THE PROPOSED TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. NO REPRESENTATION IS MADE AS TO THE AVAILABILITY OF ANY RULE 144 EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.
WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION
| No. 144A-1 | CUSIP 929566 AL1 | |
| ISIN US929566AL19 | ||
| $400,000,000 | ||
4.50% Senior Note due 2028
WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation, promises to pay to Cede & Co., or registered assigns, the principal sum set forth on the Schedule of Increases or Decreases in Global Note attached hereto on October 15, 2028.
Interest Payment Dates: April 15 and October 15, commencing April 15, 2022.
Record Dates: April 1 and October 1.
Additional provisions of this Note are set forth on the other side of this Note.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this instrument to be duly executed.
| WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION | ||
| By: | /s/ Michael N. Pettit | |
| Name: Michael N. Pettit | ||
| Title: Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | ||
Dated: October 6, 2021
[Signature Page to Note]
TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION
as Trustee, certifies that this is one of the Notes
referred to in the Indenture.
| By: | /s/ Corey J. Dahlstrand | |
| Authorized Signatory |
Dated: October 6, 2021
[Signature Page to Note]
REVERSE SIDE OF NOTE
4.50% Senior Note Due 2028
| 1. | Interest |
WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (such entity, and its successors and assigns under the Indenture hereinafter referred to, being herein called, the “Company”), promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at the rate per annum shown above. The Company shall pay interest semiannually on April 15 and October 15 of each year (each, an “Interest Payment Date”), commencing April 15, 2022. Interest on the Notes shall accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for or, if no interest has been paid or duly provided for, from October 6, 2021, until the principal hereof is due. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. The Company shall pay interest on overdue principal at the rate borne by the Notes, and it shall pay interest on overdue installments of interest at the same rate to the extent lawful.
| 2. | Method of Payment |
The Company shall pay interest on the Notes (except defaulted interest) to the Persons who are registered holders at the close of business on April 1 or October 1 (whether or not a Business Day) (each, a “Record Date”) immediately preceding the Interest Payment Date even if Notes are canceled after the Record Date and on or before the Interest Payment Date. Holders must surrender Notes to the Paying Agent to collect principal payments. The Company shall pay principal, premium, if any, and interest in money of the United States of America that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts. Payments in respect of the Notes represented by a Global Note (including principal, premium, if any, and interest) shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by The Depository Trust Company or any successor depositary. The Company shall make all payments in respect of a certificated Note (including principal, premium, if any, and interest) at the office of the Paying Agent, except that, at the option of the Company, payment of interest may be made by mailing a check to the registered address of each holder thereof; provided, however, that payments on the Notes may also be made, in the case of a holder of at least $1,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Notes, 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 Paying Agent to such effect designating such account no later than 30 days immediately preceding the relevant due date for payment (or such other date as the Trustee may accept in its discretion).
| 3. | Paying Agent and Registrar |
Initially, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee under the Indenture (the “Trustee”), will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may remove any Registrar or Paying Agent upon written notice to such Registrar or Paying Agent and to the Trustee; provided, however, that no such removal shall become effective until (i) if applicable, acceptance of an appointment by a successor Registrar or Paying Agent, as the case may be, is delivered to the Trustee and to the Company or (ii) notification to the Trustee that the Trustee shall serve as Registrar or Paying Agent until the appointment of a successor in accordance with clause (i) above. The Company or any of its wholly-owned domestically organized Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.
| 4. | Indenture |
The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of October 6, 2021 (the “Indenture”), among the Company, the Trustee and the Guarantors party thereto. Capitalized terms used herein are used as defined in the Indenture, unless otherwise indicated. The Notes are subject to all terms and provisions of the Indenture, and the holders (as defined in the Indenture) are referred to the Indenture for a statement of such terms and provisions. If and to the extent that any provision of the Notes limits, qualifies or conflicts with a provision of the Indenture, such provision of the Indenture shall control.
The Notes are unsecured, unsubordinated obligations of the Company. This Note is one of the Initial Notes referred to in the Indenture. The Notes include the Initial Notes and any Additional Notes. The Initial Notes and any Additional Notes may, at the Company’s option, be treated as a single class of securities for all purposes under the Indenture, including, without limitation, waivers, amendments, redemptions and offers to purchase; provided that if the Additional Notes are not fungible with the Initial Notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Additional Notes will have a separate CUSIP number and/or ISIN, if applicable. The Indenture imposes certain limitations on the ability of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries to, among other things, make certain Investments and other Restricted Payments, Incur Indebtedness, enter into consensual restrictions upon the payment of certain dividends and distributions by such Restricted Subsidiaries, enter into or permit certain transactions with Affiliates, create or Incur Liens and make Asset Sales. The Indenture also imposes limitations on the ability of the Company and each Guarantor to consolidate or merge with or into any other Person or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of its property.
