UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): OCTOBER 2, 2006
ARMSTRONG WORLD INDUSTRIES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
PENNSYLVANIA 1-2116 23-0366390
(State or other jurisdiction of (Commission (I.R.S. employer
incorporation) file number) identification no.)
P.O. BOX 3001, LANCASTER,
PENNSYLVANIA 17604 (Address of principal
executive offices) (Zip code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (717) 397-0611
NOT APPLICABLE
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following provisions:
[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17
CFR 230.425)
[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.14a-12)
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the
Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the
Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Introduction
------------
On October 2, 2006 (the "Effective Date"), the Fourth Amended Plan of
Reorganization, as Modified, dated February 21, 2006 (the "Plan of
Reorganization"), of Armstrong World Industries, Inc. (the "Company"), which was
confirmed by order of the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware (the
"Court") on August 18, 2006, became effective and the Company emerged from
proceedings under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. The Company on
December 6, 2000 had filed a voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 11 of
the U.S. Bankruptcy Code in order to use the court-supervised reorganization
process to achieve a resolution of asbestos-related liability claims against the
Company. The Plan of Reorganization includes a comprehensive settlement
resolving the Company's liability for asbestos-related personal injury claims by
establishing and funding the Armstrong World Industries, Inc. Asbestos Personal
Injury Settlement Trust (the "Asbestos Trust") for the benefit of current and
future asbestos personal injury claimants against the Company. The Plan of
Reorganization is Exhibit 2.1 hereto and was filed as Exhibit 2.3 to the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 and is
summarized in Note 2 to the Company's financial statements for the quarter ended
June 30, 2006 included in the Company's Form 10-Q report for such quarter.
Further information regarding the Plan of Reorganizations is contained in the
Company's Disclosure Statement dated June 2, 2003, which is filed as Exhibit
99.2 to the Company's Form 8-K report filed on May 23, 2003 (the "Disclosure
Statement").
In implementation of the Plan of Reorganization, the Company, among
other things, is required to make to the Asbestos Trust and to the holders of
allowed general unsecured creditor claims against the Company cash payments
(and, in certain circumstances, notes) in an amount to be determined in
accordance with the Plan of Reorganization, which will be $1,125 million at a
minimum and may be greater depending on the amount of the Company's "Available
Cash" (as defined in the Plan of Reorganization) on the Effective Date,. The
bulk of such payments are expected to be made by October 17, 2006.
On the Effective Date, among other things, all pre-existing equity
interests in the Company (which were owned by a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Armstrong Holdings, Inc.) were cancelled pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization,
and the articles of incorporation of the Company were amended and restated (as
so restated, the "Articles") to authorize 200,000,000 Common Shares, par value
$0.01 per share (the "Common Shares"), and 15,000,000 Preferred Shares, without
par value (the "Preferred Shares"). The by-laws of the Company were
simultaneously amended and restated (as so restated, the "By-laws") Pursuant to
the Plan of Reorganization, the Company issued on the Effective Date or will
subsequently issue thereafter a total of 56.4 million Common Shares to the its
creditors. The Asbestos Trust has received 65.57% of such shares and the holders
of allowed unsecured creditor claims against the Company will receive 34.43% of
such shares. As a result, the Company today ceased to be a subsidiary of
Armstrong Holdings, Inc. The Plan of Reorganization also provides for the
establishment of the 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan of the Company (the "LTIP"),
under which the Company is authorized to issue to officers and key employees
incentive awards in respect of up to 5,349,000 Common Shares. The Company
adopted the LTIP and has obtained shareholder approval of it and its material
terms on the Effective Date. Incentive awards for a total of 2,122,600 Common
2
Shares are being granted in connection with the Company's emergence from Chapter
11. No Preferred Shares were or are to be issued pursuant to the Plan of
Reorganization and none are currently planned to be issued.
On the Effective Date, the Company's Board of Directors was
reconstituted to consist of nine members selected in connection with the
development of the Plan of Reorganization and designated in an exhibit to the
Plan of Reorganization and the order of the Court confirming the Plan of
Reorganization.
ITEM 1.01. ENTRY INTO A MATERIAL DEFINITIVE AGREEMENT.
Described below are material agreements entered into in connection with
the Company's emergence from Chapter 11.
Credit Agreement
----------------
On the Effective Date, the Company, together with certain of
subsidiaries of the Company as guarantors, entered into a credit agreement (the
"Credit Agreement") with a syndicate of lenders, Bank of America, N.A., as
Administrative Agent, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and Barclays Bank PLC, as
Co-Syndication Agents, and LaSalle Bank National Association and The Bank of
Nova Scotia, as Co-Documentation Agents.
The Credit Agreement provides the Company with a $300 million revolving
credit facility (the "Revolving Credit Facility"), with sublimits for letters of
credit and swing-line loans and contemplates a $300 million Tranche A term loan
(the "Tranche A Term Loan") and a $500 million Tranche B term loan (the "Tranche
B Term Loan" and, together with the Tranche A Term Loan, the "Term Loans"). The
Revolving Credit Facility is currently available and will be used to support the
Company's on-going liquidity needs. The Term Loans are not yet committed,
pending completion of the lender syndicate, but are currently expected by the
Company to become available and to be funded on or about October 16, 2006. The
proceeds of the Term Loans will be used to fund in part certain cash
distributions required by the Plan of Reorganization to be made by the Company
to creditors and to the Asbestos Trust. The Plan of Reorganization provides for
the Company to issue certain notes (the "Plan Notes") instead of making a
portion of such cash distributions in the event the Term Loans are not committed
and funded in a sufficient amount by the time distributions are to be made to
the Company's creditors. The Revolving Credit Facility and the Tranche A Term
Loan will mature on October 2, 2011, and the Tranche B Term Loan will mature on
October 2, 2013.
Borrowings under the Credit Agreement bear interest at a rate equal to
an applicable margin plus, at the Company's option, either (a) a base rate
determined by reference to the higher of (1) the federal funds rate plus 1/2 of
1% or (2) the "prime rate" of Bank of America, N.A. or (b) a LIBOR rate
determined by reference to the British Bankers Association LIBOR Rate as
published by Reuters for the interest period relevant to such borrowing adjusted
for certain additional reserves. The initial applicable margin for borrowings
under the Revolving Credit Facility will be 0.50% with respect to base
borrowings and 1.50% with respect to LIBOR borrowings, with such applicable
margins subject to adjustment based on the Company's leverage ratio. The Company
expects that the initial applicable margin for the Tranche A Term Loan to be
0.50% with respect to base rate borrowings and 1.50% with respect to LIBOR
borrowings, with such applicable margins subject to adjustment based on the
Company's leverage ratio. The Company expects the applicable margin for the
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Tranche B Term Loan to be 1.00% with respect to base rate borrowings and 2.00%
with respect to LIBOR borrowings. In addition to paying interest on outstanding
principal under the Credit Agreement, the Company will pay a commitment fee to
the lenders under the Revolving Credit Facility in respect of the unutilized
commitments thereunder at a rate per annum equal to 0.375% (subject to
adjustment based on the Company's leverage ratio). The Company also expects to
pay customary letter of credit fees.
The Credit Agreement requires the Company to prepay outstanding loans,
subject to certain exceptions, with (i) 100% of the net cash proceeds of all
non-ordinary course asset sales and casualty and condemnation events, subject to
certain exceptions and limitations, and (ii) 50% of the Company's excess cash
flow, subject to certain exceptions based on the Company's leverage ratio and
debt ratings. In addition, the Company may voluntarily repay outstanding loans
under the Credit Agreement at any time without premium or penalty, other than
customary "breakage" costs with respect to LIBOR loans.
All obligations under the Credit Agreement will be unconditionally
guaranteed by each of the Company's existing and future, direct and indirect,
material domestic subsidiaries, subject to certain exceptions. All obligations
of the Company under the Credit Agreement, and the guarantees of those
obligations (as well as cash management obligations and any interest hedging or
other swap agreements), will be secured by substantially all of the Company's
assets as well as those of each subsidiary guarantor, subject to certain
exceptions. These security interests will be released in certain circumstances
based on the Company's debt ratings and the repayment in full of the Tranche B
Term Loan.
The Credit Agreement requires the Company to comply with various
covenants and restrictions, including covenants and restrictions relating to
indebtedness, liens, investments, mergers and acquisitions, dividends and
transactions with affiliates of the Company, each of which will be subject to
certain exceptions. Additionally, the Credit Agreement contains financial
covenants requiring the Company to maintain a maximum consolidated leverage
ratio and a minimum consolidated interest coverage ratio. The Credit Agreement
will also contain customary events of default.
The foregoing is only a brief description of material terms of the
Credit Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1 and to
which reference is made for more detailed information regarding the Credit
Agreement's terms.
Asbestos Trust Agreement
------------------------
On October 2, 2006, the Company, in accordance with the Plan of
Reorganization, entered into a trust agreement establishing the Asbestos Trust
with certain individuals as trustees. As provided by the Plan of Reorganization,
4
the Company on October 2, 2006 issued to the Asbestos Trust 36,981,480 Common
Shares. In addition, the Company will also pay on or about October 16, 2006 to
the Asbestos Trust in cash an amount to be determined in accordance with the
Plan of Reorganization in a minimum amount of approximately $ 724.9 million.
These distributions discharge the Company's present and future liability for
asbestos personal injury claims. In the event the Term Loans are not committed
and funded by the time the cash payment is required to be made to the Asbestos
Trust, the Company under the Plan of Reorganization may instead issue to the
Asbestos Trust Plan Notes for part of such amount. The Company will play no role
in the administration of the Asbestos Trust. A copy of the trust agreement is
attached hereto as Exhibit 10.2.
Stockholder and Registration Rights Agreement
---------------------------------------------
The Company and the Asbestos Trust on October 2, 2006 entered into a
Stockholder and Registration Rights Agreement (the "Stockholder Agreement"),
which provides, among other things, (i) a process for the Asbestos Trust to
initiate the registration by the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Securities Act"), for public sale of the Common Shares of the
Company issued to the Asbestos Trust under the Plan of Reorganization, (ii) if
the Company does not make the full cash payment to the Asbestos Trust required
by the Plan of Reorganization, as referred to above, the registration by the
Company under the Securities Act for public sale of the Plan Notes issued to the
Asbestos Trust instead of making such cash payment; (iii) certain rights of
minority shareholders to participate in certain sales of Common Shares and
similar transactions undertaken by the Asbestos Trust; (iv) certain restrictions
on actions that may be taken by the Company without the approval of the Asbestos
Trust and (v) certain voting obligations of the Asbestos Trust with respect to
the Common Shares owned by it. In general, the Asbestos Trust will have the same
rights and be subject to the same obligations under the Stockholder Agreement
with respect to any securities issued to it in respect of the Common Shares (or
Plan Notes) as a dividend or distribution or as a result of a recapitalization
of the Company, merger, exchange of securities or a similar transaction. In
addition, the same provisions will apply in respect of any shares of the
Company, other than Common Shares, that are entitled to vote in the election of
directors which the Asbestos Trust may in the future come to own.
o Common Share and Plan Note Registration Rights
Pursuant to the Stockholder Agreement, the Asbestos Trust will be
granted registration rights with respect to its shares of the Common Shares.
These registration rights will include the right to "demand" registrations and
unlimited "piggyback" rights with respect to registrations by the Company of its
Common Shares. The Asbestos Trust, however, will not be permitted to demand
registration of less than $100 million in aggregate principal amount of its
shares of the Common Shares (or such lesser amount that the Asbestos Trust may
hold at such time), and the Company will not be required to effect more than one
demand registration in any nine-month period. In addition, the Asbestos Trust
will not be permitted to demand registration or sell or otherwise transfer or
dispose of its Common Shares for 90 days following the effective date of a
5
registration statement filed by the Company relating to the sale of Common
Shares or any other equity security of the Company for the Company's benefit (or
180 days in the case of a registration statement related to the first registered
public offering of equity by the Company after the Effective Date, with certain
exceptions), except for Common Shares included in such registration.
The Stockholder Agreement provides that the Company has the customary
right to refuse a demand registration under certain circumstances and for
limited periods of time and that the Company will bear the costs and expenses
associated with any registration and includes other customary terms, provisions,
representations and warranties typically contained in registration rights
agreements, including indemnification and contribution rights.
Pursuant to the Stockholder Agreement, the Asbestos Trust has also been
granted the right to "demand" registrations with respect to Plan Notes owned by
the Asbestos Trust, if Plan Notes are issued under the Plan of Reorganization.
The terms of such registration rights are substantially similar to the
registration rights afforded the Asbestos Trust with respect to Common Shares.
o Minority Shareholder Rights
As long as the Asbestos Trust is the beneficial owner of 20% or more of
the outstanding Common Shares (determined as provided by the Stockholder
Agreement), the holders of Common Shares other than the Asbestos Trust will have
the right to participate with the Asbestos Trust in the certain sales of Common
Shares by the Asbestos Trust and similar transactions. Subject to certain
exceptions, these rights of participation will be triggered by a sale by the
Asbestos Trust, in one or a series of related transaction, of Common Shares
representing 5% or more of the outstanding Common Shares to a person who will
beneficially own more than 35% of the Common Shares or more Common Shares than
are then beneficially owned by the Asbestos Trust. These "tagalong" provisions
are intended to ensure that the Asbestos Trust does not transfer a substantial
block of the Common Shares without affording the minority holders the right to
benefit in such transaction on a pro rata basis with the Asbestos Trust and may
be affected by the making of a tender offer for the shares held by other Common
Shareholder on the same terms on which the Asbestos Trust would sell its shares.
Provisions to substantially the same effect are included in the Company's
Articles, including provisions with respect to transfers of shares occurring by
reason of a corporate transaction such as a merger (as further described in Item
8.01 below), and the Company is not permitted to give effect to a transfer of
Common Shares by the Asbestos Trust that is not made in accordance with these
provisions.
o Restrictions on Actions By the Company
The Stockholder Agreement provides that until the Asbestos Trust
beneficially owns 20% or less of the outstanding Common Shares, the Company
shall not, without the Asbestos Trust's approval, adopt or maintain a
shareholder rights plan that provides some, but not all, holders of shares of
6
the Common Shares the right to acquire securities of the Company, for the
purpose of making an acquisition of additional voting shares of the Company by a
person or group acquiring more than a specified level of ownership in the
Company more difficult or expensive. The Articles contain a provision to the
same effect, as discussed in Item 8.01.
o Voting Obligations of the Asbestos Trust
Pursuant to the Stockholder Agreement, until the earlier of the tenth
anniversary of the Effective Date and such time as the Asbestos Trust ceases to
hold 20% or more of the outstanding Common Shares, the Asbestos Trust shall not
knowingly nominate for election or vote its shares in favor of the election as a
director of an individual, if, by reason of such individual's election, a
majority of the members of the Board of Directors would cease to be "independent
directors" within the meaning of the listing standards promulgated by NYSE and
also Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
"Exchange Act").
In addition, pursuant to the Stockholder Agreement and related to the
selection of the Company's initial directors as of the Effective Date (as
discussed in Item 5.01 below), the Asbestos Trust, in connection with the
election of directors at the annual meeting of shareholders of the Company first
held in 2008, shall vote its shares in favor of the re-election of James J.
Gaffney and Robert C. Garland (or his successor in office as a director), or the
individual nominated to fill his position on the Board in accordance with the
procedures established by Section 4B of Article II of the Bylaws in the event
that Mr. Gaffney or Mr. Garland (or his successor in office as a director) is
unable or unwilling to serve as director. Further, if a director is to be
elected by the shareholders to fill a vacancy on the Board of Directors
occurring before the first annual meeting of shareholders held in 2009, the
Asbestos Trust shall vote its shares of Voting Shares in favor of the election
of the individual nominated by the Board of Directors to fill such vacancy in
accordance with Section 4B of Article II of the Bylaws.
The foregoing description of the Stockholder Agreement does not purport
to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the text of the Stockholder
Agreement, which is attached as Exhibit 10.3 hereto, and by the Articles and
By-laws, which are attached as Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2 hereto, respectively.
2006 Long Term Incentive Plan
-----------------------------
The LTIP authorizes the Management Development and Compensation
Committee (the "Committee") of the Board of Directors to grant equity-based and
cash awards (including performance-based awards) to officers and key employees
of the Company. The purpose of the LTIP is to provide incentives which will
attract, retain and motivate highly competent persons as officers and key
employees of the Company by providing them with appropriate incentives and
rewards to encourage them to enter into and continue in the employ of the
Company as well as acquire a proprietary interest in the long-term success of
the Company.
The following is a summary of the key provisions of the LTIP:
7
o Number of Shares. The aggregate number of shares reserved and available
for grant under the LTIP is 5,349,000 Common Shares. The maximum number
of Common Shares with respect to which awards may be granted to any
individual participant under the LTIP in any one calendar year shall
not exceed 750,000.
o Administration. The LTIP will be administered by the Committee.
o Eligibility. Officers and key employees of the Company are eligible to
become participants in the LTIP, as determined by the Committee from
time to time.
o Duration of the LTIP. The LTIP became effective as of October 2, 2006,
and will terminate on October 2, 2016, after which date no further
awards may be made under the LTIP.
o LTIP Awards. The LTIP authorizes the Committee to grant a variety of
incentive awards to participants, as described below. Each award shall
be evidenced by a written award agreement, which shall specify the
terms and conditions of the award, as determined by the Committee in
its discretion, subject to the limitations set forth in the LTIP.
* Stock Options. The Committee may grant options to acquire Common
Shares, which may be incentive stock options or non-qualified
stock options for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The exercise
price of an option will be determined by the Committee.
* Stock Appreciation Rights. The Committee may grant stock
appreciation rights. Upon the exercise of a stock appreciation
right, the holder will have the right to receive the excess, if
any, of the fair market value of one Common Share on the date of
exercise, over the grant price of the stock appreciation right as
determined by the Committee, which will not be less than the fair
market value of a Common Share on the date of grant.
* Restricted Stock Awards. The Committee may grant awards of
restricted Common Shares, which will be subject to restrictions
on transferability and other restrictions as the Committee may
impose, including, without limitation, restrictions on the right
to vote restricted stock or the right to receive dividends, if
any, on the restricted stock. These awards may be subject to
forfeiture upon termination of employment or upon a failure to
satisfy performance goals during the applicable restriction
period.
* Stock Units. The Committee may grant Stock Units (a notional
amount equal to one Common Share) which will be subject to such
terms and conditions, including form of settlement and vesting,
as the Committee determines appropriate and as the award
agreement shall specify.
8
* Cash Awards. The Committee may grant awards to be settled solely
in cash. Cash Awards may be subject to such terms and conditions,
including vesting, as the Committee determines appropriate. The
maximum Cash Award that may be paid to any participant in any one
year is $3,000,000.
* Performance-Based Awards. The Committee may grant an award that
will entitle the holder to receive a specified number of Common
Shares, or cash in lieu of shares, or a combination thereof, if
certain performance goals or market conditions are met.
Performance-based awards can be determined based on the following
criteria, individually or in combination, alone or in reference
to other companies' performance: (i) net earnings; (ii) earnings
per share; (iii) sales; (iv) operating income; (v) earnings
before interest and taxes; (vi) earnings before interest, taxes,
depreciation and amortization; (vii) cash flow; (viii) working
capital targets; (ix) return on equity; (x) return on capital;
(xi) market price per share; and (xii) total return to
shareholders.
o Interpretation. The Committee has the power to set, alter or change the
rules, guidelines and regulations for the administration of the LTIP,
and to interpret the LTIP and any and all guidelines, rules and
regulations so adopted.
o Amendment or Termination. The Company may amend or terminate the LTIP
at any time. The LTIP may not be amended to: (i) increase the aggregate
number of shares of Common Shares available for awards under the LTIP;
(ii) increase the maximum number of shares or maximum Cash Award that
may be awarded to any participant; (iii) change the types of business
criteria on which Performance-Based Awards are to be based under the
LTIP; or (iv) modify the requirements as to eligibility for
participation in the LTIP without approval of the majority of the
shareholders of the Company.
o Anti-Dilution. The number of Common Shares with respect to which awards
may be granted under the LTIP or subject to any outstanding award, and
the nature of the securities which may be issued under the LTIP, shall
be adjusted, as applicable, as a result of stock splits, stock
dividends, or other subdivisions or combinations of the Common Shares,
or reorganizations, mergers, consolidations, dividends or
reclassifications affecting the Company.
o Change in Control. In the event of a Change in Control (as defined in
the LTIP) of the Company, all then outstanding and unvested Stock
Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock Awards and Stock
Units shall immediately vest and become exercisable and any
restrictions on transfer of such awards shall immediately lapse. Among
other things, an acquisition by any person (other than the Asbestos
Trust) of beneficial ownership of 35% or more of the Common Shares
(determined as provided in the LTIP) will constitute a Change in
Control for this purpose.
9
The foregoing description of the LTIP does not purport to be complete
and is qualified in its entirety by the LTIP, which is filed as Exhibit 10.4
hereto.
The Committee has granted on October 2, 2006, non-qualified Stock
Options and Restricted Stock Awards under the LTIP to 72 officers and key
employees of the Company involving, together, a total of 2,122,600 Common
Shares. The Restricted Stock Awards are conditioned upon the Company registering
the shares involved under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"). The Company expects to register such shares in October. The
exercise price of the Stock Options shall be the volume weighted average of the
closing price of the Common Shares over the trading days in the period from the
commencement of "regular way" trading in the Common Shares through October 31,
2006. These Stock Options vest in three equal installments on the second, third
and fourth anniversaries of the Effective Date, subject to the recipient's
continued employment through the relevant vesting date except as otherwise
provided by the LTIP. Each Stock Option is subject to the terms and conditions
of a Stock Option Agreement and a notice of stock option grant, the forms of
which are filed as Exhibits 10.5 and 10.7 hereto, respectively. The Common
Shares subject to the Restricted Stock Awards cannot be sold or otherwise
transferred by the recipient until the shares vest; the Restricted Shares vest
and transfer restriction will lapse in three equal installments on the second,
third and fourth anniversaries of the Effective Date, subject to the recipient's
continued employment through the relevant vesting date, except as otherwise
provided by the LTIP. The recipients are entitled to vote and to receive any
dividends or other distributions on the Common Shares subject to the Restricted
Stock Awards. The Restricted Stock Awards are subject to the terms and
conditions of a Restricted Stock Agreement and a Notice of Restricted Stock
Grant, the forms of which are filed as Exhibits 10.6 and 10.7 hereto,
respectively.
Among these grants, the Company's executive officers will receive
Options for the number of shares and the number of Restricted Shares as set
forth in the table below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name and Position Options Restricted Shares
----------------- ------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C>
Michael D. Lockhart, Chairman and Chief Executive 225,000 75,000
Officer
Nicholas F. Grasberger, Senior Vice President and 124,200 41,400
Chief Financial Officer
Stephen J. Senkowski, Executive Vice President 165,600 55,200
John N. Rigas, Senior Vice President, Secretary and 82,800 27,600
General Counsel
Frank J. Ready, President and Chief Executive 82,800 27,600
Officer of AFP N. America
Donald A. McCunniff, Senior Vice President of Human 82,800 27,600
Resources
William C. Rodruan, Vice President and Controller 30,000 10,000
</TABLE>
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Director and Officer Indemnification Agreements
-----------------------------------------------
The Company has entered into, effective as of the Effective Date,
indemnification agreements, each in the form attached as Exhibit 10.8 hereto (an
"Indemnification Agreement"), with each of its nine directors (who are named
below) and each of its executive officers named above providing in each case for
indemnification of such director or officer (each an "Indemnitee") against
liabilities relating to their service as directors or officers.
The rights of the Indemnitees under the Indemnification Agreements are
in addition to any other rights the Indemnitees may have under the Company's
Articles or Bylaws or the Pennsylvania Associations Code or otherwise. Each
Indemnification Agreement requires the Company to indemnify the Indemnite
against liability that may arise by reason of his or her status or service to
the Company, unless the Indemnitee acted with willful misconduct or
recklessness, as determined by a court. The Indemnification Agreements further
require the Company to purchase and maintain director's and officer's insurance
coverage for the benefit of the Indemnitees for so long as the Indemnitees are
directors or officers or are subject to any possible claim by reason of having
been a director or officer, subject to certain exceptions and qualifications.
The Indemnification Agreements require the Company to advance all
reasonable expenses incurred by or on behalf of an Indemnitee in connection with
any proceeding to which an Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be, made a party
or a witness and to indemnify for certain expenses where wholly or partly
successful, subject to certain exceptions. In addition, the Indemnification
Agreements establish guidelines as to the defense and settlement of claims by
the parties.
The foregoing description of the Indemnification Agreements does not
purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the form of the
Indemnification Agreement, which is attached as Exhibit 10.8 hereto.
ITEM 2.03. CREATION OF A DIRECT FINANCIAL OBLIGATION OR AN OBLIGATION UNDER AN
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENT OF A REGISTRANT.
The disclosure set forth under Item 1.01 with respect to the Term Loans
under the Credit Agreement is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 3.02. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.
As discussed in Item 1.01 above, on the Effective Date the Company
issued 36,981,480 Common Shares to the Asbestos Trust. The Company will issue
under the Plan of Reorganization up to 19,418,520 Common Shares to holders of
allowed general unsecured creditor claims. Most of such shares will be issued on
October 17, 2006, but some may be reserved for issuance to holders of general
unsecured creditor claims that have not yet been resolved, to the extent their
claims are allowed, or, to the extent such claim are disallowed, to all holders
of allowed general unsecured creditor claims, divided among them pro rata in
11
accordance with the amount of their allowed claims. For a description of the
claims discharged by reason of the issuance of such Common Shares to the
Asbestos Trust and holders of allowed unsecured claims, see the Disclosure
Statement and the Plan of Reorganization. The issuance of these Common Shares is
exempt from registration under the Securities Act pursuant to Section 1145 of
the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.
ITEM 3.03. MATERIAL MODIFICATION TO RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS.
On the Effective Date, among other things, the Company pursuant to the
Plan of Reorganization and the order of the Court confirming the Plan of
Reorganization was discharged of all of its obligations respecting its
previously outstanding debt securities, which included its 9% Medium-Term Notes
Due 2001, 6.35% Senior Notes Due 2003, 6.50% Senior Notes Due 2005, 9.75%
Debentures Due 2008, 7.45% Senior Notes Due 2029 and 7.45% Senior Quarterly
Interest Bonds Due 2038, as well as all other general unsecured creditor claims
against the Company subject to the Plan of Reorganization, in exchange for the
distributions of cash (or cash and Plan Notes in the circumstances described in
Item 1.01 above) and Common Shares provided by the Plan of Reorganization. In
addition, the pre-existing equity interests in the Company were cancelled
pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization. Also on the Effective Date, the articles
of incorporation of the Company were amended and restated to authorize
200,000,000 Common Shares and 15,000,000 Preferred Shares, which may be issued
in one or more series, each with such designations, rights, powers, preferences
and privileges as may be provided by the Board of Directors or otherwise
provided in accordance with the Articles.
ITEM 5.01. CHANGES IN CONTROL OF THE REGISTRANT.
As described in the Introduction, on the Effective Date, pursuant to
the Plan of Reorganization all securities of the Company outstanding immediately
prior to the Effective Date, including all the then outstanding common shares of
the Company, which were owned by Armstrong Holdings, Inc., were cancelled.
As described in the Introduction and Item 1.01, on the Effective Date
the Asbestos Trust was issued 36,981,480 Common Shares and became the sole
shareholder of the Company. After the issuance of the additional Common Shares
provided by the Plan of Reorganization to general unsecured creditors, the
Asbestos Trust will own approximately 65.57 % of the Common Shares. By virtue of
such share ownership, the Asbestos Trust may be considered to control the
Company, subject to the provisions regarding the composition of the Board of
Directors of the Company contained in the Articles, the By-laws and the
Stockholder Agreement. As a result of the Company's emergence from Chapter 11,
the identity of a majority of the directors of the Company's Board of Directors
has changed as described in Item 5.02 below.
ITEM 5.02. DEPARTURE OF DIRECTORS OR PRINCIPAL OFFICERS; ELECTION OF DIRECTORS;
APPOINTMENT OF PRINCIPAL OFFICERS.
12
(d) On the Effective Date, in connection with the Company's emergence from
Chapter 11, the size of the Company's Board of Directors was expanded to nine
members. In implementation of the Plan of Reorganization, the following
individuals were elected directors on the Effective Date: James J. Gaffney,
Robert C. Garland, Scott D. Miller, Russell F. Peppet, Arthur J. Pergament and
Alexander M. Sanders, Jr. In addition, in accordance with the Plan of
Reorganization, Michael D. Lockhart, Judith R. Haberkorn and John J. Roberts,
who were previously elected as directors, continue as members of the Board of
Directors and Mr. Lockhart continues to serve as Chairman of the Board of
Directors and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. These nine directors were
selected in connection with the development of the Plan of Reorganization and
named in an exhibit to the Plan of Reorganization and the order confirming the
Plan of Reorganization. Specifically, Messrs. Miller, Peppet, Pergament and
Sanders were selected jointly by the Official Committee of Asbestos Claimants
and the Future Claimants' Representative appointed in the Company's Chapter 11
case, Messrs. Gaffney and Garland were selected by the Official Committee of
Unsecured Creditors appointed in the case and Ms Haberkorn and Mr. Roberts were
selected jointly by all three of such parties in the case. The continuation of
Mr. Lockhart, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, as a member and Chairman
of the Board of Directors was endorsed by all three of such parties. Pursuant to
the Articles, the Bylaws and the Stockholders Agreement, the initial nine
directors will have an initial term of office ending at the 2008 annual meeting
of shareholders and, thereafter, a term ending at the next annual meeting of
shareholders (and, in each case, the election and qualification of his or her
successor).
ITEM 8.01. OTHER EVENTS.
Common Shares have or will be issued in connection with the Plan of
Reorganization, as described above. The following is a description of the Common
Shares and a summary of certain material provisions of the Articles and Bylaws
of the Company, which have been amended and restated as of the Effective Date.
This summary is qualified by the text of the Articles and the Bylaws, which are
attached as Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2 hereto, respectively.
The holders of the Common Shares are entitled to one vote per share on
all matters to be voted upon by the holders of Common Shares. Holders of the
Common Shares are entitled to vote on all matters (including the election of all
directors) on which the shareholders of the Company are entitled to vote. The
Company's Board of Directors is not classified and all directors are elected for
the same term of office by vote of the Common Shareholders.
Directors to be elected by the holders of Common Shares shall be
elected by plurality vote and on all other matters, except as otherwise provided
by the Articles and Bylaws or by law, the affirmative vote of the holders of a
majority of the Common Shares present and voting at a meeting at which a quorum
is present shall constitute the act of the Common Shareholders. The initial term
of office of the directors extends until the 2008 annual meeting of shareholders
of the Company. After the 2008 annual meeting of shareholders, their term
extends until the next annual meeting of shareholders at which directors are
elected, in each case subject to the earlier death, resignation,
disqualification, removal or incapacity of a director. Amendment of the By-laws,
approval of the issuance of Preferred Shares and certain other actions by the
Board of Directors require a supermajority vote of the Board of Directors.
13
The holders of the Common Shares are entitled to receive dividends,
when and as declared by the Company's Board of Directors, out of assets legally
available for that purpose. The holders of the Common Shares have no preemptive,
subscription or conversion rights, and the Common Shares are not subject to
redemption.
The Articles provide that, commencing on the Effective Date and
continuing until the Asbestos Trust first ceases to be the beneficial owner
(determined as provided in the Articles) of at least 20% of the outstanding
Common Shares, the Asbestos Trust may not, subject to certain exceptions,
transfer, in one transaction or a series of related transactions, any Common
Shares, or other shares entitled to vote generally in the election of directors
("Voting Shares"), representing more than 5% of the Common Shares (or entitled
to cast more than 5% of the votes that may be cast in the election of directors)
to any purchaser who, after giving effect to such transaction or transactions,
would beneficially own shares enabling such person to cast more than 35% of the
votes which may be cast by the holders of all shares entitled to vote are
entitled to vote generally in the election of directors or more of such votes
than the Asbestos Trust is entitled to cast. The Asbestos Trust may, however,
effect such an otherwise prohibited transfer if:
(1) the transfer is a public sale of shares made in compliance
with certain provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws or in certain
derivative transactions (as specified in the Articles), or
(2) all other holders of Common Shares have an opportunity to
participate in the transaction or series of transactions on the same terms as
the Asbestos Trust, or
(3) in the case of a disposition of shares by the Asbestos
Trust pursuant to a merger, consolidation, recapitalization or similar corporate
transaction involving the Company, the material terms of the transaction have
been approved by a majority of the Company's directors who have no personal
financial interest in the transaction or by such vote of the holders of the
Common Shares as is required by law, the Company's articles of incorporation or
bylaws (as then in effect) or applicable listing standards, provided that, if a
transaction referred to in this clause (3) would result in the Asbestos Trust
receiving a type or amount of consideration per Common Share that is different
from the consideration to be received by other holders of Common Shares, the
transaction must be approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a
majority of the Common Shares not beneficially owned by the Asbestos Trust (in
addition to any other required shareholder approval).
The Articles further provide that, until such time as the Asbestos
Trust first ceases to be the beneficial owner of at least 20% of the outstanding
Voting Shares, any transaction between the Company or any of its subsidiaries
and the Asbestos Trust or any affiliate thereof (other than a dividend or other
distribution made to all shareholders pro rata to their shareholdings and
otherwise on terms which are the same with respect to the Asbestos Trust and all
other participating shareholders), shall require review by and approval of a
majority of the disinterested directors of the Company (as defined in the
Articles), whether or not such review and approval is required by law or
applicable listing standards, subject to any exception from such review and
approval for transactions of an immaterial nature determined under such criteria
14
as have been approved in advance by a majority of the disinterested directors;
provided that, in the case of any transaction involving any change in the shares
of the Company, or any dividend, distribution or payment in respect of
outstanding shares of the Company, that would result in the Asbestos Trust
receiving any dividend, distribution, security, other property or payment that
differs from that which would be received by all other holders of Common Shares,
then the approval of the holders of a majority of the Common Shares not owned or
controlled by the Asbestos Trust shall be required (in addition to approval by
any shareholder vote otherwise required, but approval of a majority of the
disinterested directors, as such, shall not be required).
Also until such time as the Asbestos Trust first ceases to be the
beneficial owner of at least 20% of the outstanding Common Shares, the Company
shall not without the prior, written consent of the Asbestos Trust:
(a) authorize any new class of shares (i.e., other than the
Common Shares or Preferred Shares);
(b) issue any Preferred Shares, other than "Conventional
Preferred Shares" as defined in the Articles;
(c) adopt a shareholder rights plan of the kind described
above in Item 1.01;
(d) before the fifth anniversary of the Effective Date,
implement any stock option, restricted stock, stock bonus or stock purchase
plan, or any similar plan or arrangement, pursuant to which any one or more of
the officers, directors or employees of, or consultants to, the Company or any
of its subsidiaries, or any person who is the beneficial owner of 5% or more of
the Voting Shares, may acquire shares of the Company, except:
(1) as permitted by the LTIP,
(2) for a dividend reinvestment plan or any plan or
arrangement whereby any dividend, distribution, offer, issuance or sale of
options, warrants, subscription rights or other equity interests is offered or
made to shareholders of the Company generally, substantially in proportion to
their shareholdings, or
(3) where options or shares are to be issued to a person not
previously employed by the Company, as an inducement to such person's entering
into an employment or consulting contract with the Company.
Until the Asbestos Trust first ceases to be the beneficial owner of at
least 20% of the outstanding Voting Shares, the Board of Directors is required
to present to the shareholders nominations of candidates for election to the
Board of Directors (or recommend the election of such candidates as nominated by
others) such that, and shall take such other corporate actions as may be
reasonably required to provide that, to the best knowledge of the Board of
Directors, if such candidates are elected by the shareholders, at least a
majority of the members of the Board of Directors shall be independent directors
(determined in accordance with the listing standards of the market on which the
Common Shares are listed and in compliance with the standards of independence
required by Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act). In addition, the Board of
Directors shall only elect any person to fill a vacancy on the Board of
15
Directors if, to the best knowledge of the Board of Directors, after such
person's election at least a majority of the members of the Board of Directors
shall be independent directors.
The rights of the Common Shareholders, as described above, are subject
to the rights of Preferred Shareholders, if any Preferred Shares are issued.
The Articles and By-laws also require, in effect, the affirmative vote
of the Asbestos Trust for the amendment of the provisions of the Articles and
By-laws providing to the Asbestos Trust the rights described above.
On October 2, 2006, the Company issued a press release announcing its
emergence from Chapter 11, and discussing certain of the foregoing matters. A
copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is hereby
incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 9.01. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.
(d) Exhibits
2.1 Fourth Amended Plan of Reorganization, as Modified, dated February
21, 2006, of Armstrong World Industries, Inc., incorporated by
reference from Exhibit 2.3 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of
Armstrong World Industries for the year ended December 31, 2005.
3.1 Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Armstrong World
Industries, Inc.
3.2 Bylaws of Armstrong World Industries, Inc.
10.1 Credit Agreement, dated as of October 2, 2006, by and among the
Company, certain subsidiaries of the Company as guarantors, Bank of
America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, the other lenders party
thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and Barclays Bank PLC, as
Co-Syndication Agents, and LaSalle Bank National Association and The
Bank of Nova Scotia, as Co-Documentation Agents.
10.2 The Armstrong World Industries, Inc. Asbestos Personal Injury
Settlement Trust Agreement, dated as of October 2, 2006, by and
among Armstrong World Industries, Inc. and, as trustees, Anne M.
Ferazzi, Harry Huge, Paul A. Knuti, Lewis R. Sifford and Thomas M.
Tully.
10.3 Stockholder and Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of October
2, 2006, by and between Armstrong World Industries, Inc. and the
Armstrong World Industries, Inc. Asbestos Personal Injury Asbestos
Trust.
10.4 Armstrong World Industries, Inc. 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan.
10.5 Form of Armstrong World Industries, Inc. 2006 Long-Term Incentive
Plan Stock Option Agreement.
10.6 Form of Armstrong World Industries, Inc. 2006 Long-Term Incentive
Plan Restricted Stock Award Agreement.
10.7 Form of Armstrong World Industries, Inc. 2006 Long-Term Incentive
Plan notice of restricted stock and or option award.
16
10.8 Form of Indemnification Agreement for directors and officers of
Armstrong World Industries, Inc.
99.1 Press Release of Armstrong World Industries, Inc. dated October 2,
2006.
17
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.
Date: October 2, 2006
ARMSTRONG WORLD INDUSTRIES, INC.
By: /s/ Walter T. Gangl
----------------------------------------------
Walter T. Gangl
Deputy General Counsel and Assistant Secretary
18
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No. Description
----------- -----------
2.1 Fourth Amended Plan of Reorganization, as Modified, dated February
21, 2006, of Armstrong World Industries, Inc., incorporated by
reference from Exhibit 2.3 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of
Armstrong World Industries for the year ended December 31, 2005.
3.1 Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Armstrong World
Industries, Inc.
3.2 Bylaws of Armstrong World Industries, Inc.
10.1 Credit Agreement, dated as of October 2, 2006, by and among the
Company, certain subsidiaries of the Company as guarantors, Bank of
America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, the other lenders party
thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and Barclays Bank PLC, as
Co-Syndication Agents, and LaSalle Bank National Association and The
Bank of Nova Scotia, as Co-Documentation Agents.
10.2 The Armstrong World Industries, Inc. Asbestos Personal Injury
Settlement Trust Agreement, dated as of October 2, 2006, by and
among Armstrong World Industries, Inc. and, as trustees, Anne M.
Ferazzi, Harry Huge, Paul A. Knuti, Lewis R. Sifford and Thomas M.
Tully.
10.3 Stockholder and Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of October
2, 2006, by and between Armstrong World Industries, Inc. and the
Armstrong World Industries, Inc. Asbestos Personal Injury Asbestos
Trust.
10.4 Armstrong World Industries, Inc. 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan.
10.5 Form of Armstrong World Industries, Inc. 2006 Long-Term Incentive
Plan Stock Option Agreement.
10.6 Form of Armstrong World Industries, Inc. 2006 Long-Term Incentive
Plan Restricted Stock Award Agreement.
10.7 Form of Armstrong World Industries, Inc. 2006 Long-Term Incentive
Plan notice of restricted stock and /or option award.
10.8 Form of Indemnification Agreement for directors and officers of
Armstrong World Industries, Inc.
99.1 Press Release of Armstrong World Industries, Inc. dated October 2,
2006.
19
EXHIBIT 3.1
-----------
AMENDED AND RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
OF
ARMSTRONG WORLD INDUSTRIES, INC.
(THE "CORPORATION")
FIRST: Name. The name of the Corporation is Armstrong World Industries,
Inc.
SECOND: Registered Office. The location and post office address of its
registered office in this Commonwealth is 2500 Columbia Avenue, Lancaster,
Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
THIRD: Purposes. The purpose or purposes for which the Corporation is
incorporated under the Business Corporation Law of 1998 of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania (the "PBCL") are to engage in, and do any lawful act concerning,
any or all lawful business for which corporations may be incorporated under the
PBCL, including, but not limited to, manufacturing, purchasing and selling a
variety of interior furnishings, interior finish materials and related services
for residential, commercial and institutional interiors, including resilient
floors and carpeting, ceiling materials and ceiling systems, furniture and
related accessory items; as well as insulation materials and industrial
specialties; engaging in research and development, furnishing services, and
acquiring, owning, using, and disposing of real property of any nature
whatsoever.
FOURTH: Duration. The term of its existence is perpetual.
FIFTH: Authorized Shares.
(A) The authorized shares of the Corporation shall be of two classes:
15,000,000 Preferred Shares without par value, which may be issued in series as
hereinafter provided, and 200,000,000 Common Shares, par value $0.01 per share.
(B) A description of each class of shares and a statement of the
designations, voting rights, preferences, limitations and special rights granted
to or imposed upon the shares of each class and of the authority vested in the
Board of Directors of the Corporation to establish series of Preferred Shares
and to set, and determine variations in, the designations, voting rights,
preferences, limitations and special rights of the series of Preferred Shares
are as follows:
(i) The holders of Common Shares shall be entitled to receive
dividends, when and as declared by the Board of Directors, out
of assets legally available therefor.
(ii) The holders of Common Shares shall have one vote per share.
(iii) The Corporation may issue shares, option rights or securities
having conversion or option rights, without first offering
them to holders of Preferred Shares or Common Shares.
(iv) The Board of Directors may in its discretion, at any time or
from time to time, issue or cause to be issued all or any part
of the authorized and unissued Common Shares for consideration
of such character and value as the Board shall from time to
time set or determine.
(v) (a) Subject to paragraph (vii) of Article Sixth (H), the
Board of Directors is hereby expressly authorized, at any time
or from time to time, by resolution or resolutions adopted by
the Board to divide any or all of the Preferred Shares into
one or more series, and, before issuance of any of the shares
thereof, to set and determine the number of shares and the
designation of such series, so as to distinguish it from the
shares of all other series and classes, and to set and
determine the voting rights, preferences, limitations and
special rights of the series of Preferred Shares, or of all
series of Preferred Shares, all by amendment of these Articles
without approval of the shareholders and otherwise in the
manner, and to the fullest extent now or hereafter permitted,
by the PBCL, including, but not limited to, providing in
respect of a series of Preferred Shares, and providing for
variations between different series of Preferred Shares, in
the following respects:
(1) the distinctive designation of such series and the
number of shares that shall constitute such series,
which number may be increased or decreased (but not
below the number of shares thereof then outstanding)
from time to time by the Board of Directors;
(2) the annual or other dividend rate for such series,
and the date or dates from which dividends shall
commence to accrue and whether or not dividends shall
accumulate;
(3) the price or prices at which, and the terms and
conditions on which, the shares of such series may be
made redeemable;
(4) the redemption or purchase, and sinking fund
provisions, if any, for the redemption or purchase,
of shares of such series;
(5) the preferential amount or amounts payable upon
shares of such series in the event of liquidation,
dissolution, or winding up of the Corporation;
(6) the voting powers and rights, if any, of shares of
such series;
(7) the terms and conditions, if any, upon which shares
of such series may be converted or exchanged and the
class or classes or series of shares of the
Corporation or other securities into which such
shares may be converted or exchanged;
(8) the relative seniority, priority or junior rank of
such series as to dividends or assets with respect to
any other classes or series of stock then or
thereafter to be issued; and
2
(9) such other terms, qualifications, privileges,
limitations, options, restrictions, and special or
relative rights and preferences, if any, of shares of
such series as the Board of Directors may, at the
time of such resolution or resolutions, lawfully set
or determine under the laws of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania.
(b) Unless otherwise provided by law, the articles of
incorporation or bylaws of the Corporation or in a resolution
or resolutions establishing any particular series of Preferred
Shares adopted pursuant to this Article Fifth, the aggregate
number of authorized Preferred Shares Stock may be increased
by an amendment of the articles of incorporation of the
Corporation approved solely by the affirmative vote of the
holders of a majority of the outstanding Common Shares.
(c) All shares within each series of Preferred Shares
shall be alike in every particular, except with respect to the
dates from which dividends shall commence to accrue or with
respect to other rights, powers or privileges which may vary
among the holders of such shares based on the number of shares
held or the duration of their shareholdings.
(d) The Board of Directors may in its discretion, at any
time or from time to time, issue or cause to be issued all or
any part of the authorized and unissued Preferred Shares for
consideration of such character and value as the Board of
Directors shall from time to time set or determine.
(vi) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article
Fifth, the Board of Directors shall not issue or cause to be
issued nonvoting shares of the Corporation or warrants, rights
or options to acquire nonvoting shares of the Corporation (to
the extent that issuance of nonvoting equity securities is
prohibited by a debtor corporation by section 1123(a)(6) of
title 11 of the United States Code).
(C) Any or all classes and series of shares of the Corporation, or any
part thereof, may be represented by uncertificated shares to the extent
determined by the Board of Directors, except that shares represented by a
certificate that is issued and outstanding shall continue to be represented
thereby until the certificate is surrendered to the Corporation. Within a
reasonable time after the issuance or transfer of uncertificated shares, the
Corporation shall send to the registered owner thereof a written notice
containing the information required by law to be set forth or stated on share
certificates. The rights and obligations of the holders of shares represented by
certificates and the rights and obligations of the holders of uncertificated
shares of the same class and series shall be identical.
SIXTH: Management of the Corporation's Business and Affairs.
(A) Commencing with the effective date of these Amended and Restated
Articles of Incorporation (October 2, 2006, the "Effective Date"), the Board of
Directors shall be composed of nine members and, thereafter, subject to
paragraph (vii) of Article Sixth (H) hereof, the Board of Directors shall have
such number of members as shall be determined by or pursuant to the bylaws of
the Corporation, provided (i) that, until the annual meeting of shareholders
3
first held in 2009, (the "Third Year Annual Meeting"), the number of members
shall not be less than nine and (ii) no reduction in the number of members shall
end the term of office of any director earlier than such term of office would
otherwise end. Commencing with the Effective Date, the initial term of office of
all directors shall extend from the Effective Date until the annual meeting of
shareholders first held in 2008 (the "Second Year Annual Meeting"), and until
the election at such annual meeting and the qualification of the director's
successor, or until his or her earlier disqualification, resignation, removal,
death or incapacity. The term of office of any director elected by the
shareholders or the Board of Directors, as permitted by law, to fill any vacancy
on the Board of Directors occurring before the Second Year Annual Meeting shall
extend until the Second Year Annual Meeting and until the election at such
annual meeting and qualification of the director's successor, or until his or
her earlier disqualification, resignation, removal, death or incapacity. After
the Second Year Annual Meeting, commencing in the case of each director upon his
or her election at such annual meeting and qualification, the term of office of
all directors shall extend until the next annual meeting of shareholders and the
election at such annual meeting and qualification of the director's successor,
or until his or her earlier disqualification, resignation, removal, death or
incapacity, and the term of office of any director elected by the shareholders
or the Board of Directors, as permitted by law, to fill any vacancy on the Board
of Directors occurring after the Second Year Annual Meeting shall extend until
the next annual meeting of shareholders and until the election at such annual
meeting and qualification of the director's successor, or until his or her
earlier disqualification, resignation, removal, death or incapacity.
(B) In addition to the right of the Board of Directors under law to
remove a director for cause, and subject to the voting rights of the holders of
any series of Preferred Stock, directors whose term of office is scheduled to
expire at the (2009) Third Year Annual Meeting may be removed from office before
the expiration of their terms of office only (i) for Cause (as defined below)
with the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Common Shares
present (in person or by proxy) at a meeting of shareholders at which a quorum
is present or by the written consent in lieu of a meeting, as permitted by law,
of the holders of a majority of the Common Shares or (ii) without Cause with the
affirmative vote or written consent, as permitted by law, of the holders of 75%
of the Common Shares. In addition to the right of the Board of Directors under
law to remove a director for cause, and subject to the voting rights of the
holders of any series of Preferred Shares, commencing with the Third Year Annual
Meeting, directors may be removed from office before the expiration of their
terms of office at any time, with or without cause, by the affirmative vote of
the holders of a majority of the Common Shares present (in person or by proxy)
at a meeting of shareholders at which a quorum is present or, as permitted by
law, by the written consent in lieu of a meeting of the holders of a majority of
the Common Shares. For the avoidance of doubt, from said date forward, directors
may be removed from office without assigning any cause regarding such removal.
For purposes of this Article Sixth (B), "Cause" for the removal of a director
shall mean conviction of a felony, any act of dishonesty in respect of the
Corporation or a breach of fiduciary duty to the Corporation. With respect to
the nomination of directors for election at the (2008) Second Year Annual
Meeting, the provisions of Section 4B of the bylaws as in effect on the
Effective Date shall apply.
(C) With respect to the election of directors, each shareholder shall
be entitled to cast for any candidate for election as a director only one vote
per share and shareholders shall not be entitled to cumulate their votes and
4
cast them in favor of one candidate or distribute them among any two or more
candidates.
(D) A director of the Corporation shall not be personally liable, as
such, for monetary damage for any action taken by him or her unless he or she
has breached or failed to perform the duties of his or her office under
subchapter B of chapter 17 of the PBCL and the breach or failure to perform
constitutes self-dealing, willful misconduct or recklessness, except as
otherwise specifically provided by the PBCL. No amendment or repeal of this
Article Sixth (D) shall apply to or have any effect on the liability or alleged
liability of any person who is or was a director of the Corporation for or with
respect to any act or omission occurring prior to the effective date of such
amendment or repeal. If Pennsylvania law is amended to permit a Pennsylvania
corporation to provide greater protection to persons who serve or have served as
directors of the corporation from personal liability with respect to their
service to the corporation as directors than provided by the terms of this
Article Sixth (D), then such protection shall also apply to the person who serve
or have served as directors of the Corporation and this Article Sixth (D) shall
be construed to provide such greater protection. To the fullest extent permitted
by law (including, without limitation, as permitted by section 1746 of the PBCL)
from time to time in effect, the Corporation shall indemnify persons who, after
the Effective Date, serve as its directors and officers and shall advance to
them expenses incurred in defending or responding to claims, actions,
investigations, inquiries and other proceedings and may, by provisions in its
bylaws, by contract and by any other means permitted by law, establish
reasonable procedures for the making of such indemnification and advancement of
expenses and may further obligate itself to provide indemnification or to
advance expenses to such persons and may set apart funds to provide for the
payment thereof. To the fullest extent permitted by law (including, without
limitation, as permitted by section 1746 of the PBCL) from time to time in
effect, the Corporation may indemnify persons who before the Effective Date
served as directors or officers of the Corporation and persons who, before or
after the Effective Date, serve as its employees and agents and may advance to
them expenses incurred in defending or responding to claims, actions,
investigations, inquiries and other proceedings and may, by provisions in its
bylaws, by contract and by any other means permitted by law, obligate itself to
provide indemnification or to advance expenses to such persons and may set apart
funds to provide for the payment thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing
provisions of this Article Sixth (D), if Pennsylvania law shall be amended so as
to limit or reduce the indemnification which a Pennsylvania corporation may
provide to its directors or officers from that in effect on the Effective Date,
then, to the fullest extent permitted by law, such limitation or reduction shall
not apply to or have any effect on the right to indemnity or advancement of
expenses provided by this Article Sixth (D) to a person who served as a director
or officer of the Corporation with respect to any act or omission occurring
prior to the effective date of such amendment.
(E) Commencing on the Effective Date, none of the provisions of
Subchapters 25D, 25E, 25F, 25G and 25H of the PBCL (as in effect on such date)
shall apply to the Corporation, except as may be required by law.
(F) Special meetings of shareholders may be called by the Board of
Directors, by shareholders entitled to cast at least 20% of the votes that all
shareholders generally are entitled to cast in the election of directors, by
such holders of Preferred Shares as may be permitted to call a meeting of
shareholders by provision of an amendment to the articles of incorporation of
5
the Corporation adopted by the Board of Directors as provided by Article Fifth
(B) hereof and by such officers of the Corporation or other persons as may be
provided in the bylaws of the Corporation.
(G) To the fullest extent and in the manner permitted by law, any
action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of shareholders or a class
or series of shareholders may be taken without a meeting of the shareholders or
of such class or series of shareholders upon the consent in writing signed by
such shareholders who would have been entitled to vote the minimum number of
votes that would be necessary to authorize the action at a meeting at which all
the shareholders entitled to vote thereon were present and voting.
(H) Commencing on the Effective Date and continuing until the Armstrong
World Industries, Inc. Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust (the
"Settlement Trust") first ceases to be the Beneficial Owner (as hereinafter
defined) of at least 20% of the outstanding Common Shares of the Corporation,
the following additional provisions shall apply to the management of the
business and affairs of the Corporation:
(i) Until the (2009) Third Year Annual Meeting, in addition to any
requirements or limitations relating to the establishment or functions of a
committee of the Board of Directors provided by law and to any requirements
relating thereto established by the bylaws, the selection of the members of any
committee of the Board of Directors shall require approval by the affirmative
vote of at least all but one of the members of the Board of Directors (assuming
no vacancies).
(ii) The Board of Directors shall present to the shareholders
nominations of candidates for election to the Board of Directors (or recommend
the election of such candidates as nominated by others) such that, and shall
take such other corporate actions as may be reasonably required to provide that,
to the best knowledge of the Board of Directors, if such candidates are elected
by the shareholders, at least a majority of the members of the Board of
Directors shall be Independent Directors (as hereinafter defined). The Board of
Directors shall only elect any person to fill a vacancy on the Board of
Directors if, to the best knowledge of the Board of Directors, after such
person's election at least a majority of the members of the Board of Directors
shall be Independent Directors. The foregoing provisions of this paragraph shall
not cause a director who, upon commencing his or her service as a member of the
Board of Directors was determined by the Board of Directors to be an Independent
Director but did not in fact qualify as such, or who by reason of any change in
circumstances ceases to qualify as an Independent Director, from serving the
remainder of the term as a director for which he or she was selected.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this paragraph, no action of the
Board of Directors shall be invalid by reason of the failure at any time of a
majority of the members of the Board of Directors to be Independent Directors.
For purposes hereof, "Independent Director" shall mean a director who (i)
qualifies as an "independent director" within the meaning of the corporate
governance listing standards from time to time adopted by the New York Stock
Exchange or the Nasdaq Stock Market, whichever the Common Shares are listed for
trading on at the time (or, if at any time the Common Shares are not listed on
either such market, as would be applicable if the Common Shares were then listed
on the New York Stock Exchange) with respect to the composition of the board of
directors of a listed company (without regard to any independence criteria
applicable under such standards only to the members of a committee of the board
6
of directors) and (ii) also satisfies the minimum requirements of director
independence of Rule 10A-3(b)(1) under the Securities Exchange Act, as amended,
as from time to time in effect (the "Exchange Act")), whether or not such
director is a member of the audit committee.
(iii) The Settlement Trust will not Transfer (as hereinafter defined),
in one transaction or a series of related transactions, any Common Shares
representing more than five percent of the outstanding Common Shares (or Voting
Shares (as hereinafter defined) entitling the holders thereof to cast more than
five percent of all the votes which the holders of all Voting Shares are
entitled to cast in the election of directors of the Corporation) to any Person
(a "Proposed Purchaser") who, after giving effect to the transaction or series
of related transactions, would Beneficially Own Voting Shares entitling the
holders thereof to cast more than 35% of the votes which the holders of all
Voting Shares are entitled to cast in the election of directors of the
Corporation or more of such votes than the Settlement Trust is entitled to cast,
and the Corporation will not register or give effect to any such Transfer,
unless (A) such Transfer is (1) pursuant to a bona fide public distribution made
either under an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (and from time to time in effect), (2) in a transaction
satisfying the requirements of Regulation S (and from time to time in effect)
under such Act, (3) in a transaction satisfying the requirements of Rule 144 (as
from time to time in effect) under such Act, other than by reason of satisfying
the provisions of Rule 144(k) thereof, or (4) is effected through "brokers'
transactions" within the meaning of Section 4(4) of such Act or a transaction
with a "market maker" as defined in Section 3(c)(38) of the Exchange Act, or (B)
all other Common Shareholders are afforded the opportunity to participate in the
transaction or series of transactions on the same terms (including, without
limitation, the same type and amount of consideration per share) as the
Settlement Trust, which requirement shall be deemed satisfied if the other
Common Shareholders are provided an opportunity to sell the Voting Shares they
own in accordance with the following provisions of this paragraph, or (C) in the
case of a disposition of shares of Voting Shares by the Settlement Trust
pursuant to a merger, consolidation, recapitalization or similar corporate
transaction involving the Corporation, the material terms of the transaction
have been approved by a majority of the Disinterested Directors (as defined in
paragraph (v) of this Article Sixth (H)) or such vote of the holders of the
Common Shares as is required by law, the articles of incorporation or the bylaws
of the Corporation or applicable listing standards; provided, however, that, if
the transaction would result in the Settlement Trust receiving a type or amount
of consideration per share in respect of its shares that is different from the
other Common Shareholders, the transaction has been approved by the affirmative
vote of the holders of a majority of the Common Shares not Beneficially Owned by
the Settlement Trust (in addition to approval by any other shareholder vote
required). The entry by the Settlement Trust into a prepaid variable share
forward contract or other derivative contract (such as those known as TRACES or
SAILS) shall not constitute a Transfer of shares for purposes of this paragraph,
even if it relates to Voting Shares entitling the holders thereof to cast more
than five percent of all the votes which the holders of all Voting Shares are
entitled to cast in the election of directors of the Corporation, to the extent
such contract is a legitimate hedging transaction and neither such contract nor
the settlement thereof will result in a counterparty becoming the Beneficial
Owner of Voting Shares entitling the holders thereof to cast more than 35% of
the votes which the holders of all Voting Shares are entitled to cast in the
election of directors of the Corporation or more of such votes than the
Settlement Trust is entitled to cast). The terms and conditions of a Transfer by
the Settlement Trust of Common Shares to a Proposed Purchaser will be deemed
7
permitted by this paragraph if, in connection with such Transfer, the Proposed
Purchaser shall have publicly undertaken to commence a tender offer in
accordance with the Exchange Act and the applicable regulations thereunder,
which shall be scheduled to close not later than 60 days after the Transfer of
the Settlement Trust's shares (subject to any extension where required to
satisfy conditions established by such tender offer), pursuant to which the
other Common Shareholders will have the right to tender for purchase for the
same type and amount of consideration per share available to the Settlement
Trust in the Transfer, at each other Common Shareholder's option, a number of
Common Shares equal to the product of (i) the total number of Common Shares
owned by the other Common Shareholders and (ii) a fraction, the numerator of
which shall be the number of Common Shares that the Settlement Trust proposes so
to Transfer to the Proposed Purchaser and the denominator of which shall be the
total number of Common Shares then owned by the Settlement Trust. For purposes
hereof, (i) "Transfer" shall mean, directly or indirectly transfer, to sell,
assign, donate, contribute, place in trust (including a voting trust), or
otherwise voluntarily or involuntarily dispose of, (ii) "Voting Shares" shall
mean shares of the Corporation, of any class or series, entitled to vote for the
election of directors of the Corporation (including Common Shares), other than
Preferred Shares entitled to vote for the election of directors who are to be
elected only by the holders of a particular class or series of shares, or
collectively by the holders of two or more classes or series of shares, and only
in the event of an arrearage in payment of dividends on such class or series of
shares and who constitute less than one-third of all the directors (assuming no
vacancies on the Board of Directors), and (iii) "Beneficially Owned" or
"Beneficial Ownership" shall have the meaning prescribed by Regulation 13D-G
under the Exchange Act, as amended and from time to time in effect.
(iv) The Corporation shall not, without the prior written approval of
the Settlement Trust, adopt or maintain a shareholder rights plan, "poison pill"
or similar plan (however designated) which provides some, but not all, holders
of Common Shares, in the event of the acquisition by any person or group of
persons acting in concert of Voting Shares (as defined in paragraph (iii) of
Article Sixth (H) hereof) constituting more than a specified level of ownership
of the Corporation and with or without additional conditions or exceptions (an
"Acquiring Person"), the right to acquire securities of the Corporation or of
any successor company, or of any controlling person thereof, on more favorable
terms than available to the Acquiring Person, or which limits the voting or
other rights or the Acquiring Person, or which is otherwise designed to, or has
the effect of, similarly making acquisition of additional Voting Shares by an
Acquiring Person more difficult or expensive than would be the case in the
absence of such shareholder rights or similar plan by providing to other
shareholders any right or benefit which the Acquiring Person is not accorded.
(v) Any transaction between the Corporation or any Subsidiary (as
hereinafter defined) and the Settlement Trust or any Affiliate (as hereinafter
defined) thereof (other than a dividend or other distribution made to all
shareholders pro rata to their shareholdings and otherwise on terms which are
the same with respect to the Settlement Trust and all other participating
shareholders), shall require review by and approval of a majority of the
Disinterested Directors (as hereinafter defined), whether or not such review and
approval is required by law or applicable listing standards, subject to any
exception from such review and approval for transactions of an immaterial nature
determined under such criteria as have been approved in advance by a majority of
the Disinterested Directors; provided, however, that, in the case of any
8
transaction or series of related transactions involving the cancellation,
retirement, disposition, conversion, exchange or reclassification of the shares
of the Corporation, or any dividend, distribution or payment in respect of
outstanding shares of the Corporation, pursuant to a merger, consolidation,
recapitalization, reorganization or similar corporate transaction, which
transaction would result in the Settlement Trust receiving any dividend,
distribution, security, other property or payment that differs from that which
would be received by all other holders of Common Shares, then the approval of
the holders of a majority of the Common Shares not owned or controlled by the
Settlement Trust shall be required (in addition to approval by any shareholder
vote otherwise required, but approval of the Disinterested Directors shall not
be required hereby). For the purposes hereof, (A) "Affiliate" (and "Affiliated")
shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange
Act, as in effect on the Effective Date, (B) "Disinterested Directors" in
respect of a transaction or potential transaction (or category of immaterial
transactions) shall mean the directors of the Corporation who are not Affiliated
with the Settlement Trust and who have no personal financial interest in the
transaction (other than the same interest, if a shareholder of the Corporation,
as the other shareholders of the Corporation) and (iii) "Subsidiary" shall mean
any company controlled, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation.
(vi) Sections 4 and 5 of Article II of the bylaws of the Corporation as
in effect on the Effective Date shall not apply to the Settlement Trust and the
Board of Directors shall not adopt any bylaw or take any other action that would
eliminate, limit, regulate or subject to any condition or procedural requirement
the submission of any matter by the Settlement Trust for consideration by the
shareholders at a meeting or by written consent, including (without limitation)
the nomination of candidates for election of directors; provided, however, that
this provision shall not prevent the Board of Directors from taking any action
regarding shareholder nominations or shareholder proposals applicable to
shareholders generally (even though also applicable to the Settlement Trust on a
basis no more restrictive than any other shareholder) if such action is required
by the Exchange Act or a regulation issued thereunder or by listing standards of
the market on which the Common Shares are listed for trading and the Corporation
cannot comply with such requirement by taking any action that does not restrict
the Settlement Trust or is less restrictive on the Settlement Trust.
(vii) The Corporation shall not without the prior, written consent of
the Trust (in addition to any shareholder vote required under applicable law):
(a) authorize any new class of shares (i.e., other than the
Common Shares or Conventional Preferred Shares);
(b) issue any Preferred Shares, other than Conventional
Preferred Shares (as hereinafter defined);
(c) before October 2, 2011, the fifth anniversary of the
Effective Date, implement any stock option, restricted stock, stock bonus or
stock purchase plan, or any similar plan or arrangement, pursuant to which any
one or more of the officers, directors or employees of, or consultants to, the
Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries, or any person who is the Beneficial
Owner of 5% or more of the Voting Shares, may acquire shares of the Corporation,
except:
9
(1) as permitted by the Long-Term Incentive Plan of
the Corporation adopted on or about the Effective Date,
(2) for a dividend reinvestment plan or any plan or
arrangement whereby any dividend, distribution, offer, issuance or sale of
options, warrants, subscription rights or other equity interests is offered or
made to shareholders of the Corporation generally, substantially in proportion
to their shareholdings, or
(3) where options or shares are to be issued to a
person not previously employed by the Corporation, as an inducement to such
person's entering into an employment or consulting contract with the
Corporation.
"Conventional Preferred Shares" shall mean Preferred Shares which satisfy all of
the following requirements:
(a) the Preferred Shares are not convertible into,
exchangeable for or exercisable to acquire Common Shares or any other class or
series of shares of the Corporation, except that Preferred Shares shall be
Conventional Preferred Shares if, but only if, they may be convertible into,
exchangeable for or exercisable (1) only at a fixed conversion, exchange or
exercise ratio or price (except that such conversion, exchange or exercise ratio
or price may be subject to anti-dilution adjustments that are conventional for
publicly-offered, investment-grade convertible preferred shares), (2) only at a
conversion, exchange or exercise price (or ratio equivalent to a price) that, in
the good faith judgment of the Board of Directors based on the advice of a
nationally recognized investment banking firm, represents a premium to the
market price of the Common Shares at the time of issuance of such Preferred
Shares, and (3) only to acquire the number of Common Shares that (together with
any other Preferred Shares to be issued in any related transaction), at the time
of issuance of such Preferred Shares, would represent not more than 20% of the
sum of the total number of Common Shares outstanding at the time of issuance of
such Preferred Shares plus the number of Common Shares that would be issued upon
exercise in full of such conversion, exchange or acquisition rights of such
Preferred Shares;
(b) the Preferred Shares are not entitled to participate in
dividends or distributions with the Common Shares or to dividends or
distributions based on earnings or other results of operations of the Company
(except insofar as earnings or results of operations may affect the amount
legally available for the payment of dividends);
(c) the Preferred Shares and are not entitled to vote in the
election of directors or vote on or consent to any other matter, except to vote
on or consent to the election of not more than two directors in the event of an
arrearage in the payment of preferred dividends thereon for a period of not less
than 180 days and to vote on or consent to any amendment to the articles of
incorporation of the Corporation that would adversely affect the rights, powers
or privileges of such Preferred Shares or a merger, consolidation or other
similar corporate transaction that would have the effect of leaving the
Preferred Shares outstanding and amending the rights, powers or privileges of
such Preferred Shares as established by the articles of incorporation of the
Corporation in a way that would adversely affect such rights, powers or
privileges, and
10
(d) the Preferred Shares do not have, in the good faith
judgment of the Board of Directors approved by the affirmative vote of
three-fourths of the members of the Board of Directors based on the advice of a
nationally recognized investment banking firm and after consultation with the
Settlement Trust, other rights, powers or privileges which are not customary for
publicly-offered, investment-grade preferred shares.
(viii) Any amendment or repeal of the bylaws of the Corporation by the
Board of Directors permitted by Article Eighth (B) hereof, and any change in the
number of members of the Board of Directors permitted by Article Sixth (A)
hereof to be made by the Board of Directors as provided pursuant to the bylaws
of the Corporation, shall require the affirmative vote of at least 75% of the
Board of Directors (assuming no vacancy on the Board of Directors); provided,
however, that, without the prior written consent of the Settlement Trust, the
Board may not increase the number of members of the Board of Directors to be
more than nine at any time when the holders of Preferred Shares (of one or more
series) are permitted to elect one or more directors.
(ix) Any amendment of the articles of incorporation of the Corporation,
other than an amendment permitted without a vote of the shareholders in
accordance with Article Fifth (B) hereof, and any action by the Board of
Directors of the Corporation to establish or issue any series of Preferred
Shares as permitted by Article Fifth (B) hereof shall require the affirmative
vote of at least 75% of the Board of Directors (assuming no vacancy on the Board
of Directors).
SEVENTH: Amendment of Articles of Incorporation: The articles of
incorporation of the Corporation may be amended, modified or repealed and new
provisions adopted as permitted by law, except that the provisions of Articles
Sixth (A), (B), (F), (G) and (H) and this Article Seventh of these Amended and
Restated Articles of Incorporation may be amended, modified or repealed, and any
inconsistent provision may be adopted, only with the affirmative vote or written
consent, as permitted by law, of the holders of 80% of the Common Shares.
EIGHTH: Effective Time; Bylaws.
(A) These Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation shall become
effective immediately upon filing with the Office of the Secretary of State of
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on October 2, 2006.
(B) The bylaws of the Corporation adopted by the sole shareholder of
the Corporation before the effective time of these Amended and Restated Articles
of Incorporation and by their terms effective upon the effectiveness hereof
shall be the bylaws of the Corporation commencing on the effectiveness hereof
and may thereafter be amended, to the extent provided by such bylaws, by the
shareholders or (to the fullest extent permitted by law, including, without
limitation, with respect to the matters referred to in section 1504(b) of the
PBCL) by the Board of Directors (subject, however, to the power of the
shareholders to adopt, amend and repeal bylaws).
11
EXHIBIT 3.2
-----------
BYLAWS
of
ARMSTRONG WORLD INDUSTRIES, INC.
(A Pennsylvania corporation)
--------------------------
As in effect on October 2, 2006
--------------------------
ARTICLE I
Certain Definitions; Principal Office; Notices to the Corporation
-----------------------------------------------------------------
SECTION 1. Certain Definitions. Unless the context otherwise requires, the
following terms when used herein shall have the following meanings:
(a) "ARTICLES" shall mean the articles of incorporation of the Corporation,
as from time to time amended and in effect in accordance with law, and shall
include any amendment determining the designation, voting rights, preferences,
limitations and special rights of Preferred Shares of the Corporation made by
the Board as permitted by law, as then in effect.
(b) "BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP" shall have the same meaning as provided by
Regulation 13D-G under the Exchange Act, as from time to time in effect (and any
successor regulation).
(c) "BOARD" shall mean the Board of Directors of the Corporation as
constituted in accordance with Article III of the Bylaws.
(d) "BYLAWS" shall mean the Bylaws of the Corporation as from time to time
amended and in effect in accordance with law. References in the Bylaws to
"herein," "hereof" or "hereto," or any like reference, shall refer to the Bylaws
(as amended and in effect from time to time) as a whole and not to any specific
Article, Section, subsection, paragraph, sentence or clause of the Bylaws unless
explicitly provided.
(e) "CORPORATION" shall mean Armstrong World Industries, Inc., the
Pennsylvania corporation incorporated by the filing of articles of incorporation
with the Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on December 30,
1891.
(f) "EFFECTIVE TIME" shall mean the effective time of these bylaws as
provided by Article X hereof, namely October 2, 2006.
(g) "EXCHANGE ACT" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended and as the same may be amended from time to time (and any successor
statute).
(h) "INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR" shall mean a director who (i) qualifies as an
"independent director" within the meaning of the corporate governance listing
standards from time to time adopted by the NYSE or Nasdaq, whichever market the
Common Shares are listed for trading on at the time (or, if at any time the
Common Shares are not listed for trading on either such market, as would be
applicable if the Common Shares were then listed on the NYSE) with respect to
the composition of the board of directors of a listed company (without regard to
any independence criteria applicable under such standards only to the members of
a committee of the board of directors) and (ii) also satisfies the minimum
requirements of director independence of Rule 10A-3(b)(1) under the Exchange Act
(as from time to time in effect), whether or not such director is a member of
the audit committee.
(i) "NYSE" shall mean the New York Stock Exchange.
(j) "NASDAQ" shall mean the Nasdaq Stock Market.
(k) "SUBSIDIARY" shall mean any company controlled, directly or indirectly,
by the Corporation.
(l) "WHOLE BOARD" shall mean the number of members of the Board at any time
if there were then no vacancies on the Board.
SECTION 2. Principal Office; Notices to the Corporation. The principal
office of the Corporation shall be at such location in Lancaster, Pennsylvania
as the Board of Directors shall from time to time determine. All notices to the
Corporation required or permitted by the Bylaws may be addressed to the
principal office of the Corporation and shall be marked to the attention of the
Secretary unless otherwise provided herein.
ARTICLE II
Shareholders' Meetings
----------------------
SECTION 1. Annual Meetings of Shareholders. An annual meeting of
shareholders shall be held in each year on such date and at such time as may be
set by the Board (or by an officer of the Corporation authorized to do so by the
Board) for the purpose of electing directors and the transaction of such other
business as may properly come before the meeting; provided, however, that (i)
this section shall not require an annual meeting of shareholders during the
first full calendar year following the year during which the Effective Time
occurs (i.e. 2007) and (ii) an annual meeting of shareholders during the second
full calendar year following the year during which the Effective Time occurs
(i.e. 2008) shall be held not later than June 30 of such year.
SECTION 2. Special Meetings of Shareholders. Special meetings of the
shareholders may be called at any time by the Board (or by an officer of the
Corporation authorized to do so by the Board ). A special meeting of the
shareholders may also be called by the holders of at least 20% of the votes that
all shareholders are entitled to cast at the particular meeting. In addition, a
special meeting of the holders of Preferred Shares or any series thereof for the
purpose of electing directors who may be elected by such holders or taking any
other action that such holders may take, as provided by the Articles, may be
called as provided in the Articles. At any time, upon written request of any
person or persons entitled to call and who have duly called a special meeting,
it shall be the duty of the Secretary to set the date of the meeting, if such
date has not been set by the Board, on a day not more than sixty days after the
receipt of the request, and to give due notice of such meeting to the
shareholders. If the Secretary shall neglect or refuse to set the date of the
meeting and give notice thereof, the person or persons calling the meeting may
do so.
2
SECTION 3. Place and Notice of Meetings of Shareholders. All meetings of
shareholders shall be held at the principal office of the Corporation unless the
Board (or an officer of the Corporation authorized to do so by the Board)shall
decide otherwise, in which case such meetings may be held at such location
within or without the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as the Board may from time to
time direct. Written notice of the place, day, and hour of all meetings of
shareholders and, in the case of a special meeting, of the general nature of the
business to be transacted at the meeting, shall be given to each shareholder of
record entitled to vote at the particular meeting either personally or by
sending a copy of the notice through the mail or by overnight courier to the
address of the shareholder appearing on the books of the Corporation or supplied
by such shareholder to the Corporation for the purpose of notice or by other
means including electronic means permitted by law. Except as otherwise provided
by the Bylaws or by law, such notice shall be given at least 10 days before the
date of the meeting by the President, Vice President, or Secretary. A waiver in
writing of any written notice required to be given, signed by the person
entitled to such notice, whether before or after the time stated, shall be
deemed equivalent to the giving of such notice. Attendance of a person, either
in person or by proxy, at any meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of
such meeting, except where a person attends a meeting for the express purpose of
objecting to the transaction of any business because the meeting was not
lawfully called or convened.
SECTION 4. -A. Nominations by Shareholders of Candidates for Election as
Directors. In addition to the nomination by the Board of candidates for election
to the Board as hereinafter provided, candidates may be nominated by any
shareholder of the Corporation entitled to notice of, and to vote at, any
meeting called for the election of directors. Subject to the last sentence of
Article Sixth (B) of the Articles and to paragraph (vi) of Article Sixth (H) of
the Articles, nominations, other than those made by or on behalf of the Board,
shall be made in writing and shall be received by the Secretary of the
Corporation not later than (i) with respect to an election of directors to be
held at an annual meeting of shareholders, (A) for the annual meeting of
shareholders to be first held in the second full calendar year (i.e. 2008)
following the year during which the Effective Time occurs (the "Second Year
Annual Meeting"), by January 15 of such year and (B) for all other annual
meetings of shareholders, 90 days prior to the anniversary date of the
immediately preceding annual meeting of shareholders (provided that, if the date
of the annual meeting of shareholders is more than 30 days before or after the
anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of shareholders,
the shareholder nomination shall be received within 15 days after the public
announcement by the Corporation of the date of the annual meeting of
shareholders, and (ii), with respect to an election of directors to be held at a
special meeting of shareholders, the close of business on the 15th day following
the date on which notice of such meeting is first given to shareholders or
public disclosure of the meeting is first made, whichever is earlier. Such
nomination shall contain the following information to the extent known to the
notifying shareholder:
>> (a) the name, age, business address, and residence address of each
proposed nominee and of the notifying shareholder;
>> (b) the principal occupation of each proposed nominee;
3
>> (c) a representation that the notifying shareholder intends to appear
in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the person or persons
specified in the notice;
>> (d) the class and total number of shares of the Corporation that are
beneficially owned by the notifying shareholder and by the proposed
nominee and, if such shares are not owned solely and directly by the
notifying shareholder and the proposed nominee, the manner of
beneficial ownership;
>> (e) a description of all arrangements or understandings between the
notifying shareholder and each nominee and any other person or persons
(naming such person or persons) pursuant to which the nomination or
nominations are to be made by the notifying shareholder;
>> (f) such other information regarding each nominee proposed by such
shareholder as would be required to be included in a proxy statement
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to
Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act had the nominee been nominated,
or intended to be nominated, by the Board of Directors; and
>> (g) the consent of each nominee to serve as a director of the
Corporation if so elected.
The Corporation may request any such proposed nominee to furnish such other
information as may reasonably be required by the Corporation to determine
the qualifications of the proposed nominee to serve as a director of the
Corporation. Within 15 days following the receipt by the Secretary of a
shareholder notice of nomination pursuant hereto, the Nominating and
Governance Committee shall instruct the Secretary of the Corporation to
advise the notifying shareholder of any deficiencies in the notice as
determined by the Committee. The notifying shareholder shall cure such
deficiencies within 15 days after receipt of such advice. No persons shall
be eligible for election as a director of the Corporation unless nominated
in accordance with the Bylaws. Nominations not made in accordance with the
Bylaws may, in the discretion of the presiding officer at the meeting and
with the advice of the nominating and governance committee of the Board, be
disregarded by the presiding officer and, upon his or her instructions, all
votes cast for each such nominee may be disregarded; the determinations of
the presiding officer at the meeting with respect to such matters shall be
conclusive and binding upon all shareholders of the Corporation for all
purposes.
