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8-K
Jun 16, 5:26 PM ET
CULP INC 8-K
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Contents
113
1. DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION
1.1 Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following definitions:
1.2 Accounting Terms. All accounting terms not specifically defined herein shall be construed in accordance with GAAP; provided, that, if a Borrower notifies Lender that Borrowers request an amendment to any provision hereof to eliminate the effect of any Accounting Changes occurring after the Closing Date or in the application thereof on the operation of such provision (or if Lender requests an amendment to any provision hereof for such purpose), regardless of whether any such notice is given before or after such Accounting Change or in the application
thereof, then Lender and Borrowers agree that they will negotiate in good faith amendments to the provisions of this Agreement that are directly affected by such Accounting Change with the intent of having the respective positions of Lender and Borrowers after such change conform as nearly as possible to their respective positions immediately before such Accounting Change took effect and, until any such amendments have been agreed upon and agreed to by Lender, the provisions in this Agreement shall be calculated as if no such Accounting Change had occurred; provided, further, that notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, any obligation of a Person under a lease that is not (or would not be) required to be classified and accounted for as a Capital Lease on a balance sheet of such Person under GAAP prior to the effect of FASB ASC 842 shall not be treated as a Capital Lease as a result of the adoption of FASB ASC 842. A Loan Party shall deliver to Lender at the same time as the delivery of any financial statements given in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.1, (a) a description in reasonable detail of any material change in the application of accounting principles employed in the preparation of such financial statements from those applied in the most recently preceding monthly, quarterly or annual financial statements and (b) a reasonable estimate of the effect on the financial statements on account of such changes in application. When used herein, the term “financial statements” shall include the notes and schedules thereto. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, (i) all financial statements delivered hereunder shall be prepared, and all financial covenants contained herein shall be calculated, without giving effect to any election under the Statement of Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Accounting Standards Codification Topic 825 (or any similar accounting principle) permitting a Person to value its financial liabilities or Indebtedness at the fair value thereof, and (ii) the term “unqualified opinion” as used herein to refer to opinions or reports provided by accountants shall mean an opinion or report that is (A) unqualified, and (B) does not include any explanation, supplemental comment, or other comment concerning the ability of the applicable Person to continue as a going concern or concerning the scope of the audit.
1.3 UCC Terms. Any terms used in this Agreement that are defined in the UCC shall be construed and defined as set forth in the UCC unless otherwise defined herein; provided, that, to the extent that the UCC is used to define any term herein and such term is defined differently in different Articles of the UCC, the definition of such term contained in Article 9 of the UCC shall govern.
1.4 Construction. The definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words “include,” “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase “without limitation.” The word “will” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect as the word “shall” and vice-versa. Unless the context requires otherwise, (a) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other document shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument or other document as from time to time amended, modified, supplemented, extended, renewed, restated or replaced (subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications set forth in any Loan Document), (b) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed to include such Person’s successors and assigns, (c) the words “herein,” “hereof” and “hereunder,” and words of similar import when used in any Loan Document, shall be construed to refer to such Loan
Document in its entirety and not to any particular provision thereof, (d) all references in a Loan Document to Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be construed to refer to Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules to, the Loan Document in which such references appear, (e) any reference to any law shall include all statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating, amending, replacing, recodifying, supplementing or interpreting such law and any reference to any law or regulation shall, unless otherwise specified, refer to such law or regulation as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, and (f) the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and contract rights. Section headings in any Loan Document are included for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Agreement or any other Loan Document. Each schedule and exhibit to this Agreement is incorporated by reference herein and is made a part of this Agreement. Any capitalized term used in any schedule or exhibit to this Agreement shall have the meaning assigned to such term herein, unless otherwise defined in such schedule or exhibit. An Event of Default shall exist or continue until such Event of Default is waived in accordance with Section 9.5 in accordance with the terms hereof. Each Loan Party shall have the burden of establishing any alleged negligence, misconduct or lack of good faith by Lender under any Loan Document. Any reference to an obligation of a Borrower or a Loan Party or to Borrowers or Loan Parties, or to any Borrower or any Loan Party, as the case may be, shall mean that each Borrower or each Loan Party, as the case may be, is jointly and severally liable with each other Borrower or Loan Party in respect of such obligation. In connection with any division or plan of division under Delaware law (or any comparable event under a different jurisdiction’s laws): (i) if any asset, right, obligation or liability of any Person becomes the asset, right, obligation or liability of a different Person, then it shall be deemed to have been transferred from the original Person to the subsequent Person, and (ii) if any new Person comes into existence, such new Person shall be deemed to have been organized on the first date of its existence by the holders of its Equity Interests at such time. Any reference in any Loan Document to a merger, transfer, 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, assignment, sale, disposition or transfer, or similar term, as applicable, to, of or with a separate Person. No provision of any Loan Documents shall be construed against any party by reason of such party having, or being deemed to have, drafted the provision. Any reference to an agreement or other matter being “reasonably satisfactory” to Lender shall mean a determination made in the exercise of reasonable judgment from the perspective of a secured asset-based lender. Any reference to expenses of Lender in any Loan Document shall include all Lender Expenses. Reference to a Loan Party’s “knowledge” or similar concept means actual knowledge of an Authorized Person, or knowledge that an Authorized Person would have obtained if he or she had engaged in good faith and diligent performance of his or her duties, including reasonably specific inquiries of employees or agents and a good faith attempt to ascertain the matter. If the performance of an obligation hereunder or any other Loan Document is due on a day that is not a Business Day, the performance of such obligation shall be due on the first Business Day to occur after such day.
1.5 Time References. Unless the context of this Agreement or any other Loan Document clearly requires otherwise, all references to time of day refer to Eastern time, as in effect in New York, New York on such day. For purposes of the computation of a period of time from a specified
date to a later specified date, unless otherwise expressly provided, the word “from” means “from and including” and the words “to” and “until” each means “to and including”; provided, that, with respect to a computation of fees or interest payable to Lender, such period shall in any event consist of at least one full day.
1.6 Payment in Full. Any reference in any Loan Document to the satisfaction, repayment, or payment in full of the Obligations shall mean (a) the payment in full in cash of the principal and accrued and unpaid interest with respect to the Revolving Loans, (b) the payment in full in cash of all fees, charges and expenses that have accrued and are unpaid regardless of whether payment has been demanded or is otherwise due, (c) the delivery to Lender of cash collateral, or at Lender’s option, a letter of credit payable to Lender issued by a bank acceptable to Lender and in form and substance satisfactory to Lender, in either case in respect of (i) 105% of the then existing Letter of Credit Usage, (ii) contingent Obligations for which a claim or demand for payment has been made at such time or in respect of matters or circumstances known to Lender at the time, and which are reasonably expected to result in any loss, cost, damage or expense (including attorneys’ fees and legal expenses) to Lender for which Lender would be entitled to indemnification by a Loan Party hereunder and (iii) an amount determined by Lender equal to the reasonably estimated credit exposure, operational risk or processing risk with respect to the then existing Bank Product Obligations, and (d) the termination of the Commitment and the financing arrangements provided by Lender to each Borrower hereunder.
1.7 Rounding. Any financial ratios required to be maintained by a Loan Party pursuant to this Agreement shall be calculated by dividing the appropriate component by the other component, carrying the result to one place more than the number of places by which such ratio is expressed herein and rounding the result up or down to the nearest number (with a rounding-up if there is no nearest number).
