FORM 10-Q
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
(Mark one)
[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (D) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 1996 or
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TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (D) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to
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Commission file number I-91
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Furniture Brands International, Inc.
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 43-0337683
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(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
101 South Hanley Road, St. Louis, Missouri 63105
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code (314) 863-1100
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Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since
last report
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all
reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such
shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports),
and (2) has been subject to such filing requirement for the past 90
days.
Yes X No
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APPLICABLE ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY
PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PRECEDING FIVE YEARS
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all
documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution
of securities under a plan confirmed by a court.
Yes X No
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APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's
classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
61,426,281 Shares as of September 30, 1996
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PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION
----------------------------
Item 1. Financial Statements
Consolidated Financial Statements for the quarter ended September 30,
1996.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Consolidated Statements of Operations:
Three Months Ended September 30, 1996
Three Months Ended September 30, 1995
Nine Months Ended September 30, 1996
Nine Months Ended September 30, 1995
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows:
Nine Months Ended September 30, 1996
Nine Months Ended September 30, 1995
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Separate financial statements and other disclosures with respect to
the Company's subsidiaries are omitted as such separate financial
statements and other disclosures are not deemed material to investors.
The financial statements are unaudited, but include all adjustments
(consisting of normal recurring adjustments) which the management of
the Company considers necessary for a fair presentation of the results
of the period. The results for the three months and nine months ended
September 30, 1996 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be
expected for the full year.<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FURNITURE BRANDS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
<C> <C>
September 30, December 31,
1996 1995
ASSETS ------------ -----------
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents....................... $ 21,456 $ 26,412
Receivables, less allowances of $25,349
($20,724 at December 31, 1995)................ 292,669 276,116
Inventories...........................(Note 3).. 280,977 269,677
Prepaid expenses and other current assets....... 17,608 17,888
------------ -----------
Total current assets.......................... 612,710 590,093
------------ -----------
Property, plant and equipment..................... 410,553 389,429
Less accumulated depreciation................... 114,763 83,023
------------ -----------
Net property, plant and equipment............. 295,790 306,406
------------ -----------
Intangible assets, net............................ 345,383 370,307
Other assets...................................... 14,682 24,933
------------ -----------
$ 1,268,565 $ 1,291,739
============ ===========
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt............ $ - $ 18,639
Accrued interest expense........................ 2,461 1,304
Accounts payable and other accrued expenses..... 150,937 115,114
------------ -----------
Total current liabilities..................... 153,398 135,057
------------ -----------
Long-term debt, less current maturities.(Notes 4
and 6).......................................... 578,600 705,040
Other long-term liabilities....................... 133,626 150,486
Shareholders' equity:
Preferred stock, authorized 10,000,000
shares, no par value - issued none............ - -
Common stock, authorized 100,000,000 shares,
$1.00 stated value - issued 61,426,281
shares at September 30, 1996 and 50,120,079
shares at December 31, 1995.........(Note 4).. 61,426 50,120
Paid-in capital................................. 279,273 218,156
Retained earnings............................... 62,242 32,880
------------ -----------
Total shareholders' equity.................... 402,941 301,156
------------ -----------
$ 1,268,565 $ 1,291,739
============ ===========<PAGE>
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FURNITURE BRANDS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)
(Unaudited)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Three Months Three Months
Ended Ended
September 30, September 30,
1996 1995
------------ ------------
Net sales...................................... $ 417,921 $ 258,626
Costs and expenses:
Cost of operations........................... 301,667 182,349
Selling, general and administrative expenses. 69,266 49,721
Depreciation and amortization................ 13,353 9,049
------------ ------------
Earnings from operations....................... 33,635 17,507
Interest expense............................... 10,592 8,212
Other income, net.............................. 566 1,081
------------ ------------
Earnings before income tax expense and
extraordinary item........................... 23,609 10,376
Income tax expense............................. 9,284 4,180
------------- ------------
Net earnings before extraordinary item......... 14,325 6,196
Extraordinary item - early extinguishment of
debt, net of tax benefit....(Note 7)......... (7,417) -
------------ ------------
Net earnings................................... $ 6,908 $ 6,196
============ ============
Net earnings per common share - primary:
Net earnings before extraordinary item....... $ 0.22 $ 0.12
Extraordinary item - early extinguishment
of debt.................................... (0.11) -
------ ------
Net earnings per common share - primary........ $ 0.11 $ 0.12
====== ======
Net earnings per common share - fully diluted:
Net earnings before extraordinary item....... $ 0.22 $ 0.12
Extraordinary item - early extinguishment
of debt.................................... (0.11) -
----- ------
Net earnings per common share - fully diluted.. $ 0.11 $ 0.12
====== ======
Weighted average common and common equivalent
shares outstanding:
Primary...................................... 64,093,194 50,597,623
============ ============
Fully diluted................................ 64,754,201 51,403,855
============ ============
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FURNITURE BRANDS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Dollars in thousands except per share data)
(Unaudited)
<C> <C>
Nine Months Nine Months
Ended Ended
September 30, September 30,
1996 1995
------------ ------------
Net sales...................................... $ 1,262,610 $ 794,866
Costs and expenses:
Cost of operations........................... 913,207 562,479
Selling, general and administrative expenses. 214,038 149,101
Depreciation and amortization................ 41,411 28,387
------------ ------------
Earnings from operations....................... 93,954 54,899
Interest expense............................... 35,672 25,409
Other income, net.............................. 1,978 3,352
------------ ------------
Earnings before income tax expense and
extraordinary item........................... 60,260 32,842
Income tax expense............................. 23,467 13,416
------------ ------------
Net earnings before extraordinary item......... 36,793 19,426
Extraordinary item - early extinguishment
of debt, net of tax benefit..(Note 7)........ (7,417) -
------------ ------------
Net earnings................................... $ 29,376 $ 19,426
============ ============
Net earnings per common share - primary:
Net earnings before extraordinary item....... $ 0.60 $ 0.38
Extraordinary item - early extinguishment
of debt.................................... (0.12) -
------ ------
Net earnings per common share - primary........ $ 0.48 $ 0.38
====== ======
Net earnings per common share - fully diluted:
Net earnings before extraordinary item....... $ 0.59 $ 0.38
Extraordinary item - early extinguishment
of debt.................................... (0.12) -
------ ------
Net earnings per common share - fully diluted.. $ 0.47 $ 0.38
====== ======
Weighted average common and common
equivalent shares outstanding:
Primary...................................... 61,227,139 50,597,623
============ ============
Fully diluted................................ 62,764,804 51,403,855
============ ============
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FURNITURE BRANDS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
<C> <C>
Nine Months Nine Months
Ended Ended
September 30, September 30,
1996 1995
------------ ------------
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net earnings.................... $ 29,376 $ 19,426
Adjustments to reconcile net
earnings to net cash provided by
operating activities:
Net loss on early extinguishment
of debt.................... 7,417 -
Depreciation of property, plant
and equipment.............. 32,406 21,087
Amortization of intangible and
other assets............... 9,005 7,300
Noncash interest expense..... 1,756 1,670
Increase in receivables...... (16,553) (4,085)
Increase in inventories...... (11,300) (2,386)
Decrease in prepaid expenses
and intangible and other assets.. 17,179 2,783
Increase in accounts payable,
accrued interest expense and other
accrued expenses................. 42,502 25,250
Decrease in net deferred tax
liabilities...................... (605) (3,173)
Decrease in other long-term
liabilities...................... (16,010) (13)
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Net cash provided by operating
activities.......................... 95,173 67,859
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Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Proceeds from the disposal of
assets............................. 2,140 147
Additions to property, plant
and equipment..................... (23,930) (12,311)
----------- ----------
Net cash used by investing activities. (21,790) (12,164)
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Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Payments for debt issuance costs...... (4,630) -
Additions to long-term debt........... 380,000 -
Payments of long-term debt............ (524,279) (23,875)
Proceeds from the sale of common stock 81,292 -
Proceeds from the issuance of common
stock............................... 9,239 199
Payments for the repurchase of common
stock warrants...................... (19,961) (2,789)
------------ ----------
Net cash used by financing activities (78,339) (26,465)<PAGE>
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Net increase (decrease) in cash and
cash equivalents.................... (4,956) 29,230
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning
of period........................... 26,412 32,145
------------ ----------
Cash and cash equivalents at end
of period........................... $ 21,456 $ 61,375
============ ==========
Supplemental Disclosure:
Cash payments for income taxes, net. $ 20,225 $ 6,549
============ ==========
Cash payments for interest expense.. $ 32,834 $ 22,548
============ ==========
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(1) The financial statements are unaudited but include all
adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) which
the management of the Company considers necessary for a fair
presentation of the results of the period. The results for the
three months and nine months ended September 30, 1996 are not
necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the
full year.
(2) In October 1995, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued
SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation" ("SFAS
No. 123"). Under SFAS No. 123, companies can either measure the
compensation cost of equity instruments issued under employee
compensation plans using a fair value based method, or can
continue to recognize compensation cost under the provisions of
Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 ("Opinion No. 25")
with pro forma disclosures of net income and earnings per share
as if the fair value method had been applied. The Company
adopted SFAS No. 123 as of January 1, 1996 and has elected to,
as permitted under the statement, continue recognition of
compensation costs under the provisions of Opinion No. 25 with
appropriate disclosure, if material. The effect on net earnings
for the three-month and nine-month period ended September 30,
1996 is not material and, accordingly, no disclosure has been
made. Further, based on current and anticipated use of stock
options for the foreseeable future, it is not envisioned that
the impact of the pronouncement would be material in subsequent
periods.
(3) Inventories are summarized as follows, in thousands:
September 30, December 31,
1996 1995
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Finished products $ 124,094 $ 114,857
Work-in-process 54,017 51,259
Raw materials 102,866 103,561
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$ 280,977 $ 269,677
============ ===========
(4) On March 1, 1996, the Company completed its offering of ten
million common shares generating net cash proceeds of $81.3
million which were used to repay long-term debt. This long-term
debt payment was applied in reverse order of maturity to the
term loan "C" facility of the Company's secured credit
agreement.<PAGE>
(5) In February 1996, the Company entered into interest rate swap
agreements with two financial institutions to reduce the impact
of changes in interest rates on its floating rate long-term
debt. The two agreements, having a total notional principal
amount of $300.0 million, mature in three years. The swap
agreements effectively convert a portion of the Company's
floating rate long-term debt to a fixed rate. The Company pays
the counterparties a fixed rate of 5.14% per annum and receives
payments based upon the floating three month London interbank
offered rate (LIBOR). The Company is exposed to credit loss in
the event of nonperformance by the counterparties; however, the
Company does not anticipate nonperformance by the counterparties.
(6) On September 6, 1996, the Company refinanced its secured credit
agreement. The new secured credit agreement is a five-year,
reducing revolving credit facility with an initial commitment
totaling $475.0 million. The revolving credit facility has no
mandatory principal payments; however, the commitment is reduced
to $400.0 million on September 30, 1999, $300.0 million on
September 29, 2000, with remaining commitment maturing on
September 15, 2001.
The revolving credit facility allows for issuance of letters of
credit and cash borrowings. Letter of credit outstandings are
limited to no more than $60.0 million, with cash borrowings
limited only by the facility's maximum availability less letters
of credit outstanding. On September 30, 1996, $365.0 million in
cash borrowings were outstanding under the revolving credit
facility.
Cash borrowings under the revolving credit facility bear
interest at a base rate or at an adjusted Eurodollar rate plus
an applicable margin which varies, depending upon the type of
loan the Company executes. The applicable margin over the base
rate and Eurodollar rate is subject to adjustment based upon
certain financial performance ratios. At September 30, 1996,
all cash borrowings were Eurodollar loans having an interest
rate of 6.375%, which included an applicable margin of 0.875%.
(7) In conjunction with the September 6, 1996 refinancing of the
secured credit agreement, the Company charged to results of
operations $7.4 million, net of taxes of $4.5 million,
representing the deferred financing fees and expenses pertaining
to such credit facilities. The charge was recorded as an
extraordinary item.
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations
and Financial Condition
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Furniture Brands International, Inc. (the "Company") is a major
manufacturer of residential furniture. The Company has three primary
operating subsidiaries; Broyhill Furniture Industries, Inc., The Lane
Company, Incorporated and Thomasville Furniture Industries, Inc.<PAGE>
On December 29, 1995, the Company acquired Thomasville Furniture
Industries, Inc. ("Thomasville"). The transaction was accounted for
as a purchase and, since the acquisition occurred as of the last
business day of 1995, has been reflected in the Company's consolidated
balance sheet as of December 31, 1995. The Company's results of
operations for 1995 do not include any of the operations of
Thomasville.
Comparison of Three Months and Nine Months Ended September 30, 1996
-------------------------------------------------------------------
and 1995
--------
Selected financial information for the three months and nine months
ended September 30, 1996 and 1995 is presented below:
($ in millions, except per share data)
Three Months Ended
-----------------------------------------
September 30, 1996 September 30, 1995
------------------ ------------------
% of % of
Dollars Net Sales Dollars Net Sales
------- --------- ------- ---------
Net sales $417.9 100.0% $258.6 100.0%
Cost of operations 301.7 72.2 182.4 70.5
Selling, general and
administrative expenses 69.3 16.6 49.7 19.2
Depreciation and amortization 13.3 3.2 9.0 3.5
------ ----- ------ -----
Earnings from operations 33.6 8.0 17.5 6.8
Interest expense 10.6 2.5 8.2 3.2
Other income, net 0.6 0.1 1.1 0.4
------ ----- ------ -----
Earnings before income tax
expense and extraordinary
item 23.6 5.6 10.4 4.0
Income tax expense 9.3 2.2 4.2 1.6
------ ----- ------ -----
Net earnings before
extraordinary item $ 14.3 3.4% $ 6.2 2.4%
====== ===== ====== =====
Gross Profit (1) $107.1 25.6% $ 70.5 27.3%
EBITDA (2) 46.9 11.2 26.5 10.2 <PAGE>
Nine Months Ended
-----------------------------------------
September 30, 1996 September 30, 1995
------------------- ------------------
% of % of
Dollars Net Sales Dollars Net Sales
-------- --------- ------- ---------
Net sales $1,262.6 100.0% $794.9 100.0%
Cost of operations 913.2 72.3 562.5 70.8
Selling, general and
administrative expenses 214.0 17.0 149.1 18.7
Depreciation and amortization 41.4 3.3 28.4 3.6
------- ------ ------ -----
Earnings from operations 94.0 7.4 54.9 6.9
Interest expense 35.7 2.8 25.4 3.2
Other income, net 2.0 0.2 3.3 0.4
------- ------ ------ -----
Earnings before income tax
expense and extraordinary
item 60.3 4.8 32.8 4.1
Income tax expense 23.5 1.9 13.4 1.7
------- ------ ------ -----
Net earnings before
extraordinary item $ 36.8 2.9% $ 19.4 2.4%
======= ====== ====== =====
Gross Profit (1) $ 320.8 25.4% $214.3 27.0%
EBITDA (2) 135.4 10.7 83.3 10.5
(1) The Company believes that gross profit provides useful
information regarding a company's financial performance. Gross
profit should not be considered in isolation or as an
alternative to net earnings, an indicator of the Company's
operating performance, or an alternative to the Company's cash
flow from operating activities as a measure of liquidity. Gross
profit has been calculated by subtracting cost of operations and
the portion of depreciation associated with cost of goods sold
from net sales.
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
------------------ -----------------
1996 1995 1996 1995
------- ------- ------- ------
Net sales $417.9 $258.6 $1,262.6 $794.9
Cost of operations 301.7 182.4 913.2 562.5
Depreciation (associated
with cost of good sold) 9.1 5.7 28.6 18.1
------ ------ -------- ------
Gross Profit $107.1 $ 70.5 $ 320.8 $214.3
====== ====== ======== ======
(2) EBITDA is defined as caring from operations before depreciation and
amortization and therefore does not include other income, net, EBITDA
is not intended to represent cash flows for the period as measured
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Nor
has it been presented as an alternative to net income from
operations as an indicator of operating performance, and it should
not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of
performance prepared in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles. EBITDA is presented solely as supplemental
disclosure because the Company believes that it is a good measure
of the operating cash flow generated by the Company to enable it
to make capital expenditures and meet its other obligations.
The Company believes that EBITDA may be a better indicator for this
purpose than earnings from operations because of the significant
fresh-start depreciation and amortization charges described
herein. Because all companies and analysts do not calculate
EBITDA in an identical manner, EBITDA as presented above may not
necessarily be comparable to similarly-titled measures of other
companies.
Three Months Ended September 30, 1996 Compared to Three Months Ended
--------------------------------------------------------------------
September 30, 1995
------------------
Net sales for the three months ended September 30, 1996 increased to
$417.9 million from $258.6 million for the three months ended
September 30, 1995. The improved sales performance resulted primarily
from the acquisition of Thomasville. Had Thomasville been acquired at
the beginning of 1995, net sales for the three months ended September
30, 1996 would have increased 6.7% over those for the three months
ended September 30, 1995.
Cost of operations for the three months ended September 30, 1996 was
$301.7 million, compared to $182.4 million for the three months ended
September 30, 1995. The large increase was a result of the Company's
acquisition of Thomasville. Cost of operations as a percentage of net
sales increased from 70.5% for the three months ended September 30,
1995 to 72.2% for the three months ended September 30, 1996. This
increase was due to the acquisition of Thomasville which had higher
cost of operations as a percentage of net sales than the Company's
other operating subsidiaries. Had Thomasville been included on a pro
forma basis for the three months ended September 30, 1995, cost of
operations as a percentage of net sales would have been 73.4%.
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased to $69.3
million for the three months ended September 30, 1996 from $49.7
million for the three months ended September 30, 1995. The large
increase was a result of the Company's acquisition of Thomasville. As
a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative
expenses were 16.6% for the three months ended September 30, 1996
compared to 19.2% for the three months ended September 30, 1995,
reflecting the Company's acquisition of Thomasville.
Depreciation and amortization for the three months ended September 30,
1996 was $13.3 million, compared to $9.0 million for the three months
ended September 30, 1995. The large increase was a result of the
Company's acquisition of Thomasville. The amount of depreciation and
amortization attributable to the "fresh-start" reporting was $3.9
million and $3.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 1996
and September 30, 1995, respectively.
Interest expense for the three months ended September 30, 1996 totaled
$10.6 million, compared to $8.2 million for the prior year comparable
period. The increase in interest expense reflects additional debt
incurred for the acquisition of Thomasville.<PAGE>
Other income, net for the three months ended September 30, 1996,
totaled $0.6 million compared to $1.1 million for the three months
ended September 30, 1995. For the three months ended September 30,
1996, other income consisted of interest on short term investments of
$0.3 million and other miscellaneous income and (expense) items
totaling $0.3 million.
For the three months ended September 30, 1996, the Company provided
for income taxes totaling $9.3 million on earnings before income tax
expense and extraordinary item, producing an effective tax rate of
39.3% compared to an effective tax rate for the prior year comparable
period of 40.3%. The effective tax rates for such periods were
adversely impacted by certain nondeductible expenses incurred and
provisions for state and local income taxes.
Net earnings per common share before extraordinary item on a fully
diluted basis were $0.22 for the three months ended September 30, 1996
compared with $0.12 for the prior year comparable period. Weighted
average shares outstanding used in the calculation of net earnings per
common share on a primary and fully diluted basis were 64,093,000 and
64,754,000 in 1996, respectively, and 50,598,000 and 51,404,000 in
1995, respectively.
Gross profit for the three months ended September 30, 1996 was $107.1
million, representing an increase of 51.9% over gross profit for the
prior year comparable period of $70.5 million. The increase resulted
primarily from the acquisition of Thomasville. The decrease in gross
profit margin to 25.6% for the three months ended September 30, 1996
from 27.3% for the comparable period for the prior year was due to the
acquisition of Thomasville, which had lower gross profit margins than
the Company's other operating subsidiaries. Had Thomasville been
included on a pro forma basis in 1995, gross profit margin would have
been 24.4% for the three months ended September 30, 1995.
EBITDA for the three months ended September 30, 1996 was $46.9
million, representing an increase of 76.9% over EBITDA of $26.5
million for the comparable period of the prior year. This increase
resulted primarily from the acquisition of Thomasville. EBITDA as a
percentage of net sales increased to 11.2% for the three months ended
September 30, 1996 from 10.2% for the comparable period for the prior
year. Had Thomasville been included on a pro forma basis for the 1995
period, EBITDA as a percentage of net sales would have been 9.5% for
the three months ended September 30, 1995. This increase in EBITDA
margin reflects efficient manufacturing activity as well as the
Company's continuing efforts to enhance profitability.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 1996 Compared to Nine Months Ended
-------------------------------------------------------------------
September 30, 1995
------------------
Net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 increased to
$1,262.6 million from $794.9 million for the nine months ended
September 30, 1995. The improved sales performance resulted primarily<PAGE>
from the acquisition of Thomasville. Had Thomasville been acquired at
the beginning of 1995, net sales for the nine months ended September
30, 1996 would have increased 4.9% over those for the nine months
ended September 30, 1995.
Cost of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 was
$913.2 million, compared to $562.5 million for the nine months ended
September 30, 1995. The large increase was a result of the Company's
acquisition of Thomasville. Cost of operations as a percentage of net
sales increased from 70.8% for the nine months ended September 30,
1995 to 72.3% for the nine months ended September 30, 1996. This
increase was due to the acquisition of Thomasville which had higher
cost of operations as a percentage of net sales than the Company's
other operating subsidiaries. Had Thomasville been included on a pro
forma basis for the nine months ended September 30, 1995, cost of
operations as a percentage of net sales would have been 73.3%.
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased to $214.0
million for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 from $149.1
million for the nine months ended September 30, 1995. The large
increase was a result of the Company's acquisition of Thomasville. As
a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative
expenses were 17.0% for the nine months ended September 30, 1996
compared to 18.7% for the nine months ended September 30, 1995,
reflecting the Company's acquisition of Thomasville.
Depreciation and amortization for the nine months ended September 30,
1996 was $41.4 million, compared to $28.4 million for the nine months
ended September 30, 1995. The large increase was a result of the
Company's acquisition of Thomasville. The amount of depreciation and
amortization attributable to the "fresh-start" reporting was $12.3
million and $11.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 1996
and September 30, 1995, respectively.
Interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 totaled
$35.7 million, compared to $25.4 million for the prior year comparable
period. The increase in interest expense reflects additional debt
incurred for the acquisition of Thomasville.
Other income, net for the nine months ended September 30, 1996,
totaled $2.0 million compared to $3.3 million for the nine months
ended September 30, 1995. For the nine months ended September 30,
1996, other income consisted of interest on short term investments of
$1.1 million and other miscellaneous income and (expense) items
totaling $0.9 million.
For the nine months ended September 30, 1996, the Company provided for
income taxes totaling $23.5 million on earnings before income tax
expense and extraordinary item, producing an effective tax rate of
38.9% compared to an effective tax rate for the prior year comparable
period of 40.9%. The effective tax rates for such periods were
adversely impacted by certain nondeductible expenses incurred and
provisions for state and local income taxes.<PAGE>
Net earnings per common share before extraordinary item on a fully
diluted basis were $0.59 for the nine months ended September 30, 1996
compared with $0.38 for the prior year comparable period. Weighted
average shares outstanding used in the calculation of net earnings per
common share on a primary and fully diluted basis were 61,227,000 and
62,765,000 in 1996, respectively, and 50,598,000 and 51,404,000 in
1995, respectively.
Gross profit for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 was $320.8
million, representing an increase of 49.7% over gross profit for the
prior year comparable period of $214.3 million. The increase resulted
primarily from the acquisition of Thomasville. The decrease in gross
profit margin to 25.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 1996
from 27.0% for the comparable period for the prior year was due to the
acquisition of Thomasville, which had lower gross profit margins than
the Company's other operating subsidiaries. Had Thomasville been
included on a pro forma basis in 1995, gross profit margin would have
been 24.5% for the nine months ended September 30, 1995.
EBITDA for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 was $135.4
million, representing an increase of 62.5% over EBITDA of $83.3
million for the comparable period of the prior year. This increase
resulted primarily from the acquisition of Thomasville. EBITDA as a
percentage of net sales increased to 10.7% for the nine months ended
September 30, 1996 from 10.5% for the comparable period for the prior
year. Had Thomasville been included on a pro forma basis for the 1995
period, EBITDA as a percentage of net sales would have been 9.8% for
the nine months ended September 30, 1995. This increase in EBITDA
margin reflects efficient manufacturing activity as well as the
Company's continuing efforts to enhance profitability.
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND LIQUIDITY
Liquidity. Cash and cash equivalents at September 30, 1996 totaled
$21.5 million, compared to $26.4 million at December 31, 1995. For
the nine months ended September 30, 1996, net cash from operating
activities totaled $95.2 million. Net cash used in investing
activities totaled $21.8 million. Net cash used in financing
activities totaled $78.3 million, including the net repayment of
$144.3 million of long-term debt, the receipt of $81.3 million of net
proceeds from the sale of common stock pursuant to the March 1, 1996
equity offering (1996 Company Equity Sale), the receipt of $9.2
million from the exercise of warrants to purchase shares of common
stock, $19.9 million for the repurchase of warrants and $4.6 million
in debt issuance costs associated with the 1996 Refinancing.
Working capital was $459.3 million at September 30, 1996, compared to
$455.0 million at December 31, 1995. The current ratio was 4.0 to 1
at September 30, 1996, compared to 4.4 to 1 at December 31, 1995. The
modest increase in working capital was due to the Company's focus on
efficient management of individual working capital components.
As of September 30, 1996, long-term debt, including current<PAGE>
maturities, totaled $579.4 million compared to $723.7 million at
December 31, 1995. This reduction of indebtedness of $144.3 million
was funded by $81.3 million from the 1996 Company Equity Sale with the
remainder funded by cash flow from operations and warrant exercise
proceeds.
Financing Arrangements. On September 6, 1996, the Company refinanced
its Secured Credit Agreement and modified its Receivables
Securitization Facility (1996 Refinancing). The Secured Credit
Agreement replaces a secured credit agreement that had been entered
into in connection with the acquisition of Thomasville. The 1996
Refinancing will result in a substantial reduction in interest
expense, which at current debt levels will favorably impact annual
results by approximately $3.7 million, or $0.05 to $0.06 per share.
Had the 1996 Refinancing, the 1996 Company Equity Sale and the Series
1 Warrant repurchases been completed at the beginning of 1996,
earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 would have
increased by $0.04 per share.
The Secured Credit Agreement is a $475.0 million reducing revolving
credit facility. The interest rate on borrowings is based on selected
credit ratios set forth in the Secured Credit Agreement and as of
September 30, 1996 was 6.375%. The Secured Credit Agreement allows
for both the issuance of letters of credit and cash borrowings.
Letters of credit are limited to no more than $60.0 million. Cash
borrowings are limited to the facility's maximum availability less
letters of credit outstanding. As of September 30, 1996 the Company
had $365.0 million of cash borrowings drawn under the Secured Credit
Agreement and had excess availability of approximately $84.0 million.
The Secured Credit Agreement contains customary covenants including
financial covenants with respect to the Company's leverage and
interest coverage. The leverage (a ratio of net debt to cash flows)
and interest coverage (a ratio of cash flows to interest expense)
covenants are the most restrictive covenants contained in the
Secured Credit Agreement. The Company is currently and expects to
continue to be in compliance with all restrictive covenants in the
Secured Credit Agreement.
The Receivables Securitization Facility is a $225.0 million facility
pursuant to which the Company sells interests in the trade receivables
of its operating companies to a third party financial institution.
The Company accounts for the Receivables Securitization Facility as
long-term debt. The Company's cost of borrowing is based on a
commercial paper index rate plus a program fee and as of September 30,
1996 was 6.045%. At September 30, 1996 the Company had approximately
$17.0 million of excess availability under the Receivables
Securitization Facility.
In February 1996, in order to reduce the impact of changes in interest
rates on its floating rate long-term debt, the Company entered into
three-year interest rate swap agreements having a total notional
amount of $300 million.
The Company believes that the Secured Credit Agreement and the
Receivables Securitization Facility, together with cash generated from
operations, will be adequate to meet liquidity requirements for the
foreseeable future.
Capital Expenditures. The Company maintains a significant capital
expenditure program focusing on increasing manufacturing efficiency
and expanding capacity as required. The Company's total capital
expenditures were $23.9 million, $35.6 million, $21.1 million and<PAGE>
$30.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 1996 and the
years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993, respectively. The
annual figures do not include the capital expenditures of Thomasville
($15.2 million, $14.1 million and $10.0 million for the years ended
December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993, respectively). The Company
estimates that total capital expenditures will be approximately $40.0
million in both 1996 and 1997. Significant new projects during the
past three years included a new upholstery manufacturing facility at
Action Industries to meet the increased demand for the Company's
recliners, motion furniture and sleep sofas and a state-of-the-art
flat line finishing system at Lane. The capital expenditures for 1995
include $18.2 million to construct a new state-of-the-art
particleboard manufacturing facility at Broyhill, which was funded by
proceeds from an insurance settlement, to replace the Company's
facility that was destroyed by fire in November 1994. The Company
believes that as a result of the availability of excess capacity in
the Lane and Thomasville manufacturing facilities, the Company will be
able to pursue its growth strategy over the next several years without
the necessity of making significant additional capital expenditures to
expand capacity.<PAGE>
PART II OTHER INFORMATION
-------------------------
Item 5. Other Information
On September 26, 1996, the Company announced that Wilbert G.
(Mickey) Holliman, Jr. was elected a director and to the
office of President and Chief Executive Officer effective
October 1, 1996.
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
(a) 3(a) Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended.
3(b) By-Laws of the Company revised and amended to April
23, 1996.
4(a) Credit Agreement, dated as of November 17, 1994, as
amended and restated as of December 29, 1995, and
further amended and restated as of September 6, 1996,
among the Company, Broyhill Furniture Industries,
Inc., The Lane Company, Incorporated, Thomasville
Furniture Industries, Inc., Various Banks, Credit
Lyonnais New York Branch, as Documentation Agent,
Nationsbank, N.A., as Syndication Agent, and Bankers
Trust Company, as Administration Agent.
4(b) Amendment No. 1, dated as of June 27, 1996, to the
Purchase and Contribution Agreement, dated as of
November 15, 1994, as amended and restated as of
December 29, 1995, among The Lane Company,
Incorporated, Action Industries, Inc., Broyhill
Furniture Industries, Inc. and Thomasville Furniture
Industries, Inc. as Sellers and Interco Receivables
Corp. as Purchaser.
4(c) Amendment No. 2, dated as of September 6, 1996, to
the Purchase and Contribution Agreement, dated as of
November 15, 1994, as amended and restated as of
December 29, 1995, and further amended as of June 27,
1996, among The Lane Company, Incorporated, Action
Industries, Inc., Broyhill Furniture Industries, Inc.
and Thomasville Furniture Industries, Inc. as Sellers
and Interco Receivables Corp. as Purchaser.
4(d) Amendment No. 1, dated as of June 27, 1996, to the
Receivables Purchase Agreement, dated as of November
15, 1994, as amended and restated as of December 29,
1995, among Interco Receivables Corp. as Seller,
Atlantic Asset Securitization Corp., as Issuer, and
Credit Lyonnais New York Branch, as Agent for the
Investors.<PAGE>
4(e) Amendment No. 2, dated as of September 6, 1996, to
the Receivables Purchase Agreement, dated as of
November 15, 1994, as amended and restated as of
December 29, 1995, and further amended as of June 27,
1996, among Interco Receivables Corp. as Seller,
Atlantic Asset Securitization Corp. as Issuer, and
Credit Lyonnais New York Branch, as Agent for the
Investors.
10(a) Employment Agreement, dated as of August 1, 1996,
between Action Industries, Inc. and Wilbert G.
Holliman, Jr.
10(b) Written description of employment agreement between
the Company and Wilbert G. Holliman, Jr.
10(c) Employment Agreement, dated as of August 1, 1996,
between the Company and Lynn Chipperfield.
10(d) Employment Agreement, dated as of August 1, 1996,
between the Company and David P. Howard.
10(e) Employment Agreement, dated as of August 1, 1996,
between Broyhill Furniture Industries, Inc. and Brent
B. Kincaid.
10(f) Employment Agreement, dated as of August 1, 1996,
between Thomasville Furniture Industries, Inc. and
Frederick B. Starr.
10(g) Employment Agreement, dated as of August 1, 1996,
between The Lane Company, Incorporated and K. Scott
Tyler, Jr.
11. Statement re Computation of Net Earnings Per Common
Share.
27. Financial Data Schedule.
(b) A form 8-K was filed on October 18, 1996 containing the
Company's Press Release of the same date reporting the
Company's third quarter results.<PAGE>
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
Furniture Brands International, Inc.
(Registrant)
By Steven W. Alstadt
----------------------------------
Steven W. Alstadt
Controller and
Chief Accounting Officer
Date: November 6, 1996<PAGE>
RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
INTERCO INCORPORATED
It is hereby certified that:
1. (a) The present name of the corporation is
INTERCO INCORPORATED (hereinafter called the "Corporation").
(b) The name under which the Corporation was
originally incorporated was International Shoe Company and the date of
filing the original Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation
with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware was March 16,
1921.
2. Provision for the making of this Restated Certificate
of Incorporation is contained in an Order of the United States
Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, Eastern
Division (the "Court") in Consolidated Case No. 9140442172.
3. Such Order authorizes and directs the President of
the Corporation to make, execute and acknowledge this Restated
Certificate of Incorporation.
4. In accordance with Sections 242, 245 and 303 of the
General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, this Restated
Certificate of Incorporation restates and integrates and further
amends the provisions of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of
the Corporation filed July 1987, as heretofore amended or supplemented
(the "1987 Restated Certificate of Incorporation".)
5. The text of the 1987 Restated Certificate of
Incorporation is hereby restated and further amended to read in its
entirety as follows:
FIRST. The name of the Corporation is INTERCO
INCORPORATED.
SECOND. Its registered office in the State of Delaware
is located at 32 Loockerman Square, Suite L-100, Dover, Kent County,
Delaware 19901. The name and address of its registered agent is The
Prentice-Hall Corporation System, Inc., 229 South State Street, Dover,
Delaware.
THIRD. The nature of the business, and the objects and
purposes proposed to be transacted, promoted and carried on, are to do
any or all of the things herein mentioned, and in any part of the
world, as fully and to the same extent as natural persons might or
could do, viz:
(1) To produce, prepare, manufacture, buy, sell, and<PAGE>
deal in and with all kinds of boots, shoes, footwear of all kinds,
leather, findings, rubber, rubber materials, and fabrics of all sorts
and the raw materials from which rubber materials or fabrics are
produced and all articles and things of every description that may be
produced or manufactured;
(2) The building, leasing, owning and operating of
factories, tanneries, buildings and warehouses for the purpose of
producing, manufacturing and selling boots, shoes, footwear of all
kinds, leather, rubber and findings, and for the purpose of doing a
general mercantile and manufacturing business;
(3) To manufacture, buy, sell, lease, operate, and deal
in and with all kinds of machinery, tools and implements and
mechanical devices and contrivances of every name and nature
whatsoever; and especially to manufacture, buy, sell, lease, operate,
and deal in and with all sorts of boot and shoe machinery of every
kind and character whatsoever which may be useful in connection with
the manufacture of boots, shoes, or other footwear;
(4) In general, to produce, prepare, manufacture, and
deal in and with goods, wares, merchandise, property, material rights,
and things of every class and description;
(5) To this end, to engage in intrastate and interstate
business, and to do these things either as principals, or as agents,
factors, brokers, consignees, trustees, or otherwise, and in this, and
in all other purposes in this certificate enumerated or referred to,
to have others act as agents, factors, brokers, consignees and
trustees for the corporation, and to exploit and advertise such
businesses by any and all appropriate means, including the
manufacture, purchase, rental, lease, and the sale, lease, or
exhibition, for profit or otherwise, of motion pictures;
(6) To build, purchase, or otherwise acquire, install,
lease, rent, charter, own, manage, operate, use, mortgage, pledge or
otherwise encumber, sell, exchange or otherwise handle, deal with or
dispose of tanneries, factories, manufacturing plants, stores, or
buildings, warehouses, docks, vessels, airships, aeroplanes,
transportation companies and facilities on land and sea and in the
air, with all equipment and other property, real, personal, or mixed,
deemed by the Corporation to be necessary or advisable;
(7) To purchase, or otherwise acquire, take, rent,
lease, own, manage, use, develop, alter, improve, operate, deal in,
handle, hold, borrow or lend money upon, mortgage or otherwise
encumber, assign mortgages and deeds of trust upon, exchange, sell or
otherwise dispose of, convey and transfer, buildings or other real
property, improved and unimproved and any interest therein either
within the State of Delaware or any part of the world;
(8) To apply for, obtain, register, purchase, lease or
otherwise acquire and hold, own, use, operate, introduce, sell,
assign, or otherwise dispose of and deal with any and all licenses,<PAGE>
easements, trademarks, trade names, brands and distinctive marks, and
rights analogous thereto, concessions, copyrights and patent rights,
whether issued or applied for or not, and all inventions,
improvements, formulae, information, and processes used in connection
with or secured under letters patent of the United States or elsewhere
or otherwise; and to use, exercise, develop, grant licenses in respect
of, or otherwise turn to account, any such trademarks, trade names,
brands, distinctive marks, and rights analogous thereto, processes,
formulae, information, patents, patent rights, copyrights, licenses,
inventions, improvements, easements, concessions and the like, and
with a view to the working and development of the same, carry on any
lawful business whatsoever, whether manufacturing or otherwise, which
the Corporation may deem calculated directly or indirectly to
accomplish its objects of any of them;
(9) To make, purchase, otherwise acquire, deal in, enter
into and perform, contracts of every sort and kind in connection with
the business and powers herein stated with any individual, firm,
association or corporation (private, public, quasi-public, or
municipal), and with the government of the United States, or of any
state, territory, colony, or other subdivision or possession thereof,
or of any foreign government, state, territory, colony, or other
subdivision or possession thereof;
(10) To acquire, for the purposes herein set forth, the
whole or any part of the assets, business, good will, formulae,
processes, contracts, bills, notes and accounts receivable, rights and
property of all kinds, and to undertake and assume the whole or any
part of the liabilities, of any person, firm, association or
corporation within the limits of law, and to pay for the same and/or
for any other property, real or personal, which the Corporation may
acquire, in cash, stock of this Corporation of any class or classes,
bonds or otherwise; to hold, own, mortgage, pledge, encumber, use,
operate, develop, manage, hire, lease, rent, assign, transfer,
exchange, trade and deal in and with, sell and convey, or in any
manner dispose of, the whole or any part of the property so acquired;
to conduct in any lawful manner the whole or any part of any business
so acquired and to exercise all the powers necessary or convenient in
and about the conduct and management of such business;
(11) To purchase or otherwise acquire, hold, own, sell,
guarantee the payment of dividends upon, assign, transfer, deliver,
mortgage, pledge or otherwise encumber or dispose of shares of the
capital stock, of any class, or voting trust certificates or other
certificates issued in respect of the shares of the capital stock, or
any class, of other corporations or associations, organized or
existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, or of any other
state, territory, district, colony or dependency of the United States
of America or of any foreign country; to purchase, or otherwise
acquire, hold, own, sell, assign, transfer, deliver, endorse,
guarantee, protect, and assist in the performance and payment of,
mortgage, pledge or otherwise encumber or dispose of, notes, bonds,
debentures or other securities, obligations or evidences of
indebtedness, both principal and interest, or contracts issued,<PAGE>
created or entered into by, or any claims against, any person,
partnership, firm, corporation or association organized or existing
under the laws of the State of Delaware, or of any other state,
territory, district, colony, or dependency of the United States of
America or of any foreign country; to issue and deliver shares of the
capital stock, of any class, bonds, or other obligations of this
Corporation in exchange for any such stock, voting trust or other
certificates, or for any such bonds, notes, debentures, securities,
obligations, contracts, evidences of indebtedness or claims; and while
the owner or holder of any such shares of stock, voting trust or other
certificates, bonds, notes, debentures, securities, obligations,
contracts, evidences of indebtedness or claims, to possess and
exercise in respect thereof any and all of the rights, powers and
privileges of ownership, including the right to vote upon, or in
respect of such shares, voting trust certificates or other
certificates in person or by proxy; and upon a distribution of the
assets or a division of the profits of this Corporation to distribute
any such shares of stock, voting trust or other certificates, bonds,
notes, securities, obligations, contracts, evidences of indebtedness
or claims, or the proceeds thereof, among the holders of the stock of
this Corporation in accordance with their respective interests; to
aid, in any manner, any corporation, association, person, partnership
or firm, the stock, bonds, obligations, voting trust or other
certificates,notes, debentures, securities, contracts, evidences of
indebtedness or claims of or against which, or any part thereof, are
held or are in any manner endorsed or guaranteed by this Corporation,
or in which this Corporation is directly or indirectly interested, and
to do any other acts or things for the preservation, protection,
improvement or enhancement of the value of any such stocks,
certificates, bonds, obligations, notes, debentures, securities,
contracts, evidences of indebtedness or claims, and to do any acts or
things designed for any such purpose;
(12) To borrow money and to issue, sell or pledge or
otherwise encumber bonds, notes, debentures or other evidences of
indebtedness of this Corporation of any character to such amount, and
in such denominations and on such terms as the Board of Directors may
determine, subject to the other provisions of this Restated
Certificate of Incorporation, and to secure the repayment of said
money and the performance of the obligations entered into under said
bonds, notes, debentures and other evidences of indebtedness and the
performance of the covenants, agreements and conditions in any
instrument given to secure the same, by pledge, mortgage, deed of
trust, assignment in trust, or other encumbrances upon any or all of
the property of the Corporation, real, personal or mixed, or
otherwise, or, if deemed advisable, by mortgage of its good will or of
some or all of the franchises of the Corporation in such manner as may
be allowed by law; to draw, make, accept, endorse, take, invest in,
purchase or otherwise acquired, hold, own, execute, issue, sell and
dispose of, trade and deal in, mortgage, pledge, assign, transfer, and
otherwise handle promissory notes, drafts, acceptances, warrants,
debentures, checks and other negotiable, non-negotiable, transferable
or non-transferable instruments or other evidences of indebtedness and
choices in action;<PAGE>
(13) To purchase, hold, sell and transfer the shares of
its own capital stock; provided it shall not use its funds or property
for the purchase of its own shares of capital stock when such use
would cause any impairment of its capital; and provided further that
shares of its own capital stock belonging to it shall not be voted
upon directly or indirectly;
(14) To carry on the above and any other business in any
part of the world, and to do any and all things which may seem to the
Corporation capable of being conveniently carried on or done in
connection with the objects herein set forth, or any of them, or
calculated directly or indirectly to develop the Corporation's
business, or to enhance the value of the Corporation's property or
rights not forbidden by the laws of the State of Delaware; and to do
all or any of the above things in any part of the world, as
principals, agents, contractors, consignees, factors, brokers,
trustees, or otherwise, and by and through trustees, agents,
contractors, consignees, factors, brokers, or otherwise, and either
alone or in conjunction with other individuals, firms, associations or
corporations; and
(15) To engage in any other lawful act or activity for
which corporations may be organized under the General Corporation Law
of the State of Delaware.
The objects and purposes specified herein shall, except
where otherwise expressed, be in no way limited or restricted by
reference to or inference from the terms of any other clause or
paragraph of this Restated Certificate of Incorporation. The objects,
purposes and powers specified in each of the clauses or paragraphs in
this Restated Certificate of Incorporation shall be regarded as
independent objects, purposes and powers.
The foregoing shall be construed both as objects, purposes
and powers and the enumeration thereof shall not be held to limit or
restrict in any manner the lawful powers of this Corporation.
FOURTH. The total number of shares of capital stock of
all classes which the Corporation shall have the authority to issue is
One Hundred Ten Million (110,000,000) shares; all of such shares shall
be without nominal or par value; Ten Million (10,000,000) shares shall
be Preferred Stock and One Hundred Million (100,000,000) shares shall
be Common Stock. All persons who shall acquire stock in the
Corporation shall acquire the same subject to the provisions of this
Restated Certificate of Incorporation.
Pursuant to Section 8.06 of the Joint Plan of Reorganization
of the Corporation as confirmed by the United States Bankruptcy Court
for the Eastern District of Missouri, Eastern Division in Consolidated
Case No. 9140442172 (the "Plan"), as of the Effective Date (as that
term is defined in the Plan), any and all of the authorized capital
stock of the Corporation, whether issued or unissued, including any
right to acquire such capital stock pursuant to any agreement,
arrangement, or understanding, including, but not limited to, the Old<PAGE>
Common Stock Rights Agreement (as that term is defined in the Plan) or
upon exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, warrants,
options, Old Common Stock Purchase Rights or other rights, existing
immediately prior to the Effective Date was deemed cancelled and of no
further force or effect without any action on the part of the
stockholders or Board of Directors of the Corporation. The holders of
such cancelled capital stock and any cancelled right to acquire such
capital stock have no rights arising from or relating to such capital
stock (or the stock certificates representing such cancelled stock) or
any right to acquire such capital stock or the cancellation thereof.
Notwithstanding anything contained in this Restated
Certificate of Incorporation to the contrary, the Corporation will not
issue nonvoting equity securities to the extent prohibited by Section
1123 of the Bankruptcy Code; provided, however, that this paragraph:
(a) will have no further force and effect beyond that required under
Section 1123 of the Bankruptcy Code, (b) will have such force and
effect, if any, only for so long as such Section is in effect and
applicable to the Corporation, and (c) in all events may be amended or
eliminated in accordance with applicable law from time to time in
effect.
The designations and the powers, preferences and rights, and
the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, of the
classes of stock of this Corporation which are fixed by this Restated
Certificate of Incorporation, and the express grant of authority to
the Board of Directors to fix by resolution or resolutions the
designations and the powers, preferences and rights, and the
qualifications, limitations and restrictions of the shares of
Preferred Stock, which are not fixed by this Restated Certificate of
Incorporation, are as follows:
SUBDIVISION ONE - PREFERRED STOCK
A. The Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time
in any amount, not exceeding in the aggregate (including all shares of
any and all series thereof theretofore issued and not theretofore of
concurrently therewith redeemed or theretofore converted) the total
number of shares of Preferred Stock hereinabove authorized, as
Preferred Stock of one or more series, as hereinafter provided. All
shares of any one series of Preferred Stock shall be alike in every
particular. Each series of Preferred Stock shall be distinctively
designated by letter or descriptive words and all series shall rank
equally and be identical in all respects except as permitted by the
provisions of Section B of this SUBDIVISION ONE.
B. Authority is hereby expressly granted to and vested
in the Board of Directors of the Corporation to cause the Preferred
Stock to be issued from time to time in one or more series and in
connection therewith to fix by resolution or resolutions
(collectively, a "Preferred Stock Designation") providing for the
issue of such series the number of shares to be included in such
series and the designations and such voting powers, full or limited,<PAGE>
or no voting powers, and such of the preferences and relative,
participating, optional or other special rights, and the
qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, of such series of
the Preferred Stock which are not fixed by this Restated Certificate
of Incorporation, to the full extent now or hereafter permitted by the
laws of the State of Delaware. Without limiting the generality of the
grant of authority contained in the preceding sentence, the Board of
Directors is authorized to determine any or all of the following, and
the shares of each series may vary from the shares of any other series
in any or all of the following respects:
(1) The number of shares of such series (which may
subsequently be increased, except as otherwise provided by the
resolutions of the Board of Directors providing for the issue of such
series, or decreased to a number not less than the number of shares
then outstanding) and the distinctive designation thereof;
(2) The dividend rights, if any, of such series, the
dividend preferences, if any, as between such series and any other
class or series of stock, whether and the extent to which shares of
such series shall be entitled to participate in dividends with shares
of any other series or class of stock, whether and the extent to which
dividends on such series shall be cumulative, and any limitations,
restrictions or conditions on the payment of such dividends;
(3) The time or times during which, the price or prices
at which, and any other terms or conditions on which the shares of
such series may be redeemed, if redeemable;
(4) The rights of such series, and the preferences, if
any, as between such series and any other class or series of stock, in
the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of the Corporation and whether and the extent to which
shares of any such series shall be entitled to participate in such
event with any other class or series of stock;
(5) The voting powers, if any, in addition to the voting
powers prescribed by law of shares of such series, and the terms of
exercise of such voting powers;
(6) Whether shares of such series shall be convertible
into or exchangeable for shares of any other series or class of stock,
or any other securities, and the terms and conditions, if any,
applicable to such right; and
(7) The terms and conditions, if any, of any purchase,
retirement or sinking fund which may be provided for the shares of
such series.<PAGE>
SUBDIVISION TWO - COMMON STOCK
A. The Common Stock of this Corporation may be issued,
from time to time, for such consideration as may be fixed, from time
to time, by the Board of Directors.
B. After full cumulative dividends upon the Preferred
Stock then outstanding shall have been paid for all past dividend
periods in accordance with, and if required by, the terms of any
Preferred Stock Designation, and after or concurrently with making
such payments, or declaring and setting apart for payment in
accordance with, and if required by, the terms of the Preferred Stock
Designation, full dividends on the Preferred Stock then outstanding to
the end of the then current dividend period, then and not otherwise,
the holders of Common Stock shall, subject to the provisions hereof,
be entitled to receive, out of any net profits or net assets of the
Corporation legally available for dividends, such dividends as may
from time to time be declared by the Board of Directors.
In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, after the holders of the
Preferred Stock then outstanding shall have received the full
preferential amounts, if any, to which such holders are entitled
pursuant to the terms of the Preferred Stock Designation upon such
voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or wind up, the
holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to share ratably in all
assets of the Corporation then remaining according to the number of
shares of Common Stock held by them respectively.
All holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to one vote
for each share of Common Stock standing of record in their respective
names; subject, however, to the provisions of the By-Laws of the
Corporation as from time to time amended with respect to the closing
of the transfer books and the fixing of a record date.
C. The holders of Common Stock shall have no preemptive
right to purchase or subscribe for any shares of capital stock of the
Corporation of any class whether now or hereafter authorized.
FIFTH. The Corporation is to have perpetual existence.
SIXTH. The private property of the stockholders of the
Corporation shall not be subject to the payment of corporate debts to
any extent whatsoever.
SEVENTH. (a) The following provisions are inserted
for the conduct of the affairs of the Corporation, and it is expressly
provided that the same are intended to be in furtherance and not in
limitation or exclusion of the powers conferred by statute:
(1) The number of directors of the Corporation
(exclusive of directors (the "Preferred Stock Directors") who may
be elected by the holders of any one or more series of Preferred
Stock which may at any time be outstanding, voting separately as<PAGE>
a class or classes pursuant to rights to elect directors under
specified circumstances) shall not be less than nine nor more
than twenty-one, the exact number within said limits to be fixed
from time to time solely by resolution of the Board of Directors,
acting by not less than a majority of the directors then in
office.
(2) The Board of Directors (exclusive of Preferred Stock
Directors, if any) shall be divided into three classes, as nearly
equal in size as possible, with the term of office of one class
expiring each year. Subject to the provisions of Paragraphs
(a)(3) and (b) of this Article SEVENTH, (i) the terms of one such
class of the directors in office as of the Effective Date shall
expire at the first annual meeting of stockholders held after the
Effective Date, the terms of a second such class of such
directors shall expire at the second annual meeting of
stockholders held after the Effective Date, and the terms of the
third such class of such directors shall expire at the third
annual meeting of stockholders held after the Effective Date, and
(ii) at each annual meeting of stockholders, directors of each
class the term of which shall then expire shall be elected to
hold office for a three-year term and until the election and
qualification of their respective successors in office. If the
number of directors (other than Preferred Stock Directors, if
any) is changed, any increase or decrease shall be apportioned by
the Board of Directors among the three classes so that the number
in each class shall be as nearly equal as possible. Election of
directors need not be by ballot unless the By-Laws so provide.
(3) Pursuant to the Plan, three new directors were
designated as "Class A Directors" to hold office for a term
beginning on the Effective Date and expiring at the third annual
meeting of stockholders held after the Effective Date (but in no
event earlier than June 1, 1995). Such directors and their
successors are referred to herein as "Class A Directors". All
Class A Directors, whether in office at the Effective Date or
elected as a successor to any such director, shall be assigned to
the class of directors whose terms expire at the third annual
meeting of stockholders held after the Effective Date (but in no
event earlier than June 1, 1995), and from and after such meeting
all references to Class A Directors in this Restated Certificate
of Incorporation will expire and have no further force or effect,
without any action on the part of the stockholders or the Board
of Directors of the Corporation.
(4) Subject to the rights of the holders of any one or
more series of Preferred Stock then outstanding to elect
directors under circumstances specified in any Preferred Stock
Designation, newly created directorships resulting from any
increase in the authorized number of directors, or any vacancies
in the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation,
retirement, disqualification, removal from office or other cause,
shall be filled solely by the Board of Directors, except that
vacancies in the positions of the Class A Directors shall be<PAGE>
filled by the remaining Class A Directors with a substitute
reasonably acceptable to a majority of the directors, other than
the Class A Directors, then in office. Any director elected in
the remainder of the full term of the class of directors in which
the new directorship was created or a vacancy occurred and until
such director's successor shall have been elected and qualified.
No decrease in the number of directors shall shorten the term of
any incumbent director.
(5) Subject to the rights of the holders of any one or
more series of Preferred Stock then outstanding to elect
directors under circumstances specified in any Preferred Stock
Designation, any director, or the entire Board of Directors, may
be removed from office at any time, but only for cause and only
by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the
combined voting power of the outstanding shares of stock of the
Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of
directors, voting together as a single class; provided that in
the case of Class A Directors the affirmative vote of the holders
of at least a majority of the shares of Commons Stock actually
voting at a meeting called for such purpose, excluding any shares
of Common Stock or other securities of which a Substantial
Stockholder is the Beneficial Owner, shall also be required.
(6) The By-Laws may prescribe the number of directors
necessary to constitute a quorum and such number may be less than
a majority of the total number of directors, but shall not be
less than one-third of the total number of directors.
(7) Except as may be otherwise provided by statute or in
this Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the business and
affairs of the Corporation shall be managed under the direction
of the Board of Directors.
(8) Notwithstanding any other provision of law which
might otherwise permit a lesser vote or no vote, but in addition
to any affirmative vote of the holders of any particular class of
stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the
election of directors required by law of this Restated
Certificate of Incorporation, the affirmative vote of (i) the
holders of not less than three-fourths of the combined voting
power of the outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation
entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting
together as a single class at a meeting called for such purpose,
and (ii) in addition, the holders of a majority of the combined
voting power of such shares (or in the case of any alteration,
amendment, adoption of an inconsistent provision or repeal
relating to Class A Directors, a majority of the shares of Common
Stock) actually voting at such meeting excluding any shares of
Common Stock or other securities of which a Substantial
Stockholder is the Beneficial Owner, inconsistent with or repeal
this Article SEVENTH or Paragraph (a) of Article EIGHTH.
(9) For purposes of this Article SEVENTH and Articles<PAGE>
ELEVENTH and TWELFTH, the term "Substantial Stockholder" shall
mean and include (other than the Corporation or any subsidiary
and other than any employee benefit plan of the Corporation or
any subsidiary or any trustee of or fiduciary with respect to any
such plan when acting in such capacity, all of which are excluded
from such definition): (a) any individual, corporation,
partnership or other person or entity which, together with its
Affiliates and Associates, is the Beneficial Owner in the
aggregate of more than ten percent of the combined voting power
of the outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to
vote generally in the election of directors, and (b) any
Affiliate or Associate of any such individual, corporation,
partnership or other person or entity.
For purposes of this Article SEVENTH and Articles ELEVENTH
and TWELFTH, the following terms shall be defined by reference to
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Rules in effect
thereunder on the Effective Date: "Affiliate" under Rule 12b-2;
"Associate" under Rule 12b-2; and "Beneficial Owner" under Rule
13d-3.
(b) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Restated
Certificate of Incorporation to the contrary, Paragraphs (a)(1),
(a)(2) and (a)(5) of this Article SEVENTH will expire and have no
further force and effect, and Paragraph (a)(8) of this Article SEVENTH
will apply only to amendment of Paragraph (a)(9) of this Article
SEVENTH, without any action on the part of the stockholders or Board
of Directors of the Corporation, at and from and after the first
annual meeting of stockholders of the Corporation held on or after
June 1, 1995, and the terms of all directors then in office shall
terminate at such meeting, unless such Paragraphs are continued in
effect by the affirmative vote at such meeting of the holders of a
majority of the combined voting power of the outstanding shares of
stock of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of
directors, voting together as a single class.
EIGHTH. In furtherance and not in limitation of the
powers conferred by the laws of the State of Delaware, the Board of
Directors is expressly authorized:
(a) To make and alter the By-Laws of the Corporation
subject to the power of the stockholders, at the time entitled to
vote, to alter or repeal By-Laws made by the Board of Directors;
(b) To fix the amount to be reserved as working capital
and, subject to the other provisions of this Restated Certificate of
Incorporation, to authorize and cause to be executed mortgages and
liens upon the property and franchises of the Corporation;
(c) If a resolution passed by a majority of the whole
Board so provides, to designate three or more of their number to
constitute an Executive Committee, which Committee shall for the time
being, as provided in said resolution or in the By-Laws of the
corporation, have and exercise any or all of the powers of the Board<PAGE>
of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the
Corporation and have power to authorize the seal of the Corporation to
be affixed to all papers which may require it;
(d) From time to time to determine whether, to what
extent, at what times and places and under what conditions and
regulations the books and accounts of the Corporation, or any of them
other than the stock ledger, shall be open to the inspection of the
stockholders; and no stockholder shall have any right to inspect any
account or book or document of the Corporation, except as conferred by
law or authorized by resolution of the directors or of the
stockholders;
(e) If the By-Laws so provide, the stockholders and
directors shall have power to hold their meetings, to have an office
or offices and to keep the books of the Corporation (subject to the
provisions of the statute) outside of the State of Delaware at such
places as may from time to time be designated by them, whether within
or without the United States of America; and
(f) The Corporation may in its By-Laws confer powers
additional to the foregoing upon the directors, in addition to the
powers and authority expressly conferred upon them by law.
NINTH. No Contract or other transaction between the
Corporation and any other corporation and no act of the Corporation
shall in any way be affected or invalidated by the fact that any of
the directors of the Corporation are pecuniarily or otherwise
interested in, or are directors or officers of, such other
corporation; any director individually, or any firm of which any
director may be a member, may be a party to, or may be pecuniarily or
otherwise interested in, any contract or transaction of the
Corporation, provided that the fact that he or such firm is so
interested, shall be disclosed or shall have been known to the Board
of Directors or a majority thereof; and any director of the
Corporation who is also a director or officer of such other
corporation or who is so interested may be counted in determining the
existence of a quorum at any meeting of the Board of Directors of the
Corporation which shall authorize any such contract or transaction,
and may vote thereat to authorize any such contract or transaction
with like force and effect as if he were not such director or officer
of such other corporation or not so interested.
TENTH. The Corporation reserves the right to amend,
alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this Restated
Certificate of Incorporation, in the manner now or hereafter
prescribed by statute, and all rights conferred upon stockholders
herein are granted subject to this reservation.
ELEVENTH. Except as otherwise provided in this
Restated Certificate of Incorporation, any action required or
permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Corporation must be
affected at a duly called annual or special meeting of stockholders of
the Corporation and may not be effected by consent in writing by such<PAGE>
stockholders. Special meetings of stockholders of this Corporation
may be called only by the Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution
approved by a majority of the entire Board of Directors, or by the
holders of not less than one-fifth of the combined voting power of the
outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote
generally in the election of directors (by written notice delivered to
the Secretary of the Corporation), upon not less than ten and not more
than sixty days written notice.
This Article ELEVENTH (and paragraph (a)(9) of Article
SEVENTH to the extent the terms being amended are used in this Article
ELEVENTH) may be altered, amended or repealed or an inconsistent
provision adopted only upon the affirmative vote of (i) the holders of
not less than three-fourths of the combined voting power of the
outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled to vote
generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single
class at a meeting called for such purpose, and (ii) in addition, the
holders of a majority of the combined voting power of the shares of
Common Stock and any other class of stock voting on such matter as a
single class with the Common Stock actually voting at such meeting,
excluding any shares of Common Stock and other securities of which a
Substantial Stockholder is the Beneficial Owner.
TWELFTH. The Corporation shall not engage in any
Affiliate Transaction unless the same shall have been approved by a
majority of the Disinterested Directors (including, until the first
annual meeting of stockholders of the Corporation held on or after
June 1, 1995, at least one Class A Director) and, if the Affiliate
Transaction must be approved by stockholders under applicable law and
no Substantial Stockholder is the record owner of at least 90% of the
outstanding shares of Common Stock and any other class of stock voting
on such transaction as a single class with such Common Stock, by the
holders of a majority of the combined voting power of such shares
actually voting on such transaction at a meeting called for such
purpose, excluding any shares of Common Stock and other securities of
which the Substantial Stockholder involved in such transaction is the
Beneficial Owner. If, at any time, there is no Disinterested
Director, a Substantial Stockholder will not be permitted to engage in
an Affiliate Transaction except with the affirmative vote of the
holders of at least a majority of the combined voting power of the
shares of Common Stock and any other class of stock voting on such
transaction as a single class with the Common Stock actually voting at
a meeting called for such purpose, excluding any shares of Common
Stock and other securities of which such Substantial Stockholder is
the Beneficial Owner.
For purposes of this Article TWELFTH, the term "Affiliate
Transaction" shall mean:
(1) Any merger or consolidation of the Corporation or any
subsidiary of the Corporation with any Substantial
Stockholder, regardless of which entity survives;
(2) Any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer<PAGE>
or other disposition (in one transaction or a series of
transactions) to or with any Substantial Stockholder of
any assets of the Corporation or any subsidiary of the
Corporation;
(3) The issuance or transfer by the Corporation or any
subsidiary of the Corporation of any securities of the
Corporation or any such subsidiary to any Substantial
Stockholder in exchange for cash, securities or other
property (or a combination thereof);
(4) Any reclassification of securities, or any
recapitalization, of the Corporation or any of its
subsidiaries, or any merger or consolidation of the
Corporation with any of its subsidiaries (whether or
not involving a Substantial Stockholder) or any similar
transaction, if the transaction would have the effect,
directly or indirectly, of increasing the proportionate
share of the outstanding shares of any class of equity
or convertible securities of the Corporation or any
subsidiary, of which a Substantial Stockholder is the
Beneficial Owner; or
(5) Any other transaction between the Corporation or any of
its subsidiaries and a Substantial Stockholder,
including, without limitation, payments of compensation
and management fees, but excluding customary directors'
fees and other expense reimbursements payable to all
directors.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following shall be excluded
from the definition of "Affiliate Transaction":
(1) Bona fide loans (excluding loans convertible into
equity) made to the Corporation or any of its
subsidiaries by one or more Substantial Stockholders in
an aggregate amount not to exceed $10,000,000 in any
12-month period;
(2) Issuances to a Substantial Stockholder in bona fide
offerings of equity, convertible or equity-related
securities of the Corporation made for the purpose of
raising capital (excluding offerings primarily intended
as management of employee compensation) on the same
terms as are offered to participants who are not
Affiliates, Associates, directors, officers or
employees of the Corporation or any Substantial
Stockholder or any subsidiary of any thereof, but only
to the extent such issuance is required to prevent
dilution of such Substantial Stockholder's percentage
interest in the Common Stock of the Corporation on a
fully diluted basis;
(3) The repurchase of debt or equity securities from a<PAGE>
Substantial Stockholder on terms identical to those
being offered to all other holders of the same
securities or, in the case of debt securities only, at
market;
(4) The preparation and filing of one or more registration
statements with respect to securities of the
Corporation received by any Substantial Stockholder
pursuant to or in connection with the Plan and payment
of reasonable expenses associated therewith, other than
underwriting discounts and commissions, and all actions
relating to the foregoing; and
(5) Immaterial transactions in the ordinary course of
business between the Corporation or any of its
subsidiaries and any Substantial Stockholder.
For purposes of this Article TWELFTH, the term
"Disinterested Director" shall mean any member of the Board of
Directors of the Corporation who, at the relevant time, is not an
employee or officer of the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries,
Affiliates or Associates, and is not a Substantial Stockholder or a
director, officer of employee of a Substantial Stockholder.
This Article TWELFTH (and paragraph (a)(9) or Article
SEVENTH to the extent the terms being amended are used in this
inconsistent provision adopted only upon the affirmative vote of
Article TWELFTH) may be altered, amended or repealed or an
inconsistent provision adopted only upon the affirmative vote of (i)
the holders of not less than three-fourths of the combined voting
power of the outstanding shares of stock of the Corporation entitled
to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a
single class at a meeting called for such purpose, and (ii) in
addition, the holders of a majority of the combined voting power of
the shares of Common Stock (and in the case of any alteration,
amendment or repeal or adoption of an inconsistent provision not
relating to Class A Directors, any other class of stock voting on such
matter as a single class with the Common Stock) actually voting at
such meeting, excluding any shares of Common Stock (or other
securities) or which a Substantial Stockholder is the Beneficial
Owner.
In accordance with Section 203(b) of the General Corporation
Law of the State of Delaware, the Corporation hereby elects not to be
governed by Section 203 of the General Corporation Law of the State of
Delaware which restricts the consummation of certain business
combination transactions in certain circumstances.
THIRTEENTH.
1. In addition to any affirmative vote required or
permitted by law or this Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the
By-Laws of the Corporation, and except as otherwise expressly provided
in Paragraphs 1(a) and 1(b) of this Article THIRTEENTH, the<PAGE>
Corporation shall not effect, directly or indirectly, any Stock
Repurchase from an Interested Stockholder unless said Stock Repurchase
is authorized by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of
the combined voting power of the outstanding shares of stock of the
Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors
("Voting Stock"), voting together as a single class, actually voting
on such transaction at a meeting called for such purpose, excluding
any shares which are beneficially owned by such Interested
Stockholder.
The preceding provision of this Article THIRTEENTH shall not
be applicable to any Stock Repurchase from an Interested Stockholder
if such Stock Repurchase is effected by the Corporation pursuant to:
(a) a tender offer or exchange offer by the Corporation for
some or all of the outstanding shares of any or all
classes of stock of the Corporation made on the same
terms to all holders of such shares; as
(b) an open market stock purchase program approved by a
majority of those members of the Board of Directors who
are not directors, officers, employees, Affiliates or
Associates of an Interested Stockholder or any
Affiliate or Associate of an Interested Stockholder.
2. For purposes of this Article THIRTEENTH:
(a) The following terms shall be defined by reference to
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Rules in
effect thereunder on the Effective Date: "Affiliate"
under Rule 12b-2; "Associate" under Rule 12b-2;
"Subsidiary" under Rule 12b-2; and "Beneficial Owner"
under Rule 13d-3.
(b) An "Interested Stockholder" shall mean a Person (other
than any Subsidiary of the Corporation, any profit-
sharing, employee stock ownership or other employee
benefit plan of the Corporation or any Subsidiary of
the Corporation, or any trustee of or fiduciary with
respect to any such plan when acting in such capacity,
all of which shall be excluded from such definition)
who: (i) has been a Beneficial Owner for a period of
less than two years immediately prior to the
Determination Date of five percent or more of the
issued and outstanding shares of Voting Stock
(including any Voting Stock which such Person or any of
its Affiliates or Associates has (a) the right to
acquire (whether such right is exercisable immediately
or only after the passage of time), pursuant to any
agreement, arrangement or understanding or upon the
exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights,
warrants or options, or otherwise, or (b) the right to
vote pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or
understanding); or (ii) is an Affiliate of the<PAGE>
Corporation who was the Beneficial Owner of five
percent or more of the issued and outstanding shares of
Voting Stock at any time within the two-year period
immediately prior to the Determination Date; or (iii)
is an assignee of or has otherwise succeeded to any
shares of Voting Stock which were beneficially owned by
any Interested Stockholder at any time within the two-
year period immediately prior to the Determination
Date, if such assignment or succession shall have
occurred in the course of a transaction or series of
transactions not involving a public offering within the
meaning of the Securities Act of 1933.