From and after the Issue Date, the Guarantors (including each Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is not a Foreign Subsidiary and that is required to guarantee the Guaranteed Obligations pursuant to Section 4.11 of the Indenture) shall jointly and severally guarantee the Guaranteed Obligations pursuant to the terms of the Indenture.
| 5. | Redemption |
On or after October 15, 2024, the Company may redeem the Notes at its option, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, upon not less than 15 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice mailed (or caused to be mailed) by the Company by first-class mail, or delivered electronically in accordance with the procedures of The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) if held by DTC, to each holder’s registered address (with a copy to the Trustee), at the following redemption prices (expressed as a percentage of principal amount), plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date), if redeemed during the 12-month period commencing on October 15 of the years set forth below:
| Period |
Redemption Price | |||
| 2024 |
102.250 | % | ||
| 2025 |
101.125 | % | ||
| 2026 and thereafter |
100.000 | % | ||
In addition, prior to October 15, 2024, the Company may redeem the Notes at its option, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, upon not less than 15 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice mailed (or caused to be mailed) by the Company by first-class mail, or delivered electronically if held by DTC, to each holder’s registered address (with a copy to the Trustee), at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed, plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the applicable redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time and from time to time on or prior to October 15, 2024, the Company may redeem in the aggregate up to 40% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes (calculated after giving effect to any issuance of Additional Notes) with the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings (1) by the Company or (2) by any direct or indirect parent of the Company to the extent the net cash proceeds thereof are contributed to the common equity capital of the Company or are used to purchase Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company, at a redemption price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount thereof) of 104.50%, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date); provided, however, that at least 60% of the original aggregate principal amount of the Notes (calculated without giving effect to any issuance of Additional Notes) must remain outstanding after each such redemption; provided, further, that such redemption shall occur within 90 days after the date on which any such Equity Offering is consummated upon not less than 15 nor more than 60 days’ notice mailed (or caused to be mailed) by the Company by first-class mail, or delivered electronically if held by DTC, to the registered address of each holder of Notes being redeemed (with a copy to the Trustee) and otherwise in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Indenture.
Notice of any redemption upon any Equity Offering may be given prior to the completion thereof. In addition, any such redemption described above or notice thereof may, at the Company’s discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including, but not limited to, completion of the related Equity Offering in the case of a redemption upon completion of an Equity Offering. The Company shall provide written notice to the Trustee at least one Business Day prior to the redemption date (or such shorter period as may be acceptable to the Trustee) if any such conditional redemption has been rescinded or delayed, and upon receipt the Trustee shall provide such notice to each holder of the notes in the same manner in which the notice of redemption was given.
| 6. | Mandatory Redemption |
The Company shall not be required to make any mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes. However, under certain circumstances, the Company may be required to offer to purchase Notes as described in Paragraph 8.
| 7. | Notice of Redemption |
Notices of redemption will be mailed (or caused to be mailed) by first-class mail, or delivered electronically if held by DTC, at least 15 but not more than 60 days before the redemption date, to each holder of Notes to be redeemed at its registered address (with a copy to the Trustee), except that redemption notices may be mailed or otherwise delivered more than 60 days prior to the redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Notes or a satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture pursuant to Article VIII thereof. On and after the redemption date, interest shall cease to accrue on Notes or portions thereof called for redemption so long as the Company has deposited with the Paying Agent funds sufficient to pay the redemption price of, plus accrued and unpaid interest on, the Notes or portions thereof to be redeemed, unless the Paying Agent is prohibited from making such payment pursuant to the terms of the Indenture.
| 8. | Repurchase of Notes at the Option of the Holders upon Change of Control and Asset Sales |
Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each holder shall have the right, subject to certain conditions specified in the Indenture, to require the Company to repurchase all or any part of such holder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the date of repurchase (subject to the right of the holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date), as provided in, and subject to the terms of, the Indenture.
In accordance with Section 4.06 of the Indenture, the Company will be required to offer to purchase Notes following an Asset Sale upon the occurrence of certain events.
| 9. | [Intentionally Omitted] |
| 10. | Denominations; Transfer; Exchange |
The Notes are in registered form, without coupons, in denominations of $2,000 principal amount and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. A holder shall register the transfer of or exchange of the Notes in accordance with the Indenture. Upon any registration of transfer or exchange, the Registrar and the Trustee may require a holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Company may require a holder to pay any taxes required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Company shall not be required to make, and the Registrar need not register, transfers or exchanges of any Notes selected for redemption (except, in the case of a Note to be redeemed in part, the portion thereof not to be redeemed) or of any Notes for a period of 15 days before the mailing or sending of a notice of redemption of Notes to be redeemed.
| 11. | Persons Deemed Owners |
The registered holder of this Note shall be treated as the owner of it for all purposes.
| 12. | Unclaimed Money |
Subject to any applicable abandoned property law, the Trustee and each Paying Agent shall pay to the Company upon written request any money held by them for the payment of principal or interest that remains unclaimed for two years, and, thereafter, holders entitled to the money must look to the Company for payment as general creditors, and the Trustee and each Paying Agent shall have no further liability with respect to such monies.
| 13. | Discharge and Defeasance |
Subject to certain conditions, the Company at any time may terminate some of or all its obligations under the Notes and the Indenture if the Company deposits with the Trustee cash in U.S. dollars, U.S. Government Obligations or a combination thereof sufficient to pay the principal of and premium (if any) and interest on the Notes when due at maturity or redemption, as the case may be.
| 14. | Amendment; Waiver |
Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture, (i) the Indenture or the Notes may be amended with the written consent of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding and (ii) any past default or compliance with any provisions may be waived with the written consent of the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding.
The Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee may amend the Indenture, the Notes and the Guarantees without notice to or the consent of any holder (i) to cure any ambiguity, omission, mistake, defect or inconsistency; (ii) to provide for the assumption by a Successor Company (with respect to the Company) of the obligations of the Company under the Indenture and the Notes; (iii) to provide for the assumption by a Successor Guarantor (with respect to any Guarantor), as the case may be, of the obligations of a Guarantor under the Indenture and its Guarantee; (iv) to provide for certificated Notes in addition to or in place of uncertificated Notes; (v) to conform the text of the Indenture, the Notes or the Guarantees to any provision of the “Description of Notes” in the Offering Memorandum, as stated in an Officers’ Certificate; (vi) to add a Guarantee with respect to the Notes, (vii) to add collateral to secure the Notes; (viii) to release a Guarantor from its Guarantee when permitted or required under the terms of the Indenture; (ix) to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the holders or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company; (x) to comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection with qualifying or maintaining the qualification of, the Indenture under the TIA (if applicable); (xi) to comply with the rules of any applicable securities depositary; (xii) to make any amendment to the provisions of the Indenture relating to the transfer and legending of the notes; (xiii) to evidence and provide for the acceptance and appointment under the Indenture of a successor trustee thereunder pursuant to the requirements thereof; (xiv) to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder in any material respect; or (xv) to effect any provisions of the Indenture or to make changes to the Indenture to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes.
| 15. | Defaults and Remedies |
If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(f) or (g) of the Indenture with respect to the Company) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee by notice to the Company or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of outstanding Notes by notice to the Company, with a copy to the Trustee, may declare the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued but unpaid interest on all the Notes to be due and payable. Upon such a declaration, such principal and interest will be due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(f) or (g) of the Indenture with respect to the Company occurs, the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on all the Notes will become immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any holders. The holders of a majority in principal amount of outstanding Notes may rescind any such acceleration with respect to the Notes and its consequences.
If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by the Indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders pursuant to the Indenture, unless such holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity or security satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be Incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction. Except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal, premium (if any) or interest when due, no holder may pursue any remedy with respect to the Indenture or the Notes unless (i) such holder has previously given the Trustee written notice that an Event of Default is continuing, (ii) holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes have requested the Trustee to pursue the remedy, (iii) such holders have offered the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense, (iv) the Trustee has not complied with such request within 60 days after the receipt of the request and the offer of security or indemnity, and (v) the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes have not given the Trustee a direction inconsistent with such request within such 60-day period. The holders of a majority in principal amount of outstanding Notes may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or the Indenture or that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other holder (it being understood that the Trustee shall have no obligation to ascertain whether or not such actions or forbearances are unduly prejudicial to any other holder) or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability. Prior to taking any action under the Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to indemnification satisfactory to it in its sole discretion against all losses and expenses caused by taking or not taking such action.
| 16. | Trustee Dealings with the Company |
The Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee.
| 17. | No Recourse Against Others |
No past, present or future director, officer, employee, manager or incorporator of the Company or any direct or indirect parent company of the Company, and no holder of any Equity Interests in the Company or any direct or indirect parent company of the Company, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Company or any Guarantor under the Notes, the Indenture or the Guarantees, as applicable, or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability.
| 18. | Authentication |
This Note shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the Trustee (or an authenticating agent) manually signs the certificate of authentication on the other side of this Note.
| 19. | Abbreviations |
Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a holder or an assignee, such as TEN COM (=tenants in common), TEN ENT (=tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (=joint tenants with rights of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (=custodian), and U/G/M/A (=Uniform Gift to Minors Act).
| 20. | Governing Law |
THIS SECURITY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
| 21. | CUSIP Numbers; ISINs |
The Company has caused CUSIP numbers and ISINs to be printed on the Notes and has directed the Trustee to use CUSIP numbers and ISINs in notices of redemption as a convenience to the holders. No representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed thereon.
The Company will furnish to any holder of Notes upon written request and without charge to the holder a copy of the Indenture which has in it the text of this Note.
ASSIGNMENT FORM
To assign this Note, fill in the form below:
I or we assign and transfer this Note to:
(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)
(Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. No.
and irrevocably appoint agent to transfer this Note on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.
| Date: | Your Signature: |
Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Note.
Signature Guarantee:
| Date: |
| |||
| Signature must be guaranteed by a participant in a recognized signature guarantee medallion program or other signature guarantor program reasonably acceptable to the Trustee | Signature of Signature Guarantee |
CERTIFICATE TO BE DELIVERED UPON EXCHANGE OR
REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER RESTRICTED NOTE
This certificate relates to $ principal amount of Notes held in (check applicable space) book-entry or definitive form by the undersigned.
The undersigned (check one box below):
| ☐ | has requested the Trustee by written order to deliver in exchange for its beneficial interest in the Global Note held by the Depository a Note or Notes in definitive, registered form of authorized denominations and in an aggregate principal amount equal to its beneficial interest in such Global Note (or the portion thereof indicated above); |
| ☐ | has requested the Trustee by written order to exchange or register the transfer of a Note or Notes. |
In connection with any transfer of any of the Notes evidenced by this certificate occurring while this Note is still a Transfer Restricted Definitive Note or a Transfer Restricted Global Note, the undersigned confirms that such Notes are being transferred in accordance with its terms:
CHECK ONE BOX BELOW
| (1) | ☐ | to the Company or a Subsidiary; or | ||
| (2) | ☐ | to the Registrar for registration in the name of the holder, without transfer; or | ||
| (3) | ☐ | pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933; or | ||
| (4) | ☐ | inside the United States to a “qualified institutional buyer” (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933) that purchases for its own account or for the account of a qualified institutional buyer to whom notice is given that such transfer is being made in reliance on Rule 144A, in each case pursuant to and in compliance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933; or | ||
| (5) | ☐ | outside the United States in an offshore transaction within the meaning of Regulation S under the Securities Act in compliance with Rule 904 under the Securities Act of 1933 and such Note shall be held immediately after the transfer through Euroclear or Clearstream until the expiration of the Restricted Period (as defined in the Indenture); or | ||
| (6) | ☐ | to an institutional “accredited investor” (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act of 1933) that has furnished to the Trustee a signed letter in the form of Exhibit B containing certain representations and agreements; or | ||
| (7) | ☐ | pursuant to another available exemption from registration provided by Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933. | ||
Unless one of the boxes is checked, the Trustee will refuse to register any of the Notes evidenced by this certificate in the name of any Person other than the registered holder thereof; provided, however, that if box (5), (6) or (7) is checked, the Company or the Trustee may require, prior to registering any such transfer of the Notes, such legal opinions, certifications and other information as the Company or the Trustee have reasonably requested to confirm that such transfer is being made pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933.
| Date: | Your Signature: |
Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Note.
