<PAGE>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
------------------------------
FORM 10-K
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended Commission File
September 29, 1996 Number 0-14709
HUTCHINSON TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
--------------------------------------------------------
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Minnesota 41-0901840
-------------------- ----------------
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
40 West Highland Park
Hutchinson, Minnesota 55350
------------------------- -------
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (320)587-3797
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: Common Stock, $.02
par value
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [ ]
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item
405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. [ ]
The aggregate market value of the Common Stock held by non-affiliates of
the registrant as of November 27, 1996 was $286,251,525, based on the closing
sale price for the Company's Common Stock on that date. For purposes of
determining this number, all officers and directors of the registrant are
considered to be affiliates of the registrant. This number is provided only for
the purposes of this report on Form 10-K and does not represent an admission by
either the registrant or any such person as to the status of such person.
As of November 27, 1996, the registrant had 5,452,410 shares of Common
Stock issued and outstanding.
1
<PAGE>
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the registrant's Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal
year ended September 29, 1996 are incorporated by reference in Part II.
Portions of the registrant's Proxy Statement for the annual meeting of
shareholders to be held January 29, 1997 are incorporated by reference in Part
III.
2
<PAGE>
PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Hutchinson Technology Incorporated (the "Company") was incorporated in 1965
in Minnesota. The Company is the world's leading supplier of suspension
assemblies for rigid magnetic disk drives. Suspension assemblies hold the
recording heads in position above the spinning magnetic disks in the drive and
are critical to maintaining the necessary microscopic clearance between the head
and disk. The Company is a supplier to nearly all domestic and many
foreign-based users of suspension assemblies, including Applied Magnetics, IBM,
Maxtor, Quantum, Read-Rite, SAE Magnetics, Seagate Technology, Western Digital
and Yamaha. The Company developed its leadership position in suspension
assemblies through research, development and design activities coupled with a
substantial investment in manufacturing technologies and equipment. The Company
is focused on continuing to develop suspension assemblies which address the
rapidly changing requirements of the rigid magnetic disk drive industry. The
Company also is evaluating some product opportunities in the medical market but
does not expect any medical revenues in fiscal 1997.
PRODUCTS
The Company's current products can be categorized as follows:
- suspension assemblies, and
- other, consisting primarily of etched and stamped components.
The following table shows for each of fiscal 1996, 1995 and 1994 the
relative contribution to net sales in millions of dollars and percentages of
each product category:
Fiscal 1996 Fiscal 1995 Fiscal 1994
------------ ------------ -----------
Amount % Amount % Amount %
------ - ------ - ------ -
Suspension
Assemblies............. $345.4 98% $292.1 97% $231.1 97%
Other.................... 7.8 2 7.9 3 7.7 3
------ ---- ------ ---- ------ ----
Total Net Sales...... $353.2 100% $300.0 100% $238.8 100%
====== ==== ====== ==== ====== ====
SUSPENSION ASSEMBLIES
The growing complexity of computer applications requires more data or
software program steps than can be economically stored in the computer's
semiconductor main memory. The additional required data storage capacity is
provided primarily by rigid magnetic disk drives which are the most
cost-effective devices for storing large amounts of data that must be retrieved
quickly. A typical 3.5" disk drive contains two rigid disks attached to a motor
assembly which rotates the disks at high speeds in extremely close proximity to
four magnetic recording heads, each of which is attached to a suspension
assembly.
3
<PAGE>
Suspension assemblies are a critical component of disk drive performance
and reliability, with nearly all performance improvements in storage capacity
sought by disk drive manufacturers requiring corresponding advances in
suspension assemblies. One of the major determinants of disk drive data storage
capacity is the microscopic height at which the magnetic head "flies" above the
disk. Suspension assemblies hold the magnetic recording heads in position and
are a significant factor in controlling the critical flying height of the head
above the disk and maintaining the position of the head on the tracks of data.
A typical nominal flying height is about one millionth of an inch (a sheet of
paper is approximately 3,000 millionths of an inch). Flying height is to a
large extent determined by the magnitude of the force exerted by the suspension
assembly on the recording head and by the location of the point on the recording
head at which the assembly imposes the force.
A suspension assembly consists of two or three components that are laser
welded together. Certain suspension assemblies also incorporate electrical
leads which provide electrical connection from the magnetic head to the disk
drive's circuitry. Alignment, adjustment and freedom from imperfections and
contaminants are of critical importance and, therefore, the photoetching of the
components, the laser-welding operations which fuse the components together and
subsequent processing steps are subject to stringent specifications and
controls. See "Production Processes" below.
The design of suspension assemblies is driven by the increasing performance
requirements of new disk drives, principally reduced data access time, increased
data storage density, smaller form factors and type of recording head used.
Technologically advanced drives generally require suspension assemblies with
specialized design, functionality and greater precision. The Company has
developed significant proprietary capabilities in the design and production
of suspension assemblies for both current and emerging disk drive designs.
OTHER
The Company also manufactures a small amount of etched and stamped
components used in connection or related to suspension assemblies. The Company
is also engaged in the development of certain medical devices of which there are
no revenues anticipated in fiscal 1997; there can be no assurance that the
Company's efforts will result in a marketable product or that such products will
ever generate significant revenues.
PRODUCTION PROCESSES
The Company's products require several manufacturing processes, each
dependent on different technical disciplines, to meet strict customer tolerances
and other requirements. The Company has developed sophisticated manufacturing
processes and controls, and related equipment, which are essential to the
precision and reliability of its products. The manufacturing processes employed
by the Company include photoetching, stamping, plasma etching, plating,
precision forming, laser-welding and ultra-cleaning. The Company monitors and
controls these processes through real-time statistical process analysis, and
continuously tracks critical parameters and takes corrective action as needed.
The Company's production processes require the storage, use and disposal of
a variety of chemicals which are considered hazardous under applicable federal
and state laws. Accordingly, the Company is subject to a variety of regulatory
requirements for the handling of such materials. If an accident were to result
in significant personal injury or environmental damage, the Company's operations
and financial performance could be adversely affected.
4
<PAGE>
RAW MATERIALS AND SOURCES OF SUPPLY
Certain materials used in the Company's manufacturing processes have
limited availability. Certain types of photoresist, a liquid compound used in
the photoetching process, are available from only one supplier. Most of the
stainless steel which meets the Company's strict specifications is available
from only one supplier. To protect against the adverse effect of a short-term
supply disruption, the Company maintains several weeks' supply of these
materials. If for any reason the Company was unable to continue to obtain these
materials in the necessary quantities and at reasonable prices, production would
be adversely affected.
CUSTOMERS AND MARKETING
The Company's products are sold principally through its own ten-member
sales force operating primarily from its headquarters in Hutchinson, Minnesota.
The Company has one technical representative in Europe, and, through a
subsidiary, four technical representatives in Singapore serving its southern
Pacific Rim customers. The Company's products are sold to original equipment
manufacturers for use in their products and to subassemblers who sell to
original equipment manufacturers. The Company's sales force is organized by
customer. Company salespeople typically initiate contacts with both the
customer's purchasing agent and its engineers. The Company's engineers and
sales force actively participate in the selling process and in maintaining
customer relationships.
The Company is a supplier to nearly all domestic and most foreign-based
manufacturers of rigid magnetic disk drives and recording heads used in such
drives. The following table shows the Company's five largest customers for
fiscal 1996 as a percentage of net sales.
Seagate Technology Incorporated.............. 35%
Yamaha Corporation........................... 16
SAE Magnetics, Ltd........................... 14
Read-Rite Corporation........................ 13
IBM.......................................... 9
Sales to the Company's five largest customers constituted 87%, 86% and 75%
of net sales for fiscal 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively. Significant portions
of the Company's revenue may be indirectly attributable to large manufacturers
of disk drives, such as Quantum Corporation and Western Digital Corporation,
which purchase recording head assemblies from recording head manufacturers
utilizing the Company's suspension assemblies.