(c) The term "Stock Repurchase" shall mean any direct or
indirect purchase by the Corporation or any Subsidiary
of the Corporation of any shares of the Voting Stock at
a price greater than the Market Price of such shares,
or any direct or indirect purchase of such shares for
any consideration other than cash.
(d) "Market Price" shall mean the closing sale price on the
last trading day immediately preceding the
Determination Date of a share of the Corporation's
Voting Stock on the Composite Tape for New York Stock
Exchange-Listed Stocks, or, if such Voting Stock is not
listed on such Exchange, on the principal United States
securities exchange on which such Voting Stock is
listed, or, if such Voting Stock is not listed on any
such exchange, the closing bid quotation with respect
to a share of such Voting Stock on the last trading day
immediately preceding the Determination Date on the
National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
Automated Quotations System or any similar system then
in use, or if no such quotations are available, the
fair market value on the Determination Date of a share
of such Voting Stock as determined in good faith by a
majority of the Board of Directors.
(e) "Determination Date" shall mean the date upon which the
determination of Market Price is made by the Board of
Directors.
(f) The term "Person" shall mean any individual, firm,
corporation or other entity and shall include any group
comprising any person and any other person with whom
such person or any Affiliate or Associate of such
person has any agreement, arrangement or understanding,
directly or indirectly, for the purpose of acquiring
holding, voting or disposing of stock.
3. The Board of Directors shall have the power and duty
to determine for the purposes of this Article THIRTEENTH on the basis
of information known to its members after reasonable inquiry, (1)
whether a Person is, and if so, when such Person became, an Interested<PAGE>
Stockholder, (2) the number of shares of Voting Stock of the
Corporation or other securities of which any Person is a Beneficial
Owner and the number of votes entitled to be cast by such Person, (3)
whether a Person is an Affiliate or Associate of another, and (4)
whether the price proposed to be paid for any shares of stock of the
Corporation is in excess of the Market Price of such shares. Any such
determination made in good faith shall be binding on and conclusive
for all parties.
For the purposes of determining whether a Person is an Interested
Stockholder pursuant to Paragraph 2(b) of this Article, the shares of
Voting Stock deemed to be outstanding shall include shares deemed
beneficially owned by such Person through application of Paragraph
2(a) of this Article, but shall not include any other shares of Voting
Stock that may be issuable pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or
understanding, or upon exercise of conversion rights, warrants or
options, or otherwise.
4. Notwithstanding any other provision of law which
might otherwise permit a lesser vote or no vote, but in addition to
any affirmative vote of the holders of any particular class of Voting
Stock required by law or this Restated Certificate of Incorporation,
the affirmative vote of the holders of at least three-fourths of the
Voting Stock, voting together as a single class, shall be required to
alter, amend, adopt any provision inconsistent with or repeal this
Article THIRTEENTH.
5. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Restated
Certificate of Incorporation to the contrary, Paragraph 4 of this
Article THIRTEENTH will expire and have no further force and effect,
without any action on the part of the stockholders or Board of
Directors of the Corporation, at the first annual meeting of the
stockholders of the Corporation held on or after June 1, 1995 unless
such provisions are continued in effect by the affirmative vote at
such meeting of the holders of not less than a majority of the
combined voting power of the outstanding shares of stock of the
Corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors,
voting together as a single class.
FOURTEENTH. A director of the Corporation shall not be
personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary
damages for any breach of fiduciary duty by such director as a
director, except (i) for breach of the director's duty of loyalty to
the Corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in
good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing
violation of law, (iii) pursuant to Section 174 of the Delaware
General Corporation Law, or (iv) for any transaction from which the
director derived an improper personal benefit. The Corporation shall
indemnify its directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted
by Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law. No amendment
to or repeal of this Article FOURTEENTH shall apply to or have any
effect on the liability or alleged liability of any director of the
Corporation for or with respect to any acts or omissions of such
director occurring prior to such amendment or repeal. If the Delaware<PAGE>
General Corporation Law is amended hereafter to expand or limit the
liability of a director, then the liability of a director of the
Corporation shall be expanded to the fullest extent required or
limited to the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware General
Corporation Law, as so amended.
FIFTEENTH. No director or Substantial Stockholder (as
that term is defined in Article SEVENTH hereof) shall have any
obligation to bring to the attention of the Corporation any business
or other corporate opportunity which has come to his or its attention
solely by virtue of his or its involvement, as the case may be, in any
business enterprise (other than the Corporation or its subsidiaries)
in which such director or Substantial Stockholder has an interest.
SIXTEENTH. Except as provided in Articles FOURTEENTH and
FIFTEENTH hereof, nothing contained in this Restated Certificate of
Incorporation shall be construed to relieve any person or entity from
any fiduciary obligation imposed by law.
Signed and attested to as of July 29, 1992.
R. B. Loynd
----------------------
President
Attest:
D. A. Patterson
--------------------------
Secretary
STATE OF MISSOURI )
) SS.:
COUNTY OF ST. LOUIS )
BE IT REMEMBERED THAT, on July 29, 1992, before me, a Notary
Public duly authorized by law to take acknowledgement of deeds,
personally came R.B. Loynd, who duly signed the foregoing instrument
before me and acknowledged that such signing is his act and deed, that
such instrument as executed is the act and deed of said corporation,
and that the facts stated therein are true.
GIVEN under my hand on July 29, 1992.
Betty Mathes
--------------------------
Notary Public<PAGE>
CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
OF
RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
INTERCO INCORPORATED, a corporation organized and existing under
and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware,
DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:
FIRST: That the Board of Directors of said corporation, at a
meeting duly convened and held on the 26th day of January, 1993,
proposed amendments to the corporation's Restated Certificate of
Incorporation, and at such meeting adopted resolutions setting forth
the amendments proposed, declaring their advisability and directing
that the amendments proposed be considered at the next annual meeting
of stockholders of said corporation; said amendments are as follows:
The Restated Certificate of Incorporation of INTERCO INCORPORATED
be, and it hereby is, amended as follows:
Article FOURTH is hereby amended by deleting the third paragraph
thereof.
Article SEVENTH is hereby amended by deleting Paragraph (a)(2)
and substituting the following in lieu thereof:
"(2) As of the Effective Date, The Board of Directors
(exclusive of Preferred Stock Directors, if any) was divided into
three classes, as nearly equal in size as possible, with the term
of office of one class expiring each year. Subject to the
provisions of Paragraphs (a)(3) and (b) of this Article SEVENTH,
(i) the terms of one such class of the directors in office as of
the Effective Date shall expire at the first annual meeting of
stockholders held after the Effective Date, the terms of a second
such class of such directors shall expire at the second annual
meeting of stockholders held after the Effective Date, and the
terms of the third such class of such directors shall expire at
the third annual meeting of stockholders held after the Effective
date, and (ii) at each annual meeting of stockholders, directors
of each class the term of which shall then expire shall be
elected to hold office for a one-year term and until the election
and qualification of their respective successors in office. If
the number of directors (other than Preferred Stock Directors, if
any) is changed, any increase or decrease shall be apportioned by
the Board of Directors among the classes so that the number in
each class shall be as nearly equal as possible. Election of
directors need not be by ballot unless the By-Laws so provide."
Article SEVENTH is hereby further amended by deleting the date,
"June 1, 1995" in the first and last sentences of Paragraph (a)(3) and
in Paragraph (b) and substituting in lieu thereof the date, "May 1, 1995."<PAGE>
Article TWELFTH is hereby amended by deleting the date, "June 1,
1995" in the first sentence of the Article and substituting in lieu
thereof the date, "May 1, 1995."
SECOND: That thereafter, pursuant to resolution of its Board of
Directors, an annual meeting of the stockholders of said corporation
was duly called and held, upon notice in accordance with Section 222
of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware at which
meeting the necessary number of shares as required by statute were
voted in favor of the amendments.
THIRD: That said amendments were duly adopted in accordance with
the provisions of Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the
State of Delaware.
FOURTH: That the capital of said corporation will not be reduced
under or by reason of said amendments.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, said INTERCO INCORPORATED has caused its
corporate seal to be hereunto affixed and this certificate to be
signed by Richard B. Loynd, its Chairman of the Board, and attested by
Duane A. Patterson, its Secretary, this 5th day of May, 1993.
INTERCO INCORPORATED
ATTEST: By Richard B. Loynd
-----------------
Richard B. Loynd
By Duane A. Patterson Chairman of the Board
---------------------
Duane A. Patterson
Secretary<PAGE>
Certificate of Ownership and Merger Merging
Interco Furniture, Inc.
into INTERCO INCORPORATED
Pursuant to Section 253 of The General Corporation
Law of the State of Delaware
INTERCO INCORPORATED, a corporation organized and existing
pursuant to the provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State
of Delaware (the "Corporation") DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:
FIRST: That the Corporation owns all the outstanding capital
stock of Interco Furniture, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Subsidiary Corporation"); and
SECOND: That by resolutions of its board of directors duly
adopted on the 30th day of January 1996, the Corporation determined to
effect a merge into itself (the "Merger") of the Subsidiary
Corporation. A true copy of such resolutions, which have not been
modified or amended and remain in full force and effect on the date
hereof, is attached hereto as Exhibit A; and
THIRD: That the Merger shall become effective at 12:01 a.m. on
March 1, 1996; and
FOURTH: That the Corporation shall be the surviving corporation
in the Merger; and
FIFTH: That upon the effectiveness of the Merger, the name of
the Corporation as specified in Paragraph 1(a) of the Corporation's
Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as heretofore amended, shall be
changed to Furniture Brands International, Inc.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Certificate
of Ownership and Merger to be signed by its Chairman and attested by
its Secretary, and its corporate seal to be affixed hereto as of the
26th day of February, 1996.
INTERCO INCORPORATED
By Richard B. Loynd
----------------------
Richard B. Loynd
Chairman
Attest:
Lynn Chipperfield
------------------
Lynn Chipperfield
Secretary<PAGE>
BY-LAWS OF
FURNITURE BRANDS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
(Revised and Amended to April 23, 1996)
-oOo-
ARTICLE I
Offices
Section 1. The principal office of Furniture Brands
International, Inc. (the "Corporation") shall be in the State of
Delaware at such location and with such registered agent in charge
thereof as may be established by the Board of Directors from time to
time.
Section 2. The Corporation may also have an office in the
County of Saint Louis, State of Missouri, and also offices at such
other places as the Board of Directors may from time to time appoint,
or the business of the Corporation may require.
ARTICLE II
Seal
Section 1. The corporate seal shall have inscribed thereon the
name of the Corporation, the state and the year of its incorporation
and the words "CORPORATE SEAL".
ARTICLE III
Stockholders' Meetings
Section 1. Meetings of the stockholders shall be held in the
County of Saint Louis, Missouri, or at such other place within or
without the State of Missouri as the Board of Directors may designate.
Annual Meetings
Section 2. Unless otherwise provided by resolution of the Board
of Directors, an annual meeting of stockholders shall be held on the
first Wednesday of May in each year, if not a legal holiday, and if a
legal holiday, then on the next business day following, at 10 a.m. At
each such annual meeting, the stockholders shall elect, by ballot,
directors to succeed those directors whose terms expire at such
meeting, and shall transact such other business as may properly be
brought before the meeting. The number of directors to be elected at
each annual meeting of stockholders shall be determined by the Board
of Directors of the Corporation at least thirty days before such<PAGE>
annual meeting.
Quorum
Section 3. A majority of the issued and outstanding Common
Stock, present in person or represented by proxy, shall be requisite
and shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the stockholders for
the transaction of business except as otherwise provided by statute,
by the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, or by these By-Laws.
If, however, such majority shall not be present or represented at any
meeting of the stockholders, the stockholders entitled to vote
thereat, present in person or by proxy, shall have power to adjourn
the meeting from time to time without notice other than announcement
at the meeting, until the record holders of the requisite amount of
stock shall be present or represented. At such adjourned meeting at
which the requisite amount of stock shall be represented, any business
may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as
originally notified.
How And Who May Vote
Section 4. At each meeting of the stockholders, every holder of
Common Stock having the right to vote shall be entitled to vote in
person, or by proxy appointed by an instrument in writing subscribed
by such stockholder and bearing a date not more than three years prior
to said meeting, unless said instrument provides for a longer period.
In all matters each holder of Common Stock shall have one vote for
each share of Common Stock registered in his name on the books of the
Corporation at the close of business on the record date. However, if
a record date is not fixed as herein provided, then no share of stock
shall be voted at such meeting which has been transferred on the books
of the Corporation within twenty days next preceding such meeting.
The vote for directors, and, upon demand of any stockholder entitled
to vote, the vote upon any question before the meeting, shall be by
ballot. All elections shall be had, and (except as otherwise required
by statute or the Restated Certificate of Incorporation) all questions
decided, by a plurality vote.
Notice of Annual Meeting
Section 5. Written notice of the annual meeting, stating the
time and place where it will be held, shall be mailed at least ten
days prior to the meeting to each stockholder at such address as
appears on the stock ledger of the Corporation.
Stockholders List - Entitled to Vote
Section 6. The officer who has charge of the stock ledger of
the Corporation shall prepare and make, at least ten days before every
meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled
to vote at said meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing
the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in
2<PAGE>
the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to the
examination of any stockholder during ordinary business hours for a
period of at least ten days prior to the meeting, either at a place
within the city where the meeting is to be held and which place shall
be specified in the notice of the meeting, or, if not so specified, at
the place where said meeting is to be held, and the list shall be
produced and kept at the time and place of meeting during the whole
time thereof, and subject to inspection of any stockholder who may be
present.
Special Meetings
Section 7. Special meetings of the stockholders, for any
purpose or purposes, unless otherwise provided by statute, may be
called only by the Board of Directors, pursuant to a resolution
approved by a majority of the entire Board of Directors, or by the
holders of not less than one-fifth of the combined voting power of the
outstanding shares of the Corporation entitled to vote generally in
the election of directors (by written notice delivered to the
Secretary of the Corporation), upon not less than ten and not more
than sixty days' written notice.
Business at Special Meetings
Section 8. Business transacted at all special meetings shall be
confined to the objects stated in the call.
Notice of Special Meetings
Section 9. Written notice of a special meeting of stockholders,
stating the time and place and object thereof, shall be mailed,
postage prepaid, at least ten days before such meeting, to each
stockholder entitled to vote thereat at such address as appears on the
books of the Corporation.
ARTICLE IV
Board of Directors
Number - Election of - Term of Office
Section 1. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be
managed under the direction of the Board of Directors. From time to
time, the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors
shall be determined by resolution of the Board of Directors, and the
number of directors may be increased by the affirmative vote of a
majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum;
provided, however, that the number of directors shall not be less than
nine nor more than twenty-one.
As of August 3, 1992, as provided in Article SEVENTH of the
Restated Certificate of Incorporation, and subject to the provisions
thereof, the Board of Directors was classified by dividing the
directors into three classes as nearly equal in size as possible,
serving for terms ending at the annual meetings of stockholders in
1993, 1994 and 1995, respectively. As of May 5, 1993, Article SEVENTH
of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation was amended so that on
and after May 5, 1993, the class of directors elected at each annual
meeting of stockholders shall be elected by ballot by the stockholders
entitled to vote, and (subject to the provisions of Paragraphs (a)(2)
and (b) of Article SEVENTH of the Restated Certificate of
Incorporation) for terms of one year and until their successors are
elected and qualified, or until their earlier resignation or removal.
Pursuant to Paragraph (b) of Article SEVENTH of the Restated
Certificate of Incorporation, the terms of all directors in office at
the first annual meeting of stockholders held on or after May 1, 1995,
shall terminate at such meeting, and from and after such date all
directors shall be elected for terms of one year and until their
successors are elected and qualified, or until their earlier
resignation or removal.
Place of Meetings - Offices
Section 2. The directors may hold their meetings and have one
or more offices outside of Delaware, at the offices of the Corporation
in the County of Saint Louis, Missouri, or at such other places as
they may from time to time determine. The directors may participate
in meetings of the Board and committees of the Board by conference
telephone and participation in this manner shall constitute presence
in person at such meeting.
Powers
Section 3. In addition to the powers and authorities by these
By-Laws expressly conferred upon them, the Board may exercise all such
powers of the Corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as
are not by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation or by these
By-Laws directed or required to be exercised or done by the
stockholders.
Meeting and Organization
Section 4. The newly elected Board may meet on the day of the
annual stockholders' meeting after such meeting shall have adjourned,
or at such place and time as shall be fixed by the vote of the
stockholders at the annual meeting, for the purpose of organization or
otherwise, and no notice of such meeting shall be necessary to the
newly elected directors in order legally to constitute the meeting;
provided, a majority of the whole Board shall be present; or they may
meet at such place and time as shall be fixed by the consent in
writing of all the directors.
Regular Meetings
Section 5. Regular meetings of the Board may be held without
notice at such time and place as shall from time to time be determined
by the Board.
Special Meetings
Section 6. Special meetings of the Board may be called by the
Chairman of the Board, or the Vice-Chairman of the Board or the
President on one day's notice to each director, either personally or
by mail or by telegram; special meetings shall be called by the
Chairman of the Board or the Vice-Chairman of the Board or the
President or the Secretary in like manner and on like notice on the
written request of one-third of the directors in office at the time.
Quorum
Section 7. At all meetings of the Board a majority of the
directors shall be necessary and sufficient to constitute a quorum for
the transaction of business, and the act of a majority of the
directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum, shall be
the act of the Board of Directors except as may be otherwise
specifically provided by statute or by the Restated Certificate of
Incorporation or by these By-Laws.
Committees
Section 8. There may be an Executive Committee of the Board of
Directors consisting of the Chairman of the Board and the President,
and two or more additional directors designated by resolution adopted
by a majority of the whole Board. Said Committee may meet at stated
times, or on any notice to all by the Chairman of the Committee or by
any two members of the Committee. A majority of the members of the
Executive Committee shall be necessary and sufficient to constitute a
quorum for the transaction of business by said Committee. During the
intervals between meetings of the Board such Committee shall advise
with and aid the officers of the Corporation in all matters concerning
its interests and the management of its business, and generally
perform such duties and exercise such powers as may be directed or
delegated by the Board of Directors from time to time. The Board may
delegate to such Committee the authority to exercise all of the powers
of the Board while the Board is not in session except the powers and
authority specifically reserved unto the Board by the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware as from time to time amended,
and except as otherwise provided in these By-Laws. Vacancies in the
membership of such Committee shall be filled by the Board of Directors
at a regular meeting or at a special meeting called for that purpose.
Section 9. The Board of Directors may, by resolution passed by
a majority of the whole Board, designate one or more other committees,
each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the
Corporation. The Board may designate one or more directors as
alternate members of any such committee, who may replace any absent or
disqualified member at any meeting of such committee. In the absence
or disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or members
thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting,
whether or not he or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint
another member of the Board to act at the meeting in place of any such
absent or disqualified member. Any such committee, to the extent
provided in the resolution of the Board, shall have and may exercise
all the powers and authority of the Board in the management of the
business and affairs of the Corporation, and may authorize the seal of
the Corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it; but
no such committee (including the Executive Committee) shall have power
or authority in reference to amending the Restated Certificate of
Incorporation, adopting an agreement of merger or consolidation,
recommending to the stockholders the sale, lease or exchange of all or
substantially all of the Corporation's property and assets,
recommending to the stockholders a dissolution of the Corporation or a
revocation of dissolution, removing, replacing or indemnifying
directors or amending these By-Laws; and, unless the resolution
expressly so provided, no such committee (including the Executive
Committee) shall have the power or authority to declare a dividend or
to authorize the issuance of stock.
Section 10. Unless the Board of Directors or these By-Laws
otherwise provides, each committee designated by the Board may make,
alter and repeal rules for the conduct of its business. In the
absence of a provision by the Board or a provision in these By-Laws or
the rules of such committee to the contrary, a majority of the entire
authorized number of members of such committee shall constitute a
quorum for the transaction of business, the vote of a majority of the
members present at a meeting at the time of such vote if a quorum is
then present shall be the act of such committee, and in other respects
each committee shall conduct its business in the same manner as the
Board conducts its business pursuant to Article IV of these By-Laws.
Section 11. Until the first annual meeting of stockholders of
the Corporation held on or after May 1, 1995, at least one of the
Class A Directors (as defined in the Amended and Restated Certificate
of Incorporation of the Corporation, as in effect on the Effective
Date) shall be appointed a member of each committee of the Board of
Directors or shall be entitled to be present at, and receive
reasonable advance notice of, each meeting of such Committee and to
receive promptly a copy of each action by written consent taken by
such Committee.
Section 12. There shall be a Litigation Committee of the Board
of Directors consisting of two Class A Directors and two other
directors. The two Class A Directors shall be designated by a
resolution adopted by the Class A Directors, and the two other
directors shall be designated by a resolution adopted by a majority of
the directors other than the Class A Directors. The Board of
Directors shall irrevocably empower and direct and delegate to such
Litigation Committee its entire authority (and it shall be the
responsibility of the Litigation Committee) to manage, oversee and, in
general, make, or direct the making of, all decisions (including,
without limitation, decisions as to funding, strategy, prosecution,
discovery, trial, settlement and/or dismissal) on behalf of the
Corporation with respect to all Third Party Litigation, as defined in
the Debtor's Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization (the "Plan"), for
the benefit of the beneficiaries of the proceeds of such litigation,
as set forth in the Plan. The Litigation Committee shall also be
responsible for determining whether any Third Party Litigation (other
than the claims pending as of the Effective Date) shall be litigated
and, if litigated, such Committee shall be irrevocably empowered and
directed by the Board and the Board shall delegate to the Litigation
Committee its entire authority (and it shall be the responsibility of
the Litigation Committee) to manage, oversee and make, or direct the
making of, all decisions (including, without limitation, decisions as
to funding, strategy, prosecution, discovery, trial, settlement and/or
dismissal) on behalf of the Corporation with respect to such
litigations for the benefit of the beneficiaries of the proceeds
thereof, as set forth in the Plan. Three members of the Litigation
Committee shall be necessary and sufficient to constitute a quorum for
the transaction of business by said Committee and the affirmative vote
of three members shall be required for each matter considered. If the
Litigation Committee is unable to agree on any matter by the required
vote, such matter shall be resolved by the United States Bankruptcy
Court for the Eastern District of Missouri, which, pursuant to the
Plan, shall retain jurisdiction over the management of the Third Party
Litigation for this purpose. Vacancies in the membership of the
Litigation Committee shall be filled in the same manner as the initial
formation of such Committee; provided, however, that after the first
annual meeting of stockholders held on or after May 1, 1995,
Litigation Committee members may consist of Disinterested Directors
(as defined in the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the
Corporation, as in effect on the Effective Date) in lieu of Class A
Directors.
Section 13. All committees of the Board of Directors shall keep
regular minutes of their proceedings and report same to the Board at
the next Board meeting.
ARTICLE V
General Officers
Section 1. The officers of this Corporation shall be as
follows:
Chairman of the Board
One or more Vice-Chairmen of the Board as the Board
of Directors shall deem advisable
President
One or more Vice-Presidents as the Board of Directors
shall deem advisable
Secretary
One or more Assistant Secretaries as the Board of
Directors shall deem advisable
Treasurer
One or more Assistant Treasurers as the Board of
Directors shall deem advisable.
Controller
One or more Assistant Controllers as the Board of
Directors shall deem advisable
Qualifications of Other Officers
Section 2. Any of the offices named in Section 1 of this
Article V may, in the discretion of the Board of Directors, be held by
one and the same person.
The Board of Directors may, from time to time, elect such other
officers, representatives or agents as it may deem necessary and
prescribe their qualifications and duties.
Agents
Section 3. The Chief Executive Officer may appoint, from time
to time, such other agents, representatives or assistants in the
business of the Corporation as he may deem necessary or as the
business of the Corporation may warrant. Such appointments, either
before or after being made, shall be submitted to the Board of
Directors for its approval or rejection.
Chairman of the Board
Section 4. The Chairman of the Board of Directors shall, when
present, preside at all meetings of the stockholders and of the Board
of Directors, and shall have such other power and perform such other
duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or its Executive
Committee.
When both a Chairman of the Board and President have been
elected, the Board of Directors shall appoint one of them Chief
Executive Officer of the Corporation. If only one of such offices
shall have been filled, or if one person holds both such offices, he
shall be the Chief Executive Officer.
Absence of Chairman
Section 5. In the event of the death, absence or disability
to act of the Chairman of the Board, the Vice-Chairman of the Board
(or, if more than one, such Vice-Chairman as the Board shall specify)
shall, when present, preside at meetings of the stockholders and of
the Board of Directors; and the Vice-Chairman of the Board shall
perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of
Directors.
In the event of the death, absence or disability to act of the
Chairman of the Board and of the Vice-Chairman of the Board, the
President, when present, shall preside at meetings of the stockholders
and of the Board of Directors.
President
Section 6. The President shall have such powers and perform
such duties as the Board of Directors or its Executive Committee may
assign to him.
Vice-President
Section 7. In the event of the death, absence or disability to
act of the President, any Vice-President, upon the request of the
Chairman of the Board, shall exercise all the powers and perform all
the duties of the President. The Board of Directors may specially
designate one or more Vice-Presidents with a descriptive title, such
as Senior Executive Vice-President, Executive Vice-President,
Administrative Vice-President and the like. The Vice-Presidents shall
perform such other duties and exercise such other powers as the Chief
Executive Officer may request or the Board of Directors may, by
resolution duly adopted, provide.
The Board of Directors shall designate one of the Vice-Presidents
as the chief financial officer of the Corporation and he shall be
responsible for the preparation of the Corporation's balance sheet,
income account and other corporate financial statements and reports,
and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board
of Directors.
Secretary
Section 8. The Secretary shall have custody of the corporate
seal of the Corporation, and shall affix and attest the same to all
instruments requiring this seal; he shall keep the minutes of all
meetings of the stockholders and of the Board of Directors and of the
Executive Committee; he shall give all notices and make all
publications for regular and special meetings of the stockholders or
of the Board of Directors or of the Executive Committee; he shall
have charge and custody of the books containing the records of such
meetings, and shall perform such other duties s may be prescribed by
the Board of Directors.
Assistant Secretary
Section 9. The Assistant Secretary shall aid the Secretary,
under his direction, in the performance and execution of the duties of
the office and department, and in case of the temporary absence of the
Secretary, he shall, at the direction of the Chief Executive Officer,
perform the Secretary's duties and act in his stead, and perform such
other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors.
Treasurer
Section 10. The Treasurer shall have the custody of all the
moneys, funds, credits and securities of the Corporation; he shall
cause to be kept full and complete records of all receipts and
disbursements of money, securities and other valuables. He shall make
such reports concerning same to the Board, to the Chairman of the
Board, and to the President, as from time to time may be requested;
he shall cause to be deposited to the credit of the Corporation, in
the corporate name, all funds of the Corporation, in such depositories
as he may select, subject at all times to the control of the Board of
Directors; and he shall perform such other duties as may be
prescribed by the Board of Directors.
Assistant Treasurer
Section 11. The Assistant Treasurer shall aid the Treasurer and
be under his direction in the performance and execution of the duties
of the office and department, and in the absence of the Treasurer he
shall perform his duties and act in his place, and shall perform such
other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors.
Controller
Section 12. The Controller shall aid the chief financial
officer of the Corporation and be under his direction in the
performance and execution of the duties of his office and department.
The Controller shall serve as the chief accounting officer of the
Corporation and he shall be responsible for internal auditing of the
books of account and cash records of the Corporation and its major
operating units, shall present to the annual meeting of stockholders a
statement in writing of the financial condition of the Corporation as
shown by the books, and shall perform such other duties as may be
prescribed by the Board of Directors. The Controller shall also
perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of
Directors.
Assistant Controller
Section 13. The Assistant Controller shall aid the Controller
and be under his direction in the performance and execution of the
duties of the office and department, and shall perform such other
duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors.
Salaries
Section 14. The salaries of the officers shall be fixed by the
Board of Directors, and no salary shall be paid or collected by any
officer unless the same has been fixed during the term of office of
such officer, except as hereinafter provided under Article VIII,
Section 8.
Salaries of Employees
Section 15. The salaries of all employees shall be fixed by the
heads of departments or of the operating unit, subject to the approval
of the Chairman of the Board, the President, or the Executive
Committee.
ARTICLE V-A
Indemnification of Officers, Directors, and Employees
Section 1. (a) The Corporation shall indemnify any person who
was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any
threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether
civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action
by or in the right of the Corporation) by reason of the fact that he
is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation,
or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director,
officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including
attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement
actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such
action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner
he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests
of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or
proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was
unlawful. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by
judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo
contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a
presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner
which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best
interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action
or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was
unlawful.
(b) The Corporation shall indemnify any person who was or is a
party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending
or completed action or suit by or in the right of the Corporation to
procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that he is or
was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or is
or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director,
officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including
attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection
with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if he acted in
good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not
opposed to the best interests of the Corporation and except that no
indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter
as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the
Corporation unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery
or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine
upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in
view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and
reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of
Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.
(c) To the extent that a director, officer, employee or agent of
the Corporation or any person serving at the request of the
Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise has
been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action,
suit or proceeding referred to in subsections (a) and (b), or in
defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, he shall be indemnified
against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably
incurred by him in connection therewith.
(d) Any indemnification under subsections (a) and (b) (unless
ordered by a court) shall be made by the Corporation only as
authorized in the specific case upon a determination that
indemnification of the director, officer, employee or agent is proper
in the circumstances because he has met the applicable standard of
conduct set forth in subsections (a) and (b). Such determination
shall be made (1) by the Board of Directors by a majority vote of a
quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to such action,
suit or proceeding, or (2) if such a quorum is not obtainable, or even
if obtainable a quorum of disinterested directors so directs, by
independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (3) by the
stockholders. Any determination made by the Board of Directors under
this by-law shall be final and conclusive on all persons whomsoever.
(e) Expenses incurred defending a civil or criminal action, suit
or proceeding shall be paid by the Corporation in advance of the final
disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an
undertaking by or on behalf of the director, officer, employee or
agent to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that
he is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation.
(f) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by,
or granted pursuant to, the other subsections of this section shall
not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking
indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any
by-law, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise,
both as to action in his official capacity and as to action in another
capacity while holding such office.
(g) The Corporation shall have power to purchase and maintain
insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer,
employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the
request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent
of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other
enterprise against any liability asserted against him and incurred by
him in any such capacity, or arising out of his status, as such,
whether or not such person would be entitled to indemnification
against such liability under the provisions of this by-law.
(h) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by,
or granted pursuant to, this section shall, unless otherwise provided
when authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to
be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the
benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.
(This Article V-A ratified by stockholders on June 22, 1987.)
ARTICLE VI
Stock and Transfers, etc.
Section 1. The certificates of stock of the Corporation shall
be numbered and shall be entered in the books of the Corporation as
they are issued. They shall exhibit the holder's name and number of
shares and shall be signed by the Chairman of the Board, Vice-Chairman
of the Board, President, Senior Executive Vice-President, or a Vice-
President, and by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, or the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary.
They shall also be countersigned by a financial institution
designated by the Board as Registrar, and by either a financial
institution designated by the Board or this Corporation acting through
a person or persons designated by the Board, as Transfer Agent of the
Corporation.
Any signature as required in this Section 1 may be by facsimile
signature, except the signature by the Registrar which shall be a
manual signature.
Fractional shares shall not be issued.
Transfers of Stock
Section 2. Transfers of stock shall be made on the books of the
Corporation only by the person named in the certificate or by his
attorney, lawfully constituted in writing, and upon surrender of the
certificate therefor.
Closing of Transfer Books or Fixing Record Date
Section 3. The Board of Directors may fix in advance a date,
not exceeding 60 days preceding the date of any meeting of
stockholders, or the date for the payment of any dividend, or the date
for the allotment of rights, or the date when any change or conversion
or exchange of capital stock shall go into effect, or a date in
connection with obtaining such consent, as a record date for the
determination of the stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote
at, any such meeting and any adjournment thereof, or entitled to
receive payment of any such dividend, or to any such allotment of
rights, or to exercise the rights with respect of any such change,
conversion or exchange of capital stock, or to give such consent, and
in such case such stockholders and only such stockholders as shall be
stockholders of record on the date so fixed shall be entitled to such
notice of, and to vote at, such meeting and any adjournment thereof,
or to receive payment of such dividend, or to receive such allotment
of rights, or to exercise such rights, or to give such consent, as the
case may be, notwithstanding any transfer of any stock on the books of
the Corporation after any such record date fixed as aforesaid.
Registered Stockholders
Section 4. The Corporation shall be entitled to treat the
holder of record of any share or shares of stock as the holder in fact
thereof and accordingly shall not be bound to recognize any equitable
or other claim to or interest in such share on the part of any other
person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof,
except as expressly provided by the laws of Delaware.
Lost Certificates
Section 5. Any person claiming a certificate of stock to be
lost or destroyed shall make an affidavit or affirmation of that fact
and advertise the same in such manner as the Board of Directors may
require, and shall, if the Board of Directors so requires, give the
Corporation a bond of indemnity, in form and with one or more sureties
satisfactory to the Board, in at least double the value of the stock
represented by said certificate, whereupon a new certificate may be
issued of the same tenor and for the same number of shares as the one
alleged to be lost or destroyed.
ARTICLE VII
Dividends
Dividends upon the Common Stock of the Corporation may be
declared by the Board of Directors or (if the resolution creating the
Executive Committee so provided) by the Executive Committee at any
regular or special meeting out of any net profits or net assets of the
Corporation legally available therefor. Dividends on the outstanding
Common Stock may be declared for a period not to exceed twelve (12)
months in advance of such dividend.
Before payment of any dividend or making any distribution of
profits, there may be set aside out of the surplus or net profits of
the Corporation such sum or sums as the Board of Directors from time
to time, in its absolute discretion, think proper as a reserve fund to
meet contingencies, or for equalizing dividends, or for repairing or
maintaining any property of the Corporation, or for such other purpose
as the Board of Directors shall think conducive to the interests of
the Corporation.
ARTICLE VIII
Miscellaneous
Vacancies
Section 1. Except as otherwise provided in the Amended and
Restated Certificate of Incorporation, if the office of any director,
or of any officer or agent, one or more, becomes vacant by reason of
death, resignation, retirement, disqualification, removal from office,
or otherwise, the directors then in office, although less than a
quorum, by a majority vote, may choose a successor or successors who
shall hold office for the unexpired term in respect of which such
vacancy occurred.
Newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the
authorized number of directors may be filled by the directors then in
office, although less than a quorum, by a majority vote, and persons
so designated to fill such newly created directorships shall hold
office until the next election of the class for which they are chosen
and until their successors are elected and qualified, or until their
earlier resignation or removal.
Duties of Officers May Be Delegated
Section 2. In case of the absence of any officer of the
Corporation, or for any other reason that the Board of Directors may
deem sufficient, the Board may delegate, for the time being, the
powers or duties, or any of them, of such officer to any other
officer, or to any director, provided, a majority of the entire Board
concurs therein.
Inspection of Books
Section 3. The Board of Directors shall determine from time to
time whether, and if allowed, when and under what conditions and
regulations, the accounts and books of the Corporation (except such as
may by statute be specifically open to inspection) or any of them,
shall be open to the inspection of the stockholders, and the
stockholders' rights in this respect are and shall be restricted and
limited accordingly.
Checks
Section 4. All checks, drafts, or other demands for money, made
by the Corporation may be signed or endorsed as the case may be by
such officer or officers or agents as the Board of Directors may from
time to time designate.
Notes and Negotiable Paper
Section 5. All notes and negotiable papers (except checks and
drafts) shall be signed or endorsed, as the case may be, by the
Chairman of the Board, the President, the Senior Executive Vice-
President, and such other officers designated by the Board of
Directors, and countersigned by the Secretary or an Assistant
Secretary, or the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer, and may be
endorsed by any one of said officers, but such endorsement shall
require no countersignature; and all acceptances may be made,
endorsed or accepted by any one of said officers so designated.
Directors' Annual Statement
Section 6. The Board of Directors shall present at each annual
meeting, and when called for by vote of the stockholders at any
special meeting of stockholders, a full and clear statement of the
business and conditions of the Corporation.
Notices
Section 7. Whenever, under the provisions of these By-Laws,
notice is required to be given to any director, officer or
stockholder, it shall not be construed to mean personal notice, but
such notice may be given in writing, by mail, by depositing the same
in the post office or letter box, in a postpaid sealed wrapper,
addressed to such director, officer or stockholder, and such notice
shall be deemed to be given at the time when the same shall be thus
mailed; provided, however, that notices given under Sections 6 and 11
of Article IV shall be deemed to be given at the time received.
Any stockholder, director, or officer may waive any notice
required to be given under these By-Laws.
Profit Sharing
Section 8. After provision has been made for payment of such
dividends on the Common Stock as the Board of Directors may determine
then, the Board may, in its discretion, set apart such part of the
Corporation's net earnings as it may deem advisable, over and above
said dividends, for extra salaries and compensation to be paid to
valued officers or employees, who, by their services to the
Corporation have helped to produce such earnings.
The payment of net earnings thus to be divided, shall be placed
in the hands of a committee of three, selected by the Board,
designated as the Profit Sharing Committee, but no member of that
Committee shall directly or indirectly participate in the bonus
salaries thus paid, if any.
The Profit Sharing Committee shall have absolute control over the
net earnings so set apart for the payment of additional salaries under
the provisions of this section.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation shall be ex-
officio chairman of the Profit Sharing Committee.
Amendments
Section 9. These By-Laws may be altered or amended by the
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Common Stock
issued and outstanding at any regular or special meeting of the
stockholders if notice of the proposed alteration or amendment be
contained in the notice of the meeting, or by the affirmative vote of
a majority of the Board of Directors; provided, however, that (i)
until the first annual meeting of stockholders held on or after May 1,
1995, any alteration or amendment to, repeal of or adoption of a
provision inconsistent with Section 11 of Article IV hereof shall
require the consent of a majority of the Class A Directors, and (ii)
any alteration or amendment to, repeal of or adoption of a provision
inconsistent with Section 12 of Article IV shall require the
affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the Litigation
Committee and, until the first annual meeting of stockholders held on
or after May 1, 1995, shall also require the consent of a majority of
the Class A Directors; and provided, further, that no amendment with
respect to the time or place for the election of directors shall be
made within sixty days next before the day on which such election is
to be held, and that a notice of any such change of time or place
shall be given to each stockholder twenty days before the election is
held, in person or by notice or letter mailed to his last known post
office address.
CREDIT AGREEMENT
among
FURNITURE BRANDS INTERNATIONAL, INC.,
BROYHILL FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC.,
THE LANE COMPANY, INCORPORATED,
THOMASVILLE FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC.,
VARIOUS BANKS,
CREDIT LYONNAIS NEW YORK BRANCH,
as DOCUMENTATION AGENT,
NATIONSBANK, N.A.,
as SYNDICATION AGENT,
and
BANKERS TRUST COMPANY,
as ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
-----------------------------------------
Dated as of November 17, 1994
and
Amended and Restated as of December 29, 1995
and further
Amended and Restated as of September 6, 1996
--------------------------------------------<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
SECTION 1. Amount and Terms of Credit. . . .. . . . . . . . 1
1.01 The Commitments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1.02 Minimum Amount of Each Borrowing . . . . . . . . . . . 4
1.03 Notice of Borrowing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
1.04 Disbursement of Funds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
1.05 Notes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
1.06 Conversions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
1.07 Pro Rata Borrowings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
1.08 Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
1.09 Interest Periods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
1.10 Increased Costs, Illegality, etc. . . . . . . . . . . 10
1.11 Compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
1.12 Change of Lending Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
1.13 Replacement of Banks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
SECTION 2. Letters of Credit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
2.01 Letters of Credit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
2.02 Minimum Stated Amount. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
2.03 Letter of Credit Requests. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
2.04 Letter of Credit Participations. . . . . . . . . . . . 17
2.05 Agreement to Repay Letter of Credit Drawings and
Acceptance Payments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
2.06 Increased Costs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
SECTION 3. Commitment Commission; Fees; Reductions of
Commitment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
3.01 Fees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
3.02 Voluntary Termination of Unutilized Commitments . . . 23
3.03 Mandatory Reduction of Revolving Loan Commitment. . . 24
SECTION 4. Prepayments; Payments; Taxes. . . . . . . . . . 28
4.01 Voluntary Prepayments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
4.02 Mandatory Repayments, Cash Collateralizations and
Commitment Reductions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
4.03 Method and Place of Payment . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
4.04 Net Payments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
SECTION 5. Conditions Precedent to Initial Credit Events . 33
5.01 Execution of Agreement; Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
5.02 Fees, etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
5.03 Opinions of Counsel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
5.04 Corporate Documents; Proceedings; etc. . . . . . . . 33
5.05 Shareholders' Agreements; Collective Bargaining
Agreements; Permitted Debt Agreements; Tax Sharing
Agreements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
5.06 Solvency; Environmental Analyses; Insurance Matters . 34
5.07 Subsidiary Guaranty. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
5.08 Pledge Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
5.09 Security Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
5.10 Mortgage Amendments; etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36<PAGE>
5.11 Consent Letter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
5.12 Adverse Change; Governmental Approvals; etc. . . . . . 37
5.13 Litigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
5.14 Pro Forma Balance Sheet; Financial Statements;
Projections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
5.15 Refinancing; Existing Credit Agreement; etc. . . . . . 38
SECTION 6. Conditions Precedent to All Credit Events. . . . 39
6.01 No Default; Representations and Warranties . . . . . . 39
6.02 Notice of Borrowing; Letter of Credit Request. . . . . 39
SECTION 7. Representations, Warranties and Agreements . . . 39
7.01 Corporate Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
7.02 Corporate Power and Authority. . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
7.03 No Violation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
7.04 Governmental Approvals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
7.05 Financial Statements; Financial Condition; Undisclosed
Liabilities; Projections; etc. . . . . . . . . . . . 41
7.06 Litigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
7.07 True and Complete Disclosure . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
7.08 Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations . . . . . . . . . 43
7.09 Tax Returns and Payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
7.10 Compliance with ERISA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
7.11 The Security Documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
7.12 Representations and Warranties in Other Documents. . . 47
7.13 Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
7.14 Capitalization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
7.15 Subsidiaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
7.16 Compliance with Statutes, etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
7.17 Investment Company Act . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
7.18 Public Utility Holding Company Act . . . . . . . . . . 49
7.19 Environmental Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
7.20 Labor Relations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
7.21 Patents, Licenses, Franchises and Formulas . . . . . . 50
7.22 Indebtedness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
7.23 Transaction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
7.24 Special Purpose Corporation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
SECTION 8. Affirmative Covenants. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
8.01 Information Covenants. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
8.02 Books, Records and Inspections . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
8.03 Maintenance of Property; Insurance . . . . . . . . . . 56
8.04 Corporate Franchises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
8.05 Compliance with Statutes, etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
8.06 Compliance with Environmental Laws . . . . . . . . . . 58
8.07 ERISA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
8.08 End of Fiscal Years; Fiscal Quarters . . . . . . . . . 60
8.09 Performance of Obligations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
8.10 Payment of Taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
8.11 Additional Security; Further Assurances; Required
Appraisals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
8.12 Interest Rate Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
8.13 Ownership of Subsidiaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63<PAGE>
8.14 Permitted Acquisitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
8.15 Maintenance of Corporate Separateness. . . . . . . . . 65
8.16 Cash Management System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
SECTION 9. Negative Covenants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
9.01 Liens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
9.02 Consolidation, Merger, Purchase or Sale of Assets, etc. 69
9.03 Dividends. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
9.04 Indebtedness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
9.05 Investments; etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
9.06 Transactions with Affiliates and Unrestricted
Subsidiaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
9.07 Capital Expenditures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
9.08 Consolidated Net Interest Coverage Ratio . . . . . . . 78
9.09 Maximum Leverage Ratio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
9.10 Limitation on Modifications of and Payments on
Indebtedness and Qualified Preferred Stock;
Modifications of Certificate of Incorporation,
By-Laws and Certain Other Agreements; Surviving
Guaranty Payments, etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
9.11 Limitation on Creation or Acquisition of Subsidiaries
and Restricted Subsidiaries . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
9.12 Limitation on Issuance of Capital Stock. . . . . . . . 82
9.13 Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
9.14 Limitation on Certain Restrictions on Subsidiaries . . 83
9.15 Limitation on Receivables and Receivables Facility . . 84
SECTION 10. Events of Default . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
10.01 Payments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
10.02 Representations, etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
10.03 Covenants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
10.04 Default Under Other Agreements . . . . . . . . . . . 85
10.05 Bankruptcy, etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
10.06 ERISA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
10.07 Security Documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
10.08 Subsidiary Guaranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
10.09 Judgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
10.10 Change of Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
10.11 Tax Sharing Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
10.12 Receivables Repurchases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
SECTION 11. Definitions and Accounting Terms. . . . . . . . 88
11.01 Defined Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
SECTION 12. The Agents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
12.01 Appointment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
12.02 Nature of Duties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
12.03 Lack of Reliance on the Administrative Agent, the
Documentation Agent and the Syndication Agent. . . 129
12.04 Certain Rights of the Administrative Agent, the
Documentation Agent and the Syndication Agent. . . 129
12.05 Reliance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
12.06 Indemnification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
12.07 The Administrative Agent, the Documentation Agent <PAGE>
and the Syndication Agent in its Individual
Capacity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
12.08 Holders. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
12.09 Resignation by the Agents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
SECTION 13. Miscellaneous . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
13.01 Payment of Expenses, etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
13.02 Right of Setoff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
13.03 Notices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
13.04 Benefit of Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
13.05 No Waiver; Remedies Cumulative . . . . . . . . . . . 136
13.06 Payments Pro Rata. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
13.07 Calculations; Computations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
13.08 GOVERNING LAW; SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION; VENUE;
WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
13.09 Counterparts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
13.10 Effectiveness. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
13.11 Headings Descriptive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
13.12 Amendment or Waiver; etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
13.13 Survival . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
13.14 Domicile of Loans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
13.15 Limitation on Additional Amounts, etc. . . . . . . . 142
13.16 Confidentiality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
13.17 Register . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
13.18 Addition of New Banks; Termination of Commitments
of Non-Continuing Banks; etc. . . . . . . . . . . 144
13.19 Post Closing Actions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145<PAGE>
SCHEDULE I Commitments
SCHEDULE II Bank Addresses
SCHEDULE III Existing Mortgaged Properties
SCHEDULE IV Undisclosed Liabilities
SCHEDULE V Tax Matters
SCHEDULE VI Subsidiaries
SCHEDULE VII Existing Indebtedness
SCHEDULE VIII Insurance
SCHEDULE IX Existing Liens
SCHEDULE X Existing Investments
SCHEDULE XI Existing Transactions
SCHEDULE XII Existing Letters of Credit
SCHEDULE XIII Certain Restrictions on Subsidiaries
SCHEDULE XIV Excluded Assets
SCHEDULE XV Leases Guarantied Under Surviving Guaranties
SCHEDULE XVI ERISA Matters
EXHIBIT A Notice of Borrowing
EXHIBIT B-1 Revolving Note
EXHIBIT B-2 Swingline Note
EXHIBIT C-1 Letter of Credit Service Agreement
EXHIBIT C-2 Trade Letter of Credit Request
EXHIBIT C-3 Standby Letter of Credit Request
EXHIBIT D Section 4.04(b)(ii) Certificate
EXHIBIT E-1 Opinion of General Counsel of Credit Parties
EXHIBIT E-2 Opinion of Bryan Cave LLP, Special
Counsel to Credit Parties
EXHIBIT F Solvency Certificate
EXHIBIT G Second Amended and Restated Subsidiary Guaranty
EXHIBIT H Second Amended and Restated Pledge Agreement
EXHIBIT I Second Amended and Restated Security Agreement
EXHIBIT J Consent Letter
EXHIBIT K Assignment and Assumption Agreement<PAGE>
CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of November 17, 1994, as amended and
restated as of December 29, 1995 and as further amended and restated
as of September 6, 1996, among FURNITURE BRANDS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
(f/k/a INTERCO INCORPORATED), a Delaware corporation ("Furniture
Brands"), BROYHILL FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC., a North Carolina
corporation ("Broyhill"), THE LANE COMPANY, INCORPORATED, a Virginia
corporation ("Lane"), THOMASVILLE FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC., a
Delaware corporation ("Thomasville" and together with Furniture
Brands, Broyhill and Lane, each a "Borrower," and, collectively, the
"Borrowers"), the Banks party hereto from time to time, CREDIT
LYONNAIS NEW YORK BRANCH ("Credit Lyonnais"), as Documentation Agent,
NATIONSBANK, N.A. ("NationsBank"), as Syndication Agent, and BANKERS
TRUST COMPANY, as Administrative Agent (all capitalized terms used
herein and defined in Section 11 are used herein as therein defined).
W I T N E S S E T H :
WHEREAS, the Borrowers, the Existing Banks, the Documentation
Agent, the Syndication Agent and the Administrative Agent are party to
a Credit Agreement, dated as of November 17, 1994 and amended and
restated as of December 29, 1995 (as in effect immediately prior to
the Second Restatement Effective Date, the "Existing Credit
Agreement");
WHEREAS, parties hereto wish to amend and restate the Existing
Credit Agreement in the form of this Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree that the Existing Credit
Agreement shall be and hereby is amended and restated in its entirety
as follows:
SECTION 1. Amount and Terms of Credit.
1.01 The Commitments. (a) Subject to and upon the terms and
conditions set forth herein, each Bank severally agrees, at any time
and from time to time on and after the Second Restatement Effective
Date and prior to the Maturity Date, to make a revolving loan or
revolving loans (each, a "Revolving Loan" and, collectively, the
"Revolving Loans") to the Borrowers, which Revolving Loans (i) shall,
at the option of the Borrowers, be Base Rate Loans or Eurodollar
Loans, provided that (A) except as otherwise specifically
provided in Section 1.10(b), all Revolving Loans comprising the same
Borrowing shall at all times be of the same Type and (B) no more than
one Borrowing of Revolving Loans to be maintained as Eurodollar Loans
may be incurred prior to the 30th day after the Second Restatement
Effective Date (which Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans may only have an
Interest Period of one month, and may only be made on the Second
Restatement Effective Date), (ii) may be repaid and reborrowed in
accordance with the provisions hereof, (iii) shall not exceed for any
Bank at any time outstanding that aggregate principal amount which,
when added to the product of (x) such Bank's Adjusted Percentage and
(y) the sum of (I) the aggregate amount of all Letter of Credit Out-<PAGE>
standings (exclusive of Unpaid Drawings which are repaid with the
proceeds of, and simultaneously with the incurrence of, the respective
incurrence of Revolving Loans) at such time and (II) the aggregate
principal amount of all Swingline Loans (exclusive of Swingline Loans
which are repaid with the proceeds of, and simultaneously with the
incurrence of, the respective incurrence of Revolving Loans) then
outstanding, equals the Revolving Loan Commitment of such Bank at such
time, (iv) shall not exceed for all Banks at any time outstanding that
aggregate principal amount which, when added to (x) the aggregate
amount of all Letter of Credit Outstandings (exclusive of Unpaid
Drawings which are repaid with the proceeds of, and simultaneously
with the incurrence of, the respective incurrence of Revolving Loans)
at such time and (y) the aggregate principal amount of all Swingline
Loans (exclusive of Swingline Loans which are repaid with the proceeds
of, and simultaneously with the incurrence of, the respective
incurrence of Revolving Loans) then outstanding, equals the Total
Revolving Loan Commitment at such time, (v) shall not exceed in
aggregate principal amount on the Second Restatement Effective Date,
when added to the aggregate principal amount of Swingline Loans
incurred on such date, an amount equal to $400,000,000 and (vi) shall
be the joint and several obligations of each of the Borrowers.
(b) Subject to and upon the terms and conditions herein set
forth, BTCo in its individual capacity agrees to make at any time and
from time to time on and after the Second Restatement Effective Date
and prior to the Swingline Expiry Date, a revolving loan or revolving
loans (each, a "Swingline Loan" and, collectively, the "Swingline
Loans") to the Borrowers, which Swingline Loans (i) shall be made and
maintained as Base Rate Loans, (ii) may be repaid and reborrowed in
accordance with the provisions hereof, (iii) shall not exceed in
aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding, when combined with
the aggregate principal amount of all Revolving Loans made by Non-
Defaulting Banks then outstanding and the Letter of Credit
Outstandings at such time, an amount equal to the Adjusted Total
Revolving Loan Commitment at such time (after giving effect to any
reductions to the Adjusted Total Revolving Loan Commitment on such
date), (iv) shall not exceed at any time outstanding the Maximum
Swingline Amount, (v) shall not exceed in aggregate principal amount
on the Second Restatement Effective Date, when added to the aggregate
principal amount of Revolving Loans incurred on such date, an amount
equal to $400,000,000, and (vi) shall be the joint and several
obligations of each of the Borrowers.
(c) On any Business Day, BTCo may, in its sole discretion, give
notice to the Banks that its outstanding Swingline Loans shall be
funded with a Borrowing of Revolving Loans (provided that such notice
shall be deemed to have been automatically given upon the occurrence
of a Default or an Event of Default under Section 10.05 or upon the
exercise of any of the remedies provided in the last paragraph of
Section 10), in which case a Borrowing of Revolving Loans constituting
Base Rate Loans (each such Borrowing, a "Mandatory Borrowing") shall
be made on the immediately succeeding Business Day by all Banks with a
Revolving Loan Commitment (without giving effect to any reductions
thereto pursuant to the last paragraph of Section 10) pro rata<PAGE>
based on each Bank's Adjusted Percentage (determined before giving
effect to any termination of the Revolving Loan Commitments pursuant
to the last paragraph of Section 10) and the proceeds thereof shall be
applied directly to BTCo to repay BTCo for such outstanding Swingline
Loans. Each such Bank hereby irrevocably agrees to make Revolving
Loans upon one Business Day's notice pursuant to each Mandatory
Borrowing in the amount and in the manner specified in the preceding
sentence and on the date specified in writing by BTCo notwithstanding
that (i) the amount of the Mandatory Borrowing may not comply with the
minimum amount for Borrowings otherwise required hereunder, (ii)
whether any conditions specified in Section 6 are then satisfied,
(iii) whether a Default or an Event of Default then exists, (iv) the
date of such Mandatory Borrowing and (v) the amount of the Total
Revolving Loan Commitment or the Adjusted Total Revolving Loan
Commitment at such time; provided that, in no event shall such Bank be
required to make Revolving Loans in excess of such Bank's Revolving
Loan Commitment. In the event that any Mandatory Borrowing cannot for
any reason be made on the date otherwise required above (including,
without limitation, as a result of the commencement of a proceeding
under the Bankruptcy Code with respect to any of the Borrowers), then
each such Bank hereby agrees that it shall forthwith purchase (as of
the date the Mandatory Borrowing would otherwise have occurred, but
adjusted for any payments received from the Borrowers on or after such
date and prior to such purchase) from BTCo such participations in the
outstanding Swingline Loans as shall be necessary to cause such Banks
to share in such Swingline Loans ratably based upon their respective
Adjusted Percentages (determined before giving effect to any
termination of the Revolving Loan Commitments pursuant to the last
paragraph of Section 10), provided that (x) all interest payable on
the Swingline Loans shall be for the account of BTCo until the date as
of which the respective participation is required to be purchased and,
to the extent attributable to the purchased participation, shall be
payable to the participant from and after such date and (y) at the
time any purchase of participations pursuant to this sentence is
actually made, the purchasing Bank shall be required to pay BTCo
interest on the principal amount of participation purchased for each
day from and including the day upon which the Mandatory Borrowing
would otherwise have occurred to but excluding the date of payment for
such participation, at the overnight Federal Funds Rate for the first
three days and at the rate otherwise applicable to Revolving Loans
maintained as Base Rate Loans hereunder for each day thereafter.
1.02 Minimum Amount of Each Borrowing. The aggregate principal
amount of each Borrowing of Revolving Loans shall be not less than
$1,000,000 and, if greater, shall be in an integral multiple of
$500,000, provided that Mandatory Borrowings shall be made in the
amounts required by Section 1.01(c). The aggregate principal amount
of each Borrowing of Swingline Loans shall not be less than $500,000
and, if greater, shall be in an integral multiple of $100,000. More
than one Borrowing may occur on the same date, but at no time shall
there be outstanding more than twelve Borrowings of Eurodollar Loans.
1.03 Notice of Borrowing. (a) Whenever the Borrowers desire
to make a Borrowing hereunder (excluding Borrowings of Swingline Loans<PAGE>
and Mandatory Borrowings), an Authorized Representative of the
Borrowers shall give the Administrative Agent at its Notice Office at
least one Business Day's prior written (or telephonic notice promptly
confirmed in writing) notice of each Base Rate Loan and at least three
Business Days' prior written (or telephonic notice promptly confirmed
in writing) notice of each Eurodollar Loan to be made hereunder,
provided that any such notice shall be deemed to have been given on a
certain day only if given before 11:00 A.M. (New York time) (or until
12:00 Noon (New York time) in the case of a Borrowing of Base Rate
Loans) on such day. Each such written notice or written confirmation
of telephonic notice (each a "Notice of Borrowing"), except as
otherwise expressly provided in Section 1.10, shall be irrevocable and
shall be given by the Borrowers in the form of Exhibit A,
appropriately completed to specify the aggregate principal amount of
the Loans to be made pursuant to such Borrowing, the date of such
Borrowing (which shall be a Business Day) and whether the Revolving
Loans being made pursuant to such Borrowing are to be initially
maintained as Base Rate Loans or Eurodollar Loans and, if Eurodollar
Loans, the initial Interest Period to be applicable thereto. The
Administrative Agent shall promptly give each Bank notice of such
proposed Borrowing, of such Bank's proportionate share thereof and of
the other matters required by the immediately preceding sentence to be
specified in the Notice of Borrowing.
(b) (i) Whenever the Borrowers desire to make a Borrowing of
Swingline Loans hereunder, an Authorized Representative of the
Borrowers shall give BTCo not later than 12:00 Noon (New York time) on
the date that a Swingline Loan is to be made, written notice or
telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing of each Swingline Loan
to be made hereunder. Each such notice shall be irrevocable and
specify in each case (A) the date of Borrowing (which shall be a
Business Day) and (B) the aggregate principal amount of the Swingline
Loans to be made pursuant to such Borrowing.
(ii) Mandatory Borrowings shall be made upon the notice
specified in Section 1.01(c), with each Borrower irrevocably agreeing,
by its incurrence of any Swingline Loan, to the making of the
Mandatory Borrowings as set forth in Section 1.01(c).
(c) Without in any way limiting the obligation of the Borrowers
to confirm in writing any telephonic notice of any Borrowing, the
Administrative Agent may act without liability upon the basis of
telephonic notice of such Borrowing, believed by the Administrative
Agent in good faith to be from an Authorized Representative of any
Borrower prior to receipt of written confirmation. In each such case,
each Borrower hereby waives the right to dispute the Administrative
Agent's record of the terms of such telephonic notice of such
Borrowing.
1.04 Disbursement of Funds. Except as otherwise specifically
provided in the immediately succeeding sentence, no later than 12:00
Noon (New York time) on the date specified in each Notice of Borrowing
(or (x) in the case of Swingline Loans, not later than 2:00 P.M. (New
York time) on the date specified pursuant to Section 1.03(b)(i) or (y)<PAGE>
in the case of Mandatory Borrowings, not later than 12:00 Noon (New
York time) on the date specified in Section 1.01(c)), each Bank will
make available its pro rata portion of each such Borrowing requested
to be made on such date (or in the case of Swingline Loans, BTCo shall
make available the full amount thereof). All such amounts shall be
made available in Dollars and in immediately available funds at the
Payment Office of the Administrative Agent, and the Administrative
Agent will make available to the Borrowers at the Payment Office the
aggregate of the amounts so made available by the Banks (prior to 1:00
P.M. (New York time)) on such day, to the extent of funds actually
received by the Administrative Agent prior to 12:00 Noon (New York
time) on such day). Unless the Administrative Agent shall have been
notified by any Bank prior to the date of Borrowing that such Bank
does not intend to make available to the Administrative Agent such
Bank's portion of any Borrowing to be made on such date, the
Administrative Agent may assume that such Bank has made such amount
available to the Administrative Agent on such date of Borrowing and
the Administrative Agent may, in reliance upon such assumption, make
available to the Borrowers a corresponding amount. If such
corresponding amount is not in fact made available to the
Administrative Agent by such Bank, the Administrative Agent shall be
entitled to recover such corresponding amount on demand from such
Bank. If such Bank does not pay such corresponding amount forthwith
upon the Administrative Agent's demand therefor, the Administrative
Agent shall promptly notify the Borrowers to immediately pay such
corresponding amount to the Administrative Agent. The Administrative
Agent shall also be entitled to recover on demand from such Bank or
the Borrowers, as the case may be, interest on such corresponding
amount in respect of each day from the date such corresponding amount
was made available by the Administrative Agent to the Borrowers until
the date such corresponding amount is recovered by the Administrative
Agent, at a rate per annum equal to (i) if recovered from such Bank,
the overnight Federal Funds Rate and (ii) if recovered from the
Borrowers, the rate of interest applicable to the respective
Borrowing, as determined pursuant to Section 1.08. Nothing in this
Section 1.04 shall be deemed to relieve any Bank from its obligation
to make Loans hereunder or to prejudice any rights which the Borrowers
may have against any Bank as a result of any failure by such Bank to
make Loans hereunder.
1.05 Notes. (a) The Borrowers' obligation to pay the
principal of, and interest on, the Loans made by each Bank shall be
evidenced (i) if Revolving Loans, by a promissory note duly executed
and delivered by the Borrowers substantially in the form of Exhibit B-
1, with blanks appropriately completed in conformity herewith (each, a
"Revolving Note" and, collectively, the "Revolving Notes") and (ii) if
Swingline Loans, by a promissory note duly executed and delivered by
the Borrowers substantially in the form of Exhibit B-2, with blanks
appropriately completed in conformity herewith (the "Swingline Note").
(b) The Revolving Note issued to each Bank shall (i) be
executed by the Borrowers, (ii) be payable to such Bank or its
registered assigns and be dated the Second Restatement Effective Date,
(iii) be in a stated principal amount equal to the Revolving Loan<PAGE>
Commitment of such Bank and be payable in the principal amount of the
Revolving Loans evidenced thereby, (iv) mature on the Maturity Date,
(v) bear interest as provided in the appropriate clause of Section
1.08 in respect of the Base Rate Loans and Eurodollar Loans, as the
case may be, evidenced thereby, (vi) be subject to mandatory repayment
as provided in Section 4.02 and (vii) be entitled to the benefits of
this Agreement and the other Credit Documents.
(c) The Swingline Note issued to BTCo shall (i) be executed by
the Borrowers, (ii) be payable to BTCo or its registered assigns and
be dated the Second Restatement Effective Date, (iii) be in a stated
principal amount equal to the Maximum Swingline Amount and be payable
in the principal amount of the outstanding Swingline Loans evidenced
thereby from time to time, (iv) mature on the Swingline Expiry Date,
(v) bear interest as provided in the appropriate clause of Section
1.08 in respect of the Base Rate Loans evidenced thereby and (vi) be
entitled to the benefits of this Agreement and the other Credit
Documents.
(d) Each Bank will note on its internal records the amount of
each Loan made by it and each payment in respect thereof and will
prior to any transfer of any of its Notes endorse on the reverse side
thereof the outstanding principal amount of Loans evidenced thereby.
Failure to make any such notation or any error in any such notation or
endorsement shall not affect the Borrowers' obligations in respect of
such Loans.
1.06 Conversions. The Borrowers shall have the option to
convert, on any Business Day occurring after the Second Restatement
Effective Date, all or a portion equal to at least $1,000,000 (and, if
greater, in an integral multiple of $500,000), of the outstanding
principal amount of Revolving Loans made pursuant to one or more
Borrowings of one or more Types of Loans into a Borrowing of another
Type of Loan, provided that (i) except as otherwise provided in
Section 1.10(b), Eurodollar Loans may be converted into Base Rate
Loans only on the last day of an Interest Period applicable to the
Revolving Loans being converted and no such partial conversion of
Eurodollar Loans shall reduce the outstanding principal amount of such
Eurodollar Loans made pursuant to a single Borrowing to less than
$1,000,000, (ii) Base Rate Loans may only be converted into Eurodollar
Loans if no Default or Event of Default is in existence on the date of
the conversion, (iii) prior to the 30th day after the Second
Restatement Effective Date, conversions of Base Rate Loans into
Eurodollar Loans may only be made if the conversion is effective on
the first day of an Interest Period referred to in clause (B) of the
proviso to Section 1.01(a)(i) and so long as such conversion does not
result in a greater number of Borrowings of Eurodollar Loans prior to
the 30th day after the Second Restatement Effective Date, (iv) no
conversion pursuant to this Section 1.06 shall result in a greater
number of Borrowings of Eurodollar Loans than is permitted under
Section 1.02 and (v) Swingline Loans may not be converted pursuant to
this Section 1.06. Each such conversion shall be effected by the
Borrowers by giving the Administrative Agent at its Notice Office
prior to 12:00 Noon (New York time) at least three Business Days'<PAGE>
prior notice (each a "Notice of Conversion") specifying the Revolving
Loans to be so converted, the Borrowing or Borrowings pursuant to
which such Revolving Loans were made and, if to be converted into
Eurodollar Loans, the Interest Period to be initially applicable
thereto. The Administrative Agent shall give each Bank prompt notice
of any such proposed conversion affecting any of its Revolving Loans.
1.07 Pro Rata Borrowings. All Borrowings of Revolving Loans
under this Agreement shall be incurred from the Banks pro rata on the
basis of their Revolving Loan Commitments, provided that all
Borrowings of Revolving Loans made pursuant to a Mandatory Borrowing
shall be incurred from the Banks pro rata on the basis of their
Adjusted Percentages. It is understood that no Bank shall be
responsible for any default by any other Bank of its obligation to
make Loans hereunder and that each Bank shall be obligated to make the
Loans provided to be made by it hereunder, regardless of the failure
of any other Bank to make its Loans hereunder.
1.08 Interest. (a) The Borrowers jointly and severally agree
to pay interest in respect of the unpaid principal amount of each Base
Rate Loan from the date the proceeds thereof are made available to the
Borrowers until the earlier of (i) the maturity (whether by
acceleration or otherwise) of such Base Rate Loan and (ii) the
conversion of such Base Rate Loan to a Eurodollar Loan pursuant to
Section 1.06, at a rate per annum which shall be equal to the sum of
the Applicable Margin plus the Base Rate in effect from time to time.
(b) The Borrowers jointly and severally agree to pay interest
in respect of the unpaid principal amount of each Eurodollar Loan from
the date the proceeds thereof are made available to the Borrowers
until the earlier of (i) the maturity (whether by acceleration or
otherwise) of such Eurodollar Loan and (ii) the conversion of such
Eurodollar Loan to a Base Rate Loan pursuant to Section 1.06 or 1.10,
as applicable, at a rate per annum which shall, during each Interest
Period applicable thereto, be equal to the sum of the Applicable
Margin plus the Eurodollar Rate for such Interest Period.
(c) Overdue principal and, to the extent permitted by law,
overdue interest in respect of each Loan and any other overdue amount
payable hereunder shall, in each case, bear interest at a rate per
annum equal to the greater of (x) 2% per annum in excess of the rate
otherwise applicable to Base Rate Loans from time to time and (y) the
rate which is 2% in excess of the rate then borne by such Loans, in
each case with such interest to be payable on a joint and several
basis by the Borrowers on demand.
(d) Accrued (and theretofore unpaid) interest shall be payable
(i) in respect of each Base Rate Loan, quarterly in arrears on each
Quarterly Payment Date, (ii) in respect of each Eurodollar Loan, on
the last day of each Interest Period applicable thereto and, in the
case of an Interest Period in excess of three months, on each date
occurring at three month intervals after the first day of such
Interest Period, (iii) in respect of each Eurodollar Loan, on any
repayment or prepayment (on the amount repaid or prepaid) and (iv) in<PAGE>
respect of each Loan, at maturity (whether by acceleration or
otherwise) and, after such maturity, on demand.
(e) Upon each Interest Determination Date, the Administrative
Agent shall determine the Eurodollar Rate for the respective Interest
Period or Interest Periods and shall promptly notify the Borrowers and
the Banks thereof. Each such determination shall, absent manifest
error, be final and conclusive and binding on all parties hereto.