1.8 Resolution of Drafting Ambiguities. Each Loan Party acknowledges and agrees that it was represented by counsel in connection with the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents, that it and its counsel reviewed and participated in the preparation and negotiation of the Loan Documents and that any rule of construction to the effect that ambiguities are to be resolved against Lender as the drafting party shall not be applicable in the interpretation of the Loan Documents.
2. CREDIT FACILITY
2.1 Revolving Loans.
2.2 Borrowing Procedures.
2.3 Letter of Credit Facility. As a subfacility under the Credit Facility, subject to, and upon the terms and conditions contained herein, on and after the Closing Date until the Termination Date, Lender agrees to issue or cause an Affiliate to issue standby letters of credit or sight commercial letters of credit for the account of a Borrower for purposes acceptable to Lender (each a “Letter of Credit” and collectively, “Letters of Credit”); provided, that, (a) the aggregate Letter of Credit Usage will not at any time exceed $1,000,0002,000,000 and (b) as of the date of the issuance of any Letter of Credit, and after giving effect thereto, the aggregate amount of the Revolving Loans and the Letter of Credit Usage will not exceed the lesser of the Borrowing Base or the Maximum Credit. The form and substance of each Letter of Credit will be subject to approval by Lender and each Borrower shall execute and deliver such additional letter of credit agreements, applications and other documents required by Lender as a condition to the issuance, amendment, extension or renewal of any Letter of Credit. Each Letter of Credit will be issued for a term not to exceed 365 days, as designated by a Borrower; provided, that, no Letter of Credit will have an expiration date after the Maturity Date. Each Letter of Credit will be issued under, and subject to, the additional terms and conditions of the letter of credit agreements, applications and any related documents required by Lender. Each drawing paid under a Letter of Credit will be deemed a Revolving Loan and will be repaid by Borrowers in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement applicable to Revolving Loans; provided, that, if Revolving Loans are not available for any reason at the time any drawing is paid by Lender, then Borrowers will immediately pay to Lender the full amount drawn, together with interest on such amount from the date such drawing is paid to the date such amount is fully repaid by Borrowers, at the rate of interest then applicable to Revolving Loans. In such event Borrowers agree that Lender may charge the Loan Account or debit any deposit account maintained by any Loan Party for the amount of any such drawing.
2.4 Payments; Prepayments.
2.5 Interest and Fees.
2.6 Intent to Limit Charges to Maximum Lawful Rate. In no event shall the interest rate or rates payable under any Loan Document, plus any other amounts paid in connection herewith, exceed the highest rate permissible under any law that a court of competent jurisdiction shall, in a final determination, deem applicable. If at any time the interest rate set forth in any of the Loan Documents exceeds the maximum interest rate allowable under applicable law, the interest rate will be deemed to be such maximum interest rate allowable under applicable law.
2.7 Illegality; Market Conditions. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, subject to the occurrence of a Benchmark Transition Event, as such terms are defined in Schedule 2.7, if (a) any Change in Law has made it unlawful, or any Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful, for Lender to make or maintain a SOFR Loan or to maintain the Commitment with respect to a SOFR Loan, or to determine or charge interest rates based on Daily Simple SOFR or SOFR or (b) Lender determines in good faith (which determination shall, absent
manifest error, be final and conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto) that Daily Simple SOFR cannot be determined pursuant to the definition thereof other than as a result of a Benchmark Transition Event, then Lender shall give notice thereof to a Borrower and may (A) declare that SOFR Loans will not thereafter be made by Lender, such that any request for a SOFR Loan from Lender shall be deemed to be a request for a Base Rate Loan unless Lender’s declaration has been withdrawn (and it shall be withdrawn promptly upon the cessation of the circumstances described in clause (a) or (b) above) and (B) require that all outstanding SOFR Loans made by Lender be converted to Base Rate Loans immediately, in which event all outstanding SOFR Loans shall be so converted and all Obligations (except for the undrawn amount of any issued and outstanding Letters of Credit) shall bear interest at the Base Rate in effect from time to time, plus the Applicable Margin.
2.8 Increased Costs. If any Change in Law shall: (a) impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit, compulsory loan, insurance charge or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit extended or participated in by, Lender; (b) subject Lender to any taxes, levies, imposts, duties, fees, assessments or other charges of whatever nature now or hereafter imposed by any jurisdiction or by any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein, and all interest, penalties or similar liabilities with respect thereto of any kind whatsoever with respect to any Loan Document or any SOFR Loan made by it, or change the basis of taxation of payments to Lender in respect thereof; or (c) impose on Lender any other condition, cost or expense affecting any Loan Document or SOFR Loans, and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to Lender of making or maintaining any SOFR Loan (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Revolving Loan), or to increase the cost to Lender or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by Lender hereunder (whether of principal, interest or any other amount) then, upon request of Lender, Borrowers will pay to Lender, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate Lender, as the case may be, for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.
2.9 Capital Requirements. If Lender determines that any Change in Law affecting Lender or any lending office of Lender or Lender’s holding company, if any, regarding capital requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on Lender’s capital or on the capital of Lender’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of any Loan Document, the Commitment or the Revolving Loans, to a level below that which Lender or Lender’s holding company could have achieved but for such Change in Law (taking into consideration Lender’s policies and the policies of Lender’s holding company with respect to capital adequacy), then from time to time Borrowers will pay to Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate Lender or Lender’s holding company for any such reduction suffered.
2.10 Certificates for Reimbursement. A certificate of Lender setting forth the amount or amounts necessary to compensate Lender or its holding company, as the case may be, as specified in Sections 2.8 or 2.9 and delivered to any Borrower shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Borrowers shall pay Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate within 30 days after receipt thereof.
2.11 Delay in Requests. Failure or delay on the part of Lender to demand compensation pursuant to Sections 2.8 or 2.9 shall not constitute a waiver of Lender’s right to demand such compensation, provided that Borrowers shall not be required to compensate Lender pursuant to this Section for any increased costs incurred or reductions occurring more than 180 days prior to the date that Lender becomes aware of the event giving rise to Lender’s claim for compensation therefor (except that, if the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is retroactive, then the 180 day period referred to above shall be extended to include the period of retroactive effect thereof).
2.12 Uncommitted Accordion. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Borrowers may request an increase in the Maximum Credit of up to $10,000,000 in the aggregate (the “Uncommitted Accordion Amount”), but only so long as (a) no Default or Event of Default exists, (b) each requested increase is in a minimum amount of $5,000,000 and in multiples of $2,500,000 and is offered on the same terms as the existing Revolving Loans but subject to such additional fees required by Lender at such time, (c) increases under this Section 2.12 (each such increase, an “Increase”) do not exceed the Uncommitted Accordion Amount in the aggregate and no more than two Increases during each calendar year may made hereunder, and (d) any and all other conditions required by Lender in its sole discretion with respect to any such requested Increase the Maximum Credit are satisfied, including Lender’s receipt of internal credit approval for any such Increase. Lender is under no obligation to provide Borrowers with all or any part of the Uncommitted Accordion Amount, and any Increase shall be subject to Lender’s approval in its sole discretion. Subject to the immediately preceding sentence and the conditions set forth in this Section, the Maximum Credit shall be subject to an Increase by the requested amount on a date agreed upon by Lender and Borrowers. Borrowers shall execute and deliver to Lender such documents and agreements as Lender deems appropriate in connection with any such Increase.
