Johnson Outdoors December 30, 2005 Form 10-Q
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington,
D.C. 20549
FORM
10-Q
[
X ] QUARTERLY
REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For
the
quarterly period ended December 30, 2005
OR
[
] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For
the
transition period from _________ to _________
Commission
file number 0-16255
JOHNSON
OUTDOORS INC.
(Exact
name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Wisconsin
(State
or other jurisdiction of
incorporation
or organization)
|
|
39-1536083
(I.R.S.
Employer Identification No.)
|
555
Main Street, Racine, Wisconsin 53403
(Address
of principal executive offices)
(262)
631-6600
(Registrant's
telephone number, including area code)
Indicate
by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to
be
filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the
preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required
to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements
for
the past 90 days. Yes [ X ] No
[ ]
Indicate
by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an
accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated
filer” and “large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large
accelerated filer [ ]
Accelerated filer [ X
] Non-accelerated filer
[ ]
Indicate
by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule
12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes
[ ] No [ X
]
As
of
January 12, 2006, 7,859,567 shares of Class A and 1,219,667 shares of Class
B
common stock of the Registrant were outstanding.
JOHNSON
OUTDOORS INC.
Index
|
|
Page
No.
|
PART
I
|
FINANCIAL
INFORMATION
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Item
1.
|
Financial
Statements
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated
Statements of Operations - Three months
ended
December 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated
Balance Sheets - December 30, 2005,
September
30, 2005 and December 31, 2004
|
|
2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated
Statements of Cash Flows - Three months
ended
December 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004
|
|
3
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements
|
|
4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Item
2.
|
Management's
Discussion and Analysis of
Financial
Condition and Results of Operations
|
|
11
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Item
3.
|
Quantitative
and Qualitative Disclosures
About
Market Risk
|
|
17
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Item
4.
|
Controls
and Procedures
|
|
17
|
|
|
|
|
|
PART
II
|
OTHER
INFORMATION
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Item
6.
|
Exhibits
|
|
18
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Signatures
|
|
19
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit
Index
|
|
20
|
PART
I FINANCIAL
INFORMATION
Item
1. Financial
Statements
JOHNSON
OUTDOORS INC.
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(unaudited)
(thousands,
except per share data)
|
|
Three
Months Ended
|
|
|
|
December
30
2005
|
|
December
31
2004
|
|
Net
sales
|
|
$
|
72,563
|
|
$
|
74,982
|
|
Cost
of sales
|
|
|
43,134
|
|
|
44,710
|
|
Gross
profit
|
|
|
29,429
|
|
|
30,272
|
|
Operating
expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Marketing
and selling
|
|
|
18,290
|
|
|
17,833
|
|
Administrative
management, finance and information systems
|
|
|
9,290
|
|
|
10,069
|
|
Research
and development
|
|
|
2,661
|
|
|
2,445
|
|
Total
operating expenses
|
|
|
30,241
|
|
|
30,347
|
|
Operating
loss
|
|
|
(812
|
)
|
|
(75
|
)
|
Interest
income
|
|
|
(88
|
)
|
|
(107
|
)
|
Interest
expense
|
|
|
991
|
|
|
1,197
|
|
Other
expenses (income), net
|
|
|
69
|
|
|
(119
|
)
|
Loss
before income taxes
|
|
|
(1,784
|
)
|
|
(1,046
|
)
|
Income
tax benefit
|
|
|
(690
|
)
|
|
(15
|
)
|
Net
loss
|
|
$
|
(1,094
|
)
|
$
|
(1,031
|
)
|
Basic
and diluted loss per common share
|
|
$
|
(0.12
|
)
|
$
|
(0.12
|
)
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial
statements.
CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEETS
(thousands,
except share data)
|
|
December
30
2005
(unaudited)
|
|
September
30
2005
(audited)
|
|
December
31
2004
(unaudited)
|
|
Assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
and temporary cash investments
|
|
$
|
45,206
|
|
$
|
72,111
|
|
$
|
34,980
|
|
Accounts
receivable, less allowance for doubtful
accounts
of $2,931, $2,546 and $3,045, respectively
|
|
|
62,465
|
|
|
48,274
|
|
|
57,736
|
|
Inventories,
net
|
|
|
62,704
|
|
|
51,885
|
|
|
65,523
|
|
Income
taxes refundable
|
|
|
1,509
|
|
|
746
|
|
|
2,322
|
|
Deferred
income taxes
|
|
|
8,140
|
|
|
8,118
|
|
|
8,780
|
|
Other
current assets
|
|
|
4,866
|
|
|
4,901
|
|
|
7,754
|
|
Total
current assets
|
|
|
184,890
|
|
|
186,035
|
|
|
177,095
|
|
Property,
plant and equipment, net
|
|
|
30,627
|
|
|
31,393
|
|
|
33,980
|
|
Deferred
income taxes
|
|
|
19,670
|
|
|
19,675
|
|
|
16,873
|
|
Goodwill
|
|
|
42,196
|
|
|
37,733
|
|
|
42,007
|
|
Intangible
assets, net
|
|
|
3,980
|
|
|
3,780
|
|
|
3,937
|
|
Other
assets
|
|
|
4,884
|
|
|
4,702
|
|
|
4,225
|
|
Total
assets
|
|
$
|
286,247
|
|
$
|
283,318
|
|
$
|
278,117
|
|
Liabilities
And Shareholders' Equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Short-term
notes payable
|
|
$
|
28,000
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
4,023
|
|
Current
maturities of long-term debt
|
|
|
17,000
|
|
|
13,000
|
|
|
13,001
|
|
Accounts
payable
|
|
|
19,110
|
|
|
17,872
|
|
|
18,649
|
|
Accrued
liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Salaries,
wages and benefits
|
|
|
9,871
|
|
|
17,052
|
|
|
8,661
|
|
Accrued
discounts and returns
|
|
|
5,020
|
|
|
4,613
|
|
|
4,661
|
|
Accrued
interest payable
|
|
|
777
|
|
|
1,804
|
|
|
717
|
|
Other
|
|
|
11,935
|
|
|
14,855
|
|
|
14,796
|
|
Total
current liabilities
|
|
|
91,713
|
|
|
69,196
|
|
|
64,508
|
|
Long-term
debt, less current maturities
|
|
|
20,800
|
|
|
37,800
|
|
|
37,800
|
|
Other
liabilities
|
|
|
9,815
|
|
|
9,888
|
|
|
7,550
|
|
Total
liabilities
|
|
|
122,328
|
|
|
116,884
|
|
|
109,858
|
|
Shareholders'
equity:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Preferred
stock: none issued
|
|
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
Common
stock:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class
A shares issued:
December
30, 2005, 7,859,567;
September
30, 2005, 7,796,340;
December
31, 2004, 7,618,331
|
|
|
393
|
|
|
390
|
|
|
381
|
|
Class
B shares issued (convertible into Class A):
December
30, 2005, 1,219,667;
September
30, 2005, 1,219,667;
December
31, 2004, 1,221,715
|
|
|
61
|
|
|
61
|
|
|
61
|
|
Capital
in excess of par value
|
|
|
54,791
|
|
|
55,279
|
|
|
52,850
|
|
Retained
earnings
|
|
|
108,206
|
|
|
109,300
|
|
|
101,166
|
|
Contingent
compensation
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
(598
|
)
|
|
(7
|
)
|
Accumulated
other comprehensive income
|
|
|
468
|
|
|
2,002
|
|
|
13,808
|
|
Total
shareholders' equity
|
|
|
163,918
|
|
|
166,434
|
|
|
168,259
|
|
Total
liabilities and shareholders' equity
|
|
$
|
286,247
|
|
$
|
283,318
|
|
$
|
278,117
|
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial
statements.
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited)
(thousands)
|
|
Three
Months Ended
|
|
|
|
December
30
2005
|
|
December
31
2004
|
|
Cash
Used For Operating Activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
loss
|
|
$
|
(1,094
|
)
|
$
|
(1,031
|
)
|
Adjustments
to reconcile net loss to net cash used for operating
activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation
and amortization
|
|
|
2,342
|
|
|
2,590
|
|
Deferred
income taxes
|
|
|
(41
|
)
|
|
53
|
|
Change
in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect of businesses
acquired
or sold:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts
receivable, net
|
|
|
(13,350
|
)
|
|
(6,639
|
)
|
Inventories,
net
|
|
|
(7,473
|
)
|
|
(3,257
|
)
|
Accounts
payable and accrued liabilities
|
|
|
(10,183
|
)
|
|
(14,891
|
)
|
Other,
net
|
|
|
492
|
|
|
(1,619
|
)
|
|
|
|
(29,307
|
)
|
|
(24,794
|
)
|
Cash
Used For Investing Activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Payments
for purchase of business
|
|
|
(10,400
|
)
|
|
|
|
Additions
to property, plant and equipment
|
|
|
(1,470
|
)
|
|
(1,682
|
)
|
Proceeds
from sold property, plant and equipment
|
|
|
|
|
|
365
|
|
|
|
|
(11,870
|
)
|
|
(1,317
|
)
|
Cash
Provided By (Used For) Financing Activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
borrowings from short-term notes payable
|
|
|
28,000
|
|
|
|
|
Principal
payments on senior notes and other long-term debt
|
|
|
(13,000
|
)
|
|
(16,200
|
)
|
Common
stock transactions
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
127
|
|
|
|
|
15,001
|
|
|
(12,073
|
)
|
Effect
of foreign currency fluctuations on cash
|
|
|
(729
|
)
|
|
3,592
|
|
Decrease
in cash and temporary cash investments
|
|
|
(26,905
|
)
|
|
(34,592
|
)
|
Cash
And Temporary Cash Investments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Beginning
of period
|
|
|
72,111
|
|
|
69,572
|
|
End
of period
|
|
$
|
45,206
|
|
$
|
34,980
|
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial
statements.
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)
1
Basis of Presentation
The
consolidated financial statements included herein are unaudited. In the opinion
of management, these statements contain all adjustments (consisting of only
normal recurring items) necessary to present fairly the financial position
of
Johnson Outdoors Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 30, 2005
and
the results of operations and cash flows for the three months ended December
30,
2005. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction
with
the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30,
2005.
Because
of seasonal and other factors, the results of operations for the three months
ended December 30, 2005 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be
expected for the full year.
All
monetary amounts, other than share and per share amounts, are stated in
thousands.
Certain
amounts as previously reported have been reclassified to conform to the current
period presentation.
2
Earnings
(loss) per Share
The
following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings (loss)
per common share:
|
|
Three
Months Ended
|
|
|
|
December
30
2005
|
|
December
31
2004
|
|
Net
loss
|
|
$
|
(1,094
|
)
|
$
|
(1,031
|
)
|
Weighted
average common shares - Basic and Diluted
|
|
|
8,977,317
|
|
|
8,598,839
|
|
Basic
and diluted loss per common share
|
|
$
|
(0.12
|
)
|
$
|
(0.12
|
)
|
The
effect of stock options and restricted stock on diluted loss per share has
not
been presented given the impact would be anti-dilutive because of the net loss
in each period.
3 Stock-Based
Compensation and Stock Ownership Plans
On
October 1, 2005,
the
Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123(R),
“Share-Based Payment,” requiring the Company to recognize compensation expense
related to the fair value of its employee stock awards. The Company recognizes
the cost of all employee stock awards on a straight-line basis over the vesting
period of the award.
Total
stock compensation expense for prior stock option grants recognized by the
Company during the three months ended December 30, 2005 was $14, or $9 net
of
taxes. The Company expects that total stock compensation expense for prior
stock
option grants for fiscal 2006 will be approximately $55 before the effect of
income taxes.
Prior
to
October 1, 2005, the Company accounted for its employee stock awards under
the
recognition and measurement provisions of APB Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for
Stock Issued to Employees,” and related Interpretations, as permitted by SFAS
No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation.” Generally, no stock
option-based employee compensation cost was recognized in the income statement
prior to October 1, 2005, as stock options granted under those plans had an
exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on
the
date of grant. Effective October 1, 2005, the Company adopted the fair value
recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123(R), using the
modified-prospective-transition method. Under that transition method,
compensation cost for stock options recognized in fiscal 2006 includes
compensation cost for all options granted prior to, but not yet vested as of
October 1, 2005, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance
with
the original provisions of SFAS No. 123. Compensation cost will be recorded
for
all options granted, if any, subsequent to October 1, 2005, based on the
grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No.
123(R). Results for prior periods have not been restated.
The
current stock based award plans also allow for the issuance of restricted stock
or stock appreciation rights in lieu of options. Grants totaling 62,726 shares
of restricted stock were made to certain key executives on December 12, 2005.
Unvested restricted stock issued and outstanding as of December 30, 2005 totaled
101,820 shares having an unamortized value of $1,543, which will be amortized
through November 2008. The Company recognized expense of $94 and $12 related
to
restricted stock in the three months ended December 30, 2005 and December 31,
2004, respectively. The accounting treatment in prior periods for amortization
of compensation expense related to restricted stock was consistent with the
current treatment under SFAS 123(R). As a result of adopting SFAS 123(R)
on October 1, 2005, the Company no longer records restricted stock in the
balance sheet upon grant, with a debit to contingent compensation, but rather
as
the restricted stock is earned over the applicable vesting period. Previously
recorded contingent compensation was reversed against capital in excess of
par
value on October 1, 2005 and will be amortized to expense, with a credit to
capital in excess of par value, over the remaining vesting period.
The
Company's employees’ stock purchase plan provides for the issuance of Class A
common stock at a purchase price of not less than 85% of the fair market value
at the date of grant or the end of the offering period, whichever is lower.
Shares available for purchase by employees under this plan were
82,842 at
December 30, 2005. The Company anticipates there will be another grant under
the
employees’ stock purchase plan in the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2006 which
will result in compensation expense pursuant to SFAS 123(R).
As
a
result of adopting SFAS 123(R) on October 1, 2005, the Company’s loss before
income taxes and net loss for the period ended December 30, 2005, are $14 and
$9
higher, respectively, than if the Company had continued to account for
share-based compensation under Opinion 25. Basic and fully diluted earnings
per
share for the period ended December 30, 2005 would not change from the reported
loss of $0.12 per diluted share if
the
Company had not adopted SFAS No. 123(R). Basic and fully diluted earnings per
share for the period ended December 31, 2004 would not change from the reported
loss of $0.12 per diluted share if
the
Company had early adopted SFAS No. 123(R). Prior to the adoption of SFAS No.
123(R), the Company presented all excess tax benefits of deductions resulting
from the exercise of stock options or vesting of restricted stock as operating
cash flows in the Statement of Cash Flows. Beginning on October 1, 2005 the
Company changed its cash flow presentation in accordance with SFAS No. 123(R)
which requires the cash flows resulting from the tax benefits resulting from
tax
deductions in excess of the compensation cost recognized for those options
or
restricted stock (excess tax benefits) to be classified as financing cash
flows.
The
pro
forma information below, presented for the Company’s quarter ended December 31,
2004, was determined using the fair value method based on provisions of SFAS
No.
123, Accounting
for Stock-Based Compensation,
as
amended by SFAS No. 148, Accounting
for Stock-Based Compensation - Transition and Disclosure.
|
|
Three
Months Ended
|
|
|
|
|
|
December
31
2004
|
|
Net
loss
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
(1,031
|
)
|
Total
stock-based compensation included in net loss, net of tax
|
|
|
|
|
|
13
|
|
Total
stock-based compensation expense determined under fair
value
method, net of tax
|
|
|
|
|
|
(15
|
)
|
Pro
forma net loss
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
(1,033
|
)
|
Basic
earnings per common share
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As
reported
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
(0.12
|
)
|
Pro
forma
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
(0.12
|
)
|
Diluted
earnings per common share
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As
reported
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
(0.12
|
)
|
Pro
forma
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
(0.12
|
)
|
The
Company’s current stock ownership plans provide for the issuance of options to
acquire shares of Class A common stock by key executives and non-employee
directors. All stock options have been granted with an exercise price equal
to
the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant and
become exercisable over periods of one to four years from the date of grant.
Stock options generally have a term of ten years.
A
summary
of stock option activity related to the Company’s plans is as
follows:
|
|
Shares
|
|
Weighted
Average Exercise Price
|
|
Outstanding
at September 30, 2005
|
|
|
343,034
|
|
$
|
9.13
|
|
Exercised
|
|
|
(501
|
)
|
|
7.42
|
|
Cancelled
|
|
|
(4,000
|
)
|
|
22.06
|
|
Outstanding
at December 30, 2005
|
|
|
338,533
|
|
$
|
8.98
|
|
Options
to purchase 462,266 shares of common stock with a weighted average exercise
price of $8.63
per
share
were outstanding at December 31, 2004.
The
Company adopted a phantom stock plan during fiscal 2003. Under this plan,
certain employees earn cash bonus awards based upon the performance of the
Company’s Class A common stock. The Company recognized expense under the phantom
stock plan of $73 and $119 in the three months ended December 30, 2005 and
December 31, 2004, respectively. The Company made payments on $274 to
participants in the plan during the three months ended December 30, 2004. There
were no grants of phantom shares in fiscal 2005 or the first quarter of fiscal
2006 and the Company does not anticipate further grants of phantom shares going
forward.
4
Pension
Plans
The
components of net periodic benefit cost related to Company sponsored benefit
plans for the three months ended December 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004 were
as
follows.
|
|
Three
Months Ended
|
|
|
|
December
30
2005
|
|
December
31
2004
|
|
Components
of net periodic benefit cost:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Service
cost
|
|
$
|
157
|
|
$
|
144
|
|
Interest
on projected benefit obligation
|
|
|
235
|
|
|
222
|
|
Less
estimated return on plan assets
|
|
|
(206
|
)
|
|
(191
|
)
|
Amortization
of unrecognized:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
loss
|
|
|
28
|
|
|
25
|
|
Prior
service cost
|
|
|
6
|
|
|
6
|
|
Transition
asset
|
|
|
|
|
|
(10
|
)
|
Net
amount recognized
|
|
$
|
220
|
|
$
|
196
|
|
5
Restructuring
Diving
In
September 2005, the Company’s Diving business approved a plan to consolidate
distribution in Europe. These actions will result in the closure of warehouses
in Germany, Italy and Switzerland and office space in France over the second
and
third quarters of fiscal 2006. Additionally, actions were taken during fiscal
2005 to reorganize the European management structure to unify the marketing
and
sales efforts across Europe. The Company expects that this decision will result
in the reduction of 14 positions.
The
Diving business realized a favorable settlement on estimated employee
termination benefits in the quarter ended December 30, 2005, resulting in a
recovery of $25. Costs anticipated during the remainder of fiscal 2006 are
estimated to total $384 and include employee termination benefits, lease
termination costs and losses on assets to be disposed. These charges are and
will be included in the “Administrative management, finance and information
systems” line in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
A
summary
of charges, payments and accruals for the quarter ended December 30, 2005 are
as
follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Accrued
liabilities as of September 30, 2005
|
|
$
|
718
|
|
Activity
during quarter ended December 30, 2005:
|
|
|
|
|
Additional
charges (recoveries)
|
|
|
(25
|
)
|
Settlement
payments and other
|
|
|
(684
|
)
|
Accrued
liabilities as of December 30, 2005
|
|
$
|
9
|
|
Watercraft
On
July
27, 2004, the Company announced plans to outsource manufacturing of its Grand
Rapids, Michigan facility, and to shift production from Mansonville, Canada
to
its Old Town, Maine operation, as part of the Company's on-going efforts to
increase efficiency and improve profitability of its Watercraft business unit.
The Company ceased manufacturing operations at both locations in September
2004.
The decision resulted in the reduction of 71 positions. Costs and charges
associated with these actions were $3.8 million and were incurred across fiscal
years 2005 and 2004. There were no charges impacting fiscal 2006.
A
summary
of payments and accruals for fiscal 2006 were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Accrued
liabilities as of September 30, 2005
|
|
$
|
526
|
|
Settlement
payments
|
|
|
(175
|
)
|
Accrued
liabilities as of December 30, 2005
|
|
$
|
351
|
|
6
Income
Taxes
The
provision for income taxes is based upon estimated annual effective tax rates
in
the tax jurisdictions in which the Company operates. The effective tax rate
for
the three months ended December 30, 2005 was 38.7% compared to 1.4% in the
corresponding period of the prior year. The prior year effective tax rate was
impacted by the non-deductibility of costs related to the then on-going proposed
buy-out transaction. The buy-out transaction was subsequently terminated on
March 31, 2005 and became deductible.
7
Inventories
Inventories
at the end of the respective periods consist of the following:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December
30
2005
|
|
September
30
2005
|
|
December
31
2004
|
|
Raw
materials
|
|
$
|
24,214
|
|
$
|
20,195
|
|
$
|
25,535
|
|
Work
in process
|
|
|
2,683
|
|
|
2,886
|
|
|
2,132
|
|
Finished
goods
|
|
|
38,543
|
|
|
31,367
|
|
|
40,776
|
|
|
|
|
65,440
|
|
|
54,448
|
|
|
68,443
|
|
Less
reserves
|
|
|
2,736
|
|
|
2,563
|
|
|
2,920
|
|
|
|
$
|
62,704
|
|
$
|
51,885
|
|
$
|
65,523
|
|
8
Acquisition
On
October 3, 2005, the Company acquired the assets of Cannon downriggers and
Bottomline fishfinders (Cannon/Bottomline) from Computrol, Inc., a wholly owned
subsidiary of Armstrong International. The initial purchase price paid was
$10,400. An adjustment to the purchase price based on closing working capital
in
the amount of $537 was received by the Company on January 19, 2006. The
transaction was funded using existing cash on hand. Cannon/Bottomline will
be
included in the Company’s Marine Electronics Group. The final allocation of the
purchase price has not been finalized as of the date on which this report was
filed. Pro-forma financial information related to the Cannon/Bottomline
acquisition has not been presented due to the immateriality of the
transaction.
9
Warranties
The
Company provides for warranties of certain products as they are sold. The
following table summarizes the warranty activity for the three months ended
December 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December
30
2005
|
|
December
31
2004
|
|
Balance
at beginning of quarter
|
|
$
|
3,287
|
|
$
|
3,533
|
|
Expense
accruals for warranties issued during the period
|
|
|
481
|
|
|
529
|
|
Less
current period warranty claims paid
|
|
|
585
|
|
|
546
|
|
Balance
at end of quarter
|
|
$
|
3,183
|
|
$
|
3,614
|
|
10
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
Comprehensive
income (loss) includes net income (loss) and changes in shareholders’ equity
from non-owner sources. For the Company, the difference between net income
(loss) and comprehensive income (loss) is due to cumulative foreign currency
translation adjustments. Weakening, primarily by the Euro, Swiss franc, Canadian
dollar and other worldwide currencies against the U.S. dollar created the
translation adjustment loss for the three months ended December 30,
2005.
Comprehensive
income (loss) for the respective periods consists of the following:
|
|
|
Three Months Ended
|
|
December
30
2005
|
December
31
2004
|
Net
loss
|
$(1,094)
|
$(1,031)
|
Translation
adjustments
|
(1,534)
|
8,424
|
Comprehensive
income (loss)
|
$(2,628)
|
$7,393
|
11
Segments
of Business
The
Company conducts its worldwide operations through separate global business
units, each of which represents major product lines. Operations are conducted
in
the United States and various foreign countries, primarily in Europe, Canada
and
the Pacific Basin. The Company’s Outdoor Equipment business recognized net sales
to the United States military which totaled approximately 12.2% and 20.0% of
total Company’s net sales during the quarters ended December 30, 2005 and
December 31, 2004, respectively.
Net
sales
and operating profit include both sales to customers, as reported in the
Company's consolidated statements of operations, and interunit transfers, which
are priced to recover cost plus an appropriate profit margin. Total assets
are
those assets used in the Company's operations in each business unit at the
end
of the periods presented.
A
summary
of the Company’s operations by business unit is presented below:
|
|
Three
Months Ended
|
|
|
|
December
30
2005
|
|
December
31
2004
|
|
Net
sales:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Marine
electronics:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unaffiliated
customers
|
|
$
|
29,966
|
|
$
|
27,738
|
|
Interunit
transfers
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
111
|
|
Outdoor
equipment:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unaffiliated
customers
|
|
|
14,517
|
|
|
18,840
|
|
Interunit
transfers
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
11
|
|
Watercraft:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unaffiliated
customers
|
|
|
12,261
|
|
|
11,963
|
|
Interunit
transfers
|
|
|
23
|
|
|
103
|
|
Diving:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unaffiliated
customers
|
|
|
15,742
|
|
|
16,321
|
|
Interunit
transfers
|
|
|
76
|
|
|
3
|
|
Other
|
|
|
77
|
|
|
120
|
|
Eliminations
|
|
|
(114
|
)
|
|
(228
|
)
|
|
|
$
|
72,563
|
|
$
|
74,982
|
|
Operating
profit (loss):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Marine
electronics
|
|
$
|
2,416
|
|
$
|
2,887
|
|
Outdoor
equipment
|
|
|
1,648
|
|
|
3,408
|
|
Watercraft
|
|
|
(2,491
|
)
|
|
(2,819
|
)
|
Diving
|
|
|
66
|
|
|
(136
|
)
|
Other
|
|
|
(2,451
|
)
|
|
(3,415
|
)
|
|
|
$
|
(812
|
)
|
$
|
(75
|
)
|
Total
assets (end of period):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Marine
electronics
|
|
$
|
75,600
|
|
$
|
69,045
|
|
Outdoor
equipment`
|
|
|
26,799
|
|
|
23,473
|
|
Watercraft
|
|
|
56,060
|
|
|
59,683
|
|
Diving
|
|
|
92,295
|
|
|
102,394
|
|
Other
|
|
|
35,493
|
|
|
23,522
|
|
|
|
$
|
286,247
|
|
$
|
278,117
|
|
12
Litigation
The
Company is subject to various legal actions and proceedings in the normal course
of business, including those related to product liability and environmental
matters. The Company is insured against loss for certain of these matters.
Although litigation is subject to many uncertainties and the ultimate exposure
with respect to these matters cannot be ascertained, management does not believe
the final outcome of any pending litigation will have a material adverse effect
on the financial condition, results of operations, liquidity or cash flows
of
the Company.
Item
2 Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations
The
following discussion includes comments and analysis relating to the results
of
operations and financial condition of Johnson Outdoors Inc. and its subsidiaries
(the Company) as of and for the three months ended December 30, 2005 and
December 31, 2004. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the
consolidated financial statements and related notes that immediately precede
this section, as well as the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
year ended September 30, 2005.
Forward
Looking Statements
Certain
matters discussed in this Form 10-Q are “forward-looking statements,” and the
Company intends these forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe
harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is including this statement for
purposes of those safe harbor provisions. These forward-looking statements
can
generally be identified as such because the context of the statement includes
phrases such as the Company “expects,” “believes” or other words of similar
meaning. Similarly, statements that describe the Company’s future plans,
objectives or goals are also forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking
statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties which could cause
actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those currently
anticipated. Factors that could affect actual results or outcomes include
changes in consumer spending patterns; the Company’s success in implementing its
strategic plan, including its focus on innovation; actions of companies that
compete with the Company; the Company’s success in managing inventory; movements
in foreign currencies or interest rates; unanticipated issues related to the
Company’s military tent business; the success of suppliers and customers; the
ability of the Company to deploy its capital successfully; unanticipated
outcomes related to outsourcing certain manufacturing processes; unanticipated
outcomes related to outstanding litigation matters; adverse weather conditions;
and unanticipated events related to the terminated buy-out proposal.
Shareholders, potential investors and other readers are urged to consider these
factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements and are cautioned not
to
place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking
statements included herein are only made as of the date of this Form 10-Q.
The
Company assumes no obligation, and disclaims any obligation, to update such
forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or
circumstances.
Trademarks
We
have
registered the following trademarks, which are used in this Form 10-K: Minn
Kota®, Cannon®, Humminbird®, Bottomline®, Fishin' Buddy®, Silva®, Eureka!®, Old
Town®, Ocean Kayak®, Necky®, Escape®, Extrasport®, Carlisle®, SCUBAPRO®, and
UWATEC®.
Overview
The
Company designs, manufactures and markets top-quality outdoor recreational
products. Through a combination of innovative products and strong marketing
and
distribution, the Company meets the needs of the consumer, seeking to set itself
apart from the competition. Its subsidiaries comprise a network that promotes
entrepreneurialism and leverages best practices and synergies, following the
strategic vision set by executive management and approved by the Company’s Board
of Directors.
Quarterly
sales are historically lowest during the first fiscal quarter when the Company
is ramping up for its primary selling season for its outdoor recreational
products. The 3.2% decline in net sales for the three months ended December
30,
2005 resulted primarily from the anticipated decline in military tent sales.
Key
changes include:
|
§
|
Marine
Electronics had a 7.6% increase in quarterly sales due primarily
to the
continued growth of Humminbird, and the acquisition of Cannon/Bottomline
brands on October 3, 2005 which added $1.2 million in sales to the
division during the quarter.
|
|
§
|
Watercraft
continued its positive momentum with sales 1.8% ahead of last year’s first
quarter due to the favorable reception of new
products.
|
|
§
|
Diving
revenues declined 3.1% due to unfavorable currency fluctuations of
$1.0
million.
|
|
§
|
Outdoor
Equipment revenues decreased 23.0% due entirely to a 29.1% decline
($4.6
million) in military tent sales from the prior year quarter.
|
Debt-to-total
capitalization stands at 29% at the end of the quarter, higher than the prior
year’s first quarter end as the Company incurred short-term borrowings to meet
working capital needs.
Due
to
the seasonality of the Company’s businesses, first quarter results are not
expected to be indicative of the Company's primary selling period, which takes
place in its second and third fiscal quarters. The table below sets forth a
historical view of the Company’s seasonality.
Year
Ended
|
|
|
|
September
30, 2005
|
|
October
1, 2004
|
|
October
3, 2003
|
|
Quarter
Ended
|
|
Net
Sales
|
|
Operating
Profit
(Loss)
|
|
Net
Sales
|
|
Operating
Profit
(Loss)
|
|
Net
Sales
|
|
Operating
Profit
(Loss)
|
|
December
|
|
|
20
|
%
|
|
|
%
|
|
18
|
%
|
|
7
|
%
|
|
17
|
%
|
|
1
|
%
|
March
|
|
|
28
|
|
|
54
|
|
|
27
|
|
|
45
|
|
|
27
|
|
|
53
|
|
June
|
|
|
32
|
|
|
76
|
|
|
34
|
|
|
72
|
|
|
34
|
|
|
77
|
|
September
|
|
|
20
|
|
|
(30
|
)
|
|
21
|
|
|
(24
|
)
|
|
22
|
|
|
(31
|
)
|
|
|
|
100
|
%
|
|
100
|
%
|
|
100
|
%
|
|
100
|
%
|
|
100
|
%
|
|
100
|
%
|
Results
of Operations
The
Company’s sales and operating profit (loss) by segment are summarized as
follows:
(millions)
|
|
Three
Months Ended
|
|
|
|
December
30
2005
|
|
December
31
2004
|
|
Net
sales:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Marine
electronics
|
|
$
|
30.0
|
|
$
|
27.9
|
|
Outdoor
equipment
|
|
|
14.5
|
|
|
18.8
|
|
Watercraft
|
|
|
12.3
|
|
|
12.1
|
|
Diving
|
|
|
15.8
|
|
|
16.3
|
|
Other/eliminations
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
(0.1
|
)
|
Total
|
|
$
|
72.6
|
|
$
|
75.0
|
|
Operating
profit (loss):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Marine
electronics
|
|
$
|
2.4
|
|
$
|
2.9
|
|
Outdoor
equipment
|
|
|
1.6
|
|
|
3.4
|
|
Watercraft
|
|
|
(2.5
|
)
|
|
(2.8
|
)
|
Diving
|
|
|
0.1
|
|
|
(0.1
|
)
|
Other/eliminations
|
|
|
(2.4
|
)
|
|
(3.5
|
)
|
Total
|
|
$
|
(0.8
|
)
|
$
|
(0.1
|
)
|
See
Note
11 of notes to the consolidated financial statements for the definition of
segment net sales and operating profits.