- B. Certain Nominations for the Second Year (i.e. 2008)
Annual Meeting and to Fill Certain Vacancies. Subject to the mandatory
requirements of applicable law, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the
foregoing provisions of Section 4-A of this Article, each of the two individuals
identified on Schedule 6.3 of the Stockholder and Registration Rights Agreement
between the Corporation and the Armstrong World Industries, Inc. Asbestos
Personal Injury Settlement Trust, dated as of the Effective Date (or his
successor as a director, if he did not serve for his full initial term until the
Second Year Annual Meeting) shall be considered nominated for election as a
4
director at the Second Year Annual Meeting (in 2008) (if such individual is
available and willing to serve as a director). Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary in paragraph (c) of Section 9 of Article III hereof, if such
individuals (or their successors) are not recommended by the nominating and
governance committee and nominated the Board for election as directors at such
Second Year Annual Meeting, then the candidate of the nominating and governance
committee and nominee of the Board for the position on the Board held by either
of such individuals (or his successor as a director, if he did not serve for his
full initial term) shall (in addition to any other approval required by law, the
Articles or the Bylaws) be subject to approval of each of such individuals if he
is then a director or, if he is not then a director, shall be subject to
approval by a majority of the other directors of the Corporation at such time,
other than any director who is an "affiliated person" of the Trust within the
meaning of Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act. In addition, with respect to the
filling of any vacancy on the Board arising before the Third Year Annual Meeting
(in 2009) by reason of the death, disability, resignation, removal or
disqualification of either of such two identified individuals (or his successor
as selected in accordance with the immediately preceding sentence or Section 3
of Article III hereof), the nomination of an individual to fill such vacancy
shall be subject to the same approval as required for a nomination referred to
in the immediately preceding sentence.
SECTION 5. Advance Notice of Other Matters to be Presented by Shareholders.
At any annual meeting or special meeting of shareholders, only such business as
is properly brought before the meeting in accordance with this paragraph may be
transacted. Subject to paragraph (vi) of Article Sixth (H) of the Articles, to
be properly brought before any meeting, any proposed business must be either (a)
specified in the notice of the meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or
at the direction of the Board of Directors, (b) otherwise properly brought
before the meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, or (c) if
brought before the meeting by a shareholder, then (1) written notification of
such proposed business must have been received by the Secretary of the
Corporation from a shareholder of record on the record date for the
determination of shareholders entitled to vote at such meeting not later than
(i), with respect to business to be proposed at an annual meeting of
shareholders, (A) for the first annual meeting of shareholders held after the
Effective Time, not more than 20 days after the public announcement by the
Corporation of the date of the annual meeting of shareholders, and (B) for all
other annual meetings of shareholders, 90 days prior to the anniversary date of
the immediately preceding annual meeting of shareholders (provided, that, if the
date of the annual meeting of shareholders is more than 30 days before or after
the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of
shareholders, the notification must have been received within 15 days after the
public announcement by the Corporation of the date of the annual meeting of
shareholders) and (ii) with respect to business to be proposed at a special
meeting of shareholders, the close of business on the 15th day following the
date on which notice of such meeting is first given to shareholders or public
disclosure of the meeting is made, whichever is earlier. Such shareholder
notification shall set forth the nature of and reasons for the proposal in
reasonable detail and, as to the shareholder giving notification, (1) the name
and address of such shareholder and (2) the class and series of all shares of
the Corporation that are beneficially owned by such shareholder. Within 15 days
following receipt by the Secretary of a shareholder notification of proposed
business pursuant hereto, the Corporation shall advise the shareholder of any
deficiencies in the notification. The notifying shareholder may cure such
5
deficiencies within 15 days after receipt of such advice, failing which the
shareholder's notification shall be deemed invalid.
SECTION 6. Quorum for Shareholder Meetings. At any meeting of the
stockholders, the presence, in person or by proxy, of stockholders entitled to
cast at least a majority of the votes which all shareholders are entitled to
cast upon a matter shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business
upon such matter, and the stockholders present at a duly organized meeting can
continue to do business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of
enough stockholders to leave less than a quorum. If a meeting cannot be
organized because a quorum has not attended, those present may, except as
otherwise provided by law, adjourn the meeting to such time and place as they
may determine, but in the case of any meeting called for the election of
directors, those who attend the second of such adjourned meetings, although less
than a quorum, shall nevertheless constitute a quorum for the purpose of
electing directors.
SECTION 7. Votes Per Share. Except as otherwise provided in the Articles or
by law, every stockholder of record shall have the right, at every stockholders'
meeting, to one vote for every share standing in his name on the books of the
Corporation. Except as may be explicitly provided for by the Articles with
respect to the election of one or more directors by holders of one or more
series of Preferred Stock, in the election of directors stockholders shall be
entitled to cast for any candidate for election as a director only one vote per
share and shall not be entitled to cumulate their votes and cast them for one
candidate or distribute them among any two or more candidates.
SECTION 8. Proxies. Every stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of
stockholders may authorize another person or persons to act for him by proxy. A
proxy may be submitted to the Secretary by a stockholder in writing, by
telephone, electronically or any other means permitted by law.
SECTION 9. Required Vote for Shareholder Action. Except in respect of the
election of directors (as to which a plurality vote shall be required as
provided by Article III of the Bylaws) and subject to Section 11 of this Article
II, all questions submitted to the stockholders and all actions by the
stockholders shall be decided by the affirmative vote of the shareholders
present, in person or by proxy, entitled to cast at least a majority of the
votes which all shareholders present are entitled to vote on the matter, unless
otherwise provided by the Articles, the Bylaws or by law. For purposes of this
section, in the event that a holder of shares of a class or series that is
entitled to vote on a matter is present in person or by proxy at a meeting but
is not permitted by reason of a legal disability or by a contractual restriction
or otherwise to vote the shares such holder holds on such matter, the shares
held by such holder and not so permitted to be voted shall nevertheless be
considered entitled to vote and present for purposes of determining the number
of votes required for stockholder action.
SECTION 10. Ballots; Judges of Election. Elections for directors need not
be by ballot except on demand made by a stockholder at the election and before
the voting begins. In advance of any meeting of stockholders, the Board may
appoint judges of election who need not be stockholders to act at such meeting
or any adjournment thereof, and if such appointment is not made, the chairman of
6
any such meeting may, and on request of any stockholder or his proxy shall, make
such appointment at the meeting. The number of judges shall be one or three and,
if appointed at a meeting on request of one or more stockholders or their
proxies, the majority of the shares present and entitled to vote shall determine
whether one or three judges are to be appointed. No person who is a candidate
for office shall act as a judge. In case any person appointed as judge fails to
appear or fails or refuses to act, the vacancy may be filled by appointment made
by the Board in advance of the convening of the meeting or at the meeting by the
person or officer acting as chairman of the meeting. On request of the chairman
of the meeting or of any stockholder or his proxy, the judges shall make a
report in writing of any challenge or question or matter determined by them and
execute a certificate of any fact found by them.
SECTION 11. Action Without a Meeting. To the fullest extent and in the
manner permitted by law, any action required or permitted to be taken at a
meeting of the stockholders or of a class or series of stockholders may be taken
without a meeting of the stockholders or of such class or series of stockholders
upon the consent in writing signed by such stockholders who would have been
entitled to vote the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to
authorize the action at a meeting at which all the stockholders entitled to vote
thereon were present and voting. The consents shall be filed with the Secretary.
ARTICLE III
The Board of Directors
----------------------
SECTION 1. Authority of the Board of Directors. Except as otherwise
provided by law and subject to the provisions of the Articles and the Bylaws,
all powers vested by law in the Corporation may be exercised by or under the
authority of, and the business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed
under the direction of, a Board of Directors which shall be constituted as
provided by law, the Articles and the Bylaws.
SECTION 2. Number Of Directors. In accordance with the Articles, commencing
with the Effective Time, the Board shall consist of nine members and, thereafter
until the first annual meeting held during the third full calendar year (2009)
following the year during which the Effective Time occurs (the "Third Year
Annual Meeting"), the Board shall consist of not less than nine members. After
the Third Year Annual Meeting, subject to the provisions of law, the Articles
and the Bylaws, the Board shall consist of not fewer than seven nor more than
eleven individuals, the exact number to be set from time to time by the Board
pursuant to a resolution adopted by the affirmative vote of a majority of the
Board, plus such number of additional individuals as may be elected by the
holders of Preferred Shares in accordance with the Articles and the Bylaws,
provided that no reduction in the number of members shall end the term of office
of any director earlier than such term of office would otherwise end and
provided, further, that, for so long as the Armstrong World Industries, Inc.
Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust Beneficially Owns Voting Shares (as
defined in paragraph (iii) of Article Sixth (H) of the Articles (as in effect at
the Effective Time)) entitling the holders thereof to cast more than 20% of the
votes which the holders of all Voting Shares are entitled to cast in the
7
election of directors, any increase in the number of members of the Board above
eleven shall be subject to the prior written consent of such trust.
SECTION 3. Vacancies. Vacancies on the Board (including any vacancy created
by an increase in the size of the Board) may be filled by action of the
shareholders or the Board, as provided by and subject to applicable law and the
Articles. With respect to any vacancy on the Board occurring prior to the Third
Year Annual Meeting (2009) by reason of the death, disability, resignation,
removal or disqualification of either of the two initial directors of the
Corporation as of the Effective Date who are identified on Schedule 6.3 of the
Stockholder and Registration Rights Agreement between the Corporation and the
Armstrong World Industries, Inc. Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust,
dated as of the Effective Date, or the successor to such individual as a
director selected in accordance with the following provisions of this sentence
or nominated for election at the Second Year Annual Meeting in accordance with
the provisions of Section 4-B of Article II hereof, the nomination of such
individual for election by the shareholders or for election by the Board to fill
the vacancy shall be subject to the approval required by the last sentence of
Section 4-B of Article II hereof.
SECTION 4. Annual Organizational Meeting of the Board. The Board shall hold
an annual organizational meeting immediately following the annual meeting of the
shareholders at the place thereof, without notice in addition to the notice of
the annual meeting of shareholders, or at such other time as soon as practicable
after such meeting as the Board shall determine and shall at the annual
organizational meeting elect a President, a Secretary and a Treasurer of the
Corporation and such other officers of the Corporation as shall be provided by
the Bylaws or determined by the Board to be appropriate, shall establish the
standing committees of the Board provided by the Bylaws and may take such other
action as the Board determines to be appropriate. Officers of the Corporation
and standing and other committees of the Board may also be elected at any other
time by the Board.
SECTION 5. Other Meetings of the Board. All meetings of the Board, other
than the annual organizational meeting, shall be held at the principal office of
the Corporation unless the Board (or the person or persons entitled to call and
calling the meeting) shall decide otherwise, in which case such meetings may be
held at such location within or without the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as the
Board (or the person or persons entitled to call and calling the meeting) may
from time to time direct. Regular meetings of the Board shall be held at such
time (and place) in accordance with such schedule as the Board shall have
determined in advance and no further notice of regular meetings of the Board
shall be required. The Independent Directors shall meet periodically without any
member of management present and, except as the Independent Directors may
otherwise determine, without any other director present to consider the overall
performance of management and the performance of the role of the Independent
Directors in the governance of the Corporation; such meetings shall be held in
connection with a regularly scheduled meeting of the Board except as the
Independent Directors shall otherwise determine. Special meetings of the Board
may be called by the Chairman of the Board (if any), a Vice Chairman of the
Board (if any), the President or by any two or more directors by giving written
notice at least two Business Days in advance of the day and hour of the meeting
8
to each director (unless it is determined by the Chairman of the Board (if any),
a Vice Chairman of the Board (if any) or the President to be exigent under the
circumstances for the protection of the interests of the Corporation that the
Board meet earlier, in which case no less than twenty-four hours notice shall be
given), either personally or by facsimile, or other means including electronic
means permitted by law. Attendance at any meeting of the Board shall be a waiver
of notice thereof, unless such lack of notice is protested at the outset of the
meeting. If all the members of the Board are present at any meeting, no notice
of the meeting shall be required. For purposes hereof, written notice shall
include notice provided by e-mail or in other electronic form as long as a
documentary copy of such electronic notice may be made.
SECTION 6. Quorum. A majority of the members of the Whole Board shall
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business but, if at any meeting a
quorum shall not be present, the meeting may adjourn by a majority of those
present until such time, from time to time, until a quorum shall be present.
SECTION 7. Telephonic Participation. Directors may participate in a meeting
of the Board or a committee thereof by conference telephone or similar
communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the
meeting can hear each other.
SECTION 8. Chair and Vice Chair of the Board. The Board may, by resolution
adopted by a majority of the Whole Board, at any time designate one of its
members as Chair of the Board. The Chairman of the Board shall preside at the
meetings of the Board, shall be responsible for the orderly conduct by the Board
of its oversight of the business and affairs of the Corporation and its other
duties as provided by law, the Articles and the Bylaws and shall have such other
authority and responsibility as the Board may designate. The Board may, by
resolution adopted by the Board, at any time also designate one or more of its
members as Vice Chair of the Board. A Vice Chair of the Board shall assist the
Chairman in the conduct of his duties, including by presiding at meetings of the
Board in the absence of the Chair of the Board, and shall have such other
authority and responsibility as the Board may designate. A Chair or Vice Chair
of the Board shall not be considered an officer of the Corporation unless
otherwise provided by the Board.
SECTION 9. Committees of the Board. The Board may, by resolution adopted by
a majority of the Whole Board, at any time designate one or more committees,
each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the Corporation,
except as otherwise provided by the Bylaws. The Board may designate one or more
directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or
disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. Subject to the following
provisions of this section, any such committee to the extent provided in such
resolution shall have and may exercise any or all of the authority and
responsibility of the Board in the management of the business and affairs of the
Corporation, except at otherwise provided by law, the Articles or the Bylaws.
Except as otherwise provided by the Articles, the Bylaws or action of the Board,
a quorum for action by a committee shall be a majority of the members (assuming
no vacancy) and action by vote of a majority of the members at a meeting duly
called at which a quorum is present shall constitute action by the committee.
Each committee shall keep a record of its actions and all material actions taken
by a committee on behalf of the Board shall be reported to the full Board
9
periodically. In all other respects, the Board may, by resolution adopted by a
majority of the Whole Board, establish rules of procedure for a committee,
including designating a member of a committee as its chair. In the absence of
the designation by the Board of the chair of a committee or the adoption by the
Board of rules of procedure for a committee, the committee shall adopt its own
rules of procedure and elect its chair. The Board shall establish standing
committees of the Board as provided by the following provisions of this section.
(a) Audit Committee. The audit committee shall be composed of at least
three members of the Board, each of whom shall be an Independent Director,
shall not, in relation to the Corporation, be an "affiliated person" as
defined in Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act (as from time to time in
effect) and shall meet such other qualifications for membership on the
audit committee as are from time to time required by the listing standards
of the NYSE or Nasdaq applicable to the Corporation. The audit committee
shall assist the Board in overseeing the Corporation's financial reporting
and shall have such authority and responsibility as is provided in the
committee's charter (as hereinafter provided for) and, subject thereto, as
is normally incident to the functioning of the audit committee of a
publicly-traded company and shall perform the other functions provided to
be performed by it by the Bylaws and such other functions as are from time
to time assigned to it by the Board.
(b) Management Development and Compensation Committee. The management
development and compensation committee shall be composed of at least three
members of the Board, each of whom shall be an Independent Director and
shall meet such other qualifications as may be necessary to qualify as a
non-employee director under Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act (as from time
to time in effect) and as an outside director under Section 162(m) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (and as from time to time in
effect). No member of the committee shall be eligible to participate in any
compensation plan or program of the Corporation or any Subsidiary of the
Corporation that is administered or overseen by the committee. The
management development and compensation committee shall assist the Board in
overseeing the compensation of the Corporation's officers, the
Corporation's employee stock option or other equity-based compensation
plans and programs and the Corporation's management compensation policies
and shall have such authority and responsibility as is provided in the
committee's charter (as hereinafter provided for) and, subject thereto and
subject to other direction of the Board, as is normally incident to the
functioning of the management compensation committee of a publicly-traded
company and shall perform the other functions provided to be performed by
it by the Bylaws and such other functions as are from time to time assigned
to it by the Board. Unless reviewed and, if necessary, approved by the
committee, the Corporation shall not cause or permit any Subsidiary of the
Corporation to pay or grant any compensation to any officer or employee of
the Corporation which, if paid or granted by the Corporation, would require
review or approval of the committee.
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(c) Nominating and Governance Committee. The nominating and governance
committee shall be composed of at least three members of the Board, each of
whom shall be an Independent Director and the appointment of each of whom
shall require the affirmative vote of a majority of the Independent
Directors at the time. The nominating and governance committee (i) shall
have authority and responsibility to recommend to the Board for approval
the candidates to be recommended by the Board to the shareholders for
election as directors of the Corporation or to be elected by the Board to
fill a vacancy on the Board, who shall be such as to cause, if such
candidates are elected, the composition of the Board to satisfy the
requirements of the Articles regarding director independence and the
requirements of this section, (ii) shall advise the Board on its policies
and procedures for carrying out its responsibilities and on the
Corporation's policies and procedures respecting shareholder participation
in corporate governance and (iii) shall have such authority and
responsibility as is provided in the committee's charter (as hereinafter
provided for) and, subject thereto and subject to other direction of the
Board, as is normally incident to the functioning of the nominating or
governance committee of a publicly-traded company and (iv) shall perform
the other functions provided to be performed by it by the Bylaws and such
other functions as are from time to time assigned to it by the Board.
(d) Committee Charters. The Board, by majority vote of the Whole
Board, shall approve a charter describing the purposes, functions and
responsibilities of each standing committee of the Board. Each standing
committee of the Board shall prepare and recommend to the Board for its
approval the committee's charter and shall, at least annually, review and
report to the Board on the adequacy thereof. In addition to and without
limiting the provisions of paragraphs (a) through (c) of this section, each
standing committee of the Board shall have the authority and responsibility
provided by its Board-approved charter, subject to further action by the
Board, and no further authorization of the Board shall be necessary for
actions by a committee within the scope of its charter. Any other committee
of the Board may likewise prepare and recommend to the Board a charter for
the committee and shall have the authority and responsibility provided by
its Board-approved charter.
(e) Committee Advisors and Resources. Each standing committee of the
Board shall have the authority to retain, at the Corporation's expense,
such legal and other counsel and advisors as it determines to be necessary
or appropriate to carry out its responsibilities within the scope of its
charter. Each other committee of the Board shall have like authority to the
extent provided by its charter or otherwise authorized by the Board. The
Corporation shall pay the compensation of the independent auditor of the
Corporation for all audit services, as approved by the Audit Committee,
without need for further authorization.
SECTION 10. Director Compensation. The Board may set the compensation of
directors as permitted by law.
11
ARTICLE IV
Officers
--------
SECTION 1. Officers Generally. The Board shall designate a President, one
or more Vice Presidents, a Treasurer, a Secretary and a General Counsel and
shall designate an officer as chief financial officer and an officer as chief
accounting officer and may designate such other officers, with such titles,
authority and responsibility (including Assistant Vice Presidents, Assistant
Treasurers and Assistant Secretaries), as the Board considers appropriate for
the conduct of the business and affairs of the Corporation. Any two or more
offices may be held by the same individual. Unless sooner removed by the Board,
all officers shall hold office until the next annual meeting of the Board and
until their successors shall have been elected. Any officer may be removed from
office at any time, with or without cause, by action of the Board.
SECTION 2. President. The President shall be the chief executive officer of
the Corporation, shall have general supervision of the business and affairs and
all other officers of the Corporation (except that, if there is a Chairman of
the Board or a Vice Chairman of the Board who is considered an officer of the
Corporation, the President shall play only such supervisory role with respect
thereto as is provided by the Board) and, subject to the direction of the Board,
shall have the authority and responsibility customary to such office. The
President shall preside at all meetings of the shareholders and, in the absence
of a Chairman of the Board (if any) or Vice Chairman of the Board and except as
otherwise provided by the Board, at all meetings of the Board at which the
President is present.
SECTION 3. Vice Presidents; Operation or Division Presidents. The Board may
elect one or more Vice Presidents, with such further titles (including
designation as President of a division or operation of the Corporation) and with
such authority and responsibility as the Board may determine. In the absence or
disability of the President, his duties shall be performed by one or more Vice
Presidents or Operation or Division Presidents as designated by the Board.
SECTION 4. Chief Financial Officer; Controller. The Board shall designate
an officer as the chief financial officer of the Corporation, who shall have
general supervision of the financial affairs of the Corporation, such other
authority and responsibility as the Board may designate and, subject to the
direction of the Board, the authority and responsibility customary to such
office. In the absence or disability of the chief financial officer, his or her
duties may be performed by any other officer designated by him or her, by the
President or by the Board. The Board shall also designate an officer as the
Controller of the Corporation, who shall be the chief accounting officer of the
Corporation (and may be the same as or different from the chief financial
officer). The Controller shall have general supervision of the books and
accounts of the Corporation, such other authority and responsibility as the
Board may designate and, subject to the direction of the Board, the authority
and responsibility customary to such office. In the absence or disability of the
chief accounting officer, his or her duties may be performed by any other
officer designated by him or her, by the President or by the Board.
12
SECTION 5. Treasurer. The Treasurer (who may be the same as or different
from the chief financial officer and/or the chief accounting officer) shall have
supervision and custody of all funds and securities of the Corporation and keep
or cause to be kept accurate accounts of all money received or payments made by
the Corporation, and shall have such other authority and responsibility as
provided by the Bylaws or as the Board may designate and, subject to the
direction of the Board, the authority and responsibility customary to such
office. The Treasurer shall be ex-officio, and have the authority and
responsibility of, an Assistant Secretary.
SECTION 6. General Counsel. The Board shall designate a General Counsel for
the Corporation, who shall be the Corporation's chief legal officer and shall
have general supervision of the legal affairs of the Corporation and such other
authority and responsibility as the Board may designate and, subject to the
direction of the Board, the authority and responsibility customary to such
office.
SECTION 7. Secretary. The Secretary shall have custody of the minutes of
the meetings of the Board, its committees and the stockholders, of the Articles
as amended and the Bylaws as amended and such other records of the Corporation
as respect its existence and authority to conduct business, shall have such
other authority and responsibility as provided by the Bylaws or as the Board may
designate and, subject thereto, the authority and responsibility customary to
such office. The Secretary shall send out notices of meetings of the Board and
stockholders as required by law or the Bylaws. The Secretary shall attend and
keep the minutes of the Board except as the Board may otherwise designate. The
Secretary shall be ex-officio, and have the authority and responsibility of, an
Assistant Treasurer.
SECTION 8. Assistant Treasurers; Assistant Secretaries. In the absence or
disability of the Secretary, his or her duties may be performed by an Assistant
Secretary. In the absence or disability of the Treasurer, his or her duties may
be performed by an Assistant Treasurer. Such assistant officers shall also have
such authority and responsibility as may be assigned to them by the Board.
SECTION 9. Bonded Officers and Employees. Such officers and employees of
the Corporation as the Board shall determine shall give bond for the faithful
discharge of their duties in such form and for such amount and with such surety
or sureties as the Board shall require. The expense of procuring such bonds
shall be borne by the Corporation.
ARTICLE V
Limitation on Directors' Personal Liability; Indemnification of Directors,
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Officers, Employees and Agents
------------------------------
SECTION 1. Limitation on Directors' Personal Liability. A director of the
Corporation shall not be personally liable for monetary damages for any action
taken or failure to take any action unless the director has breached or failed
to perform the duties of his or her office under Subchapter B of Chapter 17 of
the Pennsylvania Business Corporation Law of 1988, as amended, and such breach
or failure to perform constitutes self-dealing, willful misconduct or
13
recklessness; provided, however, that the foregoing provision shall not
eliminate or limit the liability of a director
(i) for any responsibility or liability of such director pursuant to
any criminal statute, or
(ii) for any liability of a director for the payment of taxes pursuant
to local, state or federal law.
SECTION 2. Indemnification of Directors, Officers, Employees and Agents.
(a) Indemnification of Directors and Officers. The Corporation shall
indemnify to the full extent permitted by law any person made, or threatened to
be made, a party to or otherwise involved in (as a witness or otherwise) an
action, suit or proceeding (whether civil, criminal, administrative, legislative
or investigative, and whether by or in the right of the Company or otherwise
asserted) by reason of the fact that the person
(i) is or was a director or officer of the Corporation or
(ii) while a director or officer of the Corporation, either
(A) serves or served as a director, officer, partner, member,
trustee, employee or agent of any subsidiary of the Corporation or
other related enterprise at the request of the Corporation or in
connection with a related employee benefit plan of the Corporation,
any subsidiary of the Corporation or any such enterprise,
(B) serves or served as a director, officer, partner, member,
trustee, employee or agent of any other unrelated enterprise
(including any charitable organization) in furtherance of the
interests of, and at the specific written request of the Corporation,
or in connection with a related employee benefit plan of such
enterprise,
against any expenses, judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement actually
and reasonably incurred in defending or responding to any such pending or
threatened action, suit or proceeding (including any incurred in connection with
any actions brought by or in the right of the Corporation). A resolution or
other action by the Corporation or subsidiary electing, nominating or proposing
a person to a position referred to in this subsection 2(a) shall constitute a
specific written request of the Corporation sufficient for the purposes of this
Section. Upon written request of a person claiming to be entitled to
indemnification hereunder and specifying the expenses, judgments, fines and
amounts paid in settlement against which indemnity is sought, the Corporation
shall, as soon as practicable and in any event within 90 days of its receipt of
such request, make a determination, in such manner as is required by law, as to
the entitlement of such person to indemnification against such expenses as
provided by this subsection 2(a). Such a determination, however, shall not be
conclusive as to such person's entitlement to indemnification pursuant to this
14
subsection 2(a) and such person may seek to enforce an entitlement to
indemnification pursuant to this subsection 2(a) by appropriate proceedings in
any court of competent jurisdiction by showing that, notwithstanding such
determination, such person satisfied the standard of conduct required by law to
be satisfied in order for such person to be entitled to indemnification from the
Corporation as permitted by law.
(b) Advancement of Expenses. Expenses reasonably incurred by a person
referred to in subsection 2(a) above in defending or responding to a civil,
criminal, administrative, legislative or investigative action, suit or
proceeding shall be paid by the Corporation in advance of the final disposition
of the action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf
of such person to repay such amount to the extent it shall ultimately be
determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation
against such expenses or, in the case of a criminal action in which a judgment
has been entered against such person, the Board of Directors so determines.
(c) Indemnification of Employees and Agents. The Corporation may, upon
authorization by the board of directors, the President or any other officer
designated by the board of directors, indemnify, or agree to indemnify, and
advance expenses to any person who is or was an employee or agent of the
Corporation or any subsidiary of the Corporation to the same extent (or any
lesser extent) to which it may indemnify and advance expenses to a director or
officer of the Corporation in accordance with subsection 2(b) above.
(d) Non-Exclusivity. The right to indemnification and advancement of
expenses conferred in this Section shall not be deemed exclusive of any other
rights to which any person indemnified may be entitled under any agreement, vote
of stockholders or directors or otherwise, the Corporation having the express
authority to enter such agreements or make other provision for the
indemnification of and advancement of expenses to any or all of its
representatives as the Board of Directors deems appropriate, including corporate
policies and the creation of one or more funds or equivalent guarantees for
indemnity payments and or expense advancements to present or future indemnified
persons.
(e) Continuing Contractual Rights. The right to indemnification and the
advancement of expenses provided in this Section shall be a contract right,
shall continue as to a person who has ceased to serve in the capacities
described herein, and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and
administrators of such person. Expenses reasonably incurred by a person in
successfully enforcing a right to indemnification or advancement of expenses
provided to such person by, or as permitted by, this Section 2 shall be paid by
the Corporation.
SECTION 3. No Retroactive Amendment. No amendment, alteration or repeal of
this Article V, nor the adoption of any provision inconsistent with this Article
V, shall adversely affect any limitation on the personal liability of a director
15
or officer, or the rights of a person to indemnification and advancement of
expenses, existing at the time of such amendment, modification or repeal, or the
adoption of such an inconsistent provision.
ARTICLE VI
Seal
----
The Corporation shall have a seal that shall contain the words
"Armstrong World Industries, Inc." and may be affixed to documents of the
Corporation as prima facie evidence of the act of the Corporation to the extent
provided by law.
ARTICLE VII
Share Certificates and Transfers
--------------------------------
SECTION 1. Form of Share Certificates. Shares of the Corporation may be
represented by certificates or may be uncertificated, but shareholders shall be
entitled to receive share certificates representing their shares as provided by
law. Share certificates shall be in such form as the Board may from time to time
determine and shall be signed by the President or one of the Vice Presidents and
countersigned by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer or the Secretary or an
Assistant Secretary and embossed with the seal of the Corporation or, if not so
signed and sealed, shall bear the engraved or printed facsimile signatures of
the officers authorized to sign and the engraved or printed facsimile of the
seal of the Corporation. The death, incapacity, resignation or removal of an
officer who signed or whose facsimile signature appears on a share certificate
shall not affect the validity of the share certificate.
SECTION 2. Transfers of Record. The shares of the Corporation shall, upon
the surrender and cancellation of the certificate or certificates representing
the same, be transferred upon the books of the Corporation at the request of the
holder thereof, named in the surrendered certificate or certificates, in person
or by his legal representatives or by his attorney duly authorized by written
power of attorney filed with the Corporation or its transfer agent. In case of
loss or destruction of a certificate of stock, another may be issued in lieu
thereof in such manner and upon such terms as the Board shall authorize.
SECTION 3. Record Dates. The Board of Directors may set a time, not more
than 90 days prior to the date of any meeting of the shareholders, or the date
set for the payment of any dividend or distribution or the date for the
allotment of rights, or the date when any change or conversion or exchange of
shares stock will be made or go into effect, as a record date for the
determination of the shareholders entitled to notice of, or to vote at, any such
meeting, or entitled to receive payment of any such dividend or distribution, or
to receive any such allotment of rights, or to exercise the rights in respect to
any such change, conversion, or exchange of shares of the Corporation. In such
case, only such shareholders as shall be shareholders of record on the date so
set shall be entitled to notice of, or to vote at, such meeting, or to receive
payment of such dividend or distribution, or to receive such allotment of
rights, or exercise such rights, as the case may be, notwithstanding any
transfer of shares of the Corporation on the books of the Corporation after any
record date set as aforesaid.
16
ARTICLE VIII
Fiscal Year; Financial Statements
---------------------------------
The fiscal year of the Corporation shall end on the 31st day of
December. Without limiting any other financial reporting obligation the
Corporation may have, the Board shall mail or otherwise cause to be sent to the
stockholders, within 120 days after the close of each fiscal year, financial
statements which shall include a balance sheet as of the end of such year,
together with a statement of income and expense for such year, prepared so as to
present fairly the financial condition and results of its operations of the
Corporation in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Such
financial statements shall have been audited in accordance with generally
accepted auditing standards by a firm of independent certified public
accountants and shall be accompanied by such firm's opinion as to the fairness
of the presentation thereof.
ARTICLE IX
Amendments
----------
SECTION 1. Amendment Generally. The Bylaws, as from time to time in effect,
may be amended, modified or repealed, in whole or in part, at any time and from
time to time in any respect by either (i) the shareholders, by the affirmative
vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote on
the matter, or (ii) by the Board, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the
Whole Board, in either case except as otherwise provided by law or by the
Articles or by Section 2 of this Article of the Bylaws (as in effect at the
Effective Time).
SECTION 2. Certain Amendments. Commencing on the Effective Time and
continuing for so long as any shareholder Beneficially Owns at least 20% of the
Common Shares (but terminating at such time as no shareholder Beneficially Owns
at least 20% of the Common Shares), the Board shall not, without the affirmative
vote of the holders of 80% of the Common Shares outstanding, repeal, or adopt
any amendment of the Bylaws that would modify or be inconsistent with, the
following provisions of these Bylaws: (i) the definition of "Independent
Directors" in Section 1(h) of Article I (as in effect at the Effective Time),
(ii) Section 2 of Article II (as in effect at the Effective Time) insofar as
such section permits the holder or holders of a at least 20% of the votes that
all shareholders are entitled to cast to call a special meeting of the
stockholders to vote on a matter, (iii) Section 11 of Article II (as in effect
at the Effective Time) governing action by the stockholders by written consent
in lieu of a meeting, (iv) Section 3 of Article III and Section 4B of Article II
(as in effect at the Effective Time) insofar as such sections relate to the
selection of directors to fill vacancies before the 2009 Annual Meeting or the
nomination of individuals for election of directors at the 2008 Annual Meeting,
(iv) Section 2 of Article III insofar as it relates to the Trust's consent
rights with respect to increases of the size of the Board above eleven members,
and (v) Section 10(c) of Article III insofar as such section provides that
appointment of members of the nominating and governance committee will require
the affirmative vote of a majority of the Independent Directors, and (vi) any
provision of section of this Article IX (as in effect at the Effective Time).
17
ARTICLE X
Effective Time
--------------
The foregoing Bylaws have been adopted before the Effective Time by
action of the sole stockholder of the Corporation and shall be effective upon
the filing with the office of the Secretary of State of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania of Amended and Restated Article of Incorporation of the Corporation
and the effectiveness of such Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation in
accordance with law on October 2, 2006 (the "Effective Time").
18
EXHIBIT 10.1
------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[PUBLISHED CUSIP NUMBER: ______________]
A published CUSIP number entitles subscribers (primarily banks and brokers) of
Standard & Poor's CUSIP Service Bureau to obtain the number and associated CUSIP
data from the Bureau whether or not the subscriber is a Lender under the Credit
Agreement. Associated CUSIP data will include the Borrower's name, place of
incorporation, the Administrative Agent's name, the date of the Credit
Agreement, the total amount of the facilities thereunder, and the amount, type
and maturity date of each facility thereunder.
CREDIT AGREEMENT
Dated as of October 2, 2006
among
ARMSTRONG WORLD INDUSTRIES, INC.,
as the Borrower,
CERTAIN SUBSIDIARIES OF THE BORROWER IDENTIFIED HEREIN,
as the Guarantors,
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,
as Administrative Agent,
THE OTHER LENDERS PARTY HERETO
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., and
BARCLAYS BANK PLC,
as Co-Syndication Agents,
and
LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, and
THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA,
as Co-Documentation Agents
Arranged By:
BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC,
J.P. MORGAN SECURITIES, INC.,
and
BARCLAYS CAPITAL,
the investment banking division of Barclays Bank PLC,
as Co-Lead Arrangers and Joint Book Managers
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Page
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS.......................................................................1
-------------------------------------------
1.01 Defined Terms...................................................................................1
---- --------------
1.02 Other Interpretive Provisions..................................................................24
---- ------------------------------
1.03 Accounting Terms...............................................................................25
---- -----------------
1.04 Rounding.......................................................................................25
---- ---------
1.05 References to Agreements and Laws..............................................................25
---- ----------------------------------
1.06 Times of Day...................................................................................25
---- -------------
1.07 Letter of Credit Amounts.......................................................................25
---- -------------------------
ARTICLE II THE COMMITMENTS AND CREDIT EXTENSIONS................................................................26
-------------------------------------------------
2.01 Revolving Loans and Term Loans.................................................................26
---- -------------------------------
2.02 Borrowings, Conversions and Continuations of Loans.............................................29
---- ---------------------------------------------------
2.03 Letters of Credit..............................................................................30
---- ------------------
2.04 Swing Line Loans...............................................................................38
---- -----------------
2.05 Prepayments....................................................................................41
---- ------------
2.06 Termination or Reduction of Aggregate Revolving Committed Amount...............................43
---- -----------------------------------------------------------------
2.07 Repayment of Loans.............................................................................43
---- -------------------
2.08 Interest.......................................................................................44
---- ---------
2.09 Fees...........................................................................................45
---- -----
2.10 Computation of Interest and Fees...............................................................45
---- ---------------------------------
2.11 Evidence of Debt...............................................................................46
---- -----------------
2.13 Sharing of Payments............................................................................48
---- --------------------
ARTICLE III TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY..............................................................48
---------------------------------------------------
3.01 Taxes..........................................................................................48
---- ------
3.02 Illegality.....................................................................................49
---- -----------
3.03 Inability to Determine Rates...................................................................49
---- -----------------------------
3.04 Increased Cost and Reduced Return; Capital Adequacy............................................50
---- ----------------------------------------------------
3.05 Funding Losses.................................................................................50
---- ---------------
3.06 Matters Applicable to all Requests for Compensation............................................51
---- ----------------------------------------------------
3.07 Survival.......................................................................................51
---- ---------
ARTICLE IV GUARANTY.............................................................................................51
--------------------
4.01 The Guaranty...................................................................................51
---- -------------
4.02 Obligations Unconditional......................................................................52
---- --------------------------
4.03 Reinstatement..................................................................................53
---- --------------
4.04 Certain Additional Waivers.....................................................................53
---- ---------------------------
4.05 Remedies.......................................................................................53
---- ---------
4.06 Rights of Contribution.........................................................................53
---- -----------------------
4.07 Guarantee of Payment; Continuing Guarantee.....................................................54
---- -------------------------------------------
ARTICLE V CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CREDIT EXTENSIONS.............................................................54
----------------------------------------------------
5.01 Conditions of Initial Credit Extension.........................................................54
---- ---------------------------------------
5.02 Conditions to all Credit Extensions............................................................56
---- ------------------------------------
ARTICLE VI REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.......................................................................57
------------------------------------------
6.01 Existence, Qualification and Power.............................................................57
---- -----------------------------------
6.02 Authorization; No Contravention................................................................57
---- --------------------------------
6.03 Governmental Authorization; Other Consents.....................................................57
---- -------------------------------------------
6.04 Binding Effect.................................................................................58
---- ---------------
6.05 Financial Statements; No Material Adverse Effect...............................................58
---- -------------------------------------------------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(CONTINUED)
Page
6.06 Litigation.....................................................................................58
---- -----------
6.07 No Default.....................................................................................59
---- -----------
6.08 Ownership of Property; Liens...................................................................59
---- -----------------------------
6.09 Environmental Compliance.......................................................................59
---- -------------------------
6.10 Insurance......................................................................................60
---- ----------
6.11 Taxes..........................................................................................60
---- ------
6.12 ERISA Compliance...............................................................................60
---- -----------------
6.13 Subsidiaries...................................................................................61
---- -------------
6.14 Margin Regulations; Investment Company Act.....................................................61
---- -------------------------------------------
6.15 Disclosure.....................................................................................61
---- -----------
6.16 Compliance with Laws...........................................................................61
---- ---------------------
6.17 Intellectual Property; Licenses, Etc...........................................................61
---- -------------------------------------
6.18 Solvency.......................................................................................62
---- ---------
6.19 Perfection of Security Interests in the Collateral.............................................62
---- ---------------------------------------------------
6.20 Business Locations.............................................................................62
---- -------------------
6.21 Labor Matters..................................................................................62
---- --------------
ARTICLE VII AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS...............................................................................63
----------------------------------
7.01 Financial Statements...........................................................................63
---- ---------------------
7.02 Certificates; Other Information................................................................63
---- --------------------------------
7.03 Notices........................................................................................65
---- --------
7.04 Payment of Obligations.........................................................................66
---- -----------------------
7.05 Preservation of Existence, Etc.................................................................66
---- -------------------------------
7.06 Maintenance of Properties......................................................................66
---- --------------------------
7.07 Maintenance of Insurance.......................................................................66
---- -------------------------
7.08 Compliance with Laws...........................................................................67
---- ---------------------
7.09 Books and Records..............................................................................67
---- ------------------
7.10 Inspection Rights..............................................................................67
---- ------------------
7.11 Use of Proceeds................................................................................67
---- ----------------
7.12 Additional Subsidiaries........................................................................67
---- ------------------------
7.13 ERISA Compliance...............................................................................68
---- -----------------
7.14 Pledged Assets.................................................................................68
---- ---------------
7.15 Further Assurances.............................................................................69
---- -------------------
ARTICLE VIII NEGATIVE COVENANTS.................................................................................69
--------------------------------
8.01 Liens..........................................................................................69
---- ------
8.02 Investments....................................................................................71
---- ------------
8.03 Indebtedness...................................................................................72
---- -------------
8.04 Fundamental Changes............................................................................73
---- --------------------
8.05 Dispositions...................................................................................73
---- -------------
8.06 Restricted Payments............................................................................73
---- --------------------
8.07 Change in Nature of Business...................................................................74
---- -----------------------------
8.08 Transactions with Affiliates...................................................................74
---- -----------------------------
8.09 Burdensome Agreements..........................................................................74
---- ----------------------
8.10 Use of Proceeds................................................................................75
---- ----------------
8.11 Financial Covenants............................................................................75
---- --------------------
8.12 Prepayment of Other Indebtedness, Etc..........................................................75
---- --------------------------------------
ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(CONTINUED)
Page
8.13 Organization Documents; Fiscal Year; Legal Name, State of Formation and Form of Entity.........75
---- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ARTICLE IX EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES.......................................................................75
------------------------------------------
9.01 Events of Default..............................................................................75
---- ------------------
9.02 Remedies Upon Event of Default.................................................................77
---- -------------------------------
9.03 Application of Funds...........................................................................78
---- ---------------------
ARTICLE X ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT..................................................................................79
-------------------------------
10.01 Appointment and Authority.............................................................79
----- --------------------------
10.02 Rights as a Lender....................................................................79
----- -------------------
10.03 Exculpatory Provisions................................................................80
----- -----------------------
10.04 Reliance by Administrative Agent......................................................80
----- ---------------------------------
10.05 Delegation of Duties..................................................................81
----- ---------------------
10.06 Resignation of Administrative Agent...................................................81
----- ------------------------------------
10.07 Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders................................82
----- -------------------------------------------------------
10.08 No Other Duties; Etc..................................................................82
----- ---------------------
10.09 Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim.........................................82
----- ----------------------------------------------
10.10 Collateral and Guaranty Matters.......................................................83
----- --------------------------------
ARTICLE XI MISCELLANEOUS........................................................................................83
-------------------------
11.01 Amendments, Etc.......................................................................83
----- ----------------
11.02 Notices and Other Communications; Facsimile Copies....................................86
----- ---------------------------------------------------
11.03 No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies........................................................87
----- -------------------------------
11.04 Attorney Costs, Expenses and Taxes....................................................87
----- -----------------------------------
11.05 Indemnification by the Borrower.......................................................88
----- --------------------------------
11.06 Payments Set Aside....................................................................89
----- -------------------
11.07 Successors and Assigns................................................................89
----- -----------------------
11.08 Confidentiality.......................................................................93
----- ----------------
11.09 Set-off...............................................................................94
----- --------
11.10 Interest Rate Limitation..............................................................94
----- -------------------------
11.11 Counterparts..........................................................................94
----- -------------
11.12 Integration...........................................................................94
----- ------------
11.13 Survival of Representations and Warranties............................................94
----- -------------------------------------------
11.14 Severability..........................................................................95
----- -------------
11.15 Tax Forms.............................................................................95
----- ----------
11.16 Replacement of Lenders................................................................97
----- -----------------------
11.17 Governing Law.........................................................................97
----- --------------
11.18 Waiver of Right to Trial by Jury......................................................98
----- ---------------------------------
11.19 USA PATRIOT Act Notice................................................................98
----- -----------------------
11.20 No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility...............................................98
----- ----------------------------------------
</TABLE>
iii
SCHEDULES
2.01 Commitments and Pro Rata Shares
2.03 Existing DIP Letters of Credit
6.10 Insurance
6.13 Subsidiaries
6.17 IP Rights
6.20(a) Location of Chief Executive Office, Etc.
6.20(b) Changes in Legal Name, State of Formation and Structure
6.21 Labor Matters
8.01 Liens Existing on the Closing Date
8.02 Investments Existing on the Closing Date
8.03 Indebtedness Existing on the Closing Date
8.05 Dispositions
8.11 Consolidated EBITDA Adjustments
11.02 Certain Addresses for Notices
EXHIBITS
A-1 Form of Loan Notice
A-2 Form of Notice of Continuation/Conversion
B Form of Swing Line Loan Notice
C-1 Form of Revolving Note
C-2 Form of Swing Line Note
C-3 Form of Tranche A Term Note
C-4 Form of Tranche B Term Note
D Form of Compliance Certificate
E Form of Assignment and Assumption
F Form of Guarantor Joinder Agreement
CREDIT AGREEMENT
This CREDIT AGREEMENT is entered into as of October 2, 2006 among
ARMSTRONG WORLD INDUSTRIES, INC., a Pennsylvania corporation (the "Borrower"),
the Guarantors (defined herein), the Lenders (defined herein) and BANK OF
AMERICA, N.A., as Administrative Agent.
The Borrower has requested that the Lenders provide credit facilities
for the purposes set forth herein, and the Lenders are willing to do so on the
terms and conditions set forth herein.
In consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein
contained, the parties hereto covenant and agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS
1.01 Defined Terms.
As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings
set forth below:
"144A Indenture" means any indenture executed by the Borrower pursuant
to which 144A Notes have been or will be issued.
"144A Notes" means any senior unsecured notes issued by the Borrower
after the Closing Date pursuant to an offering consummated in accordance with
Section 144A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1933.
"Acquisition", by any Person, means the acquisition by such Person, in
a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, of all or any
substantial portion of the Property of, or of a business unit or division of,
another Person or at least a majority of the Voting Stock of another Person, in
each case whether or not involving a merger or consolidation with such other
Person and whether for cash, property, services, assumption of Indebtedness,
securities or otherwise.
"Administrative Agent" means Bank of America in its capacity as
administrative agent under any of the Loan Documents, or any successor
administrative agent.
"Administrative Agent's Office" means the Administrative Agent's
address as set forth on Schedule 11.02, or such other address as the
Administrative Agent may from time to time notify to the Borrower and the
Lenders.
"Administrative Questionnaire" means an Administrative Questionnaire in
a form supplied by the Administrative Agent.
"Affiliate" means, with respect to any Person, another Person that
directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is
Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified. "Control"
means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause
the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the
ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise. "Controlling" and
"Controlled" have meanings correlative thereto.
"Aggregate Commitments" means the aggregate principal amount of the
Revolving Commitments, the Tranche A Term Loan Commitments and the Tranche B
Term Loan Commitments.
"Aggregate Revolving Committed Amount" has the meaning given such term
in Section 2.01(a).
"Agreement" means this Credit Agreement.
"Applicable Rate" means, from time to time:
(a) with respect to Revolving Loans, Letters of Credit, Swing
Line Loans and the Tranche A Term Loan, if any, the following
percentages per annum, based upon the Consolidated Leverage Ratio as
set forth in the most recent Compliance Certificate received by the
Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 7.02(b):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
----------- ------------------------------------- ---------------- -------------- ----------------- ---------------
Pricing Letters of Eurodollar Rate Base Rate
Tier Consolidated Leverage Ratio Commitment Fee Credit Loans Loans
----------- ------------------------------------- ---------------- -------------- ----------------- ---------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
(greater than
1 or equal to) 3.50:1 0.500% 2.00% 2.00% 1.00%
----------- ------------------------------------- ---------------- -------------- ----------------- ---------------
(greater than
2 or equal to) 3.00:1 but <3.50:1 0.500% 1.75% 1.75% 0.75%
----------- ------------------------------------- ---------------- -------------- ----------------- ---------------
(greater than
3 or equal to) 2.00:1 but <3.00:1 0.375% 1.50% 1.50% 0.50%
----------- ------------------------------------- ---------------- -------------- ----------------- ---------------
(greater than
4 or equal to) 1.00:1 but <2.00:1 0.200% 1.25% 1.25% 0.25%
----------- ------------------------------------- ---------------- -------------- ----------------- ---------------
5 <1.00:1 0.175% 1.00% 1.00% 0.00%
----------- ------------------------------------- ---------------- -------------- ----------------- ---------------
</TABLE>
Any increase or decrease in the Applicable Rate resulting from a change
in the Consolidated Leverage Ratio shall become effective as of the
first Business Day immediately following the date a Compliance
Certificate is required to be delivered pursuant to Section 7.02(b);
provided, however, that if a Compliance Certificate is not delivered
when due in accordance with such Section, then Pricing Tier 1 shall
apply as of the first Business Day after the date on which such
Compliance Certificate was required to have been delivered and shall
continue to apply until the first Business Day immediately following
the date a Compliance Certificate is delivered in accordance with
Section 7.02(b), whereupon the Applicable Rate shall be adjusted based
upon the calculation of the Consolidated Leverage Ratio contained in
such Compliance Certificate. The Applicable Rate in effect from the
Closing Date through the first Business Day immediately following the
date a Compliance Certificate is required to be delivered pursuant to
Section 7.02(b) for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2006 shall be
determined based upon Pricing Tier 3.
(b) with respect to the Tranche B Term Loan, if any, (i) 2.00%
in the case of Eurodollar Rate Loans and (ii) 1.00% in the case of Base
Rate Loans.
"Approved Fund" means any Fund that is administered or managed by (a) a
Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an
entity that administers or manages a Lender.
"Asbestos PI Trust" means the trust established by the Borrower in
accordance with the Asbestos PI Trust Agreement.
2
"Asbestos PI Trust Agreement" means the Armstrong World Industries,
Inc. Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust Agreement, dated as of October 2,
2006, by the Borrower, the Legal Representative for Asbestos-Related Future
Claimants, the Official Committee of Asbestos Creditors, the Trustees and the
members of the PI Trust Advisory Committee.
"Assignment and Assumption" means an assignment and assumption entered
into by a Lender and an assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is
required by Section 11.07(b)), and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in
substantially the form of Exhibit E or any other form approved by the
Administrative Agent.
"Attorney Costs" means and includes all reasonable fees, expenses and
disbursements of any law firm or other external counsel.
"Attributable Indebtedness" means, on any date, (a) in respect of any
Capital Lease of any Person, the capitalized amount thereof that would appear on
a balance sheet of such Person prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP,
(b) in respect of any Synthetic Lease, the capitalized amount of the remaining
lease payments under the relevant lease that would appear on a balance sheet of
such Person prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP if such lease were
accounted for as a Capital Lease, (c) in respect of any Securitization
Transaction of any Person, the outstanding principal amount of such financing,
after taking into account reserve accounts and making appropriate adjustments,
determined by the Administrative Agent in its reasonable judgment and (d) in the
case of any Sale and Leaseback Transaction, the present value (discounted in
accordance with GAAP at the debt rate implied in the applicable lease) of the
obligations of the lessee for rental payments during the term of such lease).
"Audited Financial Statements" means the audited consolidated balance
sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal year ended December
31, 2005, and the related consolidated statements of income or operations,
shareholders' equity and cash flows for such fiscal year of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries, including the notes thereto.
"Availability Period" means, with respect to the Revolving Commitments,
the period from and including the Closing Date to the earliest of (a) the
Maturity Date, (b) the date of termination of the Aggregate Revolving Committed
Amount pursuant to Section 2.06, and (c) the date of termination of the
commitment of each Lender to make Loans and of the obligation of the of the L/C
Issuers to make L/C Credit Extensions pursuant to Section 9.02.
"Bank of America" means Bank of America, N.A. and its successors.
"Bankruptcy Court " means the United States Bankruptcy Court for the
District of Delaware.
"BAS" means Banc of America Securities LLC, in its capacity as co-lead
arranger and joint book manager.
"Base Rate" means for any day a fluctuating rate per annum equal to the
higher of (a) the Federal Funds Rate plus 1/2 of 1% and (b) the rate of interest
in effect for such day as publicly announced from time to time by Bank of
America as its "prime rate." The "prime rate" is a rate set by Bank of America
based upon various factors including Bank of America's costs and desired return,
general economic conditions and other factors, and is used as a reference point
for pricing some loans, which may be priced at, above, or below such announced
rate. Any change in the "prime rate" announced by Bank of America shall take
effect at the opening of business on the day specified in the public
announcement of such change.
3
"Base Rate Loan" means a Loan that bears interest based on the Base
Rate.
"Borrower" has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph
hereto.
"Borrower Materials" has the meaning specified in Section 7.02.
"Borrowing" means a borrowing consisting of simultaneous Loans of the
same Type and, in the case of Eurodollar Rate Loans, having the same Interest
Period made by each of the Lenders pursuant to Section 2.01.
"Business Day" means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day
on which commercial banks are authorized to close under the Laws of, or are in
fact closed in, New York, New York and, if such day relates to any interest rate
settings as to a Eurodollar Rate Loan, any fundings, disbursements, settlements
and payments in respect of any such Eurodollar Rate Loan, or any other dealings
to be carried out pursuant to this Agreement in respect of any such Eurodollar
Rate Loan, means any such day on which dealings in deposits in Dollars are
conducted by and between banks in the London interbank eurodollar market.
"Businesses" means, at any time, a collective reference to the
businesses operated by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries at such time.
"Capital Lease" means, as applied to any Person, any lease of any
Property by that Person as lessee which, in accordance with GAAP, is required to
be accounted for as a capital lease on the balance sheet of that Person.
"Capital Stock" means (i) in the case of a corporation, capital stock,
(ii) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares,
interests, participations, rights or other equivalents (however designated) of
capital stock, (iii) in the case of a partnership, partnership interests
(whether general or limited), (iv) in the case of a limited liability company,
membership interests and (v) 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.
"Cash Collateralize" has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(g).
"Cash Equivalents" means, as at any date, (a) securities issued or
directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States or any agency or
instrumentality thereof (provided that the full faith and credit of the United
States is pledged in support thereof) having maturities of not more than twelve
months from the date of acquisition, (b) Dollar denominated time deposits and
certificates of deposit of (i) any Lender, (ii) any domestic commercial bank of
recognized standing having capital and surplus in excess of $500,000,000 or
(iii) any bank whose short-term commercial paper rating from S&P is at least A-1
or the equivalent thereof or from Moody's is at least P-1 or the equivalent
thereof (any such bank being an "Approved Bank"), in each case with maturities
of not more than 270 days from the date of acquisition, (c) commercial paper and
variable or fixed rate notes issued by any Approved Bank (or by the parent
company thereof) or any variable rate notes issued by, or guaranteed by, any
domestic corporation rated A-1 (or the equivalent thereof) or better by S&P or
P-1 (or the equivalent thereof) or better by Moody's and maturing within six
months of the date of acquisition, (d) repurchase agreements entered into by any
Person with a bank or trust company (including any of the Lenders) or recognized
securities dealer having capital and surplus in excess of $500,000,000 for
direct obligations issued by or fully guaranteed by the United States in which
such Person shall have a perfected first priority security interest (subject to
no other Liens) and having, on the date of purchase thereof, a fair market value
of at least 100% of the amount of the repurchase obligations, (e) Investments,
classified in accordance with GAAP as current assets, in money market investment
4
programs registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 which are
administered by reputable financial institutions having capital of at least
$500,000,000 and the portfolios of which are limited to Investments of the
character described in the foregoing subdivisions (a) through (d), and (f) with
respect to Foreign Subsidiaries of the Borrower, instruments equivalent to those
referred to in clauses (a) through (e) above denominated in any foreign currency
comparable in credit quality and tenor to those referred to above and
customarily used by corporations for cash management purposes in any
jurisdiction outside the United States.
"Change of Control" means an event or series of events by which:
(a) any "person" or "group" (as such terms are used in
Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, but
excluding (i) the Asbestos PI Trust and (ii) any employee benefit plan
of such person or its subsidiaries and any person or entity acting in
its capacity as trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of
any such plan) becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rules
13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934), directly or
indirectly, of forty percent (40%) or more of the Capital Stock of the
Borrower entitled to vote for members of the board of directors or
equivalent governing body of the Borrower on a fully diluted basis;
provided, however, that the occurrence of the foregoing event shall not
be deemed a Change of Control if the Asbestos PI Trust owns, directly
or indirectly, of record and beneficially, fifty percent (50%) or more
of the Capital Stock of the Borrower entitled to vote for members of
the board of directors or equivalent governing body of the Borrower on
a fully diluted basis;
(b) during any period of 12 consecutive months, a majority of
the members of the board of directors or other equivalent governing
body of the Borrower cease to be composed of individuals (i) who were
members of that board or equivalent governing body on the first day of
such period, (ii) whose election or nomination to that board or
equivalent governing body was approved by individuals referred to in
clause (i) above constituting at the time of such election or
nomination at least a majority of that board or equivalent governing
body, (iii) whose election or nomination to that board or other
equivalent governing body was approved by individuals referred to in
clauses (i) and (ii) above constituting at the time of such election or
nomination at least a majority of that board or equivalent governing
body or (iv) who were members of that board or equivalent governing
body on the Closing Date or who receives the vote of the Asbestos PI
Trust in his or her election by the stockholders of the Borrower; or
(c) the occurrence of a "Change of Control" (or any comparable
term) under, and as defined in, the Plan Note Indenture or any 144A
Indenture.
"Closing Date" means the date hereof.
"Collateral" means a collective reference to all Property with respect
to which Liens in favor of the Collateral Agent are purported to be granted
pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of the Collateral Documents.
"Collateral Agent" means Bank of America in its capacity as collateral
agent for the holders of the secured obligations identified in the Collateral
Documents, and its successors and assigns in such capacity.
"Collateral Documents" means a collective reference to the Security
Agreement, the Pledge Agreement, each Collateral Joinder Agreement and other
security documents as may be executed and delivered by the Loan Parties pursuant
to the terms of Section 7.14.
5
"Collateral Joinder Agreement" means a joinder agreement by which an
additional pledgor or guarantor may be added to a Pledge Agreement or Security
Agreement.
"Commitments" means the Revolving Commitments, the L/C Commitment, the
Swing Line Commitment, the Tranche A Term Loan Commitments and/or the Tranche B
Term Loan Commitments.
"Compliance Certificate" means a certificate substantially in the form
of Exhibit D.
"Confirmation Order" means that certain Order Confirming the Fourth
Amended Plan of Reorganization of Armstrong World Industries, Inc., as Modified,
dated August 18, 2006, in the Chapter 11 Case captioned In re Armstrong World
Industries, Inc., et al., pending in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the
District of Delaware, Chapter 11 Case No. 00-4471 (JKF).
"Consolidated Capital Expenditures" means, for any period, for the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, all capital expenditures,
as determined in accordance with GAAP; provided, however, that Consolidated
Capital Expenditures shall not include (a) expenditures made with proceeds of
any Involuntary Disposition to the extent such expenditures are used to purchase
Property that is the same as or similar to the Property subject to such
Involuntary Disposition or (b) Permitted Acquisitions.
"Consolidated EBITDA" means, for any period, for the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, an amount equal to (i) Consolidated
Operating Income for such period plus (ii) the amount of depreciation and
amortization expense for such period, as determined in accordance with GAAP,
plus (iii) to the extent relating to the applicable period, the Consolidated
EBITDA Adjustments for such period.
"Consolidated EBITDA Adjustments" means for each fiscal quarter
identified on Schedule 8.11, the items or amounts identified on such Schedule as
"Consolidated EBITDA Adjustments" for each such fiscal quarter.
"Consolidated Excess Cash Flow" means, for any period for the Borrower
and its Subsidiaries, an amount equal to (a) Consolidated EBITDA minus (b)
Consolidated Capital Expenditures paid in cash minus (c) the cash portion of
Consolidated Interest Charges minus (d) cash taxes paid minus (e) Consolidated
Scheduled Funded Debt Payments minus (f) the amount of any voluntary prepayments
of Consolidated Funded Indebtedness (other than voluntary prepayments of
revolving lines of credit unless accompanied by a corresponding permanent
reduction in the commitments thereunder) during such fiscal year plus (g)
Consolidated Net Changes in Working Capital minus (h) the aggregate amount of
cash consideration paid during the period for Permitted Acquisitions minus (i)
the aggregate amount of Restricted Payments paid in cash by the Borrower during
the period, in each case on a consolidated basis determined in accordance with
GAAP.
"Consolidated Funded Indebtedness" means Funded Indebtedness of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis determined in accordance
with GAAP.
"Consolidated Interest Charges" means, for any period, for the Borrower
and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, an amount equal to the sum of (i)
all interest, premium payments, debt discount, fees, charges and related
expenses of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in connection with borrowed money
(including capitalized interest) or in connection with the deferred purchase
price of assets, in each case to the extent treated as interest in accordance
with GAAP, plus (ii) the portion of rent expense of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries with respect to such period under Capital Leases that is treated as
interest in accordance with GAAP; provided, that for purposes of calculating
6
Consolidated Interest Charges for the periods of four consecutive fiscal
quarters ended December 31, 2006, March 31, 2007 and June 30, 2007,
respectively, Consolidated Interest Charges shall be deemed to be (i) the actual
Consolidated Interest Charges for the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2006
multiplied by four, (ii) the actual Consolidated Interest Charges for the two
consecutive fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2007 multiplied by two, and (iii)
the actual Consolidated Interest Charges for the three consecutive fiscal
quarters ended June 30, 2007 multiplied by 4/3, respectively.
"Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio" means, as of any date of
determination, the ratio of (a) Consolidated EBITDA for the period of the four
fiscal quarters most recently ended for which the Borrower has delivered
financial statements pursuant to Section 7.01(a) or (b) to (b) Consolidated
Interest Charges for the period of the four fiscal quarters most recently ended
for which the Borrower has delivered financial statements pursuant to Section
7.01(a) or (b).
"Consolidated Leverage Ratio" means, as of any date of determination,
the ratio of (a) Consolidated Funded Indebtedness as of such date to (b)
Consolidated EBITDA for the period of the four fiscal quarters most recently
ended for which the Borrower has delivered financial statements pursuant to
Section 7.01(a) or (b).
"Consolidated Net Changes in Working Capital" means, for any period for
the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, an amount (positive or negative) equal to the
sum of (a) the net amount of decreases (or minus the amount of increases) in
accounts receivable, inventory, prepaid expenses and other current assets, plus
(b) the net amount of increases (or minus the amount of decreases) in accounts
payable (including accrued interest expense), accrued expenses and other current
liabilities, in each case on a consolidated basis determined in accordance with
GAAP and as set forth in the audited annual financial statements for the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries delivered pursuant to Section 7.01(a).
"Consolidated Net Income" means, for any period, for the Borrower and
its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, the net income of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries for that period, as determined in accordance with GAAP.
"Consolidated Operating Income" means, for any period, for the Borrower
and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, the operating income of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries (before deductions for interest and taxes) for
that period, as determined in accordance with GAAP, including in any event,
without limitation, the Borrower's share of reported net income from WAVE for
such period on an "as-earned" basis rather than on an "as-received" basis.
"Consolidated Scheduled Funded Debt Payments" means for any period for
the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, the sum of all
scheduled payments of principal on Consolidated Funded Indebtedness, as
determined in accordance with GAAP. For purposes of this definition, "scheduled
payments of principal" (a) shall be determined without giving effect to any
reduction of such scheduled payments resulting from the application of any
voluntary or mandatory prepayments made during the applicable period, (b) shall
be deemed to include the Attributable Indebtedness in respect of Capital Leases,
Sale and Leaseback Transactions and Synthetic Leases, and (c) shall not include
any voluntary prepayments or mandatory prepayments required pursuant to Section
2.05.
"Contractual Obligation" means, as to any Person, any provision of any
security issued by such Person or of any agreement, instrument or other
undertaking to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its
property is bound.
"Control" has the meaning specified in the definition of "Affiliate".
7
"Corporate Rating" means, as of any date of determination, the rating
as determined by either S&P or Moody's (collectively, the "Corporate Ratings")
of the corporate credit rating or corporate family rating of the Borrower, as
appropriate.
"Credit Extension" means each of the following: (a) a Borrowing and (b)
an L/C Credit Extension.
"Debt Rating" means, as of any date of determination, the rating as
determined by either S&P or Moody's (collectively, the "Debt Ratings") of the
Loans and extensions of credit under this Agreement.
"Debtor Entities" means Nitram Liquidators, Inc. and Desseaux
Corporation of North America.
"Debtor Relief Laws" means the Bankruptcy Code of the United States,
and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the
benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency,
reorganization, or similar debtor relief Laws of the United States or other
applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect and affecting the rights of
creditors generally.
"Default" means any event or condition that constitutes an Event of
Default or that, with the giving of any notice, the passage of time, or both,
would be an Event of Default.
"Default Rate" means (a) when used with respect to Obligations other
than Letter of Credit Fees, an interest rate equal to (i) the Base Rate plus
(ii) the Applicable Rate, if any, applicable to Base Rate Loans plus (iii) 2%
per annum; provided, however, that with respect to a Eurodollar Rate Loan, the
Default Rate shall be an interest rate equal to the interest rate (including any
Applicable Rate) otherwise applicable to such Loan plus 2% per annum, in each
case to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws and (b) when used with
respect to Letter of Credit Fees, a rate equal to the Applicable Rate plus 2%
per annum, in all cases to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws.
"Defaulting Lender" means, as of any date of determination, any Lender
that (a) has failed to fund any portion of the Loans, participations in L/C
Obligations or participations in Swing Line Loans required to be funded by it
hereunder within one Business Day of the date required to be funded by it
hereunder and such failure has not been cured, (b) has otherwise failed to pay
over to the Administrative Agent or any other Lender any other amount required
to be paid by it hereunder within one Business Day of the date when due (unless
the subject of a good faith dispute) and such failure has not been cured, or (c)
has been deemed insolvent or become the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency
proceeding.
"DIP Loan Agreement" means that certain Revolving Credit and Guaranty
Agreement dated as of December 6, 2000 among the Borrower, certain of its
Subsidiaries, Nitram Liquidators, Inc., Desseaux Corporation of North America,
the financial institutions party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
"Disposition" or "Dispose" means the sale, transfer, license, lease or
other disposition (including any Sale and Leaseback Transaction) of any Property
by the Borrower or any Subsidiary (including the Capital Stock of any
Subsidiary), including any sale, assignment, transfer or other disposal, with or
without recourse, of any notes or accounts receivable or any rights and claims
associated therewith, but excluding (i) the sale, lease, license, transfer or
other disposition of inventory or other Property in the ordinary course of
business of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, (ii) the sale, lease, license,
transfer or other disposition of machinery, equipment or other Property no
longer used or useful in the conduct of business of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries, (iii) any sale, lease, license, transfer or other disposition of
Property by the Borrower or any Subsidiary to any Loan Party, (iv) any
Disposition by the Borrower or any Subsidiary to the extent constituting a
Permitted Investment, (v) any sale, lease, license, transfer or other
disposition of Property by any Foreign Subsidiary to the Borrower or any other
Subsidiary, (vi) dispositions of equipment or real property to the extent that
8
(a) such property is exchanged for credit against the purchase price of similar
replacement equipment or property or (b) the proceeds of such disposition are
reasonably promptly applied to the purchase price of such replacement equipment
or property; (vii) licenses, sublicenses, leases and subleases not interfering
in any material respect with the business of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries,
(viii) sales or discounts of accounts receivable in connection with the
compromise or collection thereof and (ix) dispositions set forth on Schedule
8.05.
"Dollar" and "$" mean lawful money of the United States.
"Domestic Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary that is organized under the
laws of any state of the United States or the District of Columbia, other than
(a) a Subsidiary which is a disregarded entity for U.S. Federal income tax
purposes and directly or indirectly holds any interest in a Subsidiary not
organized under the laws of any state of the United States or the District of
Columbia or (b) any other Subsidiary which is a Subsidiary of an entity
described in the foregoing clause (a).
"Eligible Assignee" means (a) a Lender; (b) an Affiliate of a Lender;
(c) an Approved Fund; and (d) any other Person (other than a natural person)
approved by (i) the Administrative Agent (and, in the case of an assignment of a
Revolving Commitment, the L/C Issuers and the Swing Line Lender), and (ii)
unless an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Borrower (each
such approval not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed); provided that
notwithstanding the foregoing, "Eligible Assignee" shall not include the
Borrower or any of the Borrower's Affiliates or Subsidiaries.
"Environmental Laws" means any and all federal, state, local, foreign
and other applicable statutes, laws, regulations, ordinances, rules, judgments,
orders, decrees, permits, concessions, grants, franchises, licenses, agreements
or governmental restrictions relating to pollution and the protection of the
environment or the release of any materials into the environment, including
those related to hazardous substances or wastes, air emissions and discharges to
waste or public systems.
"Environmental Liability" means any liability, contingent or otherwise
(including any liability for damages, costs of environmental remediation, fines,
penalties or indemnities), of the Borrower, any other Loan Party or any of their
respective Subsidiaries directly or indirectly resulting from or based upon (a)
violation of any Environmental Law, (b) the generation, use, handling,
transportation, storage, treatment or disposal of any Hazardous Materials, (c)
exposure to any Hazardous Materials, (d) the release or threatened release of
any Hazardous Materials into the environment or (e) any contract, agreement or
other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed
with respect to any of the foregoing.
"ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.
"ERISA Affiliate" means any trade or business (whether or not
incorporated) under common control with the Borrower within the meaning of
Section 414(b) or (c) of the Internal Revenue Code (and Sections 414(m) and (o)
of the Internal Revenue Code for purposes of provisions relating to Section 412
of the Internal Revenue Code).
"ERISA Event" means (a) a Reportable Event with respect to a Pension
Plan; (b) a withdrawal by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Pension
Plan subject to Section 4063 of ERISA during a plan year in which it was a
substantial employer (as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA) or a cessation
of operations that is treated as such a withdrawal under Section 4062(e) of
ERISA; (c) a complete or partial withdrawal by the Borrower or any ERISA
Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan or notification that a Multiemployer Plan is
in reorganization; (d) the filing of a notice of intent to terminate, the
treatment of a Plan amendment as a termination under Sections 4041 or 4041A of
9
ERISA, or the commencement of proceedings by the PBGC to terminate a Pension
Plan or Multiemployer Plan; (e) an event or condition which constitutes grounds
under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a
trustee to administer, any Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan; or (f) the
imposition of any liability under Title IV of ERISA, other than for PBGC
premiums due but not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA, upon the Borrower
or any ERISA Affiliate.
"Eurodollar Base Rate" means, for any Interest Period with respect to a
Eurodollar Rate Loan, the rate per annum equal to the British Bankers
Association LIBOR Rate ("BBA LIBOR"), as published by Reuters (or other
commercially available source providing quotations of BBA LIBOR as designated by
the Administrative Agent from time to time) at approximately 11:00 a.m., London
time, two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period, for
Dollar deposits (for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period) with a
term equivalent to such Interest Period. If such rate is not available at such
time for any reason, then the "Eurodollar Rate" for such Interest Period shall
be the rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent to be the rate at
which deposits in Dollars for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period
in same day funds in the approximate amount of the Eurodollar Rate Loan being
made, continued or converted by Bank of America and with a term equivalent to
such Interest Period would be offered by Bank of America's London Branch to
major banks in the London interbank eurodollar market at their request at
approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) two Business Days prior to the
commencement of such Interest Period.
"Eurodollar Rate" means for any Interest Period with respect to any
Eurodollar Rate Loan, a rate per annum determined by the Administrative Agent to
be equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (a) the Eurodollar Base Rate for
such Eurodollar Rate Loan for such Interest Period by (b) one minus the
Eurodollar Reserve Percentage for such Eurodollar Rate Loan for such Interest
Period.
"Eurodollar Rate Loan" means a Loan that bears interest at a rate based
on the Eurodollar Rate.
"Eurodollar Reserve Percentage" means, for any day during any Interest
Period, the reserve percentage (expressed as a decimal, carried out to five
decimal places) in effect on such day, whether or not applicable to any Lender,
under regulations issued from time to time by the FRB for determining the
maximum reserve requirement (including any emergency, supplemental or other
marginal reserve requirement) with respect to Eurodollar funding (currently
referred to as "Eurodollar liabilities"). The Eurodollar Rate for each
outstanding Eurodollar Rate Loan shall be adjusted automatically as of the
effective date of any change in the Eurodollar Reserve Percentage.
"Event of Default" has the meaning specified in Section 9.01.
"Excluded Property" means, with respect to any Loan Party, (a) any
owned or leased personal Property which is located outside of the United States,
(b) any personal Property (including, without limitation, motor vehicles and
aircraft) in respect of which perfection of a Lien is not either (i) governed by
the Uniform Commercial Code or (ii) effected by appropriate evidence of the Lien
being filed in either the United States Copyright Office or the United States
Patent and Trademark Office, unless requested by the Administrative Agent or the
Required Lenders, (c) the Capital Stock of any First-Tier Foreign Subsidiary to
the extent not required to be pledged to secure the Obligations pursuant to
Section 7.14(b), (d) any personal Property which, subject to the terms of
Section 8.09, is subject to a Lien of the type described in Section 8.01(i)
pursuant to documents which prohibit such Loan Party from granting any other
Liens in such Property, but only to the extent that any such prohibition would
not be rendered ineffective under applicable provisions of the Uniform
Commercial Code, other applicable law (including Debtor Relief Laws) or
principles of equity and a violation of such prohibition would not result in the
termination thereof or give the other parties thereto the right to terminate,
accelerate or otherwise materially and adversely alter such Loan Party's rights,
titles and interests thereunder (including upon the giving of notice or the
10
lapse of time or both), (e) any fee or leasehold interests in real property, (f)
any Property that is subject to a Lien pursuant to a Securitization Transaction
permitted pursuant to Section 8.03(l), (g) the Capital Stock of WAVE or any
Debtor Entity and (h) any permit, lease, license, contract or instrument now or
hereafter in effect of a Loan Party if the grant of a security interest in such
permit, lease, license, contract or instrument in a manner contemplated by the
Loan Documents, under the terms thereof or under applicable Law, is prohibited
and would result in the termination thereof or give the other parties thereto
the right to terminate, accelerate or otherwise materially and adversely alter
such Loan Party's rights, titles and interests thereunder (including upon the
giving of notice or the lapse of time or both).
"Existing DIP Letters of Credit" means the letters of credit
outstanding on the Closing Date and identified on Schedule 2.03.
"Existing Swap Contracts" means the Swap Contracts with a Lender or an
Affiliate of a Lender existing on the Closing Date.
"Facilities" means, at any time, a collective reference to the
facilities and real properties owned, leased or operated by the Borrower or any
Subsidiary.
"Federal Funds Rate" means, for any day, the rate per annum equal to
the weighted average of the rates on overnight federal funds transactions with
members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by federal funds brokers on such
day, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the Business Day
next succeeding such day; provided that (a) if such day is not a Business Day,
the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be such rate on such transactions on
the next preceding Business Day as so published on the next succeeding Business
Day, and (b) if no such rate is so published on such next succeeding Business
Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be the average rate (rounded
upward, if necessary, to a whole multiple of 1/100 of 1%) charged to Bank of
America on such day on such transactions as determined by the Administrative
Agent.
"Fee Letter" means the letter agreement, dated September 22, 2006 among
the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and BAS.
"First Tier Foreign Subsidiary" means each Foreign Subsidiary that is
owned directly by a Loan Party.
"Foreign Lender" has the meaning specified in Section 11.15(a)(i).
"Foreign Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary that is not a Domestic
Subsidiary.
"FRB" means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the
United States.
"Fund" means any Person (other than a natural person) that is (or will
be) engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial
loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its business.
"Funded Indebtedness" means, as to any Person at a particular time,
without duplication, all of the following, whether or not included as
indebtedness or liabilities in accordance with GAAP:
(a) all obligations for borrowed money, whether current or
long-term (including the Obligations) and all obligations of such
Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, loan agreements or other
similar instruments;
11
(b) all purchase money Indebtedness;
(c) the principal portion of all obligations under conditional
sale or other title retention agreements relating to Property purchased
by such Person (other than customary reservations or retentions of
title under agreements with suppliers entered into in the ordinary
course of business);
(d) all obligations arising under standby letters of credit
and similar obligations that back obligations that would constitute
Indebtedness (but specifically excluding those that support performance
obligations);
(e)) all obligations in respect of the deferred purchase price
of property or services (other than trade accounts payable in the
ordinary course of business);
(f) all Attributable Indebtedness;
(g) all preferred stock or other equity interests providing
for mandatory redemptions, sinking fund or like payments prior to the
Maturity Date;
(h) all Funded Indebtedness of others secured by (or for which
the holder of such Funded Indebtedness has an existing right,
contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien on, or payable out
of the proceeds of production from, Property owned or acquired by such
Person, whether or not the obligations secured thereby have been
assumed;
(i) all Guarantees with respect to Funded Indebtedness of the
types specified in clauses (a) through (h) above of another Person; and
(j) all Funded Indebtedness of the types referred to in
clauses (a) through (h) above of any partnership or joint venture
(other than a joint venture that is itself a corporation or limited
liability company) in which such Person is a general partner or joint
venturer and has liability for such obligations, but only to the extent
there is recourse to such Person for payment thereof.
For purposes hereof, except as provided in clause (d) above,
obligations arising under letters of credit and similar instruments
shall not constitute Funded Indebtedness.
"GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles in the United
States set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles
Board and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements
and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board, consistently
applied and as in effect from time to time.
"Governmental Authority" means any nation or government, any state or
other political subdivision thereof, any agency, authority, instrumentality,
regulatory body, court, administrative tribunal, central bank or other entity
exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or
administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government (including any
supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank).
"Guarantee" means, as to any Person, (a) any obligation, contingent or
otherwise, of such Person guaranteeing or having the economic effect of
guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other obligation payable or performable by
another Person (the "primary obligor") in any manner, whether directly or
indirectly, and including any obligation of such Person, direct or indirect, (i)
to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of)
12
such Indebtedness or other obligation, (ii) to purchase or lease property,
securities or services for the purpose of assuring the obligee in respect of
such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment or performance of such
Indebtedness or other obligation, (iii) to maintain working capital, equity
capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity or level of
income or cash flow of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor
to pay such Indebtedness or other obligation, or (iv) entered into for the
purpose of assuring in any other manner the obligee in respect of such
Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment or performance thereof or to
protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part), or
(b) any Lien on any assets of such Person securing any Indebtedness or other
obligation of any other Person, whether or not such Indebtedness or other
obligation is assumed by such Person. The amount of any Guarantee shall be
deemed to be an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the related
primary obligation, or portion thereof, in respect of which such Guarantee is
made or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated
liability in respect thereof as determined by the guaranteeing Person in good
faith. The term "Guarantee" as a verb has a corresponding meaning.