The Company expects to continue to depend upon a limited number of
customers for a majority of its sales, given the relatively small number of
rigid magnetic disk drive and recording head manufacturers. The Company's
financial performance could be adversely affected by reduced requirements of its
major customers.
Sales to foreign-based enterprises totaled $63,898,000 in fiscal 1996,
$46,075,000 in fiscal 1995 and $29,394,000 in fiscal 1994. Sales to foreign
subsidiaries of U.S. corporations totaled $51,564,000 in fiscal 1996,
$54,398,000 in fiscal 1995 and $14,126,000 in fiscal 1994. The majority of
these foreign location sales were to the Pacific Rim region. In addition, the
Company had significant sales to U.S. corporations which used the Company's
products in their offshore manufacturing sites.
5
<PAGE>
BACKLOG
The Company's sales are generally made pursuant to purchase orders rather
than long-term contracts. The Company's backlog of purchase orders was
approximately $58,500,000 at September 29, 1996, as compared to $55,200,000 at
September 24, 1995. Such purchase orders may be changed or canceled by
customers on short notice without penalty. In addition, the Company believes
that it is a common practice for disk drive manufacturers to place orders in
excess of their needs during growth periods. Accordingly, the Company does not
believe that backlog should be considered indicative of sales for any future
period.
COMPETITION
The Company believes that the principal factors of competition in the
suspension assembly market include time-to-market, product quality, design
expertise, reliability of supply and price. The Company estimates that in
fiscal 1996 it produced a majority of all suspension assemblies sold to rigid
magnetic disk drive manufacturers and their suppliers, including recording head
manufacturers, worldwide. The Company's competitors include K.R. Precision Co.,
Magnecomp Corporation and Nippon Hatsujo Kogyo Co. Certain users of suspension
assemblies also may have or may develop the ability to fabricate their own
suspension assemblies. Although there can be no assurance that the number of
competitors will not increase in the future or that users of suspension
assemblies will not develop internal capabilities to manufacture suspension
assemblies, management of the Company believes that the number of entities that
have the technical capability and capacity for producing precision suspension
assemblies in large volumes will remain small.
Other types of computer memory systems, such as semiconductor memories
(flash memory) and tape and laser (optical and CD) drives, may become
competitive with certain rigid magnetic disk drive applications, and thereby
affect the demand for certain of the Company's products. However, semiconductor
memories are not expected to be price competitive with disk drives and optical
memories are inherently much slower than rigid magnetic disk drives.
Accordingly, the Company believes that such technologies will not materially
impact the market for rigid magnetic disk drives in the near future.
ENGINEERING AND PROCESS DEVELOPMENT
As of September 29, 1996, the Company employed 703 engineers and
technicians who are responsible for the implementation of new technologies as
well as process and product development and improvements. Expenditures for
these activities in fiscal 1996, 1995 and 1994 amounted to approximately
$51,212,000, $32,567,000 and $25,663,000, respectively. Of those amounts, the
Company classified approximately $27,651,000, $15,041,000 and $8,626,000,
respectively, as research and development expenditures.
The Company's current research and development efforts are principally
directed to continuing the development and prototype production of new high
precision suspension assemblies to meet the changing form factors,
performance standards and electrical connectivity required for disk drives.
The Company entered into a Technology Transfer and Development Agreement
(the "Technology Sharing Agreement") and a Patent License Agreement with IBM
during fiscal 1995. Under the Technology Sharing Agreement, IBM made
available to the Company the results of many years of research by IBM into a
new type of suspension, called an integrated lead suspension. The Company
itself had devoted substantial efforts independent of IBM to the research and
development of TSA-TM- suspensions, and contributed its existing TSA-TM-
suspension technology to the joint effort. The Company and IBM will continue
to pursue joint research and development efforts to complete the
commercialization of integrated lead suspension designs. All amounts due
under the Technology Sharing Agreement have been expensed and a related
6
<PAGE>
liability has been recorded by the Company. As of September 29, 1996, the
Company had made payments totaling $1,500,000 to IBM and will make additional
payments over the next three fiscal years totaling $6,500,000.
The Company also is engaged in the development of certain medical devices,
including a probe for the measurement of tissue vitality. There can be no
assurance that the Company's efforts will result in a marketable product or that
such products will ever generate significant revenues.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Certain equipment, processes, information and knowledge generated by the
Company and utilized in the manufacture of its products are regarded as
proprietary by the Company and are protectable under applicable trade secret,
copyright and unfair competition laws. In addition, where the Company believes
it has made inventions in manufacturing equipment, product and processes for
making products where patents might enhance the Company's position, patents have
been and will continue to be pursued in the U.S. and abroad. The Company
currently holds eighteen U.S. patents, and has more than fifty patent
applications pending in the U.S., relating to its proprietary suspension
assembly products and manufacturing equipment and processes relating to their
manufacture. The Company believes that although the patents it holds and may
obtain will continue to be of value, they will not independently determine the
Company's success, which depends principally upon its engineering and
manufacturing skills.
Within the Company, intellectual property protection of trade secrets is
achieved through physical security measures at the Company's facilities as well
as through nondisclosure/noncompete agreements with all employees and
confidentiality agreements with consultants, strategic suppliers and customers.
There can be no assurance as to the degree of protection afforded by these
practices and laws.
In addition to the Technology Sharing Agreement and the Patent License
Agreement with IBM discussed in "Engineering and Process Development" above, the
Company also has entered into licensing and cross-licensing agreements under the
Company's patents and patent applications allowing certain competitors to
produce certain of the Company's products in return for either royalty payments
or cross-license rights.
The Company and certain users of the Company's products have from time to
time received, and may in the future receive, communications from third parties
asserting patents against the Company or its customers which may relate to
certain of the Company's manufacturing equipment or products or to products
which include the Company's products as a component. Although the Company has
not been a party to any material intellectual property litigation, certain of
its customers have been sued on patents having claims closely related to
products sold by the Company. In the event any third party were to make a valid
infringement claim and a license were not available on terms acceptable to the
Company, the Company's operating results could be adversely affected.
7
<PAGE>
EMPLOYEES
As of September 29, 1996, the Company had 5,479 regular employees, 3,236 of
whom were working at the Company's Hutchinson, Minnesota facility, 1,435 of whom
were working at the Company's Sioux Falls, South Dakota facility, 627 of whom
were working in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, 172 of whom were working in Plymouth,
Minnesota and nine of whom were working overseas. The Company's ability to
conduct its business would be impaired if a significant number of its
specialized employees were to leave and could not be replaced by comparable
personnel. However, turnover of specialized employees, including key management
personnel, historically has been low. The locations of the Company's facilities
and the broad span and complexity of technology encompassed by the Company's
products and processes limit the number of qualified engineering and other
candidates for key positions. The Company expects that internal training will
continue to be the primary avenue for the development of key employees.
None of the Company's employees is subject to a collective bargaining
agreement, and the Company has experienced no work stoppages. The Company
believes that its employee relations are good.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
The Company's executive offices, primary manufacturing facilities and
training center are located in four buildings on a 163-acre site in Hutchinson,
Minnesota. The largest building has floor area of approximately 450,000 square
feet. The Company also leases a 20,000 square foot warehouse and a 7,000 square
foot fabrication shop near the Hutchinson site.
The Company operates a manufacturing facility in Sioux Falls, South Dakota,
in connection with which it leases a building of approximately 94,000 square
feet, a training center of 5,500 square feet and a warehouse of 4,800 square
feet.
