EX-4.1 2 d615453dex41.htm EX-4.1 EX-4.1

Exhibit 4.1

Execution Version

 

 

 

SENIOR NOTES INDENTURE

Dated as of September 25, 2018

Among

SCHWEITZER-MAUDUIT INTERNATIONAL, INC.

THE GUARANTORS LISTED ON THE SIGNATURE PAGES HERETO

and

WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Trustee

6.875% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2026

 

 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  

ARTICLE 1 DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

     1  

Section 1.01

  Definitions.      1  

Section 1.02

  Other Definitions.      38  

Section 1.03

  Rules of Construction.      39  

Section 1.04

  Acts of Holders.      40  

ARTICLE 2 THE NOTES

     42  

Section 2.01

  Form and Dating; Terms.      42  

Section 2.02

  Execution and Authentication.      42  

Section 2.03

  Registrar and Paying Agent.      43  

Section 2.04

  Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.      43  

Section 2.05

  Holder Lists.      44  

Section 2.06

  Transfer and Exchange.      44  

Section 2.07

  Replacement Notes.      45  

Section 2.08

  Outstanding Notes.      45  

Section 2.09

  Treasury Notes.      46  

Section 2.10

  Temporary Notes.      46  

Section 2.11

  Cancellation.      46  

Section 2.12

  Defaulted Interest.      46  

Section 2.13

  CUSIP and ISIN Numbers.      47  

Section 2.14

  Calculation of Principal Amount of Notes.      47  

ARTICLE 3 REDEMPTION

     48  

Section 3.01

  Notices to Trustee.      48  

Section 3.02

  Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed or Purchased.      48  

Section 3.03

  Notice of Redemption.      48  

Section 3.04

  Effect of Notice of Redemption.      49  

Section 3.05

  Deposit of Redemption or Purchase Price.      49  

Section 3.06

  Notes Redeemed or Purchased in Part.      50  

Section 3.07

  Optional Redemption.      50  

Section 3.08

  Mandatory Redemption.      51  

ARTICLE 4 COVENANTS

     51  

Section 4.01

  Payment of Notes.      51  

Section 4.02

  Maintenance of Office or Agency.      52  

Section 4.03

  Taxes.      52  

Section 4.04

  Stay, Extension and Usury Laws.      52  

Section 4.05

  Corporate Existence.      52  

Section 4.06

  Reports and Other Information.      53  

Section 4.07

  Compliance Certificate.      54  

Section 4.08

  Limitation on Restricted Payments.      54  

Section 4.09

  Limitation on Incurrence of Debt.      58  

Section 4.10

  Limitation on Liens.      59  

 

-i-


         Page  

Section 4.11

  Future Guarantors.      60  

Section 4.12

  Limitation on Dividend and other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries.      60  

Section 4.13

  Transactions with Affiliates.      63  

Section 4.14

  Offer to Repurchase Upon Change of Control.      65  

Section 4.15

  Limitation on Asset Sales.      66  

Section 4.16

  Effectiveness of Covenants.      69  

ARTICLE 5 SUCCESSORS

     70  

Section 5.01

  Consolidation, Merger, Conveyance, Transfer or Lease.      70  

Section 5.02

  Successor Entity Substituted.      72  

ARTICLE 6 DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

     72  

Section 6.01

  Events of Default.      72  

Section 6.02

  Acceleration.      74  

Section 6.03

  Other Remedies.      75  

Section 6.04

  Waiver of Past Defaults.      75  

Section 6.05

  Control by Majority.      76  

Section 6.06

  Limitation on Suits.      76  

Section 6.07

  Rights of Holders to Receive Payment.      76  

Section 6.08

  Collection Suit by Trustee.      76  

Section 6.09

  Restoration of Rights and Remedies.      77  

Section 6.10

  Rights and Remedies Cumulative.      77  

Section 6.11

  Delay or Omission Not Waiver.      77  

Section 6.12

  Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.      77  

Section 6.13

  Priorities.      78  

Section 6.14

  Undertaking for Costs.      78  

ARTICLE 7 TRUSTEE

     78  

Section 7.01

  Duties of Trustee.      78  

Section 7.02

  Rights of Trustee.      79  

Section 7.03

  Individual Rights of Trustee.      80  

Section 7.04

  Trustee’s Disclaimer.      81  

Section 7.05

  Notice of Defaults.      81  

Section 7.06

  Compensation and Indemnity.      81  

Section 7.07

  Replacement of Trustee.      82  

Section 7.08

  Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.      83  

Section 7.09

  Eligibility; Disqualification.      83  

ARTICLE 8 LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

     83  

Section 8.01

  Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.      83  

Section 8.02

  Legal Defeasance and Discharge.      83  

Section 8.03

  Covenant Defeasance.      84  

Section 8.04

  Conditions to Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.      85  

Section 8.05

  Deposited Money and Government Securities to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.      86  

Section 8.06

  Repayment to the Company.      86  

 

-ii-


         Page  

Section 8.07

  Reinstatement.      87  

ARTICLE 9 AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

     87  

Section 9.01

  Without Consent of Holders.      87  

Section 9.02

  With Consent of Holders.      88  

Section 9.03

  Revocation and Effect of Consents.      90  

Section 9.04

  Notation on or Exchange of Notes.      90  

Section 9.05

  Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.      90  

ARTICLE 10 GUARANTEES

     91  

Section 10.01

  Guarantee.      91  

Section 10.02

  Limitation on Guarantor Liability.      92  

Section 10.03

  Execution and Delivery.      93  

Section 10.04

  Subrogation.      93  

Section 10.05

  Benefits Acknowledged.      93  

Section 10.06

  Release of Note Guarantees.      93  

ARTICLE 11 SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

     94  

Section 11.01

  Satisfaction and Discharge.      94  

Section 11.02

  Application of Trust Money.      95  

ARTICLE 12 MISCELLANEOUS

     96  

Section 12.01

  Notices.      96  

Section 12.02

  Communication by Holders with Other Holders.      97  

Section 12.03

  Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.      97  

Section 12.05

  Rules by Trustee and Agents.      98  

Section 12.06

  No Personal Liability of Stockholders, Partners, Officers or Directors.      98  

Section 12.07

  Governing Law.      98  

Section 12.08

  Waiver of Jury Trial.      98  

Section 12.09

  Submission to Jurisdiction.      98  

Section 12.10

  Appointment of Agent.      99  

Section 12.11

  Force Majeure.      99  

Section 12.12

  No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.      99  

Section 12.13

  Successors.      99  

Section 12.14

  Severability.      99  

Section 12.15

  Counterpart Originals.      100  

Section 12.16

  Table of Contents, Headings, etc.      100  

Section 12.17

  Facsimile and PDF Delivery of Signature Pages.      100  

Section 12.18

  U.S.A. PATRIOT Act.      100  

Section 12.19

  Payments Due on Non-Business Days.      100  

 

-iii-


Appendix A    Provisions Relating to Initial Notes and Additional Notes
Exhibit A    Form of Note
Exhibit B    Form of Institutional Accredited Investor Transferee Letter of Representation
Exhibit C    Form of Supplemental Indenture to Be Delivered by Subsequent Guarantors

 

-iv-


INDENTURE, dated as of September 25, 2018, among Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), the Guarantors listed on the signature pages hereto and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as Trustee.

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, the Company has duly authorized the creation and issue of $350,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 6.875% Senior Notes due 2026 (the “Initial Notes”); and

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

NOW, THEREFORE, the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee agree as follows for the benefit of each other and for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes.

ARTICLE 1

DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

Section 1.01 Definitions.

Acquired Debt” means, with respect to any specified Person, (1) Debt of any other Person or any of its Subsidiaries existing at the time such Person is merged with or into or became a Restricted Subsidiary of such specified Person, (2) Debt assumed in connection with the acquisition of assets from such Person, or (3) Debt secured by a Lien encumbering any assets acquired by such specified Person, in each case, whether or not Incurred by such Person in connection with, or in anticipation or contemplation of, such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary or such acquisition. Acquired Debt shall be deemed to have been Incurred, with respect to clause (1) of the preceding sentence, on the date such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary and, with respect to clauses (2) and (3) of the preceding sentence, on the date of consummation of such acquisition of assets.

Additional Notes” means additional Notes (other than the Initial Notes) issued from time to time under this Indenture in accordance with Section 2.01 and Section 4.09, whether or not they bear the same CUSIP number as the Initial Notes.

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

Agent” means any Registrar or Paying Agent.

Applicable Premium” means, with respect to a Note on any date of redemption as determined by the Company, the greater of:

 

  (1)

1.0% of the principal amount of such Note, and

 

  (2)

the excess, if any, of (a) the present value as of such date of redemption of (i) the Redemption Price of such Note on October 1, 2021 (such Redemption Price being set forth in the table appearing in Section 3.07(d)), plus (ii) all required interest payments


  due on such Note through October 1, 2021 (excluding accrued but unpaid interest to the date of redemption), computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate as of such date of redemption plus 50 basis points, over (b) the then outstanding principal amount of such Note.

Asset Acquisition” means:

(1) an Investment by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in any other Person pursuant to which such Person shall become a Restricted Subsidiary, or shall be merged with or into the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary; or

(2) the acquisition by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of the assets of any Person which constitute all or substantially all of the assets of such Person, any division or line of business of such Person or any other properties or assets of such Person other than in the ordinary course of business.

Asset Sale” means any transfer, conveyance, issuance, sale, lease (other than an operating lease entered into in the ordinary course of business) or other disposition (including, without limitation, dispositions pursuant to any consolidation or merger) by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to any Person (other than to the Company or one or more of its Restricted Subsidiaries) in any single transaction or series of related transactions of:

(1) Capital Interests in any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company (other than Preferred Interests or Redeemable Capital Interests issued in compliance with Section 4.09 and directors’ qualifying shares or shares or interests required to be held by foreign nationals pursuant to local law); or

(2) any other property or assets of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;

provided, however, that the term “Asset Sale” shall exclude:

(a) any asset disposition permitted by Section 5.01 that constitutes a disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole or any disposition that constitutes a Change of Control pursuant to this Indenture;

(b) any transfer, conveyance, sale, lease or other disposition of property or assets having a Fair Market Value of less than $20.0 million;

(c) sales or other dispositions of cash or Eligible Cash Equivalents in the ordinary course of business;

(d) any sale of Capital Interests in, or Debt or other securities of, an Unrestricted Subsidiary;

(e) the sale and leaseback of any assets within 90 days of the acquisition thereof;

(f) the disposition of obsolete, worn out, uneconomical or surplus assets or assets no longer used or useful in the business in the ordinary course of business or any disposition of inventory or goods (or other assets) held for sale in the ordinary course of business;

 

-2-


(g) a Restricted Payment or Permitted Investment that is otherwise permitted by this Indenture;

(h) any trade-in of equipment in exchange for other equipment; provided that in the good faith judgment of the Company, the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary receives equipment having a Fair Market Value equal to or greater than the equipment being traded in;

(i) the creation of a Permitted Lien (but not the sale or other disposition of the property subject to such Lien);

(j) leases, subleases or assignments in the ordinary course of business to third persons not interfering in any material respect with the business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and otherwise in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture;

(k) any disposition of assets or the sale or issuance of Capital Interests by a Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to a Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Receivables Subsidiary);

(l) dispositions of accounts receivable and related assets, or participations therein, in connection with (i) any Receivables Facility or (ii) the collection or compromise thereof (including sales to factors or other third parties or discount and/or forgiveness thereof or to insurers which have provided insurance as to collection thereof) in the ordinary course of business;

(m) (i) licensing or sublicensing of intellectual property or other general intangibles in the ordinary course of business and (ii) the granting of access and use rights in respect of intellectual property or other general intangibles in the context of joint development arrangements and joint marketing arrangements entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(n) any transfer, conveyance, sale or other disposition of property or assets consisting of auction rate securities;

(o) foreclosures on assets to the extent it would not otherwise result in a Default or Event of Default;

(p) a disposition of inventory in the ordinary course of business;

(q) the lapse or abandonment of intellectual property rights in the ordinary course of business, which in the reasonable good faith determination of the Company are not material to the conduct of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole;

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

(s) any surrender or waiver of contract rights or the settlement, release or surrender of contract, tort or other claims of any kind;

 

-3-


(t) any disposition of property or assets or issuance of securities by a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to the Company or by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company to another Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;

(u) any disposition of Capital Interests of a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to an agreement or other obligation with or to a Person (other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) from whom such Restricted Subsidiary was acquired, or from whom such Restricted Subsidiary acquired its business and assets (having been newly formed in connection with such acquisition), made as part of such acquisition and in each case comprising all or a portion of the consideration in respect of such sale or acquisition;

(v) the unwinding of any Swap contracts or Hedging Obligations;

(w) the sale or disposition of the Capital Interests and/or assets of the Philippines Subsidiaries, including through the liquidation or dissolution thereof; and

(x) any Asset Swaps.

For purposes of this definition, any series of related transactions that, if effected as a single transaction, would constitute an Asset Sale, shall be deemed to be a single Asset Sale effected when the last such transaction which is a part thereof is effected.

Asset Swap” means an exchange (or concurrent purchase and sale) of property, plant, equipment or other assets (excluding working capital or current assets) of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries for Related Business Assets of another Person.

Attributable Debt” in respect of a Sale and Leaseback Transaction means, at the time of determination, the present value (discounted at the rate of interest implicit in such transaction) of the total obligations of the lessee for rental payments during the remaining term of the lease included in such Sale and Leaseback Transaction (including any period for which such lease has been or may, at the option of the lessor, be extended); provided, however, that if such Sale and Leaseback Transaction results in a Capital Lease Obligation, the amount of Debt represented thereby, will be determined in accordance with the definition of “Capital Lease Obligations.”

Average Life” means, as of any date of determination, with respect to any Debt or Preferred Interests, the quotient obtained by dividing (1) the sum of the products of (a) the number of years from the date of determination to the dates of each successive scheduled principal payment (including any sinking fund or mandatory redemption payment requirements) of such Debt multiplied by (b) the amount of such principal payment of such Debt or redemption or similar payment with respect to such Preferred Interests by (2) the sum of all such principal payments.

Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, U.S. Code, as amended, or any similar federal, state or foreign law for the relief of debtors.

beneficial ownership” has the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 13d-3 and Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, and “beneficial owner” has a corresponding meaning.

Board of Directors” means, with respect to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, its board of directors (or the substantial equivalent if such entity is not a corporation) or any duly authorized committee thereof, as applicable.

 

-4-


Business Day” means each day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which banking institutions in New York, New York or at the place of payment are authorized or required by law to close.

Capital Interests” in any Person means any and all shares, interests (including Preferred Interests), participations or other equivalents in the equity interest (however designated) in such Person and any rights (other than Debt securities convertible or exchangeable into an equity interest), warrants or options to acquire an equity interest in such Person.

Capital Lease Obligations” means any obligation of a Person under a lease that is required to be capitalized for financial reporting purposes in accordance with GAAP; and the amount of Debt represented by such obligation shall be the capitalized amount of such obligations determined in accordance with GAAP; and the Stated Maturity thereof shall be the date of the last payment of rent or any other amount due under such lease prior to the first date upon which such lease may be terminated by the lessee without payment of a penalty.

Change of Control” means:

(1) any “person” or “group” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act), other than a Permitted Parent, becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Interests of the Company;

(2) the merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another Person or the merger of another Person with or into the Company or the merger of any Person with or into a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company if Capital Interests of the Company are issued in connection therewith, unless the holders of a majority of the aggregate voting power of the Voting Interests of the Company, immediately prior to such transaction, hold securities of the surviving or transferee Person that represent, immediately after such transaction, at least a majority of the aggregate voting power of the Voting Interests of the surviving or transferee Person;

(3) the sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition (other than by way of merger or consolidation), in one or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole to any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) other than transactions with a Permitted Parent; or

(4) the adoption by the shareholders of the Company or any direct or indirect parent entity of the Company of a plan or proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transaction will not be deemed to involve a Change of Control if immediately following that transaction no Person (other than a Permitted Parent) is the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the total voting power of the Voting Interests of the Company.

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

Commission” means the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Common Interests” of any Person means Capital Interests in such Person that do not rank prior, as to the payment of dividends or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of such Person, to Capital Interests of any other class in such Person.

 

-5-


Company” means the party named as such in the first paragraph of this Indenture or any successor obligor to its obligations under this Indenture and the Notes pursuant to Article 5.

Consolidated Cash Flow Available for Fixed Charges” means, with respect to any Person for any period:

(1) the sum of, without duplication, the amounts for such period, taken as a single accounting period, of:

(a) Consolidated Net Income;

(b) Consolidated Non-cash Charges;

(c) Consolidated Interest Expense and, without duplication, Consolidated Fixed Charges, in each case to the extent the same was deducted in computing Consolidated Net Income;

(d) Consolidated Income Tax Expense;

(e) (i) any net loss from discontinued operations, (ii) the amount of non-recurring losses or charges and (iii) any fees, costs, expenses or charges related to any actual, proposed or contemplated issuance or registration (actual or proposed) of any Capital Interests or any Investment, acquisition, disposition, asset sale, recapitalization, Restricted Payment, Receivables Fees or the incurrence or registration (actual or proposed) of Debt (including a refinancing thereof) (in each case, whether or not consummated or successful), including (x) such fees, expenses or charges related to the offering of the Notes, the Senior Credit Facilities, any other Debt Facilities or any Receivables Facilities and (y) any amendment, waiver or other modification of the Notes, this Indenture, the Senior Credit Facilities, any other Debt Facilities or any Receivables Facility, any other Debt or any offering of Capital Interests, in each case, whether or not consummated, to the extent the same was deducted in computing Consolidated Net Income;

(f) any costs or expenses incurred by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement, any stock subscription or shareholder agreement, to the extent that such costs or expenses are funded with cash proceeds contributed to the capital of the Company or net cash proceeds of an issuance of Capital Interests of the Company (other than Redeemable Capital Interests), solely to the extent that such cash proceeds are excluded from clause (3) of Section 4.08(a);

(g) any restructuring charges, reserves, integration costs or other business optimization expenses or costs (including charges directly related to implementation of cost-savings initiatives), that are deducted in such period in computing Consolidated Net Income, including, without limitation, those related to severance, retention, signing bonuses, relocation, recruiting and other employee related costs, contract termination costs, future lease commitments and costs related to the opening and closure and/or consolidation of facilities;

 

-6-


(h) reduction in costs and other operating improvements, costs savings and synergies (without duplication) determined by the Company in good faith to be realized as a result of specified actions taken or expected to be taken prior to or during such period (which cost savings, improvements or synergies shall be subject only to certification by Senior Management of the Company and shall be calculated on a pro forma basis as though such cost savings, improvements or synergies had been realized on the first day of such period), net of the amount of actual benefits realized during such period from such actions; provided that (A) such cost savings, improvements or synergies are reasonably identifiable and factually supportable and (B) such actions have been taken or are expected to be taken within 18 months after the date of determination to take such action; provided, further, that the aggregate amount added back pursuant to this clause (h) in any Four Quarter period shall not exceed 15.0% of Consolidated Cash Flow Available for Fixed Charges for such period (calculated prior to giving effect to any increase pursuant to this clause (h));

(i) any non-recurring charges or expenses of such Person or its Restricted Subsidiaries or of a company or business acquired by such Person or its Restricted Subsidiaries (in each case, including those relating to severance, relocation costs and one time compensation charges and any charges or expenses in connection with conforming accounting policies or re-audited, combining or restating financial information), in each case, incurred in connection with the purchase or acquisition of such acquired company or business by such Person or its Restricted Subsidiaries; minus

(2) (a) (i) net gains from discontinued operations and (ii) the amount of non-recurring gains; minus

(b) an amount equal to any net gain realized by such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with an Asset Sale, to the extent such gains were included in computing Consolidated Net Income; plus or minus, as applicable;

(c) the effects of adjustments (including the effects of such adjustments pushed down to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries) in any line item in such Person’s consolidated financial statements in such period pursuant to GAAP resulting from the applicability of purchase accounting;

in each case, on a consolidated basis and determined in accordance with GAAP.

Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” means, with respect to any Person, the ratio of (1) the aggregate amount of Consolidated Cash Flow Available for Fixed Charges of such Person for the four full fiscal quarters, treated as one period, for which financial information in respect thereof is available immediately preceding the date of the transaction (the “Transaction Date”) (such four full fiscal quarter period being referred to herein as the “Four Quarter Period”) giving rise to the need to calculate the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio to (2) the aggregate amount of Consolidated Fixed Charges of such Person for the Four Quarter Period. In addition to and without limitation of the foregoing, for purposes of this definition and to the extent otherwise provided for in this Indenture, “Consolidated Cash Flow Available for Fixed Charges” and “Consolidated Fixed Charges” (and the component definitions thereof) shall be calculated after giving effect on a pro forma basis for the period of such calculation, to any Asset Sales or other dispositions or Asset Acquisitions, investments, mergers, consolidations and discontinued operations (as determined in accordance with GAAP) occurring during the Four Quarter Period or any time subsequent to the last day of the Four Quarter Period and on or prior to the Transaction Date, as if such Asset Sale or other disposition or Asset Acquisition (including the

 

-7-


Incurrence or assumption of any such Acquired Debt), investment, merger, consolidation or disposed operation occurred on the first day of the Four Quarter Period. For purposes of this definition, pro forma calculations shall be made in the good faith determination of a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Company. Any such pro forma calculation may include, without limitation, adjustments calculated in accordance with Regulation S-X under the Securities Act.

Furthermore, in calculating this “Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio”:

(1) if the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary has Incurred any Debt since the beginning of the applicable Four Quarter Period that remains outstanding on such date of determination or if the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio includes an Incurrence of Debt, Consolidated Cash Flow Available for Fixed Charges and Consolidated Interest Expense for such Four Quarter Period will be calculated after giving effect on a pro forma basis to such Debt as if such Debt had been Incurred on the first day of such Four Quarter Period and the discharge of any other Debt repaid, repurchased, redeemed, retired, defeased or otherwise discharged with the proceeds of such new Debt as if such discharge had occurred on the first day of such Four Quarter Period;

(2) if the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary has repaid, repurchased, redeemed, retired, defeased or otherwise discharged any Debt since the beginning of the Four Quarter Period that is no longer outstanding on such Transaction Date or if the transaction giving rise to the need to calculate the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio includes a discharge of Debt (in each case, other than Debt Incurred under any revolving Debt Facility unless such Debt has been permanently repaid and the related commitment terminated and not replaced), Consolidated Interest Expense for such period will be calculated after giving effect on a pro forma basis to such discharge of Debt, including with the proceeds of such new Debt, as if such discharge had occurred on the first day of such Four Quarter Period;

(3) the amount of Debt under any revolving Debt Facility outstanding on the Transaction Date (other than any Debt Incurred under such facility in connection with the transaction giving rise to calculate the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio) will be deemed to be: (A) the average daily balance of such Debt during such Four Quarter Period or such shorter period for which such facility was outstanding or (B) if such facility was created after the end of such Four Quarter Period, the average daily balance of such Debt during the period from the date of creation of such facility to the date of such determination;

(4) interest on a Capital Lease Obligation shall be deemed to accrue at an interest rate reasonably determined by a responsible financial or accounting officer of the Company to be the rate of interest implicit in such Capital Lease Obligation in accordance with GAAP;

(5) if any Debt to which pro forma effect is being given bears a floating rate of interest, the interest expense on such Debt will be calculated as if the rate in effect on the Transaction Date had been the applicable rate for the entire period (taking into account any Hedging Obligation applicable to such Debt); and

(6) if interest on any Debt actually Incurred on the Transaction Date may optionally be determined at an interest rate based upon a factor of a prime or similar rate, a eurocurrency interbank offered rate, or other rates, then the interest rate in effect on the Transaction Date will be deemed to have been in effect during the Four Quarter Period.

If such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries directly or indirectly Guarantees Debt of a third Person (excluding credit support for third party customer financing in the ordinary course of

 

-8-


business) and such Guarantee or the Debt subject thereto is not otherwise included in the calculation of Consolidated Fixed Charges, the calculation of the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall give effect to the Incurrence of such Guaranteed Debt as if such Person or such Subsidiary had directly Incurred or otherwise assumed such Guaranteed Debt as if such Guarantee occurred on the first day of the Four Quarter Period.

Consolidated Fixed Charges” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the sum of, without duplication, the amounts for such period of:

(1) Consolidated Interest Expense; and

(2) the product of (a) all cash dividends and other distributions paid during such period in respect of Redeemable Capital Interests of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries or on Preferred Interests of Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries (other than dividends paid in Qualified Capital Interests), times (b) a fraction, the numerator of which is one and the denominator of which is one minus the then current combined federal, state and local statutory tax rate of such Person, expressed as a decimal, in each case, on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

Consolidated Income Tax Expense” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the provision for taxes based on income or profits or capital, including, without limitation, federal, state, provincial, local, foreign, unitary, excise, property, franchise and similar taxes and foreign withholding and similar taxes, in each case of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period as determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP paid or accrued during such period, including any penalties and interest related to such taxes or arising from any tax examinations, to the extent the same were deducted in computing Consolidated Net Income.

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

(1) the total interest expense of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to all outstanding Debt of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries, for such period as determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP:

(2) the interest component of Capital Lease Obligations paid, accrued and/or scheduled to be paid or accrued by such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries during such period determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; and

(3) all capitalized interest of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; minus

(4) the total interest income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period as determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided, however, that Consolidated Interest Expense will exclude (a) the amortization or write-off of debt issuance costs and deferred financing fees, commissions, fees and expenses, (b) any expensing of interim loan commitment, bridge and other financing fees, (c) capitalized costs incurred in connection with the initial closing of any Hedging Obligation or Swap Contract, (d) any non-cash interest expense attributable to the movement in the mark to market valuation of Hedging Obligations or other derivative instruments pursuant to GAAP and (e) commissions, discounts, yield and other fees and charges (including any interest expense) related to any Receivables Facility.

 

-9-


Consolidated Net Income” means, with respect to any Person, for any period, the consolidated net income (or loss) of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period as determined in accordance with GAAP, adjusted, to the extent included in calculating such net income, by:

(1) excluding, without duplication,

(a) all extraordinary gains or losses (net of fees and expenses relating to the transaction giving rise thereto), income, expenses or charges;

(b) the portion of net income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries allocable to minority or non-controlling interests or Investments in Unrestricted Subsidiaries to the extent that cash dividends or distributions have not actually been received by such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that for the avoidance of doubt, Consolidated Net Income shall be increased in amounts equal to the amounts of cash actually received;

(c) gains or losses in respect of any Asset Sales by such Person or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries (net of fees and expenses relating to the transaction giving rise thereto), on an after-tax basis;

(d) solely for purposes of determining the amount available for Restricted Payments under clause (3) of Section 4.08(a), the net income of any Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Guarantor) or such Person to the extent that the declaration of dividends or similar distributions by that Restricted Subsidiary of that income is not at the time permitted, directly or indirectly, by operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulations applicable to that Restricted Subsidiary or its stockholders (other than (i) restrictions that have been waived or otherwise released, (ii) restrictions imposed pursuant to Acquired Debt which has been irrevocably called for redemption, repurchase or other acquisition or repayment or in respect of which the required steps have been taken to have such Acquired Debt defeased or discharged, or a deposit has been made for such purpose, (iii) restrictions pursuant to the Senior Credit Facilities, any other Debt Facilities, the Notes or this Indenture and (iv) restrictions specified in Sections 4.12(b)(1)(B) and 4.12(b)(14));

provided that for the avoidance of doubt, Consolidated Net Income shall be increased in amounts equal to the amounts of cash actually received;

(e) any gain or loss realized as a result of the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles;

(f) any fees and expenses paid in connection with the issuance of the Notes;

(g) non-cash compensation expense Incurred with any issuance of equity interests to an employee of such Person or any Restricted Subsidiary;

(h) any net after-tax gains or losses attributable to the early extinguishment or conversion of Debt or any Hedging Obligations;

(i) any non-cash impairment charges or asset write-off or write-down resulting from the application of Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 350 “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other” or ASC Topic 360 “Property, Plant and Equipment,” and the amortization of intangibles arising pursuant to ASC Topic 805 “Business Combinations” or any related subsequent Statement of Financial Accounting Standards;

 

-10-


(j) non-cash gains, losses, income and expenses resulting from fair value accounting required by ASC Topic 815 “Derivatives and Hedging” or any related subsequent Statement of Financial Accounting Standards;

(k) any net unrealized gains and losses relating to mark-to-market of amounts denominated in foreign currencies resulting from the application of ASC Topic 830 “Foreign Currency Matters” or any related subsequent Statement of Financial Accounting Standards;

(l) any accruals and reserves that are established within 12 months after the closing of any acquisition that are so required to be established as a result of such acquisition in accordance with GAAP;

(m) any accruals and reserves that are established for expenses and losses, in respect of equity-based awards compensation expense (provided that if any such non-cash charges represent an accrual or reserve for potential cash items in any future period, the cash payment in respect thereof in such future period shall reduce Consolidated Net Income to such extent, and excluding amortization of a prepaid cash item that was paid in a prior period);

(n) any expenses, charges or losses that are covered by indemnification or other reimbursement provisions in connection with any Investment or any sale, conveyance, transfer or other disposition of assets permitted under this Indenture, to the extent actually reimbursed, or, so long as the Company has made a determination that a reasonable basis exists for indemnification or reimbursement and only to the extent that such amount is in fact indemnified or reimbursed within 365 days of such determination (with a deduction in the applicable future period for any amount so added back to the extent not so indemnified or reimbursed within such 365 days); and

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

(2) including, without duplication, dividends and distributions from joint ventures actually received in cash by such Person or that could have been distributed by such joint venture during such period to such Person as a dividend or other distribution or return on investment.

Consolidated Non-cash Charges” means, with respect to any Person for any period, the aggregate depreciation, amortization (including amortization of goodwill, other intangibles, deferred financing fees, debt issuance costs, commissions, fees and expenses) and other non-cash expenses, charges, losses and other items of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries reducing Consolidated Net Income of such Person and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP (excluding any charge which requires an accrual of or a reserve for cash charges for any future period).

 

-11-


Consolidated Total Assets” means total assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, shown on the most recent balance sheet of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, or, in the case of Foreign Subsidiaries, the total assets of such Foreign Subsidiaries on a combined basis, shown on the most recent balance sheet of such Foreign Subsidiaries, in each case as may be expressly stated without giving effect to any amortization of the amount of intangible assets since the Issue Date, with such pro forma adjustments as are appropriate and consistent with the pro forma adjustment provisions set forth in the definition of “Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio”.

Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee” shall be at the address of the Trustee specified in Section 12.01 or such other address as to which the Trustee may give notice to the Holders and the Company.

Custodian” means the Trustee, as custodian with respect to the Notes in global form, or any successor entity thereto.

Debt” means at any time (without duplication), with respect to any Person, without duplication, the following: (1) all indebtedness of such Person (a) for money borrowed or (b) for the deferred purchase price of property, excluding any accounts payables or trade payables or other current liabilities Incurred in the normal course of business or any earn-outs or other purchase price adjustments; (2) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, or other similar instruments; (3) all reimbursement obligations of such Person with respect to letters of credit (other than letters of credit that are secured by cash or Eligible Cash Equivalents), bankers’ acceptances or similar facilities (excluding obligations in respect of letters of credit or bankers’ acceptances issued in respect of trade payables) issued for the account of such Person; provided that such obligations shall not constitute Debt except to the extent drawn and not repaid within ten Business Days; (4) all indebtedness created or arising under any conditional sale or other title retention agreement (other than operating leases) with respect to property or assets acquired by such Person; (5) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person; (6) the greater of the maximum mandatory redemption or repurchase price (not including, in either case, any redemption or repurchase premium) or the principal component or liquidation preference of all obligations of such Person with respect to the redemption, repayment or other repurchase of any Redeemable Capital Interests or, with respect to any Non-Guarantor Subsidiary, any Preferred Interests (but excluding, in each case, any accrued dividends); (7) any Swap Contracts and Hedging Obligations of such Person at the time of determination; (8) Attributable Debt with respect to any Sale and Leaseback Transaction to which such Person is a party; and (9) all obligations of the types referred to in clauses (1) through (8) of this definition of another Person, the payment of which, in either case, (a) such Person has Guaranteed or (b) is secured by (or the holder of such Debt or the recipient of such dividends or other distributions has an existing right, whether contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien upon the property or other assets of such Person, even though such Person has not assumed or become liable for the payment of such Debt.

For purposes of the foregoing: (a) the maximum mandatory repurchase price of any Redeemable Capital Interests or Preferred Interests that do not have a mandatory repurchase price shall be calculated in accordance with the terms of such Redeemable Capital Interests or Preferred Interests as if such Redeemable Capital Interests or Preferred Interests were repurchased on any date on which Debt shall be required to be determined pursuant to this Indenture; provided, however, that if such Redeemable Capital Interests or Preferred Interests are not then permitted to be repurchased, the repurchase price shall be the book value of such Redeemable Capital Interests or Preferred Interests, but in any case under this clause (a), exclusive of any accrued dividends; (b) the amount outstanding at any time of any Debt issued with original issue discount is the principal amount of such Debt less the remaining unamortized portion of the original issue discount of such Debt at such time as determined in conformity with GAAP, but such

 

-12-


Debt shall be deemed Incurred only as of the date of original issuance thereof; (c) the amount of any Debt described in clause (7) is the net amount payable (after giving effect to permitted set off) if such Swap Contracts or Hedging Obligations are terminated at that time due to default of such Person; (d) the amount of any Debt described in clause (9)(a) above shall be the stated or determinable amount of or, if not stated or if indeterminable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability under any such Guarantee and (e) the amount of any Debt described in clause (9)(b) above shall be the lesser of (i) the maximum amount of the obligations so secured and (ii) the Fair Market Value of such property or other assets.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, (1) in connection with the purchase by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of any business or assets, the term “Debt” will exclude (a) customary indemnification obligations and (b) post-closing payment adjustments to which the seller may become entitled to the extent such payment is determined by a final closing balance sheet or such payment is otherwise contingent; provided, however, that at the time of closing, the amount of any such payment is not determinable and, to the extent such payment thereafter becomes fixed and determined, the amount is paid within 60 days thereafter and (2) the term “Debt” will exclude debt that has been defeased, satisfied and discharged, repaid, retired, repurchased or redeemed in accordance with its terms and, to the extent such defeasance, satisfaction and discharge, repayment, retirement, repurchase or redemption constitutes a Restricted Payment, in accordance with Section 4.08.