"Guaranty" means the Guaranty made by the Guarantors in favor of the
Administrative Agent and the Lenders pursuant to Article IV hereof.
"Guaranty Joinder Agreement" means a joinder agreement by which a
Domestic Subsidiary of the Borrower or other Person may become a Guarantor
hereunder. A form of Guaranty Joinder Agreement is attached as Exhibit F.
"Guarantors" means each Domestic Subsidiary of the Borrower identified
as a "Guarantor" on the signature pages hereto and each other Person that joins
as a Guarantor pursuant to Section 7.12, together with their successors and
permitted assigns.
"Hazardous Materials" means all explosive or radioactive substances or
wastes and all hazardous or toxic substances, wastes or other pollutants,
including petroleum or petroleum distillates, asbestos or asbestos-containing
materials, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon gas, infectious or medical wastes
and all other substances or wastes of any nature regulated pursuant to any
Environmental Law.
"Honor Date" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.03(c).
"Incremental Credit Facilities" has the meaning set forth in Section
2.01(d).
"Indebtedness" means, as to any Person at a particular time, without
duplication, all of the following, whether or not included as indebtedness or
liabilities in accordance with GAAP:
(a) all Funded Indebtedness;
(b) the Swap Termination Value of any Swap Contract;
(c) all Guarantees with respect to outstanding Indebtedness of
the types specified in clauses (a) and (b) above of any other Person;
and
(d) all Indebtedness of the types referred to in clauses (a)
through (c) above of any partnership or joint venture (other than a
joint venture that is itself a corporation or limited liability
company) in which such Person is a general partner or joint venturer,
and has liability for such obligations, but only to the extent there is
recourse to such Person for payment thereof.
"Indemnified Liabilities" has the meaning set forth in Section 11.05.
13
"Indemnitees" has the meaning set forth in Section 11.05.
"Interest Payment Date" means (a) as to any Eurodollar Rate Loan, the
last day of each Interest Period applicable to such Loan and the Maturity Date;
provided, however, that if any Interest Period for a Eurodollar Rate Loan
exceeds three months, the respective dates that fall every three months after
the beginning of such Interest Period shall also be Interest Payment Dates; and
(b) as to any Base Rate Loan (including a Swing Line Loan), the last Business
Day of each March, June, September and December and the Maturity Date.
"Interest Period" means, as to each Eurodollar Rate Loan, the period
commencing on the date such Eurodollar Rate Loan is disbursed or converted to or
continued as a Eurodollar Rate Loan and ending on the date one, two, three or
six months thereafter, as selected by the Borrower in its Loan Notice; provided
that:
(i) any Interest Period that would otherwise end on a
day that is not a Business Day shall be extended to the next
succeeding Business Day unless such Business Day falls in
another calendar month, in which case such Interest Period
shall end on the next preceding Business Day;
(ii) any Interest Period that begins on the last
Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there
is no numerically corresponding day in the calendar month at
the end of such Interest Period) shall end on the last
Business Day of the calendar month at the end of such Interest
Period; and
(iii) no Interest Period shall extend beyond the
Maturity Date.
"Interim Financial Statements" has the meaning set forth in Section
5.01(c).
"Internal Revenue Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
"Investment" means, as to any Person, any direct or indirect
acquisition or investment by such Person, whether by means of (a) the purchase
or other acquisition of Capital Stock of another Person, (b) a loan, advance or
capital contribution to, Guarantee or assumption of debt of, or purchase or
other acquisition of any other debt or equity participation or interest in,
another Person, including any partnership or joint venture interest in such
other Person, or (c) an Acquisition. For purposes of covenant compliance, the
amount of any Investment shall be the amount actually invested, without
adjustment for subsequent increases or decreases in the value of such
Investment.
"Involuntary Disposition" means any loss of, damage to or destruction
of, or any condemnation or other taking for public use of, any Property of the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.
"IP Rights" has the meaning set forth in Section 6.17.
"IRS" means the United States Internal Revenue Service.
"ISP" means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the "International
Standby Practices 1998" published by the Institute of International Banking Law
& Practice (or such later version thereof as may be in effect at the time of
issuance).
14
"Issuer Documents" means with respect to any Letter of Credit, the
Letter Credit Application, and any other document, agreement and instrument
entered into by the L/C Issuer and the Borrower (or any Subsidiary) or in favor
the applicable L/C Issuer and relating to any such Letter of Credit.
"Joinder Agreements" means a Guaranty Joinder Agreement, a Lender
Joinder Agreement and/or a Collateral Joinder Agreement, as appropriate.
"Laws" means, collectively, all international, foreign, federal, state
and local statutes, treaties, rules, guidelines, regulations, ordinances, codes
and administrative or judicial precedents or authorities, including the
interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority charged
with the enforcement, interpretation or administration thereof, and all
applicable administrative orders, directed duties, requests, licenses,
authorizations and permits of, and agreements with, any Governmental Authority,
in each case whether or not having the force of law.
"L/C Advance" means, with respect to each Lender, such Lender's funding
of its participation in any L/C Borrowing in accordance with its Pro Rata Share.
"L/C Borrowing" means an extension of credit resulting from a drawing
under any Letter of Credit which has not been reimbursed on the date when made
or refinanced as a Borrowing of Revolving Loans.
"L/C Commitment" means, with respect to any L/C Issuer, the commitment
of such L/C Issuer to issue and to honor payment obligations under Letters of
Credit in accordance with Section 2.03.
"L/C Credit Extension" means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the
issuance thereof or extension of the expiry date thereof, or the renewal or
increase of the amount thereof.
"L/C Issuer" means with respect to a particular Letter of Credit (a) as
to Existing DIP Letters of Credit, the Lenders identified on Schedule 2.03, (b)
Bank of America in its capacity as issuer of such Letter of Credit or (c) such
other Lender selected by the Borrower (upon notice to the Administrative Agent)
from time to time to issue such Letter of Credit, or any successor issuer of
Letters of Credit hereunder.
"L/C Obligations" means, as at any date of determination, the aggregate
amount available to be drawn under all outstanding Letters of Credit plus the
aggregate of all Unreimbursed Amounts, including all L/C Borrowings. For
purposes of computing the amount available to be drawn under any Letter of
Credit, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be determined in accordance
with Section 1.07. For all purposes of this Agreement, if on any date of
determination a Letter of Credit has expired by its terms but any amount may
still be drawn thereunder by reason of the operation of Rule 3.14 of the ISP,
such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be "outstanding" in the amount so
remaining available to be drawn.
"Lender Joinder Agreement" means a joinder agreement by which a Lender
is joined under this Agreement to provide additional commitments in respect of
an Incremental Credit Facility or otherwise.
"Lenders" means the Revolving Lenders, the Tranche A Term Lenders and
the Tranche B Term Lenders and, as the context requires, includes the L/C
Issuers and the Swing Line Lender.
"Lending Office" means, as to any Lender, the office or offices of such
Lender described as such in such Lender's Administrative Questionnaire, or such
other office or offices as a Lender may from time to time notify the Borrower
and the Administrative Agent.
15
"Letter of Credit" means any letter of credit issued hereunder and
shall include the Existing DIP Letters of Credit. A Letter of Credit may be a
commercial letter of credit or a standby letter of credit.
"Letter of Credit Application" means an application and agreement for
the issuance or amendment of a letter of credit in the form from time to time in
use by the applicable L/C Issuer.
"Letter of Credit Expiration Date" means the day that is thirty days
prior to the Maturity Date then in effect (or, if such day is not a Business
Day, the next preceding Business Day).
"Letter of Credit Fee" has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(i).
"Letter of Credit Sublimit" has the meaning specified in Section
2.03(a)(i). The Letter of Credit Sublimit is part of, and not in addition to,
the Aggregate Revolving Committed Amount.
"Lien" means any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit
arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or other), charge, or preference,
priority or other security interest or preferential arrangement of any kind or
nature whatsoever (including any conditional sale or other title retention
agreement, and any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect
as any of the foregoing).
"Loan" means an extension of credit by a Lender to the Borrower under
Article II in the form of a Revolving Loan, Swing Line Loan, Tranche A Term Loan
or Tranche B Term Loan.
"Loan Documents" means this Agreement, each Note, each Letter of
Credit, each Letter of Credit Application, each Joinder Agreement, the
Collateral Documents and the Fee Letter.
"Loan Notice" means a notice of (a) a Borrowing of Revolving Loans,
Tranche A Term Loan or Tranche B Term Loan, (b) a conversion of Loans from one
Type to the other, or (c) a continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans, pursuant to
Section 2.02(a), which, if in writing, shall be substantially in the form of
Exhibit A-1.
"Loan Parties" means, collectively, the Borrower and each Guarantor.
"Material Adverse Effect" means (a) a material adverse change in, or a
material adverse effect upon, the operations, business, properties, liabilities
(actual or contingent), condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole; (b) a material impairment of the
ability of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole to perform their
obligations under any Loan Document to which they are a party; or (c) a material
adverse effect upon the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability
against the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole of any Loan Document
to which they are a party.
"Material Domestic Subsidiary" means any Domestic Subsidiary of the
Borrower that individually, or together with its Subsidiaries on a consolidated
basis, has assets of more than $1,000,000; provided, however, that
notwithstanding the foregoing, the Debtor Entities shall not constitute Material
Domestic Subsidiaries.
"Material First-Tier Foreign Subsidiary" means any First-Tier Foreign
Subsidiary that individually, or together with its Subsidiaries on a
consolidated basis, has assets of more than $10,000,000; provided, however, that
notwithstanding the foregoing, the following Foreign Subsidiaries shall not
constitute Material First-Tier Foreign Subsidiaries: (a) any Foreign Subsidiary
organized under the laws of the People's Republic of China or any state or other
political subdivision thereof and (b) any other Foreign Subsidiary if a pledge
16
of such Foreign Subsidiary's Capital Stock violates any Law or could reasonably
be expected to have an adverse effect on the business of such Foreign
Subsidiary.
"Maturity Date" (a) as to the Revolving Loans, Tranche A Term Loan,
Swing Line Loans and Letters of Credit (and the related L/C Obligations),
October 2, 2011 and (b) as to the Tranche B Term Loan, October 2, 2013 or such
later date provided in the applicable Lender Joinder Agreement.
"Moody's" means Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and any successor
thereto.
"Multiemployer Plan" means any employee benefit plan of the type
described in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, to which the Borrower or any ERISA
Affiliate makes or is obligated to make contributions, or during the preceding
five plan years, has made or been obligated to make contributions.
"Net Cash Proceeds" means the aggregate cash or Cash Equivalents
proceeds (including insurance proceeds and condemnation awards) received by the
Borrower or any Subsidiary in respect of any Disposition or Involuntary
Disposition, net of (a) direct costs incurred in connection therewith
(including, without limitation, legal, accounting and investment banking fees,
and sales commissions), (b) taxes paid or payable as a result thereof and (c)
the amount necessary to retire any Indebtedness secured by a Permitted Lien
(ranking senior to any Lien of the Administrative Agent) on the related
Property; it being understood that "Net Cash Proceeds" shall include, without
limitation, any cash or Cash Equivalents received upon the sale or other
disposition of any non-cash consideration received by the Borrower or any
Subsidiary in any Disposition or Involuntary Disposition.
"Note" or "Notes" means the Revolving Notes, the Swing Line Note, the
Tranche A Term Notes and/or the Tranche B Term Notes, individually or
collectively, as appropriate.
"Notice of Continuation/Conversion" means the written notice of
continuation or conversion in substantially the form of Exhibit A-2.
"Obligations" means all advances to, and debts, liabilities,
obligations, covenants and duties of, any Loan Party arising under any Loan
Document or otherwise with respect to any Loan or Letter of Credit, whether
direct or indirect (including those acquired by assumption), absolute or
contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising and
including interest and fees that accrue after the commencement by or against any
Loan Party or any Affiliate thereof of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief
Laws naming such Person as the debtor in such proceeding, regardless of whether
such interest and fees are allowed claims in such proceeding. The foregoing
shall also include (a) all obligations under any Swap Contract between any Loan
Party and any Lender or Affiliate of a Lender that is permitted to be incurred
pursuant to Section 8.03(d) and (b) all obligations under any Treasury
Management Agreement between any Loan Party and any Lender or Affiliate of a
Lender.
"Organization Documents" means, (a) with respect to any corporation,
the certificate or articles of incorporation and the bylaws (or equivalent or
comparable constitutive documents with respect to any non-U.S. jurisdiction);
(b) with respect to any limited liability company, the certificate or articles
of formation or organization and operating agreement; and (c) with respect to
any partnership, joint venture, trust or other form of business entity, the
partnership, joint venture or other applicable agreement of formation or
organization and any agreement, instrument, filing or notice with respect
thereto filed in connection with its formation or organization with the
applicable Governmental Authority in the jurisdiction of its formation or
organization and, if applicable, any certificate or articles of formation or
organization of such entity.
17
"Other Taxes" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.01(b).
"Outstanding Amount" means (i) with respect to any Loans on any date,
the aggregate outstanding principal amount thereof after giving effect to any
borrowings and prepayments or repayments of any Loans occurring on such date;
and (ii) with respect to any L/C Obligations on any date, the aggregate
outstanding amount of such L/C Obligations on such date after giving effect to
any L/C Credit Extension occurring on such date and any other changes in the
aggregate amount of the L/C Obligations as of such date, including as a result
of any reimbursements of outstanding unpaid drawings under any Letters of Credit
or any reductions in the maximum amount available for drawing under Letters of
Credit taking effect on such date.
"Overnight Rate" means, for any day, the greater of (a) the Federal
Funds Rate and (b) an overnight rate determined by the Administrative Agent, the
applicable L/C Issuer, or the Swing Line Lender, as the case may be, in
accordance with banking industry rules on interbank compensation.
"Participant" has the meaning specified in Section 11.07(d).
"PBGC" means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.
"Pension Plan" means any "employee pension benefit plan" (as such term
is defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA), other than a Multiemployer Plan, that is
subject to Title IV of ERISA and is sponsored or maintained by the Borrower or
any ERISA Affiliate or to which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate contributes
or has an obligation to contribute, or in the case of a multiple employer or
other plan described in Section 4064(a) of ERISA, has made contributions at any
time during the immediately preceding five plan years.
"Permitted Acquisitions" means Investments consisting of an Acquisition
by a Loan Party, provided that (i) immediately after giving effect to such
Acquisition, such Loan Party would be in compliance with Section 8.07, (ii) in
the case of an Acquisition of all or substantially all of the Capital Stock of
another Person, the board of directors (or other comparable governing body) of
such other Person shall have duly approved such Acquisition, (iii) the Borrower
shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent a Pro Forma Compliance
Certificate demonstrating that, upon giving effect to such Acquisition on a Pro
Forma Basis, the Loan Parties would be in compliance with the financial
covenants set forth in Section 8.11 as of the most recent fiscal quarter for
which the Borrower has delivered financial statements pursuant to Section
7.01(a) or (b) and (iv) no Default or Event of Default shall exist immediately
after giving effect to such Acquisition.
"Permitted Investments" means, at any time, Investments by the Borrower
or any of its Subsidiaries permitted to exist at such time pursuant to the terms
of Section 8.02.
"Permitted Liens" means, at any time, Liens in respect of Property of
the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries permitted to exist at such time pursuant
to the terms of Section 8.01.
"Person" means any natural person, corporation, limited liability
company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, Governmental
Authority or other entity.
"Plan" means any "employee benefit plan" (as such term is defined in
Section 3(3) of ERISA) established by the Borrower or, with respect to any such
plan that is subject to Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code or Title IV of
ERISA, any ERISA Affiliate.
18
"Plan Note Indenture" means the Indenture or Indentures, by and among
the Borrower and Wells Fargo Bank Minnesota, National Association, as trustee,
pursuant to which any of the Plan Notes will be issued.
"Plan Notes" means the "Plan Notes" as defined by the Reorganization
Plan.
"Platform" has the meaning specified in Section 7.02.
"Pledge Agreement" means the pledge agreement dated as of the Closing
Date executed in favor of the Collateral Agent by each of the Loan Parties.
"Pro Forma Basis" means, for purposes of calculating the financial
covenants set forth in Section 8.11 and for purposes of determining the
Applicable Rate, that any Disposition, Involuntary Disposition, Acquisition or
incurrence of Indebtedness pursuant to Section 8.03(e) or 8.03(g) shall be
deemed to have occurred as of the first day of the most recent four fiscal
quarter period preceding the date of such transaction for which the Borrower has
delivered financial statements pursuant to Section 7.01(a) or (b). In connection
with the foregoing, (a) with respect to any Disposition or Involuntary
Disposition, (i) income statement and cash flow statement items (whether
positive or negative) attributable to the Property disposed of shall be excluded
to the extent relating to any period occurring prior to the date of such
transaction and (ii) Indebtedness which is retired shall be excluded and deemed
to have been retired as of the first day of the applicable period and (b) with
respect to any Acquisition, (i) income statement items attributable to the
Person or Property acquired shall be included to the extent relating to any
period applicable in such calculations to the extent (A) such items are not
otherwise included in such income statement items for the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP or in accordance with any defined terms set
forth in Section 1.01 and (B) such items are supported by financial statements
or other information reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and
(ii) any Indebtedness incurred or assumed by the Borrower or any Subsidiary
(including the Person or Property acquired) in connection with such transaction
and any Indebtedness of the Person or Property acquired which is not retired in
connection with such transaction (A) shall be deemed to have been incurred as of
the first day of the applicable period and (B) if such Indebtedness has a
floating or formula rate, shall have an implied rate of interest for the
applicable period for purposes of this definition determined by utilizing the
rate which is or would be in effect with respect to such Indebtedness as at the
relevant date of determination.
"Pro Forma Compliance Certificate" means a certificate of a Responsible
Officer of the Borrower containing reasonably detailed calculations of the
financial covenants set forth in Section 8.11 as of the most recent fiscal
quarter end for which the Borrower has delivered financial statements pursuant
to Section 7.01(a) or (b) after giving effect to the applicable transaction on a
Pro Forma Basis.
"Pro Rata Share" means, as to each Lender at any time, (a) with respect
to such Lender's Revolving Commitment at any time, a fraction (expressed as a
percentage, carried out to the ninth decimal place), the numerator of which is
the amount of the Revolving Commitment of such Lender at such time and the
denominator of which is the Aggregate Revolving Committed Amount at such time;
provided that if the commitment of each Lender to make Revolving Loans and the
obligation of the L/C Issuers to make L/C Credit Extensions have been terminated
pursuant to Section 9.02, then the Pro Rata Share of each Lender shall be
determined based on the Pro Rata Share of such Lender immediately prior to such
termination and after giving effect to any subsequent assignments made pursuant
to the terms hereof, (b) with respect to such Lender's outstanding Tranche A
Term Loan at any time, a fraction (expressed as a percentage, carried out to the
19
ninth decimal place), the numerator of which is the principal amount of the
Tranche A Term Loan held by such Lender at such time and the denominator of
which is the aggregate principal amount of the Tranche A Term Loan at such time
and (c) with respect to such Lender's outstanding Tranche B Term Loan at any
time, a fraction (expressed as a percentage, carried out to the ninth decimal
place), the numerator of which is the principal amount of the Tranche B Term
Loan held by such Lender at such time and the denominator of which is the
aggregate principal amount of the Tranche B Term Loan at such time. The initial
Pro Rata Share of each Lender is set forth opposite the name of such Lender on
Schedule 2.01.
"Property" means any interest of any kind in any property or asset,
whether real, personal or mixed, or tangible or intangible.
"Register" has the meaning specified in Section 11.07(c).
"Related Parties" means, with respect to any Person, such Person's
Affiliates and the partners, directors, officers, employees, agents and advisors
of such Person and of such Person's Affiliates.
"Reorganization Plan" means the Fourth Amended Plan of Reorganization
of Armstrong World Industries, Inc., et al., as Modified, dated as of February
21, 2006, and as confirmed by the Bankruptcy Court by order entered on August
18, 2006.
"Reportable Event" means any of the events set forth in Section 4043(c)
of ERISA, other than events for which the thirty-day notice period has been
waived.
"Request for Credit Extension" means (a) with respect to a Borrowing, a
Loan Notice, (b) with respect to an L/C Credit Extension, a Letter of Credit
Application, and (c) with respect to a Swing Line Loan, a Swing Line Loan
Notice.
"Required Lenders" means, as of any date of determination, Lenders
having more than fifty percent (50%) of the Aggregate Commitments, or if the
Commitments shall have expired or been terminated, Lenders holding in the
aggregate more than fifty percent (50%) of the outstanding Loans and L/C
Obligations (including, in each case, the aggregate amount of each Lender's
participation interests in L/C Obligations and Swing Line Loans); provided that
the Commitments of, and the portion of the applicable Obligations held or deemed
held by, any Defaulting Lender shall be excluded for purposes of making
determinations of "Required Lenders" hereunder.
"Required Revolving Lenders" means, as of any date of determination,
Revolving Lenders having more than fifty percent (50%) of the Revolving
Commitments, or if the Revolving Commitments shall have expired or been
terminated, Revolving Lenders holding in the aggregate more than fifty percent
(50%) of the Total Revolving Outstandings (including, in each case, the
aggregate amount of each Revolving Lender's participation interests in L/C
Obligations and Swing Line Loans); provided that the Revolving Commitments of,
and the portion of the Total Revolving Outstandings held or deemed held by, any
Defaulting Lender shall be excluded for purposes of making determinations of
"Required Revolving Lenders" hereunder.
"Required Tranche A Term Lenders" means, as of any date of
determination, Lenders having more than fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate
principal amount of Tranche A Term Loan Commitments; provided that the Tranche A
Term Loan Commitments held or deemed held by any Defaulting Lenders shall be
excluded for purposes of making determinations of "Required Tranche A Term
Lenders" hereunder.
"Required Tranche B Term Lenders" means, as of any date of
determination, Lenders having more than fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate
principal amount of Tranche B Term Loan Commitments; provided that the Tranche B
Term Loan Commitments held or deemed held by any Defaulting Lenders shall be
20
excluded for purposes of making determinations of "Required Tranche B Term
Lenders" hereunder.
"Responsible Officer" means the chief executive officer, president,
chief financial officer, vice president and treasurer or vice president and
controller of a Loan Party. Any document delivered hereunder that is signed by a
Responsible Officer of a Loan Party shall be conclusively presumed to have been
authorized by all necessary corporate, partnership and/or other action on the
part of such Loan Party and such Responsible Officer shall be conclusively
presumed to have acted on behalf of such Loan Party.
"Restricted Payment" means any dividend or other distribution (whether
in cash, securities or other property) with respect to any Capital Stock of the
Borrower or any Subsidiary, or any payment (whether in cash, securities or other
property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the
purchase, redemption, retirement, acquisition, cancellation or termination of
any such Capital Stock or of any option, warrant or other right to acquire any
such Capital Stock.
"Revolving Commitment" means, as to each Revolving Lender, its
obligation to (a) make Revolving Loans to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01,
(b) purchase participations in L/C Obligations, and (c) purchase participations
in Swing Line Loans. The amount of the initial Revolving Commitments is
identified on Schedule 2.01.
"Revolving Lenders" means those Lenders with Revolving Commitments,
together with their successors and permitted assigns. The initial Revolving
Lenders are identified on the signature pages hereto and on Schedule 2.01.
"Revolving Loan" has the meaning specified in Section 2.01(a).
"Revolving Note" has the meaning specified in Section 2.11(a).
"S&P" means Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, a division of The
McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. and any successor thereto.
"Sale and Leaseback Transaction" means, with respect to the Borrower or
any Subsidiary, any arrangement, directly or indirectly, with any person whereby
the Borrower or such Subsidiary shall sell or transfer any property, real or
personal, used or useful in its business, whether now owned or hereafter
acquired, and thereafter rent or lease such property or other property that it
intends to use for substantially the same purpose or purposes as the property
being sold or transferred.
"SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any Governmental
Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions.
"Securitization Receivables" has the meaning specified in the
definition of "Securitization Transaction".
"Securitization Transaction" means, with respect to any Person, any
financing transaction or series of financing transactions (including factoring
arrangements) pursuant to which such Person or any Subsidiary of such Person may
sell, convey or otherwise transfer, or grant a security interest in, accounts,
payments, receivables, rights to future lease payments or residuals or similar
rights to payment (the "Securitization Receivables") to a special purpose
subsidiary or affiliate of such Person.
"Security Agreement" means the security agreement dated as of the
Closing Date executed in favor of the Collateral Agent by each of the Loan
Parties.
21
"Solvent" or "Solvency" means, with respect to any Person as of a
particular date, that on such date (a) such Person is generally able to pay its
debts and other liabilities, contingent obligations and other commitments as
they mature, (b) such Person is not engaged in a business or a transaction, and
is not about to engage in a business or a transaction, for which such Person's
Property would constitute unreasonably small capital after giving due
consideration to the prevailing practice in the industry in which such Person is
engaged or is to engage, (c) the fair value of the Property of such Person is
greater than the total amount of liabilities, including, without limitation,
contingent liabilities, of such Person and (d) the present fair salable value of
the assets of such Person is not less than the amount that will be required to
pay all liabilities of such Person on its debts as they become absolute and
matured. In computing the amount of contingent liabilities at any time, it is
intended that such liabilities will be computed at the amount which, in light of
all the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount
that can reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability.
"Subsidiary" of a Person means a corporation, partnership, joint
venture, limited liability company or other business entity of which a majority
of the shares of Capital Stock having ordinary voting power for the election of
directors or other governing body (other than Capital Stock having such power
only by reason of the happening of a contingency) are at the time beneficially
owned, directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or both, by
such Person. Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to a "Subsidiary"
or to "Subsidiaries" shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the
Borrower. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any other Loan
Document, any reference to any Subsidiary of the Borrower shall be deemed not to
include any Debtor Entity.
"Swap Contract" means (a) any and all rate swap transactions, basis
swaps, credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity
swaps, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, equity or equity index
swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options or forward
bond or forward bond price or forward bond index transactions, interest rate
options, forward foreign exchange transactions, cap transactions, floor
transactions, collar transactions, currency swap transactions, cross-currency
rate swap transactions, currency options, spot contracts, or any other similar
transactions or any combination of any of the foregoing (including any options
to enter into any of the foregoing), whether or not any such transaction is
governed by or subject to any master agreement, and (b) any and all transactions
of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and
conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the
International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign
Exchange Master Agreement, or any other master agreement (any such master
agreement, together with any related schedules, a "Master Agreement"), including
any such obligations or liabilities under any Master Agreement.
"Swap Termination Value" means, in respect of any one or more Swap
Contracts, after taking into account the effect of any legally enforceable
netting agreement relating to such Swap Contracts, (a) for any date on or after
the date such Swap Contracts have been closed out and termination value(s)
determined in accordance therewith, such termination value(s), and (b) for any
date prior to the date referenced in clause (a), the amount(s) determined as the
mark-to-market value(s) for such Swap Contracts, as determined based upon one or
more mid-market or other readily available quotations provided by any recognized
dealer in such Swap Contracts (which may include a Lender or any Affiliate of a
Lender).
"Swing Line Commitment" means, with respect to the Swing Line Lender,
the commitment of the Swing Line Lender to make Swing Line Loans in accordance
with Section 2.04.
"Swing Line Lender" means Bank of America in its capacity as provider
of Swing Line Loans, or any successor swing line lender hereunder.
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"Swing Line Loan" has the meaning specified in Section 2.04(a).
"Swing Line Loan Notice" means a notice of a Borrowing of Swing Line
Loans pursuant to Section 2.04(b), which, if in writing, shall be substantially
in the form of Exhibit B.
"Swing Line Note" has the meaning specified in Section 2.11(a).
"Swing Line Sublimit" has the meaning specified in Section 2.04(a). The
Swing Line Sublimit is part of, and not in addition to, the Aggregate Revolving
Committed Amount.
"Synthetic Lease" means any synthetic lease, tax retention operating
lease, off-balance sheet loan or similar off-balance sheet financing arrangement
whereby the arrangement is considered borrowed money indebtedness for tax
purposes but is classified as an operating lease or does not otherwise appear on
a balance sheet under GAAP.
"Total Revolving Outstandings" means the aggregate Outstanding Amount
of all Revolving Loans, all Swing Line Loans and all L/C Obligations.
"Tranche A Term Lenders" means those Lenders having a portion of the
Tranche A Term Loan, together with their successors and permitted assigns.
"Tranche A Term Loan" has the meaning specified in Section 2.01(d).
"Tranche A Term Loan Commitment" means, as to each Tranche A Term
Lender, upon establishment of the Tranche A Term Loan under Section 2.01(f) or
increase in the Tranche A Term Loan under Section 2.01(e), its obligation to
make its portion of the Tranche A Term Loan to the Borrower pursuant to Section
2.01(b); provided that at any time after funding of the Tranche A Term Loan,
determinations of "Required Lenders" and "Required Tranche A Lenders" shall be
based on the Outstanding Amount of the Tranche A Term Loan.
"Tranche A Term Note" has the meaning specified in Section 2.11(a).
"Tranche B Term Lenders" means those Lenders having a portion of the
Tranche B Term Loan, together with their successors and permitted assigns.
"Tranche B Term Loan" has the meaning specified in Section 2.01(d).
"Tranche B Term Loan Commitment" means, as to each Tranche B Term
Lender, upon establishment of the Tranche B Term Loan under Section 2.01(g) or
increase in the Tranche B Term Loan under Section 2.01(e), its obligation to
make its portion of the Tranche B Term Loan to the Borrower pursuant to Section
2.01(c); provided that at any time after funding of the Tranche B Term Loan,
determinations of "Required Lenders" and "Required Tranche B Lenders" shall be
based on the Outstanding Amount of the Tranche B Term Loan.
"Tranche B Term Note" has the meaning specified in Section 2.11(a).
"Treasury Management Agreement" means any agreement governing the
provision of treasury or cash management services, including deposit accounts,
funds transfer, automated clearinghouse, zero balance accounts, returned check
concentration, controlled disbursement, lockbox, account reconciliation and
reporting and trade finance services.
23
"Type" means, with respect to any Loan, its character as a Base Rate
Loan or a Eurodollar Rate Loan.
"Uniform Commercial Code" means the Uniform Commercial Code in effect
in any applicable jurisdiction from time to time.
"United States" and "U.S." mean the United States of America.
"Unreimbursed Amount" has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(c)(i).
"Voting Stock" means, with respect to any Person, Capital Stock issued
by such Person the holders of which are ordinarily, in the absence of
contingencies, entitled to vote for the election of directors (or persons
performing similar functions) of such Person, even though the right so to vote
has been suspended by the happening of such a contingency.
"WAVE" means the unincorporated joint venture established pursuant to
that Joint Venture Agreement dated March 23, 1992, between Armstrong Ventures,
Inc. and Worthington Industries, Inc.
"Wholly Owned Subsidiary" means any Person 100% of whose Capital Stock
is at the time owned by the Borrower directly or indirectly through other
Persons 100% of whose Capital Stock is at the time owned, directly or
indirectly, by the Borrower.
1.02 Other Interpretive Provisions.
With reference to this Agreement and each other Loan Document, unless
otherwise specified herein or in such other Loan Document:
(a) The meanings of defined terms are equally applicable to
the singular and plural forms of the defined terms.
(b) (i) The words "herein," "hereto," "hereof" and "hereunder"
and words of similar import when used in any Loan Document shall refer
to such Loan Document as a whole and not to any particular provision
thereof.
(ii) Article, Section, Exhibit and Schedule
references are to the Loan Document in which such reference
appears.
(iii) The term "including" is by way of example and
not limitation.
(iv) The term "documents" includes any and all
instruments, documents, agreements, certificates, notices,
reports, financial statements and other writings, however
evidenced, whether in physical or electronic form.
(c) In the computation of periods of time from a specified
date to a later specified date, the word "from" means "from and
including;" the words "to" and "until" each mean "to but excluding;"
and the word "through" means "to and including."
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(d) Section headings herein and in the other Loan Documents
are included for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the
interpretation of this Agreement or any other Loan Document.
1.03 Accounting Terms.
(a) Except as otherwise specifically prescribed herein, all accounting
terms not specifically or completely defined herein shall be construed in
conformity with, and all financial data (including financial ratios and other
financial calculations) required to be submitted pursuant to this Agreement
shall be prepared in conformity with, GAAP applied on a consistent basis, as in
effect from time to time.
(b) The Borrower will provide a written summary of material changes in
GAAP and in the consistent application thereof with each annual and quarterly
Compliance Certificate delivered in accordance with Section 7.02(b). If at any
time any change in GAAP would affect the computation of any financial ratio or
requirement set forth in any Loan Document, and either the Borrower or the
Required Lenders shall so request, the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and the
Borrower shall negotiate in good faith to amend such ratio or requirement to
preserve the original intent thereof in light of such change in GAAP (subject to
the approval of the Required Lenders); provided that, until so amended, (i) such
ratio or requirement shall continue to be computed in accordance with GAAP prior
to such change therein and (ii) the Borrower shall provide to the Administrative
Agent and the Lenders financial statements and other documents required under
this Agreement or as reasonably requested hereunder setting forth a
reconciliation between calculations of such ratio or requirement made before and
after giving effect to such change in GAAP.
(c) Notwithstanding the above, the parties hereto acknowledge and agree
that all calculations of the financial covenants in Section 8.11 shall be made
on a Pro Forma Basis.
1.04 Rounding.
Any financial ratios required to be maintained by the Borrower pursuant
to this Agreement shall be calculated by dividing the appropriate component by
the other component, carrying the result to one place more than the number of
places by which such ratio is expressed herein and rounding the result up or
down to the nearest number (with a rounding-up if there is no nearest number).
1.05 References to Agreements and Laws.
Unless otherwise expressly provided herein, (a) references to
Organization Documents, agreements (including the Loan Documents) and other
contractual instruments shall be deemed to include all subsequent amendments,
restatements, extensions, supplements and other modifications thereto, but only
to the extent that such amendments, restatements, extensions, supplements and
other modifications are not prohibited by any Loan Document; and (b) references
to any Law shall include all statutory and regulatory provisions consolidating,
amending, replacing, supplementing or interpreting such Law.
1.06 Times of Day.
Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to times of day shall
be references to Eastern time (daylight or standard, as applicable).
1.07 Letter of Credit Amounts.
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Unless otherwise specified herein, the amount of a Letter of Credit at
any time shall be deemed to be the stated amount of such Letter of Credit in
effect at such time; provided, however, that with respect to any Letter of
Credit that, by its terms or the terms of any Issuer Document related thereto,
provides for one or more automatic increases in the stated amount thereof, the
amount of such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be the maximum stated amount
of such Letter of Credit after giving effect to all such increases, whether or
not such maximum stated amount is in effect at such time.
ARTICLE II
THE COMMITMENTS AND CREDIT EXTENSIONS
2.01 Revolving Loans and Term Loans.
(a) Revolving Loans. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth
herein, each Revolving Lender severally agrees to make loans (each such loan, a
"Revolving Loan") to the Borrower in Dollars from time to time on any Business
Day during the Availability Period in an aggregate amount not to exceed at any
time outstanding the amount of such Revolving Lender's Revolving Commitment;
provided, however, that after giving effect to any Borrowing of Revolving Loans,
(i) with regard to the Revolving Lenders collectively, the Total Revolving
Outstandings shall not exceed THREE HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS ($300,000,000) (as
such amount may be increased or decreased in accordance with the provisions
hereof, the "Aggregate Revolving Committed Amount") and (ii) with regard to each
Revolving Lender individually, such Revolving Lender's Pro Rata Share of Total
Revolving Outstandings shall not exceed such Revolving Lender's Revolving
Commitment. Within the limits of each Revolving Lender's Revolving Commitment,
and subject to the other terms and conditions hereof, the Borrower may borrow
under this Section 2.01, prepay under Section 2.05, and reborrow under this
Section 2.01. Revolving Loans may be Base Rate Loans or Eurodollar Rate Loans,
as further provided herein.
(b) Tranche A Term Loan. At any time on or after the Closing Date, the
Borrower may elect to establish a Tranche A Term Loan hereunder in Dollars in
accordance with the provisions of subsections (d) and (f) of this Section 2.01.
Amounts repaid on the Tranche A Term Loan may not be reborrowed. The Tranche A
Term Loan may consist of Base Rate Loans or Eurodollar Rate Loans, as further
provided herein.
(c) Tranche B Term Loan. At any time on or after the Closing Date, the
Borrower may elect to establish a Tranche B Term Loan hereunder in accordance
with the provisions of subsections (d) and (g) of this Section 2.01. Amounts
repaid on the Tranche B Term Loan may not be reborrowed. The Tranche B Term Loan
may consist of Base Rate Loans or Eurodollar Rate Loans, as further provided
herein.
(d) Incremental Loan Facilities. At any time on or after the Closing
Date, the Borrower may, on written notice to the Administrative Agent, establish
additional credit facilities (collectively, the "Incremental Credit Facilities")
by increasing the Aggregate Revolving Committed Amount, the amount of the
Tranche A Term Loan or the amount of the Tranche B Term Loan hereunder as
provided in Section 2.01(e), establishing the Tranche A Term Loan as provided in
Section 2.01(f) (the "Tranche A Term Loan") or establishing the Tranche B Term
Loan as provided in Section 2.01(g) (the "Tranche B Term Loan"), or some
combination thereof; provided that:
(i) no Default shall have occurred and be continuing or shall
result after giving effect to the Incremental Credit Facility;
(ii) the conditions to all Credit Extensions in Section 5.02
shall have been satisfied;
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(iii) the Borrower will provide (A) a compliance certificate
from a Responsible Officer confirming that no Default shall exist
immediately before or immediately after giving effect to the
establishment of the Incremental Credit Facility and demonstrating
compliance with the financial covenants hereunder after giving effect
to the Incremental Credit Facility (assuming, for purposes hereof, that
the Incremental Credit Facility is fully drawn and funded), and (b)
supporting resolutions, legal opinions, promissory notes and other
items as may be reasonably required by the Administrative Agent and the
Lenders providing the commitments for the Incremental Credit Facility;
and
(iv) to the extent reasonably necessary in the judgment of the
Administrative Agent, amendments to each of the Collateral Documents,
if any, and related documents or agreements shall have been made, in
each case in a manner satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
In connection with establishment of any Incremental Credit Facility,
(A) none of the Lenders or their affiliates shall have any obligation to provide
commitments or loans for any Incremental Credit Facility without their prior
written approval, and (B) Schedule 2.01 will be deemed to be revised to reflect
the Lenders, Loans, Commitments and Pro Rata Shares after giving effect to
establishment of any Incremental Credit Facility.
(e) Increases in the Aggregate Revolving Committed Amount, the Tranche
A Term Loan and the Tranche B Term Loan. Subject to Section 2.01(d), the
Borrower may increase the Aggregate Revolving Committed Amount, the Tranche A
Term Loan and the Tranche B Term Loan; provided that:
(i) the aggregate amount of additional commitments established
pursuant to this subsection will not exceed TWO HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS
($200,000,000);
(ii) the Aggregate Revolving Committed Amount, after giving
effect to all such increases, will not exceed FIVE HUNDRED MILLION
DOLLARS ($500,000,000);
(iii) such increase shall be in a minimum amount of
$50,000,000 and in integral multiples of $5,000,000 in excess thereof;
(iv) any new lender providing additional commitments pursuant
to this subsection must be reasonably acceptable to the Administrative
Agent and, in the case of an increase in the Revolving Commitments,
also to the L/C Issuers and the Swing Line Lender;
(v) lenders providing additional commitments pursuant to this
subsection will provide a Lender Joinder Agreement and such other
agreements reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent;
(vi) if any Revolving Loans, Tranche A Term Loans or Tranche B
Term Loans, as appropriate, are outstanding at the time of any such
increase, the Borrower will make such payments and adjustments on the
subject Loans (including payment of any break-funding amounts owing
under Section 3.05) as may be necessary to give effect to the revised
commitment amounts and percentages; and
(vii) in the case of an increase in the amount of the Tranche
A Term Loan or the Tranche B Term Loan after the first principal
amortization payment date, adjustments will be made to the schedule of
amortization payment provided in Section 2.07(c) or (d), as
appropriate, to give effect thereto; provided that the principal
amortization amount payable on any payment date in respect of the
27
Tranche A Term Loan or Tranche B Term Loan, as applicable, as in effect
prior to the increase will not be reduced.
(f) Establishment of Tranche A Term Loan. Subject to Section 2.01(d),
the Borrower may, at any time on or after the Closing Date, establish a Tranche
A Term Loan; provided that:
(i) the aggregate amount of commitments under the Tranche A
Term Loan plus the aggregate amount of commitments under the Tranche B
Term Loan will not exceed EIGHT HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS ($800,000,000);
(ii) such Tranche A Term Loan shall be in a minimum amount of
$50,000,000 and in integral multiples of $5,000,000 in excess thereof;
(iii) the Tranche A Term Loan shall be established not later
than October 16, 2006;
(iv) the proceeds of the Tranche A Term Loan will be used to
fund the Asbestos PI Trust and other payments required under the
Reorganization Plan and to pay transaction costs, fees and expenses
incurred in connection with this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby;
(v) the aggregate principal amount of the Tranche A Term Loan,
the Tranche B Term Loan and the Plan Notes shall be at least
$775,000,000 and, if applicable, the Administrative Agent shall have
received a copy, certified by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower as
true and complete, of the Plan Note Indenture as originally executed
and delivered, together with all exhibits and schedules thereto;
(vi) any new lender providing commitments for the Tranche A
Term Loan must be reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent;
and
(vii) lenders providing commitments for the Tranche A Term
Loan pursuant to this Section 2.01(f) will provide a Lender Joinder
Agreement and such other agreements reasonably acceptable to the
Administrative Agent.
(g) Establishment of Tranche B Term Loan. Subject to Section 2.01(d),
the Borrower may, at any time on or after the Closing Date, establish a Tranche
B Term Loan; provided that:
(i) the aggregate amount of commitments under the Tranche A
Term Loan plus the aggregate amount of commitments under the Tranche B
Term Loan will not exceed EIGHT HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS ($800,000,000);
(ii) such Tranche B Term Loan shall be in a minimum amount of
$50,000,000 and in integral multiples of $5,000,000 in excess thereof;
(iii) the Tranche B Term Loan shall be established not later
than October 16, 2006;
(iv) the proceeds of the Tranche B Term Loan will be used to
fund the Asbestos PI Trust and other payments required under the
Reorganization Plan and to pay transaction costs, fees and expenses
incurred in connection with this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby;
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(v) the aggregate principal amount of the Tranche A Term Loan,
the Tranche B Term Loan and the Plan Notes shall be at least
$775,000,000 and, if applicable, the Administrative Agent shall have
received a copy, certified by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower as
true and complete, of the Plan Note Indenture as originally executed
and delivered, together with all exhibits and schedules thereto;
(vi) lenders providing commitments for the Tranche B Term Loan
must be reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent; and
(vii) lenders providing commitments for the Tranche B Term
Loan pursuant to this Section 2.01(f) will provide a Lender Joinder
Agreement and such other agreements reasonably acceptable to the
Administrative Agent.
2.02 Borrowings, Conversions and Continuations of Loans.
(a) (i) Each Borrowing shall be made upon the Borrower's irrevocable
notice to the Administrative Agent, which may be given by telephone.
Each such notice must be received by the Administrative Agent not later
than 11:00 a.m. (A) three Business Days prior to the requested date of
any Borrowing of Eurodollar Rate Loans, and (B) one Business Day prior
to the requested date of any Borrowing of Base Rate Loans. Each
telephonic notice by the Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.02(a) must
be confirmed promptly by delivery to the Administrative Agent of a
written Loan Notice, appropriately completed and signed by an
authorized officer of the Borrower. Each Borrowing of Eurodollar Rate
Loans shall be in a principal amount of $5,000,000 or a whole multiple
of $1,000,000 in excess thereof. Except as provided in Sections 2.03(c)
and 2.04(c), each Borrowing of Base Rate Loans shall be in a principal
amount of $1,000,000 or a whole multiple of $500,000 in excess thereof.
Each Loan Notice (whether telephonic or written) shall specify (A) the
requested date of the Borrowing (which shall be a Business Day), (B)
the principal amount of Loans to be borrowed, (C) the Type of Loans to
be borrowed and (E) if applicable, the duration of the Interest Period
with respect thereto. If the Borrower fails to specify a Type of a Loan
in a Loan Notice, then the applicable Loans shall be made as Base Rate
Loans. Any automatic conversion to Base Rate Loans shall be effective
as of the last day of the Interest Period then in effect with respect
to the applicable Eurodollar Rate Loans. If the Borrower requests a
Borrowing of Eurodollar Rate Loans in any Loan Notice, but fails to
specify an Interest Period, it will be deemed to have specified an
Interest Period of one month.
(ii) Following receipt of a Loan Notice, the Administrative
Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of the amount of its Pro Rata
Share of the applicable Loans. Each Lender shall make the amount of its
Loan available to the Administrative Agent in immediately available
funds at the Administrative Agent's Office not later than 1:00 p.m. on
the Business Day specified in the applicable Loan Notice. Upon
satisfaction of the applicable conditions set forth in Section 5.02
(and, if such Borrowing is the initial Credit Extension, Section 5.01),
the Administrative Agent shall make all funds so received available to
the Borrower in like funds as received by the Administrative Agent
either by (i) crediting the account of the Borrower on the books of
Bank of America with the amount of such funds or (ii) wire transfer of
such funds, in each case in accordance with instructions provided to
(and reasonably acceptable to) the Administrative Agent by the
Borrower; provided, however, that if, on the date of a Borrowing of
Revolving Loans, there are L/C Borrowings outstanding, then the
proceeds of such Borrowing, first, shall be applied to the payment in
full of any such L/C Borrowings and second, shall be made available to
the Borrower as provided above.
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(iii) The Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the
Borrower and the Lenders of the interest rate applicable to any
Interest Period for Eurodollar Rate Loans upon determination of such
interest rate. The determination of the Eurodollar Rate by the
Administrative Agent shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest
error. At any time that Base Rate Loans are outstanding, the
Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders of any
change in Bank of America's prime rate used in determining the Base
Rate promptly following the public announcement of such change.
(b) The Borrower shall have the option, on any Business Day, to extend
existing Loans into a subsequent permissible Interest Period or to convert Loans
into Loans of another interest rate type; provided, however, that (i) except as
provided in Section 3.05, Eurodollar Loans may be converted into Base Rate Loans
or extended as Eurodollar Loans for new Interest Periods only on the last day of
the Interest Period applicable thereto, (ii) Loans extended as, or converted
into, Eurodollar Loans shall be in a principal amount of $5,000,000 or a whole
multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof and (iii) any request for continuation
or conversion of a Eurodollar Loan which shall fail to specify an Interest
Period shall be deemed to be a request for an Interest Period of one month. Each
such continuation or conversion shall be effected by the Borrower by giving a
Notice of Extension/Conversion (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in
writing) to the office of the Administrative Agent specified in Section 11.02,
or at such other office as the Administrative Agent may designate in writing,
prior to 11:00 a.m., on the Business Day of, in the case of the conversion of a
Eurodollar Loan into a Base Rate Loan, and on the third Business Day prior to,
in the case of the continuation of a Eurodollar Loan as, or conversion of a Base
Rate Loan into, a Eurodollar Loan, the date of the proposed continuation or
conversion, the Loans to be so extended or converted, the types of Loans into
which such Loans are to be converted and, if appropriate, the applicable
Interest Periods with respect thereto. In the event the Borrower fails to
request continuation or conversion of any Eurodollar Loan in accordance with
this Section, or any such conversion or continuation is not permitted or
required by this Section, then such Eurodollar Loan shall be automatically
converted into a Base Rate Loan at the end of the Interest Period applicable
thereto. The Administrative Agent shall give each Lender notice as promptly as
practicable of any such proposed continuation or conversion affecting any
Revolving Loan.
(c) After giving effect to all Borrowings, all conversions of Loans
from one Type to the other, and all continuations of Loans as the same Type,
there shall not be more than 5 Interest Periods in effect with respect to
Revolving Loans, 5 Interest Periods in effect with respect to the Tranche A Term
Loan and 5 Interest Periods in effect with respect to the Tranche B Term Loan.
2.03 Letters of Credit.
(a) The Letter of Credit Commitment.
(i) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, (A)
each L/C Issuer agrees, in reliance upon the agreements of the other
Lenders set forth in this Section 2.03, (1) from time to time on any
Business Day during the period from the Closing Date until the Letter
of Credit Expiration Date, to issue Letters of Credit denominated in
Dollars for the account of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries, and to
amend or extend Letters of Credit previously issued by it, in
accordance with subsection (b) below, and (2) to honor drawings under
the Letters of Credit issued by it; and (B) the Revolving Lenders
severally agree to participate in Letters of Credit issued for the
account of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries and any drawings
thereunder; provided that after giving effect to any L/C Credit
Extension with respect to any Letter of Credit, (w) with regard to the
Revolving Lenders collectively, the Total Revolving Outstandings shall
not exceed the Aggregate Revolving Committed Amount, (x) with regard to
each Revolving Lender individually, such Revolving Lender's Pro Rata
Share of Total Revolving Outstandings shall not exceed such Revolving
30
Lender's Revolving Commitment and (y) the Outstanding Amount of the L/C
Obligations shall not exceed ONE HUNDRED FIFTY MILLION DOLLARS
($150,000,000) (the "Letter of Credit Sublimit"). Each request by the
Borrower for the issuance or amendment of a Letter of Credit shall be
deemed to be a representation by the Borrower that the L/C Credit
Extension so requested complies with the conditions set forth in the
proviso to the preceding sentence. Within the foregoing limits, and
subject to the terms and conditions hereof, the Borrower's ability to
obtain Letters of Credit shall be fully revolving, and accordingly the
Borrower may, during the foregoing period, obtain Letters of Credit to
replace Letters of Credit that have expired or that have been drawn
upon and reimbursed. All Existing DIP Letters of Credit shall be deemed
to have been issued pursuant hereto, and from and after the Closing
Date shall be subject to and governed by the terms and conditions
hereof.
(ii) An L/C Issuer shall not issue any Letter of Credit if:
(A) subject to Section 2.03(b)(iii), the expiry date
of such requested Letter of Credit would occur more than
twelve months after the date of issuance or last extension,
unless the Required Revolving Lenders have approved such
expiry date; or
(B) the expiry date of such requested Letter of
Credit would occur after the Letter of Credit Expiration Date,
unless all the Revolving Lenders have approved such expiry
date.
(iii) An L/C Issuer shall be under no obligation to issue any
Letter of Credit if:
(A) any order, judgment or decree of any Governmental
Authority or arbitrator shall by its terms purport to enjoin
or restrain such L/C Issuer from issuing such Letter of
Credit, or any Law applicable to such L/C Issuer or any
request or directive (whether or not having the force of law)
from any Governmental Authority with jurisdiction over such
L/C Issuer shall prohibit, or request that such L/C Issuer
refrain from, the issuance of letters of credit generally or
such Letter of Credit in particular or shall impose upon such
L/C Issuer with respect to such Letter of Credit any
restriction, reserve or capital requirement (for which such
L/C Issuer is not otherwise compensated hereunder) not in
effect on the Closing Date, or shall impose upon such L/C
Issuer any unreimbursed loss, cost or expense which was not
applicable on the Closing Date and which such L/C Issuer in
good faith deems material to it;
(B) the issuance of such Letter of Credit would
violate any Laws or one or more policies of such L/C Issuer;
(C) except as otherwise agreed by the Administrative
Agent and such L/C Issuer, such Letter of Credit is in an
initial face amount less than $100,000, in the case of a
commercial Letter of Credit, or $250,000, in the case of a
standby Letter of Credit;
(D) such Letter of Credit is to be denominated in a
currency other than Dollars; or
(E) a default of any Revolving Lender's obligations
to fund under Section 2.03(e) exists or any Revolving Lender
is at such time a Defaulting Lender hereunder, unless the L/C
Issuer has entered into satisfactory arrangements with the
Borrower or such Revolving Lender to eliminate the L/C
Issuer's risk with respect to such Revolving Lender.
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(iv) An L/C Issuer shall not amend any Letter of Credit if
such L/C Issuer would not be permitted at such time to issue such
Letter of Credit in its amended form under the terms hereof.
(v) An L/C Issuer shall be under no obligation to amend any
Letter of Credit if (A) such L/C Issuer would have no obligation at
such time to issue such Letter of Credit in its amended form under the
terms hereof, or (B) the beneficiary of such Letter of Credit does not
accept the proposed amendment to such Letter of Credit.
(vi) An L/C Issuer shall be under no obligation to issue or
amend any Letter of Credit if such L/C Issuer has received written
notice from any Lender, the Administrative Agent or any Loan Party, on
or prior to the Business Day prior to the requested date of issuance or
amendment of such Letter of Credit, that one or more applicable
conditions contained in Section 5.02 shall not then be satisfied.
(vii) Each L/C Issuer shall act on behalf of the Lenders with
respect to any Letters of Credit issued by it and the documents
associated therewith, and such L/C Issuer shall have all of the
benefits and immunities (i) provided to the Administrative Agent in
Article X with respect to any acts taken or omissions suffered by such
L/C Issuer in connection with Letters of Credit issued by it or
proposed to be issued by it and the applications and agreements for
letters of credit pertaining to such Letters of Credit as fully as if
the term "Administrative Agent" as used in Article X included such L/C
Issuer with respect to such acts or omissions, and (ii) as additionally
provided herein with respect to such L/C Issuer.
(b) Procedures for Issuance and Amendment of Letters of Credit;
Auto-Extension Letters of Credit.
(i) Requests for Issuance. Each Letter of Credit shall be
issued or amended, as the case may be, upon the request of the Borrower
delivered to the applicable L/C Issuer (with a copy to the
Administrative Agent) in the form of a Letter of Credit Application,
appropriately completed and signed by an authorized officer of the
Borrower. Such Letter of Credit Application must be received by the
applicable L/C Issuer and the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00
a.m. at least five Business Days prior to the proposed issuance date or
date of amendment, as the case may be, or such later date and time as
the Administrative Agent and such L/C Issuer may agree in a particular
instance in their sole discretion. In the case of a request for an
initial issuance of a Letter of Credit, such Letter of Credit
Application shall specify in form and detail satisfactory to the
applicable L/C Issuer: (A) the proposed issuance date of the requested
Letter of Credit (which shall be a Business Day); (B) the amount
thereof; (C) the expiry date thereof; (D) the name and address of the
beneficiary thereof; (E) the documents to be presented by such
beneficiary in case of any drawing thereunder; (F) the full text of any
certificate to be presented by such beneficiary in case of any drawing
thereunder; and (G) such other matters as such L/C Issuer may require.
In the case of a request for an amendment of any outstanding Letter of
Credit, such Letter of Credit Application shall specify in form and
detail satisfactory to the applicable L/C Issuer (A) the Letter of
Credit to be amended; (B) the proposed date of amendment thereof (which
shall be a Business Day); (C) the nature of the proposed amendment; and
(D) such other matters as such L/C Issuer may require. Additionally,
the Borrower shall furnish to the applicable L/C Issuer and the
Administrative Agent such other documents and information pertaining to
such requested Letter of Credit issuance or amendment, including any
Issuer Documents, as such L/C Issuer or the Administrative Agent may
require.
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(ii) Issuance. Promptly after receipt of any Letter of Credit
Application, the applicable L/C Issuer will confirm with the
Administrative Agent (by telephone or in writing) that the
Administrative Agent has received a copy of such Letter of Credit
Application from the Borrower and, if not, such L/C Issuer will provide
the Administrative Agent with a copy thereof. Unless the applicable L/C
Issuer has received written notice from any Lender, the Administrative
Agent or any Loan Party, at least one Business Day prior to the
requested date of issuance or amendment of the applicable Letter of
Credit, that one or more applicable conditions contained in Section
5.02 shall not then be satisfied, then, subject to the terms and
conditions hereof, such L/C Issuer shall, on the requested date, issue
a Letter of Credit for the account of the Borrower (or the applicable
Subsidiary) or enter into the applicable amendment, as the case may be,
in each case in accordance with such L/C Issuer's usual and customary
business practices. Immediately upon the issuance of each Letter of
Credit, each Revolving Lender shall be deemed to, and hereby
irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to, purchase from such L/C
Issuer a risk participation in such Letter of Credit in an amount equal
to the product of such Revolving Lender's Pro Rata Share times the
amount of such Letter of Credit.
(iii) Auto-Extension Letters of Credit. If the Borrower so
requests in any applicable Letter of Credit Application, the applicable
L/C Issuer may, in its sole and absolute discretion, agree to issue a
Letter of Credit that has automatic extension provisions (each, an
"Auto-Extension Letter of Credit"); provided that any such
Auto-Extension Letter of Credit must permit such L/C Issuer to prevent
any such extension at least once in each twelve-month period
(commencing with the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit) by
giving prior notice to the beneficiary thereof not later than a day
(the "Non-Extension Notice Date") in each such twelve-month period to
be agreed upon at the time such Letter of Credit is issued. Unless
otherwise directed by the applicable L/C Issuer, the Borrower shall not
be required to make a specific request to such L/C Issuer for any such
extension. Once an Auto-Extension Letter of Credit has been issued, the
Revolving Lenders shall be deemed to have authorized (but may not
require) the applicable L/C Issuer to permit the extension of such
Letter of Credit at any time to an expiry date not later than the
Letter of Credit Expiration Date; provided, however, that such L/C
Issuer shall not permit any such extension if (A) such L/C Issuer has
determined that it would not be permitted, or would have no obligation,
at such time to issue such Letter of Credit in its revised form (as
extended) under the terms hereof (by reason of the provisions of
clauses (ii) and (iii) of Section 2.03(a) or otherwise), or (B) it has
received notice (which may be by telephone or in writing) on or before
the day that is seven Business Days before the Non-Extension Notice
Date (1) from the Administrative Agent that the Required Revolving
Lenders have elected not to permit such extension or (2) from the
Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Loan Party that one or more of
the applicable conditions specified in Section 5.02 is not then
satisfied, and in each such case directing such L/C Issuer not to
permit such extension.
(iv) Reporting by L/C Issuer. Promptly after its delivery of
any Letter of Credit or any amendment to a Letter of Credit to an
advising bank with respect thereto or to the beneficiary thereof, the
applicable L/C Issuer will also deliver to the Borrower and the
Administrative Agent a true and complete copy of such Letter of Credit
or amendment. On a monthly basis, each L/C Issuer shall deliver to the
Administrative Agent a complete list of all outstanding Letters of
Credit issued by such L/C Issuer as provided in Section 2.03(f).
(c) Drawings and Reimbursements; Funding of Participations.
(i) Upon receipt from the beneficiary of any Letter of Credit
of any notice of drawing under such Letter of Credit, the applicable
L/C Issuer shall notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent
thereof. The applicable L/C Issuer shall notify the Borrower of the
amount of the drawing promptly following the determination thereof, and
33
in any event no later than 9:00 a.m. on the Honor Date (as hereafter
defined). Not later than 11:00 a.m. on the date of any payment by the
applicable L/C Issuer under a Letter of Credit (each such date, an
"Honor Date"), the Borrower shall reimburse such L/C Issuer in an
amount equal to the amount of such drawing. If the Borrower fails to so
reimburse the applicable L/C Issuer by such time, such L/C Issuer shall
promptly notify the Administrative Agent, whereupon the Administrative
Agent shall promptly notify each Revolving Lender of the Honor Date,
the amount of the unreimbursed drawing (the "Unreimbursed Amount"), and
the amount of such Revolving Lender's Pro Rata Share thereof. In such
event, the Borrower shall be deemed to have requested a Borrowing of
Base Rate Loans to be disbursed on the Honor Date in an amount equal to
the Unreimbursed Amount, without regard to the minimum and multiples
specified in Section 2.02 for the principal amount of Base Rate Loans,
the amount of the unutilized portion of the Aggregate Revolving
Committed Amount or the conditions set forth in Section 5.02. Any
notice given by the applicable L/C Issuer or the Administrative Agent
pursuant to this Section 2.03(c)(i) may be given by telephone if
immediately confirmed in writing; provided that the lack of such an
immediate confirmation shall not affect the conclusiveness or binding
effect of such notice.
(ii) Each Revolving Lender (including any Revolving Lender
acting as L/C Issuer) shall upon any notice pursuant to Section
2.03(c)(i) make funds available to the Administrative Agent for the
account of the applicable L/C Issuer in Dollars at the Administrative
Agent's Office in an amount equal to its Pro Rata Share of the
Unreimbursed Amount not later than 1:00 p.m. on the Business Day
specified in such notice by the Administrative Agent, whereupon,
subject to the provisions of Section 2.03(c)(iii), each Revolving
Lender that so makes funds available shall be deemed to have made a
Base Rate Loan to the Borrower in such amount. The Administrative Agent
shall remit the funds so received to the applicable L/C Issuer.
(iii) With respect to any Unreimbursed Amount that is not
fully refinanced by a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans for any reason, the
Borrower shall be deemed to have incurred from the applicable L/C
Issuer an L/C Borrowing in the amount of the Unreimbursed Amount that
is not so refinanced, which L/C Borrowing shall be due and payable on
demand (together with interest) and shall bear interest at the Default
Rate. In such event, each Revolving Lender's payment to the
Administrative Agent for the account of the applicable L/C Issuer
pursuant to Section 2.03(c)(ii) shall be deemed payment in respect of
its participation in such L/C Borrowing and shall constitute an L/C
Advance from such Revolving Lender in satisfaction of its participation
obligation under this Section 2.03.
(iv) Until each Revolving Lender funds its Revolving Loan or
L/C Advance pursuant to this Section 2.03(c) to reimburse the
applicable L/C Issuer for any amount drawn under any Letter of Credit,
interest in respect of such Revolving Lender's Pro Rata Share of such
amount shall be solely for the account of such L/C Issuer.
(v) Each Revolving Lender's obligation to make Revolving Loans
or L/C Advances to reimburse the applicable L/C Issuer for amounts
drawn under Letters of Credit, as contemplated by this Section 2.03(c),
shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any
circumstance, including (A) any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment,
defense or other right which such Revolving Lender may have against
such L/C Issuer, the Borrower or any other Person for any reason
whatsoever; (B) the occurrence or continuance of a Default, (C)
noncompliance with the conditions set forth in Section 5.02 or (D) any
other occurrence, event or condition, whether or not similar to any of
the foregoing. No such making of an L/C Advance shall relieve or
otherwise impair the obligation of the Borrower to reimburse the
applicable L/C Issuer for the amount of any payment made by such L/C
34
Issuer under any Letter of Credit, together with interest as provided
herein.
(vi) If any Revolving Lender fails to make available to the
Administrative Agent for the account of the applicable L/C Issuer any
amount required to be paid by such Revolving Lender pursuant to the
foregoing provisions of this Section 2.03(c) by the time specified in
Section 2.03(c)(ii), such L/C Issuer shall be entitled to recover from
such Revolving Lender (acting through the Administrative Agent), on
demand, such amount with interest thereon for the period from the date
such payment is required to the date on which such payment is
immediately available to such L/C Issuer at a rate per annum equal to
the applicable Overnight Rate from time to time in effect. A
certificate of the applicable L/C Issuer submitted to any Revolving
Lender (through the Administrative Agent) with respect to any amounts
owing under this clause (vi) shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
(d) Repayment of Participations.
(i) At any time after the applicable L/C Issuer has made a
payment under any Letter of Credit and has received from any Revolving
Lender such Revolving Lender's L/C Advance in respect of such payment
in accordance with Section 2.03(c), if the Administrative Agent
receives for the account of such L/C Issuer any payment in respect of
the related Unreimbursed Amount or interest thereon (whether directly
from the Borrower or otherwise, including proceeds of Cash Collateral
applied thereto by the Administrative Agent), the Administrative Agent
will distribute to such Revolving Lender its Pro Rata Share thereof
(appropriately adjusted, in the case of interest payments, to reflect
the period of time during which such Revolving Lender's L/C Advance was
outstanding) in Dollars and in the same funds as those received by the
Administrative Agent.
(ii) If any payment received by the Administrative Agent for
the account of the applicable L/C Issuer pursuant to Section 2.03(c)(i)
is required to be returned under any of the circumstances described in
Section 11.06 (including pursuant to any settlement entered into by
such L/C Issuer in its discretion), each Revolving Lender shall pay to
the Administrative Agent for the account of such L/C Issuer its Pro
Rata Share thereof on demand of the Administrative Agent, plus interest
thereon from the date of such demand to the date such amount is
returned by such Revolving Lender, at a rate per annum equal to the
applicable Overnight Rate from time to time in effect. The obligations
of the Revolving Lenders under this clause shall survive the payment in
full of the Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.
(e) Obligations Absolute. The obligation of the Borrower to reimburse
the applicable L/C Issuer for each drawing under each Letter of Credit and to
repay each L/C Borrowing shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and
shall be paid strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under all
circumstances, including the following:
(i) any lack of validity or enforceability of such Letter of
Credit, this Agreement or any other Loan Document;
(ii) the existence of any claim, counterclaim, set-off,
defense or other right that the Borrower or any Subsidiary may have at
any time against any beneficiary or any transferee of such Letter of
Credit (or any Person for whom any such beneficiary or any such
transferee may be acting), such L/C Issuer or any other Person, whether
in connection with this Agreement, the transactions contemplated hereby
or by such Letter of Credit or any agreement or instrument relating
thereto, or any unrelated transaction;
35
(iii) any draft, demand, certificate or other document
presented under such Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent,
invalid or insufficient in any respect or any statement therein being
untrue or inaccurate in any respect; or any loss or delay in the
transmission or otherwise of any document required in order to make a
drawing under such Letter of Credit;
(iv) any payment by such L/C Issuer under such Letter of
Credit against presentation of a draft or certificate that does not
strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit; or any payment
made by such L/C Issuer under such Letter of Credit to any Person
purporting to be a trustee in bankruptcy, debtor-in-possession,
assignee for the benefit of creditors, liquidator, receiver or other
representative of or successor to any beneficiary or any transferee of
such Letter of Credit, including any arising in connection with any
proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law; or
(v) any other circumstance or happening whatsoever, whether or
not similar to any of the foregoing, including any other circumstance
that might otherwise constitute a defense available to, or a discharge
of, the Borrower or any Subsidiary.
The Borrower shall promptly examine a copy of each Letter of Credit and
each amendment thereto that is delivered to it and, in the event of any claim of
noncompliance with the Borrower's instructions or other irregularity, the
Borrower will immediately notify the applicable L/C Issuer. The Borrower shall
be conclusively deemed to have waived any such claim against the applicable L/C
Issuer and its correspondents unless such notice is given as aforesaid.
(f) Role of L/C Issuer. Each Lender and the Borrower agree that, in
paying any drawing under a Letter of Credit, the applicable L/C Issuer shall not
have any responsibility to obtain any document (other than any sight draft,
certificates and documents expressly required by the Letter of Credit) or to
ascertain or inquire as to the validity or accuracy of any such document or the
authority of the Person executing or delivering any such document. None of the
L/C Issuers, the Administrative Agent, any of their respective Related Parties
nor any of the respective correspondents, participants or assignees of the L/C
Issuers shall be liable to any Lender for (i) any action taken or omitted in
connection herewith at the request or with the approval of the Lenders, the
Revolving Lenders, the Required Revolving Lenders or the Required Lenders, as
applicable; (ii) any action taken or omitted in the absence of gross negligence
or willful misconduct; or (iii) the due execution, effectiveness, validity or
enforceability of any document or instrument related to any Letter of Credit or
Issuer Document. The Borrower hereby assumes all risks of the acts or omissions
of any beneficiary or transferee with respect to its use of any Letter of
Credit; provided, however, that this assumption is not intended to, and shall
not, preclude the Borrower's pursuing such rights and remedies as it may have
against the beneficiary or transferee at law or under any other agreement. None
of the L/C Issuers, the Administrative Agent, any of their respective Related
Parties nor any of the respective correspondents, participants or assignees of
the L/C Issuers, shall be liable or responsible for any of the matters described
in clauses (i) through (v) of Section 2.03(e); provided, however, that anything
in such clauses to the contrary notwithstanding, the Borrower may have a claim
against the applicable L/C Issuer, and such L/C Issuer may be liable to the
Borrower, to the extent, but only to the extent, of any direct, as opposed to
consequential or exemplary, damages suffered by the Borrower which the Borrower
proves were caused by such L/C Issuer's willful misconduct or gross negligence
or such L/C Issuer's willful failure to pay under any Letter of Credit after the
presentation to it by the beneficiary of a sight draft and certificate(s)
strictly complying with the terms and conditions of a Letter of Credit. In
furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, each L/C Issuer may accept
documents that appear on their face to be in order, without responsibility for
further investigation, regardless of any notice or information to the contrary,
and such L/C Issuer shall not be responsible for the validity or sufficiency of
any instrument transferring or assigning or purporting to transfer or assign a
36
Letter of Credit or the rights or benefits thereunder or proceeds thereof, in
whole or in part, which may prove to be invalid or ineffective for any reason.
Each L/C Issuer shall provide to the Administrative Agent a list of outstanding
Letters of Credit (together with amounts) issued by it on a monthly basis (and
upon the request of the Administrative Agent); the Administrative Agent shall
provide a copy of such list to any Lender upon request.
(g) Cash Collateral. (i) Upon the request of the Administrative Agent,
(A) if the applicable L/C Issuer has honored any full or partial drawing request
under any Letter of Credit and such drawing has resulted in an L/C Borrowing, or
(B) if, as of the Letter of Credit Expiration Date, any Letter of Credit for any
reason remains outstanding and partially or wholly undrawn, the Borrower shall
immediately Cash Collateralize the then Outstanding Amount of all L/C
Obligations (in an amount equal to such Outstanding Amount determined as of the
date of such L/C Borrowing or the Letter of Credit Expiration Date, as the case
may be).
(ii) In addition, if the Administrative Agent notifies the
Borrower at any time that the Outstanding Amount of all L/C Obligations
at such time exceeds 105% of the Letter of Credit Sublimit then in
effect, then, within two Business Days after receipt of such notice,
the Borrower shall Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations in an amount
equal to the amount by which the Outstanding Amount of all L/C
Obligations exceeds the Letter of Credit Sublimit.
(iii) Sections 2.05 and 9.02(c) set forth certain additional
requirements to deliver Cash Collateral hereunder. For purposes of this
Section 2.03, Section 2.05 and Section 9.02(c), "Cash Collateralize"
means to pledge and deposit with or deliver to the Administrative
Agent, for the benefit of the L/C Issuers and the Lenders, as
collateral for the L/C Obligations, cash or deposit account balances
pursuant to documentation in form and substance satisfactory to the
Administrative Agent and the L/C Issuers (which documents are hereby
consented to by the Lenders). Derivatives of such term have
corresponding meanings. The Borrower hereby grants to the
Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the L/C Issuers and the
Lenders, a security interest in all such cash, deposit accounts and all
balances therein and all proceeds of the foregoing. Cash Collateral
shall be maintained in blocked, interest bearing deposit accounts at
Bank of America.
(h) Applicability of ISP and UCP. Unless otherwise expressly agreed by
the applicable L/C Issuer and the Borrower when a Letter of Credit is issued
(including any such agreement applicable to an Existing DIP Letter of Credit),
(i) the rules of ISP shall apply to each standby Letter of Credit, and (ii) the
rules of the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits, as most
recently published by the International Chamber of Commerce at the time of
issuance shall apply to each commercial Letter of Credit.
(i) Letter of Credit Fees. The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative
Agent for the account of each Revolving Lender in accordance with its Pro Rata
Share, in Dollars, a Letter of Credit fee (the "Letter of Credit Fee") (i) for
each commercial Letter of Credit equal to the Applicable Rate times the daily
amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit and (ii) for each
standby Letter of Credit equal to the Applicable Rate times the daily amount
available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit. For purposes of computing the
daily amount available to be drawn under any Letter of Credit, the amount of
such Letter of Credit shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.07.
Letter of Credit Fees shall be (i) computed on a monthly basis in arrears and
(ii) due and payable on the fifth (5th) Business Day after the end of each
month, commencing with the first such date to occur after the issuance of such
Letter of Credit, on the Letter of Credit Expiration Date and thereafter on
demand. If there is any change in the Applicable Rate during any month, the
daily maximum amount of each Letter of Credit shall be computed and multiplied
by the Applicable Rate separately for each period during such month that such
Applicable Rate was in effect. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
37
contained herein, upon the request of the Required Revolving Lenders, while any
Event of Default exists, all Letter of Credit Fees shall accrue at the Default
Rate.
(j) Fronting Fee and Documentary and Processing Charges Payable to L/C
Issuer. The Borrower shall pay directly to the applicable L/C Issuer for its own
account, (i) a one time fronting fee for each commercial Letter of Credit issued
by it (other than Existing DIP Letters of Credit) equal to 1/8 of 1% times the
amount of such commercial Letter of Credit, due and payable at the time of
issuance and (ii) a fronting fee with respect to each standby Letter of Credit
issued by it (other than Existing DIP Letters of Credit) in an amount equal to
1/8 of 1% per annum on the daily amount available to be drawn thereunder, due
and payable monthly in arrears on the fifth (5th) Business Day after the end of
each month, commencing with the first such date to occur after the issuance of
such standby Letter of Credit, on the Letter of Credit Expiration Date and
thereafter on demand. For purposes of computing the daily amount available to be
drawn under any Letter of Credit, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be
determined in accordance with Section 1.07. In addition, the Borrower shall pay
directly to the applicable L/C Issuer for its own account the customary
issuance, presentation, amendment and other processing fees, and other standard
costs and charges, of such L/C Issuer relating to letters of credit as from time
to time in effect. Such customary fees and standard costs and charges are due
and payable on demand and are nonrefundable.
(k) Conflict with Issuer Documents. In the event of any conflict
between the terms hereof and the terms of any Issuer Document, the terms hereof
shall control.
(l) Letters of Credit Issued for Subsidiaries. Notwithstanding that a
Letter of Credit issued or outstanding hereunder is in support of any
obligations of, or is for the account of, a Subsidiary, the Borrower shall be
obligated to reimburse the applicable L/C Issuer hereunder for any and all
drawings under such Letter of Credit. The Borrower hereby acknowledges that the
issuance of Letters of Credit for the account of Subsidiaries inures to the
benefit of the Borrower, and that the Borrower's business derives substantial
benefits from the businesses of such Subsidiaries.
(m) Existing DIP Letters of Credit and Existing Swap Contracts. The
Borrower has assumed all obligations under the Existing DIP Letters of Credit
and Existing Swap Contracts and shall be considered substituted as account party
or contracting party for all purposes in respect thereof.
2.04 Swing Line Loans.
(a) Swing Line Facility. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth
herein, the Swing Line Lender agrees to make loans (each such loan, a "Swing
Line Loan") to the Borrower in Dollars from time to time on any Business Day
during the Availability Period in an aggregate amount not to exceed TWENTY-FIVE
MILLION DOLLARS ($25,000,000) (the "Swing Line Sublimit") at any time
outstanding, notwithstanding the fact that such Swing Line Loans, when
aggregated with the Pro Rata Share of the Outstanding Amount of Revolving Loans
and L/C Obligations of the Swing Line Lender in its capacity as a Revolving
Lender, may exceed the amount of such Revolving Lender's Revolving Commitment;
provided, however, that after giving effect to any Swing Line Loan, (i) with
regard to the Revolving Lenders collectivity, the Total Revolving Outstandings
shall not exceed the Aggregate Revolving Committed Amount, and (ii) with regard
to each Revolving Lender individually such Revolving Lender's Pro Rata Share of
Total Revolving Outstandings shall not exceed such Revolving Lender's Revolving
Commitment. Within the foregoing limits, and subject to the other terms and
conditions hereof, the Borrower may borrow under this Section 2.04, prepay under
Section 2.05, and reborrow under this Section 2.04. Each Swing Line Loan shall
bear interest at such rate mutually agreed to between the Borrower and the Swing
Line Lender or, in the absence of such mutual agreement, shall be a Base Rate
Loan. Immediately upon the making of a Swing Line Loan, each Revolving Lender
38
shall be deemed to, and hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees to,
purchase from the Swing Line Lender a risk participation in such Swing Line Loan
in an amount equal to the product of such Revolving Lender's Pro Rata Share
times the amount of such Swing Line Loan.
(b) Borrowing Procedures. Each Borrowing of Swing Line Loans shall be
made upon the Borrower's irrevocable notice to the Swing Line Lender and the
Administrative Agent, which may be given by telephone. Each such notice must be
received by the Swing Line Lender and the Administrative Agent not later than
1:00 p.m. on the requested borrowing date, and shall specify (i) the amount to
be borrowed, which shall be a minimum principal amount of $250,000 and integral
multiples of $100,000 in excess thereof, and (ii) the requested borrowing date,
which shall be a Business Day. Each such telephonic notice must be confirmed
promptly by delivery to the Swing Line Lender and the Administrative Agent of a
written Swing Line Loan Notice, appropriately completed and signed by an
authorized officer of the Borrower. Promptly after receipt by the Swing Line
Lender of any telephonic Swing Line Loan Notice, the Swing Line Lender will
confirm with the Administrative Agent (by telephone or in writing) that the
Administrative Agent has also received such Swing Line Loan Notice and, if not,
the Swing Line Lender will notify the Administrative Agent (by telephone or in
writing) of the contents thereof. Unless the Swing Line Lender has received
notice (by telephone or in writing) from the Administrative Agent (including at
the request of any Lender) prior to 2:00 p.m. on the date of the proposed
Borrowing of Swing Line Loans (A) directing the Swing Line Lender not to make
such Swing Line Loan as a result of the limitations set forth in the proviso to
the first sentence of Section 2.04(a), or (B) that one or more of the applicable
conditions specified in Section 5.02 is not then satisfied, then, subject to the
terms and conditions hereof, the Swing Line Lender will, not later than 3:00
p.m. on the borrowing date specified in such Swing Line Loan Notice, make the
amount of its Swing Line Loan available to the Borrower.
(c) Refinancing of Swing Line Loans.