1.09 Interest Periods. At the time the Borrowers give any
Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Conversion in respect of the making
of, or conversion into, any Eurodollar Loan (in the case of the
initial Interest Period applicable thereto) or on the third Business
Day prior to the expiration of an Interest Period applicable to such
Eurodollar Loan (in the case of any subsequent Interest Period), the
Borrowers shall have the right to elect, by having an Authorized
Representative of the Borrowers give the Administrative Agent notice
thereof, the interest period (each an "Interest Period") applicable to
such Eurodollar Loan, which Interest Period shall, at the option of
the Borrowers, be a one, two, three or six-month period, provided
that:
(i) all Eurodollar Loans comprising a Borrowing shall at all
times have the same Interest Period;
(ii) the initial Interest Period for any Eurodollar Loan shall
commence on the date of Borrowing of such Eurodollar Loan (including
the date of any conversion thereto from a Revolving Loan of a
different Type) and each Interest Period occurring thereafter in
respect of such Eurodollar Loan shall commence on the day on which the
next preceding Interest Period applicable thereto expires;
(iii) if any Interest Period relating to a Eurodollar Loan
begins on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding day in
the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period, such Interest
Period shall end on the last Business Day of such calendar month;
(iv) if any Interest Period would otherwise expire on a day
which is not a Business Day, such Interest Period shall expire on the
next succeeding Business Day; provided, however, that if any Interest
Period for a Eurodollar Loan would otherwise expire on a day which is
not a Business Day but is a day of the month after which no further
Business Day occurs in such month, such Interest Period shall expire
on the next preceding Business Day;
(v) no Interest Period may be selected at any time when a
Default or an Event of Default is then in existence;
(vi) no Interest Period in respect of any Borrowing shall be
selected which extends beyond the Maturity Date; and
(vii) no Interest Period in respect of any Borrowing of
Revolving Loans shall be selected which extends beyond any date upon
which a Scheduled Commitment Reduction will be required to be made<PAGE>
under Section 3.03(c) if, after giving effect to the selection of such
Interest Period, the aggregate principal amount of Revolving Loans
maintained as Eurodollar Loans which have Interest Periods expiring
after such date would be in excess of the aggregate principal amount
of Loans permitted to be outstanding after such Scheduled Commitment
Reduction.
If upon the expiration of any Interest Period applicable to a
Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans, the Borrowers have failed to elect, or
are not permitted to elect, a new Interest Period to be applicable to
such Eurodollar Loans as provided above, the Borrowers shall be deemed
to have elected to convert such Eurodollar Loans into Base Rate Loans
effective as of the expiration date of such current Interest Period.
1.10 Increased Costs, Illegality, etc. (a) In the event that
any Bank shall have determined (which determination shall, absent
manifest error, be final and conclusive and binding upon all parties
hereto but, with respect to clause (i) below, may be made only by the
Administrative Agent):
(i) on any Interest Determination Date that, by reason of any
changes arising after the date of this Agreement affecting the
interbank Eurodollar market, adequate and fair means do not exist for
ascertaining the applicable interest rate on the basis provided for in
the definition of Eurodollar Rate; or
(ii) at any time, that such Bank shall incur increased costs or
reductions in the amounts received or receivable hereunder with
respect to any Eurodollar Loan because of (x) any change since the
date of this Agreement in any applicable law or governmental rule,
regulation, order, guideline or request (whether or not having the
force of law) or in the interpretation or administration thereof and
including the introduction of any new law or governmental rule,
regulation, order, guideline or request, such as, for example, but not
limited to: (A) a change in the basis of taxation of payment to any
Bank of the principal of or interest on such Eurodollar Loan or any
other amounts payable hereunder (except for changes in the rate of tax
on, or determined by reference to, the net income or net profits of
such Bank, or any franchise tax based on the net income or net profits
of such Bank, in either case pursuant to the laws of the United States
of America, the jurisdiction in which it is organized or in which its
principal office or applicable lending office is located or any
subdivision thereof or therein), but without duplication of any
amounts payable in respect of Taxes pursuant to Section 4.04(a), or
(B) a change in official reserve requirements, but, in all events,
excluding reserves required under Regulation D to the extent included
in the computation of the Eurodollar Rate and/or (y) other
circumstances since the date of this Agreement affecting such Bank or
the interbank Eurodollar market or the position of such Bank in such
market (except as a result of a deterioration in the creditworthiness
of such Bank subsequent to the date hereof); or
(iii) at any time, that the making or continuance of any
Eurodollar Loan has been made (x) unlawful by any law or governmental<PAGE>
rule, regulation or order, (y) impossible by compliance by any Bank in
good faith with any governmental request (whether or not having force
of law) or (z) impracticable as a result of a contingency occurring
after the date of this Agreement which materially and adversely
affects the interbank Eurodollar market; then, and in any such event,
such Bank (or the Administrative Agent, in the case of clause (i)
above) shall promptly give notice (by telephone confirmed in writing)
to the Borrowers and, except in the case of clause (i) above, to the
Administrative Agent of such determination (which notice the
Administrative Agent shall promptly transmit to each of the other
Banks). Thereafter (x) in the case of clause (i) above, Eurodollar
Loans shall no longer be available until such time as the
Administrative Agent notifies the Borrowers and the Banks that the
circumstances giving rise to such notice by the Administrative Agent
no longer exist, and any Notice of Borrowing or Notice of Conversion
given by the Borrowers with respect to Eurodollar Loans which have not
yet been incurred (including by way of conversion) shall be deemed
rescinded by the Borrowers, (y) in the case of clause (ii) above, the
Borrowers jointly and severally agree to, subject to the provisions of
Section 13.15 (to the extent applicable), pay to such Bank, upon
written demand therefor, such additional amounts (in the form of an
increased rate of, or a different method of calculating, interest or
otherwise as such Bank in its sole discretion shall determine) as
shall be required to compensate such Bank for such increased costs or
reductions in amounts received or receivable hereunder (a written
notice as to the additional amounts owed to such Bank, showing the
basis for the calculation thereof, submitted to the Borrowers by such
Bank in good faith shall, absent manifest error, be final and
conclusive and binding on all the parties hereto) and (z) in the case
of clause (iii) above, the Borrowers shall take one of the actions
specified in Section 1.10(b) as promptly as possible and, in any
event, within the time period required by law. Each of the
Administrative Agent and each Bank agrees that if it gives notice to
the Borrowers of any of the events described in clause (i) or (iii)
above, it shall promptly notify the Borrowers and, in the case of any
such Bank, the Administrative Agent, if such event ceases to exist.
If any such event described in clause (iii) above ceases to exist as
to a Bank, the obligations of such Bank to make Eurodollar Loans and
to convert Base Rate Loans into Eurodollar Loans on the terms and
conditions contained herein shall be reinstated.
(b) At any time that any Eurodollar Loan is affected by the
circumstances described in Section 1.10(a)(ii) or (iii), the Borrowers
may (and in the case of a Eurodollar Loan affected by the
circumstances described in Section 1.10(a)(iii) shall) either (x) if
the affected Eurodollar Loan is then being made initially or pursuant
to a conversion, cancel the respective Borrowing by giving the
Administrative Agent telephonic notice (confirmed in writing) on the
same date that the Borrowers were notified by the affected Bank or the
Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 1.10(a)(ii) or (iii) or (y)
if the affected Eurodollar Loan is then outstanding, upon at least
three Business Days' written notice to the Administrative Agent,
require the affected Bank to convert such Eurodollar Loan into a Base
Rate Loan, provided that, if more than one Bank is affected at any<PAGE>
time, then all affected Banks must be treated the same pursuant to
this Section 1.10(b).
(c) If at any time after the date of this Agreement any Bank
determines that the introduction of or any change in any applicable
law or governmental rule, regulation, order, guideline, directive or
request (whether or not having the force of law) concerning capital
adequacy, or any change in interpretation or administration thereof by
any governmental authority, central bank or comparable agency, will
have the effect of increasing the amount of capital required or
expected to be maintained by such Bank or any corporation controlling
such Bank based on the existence of such Bank's Commitments hereunder
or its obligations hereunder, then the Borrowers jointly and severally
agree, subject to the provisions of Section 13.15 (to the extent
applicable), to pay to such Bank, upon its written demand therefor,
such additional amounts as shall be required to compensate such Bank
or such other corporation for the increased cost to such Bank or such
other corporation or the reduction in the rate of return to such Bank
or such other corporation as a result of such increase of capital. In
determining such additional amounts, each Bank will act reasonably and
in good faith and will use averaging and attribution methods which are
reasonable, provided that such Bank's reasonable good faith
determination of compensation owing under this Section 1.10(c) shall,
absent manifest error, be final and conclusive and binding on all the
parties hereto. Each Bank, upon determining that any additional
amounts will be payable pursuant to this Section 1.10(c), will give
written notice thereof to the Borrowers, which notice shall show the
basis for calculation of such additional amounts.
1.11 Compensation. The Borrowers jointly and severally agree,
subject to the provisions of Section 13.15 (to the extent applicable),
to compensate each Bank, upon its written request (which request shall
set forth the basis for requesting such compensation), for all
reasonable losses, expenses and liabilities (including, without
limitation, any loss, expense or liability incurred by reason of the
liquidation or reemployment of deposits or other funds required by
such Bank to fund its Eurodollar Loans but excluding any loss of
anticipated profit) which such Bank may sustain: (i) if for any
reason (other than a default by such Bank or the Administrative Agent)
a Borrowing of, or conversion from or into, Eurodollar Loans does not
occur on a date specified therefor in a Notice of Borrowing or Notice
of Conversion (whether or not withdrawn by the Borrowers or deemed
withdrawn pursuant to Section 1.10(a)); (ii) if any repayment
(including any repayment made pursuant to Section 4.02 or as a result
of an acceleration of the Loans pursuant to Section 10) or conversion
of any of its Eurodollar Loans occurs on a date which is not the last
day of an Interest Period with respect thereto; (iii) if any
prepayment of any of its Eurodollar Loans is not made on any date
specified in a notice of prepayment given by the Borrowers; or (iv) as
a consequence of (x) any other default by the Borrowers to repay its
Loans when required by the terms of this Agreement or any Note held by
such Bank or (y) any election made pursuant to Section 1.10(b).<PAGE>
1.12 Change of Lending Office. Each Bank agrees that upon the
occurrence of any event giving rise to the operation of Section
1.10(a)(ii) or (iii), Section 1.10(c), Section 2.06 or Section 4.04
with respect to such Bank, it will, if requested by the Borrowers, use
reasonable efforts (subject to overall policy considerations of such
Bank) to designate another lending office for any Loans or Letters of
Credit affected by such event, provided that such designation is made
on such terms that such Bank and its lending office suffer no
economic, legal or regulatory disadvantage, with the object of
avoiding the consequence of the event giving rise to the operation of
such Section. Nothing in this Section 1.12 shall affect or postpone
any of the obligations of the Borrowers or the rights of any Bank
provided in Sections 1.10, 2.06 and 4.04.
1.13 Replacement of Banks. (x) If any Bank becomes a
Defaulting Bank or otherwise defaults in its obligations to make Loans
or fund Unpaid Drawings, (y) upon the occurrence of any event giving
rise to the operation of Section 1.10(a)(ii) or (iii), Section
1.10(c), Section 2.06 or Section 4.04 with respect to any Bank which
results in such Bank charging to the Borrowers increased costs in
excess of those being generally charged by the other Banks or (z) as
provided in Section 13.12(b) in the case of certain refusals by a Bank
to consent to certain proposed changes, waivers, discharges or
terminations with respect to this Agreement which have been approved
by the Required Banks, the Borrowers shall have the right, if no
Default or Event of Default will exist immediately after giving effect
to the respective replacement, to either replace such Bank (the
"Replaced Bank") with one or more other Eligible Transferee or
Transferees, none of whom shall constitute a Defaulting Bank at the
time of such replacement (collectively, the "Replacement Bank")
reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, provided that (i)
at the time of any replacement pursuant to this Section 1.13, the
Replacement Bank shall enter into one or more Assignment and
Assumption Agreements pursuant to Section 13.04(b) (and with all fees
payable pursuant to said Section 13.04(b) to be paid by the
Replacement Bank) pursuant to which the Replacement Bank shall acquire
all of the Revolving Loan Commitments and outstanding Revolving Loans
of, and participations in Letters of Credit by, the Replaced Bank and,
in connection therewith, shall pay to (x) the Replaced Bank in respect
thereof an amount equal to the sum of (A) an amount equal to the
principal of, and all accrued interest on, all outstanding Revolving
Loans of the Replaced Bank, (B) an amount equal to all Unpaid Drawings
that have been funded by (and not reimbursed to) such Replaced Bank,
together with all then unpaid interest with respect thereto at such
time and (C) an amount equal to all accrued, but theretofore unpaid,
Fees owing to the Replaced Bank pursuant to Section 3.01 and (y) BTCo
an amount equal to such Replaced Bank's Adjusted Percentage (for this
purpose, determined as if the adjustment described in clause (y) of
the immediately succeeding sentence had been made with respect to such
Replaced Bank) of (1) any Unpaid Drawing (which at such time remains
an Unpaid Drawing) and (2) any portion of any Swingline Loan for which
BTCo has given a notice of a Mandatory Borrowing pursuant to Section
1.01(c) and such Replaced Bank has not provided a Revolving Loan which
it was obligated to provide to the extent such amount was not<PAGE>
theretofore funded by such Replaced Bank, and (ii) all obligations of
the Borrowers owing to the Replaced Bank (other than those (a)
specifically described in clause (i) above in respect of which the
assignment purchase price has been, or is concurrently being, paid or
(b) relating to any Revolving Loans and/or Revolving Loan Commitments
of the respective Replaced Bank which will remain outstanding after
giving effect to the respective replacement) shall be paid in full to
such Replaced Bank concurrently with such replacement. Upon the
execution of the respective Assignment and Assumption Agreements, the
payment of amounts referred to in clauses (i) and (ii) above and, if
so requested by the Replacement Bank, delivery to the Replacement Bank
of the appropriate Revolving Note executed by the Borrowers, (x) the
Replacement Bank shall become a Bank hereunder and the Replaced Bank
shall cease to constitute a Bank hereunder, except with respect to
indemnification provisions under this Agreement (including, without
limitation, Sections 1.10, 1.11, 2.06, 4.04, 13.01 and 13.06), which
shall survive as to such Replaced Bank and (y) in the case of a
replacement of a Defaulting Bank with a Non-Defaulting Bank, the
Adjusted Percentages of the Banks shall be automatically adjusted at
such time to give effect to such replacement (and to give effect to
the replacement of a Defaulting Bank with one or more Non-Defaulting
Banks).
SECTION 2. Letters of Credit.
2.01 Letters of Credit. (a) Subject to and upon the terms
and conditions herein set forth, the Borrowers may request that any
Issuing Bank issue, at any time and from time to time on and after the
Second Restatement Effective Date and prior to the Maturity Date, for
the joint and several account of the Borrowers, one or more
irrevocable letters of credit denominated in Dollars or, in the case
of Trade Letters of Credit, through the creation thereunder by the
respective Issuing Bank of acceptances or any other customary
agreement or method for providing for deferred payment under letters
of credit ("Acceptances"), and otherwise in a form customarily used by
such Issuing Bank or in such other form as has been approved by such
Issuing Bank (each such letter of credit, a "Letter of Credit") in
support of obligations described in the definitions of Standby Letter
of Credit or Trade Letter of Credit and any other obligations of the
Borrowers or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries that are reasonably
acceptable to the Administrative Agent and otherwise permitted to
exist pursuant to this Agreement. On the Second Restatement Effective
Date, all Existing Letters of Credit shall be deemed to have been
issued under this Agreement and shall for all purposes constitute
"Letters of Credit" hereunder.
(b) Each Issuing Bank may agree, in its sole discretion, and
BTCo hereby agrees that in the event a requested Letter of Credit is
not issued by one of the other Issuing Banks, it will (subject to the
terms and conditions contained herein), at any time and from time to
time on or after the Second Restatement Effective Date and prior to
the Maturity Date, following its receipt of the respective Letter of
Credit Request, issue for the account of the Borrowers one or more
Letters of Credit in support of such obligations described in the<PAGE>
definitions of Standby Letter of Credit and Trade Letter of Credit of
the Borrowers or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries as is permitted
to exist pursuant to this Agreement without giving rise to a Default
or Event of Default hereunder, provided that the respective Issuing
Bank shall be under no obligation to issue any Letter of Credit of the
types described above if at the time of such issuance:
(i) any order, judgment or decree of any governmental authority
or arbitrator shall purport by its terms to enjoin or restrain such
Issuing Bank from issuing such Letter of Credit or any requirement of
law applicable to such Issuing Bank or any request or directive
(whether or not having the force of law) from any governmental
authority with jurisdiction over such Issuing Bank shall prohibit, or
request that such Issuing Bank refrain from, the issuance of letters
of credit generally or such Letter of Credit in particular or shall
impose upon such Issuing Bank with respect to such Letter of Credit
any restriction or reserve or capital requirement (for which such
Issuing Bank is not otherwise compensated) not in effect on the date
hereof, or any unreimbursed loss, cost or expense which was not
applicable, in effect or known to such Issuing Bank as of the date
hereof and which such Issuing Bank in good faith deems material to it;
or
(ii) such Issuing Bank shall have received notice from any Bank
prior to the issuance of such Letter of Credit of the type described
in the penultimate sentence of Section 2.03(b).
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) no Letter of Credit
shall be issued the Stated Amount of which, when added to the Letter
of Credit Outstandings (exclusive of Unpaid Drawings which are repaid
on the date of, and prior to the issuance of, the respective Letter of
Credit) at such time would exceed either (x) $60,000,000 or (y) when
added to the aggregate principal amount of all Revolving Loans made by
Non-Defaulting Banks and then outstanding and Swingline Loans then
outstanding, an amount equal to the Adjusted Total Revolving Loan
Commitment at such time, (ii) no Acceptance shall be created the
Stated Amount of which, when added to the amount of all Acceptances
outstanding at such time, would exceed $15,000,000 and (iii) each
Letter of Credit shall by its terms terminate or be terminable by the
Issuing Bank on such date that would result in all drawings
thereunder, or any Acceptances created thereunder, being funded
pursuant to the terms thereof prior to (x) (A) in the case of Standby
Letters of Credit, the date which occurs 12 months after the date of
the issuance thereof (although any such Letter of Credit may be
extendable for successive periods of up to 12 months, but not beyond
the Maturity Date, on terms acceptable to the Issuing Bank thereof)
and (B) in the case of Trade Letters of Credit, the date which occurs
six months (or up to one year with the consent of the respective
Issuing Bank) after the date of the issuance thereof or (y) (A) in the
case of Standby Letters of Credit, the date which is five Business
Days prior to the Maturity Date and (B) in the case of Trade Letters
of Credit, the date which is thirty Business Days prior to the
Maturity Date.<PAGE>
2.02 Minimum Stated Amount. The Stated Amount of each Letter
of Credit shall be not less than $10,000 or such lesser amount as is
acceptable to the respective Issuing Bank.
2.03 Letter of Credit Requests. (a) Whenever any Borrower
desires that a Letter of Credit be issued by the Administrative Agent
as Issuing Bank for its account, it shall have (i) executed and
delivered the Letter of Credit Service Agreement in the form of
Exhibit C-1 attached hereto (as amended, modified or supplemented from
time to time, the "Letter of Credit Service Agreement"), which Letter
of Credit Service Agreement shall be in full force and effect and (ii)
made a request for the issuance of such Letter of Credit in accordance
with the terms of the Letter of Credit Service Agreement. Whenever
any Borrower desires that a Trade Letter of Credit be issued by an
Issuing Bank other than the Administrative Agent for its account, it
shall have (x) executed and delivered to the respective Issuing Bank
(with copies having been sent to the Administrative Agent) at least
five Business Days prior to the issuance thereof, a Trade Letter of
Credit Request in the form of Exhibit C-2 attached hereto (each a
"Trade Letter of Credit Request") and (y) completed and executed a
letter of credit application in the form customarily used by such
Issuing Bank for Trade Letters of Credit or in such other form as the
Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank shall request. Whenever any
Borrower desires that a Standby Letter of Credit be issued by an
Issuing Bank other than the Administrative Agent for its account it
shall have executed and delivered to the respective Issuing Bank (with
copies having been sent to the Administrative Agent) at least five
Business Days prior to the issuance thereof, a Standby Letter of
Credit Request in the form of Exhibit C-3 attached hereto (each a
"Standby Letter of Credit Request"). Letter of Credit Requests shall
be given in writing, or in the case of requests of Trade Letters of
Credit, by telephone, if promptly confirmed in writing, or, if the
Administrative Agent is the Issuing Bank, as otherwise provided in the
Letter of Credit Service Agreement, provided that (I) if the express
provisions of any letter of credit application conflict with the
express provisions of this Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement
shall control to the extent of such conflict and (II) no event (other
than the failure to reimburse Letter of Credit Drawings as provided
for in Section 2.05) which constitutes a default under any application
shall constitute an Event of Default hereunder solely by reason of any
default provisions contained in such application.
(b) The making of each Letter of Credit Request shall be deemed
to be a representation and warranty by the Borrowers that such Letter
of Credit may be issued in accordance with, and will not violate the
requirements of, Section 2.01(c). Unless the respective Issuing Bank
has received notice from any Bank before it issues a Letter of Credit
that one or more of the conditions specified in Section 6 are not then
satisfied, or that the issuance of such Letter of Credit would violate
Section 2.01(c), then such Issuing Bank may issue the requested Letter
of Credit for the account of the Borrowers in accordance with such
Issuing Bank's usual and customary practices. Upon its issuance of
any Letter of Credit, such Issuing Bank shall promptly notify each
Bank of such issuance.<PAGE>
2.04 Letter of Credit Participations. (a) Immediately upon
the issuance by any Issuing Bank of any Letter of Credit, such Issuing
Bank shall be deemed to have sold and transferred to each Bank, other
than such Issuing Bank (each such Bank, in its capacity under this
Section 2.04, a "Participant"), and each such Participant shall be
deemed irrevocably and unconditionally to have purchased and received
from such Issuing Bank, without recourse or warranty, an undivided
interest and participation, to the extent of such Participant's
Adjusted Percentage in such Letter of Credit, each drawing made
thereunder and Acceptances created thereunder and the obligations of
the Borrowers under this Agreement with respect thereto, and any
security therefor or guaranty pertaining thereto. Upon any change in
the Revolving Loan Commitments or Adjusted Percentages of the Banks
pursuant to Section 1.13 or 13.04 or as a result of a Bank Default, it
is hereby agreed that, with respect to all outstanding Letters of
Credit, Acceptances and Unpaid Drawings, there shall be an automatic
adjustment to the participations pursuant to this Section 2.04 to
reflect the new Adjusted Percentages of the assignor and assignee Bank
or of all Banks with Revolving Loan Commitments, as the case may be.
(b) In determining whether to pay or create an Acceptance under
any Letter of Credit, such Issuing Bank shall have no obligation
relative to the other Banks other than to confirm that any documents
required to be delivered under such Letter of Credit appear to have
been delivered and that they appear to substantially comply on their
face with the requirements of such Letter of Credit. Any action taken
or omitted to be taken by any Issuing Bank under or in connection with
any Letter of Credit if taken or omitted in the absence of gross
negligence or willful misconduct, shall not create for such Issuing
Bank any resulting liability to the Borrowers or any Bank.
(c) In the event that any Issuing Bank makes any payment under
any Letter of Credit issued by it or any Acceptance created thereunder
and the Borrowers shall not have reimbursed such amount in full to
such Issuing Bank pursuant to Section 2.05(a), such Issuing Bank shall
promptly notify the Administrative Agent, which shall promptly notify
each Participant of such failure, and each Participant shall promptly
and unconditionally pay to such Issuing Bank the amount of such
Participant's Adjusted Percentage of such unreimbursed payment in
Dollars and in same day funds. If the Administrative Agent so
notifies, prior to 11:00 A.M. (New York time) on any Business Day, any
Participant required to fund a payment under a Letter of Credit, such
Participant shall make available to such Issuing Bank in Dollars such
Participant's Adjusted Percentage of the amount of such payment on
such Business Day in same day funds. If and to the extent such
Participant shall not have so made its Adjusted Percentage of the
amount of such payment available to such Issuing Bank, such
Participant agrees to pay to such Issuing Bank, forthwith on demand,
such amount, together with interest thereon, for each day from such
date until the date such amount is paid to such Issuing Bank at the
overnight Federal Funds Rate. The failure of any Participant to make
available to such Issuing Bank its Adjusted Percentage of any payment
under any Letter of Credit shall not relieve any other Participant of
its obligation hereunder to make available to such Issuing Bank its<PAGE>
Adjusted Percentage of any Letter of Credit or Acceptance created
thereunder on the date required, as specified above, but no
Participant shall be responsible for the failure of any other
Participant to make available to such Issuing Bank such other
Participant's Adjusted Percentage of any such payment.
(d) Whenever any Issuing Bank receives a payment of a
reimbursement obligation as to which it has received any payments from
the Participants pursuant to clause (c) above, such Issuing Bank shall
pay to each Participant which has paid its Adjusted Percentage
thereof, in Dollars and in same day funds, an amount equal to such
Participant's share (based upon the proportionate aggregate amount
originally funded by such Participant to the aggregate amount funded
by all Participants) of the principal amount of such reimbursement
obligation and interest thereon accruing after the purchase of the
respective participations.
(E) (i) In the case of Standby Letters of Credit, the Agent
shall deliver to each Participant copies of each Standby Letter of
Credit upon issuance and any amendments thereto as they occur, as
furnished to the Administrative Agent by the Issuing Bank.
(ii) In the case of Trade Letters of Credit, when the
Administrative Agent is not the Issuing Bank, then the Issuing Bank is
to send to the Agent, promptly on the first business day of each week,
by telefax, their daily outstanding Trade Letters of Credit balances
for the previous week. The Administrative Agent shall deliver to each
Bank upon each calendar month end and upon each Letter of Credit fee
payment a report setting forth for such period the aggregate daily
amount available to be drawn under Trade Letters of Credit issued by
all Issuing Banks that were outstanding during such period.
(f) The obligations of the Participants to make payments to
each Issuing Bank with respect to Letters of Credit and Acceptances
issued thereunder shall be irrevocable and not subject to any
qualification or exception whatsoever and shall be made in accordance
with the terms and conditions of this Agreement under all
circumstances, including, without limitation, any of the following
circumstances:
(i) any lack of validity or enforceability of this Agreement or
any of the other Credit Documents;
(ii) the existence of any claim, setoff, defense or other right
which the Borrowers or any of their Subsidiaries may have at any time
against a beneficiary named in a Letter of Credit, any transferee of
any Letter of Credit (or any Person for whom any such transferee may
be acting), any holder of an Acceptance, the Administrative Agent, any
Participant, or any other Person, whether in connection with this
Agreement, any Letter of Credit, any Acceptance, the transactions
contemplated herein or any unrelated transactions (including any
underlying transaction between any Borrower and the beneficiary named
in any such Letter of Credit);<PAGE>
(iii) any draft, certificate or any other document presented
under any Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent, invalid
or insufficient in any respect or any statement therein being untrue
or inaccurate in any respect;
(iv) the surrender or impairment of any security for the
performance or observance of any of the terms of any of the Credit
Documents; or
(v) the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default.
2.05 Agreement to Repay Letter of Credit Drawings and
Acceptance Payments. (a) The Borrowers hereby jointly and severally
agree to reimburse the respective Issuing Bank, by making payment to
the Administrative Agent in immediately available funds at the Payment
Office, for any payment or disbursement made by such Issuing Bank
under any Letter of Credit or Acceptance created thereunder (each such
amount, so paid until reimbursed, an "Unpaid Drawing"), immediately
after, and in any event on the date of such payment or disbursement,
with interest on the amount so paid or disbursed by such Issuing Bank,
to the extent not reimbursed prior to 12:00 Noon (New York time) on
the date of such payment or disbursement, from and including the date
paid or disbursed to but excluding the date such Issuing Bank was
reimbursed by the Borrowers therefor at a rate per annum which shall
be the Base Rate in effect from time to time plus the Applicable
Margin for Base Rate Loans, provided, however, to the extent such
amounts are not reimbursed prior to 12:00 Noon (New York time) on the
second Business Day following such payment or disbursement, interest
shall thereafter accrue on the amounts so paid or disbursed by such
Issuing Bank (and until reimbursed by the Borrowers) at a rate per
annum which shall be the Base Rate in effect from time to time plus
the Applicable Margin for Base Rate Loans plus 2%, in each such case,
with interest to be payable by the Borrowers on demand. The
respective Issuing Bank shall give the Borrowers prompt notice of each
Drawing under any Letter of Credit or payment under any Acceptance
created thereunder, provided that the failure to give any such notice
shall in no way affect, impair or diminish the Borrowers' obligations
hereunder.
(b) The obligations of the Borrowers under this Section 2.05 to
reimburse the respective Issuing Bank with respect to drawings on
Letters of Credit and payments under any Acceptance created thereunder
(each, a "Drawing") (including interest thereon) shall be joint and
several and shall be absolute and unconditional under any and all
circumstances and irrespective of any setoff, counterclaim or defense
to payment which any Borrower may have or have had against any Bank
(including in its capacity as issuer of the Letter of Credit or as
Participant), or any nonapplication or misapplication by the
beneficiary of the proceeds of such Drawing, the respective Issuing
Bank's only obligation to the Borrowers being to confirm that any
documents required to be delivered under such Letter of Credit appear
to have been delivered and that they appear to substantially comply on
their face with the requirements of such Letter of Credit. Any action
taken or omitted to be taken by any Issuing Bank under or in<PAGE>
connection with any Letter of Credit or any Acceptance created
thereunder if taken or omitted in the absence of gross negligence or
willful misconduct, shall not create for such Issuing Bank any
resulting liability to the Borrowers.
2.06 Increased Costs. If at any time after the date of this
Agreement, the introduction of or any change in any applicable law,
rule, regulation, order, guideline or request or in the interpretation
or administration thereof by any governmental authority charged with
the interpretation or administration thereof, or compliance by any
Issuing Bank or any Participant with any request or directive by any
such authority (whether or not having the force of law), or any change
in generally acceptable accounting principles, shall either (i)
impose, modify or make applicable any reserve, deposit, capital
adequacy or similar requirement against Letters of Credit issued, or
Acceptances created, by any Issuing Bank or participated in by any
Participant, or (ii) impose on any Issuing Bank or any Participant any
other conditions relating, directly or indirectly, to this Agreement,
any Letter of Credit or any Acceptance created thereunder; and the
result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to any Issuing
Bank or any Participant of issuing, maintaining or participating in
any Letter of Credit or any Acceptance created thereunder, or reduce
the amount of any sum received or receivable by any Issuing Bank or
any Participant hereunder or reduce the rate of return on its capital
with respect to Letters of Credit and Acceptances created thereunder
(except for changes in the rate of tax on, or determined by reference
to, the net income or net profits of such Issuing Bank or such
Participant, or any franchise tax based on the net income or net
profits of such Bank or Participant, in either case pursuant to the
laws of the United States of America, the jurisdiction in which it is
organized or in which its principal office or applicable lending
office is located or any subdivision thereof or therein), but without
duplication of any amounts payable in respect of Taxes pursuant to
Section 4.04(a), then, upon demand to the Borrowers by such Issuing
Bank or any Participant (a copy of which demand shall be sent by such
Issuing Bank or such Participant to the Administrative Agent) and
subject to the provisions of Section 13.15 (to the extent applicable),
the Borrowers jointly and severally agree to pay to such Issuing Bank
or such Participant such additional amount or amounts as will
compensate such Bank for such increased cost or reduction in the
amount receivable or reduction on the rate of return on its capital.
Any Issuing Bank or any Participant, upon determining that any
additional amounts will be payable pursuant to this Section 2.06, will
give prompt written notice thereof to the Borrowers, which notice
shall include a certificate submitted to the Borrowers by such Issuing
Bank or such Participant (a copy of which certificate shall be sent by
such Issuing Bank or such Participant to the Administrative Agent),
setting forth in reasonable detail the basis for the calculation of
such additional amount or amounts necessary to compensate such Issuing
Bank or such Participant. The certificate required to be delivered
pursuant to this Section 2.06 shall, if delivered in good faith and
absent manifest error, be final and conclusive and binding on the
Borrowers.<PAGE>
SECTION 3. Commitment Commission; Fees; Reductions of
Commitment.
3.01 Fees. (a) The Borrowers jointly and severally agree to
pay to the Administrative Agent for distribution to each Non-
Defaulting Bank with a Revolving Loan Commitment a commitment
commission (the "Commitment Commission") for the period from the
Second Restatement Effective Date to but excluding the Maturity Date
(or such earlier date as the Total Revolving Loan Commitment shall
have been terminated), computed at a rate for each day equal to 1/2 of
1% (reduced by the then applicable Commitment Commission Reduction
Percentage) per annum on the daily average Unutilized Revolving Loan
Commitment of such Non-Defaulting Bank. Accrued Commitment Commission
shall be due and payable quarterly in arrears on each Quarterly
Payment Date and on the Maturity Date or such earlier date upon which
the Total Revolving Loan Commitment is terminated.
(b) The Borrowers jointly and severally agree to pay to the
Administrative Agent for pro rata distribution to each Non-Defaulting
Bank a fee in respect of (x) each Letter of Credit issued hereunder
(the "Letter of Credit Fee"), for the period from and including the
date of issuance of such Letter of Credit to the termination of such
Letter of Credit, computed at a rate per annum equal to the Applicable
Margin for Revolving Loans maintained as Eurodollar Loans as in effect
from time to time on the daily Stated Amount of such Letter of Credit
and (y) each Acceptance (the "Acceptance Fee") for the period from and
including the date of creation of such Acceptance to and including the
maturity of such Acceptance, computed at a rate per annum equal to the
Applicable Margin for Revolving Loans maintained as Eurodollar Loans
as in effect from time to time on the daily Stated Amount of such
Acceptance. Accrued Letter of Credit Fees and Acceptance Fees shall
be due and payable quarterly in arrears on each Quarterly Payment Date
and upon the first day on or after the termination of the Total
Revolving Loan Commitment upon which no Letters of Credit or
Acceptances remain outstanding.
(c) The Borrowers jointly and severally agree to pay to the
respective Issuing Bank, for its own account, a facing fee in respect
of (x) each Standby Letter of Credit issued for its account hereunder
(the "Letter of Credit Facing Fee") for the period from and including
the date of issuance of such Standby Letter of Credit to and including
the termination of such Standby Letter of Credit, computed at a rate
equal to 1/8 of 1% per annum of the daily Stated Amount of such
Standby Letter of Credit, provided that in any event the minimum
amount of the Letter of Credit Facing Fee payable in any 12 month
period for any Standby Letter of Credit shall be $500 (it being agreed
that, on each anniversary of the issuance of any Standby Letter of
Credit or upon any earlier termination or expiration of a Standby
Letter of Credit, if $500 exceeds the amount of Letter of Credit
Facing Fees theretofore paid or then accrued with respect to such
Standby Letter of Credit, in either case after the date of the
issuance thereof or, if later, after the date of the last anniversary
of the issuance thereof (but excluding any amounts paid after such
anniversary with respect to periods ending on or prior to such<PAGE>
anniversary, including, without limitation, as a result of the
operation of this parenthetical), the amount of such excess shall be
payable on the next date upon which accrued Letter of Credit Facing
Fees are otherwise payable with respect to Standby Letters of Credit
as provided in the following sentence) and (y) each Acceptance created
by it (the "Acceptance Facing Fee," and together with the Letter of
Credit Facing Fees, the "Facing Fees") for the period from and
including the date of creation of such Acceptance to and including the
maturity of such Acceptance, computed at a rate equal to 1/8 of 1% per
annum of the daily Stated Amount of such Acceptance. Accrued Facing
Fees shall be due and payable quarterly in arrears on each Quarterly
Payment Date and on the date upon which the Total Revolving Loan
Commitment has been terminated and all Letters of Credit and
Acceptances have been terminated in accordance with their terms.
(d) The Borrowers jointly and severally agree to pay, upon each
drawing under, issuance of, or amendment to any Letter of Credit, such
amount as shall at the time of such event be the administrative charge
and out-of-pocket expenses which the respective Issuing Bank is
generally imposing in connection with such occurrence with respect to
letters of credit.
(e) The Borrowers jointly and severally agree to pay to the
Agents, for their own account, such other fees as have been agreed to
in writing by the Borrowers and the Agents.
3.02 Voluntary Termination of Unutilized Commitments. (a)
Upon at least two Business Days' prior notice from an Authorized
Representative of the Borrowers to the Administrative Agent at its
Notice Office (which notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly
transmit to each of the Banks), the Borrowers shall have the right, at
any time or from time to time, without premium or penalty, to
terminate the Total Unutilized Revolving Loan Commitment, in whole or
in part, in integral multiples of $1,000,000, provided that (i) each
such reduction shall apply proportionately to permanently reduce the
Revolving Loan Commitment of each Bank, (ii) the reduction to the
Total Unutilized Revolving Loan Commitment shall in no case be in an
amount which would cause the Revolving Loan Commitment of any Bank to
be reduced (as required by preceding clause (i)) by an amount which
exceeds the remainder of (x) the Unutilized Revolving Loan Commitment
of such Bank as in effect immediately before giving effect to such
reduction minus (y) such Bank's Adjusted Percentage of the aggregate
principal amount of Swingline Loans then outstanding and (iii) such
reduction shall be applied to reduce the then remaining Scheduled
Commitment Reductions in the direct order of maturity after giving
effect to all prior reductions thereto.
(b) In the event of certain refusals by a Bank as provided in
Section 13.12(b) to consent to certain proposed changes, waivers,
discharges or terminations with respect to this Agreement which have
been approved by the Required Banks, the Borrowers may, subject to
their compliance with the requirements of said Section 13.12(b), upon
five Business Days' written notice to the Administrative Agent at its
Notice Office (which notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly<PAGE>
transmit to each of the Banks) terminate all of the Revolving Loan
Commitment of such Bank so long as all Revolving Loans, together with
accrued and unpaid interest, Fees and all other amounts, owing to such
Bank are repaid concurrently with the effectiveness of such
termination (at which time Schedule I shall be deemed modified to
reflect such changed amounts), and at such time, such Bank shall no
longer constitute a "Bank" for purposes of this Agreement, except with
respect to indemnifications under this Agreement (including, without
limitation, Sections 1.10, 1.11, 2.06, 4.04, 13.01 and 13.06), which
shall survive as to such repaid Bank.
3.03 Mandatory Reduction of Revolving Loan Commitment. (a)
The Total Revolving Loan Commitment (and the Revolving Loan Commitment
of each Bank) shall terminate in its entirety on September 30, 1996
unless the Second Restatement Effective Date shall have occurred on or
prior to such date.
(b) In addition to any other mandatory commitment reductions
pursuant to this Section 3.03, the Total Revolving Loan Commitment
(and the Revolving Loan Commitment of each Bank) shall terminate in
its entirety on the Maturity Date.
(c) In addition to any other mandatory commitment reductions
pursuant to this Section 3.03, on each date set forth below, the Total
Revolving Loan Commitment shall be permanently reduced by the amount
set forth opposite such date (each such reduction, as same may be
further reduced in accordance with Sections 3.02 and 3.03(g), a
"Scheduled Commitment Reduction"):
Scheduled Commitment Reduction Date Amount
----------------------------------- -------------
Last Business Day in September, 1999 $ 75,000,000
Last Business Day in September, 2000 $ 100,000,000
Maturity Date $ 300,000,000
(d) (i) In addition to any other mandatory commitment
reductions pursuant to this Section 3.03, on each date after the
Second Restatement Effective Date upon which Furniture Brands or any
of its Restricted Subsidiaries receives any cash proceeds from any
incurrence by Furniture Brands or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries
of Indebtedness for borrowed money ((w) including Permitted
Subordinated Indebtedness, but excluding, so long as no Default or
Event of Default then exists (I) an amount of Permitted Subordinated
Indebtedness incurred and simultaneously used to repay, refinance or
otherwise replace the Receivables Facility in accordance with the
terms hereof and (II) subject to compliance with the proviso to
Section 9.04(ii) on the date of the incurrence of such Indebtedness,
up to $50,000,000 of Permitted Subordinated Indebtedness issued
pursuant to Section 9.04(ii)(x), less the sum of the aggregate
principal amount of Permitted Subordinated Indebtedness issued after
the Second Restatement Effective Date as consideration in connection
with Permitted Acquisitions and the aggregate amount of Disqualified<PAGE>
Preferred Stock issued on or prior to the date of the incurrence of
such Permitted Subordinated Indebtedness pursuant to Section
9.12(b)(i) and issued as consideration in connection with one or more
Permitted Acquisitions, to the extent such proceeds of the incurrence
of Permitted Subordinated Indebtedness are or were used to effect
Permitted Acquisitions or so long as an Authorized Representative of
the Borrowers has delivered a certificate to the Administrative Agent
on or prior to such date stating that such proceeds shall be committed
to be used to make such Permitted Acquisitions within six months
following the date of such incurrence of Permitted Subordinated
Indebtedness, and so long as such proceeds are so used within such
time frame, it being understood and agreed that any amount of proceeds
not so used within such time frame shall at the end of such six month
period be required to be applied as otherwise provided in this clause
(d), (x) subject to compliance with the proviso to Section 9.04(iii)
on the date of the incurrence of such Indebtedness, excluding up to
$25,000,000 of proceeds of Permitted Unsecured Indebtedness incurred
pursuant to Section 9.04(iii), minus the aggregate amount of
Disqualified Preferred Stock issued on or prior to the date of the
incurrence of such Permitted Unsecured Indebtedness pursuant to
Section 9.12(b)(ii), (y) including Attributed Receivables Facility
Indebtedness incurred pursuant to the Receivables Facility which in
aggregate principal amount exceeds $240,000,000 outstanding at any
time (but excluding other Attributed Receivables Facility
Indebtedness) and (z) excluding any other Indebtedness for borrowed
money permitted to be incurred pursuant to Section 9.04 (excluding,
however, clauses (ii), (iii) and (xi) thereof) as such Section is in
effect on the Second Restatement Effective Date), an amount equal to
100% (or (x) 50% if the Leverage Ratio, after giving effect to the
respective debt incurrence, is less than 4.0:1.0 but greater than or
equal to 2.75:1.0 or (y) 0% if the Leverage Ratio, after giving effect
to the respective debt incurrence, is less than 2.75:1.0, in each case
so long as no Default or Event of Default exists on the date of the
respective incurrence of debt) of the Net Cash Proceeds of the
respective incurrence of Indebtedness shall be applied as a mandatory
reduction to the Total Revolving Loan Commitment in accordance with
the requirements of Sections 3.03(g) and (h).
(ii) In addition to any other mandatory commitment reductions
pursuant to this Section 3.03, on each date after the Second
Restatement Effective Date upon which Furniture Brands or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries receives any cash proceeds from any issuance
of Disqualified Preferred Stock ((y) excluding any amount of equity
proceeds actually used, at the time of the receipt thereof, to make
Guaranty Payments pursuant to Section 9.10(b)(ii)(y)(C) and (z)
excluding, so long as no Default or Event of Default then exists (I)
proceeds of Disqualified Preferred Stock issued pursuant to Section
9.12(b)(iii) which are used to repay or otherwise replace the
Receivables Facility in accordance with the terms hereof, (II) subject
to compliance with the proviso to Section 9.12(b) on the date of the
respective issuance of Disqualified Preferred Stock, up to $50,000,000
of proceeds received from the issuance of Disqualified Preferred Stock
pursuant to Section 9.12(b)(i), minus the sum of the aggregate
liquidation preference or amount of Disqualified Preferred Stock<PAGE>
directly issued after the Second Restatement Effective Date as
consideration in connection with Permitted Acquisitions and the
aggregate principal amount of Permitted Subordinated Indebtedness
incurred on or prior to the date of the issuance of such Disqualified
Preferred Stock pursuant to Section 9.04(ii)(x) and issued as
consideration in connection with one or more Permitted Acquisitions or
otherwise not required to be used to reduce commitments as a result of
clause (d)(i)(w)(II) above, to the extent all such proceeds from the
issuance of Disqualified Preferred Stock are or were used to effect
Permitted Acquisitions or so long as an Authorized Representative of
the Borrowers has delivered a certificate to the Administrative Agent
on or prior to such date stating that such proceeds shall be committed
to be used to make Permitted Acquisitions within six months following
the date of such issuance of Disqualified Preferred Stock, and so long
as such proceeds are so used in such time frame, it being understood
and agreed that any amount of proceeds not so used within such time
frame shall at the end of such six month period be required to be
applied as otherwise provided in this clause (d) and (III) subject to
compliance with the proviso to Section 9.12(b) on the date of the
respective issuance of Disqualified Preferred Stock, up to $25,000,000
of proceeds of Disqualified Preferred Stock issued pursuant to Section
9.12(b)(ii), minus the aggregate principal amount of Permitted
Unsecured Indebtedness incurred on or prior to such date of issuance
pursuant to Section 9.04(iii)), an amount equal to 100% (or (x) 50% if
the Leverage Ratio, on the date of the respective issuance, is less
than 4.0:1.0 but greater than or equal to 2.75:1.0 or (y) 0% if the
Leverage Ratio, on the date of the respective issuance, is less than
2.75:1.0, in each case so long as no Default or Event of Default
exists on the date of the respective issuance) of the Net Cash
Proceeds of the respective issuance shall be applied as a mandatory
reduction to the Total Revolving Loan Commitment in accordance with
the requirements of Sections 3.03(g) and (h).
(e) In addition to any other mandatory commitment reductions
pursuant to this Section 3.03, on each date after the Second
Restatement Effective Date upon which Furniture Brands or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries (other than the Receivables Subsidiary)
receives proceeds from any sale or other disposition of assets
(including capital stock and securities held thereby, but excluding
(i) sales or transfers of inventory in the ordinary course of
business, (ii) sales or transfers of assets with a fair market value
less than (A) $100,000 per such sale or disposition (or in a series of
related sales or dispositions) and (B) with respect to any sale or
transfer in an amount in excess of the amount referred to in clause
(A) above, $1,000,000 in the aggregate for all such transfers in any
Fiscal Year, (iii) sales or transfers of assets permitted pursuant to
Sections 9.02 (v) and (vi), and (iv) sales of Excluded Assets, the Net
Sales Proceeds of which do not exceed $7,000,000), an amount equal to
75% of the Net Sale Proceeds therefrom shall be applied as a mandatory
reduction to the Total Revolving Loan Commitment in accordance with
the requirements of Sections 3.03(g) and (h).
(f) In addition to any other mandatory commitment reductions
pursuant to this Section 3.03, within 10 days following each date<PAGE>
after the Second Restatement Effective Date on which Furniture Brands
or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries receives any proceeds from any
Recovery Event (other than proceeds from Recovery Events in an amount
less than (A) $100,000 per each Recovery Event and (B) with respect to
any Recovery Event with proceeds in excess of the amount referred to
in clause (A) above, $1,000,000 in the aggregate for all such Recovery
Events in any Fiscal Year), an amount equal to 100% of the proceeds of
such Recovery Event (net of reasonable costs including, without
limitation, legal costs and expenses, and taxes incurred in connection
with such Recovery Event) shall be applied as a mandatory reduction to
the Total Revolving Loan Commitment in accordance with the
requirements of Sections 3.03(g) and (h)), provided that (x) so long
as no Default or Event of Default then exists and such proceeds do not
exceed $5,000,000, such proceeds shall not be required to be so
applied on such date to the extent that an Authorized Representative
of the Borrowers has delivered a certificate to the Administrative
Agent on or prior to such date stating that such proceeds shall be
used or shall be committed to be used to replace or restore any
properties or assets in respect of which such proceeds were paid
within one year following the date of such Recovery Event (which
certificate shall set forth the estimates of the proceeds to be so
expended) and (y) so long as no Default or Event of Default then
exists and to the extent that (a) the amount of such proceeds exceeds
$5,000,000, (b) the amount of such proceeds, together with other cash
available to the Borrowers and permitted to be spent by them or their
Restricted Subsidiaries on Capital Expenditures during the relevant
period pursuant to Section 9.07, equals at least 100% of the cost of
replacement or restoration of the properties or assets in respect of
which such proceeds were paid as determined by the Borrowers and as
supported by such estimates or bids from contractors or subcontractors
or such other supporting information as the Administrative Agent may
reasonably request, (c) an Authorized Representative of the Borrower
has delivered to the Administrative Agent a certificate on or prior to
the date the application would otherwise be required pursuant to this
Section 3.03(f) in the form described in clause (x) above and also
certifying its determination as required by preceding clause (b) and
certifying the sufficiency of business interruption insurance as
required by succeeding clause (d), and (d) an Authorized
Representative of the Borrower has delivered to the Administrative
Agent such evidence as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request
in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative
Agent establishing that the Borrowers have sufficient business
interruption insurance and that the Borrowers will receive payment
thereunder in such amounts and at such times as are necessary to
satisfy all obligations and expenses of the Borrowers (including,
without limitation, all debt service requirements, including pursuant
to this Agreement) without any delay or extension thereof, for the
period from the date of the respective casualty, condemnation or other
event giving rise to the Recovery Event and continuing through the
completion of the replacement or restoration of respective properties
or assets, then the entire amount of the proceeds of such Recovery
Event and not just the portion in excess of $5,000,000 shall be
deposited with the Administrative Agent pursuant to a cash collateral
arrangement reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent<PAGE>
whereby such proceeds shall be disbursed to the Borrowers from time to
time as needed to pay actual costs incurred by them in connection with
the replacement or restoration of the respective properties or assets
(pursuant to such certification requirements as may be established by
the Administrative Agent), provided further, that at any time while an
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Required Banks
may direct the Administrative Agent (in which case the Administrative
Agent shall, and is hereby authorized by the Borrowers to, follow said
directions) to apply any or all proceeds then on deposit in such
collateral account to the repayment of Obligations hereunder in the
same manner as proceeds would be applied pursuant to the Security
Agreement, and provided further, that if all or any portion of such
proceeds not required to be applied to the reduction of commitment
pursuant to the second preceding proviso (whether pursuant to clause
(x) or (y) thereof) are either (A) not so used or committed to be so
used within one year after the date of the respective Recovery Event
or (B) if committed to be used within one year after the date of
receipt of such Net Sale Proceeds and not so used within 18 months
after the date of respective Recovery Event then, in either such case,
such remaining portion not used or committed to be used in the case of
preceding clause (A) and not used in the case of preceding clause (B)
shall be applied on the date which is the first anniversary of the
date of the respective Recovery Event in the case of clause (A) above
or the date occurring 18 months after the date of the respective
Recovery Event in the case of clause (B) above as a mandatory
reduction to the Total Revolving Loan Commitment in accordance with
the requirements of Sections 3.03(g) and (h).
(g) Any amount required to be applied to reduce the Total
Revolving Loan Commitment pursuant to this Section 3.03 (other than
Scheduled Commitment Reductions pursuant to Section 3.03(c)) shall be
applied to reduce the then remaining Scheduled Commitment Reductions
on a pro rata basis (based upon the then remaining principal amounts
of Scheduled Commitment Reductions after giving effect to all prior
reductions thereto).
(h) Each reduction to the Total Revolving Loan Commitment
pursuant to this Section 3.03 shall be applied proportionately to
reduce the Revolving Loan Commitment of each Bank.
SECTION 4. Prepayments; Payments; Taxes.
4.01 Voluntary Prepayments. (a) The Borrowers shall have the
right to prepay the Loans, without premium or penalty, in whole or in
part at any time and from time to time on the following terms and
conditions: (i) an Authorized Representative of the Borrowers shall
give the Administrative Agent prior to 12:00 Noon (New York time) at
its Notice Office (x) at least one Business Day's prior written notice
(or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) of the Borrowers'
intent to prepay Base Rate Loans (or same day notice in the case of
Swingline Loans provided such notice is given prior to 11:00 A.M. (New
York time)) and (y) at least three Business Days' prior written notice
(or telephonic notice promptly confirmed in writing) of their intent
to prepay Eurodollar Loans, whether Revolving Loans or Swingline Loans<PAGE>
shall be prepaid, the amount of such prepayment and the Types of Loans
to be prepaid and, in the case of Eurodollar Loans, the specific
Borrowing or Borrowings pursuant to which made, which notice the
Administrative Agent shall promptly transmit to each of the Banks;
(ii) each prepayment shall be in an aggregate principal amount of at
least $1,000,000 (or $500,000 in the case of Swingline Loans),
provided that if any partial prepayment of Eurodollar Loans made
pursuant to any Borrowing shall reduce the outstanding Eurodollar
Loans made pursuant to such Borrowing to an amount less than
$1,000,000, then such Borrowing may not be continued as a Borrowing of
Eurodollar Loans and any election of an Interest Period with respect
thereto given by the Borrowers shall have no force or effect; (iii) at
the time of any prepayment of Eurodollar Loans pursuant to this
Section 4.01 on any date other than the last day of the Interest
Period applicable thereto, the Borrowers shall pay the amounts
required pursuant to Section 1.11; and (iv) each prepayment in respect
of any Loans made pursuant to a Borrowing shall be applied pro rata
among such Loans, provided that at the Borrowers' election in
connection with any prepayment of Revolving Loans, such prepayment
shall not be applied to the prepayment of Revolving Loans of a
Defaulting Bank.
(b) In the event of certain refusals by a Bank as provided in
Section 13.12(b) to consent to certain proposed changes, waivers,
discharges or terminations with respect to this Agreement which have
been approved by the Required Banks, the Borrowers may, upon five
Business Days' written notice by an Authorized Representative of the
Borrowers to the Administrative Agent at its Notice Office (which
notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly transmit to each of the
Banks) repay all Loans, together with accrued and unpaid interest,
Fees, and other amounts owing to such Bank in accordance with, and
subject to the requirements of, said Section 13.12(b) so long as (A)
the Revolving Loan Commitment of such Bank is terminated concurrently
with such repayment (at which time Schedule I shall be deemed modified
to reflect the changed Revolving Loan Commitments) and (B) the
consents required by Section 13.12(b) in connection with the repayment
pursuant to this clause (b) have been obtained.
4.02 Mandatory Repayments, Cash Collateralizations and
Commitment Reductions. (a)(i) On any day on which the sum of the
aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Revolving Loans made by
Non-Defaulting Banks, Swingline Loans and the Letter of Credit
Outstandings exceeds the Adjusted Total Revolving Loan Commitment as
then in effect, the Borrowers jointly and severally agree to prepay
principal of Swingline Loans and, after the Swingline Loans have been
repaid in full, Revolving Loans of Non-Defaulting Banks in an amount
equal to such excess. If, after giving effect to the prepayment of
all outstanding Swingline Loans and Revolving Loans of Non-Defaulting
Banks, the aggregate amount of the Letter of Credit Outstandings
exceeds the Adjusted Total Revolving Loan Commitment as then in
effect, the Borrowers jointly and severally agree to pay to the
Administrative Agent at the Payment Office on such date an amount of
cash or Cash Equivalents equal to the amount of such excess (up to a
maximum amount equal to the Letter of Credit Outstandings at such<PAGE>
time), such cash or Cash Equivalents to be held as security for all
obligations of the Borrowers to Non-Defaulting Banks hereunder in a
cash collateral account to be established by the Administrative Agent.
(ii) On any day on which the aggregate outstanding principal
amount of the Revolving Loans made by any Defaulting Bank exceeds the
Revolving Loan Commitment of such Defaulting Bank, the Borrowers
jointly and severally shall prepay principal of Revolving Loans of
such Defaulting Bank in an amount equal to such excess.
(b) With respect to each repayment of Loans required by this
Section 4.02, the Borrowers may designate the Types of Loans which are
to be repaid and, in the case of Eurodollar Loans, the specific
Borrowing or Borrowings pursuant to which made, provided that: (i)
repayments of Eurodollar Loans pursuant to this Section 4.02 may only
be made on the last day of an Interest Period applicable thereto
unless all Eurodollar Loans with Interest Periods ending on such date
of required repayment and all Base Rate Loans have been paid in full;
(ii) if any repayment of Eurodollar Loans made pursuant to a single
Borrowing shall reduce the outstanding Eurodollar Loans made pursuant
to such Borrowing to an amount less than $1,000,000, such Borrowing
shall be converted at the end of the then current Interest Period into
a Borrowing of Base Rate Loans; and (iii) each repayment of Loans
required by this Section 4.02 shall, except as otherwise expressly set
forth in Section 4.02(a), be applied pro rata among such Loans. In
the absence of a designation by the Borrowers as described in the
preceding sentence, the Administrative Agent shall, subject to the
above, make such designation in its sole discretion with a view, but
no obligation, to minimize breakage costs owing under Section 1.11.
(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained
elsewhere in this Agreement, (i) all then outstanding Revolving Loans
shall be repaid in full on the Maturity Date and (ii) all then
outstanding Swingline Loans shall be repaid on the Swingline Expiry
Date.
4.03 Method and Place of Payment. Except as otherwise
specifically provided herein, all payments under this Agreement or any
Note shall be made to the Administrative Agent for the account of the
Bank or Banks entitled thereto not later than 12:00 Noon (New York
time) on the date when due and shall be made in Dollars in immediately
available funds at the Payment Office of the Administrative Agent.
Any payments received by the Administrative Agent after such time
shall be deemed to have been received on the next Business Day.
Whenever any payment to be made hereunder or under any Note shall be
stated to be due on a day which is not a Business Day, the due date
thereof shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day and,
with respect to payments of principal, interest shall be payable at
the applicable rate during such extension.
4.04 Net Payments. (a) All payments made by the Borrowers
hereunder or under any Note will be made without setoff, counterclaim
or other defense. Except as provided in Section 4.04(b), all such
payments will be made free and clear of, and without deduction or<PAGE>
withholding for, any present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties,
fees, assessments or other charges of whatever nature now or hereafter
imposed by any jurisdiction or by any political subdivision or taxing
authority thereof or therein with respect to such payments (but
excluding, except as provided in the second succeeding sentence, any
tax imposed on or measured by the net income or net profits of a Bank
pursuant to the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is organized or
the jurisdiction in which the principal office or applicable lending
office of such Bank is located or any subdivision thereof or therein)
and all interest, penalties or similar liabilities with respect
thereto (all such non-excluded taxes, levies, imports, duties, fees,
assessments or other charges being referred to collectively as
"Taxes"). If any Taxes are so levied or imposed, the Borrowers
jointly and severally agree to pay the full amount of such Taxes, and
such additional amounts as may be necessary so that every payment of
all amounts due under this Agreement or under any Note, after
withholding or deduction for or on account of any Taxes, will not be
less than the amount provided for herein or in such Note. If any
amounts are payable in respect of Taxes pursuant to the preceding
sentence, the Borrowers agree to reimburse each Bank, upon the written
request of such Bank, for taxes imposed on or measured by the net
income or net profits of such Bank pursuant to the laws of the
jurisdiction in which the principal office or applicable lending
office of such Bank is located or under the laws of any political
subdivision or taxing authority of any such jurisdiction in which the
principal office or applicable lending office of such Bank is located
and for any withholding of income or similar taxes imposed by the
United States of America as such Bank shall determine are payable by,
or withheld from, such Bank in respect of such amounts so paid to or
on behalf of such Bank pursuant to the preceding sentence and in
respect of any amounts paid to or on behalf of such Bank pursuant to
this sentence. The Borrowers will furnish to the Administrative Agent
within 45 days after the date the payment of any Taxes is due pursuant
to applicable law certified copies of tax receipts evidencing such
payment by the Borrowers. The Borrowers jointly and severally agree
to indemnify and hold harmless each Bank, and reimburse such Bank upon
its written request, for the amount of any Taxes so levied or imposed
and paid by such Bank.
(b) Each Bank that is not a United States person (as such term
is defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code) agrees to deliver to
the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent on or prior to the Second
Restatement Effective Date, or in the case of a Bank that is an
assignee or transferee of an interest under this Agreement pursuant to
Section 1.13 or 13.04 (unless the respective Bank was already a Bank
hereunder immediately prior to such assignment or transfer), on the
date of such assignment or transfer to such Bank, (i) two accurate and
complete original signed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form 4224
or 1001 (or successor forms) certifying to such Bank's entitlement to
a complete exemption from United States withholding tax with respect
to payments to be made under this Agreement and under any Note, or
(ii) if the Bank is not a "bank" within the meaning of Section
881(c)(3)(A) of the Code and cannot deliver either Internal Revenue
Service Form 1001 or 4224 pursuant to clause (i) above, (x) a<PAGE>
certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit D (any such
certificate, a "Section 4.04(b)(ii) Certificate") and (y) two accurate
and complete original signed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form
W-8 (or successor form) certifying to such Bank's entitlement to a
complete exemption from United States withholding tax with respect to
payments of interest to be made under this Agreement and under any
Note. In addition, each Bank agrees that from time to time after the
Second Restatement Effective Date, when a lapse in time or change in
circumstances renders the previous certification obsolete or
inaccurate in any material respect, it will deliver to the Borrowers
and the Administrative Agent two new accurate and complete original
signed copies of Internal Revenue Service Form 4224 or 1001, or Form
W-8 and a Section 4.04(b)(ii) Certificate, as the case may be, and
such other forms as may be required in order to confirm or establish
the entitlement of such Bank to a continued exemption from or
reduction in United States withholding tax with respect to payments
under this Agreement and any Note, or it shall immediately notify the
Borrowers and the Administrative Agent of its inability to deliver any
such Form or Certificate. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained in Section 4.04(a), but subject to Section 13.04(b) and the
immediately succeeding sentence, (x) the Borrowers shall be entitled,
to the extent they are required to do so by law, to deduct or withhold
income or similar taxes imposed by the United States (or any political
subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein) from interest,
fees or other amounts payable hereunder for the account of any Bank
which is not a United States person (as such term is defined in
Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code) for U.S. Federal income tax purposes
to the extent that such Bank has not provided to the Borrowers U.S.
Internal Revenue Service Forms that establish a complete exemption
from such deduction or withholding and (y) the Borrowers shall not be
obligated pursuant to Section 4.04(a) hereof to gross-up payments to
be made to a Bank in respect of income or similar taxes imposed by the
United States if (I) such Bank has not provided to the Borrowers the
Internal Revenue Service Forms required to be provided to the
Borrowers pursuant to this Section 4.04(b) or (II) in the case of a
payment, other than interest, to a Bank described in clause (ii)
above, to the extent that such forms do not establish a complete
exemption from withholding of such taxes. Notwithstanding anything to
the contrary contained in the preceding sentence or elsewhere in this
Section 4.04 and except as set forth in Section 13.04(b), the
Borrowers agree to pay additional amounts and to indemnify each Bank
in the manner set forth in Section 4.04(a) (without regard to the
identity of the jurisdiction requiring the deduction or withholding)
in respect of any amounts deducted or withheld by it as described in
the immediately preceding sentence as a result of any changes after
the Effective Date in any applicable law, treaty, governmental rule,
regulation, guideline or order, or in the interpretation thereof,
relating to the deducting or withholding of income or similar Taxes.
(c) The provisions of this Section 4.04 are subject to the
provisions of Section 13.15 (to the extent applicable).
SECTION 5. Conditions Precedent to Initial Credit Events. The
obligation of each Bank to make Loans, and the obligation of each<PAGE>
Issuing Bank to issue Letters of Credit, on the Second Restatement
Effective Date, is subject at the time of the making of such Loans or
the issuance of such Letters of Credit to the satisfaction of the
following conditions:
5.01 Execution of Agreement; Notes. On or prior to the Second
Restatement Effective Date (i) this Agreement shall have been executed
and delivered as provided in Section 13.10 and (ii) there shall have
been delivered to the Administrative Agent for the account of each of
the Banks the appropriate Revolving Note executed by the Borrowers,
and to BTCo the Swingline Note executed by the Borrowers, in each case
in the amount, maturity and as otherwise provided herein.
5.02 Fees, etc. On the Second Restatement Effective Date, all
costs, fees and expenses (including, without limitation, legal fees
and expenses) payable to the Agents and the Banks shall have been paid
to the extent then due.
5.03 Opinions of Counsel. On the Second Restatement Effective
Date, the Administrative Agent shall have received (i) from the
General Counsel to Furniture Brands and its Restricted Subsidiaries,
an opinion addressed to the Agents and each of the Banks and dated the
Second Restatement Effective Date covering the matters set forth in
Exhibit E-1 and (ii) from Bryan Cave LLP, special counsel to Furniture
Brands and its Restricted Subsidiaries, an opinion addressed to the
Agents and each of the Banks and dated the Second Restatement
Effective Date covering the matters set forth in Exhibit E-2.
5.04 Corporate Documents; Proceedings; etc. (a) On the
Second Restatement Effective Date, the Administrative Agent shall have
received bring-down certificates of all Credit Parties (x) certifying
that there were no changes, or providing the text of any changes, to
the Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws of such Credit Parties as
delivered pursuant to Section 5.04 of the Original Credit Agreement or
Section 5.04 of the Existing Credit Agreement, as the case may be and
(y) to the effect that each such Credit Party is in good standing in
its respective state of incorporation and in those states where each
such Credit Party conducts business.
(b) All corporate and legal proceedings and all instruments and
agreements in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and the other Documents shall be reasonably satisfactory in
form and substance to the Administrative Agent and the Administrative
Agent shall have received all information and copies of all documents
and papers, including records of corporate proceedings, governmental
approvals, good standing certificates and bring-down telegrams, if
any, which the Administrative Agent reasonably may have requested in
connection therewith, such documents and papers where appropriate to
be certified by proper corporate or governmental authorities.
5.05 Shareholders' Agreements; Collective Bargaining
Agreements; Permitted Debt Agreements; Tax Sharing Agreements. On or
prior to the Second Restatement Effective Date, the Administrative
Agent shall have received (i) a certification from an Authorized<PAGE>
Representative of Furniture Brands that all agreements and plans
referenced in Section 5.05(a) of the Original Credit Agreement and
Section 5.05(a) of the Existing Credit Agreement, as the case may be,
previously delivered to the Administrative Agent by each Credit Party,
remain in full force and effect (or specifying which of such
agreements and plans do not remain in full force and effect) and (ii)
any amendments thereto or additional such agreements.
5.06 Solvency; Environmental Analyses; Insurance Matters. On
or prior to the Second Restatement Effective Date, the Borrowers shall
cause to be delivered to the Administrative Agent (i) a solvency
certificate from the Chief Financial Officer of Furniture Brands, in
the form of Exhibit F hereto, setting forth his conclusions that,
after giving effect to the Transaction and the incurrence of all the
financings contemplated herein, Furniture Brands and its Subsidiaries
(on a consolidated basis), is not insolvent, and has not been rendered
insolvent by the Indebtedness in connection therewith, will not be
left with unreasonably small capital with which to engage in its
and/or their businesses and will not have incurred debts beyond its
and/or their ability to pay such debts as they mature, (ii) such
environmental updates as may have been requested by the Administrative
Agent, the results of which will be in scope, form and substance
acceptable to the Agents, and (iii) evidence of insurance complying
with the requirements of Section 8.03 for the business and properties
of Furniture Brands and its Restricted Subsidiaries, in scope, form
and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agents and naming the
Collateral Agent as an additional insured and/or loss payee, and
stating that such insurance shall not be cancelled or revised without
30 days' prior written notice by the insurer to the Administrative
Agent.
5.07 Subsidiary Guaranty. On the Second Restatement Effective
Date, each Subsidiary Guarantor shall have duly authorized, executed
and delivered the Second Amended and Restated Subsidiary Guaranty in
the form of Exhibit G hereto (as modified, supplemented or amended
from time to time, the "Subsidiary Guaranty").
5.08 Pledge Agreement. On the Second Restatement Effective
Date, each Credit Party shall have duly authorized, executed and
delivered the Second Amended and Restated Pledge Agreement in the form
of Exhibit H (as modified, supplemented or amended from time to time,
the "Pledge Agreement") and shall have delivered to the Collateral
Agent, as Pledgee, all the Pledged Securities referred to therein then
owned by such Credit Party, (x) endorsed in blank in the case of
promissory notes constituting Pledged Securities and (y) together with
executed and undated stock powers, in the case of capital stock
constituting Pledged Securities.