Net
sales
on a consolidated basis for the three months ended December 30, 2005 totaled
$72.6 million, a decrease of 3.2% or $2.4 million, compared to $75.0 million
in
the three months ended December 31, 2004. The Company acquired the
Cannon/Bottomline businesses on October 3, 2005. Net sales for the
Cannon/Bottomline businesses for the three months ended December 30, 2005 were
$1.2 million. Foreign currency fluctuations unfavorably impacted quarterly
sales
by $1.0 million in the three months ended December 30, 2005. Two of the
Company’s business units had sales growth over the prior year. The Marine
Electronics business sales increased $2.1 million, or 7.6%, to $30.0 million.
This increase was primarily the result of growth in the Humminbird business
as
well as the addition of the Cannon/Bottomline businesses. Sales for the
Watercraft business increased slightly, 1.8% higher than the prior year’s first
quarter. Outdoor Equipment business net sales declined $4.3 million, or 23.0%,
to $14.5 million resulting from the declines in military tent sales in the
current fiscal year. The Company anticipated this decline in military tent
sales
based on its current contracts outstanding. The Diving business sales decreased
$0.5 million, or 3.1%, to $15.8 million, including unfavorable currency
fluctuations totaling $1.0 million resulting from the weakening of the Euro
against the U.S. Dollar.
Gross
profit as a percentage of sales was 40.6% for the three months ended December
30, 2005 compared to 40.4% in the corresponding period in the prior year. The
overall increase in gross margin rate was driven by Watercraft and Diving,
who
benefited from improvements in operations as well as new product launches.
Outdoor Equipment business gross margin rates declined, mainly attributable
to
the loss of military tent business. The Marine Electronics gross margin rate
was
flat. Minn Kota business gross margin rates were flat and gross margin rates
for
the Humminbird business were improved over prior year but still lower than
historical Marine Electronics rates.
The
Company recognized an operating loss of $0.8 million for the three months ended
December 30, 2005 compared to an operating loss of $0.1 million for the
corresponding period of the prior year. Diving reported an operating profit
of
$0.1 million. Watercraft operating losses for the three months were improved
over the losses incurred in the prior year as a result of improvements made
to
the business’s operations. The Outdoor Equipment business declines in operating
profit were the result of the reduction in military tent sales. Marine
Electronics operating profits declined on lower Minn Kota volume as well as
increased spending on research and development. Operating profit in fiscal
2005
was also negatively impacted by expenses (approximately $0.9 million) recorded
at the corporate level related to the proposed buy-out transaction, which did
not occur and was terminated on March 31, 2005.
Interest
expense declined to $1.0 million for the three months ended December 30, 2005,
from $1.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2004. In the current
year, the Company benefited from reductions in overall debt levels.
Interest
income was $0.1 million for the three months ended December 30, 2005, flat
as
compared to the same period a year ago.
The
Company’s effective tax rate for the three months ended December 30, 2005 was
38.7%, compared to 1.4% for the corresponding period of the prior year. The
prior year effective tax rate was impacted by the non-deductibility of costs
related to the then on-going proposed buy-out transaction. The buy-out
transaction was subsequently terminated on March 31, 2005 and the costs became
deductible.
Net
Loss
Net
loss
for the three months ended December 30, 2005 was $1.1 million, or $0.12 per
diluted share, compared to net loss of $1.0 million, or $0.12 per diluted share,
for the corresponding period of the prior year due to the factors noted
above.
Financial
Condition
The
Company’s cash flow from operating, investing and financing activities, as
reflected in the consolidated statements of cash flows, is summarized in the
following table:
|
|
|
|
(millions)
|
|
Three
Months Ended
|
|
|
|
December
30
2005
|
|
December
31
2004
|
|
Cash
provided by (used for):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating
activities
|
|
$
|
(29.3
|
)
|
$
|
(24.8
|
)
|
Investing
activities
|
|
|
(11.9
|
)
|
|
(1.3
|
)
|
Financing
activities
|
|
|
15.0
|
|
|
(12.1
|
)
|
Effect
of exchange rate changes
|
|
|
(0.7
|
)
|
|
3.6
|
|
Decrease
in cash and temporary cash investments
|
|
$
|
(26.9
|
)
|
$
|
(34.6
|
)
|
In
its
first fiscal quarter, the Company typically invests in operating assets in
anticipation of the Company’s strongest selling season, which is in the second
and third quarters of the Company’s fiscal year.
The
Company's debt-to-total capitalization ratio has increased to 29% as of December
30, 2005 from 25% as of December 31, 2004, as the Company incurred short-term
borrowings to meet working capital needs.
Operating
Activities
Cash
flows used for operations totaled $29.3 million for the three months ended
December 30, 2005 compared with $24.8 million used for operations for the
corresponding period of the prior year.
Accounts
receivable increased $13.4 million for the three months ended December 30,
2005,
compared to an increase of $6.6 million in the year ago period. Inventories
increased by $7.5 million for the three months ended December 30, 2005 compared
to an increase of $3.3 million in the prior year comparable period. The
inventory build in the current year is primarily related to a build-up of
products for the Company’s selling season. The Company believes it is producing
products at levels adequate to meet expected customer demand.
Accounts
payable and accrued liabilities decreased $10.2 million for the three months
ended December 30, 2005 versus a decrease of $14.9 million for the corresponding
period of the prior year. The decreases during the quarters ended December
30,
2005 and December 31, 2004 was the result of settlement of various
accruals.
Depreciation
and amortization charges were $2.3 million for the three months ended December
30, 2005 and $2.6 million for the corresponding period of the prior year.
Investing
Activities
Cash
used
for investing activities totaled $11.9 million for the three months ended
December 30, 2005 and $1.3 million for the corresponding period of the prior
year. Capital expenditures totaled $1.5 million for the three months ended
December 30, 2005 and $1.7 million for the corresponding period of the prior
year. The Company’s recurring investments are made primarily for tooling for new
products and enhancements. In 2006, capital expenditures are anticipated to
be
in line with prior year levels. These expenditures are expected to be funded
by
working capital or existing credit facilities. Additionally on October 3, 2005,
the Company acquired the assets of Cannon/Bottomline for an initial purchase
price of $10.4 million. An adjustment to the purchase price based on closing
working capital in the amount of $0.5 million was received by the Company on
January 19, 2006.
Financing
Activities
Cash
flows provided by financing activities totaled $15.0 million for the three
months ended December 30, 2005 and cash flows used for financing activities
totaled $12.1 million for the corresponding period of the prior year. The
Company made principal payments on senior notes and other long-term debt of
$13.0 million and $16.2 million during the first quarters of fiscal years 2006
and 2005, respectively.
On
October 7, 2005, the Company entered into a new $75 million
unsecured revolving credit facility agreement expiring October 7, 2010.
Available credit under this agreement, along with cash provided by operating
activities, is expected to provide adequate funding for the Company’s operations
through October 7, 2010. The Company had borrowings outstanding on revolving
credit facilities of $28.0 million ($25.0 million at an interest rate of 5.05%
and $3.0 million at an interest rate of 7.25%) as of December 30, 2005. The
Company incurred short-term borrowings to meet working capital
needs.
Obligations
and Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
The
Company has obligations and commitments to make future payments under debt
agreements and operating leases. The following schedule details these
obligations at December 30, 2005.
|
|
Payment
Due by Period
|
|
(millions)
|
|
Total
|
|
Remainder
2006
|
|
2007/08
|
|
2009/10
|
|
2011
& After
|
|
Long-term
debt
|
|
$
|
37.8
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
17.0
|
|
$
|
20.8
|
|
$
|
|
|
Short-term
debt
|
|
|
28.0
|
|
|
28.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating
lease obligations
|
|
|
18.2
|
|
|
2.9
|
|
|
7.4
|
|
|
4.3
|
|
|
3.6
|
|
Open
purchase orders
|
|
|
58.4
|
|
|
58.4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contractually
obligated interest payments
|
|
|
5.4
|
|
|
1.5
|
|
|
2.3
|
|
|
1.6
|
|
|
|
|
Total
contractual obligations
|
|
$
|
147.8
|
|
$
|
90.8
|
|
$
|
26.7
|
|
$
|
26.7
|
|
$
|
3.6
|
|
Interest
obligations on short-term debt are included in the contractually obligated
interest payments above only to the extent accrued as of December 30, 2005.
Future interest costs on the revolving credit facility cannot be estimated
due
to the variability of the borrowings against that facility and the variable
interest rates on that facility.
The
Company also utilizes letters of credit for trade financing purposes. Letters
of
credit outstanding at December 30, 2005 total $3.7 million.
The
Company has entered into an inventory purchase agreement with one of its
suppliers. Under the terms of this agreement, the Company guarantees that upon
the occurrence of an event of default with respect to the credit facilities
between the supplier and its bank, the Company will purchase up to a maximum
declining amount of good quality inventory over the period through August 1,
2006. The schedule of obligations in the event of default is as
follows:
|
l
|
Through
February 28, 2006 - Up to $2.5
million.
|
|
l
|
From
March 1, 2006 to May 31, 2006 - Up to $2.0
million.
|
|
l
|
From
June 1, 2006 to August 1, 2006 - Up to $1.5
million.
|
The
Company has no other off-balance sheet arrangements.
Market
Risk Management
The
Company is exposed to market risk stemming from changes in foreign exchange
rates, interest rates and, to a lesser extent, commodity prices. Changes in
these factors could cause fluctuations in earnings and cash flows. The Company
may reduce exposure to certain of these market risks by entering into hedging
transactions authorized under Company policies that place controls on these
activities. Hedging transactions involve the use of a variety of derivative
financial instruments. Derivatives are used only where there is an underlying
exposure, not for trading or speculative purposes.
Foreign
Operations
The
Company has significant foreign operations, for which the functional currencies
are denominated primarily in Euros, Swiss francs, Japanese yen and Canadian
dollars. As the values of the currencies of the foreign countries in which
the
Company has operations increase or decrease relative to the U.S. Dollar, the
sales, expenses, profits, losses, assets and liabilities of the Company’s
foreign operations, as reported in the Company’s consolidated financial
statements, increase or decrease, accordingly. In the past the Company has
mitigated a portion of the fluctuations in certain foreign currencies through
the purchase of foreign currency swaps, forward contracts and options to hedge
known commitments, primarily for purchases of inventory and other assets
denominated in foreign currencies; however, no such transactions were entered
into during fiscal 2005 or the first quarter of fiscal 2006.
Interest
Rates
The
Company’s debt structure and interest rate risk are managed through the use of
fixed and floating rate debt. The Company’s primary exposure is to United States
interest rates. The Company also periodically enters into interest rate swaps,
caps or collars to hedge its exposure and lower financing costs. The Company
had
no interest rate swaps, caps or collars outstanding as of December 31, 2005
or
September 30, 2005.
Commodities
Certain
components used in the Company’s products are exposed to commodity price
changes. The Company manages this risk through instruments such as purchase
orders and non-cancelable supply contracts. Primary commodity price exposures
are metals and packaging materials.
Sensitivity
to Changes in Value
The
estimates that follow are intended to measure the maximum potential fair value
or earnings the Company could lose in one year from adverse changes in market
interest rates. The calculations are not intended to represent actual losses
in
fair value or earnings that the Company expects to incur. The estimates do
not
consider favorable changes in market rates. The table below presents the
estimated maximum potential loss in fair value and annual earnings before income
taxes from a 100 basis point movement in interest rates on the senior notes
outstanding at December 30, 2005:
(millions)
|
|
Estimated
Impact on
|
|
|
|
Fair
Value
|
|
Earnings
Before Income Taxes
|
|
Interest
rate instruments
|
|
$
|
0.5
|
|
$
|
0.4
|
|
The
Company has outstanding $37.8 million in unsecured senior notes as of December
30, 2005. The senior notes bear interest rates that range from 7.15% to 7.82%
and are to be repaid through December 2008. The fair market value of the
Company’s fixed rate senior notes was $40.1 million as of December 30,
2005.
Other
Factors
The
Company experienced inflationary pressures during 2005 on energy, metals and
resins. The Company anticipates that changing costs of basic raw materials
may
impact future operating costs and, accordingly, the prices of its products.
The
Company is involved in continuing programs to mitigate the impact of cost
increases through changes in product design and identification of sourcing
and
manufacturing efficiencies. Price increases and, in certain situations, price
decreases are implemented for individual products, when
appropriate.
Critical
Accounting Policies and
Estimates
The
Company’s critical accounting policies are identified in the Company’s Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2005 in
Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations
under
the heading “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates.” There were no
significant changes to the Company’s critical accounting policies during the
three months ended December 30, 2005.
Item
3. Quantitative
and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Information
with respect to this item is included in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations under the heading “Market Risk
Management.”
Item
4. Controls
and Procedures
The
Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure
that information required to be disclosed in the Company’s reports filed under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), is
recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the specified time periods.
As of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company carried out
an
evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s
management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer,
of the effectiveness of the design and operation of these disclosure controls
and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act.
Based on that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief
Financial Officer concluded that as of the end of such period, the Company’s
disclosure controls and procedures are effective.
There
were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that
occurred during the last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are
reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over
financial reporting.
PART
II OTHER
INFORMATION
Item
6.
|
Exhibits
|
|
|
|
The
following exhibits are filed as part of this Form 10-Q:
|
|
|
|
4.15
|
|
|
|
|
|
31.1
|
|
|
|
|
|
31.2
|
|
|
|
|
|
32
( 1)
|
|
__________________
(1)
This
certification is not “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or incorporated by reference into any
filing
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange
Act of
1934, as amended.
SIGNATURES
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 thereunto
duly authorized.
|
JOHNSON
OUTDOORS INC.
|
Signatures
Dated: February 8, 2006
|
|
|
/s/
Helen P. Johnson-Leipold
|
|
Helen
P. Johnson-Leipold
Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer
|
|
|
|
/s/
David W. Johnson
|
|
David
W. Johnson
Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal
Financial and Accounting Officer)
|
Exhibit
Index to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
Exhibit
Number
|
Description
|
|
|
4.15
|
Revolving
Credit Agreement, dated as of October 7, 2005, by and among Johnson
Outdoors Inc.
|
|
|
31.1
|
Certification
by the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
|
|
|
31.2
|
Certification
by the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
|
|
|
32
( 1)
|
Certification
of Periodic Financial Report by the Chief Executive Officer and Chief
Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
of
2002.
|
___________________
(1)
This
certification is not “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or incorporated by reference into any
filing
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange
Act of
1934, as amended.
Exhibit 4.15 to December 30, 2005 Form 10-Q
EXHIBIT
4.15
EXECUTION
COPY
|
JP
MORGAN
|
CREDIT
AGREEMENT
dated
as of
October
[7],
2005
among
JOHNSON
OUTDOORS INC.
The
Lenders Party Hereto
and
JPMORGAN
CHASE BANK, N.A.
as
Administrative Agent
__________________________________
|
|
J.P.
MORGAN SECURITIES INC.
as
Sole Bookrunner and Sole Lead Arranger
|
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
|
Page |
ARTICLE
I Definitions
SECTION
1.01. Defined Terms
SECTION
1.02. Classification of Loans and Borrowings
SECTION
1.03. Terms Generally
SECTION
1.04. Accounting Terms; GAAP
ARTICLE
II The Credits
SECTION
2.01. Commitments
SECTION
2.02. Loans and Borrowings
SECTION
2.03. Requests for Revolving Borrowings
SECTION
2.04. Determination of Dollar Amounts
SECTION
2.05. Swingline Loans
SECTION
2.06. Letters of Credit
SECTION
2.07. Funding of Borrowings
SECTION
2.08. Interest Elections
SECTION
2.09. Termination and Reduction of Commitments
SECTION
2.10. Repayment of Loans; Evidence of Debt
SECTION
2.11. Prepayment of Loans
SECTION
2.12. Fees
SECTION
2.13. Interest
SECTION
2.14. Alternate Rate of Interest
SECTION
2.15. Increased Costs
SECTION
2.16. Break Funding Payments
SECTION
2.17. Taxes
SECTION
2.18. Payments Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of
Set-offs
SECTION
2.19. Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders
SECTION
2.20. Expansion Option
SECTION
2.21. Market Disruption
SECTION
2.22. Judgment Currency
ARTICLE
III Representations and Warranties
SECTION
3.01. Organization; Powers; Subsidiaries
SECTION
3.02. Authorization; Enforceability
SECTION
3.03. Governmental Approvals; No Conflicts
SECTION
3.04. Financial Condition; No Material Adverse Change
SECTION
3.05. Properties
SECTION
3.06. Litigation and Environmental Matters
SECTION
3.07. Compliance with Laws and Agreements
SECTION
3.08. Investment and Holding Company Status
SECTION
3.09. Taxes
SECTION 3.10.
ERISA
SECTION
3.11. Disclosure
SECTION
3.12. Federal Reserve Regulations
SECTION
3.13. No Default
|
1
19
19
20
20
20
20
21
22
22
23
28
29
30
31
32
32
34
34
35
36
36
38
40
40
41
42
42
42
43
43
43
44
44
44
45
45
45
45
45
45
|
ARTICLE
IV Conditions
SECTION
4.01. Effective Date
SECTION
4.02. Each Credit Event
ARTICLE
V Affirmative Covenants
SECTION
5.01. Financial Statements and Other Information
SECTION
5.02. Notices of Material Events
SECTION
5.03. Existence; Conduct of Business
SECTION
5.04. Payment of Obligations
SECTION
5.05. Maintenance of Properties; Insurance
SECTION
5.06. Books and Records; Inspection Rights
SECTION
5.07. Compliance with Laws
SECTION
5.08. Use of Proceeds and Letters of Credit
SECTION
5.09. Subsidiary Guaranty
ARTICLE
VI Negative Covenants
SECTION
6.01. Indebtedness
SECTION
6.02. Liens
SECTION
6.03. Fundamental Changes
SECTION
6.04. Investments, Loans, Advances, Guarantees and
Acquisitions
SECTION
6.05. Asset Sales
SECTION
6.06. Sale and Leaseback Transactions
SECTION
6.07. Swap Agreements
SECTION
6.08. Restricted Payments
SECTION
6.09. Transactions with Affiliates
SECTION
6.10. Restrictive Agreements
SECTION
6.11. Amendment of Material Documents
SECTION
6.12. [Intentionally Ommitted]
SECTION
6.13. Financial Covenants
SECTION
6.14. Fiscal Year
|
46
46
47
47
47
48
49
49
49
49
50
50
50
50
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
56
56
56
57
57
57
57
|
ARTICLE
VII Events of Default
ARTICLE
VIII The Administrative Agent
ARTICLE
IX Miscellaneous
SECTION
9.01. Notices
SECTION
9.02. Waivers; Amendments
SECTION
9.03. Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver
SECTION
9.04. Successors and Assigns
SECTION
9.05. Survival
SECTION
9.06. Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness
SECTION
9.07. Severability
SECTION
9.08. Right of Setoff
SECTION
9.09. Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of
Process
SECTION
9.10. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL
SECTION
9.11. Headings
SECTION
9.12. Confidentiality
SECTION
9.13. USA PATRIOT Act
|
57
58
58
58
58
58
58
58
58
58
58
58
58
58
58
58
|
SCHEDULES:
|
|
Schedule
1.01 - Excluded Subsidiaries
|
Schedule
2.01 - Commitments
|
Schedule
2.06 - Letters of Credit
|
Schedule
3.01 - Subsidiaries
|
Schedule
6.01 - Existing Indebtedness
|
Schedule
6.02 - Existing Liens
|
Schedule
6.04 - Existing Investments
|
Schedule
6.10 - Existing Restrictions
|
|
EXHIBITS:
|
Exhibit
A - Form of Assignment and Assumption
|
Exhibit
B - Form of Opinion of Loan Parties’ Counsel
|
Exhibit
C - Form of Increasing Lender Supplement
|
Exhibit
D - Form of Augmenting Lender Supplement
|
Exhibit
E - List of Closing Documents
|
CREDIT
AGREEMENT dated as of October [7],
2005
among JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC., the LENDERS party hereto and JPMORGAN CHASE BANK,
N.A., as Administrative Agent.
The
parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE
I
Definitions
SECTION
1.01. Defined
Terms.
As used
in this Agreement, the following terms have the meanings specified
below:
“ABR”,
when
used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or
the
Loans comprising such Borrowing, are bearing interest at a rate determined
by
reference to the Alternate Base Rate.
“Acquisition”
means
any transaction, or any series of related transactions, consummated on or after
the date of this Agreement, by which the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
(i)
acquires any going business or all or substantially all of the assets of any
firm, corporation or limited liability company or other business entity, or
division thereof, whether through purchase of assets, merger or otherwise or
(ii) directly or indirectly acquires (in one transaction or as the most recent
transaction in a series of transactions) at least a majority (in number of
votes) of the securities of a corporation which have ordinary voting power
for
the election of directors (other than securities having such power only by
reason of the happening of a contingency) or a majority (by percentage of voting
power) of the outstanding ownership interests of a partnership or limited
liability company or other business entity.
“Adjusted
LIBO Rate”
means,
with respect to any Eurocurrency Borrowing for any Interest Period, an interest
rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/16 of 1%) equal
to
(a) the LIBO Rate for such Interest Period multiplied by (b) the Statutory
Reserve Rate.
“Administrative
Agent”
means
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as administrative agent for the
Lenders hereunder.
“Administrative
Questionnaire”
means
an Administrative Questionnaire in a form supplied by the Administrative
Agent.
“Affiliate”
means,
with respect to a specified Person, another Person that directly, or indirectly
through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under
common Control with the Person specified.
“Agreed
Currencies”
means
Dollars and euro.
“Alternate
Base Rate”
means,
for any day, a rate per annum equal to the greater of (a) the Prime Rate in
effect on such day and (b) the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect on such
day
plus ½ of 1%. Any change in the Alternate Base Rate due to a change in the Prime
Rate or the Federal Funds Effective Rate shall be effective from and including
the effective date of such change in the Prime Rate or the Federal Funds
Effective Rate, respectively.
“Applicable
Percentage”
means,
with respect to any Lender, the percentage of the total Commitments represented
by such Lender’s Commitment. If the Commitments have terminated or expired, the
Applicable Percentages shall be determined based upon the Commitments most
recently in effect, giving effect to any assignments.
“Applicable
Rate”
means,
for any day, with respect to any Eurocurrency Revolving Loan, or with respect
to
the facility fees and Letter of Credit fees payable hereunder, as the case
may
be, the applicable rate per annum set forth below under the caption
“Eurocurrency Spread” or “Facility Fee Rate” as the case may be, based upon the
Leverage Ratio applicable on such date:
Category:
|
Leverage
Ratio:
|
Eurocurrency
Spread
|
Facility
Fee Rate
|
1
|
<
1.5 to 1.0
|
0.475%
|
0.150%
|
2
|
>
1.5
to 1.0 but <
2.0 to 1.0
|
0.575%
|
0.175%
|
3
|
>
2.0
to 1.0 but <
2.5 to 1.0
|
0.675%
|
0.200%
|
4
|
>
2.5
to 1.0 but <
3.0 to 1.0
|
0.750%
|
0.250%
|
5
|
>
3.0
to 1.0
|
1.20%
|
0.300%
|
For
purposes of the foregoing,
(i)
if
at any
time the Borrower fails to deliver the Financials on or before the
30th
day
after the date the Financials are due, Category 5 (as identified in the above
table) shall be deemed applicable for the period commencing five (5) Business
Days after such 30th
day and
ending on the date which is five (5) Business Days after the Financials are
actually delivered, after which the Category shall be determined in accordance
with the table above as applicable;
(ii)
adjustments,
if any, to the Category then in effect shall be effective five (5) Business
Days
after the Administrative Agent has received the applicable Financials (it being
understood and agreed that each change in Category shall apply during the period
commencing on the effective date of such change and ending on the date
immediately preceding the effective date of the next such change);
and
(iii)
notwithstanding
the foregoing, Category 3 (as identified in the above table) shall be deemed
to
be applicable until the Administrative Agent’s receipt of the applicable
Financials for the Borrower’s fiscal year ending on or about September 30, 2005,
and adjustments to the Category then in effect shall thereafter be effected
in
accordance with the preceding paragraphs.
“Approved
Fund”
has
the
meaning assigned to such term in Section 9.04.
“Approximate
Equivalent Amount”
of
any
currency with respect to any amount of Dollars shall mean the Equivalent Amount
of such currency with respect to such amount of Dollars on or as of such date,
rounded up to the nearest whole amount of such currency as determined by the
Administrative Agent from time to time.
“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 9.04), and accepted
by
the Administrative Agent, in the form of Exhibit
A
or any
other form approved by the Administrative Agent.
“Augmenting
Lender”
has
the
meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.20.
“Availability
Period”
means
the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the earlier
of
the Maturity Date and the date of termination of the Commitments.
“Board”
means
the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States of
America.
“Borrower”
means
Johnson Outdoors Inc., a Wisconsin corporation.
“Borrowing”
means
(a) Revolving Loans of the same Type, made, converted or continued on the same
date and, in the case of Eurocurrency Loans, as to which a single Interest
Period is in effect or (b) a Swingline Loan.
“Borrowing
Request”
means
a
request by the Borrower for a Revolving Borrowing in accordance with Section
2.03.
“Business
Day”
means
any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks
in
New York City are authorized or required by law to remain closed; provided
that,
when used in connection with a Eurocurrency Loan, the term “Business
Day”
shall
also exclude any day on which banks are not open for dealings in Agreed
Currencies in the London interbank market and, if the Borrowings or LC
Disbursements which are the subject of a borrowing, drawing, payment,
reimbursement or rate selection are denominated in euro, a day upon which such
clearing system as is determined by the Administrative Agent to be suitable
for
clearing or settlement of euro is open for business.
“Capital
Expenditures”
means,
without duplication, any expenditures or commitment to expend money for any
purchase or other acquisition of any asset which would be classified as a fixed
or capital asset on a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries prepared in accordance with GAAP.
“Capital
Lease Obligations”
of
any
Person means the obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under
any lease of (or other arrangement conveying the right to use) real or personal
property, or a combination thereof, which obligations are required to be
classified and accounted for as capital leases on a balance sheet of such Person
under GAAP, and the
amount of such obligations shall be the capitalized amount thereof determined
in
accordance with GAAP.
“Change
in Control”
means
(a) the Johnson Family shall at any time fail to own stock having, in the
aggregate, votes sufficient to elect at least a fifty-one percent (51%) majority
of the Board of Directors of the Borrower; (b) the acquisition of ownership,
directly or indirectly, beneficially or of record, by any Person or group
(within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules of
the
Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder as in effect on the date hereof),
of Equity Interests representing more than 30% of the aggregate ordinary voting
power represented by the issued and outstanding Equity Interests of the
Borrower; (c) occupation of a majority of the seats (other than vacant seats)
on
the board of directors of the Borrower by Persons who were neither (i) nominated
by the board of directors of the Borrower nor (ii) appointed by directors so
nominated; (d) the acquisition of direct or indirect Control of the Borrower
by
any Person or group; (e) except as expressly permitted under the terms of this
Agreement, the Borrower consolidates with or merges into another Person or
conveys, transfers or leases all or substantially all of its property to any
Person, or any Person consolidates with or merges into the Borrower, in either
event pursuant to a transaction in which the outstanding Equity Interests of
the
Borrower is reclassified or changed into or exchanged for cash, securities
or
other property; or (f) except as otherwise expressly permitted under the terms
of this Agreement, the Borrower shall cease to own and control, directly or
indirectly, all of the economic and voting rights associated with all of the
outstanding Capital Stock of each of the Borrower’s Subsidiaries or shall cease
to have the power, directly or indirectly, to elect all of the members of the
board of directors of each of the Borrower’s Subsidiaries.
“Change
in Law”
means
(a) the adoption of any law, rule or regulation after the date of this
Agreement, (b) any change in any law, rule or regulation or in the
interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority after the
date of this Agreement or (c) compliance by any Lender or any Issuing Bank
(or,
for purposes of Section 2.15(b), by any lending office of such Lender or by
such
Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s holding company, if any) with any request,
guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of any
Governmental Authority made or issued after the date of this
Agreement.
“Class”,
when
used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or
the
Loans comprising such Borrowing, are Revolving Loans or Swingline
Loans.
“Code”
means
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.
“Commitment”
means,
with respect to each Lender, the commitment of such Lender to make Revolving
Loans and to acquire participations in Letters of Credit and Swingline Loans
hereunder, expressed as an amount representing the maximum aggregate amount
of
such Lender’s Revolving Credit Exposure hereunder, as such commitment may be (a)
reduced from time to time pursuant to Section 2.09, (b) increased from time
to
time pursuant to Section 2.20 and (c) reduced or increased from time to time
pursuant to assignments by or to such Lender pursuant to Section 9.04. The
initial amount of each Lender’s Commitment is set forth on Schedule
2.01,
or in
the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender shall have assumed
its Commitment, as applicable. The initial aggregate amount of the Lenders’
Commitments is $75,000,000.
“Computation
Date”
is
defined in Section 2.04.
“Consolidated
EBITDA”
means
Consolidated Net Income plus,
to the
extent deducted from revenues in determining Consolidated Net Income, (i)
Consolidated Interest Expense, (ii) expense for taxes paid or accrued, (iii)
depreciation, (iv) amortization, (v) extraordinary non-cash losses incurred
other than in the ordinary course of business minus,
to the
extent included in Consolidated Net Income, extraordinary non-cash gains
realized other than in the ordinary course of business, and (iv) expenses not
to
exceed $2,500,000 incurred by the Borrower in connection with its proposed
2005
going private transaction during the twelve month period ending July 31, 2005,
all calculated for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP
on
a consolidated basis.
“Consolidated
Interest Expense”
means,
with reference to any period, total interest expense (including that
attributable to Capital Lease Obligations) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
for such period with respect to all outstanding Indebtedness of the Borrower
and
its Subsidiaries (including all commissions, discounts and other fees and
charges owed with respect to letters of credit and bankers’ acceptance financing
and net costs under Swap Agreements in respect of interest rates to the extent
such net costs are allocable to such period in accordance with GAAP), calculated
on a consolidated basis for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such period
in
accordance with GAAP.
“Consolidated
Net Income”
means,
with reference to any period, the net income (or loss) of the Borrower and
its
Subsidiaries calculated in accordance with GAAP on a consolidated basis (without
duplication) for such period.