3. CONDITIONS; TERM OF AGREEMENT
3.1 Conditions Precedent to the Initial Revolving Loan. The obligation of Lender to make the initial Revolving Loan or issue the initial Letter of Credit is subject to the satisfaction of each of the conditions precedent set forth on Schedule 3.1. The making of the initial Revolving Loan by Lender shall be conclusively deemed to confirm the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions precedent set forth in Schedule 3.1.
3.2 Conditions Precedent to all Revolving Loans. The obligation of Lender to make any Revolving Loans or issue, amend, renew or extend any Letter of Credit at any time shall be subject to the following conditions precedent:
3.3 Maturity. The Commitment shall continue in full force and effect for a term ending on the Maturity Date (unless terminated earlier in accordance with the terms hereof).
3.4 Effect of Maturity. On the Maturity Date, the Commitment shall automatically terminate and all of the Obligations shall become due and payable without notice or demand and Borrowers shall be required to pay in full all of the Obligations. No termination of the Commitment shall relieve or discharge any Loan Party of its duties, obligations, or covenants under any Loan Document and the Liens of Lender in the Collateral shall continue to secure the Obligations and shall remain in effect until payment in full of all Obligations.
3.5 Early Termination by Borrowers. A Borrower has the option, at any time upon 10 Business Days prior written notice to Lender, to make payment in full of all of the Obligations, without premium or penalty. The foregoing notwithstanding, (a) a Borrower may rescind such written notice if it states that the proposed payment in full of the Obligations is to be made with the proceeds of third party Indebtedness and if the closing for such incurrence does not happen on or before the date of the proposed termination set forth in such notice (in which case, a new notice shall be required to be sent in connection with any subsequent termination), and (b) for the
avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Section 3.5 shall effect a termination of any Hedge Agreement, which Hedge Agreements may only be terminated in accordance with their respective terms.
4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
4.1 Due Organization and Qualification. Each Loan Party (a) is duly organized and existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, (b) is qualified to do business in any State where the failure to be so qualified could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and (c) has all requisite power and authority to own and operate its assets, to carry on its business as now conducted and as proposed to be conducted, to enter into the Loan Documents to which it is a party and to carry out the transactions contemplated thereby.
4.2 Due Authorization; No Conflict. The execution, delivery, and performance by each Loan Party of the Loan Documents to which it is a party have been duly authorized by all necessary action on the part of such Loan Party. The execution, delivery, and performance by each Loan Party of the Loan Documents to which it is a party do not and will not (a) violate any material provision of Federal, State, or local law or regulation applicable to any Loan Party, the Governing Documents of any Loan Party, or any order, judgment, or decree of any court or other Governmental Authority binding on any Loan Party, (b) result in or require the creation or imposition of any Lien of any nature whatsoever upon any assets of any Loan Party, other than Permitted Liens, or (c) require any approval of any holder of Equity Interests of a Loan Party, other than consents or approvals that have been obtained and that are still in force and effect.
4.3 Binding Obligations; Perfected Liens.
4.4 Title to Assets; No Encumbrances. Each Loan Party has (a) good, sufficient and legal title to (in the case of fee interests in Real Property), (b) valid leasehold interests in (in the case of
leasehold interests in real or personal property), and (c) good and marketable title to (in the case of all other personal property), all of its assets reflected in its most recent financial statements delivered to Lender, in each case except for assets disposed of since the date of such financial statements to the extent permitted by any Loan Document. All of such assets are free and clear of Liens except for Permitted Liens.
4.5 Litigation. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.5, there are no actions, suits, proceedings or investigations pending or, to the knowledge of a Loan Party, threatened in writing against a Loan Party, that (a) relate to any Loan Document or transaction contemplated thereby or (b) either individually or in the aggregate has or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
4.6 Compliance with Laws. No Loan Party (a) is in violation of any applicable laws, rules, regulations, executive orders, or codes that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, or (b) is subject to or in default with respect to any final judgments, writs, injunctions, decrees, rules or regulations of any court or any Governmental Authority that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No inventory has been produced in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938.
4.7 No Material Adverse Effect. All historical financial statements relating to each Loan Party that have been delivered by a Loan Party to Lender have been prepared in accordance with GAAP (except, in the case of unaudited financial statements, for the lack of footnotes and being subject to year-end audit adjustments) and present fairly in all material respects, the financial condition of such Loan Party as of the date thereof and results of operations for the period then ended. Since May 1, 2022, no event, circumstance, or change has occurred that has or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
4.8 Solvency. Each Loan Party is Solvent.
4.9 Environmental Condition. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.9, each Loan Party and its Subsidiaries are in compliance in all material respects with all applicable Federal, State and local environmental, hazardous waste, health and safety statutes, and any rules or regulations related to such statutes, which govern or affect the operations or properties of such Loan Party and its Subsidiaries. None of the operations of any Loan Party or its Subsidiaries is the subject of any Federal, State or local investigation evaluating whether any remedial action involving a material expenditure is needed to respond to a release of any toxic or hazardous waste or substance into the environment. No Loan Party has any material contingent liability in connection with any release of any toxic or hazardous waste or substance into the environment.
4.10 Complete Disclosure; Projections. All factual information taken as a whole (other than forward-looking information and projections and information of a general economic nature
and general information about each Loan Party) furnished by or on behalf of any Loan Party in writing to Lender in connection with any Loan Document, and all other such factual information taken as a whole (other than forward-looking information and projections and information of a general economic nature and general information about any Loan Party) hereafter furnished by or on behalf of a Loan Party in writing to Lender will be true and accurate, in all material respects, on the date as of which such information is dated or certified (or, if such information has been updated, amended, or supplemented in writing to Lender, on the date as of which any such update, amendment, or supplement is dated or certified) and not incomplete by omitting to state any fact necessary to make such information (taken as a whole) not misleading in any material respect at such time in light of the circumstances under which such information was provided. Projections delivered to Lender represent the good faith estimate of each Loan Party, on the date such Projections are delivered, of the future performance of such Loan Party for the periods covered thereby based upon assumptions believed by such Loan Party to be reasonable at the time of the delivery thereof to Lender (it being understood that such Projections are subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the control of a Loan Party, and no assurances can be given that such Projections will be realized).
4.11 Taxes. Except as otherwise permitted under Section 5.5, all tax returns and reports of each Loan Party required to be filed by it have been timely filed, and all taxes shown on such tax returns to be due and payable and all other taxes upon a Loan Party and upon its assets, income, businesses and franchises that are due and payable have been paid when due and payable. Each Loan Party has made adequate provision in accordance with GAAP for all taxes not yet due and payable. To the knowledge of any Loan Party, there is no proposed tax assessment against a Loan Party that is not being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently pursued and available to a Loan Party, in each case prior to the commencement of foreclosure or other similar proceedings, which proceedings (or orders entered in connection with such proceeding), and adequate reserves or other appropriate provision, if any, as are required by GAAP have been made therefor.
4.12 Margin Stock; Investment Company Act, Etc. No Loan Party owns any Margin Stock or engages principally, or as one of its important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any Margin Stock. No Loan Party is subject to regulation under the Federal Power Act or the Investment Company Act of 1940 or under any other Federal or State statute or regulation which may limit its ability to incur Indebtedness or which may otherwise render all or any portion of the Obligations unenforceable. No Loan Party is a “registered investment company” or a company “controlled” by a “registered investment company” or a “principal underwriter” of a “registered investment company” as such terms are defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.