The amount of Debt of any Person at any date shall be the outstanding balance at such date of all unconditional obligations and Guarantees as described above and, only upon the occurrence of the contingency giving rise to the obligations, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability of any contingent obligations (other than Guarantees) at such date. If such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries directly or indirectly Guarantees Debt of a third Person, the amount of Debt of such Person shall give effect to the Incurrence of such Guaranteed Debt (excluding credit support for third party customer financing in the ordinary course of business) as if such Person or such Subsidiary had directly Incurred or otherwise assumed such Guaranteed Debt.

Debt Facilities” means one or more debt facilities (including, without limitation, the Senior Credit Facilities) or commercial paper facilities with banks or other institutional lenders providing for revolving credit loans, term loans, term debt, receivables financing (including through the sale of receivables to such lenders or to special purpose entities formed to borrow from such lenders against such receivables) or letters of credit or issuances of debt securities evidenced by notes, debentures, bonds or similar instruments, in each case, as amended, restated, modified, renewed, refunded, replaced or refinanced (including by means of sales of debt securities) in whole or in part from time to time (and whether or not with the original administrative agent, lenders or trustee or another administrative agent or agents, other lenders or trustee and whether provided under the original Senior Credit Facilities or any other credit or other agreement or indenture).

Default” means any event that is, or after notice or passage of time, or both, would be, an Event of Default.

Definitive Note” means a certificated Initial Note or Additional Note (bearing the Restricted Notes Legend if the transfer of such Note is restricted by applicable law) that does not include the Global Notes Legend.

Depositary” means, with respect to the Notes issuable or issued in whole or in part in global form, the Person specified in Section 2.03 as the Depositary with respect to the Notes, and any and all successors thereto appointed as Depositary hereunder and having become such pursuant to the applicable provision of this Indenture.

 

-13-


Designated Non-cash Consideration” means the Fair Market Value of non-cash consideration, including Related Business Assets and Capital Interests in a Restricted Subsidiary or a Person that is designated as a Restricted Subsidiary, received by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with an Asset Sale that is so designated as Designated Non-cash Consideration pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate, setting forth the basis of such valuation less the amount of cash or Eligible Cash Equivalents received in connection with a subsequent sale of or collection on such Designated Non-cash Consideration.

DTC” means The Depository Trust Company.

Eligible Cash Equivalents” means any of the following Investments: (i)(a) Euro, Pounds Sterling, Yen, Swiss Francs, Canadian Dollars, or any national currency of any member state in the European Union or (b) local currencies held from time to time in the ordinary course of business; (ii) securities issued or directly and fully and unconditionally guaranteed or insured by the United States government or any country that is a member state of the European Union or any agency or instrumentality thereof the securities of which are unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation of such government with maturities of 24 months or less from the date of acquisition; (iii) certificates of deposit, time deposits, and eurodollar time deposits with maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition, bankers’ acceptances with maturities not exceeding one year, and overnight bank deposits, in each case with any commercial bank having capital and surplus of not less than $250,000,000 (determined at the date of acquisition thereof); (iv) repurchase obligations for underlying securities of the types described in clauses (ii), (iii), and (viii) of this definition entered into with any financial institution meeting the qualifications specified in clause (iii) of this definition (determined at the date of acquisition thereof); (v) commercial paper rated at least “P 2” by Moody’s (or the equivalent thereof) or at least “A-2” by S&P (or the equivalent thereof) (determined at the date of acquisition thereof) (or, if at any time neither Moody’s nor S&P shall be rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another nationally recognized ratings agency) and, in each case, maturing within 24 months after the date of creation thereof; (vi) marketable short term money market and similar securities having a rating of at least “P 2” from Moody’s (or the equivalent thereof) or “A-2” from S&P (or the equivalent thereof), respectively (or, if at any time neither Moody’s nor S&P shall be rating such obligations, an equivalent rating from another nationally recognized ratings agency) (determined at the date of acquisition thereof) and, in each case, maturing within 24 months after the date of creation or acquisition thereof; (vii) readily marketable direct obligations issued by any state, commonwealth, or territory of the United States or any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof having one of the two highest rating categories obtainable from either Moody’s or S&P (determined at the date of acquisition thereof) with maturities of 24 months or less from the date of acquisition; (viii) indebtedness or preferred stock issued by Persons with a rating of “A” or higher from S&P or “A2” or higher from Moody’s (determined at the date of acquisition thereof) with maturities of 24 months or less from the date of acquisition; (ix) investments equivalent to those referred to in clauses (i) through (viii) above or funds equivalent to those referred to in clause (xi) below denominated in U.S. dollars or any foreign currency issued by a foreign issuer or bank comparable in credit quality and tender to those referred to in such clauses and customarily used by corporations for cash management purposes in jurisdictions outside the United States to the extent reasonably required in connection with any business conducted by any Restricted Subsidiary, all as determined in good faith by the Company; (x) in the case of investments by any Foreign Subsidiary or investments made in a country outside the United States, Eligible Cash Equivalents shall also include investments of the type and maturity described in clauses (i) through (ix) of this definition of foreign obligors, which investments have ratings, described in such clauses or equivalent ratings from comparable foreign rating agencies (determined at the date of acquisition thereof), and (xi) investment funds investing substantially all of their assets in securities of the types described in clauses (i) through (ix) of this definition (determined at the date of acquisition thereof). Notwithstanding the foregoing, Eligible Cash Equivalents shall include amounts denominated in currencies other than Dollars and those set forth in clause (ii) above; provided

 

-14-


that such amounts are converted into U.S. Dollars or any currency listed in clause (ii) above as promptly as practicable. Any items identified as Eligible Cash Equivalents under this definition will be deemed to be Eligible Cash Equivalents for all purposes under this Indenture regardless of the treatment of such items under GAAP.

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

Expiration Date” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Offer to Purchase.”

Fair Market Value” means, with respect to the consideration received or paid in any transaction or series of related transactions, the fair market value thereof as determined in good faith by the Company. In the case of a transaction between the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, on the one hand, and a Receivables Subsidiary, on the other hand, if the Company determines in its sole discretion that such determination is appropriate, a determination as to Fair Market Value may be made at the commencement of the transaction and be applicable to all dealings between the Receivables Subsidiary and the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary during the course of such transaction.

Foreign Subsidiary” means any Restricted Subsidiary other than any Restricted Subsidiary incorporated or otherwise organized or existing under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia.

Four Quarter Period” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.”

GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, consistently applied, as set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or in such other statements by such other entity as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession of the United States, which are in effect on the Issue Date.

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

Guarantee” means , as applied to any Debt of another Person, (1) a guarantee (other than by endorsement of negotiable instruments for collection in the normal course of business, and excluding any credit support to suppliers or customers provided in the ordinary course of business), direct or indirect, in any manner, of any part or all of such Debt, (2) any direct or indirect obligation, contingent or otherwise, of a Person guaranteeing or having the effect of guaranteeing the Debt of any other Person in any manner and (3) an agreement of a Person, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, the practical effect of which is to assure in any way the payment (or payment of damages in the event of non-payment) of all or any part of such Debt of another Person (and “Guaranteed” and “Guaranteeing” shall have meanings that correspond to the foregoing).

 

-15-


Guarantor” means each Restricted Subsidiary in existence on the Issue Date that provides a Note Guarantee on the Issue Date (and any other Restricted Subsidiary that provides a Note Guarantee after the Issue Date); provided that upon release or discharge of such Restricted Subsidiary from its Note Guarantee in accordance with this Indenture, such Restricted Subsidiary ceases to be a Guarantor.

Hedging Obligations” of any Person means the obligations of such Person pursuant to any interest rate agreement, currency agreement or commodity agreement.

Holder” means a Person in whose name a Note is registered on the Registrar’s books.

Immaterial Subsidiary” means, at any date of determination, each Restricted Subsidiary of the Company (other than any Foreign Subsidiary) that (i) has consolidated total assets, together with all Immaterial Subsidiaries (other than Foreign Subsidiaries), as of the last day of the then most recent fiscal year of the Company for which financial statements have been delivered, of less than or equal to 5.0% of the total assets of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries at such date, measured at the end of the most recent fiscal period for which internal financial statements are available on a pro forma basis giving effect to any acquisitions or dispositions of companies, divisions or lines of business since the start of such four quarter period and on or prior to the date of acquisition of such Restricted Subsidiary and (ii) has consolidated revenues (other than revenues generated from the sale or license of property between any of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries), together with all Immaterial Subsidiaries (other than Foreign Subsidiaries), for the then most recent fiscal year of the Company for which financial statements have been delivered, of less than or equal to 5.0% of the consolidated revenues (other than revenues generated from the sale or license of property between any of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries) of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, measured for the most recently ended four consecutive fiscal quarters ended for which internal consolidated financial statements are available on a pro forma basis giving effect to any acquisitions or dispositions of companies, divisions or lines of business since the start of such four quarter period and on or prior to the date of acquisition of such Restricted Subsidiary.

Incur” means, with respect to any Debt of any Person, to create, issue, incur (by conversion, exchange or otherwise), assume, Guarantee or otherwise become liable in respect of such Debt or the recording, as required pursuant to GAAP, of any such Debt on the balance sheet of such Person; provided, however, that any Debt or Capital Interests of a Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary (whether by merger, consolidation, acquisition or otherwise) will be deemed to be Incurred by such Restricted Subsidiary at the time it becomes a Restricted Subsidiary. “Incurrence,” “Incurred,” “Incurrable” and “Incurring” shall have meanings that correspond to the foregoing. In addition, the following shall not be deemed a separate Incurrence of Debt:

(1) amortization of debt discount or accretion of principal with respect to a non-interest bearing or other discount security;

(2) the payment of regularly scheduled interest in the form of additional Debt of the same instrument or the payment of regularly scheduled dividends on Capital Interests in the form of additional Capital Interests of the same class and with the same terms;

(3) the obligation to pay a premium in respect of Debt arising in connection with the issuance of a notice of redemption or making of a mandatory offer to purchase such Debt; and

 

-16-


(4) unrealized losses or charges in respect of Hedging Obligations.

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

Independent Financial Advisor” means an accounting, appraisal, investment banking firm or consultant to Persons engaged in Permitted Businesses of nationally recognized standing that is, in the good faith judgment of the Company, qualified to perform the task for which it has been engaged.

Initial Notes” has the meaning set forth in the recitals hereto.

Interest Payment Date” means April 1 and October 1 of each year to Stated Maturity of the Notes.

Investment” means, with respect to any Person, all investments by such Person in other Persons (including Affiliates) in the form of any advance, loan or other extensions of credit (including by way of Guarantee or similar arrangement, but excluding (i) accounts receivable and other extensions of trade credit and/or accrued expenses, in each case arising in the ordinary course of business and payable in accordance with customary practices and (ii) any debt or extension of credit represented by a bank deposit (other than a time deposit)) or capital contribution to (by means of any transfer of cash or other property to others), or any purchase or acquisition of Capital Interests, Debt or securities issued by, such Person and other investments that are required by GAAP to be classified on the balance sheet (excluding the footnotes) of such Person in the same manner as the other investments included in this definition to the extent such transactions involve the transfer of cash or other property; provided that none of the following will be deemed to be an Investment:

 

  (1)

Hedging Obligations entered into in the ordinary course of business and in compliance with this Indenture;

 

  (2)

endorsements of negotiable instruments and documents in the ordinary course of business and any credit support to suppliers or customers provided in the ordinary course of business;

 

  (3)

an acquisition of assets, Capital Interests or other securities by the Company or a Subsidiary for consideration to the extent such consideration consists of Common Interests of the Company;

 

  (4)

the acquisition of property and other assets from suppliers and other vendors in the ordinary course of business; and

 

  (5)

prepaid expenses and workers’ compensation, utility, lease and similar deposits in the normal course of business.

For purposes of Section 4.08 and the definition of “Unrestricted Subsidiary”:

 

  (1)

“Investment” will include the portion (proportionate to the Company’s equity interest in a Restricted Subsidiary that is to be designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary) of the Fair Market Value of the net assets of such Restricted Subsidiary at the time that such Restricted Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that upon a redesignation of such Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary, the Company will be deemed to continue to have a permanent “Investment” in an Unrestricted Subsidiary in an amount (if positive) equal to (a) the Company’s aggregate “Investment” in such Subsidiary as of the time of such redesignation less (b) the portion (proportionate to the Company’s equity interest in such Subsidiary) of the Fair Market Value of the net assets of such Subsidiary at the time that such Subsidiary is so redesignated a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

-17-


  (2)

any property transferred to or from an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be valued at its Fair Market Value at the time of such transfer; and

 

  (3)

if the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary sells or otherwise disposes of any Voting Interests of any Restricted Subsidiary such that, after giving effect to any such sale or disposition, such entity is no longer a Subsidiary of the Company, the Company shall be deemed to have made an Investment on the date of any such sale or disposition equal to the Fair Market Value of the Capital Interests of such Subsidiary not sold or disposed of.

Investment Grade Rating” designates a rating of BBB- or higher by S&P or Baa3 or higher by Moody’s or the equivalent of such ratings by S&P or Moody’s. In the event that the Company shall select any other Rating Agency as provided under the definition of “Rating Agencies,” the equivalent of such ratings by such Rating Agency shall be used.

Investment Grade Securities” means (i) securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United States government or any agency or instrumentality thereof (other than Eligible Cash Equivalents); (ii) debt securities or debt instruments with an Investment Grade Rating (determined at the date of acquisition thereof); (iii) investments in any fund that invests substantially all of its assets in investments of the type described in clauses (i) and (ii) (determined at the date of acquisition thereof) which fund may also hold cash pending investment or distribution; and (iv) corresponding instruments in countries other than the United States customarily utilized for high quality investments.

Issue Date” means September 25, 2018.

Lien” means, with respect to any property or other asset, any mortgage, deed of trust, deed to secure debt, pledge, hypothecation, assignment for security purposes, deposit arrangement, security interest, lien (statutory or otherwise), charge, easement, preference, priority, encumbrance or other security agreement or arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever on or with respect to such property or other asset, whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law, including, without limitation, any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof or Sale and Leaseback Transaction, any option or other agreement to sell or give a security interest in and any authorized filing of or agreement to give any financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code (or equivalent statutes) of any jurisdiction; provided that in no event shall an operating lease be deemed to constitute a Lien.

Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or any successor to its rating agency business.

Net Cash Proceeds” means, with respect to Asset Sales of any Person, cash and Eligible Cash Equivalents received, net of:

(1) all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses of such Person incurred in connection with such a sale, including, without limitation, all legal, accounting, title and recording tax expenses, commissions, investment banking fees and other fees and expenses incurred and all federal, state, foreign and local taxes arising in connection with such an Asset Sale that are paid or required to be accrued as a liability under GAAP by such Person;

(2) all payments made by such Person on any Debt that is secured by such properties or other assets in accordance with the terms of any Lien upon or with respect to such properties or

 

-18-


other assets that must, by the terms of such Lien or such Debt, or in order to obtain a necessary consent to such transaction or by applicable law, be repaid to any other Person (other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof) in connection with such Asset Sale and any fees, costs and expenses associated therewith; and

(3) all contractually required distributions and other payments made to minority interest holders in Restricted Subsidiaries of such Person as a result of such transaction;

provided, however, that: (a) in the event that any consideration for an Asset Sale (which would otherwise constitute Net Cash Proceeds) is required by (i) contract to be held in escrow pending determination of whether a purchase price adjustment will be made or (ii) GAAP to be reserved against other liabilities in connection with such Asset Sale, such consideration (or any portion thereof) shall become Net Cash Proceeds only at such time as it is released to such Person from escrow or otherwise; and (b) any non-cash consideration received in connection with any transaction, which is subsequently converted to cash, shall become Net Cash Proceeds only at such time as it is so converted.

Net Leverage Ratio” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (x) the Debt of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than any Debt set forth in clause (7) of the definition thereof), determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP as of the end of the most recent Four Quarter Period for which internal financial statements are available, minus Unrestricted Cash not to exceed $200.0 million to (y) the Consolidated Cash Flow Available for Fixed Charges for the most recent Four Quarter Period for which internal financial statements are available, in each case, on a pro forma basis in a manner consistent with the definition of “Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.”

Non-Guarantor Subsidiary” means any Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Guarantor.

Note Guarantee” means, individually, any Guarantee of payment of the Notes and the Company’s other Obligations under this Indenture by a Guarantor pursuant to the terms of this Indenture and any supplemental indenture thereto, and, collectively, all such Guarantees.

Notes” means the Initial Notes and more particularly means any Note authenticated and delivered under this Indenture. For all purposes of this Indenture, the term “Notes” shall also include any Additional Notes that may be issued under a supplemental indenture and Notes to be issued or authenticated upon transfer, replacement or exchange of Notes.

Obligations” means any principal, premium, interest (including any interest accruing subsequent to the filing of a petition in bankruptcy, reorganization or similar proceeding at the rate provided for in the documentation with respect thereto, whether or not such interest is an allowed claim under applicable state, federal or foreign law), penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements (including reimbursement obligations with respect to letters of credit and banker’s acceptances), damages and other liabilities, and Guarantees of payment of such principal, interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities, payable under the documentation governing any Debt.

Offer” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Offer to Purchase.”

Offer to Purchase” means a written offer (the “Offer”) sent by the Company by first class mail, postage prepaid, to each Holder at such Holder’s address appearing in the security register on the date of the Offer, offering to purchase up to the aggregate principal amount of Notes set forth in such Offer at the purchase price set forth in such Offer (as determined pursuant to this Indenture). Unless otherwise required by applicable law, the Offer shall specify an expiration date (the “Expiration Date”) of the Offer to Purchase which shall be, subject to any contrary requirements of applicable law, not less than

 

-19-


30 days or more than 60 days after the date of mailing of such Offer (or, if such Offer is conditioned upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, not more than 60 days after the date of such Change of Control) and a settlement date (the “Purchase Date”) for purchase of Notes within five Business Days after the Expiration Date. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing on or prior to the mailing of the Offer of the Company’s obligation to make an Offer to Purchase, and the Offer shall be mailed by the Company or, at the Company’s written request, by the applicable Paying Agent in the name and at the expense of the Company. The Offer shall contain all instructions and materials necessary to enable such Holders to tender Notes pursuant to the Offer to Purchase. The Offer shall also state:

(1) the Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the Offer to Purchase is being made;

(2) the Expiration Date and the Purchase Date;

(3) the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes offered to be purchased pursuant to the Offer to Purchase (including, if less than 100%, the manner by which such amount has been determined pursuant to Indenture covenants requiring the Offer to Purchase) (the “Purchase Amount”);

(4) the purchase price to be paid by the Company for each $2,000 minimum principal amount of Notes (and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof) accepted for payment (as specified pursuant to this Indenture) (the “Purchase Price”);

(5) if such notice is delivered prior to the occurrence of a Change of Control, that the Offer to Purchase is conditioned upon the occurrence of such Change of Control and setting forth a brief description of the definitive agreement for the Change of Control;

(6) that the Holder may tender all or any portion of the Notes registered in the name of such Holder and that any portion of a Note tendered must be tendered in a minimum amount of $2,000 principal amount (and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof);

(7) the place or places where Notes are to be surrendered for tender pursuant to the Offer to Purchase, if applicable;

(8) that, unless the Company defaults in making such purchase, any Note accepted for purchase pursuant to the Offer to Purchase will cease to accrue interest on and after the Purchase Date, but that any Note not tendered or tendered but not purchased by the Company pursuant to the Offer to Purchase will continue to accrue interest at the same rate;

(9) that, on the Purchase Date, the Purchase Price will become due and payable upon each Note accepted for payment pursuant to the Offer to Purchase;

(10) that each Holder electing to tender a Note pursuant to the Offer to Purchase will be required to surrender such Note or cause such Note to be surrendered at the place or places set forth in the Offer prior to the close of business on the Expiration Date (such Note being, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or such Holder’s attorney duly authorized in writing);

(11) that Holders will be entitled to withdraw all or any portion of Notes tendered if the Company (or its paying agent) receives, not later than the close of business on the Expiration Date, a facsimile transmission or letter setting forth the name of the Holder, the aggregate principal amount of the Notes the Holder tendered, the certificate number of the Note the Holder tendered and a statement that such Holder is withdrawing all or a portion of such Holder’s tender;

 

-20-


(12) that (a) if Notes having an aggregate principal amount less than or equal to the Purchase Amount are duly tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to the Offer to Purchase, the Company shall purchase all such Notes and (b) if Notes having an aggregate principal amount in excess of the Purchase Amount are tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to the Offer to Purchase, the Company shall purchase Notes having an aggregate principal amount equal to the Purchase Amount on a pro rata basis (with such adjustments as may be deemed appropriate so that only Notes in minimum denominations of $2,000 principal amount or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof shall be purchased); and

(13) if applicable, that, in the case of any Holder whose Note is purchased only in part, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Note without service charge, a new Note or Notes, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder, in the aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unpurchased portion of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes so tendered.

Offering Memorandum” means the offering memorandum dated September 14, 2018 related to the offer and sale of the Notes.

Officer” means the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Financial Officer, any Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President or Vice President, the Treasurer or the Secretary of the Company or, in the event that the Company is a partnership or a limited liability company that has no such officers, a person duly authorized under applicable law by the general partner, managers, members or a similar body to act on behalf of the Company. Officer of any Guarantor has a correlative meaning.

Officer’s Certificate” means a certificate signed by an Officer of the Company or a Guarantor, as applicable.

Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion from legal counsel who is reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. The counsel may be an employee of or counsel to the Company.

Permitted Business” means any business similar in nature to any business conducted by the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries on the Issue Date and any business reasonably ancillary, incidental, complementary or related to, or a reasonable extension, development or expansion of, the business conducted by the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries on the Issue Date, in each case, as determined in good faith by the Company.

Permitted Debt” means:

(1) Debt of the Company or any Guarantor Incurred pursuant to any Debt Facilities and the issuance and creation of letters of credit and bankers’ acceptances thereunder (with undrawn trade letters of credit and reimbursements obligations relating to trade letters of credit satisfied within 30 days being excluded, and bankers’ acceptances being deemed to have a principal amount equal to the face amount thereof); provided that immediately after giving effect to any such Incurrence, the then outstanding aggregate principal amount of the Debt under this clause (1) does not exceed an amount equal to the greater of (A) $1,100.0 million (calculated assuming all the commitments relating to the revolving credit tranche of any Debt Facility have been fully drawn) and (B) an amount of Debt at the time of Incurrence that does not cause the Secured Net Leverage Ratio of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries for the most recent

 

-21-


Four Quarter Period to exceed 3.50 to 1.00, determined on a pro forma basis for the Incurrence of such Debt and the application of the net proceeds therefrom (provided that any Debt Incurred pursuant to this clause (B) shall be deemed to be Secured Debt solely for purposes of such calculation);

(2) Debt under the Notes issued on the Issue Date and contribution, indemnification and reimbursement obligations owed by the Company or any Guarantor to any of the other of them in respect of amounts paid or payable on such Notes;

(3) Guarantees of the Notes;

(4) Debt of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary outstanding on the Issue Date (other than clauses (1), (2) and (3) above or clauses (5), (6), (7), (8), (10), (11), (12), (13), (14), (19) and (26) below);

(5) Guarantees by (a) the Company or Guarantors of Debt permitted to be Incurred by the Company or a Guarantor in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture; provided that in the event such Debt that is being Guaranteed is a Subordinated Obligation, then the related Guarantee shall be subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or the Note Guarantee, as the case may be, and (b) Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries of Debt Incurred by Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture;

(6) Debt of the Company owing to and held by any Restricted Subsidiary or Debt of a Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Receivables Subsidiary) owing to and held by the Company or any other Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Receivables Subsidiary); provided, however,

(a) if the Company is the obligor on Debt owing to a Non-Guarantor Subsidiary, such Debt is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the obligations with respect to the Notes;

(b) if a Guarantor is the obligor on Debt owing to a Non-Guarantor Subsidiary, such Debt is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Note Guarantee of such Guarantor; and

(c) (i) any subsequent issuance or transfer of Capital Interests or any other event which results in any such Debt being beneficially held by a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company (other than a Receivables Subsidiary); and (ii) any sale or other transfer of any such Debt to a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company (other than a Receivables Subsidiary),

shall be deemed, in each case, under this clause (6)(c), to constitute an Incurrence of such Debt by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be;

(7) Debt Incurred in respect of workers’ compensation claims, health, disability or other employee benefits or property, casualty or liability insurance and self-insurance obligations, and, for the avoidance of doubt, indemnity, bid, performance, warranty, release, appeal, surety and similar bonds or bankers’ acceptances, letters of credit, warehouse receipts and similar facilities for operating purposes and completion guarantees (not for borrowed money) provided or Incurred (including Guarantees thereof) by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;

 

-22-


(8) Debt under Swap Contracts and Hedging Obligations that are Incurred in the ordinary course of business (and not for speculative purposes);

(9) Debt (including Capital Lease Obligations, Synthetic Lease Obligations and Purchase Money Debt) Incurred by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, to finance the purchase, lease, construction or improvement of property (real or personal) or equipment that is used or useful in a Permitted Business, whether through the direct purchase of assets or the Capital Interests of any Person owning such assets, in an aggregate principal amount or liquidation preference outstanding which, together with any other Debt incurred and outstanding under this clause (9), does not exceed at the time of Incurrence thereof, the greater of (x) $50.0 million and (y) 3.25% of the Consolidated Total Assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries;

(10) Debt arising from agreements of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary providing for indemnification, contribution, earnout, adjustment of purchase price, deferred compensation or similar obligations, in each case, Incurred or assumed in connection with the acquisition or disposition of any business, assets or Capital Interests of a Restricted Subsidiary otherwise permitted under this Indenture, to the extent that:

(a) the maximum aggregate liability in respect of all such Debt does not exceed the gross proceeds, including non-cash proceeds (the Fair Market Value of such non-cash proceeds being measured at the time received and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value) actually received by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with such disposition; and

(b) such Debt is not reflected on the balance sheet of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (contingent obligations referred to in a footnote to financial statements and not otherwise reflected on the balance sheet will not be deemed to be reflected on such balance sheet for purposes of this clause (10));

(11) Debt arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial institution of a check, draft or similar instrument drawn against insufficient funds in the ordinary course of business; provided, however, that such Debt is extinguished within five Business Days of Incurrence and Debt arising from negative account balances in cash pooling arrangements arising in the ordinary course of business;

(12) obligations of the Company or its Subsidiaries in respect of customer advances received and held in the ordinary course of business;

(13) Debt constituting credit support for third party customer financing in the ordinary course of business;

(14) performance bonds or performance guaranties (or bank guaranties or letters of credit in lieu thereof) entered into in the ordinary course of business and not for borrowed money;

(15) Debt of Restricted Subsidiaries that are Foreign Subsidiaries of the Company not to exceed the greater of (x) $100.0 million and (y) 8.0% of the Consolidated Total Assets of all Restricted Subsidiaries that are Foreign Subsidiaries outstanding at the time of Incurrence (it being understood that any Debt Incurred pursuant to this clause (15) shall cease to be deemed Incurred or outstanding for purposes of this clause (15) but shall be deemed Incurred for the purposes of Section 4.09(a) from and after the first date on which the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary could have Incurred such Debt under Section 4.09(a) without reliance on this clause (15));

 

-23-


(16) Debt of Persons Incurred and outstanding on the date on which such Person became a Restricted Subsidiary or was acquired by, or merged into, the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than Debt Incurred (a) to provide all or any portion of the funds utilized to consummate the transaction or series of related transactions pursuant to which such Restricted Subsidiary became a Restricted Subsidiary or was otherwise acquired by the Company or (b) otherwise in connection with, or in contemplation of, such acquisition); provided, however, that at the time such Person is acquired, either

(a) the Company would have been able to Incur $1.00 of additional Debt pursuant to Section 4.09(a) on a pro forma basis after giving effect to the Incurrence of such Debt pursuant to this clause (16); or

(b) on a pro forma basis, the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries is equal to or greater than such ratio immediately prior to such acquisition or merger;

(17) Debt of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary not otherwise permitted pursuant to this definition, in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the greater of (x) $150.0 million and (y) 10.0% of the Consolidated Total Assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries outstanding at the time of Incurrence (it being understood that any Debt Incurred pursuant to this clause (17) shall cease to be deemed Incurred or outstanding for purposes of this clause (17) but shall be deemed Incurred for the purposes of Section 4.09(a) from and after the first date on which the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary could have Incurred such Debt under Section 4.09(a) without reliance on this clause (17));

(18) the Incurrence by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of Refinancing Debt that serves to refund or refinance any Debt Incurred as permitted underSection 4.09(a) and clauses (2), (3), (4), (9), (15), (16), (17), (24), (26), (28) and this clause (18);

(19) the issuance by any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries to the Company or to any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than a Receivables Subsidiary) of shares of Preferred Interests; provided, however, that: (a) any subsequent issuance or transfer of Capital Interests that results in any such Preferred Interests being held by a Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Receivables Subsidiary); and (b) any sale or other transfer of any such Preferred Interests to a Person that is not either the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Receivables Subsidiary) shall be deemed, in each case, to constitute an issuance of such Preferred Interests by such Restricted Subsidiary that was not permitted by this clause (19);

(20) Debt arising as a result of the endorsement in the ordinary course of business of negotiable instruments in the course of collection;

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

(22) Debt of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries undertaken in connection with cash management and related activities with respect to any Subsidiary or joint venture in the ordinary course of business;

 

-24-


(23) Debt Incurred in the ordinary course of business in respect of obligations of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to pay the deferred purchase price of goods or services or progress payments in connection with such goods and services; provided, that such obligations are incurred in connection with open accounts extended by suppliers on customary trade terms in the ordinary course of business;

(24) Debt deemed to exist in connection with a Sale and Leaseback Transaction in an aggregate amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed $50.0 million;

(25) Debt consisting of Debt issued by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to current or former officers, directors and employees thereof, their respective estates, spouses or former spouses, in each case to finance the purchase or redemption of Capital Interests of the Company to the extent described in Section 4.08;

(26) Debt in an aggregate outstanding principal amount which, when taken together with the principal amount of all other Debt Incurred pursuant to this clause and then outstanding, will not exceed 100% of the net cash proceeds received by the Company from the issuance or sale (other than to a Restricted Subsidiary) of its Capital Interests (other than Redeemable Capital Interests) or otherwise contributed to the equity (other than through the issuance of Redeemable Capital Interests) of the Company, in each case, subsequent to the Issue Date; provided, however, that (i) any such net cash proceeds that are so received or contributed shall not increase the amount available for making Restricted Payments to the extent the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries Incur Debt in reliance thereon and (ii) any net cash proceeds that are so received or contributed shall be excluded for purposes of incurring Debt pursuant to this clause to the extent the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries makes a Restricted Payment in reliance thereof;

(27) Debt (i) owed on a short-term basis of no longer than 30 days to banks and other financial institutions incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries with such banks or financial institutions that arises in connection with ordinary banking arrangements to manage cash balances of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries and (ii) in respect of overdraft facilities, employee credit card programs, netting services, automatic clearinghouse arrangements and other cash management services entered into in the ordinary course of business; and

(28) Debt Incurred pursuant to any Receivables Facility in an aggregate amount not to exceed the greater of (x) $150.0 million and (y) 10.0% of the Consolidated Total Assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries.