5.09 Security Agreement. On the Second Restatement Effective
Date, each Credit Party shall have duly authorized, executed and
delivered the Second Amended and Restated Security Agreement in the
form of Exhibit I (as modified, supplemented or amended from time to
time, the "Security Agreement") covering all of such Credit Party's
present and future Security Agreement Collateral, together with:<PAGE>
(a) proper Financing Statements or amendments thereto (Form UCC-1
or UCC-3, respectively) fully executed for filing under the UCC or
other appropriate filing offices of each jurisdiction as may be
necessary or, in the reasonable opinion of the Collateral Agent,
desirable to perfect (or maintain the perfection of) the security
interests purported to be created (or maintained) by the Security
Agreement and evidence satisfactory to the Collateral Agent that such
Financing Statements shall be filed prior to any UCC-1 Financing
Statements filed pursuant to the Receivables Facility;
(b) certified copies of Requests for Information or Copies (Form
UCC-11), or equivalent reports, listing all effective financing
statements that name any Credit Party as debtor and that are filed in
the jurisdictions referred to in clause (a) above, together with
copies of such other financing statements (none of which shall cover
the Collateral except to the extent evidencing Permitted Liens or in
respect of which the Collateral Agent shall have received termination
statements (Form UCC-3) or such other termination statements as shall
be required by local law) fully executed for filing;
(c) evidence of the completion of all other recordings and
filings of, or with respect to, the Security Agreement as may be
necessary or, in the reasonable opinion of the Collateral Agent,
desirable to perfect (or maintain the perfection of) the security
interests intended to be created (or maintained) by the Security
Agreement;
(d) lockbox agreements and other agreements from deposit banks
utilized pursuant to the Cash Management System, recognizing the
security interests granted pursuant thereto and directing payments
from deposit accounts to be made to the Concentration Account; and
(e) evidence that all other actions necessary or, in the
reasonable opinion of the Collateral Agent, desirable to perfect and
protect (or maintain the perfection of) the security interests
purported to be created (or maintained) by the Security Agreement have
been taken.
5.10 Mortgage Amendments; etc. On the Second Restatement
Effective Date, the Collateral Agent shall have received:
(i) fully executed counterparts of amendments (the "Mortgage
Amendments"), in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative
Agent and the Required Banks, to each of the Existing Mortgages,
together with evidence that counterparts of each of the Mortgage
Amendments have been delivered to the title company insuring the Lien
of the Existing Mortgages for recording in all places to the extent
necessary or desirable, in the judgment of the Collateral Agent,
effectively to maintain a valid and enforceable first priority
mortgage lien (subject to Permitted Encumbrances relating thereto) on
the Existing Mortgaged Properties in favor of the Collateral Agent (or
such other trustee as may be required or desired under local law) for
the benefit of the Secured Creditors; and<PAGE>
(ii) endorsements reasonably satisfactory to the Collateral
Agent to each Existing Mortgage Policy assuring the Collateral Agent
that each Existing Mortgage is a valid and enforceable first priority
mortgage lien on the respective Existing Mortgaged Properties, free
and clear of all defects and encumbrances except Permitted
Encumbrances.
5.11 Consent Letter. On the Second Restatement Effective Date,
the Administrative Agent shall have received a letter from CT
Corporation System, presently located at 1633 Broadway, New York, New
York 10019, substantially in the form of Exhibit J, indicating its
consent to its appointment by each Credit Party as its agent to
receive service of process as specified in Section 13.08 or in the
respective Security Document.
5.12 Adverse Change; Governmental Approvals; etc. (a) On the
Second Restatement Effective Date, nothing shall have occurred (and
the Banks shall have become aware of no facts, conditions or other
information not previously known) which the Agents reasonably believe
could have a material adverse effect on the rights or remedies of the
Administrative Agent or the Banks, or on the ability of the Credit
Parties to perform their respective obligations to the Administrative
Agent and the Banks or which the Agents reasonably believe would have
a material adverse effect on the operations, property, assets,
liabilities, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of the
Borrowers taken as a whole or the Borrowers and their Restricted
Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
(b) On the Second Restatement Effective Date, there shall not
have occurred and be continuing material adverse change to the
syndication market for credit facilities similar in nature to this
Agreement and there shall not have occurred and be continuing a
material disruption of or a material adverse change in financial,
banking or capital markets that would have a material adverse effect
on the syndication, in each case as determined by the Administrative
Agent in its sole discretion.
(c) On or prior to the Second Restatement Effective Date, all
necessary and material governmental (domestic and foreign) and third
party approvals in connection with the Transaction shall have been
obtained and remain in effect, and all applicable waiting periods
shall have expired without any action being taken by any competent
authority which restrains, prevents or imposes materially adverse
conditions upon the consummation of the Transaction. Additionally,
there shall not exist any judgment, order, injunction or other
restraint issued or filed or a hearing seeking injunctive relief or
other restraint pending or notified prohibiting or imposing materially
adverse conditions upon the making of any Loan, issuance of any Letter
of Credit or the consummation of the Transaction.
5.13 Litigation. On the Second Restatement Effective Date, no
litigation by any entity (private or governmental) shall be pending or
threatened with respect to the Transaction or any documentation
executed in connection therewith (including any Credit Document), or<PAGE>
which the Administrative Agent or the Required Banks shall reasonably
believe could have a materially adverse effect on the Transaction or
the business, property, assets, nature of assets, liabilities,
condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of the Borrowers taken
as a whole or the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries taken as
a whole.
5.14 Pro Forma Balance Sheet; Financial Statements;
Projections. (a) On or prior to the Second Restatement Effective
Date, there shall have been delivered to the Administrative Agent an
unaudited pro forma consolidated and consolidating balance sheet of
Furniture Brands and its Subsidiaries as of June 30, 1996 and after
giving effect to the Transaction and prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles, together with (x) historical
consolidated and consolidating statements of income and consolidated
statements of cash flow of Furniture Brands and its Subsidiaries, in
each case, for the six-month period ended June 30, 1996 and (y)
historical consolidated and consolidating statements of income and
consolidated statements of cash flow of Furniture Brands and its
Subsidiaries for the five Fiscal Years ended December 31, 1995, which
historical statements shall (i) be audited, in the case of the income
and cash flow statements for the three most recent Fiscal Years and in
the case of the balance sheets for the two most recent Fiscal Years
and (ii) be certified by an officer of either Furniture Brands or the
other Borrowers, as the case may be, in the case of the five most
recent Fiscal Years.
(b) On or prior to the Second Restatement Effective Date there
shall have been delivered to the Administrative Agent "management
case" projected financial statements of Furniture Brands and its
Restricted Subsidiaries after giving effect to the Transaction, as set
forth in the Confidential Memorandum dated August 1996, for the period
from January 1, 1996 to December 31, 2001 (the "Projections"), which
Projections (x) shall reflect the forecasted financial conditions and
income and expenses of Furniture Brands and its Restricted
Subsidiaries after giving effect to the Transaction and the related
financing thereof and the other transactions contemplated hereby and
(y) shall be satisfactory in form and substance to the Administrative
Agent.
5.15 Refinancing; Existing Credit Agreement; etc. On the
Second Restatement Effective Date, (i) unless otherwise agreed by the
Administrative Agent and Furniture Brands, each Existing Bank shall
have surrendered to the Administrative Agent for cancellation the
promissory notes issued to it pursuant to the Existing Credit
Agreement in respect of its Existing Term Loans, Existing Revolving
Loans and Existing Swingline Loans, (ii) all Existing Term Loans,
Existing Revolving Loans and Existing Swingline Loans shall be repaid
in full on the Second Restatement Effective Date (although Revolving
Loans may be incurred hereunder on the Second Restatement Effective
Date in accordance with the provisions hereof) and, if any such
Existing Loans were at such time maintained as Eurodollar Loans, all
breakage costs owing in connection therewith shall have been paid as
contemplated by Section 1.11 of the Existing Credit Agreement, (iii)<PAGE>
each Existing Bank shall have received payment in full of all amounts
then due and owing to it under the Existing Credit Agreement, (iv) the
Borrowers shall have paid all accrued and unpaid interest and fees
owing under the Existing Credit Agreement through the Second
Restatement Effective Date, and (v) the Administrative Agent shall
have received evidence in form, scope and substance satisfactory to it
that the matters set forth in this Section 5.15 have been satisfied on
such date.
SECTION 6. Conditions Precedent to All Credit Events. The
obligation of each Bank to make Loans (including Loans made on the
Second Restatement Effective Date but excluding Mandatory Borrowings
made thereafter, which shall be made as provided in Section 1.01(c)),
and the obligation of an Issuing Bank to issue any Letter of Credit,
is subject, at the time of each such Credit Event (except as
hereinafter indicated), to the satisfaction of the following
conditions:
6.01 No Default; Representations and Warranties. At the time
of each such Credit Event and also after giving effect thereto (i)
there shall exist no Default or Event of Default and (ii) all
representations and warranties contained herein or in any other Credit
Document shall be true and correct in all material respects with the
same effect as though such representations and warranties had been
made on the date of the making of such Credit Event (it being
understood and agreed that any representation or warranty which by its
terms is made as of a specified date shall be required to be true and
correct in all material respects only as of such specified date).
6.02 Notice of Borrowing; Letter of Credit Request. (a) Prior
to the making of each Revolving Loan, the Administrative Agent shall
have received the notice required by Section 1.03(a). Prior to the
making of each Swingline Loan, BTCo shall have received the notice
required by Section 1.03(b)(i).
(b) Prior to the issuance of each Letter of Credit, the
Administrative Agent and the respective Issuing Bank shall have
received a Letter of Credit Request meeting the requirements of
Section 2.03.
The acceptance of the benefit of each Credit Event shall
constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrowers to the
Agents and each of the Banks that all the conditions specified in
Section 5 and in this Section 6 and applicable to such Credit Event
exist as of that time (except to the extent that any of the conditions
specified in Section 5 are required to be satisfactory to or
determined by any Bank, the Required Banks and/or the Administrative
Agent). All of the Notes, certificates, legal opinions and other
documents and papers referred to in Section 5 and in this Section 6,
unless otherwise specified, shall be delivered to the Administrative
Agent at the Notice Office for the account of each of the Banks and,
except for the Notes, in sufficient counterparts or copies for each of
the Banks and shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory
to the Banks.<PAGE>
SECTION 7. Representations, Warranties and Agreements. In
order to induce the Banks to enter into this Agreement and to make the
Loans, and issue (or participate in) the Letters of Credit as provided
herein, each of the Borrowers makes the following representations,
warranties and agreements, in each case after giving effect to the
Transaction consummated on the Second Restatement Effective Date, all
of which shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement
and the Notes and the making of the Loans and issuance of the Letters
of Credit, with the occurrence of each Credit Event on or after the
Second Restatement Effective Date being deemed to constitute a
representation and warranty that the matters specified in this Section
7 are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the
Second Restatement Effective Date and on the date of each such Credit
Event (it being understood and agreed that any representation or
warranty which by its terms is made as of a specified date shall be
required to be true and correct in all material respects only as of
such specified date).
7.01 Corporate Status. Furniture Brands and each of its
Restricted Subsidiaries (i) is a duly organized and validly existing
corporation in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its
incorporation, (ii) has the corporate power and authority to own its
property and assets and to transact the business in which it is
engaged and presently proposes to engage and (iii) is duly qualified
and is authorized to do business and is in good standing in each
jurisdiction where the conduct of its business requires such
qualifications, except for failures to be so qualified which,
individually or in the aggregate, could not reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect.
7.02 Corporate Power and Authority. Each Credit Party has the
corporate power and authority to execute, deliver and perform the
terms and provisions of each of the Documents to which it is party and
has taken all necessary corporate action to authorize the execution,
delivery and performance by it of each of such Documents. Each Credit
Party has duly executed and delivered each of the Documents to which
it is party, and each of such Documents constitutes the legal, valid
and binding obligation of such Credit Party enforceable in accordance
with its terms, except to the extent that the enforceability thereof
may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium or other similar laws generally affecting creditors' rights
and by equitable principles (regardless of whether enforcement is
sought in equity or at law).
7.03 No Violation. Neither the execution, delivery or
performance by any Credit Party of the Documents to which it is a
party, nor compliance by it with the terms and provisions thereof, (i)
will contravene any provision of any applicable law, statute, rule or
regulation or any applicable order, writ, injunction or decree of any
court or governmental instrumentality, (ii) will conflict with or
result in any breach of any of the terms, covenants, conditions or
provisions of, or constitute a default under, or result in the
creation or imposition of (or the obligation to create or impose) any
Lien (except pursuant to the Security Documents) upon any of the<PAGE>
material properties or assets of Furniture Brands or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries pursuant to the terms of any indenture,
mortgage, deed of trust, credit agreement or loan agreement, or any
other material agreement, contract or instrument, to which Furniture
Brands or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries is a party or by which it
or any of its property or assets is bound or to which it may be
subject or (iii) will violate any provision of the Certificate of
Incorporation or By-Laws of Furniture Brands or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries.
7.04 Governmental Approvals. No order, consent, approval,
license, authorization or validation of, or filing, recording or
registration with (except (i) as have been obtained or made prior to
the Second Restatement Effective Date and (ii) other than UCC-1 or
UCC-3 filings and recordings of Assignments of Security Interests in
U.S. Patents and Trademarks, in each case, performed pursuant to
Section 5.09, which filings and/or recordings, as the case may be, if
this representation is being made on a date which is more than ten
days after the Second Restatement Effective Date, have been made), or
exemption by, any governmental or public body or authority, or any
subdivision thereof, is required to authorize, or is required in
connection with, (i) the execution, delivery and performance of any
Document or (ii) the legality, validity, binding effect or
enforceability of any such Document.
7.05 Financial Statements; Financial Condition; Undisclosed
Liabilities; Projections; etc. (a) (i) The consolidated and
consolidating statements of financial condition of Furniture Brands
and its Subsidiaries at December 31, 1995 and the related consolidated
and consolidating statements of income and consolidated statements of
cash flow and changes in shareholders' equity of Furniture Brands and
its Subsidiaries for the Fiscal Year ended on such date, and furnished
to the Banks prior to the Second Restatement Effective Date and (ii)
the consolidated and consolidating statements of financial condition
of Furniture Brands and its Subsidiaries as of the end of each fiscal
quarter of Furniture Brands ended after December 31, 1995, and the
related consolidated and consolidating statements of income and
consolidated statements of cash flow of Furniture Brands and its
Subsidiaries for such quarterly periods, and furnished to the Banks
prior to the Second Restatement Effective Date, in each case, present
fairly the financial condition of Furniture Brands and its
Subsidiaries (or Furniture Brands and its Restricted Subsidiaries, as
the case may be) at the date of such statements of financial condition
and the results of the operations of Furniture Brands and its
Subsidiaries (or Furniture Brands and its Restricted Subsidiaries as
the case may be) for the respective Fiscal Year or fiscal quarter, as
the case may be (subject, in the case of unaudited financial
statements, to normal year-end adjustments). All such financial
statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles and practices consistently applied, except, in
the case of the quarterly financial statements, for the omission of
footnotes, and certain reclassifications and ordinary end of period
adjustments and accruals (all of which are of a recurring nature and
none of which individually, or in the aggregate, would be material). <PAGE>
(b) Since December 31, 1995, there has been no material adverse
change in the business, operations, property, assets, liabilities,
condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of the Borrowers taken
as a whole or of the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries taken
as a whole, it being understood that any determination of whether such
material adverse change has occurred shall take into account, inter
alia, (x) any available indemnities and (y) the timing and likelihood
of payment thereunder.
(c) (i) On and as of the Second Restatement Effective Date,
after giving effect to the Transaction and to all Indebtedness
(including the Loans) being incurred or assumed and Liens created (or
maintained) by the Credit Parties in connection therewith (assuming
the full utilization of all Revolving Loan Commitments on the Second
Restatement Effective Date), (a) the sum of the assets, at a fair
valuation, of each Borrower, individually, each Borrower and its
Subsidiaries, (each of the foregoing, as to itself or as to itself and
its Subsidiaries, a "Solvent Entity") will exceed its or their debts;
(b) each Solvent Entity has not incurred and does not intend to incur,
and does not believe that it will incur, debts beyond its ability to
pay such debts as such debts mature; and (c) each Solvent Entity will
have sufficient capital with which to conduct its businesses. For
purposes of this Section 7.05(c), "debt" means any liability on a
claim, and "claim" means (i) right to payment, whether or not such a
right is reduced to judgment, liquidated, unliquidated, fixed,
contingent, matured, unmatured, disputed, undisputed, legal,
equitable, secured, or unsecured or (ii) right to an equitable remedy
for breach of performance if such breach gives rise to a right to
payment, whether or not such right to an equitable remedy is reduced
to judgment, fixed, contingent, matured, unmatured, disputed,
undisputed, secured or unsecured.
(d) Except as fully disclosed in the financial statements
delivered pursuant to Section 7.05(a) or (b) or in Schedule IV, there
were as of the Second Restatement Effective Date no liabilities or
obligations with respect to Furniture Brands or any of its
Subsidiaries of any nature whatsoever (whether absolute, accrued,
contingent or otherwise and whether or not due) which, either
individually or in aggregate, is reasonably likely to have a Material
Adverse Effect. As of the Second Restatement Effective Date, none of
the Borrowers knows of any basis for the assertion against it of any
liability or obligation of any nature whatsoever that is not fully
disclosed in the financial statements delivered pursuant to Section
7.05(a) or (b) or as disclosed in Schedule IV hereto which, either
individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have
a Material Adverse Effect.
(e) On and as of the Second Restatement Effective Date, the
Projections previously delivered to the Administrative Agent and the
Banks have been prepared on a basis consistent with the financial
statements referred to in Section 7.05(a) (other than as set forth or
presented in such Projections), and there are no statements or
conclusions in any of the Projections which are based upon or include
information known to the Borrowers to be misleading in any material<PAGE>
respect or which fail to take into account material information
regarding the matters reported therein. On the Second Restatement
Effective Date, the Borrowers believed that the Projections were
reasonable and attainable.
7.06 Litigation. There are no actions, suits or proceedings
pending or, to the best knowledge of the Borrowers, threatened (i)
with respect to any Document or (ii) that could reasonably be expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect.
7.07 True and Complete Disclosure. All factual information
(taken as a whole) furnished by or on behalf of Furniture Brands or
any of its Subsidiaries in writing to the Administrative Agent or any
Bank (including, without limitation, all factual information contained
in the Documents) for purposes of or in connection with this
Agreement, the other Credit Documents or any transaction contemplated
herein or therein is, and all other such factual information (taken as
a whole) hereafter furnished by or on behalf of Furniture Brands or
any of its Subsidiaries in writing to the Administrative Agent or any
Bank will be, true and accurate in all material respects on the date
as of which such information is dated or certified and not incomplete
by omitting to state any fact necessary to make such information
(taken as a whole) not misleading in any material respect at such time
in light of the circumstances under which such information was
provided.
7.08 Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations. (a) All proceeds of
the Revolving Loans and Swingline Loans shall be used by the Borrowers
to (x) consummate the Transaction, (y) pay fees and expenses related
thereto and (z) provide for the Borrowers' and their Subsidiaries'
ongoing general corporate purposes.
(b) No part of the proceeds of any Loan will be used to
purchase or carry any Margin Stock or to extend credit for the purpose
of purchasing or carrying any Margin Stock. Neither the making of any
Loan nor the use of the proceeds thereof nor the occurrence of any
other Credit Event will violate or be inconsistent with the provisions
of Regulation G, T, U or X of the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System.
7.09 Tax Returns and Payments. (a) Each of Furniture Brands
and its Restricted Subsidiaries have timely filed or caused to be
timely filed, on the due dates thereof or within applicable grace
periods (inclusive of any permitted extensions), with the appropriate
taxing authority, all Federal, state and other material returns,
statements, forms and reports for taxes (the "Returns") required to be
filed by or with respect to the income, properties or operations of
Furniture Brands and its Restricted Subsidiaries. The Returns
accurately reflect in all material respects all liability for taxes of
Furniture Brands and its Restricted Subsidiaries for the periods
covered thereby other than Taxes for which adequate reserves have been
established in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles. Each of Furniture Brands and its Restricted Subsidiaries
have paid all material taxes payable by them other than taxes which<PAGE>
are not delinquent, and other than those contested in good faith and
for which adequate reserves have been established in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles. Except as disclosed in the
financial statements referred to in Section 7.05(a) or (b) and except
as disclosed on Schedule V, there is, as of the Second Restatement
Effective Date, no material action, suit, proceeding, investigation,
audit, or claim now pending or, to the best knowledge of the
Borrowers, threatened by any authority regarding any taxes relating to
Furniture Brands or its Restricted Subsidiaries. As of the Second
Restatement Effective Date, except as set forth on Schedule V, none of
Furniture Brands or its Restricted Subsidiaries has entered into an
agreement or waiver or been requested to enter into an agreement or
waiver extending any statute of limitations relating to the payment or
collection of taxes of Furniture Brands or its Restricted
Subsidiaries, or is aware of any circumstances that would cause the
taxable years or other taxable periods of Furniture Brands or its
Restricted Subsidiaries not to be subject to the normally applicable
statute of limitations. As of the Second Restatement Effective Date,
none of Furniture Brands or its Restricted Subsidiaries has provided,
with respect to themselves or property held by them, any consent under
Section 341 of the Code. Except for amounts specifically set forth in
Schedule V, none of Furniture Brands or its Restricted Subsidiaries
has incurred, or will incur, any material tax liability in connection
with the Transaction and the other transactions contemplated hereby.
Additionally, all of the foregoing representations are true and
correct as to all Unrestricted Subsidiaries of Furniture Brands (to
the same extent they were Restricted Subsidiaries) except to the
extent any and all failures to be true and correct could not
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained above, to the
extent the foregoing representations contained in this Section 7.09
relate to Thomasville and its Subsidiaries for periods prior to the
First Restatement Effective Date, such representations shall be deemed
untrue only if the aggregate effect of all such failures and
noncompliances of the types described above with respect to
Thomasville and its Subsidiaries for periods prior to the First
Restatement Effective Date would reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect.
(b) Furniture Brands' tax basis in the shares of capital stock
of (x) Converse spun-off if connection with the Converse Disposition
was an amount not less than $165,000,000 at the time of the
consummation thereof and (y) Florsheim spun-off in connection with the
Florsheim Disposition was an amount not less than $50,000,000.
7.10 Compliance with ERISA. (a) Each Plan is in substantial
compliance with ERISA and the Code; no Reportable Event has occurred
with respect to a Plan; to the best knowledge of the Borrowers, no
Multiemployer Plan is insolvent or in reorganization; no Plan has an
Unfunded Current Liability; no Plan, and to the best knowledge of the
Borrowers, no Spunoff Plan, has an accumulated or waived funding
deficiency, or has applied for an extension of any amortization period
within the meaning of Section 412 of the Code; all contributions
required to be made by the Borrowers, any of their respective<PAGE>
Restricted Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate with respect to a Plan,
a Spunoff Plan, a Multiemployer Plan, and/or a Foreign Pension Plan
have been timely made; none of the Borrowers or any of their
respective Restricted Subsidiaries nor any ERISA Affiliate has
incurred any liability to or on account of a Plan, a Spunoff Plan,
and/or a Multiemployer Plan pursuant to Section 409, 502(i), 502(1),
515, 4062, 4063, 4064, 4069, 4201, 4204 or 4212 of ERISA or Section
401(a)(29), 4971, 4975 or 4980 of the Code or reasonably expects to
incur any liability (including any indirect, contingent or secondary
liability) under any of the foregoing Sections with respect to any
Plan, a Spunoff Plan, and/or a Multiemployer Plan; no proceedings have
been instituted to terminate or appoint a trustee to administer any
Plan and, to the best knowledge of the Borrowers, any Spunoff Plan; no
condition exists which presents a risk to the Borrowers or any of
their respective Restricted Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate of
incurring a liability to or on account of a Plan, or to the best
knowledge of the Borrowers a Spunoff Plan, and/or a Multiemployer Plan
pursuant to the foregoing provisions of ERISA and the Code; using
actuarial assumptions and computation methods consistent with Part 1
of subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA, the aggregate liabilities of the
Borrowers, their respective Restricted Subsidiaries and their ERISA
Affiliates to all Multiemployer Plans in the event of a complete
withdrawal therefrom, as of the close of the most recent fiscal year
of each such Multiemployer Plan ended prior to the date of the most
recent Credit Event, would not exceed $50,000; no lien imposed under
the Code or ERISA on the assets of the Borrowers or any of their
respective Restricted Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate exists on
account of any Plan, a Spunoff Plan, and/or a Multiemployer Plan or is
likely to arise on account of any Plan, or to the best knowledge of
the Borrowers, is likely to arise on account of any Spunoff Plan
and/or Multiemployer Plan; and the Borrowers and their respective
Restricted Subsidiaries do not maintain or contribute to any employee
welfare benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA) which
provides benefits to retired employees or other former employees
(other than as required by Section 601 of ERISA) or any employee
pension benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA) the
obligations with respect to which could reasonably be expected to have
a Material Adverse Effect. For purposes of this Section 7.10(a) "to
the best knowledge of the Borrowers" with respect to any Spunoff Plan
means (x) actual knowledge or (y) knowledge acquired through written
or oral notice provided directly to a Borrower by any governmental
agency, court, or Spunoff Plan administrator.
(b) Each Foreign Pension Plan has been maintained in
substantial compliance with its terms and with the requirements of any
and all applicable laws, statutes, rules, regulations and orders and
has been maintained, where required, in good standing with applicable
regulatory authorities. None of the Borrowers nor any of their
respective Restricted Subsidiaries has incurred any obligation in
connection with the termination of or withdrawal from any Foreign
Pension Plan. The present value of the accrued benefit liabilities
(whether or not vested) under each Foreign Pension Plan, determined as
of the end of each Borrower's most recently ended fiscal year on the
basis of actuarial assumptions, each of which is reasonable, did not<PAGE>
exceed the current value of the assets of such Foreign Pension Plan
allocable to such benefit liabilities.
(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section
7.10, the representations made in this Section 7.10 shall only be
untrue if the aggregate effect of all failures and noncompliances of
the types described above could reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect.
7.11 The Security Documents. (a) The provisions of the
Security Agreement are effective to create (or maintain) in favor of
the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Creditors a legal,
valid and enforceable security interest in all right, title and
interest of the Credit Parties in the Security Agreement Collateral
described therein, and the Security Agreement, upon the filing of Form
UCC-1 or UCC-3 financing statements or the appropriate equivalent
(which filings, if this representation is being made more than 10 days
after the Second Restatement Effective Date, have been made), create
(or maintain) a fully perfected first lien on, and security interest
in, all right, title and interest in all of the Security Agreement
Collateral described therein, to the extent that a security interest
may be perfected therein by filing a financing statement under the
UCC, subject to no other Liens other than Permitted Liens. The
recordation of the Assignment of Security Interest in U.S. Patents and
Trademarks in the form attached to the Security Agreement in the
United States Patent and Trademark Office together with filings on
Form UCC-1 or UCC-3 made pursuant to the Security Agreement will be
effective, under applicable law, to perfect the security interest
granted to the Collateral Agent in the trademarks and patents covered
by the Security Agreement. Each of the Credit Parties party to the
Security Agreement has good and valid title to all Security Agreement
Collateral owned by such Credit Party described therein, free and
clear of all Liens except those described above in this clause (a).
(b) The security interests created in favor of the Collateral
Agent, as Pledgee, for the benefit of the Secured Creditors under the
Pledge Agreement constitute first priority perfected security
interests in the Pledged Securities described in the Pledge Agreement,
subject to no security interests of any other Person. No filings or
recordings are required in order to perfect (or maintain the
perfection or priority of) the security interests created in the
Pledged Securities and the proceeds thereof under the Pledge
Agreement.
(c) The Mortgages create, as security for the obligations
purported to be secured thereby, a valid and enforceable perfected
security interest in and mortgage lien on all of the Mortgaged
Properties in favor of the Collateral Agent (or such other trustee as
may be required or desired under local law) for the benefit of the
Secured Creditors, superior to and prior to the rights of all third
persons (except that the security interest and mortgage lien created
in the Mortgaged Properties may be subject to the Permitted
Encumbrances related thereto) and subject to no other Liens (other
than Permitted Liens). Schedule III contains a true and complete list<PAGE>
of each parcel of Real Property owned or leased by Furniture Brands
and its Restricted Subsidiaries on the Second Restatement Effective
Date, and the type of interest therein held by Furniture Brands or
such Restricted Subsidiary. Furniture Brands and each of its
Restricted Subsidiaries have good and indefeasible title to all fee-
owned Mortgaged Properties and valid leasehold title to all Leaseholds
material to its business, in each case free and clear of all Liens
except those described in the first sentence of this subsection (c).
7.12 Representations and Warranties in Other Documents. All
representations and warranties set forth in the Documents other than
this Agreement were true and correct in all material respects at the
time as of which such representations and warranties were made (or
deemed made) and shall be true and correct in all material respects as
of the Second Restatement Effective Date as if such representations
and warranties were made on and as of such date, unless stated to
relate to a specific earlier date, in which case such representations
and warranties shall be true and correct in all material respects as
of such earlier date. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained above, to the extent that the representations and warranties
set forth in the Documents other than this Agreement were made by
parties other than Furniture Brands and its Subsidiaries, such
representations and warranties shall be deemed untrue only if the
aggregate effect of all inaccuracies in such representations and
warranties would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect.
7.13 Properties. Furniture Brands and each of its Restricted
Subsidiaries have good and valid title to all material properties
owned by them, including all property reflected in the balance sheets
referred to in Sections 7.05(a) and (b) and in the pro forma balance
sheet referred to in Section 5.14 (except as sold or otherwise
disposed of since the date of such balance sheet in the ordinary
course of business or otherwise as permitted hereunder), free and
clear of all Liens, other than (i) as referred to in the balance sheet
or in the notes thereto or in the pro forma balance sheet or (ii)
Permitted Liens otherwise permitted by Section 9.01.
7.14 Capitalization. (a) On the Second Restatement Effective
Date, the authorized capital stock of Furniture Brands consists of
100,000,000 shares of Furniture Brands Common Stock, $1.00 stated
value per share, 61,398,952 shares of which are issued and outstanding
as of June 30, 1996, and at least 54% of such outstanding shares are
owned by the Apollo Group or a Controlled Account. As of the Second
Restatement Effective Date, Furniture Brands does not have outstanding
any securities convertible into or exchangeable for its capital stock
or outstanding any rights to subscribe for or to purchase, or any
options for the purchase of, or any agreement providing for the
issuance (contingent or otherwise) of, or any calls, commitments or
claims of any character relating to, its capital stock, in each case
other than the options outstanding pursuant to the Employee Stock
Option Plan and the Furniture Brands Warrants.<PAGE>
(b) On the Second Restatement Effective Date, the authorized
capital stock of Broyhill consists of 5,296,178 shares of common
stock, no par value per share, 100 shares of which are issued and
outstanding and have been delivered for pledge pursuant to the Pledge
Agreement. All such outstanding shares of common stock have been duly
and validly issued, are fully paid and nonassessable. As of the
Second Restatement Effective Date, Broyhill does not have outstanding
any securities convertible into or exchangeable for its capital stock
or outstanding any rights to subscribe for or to purchase, or any
options for the purchase of, or any agreements providing for the
issuance (contingent or otherwise) of, or any calls, commitments or
claims of any character relating to, its capital stock.
(c) On the Second Restatement Effective Date, the authorized
capital stock of Lane consists of 1,000 shares of common stock, no par
value per share, all of which are issued and outstanding and have been
delivered for pledge pursuant to the Pledge Agreement. All such
outstanding shares of common stock have been duly and validly issued,
are fully paid and nonassessable. As of the Second Restatement
Effective Date, Lane does not have outstanding any securities
convertible into or exchangeable for its capital stock or outstanding
any rights to subscribe for or to purchase, or any options for the
purchase of, or any agreements providing for the issuance (contingent
or otherwise) of, or any calls, commitments or claims of any character
relating to, its capital stock.
(d) On the Second Restatement Effective Date, the authorized
capital stock of Thomasville consists of 50,000,000 shares of common
stock, $1.00 par value per share, 7,500,000 shares of which are issued
and outstanding and have been delivered for pledge pursuant to the
Pledge Agreement. All such outstanding shares of common stock have
been duly and validly issued, are fully paid and nonassessable. As of
the Second Restatement Effective Date, Thomasville does not have
outstanding any securities convertible into or exchangeable for its
capital stock or outstanding any rights to subscribe for or to
purchase, or any options for the purchase of, or any agreements
providing for the issuance (contingent or otherwise) of, or any calls,
commitments or claims of any character relating to, its capital stock.
7.15 Subsidiaries. (a) On the Second Restatement Effective
Date, Furniture Brands has no Subsidiaries other than the other
Borrowers, their respective Subsidiaries and the Receivables
Subsidiary (which is owned by Broyhill, Lane, Action and Thomasville).
(b) After the Second Restatement Effective Date, Furniture
Brands will have no Subsidiaries other than (i) those Subsidiaries
listed on Schedule VI and (ii) new Subsidiaries created in compliance
with this Agreement.
7.16 Compliance with Statutes, etc. Furniture Brands and each
of its Subsidiaries are in compliance with all applicable statutes,
regulations and orders of, and all applicable restrictions imposed by,
all governmental bodies, domestic or foreign, in respect of the
conduct of their business and the ownership of their property<PAGE>
(including applicable statutes, regulations, orders and restrictions
relating to environmental standards and controls), except such
noncompliances as could not, individually or in the aggregate,
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
7.17 Investment Company Act. None of Furniture Brands nor any
of its Subsidiaries is an "investment company" or a company
"controlled" by an "investment company," within the meaning of the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
7.18 Public Utility Holding Company Act. None of Furniture
Brands nor any of its Subsidiaries is a "holding company," or a
"subsidiary company" of a "holding company," or an "affiliate" of a
"holding company" or of a "subsidiary company" of a "holding company"
within the meaning of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935,
as amended.
7.19 Environmental Matters. (a) Furniture Brands and each
of its Subsidiaries have complied with all applicable Environmental
Laws and the requirements of any permits issued under such
Environmental Laws. There are no pending or, to the best knowledge of
the Borrowers after due inquiry, threatened Environmental Claims
against Furniture Brands, or any of its Subsidiaries or any Real
Property owned or operated by Furniture Brands or any of its
Subsidiaries. There are no facts, circumstances, conditions or
occurrences on any Real Property owned or operated by Furniture Brands
or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the best knowledge of Furniture
Brands or the Borrowers after due inquiry, on any property adjoining
or in the vicinity of any such Real Property that, to the best
knowledge of the Borrowers after due inquiry, could reasonably be
expected (i) to form the basis of an Environmental Claim against
Furniture Brands or any of its Subsidiaries or any such Real Property
or (ii) to cause any such Real Property to be subject to any
restrictions on the ownership, occupancy, use or transferability of
such Real Property by Furniture Brands or any of its Subsidiaries
under any applicable Environmental Law.
(b) Hazardous Materials have not at any time been generated,
used, treated or stored on, or transported to or from, any Real
Property owned or operated by Furniture Brands or any of its
Subsidiaries except in compliance with all applicable Environmental
Laws and so as not to give rise to an Environmental Claim. Hazardous
Materials have not at any time been Released on or from any Real
Property owned or operated by Furniture Brands or any of its
Subsidiaries except in compliance with all applicable Environmental
Laws and so as not to give rise to an Environmental Claim.
(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section
7.19, the representations made in this Section 7.19 shall only be
untrue if the aggregate effect of all failures and noncompliances of
the types described above could reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect.<PAGE>
7.20 Labor Relations. None of Furniture Brands nor any of its
Subsidiaries is engaged in any unfair labor practice that could
reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the
Borrowers taken as a whole or the Borrowers and their Restricted
Subsidiaries taken as a whole. There is (i) no unfair labor practice
complaint pending against Furniture Brands or any of its Subsidiaries
or, to the best knowledge of the Borrowers, threatened against any of
them, before the National Labor Relations Board, and no material
grievance or material arbitration proceeding arising out of or under
any collective bargaining agreement is so pending against Furniture
Brands or any of its Subsidiaries or, to the best knowledge of the
Borrowers, threatened against any of them, (ii) no strike, labor
dispute, slowdown or stoppage pending against Furniture Brands or any
of its Subsidiaries or, to the best knowledge of the Borrowers,
threatened against Furniture Brands or any of its Subsidiaries and
(iii) to the best knowledge of the Borrowers, no union representation
proceeding pending with respect to the employees of Furniture Brands
or any of its Subsidiaries, except (with respect to any matter
specified in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above, either individually or
in the aggregate) such as could not reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect.
7.21 Patents, Licenses, Franchises and Formulas. Furniture
Brands and its Subsidiaries own all material patents, trademarks,
permits, service marks, trade names, copyrights, licenses, franchises
and formulas, or rights with respect to the foregoing, and have
obtained assignments of all leases and other rights of whatever
nature, reasonably necessary for the present conduct of their
business, without any known conflict with the rights of others which,
or the failure to obtain which, as the case may be, could reasonably
be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.
7.22 Indebtedness. Schedule VII sets forth a true and complete
list of all Indebtedness for borrowed money of Furniture Brands and
its Restricted Subsidiaries as of the Second Restatement Effective
Date and which is to remain outstanding after giving effect to the
Transaction (excluding the Loans and the Letters of Credit and the
Attributed Receivables Facility Indebtedness, the "Existing
Indebtedness"), in each case showing the aggregate principal amount
thereof and the name of the respective borrower and any other entity
which directly or indirectly guaranteed such debt all of which
Existing Indebtedness is or shall be evidenced by the Permitted Debt
Agreements.
7.23 Transaction. At the time of consummation thereof, the
Transaction shall have been consummated in all respects in accordance
with the terms of the respective Documents and all applicable laws.
At the time of consummation of the Transaction, all consents and
approvals of, and filings and registrations with, and all other
actions in respect of, all governmental agencies, authorities or
instrumentalities required in order to make or consummate the
Transaction will have been obtained, given, filed or taken and are or
will be in full force and effect (or effective judicial relief with
respect thereto has been obtained), except where the failure to so<PAGE>
obtain, give, file or take would not have a material adverse effect on
the business, operations, property, assets, liabilities, condition
(financial or otherwise) or prospects of the Borrowers taken as a
whole or of the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a
whole. All applicable waiting periods with respect thereto have or,
prior to the time when required, will have, expired without, in all
such cases, any action being taken by any competent authority which
restrains, prevents, or imposes material adverse conditions upon the
Transaction. Additionally, there does not exist any judgment, order
or injunction prohibiting or imposing material adverse conditions upon
the Transaction or the occurrence of any Credit Event or the
performance by the Credit Parties of their obligations under the
respective Documents. All actions taken by the Credit Parties
pursuant to or in furtherance of the Transaction have been taken in
material compliance with the respective Documents and all applicable
laws.
7.24 Special Purpose Corporation. The Receivables Subsidiary
was formed for the purpose of purchasing, and receiving contributions
of, receivables from each of the Borrowers (other than Furniture
Brands) and their respective Restricted Subsidiaries, and selling such
receivables to, or obtaining secured loans from, the Receivables
Purchasers, pursuant to the Receivables Facility and except in
connection with the foregoing (and activities reasonably incidental
thereto), the Receivables Subsidiary engages in no business activities
and has no significant assets or liabilities and shall in no event
purchase receivables from any Unrestricted Subsidiary.
SECTION 8. Affirmative Covenants. Each of the Borrowers hereby
covenants and agrees that on and after the Second Restatement
Effective Date and until the Total Commitment and all Letters of
Credit and Acceptances have terminated and the Loans, Notes and Unpaid
Drawings, together with interest, Fees and all other Obligations
incurred hereunder and thereunder, are paid in full:
8.01 Information Covenants. The Borrowers will furnish to the
Administrative Agent, and the Administrative Agent will promptly
forward to each Bank:
(a) Monthly Reports. Within 30 days after the end of each
calendar month of Furniture Brands (within 45 days after the end of
the last month of each Fiscal Year), the consolidated and
consolidating balance sheets of Furniture Brands and its Subsidiaries,
in each case, as at the end of such month, and the related
consolidated and consolidating statements of income and the
consolidated statement of cash flow for such month and for the elapsed
portion of the calendar year ended with the last day of such month, in
each case setting forth comparative figures for the corresponding
month in the prior calendar year and the budgeted figures for such
month as set forth in the respective budget delivered pursuant to
Section 8.01(e).
(b) Quarterly Financial Statements. As soon as available and
in any event within 45 days after the close of each of the first three<PAGE>
quarterly accounting periods in each Fiscal Year, (i) the consolidated
and consolidating balance sheets of Furniture Brands and its
Subsidiaries, in each case, as at the end of such quarterly period and
the related consolidated and consolidating statements of income and
the consolidated statement of cash flow for such quarterly period and
for the elapsed portion of the Fiscal Year ended with the last day of
such quarterly period and (ii) management's discussion and analysis of
the important operational and financial developments during such
quarterly period.
(c) Annual Financial Statements. Within 95 days after the
close of each Fiscal Year, (i) the consolidated and consolidating
balance sheets of Furniture Brands and its Subsidiaries, in each case,
as at the end of such Fiscal Year and the related consolidated and
consolidating statements of income and consolidated statements of
shareholders' equity and cash flow for such Fiscal Year setting forth
comparative figures for the preceding Fiscal Year and (A) certified,
in the case of such consolidated financial statements and (B)
confirmed by a letter, in the case of the consolidating statements,
delivered in substantially the form of the auditor's letter delivered
to Furniture Brands on January 30, 1996, in each case by KPMG Peat
Marwick or such other independent certified public accountants of
recognized national standing reasonably acceptable to the
Administrative Agent, together with a report of such accounting firm
stating that in the course of its regular audit of the financial
statements of Furniture Brands and its Subsidiaries, which audit was
conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards,
such accounting firm obtained no knowledge of any Default or Event of
Default which has occurred and is continuing or, if in the opinion of
such accounting firm such a Default or Event of Default with respect
to the covenants set forth in Sections 9.02 through 9.15, inclusive,
has occurred and is continuing, a statement as to the nature thereof
and (ii) management's discussion and analysis of the important
operational and financial developments during such Fiscal Year.
(d) Management Letters. Promptly after the receipt thereof by
Furniture Brands or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, a copy of any
"management letter" received by such Person from their certified
public accountants and the management's responses thereto.
(e) Budgets. No later than 30 days following the commencement
of the first day of each Fiscal Year, a budget in form satisfactory to
the Administrative Agent (including budgeted statements of income and
sources and uses of cash and balance sheets) prepared by Furniture
Brands for (x) each of the twelve months of such Fiscal Year prepared
in detail and (y) each of the four Fiscal Years immediately following
such Fiscal Year prepared in summary form, in each case, of Furniture
Brands and its Restricted Subsidiaries, accompanied by the statement
of an Authorized Representative of Furniture Brands to the effect
that, to the best of his knowledge, the budget is a reasonable
estimate for the period covered thereby.
(f) Officer's Certificates. At the time of the delivery of the
financial statements provided for in Section 8.01(a), (b) and (c), a<PAGE>
certificate of an Authorized Representative of Furniture Brands to the
effect that, to the best of such Authorized Representative's
knowledge, no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing or, if any Default or Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing, specifying the nature and extent thereof, which
certificate shall, in the case of any such financial statements
delivered in respect of a period ending on the last day of a fiscal
quarter or year of Furniture Brands, (x) set forth the calculations
required to establish whether the Borrowers were in compliance with
the provisions of Sections 3.03 (excluding Section 3.03(f)), 4.02,
9.02, 9.03, 9.04, 9.05 and 9.07 through 9.09, inclusive, and 9.15 at
the end of such fiscal quarter or year, as the case may be, and (y)
set forth the calculation of the Leverage Ratio and Senior Debt
Leverage Ratio and the amount of the Available $25 Million Dividend
Basket Amount, Available $10 Million Acquisition/Investment Basket
Amount, Available Debt Proceeds Amount, Available Unrestricted
Proceeds Amount, Available Net Income Amount, Consolidated Cumulative
25% Net Income Amount, Available Permitted Acquisition Amount,
Returned Investment Amount and Available Returned Investment Amount at
the end of the period covered by such financial statements, and all
sources and uses of proceeds relating to the calculation thereof
changing during the period covered by such statements.
(g) Notice of Default or Litigation. Promptly, and in any
event within three Business Days after an executive officer of any
Borrower obtains knowledge thereof, notice of (i) the occurrence of
any event which constitutes a Default or Event of Default and (ii) any
litigation or governmental investigation or proceeding pending (x)
against Furniture Brands or any of its Subsidiaries which could
reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect the
business, operations, property, assets, liabilities, condition
(financial or otherwise) or prospects of the Borrowers taken as a
whole or the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a
whole, (y) with respect to any material Indebtedness of Furniture
Brands and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole or (z) with
respect to any Document.
(h) Other Reports and Filings. Promptly, copies of all
financial information, proxy materials and other information and
reports, if any, which Furniture Brands or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries shall file with the Securities and Exchange Commission or
any successor thereto (the "SEC") or deliver to holders of its
Indebtedness pursuant to the terms of the documentation governing such
Indebtedness (or any trustee, agent or other representative therefor).
(i) Environmental Matters. Promptly upon, and in any event
within ten Business Days after, an executive officer of Furniture
Brands or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries obtains knowledge
thereof, notice of one or more of the following environmental matters,
unless such environmental matters could not, individually or when
aggregated with all other such environmental matters, be reasonably
expected to materially and adversely affect the business, operations,
property, assets, liabilities, condition (financial or otherwise) or<PAGE>
prospects of the Borrowers taken as a whole or of the Borrowers and
their Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole:
(i) any pending or threatened Environmental Claim against
Furniture Brands or any of its Subsidiaries or any Real Property owned
or operated by Furniture Brands or any of its Subsidiaries;
(ii) any condition or occurrence on or arising from any Real
Property owned or operated by Furniture Brands or any of its
Subsidiaries that (a) results in noncompliance by Furniture Brands or
any of its Subsidiaries with any applicable Environmental Law or (b)
could reasonably be expected to form the basis of an Environmental
Claim against Furniture Brands or any of its Subsidiaries or any such
Real Property;
(iii) any condition or occurrence on any Real Property owned or
operated by Furniture Brands or any of its Subsidiaries that could
reasonably be expected to cause such Real Property to be subject to
any restrictions on the ownership, occupancy, use or transferability
by Furniture Brands or any of its Subsidiaries of such Real Property
under any Environmental Law; and
(iv) the taking of any removal or remedial action in response to
the actual or alleged presence of any Hazardous Material on any Real
Property owned or operated by Furniture Brands or any of its
Subsidiaries as required by any Environmental Law or any governmental
or other administrative agency; provided that in any event the
Borrowers shall deliver to each Bank all notices received by them or
any of their respective Subsidiaries from any government or
governmental agency under, or pursuant to, CERCLA.
All such notices shall describe in reasonable detail the nature
of the claim, investigation, condition, occurrence or removal or
remedial action, and the Borrowers' or such Subsidiary's response
thereto. In addition, the Borrowers will provide the Banks with
copies of all material communications with any government or
governmental agency relating to Environmental Laws, all communications
with any Person (other than its attorneys) relating to any
Environmental Claim of which notice is required to be given pursuant
to this Section 8.01(i), and such detailed reports of any such
Environmental Claim as may reasonably be requested by the Banks.
(j) Annual Meetings with Banks. At the request of the
Administrative Agent, Furniture Brands shall within 120 days after the
close of each Fiscal Year hold a meeting at a time and place selected
by Furniture Brands and reasonably acceptable to the Administrative
Agent with all of the Banks at which meeting shall be reviewed the
financial results of the previous Fiscal Year and the financial
condition of Furniture Brands and the budgets presented for the
current Fiscal Year.
(k) Other Information. From time to time, such other
information or documents (financial or otherwise) with respect to<PAGE>
Furniture Brands or any of its Subsidiaries as any Bank may reasonably
request in writing.
8.02 Books, Records and Inspections. The Borrowers will, and
will cause each of their respective Restricted Subsidiaries to, keep
proper books of record and account in which full, true and correct
entries in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles
and all requirements of law shall be made of all dealings and
transactions in relation to its business and activities. The
Borrowers will, and will cause each of their respective Restricted
Subsidiaries to, permit officers and designated representatives of the
Agents or the Required Banks to visit and inspect, after reasonable
notice during regular business hours and under guidance of officers of
the Borrowers or such Restricted Subsidiary, any of the properties of
the Borrowers or such Restricted Subsidiary, and to examine the books
of account of the Borrowers or such Restricted Subsidiary and discuss
the affairs, finances and accounts of the Borrowers or such Restricted
Subsidiary with, and be advised as to the same by, its and their
officers and independent accountants, all at such reasonable times and
intervals and to such reasonable extent as such Agent or such Bank may
request.
8.03 Maintenance of Property; Insurance. (a) Schedule VIII
sets forth a true and complete listing of all insurance (including
self-insurance programs) maintained by Furniture Brands and its
Restricted Subsidiaries as of the Second Restatement Effective Date.
The Borrowers will, and will cause each of their respective Restricted
Subsidiaries to, (i) keep all property necessary in its business in
good working order and condition (ordinary wear and tear excepted),
(ii) maintain insurance on all its property in at least such amounts
and against at least such risks as is consistent and in accordance
with industry practice and (iii) furnish to the Administrative Agent,
upon written request, full information as to the insurance carried.
In addition to the requirements of the immediately preceding sentence,
the Borrowers will at all times cause insurance of the types described
in Schedule VIII to be maintained (with the same scope of coverage as
that described in Schedule VIII) at levels which are at least as great
as the respective amount described opposite the respective type of
insurance on Schedule VIII under the column headed "Minimum Amount
Required to be Maintained."
(b) Except with respect to self-insurance programs listed on
Schedule VIII, the Borrowers will, and will cause their respective
Restricted Subsidiaries to, at all times keep their respective
property insured in favor of the Collateral Agent, and all policies
(including Mortgage Policies) or certificates (or certified copies
thereof) with respect to such insurance (and any other insurance
maintained by the Borrowers or any of their respective Restricted
Subsidiaries) (i) shall be endorsed to the Collateral Agent's
satisfaction for the benefit of the Collateral Agent (including,
without limitation, by naming the Collateral Agent as loss payee or as
an additional insured (provided that Furniture Brands and its
Restricted Subsidiaries shall be permitted to settle claims in an
amount less than $10,000,000 per claim, so long as the proceeds from<PAGE>
such claims are applied in accordance with Section 3.03(f))), (ii)
shall state that such insurance policies shall not be cancelled
without 30 days' prior written notice thereof by the respective
insurer to the Collateral Agent, (iii) shall provide that the
respective insurers irrevocably waive any and all rights of
subrogation with respect to the Collateral Agent and the Secured
Creditors, (iv) shall contain the standard non-contributory mortgagee
clause endorsement in favor of the Collateral Agent with respect to
hazard insurance coverage, (v) shall, except in the case of public
liability insurance and workers' compensation insurance, provide that
any losses shall be payable notwithstanding (A) any act or neglect of
the Borrowers or any of their respective Restricted Subsidiaries, (B)
the occupation or use of the properties for purposes more hazardous
than those permitted by the terms of the respective policy if such
coverage is obtainable at commercially reasonable rates and is of the
kind from time to time customarily insured against by Persons owning
or using similar property and in such amounts as are customary, (C)
any foreclosure or other proceeding relating to the insured properties
if such coverage is available at commercially reasonable rates or (D)
any change in the title to or ownership or possession of the insured
properties and (vi) shall be deposited with the Collateral Agent if
such coverage is available at commercially reasonable rates.
(c) If the Borrowers or any of their respective Restricted
Subsidiaries shall fail to maintain all insurance in accordance with
this Section 8.03, or if the Borrowers or any of their respective
Restricted Subsidiaries shall fail to so endorse and deposit all
policies or certificates with respect thereto, the Administrative
Agent and/or the Collateral Agent shall have the right (but shall be
under no obligation) after giving notice to Furniture Brands (but not
requiring any consent from Furniture Brands) to procure such insurance
and the Borrowers agree to jointly and severally reimburse the
Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, as the case may be, for
all costs and expenses of procuring such insurance.
8.04 Corporate Franchises. The Borrowers will, and will cause
each of their respective Restricted Subsidiaries to, do or cause to be
done, all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and
effect its existence and its material rights, franchises, licenses and
patents; provided, however, that nothing in this Section 8.04 shall
prevent (i) sales of assets, mergers or other transactions by or among
Furniture Brands or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in accordance
with Section 9.02 or (ii) (x) the withdrawal by Furniture Brands or
any of the Restricted Subsidiaries of its qualification as a foreign
corporation or the failure to qualify as a foreign corporation in any
jurisdiction or (y) the amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation
or By-Laws of Furniture Brands or any of its Subsidiaries, in each
case which would not in any way materially and adversely affect the
Banks, and where such withdrawal or failure or amendment, as the case
may be, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect.
8.05 Compliance with Statutes, etc. The Borrowers will, and
will cause each of their respective Subsidiaries to, comply with all<PAGE>
applicable statutes, regulations and orders of, and all applicable
restrictions imposed by, all governmental bodies, domestic or foreign,
in respect of the conduct of its business and the ownership of its
property, except such noncompliances as could not, individually or in
the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a material adverse
effect on the business, operations, property, assets, liabilities,
condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of the Borrowers taken
as a whole or of the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries taken
as a whole.
8.06 Compliance with Environmental Laws. (a) The Borrowers
will comply, and will cause each of their respective Subsidiaries to
comply, in all material respects with all Environmental Laws
applicable to the ownership or use of its Real Property now or
hereafter owned or operated by Furniture Brands or any of its
Subsidiaries, will within a reasonable time period pay or cause to be
paid all costs and expenses incurred in connection with such
compliance, and will keep or cause to be kept all such Real Property
free and clear of any Liens on such Real Property imposed pursuant to
such Environmental Laws; provided that, none of Furniture Brands nor
any of its Subsidiaries shall be required to remove any such Liens, so
long as the aggregate amount of obligations purported to be secured by
such Liens does not exceed $1,000,000, and such Liens are being
contested in good faith and by proper proceedings if it has maintained
adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles. None of Furniture Brands nor any of
its Subsidiaries will generate, use, treat, store, release or dispose
of, or permit the generation, use, treatment, storage, release or
disposal of Hazardous Materials on any Real Property now or hereafter
owned or operated by Furniture Brands or any of its Subsidiaries, or
transport or permit the transportation of Hazardous Materials to or
from any such Real Property except for Hazardous Materials used or
stored at any such Real Properties in material compliance with all
applicable Environmental Laws and reasonably required in connection
with the operation, use and maintenance of any such Real Property.
(b) At the written request of the Administrative Agent or the
Required Banks, which request shall specify in reasonable detail the
basis therefor, at any time and from time to time, the Borrowers will
provide, at the Borrowers' joint and several cost and expense, an
environmental site assessment report concerning any Real Property now
or hereafter owned or operated by Furniture Brands or any of its
Subsidiaries, prepared by an environmental consulting firm approved by
the Administrative Agent, indicating the presence or absence of
Hazardous Materials and the potential cost of any removal or remedial
action in connection with any Hazardous Materials on such Real
Property; provided, that such request may be made only if (i) there
has occurred and is continuing an Event of Default, (ii) the
Administrative Agent reasonably believes that Furniture Brands, any of
its Subsidiaries or any such Real Property is not in material
compliance with Environmental Law, or (iii) circumstances exist that
reasonably could be expected to form the basis of a material
Environmental Claim against Furniture Brands, any of its Subsidiaries
or any such Real Property. If the Borrowers fail to provide the same<PAGE>
within 90 days after such request was made, the Administrative Agent
may order the same, and the Borrowers shall grant and hereby grant to
the Administrative Agent and the Banks and their agents access to such
Real Property and specifically grant the Administrative Agent and the
Banks an irrevocable non-exclusive license, subject to the rights of
tenants, to undertake such an assessment, all at the Borrowers' joint
and several expense.
8.07 ERISA. As soon as possible and, in any event, within 20
days after the Borrowers or any of their respective Restricted
Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate knows or has reason to know of the
occurrence of any of the following, the Borrowers will deliver to the
Administrative Agent, and the Administrative Agent shall promptly
forward to each Bank a certificate of an Authorized Representative of
the Borrowers setting forth details as to such occurrence and the
action, if any, that the Borrowers, such Restricted Subsidiary or such
ERISA Affiliate is required or proposes to take, together with any
notices required or proposed to be given to or filed with or by the
Borrowers, such Restricted Subsidiary, the ERISA Affiliate, the PBGC,
or a Plan participant or the Plan administrator with respect thereto:
that a Reportable Event has occurred; that an accumulated funding
deficiency has been incurred or an application is likely to be or has
been made to the Secretary of the Treasury for a waiver or
modification of the minimum funding standard (including any required
installment payments) or an extension of any amortization period under
Section 412 of the Code with respect to a Plan, Multiemployer Plan
and/or a Spunoff Plan; that a contribution required to be made to a
Plan, Multiemployer Plan and/or Foreign Pension Plan has not been
timely made; that a Plan, Multiemployer Plan and/or a Spunoff Plan has
been or is reasonably expected to be terminated, reorganized,
partitioned or declared insolvent under Title IV of ERISA; that a
Plan, Multiemployer Plan and/or a Spunoff Plan has an Unfunded Current
Liability giving rise to a lien under ERISA or the Code; that
proceedings are likely to be or have been instituted or notice has
been given to terminate or appoint a trustee to administer a Plan,
Multiemployer Plan and/or a Spunoff Plan; that a proceeding has been
instituted pursuant to Section 515 of ERISA to collect a delinquent
contribution to a Multiemployer Plan if material in amount; that the
Borrowers, any of their respective Restricted Subsidiaries or any
ERISA Affiliate will or is reasonably expected to incur any material
liability (including any indirect, contingent or secondary liability)
to or on account of the termination of or withdrawal from a Plan,
Multiemployer Plan and/or a Spunoff Plan under Section 4062, 4063,
4064, 4069, 4201, 4204 or 4212 of ERISA or with respect to a Plan,
Multiemployer Plan and/or a Spunoff Plan under Section 401(a)(29),
4971, 4975 or 4980 of the Code or Section 409 or 502(i) or 502(l) of
ERISA; or except as disclosed on Schedule XVI, that the Borrowers or
any Restricted Subsidiary is reasonably expected to incur any
liability pursuant to any employee welfare benefit plan (as defined in
Section 3(1) of ERISA) that provides benefits to retired employees or
other former employees (other than as required by Section 601 of
ERISA) or any employee pension benefit plan (as defined in Section
3(2) of ERISA) which liability, individually or in the aggregate,
could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Upon<PAGE>
request, the Borrowers will deliver to each of the Banks a complete
copy of the annual report (Form 5500) of each Plan (including, to the
extent required to be filed with the Internal Revenue Service in
connection with such annual report, the related financial and
actuarial statements and opinions and other supporting statements,
certifications, schedules and information) required to be filed with
the Internal Revenue Service. In addition to any certificates or
notices delivered to the Banks pursuant to the first sentence hereof,
copies of such annual reports and any material notices received by the
Borrowers or any of their respective Restricted Subsidiaries or any
ERISA Affiliate with respect to any Plan, Multiemployer Plan, Spunoff
Plan and/or Foreign Pension Plan shall be delivered to the Banks no
later than 20 days after the date such report has been requested or
such notice has been received by the Borrowers, the Restricted
Subsidiary or the ERISA Affiliate, as applicable. For purposes of
this Section 8.07 "knows or has reason to know" with respect to any
Spunoff Plan means knowledge acquired through written or oral notice
provided directly to a Borrower by any governmental agency, court, or
Spunoff Plan administrator.
8.08 End of Fiscal Years; Fiscal Quarters. Furniture Brands
shall cause (i) each of its Fiscal Years to end on December 31, and
each of its fiscal quarters to end on the last day of each March,
June, September and December and (ii) each of its Restricted
Subsidiaries' (x) fiscal years to end on the closest Saturday to
December 31 and (y) fiscal quarters to end on the closest Saturday to
the last day of each March, June, September and December.
8.09 Performance of Obligations. Each of the Borrowers will,
and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, perform all of its
obligations under the terms of each mortgage, indenture, security
agreement and other debt instrument by which it is bound, except such
non-performances as could not, individually or in the aggregate,
reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the
business, operations, property, assets, liabilities, condition
(financial or otherwise) or prospects of the Borrowers taken as a
whole or of the Borrowers and the Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a
whole.
8.10 Payment of Taxes. Each of the Borrowers will pay and
discharge or cause to be paid and discharged, and will cause each of
their respective Subsidiaries to pay and discharge, all material
taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies imposed upon it
or upon its income or profits, or upon any material properties
belonging to it, in each case on a timely basis, and all lawful claims
which, if unpaid, might become a lien or charge upon any properties of
Furniture Brands or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; provided that
none of Furniture Brands nor any of its Subsidiaries shall be required
to pay any such tax, assessment, charge, levy or claim which is being
contested in good faith and by proper proceedings if it has maintained
adequate reserves with respect thereto in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles.<PAGE>
8.11 Additional Security; Further Assurances; Required
Appraisals. (a) The Borrowers will, and will cause each of their
respective Restricted Subsidiaries to, grant to the Collateral Agent
security interests and mortgages (an "Additional Mortgage") in such
Real Property (other than Real Property encumbered by (i) liens
incurred by a Restricted Subsidiary at a time when it was an
Unrestricted Subsidiary, to the extent such Liens are otherwise
permitted by this Agreement and (ii) Liens securing Indebtedness
permitted pursuant to Section 9.04 (vii), but only until such time as
such Indebtedness is repaid) of the Borrowers or any of their
respective Restricted Subsidiaries as are not covered by the original
Mortgages, to the extent such Real Property is acquired after the
Second Restatement Effective Date and either (x) the cost (including
assumed Indebtedness) of such Real Property is in excess of $2,500,000
or (y) the respective Additional Mortgage has been requested by the
Required Banks (each such Real Property, an "Additional Mortgaged
Property"). All such Additional Mortgages shall be granted pursuant
to documentation substantially in the form of the Mortgages delivered
to the Administrative Agent on the Original Effective Date or the
First Restatement Effective Date or in such other form as is
reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and shall
constitute valid and enforceable perfected Liens superior to and prior
to the rights of all third Persons and subject to no other Liens
except as are permitted by Section 9.01 at the time of perfection
thereof. The Additional Mortgages or instruments related thereto
shall have been duly recorded or filed in such manner and in such
places as are required by law to establish, perfect, preserve and
protect the Liens in favor of the Collateral Agent required to be
granted pursuant to the Additional Mortgages and all taxes, fees and
other charges payable in connection therewith shall have been paid in
full.
(b) The Borrowers will, and will cause each of their respective
Restricted Subsidiaries to, at the joint and several expense of the
Borrowers, make, execute, endorse, acknowledge, file and/or deliver to
the Collateral Agent from time to time such vouchers, invoices,
schedules, confirmatory assignments, conveyances, financing
statements, transfer endorsements, powers of attorney, certificates,
real property surveys, reports and other assurances or instruments and
take such further steps relating to the Collateral covered by any of
the Security Documents as the Collateral Agent may reasonably require
pursuant to this Section 8.11. Furthermore, the Borrowers shall cause
to be delivered to the Collateral Agent such opinions of counsel,
title insurance and other related documents as may be requested by the
Collateral Agent to assure itself that this Section 8.11 has been
complied with.
(c) Each Borrower agrees to cause each Restricted Subsidiary
established or created in accordance with Section 9.11 to execute and
deliver a guaranty of all Obligations and all obligations under
Interest Rate Protection Agreements in substantially the form of the
Subsidiary Guaranty, or by becoming a party to the Subsidiary
Guaranty.<PAGE>
(d) Each Borrower agrees to pledge all of the capital stock of
each new Subsidiary (other than any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted
Subsidiary) created in accordance with Section 9.11 to the Collateral
Agent for the benefit of the Secured Creditors pursuant to the Pledge
Agreement.
(e) Each Borrower will cause each Restricted Subsidiary
established or created in accordance with Section 9.11 to grant to the
Collateral Agent a first priority Lien on all property (tangible and
intangible) of such Subsidiary upon terms similar to those set forth
in the Security Documents as appropriate, and satisfactory in form and
substance to the Administrative Agent and Required Banks. Each
Borrower shall cause each of its respective Restricted Subsidiaries,
at its own expense, to execute, acknowledge and deliver, or cause the
execution, acknowledgement and delivery of, and thereafter register,
file or record in any appropriate governmental office, any document or
instrument reasonably deemed by the Collateral Agent to be necessary
or desirable for the creation and perfection of the foregoing Liens.
Each Borrower will cause each of its respective Restricted
Subsidiaries to take all actions requested by the Administrative Agent
(including, without limitation, the filing of UCC-1s) in connection
with the granting of such security interests.
(f) The security interests required to be granted pursuant to
this Section 8.11 shall be granted pursuant to security documentation
(which shall be substantially similar to the Security Documents
already executed and delivered by Furniture Brands and its Restricted
Subsidiaries, as applicable) or otherwise satisfactory in form and
substance to the Administrative Agent and shall constitute valid and
enforceable perfected security interests prior to the rights of all
third Persons and subject to no other Liens except such Liens as are
permitted by Section 9.01. The Additional Security Documents and
other instruments related thereto shall be duly recorded or filed in
such manner and in such places and at such times as are required by
law to establish, perfect, preserve and protect the Liens, in favor of
the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the respective Secured
Creditors, required to be granted pursuant to the Additional Security
Documents and all taxes, fees and other charges payable in connection
therewith shall be paid, jointly and severally, in full by the
Borrowers. At the time of the execution and delivery of the
Additional Security Documents, the Borrowers shall cause to be
delivered to the Collateral Agent such opinions of counsel, Mortgage
Policies, title surveys, real estate appraisals and other related
documents as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent
or the Required Banks to assure themselves that this Section 8.11 has
been complied with.
(g) In the event that the Administrative Agent or the Required
Banks at any time after the Effective Date determine in its or their
good faith discretion that real estate appraisals satisfying the
requirements of FIRREA (any such appraisal a "Required Appraisal") are
or were required to be obtained, or should be obtained, in connection
with any Mortgaged Property or Mortgaged Properties, then, within 120
days after receiving written notice thereof from the Administrative<PAGE>
Agent or the Required Banks, as the case may be, such Required
Appraisal shall be delivered, at the expense of the Borrowers, to the
Administrative Agent which Required Appraisal, and the respective
appraiser, shall be satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
(h) Each of the Borrowers agrees that each action required
above by Section 8.11 (a) or (b) shall be completed as soon as
possible, but in no event later than 60 days after such action is
requested to be taken by the Administrative Agent or the Required
Banks. Each of the Borrowers further agrees that each action required
by Section 8.11(c), (d), (e) and (f) with respect to the Additional
Collateral shall be completed contemporaneously with the creation of
such new Subsidiary.
8.12 Interest Rate Protection. The Borrowers shall maintain,
for a period of at least three years after the Second Restatement
Effective Date, interest rate protection pursuant to one or more
Interest Rate Protection Agreements which establish a fixed or maximum
interest rate (whether through swaps, caps, collars, or otherwise)
acceptable to the Administrative Agent in respect of at least (i)
$200,000,000 notional principal amount of Indebtedness during the
first two years after the Second Amendment Restatement Date, and (ii)
$100,000,000 notional principal amount of Indebtedness during the
third year after the Second Amendment Restatement Date. The
Administrative Agent has approved the Interest Rate Protection
Agreements which are in effect on the Second Restatement Effective
Date, one of which established a fixed or maximum interest rate in
respect of $170,000,000 notional principal amount of Indebtedness
through December 31, 1997, and the others of which established fixed
or maximum interest rates in respect of $300,000,000 notional
principal amount of Indebtedness through February 22, 1999,
respectively.
8.13 Ownership of Subsidiaries. Furniture Brands shall at all
times own 100% of the outstanding capital stock of the other
Borrowers. Except to the extent otherwise expressly consented in
writing by the Required Banks and except as set forth in Schedule VI,
the Borrowers shall directly or indirectly own 100% of the capital
stock of each of their Subsidiaries (other than as permitted pursuant
to the definition of Permitted Acquisition).