Signature Guarantee:
| Date: |
| |||
| Signature must be guaranteed by a participant in a recognized signature guarantee medallion program or other signature guarantor program reasonably acceptable to the Trustee | Signature of Signature Guarantee |
TO BE COMPLETED BY PURCHASER IF (4) 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 in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A, and such transfer is in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and any applicable foreign securities laws, and the undersigned 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 it 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.
| Date: |
| |
| NOTICE: To be executed by an executive officer |
SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN GLOBAL NOTE
The initial principal amount of this Global Note is $400,000,000. The following increases or decreases in this Global Note have been made:
| Date of Exchange |
Amount of Decrease in Principal Amount of this Global Note |
Amount of Increase in Principal Amount of this Global Note |
Principal Amount of this Global Note following such Decrease or Increase |
Signature of Authorized Signatory of Trustee or Notes |
OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE
If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.06 (Asset Sale) or 4.08 (Change of Control) of the Indenture, check the box:
Asset Sale ☐ Change of Control ☐
If you want to elect to have only part of this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.06 (Asset Sale) or 4.08 (Change of Control) of the Indenture, state the amount ($2,000 or any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof):
$
| Date: | Your Signature: |
| ||
| (Sign exactly as your name appears on | ||||
| the other side of this Note) |
Signature Guarantee:
Signature must be guaranteed by a participant in a recognized
signature guarantee medallion program or other signature
guarantor program reasonably acceptable to the Trustee
FACE OF NOTE
UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION (“DTC”), NEW YORK, NEW YORK, 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 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 DTC, TO NOMINEES OF DTC 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 THE INDENTURE REFERRED TO ON THE REVERSE HEREOF.
THIS NOTE HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE. BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF OR OF A BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN, THE ACQUIRER (1) REPRESENTS THAT (A) IT AND ANY ACCOUNT FOR WHICH IT IS ACTING IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” (WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) AND THAT IT EXERCISES SOLE INVESTMENT DISCRETION WITH RESPECT TO EACH SUCH ACCOUNT, (B) IT IS AN INSTITUTIONAL “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” (WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 501(a) (1), (2), (3) OR (7) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) (AN “INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR”) OR (C) IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON (WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) AND (2) AGREES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE COMPANY THAT IT WILL NOT OFFER, SELL, PLEDGE OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER THIS NOTE OR ANY BENEFICIAL INTEREST HEREIN, EXCEPT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT AND ANY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES AND ONLY (A) TO THE COMPANY OR ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT WHICH HAS BECOME EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) TO A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (D) IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 904 OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (E) IN A PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF NOT LESS THAN $100,000, TO AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR THAT, PRIOR TO SUCH TRANSFER, DELIVERS TO THE TRUSTEE A DULY COMPLETED AND SIGNED CERTIFICATE (THE FORM OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE TRUSTEE) RELATING TO THE RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OF THIS NOTE, OR (F) PURSUANT TO THE EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION PROVIDED BY RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (IF AVAILABLE) OR ANY OTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT. PRIOR TO THE REGISTRATION OF ANY TRANSFER IN ACCORDANCE WITH (2)(C) ABOVE OR (2)(D) ABOVE, A DULY COMPLETED AND SIGNED CERTIFICATE (THE FORM OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE TRUSTEE) MUST BE DELIVERED TO THE TRUSTEE. PRIOR TO THE REGISTRATION OF ANY TRANSFER IN ACCORDANCE WITH (2)(E) OR (F) ABOVE, THE COMPANY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF SUCH LEGAL OPINIONS, CERTIFICATIONS OR OTHER EVIDENCE AS MAY REASONABLY BE REQUIRED IN ORDER TO DETERMINE THAT THE PROPOSED TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE SECURITIES ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. NO REPRESENTATION IS MADE AS TO THE AVAILABILITY OF ANY RULE 144 EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.
WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION
| No. RS-1 | CUSIP U9291P AD2 | |
| ISIN USU9291PAD25 | ||
| $0 | ||
4.50% Senior Note due 2028
WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation, promises to pay to Cede & Co., or registered assigns, the principal sum set forth on the Schedule of Increases or Decreases in Global Note attached hereto on October 15, 2028.
Interest Payment Dates: April 15 and October 15, commencing April 15, 2022.
Record Dates: April 1 and October 1.