Permitted Investment” means an Investment by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in:

 

  (1)

the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Receivables Subsidiary);

 

  (2)

any Investment by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in a Person if as a result of such Investment:

 

  (a)

such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary; or

 

  (b)

such Person, in one transaction or a series of related transactions, is merged or consolidated with or into, or transfers or conveys all or substantially all of its assets to, or is liquidated into, the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary,

 

-25-


and, in each case, any Investment held by such Person; provided that such Investment was not acquired by such Person in contemplation of such acquisition, merger, consolidation or transfer;

 

  (3)

cash and Eligible Cash Equivalents;

 

  (4)

Investments in exchange for consideration consisting only of Capital Interests (other than Redeemable Capital Interests) of the Company or net cash proceeds from a substantially concurrent sale of Capital Interests of the Company; provided, however, that the issuance of such Capital Interests or such net cash proceeds will be excluded from Section 4.08(a)(3)(ii);

 

  (5)

receivables owing to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary created or acquired in the ordinary course of business and payable or dischargeable in accordance with customary trade terms; provided, however, that such trade terms may include such concessionary trade terms as the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary deems reasonable under the circumstances;

 

  (6)

payroll, commission, travel and similar advances to cover matters that are reasonably expected at the time of such advances ultimately to be treated as expenses for accounting purposes and that are made in the ordinary course of business;

 

  (7)

loans or advances to employees, officers or directors of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business in an aggregate amount not to exceed $15.0 million with respect to all loans or advances made since the Issue Date;

 

  (8)

any Investment acquired by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries:

 

  (a)

in exchange for any other Investment or accounts receivable held by the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary in connection with or as a result of a bankruptcy, workout, reorganization or recapitalization of the issuer of such other Investment or accounts receivable; or

 

  (b)

as a result of a foreclosure by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries with respect to any secured Investment or other transfer of title with respect to any secured Investment in default;

 

  (9)

Investments received in settlement of amounts due to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary effected in the ordinary course of business;

 

  (10)

Investments made as a result of the receipt of non-cash consideration from an Asset Sale that was made pursuant to and in compliance with Section 4.15 or any other disposition of assets not constituting an Asset Sale;

 

  (11)

any Investment existing on the Issue Date or made pursuant to binding commitments in effect on the Issue Date or an Investment consisting of any extension, modification or renewal of any Investment existing on the Issue Date;

 

  (12)

currency agreements, interest rate agreements, commodity agreements and related Hedging Obligations, which transactions or obligations are Incurred in compliance with Section 4.09;

 

-26-


  (13)

Guarantees issued in accordance with Section 4.09;

 

  (14)

Investments made in connection with the funding of contributions under any non-qualified retirement plan or similar employee compensation plan in an amount not to exceed the amount of compensation expense recognized by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with such plans;

 

  (15)

Investments in joint ventures of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, together with all other Investments pursuant to this clause (xv), in an aggregate amount at the time of each such Investment not to exceed the greater of (i) $100.0 million and (ii) 6.5% of Consolidated Total Assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries at the time such Investment is made (with the Fair Market Value of each such Investment being measured at the time made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value);

 

  (16)

Investments consisting of (i) the licensing, sublicensing or contribution of intellectual property pursuant to joint marketing arrangements and joint development arrangements with other Persons (including the grant of use and access rights in respect thereof) or (ii) the licensing, sublicensing, cross-licensing, pooling or contribution of, or similar arrangements with respect to, intellectual property;

 

  (17)

prepaid expenses, negotiable instruments held for collection, lease, utility, workers’ compensation, performance and other similar deposits provided to third parties in the ordinary course of business;

 

  (18)

Investments by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, together with all other Investments pursuant to this clause (18), in an aggregate amount at the time of each such Investment not to exceed the greater of (i) $100.0 million and (ii) 6.5% of Consolidated Total Assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries at the time such Investment is made (with the Fair Market Value of each such Investment being measured at the time made and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value);

 

  (19)

any transaction to the extent it constitutes an Investment that is permitted and made in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.13(b);

 

  (20)

Investments consisting of purchases and acquisitions of inventory, supplies, material or equipment, or other similar assets in the ordinary course of business;

 

  (21)

pledges or deposits with respect to leases or utilities provided to third parties in the ordinary course of business or Liens otherwise described in the definition of “Permitted Liens” or made in connection with Liens permitted under Section 4.10;

 

  (22)

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

 

  (23)

contributions to a “rabbi” trust for the benefit of employees or other grantor trust subject to claims of creditors in the case of a bankruptcy of the Company;

 

  (24)

Investments in any Subsidiary or any joint venture in connection with intercompany cash management arrangement or related activities arising in the ordinary course of business; and

 

-27-


  (25)

Investments relating to a Receivables Subsidiary that, in the good faith determination of the Company are necessary or advisable to effect any Receivables Facility or any repurchases in connection therewith.

Permitted Liens” means:

(1) Liens existing at the Issue Date (excluding Liens permitted by clause (2), which clause (2) includes Liens securing Obligations under the Senior Credit Facilities);

(2) Liens that secure (a) Debt under Debt Facilities permitted to be Incurred pursuant to clause (1) of the definition of “Permitted Debt,” (b) Hedging Obligations and Swap Contracts relating to such Debt Facilities and permitted under the agreements related thereto and (c) fees, expenses and other amounts payable under such Debt Facilities or payable pursuant to cash management agreements or agreements with respect to similar banking services relating to such Debt Facilities and permitted under the agreements related thereto;

(3) any Lien for taxes or assessments or other governmental charges or levies not then delinquent for more than 90 days, that are then remaining payable without penalty or which are being contested in good faith and for which adequate reserves are being maintained to the extent required by GAAP;

(4) any warehousemen’s, materialmen’s, mechanic’s, repairmen’s, landlord’s or other similar Liens arising by law for sums not then due and payable (or which, if due and payable, remain payable without penalty or are being contested in good faith and with respect to which adequate reserves are being maintained, to the extent required by GAAP);

(5) survey exceptions, encumbrances, easements or reservations of, or rights of others for, licenses, rights-of-way, sewers, electric lines, telegraph and telephone lines and other similar purposes, or zoning or other similar restrictions as to the use of real properties or Liens incidental to the conduct of the business of such Person or to the ownership of its properties which do not individually or in the aggregate materially adversely affect the value of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole or materially impair the operation of the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole;

(6) pledges or deposits (a) in connection with workers’ compensation, unemployment and other insurance, other social security legislation and other types of statutory obligations or the requirements of any official body; (b) to secure the performance of tenders, bids, surety or performance bonds, leases, purchase, construction, sales or servicing contracts (including utility contracts) and other similar obligations Incurred in the ordinary course of business; (c) to obtain or secure obligations with respect to letters of credit, Guarantees, bonds or other sureties or assurances given in connection with the activities described in clauses (a) and (b) above, in each case not Incurred or made in connection with the borrowing of money, the obtaining of advances or credit or the payment of the deferred purchase price of property or services or imposed by ERISA or the Code in connection with a “plan” (as defined in ERISA); or (d) arising in connection with any attachment unless such Liens shall not be satisfied or discharged or stayed pending appeal within 60 days after the entry thereof or the expiration of any such stay;

(7) Liens on property or assets or shares of Capital Interests of a Person existing at the time such Person acquires such property or assets, is merged with or into or consolidated with the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary or becomes a Restricted Subsidiary (and not created or Incurred in anticipation of such transaction); provided that such Liens are not extended to the property and assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries other than the property or assets acquired and the proceeds thereof;

 

-28-


(8) Liens securing Debt of a Restricted Subsidiary owed to and held by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Receivables Subsidiary) thereof;

(9) for the avoidance of doubt, other Liens (not securing Debt) incidental to the conduct of the business of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, or the ownership of their assets which do not individually or in the aggregate materially adversely affect the value of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole or materially impair the operation of the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole;

(10) Liens to secure any extension, renewal, refinancing or refunding (or successive extensions, renewals, refinancings or refundings), in whole or in part, in accordance with the terms of this Indenture of any Debt secured by Liens referred to in clauses (1), (2), (7), (8), (13), (16), (23), (29), (33) and (38) hereof to the extent that such Liens do not extend to any other property or assets and the principal amount of the obligations secured by such Liens is not increased;

(11) Liens in favor of customs or revenue authorities arising as a matter of law to secure payment of custom duties in connection with the importation of goods incurred in the ordinary course of business;

(12) (i) licensing or sublicensing of intellectual property or other general intangibles in the ordinary course of business and (ii) the granting of access and use rights in respect of intellectual property or other general intangibles in the context of joint marketing arrangements and joint development arrangements entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(13) Liens to secure Debt (including Capital Lease Obligations, Synthetic Lease Obligations and Purchase Money Debt) permitted to be Incurred pursuant to clause (9) of the definition of “Permitted Debt”; provided that such Liens do not extend to or cover any property or assets that are not property being purchased, leased, constructed or improved with the proceeds of such Debt;

(14) Liens in favor of the Company or any Guarantor;

(15) Liens upon specific items of inventory or other goods and proceeds of any Person securing such Person’s obligation in respect of letters of credit and banker’s acceptances issued or created in the ordinary course of business for the account of such Person to facilitate the purchase, shipment or storage of such inventory or other goods;

(16) Liens that secure Debt of Restricted Subsidiaries that are Foreign Subsidiaries permitted pursuant to clause (15) of the definition of “Permitted Debt”; provided that such Liens may not extend to any assets other than assets owned by a Restricted Subsidiary that is a Foreign Subsidiary;

(17) Liens on property or shares of Capital Interests of another Person at the time such other Person becomes a Subsidiary of such Person; provided, however, that (a) the Liens may not extend to any other property owned by such Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than assets and property affixed or appurtenant thereto) and (b) such Liens are not created or Incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of, such other Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

-29-


(18) Liens (a) that are contractual rights of set-off (i) relating to the establishment of depository relations with banks not given in connection with the issuance of Debt, (ii) relating to pooled deposit or sweep accounts of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to permit satisfaction of overdraft or similar obligations and other cash management activities incurred in the ordinary course of business of the Company and/or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or (iii) relating to purchase orders and other agreements entered into with customers of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business, (b) of a collecting bank arising under Section 4-210 of the Uniform Commercial Code on items in the course of collection, (c) encumbering reasonable customary initial deposits and margin deposits and attaching to commodity trading accounts or other brokerage accounts incurred in the ordinary course of business and (d) in favor of banking institutions arising as a matter of law or pursuant to customary account agreements encumbering deposits (including the right of set-off) and which are within the general parameters customary in the banking industry;

(19) Liens securing judgments or judicial attachment for the payment of money not constituting an Event of Default under clause (7) of Section 6.01(a) so long as such Liens are adequately bonded and any appropriate legal proceedings that may have been duly initiated for the review of such judgment have not been finally terminated or the period within which such proceedings may be initiated has not expired;

(20) leases, subleases, licenses or sublicenses granted to others in the ordinary course of business which do not materially interfere with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiaries and do not secure any Debt;

(21) any interest of title of (a) an owner of equipment or inventory on loan or consignment, or as part of a conditional sale, to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and Liens arising from Uniform Commercial Code financing statement filings regarding operating leases and bailments of paper and paper products entered into by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business; and (b) a lessor or secured by a lessor’s interest under any lease permitted under this Indenture;

(22) deposits in the ordinary course of business to secure liability to insurance carriers;

(23) Liens securing the Notes and the Note Guarantees;

(24) Liens solely on any cash earnest money deposits made by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with any letter of intent or purchase agreement in respect of any Investment permitted hereunder;

(25) options, put and call arrangements, rights of first refusal and similar rights relating to Investments in joint ventures, partnerships and the like permitted to be made under this Indenture;

(26) Liens arising in connection with repurchase agreements that constitute Investments;

(27) Liens on cash and other deposits or net worth imposed in connection with contracts entered into the ordinary course of business;

 

-30-


(28) Liens securing Obligations for third party customer financing in the ordinary course of business;

(29) Liens not otherwise permitted under this Indenture in an aggregate amount not to exceed at the time of creation the greater of (x) $150.0 million and (y) 10.0% of the Consolidated Total Assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries at the time such Lien is created;

(30) Liens on cash, Eligible Cash Equivalents or other property arising in connection with the defeasance, discharge or redemption of Debt permitted by this Indenture;

(31) Liens on equipment of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries granted in the ordinary course of business;

(32) Liens on the Capital Interests of Unrestricted Subsidiaries that secure Debt of such Unrestricted Subsidiaries;

(33) Liens arising out of any Sale and Leaseback Transaction permitted under clause (24) under the definition of “Permitted Debt”, so long as such Liens attach only to the property sold and being leased in such transaction and any accessions and additions thereto or proceeds and products thereof and related property;

(34) Liens on any amounts held by a trustee (a) in the funds and accounts under an indenture securing any revenue bonds issued for the benefit of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, (b) under any indenture or other debt agreement issued in escrow pursuant to customary escrow arrangements pending the release thereof, or (c) under any indenture pursuant to customary discharge, redemption or defeasance provisions;

(35) in the case of real property that constitutes a leasehold interest, any Lien to which the fee simple interest (or any superior leasehold interest) is subject;

(36) Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention or similar arrangements for the sale or purchase of goods by the Company or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

(37) Liens on the identifiable proceeds of any property or asset subject to a Lien otherwise permitted under this Indenture; and

(38) Liens on the accounts receivable and related assets incurred in connection with a Receivables Facility and permitted under clause (28) under the definition of “Permitted Debt”.

Permitted Parent” means any direct or indirect parent entity of the Company that beneficially owns, together with any other Permitted Parent, 100% of the Capital Interests of the Company; provided that the ultimate beneficial ownership of the Company has not been modified, solely by virtue of the transaction by which such parent entity became the beneficial owner of 100% of the Capital Interests of the Company and such parent entity owns no assets other than Eligible Cash Equivalents and the Capital Interests of the Company or any other Permitted Parent.

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

“Philippines Subsidiaries” means each of Schweitzer-Mauduit RTL Philippines, Inc., PDM Philippines Industries Inc. and Luna Rio Landholding Corporation.

 

-31-


Preferred Interests,” as applied to the Capital Interests in any Person, means Capital Interests in such Person of any class or classes (however designated) that rank prior, as to the payment of dividends or as to the distribution of assets upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of such Person, to shares of Common Interests in such Person.

Purchase Amount” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Offer to Purchase.”

Purchase Date” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Offer to Purchase.”

Purchase Money Debt” means:

(1) Debt Incurred to finance the purchase or construction (including additions and improvements thereto) of any assets (other than Capital Interests) of such Person or any Restricted Subsidiary; and

(2) Debt that is secured by a Lien on such assets where the lender’s sole security is to the assets so purchased or constructed or substantially similar assets leased or purchased from such lender under a master lease or similar agreement and proceeds of the foregoing;

in either case that does not exceed 100% of the cost and to the extent the purchase or construction prices for such assets are or should be included in “addition to property, plant or equipment” in accordance with GAAP.

Purchase Price” has the meaning set forth in the definition of “Offer to Purchase.”

Qualified Capital Interests” in any Person means a class of Capital Interests other than Redeemable Capital Interests.

Qualified Equity Offering” means (1) an underwritten public equity offering of Qualified Capital Interests pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act yielding gross proceeds to either of the Company, or any direct or indirect parent company of the Company, of at least $25.0 million or (2) a private equity offering of Qualified Capital Interests of the Company, or any direct or indirect parent company of the Company, other than (a) any such public or private sale to an entity that is an Affiliate of the Company, (b) any public offerings registered on Form S-4 or S-8, (c) any issuance to any employee benefit plan of the Company or (d) any offering of Qualified Capital Interests in connection with a transaction that is a Change of Control; provided that, in the case of an offering or sale by a direct or indirect parent company of the Company, such parent company contributes to the capital of the Company the portion of the net cash proceeds of such offering or sale necessary to pay the aggregate Redemption Price (plus accrued interest to the redemption date) of the Notes to be redeemed pursuant to Section 3.07.

Rating Agencies” means Moody’s and S&P or if Moody’s or S&P or both shall not make a rating on the Notes publicly available, a nationally recognized statistical rating agency or agencies, as the case may be, selected by the Company which shall be substituted for Moody’s or S&P or both, as the case may be.

Receivables Facility “ means any of one or more receivables financing facilities as amended, supplemented, modified, extended, renewed, restated or refunded from time to time, the Obligations of which are non-recourse (except for Standard Securitization Undertakings) to the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than a Receivables Subsidiary) pursuant to which the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries sells its accounts receivable and related assets to either (a) a Person

 

-32-


that is not a Restricted Subsidiary or (b) a Receivables Subsidiary that in turn sells its accounts receivable and related assets to a Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary.

Receivables Fees” means distributions or payments made directly or by means of discounts with respect to any accounts receivable or participation interest therein issued or sold in connection with, and other fees paid to a Person that is not a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with, any Receivables Facility.

Receivables Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary formed for the purpose of, and that solely engages only in one or more Receivables Facilities and other activities reasonably related thereto.

Record Date” for the interest, if any, payable on any applicable Interest Payment Date means the March 15 or September 15 (whether or not a Business Day) next preceding such Interest Payment Date.

Redeemable Capital Interests” in any Person means any equity security of such Person that by its terms (or by terms of any security into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable), or otherwise (including the passage of time or the happening of an event), is required to be redeemed, is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof in whole or in part (including by operation of a sinking fund), or is convertible or exchangeable for Debt or Redeemable Capital Interests of such Person at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part, at any time on or prior to the date 91 days after the earlier of the Stated Maturity of the principal amount of the Notes or the date the Notes are no longer outstanding; provided that only the portion of such equity security which is required to be redeemed, is so convertible or exchangeable or is so redeemable at the option of the holder thereof before such date will be deemed to be Redeemable Capital Interests; and provided further that if such equity security is issued to any plan for the benefit of employees of the Company or its Subsidiaries or by any such plan to such employees, such equity securities shall not constitute Redeemable Capital Interests solely because it may be required to be repurchased by the Company or its Subsidiaries in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations.

Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, any equity security that would constitute Redeemable Capital Interests solely because the holders of the equity security have the right to require the Company to repurchase such equity security upon the occurrence of a Change of Control or an Asset Sale will not constitute Redeemable Capital Interests if the terms of such equity security provide that the Company may not repurchase or redeem any such equity security pursuant to such provisions prior to compliance by the Company with Section 4.14 and Section 4.15 and such repurchase or redemption complies with Section 4.08. The amount of Redeemable Capital Interests deemed to be outstanding at any time for purposes of this Indenture will be the maximum amount that the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may become obligated to pay upon the maturity of, or pursuant to any mandatory redemption provisions of, such Redeemable Capital Interests or portion thereof, exclusive of accrued dividends.

Redemption Price,” when used with respect to any Note to be redeemed, means the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture.

Refinancing Debt” means Debt that refunds, refinances, renews, replaces or extends any Debt permitted to be Incurred by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to the terms of this Indenture (including additional Debt Incurred to pay premiums (including reasonable tender premiums, as determined in good faith by the Senior Management of the Company), defeasance costs, accrued interest and fees and expenses (including fees and expenses relating to the Incurrence of such Refinancing Debt) in connection with any such refinancing), whether involving the same or any other lender or creditor or group of lenders or creditors (including, with respect to any Guarantee of Debt, the refinancing of the guaranteed Debt and incurrence of a Guarantee with respect to the new Debt), but only to the extent that:

 

-33-


(1) the Refinancing Debt is subordinated in right of payment to the Notes to at least the same extent as the Debt being refunded, refinanced or extended, if such Debt was subordinated in right of payment to the Notes,

(2) the Refinancing Debt is scheduled to mature either (a) no earlier than the Debt being refunded, refinanced or extended or (b) at least 91 days after the maturity date of the Notes,

(3) the Refinancing Debt has an Average Life at the time such Refinancing Debt is Incurred that is equal to or greater than the Average Life of the Debt being refunded, refinanced, renewed, replaced or extended,

(4) such Refinancing Debt is in an aggregate principal amount that is less than or equal to the sum of (a) the aggregate principal or accreted amount (in the case of any Debt issued with original issue discount, as such) then outstanding under the Debt being refunded, refinanced, renewed, replaced or extended, (b) the amount of accrued and unpaid interest, if any, and premiums owed (including tender premiums and defeasance costs), if any and (c) the amount of reasonable and customary fees, expenses and costs related to the Incurrence of such Refinancing Debt (including underwriting discounts and commissions), and

(5) such Refinancing Debt is Incurred by the same Persons (or their successors) that initially Incurred the Debt being refunded, refinanced, renewed, replaced or extended, except that the Company or any Guarantor may Incur Refinancing Debt to refund, refinance, renew, replace or extend Debt of any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company.

Related Business Assets” means assets (other than cash or Eligible Cash Equivalents or current assets) used or useful in a Permitted Business; provided that any assets received by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary in exchange for assets transferred by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary shall not be deemed to be Related Business Assets if they consist of securities of a Person, unless upon receipt of the securities of such Person, such Person would become a Restricted Subsidiary.

Responsible Officer” means, when used with respect to the Trustee, any officer within the corporate trust department of the Trustee having direct responsibility for the administration of this Indenture, or any other officer to whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of such officer’s knowledge of and familiarity with the particular subject.

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

Restricted Payment” is defined to mean any of the following:

(1) any dividend or other distribution declared or paid on the Capital Interests in the Company or on the Capital Interests in any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that are held by, or declared or paid to, any Person other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company (other than (a) dividends, distributions or payments made solely in Qualified Capital Interests in the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary and (b) dividends or distributions payable to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or to the holders of Capital Interests of a Restricted Subsidiary on a pro rata basis);

(2) any payment made by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to purchase, redeem, acquire or retire any Capital Interests in the Company (including the conversion into, or exchange for, Debt of any Capital Interests) other than any such Capital Interests owned by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;

 

-34-


(3) any principal payment made by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries on, or any payment made by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to redeem, repurchase, defease (including a defeasance or covenant defeasance) or otherwise acquire or retire for value (including pursuant to mandatory repurchase covenants), prior to any scheduled maturity, scheduled sinking fund or mandatory redemption payment, any Subordinated Obligations (excluding any Debt owed to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary); except payments of principal and interest in anticipation of satisfying a sinking fund obligation, principal installment or final maturity, in each case, within one year of the due date thereof; and

(4) any Restricted Investment.

Restricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that has not been designated as an “Unrestricted Subsidiary” in accordance with this Indenture. Unless otherwise indicated, when used herein the term “Restricted Subsidiary” shall refer to a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company.

S&P” means S&P Global Inc. or any successor to its rating agency business.

Sale and Leaseback Transaction” means any direct or indirect arrangement pursuant to which property is sold or transferred by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary and is thereafter leased back as a capital lease by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary.

Secured Debt” means any Debt of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries secured by a Lien.

Secured Net Leverage Ratio” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (1) the Secured Debt of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than any Debt set forth in clause (7) of the definition thereof), determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, as of the end of the most recent Four Quarter Period for which internal financial statements are available, minus Unrestricted Cash not to exceed $200.0 million to (2) the Company’s Consolidated Cash Flow Available for Fixed Charges for the most recent Four Quarter Period for which internal financial statements are available, in each case, on a pro forma basis in a manner consistent with the definition of “Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.”

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

Senior Credit Facilities” means the Company’s Senior Credit Agreement, dated as of the Issue Date, among the Company and guarantors named therein and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the other agents and lenders named therein, together with all related notes, letters of credit, collateral documents, guarantees, and any other related agreements and instruments executed and delivered in connection therewith, in each case as amended, modified, supplemented, restated, refinanced, refunded or replaced in whole or in part from time to time including by or pursuant to any agreement or instrument that extends the maturity of any Debt thereunder, or increases the amount of available borrowings thereunder (provided that such increase in borrowings is permitted under Section 4.09), or adds Subsidiaries of the Company as additional borrowers or guarantors thereunder, in each case with respect to such agreement or any successor or replacement agreement and whether by the same or any other agent, lender, group of lenders, purchasers or debt holders.

Senior Management” means the chief executive officer, the chief financial officer, the treasurer and the vice chairman and executive vice president of strategy and corporate development of the Company.

 

-35-


Significant Subsidiary” has the meaning set forth in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, but shall not include any Unrestricted Subsidiary.

Standard Securitization Undertakings” means representations, warranties, covenants and indemnities entered into by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary which are reasonably customary in an accounts receivable or other financial asset securitization transaction as determined in good faith by the Company, including Guarantees and repurchase obligations by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of any of the foregoing obligations of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary.

Stated Maturity” when used with respect to (1) any Note or any installment of interest thereon, means the date specified in such Note as the fixed date on which the principal amount of such Note or such installment of interest is due and payable and (2) any other Debt or any installment of interest thereon, means the date specified in the instrument governing such Debt as the fixed date on which the principal of such Debt or such installment of interest is due and payable.

Subordinated Obligations” means any Debt of the Company or any Guarantor (whether outstanding on the Issue Date or thereafter Incurred) that is subordinate or junior in right of payment to the Notes or the Note Guarantees pursuant to a written agreement to that effect.

Subsidiary” of a Person means a corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other business entity of which a majority of the shares of securities or other interests having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other governing body (other than securities or interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) are at the time beneficially owned or controlled, directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person.

Swap Contract” means (1) any and all rate swap transactions, basis swaps, credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity swaps, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options or forward bond or forward bond price or forward bond index transactions, interest rate options, forward foreign exchange transactions, cap transactions, floor transactions, collar transactions, currency swap transactions, cross-currency rate swap transactions, currency options, spot contracts, or any other similar transactions or any combination of any of the foregoing (including, without limitation, any fuel price caps and fuel price collar or floor agreements and similar agreements or arrangements designed to protect against or manage fluctuations in fuel prices and any options to enter into any of the foregoing), whether or not any such transaction is governed by or subject to any master agreement, but excluding fixed price commodity purchase contracts entered into with commodity suppliers in the ordinary course of business and not for speculative purposes, and (2) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement, or any other master agreement (any such master agreement, together with any related schedules, a “Master Agreement”), including any such obligations or liabilities under any Master Agreement.

SWM Luxembourg” means SWM Luxembourg, a Luxembourg private limited liability company (société à responsabilité limitée), having its registered office at 17, rue Edmond Reuter, L-5326 Contern, Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg and registered with the Luxembourg Register of Commerce and Companies (Registre de Commerce et des Sociétés, Luxembourg) under number B 180.186.

Synthetic Lease Obligations” means any monetary obligation of a Person under (1) a so-called synthetic, off-balance sheet or tax retention lease, or (2) an agreement for the use or possession of property (including Sale and Leaseback Transactions), in each case, creating obligations that do not appear on the balance sheet of such Person but which, upon the application of any bankruptcy or insolvency laws to such Person, would be characterized as the indebtedness of such Person (without regard to accounting treatment).

 

-36-


Transfer Restricted Notes” means Definitive Notes and any other Notes that bear or are required to bear the Restricted Notes Legend.

Treasury Rate” means as of any date of redemption of Notes the yield to maturity at the time of computation of U.S. Treasury securities with a constant maturity (as compiled and published in the most recent Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15 (519) that has become publicly available at least two Business Days prior to the redemption date (or, if such Statistical Release is no longer published, any publicly available source or similar market data)) most nearly equal to the period from the redemption date to October 1, 2021; provided, however, that if the period from the redemption date to October 1, 2021 is not equal to the constant maturity of a U.S. Treasury security for which a weekly average yield is given, the Treasury Rate shall be obtained by linear interpolation (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth of a year) from the weekly average yields of U.S. Treasury securities for which such yields are given, except that if the period from the redemption date to October 1, 2021 is less than one year, the weekly average yield on actually traded U.S. Treasury securities adjusted to a constant maturity of one year will be used.

Trustee” means Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee, until a successor replaces it in accordance with the applicable provisions of this Indenture and thereafter means the successor serving hereunder.

Unrestricted Cash” means, as of any date of determination, the aggregate amount of cash and Eligible Cash Equivalents included in the cash accounts that would be listed on the consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries as at such date, to the extent that such cash and Eligible Cash Equivalents are not classified as “restricted” unless such classification solely because of any provision in an agreement governing Debt of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries.

Unrestricted Subsidiary” means:

 

  (1)

any Subsidiary of the Company which at the time of determination shall be designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary by the Board of Directors of the Company in the manner provided pursuant to this definition; and

 

  (2)

any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

The Board of Directors of the Company may designate any Subsidiary of the Company (including any existing Subsidiary and any newly-acquired or newly-formed Subsidiary) to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary unless such Subsidiary or any of its Subsidiaries owns any Capital Interests or Debt of, or owns or holds any Lien on, any property of, the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company (other than solely any Subsidiary of the Subsidiary to be so designated); provided that:

 

  (1)

such designation complies with Section 4.08; and

 

  (2)

each of (a) the Subsidiary to be so designated and (b) its Subsidiaries has not at the time of designation, and does not thereafter, create, incur, issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable with respect to any Debt pursuant to which the lender has recourse to any of the assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary.

The Board of Directors of the Company may designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a Restricted Subsidiary; provided that, immediately after giving effect to such designation, no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and either:

 

-37-


(x)(1) the Company could incur at least $1.00 of additional Debt pursuant to the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio test described in Section 4.09(a); or

(2) the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries would be equal to or greater than such ratio immediately prior to such designation,

in each case on a pro forma basis taking into account such designation and (y) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing as a result of such designation.

Any such designation by the Board of Directors of the Company shall be evidenced to the Trustee by promptly filing with the Trustee a copy of the resolution of the board of directors of the Company or any committee thereof giving effect to such designation and an Officer’s Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the foregoing provisions.

Voting Interests” means, with respect to any Person, securities of any class or classes of Capital Interests in such Person entitling the holders thereof generally to vote on the election of members of the Board of Directors or comparable body of such Person.

Wholly-Owned Subsidiary” of any Person means a Subsidiary of such Person, 100% of the outstanding Capital Interests of which (other than directors’ qualifying shares) shall at the time be owned by such Person or by one or more Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of such Person.

Section 1.02 Other Definitions.

 

Term

  

Defined in Section

“Agent Members”

   2.1(c) of Appendix A

“Affiliate Transaction”

   4.13(a)

“Applicable Procedures”

   1.1(a) of Appendix A

“Asset Sale Purchase Date”

   4.15(c)

“Authentication Order”

   2.02(c)

“Change of Control Payment”

   4.14(a)

“Clearstream”

   1.1(a) of Appendix A

“Covenant Defeasance”

   8.03

“Definitive Notes Legend”

   2.2(e) of Appendix A

“Discharge”

   11.01(a)

“Distribution Compliance Period”

   1.1(a) of Appendix A

“ERISA Legend”

   2.2(e) of Appendix A

“Euroclear”

   1.1(a) of Appendix A

“Event of Default”

   6.01(a)

“Excess Proceeds”

   4.15(c)

“Expiration Date”

   1.05(j)

“Global Note”

   2.1(b) of Appendix A

“Global Notes Legend”

   2.2(e) of Appendix A

“Guaranteed Obligations”

   10.01(a)

“IAI”

   1.1(a) of Appendix A

“IAI Global Note”

   2.1(b) of Appendix A

Initial Default

   6.01(b)

“Increased Amount”

   4.10

“Legal Defeasance”

   8.02(a)

“Note Register”

   2.03(a)

“Pari Passu Debt”

   4.15(b)

 

-38-


Term

  

Defined in Section

“Paying Agent”

   2.03(a)

“PDF”

   12.17

“QIB”

   1.1(a) of Appendix A

“Registrar”

   2.03(a)

“Regulation S”

   1.1(a) of Appendix A

“Regulation S Global Note”

   2.1(b) of Appendix A

“Regulation S Notes”

   2.1(a) of Appendix A

“Reinstatement Date”

   4.16(b)

“Restricted Notes Legend”

   2.2(e) of Appendix A

“Rule 144”

   1.1(a) of Appendix A

“Rule 144A”

   1.1(a) of Appendix A

“Rule 144A Global Note”

   2.1(b) of Appendix A

“Rule 144A Notes”

   2.1(a) of Appendix A

“Successor Company”

   5.01(a)

“Successor Guarantor”

   5.01(c)

“Suspended Covenants”

   4.16(a)

“Suspension Date”

   4.16(a)

“Suspension Period”

   4.16(b)

“U.S. Person”

“Unrestricted Global Note”

  

1.1(a) of Appendix A

1.1(a) of Appendix A

Section 1.03 Rules of Construction.

Unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) a term defined in Section 1.01 or 1.02 has the meaning assigned to it therein;

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

(3) “or” is not exclusive;

(4) words in the singular include the plural, and words in the plural include the singular;

(5) provisions apply to successive events and transactions;

(6) unless the context otherwise requires, any reference to an “Appendix,” “Article,” “Section,” “clause,” “Schedule” or “Exhibit” refers to an Appendix, Article, Section, clause, Schedule or Exhibit, as the case may be, of this Indenture;

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

(8) “including” means including without limitation;

(9) references to sections of, or rules under, the Securities Act or the Exchange Act shall be deemed to include substitute, replacement or successor sections or rules adopted by the Commission from time to time;

 

-39-


(10) unless otherwise provided, references to agreements and other instruments shall be deemed to include all amendments and other modifications to such agreements or instruments, but only to the extent such amendments and other modifications are not prohibited by the terms of this Indenture; and

(11) in the event that a transaction meets the criteria of more than one category of permitted transactions or listed exceptions, the Company may classify such transaction as it, in its sole discretion, determines.

Section 1.04 Acts of Holders.

(a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by an agent duly appointed in writing. Except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments or record or both are delivered to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company and the Guarantors. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent, or the holding by any Person of a Note, shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 7.01) conclusive in favor of the Trustee, the Company and the Guarantors, if made in the manner provided in this Section 1.04.

(b) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or writing may be proved (1) by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by the certificate of any notary public or other officer authorized by law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof or (2) in any other manner deemed reasonably sufficient by the Trustee. Where such execution is by or on behalf of any legal entity other than an individual, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute proof of the authority of the Person executing the same. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved in any other manner that the Trustee deems sufficient.

(c) The ownership of Notes shall be proved by the Note Register.

(d) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action by the Holder of any Note shall bind every future Holder of the same Note and the Holder of every Note issued upon the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof, in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by the Trustee, the Company or the Guarantors in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such Note.

(e) The Company may set a record date for purposes of determining the identity of Holders entitled to make, give or take any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided in this Indenture to be made, or to vote on or consent to any action authorized or permitted to be taken by Holders; provided that the Company may not set a record date for, and the provisions of this paragraph shall not apply with respect to, the giving or making of any notice, declaration, request or direction referred to in clause (f) below. Unless otherwise specified, if not set by the Company prior to the first solicitation of a Holder made by any Person in respect of any such action, or in the case of any such vote, prior to such vote, any such record date shall be the later of 30 days prior to the first solicitation of such consent or vote or the date of the most recent list of Holders furnished to the Trustee prior to such solicitation or vote. If any record date is set pursuant to this clause (e), the Holders on such record date, and only such Holders, shall be entitled to make, give or take such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action (including revocation of any action), whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date; provided that no such action

 

-40-


shall be effective hereunder unless made, given or taken on or prior to the applicable Expiration Date by Holders of the requisite principal amount of Notes, or each affected Holder, as applicable, on such record date. Promptly after any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Company, at its own expense, shall cause notice of such record date, the proposed action by Holders and the applicable Expiration Date to be given to the Trustee in writing and to each Holder in the manner set forth in Section 12.01.

(f) The Trustee may set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to join in the giving or making of (1) any notice of default under Section 6.01, (2) any declaration of acceleration referred to in Section 6.02, (3) any direction referred to in Section 6.05 or (4) any request to pursue a remedy as permitted in Section 6.06. If any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Holders on such record date, and no other Holders, shall be entitled to join in such notice, declaration, request or direction, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date; provided that no such action shall be effective hereunder unless made, given or taken on or prior to the applicable Expiration Date by Holders of the requisite principal amount of Notes or each affected Holder, as applicable, on such record date. Promptly after any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Trustee, at the Company’s expense, shall cause notice of such record date, the proposed action by Holders and the applicable Expiration Date to be given to the Company and to each Holder in the manner set forth in Section 12.01.