The Company also operates a manufacturing facility in Eau Claire,
Wisconsin, in connection with which it leases a building of approximately
156,000 square feet.
The Company is leasing a building of approximately 100,000 square feet
located in Plymouth, Minnesota for stamping operations, office space and a
logistic center. The Company also leases sales offices in Singapore and the
Netherlands.
The Company is in the process of constructing a photoetching facility of
approximately 320,000 square feet in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
None.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
None.
8
<PAGE>
ITEM X. EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
The executive officers of the Company are:
Name Age Position
---- --- --------
Jeffrey W. Green 56 Chairman of the Board and Director
Wayne M. Fortun 47 President, Chief Executive Officer,
Chief Operating Officer
and Director
John A. Ingleman 50 Vice President, Chief
Financial Officer and
Secretary
Rebecca A. Albrecht 43 Vice President of
Human Resources
Beatrice A. Graczyk 48 Vice President of Disk Drive
Components Operations
Larry G. Moehring 47 Vice President of Disk Drive
Components Assembly Operations
Richard C. Myers 56 Vice President of Administration
LeRoy E. Olson 60 Vice President of Disk Drive
Components Operations
Development
Richard J. Penn 40 Vice President of
Sales and Marketing
R. Scott Schaefer 43 Vice President of Disk Drive
Components Business Development
Executive officers are elected annually by the Board of Directors and serve
a one-year period or until their successors are elected.
Mr. Green is a co-founder of the Company and has served as a director since
the Company's formation in 1965. Mr. Green has been Chairman of the Board
since January 1983, and served as the Company's Chief Executive Officer from
January 1983 to May 1996.
Mr. Fortun was elected a director in 1983. He has been with the Company
since 1975 and was elected President and Chief Operating Officer in January
1983 and Chief Executive Officer in May 1996.
9
<PAGE>
Mr. Ingleman was elected Vice President in January 1982, Chief Financial
Officer in January 1988, and Secretary in January 1992. Mr. Ingleman served
as the Company's Treasurer from January 1982 through January 1996. Mr. Ingleman
has beenwith the Company since 1977.
Ms. Albrecht was elected Vice President in January 1995 and is responsible
for Human Resources. Previously she had been Director of Human Resources since
1988. Ms. Albrecht has been with the Company since 1983.
Ms. Graczyk was elected Vice President in May 1990 and is now responsible
for Disk Drive Components Operations. She had been Director of Component
Operations since 1988.
Mr. Moehring was elected Vice President in May 1990 and is now responsible
for Disk Drive Components Assembly Operations. He had been Director of Assembly
Operations since 1988.
Mr. Myers was elected Vice President of Sales and Marketing in January
1988. In January 1995, he was elected Vice President of Administration. Mr.
Myers has been with the Company since 1977.
Mr. Olson was elected Vice President in May 1990 and is now responsible for
Disk Drive Components Operations Development. He had been Director of Sioux
Falls Operations since April 1988 when he joined the Company.
Mr. Penn was elected Vice President in January 1996 and is responsible
for Sales and Marketing. Previously he had been Director of Sales and
Marketing since December 1994, Senior Manager responsible for Medical
Business Development from January 1994 to December 1994 and Marketing Manager
since June 1990. Mr. Penn has been with the Company since 1981.
Mr. Schaefer was elected Vice President in May 1990 and is now responsible
for Disk Drive Components Business Development. He had been Vice President of
Medical Business Development since 1990 and Director of Engineering since 1988.
None of the above executive officers is related to each other or to any
director of the Company, except that Richard N. Rosett, a director, is married
to Mr. Green's first cousin.
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Incorporated herein by reference is the Company's Annual Report to
Shareholders for the fiscal year ended September 29, 1996, pages 30, 34 and 39.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Incorporated herein by reference is the Company's Annual Report to
Shareholders for the fiscal year ended September 29, 1996, pages 36 and 37.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
10
<PAGE>
Incorporated herein by reference is the Company's Annual Report to
Shareholders for the fiscal year ended September 29, 1996, pages 19-23.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Incorporated herein by reference is the Company's Annual Report to
Shareholders for the fiscal year ended September 29, 1996, pages 24-35.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
Incorporated herein by reference is the information appearing under the
heading "Election of Directors" and "Compliance with Section 16(a) of The
Securities Exchange Act of 1934", pages 3, 4 and 13, in the Company's Proxy
Statement dated December 18, 1996. See also Part I hereof under the heading
"Item X. Executive Officers of the Registrant".
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Incorporated herein by reference is the information appearing under the
headings "Summary Compensation Table" and "Option Tables", pages 9-11, and
the information regarding fees paid to non-employee directors on page 4, in
the Company's Proxy Statement dated December 18, 1996.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
Incorporated herein by reference is the information appearing under the
heading "Security Ownership of Principal Shareholders and Management", page 2,
and the information appearing in the tables and notes on pages 9-11 in the
Company's Proxy Statement dated December 18, 1996.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
None.
PART IV
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
a) 1. Consolidated Financial Statements:
Report of Independent Public Accountants
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the fiscal years 1996, 1995
and 1994
11
<PAGE>
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 29, 1996 and September 24,
1995
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the fiscal years 1996, 1995
and 1994
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Investment for the fiscal
years 1996, 1995 and 1994
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Incorporated by reference to pages 24-35 of the Company's Annual
Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended September 29, 1996.)
2. Schedule:
Report of Independent Public Accountants on Schedule
Valuation and Qualifying Accounts...Schedule II
3. Exhibits:
3.1 Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Registration Statement No. 2-98270), as
amended by Articles of Amendment dated January 27, 1988
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 27, 1987, File
No. 0-14709).
3.2 Restated By-Laws of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
4.2 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended March 27, 1988, File No. 0-14709), and amendment adopted on
March 5, 1991 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the
Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March
31, 1991, File No. 0-14709).
4.1 Instruments defining the rights of security holders, including an
indenture. The Registrant agrees to furnish the Securities and
Exchange Commission upon request copies of instruments with respect
to long-term debt.
4.2 Note Purchase Agreement dated as of April 20, 1994, providing for
the placement of $20,000,000 of senior unsecured notes with Teachers
Insurance and Annuity Association of America (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4.10 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q for the quarter ended March 27, 1994, File No. 0-14709) and
Amendment dated as of March 15, 1996 (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.2 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended March 24, 1996, File No. 0-14709).
4.3 Note Purchase Agreement dated as of April 20, 1994, providing for
the placement of $5,000,000 of senior unsecured notes with Central
Life Assurance Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.11 to
the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
March 27, 1994, File No. 0-14709) and Amendment dated as of March
15, 1996 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Company's
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 24, 1996,
File No. 0-14709).
12
<PAGE>
4.4 Note Purchase Agreement dated as of April 20, 1994, providing for
the placement of $5,000,000 of senior unsecured notes with Modern
Woodmen of America (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.12 to the
Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March
27, 1994, File No. 0-14709) and Amendment dated as of March 15, 1996
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Company's Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 24, 1996, File No.
0-14709).
4.5 Credit Agreement between the Company and The First National Bank of
Chicago, dated as of December 8, 1995 (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.5 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended December 24, 1995, File No. 0-14709), and First
Amendment dated as of June 22, 1996 (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 4.5 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended June 23, 1996, File No. 0-14709).
4.6 Note Purchase Agreement dated as of July 26, 1996, providing for the
placement of $15,000,000 of senior unsecured notes with Metropolitan
Insurance and Annuity Company.
4.7 Note Purchase Agreement dated as of July 26, 1996, providing for
the placement of $10,000,000 of senior unsecured notes with
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company.