“Consolidated
Net Worth”
means,
at any time, the total consolidated stockholders’ equity of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries calculated in accordance with GAAP on a consolidated basis as
of
such time.
“Consolidated
Rent Expense”
means,
with reference to any period, all payments under Operating Leases to the extent
deducted in computing Consolidated Net Income, calculated in accordance with
GAAP for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for such
period.
“Consolidated
Total Assets”
means,
as of the date of any determination thereof, total assets of the Borrower and
its Subsidiaries calculated in accordance with GAAP on a consolidated basis
as
of such date.
“Consolidated
Total Indebtedness”
means
at any time the sum, without duplication, of the aggregate Indebtedness of
the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries calculated on a consolidated basis as of such
time
in accordance with GAAP.
“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.
“Country
Risk Event” means:
(i) any
law,
action or failure to act by any Governmental Authority in the Borrower’s or
Letter of Credit beneficiary’s country which has the effect of:
(a) changing
the obligations under the relevant Letter of Credit, the Credit Agreement or
any
of the other Loan Documents as originally agreed or otherwise creating any
additional liability, cost or expense to an Issuing Bank, the Lenders or the
Administrative Agent,
(b) changing
the ownership or control by the Borrower or Letter of Credit beneficiary of
its
business, or
(c) preventing
or restricting the conversion into or transfer of the applicable Agreed
Currency;
(ii) force
majeure; or
(iii) any
similar event
which,
in
relation to (i), (ii) and (iii), directly or indirectly, prevents or restricts
the payment or transfer of any amounts owing under the relevant Letter of Credit
in the applicable Agreed Currency into an account designated by the
Administrative Agent or an Issuing Bank and freely available to the
Administrative Agent or an Issuing Bank.
“Credit
Event”
means
a
Borrowing, an LC Disbursement or both.
“Default”
means
any event or condition which constitutes an Event of Default or which upon
notice, lapse of time or both would, unless cured or waived, become an Event
of
Default.
“Dollars”
or
“$”
refers
to lawful money of the United States of America.
“Dollar
Amount”
of
any
currency at any date shall mean (i) the amount of such currency if such currency
is Dollars or (ii) the equivalent in such currency of such amount of Dollars
if
such currency is a Foreign Currency, calculated on the basis of the arithmetical
mean of the buy and sell spot rates of exchange of the Administrative Agent
for
such currency on the London market at 11:00 a.m., London time, on or as of
the
most recent Computation Date provided for in Section 2.04.
“Domestic
Subsidiary”
means
a
Subsidiary organized under the laws of a jurisdiction located in the United
States of America.
“Effective
Date”
means
the date on which the conditions specified in Section 4.01 are satisfied (or
waived in accordance with Section 9.02).
“Environmental
Laws”
means
all laws, rules, regulations, codes, ordinances, orders, decrees, judgments,
injunctions, notices or binding agreements issued, promulgated or entered into
by any Governmental Authority, relating in any way to the environment,
preservation or reclamation of natural resources, the management, release or
threatened release of any Hazardous Material or to health and safety
matters.
“Environmental
Liability”
means
any liability, contingent or otherwise (including any liability for damages,
costs of environmental remediation, fines, penalties or indemnities), of the
Borrower or any Subsidiary 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.
“Equity
Interests”
means
shares of capital stock, partnership interests, membership interests in a
limited liability company, beneficial interests in a trust or other equity
ownership interests in a Person, and any warrants, options or other rights
entitling the holder thereof to purchase or acquire any such equity
interest.
“Equivalent
Amount”
of
any
currency with respect to any amount of Dollars at any date shall mean the
equivalent in such currency of such amount of Dollars, calculated on the basis
of the arithmetical mean of the buy and sell spot rates of exchange of the
Administrative Agent for such other currency at 11:00 a.m., London time, on
the
date on or as of which such amount is to be determined.
“ERISA”
means
the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to
time.
“ERISA
Affiliate”
means
any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) that, together with the
Borrower, is treated as a single employer under Section 414(b) or (c) of the
Code or, solely for purposes of Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the
Code, is treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the
Code.
“ERISA
Event”
means
(a) any “reportable event”, as defined in Section 4043 of ERISA or the
regulations issued thereunder with respect to a Plan (other than an event for
which the 30-day notice period is waived); (b) the existence with respect to
any
Plan of an “accumulated funding deficiency” (as defined in Section 412 of the
Code or Section 302 of ERISA), whether or not waived; (c) the filing pursuant
to
Section 412(d) of the Code or Section 303(d) of ERISA of an application for
a
waiver of the minimum funding standard with respect to any Plan; (d) the
incurrence by the Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates of any liability
under
Title IV of ERISA with respect to the termination of any Plan; (e) the receipt
by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from the PBGC or a plan administrator
of
any notice relating to an intention to terminate any Plan or Plans or to appoint
a trustee to administer any Plan; (f) the incurrence by the Borrower or any
of
its ERISA Affiliates of any liability with respect to the withdrawal or partial
withdrawal from any Plan or Multiemployer Plan; or (g) the receipt by the
Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice, or the receipt by any
Multiemployer Plan from the Borrower or
any
ERISA Affiliate of any notice, concerning the imposition of Withdrawal Liability
or a determination that a Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, insolvent
or in reorganization, within the meaning of Title IV of
ERISA.
“EU”
means
the European Union.
“euro”
and/or
“EUR”
means
the single currency of the participating member states of the EU.
“Eurocurrency”,
when
used in reference to a currency means an Agreed Currency and when used in
reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether such Loan, or the Loans
comprising such Borrowing, are bearing interest at a rate determined by
reference to the Adjusted LIBO Rate.
“Eurocurrency
Payment Office”
of
the
Administrative Agent shall mean, for each of the Agreed Currencies which is
a
Foreign Currency, the office, branch, affiliate or correspondent bank of the
Administrative Agent for such currency as specified from time to time by the
Administrative Agent to the Borrower and each Lender. On the date hereof, the
Eurocurrency Payment Office for each Agreed Currency is JPMorgan Chase Bank,
N.A., Loan and Operations, 131 S. Dearborn Street, Chicago, IL 60670, Attention
of Edna Guerra (Facsimile No. (312) 385-7090 and e-mail edna.guerra@jpmchase.com).
“Event
of Default”
has
the
meaning assigned to such term in Article VII.
“Excluded
Subsidiaries”
means
the Subsidiaries listed in Schedule 1.01 hereto.
“Excluded
Taxes”
means,
with respect to the Administrative Agent, any Lender, any Issuing Bank or any
other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation
of
the Borrower hereunder, (a) income or franchise taxes imposed on (or measured
by) its net income by the United States of America, or by the jurisdiction
under
the laws of which such recipient is organized or in which its principal office
is located or, in the case of any Lender, in which its applicable lending office
is located, (b) any branch profits taxes imposed by the United States of America
or any similar tax imposed by any other jurisdiction in which the Borrower
is
located and (c) in the case of a Foreign Lender (other than an assignee pursuant
to a request by the Borrower under Section 2.19(b)), any withholding tax that
is
imposed on amounts payable to such Foreign Lender at the time such Foreign
Lender becomes a party to this Agreement (or designates a new lending office)
or
is attributable to such Foreign Lender’s failure to comply with Section 2.17(e),
except to the extent that such Foreign Lender (or its assignor, if any) was
entitled, at the time of designation of a new lending office (or assignment),
to
receive additional amounts from the Borrower with respect to such withholding
tax pursuant to Section 2.17(a).
“Federal
Funds Effective Rate”
means,
for any day, the weighted average (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next
1/100 of 1%) of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members
of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers, as published
on
the next succeeding Business Day by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or,
if
such rate is not so published for any day that is a Business Day, the average
(rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/100 of 1%) of the quotations
for
such day for such transactions received by
the
Administrative Agent from three Federal funds brokers of recognized standing
selected by it.
“Financial
Officer”
means
the chief financial officer, principal accounting officer, treasurer or
controller of the Borrower.
“Financials”
means
the annual or quarterly financial statements, and accompanying certificates
and
other documents, of the Borrower required to be delivered pursuant to Section
5.01(a) or 5.01(b).
“Fixed
Charge Coverage Ratio”
means,
the ratio, determined as of the end of each fiscal quarter of the Borrower
for
the most-recently ended four fiscal quarters, of (i) the sum of (a) Consolidated
EBITDA for such period, plus (b) Consolidated Rent Expense for such period,
to
(ii) the sum of (a) cash Interest Expense during such period, plus (b)
Consolidated Rent Expense for such period, all calculated for the Borrower
and
its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, provided
that
solely for purposes of Section 6.13(a), to the extent the Borrower or any
Subsidiary makes any acquisition permitted pursuant to Section 6.04 or
disposition of assets outside the ordinary course of business that is permitted
by Section 6.05 during the period of four fiscal quarters of the Borrower most
recently ended, the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be calculated after giving
pro forma effect thereto (including pro forma adjustments arising out of events
which are directly attributable to the acquisition or the disposition of assets,
are factually supportable and are expected to have a continuing impact, in
each
case as determined on a basis consistent with Article 11 of Regulation S-X
of
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as interpreted by the SEC, and as
certified by a Financial Officer of the Borrower and reasonably satisfactory
to
the Administrative Agent), as if such acquisition or such disposition (and
any
related incurrence, repayment or assumption of Indebtedness) had occurred in
the
first day of such four quarter period.
“Foreign
Currencies”
means
each Agreed Currency other than Dollars.
“Foreign
Currency LC Exposure”
means,
at any time, the sum of (a) the Dollar Amount of the aggregate undrawn and
unexpired amount of all outstanding Foreign Currency Letters of Credit at such
time plus (b) the aggregate principal Dollar Amount of all LC Disbursements
in
respect of Foreign Currency Letters of Credit that have not yet been reimbursed
at such time.
“Foreign
Currency Letter of Credit”
means
a
Letter of Credit denominated in a Foreign Currency.
“Foreign
Currency Sublimit”
means
$25,000,000.
“Foreign
Lender”
means
any Lender that is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than that
in
which the Borrower is located. For purposes of this definition, the United
States of America, each State thereof and the District of Columbia shall be
deemed to constitute a single jurisdiction.
“Foreign
Subsidiary”
means
any Subsidiary other than a Domestic Subsidiary.
“GAAP”
means
generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of
America.
“Governmental
Authority”
means
the government of the United States of America, any other nation or any
political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency,
authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity
exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or
administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government.
“Guarantee”
of
or
by any Person (the “guarantor”)
means
any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of the guarantor guaranteeing or having
the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other obligation of
any
other Person (the “primary
obligor”)
in any
manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of the
guarantor, direct or indirect, (a) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply
funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation
or
to purchase (or to advance or supply funds for the purchase of) any security
for
the payment thereof, (b) to purchase or lease property, securities or services
for the purpose of assuring the owner of such Indebtedness or other obligation
of the payment thereof, (c) to maintain working capital, equity capital or
any
other financial statement condition or liquidity of the primary obligor so
as to
enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other obligation or
(d)
as an account party in respect of any letter of credit or letter of guaranty
issued to support such Indebtedness or obligation; provided,
that
the term Guarantee shall not include endorsements for collection or deposit
in
the ordinary course of business.
“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.
“Hostile
Acquisition”
means
(a) the acquisition of the Equity Interests of a Person through a tender offer
or similar solicitation of the owners of such Equity Interests which has not
been approved (prior to such acquisition) by the board of directors (or any
other applicable governing body) of such Person or by similar action if such
Person is not a corporation and (b) any such acquisition as to which such
approval has been withdrawn.
“Increasing
Lender”
has
the
meaning assigned to such term in Section 2.20.
“Indebtedness”
of
any
Person means, without duplication, (a) all obligations of such Person for
borrowed money or with respect to deposits or advances of any kind, (b) all
obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar
instruments, (c) all obligations of such Person upon which interest charges
are customarily paid, (d) all obligations of such Person under conditional
sale or other title retention agreements relating to property acquired by such
Person, (e) all obligations of such Person in respect of the deferred
purchase price of property or services (excluding current accounts payable
incurred in the ordinary course of business), (f) all Indebtedness of
others secured by (or for which the holder of such Indebtedness has an existing
right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien on property
owned or acquired by such Person, whether or not the Indebtedness secured
thereby has been assumed, (g) all Guarantees by such Person of Indebtedness
of others, (h) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person, (i) all
obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person as an account party in
respect of letters of credit and letters of guaranty and (j) all obligations,
contingent or otherwise, of such Person in respect of bankers’ acceptances. The
Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any other entity
(including any partnership in which such Person is a general partner) to the
extent such Person is liable therefor as a result of such Person’s ownership
interest in or other relationship with such entity, except to the extent the
terms of such Indebtedness provide that such Person is not liable
therefor.
“Indemnified
Taxes”
means
Taxes other than Excluded Taxes.
“Information
Memorandum”
means
the Confidential Information Memorandum dated August 2005 relating to the
Borrower and the Transactions.
“Interest
Election Request”
means
a
request by the Borrower to convert or continue a Revolving Borrowing in
accordance with Section 2.08.
“Interest
Payment Date”
means
(a) with respect to any ABR Loan (other than a Swingline Loan), the last day
of
each March, June, September and December and the Maturity Date, (b) with respect
to any Eurocurrency Loan, the last day of the Interest Period applicable to
the
Borrowing of which such Loan is a part and, in the case of a Eurocurrency
Borrowing with an Interest Period of more than three months’ duration, each day
prior to the last day of such Interest Period that occurs at intervals of three
months’ duration after the first day of such Interest Period and the Maturity
Date and (c) with respect to any Swingline Loan, the day that such Loan is
required to be repaid and the Maturity Date.
“Interest
Period”
means
with respect to any Eurocurrency Borrowing, the period commencing on the date
of
such Borrowing and ending on the numerically corresponding day in the calendar
month that is one, two, three or six months thereafter, as the Borrower may
elect; provided, that (i) if any Interest Period would end on a day other than
a
Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding
Business Day unless, in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing only, such next
succeeding Business Day would fall in the next calendar month, in which case
such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day and (ii)
any
Interest Period pertaining to a Eurocurrency Borrowing that commences on the
last Business Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no
numerically corresponding day in the last calendar month of such Interest
Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the last calendar month of such
Interest Period. For purposes hereof, the date of a Borrowing initially shall
be
the date on which such Borrowing is made and, in the case of a Revolving
Borrowing, thereafter shall be the effective date of the most recent conversion
or continuation of such Borrowing.
“Investment”
of
a
Person means any loan, advance (other than commission, travel and similar
advances to officers, employees made in the ordinary course of business),
extension of credit (other than receivables and inventory arising in the
ordinary course of business) or contribution of capital by such Person; stocks,
bonds, mutual funds, partnership interests, notes, debentures or other
securities owned by such Person; any deposit accounts and certificates of
deposit
owned by such Person; and structured notes, derivative financial instruments
and
other similar instruments or contracts owned by such Person.
“Issuing
Bank”
means
each of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., LaSalle Bank National Association and each
other Lender which agrees to act as an Issuing Bank and is approved by the
Administrative Agent (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld), in its
capacity as an issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder, and its successors in
such
capacity as provided in Section 2.06(i). Each Issuing Bank may, in its
discretion, arrange for one or more Letters of Credit to be issued by Affiliates
of such Issuing Bank, in which case the term “Issuing Bank” shall include any
such Affiliate with respect to Letters of Credit issued by such
Affiliate.
“Johnson
Family”
shall
mean at any time, collectively, Samuel C. Johnson, his wife and their children
and grandchildren, the executor or administrator of the estate or other legal
representative of any such Person, all trusts for the benefit of the foregoing
or their heirs or any one or more of them, and all partnerships, corporations
or
other entities directly or indirectly controlled by the foregoing or any one
or
more of them.
“LC
Disbursement”
means
a
payment made by an Issuing Bank pursuant to a Letter of Credit.
“LC
Exposure”
means,
at any time, the sum of (a) the aggregate undrawn Dollar Amount of all
outstanding Letters of Credit at such time plus (b) the aggregate Dollar Amount
of all LC Disbursements that have not yet been reimbursed by or on behalf of
the
Borrower at such time. The LC Exposure of any Lender at any time shall be its
Applicable Percentage of the total LC Exposure at such time.
“Lenders”
means
the Persons listed on Schedule
2.01
and any
other Person that shall have become a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment
and
Assumption, other than any such Person that ceases to be a party hereto pursuant
to an Assignment and Assumption. Unless the context otherwise requires, the
term
“Lenders” includes the Swingline Lender.
“Letter
of Credit”
means
any standby or commercial letter of credit issued pursuant to this
Agreement.
“Leverage
Ratio”
means,
on any date, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Total Indebtedness on such date
to
(b) Consolidated EBITDA for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters
ended
on such date (or, if such date is not the last day of a fiscal quarter, ended
on
the last day of the fiscal quarter most recently ended prior to such date),
provided that solely for purposes of the definition of “Applicable Rate” and
Section 6.13(b), (i) Consolidated Total Indebtedness shall be calculated as
of
the last day of each fiscal quarter based upon the average quarter-end
Consolidated Total Indebtedness for the four-quarter period ending as of the
last day of such fiscal quarter and (ii) to the extent the Borrower or any
Subsidiary makes any acquisition permitted pursuant to Section 6.04 or
disposition of assets outside the ordinary course of business that is permitted
by Section 6.05 during the period of four fiscal quarters of the Borrower most
recently ended, the Leverage Ratio shall be calculated after giving pro forma
effect thereto (including pro forma adjustments arising out of events which
are
directly attributable to the acquisition or the disposition of assets, are
factually supportable and are expected
to have a continuing impact, in each case as determined on a basis consistent
with Article 11 of Regulation S-X of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
as
interpreted by the SEC, and as certified by a Financial Officer of the
Borrower), as if such acquisition or such disposition (and any related
incurrence, repayment or assumption of Indebtedness) had occurred in the first
day of such four quarter period.
“LIBO
Rate”
means,
with respect to any Eurocurrency Borrowing for any Interest Period, the rate
appearing on Page 3750 of the Dow Jones Market Service (or on any successor
or
substitute page of such Service, or any successor to or substitute for such
Service, providing rate quotations comparable to those currently provided on
such page of such Service, as determined by the Administrative Agent from time
to time for purposes of providing quotations of interest rates applicable to
deposits in the relevant Agreed Currency in the London interbank market) at
approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, two (2) Business Days prior to the
commencement of such Interest Period, as the rate for deposits in the relevant
Agreed Currency with a maturity comparable to such Interest Period. In the
event
that such rate is not available at such time for any reason, then the
“LIBO
Rate”
with
respect to such Eurocurrency Borrowing for such Interest Period shall be the
rate at which deposits in the relevant Agreed Currency in an Equivalent Amount
of $5,000,000 and for a maturity comparable to such Interest Period are offered
by the principal London office of the Administrative Agent in immediately
available funds in the London interbank market at approximately 11:00 a.m.,
London time, two (2) Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest
Period.
“Lien”
means,
with respect to any asset, (a) any mortgage, deed of trust, lien, pledge,
hypothecation, encumbrance, charge or security interest in, on or of such asset,
(b) the interest of a vendor or a lessor under any conditional sale agreement,
capital lease or title retention agreement (or any financing lease having
substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing) relating to
such
asset and (c) in the case of securities, any purchase option, call or similar
right of a third party with respect to such securities.
“Loans”
means
the loans made by the Lenders to the Borrower pursuant to this
Agreement.
“Loan
Documents”
means
this Agreement, the Subsidiary Guaranty, any promissory notes executed and
delivered pursuant to Section 2.10(e) and any and all other instruments and
documents executed and delivered in connection with any of the
foregoing.
“Loan
Parties”
means,
collectively, the Borrower and the Subsidiary Guarantors.
“Local
Time”
means
(i) Chicago time in the case of a LC Disbursement denominated in Dollars and
(ii) local time at the place of the relevant LC Disbursement (or such earlier
local time as is necessary for the relevant funds to be received and transferred
to the Administrative Agent for same day value on the date the relevant
reimbursement obligation is due) in the case of a LC Disbursement denominated
in
a Foreign Currency.
“Material
Adverse Effect”
means
a
material adverse effect on (a) the business, assets, property, condition
(financial or otherwise), operations or prospects, of the Borrower and the
Subsidiaries taken as a whole or (b) the validity or enforceability of this
Agreement any or any
and
all other Loan Documents or the rights or remedies of the Administrative Agent
and the Lenders thereunder.
“Material
Indebtedness”
means
Indebtedness (other than the Loans and Letters of Credit), or obligations in
respect of one or more Swap Agreements, of any one or more of the Borrower
and
its Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $5,000,000. For
purposes of determining Material Indebtedness, the “principal amount” of the
obligations of the Borrower or any Subsidiary in respect of any Swap Agreement
at any time shall be the maximum aggregate amount (giving effect to any netting
agreements) that the Borrower or such Subsidiary would be required to pay if
such Swap Agreement were terminated at such time.
“Maturity
Date”
means
October [7],
2010.
“Moody’s”
means
Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.
“Multiemployer
Plan”
means
a
multiemployer plan as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.
“New
Money Credit Event”
means
with respect to any Issuing Bank, any increase (directly or indirectly) in
such
Issuing Bank’s exposure (whether by way of additional credit or banking
facilities or otherwise, including as part of a restructuring) to the Borrower
or any Governmental Authority in the Borrower’s or any applicable Letter of
Credit beneficiary’s country occurring by reason of (i) any law, action or
requirement of any Governmental Authority in the Borrower’s or such Letter of
Credit beneficiary’s country, or (ii) any request in respect of external
indebtedness of borrowers in the Borrower’s or such Letter of Credit
beneficiary’s country applicable to banks generally which conduct business with
such borrowers, or (iii) any agreement in relation to clause (i) or (ii), in
each case to the extent calculated by reference to the aggregate Revolving
Credit Exposures outstanding prior to such increase.
“Operating
Lease”
of
a
Person means any lease of property (other than a capital lease under GAAP)
by
such Person as lessee which has an original term (including any required
renewals and any renewals effective at the option of the lessor) of one year
or
more.
“Original
Currency”
has
the
meaning set forth in Section 2.18.
“Other
Subsidiary Investment”
means,
for any period of determination, the sum, without duplication, of (i) the
aggregate principal amount of all intercompany loans made during such period
by
any Loan Party to any Subsidiary which is not a Loan Party (less all repayments
in immediately available funds of such intercompany loans during such period);
(i) the aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness of any Subsidiary which
is
not a Loan Party at the end of such period subject to Guarantees by any Loan
Party; (iii) all Investments made during such period by any Loan Party in any
Subsidiary which is not a Loan Party; and (iv) an amount equal to the net
benefit derived by any Subsidiary which is not a Loan Party resulting from
any
non-arm’s-length transactions, or any other transfer of assets conducted, in
each case entered into during such period, between any Loan Party, on the one
hand, and such Subsidiary, on the other hand, other than (a) transactions in
the
ordinary course of business and (b) in respect of legal, accounting,
reporting,
listing and similar administrative services provided by any Loan Party to such
Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice.
“Other
Taxes”
means
any and all present or future stamp or documentary taxes or any other excise
or
property taxes, charges or similar levies arising from any payment made
hereunder or from the execution, delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise with
respect to, this Agreement.
“Overnight
Foreign Currency Rate”
means,
for any amount payable in a Foreign Currency, the rate of interest per annum
as
determined by the Administrative Agent at which overnight or weekend deposits
in
the relevant currency (or if such amount due remains unpaid for more than three
Business Days, then for such other period of time as the Administrative Agent
may elect) for delivery in immediately available and freely transferable funds
would be offered by the Administrative Agent to major banks in the interbank
market upon request of such major banks for the relevant currency as determined
above and in an amount comparable to the unpaid principal amount of the related
Credit Event.
“Participant”
has
the
meaning set forth in Section 9.04.
“PBGC”
means
the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation referred to and defined in ERISA and
any successor entity performing similar functions.
“Permitted
Acquisition”
means
any Acquisition (whether by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise but
excluding in any event a Hostile Acquisition) or series of related acquisitions
by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of (i) all or substantially all the assets
of,
(ii) all the Equity Interests in, a Person or division or line of business
of a
Person or (iii) if clauses (i) and (ii) above are inapplicable, the rights
of
any licensee (including by means of the termination of such licensee’s rights
under such license) under a trademark license to such licensee from the Borrower
or any Subsidiary, if, at the time of and immediately after giving effect
thereto, (a) no Default has occurred and is continuing or would arise after
giving effect thereto, (b) all actions required to be taken with respect to
such
acquired or newly formed Subsidiary under Section 5.09 shall have been taken,
(c) the aggregate consideration paid in respect of such acquisition shall (1)
at
any time the Leverage Ratio shall be greater than or equal to 3.00 to 1.00,
not
exceed an amount equal to $30,000,000 per year when aggregated together with
all
other Permitted Acquisitions in such year, (2) at any time the Leverage Ratio
shall be less than 3.00 to 1.00 but greater than or equal to 2.50 to 1.00,
not
exceed an amount equal to $50,000,000 per year when aggregated together with
all
other Permitted Acquisitions in such year, (3) at any time the Leverage Ratio
shall be less than 2.50 to 1.00, without limit, in each case, including the
incurrence or assumption of any Indebtedness in connection therewith, and,
for
purposes of this clause (c), Leverage Ratio shall be determined as of the last
day of the most recently ended fiscal quarter of the Borrower for which
financial statements are available, (d) the Borrower and the Subsidiaries are
in
compliance, on a pro forma basis reasonably acceptable to the Administrative
Agent after giving effect to such acquisition (including pro forma adjustments
arising out of events which are directly attributable to the acquisition, are
factually supportable and are expected to have a continuing impact, in each
case
as determined on a basis consistent with Article 11 of Regulation S-X of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as interpreted by the SEC), with the
covenants contained in Section 6.13 recomputed as of the last day of the most
recently
ended fiscal quarter of the Borrower for which financial statements are
available, as if such acquisition (and any related incurrence or repayment
of
Indebtedness, with any new Indebtedness being deemed to be amortized over the
applicable testing period in accordance with its terms) had occurred on the
first day of each relevant period for testing such compliance and, if the
aggregate consideration paid in respect of such acquisition exceeds $5,000,000,
the Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent a certificate
of a
Financial Officer of the Borrower, to such effect (and if the aggregate
consideration paid in respect of such acquisition exceeds $20,000,000, such
certificate and the supporting calculations shall have been reviewed by Ernst
& Young LLP or other independent public accountants of recognized national
standing), together with all relevant financial information requested by the
Administrative Agent and (e) in the case of an acquisition or merger involving
the Borrower or a Subsidiary, the Borrower or such Subsidiary is the surviving
entity of such merger and/or consolidation.
“Permitted
Encumbrances”
means:
(a)
Liens
imposed by law for taxes that are not yet due or are being contested in
compliance with Section 5.04;
(b)
carriers’, warehousemen’s, mechanics’, materialmen’s, repairmen’s and other like
Liens imposed by law, arising in the ordinary course of business and securing
obligations that are not overdue by more than sixty (60) days or are being
contested in compliance with Section 5.04;
(c)
pledges and deposits made in the ordinary course of business in compliance
with
workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance and other social security laws or
regulations;
(d)
deposits to secure the performance of bids, trade contracts, leases, statutory
obligations, surety and appeal bonds, performance bonds and other obligations
of
a like nature, in each case in the ordinary course of business;
(e)
judgment liens in respect of judgments that do not constitute an Event of
Default under clause (k) of Article VII; and
(f)
easements, zoning restrictions, rights-of-way and similar encumbrances on real
property imposed by law or arising in the ordinary course of business that
do
not secure any monetary obligations and do not materially detract from the
value
of the affected property or interfere with the ordinary conduct of business
of
the Borrower or any Subsidiary;
provided
that the
term “Permitted Encumbrances” shall not include any Lien securing
Indebtedness.
“Permitted
Investments”
means:
(a)
direct obligations of, or obligations the principal of and interest on which
are
unconditionally guaranteed by, the United States of America (or by any agency
thereof to the
extent such obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the United
States of America), in each case maturing within one year from the date of
acquisition thereof;
(b)
investments in commercial paper maturing within 270 days from the date of
acquisition thereof and having, at such date of acquisition, the highest credit
rating obtainable from S&P or from Moody’s;
(c)
investments in certificates of deposit, banker’s acceptances and time deposits
maturing within 180 days from the date of acquisition thereof issued or
guaranteed by or placed with, and money market deposit accounts issued or
offered by, any domestic office of any commercial bank organized under the
laws
of the United States of America or any State thereof which has a combined
capital and surplus and undivided profits of not less than
$500,000,000;
(d)
fully
collateralized repurchase agreements with a term of not more than thirty (30)
days for securities described in clause (a) above and entered into with a
financial institution satisfying the criteria described in clause (c) above;
and
(e)
money
market funds that (i) comply with the criteria set forth in Securities and
Exchange Commission Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, (ii)
are
rated AAA by S&P and Aaa by Moody’s and (iii) have portfolio assets of at
least $5,000,000,000.
“Person”
means
any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint
venture, association, company, partnership, Governmental Authority or other
entity.
“Plan”
means
any employee pension benefit plan (other than a Multiemployer Plan) subject
to
the provisions of Title IV of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code or Section 302
of
ERISA, and in respect of which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is (or,
if
such plan were terminated, would under Section 4069 of ERISA be deemed to be)
an
“employer” as defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.
“Prime
Rate”
means
the rate of interest per annum publicly announced from time to time by JPMorgan
Chase Bank, N.A. as its prime rate in effect at its principal office in New
York
City; each change in the Prime Rate shall be effective from and including the
date such change is publicly announced as being effective.
“Register”
has
the
meaning set forth in Section 9.04.
“Related
Parties”
means,
with respect to any specified Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the
respective directors, officers, employees, agents and advisors of such Person
and such Person’s Affiliates.
“Required
Lenders”
means,
at any time, Lenders having Revolving Credit Exposures and unused Commitments
representing more than 50% of the sum of the total Revolving Credit Exposures
and unused Commitments at such time.
“Restricted
Payment”
means
any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other
property) with respect to any Equity Interests in 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
Equity Interests in the Borrower or any Subsidiary or any option, warrant or
other right to acquire any such Equity Interests in the Borrower or any
Subsidiary.
“Revolving
Credit Exposure”
means,
with respect to any Lender at any time, the sum of the outstanding principal
amount of such Lender’s Revolving Loans and its LC Exposure and Swingline
Exposure at such time.
“Revolving
Loan”
means
a
Loan made pursuant to Section 2.03.
“S&P”
means
Standard & Poor’s.
“Statutory
Reserve Rate”
means,
with respect to any currency, a fraction (expressed as a decimal), the numerator
of which is the number one and the denominator of which is the number one minus
the aggregate of the maximum reserve, liquid asset, fees or similar requirements
(including any marginal, special, emergency or supplemental reserves or other
requirements) established by any central bank, monetary authority, the Board,
the Financial Services Authority, the European Central Bank or other
Governmental Authority for any category of deposits or liabilities customarily
used to fund loans in such currency, expressed in the case of each such
requirement as a decimal. Such reserve percentages shall, in the case of Dollar
denominated Loans, include those imposed pursuant to Regulation D of the
Board. Eurocurrency Loans shall be deemed to be subject to such reserve, liquid
asset or similar requirements without benefit of or credit for proration,
exemptions or offsets that may be available from time to time to any Lender
under any applicable law, rule or regulation, including Regulation D. The
Statutory Reserve Rate shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the
effective date of any change in any reserve, liquid asset or similar
requirement.