(g) Without limiting the foregoing, a Holder entitled to take any action hereunder with regard to any particular Note may do so with regard to all or any part of the principal amount of such Note or by one or more duly appointed agents, each of which may do so pursuant to such appointment with regard to all or any part of such principal amount. Any notice given or action taken by a Holder or its agents with regard to different parts of such principal amount pursuant to this paragraph shall have the same effect as if given or taken by separate Holders of each such different part.

(h) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, a Holder, including a Depositary that is the Holder of a Global Note, may make, give or take, by a proxy or proxies duly appointed in writing, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided in this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders, and a Depositary that is the Holder of a Global Note may provide its proxy or proxies to the beneficial owners of interests in any such Global Note through such Depositary’s standing instructions and customary practices.

(i) The Company may fix a record date for the purpose of determining the Persons who are beneficial owners of interests in any Global Note held by a Depositary entitled under the procedures of such Depositary, if any, to make, give or take, by a proxy or proxies duly appointed in writing, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided in this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders; provided that if such a record date is fixed, only the beneficial owners of interests in such Global Note on such record date or their duly appointed proxy or proxies shall be entitled to make, give or take such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, whether or not such beneficial owners remain beneficial owners of interests in such Global Note after such record date. No such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action shall be effective hereunder unless made, given or taken on or prior to the applicable Expiration Date.

(j) With respect to any record date set pursuant to this Section 1.04, the party hereto that sets such record date may designate any day as the “Expiration Date” and from time to time may change the Expiration Date to any earlier or later day; provided that no such change shall be effective unless notice of the proposed new Expiration Date is given to the other party hereto in writing, and to each Holder of Notes in the manner set forth in Section 12.01, on or prior to both the existing and the new Expiration Date. If an Expiration Date is not designated with respect to any record date set pursuant to

 

-41-


this Section 1.04, the party hereto which set such record date shall be deemed to have initially designated the 90th day after such record date as the Expiration Date with respect thereto, subject to its right to change the Expiration Date as provided in this clause (j).

ARTICLE 2

THE NOTES

Section 2.01 Form and Dating; Terms.

(a) Provisions relating to the Initial Notes, Additional Notes and any other Notes issued under this Indenture are set forth in Appendix A, which is hereby incorporated in and expressly made a part of this Indenture. The Notes and the Trustee’s certificate of authentication shall each be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, which is hereby incorporated in and expressly made a part of this Indenture. The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements required by law, rules or agreements with national securities exchanges to which the Company or any Guarantor is subject (and the Company shall promptly notify the Trustee in writing in the event the Notes are listed on any national securities exchange or delisted therefrom), if any, or usage (provided that any such notation, legend or endorsement is in a form acceptable to the Company). Each Note shall be dated the date of its authentication. The Notes shall be in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

(b) The aggregate principal amount of Notes that may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.

The terms and provisions contained in the Notes shall constitute, and are hereby expressly made, a part of this Indenture, and the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee, by their execution and delivery of this Indenture, expressly agree to such terms and provisions and to be bound thereby. However, to the extent any provision of any Note conflicts with the express provisions of this Indenture, the provisions of this Indenture shall govern and be controlling.

The Notes shall be subject to repurchase by the Company pursuant to an Offer to Purchase as provided in Section 4.14 or Section 4.15, and otherwise as not prohibited by this Indenture. The Notes shall not be redeemable, other than as provided in Article 3.

Additional Notes ranking pari passu with the Initial Notes may be created and issued from time to time by the Company without notice to or consent of the Holders and shall be consolidated with and form a single class with the Initial Notes and shall have the same terms as to status, redemption or otherwise (other than issue date, issue price and, if applicable, the first Interest Payment Date and the first date from which interest will accrue) as the Initial Notes; provided that the Company’s ability to issue Additional Notes shall be subject to the Company’s compliance with Section 4.09; and provided further that if any Additional Notes are not fungible with the Initial Notes for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such Additional Notes will be issued as a separate series under this Indenture and will have a separate CUSIP number and ISIN from the Initial Notes. Any Additional Notes shall be issued with the benefit of an indenture supplemental to this Indenture.

Section 2.02 Execution and Authentication.

(a) At least one Officer shall execute the Notes on behalf of the Company by manual or facsimile signature. If an Officer whose signature is on a Note no longer holds that office at the time a Note is authenticated, the Note shall nevertheless be valid.

 

-42-


(b) A Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose until authenticated substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto by the manual signature of an authorized signatory of the Trustee. The signature shall be conclusive evidence that the Note has been duly authenticated and delivered under this Indenture.

(c) On the Issue Date, the Trustee shall, upon receipt of a written order of the Company signed by an Officer (an “Authentication Order”), authenticate and deliver the Initial Notes. In addition, at any time and from time to time, the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, authenticate and deliver any Additional Notes in an aggregate principal amount specified in such Authentication Order for such Additional Notes issued hereunder. Each Authentication Order shall specify the amount of separate Note certificates to be authenticated, the principal amount of each of the Notes to be authenticated, the date on which the original issue of Notes is to be authenticated, the registered holder of each of the Notes and delivery instructions.

(d) The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent reasonably acceptable to the Company to authenticate Notes. An authenticating agent may authenticate Notes whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with Holders, the Company or an Affiliate of the Company.

(e) The Trustee shall authenticate and make available for delivery upon a written order of the Company signed by one Officer of the Company (a) Initial Notes for original issue on the Issue Date in an aggregate principal amount of $350,000,000, (b) subject to the terms of this Indenture, Additional Notes and (c) any other Unrestricted Global Notes issued in exchange for any of the foregoing in accordance with this Indenture. Such order shall specify the amount of the Notes to be authenticated, the date on which the original issue of Notes is to be authenticated and whether the Notes are to be Initial Notes, Additional Notes or other Unrestricted Global Notes.

Section 2.03 Registrar and Paying Agent.

(a) The Company shall maintain an office or agency where Notes may be presented for registration of transfer or for exchange (“Registrar”) and at least one office or agency where Notes may be presented for payment (“Paying Agent”). The Registrar shall keep a register of the Notes (“Note Register”) and of their transfer and exchange. The Company may appoint one or more co-registrars and one or more additional paying agents. The term “Registrar” includes any co-registrar, and the term “Paying Agent” includes any additional paying agent. The Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without prior notice to any Holder. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Indenture. If the Company fails to appoint or maintain another entity as Registrar or Paying Agent, the Trustee shall act as such. The Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or Registrar.

(b) The Company initially appoints DTC to act as Depositary with respect to the Global Notes. The Company initially appoints the Trustee to act as Paying Agent and Registrar for the Notes and to act as Custodian with respect to the Global Notes.

Section 2.04 Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.

The Company shall, no later than 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on each due date for the payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on any of the Notes, deposit with a Paying Agent a sum sufficient to pay such amount, such sum to be held in trust for the Holders entitled to the same, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company shall promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act. The Company shall require each Paying Agent other than the Trustee to agree in writing

 

-43-


that such Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of Holders or the Trustee all money held by such Paying Agent for the payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes, and shall notify the Trustee of any default by the Company in making any such payment. While any such default continues, the Trustee may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the Trustee. Upon payment over to the Trustee, a Paying Agent shall have no further liability for the money. If the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate and hold in a separate trust fund for the benefit of the Holders all money held by it as Paying Agent. Upon any bankruptcy or reorganization proceedings relating to the Company, the Trustee shall serve as Paying Agent for the Notes.

Section 2.05 Holder Lists.

The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of all Holders. If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee at least five Business Days before each Interest Payment Date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names and addresses of the Holders.

Section 2.06 Transfer and Exchange.

(a) The Notes shall be issued in registered form and shall be transferable only upon the surrender of a Note for registration of transfer and in compliance with Appendix A.

(b) To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate Global Notes and Definitive Notes upon receipt of an Authentication Order in accordance with Section 2.02 or at the Registrar’s request.

(c) No service charge shall be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Holders shall be required to pay any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes or similar governmental charge payable upon exchange or transfer pursuant to Sections 2.10, 3.06, 4.14, 4.15 and 9.04).

(d) All Global Notes and Definitive Notes issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of Global Notes or Definitive Notes shall be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Global Notes or Definitive Notes surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

(e) Neither the Company nor the Registrar shall be required (1) to issue, to register the transfer of or to exchange any Note during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of any selection of Notes for redemption under Section 3.02 and ending at the close of business on the day of selection, (2) to register the transfer of or to exchange any Note so selected for redemption, or tendered for repurchase (and not withdrawn) in connection with an Offer to Purchase under Section 4.14 or Section 4.15, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed or unpurchased portion of any Note being redeemed or repurchased in part or (3) to register the transfer of or to exchange any Note between a Record Date and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date.

(f) Prior to due presentment for the registration of a transfer of any Note, the Trustee, any Agent and the Company may deem and treat the Person in whose name any Note is registered as the absolute owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal, premium, if any, and (subject to the Record Date provisions of the Notes) interest on such Notes and for all other purposes, and none of the Trustee, any Agent or the Company shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

 

-44-


(g) Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Note at the office or agency of the Company designated pursuant to Section 4.01, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and mail, in the name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more replacement Notes of any authorized denomination or denominations of a like aggregate principal amount.

(h) At the option of the Holder, Notes may be exchanged for other Notes of any authorized denomination or denominations of a like aggregate principal amount upon surrender of the Notes to be exchanged at such office or agency. Whenever any Global Notes or Definitive Notes are so surrendered for exchange, in the case of Definitive Notes, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and mail, the replacement Definitive Notes, or in the case of Global Notes, the Company shall cause the positions in the Global Notes to be adjusted by the Trustee, each in accordance with which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to in accordance with the provisions of Appendix A.

(i) All certifications, certificates and Opinions of Counsel required to be submitted to the Registrar pursuant to this Section 2.06 to effect a registration of transfer or exchange may be submitted by mail or by facsimile or electronic transmission.

Section 2.07 Replacement Notes.

If a mutilated Note is surrendered to the Trustee or if a Holder claims that its Note has been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken and the Trustee receives evidence to its satisfaction of the ownership and loss, destruction or theft of such Note, the Company shall issue and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, shall authenticate a replacement Note if the Trustee’s requirements are otherwise met. If required by the Trustee or the Company, an indemnity bond must be provided by the Holder that is sufficient in the judgment of the Trustee to protect the Trustee and in the judgment of the Company to protect the Company, the Trustee, any Agent and any authenticating agent from any loss that any of them may suffer if a Note is replaced. The Company may charge the Holder for the expenses of the Company and the Trustee in replacing a Note. Every replacement Note is a contractual obligation of the Company and shall be entitled to all of the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with all other Notes duly issued hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.07, in case any mutilated, lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken Note has become or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may, instead of issuing a new Note, pay such Note.

Section 2.08 Outstanding Notes.

(a) The Notes outstanding at any time are all the Notes authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those delivered to it for cancellation, those reductions in the interest in a Global Note effected by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions hereof, and those described in this Section 2.08 as not outstanding. Except as set forth in Section 2.09, a Note does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an Affiliate of the Company holds the Note; provided that Notes held by the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company will not be deemed to be outstanding for purposes of Section 3.07(b).

(b) If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.07, it ceases to be outstanding unless the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the replaced Note is held by a protected purchaser, as such term is defined in Section 8-303 of the Uniform Commercial Code in effect in the State of New York.

(c) If the principal amount of any Note is considered paid under Section 4.01, it ceases to be outstanding and interest on it ceases to accrue from and after the date of such payment.

 

-45-


(d) If a Paying Agent (other than the Company, a Restricted Subsidiary or an Affiliate of any thereof) holds, on the maturity date, any redemption date or any date of purchase pursuant to an Offer to Purchase, money sufficient to pay Notes payable or to be redeemed or purchased on that date, then on and after that date such Notes shall be deemed to be no longer outstanding and shall cease to accrue interest.

Section 2.09 Treasury Notes.

In determining whether the Holders of the requisite principal amount of Notes have concurred in any direction, waiver or consent, Notes beneficially owned by the Company, or by any Affiliate of the Company, shall be considered as though not outstanding, except that for the purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only Notes that a Responsible Officer of the Trustee actually knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. Notes so owned which have been pledged in good faith shall not be disregarded if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee’s right to deliver any such direction, waiver or consent with respect to the Notes and that the pledgee is not the Company or any obligor upon the Notes or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Notes that are to be acquired by the Company or by any Affiliate of the Company pursuant to an exchange offer, tender offer or other agreement shall not be deemed to be owned by such entity until legal title to such Notes passes to such entity; provided, however, the Trustee shall not be charged with such knowledge until a Responsible Officer of the Trustee is so informed in writing.

Section 2.10 Temporary Notes.

Until definitive Notes are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, shall authenticate temporary Notes. Temporary Notes shall be substantially in the form of definitive Notes but may have variations that the Company considers appropriate for temporary Notes and as shall be reasonably acceptable to the Trustee. Without unreasonable delay, the Company shall prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate definitive Notes in exchange for temporary Notes. Holders and beneficial holders, as the case may be, of temporary Notes shall be entitled to all of the benefits accorded to Holders, or beneficial holders, respectively, of Notes under this Indenture.

Section 2.11 Cancellation.

The Company at any time may deliver Notes to the Trustee for cancellation. The Registrar and Paying Agent shall forward to the Trustee any Notes surrendered to them for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The Trustee or, at the direction of the Trustee, the Registrar or the Paying Agent and no one else shall cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of transfer, exchange, payment, replacement or cancellation and shall destroy cancelled Notes in accordance with its customary procedures (subject to the record retention requirement of the Exchange Act). Certification of the destruction of all cancelled Notes shall, upon the written request of the Company, be delivered to the Company. The Company may not issue new Notes to replace Notes that it has paid or that have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation.

Section 2.12 Defaulted Interest.

(a) If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Notes, it shall pay the defaulted interest in any lawful manner plus, to the extent lawful, interest payable on the defaulted interest, to the Persons who are Holders on a subsequent special record date, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of defaulted interest proposed to be paid on each Note and the date of the proposed payment, and at the

 

-46-


same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such defaulted interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such defaulted interest as provided in this Section 2.12. The Company shall fix or cause to be fixed each such special record date and payment date; provided that no such special record date shall be less than ten days prior to the related payment date for such defaulted interest. The Company shall promptly notify the Trustee of such special record date. At least 15 days before the special record date, the Company (or, upon the written request of the Company, the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company) shall mail or deliver by electronic transmission in accordance with the applicable procedures of the Depositary, or cause to be mailed or delivered by electronic transmission in accordance with the applicable procedures of the Depositary to each Holder a notice that states the special record date, the related payment date and the amount of such interest to be paid.

(b) Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.12 and for greater certainty, each Note delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange for or in lieu of any other Note shall carry the rights to interest accrued and unpaid, and to accrue interest, which were carried by such other Note.

Section 2.13 CUSIP and ISIN Numbers.

The Company in issuing the Notes may use CUSIP or ISIN numbers (if then generally in use) and, if so, the Trustee shall use CUSIP or ISIN numbers in notices of redemption or exchange or in Offers to Purchase as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption or exchange or in Offers to Purchase and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the Notes, and any such redemption or exchange or Offer to Purchase shall not be affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Company shall as promptly as practicable notify the Trustee in writing of any change in the CUSIP or ISIN numbers.

Section 2.14 Calculation of Principal Amount of Notes.

The aggregate principal amount of the Notes, at any date of determination, shall be the principal amount of the Notes at such date of determination. With respect to any matter requiring consent, waiver, approval or other action of the holders of a specified percentage of the principal amount of all the Notes, such percentage shall be calculated, on the relevant date of determination, by dividing (a) the principal amount, as of such date of determination, of Notes, the holders of which have so consented, by (b) the aggregate principal amount, as of such date of determination, of the Notes then outstanding, in each case, as determined in accordance with the preceding sentence and Section 2.09 of this Indenture. Any calculation of the Applicable Premium made pursuant to this Indenture or the Notes or made pursuant to this Section 2.14 shall be made by the Company and delivered to the Trustee pursuant to an Officer’s Certificate.

 

-47-


ARTICLE 3

REDEMPTION

Section 3.01 Notices to Trustee.

If the Company elects to redeem Notes pursuant to Section 3.07, it shall furnish to the Trustee, at least five Business Days before notice of redemption is required to be mailed or caused to be mailed to Holders pursuant to Section 3.03 (unless a shorter notice shall be agreed to by the Trustee) but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, an Officer’s Certificate setting forth (1) the paragraph or subparagraph of such Note or Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the redemption shall occur, (2) the redemption date, (3) the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed and (4) the Redemption Price, if then ascertainable.

Section 3.02 Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed or Purchased.

(a) If less than all of the Notes are to be redeemed pursuant to Section 3.07 or purchased in an Offer to Purchase at any time, the Trustee shall select the Notes or portions thereof to be redeemed by lot, pro rata or by any other method the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate (subject to DTC procedures as applicable). In the event of partial redemption or purchase by lot, the particular Notes to be redeemed or purchased shall be selected, unless otherwise provided herein, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the redemption date by the Trustee from the then outstanding Notes not previously called for redemption or purchase.

(b) The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the Notes selected for redemption or purchase and, in the case of any Note selected for partial redemption or purchase, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed or purchased. Notes and portions of Notes selected shall be in minimum amounts of $2,000 or integral multiples of $1,000; provided that no Notes of a minimum denomination of $2,000 in principal amount or less shall be redeemed in part. Except as provided in the preceding sentence, provisions of this Indenture that apply to Notes called for redemption or purchase also apply to portions of Notes called for redemption or purchase.

(c) After the redemption date or purchase date, upon surrender of a Note to be redeemed or purchased in part only, a new Note or Notes in principal amount equal to the unredeemed or unpurchased portion of the original Note, representing the same Debt to the extent not redeemed or not purchased, shall be issued in the name of the Holder of the Notes upon cancellation of the original Note (or appropriate book entries shall be made to reflect such partial redemption).

Section 3.03 Notice of Redemption.

(a) The Company shall mail or deliver by electronic transmission in accordance with the applicable procedures of the Depositary, or cause to be mailed (or delivered by electronic transmission in accordance with the applicable procedures of the Depositary) notices of redemption of Notes not less than 30 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed pursuant to this Article at such Holder’s registered address or otherwise in accordance with the applicable procedures of the Depositary, except that redemption notices may be mailed more than 60 days prior to a redemption date if the notice is issued in connection with Article 8 or Article 11. Except as set forth in Section 3.07(f), notices of redemption may not be conditional.

(b) The notice shall identify the Notes to be redeemed (including CUSIP and ISIN number, if applicable) and shall state:

 

-48-


(1) the redemption date;

(2) the Redemption Price, including the portion thereof representing any accrued and unpaid interest; provided that in connection with a redemption under Section 3.07(a), the notice need not set forth the Redemption Price but only the manner of calculation thereof;

(3) if any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the portion of the principal amount of that Note that is to be redeemed;

(4) the name and address of the Paying Agent;

(5) that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying Agent to collect the Redemption Price;

(6) that, unless the Company defaults in making such redemption payment or the Paying Agent is prohibited from making such payment pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, interest on Notes called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the redemption date;

(7) the paragraph or subparagraph of the Notes or Section of this Indenture pursuant to which the Notes called for redemption are being redeemed;

(8) that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the CUSIP or ISIN number, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Notes; and

(9) if applicable, any condition to such redemption.

(c) At the Company’s request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in the Company’s name and at the Company’s expense; provided that the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee, at least five Business Days before notice of redemption is required to be sent or caused to be sent to Holders pursuant to this Section 3.03 (unless a shorter notice shall be agreed to by the Trustee), an Officer’s Certificate requesting that the Trustee give such notice and setting forth the information to be stated in such notice as provided in Section 3.03(b).

Section 3.04 Effect of Notice of Redemption.

Once notice of redemption is mailed in accordance with Section 3.03, Notes called for redemption become irrevocably due and payable on the redemption date at the Redemption Price (except as provided for in Section 3.07(f)). The notice, if mailed or delivered by electronic transmission in a manner herein provided, shall be conclusively presumed to have been given, whether or not the Holder receives such notice. In any case, failure to give such notice or any defect in the notice to the Holder of any Note designated for redemption in whole or in part shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of any other Note. Subject to Section 3.05, on and after the redemption date, interest ceases to accrue on Notes or portions of Notes called for redemption.

Section 3.05 Deposit of Redemption or Purchase Price.

(a) No later than 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the redemption or purchase date (or such later time as such date to which the Trustee may reasonably agree), the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent money sufficient to pay the redemption or purchase price of and accrued and unpaid interest on all Notes to be redeemed or purchased on that date. If a Note is redeemed or purchased on or after a Record Date but on or prior to the related Interest Payment Date,

 

-49-


then any accrued and unpaid interest shall be paid to the Holder of record on such Record Date. The Paying Agent shall promptly mail to each Holder whose Notes are to be redeemed or repurchased the applicable redemption or purchase price thereof and accrued and unpaid interest thereon. Subject to applicable security procedures, the Trustee or the Paying Agent shall promptly return to the Company any money deposited with the Trustee or the Paying Agent by the Company in excess of the amounts necessary to pay the redemption or purchase price of, and accrued and unpaid interest on, all Notes to be redeemed or purchased.

(b) If the Company complies with the provisions of Section 3.05(a), on and after the redemption or purchase date, interest shall cease to accrue on the Notes or the portions of Notes called for redemption or purchase. If a Note is redeemed or purchased on or after a Record Date but on or prior to the related Interest Payment Date, then any accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption or purchase date in respect of such Note will be paid on such redemption or purchase date to the Person in whose name such Note is registered at the close of business on such Record Date. If any Note called for redemption or purchase shall not be so paid upon surrender for redemption or purchase because of the failure of the Company to comply with Section 3.05(a), interest shall be paid on the unpaid principal, from the redemption or purchase date until such principal is paid, and, to the extent lawful, on any interest accrued to the redemption or purchase date not paid on such unpaid principal, in each case at the rate provided in the Notes and in Section 4.01.

Section 3.06 Notes Redeemed or Purchased in Part.

Upon surrender of a Note that is redeemed or purchased in part, the Company shall issue and, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, the Trustee shall promptly authenticate and mail to the Holder (or cause to be transferred by book entry) at the expense of the Company a new Note equal in principal amount to the unredeemed or unpurchased portion of the Note surrendered representing the same Debt to the extent not redeemed or purchased; provided that each new Note shall be in a minimum principal amount of $2,000 or an integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. It is understood that, notwithstanding anything in this Indenture to the contrary, only an Authentication Order and not an Opinion of Counsel or Officer’s Certificate is required for the Trustee to authenticate such new Note.

Section 3.07 Optional Redemption.

(a) Prior to October 1, 2021, the Company may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, on one or more occasions, upon notice pursuant to Section 3.03, at a Redemption Price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes, plus the Applicable Premium, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date.

(b) Prior to October 1, 2021, the Company may from time to time, with the net cash proceeds of one or more Qualified Equity Offerings, redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes (calculated after giving effect to any issuance of Additional Notes), upon notice pursuant to Section 3.03, at a Redemption Price equal to 106.875% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to, but excluding, the date of redemption; provided that (1) at least 65% of the original aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding (calculated after giving effect to any issuance of Additional Notes) remains outstanding (unless all of such Notes are redeemed) immediately after the occurrence of any such redemption (excluding Notes held by the Company or its Subsidiaries) and (2) any such redemption occurs within 120 days following the closing of any such Qualified Equity Offering.

(c) Except pursuant to clause (a) or (b) of this Section 3.07, the Notes shall not be redeemable at the Company’s option prior to October 1, 2021.

 

-50-


(d) On and after October 1, 2021, the Company may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, on one or more occasions, upon notice pursuant to Section 3.03, at the Redemption Prices (expressed as a percentage of principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed) set forth below, plus accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes, if any, to, but excluding, the applicable date of redemption, if redeemed during the 12-month period beginning on October 1 of each of the years indicated below:

 

Year

   Percentage  

2021

     105.156

2022

     103.438

2023

     101.719

2024 and thereafter

     100.000

(e) Any redemption pursuant to this Section 3.07 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.01 through 3.06.

(f) Any redemption notice in connection with this Section 3.07 may, at the Company’s discretion, be subject to one or more conditions precedent, including the consummation of any related Qualified Equity Offering or other corporate transaction or event. In addition, if such redemption or notice is subject to satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, such notice shall state that, in the Company’s discretion, the redemption date may be delayed until such time as any or all such conditions shall be satisfied, or such redemption may not occur and such notice may be rescinded in the event that any or all such conditions shall not have been satisfied by the redemption date, or by the redemption date so delayed. If any such condition precedent has not been satisfied, the Company shall provide notice to the Trustee and each of the Holder of the Notes prior to the close of business on the Business Day prior to the redemption date. Upon receipt of such notice, the notice of redemption shall be rescinded and the redemption of the Notes shall not occur. If requested by the Company, upon receipt of the rescission notice, the Trustee shall provide such notice to each Holder of the Notes in the same manner in which the notice of redemption was given if such notice was delivered by the Trustee.

Section 3.08 Mandatory Redemption.

The Company will not be required to make any mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

ARTICLE 4

COVENANTS

Section 4.01 Payment of Notes.

(a) The Company will pay, or cause to be paid, the principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided in the Notes. Principal, premium, if any, and interest shall be considered paid on the date due if the Paying Agent, if other than the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, holds as of 11:00 a.m. (New York City) time, on the due date money deposited by the Company in immediately available funds and designated for and sufficient to pay the principal, premium, if any, and interest then due.

(b) The Company shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, at the rate equal to the then applicable interest rate on the Notes to the extent lawful; it shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest (without regard to any applicable grace period) at the same rate to the extent lawful.

 

-51-


Section 4.02 Maintenance of Office or Agency.

The Company shall maintain an office or agency (which may be an office of the Trustee or an Affiliate of the Trustee, Registrar or co-registrar) where Notes may be surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange and where notices and demands to or upon the Company and the Guarantors in respect of the Notes and this Indenture may be served. The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.

The Company may also from time to time designate additional offices or agencies where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations. The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

The Company hereby designates the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee as one such office or agency of the Company in accordance with Section 2.03.

Section 4.03 Taxes.

The Company shall pay, and shall cause each of its Restricted Subsidiaries to pay, prior to delinquency, all material taxes, assessments and governmental levies except (a) such as are being contested in good faith and by appropriate negotiations or proceedings or (b) where the failure to effect such payment is not adverse in any material respect to the Holders.

Section 4.04 Stay, Extension and Usury Laws.

The Company and each Guarantor covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it shall not at any time insist upon, plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay, extension or usury law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, that may affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company and each Guarantor (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law, and covenant that it shall not, by resort to any such law, hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but shall suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law has been enacted.

Section 4.05 Corporate Existence.

Subject to Article 5, the Company shall do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect (1) its corporate existence and the corporate, partnership, limited liability company or other existence of each of its Restricted Subsidiaries, in accordance with the respective organizational documents (as the same may be amended from time to time) of the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary and (2) the rights (charter and statutory), licenses and franchises of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that the Company shall not be required to preserve any such right, license or franchise, or the corporate, partnership, limited liability company or other existence of any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, if the Company in good faith shall determine that the preservation thereof is no longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

 

-52-


Section 4.06 Reports and Other Information.

(a) Notwithstanding that the Company may not be subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or otherwise report on an annual and quarterly basis on forms provided for such annual and quarterly reporting pursuant to the rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission, the Company will file with the Commission within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and regulations that are then applicable to the Company (or if the Company is not then subject to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, then the time periods for filing applicable to a filer that is not an “accelerated filer” as defined in such rules and regulations):

(1) all quarterly and annual financial information that would be required to be contained in a filing with the Commission on Forms 10-Q (or any successor or comparable form) and 10-K (or any successor or comparable form) if the Company were required to file such Forms, including a “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and, with respect to the annual information only, a report on the annual financial statements by the Company’s certified independent accountants; and

(2) all current reports that would be required to be filed with the Commission on Form 8-K (or any successor or comparable form) if the Company were required to file such reports,

in each case, in a manner that complies in all material respects with the requirements specified in such form.

(b) Notwithstanding Section 4.06(a), the Company will not be obligated to file such reports with the Commission if the Commission does not permit such filing, so long as the Company provides such information to the Trustee and the Holders and makes available such information to prospective purchasers of the Notes, in each case, at the Company’s expense and by the applicable date the Company would be required to file such information pursuant to Section 4.06(a). In addition, to the extent not satisfied by the foregoing, for so long as any Notes are outstanding, the Company will furnish to Holders and to prospective purchasers of the Notes, upon their request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.

(c) The requirements set forth in Section 4.06(a) and 4.06(b) may be satisfied by delivering such information to the Trustee and posting copies of such information on a website (which may be non-public and may be maintained by the Company or a third party) to which access will be given to Holders and prospective purchasers of the Notes.

(d) If the Company has designated any of its Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries (other than Unrestricted Subsidiaries that, when taken together with all other Unrestricted Subsidiaries, would not be a Significant Subsidiary), then the quarterly and annual financial information required by Section 4.06(a) shall include a reasonably detailed presentation, either on the face of the financial statements or in the footnotes thereto, and in the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” section, of the financial condition and results of operations of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries separate from the financial condition and results of operations of the Unrestricted Subsidiaries of the Company.

(e) Delivery of such reports, information and documents to the Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee’s receipt of such shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the Company’s compliance with any of its covenants under this Indenture (as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officer’s Certificates).

 

-53-


Section 4.07 Compliance Certificate.

(a) The Company will deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year ending after the Issue Date, a certificate from the principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer stating that a review of the activities of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal year has been made under the supervision of the signing Officer with a view to determining whether the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled their obligations under this Indenture, and further stating, as to such Officer signing such certificate, that to the best of his or her knowledge, the Company has kept, observed, performed and fulfilled each and every condition and covenant contained in this Indenture and is not in default in the performance or observance of any of the terms, provisions, covenants and conditions of this Indenture (or, if a Default shall have occurred, describing all such Defaults of which he or she may have knowledge and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto).

(b) When any Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing under this Indenture, or if the Trustee or the holder of any other evidence of Debt of the Company or any Subsidiary gives any notice or takes any other action with respect to a claimed Default or Event of Default, the Company will promptly (which shall be within five Business Days following the date on which the Company becomes aware of such Default or Event of Default, receives notice of such Default or Event of Default or becomes aware of such action, as applicable,) send to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate specifying such event, its status and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect thereof.

Section 4.08 Limitation on Restricted Payments.

(a) The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, make any Restricted Payment unless, at the time of and after giving effect to the proposed Restricted Payment:

(1) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or will result as a consequence thereof;

(2) after giving effect to such Restricted Payment on a pro forma basis, the Company would be permitted to Incur at least $1.00 of additional Debt pursuant to Section 4.09(a); and

(3) after giving effect to such Restricted Payment on a pro forma basis, the aggregate amount expended or declared for all Restricted Payments made on or after the Issue Date (including Restricted Payments permitted by clauses (1), (8), and (11) of Section 4.08(b), but excluding all other Restricted Payments permitted by Section 4.08(b)) shall not exceed the sum (without duplication) of:

(i) 50% of the Consolidated Net Income (or, if Consolidated Net Income shall be a deficit, minus 100% of such deficit) of the Company accrued on a cumulative basis during the period (taken as one accounting period) from the Issue Date and ending on the last day of the fiscal quarter immediately preceding the date of such proposed Restricted Payment; plus

(ii) 100% of the aggregate net proceeds (including the Fair Market Value of property other than cash) received by the Company on or after the Issue Date either (A) as a contribution to its Qualified Capital Interests or (B) from the issuance and sale (other than to a Subsidiary) of its Qualified Capital Interests, including Qualified

 

-54-


Capital Interests issued upon the conversion of Debt or Redeemable Capital Interests of the Company, and from the exercise of options, warrants or other rights to purchase such Qualified Capital Interests (other than, in each case, net proceeds received from an issuance or sale of Capital Interests or Debt sold to a Subsidiary of the Company or to an employee stock ownership plan or similar trust); plus

(iii) the amount equal to the net reduction on or after the Issue Date in Restricted Investments made by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in any Person resulting from:

(A) repurchases or redemptions of such Restricted Investments by such Person, proceeds realized upon the sale of such Restricted Investment to an unaffiliated purchaser, repayments of loans or advances or other transfers of assets (including by way of dividend or distribution) by such Person to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (other than for reimbursement of tax payments) and the amount of any cancellation of any guarantee or other contingent obligation constituting a Restricted Investment; or

(B) to the extent that any Unrestricted Subsidiary of the Company designated as such on and after the Issue Date is redesignated as a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to the terms of this Indenture, an amount not to exceed the amount of Investments previously made by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in such Unrestricted Subsidiary;

which amount in each case under this clause (iii) was previously included in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments; provided, however, that no amount will be included under this clause (iii) to the extent it is already included in Consolidated Net Income; plus

(iv) 100% of any dividends or interest payments received by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary on or after the Issue Date from an Unrestricted Subsidiary, to the extent such dividends or interest payments were not otherwise included in the calculation of Consolidated Net Income of the Company for such period; plus

(v) $100.0 million.