4.8 Note Purchase Agreement dated as of July 26, 1996, providing for the
placement of $25,000,000 of senior unsecured notes with Teachers
Insurance and Annuity Association of America.
10.1 Lease with Right of Refusal between Donald Wendorff and Laura
Wendorff, Lessors, and the Company, Lessee, dated September 6, 1995
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 24, 1995,
File No. 0-14709).
10.2 Office/Warehouse Lease between OPUS Corporation, Lessor, and the
Company, Lessee, dated December 29, 1995 (incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
the quarter ended March 24, 1996, File No. 0-14709), and First
Amendment to Office/Warehouse Lease dated April 30, 1996
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 23, 1996,
File No. 0-14709).
10.3 Building Lease dated April 1988 and Amendment to Building Lease
dated August 29, 1988 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to
the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
September 25, 1988, File No. 0-14709), Second Amendment to Building
Lease dated as of September 18, 1989, relating to the Company's
Sioux Falls, South Dakota facility (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.9 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended September 30, 1990, File No. 0-14709), Third
Amendment to Building Lease dated September 19, 1991, relating to
the Company's Sioux Falls, South Dakota facility (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Company's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the fiscal year ended September 29, 1991, File No.
0-14709), Fourth Amendment to Commercial Lease dated September 29,
1992, relating to the Company's Sioux Falls, South Dakota facility
13
<PAGE>
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the Company's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 27, 1992,
File No. 0-14709), Fifth Amendment to Commercial Lease dated
February 11, 1993, relating to the Company's Sioux Falls, South
Dakota facility (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
September 24, 1995, File No. 0-14709), Sixth Amendment to Commercial
Lease dated February 17, 1995, relating to the Company's Sioux
Falls, South Dakota facility (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.6 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended September 24, 1995, File No. 0-14709), and Seventh Amendment
to Commercial Lease dated April 1, 1995, relating to the Company's
Sioux Falls, South Dakota facility (incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.6 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended September 24, 1995, File No. 0-14709).
10.4 Hutchinson Technology Incorporated 401-K Plan and related 401-K
Trust (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30,
1990, File No. 0-14709), and Amendment effective April 1, 1995
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company's
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 24, 1996,
File No. 0-14709), and Amendment effective April 1, 1996
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company's
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 23, 1996,
File No. 0-14709).
10.5 Directors' Retirement Plan effective as of January 1, 1992
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Company's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 27, 1992,
File No. 0-14709).
10.6 Description of Bonus Program for Key Employees of Hutchinson
Technology Incorporated (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13
to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended September 27, 1992, File No. 0-14709).
10.7 1988 Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to
the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
September 25, 1988, File No. 0-14709), Amendment to the 1988 Stock
Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
September 26, 1993, File No. 0-14709), and Amendment to the 1988
Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the
Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March
26, 1995, File No. 0-14709).
*10.8 Technology Transfer and Development Agreement, effective as of
September 1, 1994, between Hutchinson Technology Incorporated and
International Business Machines Corporation (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q/A for the quarter ended June 25, 1995, File No. 0-14709), and
Amendment dated December 11, 1995 to the Technology Transfer and
Development Agreement between International Business Machines
Corporation and Hutchinson Technology Incorporated executed June 15,
1995 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Company's
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 24,
1995, File No. 0-14709).
* Exhibit 10.8 contains portions for which confidential treatment has been
granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
14
<PAGE>
*10.9 Patent License Agreement, effective as of September 1, 1994, between
Hutchinson Technology Incorporated and International Business
Machines Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to
the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q/A for the quarter ended
June 25, 1995, File No. 0-14709).
10.10 Lease Agreement between Meridian Eau Claire LLC and Hutchinson
Technology Incorporated, dated May 1, 1996 (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q for the quarter ended June 23, 1996, File No. 0-14709).
11.1 Statement Regarding Computation of Net Income Per Share.
13.1 Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended
September 29, 1996 (only those portions specifically incorporated by
reference herein shall be deemed filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission).
21.1 List of Subsidiaries.
23.1 Consent of Independent Public Accountants.
27.1 Financial Data Schedule.
b) Reports on Form 8-K
No reports were filed on Form 8-K during the fourth quarter of the fiscal
year ended September 29, 1996.
* Exhibit 10.9 contains portions for which confidential treatment has been
granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
15
<PAGE>
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS ON SCHEDULE
To Hutchinson Technology Incorporated:
We have audited in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards,
the consolidated financial statements included in Hutchinson Technology
Incorporated and Subsidiaries 1996 annual report to shareholders incorporated by
reference in this Form 10-K, and have issued our report thereon dated October
31, 1996. Our audit was made for the purpose of forming an opinion on those
statements taken as a whole. The schedule listed in Item 14(a)(2) is the
responsibility of the Company's management and is presented for purposes of
complying with the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and is not part of
the basic consolidated financial statements. This schedule has been subjected
to the auditing procedures applied in the audit of the basic consolidated
financial statements and, in our opinion, fairly states in all material respects
the financial data required to be set forth therein in relation to the basic
consolidated financial statements taken as a whole.
ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota,
October 31, 1996
16
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE II
HUTCHINSON TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
(Dollars in thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Balance at Additions Charged Other Balance at
Beginning to Costs Changes End of
of Period and Expenses Add (Deduct) Period
---------- ----------------- ------------ ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1994:
Deducted from asset accounts-
Allowance for doubtful
accounts receivable......... $1,525 $199 ($327) (1) $1,397
Reserve for sales returns
and allowances.............. 291 2,849 (2,651) (2) 489
---------- ----------------- ------------ ----------
$1,816 $3,048 ($2,978) $1,886
---------- ----------------- ------------ ----------
---------- ----------------- ------------ ----------
1995:
Deducted from asset accounts-
Allowance for doubtful
accounts receivable......... $1,397 $148 ($6) (1) $1,539
Reserve for sales returns
and allowances.............. 489 1,797 (1,901) (2) 385
---------- ----------------- ------------ ----------
$1,886 $1,945 ($1,907) $1,924
---------- ----------------- ------------ ----------
---------- ----------------- ------------ ----------
1996:
Deducted from asset accounts-
Allowance for doubtful
accounts receivable......... $1,539 $178 ($1) (1) $1,716
Reserve for sales returns
and allowances.............. 385 1,835 (1,788) (2) 432
---------- ----------------- ------------ ----------
$1,924 $2,013 ($1,789) $2,148
---------- ----------------- ------------ ----------
---------- ----------------- ------------ ----------
</TABLE>
(1) Uncollectible accounts receivable written off, net of recoveries.
(2) Returns honored and credit memos issued.
17
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.
Date: December 17, 1996 HUTCHINSON TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
By /s/ Wayne M. Fortun
---------------------------------
Wayne M. Fortun
President, Chief Operating Officer and
Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report
has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and
in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Date: December 17, 1996 /s/ Wayne M. Fortun
-----------------------------------
Wayne M. Fortun, President, Chief
Executive Officer, Chief Operating
Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
and Director
Date: December 17, 1996 /s/ John A. Ingleman
-----------------------------------
John A. Ingleman, Vice President, Chief
Financial Officer (Principal Financial
Officer and Principal Accounting
Officer)
Date: December 17, 1996 /s/ W. Thomas Brunberg
-----------------------------------
W. Thomas Brunberg, Director
Date: December 17, 1996 /s/ Archibald Cox, Jr.
-----------------------------------
Archibald Cox, Jr., Director
Date: December 17, 1996 /s/ James E. Donaghy
-----------------------------------
James E. Donaghy, Director
Date: December 17, 1996 /s/ Harry C. Ervin, Jr.