Additional provisions of this Note are set forth on the other side of this Note.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this instrument to be duly executed.
| WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION | ||||
| By: | /s/ Michael N. Pettit | |||
| Name: | Michael N. Pettit | |||
| Title: | Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | |||
Dated: October 6, 2021
[Signature Page to Note]
TRUSTEE’S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION
as Trustee, certifies that this is one of the Notes
referred to in the Indenture.
| By: | /s/ Corey J. Dahlstrand | |
| Authorized Signatory |
Dated: October 6, 2021
[Signature Page to Note]
REVERSE SIDE OF NOTE
4.50% Senior Note Due 2028
| 1. | Interest |
WABASH NATIONAL CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (such entity, and its successors and assigns under the Indenture hereinafter referred to, being herein called, the “Company”), promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at the rate per annum shown above. The Company shall pay interest semiannually on April 15 and October 15 of each year (each, an “Interest Payment Date”), commencing April 15, 2022. Interest on the Notes shall accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for or, if no interest has been paid or duly provided for, from October 6, 2021, until the principal hereof is due. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. The Company shall pay interest on overdue principal at the rate borne by the Notes, and it shall pay interest on overdue installments of interest at the same rate to the extent lawful.
| 2. | Method of Payment |
The Company shall pay interest on the Notes (except defaulted interest) to the Persons who are registered holders at the close of business on April 1 or October 1 (whether or not a Business Day) (each, a “Record Date”) immediately preceding the Interest Payment Date even if Notes are canceled after the Record Date and on or before the Interest Payment Date. Holders must surrender Notes to the Paying Agent to collect principal payments. The Company shall pay principal, premium, if any, and interest in money of the United States of America that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts. Payments in respect of the Notes represented by a Global Note (including principal, premium, if any, and interest) shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the accounts specified by The Depository Trust Company or any successor depositary. The Company shall make all payments in respect of a certificated Note (including principal, premium, if any, and interest) at the office of the Paying Agent, except that, at the option of the Company, payment of interest may be made by mailing a check to the registered address of each holder thereof; provided, however, that payments on the Notes may also be made, in the case of a holder of at least $1,000,000 aggregate principal amount of Notes, 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 Paying Agent to such effect designating such account no later than 30 days immediately preceding the relevant due date for payment (or such other date as the Trustee may accept in its discretion).
| 3. | Paying Agent and Registrar |
Initially, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee under the Indenture (the “Trustee”), will act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may remove any Registrar or Paying Agent upon written notice to such Registrar or Paying Agent and to the Trustee; provided, however, that no such removal shall become effective until (i) if applicable, acceptance of an appointment by a successor Registrar or Paying Agent, as the case may be, is delivered to the Trustee and to the Company or (ii) notification to the Trustee that the Trustee shall serve as Registrar or Paying Agent until the appointment of a successor in accordance with clause (i) above. The Company or any of its wholly-owned domestically organized Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.
| 4. | Indenture |
The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of October 6, 2021 (the “Indenture”), among the Company, the Trustee and the Guarantors party thereto. Capitalized terms used herein are used as defined in the Indenture, unless otherwise indicated. The Notes are subject to all terms and provisions of the Indenture, and the holders (as defined in the Indenture) are referred to the Indenture for a statement of such terms and provisions. If and to the extent that any provision of the Notes limits, qualifies or conflicts with a provision of the Indenture, such provision of the Indenture shall control.
The Notes are unsecured, unsubordinated obligations of the Company. This Note is one of the Initial Notes referred to in the Indenture. The Notes include the Initial Notes and any Additional Notes. The Initial Notes and any Additional Notes may, at the Company’s option, be treated as a single class of securities for all purposes under the Indenture, including, without limitation, waivers, amendments, redemptions and offers to purchase; provided that if the Additional Notes are not fungible with the Initial Notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Additional Notes will have a separate CUSIP number and/or ISIN, if applicable. The Indenture imposes certain limitations on the ability of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries to, among other things, make certain Investments and other Restricted Payments, Incur Indebtedness, enter into consensual restrictions upon the payment of certain dividends and distributions by such Restricted Subsidiaries, enter into or permit certain transactions with Affiliates, create or Incur Liens and make Asset Sales. The Indenture also imposes limitations on the ability of the Company and each Guarantor to consolidate or merge with or into any other Person or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of its property.
From and after the Issue Date, the Guarantors (including each Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is not a Foreign Subsidiary and that is required to guarantee the Guaranteed Obligations pursuant to Section 4.11 of the Indenture) shall jointly and severally guarantee the Guaranteed Obligations pursuant to the terms of the Indenture.
| 5. | Redemption |
On or after October 15, 2024, the Company may redeem the Notes at its option, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, upon not less than 15 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice mailed (or caused to be mailed) by the Company by first-class mail, or delivered electronically in accordance with the procedures of The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) if held by DTC, to each holder’s registered address (with a copy to the Trustee), at the following redemption prices (expressed as a percentage of principal amount), plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date), if redeemed during the 12-month period commencing on October 15 of the years set forth below:
| Period |
Redemption Price | |||
| 2024 |
102.250 | % | ||
| 2025 |
101.125 | % | ||
| 2026 and thereafter |
100.000 | % | ||
In addition, prior to October 15, 2024, the Company may redeem the Notes at its option, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, upon not less than 15 nor more than 60 days’ prior notice mailed (or caused to be mailed) by the Company by first-class mail, or delivered electronically if held by DTC, to each holder’s registered address (with a copy to the Trustee), at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed, plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the applicable redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time and from time to time on or prior to October 15, 2024, the Company may redeem in the aggregate up to 40% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes (calculated after giving effect to any issuance of Additional Notes) with the net cash proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings (1) by the Company or (2) by any direct or indirect parent of the Company to the extent the net cash proceeds thereof are contributed to the common equity capital of the Company or are used to purchase Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock) of the Company, at a redemption price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount thereof) of 104.50%, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date); provided, however, that at least 60% of the original aggregate principal amount of the Notes (calculated without giving effect to any issuance of Additional Notes) must remain outstanding after each such redemption; provided, further, that such redemption shall occur within 90 days after the date on which any such Equity Offering is consummated upon not less than 15 nor more than 60 days’ notice mailed (or caused to be mailed) by the Company by first-class mail, or delivered electronically if held by DTC, to the registered address of each holder of Notes being redeemed (with a copy to the Trustee) and otherwise in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Indenture.