“Subordinated
Indebtedness”
of
a
Person means any Indebtedness of such Person the payment of which is
subordinated to payment of the obligations of the Borrower and/or any Subsidiary
in respect of any sum due to any Lender or the Administrative Agent hereunder
or
under any other Loan Document.
“subsidiary”
means,
with respect to any Person (the “parent”)
at any
date, any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association
or
other entity the accounts of which would be consolidated with those of the
parent in the parent’s consolidated financial statements if such financial
statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP as of such date, as well as
any
other corporation, limited liability company, partnership, association or other
entity (a) of which securities or other ownership interests representing more
than 50% of the equity or more than 50% of the ordinary voting power or, in
the
case of a partnership, more than 50% of the general partnership interests are,
as of such date, owned, controlled or held, or (b) that is, as of such date,
otherwise Controlled, by the parent or one or more subsidiaries of the parent
or
by the parent and one or more subsidiaries of the parent.
“Subsidiary”
means
any subsidiary of the Borrower.
“Subsidiary
Guarantor”
means
each Domestic Subsidiary (other than an Excluded Subsidiary). The Subsidiary
Guarantors on the Effective Date are identified as such in Schedule
3.01
hereto.
“Subsidiary
Guaranty”
means
that certain Guaranty dated as of the Effective Date (including any and all
supplements thereto) and executed by each Subsidiary Guarantor, as amended,
restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.
“Swap
Agreement”
means
any agreement with respect to any swap, forward, future or derivative
transaction or option or similar agreement involving, or settled by reference
to, one or more rates, currencies, commodities, equity or debt instruments
or
securities, or economic, financial or pricing indices or measures of economic,
financial or pricing risk or value or any similar transaction or any combination
of these transactions; provided
that no
phantom stock or similar plan providing for payments only on account of services
provided by current or former directors, officers, employees or consultants
of
the Borrower or the Subsidiaries shall be a Swap Agreement.
“Swingline
Exposure”
means,
at any time, the aggregate principal amount of all Swingline Loans outstanding
at such time. The Swingline Exposure of any Lender at any time shall be its
Applicable Percentage of the total Swingline Exposure at such time.
“Swingline
Lender”
means
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., in its capacity as lender of Swingline Loans
hereunder.
“Swingline
Loan”
means
a
Loan made pursuant to Section 2.05.
“Taxes”
means
any and all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions,
charges or withholdings imposed by any Governmental Authority.
“Transactions”
means
the execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower and the relevant
Subsidiaries of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, the borrowing
of
Loans, the use of the proceeds thereof and the issuance of Letters of Credit
hereunder.
“Type”,
when
used in reference to any Loan or Borrowing, refers to whether the rate of
interest on such Loan, or on the Loans comprising such Borrowing, is determined
by reference to the Adjusted LIBO Rate or the Alternate Base Rate.
“Withdrawal
Liability”
means
liability to a Multiemployer Plan as a result of a complete or partial
withdrawal from such Multiemployer Plan, as such terms are defined in Part
I of
Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA.
SECTION
1.02. Classification
of Loans and Borrowings.
For
purposes of this Agreement, Loans may be classified and referred to by Class
(e.g.,
a
“Revolving Loan”) or by Type (e.g.,
a
“Eurocurrency Loan”) or by Class and Type (e.g.,
a
“Eurocurrency Revolving Loan”). Borrowings also may be classified and referred
to by Class (e.g.,
a
“Revolving Borrowing”)
or by Type (e.g.,
a
“Eurocurrency Borrowing”) or by Class and Type (e.g.,
a
“Eurocurrency Revolving Borrowing”).
SECTION
1.03. Terms
Generally.
The
definitions of terms herein shall apply equally to the singular and plural
forms
of the terms defined. Whenever the context may require, any pronoun shall
include the corresponding masculine, feminine and neuter forms. The words
“include”, “includes” and “including” shall be deemed to be followed by the
phrase “without limitation”. The word “will” shall be construed to have the same
meaning and effect as the word “shall”. Unless the context requires otherwise
(a) any definition of or reference to any agreement, instrument or other
document herein shall be construed as referring to such agreement, instrument
or
other document as from time to time amended, supplemented or otherwise modified
(subject to any restrictions on such amendments, supplements or modifications
set forth herein), (b) any reference herein to any Person shall be construed
to
include such Person’s successors and assigns, (c) the words “herein”, “hereof”
and “hereunder”, and words of similar import, shall be construed to refer to
this Agreement in its entirety and not to any particular provision hereof,
(d)
all references herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits and Schedules shall be
construed to refer to Articles and Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules
to,
this Agreement and (e) the words “asset” and “property” shall be construed to
have the same meaning and effect and to refer to any and all tangible and
intangible assets and properties, including cash, securities, accounts and
contract rights.
SECTION
1.04. Accounting
Terms; GAAP.
Except
as otherwise expressly provided herein, all terms of an accounting or financial
nature shall be construed in accordance with GAAP, as in effect from time to
time; provided
that, if
the Borrower notifies the Administrative Agent that the Borrower requests an
amendment to any provision hereof to eliminate the effect of any change
occurring after the date hereof in GAAP or in the application thereof on the
operation of such provision (or if the Administrative Agent notifies the
Borrower that the Required Lenders request an amendment to any provision hereof
for such purpose), regardless of whether any such notice is given before or
after such change in GAAP or in the application thereof, then such provision
shall be interpreted on the basis of GAAP as in effect and applied immediately
before such change shall have become effective until such notice shall have
been
withdrawn or such provision amended in accordance herewith.
ARTICLE
II
The
Credits
SECTION
2.01. Commitments.
Subject
to the terms and conditions set forth herein, each Lender agrees to make
Revolving Loans to the Borrower in Agreed Currencies from time to time during
the Availability Period in an aggregate principal amount that will not result
in
(a) such Lender’s Revolving Credit Exposure exceeding the Dollar Amount of such
Lender’s Commitment, (b) the sum of the total Revolving Credit Exposures
exceeding the total Commitments or (c) subject to Section 2.04, the Dollar
Amount of the total Revolving Credit Exposure denominated in Foreign Currencies
exceeding the Foreign Currency Sublimit. Within the foregoing limits and subject
to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may borrow, prepay
and reborrow Revolving Loans.
SECTION
2.02. Loans
and Borrowings.
i)
Each
Revolving Loan shall be made as part of a Borrowing consisting of Revolving
Loans made by the Lenders ratably in accordance with their respective
Commitments. The failure of any Lender to make any Loan required to be made
by
it shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligations hereunder; provided
that the
Commitments of the Lenders are several and no Lender shall be responsible for
any other Lender’s failure to make Loans as required.
(b)
Subject to Section 2.14, each Revolving Borrowing shall be comprised entirely
of
ABR Loans or Eurocurrency Loans as the Borrower may request in accordance
herewith; provided that each ABR Loan shall only be made in Dollars. Each
Swingline Loan shall be an ABR Loan. Each Lender at its option may make any
Eurocurrency Loan by causing any domestic or foreign branch or Affiliate of
such
Lender to make such Loan; provided that any exercise of such option shall not
affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay such Loan in accordance with
the
terms of this Agreement.
(c)
At
the commencement of each Interest Period for any Eurocurrency Revolving
Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral
multiple of $500,000 and not less than $3,000,000 (or the Approximate Equivalent
Amount of each such amount if such Borrowing is denominated in a Foreign
Currency). At the time that each ABR Revolving Borrowing is made, such Borrowing
shall be in an aggregate amount that is an integral multiple of $500,000 and
not
less than $1,000,000; provided
that an
ABR Revolving Borrowing may be in an aggregate amount that is equal to the
entire unused balance of the total Commitments or that is required to finance
the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as contemplated by Section 2.06(e).
Each
Swingline Loan shall be in an amount that is an integral multiple of $500,000
and not less than $1,000,000. Borrowings of more than one Type and Class may
be
outstanding at the same time; provided
that
there shall not at any time be more than a total of fifteen (15) Eurocurrency
Revolving Borrowings outstanding.
(d)
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Borrower shall not
be
entitled to request, or to elect to convert or continue, any Borrowing if the
Interest Period requested with respect thereto would end after the Maturity
Date.
SECTION
2.03. Requests
for Revolving Borrowings.
To
request a Revolving Borrowing, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative
Agent of such request by telephone (a) in the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing,
not later than 11:00 a.m., Chicago time, three (3) Business Days (in the case
of
a Eurocurrency Borrowing denominated in Dollars) or four (4) Business Days
(in
the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing denominated in a Foreign Currency), in
each
case before the date of the proposed Borrowing or (b) in the case of an ABR
Borrowing, not later than 10:00 a.m., Chicago time, on the date of the proposed
Borrowing; provided
that any
such notice of an ABR Revolving Borrowing to finance the reimbursement of an
LC
Disbursement as contemplated by Section 2.06(e) may be given not later than
10:00 a.m., Chicago time, on the date of the proposed Borrowing. Each such
telephonic Borrowing Request shall be irrevocable and shall be confirmed
promptly by hand delivery or facsimile to the Administrative Agent of a written
Borrowing Request in a form approved by the Administrative Agent and signed
by
the Borrower. Each such telephonic and written Borrowing Request shall specify
the following information in compliance with Section 2.02:
(i)
the
aggregate amount of the requested Borrowing;
(ii)
the
date of such Borrowing, which shall be a Business Day;
(iii)
whether such Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a Eurocurrency
Borrowing;
(iv)
in
the case of a Eurocurrency Borrowing, the Agreed Currency and the initial
Interest Period to be applicable thereto, which shall be a period contemplated
by the definition of the term “Interest Period”; and
(v)
the
location and number of the Borrower’s account to which funds are to be
disbursed, which shall comply with the requirements of Section
2.07.
If
no
election as to the Type of Revolving Borrowing is specified, then the requested
Revolving Borrowing shall be an ABR Borrowing. If no Interest Period is
specified with respect to any requested Eurocurrency Revolving Borrowing, then
the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month’s
duration. Promptly following receipt of a Borrowing Request in accordance with
this Section, the Administrative Agent shall advise each Lender of the details
thereof and of the amount of such Lender’s Loan to be made as part of the
requested Borrowing.
SECTION
2.04. Determination
of Dollar Amounts.
The
Administrative Agent will determine the Dollar Amount of:
(a)
each
Eurocurrency Borrowing as of the date three Business Days prior to the date
of
such Borrowing or, if applicable, date of conversion/continuation of any
Borrowing as a Eurocurrency Borrowing,
(b)
the
LC Exposure as of the date of each request for the issuance, amendment, renewal
or extension of any Letter of Credit, and
(c)
all
outstanding Credit Events on and as of the last Business Day of each calendar
month and, during the continuation of an Event of Default, on any other Business
Day elected by the Administrative Agent in its discretion or upon instruction
by
the Required Lenders.
Each
day
upon or as of which the Administrative Agent determines Dollar Amounts as
described in the preceding clauses (a), (b) and (c) is herein described as
a
“Computation Date” with respect to each Credit Event for which a Dollar Amount
is determined on or as of such day.
SECTION
2.05. Swingline
Loans.
(a)
Subject
to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Swingline Lender agrees to
make Swingline Loans in Dollars to the Borrower from time to time during the
Availability Period, in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding
that will not result in (i) the aggregate principal amount of outstanding
Swingline Loans exceeding $10,000,000 or (ii) the Dollar Amount of the total
Revolving Credit Exposures exceeding the total Commitments; provided
that the
Swingline Lender shall not be required to make a Swingline Loan to refinance
an
outstanding Swingline Loan. Within the foregoing limits and
subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may borrow,
prepay and reborrow Swingline Loans.
(b)
To
request a Swingline Loan, the Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent
of
such request by telephone (confirmed by facsimile), not later than 12:00 noon,
Chicago time, on the day of a proposed Swingline Loan. Each such notice shall
be
irrevocable and shall specify the requested date (which shall be a Business
Day)
and amount of the requested Swingline Loan. The Administrative Agent will
promptly advise the Swingline Lender of any such notice received from the
Borrower. The Swingline Lender shall make each Swingline Loan available to
the
Borrower by means of a credit to the general deposit account of the Borrower
with the Swingline Lender (or, in the case of a Swingline Loan made to finance
the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as provided in Section 2.06(e), by
remittance to the relevant Issuing Bank) by 3:00 p.m., Chicago time, on the
requested date of such Swingline Loan.
(c)
The
Swingline Lender may by written notice given to the Administrative Agent not
later than 10:00 a.m., Chicago time, on any Business Day require the Lenders
to
acquire participations on such Business Day in all or a portion of the Swingline
Loans outstanding. Such notice shall specify the aggregate amount of Swingline
Loans in which Lenders will participate. Promptly upon receipt of such notice,
the Administrative Agent will give notice thereof to each Lender, specifying
in
such notice such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such Swingline Loan or Loans.
Each Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally agrees, upon receipt of notice
as provided above, to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the
Swingline Lender, such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of such Swingline Loan or
Loans. Each Lender acknowledges and agrees that its obligation to acquire
participations in Swingline Loans pursuant to this paragraph is absolute and
unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever,
including the occurrence and continuance of a Default or reduction or
termination of the Commitments, and that each such payment shall be made without
any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction whatsoever. Each Lender shall
comply with its obligation under this paragraph by wire transfer of immediately
available funds, in the same manner as provided in Section 2.07 with respect
to
Loans made by such Lender (and Section 2.07 shall apply, mutatis mutandis,
to the
payment obligations of the Lenders), and the Administrative Agent shall promptly
pay to the Swingline Lender the amounts so received by it from the Lenders.
The
Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower of any participations in any
Swingline Loan acquired pursuant to this paragraph, and thereafter payments
in
respect of such Swingline Loan shall be made to the Administrative Agent and
not
to the Swingline Lender. Any amounts received by the Swingline Lender from
the
Borrower (or other party on behalf of the Borrower) in respect of a Swingline
Loan after receipt by the Swingline Lender of the proceeds of a sale of
participations therein shall be promptly remitted to the Administrative Agent;
any such amounts received by the Administrative Agent shall be promptly remitted
by the Administrative Agent to the Lenders that shall have made their payments
pursuant to this paragraph and to the Swingline Lender, as their interests
may
appear; provided that any such payment so remitted shall be repaid to the
Swingline Lender or to the Administrative Agent, as applicable, if and to the
extent such payment is required to be refunded to the Borrower for any reason.
The purchase of participations in a Swingline Loan pursuant to this paragraph
shall not relieve the Borrower of any default in the payment
thereof.
SECTION
2.06. Letters
of Credit.
(a) General.
Subject
to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Borrower may request the
issuance of Letters of Credit denominated in Agreed Currencies for its own
account and for the account of any of its Subsidiaries, in a form reasonably
acceptable to the Administrative Agent and the relevant Issuing Bank, at any
time and from time to time during the Availability Period. In the event of
any
inconsistency between the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the terms
and conditions of any form of letter of credit application or other agreement
submitted by the Borrower to, or entered into by the Borrower with, the relevant
Issuing Bank relating to any Letter of Credit, the terms and conditions of
this
Agreement shall control; provided, however, if the relevant Issuing Bank is
requested to issue Letters of Credit with respect to a jurisdiction such Issuing
Bank deems, in its reasonable judgment, may at any time subject it to a New
Money Credit Event or a Country Risk Event, the Borrower shall, at the request
of such Issuing Bank, guaranty and indemnify such Issuing Bank against any
and
all costs, liabilities and losses resulting from such New Money Credit Event
or
Country Risk Event, in each case in a form and substance reasonably satisfactory
to such Issuing Bank. The letters of credit identified on Schedule
2.06
shall be
deemed to be “Letters of Credit” issued on the Effective Date for all purposes
of the Loan Documents.
(b)
Notice
of Issuance, Amendment, Renewal, Extension; Certain Conditions.
To
request the issuance of a Letter of Credit (or the amendment, renewal or
extension of an outstanding Letter of Credit), the Borrower shall hand deliver
or transmit by facsimile (or transmit by electronic communication, if
arrangements for doing so have been approved by the relevant Issuing Bank)
to an
Issuing Bank and the Administrative Agent (reasonably in advance of the
requested date of issuance, amendment, renewal or extension) a notice requesting
the issuance of a Letter of Credit, or identifying the Letter of Credit to
be
amended, renewed or extended, and specifying the date of issuance, amendment,
renewal or extension (which shall be a Business Day), the date on which such
Letter of Credit is to expire (which shall comply with paragraph (c) of this
Section), the amount of such Letter of Credit, the Agreed Currency applicable
thereto, the name and address of the beneficiary thereof and such other
information as shall be necessary to prepare, amend, renew or extend such Letter
of Credit. If requested by such Issuing Bank, the Borrower also shall submit
a
letter of credit application on such Issuing Bank’s standard form in connection
with any request for a Letter of Credit. A Letter of Credit shall be issued,
amended, renewed or extended only if (and upon issuance, amendment, renewal
or
extension of each Letter of Credit the Borrower shall be deemed to represent
and
warrant that), after giving effect to such issuance, amendment, renewal or
extension (i) the LC Exposure shall not exceed $50,000,000, (ii) the sum of
the
total Revolving Credit Exposures shall not exceed the total Commitments and
(iii) subject to Section 2.04, the Dollar Amount of the total Revolving Credit
Exposure denominated in Foreign Currencies shall not exceed the Foreign Currency
Sublimit.
(c)
Expiration
Date.
Each
Letter of Credit shall expire at or prior to the close of business on the
earlier of (i) the date one year after the date of the issuance of such Letter
of Credit (or, in the case of any renewal or extension thereof, one year after
such renewal or extension) and (ii) the date that is five (5) Business Days
prior to the Maturity Date.
(d)
Participations.
By the
issuance of a Letter of Credit (or an amendment to a Letter of Credit increasing
the amount thereof) and without any further action on the part of any
Issuing
Bank or the Lenders, each Issuing Bank hereby grants to each Lender, and each
Lender hereby acquires from each Issuing Bank, a participation in such Letter
of
Credit equal to such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of the aggregate amount
available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit. In consideration and in
furtherance of the foregoing, each Lender hereby absolutely and unconditionally
agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of the relevant
Issuing Bank, such Lender’s Applicable Percentage of each LC Disbursement made
by such Issuing Bank and not reimbursed by the Borrower on the date due as
provided in paragraph (e) of this Section, or of any reimbursement payment
required to be refunded to the Borrower for any reason. Each Lender acknowledges
and agrees that its obligation to acquire participations pursuant to this
paragraph in respect of Letters of Credit is absolute and unconditional and
shall not be affected by any circumstance whatsoever, including any amendment,
renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or the occurrence and continuance
of a Default or reduction or termination of the Commitments, and that each
such
payment shall be made without any offset, abatement, withholding or reduction
whatsoever.
(e)
Reimbursement.
If any
Issuing Bank shall make any LC Disbursement in respect of a Letter of Credit,
the Borrower shall reimburse such LC Disbursement by paying to the
Administrative Agent in Dollars the Dollar Amount equal to such LC Disbursement
calculated as of the date the applicable Issuing Bank made such LC Disbursement
(or if such Issuing Bank shall so elect in its sole discretion by notice to
the
Borrower, in such other Agreed Currency which was paid by such Issuing Bank
pursuant to such LC Disbursement in an amount equal to such LC Disbursement)
not
later than 12:00 noon, Local Time, on the date that such LC Disbursement is
made, if the Borrower shall have received notice of such LC Disbursement prior
to 10:00 a.m., Local Time, on such date, or, if such notice has not been
received by the Borrower prior to such time on such date, then not later than
12:00 noon, Local Time, on (i) the Business Day that the Borrower receives
such
notice, if such notice is received prior to 10:00 a.m., Local Time, on the
day
of receipt, or (ii) the Business Day immediately following the day that the
Borrower receives such notice, if such notice is not received prior to such
time
on the day of receipt; provided
that the
Borrower may, subject to the conditions to borrowing set forth herein, request
in accordance with Section 2.03 or 2.05 that such payment be financed with
an
ABR Revolving Borrowing or Swingline Loan in an equivalent Dollar Amount of
such
LC Disbursement and, to the extent so financed, the Borrower’s obligation to
make such payment shall be discharged and replaced by the resulting ABR
Revolving Borrowing or Swingline Loan. If the Borrower fails to make such
payment when due, the Administrative Agent shall notify each Lender of the
applicable LC Disbursement, the payment then due from the Borrower in respect
thereof and such Lender’s Applicable Percentage thereof. Promptly following
receipt of such notice, each Lender shall pay to the Administrative Agent its
Applicable Percentage of the payment then due from the Borrower, in the same
manner as provided in Section 2.07 with respect to Loans made by such Lender
(and Section 2.07 shall apply, mutatis mutandis,
to the
payment obligations of the Lenders), and the Administrative Agent shall promptly
pay to such Issuing Bank the amounts so received by it from the Lenders.
Promptly following receipt by the Administrative Agent of any payment from
the
Borrower pursuant to this paragraph, the Administrative Agent shall distribute
such payment to such Issuing Bank or, to the extent that Lenders have made
payments pursuant to this paragraph to reimburse such Issuing Bank, then to
such
Lenders and such Issuing Bank as their interests may appear. Any payment made
by
a Lender pursuant to this paragraph to reimburse an Issuing Bank for any LC
Disbursement (other than the funding of ABR Revolving Loans or a Swingline
Loan
as contemplated above) shall not constitute
a Loan and shall not relieve the Borrower of its obligation to reimburse such
LC
Disbursement. If the Borrower’s reimbursement of, or obligation to reimburse,
any amounts in any Foreign Currency would subject the Administrative Agent,
any
Issuing Bank or any Lender to any stamp duty, ad valorem charge or similar
tax
that would not be payable if such reimbursement were made or required to be
made
in Dollars, the Borrower shall, at its option, either (x) pay the amount of
any such tax requested by the Administrative Agent, the relevant Issuing Bank
or
the relevant Lender or (y) reimburse each LC Disbursement made in such Foreign
Currency in Dollars, in an amount equal to the Equivalent Amount, calculated
using the applicable exchange rates, on the date such LC Disbursement is made,
of such LC Disbursement.
(f)
Obligations
Absolute.
The
Borrower’s obligation to reimburse LC Disbursements as provided in paragraph (e)
of this Section shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall
be
performed strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under any
and
all circumstances whatsoever and irrespective of (i) any lack of validity or
enforceability of any Letter of Credit or this Agreement, or any term or
provision therein, (ii) any draft or other document presented under a Letter
of
Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent or invalid in any respect or any
statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect, (iii) payment
by an
Issuing Bank under a Letter of Credit against presentation of a draft or other
document that does not comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit, or (iv)
any other event or circumstance whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of
the
foregoing, that might, but for the provisions of this Section, constitute a
legal or equitable discharge of, or provide a right of setoff against, the
Borrower’s obligations hereunder. Neither the Administrative Agent, the Lenders
nor any Issuing Bank, nor any of their Related Parties, shall have any liability
or responsibility by reason of or in connection with the issuance or transfer
of
any Letter of Credit or any payment or failure to make any payment thereunder
(irrespective of any of the circumstances referred to in the preceding
sentence), or any error, omission, interruption, loss or delay in transmission
or delivery of any draft, notice or other communication under or relating to
any
Letter of Credit (including any document required to make a drawing thereunder),
any error in interpretation of technical terms or any consequence arising from
causes beyond the control of the relevant Issuing Bank; provided
that the
foregoing shall not be construed to excuse any Issuing Bank from liability
to
the Borrower to the extent of any direct damages (as opposed to consequential
damages, claims in respect of which are hereby waived by the Borrower to the
extent permitted by applicable law) suffered by the Borrower that are caused
by
such Issuing Bank’s failure to exercise care when determining whether drafts and
other documents presented under a Letter of Credit comply with the terms
thereof. The parties hereto expressly agree that, in the absence of gross
negligence or willful misconduct on the part of any Issuing Bank (as finally
determined by a court of competent jurisdiction), such Issuing Bank shall be
deemed to have exercised care in each such determination. In furtherance of
the
foregoing and without limiting the generality thereof, the parties agree that,
with respect to documents presented which appear on their face to be in
substantial compliance with the terms of a Letter of Credit, each Issuing Bank
may, in its sole discretion, either accept and make payment upon such documents
without responsibility for further investigation, regardless of any notice
or
information to the contrary, or refuse to accept and make payment upon such
documents if such documents are not in strict compliance with the terms of
such
Letter of Credit.
(g)
Disbursement
Procedures.
Each
Issuing Bank shall, promptly following its receipt thereof, examine all
documents purporting to represent a demand for payment under a Letter
of
Credit. Such Issuing Bank shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent and
the
Borrower by telephone (confirmed by facsimile) of such demand for payment and
whether such Issuing Bank has made or will make an LC Disbursement thereunder;
provided
that any
failure to give or delay in giving such notice shall not relieve the Borrower
of
its obligation to reimburse such Issuing Bank and the Lenders with respect
to
any such LC Disbursement.
(h)
Interim
Interest.
If any
Issuing Bank shall make any LC Disbursement, then, unless the Borrower shall
reimburse such LC Disbursement in full on the date such LC Disbursement is
made,
the unpaid amount thereof shall bear interest, for each day from and including
the date such LC Disbursement is made to but excluding the date that the
Borrower reimburses such LC Disbursement, at the rate per annum then applicable
to ABR Revolving Loans (or in the case such LC Disbursement is denominated
in a
Foreign Currency, at the Overnight Foreign Currency Rate for such Agreed
Currency plus the then effective Applicable Rate with respect to Eurocurrency
Revolving Loans); provided
that, if
the Borrower fails to reimburse such LC Disbursement when due pursuant to
paragraph (e) of this Section, then Section 2.13(d) shall apply. Interest
accrued pursuant to this paragraph shall be for the account of such Issuing
Bank, except that interest accrued on and after the date of payment by any
Lender pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section to reimburse such Issuing
Bank
shall be for the account of such Lender to the extent of such
payment.
(i)
Replacement
of Issuing Bank.
Any
Issuing Bank may be replaced at any time by written agreement among the
Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the replaced Issuing Bank and the successor
Issuing Bank. The Administrative Agent shall notify the Lenders of any such
replacement of an Issuing Bank. At the time any such replacement shall become
effective, the Borrower shall pay all unpaid fees accrued for the account of
the
replaced Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 2.12(b). From and after the effective
date of any such replacement, (i) the successor Issuing Bank shall have all
the
rights and obligations of an Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect
to
Letters of Credit to be issued thereafter and (ii) references herein to the
term
“Issuing Bank” shall be deemed to refer to such successor or to any previous
Issuing Bank, or to such successor and all previous Issuing Banks, as the
context shall require. After the replacement of an Issuing Bank hereunder,
the
replaced Issuing Bank shall remain a party hereto and shall continue to have
all
the rights and obligations of an Issuing Bank under this Agreement with respect
to Letters of Credit issued by it prior to such replacement, but shall not
be
required to issue additional Letters of Credit.
(j)
Cash
Collateralization.
If any
Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, on the Business Day that the
Borrower receives notice from the Administrative Agent or the Required Lenders
(or, if the maturity of the Loans has been accelerated, Lenders with LC Exposure
representing greater than 50% of the total LC Exposure) demanding the deposit
of
cash collateral pursuant to this paragraph, the Borrower shall deposit in an
account with the Administrative Agent, in the name of the Administrative Agent
and for the benefit of the Lenders (the “LC
Collateral Account”),
an
amount in cash equal to the Dollar Amount of the LC Exposure as of such date
plus any accrued and unpaid interest thereon; provided
that (i)
the portions of such amount attributable to undrawn Foreign Currency Letters
of
Credit or LC Disbursements in a Foreign Currency that the Borrower is not late
in reimbursing shall be deposited in the applicable Foreign Currencies in the
actual amounts of such undrawn Letters of Credit and LC Disbursements and (ii)
the obligation to deposit such cash collateral shall become effective immediately, and such deposit shall become
immediately due and
payable, without demand or other notice of any kind, upon the occurrence of
any
Event of
Default
with respect to the Borrower described in clause (h) or (i) of Article VII.
For
the purposes of this paragraph, the Foreign Currency LC Exposure shall be
calculated using the applicable exchange rates of the Administrative Agent
on
the date notice demanding cash collateralization is delivered to the Borrower.
The Borrower also shall deposit cash collateral pursuant to this paragraph
as
and to the extent required by Section 2.11(b). Such deposit shall be held by
the
Administrative Agent as collateral for the payment and performance of the
obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement. The Administrative Agent
shall
have exclusive dominion and control, including the exclusive right of
withdrawal, over such account and the Borrower hereby grants the Administrative
Agent a security interest in the LC Collateral Account. Other than any interest
earned on the investment of such deposits, which investments shall be made,
upon
the Borrower’s request, in Permitted Investments at the discretion of the
Administrative Agent and at the Borrower’s risk and expense, such deposits shall
not bear interest. Interest or profits, if any, on such investments shall
accumulate in such account. Moneys in such account shall be applied by the
Administrative Agent to reimburse the relevant Issuing Bank for LC Disbursements
for which it has not been reimbursed and, to the extent not so applied, shall
be
held for the satisfaction of the reimbursement obligations of the Borrower
for
the LC Exposure at such time or, if the maturity of the Loans has been
accelerated (but subject to the consent of Lenders with LC Exposure representing
greater than 50% of the total LC Exposure), be applied to satisfy other
obligations of the Borrower under this Agreement. If the Borrower is required
to
provide an amount of cash collateral hereunder as a result of the occurrence
of
an Event of Default, such amount (to the extent not applied as aforesaid) shall
be returned to the Borrower within three (3) Business Days after all Events
of
Default have been cured or waived.
(k)
Conversion.
In the
event that the Loans become immediately due and payable on any date pursuant
to
Article VII, all amounts (i) that the Borrower is at the time or thereafter
becomes required to reimburse or otherwise pay to the Administrative Agent
in
respect of LC Disbursements made under any Foreign Currency Letter of Credit
(other than amounts in respect of which the Borrower has deposited cash
collateral pursuant to paragraph (j) above, if such cash collateral was
deposited in the applicable Foreign Currency to the extent so deposited or
applied), (ii) that the Lenders are at the time or thereafter become required
to
pay to the Administrative Agent and the Administrative Agent is at the time
or
thereafter becomes required to distribute to an Issuing Bank pursuant to
paragraph (e) of this Section in respect of unreimbursed LC Disbursements made
under any Foreign Currency Letter of Credit and (iii) of each Lender’s
participation in any Foreign Currency Letter of Credit under which an LC
Disbursement has been made shall, automatically and with no further action
required, be converted into the Dollar Amount, calculated using the
Administrative Agent’s currency exchange rates on such date (or in the case of
any LC Disbursement made after such date, on the date such LC Disbursement
is
made), of such amounts. On and after such conversion, all amounts accruing
and
owed to the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender in respect
of
the obligations described in this paragraph shall accrue and be payable in
Dollars at the rates otherwise applicable hereunder.