4.13 OFAC; Sanctions; Anti-Corruption Laws; Anti-Money Laundering Laws; Patriot Act. (a) No Loan Party nor any of its Subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of any Loan Party, any director, officer, employee, agent, or Affiliate of any Loan Party or any Subsidiary is a Sanctioned Target or is owned or controlled by, or is acting on behalf of, a Sanctioned Target, (b)
each of the Loan Parties and its Subsidiaries has instituted, maintains and complies with policies, procedures and controls reasonably designed to assure compliance with Sanctions, Anti-Money Laundering Laws and Anti-Corruption Laws, and (c) to the knowledge of any Loan Party, no member of the Loan Party Group is under investigation by a Governmental Authority for non-compliance with Sanction(s), Anti-Money Laundering Laws or Anti-Corruption Laws. As of the Closing Date, the information included in the certification regarding beneficial ownership as required by 31 C.F.R. §1010.230 received by Lender from any Loan Party that is a “legal entity customer” as defined in such regulation, is true and correct in all respects.
4.14 Employee and Labor Matters. There is (a) no unfair labor practice complaint pending or, to the knowledge of any Loan Party, threatened against any Loan Party before any Governmental Authority and no grievance or arbitration proceeding pending or threatened against any Loan Party which arises out of or under any collective bargaining agreement and that could reasonably be expected to result in a material liability, and (b) no strike, labor dispute, slowdown, stoppage or similar action or grievance pending or threatened in writing against any Loan Party that could reasonably be expected to result in a material liability. Except as described on Schedule 4.14 (as such Schedule may be supplemented by the Loan Parties after the Closing Date), no Loan Party is party to or bound by any collective bargaining agreement, management agreement or consulting agreement (limited, in the case of any such consulting agreement, to each such agreement involving payment of consideration equal to or greater than the Material Amount per fiscal year). No Loan Party has incurred any liability or obligation under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act or similar State law, which remains unpaid or unsatisfied.
4.15 ERISA. No Loan Party, nor any of its Subsidiaries, nor any of its ERISA Affiliates, maintains or contributes to any Benefit Plan.
4.16 Capitalization and Subsidiaries. Schedule 4.16 sets forth (a) a correct and complete list of the name and entity type of each Subsidiary of each Loan Party and each such Subsidiary’s relationship to each Loan Party, and (b) a true and complete list of each class of the authorized Equity Interests of each Loan Party, all of which issued Equity Interests are validly issued, outstanding, fully paid and non-assessable, and owned beneficially and of record by the Persons identified on Schedule 4.16 (as such Schedule may be supplemented by the Loan Parties after the Closing Date).
4.17 Brokers. There are no brokerage commissions, finder’s fees or investment banking fees payable in connection with any transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents.
5. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
5.1 Financial Statements; Borrowing Base Certificate; Other Information. Each Loan Party (a) will deliver to Lender each of the financial statements, reports, and other items set forth on Schedule 5.1 no later than the times specified therein, (b) will maintain a system of accounting that enables each Loan Party to produce financial statements in accordance with GAAP, and (c) will (i) keep a reporting system that shows all additions, sales, claims, returns, and allowances with respect to its sales, and (ii) maintain its billing systems and practices substantially as in effect as of the Closing Date and will only make material modifications thereto with notice to, and with the consent of, Lender (provided, that the consent of Lender shall not be required with respect to the planned modification to the Loan Parties’ ERP system after the Closing Date). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the obligations in this Section 5.1 solely with respect to the delivery of annual financial statements of the Loan Parties may be satisfied by furnishing (A) the applicable financial statements of the Company and its Subsidiaries or (B) the Company’s 10-K, filed with the SEC; provided, that, the Company shall notify the Lender of the filing of such 10-K.
5.2 Notices of Material Events. A Loan Party will promptly (but in any event within three Business Days after any Loan Party becomes aware of the occurrence of such event or matter) notify Lender in writing of: (a) any Default or the occurrence of any Event of Default, (b) any matter that has, or could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect, (c) any breach of Section 4.13 or Section 6.11, (d) any dispute, litigation, investigation, proceeding or suspension between a Loan Party and any Governmental Authority or the commencement of, or any material development in, any litigation or proceeding affecting a Loan Party and that has, or could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect, (e) any material change in accounting policies or financial reporting practices of a Loan Party, (f) any change in the senior executive officers of a Borrower, (g) the discharge by a Loan Party of its independent accountants or any withdrawal or resignation by such accountants, (h) any collective bargaining agreement or other labor contract to which a Loan Party becomes a party, or the application for the certification of a collective bargaining agent, (i) the filing of any Lien for unpaid taxes against any Loan Party in excess of 50% of the Material Amount, (j) any termination or cancellation of insurance which a Loan Party is required to maintain under the Loan Documents (other than insurance which is replaced as of the date of termination or cancellation), or any loss, damage, or destruction to, or commencement of any action or proceeding for the taking under eminent domain, condemnation or similar proceeding, of Collateral in the amount of 50% of the Material Amount or more, whether or not covered by insurance, (k) any dispute or claims by any customers of a Loan Party exceeding 50% of the Material Amount individually or in the aggregate during any fiscal year or any inventory returned to or recovered by a Loan Party outside of the ordinary course of business with a fair market value that exceeds 50% of the Material Amount individually or in the aggregate, and (l) any transaction occurring after the Closing Date consisting of: (i) the incurrence of Material Indebtedness, (ii) the making of any Permitted Investments (other than Permitted Investments made in reliance on clause (k) of the definition of Permitted Investments) in excess of 50% of the Material Amount, and (iii) mergers or acquisitions permitted under Section 6.3; provided, that, each such notice under these clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) will be received by Lender not less than 10 Business Days prior thereto, together with such other information with respect thereto as Lender may reasonably request. Each notice pursuant to this Section will be accompanied by a statement of an Authorized Person of a Loan Party setting forth details of the occurrence referred to therein and stating what action each Loan Party has taken and proposes to take with respect thereto.
5.3 Existence. Each Loan Party will preserve and keep in full force and effect such Person’s valid existence and good standing in its jurisdiction of organization and, except as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, good standing with respect to all other jurisdictions in which it is qualified to do business and any rights, franchises, permits, licenses, accreditations, authorizations, or other approvals material to their businesses.
5.4 Maintenance of Properties. Each Loan Party will maintain and preserve all of its assets that are necessary or useful in the proper conduct of its business in good working order and condition, ordinary wear, tear, casualty, and condemnation and Permitted Dispositions excepted.
5.5 Taxes. Each Loan Party will pay in full before delinquency or before the expiration of any extension period all taxes imposed, levied, or assessed against it, or any of its assets or in respect of any of its income, businesses, or franchises (including taxes, levies, imposts, duties, fees, assessments or other charges of whatever nature now or subsequently imposed by any Governmental Authority and all related interest, penalties or similar liabilities), except where (a) the validity or amount thereof is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings, and (b) such Loan Party has set aside on its books adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP; provided, that, each Loan Party will make timely payment or deposit of all withholding taxes and other payroll taxes to the appropriate Governmental Authority as and when claimed to be due, notwithstanding the foregoing exceptions, and will, upon request, furnish Lender with proof reasonably satisfactory to Lender indicating that such Loan Party has made such payments or deposits.