Notice of any redemption upon any Equity Offering may be given prior to the completion thereof. In addition, any such redemption described above or notice thereof may, at the Company’s discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including, but not limited to, completion of the related Equity Offering in the case of a redemption upon completion of an Equity Offering. The Company shall provide written notice to the Trustee at least one Business Day prior to the redemption date (or such shorter period as may be acceptable to the Trustee) if any such conditional redemption has been rescinded or delayed, and upon receipt the Trustee shall provide such notice to each holder of the notes in the same manner in which the notice of redemption was given.
| 6. | Mandatory Redemption |
The Company shall not be required to make any mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes. However, under certain circumstances, the Company may be required to offer to purchase Notes as described in Paragraph 8.
| 7. | Notice of Redemption |
Notices of redemption will be mailed (or caused to be mailed) by first-class mail, or delivered electronically if held by DTC, at least 15 but not more than 60 days before the redemption date, to each holder of Notes to be redeemed at its registered address (with a copy to the Trustee), except that redemption notices may be mailed or otherwise delivered more than 60 days prior to the redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with a defeasance of the Notes or a satisfaction and discharge of the Indenture pursuant to Article VIII thereof. On and after the redemption date, interest shall cease to accrue on Notes or portions thereof called for redemption so long as the Company has deposited with the Paying Agent funds sufficient to pay the redemption price of, plus accrued and unpaid interest on, the Notes or portions thereof to be redeemed, unless the Paying Agent is prohibited from making such payment pursuant to the terms of the Indenture.
| 8. | Repurchase of Notes at the Option of the Holders upon Change of Control and Asset Sales |
Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each holder shall have the right, subject to certain conditions specified in the Indenture, to require the Company to repurchase all or any part of such holder’s Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the date of repurchase (subject to the right of the holders of record on the relevant Record Date to receive interest due on the relevant Interest Payment Date), as provided in, and subject to the terms of, the Indenture.
In accordance with Section 4.06 of the Indenture, the Company will be required to offer to purchase Notes following an Asset Sale upon the occurrence of certain events.
| 9. | [Intentionally Omitted] |
| 10. | Denominations; Transfer; Exchange |
The Notes are in registered form, without coupons, in denominations of $2,000 principal amount and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. A holder shall register the transfer of or exchange of the Notes in accordance with the Indenture. Upon any registration of transfer or exchange, the Registrar and the Trustee may require a holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and the Company may require a holder to pay any taxes required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Company shall not be required to make, and the Registrar need not register, transfers or exchanges of any Notes selected for redemption (except, in the case of a Note to be redeemed in part, the portion thereof not to be redeemed) or of any Notes for a period of 15 days before the mailing or sending of a notice of redemption of Notes to be redeemed.
| 11. | Persons Deemed Owners |
The registered holder of this Note shall be treated as the owner of it for all purposes.
| 12. | Unclaimed Money |
Subject to any applicable abandoned property law, the Trustee and each Paying Agent shall pay to the Company upon written request any money held by them for the payment of principal or interest that remains unclaimed for two years, and, thereafter, holders entitled to the money must look to the Company for payment as general creditors, and the Trustee and each Paying Agent shall have no further liability with respect to such monies.
| 13. | Discharge and Defeasance |
Subject to certain conditions, the Company at any time may terminate some of or all its obligations under the Notes and the Indenture if the Company deposits with the Trustee cash in U.S. dollars, U.S. Government Obligations or a combination thereof sufficient to pay the principal of and premium (if any) and interest on the Notes when due at maturity or redemption, as the case may be.
| 14. | Amendment; Waiver |
Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture, (i) the Indenture or the Notes may be amended with the written consent of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding and (ii) any past default or compliance with any provisions may be waived with the written consent of the holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding.
The Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee may amend the Indenture, the Notes and the Guarantees without notice to or the consent of any holder (i) to cure any ambiguity, omission, mistake, defect or inconsistency; (ii) to provide for the assumption by a Successor Company (with respect to the Company) of the obligations of the Company under the Indenture and the Notes; (iii) to provide for the assumption by a Successor Guarantor (with respect to any Guarantor), as the case may be, of the obligations of a Guarantor under the Indenture and its Guarantee; (iv) to provide for certificated Notes in addition to or in place of uncertificated Notes; (v) to conform the text of the Indenture, the Notes or the Guarantees to any provision of the “Description of Notes” in the Offering Memorandum, as stated in an Officers’ Certificate; (vi) to add a Guarantee with respect to the Notes, (vii) to add collateral to secure the Notes; (viii) to release a Guarantor from its Guarantee when permitted or required under the terms of the Indenture; (ix) to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the holders or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company; (x) to comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection with qualifying or maintaining the qualification of, the Indenture under the TIA (if applicable); (xi) to comply with the rules of any applicable securities depositary; (xii) to make any amendment to the provisions of the Indenture relating to the transfer and legending of the notes; (xiii) to evidence and provide for the acceptance and appointment under the Indenture of a successor trustee thereunder pursuant to the requirements thereof; (xiv) to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any holder in any material respect; or (xv) to effect any provisions of the Indenture or to make changes to the Indenture to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes.
| 15. | Defaults and Remedies |
If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(f) or (g) of the Indenture with respect to the Company) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee by notice to the Company or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of outstanding Notes by notice to the Company, with a copy to the Trustee, may declare the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued but unpaid interest on all the Notes to be due and payable. Upon such a declaration, such principal and interest will be due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(f) or (g) of the Indenture with respect to the Company occurs, the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on all the Notes will become immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any holders. The holders of a majority in principal amount of outstanding Notes may rescind any such acceleration with respect to the Notes and its consequences.