8.14 Permitted Acquisitions. Subject to the provisions of this
Section 8.14, Section 9.02(vii) and the requirements contained in the
definition of Permitted Acquisition, the Borrowers and their
Restricted Subsidiaries may from time to time after the Second
Restatement Effective Date effect Permitted Acquisitions, so long as
(i) the Borrowers shall have given the Administrative Agent and the
Banks at least 10 Business Days' prior written notice of any Permitted
Acquisition, (ii) based on calculations made by the Borrowers on a Pro
Forma Basis after giving effect to the respective Permitted
Acquisition and any Indebtedness (including without limitation
Permitted Acquired Debt) or Disqualified Preferred Stock incurred,
issued or assumed in connection with the respective Permitted
Acquisition or to finance same, (x) no Default or Event of Default<PAGE>
will exist under, or would have existed during the periods covered by,
the financial covenants contained in Sections 9.08 and 9.09 of this
Agreement and (y) if any Indebtedness or Disqualified Preferred Stock
is being incurred, issued or assumed in connection with the respective
Permitted Acquisition or to finance same (excluding, however,
Permitted Acquired Debt in connection with any Permitted Acquisition
where the only Indebtedness or Disqualified Preferred Stock being
incurred, issued or assumed in connection therewith or to finance same
is Permitted Acquired Debt), the Senior Debt Leverage Ratio shall not
exceed 3.5:1.0, (iii) based on good faith projections prepared by the
Borrowers for the period from the date of the consummation of the
Permitted Acquisition to the date which is one year thereafter, the
level of financial performance measured by the covenants set forth in
Sections 9.08 and 9.09 shall be better than or equal to such level as
would be required to provide that no Default or Event of Default would
exist under the financial covenants contained in Sections 9.08 and
9.09 of this Agreement as compliance with such covenants would be
required through the date which is one year from the date of the
consummation of the respective Permitted Acquisition, (iv) the
Administrative Agent shall have been satisfied in its reasonable
discretion that the proposed Permitted Acquisition could not
reasonably be expected to result in materially increased tax, ERISA or
environmental liabilities with respect to Furniture Brands or any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries, it being understood that any
determination of whether the proposed Permitted Acquisition could
reasonably be expected to result in such materially increased tax,
ERISA or environmental liabilities shall take into account, inter
alia, (x) any available indemnities and (y) the timing and likelihood
of payment thereunder and (v) the Borrowers shall have delivered to
the Administrative Agent an officer's certificate executed by an
Authorized Representative of the Borrowers, certifying (A) to the best
of his knowledge, compliance with the requirements of preceding
clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) and containing the calculations required
by the preceding clauses (ii) and (iii) and (B) compliance with the
requirements of Section 9.02(vii).
8.15 Maintenance of Corporate Separateness. Furniture Brands
will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, satisfy customary
corporate formalities, including the holding of regular board of
directors' and shareholders' meetings or action by directors or
shareholders without a meeting and the maintenance of corporate
offices and records. None of the Borrowers nor any of their
respective Restricted Subsidiaries shall make any payment to a
creditor of any Unrestricted Subsidiaries in respect of any liability
of any Unrestricted Subsidiaries, and no bank account of any
Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be commingled with any bank account of
any of the Borrowers or any of their respective Restricted
Subsidiaries. Any financial statements distributed to any creditors
of any Unrestricted Subsidiaries shall clearly establish or indicate
the corporate separateness of such Unrestricted Subsidiary from the
Borrowers and their respective Restricted Subsidiaries. Finally,
neither Furniture Brands nor any of its Subsidiaries shall take any
action, or conduct its affairs in a manner, which is likely to result
in the corporate existence of Furniture Brands or any of its<PAGE>
Subsidiaries being ignored, or in the assets and liabilities of the
Borrowers or any of their respective Restricted Subsidiaries being
substantively consolidated with those of any Unrestricted Subsidiaries
in a bankruptcy, reorganization or other insolvency proceeding.
8.16 Cash Management System. The Borrowers will, and will
cause each of their respective Restricted Subsidiaries to, utilize and
maintain the Cash Management System for all deposits made by any of
them (including the concentration of all such deposits in the
Concentration Account). The Cash Management System shall be operated
solely for the business of the Borrowers and their respective
Restricted Subsidiaries.
SECTION 9. Negative Covenants. The Borrowers covenant and
agree that on and after the Second Restatement Effective Date and
until the Total Revolving Loan Commitment and all Letters of Credit
and Acceptances have terminated and the Loans, Notes and Unpaid
Drawings, together with interest, Fees and all other Obligations
incurred hereunder and thereunder, are paid in full:
9.01 Liens. The Borrowers will not, and will not permit any of
their respective Restricted Subsidiaries to, create, incur, assume or
suffer to exist any Lien upon or with respect to any property or
assets (real or personal, tangible or intangible) of Furniture Brands
or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, whether now owned or hereafter
acquired, or sell any such property or assets subject to an
understanding or agreement, contingent or otherwise, to repurchase
such property or assets (including sales of accounts receivable with
recourse to Furniture Brands or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries),
or assign any right to receive income or permit the filing of any
financing statement under the UCC or any other similar notice of Lien
under any similar recording or notice statute; provided that the
provisions of this Section 9.01 shall not prevent the creation,
incurrence, filing, assumption or existence of the following (Liens
described below are herein referred to as "Permitted Liens"):
(i) incipient Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental
charges or levies not yet due and payable or Liens for taxes,
assessments or governmental charges or levies being contested in good
faith and by appropriate proceedings for which adequate reserves have
been established in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles in the United States (or the equivalent thereof in any
country in which a Foreign Sales Corporation or a Foreign Subsidiary
is doing business, as applicable);
(ii) Liens in respect of property or assets of the Borrowers or
any of their Restricted Subsidiaries imposed by law, which were
incurred in the ordinary course of business and do not secure
Indebtedness for borrowed money, such as carriers', warehousemen's,
materialmen's and mechanics' liens and other similar Liens arising in
the ordinary course of business, and (x) which do not in the aggregate
materially detract from the value of the Borrowers' or such Restricted
Subsidiary's property or assets or materially impair the use thereof
in the operation of the business of the Borrowers or such Restricted<PAGE>
Subsidiary or (y) which are being contested in good faith by
appropriate proceedings, which proceedings have the effect of
preventing the forfeiture or sale of the property or assets subject to
any such Lien;
(iii) Liens in existence on the Second Restatement Effective
Date which are listed, and the property subject thereto described, in
Schedule IX, but only to the respective date, if any, set forth in
such Schedule IX for the removal and termination of any such Liens,
plus renewals and extensions of such Liens to the extent set forth on
Schedule IX, provided that (x) the aggregate principal amount of the
Indebtedness, if any, secured by such Liens does not increase from
that amount outstanding at the time of any such renewal or extension
and (y) any such renewal or extension does not encumber any additional
assets or properties of Furniture Brands or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries;
(iv) Permitted Encumbrances;
(v) Liens created pursuant to the Security Documents;
(vi) licenses, leases or subleases granted to other Persons in
the ordinary course of business not materially interfering with the
conduct of the business of Furniture Brands and its Restricted
Subsidiaries taken as a whole;
(vii) Liens upon assets subject to Capitalized Lease Obligations
of the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries to the extent
permitted by Section 9.04(vii), provided that (x) such Liens only
serve to secure the payment of Indebtedness arising under such
Capitalized Lease Obligation and (y) the Lien encumbering the asset
giving rise to the Capitalized Lease Obligation does not encumber any
other asset of the Borrowers or any Restricted Subsidiary of the
Borrowers;
(viii) Liens placed upon assets used in the ordinary course
of business of the Borrowers or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries
at the time of acquisition or new construction thereof by the
Borrowers or any such Restricted Subsidiary or within 180 days
thereafter to secure Indebtedness incurred to pay all or a portion of
the purchase price and/or construction costs thereof, or Liens
securing Permitted Acquired Debt, provided that (x) the aggregate
outstanding principal amount of all Indebtedness secured by Liens
permitted by this clause (viii) shall not at any time exceed the
amount permitted by Section 9.04(vii) and (y) in all events, the Lien
encumbering the assets so acquired or newly constructed does not
encumber any other asset of the Borrowers or such Restricted
Subsidiary;
(ix) easements, rights-of-way, restrictions (including zoning
restrictions), encroachments, protrusions and other similar charges or
encumbrances, and minor title deficiencies, in each case whether now
or hereafter in existence, not securing Indebtedness and not<PAGE>
materially interfering with the conduct of the business of the
Borrowers or any of their respective Restricted Subsidiaries;
(x) Liens arising from precautionary UCC financing statement
filings regarding operating leases entered into by the Borrowers or
any of their Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of
business;
(xi) Liens arising out of the existence of judgments or awards
not constituting an Event of Default under Section 10.09, provided
that no cash or property is deposited or delivered to secure the
respective judgment or award (or any appeal bond in respect thereof,
except as permitted by following clause (xiv));
(xii) Liens, and the filing of financing statements in
connection therewith, created by, and as set forth in, the Receivables
Documents;
(xiii) Statutory and contractual landlords' liens under leases
to which the Borrowers or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries are a
party;
(xiv) Liens (other than any Lien imposed by ERISA) (x) incurred
or deposits made in the ordinary course of business of the Borrowers
and their respective Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with
workers' compensation, unemployment insurance and other types of
social security, (y) to secure the performance by the Borrowers and
their respective Restricted Subsidiaries of tenders, statutory
obligations (other than excise taxes), surety, stay, customs and
appeal bonds, statutory bonds, bids, leases, government contracts,
trade contracts, performance and return of money bonds and other
similar obligations (exclusive of obligations for the payment of
borrowed money) or (z) to secure the performance by the Borrowers and
their respective Restricted Subsidiaries of leases of Real Property,
to the extent incurred or made in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practices, provided that the aggregate amount of
deposits at any time pursuant to sub-clause (y) and sub-clause (z)
shall not exceed $5,000,000 in the aggregate;
(xv) any interest or title of a lessor, sublessor, licensee or
licensor under any lease or license agreement permitted by this
Agreement;
(xvi) Liens (x) in favor of customs and revenue authorities
arising as a matter of law to secure the payment of customs duties in
connection with the importation of goods and deposits made to secure
statutory obligations in the form of excise taxes or (y) in respect of
property or assets of Thomasville or any of its Subsidiaries imposed
by law or governmental action which arise out of actual or potential
claims under any Environmental Law disclosed in the environmental
report furnished to the Administrative Agent prior to the First
Restatement Effective Date, in each case so long as the Liens
described in this clause (y) are being contested in good faith (or
Furniture Brands or its respective Subsidiaries are in good faith<PAGE>
pursuing indemnities in respect thereof pursuant to the Stock Purchase
Agreement) pursuant to appropriate proceedings, which proceedings have
the effect of preventing the forfeiture or sale of the property
subject to any such Lien and so long as adequate reserves (if
necessary) have been established in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles with respect to the liability or liabilities
secured by such Liens;
(xvii) Liens arising out of conditional sale, title retention,
consignment or similar arrangements for the sale of goods entered into
by the Borrowers or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries in the
ordinary course of business in accordance with the past practices of
the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries prior to the Effective
Date; and
(xviii) Liens not otherwise permitted by the foregoing clauses
(i) through (xvii) to the extent attaching to properties and assets
with an aggregate fair value not in excess of, and securing
liabilities not in excess of, $10,000,000 in the aggregate at any time
outstanding.
9.02 Consolidation, Merger, Purchase or Sale of Assets, etc.
The Borrowers will not, and will not permit any of their respective
Restricted Subsidiaries to, wind up, liquidate or dissolve its affairs
or enter into any transaction of merger or consolidation, or convey,
sell, lease or otherwise dispose of (or agree to do any of the
foregoing at any future time) all or any part of its property or
assets (other than the liquidation of Cash Equivalents in the ordinary
course of business), or enter into any sale-leaseback transactions, or
purchase or otherwise acquire (in one or a series of related
transactions) any part of the property or assets (other than purchases
or other acquisitions of inventory, materials, equipment, furniture,
fixtures, and intangible assets in the ordinary course of business) of
any Person, except that:
(i) Capital Expenditures by the Borrowers and their Restricted
Subsidiaries shall be permitted to the extent not in violation of
Section 9.07;
(ii) each of the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries may
(x) in the ordinary course of business, sell, lease or otherwise
dispose of any assets which, in the reasonable judgment of such
Person, are obsolete, worn out or otherwise no longer useful in the
conduct of such Person's business, (y) sell, lease or otherwise
dispose of any other assets, provided that each such sale, lease or
disposition shall be for fair market value (other than with respect to
sales, leases or dispositions in an aggregate amount not to exceed
$100,000 per calendar year) and at least 75% of the consideration
therefor shall be in the form of cash, and provided further, that (A)
except as provided in following clause (B), the aggregate Net Sale
Proceeds of all assets subject to sales or other dispositions pursuant
to clauses (x) and (y) shall not exceed $15,000,000 in the aggregate
in any Fiscal Year and (B) in addition to sales effected pursuant to
preceding clause (A), additional assets may be sold pursuant to this<PAGE>
Section 9.02(ii) so long as at least 90% of the aggregate
consideration for any such asset sale shall be in the form of cash and
so long as the aggregate Net Sale Proceeds of all assets sold pursuant
to this clause (B) after the Second Restatement Effective Date do not
exceed $75,000,000, and (z) enter into transactions permitted under
Section 9.01(vi);
(iii) Investments may be made to the extent permitted by
Section 9.05;
(iv) each of the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries may
lease (as lessee) real or personal property (so long as any such lease
does not create a Capitalized Lease Obligation except to the extent
permitted by Section 9.04);
(v) each of the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries may
make sales or transfers of inventory (x) in the ordinary course of
business or (y) to any other Borrower or any Domestic Wholly-Owned
Subsidiary of Furniture Brands which is a Subsidiary Guarantor;
(vi) sales and contributions of accounts receivable to the
Receivables Subsidiary and sales of accounts receivable by the
Receivables Subsidiary to the Receivables Purchasers, and purchases
and acquisitions of accounts receivable by the Receivables Subsidiary,
in each case pursuant to the Receivables Facility shall be permitted;
(vii) the Borrowers and their respective Restricted Subsidiaries
shall be permitted to make Permitted Acquisitions so long as (A) such
Permitted Acquisitions are effected in accordance with the
requirements of Section 8.14, (B) after giving effect to any Permitted
Acquisition, the aggregate amount paid (including for the purpose of
this clause (vii) all cash consideration paid, the amount of all
Indebtedness and/or Disqualified Preferred Stock directly issued as
consideration, the face amount of all Permitted Acquired Debt incurred
or assumed and the fair market value of any merger consideration, but
excluding the fair market value of all Furniture Brands Common Stock
and/or Qualified Preferred Stock issued as consideration therefor, in
each case in connection with such Permitted Acquisition) by the
Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with such
Permitted Acquisition shall not exceed the Available Permitted
Acquisition Amount at such time (after giving effect to all prior and
contemporaneous adjustments thereto, except as a result of such
Permitted Acquisition); provided that in no event shall such aggregate
amount paid in connection with Permitted Acquisitions effected after
the Second Restatement Effective Date (calculated in accordance with
the first parenthetical contained in preceding clause (B)), when added
to the amount of Investments made after the Second Restatement
Effective Date pursuant to Section 9.05(vii), exceed $75,000,000 plus
the Returned Investment Amount as calculated on the date any
determination is being made pursuant to this proviso, and (C) with
respect to each Permitted Acquisition, no Default or Event of Default
is in existence at the time of the consummation of such Permitted
Acquisition or would exist after giving effect thereto;<PAGE>
(viii) Furniture Brands may sell or otherwise dispose of any
shares of capital stock of any Unrestricted Subsidiaries owned by it;
(ix) so long as no Default or Event of Default then exists or
would result therefrom, the Borrowers or any Domestic Wholly-Owned
Subsidiary which is a Restricted Subsidiary (other than the
Receivables Subsidiary) of Furniture Brands may be merged into or
consolidated with any Borrower (so long as such Borrower is the
surviving corporation of such merger) or any other Domestic Wholly-
Owned Subsidiary which is a Restricted Subsidiary (other than the
Receivables Subsidiary) of the Borrowers;
(x) the Borrowers and their respective Restricted Subsidiaries
(other than the Receivables Subsidiary) shall be permitted to merge
with another Person (so long as such Borrower or Restricted Subsidiary
is the surviving corporation), so long as such merger is used to
effect a Permitted Acquisition in compliance with Section 9.02(vii);
and
(xi) the Borrowers may sell or otherwise dispose of Excluded
Assets.
To the extent the Required Banks waive the provisions of this
Section 9.02 with respect to the sale of any Collateral, or any
Collateral is sold as permitted by this Section 9.02, such Collateral
(unless sold to Furniture Brands or a Subsidiary of Furniture Brands)
shall be sold free and clear of the Liens created by the Security
Documents, and the Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent shall be
authorized to take any actions deemed appropriate in order to effect
the foregoing.
9.03 Dividends. Furniture Brands shall not, and shall not
permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, authorize, declare or
pay any Dividends with respect to Furniture Brands or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries, except that:
(i) any Restricted Subsidiary of any Borrower may pay Dividends
to such Borrower or any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary which is a Restricted
Subsidiary of the Borrowers;
(ii) so long as no Default or Event of Default exists or would
result therefrom, Furniture Brands shall be permitted to pay Dividends
(including, without limitation, Dividends on Qualified Preferred Stock
and payments made to repurchase or redeem Furniture Brands Warrants or
outstanding capital stock of Furniture Brands) in an amount not to
exceed (A) the Available $25 Million Dividend Basket Amount on such
date (after giving effect to all prior and contemporaneous reductions
thereto, except as a result of such Dividend), plus (B) the Available
Net Income Amount on such date (after giving effect to all prior and
contemporaneous adjustments thereto, except as a result of such
Dividend) plus (C) the then Available Unrestricted Proceeds Amount
(after giving effect to all prior and contemporaneous adjustments
thereto, except as a result of such Dividend), minus (D) all Guaranty<PAGE>
Payments made by Furniture Brands pursuant to Section
9.10(b)(ii)(y)(A) and (B); and
(iii) so long as no Default or Event of Default exists or would
result therefrom, Furniture Brands may pay regularly accruing cash
Dividends on Disqualified Preferred Stock in accordance with the terms
of the certificate of designation therefor.
9.04 Indebtedness. Furniture Brands will not, and will not
permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to, contract, create, incur,
assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness, except:
(i) Indebtedness incurred pursuant to this Agreement and the
other Credit Documents;
(ii) Permitted Subordinated Indebtedness not to exceed (x) in
aggregate principal amount of $150,000,000, minus the aggregate
liquidation preference or amount of all Disqualified Preferred Stock
issued on or prior to the date of the incurrence of such Permitted
Subordinated Indebtedness pursuant to Section 9.12(b)(i), provided
that to the extent Permitted Subordinated Indebtedness is incurred
under this clause (ii)(x) and (1) any portion of such Permitted
Subordinated Indebtedness is being issued as consideration in
connection with a Permitted Acquisition or (2) there is not a
mandatory commitment reduction pursuant to Section 3.03(d) in an
amount equal to 100% of the Net Cash Proceeds thereof, such incurrence
shall only be permitted if the Administrative Agent has received a
certificate from, and signed by an Authorized Representative of,
Furniture Brands showing that immediately after the incurrence of such
Permitted Subordinated Indebtedness, the Senior Debt Leverage Ratio,
calculated on a Pro Forma Basis after giving effect to the incurrence
of such Indebtedness, shall not exceed 3.5:1.0, plus (y) an amount of
Permitted Subordinated Indebtedness incurred and simultaneously used
to repay, refinance or otherwise replace the Receivables Facility in
accordance with the terms hereof, in each case shall be permitted on
terms and conditions set forth in the definition of Permitted
Subordinated Indebtedness and on other terms and conditions reasonably
satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Required Banks
(provided that such other terms and conditions shall be deemed
satisfactory to the Required Banks unless objected to by the Required
Banks in writing on or prior to the date which is twenty Business Days
after the documentation therefor is delivered to the Banks);
(iii) Permitted Unsecured Indebtedness not to exceed in
aggregate principal amount $25,000,000 minus the aggregate liquidation
preference or amount of all Disqualified Preferred Stock issued on or
prior to the date of the incurrence of such Permitted Unsecured
Indebtedness pursuant to Section 9.12(b)(ii), shall be permitted on
terms and conditions set forth in the definition of Permitted
Unsecured Indebtedness and on other terms and conditions reasonably
satisfactory to the Administrative Agent; provided that to the extent
Permitted Unsecured Indebtedness is incurred under this clause (iii)
and (1) any portion of such Permitted Unsecured Indebtedness is being
issued as consideration in connection with a Permitted Acquisition or<PAGE>
(2) there is not a mandatory commitment reduction pursuant to Section
3.03(d) in an amount equal to 100% of the Net Cash Proceeds thereof,
such incurrence shall only be permitted if the Administrative Agent
has received a certificate from, and signed by an Authorized
Representative of, Furniture Brands showing that immediately after the
incurrence of such Permitted Unsecured Indebtedness, the Senior Debt
Leverage Ratio, calculated on a Pro Forma Basis after giving effect to
the incurrence of such Indebtedness, shall not exceed 3.5:1.0.
(iv) Existing Indebtedness shall be permitted to the extent the
same is listed on Schedule VII, but no refinancings or renewals
thereof, except as expressly permitted on such Schedule VII;
(v) accrued expenses and current trade accounts payable incurred
in the ordinary course of business;
(vi) Indebtedness under Interest Rate Protection Agreements
entered into in compliance with Section 8.12;
(vii) Indebtedness of the Borrowers and their Restricted
Subsidiaries evidenced by Capitalized Lease Obligations to the extent
permitted pursuant to Section 9.01(vii), and Indebtedness secured by
Liens permitted under Section 9.01(viii) and Permitted Acquired Debt;
provided that in no event shall the aggregate principal amount of
Capitalized Lease Obligations and Indebtedness permitted by this
clause (vii) exceed $20,000,000;
(viii) Indebtedness under Currency Hedging Agreements entered
into in compliance with Section 9.05(ix);
(ix) Contingent Obligations (a) of the Borrowers or any
Restricted Subsidiary as a guarantor of the lessee under any lease
pursuant to which the Borrowers or a Restricted Subsidiary is the
lessee so long as such lease is otherwise permitted hereunder, (b) of
Furniture Brands constituting guarantees by Furniture Brands of trade
payables owing in the ordinary course of business by its Restricted
Subsidiaries and (c) of Furniture Brands and/or Thomasville consisting
of guarantees (with the maximum amount guaranteed at any time pursuant
to this clause (c) not to exceed $7,500,000 in the aggregate) of
actual or potential claims under Environmental Laws as referenced in
Section 9.01(xvi)(y);
(x) Contingent Obligations of Furniture Brands pursuant to (x)
the Surviving Guaranties; provided that the making of any payments
thereunder, and any renewals or extensions of such Surviving
Guaranties, shall be subject to restrictions set forth in Section
9.10(b) and (y) the Tax Sharing Agreements;
(xi) Indebtedness (a) consisting of Attributed Receivables
Facility Indebtedness of the Receivables Subsidiary so long as the Net
Cash Proceeds of Attributed Receivables Facility Indebtedness in
excess of $240,000,000 shall be applied to make mandatory commitment
reductions in accordance with Section 3.03(d) and (b) consisting of
the Contingent Obligations of Furniture Brands in respect of certain<PAGE>
of its Restricted Subsidiaries (other than the Receivables Subsidiary)
with respect to certain limited obligations under the Receivables
Facility as set forth in the Receivables Documents; and
(xii) Indebtedness among the Borrowers and their Restricted
Subsidiaries to the extent permitted pursuant to Section 9.05(v).
In furtherance of the foregoing and in no way in limitation
thereof, Furniture Brands shall not permit any Unrestricted Subsidiary
to incur any Indebtedness having any element of recourse to Furniture
Brands or its Restricted Subsidiaries or to any of their assets or
property.
9.05 Investments; etc. The Borrowers will not, and will not
permit any of their respective Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or
indirectly, lend money or credit or make advances to any Person, or
purchase or acquire any stock, obligations or securities of, or any
other interest in, or make any capital contribution to, any other
Person, or purchase or own a futures contract or otherwise become
liable for the purchase or sale of currency or other commodities at a
future date in the nature of a futures contract, or hold any cash or
Cash Equivalents (any of the foregoing, an "Investment"), except that
the following shall be permitted:
(i) the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries may acquire
and hold accounts receivables owing to any of them, if created or
acquired in the ordinary course of business and payable or
dischargeable in accordance with customary terms;
(ii) the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries may acquire
and hold cash and Cash Equivalents (including cash and Cash
Equivalents held by Furniture Brands on behalf of its Restricted
Subsidiaries pursuant to the Cash Management System);
(iii) Furniture Brands and its Restricted Subsidiaries may make
loans and advances in the ordinary course of business to their
respective employees so long as the aggregate principal amount thereof
at any time outstanding (determined without regard to any write-downs
or write-offs of such loans and advances) shall not exceed $1,000,000;
(iv) the Borrowers may enter into Interest Rate Protection
Agreements to the extent permitted in Section 9.04(vi);
(v) any Credit Party or the Receivables Subsidiary may make
intercompany loans and advances to any other Credit Party;
(vi) the Borrowers may (x) establish Subsidiaries in compliance
with Section 9.11 and (y) make Investments therein as otherwise
provided in this Section 9.05;
(vii) so long as no Default or Event of Default exists, or would
result therefrom, the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries may
make Investments at any time in an amount not to exceed the sum of (A)
the Available $10 Million Acquisition/Investment Basket Amount at such<PAGE>
time (after giving effect to all prior and contemporaneous reductions
thereto, except as a result of such Investment), plus (B) the then
Available Unrestricted Proceeds Amount at such time (after giving
effect to all prior and contemporaneous adjustments thereto, except as
a result of such Investment), plus (C) the Available Net Income Amount
(after giving effect to all prior and contemporaneous adjustments
thereto, except as a result of such Investment), plus (D) the
Available Returned Investment Amount (after giving effect to all prior
and contemporaneous adjustments thereto, except as a result of such
Investment); provided that in no event shall the aggregate amount of
Investments made pursuant to this clause (vii) after the Second
Restatement Effective Date, when added to the aggregate amount paid in
connection with Permitted Acquisitions effected after the Second
Restatement Effective Date (calculated in accordance with the first
parenthetical contained in Section 9.02(vii)(B)), exceed $75,000,000
plus the Returned Investment Amount as calculated on the date any
determination is being made pursuant to this clause (vii);
(viii) the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries may
retain cash consideration plus purchase money notes derived from asset
sales permitted pursuant to Section 9.02(ii);
(ix) the Borrowers may enter into and perform their obligations
under Currency Hedging Agreements entered into in the ordinary course
of business and consistent with past practices so long as (i) any such
Currency Hedging Agreement is related to income derived from foreign
operations of the Borrowers or any Restricted Subsidiary (or any
Foreign Sales Corporation which is a Restricted Subsidiary) or
otherwise related to purchases permitted hereunder from foreign
suppliers and (ii) such Currency Hedging Agreements do not exceed a
notional amount equal to $15,000,000 in the aggregate at any one time;
(x) the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries may acquire
and own investments (including notes or other debt obligations or
securities) received in connection with the bankruptcy or
reorganization of their suppliers and customers and in settlement of
delinquent obligations of, or disputes with, their customers or
suppliers in the ordinary course of business;
(xi) existing Investments by the Borrowers and their Restricted
Subsidiaries shall be permitted to the extent listed on Schedule X;
(xii) the Restricted Subsidiaries of Furniture Brands may
contribute accounts receivable to the Receivables Subsidiary in
accordance with the provisions of the Receivables Documents;
(xiii) Furniture Brands shall be permitted to make capital
contributions to Foreign Sales Corporations in an amount not to exceed
$100,000 in the aggregate; and
(xiv) Permitted Acquisitions shall be permitted in compliance
with Sections 8.14 and 9.02(vii).<PAGE>
9.06 Transactions with Affiliates and Unrestricted
Subsidiaries. The Borrowers will not, and will not permit any of
their respective Restricted Subsidiaries to, enter into any
transaction or series of related transactions with any Affiliate of
Furniture Brands or any of its Subsidiaries or any of its Unrestricted
Subsidiaries, other than in the ordinary course of business and on
terms and conditions substantially as favorable to the Borrowers or
such Restricted Subsidiary as would reasonably be obtained by the
Borrowers or such Restricted Subsidiary at that time in a comparable
arm's-length transaction with a Person other than an Affiliate, except
that:
(i) Dividends may be paid to the extent provided in Section
9.03;
(ii) Investments may be made to the extent permitted by Section
9.05;
(iii) the transactions entered into between the Borrowers and
their Subsidiaries shall be permitted to the extent expressly
permitted by Section 9.02;
(iv) customary fees may be paid to non-officer directors of the
Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries;
(v) Furniture Brands and its Restricted Subsidiaries may enter
into employment arrangements with respect to the procurement of
services with their respective officers and employees in the ordinary
course of business;
(vi) the Borrowers and their respective Restricted Subsidiaries
may make (x) capital contributions to any of their respective
Restricted Subsidiaries which is a Credit Party or (y) capital
contributions of accounts receivable to the Receivables Subsidiary in
accordance with the Receivables Documents;
(vii) so long as no Default or Event of Default exists, or would
result therefrom, Furniture Brands shall be permitted to pay
management fees to Apollo Advisors, L.P. pursuant to the Apollo
Management Agreement, provided, that, such fees shall not exceed
$500,000 in any Fiscal Year and no amendment adverse to the interests
of the Banks shall be made to the Apollo Management Agreement without
the consent of the Administrative Agent;
(viii) existing transactions between Furniture Brands and its
Subsidiaries and their Affiliates shall be permitted to the extent
listed on Schedule XI;
(ix) Furniture Brands may sell or issue Furniture Brands Common
Stock and Qualified Preferred Stock to its Affiliates (other than its
Subsidiaries); and
(x) Furniture Brands may modify the Tax Sharing Agreement as
provided in Section 9.10(c).<PAGE>
Except as specifically provided above, no management or similar
fees shall be paid or payable by Furniture Brands or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries to any Affiliate (other than Furniture
Brands).
Notwithstanding anything contained in the foregoing to the
contrary, any transactions between and among Furniture Brands and/or
Restricted Subsidiaries on the one hand and any of their respective
Affiliates (excluding Furniture Brands and its Restricted
Subsidiaries) on the other hand, shall be arm's length transactions
and on terms and conditions at least as favorable to Furniture Brands
and/or such Restricted Subsidiaries as the terms and conditions which
would apply to a similar transaction on an arm's length basis with a
Person that is not an Affiliate; provided, that, any transaction
(other than as described in clauses (i), (ii), (iii) and (vi) above)
between and among the aforementioned parties with a value in excess of
$1,000,000 shall only be permitted if a majority of the disinterested
directors of Furniture Brands approve the transaction.
9.07 Capital Expenditures. (a) The Borrowers will not, and
will not permit any of their respective Restricted Subsidiaries to,
make any Capital Expenditures, except that the Borrowers and their
Restricted Subsidiaries may make Capital Expenditures so long as the
aggregate amount of such Capital Expenditures made pursuant to this
clause (a) does not exceed $50,000,000 in any Fiscal Year (beginning
with the Fiscal Year ended in 1996).
(b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained above, to
the extent that $50,000,000 exceeds the aggregate amount of Capital
Expenditures made by the Borrowers, and their Restricted Subsidiaries
pursuant to Section 9.07(a) during any Fiscal Year (beginning with the
Fiscal Year ended in 1996), such excess may be carried forward and
used by the Borrowers and their respective Restricted Subsidiaries to
make additional Capital Expenditures during subsequent Fiscal Years;
provided that the maximum amount carried forward pursuant to this
clause (b) into (x) Fiscal Year 1997 shall be $10 million and (y) any
Fiscal Year thereafter shall be $20 million, with any amounts
otherwise permitted to be carried forward to lapse and terminate at
such time, if any, as they are not permitted to be carried forward
into a subsequent Fiscal Year by virtue of this proviso.
(c) In addition to the Capital Expenditures permitted pursuant
to preceding clauses (a) and (b), the Borrowers and their respective
Restricted Subsidiaries shall be permitted to make additional Capital
Expenditures to the extent consisting of the reinvestment of proceeds
of Recovery Events not required to be applied to reduce commitments
pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.03(f).
9.08 Consolidated Net Interest Coverage Ratio. The Borrowers
will not permit the Consolidated Net Interest Coverage Ratio for any
period of four consecutive fiscal quarters, in each case taken as one
accounting period, ended on the last day of a fiscal quarter set forth
below to be less than the amount set forth opposite such period below:<PAGE>
Fiscal Quarter
Ended Closest to Ratio
------------------ -----------
December 31, 1996 3.00:1.00
March 31, 1997 3.00:1.00
June 30, 1997 3.00:1.00
September 30, 1997 3.25:1.00
December 31, 1997 3.25:1.00
March 31, 1998 3.25:1.00
June 30, 1998 3.25:1.00
September 30, 1998 3.50:1.00
and the last day of
each fiscal quarter
thereafter
9.09 Maximum Leverage Ratio. The Borrowers will not permit the
Leverage Ratio at any time on or after December 31, 1996 to be greater
than the ratio set forth opposite the fiscal quarter most recently
ended as set forth below:
Fiscal Quarter
Ended Closest to Ratio
------------------- ----------
December 31, 1996 4.25:1.00
March 31, 1997 4.25:1.00
June 30, 1997 4.25:1.00
September 30, 1997 4.25:1.00
December 31, 1997 4.25:1.00
March 31, 1998 4.25:1.00
June 30, 1998 4.25:1.00
September 30, 1998 4.00:1.00
and the last day
of each fiscal
quarter thereafter
9.10 Limitation on Modifications of and Payments on
Indebtedness and Qualified Preferred Stock; Modifications of
Certificate of Incorporation, By-Laws and Certain Other Agreements;
Surviving Guaranty Payments, etc. (a) The Borrowers will not, and
will not permit any of their respective Restricted Subsidiaries to,
(i) make (or give any notice in respect of) any voluntary or optional
payment or prepayment on or redemption, repurchase or acquisition for
value of any of the Existing Indebtedness, or after the incurrence
thereof, any Permitted Unsecured Indebtedness, Permitted Subordinated
Indebtedness or Disqualified Preferred Stock (any such payment,
prepayment, redemption or acquisition, a "Restricted Junior Payment"),
if at such time (x) a Default or Event of Default then exists or
arises therefrom and (y) such Restricted Junior Payment shall exceed
an amount equal to the sum of (A) the then Available Unrestricted
Proceeds Amount (after giving effect to all prior or contemporaneous<PAGE>
adjustments thereto, except as a result of such Restricted Junior
Payment) and (B) the then Available Net Income Amount (after giving
effect to all prior and contemporaneous adjustments thereto, except as
a result of such Restricted Junior Payment), (ii) amend or modify, or
permit the amendment or modification of, any provision of the Existing
Indebtedness or the Receivables Documents or, after the incurrence or
issuance thereof, any Permitted Unsecured Indebtedness, Permitted
Subordinated Indebtedness, Qualified Preferred Stock or Disqualified
Preferred Stock or of any agreement (including, without limitation,
any purchase agreement, indenture, loan agreement, security agreement
or certificate of designation) relating thereto, other than any
amendments or modifications to the Existing Indebtedness, the
Receivables Documents, any Permitted Unsecured Indebtedness, any
Permitted Subordinated Indebtedness, any Qualified Preferred Stock and
any Disqualified Preferred Stock which (A) do not make any term or
condition thereof more restrictive than the previously existing terms
and conditions with respect thereto, (B) do not in any way materially
adversely affect the interests of the Banks and (C) do not increase
the interest or dividend rates applicable thereunder, reduce the
maturity date thereunder or change any pay-in-kind mechanics or
requirements or any subordination provision thereof or (iii) amend or
modify its Certificate of Incorporation (including, without
limitation, by the filing or modification of any certificate of
designation, other than any certificate of designation relating to
Qualified Preferred Stock or Disqualified Preferred Stock) or By-Laws,
or any agreement entered into by it, with respect to its capital stock
(including any Shareholders' Agreement), or enter into any new
agreement with respect to its capital stock if the foregoing would in
any way materially and adversely affect the Banks.
(b) Furniture Brands will not (i) amend, extend, renew or
modify, or permit the amendment, extension, renewal or modification
of, any provision of the Surviving Guaranties (or any lease obligation
guarantied thereby) or any agreement relating thereto, other than any
renewal or extension of a lease obligation guarantied by any Surviving
Guaranty pursuant to the renewal and/or extension provisions contained
therein as in effect on the Original Effective Date which (a) creates
a continuing guaranty obligation with respect to such existing lease
(without any amendments thereto which would increase the lessee's
obligations thereunder), (b) is exercised (x) not more than 30 days
prior to the last day on which such extension or renewal may be
exercised in accordance with the terms of the lease relating thereto
and (y) at a time when no Default or Event of Default then exists or
arises therefrom and (c) creates future fixed payment obligations with
respect thereto which, when combined with all future fixed payment
obligations under renewals and/or extensions made in compliance with
this Section 9.10(b)(i), would not exceed $10,000,000 or (ii) make any
payment whatsoever, whether voluntary, mandatory or otherwise, in
respect of the Surviving Guaranties (any such payment, a "Guaranty
Payment") if at such time (x) a Default or Event of Default then
exists or arises therefrom or (y) such payment shall exceed an amount
equal to the sum of (A) $5,000,000 less the amount of all Guaranty
Payments theretofore made after the Second Restatement Effective Date
pursuant to this clause (A), plus (B) at any time, the aggregate<PAGE>
amount of Dividends which could be made pursuant to (1) Section
9.03(ii)(A), (2) Section 9.03(ii)(B) and (3) Section 9.03(ii)(C), in
each case at such time (without including the amount of such Guaranty
Payment contemplated to be included in the calculation pursuant to
Section 9.03(ii)(D) at such time), plus (C) the amount of any such
Guaranty Payment made with the cash proceeds of issuance of equity by
Furniture Brands after the Second Restatement Effective Date.
(c) The Borrowers will not, and will not permit any of their
respective Restricted Subsidiaries to, amend, modify or change any
provision of any Tax Sharing Agreement other than any amendment,
modification or change deemed immaterial by the Administrative Agent
or as otherwise consented to by the Required Banks.
9.11 Limitation on Creation or Acquisition of Subsidiaries and
Restricted Subsidiaries. The Borrowers will not, and will not permit
any of their respective Restricted Subsidiaries to, establish, create
or acquire after the Second Restatement Effective Date any Subsidiary,
unless (x) if such Subsidiary is an Unrestricted Subsidiary (other
than a Foreign Sales Corporation), (i) it is established, created or
acquired by Furniture Brands or another Unrestricted Subsidiary, (ii)
if owned by Furniture Brands, 100% of the capital stock of such new
Unrestricted Subsidiary owned by Furniture Brands shall be pledged
pursuant to the Pledge Agreement and the certificates representing
such stock, together with stock powers duly executed in blank, shall
be delivered to the Collateral Agent and (iii) such Unrestricted
Subsidiary shall, at the request of the Administrative Agent, become a
party to a Tax Sharing Agreement, (y) if such Subsidiary is a
Restricted Subsidiary (other than a Foreign Sales Corporation), (i) at
least 10 Business Days' prior written notice thereof is given to the
Administrative Agent and the Banks, (ii) 100% of the capital stock of
such new Subsidiary is pledged pursuant to the Pledge Agreement and
the certificates representing such stock, together with stock powers
duly executed in blank, are delivered to the Collateral Agent and
(iii) such new Restricted Subsidiary executes a counterpart of the
Subsidiary Guaranty, the Security Agreement and the Pledge Agreement
or (z) if such Subsidiary is a Foreign Sales Corporation, any
Investment therein is made in accordance with Section 9.05(xiii). In
addition, each new Restricted Subsidiary shall execute and deliver, or
cause to be executed and delivered, all other relevant documentation
of the type described in Section 5 as such new Restricted Subsidiary
would have had to deliver if such new Restricted Subsidiary were a
Restricted Subsidiary and/or a Subsidiary Guarantor on the Second
Restatement Effective Date.
9.12 Limitation on Issuance of Capital Stock. (a) Furniture
Brands shall not issue (i) any Preferred Stock (other than Qualified
Preferred Stock and Disqualified Preferred Stock issued pursuant to
clause (b) below) or (ii) any redeemable common stock unless, in
either case, all terms thereof are satisfactory to the Required Banks
in their sole discretion.
(b) Furniture Brands may issue Disqualified Preferred Stock not
to exceed in aggregate liquidation preference or amount (i)<PAGE>
$150,000,000 minus the aggregate principal amount of all Permitted
Subordinated Indebtedness issued pursuant to Section 9.04(ii)(x), plus
(ii) $25,000,000 minus the aggregate principal amount of all Permitted
Unsecured Indebtedness issued pursuant to Section 9.04(iii), plus
(iii) any amount of Disqualified Preferred Stock the proceeds of which
are used to repay, refinance or otherwise replace the Receivables
Facility in accordance with the terms hereof, on terms and conditions
set forth in the definition of Disqualified Preferred Stock and on
other terms and conditions reasonably satisfactory to the
Administrative Agent; provided that to the extent Disqualified
Preferred Stock is issued pursuant to preceding clauses (i) and/or
(ii) and (1) any portion of such Disqualified Preferred Stock is being
issued as consideration in connection with a Permitted Acquisition or
(2) 100% of the Net Cash Proceeds therefrom are not immediately used
to reduce commitments pursuant to Section 3.03(d), such issuance shall
only be permitted if the Administrative Agent has received a
certificate from, and signed by an Authorized Representative of,
Furniture Brands showing that immediately after the issuance of such
Disqualified Preferred Stock, the Senior Debt Leverage Ratio,
calculated on a Pro Forma Basis after giving effect to such issuance,
shall not exceed 3.5:1.0. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained above, all Disqualified Preferred Stock issued pursuant to
Section 9.12(b) shall be issued only where 100% of the consideration
received for the issuance of such Disqualified Preferred Stock is
cash, except that Disqualified Preferred Stock may be issued in
accordance with Section 9.12(b)(i) and (ii) directly as consideration
in connection with Permitted Acquisitions; provided that to the extent
Disqualified Preferred Stock is issued pursuant to Section 9.12(b)(i)
directly as consideration in connection with a Permitted Acquisition,
the aggregate liquidation preference or amount of all Disqualified
Preferred Stock issued after the Second Restatement Effective Date
pursuant to said Section 9.12(b)(i) as consideration in connection
with Permitted Acquisitions, when added to the sum of (x) the
aggregate principal amount of all Permitted Subordinated Indebtedness
so issued after the Second Restatement Effective Date as consideration
in connection with Permitted Acquisitions pursuant to Section
9.04(ii), (y) the aggregate principal amount of all Permitted
Subordinated Indebtedness issued or incurred after the Second
Restatement Effective Date but not issued as consideration in
connection with Permitted Acquisitions and (z) the aggregate
liquidation preference or amount of all Disqualified Preferred Stock
issued after the Second Restatement Effective Date pursuant to Section
9.12(b)(i) but not issued in consideration with Permitted
Acquisitions, shall not exceed $50,000,000.
(c) No Restricted Subsidiary of Furniture Brands shall issue,
or permit any of their Restricted Subsidiaries to issue, any capital
stock (including by way of sales of treasury stock) or any options or
warrants to purchase, or securities convertible into, capital stock,
except (i) for transfers and replacements of then outstanding shares
of capital stock, (ii) for stock splits, stock dividends and
additional issuances which do not decrease the percentage ownership of
Furniture Brands or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries in any class of
the capital stock of such Restricted Subsidiaries, (iii) to qualify<PAGE>
directors to the extent required by applicable law, and (iv)
Restricted Subsidiaries formed after the Second Restatement Effective
Date pursuant to Section 9.11 may issue capital stock to the Borrowers
or the respective Restricted Subsidiary of the Borrowers which is to
own such stock in accordance with the requirements of Section 9.11.
All capital stock issued in accordance with this Section 9.12(c)
shall, to the extent required by the Pledge Agreement, be delivered to
the Collateral Agent for pledge pursuant to the Pledge Agreement.
9.13 Business. The Borrowers will not, and will not permit any
of their Restricted Subsidiaries to, engage (directly or indirectly)
in any business other than substantially the same lines of business in
which they are engaged on the Second Restatement Effective Date and
reasonable extensions thereof. No Restricted Subsidiary of Furniture
Brands will, or will permit any of their Restricted Subsidiaries to,
create or own any Unrestricted Subsidiaries. The Foreign Sales
Corporation will not engage in any business other than the sale of
goods and/or services outside of the United States and any business
reasonably incidental to the foregoing.
9.14 Limitation on Certain Restrictions on Subsidiaries. (a)
The Borrowers will not, and will not permit any of their respective
Restricted Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or
otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective, except as set
forth on Schedule XIII, any encumbrance or restriction on the ability
of any such Restricted Subsidiary to (x) pay dividends or make any
other distributions on its capital stock or any other interest or
participation in its profits owned by Furniture Brands or any
Restricted Subsidiary of Furniture Brands, or pay any Indebtedness
owed to Furniture Brands or a Restricted Subsidiary of Furniture
Brands, (y) make loans or advances to Furniture Brands or any of
Furniture Brands's Restricted Subsidiaries or (z) transfer any of its
properties or assets to Furniture Brands, except for such encumbrances
or restrictions existing under or by reason of (i) applicable law,
(ii) this Agreement and the other Credit Documents, (iii) customary
provisions restricting subletting or assignment of any lease governing
a leasehold interest of the Borrowers or a Restricted Subsidiary of
the Borrowers, (iv) customary provisions restricting assignment of any
licensing agreement entered into by the Borrowers or any Restricted
Subsidiary of the Borrowers in the ordinary course of business and (v)
restrictions on the Receivables Subsidiary set forth in the
Receivables Documents.
(b) Furniture Brands will not permit any of its Unrestricted
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or otherwise cause or
suffer to exist or become effective any restriction whatsoever on the
operations of Furniture Brands and/or its Restricted Subsidiaries.
9.15 Limitation on Receivables and Receivables Facility. (a)
The Receivables Subsidiary shall engage in no business activities
other than the purchase, acquisition, sale and pledge of receivables
(or interests therein) pursuant to the Receivables Facility and
borrowings thereunder and any business activities reasonably
incidental thereto, all in accordance with the Receivables Facility,<PAGE>
and shall have no assets or liabilities, other than receivables
purchased from each of the Borrowers and their Restricted
Subsidiaries, cash collections therefrom, any investments of such cash
collections and other assets and liabilities reasonably incidental to
the foregoing activities, and shall in no event purchase any
receivables from an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
(b) Furniture Brands and its Restricted Subsidiaries shall not
cause, permit, or suffer to exist (including as a result of actions
taken by the Receivables Purchasers) (i) unless the Receivables
Facility has been terminated, refinanced or replaced as otherwise
permitted under the provisions of this Agreement, the Receivables
Subsidiary to cease selling receivables pursuant to the Receivables
Facility for a period in excess of five consecutive Business Days
(excluding any Business Day on which (x) none of Broyhill, Lane,
Thomasville or Action generate any receivables or (y) no Swingline
Loans and no Revolving Loans of Non-Defaulting Banks are outstanding),
(ii) the Receivables Facility to be terminated on any date prior to
the date which is five years after the Second Restatement Effective
Date except, in the event the Receivables Facility is repaid,
refinanced or otherwise replaced in accordance with the terms hereof
by Permitted Subordinated Indebtedness and/or Disqualified Preferred
Stock and/or a replacement facility, (iii) an Event of Termination (as
defined in either Receivables Purchase Agreement) to have occurred and
be continuing and which shall not have been cured or waived for a
period in excess of five consecutive Business Days or (iv) the sum of
the Yield Reserve, the Loss Reserve, the Service Fee Reserve and the
Dilution Reserve (each as defined in the Receivables Documents) to
exceed 30% at any time.
SECTION 10. Events of Default. Upon the occurrence of any of
the following specified events (each an "Event of Default"):
10.01 Payments. The Borrowers shall (i) default in the payment
when due of any principal of any Loan or any Note or (ii) default, and
such default shall continue unremedied for three or more Business
Days, in the payment when due of any Unpaid Drawings or interest on
any Loan or Note, or any Fees or any other amounts owing hereunder or
thereunder; or
10.02 Representations, etc. Any representation, warranty or
statement made by any Credit Party herein or in any other Credit
Document or in any certificate (including, without limitation, the
certificates delivered pursuant to Section 5.21 of the Original Credit
Agreement) delivered pursuant hereto or thereto shall prove to be
untrue in any material respect on the date as of which made or deemed
made; or
10.03 Covenants. The Borrowers shall (i) default in the due
performance or observance by it of any term, covenant or agreement
contained in Section 8.01(g)(i), 8.08, 8.11, 8.15, 8.16 or Section 9
or (ii) default in the due performance or observance by it of any
other term, covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement and such
default shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 days after<PAGE>
written notice to the Borrowers by the Administrative Agent or any
Bank; or
10.04 Default Under Other Agreements. The Borrowers or any of
their respective Restricted Subsidiaries shall (i) default in any
payment of any Indebtedness (other than the Obligations) beyond the
period of grace, if any, provided in the instrument or agreement under
which such Indebtedness was created or (ii) default in the observance
or performance of any agreement or condition relating to any
Indebtedness (other than the Obligations) or contained in any
instrument or agreement evidencing, securing or relating thereto, or
any other event shall occur or condition exist, the effect of which
default or other event or condition is to cause, or to permit the
holder or holders of such Indebtedness (or a trustee or agent on
behalf of such holder or holders) to cause (determined without regard
to whether any notice is required), any such Indebtedness to become
due prior to its stated maturity, or (iii) any Indebtedness (other
than the Obligations) of the Borrowers or any of their respective
Restricted Subsidiaries shall be declared to be due and payable, or
required to be prepaid other than by a regularly scheduled required
prepayment, prior to the stated maturity thereof, provided that (x) it
shall not be a Default or Event of Default under this Section 10.04
unless the aggregate principal amount of all Indebtedness as described
in preceding clauses (i) through (iii), inclusive, is at least
$5,000,000; or
10.05 Bankruptcy, etc. The Borrowers or any of their
respective Subsidiaries shall commence a voluntary case concerning
itself under Title 11 of the United States Code entitled "Bankruptcy,"
as now or hereafter in effect, or any successor thereto (the
"Bankruptcy Code"); or an involuntary case is commenced against the
Borrowers or any of their respective Subsidiaries and the petition is
not controverted within 30 days, or is not dismissed within 60 days,
after commencement of the case; or a custodian (as defined in the
Bankruptcy Code) is appointed for, or takes charge of, all or
substantially all of the property of the Borrowers or any of their
respective Subsidiaries, or the Borrowers or any of their respective
Subsidiaries commences any other proceeding under any reorganization,
arrangement, adjustment of debt, relief of debtors, dissolution,
insolvency or liquidation or similar law of any jurisdiction whether
now or hereafter in effect relating to the Borrowers or any of their
respective Subsidiaries, or there is commenced against the Borrowers
or any of their respective Subsidiaries any such proceeding which
remains undismissed for a period of 60 days, or the Borrowers or any
of their respective Subsidiaries is adjudicated insolvent or bankrupt;
or any order of relief or other order approving any such case or
proceeding is entered; or the Borrowers or any of their respective
Subsidiaries suffers any appointment of any custodian or the like for
it or any substantial part of its property to continue undischarged or
unstayed for a period of 60 days; or the Borrowers or any of their
respective Subsidiaries makes a general assignment for the benefit of
creditors; or any corporate action is taken by the Borrowers or any of
their respective Subsidiaries for the purpose of effecting any of the
foregoing; or<PAGE>
10.06 ERISA. (a) Any Plan, Multiemployer Plan, and/or
Spunoff Plan shall fail to satisfy the minimum funding standard
required for any plan year or part thereof or a waiver of such
standard or extension of any amortization period is sought or granted
under Section 412 of the Code, any Plan, Multiemployer Plan and/or
Spunoff Plan shall have had or is likely to have a trustee appointed
to administer such Plan, Multiemployer Plan and/or Spunoff Plan
pursuant to Section 4042 of ERISA, any Plan, Multiemployer Plan and/or
Spunoff Plan shall have been or is reasonably expected to be
terminated or to be the subject of termination proceedings under
Section 4042 of ERISA, any Plan, Multiemployer Plan and/or Spunoff
Plan shall have an Unfunded Current Liability, a contribution required
to be made to a Plan, Multiemployer Plan, Spunoff Plan and/or Foreign
Pension Plan has not been timely made, the Borrowers or any their
respective Restricted Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate has incurred
or is reasonably expected to incur a liability to or on account of a
Plan, Multiemployer Plan and/or Spunoff Plan under Section 409,
502(i), 502(l), 515, 4062, 4063, 4064, 4069, 4201, 4204 or 4212 of
ERISA or Section 401(a)(29), 4971, 4975 or 4980 of the Code, the
Borrowers or any of their respective Restricted Subsidiaries has
incurred or is reasonably expected to incur liabilities pursuant to
one or more employee welfare benefit plans (as defined in Section 3(1)
of ERISA) which provide benefits to retired employees or other former
employees (other than as required by Section 601 of ERISA) or employee
pension benefit plans (as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA) or Foreign
Pension Plans, (b) there shall result from any such event or events
the imposition of a lien, the granting of a security interest, or a
liability or a material risk of incurring a liability; (c) and in each
case in clauses (a) and (b) above, such lien, security interest or
liability, individually, and/or in the aggregate, in the opinion of
the Required Banks, will have a Material Adverse Effect; or
10.07 Security Documents. At any time after the execution and
delivery thereof, any of the Security Documents shall cease to be in
full force and effect, or shall cease in any material respect to give
the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Creditors the
Liens, rights, powers and privileges purported to be created thereby
(including, without limitation, a perfected security interest in, and
Lien on, all of the Collateral), in favor of the Collateral Agent,
superior to and prior to the rights of all third Persons (except as
permitted by Section 9.01), and subject to no other Liens (except as
permitted by Section 9.01), or any Credit Party shall default in the
due performance or observance of any term, covenant or agreement on
its part to be performed or observed pursuant to any of the Security
Documents and such default shall continue beyond any grace period
specifically applicable thereto pursuant to the terms of such Security
Document; or
10.08 Subsidiary Guaranty. The Subsidiary Guaranty or any
provision thereof shall cease to be in full force or effect as to any
Subsidiary Guarantor, or any Subsidiary Guarantor or Person acting by
or on behalf of such Subsidiary Guarantor shall deny or disaffirm such
Subsidiary Guarantor's obligations under the Subsidiary Guaranty, or
any Subsidiary Guarantor shall default in the due performance or<PAGE>
observance of any term, covenant or agreement on its part to be
performed or observed pursuant to the Subsidiary Guaranty; or
10.09 Judgments. One or more judgments or decrees shall be
entered against the Borrowers or any of their respective Restricted
Subsidiaries involving in the aggregate for the Borrowers and their
respective Restricted Subsidiaries a liability (not paid or fully
covered by a reputable and solvent insurance company) and such
judgments and decrees either shall be final and non-appealable or
shall not be vacated, discharged or stayed or bonded pending appeal
for any period of 60 consecutive days, and the aggregate amount of all
such judgments exceeds $5,000,000; or
10.10 Change of Control. A Change of Control shall occur; or
10.11 Tax Sharing Agreement. One or more parties to a Tax
Sharing Agreement (other than Borrowers or any of their respective
Restricted Subsidiaries) shall have defaulted in its or their payment
obligations (other than reimbursement obligations in respect of
payments made under the Surviving Guaranties) in an aggregate amount
equal to or greater than $2,500,000 thereunder and such default or
defaults shall remain unremedied for a period in excess of ten
consecutive Business Days; or
10.12 Receivables Repurchases. The Borrowers and/or their
respective Restricted Subsidiaries shall have repurchased accounts
receivables (pursuant to indemnity provisions or otherwise) from the
Receivables Subsidiary and/or the Receivables Purchasers in an
aggregate amount exceeding $20,000,000 in any Fiscal Year; then, and
in any such event, and at any time thereafter, if any Event of Default
shall then be continuing, the Administrative Agent, upon the written
request of the Required Banks, shall by written notice to the
Borrowers, take any or all of the following actions, without prejudice
to the rights of any Agent, any Bank or the holder of any Note to
enforce its claims against any Credit Party (provided that, if an
Event of Default specified in Section 10.05 shall occur with respect
to the Borrowers, the result of which would occur upon the giving of
written notice by the Administrative Agent to the Borrowers as
specified in clauses (i) and (ii) below shall occur automatically
without the giving of any such notice): (i) declare the Total
Revolving Loan Commitment terminated, whereupon the Revolving Loan
Commitment of each Bank shall forthwith terminate immediately and any
Commitment Commission and other Fees shall forthwith become due and
payable without any other notice of any kind; (ii) declare the
principal of and any accrued interest in respect of all Loans and the
Notes and all Obligations owing hereunder and thereunder to be,
whereupon the same shall become, forthwith due and payable without
presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of which
are hereby waived by each Credit Party; (iii) terminate any Letter of
Credit which may be terminated in accordance with its terms; (iv)
direct the Borrowers to pay (and the Borrowers agree that upon receipt
of such notice, or upon the occurrence of an Event of Default
specified in Section 10.05 with respect to the Borrowers, they will
pay) to the Collateral Agent at the Payment Office such additional<PAGE>
amount of cash, to be held as security by the Collateral Agent, as is
equal to the aggregate Stated Amount of all Letters of Credit issued
for the account of the Borrowers and all Acceptances then outstanding;
(v) enforce, as Collateral Agent, all of the Liens and security
interests created pursuant to the Security Documents; and (vi) apply
any cash collateral held for the benefit of the Banks pursuant to
Section 4.02 to repay outstanding Obligations.
SECTION 11. Definitions and Accounting Terms.
11.01 Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, the following
terms shall have the following meanings (such meanings to be equally
applicable to both the singular and plural forms of the terms
defined):
"Acceptance" shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.01(a).
"Acceptance Facing Fee" shall having the meaning provided in
Section 3.01(c).
"Acceptance Fee" shall have the meaning provided in Section
3.01(b).
"Action" shall mean Action Industries, Inc., a Virginia
corporation.
"Additional Collateral" shall mean all property (whether real or
personal) in which security interests are granted (or have been
purported to be granted) (and continue to be in effect at the time of
determination) pursuant to Section 8.11.
"Additional Mortgage" shall have the meaning provided in Section
8.11(a).
"Additional Mortgaged Property" shall have the meaning provided
in Section 8.11(a).
"Additional Security Documents" shall mean all mortgages, pledge
agreements, security agreements and other security documents entered
into pursuant to Section 8.11 with respect to Additional Collateral.
"Adjusted Certificate of Deposit Rate" shall mean, on any day,
the sum (rounded to the nearest 1/100 of 1%) of (1) the rate obtained
by dividing (x) the most recent weekly average dealer offering rate
for negotiable certificates of deposit with a three-month maturity in
the secondary market as published in the most recent Federal Reserve
System publication entitled "Select Interest Rates," published weekly
on Form H.15 as of the date hereof, or if such publication or a
substitute containing the foregoing rate information shall not be
published by the Federal Reserve System for any week, the weekly
average offering rate determined by the Administrative Agent on the
basis of quotations for such certificates received by it from three
certificate of deposit dealers in New York of recognized standing or,
if such quotations are unavailable, then on the basis of other sources<PAGE>
reasonably selected by the Administrative Agent, by (y) a percentage
equal to 100% minus the stated maximum rate of all reserve
requirements as specified in Regulation D applicable on such day to a
three-month certificate of deposit of a member bank of the Federal
Reserve System in excess of $100,000 (including, without limitation,
any marginal, emergency, supplemental, special or other reserves),
plus (2) the then daily net annual assessment rate as estimated by the
Administrative Agent for determining the current annual assessment
payable by the Administrative Agent to the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation for insuring three-month certificates of deposit.
"Adjusted Percentage" shall mean (x) at a time when no Bank
Default exists, for each Bank, such Bank's Percentage and (y) at a
time when a Bank Default exists (i) for each Bank that is a Defaulting
Bank, zero and (ii) for each Bank that is a Non-Defaulting Bank, the
percentage determined by dividing such Bank's Revolving Loan
Commitment at such time by the Adjusted Total Revolving Loan
Commitment at such time, it being understood that all references
herein to Revolving Loan Commitments and the Adjusted Total Revolving
Loan Commitment at a time when the Total Revolving Loan Commitment or
Adjusted Total Revolving Loan Commitment, as the case may be, has been
terminated shall be references to the Revolving Loan Commitments or
Adjusted Total Revolving Loan Commitment, as the case may be, in
effect immediately prior to such termination, provided that (A) no
Bank's Adjusted Percentage shall change upon the occurrence of a Bank
Default from that in effect immediately prior to such Bank Default, to
the extent such change after giving effect to such Bank Default, and
any repayment of Revolving Loans and Swingline Loans at such time
pursuant to Section 4.02(a) or otherwise, would cause the sum of (i)
the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Revolving Loans of all
Non-Defaulting Banks plus (ii) the aggregate outstanding principal
amount of Swingline Loans plus (iii) the Letter of Credit
Outstandings, to exceed the Adjusted Total Revolving Loan Commitment;
(B) any changes to the Adjusted Percentage that would have become
effective upon the occurrence of a Bank Default but that did not
become effective as a result of the preceding clause (A) shall become
effective on the first date after the occurrence of the relevant Bank
Default on which the sum of (i) the aggregate outstanding principal
amount of the Revolving Loans of all Non-Defaulting Banks plus (ii)
the aggregate outstanding principal amount of Swingline Loans plus
(iii) the Letter of Credit Outstandings is equal to or less than the
Adjusted Total Revolving Loan Commitment; and (C) if (i) a Non-
Defaulting Bank's Adjusted Percentage is changed pursuant to the
preceding clause (B) and (ii) any repayment of such Bank's Revolving
Loans, or of Unpaid Drawings with respect to Letters of Credit or of
Swingline Loans, that were made during the period commencing after the
date of the relevant Bank Default and ending on the date of such
change to its Adjusted Percentage must be returned to the Borrowers as
a preferential or similar payment in any bankruptcy or similar
proceeding of the Borrowers, then the change to such Non-Defaulting
Bank's Adjusted Percentage effected pursuant to said clause (B) shall
be reduced to that positive change, if any, as would have been made to
its Adjusted Percentage if (x) such repayments had not been made and
(y) the maximum change to its Adjusted Percentage would have resulted<PAGE>
in the sum of the outstanding principal of Revolving Loans made by
such Bank plus such Bank's new Adjusted Percentage of the outstanding
principal amount of Swingline Loans and of Letter of Credit
Outstandings equalling such Bank's Revolving Loan Commitment at such
time.
"Adjusted Total Revolving Loan Commitment" shall mean at any time
the Total Revolving Loan Commitment less the aggregate Revolving Loan
Commitments of all Defaulting Banks.
"Administrative Agent" shall mean Bankers Trust Company, in its
capacity as Administrative Agent for the Banks hereunder, and shall
include any successor to the Administrative Agent appointed pursuant
to Section 12.09.
"Affiliate" shall mean, with respect to any Person, any other
Person (including, for purposes of Section 9.06 only, all directors,
officers and partners of such Person) directly or indirectly
controlling, controlled by, or under direct or indirect common control
with, such Person; provided, however, that for purposes of Section
9.06, an Affiliate of Furniture Brands shall include any Person that
directly or indirectly owns more than 5% of any class of the capital
stock of Furniture Brands and any officer or director of Furniture
Brands or any such Person. A Person shall be deemed to control
another Person if such Person possesses, directly or indirectly, the
power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies
of such other Person, whether through the ownership of voting
securities, by contract or otherwise.
"Agents" shall mean any of the Administrative Agent, the
Collateral Agent, the Documentation Agent and the Syndication Agent.
"Agreement" shall mean this Credit Agreement, as modified,
supplemented, amended, restated, extended, renewed or replaced from
time to time.
"Alternate Receivables Purchase Agreement" shall mean that
Receivables Purchase Agreement, dated as of November 15, 1994, among
the Receivables Subsidiary, as Seller, and Credit Lyonnais, as
Purchaser and Agent, as amended and restated as of December 29, 1995,
as same may be further amended, modified or supplemented from time to
time in compliance with Section 9.10, or as replaced in compliance
with the definition of Receivables Facility.
"Apollo Group" shall mean Apollo Advisors, L.P., Lion Advisors,
L.P., Apollo Investment Fund, L.P. and Apollo Advisors II, L.P., all
Delaware limited partnerships.
"Apollo Management Agreement" shall mean the consulting
agreement, dated September 23, 1992, between Apollo Advisors, L.P. and
Furniture Brands.
"Applicable Margin" shall mean a percentage per annum equal, to
(i) in the case of Base Rate Loans, 0.125% and (y) in the case of<PAGE>
Eurodollar Loans, 1.125%, in each case reduced (but not below zero) by
the then applicable Reduction Percentage, if any.
"Assignment and Assumption Agreement" shall mean the Assignment
and Assumption Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit K
(appropriately completed).
"Atlantic" shall mean Atlantic Asset Securitization Corp., a
Delaware corporation.
"Atlantic Receivables Purchase Agreement" shall mean the
Receivables Purchase Agreement, dated as of November 15, 1994, among
the Receivables Subsidiary, Atlantic, as Purchaser, and Credit
Lyonnais, as Agent, as amended and restated as of December 29, 1995 as
same may be further amended, modified or supplemented from time to
time in compliance with Section 9.10, or as replaced in compliance
with the definition of Receivables Facility.
"Attributed Receivables Facility Indebtedness" at any time shall
mean the sum of (i) the aggregate Invested Amount of Receivables
Interests (as defined in the Receivables Documents) under the
Receivables Purchase Agreements (it being the intent of the parties
that the amount of Attributed Receivables Facility Indebtedness at any
time outstanding approximate as closely as possible the principal
amount of indebtedness which would be outstanding at such time under
the Receivables Facility if same were structured as a secured lending
agreement rather than a purchase agreement) plus (ii) the outstanding
principal amount of Indebtedness under the Subordinated Loan
Agreement.
"Authorized Representative" shall mean, with respect to (i)
delivering Notices of Borrowing, Notices of Conversion, Letter of
Credit Requests and similar notices, any person or persons that has or
have been authorized by the respective boards of the Borrowers to
deliver such notices pursuant to this Agreement and that has or have
appropriate signature cards on file with the Administrative Agent,
BTCo and each Issuing Bank; (ii) delivering financial information and
officer's certificates pursuant to this Agreement, any financial
officer of Furniture Brands and (iii) any other matter in connection
with this Agreement or any other Credit Document, any officer (or a
person or persons so designated by any two officers) of Furniture
Brands.
"Available Debt Proceeds Amount" shall mean, on any date of
determination, an amount equal to zero, plus (i) all Net Cash Proceeds
received by the Borrowers after the Second Restatement Effective Date
from the issuance of Permitted Subordinated Indebtedness pursuant to
Section 9.04(ii)(x) and/or Permitted Unsecured Indebtedness pursuant
to Section 9.04(iii) retained by any of the Borrowers on or prior to
such date and not required to be used to make a mandatory commitment
reduction on or prior to such date pursuant to Section 3.03(d), minus
(ii) any amounts used to effect Permitted Acquisitions pursuant to
clause (C) of the definition of Available Permitted Acquisition Amount
on or prior to such date; provided that, at the time of the<PAGE>
consummation of any Permitted Acquisition, the Available Debt Proceeds
Amount shall be increased by the face amount of Permitted Acquired
Debt (not being issued in return for Net Cash Proceeds) being incurred
pursuant thereto and by the aggregate principal amount of Permitted
Subordinated Indebtedness and/or Permitted Unsecured Indebtedness
being directly issued as consideration in respect of such Permitted
Acquisition (so long as no Net Cash Proceeds are received in
connection therewith) (with the resultant increase in the Available
Permitted Acquisition Amount, as provided in clause (C) of the
definition thereof, for purposes of the consummation of the respective
Permitted Acquisition), which increase in the Available Debt Proceeds
Amount (and resultant increase in the Available Permitted Acquisition
Amount) shall be reduced to zero immediately upon the consummation of
the respective Permitted Acquisition.