SECTION
2.07. Funding
of Borrowings.
(a)
Each
Lender shall make each Loan to be made by it hereunder on the proposed date
thereof by wire transfer of immediately available
funds (i) in the case of Loans denominated in Dollars, by 12:00 noon, Chicago
time, to the account of the Administrative Agent most recently designated by
it
for such purpose by notice to the Lenders and (ii) in the case of each Loan
denominated in a Foreign Currency, by 12:00 noon, local time, in the city of
the
Administrative Agent’s Eurocurrency Payment Office for such currency and at such
Eurocurrency Payment Office for such currency; provided
that
Swingline Loans shall be made as provided in Section 2.05. The Administrative
Agent will make such Loans available to the Borrower by promptly crediting
the
amounts so received, in like funds, to an account of the Borrower maintained
with the Administrative Agent in New York City and designated by the Borrower
in
the applicable Borrowing Request; provided
that ABR
Revolving Loans made to finance the reimbursement of an LC Disbursement as
provided in Section 2.06(e) shall be remitted by the Administrative Agent to
the
relevant Issuing Bank.
(b)
Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior
to the proposed date of any 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 paragraph (a) of this Section 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 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 (i) in the
case of such Lender, the greater of the Federal Funds Effective Rate and a
rate
determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with banking industry
rules
on interbank compensation or (ii) in the case of the Borrower, the interest
rate
applicable to ABR Loans. If such Lender pays such amount to the Administrative
Agent, then such amount shall constitute such Lender’s Loan included in such
Borrowing.
SECTION
2.08. Interest
Elections.
(a)
Each
Revolving Borrowing initially shall be of the Type specified in the applicable
Borrowing Request and, in the case of a Eurocurrency Revolving Borrowing, shall
have an initial Interest Period as specified in such Borrowing Request.
Thereafter, the Borrower may elect to convert such Borrowing to a different
Type
or to continue such Borrowing and, in the case of a Eurocurrency Revolving
Borrowing, may elect Interest Periods therefor, all as provided in this Section.
The Borrower may elect different options with respect to different portions
of
the affected Borrowing, in which case each such portion shall be allocated
ratably among the Lenders holding the Loans comprising such Borrowing, and
the
Loans comprising each such portion shall be considered a separate Borrowing.
This Section shall not apply to Swingline Borrowings, which may not be converted
or continued.
(b)
To
make an election pursuant to this Section, the Borrower shall notify the
Administrative Agent of such election by telephone by the time that a Borrowing
Request would be required under Section 2.03 if the Borrower were requesting
a
Revolving Borrowing of the Type resulting from such election to be made on
the
effective date of such election. Each such telephonic Interest Election Request
shall be irrevocable and shall be confirmed promptly by hand
delivery or facsimile to the Administrative Agent of a written Interest Election
Request in a form approved by the Administrative Agent and signed by the
Borrower.
(c)
Each
telephonic and written Interest Election Request shall specify the following
information in compliance with Section 2.02:
(i)
the
Borrowing to which such Interest Election Request applies and, if different
options are being elected with respect to different portions thereof, the
portions thereof to be allocated to each resulting Borrowing (in which case
the
information to be specified pursuant to clauses (iii) and (iv) below shall
be
specified for each resulting Borrowing);
(ii)
the
effective date of the election made pursuant to such Interest Election Request,
which shall be a Business Day;
(iii)
whether the resulting Borrowing is to be an ABR Borrowing or a Eurocurrency
Borrowing; and
(iv)
if
the resulting Borrowing is a Eurocurrency Borrowing, the Interest Period to
be
applicable thereto after giving effect to such election, which shall be a period
contemplated by the definition of the term “Interest Period”.
If
any
such Interest Election Request requests a Eurocurrency Borrowing but does not
specify an Interest Period, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected
an Interest Period of one month’s duration.
(d)
Promptly following receipt of an Interest Election Request, the Administrative
Agent shall advise each Lender of the details thereof and of such Lender’s
portion of each resulting Borrowing.
(e)
If
the Borrower fails to deliver a timely Interest Election Request with respect
to
a Eurocurrency Revolving Borrowing prior to the end of the Interest Period
applicable thereto, then, unless such Borrowing is repaid as provided herein,
at
the end of such Interest Period (i) in the case of a Borrowing denominated
in
Dollars, such Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing and (ii) in
the
case of a Borrowing denominated in a Foreign Currency, such Borrowing shall
automatically continue as a Eurocurrency Borrowing in the same Agreed Currency
with an Interest Period of one month unless (x) such Eurocurrency Borrowing
is
or was repaid in accordance with Section 2.7 or (y) the Borrower shall have
given the Administrative Agent an Interest Election Request requesting that,
at
the end of such Interest Period, such Eurocurrency Borrowing continue as a
Eurocurrency Borrowing for the same or another Interest Period. Notwithstanding
any contrary provision hereof, if an Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing and the Administrative Agent, at the request of the Required Lenders,
so notifies the Borrower, then, so long as an Event of Default is continuing
(i)
no outstanding Revolving Borrowing may be converted to or continued as a
Eurocurrency Borrowing and (ii) unless repaid, each Eurocurrency Revolving
Borrowing shall be converted to an ABR Borrowing at the end of the Interest
Period applicable thereto.
SECTION
2.09. Termination
and Reduction of Commitments.
(a)
Unless
previously terminated, the Commitments shall terminate on the Maturity
Date.
(b)
The
Borrower may at any time terminate, or from time to time reduce, the
Commitments; provided
that (i)
each reduction of the Commitments shall be in an amount that is an integral
multiple of $1,000,000 and not less than $5,000,000 and (ii) the Borrower shall
not terminate or reduce the Commitments if, after giving effect to any
concurrent prepayment of the Loans in accordance with Section 2.11, the sum
of
the Revolving Credit Exposures would exceed the total Commitments.
(c)
The
Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent of any election to terminate
or
reduce the Commitments under paragraph (b) of this Section at least three (3)
Business Days prior to the effective date of such termination or reduction,
specifying such election and the effective date thereof. Promptly following
receipt of any notice, the Administrative Agent shall advise the Lenders of
the
contents thereof. Each notice delivered by the Borrower pursuant to this Section
shall be irrevocable; provided
that a
notice of termination of the Commitments delivered by the Borrower may state
that such notice is conditioned upon the effectiveness of other credit
facilities, in which case such notice may be revoked by the Borrower (by notice
to the Administrative Agent on or prior to the specified effective date) if
such
condition is not satisfied. Any termination or reduction of the Commitments
shall be permanent. Each reduction of the Commitments shall be made ratably
among the Lenders in accordance with their respective Commitments.
SECTION
2.10. Repayment
of Loans; Evidence of Debt.
(a)
The
Borrower hereby unconditionally promises to pay (i) to the Administrative Agent
for the account of each Lender the then unpaid principal amount of each
Revolving Loan on the Maturity Date and (ii) to the Swingline Lender the then
unpaid principal amount of each Swingline Loan on the earlier of the Maturity
Date and the first date after such Swingline Loan is made that is the 15th
or
last day of a calendar month and is at least two (2) Business Days after such
Swingline Loan is made; provided
that on
each date that a Revolving Borrowing is made, the Borrower shall repay all
Swingline Loans then outstanding.
(b)
Each
Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice an account or
accounts evidencing the indebtedness of the Borrower to such Lender resulting
from each Loan made by such Lender, including the amounts of principal and
interest payable and paid to such Lender from time to time
hereunder.
(c)
The
Administrative Agent shall maintain accounts in which it shall record (i) the
amount of each Loan made hereunder, the Class, Agreed Currency and Type thereof
and the Interest Period applicable thereto, (ii) the amount of any principal
or
interest due and payable or to become due and payable from the Borrower to
each
Lender hereunder and (iii) the amount of any sum received by the Administrative
Agent hereunder for the account of the Lenders and each Lender’s share
thereof.
(d)
The
entries made in the accounts maintained pursuant to paragraph (b) or (c) of
this
Section shall be prima facie
evidence
of the existence and amounts of the obligations recorded therein; provided
that the
failure of any Lender or the Administrative Agent to maintain such accounts
or
any error therein shall not in any manner affect the obligation of the Borrower
to repay the Loans in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
(e)
Any
Lender may request that Loans made by it be evidenced by a promissory note.
In
such event, the Borrower shall prepare, execute and deliver to such Lender
a
promissory note payable to the order of such Lender (or, if requested by such
Lender, to such Lender and its registered assigns) and in a form approved by
the
Administrative Agent. Thereafter, the Loans evidenced by such promissory note
and interest thereon shall at all times (including after assignment pursuant
to
Section 9.04) be represented by one or more promissory notes in such form
payable to the order of the payee named therein (or, if such promissory note
is
a registered note, to such payee and its registered assigns).
SECTION
2.11. Prepayment
of Loans.
(a)
Voluntary
Prepayments.
(i)
The
Borrower shall have the right at any time and from time to time to prepay any
Borrowing in whole or in part, subject to prior notice in accordance with clause
(ii) of this Section.
(ii)
The
Borrower shall notify the Administrative Agent (and, in the case of prepayment
of a Swingline Loan, the Swingline Lender) by telephone (confirmed by facsimile)
of any prepayment hereunder (i) in the case of prepayment of a Eurocurrency
Revolving Borrowing, not later than 11:00 a.m., Chicago time, at least one
Business Day before the date of prepayment, (ii) in the case of prepayment
of an
ABR Revolving Borrowing, not later than 10:00 a.m., Chicago time, one Business
Day before the date of prepayment or (iii) in the case of prepayment of a
Swingline Loan, not later than 12:00 noon, Chicago time, on the date of
prepayment. Each such notice shall be irrevocable and shall specify the
prepayment date and the principal amount of each Borrowing or portion thereof
to
be prepaid; provided that, if a notice of prepayment is given in connection
with
a conditional notice of termination of the Commitments as contemplated by
Section 2.09, then such notice of prepayment may be revoked if such notice
of
termination is revoked in accordance with Section 2.09. Promptly following
receipt of any such notice relating to a Revolving Borrowing, the Administrative
Agent shall advise the Lenders of the contents thereof. Each partial prepayment
of any Revolving Borrowing shall be in an amount that would be permitted in
the
case of an advance of a Revolving Borrowing of the same Type as provided in
Section 2.02. Each prepayment of a Revolving Borrowing shall be applied ratably
to the Loans included in the prepaid Borrowing. Prepayments shall be accompanied
by accrued interest to the extent required by Section 2.13.
(b)
Mandatory
Prepayments.
If at
any time, (i) other than as a result of fluctuations in currency exchange rates,
the sum of the aggregate principal Dollar Amount of all of the Revolving Credit
Exposures (calculated, with respect to those Credit Events denominated in
Foreign Currencies, as of the most recent Computation Date with respect to
each
such Credit Event) exceeds the Aggregate Commitment and (ii) solely as a result
of fluctuations in currency exchange rates, the sum of the aggregate principal
Dollar Amount of all of the Revolving Credit Exposures denominated in Foreign
Currencies (as so calculated) exceeds 5% of the Foreign Currency Sublimit,
the
Borrower shall immediately repay Borrowings and, if no Borrowings are then
outstanding, cash collateralize LC Disbursements in an account with the
Administrative Agent
pursuant to Section 2.05(j), in an aggregate principal amount sufficient to
eliminate any such excess.
SECTION
2.12. Fees.
(a)
The
Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent for the account of each
Lender a facility fee, which shall accrue at the Applicable Rate on the daily
Dollar Amount of the Commitment of such Lender (whether used or unused) during
the period from and including the Effective Date to but excluding the date
on
which such Commitment terminates; provided
that, if
such Lender continues to have any Revolving Credit Exposure after its Commitment
terminates, then such facility fee shall continue to accrue on the daily Dollar
Amount of such Lender’s Revolving Credit Exposure from and including the date on
which its Commitment terminates to but excluding the date on which such Lender
ceases to have any Revolving Credit Exposure. Accrued facility fees shall be
payable in arrears on the last day of March, June, September and December of
each year and on the date on which the Commitments terminate, commencing on
the
first such date to occur after the date hereof; provided
that any
facility fees accruing after the date on which the Commitments terminate shall
be payable on demand. All facility fees shall be computed on the basis of a
year
of 360 days and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed
(including the first day but excluding the last day).
(b)
The
Borrower agrees to pay (i) to the Administrative Agent for the account of each
Lender a participation fee with respect to its participations in Letters of
Credit, which shall accrue at the same Applicable Rate used to determine the
interest rate applicable to Eurocurrency Revolving Loans on the average daily
Dollar Amount of such Lender’s LC Exposure (excluding any portion thereof
attributable to unreimbursed LC Disbursements) during the period from and
including the Effective Date to but excluding the later of the date on which
such Lender’s Commitment terminates and the date on which such Lender ceases to
have any LC Exposure and (ii) to each Issuing Bank a fronting fee, which shall
accrue at a per annum rate agreed upon between the Borrower and the applicable
Issuing Bank on the average daily Dollar Amount of the LC Exposure (excluding
any portion thereof attributable to unreimbursed LC Disbursements) attributable
to Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank during the period from and
including the Effective Date to but excluding the later of the date of
termination of the Commitments and the date on which there ceases to be any
LC
Exposure, as well as such Issuing Bank’s standard fees and commissions
(including without limitation standard commissions with respect to commercial
Letters of Credit, payable at the time of invoice of such amounts) with respect
to the issuance, amendment, cancellation, negotiation, transfer, presentment,
renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit or processing of drawings
thereunder. Unless otherwise specified above, participation fees and fronting
fees accrued through and including the last day of March, June, September and
December of each year shall be payable on the third Business Day following
such
last day, commencing on the first such date to occur after the Effective Date;
provided
that all
such fees shall be payable on the date on which the Commitments terminate and
any such fees accruing after the date on which the Commitments terminate shall
be payable on demand. Any other fees payable to any Issuing Bank pursuant to
this paragraph shall be payable within ten (10) days after demand. All
participation fees and fronting fees shall be computed on the basis of a year
of
360 days and shall be payable for the actual number of days elapsed (including
the first day but excluding the last day).
(c)
The
Borrower agrees to pay to the Administrative Agent, for its own account, fees
payable in the amounts and at the times separately agreed upon between the
Borrower and the Administrative Agent.
(d)
All
fees payable hereunder shall be paid on the dates due, in immediately available
funds, to the Administrative Agent (or to the relevant Issuing Bank, in the
case
of fees payable to it) for distribution, in the case of facility fees and
participation fees, to the Lenders. Fees paid shall not be refundable under
any
circumstances.
SECTION
2.13. Interest.
(a)
The
Loans comprising each ABR Borrowing (including each Swingline Loan) shall bear
interest at the Alternate Base Rate.
(b)
The
Loans comprising each Eurocurrency Borrowing shall bear interest at the Adjusted
LIBO Rate for the Interest Period in effect for such Borrowing plus the
Applicable Rate.
(c)
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any principal of or interest on any Loan
or
any fee or other amount payable by the Borrower hereunder is not paid when
due,
whether at stated maturity, upon acceleration or otherwise, such overdue amount
shall bear interest, after as well as before judgment, at a rate per annum
equal
to (i) in the case of overdue principal of any Loan, 2% plus the rate otherwise
applicable to such Loan as provided in the preceding paragraphs of this Section
or (ii) in the case of any other amount, 2% plus the rate applicable to ABR
Loans as provided in paragraph (a) of this Section.
(d)
Accrued interest on each Loan shall be payable in arrears on each Interest
Payment Date for such Loan and, in the case of Revolving Loans, upon termination
of the Commitments; provided
that (i)
interest accrued pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section shall be payable
on
demand, (ii) in the event of any repayment or prepayment of any Loan (other
than
a prepayment of an ABR Revolving Loan prior to the end of the Availability
Period), accrued interest on the principal amount repaid or prepaid shall be
payable on the date of such repayment or prepayment and (iii) in the event
of
any conversion of any Eurocurrency Revolving Loan prior to the end of the
current Interest Period therefor, accrued interest on such Loan shall be payable
on the effective date of such conversion.
(e)
All
interest hereunder shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days, except
that interest for (i) all Swingline Loans and (ii) any other Loan that is
computed by reference to the Alternate Base Rate at times when the Alternate
Base Rate is based on the Prime Rate, in each case, shall be computed on the
basis of a year of 365 days (or 366 days in a leap year). The applicable
Alternate Base Rate, Adjusted LIBO Rate or LIBO Rate shall be determined by
the
Administrative Agent, and such determination shall be conclusive absent manifest
error.
SECTION
2.14. Alternate
Rate of Interest.
If
prior to the commencement of any Interest Period for a Eurocurrency
Borrowing:
(a)
the
Administrative Agent determines (which determination shall be conclusive absent
manifest error) that adequate and reasonable means do not exist for
ascertaining
the Adjusted LIBO Rate or the LIBO Rate, as applicable, for such Interest
Period; or
(b)
the
Administrative Agent is advised by the Required Lenders that the Adjusted LIBO
Rate or the LIBO Rate, as applicable, for such Interest Period will not
adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lenders (or Lender) of making
or
maintaining their Loans (or its Loan) included in such Borrowing for such
Interest Period;
then
the
Administrative Agent shall give notice thereof to the Borrower and the Lenders
by telephone or facsimile as promptly as practicable thereafter and, until
the
Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower and the Lenders that the
circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist, (i) any Interest
Election Request that requests the conversion of any Revolving Borrowing to,
or
continuation of any Revolving Borrowing as, a Eurocurrency Borrowing shall
be
ineffective and (ii) if any Borrowing Request requests a Eurocurrency Revolving
Borrowing, such Borrowing shall be made as an ABR Borrowing; provided
that if
the circumstances giving rise to such notice affect only one Type of Borrowings,
then the other Type of Borrowings shall be permitted.
SECTION
2.15. Increased
Costs.
(a)
If any
Change in Law shall:
(i)
impose, modify or deem applicable any reserve, special deposit or similar
requirement against assets of, deposits with or for the account of, or credit
extended by, any Lender (except any such reserve requirement reflected in the
Adjusted LIBO Rate) or any Issuing Bank; or
(ii)
impose on any Lender or any Issuing Bank or the London interbank market any
other condition affecting this Agreement or Eurocurrency Loans made by such
Lender or any Letter of Credit or participation therein;
and
the
result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender
of
making or maintaining any Eurocurrency Loan or of maintaining its obligation
to
make any such Loan (including, without limitation, pursuant to any conversion
of
any Borrowing denominated in any other Agreed Currency) or to increase the
cost
to such Lender or such Issuing Bank of participating in, issuing or maintaining
any Letter of Credit (including, without limitation, pursuant to any conversion
of any Borrowing denominated in any other Agreed Currency) or to reduce the
amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender or such Issuing Bank
hereunder, whether of principal, interest or otherwise (including, without
limitation, pursuant to any conversion of any Borrowing denominated in any
other
Agreed Currency), then the Borrower will pay to such Lender or such Issuing
Bank, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate
such Lender or such Issuing Bank, as the case may be, for such additional costs
incurred or reduction suffered.
(b)
If
any Lender or any Issuing Bank determines that any Change in Law regarding
capital requirements has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return
on such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s capital or on the capital of such
Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s holding company, if any, as a consequence of
this Agreement or the Loans made by, or participations
in Letters of Credit held by, such Lender, or the Letters of Credit issued
by
such Issuing Bank, to a level below that which such Lender or such Issuing
Bank
or such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s holding company could have achieved but
for such Change in Law (taking into consideration such Lender’s or such Issuing
Bank’s policies and the policies of such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s holding
company with respect to capital adequacy), then from time to time the Borrower
will pay to such Lender or such Issuing Bank, as the case may be, such
additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or such Issuing
Bank
or such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s holding company for any such reduction
suffered.
(c)
A
certificate of a Lender or an Issuing Bank setting forth the amount or amounts
necessary to compensate such Lender or such Issuing Bank or its holding company,
as the case may be, as specified in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section shall
be delivered to the Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
The
Borrower shall pay such Lender or such Issuing Bank, as the case may be, the
amount shown as due on any such certificate within ten (10) days after receipt
thereof.
(d)
Failure or delay on the part of any Lender or any Issuing Bank to demand
compensation pursuant to this Section shall not constitute a waiver of such
Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s right to demand such compensation; provided
that the
Borrower shall not be required to compensate a Lender or an Issuing Bank
pursuant to this Section for any increased costs or reductions incurred more
than 180 days prior to the date that such Lender or such Issuing Bank, as the
case may be, notifies the Borrower of the Change in Law giving rise to such
increased costs or reductions and of such Lender’s or such Issuing Bank’s
intention to claim compensation therefor; provided further
that, if
the Change in Law giving rise to such increased costs or reductions is
retroactive, then the 180-day period referred to above shall be extended to
include the period of retroactive effect thereof.
SECTION
2.16. Break
Funding Payments.
In the
event of (a) the payment of any principal of any Eurocurrency Loan other than
on
the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto (including as a result
of
an Event of Default), (b) the conversion of any Eurocurrency Loan other than
on
the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, (c) the failure to
borrow, convert, continue or prepay any Eurocurrency Loan on the date specified
in any notice delivered pursuant hereto (regardless of whether such notice
may
be revoked under Section 2.11(b) and is revoked in accordance therewith) or
(d)
the assignment of any Eurocurrency Loan other than on the last day of the
Interest Period applicable thereto as a result of a request by the Borrower
pursuant to Section 2.19, then, in any such event, the Borrower shall compensate
each Lender for the loss, cost and expense attributable to such event. Such
loss, cost or expense to any Lender shall be deemed to include an amount
determined by such Lender to be the excess, if any, of (i) the amount of
interest which would have accrued on the principal amount of such Loan had
such
event not occurred, at the Adjusted LIBO Rate that would have been applicable
to
such Loan, for the period from the date of such event to the last day of the
then current Interest Period therefor (or, in the case of a failure to borrow,
convert or continue, for the period that would have been the Interest Period
for
such Loan), over (ii) the amount of interest which would accrue on such
principal amount for such period at the interest rate which such Lender would
bid were it to bid, at the commencement of such period, for deposits in the
relevant currency of a comparable amount and period from other banks in the
eurocurrency market. A certificate of any Lender setting forth any amount or
amounts that such Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section
shall be delivered to the Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest
error. The Borrower shall pay such Lender the amount shown as due on any such
certificate within ten (10) days after receipt thereof.
SECTION
2.17. Taxes.
(a)
Any and
all payments by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower hereunder shall
be made free and clear of and without deduction for any Indemnified Taxes or
Other Taxes; provided
that if
the Borrower shall be required to deduct any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes
from such payments, then (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) the Administrative Agent, Lender
or
Issuing Bank (as the case may be) receives an amount equal to the sum it would
have received had no such deductions been made, (ii) the Borrower shall make
such deductions and (iii) the Borrower shall pay the full amount deducted to
the
relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.
(b)
In
addition, the Borrower shall pay any Other Taxes to the relevant Governmental
Authority in accordance with applicable law.
(c)
The
Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, each Lender and each Issuing
Bank, within ten (10) days after written demand therefor, for the full amount
of
any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes paid by the Administrative Agent, such
Lender or such Issuing Bank, as the case may be, on or with respect to any
payment by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower hereunder (including
Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted on or attributable to
amounts payable under this Section) and any penalties, interest and reasonable
expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such
Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or asserted
by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount of such
payment or liability delivered to the Borrower by a Lender or an Issuing Bank,
or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender or
an
Issuing Bank, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
(d)
As
soon as practicable after any payment of Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes by
the
Borrower to a Governmental Authority, the Borrower shall deliver to the
Administrative Agent the original or a certified copy of a receipt issued by
such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment, a copy of the return
reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment reasonably satisfactory
to the Administrative Agent.
(e)
Any
Foreign Lender that is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding
tax under the law of the jurisdiction in which the Borrower is located, or
any
treaty to which such jurisdiction is a party, with respect to payments under
this Agreement shall deliver to the Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative
Agent), at the time or times prescribed by applicable law, such properly
completed and executed documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably
requested by the Borrower as will permit such payments to be made without
withholding or at a reduced rate.
(f)
If
the Administrative Agent or a Lender determines, in its sole discretion, that
it
has received a refund of any Taxes or Other Taxes as to which it has been
indemnified by the Borrower or with respect to which the Borrower has paid
additional amounts pursuant to this Section
2.17, it shall pay over such refund to the Borrower (but only to the extent
of
indemnity payments made, or additional amounts paid, by the Borrower under
this
Section 2.17 with respect to the Taxes or Other Taxes giving rise to such
refund), net of all out-of-pocket expenses of the Administrative Agent or such
Lender and without interest (other than any interest paid by the relevant
Governmental Authority with respect to such refund); provided, that the
Borrower, upon the request of the Administrative Agent or such Lender, agrees
to
repay the amount paid over to the Borrower (plus any penalties, interest or
other charges imposed by the relevant Governmental Authority) to the
Administrative Agent or such Lender in the event the Administrative Agent or
such Lender is required to repay such refund to such Governmental Authority.
This Section shall not be construed to require the Administrative Agent or
any
Lender to make available its tax returns (or any other information relating
to
its taxes which it deems confidential) to the Borrower or any other
Person.
SECTION
2.18. Payments
Generally; Pro Rata Treatment; Sharing of Set-offs.
(a)
The
Borrower shall make each payment required to be made by it hereunder (whether
of
principal, interest, fees or reimbursement of LC Disbursements, or of amounts
payable under Section 2.15, 2.16 or 2.17, or otherwise) prior to (i) in the
case
of payments denominated in Dollars, 12:00 noon, Chicago time and (ii) in the
case of payments denominated in a Foreign Currency, 12:00 noon, local time,
in
the city of the Administrative Agent’s Eurocurrency Payment Office for such
currency, in each case on the date when due, in immediately available funds,
without set-off or counterclaim. Any amounts received after such time on any
date may, in the discretion of the Administrative Agent, be deemed to have
been
received on the next succeeding Business Day for purposes of calculating
interest thereon. All such payments shall be made (i) in the same currency
in
which the applicable Credit Event was made (or where such currency has been
converted to euro, in euro) and (ii) to the Administrative Agent at its offices
at 131 South Dearborn Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603 or, in the case of a
Borrowing denominated in a Foreign Currency, the Administrative Agent’s
Eurocurrency Payment Office, except payments to be made directly to an Issuing
Bank or Swingline Lender as expressly provided herein and except that payments
pursuant to Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 and 9.03 shall be made directly to the
Persons entitled thereto. The Administrative Agent shall distribute any such
payments denominated in the same currency received by it for the account of
any
other Person to the appropriate recipient promptly following receipt thereof.
If
any payment hereunder shall be due on a day that is not a Business Day, the
date
for payment shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day, and, in
the
case of any payment accruing interest, interest thereon shall be payable for
the
period of such extension. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this
Section, if, after the making of any Credit Event in any Foreign Currency,
currency control or exchange regulations are imposed in the country which issues
such currency with the result that the type of currency in which the Credit
Event was made (the “Original Currency”) no longer exists or the Borrower is not
able to make payment to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders
in such Original Currency, then all payments to be made by the Borrower
hereunder in such currency shall instead be made when due in Dollars in an
amount equal to the Dollar Amount (as of the date of repayment) of such payment
due, it being the intention of the parties hereto that the Borrower takes all
risks of the imposition of any such currency control or exchange
regulations.
(b)
If at
any time insufficient funds are received by and available to the Administrative
Agent to pay fully all amounts of principal, unreimbursed LC Disbursements,
interest and fees then due hereunder, such funds shall be applied (i) first,
towards payment of interest and fees then due hereunder, ratably among the
parties entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of interest and fees
then due to such parties, and (ii) second, towards payment of principal and
unreimbursed LC Disbursements then due hereunder, ratably among the parties
entitled thereto in accordance with the amounts of principal and unreimbursed
LC
Disbursements then due to such parties.
(c)
If
any Lender shall, by exercising any right of set-off or counterclaim or
otherwise, obtain payment in respect of any principal of or interest on any
of
its Revolving Loans or participations in LC Disbursements or Swingline Loans
resulting in such Lender receiving payment of a greater proportion of the
aggregate amount of its Revolving Loans and participations in LC Disbursements
and Swingline Loans and accrued interest thereon than the proportion received
by
any other Lender, then the Lender receiving such greater proportion shall
purchase (for cash at face value) participations in the Revolving Loans and
participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans of other Lenders to
the
extent necessary so that the benefit of all such payments shall be shared by
the
Lenders ratably in accordance with the aggregate amount of principal of and
accrued interest on their respective Revolving Loans and participations in
LC
Disbursements and Swingline Loans; provided that (i) if any such participations
are purchased and all or any portion of the payment giving rise thereto is
recovered, such participations shall be rescinded and the purchase price
restored to the extent of such recovery, without interest, and (ii) the
provisions of this paragraph shall not be construed to apply to any payment
made
by the Borrower pursuant to and in accordance with the express terms of this
Agreement or any payment obtained by a Lender as consideration for the
assignment of or sale of a participation in any of its Loans or participations
in LC Disbursements to any assignee or participant, other than to the Borrower
or any Subsidiary or Affiliate thereof (as to which the provisions of this
paragraph shall apply). The Borrower consents to the foregoing and agrees,
to
the extent it may effectively do so under applicable law, that any Lender
acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise
against the Borrower rights of set-off and counterclaim with respect to such
participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of the Borrower
in the amount of such participation.
(d)
Unless the Administrative Agent shall have received notice from the Borrower
prior to the date on which any payment is due to the Administrative Agent for
the account of the Lenders or the Issuing Banks 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 or the Issuing Banks, as the case
may
be, the amount due. In such event, if the Borrower has not in fact made such
payment, then each of the Lenders or each Issuing Bank, as the case may be,
severally agrees to repay to the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand the
amount so distributed to such Lender or Issuing Bank 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 greater of
the
Federal Funds Effective Rate and a rate determined by the Administrative Agent
in accordance with banking industry rules on interbank
compensation.
(e)
If
any Lender shall fail to make any payment required to be made by it pursuant
to
Section 2.05(c), 2.06(d) or (e), 2.07(b), 2.18(d) or 9.03(c), then the
Administrative Agent may, in its discretion (notwithstanding any contrary
provision hereof), apply any amounts thereafter received by the Administrative
Agent for the account of such Lender to satisfy such Lender’s obligations under
such Sections until all such unsatisfied obligations are fully
paid.
SECTION
2.19. Mitigation
Obligations; Replacement of Lenders.
(a)
If any
Lender requests compensation under Section 2.15, or if 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 2.17, then such Lender shall use
reasonable efforts to designate a different lending office for funding or
booking its Loans hereunder or to assign its rights and obligations hereunder
to
another of its offices, branches or affiliates, if, in the judgment of such
Lender, such designation or assignment (i) would eliminate or reduce amounts
payable pursuant to Section 2.15 or 2.17, as the case may be, in the future
and
(ii) would not subject such Lender to any unreimbursed cost or expense and
would
not otherwise be disadvantageous to such Lender. The Borrower hereby agrees
to
pay all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by any Lender in connection
with
any such designation or assignment.