(b) Notwithstanding whether Section 4.08(a) would prohibit the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries from making a Restricted Payment, the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may make the following Restricted Payments:

(1) the payment of any dividend or distribution on Capital Interests in the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary or the consummation of any irrevocable redemption of Subordinated Obligations, within 60 days after declaration thereof or the delivery of any irrevocable notice of redemption, as the case may be, if at the declaration date or date of the notice of redemption, as the case may be, such payment or redemption was permitted by this Section 4.08;

(2) the purchase, repurchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement of any Capital Interests or Subordinated Obligations of the Company or any Guarantor by conversion into, or by or in exchange for, Qualified Capital Interests, or out of net cash proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale (other than to a Subsidiary of the Company) of other

 

-55-


Qualified Capital Interests of the Company; provided that the amount of any such net cash proceeds that are utilized for any such Restricted Payment will not be considered to be net proceeds of Qualified Capital Interests for purposes of clause (3)(ii) of Section 4.08(a) and will not be considered to be net cash proceeds from a Qualified Equity Offering for purposes of Section 3.07;

(3) the redemption, defeasance, repurchase or acquisition or retirement for value of any Subordinated Obligations of the Company or any Guarantor made by conversion into, or in exchange for, or out of the net cash proceeds of a substantially concurrent issue and sale of, Subordinated Obligations of the Company or any redemption, defeasance, repurchase or acquisition or retirement for value of Subordinated Obligations of any Guarantor made by conversion into or in exchange for, or out of the net cash proceeds of a substantially concurrent issue and sale of Subordinated Obligations of a Guarantor, so long as such refinancing Subordinated Obligations are permitted to be Incurred pursuant to Section 4.09 and constitute Refinancing Debt;

(4) the purchase, redemption, retirement or other acquisition for value of Capital Interests in the Company held by any future, present or former employee, director or consultant of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (or their estates or beneficiaries under their estates) pursuant to any management equity plan or stock option plan or any other management or employee benefit plan or agreement, or any stock subscription or shareholder agreement or pursuant to the terms of any agreement or plan under which such Capital Interests were issued; provided that the aggregate cash consideration paid for such purchase, redemption, retirement or other acquisition of such Capital Interests does not exceed $10.0 million in any calendar year; provided, further, that any unused amounts in any calendar year may be carried forward to one or more future periods subject to a maximum aggregate amount of repurchases made pursuant to this clause (4) in any calendar year not to exceed $20.0 million in the aggregate, although such amount in any calendar year may be increased by an amount not to exceed (i) the cash proceeds received by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries from the sale of Qualified Capital Interests of the Company or any direct or indirect parent company of the Company (to the extent contributed to the Company) to any future, present or former employee, director or consultant of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (or their estates or beneficiaries under their estates) that occurs after the Issue Date; plus (ii) the cash proceeds of key man life insurance policies received by the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries after the Issue Date; less the amount of any Restricted Payments made since the Issue Date with the cash proceeds described in clauses (i) and (ii) of this clause (4); and in addition, cancellation of Debt owing to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary from members of management of the Company or any of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries, not to exceed $2.5 million in the aggregate, in connection with a repurchase of Capital Interests of the Company will not be deemed to constitute a Restricted Payment for purposes of this covenant or any other provision of this Indenture;

(5) repurchase of Capital Interests deemed to occur upon (i) the exercise of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units, warrants or other convertible or exchangeable securities or (ii) for purposes of satisfying any required tax withholding obligation upon the exercise or vesting of a grant or award that was granted or awarded to an employee;

(6) cash payment, in lieu of issuance of fractional shares, in connection with the exercise of warrants, options or other securities convertible into or exchangeable for the Capital Interests of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary;

 

-56-


(7) the declaration and payment of dividends to holders of any class or series of Redeemable Capital Interests of the Company issued or Incurred in compliance with Section 4.09 to the extent such dividends are included in the definition of “Consolidated Fixed Charges”;

(8) the defeasance, redemption, repurchase or other acquisition of any Subordinated Obligations (a) in the event of a Change of Control pursuant to provisions substantially similar to those described under Section 4.14 or (b) pursuant to provisions substantially similar to those described under Section 4.15; provided that prior to or contemporaneously with such defeasance, redemption, repurchase or other acquisition, the Company has made an Offer to Purchase with respect to the Notes and has repurchased all Notes validly tendered for payment and not withdrawn in connection therewith;

(9) other Restricted Payments that do not exceed in the aggregate, at the time such Restricted Payments are made, $100.0 million;

(10) any Restricted Payment so long as on the date of such Restricted Payment, after giving pro forma effect thereto and to any related transactions as if the same had occurred at the beginning of the Company’s most recently ended Four Quarter Period for which internal financial statements are available, the Company’s Net Leverage Ratio would not have exceeded 3.50 to 1.00;

(11) the payment of cash dividends on shares of the Company’s outstanding common stock; provided that the aggregate dollar amount of such dividends in any calendar year shall not exceed $100.0 million;

(12) the distribution, by dividend or otherwise, of shares of Capital Interests of, or Debt owed to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company by, Unrestricted Subsidiaries (other than Unrestricted Subsidiaries, the primary assets of which are cash and/or Eligible Cash Equivalents);

(13) the repurchase, redemption or other acquisition for value of Capital Interests or other securities convertible into or exercisable for Capital Interests of the Company deemed to occur in connection with paying cash in lieu of fractional shares of such Capital Interests in connection with a share dividend, distribution, share split, reverse share split, merger, consolidation, amalgamation or other business combination of the Company, or conversion thereof, in each case, permitted under this Indenture; and

(14) the distributions or payments of Receivables Fees.

provided, however, that at the time of and after giving effect to any Restricted Payment permitted under clauses (7), (8), (9), (10), (11) and (12) of this Section 4.08(b), no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a consequence thereof.

(c) For purposes of this Section 4.08, if a particular Restricted Payment involves a non-cash payment, including a distribution of assets, then such Restricted Payment shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the cash portion of such Restricted Payment, if any, plus an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of the non-cash portion of such Restricted Payment. The Fair Market Value of any assets or securities that are required to be valued by this Section 4.08 will be determined conclusively by the Company acting in good faith.

(d) For purposes of this Section 4.08, if any Investment or Restricted Payment (or a portion thereof) would be permitted pursuant to one or more provisions described above and/or one or

 

-57-


more of the exceptions contained in the definition of “Permitted Investments,” the Company may divide and classify such Investment or Restricted Payment (or a portion thereof) in any manner that complies with this covenant and may later divide and reclassify any such Investment or Restricted Payment so long as the Investment or Restricted Payment (as so divided and/or reclassified) would be permitted to be made in reliance on the applicable exception as of the date of such reclassification.

Section 4.09 Limitation on Incurrence of Debt.

(a) The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, Incur any Debt (including Acquired Debt); provided, that the Company and any of the Guarantors may Incur any Acquired Debt or any other Debt if:

(1) immediately after giving effect to the Incurrence of such Debt and the receipt and application of the proceeds therefrom, the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, determined on a pro forma basis as if any such Debt (including any other Debt being Incurred contemporaneously), and any other Debt Incurred since the beginning of the Four Quarter Period, had been Incurred and the proceeds thereof had been applied at the beginning of the Four Quarter Period, and any other Debt repaid (other than Debt Incurred under the revolving portion of a Debt Facility) since the beginning of the Four Quarter Period had been repaid at the beginning of the Four Quarter Period, would be at least 2.00 to 1.00; and

(2) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time or as a consequence of the Incurrence of such Debt.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 4.09(a), the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries may Incur Permitted Debt.

(c) For purposes of determining compliance with this Section 4.09, in the event that an item of Debt (or any portion thereof) meets the criteria of more than one of the categories of Permitted Debt or is permitted to be Incurred under Section 4.09(a), the Company, in its sole discretion, shall classify or divide, and from time to time may reclassify or redivide, all or any portion of such item of Debt in any manner that complies with this Section 4.09, including the definition of “Permitted Debt”; provided that all Debt outstanding on the Issue Date under the Senior Credit Facilities, and all Debt (or the portion thereof) Incurred under clause (1) of the definition of “Permitted Debt”, shall be deemed Incurred under clause (1) of the definition of “Permitted Debt” and not Section 4.09(a) or clause (4) of the definition of “Permitted Debt” and may not later be reclassified. At the time of Incurrence, the Company will be entitled to divide and classify an item of Debt in more than one of the types of Debt described in Sections 4.09(a) and (b) above. If obligations in respect of letters of credit are Incurred pursuant to a Debt Facility and relate to other Debt, then such letters of credit shall be treated as Incurred pursuant to clause (1) of the definition of “Permitted Debt” and such other Debt shall not be included. In addition, except as provided in the preceding sentence of this Section 4.09(c), Guarantees of, or obligations in respect of letters of credit relating to, Debt that is otherwise included in the determination of a particular amount of Debt shall not be included.

(d) For purposes of determining compliance of any non-U.S. dollar-denominated Debt with this Section 4.09, the U.S. dollar-equivalent principal amount of Debt denominated in a foreign currency shall at all times be calculated based on the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date such Debt was Incurred, in the case of term Debt, or first committed, in the case of revolving credit Debt; provided, however, that if such Debt is Incurred to refinance other Debt denominated in the same or different currency, and such refinancing would cause the applicable U.S. dollar-denominated restriction to be exceeded if calculated at the relevant currency exchange rate in effect on the date of such refinancing,

 

-58-


such U.S. dollar-denominated restriction shall be deemed not to have been exceeded so long as the principal amount of such Refinancing Debt does not exceed the principal amount of such Debt being refinanced. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 4.09, the maximum amount of Debt that the Company may Incur pursuant to this Section 4.09 shall not be deemed to be exceeded solely as a result of fluctuations in the exchange rate of currencies. The principal amount of any Debt Incurred to refinance other Debt, if Incurred in a different currency from the Debt being refinanced, shall be calculated based on the currency exchange rate applicable to the currencies in which such Refinancing Debt is denominated that is in effect on the date of such refinancing.

(e) The accrual of interest, accrual of dividends, the accretion of accreted value, the accretion or amortization of debt discount or original issue discount and the payment of interest on Debt in the form of additional Debt and the payment of dividends on Capital Interests in the form of additional shares of Capital Interests (other than Redeemable Capital Interests) will not be deemed to be an Incurrence of Debt for purposes of this Section 4.09.

(f) The following shall not be deemed a separate Incurrence of Debt: (1) the obligation to pay a premium in respect of Debt arising in connection with the issuance of a notice of redemption or making a mandatory offer to purchase such Debt, (2) in the context of the Incurrence of any Refinancing Debt, any additional Debt Incurred to pay premiums (including tender premiums), underwriting discounts, defeasance costs, accrued and unpaid interest, fees and expenses and other costs in connection with such refinancing and (3) unrealized losses or charges in respect of Hedging Obligations.

(g) The Company will not, and will not permit any Guarantor to, directly or indirectly, Incur any Debt (including Acquired Debt) that is or purports to be by its terms (or by the terms of any agreement governing such Debt) subordinated or junior in right of payment to any other Debt (including Acquired Debt) of the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, unless such Debt is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Notes or such Guarantor’s Guarantee, as the case may be, to the same extent and in the same manner as such Debt is subordinated to such other Debt of the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be. For purposes of the foregoing, no Debt will be deemed to be contractually subordinate or junior in right of payment to any other Debt solely by virtue of (1) being unsecured or (2) its having a junior priority with respect to the same collateral.

Section 4.10 Limitation on Liens.

The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, enter into, create, Incur, assume or suffer to exist any Liens of any kind (other than Permitted Liens) on or with respect to any of its property or assets (including Capital Interests of Subsidiaries), or income or profits therefrom, or assign or convey any right to receive income therefrom, now owned or hereafter acquired or any of its interest therein or any income or profits therefrom, which Liens secure Debt, unless contemporaneously with the Incurrence of such Liens:

(1) in the case of Liens securing Subordinated Obligations, the Notes and related Note Guarantees are secured by a Lien on such property, assets or proceeds that is senior in priority to such Liens; or

(2) in all other cases, the Notes and related Note Guarantees are equally and ratably secured or are secured by a Lien on such property, assets or proceeds that is senior in priority to such Liens.

 

-59-


Any Lien created for the benefit of Holders pursuant to this Section 4.10 shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged upon the release and discharge of each of the related Liens described in clauses (1) and (2) above.

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

Section 4.11 Future Guarantors.

(a) On the Issue Date or thereafter, if any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary (other than an Immaterial Subsidiary), including any newly-acquired or newly-created Restricted Subsidiary that is a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary, is or becomes a borrower under the Senior Credit Facilities or Guarantees the Obligations under the Senior Credit Facilities or any other syndicated loan or capital markets Debt of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of at least $40.0 million in principal amount, then that Restricted Subsidiary shall become a Guarantor by execution of a supplemental indenture substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto within 30 days of the date of such event, pursuant to which such Subsidiary will irrevocably and unconditionally Guarantee, on a joint and several basis, the full and prompt payment of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest in respect of the Notes on a senior basis and all other Obligations under this Indenture; provided, however, that (x)(i) no Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be required to become a Guarantor or (ii) any Restricted Subsidiary that constitutes an Immaterial Subsidiary need not become a Guarantor until such time as it ceases to be an Immaterial Subsidiary, within 30 days of which it shall provide a Guarantee as contemplated above and (y) no Restricted Subsidiary that is a Foreign Subsidiary shall be required to become a Guarantor unless it becomes a borrower under the Senior Credit Facilities or Guarantees Obligations under the Senior Credit Facilities or under any other syndicated loan or capital markets Debt of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is not a Foreign Subsidiary of at least $40.0 million in principal amount.

(b) The Company may elect, in its sole discretion, to cause any Subsidiary that is not otherwise required to be a Guarantor to become a Guarantor, in which case such Subsidiary shall only be required to execute and deliver a supplemental indenture to this Indenture substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto providing for a Guarantee by such Subsidiary.

(c) Each Note Guarantee by a Restricted Subsidiary will be limited to an amount not to exceed the maximum amount that can be guaranteed by that Restricted Subsidiary without rendering the Guarantee, as it relates to such Restricted Subsidiary, voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally.

(d) Each Note Guarantee shall be released in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.06.

Section 4.12 Limitation on Dividend and other Payment Restrictions Affecting Restricted Subsidiaries.

(a) The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries that is not a Guarantor to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or permit to exist or become effective or enter into any consensual encumbrance or consensual restriction on the ability of such Restricted Subsidiary to:

 

-60-


(1) pay dividends or make any other distributions on its Capital Interests owned by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, or with respect to any other interest or participation in, or measured by, its profits, or pay any Debt owed to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (it being understood that the priority of any Preferred Interests in receiving dividends or liquidating distributions prior to dividends or liquidating distributions being paid on Common Interests shall not be deemed a restriction on the ability to make distributions in Capital Interests);

(2) make loans or advances to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (it being understood that the subordination of loans or advances made to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary to other Debt Incurred by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary shall not be deemed a restriction on the ability to make loans or advances); or

(3) sell, lease or transfer any of its property or assets to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (it being understood that such transfers shall not include any type of transfer described in clause (1) or (2) of this Section 4.12(a)).

(b) Section 4.12(a) will not apply to the following encumbrances or restrictions (including those existing under or by reason of):

(1) contractual encumbrances or restrictions pursuant to (A) the Senior Credit Facilities and related documentation and (B) other agreements or instruments in effect at or entered into on the Issue Date;

(2) any encumbrance or restriction under this Indenture, the Notes and the Note Guarantees;

(3) any encumbrance or restriction existing at the time of the acquisition of property, so long as the encumbrances or restrictions relate solely to the property so acquired (and are not or were not created in anticipation of or in connection with the acquisition thereof);

(4) any encumbrance or restriction which exists with respect to a Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or merges with or into a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company on or after the Issue Date, which is in existence at the time such Person becomes a Restricted Subsidiary or merges with or into a Restricted Subsidiary, but not created in connection with or in anticipation of such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary or merging with or into a Restricted Subsidiary, and which is not applicable to any Person or the property or assets of any Person other than such Person or the property or assets of such Person;

(5) any encumbrance or restriction pursuant to an agreement effecting a permitted renewal, refunding, replacement, refinancing or extension of Debt issued pursuant to an agreement containing any encumbrance or restriction referred to in the foregoing clauses (1) through (4) and clauses (14) and (17) , so long as such encumbrances and restrictions contained in any such agreement are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, with respect to such encumbrances and restrictions than those contained in the agreements governing the Debt being renewed, refunded, replaced, refinanced or extended in the good faith judgment of the Company;

(6) customary provisions restricting subletting or assignment of any lease, sublease, contract, or license of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or provisions in agreements that restrict the assignment of such agreement or any rights thereunder;

 

-61-


(7) any encumbrance or restriction by reason of applicable law, rule, regulation, order, approval, license, permit or similar restriction;

(8) any encumbrance or restriction in connection with the sale of assets or Capital Interests, including, without limitation, any agreement for the sale or other disposition of a Subsidiary that restricts distributions by that Subsidiary pending its sale or other disposition;

(9) restrictions on cash and other deposits or net worth imposed by direct or indirect customers or suppliers under contracts entered into the ordinary course of business;

(10) encumbrances and restrictions under any instrument governing Debt or Capital Interests of a Person acquired by the Company or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries as in effect at the time of such acquisition (except to the extent such Debt or Capital Interests were Incurred or issued in connection with or in contemplation of such acquisition), which encumbrance or restriction is not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person, other than the Person, or the property or assets of the Person, so acquired; provided that, in the case of Debt, such Debt was permitted by the terms of this Indenture to be Incurred;

(11) encumbrances or restrictions that are customary provisions with respect to the disposition or distribution of assets or property in joint venture agreements, asset sale agreements, stock sale agreements, sale leaseback agreements and other similar agreements;

(12) encumbrances and restrictions arising in respect of Debt (including Capital Lease Obligations, Synthetic Lease Obligations and Purchase Money Debt) Incurred to finance the purchase, lease, construction or improvement of property (real or personal) or equipment acquired in the ordinary course of business permitted under this Indenture, in each case, to the extent such restrictions and encumbrances apply to the property or assets so acquired (and proceeds thereof) and are of the nature described in clause (3) of Section 4.12(a);

(13) in the case of clause (3) of Section 4.12(a), Liens securing Debt or other obligations otherwise permitted to be Incurred under this Indenture, including pursuant to the provisions of Section 4.10 that limit the right of the debtor to dispose of the assets subject to such Liens;

(14) any other agreement governing Debt entered into after the Issue Date in compliance with Section 4.09 that contains encumbrances and restrictions that are, in the good faith judgment of the Company, not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, with respect to any Restricted Subsidiary than those in effect on the Issue Date with respect to that Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to agreements in effect on the Issue Date;

(15) restrictions on the sale, lease or transfer of property or assets arising or agreed to in the ordinary course of business, not relating to any Debt, and that do not, individually or in the aggregate, detract from the value of property or assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in any manner material to the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole;

(16) encumbrances or restrictions arising under deferred compensation arrangements or any “rabbi trust” formed in connection with any such arrangement;

(17) encumbrances or restrictions arising under other Debt, Redeemable Capital Interests or Preferred Interests of Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries permitted to be incurred subsequent to the Issue Date pursuant to Section 4.09; provided that (i) such encumbrances and

 

-62-


restrictions contained in any agreement or instrument will not materially affect the Company’s ability to make anticipated principal or interest payments on the Notes (as determined by the Company in good faith) or (ii) such encumbrances and restrictions are not materially more restrictive, taken as a whole, with respect to any Restricted Subsidiary than those in effect on the Issue Date with respect to that Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to agreements in effect on the Issue Date (as determined by the Company in good faith); and

(18) restrictions created in connection with any Receivables Facility that, in the good faith determination of the Company, are necessary or advisable to effect such Receivables Facility.

Section 4.13 Transactions with Affiliates.

(a) The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to make any payment to, or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets to, or purchase any property or assets from, or enter into or make or amend any transaction or series of related transactions, contract, agreement, loan, advance or guarantee with, or for the benefit of, any Affiliate of the Company (each of the foregoing, an “Affiliate Transaction”) involving with respect to each such Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions aggregate consideration in excess of $7.5 million, unless:

(1) such Affiliate Transaction is on terms that are not materially less favorable, taken as a whole, to the Company or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that could have been obtained in a comparable arm’s-length transaction by the Company or such Subsidiary with a Person that is not an Affiliate; and

(2) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of $25.0 million, the Company delivers to the Trustee a resolution adopted by a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the Company and by a majority of the members of such Board of Directors having no personal stake in such transaction, if any, approving such Affiliate Transaction together with an Officer’s Certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction complies with clause (1) of this Section 4.13(a).

(b) Section 4.13(a) will not limit, and shall not apply to:

(1) Restricted Payments that are permitted by the provisions of this Indenture described under Section 4.08 or under the definition of “Permitted Investment”.

(2) the provision of reasonable and customary compensation, indemnities, insurance and other benefits to members of the Board of Directors of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary and others who are not otherwise Affiliates of the Company;

(3) the provision of reasonable and customary compensation and other benefits (including retirement, health, option, severance, deferred compensation and other benefit plans), indemnities and insurance to officers, directors, employees or consultants of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business to the extent permitted by law;

(4) transactions between or among the Company and/or its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than a Receivables Subsidiary) or any entity that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Receivables Subsidiary) as a result of such transaction;

 

-63-


(5) any agreement or arrangement as in effect on the Issue Date and any amendment or modification thereto so long as such amendment or modification is not more disadvantageous, taken as a whole, in any material respect to the Holders than the agreement or arrangement in existence on the Issue Date;

(6) the issuance or transfer of Capital Interests (other than Redeemable Capital Interests) of the Company and the granting of registration and other customary rights in connection therewith or any contribution to capital of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary;

(7) transactions permitted by, and complying with, the provisions of Article 5;

(8) (i) any transaction with a joint venture, partnership, limited liability company or other entity that constitutes an Affiliate solely because the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary owns an equity interest in such joint venture, partnership, limited liability company or other entity and (ii) transactions with joint ventures for the purchase or sale of goods, equipment and services entered into in the ordinary course of business;

(9) transactions with customers, clients, suppliers or purchasers or sellers of goods or services, or lessors or lessees of property, in each case in the ordinary course of business that are fair to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, as determined in good faith by the Company, or are on terms that could be obtained in a comparable arm’s-length transaction with a Person that is not an Affiliate of the Company;

(10) sales or leases of goods or the provision of other services to joint ventures and Affiliates (but excluding any officers or directors) in the ordinary course of business;

(11) any employment, severance or consulting agreement or other compensation agreement, arrangement or plan, or any amendment thereto, entered into by the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business;

(12) sales of Capital Interests (excluding Capital Interests constituting Debt) to Affiliates of the Company;

(13) any transaction in which the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries, as the case may be, deliver to the Trustee (a) a letter from an accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm of national standing stating that such transaction is fair to the Company or its Restricted Subsidiary from a financial point of view or that such transaction complies with clause (1) of Section 4.13(a) and (b) an Officer’s Certificate certifying that such transaction complies with clause (1) of Section 4.13(a);

(14) transactions between the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and any Person that constitutes an Affiliate solely because a director of which is also a director of the Company; provided that such director abstains from voting as a director of the Company on any matter involving such other Person;

(15) transactions with Unrestricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business that are, in the aggregate (taking into account all of the costs and benefits associated with such transactions), on terms that are not materially less favorable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, as determined in good faith by the Company, than those that could be obtained in a comparable arm’s-length transaction with a Person that is not an Affiliate of the Company;

 

-64-


(16) payments or loans (or cancellation of loans) to employees, officers, directors or consultants of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries and employment agreements, stock option plans and other similar arrangements with such employees, directors or consultants which, in each case, are approved by the Company in good faith;

(17) sales of accounts receivable and related assets, or participations therein, in connection with any Receivables Facility; and

(18) any purchases by the Company’s Affiliates of Debt, Redeemable Capital Interests or Preferred Interests of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries the majority of which Debt, Redeemable Capital Interests or Preferred Interests is purchased by Persons who are not the Company’s Affiliates; provided that such purchases by the Company’s Affiliates are on the same terms as such purchases by such Persons who are not the Company’s Affiliates.

Section 4.14 Offer to Repurchase Upon Change of Control.

(a) Within 30 days following the occurrence of a Change of Control, unless the Company has given a notice of redemption with respect to all of the Notes pursuant to Sections 3.03 and 3.07, the Company will make an Offer to Purchase all of the outstanding Notes at a Purchase Price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount of the Notes tendered, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to but not including the Purchase Date (the “Change of Control Payment”).

(b) On the Purchase Date, the Company will, to the extent lawful:

(1) accept for payment all Notes or portions of Notes (in integral multiples of $1,000) properly tendered pursuant to the Offer to Purchase; provided that if, following repurchase of a portion of a Note, the remaining principal amount of such Note outstanding immediately after such repurchase would be less than a minimum of $2,000, then the portion of such Note so repurchased shall be reduced so that the remaining principal amount of such Note outstanding immediately after such repurchase is at a minimum denomination of $2,000;

(2) deposit with the applicable Paying Agent an amount equal to the Purchase Price in respect of all Notes or portions of Notes so tendered; and

(3) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee for cancellation the Notes so accepted together with an Officer’s Certificate stating the aggregate principal amount of Notes or portions of Notes being purchased by the Company in accordance with the terms of this Section 4.14.

(c) The applicable Paying Agent will promptly mail (or otherwise deliver in accordance with the applicable procedures of DTC) to each Holder of Notes so tendered the Purchase Price for such Notes, and the Trustee, upon receipt of an Authentication Order from the Company, will promptly authenticate and mail (or otherwise deliver in accordance with the applicable procedures of DTC) (or cause to be transferred by book entry) to each Holder a new Note (it being understood that, notwithstanding anything in this Indenture to the contrary, no Opinion of Counsel or Officer’s Certificate will be required for the Trustee to authenticate and mail or deliver such new Note) equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered, if any; provided that each such new Note will be in a minimum principal amount of $2,000 or integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

 

-65-


(d) If a Purchase Date is on or after a Record Date and on or before the related Interest Payment Date, any accrued and unpaid interest to the Purchase Date will be paid on the Purchase Date to the Person in whose name a Note is registered at the close of business on such Record Date.

(e) If Holders of not less than 90% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes validly tender and do not withdraw such Notes in an Offer to Purchase the Notes upon a Change of Control and the Company, or any third party making an offer to purchase the Notes upon a Change of Control in lieu of the Company purchases all of the Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn by such Holders, the Company shall have the right, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days’ prior written notice, given not more than 30 days following the Purchase Date, to redeem all Notes that remain outstanding following such purchase at a Redemption Price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption.

(f) The Company will comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other applicable securities laws or regulations in connection with any repurchase of the Notes pursuant to this Section 4.14. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the provisions of this Indenture, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will be deemed to have complied with its obligations under this Indenture by virtue of such compliance.

(g) Other than as specifically provided in this Section 4.14, any purchase pursuant to this Section 4.14 shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3.02, 3.05 and 3.06.

(h) The Company will not be required to make an Offer to Purchase upon a Change of Control if (1) a third party makes such an Offer to Purchase contemporaneously with or upon a Change of Control in the manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements of this Indenture and purchases all Notes validly tendered and not validly withdrawn under such Offer to Purchase or (2) a notice of redemption for all then outstanding Notes has been given pursuant to Sections 3.03 and 3.07, unless and until there is a default in payment of the applicable Redemption Price or the redemption is not consummated due to the failure of a condition precedent contained in the applicable notice of redemption to be satisfied.

(i) An Offer to Purchase may be made in advance of a Change of Control, conditional upon such Change of Control, if a definitive agreement is in place for the Change of Control at the time the Offer to Purchase is made.

Section 4.15 Limitation on Asset Sales.

(a) The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, consummate an Asset Sale, unless:

(1) the Company (or the Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be) receives consideration at the time of the Asset Sale at least equal to the Fair Market Value (measured as of the date of the definitive agreement with respect to such Asset Sale) of the assets or Capital Interests issued or sold or otherwise disposed of; and

(2) at least 75% of the consideration received in the Asset Sale by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, is in the form of cash or Eligible Cash Equivalents.

For purposes of Section 4.15(a)(2) and for no other purpose, each of the following will be deemed to be cash:

 

-66-


(i) any liabilities (as shown on the Company’s or such Restricted Subsidiary’s most recent consolidated balance sheet or in the footnotes thereto, or if incurred or accrued subsequent to the date of such balance sheet, such liabilities that would have been reflected on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet or in the footnotes thereto if such incurrence or accrual had taken place on or prior to the date of such balance sheet, as determined in good faith by the Company) of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary (other than Subordinated Obligations of the Company or a Guarantor) that are assumed by the transferee of any such assets (or are otherwise extinguished by the transferee in connection with the transactions relating to such Asset Sale) and for which the Company and all such Restricted Subsidiaries have been validly released;

(ii) any securities, notes or other obligations received by the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are converted by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash or Eligible Cash Equivalents within 180 days of their receipt to the extent of the cash or Eligible Cash Equivalents received in that conversion; and

(iii) any Designated Non-cash Consideration received by the Company or any such Restricted Subsidiary in such Asset Sale having an aggregate Fair Market Value, taken together with all other Designated Non-cash Consideration received pursuant to this clause (iii) that is at that time outstanding, not to exceed the greater of (x) $50.0 million and (y) 3.25% of the Consolidated Total Assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries at the time of the receipt of such Designated Non-cash Consideration, with the Fair Market Value of each item of Designated Non-cash Consideration being measured at the time received and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value.

(b) Within 360 days after the receipt of any Net Cash Proceeds from an Asset Sale, or, if with respect to clauses (3), (4) and (5) of this Section 4.15(b), within 360 days after the receipt of any Net Cash Proceeds from any Asset Sale the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary entered into a contractual commitment, pursuant to a binding agreement, to apply any such Net Cash Proceeds, then, within 540 days after the receipt of such Net Cash Proceeds, the Company (or the applicable Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be) may apply such Net Cash Proceeds at its option to any combination of the following:

(1) to permanently reduce (and permanently reduce commitments with respect thereto): (A) Secured Debt under the Senior Credit Facilities, (B) Secured Debt of the Company (other than any Redeemable Capital Interests or Subordinated Obligations) or Secured Debt of a Guarantor (other than any Redeemable Capital Interests or Subordinated Obligations) or (C) Debt of a Non-Guarantor Subsidiary, in each case, other than Debt owed to the Company or an Affiliate of the Company;

(2) to permanently repay or reduce other Debt that ranks pari passu in right of payment with the Notes (“Pari Passu Debt”), other than Redeemable Capital Interests and Debt owed to the Company or an Affiliate of the Company; provided that if the Company shall so reduce any such Pari Passu Debt, the Company shall equally and ratably reduce Obligations under the Notes as provided either, at the Company’s option, under Section 3.07, through open-market purchases (to the extent such purchases are at or above 100% of the principal amount thereof) or by making an offer (in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 4.15 for an Offer to Purchase) to all Holders of Notes to purchase their Notes at 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus the amount of accrued but unpaid interest, if any, on the amount of Notes that would otherwise be paid;

 

-67-


(3) to acquire all or substantially all of the assets of, or any Capital Interests of, another Person engaged in a Permitted Business, if, after giving effect to any such acquisition of Capital Interests, such Person is or becomes a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company;

(4) to make capital expenditures in or that are used or useful in a Permitted Business or to make expenditures for maintenance, repair or improvement of existing properties and assets in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture;

(5) to acquire other assets that are not classified as current assets under GAAP that are used or useful in a Permitted Business; or

(6) any combination of the foregoing;

provided that pending the final application of any such Net Cash Proceeds in accordance with clause (1), (2), (3), (4), (5) or (6) of this Section 4.15(b), the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary may temporarily reduce revolving credit borrowings under any Debt Facility or otherwise invest the Net Cash Proceeds in any manner not prohibited by this Indenture.

(c) Any Net Cash Proceeds from Asset Sales that are not applied or invested as provided in Section 4.15(b) will constitute “Excess Proceeds.” When the aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $75.0 million, the Company will, within five days thereof (the “Asset Sale Purchase Date”), make an Offer to Purchase to all Holders of Notes (on a pro rata basis among the Notes, subject to adjustments to maintain the authorized denominations for the Notes), and to all holders of other Pari Passu Debt containing provisions similar to those set forth in this Indenture with respect to offers to purchase the maximum principal amount of Notes and such other Pari Passu Debt that may be purchased out of the Excess Proceeds. The offer price in any Offer to Purchase will be equal to 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase and will be payable in cash, in accordance with the procedures set forth in the definition of Offer to Purchase or the agreements governing the Pari Passu Debt, as applicable, in the case of the Notes in integral multiples of $1,000; provided that if, following repurchase of a portion of a Note, the remaining principal amount of such Note outstanding immediately after such repurchase would be less than a minimum of $2,000, then the portion of such Note so repurchased shall be reduced so that the remaining principal amount of such Note outstanding immediately after such repurchase is a minimum $2,000. The Company shall commence an Offer to Purchase with respect to Excess Proceeds by mailing (or otherwise communicating in accordance with the applicable procedures of the Depositary) the notice required pursuant to the definition of Offer to Purchase, with a copy to the Trustee.

If any Excess Proceeds remain after consummation of an Offer to Purchase, the Company may use those funds for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by this Indenture and they will no longer constitute Excess Proceeds. If the aggregate principal amount of Notes and other Pari Passu Debt tendered in such Offer to Purchase exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the Company will select the Notes and such other Pari Passu Debt to be purchased on a pro rata basis (with such adjustments as may be deemed appropriate by the Company so that only Notes in denominations of a minimum of $2,000 or any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof will be purchased). Upon completion of each Offer to Purchase, the amount of Excess Proceeds will be reset at zero.

(d) If the Asset Sale Purchase Date is on or after an applicable Record Date and on or before the related Interest Payment Date, any accrued and unpaid interest to the Asset Sale Purchase Date will be paid on the Asset Sale Purchase Date to the Person in whose name a Note is registered at the close of business on such record date.

 

-68-


(e) The Company will comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other applicable securities laws and regulations thereunder to the extent those laws and regulations are applicable in connection with each repurchase of Notes pursuant to an Offer to Purchase. To the extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the Asset Sale provisions of this Indenture, the Company will comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and will be deemed to have complied with its obligations under the Asset Sale provisions of this Indenture by virtue of such compliance.

Section 4.16 Effectiveness of Covenants.