(i) The Swing Line Lender at any time in its sole and absolute
discretion may request, on behalf of the Borrower (which hereby
irrevocably requests and authorizes the Swing Line Lender to so request
on its behalf), that each Revolving Lender make a Base Rate Loan in an
amount equal to such Revolving Lender's Pro Rata Share of the amount of
Swing Line Loans then outstanding. Such request shall be made in
writing (which written request shall be deemed to be a Loan Notice for
purposes hereof) and in accordance with the requirements of Section
2.02, without regard to the minimum and multiples specified therein for
the principal amount of Base Rate Loans, the unutilized portion of the
Aggregate Revolving Committed Amount or the conditions set forth in
Section 5.02. The Swing Line Lender shall furnish the Borrower with a
copy of the applicable Loan Notice promptly after delivering such
notice to the Administrative Agent. Each Revolving Lender shall make an
amount equal to its Pro Rata Share of the amount specified in such Loan
Notice available to the Administrative Agent in immediately available
funds for the account of the Swing Line Lender at the Administrative
Agent's Office not later than 1:00 p.m. on the day specified in such
Loan Notice, whereupon, subject to Section 2.04(c)(ii), each Revolving
Lender that so makes funds available shall be deemed to have made a
Base Rate Loan to the Borrower in such amount. The Administrative Agent
shall remit the funds so received to the Swing Line Lender.
(ii) If for any reason any Swing Line Loan cannot be
refinanced by such a Borrowing of Revolving Loans in accordance with
Section 2.04(c)(i), the request for Base Rate Loans submitted by the
Swing Line Lender as set forth herein shall be deemed to be a request
by the Swing Line Lender that each of the Revolving Lenders fund its
risk participation in the relevant Swing Line Loan and each Revolving
Lender's payment to the Administrative Agent for the account of the
39
Swing Line Lender pursuant to Section 2.04(c)(i) shall be deemed
payment in respect of such participation.
(iii) If any Revolving Lender fails to make available to the
Administrative Agent for the account of the Swing Line Lender any
amount required to be paid by such Revolving Lender pursuant to the
foregoing provisions of this Section 2.04(c) by the time specified in
Section 2.04(c)(i), the Swing Line Lender shall be entitled to recover
from such Revolving Lender (acting through the Administrative Agent),
on demand, such amount with interest thereon for the period from the
date such payment is required to the date on which such payment is
immediately available to the Swing Line Lender at a rate per annum
equal to the applicable Overnight Rate from time to time in effect. A
certificate of the Swing Line Lender submitted to any Revolving Lender
(through the Administrative Agent) with respect to any amounts owing
under this clause (iii) shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
(iv) Each Revolving Lender's obligation to make Revolving
Loans or to purchase and fund risk participations in Swing Line Loans
pursuant to this Section 2.04(c) shall be absolute and unconditional
and shall not be affected by any circumstance, including (A) any
set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right that such
Revolving Lender may have against the Swing Line Lender, the Borrower
or any other Person for any reason whatsoever, (B) the occurrence or
continuance of a Default, (C) non-compliance with the conditions set
forth in Section 5.02 or (D) any other occurrence, event or condition,
whether or not similar to any of the foregoing. No such purchase or
funding of risk participations shall relieve or otherwise impair the
obligation of the Borrower to repay Swing Line Loans, together with
interest as provided herein.
(d) Repayment of Participations.
(i) At any time after any Revolving Lender has purchased and
funded a risk participation in a Swing Line Loan, if the Swing Line
Lender receives any payment on account of such Swing Line Loan, the
Swing Line Lender will distribute to such Revolving Lender its Pro Rata
Share of such payment (appropriately adjusted, in the case of interest
payments, to reflect the period of time during which such Revolving
Lender's risk participation was funded) in the same funds as those
received by the Swing Line Lender.
(ii) If any payment received by the Swing Line Lender in
respect of principal or interest on any Swing Line Loan is required to
be returned by the Swing Line Lender under any of the circumstances
described in Section 11.06 (including pursuant to any settlement
entered into by the Swing Line Lender in its discretion), each
Revolving Lender shall pay to the Swing Line Lender its Pro Rata Share
thereof on demand of the Administrative Agent, plus interest thereon
from the date of such demand to the date such amount is returned, at a
rate per annum equal to the applicable Overnight Rate. The
Administrative Agent will make such demand upon the request of the
Swing Line Lender. The obligations of the Revolving Lenders under this
clause shall survive the payment in full of the Obligations and the
termination of this Agreement.
(e) Interest for Account of Swing Line Lender. The Swing Line Lender
shall be responsible for invoicing the Borrower for interest on the Swing Line
Loans. Until each Revolving Lender funds its Revolving Loans that are Base Rate
Loans or risk participation pursuant to this Section 2.04 to refinance such
Revolving Lender's Pro Rata Share of any Swing Line Loan, interest in respect of
such Pro Rata Share shall be solely for the account of the Swing Line Lender.
40
(f) Payments Directly to Swing Line Lender. The Borrower shall make all
payments of principal and interest in respect of the Swing Line Loans directly
to the Swing Line Lender.
2.05 Prepayments.
(a) Voluntary Prepayments. The Loans may be repaid in whole or in part
without premium or penalty; provided that
(i) (A) in the case of Loans other than Swing Line Loans, (1)
notice thereof must be received by 11:00 a.m. by the Administrative
Agent at least three Business Days prior to the date of prepayment, in
the case of Eurodollar Rate Loans and (2) one Business Day prior to the
date of prepayment, in the case of Base Rate Loans, (B) any such
prepayment shall be a minimum principal amount of (1) $5,000,000 and
integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess thereof, in the case of
Eurodollar Rate Loans and (2) $1,000,000 and integral multiples of
$500,000 in excess thereof, in the case of Base Rate Loans, or, in each
case, the entire remaining principal amount thereof, if less; and
(ii) in the case of Swing Line Loans, (A) notice thereof must
be received by the Swing Line Lender by 1:00 p.m. on the date of
prepayment (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), and (B) any such
prepayment shall be in the same minimum principal amounts as for
advances thereof (or any lesser amount that may be acceptable to the
Swing Line Lender).
Each such notice of voluntary prepayment hereunder shall be irrevocable
and shall specify the date and amount of prepayment and the Loans and Types of
Loans that are being prepaid and, if Eurodollar Rate Loans are to be prepaid,
the Interest Period(s) of such Loans; provided, however, that the Borrower may
rescind any notice of voluntary prepayment hereunder if such prepayment would
have resulted from a refinancing of all of the Loans and Commitment, and such
refinancing shall not have been consummated or shall otherwise have been
delayed. The Administrative Agent will give prompt notice to the applicable
Lenders of any prepayment on the Loans and the Lender's interest therein.
Prepayments of Eurodollar Rate Loans hereunder shall be accompanied by accrued
interest on the amount prepaid and breakage amounts, if any, under Section 3.05.
(b) Mandatory Prepayments.
(i) Revolving Commitments. If at any time (A) the Total
Revolving Outstandings shall exceed the Aggregate Revolving Committed
Amount, (B) the Outstanding Amount of L/C Obligations shall exceed the
Letter of Credit Sublimit, or (C) the Outstanding Amount of Swing Line
Loans shall exceed the Swing Line Sublimit, the Borrower shall
immediately prepay the Total Revolving Outstandings and/or Cash
Collateralize L/C Obligations in an amount equal to such excess;
provided, however, that, except with respect to clauses (A) and (B)
above, L/C Obligations will not be Cash Collateralized hereunder until
the Revolving Loans and Swing Line Loans have been paid in full.
(ii) Dispositions. The Borrower shall prepay the Loans and L/C
Obligations within 5 Business Days following receipt of Net Cash
Proceeds required to be prepaid pursuant to the provisions hereof in an
amount equal to 100% of the Net Cash Proceeds received from any
Disposition or Involuntary Disposition by the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries, to the extent (A) such proceeds are not reinvested in the
same or similar properties or assets within nine months of the date of
such Disposition or Involuntary Disposition (or, if the Borrower or any
of its Subsidiaries enters into a commitment to reinvest such Net Cash
Proceeds within nine months of the date of such Disposition or
Involuntary Disposition, within nine months of the date of such
41
commitment) and (B) the aggregate amount of such proceeds that are not
reinvested (or committed to be reinvested) in accordance with clause
(A) hereof exceeds $10,000,000 in any fiscal year.
(iii) Consolidated Excess Cash Flow. The Borrower shall prepay
the Loans and L/C Obligations within 5 Business Days following delivery
of each annual Compliance Certificate delivered under Section 7.02(b),
commencing with the Compliance Certificate for the fiscal year ending
December 31, 2007, in an amount equal to 50% of Consolidated Excess
Cash Flow for the fiscal year to which such Compliance Certificate
relates; provided that no such prepayment shall be required if at such
time (A) the Consolidated Leverage Ratio shall be equal to or less than
2.5:1.0 and (B) the Debt Ratings are BB (stable) or higher as rated by
S&P and Ba2 (stable) or higher as rated by Moody's.
(c) Application of Prepayments. Within each Loan, prepayments will be
applied first to Base Rate Loans, then to Eurodollar Rate Loans in direct order
of Interest Period maturities. In addition:
(i) Voluntary Prepayments. Voluntary prepayments shall be
applied to such Loans as specified by the Borrower; provided that
prepayments on the Tranche A Term Loan or the Tranche B Term Loan, as
applicable, shall be applied pro rata to remaining principal
amortization installments. Voluntary prepayments will be paid by the
Administrative Agent to the Lenders ratably in accordance with their
respective interests therein.
(ii) Mandatory Prepayments. Mandatory prepayments on the
outstanding Loans and L/C Obligations will be paid by the
Administrative Agent to the Lenders ratably in accordance with their
respective interests therein; provided that:
(A) mandatory prepayments under subsection (b)(i)
above shall be applied to the respective Revolving Loans,
Swing Line Loans and/or L/C Obligations as appropriate; and
(B) mandatory prepayments under subsections (b)(ii)
and (b)(iii) above shall be applied first to the Tranche B
Term Loan until paid in full, second to the Tranche A Term
Loan until paid in full and third to the Total Revolving
Outstandings. Mandatory prepayments on the Tranche A Term Loan
and the Tranche B Term Loan shall be applied pro rata to
remaining principal amortization installments.
(iii) Eurodollar Prepayment Account. If the Borrower is
required to make a mandatory prepayment of Eurodollar Rate Loans under
this Section 2.04(b), so long as no Event of Default exists, the
Borrower shall have the right, in lieu of making such prepayment in
full, to deposit an amount equal to such mandatory prepayment with the
Administrative Agent in a cash collateral account maintained (pursuant
to documentation reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent)
by and in the sole dominion and control of the Administrative Agent.
Any amounts so deposited shall be held by the Administrative Agent as
collateral for the prepayment of such Eurodollar Rate Loans and shall
be applied to the prepayment of the applicable Eurodollar Rate Loans at
the end of the current Interest Periods applicable thereto or, sooner,
at the election of the Administrative Agent, upon the occurrence of an
Event of Default. At the request of the Borrower, amounts so deposited
shall be invested by the Administrative Agent in Cash Equivalents
maturing on or prior to the date or dates on which it is anticipated
that such amounts will be applied to prepay such Eurodollar Rate Loans;
any interest earned on such Cash Equivalents will be for the account of
the Borrower and the Borrower will deposit with the Administrative
Agent the amount of any loss on any such Cash Equivalents to the extent
42
necessary in order that the amount of the prepayment to be made with
the deposited amounts may not be reduced.
2.06 Termination or Reduction of Aggregate Revolving Committed Amount.
The Aggregate Revolving Committed Amount may be permanently reduced in
whole or in part by notice from the Borrower to the Administrative Agent;
provided that (a) any such notice thereof must be received by 11:00 a.m. at
least three Business Days prior to the date of reduction or termination and any
such reduction or termination shall be in a minimum principal amount of
$5,000,000 and integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess thereof (or the
remaining amount of the Aggregate Revolving Committed Amount); and (b) the
Aggregate Revolving Committed Amount may not be reduced to an amount less than
the Total Revolving Outstandings. The Administrative Agent will give prompt
notice to the Revolving Lenders of any such reduction in Aggregate Revolving
Committed Amount. Any reduction of the Aggregate Revolving Committed Amount
shall be applied to the Revolving Commitments of the Revolving Lenders ratably
in accordance with their respective interests therein. All commitment or other
fees accrued until the effective date of any termination of the Aggregate
Revolving Committed Amount shall be paid on the effective date of such
termination.
2.07 Repayment of Loans.
(a) Revolving Loans. The Borrower shall repay to the Revolving Lenders
on the Maturity Date the aggregate principal amount of all Revolving Loans
outstanding on such date.
(b) Swing Line Loans. The Borrower shall repay each Swing Line Loan on
the earlier to occur of (i) demand by the Swing Line Lender and (ii) the
Maturity Date.
(c) Tranche A Term Loan. The outstanding principal amount of the
Tranche A Term Loan shall be repayable in consecutive quarterly installments on
the dates set forth below, beginning on December 31, 2007 and ending on the
Maturity Date, as follows (expressed in terms of percentage of original
principal amount), unless accelerated sooner pursuant to Section 9.02:
------------------------------------- -------------------------------
PAYMENT DATE PRINCIPAL AMORTIZATION
PAYMENT AMOUNT
------------------------------------- -------------------------------
December 31, 2007 1.25%
------------------------------------- -------------------------------
March 31, 2008 1.25%
------------------------------------- -------------------------------
June 30, 2008 1.25%
------------------------------------- -------------------------------
September 30, 2008 1.25%
------------------------------------- -------------------------------
December 31, 2008 1.25%
------------------------------------- -------------------------------
March 31, 2009 1.25%
------------------------------------- -------------------------------
June 30, 2009 1.25%
------------------------------------- -------------------------------
September 30, 2009 1.25%
------------------------------------- -------------------------------
December 31, 2009 2.50%
------------------------------------- -------------------------------
March 31, 2010 2.50%
------------------------------------- -------------------------------
June 30, 2010 2.50%
------------------------------------- -------------------------------
September 30, 2010 2.50%
------------------------------------- -------------------------------
December 31, 2010 2.50%
------------------------------------- -------------------------------
March 31, 2011 2.50%
------------------------------------- -------------------------------
June 30, 2011 2.50%
------------------------------------- -------------------------------
Maturity Date 72.50%
------------------------------------- -------------------------------
Total 100.00%
------------------------------------- -------------------------------
43
(d) Tranche B Term Loan. The outstanding principal amount of the
Tranche B Term Loan shall be repayable in consecutive quarterly installments on
the dates set forth below, beginning on December 31, 2006 and ending on the
Maturity Date, as follows (expressed in terms of percentage of original
principal amount), unless accelerated sooner pursuant to Section 9.02.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------
PAYMENT DATE PRINCIPAL AMORTIZATION PAYMENT DATE PRINCIPAL AMORTIZATION
PAYMENT AMOUNT PAYMENT AMOUNT
------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
December 31, 2006 0.25% June 30, 2010 0.25%
------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------
March 31, 2007 0.25% September 30, 2010 0.25%
------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------
June 30, 2007 0.25% December 31, 2010 0.25%
------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------
September 30, 2007 0.25% March 31, 2011 0.25%
------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------
December 31, 2007 0.25% June 30, 2011 0.25%
------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------
March 31, 2008 0.25% September 30, 2011 0.25%
------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------
June 30, 2008 0.25% December 31, 2011 0.25%
------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------
September 30, 2008 0.25% March 31, 2012 0.25%
------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------
December 31, 2008 0.25% June 30, 2012 0.25%
------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------
March 31, 2009 0.25% September 30, 2012 0.25%
------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------
June 30, 2009 0.25% December 31, 2012 1.00%
------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------
September 30, 2009 0.25% March 31, 2013 1.00%
------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------
December 31, 2009 0.25% June 30, 2013 1.00%
------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------
March 31, 2010 0.25% Maturity Date 91.00%
------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------
Total 100.00%
------------------------------- ---------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------------
</TABLE>
2.08 Interest.
(a) Subject to the provisions of subsection (b) below, (i) each
Eurodollar Rate Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal
amount thereof for each Interest Period at a rate per annum equal to
the sum of (A) the Eurodollar Rate for such Interest Period plus (B)
the Applicable Rate; (ii) each Base Rate Loan shall bear interest on
the outstanding principal amount thereof from the applicable borrowing
date at a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate plus the Applicable
Rate; and (iii) unless otherwise mutually agreed between the Borrower
and the Swing Line Lender, each Swing Line Loan shall bear interest on
the outstanding principal amount thereof from the applicable borrowing
date at a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate plus the Applicable
Rate.
(b) (i) If any amount of principal of any Loan is not paid when due
(without regard to any applicable grace periods), whether at stated
maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, such amount shall thereafter
bear interest at a fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times
equal to the Default Rate to the fullest extent permitted by applicable
Laws.
(ii) If any amount (other than principal of any Loan) payable
by the Borrower under any Loan Document is not paid when due (without
regard to any applicable grace periods), whether at stated maturity, by
acceleration or otherwise, then upon the request of the Required
Lenders, such amount shall thereafter bear interest at a fluctuating
interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default Rate to the
fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws.
44
(iii) Upon the request of the Required Lenders, while any
Event of Default exists, the Borrower shall pay interest on the
principal amount of all outstanding Obligations hereunder at a
fluctuating interest rate per annum at all times equal to the Default
Rate to the fullest extent permitted by applicable Laws.
(iv) Accrued and unpaid interest on past due amounts
(including interest on past due interest) shall be due and payable upon
demand.
(c) Interest on each Loan shall be due and payable in arrears on each
Interest Payment Date applicable thereto and at such other times as may be
specified herein. Interest hereunder shall be due and payable in accordance with
the terms hereof before and after judgment, and before and after the
commencement of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law.
2.09 Fees.
In addition to certain fees described in subsections (i) and (j) of
Section 2.03:
(a) Commitment Fee. The Borrower shall pay to the
Administrative Agent for the account of each Revolving Lender in
accordance with its Pro Rata Share, a commitment fee in Dollars equal
to the product of (i) the Applicable Rate times (ii) the actual daily
amount by which the Aggregate Revolving Committed Amount exceeds the
sum of (y) the Outstanding Amount of Revolving Loans and (z) the
Outstanding Amount of L/C Obligations. The commitment fee shall accrue
at all times during the Availability Period, including at any time
during which one or more of the conditions in Section 5.02 is not met,
and shall be (i) computed on a quarterly basis in arrears and (ii) due
and payable on the fifth (5th) Business Day after the end of each
March, June, September and December, commencing with the first such
date to occur after the Closing Date, and on the Maturity Date. The
commitment fee shall be calculated quarterly in arrears, and if there
is any change in the Applicable Rate during any quarter, the actual
daily amount shall be computed and multiplied by the Applicable Rate
separately for each period during such quarter that such Applicable
Rate was in effect. For purposes of clarification, Swing Line Loans
shall not be considered outstanding for purposes of determining the
unused portion of the Aggregate Revolving Committed Amount.
(b) Fee Letter. The Borrower shall pay to BAS and the
Administrative Agent for their own respective accounts, in Dollars,
fees in the amounts and at the times specified in the Fee Letter. Such
fees shall be fully earned when paid and shall be non-refundable for
any reason whatsoever.
2.10 Computation of Interest and Fees.
All computations of interest for Base Rate Loans when the Base Rate is
determined by Bank of America's "prime rate" shall be made on the basis of a
year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be, and actual days elapsed. All other
computations of fees and interest shall be made on the basis of a 360-day year
and actual days elapsed (which results in more fees or interest, as applicable,
being paid than if computed on the basis of a 365-day year). Interest shall
accrue on each Loan for the day on which the Loan is made, and shall not accrue
on a Loan, or any portion thereof, for the day on which the Loan or such portion
is paid, provided that any Loan that is repaid on the same day on which it is
made shall, subject to Section 2.12(a), bear interest for one day.
45
2.11 Evidence of Debt.
(a) The Credit Extensions made by each Lender shall be evidenced by one
or more accounts or records maintained by such Lender and by the Administrative
Agent in the ordinary course of business. The accounts or records maintained by
the Administrative Agent and each Lender shall be conclusive absent manifest
error of the amount of the Credit Extensions made by the Lenders to the Borrower
and the interest and payments thereon. Any failure to so record or any error in
doing so shall not, however, limit or otherwise affect the obligation of the
Borrower hereunder to pay any amount owing with respect to the Obligations. In
the event of any conflict between the accounts and records maintained by any
Lender and the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent in respect of
such matters, the accounts and records of the Administrative Agent shall control
in the absence of manifest error. Upon the request of any Lender made through
the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall execute and deliver to such Lender
(through the Administrative Agent) a promissory note, which shall evidence such
Lender's Loans in addition to such accounts or records. Each such promissory
note shall (i) in the case of Revolving Loans, be in the form of Exhibit C-1 (a
"Revolving Note"), (ii) in the case of Swing Line Loans, be in the form of
Exhibit C-2 (a "Swing Line Note"), (iii) in the case of the Tranche A Term Loan,
be in the form of Exhibit C-3 (a "Tranche A Term Note") and (iv) in the case of
the Tranche B Term Loan, be in the form of Exhibit C-4 (a "Tranche B Term
Note"). Each Lender may attach schedules to a Note and endorse thereon the date,
Type (if applicable), amount and maturity of its Loans and payments with respect
thereto.
(b) In addition to the accounts and records referred to in subsection
(a), each Revolving Lender and the Administrative Agent shall maintain in
accordance with its usual practice accounts or records evidencing the purchases
and sales by such Revolving Lender of participations in Letters of Credit and
Swing Line Loans. In the event of any conflict between the accounts and records
maintained by the Administrative Agent and the accounts and records of any
Lender in respect of such matters, the accounts and records of the
Administrative Agent shall control in the absence of manifest error.
2.12 Payments Generally; Administrative Agent's Clawback.
(a) General. All payments to be made by the Borrower shall be made
without condition or deduction for any counterclaim, defense, recoupment or
setoff. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, all payments by the
Borrower hereunder shall be made to the Administrative Agent, for the account of
the respective Lenders to which such payment is owed, at the applicable
Administrative Agent's Office in Dollars and in immediately available funds not
later than 2:00 p.m. on the date specified herein. The Administrative Agent will
promptly distribute to each Lender its Pro Rata Share (or other applicable share
as provided herein) of such payment in like funds as received by wire transfer
to such Lender's Lending Office. All payments received by the Administrative
Agent after 2:00 p.m. shall be deemed received on the next succeeding Business
Day and any applicable interest or fee shall continue to accrue. Subject to the
definition of "Interest Period", if any payment to be made by the Borrower shall
come due on a day other than a Business Day, payment shall be made on the next
following Business Day, and such extension of time shall be reflected in
computing interest or fees, as the case may be.
(b) (i) Funding by Lenders; Presumption by Administrative Agent. Unless
the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior
to the proposed date of any Borrowing of Eurodollar Rate Loans (or, in
the case of any Borrowing of Base Rate Loans, prior to 12:00 noon on
the date of such Borrowing) that such Lender will not make available to
the Administrative Agent such Lender's share of such Borrowing, the
Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such share
available on such date in accordance with Section 2.02 (or, in the case
of a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans, that such Lender has made such share
available in accordance with and at the time required by Section 2.02)
46
and may, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the
Borrower a corresponding amount. In such event, if a Lender has not in
fact made its share of the applicable Borrowing available to the
Administrative Agent, then the applicable Lender and the Borrower
severally agree to pay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand
such corresponding amount in immediately available funds with interest
thereon, for each day from and including the date such amount is made
available to the Borrower to but excluding the date of payment to the
Administrative Agent, at (A) in the case of a payment to be made by
such Lender, the Overnight Rate, plus any administrative, processing or
similar fees customarily charged by the Administrative Agent in
connection with the foregoing, and (B) in the case of a payment to be
made by the Borrower, the interest rate applicable to Base Rate Loans.
If the Borrower and such Lender shall pay such interest to the
Administrative Agent for the same or an overlapping period, the
Administrative Agent shall promptly remit to the Borrower the amount of
such interest paid by the Borrower for such period. If such Lender pays
its share of the applicable Borrowing to the Administrative Agent, then
the amount so paid shall constitute such Lender's Loan included in such
Borrowing. Any payment by the Borrower shall be without prejudice to
any claim the Borrower may have against a Lender that shall have failed
to make such payment to the Administrative Agent.
(ii) Payments by Borrower; Presumptions by Administrative
Agent. Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from
the Borrower prior to the time at which any payment is due to the
Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders hereunder that the
Borrower will not make such payment, the Administrative Agent may
assume that the Borrower has made such payment on such date in
accordance herewith and may, in reliance upon such assumption,
distribute to the Lenders the amount due. In such event, if the
Borrower has not in fact made such payment, then each of the Lenders
severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on
demand the amount so distributed to such Lender in immediately
available funds with interest thereon, for each day from and including
the date such amount is distributed to it to but excluding the date of
payment to the Administrative Agent, at the Overnight Rate.
A notice of the Administrative Agent to any Lender or the
Borrower with respect to any amount owing under this subsection (b)
shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.
(c) Failure to Satisfy Conditions Precedent. If any Lender makes
available to the Administrative Agent funds for any Loan to be made by such
Lender as provided in the foregoing provisions of this Article II, and such
funds are not made available to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent because
the conditions to the applicable Credit Extension set forth in Section 5.02 are
not satisfied or waived in accordance with the terms hereof, the Administrative
Agent shall return such funds (in like funds as received from such Lender) to
such Lender, without interest.
(d) Obligations of Lenders Several. The obligations of the Lenders
hereunder to make Loans, to fund participations in Letters of Credit and Swing
Line Loans and to make payments pursuant to Section 11.05(b) are several and not
joint. The failure of any Lender to make any Loan, to fund any such
participation or to make any payment under Section 11.05(b) on any date required
hereunder shall not relieve any other Lender of its corresponding obligation to
do so on such date, and no Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any
other Lender to so make its Loan, to purchase its participation or to make its
payment under Section 11.05(b).
(e) Funding Source. Nothing herein shall be deemed to obligate any
Lender to obtain the funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner or to
constitute a representation by any Lender that it has obtained or will obtain
the funds for any Loan in any particular place or manner.
47
2.13 Sharing of Payments.
If, other than as expressly provided elsewhere herein, any Lender shall
obtain on account of the Loans made by it, or the participations in L/C
Obligations or in Swing Line Loans held by it (but not including any amounts
applied by the Swing Line Lender to outstanding Swing Line Loans), any payment
(whether voluntary, involuntary, through the exercise of any right of set-off,
or otherwise) in excess of its ratable share (or other share contemplated
hereunder) thereof, such Lender shall immediately (a) notify the Administrative
Agent of such fact, and (b) purchase from the other Lenders such participations
in the Loans made by them and/or such subparticipations in the participations in
L/C Obligations or Swing Line Loans held by them, as the case may be, as shall
be necessary to cause such purchasing Lender to share the excess payment in
respect of such Loans or such participations, as the case may be, pro rata with
each of them; provided, however, that if all or any portion of such excess
payment is thereafter recovered from the purchasing Lender under any of the
circumstances described in Section 11.06 (including pursuant to any settlement
entered into by the purchasing Lender in its discretion), such purchase shall to
that extent be rescinded and each other Lender shall repay to the purchasing
Lender the purchase price paid therefor, together with an amount equal to such
paying Lender's ratable share (according to the proportion of (i) the amount of
such paying Lender's required repayment to (ii) the total amount so recovered
from the purchasing Lender) of any interest or other amount paid or payable by
the purchasing Lender in respect of the total amount so recovered, without
further interest thereon. The Borrower agrees that any Lender so purchasing a
participation from another Lender may, to the fullest extent permitted by law,
exercise all its rights of payment (including the right of set-off, but subject
to Section 11.09) with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender
were the direct creditor of the Borrower in the amount of such participation.
The Administrative Agent will keep records (which shall be conclusive and
binding in the absence of manifest error) of participations purchased under this
Section and will in each case notify the Lenders following any such purchases or
repayments. Each Lender that purchases a participation pursuant to this Section
shall from and after such purchase have the right to give all notices, requests,
demands, directions and other communications under this Agreement with respect
to the portion of the Obligations purchased to the same extent as though the
purchasing Lender were the original owner of the Obligations purchased.
ARTICLE III
TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY
3.01 Taxes.
(a) Any and all payments by any Loan Party to or for the account of the
Administrative Agent or any Lender under any Loan Document shall be made free
and clear of and without deduction for any and all present or future taxes,
duties, levies, imposts, deductions, assessments, fees, withholdings or similar
charges, branch profits taxes and all liabilities with respect thereto,
excluding, in the case of the Administrative Agent and each Lender, taxes
imposed on or measured by its overall net income, and franchise taxes imposed on
it (in lieu of net income taxes), by the jurisdiction (or any political
subdivision thereof) under the Laws of which the Administrative Agent or such
Lender, as the case may be, is organized or maintains a lending office (all such
non-excluded taxes, duties, levies, imposts, deductions, assessments, fees,
withholdings or similar charges, and liabilities being hereinafter referred to
as "Taxes"). If any Loan Party shall be required by any Laws to deduct any Taxes
from or in respect of any sum payable under any Loan Document to the
Administrative Agent or any Lender, (i) the sum payable shall be increased as
necessary so that after making all required deductions (including deductions
applicable to additional sums payable under this Section), each of the
Administrative Agent and such Lender receives an amount equal to the sum it
would have received had no such deductions been made, (ii) such Loan Party shall
make such deductions, (iii) such Loan Party shall pay the full amount deducted
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to the relevant taxation authority or other authority in accordance with
applicable Laws, and (iv) within thirty days after the date of such payment,
such Loan Party shall furnish to the Administrative Agent (which shall forward
the same to such Lender) the original or a certified copy of a receipt
evidencing payment thereof.
(b) In addition, the Borrower agrees to pay any and all present or
future stamp, court or documentary taxes and any other excise or property taxes
or charges or similar levies which arise from any payment made under any Loan
Document or from the execution, delivery, performance, enforcement or
registration of, or otherwise with respect to, any Loan Document (hereinafter
referred to as "Other Taxes").
(c) If the Borrower shall be required to deduct or pay any Taxes or
Other Taxes from or in respect of any sum payable under any Loan Document to the
Administrative Agent or any Lender, the Borrower shall also pay to the
Administrative Agent or to such Lender, as the case may be, at the time interest
is paid, such additional amount that the Administrative Agent or such Lender
specifies is necessary to preserve the after-tax yield (after factoring in all
taxes, including taxes imposed on or measured by net income) that the
Administrative Agent or such Lender would have received if such Taxes or Other
Taxes had not been imposed.
(d) The Borrower agrees to indemnify the Administrative Agent and each
Lender for (i) the full amount of Taxes and Other Taxes (including any Taxes or
Other Taxes imposed or asserted by any jurisdiction on amounts payable under
this Section) paid by the Administrative Agent and such Lender, (ii) amounts
payable under Section 3.01(c) and (iii) any liability (including additions to
tax, penalties, interest and expenses) arising therefrom or with respect
thereto, in each case whether or not such Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or
legally imposed or asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. Payment
under this subsection (d) shall be made within thirty days after the date the
Lender or the Administrative Agent makes a demand therefor.
3.02 Illegality.
If any Lender determines that any Law has made it unlawful, or that any
Governmental Authority has asserted that it is unlawful, for any Lender or its
applicable Lending Office to make, maintain or fund Eurodollar Rate Loans, or to
determine or charge interest rates based upon the Eurodollar Rate, or any
Governmental Authority has imposed material restrictions on the authority of
such Lender to purchase or sell, or to take deposits of Dollars in the
applicable interbank market, then, on notice thereof by such Lender to the
Borrower through the Administrative Agent, any obligation of such Lender to make
or continue Eurodollar Rate Loans or to convert Base Rate Loans to Eurodollar
Rate Loans, shall be suspended until such Lender notifies the Administrative
Agent and the Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to such determination
no longer exist. Upon receipt of such notice, the Borrower shall, upon demand
from such Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), prepay or, if
applicable, convert such Eurodollar Rate Loans of such Lender to Base Rate
Loans, either on the last day of the Interest Period therefor, if such Lender
may lawfully continue to maintain such Eurodollar Rate Loans to such day, or
immediately, if such Lender may not lawfully continue to maintain such
Eurodollar Rate Loans. Upon any such prepayment or conversion, the Borrower
shall also pay accrued interest on the amount so prepaid or converted. Each
Lender agrees to designate a different Lending Office if such designation will
avoid the need for such notice and will not, in the good faith judgment of such
Lender, otherwise be materially disadvantageous to such Lender.
3.03 Inability to Determine Rates.
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If the Administrative Agent determines that for any reason in
connection with any request for a Eurodollar Rate Loan or a conversion to or
continuation thereof that (i) deposits are not being offered to banks in the
applicable offshore interbank market for Dollars for the applicable amount and
Interest Period of such Eurodollar Rate Loan, (ii) adequate and reasonable means
do not exist for determining the Eurodollar Base Rate for any requested Interest
Period with respect to a proposed Eurodollar Rate Loan, or (iii) the Eurodollar
Base Rate for any requested Interest Period with respect to a proposed
Eurodollar Rate Loan does not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to the
Lenders of funding such Loan, the Administrative Agent will promptly notify the
Borrower and all Lenders. Thereafter, the obligation of the Lenders to make or
maintain Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be suspended until the Administrative Agent
revokes such notice. Upon receipt of such notice, the Borrower may revoke any
pending request for a Borrowing, conversion or continuation of Eurodollar Rate
Loans or, failing that, will be deemed to have converted such request into a
request for a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans in the amount specified therein.
3.04 Increased Cost and Reduced Return; Capital Adequacy.
(a) If any Lender determines that as a result of the introduction of or
any change in or in the interpretation of any Law, or such Lender's compliance
therewith, there shall be any increase in the cost to such Lender of agreeing to
make or making, funding or maintaining Eurodollar Rate Loans or (as the case may
be) issuing or participating in Letters of Credit, or a reduction in the amount
received or receivable by such Lender in connection with any of the foregoing
(excluding for purposes of this subsection (a) any such increased costs or
reduction in amount resulting from (i) Taxes or Other Taxes (as to which Section
3.01 shall govern), (ii) changes in the basis of taxation of overall net income
or overall gross income by the United States or any foreign jurisdiction or any
political subdivision of either thereof under the Laws of which such Lender is
organized or has its Lending Office, and (iii) reserve requirements utilized, as
to Eurodollar Rate Loans, in the determination of the Eurodollar Rate), then
from time to time upon demand of such Lender (with a copy of such demand to the
Administrative Agent), the Borrower shall pay to such Lender such additional
amounts as will compensate such Lender for such increased cost or reduction.
(b) If any Lender determines that the introduction of any Law regarding
capital adequacy or any change therein or in the interpretation thereof, or
compliance by such Lender (or its Lending Office) therewith, has the effect of
reducing the rate of return on the capital of such Lender or any corporation
controlling such Lender as a consequence of such Lender's obligations hereunder
(taking into consideration its policies with respect to capital adequacy and
such Lender's desired return on capital), then from time to time upon demand of
such Lender (with a copy of such demand to the Administrative Agent), the
Borrower shall pay to such Lender such additional amounts as will compensate
such Lender for such reduction.
3.05 Funding Losses.
Upon demand of any Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent)
from time to time, the Borrower shall promptly compensate such Lender for and
hold such Lender harmless from any loss, cost or expense incurred by it as a
result of:
(a) any continuation, conversion, payment or prepayment of any
Loan other than a Base Rate Loan on a day other than the last day of
the Interest Period for such Loan (whether voluntary, mandatory,
automatic, by reason of acceleration, or otherwise);
(b) any failure by the Borrower (for a reason other than the
failure of such Lender to make a Loan) to prepay, borrow, continue or
convert any Loan other than a Base Rate Loan on the date or in the
amount notified by the Borrower;
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(c) any assignment of a Eurodollar Rate Loan on a day other
than the last day of the Interest Period therefor as a result of:
(i) a request by the Borrower pursuant to Section
11.16; or
(ii) an assignment by Bank of America pursuant to
Section 11.07(b) as part of the primary syndication of the
Commitments and Loans during the 180-day period immediately
following the Closing Date, provided that Bank of America
agrees to use reasonable efforts to reduce the breakage costs
payable by the Borrower in connection therewith (including,
without limitation, to the extent reasonably practical,
closing such assignments at the end of Interest Periods of
outstanding Eurodollar Rate Loans);
including any loss of anticipated profits and any loss or expense arising from
the liquidation or reemployment of funds obtained by it to maintain such Loan or
from fees payable to terminate the deposits from which such funds were obtained
or from the performance of any foreign exchange contract. The Borrower shall
also pay any customary administrative fees charged by such Lender in connection
with the foregoing.
For purposes of calculating amounts payable by the Borrower to the
Lenders under this Section 3.05, each Lender shall be deemed to have funded each
Eurodollar Rate Loan made by it at the Eurodollar Base Rate used in determining
the Eurodollar Rate for such Loan by a matching deposit or other borrowing in
the offshore interbank eurodollar market for Dollars for a comparable amount and
for a comparable period, whether or not such Eurodollar Rate Loan was in fact so
funded.
3.06 Matters Applicable to all Requests for Compensation.
(a) A certificate of the Administrative Agent or any Lender claiming
compensation under this Article III and setting forth the additional amount or
amounts to be paid to it hereunder shall be conclusive in the absence of
manifest error. In determining such amount, the Administrative Agent or such
Lender may use any reasonable averaging and attribution methods.
(b) Upon any Lender's making a claim for compensation under Section
3.01 or 3.04, the Borrower may replace such Lender in accordance with Section
11.16.
3.07 Survival.
All of the Borrower's obligations under this Article III shall survive
termination of the Commitments and repayment of all other Obligations hereunder.
ARTICLE IV
GUARANTY
4.01 The Guaranty.
Each of the Guarantors hereby jointly and severally guarantees to each
Lender, each Affiliate of a Lender that enters into a Swap Contract or Treasury
Management Agreement with a Loan Party, and the Administrative Agent as
hereinafter provided, as primary obligor and not as surety, the prompt payment
of the Obligations in full when due (whether at stated maturity, as a mandatory
prepayment, by acceleration, as a mandatory cash collateralization or otherwise)
strictly in accordance with the terms thereof. The Guarantors hereby further
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agree that if any of the Obligations are not paid in full when due (whether at
stated maturity, as a mandatory prepayment, by acceleration, as a mandatory cash
collateralization or otherwise), the Guarantors will, jointly and severally,
promptly pay the same, without any demand or notice whatsoever, and that in the
case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any of the Obligations,
the same will be promptly paid in full when due (whether at extended maturity,
as a mandatory prepayment, by acceleration, as a mandatory cash
collateralization or otherwise) in accordance with the terms of such extension
or renewal.
Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained herein or in
any other of the Loan Documents, Swap Contracts or Treasury Management
Agreements, the obligations of each Guarantor under this Agreement and the other
Loan Documents shall be limited to an aggregate amount equal to the largest
amount that would not render such obligations subject to avoidance under the
Debtor Relief Laws or any comparable provisions of any applicable state law.
4.02 Obligations Unconditional.
The obligations of the Guarantors under Section 4.01 are joint and
several, absolute and unconditional, irrespective of the value, genuineness,
validity, regularity or enforceability of any of the Loan Documents, Swap
Contracts or Treasury Management Agreements, or any other agreement or
instrument referred to therein, or any substitution, release, impairment or
exchange of any other guarantee of or security for any of the Obligations, and,
to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, irrespective of any other
circumstance whatsoever which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable
discharge or defense of a surety or guarantor, it being the intent of this
Section 4.02 that the obligations of the Guarantors hereunder shall be absolute
and unconditional under any and all circumstances. Each Guarantor agrees that
such Guarantor shall have no right of subrogation, indemnity, reimbursement or
contribution against the Borrower or any other Guarantor for amounts paid under
this Article IV until such time as the Obligations have been paid in full and
the Commitments have expired or terminated. Without limiting the generality of
the foregoing, it is agreed that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the
occurrence of any one or more of the following shall not alter or impair the
liability of any Guarantor hereunder, which shall remain absolute and
unconditional as described above:
(a) at any time or from time to time, without notice to any
Guarantor, the time for any performance of or compliance with any of
the Obligations shall be extended, or such performance or compliance
shall be waived;
(b) any of the acts mentioned in any of the provisions of any
of the Loan Documents, any Swap Contract or Treasury Management
Agreement between any Loan Party and any Lender, or any Affiliate of a
Lender, or any other agreement or instrument referred to in the Loan
Documents, such Swap Contracts or such Treasury Management Agreements
shall be done or omitted;
(c) the maturity of any of the Obligations shall be
accelerated, or any of the Obligations shall be modified, supplemented
or amended in any respect, or any right under any of the Loan
Documents, any Swap Contract or Treasury Management Agreement between
any Loan Party and any Lender, or any Affiliate of a Lender, or any
other agreement or instrument referred to in the Loan Documents, such
Swap Contracts or such Treasury Management Agreements shall be waived
or any other guarantee of any of the Obligations or any security
therefor shall be released, impaired or exchanged in whole or in part
or otherwise dealt with;
(d) any Lien granted to, or in favor of, the Administrative
Agent or any Lender or Lenders as security for any of the Obligations
shall fail to attach or be perfected; or
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(e) any of the Obligations shall be determined to be void or
voidable (including, without limitation, for the benefit of any
creditor of any Guarantor) or shall be subordinated to the claims of
any Person (including, without limitation, any creditor of any
Guarantor).
With respect to its obligations hereunder, each Guarantor hereby
expressly waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, protest and all
notices whatsoever, and any requirement that the Administrative Agent or any
Lender exhaust any right, power or remedy or proceed against any Person under
any of the Loan Documents, any Swap Contract or Treasury Management Agreement
between any Loan Party and any Lender, or any Affiliate of a Lender, or any
other agreement or instrument referred to in the Loan Documents, such Swap
Contracts or such Treasury Management Agreements, or against any other Person
under any other guarantee of, or security for, any of the Obligations.
4.03 Reinstatement.
The obligations of the Guarantors under this Article IV shall be
automatically reinstated if and to the extent that for any reason any payment by
or on behalf of any Person in respect of the Obligations is rescinded or must be
otherwise restored by any holder of any of the Obligations, whether as a result
of any proceedings in bankruptcy or reorganization or otherwise, and each
Guarantor agrees that it will indemnify the Administrative Agent and each Lender
on demand for all reasonable costs and expenses (including, without limitation,
fees and expenses of counsel) incurred by the Administrative Agent or such
Lender in connection with such rescission or restoration, including any such
costs and expenses incurred in defending against any claim alleging that such
payment constituted a preference, fraudulent transfer or similar payment under
any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law.
4.04 Certain Additional Waivers.
Each Guarantor further agrees that such Guarantor shall have no right
of recourse to security for the Obligations, except through the exercise of
rights of subrogation pursuant to Section 4.02 and through the exercise of
rights of contribution pursuant to Section 4.06.
4.05 Remedies.
The Guarantors agree that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, as
between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent and the
Lenders, on the other hand, the Obligations may be declared to be forthwith due
and payable as provided in Section 9.02 (and shall be deemed to have become
automatically due and payable in the circumstances provided in said Section
9.02) for purposes of Section 4.01 notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other
prohibition preventing such declaration (or preventing the Obligations from
becoming automatically due and payable) as against any other Person and that, in
the event of such declaration (or the Obligations being deemed to have become
automatically due and payable), the Obligations (whether or not due and payable
by any other Person) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantors
for purposes of Section 4.01. The Guarantors acknowledge and agree that their
obligations hereunder are secured in accordance with the terms of the Collateral
Documents and that the Lenders may exercise their remedies thereunder in
accordance with the terms thereof.
4.06 Rights of Contribution.
The Guarantors agree among themselves that, in connection with payments
made hereunder, each Guarantor shall have contribution rights against the other
Guarantors as permitted under applicable law. Such contribution rights shall be
subordinate and subject in right of payment to the obligations of such
53
Guarantors under the Loan Documents and no Guarantor shall exercise such rights
of contribution until all Obligations have been paid in full and the Commitments
have terminated.
4.07 Guarantee of Payment; Continuing Guarantee.
The guarantee in this Article IV is a guaranty of payment and not of
collection, is a continuing guarantee, and shall apply to all Obligations
whenever arising.
ARTICLE V
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CREDIT EXTENSIONS
5.01 Conditions of Initial Credit Extension.
The obligation of each Lender to make its initial Credit Extension
hereunder is subject to satisfaction of the following conditions precedent:
(a) Loan Documents. Receipt by the Administrative Agent of
executed counterparts of this Agreement, the Security Agreement and the
Pledge Agreement, each properly executed by a Responsible Officer of
the signing Loan Party and, in the case of this Agreement, by each
Lender.
(b) Opinions of Counsel. Receipt by the Administrative Agent
of favorable opinions of (i) Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, legal counsel
to the Loan Parties, and (ii) in-house counsel to the Loan Parties with
respect to Pennsylvania law, in each case, addressed to the
Administrative Agent and each Lender, dated as of the Closing Date, and
in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
(c) Financial Statements. The Administrative Agent shall have
received:
(i) consolidated financial statements of the Borrower
and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal years ended December 31,
2003, December 31, 2004 and December 31, 2005, including
balance sheets and income and cash flow statements, in each
case audited by independent public accountants of recognized
national standing and prepared in conformity with GAAP; and
(ii) unaudited consolidated financial statements of
the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal quarter
ending June 30, 2006, including balance sheets and statements
of income or operations, shareholders' equity and cash flows
(the "Interim Financial Statements").
(d) No Material Adverse Change. There shall not have occurred
a material adverse change since December 31, 2005 in the business,
assets, liabilities (actual or contingent), operations, condition
(financial or otherwise) or prospects of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
(e) Litigation. There shall not exist any action, suit,
investigation or proceeding pending or threatened in any court or
before an arbitrator or Governmental Authority that could reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or a material adverse effect
on any transaction contemplated hereby or by the Reorganization Plan.
54
(f) Organization Documents, Resolutions, Etc. Receipt by the
Administrative Agent of the following, each of which shall be originals
or facsimiles (followed promptly by originals), in form and substance
satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and its legal counsel:
(i) copies of the Organization Documents of each Loan
Party certified to be true and complete as of a recent date by
the appropriate Governmental Authority of the state or other
jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, where
applicable, and certified by a secretary or assistant
secretary of such Loan Party to be true and correct as of the
Closing Date;
(ii) such certificates of resolutions or other
action, incumbency certificates and/or other certificates of
Responsible Officers of each Loan Party as the Administrative
Agent may require evidencing the identity, authority and
capacity of each Responsible Officer thereof authorized to act
as a Responsible Officer in connection with this Agreement and
the other Loan Documents to which such Loan Party is a party;
and
(iii) such documents and certifications as the
Administrative Agent may reasonably require to evidence that
each Loan Party is duly organized or formed, and is validly
existing, and in good standing in its state of organization or
formation.
(g) Perfection and Priority of Liens. Receipt by the
Administrative Agent of the following:
(i) searches of Uniform Commercial Code filings in
the jurisdiction of formation of each Loan Party, and, if
located in the states of Alabama, Mississippi or Arizona, also
the jurisdiction of the chief executive office of each Loan
Party and each jurisdiction where any Collateral is located;
(ii) all certificates evidencing any certificated
Capital Stock (including those evidencing interests in
Material First-Tier Foreign Subsidiaries, but subject to the
provisions of Section 7.15 regarding certain items and
deliveries which may be made after the Closing Date in respect
thereof) pledged to the Collateral Agent pursuant to the
Pledge Agreement, together with duly executed in blank,
undated stock powers attached thereto;
(iii) searches of ownership of, and Liens on,
intellectual property of each Loan Party in the United States
Copyright Office and the United States Patent and Trademark
Office; and
(iv) duly executed notices of grant of security
interest in the form required by the Security Agreement as are
necessary, in the Collateral Agent's sole discretion, to
perfect the Collateral Agent's security interest in the
intellectual property of the Loan Parties.
(h) Evidence of Insurance. Receipt by the Administrative Agent
of certificates of insurance of the Loan Parties evidencing general
liability and property insurance meeting the requirements set forth in
the Loan Documents, including, but not limited to, naming the
Collateral Agent as additional insured (in the case of general
liability insurance) or loss payee for claims in excess of $10,000,000
(in the case of property insurance) on behalf of the Lenders.
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(i) Closing Certificate. Receipt by the Administrative Agent
of a certificate signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower
certifying that the conditions specified in Sections 5.01(d) and (e)
and Sections 5.02(a) and (b) have been satisfied.
(j) Reorganization Plan; Confirmation Order. Confirmation that
(i) there have been no substantive modifications to the provisions of
Section 7.16 of the Reorganization Plan, including clause (g) thereof,
(ii) all the conditions to the occurrence of the "Effective Date" of
the Reorganization Plan set forth in Sections 7.16(b) - (f) and (h)
(other than that related to the effectiveness of the Senior Credit
Facility) under the Reorganization Plan shall have been satisfied or
waived in a manner provided in the Reorganization Plan, (iii) the
senior credit facilities provided hereunder constitute the credit
facility referenced in Sections 7.16(g) and 7.23(f) of the
Reorganization Plan and (iv) the Confirmation Order (as defined in the
Reorganization Plan) shall have been entered, and shall not be subject
to any stay and the condition precedent in Section 7.16(a) of the
Reorganization Plan has either been satisfied or waived in accordance
with the Reorganization Plan.
(k) Availability. After giving effect to the transactions
contemplated hereby to occur on the Closing Date (including the initial
Credit Extensions), there shall be at least $50,000,000 of availability
existing under the Aggregate Revolving Committed Amount.
(l) DIP Loan Agreement. The commitments under the DIP Loan
Agreement shall have been terminated and all obligations owing
thereunder shall have been paid in full or otherwise satisfied to the
satisfaction of the Administrative Agent.
(m) Fees. Receipt by the Administrative Agent and the Lenders
of any fees required to be paid on or before the Closing Date.
(n) Attorney Costs. Unless waived by the Administrative Agent,
the Borrower shall have paid all Attorney Costs of the Administrative
Agent to the extent invoiced prior to or on the Closing Date, plus such
additional amounts of Attorney Costs as shall constitute its reasonable
estimate of Attorney Costs incurred or to be incurred by it through the
closing proceedings (provided that such estimate shall not thereafter
preclude a final settling of accounts between the Borrower and the
Administrative Agent).
Without limiting the generality of the provisions of Section 10.04, for
purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in this Section
5.01, each Lender that has signed this Agreement shall be deemed to have
consented to, approved or accepted or to be satisfied with, each document or
other matter required thereunder to be consented to or approved by or acceptable
or satisfactory to a Lender unless the Administrative Agent shall have received
notice from such Lender prior to the proposed Closing Date specifying its
objection thereto.
5.02 Conditions to all Credit Extensions.
The obligation of each Lender to honor any Request for Credit Extension
is subject to the following conditions precedent:
(a) The representations and warranties of the Borrower and
each other Loan Party contained in Article VI or any other Loan
Document, or which are contained in any document furnished at any time
under or in connection herewith or therewith, shall be true and correct
in all material respects on and as of the date of such Credit
Extension, except to the extent that such representations and
56
warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they
shall be true and correct as of such earlier date.
(b) No Default shall exist, or would result from such proposed
Credit Extension.
(c) The Administrative Agent and, if applicable, the
applicable L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender shall have received a
Request for Credit Extension in accordance with the requirements hereof
(other than with respect to the Existing DIP Letters of Credit).
Each Request for Credit Extension submitted by the Borrower shall be
deemed to be a representation and warranty that the conditions specified in
Sections 5.02(a) and (b) have been satisfied on and as of the date of the
applicable Credit Extension.
ARTICLE VI
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
The Loan Parties represent and warrant to the Administrative Agent and
the Lenders that:
6.01 Existence, Qualification and Power.
Each Loan Party (a) is a corporation, partnership or limited liability
company duly organized or formed, validly existing and in good standing under
the Laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization, (b) has all
requisite power and authority and all requisite governmental licenses,
authorizations, consents and approvals to (i) own its assets and carry on its
business and (ii) execute, deliver and perform its obligations under the Loan
Documents to which it is a party, and (c) is duly qualified and is licensed and
in good standing under the Laws of each jurisdiction where its ownership, lease
or operation of properties or the conduct of its business requires such
qualification or license; except in each case referred to in clause (b)(i) or
(c), to the extent that failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect.
6.02 Authorization; No Contravention.
The execution, delivery and performance by each Loan Party of each Loan
Document to which such Person is party, have been duly authorized by all
necessary corporate or other organizational action, and do not (a) contravene
the terms of any of such Person's Organization Documents; (b) conflict with or
result in any breach or contravention of, or the creation of any Lien under (i)
any Contractual Obligation to which such Person is a party or (ii) any order,
injunction, writ or decree of any Governmental Authority or any arbitral award
to which such Person or its property is subject; or (c) violate any Law
(including, without limitation, Regulation U or Regulation X issued by the FRB);
except in each case referred to in clause (b) or (c), to the extent that failure
to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
6.03 Governmental Authorization; Other Consents.
No approval, consent, exemption, authorization, or other action by, or
notice to, or filing with, any Governmental Authority or any other Person is
necessary or required in connection with the execution, delivery or performance
by, or enforcement against, any Loan Party of this Agreement or any other Loan
Document other than (i) those that have already been obtained and are in full
force and effect and (ii) filings to perfect the Liens created by the Collateral
Documents.
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6.04 Binding Effect.
This Agreement and each other Loan Document has been duly executed and
delivered by each Loan Party that is party thereto. This Agreement and each
other Loan Document constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of each
Loan Party that is party thereto, enforceable against each such Loan Party in
accordance with its terms.
6.05 Financial Statements; No Material Adverse Effect.
(a) The Audited Financial Statements (i) were prepared in accordance
with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as
otherwise expressly noted therein; (ii) fairly present the financial condition
of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the date thereof and their results of
operations for the period covered thereby in accordance with GAAP consistently
applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as otherwise expressly
noted therein; and (iii) show all material indebtedness and other liabilities,
direct or contingent, of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the date
thereof, including liabilities for taxes, commitments and Indebtedness.
(b) The Interim Financial Statements (i) were prepared in accordance
with GAAP consistently applied throughout the period covered thereby, except as
otherwise expressly noted therein; (ii) fairly present the financial condition
of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the date thereof and their results of
operations for the period covered thereby, subject, in the case of clauses (i)
and (ii), to the absence of footnotes and to normal year-end audit adjustments;
and (iii) show all material indebtedness and other liabilities, direct or
contingent, of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the date thereof,
including liabilities for taxes, material commitments and Indebtedness.
(c) From the date of the Audited Financial Statements to and including
the Closing Date, there has been no Disposition by the Borrower or any
Subsidiary, or any Involuntary Disposition, of any material part of the business
or Property of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and no
purchase or other acquisition by any of them of any business or property
(including any Capital Stock of any other Person) material in relation to the
consolidated financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as
a whole, in each case, which is not reflected in the foregoing financial
statements or in the notes thereto and has not otherwise been disclosed in
writing to the Lenders on or prior to the Closing Date.
(d) The financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 7.01(a) and
(b) have been prepared in accordance with GAAP (except as may otherwise be
permitted under Section 7.01(a) and (b)) and present fairly (on the basis
disclosed in the footnotes to such financial statements) the consolidated
financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Borrower and
its Subsidiaries as of such date and for such periods.
(e) Since the date of the Audited Financial Statements, there has been
no event or circumstance that has had or could reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect.
6.06 Litigation.
There are no actions, suits, proceedings, investigations, claims or
disputes pending or, to the knowledge of the Loan Parties, threatened or
contemplated, at law, in equity, in arbitration or before any Governmental
Authority, by or against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or against any
of their properties or revenues that could reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect.
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6.07 No Default.
(a) Neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary is in default under or with
respect to any Contractual Obligation that could reasonably be expected to have
a Material Adverse Effect.
(b) No Default has occurred and is continuing.
6.08 Ownership of Property; Liens.
Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries has good record and
marketable title in fee simple to, or valid leasehold interests in, all real
property necessary or used in the ordinary conduct of its business, except for
such defects in title as could not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably
be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The property of the Borrower and
its Subsidiaries is subject to no Liens, other than Permitted Liens.
6.09 Environmental Compliance.
Except as could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect:
(a) Each of the Facilities and all operations at the
Facilities are in compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws,
and there is no violation of any Environmental Law with respect to the
Facilities or the Businesses, and there are no conditions relating to
the Facilities or the Businesses that could give rise to liability
under any applicable Environmental Laws.
(b) None of the Facilities contains, or has previously
contained, any Hazardous Materials at, on or under the Facilities in
amounts or concentrations that constitute or constituted a violation of
Environmental Laws.
(c) Neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary has received any
written or verbal notice of, or inquiry from any Governmental Authority
regarding, any violation, alleged violation, non-compliance, liability
or potential liability regarding environmental matters or compliance
with Environmental Laws with regard to any of the Facilities or the
Businesses, nor does any Responsible Officer of any Loan Party have
knowledge or reason to believe that any such notice will be received or
is being threatened.
(d) Hazardous Materials have not been transported or disposed
of from the Facilities, or generated, treated, stored or disposed of
at, on or under any of the Facilities or any other location, in each
case by or on behalf the Borrower or any Subsidiary in violation of, or
in a manner that would be reasonably likely to give rise to liability
under, any applicable Environmental Law.
(e) No judicial proceeding or governmental or administrative
action is pending or, to the knowledge of the Responsible Officers of
the Loan Parties, threatened, under any Environmental Law to which the
Borrower or any Subsidiary is or will be named as a party, nor are
there any consent decrees or other decrees, consent orders,
administrative orders or other orders, or other administrative or
judicial requirements outstanding under any Environmental Law with
respect to the Borrower, any Subsidiary, the Facilities or the
Businesses.
(f) There has been no release or, threat of release of
Hazardous Materials at or from the Facilities, or arising from or
related to the operations (including, without limitation, disposal) of
the Borrower or any Subsidiary in connection with the Facilities or
otherwise in connection with the Businesses, in violation of or in
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amounts or in a manner that could give rise to liability under
Environmental Laws.
6.10 Insurance.
The properties of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries are insured with
financially sound and reputable insurance companies not Affiliates of the
Borrower, in such amounts, with such deductibles and covering such risks as are
customarily carried by companies engaged in similar businesses and owning
similar properties in localities where the Borrower or the applicable Subsidiary
operates. The insurance coverage of the Loan Parties as in effect on the Closing
Date is outlined as to carrier, policy number, expiration date, type, amount and
deductibles on Schedule 6.10.
6.11 Taxes.
The Borrower and its Subsidiaries have filed all federal, state and
other material tax returns and reports required to be filed, and have paid all
federal, state and other material taxes, assessments, fees and other
governmental charges levied or imposed upon them or their properties, income or
assets otherwise due and payable, except those which are being contested in good
faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted and for which adequate
reserves have been provided in accordance with GAAP and except to the extent
that the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect. There is no proposed tax assessment against the Borrower or any
Subsidiary that would, if made, have a Material Adverse Effect.
6.12 ERISA Compliance.
(a) Each Plan is in compliance in all material respects with the
applicable provisions of ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code and other federal or
state Laws, except non-compliance that has not resulted or could not reasonably
be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Each Pension Plan that is
intended to qualify under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code has
received a favorable determination letter from the IRS or an application for
such a letter is currently being processed by the IRS with respect thereto and,
to the best knowledge of the Loan Parties, nothing has occurred which would
prevent, or cause the loss of, such qualification and has resulted or could
reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Each Loan Party
and each ERISA Affiliate have timely made all required contributions to each
Pension Plan subject to Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code, and no
application for a funding waiver or an extension of any amortization period
pursuant to Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code has been made with respect
to any Pension Plan that has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result
in a Material Adverse Effect.
(b) There are no pending or, to the best knowledge of the Loan Parties,
threatened claims, actions or lawsuits, or action by any Governmental Authority,
with respect to any Pension Plan that could be reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect. There has been no prohibited transaction or violation
of the fiduciary responsibility rules with respect to any Plan that has resulted
or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(c) (i) No ERISA Event has occurred since the Closing Date or is
reasonably expected to occur; (ii) no Loan Party nor any ERISA Affiliate has
incurred, or reasonably expects to incur, any liability under Title IV of ERISA
with respect to any Pension Plan (other than premiums due and not delinquent
under Section 4007 of ERISA) which has resulted or could reasonably be expected
to result in a Material Adverse Effect; and (iii) no Loan Party nor any ERISA
Affiliate has incurred, or reasonably expects to incur, any liability (and no
event has occurred which, with the giving of notice under Section 4219 of ERISA,
would result in such liability) under Sections 4201 or 4243 of ERISA with
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respect to a Multiemployer Plan, which has resulted or could reasonably be
expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
6.13 Subsidiaries.
Set forth on Schedule 6.13 is a complete and accurate list as of the
Closing Date of each Subsidiary, together with (i) jurisdiction of formation,
(ii) with respect to the Loan Parties only, the number of shares of each class
of Capital Stock outstanding, (iii) percentage of outstanding shares of each
class owned (directly or indirectly) by the Borrower or any Subsidiary and (iv)
number and effect, if exercised, of all outstanding options, warrants, rights of
conversion or purchase and all other similar rights with respect thereto. The
outstanding Capital Stock of each Subsidiary is validly issued, fully paid and
non-assessable.
6.14 Margin Regulations; Investment Company Act.
(a) The Borrower is not engaged and will not engage, principally or as
one of its important activities, in the business of purchasing or carrying
margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U issued by the FRB), or
extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock.
(b) None of the Borrower, any Person Controlling the Borrower, or any
Subsidiary is or is required to be registered as an "investment company" under
the Investment Company Act of 1940.
6.15 Disclosure.
Each Loan Party has disclosed to the Administrative Agent and the
Lenders all agreements, instruments and corporate or other restrictions to which
it or any of its Subsidiaries is subject, and all other matters known to it,
that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result
in a Material Adverse Effect. No report, financial statement, certificate or
other information furnished in writing by or on behalf of any Loan Party to the
Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with the transactions
contemplated hereby and the negotiation of this Agreement or delivered hereunder
(as modified or supplemented by other information so furnished) contains any
material misstatement of fact or omits to state any material fact necessary to
make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they
were made, not misleading; provided that, with respect to projected financial
information, the Loan Parties represent only that such information was prepared
in good faith based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time.
6.16 Compliance with Laws.
Each of the Borrower and each Subsidiary is in compliance with the
requirements of all Laws and all orders, writs, injunctions and decrees
applicable to it or to its properties, except in such instances in which (a)
such requirement of Law or order, writ, injunction or decree is being contested
in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted or (b) the failure
to comply therewith could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect.
6.17 Intellectual Property; Licenses, Etc.
The Borrower and its Subsidiaries own, or possess the legal right to
use, all of the trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights, patents,
patent rights, franchises, licenses and other intellectual property rights
(collectively, "IP Rights") that are reasonably necessary for the operation of
their respective businesses. Set forth on Schedule 6.17 is a list of all
material IP Rights registered or pending registration with the United States
Copyright Office or the United States Patent and Trademark Office and owned by
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each Loan Party as of the Closing Date. Except for such claims and infringements
that could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, no
claim has been asserted and is pending by any Person challenging or questioning
the use of any IP Rights or the validity or effectiveness of any IP Rights, nor
does any Loan Party know of any such claim, and, to the knowledge of the
Responsible Officers of the Loan Parties, the use of any IP Rights by the
Borrower or any Subsidiary or the granting of a right or a license in respect of
any IP Rights from the Borrower or any Subsidiary does not infringe on the
rights of any Person. As of the Closing Date, none of the material IP Rights
owned by any of the Loan Parties is subject to any licensing agreement or
similar arrangement except as set forth on Schedule 6.17.
6.18 Solvency.
The Loan Parties are Solvent on a consolidated basis.
6.19 Perfection of Security Interests in the Collateral.
(a) The Security Agreement is effective to create in favor of the
Collateral Agent, for the ratable benefit of the holders of the secured
obligations identified therein, a legal and valid security interest in the
Collateral identified therein, and, when Uniform Commercial Code financing
statements (or other appropriate notices) in appropriate form are duly filed at
the office of the secretary of state of the jurisdiction of incorporation or
organization of each Loan Party, the Security Agreement shall create a fully
perfected Lien on, and security interest in, all right, title and interest of
the grantors thereunder in such Collateral, in each case prior and superior in
right to any other Lien other than Permitted Liens.
(b) The Pledge Agreement is effective to create in favor of the
Collateral Agent, for the ratable benefit of the holders of the secured
obligations identified therein, a legal and valid security interest in the
Collateral identified therein, and the Pledge Agreement shall create a fully
perfected first priority Lien on, and security interest in, all right, title and
interest of the pledgors thereunder in such Collateral, in each case prior and
superior in right to any other Lien (i) with respect to any such Collateral that
is a "security" (as such term is defined in the Uniform Commercial Code) and is
evidenced by a certificate, when such Collateral is delivered to the Collateral
Agent with duly executed stock powers with respect thereto, (ii) with respect to
any such Collateral that is a "security" (as such term is defined in the Uniform
Commercial Code) but is not evidenced by a certificate, when Uniform Commercial
Code financing statements in appropriate form are filed in the appropriate
filing offices in the jurisdiction of organization of the pledgor or when
"control" (as such term is defined in the Uniform Commercial Code) is
established by the Collateral Agent over such interests in accordance with the
provision of Section 8-106 of the Uniform Commercial Code, or any successor
provision, and (iii) with respect to any such Collateral that is not a
"security" (as such term is defined in the Uniform Commercial Code), when
Uniform Commercial Code financing statements in appropriate form are filed in
the appropriate filing offices in the jurisdiction of organization of the
pledgor.
6.20 Business Locations.
Set forth on Schedule 6.20(a) is the exact legal name, jurisdiction of
organization, chief executive office and organizational identification number of
each Loan Party as of the Closing Date. Except as set forth on Schedule 6.20(b),
no Loan Party has during the four months preceding the Closing Date (i) changed
its legal name, (ii) changed its state of formation, or (iii) been party to a
merger, consolidation or other change in structure.
6.21 Labor Matters.
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Except as set forth on Schedule 6.21, there are no collective
bargaining agreements or Multiemployer Plans covering the employees of the
Borrower or any Subsidiary as of the Closing Date. Neither the Borrower nor any
Subsidiary has suffered any strikes, walkouts, work stoppages or other material
labor difficulty within the last five years that could reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect.
ARTICLE VII
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
So long as any Lender shall have any Commitment hereunder, any Loan or
other Obligation hereunder shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied, or any Letter of
Credit shall remain outstanding, the Loan Parties shall and shall cause each
Subsidiary to:
7.01 Financial Statements.
Deliver to the Administrative Agent and each Lender:
(a) as soon as available, but in any event within ninety days
after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower, a consolidated
balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the end of
such fiscal year, and the related consolidated statements of income or
operations, shareholders' equity and cash flows for such fiscal year,
setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the
previous fiscal year, all in reasonable detail and prepared in
accordance with GAAP, audited and accompanied by a report and opinion
of KPMG LLP or another independent certified public accountant of
nationally recognized standing reasonably acceptable to the Required
Lenders, which report and opinion shall be prepared in accordance with
generally accepted auditing standards and shall not be subject to any
"going concern" or like qualification or exception or any qualification
or exception as to the scope of such audit; and
(b) as soon as available, but in any event within forty-five
days after the end of each of the first three fiscal quarters of each
fiscal year of the Borrower, a consolidated balance sheet of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such fiscal quarter, and
the related consolidated statements of income or operations,
shareholders' equity and cash flows for such fiscal quarter and for the
portion of the Borrower's fiscal year then ended, setting forth in each
case in comparative form the figures for the corresponding fiscal
quarter of the previous fiscal year and the corresponding portion of
the previous fiscal year, all in reasonable detail and certified by a
Responsible Officer of the Borrower as fairly presenting the financial
condition, results of operations, shareholders' equity and cash flows
of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP, subject
only to normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes.
As to any information contained in materials furnished pursuant to
Section 7.02(c), the Borrower shall not be separately required to
furnish such information under clause (a) or (b) above, but the
foregoing shall not be in derogation of the obligation of the Borrower
to furnish the information and materials described in subsections (a)
and (b) above at the times specified therein.
7.02 Certificates; Other Information.
Deliver to the Administrative Agent and each Lender, in form and detail
reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent:
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(a) concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements
referred to in Sections 7.01(a) and (b), a duly completed Compliance
Certificate signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower, which
certificate shall include (i) in the case of the annual Compliance
Certificate, if a prepayment is required pursuant to Section
2.05(b)(iii), a calculation of Consolidated Excess Cash Flow for the
applicable fiscal year and (ii) in the case of the annual Compliance
Certificate, a listing of (A) all applications, if any, for material
Copyrights, Patents or Trademarks (each such term as defined in the
Security Agreement) made by any Loan Party since the date of the prior
certificate (or, in the case of the first such certificate, the Closing
Date) and (B) all issuances of registrations or letters on existing
applications for material Copyrights, Patents and Trademarks (each such
term as defined in the Security Agreement) received by any Loan Party
since the date of the prior certificate (or, in the case of the first
such certificate, the Closing Date);
(b) beginning with the fiscal year ending December 31, 2007,
an annual business plan and budget of the Borrower and it Subsidiaries
containing, among other things, pro forma financial statements for the
fiscal year, when and as available, but in any event within ninety (90)
days after the beginning of the fiscal year;
(c) promptly after any request by the Administrative Agent or
any Lender through the Administrative Agent, copies of any detailed
audit reports, management letters or recommendations submitted to the
board of directors (or the audit committee of the board of directors)
of the Borrower by independent accountants in connection with the
accounts or books of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, or any audit of
any of them;
(d) promptly after the same are available, (i) copies of each
annual report, proxy or financial statement or other report or
communication sent to the stockholders of the Borrower, and copies of
all annual, regular, periodic and special reports and registration
statements which the Borrower may file or be required to file with the
SEC under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or
to a holder of any Indebtedness owed by the Borrower or any Subsidiary
in its capacity as such a holder and not otherwise required to be
delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant hereto and (ii) upon the
request of the Administrative Agent, all reports and written
information to and from the United States Environmental Protection
Agency, or any state or local agency responsible for environmental
matters, the United States Occupational Health and Safety
Administration, or any state or local agency responsible for health and
safety matters, or any successor agencies or authorities concerning
environmental, health or safety matters; and
(e) promptly, such additional information regarding the
business, financial or corporate affairs of the Borrower or any
Subsidiary, or compliance with the terms of the Loan Documents, as the
Administrative Agent or any Lender may from time to time reasonably
request.
Documents required to be delivered pursuant to Section 7.01(a) or (b)
or Section 7.02(d) (to the extent any such documents are included in materials
otherwise filed with the SEC) may be delivered electronically and if so
delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date (i) on which the
Borrower posts such documents, or provides a link thereto on the Borrower's
website on the Internet at the website address listed on Schedule 11.02; or (ii)
on which such documents are posted on the Borrower's behalf on an Internet or
intranet website, if any, to which each Lender and the Administrative Agent have
access (whether a commercial, third-party website or whether sponsored by the
Administrative Agent); provided that: (i) the Borrower shall deliver paper
copies of such documents to the Administrative Agent or any Lender that requests
the Borrower to deliver such paper copies until a written request to cease
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delivering paper copies is given by the Administrative Agent or such Lender and
(ii) the Borrower shall notify (which may be by facsimile or electronic mail)
the Administrative Agent and each Lender of the posting of any such documents
and provide to the Administrative Agent by electronic mail electronic versions
(i.e., soft copies) of such documents. Notwithstanding anything contained
herein, in every instance the Borrower shall be required to provide paper copies
of the Compliance Certificates required by Section 7.02(a) to the Administrative
Agent. Except for such Compliance Certificates, the Administrative Agent shall
have no obligation to request the delivery or to maintain copies of the
documents referred to above, and in any event shall have no responsibility to
monitor compliance by the Borrower with any such request for delivery, and each
Lender shall be solely responsible for requesting delivery to it or maintaining
its copies of such documents.
The Borrower hereby acknowledges that (a) the Administrative Agent
and/or BAS will make available to the Lenders materials and/or information
provided by or on behalf of the Borrower hereunder (collectively, "Borrower
Materials") by posting the Borrower Materials on IntraLinks or another similar
electronic system (the "Platform") and (b) certain of the Lenders may be
"public-side" Lenders (i.e., Lenders that do not wish to receive material
non-public information with respect to the Borrower or its securities) (each, a
"Public Lender"). The Borrower hereby agrees that (w) all Borrower Materials
that are to be made available to Public Lenders shall be clearly and
conspicuously marked "PUBLIC" which, at a minimum, shall mean that the word
"PUBLIC" shall appear prominently on the first page thereof; (x) by marking
Borrower Materials "PUBLIC," the Borrower shall be deemed to have authorized the
Administrative Agent, BAS and the Lenders to treat such Borrower Materials as
not containing any material non-public information with respect to the Borrower
or its securities for purposes of United States federal and state securities
laws (provided, however, that to the extent such Borrower Materials constitute
Information, they shall be treated as set forth in Section 11.08); (y) all
Borrower Materials marked "PUBLIC" are permitted to be made available through a
portion of the Platform designated as "Public Investor;" and (z) the
Administrative Agent and BAS shall be entitled to treat any Borrower Materials
that are not marked "PUBLIC" as being suitable only for posting on a portion of
the Platform not marked as "Public Investor." Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Borrower shall not be under any obligation to mark any Borrower Materials
"PUBLIC."
7.03 Notices.
(a) Promptly (and in any event, within two Business Days) notify the
Administrative Agent and each Lender of the occurrence of any Default.
(b) Promptly notify the Administrative Agent and each Lender of any
matter that has resulted or could reasonably be expected to result in a Material
Adverse Effect.
(c) Promptly notify the Administrative Agent and each Lender of the
occurrence of any ERISA Event.
(d) Promptly notify the Administrative Agent and each Lender of any
material change in accounting policies or financial reporting practices by the
Borrower or any Subsidiary.
(e) Promptly notify the Administrative Agent and each Lender of any
change in the Debt Ratings or Corporate Ratings or the fact that such ratings
are no longer being publicly announced by S&P or Moody's.
Each notice pursuant to this Section 7.03 shall be accompanied by a
statement of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower setting forth details of the
occurrence referred to therein and stating what action the Borrower has taken
and proposes to take with respect thereto. Each notice pursuant to Section
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7.03(a) shall describe with particularity any and all provisions of this
Agreement and any other Loan Document that have been breached.
7.04 Payment of Obligations.
Pay and discharge as the same shall become due and payable, all its
obligations and liabilities, including (a) all tax liabilities, assessments and
governmental charges or levies upon it or its properties or assets, unless the
same are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently
conducted and adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP are being maintained by
the Borrower or such Subsidiary; (b) all lawful claims which, if unpaid, would
by law become a Lien upon its property; and (c) all Indebtedness, as and when
due and payable, but subject to any subordination provisions contained in any
instrument or agreement evidencing such Indebtedness, except in each case to the
extent that the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect.
7.05 Preservation of Existence, Etc.
(a) Preserve, renew and maintain in full force and effect its legal
existence under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its organization except in a
transaction permitted by Section 8.04 or 8.05.
(b) Preserve, renew and maintain in full force and effect its good
standing under the Laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, except to the
extent the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect.
(c) Take all reasonable action to maintain all rights, privileges,
permits, licenses and franchises necessary or desirable in the normal conduct of
its business, except to the extent that the failure to do so could not
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
(d) Preserve or renew all of its material registered patents,
trademarks, trade names and service marks, the non-preservation of which could
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
7.06 Maintenance of Properties.
(a) Maintain, preserve and protect all of its material properties and
equipment necessary in the operation of its business in good working order and
condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted.
(b) Make all necessary repairs thereto and renewals and replacements
thereof, except where the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect.
(c) Use the standard of care typical in the industry in the operation
and maintenance of its facilities.
7.07 Maintenance of Insurance.
Maintain in full force and effect insurance (including worker's
compensation insurance, liability insurance, casualty insurance and business
interruption insurance) with financially sound and reputable insurance companies
not Affiliates of the Borrower, in such amounts, with such deductibles and
covering such risks as are customarily carried by companies engaged in similar
businesses and owning similar properties in localities where the Borrower or the
applicable Subsidiary operates. The Collateral Agent shall be named as loss
payee, with respect to property insurance, and as additional insured, with
respect to general liability insurance.
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7.08 Compliance with Laws.
Comply with the requirements of all Laws and all orders, writs,
injunctions and decrees applicable to it or to its business or property, except
in such instances in which (a) such requirement of Law or order, writ,
injunction or decree is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings
diligently conducted; or (b) the failure to comply therewith could not
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
7.09 Books and Records.
(a) Maintain proper books of record and account, in which full, true
and correct entries in conformity with GAAP consistently applied shall be made
of all financial transactions and matters involving the assets and business of
the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as the case may be.
(b) Maintain such books of record and account in material conformity
with all applicable requirements of any Governmental Authority having regulatory
jurisdiction over the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as the case may be.
7.10 Inspection Rights.
(a) Permit representatives and independent contractors of the
Administrative Agent and each Lender to visit and inspect any of its properties,
to examine its corporate, financial and operating records, and make copies
thereof or abstracts therefrom, and to discuss its affairs, finances and
accounts with its directors, officers, and independent public accountants, all
at the expense of the Borrower and at such reasonable times during normal
business hours and as often as may be reasonably desired, upon reasonable
advance notice to the Borrower.
7.11 Use of Proceeds.
Use the proceeds of the Credit Extensions (a) to fund payments under
the Reorganization Plan and (b) to finance working capital, capital expenditures
and other lawful corporate purposes, provided that in no event shall the
proceeds of the Credit Extensions be used in contravention of any Law or of any
Loan Document.
7.12 Additional Subsidiaries.
(a) Material Domestic Subsidiaries. Cause each Material Domestic
Subsidiary to become a Guarantor hereunder promptly, but in any event within
thirty (30) days of the Subsidiary becoming a Material Domestic Subsidiary, by
execution and delivery of a Guaranty Joinder Agreement or such other documents
as the Administrative Agent may deem appropriate for such purpose, together with
certified copies of resolutions and Organization Documents and favorable
opinions of counsel (including, among other things, due authorization,
execution, delivery, and enforceability of the Guaranty Joinder Agreement and
related documents), all in form, scope and substance reasonably satisfactory to
the Administrative Agent.