-----------------------------------
Harry C. Ervin, Jr., Director
Date: December 17, 1996 /s/ Jeffrey W. Green
-----------------------------------
Jeffrey W. Green, Director
Date: December 17, 1996 /s/ Richard N. Rosett
-----------------------------------
Richard N. Rosett, Director
18
<PAGE>
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit
No. Page
---------- --------
4.6 Note Purchase Agreement Electronically
Filed
4.7 Note Purchase Agreement Electronically
Filed
4.8 Note Purchase Agreement Electronically
Filed
11.1 Statement Regarding Computation of Net Income Electronically
Per Share Filed
13.1 Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal Electronically
year ended September 29, 1996 Filed
21.1 List of Subsidiaries Electronically
Filed
23.1 Consent of Public Accountants Electronically
Filed
27.1 Financial Data Schedule Electronically
Filed
19
<PAGE>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HUTCHINSON TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
______________________________
NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT
Dated as of July 26, 1996
______________________________
$25,000,000 7.85% Senior Notes due 2003
$25,000,000 8.07% Senior Notes due 2006
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section Page
- ------- ----
1. THE NOTES; THE CLOSINGS; ETC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1.1. Authorization and Description of Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1.2. Sale and Purchase of Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1.3. Closings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.4. Application of Proceeds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.5. Purchase for Investment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.6. Source of Funds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2. CONDITIONS TO CLOSING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2.1. Proceedings Satisfactory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2.2. Opinions of Counsel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.3. Representations and Warranties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.4. Performance; No Default. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.5. Compliance Certificate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.6. Legal Investment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.7. Absence of Certain Events. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.8. Consents and Approvals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.9. Fees Payable at Closing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.10. Private Placement Number. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.11. Related Transactions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
3. PAYMENT AND PREPAYMENT OF NOTES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
3.1. Required Annual Prepayments and Payments at Maturity . . . . . . . 7
3.2. Optional Prepayments with Makewhole Amount . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
3.3. Notice of Optional Prepayments; Calculation of Makewhole Amount. . 8
3.4. Allocation of Partial Prepayments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3.5. Maturity; Surrender, etc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3.6. Limitation on Prepayment and Acquisition of Notes. . . . . . . . . 8
3.7. Payments Due on Other than a Business Day. . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
4. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS; INFORMATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
5. INSPECTION OF PROPERTIES AND BOOKS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
6. COVENANTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
6.1. Payment of Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
6.2. Maintenance of Certain Financial Conditions. . . . . . . . . . . . 13
6.3. Debt; Maximum Funded Debt and Current Debt . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
6.4. Liens. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
6.5. Investments, etc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
6.6. Restricted Payments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
6.7. Transactions with Affiliates; Remuneration . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
-i-
<PAGE>
Section Page
- ------- ----
6.8. Subsidiary Stock and Debt. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
6.9. Consolidation, Merger, Sale of Assets, etc.. . . . . . . . . . . . 21
6.10. Restrictions on Long Term Leases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
6.11. Subordination of Claims. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
6.12. Guaranties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
6.13. Nature of Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
6.14. Books and Records; Fiscal Year . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
6.15. Corporate Existence; Licenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
6.16. Payment of Taxes, Claims for Labor and Materials, etc. . . . . . . 24
6.17. Maintenance of Properties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
6.18. Insurance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
6.19. Compliance with Laws . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
6.20. Environmental Matters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
6.21. Maintenance of Office. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
7. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
7.1. Organization and Authority of the Company, etc.. . . . . . . . . . 26
7.2. Subsidiaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
7.3. Qualification. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
7.4. Business and Property; Financial Statements, etc.. . . . . . . . . 27
7.5. Changes, etc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
7.6. Compliance with Laws, Other Instruments, etc.. . . . . . . . . . . 28
7.7. Consents and Approvals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
7.8. Debt, etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
7.9. Title to Property; Leases; Investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
7.10. Litigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
7.11. Taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
7.12. Compliance with ERISA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
7.13. Private Offering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
7.14. Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
7.15. Licenses, Patents, Trademarks, Authorizations, etc. . . . . . . . 32
7.16. Status Under Certain Statutes; Other Regulations . . . . . . . . . 32
7.17. Labor Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
7.18. Full Disclosure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
7.19. Environmental Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
8. EVENTS OF DEFAULT; REMEDIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
8.1. Events of Default Defined; Acceleration of Maturity. . . . . . . . 34
8.2. Default Remedies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
8.3. Remedies Cumulative. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
8.4. Remedies Not Waived. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
9. DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
9.1. Defined Terms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
-ii-
<PAGE>
Section Page
- ------- ----
9.2. Accounting Terms, etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
9.3. Directly or Indirectly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
10. REGISTRATION, TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE OF NOTES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
10.1. Note Register . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
10.2. Transfer and Exchange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
10.3. Owners and Holders of Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
11. LOST, ETC. NOTES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
12. AMENDMENT AND WAIVER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
13. DIRECT PAYMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
14. LIABILITIES OF THE PURCHASER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
15. MISCELLANEOUS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
15.1. Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
15.2. Reliance on and Survival of Representations . . . . . . . . . . . 56
15.3. Successors and Assigns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
15.4. Notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
15.5. LAW GOVERNING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
15.6. SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL . . . . . . . . . 57
15.7. Headings, etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
15.8. Substitution of Purchaser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
15.9. Entire Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
15.10.Counterparts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
15.11.Indemnification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
SIGNATURE PAGE
SCHEDULE I Information Concerning Purchasers
SCHEDULE II Information Concerning Subsidiaries and Qualification
SCHEDULE III Existing Debt of the Company and Subsidiaries
SCHEDULE IV Existing Leases of the Company and Subsidiaries
SCHEDULE V Existing Investments of the Company and Subsidiaries
EXHIBIT A-1 Form of Series A Note
-iii-
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT A-2 Form of Series B Note
EXHIBIT B Form of Opinion of Company's Counsel
-iv-
<PAGE>
HUTCHINSON TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
40 West Highland Park
Hutchinson, Minnesota 55350
Re: $25,000,000 7.85% Senior Notes due 2003
$25,000,000 8.07% Senior Notes due 2006
as of July 26, 1996
To the Institutional Investor Identified
on the Signature Page of this Agreement
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The undersigned, HUTCHINSON TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED, a corporation
organized under the laws of the State of Minnesota (the "COMPANY"), hereby
agrees with you as follows:
1. THE NOTES; THE CLOSINGS; ETC.
1.1. AUTHORIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF NOTES. The Company has duly
authorized the issuance and sale of
(a) $25,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of its 7.85% Senior
Notes due 2003 (the "SERIES A NOTES", such term to include any such
notes delivered in accordance with the terms hereof and of the Other
Agreements referred to below in substitution, replacement or exchange
for any such notes previously issued hereunder or thereunder), each of
which shall (i) bear interest from the date thereof on the unpaid
principal amount thereof at the rate of 7.85% per annum (computed on the
basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months), payable semiannually
in arrears on January 26 and July 26 of each year, commencing on January
26, 1997, and with interest on any overdue principal (including any
overdue required or optional prepayment of principal) and Makewhole
Amount, if any, and (to the extent permitted by applicable law) any
overdue interest, at the rate of 9.85% per annum until paid, such
overdue interest, if any, to be payable semiannually as aforesaid or, at
the option of the registered holder of such Note, on demand, (ii) be
subject to required prepayment in the amounts and on the dates specified
in SECTION 3.1(a), (iii) mature and be payable as to the entire
remaining unpaid principal amount thereof on July 26, 2003, and (iv) be
in substantially the form of EXHIBIT A-1; and
(b) $25,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of its 8.07% Senior
Notes due 2006 (the "SERIES B NOTES", such term to include any such
notes
<PAGE>
delivered in accordance with the terms hereof and of said Other
Agreements in substitution, replacement or exchange for any such notes
previously issued hereunder or thereunder), each of which shall (i) bear
interest from the date thereof on the unpaid principal amount thereof at
the rate of 8.07% per annum (computed on the basis of a 360-day year of
twelve 30-day months), payable semiannually in arrears on May 26 and
November 26 of each year, commencing on May 26, 1997, and with interest
on any overdue principal (including any overdue required or optional
prepayment of principal) and Makewhole Amount, if any, and (to the
extent permitted by applicable law) any overdue interest, at the rate of
10.07% per annum until paid, such overdue interest, if any, to be
payable semiannually as aforesaid or, at the option of the registered
holder of such Note, on demand, (ii) be subject to required prepayment
in the amounts and on the dates specified in SECTION 3.1(b), (iii)
mature and be payable as to the entire remaining unpaid principal amount
thereof on November 26, 2006 and (iv) be in substantially the form of
EXHIBIT A-2.