(b)
If
any Lender requests compensation under Section 2.15, or if 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 2.17, or if any
Lender defaults in its obligation to fund Loans hereunder, 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
Section 9.04), all its interests, rights and obligations under this Agreement
to
an assignee that shall assume such obligations (which assignee may be another
Lender, if a Lender accepts such assignment); provided
that (i)
the Borrower shall have received the prior written consent of the Administrative
Agent, which consent shall not unreasonably be withheld, (ii) such Lender shall
have received payment of an amount equal to the outstanding principal of its
Loans and participations in LC Disbursements and Swingline Loans, accrued
interest thereon, accrued fees and all other amounts payable to it hereunder,
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) and (iii)
in the case of any such assignment resulting from a claim for compensation
under
Section 2.15 or payments required to be made pursuant to Section 2.17, such
assignment will result in a reduction in such compensation or payments. A Lender
shall not be required to make any such assignment and 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.
SECTION
2.20. Expansion
Option.
The
Borrower may from time to time elect to increase the Revolving Commitments
in a
minimum amount of $5,000,000 so long as, after giving effect thereto, the
aggregate amount of the Revolving Commitments does not exceed $125,000,000.
Upon
the Borrower’s request, such increase may be provided by one or more Lenders
(each Lender so agreeing to an increase in its Revolving Commitment, an
“Increasing
Lender”),
or by
one or more new banks, financial institutions or other entities (each such
new
bank, financial institution or other entity, an “Augmenting
Lender”),
selected by the Administrative Agent, in consultation with the Borrower, and
willing to increase their
existing
Revolving Commitments, or extend Revolving Commitments, as the case may be,
provided that (i) each Augmenting Lender, shall be subject to the approval
of
the Administrative Agent and the Issuing Banks and (ii) (x) in the case of
an
Increasing Lender, the Borrower and such Increasing Lender execute an agreement
substantially in the form of Exhibit
C
hereto,
and (y) in the case of an Augmenting Lender, the Borrower and such Augmenting
Lender execute an agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit
D
hereto.
Increases and new Revolving Commitments created pursuant to this clause shall
become effective on the date agreed by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent
and the relevant Increasing Lenders or Augmenting Lenders and the Administrative
Agent shall notify each Revolving Lender thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
no increase in the Revolving Commitments (or in the Revolving Commitment of
any
Lender), shall become effective under this paragraph unless, (i) on the proposed
date of the effectiveness of such increase, the conditions set forth in
paragraphs (a) and (b) of Section 5.02 shall be satisfied or waived by the
Required Lenders and the Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate
to that effect dated such date and executed by a Responsible Officer of the
Borrower and (ii) the Administrative Agent shall have received documents
consistent with those delivered on the Effective Date as to the corporate power
and authority of the Borrower to borrow hereunder after giving effect to such
increase. On the effective date of any increase in the Revolving Commitments,
(i) each relevant Increasing Lender and Augmenting Lender shall make available
to the Administrative Agent such amounts in immediately available funds as
the
Administrative Agent shall determine, for the benefit of the other Revolving
Lenders, as being required in order to cause, after giving effect to such
increase and the use of such amounts to make payments to such other Revolving
Lenders, each Revolving Lender’s portion of the outstanding Revolving Loans of
all the Revolving Lenders to equal its Revolving Percentage of such outstanding
Revolving Loans, and (ii) the Borrower shall be deemed to have repaid and
reborrowed all outstanding Revolving Loans as of the date of any increase in
the
Revolving Commitments (with such reborrowing to consist of the Types of
Revolving Loans, with related Interest Periods if applicable, specified in
a
notice delivered by the Borrower in accordance with the requirements of Section
2.03). The deemed payments made pursuant to clause (ii) of the immediately
preceding sentence shall be accompanied by payment of all accrued interest
on
the amount prepaid and, in respect of each Eurocurrency Loan, shall be subject
to indemnification by the Borrower pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.18
if
the deemed payment occurs other than on the last day of the related Interest
Periods.
SECTION
2.21. Market
Disruption.
Notwithstanding the satisfaction of all conditions referred to in Article II
and
Article IV with respect to any Credit Event to be effected in any Foreign
Currency, if (i) there shall occur on or prior to the date of such Credit Event
any change in national or international financial, political or economic
conditions or currency exchange rates or exchange controls which would in the
reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank (if such Credit
Event is a Letter of Credit) or the Required Lenders make it impracticable
for
the Eurocurrency Borrowings or Letters of Credit comprising such Credit Event
to
be denominated in the Agreed Currency specified by the Borrower or (ii) an
Equivalent Amount of such currency is not readily calculable, then the
Administrative Agent shall forthwith give notice thereof to the Borrower, the
Lenders and, if such Credit Event is a Letter of Credit, the applicable Issuing
Bank, and such Credit Events shall not be denominated in such Agreed Currency
but shall, except as otherwise set forth in Section 2.07, be made on the date
of
such Credit Event in Dollars, (a) if such Credit Event is a Borrowing, in an
aggregate principal amount equal to the Dollar Amount of the
aggregate
principal
amount specified in the related Credit Event Request or Interest Election
Request, as the case may be, as ABR Loans, unless the Borrower notifies the
Administrative Agent at least one Business Day before such date that (i) it
elects not to borrow on such date or (ii) it elects to borrow on such date
in a
different Agreed Currency, as the case may be, in which the denomination of
such
Loans would in the reasonable opinion of the Administrative Agent and the
Required Lenders be practicable and in an aggregate principal amount equal
to
the Dollar Amount of the aggregate principal amount specified in the related
Credit Event Request or Interest Election Request, as the case may be or (b)
if
such Credit Event is a Letter of Credit, in a face amount equal to the Dollar
Amount of the face amount specified in the related request or application for
such Letter of Credit, unless the Borrower notifies the Administrative Agent
at
least one Business Day before such date that (i) it elects not to request the
issuance of such Letter of Credit on such date or (ii) it elects to have such
Letter of Credit issued on such date in a different Agreed Currency, as the
case
may be, in which the denomination of such Letter of Credit would in the
reasonable opinion of the Issuing Banks, the Administrative Agent and the
Required Lenders be practicable and in face amount equal to the Dollar Amount
of
the face amount specified in the related request or application for such Letter
of Credit, as the case may be.
SECTION
2.22. Judgment
Currency.
If for
the purposes of obtaining judgment in any court it is necessary to convert
a sum
due from the Borrower hereunder in the currency expressed to be payable herein
(the “specified currency”) into another currency, the parties hereto agree, to
the fullest extent that they may effectively do so, that the rate of exchange
used shall be that at which in accordance with normal banking procedures the
Administrative Agent could purchase the specified currency with such other
currency at the Administrative Agent’s main New York City office on the Business
Day preceding that on which final, non-appealable judgment is given. The
obligations of the Borrower in respect of any sum due to any Lender or the
Administrative Agent hereunder shall, notwithstanding any judgment in a currency
other than the specified currency, be discharged only to the extent that on
the
Business Day following receipt by such Lender or the Administrative Agent (as
the case may be) of any sum adjudged to be so due in such other currency such
Lender or the Administrative Agent (as the case may be) may in accordance with
normal, reasonable banking procedures purchase the specified currency with
such
other currency. If the amount of the specified currency so purchased is less
than the sum originally due to such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as
the
case may be, in the specified currency, the Borrower agrees, to the fullest
extent that it may effectively do so, as a separate obligation and
notwithstanding any such judgment, to indemnify such Lender or the
Administrative Agent, as the case may be, against such loss, and if the amount
of the specified currency so purchased exceeds (a) the sum originally due to
any
Lender or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, in the specified
currency and (b) any amounts shared with other Lenders as a result of
allocations of such excess as a disproportionate payment to such Lender under
Section 2.18, such Lender or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be,
agrees to remit such excess to the Borrower.
ARTICLE
III
Representations
and Warranties
The
Borrower represents and warrants to the Lenders that:
SECTION
3.01. Organization;
Powers; Subsidiaries.
Each of
the Borrower and its Subsidiaries is duly organized, validly existing and in
good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, has all
requisite power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted and,
except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could
not
reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, is qualified
to
do business in, and is in good standing in, every jurisdiction where such
qualification is required. Schedule
3.01
hereto
(as supplemented from time to time) identifies each Subsidiary, the jurisdiction
of its incorporation or organization, as the case may be, the percentage of
issued and outstanding shares of each class of its capital stock or other equity
interests owned by the Borrower and the other Subsidiaries and, if such
percentage is not 100% (excluding directors’ and nominees’ qualifying shares as
required by law), a description of each class issued and outstanding. All of
the
outstanding shares of capital stock and other equity interests of each
Subsidiary are validly issued and outstanding and fully paid and nonassessable
and all such shares and other equity interests indicated on Schedule
3.01
as owned
by the Borrower or another Subsidiary are owned, beneficially and of record,
by
the Borrower or any Subsidiary free and clear of all Liens. There are no
outstanding commitments or other obligations of the Borrower or any Subsidiary
to issue, and no options, warrants or other rights of any Person to acquire,
any
shares of any class of capital stock or other equity interests of the Borrower
or any Subsidiary.
SECTION
3.02. Authorization;
Enforceability.
The
Transactions are within the Borrower’s corporate powers and have been duly
authorized by all necessary corporate and, if required, stockholder action.
This
Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Borrower and constitutes
a
legal, valid and binding obligation of the Borrower, enforceable in accordance
with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject to
general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding
in equity or at law.
SECTION
3.03. Governmental
Approvals; No Conflicts.
The
Transactions (a) do not require any consent or approval of, registration or
filing with, or any other action by, any Governmental Authority, except such
as
have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect, (b) will not
violate any applicable law or regulation or the charter, by-laws or other
organizational documents of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any
order
of any Governmental Authority, (c) will not violate or result in a default
under
any indenture, agreement or other instrument binding upon the Borrower or any
of
its Subsidiaries or its assets, or give rise to a right thereunder to require
any payment to be made by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, and (d)
will
not result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any asset of the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.
SECTION
3.04. Financial
Condition; No Material Adverse Change.
(a)
The
Borrower has heretofore furnished to the Lenders its consolidated balance sheet
and statements of income, stockholders equity and cash flows (i) as of and
for
the fiscal year ended October 1, 2004
reported on by Ernst & Young LLP, independent public accountants, and (ii)
as of and for the fiscal quarter and the portion of the fiscal year ended July
1, 2005, certified by its chief financial officer. Such financial statements
present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position and results
of
operations and cash flows of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries
as
of such dates and for such periods in accordance with GAAP, subject to year-end
audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes in the case of the statements
referred to in clause (ii) above.
(b)
Since
October 1, 2004, there has been no material adverse change in the business,
assets, property, condition (financial or otherwise), operations or prospects,
of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
SECTION
3.05. Properties.
(a)
Each of
the Borrower and its Subsidiaries has good title to, or valid leasehold
interests in, all its real and personal property material to its business,
except for minor defects in title that do not interfere with its ability to
conduct its business as currently conducted or to utilize such properties for
their intended purposes. There are no Liens on any of the real or personal
properties of the Borrower or any Subsidiary except for Liens permitted by
Section 6.02.
(b)
Each
of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries owns, or is licensed to use, all
trademarks, tradenames, copyrights, patents and other intellectual property
material to its business, and the use thereof by the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries does not infringe upon the rights of any other Person, except
for
any such infringements that, individually or in the aggregate, could not
reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION
3.06. Litigation
and Environmental Matters.
(a)
There
are no actions, suits or proceedings by or before any arbitrator or Governmental
Authority pending against or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened
against or affecting the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (i) as to which
there is a reasonable possibility of an adverse determination and that, if
adversely determined, could reasonably be expected, individually or in the
aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect or (ii) that involve this
Agreement or the Transactions. There are no labor controversies pending against
or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened against or affecting the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (i) which could reasonably be expected,
individually or in the aggregate, to result in a Material Adverse Effect, or
(ii) that involve this Agreement or the Transactions.
(b)
Except with respect to any matters that, individually or in the aggregate,
could
not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, neither
the
Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries (i) has failed to comply with any
Environmental Law or to obtain, maintain or comply with any permit, license
or
other approval required under any Environmental Law, (ii) has become subject
to
any Environmental Liability, (iii) has received notice of any claim with respect
to any Environmental Liability or (iv) knows of any basis for any Environmental
Liability.
(c)
Neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary is party or subject to any law,
regulation, rule or order, or any obligation under any agreement or instrument,
that has a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION
3.07. Compliance
with Laws and Agreements.
Each of
the Borrower and its Subsidiaries is in compliance with all laws, regulations
and orders of any Governmental Authority applicable to it or its property and
all indentures, agreements and other instruments binding upon it or its
property, except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate,
could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse
Effect.
SECTION
3.08. Investment
and Holding Company Status.
Neither
the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is (a) an “investment company” as
defined in, or subject to regulation under, the Investment Company Act of 1940
or (b) a “holding company” as defined in, or subject to regulation under, the
Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935.
SECTION
3.09. Taxes.
Each of
the Borrower and its Subsidiaries has timely filed or caused to be filed all
Tax
returns and reports required to have been filed and has paid or caused to be
paid all Taxes required to have been paid by it, except (a) Taxes that are
being
contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which the Borrower
or
such Subsidiary, as applicable, has set aside on its books adequate reserves
or
(b) to the extent that the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected
to
result in a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION
3.10. ERISA.
No
ERISA Event has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur that, when taken
together with all other such ERISA Events for which liability is reasonably
expected to occur, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse
Effect. The present value of all accumulated benefit obligations under each
Plan
(based on the assumptions used for purposes of Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 87) did not, as of the date of the most recent financial
statements reflecting such amounts, exceed the fair market value of the assets
of such Plan by an amount that could reasonably be expected to result in a
Material Adverse Effect, and the present value of all accumulated benefit
obligations of all underfunded Plans (based on the assumptions used for purposes
of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 87) did not, as of the date
of the most recent financial statements reflecting such amounts, exceed the
fair
market value of the assets of all such underfunded Plans by an amount that
could
reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION
3.11. Disclosure.
The
Borrower has disclosed to 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. Neither the
Information Memorandum nor any of the other reports, financial statements,
certificates or other information furnished by or on behalf of the Borrower
to
the Administrative Agent or any Lender in connection with 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 Borrower represents only
that such information was prepared in good faith based upon assumptions believed
to be reasonable at the time.
SECTION
3.12. Federal
Reserve Regulations.
No part
of the proceeds of any Loan have been used or will be used, whether directly
or
indirectly, for any purpose that entails a violation of any of the Regulations
of the Board, including Regulations T, U and X.
SECTION
3.13. No
Default.
The
Borrower is in full compliance with this Agreement and no Default or Event
of
Default has occurred and is continuing.
ARTICLE
IV
Conditions
SECTION
4.01. Effective
Date.
The
obligations of the Lenders to make Loans and of any Issuing Bank to issue
Letters of Credit hereunder shall not become effective until the date on which
each of the following conditions is satisfied (or waived in accordance with
Section 9.02):
(a)
The
Administrative Agent (or its counsel) shall have received from each party hereto
either (i) a counterpart of this Agreement signed on behalf of such party or
(ii) written evidence satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (which may
include facsimile transmission of a signed signature page of this Agreement)
that such party has signed a counterpart of this Agreement.
(b)
The
Administrative Agent shall have received favorable written opinions (addressed
to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders and dated the Effective Date) of
Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c., counsel for the Loan Parties, and such other
local counsel opinions as may be applicable, substantially in the form of
Exhibit
B,
and
covering such other matters relating to the Loan Parties, the Loan Documents
or
the Transactions as the Required Lenders shall reasonably request. The Borrower
hereby requests such counsel to deliver such opinion.
(c)
The
Lenders shall have received (i) reasonably satisfactory audited consolidated
financial statements of the Borrower for the two most recent fiscal years ended
prior to the Effective Date as to which such financial statements are available,
(ii) reasonably satisfactory unaudited interim consolidated financial statements
of the Borrower for each quarterly period ended subsequent to the date of the
latest financial statements delivered pursuant to clause (i) of this paragraph
as to which such financial statements are available and (iii) reasonably
satisfactory financial statement projections through and including the
Borrower’s 2010 fiscal year, together with such information as the
Administrative Agent and the Lenders shall reasonably request.
(d)
The
Administrative Agent shall have received such documents and certificates as
the
Administrative Agent or its counsel may reasonably request relating to the
organization, existence and good standing of the Borrower, the authorization
of
the Transactions and any other legal matters relating to the Loan Parties,
the
Loan Documents or the Transactions, all in form and substance satisfactory
to
the Administrative Agent and its counsel and as further described in the list
of
closing documents attached as Exhibit
E.
(e)
The
Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate, dated the Effective
Date
and signed by the President, a Vice President or a Financial Officer of the
Borrower,
confirming compliance with the conditions set forth in paragraphs (a) and (b)
of
Section 4.02.
(f)
The
Administrative Agent shall have received evidence satisfactory to it that all
of
the Borrower’s existing credit facilities (other than the Indebtedness
identified as continuing indebtedness in Schedule 6.01 hereto) shall have been
cancelled and terminated and all indebtedness thereunder shall have been fully
repaid (except to the extent being so repaid with the initial Revolving Credit
Loans).
(g)
The
Administrative Agent shall have received all fees and other amounts due and
payable on or prior to the Effective Date, including, to the extent invoiced,
reimbursement or payment of all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses required
to be
reimbursed or paid by the Borrower hereunder.
The
Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders of the Effective
Date, and such notice shall be conclusive and binding. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the obligations of the Lenders to make Loans and of the Issuing
Banks
to issue Letters of Credit hereunder shall not become effective unless each
of
the foregoing conditions is satisfied (or waived pursuant to Section 9.02)
at or
prior to 3:00 p.m., Chicago time, on the Effective Date (and, in the event
such
conditions are not so satisfied or waived, the Commitments shall terminate
at
such time).
SECTION
4.02. Each
Credit Event.
The
obligation of each Lender to make a Loan on the occasion of any Borrowing,
and
of any Issuing Bank to issue, amend, renew or extend any Letter of Credit,
is
subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions:
(a)
The
representations and warranties of the Borrower set forth in this Agreement
shall
be true and correct on and as of the date of such Borrowing or the date of
issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of such Letter of Credit, as
applicable.
(b)
At
the time of and immediately after giving effect to such Borrowing or the
issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of such Letter of Credit, as
applicable, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing.
Each
Borrowing and each issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of a Letter of
Credit shall be deemed to constitute a representation and warranty by the
Borrower on the date thereof as to the matters specified in paragraphs (a)
and
(b) of this Section.
ARTICLE
V
Affirmative
Covenants
Until
the
Commitments have expired or been terminated and the principal of and interest
on
each Loan and all fees payable hereunder shall have been paid in full and all
Letters of Credit shall have expired or terminated and all LC Disbursements
shall have been reimbursed, the Borrower covenants and agrees with the Lenders
that:
SECTION
5.01. Financial
Statements and Other Information.
The
Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Lender:
(a)
within ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower,
its
audited consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations,
stockholders’ equity and cash flows as of the end of and for such year, setting
forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal
year,
all reported on by Ernst & Young LLP or other independent public accountants
of recognized national standing (without a “going concern” or like qualification
or exception and without any qualification or exception as to the scope of
such
audit) to the effect that such consolidated financial statements present fairly
in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations
of
the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in
accordance with GAAP consistently applied;
(b)
within forty-five (45) days after the end of each of the first three fiscal
quarters of each fiscal year of the Borrower, its consolidated balance sheet
and
related statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows as of the
end of and for such fiscal quarter and the then elapsed portion of the fiscal
year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the
corresponding period or periods of (or, in the case of the balance sheet, as
of
the end of) the previous fiscal year, all certified by one of its Financial
Officers as presenting fairly in all material respects the financial condition
and results of operations of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries
on a
consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, subject to
normal year-end audit adjustments and the absence of footnotes;
(c)
concurrently with any delivery of financial statements under clause (a) or
(b)
above, a certificate of a Financial Officer of the Borrower (i) certifying
as to
whether a Default has occurred and, if a Default has occurred, specifying the
details thereof and any action taken or proposed to be taken with respect
thereto, (ii) setting forth reasonably detailed calculations demonstrating
compliance with Sections 6.01, 6.04, 6.05, 6.12 and 6.13 and (iii) stating
whether any change in GAAP or in the application thereof has occurred since
the
date of the audited financial statements referred to in Section 3.04 and, if
any
such change has occurred, specifying the effect of such change on the financial
statements accompanying such certificate;
(d)
promptly after the same become publicly available, copies of all periodic and
other reports, proxy statements and other materials filed by the Borrower or
any
Subsidiary with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any Governmental
Authority succeeding to any or all of the functions of said Commission, or
with
any national securities exchange, or distributed by the Borrower to its
shareholders generally, as the case may be; and
(e)
promptly following any request therefor, such other information regarding the
operations, business affairs and financial condition of the Borrower or any
Subsidiary, or compliance with the terms of this Agreement, as the
Administrative Agent or any Lender may reasonably request.
SECTION
5.02. Notices
of Material Events.
The
Borrower will furnish to the Administrative Agent and each Lender prompt written
notice of the following:
(a)
the
occurrence of any Default;
(b)
the
filing or commencement of any action, suit or proceeding by or before any
arbitrator or Governmental Authority against or affecting the Borrower or any
Affiliate thereof that, if adversely determined, could reasonably be expected
to
result in a Material Adverse Effect;
(c)
the
occurrence of any ERISA Event that, alone or together with any other ERISA
Events that have occurred, could reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect; and
(d)
any
other development that results in, or could reasonably be expected to result
in,
a Material Adverse Effect.
Each
notice delivered under this Section shall be accompanied by a statement of
a
Financial Officer or other executive officer of the Borrower setting forth
the
details of the event or development requiring such notice and any action taken
or proposed to be taken with respect thereto.
SECTION
5.03. Existence;
Conduct of Business.
The
Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, do or cause to be
done all things necessary to preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect
its legal existence and the rights, licenses, permits, privileges and franchises
material to the conduct of its business; provided
that the
foregoing shall not prohibit any merger, consolidation, liquidation or
dissolution permitted under Section 6.03.
SECTION
5.04. Payment
of Obligations.
The
Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, pay its obligations,
including Tax liabilities, that, if not paid, could result in a Material Adverse
Effect before the same shall become delinquent or in default, except where
(a)
the validity or amount thereof is being contested in good faith by appropriate
proceedings, (b) the Borrower or such Subsidiary has set aside on its books
adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance with GAAP and (c) the
failure to make payment pending such contest could not reasonably be expected
to
result in a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION
5.05. Maintenance
of Properties; Insurance.
The
Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, (a) keep and maintain
all property material to the conduct of its business in good working order
and
condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, and (b) maintain, with financially
sound and reputable insurance companies, insurance in such amounts and against
such risks as are customarily maintained by companies engaged in the same or
similar businesses operating in the same or similar locations.
SECTION
5.06. Books
and Records; Inspection Rights.
The
Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, keep proper books
of
record and account in which full, true and correct entries are made of all
dealings and transactions in relation to its business and activities. The
Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, permit any
representatives designated by the Administrative Agent or any Lender, upon
reasonable prior notice,
to visit and inspect its properties, to examine and make extracts from its
books
and records, and to discuss its affairs, finances and condition with its
officers and independent accountants, all at such reasonable times and as often
as reasonably requested.
SECTION
5.07. Compliance
with Laws.
The
Borrower will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, comply with all
laws,
rules, regulations and orders of any Governmental Authority applicable to it
or
its property (including without limitation Environmental Laws), except where
the
failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be
expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
SECTION
5.08. Use
of
Proceeds and Letters of Credit.
The
proceeds of the Loans will be used only to repay existing Indebtedness on the
Effective Date, finance the working capital needs, and for general corporate
purposes, of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of
business. No part of the proceeds of any Loan will be used, whether directly
or
indirectly, for any purpose that entails a violation of any of the Regulations
of the Board, including Regulations T, U and X. Letters of Credit will be
requested and utilized by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries only for general
corporate purposes.
SECTION
5.09. Subsidiary
Guaranty.
As
promptly as possible but in any event within thirty (30) days (or such later
date as may be agreed upon by the Administrative Agent) after any Person becomes
a Subsidiary or merges into a Subsidiary pursuant to Section 6.03, the Borrower
shall provide the Administrative Agent with written notice thereof setting
forth
information in reasonable detail describing the material assets of such Person
and shall cause each such Subsidiary which also qualifies as a Subsidiary
Guarantor to deliver to the Administrative Agent the Subsidiary Guaranty
pursuant to which such Subsidiary agrees to be bound by the terms and provisions
of thereof, such Subsidiary Guaranty to be accompanied by appropriate corporate
resolutions, other corporate documentation and legal opinions in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and its
counsel.
ARTICLE
VI
Negative
Covenants
Until
the
Commitments have expired or terminated and the principal of and interest on
each
Loan and all fees payable hereunder have been paid in full and all Letters
of
Credit have expired or terminated and all LC Disbursements shall have been
reimbursed, the Borrower covenants and agrees with the Lenders
that:
SECTION
6.01. Indebtedness.
The
Borrower will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, create, incur, assume
or permit to exist any Indebtedness, except:
(a)
Indebtedness created under the Loan Documents;
(b)
Indebtedness existing on the date hereof and set forth in Schedule
6.01
and
extensions, renewals and replacements of any such Indebtedness with Indebtedness
of a similar type that does not increase the outstanding principal amount
thereof;
(c)
Indebtedness of the Borrower to any Subsidiary and of any Subsidiary to the
Borrower or any other Subsidiary; provided
that
Indebtedness by any Subsidiary which is not a Loan Party to the Borrower or
any
other Subsidiary shall comply with the proviso in Section 6.04(d);
(d)
Guarantees by the Borrower of Indebtedness of any Subsidiary and by any
Subsidiary of Indebtedness of the Borrower or any other Subsidiary; provided
that
Guarantees by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of Indebtedness of any Subsidiary
which is not a Loan Party shall comply with the proviso in Section
6.04(d);
(e)
Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Subsidiary incurred to finance the
acquisition, construction or improvement of any fixed or capital assets,
including Capital Lease Obligations and any Indebtedness assumed in connection
with the acquisition of any such assets or secured by a Lien on any such assets
prior to the acquisition thereof, and extensions, renewals and replacements
of
any such Indebtedness that do not increase the outstanding principal amount
thereof; provided
that (i)
such Indebtedness is incurred prior to or within ninety (90) days after such
acquisition or the completion of such construction or improvement and (ii)
the
aggregate principal amount of Indebtedness permitted by this clause (e) shall
not exceed $10,000,000 at any time outstanding;
(f)
Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Subsidiary as an account party in respect
of
trade letters of credit;
(g)
Indebtedness constituting (a) accounts payable of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries arising in the ordinary course of business payable on terms
customary in the trade and consistent with past practice, (b) payroll accruals,
(c) tax, assessments and other governmental charges which are not yet due or
which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and with
respect to which adequate reserves have been set aside in accordance with GAAP,
and (d) other similar unsecured Indebtedness incurred in the ordinary course
of
business and consistent with past practice, but not incurred through the
borrowing of money or the obtaining of credit;
(h)
Indebtedness in connection with overdraft facilities in an aggregate outstanding
principal amount not to exceed $10,000,000;
(i)
Indebtedness evidenced by letters of credit (other than Letters of Credit)
in an
aggregate face amount not to exceed $10,000,000 at any time; and
(j)
other
unsecured Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding
$10,000,000 at any time outstanding.
SECTION
6.02. Liens.
The
Borrower will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, create, incur, assume
or permit to exist any Lien on any property or asset now owned or hereafter
acquired by it, or assign or sell any income or revenues (including accounts
receivable) or rights in respect of any thereof, except:
(a)
Permitted Encumbrances;
(b) any Lien on any property or asset of the Borrower or any Subsidiary
existing on the date hereof and set forth in Schedule
6.02;
provided that (i) such Lien shall not apply to any other property or asset
of
the Borrower or any Subsidiary and (ii) such Lien shall secure only those
obligations which it secures on the date hereof and extensions, renewals and
replacements thereof that do not increase the outstanding principal amount
thereof;
(c)
any
Lien existing on any property or asset prior to the acquisition thereof by
the
Borrower or any Subsidiary or existing on any property or asset of any Person
that becomes a Subsidiary after the date hereof prior to the time such Person
becomes a Subsidiary; provided that (i) such Lien is not created in
contemplation of or in connection with such acquisition or such Person becoming
a Subsidiary, as the case may be, (ii) such Lien shall not apply to any other
property or assets of the Borrower or any Subsidiary and (iii) such Lien shall
secure only those obligations which it secures on the date of such acquisition
or the date such Person becomes a Subsidiary, as the case may be and extensions,
renewals and replacements thereof that do not increase the outstanding principal
amount thereof;
(d)
Liens
of a collecting bank arising in the ordinary course of business under Section
4-208 of the Uniform Commercial Code in effect in the relevant jurisdiction
covering only the items being collected upon;
(e)
Liens
arising out of sale and leaseback transactions permitted by Section 6.06;
and
(f)
Liens
on fixed or capital assets acquired, constructed or improved by the Borrower
or
any Subsidiary; provided
that (i)
such security interests secure Indebtedness permitted by clause (e) of Section
6.01, (ii) such security interests and the Indebtedness secured thereby are
incurred prior to or within ninety (90) days after such acquisition or the
completion of such construction or improvement, (iii) the Indebtedness secured
thereby does not exceed 100% of the cost of acquiring, constructing or improving
such fixed or capital assets and (iv) such security interests shall not apply
to
any other property or assets of the Borrower or any Subsidiary.
SECTION
6.03. Fundamental
Changes.
The
Borrower will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, merge into or
consolidate with any other Person, or permit any other Person to merge into
or
consolidate with it, or sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of (in one
transaction or in a series of transactions) all or substantially all of its
assets, or all or substantially all of the stock of any of its Subsidiaries
(in
each case, whether now owned or hereafter acquired), or liquidate or dissolve,
except that, if at the time thereof and immediately after giving effect thereto
no Default shall have occurred and be continuing (i) any Person may merge into
the Borrower in a transaction in which the Borrower is the surviving
corporation, (ii) any Subsidiary/Person may merge into any Subsidiary in a
transaction in which the surviving entity is a Subsidiary, (iii) any Subsidiary
may sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of its assets to the Borrower
or
to another Subsidiary (subject to the limitations of Section 6.04) and (iv)
any
Subsidiary may liquidate or dissolve if the Borrower determines in good faith
that such liquidation or dissolution is in the best interests of the Borrower
and is not materially disadvantageous to the Lenders; provided that any such
merger involving a Person that is not a wholly-owned
Subsidiary immediately prior to such merger shall not be permitted unless also
permitted by Section 6.04.
SECTION
6.04. Investments,
Loans, Advances, Guarantees and Acquisitions.