(b) Other Domestic Subsidiaries. In addition, cause each Domestic
Subsidiary that gives a Guarantee in respect of the Plan Notes or any 144A Notes
to become a Guarantor hereunder promptly, but within thirty (30) days of the
Subsidiary giving such a Guarantee, by execution and delivery of a Guaranty
Joinder Agreement or such other documents as the Administrative Agent may deem
appropriate for such purpose, together with certified copies of resolutions and
Organization Documents and favorable opinions of counsel (including, among other
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things, due authorization, execution, delivery, and enforceability of the
Guaranty Joinder Agreement and related documents), all in form, scope and
substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
7.13 ERISA Compliance.
Cause, and cause each of its ERISA Affiliates to cause, each Plan that
is qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code to maintain such
qualification, and make all required contributions to any Plan subject to
Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code, except where the failure to do so
would not result in a Material Adverse Effect.
7.14 Pledged Assets.
(a) Capital Stock of Material Domestic Subsidiaries. Subject to clause
(d) below, pledge one hundred percent (100%) of the issued and outstanding
Capital Stock of each Loan Party's Material Domestic Subsidiaries promptly, but
in any event within thirty (30) days of the formation or acquisition thereof, in
each case pursuant to a pledge agreement or Collateral Joinder Agreement
reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, together with such filings
and deliveries necessary or appropriate to perfect the security interests
therein, and opinions of counsel relating thereto, all in form, scope and
substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
(b) Capital Stock of Material First-Tier Foreign Subsidiaries. Subject
to clause (d) below, pledge sixty-five percent (65%) of the issued and
outstanding Capital Stock of each Material First-Tier Foreign Subsidiary
promptly, but in any event within ninety (90) days of such Subsidiary becoming a
Material First-Tier Foreign Subsidiary, pursuant to a pledge agreement or
Collateral Joinder Agreement reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent,
together with such filings and deliveries necessary or appropriate to perfect
the security interests therein, and opinions of counsel (including, among other
things, opinions regarding execution, notarization and recordation of local
pledge agreements, parallel debt agreements and such other acts necessary or
appropriate to give effect to the pledge under local law) relating thereto, all
in form, scope and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative
Agent; provided that in each such case the Administrative Agent will, in
consultation with the Borrower, do an analysis of the relative benefits
associated with the prospective pledge and where, in its reasonable discretion,
the Administrative Agent shall make a determination, taking into account local
custom and practice, that the costs, circumstances and requirements under local
law associated with the pledge out-weigh the relative benefits of the pledge,
then in any such case local pledge agreements (and related local law
requirements) will not be required.
(c) Domestic Personal Property. Subject to clause (d) below, grant a
security interest in all of each Loan Party's personal property (other than
Excluded Property). In connection with any grant of security interest under this
subsection, the Loan Parties will deliver to the Administrative Agent promptly,
but in any event within thirty (30) days (with extensions as deemed necessary by
the Administrative Agent) (i) a security agreement or Collateral Joinder
Agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative
Agent, executed in multiple counterparts, (ii) notices of grant of security
interest in respect of material intellectual property with the United States
Copyright Office or the United States Patent and Trademark Office reasonably
satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, executed in multiple counterparts,
(iii) such opinions of counsel as the Administrative Agent may deem necessary or
appropriate, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative
Agent, (iv) evidence of property insurance (consistent with the requirements for
insurance hereunder) showing the Collateral Agent as loss payee (if insurance is
provided by a commercial insurer), and (v) such other filings and deliveries as
may be necessary or appropriate as determined by the Administrative Agent in its
reasonable discretion.
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(d) Release and Reinstatement of Collateral Interests. Where the
Corporate Ratings are BB+ (stable) or better by S&P and Ba1 (stable) or better
by Moody's (the "Requisite Ratings") and provided that the Tranche B Term Loan
has been repaid in full, then the Borrower shall not be required to deliver the
security interests provided in this Section 7.14 and the Administrative Agent
will promptly release the security interests in the Collateral; provided that
should the Borrower fail to maintain the Requisite Ratings, the security
interests in such personal property will be re-granted in accordance with the
provisions of Sections 7.14(a), 7.14(b) and 7.14(c).
(e) Scope of Secured Obligations. The security interests granted under
this Section 7.14 will ratably secure the Obligations hereunder (including
obligations under Swap Contracts between a Loan Party and a Lender or its
affiliates to the extent permitted hereunder and obligations under Treasury
Management Agreements between a Loan Party and a Lender or its affiliates).
7.15 Further Assurances.
The Borrower will provide, or cause to be provided, the following:
(a) Material First-Tier Foreign Subsidiaries. By March 31,
2007 (or such later date acceptable to the Administrative Agent), the
Borrower will pledge, or cause to be pledged, the Capital Stock of all
its Material First-Tier Foreign Subsidiaries in accordance with the
provisions of Section 7.14(b), including local pledge agreements and
related instruments, where necessary or appropriate under local law,
and together with opinions of local counsel relating thereto, in form
and substance reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent.
ARTICLE VIII
NEGATIVE COVENANTS
So long as any Lender shall have any Commitment hereunder, any Loan or
other Obligation hereunder shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied, or any Letter of
Credit shall remain outstanding, no Loan Party shall, nor shall it permit any
Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly:
8.01 Liens.
Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien upon any of its
property, assets or revenues, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, other
than the following:
(a) Liens pursuant to any Loan Document;
(b) Liens existing on the date hereof and listed on Schedule
8.01 and any renewals or extensions thereof, provided that the property
covered thereby is not increased and any renewal or extension of the
obligations secured or benefited thereby is permitted by Section
8.03(b);
(c) Liens (other than Liens imposed under ERISA) for taxes,
assessments or governmental charges or levies not yet due or which are
being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings diligently
conducted, if adequate reserves with respect thereto are maintained on
the books of the applicable Person in accordance with GAAP;
(d) statutory Liens of landlords and Liens of carriers,
warehousemen, mechanics, materialmen and suppliers and other Liens
imposed by law or pursuant to customary reservations or retentions of
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title arising in the ordinary course of business, provided that such
Liens secure only amounts not yet due and payable or, if due and
payable, are unfiled and no other action has been taken to enforce the
same or are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings
for which adequate reserves determined in accordance with GAAP have
been established;
(e) pledges or deposits in the ordinary course of business in
connection with workers' compensation, unemployment insurance and other
social security legislation, other than any Lien imposed by ERISA;
(f) deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade
contracts and leases (other than Indebtedness), statutory obligations,
surety bonds (other than bonds related to judgments or litigation),
performance bonds and other obligations of a like nature incurred in
the ordinary course of business;
(g) easements, rights-of-way, restrictions and other similar
encumbrances affecting real property which, in the aggregate, are not
substantial in amount, and which do not in any case materially detract
from the value of the property subject thereto or materially interfere
with the ordinary conduct of the business of the applicable Person;
(h) Liens securing judgments for the payment of money (or
appeal or other surety bonds relating to such judgments) that do not
result in an Event of Default under Section 9.01(h);
(i) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted under Section
8.03(e); provided that (i) such Liens do not at any time encumber any
Property other than the Property financed by such Indebtedness, (ii)
the Indebtedness secured thereby does not exceed the cost or fair
market value, whichever is lower, of the Property being acquired on the
date of acquisition and (iii) such Liens attach to such Property
concurrently with or within ninety days after the acquisition thereof;
(j) leases or subleases granted to others not interfering in
any material respect with the business of the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries;
(k) any interest of title of a lessor under, and Liens arising
from UCC financing statements (or equivalent filings, registrations or
agreements in foreign jurisdictions) relating to, leases permitted by
this Agreement;
(l) Liens deemed to exist in connection with Investments in
repurchase agreements permitted under Section 8.02;
(m) normal and customary rights of setoff upon deposits of
cash in favor of banks or other depository institutions;
(n) Liens of a collection bank arising under Section 4-210 of
the Uniform Commercial Code on items in the course of collection;
(o) Liens of sellers of goods to the Borrower and any of its
Subsidiaries arising under Article 2 of the Uniform Commercial Code or
similar provisions of applicable law in the ordinary course of
business, covering only the goods sold and securing only the unpaid
purchase price for such goods and related expenses;
(p) Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising
as a matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection
with the importation of goods;
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(q) Liens on property or assets acquired in connection with a
Permitted Acquisition, provided that (i) the indebtedness secured by
such Liens is permitted under Section 8.03, and (ii) the Liens are not
incurred in connection with, or in contemplation or anticipation of,
the acquisition and do not attach or extend to any other property or
assets;
(r) Liens on Securitization Receivables sold, contributed,
financed or otherwise conveyed or pledged in connection with a
Securitization Transaction permitted pursuant to Section 8.03(k); and
(s) other Liens not described above, provided that such Liens
do not secure obligations in excess of $5,000,000 at any one time
outstanding.
8.02 Investments.
Make any Investments, except:
(a) Investments held by the Borrower or such Subsidiary in the
form of cash or Cash Equivalents;
(b) Investments existing as of the Closing Date and set forth
in Schedule 8.02;
(c) Investments in any Person that is a Loan Party prior to
giving effect to such Investment;
(d) Investments consisting of extensions of credit in the
nature of accounts receivable or notes receivable arising from the
grant of trade credit in the ordinary course of business, and
Investments received in satisfaction or partial satisfaction thereof
from financially troubled account debtors to the extent reasonably
necessary in order to prevent or limit loss;
(e) Guarantees permitted by Section 8.03;
(f) Permitted Acquisitions;
(g) Investments made after the Closing Date in Foreign
Subsidiaries, provided that the aggregate amount of all such
Investments made by Loan Parties in Foreign Subsidiaries shall not
exceed an amount equal to five percent (5%) of total assets of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis determined in
accordance with GAAP as of the last day of the fiscal quarter
immediately preceding the date of determination;
(h) to the extent not prohibited by applicable Law, advances
to officers, directors and employees of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries made in the ordinary course of business, for travel,
entertainment, relocation and other ordinary business purposes;
(i) Investments by Foreign Subsidiaries in the Borrower and
any of its Subsidiaries (including other Foreign Subsidiaries);
(j) Investments made as part of Securitization Transaction
permitted pursuant to Section 8.03(k);
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(k) Investments representing non-cash consideration received
in connection with any Disposition permitted hereunder; and
(l) other Investments not contemplated in the foregoing
clauses in an amount not to exceed $50,000,000 in the aggregate at any
time outstanding.
8.03 Indebtedness.
Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness, except:
(a) Indebtedness under the Loan Documents;
(b) Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries set
forth in Schedule 8.03 (and renewals, refinancings and extensions
thereof on terms and conditions not materially less favorable to the
applicable debtor(s) or at then prevailing market terms);
(c) unsecured intercompany Indebtedness among the Borrower and
its Subsidiaries to the extent permitted under Section 8.02;
(d) obligations (contingent or otherwise) of the Borrower or
any Subsidiary existing or arising under any Swap Contract, provided
that (i) such obligations are (or were) entered into by such Person in
the ordinary course of business for the purpose of directly mitigating
risks associated with liabilities, commitments, investments, assets, or
property held or reasonably anticipated by such Person, or changes in
the value of securities issued by such Person, and not for purposes of
speculation or taking a "market view;" and (ii) such Swap Contract does
not contain any provision exonerating the non-defaulting party from its
obligation to make any termination payments upon the designation of an
"early termination date" (as defined therein) to the defaulting party;
(e) purchase money Indebtedness (including obligations in
respect of Capital Leases or Synthetic Leases) hereafter incurred by
the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to finance the purchase of
fixed assets, and renewals, refinancings and extensions thereof,
provided that (i) such Indebtedness when incurred shall not exceed the
purchase price of the asset(s) financed, (ii) no such Indebtedness
shall be refinanced for a principal amount in excess of the principal
balance outstanding thereon at the time of such refinancing, and (iii)
at the time of and immediately after giving effect to such incurrence,
the Borrower will be in compliance with the financial covenants in
Section 8.11 on a Pro Forma Basis;
(f) Indebtedness evidenced by the Plan Notes in an aggregate
principal amount not to exceed $775,000,000, and renewals, refinancings
and extensions thereof on prevailing market terms;
(g) other unsecured Indebtedness of the Borrower, provided
that at the time of and immediately after giving effect to such
incurrence, the Borrower will be in compliance with the financial
covenants in Section 8.11 on a Pro Forma Basis;
(h) Guarantees with respect to Indebtedness permitted under
clauses (a) through (g) of this Section 8.03;
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(i) Indebtedness acquired or assumed pursuant to a Permitted
Acquisition, provided that such Indebtedness was not incurred in
connection with, or in anticipation or contemplation of, such Permitted
Acquisition;
(j) Indebtedness arising under any performance or surety bond
entered into in the ordinary course of business; and
(k) Securitization Transactions in an aggregate principal
amount not to exceed $150,000,000.
8.04 Fundamental Changes.
Merge, dissolve, liquidate, consolidate with or into another Person, or
Dispose of (whether in one transaction or in a series of transactions) all or
substantially all of its assets (whether now owned or hereafter acquired) to or
in favor of any Person; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing provisions
of this Section 8.04 but subject to the terms of Sections 7.12 and 7.14, (a) the
Borrower may merge or consolidate with any of its Subsidiaries provided that the
Borrower shall be the continuing or surviving corporation, (b) any Loan Party
other than the Borrower may merge or consolidate with any other Loan Party other
than the Borrower, (c) any Foreign Subsidiary may be merged or consolidated with
or into any Loan Party provided that such Loan Party shall be the continuing or
surviving corporation, (d) any Foreign Subsidiary may be merged or consolidated
with or into any other Foreign Subsidiary, (e) any Subsidiary of the Borrower
may merge with any Person that is not a Loan Party in connection with a
Permitted Acquisition provided that, if such Permitted Acquisition involves the
Borrower, the Borrower shall be the continuing or surviving corporation, and (f)
any Subsidiary may dissolve, liquidate or wind up its affairs at any time
provided that such dissolution, liquidation or winding up, as applicable, could
not have a Material Adverse Effect.
8.05 Dispositions.
Make any Disposition (other than an Involuntary Disposition) unless (a)
the total consideration shall be in an amount not less than the fair market
value of the Property disposed of, (b) such transaction does not involve a sale
or other disposition of receivables other than in connection with a
Securitization Transaction permitted pursuant to Section 8.03(k) or receivables
owned by or attributable to other Property concurrently being disposed of in a
transaction otherwise permitted under this Section 8.05, and (c) the aggregate
net book value of all of the assets sold or otherwise disposed of by the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries in all such transactions in any fiscal year of the
Borrower shall not exceed an amount equal to fifteen percent (15%) of the total
assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis determined
in accordance with GAAP as of the last day of the fiscal quarter immediately
preceding the date of determination.
8.06 Restricted Payments.
Declare or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment, or
incur any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to do so, except that:
(a) each Subsidiary may make Restricted Payments (directly or
indirectly) to its parent or to any Loan Party (and, in the case of a
Restricted Payment by a non-wholly-owned Subsidiary, to each owner of
Capital Stock in such Subsidiary on a pro rata basis based on such
owner's respective ownership interests);
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(b) the Borrower and each Subsidiary may declare and make
dividend payments or other distributions payable solely in the Capital
Stock of such Person; and
(c) the Borrower may declare and make other Restricted
Payments in any fiscal year in an amount not exceed the sum of (i)
$25,000,000 plus (ii) an amount equal to the difference of (A)
twenty-five percent (25%) of cumulative Consolidated Net Income earned
after the Closing Date minus (B) the aggregate amount of Restricted
Payments in excess of $25,000,000 in any fiscal year after the Closing
Date, with unused amounts in any fiscal year being carried over to
succeeding fiscal years.
8.07 Change in Nature of Business.
Engage in any material line of business substantially different from
those lines of business conducted by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on the
Closing Date or any business related or incidental thereto.
8.08 Transactions with Affiliates.
Enter into or permit to exist any transaction or series of transactions
with any Affiliate of such Person other than (a) advances of working capital to
any Loan Party, (b) transfers of cash and assets to any Loan Party, (c)
intercompany transactions expressly permitted by Section 8.02, Section 8.03,
Section 8.04, Section 8.05 or Section 8.06, (d) transactions among the Borrower
and its Subsidiaries and (e) except as otherwise specifically limited in this
Agreement, other transactions which are entered into in the ordinary course of
such Person's business on terms and conditions substantially as favorable to
such Person as would be obtainable by it in a comparable arms-length transaction
with a Person other than an officer, director or Affiliate.
8.09 Burdensome Agreements.
(a) Enter into, or permit to exist, any Contractual Obligation that
encumbers or restricts on the ability of any such Person to (i) pay dividends or
make any other distributions to any Loan Party on its Capital Stock or with
respect to any other interest or participation in, or measured by, its profits,
(ii) pay any Indebtedness or other obligation owed to any Loan Party, (iii) make
loans or advances to any Loan Party, (iv) sell, lease or transfer any of its
Property to any Loan Party, (v) pledge its Property pursuant to the Loan
Documents or any renewals, refinancings, exchanges, refundings or extension
thereof or (vi) act as a Loan Party pursuant to the Loan Documents or any
renewals, refinancings, exchanges, refundings or extension thereof, except (in
respect of any of the matters referred to in clauses (i)-(v) above) for (1) this
Agreement, the other Loan Documents, the Plan Note Indenture and any 144A
Indenture, (2) with respect to clauses (iv) and (v) above, any document or
instrument governing Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 8.03(e), provided
that any such restriction contained therein relates only to the asset or assets
constructed or acquired in connection therewith, (3) customary restrictions and
conditions contained in any agreement relating to the sale of any Property
permitted under Section 8.05 pending the consummation of such sale or (4)
restrictions and conditions on any Foreign Subsidiary organized under the laws
of the People's Republic of China or any state or other political subdivision
thereof.
(b) Enter into, or permit to exist, any Contractual Obligation that
prohibits or otherwise restricts the existence of any Lien upon any of its
Property in favor of the Administrative Agent (for the benefit of the Lenders)
for the purpose of securing the Obligations, whether now owned or hereafter
acquired, or requiring the grant of any security for any obligation if such
Property is given as security for the Obligations, except (i) any document or
instrument governing Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Section 8.03(e), provided
that any such restriction contained therein relates only to the asset or assets
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constructed or acquired in connection therewith, (ii) in connection with any
Permitted Lien described in Section 8.01(j) or (k) or any document or instrument
governing any such Permitted Lien, provided that any such restriction contained
therein relates only to the asset or assets subject to such Permitted Lien,
(iii) pursuant to customary restrictions and conditions contained in any
agreement relating to the sale of any Property permitted under Section 8.05,
pending the consummation of such sale and (iv) the Plan Note Indenture and any
144A Indenture.
8.10 Use of Proceeds.
Use the proceeds of any Credit Extension, whether directly or
indirectly, and whether immediately, incidentally or ultimately, to purchase or
carry margin stock (within the meaning of Regulation U of the FRB) or to extend
credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock or to
refund indebtedness originally incurred for such purpose.
8.11 Financial Covenants.
(a) Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio. Permit the Consolidated
Interest Coverage Ratio as of the end of any fiscal quarter of the Borrower to
be less than 3.0 to 1.0, commencing with the fiscal quarter ending December 31,
2006.
(b) Consolidated Leverage Ratio. Permit the Consolidated Leverage Ratio
as of the end of any fiscal quarter of the Borrower to be greater than 3.75 to
1.0, commencing with the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2006.
8.12 Prepayment of Other Indebtedness, Etc.
If any Default has occurred and is continuing or shall exist
immediately after giving effect thereto, except for the refinancing of the Plan
Notes with the proceeds of 144A Notes, make (or give any notice with respect
thereto) any voluntary or optional payment or prepayment or redemption or
acquisition for value of (including without limitation, by way of depositing
money or securities with the trustee with respect thereto before due for the
purpose of paying when due), refund, refinance or exchange of any Indebtedness
of the Borrower or any Subsidiary (other than Indebtedness arising under the
Loan Documents).
8.13 Organization Documents; Fiscal Year; Legal Name, State of Formation and
Form of Entity.
(a) Amend, modify or change its Organization Documents in a manner
materially adverse to the Lenders.
(b) Change its fiscal year.
(c) With respect to any Loan Party, without providing 5 days' prior
written notice to the Administrative Agent, change its name, state of formation
or form of organization.
ARTICLE IX
EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES
9.01 Events of Default.
Any of the following shall constitute an Event of Default:
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(a) Non-Payment. The Borrower or any other Loan Party fails to
pay (i) when and as required to be paid herein, any amount of principal
of any Loan or any L/C Obligation, or (ii) within three Business Days
after the same becomes due, any interest on any Loan or on any L/C
Obligation, or any fee due hereunder, or (iii) within five Business
Days after written notice thereof to the defaulting party by the
Administrative Agent of the same becoming due, any other amount payable
hereunder or under any other Loan Document; or
(b) Specific Covenants. (i) The Borrower fails to perform or
observe any term, covenant or agreement contained in any of Section
7.03(a), 7.05, 7.11, 7.12 or 7.14 or Article VIII; or
(ii) The Borrower fails to perform or observe any
term, covenant or agreement contained in any of Section 7.01,
7.02, or 7.10 and such failure continues for five days; or
(c) Other Defaults. Any Loan Party fails to perform or observe
any other covenant or agreement (not specified in subsection (a) or (b)
above) contained in any Loan Document on its part to be performed or
observed and such failure continues for thirty days after written
notice to the defaulting party by the Administrative Agent; or
(d) Representations and Warranties. Any representation,
warranty, certification or statement of fact made or deemed made by or
on behalf of the Borrower or any other Loan Party herein, in any other
Loan Document, or in any document delivered in connection herewith or
therewith shall be incorrect or misleading in any material respect when
made or deemed made; or
(e) Cross-Default. (i) The Borrower or any Subsidiary (A)
fails to make any payment when due (whether by scheduled maturity,
required prepayment, acceleration, demand, or otherwise) in respect of
any Indebtedness or Guarantee (other than Indebtedness hereunder and
Indebtedness under Swap Contracts) having an aggregate principal amount
(including undrawn committed or available amounts and including amounts
owing to all creditors under any combined or syndicated credit
arrangement) of more than $50,000,000, or (B) fails to observe or
perform any other agreement or condition relating to any such
Indebtedness or Guarantee or contained in any instrument or agreement
evidencing, securing or relating thereto, or any other event occurs,
the effect of which default or other event is to cause, or to permit
the holder or holders of such Indebtedness or the beneficiary or
beneficiaries of such Guarantee (or a trustee or agent on behalf of
such holder or holders or beneficiary or beneficiaries) to cause, with
the giving of notice if required, such Indebtedness to be demanded or
to become due or to be repurchased, prepaid, defeased or redeemed
(automatically or otherwise), or an offer to repurchase, prepay,
defease or redeem such Indebtedness to be made, prior to its stated
maturity, or such Guarantee to become payable or cash collateral in
respect thereof to be demanded; or (ii) there occurs under any Swap
Contract an Early Termination Date (as defined in such Swap Contract)
resulting from (A) any event of default under such Swap Contract as to
which the Borrower or any Subsidiary is the Defaulting Party (as
defined in such Swap Contract) or (B) any Termination Event (as so
defined) under such Swap Contract as to which the Borrower or any
Subsidiary is an Affected Party (as so defined) and, in either event,
the Swap Termination Value owed by the Borrower or such Subsidiary as a
result thereof is greater than $50,000,000; or
(f) Insolvency Proceedings, Etc. Any Loan Party or any of its
Subsidiaries institutes or consents to the institution of any
proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, or makes an assignment for the
benefit of creditors; or applies for or consents to the appointment of
any receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator, liquidator,
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rehabilitator or similar officer for it or for all or any material part
of its property; or any receiver, trustee, custodian, conservator,
liquidator, rehabilitator or similar officer is appointed without the
application or consent of such Person and the appointment continues
undischarged or unstayed for sixty calendar days; or any proceeding
under any Debtor Relief Law relating to any such Person or to all or
any material part of its property is instituted without the consent of
such Person and continues undismissed or unstayed for sixty calendar
days, or an order for relief is entered in any such proceeding; or
(g) Inability to Pay Debts; Attachment. (i) The Borrower or
any Subsidiary becomes unable or admits in writing its inability or
fails generally to pay its debts as they become due, or (ii) any writ
or warrant of attachment or execution or similar process is issued or
levied against all or any material part of the property of any such
Person and is not released, vacated or fully bonded within thirty days
after its issue or levy; or
(h) Judgments. There is entered against the Borrower or any
Subsidiary (i) one or more final judgments or orders for the payment of
money in an aggregate amount exceeding $50,000,000 (to the extent not
covered by independent third-party insurance as to which the insurer
does not dispute coverage), or (ii) any one or more non-monetary final
judgments that have, or could reasonably be expected to have,
individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect and, in
either case, (A) enforcement proceedings are commenced by any creditor
upon such judgment or order, or (B) there is a period of ten
consecutive days during which a stay of enforcement of such judgment,
by reason of a pending appeal or otherwise, is not in effect; or
(i) ERISA. (i) An ERISA Event occurs with respect to a Pension
Plan or Multiemployer Plan which has resulted or could reasonably be
expected to result in liability of the Borrower under Title IV of ERISA
to the Pension Plan, Multiemployer Plan or the PBGC in an aggregate
amount in excess of $50,000,000, or (ii) the Borrower or any ERISA
Affiliate fails to pay when due, after the expiration of any applicable
grace period, any installment payment with respect to its withdrawal
liability under Section 4201 of ERISA under a Multiemployer Plan in an
aggregate amount in excess of $50,000,000; or
(j) Invalidity of Loan Documents. Any Loan Document, at any
time after its execution and delivery and for any reason other than as
expressly permitted hereunder or satisfaction in full of all the
Obligations, ceases to be in full force and effect; or any Loan Party
or any other Person contests in any manner the validity or
enforceability of any Loan Document; or any Loan Party denies that it
has any or further liability or obligation under any Loan Document, or
purports to revoke, terminate or rescind any Loan Document;
(k) Revocation of Confirmation Order. The Confirmation Order
shall be revoked by the Bankruptcy Court or any other court of
competent jurisdiction;
(l) Plan Note Indenture. There shall occur and be continuing
any "Event of Default" (or any comparable term) under, and as defined
in, the Plan Note Indenture; or
(m) Change of Control. There occurs any Change of Control.
9.02 Remedies Upon Event of Default.
If any Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Administrative
Agent shall, at the request of, or may, with the consent of, the Required
Lenders, take any or all of the following actions:
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(a) declare the commitment of each Lender to make Loans and
any obligation of an L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions to be
terminated, whereupon such commitments and obligation shall be
terminated;
(b) declare the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding
Loans, all interest accrued and unpaid thereon, and all other amounts
owing or payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document to be
immediately due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or
other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by
the Borrower;
(c) require that the Borrower Cash Collateralize the L/C
Obligations (in an amount equal to the then Outstanding Amount
thereof); and
(d) exercise on behalf of itself and the Lenders all rights
and remedies available to it and the Lenders under the Loan Documents
or applicable law;
provided, however, that upon the occurrence of an actual or deemed entry of an
order for relief with respect to the Borrower under the Bankruptcy Code of the
United States, the obligation of each Lender to make Loans and any obligation of
each L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions shall automatically terminate, the
unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans and all interest and other
amounts as aforesaid shall automatically become due and payable, and the
obligation of the Borrower to Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations as
aforesaid shall automatically become effective, in each case without further act
of the Administrative Agent or any Lender.
9.03 Application of Funds.
After the exercise of remedies provided for in Section 9.02 (or after
the Loans have automatically become immediately due and payable and the L/C
Obligations have automatically been required to be Cash Collateralized as set
forth in the proviso to Section 9.02), any amounts received on account of the
Obligations shall be applied by the Administrative Agent in the following order:
First, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees,
indemnities, expenses and other amounts (including Attorney Costs and
amounts payable under Article III) payable to the Administrative Agent
and the Collateral Agent, in each case in its capacity as such;
Second, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting
fees, indemnities and other amounts (other than principal and interest)
payable to the Lenders (including Attorney Costs and amounts payable
under Article III), ratably among them in proportion to the amounts
described in this clause Second payable to them;
Third, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting
accrued and unpaid interest on the Loans and L/C Borrowings and fees,
premiums and scheduled periodic payments, and any interest accrued
thereon, due under any Swap Contract between any Loan Party and any
Lender, or any Affiliate of a Lender, to the extent such Swap Contract
is permitted by Section 8.03(d), ratably among the Lenders (and, in the
case of such Swap Contracts, Affiliates of Lenders) in proportion to
the respective amounts described in this clause Third held by them;
Fourth, to (a) payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting
unpaid principal of the Loans and L/C Borrowings, (b) payment of
breakage, termination or other payments, and any interest accrued
thereon, due under any Swap Contract between any Loan Party and any
Lender, or any Affiliate of a Lender, to the extent such Swap Contract
is permitted by Section 8.03(d), (c) payments of amounts due under any
Treasury Management Agreement between any Loan Party and any Lender, or
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any Affiliate of a Lender and (d) Cash Collateralize that portion of
L/C Obligations comprised of the aggregate undrawn amount of Letters of
Credit, ratably among the Lenders (and, in the case of such Swap
Contracts, Affiliates of Lenders) in proportion to the respective
amounts described in this clause Fourth held by them; and
Last, the balance, if any, after all of the Obligations have been
indefeasibly paid in full, to the Borrower or as otherwise required by
Law.
Subject to Section 2.03(c), amounts used to Cash Collateralize the
aggregate undrawn amount of Letters of Credit pursuant to clause Fourth above
shall be applied to satisfy drawings under such Letters of Credit as they occur.
If any amount remains on deposit as Cash Collateral after all Letters of Credit
have either been fully drawn or expired, such remaining amount shall be applied
to the other Obligations, if any, in the order set forth above.
ARTICLE X
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
10.01 Appointment and Authority.
(a) Each of the Lenders hereby irrevocably appoints Bank of America to
act on its behalf as the Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Loan
Documents and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such actions on its
behalf and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Administrative Agent
by the terms hereof or thereof, together with such actions and powers as are
reasonably incidental thereto.
(b) Each of the Lenders hereby irrevocably appoints Bank of America to
act on its behalf as the Collateral Agent hereunder and under the other Loan
Documents and authorizes the Collateral Agent to take such actions on its behalf
and to exercise such powers as are delegated to the Collateral Agent by the
terms hereof or thereof, together with such actions and powers as are reasonably
incidental thereto. The Collateral Agent shall act on behalf of the Lenders with
respect to any Collateral and the Collateral Documents, and the Collateral Agent
shall have all of the benefits and immunities (i) provided to the Administrative
Agent in this Article X with respect to any acts taken or omissions suffered by
the Collateral Agent in connection with any Collateral or the Collateral
Documents as fully as if the term "Administrative Agent" as used in this Article
X and (ii) as additionally provided herein or in the Collateral Documents with
respect to the Collateral Agent.
(c) The provisions of this Article are solely for the benefit of the
Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and the Lenders, and neither the
Borrower nor any other Loan Party shall have rights as a third party beneficiary
of any of such provisions.
10.02 Rights as a Lender.
The Person serving as the Administrative Agent hereunder shall have the
same rights and powers in its capacity as a Lender as any other Lender and may
exercise the same as though it were not the Administrative Agent and the term
"Lender" or "Lenders" shall, unless otherwise expressly indicated or unless the
context otherwise requires, include the Person serving as the Administrative
Agent hereunder in its individual capacity. Such Person and its Affiliates may
accept deposits from, lend money to, act as the financial advisor or in any
other advisory capacity for and generally engage in any kind of business with
any Loan Party or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as if such Person
were not the Administrative Agent hereunder and without any duty to account
therefor to the Lenders.
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10.03 Exculpatory Provisions.
The Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or obligations
except those expressly set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrative Agent:
(a) shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied
duties, regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is continuing;
(b) shall not have any duty to take any discretionary action
or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and
powers expressly contemplated hereby or by the other Loan Documents
that the Administrative Agent is required to exercise as directed in
writing by the Required Lenders (or such other number or percentage of
the Lenders as shall be expressly provided for herein or in the other
Loan Documents), provided that the Administrative Agent shall not be
required to take any action that, in its opinion or the opinion of its
counsel, may expose the Administrative Agent to liability or that is
contrary to any Loan Document or applicable law; and
(c) shall not, except as expressly set forth herein and in the
other Loan Documents, have any duty to disclose, and shall not be
liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to any
Loan Party or any of its Affiliates that is communicated to or obtained
by the Person serving as the Administrative Agent or any of its
Affiliates in any capacity.
The Administrative Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or
not taken by it (i) with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders
(or such other number or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary, or as
the Administrative Agent shall believe in good faith shall be necessary, under
the circumstances as provided in Sections 11.01 and 9.02) or (ii) in the absence
of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Administrative Agent
shall be deemed not to have knowledge of any Default unless and until notice
describing such Default is given to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower or
a Lender.
The Administrative Agent shall not be responsible for or have any duty
to ascertain or inquire into (i) any statement, warranty or representation made
in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (ii) the
contents of any certificate, report or other document delivered hereunder or
thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, (iii) the performance or
observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions set
forth herein or therein or the occurrence of any Default, (iv) the validity,
enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, any other Loan
Document or any other agreement, instrument or document, or the creation,
perfection or priority of any Lien purported to be created by the Collateral
Documents, (v) the value or the sufficiency of any Collateral, or (vi) the
satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article V or elsewhere herein, other
than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the
Administrative Agent.
10.04 Reliance by Administrative Agent.
The Administrative Agent shall be entitled to rely upon, and shall not
incur any liability for relying upon, any notice, request, certificate, consent,
statement, instrument, document or other writing (including any electronic
message, Internet or intranet website posting or other distribution) believed by
it to be genuine and to have been signed, sent or otherwise authenticated by the
proper Person. The Administrative Agent also may rely upon any statement made to
it orally or by telephone and believed by it to have been made by the proper
Person, and shall not incur any liability for relying thereon. In determining
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compliance with any condition hereunder to the making of a Loan, or the issuance
of a Letter of Credit, that by its terms must be fulfilled to the satisfaction
of a Lender, the Administrative Agent may presume that such condition is
satisfactory to such Lender unless the Administrative Agent shall have received
notice to the contrary from such Lender prior to the making of such Loan or the
issuance of such Letter of Credit. The Administrative Agent may consult with
legal counsel (who may be counsel for the Loan Parties), independent accountants
and other experts selected by it, and shall not be liable for any action taken
or not taken by it in accordance with the advice of any such counsel,
accountants or experts.
10.05 Delegation of Duties.
The Administrative Agent may perform any and all of its duties and
exercise its rights and powers hereunder or under any other Loan Document by or
through any one or more sub-agents appointed by the Administrative Agent. The
Administrative Agent and any such sub-agent may perform any and all of its
duties and exercise its rights and powers by or through their respective Related
Parties. The exculpatory provisions of this Article shall apply to any such
sub-agent and to the Related Parties of the Administrative Agent and any such
sub-agent, and shall apply to their respective activities in connection with the
syndication of the credit facilities provided for herein as well as activities
as Administrative Agent.
10.06 Resignation of Administrative Agent.
The Administrative Agent may at any time give notice of its resignation
to the Lenders and the Borrower. Upon receipt of any such notice of resignation,
the Required Lenders shall have the right, with the consent of the Borrower
(except if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing), to appoint a
successor, which shall be a bank with an office in the United States, or an
Affiliate of any such bank with an office in the United States. If no such
successor shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders and shall have
accepted such appointment within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent
gives notice of its resignation, then the retiring Administrative Agent may on
behalf of the Lenders, appoint a successor Administrative Agent meeting the
qualifications set forth above; provided that if the Administrative Agent shall
notify the Borrower and the Lenders that no qualifying Person has accepted such
appointment, then such resignation shall nonetheless become effective in
accordance with such notice and (a) the retiring Administrative Agent shall be
discharged from its duties and obligations hereunder and under the other Loan
Documents (except that in the case of any collateral security held by the
Administrative Agent on behalf of the Lenders under any of the Loan Documents,
the retiring Administrative Agent shall continue to hold such collateral
security until such time as a successor Administrative Agent is appointed) and
(b) all payments, communications and determinations provided to be made by, to
or through the Administrative Agent shall instead be made by or to each Lender
directly, until such time as the Required Lenders appoint a successor
Administrative Agent as provided for above in this Section. Upon the acceptance
of a successor's appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder, such successor
shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges
and duties of the retiring (or retired) Administrative Agent, and the retiring
Administrative Agent shall be discharged from all of its duties and obligations
hereunder or under the other Loan Documents (if not already discharged therefrom
as provided above in this Section). The fees payable by the Borrower to a
successor Administrative Agent shall be the same as those payable to its
predecessor unless otherwise agreed between the Borrower and such successor.
After the retiring Administrative Agent's resignation hereunder and under the
other Loan Documents, the provisions of this Article and Section 11.04 shall
continue in effect for the benefit of such retiring Administrative Agent, its
sub-agents and their respective Related Parties in respect of any actions taken
or omitted to be taken by any of them while the retiring Administrative Agent
was acting as Administrative Agent.
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Any resignation by Bank of America as Administrative Agent pursuant to
this Section shall also constitute its resignation as L/C Issuer and Swing Line
Lender. Upon the acceptance of a successor's appointment as Administrative Agent
hereunder, (i) such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the
rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring L/C Issuer and Swing Line
Lender, (ii) the retiring L/C Issuer and Swing Line Lender shall be discharged
from all of their respective duties and obligations hereunder or under the other
Loan Documents, and (iii) the successor L/C Issuer shall issue letters of credit
in substitution for the Letters of Credit, if any, outstanding at the time of
such succession or make other arrangements satisfactory to the retiring L/C
Issuer to effectively assume the obligations of the retiring L/C Issuer with
respect to such Letters of Credit.
10.07 Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders.
Each Lender acknowledges that it has, independently and without
reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender or any of their
Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it has deemed
appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this
Agreement. Each Lender also acknowledges that it will, independently and without
reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender or any of their
Related Parties and based on such documents and information as it shall from
time to time deem appropriate, continue to make its own decisions in taking or
not taking action under or based upon this Agreement, any other Loan Document or
any related agreement or any document furnished hereunder or thereunder.
10.08 No Other Duties; Etc.
Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, none of the
bookrunners, arrangers, syndication agents, documentation agents or co-agents
shall have any powers, duties or responsibilities under this Agreement or any of
the other Loan Documents, except in its capacity, as applicable, as the
Administrative Agent or a Lender hereunder.
10.09 Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim.
In case of the pendency of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law
or any other judicial proceeding relative to any Loan Party, the Administrative
Agent (irrespective of whether the principal of any Loan or L/C Obligation shall
then be due and payable as herein expressed or by declaration or otherwise and
irrespective of whether the Administrative Agent shall have made any demand on
the Borrower) shall be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such
proceeding or otherwise:
(a) to file and prove a claim for the whole amount of the
principal and interest owing and unpaid in respect of the Loans, L/C
Obligations and all other Obligations arising under the Loan Documents
that are owing and unpaid and to file such other documents as may be
necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Lenders and
the Administrative Agent (including any claim for the reasonable
compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Lenders and
the Administrative Agent and their respective agents and counsel and
all other amounts due the Lenders and the Administrative Agent under
Sections 2.03(i) and (j), 2.09 and 11.04) allowed in such judicial
proceeding; and
(b) to collect and receive any monies or other property
payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same;
and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or
other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by
each Lender to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and, if the
Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to
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the Lenders, to pay to the Administrative Agent any amount due for the
reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the
Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the
Administrative Agent under Sections 2.09 and 11.04.
Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the
Administrative Agent to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of
any Lender any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition
affecting the Obligations or the rights of any Lender to authorize the
Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender or in any
such proceeding.
10.10 Collateral and Guaranty Matters.
The Lenders irrevocably authorize the Administrative Agent and the
Collateral Agent, in each case at its option and in its discretion,
(a) to release any Lien on any property granted to or held by
the Collateral Agent under any Loan Document (i) upon termination of
all Commitments and payment in full of all Obligations arising under
the Loan Documents (other than contingent indemnification obligations)
and the expiration or termination of all Letters of Credit, (ii) that
is transferred or to be transferred as part of or in connection with
any Disposition not prohibited hereunder or under any other Loan
Document, or (iii) if approved, authorized or ratified in writing in
accordance with Section 11.01;
(b) to release any Guarantor from its obligations under the
Guaranty if such Person ceases to be a Subsidiary or a Guarantor as a
result of a transaction permitted hereunder; and
(c) to subordinate any Lien on any property granted to or held
by the Collateral Agent under any Loan Document to the holder of any
Lien on such property that is permitted by Section 8.01(i).
Upon request by the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent at any
time, the Required Lenders will confirm in writing the Collateral
Agent's authority to release or subordinate its interest in particular
types or items of property, or to release any Guarantor from its
obligations under the Guaranty, pursuant to this Section 10.10. In each
case as specified in this Section 10.10, the Collateral Agent will, at
the Borrower's expense, execute and deliver to the applicable Loan
Party such documents as such Loan Party may reasonably request to
evidence the release of such item of Collateral from the assignment and
security interest granted under the Collateral Documents or to
subordinate its interest in such item, or to release such Guarantor
from its obligations under the Guaranty, in each case in accordance
with the terms of the Loan Documents and this Section 10.10.
ARTICLE XI
MISCELLANEOUS
11.01 Amendments, Etc.
(a) No amendment or waiver of, or any consent to deviation from, any
provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be effective unless
in writing and signed by the Borrower, the Loan Parties and the Required
Lenders, and each such amendment, waiver or consent shall be effective only in
the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which it is given;
provided, further, that:
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(i) unless also signed by each Lender directly affected
thereby, no such amendment, waiver or consent shall:
(A) extend or increase the Commitment of any Lender
(or reinstate such Lender's Commitment terminated pursuant to
Section 9.02) (it being understood and agreed that a waiver of
any condition precedent set forth in Section 5.02 or of any
Default or a mandatory reduction in Commitments is not
considered an extension or increase in Commitments of any
Lender) without the consent of such Lender;
(B) postpone any date fixed by this Agreement or any
other Loan Document for any payment of principal (excluding
mandatory prepayments), interest, fees or other amounts due to
any Lender hereunder or under any other Loan Document without
the consent of such Lender;
(C) reduce the principal of, or the rate of interest
specified herein on, any Loan or L/C Borrowing, or any fees or
other amounts payable to any Lender hereunder or under any
other Loan Document without the consent of such Lender;
provided, however, that only the consent of the Required
Lenders shall be necessary to amend (i) the definition of
"Default Rate" or to waive any obligation of the Borrower to
pay interest at the Default Rate or (ii) subject to subsection
(b)(iii) below, to amend any financial covenant hereunder (or
any defined term used therein) even if the effect of such
amendment would be to reduce the rate of interest on any Loan
or L/C Borrowing or to reduce any fee payable hereunder;
(D) change Section 2.13 or Section 9.03 in a manner
that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments required
thereby;
(E) change any provision of this Section 11.01(a) or
the definition of "Required Lenders" (except as expressly
provided in subsection (b) of this Section below), "Required
Revolving Lenders", "Required Tranche A Term Lenders" or
"Required Tranche B Term Lenders";
(F) except in connection with a Disposition permitted
under Section 8.05 or as otherwise contemplated by Section
7.14, release all or substantially all of the Collateral; or
(G) release the Borrower or, except in connection
with a merger or consolidation permitted under Section 8.04 or
a Disposition permitted under Section 8.05, all or
substantially all of the Guarantors, from its or their
obligations under the Loan Documents;
(ii) unless also signed by the Required Revolving Lenders, no
such amendment, waiver or consent shall:
(A) waive any Default for purposes of Section 5.02
for purposes of any Revolving Loan borrowing, L/C Credit
Extension or Swing Line Loan borrowing,
(B) amend or waive the manner of application of any
mandatory prepayment to Revolving Loans, Swing Line Loans or
L/C Obligations under Section 2.05(c), or
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(C) amend or waive the provisions of Section 5.02,
this Section 11.01(b);
(iii) unless also signed by the Required Tranche A Term
Lenders, no such amendment, waiver or consent shall:
(A) amend or waive the manner of application of any
mandatory prepayment to the Tranche A Term Loan under Section
2.05(c), or
(B) amend or waive the provisions of this Section
11.01(c);
(iv) unless also signed by the Required Tranche B Term
Lenders, no such amendment, waiver or consent shall:
(A) amend or waive the manner of application of any
mandatory prepayment to the Tranche B Term Loan under Section
2.05(c), or
(B) amend or waive the provisions of this Section
11.01(d); or
(v) unless also signed by the Collateral Agent, no such
amendment, waiver or consent shall affect the rights or duties of the
Collateral Agent under this Agreement or any other Loan Document;
and, provided further, that (i) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in
writing and signed by the each L/C Issuer in addition to the Lenders required
above, affect the rights or duties of such L/C Issuer under this Agreement or
any Letter of Credit Application relating to any Letter of Credit issued or to
be issued by it; (ii) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing
and signed by the Swing Line Lender in addition to the Lenders required above,
affect the rights or duties of the Swing Line Lender under this Agreement; (iii)
no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the
Administrative Agent in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the
rights or duties of the Administrative Agent under this Agreement or any other
Loan Document; and (iv) the Fee Letter may be amended, or rights or privileges
thereunder waived, in a writing executed only by the parties thereto.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no Defaulting Lender shall have
any right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent hereunder,
except that the Commitment of such Lender may not be increased or extended
without the consent of such Lender.
Notwithstanding the fact that the consent of all the Lenders is
required in certain circumstances as set forth above, (x) each Lender is
entitled to vote as such Lender sees fit on any bankruptcy reorganization plan
that affects the Loans, and each Lender acknowledges that the provisions of
Section 1126(c) of the Bankruptcy Code supersedes the unanimous consent
provisions set forth herein and (y) the Required Lenders shall determine whether
or not to allow a Loan Party to use cash collateral in the context of a
bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding and such determination shall be binding on
all of the Lenders.
(b) Additional Commitments or Tranches. For the avoidance of doubt and
notwithstanding provisions to the contrary in this Section 11.01, this Agreement
may be amended (or amended and restated) with the written consent of the Loan
Parties and the Required Lenders to (i) increase the aggregate amount of
commitments under any of the respective facilities, (ii) add one or more
additional borrowing tranches hereunder and to provide for the ratable sharing
of the benefits of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents with the other
commitments and Obligations contemplated herein and therein, and (iii) include
the lenders providing the commitments and extensions of credit therefor in the
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determination of "Required Lenders" and /or to provide consent rights for such
lenders consistent with those afforded under clauses (ii), (iii) and (iv) of
Section 11.01(a) above.
11.02 Notices and Other Communications; Facsimile Copies.
(a) General. Except in the case of notices and other communications
expressly permitted to be given by telephone (and except as provided in
subsection (b) below), all notices and other communications provided for herein
shall be in writing and shall be delivered by hand or overnight courier service,
mailed by certified or registered mail or sent by telecopier as follows, and all
notices and other communications expressly permitted hereunder to be given by
telephone shall be made to the applicable telephone number, as follows:
(i) if to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, an L/C
Issuer or the Swing Line Lender, to the address, telecopier number,
electronic mail address or telephone number specified for such Person
on Schedule 11.02; and
(ii) if to any other Lender, to the address, telecopier
number, electronic mail address or telephone number specified in its
Administrative Questionnaire.
Notices sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by
certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received;
notices sent by telecopier shall be deemed to have been given when sent (except
that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be
deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next business day
for the recipient). Notices delivered through electronic communications to the
extent provided in subsection (b) below, shall be effective as provided in such
subsection (b).
(b) Electronic Communications. Notices and other communications to the
Lenders hereunder may be delivered or furnished by electronic communication
(including e-mail and Internet or intranet websites) pursuant to procedures
approved by the Administrative Agent, provided that the foregoing shall not
apply to notices to any Lender pursuant to Article II if such Lender has
notified the Administrative Agent that it is incapable of receiving notices
under such Article by electronic communication. The Administrative Agent or the
Borrower (on behalf of itself and the other Loan Parties) may, in its
discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder by
electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it, provided that
approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or
communications.
Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and
other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the
sender's receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by
the "return receipt requested" function, as available, return e-mail or other
written acknowledgement), provided that if such notice or other communication is
not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or
communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on
the next business day for the recipient, and (ii) notices or communications
posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the
deemed receipt by the intended recipient at its e-mail address as described in
the foregoing clause (i) of notification that such notice or communication is
available and identifying the website address therefor.
(c) The Platform. THE PLATFORM IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE."
THE AGENT PARTIES (AS DEFINED BELOW) DO NOT WARRANT THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS
OF THE BORROWER MATERIALS OR THE ADEQUACY OF THE PLATFORM, AND EXPRESSLY
DISCLAIM LIABILITY FOR ERRORS IN OR OMISSIONS FROM THE BORROWER MATERIALS. NO
WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING ANY WARRANTY OF
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MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD
PARTY RIGHTS OR FREEDOM FROM VIRUSES OR OTHER CODE DEFECTS, IS MADE BY ANY AGENT
PARTY IN CONNECTION WITH THE BORROWER MATERIALS OR THE PLATFORM. In no event
shall the Administrative Agent or any of its Related Parties (collectively, the
"Agent Parties") have any liability to the Borrower, any Lender or any other
Person for losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses of any kind (whether
in tort, contract or otherwise) arising out of the Borrower's or the
Administrative Agent's transmission of Borrower Materials through the Internet,
except to the extent that such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses
are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by a final and nonappealable
judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of
such Agent Party; provided, however, that in no event shall any Agent Party have
any liability to the Borrower, any Lender, the L/C Issuer or any other Person
for indirect, special, incidental, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed
to direct or actual damages).
(d) Change of Address, Etc. Each of the Borrower, the Administrative
Agent, any L/C Issuer and the Swing Line Lender may change its address,
telecopier or telephone number for notices and other communications hereunder by
notice to the other parties hereto. Each other Lender may change its address,
telecopier or telephone number for notices and other communications hereunder by
notice to the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the L/C Issuers and the Swing
Line Lender. In addition, each Lender agrees to notify the Administrative Agent
from time to time to ensure that the Administrative Agent has on record (i) an
effective address, contact name, telephone number, telecopier number and
electronic mail address to which notices and other communications may be sent
and (ii) accurate wire instructions for such Lender.
(e) Reliance by Administrative Agent and Lenders. The Administrative
Agent and the Lenders shall be entitled to rely and act upon any notices
(including telephonic Loan Notices and Swing Line Loan Notices) purportedly
given by or on behalf of the Borrower even if (i) such notices were not made in
a manner specified herein, were incomplete or were not preceded or followed by
any other form of notice specified herein, or (ii) the terms thereof, as
understood by the recipient, varied from any confirmation thereof. The Borrower
shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, each Lender and the Related Parties of
each of them from all losses, costs, expenses and liabilities resulting from the
reliance by such Person on each notice purportedly given by or on behalf of the
Borrower, except to the extent such losses, costs, expenses or liabilities
resulted from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the applicable
Person. All telephonic notices to and other communications with the
Administrative Agent may be recorded by the Administrative Agent, and each of
the parties hereto hereby consents to such recording.
11.03 No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies.
No failure by any Lender or the Administrative Agent to exercise, and
no delay by any such Person in exercising, any right, remedy, power or privilege
hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial
exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other
or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or
privilege. The rights, remedies, powers and privileges herein provided are
cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, remedies, powers and privileges
provided by law.
11.04 Attorney Costs, Expenses and Taxes.
The Borrower agrees (a) to pay or reimburse the Administrative Agent
for all reasonable costs and expenses incurred in connection with the
development, preparation, negotiation, execution and administration of this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents and any amendment, waiver, consent or
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other modification of the provisions hereof and thereof (whether or not the
transactions contemplated hereby or thereby are consummated), and the
consummation and administration of the transactions contemplated hereby and
thereby, including all Attorney Costs and costs and expenses in connection with
the use of Intralinks, Inc. or other similar information transmission systems in
connection with this Agreement, and (b) to pay or reimburse the Administrative
Agent and each Lender for all reasonable costs and expenses incurred in
connection with the enforcement, attempted enforcement, or preservation of any
rights or remedies under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents (including
all such costs and expenses incurred during any "workout" or restructuring in
respect of the Obligations and during any legal proceeding, including any
proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law), including all Attorney Costs. The
foregoing costs and expenses shall include all search, filing, recording, title
insurance and appraisal charges and fees and taxes related thereto, and other
out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent and the cost of
independent public accountants and other outside experts retained by the
Administrative Agent or any Lender. All amounts due under this Section 11.04
shall be payable within ten Business Days after demand therefor. The agreements
in this Section shall survive the termination of the Commitments and repayment
of all other Obligations.
11.05 Indemnification by the Borrower.
(a) Indemnification. Whether or not the transactions contemplated
hereby are consummated, the Borrower agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the
Administrative Agent, each Lender and their respective Related Parties
(collectively the "Indemnitees") from and against any and all liabilities,
obligations, losses, damages, penalties, claims, demands, actions, judgments,
suits, costs, expenses and disbursements (including Attorney Costs) of any kind
or nature whatsoever which may at any time be imposed on, incurred by or
asserted against any such Indemnitee in any way relating to or arising out of or
in connection with (a) the Loan Documents or any other agreement, letter or
instrument delivered in connection with the transactions contemplated thereby or
the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby, (b) any Commitment,
Loan or Letter of Credit or the use or proposed use of the proceeds therefrom
(including any refusal by an L/C Issuer to honor a demand for payment under a
Letter of Credit if the documents presented in connection with such demand do
not strictly comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit), (c) any actual or
alleged presence or release of Hazardous Materials on or from any property
currently or formerly owned or operated by the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any
other Loan Party, or any Environmental Liability related in any way to the
Borrower, any Subsidiary or any other Loan Party, or (d) any actual or
prospective claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of
the foregoing, whether based on contract, tort or any other theory (including
any investigation of, preparation for, or defense of any pending or threatened
claim, investigation, litigation or proceeding) and regardless of whether any
Indemnitee is a party thereto (all the foregoing, collectively, the "Indemnified
Liabilities"); provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be
available to the extent that such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages,
penalties, claims, demands, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or
disbursements are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction by final and
nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross negligence or willful
misconduct of such Indemnitee. No Indemnitee shall be liable for any damages
arising from the use by others of any information or other materials obtained
through IntraLinks or other similar information transmission systems in
connection with this Agreement, nor shall any Indemnitee have any liability for
any indirect or consequential damages relating to this Agreement or any other
Loan Document or arising out of its activities in connection herewith or
therewith (whether before or after the Closing Date). All amounts due under this
Section 11.05 shall be payable within ten Business Days after demand therefor.
The agreements in this Section shall survive the resignation of the
Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, the replacement of any Lender, the
termination of the Commitments and the repayment, satisfaction or discharge of
all the other Obligations.
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(b) Reimbursement by Lenders. To the extent that the Loan Parties for
any reason fail to indefeasibly pay any amount required under Section 11.04 or
subsection (a) of this Section to be paid by them to the Administrative Agent
(or any sub-agent thereof) or any Related Party of any of the foregoing, each
Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent (or any such
sub-agent) or such Related Party, as the case may be, such Lender's Pro Rata
Share (determined as of the time that the applicable unreimbursed expense or
indemnity payment is sought) of such unpaid amount, provided that the
unreimbursed expense or indemnified loss, claim, damage, liability or related
expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against the
Administrative Agent (or any such sub-agent) in its capacity as such, or against
any Related Party of any of the foregoing acting for the Administrative Agent
(or any such sub-agent) in connection with such capacity. The obligations of the
Lenders under this subsection (b) are subject to the provisions of Section
2.12(d).
(c) Waiver of Consequential Damages, Etc. To the fullest extent
permitted by applicable law, no Loan Party shall assert, and each Loan Party
hereby waives, any claim against any Indemnitee, on any theory of liability, for
special, indirect, consequential or punitive damages (as opposed to direct or
actual damages) arising out of, in connection with, or as a result of, this
Agreement, any other Loan Document or any agreement or instrument contemplated
hereby, the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby, any Loan or Letter of
Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof. No Indemnitee referred to in
subsection (a) above shall be liable for any damages arising from the use by
unintended recipients of any information or other materials distributed to such
unintended recipients by such Indemnitee through telecommunications, electronic
or other information transmission systems in connection with this Agreement or
the other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby
other than for direct or actual damages resulting from the gross negligence or
willful misconduct of such Indemnitee as determined by a final and nonappealable
judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.
11.06 Payments Set Aside.
To the extent that any payment by or on behalf of any Loan Party is
made to the Administrative Agent or any Lender, or the Administrative Agent or
any Lender exercises its right of set-off, and such payment or the proceeds of
such set-off or any part thereof is subsequently invalidated, declared to be
fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required (including pursuant to any
settlement entered into by the Administrative Agent or such Lender in its
discretion) to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party, in
connection with any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law or otherwise, then
(a) to the extent of such recovery, the obligation or part thereof originally
intended to be satisfied shall be revived and continued in full force and effect
as if such payment had not been made or such set-off had not occurred, and (b)
each Lender severally agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent upon demand its
applicable share of any amount so recovered from or repaid by the Administrative
Agent, plus interest thereon from the date of such demand to the date such
payment is made at a rate per annum equal to the applicable Overnight Rate from
time to time in effect.
11.07 Successors and Assigns.
(a) Successors and Assigns Generally. The provisions of this Agreement
and the other Loan Documents shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of
the parties hereto and thereto and their respective successors and assigns
permitted hereby, except that the Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer
any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of
the Administrative Agent and each Lender and no Lender may assign or otherwise
transfer any of its rights or obligations hereunder or thereunder except (i) to
an Eligible Assignee in accordance with the provisions of subsection (b) of this
Section, (ii) by way of participation in accordance with the provisions of
subsection (d) of this Section or (iii) by way of pledge or assignment of a
security interest subject to the restrictions of subsection (f) of this Section
(and any other attempted assignment or transfer by any party hereto shall be
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null and void). Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be
construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their
respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, Participants to the extent
provided in subsection (d) of this Section and, to the extent expressly
contemplated hereby, the Indemnitees) any legal or equitable right, remedy or
claim under or by reason of this Agreement.
(b) Assignments by Lenders. Any Lender may at any time assign to one or
more assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including all or a portion of its
Commitment and the Loans (including for purposes of this subsection (b),
participations in L/C Obligations and in Swing Line Loans) at the time owing to
it); provided that any such assignment shall be subject to the following
conditions:
(i) Minimum Amounts.
(A) in the case of an assignment of the entire
remaining amount of the assigning Lender's Commitment and the
related Loans at the time owing to it or in the case of an
assignment to a Lender, an Affiliate of a Lender or an
Approved Fund, no minimum amount need be assigned; and
(B) in any case not described in subsection (b)(i)(A)
of this Section, the aggregate amount of the Commitment (which
for this purpose includes Loans outstanding thereunder) or, if
the Commitment is not then in effect, the principal
outstanding balance of the Loans of the assigning Lender
subject to each such assignment, determined as of the date the
Assignment and Assumption with respect to such assignment is
delivered to the Administrative Agent or, if "Trade Date" is
specified in the Assignment and Assumption, as of the Trade
Date, shall not be less than $5,000,000 in the case of an
assignment of a Revolving Commitment (and the related
Revolving Loans thereunder), $2,500,000 in the case of an
assignment of Tranche A Term Loans and $1,000,000 in the case
of an assignment of Tranche B Term Loans unless each of the
Administrative Agent and, so long as no Event of Default has
occurred and is continuing, the Borrower otherwise consents
(each such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or
delayed); provided, however, that concurrent assignments to
members of an Assignee Group and concurrent assignments from
members of an Assignee Group to a single assignee (or to an
assignee and members of its Assignee Group) will be treated as
a single assignment for purposes of determining whether such
minimum amount has been met.
(ii) Proportionate Amounts. Each partial assignment shall be
made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the assigning
Lender's Loans and Commitments, and rights and obligations with respect
thereto, assigned, except that this clause (ii) shall not (A) apply to
the Swing Line Lender's rights and obligations in respect of Swing Line
Loans or (B) prohibit any Lender from assigning all or a portion of its
rights and obligations in respect of its Revolving Commitment (and the
related Revolving Loans thereunder) and its outstanding Tranche A Term
Loans or Tranche B Term Loans on a non-pro rata basis;
(iii) Required Consents. No consent shall be required for any
assignment except to the extent required by subsection (b)(i)(B) of
this Section and, in addition:
(A) the consent of the Borrower (such consent not to
be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required unless
(1) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing at the
time of such assignment or (2) such assignment is to a Lender,
an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund;
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(B) the consent of the Administrative Agent (such
consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be
required for assignments in respect of (i) any Tranche A Term
Loan Commitment, Tranche B Term Loan Commitment or Revolving
Commitment if such assignment is to a Person that is not a
Lender with a Commitment in respect of the Commitment subject
to such assignment, an Affiliate of such Lender or an Approved
Fund with respect to such Lender or (ii) any Tranche A Term
Loan or Tranche B Term Loan to a Person that is not a Lender,
an Affiliate of a Lender or an Approved Fund; and
(C) the consent of the L/C Issuers (such consent not
to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be required for
any assignment that increases the obligation of the assignee
to participate in exposure under one or more Letters of Credit
(whether or not then outstanding); and
(D) the consent of the Swing Line Lender (such
consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed) shall be
required for any assignment in respect of Revolving Loans and
Revolving Commitments.
(iv) Assignment and Assumption. The parties to each assignment
shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an Assignment and
Assumption, together with a processing and recordation fee of $3,500;
provided, however, that the Administrative Agent may, in its sole
discretion, elect to waive such processing and recordation fee in the
case of any assignment. The assignee, if it shall not be a Lender,
shall deliver to the Administrative Agent an Administrative
Questionnaire.
(v) No Assignment to Borrower. No such assignment shall be
made to the Borrower or any of the Borrower's Affiliates or
Subsidiaries.
(vi) No Assignment to Natural Persons. No such assignment
shall be made to a natural person.
Subject to acceptance and recording thereof by the Administrative Agent pursuant
to subsection (c) of this Section, from and after the effective date specified
in each Assignment and Assumption, the assignee thereunder shall be a party to
this Agreement and, to the extent of the interest assigned by such Assignment
and Assumption, have the rights and obligations of a Lender under this
Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent of the
interest assigned by such Assignment and Assumption, be released from its
obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and
Assumption covering all of the assigning Lender's rights and obligations under
this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue
to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 3.01, 3.04, 3.05, 11.04 and 11.05
with respect to facts and circumstances occurring prior to the effective date of
such assignment). Upon request, the Borrower (at its expense) shall execute and
deliver a Note to the assignee Lender. Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of
rights or obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this
subsection shall be treated for purposes of this Agreement as a sale by such
Lender of a participation in such rights and obligations in accordance with
subsection (d) of this Section.
(c) Register. The Administrative Agent, acting solely for this purpose
as an agent of the Borrower, shall maintain at the Administrative Agent's Office
a copy of each Assignment and Assumption delivered to it and a register for the
recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitments of,
and principal amounts of the Loans and L/C Obligations owing to, each Lender
pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the "Register"). The Register
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shall be available for inspection by the Borrower and any Lender at any
reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.
(d) Participations. Any Lender may at any time, without the consent of,
or notice to, the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, sell participations to
any Person (other than a natural person or the Borrower or any of the Borrower's
Affiliates or Subsidiaries) (each, a "Participant") in all or a portion of such
Lender's rights and/or obligations under this Agreement (including all or a
portion of its Commitment and/or the Loans (including such Lender's
participations in L/C Obligations and/or Swing Line Loans) owing to it);
provided that (i) such Lender's obligations under this Agreement shall remain
unchanged, (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties
hereto for the performance of such obligations and (iii) the Borrower, the
Administrative Agent and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and
directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender's rights and
obligations under this Agreement. Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which
a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain
the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment,
modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; provided that such
agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the
consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, waiver or other modification
described in clause (a) of the first proviso to Section 11.01 that directly
affects such Participant. Subject to subsection (e) of this Section, the
Borrower agrees that each Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of
Sections 3.01, 3.04 and 3.05 to the same extent as if it were a Lender and had
acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to subsection (b) of this Section.
To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the
benefits of Section 11.09 as though it were a Lender, provided such Participant
agrees to be subject to Section 2.13 as though it were a Lender.
(e) Limitation of Participant Rights. A Participant shall not be
entitled to receive any greater payment under Section 3.01 or 3.04 than the
applicable Lender would have been entitled to receive with respect to the
participation sold to such Participant, unless the sale of the participation to
such Participant is made with the Borrower's prior written consent. A
Participant that would be a Foreign Lender if it were a Lender shall not be
entitled to the benefits of Section 3.01 unless the Borrower is notified of the
participation sold to such Participant and such Participant agrees, for the
benefit of the Borrower, to comply with Section 11.15 as though it were a
Lender.
(f) Certain Pledges. Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a
security interest in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement
(including under its Note, if any) to secure obligations of such Lender,
including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a Federal Reserve
Bank; provided that no such pledge or assignment shall release such Lender from
any of its obligations hereunder or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for
such Lender as a party hereto.
(g) Electronic Execution of Assignments. The words "execution,"
"signed," "signature," and words of like import in any Assignment and Assumption
shall be deemed to include electronic signatures or the keeping of records in
electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or
enforceability as a manually executed signature or the use of a paper-based
recordkeeping system, as the case may be, to the extent and as provided for in
any applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and
National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act,
or any other similar state laws based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions
Act.
(h) Resignation as L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender after Assignment.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if at any time any
Lender acting as an L/C Issuer or the Swing Line Lender assigns all of its
Commitments and Loans pursuant to subsection (b) above, Bank such Lender may,
upon thirty days' notice to the Borrower and the Lenders, resign as L/C Issuer
and/or Swing Line Lender. In the event of any such resignation as L/C Issuer or
Swing Line Lender, the Borrower shall be entitled to appoint from among the
Lenders a successor L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender hereunder; provided,
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however, that no failure by the Borrower to appoint any such successor shall
affect the resignation of the such resigning L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender, as
the case may be. If a Lender acting as an L/C Issuer resigns as L/C Issuer, it
shall retain all the rights and obligations of an L/C Issuer hereunder with
respect to all Letters of Credit outstanding as of the effective date of its
resignation as L/C Issuer and all L/C Obligations with respect thereto
(including the right to require the Lenders to make Base Rate Loans or fund risk
participations in Unreimbursed Amounts pursuant to Section 2.03(c)). If the
Lender acting as Swing Line Lender resigns as Swing Line Lender, it shall retain
all the rights of the Swing Line Lender provided for hereunder with respect to
Swing Line Loans made by it and outstanding as of the effective date of such
resignation, including the right to require the Lenders to make Base Rate Loans
or fund risk participations in outstanding Swing Line Loans pursuant to Section
2.04(c). Upon the appointment of a successor L/C Issuer and/or Swing Line
Lender, (1) such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the
rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring L/C Issuer or Swing Line
Lender, as the case may be, and (2) the successor L/C Issuer shall issue letters
of credit in substitution for the Letters of Credit issued by such retiring L/C
Issuer, if any, outstanding at the time of such succession or make other
arrangements satisfactory to such retiring L/C Issuer to effectively assume the
obligations of such retiring L/C Issuer with respect to such Letters of Credit.
11.08 Confidentiality.
Each of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders agrees to maintain the
confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that Information
may be disclosed (a) to its Affiliates and to its Affiliates' respective
partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, advisors, representatives and
to any direct or indirect contractual counterparty (or such contractual
counterparty's professional advisor) under any swap agreement relating to Loans
outstanding under this Agreement (it being understood that the Persons to whom
such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential nature of such
Information and instructed to keep such Information confidential); (b) to the
extent requested by any regulatory authority purporting to have jurisdiction
over it; (c) to the extent required by applicable laws or regulations or by any
subpoena or similar legal process; (d) to any other party to this Agreement; (e)
in connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or any suit, action or
proceeding relating to this Agreement or the enforcement of rights hereunder;
(f) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as
those of this Section, to (i) any Eligible Assignee of or Participant in, or any
prospective Eligible Assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights or
obligations under this Agreement or (ii) any direct or indirect contractual
counterparty or prospective counterparty (or such contractual counterparty's or
prospective counterparty's professional advisor) to any credit derivative
transaction relating to obligations of the Loan Parties; (g) with the consent of
the Borrower; (h) to the extent such Information (i) becomes publicly available
other than as a result of a breach of this Section or (ii) becomes available to
the Administrative Agent or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis from a source
other than the Borrower; or (i) to the National Association of Insurance
Commissioners or any other similar organization or any nationally recognized
rating agency that requires access to information about a Lender's or its
Affiliates' investment portfolio in connection with ratings issued with respect
to such Lender or its Affiliates. In addition, the Administrative Agent and the
Lenders may disclose the existence of this Agreement and information about this
Agreement to market data collectors, similar service providers to the lending
industry, and service providers to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders in
connection with the administration and management of this Agreement, the other
Loan Documents, the Commitments, and the Credit Extensions. For the purposes of
this Section, "Information" means all information received from the Borrower or
any of its Subsidiaries relating to the Borrower or any Subsidiary or any of
their respective businesses, other than any such information that is available
to the Administrative Agent or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis prior to
disclosure by the Borrower or any Subsidiary; provided that, in the case of
information received from the Borrower or any Subsidiary after the date hereof,
such information is clearly identified in writing at the time of delivery as
confidential. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information
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as provided in this Section shall be considered to have complied with its
obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to
maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to
its own confidential information.
11.09 Set-off.
In addition to any rights and remedies of the Lenders provided by law,
upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, each
Lender and any Affiliate of any Lender is authorized at any time and from time
to time, without prior notice to the Borrower or any other Loan Party, any such
notice being waived by the Borrower (on its own behalf and on behalf of each
Loan Party) to the fullest extent permitted by law, to set off and apply any and
all deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any
time held by, and other indebtedness at any time owing by, such Lender to or for
the credit or the account of the respective Loan Parties against any and all
Obligations owing to such Lender hereunder or under any other Loan Document, now
or hereafter existing, irrespective of whether or not the Administrative Agent
or such Lender shall have made demand under this Agreement or any other Loan
Document and although such Obligations may be contingent or unmatured. Each
Lender agrees promptly to notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent after
any such set-off and application made by such Lender; provided, however, that
the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of such set-off
and application.
11.10 Interest Rate Limitation.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any Loan
Document, the interest paid or agreed to be paid under the Loan Documents shall
not exceed the maximum rate of non-usurious interest permitted by applicable Law
(the "Maximum Rate"). If the Administrative Agent or any Lender shall receive
interest in an amount that exceeds the Maximum Rate, the excess interest shall
be applied to the principal of the Loans or, if it exceeds such unpaid
principal, refunded to the Borrower. In determining whether the interest
contracted for, charged, or received by the Administrative Agent or a Lender
exceeds the Maximum Rate, such Person may, to the extent permitted by applicable
Law, (a) characterize any payment that is not principal as an expense, fee, or
premium rather than interest, (b) exclude voluntary prepayments and the effects
thereof, and (c) amortize, prorate, allocate, and spread in equal or unequal
parts the total amount of interest throughout the contemplated term of the
Obligations hereunder.
11.11 Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute
one and the same instrument.
11.12 Integration.
This Agreement, together with the other Loan Documents, comprises the
complete and integrated agreement of the parties on the subject matter hereof
and thereof and supersedes all prior agreements, written or oral, on such
subject matter. In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this
Agreement and those of any other Loan Document, the provisions of this Agreement
shall control; provided that the inclusion of supplemental rights or remedies in
favor of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders in any other Loan Document
shall not be deemed a conflict with this Agreement. Each Loan Document was
drafted with the joint participation of the respective parties thereto and shall
be construed neither against nor in favor of any party, but rather in accordance
with the fair meaning thereof.
11.13 Survival of Representations and Warranties.
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All representations and warranties made hereunder and in any other Loan
Document or other document delivered pursuant hereto or thereto or in connection
herewith or therewith shall survive the execution and delivery hereof and
thereof. Such representations and warranties have been or will be relied upon by
the Administrative Agent and each Lender, regardless of any investigation made
by the Administrative Agent or any Lender or on their behalf and notwithstanding
that the Administrative Agent or any Lender may have had notice or knowledge of
any Default at the time of any Credit Extension, and shall continue in full
force and effect as long as any Loan or any other Obligation hereunder shall
remain unpaid or unsatisfied or any Letter of Credit shall remain outstanding.
11.14 Severability.
If any provision of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents is held
to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable, (a) the legality, validity and
enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan
Documents shall not be affected or impaired thereby and (b) the parties shall
endeavor in good faith negotiations to replace the illegal, invalid or
unenforceable provisions with valid provisions the economic effect of which
comes as close as possible to that of the illegal, invalid or unenforceable
provisions. The invalidity of a provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not
invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.
11.15 Tax Forms.
(a) (i) Each Lender that is not a "United States person" within the
meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Internal Revenue Code (a "Foreign
Lender") shall deliver to the Administrative Agent, prior to receipt of
any payment subject to withholding under the Internal Revenue Code (or
upon accepting an assignment of an interest herein), two duly signed
completed copies of either IRS Form W-8BEN or any successor thereto
(relating to such Foreign Lender and entitling it to an exemption from,
withholding tax on all payments to be made to such Foreign Lender by
the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement) or IRS Form W-8ECI or any
successor thereto (relating to all payments to be made to such Foreign
Lender by the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement) or such other
evidence satisfactory to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent that
such Foreign Lender is entitled to an exemption from U.S. withholding
tax, including any exemption pursuant to Section 881(c) of the Internal
Revenue Code. Thereafter and from time to time, each such Foreign
Lender shall (A) promptly submit to the Administrative Agent such
additional duly completed and signed copies of one of such forms (or
such successor forms as shall be adopted from time to time by the
relevant United States taxing authorities) as may then be available
under then current United States laws and regulations to avoid, or such
evidence as is satisfactory to the Borrower and the Administrative
Agent to obtain any available exemption from or reduction of, United
States withholding taxes in respect of all payments to be made to such
Foreign Lender by the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement, (B) promptly
notify the Administrative Agent of any change in circumstances which
would modify or render invalid any claimed exemption or reduction, and
(C) take such steps as shall not be materially disadvantageous to it,
in the reasonable judgment of such Lender, and as may be reasonably
necessary (including the re-designation of its Lending Office) to avoid
any requirement of applicable Laws that the Borrower make any deduction
or withholding for taxes from amounts payable to such Foreign Lender.
(ii) Each Foreign Lender, to the extent it does not act or
ceases to act for its own account with respect to any portion of any
sums paid or payable to such Lender under any of the Loan Documents
(for example, in the case of a typical participation by such Lender),
shall deliver to the Administrative Agent on the date when such Foreign
Lender ceases to act for its own account with respect to any portion of
any such sums paid or payable, and at such other times as may be
95
necessary in the determination of the Administrative Agent (in the
reasonable exercise of its discretion), (A) two duly signed completed
copies of the forms or statements required to be provided by such
Lender as set forth above, to establish the portion of any such sums
paid or payable with respect to which such Lender acts for its own
account that is not subject to U.S. withholding tax or is subject to
U.S. withholding tax at a reduced rate, and (B) two duly signed
completed copies of IRS Form W-8IMY (or any successor thereto),
together with any information such Lender chooses to transmit with such
form, and any other certificate or statement of exemption required
under the Internal Revenue Code, to establish that such Lender is not
acting for its own account with respect to a portion of any such sums
payable to such Lender.
(iii) The Borrower shall not be required to pay any additional
amount to any Foreign Lender under Section 3.01 (A) with respect to any
Taxes required to be deducted or withheld on the basis of the
information, certificates or statements of exemption such Lender
transmits with an IRS Form W-8IMY pursuant to this Section 11.15(a) or
(B) if such Lender shall have failed to satisfy the foregoing
provisions of this Section 11.15(a); provided that if such Lender shall
have satisfied the requirement of this Section 11.15(a) on the date
such Lender became a Lender or ceased to act for its own account with
respect to any payment under any of the Loan Documents, nothing in this
Section 11.15(a) shall relieve the Borrower of its obligation to pay
any amounts pursuant to Section 3.01 in the event that, as a result of
any change in any applicable law, treaty or governmental rule,
regulation or order, or any change in the interpretation,
administration or application thereof, such Lender is no longer
properly entitled to deliver forms, certificates or other evidence at a
subsequent date establishing the fact that such Lender or other Person
for the account of which such Lender receives any sums payable under
any of the Loan Documents is not subject to withholding or is subject
to withholding at a reduced rate; and provided further that if an L/C
Issuer shall issue, amend or extend any Letter of Credit from a branch
or other office in any jurisdiction at the request of (or with the
consent of ) the Borrower and such L/C Issuer shall not be lawfully
able or entitled to satisfy the requirements of this Section 11.15(a)
at the time of issuance, amendment or extension of any Letter of Credit
by reason of the selection of such branch or office in such
jurisdiction, nothing in this Section 11.15(a) shall relieve the
Borrower of its obligation to pay any amounts pursuant to Section 3.01
owing to such L/C Issuer.
(iv) The Administrative Agent may, without reduction, withhold
any Taxes required to be deducted and withheld from any payment under
any of the Loan Documents with respect to which the Borrower is not
required to pay additional amounts under this Section 11.15(a).
(b) Upon the request of the Administrative Agent, each Lender that is a
"United States person" within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Internal
Revenue Code shall deliver to the Administrative Agent two duly signed completed
copies of IRS Form W-9. If such Lender fails to deliver such forms, then the
Administrative Agent may withhold from any interest payment to such Lender an
amount equivalent to the applicable back-up withholding tax imposed by the
Internal Revenue Code, without reduction.
(c) If any Governmental Authority asserts that the Administrative Agent
did not properly withhold or backup withhold, as the case may be, any tax or
other amount from payments made to or for the account of any Lender, such Lender
shall indemnify the Administrative Agent therefor, including all penalties and
interest, any taxes imposed by any jurisdiction on the amounts payable to the
Administrative Agent under this Section, and costs and expenses (including
Attorney Costs) of the Administrative Agent. The obligation of the Lenders under
this Section shall survive the termination of the Commitments, repayment of all
other Obligations hereunder and the resignation of the Administrative Agent.