"Available Net Income Amount" shall mean on any date of
determination an amount equal to zero, plus or minus (i) an amount
equal to the Consolidated Cumulative 25% Net Income Amount on such
date, minus (ii) any Dividend payments made by Furniture Brands
pursuant to Section 9.03(ii)(B) on or prior to such date, minus (iii)
any Investments made by the Borrowers or their Restricted Subsidiaries
pursuant to Section 9.05(vii)(C), minus (iv) any Restricted Junior
Payments made by Furniture Brands or its Restricted Subsidiaries
pursuant to Section 9.10(a)(i)(y)(B), minus (v) any amount paid in
connection with a Permitted Acquisition pursuant to clause (D) of the
definition of Available Permitted Acquisition Amount, minus (vi) any
Guaranty Payment made by Furniture Brands pursuant to Section
9.10(b)(ii)(y)(B)(2) on or prior to such date.
"Available Permitted Acquisition Amount" shall mean, at the time
of determination thereof, an amount equal to the sum of (A) the
Available $10 Million Acquisition/Investment Basket Amount on such
date (after giving effect to all prior and contemporaneous reductions
thereto), plus (B) the Available Unrestricted Proceeds Amount on such
date (after giving effect to all prior and contemporaneous reductions
thereto), plus (C) the Available Debt Proceeds Amount on such date
(after giving effect to all prior and contemporaneous reductions
thereto), plus (D) the Available Net Income Amount on such date (after
giving effect to all prior and contemporaneous reductions thereto).
"Available Returned Investment Amount" shall mean on any date of
determination an amount equal to (i) the Returned Investment Amount as
calculated on such date, minus (ii) any amounts used to make
Investments pursuant to Section 9.05(vii)(D) after the Second
Restatement Effective Date and on or prior to such date.
"Available $10 Million Acquisition/Investment Basket Amount"
shall mean on any date of determination an amount equal to (i)
$10,000,000, minus (ii) any amounts used to make Investments pursuant
to Section 9.05(vii)(A) after the Second Restatement Effective Date
and on or prior to such date, minus (iii) any amounts used to make
Permitted Acquisitions pursuant to clause (A) of the definition of
Available Permitted Acquisition Amount after the Second Restatement
Effective Date and on or prior to such date.<PAGE>
"Available $25 Million Dividend Basket Amount" shall mean on any
date of determination an amount equal to (i) $25,000,000, minus (ii)
any amounts used to pay Dividends pursuant to Section 9.03(ii)(A)
after the Second Restatement Effective Date and on or prior to such
date.
"Available Unrestricted Proceeds Amount" shall mean, on any date
of determination, an amount equal to zero, plus (i) all Net Cash
Proceeds received by Furniture Brands from issuances of equity by
Furniture Brands (including pursuant to any exercise of the Furniture
Brands Warrants, any exercise of stock options and the issuance of any
Qualified Preferred Stock or Disqualified Preferred Stock of Furniture
Brands) after the Second Restatement Effective Date and on or prior to
such date, minus (ii) any amounts used to effect Permitted
Acquisitions pursuant to clause (B) of the definition of Available
Permitted Acquisition Amount after the Second Restatement Effective
Date and on or prior to such date, minus (iii) any Dividend payments
made by Furniture Brands pursuant to Section 9.03(ii)(C) after the
Second Restatement Effective Date and on or prior to such date, minus
(iv) any Investments by the Borrowers or their Restricted Subsidiaries
pursuant to Section 9.05(vii)(B) after the Second Restatement
Effective Date and on or prior to such date, minus (v) any Restricted
Junior Payments made by Furniture Brands or its Restricted
Subsidiaries after the Second Restatement Effective Date and on or
prior to such date pursuant to Section 9.10(a)(i)(y)(A), minus (vi)
Guaranty Payments made by the Borrowers or their Restricted
Subsidiaries after the Second Restatement Effective Date and on or
prior to such date pursuant to Section 9.10(b)(ii)(y)(B)(3); provided
that, at the time of the consummation of any Permitted Acquisition,
the Available Unrestricted Proceeds Amount shall be increased by the
aggregate liquidation preference or amount of Disqualified Preferred
Stock being directly issued as consideration in connection with such
Permitted Acquisition (where no Net Cash Proceeds are received in
connection therewith) (with the resultant increase in the Available
Permitted Acquisition Amount, as provided in clause (B) of the
definition thereof, for purposes of a consummation of the respective
Permitted Acquisition), which increase in the Available Unrestricted
Proceeds Amount (and resultant increase in the Available Permitted
Acquisition Amount) shall be reduced to zero immediately upon the
consummation of the respective Permitted Acquisition.
"Bank" shall mean each financial institution listed on Schedule
I, as well as any Person which becomes a "Bank" hereunder pursuant to
13.04(b).
"Bank Default" shall mean (i) the refusal (which has not been
retracted) of a Bank, in violation of this Agreement, to make
available its portion of any Borrowing (including any Mandatory
Borrowing) or to fund its portion of any unreimbursed payment under
Section 2.03(c) or (ii) a Bank having notified in writing the
Borrowers and/or the Administrative Agent that it does not intend to
comply with its obligations under Section 1.01(c) or Section 2 in the
case of either clause (i) or (ii), as a result of any takeover of such
bank by any regulatory authority or agency.<PAGE>
"Bankruptcy Code" shall have the meaning provided in Section
10.05.
"Base Rate" at any time shall mean the higher of (i) 1/2 of 1% in
excess of the Adjusted Certificate of Deposit Rate and (ii) the Prime
Lending Rate.
"Base Rate Loan" shall mean (i) each Swingline Loan and (ii) each
Revolving Loan designated or deemed designated as such by the
Borrowers at the time of the incurrence thereof or conversion thereto.
"Borrowers" shall have the meaning provided in the first
paragraph of this Agreement.
"Borrowing" shall mean the borrowing of one Type of Loan from all
the Banks (or from BTCo in the case of Swingline Loans) on a given
date (or resulting from a conversion or conversions on such date)
having in the case of Eurodollar Loans the same Interest Period,
provided that Base Rate Loans incurred pursuant to Section 1.10(b)
shall be considered part of the related Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans.
"Broyhill" shall have the meaning provided in the first paragraph
of this Agreement.
"BTCo" shall mean Bankers Trust Company in its individual
capacity.
"Business Day" shall mean (i) for all purposes other than as
covered by clause (ii) below, any day except Saturday, Sunday and any
day which shall be in New York City a legal holiday or a day on which
banking institutions are authorized or required by law or other
government action to close and (ii) with respect to all notices and
determinations in connection with, and payments of principal and
interest on, Eurodollar Loans, any day which is a Business Day
described in clause (i) above and which is also a day for trading by
and between banks in the New York interbank Eurodollar market.
"Capital Expenditures" shall mean, with respect to any Person,
all expenditures by such Person which should be capitalized in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, including
all such expenditures with respect to fixed or capital assets
(including, without limitation, expenditures for maintenance and
repairs which should be capitalized in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles) and the amount of Capitalized Lease
Obligations incurred by such Person.
"Capitalized Lease Obligations" of any Person shall mean all
rental obligations which, under generally accepted accounting
principles, are or will be required to be capitalized on the books of
such Person, in each case taken at the amount thereof accounted for as
indebtedness in accordance with such principles.
"Cash Equivalents" shall mean, as to any Person, (i) securities
issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United<PAGE>
States or any agency or instrumentality thereof (provided that the
full faith and credit of the United States is pledged in support
thereof) having maturities of not more than one year from the date of
acquisition, (ii) time deposits and certificates of deposit of any
commercial bank having, or which is the principal banking subsidiary
of a bank holding company organized under the laws of the United
States, any State thereof, the District of Columbia or any foreign
jurisdiction having capital, surplus and undivided profits aggregating
in excess of $200,000,000, with maturities of not more than one year
from the date of acquisition by such Person, (iii) repurchase
obligations with a term of not more than 90 days for underlying
securities of the types described in clause (i) above entered into
with any bank meeting the qualifications specified in clause (ii)
above, (iv) commercial paper issued by any Person incorporated in the
United States rated at least A-1 or the equivalent thereof by Standard
& Poor's Rating Services or at least P-1 or the equivalent thereof by
Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and in each case maturing not more
than one year after the date of acquisition by such Person, (v)
investments in money market funds substantially all of whose assets
are comprised of securities of the types described in clauses (i)
through (iv) above and (vi) demand deposit accounts maintained in the
ordinary course of business not in excess of $100,000 in the
aggregate.
"Cash Management System" shall mean the "Cash Management System"
as defined in the Original Credit Agreement.
"CERCLA" shall mean the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as the same may be amended
from time to time, 42 U.S.C. Section 9601 et seq.
"Change of Control" shall mean (i) Furniture Brands shall at any
time cease to own 100% of the capital stock of any of Broyhill, Lane
or Thomasville, (ii) the board of directors of Furniture Brands shall
cease to consist of a majority of Continuing Directors and (iii) any
Person, entity or "group" (as such term is defined in Section 13(d)(3)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) (other than the
Apollo Group or a Controlled Account) is or becomes the beneficial
owner of an amount of outstanding Voting Stock of Furniture Brands in
excess of 25%, and the Apollo Group and/or one or more Controlled
Accounts own less than such Person, entity or group (as defined
above), of the total amount of fully diluted shares of outstanding
Voting Stock of Furniture Brands.
"Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
from time to time, and the regulations promulgated and the rulings
issued thereunder. Section references to the Code are to the Code, as
in effect at the date of this Agreement, and to any subsequent
provision of the Code, amendatory thereof, supplemental thereto or
substituted therefor.
"Collateral" shall mean all property (whether real or personal)
with respect to which any security interests have been granted (or
purported to be granted) pursuant to any Security Document, including,<PAGE>
without limitation, all Pledge Agreement Collateral (which shall
include all capital stock of, and promissory notes issued by, the
Receivables Subsidiary, to the extent held by any Credit Party), all
Security Agreement Collateral (which shall exclude all assets of the
Receivables Subsidiary), all Mortgaged Properties, all cash and Cash
Equivalents delivered as collateral pursuant to Section 4.02 or 10
hereof and all Additional Collateral, if any.
"Collateral Agent" shall mean the Administrative Agent acting as
collateral agent for the Secured Creditors pursuant to the Security
Documents.
"Collective Bargaining Agreements" shall have the meaning
provided in the Existing Credit Agreement.
"Commitment Commission" shall have the meaning provided in
Section 3.01(a).
"Commitment Commission End Date" shall have the meaning provided
in the definition of Commitment Commission Reduction Percentage'.
"Commitment Commission Reduction Percentage" shall mean .250% on
and from the Second Restatement Effective Date through January 30,
1997 (or such earlier date on which the Borrowers deliver to the
Administrative Agent a certificate containing the calculations of
Leverage Ratio for the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 1996), and
thereafter shall mean, from and after each day of delivery of any
certificate delivered in accordance with the following sentence
indicating an entitlement to a Commitment Commission Reduction
Percentage other than zero (each, a "Commitment Commission Start
Date") to and including the applicable Commitment Commission End Date
described below, the percentage set forth below opposite the Leverage
Ratio indicated to have been achieved in any certificate delivered in
accordance with the following sentence:
Leverage Commitment Commission
Ratio Reduction Percentage
--------- ---------------------
Equal to or 0%
greater than 4.00:1
Equal to or .125%
greater than
3.50:1 but less
than 4.00:1
Equal to or .250%
greater than
2.50:1 but less
than 3.50:1
Less than 2.50:1 .375%<PAGE>
From and after the date of the delivery of the certificate referenced
above for the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 1996, the Leverage
Ratio shall be determined based on the delivery of a certificate of
the Borrowers by an Authorized Representative of the Borrowers to the
Administrative Agent, within 30 days of the last day of any fiscal
quarter of Furniture Brands (beginning after the fiscal quarter ended
on December 31, 1996, based on calculations made at the end of each
fiscal quarter commencing with the fiscal quarter ended December 31,
1996), which certificate shall set forth the calculation of the
Leverage Ratio for the fiscal quarter ended immediately prior to the
relevant Commitment Commission Start Date and the Commitment
Commission Reduction Percentage which shall be thereafter applicable
(until same is changed or ceases to apply in accordance with the
following sentences). The Commitment Commission Reduction Percentage
so determined shall apply, except as set forth in the succeeding
sentence, from the Commitment Commission Start Date to the earlier of
(x) the date on which the next certificate is delivered to the
Administrative Agent and (y) the date which is 30 days following the
last day of the fiscal quarter in which the previous Commitment
Commission Start Date occurred (the "Commitment Commission End Date"),
at which time, if no certificate has been delivered to the
Administrative Agent indicating an entitlement to a Commitment
Commission Reduction Percentage other than zero (and thus commencing a
new Commitment Commission Start Date), the Commitment Commission
Reduction Percentage shall be reduced to zero. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained above in this definition, the
Commitment Commission Reduction Percentage shall be reduced to zero at
all times during which there shall exist an Event of Default.
"Commitment Commission Start Date" shall have the meaning
provided in the definition of Commitment Commission Reduction
Percentage'.
"Concentration Account" shall have the meaning provided in the
Security Agreement.
"Consolidated Cumulative Net Income Period" shall mean each
period consisting of a fiscal quarter of Furniture Brands ending after
the Second Restatement Effective Date and for which the related
financial statements required to be delivered pursuant to Section
8.01(b) or (c), as the case may be, have theretofore been delivered.
"Consolidated Cumulative 25% Net Income Amount" shall mean, at
any date an amount determined on a cumulative basis equal to (i) the
sum of 25% of Consolidated Net Income for all Consolidated Cumulative
Net Income Periods ending after the Second Restatement Effective Date
and prior to such date of determination for which Consolidated Net
Income was a positive number, minus (ii) 100% of Consolidated Net
Income for all Consolidated Cumulative Net Income Periods ending after
the last day of the Second Restatement Effective Date and prior to
such date of determination for which Consolidated Net Income was a
negative number.<PAGE>
"Consolidated Debt" shall mean all Indebtedness of Furniture
Brands and its Restricted Subsidiaries (including, without limitation,
the amount of Attributed Receivables Facility Indebtedness) determined
on a combined basis with respect to borrowed money or other
obligations of such Persons which would appear on the balance sheet of
such Persons as indebtedness (including unreimbursed drawings under
Letters of Credit and unreimbursed payments under Acceptances, but
excluding Consolidated Current Liabilities and deferred tax and
pension liabilities), plus (i) all Contingent Obligations of such
Persons incurred after the Second Restatement Effective Date
(excluding obligations resulting from extensions or renewals of the
leases guaranteed by the Surviving Guarantees made in compliance with
this Agreement), plus (ii) all Contingent Obligations with respect to
any Surviving Guaranty on and after the date on which Furniture Brands
made any payment in respect of such Surviving Guaranty, plus (iii) an
amount equal to the greater of the liquidation preference and the
maximum fixed repurchase price (excluding accrued Dividends) of any
outstanding Disqualified Preferred Stock, minus (iv) the cash in
excess of $10,000,000 as shown on the consolidated balance sheet of
Furniture Brands and its Restricted Subsidiaries as of the date of
determination.
"Consolidated EBIT" shall mean, for any period, the Consolidated
Net Income of Furniture Brands and its Restricted Subsidiaries,
determined on a consolidated basis, before Consolidated Net Interest
Expense (to the extent deducted in arriving at Consolidated Net
Income) and provision for taxes or gains or losses from sales of
assets other than inventory sold in the ordinary course of business,
in each case that were included in arriving at Consolidated Net
Income.
"Consolidated EBITDA" shall mean, for any period, Consolidated
EBIT, adjusted by adding thereto the amount of all amortization of
intangibles and depreciation, in each case that were deducted in
arriving at Consolidated EBIT for such period.
"Consolidated Net Income" shall mean, for any period, the net
after tax income of Furniture Brands and its Restricted Subsidiaries
determined on a consolidated basis, minus cash Dividends paid in
respect of Disqualified Preferred Stock, without giving effect to any
extraordinary gains or losses.
"Consolidated Net Interest Coverage Ratio" for any period shall
mean the ratio of Consolidated EBITDA to Consolidated Net Interest
Expense for such period.
"Consolidated Net Interest Expense" shall mean, for any period,
the total consolidated interest expense of Furniture Brands and its
Restricted Subsidiaries for such period (calculated without regard to
any limitations on the payment thereof) plus, without duplication,
that portion of Capitalized Lease Obligations of Furniture Brands and
its Restricted Subsidiaries representing the interest factor for such
period, and capitalized interest expense, plus, (i) all cash fees,
service charges and other costs, as well as all collections or other<PAGE>
amounts retained by the Receivables Purchasers which are in excess of
amounts paid to Furniture Brands and its Restricted Subsidiaries under
the Receivables Facility by it for the purchase of receivables
pursuant to the Receivables Facility and (ii) the product of (x) the
amount of all cash Dividend requirements (whether or not declared or
paid) on Disqualified Preferred Stock paid, accrued or scheduled to be
paid or accrued during such period times (y) a fraction, the numerator
of which is one and the denominator of which is one minus the then
current effective consolidated Federal, state, local and foreign tax
rate (expressed as a decimal number between one and zero) of Furniture
Brands as reflected in the audited consolidated financial statements
of Furniture Brands for its most recently completed Fiscal Year, which
amounts described in the preceding clauses (i) and (ii) shall be
treated as interest expense of Furniture Brands and its Restricted
Subsidiaries for purposes of this definition regardless of the
treatment of such amounts under generally accepted accounting
principles, in each case net of the total consolidated cash interest
income of Furniture Brands and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such
period, but excluding the amortization of any deferred financing costs
and all amounts in respect of the Interest Rate Protection Agreements,
all determined on a consolidated basis.
"Consolidated Senior Debt" at any time shall mean Consolidated
Debt on such date, adjusted by excluding therefrom the amount of
Permitted Subordinated Indebtedness and Disqualified Preferred Stock
reflected in Consolidated Debt on such date.
"Contingent Obligation" shall mean, as to any Person, any
obligation of such Person guaranteeing or intended to guarantee any
Indebtedness, leases, dividends or other obligations ("primary
obligations") of any other Person (the "primary obligor") in any
manner, whether directly or indirectly, including, without limitation,
any obligation of such Person, whether or not contingent, (i) to
purchase any such primary obligation or any property constituting
direct or indirect security therefor, (ii) to advance or supply funds
(x) for the purchase or payment of any such primary obligation or (y)
to maintain working capital or equity capital of the primary obligor
or otherwise to maintain the net worth or solvency of the primary
obligor, (iii) to purchase property, securities or services primarily
for the purpose of assuring the owner of any such primary obligation
of the ability of the primary obligor to make payment of such primary
obligation or (iv) otherwise to assure or hold harmless the holder of
such primary obligation against loss in respect thereof; provided,
however, that the term Contingent Obligation shall not include
endorsements of instruments for deposit or collection in the ordinary
course of business. The amount of any Contingent Obligation shall be
deemed to be an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of
the primary obligation in respect of which such Contingent Obligation
is made (or, if less, the maximum amount of such primary obligation
for which such Person may be liable pursuant to the terms of the
instrument evidencing such Contingent Obligation) or, if not stated or
determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect
thereof (assuming such Person is required to perform thereunder) as
determined by such Person in good faith.<PAGE>
"Continuing Bank" shall mean each Existing Bank with a Revolving
Loan Commitment under this Agreement (immediately upon giving effect
to the Second Restatement Effective Date).
"Continuing Directors" shall mean the Directors of Furniture
Brands on the Second Restatement Effective Date and each other
Director if such Director's nomination for election to the Board of
Directors of Furniture Brands is recommended by a majority of the then
Continuing Directors.
"Controlled Account" shall mean any account managed by the Apollo
Group for so long as the Apollo Group exercises sole power of
disposition and voting with respect thereto.
"Converse" shall mean Converse Inc., a Delaware corporation.
"Converse Disposition" shall mean the "Converse Disposition" as
such term is defined in the Original Credit Agreement.
"Credit Documents" shall mean this Agreement and, after the
execution and delivery thereof pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement, each Note, each Security Document and the Subsidiary
Guaranty and, after the execution and delivery thereof, each
additional guaranty or security document executed pursuant to Section
8.11.
"Credit Event" shall mean the making of any Loan or the issuance
of any Letter of Credit.
"Credit Lyonnais" shall have the meaning provided in the first
paragraph of this Agreement.
"Credit Party" shall mean the Borrowers and each Subsidiary
Guarantor.
"Currency Hedging Agreements" shall mean any foreign exchange
contracts, currency swap agreements or other similar agreements or
arrangements designed to protect against the fluctuations in currency
values.
"Default" shall mean any event, act or condition which with
notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute an Event of
Default.
"Defaulting Bank" shall mean any Bank with respect to which a
Bank Default is in effect.
"Disqualified Preferred Stock" means any Preferred Stock of
Furniture Brands which would be Qualified Preferred Stock except that
regular accruing dividends thereon are required to be paid in cash,
and so long as, (i) based on calculations made by Furniture Brands on
a Pro Forma Basis after giving effect to the issuance of such
Disqualified Preferred Stock, no Default or Event of Default will
exist under, or would have existed under the periods covered by, the<PAGE>
financial covenants contained in Sections 9.08 and 9.09 of this
Agreement, (ii) based on good faith projections prepared by Furniture
Brands for the period from the date of the issuance of such
Disqualified Preferred Stock to the date which is one year thereafter,
the level of financial performance measured by the covenants set forth
in Sections 9.08 and 9.09 shall be better than or equal to such level
as would be required to provide that no Default or Event of Default
would exist under the financial covenants contained in Sections 9.08
and 9.09 of this Agreement as compliance with such covenants would be
required through the date which is one year from the date of the
issuance of such Disqualified Preferred Stock, (iii) Furniture Brands
shall furnish to the Administrative Agent for distribution to each of
the Banks an officer's certificate by the chief financial officer or
treasurer of Furniture Brands certifying to the best of his knowledge
as to compliance with the requirements of the preceding clauses (i)
and (ii) and containing the pro forma calculations and projections
required by the preceding clauses (i) and (ii), and (iv) such
Disqualified Preferred Stock shall not contain any provision in the
documents governing or evidencing the same which, in the opinion of
the Administrative Agent, are more restrictive than the provisions in
the Credit Documents.
"Dividend" with respect to any Person shall mean that such Person
has declared or paid a dividend or returned any equity capital to its
stockholders or authorized or made any other distribution, payment or
delivery of property (other than common stock of such Person or
Qualified Preferred Stock of Furniture Brands paid as a pay-in-kind
Dividend on any Qualified Preferred Stock of Furniture Brands) or cash
to its stockholders as such, or redeemed, retired, purchased or
otherwise acquired, directly or indirectly, for a consideration any
shares of any class of its capital stock outstanding on or after the
Second Restatement Effective Date (or any options or warrants issued
by such Person with respect to its capital stock), or set aside any
funds for any of the foregoing purposes, or shall have permitted any
of its Subsidiaries to purchase or otherwise acquire for a
consideration any shares of any class of the capital stock of such
Person outstanding on or after the Second Restatement Effective Date
(or any options or warrants issued by such Person with respect to its
capital stock). Without limiting the foregoing, "Dividends" with
respect to any Person shall also include all payments made or required
to be made during any period by such Person with respect to any stock
appreciation rights, plans, equity incentive or achievement plans or
any similar plans or setting aside of any funds for the foregoing
purposes, except to the extent such payments have reduced Consolidated
EBITDA during the respective period.
"Documentation Agent" shall mean Credit Lyonnais, in its capacity
as Documentation Agent for the Banks hereunder.
"Documents" shall mean the Credit Documents and the Receivables
Documents.
"Dollars" and the sign "$" shall each mean freely transferable
lawful money of the United States.<PAGE>
"Domestic Subsidiary" with respect to any Person shall mean a
Subsidiary thereof other than a Foreign Subsidiary thereof.
"Domestic Wholly-Owned Subsidiary" of any Person shall mean each
Wholly-Owned Subsidiary of such Person which is also a Domestic
Subsidiary.
"Drawing" shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.05(b).
"Eligible Transferee" shall mean and include a commercial bank,
mutual fund, financial institution or other "accredited investor" (as
defined in Regulation D of the Securities Act).
"Employee Stock Option Plan" shall mean the Furniture Brands
Incorporated 1992 Stock Option Plan.
"End Date" shall have the meaning provided in the definition of
Reduction Percentage.
"Environmental Claims" means any and all administrative,
regulatory or judicial actions, suits, demands, demand letters,
directives, claims, liens, notices of noncompliance or violation,
investigations or proceedings relating in any way to any Environmental
Law or any permit issued, or any approval given, under any such
Environmental Law (hereafter, "Claims"), including, without
limitation, (a) any and all Claims by governmental or regulatory
authorities for enforcement, cleanup, removal, response, remedial or
other actions or damages pursuant to any applicable Environmental Law,
and (b) any and all Claims by any third party seeking damages,
contribution, indemnification, cost recovery, compensation or
injunctive relief in connection with alleged injury or threat of
injury to health, safety or the environment due to the presence of
Hazardous Materials.
"Environmental Law" means any applicable Federal, state, foreign
or local statute, law, rule, regulation, ordinance, code, binding and
enforceable guideline, binding and enforceable written policy and rule
of common law now or hereafter in effect and in each case as amended,
and any judicial or administrative interpretation thereof, including
any judicial or administrative order, consent decree or judgment, to
the extent binding on the Borrowers or any of their respective
Subsidiaries, relating to the environment, employee health and safety
or Hazardous Materials, including, without limitation, CERCLA; RCRA;
the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, 33 U.S.C. Section 1251 et seq.;
the Toxic Substances Control Act, 15 U.S.C. Section 2601 et seq.;
the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 7401 et seq.; the Safe Drinking Water
Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 3803 et seq.; the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, 33
U.S.C. Section 2701 et seq.; the Emergency Planning and the Community
Right-to-Know Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. Section 11001 et seq., the Hazardous
Material Transportation Act, 49 U.S.C. Section 1801 et seq. and the
Occupational Safety and Health Act, 29 U.S.C. Section 651 et seq.
(to the extent it regulates occupational exposure to Hazardous Materials);
and any state and local or foreign counterparts or equivalents, in each
case as amended from time to time.<PAGE>
"ERISA" shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
1974, as amended from time to time, and the regulations promulgated
and rulings issued thereunder. Section references to ERISA are to
ERISA, as in effect at the date of this Agreement and any subsequent
provisions of ERISA, amendatory thereof, supplemental thereto or
substituted therefor.
"ERISA Affiliate" shall mean each person (as defined in Section
3(9) of ERISA) which together with the Borrowers or any Subsidiary of
the Borrowers would be deemed to be a "single employer" (i) within the
meaning of Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code or (ii) as a
result of the Borrowers or any Subsidiary of the Borrowers being or
having been a general partner of such person.
"Eurodollar Loan" shall mean each Revolving Loan designated as
such by the Borrowers at the time of the incurrence thereof or
conversion thereto.
"Eurodollar Rate" shall mean (a) the offered quotation to first-
class banks in the New York interbank Eurodollar market by BTCo for
Dollar deposits of amounts in immediately available funds comparable
to the outstanding principal amount of the Eurodollar Loan of BTCo
with maturities comparable to the Interest Period applicable to such
Eurodollar Loan commencing two Business Days thereafter as of 10:00
A.M. (New York time) on the date which is two Business Days prior to
the commencement of such Interest Period, divided (and rounded off to
the nearest 1/16 of 1%) by (b) a percentage equal to 100% minus the
then stated maximum rate of all reserve requirements (including,
without limitation, any marginal, emergency, supplemental, special or
other reserves required by applicable law) applicable to any member
bank of the Federal Reserve System in respect of Eurocurrency funding
or liabilities as defined in Regulation D (or any successor category
of liabilities under Regulation D).
"Event of Default" shall have the meaning provided in Section 10.
"Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.
"Excluded Assets" shall mean each of the assets listed on
Schedule XIV.
"Existing Banks" shall mean each Person which was a Bank under,
and as defined in, the Existing Credit Agreement.
"Existing Credit Agreement" shall have the meaning provided in
the recitals to this Agreement.
"Existing Indebtedness" shall have the meaning provided in
Section 7.22.
"Existing IRBs" shall mean $8,000,000 Industrial Development
Authority of Fluvanna County, Virginia Floating Rate Demand Industrial<PAGE>
Development Revenue Bonds (Thomasville Furniture Industries, Inc.
Project) Series 1986.
"Existing Letters of Credit" shall mean the letters of credit
listed on Schedule XII and previously issued under the Existing Credit
Agreement.
"Existing Loans" shall mean the Existing Term Loans, the Existing
Revolving Loans and the Existing Swingline Loans.
"Existing Mortgage Policies" shall mean each mortgage insurance
policy issued with respect to an Existing Mortgage under the Original
Credit Agreement or the Existing Credit Agreement.
"Existing Mortgaged Properties" shall mean all Real Property of
the Borrowers and their respective Subsidiaries listed on Schedule
III.
"Existing Mortgages" shall mean all Mortgages granted by the
Borrowers pursuant to the Original Credit Agreement or the Existing
Credit Agreement and which have not been released by the lenders
thereunder prior to the Second Restatement Effective Date.
"Existing Receivables Facility" shall mean the Receivables
Facility as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement.
"Existing Revolving Loans" shall mean the "Revolving Loans"
under, and as defined in, the Existing Credit Agreement.
"Existing Swingline Loans" shall mean the "Swingline Loans"
under, and as defined in, the Existing Credit Agreement.
"Existing Term Loans" shall mean the "Term Loans" under, and as
defined in, the Existing Credit Agreement.
"Facing Fee" shall have the meaning provided in Section 3.01(c).
"Federal Funds Rate" shall mean for any period, a fluctuating
interest rate equal for each day during such period to the weighted
average of the rates on overnight Federal Funds transactions with
members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal Funds
brokers, as published for such day (or, if such day is not a Business
Day, for the next preceding Business Day) by the Federal Reserve Bank
of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any day which is
a Business Day, the average of the quotations for such day on such
transactions received by the Administrative Agent from three Federal
Funds brokers of recognized standing selected by the Administrative
Agent.
"Fees" shall mean all amounts payable pursuant to or referred to
in Section 3.01.
"FIRREA" shall mean Financial Institution Reform, Recovery and
Enforcement Act of 1989.<PAGE>
"First Restatement Effective Date" shall mean "Restatement
Effective Date" under and as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement.
"Fiscal Year" shall mean each fiscal year of Furniture Brands
ending on December 31 of each calendar year.
"Florsheim" shall mean The Florsheim Shoe Company, a Delaware
corporation.
"Florsheim Disposition" shall mean the "Florsheim Disposition" as
such term is defined in the Original Credit Agreement.
"Fluvanna Letter of Credit" shall mean a letter of credit issued
by NationsBank pursuant to the Existing Agreement on or after the
First Restatement Effective Date in support of the Existing IRBs.
"Foreign Pension Plan" means any plan, fund (including, without
limitation, any superannuation fund) or other similar program
established or maintained outside the United States of America by any
Borrower or any one or more of their respective Subsidiaries primarily
for the benefit of employees of such Borrower or such Subsidiary
residing outside the United States of America, which plan, fund or
other similar program provides, or results in, retirement income, a
deferral of income in contemplation of retirement or payments to be
made upon termination of employment, and which plan is not subject to
ERISA or the Code.
"Foreign Sales Corporation" shall mean a Wholly-Owned Foreign
Subsidiary of Furniture Brands and/or its Restricted Subsidiaries
created for the purpose of effecting sales of goods and/or services in
foreign countries.
"Foreign Subsidiary" with respect to any Person shall mean each
Subsidiary thereof that is incorporated under the laws of any
jurisdiction other than the United States of America, any State
thereof, the United States Virgin Islands or Puerto Rico.
"Furniture Brands" shall have the meaning provided in the first
paragraph of this Agreement.
"Furniture Brands Common Stock" shall mean the common stock of
Furniture Brands.
"Furniture Brands Warrants" shall mean warrants to purchase
shares of Furniture Brands Common Stock pursuant to the Warrant
Agreement, dated August 3, 1992, between Furniture Brands and Society
National Bank, as Warrant Agent.
"Guaranty Payments" shall have the meaning provided in Section
9.10(b).
"Hazardous Materials" means (a) any petroleum or petroleum
products, radioactive materials, asbestos in any form that is or could
become friable, urea formaldehyde foam insulation, transformers or<PAGE>
other equipment that contain dielectric fluid containing any level of
polychlorinated biphenyls, and radon gas; (b) any chemicals, materials
or substances defined as or included in the definition of "hazardous
substances," "hazardous waste," "hazardous materials," "extremely
hazardous substances," "restricted hazardous waste," "toxic
substances," "toxic pollutants," "contaminants," or "pollutants," or
words of similar import, under any applicable Environmental Law; and
(c) any other chemical, material or substance, exposure to which is
prohibited, limited or regulated by any governmental authority under
Environmental Laws.
"Indebtedness" shall mean, as to any Person, without duplication,
(i) all indebtedness (including principal, interest, fees and charges)
of such Person for borrowed money or for the deferred purchase price
of property or services, (ii) the maximum amount available to be drawn
under all letters of credit issued for the account of such Person and
all unpaid drawings in respect of such letters of credit, (iii) all
Indebtedness of the types described in clause (i), (ii), (iv), (v),
(vi) or (vii) of this definition secured by any Lien on any property
owned by such Person, whether or not such Indebtedness has been
assumed by such Person (to the extent of the value of the respective
property), (iv) the aggregate amount required to be capitalized under
leases under which such Person is the lessee, (v) all obligations of
such person to pay a specified purchase price for goods or services,
whether or not delivered or accepted, i.e., take-or-pay and similar
obligations, (vi) all Contingent Obligations of such Person and (vii)
all obligations under any Interest Rate Protection Agreement or under
any similar type of agreement. In addition to the foregoing, all
Attributed Receivables Facility Indebtedness shall constitute
Indebtedness.
"Interest Determination Date" shall mean, with respect to any
Eurodollar Loan, the second Business Day prior to the commencement of
any Interest Period relating to such Eurodollar Loan.
"Interest Period" shall have the meaning provided in Section
1.09.
"Interest Rate Protection Agreement" shall mean any interest rate
swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest collar
agreement, interest rate hedging agreement, interest rate floor
agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement.
"Investments" shall have the meaning provided in Section 9.05.
"Issuing Bank" shall mean BTCo and any Bank which at the request
of the Borrowers and with the consent of the Administrative Agent
(which shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed) agrees, in such
Bank's sole discretion, to become an Issuing Bank for the purpose of
issuing Letters of Credit pursuant to Section 2. On the Second
Restatement Effective Date the sole Issuing Banks are (x) BTCo and (y)
NationsBank with respect to the Fluvanna Letter of Credit.<PAGE>
"Lane" shall have the meaning provided in the first paragraph of
this Agreement.
"L/C Supportable Obligations" shall mean obligations of Furniture
Brands or its Restricted Subsidiaries incurred in the ordinary course
of business with respect to insurance obligations and workers'
compensation, surety bonds and other similar statutory obligations,
and all obligations customarily supported by Standby Letters of Credit
and satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
"Leaseholds" of any Person means all the right, title and
interest of such Person as lessee or licensee in, to and under leases
or licenses of land, improvements and/or fixtures.
"Letter of Credit" shall have the meaning provided in Section
2.01(a) and shall include Trade Letters of Credit and Standby Letters
of Credit.
"Letter of Credit Facing Fee" shall have the meaning provided in
Section 3.01(c).
"Letter of Credit Fee" shall have the meaning provided in Section
3.01(b).
"Letter of Credit Outstandings" shall mean, at any time, the sum
of (i) the aggregate Stated Amount of all outstanding Letters of
Credit which have not terminated and Acceptances which have not
matured or been prepaid and (ii) the amount of all Unpaid Drawings.
"Letter of Credit Request" shall mean any request for the
issuance of a Letter of Credit made by the Borrowers pursuant to
Section 2.03(a), including Trade Letter of Credit Requests and Standby
Letter of Credit Requests.
"Letter of Credit Service Agreement" shall have the meaning
provided in Section 2.03(a).
"Leverage Ratio" shall mean on any date the ratio of (i)
Consolidated Debt on such date to (ii) Consolidated EBITDA for the
period of four consecutive fiscal quarters most recently ended on or
prior to such date.
"Lien" shall mean any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation,
assignment, deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or
other), preference, priority or other security agreement of any kind
or nature whatsoever (including, without limitation, any conditional
sale or other title retention agreement, any financing or similar
statement or notice filed under the UCC or any other similar recording
or notice statute, and any lease having substantially the same effect
as any of the foregoing).
"Loan" shall mean each Revolving Loan and each Swingline Loan.<PAGE>
"Mandatory Borrowing" shall have the meaning provided in Section
1.01(c).
"Margin Stock" shall have the meaning provided in Regulation U.
"Material Adverse Effect" shall mean a material adverse effect on
the business, operations, property, assets, liabilities, condition
(financial or otherwise) or prospects of the Borrowers taken as a
whole or the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a
whole, it being understood that any determination of whether a
Material Adverse Effect has occurred shall take into account, inter
alia, (x) any available indemnities and (y) the timing and likelihood
of payments thereunder.
"Maturity Date" shall mean September 15, 2001.
"Maximum Swingline Amount" shall mean $15,000,000.
"Mortgage" shall mean and include each Existing Mortgage, as
amended pursuant to the respective Mortgage Amendment, and, after the
execution and delivery thereof, each Additional Mortgage, in each case
as same may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.
"Mortgage Amendments" shall have the meaning provided in Section
5.10.
"Mortgage Policies" shall mean and include each Existing Mortgage
Policy and, after the execution and delivery thereof, each mortgage
insurance policy issued with respect to an Additional Mortgaged
Property.
"Mortgaged Property" shall mean each Existing Mortgaged Property
and, after the execution and delivery of any Additional Mortgage,
shall include the respective Additional Mortgaged Property.
"Multiemployer Plan" shall mean a multiemployer plan as defined
in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, which is maintained or contributed to
by (or to which there is an obligation to contribute of) the Borrowers
or a Subsidiary of the Borrowers or an ERISA Affiliate and, except for
a Spunoff Plan, each such plan for the five year period immediately
following the latest date on which the Borrowers, any Subsidiaries of
the Borrowers or any ERISA Affiliates maintained, contributed to or
had an obligation to contribute to such plan.
"NationsBank" shall have the meaning provided in the first
paragraph of this Agreement.
"Net Cash Proceeds" shall mean for any event requiring a
commitment reduction pursuant to Section 3.03, the gross cash proceeds
(including any cash received by way of deferred payment pursuant to a
promissory note, receivable or otherwise, but only as and when
received) received from such event, net of reasonable transaction
costs (including, as applicable, any underwriting, brokerage or other<PAGE>
customary commissions and reasonable legal, advisory and other fees
and expenses associated therewith) received from any such event.
"Net Sale Proceeds" shall mean for any sale of assets, the gross
cash proceeds (including any cash received by way of deferred payment
pursuant to a promissory note, receivable or otherwise, but only as
and when received) received from any sale of assets, net of reasonable
transaction costs (including, without limitation, any underwriting,
brokerage or other customary selling commissions and reasonable legal,
advisory and other fees and expenses, including title and recording
expenses, associated therewith) and payments of unassumed liabilities
relating to the assets sold at the time of, or within 30 days after,
the date of such sale, the amount of such gross cash proceeds required
to be used to repay any Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness of the
Banks pursuant to this Agreement) which is secured by the respective
assets which were sold, and the estimated marginal increase in income
taxes which will be payable by Furniture Brands's consolidated group
with respect to the fiscal year in which the sale occurs as a result
of such sale; but excluding any portion of any such gross cash
proceeds which Furniture Brands determines in good faith should be
reserved for post-closing adjustments (to the extent Furniture Brands
delivers to the Banks a certificate signed by its chief financial
officer, controller or chief accounting officer as to such
determination), it being understood and agreed that on the day that
all such post-closing adjustments have been determined, (which shall
not be later than six months following the date of the respective
asset sale), the amount (if any) by which the reserved amount in
respect of such sale or disposition exceeds the actual post-closing
adjustments payable by Furniture Brands or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries shall constitute Net Sale Proceeds on such date received
by Furniture Brands and/or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries from
such sale, lease, transfer or other disposition.
"New Bank" shall mean each of the Persons listed on Schedule I
that is not a Continuing Bank.
"Non-Continuing Bank" shall have the meaning provided in Section
13.18(b).
"Non-Defaulting Bank" shall mean and include each Bank other than
a Defaulting Bank.
"Note" shall mean each Revolving Note and the Swingline Note.
"Notice of Borrowing" shall have the meaning provided in Section
1.03.
"Notice of Conversion" shall have the meaning provided in Section
1.06.
"Notice Office" shall mean the office of the Administrative Agent
located at 130 Liberty Street, New York, New York 10006, Attention:
Dana Klein or such other office as the Administrative Agent may
hereafter designate in writing as such to the other parties hereto.<PAGE>
"Obligations" shall mean all amounts owing to the Administrative
Agent, the Collateral Agent, any Issuing Bank or any Bank pursuant to
the terms of this Agreement or any other Credit Document.
"Original Credit Agreement" shall mean the "Original Credit
Agreement" as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement.
"Original Effective Date" shall mean the Effective Date as
defined in, the Original Credit Agreement.
"Participant" shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.04(a).
"Pay-In-Kind Preferred Stock" means any Preferred Stock where all
dividends with respect thereto may, at the option of the issuer
thereof, be paid through the issuance of additional shares of
preferred stock of the same series.
"Payment Office" shall mean the office of the Administrative
Agent located at One Bankers Trust Plaza, New York, New York 10006, or
such other office as the Administrative Agent may hereafter designate
in writing as such to the other parties hereto.
"PBGC" shall mean the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation
established pursuant to Section 4002 of ERISA, or any successor
thereto.
"Percentage" of any Bank at any time shall mean a fraction
(expressed as a percentage) the numerator of which is the Revolving
Loan Commitment of such Bank at such time and the denominator of which
is the Total Revolving Loan Commitment at such time, provided that if
the Percentage of any Bank is to be determined after the Total
Revolving Loan Commitment has been terminated, then the Percentages of
the Banks shall be determined immediately prior (and without giving
effect) to such termination.
"Permitted Acquired Debt" shall mean Indebtedness (other than
Permitted Subordinated Indebtedness and Permitted Unsecured
Indebtedness incurred pursuant to Sections 9.04(ii) and (iii)) assumed
or acquired in connection with a Permitted Acquisition as permitted
under this Agreement.
"Permitted Acquisition" shall mean the acquisition by the
Borrowers or any of their Restricted Subsidiaries of assets
constituting part of or an entire business or division of any Person
not already a Subsidiary of the Borrowers or of 100% of the capital
stock of any such Person which Person shall, as a result of such
acquisition, become a Restricted Subsidiary, provided that (A) the
consideration paid by the Borrowers and/or their Restricted
Subsidiaries consists solely of cash or Furniture Brands' common stock
or Qualified Preferred Stock or Disqualified Preferred Stock permitted
pursuant to Section 9.12(b), the issuance of Indebtedness otherwise
permitted in Section 9.04 and the assumption/acquisition of any
Permitted Acquired Debt (calculated at face value) relating to such
business, division or Person, (B) the assets acquired, or the business<PAGE>
of the Person whose stock is acquired, shall be in the same line of
business in which the Borrowers and their Restricted Subsidiaries are
already engaged, and (C) in the case of the acquisition of 100% of the
capital stock of any Person, such Person shall own no capital stock of
any other Person unless either (x) such Person owns 100% of the
capital stock of such other Person or (y) (1) such Person and/or its
Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries own 80% of the consolidated assets or
capital stock of such Person and its Subsidiaries and (2) any non-
Wholly Owned Subsidiary of such Person was non-Wholly Owned prior to
the date of such Permitted Acquisition of such Person (it being
understood and agreed that investments by Subsidiaries shall be
permitted in accordance with the provisions of Section 9.05).
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the immediately
preceding sentence, any acquisition shall be a Permitted Acquisition
only if all requirements of Sections 8.14 and 9.02(vii) applicable to
Permitted Acquisitions are met with respect thereto.
"Permitted Debt Agreements" shall have the meaning provided in
the Existing Credit Agreement.
"Permitted Encumbrance" shall mean, with respect to any Mortgaged
Property, such exceptions to title as are set forth in the title
insurance policy or title commitment delivered with respect thereto,
all of which exceptions must be acceptable to the Administrative Agent
in its reasonable discretion.
"Permitted Liens" shall have the meaning provided in Section
9.01.
"Permitted Subordinated Indebtedness" shall mean any Indebtedness
(including, without limitation, any Permitted Subordinated
Indebtedness incurred in connection with the creation of a replacement
Receivables Facility) which is subordinated on terms reasonably
satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Required Banks to all
Obligations hereunder and any other obligations secured pursuant to
the Security Documents and incurred by the Borrowers, so long as (i)
based on calculations made by the Borrowers on a Pro Forma Basis after
giving effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness, no Default or
Event of Default will exist under, or would have existed under the
periods covered by, the financial covenants contained in Sections 9.08
and 9.09 of this Agreement, (ii) based on good faith projections
prepared by the Borrowers for the period from the date of the
incurrence of such Indebtedness to the date which is one year
thereafter, the level of financial performance measured by the
covenants set forth in Sections 9.08 and 9.09 shall be better than or
equal to such level as would be required to provide that no Default or
Event of Default would exist under the financial covenants contained
in Sections 9.08 and 9.09 of this Agreement as compliance with such
covenants would be required through the date which is one year from
the date of the incurrence of such Indebtedness, (iii) Furniture
Brands shall furnish to the Administrative Agent for distribution to
each of the Banks an officer's certificate by the chief financial
officer or treasurer of Furniture Brands certifying to the best of his
knowledge as to compliance with the requirements of the preceding<PAGE>
clauses (i) and (ii) and containing the pro forma calculations and
projections required by the preceding clauses (i) and (ii), (iv) such
Indebtedness shall require no amortization, sinking fund payment or
any other scheduled maturity of the principal amount thereof on any
date which is earlier than the date occurring one year after the
Maturity Date and (v) all other provisions of such Indebtedness
(including, without limitation, covenants, defaults and remedies) in
the documents governing or evidencing the same are reasonably
satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and the Required Banks. To
the extent the preceding sentence requires terms of Permitted
Subordinated Indebtedness to be satisfactory to the Required Banks,
such terms shall be deemed satisfactory to the Required Banks unless
objected to by the Required Banks in writing on or prior to the date
which is 20 Business Days after the documentation therefor is
delivered to the Banks. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained above in the definition of "Permitted Subordinated
Indebtedness", all Permitted Subordinated Indebtedness shall be
required to constitute Indebtedness for borrowed money (where 100% of
the consideration received for the issuance of such Indebtedness is
cash), except that Permitted Subordinated Indebtedness may be issued
directly as consideration in connection with a Permitted Acquisition
so long as (i) the proviso to Section 9.04(ii)(x) has been complied
with and (ii) the aggregate principal amount of all Permitted
Subordinated Indebtedness issued after the Second Restatement
Effective Date as consideration in connection with Permitted
Acquisitions, when added to the sum of (x) the aggregate liquidation
preference or amount of all Disqualified Preferred Stock so issued
after the Second Restatement Effective Date as consideration in
connection with Permitted Acquisitions pursuant to Section 9.12(b)(i),
(y) the aggregate principal amount of all Permitted Subordinated
Indebtedness issued or incurred after the Second Restatement Effective
Date but not issued as consideration in connection with Permitted
Acquisitions to the extent an amount equal to the Net Cash Proceeds
therefrom has not been required to be applied to reduce the
commitments as a result of clause (u)(ii) of the parenthetical
contained in Section 3.03(d), and (z) the aggregate liquidation
preference or amount of all Disqualified Preferred Stock issued after
the Second Restatement Effective Date pursuant to Section 9.12(b)(i)
but not issued as consideration in connection with Permitted
Acquisitions, to the extent an amount equal to the Net Cash Proceeds
therefrom has not been required to be used to reduce commitments as a
result of clause (z)(ii) of the parenthetical to Section 3.03(d), does
not exceed $50,000,000.
"Permitted Unsecured Indebtedness" shall mean any general
unsecured Indebtedness incurred by the Borrowers, so long as (i) based
on calculations made by the Borrowers on a Pro Forma Basis after
giving effect to the incurrence of such Indebtedness, no Default or
Event of Default will exist under, or would have existed under the
periods covered by, the financial covenants contained in Sections 9.08
and 9.09 of this Agreement, (ii) based on good faith projections
prepared by the Borrowers for the period from the date of the
incurrence of such Indebtedness to the date which is one year
thereafter, the level of financial performance measured by the<PAGE>
covenants set forth in Sections 9.08 and 9.09 shall be better than or
equal to such level as would be required to provide that no Default or
Event of Default would exist under the financial covenants contained
in Sections 9.08 and 9.09 of this Agreement as compliance with such
covenants would be required through the date which is one year from
the date of the incurrence of such Indebtedness, (iii) Furniture
Brands shall furnish to the Administrative Agent for distribution to
each of the Banks an officer's certificate by the chief financial
officer or treasurer of Furniture Brands certifying to the best of his
knowledge as to compliance with the requirements of the preceding
clauses (i) and (ii) and containing the pro forma calculations
required by the preceding clauses (i) and (ii), (iv) the average life
of such Indebtedness at the time of the incurrence thereof shall be at
least one year beyond the average life of the Total Revolving Loan
Commitment (assuming maximum utilization thereof) and (v) such
Indebtedness shall not contain any provision (including, without
limitation, covenants, defaults and remedies) in the documents
governing or evidencing the same which, in the opinion of the
Administrative Agent, are more restrictive than the provisions in the
Credit Documents. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained
above in the definition of "Permitted Unsecured Indebtedness", all
Permitted Unsecured Indebtedness shall be required to constitute
indebtedness for borrowed money where 100% of the consideration
received for the issuance for such Indebtedness is cash, except that
Permitted Unsecured Indebtedness may be issued directly as
consideration in connection with Permitted Acquisitions so long as the
proviso to Section 9.04(iii) has been complied with.
"Person" shall mean any individual, partnership, joint venture,
firm, corporation, association, trust or other enterprise or any
government or political subdivision or any agency, department or
instrumentality thereof.
"Plan" shall mean any single-employer plan, as defined in Section
4001 of ERISA, which is maintained or contributed to by (or to which
there is an obligation to contribute of), the Borrowers or a
Subsidiary of the Borrowers or an ERISA Affiliate, and except for a
Spunoff Plan, each such plan for the five year period immediately
following the latest date on which the Borrowers, a Subsidiary of the
Borrowers or an ERISA Affiliate maintained, contributed or had an
obligation to contribute to such plan.
"Pledge Agreement" shall have the meaning provided in Section
5.08.
"Pledge Agreement Collateral" shall mean all "Collateral" as
defined in the Pledge Agreement.
"Pledged Securities" shall mean "Pledged Securities" as defined
in the Pledge Agreement.
"Preferred Stock," as applied to the capital stock of any Person,
means capital stock of such Person (other than common stock of such
Person) of any class or classes (however designed) that ranks prior,<PAGE>
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 capital stock of any other class of
such Person, and shall include any Qualified Preferred Stock and
Disqualified Preferred Stock.
"Prime Lending Rate" shall mean the rate which BTCo announces
from time to time as its prime lending rate, the Prime Lending Rate to
change when and as such prime lending rate changes. The Prime Lending
Rate is a reference rate and does not necessarily represent the lowest
or best rate actually charged to any customer. BTCo may make
commercial loans or other loans at rates of interest at, above or
below the Prime Lending Rate.
"Pro Forma Basis" shall mean, as to any Person, for any of the
following events which occur subsequent to the commencement of a
period for which the financial effect of such event is being
calculated, and giving effect to the event for which such calculation
is being made, such calculation as will give pro forma effect to such
event as if same had occurred at the beginning of such period of
calculation, and
(i) for purposes of the foregoing calculation, the transaction
giving rise to the need to calculate the pro forma effect to any of
the following events shall be assumed to have occurred on the first
day of the four fiscal quarter period last ended before the occurrence
of the respective event for which such pro forma effect is being
determined (the "Reference Period"), and
(ii) in making any determination with respect to the incurrence
or assumption of any Indebtedness or issuance of any Disqualified
Preferred Stock during the Reference Period or subsequent to the
Reference Period and on or prior to the date of the transaction
referenced in clause (i) above (the "Transaction Date"), (w) all
Indebtedness or Disqualified Preferred Stock (including the
Indebtedness or Disqualified Preferred Stock incurred or assumed and
for which the financial effect is being calculated) incurred or
permanently repaid during the Reference Period shall be deemed to have
been incurred or repaid at the beginning of such period, (x)
Consolidated Net Interest Expense of such Person attributable to
interest or dividends on any Indebtedness or Disqualified Preferred
Stock, as the case may be, bearing floating interest rates should be
computed on a pro forma basis as if the rate in effect on the
Transaction Date had been the applicable rate for the entire period,
(y) Consolidated Net Interest Expense of such Person attributable to
interest on any Indebtedness under any revolving credit facility which
was in effect during the respective Reference Period shall be computed
on a pro forma basis based upon the average daily balance of such
Indebtedness outstanding during the applicable period (or, if shorter,
the portion of the period during which the revolving credit facility
was in effect) and (z) Consolidated Net Interest Expense will be
increased or reduced by the net cost (including amortization of
discount) or benefit (after giving effect to amortization of discount)
associated with the Interest Rate Protection Agreements, which will<PAGE>
remain in effect for the twelve-month period after the Transaction
Date and which shall have the effect of fixing the interest rate on
the date of computation, and
(iii) in making any determination of Consolidated EBITDA, pro
forma effect shall be given to any Permitted Acquisition or
Significant Divestiture which occurred during the Reference Period or
subsequent to the Reference Period and prior to the Transaction Date,
Consolidated EBITDA shall be determined as if such Permitted
Acquisition or Significant Divestiture occurred on the first day of
the Reference Period, taking into account cost savings and expenses
which would otherwise be accounted for as an adjustment pursuant to
Article 11 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act, as if such cost
savings or expenses were realized on the first day of the Reference
Period.
"Projections" shall have the meaning provided in Section 5.14(b).
"Purchase and Contribution Agreement" shall mean the Purchase and
Contribution Agreement, dated as of November 15, 1994 as amended and
restated as of December 29, 1995, among Broyhill, Lane, Action and
Thomasville and the Receivables Subsidiary, as same may be further
amended, modified or supplemented from time to time in compliance with
Section 9.10, or as replaced in compliance with the definition of
Receivables Facility.
"Qualified Preferred Stock" means any Pay-In-Kind Preferred Stock
of Furniture Brands, or any other Preferred Stock of Furniture Brands,
the express terms of which shall provide that Dividends thereon shall
not be required to be paid in cash at any time that such cash payment
would be prohibited by the terms of this Agreement (and any
refinancings, replacements or extensions hereof) and in either case
which, by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is
convertible or for which it is exchangeable), or upon the happening of
any event (including an event which would constitute a Change of
Control), cannot mature (excluding any maturity as the result of an
optional redemption by the issuer thereof) and is not mandatorily
redeemable, pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or otherwise, and is
not redeemable, or required to be repurchased, at the sole option of
the holder thereof (including, without limitation, upon the occurrence
of an event which would constitute a Change of Control), in whole or
in part, on or prior to the first anniversary of the Maturity Date.
"Quarterly Payment Date" shall mean the last Business Day of each
June, September, December and March, occurring after the Second
Restatement Effective Date.
"RCRA" shall mean the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, as
the same may be amended from time to time, 42 U.S.C. Section 6901 et seq.
"Real Property" of any Person shall mean all the right, title and
interest of such Person in and to land, improvements and fixtures,
including Leaseholds.<PAGE>
"Receivables Documents" shall mean the Receivables Purchase
Agreements, the Purchase and Contribution Agreement and any related
documentation entered into by the Borrowers and their Restricted
Subsidiaries, the Receivables Subsidiary and/or the Receivables
Purchasers in connection with the Receivables Facility.
"Receivables Facility" shall mean the arrangement pursuant to
which (x) each of Broyhill, Lane, Action and Thomasville and its
respective Subsidiaries will from time to time sell accounts
receivable to the Receivables Subsidiary and (y) the Receivables
Subsidiary shall sell interests in the receivables to the Receivables
Purchasers, or obtain subordinated loans secured by the receivables
from the Receivables Purchasers, as more fully set forth in the
Receivables Documents; provided, that the Receivables Facility may be
replaced after the date hereof so long as the Administrative Agent is
reasonably satisfied that the terms and conditions of any replacement
facility are as favorable or more favorable to Furniture Brands and
its Restricted Subsidiaries and to the Banks (and in any event
contains no greater degree of recourse to Furniture Brands and its
Restricted Subsidiaries (other than the Receivables Subsidiary)) than
the terms and conditions of the current Receivables Facility (in which
event such replacement facility shall be deemed to be the Receivables
Facility hereunder).
"Receivables Purchase Agreements" shall mean and include the
Atlantic Receivables Purchase Agreement, the Alternate Receivables
Purchase Agreement and the Subordinated Loan Agreement.
"Receivables Purchaser" shall mean and include (i) with respect
to the Alternate Receivables Purchase Agreement, Credit Lyonnais and
(ii) with respect to the Atlantic Receivables Purchase Agreement,
Atlantic and Credit Lyonnais and (iii) with respect to the
Subordinated Loan Agreement, Credit Lyonnais and their respective
successors and assigns (in the event that the Receivables Facility is
replaced, any replacement receivables purchasers shall be deemed to be
the Receivables Purchasers hereunder).
"Receivables Subsidiary" shall mean Interco Receivables Corp.,
the special purpose subsidiary formed by Broyhill, Lane and Action and
owned by Broyhill, Lane, Action and Thomasville to purchase and
receive contributions of receivables from each of Broyhill, Lane,
Action and Thomasville and their respective other Restricted
Subsidiaries pursuant to the Receivables Facility.
"Recovery Event" shall mean the receipt by Furniture Brands or
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries of any cash insurance proceeds or
condemnation award payable (i) by reason of theft, loss, physical
destruction or damage or any other similar event with respect to any
property or assets of the Borrowers or any of its Subsidiaries and
(ii) under any policy of insurance required to be maintained under
Section 8.03.
"Reduction Percentage" shall mean .250% on and from the Second
Restatement Effective Date through January 30, 1997 (or such earlier<PAGE>
date on which the Borrowers deliver to the Administrative Agent a
certificate containing the calculations of Leverage Ratio for the
fiscal quarter ended December 31, 1996), and thereafter shall mean,
from and after each day of delivery of any certificate delivered in
accordance with the following sentence indicating an entitlement to a
Reduction Percentage other than zero (each, a "Start Date") to and
including the applicable End Date described below, the percentage set
forth below opposite the Leverage Ratio indicated to have been
achieved in any certificate delivered in accordance with the following
sentence:
Leverage Interest
Ratio Reduction Discount
-------- ------------------
Equal to or
greater than 4.00:1 0%
Equal to or .125%
greater than
3.50:1 but less
than 4.00:1
Equal to or .250%
greater than
3.00:1 but less
than 3.50:1
Equal to or .375%
greater than
2.50:1 but less
than 3.00:1
Less than 2.50:1 .625%
From and after the date of the delivery of the certificate referenced
above for the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 1996, the Leverage
Ratio shall be determined based on the delivery of a certificate of
the Borrowers by an Authorized Representative of the Borrowers to the
Administrative Agent, within 30 days of the last day of any fiscal
quarter of Furniture Brands (beginning after the fiscal quarter ended
on December 31, 1996, based on calculations made at the end of each
fiscal quarter commencing with the fiscal quarter ended December 31,
1996, which certificate shall set forth the calculation of the
Leverage Ratio for the fiscal quarter ended immediately prior to the
relevant Start Date and the Reduction Percentage which shall be
thereafter applicable (until same is changed or ceases to apply in
accordance with the following sentences). The Reduction Percentage so
determined shall apply, except as set forth in the succeeding
sentence, from the Start Date to the earlier of (x) the date on which
the next certificate is delivered to the Administrative Agent and (y)
the date which is 30 days following the last day of the fiscal quarter
in which the previous Start Date occurred (the "End Date"), at which
time, if no certificate has been delivered to the Administrative Agent<PAGE>
indicating an entitlement to a Reduction Percentage other than zero
(and thus commencing a new Start Date), the Reduction Percentage shall
be reduced to zero. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained above in this definition, the Reduction Percentage shall be
reduced to zero at all times during which there shall exist an Event
of Default.
"Refinancing" shall mean all repayments and refinancings of
Indebtedness under the Existing Credit Agreement in connection with
the Transaction.
"Register" shall have the meaning provided in Section 13.17.
"Regulation D" shall mean Regulation D of the Board of Governors
of the Federal Reserve System as from time to time in effect and any
successor to all or a portion thereof establishing reserve
requirements.
"Regulation G" shall mean Regulation G of the Board of Governors
of the Federal Reserve System as from time to time in effect and any
successor to all or a portion thereof.
"Regulation T" shall mean Regulation T of the Board of Governors
of the Federal Reserve System as from time to time in effect and any
successor to all or a portion thereof.
"Regulation U" shall mean Regulation U of the Board of Governors
of the Federal Reserve System as from time to time in effect and any
successor to all or a portion thereof.
"Regulation X" shall mean Regulation X of the Board of Governors
of the Federal Reserve System as from time to time in effect and any
successor to all or a portion thereof.
"Release" means any spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring,
emitting, emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching,
dumping, disposing or migration into the environment.
"Replaced Bank" shall have the meaning provided in Section 1.13.
"Replacement Bank" shall have the meaning provided in Section
1.13.
"Reportable Event" shall mean an event described in Section
4043(c) of ERISA with respect to a Plan other than those events as to
which the 30-day notice period is waived under subsection .13, .14,
.16, .18, .19 or .20 of PBGC Regulation Section 2615.
"Required Appraisal" shall have the meaning provided in Section
8.11(g).
"Required Banks" shall mean Non-Defaulting Banks, the sum of
whose outstanding Revolving Loan Commitments (or after the termination
thereof, outstanding Revolving Loans and Adjusted Percentage of<PAGE>
Swingline Loans and Letter of Credit Outstandings) represent greater
than 50% of the sum of the Adjusted Total Revolving Loan Commitment
(or after the termination thereof, the sum of the then total
outstanding Revolving Loans of Non-Defaulting Banks and the aggregate
Adjusted Percentages of all Non-Defaulting Banks of the total
outstanding Swingline Loans and Letter of Credit Outstandings at such
time).
"Restricted Junior Payment" shall have the meaning provided in
Section 9.10.
"Restricted Subsidiaries" shall mean, (x) all of the Subsidiaries
of the Borrowers and their respective Subsidiaries in existence on the
Second Restatement Effective Date and (y) any Subsidiary (other than
an Unrestricted Subsidiary) that is created, established or acquired
after the Second Restatement Effective Date.
"Returned Investment Amount" shall mean, with respect to all
Investments made pursuant to Section 9.05(vii) after the Second
Restatement Effective Date in Persons which are Unrestricted
Subsidiaries or are not Restricted Subsidiaries, the aggregate amount
of cash received by Furniture Brands and its Restricted Subsidiaries
which are Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of Furniture Brands representing a
return of capital of such Investment, in each case to the extent the
amount of capital so returned is not, and will not be, included in
Consolidated Net Income.
"Returns" shall have the meaning provided in Section 7.09.
"Revolving Loan" shall have the meaning provided in Section
1.01(a).
"Revolving Loan Commitment" shall mean, for each Bank, the amount
set forth opposite such Bank's name in Schedule I hereto directly
below the column entitled "Revolving Loan Commitment," as same may be
(x) reduced from time to time pursuant to Sections 3.02, 3.03, 4.02
and/or 10 or (y) adjusted from time to time as a result of assignments
to or from such Bank pursuant to Section 1.13 or 13.04(b).
"Revolving Note" shall have the meaning provided in Section
1.05(a).
"Scheduled Commitment Reduction" shall have the meaning provided
in Section 3.03(c).
"Scheduled Commitment Reduction Date" shall mean each date upon
which any Scheduled Commitment Reduction is to occur.
"SEC" shall have the meaning provided in Section 8.01(h).
"Second Restatement Effective Date" shall have the meaning
provided in Section 13.10.<PAGE>
"Section 4.04(b)(ii) Certificate" shall have the meaning provided
in Section 4.04(b)(ii).
"Secured Creditors" shall have the meaning assigned that term in
the Security Documents.
"Securities Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended.
"Security Agreement" shall have the meaning provided in Section
5.09.
"Security Agreement Collateral" shall mean all "Collateral" as
defined in the Security Agreement (which shall exclude all assets of
the Receivables Subsidiary).
"Security Document" shall mean the Pledge Agreement, the Security
Agreement, each Mortgage and, after the execution and delivery
thereof, each Additional Mortgage and each Additional Security
Document.
"Senior Debt Leverage Ratio" shall mean on any date a ratio
calculated as provided in the definition of Leverage Ratio contained
herein; provided that the term "Consolidated Senior Debt" shall be
deemed inserted in lieu of the term "Consolidated Debt" in clause (i)
of the definition of Leverage Ratio.
"Shareholders' Agreements" shall have the meaning provided in the
Existing Credit Agreement.
"Significant Divestiture" shall mean any sale or other
disposition of assets by Furniture Brands and/or its Restricted
Subsidiaries, the fair market value of which exceeds $500,000 for any
transaction (or series of related transactions).
"Solvent Entity" shall have the meaning provided in Section
7.05(c).
"Spunoff Plan" shall mean any employee benefit plan as defined in
Section 3(3) of ERISA which Furniture Brands ceased to maintain or
contribute to pursuant to the Distribution and Services Agreement
dated as of November 17, 1994.
"Standby Letter of Credit" shall mean any Standby Letter of
Credit or similar instrument issued or deemed issued for the account
of any Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01 for the purpose of supporting
L/C Supportable Obligations.
"Standby Letter of Credit Request" shall have the meaning
provided in Section 2.03(a).
"Start Date" shall have the meaning provided in the definition of
`Reduction Percentage.'<PAGE>
"Stated Amount" of (x) each Letter of Credit shall, at any time,
mean the maximum amount available to be drawn thereunder (in each case
determined without regard to whether any conditions to drawing could
then be met) and (y) each Acceptance shall mean the amount of each
such Acceptance.
"Stock Purchase Agreement" shall mean the Stock Purchase
Agreement, dated as of November 18, 1995, by and among Armstrong World
Industries, Inc., Armstrong Enterprises, Inc. and Furniture Brands.
"Subordinated Loan Agreement" shall mean the Subordinated Loan
Agreement in the form annexed to the Atlantic Receivables Purchase
Agreement on the First Restatement Effective Date.
"Subsidiary" shall mean, as to any Person, (i) any corporation
more than 50% of whose stock of any class or classes having by the
terms thereof ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the
directors of such corporation (irrespective of whether or not at the
time stock of any class or classes of such corporation shall have or
might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency)
is at the time owned by such Person and/or one or more Subsidiaries of
such Person and (ii) any partnership, association, joint venture or
other entity in which such Person and/or one or more Subsidiaries of
such Person has more than a 50% equity interest at the time. As used
in this Agreement, the term "Subsidiary" shall include or apply to any
Restricted Subsidiary and any Unrestricted Subsidiary.
"Subsidiary Guarantor" shall mean Broyhill Transport, Inc., a
North Carolina corporation, Lane Advertising, Inc., a Virginia
corporation, Action Industries, Inc., a Virginia corporation, Action
Transport, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Fayette Enterprises, Inc., a
Mississippi corporation, Gordon's, Inc., a Delaware corporation,
Thomasville Chair Company, a North Carolina corporation, Thomasville
Home Furnishings, a Delaware corporation, Thomasville Upholstery,
Inc., a Delaware corporation, and Action U.K., Inc., a Delaware
corporation, and any Restricted Subsidiary of any Borrower which
executes a guarantee after the Second Restatement Effective Date
pursuant to Section 8.11, but shall in any event exclude the
Receivables Subsidiary and Thomasville Furniture Latin America, S.A.