If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by the Indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders pursuant to the Indenture, unless such holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity or security satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be Incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction. Except to enforce the right to receive payment of principal, premium (if any) or interest when due, no holder may pursue any remedy with respect to the Indenture or the Notes unless (i) such holder has previously given the Trustee written notice that an Event of Default is continuing, (ii) holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes have requested the Trustee to pursue the remedy, (iii) such holders have offered the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense, (iv) the Trustee has not complied with such request within 60 days after the receipt of the request and the offer of security or indemnity, and (v) the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes have not given the Trustee a direction inconsistent with such request within such 60-day period. The holders of a majority in principal amount of outstanding Notes may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or the Indenture or that the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other holder (it being understood that the Trustee shall have no obligation to ascertain whether or not such actions or forbearances are unduly prejudicial to any other holder) or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability. Prior to taking any action under the Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to indemnification satisfactory to it in its sole discretion against all losses and expenses caused by taking or not taking such action.
| 16. | Trustee Dealings with the Company |
The Trustee, in its individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Company or its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee.
| 17. | No Recourse Against Others |
No past, present or future director, officer, employee, manager or incorporator of the Company or any direct or indirect parent company of the Company, and no holder of any Equity Interests in the Company or any direct or indirect parent company of the Company, as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of the Company or any Guarantor under the Notes, the Indenture or the Guarantees, as applicable, or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of, such obligations or their creation. Each holder of Notes by accepting a Note waives and releases all such liability.
| 18. | Authentication |
This Note shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the Trustee (or an authenticating agent) manually signs the certificate of authentication on the other side of this Note.
| 19. | Abbreviations |
Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a holder or an assignee, such as TEN COM (=tenants in common), TEN ENT (=tenants by the entireties), JT TEN (=joint tenants with rights of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (=custodian), and U/G/M/A (=Uniform Gift to Minors Act).
| 20. | Governing Law |
THIS SECURITY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
| 21. | CUSIP Numbers; ISINs |
The Company has caused CUSIP numbers and ISINs to be printed on the Notes and has directed the Trustee to use CUSIP numbers and ISINs in notices of redemption as a convenience to the holders. No representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed thereon.
The Company will furnish to any holder of Notes upon written request and without charge to the holder a copy of the Indenture which has in it the text of this Note.
ASSIGNMENT FORM
To assign this Note, fill in the form below:
I or we assign and transfer this Note to:
(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)
(Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. No.
and irrevocably appoint agent to transfer this Note on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.
| Date: | Your Signature: | |||
|
|
||||
Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Note.
Signature Guarantee:
| Date: |
| |
| Signature must be guaranteed by a participant in a recognized signature guarantee medallion program or other signature guarantor program reasonably acceptable to the Trustee | Signature of Signature Guarantee |
CERTIFICATE TO BE DELIVERED UPON EXCHANGE OR
REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER RESTRICTED NOTE
This certificate relates to $ principal amount of Notes held in (check applicable space) book-entry or definitive form by the undersigned.
The undersigned (check one box below):
| ☐ | has requested the Trustee by written order to deliver in exchange for its beneficial interest in the Global Note held by the Depository a Note or Notes in definitive, registered form of authorized denominations and in an aggregate principal amount equal to its beneficial interest in such Global Note (or the portion thereof indicated above); |
| ☐ | has requested the Trustee by written order to exchange or register the transfer of a Note or Notes. |
In connection with any transfer of any of the Notes evidenced by this certificate occurring while this Note is still a Transfer Restricted Definitive Note or a Transfer Restricted Global Note, the undersigned confirms that such Notes are being transferred in accordance with its terms:
CHECK ONE BOX BELOW
| (1) | ☐ | to the Company or a Subsidiary; or | ||
| (2) | ☐ | to the Registrar for registration in the name of the holder, without transfer; or | ||
| (3) | ☐ | pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933; or | ||
| (4) | ☐ | inside the United States to a “qualified institutional buyer” (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933) that purchases for its own account or for the account of a qualified institutional buyer to whom notice is given that such transfer is being made in reliance on Rule 144A, in each case pursuant to and in compliance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933; or | ||
| (5) | ☐ | outside the United States in an offshore transaction within the meaning of Regulation S under the Securities Act in compliance with Rule 904 under the Securities Act of 1933 and such Note shall be held immediately after the transfer through Euroclear or Clearstream until the expiration of the Restricted Period (as defined in the Indenture); or | ||
| (6) | ☐ | to an institutional “accredited investor” (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act of 1933) that has furnished to the Trustee a signed letter in the form of Exhibit B containing certain representations and agreements; or | ||
| (7) | ☐ | pursuant to another available exemption from registration provided by Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933. | ||
Unless one of the boxes is checked, the Trustee will refuse to register any of the Notes evidenced by this certificate in the name of any Person other than the registered holder thereof; provided, however, that if box (5), (6) or (7) is checked, the Company or the Trustee may require, prior to registering any such transfer of the Notes, such legal opinions, certifications and other information as the Company or the Trustee have reasonably requested to confirm that such transfer is being made pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933.
| Date: | Your Signature: | |
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Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Note.