96
11.16 Replacement of Lenders.
If (i) any Lender requests compensation under Section 3.04, (ii) the
Borrower is required to pay any additional amount to any Lender or any
Governmental Authority for the account of any Lender pursuant to Section 3.01,
(iii) a Lender (a "Non-Consenting Lender") does not consent to a proposed
change, waiver, discharge or termination with respect to any Loan Document that
has been approved by the Required Lenders as provided in Section 11.01 but
requires unanimous consent of all Lenders or all Lenders directly affected
thereby (as applicable) and, or (iv) any Lender is a Defaulting Lender, then the
Borrower may, at its sole expense and effort, upon notice to such Lender and the
Administrative Agent, require such Lender to assign and delegate, without
recourse (in accordance with and subject to the restrictions contained in, and
consents required by, Section 11.07), all of its interests, rights and
obligations under this Agreement and the related Loan Documents to an assignee
that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another Lender, if a
Lender accepts such assignment), provided that:
(a) the Borrower shall have paid to the Administrative Agent
the assignment fee specified in Section 11.07(b);
(b) such Lender shall have received payment of an amount equal
to the outstanding principal of its Loans and L/C Advances, accrued
interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it
hereunder and under the other Loan Documents (including any amounts
under Section 3.05) from the assignee (to the extent of such
outstanding principal and accrued interest and fees) or the Borrower
(in the case of all other amounts);
(c) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim
for compensation under Section 3.04 or payments required to be made
pursuant to Section 3.01, such assignment will result in a reduction in
such compensation or payments thereafter;
(d) such assignment does not conflict with applicable Laws;
and
(e) in the case of any such assignment resulting from a
Non-Consenting Lender's failure to consent to a proposed change,
waiver, discharge or termination with respect to any Loan Document, the
applicable replacement bank, financial institution or Fund consents to
the proposed change, waiver, discharge or termination; provided that
the failure by such Non-Consenting Lender to execute and deliver an
Assignment and Assumption shall not impair the validity of the removal
of such Non-Consenting Lender and the mandatory assignment of such
Non-Consenting Lender's Commitments and outstanding Loans and
participations in L/C Obligations and Swing Line Loans pursuant to this
Section 11.16 shall nevertheless be effective without the execution by
such Non-Consenting Lender of an Assignment and Assumption.
A Lender shall not be required to make any such assignment or
delegation if, prior thereto, as a result of a waiver by such Lender or
otherwise, the circumstances entitling the Borrower to require such assignment
and delegation cease to apply.
11.17 Governing Law.
(a) THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE
WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO AGREEMENTS MADE AND TO BE
PERFORMED ENTIRELY WITHIN SUCH STATE.
(b) ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT OR
ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT MAY BE BROUGHT IN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
SITTING IN NEW YORK, NEW YORK OR OF THE UNITED STATES FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT
97
OF SUCH STATE, AND BY EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF THIS AGREEMENT, EACH PARTY
HERETO CONSENTS, FOR ITSELF AND IN RESPECT OF ITS PROPERTY, TO THE NON-EXCLUSIVE
JURISDICTION OF THOSE COURTS. EACH PARTY HERETO IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY
OBJECTION, INCLUDING ANY OBJECTION TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OR BASED ON THE
GROUNDS OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS, WHICH IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE
BRINGING OF ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN SUCH JURISDICTION IN RESPECT OF ANY LOAN
DOCUMENT OR OTHER DOCUMENT RELATED THERETO. EACH PARTY HERETO WAIVES PERSONAL
SERVICE OF ANY SUMMONS, COMPLAINT OR OTHER PROCESS, WHICH MAY BE MADE BY ANY
OTHER MEANS PERMITTED BY THE LAW OF SUCH STATE.
11.18 Waiver of Right to Trial by Jury.
EACH PARTY TO THIS AGREEMENT HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL
BY JURY OF ANY CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION OR CAUSE OF ACTION ARISING UNDER ANY LOAN
DOCUMENT OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH OR RELATED OR INCIDENTAL TO THE DEALINGS
OF THE PARTIES HERETO OR ANY OF THEM WITH RESPECT TO ANY LOAN DOCUMENT, OR THE
TRANSACTIONS RELATED THERETO, IN EACH CASE WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER
ARISING, AND WHETHER FOUNDED IN CONTRACT OR TORT OR OTHERWISE; AND EACH PARTY
HEREBY AGREES AND CONSENTS THAT ANY SUCH CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION OR CAUSE OF
ACTION SHALL BE DECIDED BY COURT TRIAL WITHOUT A JURY, AND THAT ANY PARTY TO
THIS AGREEMENT MAY FILE AN ORIGINAL COUNTERPART OR A COPY OF THIS SECTION WITH
ANY COURT AS WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF THE CONSENT OF THE SIGNATORIES HERETO TO THE
WAIVER OF THEIR RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.
11.19 USA PATRIOT Act Notice.
Each Lender that is subject to the Act (as hereinafter defined) and the
Administrative Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby
notifies the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the USA Patriot Act
(Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the "Act"), it
is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the
Borrower, which information includes the name and address of the Borrower and
other information that will allow such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as
applicable, to identify the Borrower in accordance with the Act.
11.20 No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility.
In connection with all aspects of each transaction contemplated hereby,
the Loan Parties each acknowledge and agree that: (i) the credit facilities
provided for hereunder and any related arranging or other services in connection
therewith (including in connection with any amendment, waiver or other
modification hereof or of any other Loan Document) are an arm's-length
commercial transaction between the Loan Parties and their respective Affiliates,
on the one hand, and the Administrative Agent and the arrangers, on the other
hand, and each of the Loan Parties is capable of evaluating and understanding
and understands and accepts the terms, risks and conditions of the transactions
contemplated hereby and by the other Loan Documents (including any amendment,
waiver or other modification hereof or thereof); (ii) in connection with the
process leading to such transaction, the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers
each is and has been acting solely as a principal and is not the financial
advisor, agent or fiduciary, for the Loan Parties or any of their respective
Affiliates, stockholders, creditors or employees or any other Person; (iii)
neither the Administrative Agent nor either arranger has assumed or will assume
an advisory, agency or fiduciary responsibility in favor of any Loan Party with
respect to any of the transactions contemplated hereby or the process leading
98
thereto, including with respect to any amendment, waiver or other modification
hereof or of any other Loan Document (irrespective of whether the Administrative
Agent or either arranger has advised or is currently advising any of the Loan
Parties or any of their respective Affiliates on other matters) and neither the
Administrative Agent nor either arranger has any obligation to any of the Loan
Parties or any of their respective Affiliates with respect to the transactions
contemplated hereby except those obligations expressly set forth herein and in
the other Loan Documents; (iv) the Administrative Agent and the arrangers and
their respective Affiliates may be engaged in a broad range of transactions that
involve interests that differ from those of the Loan Parties and their
respective Affiliates, and neither the Administrative Agent nor the Arrangers
has any obligation to disclose any of such interests by virtue of any advisory,
agency or fiduciary relationship; and (v) the Administrative Agent and the
arrangers have not provided and will not provide any legal, accounting,
regulatory or tax advice with respect to any of the transactions contemplated
hereby (including any amendment, waiver or other modification hereof or of any
other Loan Document) and each Loan Party has consulted its own legal,
accounting, regulatory and tax advisors to the extent it has deemed appropriate.
Each Loan Party hereby waives and releases, to the fullest extent permitted by
law, any claims that it may have against the Administrative Agent and the
arrangers with respect to any breach or alleged breach of agency or fiduciary
duty.
[SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]
99
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed as of the date first above written.
BORROWER: ARMSTRONG WORLD INDUSTRIES, INC.,
a Pennsylvania corporation
By: /s/ Barry M. Sullivan
-------------------------------------------
Name: Barry M. Sullivan
Title: Vice President & Treasurer
GUARANTORS: ARMSTRONG REALTY GROUP, INC.,
a Pennsylvania corporation
By: /s/ Barry M. Sullivan
-------------------------------------------
Name: Barry M. Sullivan
Title: Treasurer & Assistant Secretary
ARMSTRONG VENTURES, INC.,
a Delaware corporation
By: /s/ Barry M. Sullivan
-------------------------------------------
Name: Barry M. Sullivan
Title: Assistant Secretary
ARMSTRONG WOOD PRODUCTS, INC.,
a Delaware corporation
By: /s/ Barry M. Sullivan
-------------------------------------------
Name: Barry M. Sullivan
Title: Treasurer
AWI LICENSING COMPANY,
a Delaware corporation
By: /s/ Barry M. Sullivan
-------------------------------------------
Name: Barry M. Sullivan
Title: Treasurer
ARMSTRONG HARDWOOD FLOORING COMPANY,
a Tennessee corporation
By: /s/ Barry M. Sullivan
-------------------------------------------
Name: Barry M. Sullivan
Title: Treasurer
WORLDWIDE KITCHENS, INC.,
a Delaware corporation
By: /s/ Barry M. Sullivan
-------------------------------------------
Name: Barry M. Sullivan
Title: Treasurer
HOMERWOOD HARDWOOD FLOORING COMPANY,
a Delaware corporation
By: /s/ Barry M. Sullivan
-------------------------------------------
Name: Barry M. Sullivan
Title: Treasurer
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,
as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent
By: /s/ Anne B. Lazorik
-------------------------------------------
Name: Anne B. Lazorik
Title: Vice President
LENDERS: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,
as a Lender, L/C Issuer and Swing Line Lender
By: /s/ W. Thomas Barnett
-------------------------------------------
Name: W. Thomas Barnett
Title: Senior Vice President
JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,
as a Lender and L/C Issuer
By: /s/ Stephanie Parker
-------------------------------------------
Name: Stephanie Parker
Title: Vice President
BARCLAYS BANK PLC
By: /s/ Douglas A. Kelly
-------------------------------------------
Name: Douglas A. Kelly
Title: Director
LASALLE BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
By: /s/ David P. Barrett
-------------------------------------------
Name: David P. Barrett
Title: Vice President
THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA
By: /s/ N. Bell
-------------------------------------------
Name: N. Bell
Title: Senior Manager
EXHIBIT 10.2
------------
ARMSTRONG WORLD INDUSTRIES, INC.
ASBESTOS PERSONAL INJURY SETTLEMENT TRUST AGREEMENT
---------------------------------------------------
This Armstrong World Industries, Inc. Asbestos Personal Injury
Settlement Trust Agreement ("PI TRUST AGREEMENT"), dated the date set forth on
the signature page hereof and effective as of the Effective Date, is entered
into by Armstrong World Industries, Inc. ("AWI," the "SETTLOR," or the
"DEBTOR"), the Debtor and debtor-in-possession in Case No. 00-4471 (RJN) in the
United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware as Settlor; the
Legal Representative for Asbestos-Related Future Claimants ("FUTURE CLAIMANTS'
REPRESENTATIVE"); the Official Committee of Asbestos Creditors ("ACC"); and the
Trustees ("Trustees") and the members of the PI Trust Advisory Committee ("TAC")
identified on the signature page hereof and appointed at Confirmation pursuant
to Armstrong World Industries, Inc. Fourth Amended Plan of Reorganization under
Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code, dated May 23, 2003 ("PLAN"), as
such Plan may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time. All
capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have their respective
meanings as set forth in the Plan, and such definitions are incorporated herein
by reference. All capitalized terms not defined herein or defined in the Plan,
but defined in the Bankruptcy Code or Rules, shall have the meanings ascribed to
them by the Bankruptcy Code and Rules, and such definitions are incorporated
herein by reference.
WHEREAS, at the time of the entry of the order for relief in
the Chapter 11 case, AWI was named as a defendant in actions involving personal
injury ("PI") or death claims caused by exposure to asbestos-containing products
for which AWI, its predecessors, successors and assigns have legal liability
("ASBESTOS PERSONAL INJURY CLAIMS" as defined in the Plan); and
WHEREAS, AWI has reorganized under the provisions of Chapter
11 of the Bankruptcy Code in a case pending in the United States Bankruptcy
Court for the District of Delaware, known as In re Armstrong World Industries,
Inc., Debtor, Case No. 00-4471 (RJN); and
WHEREAS, the Plan has been confirmed by the Bankruptcy Court;
and
WHEREAS, the Plan provides, inter alia, for the creation of
the Armstrong World Industries, Inc. Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust
("PI TRUST"); and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Plan, the PI Trust is to use its
assets and income to satisfy all Asbestos Personal Injury Claims; and
WHEREAS, it is the intent of AWI, the Trustees, the ACC, the
TAC, and the Future Claimants' Representative that the PI Trust be administered,
maintained, and operated at all times through mechanisms that provide reasonable
assurance that the PI Trust will satisfy all Asbestos Personal Injury Claims
pursuant to the AWI Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust Distribution
Procedures ("TDP") that are attached to the Plan as Exhibit 1.24 in
substantially the same manner, and in strict compliance with the terms of this
PI Trust Agreement; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Plan, the PI Trust is intended to
qualify as a "qualified settlement fund" within the meaning of section 1.468B-1
et seq. of the Treasury Regulations promulgated under section 468B of the
Internal Revenue Code ("IRC"); and
WHEREAS, the Bankruptcy Court has determined that the PI Trust
and the Plan satisfy all the prerequisites for an injunction pursuant to section
524(g) of the Bankruptcy Code, and such injunction has been entered in
connection with the Confirmation Order;
NOW, THEREFORE, it is hereby agreed as follows:
1
SECTION 1
AGREEMENT OF TRUST
------------------
1.1 CREATION AND NAME. AWI as Settlor hereby creates a trust known
as the "Armstrong World Industries, Inc. Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement
Trust," which is the PI Trust provided for and referred to in the Plan. The
Trustees of the PI Trust may transact the business and affairs of the PI Trust
in the name of the PI Trust.
1.2 PURPOSE. The purpose of the PI Trust is to assume the
liabilities of AWI, its predecessors and successors in interest, for all
Asbestos Personal Injury Claims (as defined in the Plan), and to use the PI
Trust's assets and income to pay the holders of all Asbestos Personal Injury
Claims in accordance with this PI Trust Agreement and the TDP in such a way that
such holders of Asbestos Personal Injury Claims are treated fairly, equitably
and reasonably in light of the limited assets available to satisfy such claims,
and to otherwise comply in all respects with the requirements of a trust set
forth in section 524(g)(2)(B) of the Bankruptcy Code.
1.3 TRANSFER OF ASSETS. Pursuant to the Plan, certain assets have
been transferred and assigned to the PI Trust to settle and discharge all
Asbestos Personal Injury Claims ("PI TRUST ASSETS"). Pursuant to the Plan, AWI,
its successors in interest thereto, from and after the Effective Date
("REORGANIZED AWI") and others may also transfer and assign additional assets to
the PI Trust from time to time, which will be added to the PI Trust Assets. In
all events, the PI Trust Assets will be transferred to the PI Trust free and
clear of any liens or other claims by AWI, Reorganized AWI, any creditor, or
other entity. AWI, Reorganized AWI, and any other transferors shall also execute
and deliver such documents to the PI Trust as the Trustees reasonably request to
transfer and assign the PI Trust Assets to the PI Trust.
1.4 ACCEPTANCE OF ASSETS AND ASSUMPTION OF LIABILITIES
(a) In furtherance of the purposes of the PI Trust, the Trustees,
on behalf of the PI Trust, hereby expressly accept the transfer and assignment
to the PI Trust of the PI Trust Assets in the time and manner contemplated in
the Plan.
(b) In furtherance of the purposes of the PI Trust, the Trustees,
on behalf of the PI Trust, expressly assume all liability for (i) all Asbestos
Personal Injury Claims and (ii) all premiums, deductibles, retrospective premium
adjustments, security or collateral arrangements, or any other charges, costs,
fees, or expenses (if any) that become due to any insurer in connection with the
Asbestos PI Insurance Asset (as such term is defined in the Plan) as a result of
Asbestos Personal Injury Claims, asbestos-related personal injury claims against
Entities insured under policies included in the Asbestos PI Insurance Asset by
reason of vendor's endorsements, or under indemnity provisions of settlement
agreements that AWI made with various insurers prior to the Commencement Date
(as such term is defined in the Plan) to the extent that those indemnity
provisions relate to Asbestos Personal Injury Claims.
(c) No provision herein or in the TDP shall be construed to
mandate distributions on any claims or other actions that would contravene the
PI Trust's compliance with the requirements of a qualified settlement fund
within the meaning of section 1.468B-1 et seq. of the Treasury Regulations
promulgated under section 468B of the IRC.
(d) AWI and Reorganized AWI shall be entitled to indemnification
from the PI Trust for any expenses, costs, and fees (including attorneys' fees
and costs, but excluding any such expenses, costs, and fees incurred prior to
the Effective Date), judgments, settlements, or other liabilities arising from
or incurred in connection with any action related to Asbestos Personal Injury
Claims, including, but not limited to, indemnification or contribution for such
claims prosecuted against Reorganized AWI.
(e) Nothing in this PI Trust Agreement shall be construed in any
way to limit the scope, enforceability, or effectiveness of the Section 524(g)
injunction issued in connection with the Plan or the PI Trust's assumption of
2
all liability for Asbestos Personal Injury Claims, subject to the provisions of
Section 1.4(b) above.
SECTION 2
POWERS AND TRUST ADMINISTRATION
-------------------------------
2.1 POWERS.
(a) The Trustees are and shall act as the fiduciaries to the PI
Trust in accordance with the provisions of this PI Trust Agreement and the Plan.
The Trustees shall, at all times, administer the PI Trust and the PI Trust
Assets in accordance with the purposes set forth in Section 1.2 above. Subject
to the limitations set forth in this PI Trust Agreement, the Trustees shall have
the power to take any and all actions that, in the judgment of the Trustees, are
necessary or proper to fulfill the purposes of the PI Trust, including, without
limitation, each power expressly granted in this Section 2.1, any power
reasonably incidental thereto, and any trust power now or hereafter permitted
under the laws of the State of Delaware.
(b) Except as required by applicable law or otherwise specified
herein, the Trustees need not obtain the order or approval of any court in the
exercise of any power or discretion conferred hereunder.
(c) Without limiting the generality of Section 2.1(a) above, and
except as limited below, the Trustees shall have the power to:
(i) receive and hold the PI Trust Assets, vote the
Reorganized AWI common stock, and exercise all rights with respect to,
and sell, any securities issued by Reorganized AWI that are included in
the PI Trust Assets, subject to any restrictions set forth in the
Restated Certificate of Reorganized AWI;
(ii) invest the monies held from time to time by the PI
Trust;
(iii) sell, transfer, or exchange any or all of the PI
Trust Assets at such prices and upon such terms as the Trustees may
consider proper, consistent with the other terms of this PI Trust
Agreement;
(iv) enter into leasing and financing agreements with
third parties to the extent such agreements are reasonably necessary to
permit the PI Trust to operate;
(v) pay liabilities and expenses of the PI Trust,
including, but not limited to, PI Trust expenses;
(vi) establish such funds, reserves and accounts within
the PI Trust estate, as deemed by the Trustees to be useful in carrying
out the purposes of the PI Trust;
(vii) sue and be sued and participate, as a party or
otherwise, in any judicial, administrative, arbitrative, or other
proceeding;
(viii) establish, supervise and administer the PI Trust in
accordance with the TDP and the terms thereof;
(ix) appoint such officers and hire such employees and
engage such legal, financial, accounting, investment, auditing and
forecasting, and other consultants and agents as the business of the PI
Trust requires, and delegate to such persons such powers and
authorities as the fiduciary duties of the Trustees permit and as the
Trustees, in their discretion, deem advisable or necessary in order to
carry out the terms of this PI Trust;
(x) pay employees, legal, financial, accounting,
investment, auditing, and forecasting, and other consultants, advisors,
and agents, including those engaged by the PI Trust in connection with
its alternative dispute resolution activities, reasonable compensation;
3
(xi) compensate the Trustees, the TAC members, and the
Future Claimants' Representative as provided below, and their
employees, legal, financial, accounting, investment and other advisors,
consultants, independent contractors, and agents, and reimburse the
Trustees, the TAC members and the Future Claimants' Representative all
reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by such persons in
connection with the performance of their duties hereunder;
(xii) execute and deliver such instruments as the Trustees
consider proper in administering the PI Trust;
(xiii) enter into such other arrangements with third parties
as are deemed by the Trustees to be useful in carrying out the purposes
of the PI Trust, provided such arrangements do not conflict with any
other provision of this PI Trust Agreement;
(xiv) in accordance with Section 4.6 below, defend,
indemnify and hold harmless (and purchase insurance indemnifying) (A)
the Trustees, the members of TAC, and the Future Claimants'
Representative, and (B) the officers and employees of the PI Trust, and
any agents, advisors and consultants of the PI Trust, the TAC, or the
Future Claimants' Representative (the "ADDITIONAL INDEMNITEES"), to the
fullest extent that a corporation or trust organized under the laws of
the State of Delaware is from time to time entitled to indemnify and/or
insure its directors, trustees, officers, employees, agents, advisors
and representatives;
(xv) delegate any or all of the authority herein conferred
with respect to the investment of all or any portion of the PI Trust
Assets to any one or more reputable individuals or recognized
institutional investment advisors or investment managers without
liability for any action taken or omission made because of any such
delegation, except as provided in Section 4.4 below;
(xvi) consult with Reorganized AWI, the TAC and the Future
Claimants' Representative at such times and with respect to such issues
relating to the conduct of the PI Trust as the Trustees consider
desirable; and
(xvii) make, pursue (by litigation or otherwise), collect,
compromise or settle, in the name of the PI Trust or the name of
Reorganized AWI, any claim, right, action, or cause of action included
in the PI Trust Assets including, but not limited to, insurance
recoveries, before any court of competent jurisdiction; provided that
settlement of actions before the Bankruptcy Court require the approval
of the Bankruptcy Court after notice to Reorganized AWI.
(d) The Trustees shall not have the power to guarantee any debt of
other persons.
(e) The Trustees shall give the TAC, the Future Claimants'
Representative and Reorganized AWI prompt notice of any act performed or taken
pursuant to Sections 2.1(c)(i), (iii), (vii), or (xv) above, and any act
proposed to be performed or taken pursuant to Section 2.2(f) below.
2.2 GENERAL ADMINISTRATION.
(a) The Trustees shall adopt and act in accordance with the PI
Trust Bylaws, a copy of which is attached hereto as Annex A. To the extent not
inconsistent with the terms of this PI Trust Agreement, the PI Trust Bylaws
shall govern the affairs of the PI Trust. In the event of an inconsistency
between the PI Trust Bylaws and this PI Trust Agreement, the PI Trust Agreement
shall govern.
(b) The Trustees shall (i) timely file such income tax and other
returns and statements and shall timely pay all taxes required to be paid, (ii)
comply with all withholding obligations, as required under the applicable
provisions of the IRC and of any state law and the regulations promulgated
thereunder, (iii) meet without limitation all requirements necessary to qualify
and maintain qualification of the PI Trust as a qualified settlement fund within
the meaning of section 1.468B-1 et seq. of the Treasury Regulations promulgated
under section 468B of the IRC, and (iv) take no action that could cause the PI
4
Trust to fail to qualify as a qualified settlement fund within the meaning of
section 1.468B-1 et seq. of the Treasury Regulations promulgated under section
468B of the IRC.
(c) The Trustees shall timely account to the Bankruptcy Court as
follows:
(i) The Trustees shall cause to be prepared and filed
with the Bankruptcy Court, as soon as available, and in any event
within one hundred and twenty (120) days following the end of each
fiscal year, an annual report containing financial statements of the PI
Trust (including, without limitation, a balance sheet of the PI Trust
as of the end of such fiscal year and a statement of operations for
such fiscal year) audited by a firm of independent certified public
accountants selected by the Trustees and accompanied by an opinion of
such firm as to the fairness of the financial statements' presentation
of the cash and investments available for the payment of claims and as
to the conformity of the financial statements with generally accepted
accounting principles. The Trustees shall provide a copy of such report
to the TAC, the Future Claimants' Representative, and Reorganized AWI
when such reports are filed with the Bankruptcy Court.
(ii) Simultaneously with delivery of each set of financial
statements referred to in Article 2.2(c)(i) above, the Trustees shall
cause to be prepared and filed with the Bankruptcy Court a report
containing a summary regarding the number and type of claims disposed
of during the period covered by the financial statements. The Trustees
shall provide a copy of such report to the TAC, the Future Claimants'
Representatives, and Reorganized AWI when such report is filed.
(iii) All materials required to be filed with the
Bankruptcy Court by this Section 2.2(c) shall be available for
inspection by the public in accordance with procedures established by
the Bankruptcy Court and shall be filed with the Office of the United
States Trustee for the District of Delaware.
(d) The Trustees shall cause to be prepared as soon as practicable
prior to the commencement of each fiscal year a budget and cash flow projections
covering such fiscal year and the succeeding four fiscal years. The budget and
cash flow projections shall include determining the Maximum Annual Payment
pursuant to Section 2.4 of the TDP, and the Asbestos Personal Injury Claims
Payment Ratio pursuant to Section 2.5 of the TDP. The Trustees shall provide a
copy of the budget and cash flow projections to the TAC and the Future
Claimants' Representative.
(e) The Trustees shall consult with the TAC and the Future
Claimants' Representative (i) on the general implementation and administration
of the PI Trust; (ii) on the general implementation and administration of the
TDP; and (iii) on such other matters as may be required under this PI Trust
Agreement and the TDP.
(f) The Trustees shall be required to obtain the consent of the
TAC and the Future Claimants' Representative pursuant to the Consent Process set
forth in Section 5.7(b) and 6.6(b) below, in addition to any other instances
elsewhere enumerated, in order:
(i) to change the Claims Payment Ratio described in
Section 2.5 of the TDP in the event that the requirements for such a
change as set forth in said provision have been met;
(ii) to change the Scheduled Diseases, Disease Levels
and/or Medical/Exposure Criteria set forth in Section 5.3(a)(3) of the
TDP, and/or the Maximum Values set forth in Section 5.3(b)(4) and
Section 5.4(a) of the TDP;
(iii) to change the Payment Percentage described in Section
2.3 of the TDP as provided in Section 4.2 of the TDP;
(iv) to establish and/or to change the Claims Materials to
be provided holders of Asbestos Personal Injury Claims under Section
6.1 of the TDP;
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(v) to require that claimants provide additional kinds of
medical and/or exposure evidence pursuant to Section 7.1 of the TDP;
(vi) to change the form of release to be provided pursuant
to Section 7.8 of the TDP;
(vii) to terminate the PI Trust pursuant to Section 7.2
below;
(viii) to settle the liability of any insurer under any
insurance policy or legal action related thereto;
(ix) to change the compensation of the members of the TAC,
the Future Claimants' Representative or Trustees, other than to reflect
cost-of-living increases or changes approved by the Bankruptcy Court as
otherwise provided herein;
(x) to take structural or other actions to minimize any
tax on the PI Trust Assets; or
(xi) to amend the PI Trust Bylaws in accordance with the
terms thereof;
(xii) to amend any provision of this PI Trust Agreement or
the TDP in accordance with the terms thereof;
(xiii) to vote the stock of the Reorganized Debtor for the
purpose of electing members of the Board of Directors of the
Reorganized Debtor; or
(xiv) to merge any asbestos claims resolution organization
formed by the PI Trust with another asbestos claims resolution
organization that is not specifically created by this PI Trust
Agreement or the TDP, or to contract with another asbestos claims
resolution organization or other entity that is not specifically
created by this PI Trust Agreement or the TDP, or permit any other
party to join in any asbestos claims resolution organization that is
formed by the PI Trust pursuant to the PI Trust Agreement or the TDP;
provided that such merger, contract or joinder shall not (a) subject
Reorganized AWI or any successors in interest thereto, to any risk of
having any PI Trust Claim asserted against it or them, or (b) otherwise
jeopardize the validity or enforceability of the section 524(g)
injunction; and provided further that the terms of such merger will
require the surviving organization to make decisions about the
allowability and value of claims in accordance with Section 2.1 of the
TDP which requires that such decisions be based on the provisions of
the TDP.
(g) The Trustees shall meet with the TAC and the Future Claimants'
Representative no less often than quarterly. The Trustees shall meet in the
interim with the TAC and the Future Claimants' Representative when so requested
by either.
(h) The Trustees, upon notice from either the TAC or the Future
Claimants' Representative, if practicable in view of pending business, shall at
their next meeting with the TAC or the Future Claimants' Representative consider
issues submitted by the TAC or the Future Claimants' Representative.
(i) Periodically, but not less often than once a year, the
Trustees shall make available to claimants and other interested parties the
number of claims by disease levels that have been resolved both by individual
review and by arbitration, as well as by trial, indicating the amounts of the
awards and the averages of the awards by jurisdiction pursuant to Section 7.10
of the TDP.
2.3 CLAIMS ADMINISTRATION.
The Trustees shall promptly proceed to implement the TDP.
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SECTION 3
ACCOUNTS, INVESTMENTS, AND PAYMENTS
-----------------------------------
3.1 ACCOUNTS. The Trustees may, from time to time, create such
accounts and reserves within the PI Trust estate as they may deem necessary,
prudent, or useful in order to provide for the payment of expenses and payment
of Asbestos Personal Injury Claims and may, with respect to any such account or
reserve, restrict the use of monies therein.
3.2 INVESTMENTS. Investment of monies held in the PI Trust shall
be administered in the manner in which individuals of ordinary prudence,
discretion, and judgment would act in the management of their own affairs,
subject to the following limitations and provisions:
(a) The PI Trust shall not acquire, directly or indirectly, equity
in any entity (other than Reorganized AWI or any successor to Reorganized AWI)
or business enterprise if, immediately following such acquisition, the PI Trust
would hold more than 5% of the equity in such entity or business enterprise. The
PI Trust shall not hold, directly or indirectly, more than 10% of the equity in
any entity (other than Reorganized AWI or any successor to Reorganized AWI) or
business enterprise.
(b) The PI Trust shall not acquire or hold any long-term debt
securities unless (i) such securities are PI Trust Assets under the Plan, (ii)
such securities are rated "Baa" or higher by Moody's, "BBB" or higher by
Standard & Poor's ("S&P'S"), or have been given an equivalent investment grade
rating by another nationally recognized statistical rating agency, or (iii) have
been issued or fully guaranteed as to principal and interest by the United
States of America or any agency or instrumentality thereof.
(c) The PI Trust shall not acquire or hold for longer than ninety
(90) days any commercial paper unless such commercial paper is rated "Prime-1"
or higher by Moody's or "A-1" or higher by S&P's or has been given an equivalent
rating by another nationally recognized statistical rating agency.
(d) Excluding any securities by the Debtor or Reorganized AWI, the
PI Trust shall not acquire or hold any common or preferred stock or convertible
securities unless such stock or securities are rated "A" or high by Moody's or
"A" or higher by S&P's or have been given an equivalent investment grade rating
by another nationally recognized statistical rating agency.
(e) The PI Trust shall not acquire any debt securities or other
instruments issued by any entity (other than debt securities or other
instruments issued or fully guaranteed as to principal and interest by the
United States of America or any agency or instrumentality thereof) if, following
such acquisition, the aggregate market value of all debt securities and
instruments issued by such entity held by the PI Trust would exceed 2% of the
aggregate value of the PI Trust estate. The PI Trust shall not hold any debt
securities or other instruments issued by any entity (other than debt securities
or other instruments issued or fully guaranteed as to principal and interest by
the United States of America or any agency or instrumentality thereof and other
than debt securities or other instruments of Reorganized AWI or any successor to
Reorganized AWI) to the extent that the aggregate market value of all securities
and instruments issued by such entity held by the PI Trust would exceed 5% of
the aggregate value of the PI Trust Assets.
(f) The PI Trust shall not acquire or hold any certificates of
deposit unless all publicly held, long-term debt securities, if any, of the
financial institution issuing the certificate of deposit and the holding
company, if any, of which such financial institution is a subsidiary, meet the
standards set forth in Section 3.2(b) above.
(g) The PI Trust may acquire and hold any securities or
instruments issued by Reorganized AWI or any successor to Reorganized AWI, or
obtained as proceeds of litigation or otherwise to resolve disputes, without
regard to the limitations set forth in Subsections (a)-(f) above.
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(h) The PI Trust shall not acquire or hold any repurchase
obligations unless, in the opinion of the Trustees, they are adequately
collateralized.
(i) The PI Trust shall not acquire or hold any options other than
options or other derivative securities acquired or held in connection with bona
fide hedging transactions with respect to the stock of Reorganized AWI to the
extent then permitted by the Articles of Incorporation of Reorganized AWI.
3.3 SOURCE OF PAYMENTS. All PI Trust expenses and payments and all
liabilities with respect to claims shall be payable solely by the Trustees out
of the PI Trust Assets. Neither AWI, Reorganized AWI, their subsidiaries, any
successor in interest, the present or former directors, officers, employees or
agents of AWI, Reorganized AWI, nor the Trustees, the TAC or Future Claimants'
Representative, or any of their officers, agents, advisors, or employees shall
be liable for the payment of any PI Trust expense or any other liability of the
PI Trust.
SECTION 4
TRUSTEES
--------
4.1 NUMBER. There shall be five (5) Trustees. The initial Trustees
shall be those persons named on the signature page hereof.
4.2 TERM OF SERVICE.
(a) The five initial Trustees named pursuant to Article 4.1 above
shall each serve an initial two (2) year term. At the expiration of these
initial two (2) year terms, the number of Trustees shall be reduced from five
(5) to three (3), unless the TAC and the Future Claimants' Representative agree
that the Trust should maintain five (5) Trustees past this initial two (2) year
term. When the number of Trustees is reduced from five (5) to three (3),
Trustees Anne Ferazzi, Thomas Tully, and Harry Huge shall continue to serve as
Trustees, serving staggered terms of three (3), four (4), or five (5) years,
such terms to be determined by the TAC and the Future Claimants' Representative.
Thereafter, each Trustee's term of service shall be five (5) years. The initial
Trustees shall serve from the Effective Date until the earlier of (i) the end of
his or her term, (ii) his or her death, (iii) his or her resignation pursuant to
Section 4.2(b) below, (iv) his or her removal pursuant to Section 4.2(c) below,
or (v) the termination of the PI Trust pursuant to Section 7.2 below.
(b) A PI Trustee may resign at any time by written notice to the
remaining Trustees, the TAC and the Future Claimants' Representative. Such
notice shall specify a date when such resignation shall take place, which shall
not be less than 90 days after the date such notice is given, where practicable.
(c) A Trustee may be removed by unanimous vote of the remaining
Trustees in the event that he or she becomes unable to discharge his or her
duties hereunder due to accident or physical or mental deterioration, or for
other good cause. Good cause shall be deemed to include, without limitation, any
substantial failure to comply with the general administration provisions of
Section 2.2 above, a consistent pattern of neglect and failure to perform or
participate in performing the duties of the Trustees hereunder, or repeated
non-attendance at scheduled meetings. Such removal shall require the approval of
the Bankruptcy Court and shall take effect at such time as the Bankruptcy Court
shall determine.
4.3 APPOINTMENT OF SUCCESSOR TRUSTEES.
(a) In the event of a vacancy in the position of PI Trustee,
whether by term expiration, resignation or removal, the remaining Trustees shall
consult with the TAC and the Future Claimants' Representative concerning the
appointment of a successor PI Trustee. The vacancy shall be filled by the
unanimous vote of the remaining Trustees unless a majority of the TAC or the
Future Claimants' Representative vetoes the appointment. In the event that the
remaining Trustees cannot agree on a Successor PI Trustee, or a majority of the
TAC or the Future Claimants' Representative vetoes the appointment of a
8
successor PI Trustee, the Bankruptcy Court shall make the appointment. Nothing
shall prevent the reappointment of a PI Trustee for an additional term or terms.
(b) Immediately upon the appointment of any Successor PI Trustee,
all rights, titles, duties, powers and authority of the predecessor PI Trustee
hereunder shall be vested in, and undertaken by, the Successor PI Trustee
without any further act. No Successor PI Trustee shall be liable personally for
any act or omission of his or her predecessor Trustees.
(c) Each Successor PI Trustee shall serve until the earlier of (i)
the end of a full term of five (5) years if the predecessor PI Trustee completed
his or her term, (ii) the end of the remainder of the term of the PI Trustee
whom he or she is replacing if said predecessor PI Trustee did not complete said
term, (iii) his or her death, (iv) his or her resignation pursuant to Section
4.2(b) above, (v) his or her removal pursuant to Section 4.2(c) above, or (vi)
the termination of the PI Trust pursuant to Section 7.2 below.
4.4 LIMITATION OF LIABILITY OF TRUSTEES, TAC, AND FUTURE
CLAIMANTS' REPRESENTATIVE. The Trustees, the members of the TAC, and the Future
Claimants' Representative shall not be liable to the PI Trust, to any individual
holding an asbestos claim, or to any other person, except for such individual's
own breach of trust committed in bad faith or willful misappropriation. In
addition, the Trustees, the members of the TAC, and the Future Claimants'
Representative shall not be liable for any act or omission of any other person
unless such Trustee, member of the TAC, or Future Claimants' Representative
acted with bad faith in the selection or retention of such person.
4.5 COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES OF TRUSTEES.
(a) The Trustees shall receive a retainer from the PI Trust for
their services as Trustees in the amount of $65,000 per annum, which amount
shall be payable in quarterly installments, except that the Managing Trustee
shall receive $75,000 per annum for his or her service. All Trustees shall also
receive the sum of $2,500 for attendance at a meeting of the Trustees, which
amount shall not be charged against the annual retainer. A meeting is any
scheduled, emergency or sub-committee meeting of the Trustees that is noticed
and/or authorized by the chairperson in which participation is either in person
or telephonically and the duration of which is no less than two (2) hours and
not in excess of five (5) hours. A PI Trust meeting also includes attendance at
meetings of Reorganized AWI's Board of Directors. For all other time expended in
preparation, authorized special projects, and time in excess of the (5) hours in
a meeting, the Trustees shall receive the sum of $450 per hour, and the sum of
$225 per hour for non-working travel, in both cases computed on a quarter-hour
basis. The Trustees shall record all meeting and hourly time to be charged to
the Trust on a daily basis. The per annum retainer, meeting and hourly
compensation payable to the Trustees hereunder shall be reviewed every three (3)
years and appropriately adjusted for changes in the cost of living. Any other
changes in compensation of the Trustees shall be made subject to the approval of
the Bankruptcy Court.
(b) The PI Trust will promptly reimburse the Trustees for all
reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred by the Trustees in
connection with the performance of their duties hereunder.
(c) The PI Trust shall include a description of the amounts paid
under this Section 4.5 in the accounts to be filed with the Bankruptcy Court and
provided to the TAC, the Future Claimants' Representative, and Reorganized AWI
pursuant to Section 2.2(c)(i).
4.6 INDEMNIFICATION OF TRUSTEES, TAC, FUTURE CLAIMANTS'
REPRESENTATIVE, AND ADDITIONAL INDEMNITEES.
(a) The PI Trust shall indemnify and defend the Trustees, the
members of the TAC, and the Futures Claimants' Representative in the performance
of their duties hereunder to the fullest extent that a corporation or trust
organized under the laws of the State of Delaware is from time to time entitled
to indemnify and defend such persons against any and all liabilities, expenses,
claims, damages or losses incurred by them in the performance of their duties
hereunder or in connection with activities undertaken by them prior to the
9
Effective Date in connection with the formation, establishment, or funding of
the PI Trust. The PI Trust may indemnify any of the Additional Indemnitees in
the performance of their duties hereunder to the fullest extent that a
corporation or trust organized under the laws of the PI Trust's situs is from
time to time entitled to indemnify and defend such persons against any and all
liabilities, expenses, claims, damages or losses incurred by them in the
performance of their duties hereunder or in connection with activities
undertaken by them prior to the Effective Date in connection with the formation,
establishment, or funding of the PI Trust. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no
individual shall be indemnified or defended in any way for any liability,
expense, claim, damage, or loss for which he or she is ultimately liable under
Section 4.4 above.
(b) Reasonable expenses, costs and fees (including attorneys' fees
and costs) incurred by or on behalf of a PI Trustee, a member of the TAC, Future
Claimants' Representative, or Additional Indemnitee in connection with any
action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil, administrative or arbitrative from
which they are indemnified by the PI Trust pursuant to Section 4.6(a) above,
shall be paid by the PI Trust in advance of the final disposition thereof upon
receipt of an undertaking, by or on behalf of the Trustees, the members of the
TAC, Future Claimants' Representative, or Additional Indemnitee, to repay such
amount in the event that it shall be determined ultimately by final order that
such PI Trustee, member of the TAC, Future Claimants' Representative, or
Additional Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the PI Trust.
(c) The Trustees may purchase and maintain reasonable amounts and
types of insurance on behalf of an individual who is or was a PI Trustee, member
of the TAC, Future Claimants' Representative, or Additional Indemnitee against
liability asserted against, or incurred by, such individual in that capacity or
arising from his or her status as a PI Trustee, TAC member, Future Claimants'
Representative, officer, employee, agent or other representative.
4.7 TRUSTEES' LIEN. The Trustees, members of the TAC, Future
Claimants' Representative, and the Additional Indemnitees shall have a first
priority lien upon the PI Trust Assets to secure the payment of any amounts
payable to them pursuant to Section 4.6 above.
4.8 TRUSTEES' EMPLOYMENT OF EXPERTS. The Trustees may, but shall
not be required to, retain and/or consult with counsel, accountants, appraisers,
auditors and forecasters, and other parties deemed by the Trustees to be
qualified as experts on the matters submitted to them, and the written opinion
of or information provided by any such parties on any matters submitted to them
by the Trustees shall be full and complete authorization and protection in
respect of any action taken or not taken by the Trustees hereunder in good faith
and in accordance with the written opinion of or information provided by any
such party.
4.9 TRUSTEES' INDEPENDENCE. The Trustees shall not, during the
term of their service, hold a financial interest in, act as attorney or agent
for, or serve as any other professional for Reorganized AWI. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, any PI Trustee may serve, without any additional compensation other
than the per diem compensation to be paid by the PI Trust pursuant to Section
4.5(a) above, as a director of Reorganized AWI. No PI Trustee shall act as an
attorney for any person who holds an asbestos claim.
4.10 BOND. The Trustees shall not be required to post any bond or
other form of surety or security unless otherwise ordered by the Bankruptcy
Court.
SECTION 5
TRUST ADVISORY COMMITTEE
------------------------
5.1 MEMBERS. The TAC shall consist of five (5) members, who shall
initially be the persons named on the signature page hereof.
5.2 DUTIES. The members of the TAC shall serve in a fiduciary
capacity representing all holders of present Asbestos Personal Injury Claims.
10
The Trustees must consult with the TAC on matters identified in Section 2.2(e)
above and in other provisions herein, and must obtain the consent of the TAC on
matters identified in Section 2.2(f) above. Where provided in the TDP, certain
other actions by the Trustees are also subject to the consent of the TAC.
5.3 TERM OF OFFICE.
(a) Each member of the TAC shall serve until the earlier of (i)
his or her death, (ii) his or her resignation pursuant to Section 5.3(b) below,
(iii) his or her removal pursuant to Section 5.3(c) below, or (iv) the
termination of the PI Trust pursuant to Section 7.2 below.
(b) A member of the TAC may resign at any time by written notice
to the other members of the TAC, the Trustees and the Future Claimants'
Representative. Such notice shall specify a date when such resignation shall
take effect, which shall not be less than ninety (90) days after the date such
notice is given, where practicable.
(c) A member of the TAC may be removed in the event that he or she
becomes unable to discharge his or her duties hereunder due to accident,
physical deterioration, mental incompetence, or a consistent pattern of neglect
and failure to perform or to participate in performing the duties of such member
hereunder, such as repeated non-attendance at scheduled meetings, or for other
good cause. Such removal shall be made at the recommendation of the remaining
members of the TAC with the approval of the Bankruptcy Court.
5.4 APPOINTMENT OF SUCCESSOR.
(a) In the event of a vacancy caused by the resignation or death
of a TAC member, his or her successor shall be selected by the TAC member who is
resigning or deceased, or by his or her law firm in the vent that such member
had not pre-selected a successor. If neither the member nor the law firm
exercises the right to make such a selection, the successor shall be chosen by a
majority vote of the remaining TAC members. If a majority of the remaining
members cannot agree, the Bankruptcy Court shall appoint the successor. In the
event of a vacancy caused by the removal of a TAC member, the remaining members
of the TAC by majority vote shall name the successor. If the majority of
remaining members of the TAC cannot reach agreement, the Bankruptcy Court shall
appoint the successor.
(b) Each successor TAC member shall serve until the earlier of (i)
his or her death, (ii) his or her resignation pursuant to Section 5.3(b) above,
(iii) his or her removal pursuant to Section 5.3(c) above, or (iv) the
termination of the PI Trust pursuant to Section 7.2 below.
5.5 TAC'S EMPLOYMENT OF PROFESSIONALS.
(a) The TAC may but is not required to retain and/or consult
counsel, accountants, appraisers, auditors, forecasters, experts, and financial
and investment advisors, and such other parties deemed by the TAC to be
qualified as experts on matters submitted to the TAC (the "PROFESSIONALS"). The
TAC and its Professionals shall at all times have complete access to the PI
Trust's officers, employees and agents, as well as to the Professionals retained
by the PI Trust, and shall also have complete access to all information
generated by them or otherwise available to the PI Trust or the Trustees. In the
absence of gross negligence, the written opinion of or information provided by
any Professional deemed by the TAC to be qualified as an expert on the
particular matter submitted to the TAC shall be full and complete authorization
and protection in support of any action taken or not taken by the TAC in good
faith and in accordance with the written opinion of or information provided by
the Professional.
(b) The Trust shall promptly reimburse, or pay directly if so
instructed, the TAC for all reasonable fees and costs associated with the TAC's
employment of legal counsel pursuant to this provision in connection with the
TAC's performance of its duties hereunder. The Trust shall also promptly
reimburse, or pay directly if so instructed, the TAC for all reasonable fees and
costs associated with the TAC's employment of any other Professional pursuant to
this provision in connection with the TAC's performance of its duties hereunder;
provided, however, that (i) the TAC has first submitted to the Trust a written
request for such reimbursement setting forth the reasons (A) why the TAC desires
11
to employ such Professional, and (B) why the TAC cannot rely on Professionals
retained by the Trust to meet the need of the TAC for such expertise or advice,
and (ii) the Trust has approved the TAC's request for reimbursement in writing.
If the Trust agrees to pay for the TAC Professional, such reimbursement shall be
treated as a Trust expense. If the Trust declines to pay for the TAC
Professional, it must set forth its reasons in writing. If the TAC still desires
to employ such Professional at Trust expense, the TAC and/or the Trustees shall
resolve their dispute pursuant to Section 7.13 below.
5.6 COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES OF TAC. The members of the TAC shall
receive compensation from the PI Trust for their services as TAC members in the
form of a reasonable hourly rate set by the Trustees for attendance at meetings
or other conduct of PI Trust business. The members of the TAC shall also be
reimbursed promptly for all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred
in connection with the performance of their duties hereunder. Such reimbursement
or direct payment shall be deemed a PI Trust expense. The PI Trust shall include
a description of the amounts paid under this Section 5.6 in the accounts to be
filed with the Bankruptcy Court and provided to the Trustees, the Future
Claimants' Representative, and Reorganized AWI pursuant to Section 2.2(c)(i).
5.7 PROCEDURES FOR CONSULTATION WITH AND OBTAINING THE CONSENT OF
THE TAC.
(a) CONSULTATION PROCESS.
(i) In the event the Trustees are required to consult
with the TAC pursuant to Section 2.2(e) above or on other matters as
provided herein, the Trustees shall provide the TAC with written
advance notice of the matter under consideration, and with all relevant
information concerning the matter as is reasonably practicable under
the circumstances. The Trustees shall also provide the TAC with such
reasonable access to Professionals and other experts retained by the PI
Trust and its staff (if any) as the TAC may reasonably request during
the time that the Trustees are considering such matter, and shall also
provide the TAC the opportunity, at reasonable times and for reasonable
periods of time, to discuss and comment on such matter with the
Trustees.
(ii) The Trustees shall take into consideration the time
required for the TAC, if its members so wish, to engage and consult
with its own independent financial or investment advisors as to such
matter.
(b) CONSENT PROCESS.
(i) In the event the Trustees are required to obtain the
consent of the TAC pursuant to Section 2.2(f) above, the Trustees shall
provide the TAC with a written notice stating that their consent is
being sought pursuant to that provision, describing in detail the
nature and scope of the action the Trustees propose to take, and
explaining in detail the reasons why the Trustees desire to take such
action. The Trustees shall provide the TAC as much relevant additional
information concerning the proposed action as is reasonably practicable
under the circumstances. The Trustees shall also provide the TAC with
such reasonable access to Professionals and other experts retained by
the PI Trust and its staff (if any) as the TAC may reasonably request
during the time that the Trustees are considering such action, and
shall also provide the TAC the opportunity, at reasonable times and for
reasonable periods of time, to discuss and comment on such action with
the Trustees.
(ii) The TAC must consider in good faith and in a timely
fashion any request for its consent by the Trustees, and must in any
event advise the Trustees in writing of its consent or its objection to
the proposed action within 30 days of receiving the original request
for consent from the Trustees. The TAC may not withhold its consent
unreasonably. If the TAC decides to withhold its consent, it must
explain in detail its objections to the proposed action. If the TAC
does not advise the Trustees in writing of its consent or its
objections to the action within 30 days of receiving notice regarding
such request, the TAC's consent to the proposed actions shall be deemed
to have been affirmatively granted.
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(iii) If, after following the procedures specified in this
Section 5.7(b), the TAC continues to object to the proposed action and
to withhold its consent to the proposed action, the Trustees and/or the
TAC shall resolve their dispute pursuant to Section 7.13. However, the
burden of proof with respect to the validity of the TAC's objection and
withholding of its consent shall be on the TAC.
SECTION 6
THE FUTURE CLAIMANTS' REPRESENTATIVE
------------------------------------
6.1 DUTIES. The initial Future Claimants' Representative shall be
the individual identified on the signature pages hereto, namely Dean M.
Trafelet, Esquire. He shall serve in a fiduciary capacity, representing the
interests of the holders of future Asbestos Personal Injury Claims for the
purpose of protecting the rights of such persons. The Trustees must consult with
the Future Claimants' Representative on matters identified in Section 2.2(e)
above and on certain other matters provided herein, and must obtain the consent
of the Future Claimants' Representative on matters identified in Section 2.2(f)
above. Where provided in the TDP, certain other actions by the Trustees are also
subject to the consent of the Future Claimants' Representative.
6.2 TERM OF OFFICE.
(a) The Future Claimants' Representative shall serve until the
earlier of (i) his or her death, (ii) his or her resignation pursuant to Section
6.2(b) below, (iii) his or her removal pursuant to Section 6.2(c) below, or (iv)
the termination of the PI Trust pursuant to Section 7.2 below.
(b) The Future Claimants' Representative may resign at any time by
written notice to the Trustees. Such notice shall specify a date when such
resignation shall take effect, which shall not be less than ninety (90) days
after the date such notice is given, where practicable.
(c) The Future Claimants' Representative may be removed by the
Bankruptcy Court in the event he or she becomes unable to discharge his or her
duties hereunder due to accident, physical deterioration, mental incompetence,
or a consistent pattern of neglect and failure to perform or to participate in
performing the duties hereunder, such as repeated non-attendance at scheduled
meetings, or for other good cause.
6.3 APPOINTMENT OF SUCCESSOR. A vacancy caused by resignation or
death shall be filled with an individual nominated prior to the effective date
of the resignation or the death by the resigning Future Claimants'
Representative, and a vacancy caused by removal of the Future Claimants'
Representative shall be filled with an individual nominated by the Trustees, in
consultation with the TAC, subject to the approval of the Bankruptcy Court. In
the event a majority of the Trustees cannot agree, or a nominee has not been
pre-selected, the successor shall be appointed by the Bankruptcy Court.
6.4 FUTURE CLAIMANTS' REPRESENTATIVE'S EMPLOYMENT OF
PROFESSIONALS.
(a) The Future Claimants' Representative may but is not required
to retain and/or consult counsel, accountants, appraisers, auditors,
forecasters, experts, and financial and investment advisors, and such other
parties deemed by the Future Claimants' Representative to be qualified as
experts on matters submitted to the Future Claimants' Representative (the
"PROFESSIONALS"). The Future Claimants' Representative and his or her experts
shall at all times have complete access to the PI Trust's officers, employees
and agents, as well as to the Professionals retained by the PI Trust, and shall
also have complete access to all information generated by them or otherwise
available to the PI Trust or the Trustees. In the absence of gross negligence,
the written opinion of or information provided by any Professional deemed by the
Future Claimants' Representative to be qualified as an expert on the particular
matter submitted to the Future Claimants' Representative shall be full and
complete authorization and protection in support of any action taken or not
taken by the Future Claimants' Representative in good faith and in accordance
with the written opinion of or information provided by the Professional.
13
(b) The Trust shall promptly reimburse, or pay directly if so
instructed, the Future Claimants' Representative for all reasonable fees and
costs associated with the Future Claimants' Representative's employment of legal
counsel pursuant to this provision in connection with the Future Claimants'
Representative's performance of his or her duties hereunder. The Trust shall
also promptly reimburse, or pay directly if so instructed, the Future Claimants'
Representative for all reasonable fees and costs associated with the Future
Claimants' Representative's employment of any other Professionals pursuant to
this provision in connection with the Future Claimants' Representative's
performance of his or her duties hereunder; provided, however, that (i) the
Future Claimants' Representative has first submitted to the Trust a written
request for such reimbursement setting forth the reasons (A) why the Future
Claimants' Representative desires to employ the Professional, and (B) why the
Future Claimants' Representative cannot rely on Professionals retained by the
Trust to meet the need of the Future Claimants' Representative for such
expertise or advice, and (ii) the Trust has approved the Future Claimants'
Representative's request for reimbursement in writing. If the Trust agrees to
pay for the Future Claimants' Representative's Professional, such reimbursement
shall be treated as a Trust Expense. If the Trust declines to pay for the Future
Claimants' Representative's Professional, it must set forth its reasons in
writing. If the Future Claimants' Representative still desires to employ the
Professional at Trust expense, the Future Claimants' Representative and/or the
Trustees shall resolve their dispute pursuant to Section 7.13 below.
6.5 COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES OF THE FUTURE CLAIMANTS'
REPRESENTATIVE. The Future Claimants' Representative shall receive compensation
from the PI Trust in the form of the Future Claimants' Representative's normal
hourly rate for services performed. The PI Trust will promptly reimburse the
Future Claimants' Representative for all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and
expenses incurred by the Future Claimants' Representative in connection with the
performance of his or her duties hereunder. Such reimbursement or direct payment
shall be deemed a PI Trust expense. The PI Trust shall include a description of
the amounts paid under this Section 6.5 in the accounts to be filed with the
Bankruptcy Court and provided to the Trustees, the Future Claimants'
Representative, and Reorganized AWI pursuant to Section 2.2(c)(i).
6.6 PROCEDURES FOR CONSULTATION WITH AND OBTAINING THE CONSENT OF
THE FUTURE CLAIMANTS REPRESENTATIVE.
(a) CONSULTATION PROCESS.
(i) In the event the Trustees are required to consult
with the Future Claimants' Representative pursuant to Section 2.2(e)
above or on any other matters specified herein, the Trustees shall
provide the Future Claimants' Representative with written advance
notice of the matter under consideration, and with all relevant
information concerning the matter as is reasonably practicable under
the circumstances. The Trustees shall also provide the Future
Claimants' Representative with such reasonable access to Professionals
and other experts retained by the PI Trust and its staff (if any) as
the Future Claimants' Representative may reasonably request during the
time that the Trustees are considering such matter, and shall also
provide the Future Claimants' Representative the opportunity, at
reasonable times and for reasonable periods of time, to discuss and
comment on such matter with the Trustees.
(ii) The Trustees shall take into consideration the time
required for the Future Claimants' Representative, if he or she so
wishes, to engage and consult with his or her own independent financial
or investment advisors as to such matter.
(b) CONSENT PROCESS.
(i) In the event the Trustees are required to obtain the
consent of the Future Claimants' Representative pursuant to Section
2.2(f) above, the Trustees shall provide the Future Claimants'
Representative with a written notice stating that his or her consent is
being sought pursuant to that provision, describing in detail the
nature and scope of the action the Trustees propose to take, and
explaining in detail the reasons why the Trustees desire to take such
14
action. The Trustees shall provide the Future Claimants' Representative
as much relevant additional information concerning the proposed action
as is reasonably practicable under the circumstances. The Trustees
shall also provide the Future Claimants' Representative with such
reasonable access to Professional and other experts retained by the PI
Trust and its staff (if any) as the Future Claimants' Representative
may reasonably request during the time that the Trustees are
considering such action, and shall also provide the Future Claimants'
Representative the opportunity, at reasonable times and for reasonable
periods of time, to discuss and comment on such action with the
Trustees.
(ii) The Future Claimants' Representative must consider in
good faith and in a timely fashion any request for his or her consent
by the Trustees, and must in any event advise the Trustees in writing
of his or her consent or objection to the proposed action within 30
days of receiving the original request for consent from the Trustees.
The Future Claimants' Representative may not withhold his or her
consent unreasonably. If the Future Claimants' Representative decides
to withhold consent, he or she must explain in detail his or her
objections to the proposed action. If the Future Claimants'
Representative does not advise the Trustees in writing of his or her
consent or objections to the proposed action within 30 days of
receiving the notice from the Trustees regarding such consent, the
Future Claimants' Representative's consent shall be deemed to have been
affirmatively granted.
(iii) If, after following the procedures specified in this
Section 5.7(b), the Future Claimants' Representative continues to
object to the proposed action and to withhold its consent to the
proposed action, the Trustees and/or the Future Claimants'
Representative shall resolve their dispute pursuant to Section 7.13.
However, the burden of proof with respect to the validity of the Future
Claimants' Representative's objection and withholding of his or her
consent shall be on the Future Claimants' Representative.
SECTION 7
GENERAL PROVISIONS
------------------
7.1 IRREVOCABILITY. The PI Trust is irrevocable.
7.2 TERMINATION.
(a) The PI Trust shall automatically terminate on the date ninety
(90) days after the first to occur of the following events:
(i) the Trustees decide to terminate the PI Trust because
(A) they deem it unlikely that new asbestos claims will be filed
against the PI Trust, (B) all Asbestos Personal Injury Claims duly
filed with the PI Trust have been liquidated and paid to the extent
provided in this PI Trust Agreement and the TDP or disallowed by a
final, non-appealable order, to the extent possible based upon the
funds available through the Plan, and (C) twelve (12) consecutive
months have elapsed during which no new asbestos claim has been filed
with the PI Trust; or
(ii) if the Trustees have procured and have in place
irrevocable insurance policies and have established claims handling
agreements and other necessary arrangements with suitable third parties
adequate to discharge all expected remaining obligations and expenses
of the PI Trust in a manner consistent with this PI Trust Agreement and
the TDP, the date on which the Bankruptcy Court enters an order
approving such insurance and other arrangements and such order becomes
a final order; or
(iii) to the extent that any rule against perpetuities
shall be deemed applicable to the PI Trust, twenty-one (21) years less
ninety-one (91) days pass after the death of the last survivor of all
of the descendants of the late Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr., father of the
late President John F. Kennedy, living on the date hereof.
15
(b) On the Termination Date, after payment of all the PI Trust's
liabilities have been provided for, all monies remaining in the PI Trust estate
shall be given to such organization(s) exempt from federal income tax under
section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, which tax-exempt organization(s)
shall be selected by the Trustees using their reasonable discretion; provided,
however, that (i) if practicable, the activities of the selected tax-exempt
organization(s) shall be related to the treatment of, research on, or the relief
of suffering of individuals suffering from asbestos related lung disorders, and
(ii) the tax-exempt organization(s) shall not bear any relationship to
Reorganized AWI within the meaning of section 468B(d)(3) of the Internal Revenue
Code. Notwithstanding any contrary provision of the Plan and related documents,
this Section 7.2(b) cannot be modified or amended.
7.3 AMENDMENTS. The Trustees, after consultation with the TAC and
the Future Claimants' Representative, and subject to the unanimous consent of
the members of the TAC and the Future Claimants' Representative, may modify or
amend this PI Trust Agreement and the PI Trust By-laws. The Trustees, after
consultation with the TAC and the Future Claimants' Representative, and subject
to the consent of the TAC and the Future Claimants' Representative, may modify
or amend the TDP; provided, however, that no amendment to the TDP shall be
inconsistent with the provisions limiting amendments to that document provided
therein, and in particular the provisions limiting amendment of the Claims
Payment Ratio set forth in Section 2.5 of the TDP and of the Payment Percentage
set forth in Section 4.2 of the TDP. Any modification or amendment made pursuant
to this Article must be done in writing. Notwithstanding anything contained in
this PI Trust Agreement to the contrary, neither this PI Trust Agreement, the PI
Trust Bylaws, the TDP, nor any document annexed to the foregoing shall be
modified or amended in any way that could jeopardize, impair, or modify the
applicability of section 524(g) of the Bankruptcy Code, the efficacy or
enforceability of the injunction entered thereunder, or the PI Trust's qualified
settlement fund status under Section 468B of the Internal Revenue Code.
7.4 [Intentionally omitted]
7.5 SEVERABILITY. Should any provision in this PI Trust Agreement
be determined to be unenforceable, such determination shall in no way limit or
affect the enforceability and operative effect of any and all other provisions
of this PI Trust Agreement.
7.6 NOTICES. Notices to persons asserting claims shall be given by
first class mail, postage prepaid, at the address of such person, or, where
applicable, such person's legal representative, in each case as provided on such
person's claim form submitted to the PI Trust with respect to his or her PI
Trust Claim.
(a) Any notices or other communications required or permitted
hereunder to the following parties shall be in writing and delivered at the
addresses designated below, or sent by telex, telecopy or facsimile pursuant to
the instructions listed below, or mailed by registered or certified mail, return
receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows, or to such other
address or addresses as may hereafter be furnished in writing to each of the
other parties listed below in compliance with the terms hereof.
To the PI Trust through the Trustees: Anne M. Ferazzi, Trustee
11923 Winwood
Houston, TX 77024
Telephone: (713) 334-7775
Facsimile: (713) 953-1107
Email: ferazzi@mindspring.com
Mr. Harry Huge, Trustee
25 East Battery
Charleston, SC 29401
Telephone: (843) 722-1628
Facsimile: (843) 720-8794
Email: harryhuge@comcast.net
16
Paul A. Knuti, Trustee
7727 Sauna Road
Embarrass, MN 55732
Telephone: (218) 984-3048
Facsimile: (218) 984-3864
Email: knutifarm@frontiernet.net
Lewis R. Sifford, Trustee
Sifford Anderson Vice & MacFarlane
2001 Bryan Street - Suite 2050
Dallas, TX 75202
Telephone: (214) 978-4611
Facsimile: (214) 220-0206
Email: LSifford@sifford.com
Thomas M. Tully, Trustee
33 North Dearborn - Suite 2450
Chicago, IL 60602
Telephone: (312) 917-8700
Facsimile: (312) 917-8711
Email: Thomas@tullyassoc.com
With a copy to:
Kevin E. Irwin
Keating, Muething & Klekamp, PLL
1400 Provident Tower
One East Fourth Street
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Telephone: (513) 579-6400
Facsimile: (513) 579-6457
Email: kirwin@kmklaw.com
To the TAC: John D. Cooney
Cooney & Conway
120 North LaSalle - 30th Floor
Chicago, IL 60602
Telephone: (312) 236-6166
Facsimile: (312) 236-3029
Email: jcooney@cooneyconway.com
Russell W. Budd
Baron & Budd
Suite 1100
3102 Oak Lawn Avenue
Dallas, TX 75219
Telephone: (214) 523-6265
Facsimile: (214) 520-1181
Email: rbudd@baronbudd.com
17
Steven Kazan
Kazan, McClain, Abrams, Fernandez,
Lyons, Farrise & Greenwood
171 Twelfth Street
Third Floor
Oakland, CA 94607
Telephone: (510) 465-7728
Facsimile: (510) 835-4913
Email: skazan@kazanlaw.com
Joseph F. Rice
Motley Rice LLC
28 Bridgeside Boulevard
P.O. Box 1792
Mount Pleasant, SC 29465
Telephone: (843) 216-9159
Facsimile: (843) 216-9290
Email: jrice@motleyrice.com
Perry Weitz
Weitz & Luxemberg, P.C.
180 Maiden Lane
New York, NY 10038-4925
Telephone: (212) 558-5508
Facsimile: (212) 344-5461
Email: pweitz@weitzlux.com
With a copy to:
Elihu Inselbuch
Caplin & Drysdale, Chartered
375 Park Avenue
35th Floor
New York, NY 10152-3500
Telephone: (212) 319-9240
Facsimile: (212) 644-6755
Email: ei@capdale.com
To the Future Claimants' Representative: Dean M. Trafelet
Future Claimants' Representative
P.O. Box 518
9130 Wild Lane
Baileys Harbor, WI 54202
Telephone: (312) 335-1726
Facsimile: (312) 335-8015
Email: dtrafelet@dcwis.com and
dtrafelet@sbcglobal.net
18
With a copy to:
Andrew A. Kress
Kaye Scholer LLP
425 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10022
Telephone: 212-836-8781
Facsimile: 212-836-6728
Email: akress@kayescholer.com
To Reorganized AWI: General Counsel
Armstrong World Industries, Inc.
2500 Columbia Avenue
Lancaster, PA 17522
Telephone: (717) 396-2168
Facsimile: (717) 396-6121
With a copy to:
Debra A. Dandeneau
Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP
767 Fifth Avenue
Telephone: (212) 310-8000
Facsimile: (212) 310-8007
Email: debra.dandeneau@weil.com
(b) All such notices and communications if mailed shall be
effective when physically delivered at the designated addresses or, if
electronically transmitted, when the communication is received at the designated
addresses and confirmed by the recipient by return transmission.
7.7 SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. The provisions of this PI Trust
Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of AWI, the PI Trust,
the Trustees and Reorganized AWI, and their respective successors and assigns,
except that neither AWI, the PI Trust, the Trustees nor Reorganized AWI may
assign or otherwise transfer any of its, or their, rights or obligations under
this PI Trust Agreement except, in the case of the PI Trust and the Trustees, as
contemplated by Section 2.1 above.
7.8 LIMITATION ON CLAIM INTERESTS FOR SECURITIES LAWS PURPOSES.
Asbestos Personal Injury Claims, and any interests therein (a) shall not be
assigned, conveyed, hypothecated, pledged or otherwise transferred, voluntarily
or involuntarily, directly or indirectly, except by will or under the laws of
descent and distribution; (b) shall not be evidenced by a certificate or other
instrument; (c) shall not possess any voting rights; and (d) shall not be
entitled to receive any dividends or interest; provided, however, that clause
(a) of this Section 7.8 shall not apply to the holder of a claim that is
subrogated to a PI Trust Claim as a result of its satisfaction of such PI Trust
Claim.
7.9 ENTIRE AGREEMENT; NO WAIVER. The entire agreement of the
parties relating to the subject matter of this PI Trust Agreement is contained
herein and in the documents referred to herein, and this PI Trust Agreement and
such documents supersede any prior oral or written agreements concerning the
subject matter hereof. No failure to exercise or delay in exercising any right,
power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any
single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege hereunder preclude
any further exercise thereof or of any other right, power or privilege. The
19
rights and remedies herein provided are cumulative and are not exclusive of
rights under law or in equity.
7.10 HEADINGS. The headings used in this PI Trust Agreement are
inserted for convenience only and do not constitute a portion of this PI Trust
Agreement, nor in any manner affect the construction of the provisions of this
PI Trust Agreement.
7.11 GOVERNING LAW. This PI Trust Agreement shall be governed by,
and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without
regard to Delaware conflict of law principles.
7.12 SETTLOR REPRESENTATIVE AND COOPERATION. AWI is hereby
irrevocably designated as the Settlor, and it is hereby authorized to take any
action required of the Settlor in connection with the PI Trust Agreement. AWI
agrees to cooperate in implementing the goals and objectives of this PI Trust.
7.13 DISPUTE RESOLUTION. Any disputes that arise under this PI
Trust Agreement or under the TDP shall be resolved by submission of the matter
to an alternative dispute resolution ("ADR") process mutually agreeable to the
parties involved. Should any party to the ADR process be dissatisfied with the
decision of the arbitrator(s), that party may apply to the Bankruptcy Court for
a judicial determination of the matter. In either case, if the dispute arose
pursuant to the consent provision set forth in Section 5.7(b) (in the case of
the TAC) or Section 6.6(b) (in the case of the Future Claimants'
Representative), the burden of proof shall be on the party or parties who
withheld consent to show that the objection was valid. Should the dispute not be
resolved by ADR process within thirty (30) days after submission, the parties
are relieved of the requirement to pursue ADR prior to application to the
Bankruptcy Court. Notwithstanding anything else herein contained, to the extent
any provision of this PI Trust Agreement is inconsistent with any provision of
the Plan or the TDP, the Plan or the TDP shall control.
7.14 ENFORCEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION. The provisions of this PI
Trust Agreement and the TDP attached hereto shall be enforced by the Bankruptcy
Court pursuant to the Plan. The parties hereby further acknowledge and agree
that the Bankruptcy Court shall have exclusive jurisdiction over the settlement
of the accounts of the Trustees and over any disputes hereunder not resolved by
alternative dispute resolution in accordance with Section 7.13 above.
7.15 EFFECTIVENESS. This PI Trust Agreement shall not become
effective until it has been executed and delivered by all the parties hereto.
7.16 COUNTERPART SIGNATURES. This PI Trust Agreement may be
executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall constitute an
original, but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same
instrument.
20
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this PI Trust Agreement
this _____ day of ________________________, _______.
ARMSTRONG WORLD INDUSTRIES, INC., SETTLOR, BY
Name:
-----------------------------------------
Title:
-----------------------------------------
RUSTEES
-----------------------------------------------
Anne M. Ferazzi
-----------------------------------------------
Harry Huge
-----------------------------------------------
Paul A. Knuti
-----------------------------------------------
Lewis R. Sifford
-----------------------------------------------
Thomas M. Tully
ASBESTOS CLAIMANTS' COMMITTEE
By:
--------------------------------------------
John D. Cooney
TRUST ADVISORY COMMITTEE
-----------------------------------------------
John D. Cooney
-----------------------------------------------
Russell W. Budd
-----------------------------------------------
Steven Kazan
-----------------------------------------------
Joseph F. Rice
-----------------------------------------------
Perry Weitz
FUTURE CLAIMANTS' REPRESENTATIVE
-----------------------------------------------
Dean M. Trafelet, Esq.
Annex A to the Trust Agreement
ARMSTRONG WORLD INDUSTRIES, INC.
ASBESTOS PERSONAL INJURY SETTLEMENT TRUST
BYLAWS
ARTICLE I.
OFFICES
-------
Section 1. Principal Office. The initial principal
office of the Armstrong World Industries, Inc. Asbestos Personal Injury
Settlement Trust shall be in ____________ or at such other places as the
Trustees shall from time to time select.
Section 2. Other Offices. The Trust may have such
other offices at such other places as the Trustees may from time to time
determine to be necessary for the efficient and cost-effective administration of
the Trust.
ARTICLE II.
TRUSTEES
--------
Section 1. Control of Property, Business, and Affairs.
The property, business, and affairs of the Trust shall be managed by or under
the direction of the Trustees, provided that certain decisions of the Trustees
shall be subject to the consent of the PI Trust Advisory Committee ("TAC") and
the Legal Representative for Asbestos-related future claimants ("FUTURE
CLAIMANTS' REPRESENTATIVE"), pursuant to the Armstrong World Industries, Inc.
Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust Agreement ("TRUST AGREEMENT") to which
these Bylaws are attached. In the event of any conflict between the provisions
of the Trust Agreement and the provisions of these Bylaws, the provisions of the
Trust Agreement shall govern and control.
Section 2. Number, Resignation and Removal. The number
of Trustees and provisions governing their resignation and removal and the
appointment of successors are governed by the Trust Agreement.
Section 3. Quorum and Manner of Acting. A majority of
the Trustees shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. In the
absence of a quorum, the Trustees present may adjourn the meeting until a quorum
shall be present. The vote, at a meeting at which a quorum is present, of a
majority of all Trustees shall be an act of the Trustees.
Section 4. Regular Meetings. Regular meetings of the
Trustees with the TAC members and the Future Claimants' Representative may be
held at such times and places as shall from time to time be determined by the
Trustees. At least one regular meeting each year shall be held at the place
where the Trust maintains its principal office. The Trustees shall meet at least
once each calendar quarter and give notice annually of the schedule of regular
meetings to each Trustee, members of the TAC, and the Future Claimants'
Representative. Thereafter, meetings covered by the scheduled notice may be held
without further notice. Whenever possible, Trustees shall attend all regular
meetings in person.
- 2 -
Section 5. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the
Trustees shall be held whenever called by one or more of the Trustees. Notice of
each such meeting shall be delivered to each Trustee, TAC member, and the Future
Claimants' Representative, by overnight courier, by facsimile, or by e-mail to
the place, number, or e-mail address designated by each of them for receipt of
such notices, or, failing such designation, at their residence or usual place of
business, at least 24 hours before the time at which the meeting is to be held.
Such notice shall state the place, date, and hour of the meeting and the
purposes for which it is called. In lieu of the notice, a waiver of notice in
writing, signed by the individual involved, whether before or after the meeting,
shall be equivalent to a notice. Attendance at a meeting shall constitute a
waiver of notice of that meeting. In instances in which the Trustees reasonably
determine that attendance of the TAC members and the Future Claimants
Representative would compromise privileged communications or that the purposes
of the meeting concern matters confidential as to the Trustees, notices of such
a meeting shall be given only to the Trustees.
Section 6. Action Without a Meeting; Meeting by
Conference Call. Any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of
the Trustees may be taken without a meeting if all Trustees consent thereto in
writing, after notice to the TAC members and the Future Claimants'
Representatives pursuant to the notice provisions in Article II, Section 5,
above, and the writings are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the
Trustees.
The Trustees also may take any action required or permitted to
be taken at any meeting by means of conference telephone or other communication
equipment provided that all persons participating can hear and speak with each
other. Participation in such a meeting shall constitute presence in person at
such meeting.
Section 7. Committees. The Trustees may appoint
committees and delegate to them particular powers and responsibilities from time
to time.
ARTICLE III.
OFFICERS
--------
Section 1. Principal Officers. The Trustees shall
annually elect a Chair and such other principal officers, including, without
limitation, Vice Chair, Executive Director, Secretary and Treasurer, as the
Trustees believe will promote the efficient and cost-effective administration of
the Trust. Each such principal officer shall hold office until a successor shall
have been chosen and qualified or until death, resignation, retirement or
removal.
Section 2. Powers and Duties. All principal officers,
as between themselves and the Trust, shall respectively have such authority to
operate the Trust in the ordinary course of business and perform such duties as
are customarily incident to their respective offices in a corporate setting, and
such other powers and duties as may be specified from time to time by the
Trustees. The Trustees shall, from time to time, establish by resolution limits
on the authorization of expenditures and the extent of legal commitments that
may be made by the officers. Except for the Chair and Vice Chair, the officers
need not be Trustees.
- 3 -
Section 3. Removal. The Chair and any other principal
officer may be removed as a principal officer with or without cause, at any
time, by resolution adopted by the Trustees at any regular meeting of the
Trustees or at any special meeting of the Trustees called for that purpose.
Section 4. Subordinate Officers. The Trustees may
appoint such other subordinate officers, agents, and employees as the Trustees
may deem necessary and advisable for the efficient and cost-effective
administration of the Trust, each of whom shall hold office for such period,
have such authority, and perform such duties as the Trustees may from time to
time determine. The Chair may remove any such subordinate officer, agent, or
employee at any time with or without cause.
Section 5. Resignations. Any officer may resign at any
time by giving written notice to the Trustees. The resignation of any officer
shall take effect upon receipt of notice thereof or at such later time as shall
be specified in such notice and unless otherwise specified therein, the
acceptance of such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective.
ARTICLE IV.
AMENDMENTS
----------
Section 1. These Bylaws, other than Article II, Article
III, Section 3, and this Article IV, may be amended by the Trustees at any
meeting of the Trustees, provided that notice of the proposed amendment is
contained in the notice of such meeting. Article II, Article III, Section 3, and
this Article IV, may be amended by the Trustees only after receipt of the
consent of the TAC members and the Future Claimants' Representative.
EXHIBIT 10.3
------------
EXECUTION COPY
STOCKHOLDER AND REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
BY AND BETWEEN
ARMSTRONG WORLD INDUSTRIES, INC.
AND
ARMSTRONG WORLD INDUSTRIES, INC. ASBESTOS PERSONAL INJURY SETTLEMENT TRUST
DATED AS OF OCTOBER 2, 2006
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS..............................................2
ARTICLE II EQUITY REGISTRATION RIGHTS...............................8
2.1 Equity Security Demand Registration..........................8
2.2 Piggyback Registration......................................10
2.3 Registration Procedures.....................................11
2.4 Expenses....................................................13
2.5 Indemnification and Contribution............................14
2.6 Rule 144....................................................17
2.7 Duration of Equity Registration Rights......................17
2.8 "Market Stand-Off" Agreement................................17
2.9 Transfer of Registration Rights.............................17
2.10 Granting of Additional Registration Rights..................18
ARTICLE III DEBT REGISTRATION RIGHTS................................18
3.1 Debt Security Demand Registration...........................18
3.2 Shelf Registration..........................................20
3.3 Registration Procedures.....................................20
3.4 Expenses....................................................22
3.5 Indemnification and Contribution............................23
3.6 Rule 144....................................................26
3.7 Duration of Debt Registration Rights........................26
3.8 "Market Stand-Off" Agreement................................26
3.9 Transfer of Registration Rights.............................27
3.10 Granting of Additional Registration Rights..................27
ARTICLE IV TAG-ALONG RIGHTS........................................27
4.1 Restrictions on Transfer of Shares of Common
Stock by the Trust..........................................27
4.2 Offer to Other Stockholders.................................28
4.3 Third Party Beneficiary Rights..............................28
ARTICLE V CERTAIN COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY........................29
5.1 Approval Requirements Respecting A Shareholder Rights
Plan........................................................29
i
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(CONTINUED)
PAGE
ARTICLE VI VOTING AGREEMENT AND RELATED COVENANTS OF THE TRUST.....29
6.1 Independent Directors.......................................29
6.2 Approval of New Long-term Incentive Plan....................29
6.3 Certain Director Elections..................................30
6.4 Third Party Beneficiary Rights..............................30
ARTICLE VII MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS................................30
7.1 Successor Securities........................................30
7.2 Equitable Relief............................................31
7.3 No Inconsistent Agreements..................................31
7.4 Amendments and Waivers......................................31
7.5 Notice Generally............................................31
7.6 Successors and Assigns......................................32
7.7 Headings....................................................33
7.8 Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Jury Waiver....................33
7.9 Severability................................................33
7.10 Entire Agreement............................................33
7.11 Counterparts................................................33
ii
STOCKHOLDER AND REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
---------------------------------------------
Stockholder and Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of
October 2, 2006, by and between Armstrong World Industries, Inc., a Pennsylvania
corporation (the "COMPANY"), and the Armstrong World Industries, Inc. Asbestos
Personal Injury Settlement Trust (the "TRUST") established pursuant to the Trust
Agreement (as hereinafter defined).