The
Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, purchase,
hold or acquire (including pursuant to any merger with any Person that was
not a
wholly-owned Subsidiary prior to such merger) any capital stock, evidences
of
indebtedness or other securities (including any option, warrant or other right
to acquire any of the foregoing) of, make or permit to exist any loans or
advances to, Guarantee any obligations of, or make or permit to exist any
investment or any other interest in, any other Person, or purchase or otherwise
acquire (in one transaction or a series of transactions) any assets of any
other
Person constituting a business unit, except:
(a)
Permitted Investments;
(b)
Permitted Acquisitions;
(c)
investments by the Borrower in the capital stock of its Subsidiaries;
provided
that
investments by the Borrower in the capital stock of any Subsidiary which is
not
a Loan Party shall comply with the proviso in Section 6.04(d);
(d)
loans
or advances made by the Borrower to any Subsidiary and made by any Subsidiary
to
the Borrower or any other Subsidiary; provided
that the
Borrower will not, nor will it permit any other Loan Party to, enter into or
suffer to exist Other Subsidiary Investments at any time during any fiscal
year
(but calculated exclusive of all Other Subsidiary Investments existing
immediately prior to such fiscal year) of the Borrower in an aggregate amount
greater than $5,000,000;
(e)
Guarantees constituting Indebtedness permitted by Section 6.01;
(f)
investments in existence on the date of this Agreement and described in
Schedule
6.04;
(g)
notes
payable or stock or other securities issued by account debtors to the Borrower
or any Subsidiary pursuant to negotiated agreements with respect to settlement
of such account debtor’s accounts in the ordinary course of business, consistent
with past practices;
(h)
loans
or advances made by the Borrower or any Subsidiary to its employees on an
arms’-length basis in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practices for travel and entertainment expenses, relocation costs and similar
purposes up to a maximum of $2,000,000 in the aggregate at any one time
outstanding;
(i)
investments in the form of Swap Agreements permitted by Section 6.07;
(j)
investments of any Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary
of the Borrower or consolidates or merges with the Borrower or any of the
Subsidiaries (including in connection with a Permitted Acquisition) so long
as
such investments were not made in contemplation of such Person becoming a
Subsidiary or of such merger;
(k)
investments received in connection with the disposition of assets permitted
by
Section 6.05;
(l)
investments constituting deposits described in clauses (c) and (d) of the
definition of “Permitted Encumbrances”;
(m)
loans
or advances made by the Borrower or any Subsidiary to a Foreign Subsidiary
prior
to September 29, 2006 in an aggregate amount not to exceed the lesser of (i)
the
aggregate amount of dividends and distributions received by the Borrower from
its Foreign Subsidiaries prior to September 29, 2006, or (ii) $25,000,000;
and
(n)
investments not otherwise permitted by clauses (a) through (m) above, provided
that at the time such investment is made, (i) all investments made pursuant
to
this clause (n) in the aggregate shall not exceed ten percent (10%) of
Consolidated Net Worth as of the end of the fiscal quarter ending immediately
prior to the fiscal quarter in which such investment is made, (ii) no Default
has occurred and is continuing or would arise after giving effect thereto and
(iii) with respect to any such investment that constitutes an Acquisition (1)
the Borrower shall have satisfied the requirements of clauses (b), (d) and
(e)
of the definition of “Permitted Acquisions” and (2) such Acquisition is not a
Hostile Acquisition.
SECTION
6.05. Asset
Sales.
The
Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, sell,
transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of any asset, including any Equity Interest
owned by it, nor will the Borrower permit any Subsidiary to issue any additional
Equity Interest in such Subsidiary (other than to the Borrower or another
Subsidiary in compliance with Section 6.04), except:
(a)
sales, transfers and dispositions of (i) inventory in the ordinary course of
business and (ii) used, obsolete, worn out or surplus equipment or property
in
the ordinary course of business;
(b)
sales, transfers and dispositions to the Borrower or any Subsidiary,
provided
that any
such sales, transfers or dispositions involving a Subsidiary that is not a
Subsidiary Guarantor shall be made in compliance with Section 6.09;
(c)
sales, transfers and dispositions of accounts receivable in connection with
the
compromise, settlement or collection thereof;
(d)
sales, transfers and dispositions of investments permitted by clauses (i) and
(l) of Section 6.04;
(e)
sale
and leaseback transactions permitted by Section 6.06;
(f)
dispositions resulting from any casualty or other insured damage to, or any
taking under power of eminent domain or by condemnation or similar proceeding
of, any property or asset of the Borrower or any Subsidiary; and
(g)
sales, transfers and other dispositions of assets (other than Equity Interests
in a Subsidiary unless all Equity Interests in such Subsidiary are sold)
that
are not permitted by any other paragraph of this Section, provided that
each such transaction (i) is for consideration consisting of at least
eighty-five percent (85%) of cash, (ii) is for not less than fair market
value
(as determined in good faith by the Borrower’s board of directors), (iii) after
giving effect to such transaction, no Default or Event of Default shall exist,
(iv) together with all other such transactions under this subsection (g)
calculated at book value (1) during the immediately preceding twelve-month
period, represent the disposition of (x) not greater than twenty percent
(20%)
of the Borrower’s Consolidated Total Assets at the end of the fiscal year
immediately preceding that in which such transaction is proposed to be entered
into and (y) assets that comprised not greater than twenty percent (20%)
of the
Borrower’s Consolidate Net Income for such preceding fiscal year, and (2) during
the period from the date hereof to the date of such proposed transaction
represents the disposition of (x) not greater than thirty-five percent (35%)
of
the Borrower’s Consolidated Total Assets at the end of the fiscal year
immediately preceding that in which such transaction is proposed to be entered
into and (y) assets that comprised not greater than thirty-five percent (35%)
of
the Borrower’s Consolidated Net Income for such preceding fiscal year and (v)
the Borrower and the Subsidiaries are in compliance, on a pro forma basis
reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent after giving effect to
such
transaction (including pro forma adjustments arising out of events which
are
directly attributable to the sale, transfer or disposition of assets, are
factually supportable and are expected to have a continuing impact, in each
case
as determined on a basis consistent with Article 11 of Regulation S-X of
the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as interpreted by the SEC), with the
covenants contained in Section 6.13 recomputed as of the last day of the
most
recently ended fiscal quarter of the Borrower for which financial statements
are
available, as if such transaction had occurred on the first day of each relevant
period for testing such compliance and, if the assets sold, transferred or
disposed of in such transaction represent the disposition of assets (1)
exceeding five percent (5%) of the Borrower’s Consolidated Total Assets as at
the end of the fiscal year immediately preceding that in which such transaction
is proposed to be entered into or (2) comprising greater than five percent
(5%)
of the Borrower’s Consolidated Net Income for such preceding fiscal year, the
Borrower shall have delivered to the Administrative Agent a certificate of
a
Financial Officer of the Borrower to such effect (and if the assets sold,
transferred or disposed of in such transaction represent the disposition
of
assets (1) exceeding ten percent (10%) of the Borrower’s Consolidated Total
Assets as at the end of the fiscal year immediately preceding that in which
such
transaction is proposed to be entered into or (2) comprising greater than
ten
percent (10%) of the Borrower’s Consolidated Net Income for such preceding
fiscal year, such certificate and the supporting calculations shall have
been
reviewed by Ernst & Young LLP or other independent public accountants of
recognized national standing), together with all relevant financial information
requested by the Administrative Agent;
provided
that all sales, transfers, leases and other dispositions permitted hereby (other
than those permitted by paragraphs (b) and (f) above) shall be made for fair
value and for at least 85% cash consideration.
SECTION
6.06. Sale
and Leaseback Transactions.
The
Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into
any arrangement, directly or indirectly, whereby it 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 sold or transferred, except for any such sale of any fixed or capital
assets by the Borrower or any Subsidiary
that is made for cash consideration in an amount not less than the fair value
of
such fixed or capital asset and is consummated within 90 days after the Borrower
or such Subsidiary acquires or completes the construction of such fixed or
capital asset.
SECTION
6.07. Swap
Agreements.
The
Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into
any Swap Agreement, except (a) Swap Agreements entered into to hedge or mitigate
risks to which the Borrower or any Subsidiary has actual exposure (other than
those in respect of Equity Interests of the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries), and (b) Swap Agreements entered into in order to effectively
cap,
collar or exchange interest rates (from fixed to floating rates, from one
floating rate to another floating rate or otherwise) with respect to any
interest-bearing liability or investment of the Borrower or any
Subsidiary.
SECTION
6.08. Restricted
Payments.
The
Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, declare
or
make, or agree to pay or make, directly or indirectly, any Restricted Payment,
or incur any obligation (contingent or otherwise) to do so, except (a) the
Borrower may declare and pay dividends with respect to its Equity Interests
payable solely in additional shares of its common stock, (b) Subsidiaries may
declare and pay dividends ratably with respect to their Equity Interests, (c)
the Borrower may make Restricted Payments pursuant to and in accordance with
stock option plans or other benefit plans for management or employees of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries and (d) so long as no Default has occurred and
is
continuing or would arise after giving effect thereto, the Borrower may make
distributions and redeem, repurchase, acquire or retire an amount of its capital
stock during the period from and after October 3, 2004 to and including the
date
such distribution is made or other action is taken, up to an amount, in the
aggregate for such period, equal to (x) $15,000,000 plus (y) 50% of Consolidated
Net Income (or minus 50% of any loss) earned in such period, computed on a
cumulative basis for said entire period.
SECTION
6.09. Transactions
with Affiliates.
The
Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, sell, lease
or otherwise transfer any property or assets to, or purchase, lease or otherwise
acquire any property or assets material to its business from, or otherwise
engage in any other transactions with, any of its Affiliates, except (a) in
the
ordinary course of business at prices and on terms and conditions not less
favorable to the Borrower or such Subsidiary than could be obtained on an
arm’s-length basis from unrelated third parties and (b) transactions between or
among the Borrower and its wholly-owned Subsidiaries not involving any other
Affiliate.
SECTION
6.10. Restrictive
Agreements.
The
Borrower will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly
or
indirectly, enter into, incur or permit to exist any agreement or other
arrangement that prohibits, restricts or imposes any condition upon (a) the
ability of the Borrower or any Subsidiary to create, incur or permit to exist
any Lien upon any of its property or assets, or (b) the ability of any
Subsidiary to pay dividends or other distributions with respect to any shares
of
its capital stock or to make or repay loans or advances to the Borrower or
any
other Subsidiary or to Guarantee Indebtedness of the Borrower or any other
Subsidiary; provided
that (i)
the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions and conditions imposed by law
or
by any Loan Document, (ii) the foregoing shall not apply to restrictions and
conditions existing on the date hereof identified on Schedule
6.10
(but
shall apply to any extension or renewal of, or any amendment or modification
expanding the scope of, any such restriction or condition),
(iii) the foregoing shall not apply to customary restrictions and conditions
contained in agreements relating to the sale of a Subsidiary pending such sale,
provided such restrictions and conditions apply only to the Subsidiary that
is
to be sold and such sale is permitted hereunder, (iv) clause (a) of the
foregoing shall not apply to restrictions or conditions imposed by any agreement
relating to secured Indebtedness permitted by this Agreement if such
restrictions or conditions apply only to the property or assets securing such
Indebtedness and (v) clause (a) of the foregoing shall not apply to customary
provisions in leases and other contracts restricting the assignment
thereof.
SECTION
6.11. Amendment
of Material Documents.
The
Borrower shall not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, amend, modify or
waive any of its rights under (a) agreement relating to any Subordinated
Indebtedness or (b) its certificate of incorporation, by-laws, operating,
management or partnership agreement or other organizational documents, to the
extent any such amendment, modification or waiver would be adverse to the
Lenders.
SECTION
6.12. [Intentionally
Ommitted].
SECTION
6.13. Financial
Covenants.
(a)
Minimum
Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.
The
Borrower will not permit the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, determined as of
the
end of each of its fiscal quarters ending on and after September 30, 2005,
for
the period of four (4) consecutive fiscal quarters then ending, calculated
for
the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, to be less than
2.0
to 1.0.
(b)
Maximum
Leverage Ratio.
The
Borrower will not permit the Leverage Ratio, determined as of the end of each
of
its fiscal quarters ending on and after September 30, 2005, calculated for
the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, to be greater than 3.5
to
1.0.
(c)
Maintenance
of Net Worth.
The
Borrower will not permit Consolidated Net Worth at any time to be less than
the
sum of (i) $144,262,000, plus (ii) 50% of positive Consolidated Net Income
earned in each fiscal year, commencing with the fiscal year ending on after
September 29, 2006, plus (iii) 75% of the net cash proceeds resulting from
any
issuance of capital stock by the Borrower.
SECTION
6.14. Fiscal
Year.
Neither
the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries shall change its fiscal year for
accounting or tax purposes from a period consisting of a 52/53 calendar week
year ending on or about September 30 of each year without the prior written
consent of the Administrative Agent.
ARTICLE
VII
Events
of Default
If
any of
the following events (“Events
of Default”)
shall
occur:
(a)
the
Borrower shall fail to pay any principal of any Loan or any reimbursement
obligation in respect of any LC Disbursement when and as the same shall become
due and payable, whether at the due date thereof or at a date fixed for
prepayment thereof or otherwise;
(b)
the
Borrower shall fail to pay any interest on any Loan or any fee or any other
amount (other than an amount referred to in clause (a) of this Article) payable
under this Agreement, when and as the same shall become due and payable, and
such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of five (5) Business
Days;
(c)
any
representation or warranty made or deemed made by or on behalf of the Borrower
or any Subsidiary in or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan
Document or any amendment or modification thereof or waiver thereunder, or
in
any report, certificate, financial statement or other document furnished
pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document
or
any amendment or modification thereof or waiver thereunder, shall prove to
have
been materially incorrect when made or deemed made;
(d)
(i)
the Borrower shall fail to observe or perform any covenant, condition or
agreement contained in Section 5.02, 5.03 (with respect to the Borrower’s
existence) or 5.08 or in Article VI or (ii) any Loan Document shall for any
reason not be or shall cease to be in full force and effect or is declared
to be
null and void, or the Borrower or any Subsidiary takes any action for the
purpose of terminating, repudiating or rescinding any Loan Document or any
of
its obligations thereunder;
(e)
the
Borrower or any Subsidiary Guarantor, as applicable, shall fail to observe
or
perform any covenant, condition or agreement contained in this Agreement (other
than those specified in clause (a), (b) or (d) of this Article) or any other
Loan Document, and such failure shall continue unremedied for a period of thirty
(30) days after notice thereof from the Administrative Agent to the Borrower
(which notice will be given at the request of any Lender);
(f)
the
Borrower or any Subsidiary shall fail to make any payment (whether of principal
or interest and regardless of amount) in respect of any Material Indebtedness,
when and as the same shall become due and payable, following the expiration
of
any applicable grace periods;
(g)
any
event or condition occurs that results in any Material Indebtedness becoming
due
prior to its scheduled maturity or that enables or permits (with or without
the
giving of notice, the lapse of time or both) the holder or holders of any
Material Indebtedness or any trustee or agent on its or their behalf to cause
any Material Indebtedness to become due, or to require the prepayment,
repurchase, redemption or defeasance thereof, prior to its scheduled maturity;
provided
that
this clause (g) shall not apply to secured Indebtedness that becomes due as
a
result of the voluntary sale or transfer of the property or assets securing
such
Indebtedness;
(h)
an
involuntary proceeding shall be commenced or an involuntary petition shall
be
filed seeking (i) liquidation, reorganization or other relief in respect of
the
Borrower or any Subsidiary or its debts, or of a substantial part of its assets,
under any Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or
similar law now or hereafter in effect or (ii) the appointment of a receiver,
trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official for the Borrower
or any Subsidiary or for a substantial part of its assets, and, in any such
case, such proceeding or petition shall continue undismissed for sixty (60)
days
or an order or decree approving or ordering any of the foregoing shall be
entered;
(i)
the
Borrower or any Subsidiary shall (i) voluntarily commence any proceeding or
file
any petition seeking liquidation, reorganization or other relief under any
Federal, state or foreign bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar law
now or hereafter in effect, (ii) consent to the institution of, or fail to
contest in a timely and appropriate manner, any proceeding or petition described
in clause (h) of this Article, (iii) apply for or consent to the appointment
of
a receiver, trustee, custodian, sequestrator, conservator or similar official
for the Borrower or any Subsidiary or for a substantial part of its assets,
(iv)
file an answer admitting the material allegations of a petition filed against
it
in any such proceeding, (v) make a general assignment for the benefit of
creditors or (vi) take any action for the purpose of effecting any of the
foregoing;
(j)
the
Borrower or any Subsidiary shall become unable, admit in writing its inability
or fail generally to pay its debts as they become due;
(k)
one
or more judgments for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess
of
$5,000,000 (except to the extent covered by independent third-party insurance
as
to which the insurer has not disclaimed coverage) shall be rendered against
the
Borrower, any Subsidiary or any combination thereof and the same shall remain
undischarged for a period of thirty (30) consecutive days during which execution
shall not be effectively stayed, or any action shall be legally taken by a
judgment creditor to attach or levy upon any assets of the Borrower or any
Subsidiary to enforce any such judgment;
(l)
an
ERISA Event shall have occurred that, in the opinion of the Required Lenders,
when taken together with all other ERISA Events that have occurred, would
reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; or
(m)
a
Change in Control shall occur;
then,
and
in every such event (other than an event with respect to the Borrower described
in clause (h) or (i) of this Article), and at any time thereafter during the
continuance of such event, the Administrative Agent may, and at the request
of
the Required Lenders shall, by notice to the Borrower, take either or both
of
the following actions, at the same or different times: (i) terminate the
Commitments, and thereupon the Commitments shall terminate immediately, and
(ii)
declare the Loans then outstanding to be due and payable in whole (or in part,
in which case any principal not so declared to be due and payable may thereafter
be declared to be due and payable), and thereupon the principal of the Loans
so
declared to be due and payable, together with accrued interest thereon and
all
fees and other obligations of the Borrower accrued hereunder and under the
other
Loan Documents, shall become due and payable immediately, without presentment,
demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived
by
the Borrower; and in case of any event with respect to the Borrower described
in
clause (h) or (i) of this Article, the Commitments shall automatically terminate
and the principal of the Loans then outstanding, together with accrued interest
thereon and all fees and other obligations of the Borrower accrued hereunder
and
under the other Loan Documents, shall automatically become due
and
payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind,
all
of which are hereby waived by the Borrower.
ARTICLE
VIII
The
Administrative Agent
Each
of
the Lenders and the Issuing Banks hereby irrevocably appoints the Administrative
Agent as its agent 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, together with such actions and powers as are
reasonably incidental thereto.
The
bank
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 such bank and its Affiliates
may accept deposits from, lend money to and generally engage in any kind of
business with the Borrower or any Subsidiary or other Affiliate thereof as
if it
were not the Administrative Agent hereunder.
The
Administrative Agent shall not have any duties or obligations except those
expressly set forth herein. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,
(a) the Administrative Agent shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other
implied duties, regardless of whether a Default has occurred and is continuing,
(b) the Administrative Agent shall not have any duty to take any discretionary
action or exercise any discretionary powers, except discretionary rights and
powers expressly contemplated hereby that the Administrative Agent is required
to exercise in writing as directed by the Required Lenders (or such other number
or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances
as
provided in Section 9.02), and (c) except as expressly set forth herein, the
Administrative Agent shall not have any duty to disclose, and shall not be
liable for the failure to disclose, any information relating to the Borrower
or
any of its Subsidiaries that is communicated to or obtained by the bank serving
as 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
with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders (or such other number
or percentage of the Lenders as shall be necessary under the circumstances
as
provided in Section 9.02) or 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 written notice thereof is given to
the
Administrative Agent by the Borrower or a Lender, and 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, (ii) the contents of any certificate, report or other document
delivered hereunder or in connection herewith, (iii) the performance or
observance of any of the covenants, agreements or other terms or conditions
set
forth herein, (iv) the validity, enforceability, effectiveness or genuineness
of
this Agreement or any other agreement, instrument or document, or (v) the
satisfaction of any condition set forth in Article IV or elsewhere herein,
other
than to confirm receipt of items expressly required to be delivered to the
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 believed by it to be genuine
and to have been signed or sent 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 be made by the proper Person, and shall not incur any liability for
relying thereon. The Administrative Agent may consult with legal counsel (who
may be counsel for the Borrower), 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.
The
Administrative Agent may perform any and all its duties and exercise its rights
and powers 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 its duties and exercise its rights and powers through their
respective Related Parties. The exculpatory provisions of the preceding
paragraphs 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.
Subject
to the appointment and acceptance of a successor Administrative Agent as
provided in this paragraph, the Administrative Agent may resign at any time
by
notifying the Lenders, the Issuing Banks and the Borrower. Upon any such
resignation, the Required Lenders shall have the right, in consultation with
the
Borrower, to appoint a successor. If no successor shall have been so appointed
by the Required Lenders and shall have accepted such appointment within thirty
(30) days after the retiring Administrative Agent gives notice of its
resignation, then the retiring Administrative Agent may, on behalf of the
Lenders and the Issuing Banks, appoint a successor Administrative Agent which
shall be a bank with an office in New York, New York, or an Affiliate of any
such bank. Upon the acceptance of its appointment as Administrative Agent
hereunder by a successor, such successor shall succeed to and become vested
with
all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Administrative
Agent, and the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties
and obligations hereunder. 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
Administrative Agent’s resignation hereunder, the provisions of this Article and
Section 9.03 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 it
was
acting as Administrative Agent.
Each
Lender acknowledges that it has, independently and without reliance upon the
Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and
information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and
decision to enter into this Agreement. Each Lender also acknowledges that it
will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any
other Lender 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 related agreement or
any
document furnished hereunder or thereunder.
None
of
the Lenders, if any, identified in this Agreement as a Syndication Agent or
Documentation Agent shall have any right, power, obligation, liability,
responsibility or duty under this Agreement other than those applicable to
all
Lenders as such. Without limiting the foregoing, none of such Lenders shall
have
or be deemed to have a fiduciary relationship with any Lender. Each Lender
hereby makes the same acknowledgments with respect to the relevant Lenders
in
their capacity as Syndication Agents or Documentation Agents as it makes with
respect to the Administrative Agent in the preceding paragraph.
ARTICLE
IX
Miscellaneous
SECTION
9.01. Notices.
(a)
Except
in the case of notices and other communications expressly permitted to be given
by telephone (and subject to paragraph (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 facsimile, as follows:
(i)
if to
the Borrower, to it at 555 Main Street, Suite 023, Racine, Wisconsin 53403,
Attention of David Harrington (Facsimile No. 262-631-6608);
(ii)
if
to the Administrative Agent, to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Loan and Operations,
131 S. Dearborn Street, Chicago, IL 60670, Attention of Edna Guerra (Facsimile
No. (312) 385-7090 and e-mail edna.guerra@jpmchase.com)
with a
copy to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., 131 S. Dearborn Street, Chicago, IL 60670,
Attention of Nathan Bloch (Facsimile No. (312) 325-3077 and e-mail address
nathan.bloch@chase.com);
(iii)
if
to an Issuing Bank, to it at (A) in the case of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.,
to it
at JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Loan and Operations, 131 S. Dearborn Street,
Chicago, IL 60670, Attention of Edna Guerra (Facsimile No. (312) 385-7090 and
e-mail edna.guerra@jpmchase.com)
with a
copy to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., 131 S. Dearborn Street, Chicago, IL 60670,
Attention of Nathan Bloch (Facsimile No. (312) 325-3077 and e-mail address
nathan.bloch@chase.com), and (B) in the case of any other Issuing Bank, to
it at
the address and facsimile number specified from time to time by such Issuing
Bank to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent;
(iv)
if
to the Swingline Lender, to it at JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Loan and
Operations, 131 S. Dearborn Street, Chicago, IL 60670, Attention of Edna Guerra
(Facsimile No. (312) 385-7090 and e-mail edna.guerra@jpmchase.com)
with a
copy to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., 131 S. Dearborn Street, Chicago, IL 60670,
Attention of Nathan Bloch (Facsimile No. (312) 325-3077 and e-mail address
nathan.bloch@chase.com); and
(v)
if to
any other Lender, to it at its address (or facsimile number) set forth in its
Administrative Questionnaire.
(b)
Notices and other communications to the Lenders hereunder may be delivered
or
furnished by electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by the
Administrative Agent; provided that the foregoing shall not apply to notices
pursuant to Article II unless otherwise agreed by the Administrative Agent
and
the applicable Lender. The Administrative Agent or the Borrower may, in its
discretion, agree to accept notices and other communications to it hereunder
by
electronic communications pursuant to procedures approved by it; provided that
approval of such procedures may be limited to particular notices or
communications.
(c)
Any
party hereto may change its address or facsimile number for notices and other
communications hereunder by notice to the other parties hereto. All notices
and
other communications given to any party hereto in accordance with the provisions
of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been given on the date of
receipt.
SECTION
9.02. Waivers;
Amendments.
(a)
No
failure or delay by the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender
in
exercising any right or power hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall
operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any
such right or power, or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce
such a right or power, preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the
exercise of any other right or power. The rights and remedies of the
Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders hereunder and under
any
other Loan Document are cumulative and are not exclusive of any rights or
remedies that they would otherwise have. No waiver of any provision of any
Loan
Document or consent to any departure by the Borrower therefrom shall in any
event be effective unless the same shall be permitted by paragraph (b) of this
Section, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific
instance and for the purpose for which given. Without limiting the generality
of
the foregoing, the making of a Loan or issuance of a Letter of Credit shall
not
be construed as a waiver of any Default, regardless of whether the
Administrative Agent, any Lender or any Issuing Bank may have had notice or
knowledge of such Default at the time.
(b)
Neither this Agreement nor any other Loan Document nor any provision hereof
or
thereof may be waived, amended or modified except pursuant to an agreement
or
agreements in writing entered into by the Borrower and the Required Lenders
or
by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent with the consent of the Required
Lenders; provided
that no
such agreement shall (i) increase the Commitment of any Lender without the
written consent of such Lender, (ii) reduce or forgive the principal amount
of
any Loan or LC Disbursement or reduce the rate of interest thereon, or reduce
or
forgive any interest or fees payable hereunder, without the written consent
of
each Lender affected thereby, (iii) postpone the scheduled date of payment
of
the principal amount of any Loan or LC Disbursement, or any interest thereon,
or
any fees payable hereunder, or reduce the amount of, waive or excuse any such
payment, or postpone the scheduled date of expiration of any Commitment, without
the written consent of each Lender affected thereby, (iv) change Section 2.18(b)
or (c) in a manner that would alter the pro rata sharing of payments required
thereby, without the written consent of each Lender, (v) change any of the
provisions of this Section or the definition of “Required Lenders” or any other
provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to
waive, amend or modify any rights hereunder or make any determination or grant
any consent hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender or (vi)
release any Subsidiary Guarantor from its obligation under
the
Subsidiary Guaranty (except as otherwise permitted herein or in the other Loan
Documents) without the written consent of each Lender; provided further
that no
such agreement shall amend, modify or otherwise affect the rights or duties
of
the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender hereunder
without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent, such Issuing
Bank
or the Swingline Lender, as the case may be.
SECTION
9.03. Expenses;
Indemnity; Damage Waiver.
(a)
The
Borrower shall pay (i) all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the
Administrative Agent and its Affiliates, including the reasonable fees, charges
and disbursements of counsel the Administrative Agent, in connection with the
syndication and distribution (including, without limitation, via the internet
or
through a service such as IntraLinks) of the credit facilities provided for
herein, the preparation and administration of this Agreement or any amendments,
modifications or waivers of the provisions hereof (whether or not the
transactions contemplated hereby or thereby shall be consummated), (ii) all
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by any Issuing Bank in connection
with the issuance, amendment, renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit
or
any demand for payment thereunder and (iii) all reasonable out-of-pocket
expenses incurred by the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender,
including the reasonable fees, charges and disbursements of any counsel for
the
Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender, in connection with the
enforcement, collection or protection of its rights in connection with this
Agreement, including its rights under this Section, or in connection with the
Loans made or Letters of Credit issued hereunder, including all such reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses incurred during any workout, restructuring or
negotiations in respect of such Loans or Letters of Credit.
(b)
The
Borrower shall indemnify the Administrative Agent, each Issuing Bank and each
Lender, and each Related Party of any of the foregoing Persons (each such Person
being called an “Indemnitee”)
against, and hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims,
damages, penalties, liabilities and related expenses, including the fees,
charges and disbursements of any counsel for any Indemnitee, incurred by or
asserted against any Indemnitee arising out of, in connection with, or as a
result of (i) the execution or delivery of this Agreement or any agreement
or
instrument contemplated hereby, the performance by the parties hereto of their
respective obligations hereunder or the consummation of the Transactions or
any
other transactions contemplated hereby, (ii) any Loan or Letter of Credit or
the
use of the proceeds therefrom (including any refusal by any Issuing Bank to
honor a demand for payment under a Letter of Credit if the documents presented
in connection with such demand do not strictly comply with the terms of such
Letter of Credit), (iii) any actual or alleged presence or release of Hazardous
Materials on or from any property owned or operated by the Borrower or any
of
its Subsidiaries, or any Environmental Liability related in any way to the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or (iv) any actual or prospective claim,
litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing,
whether based on contract, tort or any other theory and regardless of whether
any Indemnitee is a party thereto; provided
that
such indemnity shall not, as to any Indemnitee, be available to the extent
that
such losses, claims, damages, penalties, liabilities or related expenses 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.
(c)
To
the extent that the Borrower fails to pay any amount required to be paid by
it
to the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender under
paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, each Lender severally agrees to pay to
the
Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender, as the case
may
be, such Lender’s Applicable Percentage (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, penalty, liability
or
related expense, as the case may be, was incurred by or asserted against the
Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or the Swingline Lender in its capacity
as such.
(d)
To
the extent permitted by applicable law, the Borrower shall not assert, and
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 or any agreement or instrument contemplated hereby, the Transactions,
any Loan or Letter of Credit or the use of the proceeds thereof.
(e)
All
amounts due under this Section shall be payable not later than fifteen (15)
days
after written demand therefor.
SECTION
9.04. Successors
and Assigns.
(a)
The
provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit
of
the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby
(including any Affiliate of an Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit),
except that (i) the Borrower may not assign or otherwise transfer any of its
rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of each Lender
(and any attempted assignment or transfer by the Borrower without such consent
shall be null and void) and (ii) no Lender may assign or otherwise transfer
its
rights or obligations hereunder except in accordance with this Section. 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 (including any Affiliate of any Issuing Bank that issues any
Letter of Credit), Participants (to the extent provided in paragraph (c) of
this
Section) and, to the extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties
of each of the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders) any
legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this
Agreement.
(b)(i)
Subject
to the conditions set forth in paragraph (b)(ii) below, any Lender may assign
to
one or more assignees all or a portion of its rights and obligations under
this
Agreement (including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans at the
time owing to it) with the prior written consent (such consent not to be
unreasonably withheld) of:
(A)
the
Borrower, provided
that no
consent of the Borrower shall be required for an assignment to a Lender, an
Affiliate of a Lender, an Approved Fund or, if an Event of Default has occurred
and is continuing, any other assignee; and
(B)
the
Administrative Agent.
(ii)
Assignments shall be subject to the following additional
conditions:
(A)
except in the case of an assignment to a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender
or
an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the assigning Lender’s
Commitment or Loans of any Class, the amount of the Commitment or 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) shall not be less than $5,000,000 unless each of the
Borrower and the Administrative Agent otherwise consent, provided
that no
such consent of the Borrower shall be required if an Event of Default has
occurred and is continuing;
(B)
each
partial assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of
all
the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, provided
that this clause shall not be construed to prohibit the assignment of a
proportionate part of all the assigning Lender’s rights and obligations in
respect of one Class of Commitments or Loans;
(C)
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; and
(D)
the
assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the Administrative
Agent
an Administrative Questionnaire.