5.6 Insurance. Each Loan Party will maintain with financially sound and reputable carriers (a) insurance in such amounts (with no greater risk retention) and against such risks and such other hazards, as is customarily maintained by companies of established repute engaged in the same or similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations and (b) all insurance required pursuant to the Loan Documents. Each Loan Party will from time to time upon Lender’s request furnish to Lender correct and complete copies of any insurance policies and such other information in reasonable detail as to the insurance so maintained as Lender may request.
5.7 Field Examinations; Appraisals. Upon the request of Lender after reasonable prior notice to any Borrower, each Borrower will permit Lender or a firm engaged by Lender for such purpose to (a) conduct field examinations, including with respect to such Borrower’s practices in the calculation of the Borrowing Base and the assets included in the Borrowing Base and related financial information such as, but not limited to, sales, gross margins, payables, accruals and reserves, provided, that, commencing after the Closing Date, (i) Lender shall not conduct, at the expense of a Borrower, more than (A) one field examination in any 12 month period so long as Excess Availability during such 12 month period is at all times not less than 15% of the Maximum Credit, or (B) two field examinations in any 12 month period if Excess Availability during such 12 month period is at any time less than such amount, (ii) Lender may conduct, at the expense of a Borrower, such other field examinations as Lender may request at any time as may be required by law or regulation, in connection with a Permitted Acquisition, or when an Event of Default exists, and (iii) Lender may conduct additional field examinations at any time at its own expense
and (b) conduct appraisals of the Collateral in form, scope and methodology acceptable to Lender, provided, that, (i) Lender shall not conduct, at the expense of a Borrower, more than (A) one appraisal of the inventory in any 12 month period so long as Excess Availability during such 12 month period is at all times not less than 20% of the Maximum Credit, or (B) two appraisals in any 12 month period if Excess Availability during such 12 month period is at any time less than such amount, (ii) Lender may conduct, at the expense of a Borrower, such other appraisals as Lender may request at any time as required by law or regulation, in connection with a Permitted Acquisition, or when an Event of Default exists, and (iii) Lender may conduct additional appraisals at any time at its own expense. Upon the request of Lender, after reasonable prior notice to a Borrower when no Event of Default exists, as part of any field examination or at other reasonable times during normal business hours when no Event of Default exists or such other times as Lender may request otherwise, each Loan Party will permit representatives and other professionals (including investment bankers, consultants, accountants, and lawyers) engaged by Lender for such purpose to visit and inspect any of its properties and to discuss its affairs, finances and accounts with its directors, officers, and accountants, at the expense of a Borrower.
5.8 Compliance with Laws; OFAC; Sanctions, Etc. Each Loan Party will subject to the terms below, comply with the requirements of all applicable laws, rules, regulations, and orders of any Governmental Authority, other than laws, rules, regulations, and orders the non-compliance with which, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Each Loan Party will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, (a) comply with Sanctions and (b) comply with Anti-Money Laundering Laws and Anti-Corruption Laws in all material respects.
5.9 Cash Management; Collection of Proceeds of Collateral.
5.10 Further Assurances. Without limiting the foregoing, each Loan Party will take such actions and execute and deliver to Lender such instruments and documents as Lender may from time to time request in its Permitted Discretion (including obtaining agreements from third parties) to create, maintain, perfect, establish, preserve and protect Lender’s Liens in the Collateral (and the priority thereof) and rights in the Collateral and to carry out the terms and conditions of the Loan Documents. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, Lender shall not accept a Lien on Real Property from any Loan Party unless Lender has completed its flood insurance diligence, has received copies of all flood insurance documentation and has confirmed that flood insurance compliance has been completed as required by applicable laws or as otherwise satisfactory to Lender and Lender shall not accept delivery of any joinder to any Loan Document with respect to any Subsidiary of any Loan Party that is not a Loan Party, if such Subsidiary qualifies as a “legal entity customer” under 31 C.F.R. Section 1010.230, unless such Subsidiary has delivered a certification regarding beneficial ownership as required by such regulation in relation to such Subsidiary and Lender has completed its Patriot Act searches, OFAC/PEP searches and customary individual background checks for such Subsidiary, the results of which shall be satisfactory to Lender.
5.11 [Reserved].
5.12 Costs and Expenses. Each Loan Party will pay to Lender at the time specified in Schedule 2.5 all reasonable costs, expenses, filing fees and taxes paid or payable in connection with the preparation, negotiation, execution, delivery, recording, administration, collection, liquidation, enforcement and defense of the Obligations, Lender’s rights in the Collateral, the Loan Documents and all other documents related thereto, including any amendments, supplements or consents which may hereafter be contemplated (whether or not executed) or entered into in respect thereof (all of the foregoing being referred to herein collectively, as “Lender Expenses”), including: (a) all costs and expenses of filing or recording (including UCC financing statement filing taxes and fees, documentary taxes, intangibles taxes and mortgage recording taxes and fees, if applicable), (b) costs and expenses and fees for insurance premiums, environmental audits, title insurance premiums, surveys, assessments, engineering reports and inspections, appraisal fees and search fees, background checks, costs and expenses of remitting loan proceeds, collecting checks and other items of payment, together with Lender’s customary charges and fees with respect thereto, (c) costs and expenses of preserving and protecting the Collateral, (d) costs and expenses paid or incurred in connection with obtaining payment of the Obligations, enforcing the Liens of Lender in the Collateral, selling or otherwise realizing upon the Collateral, and otherwise enforcing the provisions of the Loan Documents or defending any claims made or threatened against Lender arising out of the transactions contemplated thereby (including preparations for and consultations concerning any such matters), (e) subject to the limitations set forth in Section 5.7, all out-of-pocket expenses and costs heretofore and from time to time hereafter incurred by Lender during the course of periodic field examinations and appraisals, plus a per diem charge at Lender’s then standard rate for Lender’s examiners in the field and office (which rate as of the Closing Date is $1,000 per person per day), and (f) the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel (including legal assistants) to Lender in connection with any of the foregoing.
5.13 Formation of Subsidiaries. In the event that any Loan Party forms or acquires any direct or indirect Subsidiary organized under the laws of a jurisdiction located in the United States of America, after the Closing Date, within ten days of such event (or such later date as Lender may approve in writing in its discretion), such Loan Party will (a) cause such new Subsidiary to (i) be joined as a (A) Borrower hereunder if requested by such Loan Party, and subject to the consent of Lender, or (B) Guarantor hereunder, in each case, pursuant to an agreement in form and substance satisfactory to Lender, and (ii) cause such new Subsidiary to authorize, execute and deliver a joinder to the Guaranty and such Security Agreements as Lender may specify all in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Lender; (b) authorize, execute and deliver to Lender such Security Agreements (or an addendum to a Security Agreement) in each case as Lender may specify and appropriate certificates and powers or financing statements, granting a security interest in all of the Equity Interests in such new Subsidiary of such Loan Party in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Lender; and (c) deliver to Lender (and authorize and execute as applicable) all other documentation, including the Governing Documents of such Subsidiary and one or more opinions of counsel reasonably satisfactory to Lender. Any document, agreement, or instrument executed or issued pursuant to this Section 5.13 shall constitute a Loan Document.