The Series A Notes and the Series B Notes are sometimes referred to herein
collectively as the "NOTES" and separately as a "SERIES" of Notes. Except as
the context may otherwise require, terms used and not otherwise defined
herein shall have the respective meanings attributed thereto in SECTION 9.
Unless otherwise specified, any reference in this Agreement to a particular
section or other subdivision, or to a particular schedule or exhibit, shall
be considered a reference to that section or other subdivision of, or to that
schedule or exhibit to, this Agreement.
1.2. SALE AND PURCHASE OF NOTES. (a) The Company will issue and
sell to you and, subject to the terms and conditions hereof and in reliance
on the representations and warranties of the Company contained herein and the
representations and warranties otherwise made by or on behalf of the Company
in writing in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, you will
purchase from the Company, at one of the Closings provided for in SECTION
1.3, as specified in SCHEDULE I, Notes of the series and in the aggregate
principal amount shown opposite your name on SCHEDULE I at the purchase price
of 100% of such principal amount.
(b) The Company represents and warrants that contemporaneously
herewith it is entering into separate Note Purchase Agreements (the "OTHER
AGREEMENTS") identical with this Agreement (except for the name and signature
of the purchaser at the end thereof) with each of the other institutional
purchasers (the "OTHER PURCHASERS") named in SCHEDULE I, providing for the
issuance and sale to each of the Other Purchasers at one of such Closings, as
specified in SCHEDULE I, of Notes of the series and in the aggregate
principal amount shown opposite its name on said SCHEDULE I at the purchase
price of 100% of such principal amount. This Agreement and the Other
Agreements are to be separate agreements and the purchase of Notes by you and
each of the Other Purchasers are to be separate and several purchases. This
Agreement and the Other Agreements are herein sometimes collectively referred
to as the "AGREEMENTS".
-2-
<PAGE>
1.3. CLOSINGS. The sale and purchase of the Notes to be purchased
by you and the Other Purchasers shall take place on two dates (each herein
called a "CLOSING DATE", and the closing held hereunder on each such date
herein called a "CLOSING"), namely (a) July 26, 1996, or such subsequent
Business Day not later than July 31, 1996 as you, the Other Purchasers and
the Company shall agree (the "SERIES A CLOSING DATE"), and (b) November 26,
1996, or such subsequent Business Day not later than December 15, 1996 as
you, the Other Purchasers and the Company shall agree (the "SERIES B CLOSING
DATE"). Each Closing shall take place at the offices of Coudert Brothers,
1114 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10036-7794, commencing at
9:30 A.M., New York City time. At the Closing on the Closing Date at which
you are scheduled to purchase Notes, the Company will deliver to you the
Notes to be purchased by you in the form of one or more Notes (as you may
designate), dated such Closing Date and registered in your name (or the name
of your nominee), against delivery by you to the Company of the purchase
price therefor by wire transfer of the amount thereof to the Company's
account No. 07-55-817 maintained at Norwest Bank Minnesota, National
Association, ABA No. 091000019. If at such Closing the Company shall fail to
tender such Notes to you as provided herein, or if at such Closing any of the
conditions specified in SECTION 2 shall not have been fulfilled to your
satisfaction, you shall, at your election, be relieved of all further
obligations under this Agreement, without thereby waiving any other rights
you may have by reason of such failure or such non-fulfillment.
1.4. APPLICATION OF PROCEEDS. The Company will apply the proceeds
from the sale of the Notes (subject in any event to the provisions of SECTION
7.14) as follows:
(a) approximately $35,000,000 of such proceeds will be applied to
the payment of costs incurred in the construction of the Company's
photoetching facility in Eau Claire, Wisconsin; and
(b) the balance of such proceeds will be used for capital
expenditures and other general corporate purposes of the Company.
1.5. PURCHASE FOR INVESTMENT. You represent to the Company that on
the Closing Date on which you purchase Notes you will acquire such Notes for
your own account and not with a view to, or for sale in connection with, the
distribution (as such term is used in Section 2(11) of the Securities Act) of
any part thereof, PROVIDED that the disposition of your property shall at all
times be and remain within your control. You and the Company each
acknowledge that each Note is a "security" as defined in Section 2(1) of the
Securities Act and Section 3(a)(10) of the Exchange Act.
1.6. SOURCE OF FUNDS. (a) You represent to the Company that at
least one of the following statements is an accurate representation as to
each source of funds to be used by you to pay the purchase price of the Notes
to be purchased by you hereunder:
-3-
<PAGE>
(i) no part of such funds constitutes assets allocated to any
separate account maintained by you in which any employee benefit plan
(or its related trust) has any interest; or
(ii) to the extent that any part of such funds constitutes assets
allocated to any separate account maintained by you, you have disclosed
to the Company the name of each employee benefit plan whose assets in
such account exceed 10% of the total assets of such account as of the
date of such purchase (and for the purposes of this clause (ii), all
employee benefit plans maintained by the same employer or employee
organization are deemed to be a single plan); or
(iii) such funds constitute assets of one or more specific
employee benefit plans which you have identified in writing to the
Company; or
(iv) no part of such funds constitutes assets of any employee
benefit plan.
(b) If your source of funds includes assets of your insurance
company general account (as defined in Section V(e) of Prohibited Transaction
Class Exemption ("PTCE") 95-60), you represent to the Company that no
employee benefit plan or employee benefit plans maintained by a single
employer (including an "affiliate" thereof, as defined in Section V(a) of
PTCE 95-60) or employee organization hold an interest or interests either as
contractholders or as the beneficial owners of contracts in such general
account, the reserves and liabilities for which exceed 10% of the sum of all
reserves and liabilities of such general account plus your surplus, such
reserves and liabilities and such surplus in each case being calculated in
accordance with the applicable provisions of PTCE 95-60.
(c) As used in this Section, the terms "employee benefit plan" and
"separate account" shall have the respective meanings assigned to such terms
in Section 3 of ERISA.
2. CONDITIONS TO CLOSING. Your obligation to purchase and pay
for the Notes to be purchased by you hereunder at the Closing on the Closing
Date on which you are scheduled to purchase such Notes is subject to the
fulfillment to your satisfaction, prior to or at such Closing, of each of the
following conditions:
2.1. PROCEEDINGS SATISFACTORY. All proceedings taken in connection
with the authorization, issuance and sale of the Notes to be issued on such
Closing Date and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and
all documents and papers relating thereto shall be satisfactory in form,
scope and substance to you and your special counsel, and you and your special
counsel shall have received copies (executed or certified as may be
appropriate) of such documents and papers as you or they may reasonably
request in connection therewith.