Signature Guarantee:
| Date: | ||
| Signature must be guaranteed by a participant in a recognized signature guarantee medallion program or other signature guarantor program reasonably acceptable to the Trustee | Signature of Signature Guarantee |
TO BE COMPLETED BY PURCHASER IF (4) 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 in a transaction meeting the requirements of Rule 144A, and such transfer is in compliance with any applicable blue sky securities laws of any state of the United States and any applicable foreign securities laws, and the undersigned 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 it 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.
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| NOTICE: To be executed by an executive officer |
SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN GLOBAL NOTE
The initial principal amount of this Global Note is $0. The following increases or decreases in this Global Note have been made:
| Date of Exchange |
Amount of Decrease in Principal Amount of this Global Note |
Amount of Increase in Principal Amount of this Global Note |
Principal Amount of this Global Note following such Decrease or Increase |
Signature of Authorized Signatory of
Trustee or |
OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE
If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.06 (Asset Sale) or 4.08 (Change of Control) of the Indenture, check the box:
Asset Sale ☐ Change of Control ☐
If you want to elect to have only part of this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.06 (Asset Sale) or 4.08 (Change of Control) of the Indenture, state the amount ($2,000 or any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof):
$
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Your Signature: |
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| the other side of this Note) |
| Signature Guarantee: |
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| Signature must be guaranteed by a participant in a recognized | ||||
| signature guarantee medallion program or other signature | ||||
| guarantor program reasonably acceptable to the Trustee |
Exhibit 99.1
| Media Contact:
Dana Stelsel
Director, Communications
(765) 771-5766
dana.stelsel@wabashnational.com |
|
Investor Relations:
Ryan Reed
Director, Corporate Development & Investor Relations
(765) 490-5664
ryan.reed@wabashnational.com
Wabash National Announces Closing of New Issuance of Senior Notes &
Amendment to Revolving Credit Facility
LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Oct. 6, 2021 – Wabash National Corporation (NYSE:WNC) today announced that it has successfully closed its previously announced offering of $400 million aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes due 2028 (the “Senior Notes”) and an amendment to its revolving credit facility. The new Senior Notes carry a coupon of 4.50% per annum and were sold at par. In addition to closing of the offering of the Senior Notes, Wabash National amended its existing revolving credit facility increasing the facility size by $50 million to $225 million. These transactions fortify Wabash National’s balance sheet with attractively priced, patient capital and represent another important step in the company’s transformative One Wabash approach to leveraging it’s first to final mile portfolio of equipment for organic growth.
Wabash National intends to use the net proceeds of the Notes offering and a portion of the increased capacity under the revolving credit facility to fund the redemption in full of its outstanding borrowings under its 5.50% Senior Notes due 2025 and to repay in full the outstanding borrowings under its Term Loan Credit Agreement due 2027 as well as pay all related fees and expenses.
“As Wabash has narrowed its strategic focus to being an innovation leader in the transportation, distribution and logistics industries, we have accelerated our opportunity for targeted growth including increasing our percentage of recurrent revenue in the business. Our exciting outlook is underpinned by a strong capital structure that allows us to invest in our business at all points of the transportation cycle, while also maintaining our dividend and evaluating opportunities for share repurchase and corporate growth,” said Mike Pettit, chief financial officer. “With unique opportunities to invest in capital projects with strong rates of return, these refinancing activities improve our potential to create value by further reducing our cost of capital.”
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About Wabash National Corporation
As the innovation leader of engineered solutions for the transportation, logistics and distribution industries, Wabash National Corporation (NYSE:WNC) is Changing How the World Reaches You™. Headquartered in Lafayette, Indiana, the company’s mission is to enable customers to succeed with breakthrough ideas and solutions that help them move everything from first to final mile. Wabash
National designs and manufactures a diverse range of products, including: dry freight and refrigerated trailers, platform trailers, bulk tank trailers, dry and refrigerated truck bodies, structural composite panels and products, trailer aerodynamic solutions, and specialty food grade equipment. Its innovative products are sold under the following brand names: Wabash National®, Benson®, Brenner® Tank, Bulk Tank International, DuraPlate®, Supreme®, Transcraft®, Walker Engineered Products, and Walker Transport. Learn more at www.wabashnational.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements convey the Company’s current expectations or forecasts of future events. All statements contained in this press release other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, among other things, all statements regarding the Senior Notes, revolving credit facility and Term Loan Credit Agreement. These and the Company’s other forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those implied by the forward-looking statements. Without limitation, these risks and uncertainties include a continued or prolonged shutdown or reduction of our operations, substantially reduced customer orders or sales volumes and supply disruptions due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, the continued integration of Supreme into the Company’s business, adverse reactions to the transaction by customers, suppliers or strategic partners, uncertain economic conditions including the possibility that customer demand may not meet our expectations, increased competition, reliance on certain customers and corporate partnerships, risks of customer pick-up delays, shortages and costs of raw materials including the impact of tariffs or other international trade developments, risks in implementing and sustaining improvements in the Company’s manufacturing operations and cost containment, dependence on industry trends and timing, supplier constraints, labor costs and availability, customer acceptance of and reactions to pricing changes and costs of indebtedness. Readers should review and consider the various disclosures made by the Company in this press release and in the Company’s reports to its stockholders and periodic reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q.