5.14 Supply Chain Financing Agreement. Borrowers will at all times (a) cause all Supply Chain Financing Customers to make all payments with respect to Supply Chain Financed Accounts directly to a deposit account maintained at Wells Fargo that is not a Collections Account and (b) cause all such payments with respect to accounts owing by a Supply Chain Financing Customer (other than Supply Chain Financed Accounts) to be applied in accordance with the terms of Section 5.9(a) of this Agreement.
5.15 Post-Closing Covenants. The Loan Parties shall provide, or cause to be provided to the Lender, the Control Agreements required under the Loan Documents, no later than the date that is 30 days after the Closing Date (or such later date as Lender may approve in writing in its sole discretion).
6. NEGATIVE COVENANTS
6.1 Indebtedness. Each Loan Party will not create, incur, assume, suffer to exist, guarantee, or otherwise become or remain, directly or indirectly, liable with respect to any Indebtedness, except for Permitted Indebtedness.
6.2 Liens. Each Loan Party will not create, incur, assume, or suffer to exist, directly or indirectly, any Lien on or with respect to any of its assets, of any kind, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, or any income or profits therefrom, except for Permitted Liens.
6.3 Restrictions on Fundamental Changes. Each Loan Party will not (a) enter into any merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, division or plan of division, or reclassify its Equity Interests, except for (i) any merger between Loan Parties, provided, that, a Borrower must be the surviving entity of any such merger to which it is a party and (ii) in connection with a Permitted Acquisition, (b) directly or indirectly, purchase or otherwise acquire all or substantially all of the assets of (or any division or business line of) any other Person, or 50% or more of any class of Equity Interests of any other Person, except pursuant to a Permitted Acquisition (c) liquidate, wind up, or dissolve itself (or suffer any liquidation or dissolution), (d) suspend or cease operating a substantial portion of its business, or (e) change its classification/status for U.S. Federal income tax purposes.
6.4 Asset Dispositions. Each Loan Party will not convey, sell, lease, license, assign, transfer, or otherwise dispose of any of its assets (including by an allocation of assets among newly divided limited liability companies pursuant to a “plan of division”), except for Permitted Dispositions and transactions permitted under Section 6.3.
6.5 Nature of Business. Each Loan Party will not (a) engage in any business other than the business of such Loan Party on the Closing Date and any business reasonably related, complementary, or ancillary to such business of such Loan Party on the Closing Date or (b) acquire any properties or assets that are not reasonably related or ancillary thereto.
6.6 Prepayments and Amendments. Each Loan Party will not:
6.7 Restricted Payments. Each Loan Party will not declare or make, or agree to pay or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, except (a) a Loan Party may declare and make dividend payments or other distributions payable solely in the Equity Interests of such Loan Party, (b) a Loan Party may make Restricted Payments pursuant to and in accordance with any management equity subscription agreement, employee agreement or stock option agreement or other agreement with such officer, director or employee or former officer, director or employee; provided, that, the aggregate cash consideration paid for all such payments, repurchases or redemptions shall not in any fiscal year of such Loan Party exceed the Material Amount, (c) a Loan Party may make Permitted Tax Distributions, (d) a Loan Party may make a Restricted Payment to another Loan Party and (e) a Loan Party may make other Restricted Payments not otherwise expressly provided for in this Section, provided, that, (i) as of the date of any such Restricted Payment and after giving effect thereto, each of the Payment Conditions is satisfied and (ii) such Restricted Payments shall not exceed $7,500,000 in the aggregate per fiscal year of the Loan Parties.
6.8 Accounting Methods. Each Loan Party will not modify or change its fiscal year or its method of accounting (other than as may be required to conform to GAAP).
6.9 Investments. Each Loan Party will not, directly or indirectly, make or acquire any Investment or incur any liabilities (including contingent obligations) for or in connection with any Investment except for Permitted Investments.
6.10 Transactions with Affiliates. Each Loan Party will not, directly or indirectly, purchase, acquire or lease any property from, or sell, transfer or lease any property to, any officer, director or other Affiliate of a Loan Party, except (a) pursuant to the reasonable requirements of the business of such Loan Party and upon fair and reasonable terms no less favorable to such Loan Party than such Loan Party would obtain in a comparable arm’s length transaction with a Person that is not an Affiliate (provided, that, no Loan Party shall make any payment in respect of any transaction permitted under this clause (a) except for Permitted Affiliate Payments), (b) the payment of reasonable compensation, severance, or employee benefit arrangements to employees, officers, and outside directors of a Loan Party, and any indemnity provided for the benefit of directors (or comparable managers) of a Loan Party, (c) transactions among Loan Parties, and (d) Restricted Payments permitted under Section 6.7.
6.11 Use of Proceeds. Each Loan Party will not use the proceeds of any Revolving Loans or Letter of Credit for any purpose other than (a) on the Closing Date, payments to each of the Persons listed in the disbursement direction letter furnished by a Borrower to Lender on or about the Closing Date and to pay the fees, costs and expenses in connection with the Loan Documents and the transactions contemplated thereby and (b) thereafter, consistent with the terms hereof, for their lawful and permitted purposes, provided, that, no part of the proceeds of the Revolving Loans will be used to purchase or carry any such Margin Stock or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any such Margin Stock or for any purpose that violates the provisions of Regulation T, U or X of the Board of Governors. Each Loan Party will not, and will cause each other member of the Loan Party Group not to, directly or indirectly, use any of the Credit Facility to fund, finance or facilitate any activities, business or transactions that would be prohibited by (i) Sanctions, Anti-Money Laundering Laws or Anti-Corruption Laws or (ii) Sanctions if conducted by Lender, or any other party hereto.
7. FINANCIAL COVENANT
7.1 Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. The Loan Parties shall have a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, determined for the most recently ended 12 consecutive fiscal months of Loan Parties for which Lender has received financial statements of not less than 1.10 to 1.00, provided, that, compliance with such financial covenant shall only be required during a Compliance Period, in which case such financial covenant shall be tested as of the last day of the then most recently completed fiscal period for which financial statements have been delivered and for each fiscal month end thereafter until the Compliance Period ends.
8. EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES
8.1 Events of Default. The occurrence of any of the following will constitute an “Event of Default” under any Loan Document:
8.2 Remedies.
9. NOTICES, AMENDMENTS, WAIVERS, INDEMNIFICATION, ETC.
9.1 Demand; Protest; Counterclaims, Etc. Each Loan Party waives demand, protest, notice of protest, notice of default or dishonor, notice of payment and nonpayment, nonpayment at maturity, release, compromise, settlement, extension, or renewal of documents, instruments, chattel paper, and guarantees at any time held by Lender on which any Loan Party may in any way be liable. No notice to or demand on a Loan Party which Lender may elect to give shall entitle a Loan Party to any other or further notice or demand in the same, similar or other circumstances. Each Loan Party waives all rights to interpose any claims, deductions, setoffs or counterclaims of any nature (other than compulsory counterclaims) in any action or proceeding with respect to any Loan Document, the Obligations, the Collateral or any matter arising therefrom or relating hereto or thereto.