-4-
<PAGE>
2.2. OPINIONS OF COUNSEL. You shall have received favorable
opinions, each dated such Closing Date, addressed to you and satisfactory in
form, scope and substance to you, from (a) Faegre & Benson LLP, special
counsel to the Company, substantially in the form of EXHIBIT B and covering
such other matters as you or your special counsel may reasonably request, and
(b) Coudert Brothers, your special counsel in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, covering such matters as you may
reasonably request.
2.3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. All representations and
warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement or otherwise made by or
on behalf of the Company in writing in connection with the transactions
contemplated hereby shall be true and correct when made and (except as
affected by the consummation of such transactions) as of the time of such
Closing with the same effect as though such representations and warranties
had been made on and as of such Closing Date.
2.4. PERFORMANCE; NO DEFAULT. The Company shall have performed all
agreements and complied with all conditions contained herein required to be
performed or complied with by it prior to or at such Closing, and at the time
of such Closing (and after giving effect to the sale of the Notes to be
issued and sold by it at such Closing and the application of the proceeds of
such sale) no condition or event shall exist which constitutes a Default or
an Event of Default.
2.5. COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE. The Company shall have delivered to
you an Officers' Certificate, dated such Closing Date, certifying that the
conditions specified in SECTIONS 2.3 AND 2.4 have been fulfilled.
2.6. LEGAL INVESTMENT. On such Closing Date the Notes to be
purchased by you hereunder shall be and qualify as a legal investment for you
under the laws and regulations of each jurisdiction to which you may be
subject (without resort to any basket or leeway provisions of said laws, such
as New York Insurance Law Section 1405(a)(8)) and the purchase thereof shall
not subject you to any penalty or other onerous condition pursuant to any
such law or regulation; and you shall have received such certificates or
other evidence as you may request demonstrating the satisfaction of this
condition.
2.7. ABSENCE OF CERTAIN EVENTS. There shall not have occurred any
Material Adverse Change in the Business or Condition of the Company or of the
Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole from that reflected in the most
recent audited financial statements of the Company referred to in SECTION
7.4, copies of which shall have been delivered to you. Subsequent to the
date of the balance sheet included in such financial statements and prior to
the Series A Closing Date, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries
shall have consolidated or merged with or into, or participated in a share
exchange with, any Person, or sold, leased or otherwise disposed of any
assets or properties other than in the ordinary course of business, except
that HTI Export, Ltd., a United States Virgin Islands corporation and a
former Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the
-5-
<PAGE>
Company, shall have transferred its assets to HTI Export and shall have
thereafter been dissolved.
2.8. CONSENTS AND APPROVALS. All actions, approvals, consents,
waivers, exemptions, Orders, authorizations, registrations, declarations,
filings and recordings (collectively, "APPROVALS"), if any, which are
required to be taken, given, obtained, filed or recorded, as the case may be,
by or from or with (a) any Governmental Body, (b) any trustee or holder of
any indebtedness, obligation or securities of the Company, or (c) any other
Person, in connection with the legal and valid execution and delivery by the
Company of this Agreement and the Other Agreements and the consummation of
the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (including the issuance and
sale of the Notes to be issued on such Closing Date), shall have been duly
taken, given, obtained, filed or recorded, as the case may be, and all such
Approvals shall be final, subsisting and in full force and effect on such
Closing Date, and shall not be subject to any further proceedings or appeals
or any conditions subsequent not approved by you. Certified copies or other
appropriate evidence of all such Approvals, in form, scope and substance
satisfactory to you and your special counsel, shall have been delivered to
you and your special counsel.
2.9. FEES PAYABLE AT CLOSING. The Company shall have paid, or made
arrangements satisfactory to you for the payment of, the legal fees and other
expenses of your special counsel referred to in SECTION 15.1 and all other
fees and expenses for which the Company is obligated pursuant to SECTION 15.1
and for which the Company shall have received invoices on or prior to the
Business Day preceding such Closing Date.
2.10. PRIVATE PLACEMENT NUMBER. A Private Placement Number
shall have been assigned to the Notes of each series by S&P's CUSIP Service
Bureau and you shall have received a copy of a letter from S&P confirming the
same.
2.11. RELATED TRANSACTIONS. In the case of the Closing on the
Series A Closing Date, each of the Other Agreements shall have been duly
executed and delivered by the Company and the Other Purchaser party thereto,
and the Company shall contemporaneously issue and sell, on such Closing Date,
the entire principal amount of Series A Notes (if any) to be issued and sold
to each Other Purchaser pursuant to each of the Other Agreements and shall
have received payment in full of the purchase price therefor. In the case of
the Closing on the Series B Closing Date, the Company shall have theretofore
issued and sold, on the Series A Closing Date, the Notes to have been issued
and sold on the Series A Closing Date as specified in SCHEDULE I.
-6-
<PAGE>
3. PAYMENT AND PREPAYMENT OF NOTES.
3.1. REQUIRED ANNUAL PREPAYMENTS AND PAYMENTS AT MATURITY.
(a) SERIES A NOTES. On July 26 in each of the years 2001 and 2002
(so long as any Series A Notes shall remain outstanding), the Company will
prepay, and there shall become due and payable, $8,333,333.00 in principal
amount of the Series A Notes (or such lesser principal amount of Series A
Notes as shall then be outstanding). Each such prepayment pursuant to this
SECTION 3.1(a) shall be at 100% of the principal amount so to be prepaid
together with interest accrued thereon to the date of such prepayment,
without premium. On July 26, 2003, the Company will pay, and there shall
become due and payable, the entire remaining unpaid principal amount of
Series A Notes, together with all interest accrued thereon. No prepayment of
less than all the Series A Notes pursuant to SECTION 3.2 shall relieve the
Company of its obligation to make (nor shall it reduce the amount of) the
prepayments of principal of the Series A Notes required by this SECTION
3.1(a).
(b) SERIES B NOTES. On November 26 in each of the years 2001
through 2005 (so long as any Series B Notes shall remain outstanding), the
Company will prepay, and there shall become due and payable, $4,166,667.00 in
principal amount of the Series B Notes (or such lesser principal amount of
Series B Notes as shall then be outstanding). Each such prepayment pursuant
to this SECTION 3.1(b) shall be at 100% of the principal amount so to be
prepaid together with interest accrued thereon to the date of such
prepayment, without premium. On November 26, 2006, the Company will pay, and
there shall become due and payable, the entire remaining unpaid principal
amount of Series B Notes, together with all interest accrued thereon. No
prepayment of less than all the Series B Notes pursuant to SECTION 3.2 shall
relieve the Company of its obligation to make (nor shall it reduce the amount
of) the prepayments of principal of the Series B Notes required by this
SECTION 3.1(b).
3.2. OPTIONAL PREPAYMENTS WITH MAKEWHOLE AMOUNT. The Notes shall
not be subject to prepayment at the option of the Company except as
hereinafter provided in this SECTION 3.2. The Company may, at its option,
upon notice as provided in SECTION 3.3, on the date specified in such notice,
prepay the Notes at any time in whole or from time to time in part (in a
minimum principal amount of at least $1,000,000 and in integral multiples of
$1,000 in excess thereof), each such optional prepayment to be made at 100%
of the principal amount of the Notes so to be prepaid together with interest
accrued on such principal amount to the date of prepayment, plus the
Makewhole Amount determined in respect of such principal amount; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that (i) so long as Notes of more than one series shall remain
outstanding, the Company shall not prepay any Notes at its option on any date
pursuant to this SECTION 3.2 unless the principal amount of Notes to be
prepaid shall be allocated among the series in proportion to the aggregate
principal amount of each series outstanding immediately prior to such
prepayment; and (ii) the Company shall not prepay any Series A Notes prior to
issuance and sale of the Series B Notes on the Series B Closing Date.