"Subsidiary Guaranty" shall have the meaning provided in Section
5.07.
"Supermajority Banks" shall mean those Non-Defaulting Banks which
would constitute the Required Banks under, and as defined in, this
Agreement if the term "50%" contained therein were changed to "66-
2/3%."
"Surviving Guaranties" shall mean the guarantee obligations of
Furniture Brands with respect to the leases described in Schedule XV
hereto.
"Swingline Expiry Date" shall mean the date which is two Business
Days prior to the Maturity Date.<PAGE>
"Swingline Loan" shall have the meaning provided in Section
1.01(b).
"Swingline Note" shall have the meaning provided in Section
1.05(a).
"Syndication Agent" shall mean NationsBank, in its capacity as
Syndication Agent for the Banks hereunder.
"Tax Sharing Agreement" shall mean any tax sharing,
disaffiliation or tax allocation agreement entered into among the
Borrowers, Converse and Florsheim, as amended.
"Taxes" shall have the meaning provided in Section 4.04(a).
"Thomasville" shall have the meaning provided in the first
paragraph of this Agreement.
"Total Revolving Loan Commitment" shall mean, at any time, the
sum of the Revolving Loan Commitments of each of the Banks.
"Total Unutilized Revolving Loan Commitment" shall mean, at any
time, an amount equal to the remainder of (x) the then Total Revolving
Loan Commitment, less (y) the sum of the aggregate principal amount of
Revolving Loans and Swingline Loans outstanding plus the then
aggregate amount of Letter of Credit Outstandings.
"Trade Letter of Credit" shall mean any Letter of Credit or
similar instrument issued for the account of any Borrower pursuant to
Section 2.01 for the purpose of providing the primary payment
mechanism in connection with the purchase of any materials, goods or
services by the Borrowers or their Restricted Subsidiaries in the
ordinary course of business of the Borrowers or their Restricted
Subsidiaries.
"Trade Letter of Credit Request" shall have the meaning provided
in Section 2.03(a).
"Transaction" shall mean (i) the amendment and restatement of the
Existing Credit Agreement in the form of this Agreement as provided
herein, (iii) the incurrence of the Loans hereunder on the Second
Restatement Effective Date and (iv) the consummation of the
Refinancing.
"Type" shall mean the type of Loan determined with regard to the
interest option applicable thereto, i.e., whether a Base Rate Loan or
a Eurodollar Loan.
"UCC" shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as from time to time
in effect in the relevant jurisdiction.
"Unfunded Current Liability" of any Plan means the amount, if
any, by which the actuarial present value of the accumulated benefits
under the Plan as of the close of its most recent plan year each<PAGE>
exceeds the fair market value of the assets allocable thereto, each
determined in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 87, based upon the actuarial assumptions used by the
Plan's actuary in the most recent annual valuation of the Plan.
"United States" and "U.S." shall each mean the United States of
America.
"Unpaid Drawing" shall have the meaning provided for in Section
2.05(a).
"Unrestricted Subsidiary" shall mean any Wholly-Owned Subsidiary
of Furniture Brands that is acquired or created after the Second
Restatement Effective Date and designated by Furniture Brands as an
Unrestricted Subsidiary hereunder by written notice to the
Administrative Agent; provided that Furniture Brands shall only be
permitted to so designate a new Unrestricted Subsidiary after the
Second Restatement Effective Date and so long as (i) no Default or
Event of Default exists or would result therefrom and (ii) 100% of the
capital stock of such newly-designated Unrestricted Subsidiary is
owned by Furniture Brands or another Unrestricted Subsidiary and all
of the provisions of Section 9.11 shall have been complied with in
respect of such newly-designated Unrestricted Subsidiary and such
Unrestricted Subsidiary is capitalized (to the extent capitalized by
Furniture Brands or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries) through
Investments as permitted by, and in compliance with, Section
9.05(vii), with any assets owned by such Unrestricted Subsidiary at
the time of the initial designation thereof to be treated as
Investments made pursuant to Section 9.05(vii), provided that at the
time of the initial Investments by Furniture Brands in such Subsidiary
(x) Furniture Brands shall designate such entity as an Unrestricted
Subsidiary in a written notice to the Administrative Agent and (y)
such entity and the Borrowers shall have entered into tax sharing and
management services agreements on a basis reasonably satisfactory to
the Administrative Agent. Additionally, Furniture Brands may not
designate any Credit Party, the Receivables Subsidiary or any
Subsidiary created or acquired pursuant to a Permitted Acquisition as
an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
"Unutilized Revolving Loan Commitment" with respect to any Bank,
at any time, shall mean such Bank's Revolving Loan Commitment at such
time less the sum of (i) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of
Revolving Loans made by such Bank and (ii) such Bank's Adjusted
Percentage of the Letter of Credit Outstandings at such time.
"Voting Stock" shall mean, as to any Person, any class or classes
of capital stock of such Person pursuant to which the holders thereof
have the general voting power under ordinary circumstances to elect at
least a majority of the Board of Directors of such Person.
"Wholly-Owned Subsidiary" shall mean, as to any Person, (i) any
corporation 100% of whose capital stock (other than director's
qualifying shares) is at the time owned by such Person and/or one or
more Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of such Person and (ii) any<PAGE>
partnership, association, joint venture or other entity in which such
Person and/or one or more Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries of such Person has
a 100% equity interest at such time.
SECTION 12. The Agents.
12.01 Appointment. The Banks hereby designate BTCo as
Administrative Agent (for purposes of this Section 12, the term
"Administrative Agent" shall include BTCo in its capacity as
Collateral Agent pursuant to the Security Documents), Credit Lyonnais
as Documentation Agent and NationsBank as Syndication Agent, in each
case to act as specified herein and in the other Credit Documents.
Each Bank hereby irrevocably authorizes, and each holder of any Note
by the acceptance of such Note shall be deemed irrevocably to
authorize, the Administrative Agent, the Documentation Agent and the
Syndication Agent to take such action on its behalf under the
provisions of this Agreement, the other Credit Documents and any other
instruments and agreements referred to herein or therein and to
exercise such powers and to perform such duties hereunder and
thereunder as are specifically delegated to or required of the
Administrative Agent, the Documentation Agent or the Syndication Agent
by the terms hereof and thereof and such other powers as are
reasonably incidental thereto. Each of the Administrative Agent, the
Documentation Agent and the Syndication Agent may perform any of its
duties hereunder by or through its respective officers, directors,
agents, employees or affiliates.
12.02 Nature of Duties. The Administrative Agent shall not
have any duties or responsibilities except those expressly set forth
in this Agreement and the Security Documents. The Documentation Agent
and the Syndication Agent, as such, shall not have any duties or
responsibilities under this Agreement or any Security Document or any
other document or matter related thereto. None of the Administrative
Agent, the Documentation Agent or the Syndication Agent nor any of its
respective officers, directors, agents, employees or affiliates shall
be liable for any action taken or omitted by it or them hereunder or
under any other Credit Document or in connection herewith or
therewith, unless caused by its or their gross negligence or willful
misconduct. The duties of the Administrative Agent, the Documentation
Agent and the Syndication Agent shall be mechanical and administrative
in nature; the Administrative Agent, the Documentation Agent and the
Syndication Agent shall not have by reason of this Agreement or any
other Credit Document a fiduciary relationship in respect of any Bank
or the holder of any Note; and nothing in this Agreement or any other
Credit Document, expressed or implied, is intended to or shall be so
construed as to impose upon the Administrative Agent, the
Documentation Agent and the Syndication Agent any obligations in
respect of this Agreement or any other Credit Document except as
expressly set forth herein or therein.
12.03 Lack of Reliance on the Administrative Agent, the
Documentation Agent and the Syndication Agent. Independently and
without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, the Documentation
Agent and the Syndication Agent, each Bank and the holder of each<PAGE>
Note, to the extent it deems appropriate, has made and shall continue
to make (i) its own independent investigation of the financial
condition and affairs of Furniture Brands and its Subsidiaries in
connection with the making and the continuance of the Loans and the
taking or not taking of any action in connection herewith and (ii) its
own appraisal of the creditworthiness of Furniture Brands and its
Subsidiaries and, except as expressly provided in this Agreement, the
Administrative Agent, the Documentation Agent and the Syndication
Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility, either initially or
on a continuing basis, to provide any Bank or the holder of any Note
with any credit or other information with respect thereto, whether
coming into its possession before the making of the Loans or at any
time or times thereafter. None of the Administrative Agent, the
Documentation Agent or the Syndication Agent or any of their
respective affiliates nor any of their respective officers, directors,
agents, or employees shall be responsible to any Bank or the holder of
any Note for any recitals, statements, information, representations or
warranties herein or in any document, certificate or other writing
delivered in connection herewith or for the execution, effectiveness,
genuineness, validity, enforceability, perfection, collectibility,
priority or sufficiency of this Agreement or any other Credit Document
or the financial condition of Furniture Brands and its Subsidiaries or
be required to make any inquiry concerning either the performance or
observance of any of the terms, provisions or conditions of this
Agreement or any other Credit Document, or the financial condition of
Furniture Brands and its Subsidiaries or the existence or possible
existence of any Default or Event of Default.
12.04 Certain Rights of the Administrative Agent, the
Documentation Agent and the Syndication Agent. If the Administrative
Agent, the Documentation Agent or the Syndication Agent shall request
instructions from the Required Banks with respect to any act or
action (including failure to act) in connection with this Agreement or
any other Credit Document, such Administrative Agent, Documentation
Agent or Syndication Agent shall be entitled to refrain from such act
or taking such action unless and until the Administrative Agent shall
have received instructions from the Required Banks; and such
Administrative Agent, Documentation Agent or Syndication Agent shall
not incur liability to any Person by reason of so refraining. Without
limiting the foregoing, no Bank or holder of any Note shall have any
right of action whatsoever against the Administrative Agent, the
Documentation Agent or the Syndication Agent as a result of the
Administrative Agent acting or refraining from acting hereunder or
under any other Credit Document in accordance with the instructions of
the Required Banks.
12.05 Reliance. The Administrative Agent, the Documentation
Agent and the Syndication Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall
be fully protected in relying, upon any note, writing, resolution,
notice, statement, certificate, telex, teletype or telecopier message,
cablegram, radiogram, order or other document or telephone message
signed, sent or made by any Person that such Administrative Agent,
Documentation Agent or Syndication Agent believed to be the proper
Person, and, with respect to all legal matters pertaining to this<PAGE>
Agreement and any other Credit Document and its duties hereunder and
thereunder, upon advice of counsel selected by such Administrative
Agent, Documentation Agent or Syndication Agent (which may be counsel
for the Credit Parties).
12.06 Indemnification. To the extent each of the
Administrative Agent, the Documentation Agent or the Syndication Agent
is not reimbursed and indemnified by the Borrowers, the Banks will
reimburse and indemnify such Administrative Agent, Documentation Agent
or Syndication Agent, in proportion to their respective "percentages"
as used in determining the Required Banks (determined as if there were
no Defaulting Banks), for and against any and all liabilities,
obligations, losses, damages, penalties, claims, actions, judgments,
costs, expenses or disbursements of whatsoever kind or nature which
may be imposed on, asserted against or incurred by such Administrative
Agent, Documentation Agent or Syndication Agent in performing its
respective duties hereunder or under any other Credit Document, in any
way relating to or arising out of this Agreement or any other Credit
Document; provided that no Bank shall be liable for any portion of
such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions,
judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements resulting from such
Administrative Agent's, Documentation Agent's or Syndication Agent's
gross negligence or willful misconduct.
12.07 The Administrative Agent, the Documentation Agent and the
Syndication Agent in its Individual Capacity. With respect to its
obligation to make Loans and participate in Letters of Credit under
this Agreement, each of the Administrative Agent, the Documentation
Agent and the Syndication Agent shall have the rights and powers
specified herein for a "Bank" and may exercise the same rights and
powers as though it were not performing the duties specified herein;
and the term "Banks," "Required Banks," "holders of Notes" or any
similar terms shall, unless the context clearly otherwise indicates,
include the Administrative Agent, the Documentation Agent and the
Syndication Agent in their individual capacity. Each of the
Administrative Agent, the Documentation Agent and the Syndication
Agent may accept deposits from, lend money to, and generally engage in
any kind of banking, trust or other business with any Credit Party or
any Affiliate of any Credit Party as if they were not performing the
duties specified herein, and may accept fees and other consideration
from the Borrowers or any other Credit Party for services in
connection with this Agreement and otherwise without having to account
for the same to the Banks.
12.08 Holders. The Administrative Agent may deem and treat the
payee of any Note as the owner thereof for all purposes hereof unless
and until a written notice of the assignment, transfer or endorsement
thereof, as the case may be, shall have been filed with the
Administrative Agent. Any request, authority or consent of any Person
who, at the time of making such request or giving such authority or
consent, is the holder of any Note shall be conclusive and binding on
any subsequent holder, transferee, assignee or indorsee, as the case
may be, of such Note or of any Note or Notes issued in exchange
therefor.<PAGE>
12.09 Resignation by the Agents. (a) The Administrative Agent
may resign from the performance of all its functions and duties
hereunder and/or under the other Credit Documents at any time by
giving 15 Business Days' prior written notice to the Borrowers and the
Banks. Such resignation shall take effect upon the appointment of a
successor Administrative Agent pursuant to clauses (b) and (c) below
or as otherwise provided below.
(b) Upon any such notice of resignation, the Required Banks
shall appoint a successor Administrative Agent hereunder or thereunder
who shall be a commercial bank or trust company reasonably acceptable
to the Borrowers.
(c) If a successor Administrative Agent shall not have been so
appointed within such 15 Business Day period, the Administrative
Agent, with the consent of the Borrowers, shall then appoint a
commercial bank or trust company with capital and surplus of not less
than $500 million as successor Administrative Agent who shall serve as
Administrative Agent hereunder or thereunder until such time, if any,
as the Required Banks appoint a successor Administrative Agent as
provided above.
(d) If no successor Administrative Agent has been appointed
pursuant to clause (b) or (c) above by the 20th Business Day after the
date such notice of resignation was given by the Administrative Agent,
the Administrative Agent's resignation shall become effective and the
Banks shall thereafter perform all the duties of the Administrative
Agent hereunder and/or under any other Credit Document until such
time, if any, as the Required Banks appoint a successor Administrative
Agent as provided above.
(e) The Documentation Agent, as such, may resign at any time by
giving 5 Business Days' prior written notice to the Banks. Such
resignation shall take effect at the end of such five Business Day
period.
(f) The Syndication Agent, as such, may resign at any time by
giving 5 Business Days' prior written notice to the Banks. Such
resignation shall take effect at the end of such five Business Day
period.
SECTION 13. Miscellaneous.
13.01 Payment of Expenses, etc. The Borrowers jointly and
severally shall: (i) whether or not the transactions herein
contemplated are consummated, pay all reasonable out-of-pocket costs
and expenses of the Administrative Agent (including, without
limitation, the reasonable fees and disbursements of White & Case and
local counsel) in connection with the preparation, execution and
delivery of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents and the
documents and instruments referred to herein and therein and any
amendment, waiver or consent relating hereto or thereto, of the Agents
in connection with their respective syndication efforts with respect
to this Agreement and of the Administrative Agent and, following and<PAGE>
during the continuation of an Event of Default, each of the Banks in
connection with the enforcement of this Agreement and the other Credit
Documents and the documents and instruments referred to herein and
therein (including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and
disbursements of counsel for the Administrative Agent and, following
and during the continuation of an Event of Default, for each of the
Banks); (ii) pay and hold each of the Banks harmless from and against
any and all present and future stamp, excise and other similar taxes
with respect to the foregoing matters and hold each of the Banks
harmless from and against any and all liabilities with respect to or
resulting from any delay or omission (other than to the extent
attributable to such Bank) to pay such taxes; and (iii) indemnify the
Agents and each Bank (including in its capacity as an Issuing Bank),
and each of their respective officers, directors, employees,
representatives, affiliates and agents from and hold each of them
harmless against any and all liabilities, obligations (including
removal or remedial actions), losses, damages, penalties, claims,
actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses and disbursements
(including reasonable attorneys' and consultants' fees and
disbursements) incurred by, imposed on or assessed against any of them
as a result of, or arising out of, or in any way related to, or by
reason of, (a) any investigation, litigation or other proceeding
(whether or not any Agent or any Bank is a party thereto) related to
the entering into and/or performance of this Agreement or any other
Credit Document or the use of any Letter of Credit or the proceeds of
any Loans hereunder or the consummation of any transactions
contemplated herein (including, without limitation, the Transaction)
or in any other Credit Document or the exercise of any of their rights
or remedies provided herein or in the other Credit Documents, or (b)
the actual or alleged presence of Hazardous Materials in the air,
surface water or groundwater or on the surface or subsurface of any
Real Property owned or at any time operated by Furniture Brands or any
of its Subsidiaries, the generation, storage, transportation, handling
or disposal of Hazardous Materials at any location, whether or not
owned or operated by Furniture Brands or any of its Subsidiaries, the
non-compliance of any Real Property with foreign, federal, state and
local laws, regulations, and ordinances (including applicable permits
thereunder) applicable to any Real Property, or any Environmental
Claim asserted against Furniture Brands, any of its Subsidiaries, or
any Real Property owned or at any time operated by Furniture Brands or
any of its Subsidiaries, including, in each case, without limitation,
the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel and other consultants
incurred in connection with any such investigation, litigation or
other proceeding (but excluding any losses, liabilities, claims,
damages or expenses to the extent incurred by reason of the gross
negligence or willful misconduct of the Person to be indemnified). To
the extent that the undertaking to indemnify, pay or hold harmless any
Agent or any Bank set forth in the preceding sentence may be
unenforceable because it is violative of any law or public policy, the
Borrowers shall make the maximum contribution to the payment and
satisfaction of each of the indemnified liabilities which is
permissible under applicable law.<PAGE>
13.02 Right of Setoff. In addition to any rights now or
hereafter granted under applicable law or otherwise, and not by way of
limitation of any such rights, upon the occurrence of an Event of
Default, each Bank is hereby authorized at any time or from time to
time, without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind
to the Borrowers or to any other Person, any such notice being hereby
expressly waived, to set off and to appropriate and apply any and all
deposits (general or special) and any other Indebtedness at any time
held or owing by such Bank (including, without limitation, by branches
and agencies of such Bank wherever located) to or for the credit or
the account of any Credit Party against and on account of the
Obligations and liabilities of all Credit Parties to such Bank under
this Agreement or under any of the other Credit Documents, including,
without limitation, all interests in Obligations purchased by such
Bank pursuant to Section 13.06(b), and all other claims of any nature
or description arising out of or connected with this Agreement or any
other Credit Document, irrespective of whether or not such Bank shall
have made any demand hereunder and although said Obligations,
liabilities or claims, or any of them, shall be contingent or
unmatured.
13.03 Notices. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein,
all notices and other communications provided for hereunder shall be
in writing (including telegraphic, telex, telecopier or cable
communication) and mailed, telegraphed, telexed, telecopied, cabled or
delivered: if to the Borrowers, at the Borrowers' address specified
opposite its signature below; if to any other Credit Party, at such
Credit Party's address set forth in any Credit Document; if to any
Bank, at its address specified opposite its name on Schedule II below;
and if to the Administrative Agent, at its Notice Office; or, as to
any Credit Party or the Administrative Agent, at such other address as
shall be designated by such party in a written notice to the other
parties hereto and, as to each Bank, at such other address as shall be
designated by such Bank in a written notice to the Borrowers and the
Administrative Agent. All such notices and communications shall, when
mailed, telegraphed, telexed, telecopied, or cabled or sent by
overnight courier, be effective when deposited in the mails, delivered
to the telegraph company, cable company or overnight courier, as the
case may be, or sent by telex or telecopier, except that notices and
communications to the Administrative Agent and the Borrowers shall not
be effective until received by the Administrative Agent or the
Borrowers, as the case may be.
13.04 Benefit of Agreement. (a) This Agreement shall be
binding upon and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the
respective successors and assigns of the parties hereto; provided,
however, no Borrower may assign or transfer any of its rights,
obligations or interest hereunder or under any other Credit Document
without the prior written consent of all of the Banks and, provided
further, that although any Bank may transfer, assign or grant
participations in its rights hereunder, such Bank shall remain a
"Bank" for all purposes hereunder (and may not transfer or assign all
or any portion of its Revolving Loan Commitment hereunder except as
provided in Section 13.04(b)) and the transferee, assignee or<PAGE>
participant, as the case may be, shall not constitute a "Bank"
hereunder and, provided further, that no Bank shall transfer or grant
any participation under which the participant shall have rights to
approve any amendment to or waiver of this Agreement or any other
Credit Document except to the extent such amendment or waiver would
(i) extend the final scheduled maturity of any Loan or Note or extend
the expiry date of any Letter of Credit in which such participant is
participating beyond the Maturity Date, or reduce the rate or extend
the time of payment of interest or Fees thereon (except in connection
with a waiver of applicability of any post-default increase in
interest rates) or reduce the principal amount thereof, or increase
the amount of the participant's participation over the amount thereof
then in effect (it being understood that waivers or modifications of
conditions precedent, covenants, Defaults or Events of Default or of a
mandatory reduction in the Total Revolving Loan Commitment shall not
constitute a change in the terms of such participation, and that an
increase in any Commitment or Loan shall be permitted without the
consent of any participant if the participant's participation is not
increased as a result thereof), (ii) consent to the assignment or
transfer by the Borrowers of any of their rights and obligations under
this Agreement or (iii) release all or substantially all of the
Collateral under all of the Security Documents (except as expressly
provided in the Credit Documents) supporting the Loans and/or Letters
of Credit hereunder in which such participant is participating. In
the case of any such participation, the participant shall not have any
rights under this Agreement or any of the other Credit Documents (the
participant's rights against such Bank in respect of such
participation to be those set forth in the agreement executed by such
Bank in favor of the participant relating thereto) and all amounts
payable by the Borrowers hereunder shall be determined as if such Bank
had not sold such participation.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Bank (or any Bank
together with one or more other Banks) may (x) assign all or a portion
of its Revolving Loan Commitment (and related outstanding Obligations
hereunder) to its parent company and/or any affiliate of such Bank
which is at least 50% owned by such Bank or its parent company or to
one or more Banks or (y) after providing at least two Business Days
prior notice to (but without requiring the consent of) Furniture
Brands, assign all, or if less than all, a portion equal to at least
$10,000,000 in the aggregate for the assigning Bank or assigning
Banks, of such Revolving Loan Commitments (or, if the Revolving Loan
Commitments have terminated, its outstanding obligations) hereunder to
one or more Eligible Transferees, each of which assignees shall become
a party to this Agreement as a Bank by execution of an Assignment and
Assumption Agreement, provided that, (i) at such time Schedule I shall
be deemed modified to reflect the Revolving Loan Commitments of such
new Bank and of the existing Banks, (ii) upon surrender of the old
Notes, new Notes will be issued, at the Borrowers' expense, to such
new Bank and to the assigning Bank, such new Notes to be in conformity
with the requirements of Section 1.05 (with appropriate modifications)
to the extent needed to reflect the revised Revolving Loan
Commitments, (iii) the consent of the Administrative Agent and any
Issuing Bank shall be required in connection with any such assignment<PAGE>
of a Bank's Revolving Loan Commitment (which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld or delayed) and (iv) the Administrative Agent
shall receive at the time of each such assignment (other than in
connection with an assignment by a Bank to an affiliate of such Bank),
from the assigning or assignee Bank, the payment of a non-refundable
fee of $3,500 and, provided further, that such transfer or assignment
will not be effective until recorded by the Administrative Agent on
the Register pursuant to Section 13.17 hereof. To the extent of any
assignment pursuant to this Section 13.04(b), the assigning Bank shall
be relieved of its obligations hereunder with respect to its assigned
Revolving Loan Commitments. At the time of each assignment pursuant
to this Section 13.04(b) to a Person which is not already a Bank
hereunder and which is not a United States person (as such term is
defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code) for Federal income tax
purposes, the respective assignee Bank shall provide to the Borrowers
and the Administrative Agent the appropriate Internal Revenue Service
Forms (and, if applicable a Section 4.04(b)(ii) Certificate) described
in Section 4.04(b). To the extent that an assignment of all or any
portion of a Bank's Revolving Loan Commitments and related outstanding
Obligations pursuant to Section 1.13 or this Section 13.04(b) would,
at the time of such assignment, result in increased costs under
Section 1.10 or 1.11 greater than those being charged by the
respective assigning Bank prior to such assignment, then the Borrowers
shall not be obligated to pay such greater increased costs (although
the Borrowers shall be obligated to pay any other increased costs of
the type described above resulting from changes after the date of the
respective assignment).
(c) Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent or prohibit any Bank
from pledging its Loans and Notes hereunder to a Federal Reserve Bank
in support of borrowings made by such Bank from such Federal Reserve
Bank.
13.05 No Waiver; Remedies Cumulative. No failure or delay on
the part of the Administrative Agent or any Bank or any holder of any
Note in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder or under
any other Credit Document and no course of dealing between the
Borrowers or any other Credit Party and the Administrative Agent or
any Bank or the holder of any Note shall operate as a waiver thereof;
nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, power or
privilege hereunder or under any other Credit Document preclude any
other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right,
power or privilege hereunder or thereunder. The rights, powers and
remedies herein or in any other Credit Document expressly provided are
cumulative and not exclusive of any rights, powers or remedies which
the Administrative Agent or any Bank or the holder of any Note would
otherwise have. No notice to or demand on any Credit Party in any
case shall entitle any Credit Party to any other or further notice or
demand in similar or other circumstances or constitute a waiver of the
rights of the Administrative Agent or any Bank or the holder of any
Note to any other or further action in any circumstances without
notice or demand.<PAGE>
13.06 Payments Pro Rata. (a) Except as otherwise provided in
this Agreement, the Administrative Agent agrees that promptly after
its receipt of each payment from or on behalf of the Borrowers in
respect of any Obligations hereunder, it shall distribute such payment
to the Banks (other than any Bank that has consented in writing to
waive its pro rata share of any such payment) pro rata based upon
their respective shares, if any, of the Obligations with respect to
which such payment was received.
(b) Each of the Banks agrees that, if it should receive any
amount hereunder (whether by voluntary payment, by realization upon
security, by the exercise of the right of setoff or banker's lien, by
counterclaim or cross action, by the enforcement of any right under
the Credit Documents, or otherwise), which is applicable to the
payment of the principal of, or interest on, the Loans, Unpaid
Drawings, Commitment Commission or other Fees, of a sum which with
respect to the related sum or sums received by other Banks is in a
greater proportion than the total of such Obligation then owed and due
to such Bank bears to the total of such Obligation then owed and due
to all of the Banks immediately prior to such receipt, then such Bank
receiving such excess payment shall purchase for cash without recourse
or warranty from the other Banks an interest in the Obligations of the
respective Credit Party to such Banks in such amount as shall result
in a proportional participation by all the Banks in such amount;
provided that if all or any portion of such excess amount is
thereafter recovered from such Bank, such purchase shall be rescinded
and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, but
without interest.
(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein,
the provisions of the preceding Sections 13.06(a) and (b) shall be
subject to the express provisions of this Agreement which require, or
permit, differing payments to be made to Non-Defaulting Banks as
opposed to Defaulting Banks.
13.07 Calculations; Computations. (a) The financial
statements to be furnished to the Banks pursuant hereto shall be made
and prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles in the United States (or the equivalent thereof in any
country in which a Foreign Sales Corporation is doing business, as
applicable) consistently applied throughout the periods involved,
provided that, (i) except as otherwise specifically provided herein,
all computations of Available $25 Million Dividend Basket Amount,
Available $10 Million Acquisition/Investment Basket Amount, Available
Debt Proceeds Amount, Available Unrestricted Proceeds Amount,
Available Net Income Amount, Consolidated Cumulative 25% Net Income
Amount, Returned Investment Amount and Available Returned Investment
Amount and all computations determining compliance with Sections 9.02
through 9.09, inclusive, shall utilize accounting principles and
policies in conformity with those used to prepare the historical
financial statements delivered to the Banks pursuant to Sections
7.05(a), (ii) for all purposes of this Agreement, all Attributed
Receivables Facility Indebtedness of the Receivables Subsidiary shall
be included in the consolidated financial statements of Furniture<PAGE>
Brands and its Restricted Subsidiaries, and shall be considered
Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary of Furniture Brands hereunder,
regardless of any differing treatment pursuant to generally acceptable
accounting principles and (iii) for purposes of calculating financial
terms, all covenants and related definitions, all such calculations
based on the operations of Furniture Brands and its Restricted
Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis shall be made without giving
effect to the operations of any Unrestricted Subsidiaries.
(b) All computations of interest, Commitment Commission and
other Fees hereunder shall be made on the basis of a year of 360 days
for the actual number of days (including the first day but excluding
the last day) occurring in the period for which such interest,
Commitment Commission or other Fees are payable.
13.08 GOVERNING LAW; SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION; VENUE; WAIVER
OF JURY TRIAL. (a) THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENTS
AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER AND THEREUNDER
SHALL, EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN CERTAIN OF THE MORTGAGES, BE
CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND BE GOVERNED BY THE LAW OF THE STATE
OF NEW YORK. ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING WITH RESPECT TO THIS
AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENT MAY BE BROUGHT IN THE COURTS OF
THE STATE OF NEW YORK OR OF THE UNITED STATES FOR THE SOUTHERN
DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, AND, BY EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF THIS
AGREEMENT, EACH OF THE BORROWERS HEREBY IRREVOCABLY ACCEPTS FOR ITSELF
AND IN RESPECT OF ITS PROPERTY, GENERALLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY, THE
JURISDICTION OF THE AFORESAID COURTS. EACH OF THE BORROWERS HEREBY
IRREVOCABLY DESIGNATES, APPOINTS AND EMPOWERS CT CORPORATION SYSTEM,
WITH OFFICES ON THE DATE HEREOF AT 1633 BROADWAY, NEW YORK, NEW YORK
10019 AS ITS DESIGNEE, APPOINTEE AND AGENT TO RECEIVE AND ACCEPT FOR
AND ON ITS BEHALF, AND IN RESPECT OF ITS PROPERTY, SERVICE OF ANY AND
ALL LEGAL PROCESS, SUMMONS, NOTICES AND DOCUMENTS WHICH MAY BE SERVED
IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING. IF FOR ANY REASON SUCH DESIGNEE,
APPOINTEE AND AGENT SHALL CEASE TO BE AVAILABLE TO ACT AS SUCH, EACH
CREDIT PARTY AGREES TO DESIGNATE A NEW DESIGNEE, APPOINTEE AND AGENT
IN NEW YORK CITY ON THE TERMS AND FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS PROVISION
SATISFACTORY TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT UNDER THIS AGREEMENT. EACH
OF THE BORROWERS FURTHER IRREVOCABLY CONSENT TO THE SERVICE OF PROCESS
OUT OF ANY OF THE AFOREMENTIONED COURTS IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR
PROCEEDING BY THE MAILING OF COPIES THEREOF BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED
MAIL, POSTAGE PREPAID, TO ANY CREDIT PARTY AT ITS ADDRESS SET FORTH
OPPOSITE ITS SIGNATURE BELOW, SUCH SERVICE TO BECOME EFFECTIVE 30 DAYS
AFTER SUCH MAILING. NOTHING HEREIN SHALL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF THE
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT UNDER THIS AGREEMENT, ANY BANK OR THE HOLDER OF
ANY NOTE TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR TO
COMMENCE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS OR OTHERWISE PROCEED AGAINST ANY CREDIT
PARTY IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION.
(b) EACH OF THE BORROWERS HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY
OBJECTION WHICH IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF
ANY OF THE AFORESAID ACTIONS OR PROCEEDINGS ARISING OUT OF OR IN
CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER CREDIT DOCUMENT BROUGHT IN
THE COURTS REFERRED TO IN CLAUSE (a) ABOVE AND HEREBY FURTHER
IRREVOCABLY WAIVES AND AGREES NOT TO PLEAD OR CLAIM IN ANY SUCH COURT<PAGE>
THAT ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH COURT HAS BEEN
BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM.
(c) EACH OF THE PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT HEREBY IRREVOCABLY
WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, PROCEEDING OR
COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, THE OTHER
CREDIT DOCUMENTS OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY OR THEREBY.
13.09 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any
number of counterparts and by the different parties hereto on separate
counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be an
original, but all of which shall together constitute one and the same
instrument. A set of counterparts executed by all the parties hereto
shall be lodged with the Borrowers and the Administrative Agent.
13.10 Effectiveness. (a) This Agreement shall become
effective on the date (the "Second Restatement Effective Date") on
which (i) each Borrower, each Continuing Bank, each New Bank, the
Required Banks (determined immediately before the occurrence of the
Second Restatement Effective Date) and each Agent shall have signed a
counterpart hereof (whether the same or different counterparts) and
shall have delivered (including by way of facsimile device) the same
to the Administrative Agent at its Notice Office and (ii) the
conditions contained in Sections 5, 6 and 13.10(b) are met to the
satisfaction of the Administrative Agent and the Required Banks
(determined immediately after the occurrence of the Second Restatement
Effective Date). Unless the Administrative Agent has received actual
notice from any Bank that the conditions contained in Sections 5 and 6
have not been met to its satisfaction, upon the satisfaction of the
condition described in clause (i) of the immediately preceding
sentence and upon the Administrative Agent's good faith determination
that the conditions described in clause (ii) of the immediately
preceding sentence have been met, then the Second Restatement
Effective Date shall have been deemed to have occurred, regardless of
any subsequent determination that one or more of the conditions
thereto had not been met (although the occurrence of the Second
Restatement Effective Date shall not release the Borrowers from any
liability for failure to satisfy one or more of the applicable
conditions contained in Section 5 or 6). The Administrative Agent
will give the Borrowers and each Bank prompt written notice of the
occurrence of the Second Restatement Effective Date.
(b) On the Second Restatement Effective Date, each Bank shall
have delivered to the Administrative Agent for the account of the
Borrowers an amount equal to the Revolving Loans to be made by such
Bank on the Second Restatement Effective Date. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained in this Section 13.10(b), in
satisfying the foregoing condition, unless the Administrative Agent
shall have been notified by any Bank prior to the occurrence of the
Second Restatement Effective Date that such Bank does not intend to
make available to the Administrative Agent such Bank's Revolving Loans
required to be made by it on such date, then the Administrative Agent
may, in reliance on such assumption, make available to the Borrower
the corresponding amounts in accordance with the provisions of Section<PAGE>
1.04 of this Agreement, and the making available by the Administrative
Agent of such amounts shall satisfy the condition contained in this
Section 13.10(b).
13.11 Headings Descriptive. The headings of the several
sections and subsections of this Agreement are inserted for
convenience only and shall not in any way affect the meaning or
construction of any provision of this Agreement.
13.12 Amendment or Waiver; etc. (a) Neither this Agreement
nor any other Credit Document nor any terms hereof or thereof may be
changed, waived, discharged or terminated unless such change, waiver,
discharge or termination is in writing signed by the respective Credit
Parties party thereto and the Required Banks, provided that no such
change, waiver, discharge or termination shall, without the consent of
each Bank (other than a Defaulting Bank) (with Obligations being
directly affected thereby in the case of following clause (i)), (i)
extend the final scheduled maturity of any Loan or Note, or extend the
stated maturity of any Letter of Credit beyond the Maturity Date, or
reduce the rate or extend the time of payment of interest or Fees
thereon, or reduce the principal amount thereof (except to the extent
repaid in cash), (ii) release all or substantially all of the
Collateral under all the Security Documents (except as expressly
provided in the Credit Documents), (iii) amend, modify or waive any
provision of this Section 13.12, (iv) reduce the percentage specified
in the definition of Required Banks (it being understood that, with
the consent of the Required Banks, additional extensions of credit
pursuant to this Agreement may be included in the determination of the
Required Banks on substantially the same basis as the extensions of
Revolving Loan Commitments are included on the Second Restatement
Effective Date) or (v) consent to the assignment or transfer by the
Borrowers of any of their rights and obligations under this Agreement;
provided further, that no such change, waiver, discharge or
termination shall (t) increase the Revolving Loan Commitment of any
Bank over the amount thereof then in effect without the consent of
such Bank (it being understood that waivers or modifications of
conditions precedent, covenants, Defaults or Events of Default or of a
mandatory reduction in any Revolving Loan Commitments shall not
constitute an increase of the Revolving Loan Commitment of any Bank,
and that an increase in the available portion of any Revolving Loan
Commitment of any Bank shall not constitute an increase in the
Revolving Loan Commitment of such Bank), (u) without the consent of
the respective Issuing Bank or Issuing Banks, amend, modify or waive
any provision of Section 2 with respect to Letters of Credit issued by
it or alter its rights or obligations with respect to Letters of
Credit or Acceptances, (v) without the consent of BTCo, amend, modify
or waive any provision of Sections 1.01(b) and (c) or alter its rights
and obligations with respect to Swingline Loans, (w) without the
consent of each Agent affected thereby, amend, modify or waive any
provision of Section 12 as same applies to such Agent or any other
provision as same relates to the rights or obligations of such Agent,
(x) without the consent of the Collateral Agent, amend, modify or
waive any provision relating to the rights or obligations of the
Collateral Agent, (y) without the consent of the Supermajority Banks<PAGE>
(1) amend, modify or waive any Scheduled Commitment Reduction, (2)
reduce the percentage specified in the definition of Supermajority
Banks or (3) release any significant portion of the Collateral under
the Security Documents (except as expressly provided in the Credit
Documents) or release any significant Subsidiary Guarantor from its
obligations under the Subsidiary Guaranty (other than in connection
with a transaction permitted pursuant to Section 9.02); provided that
no Collateral shall constitute a significant portion of the Collateral
and no Subsidiary Guarantor shall constitute a significant Subsidiary
Guarantor if the fair market value of the Collateral to be released
plus the fair market value of the assets owned or held by such
Subsidiary Guarantor is $20 million or less in the aggregate (based on
a certificate of the chief financial officer of Furniture Brands
taking into account all prior releases).
(b) If, in connection with any proposed change, waiver,
discharge or termination to any of the provisions of this Agreement as
contemplated by clauses (i) through (v), inclusive, of the first
proviso to Section 13.12(a), the consent of the Required Banks is
obtained but the consent of one or more of such other Banks whose
consent is required is not obtained, then the Borrowers shall have the
right, so long as all non-consenting Banks whose individual consent is
required are treated as described in either clauses (A) or (B) below,
to either (A) replace each such non-consenting Bank or Banks with one
or more Replacement Banks pursuant to Section 1.13 so long as at the
time of such replacement, each such Replacement Bank consents to the
proposed change, waiver, discharge or termination or (B) terminate
such non-consenting Bank's Revolving Loan Commitment in accordance
with Sections 3.02(b) and/or 4.01(b), provided that, unless the
Revolving Loan Commitments are terminated, and Loans repaid, pursuant
to the preceding clause (B) are immediately replaced in full at such
time through the addition of new Banks or the increase of the
Revolving Loan Commitments and/or outstanding Loans of existing Banks
(who in each case must specifically consent thereto), then in the case
of any action pursuant to preceding clause (B) the Required Banks
(determined before giving effect to the proposed action) shall
specifically consent thereto, provided further, that in any event the
Borrowers shall not have the right to replace a Bank, terminate its
Revolving Loan Commitment or repay its Loans solely as a result of the
exercise of such Bank's rights (and the withholding of any required
consent by such Bank) pursuant to the second proviso to Section
13.12(a).
13.13 Survival. All indemnities set forth herein including,
without limitation, in Sections 1.10, 1.11, 2.06, 4.04, 13.01 and
13.06 shall, subject to Section 13.15 (to the extent applicable),
survive the execution, delivery and termination of this Agreement and
the Notes and the making and repayment of the Loans.
13.14 Domicile of Loans. Each Bank may transfer and carry its
Loans at, to or for the account of any office, Subsidiary or Affiliate
of such Bank. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained
herein, to the extent that a transfer of Loans pursuant to this
Section 13.14 would, at the time of such transfer, result in increased<PAGE>
costs under Section 1.10, 1.11, 2.06 or 4.04 from those being charged
by the respective Bank prior to such transfer, then the Borrowers
shall not be obligated to pay such increased costs (although the
Borrowers shall be obligated to pay any other increased costs of the
type described above resulting from changes after the date of the
respective transfer).
13.15 Limitation on Additional Amounts, etc. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained in Sections 1.10, 1.11, 2.06 or
4.04 of this Agreement, unless a Bank gives notice to the Borrowers
that it is obligated to pay an amount under any such Section within
one year after the later of (x) the date the Bank incurs the
respective increased costs, Taxes, loss, expense or liability,
reduction in amounts received or receivable or reduction in return on
capital or (y) the date such Bank has actual knowledge of its
incurrence of the respective increased costs, Taxes, loss, expense or
liability, reductions in amounts received or receivable or reduction
in return on capital, then such Bank shall only be entitled to be
compensated for such amount jointly and severally by the Borrowers
pursuant to said Section 1.10, 1.11, 2.06 or 4.04, as the case may be,
to the extent the costs, Taxes, loss, expense or liability, reduction
in amounts received or receivable or reduction in return on capital
are incurred or suffered on or after the date which occurs one year
prior to such Bank giving notice to the Borrowers that it is obligated
to pay the respective amounts pursuant to said Section 1.10, 1.11,
2.06 or 4.04, as the case may be. This Section 13.15 shall have no
applicability to any Section of this Agreement other than said
Sections 1.10, 1.11, 2.06 and 4.04.
13.16 Confidentiality. (a) Subject to the provisions of
clause (b) of this Section 13.16, each Bank agrees that it will use
its best efforts not to disclose without the prior consent of the
Borrowers (other than to its employees, auditors, advisors or counsel
or to another Bank if the Bank or such Bank's holding or parent
company in its sole discretion determines that any such party should
have access to such information, provided such Persons shall be
subject to the provisions of this Section 13.16 to the same extent as
such Bank) any information with respect to Furniture Brands or any of
its Subsidiaries which is now or in the future furnished pursuant to
this Agreement or any other Credit Document and which is designated by
Furniture Brands to the Banks in writing as confidential, provided
that any Bank may disclose any such information (a) as has become
generally available to the public, (b) as may be required or
appropriate in any report, statement or testimony submitted to any
municipal, state or Federal regulatory body having or claiming to have
jurisdiction over such Bank or to the Federal Reserve Board or the
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or similar organizations
(whether in the United States or elsewhere) or their successors, (c)
as may be required or appropriate in respect to any summons or
subpoena or in connection with any litigation, (d) in order to comply
with any law, order, regulation or ruling applicable to such Bank, (e)
to any Agent or the Collateral Agent and (f) to any prospective or
actual transferee or participant in connection with any contemplated
transfer or participation of any of the Notes or Commitments or any<PAGE>
interest therein by such Bank, provided, that such prospective
transferee agrees to maintain the confidentiality contained in this
Section.
(b) Each of the Borrowers hereby acknowledges and agrees that
each Bank may share with any of its affiliates any information related
to Furniture Brands or any of its Subsidiaries (including, without
limitation, any nonpublic customer information regarding the
creditworthiness of Furniture Brands and its Subsidiaries), provided
such Persons shall be subject to the provisions of this Section 13.16
to the same extent as such Bank.
13.17 Register. The Borrowers hereby designate the
Administrative Agent to serve as the Borrowers' agent, solely for
purposes of this Section 13.17, to maintain a register (the
"Register") on which it will record the Revolving Loan Commitments
from time to time of each of the Banks, the Loans made by each of the
Banks and each repayment in respect of the principal amount of the
Loans of each Bank. Failure to make any such recordation, or any
error in such recordation shall not affect the Borrowers' obligations
in respect of such Loans. With respect to any Bank, the transfer of
the Revolving Loan Commitments of such Bank and the rights to the
principal of, and interest on, any Loan made pursuant to such
Revolving Loan Commitments shall not be effective until such transfer
is recorded on the Register maintained by the Administrative Agent
with respect to ownership of such Revolving Loan Commitments and Loans
and prior to such recordation all amounts owing to the transferor with
respect to such Revolving Loan Commitments and Loans shall remain
owing to the transferor. The registration of assignment or transfer
of all or part of any Revolving Loan Commitments and Loans shall be
recorded by the Administrative Agent on the Register only upon the
acceptance by the Administrative Agent of a properly executed and
delivered Assignment and Assumption Agreement pursuant to Section
13.04(b). Coincident with the delivery of such an Assignment and
Assumption Agreement to the Administrative Agent for acceptance and
registration of assignment or transfer of all or part of a Loan, or as
soon thereafter as practicable, the assigning or transferor Bank shall
surrender the Note evidencing such Loan, and thereupon one or more new
Notes in the same aggregate principal amount shall be issued to the
assigning or transferor Bank and/or the new Bank. The Borrowers
jointly and severally agree to indemnify the Administrative Agent from
and against any and all losses, claims, damages and liabilities of
whatsoever nature which may be imposed on, asserted against or
incurred by the Administrative Agent in performing its duties under
this Section 13.17, provided that the Borrowers shall have no
obligation to indemnify the Administrative Agent for any loss, claim,
damage, liability or expense which resulted primarily from the gross
negligence or wilful misconduct of the Administrative Agent.
13.18 Addition of New Banks; Termination of Commitments of Non-
Continuing Banks; etc. (a) On and as of the occurrence of the Second
Restatement Effective Date in accordance with Section 13.10, each New
Bank shall become a "Bank" under, and for all purposes of, this
Agreement and the other Credit Documents.<PAGE>
(b) The parties hereto acknowledge that each Existing Bank has
been offered the opportunity to participate in this Agreement, after
the occurrence of the Second Restatement Effective Date, as a
Continuing Bank hereunder, but that no Existing Bank is obligated to
be a Continuing Bank. By their execution and delivery hereof, the
Borrower and the Required Banks (determined immediately before the
occurrence of the Second Restatement Effective Date) consent to the
voluntary repayment by the Borrower of all outstanding Existing Loans
and other Obligations owing to each Existing Bank which has not
elected to become a Continuing Bank (each such Bank, a "Non-Continuing
Bank") and to the voluntary termination by the Borrower of the
Revolving Loan Commitment (under, and as defined in, the Existing
Credit Agreement) of each Non-Continuing Bank, in each case to be
effective on, and contemporaneously with the occurrence of, the Second
Restatement Effective Date, in each case in accordance with the
provisions of Section 13.18(c).
(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the
Existing Credit Agreement or any Credit Document, the Borrower and
each of the Banks hereby agrees that on the Second Restatement
Effective Date, (i) each Bank with a Revolving Loan Commitment as set
forth on Schedule I (after giving effect to the Second Restatement
Effective Date) shall make that principal amount of Revolving Loans to
the Borrower as is required by Section 1.01, and (ii) in the case of
each Non-Continuing Bank, all of such Non-Continuing Bank's Existing
Loans outstanding on the Second Restatement Effective Date shall be
repaid in full on such date, together with interest thereon and all
accrued Fees (and any other amounts) owing to such Non-Continuing
Bank, and the Term Loan Commitment and/or Revolving Loan Commitment
(under, and as defined in, the Existing Credit Agreement) of such Non-
Continuing Bank, if any, shall be terminated, effective upon the
occurrence of the Second Restatement Effective Date. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained in the Existing Credit Agreement,
this Agreement or any other Credit Document, the parties hereto hereby
consent to the repayments and reductions required above, and agree
that in the event that any Existing Bank shall fail to execute a
counterpart of this Agreement prior to the occurrence of the Second
Restatement Effective Date, such Existing Bank shall be deemed to be a
Non-Continuing Bank and, concurrently with the occurrence of the
Second Restatement Effective Date, the Revolving Loan Commitment
(under, and as defined in, the Existing Credit Agreement) of such
Existing Bank, if any, shall be terminated, all Existing Loans of such
Existing Bank outstanding on the Second Restatement Effective Date
shall be repaid in full, together with interest thereon and all
accrued Fees (and any other amounts) owing to such Existing Bank, and
concurrently with the occurrence of the Second Restatement Effective
Date, such Existing Bank shall no longer constitute a "Bank" under
this Agreement and the other Credit Documents, provided that all
indemnities of the Credit Parties under the Existing Credit Agreement
and the other Credit Documents (as in effect prior to the Second
Restatement Effective Date) for the benefit of such Existing Bank
shall survive in accordance with the terms thereof.<PAGE>
13.19 Post Closing Actions. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary contained in this Agreement or the other Credit Documents,
the parties hereto acknowledge and agree that:
(a) Corporate Documents. The Borrowers will deliver, or cause
to be delivered, within thirty (30) Business Days after the Second
Restatement Effective Date, (i) a certified copy of the Certificate of
Incorporation of each of Lane, Lane Advertising, Inc. and Action and
(ii) good standing certificates issued by the Secretary of State of
Virginia in respect of Thomasville and issued by the Secretary of
State of Tennessee in respect of Lane;
(b) Insurance Certificates. The Borrowers will deliver, or
cause to be delivered, within thirty (30) Business Days after the
Second Restatement Effective Date, evidence of insurance complying
with the requirements of Section 8.03 for the business and properties
of Furniture Brands and its Restricted Subsidiaries, in scope, form
and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agents and naming the
Collateral Agent as an additional insured and/or loss payee, and
stating that such insurance shall not be cancelled or revised without
30 days' prior written notice by the insurer to the Administrative
Agent;
(c) Stock Certificates. Broyhill and Thomasville will deliver,
or cause to be delivered, within thirty (30) Business Days after the
Second Restatement Effective Date, to the Collateral Agent stock
certificates evidencing the ownership by each of Broyhill and
Thomasville of 1,000 shares, respectively, of capital stock of
Furniture Factories Clearance Center, Inc., in each case as required
by the Pledge Agreement;
(d) Title Endorsements. The Borrowers will deliver, or cause to
delivered, within thirty (30) Business Days after the Second
Restatement Effective Date, endorsements reasonably satisfactory to
the Collateral Agent to each Existing Mortgage Policy assuring the
Collateral Agent that each Existing Mortgage is a valid and
enforceable first priority mortgage lien on the respective Existing
Mortgaged Properties, free and clear of all defects and encumbrances
except Permitted Encumbrances; and
(e) Confirmatory UCC Searches. The Borrowers will deliver, or
cause to delivered, within thirty (30) Business Days after the Second
Restatement Effective Date, certified copies of Requests for
Information or Copies (Form UCC-11), or equivalent reports, listing
all effective financing statements that name any Credit Party as
debtor and that are filed in the jurisdictions referred to in Section
5.09(a), together with copies of such other financing statements (none
of which shall cover the Collateral except to the extent evidencing
Permitted Liens or in respect of which the Collateral Agent shall have
received termination statements (Form UCC-3) or such other termination
statements as shall be required by local law) fully executed for
filing.<PAGE>
All conditions precedent and representations contained in this
Agreement and the other Credit Documents shall be deemed modified to
the extent necessary to effect the foregoing (and to permit the taking
of the actions described above within the time periods required above,
rather than as elsewhere provided in the Credit Documents); provided,
that (x) to the extent any representation and warranty would not be
true because the foregoing actions were not taken on the Second
Restatement Effective Date, the respective representation and warranty
shall be required to be true and correct in all material respects at
the time the respective action is taken (or was required to be taken)
in accordance with the foregoing provisions of Section 13.19 and (y)
all representations and warranties relating to the Security Documents
shall be required to be true immediately after the actions required to
be taken by Section 13.19 have been taken (or were required to be
taken). The acceptance of the benefits of each Credit Event shall
constitute a representation, warranty and covenant by the Borrowers to
each of the Banks that the actions required pursuant to this Section
13.19 will be taken within the relevant time periods referred to in
this Section 13.19 and that, at such time, all representations and
warranties contained in this Agreement and the other Credit Documents
shall then be true and correct without any modification pursuant to
this Section 13.19.<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused their duly
authorized officers to execute and deliver this Agreement as of the
date first above written.
Address:
c/o Furniture Brands FURNITURE BRANDS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
International, Inc. BROYHILL FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC.
101 South Hanley Road THE LANE COMPANY, INCORPORATED
St. Louis, MO 63105 THOMASVILLE FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC.
Tel: (314) 863-1100
Fax: (314) 863-5306
Attention: David P. Howard
Vice President,
Treasurer and Chief
Financial Officer
By: David P. Howard
Title: Vice President
On behalf of each of the above
Borrowers
One Bankers Trust Plaza BANKERS TRUST COMPANY,
130 Liberty Street Individually and as Administrative
New York, NY 10006 Agent
Tel: (212) 250-1724
Fax: (212) 250-7218
Attention: Dana F. Klein By: Dana F. Klein
Vice President Title: Vice President
NATIONSBANK, N.A.,
Individually and as Syndication Agent
By: Valerie C. Mills
Title: Senior Vice President
CREDIT LYONNAIS NEW YORK BRANCH,
as Documentation Agent
By: Robert H. Dial
Title: Vice President<PAGE>
CREDIT LYONNAIS CHICAGO BRANCH,
Individually
By: Julie Kanak
Title: Vice President
By: Thomas F. Kelly
Title: Assistant Vice President
BANK OF MONTREAL
By: Michael D. Pincus
Title: Managing Director
BANK OF SCOTLAND
By: Catherine M. Oniffrey
Title: Vice President
THE MITSUBISHI TRUST AND BANKING
CORPORATION
By: Masaaki Yamagishi
Title: Chief Manager
THE BANK OF TOKYO - MITSUBISHI,
LIMITED
By: Noboru Kobayashi
Title: Deputy General Manager<PAGE>
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
By: Lynn C. Lambert
Title: Vice President
THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA
By: F.C.II. Ashby
Title: Senior Manager Loan Operations
BANQUE PARIBAS
By: Karen E. Coons
Title: Vice President
By: Nicholas C. Mast
Title: Vice President
THE BOATMEN'S NATIONAL BANK
OF ST. LOUIS
By: Pamela Boogeman
Title: Vice President
CAISSE NATIONALE DE CREDIT
AGRICOLE
By: David Bouhl, F.V.P
Title: Head of Corporate Banking
Chicago<PAGE>
CIBC, INC
By: John J. Mack
Title: Aurthorized Signatory
CITIBANK, N.A.
By
Title:
CITY NATIONAL BANK
By: Kim R. Bingham
Title: Senior Vice President
FIRST AMERICAN NATIONAL BANK
By: Kathryn A. Brothers
Title: Vice President
FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK OF NORTH
CAROLINA
By: Mark M. Harden
Title: Vice President
THE FUJI BANK LIMITED
By: Peter L. Chinnici
Title: Joint General Manager<PAGE>
THE INDUSTRIAL BANK OF JAPAN,
LIMITED
By: Hiroaki Nakamura
Title: Joint General Manager
THE LONG TERM CREDIT BANK OF
JAPAN, LTD
By: Armund J. Schoen
Title: Vice President and
Deputy General Manager
MERCANTILE BANK OF ST. LOUIS
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
By: Stephen M. Reese
Title: Vice President
THE NIPPON CREDIT BANK, LTD
By
Title:
SANWA, LIMITED, CHICAGO BRANCH
By: Kenneth C. Eichwald
Title: Vice President and Manager<PAGE>
THE SUMITOMO BANK, LIMITED,
CHICAGO BRANCH
By
Title:
UNITED STATES NATIONAL BANK
OF OREGON
By: Chris J. Karlin
Title: Vice President
THE YASUDA TRUST AND BANKING
CO., LTD., CHICAGO BRANCH
By
Title: <PAGE>
AMENDMENT NO. 1 OF
PURCHASE AND CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
AMENDMENT NO. 1, dated as of June 27, 1996, to the Purchase
and Contribution Agreement, dated as of November 15, 1994, as
amended and restated as of December 29, 1995 (the "Agreement"),
among THE LANE COMPANY, INCORPORATED, ACTION INDUSTRIES, INC.,
BROYHILL FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC. and THOMASVILLE FURNITURE
INDUSTRIES, INC., as sellers (the "Sellers"), and INTERCO
RECEIVABLES CORP., as purchaser (the "Purchaser") (the
"Amendment").
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Sellers and the Purchaser have agreed subject
to the terms and conditions of this Amendment, to amend the
Agreement as hereinafter set forth.
Terms used herein but not defined herein shall have the
meaning assigned thereto in the Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:
1. Amendment of Agreement. The Agreement shall be and is
hereby amended, as of the date hereof, as follows:
(a) The definition of "Eligible Foreign Receivable" in
Section 1.01 shall be amended to provide in its entirety as
follows:
""Eligible Foreign Receivable" means a Receivable meeting
all of the criteria set forth in either of the following
clauses:
(i) the payment of such Receivable is fully supported
by an irrevocable letter of credit issued by an office or
branch located in the United States of an Eligible LOC Bank,
the Purchaser or its assignee holds a first priority,
perfected security interest in such letter of credit, the
issuer of such letter of credit has been notified of such
security interest and such Receivable satisfies any other
requirements as to which the Purchaser or its assignee has
notified the Sellers in writing; or
(ii) the Obligor of such Receivable is a Canadian
resident, the Purchaser or its assignee holds a first
priority, perfected security interest in such Receivable
which is enforceable under applicable Canadian law, the
Purchaser or its assignee has received an opinion of
Canadian counsel for the Seller, in form and substance
satisfactory to the Purchaser or its assignee, as to
perfection, enforcement, taxes and such other matters as the<PAGE>
Agent may reasonably request, and such Receivable satisfies
any other requirements as to which the Purchaser or its
assignee has notified the Sellers in writing;
provided, however, that the aggregate Outstanding Balance of
Eligible Foreign Receivables which shall be considered Eligible
Receivables shall not at any time exceed an amount equal to 10%
of the Total Commitment (as defined in the CL Sale Agreement)."
(b) In subclause (a) of clause (j) of Section 5.01, the
reference to "Eligible Receivables" shall be amended to read
"Receivables".
2. Execution in Counterparts, Etc. This Amendment may be
executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so
executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which when
taken together shall constitute one and the same amendment. The
delivery of a signed signature page to this Amendment by telecopy
transmission shall constitute due execution and delivery of this
Amendment for all purposes.
3. Agreement in Full Force and Effect. Except as amended by
this Amendment, all of the provisions of the Agreement and all of
the provisions of all other documentation required to be
delivered with respect thereto shall remain in full force and
effect from and after the date hereof.
4. References to Agreement. From and after the date
hereof, (a) all references in the Agreement to "this Agreement",
"hereof", "herein", or similar terms and (b) all references to
the Agreement in each agreement, instrument and other document
executed or delivered in connection with the Agreement, shall
mean and refer to the Agreement, as amended by this Amendment.
5. Further Assurances. The parties hereto agree to execute
and deliver any and all further agreements, certificates and
other documents reasonably necessary to implement the provisions
of this Amendment.
6. Governing Law. This Amendment shall be governed by, and
construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York
without giving effect to the conflict of laws principles thereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Sellers and the Purchaser have
caused this Amendment to be duly executed by their respective
officers thereunto duly authorized as of the day and year first
above written.
SELLERS: THE LANE COMPANY, INCORPORATED<PAGE>
By: David P. Howard
Name: David P. Howard
Title: Vice President
ACTION INDUSTRIES, INC.
By: David P. Howard
Name: David P. Howard
Title: Vice President
BROYHILL FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC.
By: David P. Howard
Name: David P. Howard
Title: Vice President
THOMASVILLE FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC.
By: David P. Howard
Name: David P. Howard
Title: Vice President
PURCHASER: INTERCO RECEIVABLES CORP.
By: David P. Howard
Name: David P. Howard
Title: President<PAGE>
AMENDMENT NO. 2 OF
PURCHASE AND CONTRIBUTION AGREEMENT
AMENDMENT NO. 2, dated as of September 6, 1996, to the
Purchase and Contribution Agreement, dated as of November 15,
1994, as amended and restated as of December 29, 1995 and further
amended as of June 27, 1996 (the " Agreement"), among THE LANE
COMPANY, INCORPORATED, ACTION INDUSTRIES, INC., BROYHILL
FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC. and THOMASVILLE FURNITURE INDUSTRIES,
INC., as sellers (the " Sellers"), and INTERCO RECEIVABLES
CORP., as purchaser (the " Purchaser") (the " Amendment").
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Sellers and the Purchaser have agreed subject
to the terms and conditions of this Amendment, to amend the
Agreement as hereinafter set forth.
Terms used herein but not defined herein shall have the
meaning assigned thereto in the Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:
1. Amendment of Agreement. The Agreement shall be and is
hereby amended, as of the date hereof (subject to satisfaction of
the conditions precedent set forth in Section 2 hereof), as
follows:
(a) The definition of "Bank Credit Agreement" in Section
1.01 shall be amended to provide in its entirety as follows:
""Bank Credit Agreement" means the Credit Agreement
dated as of November 17, 1994, as amended and restated as of
December 29, 1995 and as further amended and restated as of
September 6, 1996, among Furniture Brands International,
Inc. (f/k/a Interco), Broyhill, Lane, Thomasville, the banks
named therein and Bankers Trust Company, as agent."
(b) The definition of "Cumulative Consolidated EBITDA" in
Section 1.01 shall be deleted in its entirety.
(c) The definition of "Daily Settlement Trigger" in
Section 1.01 shall be changed to "Weekly Settlement Trigger" and
amended to provide in its entirety as follows:
""Weekly Settlement Trigger" means the occurrence of
any of the following:
(a) The Consolidated Net Interest Coverage Ratio for
any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters, in each case
taken as one accounting period, ended on the last day of a
fiscal quarter set forth below, shall be less than the<PAGE>
amount set forth opposite such period below:
Fiscal Quarter Ratio
-------------- -----
December 31, 1996 3.00: 1.0
March 31, 1997 3.00: 1.0
June 30, 1997 3.00: 1.0
September 30, 1997 3.25: 1.0
December 31, 1997 3.25: 1.0
March 31, 1998 3.25: 1.0
June 30, 1998 3.25: 1.0
September 30, 1998 3.50: 1.0
December 31, 1998 3.50: 1.0
Thereafter 3.50: 1.0
(b) The Leverage Ratio at any time shall be greater
than the ratio set forth opposite the fiscal quarter most
recently ended as set forth below:
Fiscal Quarter Ratio
-------------- -----
December 31, 1996 4.25: 1.0
March 31, 1997 4.25: 1.0
June 30, 1997 4.25: 1.0
September 30, 1997 4.25: 1.0
December 31, 1997 4.25: 1.0
March 31, 1998 4.25: 1.0
June 30, 1998 4.25: 1.0
September 30, 1998 4.00: 1.0
December 31, 1998 4.00: 1.0
Thereafter 4.00: 1.0
(c) The Net Dilution Ratio shall be greater than 7%;
(d) The Default Ratio shall be greater than 7%;
(e) Any Event of Termination shall occur under Section
7.01(e) or (g) of this Agreement; or
(f) The Sellers shall have repurchased Receivables
(pursuant to indemnity provisions or otherwise) from the
Purchaser and/or the Purchaser s assignees in an aggregate
amount exceeding $17,500,000 in any Fiscal Year."<PAGE>
(d) All references in the Agreement to "Daily Settlement
Trigger" shall be amended to refer to "Weekly Settlement
Trigger".
(e) The definition of "Interco" in Section 1.01 shall be
amended to refer to "Furniture Brands International, Inc., a
Delaware corporation, formerly known as INTERCO INCORPORATED".
(f) In Section 1.02 (i) the reference to "Term Loans" shall
be deleted in its entirety and (ii) the reference to "Interco
Warrants" shall be amended to refer to "Furniture Brands
Warrants".
(g) Clause (j) of Section 5.01 shall be amended to provide
in its entirety as follows:
"(j) Weekly Settlement Trigger. From and after the
fifth day after the occurrence of a Weekly Settlement
Trigger, and so long as a Weekly Settlement Trigger is
continuing, on the same day of each week thereafter (or if
any such day is not a Business Day, on the immediately
following Business Day), (a) cause the Servicer to submit
weekly reports in form and substance satisfactory to the
Purchaser listing the aggregate Outstanding Balance of all
Receivables generated by each Seller on each Business Day
during the preceding week, (b) use its best efforts to cause
each Lock-Box Bank to submit weekly reports to the Purchaser
listing the aggregate amount of Collections received in the
Lock-Box Account(s) at such Lock-Box Bank on each Business
Day during the preceding week, and (c) cause all Collections
(and only Collections) to be deposited daily, from the Lock
-Box Accounts or other locations in which Collections are
received, into an account (the " Concentration Account")
maintained in a bank acceptable to the Purchaser in the name
of both the Purchaser and/or the Purchaser s assignee. No
funds in the Concentration Account shall be distributed to
or for the benefit of any Seller until the Purchaser and the
Purchaser s assignee (if any) each notifies the bank in
which the Concentration Account is located to release funds
therein to such persons. The funds in the Concentration
Account shall be invested in a manner acceptable to the
Purchaser and/or the Purchaser s assignee. If all events
constituting a Weekly Settlement Trigger shall have been
cured or shall no longer be continuing, and no Event of
Termination shall then exist, the Sellers and Servicer may
resume processing Collections and delivering reports as they
did immediately prior to the occurrence of a Weekly
Settlement Trigger."
2. Conditions Precedent. The effectiveness of this
Amendment is subject to the conditions precedent that the Agent
shall have received, on or before the date hereof, (i) a
certificate of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of Lane,<PAGE>
Broyhill and Thomasville certifying that attached thereto is a
true and complete copy of the Bank Credit Agreement and the
Security Agreement referred to therein, each in form and
substance satisfactory to the Agent and each as amended and
restated as of September 6, 1996, (ii) the Intercreditor
Agreement as amended and restated as of September 6, 1996, in
form and substance satisfactory to the Agent, duly executed by
the parties thereto, and (iii) a confirmation as of September 6,
1996, in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent, of the
continued effectiveness of the Interco Agreement, duly executed
by Furniture Brands International, Inc. (f/k/a INTERCO
INCORPORATED).
3. Amendment of Bank Credit Agreement. Pursuant to clause
(f) of Section 5.03, the Purchaser hereby consents to the
amendment and restatement, as of the date hereof, of the Bank
Credit Agreement, in the form previously delivered to the
Purchaser. The reference in such clause (f) to clauses (a), (b),
(c) and (d) of the definition of Daily Settlement Trigger (now
Weekly Settlement Trigger) shall be amended to refer only to
clauses (a) and (b) of such definition.
4. Execution in Counterparts, Etc. This Amendment may be
executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so
executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which when
taken together shall constitute one and the same amendment. The
delivery of a signed signature page to this Amendment by telecopy
transmission shall constitute due execution and delivery of this
Amendment for all purposes.
5. Agreement in Full Force and Effect. Except as amended by
this Amendment, all of the provisions of the Agreement and all of
the provisions of all other documentation required to be
delivered with respect thereto shall remain in full force and
effect from and after the date hereof.
6. References to Agreement. From and after the date
hereof, (a) all references in the Agreement to "this Agreement",
"hereof", "herein", or similar terms and (b) all references to
the Agreement in each agreement, instrument and other document
executed or delivered in connection with the Agreement, shall
mean and refer to the Agreement, as amended by this Amendment.
7. Further Assurances. The parties hereto agree to execute
and deliver any and all further agreements, certificates and
other documents reasonably necessary to implement the provisions
of this Amendment.
8. Governing Law. This Amendment shall be governed by, and
construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York
without giving effect to the conflict of laws principles thereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Sellers and the Purchaser have
caused this Amendment to be duly executed by their respective<PAGE>
officers thereunto duly authorized as of the day and year first
above written.
SELLERS: THE LANE COMPANY, INCORPORATED
By: David P. Howard
Name: David P. Howard
Title: Vice President
ACTION INDUSTRIES, INC.
By: David P. Howard
Name: David P. Howard
Title: Vice President
BROYHILL FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC.
By: David P. Howard
Name: David P. Howard
Title: Vice President
THOMASVILLE FURNITURE INDUSTRIES, INC.
By: David P. Howard
Name: David P. Howard
Title: Vice President
PURCHASER: INTERCO RECEIVABLES CORP.