9.2 Indemnification. Each Loan Party shall pay, indemnify, defend, and hold Lender and its Affiliates, officers, directors, employees, attorneys, and agents (each, an “Indemnified Person”) harmless (to the fullest extent permitted by law) from and against any and all claims, demands, suits, actions, investigations, proceedings, liabilities, fines, costs, penalties, and damages, and all reasonable fees and disbursements of attorneys, experts, or consultants and all other costs and expenses actually incurred in connection therewith or in connection with the enforcement of this indemnification (as and when they are incurred and irrespective of whether suit is brought), at any time asserted against, imposed upon, or incurred by any of them (a) in connection with or as a result of or related to the execution and delivery, enforcement, performance, or administration (including any restructuring or workout with respect hereto) of any Loan Document, or the transactions contemplated thereby, (b) with respect to any actual or prospective investigation, litigation, or proceeding related to any Loan Document, the making of any Revolving Loans or issuance of any Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds of any Revolving Loan or Letter of Credit (whether or not any Indemnified Person is a party thereto), or any act, omission, event, or circumstance in any manner related thereto, and (c) in connection with or arising out of any presence or release of hazardous materials at, on, under, to or from any assets or properties owned, leased or operated by any Loan Party or otherwise related to compliance with applicable environmental laws (each and all of the foregoing, the “Indemnified Liabilities”). The foregoing to the contrary notwithstanding, no Loan Party shall have any obligation to any Indemnified Person under this Section with respect to any Indemnified Liability that a court of competent jurisdiction finally determines to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnified Person or its officers, directors, employees, attorneys, or agents. This provision shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the repayment in full of the Obligations. If any Indemnified Person makes any payment to any other Indemnified Person with respect to an Indemnified Liability as to which a Loan Party was required to indemnify the Indemnified Person receiving such payment, the Indemnified Person making such payment is entitled to be indemnified and reimbursed by each Loan Party with respect thereto. THE FOREGOING INDEMNITY SHALL APPLY TO EACH INDEMNIFIED PERSON WITH RESPECT TO INDEMNIFIED LIABILITIES WHICH IN WHOLE OR IN PART ARE CAUSED BY OR ARISE OUT OF ANY NEGLIGENT ACT OR OMISSION OF SUCH INDEMNIFIED PERSON OR OF ANY OTHER PERSON.
9.3 Notices. Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, all notices or demands relating to any Loan Document shall be in writing and shall be personally delivered or sent by registered or certified mail (postage prepaid, return receipt requested), overnight courier, or electronic mail (at such email addresses as a party may designate in accordance herewith). In the case of notices or demands to any Loan Party or Lender, as the case may be, they shall be sent to the address set forth next to its signature hereto. Any party hereto may change the address at which they are to receive notices hereunder, by notice in writing in the foregoing manner given to the other parties. All notices or demands sent in accordance with this Section shall be deemed received on the earlier of the date of actual receipt or three Business Days after the deposit thereof in the mail; provided, that, (a) notices sent by overnight courier service shall be deemed to have been given when received, (b) notices by facsimile shall be deemed to have been given when sent (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient) and (c) notices by electronic mail shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgment from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return email or other written acknowledgment).
9.4 Assignments; Successors. This Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of the respective successors and assigns of each of the parties; provided, that, no Loan Party may assign this Agreement or any rights or duties hereunder without Lender’s prior written consent and any prohibited assignment shall be absolutely void ab initio. No consent to assignment by Lender shall release any Loan Party from its Obligations. Lender may assign the Loan Documents in whole or in part and its rights and duties thereunder or grant participations in the Obligations and no consent or approval by any Loan Party is required in connection with any such assignment or participation.
9.5 Amendments; Waivers. Except as set forth in Section 2.7, no amendment or modification of any Loan Document shall be effective unless it has been agreed to by Lender and Borrowers in a writing that specifically states that it is intended to amend or modify such Loan Document. No failure by Lender to exercise any right, remedy, or option under any Loan Document, or delay by Lender in exercising the same, will operate as a waiver thereof. No waiver by Lender will be effective unless it is in writing, and then only to the extent specifically stated. No waiver by Lender on any occasion shall affect or diminish Lender’s rights thereafter to require strict performance by any Loan Party of any provision of any Loan Document. Lender’s rights under the Loan Documents will be cumulative and not exclusive of any other right or remedy that Lender may have.
9.6 Collateral Matters. Lender shall promptly release any Lien on any Collateral constituting property being sold or disposed of in a Permitted Disposition at the written request of a Borrower if (a) a release is required or desirable in connection therewith and (b) Borrowers
certify to Lender that the sale or disposition is permitted under Section 6.4 (and Lender may rely conclusively on any such certificate, without further inquiry).
10. JURY TRIAL WAIVER; OTHER WAIVERS CONSENTS; GOVERNING LAW.
10.1 GOVERNING LAW. THE VALIDITY OF THE LOAN DOCUMENTS (UNLESS EXPRESSLY OTHERWISE PROVIDED THEREIN), THE CONSTRUCTION, INTERPRETATION, AND ENFORCEMENT THEREOF, THE RIGHTS OF THE PARTIES THERETO WITH RESPECT TO ALL MATTERS ARISING THEREUNDER OR RELATED THERETO, AND ANY CLAIMS, CONTROVERSIES OR DISPUTES ARISING THEREUNDER OR RELATED THERETO SHALL BE DETERMINED UNDER, GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
10.2 FORUM NON CONVENIENS. THE PARTIES AGREE THAT ALL ACTIONS OR PROCEEDINGS ARISING IN CONNECTION WITH THE LOAN DOCUMENTS SHALL BE TRIED AND LITIGATED ONLY IN THE STATE AND, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, FEDERAL COURTS LOCATED IN THE COUNTY OF NEW YORK, STATE OF NEW YORK; PROVIDED, THAT, ANY SUIT SEEKING ENFORCEMENT AGAINST ANY COLLATERAL OR OTHER PROPERTY MAY BE BROUGHT, AT LENDER’S OPTION, IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION WHERE LENDER ELECTS TO BRING SUCH ACTION OR WHERE SUCH COLLATERAL OR OTHER PROPERTY MAY BE FOUND. EACH LOAN PARTY AND LENDER WAIVE, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT EACH MAY HAVE TO ASSERT THE DOCTRINE OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS OR TO OBJECT TO VENUE TO THE EXTENT ANY PROCEEDING IS BROUGHT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SECTION.
10.3 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, EACH LOAN PARTY AND LENDER HEREBY WAIVE THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHTS, IF ANY, TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM, CONTROVERSY, DISPUTE OR CAUSE OF ACTION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF ANY LOAN DOCUMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION CONTEMPLATED THEREIN, INCLUDING CONTRACT CLAIMS, TORT CLAIMS, BREACH OF DUTY CLAIMS, AND ALL OTHER COMMON LAW OR STATUTORY CLAIMS (EACH A “CLAIM”). EACH LOAN PARTY AND LENDER REPRESENTS THAT IT HAS REVIEWED THIS WAIVER AND EACH KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVES ITS JURY TRIAL RIGHTS FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL. IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, A COPY OF THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE FILED AS A WRITTEN CONSENT TO A TRIAL BY THE COURT.
10.4 SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION. EACH LOAN PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY SUBMITS TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE STATE AND FEDERAL COURTS LOCATED IN THE COUNTY
OF NEW YORK AND THE STATE OF NEW YORK, IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO ANY LOAN DOCUMENT, OR FOR RECOGNITION OR ENFORCEMENT OF ANY JUDGMENT. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW. NOTHING IN ANY LOAN DOCUMENT SHALL AFFECT ANY RIGHT THAT LENDER MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING RELATING TO ANY LOAN DOCUMENT AGAINST ANY LOAN PARTY OR ITS PROPERTIES IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION.