(a) Following the first day (a “Suspension Date”):

(1) the Notes have Investment Grade Ratings from both Rating Agencies; and

(2) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing under this Indenture,

the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries will not be subject to the provisions of Sections 4.08, 4.09, 4.11 (but only with respect to any Person that is required to become a Guarantor after the date of the commencement of the applicable Suspension Date), 4.12, 4.13, 4.15 and 5.01(a)(3) (collectively, the “Suspended Covenants”).

(b) In the event that the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries are not subject to the Suspended Covenants with respect to the Notes following any Suspension Date and, subsequently, either one or both Rating Agencies withdraws its rating or downgrades the rating assigned to the Notes below the required Investment Grade Rating, then the Suspended Covenants will thereafter be reinstated as if such covenants had never been suspended (the “Reinstatement Date”) and be applicable pursuant to the terms of this Indenture (including in connection with performing any calculation or assessment to determine compliance with the terms of this Indenture), unless and until the Notes subsequently attain an Investment Grade Rating from both of the Rating Agencies and no Default or Event of Default is in existence; provided, however, that no Default, Event of Default or breach of any kind shall be deemed to exist under this Indenture, the Notes or the Note Guarantees with respect to the Suspended Covenants based on, and none of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall bear any liability for, any actions taken or events occurring during the Suspension Period, regardless of whether such actions or events would have been permitted if the applicable Suspended Covenants remained in effect during such period. The period of time between the Suspension Date and the Reinstatement Date is referred to as the “Suspension Period.”

(c) On the Reinstatement Date, all Debt Incurred during the Suspension Period will be classified to have been Incurred or issued pursuant to Section 4.09(a) or, at the Company’s option, pursuant to one of the clauses set forth in the definition of “Permitted Debt” (in each case to the extent such Debt would be permitted to be Incurred thereunder as of the Reinstatement Date and after giving effect to Debt Incurred prior to the Suspension Period and outstanding on the Reinstatement Date) and subject to Section 4.09. To the extent such Debt would not be so permitted to be Incurred pursuant to Section 4.09, such Debt will be deemed to have been outstanding on the Issue Date, so that it is classified or permitted under clause (4) of the definition of “Permitted Debt.”

 

-69-


(d) Calculations made after the Reinstatement Date of the amount available to be made as Restricted Payments under Section 4.08 will be made as though such covenant had been in effect from the Issue Date and throughout the Suspension Period. Accordingly, Restricted Payments made during the Suspension Period will reduce the amount available to be made as Restricted Payments under Section 4.08(a), subject to the exceptions set forth therein.

(e) During any period when the Suspended Covenants are suspended, the Board of Directors of the Company may not designate any of the Company’s Subsidiaries as Unrestricted Subsidiaries pursuant to this Indenture.

(f) For the purposes of Section 4.15, on the Reinstatement Date, the amount of Excess Proceeds, if any, will be reset to zero.

(g) Promptly following the occurrence of any Suspension Date or Reinstatement Date, the Company will provide an Officer’s Certificate to the Trustee regarding such occurrence. The Trustee shall have no obligation to independently determine or verify if a Suspension Date or Reinstatement Date has occurred or notify the Holders of any Suspension Date or Reinstatement Date. The Trustee may provide a copy of such Officer’s Certificate to any Holder of the Notes upon request.

ARTICLE 5

SUCCESSORS

Section 5.01 Consolidation, Merger, Conveyance, Transfer or Lease.

(a) The Company will not in any transaction or series of related transactions, consolidate or merge with or into or wind up into any other Person (whether or not the Company is the surviving corporation), or sell, assign, convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the properties or assets of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any other Person, unless:

(1) the resulting or surviving Person or the Person to which such sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition has been made (such Person, the “Successor Company”), (A) shall be a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or similar entity organized and validly existing under the laws of the United States, any political subdivision thereof or any state thereof or the District of Columbia (and, if such entity is not a corporation, a co-obligor of the Notes is a corporation organized under any such laws) and (B) if other than the Company, shall expressly assume, by a supplemental indenture, all of the obligations of the Company under the Notes and this Indenture;

(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction or series of related transactions on a pro forma basis (including, without limitation, any Debt Incurred or anticipated to be Incurred in connection with or in respect of such transaction or series of related transactions), no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing;

(3) immediately after giving effect to any such transaction or series of related transactions on a pro forma basis (including, without limitation, any Debt Incurred or anticipated to be Incurred in connection with or in respect of such transaction or series of related transactions) as if such transaction or series of related transactions had occurred on the first day of the determination period, (A) the Successor Company could Incur $1.00 of additional Debt under Section 4.09(a), or (B) the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the Successor Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries for the most recent Four Quarter Period shall be equal to

 

-70-


or greater than such Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio immediately prior to such transaction (or the first such transaction if there are a series of related transactions);

(4) each Guarantor (unless it is the other party to the transactions described above, in which case clause (1) of Section 5.01(c) shall apply) shall have by a supplemental indenture confirmed that its Note Guarantee shall apply to such Successor Company’s obligations under this Indenture and the Notes; and

(5) the Company delivers, or causes to be delivered, to the Trustee, an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, assignment, transfer, lease or other disposition complies with the requirements of this Indenture.

(b) Subject to certain limitations set forth in this Indenture, the Successor Company will succeed to, and be substituted for, the Company under this Indenture, the Notes and the Note Guarantees. Notwithstanding the foregoing, failure to satisfy the requirements of clauses (2) and (3) of Section 5.01(a) will not prohibit:

(1) a merger between the Company and a Restricted Subsidiary that is a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Company or the sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to a Restricted Subsidiary that is a Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of the Company; or

(2) a merger between the Company and an Affiliate incorporated solely for the purpose of converting the Company into a corporation organized under the laws of the United States or any political subdivision or state thereof; so long as, in each case, the amount of Debt of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries is not increased thereby.

(c) The Company will not permit any Guarantor in any transaction or series of related transactions, to consolidate or merge with or into or wind up into any other Person (whether or not such Guarantor is the surviving corporation), or directly or indirectly sell, assign, convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its properties or assets to any Person (other than, in the case of a Guarantor, to the Company or another Guarantor) unless:

(1) (A) if such entity remains a Guarantor, the resulting, surviving or transferee Person (the “Successor Guarantor”) is a Person (other than an individual) organized and existing under the laws of the United States, any political subdivision thereof or any state thereof or the District of Columbia;

(B) the Successor Guarantor, if other than such Guarantor, expressly assumes all the obligations of such Guarantor under this Indenture, the Notes and its Note Guarantee pursuant to a supplemental indenture;

(C) immediately after giving effect to such transaction or series of related transactions on a pro forma basis (including, without limitation, any Debt Incurred or anticipated to be Incurred in connection with or in respect of such transaction or series of related transactions), no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and

(D) the Company delivers, or causes to be delivered, to the Trustee, an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such

 

-71-


consolidation, merger, sale, conveyance, assignment, transfer, lease or other disposition complies with the requirements of this Indenture; or

(2) in the event the transaction results in the release of the Subsidiary’s Note Guarantee under clause (1)(A) of Section 10.06(a), the transaction is made in compliance with Section 4.15 (it being understood that only such portion of the Net Cash Proceeds as is required to be applied on the date of such transaction in accordance with the terms of this Indenture needs to be applied in accordance therewith at such time).

(d) Subject to the limitations set forth in this Indenture, the Successor Guarantor will succeed to, and be substituted for, such Guarantor under this Indenture and the Note Guarantee of such Guarantor.

(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Guarantor may merge with or into or transfer all or part of its properties and assets to a Guarantor or the Company or merge with a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company, so long as the resulting entity remains or becomes a Guarantor.

(e) For purposes of this Section 5.01, the sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of one or more Subsidiaries of the Company or a Guarantor, as the case may be, which properties and assets, if held by the Company or such Guarantor instead of such Subsidiaries, would constitute all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company or such Guarantor on a consolidated basis, will be deemed to be the disposition of all or substantially all of the properties and assets of the Company or such Guarantor, as applicable.

Section 5.02 Successor Entity Substituted.

Upon any consolidation, merger, winding up, sale, assignment, conveyance, transfer, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or a Guarantor in accordance with Section 5.01, the Company and a Guarantor, as the case may be, will be released from its obligations under this Indenture and the Notes or its Note Guarantee, as the case may be, and the Successor Company and the Successor Guarantor, as the case may be, will succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company or a Guarantor, as the case may be, under this Indenture, the Notes, and such Note Guarantee; provided that, in the case of a lease of all or substantially all of its assets, the Company will not be released from the obligation to pay the principal of and interest on the Notes, and a Guarantor will not be released from its obligations under its Note Guarantee.

ARTICLE 6

DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

Section 6.01 Events of Default.

(a) Each of the following is an “Event of Default”:

(1) default in the payment in respect of the principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Note when due and payable (whether at Stated Maturity or upon repurchase, acceleration, optional redemption or otherwise);

(2) default in the payment of any interest upon any Note when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days;

 

-72-


(3) failure to perform or comply with Section 4.06 and continuance of such failure to perform or comply for a period of 90 days after written notice thereof has been given to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes;

(4) except as permitted by or in accordance with the terms of this Indenture, any Note Guarantee of any Significant Subsidiary (or any group of its Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) shall for any reason cease to be, or it shall be asserted by any Officer of such Guarantor or the Company not to be, in full force and effect and enforceable in accordance with its terms;

(5) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or agreement of the Company or any Guarantor in this Indenture (other than a covenant or agreement, a default in whose performance or whose breach is specifically dealt with in clauses (1), (2), (3) or (4) above), and continuance of such default or breach for a period of 60 days after written notice thereof has been given to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes;

(6) a default or defaults under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there is issued or by which there is secured or evidenced any Debt for money borrowed by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary (or the payment of which is Guaranteed by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary) having, individually or in the aggregate, a principal or similar amount outstanding of at least $65.0 million, whether such Debt now exists or shall hereafter be created, which default or defaults shall have resulted in the acceleration of the maturity of such Debt prior to its express maturity or (except in the case of any Debt owing to the Company by any Restricted Subsidiary or any Debt of any Restricted Subsidiary owing to the Company or another Restricted Subsidiary) shall constitute a failure to pay an amount of such Debt equal to at least $65.0 million when due and payable after the expiration of any applicable grace period with respect thereto;

(7) the entry against the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of a final judgment or final judgments for the payment of money in an aggregate amount in excess of $65.0 million (net of amounts covered by indemnity provided by, or insurance issued by, reputable and creditworthy companies), by a court or courts of competent jurisdiction, which judgments remain undischarged, unwaived, unstayed, unbonded or unsatisfied for a period of 60 consecutive days; or

(8) (A) the Company or a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together (as of the date of the latest audited consolidated financial statements of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries), would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:

(i) commences proceedings to be adjudicated bankrupt or insolvent;

(ii) consents to the institution of bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings against it, or the filing by it of a petition or answer or consent seeking an arrangement of debt, reorganization, dissolution, winding up or relief under applicable Bankruptcy Law;

(iii) consents to the appointment of a receiver, interim receiver, receiver and manager, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of it or for all or substantially all of its property;

 

-73-


(iv) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors; or

(v) generally is not paying its debts as they become due; or

(B) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any Bankruptcy Law that:

(i) is for relief against the Company, any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together (as of the date of the latest audited consolidated financial statements of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries), would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, in a proceeding in which the Company, any such Restricted Subsidiary that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together (as of the date of the latest audited consolidated financial statements of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries), would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, is to be adjudicated bankrupt or insolvent;

(ii) appoints a receiver, interim receiver, receiver and manager, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Company, any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together (as of the date of the latest audited consolidated financial statements of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries), would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, or for all or substantially all of the property of the Company, any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together (as of the date of the latest audited consolidated financial statements of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries), would constitute a Significant Subsidiary; or

(iii) orders the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, or any Restricted Subsidiary that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Subsidiaries that, taken together (as of the date of the latest audited consolidated financial statements of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries), would constitute a Significant Subsidiary;

and the order or decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 consecutive days.

(b) If a Default for a failure to report or failure to deliver a required certificate in connection with another default (an “Initial Default”) occurs, then, at the time such Initial Default is cured, such Default for a failure to report or failure to deliver a required certificate in connection with another default that resulted solely because of that Initial Default will also be cured without any further action. For the avoidance of doubt, any Default for the failure to comply with the time periods prescribed in Section 4.06 hereto or otherwise to deliver any notice or certificate pursuant to any other provision of this Indenture shall be deemed to be cured upon the delivery of any such report required by such covenant or such notice or certificate, as applicable, even though such delivery is not within the prescribed period specified in this Indenture.

Section 6.02 Acceleration.

(a) If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default described in clause (8) of Section 6.01(a) with respect to the Company) occurs and is continuing, then and in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes may declare the principal of the Notes and any accrued interest on the Notes to be due and payable

 

-74-


immediately by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Holders); provided, however, that after such acceleration, but before a judgment or decree based on acceleration, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes may, under certain circumstances, rescind and annul such acceleration if all Events of Default, other than the non-payment of accelerated principal of or interest on the Notes, have been cured or waived as provided in this Indenture, if (1) the rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decrees and (2) all existing Events of Default, other than the non-payment of principal of, premium on, of any, or interest, if any, on the Notes that have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived.

(b) In the event of a declaration of acceleration of the Notes solely because an Event of Default described in clause (6) of Section 6.01(a) has occurred and is continuing, the declaration of acceleration of the Notes shall be automatically rescinded and annulled if the event of default or payment default triggering such Event of Default pursuant to clause (6) of Section 6.01(a) shall be remedied or cured by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company or waived by the holders of the relevant Debt within 20 Business Days after the declaration of acceleration with respect thereto and if the rescission and annulment of the acceleration of the Notes would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction that may have been obtained by the Trustee for the payment of amounts due on the Notes.

(c) If an Event of Default described in clause (8) of Section 6.01(a) occurs with respect to the Company, the principal of and any accrued interest on the Notes then outstanding shall ipso facto become immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any Holder.

Section 6.03 Other Remedies.

If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes or to enforce the performance of any provision of the Notes or this Indenture.

The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by the Trustee or any Holder in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default. All remedies are cumulative to the extent permitted by law.

Section 6.04 Waiver of Past Defaults.

The Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, Notes) may on behalf of the Holders of all the Notes waive any past Default under this Indenture and its consequences, except a default:

(1) in any payment in respect of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Notes (including any Note which is required to have been purchased pursuant to an Offer to Purchase which has been made by the Company); or

(2) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under this Indenture cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Note affected.

 

-75-


provided that, subject to Section 6.02, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may rescind an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment default that resulted from such acceleration. Upon any such waiver, such Default shall cease to exist, and any Event of Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose of this Indenture, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 6.05 Control by Majority.

The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or of exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee. However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law, this Indenture, the Notes or any Note Guarantee, or that the Trustee determines in good faith is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other Holder (it being understood that the Trustee does not have an affirmative duty to ascertain whether or not such actions or forbearances are unduly prejudicial to such holders) or that would involve the Trustee in personal liability.

Section 6.06 Limitation on Suits.

Subject to Section 6.07, no Holder may pursue any remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Notes unless:

(1) such Holder has previously given the Trustee written notice that an Event of Default is continuing;

(2) the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes have requested in writing to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;

(3) such Holders have offered the Trustee security or indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;

(4) the Trustee has not complied with such request within 60 days after the receipt of the request and the offer of security or indemnity; and

(5) the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes have not given the Trustee a direction that, in the opinion of the Trustee, is inconsistent with such written request within such 60-day period.

A Holder may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Holder or to obtain a preference or priority over another Holder.

Section 6.07 Rights of Holders to Receive Payment.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder to receive payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on its Note, on or after the respective due dates expressed or provided for in such Note (including in connection with an Offer to Purchase), or to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.

Section 6.08 Collection Suit by Trustee.

If an Event of Default specified in Sections 6.01(a)(1) or (2) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company and

 

-76-


any other obligor on the Notes for the whole amount of principal, premium, if any, and interest remaining unpaid on the Notes, together with interest on overdue principal and, to the extent lawful, interest and such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection, including the compensation, reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee and its agents and counsel.

Section 6.09 Restoration of Rights and Remedies.

If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or to such Holder, then and in every such case, subject to any determination in such proceedings, the Company, the Guarantors, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though no such proceeding has been instituted.

Section 6.10 Rights and Remedies Cumulative.

Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes in Section 2.07, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every right and remedy are, to the extent permitted by law, cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

Section 6.11 Delay or Omission Not Waiver.

No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder to exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may be.

Section 6.12 Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

The Trustee may file proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee (including any claim for such compensation as agreed in writing between the Company and the Trustee, and the reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the Holders of the Notes allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company (or any other obligor upon the Notes, including the Guarantors), its creditors or its property and is entitled and empowered to participate as a member in any official committee of creditors appointed in such matter and to collect, receive and distribute any money or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims. Any custodian in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee, and in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due to it for the compensation as agreed in writing between the Company and the Trustee and the reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.06. To the extent that the payment of any such compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.06 out of the estate in any such proceeding, shall be denied for any reason, payment of the same shall be secured by a Lien on, and shall be paid out of, any and all distributions, dividends, money, securities and other properties that the Holders may be entitled to receive in such

 

-77-


proceeding whether in liquidation or under any plan of reorganization or arrangement or otherwise. Nothing herein contained shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Notes or the rights of any Holder, or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

Section 6.13 Priorities.

If the Trustee collects any money or property pursuant to this Article 6, it shall pay out the money in the following order:

(1) First, to the Trustee and its agents and attorneys for amounts due under Section 7.06, including payment of all reasonable compensation, expenses and liabilities incurred, and all advances made, by the Trustee and the costs and expenses of collection;

(2) Second, to Holders for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on the Notes for principal, premium, if any, and interest, respectively; and

(3) Third, to the Company or to such party as a court of competent jurisdiction shall direct, including a Guarantor, if applicable.

The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders pursuant to this Section 6.13. Promptly after any record date is set pursuant to this Section 6.13, the Trustee shall cause notice of such record date and payment date to be given to the Company and to each Holder in the manner set forth in Section 12.01.

Section 6.14 Undertaking for Costs.

In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as a Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant in such suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses made by the party litigant. This Section 6.14 does not apply to a suit by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section 6.07, or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes.

ARTICLE 7

TRUSTEE

Section 7.01 Duties of Trustee.

(a) The Trustee, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default with respect to the Notes and after the curing or waiving of all Events of Default which may have occurred, undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture. If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of such person’s own affairs.

 

-78-


(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:

(1) the duties of the Trustee shall be determined solely by the express provisions of this Indenture and the Trustee need perform only those duties that are specifically set forth in this Indenture and no others, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

(2) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. The Trustee shall be under no duty to make any investigation as to any statement contained in any such instance, but may accept the same as conclusive evidence of the truth and accuracy of such statement or the correctness of such opinions. However, in the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the Trustee shall examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture (but need not confirm or investigate the accuracy of mathematical calculations or other facts stated therein).

(c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liabilities for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

(1) this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this Section 7.01;

(2) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it is proved in a court of competent jurisdiction that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and

(3) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it pursuant to Section 6.05.

(d) Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section 7.01.

(e) Subject to this Article 7, if an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture, the Notes and the Note Guarantees at the request or direction of any of the Holders unless such Holders have provided to the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to the Trustee against the costs, expenses, fees and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or direction.

(f) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company. Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

Section 7.02 Rights of Trustee.

(a) The Trustee may conclusively rely upon any document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper Person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in the document, but the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine in good faith to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney at the sole cost of the Company and shall incur no liability or additional liability of any kind by reason of such inquiry or investigation.

 

-79-


(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an Officer’s Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Officer’s Certificate or Opinion of Counsel. The Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and the advice of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection from liability in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon.

(c) The Trustee may act through its attorneys and agents and shall not be responsible for the misconduct or negligence of any agent or attorney appointed with due care.

(d) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith that it believes to be authorized or within the rights or powers conferred upon it by this Indenture.

(e) Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Indenture, any demand, request, direction or notice from the Company or a Guarantor shall be sufficient if signed by an Officer of the Company or such Guarantor.

(f) None of the provisions of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise to incur any liability, financial or otherwise, in the performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or indemnity satisfactory to it against such risk or liability is not assured to it.

(g) The Trustee shall not be deemed to have notice or knowledge of any Default or Event of Default unless a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has actual knowledge thereof or unless written notice of any event which is in fact such a Default is received by the Trustee at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and such notice references the existence of a Default or Event of Default, the Notes and this Indenture.

(h) In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for special, indirect, or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, loss of profit) irrespective of whether the Trustee has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damage and regardless of the form of action.

(i) The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee in each of its capacities hereunder, and each agent, custodian and other Person employed to act hereunder, including the Agents.

(j) The Trustee may request that the Company deliver an Officer’s Certificate setting forth the names of individuals or titles of officers authorized at such time to take specified actions pursuant to this Indenture, which Officer’s Certificate may be signed by any person authorized to sign an Officer’s Certificate, including any Person specified as so authorized in any such certificate previously delivered and not superseded.

(k) The Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect of the performance of its powers and duties hereunder.

 

-80-


Section 7.03 Individual Rights of Trustee.

The Trustee or any Agent in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with the Company or any Affiliate of the Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee or such Agent. Any Agent may do the same with like rights and duties. The Trustee is also subject to Sections 7.08 and 7.09.

Section 7.04 Trustee’s Disclaimer.

The Trustee shall not be responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this Indenture or the Notes, it shall not be accountable for the Company’s use of the proceeds from the Notes or any money paid to the Company or upon the Company’s direction under any provision of this Indenture, it shall not be responsible for the use or application of any money received by any Paying Agent other than the Trustee, and it shall not be responsible for any statement or recital herein or any statement in the Notes or any other document in connection with the sale of the Notes or pursuant to this Indenture other than its certificate of authentication on the Notes.

Section 7.05 Notice of Defaults.

If a Default or Event of Default occurs and is continuing with respect to the Notes and if a Responsible Officer of the Trustee has notice of such Default or Event of Default as described in Section 7.02(g), the Trustee will mail to each Holder a notice of the Default or Event of Default within 90 days after it occurs; provided, however, that in any event the Trustee shall not be required to mail such notice prior to 10 days after a Responsible Officer receives notice of such Default or Event of Default as described in Section 7.02(g). Except in the case of an Event of Default specified in clauses (1) or (2) of Section 6.01(a), the Trustee may withhold from the Holders notice of any continuing Default (except in the case of a Default or Event of Default in payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on any Note then outstanding) if the Trustee in good faith determines that withholding notice is in the interests of the Holders of the Notes.

Section 7.06 Compensation and Indemnity.

(a) The Company and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, shall pay to the Trustee from time to time such compensation for its acceptance of this Indenture and services hereunder as the parties shall agree in writing from time to time. The Trustee’s compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an express trust. The Company shall reimburse the Trustee promptly upon request for all reasonable disbursements, advances and expenses incurred or made by it in addition to the compensation for its services. Such expenses shall include the reasonable compensation, disbursements and expenses of the Trustee’s agents and counsel.

(b) The Company and the Guarantors, jointly and severally, shall indemnify the Trustee for, and hold each of the Trustee and any predecessor harmless against, any and all loss, damage, claims, liability or expense (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) and including taxes (other than taxes based upon, measured by or determined by the income of the Trustee) incurred by it in connection with the acceptance or administration of this trust and the performance of its duties hereunder (including the costs and expenses of enforcing this Indenture against the Company or any Guarantor (including this Section 7.06)) or defending itself against any claim whether asserted by any Holder, the Company or any Guarantor, or liability in connection with the acceptance, exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder). The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by the Trustee to so notify the Company shall not relieve the Company of its obligations hereunder. The Company shall defend the claim and the Trustee may have separate counsel and the Company shall pay the fees and expenses of such counsel. The Company need

 

-81-


not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss, liability or expense incurred by the Trustee through the Trustee’s own willful misconduct or gross negligence.

(c) The obligations of the Company and the Guarantors under this Section 7.06 shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture or the earlier resignation or removal of the Trustee.

(d) To secure the payment obligations of the Company and the Guarantors in this Section 7.06, the Trustee shall have a Lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except that held in trust to pay principal and interest on particular Notes. Such Lien shall survive the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.

(e) When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(8) occurs, the expenses and the compensation for the services (including the fees and expenses of its agents and counsel) are intended to constitute expenses of administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

Section 7.07 Replacement of Trustee.

(a) A resignation or removal of the Trustee and appointment of a successor Trustee shall become effective only upon the successor Trustee’s acceptance of appointment as provided in this Section 7.07. The Trustee may resign in writing at any time by giving 30 days’ prior notice of such resignation to the Company and be discharged from the trust hereby created by so notifying the Company. The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and the Company in writing. The Company may remove the Trustee if:

(1) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.09;

(2) the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent or an order for relief is entered with respect to the Trustee under any Bankruptcy Law;

(3) a receiver or public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its property; or

(4) the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

(b) If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of Trustee for any reason, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee. Within one year after the successor Trustee takes office, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may remove the successor Trustee to replace it with another successor Trustee appointed by the Company.

(c) If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee (at the Company’s expense), the Company or the Holders of at least 10% in aggregate principal amount of the then outstanding Notes may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

(d) If the Trustee, after written request by any Holder who has been a Holder for at least six months, fails to comply with Section 7.09, such Holder may petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee.

 

-82-


(e) A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to the retiring Trustee and to the Company. Thereupon, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. The successor Trustee shall mail a notice of its succession to Holders. The retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor Trustee; provided that all sums owing to the Trustee hereunder have been paid and such transfer shall be subject to the Lien provided for in Section 7.06. Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 7.07, the Company’s obligations under Section 7.06 shall continue for the benefit of the retiring Trustee.

(f) As used in this Section 7.07, the term “Trustee” shall also include each Agent.

Section 7.08 Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.

If the Trustee consolidates, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all of its corporate trust business to, another corporation or national banking association, the successor corporation or national banking association without any further act shall be the successor Trustee.

In case at the time such successor or successors by merger, conversion or consolidation to the Trustee shall succeed to the trusts created by this Indenture any of the Notes shall have been authenticated but not delivered, any such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any predecessor trustee, and deliver such Notes so authenticated; and in case at that time any of the Notes shall not have been authenticated, any successor to the Trustee may authenticate such Notes either in the name of any predecessor hereunder or in the name of the successor to the Trustee; and in all such cases such certificates of authentication shall have the full force which it is anywhere in the Notes or in this Indenture provided that the certificate of authentication of the Trustee shall have.

Section 7.09 Eligibility; Disqualification.

There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder that is a corporation or national banking association organized and doing business under the laws of the United States or of any state thereof that is authorized under such laws to exercise corporate trustee power, that is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state authorities and that has a combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 as set forth in its most recent published annual report of condition.

ARTICLE 8

LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

Section 8.01 Option to Effect Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

The Company may, at its option and at any time, in the case of Section 8.03 pursuant to a resolution of its Board of Directors set forth in an Officer’s Certificate, elect to have either Section 8.02 or Section 8.03 applied to all outstanding Notes upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in this Article 8.

Section 8.02 Legal Defeasance and Discharge.

(a) Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 of the option applicable to this Section 8.02, the Company and the Guarantors shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04, be deemed to have been discharged from their obligations with respect to this Indenture, all outstanding Notes and Note Guarantees on the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (“Legal Defeasance”). For this purpose, Legal Defeasance means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid

 

-83-


and discharged the entire Debt represented by the outstanding Notes, which shall thereafter be deemed to be “outstanding” only for the purposes of Section 8.05 and the other Sections of this Indenture referred to in clauses (1) through (5) below, and to have satisfied all of its other obligations under such Notes and this Indenture, including that of the Guarantors (and the Trustee, on demand of and at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following provisions which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder:

(1) the rights of Holders of such Notes to receive payments in respect of the principal of and any premium, if any, and interest on such Notes when payments are due, solely out of the trust created pursuant to this Indenture referred to in Section 8.04;

(2) the Company’s obligations with respect to such Notes concerning issuing temporary Notes, registration of Notes, mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes and the maintenance of an office or agency for payment and money for security payments held in trust;

(3) the rights, powers, trusts, duties, privileges, protections, indemnities and immunities of the Trustee and the Company’s obligations in connection therewith;

(4) the Company’s right of optional redemption pursuant to Section 3.07; and

(5) this Section 8.02.

(b) Following the Company’s exercise of its Legal Defeasance option, payment of the Notes may not be accelerated because of an Event of Default.

(c) Subject to compliance with this Article 8, the Company may exercise its option under this Section 8.02 notwithstanding the prior exercise of its option under Section 8.03.

Section 8.03 Covenant Defeasance.

Upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, the Company and the Guarantors shall, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04, be released from their obligations under the covenants contained in Sections 4.03, 4.05, 4.06, 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.10, 4.11, 4.12, 4.13, 4.14, 4.15 and 4.16 and clause (3) of Section 5.01(a) with respect to the outstanding Notes, and the Guarantors shall be deemed to have been discharged from their obligations with respect to all Note Guarantees, on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 8.04 are satisfied (“Covenant Defeasance”), and the Notes shall thereafter be deemed not “outstanding” for the purposes of any direction, waiver, consent or declaration or act of Holders (and the consequences of any thereof) in connection with such covenants, but shall continue to be deemed “outstanding” for all other purposes hereunder (it being understood that such Notes shall not be deemed outstanding for accounting purposes). For this purpose, Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to this Indenture and the outstanding Notes, the Company may omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or limitation set forth in any such covenant, whether directly or indirectly, by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such covenant or by reason of any reference in any such covenant to any other provision herein or in any other document and such omission to comply shall not constitute a Default or an Event of Default under Section 6.01, but, except as specified above, the remainder of this Indenture and such Notes shall be unaffected thereby. In addition, upon the Company’s exercise under Section 8.01 of the option applicable to this Section 8.03, subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 8.04, an Event of Default specified in Sections 6.01(a)(3), 6.01(a)(4), 6.01(a)(5) (only with respect to covenants that are released as a result of such Covenant Defeasance), 6.01(a)(6), 6.01(a)(7) and 6.01(a)(8) (solely with respect to Significant Subsidiaries or any group of Restricted Subsidiaries that, taken together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, in each case, shall not constitute an Event of Default.

 

-84-


Section 8.04 Conditions to Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

The following shall be the conditions to the exercise of either the Legal Defeasance option under Section 8.02 or the Covenant Defeasance option under Section 8.03 with respect to the outstanding Notes:

(1) the Company must irrevocably have deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to the benefits of the Holders of such Notes: (A) money in an amount, (B) U.S. government obligations, which through the scheduled payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not later than the due date of any payment, money in an amount or (C) a combination thereof, in each case sufficient without reinvestment, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge, and which shall be applied by the Trustee to pay and discharge, the entire indebtedness in respect of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on such Notes on the Stated Maturity thereof or (if the Company has made irrevocable arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company) the redemption date thereof, as the case may be, in accordance with the terms of this Indenture and such Notes;

(2) in the case of Legal Defeasance, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that:

(A) the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling; or

(B) since the Issue Date, there has been a change in the applicable U.S. federal income tax law,

in either case (A) or (B) to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, subject to customary exclusions and assumptions, the beneficial owners of such outstanding Notes will not recognize gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit, Legal Defeasance and discharge to be effected with respect to such Notes and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would be the case if such deposit, Legal Defeasance and discharge were not to occur;

(3) in the case of Covenant Defeasance, the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that, subject to customary exclusions and assumptions, the beneficial owners of such outstanding Notes will not recognize gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a result of the deposit and Covenant Defeasance to be effected with respect to such Notes and will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would be the case if such deposit and Covenant Defeasance were not to occur;

(4) no Default or Event of Default with respect to the outstanding Notes shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of such deposit after giving effect thereto (other than a Default or an Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to make such deposit and any similar and simultaneous deposit relating to other Debt and, in each case, the granting of Liens in connection therewith);

 

-85-


(5) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, any material agreement or material instrument (other than this Indenture and the agreements governing any other Debt being defeased, discharge or replaced) to which the Company or any of the Guarantors is a party or by which the Company or any of the Guarantors is bound;

(6) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel (which Opinion of Counsel may be subject to customary exclusions and assumptions), each stating that all conditions precedent with respect to such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance have been complied with;

(7) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate stating that the deposit was not made by the Company with the intent of preferring the Holders of Notes over the other creditors of the Company, any Guarantors or others, with the intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding any creditors of the Company, any Guarantor or others; and

(8) the Company has delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the Notes at maturity or the redemption date, as the case may be (which instructions may be contained in the Officer’s Certificate referred to in clause (6) above).

Section 8.05 Deposited Money and Government Securities to Be Held in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.

(a) Subject to Section 8.06, all money and Government Securities (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 8.04 in respect of the outstanding Notes shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company or a Guarantor acting as Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

(b) The Company will pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed on or assessed against the cash or Government Securities deposited pursuant to Section 8.04 or the principal and interest received in respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for the account of the Holders.

(c) Anything in this Article 8 to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee will deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon the written request of the Company any money or Government Securities held by it as provided in Section 8.04 which, in the opinion of an Independent Financial Advisor expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee (which may be the opinion delivered under Section 8.04(a)), are in excess of the amount thereof that would then be required to be deposited to effect an equivalent Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

Section 8.06 Repayment to the Company.

Subject to any applicable abandoned property law, any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal, premium, if

 

-86-


any, or interest on any Note and remaining unclaimed for one year after such principal, premium, if any, or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on its request or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Note shall thereafter look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in The New York Times or The Wall Street Journal (national edition), notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such notification or publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining shall be repaid to the Company.

Section 8.07 Reinstatement.

If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any U.S. dollars or government obligations in accordance with Section 8.02 or Section 8.03, as the case may be, by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the Company’s and the Guarantors’ obligations under this Indenture, the Notes and the Note Guarantees shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 8.02 or Section 8.03 until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such money in accordance with Section 8.02 or Section 8.03, as the case may be; provided that, if the Company makes any payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest on any Note following the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or Paying Agent.