W I T N E S S E T H :
WHEREAS, the Company filed its Fourth Amended Plan of
Reorganization, as Modified dated February 21, 2006 with the United States
Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (the "COURT") pursuant to and in
accordance with chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code (as filed with the Court
and as may be amended from time to time in accordance with its terms, the
"PLAN"), which was confirmed on August 18, 2006; and
WHEREAS, capitalized terms used herein and not defined above
shall have the meaning provided by Article I hereof or otherwise provided below;
and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Plan, (i) on the Effective Date, all
previously outstanding shares of the Company will be cancelled, (ii) on the
Effective Date, the Trust will receive new shares of Common Stock to be issued
by the Company, and on the Initial Distribution Date the holders of Allowed
Unsecured Claims will receive new shares of Common Stock to be issued by the
Company, representing 65.57% and 34.43%, respectively, of the shares of Common
Stock to be outstanding on the Initial Distribution Date, (iii) on the Initial
Distribution Date, Plan Notes may be issued to the Trust and to the holders of
Allowed Unsecured Claims, upon the terms and in accordance with certain
provisions of the Plan and (iv) in accordance with the Plan, the New Long Term
Incentive Plan will be established; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with the Plan, the Company and the
Trust are entering into this Agreement on the Effective Date (i) to provide for
certain rights and obligations of the Trust with respect to shares of Common
Stock held by the Trust, including certain obligations for the benefit of the
holders of shares of Common Stock issued to holders of Allowed Unsecured Claims
(and any transferees, other than the Trust, of the shares of Common Stock of
such holders) and other future holders of shares of Common Stock (other than any
such holder whose shares are Beneficially Owned by the Trust) (all such holders,
including but not limited to those who are holders of Allowed Unsecured Claims,
collectively, the "OTHER STOCKHOLDERS") with respect to certain transactions by
the Trust in shares of Common Stock held by the Trust, and certain consent
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rights for the benefit of the Trust, (ii) to provide registration rights for the
Trust with respect to its holding of shares of Common Stock, and (iii) to
provide registration rights for the Trust with respect to its holdings of Plan
Notes, if they are issued under the Plan;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the
covenants hereinafter contained, it is hereby agreed as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
As used in this Agreement, the following capitalized terms
shall have the meanings ascribed thereto below (such meanings being equally
applicable to both the singular and plural form of the terms defined):
"ACTION" shall have the meaning provided by Section 2.5(e) or
3.5(e) hereof, as the case may be.
"AFFILIATE," with respect to a Person, means any other Person
which directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is
controlled by, or is under common control with, such Person, within the meaning
of Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act.
"AGREEMENT" shall mean this Stockholder and Registration
Rights Agreement, as the same may from time to time be amended, modified and
supplemented in accordance with its terms.
"ALLOWED UNSECURED CLAIMS" shall have the meaning provided in
the Plan.
"ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION" shall mean the Amended and
Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company, as in effect on the Effective
Date and as the same may from time to time be amended or restated in accordance
with its terms.
"BUSINESS DAY" shall mean any day on which commercial banks
are required to be open for business in New York, New York.
"BENEFICIALLY OWNED" or "BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP" shall have the
meaning prescribed by Regulation 13D-G under the Exchange Act, as amended and
from time to time in effect.
"BYLAWS" shall mean the amended and restated bylaws of the
Company, as in effect on the Effective Date and as the same may from time to
time be amended or restated in accordance with their terms.
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"CHANGE IN CONTROL" with respect to the Company shall mean the
acquisition by any person, or any group (within the meaning of Section 13(d) of
the Exchange Act), of either Beneficial Ownership of more than 25% of the Voting
Stock or the right, by contract, voting power or otherwise (or any combination
thereof), to designate more than one-third of the members of the board of
directors of the Company (assuming no vacancy on the board of directors).
"CHAPTER 11 CASE" shall mean the chapter 11 case of Armstrong
World Industries, Inc., pending in the Court as In re Armstrong World
Industries, Inc., et al., Case No. 00-4471 (RJN) (Jointly Administered).
"COMMON STOCK" shall meaning the common shares, $0.01 par
value per share, of the Company, as authorized by the Articles of Incorporation
on the Effective Date, and any successor security as provided by Section 7.1
hereof.
"DEBT SECURITY DEMAND REGISTRATION" shall have the meaning
provided by Section 3.1(a) hereof.
"DEMANDING EQUITY SECURITY HOLDERS" shall have the meaning
provided by Section 2.2(a) hereof.
"DEMANDING OTHER DEBT SECURITY HOLDERS" shall have the meaning
provided by Section 3.2(a) hereof.
"DISINTERESTED DIRECTOR" shall mean, in respect of a
transaction or potential transaction (or category of immaterial transactions), a
director who is not Affiliated with the Trust and who has no personal financial
interest in the transaction (other than the same interest, if a shareholder of
the Corporation, as the other shareholders of the Corporation).
"EFFECTIVE DATE" shall mean October 2, 2006 (which is the
first Business Day of the month immediately following the date by which all of
the conditions precedent to the effectiveness of the Plan specified in Section
7.17 of the Plan have been satisfied or waived, no stay of the order confirming
the Plan in accordance with chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code being in
effect on such date. The Effective Date for purposes of this Agreement shall be
the same as the Effective Date for purposes of the Plan.
"EQUITY SECURITY DEMAND REGISTRATION" shall have the meaning
set forth in Section 2.1 (a) hereof.
"EXCHANGE ACT" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended, or any successor federal statute, and the rules and regulations of
the SEC promulgated thereunder, all as the same may be amended and shall be in
effect from time to time.
"INDEMNIFIED PARTY" shall have the meaning provided by Section
2.5(e) or 3.5(e) hereof, as the case may be.
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"INDEMNIFYING PARTY" shall have the meaning provided by
Section 2.5(e) or 3.5(e) hereof, as the case may be.
"INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR" shall mean a director who (i) qualifies
as an "independent director" within the meaning of the corporate governance
listing standards from time to time adopted by the NYSE or Nasdaq with respect
to the composition of the board of directors of a listed company (without regard
to any independence criteria applicable under such standards only to the members
of a committee of the board of directors), as applicable to whichever market the
shares of Common Stock are to be listed on for trading upon the issuance of such
shares pursuant to the Plan and, thereafter, are from time to time listed for
trading on) and (ii) satisfies the minimum requirements of director independence
of SEC Rule 10A-3(b)(1) under the Exchange Act; provided, however, that, to the
extent that any requirements in addition to those required in order for a
director to be considered independent in accordance with such listing standards
must be satisfied in order for a director of the Company to qualify as an
"outside director" for purposes of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act or for
purposes of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, at least three
directors of the Company must also qualify as such under such additional
requirements in order for the Company to be considered to have Independent
Directors in satisfaction of clause (i) of subparagraph (a) of Article VI
hereof.
"INITIAL DISTRIBUTION DATE" shall mean a date on or after the
Effective Date that is selected by the Company in its discretion but, in any
event, is within fifteen (15) days after the Effective Date, or such later date
as the Court may establish upon request by the Company, for cause shown, as
permitted by the Plan; provided, however, that in no event shall the Initial
Distribution Date be more than forty-five days after the Effective Date.
"INTERNAL REVENUE CODE" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended from time to time, and any applicable rulings, Treasury
Regulations, judicial decisions, and notices, announcements, and other releases
of the United States Treasury Department or the IRS.
"IRS" shall mean the United States Internal Revenue Service.
"NASD" shall mean the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc., or any successor corporation thereto.
"NASDAQ" shall mean the Nasdaq Stock Market.
"NEW LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN" shall mean the New Long-Term
Incentive Plan of the Company, substantially in the form of Exhibit 1.90
attached to the Plan.
"NYSE" shall mean the New York Stock Exchange.
"OTHER STOCKHOLDERS" shall have the meaning set forth in the
fourth recital of this Agreement.
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"PERSON" shall mean any individual, partnership (general,
limited or limited liability), corporation, limited liability company, trust,
unincorporated organization or other legal entity, and a government or agency or
political subdivision thereof.
"PLAN NOTE INDENTURES" shall mean the indentures,
substantially in the form of Exhibit 1.96 to the Plan and qualified under the
Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, entered into by and between the
Company, as the issuer, and a trustee selected by the Company, pursuant to
which, if issued or to be issued, Plan Notes have been or will be issued.
"PLAN NOTES" shall mean, if issued or to be issued, the
unsecured notes issued or to be issued by the Company pursuant to the Plan Note
Indentures as provided by Sections 3.2(f) and (g) of the Plan.
"PROPOSED PURCHASER" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 4.1 hereof.
"PROSPECTUS" shall mean the prospectus included in any
Registration Statement (including, without limitation, a prospectus that
discloses information previously omitted from a prospectus filed as part of an
effective registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A under the Act), as
amended or supplemented by any prospectus supplement, with respect to the terms
of the offering of any portion of the Registrable Equity Securities covered by
such Registration Statement, and all amendments and supplements thereto and all
material incorporated by reference therein.
"REGISTRABLE DEBT SECURITIES" shall mean (i) the Plan Notes
issued to the Trust pursuant to the Plan (if any), (ii) any other debt security
issued by the Company in exchange for, upon conversion of or as a result of a
reclassification of or otherwise in respect of the Plan Notes or any other debt
security issued by the Company that is a Registrable Debt Security, and (iii)
any debt security issued by the Company in exchange for, as a reclassification
of or otherwise in respect of any Registrable Equity Security, in each case for
so long as such debt security is owned by the Trust or a permitted transferee of
the Trust's rights under Article III hereof in accordance with Section 3.9
hereof. For the avoidance of doubt, it is understood and agreed that any
particular Registrable Debt Security shall cease to be such when (A) a
Registration Statement with respect to the sale of such security shall have
become effective under the Securities Act and such security shall have been
disposed of in accordance with such Registration Statement, (B) such security
shall have been sold pursuant to Rule 144 or (C) such security shall have ceased
to be outstanding.
"REGISTRABLE EQUITY SECURITIES" shall mean (i) the shares of
Common Stock issued to the Trust pursuant to the Plan, (ii) any additional
shares of Common Stock or other Voting Stock or other equity securities issued
by the Company to the Trust as a dividend upon or a distribution in respect of,
or upon conversion of or in exchange for or as a result of any reclassification
of, any such shares of Common Stock or any other equity security that is a
Registrable Equity Security, (iii) any equity security issued upon exercise of
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any warrant, right or option which is a Registrable Equity Security, (iv) any
equity security issued by the Company in exchange for, as a reclassification of
or otherwise in respect of any Registrable Debt Security and (v) any other
equity security which is considered a successor security in respect of any such
security as provided in Section 7.1 hereof, in each case for so long as such
equity security is owned by the Trust or a permitted transferee of the Trust's
rights under Article II hereof in accordance with Section 2.9 hereof. For the
avoidance of doubt, it is understood and agreed that any particular Registrable
Equity Security shall cease to be such when (A) a Registration Statement with
respect to the sale of such security shall have become effective under the
Securities Act and such security shall have been disposed of in accordance with
such Registration Statement, (B) such security shall have been sold pursuant to
Rule 144 or (C) such security shall have ceased to be outstanding.
"REGISTRATION STATEMENT" shall mean a registration statement
of the Company as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, including
without limitation, all exhibits, financial statements, schedules and
attachments thereto.
"RULE 144" shall mean Rule 144 promulgated by the SEC under
the Securities Act, or any similar rule or regulation permitting the sale of
securities without registration under the Securities Act, hereafter adopted by
the SEC, as the same may be amended and shall be in effect from time to time.
"SEC" shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission or any
other federal agency then administering the Securities Act and other federal
securities laws.
"SECURITIES ACT" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, or any successor federal statute, and the rules and regulations of the
SEC promulgated thereunder, all as the same may be amended and shall be in
effect from time to time.
"TRANSFER" shall mean directly or indirectly transfer, sell,
assign, donate, contribute, place in trust (including a voting trust), or
otherwise voluntarily or involuntarily dispose.
"TREASURY REGULATIONS" shall mean the regulations (including
temporary and proposed regulations) promulgated under the Internal Revenue Code
by the United States Treasury Department, as amended from time to time.
"TRUST" shall have the meaning set forth in the introductory
paragraph of this Agreement.
"TRUST AGREEMENT" shall mean the Armstrong World Industries,
Inc. Asbestos Personal Injury Settlement Trust Agreement, dated as of October 2,
2006, and entered into by the Company, the Legal Representative for
Asbestos-Related Future Claimants and the Official Committee of Asbestos
Creditors (each as appointed by the Court in the Chapter 11 Case) and the
trustees and members of the PI Trust Advisory Committee identified on the
signature page thereof.
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"TRUST PRO RATA SHARE", for purposes of Section 2.2(b) hereof,
shall mean the ratio of (i) the number of shares of Common Stock owned by the
Trust to (ii) the total number of shares of Common Stock owned by the Trust and
each Other Stockholder for whose benefit shares of Common Stock will be included
in the Registration Statement, such ratio calculated as of the date of filing of
the applicable Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2.2(b) and, for
purposes of Section 3.2(b) hereof, shall mean the ratio of (i) the aggregate
principal amount of Registrable Debt Securities owned by the Trust to (ii) the
sum of the aggregate principal amount of Registrable Debt Securities owned by
the Trust plus the aggregate principal amount of debt securities of Demanding
Other Debt Security Holders whose debt securities will be included in the
Registration Statement, such ratio calculated as of the date of filing of the
applicable Registration Statement pursuant to Section 3.2(b) .
"VOTING STOCK" shall mean shares of the Company, of any class
or series, entitled to vote for the election of directors of the Company,
including shares of Common Stock (other than preferred shares entitled to vote
for the election of directors who are to be elected only by the holders of a
particular class or series of shares, or collectively by the holders of two or
more classes or series of shares, and only in the event of an arrearage in
payment of dividends on such class or series of shares and who constitute less
than one-third of all the directors (assuming no vacancies on the board of
directors)) and any successor security as provided in Section 7.1 hereof.
Other terms are defined herein and shall have the meanings elsewhere provided
herein.
ARTICLE II
EQUITY REGISTRATION RIGHTS
2.1 Equity Security Demand Registration.
(a) Request for Equity Security Demand Registration. If
at any time after the Effective Date, the Company receives a written request (a
"DEMAND NOTICE") from the Trust requesting that the Company effect a
registration under the Securities Act of Registrable Equity Securities and
specifying the intended method or methods of disposition thereof, the Company
shall, as promptly as practicable, but in no event later than 60 days following
receipt of the Demand Notice, prepare and cause to be filed with the SEC a
Registration Statement on the appropriate form relating to resales of such
Registrable Equity Securities ("EQUITY SECURITY DEMAND Registration") and shall
use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Equity Security Demand Registration
to become effective within 90 days following the date on which it receives the
Demand Notice (including, without limitation, appropriate qualification under
applicable blue sky or other state securities laws and appropriate compliance
with applicable regulations issued under the Securities Act and any other
governmental requirements or regulations). The obligations of the Company under
this Section 2.1(a) are subject to the provisions of Section 2.(b) hereof.
(b) Conditions on Requirement to Effect Equity Security
Demand Registration.
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The obligations of the Company set forth in Section 2.1(a) are
subject to each of the following limitations, conditions and qualifications:
(i) The Company shall not be required to take any
action to effect an Equity Security Demand Registration unless the
anticipated aggregate offering price of the Registrable Equity Securities
to be offered and sold pursuant to such registration is at least
$100,000,000 (or, if the anticipated aggregates offering price for all
Registrable Equity Securities owned by the Trust at the time such demand
is made is less than $100,000,000, such lesser amount).
(ii) The Company shall not be required to take any
action to effect an Equity Security Demand Registration pursuant to
Section 2.1(a) more than once in any nine month period or at such time
when the Trust is not permitted to sell shares in accordance with Section
2.8 hereof.
(iii) The Company shall be entitled to postpone, for a
reasonable period of time (which shall be as short as practicable), during
no more than two periods aggregating not more than 90 days in any
twelve-month period, the filing or effectiveness of, or suspend the right
of the Trust to make sales pursuant to, any Registration Statement
otherwise required to be prepared, filed and made and kept effective by it
under the registration covenants described in Section 2.1 or 2.2 hereof,
in the event that (i) (A) an event has occurred or a circumstance exists
as a result of which such Registration Statement, any related Prospectus
or any document incorporated therein by reference as then amended or
supplemented or proposed to be filed would, in the Company's good faith
judgment, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state
a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the
light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading (in
which case the Company will be obligated to file an appropriate amendment
to the Registration Statement as contemplated in Section 2.3(k) hereof at
such time as required by this paragraph), and (B) either (x) the Company
has determined in its good faith judgment that the disclosure of the event
or circumstance at that time would materially and adversely affect,
interfere with or hinder the success of any financing, acquisition, merger
or similar transaction involving the Company or (y) after consultation
with the Trust concerning the matter, the Company has reasonably
determined that the disclosure would otherwise have a material adverse
effect on the business, operations or prospects of the Company or (ii) the
Company shall have received a notice issued by the SEC of a stop order
suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or the
initiation of any proceedings for that purpose. If the Company shall so
postpone the filing or effectiveness of, or suspend the rights of the
Trust to make sales pursuant to, a Registration Statement it shall
promptly notify the Trust in writing of such determination (a "SUSPENSION
NOTICE"). The Suspension Notice shall contain a statement of the reasons
for such suspension and an approximation of the anticipated delay. Upon
receipt of such Suspension Notice, to the extent applicable, the Trust
will forthwith discontinue disposition of Registrable Equity Securities
pursuant to the Registration Statement until (i) the Trust has received
copies of the supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Sections
2.3(b) and (k) hereof, or (ii) the Trust is advised in writing by the
Company that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed, and has received
8
copies of any additional or supplemental filings that are incorporated by
reference in the Prospectus (in each case, the "RECOMMENCEMENT DATE"). The
time period provided in Section 2.3(a) hereof for which the Company is
required to maintain the effectiveness of any Registration Statement shall
be extended by the aggregate number of days by which sales of securities
pursuant to any Registration Statement that has been declared effective
has been delayed, postponed or suspended by the Company pursuant to this
Section 2.1(b) (iii).
(iv) If the Company receives a request for a Equity
Security Demand Registration during a "lock-up" period (the "LOCK-UP
PERIOD") agreed to by the Trust pursuant to Section 2.8 of this Agreement
pursuant to or in connection with any underwriting or purchase agreement
relating to an offering under Rule 144A under the Securities Act (or any
successor rule or regulation, as the same may be amended or in effect from
time to time) or a registered public offering of Common Stock or
securities convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock, the Company
shall not be required to file a Registration Statement under Section 2.1
of this Agreement prior to the end of the Lock-Up Period.
(v) The Company's obligations shall be subject to the
obligations of the Trust to furnish all information and materials and to
take any and all actions as may be required of it under Federal and state
securities laws and regulations to permit the Company to comply with all
applicable requirements of the SEC and to obtain any acceleration of the
effective date of such Registration Statement. Without limiting the
generality of the forgoing, the Trust shall furnish to the Company in
writing, promptly after receipt of a request therefore, the information
specified in Item 507 or 508 of Regulation S-K, as applicable, of the
Securities Act for use in connection with any Registration Statement or
Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus included therein. The Trust agrees to
promptly furnish additional information required to be disclosed in order
to make the information previously furnished to the Company by the Trust
not materially misleading.
(vi) The Company shall not be obligated to cause any
special audit to be undertaken in connection with any Registration
Statement pursuant to this Agreement.
(c) Underwriting. The managing underwriter for any underwritten
offering of Registrable Equity Securities pursuant to an Equity Securities
Demand Registration under his Section 2.1 shall be selected by the Company and
shall be reasonably acceptable to the Trust, and the co-managing underwriter
shall be selected by the Trust and shall be reasonably acceptable to the
Company.
2.2 Piggyback Registration.
(a) If the Company at any time proposes to file on its behalf
and/or on behalf of any of its holders of equity securities other than the Trust
(collectively, the "DEMANDING OTHER EQUITY SECURITY HOLDERS") a Registration
Statement under the Securities Act on any form (other than a Registration
Statement on Form S-4 or S-8, or any successor form, for securities to be
9
offered in a transaction of the type referred to in Rule 145 under the
Securities Act or to employees of the Company pursuant to any employee benefit
plan, respectively, which may be used for the registration of shares of Common
Stock, it will give written notice of such proposed filing to the Trust at least
20 Business Days before the initial filing with the SEC of such Registration
Statement (the "PIGGYBACK NOTICE"), which Piggyback Notice shall set forth the
number of securities proposed to be offered and a description of the intended
method of disposition of such securities. The Piggyback Notice shall offer to
include in such filing such number of Registrable Equity Securities as the Trust
may request. If the registration of which the Company gives notice is for a
registered public offering involving an underwriting, the Company shall so
advise the Trust as part of the Piggyback Notice. In such event, the right of
the Trust to include its Registrable Equity Securities in the registration shall
be conditioned upon the Trust entering into an underwriting agreement in
customary form, which shall be the same for all selling shareholders, with the
managing underwriter selected for such underwriting by the Company.
(b) The Trust shall advise the Company in writing within 10
Business Days after the date of receipt of the Piggyback Notice from the
Company, of its election to accept the Company's offer to include its
Registrable Equity Securities in the Registration Statement to be filed by the
Company pursuant to Section 2.2(a), setting forth the amount of such Registrable
Equity Securities for which registration is requested. The Company shall
thereupon include in such filing the number of Registrable Equity Securities for
which registration is so requested; provided, however, that, (i) if the managing
underwriter of a proposed underwritten offering shall advise the Company in
writing that, in its opinion, the distribution of the Registrable Equity
Securities requested to be included in the registration concurrently with the
securities being registered by the Company or a Demanding Other Equity Security
Holder would adversely affect the distribution by the Company of the shares of
Common Stock of the Company or such Other Demanding Equity Security Holder, then
the Company and its underwriters shall be entitled to reduce the number of
Registrable Equity Securities to be registered by the Trust; and provided,
further, however, that, if after such reduction any shares of Common Stock are
to be included in such Registration Statement on behalf of Demanding Other
Equity Security Holders, the number of Registrable Equity Securities to be
included in such Registration Statement on behalf of the Trust shall be no less
than the Trust Pro Rata Share of all securities to be included in such
Registration Statement on behalf of all selling shareholders, and (ii) in
connection with piggyback rights in a secondary offering by a selling Demanding
Other Equity Security Holder, the number of Registrable Equity Securities to be
included in such Registration Statement on behalf of the Trust shall be no less
than the Trust Pro Rata Share of all securities to be included in such
Registration Statement.
(c) The Company shall have the right to terminate or withdraw any
registration initiated by it under this Section 2.2 prior to the effectiveness
of such registration whether or not the Trust has elected to include securities
in such registration.
2.3 Registration Procedures. If the Company is required by the
provisions of Article II to effect the registration of any Registrable Equity
Securities under the Securities Act, the Company will, as promptly as
practicable:
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(a) prepare and file in accordance with this Article II with the
SEC a Registration Statement with respect to such securities and use it
reasonable best efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become and
remain effective for at least one hundred and eighty (180) days or until the
distribution described in the Registration Statement has been completed;
(b) prepare and file with the SEC such amendments (including
post-effective amendments) to such Registration Statement, and such supplements
to the related prospectus, as may be required by the applicable rules,
regulations or instructions under the Securities Act during the applicable
period in accordance with the intended methods of disposition specified by the
Trust, (ii) make generally available earnings statements satisfying the
provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act (provided that the Company
shall be deemed to have complied with this clause if it has complied with Rule
158 under the Securities Act) and (iii) cause the related prospectus as so
supplemented to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act;
(c) notify the Trust promptly and, if requested, confirm such
notice in writing (i) when a prospectus, prospectus supplement or post-effective
amendment has been filed and, with respect to such Registration Statement or any
post-effective amendment, when the same has become effective, (ii) of any
request by the SEC for amendments or supplements to such Registration Statement
or the related Prospectus or for additional information regarding the Trust or
any Other Stockholder whose shares are registered pursuant to such Registration
Statement, (iii) of the issuance by the SEC of any stop order suspending the
effectiveness of such Registration Statement or the initiation of any
proceedings for the purpose, and (iv) of the receipt by the Company of any
notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification or exemption
from qualification of any of the Registrable Equity Securities for sale in any
jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such
purpose;
(d) use reasonable best efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any
order suspending the effectiveness of such Registration Statement, or the
lifting of any suspension of the qualification or exemption from qualification
of any Registrable Equity Securities for sale in any jurisdiction in the United
States;
(e) furnish to the Trust, counsel for the Trust and each managing
underwriter, if any, without charge, such number of copies of the Registration
Statement as initially filed with the SEC and of each pre-effective and
post-effective amendment or supplement thereto (in each case including at least
one copy of all exhibits thereto and all documents incorporated by reference
therein) and of the Prospectus included therein, including the preliminary
Prospectus and any summary Prospectus, and any other Prospectus filed under Rule
424 under the Securities Act in connection with the disposition of any
Registrable Equity Securities covered by such Registration Statement, and such
other documents as the Trust may reasonably request;
(f) use its reasonable best efforts to register or qualify the
Registrable Equity Securities covered by such Registration Statement under such
other securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions within the United States
and Puerto Rico as the Trust may reasonably request (provided, however, that the
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Company shall not be obligated to qualify as a foreign corporation to do
business under the laws of any jurisdiction in which it is not then qualified or
to file any general consent to service of process to effect such registration),
and do such other reasonable acts and things as may be required of it to enable
the Trust to consummate the disposition in such jurisdiction of the Registrable
Equity Securities covered by such Registration Statement;
(g) in the event of any underwritten public offering, use its
reasonable best efforts to furnish, at the request of the Trust, on the date
that such Registrable Equity Securities are delivered to the underwriters for
sale pursuant to such registration, (1) an opinion, dated such date, of the
independent counsel representing the Company for the purposes of such
registration, addressed to the underwriters and covering matters of the type
customarily covered in such legal opinions; (2) a comfort letter dated such
date, and updates thereof, from the independent certified public accountants who
have issued an audit report on the Company's financial statements included or
incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, addressed to the
underwriters and covering matters of the type customarily covered by such
comfort letters and as the underwriters shall reasonably request and (3) if
requested and if an underwriting agreement is entered into, indemnification of
the underwriters pursuant to provisions and procedures reasonably requested by
the underwriters; the procedures referred to in this paragraph shall be followed
at each closing under such underwriting or similar agreement, as and to the
extent required thereunder;
(h) enter into customary agreements (including an underwriting
agreement in customary form) and take such other actions as are reasonably
required in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable
Equity Securities;
(i) cooperate with the Trust, the underwriters participating in
the offering and their counsel in any due diligence investigation reasonably
requested by the Trust or the underwriters in connection therewith, and
participate, to the extent reasonably requested by the managing underwriter for
the offering or the Trust, in efforts to sell the Registrable Equity Securities
in the offering (including, without limitation, participating in "roadshow"
meetings with prospective investors) that would be customary for underwritten
primary offerings of a comparable amount of equity securities by the Company;
(j) use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Registrable
Equity Securities covered by a Registration Statement to be listed on each
national securities exchange or Nasdaq, as applicable, on which the Company's
equity securities are then listed at the time of the sale of such Registrable
Equity Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement;
(k) notify the Trust, at any time when a Prospectus is required to
be delivered under the Securities Act, upon discovery that, or upon the
happening of any event as a result of which, such Prospectus (as then in effect)
contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material
fact necessary to make the statements therein (including in a document
incorporated by reference therein), in light of the circumstances under which
they were made, not misleading, and promptly prepare a supplement or
post-effective amendment to such Registration Statement or the related
12
prospectus or a supplement or amendment to any document incorporated or deemed
to be incorporated therein by reference, and file with the SEC any other
required document so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of such
Registrable Equity Securities, such Prospectus shall not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make
the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading; and
(l) on or before the effective date of such Registration
Statement, provide the transfer agent of the Company for the Registrable Equity
Securities with printed certificates for the Registrable Equity Securities by
such Registration Statement, which are in a form eligible for deposit with The
Depository Trust Company.
2.4 Expenses. All expenses incurred in complying with Article II,
including, without limitation, all SEC or stock exchange registration or filing
fees (including all expenses incident to filing with the NASD), stock exchange
listing fees, Nasdaq quotation fees, printing expenses (including all expenses
of printing certificates for Registrable Equity Securities and of printing
prospectuses if the printing of prospectuses is requested by the Trust or the
managing underwriter, if any), fees and disbursements of counsel for the
Company, the reasonable fees and expenses of one counsel for the Trust and all
other selling security holders (selected by those holding a majority of the
Registrable Equity Securities being registered), fees of the Company's
independent public accountants and the expenses of any special audit work
incident to or required for any such registration (including expenses of any
"cold comfort" letters required in connection with this Article II), but subject
to Section 2.1(b)(vi) hereof, the expenses of complying with the securities or
blue sky laws of any jurisdiction and fees and disbursements of underwriters
customarily paid by the issuers or sellers of securities (including reasonable
fees of counsel to the underwriters), shall be paid by the Company except that
any discounts, commissions or brokers' fees or fees of similar securities
industries professionals and transfer taxes relating to the disposition of the
Registrable Equity Securities will be payable by the Trust (or other
securityholders participating in such registered offering) and the Company will
have no obligation to pay any such amounts.
2.5 Indemnification and Contribution.
(a) In the event of any registration of any Registrable Equity
Securities under the Securities Act pursuant to this Agreement, the Company
shall indemnify and hold harmless the Trust, the Trust's Affiliates, trustees,
officers and agents, and each other Person (including each underwriter) who
participated in the offering of such Registrable Equity Securities and each
other Person, if any, who controls the Trust or such participating person within
the meaning of the Securities Act, against any losses, claims, damages or
liabilities, joint or several, to which the Trust or any such Affiliate,
trustee, officer, agent or participating person or controlling person may become
subject under the Securities Act or any other statute or at common law, insofar
as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof)
arise out of or are based upon (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of any material fact contained in any Registration Statement under
which such Registrable Equity Securities were registered under the Securities
Act, any preliminary Prospectus or final Prospectus contained therein, or any
amendment or supplement thereto, or (ii) any omission or alleged omission to
13
state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make
the statements therein not misleading, and shall reimburse the Trust or such
Affiliate, director, officer, agent or participating person or controlling
person for any legal or any other expenses reasonably incurred by the Trust or
such Affiliate, director, officer, agent or participating person or controlling
person in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim,
damage, liability or action; provided, however, that the Company shall not be
liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or
liability arises out of or is based upon any actual or alleged untrue statement
or actual or alleged omission made in such Registration Statement, preliminary
Prospectus, Prospectus or amendment or supplement in reliance upon and in
conformity with written information furnished to the Company by the Trust
specifically for use therein or (in the case of any registration pursuant to
Section 2.1) so furnished for such purposes by any underwriter. Such indemnity
shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or
on behalf of the Trust or such Affiliate, director, officer, agent or
participating person or controlling person, and shall survive the transfer of
such Registrable Equity Securities by the Trust.
(b) The Trust, by acceptance hereof, agrees to indemnify and hold
harmless the Company, its directors and officers and each other person, if any,
who controls the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act against any
losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which the Company
or any such director or officer or any such person may become subject under the
Securities Act or any other statute or at common law, insofar as such losses,
claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or
are based upon (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any
material fact contained in any Registration Statement under which Registrable
Equity Securities were registered under the Securities Act, any preliminary
Prospectus or final Prospectus contained therein, or any amendment or supplement
thereto or (ii) any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein
not misleading, if in any such case such statement or alleged statement or
omission or alleged omission was made in reliance on and in conformity with
information in writing provided to the Company by the Trust specifically for use
in such Registration Statement, preliminary Prospectus or final Prospectus or
any amendment or supplement thereto. Notwithstanding the provisions of this
paragraph (b) or paragraph (c) below, the Trust shall not be required to
indemnify any person pursuant to this Section 2.5 nor to contribute pursuant to
paragraph (c) below in an amount in excess of the amount of the aggregate net
proceeds received by the Trust in connection with any such registration under
the Securities Act.
(c) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 2.5 from
the Indemnifying Party (as defined in Section 2.5(e) hereof) is unavailable to
an Indemnified Party (as defined in Section 2.5(e) hereof) hereunder in respect
of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses referred to therein,
then the Indemnifying Party, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified Party,
shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Party as a
result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses in such
proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Indemnifying
Party and Indemnified Parties in connection with the actions which resulted in
such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses, as well as any other
relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of such Indemnifying Party
14
and Indemnified Parties shall be determined by reference to, among other things,
whether any action in question, including any untrue or alleged untrue statement
of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact, has
been made by, or relates to information supplied by, such Indemnifying Party or
Indemnified Parties, and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to
information and opportunity to correct or prevent such action. The amount paid
or payable by a party as a result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities
and expenses referred to above shall be deemed to include any legal or other
fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with any
investigation or proceeding. The parties hereto agree that it would not be just
and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 2.5(c) were determined by
pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation which does not take
account of the equitable considerations referred to in this paragraph. No person
guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of
the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was
not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. If indemnification is available
under this Section 2.5, the Indemnifying Party shall indemnify the Indemnified
Party to the full extent provided in Section 2.5(a) or 2.5(b) hereof, as
applicable, without regard to the relative fault of the Indemnifying Party or
the Indemnified Party or any other equitable consideration provided for in this
Section 2.5(c).
(d) The indemnification and contribution required by this Section
2.5 shall be made by periodic payment of the amount thereof during the course of
the investigation or defense, as and when bills are received or expenses are
incurred.
(e) The party seeking indemnification pursuant to this Section 2.5
is referred to as the "INDEMNIFIED PARTY" and the party from whom
indemnification is sought under this Section 2.5 is referred to as the
"INDEMNIFYING Party." The Indemnified Party shall give prompt written notice to
the Indemnifying Party of the commencement of any action or proceeding involving
a matter referred to in Section 2.5(a) or 2.5(b) (an "ACTION"), if an
indemnification claim in respect thereof is to be made against the Indemnifying
Party; provided, however, that the failure to give such prompt notice shall not
relieve the Indemnifying Party of its indemnity obligations hereunder with
respect to such Action, except to the extent that the Indemnifying Party is
materially prejudiced by such failure. The Indemnifying Party shall be entitled
to participate in and to assume the defense of such Action, with counsel
selected by the Indemnifying Party and reasonably satisfactory to the
Indemnified Party; provided, however, that (i) the Indemnifying Party, within a
reasonable period of time after the giving of notice of such indemnification
claim by the Indemnified Party, (x) notifies the Indemnified Party of its
intention to assume such defense and (y) appoints such counsel, and (ii) the
Indemnifying Party may not, without the consent of the Indemnified Party,
consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement unless (A) there
is as part thereof no finding or admission of any violation of any rights of any
person and no effect adverse to the Indemnified Party on any other claims that
may be made against the Indemnified Party, (B) the sole relief provided is
monetary damages that are paid in full by the Indemnifying Party and (C) such
judgment or settlement includes as an unconditional term thereof the giving by
the claimant or plaintiff to such Indemnified Party of a release, in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party, from all liability
in respect of such claim or litigation for which such Indemnified Party would be
15
entitled to indemnification hereunder. If the Indemnifying Party so assumes the
defense of any such Action, (A) the Indemnifying Party shall pay all costs
associated with, any damages awarded in, and all expenses arising from the
defense or settlement of such Action, and (B) the Indemnified Party shall have
the right to employ separate counsel and to participate in (but not control) the
defense, compromise or settlement of such Action, but the fees and expenses of
such counsel shall be at the expense of the Indemnified Party except that if (x)
the Indemnified Party has been advised by its counsel that there are likely to
be one or more defenses available to it which are different from or additional
to those available to the Indemnifying Party, or (z) such counsel has been
selected by the Indemnified Party solely due to a conflict of interest which
exists between counsel selected by the Indemnifying Party and the Indemnified
Party, the Indemnifying Party shall pay in any such case that portion of the
reasonable fees and expenses of one separate counsel per Action for an
Indemnified Party (or Indemnified Parties in the aggregate, as the case may be),
that are reasonably related to matters covered by the indemnity provided in this
Section 2.5. If the Indemnifying Party does not so assume the defense of such
Action, the Indemnified Party shall be entitled to exercise control of the
defense, compromise or settlement of such Action. No Indemnified Party shall
settle or compromise any Action for which it is entitled to indemnification
under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the Indemnifying Party
(which consent may not be unreasonably withheld or delayed). The other party
shall cooperate with the party assuming the defense, compromise or settlement of
any Action in accordance with this Agreement in any manner that such party
reasonably may request and the party assuming the defense, compromise or
settlement of any Action shall keep the other party fully informed in the
defense of such Action.
2.6 Rule 144. So long as the Company has securities registered
under the Exchange Act, it shall take all actions reasonably necessary to enable
the Trust to sell Registrable Equity Securities without registration under the
Securities Act within the limitations of the exemptions provided by Rule 144,
including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, filing on a timely
basis all reports required to be filed by the Exchange Act.
2.7 Duration of Equity Registration Rights. The rights and
obligations provided for under this Article II (except for the indemnification
and contribution obligations in Section 2.5) shall terminate on the date which
is the earlier of (i) the date on which the Trust (or, in the case of a
permitted transferee of the Trust's rights under this Article II, such
transferee), in the reasonable opinion of the Trust and the Company, may sell
pursuant to Rule 144(k) any and all of the Registrable Equity Securities owned
by it and (ii) such time as the Trust (and, in the case of any permitted
transferee or transferees of the Trust's rights under this Article II, all such
permitted transferees) no longer own any Registrable Equity Securities.
2.8 "Market Stand-Off" Agreement. The Trust hereby agrees that
during the 90-day period following the effective date of a Registration
Statement of the Company filed under the Securities Act relating to the sale of
Common Stock or any other equity security of the Company for the benefit of the
Company (provided that a 180-day period shall apply in the case of a
Registration Statement related to the first registered public offering of equity
by the Company after the Effective Date, other than such an offering that is
16
registered on Form S-4 or S-8 or any similar form), it shall not, directly or
indirectly, to the extent reasonably requested by the Company and any
underwriter, sell, pledge, transfer, loan, or otherwise transfer or dispose of
(other than to donees who agree to be similarly bound) any Common Stock held by
it an any time during such period except Common Stock included in such
registration; provided, that all executive officers and directors of the Company
shall enter into written agreements in a form satisfactory to the Company and
applicable underwriter, to be similarly bound; and provided further, however,
that the market stand-off agreement contemplated by this Section 2.8 shall not
apply to any Registrable Equity Securities in respect of which the Trust is
entitled to and has exercised its demand registration rights under Section 2.1
hereof (unless and until the Registration Statement required thereby has been
declared effective and such securities have not been sold pursuant thereto
during the effective period thereof). In order to enforce the foregoing
covenant, the Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to the
Registrable Equity Securities of the Trust (and the shares or securities of
every other person subject to the foregoing restriction) until the end of such
period.
2.9 Transfer of Registration Rights. The rights of the Trust under
this Article II may be transferred by the Trust to a transferee of Registrable
Equity Securities, and by such a transferee to a subsequent transferee of
Registrable Equity Securities, but only where the transfer is not made pursuant
to an effective Registration Statement or Rule 144 and only to such a
transferee, provided that the transferee agrees in a writing executed by such
transferee to assume the applicable obligations of the Trust under this Article
II.
2.10 Granting of Additional Registration Rights. The Company shall
not, without the Trust's prior written consent, grant to any third party
piggyback registration rights with respect to an Equity Security Demand
Registration.
ARTICLE III
DEBT REGISTRATION RIGHTS
3.1 Debt Security Demand Registration.
(a) Request for Debt Security Demand Registration. If at any time
after the Effective Date, the Company receives a written request (a "DEBT
SECURITY DEMAND NOTICE") from the Trust requesting that the Company effect a
registration under the Securities Act of Registrable Debt Securities and
specifying the intended method or methods of disposition thereof, the Company
shall, as promptly as practicable, but in no event later than 60 days following
receipt of the Debt Demand Notice, prepare and cause to be filed with the SEC a
Registration Statement on the appropriate form relating to resales of such
Registrable Debt Securities ("DEBT SECURITY DEMAND REGISTRATION") and shall use
its reasonable best efforts to cause the Debt Security Demand Registration to
become effective within 90 days following the date on which it receives the Debt
Demand Notice (including, without limitation, appropriate qualification under
applicable blue sky or other state securities laws and appropriate compliance
with applicable regulations issued under the Securities Act and any other
governmental requirements or regulations). The obligations of the Company under
this Section 3.1(a) are subject to the provisions of Section 3.2(b) hereof.
17
(b) Conditions on Requirement to Effect Debt Security Demand
Registration.
The obligations of the Company set forth in Section 3.1(a) are
subject to each of the following limitations, conditions and qualifications:
(i) The Company shall not be required to take any
action to effect a Debt Security Demand Registration unless the
anticipated aggregate offering price of the Registrable Debt Securities to
be offered and sold pursuant to such registration is at least $100,000,000
(or, if the anticipated aggregate offering price for all Registrable Debt
Securities owned by the Trust at the time such demand is made is less than
$100,000,000, such lesser amount).
(ii) The Company shall not be required to take any
action to effect a Debt Security Demand Registration pursuant to Section
3.1(a) more than once in any nine month period or at such time when the
Trust is not permitted to sell debt securities in accordance with Section
3.8 hereof.
The Company shall be entitled to postpone, for a reasonable period of time
(which shall be as short as practicable), during no more than two periods
aggregating not more than 90 days in any twelve-month period, the filing or
effectiveness of, or suspend the right of the Trust to make sales pursuant to,
any Registration Statement otherwise required to be prepared, filed and made and
kept effective by it under the registration covenants described in Section 3.1
or 3.2 hereof, in the event that (i) (A) an event has occurred or a circumstance
exists as a result of which such Registration Statement, any related Prospectus
or any document incorporated therein by reference as then amended or
supplemented or proposed to be filed would, in the Company's good faith
judgment, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a
material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of
the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading (in which case the
Company will be obligated to file an appropriate amendment to the Registration
Statement as contemplated in Section 2.3(k) hereof at such time as required by
this paragraph), and (B) either (x) the Company has determined in its good faith
judgment that the disclosure of the event or circumstance at that time would
materially and adversely affect, interfere with or hinder the success of any
financing, acquisition, merger or similar transaction involving the Company or
(y) after consultation with the Trust concerning the matter, the Company has
reasonably determined that the disclosure would otherwise have a material
adverse effect on the business, operations or prospects of the Company or (ii)
the Company shall have received a notice issued by the SEC of a stop order
suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or the initiation of
any proceedings for that purpose. If the Company shall so postpone the filing or
effectiveness of, or suspend the rights of the Trust to make sales pursuant to,
a Registration Statement it shall promptly notify the Trust in writing of such
determination (a "DEBT OFFERING SUSPENSION NOTICE"). The Debt Offering
Suspension Notice shall contain a statement of the reasons for such suspension
and an approximation of the anticipated delay. Upon receipt of such Debt
Offering Suspension Notice, to the extent applicable, the Trust will forthwith
discontinue disposition of Registrable Debt Securities pursuant to the
Registration Statement until (i) the Trust has received copies of the
18
supplemented or amended Prospectus contemplated by Section 3.3(b) hereof, or
(ii) the Trust is advised in writing by the Company that the use of the
Prospectus may be resumed, and has received copies of any additional or
supplemental filings that are incorporated by reference in the Prospectus (in
each case, the "DEBT OFFERING RECOMMENCEMENT DATE"). The time period provided in
Section 3.3(a) hereof for which the Company is required to maintain the
effectiveness of any Registration Statement shall be extended by the aggregate
number of days by which sales of securities pursuant to any Registration
Statement that has been declared effective has been delayed, postponed or
suspended by the Company pursuant to this Section 3.1(b) (iii).
(iii) If the Company receives a request for a Debt
Security Demand Registration during a "lock-up" period (the "DEBT OFFERING
LOCK-UP PERIOD") agreed to by the Trust pursuant to Section 3.8 hereof
pursuant to or in connection with any underwriting or purchase agreement
relating to an offering under Rule 144A under the Securities Act (or any
successor rule or regulation, as the same may be amended or in effect from
time to time) or a registered public offering of debt securities of the
Company, the Company shall not be required to file a Registration
Statement under Section 3.1 of this Agreement prior to the end of the Debt
Offering Lock-Up Period.
(iv) The Company's obligations shall be subject to the
obligations of the Trust to furnish all information and materials and to
take any and all actions as may be required of it under Federal and state
securities laws and regulations to permit the Company to comply with all
applicable requirements of the SEC and to obtain any acceleration of the
effective date of such Registration Statement. Without limiting the
generality of the forgoing, the Trust shall furnish to the Company in
writing, promptly after receipt of a request therefore, the information
specified in Item 507 or 508 of Regulation S-K, as applicable, of the
Securities Act for use in connection with any Registration Statement or
Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus included therein. The Trust agrees to
promptly furnish additional information required to be disclosed in order
to make the information previously furnished to the Company by the Trust
not materially misleading.
(v) The Company shall not be obligated to cause any
special audit to be undertaken in connection with any Registration
Statement pursuant to this Agreement.
(c) Underwriting. The managing underwriter for any underwritten
offering of Registrable Debt Securities pursuant to an Debt Securities Demand
Registration under his Section 3.1 shall be selected by the Company and shall be
reasonably acceptable to the Trust, and the co-managing underwriter shall be
selected by the Trust and shall be reasonably acceptable to the Company.
3.2 Shelf Registration. At such time as the Company is eligible to
register the Trust's Registrable Debt Securities on a Registration Statement on
Form S-3, upon written request from the Trust, the Company shall file a
Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act (the "SHELF
REGISTRATION STATEMENT").
19
3.3 Registration Procedures. If the Company is required by the
provisions of Article III to effect the registration of any Registrable Debt
Securities under the Securities Act, the Company will, as promptly as
practicable:
(a) prepare and file in accordance with this Article III with the
SEC a Registration Statement with respect to such securities and use its
reasonable best efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become and
remain effective for at least one hundred and eighty (180) days (or in the case
of a Shelf Registration Statement, for two years) or until the distribution
described in the Registration Statement has been completed;
(b) prepare and file with the SEC such amendments (including
post-effective amendments) to such Registration Statement, and such supplements
to the related prospectus, as may be required by the applicable rules,
regulations or instructions under the Securities Act during the applicable
period in accordance with the intended methods of disposition specified by the
Trust, (ii) make generally available earnings statements satisfying the
provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act (provided that the Company
shall be deemed to have complied with this clause if it has complied with Rule
158 under the Securities Act) and (iii) cause the related prospectus as so
supplemented to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act;
(c) notify the Trust promptly and, if requested, confirm such
notice in writing (i) when a prospectus, prospectus supplement or post-effective
amendment has been filed and, with respect to such Registration Statement or any
post-effective amendment, when the same has become effective, (ii) of any
request by the SEC for amendments or supplements to such Registration Statement
or the related Prospectus or for additional information regarding the Trust or
any other securityholder whose securities are registered pursuant to such
Registration Statement, (iii) of the issuance by the SEC of any stop order
suspending the effectiveness of such Registration Statement or the initiation of
any proceedings for the purpose, and (iv) of the receipt by the Company of any
notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification or exemption
from qualification of any of the Registrable Debt Securities for sale in any
jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such
purpose;
(d) use reasonable best efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any
order suspending the effectiveness of such Registration Statement, or the
lifting of any suspension of the qualification or exemption from qualification
of any Registrable Debt Securities for sale in any jurisdiction in the United
States;
(e) furnish to the Trust, counsel for the Trust and each managing
underwriter, if any, without charge, such number of copies of the Registration
Statement as initially filed with the SEC and of each pre-effective and
post-effective amendment or supplement thereto (in each case including at least
one copy of all exhibits thereto and all documents incorporated by reference
therein) and of the Prospectus included therein, including the preliminary
Prospectus and any summary Prospectus, and any other Prospectus filed under Rule
424 under the Securities Act in connection with the disposition of any
Registrable Debt Securities covered by such Registration Statement, and such
other documents as the Trust may reasonably request;
20
(f) use its reasonable best efforts to register or qualify the
Registrable Debt Securities covered by such Registration Statement under such
other securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions within the United States
and Puerto Rico as the Trust may reasonably request (provided, however, that the
Company shall not be obligated to qualify as a foreign corporation to do
business under the laws of any jurisdiction in which it is not then qualified or
to file any general consent to service of process to effect such registration),
and do such other reasonable acts and things as may be required of it to enable
the Trust to consummate the disposition in such jurisdiction of the Registrable
Debt Securities covered by such Registration Statement;
(g) in the event of any underwritten public offering, use its
reasonable best efforts to furnish, at the request of the Trust, on the date
that such Registrable Debt Securities are delivered to the underwriters for sale
pursuant to such registration, (1) an opinion, dated such date, of the
independent counsel representing the Company for the purposes of such
registration, addressed to the underwriters and covering matters of the type
customarily covered in such legal opinions; (2) a comfort letter dated such
date, and updates thereof, from the independent certified public accountants who
have issued an audit report on the Company's financial statements included or
incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, addressed to the
underwriters and covering matters of the type customarily covered by such
comfort letters and as the underwriters shall reasonably request and (3) if
requested and if an underwriting agreement is entered into, indemnification of
the underwriters pursuant to provisions and procedures reasonably requested by
the underwriters; the procedures referred to in this paragraph shall be followed
at each closing under such underwriting or similar agreement, as and to the
extent required thereunder;
(h) enter into customary agreements (including an underwriting
agreement in customary form) and take such other actions as are reasonably
required in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of such Registrable
Debt Securities;
(i) cooperate with the Trust, the underwriters participating in
the offering and their counsel in any due diligence investigation reasonably
requested by the Trust or the underwriters in connection therewith, and
participate, to the extent reasonably requested by the managing underwriter for
the offering or the Trust, in efforts to sell the Registrable Debt Securities in
the offering (including, without limitation, participating in "roadshow"
meetings with prospective investors) that would be customary for underwritten
primary offerings of a comparable amount of debt securities by the Company;
(j) use its reasonable best efforts to cause the Registrable Debt
Securities covered by a Registration Statement to be listed on each national
securities exchange on which the Company's debt securities are then listed at
the time of the sale of such Registrable Debt Securities pursuant to such
Registration Statement;
(k) notify the Trust, at any time when a Prospectus is required to
be delivered under the Securities Act, upon discovery that, or upon the
happening of any event as a result of which, such Prospectus (as then in effect)
contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material
fact necessary to make the statements therein (including in a document
incorporated by reference therein), in light of the circumstances under which
21
they were made, not misleading, and promptly prepare a supplement or
post-effective amendment to such Registration Statement or the related
prospectus or a supplement or amendment to any document incorporated or deemed
to be incorporated therein by reference, and file with the SEC any other
required document so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of such
Registrable Debt Securities, such Prospectus shall not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make
the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were
made, not misleading;
(l) on or before the effective date of such Registration
Statement, provide the transfer agent of the Company for the Registrable Debt
Securities with printed certificates for the Registrable Debt Securities by such
Registration Statement, which are in a form eligible for deposit with The
Depository Trust Company; and
(m) to the extent necessary, qualify the indenture under which the
Registrable Debt Securities were issued under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939,
as amended.
3.4 Expenses. All expenses incurred in complying with Article III,
including, without limitation, all SEC or stock exchange registration or filing
fees (including all expenses incident to filing with the NASD), stock exchange
listing fees, Nasdaq quotation fees, printing expenses (including all expenses
of printing certificates for Registrable Debt Securities and of printing
prospectuses if the printing of prospectuses is requested by the Trust or the
managing underwriter, if any), fees and disbursements of counsel for the
Company, the reasonable fees and expenses of one counsel for the Trust and all
other selling security holders (selected by those holding a majority of the
Registrable Debt Securities being registered), fees of the Company's independent
public accountants and the expenses of any special audit work incident to or
required for any such registration (including expenses of any "cold comfort"
letters required in connection with this Article III), but subject to Section
3.1(b)(vi) hereof, the expenses of complying with the securities or blue sky
laws of any jurisdiction and fees and disbursements of underwriters customarily
paid by the issuers or sellers of securities (including reasonable fees of
counsel to the underwriters), shall be paid by the Company except that any
discounts, commissions or brokers' fees or fees of similar securities industries
professionals and transfer taxes relating to the disposition of the Registrable
Debt Securities will be payable by the Trust (or other securityholders
participating in such registered offering) and the Company will have no
obligation to pay any such amounts.
3.5 Indemnification and Contribution.
(a) In the event of any registration of any Registrable Debt
Securities under the Securities Act pursuant to this Agreement, the Company
shall indemnify and hold harmless the Trust, the Trust's Affiliates, trustees,
officers and agents, and each other Person (including each underwriter) who
participated in the offering of such Registrable Debt Securities and each other
Person, if any, who controls the Trust or such participating person within the
meaning of the Securities Act, against any losses, claims, damages or
liabilities, joint or several, to which the Trust or any such Affiliate,
trustee, officer, agent or participating person or controlling person may become
subject under the Securities Act or any other statute or at common law, insofar
22
as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof)
arise out of or are based upon (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of any material fact contained in any Registration Statement under
which such Registrable Debt Securities were registered under the Securities Act,
any preliminary Prospectus or final Prospectus contained therein, or any
amendment or supplement thereto, or (ii) any omission or alleged omission to
state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make
the statements therein not misleading, and shall reimburse the Trust or such
Affiliate, director, officer, agent or participating person or controlling
person for any legal or any other expenses reasonably incurred by the Trust or
such Affiliate, director, officer, agent or participating person or controlling
person in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim,
damage, liability or action; provided, however, that the Company shall not be
liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or
liability arises out of or is based upon any actual or alleged untrue statement
or actual or alleged omission made in such Registration Statement, preliminary
Prospectus, Prospectus or amendment or supplement in reliance upon and in
conformity with written information furnished to the Company by the Trust
specifically for use therein or (in the case of any registration pursuant to
Section 3.1) so furnished for such purposes by any underwriter. Such indemnity
shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or
on behalf of the Trust or such Affiliate, director, officer, agent or
participating person or controlling person, and shall survive the transfer of
such Registrable Debt Securities by the Trust.
(b) The Trust, by acceptance hereof, agrees to indemnify and hold
harmless the Company, its directors and officers and each other person, if any,
who controls the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act against any
losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which the Company
or any such director or officer or any such person may become subject under the
Securities Act or any other statute or at common law, insofar as such losses,
claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or
are based upon (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any
material fact contained in any Registration Statement under which Registrable
Debt Securities were registered under the Securities Act, any preliminary
Prospectus or final Prospectus contained therein, or any amendment or supplement
thereto or (ii) any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein
not misleading, if in any such case such statement or alleged statement or
omission or alleged omission was made in reliance on and in conformity with
information in writing provided to the Company by the Trust specifically for use
in such Registration Statement, preliminary Prospectus or final Prospectus or
any amendment or supplement thereto. Notwithstanding the provisions of this
paragraph (b) or paragraph (c) below, the Trust shall not be required to
indemnify any person pursuant to this Section 3.5 nor to contribute pursuant to
paragraph (c) below in an amount in excess of the amount of the aggregate net
proceeds received by the Trust in connection with any such registration under
the Securities Act.
(c) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 3.5 from
an Indemnifying Party (as defined in Section 3.5(e) hereof) is unavailable
hereunder to an Indemnified Party (as defined in Section 3.5(e) hereof) in
respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses referred to
herein, then the Indemnifying Party, in lieu of indemnifying such Indemnified
23
Party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such Indemnified Party
as a result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses in such
proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the Indemnifying
Party and Indemnified Parties in connection with the actions which resulted in
such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses, as well as any other
relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of such Indemnifying Party
and Indemnified Parties shall be determined by reference to, among other things,
whether any action in question, including any untrue or alleged untrue statement
of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact, has
been made by, or relates to information supplied by, such Indemnifying Party or
Indemnified Parties, and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to
information and opportunity to correct or prevent such action. The amount paid
or payable by a party as a result of the losses, claims, damages, liabilities
and expenses referred to above shall be deemed to include any legal or other
fees or expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with any
investigation or proceeding. The parties hereto agree that it would not be just
and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 3.5(c) were determined by
pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation which does not take
account of the equitable considerations referred to in this paragraph. No person
guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of
the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any Person who was
not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. If indemnification is available
under this Section 3.5, the Indemnifying Party shall indemnify the Indemnified
Party to the full extent provided in Section 3.5(a) or 3.5(b) hereof, as
applicable, without regard to the relative fault of the Indemnifying Party or
the Indemnified Party or any other equitable consideration provided for in this
Section 3.5(c).
(d) The indemnification and contribution required by this Section
3.5 shall be made by periodic payment of the amount thereof during the course of
the investigation or defense, as and when bills are received or expenses are
incurred.
(e) The party seeking indemnification pursuant to this Section 3.5
is referred to in this Section 3.5 as the "INDEMNIFIED PARTY" and the party from
whom indemnification is sought under this Section 3.5 is referred to as the
"INDEMNIFYING PARTY." The Indemnified Party shall give prompt written notice to
the Indemnifying Party of the commencement of any action or proceeding involving
a matter referred to in Section 3.5(a) or 3.5(b) (an "Action"), if an
indemnification claim in respect thereof is to be made against the Indemnifying
Party; provided, however, that the failure to give such prompt notice shall not
relieve the Indemnifying Party of its indemnity obligations hereunder with
respect to such Action, except to the extent that the Indemnifying Party is
materially prejudiced by such failure. The Indemnifying Party shall be entitled
to participate in and to assume the defense of such Action, with counsel
selected by the Indemnifying Party and reasonably satisfactory to the
Indemnified Party; provided, however, that (i) the Indemnifying Party, within a
reasonable period of time after the giving of notice of such indemnification
claim by the Indemnified Party, (x) notifies the Indemnified Party of its
intention to assume such defense and (y) appoints such counsel, and (ii) the
Indemnifying Party may not, without the consent of the Indemnified Party,
consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement unless (A) there
is as part thereof no finding or admission of any violation of any rights of any
person and no effect adverse to the Indemnified Party on any other claims that
24
may be made against the Indemnified Party, (B) the sole relief provided is
monetary damages that are paid in full by the Indemnifying Party and (C) such
judgment or settlement includes as an unconditional term thereof the giving by
the claimant or plaintiff to such Indemnified Party of a release, in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified Party, from all liability
in respect of such claim or litigation for which such Indemnified Party would be
entitled to indemnification hereunder. If the Indemnifying Party so assumes the
defense of any such Action, (A) the Indemnifying Party shall pay all costs
associated with, any damages awarded in, and all expenses arising from the
defense or settlement of such Action, and (B) the Indemnified Party shall have
the right to employ separate counsel and to participate in (but not control) the
defense, compromise or settlement of such Action, but the fees and expenses of
such counsel shall be at the expense of the Indemnified Party except that if (x)
the Indemnified Party has been advised by its counsel that there are likely to
be one or more defenses available to it which are different from or additional
to those available to the Indemnifying Party, or (z) such counsel has been
selected by the Indemnified Party solely due to a conflict of interest which
exists between counsel selected by the Indemnifying Party and the Indemnified
Party, the Indemnifying Party shall pay in any such case that portion of the
reasonable fees and expenses of one separate counsel per Action for an
Indemnified Party (or Indemnified Parties in the aggregate, as the case may be),
that are reasonably related to matters covered by the indemnity provided in this
Section 3.5. If the Indemnifying Party does not so assume the defense of such
Action, the Indemnified Party shall be entitled to exercise control of the
defense, compromise or settlement of such Action. No Indemnified Party shall
settle or compromise any Action for which it is entitled to indemnification
under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the Indemnifying Party
(which consent may not be unreasonably withheld or delayed). The other party
shall cooperate with the party assuming the defense, compromise or settlement of
any Action in accordance with this Agreement in any manner that such party
reasonably may request and the party assuming the defense, compromise or
settlement of any Action shall keep the other party fully informed in the
defense of such Action.
3.6 Rule 144. So long as the Company has securities registered
under the Exchange Act, it shall take all actions reasonably necessary to enable
the Trust to sell Registrable Debt Securities without registration under the
Securities Act within the limitations of the exemptions provided by Rule 144,
including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, filing on a timely
basis all reports required to be filed by the Exchange Act.
3.7 Duration of Debt Registration Rights. The rights and
obligations provided for under this Article III (except for the indemnification
and contribution obligations in Section 3.5) shall terminate on the date which
is the earlier of (i) the date on which the Trust (or, in the case of a
permitted transferee of the Trust's rights under this Article III, such
transferee), in the reasonable opinion of the Trust and the Company, may sell
pursuant to Rule 144(k) any and all of the Registrable Debt Securities owned by
it and (ii) such time as the Trust (and, in the case of any permitted transferee
or transferees of the Trust's rights under this Article III, all such permitted
transferees) no longer own any Registrable Debt Securities.
25
3.8 "Market Stand-Off" Agreement. The Trust hereby agrees that
during the 90-day period following (x) the effective date of a Registration
Statement of the Company filed under the Securities Act relating to a public
offering of debt securities of the Company for the benefit of the Company (but
not including any Registration Statement filed in connection with a new issue of
debt securities to be offered in exchange for debt securities issued under Rule
144A of the Securities Act) or (y) the date on which the Company executes a
purchase agreement relating to an offering by the Company of its debt securities
under Rule 144A of the Securities Act, it shall not, directly or indirectly, to
the extent reasonably requested by the Company and any underwriter (or in the
case of a Rule 144A offering, any initial purchaser), sell, pledge, transfer,
loan, or otherwise transfer or dispose of (other than to donees who agree to be
similarly bound) any debt securities held by it at any time during such period
except debt securities included in such registration; provided however, that the
market stand-off agreement contemplated by this Section 3.8 shall not apply to
any Registrable Debt Securities in respect of which the Trust is entitled to and
has exercised its demand registration rights under Section 3.1 hereof (unless
and until the Registration Statement required thereby has been declared
effective and such securities have not been sold pursuant thereto during the
effective period thereof). In order to enforce the foregoing covenant, the
Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to the Registrable
Debt Securities of the Trust (and the shares or securities of every other person
subject to the foregoing restriction) until the end of such period.
3.9 Transfer of Registration Rights. The rights of the Trust under
this Article III may be transferred by the Trust to a transferee of Registrable
Debt Securities, and by such a transferee to a subsequent transferee of
Registrable Debt Securities, but only where the transfer is not made pursuant to
an effective Registration Statement or Rule 144 and only to such a transferee,
provided that the transferee agrees in a writing executed by such transferee to
assume the applicable obligations of the Trust under this Article III.
3.10 Granting of Additional Registration Rights. The Company shall
not, without the Trust's prior written consent, grant to any third party
piggyback registration rights with respect to any Debt Security Demand
Registration.
ARTICLE IV
TAG-ALONG RIGHTS
4.1 Restrictions on Transfer of Shares of Common Stock by the
Trust. Until such time as the Trust ceases to own 20% or more of the Voting
Stock, the Trust will not Transfer, in one transaction or a series of related
transactions, any shares of Common Stock representing more than five percent of
the outstanding shares of Common Stock (or any shares of Voting Stock entitling
the holders thereof to cast more than five percent of all the votes which the
holders of all outstanding shares of Voting Stock are entitled to cast in the
election of directors of the Company) to any Person (a "PROPOSED PURCHASER")
who, after giving effect to the transaction or series of related transactions,
would Beneficially Own shares of Voting Stock entitling the holders thereof to
cast more than 35% of the votes which the holders of all outstanding shares of
Voting Stock are entitled to cast in the election of directors of the Company or
more of such votes than the Trust is entitled to cast), and the Company shall
26
not be required to register or give effect to any such Transfer, unless (A) such
Transfer is (1) pursuant to a bona fide public distribution made under an
effective Registration Statement under the Securities Act, (2) in a transaction
satisfying the requirements of Regulation S under the Securities Act, or (3) in
a transaction satisfying the requirements of Rule 144 under the Securities Act,
other than by reason of satisfying the provisions of Rule 144(k) thereof or (4)
is effected through "brokers' transactions" within the meaning of Section 4(4)
of the Securities Act or a transaction with a "market maker" as defined in
Section 3(c)(38) of the Exchange Act, or (B) all Other Stockholders are afforded
the opportunity to participate in the transaction or series of transactions on
the same terms as the Trust, which requirement shall be deemed satisfied if the
Other Stockholders are provided an opportunity to sell the shares of Voting
Stock they own in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.2 below, or (C) in
the case of a disposition of shares of Voting Stock by the Trust pursuant to a
merger, consolidation, recapitalization or similar corporate transaction
involving the Company, the material terms of the transaction have been approved
by a majority of the Disinterested Directors or such vote of the holders of the
shares of Common Stock of the Company is required by law, the Articles of
Incorporation or the Bylaws or applicable listing standards; provided, however,
that, if the transaction would result in the Trust receiving a type or amount of
consideration per share in respect of its shares that is different from the
Other Stockholders, the transaction has been approved by the affirmative vote of
the holders of a majority of the shares of Common Stock not Beneficially Owned
by the Settlement Trust (in addition to approval by any other shareholder vote
required). The entry by the Settlement Trust into a prepaid variable share
forward contract or other derivative contract (such as those known as TRACES or
SAILS) shall not constitute a Transfer of shares for purposes of this paragraph,
even if it relates to shares of Voting Stock entitling the holders thereof to
cast more than five percent of all the votes which the holders of all
outstanding shares of Voting Stock are entitled to cast in the election of
directors of the Corporation), to the extent such contract is a legitimate
hedging transaction and neither such contract nor the settlement thereof will
result in a counterparty becoming the Beneficial Owner of shares of Voting Stock
entitling the holders thereof to cast more than 35% of the votes which the
holders of all outstanding shares of Voting Stock are entitled to cast in the
election of directors of the Corporation or more of such votes than the
Settlement Trust is entitled to cast).
4.2 Offer to Other Stockholders. The terms and conditions of a
Transfer by the Trust of shares of Common Stock to a Proposed Purchaser will be
deemed permitted by clause (B) of the first sentence of Section 4.1 hereof if,
in connection with such Transfer, the Proposed Purchaser shall have publicly
undertaken to commence a tender offer in accordance with the Exchange Act and
the applicable regulations thereunder, which shall be scheduled to close not
later than 60 days after the Transfer of the Trust's shares (subject to any
extension where required to satisfy conditions established by such tender
offer), pursuant to which the Other Stockholders will have the right to tender
for purchase for the same type and amount of consideration per share available
to the Trust in the Transfer, at each Other Stockholder's option, a number of
shares of Common Stock equal to the product of (i) the total number of the
shares of Common Stock owned by the Other Stockholder and (ii) a fraction, the
numerator of which shall be the number of shares of Common Stock that the Trust
proposes so to Transfer to the Proposed Purchaser and the denominator of which
shall be the total number of shares of Common Stock then owned by the Trust.
27
4.3 Third Party Beneficiary Rights. The Other Stockholders are
intended to be, and shall be, third party beneficiaries of the covenants and
agreements of this Article IV, which shall inure to the benefit of the Other
Stockholders, who, individually or as a class, shall be entitled to rely on and,
subject to the limitations set forth herein, enforce such covenants and
agreements, to the same extent as if they were a party to this Agreement. The
provisions of this Article IV may not be amended in such a way as to extinguish
or alter the rights of the Other Stockholders under this Article IV without the
consent of Other Stockholders representing at least two-thirds of the shares of
Common Stock not beneficially owned by the Trust; provided that, if any payment
is to be made to any Other Stockholder for its consent, such amendment shall not
be binding on any Other Stockholder who does not consent.
ARTICLE V
CERTAIN COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY
5.1 Approval Requirements Respecting A Shareholder Rights Plan.
Until such time as the Trust ceases to own 20% or more of the Voting Stock, the
Company shall not, without the prior written approval of the Trust, adopt or
maintain a shareholder rights plan, "poison pill" or any similar plan (however
designated) which provides some, but not all, holders of shares of Common Stock,
in the event of the acquisition by any person or group of persons acting in
concert of shares of Voting Stock constituting more than a specified level of
ownership of the Corporation and with or without additional conditions or
exceptions (an "ACQUIRING PERSON"), the right to acquire securities of the
Company or of any successor company, or of any controlling person thereof, on
more favorable terms than available to the Acquiring Person, or which is
otherwise designed to, or has the effect of, similarly making acquisition of
additional shares of the Company's Voting Stock by an Acquiring Person more
difficult or expensive than would be the case in the absence of such shareholder
rights or similar plan by providing to other shareholders any right or benefit
which the Acquiring Person is not accorded.
ARTICLE VI
VOTING AGREEMENT AND RELATED COVENANTS OF THE TRUST
6.1 Independent Directors. Until the earlier of (i) the tenth
anniversary of the Effective Date and (ii) such time as the Trust ceases to
Beneficially Own 20% or more of the Voting Stock, the Trust shall not, in
connection with any election of directors of the Company, knowingly nominate for
election or vote, or cause to be voted, any shares of Voting Stock Beneficially
Owned by the Trust or which the Trust has the power to vote (whether shares now
owned or hereafter acquired by the Trust) in favor of the election as a director
of an individual, if, to the best knowledge of the Trust, by reason of such
individual's election, a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of
the Company would cease to be Independent Directors. The foregoing provisions of
this section shall not prevent the Trust from withholding its vote from any
nominee for election as a director or voting in favor of the removal of any
director, even if, as a result of such individual's election or removal, a
majority of the members of the Board of Directors would cease to be Independent
28
Directors; provided, however, that the Trust, in good faith, shall not engage in
a pattern of removal of directors so as knowingly to cause the composition of
the Board of Directors to fail on an on-going basis to include a majority of
Independent Directors. The Trust may conclusively rely on the determination of
the Board of Directors as to whether or not any individual is an Independent
Director but shall not be bound by the determination of the Board of Directors
with respect thereto.
6.2 Approval of New Long-term Incentive Plan. The Trust shall vote
any shares of Voting Stock Beneficially Owned by the Trust so that the New
Long-Term Incentive Plan is authorized, approved and/or ratified by the
shareholders of the Company as may from time to time be required by any legal
regulation or listing standard or to satisfy any tax requirement; provided,
however, that such vote is sought not later than December 31, 2006.
6.3 Certain Director Elections. In connection with the election of
directors of the Company at the annual meeting of shareholders of the Company
first held in 2008, the Trust shall vote any shares of Voting Stock Beneficially
Owned by the Trust in favor of the re-election of the two initial directors of
the Company as of the Effective Date identified on Schedule 6.3 hereto (or in
each case his successors if he has not served his full initial term of office),
if such individual is nominated (whether by the Board or any shareholder if the
Board shall not have nominated such individual) for election as a director and
such individual is available and willing to serve as such, or, in the case of
either of such individuals, if he is not nominated for re-election (by the Board
or any shareholder) or is not available or willing to serve as a director, for
the nominee of the Board of Directors nominated in accordance with the
provisions of Section 4B of Article II of the Bylaws. In addition, in the event
a director is to be elected by the shareholders to fill a vacancy in the
position on the Board of Directors filled by such individual, or his successor,
occurring before the first annual meeting of shareholders held in 2009, the
Trust shall likewise vote any shares of Voting Stock Beneficially Owned by the
Trust in favor of the election of the individual nominated by the Board to fill
such vacancy in accordance with Section 4B of Article II of the Bylaws.
6.4 Third Party Beneficiary Rights. The Other Stockholders are
intended to be, and shall be, third party beneficiaries of the covenants and
agreements contained in Section 6.3 hereof, which shall inure to the benefit of
the Other Stockholders, who, individually or as a class, shall be entitled to
rely on and, subject to the limitations set forth herein, enforce such covenants
and agreements, to the same extent as if they were a party to this Agreement.
The provisions of this Article VI may not be amended in such a way as to
extinguish or alter the rights of the Other Stockholders under this Article VI
without the consent of Other Stockholders representing at least two-thirds of
the shares of Common Stock not beneficially owned by the Trust; provided that,
if any payment is to be made to any Other Stockholder for its consent, such
amendment shall not be binding on any Other Stockholder who does not consent.
29
ARTICLE VII
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
7.1 Successor Securities. The provisions of this Agreement
pertaining to shares of Common Stock or Voting Stock shall apply equally to any
additional shares of Common Stock authorized after the Effective Date and any
shares of the Company, regardless of class, series, designation or par value,
that are issued as a dividend on or in any other distribution in respect of, or
as a result of a reclassification (including a change in par value) in respect
of, shares of Common Stock or any other shares of Voting Stock or other shares
of the Company which, as provided by this section, are considered as shares of
Common Stock for purposes of this Agreement and shall also apply to any voting
equity security (or, in the case of Article II, any equity security even if not
voting) issued by any company that succeeds, by merger, consolidation, a share
exchange, a reorganization of the Company or any similar transaction, to all or
substantially all the business of the Company, or to the ownership thereof, if
such security was issued in exchange for or otherwise as consideration for or in
respect of shares of Common Stock (or other shares considered as shares of
Common Stock, as provided by this Section) in connection with such succession
transaction.
7.2 Equitable Relief. It is hereby acknowledged that irreparable
harm would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this Agreement were
not performed fully by the parties hereto in accordance with the terms specified
herein, and that monetary damages are an inadequate remedy for breach of this
Agreement because of the difficulty of ascertaining and quantifying the amount
of damage that will be suffered by the parties relying hereon in the event that
the undertakings and provisions contained in this Agreement were breached or
violated. Accordingly, each party hereto hereby agrees that each other party
hereto shall be entitled to an injunction or injunctions to restrain, enjoin and
prevent breaches of the undertakings and provisions hereof and to enforce
specifically the undertakings and provisions hereof in any court of the United
States or any state having jurisdiction over the matter; it being understood
that such remedies shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other rights
and remedies available at law or in equity.
7.3 No Inconsistent Agreements. The Company has not previously, or
simultaneously, entered into any agreement with respect to any of its securities
granting any registration rights to any person. The Company shall not hereafter
enter into any agreement with respect to its securities which is inconsistent
with the rights granted to the Trust in this Agreement or which violates any of
the covenants of the Company made in this Agreement. The Trust has not
previously, or simultaneously, entered into any agreement which is inconsistent
with the performance of its obligations hereunder and shall not do so.
7.4 Amendments and Waivers. The provisions of this Agreement may
be amended, modified or supplemented, and waivers or consents to departure from
the provisions hereof may be given, only in a writing executed by the Company
and the Trust. To the extent permitted by law, no failure to exercise, and no
delay on the part of the Trust or the Company in exercising any power or right
in connection with this Agreement, or available at law or in equity, shall
operate as a waiver thereof, and no single or partial exercise of any such right
30
or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such right or
power, shall preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of
any other rights or powers. Any written modification or waiver of any provision
of this Agreement shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the
purpose for which it is given.
7.5 Notice Generally. Any notice, demand, request, consent,
approval, declaration, delivery or other communication to be made pursuant to
the provisions of this Agreement or in connection herewith shall be deemed
delivered, served and received: (i) when delivered by hand to the recipient
named below, (ii) on the date of delivery to the address indicated below,
properly addressed, as confirmed by the agency or firm making delivery if the
notice is delivered by regularly operating overnight delivery service, such as
Federal Express, (iii) on the date of delivery to the address indicated below,
properly addressed, if sent via the United States Postal Service when sent by
either registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested,
(iv) if on a business day, on the date sent via telecopy, provided such delivery
is confirmed (via a fax confirmation report), or (v) five business days after
having been deposited with the United States Postal Service, properly addressed
and postage prepaid. Notices shall be addressed by name and address to the
recipient, as follows:
if to the Trust, at:
Armstrong World Industries, Inc. Asbestos Personal Injury
Settlement Trust
c/o Kevin E. Irwin, Esq.
Keating, Muething & Klekamp PLL
One East Fourth Street, Suite 1400
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
Telecopy No.: 513-579-6457
with a copy similarly sent to:
Keating, Muething & Klekamp LLP
One East Fourth Street, Suite 1400
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
Attention: Kevin Irwin, Esq.
Telecopy No.: 513-579-6457, or
if to the Company, at:
Armstrong World Industries, Inc.
2500 Columbia Avenue
Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17603
Attention: General Counsel
Telecopy No.: 717-396-6121
with a copy similarly sent to:
31
Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP
767 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10153
Attention: Robert L. Messineo, Esq.
Telecopy No.: 212-310-8007,
or at such other address as may be substituted by notice given as herein
provided. The giving of any notice required hereunder may be waived in writing
by the party entitled to receive such notice.
7.6 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall inure to the
benefit of and be binding upon a successor company to the Company by merger,
consolidation, reorganization or any like transaction. Except in respect of a
successor company to the Company and except as provided in respect of the rights
and obligations of the Trust under Articles II and III hereof, the rights and
obligations of the parties hereunder shall not be assignable.
7.7 Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience
of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.
7.8 Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Jury Waiver. This Agreement shall
be governed by, construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania without giving effect to the conflict or choice of
laws provisions thereof. Each of the parties hereby submits to the non-exclusive
personal jurisdiction of, and waives any objection as to venue in respect of any
litigation respecting this agreement in, the Court of Common Pleas of the County
of Allegheny, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the Court or the federal district
court of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania . Service of process on the
parties in any action arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be
effective if mailed to the parties in accordance with Section 7.5 hereof. EACH
PARTY HERETO WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING TO
ENFORCE OR DEFEND ANY RIGHT HEREUNDER.