By: David P. Howard
Name: David P. Howard
Title: President<PAGE>
AMENDMENT NO. 1 OF RECEIVABLES PURCHASE AGREEMENT
AMENDMENT NO. 1, dated as of June 27, 1996, to the
Receivables Purchase Agreement, dated as of November 15, 1994, as
amended and restated as of December 29, 1995 (the "Agreement")
among INTERCO RECEIVABLES CORP. (the "Seller"), ATLANTIC ASSET
SECURITIZATION CORP. (the "Issuer"), and CREDIT LYONNAIS NEW YORK
BRANCH ("CL-NY"), as agent (the "Agent") for the Investors (the
"Amendment").
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Seller, the Issuer and the Agent have agreed
subject to the terms and conditions of this Amendment, to amend
the Agreement as hereinafter set forth.
Terms used herein but not defined herein shall have the
meaning assigned thereto in the Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:
1. Amendment of Agreement. The Agreement shall be and is
----------------------
hereby amended, as of the date hereof, as follows:
(a) The definition of "Eligible Foreign Receivable" in
Exhibit I shall be amended to provide in its entirety as
follows:
""Eligible Foreign Receivable" means a Receivable
---------------------------
meeting all of the criteria set forth in either of the
following clauses:
(i) the payment of such Receivable is fully
supported by an irrevocable letter of credit issued by
an office or branch located in the United States of an
Eligible LOC Bank, the Agent holds a first priority,
perfected security interest in such letter of credit,
the issuer of such letter of credit has been notified
of such security interest and all of the Relevant
Rating Agencies shall have notified the Agent that the
purchase of Receivables of the type described in this
clause (i) will not result in a reduction or
withdrawal of their respective ratings on the
commercial paper issued by the Issuer; or
(ii) the Obligor of such Receivable is a Canadian
resident, the Agent holds a first priority, perfected
security interest in such Receivable which is
enforceable under applicable Canadian law, the Agent
has received an opinion of Canadian counsel for the<PAGE>
Seller, in form and substance satisfactory to the
Agent, as to perfection, enforcement, taxes and such
other matters as the Agent may reasonably request, and
all of the Relevant Rating Agencies shall have
notified the Agent that the purchase of Receivables of
the type described in this clause (ii) will not result
in a reduction or withdrawal of their respective
ratings on the commercial paper issued by the Issuer;
provided, however, that the aggregate Outstanding Balance of
-------- -------
Eligible Foreign Receivables which shall be considered
Eligible Receivables shall not at any time exceed an amount
equal to 10% of the Purchase Limit."
(b) The definition of "Normal Concentration Percentage" in
Exhibit I shall be amended to provide in its entirety as follows:
""Normal Concentration Percentage" for any Obligor
-------------------------------
means at any time 2%, or such other percentage
("Special Concentration Percentage") set forth below
for such Obligor; provided that in the case of an
Obligor with any Affiliated Obligor, the Normal
Concentration Percentage and the Special Concentration
Percentage shall be calculated as if such Obligor and
such Affiliated Obligor are one Obligor; provided
further that in the case of an Obligor having
Receivables fully supported by an irrevocable letter of
credit issued by an Eligible LOC Bank, the Normal
Concentration Percentage shall be calculated as if such
Eligible LOC Bank is the Obligor; provided further that
the Agent may cancel any Special Concentration
Percentage upon three Business Days' notice to the
Seller. The Special Concentration Percentages for J.C.
Penney Company, Inc. and Sears Roebuck & Co. shall be
15% and 10%, respectively; provided, however, that such
Special Concentration Percentages shall be increased
(subject to the Agent's right to cancel any Special
Concentration Percentage upon three Business Days'
notice to the Seller) or reduced based on subsequent
changes in such debt ratings as set forth below:
Long-Term Public Special Concentration
Senior Debt Rating Percentage
------------------ ---------------------
A+ and A1 or above 15%
BBB and Baa2 or above 10%
below BBB or Baa2 2%
The Special Concentration Percentage of Haverty
Furniture Companies, Inc. and Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
shall each be 5%. At each annual anniversary of the<PAGE>
execution of the Agreement, the foregoing Special
Concentration Percentages for Haverty Furniture
Companies, Inc. and Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. may be
revised by request of the Seller, provided that such
revision is consented to by the Agent (it being
understood that the Agent agrees to duly consider such
request but shall have no obligation to give such
consent). The Agent shall provide the Relevant Rating
Agencies with prior notice of any proposed increase in
any Special Concentration Percentage or the
establishment of any new Special Concentration
Percentage."
(c) Clause (c) of Item 3 of Exhibit II shall be amended to
provide in its entirety as follows:
"(c) the Agent shall have received, on or prior to the
date of any such purchase or reinvestment during the period
from July 10 to September 10 of each year prior to the
occurrence of the Facility Termination Date, evidence of the
deposit, into the July CCA, of an amount equal to the
maximum July Availability less, in the case of any such
purchase or reinvestment during the period from August 10 to
September 10 of any such year, any amount repaid to the CCA
Depositors (as defined in the LAPA) following the receipt by
the Agent of the Seller Report for the fiscal month of July,
and".
(d) In subclause (a) of clause (l) of Exhibit IV the
reference to "Eligible Receivables" shall be amended to read
"Receivables".
2. Execution in Counterparts, Etc. This Amendment may be
------------------------------
executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so
executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which when
taken together shall constitute one and the same amendment. The
delivery of a signed signature page to this Amendment by telecopy
transmission shall constitute due execution and delivery of this
Amendment for all purposes.
3. Agreement in Full Force and Effect. Except as amended by
----------------------------------
this Amendment, all of the provisions of the Agreement and all of
the provisions of all other documentation required to be
delivered with respect thereto shall remain in full force and
effect from and after the date hereof.
4. Amendment of Originator Purchase Agreement. Pursuant to
------------------------------------------
paragraph (n) of Exhibit IV to the Agreement, the Agent hereby
consents to the amendment, as of the date hereof, of the
Originator Purchase Agreement, in the form previously delivered
to the Agent.<PAGE>
5. References to Agreement. From and after the date
-----------------------
hereof, (a) all references in the Agreement to "this Agreement",
"hereof", "herein", or similar terms and (b) all references to
the Agreement in each agreement, instrument and other document
executed or delivered in connection with the Agreement, shall
mean and refer to the Agreement, as amended by this Amendment.
6. Further Assurances. The parties hereto agree to execute
------------------
and deliver any and all further agreements, certificates and
other documents reasonably necessary to implement the provisions
of this Amendment.
7. Governing Law. This Amendment shall be governed by, and
-------------
construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New York
without giving effect to the conflict of laws principles thereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Seller, the Issuer and the Agent
have caused this Amendment to be duly executed by their
respective officers thereunto duly authorized as of the day and
year first above written.
SELLER: INTERCO RECEIVABLES CORP.
By: David P. Howard
---------------------
Name: David P. Howard
Title: President
ISSUER: ATLANTIC ASSET SECURITIZATION CORP.
By: Credit Lyonnais New York Branch,
as Attorney-in-Fact
By: Donna Kunzig
----------------------
Name: Donna Kunzig
Title: Vice President
AGENT: CREDIT LYONNAIS NEW YORK BRANCH, as Agent
By: Donna Kunzig<PAGE>
-----------------------
Name: Donna Kunzig
Title: Vice President
Pursuant to clause (c)(i) of Item 8 of the LAPA, each of the
undersigned hereby consent to the foregoing:
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
By: John C. Lambert
-----------------------
Name: John C. Lambert
Title: Vice President
THE INDUSTRIAL BANK OF JAPAN, LTD.,
CHICAGO BRANCH
By: Hiroki Yamada
-----------------------
Name: Hiroki Yamada
Title: General Manager
THE BANK OF TOKYO - MITSUBISHI,
LTD. f/k/a The Mitsubishi Bank, Ltd.
By: M. Aoki
------------------------
Name: M. Aoki
Title: Vice President<PAGE>
AMENDMENT NO. 2 OF RECEIVABLES PURCHASE AGREEMENT
AMENDMENT NO. 2, dated as of September 6, 1996, to the
Receivables Purchase Agreement, dated as of November 15, 1994, as
amended and restated as of December 29, 1995 and further amended
as of June 27, 1996 (the "Agreement") among INTERCO RECEIVABLES
CORP. (the "Seller"), ATLANTIC ASSET SECURITIZATION CORP. (the
"Issuer"), and CREDIT LYONNAIS NEW YORK BRANCH ("CL-NY"), as
agent (the "Agent") for the Investors (the "Amendment").
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Seller, the Issuer and the Agent have agreed
subject to the terms and conditions of this Amendment, to amend
the Agreement as hereinafter set forth.
Terms used herein but not defined herein shall have the
meaning assigned thereto in the Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:
1. Amendment of Agreement. The Agreement shall be and is
hereby amended, as of the date hereof (subject to satisfaction of
the condition precedent set forth in Section 2 hereof), as
follows:
(a) The definition of "Bank Credit Agreement" in Exhibit
I shall be amended to provide in its entirety as follows:
""Bank Credit Agreement" means the Credit Agreement dated as
of November 17, 1994, as amended and restated as of December
29, 1995 and as further amended and restated as of September 6,
1996, among Furniture Brands International, Inc. (f/k/a
Interco), Broyhill, Lane, Thomasville, the banks named therein
and Bankers Trust Company, as agent."
(b) The definition of "Cumulative Consolidated EBITDA"
in Exhibit I shall be deleted in its entirety.
(c) The definition of "Daily Settlement Trigger" in
Exhibit I shall be changed to "Weekly Settlement Trigger" and
amended to provide in its entirety as follows:
""Weekly Settlement Trigger" means the occurrence of any of
the following:
(a) The Consolidated Net Interest Coverage Ratio
for any period of four consecutive fiscal quarters, in
each case taken as one accounting period, ended on the
last day of a fiscal quarter set forth below, shall be
less than the amount set forth opposite such period
below:<PAGE>
Fiscal Quarter Ratio
-------------- -----
December 31, 1996 3.00: 1.0
March 31, 1997 3.00: 1.0
June 30, 1997 3.00: 1.0
September 30, 1997 3.25: 1.0
December 31, 1997 3.25: 1.0
March 31, 1998 3.25: 1.0
June 30, 1998 3.25: 1.0
September 30, 1998 3.50: 1.0
December 31, 1998 3.50: 1.0
Thereafter 3.50: 1.0
(b) The Leverage Ratio at any time shall be
greater than the ratio set forth opposite the fiscal
quarter most recently ended as set forth below:
Fiscal Quarter Ratio
-------------- -----
December 31, 1996 4.25: 1.0
March 31, 1997 4.25: 1.0
June 30, 1997 4.25: 1.0
September 30, 1997 4.25: 1.0
December 31, 1997 4.25: 1.0
March 31, 1998 4.25: 1.0
June 30, 1998 4.25: 1.0
September 30, 1998 4.00: 1.0
December 31, 1998 4.00: 1.0
Thereafter 4.00: 1.0
(c) The Net Dilution Ratio shall be greater than 7%;
(d) The Default Ratio shall be greater than 7%;
(e) Any Event of Termination shall occur under
paragraph (e) or (g) of Exhibit V; or
(f) The Originators shall have repurchased
Receivables (pursuant to indemnity provisions or
otherwise) from the Seller in an aggregate amount
exceeding $17,500,000 in any Fiscal Year."
(d) All references in the Agreement to "Daily Settlement
Trigger" shall be amended to refer to "Weekly Settlement
Trigger".<PAGE>
(e) The definition of "Interco" in Exhibit I shall be
amended to refer to "Furniture Brands International, Inc., a
Delaware corporation, formerly known as INTERCO INCORPORATED".
(f) In the final paragraph of Exhibit I to the
Agreement, (i) the reference to "Term Loans" shall be deleted in
its entirety and (ii) the reference to "Interco Warrants" shall
be amended to refer to "Furniture Brands Warrants".
(g) Clause (l) of Exhibit IV shall be amended to provide
in its entirety as follows:
"(l) Weekly Settlement Trigger. From and after the
fifth day after the occurrence of a Weekly Settlement
Trigger, and so long as a Weekly Settlement Trigger is
continuing, on the same day of each week thereafter (or if
any such day is not a Business Day, on the immediately
following Business Day), the Seller shall (a) cause the
Servicer to submit weekly reports in form and substance
satisfactory to the Agent listing the aggregate Outstanding
Balance of all Receivables generated by each Originator on
each Business Day during the preceding week, (b) use its
best efforts to cause each Lock-Box Bank to submit weekly
reports to the Agent listing the aggregate amount of
Collections received in the Lock-Box Account(s) at such
Lock-Box Bank on each Business Day during the preceding
week, and (c) cause all Collections (and only Collections)
to be deposited daily, from the Lock-Box Accounts or other
locations in which Collections are received, into an account
(the "Concentration Account") maintained in a bank
acceptable to the Agent in the name of both the Seller and
the Agent. Without in any way affecting the provisions of
Section 1.04 of the Agreement relating to the disbursement
of funds to the Agent or the Banks, no funds in the
Concentration Account shall be distributed to or for the
benefit of the Seller until the Agent notifies the bank in
which the Concentration Account is located to release funds
therein to the Seller; provided that the Agent shall notify
such bank to release funds to the Seller representing
Collections received on any Business Day so long as the
Agent has received all weekly reports that are required by
clauses (a) and (b) above to be delivered through the
Business Day preceding such release date and the Agent is
satisfied that the Net Receivables Pool Balance based on
such reports is sufficient for the Seller to meet its
obligations under the Agreement. The funds in the
Concentration Account shall be invested in a manner
acceptable to the Agent. If all events constituting a
Weekly Settlement Trigger shall have been cured or shall no
longer be continuing, and no Event of Termination shall then
exist, the Seller and Servicer may resume processing
Collections and delivering reports as they did immediately
prior to the occurrence of a Weekly Settlement Trigger."<PAGE>
2. Condition precedent to Effectiveness of Amendment.
The effectiveness of this Amendment is subject to the condition
precedent that the Agent shall have received, on or before the
date hereof, an amendment to the Originator Purchase Agreement,
in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent, duly executed by
the parties thereto, and evidence that all of the conditions
precedent to the effectiveness of such amendment have been
satisfied.
3. Execution in Counterparts, Etc. This Amendment may be
executed in any number of counterparts, each of which when so
executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which when
taken together shall constitute one and the same amendment. The
delivery of a signed signature page to this Amendment by telecopy
transmission shall constitute due execution and delivery of this
Amendment for all purposes.
4. Agreement in Full Force and Effect. Except as amended
by this Amendment, all of the provisions of the Agreement and all
of the provisions of all other documentation required to be
delivered with respect thereto shall remain in full force and
effect from and after the date hereof.
5. Amendment of Originator Purchase Agreement. Pursuant
to paragraph (n) of Exhibit IV to the Agreement, the Agent hereby
consents to the amendment, as of the date hereof, of the
Originator Purchase Agreement, in the form previously delivered
to the Agent.
6. Amendment of Bank Credit Agreement. Pursuant to the
final paragraph of Exhibit I to the Agreement, the Agent hereby
consents to the amendment and restatement, as of the date hereof,
of the Bank Credit Agreement, in the form previously delivered to
the Agent.
7. References to Agreement. From and after the date
hereof, (a) all references in the Agreement to "this Agreement",
"hereof", "herein", or similar terms and (b) all references to
the Agreement in each agreement, instrument and other document
executed or delivered in connection with the Agreement, shall
mean and refer to the Agreement, as amended by this Amendment.
8. Further Assurances. The parties hereto agree to
execute and deliver any and all further agreements, certificates
and other documents reasonably necessary to implement the
provisions of this Amendment.
9. Governing Law. This Amendment shall be governed by,
and construed in accordance with, the law of the State of New
York without giving effect to the conflict of laws principles
thereof.<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Seller, the Issuer and the Agent
have caused this Amendment to be duly executed by their
respective officers thereunto duly authorized as of the day and
year first above written.
SELLER INTERCO RECEIVABLES CORP.
By: David P. Howard
Name: David P. Howard
Title: President
ISSUER: ATLANTIC ASSET SECURITIZATION CORP.
By: Credit Lyonnais New York Branch,
as Attorney-in-Fact
By: Donna Kunzig
Name: Donna Kunzig
Title: Vice President
AGENT: CREDIT LYONNAIS NEW YORK BRANCH, as Agent
By: Donna Kunzig
Name: Donna Kunzig
Title: Vice President
Pursuant to clause (c) of Item 8 of the LAPA, each of the
undersigned hereby consent to the foregoing:
THE INDUSTRIAL BANK OF JAPAN, LTD.,
CHICAGO BRANCH
By: Hiroki Yamada
Name: Hiroki Yamada
Title: General Manager
THE BANK OF TOKYO - MITSUBISHI,
LTD. f/k/a The Mitsubishi Bank, Ltd.
By: Yosuke Aoyagi
Name: Yosuke Aoyagi
Title: Sup. & Manager<PAGE>
THE BANK OF NEW YORK
By: John C. Lambert
Name: John C. Lambert
Title: Vice President<PAGE>
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This Employment Agreement is made and entered into on August 1,
1996 (the "Effective Date") by and between Action Industries, Inc., a
Virginia corporation ("Action") and Wilbert G. Holliman, Jr.
("Executive").
WHEREAS, Executive is now and has been employed by Action in
senior management executive positions and is broadly experienced in
all facets of Action's operations; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interests of Action to assure that it
will have the continued dedication of Executive;
NOW THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration and in order
to induce Executive to remain in the employ of Action, the parties
covenant and agree as follows:
1. Definitions. The following terms shall have the following
meanings for purposes of this Agreement.
a. "Cause" means (i) an act or acts of personal dishonesty
taken by Executive and intended to result in substantial personal
enrichment of Executive at the expense of Action, (ii) violations
by Executive of this Agreement or Executive's employment
obligations to Action which are demonstrably willful on
Executive's part and which are not remedied within a reasonable
period of time after receipt of written notice from Action, or
(iii) the conviction of Executive of a felony involving moral
turpitude.
b. "Disability" means the incapacity to attend to and
perform effectively one's duties and responsibilities which
continues for at least 26 weeks after its commencement, as
determined by a physician selected by Action.
c. "Employment Period" that period beginning on the
Effective Date and ending upon Executive's retirement or earlier
termination of employment.
2. Employment. Action agrees to employ Executive, and
Executive agrees to serve Action in an executive, managerial and
supervisory capacity, subject to the direction and control of the
Board of Directors of Action, all upon the terms and conditions
hereinafter set forth. During the Employment Period:
a. Executive's position (including, without limitation,
status, offices, titles and reporting requirements), authority,
duties and responsibilities shall be at least commensurate in all
material respects with the most significant of those held,
exercised and assigned at any time during the 90-day period
immediately preceding the Effective Date,
b. Excutive's services shall be performed at the location<PAGE>
where the Executive is employed on the Effective Date, or at any
office or location not more than thirty-five (35) miles from
such location,
c. Executive shall continue to receive an annual base salary
at least equal to the annual base salary payable to the
Executive by Action on the Effective Date ("Base Salary"),
d. Executive shall continue to have an annual cash bonus
potential, either pursuant to the Action Executive Incentive
Plan in effect on the Effective Date or pursuant to a similar
incentive compensation plan of Action, at least equal to the
level in existence on the Effective Date ("Annual Bonus"), and
e. Executive shall be entitled to participate in all
incentive, savings and retirement plans, practices, policies and
programs applicable to other key executive employees of Action
("Benefit Plans").
The failure of Action, without Executive's consent, to comply with the
terms and conditions of employment as set forth in this Section 2
shall constitute "Good Reason" for Executive's termination of his
employment with Action.
3. Best Efforts. Executive agrees during the Employment
Period to devote his best efforts and substantially all of his
business time and attention to the business of Action, it being agreed
that the Executive will have complied with this obligation if he
devotes to the business of Action his same best efforts and the same
time and attention to the business of Action that he has devoted to
the business of Action during the twelve months next preceding the
Effective Date. Executive agrees that he will perform such other
executive duties for Action and for Action's subsidiaries relating to
its business as the Board of Directors of Action may reasonably
direct.
4. Term. Subject to the provisions of Sections 4 and 5 of
this Agreement, either party shall have the right to terminate the
Employment Period at any time. If Executive's employment with Action
is terminated by Action, other than for Cause or as a result of his
death or Disability, or if Executive terminates his employment with
Action for Good Reason, then Action will, for the greater of (a) the
period ending three years after the Effective Date or (b) a period of
one year after the termination date (or, if shorter, until Executive
reaches "Normal Retirement Age" (as such concept is used in the
primary retirement plan in which Executive is a participant on the
Effective Date)), (i) pay to Executive as and when normally payable
his Base Salary as in effect on the date of termination and an amount
equal to the average Annual Bonus received by such Executive for the
past three years prior to termination (or a pro-rated portion of such
average Annual Bonus) and (ii) subject to program eligibility
requirements and continuation of programs by Action, continue his
participation in the Benefit Plans in which he was participating on
the date of termination of employment.<PAGE>
5. Split Dollar Insurance Policy. If Executive's employment
with Action is terminated by Action other than for Cause or as a
result of his death or Disability, or if during such period Executive
terminates his employment with Action for Good Reason, then Action
will continue to make premium payments for so long as Action is making
payments to Executive under Section 4 hereof under any and all split
dollar life insurance programs in effect on the life of the Executive
as of the Effective Date, after which the Executive will be entitled
to ownership of the policy and Action will be entitled to premium
retrieval, all in accordance with the terms of the program, but only
to the extent of the cash value of the policy, and without recourse to
the Executive for the balance of any such premium retrieval.
6. Non-Competition. During the three-year period commencing
on the Effective Date and, if longer, while employed by Action, and
for a period of one year after termination of employment, Executive
shall not, without the prior written consent of Action, directly or
indirectly, own, control, finance, manage, operate, join or
participate in the ownership, control, financing, management or
operation of, or be connected as an employee, consultant or in any
other capacity with, any business engaged in the manufacture or
distribution of residential furniture in the United States. Nothing
in this Section 6 shall, however, restrict Executive from making
investments in other ventures which are not competitive with Action,
or restrict Executive from owning less than one percent (1%) of the
outstanding securities of companies listed on a national stock
exchange or actively traded in the "over-the-counter" market. In
addition, if the Employment Period is terminated by Action (other than
for Cause) and the Executive elects to forego the payments called for
in Sections 4 and 5 hereof, the provisions of this Section 6 shall not
apply. Should any of the terms of this Section 6 be found to be
unenforceable because they are over-broad in any respects then they
shall be deemed amended to the extent, and only to the extent,
necessary to render them enforceable. Both parties stipulate that
money damages would be inadequate to compensate for any breaches of
the terms of this Section 6, and that such terms shall be enforceable
through appropriate equitable relief, without the necessity of proving
actual damages and to an equitable accounting of all earnings,
profits, and other benefits arising from such violation, which rights
shall be cumulative and in addition to any other rights and remedies
to which Action may be entitled.
7. Confidentiality. During the Employment Period and at all
times thereafter, Executive shall maintain the confidentiality of, and
shall not disclose to any person (except as his duties as an employee
of Action may require) any non-public information concerning Action or
its business.
8 Miscellaneous. This Employment Agreement shall be binding
upon and shall inure to the benefit of Executive's heirs, executors,
administrators and legal representatives, and shall be binding upon
and inure to the benefit of Action and its successors and assigns.
This Agreement shall supersede and stand in place of any and all other
agreements between Executive and Action regarding severance pay and/or<PAGE>
any and all severance pay benefits pursuant to any plan or practice of
Action. This Employment Agreement shall take effect as of the day and
year first above set forth, and its validity, interpretation,
construction and performance shall be governed by the laws of the
State of Mississippi.
9. Indemnification. In the event that either party hereto
is required to pursue litigation against the other party to enforce
his or its rights hereunder, the prevailing party in any such
litigation shall be entitled to reimbursement of the costs and
expenses of such litigation, including attorney's fees.
10. Waivers. In consideration of the undertakings of Action
set forth in this Agreement, Executive hereby irrevocably waives and
forever releases any and all claims and causes of action of any nature
whatsoever that Executive has or may have against Action or any of its
officers, directors, employees or agents arising out of the
negotiation, execution, delivery or terms of this Agreement,
including, without limitation, any claims arising under the Age
Discrimination in Employment Act, 29 U.S.C. Section 21 et seq., and
any state or local law relating to age discrimination.
11. Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire
agreement of the parties with respect to its subject matter, and no
waiver, modification or change of any of its provisions shall be valid
unless in writing and signed by the party against whom such claimed
waiver, modification or change is sought to be enforced.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have each executed this
Agreement the date set forth below.
ACTION INDUSTRIES, INC.
By: David P. Howard
-----------------------------
Vice-President
Agreed to and Approved:
FURNITURE BRANDS WILBERT G. HOLLIMAN
INTERNATIONAL, INC.
By: R.B. Loynd By: Wilbert G. Holliman
------------------------ ----------------------------_
Chairman of the Board<PAGE>
Furniture Brands International, Inc.
Description of Employment Agreement
between
Furniture Brands International, Inc.
and
Wilbert G. Holliman, Jr.
Mr. Holliman has agreed to serve as President and Chief Executive
Officer of Furniture Brands International, Inc. for not less than
three years from January 1, 1997 at an initial salary of $750,000 per
year, with an initial target incentive bonus of 50% of base salary
under the Furniture Brands Executive Incentive Plan. Also, as of
January 1, 1997 he will become a participant in the Furniture Brands
pension and welfare benefit plans. Should he serve three years, then,
beginning at age 65 (which is September 2002), he will be entitled to
a bonus payment of $1 million per year for three years. This payment
will be made to his beneficiaries or to his estate should he die after
January 1, 2000 but before reaching age 68. As of January 1, 1997,
this agreement will supercede his current employment agreement with
Action Industries, Inc.<PAGE>
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This Employment Agreement is made and entered into on August 1,
1996 (the "Effective Date") by and between Furniture Brands
International, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Furniture Brands") and
Lynn Chipperfield ("Executive").
WHEREAS, Executive is now and has been employed by Furniture
Brands in senior management executive positions and is broadly
experienced in all facets of Furniture Brands' operations; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interests of Furniture Brands to
assure that it will have the continued dedication of Executive;
NOW THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration and in order
to induce Executive to remain in the employ of Furniture Brands, the
parties covenant and agree as follows:
1. Definitions. The following terms shall have the following
meanings for purposes of this Agreement.
a. "Cause" means (i) an act or acts of personal dishonesty
taken by Executive and intended to result in substantial
personal enrichment of Executive at the expense of Furniture
Brands, (ii) violations by Executive of this Agreement or
Executive's employment obligations to Furniture Brands which are
demonstrably willful on Executive's part and which are not
remedied within a reasonable period of time after receipt of
written notice from Furniture Brands, or (iii) the conviction of
Executive of a felony involving moral turpitude.
b. "Disability" means the incapacity to attend to and perform
effectively one's duties and responsibilities which continues for
at least 26 weeks after its commencement, as determined by a
physician selected by Furniture Brands.
c. "Employment Period" that period beginning on the Effective
Date and ending upon Executive's retirement or earlier
termination of employment.
2. Employment. Furniture Brands agrees to employ Executive,
and Executive agrees to serve Furniture Brands in an executive,
managerial and supervisory capacity, subject to the direction and
control of the Board of Directors of Furniture Brands, all upon the
terms and conditions hereinafter set forth. During the Employment
Period:
a. Executive's position (including, without limitation,
status, offices, titles and reporting requirements), authority,
duties and responsibilities shall be at least commensurate in all
material respects with the most significant of those held,
exercised and assigned at any time during the 90-day period
immediately preceding the Effective Date,<PAGE>
b. Executive's services shall be performed at the location
where the Executive is employed on the Effective Date, or at any
office or location not more than thirty-five (35) miles from such
location,
c. Executive shall continue to receive an annual base salary
at least equal to the annual base salary payable to the Executive
by Furniture Brands on the Effective Date ("Base Salary"),
d. Executive shall continue to have an annual cash bonus
potential, either pursuant to the Furniture Brands Executive
Incentive Plan in effect on the Effective Date or pursuant to a
similar incentive compensation plan of Furniture Brands, at least
equal to the level in existence on the Effective Date ("Annual
Bonus"), and
e. Executive shall be entitled to participate in all
incentive, savings and retirement plans, practices, policies and
programs applicable to other key executive employees of
Furniture Brands ("Benefit Plans").
The failure of Furniture Brands, without Executive's consent, to
comply with the terms and conditions of employment as set forth in
this Section 2 shall constitute "Good Reason" for Executive's
termination of his employment with Furniture Brands.
3. Best Efforts. Executive agrees during the Employment
Period to devote his best efforts and substantially all of his
business time and attention to the business of Furniture Brands, it
being agreed that the Executive will have complied with this
obligation if he devotes to the business of Furniture Brands his same
best efforts and the same time and attention to the business of
Furniture Brands that he has devoted to the business of Furniture
Brands during the twelve months next preceding the Effective Date.
Executive agrees that he will perform such other executive duties for
Furniture Brands and for Furniture Brands' subsidiaries relating to
its business as the Board of Directors of Furniture Brands may
reasonably direct.
4. Term. Subject to the provisions of Sections 4 and 5 of
this Agreement, either party shall have the right to terminate the
Employment Period at any time. If Executive's employment with
Furniture Brands is terminated by Furniture Brands, other than for
Cause or as a result of his death or Disability, or if Executive
terminates his employment with Furniture Brands for Good Reason, then
Furniture Brands will, for the greater of (a) the period ending three
years after the Effective Date or (b) a period of one year after the
termination date (or, if shorter, until Executive reaches "Normal
Retirement Age" (as such concept is used in the primary retirement
plan in which Executive is a participant on the Effective Date)), (i)
pay to Executive as and when normally payable his Base Salary as in
effect on the date of termination and an amount equal to the average
Annual Bonus received by such Executive for the past three years prior
to termination (or a pro-rated portion of such average Annual Bonus)<PAGE>
and (ii) subject to program eligibility requirements and continuation
of programs by Furniture Brands, continue his participation in the
Benefit Plans in which he was participating on the date of termination
of employment.
5. Split Dollar Insurance Policy. If Executive's employment
with Furniture Brands is terminated by Furniture Brands other than for
Cause or as a result of his death or Disability, or if during such
period Executive terminates his employment with Furniture Brands for
Good Reason, then Furniture Brands will continue to make premium
payments for so long as Furniture Brands is making payments to
Executive under Section 4 hereof under any and all split dollar life
insurance programs in effect on the life of the Executive as of the
Effective Date, after which the Executive will be entitled to
ownership of the policy and Furniture Brands will be entitled to
premium retrieval, all in accordance with the terms of the program,
but only to the extent of the cash value of the policy, and without
recourse to the Executive for the balance of any such premium
retrieval.
6. Non-Competition. During the three-year period commencing
on the Effective Date and, if longer, while employed by Furniture
Brands, and for a period of one year after termination of employment,
Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of Furniture
Brands, directly or indirectly, own, control, finance, manage,
operate, join or participate in the ownership, control, financing,
management or operation of, or be connected as an employee, consultant
or in any other capacity with, any business engaged in the manufacture
or distribution of residential furniture in the United States.
Nothing in this Section 6 shall, however, restrict Executive from
making investments in other ventures which are not competitive with
Furniture Brands, or restrict Executive from owning less than one
percent (1%) of the outstanding securities of companies listed on a
national stock exchange or actively traded in the "over-the-counter"
market. In addition, if the Employment Period is terminated by
Furniture Brands (other than for Cause) and the Executive elects to
forego the payments called for in Sections 4 and 5 hereof, the
provisions of this Section 6 shall not apply. Should any of the terms
of this Section 6 be found to be unenforceable because they are over-
broad in any respects then they shall be deemed amended to the extent,
and only to the extent, necessary to render them enforceable. Both
parties stipulate that money damages would be inadequate to compensate
for any breaches of the terms of this Section 6, and that such terms
shall be enforceable through appropriate equitable relief, without the
necessity of proving actual damages and to an equitable accounting of
all earnings, profits, and other benefits arising from such violation,
which rights shall be cumulative and in addition to any other rights
and remedies to which Furniture Brands may be entitled.
7. Confidentiality. During the Employment Period and at all
times thereafter, Executive shall maintain the confidentiality of, and
shall not disclose to any person (except as his duties as an employee
of Furniture Brands may require) any non-public information concerning
Furniture Brands or its business.<PAGE>
8. Miscellaneous. This Employment Agreement shall be binding
upon and shall inure to the benefit of Executive's heirs, executors,
administrators and legal representatives, and shall be binding upon
and inure to the benefit of Furniture Brands and its successors and
assigns. This Agreement shall supersede and stand in place of any and
all other agreements between Executive and Furniture Brands regarding
severance pay and/or any and all severance pay benefits pursuant to
any plan or practice of Furniture Brands. This Employment Agreement
shall take effect as of the day and year first above set forth, and
its validity, interpretation, construction and performance shall be
governed by the laws of the State of Missouri.
9. Indemnification. In the event that either party hereto is
required to pursue litigation against the other party to enforce his
or its rights hereunder, the prevailing party in any such litigation
shall be entitled to reimbursement of the costs and expenses of such
litigation, including attorney's fees.
10. Waivers. In consideration of the undertakings of
Furniture Brands set forth in this Agreement, Executive hereby
irrevocably waives and forever releases any and all claims and causes
of action of any nature whatsoever that Executive has or may have
against Furniture Brands or any of its officers, directors, employees
or agents arising out of the negotiation, execution, delivery or terms
of this Agreement, including, without limitation, any claims arising
under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, 29 U.S.C. Section 21
et seq., and any state or local law relating to age discrimination.
11. Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire
agreement of the parties with respect to its subject matter, and no
waiver, modification or change of any of its provisions shall be valid
unless in writing and signed by the party against whom such claimed
waiver, modification or change is sought to be enforced.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have each executed this
Agreement the date set forth below.
FURNITURE BRANDS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
By: R.B. Loynd
---------------------------
Chairman of the Board
LYNN CHIPPERFIELD
By: Lynn Chipperfield
---------------------------<PAGE>
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This Employment Agreement is made and entered into on August 1,
1996 (the "Effective Date") by and between Furniture Brands
International, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Furniture Brands") and
David P. Howard ("Executive").
WHEREAS, Executive is now and has been employed by Furniture
Brands in senior management executive positions and is broadly
experienced in all facets of Furniture Brands' operations; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interests of Furniture Brands to
assure that it will have the continued dedication of Executive;
NOW THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration and in order
to induce Executive to remain in the employ of Furniture Brands, the
parties covenant and agree as follows:
1. Definitions. The following terms shall have the following
meanings for purposes of this Agreement.
a. "Cause" means (i) an act or acts of personal dishonesty
taken by Executive and intended to result in substantial personal
enrichment of Executive at the expense of Furniture Brands, (ii)
violations by Executive of this Agreement or Executive's
employment obligations to Furniture Brands which are demonstrably
willful on Executive's part and which are not remedied within a
reasonable period of time after receipt of written notice from
Furniture Brands, or (iii) the conviction of Executive of a felony
involving moral turpitude.
b. "Disability" means the incapacity to attend to and perform
effectively one's duties and responsibilities which continues for
at least 26 weeks after its commencement, as determined by a
physician selected by Furniture Brands.
c. "Employment Period" that period beginning on the Effective
Date and ending upon Executive's retirement or earlier
termination of employment.
2. Employment. Furniture Brands agrees to employ Executive,
and Executive agrees to serve Furniture Brands in an executive,
managerial and supervisory capacity, subject to the direction and
control of the Board of Directors of Furniture Brands, all upon the
terms and conditions hereinafter set forth. During the Employment
Period:
a. Executive's position (including, without limitation,
status, offices, titles and reporting requirements), authority,
duties and responsibilities shall be at least commensurate in all
material respects with the most significant of those held, exercised
and assigned at any time during the 90-day period immediately
preceding the Effective Date,<PAGE>
b. Executive's services shall be performed at the location
where the Executive is employed on the Effective Date, or at any
office or location not more than thirty-five (35) miles from such
location,
c. Executive shall continue to receive an annual base salary
at least equal to the annual base salary payable to the Executive
by Furniture Brands on the Effective Date ("Base Salary"),
d. Executive shall continue to have an annual cash bonus
potential, either pursuant to the Furniture Brands Executive
Incentive Plan in effect on the Effective Date or pursuant to a
similar incentive compensation plan of Furniture Brands, at least
equal to the level in existence on the Effective Date ("Annual
Bonus"), and
e. Executive shall be entitled to participate in all
incentive, savings and retirement plans, practices, policies and
programs applicable to other key executive employees of
Furniture Brands ("Benefit Plans").
The failure of Furniture Brands, without Executive's consent, to
comply with the terms and conditions of employment as set forth in
this Section 2 shall constitute "Good Reason" for Executive's
termination of his employment with Furniture Brands.
3. Best Efforts. Executive agrees during the Employment
Period to devote his best efforts and substantially all of his
business time and attention to the business of Furniture Brands, it
being agreed that the Executive will have complied with this
obligation if he devotes to the business of Furniture Brands his same
best efforts and the same time and attention to the business of
Furniture Brands that he has devoted to the business of Furniture
Brands during the twelve months next preceding the Effective Date.
Executive agrees that he will perform such other executive duties for
Furniture Brands and for Furniture Brands' subsidiaries relating to
its business as the Board of Directors of Furniture Brands may
reasonably direct.
4. Term. Subject to the provisions of Sections 4 and 5 of
this Agreement, either party shall have the right to terminate the
Employment Period at any time. If Executive's employment with
Furniture Brands is terminated by Furniture Brands, other than for
Cause or as a result of his death or Disability, or if Executive
terminates his employment with Furniture Brands for Good Reason, then
Furniture Brands will, for the greater of (a) the period ending three
years after the Effective Date or (b) a period of one year after the
termination date (or, if shorter, until Executive reaches "Normal
Retirement Age" (as such concept is used in the primary retirement
plan in which Executive is a participant on the Effective Date)), (i)
pay to Executive as and when normally payable his Base Salary as in
effect on the date of termination and an amount equal to the average
Annual Bonus received by such Executive for the past three years prior
to termination (or a pro-rated portion of such average Annual Bonus)<PAGE>
and (ii) subject to program eligibility requirements and continuation
of programs by Furniture Brands, continue his participation in the
Benefit Plans in which he was participating on the date of termination
of employment.
5. Split Dollar Insurance Policy. If Executive's employment
with Furniture Brands is terminated by Furniture Brands other than for
Cause or as a result of his death or Disability, or if during such
period Executive terminates his employment with Furniture Brands for
Good Reason, then Furniture Brands will continue to make premium
payments for so long as Furniture Brands is making payments to
Executive under Section 4 hereof under any and all split dollar life
insurance programs in effect on the life of the Executive as of the
Effective Date, after which the Executive will be entitled to
ownership of the policy and Furniture Brands will be entitled to
premium retrieval, all in accordance with the terms of the program,
but only to the extent of the cash value of the policy, and without
recourse to the Executive for the balance of any such premium
retrieval.
6. Non-Competition. During the three-year period commencing
on the Effective Date and, if longer, while employed by Furniture
Brands, and for a period of one year after termination of employment,
Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of Furniture
Brands, directly or indirectly, own, control, finance, manage,
operate, join or participate in the ownership, control, financing,
management or operation of, or be connected as an employee, consultant
or in any other capacity with, any business engaged in the manufacture
or distribution of residential furniture in the United States.
Nothing in this Section 6 shall, however, restrict Executive from
making investments in other ventures which are not competitive with
Furniture Brands, or restrict Executive from owning less than one
percent (1%) of the outstanding securities of companies listed on a
national stock exchange or actively traded in the "over-the-counter"
market. In addition, if the Employment Period is terminated by
Furniture Brands (other than for Cause) and the Executive elects to
forego the payments called for in Sections 4 and 5 hereof, the
provisions of this Section 6 shall not apply. Should any of the terms
of this Section 6 be found to be unenforceable because they are over-
broad in any respects then they shall be deemed amended to the extent,
and only to the extent, necessary to render them enforceable. Both
parties stipulate that money damages would be inadequate to compensate
for any breaches of the terms of this Section 6, and that such terms
shall be enforceable through appropriate equitable relief, without the
necessity of proving actual damages and to an equitable accounting of
all earnings, profits, and other benefits arising from such violation,
which rights shall be cumulative and in addition to any other rights
and remedies to which Furniture Brands may be entitled.
7. Confidentiality. During the Employment Period and at all
times thereafter, Executive shall maintain the confidentiality of, and
shall not disclose to any person (except as his duties as an employee
of Furniture Brands may require) any non-public information concerning
Furniture Brands or its business.<PAGE>
8 Miscellaneous. This Employment Agreement shall be binding
upon and shall inure to the benefit of Executive's heirs, executors,
administrators and legal representatives, and shall be binding upon
and inure to the benefit of Furniture Brands and its successors and
assigns. This Agreement shall supersede and stand in place of any and
all other agreements between Executive and Furniture Brands regarding
severance pay and/or any and all severance pay benefits pursuant to
any plan or practice of Furniture Brands. This Employment Agreement
shall take effect as of the day and year first above set forth, and
its validity, interpretation, construction and performance shall be
governed by the laws of the State of Missouri.
9. Indemnification. In the event that either party hereto is
required to pursue litigation against the other party to enforce his
or its rights hereunder, the prevailing party in any such litigation
shall be entitled to reimbursement of the costs and expenses of such
litigation, including attorney's fees.
10. Waivers. In consideration of the undertakings of
Furniture Brands set forth in this Agreement, Executive hereby
irrevocably waives and forever releases any and all claims and causes
of action of any nature whatsoever that Executive has or may have
against Furniture Brands or any of its officers, directors, employees
or agents arising out of the negotiation, execution, delivery or terms
of this Agreement, including, without limitation, any claims arising
under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, 29 U.S.C. Section 21
et seq., and any state or local law relating to age discrimination.
11. Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire
agreement of the parties with respect to its subject matter, and no
waiver, modification or change of any of its provisions shall be valid
unless in writing and signed by the party against whom such claimed
waiver, modification or change is sought to be enforced.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have each executed this
Agreement the date set forth below.
FURNITURE BRANDS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
By: R. B. Loynd
----------------------------
Chairman of the Board
DAVID P. HOWARD
By: David P. Howard
----------------------------<PAGE>
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This Employment Agreement is made and entered into on August 1,
1996 (the "Effective Date") by and between Broyhill Furniture
Industries, Inc., a North Carolina corporation ("Broyhill") and Brent
B. Kincaid ("Executive").
WHEREAS, Executive is now and has been employed by Broyhill in
senior management executive positions and is broadly experienced in
all facets of Broyhill's operations; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interests of Broyhill to assure that
it will have the continued dedication of Executive;
NOW THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration and in order
to induce Executive to remain in the employ of Broyhill, the parties
covenant and agree as follows:
1. Definitions. The following terms shall have the following
meanings for purposes of this Agreement.
a. "Cause" means (i) an act or acts of personal dishonesty
taken by Executive and intended to result in substantial personal
enrichment of Executive at the expense of Broyhill, (ii)
violations by Executive of this Agreement or Executive's
employment obligations to Broyhill which are demonstrably willful
on Executive's part and which are not remedied within a
reasonable period of time after receipt of written notice from
Broyhill, or (iii)the conviction of Executive of a felony
involving moral turpitude.
b. "Disability" means the incapacity to attend to and perform
effectively one's duties and responsibilities which continues for
at least 26 weeks after its commencement, as determined by a
physician selected by Broyhill.
c. "Employment Period" that period beginning on the Effective
Date and ending upon Executive's retirement or earlier
termination of employment.
2. Employment. Broyhill agrees to employ Executive, and
Executive agrees to serve Broyhill in an executive, managerial and
supervisory capacity, subject to the direction and control of the
Board of Directors of Broyhill, all upon the terms and conditions
hereinafter set forth. During the Employment Period:
a. Executive's position (including, without limitation,
status, offices, titles and reporting requirements), authority,
duties and responsibilities shall be at least commensurate in all
material respects with the most significant of those held,
exercised and assigned at any time during the 90-day period
immediately preceding the Effective Date,
b. Executive's services shall be performed at the location<PAGE>
where the Executive is employed on the Effective Date, or at any
office or location not more than thirty-five (35) miles from such
location,
c. Executive shall continue to receive an annual base salary
at least equal to the annual base salary payable to the Executive
by Broyhill on the Effective Date ("Base Salary"),
d. Executive shall continue to have an annual cash bonus
potential, either pursuant to the Broyhill Executive Incentive
Plan in effect on the Effective Date or pursuant to a similar
incentive compensation plan of Broyhill, at least equal to the
level
in existence on the Effective Date ("Annual Bonus"), and
e. Executive shall be entitled to participate in all
incentive, savings and retirement plans, practices, policies and
programs applicable to other key executive employees of Broyhill
("Benefit Plans").
The failure of Broyhill, without Executive's consent, to comply with
the terms and conditions of employment as set forth in this Section 2
shall constitute "Good Reason" for Executive's termination of his
employment with Broyhill.
3. Best Efforts. Executive agrees during the Employment
Period to devote his best efforts and substantially all of his
business time and attention to the business of Broyhill, it being
agreed that the Executive will have complied with this obligation if
he devotes to the business of Broyhill his same best efforts and the
same time and attention to the business of Broyhill that he has
devoted to the business of Broyhill during the twelve months next
preceding the Effective Date. Executive agrees that he will perform
such other executive duties for Broyhill and for Broyhill's
subsidiaries relating to its business as the Board of Directors of
Broyhill may reasonably direct.
4. Term. Subject to the provisions of this Section 4 of this
Agreement, either party shall have the right to terminate the
Employment Period at any time. If Executive's employment with
Broyhill is terminated by Broyhill, other than for Cause or as a
result of his death or Disability, or if Executive terminates his
employment with Broyhill for Good Reason, then Broyhill will, for the
greater of (a) the period ending three years after the Effective Date
or (b) a period of one year after the termination date (or, if
shorter, until Executive reaches "Normal Retirement Age" (as such
concept is used in the primary retirement plan in which Executive is a
participant on the Effective Date)), (i) pay to Executive as and when
normally payable his Base Salary as in effect on the date of
termination and an amount equal to the average Annual Bonus received
by such Executive for the past three years prior to termination (or a
pro-rated portion of such average Annual Bonus) and (ii) subject to
program eligibility requirements and continuation of programs by
Broyhill, continue his participation in the Benefit Plans in which he<PAGE>
was participating on the date of termination of employment.
5. Non-Competition. During the three-year period commencing
on the Effective Date and, if longer, while employed by Broyhill, and
for a period of one year after termination of employment, Executive
shall not, without the prior written consent of Broyhill, directly or
indirectly, own, control, finance, manage, operate, join or
participate in the ownership, control, financing, management or
operation of, or be connected as an employee, consultant or in any
other capacity with, any business engaged in the manufacture or
distribution of residential furniture in the United States. Nothing
in this Section 5 shall, however, restrict Executive from making
investments in other ventures which are not competitive with Broyhill,
or restrict Executive from owning less than one percent (1%) of the
outstanding securities of companies listed on a national stock
exchange or actively traded in the "over-the-counter" market. In
addition, if the Employment Period is terminated by Broyhill (other
than for Cause) and the Executive elects to forego the payments called
for in Section 4 hereof, the provisions of this Section 5 shall not
apply. Should any of the terms of this Section 5 be found to be
unenforceable because they are over-broad in any respects then they
shall be deemed amended to the extent, and only to the extent,
necessary to render them enforceable. Both parties stipulate that
money damages would be inadequate to compensate for any breaches of
the terms of this Section 5, and that such terms shall be enforceable
through appropriate equitable relief, without the necessity of proving
actual damages and to an equitable accounting of all earnings,
profits, and other benefits arising from such violation, which rights
shall be cumulative and in addition to any other rights and remedies
to which Broyhill may be entitled.
6. Confidentiality. During the Employment Period and at all
times thereafter, Executive shall maintain the confidentiality of, and
shall not disclose to any person (except as his duties as an employee
of Broyhill may require) any non-public information concerning
Broyhill or its business.
7. Miscellaneous. This Employment Agreement shall be binding
upon and shall inure to the benefit of Executive's heirs, executors,
administrators and legal representatives, and shall be binding upon
and inure to the benefit of Broyhill and its successors and assigns.
This Agreement shall supersede and stand in place of any and all other
agreements between Executive and Broyhill regarding severance pay
and/or any and all severance pay benefits pursuant to any plan or
practice of Broyhill. This Employment Agreement shall take effect as
of the day and year first above set forth, and its validity,
interpretation, construction and performance shall be governed by the
laws of the State of North Carolina.
9. Indemnification. In the event that either party hereto is
required to pursue litigation against the other party to enforce his
or its rights hereunder, the prevailing party in any such litigation
shall be entitled to reimbursement of the costs and expenses of such
litigation, including attorney's fees.<PAGE>
10. Waivers. In consideration of the undertakings of
Broyhill set forth in this Agreement, Executive hereby irrevocably
waives and forever releases any and all claims and causes of action of
any nature whatsoever that Executive has or may have against Broyhill
or any of its officers, directors, employees or agents arising out of
the negotiation, execution, delivery or terms of this Agreement,
including, without limitation, any claims arising under the Age
Discrimination in Employment Act, 29 U.S.C. Section 21 et seq., and
any state or local law relating to age discrimination.
11. Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire
agreement of the parties with respect to its subject matter, and no
waiver, modification or change of any of its provisions shall be valid
unless in writing and signed by the party against whom such claimed
waiver, modification or change is sought to be enforced.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have each executed this
Agreement the date set forth below.
BROYHILL FURNITURE
INDUSTRIES, INC.
By: David P. Howard
------------------------
Vice-President
Agreed to and Approved:
FURNITURE BRANDS BRENT B. KINCAID
INTERNATIONAL, INC.
By: Richard B. Loynd By: Brent B. Kincaid
-------------------- ------------------------
Chairman of the Board<PAGE>
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This Employment Agreement is made and entered into on August 1,
1996 (the "Effective Date") by and between Thomasville Furniture
Industries, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Thomasville") and Frederick
B. Starr ("Executive").
WHEREAS, Executive is now and has been employed by Thomasville in
senior management executive positions and is broadly experienced in
all facets of Thomasville's operations; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interests of Thomasville to assure
that it will have the continued dedication of Executive;
NOW THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration and in order
to induce Executive to remain in the employ of Thomasville, the
parties covenant and agree as follows:
1. Definitions. The following terms shall have the following
meanings for purposes of this Agreement.
a. "Cause" means (i) an act or acts of personal dishonesty
taken by Executive and intended to result in substantial personal
enrichment of Executive at the expense of Thomasville, (ii)
violations by Executive of this Agreement or Executive's
employment obligations to Thomasville which are demonstrably
willful on Executive's part and which are not remedied within a
reasonable period of time after receipt of written notice from
Thomasville, or (iii) the conviction of Executive of a felony
involving moral turpitude.
b. "Disability" means the incapacity to attend to and perform
effectively one's duties and responsibilities which continues for
at least 26 weeks after its commencement, as determined by a
physician selected by Thomasville.
c. "Employment Period" that period beginning on the Effective
Date and ending upon Executive's retirement or earlier
termination of employment.
2. Employment. Thomasville agrees to employ Executive, and
Executive agrees to serve Thomasville in an executive, managerial and
supervisory capacity, subject to the direction and control of the
Board of Directors of Thomasville, all upon the terms and conditions
hereinafter set forth. During the Employment Period:
a. Executive's position (including, without limitation,
status, offices, titles and reporting requirements), authority,
duties and responsibilities shall be at least commensurate in
all material respects with the most significant of those held,
exercised and assigned at any time during the 90-day period
immediately preceding the Effective Date,
b. Executive's services shall be performed at the location<PAGE>
where the Executive is employed on the Effective Date, or at any
office or location not more than thirty-five (35) miles from such
location,
c. Executive shall continue to receive an annual base salary
at least equal to the annual base salary payable to the Executive
by Thomasville on the Effective Date ("Base Salary"),
d. Executive shall continue to have an annual cash bonus
potential, either pursuant to the Thomasville Executive Incentive
Plan in effect on the Effective Date or pursuant to a similar
incentive compensation plan of Thomasville, at least equal to the
level in existence on the Effective Date ("Annual Bonus"), and
e. Executive shall be entitled to participate in all
incentive, savings and retirement plans, practices, policies and
programs applicable to other key executive employees of
Thomasville ("Benefit Plans").
The failure of Thomasville, without Executive's consent, to comply
with the terms and conditions of employment as set forth in this
Section 2 shall constitute "Good Reason" for Executive's termination
of his employment with Thomasville.
3. Best Efforts. Executive agrees during the Employment
Period to devote his best efforts and substantially all of his
business time and attention to the business of Thomasville, it being
agreed that the Executive will have complied with this obligation if
he devotes to the business of Thomasville his same best efforts and
the same time and attention to the business of Thomasville that he has
devoted to the business of Thomasville during the twelve months next
preceding the Effective Date. Executive agrees that he will perform
such other executive duties for Thomasville and for Thomasville's
subsidiaries relating to its business as the Board of Directors of
Thomasville may reasonably direct.
4. Term. Subject to the provisions of this Section 4 of this
Agreement, either party shall have the right to terminate the
Employment Period at any time. If Executive's employment with
Thomasville is terminated by Thomasville, other than for Cause or as a
result of his death or Disability, or if Executive terminates his
employment with Thomasville for Good Reason, then Thomasville will,
for the greater of (a) the period ending three years after the
Effective Date or (b) a period of one year after the termination date
(or, if shorter, until Executive reaches "Normal Retirement Age" (as
such concept is used in the primary retirement plan in which Executive
is a participant on the Effective Date)), (i) pay to Executive as and
when normally payable his Base Salary as in effect on the date of
termination and an amount equal to the average Annual Bonus received
by such Executive for the past three years prior to termination (or a
pro-rated portion of such average Annual Bonus) and (ii) subject to
program eligibility requirements and continuation of programs by
Thomasville, continue his participation in the Benefit Plans in which
he was participating on the date of termination of employment.<PAGE>
5. Non-Competition. During the three-year period commencing
on the Effective Date and, if longer, while employed by Thomasville,
and for a period of one year after termination of employment,
Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of Thomasville,
directly or indirectly, own, control, finance, manage, operate, join
or participate in the ownership, control, financing, management or
operation of, or be connected as an employee, consultant or in any
other capacity with, any business engaged in the manufacture or
distribution of residential furniture in the United States. Nothing
in this Section 5 shall, however, restrict Executive from making
investments in other ventures which are not competitive with
Thomasville, or restrict Executive from owning less than one percent
(1%) of the outstanding securities of companies listed on a national
stock exchange or actively traded in the "over-the-counter" market.
In addition, if the Employment Period is terminated by Thomasville
(other than for Cause) and the Executive elects to forego the payments
called for in Section 4 hereof, the provisions of this Section 5 shall
not apply. Should any of the terms of this Section 5 be found to be
unenforceable because they are over-broad in any respects then they
shall be deemed amended to the extent, and only to the extent,
necessary to render them enforceable. Both parties stipulate that
money damages would be inadequate to compensate for any breaches of
the terms of this Section 5, and that such terms shall be enforceable
through appropriate equitable relief, without the necessity of proving
actual damages and to an equitable accounting of all earnings,
profits, and other benefits arising from such violation, which rights
shall be cumulative and in addition to any other rights and remedies
to which Thomasville may be entitled.
6. Confidentiality. During the Employment Period and at all
times thereafter, Executive shall maintain the confidentiality of, and
shall not disclose to any person (except as his duties as an employee
of Thomasville may require) any non-public information concerning
Thomasville or its business.
7. Miscellaneous. This Employment Agreement shall be binding
upon and shall inure to the benefit of Executive's heirs, executors,
administrators and legal representatives, and shall be binding upon
and inure to the benefit of Thomasville and its successors and
assigns. This Agreement shall supersede and stand in place of any and
all other agreements between Executive and Thomasville regarding
severance pay and/or any and all severance pay benefits pursuant to
any plan or practice of Thomasville. This Employment Agreement shall
take effect as of the day and year first above set forth, and its
validity, interpretation, construction and performance shall be
governed by the laws of the State of North Carolina.
9. Indemnification. In the event that either party hereto is
required to pursue litigation against the other party to enforce his
or its rights hereunder, the prevailing party in any such litigation
shall be entitled to reimbursement of the costs and expenses of such
litigation, including attorney's fees.
10. Waivers. In consideration of the undertakings of<PAGE>
Thomasville set forth in this Agreement, Executive hereby irrevocably
waives and forever releases any and all claims and causes of action of
any nature whatsoever that Executive has or may have against
Thomasville or any of its officers, directors, employees or agents
arising out of the negotiation, execution, delivery or terms of this
Agreement, including, without limitation, any claims arising under the
Age Discrimination in Employment Act, 29 U.S.C. Section 21 et seq.,
and any state or local law relating to age discrimination.
11. Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire
agreement of the parties with respect to its subject matter, and no
waiver, modification or change of any of its provisions shall be valid
unless in writing and signed by the party against whom such claimed
waiver, modification or change is sought to be enforced.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have each executed this
Agreement the date set forth below.
THOMASVILLE FURNITURE
INDUSTRIES, INC.
By: David P. Howard
----------------------
Vice-President
Agreed to and Approved:
FURNITURE BRANDS FREDERICK B. STARR
INTERNATIONAL, INC.
By: R.B. Loynd By: Frederick B. Starr
----------------------- ----------------------
Chairman of the Board<PAGE>
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This Employment Agreement is made and entered into on August 1,
1996 (the "Effective Date") by and between The Lane Company,
Incorporated, a Virginia corporation ("Lane") and K. Scott Tyler, Jr.
("Executive").
WHEREAS, Executive is now and has been employed by Lane in senior
management executive positions and is broadly experienced in all
facets of Lane's operations; and
WHEREAS, it is in the best interests of Lane to assure that it
will have the continued dedication of Executive;
NOW THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration and in order
to induce Executive to remain in the employ of Lane, the parties
covenant and agree as follows:
1. Definitions. The following terms shall have the following
meanings for purposes of this Agreement.
a. "Cause" means (i) an act or acts of personal dishonesty
taken by Executive and intended to result in substantial personal
enrichment of Executive at the expense of Lane, (ii) violations
by Executive of this Agreement or Executive's employment
obligations to Lane which are demonstrably willful on Executive's
part and which are not remedied within a reasonable period of
time after receipt of written notice from Lane, or (iii) the
conviction of Executive of a felony involving moral turpitude.
b. "Disability" means the incapacity to attend to and perform
effectively one's duties and responsibilities which continues for
at least 26 weeks after its commencement, as determined by a
physician selected by Lane.
c. "Employment Period" that period beginning on the Effective
Date and ending upon Executive's retirement or earlier
termination of employment.
2. Employment. Lane agrees to employ Executive, and
Executive agrees to serve Lane in an executive, managerial and
supervisory capacity, subject to the direction and control of the
Board of Directors of Lane, all upon the terms and conditions
hereinafter set forth. During the Employment Period:
a. Executive's position (including, without limitation,
status, offices, titles and reporting requirements), authority,
duties and responsibilities shall be at least commensurate in all
material respects with the most significant of those held,
exercised and assigned at any time during the 90-day period
immediately preceding the Effective Date,
b. Executive's services shall be performed at the location
where the Executive is employed on the Effective Date, or at any<PAGE>
office or location not more than thirty-five (35) miles from such
location,
c. Executive shall continue to receive an annual base salary
at least equal to the annual base salary payable to the Executive
by Lane on the Effective Date ("Base Salary"),
d. Executive shall continue to have an annual cash bonus
potential, either pursuant to the Lane Executive Incentive Plan
in effect on the Effective Date or pursuant to a similar
incentive compensation plan of Lane, at least equal to the level
in existence on the Effective Date ("Annual Bonus"), and
e. Executive shall be entitled to participate in all
incentive, savings and retirement plans, practices, policies and
programs applicable to other key executive employees of Lane
("Benefit Plans").
The failure of Lane, without Executive's consent, to comply with the
terms and conditions of employment as set forth in this Section 2
shall constitute "Good Reason" for Executive's termination of his
employment with Lane.
3. Best Efforts. Executive agrees during the Employment
Period to devote his best efforts and substantially all of his
business time and attention to the business of Lane, it being agreed
that the Executive will have complied with this obligation if he
devotes to the business of Lane his same best efforts and the same
time and attention to the business of Lane that he has devoted to the
business of Lane during the twelve months next preceding the Effective
Date. Executive agrees that he will perform such other executive
duties for Lane and for Lane's subsidiaries relating to its business
as the Board of Directors of Lane may reasonably direct.
4. Term. Subject to the provisions of Sections 4 and 5 of
this Agreement, either party shall have the right to terminate the
Employment Period at any time. If Executive's employment with Lane is
terminated by Lane, other than for Cause or as a result of his death
or Disability, or if Executive terminates his employment with Lane for
Good Reason, then Lane will, for the greater of (a) the period ending
three years after the Effective Date or (b) a period of one year after
the termination date (or, if shorter, until Executive reaches "Normal
Retirement Age" (as such concept is used in the primary retirement
plan in which Executive is a participant on the Effective Date)), (i)
pay to Executive as and when normally payable his Base Salary as in
effect on the date of termination and an amount equal to the average
Annual Bonus received by such Executive for the past three years prior
to termination (or a pro-rated portion of such average Annual Bonus)
and (ii) subject to program eligibility requirements and continuation
of programs by Lane, continue his participation in the Benefit Plans
in which he was participating on the date of termination of
employment.
5. Split Dollar Insurance Policy. If Executive's employment<PAGE>
with Lane is terminated by Lane other than for Cause or as a result of
his death or Disability, or if during such period Executive terminates
his employment with Lane for Good Reason, then Lane will continue to
make premium payments for so long as Lane is making payments to
Executive under Section 4 hereof under any and all split dollar life
insurance programs in effect on the life of the Executive as of the
Effective Date, after which the Executive will be entitled to
ownership of the policy and Lane will be entitled to premium
retrieval, all in accordance with the terms of the program, but only
to the extent of the cash value of the policy, and without recourse to
the Executive for the balance of any such premium retrieval.
6. Non-Competition. During the three-year period commencing
on the Effective Date and, if longer, while employed by Lane, and for
a period of one year after termination of employment, Executive shall
not, without the prior written consent of Lane, directly or
indirectly, own, control, finance, manage, operate, join or
participate in the ownership, control, financing, management or
operation of, or be connected as an employee, consultant or in any
other capacity with, any business engaged in the manufacture or
distribution of residential furniture in the United States. Nothing
in this Section 6 shall, however, restrict Executive from making
investments in other ventures which are not competitive with Lane, or
restrict Executive from owning less than one percent (1%) of the
outstanding securities of companies listed on a national stock
exchange or actively traded in the "over-the-counter" market. In
addition, if the Employment Period is terminated by Lane (other than
for Cause) and the Executive elects to forego the payments called for
in Sections 4 and 5 hereof, the provisions of this Section 6 shall not
apply. Should any of the terms of this Section 6 be found to be
unenforceable because they are over-broad in any respects then they
shall be deemed amended to the extent, and only to the extent,
necessary to render them enforceable. Both parties stipulate that
money damages would be inadequate to compensate for any breaches of
the terms of this Section 6, and that such terms shall be enforceable
through appropriate equitable relief, without the necessity of proving
actual damages and to an equitable accounting of all earnings,
profits, and other benefits arising from such violation, which rights
shall be cumulative and in addition to any other rights and remedies
to which Lane may be entitled.
7. Confidentiality. During the Employment Period and at all
times thereafter, Executive shall maintain the confidentiality of, and
shall not disclose to any person (except as his duties as an employee
of Lane may require) any non-public information concerning Lane or its
business.
8 Miscellaneous. This Employment Agreement shall be binding
upon and shall inure to the benefit of Executive's heirs, executors,
administrators and legal representatives, and shall be binding upon
and inure to the benefit of Lane and its successors and assigns. This
Agreement shall supersede and stand in place of any and all other
agreements between Executive and Lane regarding severance pay and/or
any and all severance pay benefits pursuant to any plan or practice of<PAGE>
Lane. This Employment Agreement shall take effect as of the day and
year first above set forth, and its validity, interpretation,
construction and performance shall be governed by the laws of the
Commonwealth of Virginia.
9. Indemnification. In the event that either party hereto is
required to pursue litigation against the other party to enforce his
or its rights hereunder, the prevailing party in any such litigation
shall be entitled to reimbursement of the costs and expenses of such
litigation, including attorney's fees.
10. Waivers. In consideration of the undertakings of Lane
set forth in this Agreement, Executive hereby irrevocably waives and
forever releases any and all claims and causes of action of any nature
whatsoever that Executive has or may have against Lane or any of its
officers, directors, employees or agents arising out of the
negotiation, execution, delivery or terms of this Agreement,
including, without limitation, any claims arising under the Age
Discrimination in Employment Act, 29 U.S.C. Section 21 et seq., and
any state or local law relating to age discrimination.
11. Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire
agreement of the parties with respect to its subject matter, and no
waiver, modification or change of any of its provisions shall be valid
unless in writing and signed by the party against whom such claimed
waiver, modification or change is sought to be enforced.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have each executed this
Agreement the date set forth below.
THE LANE COMPANY, INCORPORATED
By: David P. Howard
-----------------------------
Vice President
Vice-President
Agreed to and Approved:
FURNITURE BRANDS K. SCOTT TYLER, JR.
INTERNATIONAL, INC.
By: R.B. Loynd By: K. Scott Tyler, Jr.
----------------------- -----------------------------
Chairman of the Board<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT 11
FURNITURE BRANDS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
STATEMENT RE COMPUTATION OF NET EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
----------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Three Months Nine Months Three and Nine
Ended Ended Months Ended
September 30, September 30, September 30,
Primary: 1996 1996 1995
------------ -------------
Weighted average common shares outstanding during the
period................................................ 61,405,437 58,413,744 50,112,020
Common shares issuable on exercise of stock options (1). 1,161,741 992,174 485,603
Common shares issuable on exercise of warrants.......... 1,526,016 1,821,221 -
------------ -------------
Weighted average common and common equivalent shares
outstanding for primary calculation.................... 64,093,194 61,227,139 50,597,623
============ =============
Fully diluted:
Weighted average common and common equivalent shares
outstanding for primary calculation.................... 64,093,194 61,227,139 50,597,623
Common shares issuable on exercise of stock options (3). 228,349 397,916 152,764
Common shares issuable on exercise of warrants (4)...... 432,658 1,139,749 653,468
------------ -------------
Weighted average common and common equivalent shares
outstanding for fully diluted calculation.............. 64,754,201 62,764,804 51,403,855
============ =============<PAGE>
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT 11 (CONTINUED)
FURNITURE BRANDS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
NOTES TO STATEMENT RE COMPUTATION OF NET EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
<S> <C>
(1) Includes common stock options, the exercise of which would result in dilution of net earnings
per common share. Such common stock options have been considered as exercised and the proceeds
therefrom were used to purchase common stock at the average common stock market price, if the
average common stock market price was higher than the common stock option exercise price during
the period.
(2) Includes common stock warrants, the exercise of which would result in dilution of net earnings
per common share. Such common stock warrants have been considered as exercised and the proceeds
therefrom were used to purchase common stock at the average common stock market price, if the
average common stock market price was higher than the common stock warrant exercise price during
the period.
(3) Additional common shares issuable resulting from the application of the same principles
described in Note (1), except that the proceeds from assumed common stock options exercised were
used to purchase common stock at the month end common stock market price, if the month end
common stock market price was higher than the average common stock market price during the
period.
(4) Additional common shares issuable resulting from the application of the same principles
described in Note (2), except that the proceeds from assumed common stock warrants exercised
were used to purchase common stock at the month end common stock market price, if the month end
common stock market price was higher than the average common stock market price during the
period.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1996
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<CASH> 21,456
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 318,018
<ALLOWANCES> 25,349
<INVENTORY> 280,977
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 612,710
<PP&E> 410,553
<DEPRECIATION> 114,763
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,268,565
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 153,398
<BONDS> 578,600
0
0
<COMMON> 61,426
<OTHER-SE> 279,273
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,268,565
<SALES> 1,262,610
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 1,262,610
<CGS> 913,207
<TOTAL-COSTS> 913,207
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 5,238
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 35,672
<INCOME-PRETAX> 60,260
<INCOME-TAX> 23,467
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 36,793
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> (7,417)
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 29,376
<EPS-PRIMARY> 0.48
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.47
</TABLE>