ARTICLE 9

AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER

Section 9.01 Without Consent of Holders.

(a) Notwithstanding Section 9.02, the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may without the consent of any Holders enter into one or more indentures supplemental to this Indenture, the Notes and the Note Guarantees for any of the following purposes:

(1) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company or a Guarantor and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company or a Guarantor in this Indenture, the Note Guarantees and the Notes in accordance with Section 5.01;

(2) to add to the covenants of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries for the benefit of the Holders or to make any change that does not materially and adversely affect the legal rights under this Indenture of any such Holder, or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company or any Guarantor;

(3) to add additional Events of Default for the benefit of the Holders;

(4) to provide for or facilitate the issuance of Global Notes in addition to or in place of the definitive Notes;

(5) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment under this Indenture by a successor Trustee; provided that the successor Trustee is otherwise qualified and eligible to act as such under the terms of this Indenture;

 

-87-


(6) to provide for or confirm the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with the terms of this Indenture;

(7) to add a Guarantor or to release a Guarantor in accordance with this Indenture;

(8) to cure any ambiguity, defect, omission, mistake or inconsistency;

(9) to make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this Indenture; provided that such actions pursuant to this clause (9) shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders in any material respect, as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company;

(10) to conform the text of this Indenture, the Notes or the Note Guarantees to any provision of the “Description of notes” of the Offering Memorandum to the extent that the Trustee has received an Officer’s Certificate stating that such text constitutes an unintended conflict with the description of the corresponding provision in the “Description of notes” of the Offering Memorandum;

(11) to secure the Notes and the Note Guarantees; or

(12) to make any amendment to the provisions of this Indenture relating to the transfer and legending of Notes as permitted by this Indenture, including, without limitation to facilitate the issuance and administration of the Notes; provided that (i) compliance with this Indenture as so amended would not result in Notes being transferred in violation of the Securities Act or any applicable securities law and (ii) such amendment does not materially and adversely affect the rights of Holders to transfer Notes.

(b) Upon the request of the Company, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 12.03, the Trustee shall join with the Company and the Guarantors in the execution of any amended or supplemental indenture authorized or permitted by the terms of this Indenture and to make any further appropriate agreements and stipulations that may be therein contained, but the Trustee shall not be obligated to enter into such amended or supplemental indenture that affects its own rights, duties, privileges, protections, indemnities or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Opinion of Counsel shall be required in connection with the addition of a Guarantor under this Indenture upon execution and delivery by such Guarantor and the Trustee of a supplemental indenture to this Indenture, the form of which is attached as Exhibit C, and delivery of an Officer’s Certificate, except as provided in Section 5.01(c).

Section 9.02 With Consent of Holders.

(a) Except as provided in Section 9.01 and this Section 9.02, the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee may, with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, Notes), enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental to this Indenture for the purpose of adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Indenture, the Notes or the Note Guarantees or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of the Notes under this Indenture, including the definitions therein and, subject to Sections 6.04 and 6.07, waive any existing Default or Event of Default (other than a Default or Event of Default in the payment of the principal, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes, except a payment default resulting from an acceleration that has been rescinded or compliance with any provision of this Indenture, the Notes or the Note Guarantees with the consent of the Holders of a

 

-88-


majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding (including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, Notes)). Section 2.08 and Section 2.09 shall determine which Notes are considered to be “outstanding” for the purposes of this Section 9.02.

(b) Upon the request of the Company, and upon the delivery to the Trustee of evidence of the consent of the Holders as aforesaid, and upon receipt by the Trustee of the documents described in Section 7.02 and Section 12.03, the Trustee shall join with the Company and the Guarantors in the execution of such amended or supplemental indenture unless such amended or supplemental indenture directly affects the Trustee’s own rights, duties, privileges, protections, indemnities or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise, in which case the Trustee may in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, enter into such amended or supplemental indenture.

(c) It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or waiver. It is sufficient if such consent approves the substance of the proposed amendment, supplement or waiver.

(d) After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 becomes effective, the Company shall give to the Holders a notice briefly describing such amendment, supplement or waiver. However, the failure of the Company to give such notice to all the Holders, or any defect in the notice, will not impair or affect the validity of any such amendment, supplement or waiver.

(e) Without the consent of each affected Holder, an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section 9.02 may not (with respect to any Notes held by a non-consenting Holder):

(1) change the Stated Maturity of any Note or of any installment of interest on any Note, or reduce the amount payable in respect of the principal thereof or the rate of interest thereon or any premium payable thereon, or reduce the amount that would be due and payable on acceleration of the maturity thereof, or change the coin or currency in which, any Note or any premium or interest thereon is payable, or amend the contractual right to bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated Maturity thereof, or change the date on which any Notes may be subject to redemption or reduce the Redemption Price therefor;

(2) reduce the percentage in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Notes, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any waiver (of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain defaults hereunder and their consequences) provided for in this Indenture;

(3) modify or change any provision of this Indenture affecting the ranking of the Notes or any Note Guarantee in a manner adverse to the Holders of the Notes;

(4) modify any of the provisions of this Section 9.02 or provisions relating to waiver of defaults or certain covenants, except to increase any such percentage required for such actions or to provide that certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of the Holder of each outstanding Note affected thereby; or

(5) release any Guarantees required to be maintained under this Indenture (other than in accordance with the terms of this Indenture).

 

-89-


(f) A consent to any amendment, supplement or waiver of this Indenture, the Notes or the Note Guarantees by any Holder given in connection with a tender of such Holder’s Notes will not be rendered invalid by such tender.

Section 9.03 Revocation and Effect of Consents.

(a) Until an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder of a Note is a continuing consent by the Holder of a Note and every subsequent Holder of a Note or portion of a Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder’s Note, even if notation of the consent is not made on any Note. However, any such Holder of a Note or subsequent Holder of a Note may revoke the consent as to its Note if the Trustee receives written notice of revocation before the date the waiver, supplement or amendment becomes effective. An amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective in accordance with its terms upon the (i) receipt by the Company or the Trustee of consents by the Holders of the requisite principal amount of the Notes, (ii) satisfaction of conditions to effectiveness as set forth in this Indenture and any indenture supplemental hereto containing such amendment, supplement or waiver and (iii) execution of such amendment or waiver (or supplemental indenture) by the Company, the Guarantors and the Trustee, and thereafter binds every Holder.

(b) The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date pursuant to Section 1.04 for the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to consent to any amendment, supplement or waiver.

Section 9.04 Notation on or Exchange of Notes.

(a) The Trustee may place an appropriate notation about an amendment, supplement or waiver on any Note thereafter authenticated. The Company in exchange for all Notes may issue and the Trustee shall, upon receipt of an Authentication Order, authenticate new Notes that reflect the amendment, supplement or waiver.

(b) Failure to make the appropriate notation or issue a new Note shall not affect the validity and effect of such amendment, supplement or waiver.

Section 9.05 Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.

The Trustee shall sign any amendment, supplement or waiver authorized pursuant to this Article 9 if the amendment, supplement or waiver does not adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities, privileges, protections, indemnities or immunities of the Trustee. In executing any amendment, supplement or waiver, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive indemnity satisfactory to it and shall be provided with, and (subject to Section 7.01) shall be fully protected in relying upon, in addition to the documents required by Section 12.03, (i) an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that all conditions precedent are satisfied with respect to any amendment, supplemental indenture or waiver, that such amendment, supplemental indenture or waiver is authorized or permitted by this Indenture and that such amendment, supplemental indenture or waiver is the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Company and each Guarantor party thereto, enforceable against each of them in accordance with its terms, subject to customary exceptions, and complies with the provisions hereof, (ii) a copy of the resolution of the Board of Directors, certified by the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Company, authorizing the execution of such amendment, supplement or waiver and (iii) if such amendment, supplement or waiver is executed pursuant to Section 9.02, evidence provided to the Trustee of the consent of the Holders required to consent thereto.

 

-90-


ARTICLE 10

GUARANTEES

Section 10.01 Guarantee.

(a) Subject to this Article 10, each of the Guarantors hereby, jointly and severally, irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees, on a senior unsecured basis, to each Holder and to the Trustee and its successors and assigns, irrespective of the validity and enforceability of this Indenture, the Notes or the obligations of the Company hereunder or thereunder, that: (1) the principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes shall be promptly paid in full when due, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration, redemption or otherwise, and interest on the overdue principal and interest on the Notes, if any, if lawful, and all other Obligations of the Company to the Holders or the Trustee hereunder or under the Notes shall be promptly paid in full or performed, all in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof; and (2) in case of any extension of time of payment or renewal of any Notes or any of such other obligations, that same shall be promptly paid in full when due or performed in accordance with the terms of the extension or renewal, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration or otherwise collectively, the “Guaranteed Obligations”. Failing payment by the Company when due of any amount so guaranteed or any performance so guaranteed for whatever reason, the Guarantors shall be jointly and severally obligated to pay the same immediately. Each of the Note Guarantees shall be a guarantee of payment and not a guarantee of collection.

(b) The Guarantors hereby agree that their obligations hereunder shall be unconditional, irrespective of the validity, regularity or enforceability of the Notes or this Indenture, the absence of any action to enforce the same, any waiver or consent by any Holder with respect to any provisions hereof or thereof (other than any waiver or consent expressly releasing such Guarantor’s obligations hereunder), the recovery of any judgment against the Company, any action to enforce the same or any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a legal or equitable discharge or defense of a guarantor. Each Guarantor hereby waives diligence, presentment, demand of payment, filing of claims with a court in the event of insolvency or bankruptcy of the Company, any right to require a proceeding first against the Company, protest, notice and all demands whatsoever and covenants that this Note Guarantee shall not be discharged except by complete performance of the obligations contained in the Notes and this Indenture, or pursuant to Section 10.06.

(c) Each of the Guarantors also agrees, jointly and severally, to pay any and all costs and expenses (including reasonable and documented attorneys’ fees and expenses) Incurred by the Trustee or any Holder in enforcing any rights under this Section 10.01.

(d) If any Holder or the Trustee is required by any court or otherwise to return to the Company, the Guarantors or any custodian, trustee, liquidator or other similar official acting in relation to the Company or the Guarantors, any amount paid either to the Trustee or such Holder, this Note Guarantee, to the extent theretofore discharged, shall be reinstated in full force and effect.

(e) Each Guarantor agrees that it shall not be entitled to any right of subrogation in relation to the Holders in respect of any obligations guaranteed hereby until payment in full of all obligations guaranteed hereby. Each Guarantor further agrees that, as between the Guarantors, on the one hand, and the Holders and the Trustee, on the other hand, (1) the maturity of the obligations guaranteed hereby may be accelerated as provided in Article 6 for the purposes of this Note Guarantee, notwithstanding any stay, injunction or other prohibition preventing such acceleration in respect of the obligations guaranteed hereby, and (2) in the event of any declaration of acceleration of such obligations as provided in Article 6, such obligations (whether or not due and payable) shall forthwith become due and payable by the Guarantors for the purpose of this Note Guarantee. The Guarantors shall have the right to seek contribution from any non-paying Guarantor so long as the exercise of such right does not impair the rights of the Holders under the Note Guarantees.

 

-91-


(f) Each Note Guarantee shall remain in full force and effect and continue to be effective should any petition be filed by or against the Company for liquidation or reorganization, should the Company become insolvent or make an assignment for the benefit of creditors or should a receiver or trustee be appointed for all or any significant part of the Company’s assets, and shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time payment and performance of the Notes are, pursuant to applicable law, rescinded or reduced in amount, or must otherwise be restored or returned by any obligee on the Notes or the Note Guarantees, whether as a “voidable preference,” “fraudulent transfer” or otherwise, all as though such payment or performance had not been made. In the event that any payment or any part thereof, is rescinded, reduced, restored or returned, the Notes shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be reinstated and deemed reduced only by such amount paid and not so rescinded, reduced, restored or returned.

(g) In case any provision of any Note Guarantee shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

(h) Each payment to be made by a Guarantor in respect of its Note Guarantee shall be made without set-off, counterclaim, reduction or diminution of any kind or nature.

Section 10.02 Limitation on Guarantor Liability.

(a) Each Guarantor, and by its acceptance of Notes, each Holder, hereby confirms that it is the intention of all such parties that the Note Guarantee of such Guarantor not constitute a fraudulent conveyance or a fraudulent transfer for purposes of Bankruptcy Law, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act or any similar federal or state law to the extent applicable to any Note Guarantee. To effectuate the foregoing intention, the Trustee, the Holders and the Guarantors hereby irrevocably agree that the obligations of each Guarantor shall be limited to the maximum amount as will, after giving effect to such maximum amount and all other contingent and fixed liabilities of such Guarantor that are relevant under such laws and after giving effect to any collections from, rights to receive contribution from or payments made by or on behalf of any other Guarantor in respect of the obligations of such other Guarantor under this Article 10, result in the obligations of such Guarantor under its Note Guarantee not constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under applicable law. Each Guarantor that makes a payment under its Note Guarantee will be entitled upon payment in full of all Guaranteed Obligations under this Indenture to a contribution from each other Guarantor in an amount equal to such other Guarantor’s pro rata portion of such payment based on the respective net assets of all the Guarantors at the time of such payment, determined in accordance with GAAP.

(b) Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary herein, the obligations of SWM Luxembourg in respect of the Guaranteed Obligations under the Note Guarantee shall be limited at any time, with no double counting, to an aggregate amount not exceeding the higher of:

(i) ninety-five per cent (95%) of the sum of SWM Luxembourg’s own funds (capitaux propres) (as referred to in Schedule 1 of the Luxembourg Regulation dated 18 December 2015 defining the form and the content of the balance sheet and profit and loss account layouts and implementing among others article 34 of the Luxembourg Act of 19 December 2002 on the Register of Commerce and Companies, on accounting and on annual accounts of the companies, as amended) and SWM Luxembourg’s debt which is subordinated in right of payment (whether generally or specifically) to any claim of any Holder, as determined in good faith by the Company, as at the date of this Note Guarantee; and

 

-92-


(ii) ninety-five per cent (95%) of the sum of SWM Luxembourg’s own funds (capitaux propres) (as referred to in Schedule 1 of the Luxembourg Regulation dated 18 December 2015 defining the form and the content of the balance sheet and profit and loss account layouts and implementing among others article 34 of the Luxembourg Act of 19 December 2002 on the Register of Commerce and Companies, on accounting and on annual accounts of the companies, as amended) and SWM Luxembourg’s debt which is subordinated in right of payment (whether generally or specifically) to any claim of any Holder, as determined in good faith by the Company, as on the date of payment of the Note Guarantee hereunder.

The above limitation shall not apply to the proceeds of the issue of the Notes directly or indirectly transferred to, or incurred for, the benefit of SWM Luxembourg or any of its (current or future) direct or indirect Subsidiaries.

Section 10.03 Execution and Delivery.

(a) To evidence its Note Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01, each Guarantor hereby agrees that this Indenture shall be executed on behalf of such Guarantor by an Officer or person holding an equivalent title.

(b) Each Guarantor hereby agrees that its Note Guarantee set forth in Section 10.01 shall remain in full force and effect notwithstanding the absence of the endorsement of any notation of such Note Guarantee on the Notes.

(c) If an Officer whose signature is on this Indenture no longer holds that office at the time the Trustee authenticates the Note, the Note Guarantees shall be valid nevertheless.

(d) The delivery of any Note by the Trustee, after the authentication thereof hereunder, shall constitute due delivery of the Note Guarantee set forth in this Indenture on behalf of the Guarantors.

(e) If required by Section 4.11, the Company shall cause any newly-created or newly-acquired Restricted Subsidiary to comply with the provisions of Section 4.11 and this Article 10, to the extent applicable.

Section 10.04 Subrogation.

Each Guarantor shall be subrogated to all rights of Holders against the Company in respect of any amounts paid by any Guarantor pursuant to the provisions of Section 10.01; provided that, if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, no Guarantor shall be entitled to enforce or receive any payments arising out of, or based upon, such right of subrogation until all amounts then due and payable by the Company under this Indenture or the Notes shall have been paid in full.

Section 10.05 Benefits Acknowledged.

Each Guarantor acknowledges that it will receive direct and indirect benefits from the financing arrangements contemplated by this Indenture and that the guarantee and waivers made by it pursuant to its Note Guarantee are knowingly made in contemplation of such benefits.

Section 10.06 Release of Note Guarantees.

(a) A Note Guarantee by a Guarantor shall be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged, and no further action by such Guarantor, the Company or the Trustee shall be required for the release of such Guarantor’s Note Guarantee, upon:

(1) (A) any sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, exchange or other disposition (by merger, consolidation or otherwise) of the Capital Interests of such Guarantor

 

-93-


after which the applicable Guarantor is no longer a Restricted Subsidiary, which sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, exchange or other disposition is made in compliance with the provisions of this Indenture, including Section 4.15 (it being understood that only such portion of the Net Cash Proceeds as is required to be applied on or before the date of such release in accordance with the terms of this Indenture needs to be applied in accordance therewith at such time) and Section 5.01(a);

(B) the release or discharge of such Guarantor from its Guarantee of (i) Debt of the Company and Restricted Subsidiaries under the Senior Credit Facilities (including, by reason of the termination of the Senior Credit Facilities) and (ii) other syndicated loan or capital markets Debt of the Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than Debt of less than $40.0 million in principal amount), including the Guarantee that resulted in the obligation of such Guarantor to Guarantee the Notes, if such Guarantor would not then otherwise be required to Guarantee the Notes pursuant to this Indenture, except a release or discharge by or as a result of payment under such Guarantee and other than Guarantees permitted to be provided by Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries pursuant to the terms of this Indenture; provided that if such Guarantor has Incurred any Debt in reliance on its status as a Guarantor under Section 4.09, such Guarantor’s obligations under such Debt, as the case may be, so Incurred are satisfied in full and discharged or are otherwise permitted to be Incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Guarantor) under Section 4.09;

(C) the proper designation of any Guarantor as an Unrestricted Subsidiary;

(D) such Subsidiary becoming an Immaterial Subsidiary; or

(E) the Company’s exercise of its Legal Defeasance option or Covenant Defeasance option in accordance with Article 8 or the discharge of the Company’s obligations under this Indenture in accordance with the terms of this Indenture; and

(2) each such Guarantor delivering to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent provided for in this Indenture relating to such transaction or release have been complied with.

(b) At the written request of the Company, the Trustee shall execute and deliver any documents reasonably required in order to evidence such release, discharge and termination in respect of the applicable Note Guarantee.

ARTICLE 11

SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

Section 11.01 Satisfaction and Discharge.

This Indenture will be discharged, and will cease to be of further effect as to all Notes, when:

(a) either: (A) all Notes theretofore authenticated and delivered, except lost, stolen or destroyed Notes that have been replaced or paid and Notes for whose payment money has been deposited

 

-94-


in trust, have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or (B) all such Notes not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation (i) have become due and payable by reason of the giving of a notice of redemption or otherwise or (ii) will become due and payable within one year or are to be called for redemption within one year (a “Discharge”) under irrevocable arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the Company, and the Company has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee funds in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on the Notes, not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal of, premium, if any, and interest to the Stated Maturity or date of redemption;

(b) the Company or any Guarantor has paid or caused to be paid all other sums then due and payable under this Indenture;

(c) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing on the date of such deposit or will occur as a result of such deposit (other than a Default or an Event of Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to make such deposit and any similar and simultaneous deposit relating to other Debt and, in each case, the granting of Liens in connection therewith) and the deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, the Senior Credit Facilities or any other material agreement or material instrument (other than this Indenture and the agreements governing any other Debt being defeased, discharge or replaced) to which the Company or any Guarantor is a party or by which the Company or any Guarantor is bound;

(d) the Company has delivered irrevocable written instructions to the Trustee under this Indenture to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the Notes at maturity or on the redemption date, as the case may be; and

(e) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officer’s Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel (which Opinion of Counsel may be subject to customary exclusions and assumptions) each stating that all conditions precedent under this Indenture relating to the Discharge have been complied with.

Section 11.02 Application of Trust Money.

(a) Subject to the provisions of Section 8.06, all money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 11.01 shall be held in trust and applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Notes and this Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal, premium, if any, and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee, but such money need not be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

(b) If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or Government Securities in accordance with Section 11.01 by reason of any legal proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the Company’s and any Guarantor’s obligations under this Indenture, the Notes and the Note Guarantees shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 11.01; provided that if the Company has made any payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest on any Notes because of the reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Notes to receive such payment from the money or Government Securities held by the Trustee or Paying Agent, as the case may be.

 

-95-


ARTICLE 12

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 12.01 Notices.

(a) Any notice or communication to the Company, any Guarantor or the Trustee is duly given if in writing and (1) delivered in person, (2) mailed by first-class mail (certified or registered, return receipt requested), postage prepaid, or overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery or (3) sent by facsimile or electronic transmission, to its address:

if to the Company or any Guarantor:

c/o Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc.

100 North Point Center East, Suite 600

Alpharetta, Georgia 30022

Fax No.: (770) 569-4275

Email: rnunez@swmintl.com and sshell@swmintl.com

Attention: General Counsel and the Controller

with a copy to:

Alston & Bird LLP

1201 W. Peachtree St.

Atlanta, GA 30309

Fax No: (404) 881-7777

Email: jeremy.silverman@alston.com

Attention: Jeremy Silverman

if to the Trustee:

Wilmington Trust, National Association

Global Capital Markets

50 South Sixth Street, Suite 1290

Minneapolis, MN 55402

Fax No. (612) 217-5651

Attention: Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc. Notes Administrator

The Company, any Guarantor or the Trustee, by like notice, may designate additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

(b) All notices and communications (other than those sent to Holders) shall be deemed to have been duly given: at the time delivered by hand, if personally delivered; on the first date of which publication is made, if by publication; five calendar days after being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed by first-class mail; the next Business Day after timely delivery to the courier, if mailed by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery; when receipt acknowledged, if sent by facsimile or electronic transmission; provided that any notice or communication delivered to the Trustee shall be deemed effective upon actual receipt thereof.

(c) Any notice or communication to a Holder shall be mailed by first-class mail (certified or registered, return receipt requested) or by overnight air courier guaranteeing next day delivery to its address shown on the Note Register or by such other delivery system as the Trustee agrees to accept. Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders.

 

-96-


(d) Where this Indenture provides for notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.

(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any Note, where this Indenture or any Note provides for notice of any event (including any notice of redemption pursuant to Section 3.07) to any Holder of an interest in a Global Note (whether by mail or otherwise), such notice shall be sufficiently given if given to DTC or any other applicable Depositary for such Note (or its designee), according to the applicable procedures of such Depositary, if any, prescribed for the giving of such notice.

(f) The Trustee agrees to accept and act upon notice, instructions or directions pursuant to this Indenture sent by unsecured facsimile or electronic transmission; provided, however, that (1) the party providing such written notice, instructions or directions, subsequent to such transmission of written instructions, shall provide the originally executed instructions or directions to the Trustee in a timely manner, and (2) such originally executed notice, instructions or directions shall be signed by an authorized representative of the party providing such notice, instructions or directions. The Trustee shall not be liable for any losses, costs or expenses arising directly or indirectly from the Trustee’s reasonable reliance upon and compliance with such notice, instructions or directions notwithstanding such notice, instructions or directions conflict or are inconsistent with a subsequent notice, instructions or directions.

(g) If a notice or communication is sent in the manner provided above within the time prescribed, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

(h) If the Company mails a notice or communication to Holders, it shall mail a copy to the Trustee and each Agent at the same time.

Section 12.02 Communication by Holders with Other Holders.

Holders may communicate with other Holders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the Notes.

Section 12.03 Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.

Upon any request or application by the Company or any Guarantor to the Trustee to take any action under this Indenture, the Company or such Guarantor, as the case may be, shall furnish to the Trustee:

(a) an Officer’s Certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 12.04) stating that, in the opinion of the signer(s), all conditions precedent and covenants, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and

(b) an Opinion of Counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee (which shall include the statements set forth in Section 12.04) stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions precedent and covenants have been complied with; provided that (A) subject to Section 5.01(c), no Opinion of Counsel shall be required in connection with the addition of a Guarantor under this Indenture upon execution and delivery by such Guarantor and the Trustee of a supplemental indenture to this Indenture, the form of which is attached as Exhibit C and (B) no Opinion of Counsel pursuant to this Section shall be required in connection with the issuance of Notes on the Issue Date.

 

-97-


Section 12.04 Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion.

Each certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than a certificate provided pursuant to Section 4.07) shall include:

(a) a statement that the Person making such certificate or opinion has read such covenant or condition;

(b) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

(c) a statement that, in the opinion of such Person, he or she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him or her to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been complied with (and, in the case of an Opinion of Counsel, may be limited to reliance on an Officer’s Certificate as to matters of fact); and

(d) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such Person, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

Section 12.05 Rules by Trustee and Agents.

The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of Holders. The Registrar or Paying Agent may make reasonable rules and set reasonable requirements for its functions.

Section 12.06 No Personal Liability of Stockholders, Partners, Officers or Directors.

No director, manager, officer, employee, equity owner, general or limited partner, incorporator or other Person acting in any capacity similar to any of the foregoing, past, present or future, of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, as such or in such capacity, shall have any personal liability for any obligations of the Company under the Notes, any Note Guarantee or this Indenture by reason of such status.

Each Holder of Notes by accepting a Note expressly waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the consideration for the issuance of the Notes.

Section 12.07 Governing Law.

THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES AND ANY NOTE GUARANTEE WILL BE GOVERNED BY, AND WILL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

Section 12.08 Waiver of Jury Trial.

EACH OF THE COMPANY, THE GUARANTORS AND THE TRUSTEE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS INDENTURE, THE NOTES, THE NOTE GUARANTEES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

Section 12.09 Submission to Jurisdiction.

THE COMPANY AND EACH OF THE GUARANTORS HEREBY SUBMITS, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, TO THE EXCLUSIVE

 

-98-


JURISDICTION OF THE U.S. FEDERAL AND NEW YORK STATE COURTS IN THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK IN ANY SUIT OR PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS NOTE GUARANTEE OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. The parties irrevocably and unconditionally waive, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, any objection to the laying of venue of any suit, action or other proceeding in the U.S. federal and state courts located in the located in the borough of Manhattan in the City of New York and irrevocably and unconditionally waive and agree not to plead or claim any such suit, action or other proceeding has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

Section 12.10 Appointment of Agent.

In furtherance of the foregoing, each Guarantor not incorporated in a state of the United States of America or the District of Columbia hereby irrevocably designates and appoints Alston & Bird LLP, 90 Park Avenue, 15th Floor, New York, New York 10016-1387, as its agent to receive service of all process brought against it with respect to any such suit, action or proceeding in any of the U.S. federal or state courts located in the borough of Manhattan in the City of New York, such service being hereby acknowledged by it to be effective and binding service in every respect. Copies of any such process so served shall also be given to the Company in accordance with Section 12.01 hereof, but the failure of the Company to receive such copies shall not affect in any way the service of such process as aforesaid.

Section 12.11 Force Majeure.

In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or delay in the performance of its obligations under this Indenture arising out of or caused by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its reasonable control, including without limitation strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer (software or hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee shall use reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.

Section 12.12 No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.

This Indenture may not be used to interpret any other indenture, loan or debt agreement of the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries or of any other Person. Any such indenture, loan or debt agreement may not be used to interpret this Indenture.

Section 12.13 Successors.

All agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the Notes shall bind its successors. All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind its successors. All agreements of each Guarantor in this Indenture shall bind its successors, except as otherwise provided in Section 10.06.

Section 12.14 Severability.

In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

 

-99-


Section 12.15 Counterpart Originals.

The parties may sign any number of copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

Section 12.16 Table of Contents, Headings, etc.

The Table of Contents and headings of the Articles and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part of this Indenture and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

Section 12.17 Facsimile and PDF Delivery of Signature Pages.

The exchange of copies of this Indenture and of signature pages by facsimile or portable document format (“PDF”) transmission shall constitute effective execution and delivery of this Indenture as to the parties hereto and may be used in lieu of the original Indenture for all purposes. Signatures of the parties hereto transmitted by facsimile or PDF shall be deemed to be their original signatures for all purposes.

Section 12.18 U.S.A. PATRIOT Act.

The parties hereto acknowledge that in accordance with Section 326 of the U.S.A. PATRIOT Act, the Trustee is required to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person or legal entity that establishes a relationship or opens an account with the Trustee. The parties to this Indenture agree that they will provide the Trustee with such information as it may request in order for the Trustee to satisfy the requirements of the U.S.A. PATRIOT Act.

Section 12.19 Payments Due on Non-Business Days.

In any case where any Interest Payment Date, redemption date or repurchase date or the Stated Maturity of the Notes shall not be a Business Day, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or of the Notes) payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest on the Notes need not be made on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date, redemption date or repurchase date, or at the Stated Maturity of the Notes; provided that no interest will accrue for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, redemption date, repurchase date or Stated Maturity, as the case may be.

[Signatures on following page]

 

-100-


SCHWEITZER-MAUDUIT INTERNATIONAL, INC.

By:

 

/s/ Robert A Wamser, Jr.

  Name:   Robert A Wamser, Jr.
  Title:   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

[Signature page to Indenture for 6.875% Senior Notes due 2026]


CORETEC TUBING, INC.
U.S. NETTING, INC.
DELSTAR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
DELSTAR AIR, INC.
DELSTAR ELECTROSTATIC, INC.
By:  

/s/ David Timothy Cullen

  Name:   David Timothy Cullen
  Title:   President

[Signature page to Indenture for 6.875% Senior Notes due 2026]


SWM HOLDCO GP, LLC
SWM ARGOTEC, LLC
ARGOTEC LLC
CONWED PLASTICS, LLC
CONWED PLASTICS ACQUISITION
COMPANY V LLC
By:  

/s/ Daniel Lister

  Name:   Daniel Lister
  Title:   President

[Signature page to Indenture for 6.875% Senior Notes due 2026]


SWM LUXEMBOURG SERVICES, LLC
SWM LUXEMBOURG
By:  

/s/ D. Ronald Surbey

  Name:   D. Ronald Surbey
  Title:   Director B
By:  

/s/ John Blasko

  Name:   John Blasko
  Title:   Director A

[Signature page to Indenture for 6.875% Senior Notes due 2026]


WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee
By:  

/s/ Jane Schweiger

  Name:   Jane Schweiger
  Title:   Vice President

[Signature page to Indenture for 6.875% Senior Notes due 2026]


APPENDIX A

PROVISIONS RELATING TO INITIAL NOTES AND

ADDITIONAL NOTES

Section 1.1 Definitions.

(a) Capitalized Terms.

Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Appendix A have the meanings given to them in this Indenture. The following capitalized terms have the following meanings:

Applicable Procedures” means, with respect to any transfer or transaction involving a Global Note or beneficial interest therein, the rules and procedures of the Depositary for such Global Note, Euroclear or Clearstream, in each case to the extent applicable to such transaction and as in effect from time to time.

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

Distribution Compliance Period,” with respect to any Note, means the period of 40 consecutive days beginning on and including the later of (a) the day on which such Note is first offered to persons other than distributors (as defined in Regulation S) in reliance on Regulation S, notice of which day shall be promptly given by the Company to the Trustee, and (b) the date of issuance with respect to such Note or any predecessor of such Note.

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

IAI” means an institution that is an “accredited investor” as described in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act and is not a QIB.

QIB” means a “qualified institutional buyer” as defined in Rule 144A.

Regulation S” means Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act.

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

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

Unrestricted Global Note” means any Note in global form that does not bear or is not required to bear the Restricted Notes Legend.

U.S. person” means a “U.S. person” as defined in Regulation S.

(b) Other Definitions.

 

Term:

   Defined in
Section:
 

“Agent Members”

     2.1 (c) 

“Definitive Notes Legend”

     2.2 (e) 

“ERISA Legend”

     2.2 (e) 

“Global Note”

     2.1 (b) 


Term:

   Defined in
Section:
 

“Global Notes Legend”

     2.2 (e) 

“IAI Global Note”

     2.1 (b) 

“Regulation S Global Note”

     2.1 (b) 

“Regulation S Notes”

     2.1 (a) 

“Restricted Notes Legend”

     2.2 (e) 

“Rule 144A Global Note”

     2.1 (b) 

“Rule 144A Notes”

     2.1 (a) 

Section 2.1 Form and Dating

(a) The Initial Notes issued on the date hereof shall be (i) offered and sold by the Company to the initial purchasers thereof and (ii) resold, initially only to (1) QIBs in reliance on Rule 144A (“Rule 144A Notes”) and (2) Persons other than U.S. persons in reliance on Regulation S (“Regulation S Notes”). Additional Notes may also be considered to be Rule 144A Notes or Regulation S Notes, as applicable.

(b) Global Notes. Rule 144A Notes shall be issued initially in the form of one or more permanent global Notes certificate, in fully registered form, numbered RA-1 upward (collectively, the “Rule 144A Global Note”) and Regulation S Notes shall be issued initially in the form of one or more global Notes, numbered RS-1 upward (collectively, the “Regulation S Global Note”), in each case without interest coupons and bearing the Global Notes Legend and Restricted Notes Legend, which shall be deposited on behalf of the purchasers of the Notes represented thereby with the Custodian, and registered in the name of the Depositary or a nominee of the Depositary, duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee as provided in this Indenture. One or more global Notes certificates, in fully registered form without interest coupons and bearing the Global Notes Legend and the Restricted Notes Legend, numbered RIAI-1 upward (collectively, the “IAI Global Note”) shall also be issued on the Issue Date deposited with the Custodian, and registered in the name of the Depositary or a nominee of the Depositary, duly executed by the Company and authenticated by the Trustee as provided in this Indenture to accommodate transfers of beneficial interests in the Notes to IAIs subsequent to the initial distribution. The Rule 144A Global Note, the IAI Global Note, the Regulation S Global Note and any Unrestricted Global Note are each referred to herein as a “Global Note” and are collectively referred to herein as “Global Notes.” Each Global Note shall represent such of the outstanding Notes as shall be specified in the “Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note” attached thereto and each shall provide that it shall represent the aggregate principal amount of Notes from time to time endorsed thereon and that the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby may from time to time be reduced or increased, as applicable, to reflect exchanges and redemptions. Any endorsement of a Global Note to reflect the amount of any increase or decrease in the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Notes represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee or the Custodian, at the direction of the Trustee, in accordance with instructions given by the Holder thereof as required by Section 2.06 of this Indenture and Section 2.2(c) of this Appendix A.