7.9 Severability. Wherever possible, each provision of this
Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under
applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement shall be prohibited by or
invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent
of such prohibition or invalidity only, without invalidating the remainder of
such provision or the remaining provisions of this Agreement.
7.10 Entire Agreement. This Agreement represents the complete
agreement and understanding of the parties hereto in respect of the subject
matter contained herein. This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and
understandings between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.
32
7.11 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Trust have executed
this Agreement as of the date first above written.
ARMSTRONG WORLD INDUSTRIES, INC.
By:
---------------------------------
Name:
An authorized officer thereof
ARMSTRONG WORLD INDUSTRIES, INC.
ASBESTOS PERSONAL INJURY
SETTLEMENT TRUST
By:
---------------------------------
Name:
A trustee thereof
33
Schedule 6.3
------------
James J. Gaffney
Robert C. Garland
34
EXHIBIT 10.4
------------
ARMSTRONG WORLD INDUSTRIES, INC.
2006 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN
EFFECTIVE AS OF
OCTOBER 2, 2006
INDEX OF DEFINED TERMS
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
TERM SECTION WHERE DEFINED OR FIRST USED
Beneficial Owner .................................................. 14(c)(ii)
Benefits........................................................... 4
Cash Awards ....................................................... 10
Change in Control ................................................. 14(c)(iii)
Code .............................................................. 2(a)
Committee ......................................................... 2(a)
Common Stock ...................................................... 5(a)
Company ........................................................... 1
Dividend Equivalent Right ......................................... 9(c)
Effective Date .................................................... 24
Exchange Act ...................................................... 2(a)
Fair Market Value .................................................. 17
Incentive Stock Option ............................................. 6(a)
Injurious Conduct .................................................. 13
Non-Employee Director .............................................. 2(a)
Nonqualified Stock Option .......................................... 6(a)
Parent Corporation ................................................. 6(f)
Performance-Based Awards ........................................... 11(a)
Person ............................................................. 14(c)(iv)
Plan ............................................................... 1
Restoration Stock Options .......................................... 6(e)
Restricted Stock Award ............................................. 8
Stock Appreciation Rights .......................................... 7
Stock Options ...................................................... 6
Stock Unit ......................................................... 9(c)
Subsidiary Corporation ............................................. 6(f)
</TABLE>
ARMSTRONG WORLD INDUSTRIES, INC.
2006 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN
1. PURPOSE. Armstrong World Industries, Inc. 2006 Long-Term Incentive
Plan (the "Plan") is intended to provide incentives which will attract, retain
and motivate highly competent persons as officers and key employees of Armstrong
World Industries, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation (the "Company"), and its
subsidiaries and affiliates, by providing them with appropriate incentives and
rewards to encourage them to enter into and continue in the employ of the
Company, to acquire a proprietary interest in the long-term success of the
Company and to reward the performance of individuals in fulfilling their
personal responsibilities for long-range achievements.
2. ADMINISTRATION.
(a) Committee. The Plan will be administered by a committee (the
"Committee") appointed by the Board of Directors of the Company from among its
members (which may be the Management Development and Compensation Committee) and
shall be comprised, unless otherwise determined by the Company's Board of
Directors, solely of not less than two (2) members who shall be (i)
"Non-Employee Directors" within the meaning of Rule 16b-3(b)(3) (or any
successor rule) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the "Exchange Act") and (ii) "outside directors" within the meaning of
Treasury Regulation Section 1.162-27(e)(3) under Section 162(m) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code").
(b) Authority. The Committee is authorized, subject to the provisions of
the Plan, to establish such rules and regulations as it deems necessary for the
proper administration of the Plan and to make such determinations and
interpretations and to take such action in connection with the Plan and any
Benefits granted hereunder as it deems necessary or advisable. All
determinations and interpretations made by the Committee shall be binding and
conclusive on all participants and their legal representatives.
(c) Indemnification. No member of the Committee and no employee of the
Company shall be liable for any act or failure to act hereunder, except in
circumstances involving his or her bad faith or willful misconduct, or for any
act or failure to act hereunder by any other member or employee or by any agent
to whom duties in connection with the administration of this Plan have been
delegated. The Company shall indemnify members of the Committee and any agent of
the Committee who is an employee of the Company, a subsidiary or an affiliate
against any and all liabilities or expenses to which they may be subjected by
reason of any act or failure to act with respect to their duties on behalf of
1
the Plan, except in circumstances involving such person's bad faith or willful
misconduct.
(d) Delegation and Advisers. The Committee may delegate to one or more of
its members, to management or to or to one or more agents, such administrative
duties as it may deem advisable; provided, such delegation does not adversely
effect the exemption provided by Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act, prevent a
Benefit from qualifying as a Performance-Based Award, if so intended, and
complies with applicable law. The Committee, or any person to whom it has
delegated duties as aforesaid, may employ one or more persons to render advice
with respect to any responsibility the Committee or such person may have under
the Plan. The Committee may employ such legal or other counsel, consultants and
agents as it may deem desirable for the administration of the Plan and may rely
upon any opinion or computation received from any such counsel, consultant or
agent. Expenses incurred by the Committee in the engagement of such counsel,
consultant or agent shall be paid by the Company, or the subsidiary or affiliate
whose employees have benefited from the Plan, as determined by the Committee.
3. PARTICIPANTS. Participants will consist of such officers and key
employees of the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates as the Committee in
its sole discretion determines to be significantly responsible for the success
and future growth and profitability of the Company and whom the Committee may
designate from time to time to receive Benefits under the Plan. Designation of a
participant in any year shall not require the Committee to designate such person
to receive a Benefit in any other year or, once designated, to receive the same
type or amount of Benefit as granted to the participant in any other year. The
Committee shall consider such factors as it deems pertinent in selecting
participants and in determining the type and amount of their respective
Benefits.
4. TYPE OF BENEFITS. Benefits under the Plan may be granted in any one or
a combination of (a) Stock Options, (b) Stock Appreciation Rights, (c)
Restricted Stock Awards, (d) Stock Units and (e) Cash Awards (each as described
below, and collectively, the "Benefits"). Restricted Stock Awards, Stock Units
and Cash Awards may, as determined by the Committee in its discretion,
constitute Performance-Based Awards, as described in Section 11 hereof. Benefits
granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by an agreement (which need not be
identical) that may provide additional terms and conditions associated with such
Benefits, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, provided,
however, that in the event of any conflict between the provisions of the Plan
and any such agreement, the provisions of the Plan shall prevail.
5. COMMON STOCK AVAILABLE UNDER THE PLAN.
(a) Basic Limitations. The aggregate number of shares of common stock of
the Company (the "Common Stock") that may be subject to Benefits, granted under
this Plan shall be 5,349,000 shares of Common Stock, which may be authorized and
unissued shares or treasury shares or may be purchased on the open market or by
private purchase, subject to any adjustments made in accordance with Section
14(a) hereof. The maximum number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which
Benefits may be granted or measured to any individual participant under the Plan
2
in any one calendar year shall not exceed 750,000 (subject to adjustments made
in accordance with Section 14(a) hereof).
(b) Additional Shares. Any shares of Common Stock subject to (or
referenced by) a Benefit which are not ultimately used to settle a Benefit shall
again be available for Benefits under this Plan and any shares of Common Stock
delivered to the Company as part or full payment for the exercise of a Stock
Option, Stock Appreciation Right, or Restricted Stock Award or to satisfy a tax
obligation shall also be available for Benefits under this Plan. This includes
shares of Common Stock that are: (i) covered by a Stock Option or referenced by
a Stock Appreciation Right which for any reason is cancelled or terminated
without having been exercised, (ii) subject to Restricted Stock Awards or Stock
Units which are forfeited, and (iii) not delivered to a participant because all
or a portion of a Benefit is settled in cash. The preceding sentences of this
Section shall apply only for purposes of determining the aggregate number of
shares of Common Stock subject to Benefits but shall not apply for purposes of
determining the maximum number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which
Benefits (including the maximum number of shares of Common Stock subject to
Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights) that may be granted to any
individual participant under the Plan.
(c) Acquisitions. In connection with the acquisition of any business by
the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, any outstanding grants,
awards or sales of options or other similar rights pertaining to such business
may be assumed or replaced by Benefits under the Plan upon such terms and
conditions as the Committee determines in its sole discretion.
6. STOCK OPTIONS.
(a) Generally. Stock Options will consist of awards from the Company that
will enable the holder to purchase a number of shares of Common Stock, at set
terms. Stock Options may be "incentive stock options" ("Incentive Stock
Options"), within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code, or Stock Options which
do not constitute Incentive Stock Options ("Nonqualified Stock Options"). The
Committee will have the authority to grant to any participant one or more
Incentive Stock Options, Nonqualified Stock Options, or both types of Stock
Options (in each case with or without Stock Appreciation Rights). Each Stock
Option shall be subject to such terms and conditions, including vesting,
consistent with the Plan as the Committee may impose from time to time, subject
to the following limitations.
(b) Exercise Price. Each Nonqualified Stock Option granted hereunder shall
have a per-share exercise price as the Committee may determine on the date of
grant.
(c) Payment of Exercise Price. The option exercise price may be paid in
cash or, in the discretion of the Committee, by the delivery of shares of Common
Stock of the Company then owned by the participant, provided such shares have
been held by such participant for at least six (6) months. In the discretion of
the Committee, payment may also be made by delivering a properly executed
exercise notice to the Company together with a copy of irrevocable instructions
to a broker to deliver promptly to the Company the amount of sale or loan
3
proceeds to pay the exercise price as long as such transaction does not
constitute an impermissible loan to an executive officer under the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. To facilitate the foregoing, the Company may enter
into agreements for coordinated procedures with one or more brokerage firms. The
Committee may prescribe any other method of paying the exercise price that it
determines to be consistent with applicable law and the purpose of the Plan,
including, without limitation, in lieu of the exercise of a Stock Option by
delivery of shares of Common Stock of the Company then owned by a participant,
providing the Company with a notarized statement attesting to the number of
shares owned, where upon verification by the Company, the Company would issue to
the participant only the number of incremental shares to which the participant
is entitled upon exercise of the Stock Option.
(d) Exercise Period. Stock Options granted under the Plan shall be
exercisable at such time or times and subject to such terms and conditions,
including vesting, as shall be determined by the Committee; provided, however,
that no Stock Option shall be exercisable later than ten (10) years after the
date it is granted. All Stock Options shall terminate at such earlier times and
upon such conditions or circumstances as the Committee shall in its discretion
set forth in such option agreement on the date of grant.
(e) Restoration of Stock Options. The Committee may, at the time of grant
of an option, provide for the grant of a subsequent Restoration Stock Option if
the exercise price is paid for by delivering previously owned shares of Common
Stock of the Company. Restoration Stock Options (i) may be granted in respect of
no more than the number of shares of Common Stock tendered in exercising the
predecessor Stock Option, (ii) shall have an exercise price equal to the Fair
Market Value (as defined in Section 16 below) on the date the Restoration Stock
Option is granted, and (iii) may have an exercise period that does not extend
beyond the remaining term of the predecessor Stock Option. In determining which
methods a participant may utilize to pay the exercise price, the Committee may
consider such factors as it determines are appropriate.
(f) Limitations on Incentive Stock Options. Incentive Stock Options may be
granted only to participants who are employees of the Company or of a "Parent
Corporation" or "Subsidiary Corporation" (as defined in Sections 424(e) and (f)
of the Code, respectively) on the date of grant. The aggregate Fair Market Value
(determined as of the time the Stock Option is granted) of the Common Stock with
respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by a
participant during any calendar year (under all option plans of the Company and
of any Parent Corporation or Subsidiary Corporation) shall not exceed one
hundred thousand dollars ($100,000), provided, however, that if such $100,000
limit is exceeded, the excess Incentive Stock Options shall be treated as
Nonqualified Stock Options. For purposes of the preceding sentence, Incentive
Stock Options will be taken into account in the order in which they are granted.
The per-share exercise price of an Incentive Stock Option shall not be less than
one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the
date of grant, and no Incentive Stock Option may be exercised later than ten
(10) years after the date it is granted.
4
(g) Additional Limitations on Incentive Stock Options for Ten Percent
Shareholders. Incentive Stock Options may not be granted to any participant who,
at the time of grant, owns stock possessing (after the application of the
attribution rules of Section 424(d) of the Code) more than ten percent (10%) of
the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any
Parent Corporation or Subsidiary Corporation, unless the exercise price of the
option is fixed at not less than one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair
Market Value of the Common Stock on the date of grant and the exercise of such
option is prohibited by its terms after the expiration of five (5) years from
the date of grant of such option.
7. STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS.
(a) Generally. The Committee may, in its discretion, grant Stock
Appreciation Rights, including a concurrent grant of Stock Appreciation Rights
in tandem with any Stock Option grant. A Stock Appreciation Right means a right
to receive a payment in cash, Common Stock or a combination thereof, as
determined by the Committee, in an amount equal to the excess of (i) the Fair
Market Value, or other specified valuation, of a specified number of shares of
Common Stock on the date the right is exercised over (ii) the Fair Market Value
of such shares of Common Stock on the date the right is granted, or other
specified amount, all as determined by the Committee; provided, however, that if
a Stock Appreciation Right is granted in tandem with or in substitution for a
Stock Option, the designated Fair Market Value in the award agreement shall
reflect the Fair Market Value on the date such Stock Option was granted. Each
Stock Appreciation Right shall be subject to such terms and conditions,
including vesting, as the Committee shall impose from time to time, provided,
however, that if a Stock Appreciation Right is granted in connection with a
Stock Option, the Stock Appreciation Right shall become exercisable, be
transferable and shall expire according to the same vesting, transferability and
expiration rules as the corresponding Stock Option.
(b) Exercise Period. Stock Appreciation Rights granted under the Plan
shall be exercisable at such time or times and subject to such terms and
conditions, including vesting, as shall be determined by the Committee;
provided, however, that no Stock Appreciation Rights shall be exercisable later
than ten (10) years after the date it is granted. All Stock Appreciation Rights
shall terminate at such earlier times and upon such conditions or circumstances
as the Committee shall in its discretion set forth in such right at the date of
grant.
8. RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS.
(a) Generally. The Committee may, in its discretion, grant Restricted
Stock Awards consisting of Common Stock issued or transferred to participants
with or without other payments therefor. Each participant granted a Restricted
Stock Award shall execute and deliver to the Company an agreement with respect
to the Restricted Stock setting forth the restrictions applicable to such
Restricted Stock. If a participant fails to execute such an agreement, the
Restricted Stock Award shall be null and void.
5
(b) Payment of the Purchase Price. If the Restricted Stock Award requires
payment therefor, the purchase price of any shares of Common Stock subject to a
Restricted Stock Award may be paid in any manner authorized by the Committee,
which may include any manner authorized under the Plan for the payment of the
exercise price of a Stock Option. Restricted Stock Awards may also be made in
consideration of services rendered to the Company or its subsidiaries or
affiliates.
(c) Additional Terms. Restricted Stock Awards may be subject to such terms
and conditions, including vesting, as the Committee determines appropriate,
including, without limitation, (i) restrictions on the sale or other disposition
of such shares, and (ii) the right of the Company to reacquire such shares for
no consideration upon termination of the participant's employment within
specified periods, the participant's competition with the Company, or the
participant's breach of other obligations to the Company. Restricted Stock
Awards may constitute Performance-Based Awards, as described in Section 11
hereof. The Committee may require the participant to deliver a duly signed stock
power, endorsed in blank, relating to the Common Stock covered by such an Award.
The Committee may also require that the stock certificates evidencing such
shares be held in custody or bear restrictive legends until the restrictions
thereon shall have lapsed.
(d) Rights as a Shareholder. The participant shall have, with respect to
the shares of Common Stock subject to a Restricted Stock Award, all of the
rights of a holder of shares of Common Stock of the Company, including the right
to vote the shares. At the discretion of the Committee, cash dividends and stock
dividends with respect to the Restricted Stock may be either currently paid to
the participant or withheld by the Company for the participant's account, and
interest may be credited on the amount of cash dividends withheld at a rate and
subject to such terms as determined by the Committee. The cash dividends or
stock dividends so withheld by the Committee and attributable to any particular
share of Restricted Stock (and earnings thereon, if applicable) shall be
distributed to the participant upon the release of restrictions on such shares
and, if such share is forfeited, the participant shall have no right to such
cash dividends or stock dividends.
9. STOCK UNITS.
(a) Generally. The Committee may, in its discretion, grant Stock Units (as
defined in subsection (c) below) to participants hereunder. Stock Units may be
subject to such terms and conditions, including vesting, as the Committee
determines appropriate. Stock Units may constitute Performance-Based Awards, as
described in Section 11 hereof. A Stock Unit granted by the Committee shall
provide payment in shares of Common Stock at such time as the award agreement
shall specify. Shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to this Section 9 may be
issued with or without other payments therefor as may be required by applicable
law or such other consideration as may be determined by the Committee. The
Committee shall determine whether a participant granted a Stock Unit shall be
entitled to a Dividend Equivalent Right (as defined in subsection (c) below).
6
(b) Settlement of Stock Units. Shares of Common Stock representing the
Stock Units shall be distributed to the participant unless the Committee
provides for the payment of the Stock Units in cash equal to the value of the
shares of Common Stock which would otherwise be distributed to the participant
or partly in cash and partly in shares of Common Stock.
(c) Definitions. A "Stock Unit" means a notional account representing one
(1) share of Common Stock. A "Dividend Equivalent Right" means the right to
receive the amount of any dividend paid on the share of Common Stock underlying
a Stock Unit, which shall be payable in cash or in the form of additional Stock
Units.
10. CASH AWARDS.
The Committee may, in its discretion, grant awards to be settled
solely in cash ("Cash Awards"). Cash Awards may be subject to such terms and
conditions, including vesting, as the Committee determines appropriate. Cash
Awards may constitute Performance-Based Awards, as described in Section 11
hereof. The maximum Cash Award payout that may be made to any participant in any
one year is $3,000,000.
11. PERFORMANCE-BASED AWARDS.
(a) Generally. Any Benefits granted under the Plan may be granted in a
manner such that the Benefits qualify for the performance-based compensation
exemption of Section 162(m) of the Code ("Performance-Based Awards"). As
determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, either the granting or
vesting of such Performance-Based Awards shall be based on achievement of
performance objectives that are based on one or more of the business criteria
described below that apply to the individual participant, one or more business
units or the Company as a whole.
(b) Business Criteria. The business criteria shall be as follows,
individually or in combination: (i) net earnings; (ii) earnings per share; (iii)
sales; (iv) operating income; (v) earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT);
(vi) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA);
(vii) cash flow; (viii) working capital targets; (ix) return on equity; (x)
return on capital; (xi) market price per share; and (xii) total return to
shareholders. In addition, Performance-Based Awards may include comparisons to
the performance of other companies, such performance to be measured by one or
more of the foregoing business criteria.
(c) Establishment of Performance Goals. With respect to Performance-Based
Awards, the Committee shall establish in writing (i) the performance goals
applicable to a given period, and such performance goals shall state, in terms
of an objective formula or standard, the method for computing the amount of
compensation payable to the participant if such performance goals are obtained
and (ii) the individual employees or class of employees to which such
performance goals apply; provided, however, that such performance goals shall be
established in writing no later than ninety (90) days after the commencement of
the applicable performance period (but in no event after twenty-five percent
(25%) of such performance period has elapsed).
7
(d) Certification of Performance. No Performance-Based Awards shall be
payable to or vest with respect to, as the case may be, any participant for a
given period until the Committee certifies in writing that the objective
performance goals (and any other material terms) applicable to such period have
been satisfied.
(e) Modification of Performance-Based Awards. With respect to any Benefits
intended to qualify as Performance-Based Awards, after establishment of a
performance goal, the Committee shall not revise such performance goal or
increase the amount of compensation payable thereunder (as determined in
accordance with Section 162(m) of the Code) upon the attainment of such
performance goal. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the Committee may
reduce or eliminate the number of shares of Common Stock or cash granted or the
number of shares of Common Stock vested upon the attainment of such performance
goal.
12. FOREIGN LAWS. The Committee may grant Benefits to individual
participants who are subject to the tax laws of nations other than the United
States, which Benefits may have terms and conditions as determined by the
Committee as necessary to comply with applicable foreign laws. The Committee may
take any action which it deems advisable to obtain approval of such Benefits by
the appropriate foreign governmental entity; provided, however, that no such
Benefits may be granted pursuant to this Section 12 and no action may be taken
which would result in a violation of the Exchange Act, the Code or any other
applicable law.
13. CERTAIN TERMINATIONS OF EMPLOYMENT; FORFEITURES.
(a) Forfeiture of Unsettled Benefits. Unless the Committee or any
agreement providing for Benefits under this Plan shall otherwise provide, a
participant shall forfeit all Benefits, which have not been settled under this
Plan (other than fully vested Restricted Stock Awards) if:
(i) the participant's employment with the Company or with any Parent
Corporation or Subsidiary Corporation is terminated for willful,
deliberate, or gross misconduct, as determined by the Committee, in its
sole discretion, or
(ii) following the participant's termination of employment with the Company
(or with any Parent Corporation or Subsidiary Corporation) and for a period
of two (2) years thereafter, the participant engages in any business or
enters into any employment relationship which the Committee in its sole
discretion determines to be either directly or indirectly competitive with
the business of the Company or substantially injurious to the Company's
business interest.
The activities described in (i) and (ii) above are hereafter referred to as
"Injurious Conduct".
(b) Forfeiture of Settled Benefits. If the Committee determines that a
participant has engaged in Injurious Conduct during the course of his employment
(or during the two (2) year period following his or her termination of
employment), the Committee may in its discretion require the participant to
return to the Company any Common Stock or cash received in settlement of any
8
Benefit under this Plan. If the Common Stock acquired in settlement of a Benefit
has been disposed of by the participant, then the Company may require the
participant to pay to the Company the economic value of the Common Stock as of
the date of disposition.
(c) Timing. The Committee shall exercise the right of forfeiture provided
to the Company in this Section 13 within ninety (90) days after the discovery of
the activities giving rise to the Company's right of forfeiture, which
activities must have occurred no later than twenty-four (24) months after the
participant's termination of employment.
(d) Determination from the Committee. A participant may make a request to
the Committee in writing for a determination regarding whether any proposed
business or activity would constitute Injurious Conduct. Such request shall
fully describe the proposed business or activity. The Committee shall respond to
the participant in writing and the Committee's determination shall be limited to
the specific business or activity so described.
(e) Condition Precedent. Unless the Committee or any agreement providing
for Benefits under this Plan shall otherwise provide, no Benefit shall be deemed
awarded to any participant under this Plan unless and until the participant
agrees to the applicability of this Section 13.
(f) Enforceability. The purpose of this Section 13 is to protect the
Company (and any Parent and Subsidiaries) from Injurious Conduct. To the extent
that this Section 13 is not fully enforceable as written, the unenforceable
provisions shall be modified so as to provide the Company with the fullest
protection permitted by law.
14. ADJUSTMENT PROVISIONS; CHANGE IN CONTROL.
(a) Adjustment. Benefits granted under the Plan and any agreements
evidencing such Benefits, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock subject
to all Benefits stated in Section 5(a) and the maximum number of shares of
Common Stock with respect to which Benefits may be granted to any one person
during any period stated in Section 5(a) shall be subject to mandatory
adjustment or substitution, as determined by the Committee in its sole
discretion, as to the number, price or kind of a share of Common Stock or other
consideration subject to such Benefits or as otherwise determined by the
Committee to be equitable (i) in the event of changes in the outstanding Common
Stock or in the capital structure of the Company by reason of stock or
extraordinary cash dividends, stock splits, reverse stock splits,
recapitalization, reorganizations, mergers, consolidations, combinations,
exchanges, or other relevant changes in capitalization occurring after the date
of grant of any such Benefit or (ii) in the event of any change in applicable
laws or any change in circumstances which results in or would result in any
substantial dilution or enlargement of the rights granted to, or available for,
participants, or which otherwise warrants equitable adjustment because it
interferes with the intended operation of the Plan. Any adjustment in Incentive
Stock Options under this Section 14 shall be made only to the extent not
9
constituting a "modification" within the meaning of Section 424(h)(3) of the
Code, and any adjustments under this Section 14 shall be made in a manner which
does not adversely affect the exemption provided pursuant to Rule 16b-3 under
the Exchange Act. Further, with respect to Benefits intended to qualify as
"performance-based compensation" under Section 162(m) of the Code, such
adjustments or substitutions shall be made only to the extent that the Committee
determines that such adjustments or substitutions may be made without causing
the Company to be denied a tax deduction on account of Section 162(m) of the
Code. The Company shall give each participant notice of an adjustment hereunder
and, upon notice, such adjustment shall be conclusive and binding for all
purposes.
(b) Effect of a Change in Control. Notwithstanding any other provision of
this Plan, if there is a Change in Control (as defined in subsection (c) below)
of the Company, all then outstanding Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights
and Stock Units shall immediately vest and become exercisable and any
restrictions on Restricted Stock Awards or Stock Units shall immediately lapse.
Thereafter, insofar as any Benefit is provided in shares of stock of the Company
or in Stock Options or Stock Appreciation Rights or is determined based on the
value or other attributes of a share of stock of the Company, such Benefit shall
be subject to the same terms to which a share of stock of the Company is subject
in accordance with any agreement effecting the Change in Control, which
agreement, may provide, without limitation, that each Stock Option and Stock
Appreciation Right outstanding hereunder shall terminate within a specified
number of days after notice to the holder, and that such holder shall receive,
with respect to each share of Common Stock subject to such Stock Option or Stock
Appreciation Right, an amount equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of
such shares of Common Stock immediately prior to the occurrence of such Change
in Control over the exercise price per share underlying such Stock Option or
Stock Appreciation Right with such amount payable in cash, in one or more kinds
of property (including the property, if any, payable in the transaction) or in a
combination thereof, as the Committee, in its discretion, shall determine.
(c) Definitions. For purposes of this Section 14, the following words
shall have the meaning ascribed to them below:
(i) "Affiliate' means (i) any entity that directly or indirectly is
controlled by, controls or is under common control with the Company and
(ii) any entity in which the Company has a significant equity interest, in
either case as determined by the Committee.
(ii) "Beneficial Owner" shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 13d-3
under the Exchange Act.
(iii) "Change in Control" of the Company, with respect to any participant,
shall be deemed to have occurred upon any of the following events (unless
another definition is provided in any applicable individual change in
control agreement between the Company and the participant, in which case
such agreement shall govern):
10
(A) Any Person becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or
indirectly, of securities of the Company (not including in the
securities beneficially owned by such Person any securities acquired
directly from the Company or its affiliates) representing twenty
percent (20%) or more of either the then outstanding shares of Common
Stock or the combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding
securities, excluding any Person who becomes such a Beneficial Owner
in connection with a transaction described in clause (i) of Paragraph
(C) below;
(B) The following individuals cease for any reason to constitute
a majority of the number of directors then serving: individuals who,
on the Effective Date (as defined in Section 24 below), constitute the
Board of Directors and any new director (other than a director whose
initial assumption of office is in connection with an actual or
threatened election contest, including but not limited to a consent
solicitation, relating to the election of directors of the Company)
whose appointment or election by the Board of Directors or nomination
for election by the Company's shareholder's was approved by a vote of
least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors then still in office who
either were directors on the Effective Date or whose appointment,
election or nomination for election was previously so approved; or
(C) There is consummated a merger or consolidation of the
Company (including a triangular merger to which the Company is a
party) with any other corporation other than (i) a merger or
consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the
Company outstanding immediately prior to such merger or consolidation
continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being
converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or any parent
thereof) at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66-2/3%) of the
combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company or such
surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or
consolidation; or (ii) a merger or consolidation effected to implement
a recapitalization of the Company (or similar transaction in which no
Person is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of
securities of the Company (not including in the securities
beneficially owned by such Person any securities acquired directly
from the Company or its subsidiaries) representing twenty percent
(20%) or more of either the then outstanding shares of Common Stock or
the combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding
securities;
(D) The shareholders of the Company approve a plan of complete
liquidation or dissolution of the Company or there is consummated an
agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or
substantially all of the Company's assets, other than a sale or
disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the
Company's assets to an entity at least seventy-five percent (75%) of
the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are owned
by shareholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions
as their ownership of the Company immediately prior to such sale.
11
Notwithstanding the foregoing, no "change in Control" shall be deemed
to have occurred if there is consummated any transaction or series of
integrated transactions immediately following which the record holders
of the Common Stock immediately prior to such transaction or series of
transactions continue to have substantially the same proportionate
ownership in the entity which owns all or substantially all of the
assets of the Company immediately following such transaction or series
of transactions.
(iv) "Person" shall have the meaning given in Section 3(a)(9) of the
Exchange Act, as modified and used in Section 13(d) and 14(d) thereof,
except that such term shall not include (A) the Company or any of its
subsidiaries, (B) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an
employee benefit plan of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (C) an
underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such
securities, (D) a corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the
shareholders of the Company in substantially the same proportion as their
ownership of the Common Stock, or (E) an entity or entities which are
eligible to file and have filed a Schedule 13G under Rule 13d-1(b) under
the Exchange Act, which Schedule indicates beneficial ownership of fifteen
percent (15%) or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock or of the
combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding securities.
15. NONTRANSFERABILITY. Each Benefit granted under the Plan to a
participant (other than awards of unrestricted Stock Awards, vested restricted
Stock Awards and vested Cash Awards) shall not be transferable otherwise than by
will or the laws of descent and distribution, and shall be exercisable, during
the participant's lifetime, only by the participant. In the event of the death
of a participant, each Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right theretofore
granted to him or her shall be exercisable during such period after his or her
death as the Committee shall in its discretion set forth in such option or right
at the date of grant and then only by the executor or administrator of the
estate of the deceased participant or the person or persons to whom the deceased
participant's rights under the Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right shall
pass by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, at the discretion of the Committee, an award of a Benefit other than
an Incentive Stock Option may permit the transferability of a Benefit by a
participant solely to the participant's spouse, siblings, parents, children and
grandchildren or trusts for the benefit of such persons or partnerships,
corporations, limited liability companies or other entities owned solely by such
persons, including trusts for such persons, subject to any restriction included
in the award of the Benefit.
16. OTHER PROVISIONS. The award of any Benefit under the Plan may also be
subject to such other provisions (whether or not applicable to the Benefit
awarded to any other participant) as the Committee determines appropriate,
including, without limitation, for the forfeiture of, or restrictions on resale
or other disposition of, Common Stock acquired under any form of Benefit, for
the acceleration of exercisability or vesting of Benefits, or to comply with
federal and state securities laws, or understandings or conditions as to the
participant's employment in addition to those specifically provided for under
the Plan.
12
17. FAIR MARKET VALUE. For purposes of this Plan and any Benefits awarded
hereunder, Fair Market Value on any given date means (i) if the Common Stock is
listed on a national securities exchange or is quoted in the National Market
System of the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation
System ("NASDAQ") on a last sale basis, the closing price reported as having
occurred on the such date, or, if there is no sale on such date, then on the
last preceding date on which such a sale was reported, or (ii) if the Common
Stock is not listed on a national securities exchange nor quoted in NASDAQ on a
last sale basis, the amount determined by the Committee to be the fair market
value based upon a good faith attempt to value the Common Stock accurately.
Notwithstanding, the Committee may determine another appropriate means to
determine the Fair Market Value of the initial stock option and Restricted Stock
Awards on October 2, 2006.
18. WITHHOLDING. All payments or distributions of Benefits made pursuant
to the Plan shall be net of any amounts required to be withheld pursuant to
applicable federal, state and local tax withholding requirements. If the Company
proposes or is required to distribute Common Stock pursuant to the Plan, it may
require the recipient to remit to it or to the corporation that employs such
recipient an amount sufficient to satisfy such tax withholding requirements
prior to the delivery of any certificates for such Common Stock. In lieu
thereof, the Company or the employing corporation shall have the right to
withhold the amount of such taxes from any other sums due or to become due from
such corporation to the recipient as the Committee shall prescribe. The
Committee may, in its discretion and subject to such rules as it may adopt
(including any as may be required to satisfy applicable tax and/or non-tax
regulatory requirements), permit an optionee or award or right holder to pay all
or a portion of the federal, state and local withholding taxes arising in
connection with any Benefit consisting of shares of Common Stock by electing to
have the Company withhold shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value
equal to the amount of tax to be withheld, such tax calculated at minimum
statutory withholding rates.
19. EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS. Neither the Plan nor any action taken hereunder
shall be construed as giving any participant the right to be retained in the
employ or service of the company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates.
20. UNFUNDED PLAN. Participants shall have no right, title, or interest
whatsoever in or to any investments which the Company may make to aid it in
meeting its obligations under the Plan. Nothing contained in the Plan, and no
action taken pursuant to its provisions, shall create or be construed to create
a trust of any kind, or a fiduciary relationship between the Company and any
participant, beneficiary, legal representative or any other person. To the
extent that any person acquires a right to receive payments from the Company
under the Plan, such right shall be no greater than the right of an unsecured
general creditor of the Company. All payments to be made hereunder shall be paid
from the general funds of the Company and no special or separate fund shall be
established and no segregation of assets shall be made to assure payment of such
amounts except as expressly set forth in the Plan. The Plan is not intended to
be subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.
13
21. NO FRACTIONAL SHARES. No fractional shares of Common Stock shall be
issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan or any Benefit. The Committee shall
determine whether cash, or Benefits, or other property shall be issued or paid
in lieu of fractional shares or whether such fractional shares or any rights
thereto shall be forfeited or otherwise eliminated.
22. DURATION, AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION. No Benefit shall be granted more
than ten (10) years after the Effective Date. The Company may amend the Plan
from time to time or suspend or terminate the Plan at any time. No amendment of
the Plan may be made without approval of the majority of the shareholders of the
Company if the amendment will: (i) increase the aggregate number of shares of
Common Stock that may be delivered through Stock Options under the Plan; (ii)
increase the maximum number of shares that may be awarded to any participant
under Section 5 hereof or the maximum Cash Award that can be paid to any
individual under Section 10 hereof; (iii) change the types of business criteria
on which Performance-Based Awards are to be based under the Plan; or (iv) modify
the requirements as to eligibility for participation in the Plan.
23. GOVERNING LAW. This Plan, Benefits granted hereunder and actions taken
in connection herewith shall be governed and construed in accordance with the
laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (regardless of the law that might
otherwise govern under applicable Pennsylvania principles of conflict of laws).
24. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Plan is adopted by the Company in anticipation of
its emergence from chapter 11 of title 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code,
as a publicly-owned SEC reporting issuer. Stock Options and Restricted Stock
Awards provided for in the Company's plan of reorganization will be provided
under this Plan. The Plan shall be effective as of the date on which all the
conditions to the effectiveness of the Company's plan of reorganization (the
"Effective Date", namely October 2, 2006), provided that the Plan is approved by
the sole shareholder of the Company on the Effective Date. Such shareholder
approval shall be a condition to the right of each participant to receive any
Benefits hereunder. Any Benefits granted under the Plan prior to such
shareholder approval shall be effective as of the date of grant (unless, with
respect to any Benefit, the Committee specifies otherwise at the time of grant),
but no such Benefit may be exercised or settled and no restrictions relating to
any Benefit may lapse prior to such shareholder approval, and if such
shareholder approval is not obtained as provided hereunder, any such Benefit
shall be cancelled.
14
EXHIBIT 10.5
------------
ARMSTRONG WORLD INDUSTRIES, INC.
--------------------------------
2006 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN (THE "PLAN")
------------------------------------------
STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
----------------------
(NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION)
---------------------------
[DATE OF GRANT]
---------------
This notice does not constitute an offer to sell or issue stock of
Armstrong World Industries, Inc. ("AWI"). AWI plans to file a registration
statement on Form S-8 with the SEC as soon as practicable. A prospectus covering
the securities to be registered pursuant to the Form S-8 will be provided to
you. BECAUSE THESE DOCUMENTS CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION, PLEASE READ THEM.
When the Form S-8 is filed with the SEC, it will be available for free (along
with any other documents and reports we file with the SEC) at the SEC's Web
site, http://www.sec.gov.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Armstrong World Industries, Inc. (the "Company") hereby awards to
____________ (the "Optionee") an option to purchase ______ shares of Common
Stock of the Company (the "Stock Option") at $__.__ per share in accordance with
the provisions of the Plan and subject to the terms and conditions described in
this Agreement, the registration of these shares with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (SEC) and the letter to you dated October 2, 2006.
1. Your options will become exercisable as follows:
NUMBER OF SHARES DATE EXERCISABLE
---------------- ----------------
_____ ___________________
_____ ___________________
_____ ___________________
2. No shares of stock may be acquired by exercise of an option
after a maximum of ten years from the date the option was granted except as
provided in the case of the Optionee's death.
3. This Stock Option is subject to all terms and conditions
stated in the Plan, this Agreement and the letter to you dated October 2, 2006.
If this Agreement is not signed and returned by the Optionee by November 30,
2006, the Stock Option will be deemed to have been declined.
4. All capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the
meanings ascribed to them in the Plan.
WITNESS the due execution hereof the day and year first above written.
ATTEST: ARMSTRONG WORLD INDUSTRIES, INC.
----------------------------- ----------------------------------
[Assistant] Secretary [Executive Officer]
ACCEPTANCE AGREEMENT
I agree to the provisions of this Stock Option Agreement, and
acknowledge receipt of the accompanying copy of the Plan and letter dated
_________. I agree to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions and
interpretations of the Board of Directors and, where applicable, the Committee
administering the Plan, upon any questions arising under the Plan, and further
agree to remit to the Company any applicable taxes required to be withheld by
the Company as a result of this award.
Date:___________________________ ________________________________
Participant
EXHIBIT 10.6
------------
ARMSTRONG WORLD INDUSTRIES, INC.
--------------------------------
2006 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN (THE "PLAN")
------------------------------------------
RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD AGREEMENT
--------------------------------
[DATE OF GRANT]
---------------
This notice does not constitute an offer to sell or issue stock of
Armstrong World Industries, Inc. ("AWI"). AWI plans to file a registration
statement on Form S-8 with the SEC as soon as practicable. A prospectus covering
the securities to be registered pursuant to the Form S-8 is being provided to
you with this agreement. BECAUSE THESE DOCUMENTS CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION,
PLEASE READ THEM. When the Form S-8 is filed with the SEC, it will be available
for free (along with any other documents and reports we file with the SEC) at
the SEC's Web site, http://www.sec.gov. This award of Common Shares is subject
to the condition that the shares have been so registered.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Armstrong World Industries, Inc. (the "Company") hereby awards to
__________ (the "Participant") ______ shares of Common Stock of the Company (the
"Restricted Stock Award") in accordance with the provisions of the Plan and
subject to the terms and conditions described in this Agreement, the
registration of these shares with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
and the accompanying letter.
1. Shares of Common Stock awarded under this Agreement shall be
registered in the Participant's name pending distribution following the lapse or
waiver of the restrictions imposed and subject to forfeiture in accordance with
the terms of this award.
2. The Participant has the right to vote the shares awarded under this
Restricted Stock Award. Cash dividends paid with respect to these shares shall
be paid to the Participant.
3. The Restriction Periods applicable to this Restricted Stock Award
are as follows:
NUMBER OF SHARES END OF RESTRICTION PERIOD
---------------- -------------------------
______ ________________
______ ________________
______ ________________
During the Restricted Period, the Participant shall not be permitted to pledge,
sell or transfer the shares awarded other than by will or the laws of descent
and distribution. The Committee may accelerate or waive such restrictions, in
whole or in part, based on service and such other factors as the Committee may
determine.
4. This award is subject to all terms and conditions stated in the
Plan, the accompanying letter, and this Agreement. It is also subject to
effectiveness of the registration of these shares with the SEC, and until this
registration is effective no rights or benefits are available under this award.
If this Agreement is not signed and returned by the Participant by ________, the
Restricted Stock Award will be deemed to have been declined.
5. All capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meanings
ascribed to them in the Plan.
WITNESS the due execution hereof the day and year first above written.
ATTEST: ARMSTRONG WORLD INDUSTRIES, INC.
------------------------------- --------------------------------
[Assistant] Secretary [Executive Officer]
ACCEPTANCE AGREEMENT
I agree to the provisions of this Restricted Stock Award Agreement, and
acknowledge receipt of the accompanying copy of the Plan and letter dated
____________. I agree to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions
and interpretations of the Board of Directors and, where applicable, the
Committee administering the Plan, upon any questions arising under the Plan, and
further agree to remit to the Company any applicable taxes required to be
withheld by the Company as a result of this award.
Date:___________________________ ________________________________
Participant
EXHIBIT 10.7
------------
[Armstrong Logo] ARMSTRONG WORLD INDUSTRIES, INC.
2500 COLUMBIA AVE., P.O. BOX 3001
LANCASTER, PA 17604
717.397.0611 www.armstrong.com
[Date]
[Name and Title]
[Address as Appropriate]
Subject: Emergence Equity Awards
Dear __________:
The Management Development and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors
of reorganized Armstrong World Industries, Inc. (AWI) acted to offer you
Emergence Equity Awards effective October 2, 2006. On behalf of the Committee, I
am happy to offer you the following:
______ shares of Restricted Stock of Armstrong
______ Stock Options to purchase Armstrong common stock
This award is made under the Company's 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the
"Plan") which became effective today. A copy of the Plan text is provided.
Restricted Stock Award
----------------------
This award is subject to all terms and conditions stated in the Plan, this
letter and the enclosed Restricted Stock Award Agreement. It is also subject to
the registration of these shares with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(SEC) and until this registration is effective no rights or benefits are
available under this award. These shares of AWI common stock will be registered
in your name pending distribution following the specified restriction period,
subject to forfeiture in accordance with the terms of this award. While you have
the right to vote the shares, during the restriction period these shares may not
be pledged, sold or transferred other than by will or the laws of descent and
distribution.
Your Restricted Stock Award will vest in three equal installments at two, three
and four years from October 2, 2006. If you remain employed by Armstrong on the
scheduled vesting date, you will receive unrestricted ownership of the
respective Restricted Stock Award installment. If AWI makes cash dividend
payments to holders of AWI common stock, you will receive a cash payment from
Armstrong of an equal amount.
If you terminate employment due to voluntary resignation or retirement without
"Good Reason" (as defined below) or if you are involuntarily terminated, you
will forfeit all unvested shares of Restricted Stock. Retirement is defined as
termination from Armstrong at age 55 or higher following five years of service.
In the event of your death, long-term disability, or resignation or retirement
for Good Reason, all unvested shares of Restricted Stock will immediately vest
and be free of restrictions.
Good Reason for purposes of these Emergence Equity Awards is defined as the
occurrence of any one of the following events which occurs prior to October 2,
2007:
o the assignment to the manager of any duties which constitutes a
significant reduction in the manager's responsibilities or any
demotion of the manager
o a reduction by the Company of more than 10% to the sum of the
manager's annual base salary and short-term incentive target award
o the relocation of the manager's place of employment by more than 50
miles unless such relocation is closer to the manager's residence
In the event of a post-emergence Change in Control of AWI, all unvested shares
of Restricted Stock will immediately vest and be free of restrictions. Change in
Control is defined in Section 14(c)(iii) of the Plan.
Following the expiration of the restriction period, a stock certificate for the
number of shares held in your name will be distributed to you. In accordance
with Section 18 of the Plan, you may elect to satisfy your tax withholding
obligations by requesting that the Company withhold shares of common stock that
would otherwise be delivered to you.
YOU WILL FIND TWO COPIES OF THE RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD AGREEMENT, ONE OF WHICH
YOU SHOULD SIGN AND RETURN TO CATHY PUTT BY OCTOBER 31, 2006. IF THE AGREEMENT
IS NOT SIGNED BY THIS DATE, THE RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD WILL BE DEEMED TO NOT
HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED. THE AGREEMENT SHOULD BE READ CAREFULLY SINCE IT CONTAINS
CERTAIN PROVISIONS WHICH SUPPLEMENT THE PLAN LANGUAGE. WE ALSO ASK THAT YOU SIGN
AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED STOCK POWER FORM.
Stock Options
-------------
Each Stock Option will entitle you to purchase one share of AWI common stock at
an exercise price equal to the volume weighted average closing price of AWI
shares for regular way trading covering the period of October 18, 2006 through
October 31, 2006 as reported by the New York Stock Exchange. We will communicate
the Stock Option exercise price in a Stock Option Agreement which will be
provided to you in early November. This grant is subject to all terms and
conditions stated in the Plan, this letter and the Stock Option Agreement. You
are not permitted to pledge, sell or transfer these Stock Options prior to
exercise other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution.
These option grants are "non-qualified" stock options for tax purposes and
accordingly will not be subject to the additional restrictions or tax treatment
applicable to qualified (or "incentive") stock options. The Stock Options will
have a ten-year term starting October 2, 2006. The Stock Options will vest and
become exercisable in three equal installments at two, three and four years from
October 2, 2006. If you remain employed by Armstrong on the scheduled vesting
date, you will be entitled to exercise the respective Stock Option installment
thereafter.
If you terminate employment due to voluntary resignation without "Good Reason"
(as defined earlier), you will forfeit all vested and unvested Stock Options. If
you terminate employment due to voluntary retirement (minimum age 55 with 5
years of service) without Good Reason, you will forfeit all unvested Stock
Options and you will have until the earlier of five years from the date of
retirement or the Stock Option expiration date to exercise any vested Stock
Options.
If you are involuntarily terminated for reasons other than willful, deliberate
or gross misconduct, you will forfeit all unvested Stock Options and you will
have until the earlier of three months from the date of termination or the Stock
Option expiration date to exercise any vested Stock Options.
In the event of your long-term disability or death, all unvested Stock Options
will immediately vest and be exercisable. You or your beneficiary will have
until the earlier of three years from the date of disability or death, or the
Stock Option expiration date to exercise any outstanding Stock Options. In the
case of death, your beneficiary will have a minimum of one year from the date of
death to exercise any outstanding Stock Options without regard to the scheduled
Stock Option expiration date.
If you resign or retire for Good Reason, all unvested Stock Options will
immediately vest and be exercisable. You will have until the earlier of five
years from the date of resignation or retirement, or the Stock Option expiration
date to exercise any outstanding Stock Options.
In the event of a post-emergence Change in Control of AWI, all unvested Stock
Options will immediately vest and be exercisable. You will have until the
earlier of five years from the date of Change in Control or the Stock Option
expiration date to exercise any outstanding Stock Options.
2
In accordance with Section 6(c) of the Plan, you may pay the exercise price by
delivering shares of AWI stock you have owned for at least six months. You may
also elect to satisfy your tax withholding obligations by requesting that the
Company withhold shares of common stock that would otherwise be delivered to
you.
Forfeiture of Awards
--------------------
The Plan provisions described under Section 13, Certain Termination of
Employment; Forfeitures, limit your rights to receive payment of Restricted
Stock and exercise Stock Options under certain circumstances. Events that may
result in forfeiture of these awards include termination for willful, deliberate
or gross misconduct, or post-termination engagement in any business or
employment determined to be competitive with or substantially injurious to the
Company's business interest. These forfeiture provisions will apply for a period
of two years following a participant's termination of employment.
Future Long-Term Incentive Awards
---------------------------------
This Emergence Equity Award is intended to cover your long-term incentive
compensation for 2007. You should not expect to receive another long-term
incentive award before 2008.
This letter does not constitute an offer of stock or options, which are offered
only pursuant to the attached agreements and subject to registration under the
Securities Act of 1933. A prospectus with respect to AWI common stock will be
provided to you.
We are pleased to communicate these Emergence Equity Award grants and are
confident that you will provide the leadership to increase the value of the
Company. Please call ___________ or ____________ if you have questions regarding
these documents.
Sincerely,
Michael D. Lockhart
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
3
EXHIBIT 10.8
------------
INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT
FOR
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS OF ARMSTRONG WORLD INDUSTRIES, INC.
This Agreement is made effective as of the 2nd day of October 2006, by
and between Armstrong World Industries, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation (the
"Corporation") and referred to herein as the "Indemnitor") and [insert director
name] (the "Indemnitee").
WHEREAS, it is essential to the Corporation that the Corporation retain
and attract as directors and officers the most capable persons available; and
WHEREAS, Indemnitee is an officer and/or a member of the Board of
Directors of the Corporation and in that capacity is performing a valuable
service for the Corporation; and
WHEREAS, the Indemnitor has purchased and maintains one or more
policies of Directors and Officers Liability Insurance ("D & O Insurance")
covering certain liabilities which may be incurred by directors and officers in
their performance of services for the Corporation; and
WHEREAS, there is concern over the continued adequacy and reliability
of D & O Insurance protection available to corporate directors and officers; and
WHEREAS, the Corporation has provisions in both its Articles of
Incorporation and its Bylaws (together referred to herein as the "Bylaw") which
provide for indemnification of and advancement of expenses to the officers and
directors of the Corporation to the full extent permitted by law, and the Bylaw
and the applicable indemnification statutes of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
provide that they are not exclusive; and
WHEREAS, in recognition of Indemnitee's need for substantial protection
against personal liability in order to induce and retain Indemnitee's service to
the Corporation, the increasing difficulty in obtaining satisfactory D & O
Insurance coverage, and Indemnitee's reliance on the Bylaw, and in part to
provide Indemnitee with specific contractual assurance that the protection
promised by the Bylaw will be available to Indemnitee (regardless of, among
other things, any amendment to or revocation of the Bylaw or any change in the
composition of the Corporation's Board of Directors or acquisition transaction
relating to the Corporation), the Indemnitor wishes to provide in this Agreement
for the indemnification of and the advancing of expenses to Indemnitee to the
fullest extent (whether partial or complete) permitted by law on the date hereof
and as set forth in this Agreement, and, to the extent insurance is maintained,
for the continued coverage of Indemnitee under the Indemnitor's D & O Insurance
policies.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of Indemnitee
agreeing to serve or continuing to serve the Corporation directly or, at its
request, another enterprise, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the
parties hereto agree as follows:
1. INDEMNITY OF INDEMNITEE.
(a) The Indemnitor shall hold harmless and indemnify the Indemnitee
against any and all reasonable expenses, including attorneys' fees, and any and
all liability and loss, including judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or
penalties and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement, incurred or paid by
Indemnitee in connection with any threatened, pending or contemplated action,
suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative
(hereinafter "a proceeding") and whether or not by or in the right of the
Corporation or otherwise, to which the Indemnitee is, was or at any time becomes
a party, or is threatened to be made a party or is involved (as a witness or
otherwise) by reason of the fact that Indemnitee is or was a director or officer
of the Corporation or is or was serving as director, officer, trustee or
representative of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, trust
or other enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans or
the Armstrong Foundation, whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action
in an official capacity, or in any other capacity while serving, as a director,
officer, trustee or representative, unless the act or failure to act giving rise
to the claim for indemnification is determined by a court to have constituted
willful misconduct or recklessness; provided, however, that the Indemnitor shall
indemnify the Indemnitee in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof)
initiated by the Indemnitee (other than a proceeding to enforce the Indemnitee's
rights to indemnification under this Agreement or otherwise) prior to a Change
of Control, as defined in Section 2(e), only if such proceeding (or part
thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors of the Corporation.
(b) Subject to the foregoing limitation concerning certain proceedings
initiated by the Indemnitee prior to a Change of Control, the Indemnitor shall
pay the expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred by Indemnitee in
connection with any proceeding in advance of the final disposition thereof
2
promptly after receipt by the Indemnitor of a request therefor stating in
reasonable detail the expenses incurred or to be incurred.
(c) If a claim under paragraph (a) or (b) of this section is not paid
in full by the Indemnitor within forty-five (45) days after a written claim has
been received by the Corporation, the Indemnitee may, at any time thereafter,
bring suit against the Indemnitor to recover the unpaid amount of the claim. The
burden of proving that indemnification or advances are not appropriate shall be
on the Indemnitor. The Indemnitee shall also be entitled to be paid the expenses
of prosecuting such claim to the extent he or she is successful in whole or in
part on the merits or otherwise in establishing his or her right to
indemnification or to the advancement of expenses. The Indemnitor shall pay such
fees and expenses in advance of the final disposition of such action on the
terms and conditions set forth in Section 1(b).
2. MAINTENANCE OF INSURANCE AND FUNDING.
(a) The Indemnitor represents that as of the present date, it has in
force and effect one or more policies of D & O Insurance (the "Insurance
Policies"), providing a minimum of $75,000,000 in coverage. Subject only to the
provisions of Section 2(b) hereof, the Indemnitor agrees that, so long as
Indemnitee shall continue to serve as an officer or director of the Corporation
(or shall continue to serve as a director, officer, trustee or representative of
another Armstrong corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, foundation or
other enterprise, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan)
and thereafter so long as Indemnitee shall be subject to any possible claim or
threatened, pending or contemplated action, suit or proceeding, whether civil,
criminal or investigative, by reason of the fact that Indemnitee was a director
or officer of the Corporation (or served in any of said other capacities),
except as indicated in (b) below, the Indemnitor shall purchase and maintain in
effect for the benefit of Indemnitee a binding and enforceable policy or
policies of D & O Insurance providing coverage at least comparable to that
provided pursuant to the Insurance Policies.
(b) The Corporation shall not be required to maintain said policy or
policies of D & O Insurance in effect if, in the reasonable business judgment of
the then directors of the Corporation (i) the premium cost for such insurance is
substantially disproportionate to the amount of coverage, (ii) the coverage
provided by such insurance is so limited by exclusions that there is
insufficient benefit from such insurance or (iii) said insurance is not
3
otherwise reasonably available; provided however, that in the event those
directors make such a judgment, the Indemnitor shall purchase and maintain in
force a policy or policies of D & O Insurance in the amount and with such
coverage as such directors determine to be reasonably available. Notwithstanding
the general provisions of this Section 2(b), following a Change of Control, any
decision not to maintain any policy or policies of D & O Insurance or to reduce
the amount or coverage under any such policy or policies shall be effective only
if there are "disinterested directors" (as defined in Section 2(e) hereof) and
shall require the concurrence of a majority of such "disinterested directors."
(c) If and to the extent the Indemnitor, acting under Section 2(b),
does not purchase and maintain in effect the policy or policies of D & O
Insurance described in Section 2(a), the Indemnitor shall indemnify and hold
harmless the Indemnitee to the full extent of the coverage which would otherwise
have been provided by such policies. The rights of the Indemnitee hereunder
shall be in addition to all other rights of Indemnitee under the remaining
provisions of this Agreement.
(d) In the event of a Potential Change of Control or if and to the
extent the Indemnitor is not required to maintain in effect the policy or
policies of D & O Insurance described in Section 2(a) pursuant to the provisions
of Section 2(b), the Indemnitor shall, upon written request by Indemnitee,
create a "Trust" for the benefit of Indemnitee and from time to time, upon
written request by Indemnitee, shall fund such Trust in an amount sufficient to
pay any and all expenses, including attorneys' fees, and any and all liability
and loss, including judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and
amounts paid or to be paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by
Indemnitee or on his or her behalf for which the Indemnitee is entitled to
indemnification or with respect to which indemnification is claimed, reasonably
anticipated or proposed to be paid in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement or otherwise; provided that in no event shall more than $100,000 be
required to be deposited in any Trust created hereunder in excess of the amounts
deposited in respect of reasonably anticipated expenses, including attorneys'
fees. The amounts to be deposited in the Trust pursuant to the foregoing funding
obligation shall be determined by the Reviewing Person whose determination shall
be final and conclusive. The Reviewing Person shall have no liability to the
Indemnitee for his or her decisions hereunder. The terms of the Trust shall
provide that upon a Change of Control (i) the Trust shall not be revoked or the
principal thereof invaded, without the written consent of the Indemnitee, (ii)
4
the Trust shall advance, within two business days of a request by the
Indemnitee, any and all expenses, including attorneys' fees, to the Indemnitee
(and the Indemnitee hereby agrees to reimburse the Trust under the circumstances
under which the Indemnitee would be required to reimburse the Indemnitor under
Section 5 of this Agreement), (iii) the Trust shall continue to be funded by the
Indemnitor in accordance with the funding obligation set forth above, (iv) the
Trustee shall promptly pay to the Indemnitee all amounts for which the
Indemnitee shall be entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Agreement or
otherwise, and (v) all unexpended funds in such Trust shall revert to the
Indemnitor upon a final determination by the Reviewing Party or a court of
competent jurisdiction, as the case may be, that the Indemnitee has been fully
indemnified under the terms of this Agreement. The Trustee shall be a bank or
trust company or other individual or entity chosen by the Indemnitee and
acceptable to and approved of by the Indemnitor.
(e) For the purposes of this Agreement:
(i) a "Change of Control" shall occur if, after the date
hereof, (A) any person acquires "beneficial ownership" of more than 28% of the
then outstanding "voting stock" of the Corporation and within five years
thereafter, "disinterested directors" no longer constitute at least a majority
of its entire Board of Directors or (B) there shall occur a "business
combination" with an "interested shareholder" not approved by a majority of the
"disinterested directors".
(ii) a "Potential Change of Control" shall occur if (A) the
Corporation enters into an agreement or arrangement, the consummation of which
would result in the occurrence of a Change in Control; (B) any person publicly
announces a tender offer or comparable action which if consummated would
constitute a Change of Control; (C) any person (other than the Armstrong
Asbestos Personal Injury Trust, a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities
under an employee benefit plan of the Corporation acting in such capacity or a
corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the shareholders of the
Corporation in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of
the Corporation), who is or becomes the beneficial owner, directly or
indirectly, of securities of the Corporation representing 10% or more of the
combined voting stock increases his or her beneficial ownership of such
securities by 5% or more over the percentage so owned by such person on the date
hereof; or (D) the Board of the Corporation adopts a resolution to the effect
5
that, for the purposes of this Agreement, a Potential Change of Control has
occurred.
(iii) a "Reviewing Person" means any appropriate person or
body consisting of a member or members of the Corporation's Board of Directors
or any other person or body appointed by that Board which, following a Change of
Control, shall require the concurrence of a majority of the "disinterested
directors" or shall be independent legal counsel approved and accepted by the
Indemnitee who is not a party to the particular claim for which Indemnitee is
seeking indemnification.
(iv) a "Business Combination" means (A) any merger or
consolidation of the Corporation or any Subsidiary with (i) any Interested
Shareholder or with (ii) any other corporation (whether or not itself an
Interested Shareholder) which is, or after such merger or consolidation would
be, an Affiliate or Associate of an Interested Shareholder; (B) any sale, lease,
exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer, or other disposition (in one transaction
or a series of transactions) to or with any Interested Shareholder and/or any
Affiliate or Associate of any Interested Shareholder of all or a Substantial
Part of the assets of the corporation or any Subsidiary thereof; (C) the
issuance, exchange, sale, or transfer by the Corporation or any Subsidiary (in
one transaction or a series of transactions) of any securities of the
Corporation or any Subsidiary to any Interested Shareholder and/or any Affiliate
or Associate of any Interested Shareholder in exchange for cash, securities, or
other consideration (or a combination thereof) having an aggregate Fair Market
Value of, equal to or in excess of a Substantial Part of the assets of the
Corporation; (D) the adoption of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or
dissolution of the Corporation proposed by or on behalf of any Interested
Shareholder or any Affiliate or Associate of any Interested Shareholder; or (E)
any reclassification of securities (including any reverse stock split), or
recapitalization of the Corporation, or any merger or consolidation of the
Corporation with any of its Subsidiaries or any other transaction (whether or
not with or into or otherwise involving an Interested Shareholder) which has the
effect, directly or indirectly, of increasing the proportionate share of the
outstanding shares of any class of equity securities or securities convertible
into equity securities of the Corporation or any Subsidiary which is directly or
indirectly owned by an Interested Shareholder or any Affiliate or Associate of
any Interested Shareholder.
6
(v) a "person" means any individual, firm, corporation, or
other entity and shall include any group comprised of any person and any other
person with whom such person or any Affiliate or Associate of such person has
any agreement, arrangement, or understanding, directly or indirectly, for the
purpose of acquiring, holding, voting, or disposing of Voting Stock of the
Corporation.
(vi) an "Interested Shareholder" at any particular time means
any person (other than the Corporation or any Subsidiary and other than any
profit sharing, employee stock ownership, or other employee benefit plan of the
Corporation or any Subsidiary or any trustee of or fiduciary with respect to any
such plan when acting in such capacity) who or which (A) is at such time the
beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than ten percent (10%) of the
voting power of the outstanding Voting Stock; (B) was at any time within the
two-year period immediately prior to such time the beneficial owner, directly or
indirectly, of more than ten percent (10%) of the voting power of the then
outstanding Voting Stock; or (C) is at such time an assignee of or has otherwise
succeeded to the beneficial ownership of any shares of Voting Stock which were
at any time within the two-year period immediately prior to such time
beneficially owned by any Interested Shareholder, if such assignment or
succession shall have occurred in the course of a transaction or series of
transactions not involving a public offering within the meaning of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(vii) a person shall be a "beneficial owner" of any shares of
Voting Stock (A) which such person or any of its Affiliates or Associates
beneficially owns, directly or indirectly; (B) which such person or any of its
Affiliates or Associates has (i) the right to acquire (whether or not such right
is exercisable immediately) pursuant to any agreement, arrangement, or
understanding or upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights,
warrants or options, or otherwise, or (ii) the right to vote pursuant to any
agreement, arrangement, or understanding; or (C) which are beneficially owned,
directly or indirectly, by any other person with which such person or any of its
Affiliates or Associates has any agreement, arrangement, or understanding for
the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting, or disposing of any shares of Voting
Stock.
(viii) For the purposes of determining whether a person is an
Interested Shareholder, the number of shares of Voting Stock deemed to be
outstanding shall include shares deemed owned by an Interested Shareholder
7
immediately preceding but shall not include any other shares of Voting Stock
which may be issuable pursuant to any agreement, arrangement, or understanding,
or upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, warrants or options,
or otherwise.
(ix) an "Affiliate" or "Associate" shall have the respective
meanings ascribed to such terms in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and
Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as in effect
on January 1, 2006 (the term "registrant" in said Rule 12b-2 meaning in this
case the Corporation).
(x) a "Subsidiary" means any corporation of which a majority
of any class of equity security is owned, directly or indirectly, by the
Corporation; provided, however, that for the purposes of the definition of
Interested Shareholder, the term "Subsidiary" shall mean only a corporation of
which a majority of each class of equity security is owned, directly or
indirectly, by the Corporation.
(xi) a "Disinterested Director" means any member of the Board
of Directors of the Corporation who is unaffiliated with, and not a
representative of, an Interested Shareholder and who was a member of the Board
of Directors prior to the time that the Interested Shareholder became an
Interested Shareholder or became a member subsequently to fill a vacancy created
by an increase in the size of the Board of Directors and did receive the
favorable vote of a majority of the Disinterested Directors in connection with
being nominated for election by the shareholders to fill such vacancy or in
being elected by the Board of Directors to fill such vacancy, and any successor
of a Disinterested Director who is unaffiliated with, and not a representative
of, the Interested Shareholder and is recommended or elected to succeed a
Disinterested Director by a majority of the disinterested directors then on the
Board of Directors.
(xii) "Fair Market Value" means (A) in the case of stock, the
highest closing sale price during the 30-day period immediately preceding the
date in question of a share of such stock on the Composite Tape for New York
Stock Exchange-Listed Stocks, or, if such stock is not quoted on the Composite
Tape, on the New York Stock Exchange, or, if such stock is not listed on such
exchange, on the principal United States securities exchange registered under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, on which such stock is listed,
or, if such stock is not listed on any such exchange, the highest closing bid
quotation with respect to a share of such stock during the 30-day period
8
preceding the date in question on the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc., Automated Quotations System or any system then in use, or if no
such quotations are available, the fair market value on the date in question of
a share of such stock as determined by the Board of Directors in good faith with
the approval of at least a majority of the Disinterested Directors in the
determination made; and (B) in the case of property other than cash or stock,
the fair market value of such property on the date in question as determined by
the Board of Directors in good faith with the approval of at least a majority of
the Disinterested Directors in the determination made.
(xiii) In the event of any Business Combination in which the
Corporation survives, the phrase "consideration other than cash to be received"
as used herein shall include the shares of Common Stock and/or the shares of any
class of outstanding Voting Stock retained by the holders of such shares.
(xiv) "Substantial Part" of the Corporation means more than
ten percent (10%) of the fair market value of the total assets of the
Corporation as of the end of its most recent fiscal quarter ending prior to the
time the determination is made.
(xv) The term "Voting Stock" means all outstanding shares of
capital stock of the Corporation entitled to vote in an annual election of
directors.
(xvi) The term "beneficial owner" shall have the meaning
ascribed to such term in Rule 13d-3 of the General Rules and Regulations under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as in effect on January 1,
2006.
3. CONTINUATION OF INDEMNITY.
All agreements and obligations of the Indemnitor contained in this
Agreement shall continue during the period the Indemnitee is a director or
officer of the Corporation (or is or was serving at the request of the
Corporation as a director, officer, trustee or representative of another
Armstrong corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise,
including any employee benefit plan) and shall continue thereafter so long as
the Indemnitee shall be subject to any possible claim or threatened, pending or
contemplated action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal or
investigative, by reason of the fact that the Indemnitee was a director or
officer of the Corporation or serving in any other capacity referred to herein.
9
4. NOTIFICATION AND DEFENSE OF CLAIM.
As soon as practicable after receipt by the Indemnitee of actual
knowledge of any action, suit or proceeding the Indemnitee will notify the
Indemnitor thereof, if a claim in respect thereof may be or is being made by the
Indemnitee against the Indemnitor under this Agreement. With respect to any
action, suit or proceeding as to which the Indemnitee has so notified the
Indemnitor:
(a) The Indemnitor will be entitled to participate therein at its own
expense; and
(b) Except as otherwise provided below, the Indemnitor may assume the
defense thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnitee. After
the Indemnitor notifies the Indemnitee of its election to so assume the defense,
the Indemnitor will not be liable to the Indemnitee under this Agreement for any
legal or other expenses subsequently incurred by the Indemnitee in connection
with the defense, other than reasonable costs of investigation, including an
investigation in connection with determining whether there exists a conflict of
interest of the type described in (ii) of this paragraph, or as otherwise
provided in this paragraph. The Indemnitee shall have the right to employ his or
her counsel in such action, suit or proceeding but the fees and expenses of such
counsel incurred after the Indemnitor notifies the Indemnitee of its assumption
of the defense shall be at the expense of the Indemnitee unless (i) the
Indemnitor authorizes the Indemnitee's employment of counsel which, following a
"Change of Control", shall be effective if authorized by a majority of the
"disinterested directors" (which terms are defined in Section 2(e)), although
less than a quorum or majority of a quorum of the directors then in office; (ii)
the Indemnitee shall have reasonably concluded that there may be a conflict of
interest between the Indemnitor and the Indemnitee in the conduct of the defense
or (iii) the Indemnitor shall not have employed counsel to assume the defense of
such action, in each of which cases the fees and expenses of counsel shall be at
the expense of the Indemnitor. The Indemnitor shall not be entitled to assume
the defense of any action, suit or proceeding brought by or on behalf of the
Indemnitor or as to which the Indemnitee shall have made the conclusion
described in (ii) of this paragraph.
(c) The Indemnitor shall not be obligated to indemnify the Indemnitee
under this Agreement for any amounts paid in settlement of any action or claim
effected without its written consent. The Indemnitor shall not settle any action
or claim in any manner which would impose any penalty limitation on the
Indemnitee without the Indemnitee's written consent. Neither the Indemnitor nor
the Indemnitee shall unreasonably withhold their consent to any proposed
settlement.
10
5. UNDERTAKING TO REPAY EXPENSES.
In the event it shall ultimately be determined that the Indemnitee is
not entitled under law to be indemnified for the expenses paid by the Indemnitor
pursuant to Section 1(b) hereof or otherwise or was not entitled to be fully
indemnified, the Indemnitee shall repay to the Indemnitor such amount of the
expenses or the appropriate portion thereof, so paid or advanced.
6. NOTICE.
Any notice to the Corporation shall be directed to Armstrong World
Industries, Inc., 2500 Columbia Avenue, Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17603,
Attention: Secretary (or such other address as the Corporation shall designate
in writing to the Indemnitee).
7. ENFORCEMENT.
In the event the Indemnitee is required to bring any action to enforce
rights or to collect monies due under this Agreement, the Indemnitor shall pay
to the Indemnitee the fees and expenses incurred by the Indemnitee in bringing
and pursuing such action to the extent the Indemnitee is successful, in whole or
in part, on the merits or otherwise, in such action. The Indemnitor shall pay
such fees and expenses in advance of the final disposition of such action on the
terms and conditions set forth in Section 1(b).
8. SEVERABILITY.
If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held to be
invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever:
(a) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining
provisions of this Agreement (including without limitation, each portion of any
Section of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid,
illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable)
shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby; and
(b) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement
(including, without limitation, each portion of any Section of this Agreement
containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that
is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to
give effect to the intent manifested by the provision held invalid, illegal or
unenforceable.
11
9. INDEMNIFICATION UNDER THIS AGREEMENT NOT EXCLUSIVE.
The indemnification provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed
exclusive of any other rights to which the Indemnitee may be entitled under the
Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation or its bylaws, any other agreement,
any vote of stockholders or directors, or otherwise, both as to action in the
Indemnitee's official capacity and as to action in another capacity while
holding such office.
10. MISCELLANEOUS.
(a) This Agreement shall be interpreted and enforced in accordance with
the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
(b) This Agreement shall be binding upon the Indemnitee and jointly and
severally upon the Corporation and its respective successors and assigns, and
shall inure to the benefit of the Indemnitee, his or her heirs, executors,
personal representatives and assigns and to the benefit of the Corporation and
its respective successors and assigns. If the Corporation shall merge or
consolidate with another corporation or shall sell, lease, transfer or otherwise
dispose of all or substantially all of its assets to one or more persons or
groups (in one transaction or series of transactions), (i) the Corporation shall
cause the successor in the merger or consolidation or the transferee of the
assets that is receiving the greatest portion of the assets or earning power
transferred pursuant to the transfer of the assets, by agreement in form and
substance satisfactory to the Indemnitee, to expressly assume all of the
Indemnitor's obligations under and agree to perform this Agreement, and (ii) the
term "Corporation" whenever used in this Agreement shall mean and include any
such successor or transferee.
(c) No amendment, modification, termination or cancellation of this
Agreement shall be effective unless in writing signed by both of the parties
hereto.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the
day and year first above written.
ARMSTRONG WORLD INDUSTRIES, INC.
____________________________________ By ______________________________
Indemnitee Title: Sr. Vice President, Human
Resources
12
EXHIBIT 99.1
------------
[ARMSTRONG LOGO]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
---------------------
October 2, 2006
CONTACT: Media Inquiries:
Dorothy Brown Smith
Vice President
Corporate Communication
(717) 396-5696
Investor Inquiries:
Beth Riley
Director
Investor Relations
(717) 396-6354
ARMSTRONG EMERGES FROM CHAPTER 11
COURT-APPROVED PLAN OF REORGANIZATION BECOMES EFFECTIVE TODAY
AND PROVIDES FOR COMPREHENSIVE RESOLUTION OF ASBESTOS LIABILITY
LANCASTER, Pa., Oct. 2, 2006 - Armstrong World Industries, Inc. ("AWI"), a
global leader in the design and manufacture of flooring, ceilings and cabinets,
announced today that its "Fourth Amended Plan of Reorganization, as Modified,"
dated February 21, 2006 (the "Plan"), which was confirmed by U.S. District Court
Judge Eduardo Robreno in August, has become effective and AWI has emerged from
Chapter 11. The Plan includes a comprehensive settlement resolving AWI's
asbestos liability by establishing and funding a trust to compensate all current
and future asbestos personal injury claimants.
"This is an exciting day for Armstrong and its employees," said Michael
D. Lockhart, AWI's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Today we emerged from
Chapter 11 having made significant operational improvements that provide the
opportunity to grow and strengthen our business.
"In addition to resolving AWI's asbestos liability, we used the time in
Chapter 11 to restructure our flooring business to make it more competitive,"
Mr. Lockhart said. "We made substantial improvements in our cost structure by
closing several plants and streamlining our workforce in the U.S. We have also
expanded capacity to manufacture wood flooring, broadened our product lines and
improved product quality and customer service."
AWI has had several consecutive quarters of improved financial
performance. In the second quarter of 2006 AWI nearly doubled its operating
income (from $36.6 million to $72.5 million) from a year ago. This increase was
primarily due to increased manufacturing productivity and a 3% sales increase.
For the first six months of 2006, AWI's operating income increased to $120.7
million (compared to $44.3 million for the first six months of 2005). The
improvement in operating income was primarily due to higher sales, improved
manufacturing productivity, and reduced SG&A expenses.
"I would like to thank the nearly 15,000 Armstrong employees around the
world for their hard work, dedication and loyalty during the past six years,"
said Mr. Lockhart. "Armstrong has gone through a lengthy and challenging Chapter
11 reorganization. We could not have overcome the many obstacles we encountered
without the outstanding effort and commitment of our employees."
EXIT FINANCING
AWI expects to receive commitments for a total of $1.1 billion in a
senior credit facility, including: (i) a $300 million revolving credit facility;
(ii) a $300 million term loan with a five year maturity; and (iii) a $500
million term loan with a seven year maturity. The Revolving Credit Facility is
immediately available to support AWI's ongoing liquidity needs. Both term loans
are expected to be funded on or about October 16, and will be utilized to
satisfy distributions under the Plan.
"We are emerging from Chapter 11 with less debt and a stronger balance
sheet than six years ago," said Mr. Lockhart. "Our solid capital structure,
combined with our recent financial performance, means that our employees,
customers, distributors, suppliers and other business partners can be assured
that the company is on strong financial footing with good prospects for
continued growth and profitability going forward."
PLAN PROVISIONS
As previously announced, pursuant to the Plan, AWI has established a
trust in accordance with the provisions of section 524(g) of the U.S. Bankruptcy
Code to resolve all current and future asbestos personal injury claims (the
"Trust"). AWI is funding the Trust by making a one-time contribution of cash,
insurance assets and common stock of the reorganized AWI. Those assets will be
administered by the Trust's trustees and used to pay asbestos claims in
accordance with the provisions of the Plan and the related Trust documents. The
reorganized AWI will have no role or responsibility in the administration of the
Trust. Pursuant to the Plan, all present and future asbestos personal injury
claims must be asserted against the Trust, and all asbestos claimants will be
permanently enjoined from pursuing their claims against the reorganized AWI.
The Plan provides for general unsecured creditors to receive a
combination of cash and common stock of the reorganized AWI on account of their
allowed claims. Distributions to unsecured creditors are expected to begin on
October 17. Plans for listing and trading of AWI's new common stock are expected
to be announced next week.
2
As previously announced, pursuant to the Plan, the ownership of AWI by
its former parent, Armstrong Holdings, Inc. ("AHI"), ended upon AWI's emergence
from Chapter 11. All AWI stock owned by AHI has been cancelled. AHI is issuing a
separate press release on related matters today.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
AWI has a new, nine member Board of Directors. Mr. Lockhart will
continue to serve as Chairman and CEO of AWI, and no senior management changes
are expected. In addition to Mr. Lockhart, Judith R. Haberkorn and John J.
Roberts, both of whom had served on the Board of AHI, will serve on the new AWI
Board. The six additional members of the new AWI Board are:
o James J. Gaffney - Chairman of Imperial Sugar Company; former Chairman
and CEO of General Aquatics, Inc;
o Robert C. Garland - CEO of AFR Holdco, Inc., American Fiber Resources
and Great Lakes Pulp Company;
o Scott D. Miller -President and CEO of the Six Sigma Academy; former
Vice Chairman and President of Hyatt Hotels Corporation;
o Russell F. Peppet - Special Advisor to Park Avenue Equity Partners, a
private equity firm; formerly Vice Chairman of Peat, Marwick, Mitchell
& Co., now KPMG;
o Arthur J. Pergament - Founder and CEO of Pergament Advisors, LLC, a
New York based asset manager serving the institutional and high net
worth communities; and
o Hon. Alexander M. Sanders, Jr. - former President of Charleston
College and Chief Judge on the South Carolina Court of Appeals.
FRESH START ACCOUNTING
----------------------
AWI will adopt fresh-start financial reporting as of its emergence from
Chapter 11. Fresh start accounting requires the Company to mark-to-market its
entire balance sheet, similar to purchase accounting. This includes revaluing
assets and liabilities to current estimated fair value, setting shareholders'
equity at an amount to be determined by a third party valuation, and recording
any portion of the equity value that cannot be attributed to specific tangible
or intangible assets as goodwill. The adoption of fresh start accounting will
have a material effect on AWI's financial statements, primarily due to
additional non-cash expenses related to higher asset values. As a result of the
3
application of fresh start reporting as of October 2, 2006, AWI's financial
statements in future periods will not be comparable with prior financial
statements.
THIRD QUARTER RESULTS
AWI currently expects to report its third quarter earnings at the end
of October. At that time, AWI also expects to provide an outlook for the
remainder of 2006. In addition, AWI is preparing to hold meetings with investors
during the month of November.
For copies of the Plan and related exhibits, please visit
http://www.armstrongplan.com
Armstrong World Industries, Inc., is a global leader in the design and
manufacture of floors, ceilings and cabinets. In 2005, Armstrong's net sales
totaled nearly $4 billion. Based in Lancaster, PA, Armstrong operates 41 plants
in 12 countries and has approximately 14,600 employees worldwide.
Additional information about Armstrong and the Chapter 11 reorganization is
available on the Internet at http://www.armstrong.com and www.armstrongplan.com.
These materials may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act. Such statements provide expectations
or forecasts of future events. Our results could differ materially due to known
and unknown risks and uncertainties, including: Armstrong World Industries,
Inc.'s ("AWI") Chapter 11 case and the magnitude of its asbestos liabilities;
claims and legal proceedings, lower construction activity reducing our market
opportunities, unavailability and/or increased costs for raw materials and
energy; success in introducing new products, achieving manufacturing
efficiencies and implementing price increases to offset increased costs; risks
related to our international trade and business; labor relations issues; price
competition stemming from factors such as worldwide excess industry capacity;
business combinations among competitors, suppliers and customers; the loss of
business with key customers; and other factors disclosed in our recent reports
on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K filed with the SEC. We undertake no obligation to
update any forward-looking statement.
###