For
the
purposes of this Section 9.04(b), the term “Approved
Fund”
has
the
following meaning:
“Approved
Fund”
means
any Person (other than a natural person) that is engaged in making, purchasing,
holding or investing in bank loans and similar extensions of credit in the
ordinary course of its business and that is administered or managed by (a)
a
Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an
entity that administers or manages a Lender.
(iii)
Subject to acceptance and recording thereof pursuant to paragraph (b)(iv) of
this Section, from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment
and
Assumption the assignee thereunder shall be a party hereto 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
2.15,
2.16, 2.17 and 9.03). Any assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or
obligations under this Agreement that does not comply with this Section 9.04
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 paragraph (c)
of
this Section.
(iv)
The
Administrative Agent, acting for this purpose as an agent of the Borrower,
shall
maintain at one of its offices 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 Commitment of, and principal amount of the Loans and LC
Disbursements owing to, each Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time
to
time (the “Register”).
The
entries in the Register shall be conclusive, and the Borrower, the
Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders may treat each Person
whose name is recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender
hereunder for all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the
contrary. The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower, any
Issuing Bank and any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon
reasonable prior notice.
(v)
Upon
its receipt of a duly completed Assignment and Assumption executed by an
assigning Lender and an assignee, the assignee’s completed Administrative
Questionnaire (unless the assignee shall already be a Lender hereunder), the
processing and recordation fee referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section
and
any written consent to such assignment required by paragraph (b) of this
Section, the Administrative Agent shall accept such Assignment and Assumption
and record the information contained therein in the Register; provided
that if
either the assigning Lender or the assignee shall have failed to make any
payment required to be made by it pursuant to Section 2.05(c), 2.06(d) or (e),
2.07(b), 2.18(d) or 9.03(c), the Administrative Agent shall have no obligation
to accept such Assignment and Assumption and record the information therein
in
the Register unless and until such payment shall have been made in full,
together with all accrued interest thereon. No assignment shall be effective
for
purposes of this Agreement unless it has been recorded in the Register as
provided in this paragraph.
(c) (i)
Any
Lender may, without the consent of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent,
the
Issuing Banks or the Swingline Lender, sell participations to one or more banks
or other entities (a “Participant”)
in all
or a portion of such Lender’s rights and obligations under this Agreement
(including all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans owing to it);
provided that (A) such Lender’s obligations under this Agreement shall remain
unchanged, (B) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties
hereto for the performance of such obligations and (C) the Borrower, the
Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks 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, modification or waiver
described in the first proviso to Section 9.02(b) that affects such Participant.
Subject to paragraph (c)(ii) of this Section, the Borrower agrees that each
Participant shall be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.15, 2.16 and 2.17
to
the same extent as if it were a Lender and had acquired its interest by
assignment pursuant to paragraph (b) of this Section. To the extent permitted
by
law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the benefits of Section 9.08
as
though it were a Lender, provided such Participant agrees to be subject to
Section 2.18(c) as though it were a Lender.
(ii) A
Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater payment under Section
2.15 or 2.17 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 2.17 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 2.17(e) as though it were a
Lender.
(d) Any
Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest in all or any
portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations of such Lender,
including without limitation any pledge or assignment to secure obligations
to a
Federal Reserve Bank, and this Section shall not apply to any such pledge or
assignment of a security interest; provided that no such pledge or assignment
of
a security interest shall release a Lender from any of its obligations hereunder
or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party
hereto.
SECTION
9.05. Survival.
All
covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made by the Borrower
herein and in the certificates or other instruments delivered in connection
with
or pursuant to this Agreement shall be considered to have been relied upon
by
the other parties hereto and shall survive the execution and delivery of this
Agreement and the making of any Loans and issuance of any Letters of Credit,
regardless of any investigation made by any such other party or on its behalf
and notwithstanding that the Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any
Lender may have had notice or knowledge of any Default or incorrect
representation or warranty at the time any credit is extended hereunder, and
shall continue in full force and effect as long as the principal of or any
accrued interest on any Loan or any fee or any other amount payable under this
Agreement is outstanding and unpaid or any Letter of Credit is outstanding
and
so long as the Commitments have not expired or terminated. The provisions of
Sections 2.15, 2.16, 2.17 and 9.03 and Article VIII shall survive and remain
in
full force and effect regardless of the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby, the repayment of the Loans, the expiration or termination
of the Letters of Credit and the Commitments or the termination of this
Agreement or any provision hereof.
SECTION
9.06. Counterparts;
Integration; Effectiveness.
This
Agreement may be executed in counterparts (and by different parties hereto
on
different counterparts), each of which shall constitute an original, but all
of
which when taken together shall constitute a single contract. This Agreement
and
any separate letter agreements with respect to fees payable to the
Administrative Agent constitute the entire contract among the parties relating
to the subject matter hereof and supersede any and all previous agreements
and
understandings, oral or written, relating to the subject matter hereof. Except
as provided in Section 4.01, this Agreement shall become effective when it
shall
have been executed by the Administrative Agent and when the Administrative
Agent
shall have received counterparts hereof which, when taken together, bear the
signatures of each of the other parties hereto, and thereafter shall be binding
upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective
successors and assigns. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature
page
of this Agreement by facsimile shall be effective as delivery of a manually
executed counterpart of this Agreement.
SECTION
9.07. Severability.
Any
provision of this Agreement held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in
any
jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of
such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability without affecting the validity,
legality and
enforceability of the remaining provisions hereof; and the invalidity of a
particular provision in a particular jurisdiction shall not invalidate such
provision in any other jurisdiction.
SECTION
9.08. Right
of Setoff.
If an
Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, each Lender and each
of
its Affiliates is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, 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
and
other obligations at any time owing by such Lender or Affiliate to or for the
credit or the account of the Borrower against any of and all the obligations
of
the Borrower now or hereafter existing under this Agreement held by such Lender,
irrespective of whether or not such Lender shall have made any demand under
this
Agreement and although such obligations may be unmatured. The rights of each
Lender under this Section are in addition to other rights and remedies
(including other rights of setoff) which such Lender may have.
SECTION
9.09. Governing
Law; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process.
(a)
This
Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the law of
the
State of Illinois.
(b)
The
Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally submits, for itself and its
property, to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of any United States Federal or
Illinois State Court sitting in Chicago, Illinois, and any appellate court
from
any thereof, in any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this
Agreement, or for recognition or enforcement of any judgment, and each of the
parties hereto hereby irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that all claims
in
respect of any such action or proceeding may be heard and determined in such
Illinois State or, to the extent permitted by law, in such Federal court. Each
of the parties hereto agrees that a final judgment in any such action or
proceeding shall be conclusive and may be enforced in other jurisdictions by
suit on the judgment or in any other manner provided by law. Nothing in this
Agreement shall affect any right that the Administrative Agent, any Issuing
Bank
or any Lender may otherwise have to bring any action or proceeding relating
to
this Agreement against the Borrower or its properties in the courts of any
jurisdiction.
(c)
The
Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent
it
may legally and effectively do so, any objection which it may now or hereafter
have to the laying of venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of
or
relating to this Agreement in any court referred to in paragraph (b) of this
Section. Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest
extent permitted by law, the defense of an inconvenient forum to the maintenance
of such action or proceeding in any such court.
(d)
Each
party to this Agreement irrevocably consents to service of process in the manner
provided for notices in Section 9.01. Nothing in this Agreement will affect
the
right of any party to this Agreement to serve process in any other manner
permitted by law.
SECTION
9.10. WAIVER
OF JURY TRIAL.
EACH
PARTY HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW,
ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING DIRECTLY OR
INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR
THE
TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY (WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER
THEORY). EACH PARTY HERETO (A) CERTIFIES THAT NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR
ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH
OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING
WAIVER AND (B) ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT AND THE OTHER PARTIES HERETO HAVE BEEN
INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS
AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION.
SECTION
9.11. Headings.
Article
and Section headings and the Table of Contents used herein are for convenience
of reference only, are not part of this Agreement and shall not affect the
construction of, or be taken into consideration in interpreting, this
Agreement.
SECTION
9.12. Confidentiality.
Each of
the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Banks and the Lenders agrees to maintain
the confidentiality of the Information (as defined below), except that
Information may be disclosed (a) to its and its Affiliates’ directors, officers,
employees and agents, including accountants, legal counsel and other advisors
(it being understood that the Persons to whom such disclosure is made will
be
informed of the confidential nature of such Information and instructed to keep
such Information confidential), (b) to the extent requested by any regulatory
authority, (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 assignee of or Participant in, or
any
prospective assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations
under this Agreement or (ii) any actual or prospective counterparty (or its
advisors) to any swap or derivative transaction relating to the Borrower and
its
obligations, (g) with the consent of the Borrower or (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, any Issuing
Bank or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than the
Borrower. For the purposes of this Section, “Information”
means
all information received from the Borrower relating to the Borrower or its
business, other than any such information that is available to the
Administrative Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis
prior to disclosure by the Borrower; provided
that, in
the case of information received from the Borrower after the date hereof, such
information is clearly identified at the time of delivery as confidential.
Any
Person required to maintain the confidentiality of Information as provided
in
this Section shall be considered to have complied with its obligation to do
so
if such Person has exercised the same degree of care to maintain the
confidentiality of such Information as such Person would accord to its own
confidential information.
SECTION
9.13. USA
PATRIOT Act.
Each
Lender that is subject to the requirements of the USA Patriot Act (Title III
of
Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)) (the “Act”) hereby notifies
the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of 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 to identify the Borrower in accordance with the
Act.
[Signature
Pages Follow]
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly
executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first
above written.
JOHNSON
OUTDOORS
INC.
|
|
|
By
/s/ David W.
Johnson
|
|
Name:
David W. Johnson
|
|
Title:
Treasurer
|
|
|
JPMORGAN
CHASE BANK, N.A., individually
as
a Lender, as the Swingline Lender, as an Issuing
Bank
and as Administrative Agent
|
|
|
By
/s/ Sabir
Hashmy
|
|
Name:
Sabir Hashmy
|
|
Title:
Vice President
|
|
|
LASALLE
BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
as
a Lender and an Issuing Bank
|
|
|
By
/s/ Lou D.
Branch
|
|
Name:
Lou D. Branch
|
|
Title:
Senior Vice President & Sr. Banker
|
|
|
|
|
M&I
MARSHALL & ILSLEY BANK,
as
a Lender
|
|
|
By
/s/ Ronald J.
Carey
|
Name:
Ronald J. Carey
|
Title:
Vice President
|
|
By
/s/ James R.
Miller
|
Name:
James R. Miller
|
Title:
Vice President
|
|
|
WELLS
FARGO BANK, N.A., as a Lender
|
|
|
By
/s/ Paul J.
Hennessey
|
Name:
Paul J. Hennessy
|
Title:
Vice President
|
Signature
Page to Credit Agreement
Johnson
Outdoors Inc.
SCHEDULE
2.01
COMMITMENTS
LENDER
|
COMMITMENT
|
|
|
JPMORGAN
CHASE BANK, N.A.
|
$20,000,001
|
|
|
LASALLE
BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
|
$18,333,333
|
|
|
M&I
MARSHALL & ILSLEY BANK
|
$18,333,333
|
|
|
WELLS
FARGO BANK, N.A.
|
$18,333,333
|
|
|
TOTAL
COMMITMENTS
|
$75,000,000
|
EXHIBIT
A
ASSIGNMENT
AND ASSUMPTION
This
Assignment and Assumption (the “Assignment
and
Assumption”)
is
dated as of the Effective Date set forth below and is entered into by and
between [Insert
name of Assignor]
(the
“Assignor”)
and
[Insert
name of Assignee]
(the
“Assignee”).
Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given
to
them in the Credit Agreement identified below (as amended, the “Credit
Agreement”),
receipt of a copy of which is hereby acknowledged by the Assignee. The Standard
Terms and Conditions set forth in Annex 1 attached hereto are hereby agreed
to
and incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this Assignment and
Assumption as if set forth herein in full.
For
an
agreed consideration, the Assignor hereby irrevocably sells and assigns to
the
Assignee, and the Assignee hereby irrevocably purchases and assumes from the
Assignor, subject to and in accordance with the Standard Terms and Conditions
and the Credit Agreement, as of the Effective Date inserted by the
Administrative Agent as contemplated below (i) all of the Assignor’s rights and
obligations in its capacity as a Lender under the Credit Agreement and any
other
documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto to the extent related to
the
amount and percentage interest identified below of all of such outstanding
rights and obligations of the Assignor under the respective facilities
identified below (including any letters of credit, guarantees, and swingline
loans included in such facilities) and (ii) to the extent permitted to be
assigned under applicable law, all claims, suits, causes of action and any
other
right of the Assignor (in its capacity as a Lender) against any Person, whether
known or unknown, arising under or in connection with the Credit Agreement,
any
other documents or instruments delivered pursuant thereto or the loan
transactions governed thereby or in any way based on or related to any of the
foregoing, including contract claims, tort claims, malpractice claims, statutory
claims and all other claims at law or in equity related to the rights and
obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clause (i) above (the rights and
obligations sold and assigned pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) above being
referred to herein collectively as the “Assigned
Interest”).
Such
sale and assignment is without recourse to the Assignor and, except as expressly
provided in this Assignment and Assumption, without representation or warranty
by the Assignor.
1.
|
Assignor:
|
_______________________________________________________ |
|
|
|
2.
|
Assignee:
|
_______________________________________________________ |
|
|
[and
is an Affiliate/Approved Fund of [identify
Lender]1 ]
|
|
|
|
3.
|
Borrower(s):
|
Johnson
Outdoors
Inc. |
|
|
|
4.
|
Administrative
Agent:
|
JPMorgan
Chase Bank, N.A., as the administrative agent under the Credit
Agreement
|
|
|
|
5.
|
Credit
Agreement:
|
The
$75,000,000 Credit Agreement dated as of October [__],
2005 among Johnson Outdoors Inc., the Lenders parties thereto, JPMorgan
Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and the other agents parties
thereto
|
____________________ |
1Select
as applicable. |
Aggregate
Amount of Commitment/Loans for all Lenders
|
Amount
of Commitment/Loans
Assigned
|
Percentage
Assigned of Commitment/Loans2
|
$________________
|
$________________
|
________%
|
|
$__________________
|
$________________
|
________%
|
|
$__________________
|
$________________
|
________%
|
|
|
|
|
Effective
Date: _____________ ___, 20___ [TO
BE
INSERTED BY ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND WHICH SHALL BE THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF
RECORDATION OF TRANSFER IN THE REGISTER THEREFOR.]
The
terms
set forth in this Assignment and Assumption are hereby agreed to:
|
ASSIGNOR
|
|
|
|
[NAME
OF ASSIGNOR]
|
|
|
|
By:________________________________________________
|
|
|
Title:
|
|
|
|
ASSIGNEE
|
|
|
|
[NAME
OF ASSIGNEE]
|
|
|
|
By:________________________________________________
|
|
|
Title:
|
|
|
|
|
Consented
to and Accepted:
|
|
|
|
JPMORGAN
CHASE BANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent
|
|
|
|
By:
|
|
|
|
Title:
|
|
|
|
|
[Consented
to:]3
|
|
|
|
JOHNSON
OUTDOORS INC.
|
|
|
|
By:
|
|
|
|
Title:
|
|
|
|
|
__________________________ |
|
2
Set forth, so at least 9 decimals, as a percentage of the Commitment/Loans
of all Lenders thereunder.
3
To be added only if the consent of the Borrower is required by the
terms
of the Credit Agreement.
|
ANNEX
I
STANDARD
TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR
ASSIGNMENT
AND ASSUMPTION
1.
Representations
and Warranties.
1.1
Assignor.
The
Assignor (a) represents and warrants that (i) it is the legal and beneficial
owner of the Assigned Interest, (ii) the Assigned Interest is free and clear
of
any lien, encumbrance or other adverse claim and (iii) it has full power and
authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this
Assignment and Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated
hereby; and (b) assumes no responsibility with respect to (i) any statements,
warranties or representations made in or in connection with the Credit Agreement
or any other Loan Document, (ii) the execution, legality, validity,
enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Loan Documents or
any
collateral thereunder, (iii) the financial condition of the Borrower, any of
its
Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person obligated in respect of any
Loan
Document or (iv) the performance or observance by the Borrower, any of its
Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other Person of any of their respective
obligations under any Loan Document.
1.2.
Assignee.
The
Assignee (a) represents and warrants that (i) it has full power and authority,
and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this Assignment
and
Assumption and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to become
a Lender under the Credit Agreement, (ii) it satisfies the requirements, if
any,
specified in the Credit Agreement that are required to be satisfied by it in
order to acquire the Assigned Interest and become a Lender, (iii) from and
after
the Effective Date, it shall be bound by the provisions of the Credit Agreement
as a Lender thereunder and, to the extent of the Assigned Interest, shall have
the obligations of a Lender thereunder, (iv) it has received a copy of the
Credit Agreement, together with copies of the most recent financial statements
delivered pursuant to Section 5.01 thereof, as applicable, and such other
documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit
analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and Assumption and to
purchase the Assigned Interest on the basis of which it has made such analysis
and decision independently and without reliance on the Administrative Agent
or
any other Lender, and (v) if it is a Foreign Lender, attached to the Assignment
and Assumption is any documentation required to be delivered by it pursuant
to
the terms of the Credit Agreement, duly completed and executed by the Assignee;
and (b) agrees that (i) it will, independently and without reliance on the
Administrative Agent, the Assignor or any other Lender, and based on such
documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue
to
make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Loan
Documents, and (ii) it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the
obligations which by the terms of the Loan Documents are required to be
performed by it as a Lender.
2.
Payments.
From
and after the Effective Date, the Administrative Agent shall make all payments
in respect of the Assigned Interest (including payments of principal, interest,
fees and other amounts) to the Assignor for amounts which have accrued to but
excluding the Effective
Date and to the Assignee for amounts which have accrued from and after the
Effective Date.
3.
General
Provisions.
This
Assignment and Assumption shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of,
the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns. This Assignment
and Assumption may be executed in any number of counterparts, which together
shall constitute one instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of a
signature page of this Assignment and Assumption by facsimile shall be effective
as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Assignment and
Assumption. This Assignment and Assumption shall be governed by, and construed
in accordance with, the law of the State of Illinois.
EXHIBIT
B
OPINION
OF COUNSEL FOR THE LOAN PARTIES
[Effective
Date]
To
the
Lenders and the Administrative
Agent
Referred to Below
c/o
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as
Administrative
Agent
Loan
and
Operations
131
S.
Dearborn Street
Chicago,
IL 60670
Dear
Sirs:
We
have
acted as counsel for Johnson Outdoors Inc., a Wisconsin corporation (the
“Borrower”) and [DESCRIBE
SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS]
(collectively with the Borrower, the “Loan
Parties”),
in
connection with (i) the Credit Agreement dated as of October [7],
2005
(the “Credit
Agreement”),
among
the Borrower, the banks and other financial institutions identified therein
as
Lenders, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent and (ii)
[DESCRIBE
OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS]
(collectively with the Credit Agreement, the “Loan
Documents”).
Terms
defined in the Credit Agreement are used herein with the same
meanings.
We
have
examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our
satisfaction, of such documents, corporate records, certificates of public
officials and other instruments and have conducted such other investigations
of
fact and law as we have deemed necessary or advisable for purposes of this
opinion.
Upon
the
basis of the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:
1. Each
Loan
Party (a) is a [_______]
duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State
of
[________],
(b) has
all requisite power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted
and
(c) except where the failure to do so, individually or in the aggregate, could
not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, is qualified
to do business in, and is in good standing in, every jurisdiction where such
qualification is required.
2. The
Transactions are within each Loan Party’s corporate/limited liability company
powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate/company and,
if
required, stockholder or other equityholder action. Each Loan Document has
been
duly executed and delivered by each Loan Party thereto and constitutes a legal,
valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party, enforceable in accordance
with
its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium or other laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and subject to
general principles of equity, regardless of whether considered in a proceeding
in equity or at law.
3. The
Transactions (a) do not require any consent or approval of, registration or
filing with, or any other action by, any Governmental Authority, except such
as
have been obtained or made and are in full force and effect, (b) will not
violate any applicable law or regulation or the charter, by-laws or other
organizational documents of any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries or any
order of any Governmental Authority, (c) will not violate or result in a default
under any indenture, agreement or other instrument binding upon any Loan Party
or any of its Subsidiaries or its assets, or give rise to a right thereunder
to
require any payment to be made by or any of its Subsidiaries, and (d) will
not
result in the creation or imposition of any Lien on any asset of any Loan Party
or any of its Subsidiaries.
4. There
are
no actions, suits or proceedings by or before any arbitrator or Governmental
Authority pending against or, to our knowledge, threatened against or affecting
any Loan Party or any of its Subsidiaries (a) as to which there is a reasonable
possibility of an adverse determination and that, if adversely determined,
could
reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material
Adverse Effect or (b) that involve any Loan Document or the
Transactions.
5. None
of
the Loan Parties is (a) an “investment company” as defined in, or subject to
regulation under, the Investment Company Act of 1940 or (b) a “holding company”
as defined in, or subject to regulation under, the Public Utility Holding
Company Act of 1935.
We
are
members of the bar of the States of Wisconsin and Illinois and the foregoing
opinion is limited to the laws of the States of Wisconsin and Illinois, the
General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and the Federal laws of the
United States of America. This opinion is rendered solely to you in connection
with the above matter. This opinion may not be relied upon by you for any other
purpose or relied upon by any other Person (other than your successors and
assigns as Lenders and Persons that acquire participations in your Loans)
without our prior written consent.
EXHIBIT
C
FORM
OF
INCREASING LENDER SUPPLEMENT
INCREASING
LENDER SUPPLEMENT, dated __________, 20___ (this “Supplement”),
by
and among each of the signatories hereto, to the Credit Agreement, dated as
of
October ___, 2005 (as amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified
from
time to time, the “Credit
Agreement”),
among
Johnson Outdoors Inc. (the “Borrower”),
the
Lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent
(in
such capacity, the “Administrative
Agent”).
W
I T N E
S S E T H
WHEREAS,
pursuant to Section
2.20
of the
Credit Agreement, the Borrower has the right, subject to the terms and
conditions thereof, to effectuate from time to time an increase in the aggregate
Commitments under the Credit Agreement by requesting one or more Lenders to
increase the amount of its Commitment;
WHEREAS,
the Borrower has given notice to the Administrative Agent of its intention
to
increase the aggregate Commitments pursuant to such Section
2.20;
and
WHEREAS,
pursuant to Section
2.20
of the
Credit Agreement, the undersigned Increasing Lender now desires to increase
the
amount of its Commitment under the Credit Agreement by executing and delivering
to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent this Supplement;
NOW,
THEREFORE, each of the parties hereto hereby agrees as follows:
1.
The
undersigned Increasing Lender agrees, subject to the terms and conditions of
the
Credit Agreement, that on the date of this Supplement it shall have its
Commitment increased by $[__________], thereby making the aggregate amount
of
its total Commitments equal to $[__________].
2.
The
Borrower hereby represents and warrants that no Default or Event of Default
has
occurred and is continuing on and as of the date hereof.
3.
Terms
defined in the Credit Agreement shall have their defined meanings when used
herein.
4.
This
Supplement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws
of
the State of Illinois.
5.
This
Supplement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different
parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall
be
deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one
and the same document.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned has caused this Supplement to be
executed and delivered by a duly authorized officer on the date first above
written.
[INSERT
NAME OF
INCREASING LENDER]
By:____________________________________
Name:
Title:
Accepted
and agreed to as of the date first written above:
JOHNSON
OUTDOORS INC.
By:______________________________________
Name:
Title:
Acknowledged
as of the date first written above:
JPMORGAN
CHASE BANK, N.A.
as
Administrative Agent
By:______________________________________
Name:
Title:
EXHIBIT
D
FORM
OF
AUGMENTING LENDER SUPPLEMENT
AUGMENTING
LENDER SUPPLEMENT, dated __________, 20___ (this “Supplement”),
to
the Credit Agreement, dated as of October ___, 2005 (as amended, restated,
supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit
Agreement”),
among
Johnson Outdoors Inc. (the “Borrower”),
the
Lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent
(in
such capacity, the “Administrative
Agent”).
W
I T N E
S S E T H
WHEREAS,
the Credit Agreement provides in Section
2.20
thereof
that any bank, financial institution or other entity selected by the
Administrative Agent in consultation with the Borrower may extend Commitments
under the Credit Agreement, by executing and delivering to the Borrower and
the
Administrative Agent a supplement to the Credit Agreement in substantially
the
form of this Supplement; and
WHEREAS,
the undersigned Augmenting Lender was not an original party to the Agreement
but
now desires to become a party thereto;
NOW,
THEREFORE, each of the parties hereto hereby agrees as follows:
1.
The
undersigned Augmenting Lender agrees to be bound by the provisions of the Credit
Agreement and agrees that it shall, on the date of this Supplement, become
a
Lender for all purposes of the Credit Agreement to the same extent as if
originally a party thereto, with a Commitment of $[__________].
2.
The
undersigned Augmenting Lender (a) represents and warrants that it has full
power
and authority, and has taken all action necessary, to execute and deliver this
Supplement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and by the
Credit Agreement and to become a Lender under the Credit Agreement; (b) confirms
that it has received a copy of the Credit Agreement, together with copies of
the
most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section
5.01
thereof,
as applicable, and has reviewed such other documents and information as it
has
deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into
this Supplement; (c) agrees that it will, independently and without reliance
upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents
and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make
its
own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Credit Agreement
or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant hereto or thereto; (d)
appoints and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such action as agent
on
its behalf and to exercise such powers and discretion under the Credit Agreement
or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant hereto or thereto as
are
delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms thereof, together with such
powers as are incidental thereto; (e) agrees that it will be bound by the
provisions of the Credit Agreement and will perform in accordance with its
terms
all the obligations which by the terms of the Credit Agreement are required
to
be performed by it as a Lender; and (f) if it is a Foreign Lender, attached
to this Supplement is any documentation required to be delivered by it pursuant
to the terms of the Credit Agreement, duly completed and executed by the
undersigned.
3.
The
undersigned’s address for notices for the purposes of the Credit Agreement is as
follows:
[___________]
4.
The
Borrower hereby represents and warrants that no Default or Event of Default
has
occurred and is continuing on and as of the date hereof.
5.
Terms
defined in the Credit Agreement shall have their defined meanings when used
herein.
6.
This
Supplement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws
of
the State of Illinois.
7.
This
Supplement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different
parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed shall
be
deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one
and the same document.
[remainder
of this page intentionally left blank]
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned has caused this Supplement to be
executed and delivered by a duly authorized officer on the date first above
written.
[INSERT
NAME OF
AUGMENTING LENDER]
By:_______________________________________
Name:
Title:
Accepted
and agreed to as of the date first written above:
JOHNSON
OUTDOORS INC.
By:_____________________________________
Name:
Title:
Acknowledged
as of the date first written above:
JPMORGAN
CHASE BANK, N.A.
as
Administrative Agent
By:_____________________________________
Name:
Title:
EXHIBIT
E
LIST
OF
CLOSING DOCUMENTS
Attached.
Exhibit 31.1 to December 30, 2005 Form 10-Q
Exhibit
31.1
Certification
of Chief Executive
Officer
Pursuant
to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act and Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934
I, Helen
P.
Johnson-Leipold, certify that:
1)
I
have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of
Johnson Outdoors Inc.;
2)
Based
on my knowledge, this report does not contain any
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary
to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such
statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by
this
report;
3)
Based
on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other
financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material
respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the
registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4)
The
registrant’s other certifying officer and I are
responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures
(as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control
over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and
15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
a)
Designed
such disclosure controls and procedures, or
caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our
supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant,
including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within
those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being
prepared;
b)
Designed
such internal control over financial reporting,
or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under
our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability
of
financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external
purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c)
Evaluated
the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure
controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about
the
effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the
period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d)
Disclosed
in this report any change in the registrant’s
internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s
most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case
of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely
to
materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting;
and
5)
The
registrant’s other certifying officer and I have
disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over
financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of
registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent
functions):
a)
All
significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in
the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which
are
reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record,
process, summarize and report financial information; and
b)
Any
fraud, whether or not material, that involves
management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s
internal control over financial reporting.
Date:
|
February 8,
2006
|
|
/s/ Helen P.
Johnson-Leipold
|
|
|
|
Helen P.
Johnson-Leipold
Chairman and Chief
Executive
Officer
|
Exhibit 31.2 to December 30, 2005 Form 10-Q
Exhibit
31.2
Certification
of Chief Financial
Officer
Pursuant
to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley
Act and Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934
I, David W. Johnson, certify
that:
1)
I
have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of
Johnson Outdoors Inc.;
2)
Based
on my knowledge, this report does not contain any
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary
to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such
statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by
this
report;
3)
Based
on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other
financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material
respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the
registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4)
The
registrant’s other certifying officer and I are
responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures
(as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control
over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and
15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
a)
Designed
such disclosure controls and procedures, or
caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our
supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant,
including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within
those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being
prepared;
b)
Designed
such internal control over financial reporting,
or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under
our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability
of
financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external
purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c)
Evaluated
the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure
controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about
the
effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the
period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d)
Disclosed
in this report any change in the registrant’s
internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s
most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case
of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely
to
materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting;
and
5)
The
registrant’s other certifying officer and I have
disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over
financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of
registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent
functions):
a)
All
significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in
the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which
are
reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record,
process, summarize and report financial information; and
b)
Any
fraud, whether or not material, that involves
management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s
internal control over financial reporting.
Date:
|
February 8,
2006
|
|
/s/ David W.
Johnson
|
|
|
|
David W.
Johnson
Vice President and
Chief
Financial Officer
Treasurer
|
Exhibit 32 to December 30, 2005 Form 10-Q
Exhibit
32
Written
Statement of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant
to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
Solely
for the purposes of complying with 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, I, the undersigned
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Johnson Outdoors Inc. (the “Company”),
hereby certify, based on my knowledge, that the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
of
the Company for the quarter ended December 30, 2005 (the “Report”) fully
complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange
Act
of 1934 and that information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all
material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the
Company.
/s/ Helen P.
Johnson-Leipold
|
Helen P.
Johnson-Leipold
Chairman and Chief
Executive
Officer
February 8,
2006
|
Written Statement of the Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer
Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section
1350
Solely
for the purposes of complying with 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, I, the undersigned
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Johnson Outdoors Inc. (the
“Company”), hereby certify, based on my knowledge, that the Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q of the Company for the quarter ended December 30, 2005 (the “Report”)
fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 and that information contained in the Report fairly presents, in
all
material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the
Company.
/s/ David W.
Johnson
|
David
W. Johnson
Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer
Treasurer
February 8,
2006
|