(c) Book-Entry Provisions. This Section 2.1(c) shall apply only to a Global Note deposited with or on behalf of the Depositary.

The Company shall execute and the Trustee shall, in accordance with this Section 2.1(c) and Section 2.02 of this Indenture and pursuant to an order of the Company signed by one Officer of the Company, authenticate and deliver initially one or more Global Notes that (i) shall be registered in the name of the Depositary for such Global Note or Global Notes or the nominee of such Depositary and (ii) shall be delivered by the Trustee to such Depositary or pursuant to such Depositary’s instructions or held by the Trustee as Custodian.

 

A-2


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

(d) Definitive Notes. Except as provided in Section 2.2 or Section 2.3 of this Appendix A, owners of beneficial interests in Global Notes shall not be entitled to receive physical delivery of Definitive Notes.

Section 2.2 Transfer and Exchange.

(a) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive Notes for Definitive Notes. When Definitive Notes are presented to the Registrar with a request:

(i) to register the transfer of such Definitive Notes; or

(ii) to exchange such Definitive Notes for an equal principal amount of Definitive Notes of other authorized denominations,

the Registrar shall register the transfer or make the exchange as requested if its reasonable requirements for such transaction are met; provided, however, that the Definitive Notes surrendered for transfer or exchange:

(1) shall be duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form reasonably satisfactory to the Company and the Registrar, duly executed by the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing; and

(2) in the case of Transfer Restricted Notes, they are being transferred or exchanged pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act or pursuant to Section 2.2(b) of this Appendix A or otherwise in accordance with the Restricted Notes Legend, and are accompanied by a certification from the transferor in the form provided on the reverse side of the Form of Note in Exhibit A for exchange or registration of transfers and, as applicable, delivery of such legal opinions, certifications and other information as may be requested pursuant thereto.

(b) Restrictions on Transfer of a Definitive Note for a Beneficial Interest in a Global Note. A Definitive Note may not be exchanged for a beneficial interest in a Global Note except upon satisfaction of the requirements set forth below. Upon receipt by the Trustee of a Definitive Note, duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form reasonably satisfactory to the Company and the Registrar, together with:

(i) a certification from the transferor in the form provided on the reverse side of the Form of Note in Exhibit A for exchange or registration of transfers and, as applicable, delivery of such legal opinions, certifications and other information as may be requested pursuant thereto; and

 

A-3


(ii) written instructions directing the Trustee to make, or to direct the Custodian to make, an adjustment on its books and records with respect to such Global Note to reflect an increase in the aggregate principal amount of the Notes represented by the Global Note, such instructions to contain information regarding the Depositary account to be credited with such increase,

the Trustee shall cancel such Definitive Note and cause, or direct the Custodian to cause, in accordance with the standing instructions and procedures existing between the Depositary and the Custodian, the aggregate principal amount of Notes represented by the Global Note to be increased by the aggregate principal amount of the Definitive Note to be exchanged and shall credit or cause to be credited to the account of the Person specified in such instructions a beneficial interest in the Global Note equal to the principal amount of the Definitive Note so canceled. If the applicable Global Note is not then outstanding, the Company shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate, upon an Authentication Order, a new applicable Global Note in the appropriate principal amount.

(c) Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes.

(i) The transfer and exchange of Global Notes or beneficial interests therein shall be effected through the Depositary, in accordance with this Indenture (including applicable restrictions on transfer set forth in Section 2.2(d) of this Appendix A, if any) and the procedures of the Depositary therefor. A transferor of a beneficial interest in a Global Note shall deliver to the Registrar a written order given in accordance with the Depositary’s procedures containing information regarding the participant account of the Depositary to be credited with a beneficial interest in such Global Note, or another Global Note and such account shall be credited in accordance with such order with a beneficial interest in the applicable Global Note and the account of the Person making the transfer shall be debited by an amount equal to the beneficial interest in the Global Note being transferred.

(ii) If the proposed transfer is a transfer of a beneficial interest in one Global Note to a beneficial interest in another Global Note, the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and an increase in the principal amount of the Global Note to which such interest is being transferred in an amount equal to the principal amount of the interest to be so transferred, and the Registrar shall reflect on its books and records the date and a corresponding decrease in the principal amount of the Global Note from which such interest is being transferred.

(iii) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Appendix A (other than the provisions set forth in Section 2.3 of this Appendix A), a Global Note may not be transferred except as a whole and not in part if the transfer is by the Depositary to a nominee of the Depositary or by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or another nominee of the Depositary or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such successor Depositary.

(d) Restrictions on Transfer of Global Notes; Voluntary Exchange of Interests in Transfer Restricted Global Notes for Interests in Unrestricted Global Notes.

(i) Transfers by an owner of a beneficial interest in a Rule 144A Global Note or an IAI Global Note to a transferee who takes delivery of such interest through another Transfer Restricted Global Note shall be made in accordance with the Applicable Procedures and the Restricted Notes Legend and only upon receipt by the Trustee of a certification from the transferor in the form provided on the reverse side of the Form of Note in Exhibit A for exchange or registration of transfers and, as applicable, delivery of such legal opinions, certifications and other information as may be requested pursuant thereto. In addition, in the case of a transfer of a beneficial interest in either a Regulation S Global Note or a Rule 144A Global Note for an interest in an IAI Global Note, the transferee must furnish a signed letter substantially in the form of Exhibit B to the Trustee.

 

A-4


(ii) During the Distribution Compliance Period, beneficial ownership interests in the Regulation S Global Note may only be sold, pledged or transferred through Euroclear or Clearstream in accordance with the Applicable Procedures, the Restricted Notes Legend on such Regulation S Global Note and any applicable securities laws of any state of the U.S. Prior to the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period, transfers by an owner of a beneficial interest in the Regulation S Global Note to a transferee who takes delivery of such interest through a Rule 144A Global Note or an IAI Global Note shall be made only in accordance with the Applicable Procedures and the Restricted Notes Legend and upon receipt by the Trustee of a written certification from the transferor of the beneficial interest in the form provided on the reverse side of the Form of Note in Exhibit A for exchange or registration of transfers. Such written certification shall no longer be required after the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period. Upon the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period, beneficial ownership interests in the Regulation S Global Note shall be transferable in accordance with applicable law and the other terms of this Indenture.

(iii) Upon the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period, beneficial interests in the Regulation S Global Note may be exchanged for beneficial interests in an Unrestricted Global Note upon certification in the form provided on the reverse side of the Form of Note in Exhibit A for an exchange from a Regulation S Global Note to an Unrestricted Global Note.

(iv) Beneficial interests in a Transfer Restricted Note that is a Rule 144A Global Note or an IAI Global Note may be exchanged for beneficial interests in an Unrestricted Global Note if the Holder certifies in writing to the Registrar that its request for such exchange is in respect of a transfer made in reliance on Rule 144 (such certification to be in the form set forth on the reverse side of the Form of Note in Exhibit A) and/or upon delivery of such legal opinions, certifications and other information as the Company or the Trustee may reasonably request.

(v) If no Unrestricted Global Note is outstanding at the time of a transfer contemplated by the preceding clauses (iii) and (iv), the Company shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate, upon an Authentication Order, a new Unrestricted Global Note in the appropriate principal amount.

(e) Legends.

(i) Except as permitted by Section 2.2(d), this Section 2.2(e) and Section 2.2(i) of this Appendix A, each Note certificate evidencing the Global Notes and the Definitive Notes (and all Notes issued in exchange therefor or in substitution thereof) shall bear a legend in substantially the following form (each defined term in the legend being defined as such for purposes of the legend only) (“Restricted Notes Legend”):

THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION. NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, SUCH REGISTRATION. THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY, BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, AGREES ON ITS OWN BEHALF AND ON BEHALF OF ANY INVESTOR ACCOUNT FOR WHICH IT HAS PURCHASED SECURITIES, TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER SUCH SECURITY, PRIOR TO THE DATE (THE “RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE”) THAT IS [IN THE CASE OF RULE 144A NOTES: SIX MONTHS AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF, THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE OF THE ISSUANCE OF ANY

 

A-5


ADDITIONAL NOTES AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH THE COMPANY OR ANY AFFILIATE OF THE COMPANY WAS THE OWNER OF THIS SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF SUCH SECURITY)] [IN THE CASE OF REGULATION S NOTES: 40 DAYS AFTER THE LATER OF THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF, THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE OF THE ISSUANCE OF ANY ADDITIONAL NOTES AND THE DATE ON WHICH THIS SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF SUCH SECURITY) WAS FIRST OFFERED TO PERSONS OTHER THAN DISTRIBUTORS (AS DEFINED IN RULE 902 OF REGULATION S) IN RELIANCE ON REGULATION S], ONLY (A) TO THE COMPANY OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) PURSUANT TO A REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) FOR SO LONG AS THE SECURITIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT (“RULE 144A”), TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A “QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (D) PURSUANT TO OFFERS AND SALES TO NON-U.S. PERSONS THAT OCCUR OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (E) TO AN INSTITUTIONAL “ACCREDITED INVESTOR” WITHIN THE MEANING OF RULE 501(a)(1), (2), (3) OR (7) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT THAT IS NOT A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER AND THAT IS PURCHASING FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF ANOTHER INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR, IN EACH CASE IN A MINIMUM PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF SECURITIES OF AT LEAST $250,000 OR (F) PURSUANT TO ANOTHER AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT, SUBJECT TO THE COMPANY’S AND THE TRUSTEE’S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSES (D), (E) OR (F) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/ OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM. THIS LEGEND WILL BE REMOVED UPON THE REQUEST OF THE HOLDER AFTER THE RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE. [IN THE CASE OF REGULATION S NOTES: BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE HOLDER HEREOF REPRESENTS THAT IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON NOR IS IT PURCHASING FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY IN AN OFFSHORE TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.]

Each Definitive Note shall bear the following additional legend (“Definitive Notes Legend”):

IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER, THE HOLDER WILL DELIVER TO THE REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT SUCH CERTIFICATES AND OTHER INFORMATION AS SUCH REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT THE TRANSFER COMPLIES WITH THE FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.

Each Global Note shall bear the following additional legend (“Global Notes Legend”):

 

A-6


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

TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT IN PART, TO DTC, TO NOMINEES OF DTC OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH SUCCESSOR’S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL SECURITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN THE INDENTURE REFERRED TO ON THE REVERSE HEREOF.

Each Note shall bear the following additional legend (“ERISA Legend”):

BY ITS ACQUISITION OF THIS SECURITY, THE HOLDER THEREOF WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE REPRESENTED AND WARRANTED THAT EITHER (1) NO PORTION OF THE ASSETS USED BY SUCH HOLDER TO ACQUIRE OR HOLD THIS SECURITY CONSTITUTES THE ASSETS OF AN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN THAT IS SUBJECT TO TITLE I OF THE U.S. EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974, AS AMENDED (“ERISA”), OF A PLAN, INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT OR OTHER ARRANGEMENT THAT IS SUBJECT TO SECTION 4975 OF THE U.S. INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986, AS AMENDED (THE “CODE”) OR PROVISIONS UNDER ANY OTHER FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, NON-U.S. OR OTHER LAWS OR REGULATIONS THAT ARE SIMILAR TO SUCH PROVISIONS OF ERISA OR THE CODE (“SIMILAR LAWS”), OR OF AN ENTITY WHOSE UNDERLYING ASSETS ARE CONSIDERED TO INCLUDE “PLAN ASSETS” OF ANY SUCH PLAN, ACCOUNT OR ARRANGEMENT (EACH OF THE FOREGOING, A “PLAN”), OR (2) THE ACQUISITION AND HOLDING OF THIS SECURITY (INCLUDING ANY INTEREST THEREIN) WILL NOT CONSTITUTE OR RESULT IN A NON-EXEMPT PROHIBITED TRANSACTION UNDER SECTION 406 OF ERISA OR SECTION 4975 OF THE CODE OR A SIMILAR VIOLATION UNDER ANY APPLICABLE SIMILAR LAWS.

(ii) Upon any sale or transfer of a Transfer Restricted Note that is a Definitive Note, the Registrar shall permit the Holder thereof to exchange such Transfer Restricted Note for a Definitive Note that does not bear the Restricted Notes Legend and the Definitive Notes Legend and rescind any restriction on the transfer of such Transfer Restricted Note if the Holder certifies in writing to the Registrar that its request for such exchange is in respect of a transfer made in reliance on Rule 144 (such certification to be in the form set forth on the reverse side of the Form of Note in Exhibit A) and provides such legal opinions, certifications and other information as the Company or the Trustee may reasonably request.

(iii) Any Additional Notes sold in a registered offering shall not be required to bear the Restricted Notes Legend.

 

A-7


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

(g) Obligations with Respect to Transfers and Exchanges of Notes.

(i) To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate, Definitive Notes and Global Notes at the Registrar’s request.

(ii) No service charge shall be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange, but the Holders shall be required to pay any transfer tax or similar governmental charge payable in connection therewith (other than any such transfer taxes or similar governmental charge payable upon exchange or transfer pursuant to Sections 2.10, 3.06, 4.14, 4.15 and 9.04 of this Indenture).

(iii) Prior to the due presentation for registration of transfer of any Note, the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent or the Registrar may deem and treat the person in whose name a Note is registered as the absolute owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on such Note and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Note is overdue, and none of the Company, the Trustee, the Paying Agent or the Registrar shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

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

(v) In order to effect any transfer or exchange of an interest in any Transfer Restricted Note for an interest in a Note that does not bear the Restricted Notes Legend and has not been registered under the Securities Act, if the Registrar so requests or if the Applicable Procedures so require, an Opinion of Counsel, in form reasonably acceptable to the Registrar to the effect that no registration under the Securities Act is required in respect of such exchange or transfer or the re-sale of such interest by the beneficial holder thereof, shall be required to be delivered to the Registrar and the Trustee.

(h) No Obligation of the Trustee.

(i) The Trustee shall have no responsibility or obligation to any beneficial owner of a Global Note, a member of, or a participant in the Depositary or any other Person with respect to the accuracy of the records of the Depositary or its nominee or of any participant or member thereof, with respect to any ownership interest in the Notes or with respect to the delivery to any participant, member, beneficial owner or other Person (other than the Depositary) of any notice (including any notice of redemption or repurchase) or the payment of any amount, under or with respect to such Notes. All notices and communications to be given to the Holders and all payments to be made to Holders under the Notes shall be given or made only to the registered Holders (which shall be the Depositary or its nominee in the case of a Global Note). The rights of beneficial owners in any Global Note shall be exercised only through the Depositary subject to the applicable rules and procedures of the Depositary. The Trustee may rely and shall be fully protected in relying upon information furnished by the Depositary with respect to its members, participants and any beneficial owners.

 

A-8


(ii) The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or inquire as to compliance with any restrictions on transfer imposed under this Indenture or under applicable law with respect to any transfer of any interest in any Note (including any transfers between or among Depositary participants, members or beneficial owners in any Global Note) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when expressly required by, the terms of this Indenture, and to examine the same to determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements hereof.

Section 2.3 Definitive Notes.

(a) A Global Note deposited with the Depositary or with the Trustee as Custodian pursuant to Section 2.1 may be transferred to the beneficial owners thereof in the form of Definitive Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such Global Note, in exchange for such Global Note, only if such transfer complies with Section 2.2 of this Appendix A and (i) the Depositary notifies the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as a Depositary for such Global Note or if at any time the Depositary ceases to be a “clearing agency” registered under the Exchange Act and, in each case, a successor depositary is not appointed by the Company within 90 days of such notice or after the Company becomes aware of such cessation, (ii) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and the Registrar has received a request from the Depository or (iii) the Company, in its sole discretion and subject to the procedures of the Depository, notifies the Trustee in writing that it elects to cause the issuance of Definitive Notes under this Indenture. In addition, any Affiliate of the Company or any Guarantor that is a beneficial owner of all or part of a Global Note may have such Affiliate’s beneficial interest transferred to such Affiliate in the form of a Definitive Note by providing a written request to the Company and the Trustee and such Opinions of Counsel, certificates or other information as may be required by this Indenture or the Company or Trustee.

(b) Any Global Note that is transferable to the beneficial owners thereof pursuant to this Section 2.3 shall be surrendered by the Depositary to the Trustee, to be so transferred, in whole or from time to time in part, without charge, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, upon such transfer of each portion of such Global Note, an equal aggregate principal amount of Definitive Notes of authorized denominations. Any portion of a Global Note transferred pursuant to this Section 2.3 shall be executed, authenticated and delivered only in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof and registered in such names as the Depositary shall direct. Any Definitive Note delivered in exchange for an interest in a Global Note that is a Transfer Restricted Note shall, except as otherwise provided by Section 2.2(e) of this Appendix A, bear the Restricted Notes Legend.

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

(d) In the event of the occurrence of any of the events specified in Section 2.3(a) of this Appendix A, the Company shall promptly make available to the Trustee a reasonable supply of Definitive Notes in fully registered form without interest coupons.

 

A-9


EXHIBIT A

[FORM OF FACE OF NOTE]

[Insert the Restricted Notes Legend, if applicable, pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

[Insert the Global Notes Legend, if applicable, pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

[Insert the Definitive Notes Legend, if applicable, pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture]

[Insert the ERISA Legend, if applicable, pursuant to the provisions of the Indenture.]

 

A-1


CUSIP [                ]

ISIN [                ]1

[RULE 144A][REGULATION S] GLOBAL NOTE

6.875% Senior Notes due 2026

No. [RA-     ] [RS-     ] [RIAI-     ]

[Up to]2 [$ ]

SCHWEITZER-MAUDUIT INTERNATIONAL, INC.

promises to pay to [CEDE & CO.]3 [            ] or registered assigns the principal sum [set forth on the Schedule of Exchanges of Interests in the Global Note attached hereto]4 [of $         (             Dollars)]5 on October 1, 2026.

Interest Payment Dates: April 1 and October 1

Record Dates: March 15 and September 15

 

1 

Rule 144A Note CUSIP: 808541 AA4
Rule 144A Note ISIN: US808541AA42
Regulation S Note CUSIP: U8068M AA8
Regulation S Note ISIN: USU8068MAA81
IAI Note CUSIP: 808541 AB2
IAI Note ISIN: US808541AB25

2 

Include in Global Notes.

3 

Include in Global Notes.

4 

Include in Global Notes.

5 

Include in Definitive Notes.

 

A-2


IN WITNESS HEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed.

 

Dated:     SCHWEITZER-MAUDUIT INTERNATIONAL, INC.
   

By:

   
      Name:
      Title:

 

A-3


CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

This is one of the Notes referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture:

 

WILMINGTON TRUST, National Association, as Trustee
By:    
  Authorized Signatory

Dated:

 

A-4


[Reverse Side of Note]

6.875% Senior Notes due 2026

Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture referred to below unless otherwise indicated.

1. INTEREST. Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at 6.875% per annum until but excluding maturity. The Company shall pay interest semi-annually in arrears on April 1 and October 1 of each year, or if any such day is not a Business Day, on the next succeeding Business Day (each, an “Interest Payment Date”). Interest on the Notes shall accrue from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from and including [•]; provided that the first Interest Payment Date shall be [•]. The Company shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue principal and premium, if any, from time to time on demand at the interest rate on the Notes to the extent lawful; it shall pay interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law) on overdue installments of interest (without regard to any applicable grace periods) from time to time on demand at the interest rate on the Notes to the extent lawful. Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.

2. METHOD OF PAYMENT. The Company shall pay interest on the Notes to the Persons who are registered holders of Notes at the close of business on the March 15 or September 15 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, immediately preceding the related Interest Payment Date, even if such Notes are canceled after such Record Date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, except as provided in Section 2.12 of the Indenture with respect to defaulted interest. Principal, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes shall be payable at the office or agency of the Company maintained for such purpose or, at the option of the Company, payment of interest and premium, if any, may be made by check mailed to the Holders at their respective addresses set forth in the Note Register; provided that payment by wire transfer of immediately available funds shall be required with respect to principal, premium, if any, and interest on all Global Notes and all other Notes the Holders of which shall have provided wire transfer instructions to the Company or the Paying Agent at least five Business Days prior to the applicable payment date. Such payment shall be in such coin or currency of the United States as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.

3. PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR. Initially, Wilmington Trust, National Association, the Trustee under the Indenture, shall act as Paying Agent and Registrar. The Company may change any Paying Agent or Registrar without notice to the Holders. The Company or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries may act in any such capacity.

4. INDENTURE. The Company issued the Notes under an Indenture, dated as of September 25, 2018 (as amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Indenture”), among the Company, the Guarantors named therein and the Trustee. This Note is one of a duly authorized issue of notes of the Company designated as its 6.875% Senior Notes due 2026. The Company shall be entitled to issue Additional Notes pursuant to Section 2.01 and 4.09 of the Indenture. The Notes and any Additional Notes issued under the Indenture shall be treated as a single class of securities under the Indenture. The terms of the Notes include those stated in the Indenture. The Notes are subject to all such terms, and Holders are referred to the Indenture for a statement of such terms. Any term used in this Note that is defined in the Indenture shall have the meaning assigned to it in the Indenture. To the extent any provision of this Note conflicts with the express provisions of the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall govern and be controlling.

 

A-5


5. REDEMPTION AND REPURCHASE. The Notes are subject to optional redemption, and may be the subject of an Offer to Purchase, as further described in the Indenture. The Company shall not be required to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the Notes.

6. DENOMINATIONS, TRANSFER, EXCHANGE. The Notes are in registered form without coupons in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. The transfer of Notes may be registered and Notes may be exchanged as provided in the Indenture. The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents in connection with a transfer of Notes, and Holders shall be required to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Company need not exchange or register the transfer of any Note or portion of a Note selected for redemption or tendered for repurchase in connection with an Offer to Purchase, except for the unredeemed portion of any Note being redeemed or repurchased in part.

7. PERSONS DEEMED OWNERS. The registered Holder of a Note may be treated as its owner for all purposes.

8. AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER. The Indenture, the Note Guarantees or the Notes may be amended or supplemented, and provisions in the Indenture, the Note Guarantees or the Notes may be waived, in each case, as provided in the Indenture.

9. DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES. The Events of Default relating to the Notes are defined in Section 6.01(a) of the Indenture. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, the rights and obligations of the Company, the Guarantors, the Trustee and the Holders shall be as set forth in the applicable provisions of the Indenture.

10. AUTHENTICATION. This Note shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose until authenticated by the manual signature of the Trustee.

11. GOVERNING LAW. THIS NOTE WILL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

12. CUSIP AND ISIN NUMBERS. Pursuant to a recommendation promulgated by the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, the Company has caused CUSIP and ISIN numbers to be printed on the Notes, and the Trustee may use CUSIP and ISIN numbers in notices of redemption as a convenience to Holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers placed thereon.

The Company shall furnish to any Holder upon written request and without charge a copy of the Indenture. Requests may be made to the Company at the following address:

 

A-6


c/o Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc.

100 North Point Center East, Suite 600

Alpharetta, Georgia 30022

Fax No.: (770) 569-4275

Email: rnunez@swmintl.com and sshell@swmintl.com

Attention: General Counsel and the Controller

 

A-7


ASSIGNMENT FORM

To assign this Note, fill in the form below:

 

(I) or (we) assign and transfer this Note to:     
   (Insert assignee’s legal name)
      
(Insert assignee’s soc. sec. or tax I.D. no.)
         
         
         
         
(Print or type assignee’s name, address and zip code)
and irrevocably appoint     
to transfer this Note on the books of the Company. The agent may substitute another to act for him.

 

Date:  
  Your Signature:    
    (Sign exactly as your name appears on the face of this Note)
Signature Guarantee*:                                                          

 

*

Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

A-8


CERTIFICATE TO BE DELIVERED UPON EXCHANGE OR

REGISTRATION OF TRANSFERS OF TRANSFER RESTRICTED NOTES

This certificate relates to $         principal amount of Notes held in (check applicable space)              book-entry or              definitive form by the undersigned.

The undersigned (check one box below):

 

has requested the Trustee by written order to deliver in exchange for its beneficial interest in a Global Note held by the Depositary a Note or Notes in definitive, registered form of authorized denominations and an aggregate principal amount equal to its beneficial interest in such Global Note (or the portion thereof indicated above) in accordance with the Indenture; or

 

has requested the Trustee by written order to exchange or register the transfer of a Note or Notes.

In connection with any transfer of any of the Notes evidenced by this certificate, the undersigned confirms that such Notes are being transferred in accordance with its terms:

CHECK ONE BOX BELOW

 

(1)      to the Company or subsidiary thereof; or
(2)      to the Registrar for registration in the name of the Holder, without transfer; or
(3)      pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”); or
(4)      to a Person that the undersigned reasonably believes is a “qualified institutional buyer” (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act (“Rule 144A”)) that purchases for its own account or for the account of a qualified institutional buyer and to whom notice is given that such transfer is being made in reliance on Rule 144A, in each case pursuant to and in compliance with Rule 144A; or
(5)      pursuant to offers and sales to non-U.S. persons that occur outside the United States within the meaning of Regulation S under the Securities Act (and if the transfer is being made prior to the expiration of the Distribution Compliance Period, the Notes shall be held immediately thereafter through Euroclear or Clearstream); or
(6)      to an institutional “accredited investor” (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act) that has furnished to the Trustee a signed letter containing certain representations and agreements; or
(7)      pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act; or
(8)      pursuant to another available exemption from registration under the Securities Act.

Unless one of the boxes is checked, the Trustee will refuse to register any of the Notes evidenced by this certificate in the name of any Person other than the registered Holder thereof; provided, however, that if box (5), (6), (7) or (8) is checked, the Company or the Trustee may require, prior

 

A-9


to registering any such transfer of the Notes, such legal opinions, certifications and other information as the Company or the Trustee has reasonably requested to confirm that such transfer is being made pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

 

         
        Your Signature
Date:            
        Signature of Signature Guarantor

TO BE COMPLETED BY PURCHASER IF (4) ABOVE IS CHECKED.

The undersigned represents and warrants that it is purchasing this Note for its own account or an account with respect to which it exercises sole investment discretion and that it and any such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule 144A, and is aware that the sale to it is being made in reliance on Rule 144A and acknowledges that it has received such information regarding the Company as the undersigned has requested pursuant to Rule 144A or has determined not to request such information and that it is aware that the transferor is relying upon the undersigned’s foregoing representations in order to claim the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A.

 

Dated:          
        NOTICE:   To be executed by an executive officer
        Name:  
        Title:  
Signature Guarantee*:      

 

*

Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

A-10


TO BE COMPLETED IF THE HOLDER REQUIRES AN EXCHANGE FROM A REGULATION S GLOBAL NOTE TO AN UNRESTRICTED GLOBAL NOTE, PURSUANT TO SECTION 2.2(d)(iii) OF APPENDIX A TO THE INDENTURE

The undersigned represents and warrants that either:

 

the undersigned is not a dealer (as defined in the Securities Act) and is a non-U.S. person (within the meaning of Regulation S under the Securities Act); or

 

the undersigned is not a dealer (as defined in the Securities Act) and is a U.S. person (within the meaning of Regulation S under the Securities Act) who purchased interests in the Notes pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements under the Securities Act; or

 

the undersigned is a dealer (as defined in the Securities Act) and the interest of the undersigned in this Note does not constitute the whole or a part of an unsold allotment to or subscription by such dealer for the Notes.

 

Dated:                                                                           

     

 

      Your Signature

 

A-11


OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE

If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.14 or Section 4.15 of the Indenture, check the appropriate box below:

[    ] Section 4.14                 [    ] Section 4.15

If you want to elect to have only part of this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to Section 4.14 or Section 4.15 of the Indenture, state the amount you elect to have purchased:

 

                                                   (integral multiples of $1,000,
     provided that the unpurchased portion must be in a minimum principal amount of $2,000)

Date:                                      

 

  Your Signature:  

 

   

(Sign exactly as your name appears on

the face of this Note)

 

Tax Identification No.:                                                                                       

Signature Guarantee*:                                                              

 

*

Participant in a recognized Signature Guarantee Medallion Program (or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee).

 

A-12


SCHEDULE OF EXCHANGES OF INTERESTS IN THE GLOBAL NOTE*

The initial outstanding principal amount of this Global Note is $            . The following exchanges of a part of this Global Note for an interest in another Global Note or for a Definitive Note, or exchanges of a part of another Global Note or Definitive Note for an interest in this Global Note, have been made:

 

Date of Exchange

   Amount of decrease
in Principal Amount of
this Global Note
     Amount of
increase
in Principal
Amount of
this
Global Note
     Principal
Amount of
this Global
Note
following
such
decrease or
increase
     Signature of
authorized signatory
of Trustee,
Depositary or
Custodian
 
           
           
           
           
           

 

*

This schedule should be included only if the Note is issued in global form.

 

A-13


EXHIBIT B

FORM OF

TRANSFEREE LETTER OF REPRESENTATION

Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc.

100 North Point Center East, Suite 600

Alpharetta, Georgia 30022

Fax No.: (770) 569-4275

Email: rnunez@swmintl.com and sshell@swmintl.com

Attention: General Counsel and the Controller

Ladies and Gentlemen:

This certificate is delivered to request a transfer of $[                    ] principal amount of the 6.875% Senior Notes due 2026 (the “Notes”) of Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc. (the “Company”).

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

 

Name:    

 

Address: 

  

 

Taxpayer ID Number: 

  

 

The undersigned represents and warrants to you that:

1. We are an institutional “accredited investor” (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”)), purchasing for our own account or for the account of such an institutional “accredited investor” at least $250,000 principal amount of the Notes, and we are acquiring the Notes, for investment purposes and not with a view to, or for offer or sale in connection with, any distribution in violation of the Securities Act. We have such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of our investment in the Notes, and we invest in or purchase securities similar to the Notes in the normal course of our business. We, and any accounts for which we are acting, are each able to bear the economic risk of our or its investment.

2. We understand that the Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act and, unless so registered, may not be sold except as permitted in the following sentence. We agree on our own behalf and on behalf of any investor account for which we are purchasing Notes to offer, sell or otherwise transfer such Notes prior to the date that is one year after the later of the date of original issue and the last date on which the Company or any affiliate of the Company was the owner of such Notes (or any predecessor thereto) (the “Resale Restriction Termination Date”) only in accordance with the Restricted Notes Legend (as such term is defined in the indenture under which the Notes were issued) on the Notes and any applicable securities laws of any state of the United States. The foregoing restrictions on resale will not apply subsequent to the Resale Restriction Termination Date. If any resale or other transfer of the Notes is proposed to be made pursuant to clause (e) above prior to the Resale Restriction Termination Date, the transferor shall deliver a letter from the transferee substantially in the form of this letter to the Company and the Trustee, which shall provide, among other things, that the transferee is an institutional “accredited investor” within the meaning of Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act and that it is acquiring such Notes for investment purposes and not for distribution in violation of the Securities Act. Each purchaser acknowledges that the Company and the Trustee reserve the right prior to

 

B-1


the offer, sale or other transfer prior to the Resale Restriction Termination Date of the Notes with respect to applicable transfers described in the Restricted Notes Legend to require the delivery of an opinion of counsel, certifications and/or other information satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee.

 

TRANSFEREE:                                                              ,
  by:     

 

B-2


EXHIBIT C

FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE
TO BE DELIVERED BY SUBSEQUENT GUARANTORS

Supplemental Indenture (this “Supplemental Indenture”), dated as of [                    ] [        ], 20[        ], among                             (the “Guaranteeing Subsidiary”), a subsidiary of Schweitzer-Mauduit International, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”).

W I T N E S S E T H

WHEREAS, each of the Company and the Guarantors (as defined in the Indenture referred to below) has heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee an indenture (the “Indenture”), dated as of September 25, 2018, providing for the issuance of an unlimited aggregate principal amount of 6.875% Senior Notes due 2026 (the “Notes”);

WHEREAS, the Indenture provides that under certain circumstances the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall unconditionally Guarantee all of the Company’s Obligations under the Notes and the Indenture on the terms and conditions set forth herein and under the Indenture; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Indenture, the Trustee is authorized to execute and deliver this Supplemental Indenture.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties mutually covenant and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the Holders as follows:

1. Capitalized Terms. Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

2. Guarantor. The Guaranteeing Subsidiary hereby agrees to be a Guarantor under the Indenture and to be bound by the terms of the Indenture applicable to Guarantors, including Article 10 thereof.

3. Notices. All notices or other communications to the Guaranteeing Subsidiary shall be given as provided in Section 12.01 of the Indenture.

4. Trustee Makes No Representation. The Trustee shall not be responsible in any manner whatsoever for or in respect of the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture or for or in respect of the recitals contained herein, all of which recitals are made solely by the Guaranteeing Subsidiary.

5. Governing Law. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE WILL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

6. Waiver of Jury Trial. EACH OF THE GUARANTEEING SUBSIDIARY AND THE TRUSTEE HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY AND ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, THE INDENTURE, THE NOTES, THE NOTE GUARANTEES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY.

 

C-1


7. Counterparts. The parties may sign any number of copies of this Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them together represent the same agreement.

8. Headings. The headings of the Sections of this Supplemental Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not to be considered a part of this Supplemental Indenture and shall in no way modify or restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.

 

C-2


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed, all as of the date first above written.

 

[NAME OF GUARANTEEING SUBSIDIARY]

By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL

ASSOCIATION, as Trustee

By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:

 

C-3