10.5 WAIVER OF CLAIMS. NO CLAIM MAY BE MADE BY ANY LOAN PARTY AGAINST LENDER OR ANY AFFILIATE, DIRECTOR, OFFICER, EMPLOYEE, COUNSEL, REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT, OR ATTORNEY-IN-FACT OF ANY OF THEM FOR ANY SPECIAL, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES OR LOSSES IN RESPECT OF ANY CLAIM FOR BREACH OF CONTRACT OR ANY OTHER THEORY OF LIABILITY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY ANY LOAN DOCUMENT, OR ANY ACT, OMISSION, OR EVENT OCCURRING IN CONNECTION THEREWITH, AND EACH LOAN PARTY HEREBY WAIVES, RELEASES, AND AGREES NOT TO SUE UPON ANY CLAIM FOR SUCH DAMAGES, WHETHER OR NOT ACCRUED AND WHETHER OR NOT KNOWN OR SUSPECTED TO EXIST IN ITS FAVOR.
11. GENERAL PROVISIONS
11.1 Effectiveness; Section Headings; Severability. This Agreement shall be binding and deemed effective when executed by each Loan Party and Lender whose signature is provided for on the signature pages hereof. Headings and numbers have been set forth herein for convenience only. Unless the contrary is compelled by the context, everything contained in each Section applies equally to this entire Agreement. Each provision of this Agreement shall be severable from every other provision of this Agreement for the purpose of determining the legal enforceability of any specific provision.
11.2 Counterparts; Electronic Execution. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties on separate counterparts, each of which, when executed and delivered, shall be deemed to be an original, and all of which, when taken together, shall constitute but one and the same Agreement. Execution of any such counterpart may be by means of (a) an electronic signature that complies with the federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, state enactments of the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, or any other relevant and applicable electronic signatures law; (b) an original manual signature; or (c) a faxed, scanned, or photocopied manual signature. Each electronic signature or faxed, scanned, or photocopied manual signature shall for all purposes have the same validity, legal effect, and admissibility in evidence as an original manual signature. Lender reserves the right, in its
discretion, to accept, deny, or condition acceptance of any electronic signature on this Agreement. Any party delivering an executed counterpart of this Agreement by faxed, scanned or photocopied manual signature shall also deliver an original manually executed counterpart, but the failure to deliver an original manually executed counterpart shall not affect the validity, enforceability and binding effect of this Agreement. The foregoing shall apply to each other Loan Document, and any notice delivered hereunder or thereunder, mutatis mutandis.
11.3 Patriot Act. Lender hereby notifies each Loan Party that pursuant to the requirements of the Patriot Act it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each Person or corporation who opens an account or enters into a business relationship with it, which information includes the name and address of such Loan Party and other information that will allow Lender to identify such Person in accordance with the Patriot Act and any other applicable law. Each Loan Party is hereby advised that any Revolving Loans or Letters of Credit are subject to satisfactory results of such verification. Lender shall have the right to periodically conduct due diligence on each Loan Party, its senior management and key principals and legal and beneficial owners. Each Loan Party agrees to cooperate in respect of the conduct of such due diligence and further agrees that the reasonable costs and charges for any such due diligence by Lender shall constitute Lender Expenses for which Lender is entitled to reimbursement as provided herein and be for the account of Borrowers.
11.4 Integration. The Loan Documents reflect the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby and shall not be contradicted or qualified by any other agreement, oral or written, before the Closing Date. The foregoing to the contrary notwithstanding, all agreements for Bank Products, if any, are independent agreements governed by the written provisions of the agreements for them, which will remain in full force and effect, unaffected by any repayment, prepayments, acceleration, reduction, increase, or change in the terms of any credit extended hereunder, except as otherwise expressly provided in such agreement.
11.5 Disclosure. Lender may disclose information concerning the terms and conditions of the Loan Documents in its marketing or promotional materials, with such information to consist of deal terms and other information customarily found in such marketing or promotional materials and may otherwise use the name, logos, and other insignia of any Loan Party and the Commitment provided hereunder in any “tombstone” or other advertisements, on its website or in other marketing materials of Lender.
11.6 Company as Agent for Borrowers. Each Loan Party hereby irrevocably appoints the Company as the borrowing agent and attorney-in-fact for all Loan Parties (the “Administrative Borrower”) which appointment shall remain in full force and effect unless and until Lender shall have received prior written notice signed by each Loan Party that such appointment has been
revoked and that another Loan Party has been appointed Administrative Borrower. Each Loan Party hereby irrevocably appoints and authorizes Administrative Borrower (a) to provide Lender with all notices with respect to Revolving Loans, Letters of Credit and all other notices and instructions under the Loan Documents (and any notice or instruction provided by Administrative Borrower shall be deemed to be given by Loan Parties hereunder and shall bind each Loan Party), (b) to receive all notices, instructions and other information from Lender (and any notice, instructions or other information provided by Lender to Administrative Borrower shall be deemed to have been given to each Loan Party), and (c) to take such action as Administrative Borrower deems appropriate on its behalf to obtain Revolving Loans and Letters of Credit and to exercise such other powers as are reasonably incidental thereto to carry out the purposes of this Agreement. Each Loan Party agrees that the handling of the Credit Facility, with Loan Parties and Collateral in a combined fashion, as more fully set forth herein, is done solely as an accommodation to Loan Parties in order to utilize the collective borrowing powers of Borrowers in the most efficient and economical manner and at their request, and that Lender shall not incur liability to any Loan Party as a result hereof. Each Loan Party expects to derive benefit, directly or indirectly, from the handling of the Credit Facility, with Loan Parties and Collateral in a combined fashion, since the successful operation of each Loan Party is dependent on the continued successful performance of the integrated group. Each Loan Party hereby agrees to indemnify Lender and hold Lender harmless against any and all liability, expense, loss or claim of damage or injury, made against Lender by any Loan Party or by any third party whosoever, arising from or incurred by reason of (i) the handling of the Credit Facility as herein provided, or (ii) Lender relying on any instructions of Administrative Borrower. This Section shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment in full of the Obligations.
11.8 Amendment and Restatement; No Novation. This Agreement constitutes an amendment and restatement of the Existing Credit Agreement, as amended, effective from and after the Closing Date. The execution and delivery of this Agreement shall not constitute a novation of any indebtedness or other obligations owing to Lender under the Existing Credit Agreement based on facts or events occurring or existing before the execution and delivery of this Agreement. On the Closing Date, the credit facilities described in the Existing Credit Agreement, as amended, shall be amended, supplemented, modified and restated in their entirety by the corresponding credit facilities described herein, and all loans and other obligations of the Borrowers and the obligations of the other Loan Parties outstanding or existing as of such date under the Existing Credit Agreement are and shall be deemed to be loans and obligations outstanding under the corresponding facilities described herein, without any further action by any Person. In furtherance of (but not limited to) the foregoing, all interest and fees of the Loan Parties under the Existing Credit Agreement shall, on and after the Closing Date, accrue at the rates set forth in this Agreement and be payable on the dates set forth in this Agreement.