-7-
<PAGE>
3.3. NOTICE OF OPTIONAL PREPAYMENTS; CALCULATION OF MAKEWHOLE
AMOUNT. The Company will give each holder of a Note, with respect to each
optional prepayment, (a) written notice thereof (which notice shall be
irrevocable) at least 30 and not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed
for such prepayment, specifying (i) such date of prepayment and the principal
amount of each Note held by such holder so to be prepaid, (ii) accrued
interest payable to such holder in respect of such prepayment, and (iii) the
Company's estimate as of the date of such notice of the Makewhole Amount
applicable in respect of such prepayment, showing in reasonable detail the
calculation thereof and setting forth the Treasury Rate used in such
calculation, and (b) further written notice (a copy of which shall be
telefaxed by the Company to each such holder concurrently with the sending
thereof) two Business Days prior to such date of prepayment, specifying such
Makewhole Amount, showing in reasonable detail the calculation thereof and
setting forth the Treasury Rate used in such calculation.
3.4. ALLOCATION OF PARTIAL PREPAYMENTS. In the case of each
prepayment, whether required or optional, of less than the entire unpaid
principal amount of all outstanding Notes of any series, the principal amount
of the Notes so to be prepaid shall be allocated among all of the Notes of
such series at the time outstanding in proportion, as nearly as practicable,
to the respective principal amounts thereof not theretofore prepaid. The
amount of each such optional prepayment so allocated to the Notes of any
series shall be credited against the remaining required prepayments and
payment at final maturity of the Notes of such series in the inverse order of
such required prepayments and payment at final maturity.
3.5. MATURITY; SURRENDER, ETC. In the case of each prepayment of
Notes, the principal amount of each Note to be prepaid shall become due and
payable on the date fixed for such prepayment in this Agreement (if such
prepayment is to be made pursuant to SECTION 3.1) or in the notice of such
prepayment pursuant to SECTION 3.3 (if such prepayment is to be made pursuant
to SECTION 3.2), together with interest accrued on such principal amount to
such date and the Makewhole Amount, if any, payable in connection with such
prepayment. Any Note paid or prepaid in full shall thereafter be surrendered
to the Company upon its written request therefor and cancelled and not
reissued.
3.6. LIMITATION ON PREPAYMENT AND ACQUISITION OF NOTES. The
Company will not, and will not permit any of its Affiliates or Subsidiaries
to, pay, prepay, purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, directly or
indirectly, any Note except by way of payment or prepayment by the Company in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
3.7. PAYMENTS DUE ON OTHER THAN A BUSINESS DAY. If any payment or
prepayment of principal, Makewhole Amount, if any, or interest on or with
respect to any Note or Notes becomes due and payable on any day that is not a
Business Day, the amount of such payment shall be payable on the next
succeeding Business Day and with respect to any such payment of principal,
interest shall continue to accrue thereon
-8-
<PAGE>
during any such extension period at the applicable rate of interest in effect
immediately prior to such extension.
4. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS; INFORMATION. The Company will furnish
(in duplicate) to you, so long as you or your nominee shall be obligated to
purchase or shall hold any of the Notes, and to each other institutional
holder of outstanding Notes (and, in the case of the information referred to
in subdivision (j) of this Section, to any prospective purchaser of Notes
which is identified to the Company):
(a) QUARTERLY STATEMENTS. As soon as available and in any event
within 45 days after the end of each of the first three quarterly fiscal
periods in each fiscal year of the Company, a consolidated balance sheet
of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such quarterly
fiscal period and the related consolidated statements of operations and
cash flows of the Company and its Subsidiaries for such quarterly fiscal
period and (except in the case of the first such quarterly fiscal period
in each fiscal year) for the portion of the fiscal year ended with the
last day of such quarterly fiscal period, setting forth in comparative
form, in the case of each such statement of operations or cash flows,
the respective figures for the corresponding period of the previous
fiscal year, all in reasonable detail and certified by the principal
financial officer of the Company as complete and correct in all material
respects, subject to changes resulting from normal year-end audit
adjustments;
(b) ANNUAL STATEMENTS. As soon as available and in any event
within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, a
consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the
end of such fiscal year and the related consolidated statements of
operations, shareholders' investment and cash flows of the Company and
its Subsidiaries for such fiscal year, setting forth in each case in
comparative form the respective figures as of the end of and for the
previous fiscal year, all in reasonable detail and accompanied by an
opinion thereon of Arthur Andersen LLP or other independent certified
public accountants of recognized national standing selected by the
Company and reasonably satisfactory to the holders of outstanding Notes,
which opinion shall not be made in reliance upon the opinion of any
other accountant, shall be made without qualification or modification,
shall comply with generally accepted auditing standards at the time in
effect and shall state that such financial statements present fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of the Company and its
Subsidiaries as at the dates indicated and the results of their
operations and their cash flows for the periods indicated in conformity
with GAAP, that the audits of such accountants were conducted in
accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and that such
accountants believe such audits provide a reasonable basis for their
opinion;
(c) OFFICERS' CERTIFICATES. Concurrently with each delivery of
financial statements pursuant to subdivision (a) or (b) of this Section,
an Officers' Certificate:
-9-
<PAGE>
(i) stating that the signatories thereto have reviewed the
terms of the Agreements and of the Notes and have made, or caused
to be made under their supervision, a review in reasonable detail
of the transactions and conditions of the Company and its
Subsidiaries during the accounting period covered by such financial
statements, and that such review has not disclosed the existence
during or at the end of such accounting period, and that such
signatories do not have knowledge of the existence as at the date
of such Officers' Certificate, of any condition or event which
constitutes a Default or an Event of Default, or, if any such
condition or event existed or exists, specifying the nature and
period of existence thereof and what action the Company has taken
or is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto;
(ii) setting forth (a) as of the date of the consolidated
balance sheet included in such financial statements, (1) the
respective amounts of Consolidated Net Worth, the Net Worth
Minimum, Funded Debt outstanding under the Credit Agreement,
Consolidated Funded Debt, Consolidated Current Debt, Total
Capitalization, and Consolidated Tangible Assets and (2) the
aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Debt of the Company
and its Subsidiaries secured by Liens permitted by subdivision (g),
(h), (i) or (j) of SECTION 6.4, and the aggregate principal amount
outstanding for each Subsidiary of Subsidiary Secured Debt, (b) the
respective amounts of Consolidated Net Income Available for Fixed
Charges and Consolidated Fixed Charges for the Coverage Period with
respect to the Determination Date occurring on the date of such
consolidated balance sheet (and showing Consolidated Interest
Expense and Long Term Lease Rentals accrued for such Coverage
Period), and (C) the highest aggregate amount of Long Term Lease
Rentals for which the Company and its Subsidiaries shall be liable
in any one fiscal year (including the then current and each future
fiscal year), and the highest aggregate amount thereof for which
all such Subsidiaries (shown separately) shall be liable, under all
Long Term Leases; and
(iii) setting forth facts or computations in reasonable
detail demonstrating compliance during and at the end of such
accounting period with the covenants and restrictions contained in
SECTIONS 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, 6.9, 6.10 and 6.12;
(d) ACCOUNTANT'S CERTIFICATES. Together with each delivery of
annual financial statements pursuant to subdivision (b) of this Section,
a written statement addressed to the holders of the Notes from the
independent certified public accountants referred to in said subdivision
(b) who have reported on such financial statements:
(i) stating whether, in the course of their audit
examination, anything has come to their attention concerning the
existence during
-10-
<PAGE>
the fiscal year covered by such financial statements (and whether
they have knowledge of the existence as of the date of such written
statement) of any condition or event which constitutes a Default or
an Event of Default, and, if so, specifying the nature and period
of existence thereof; and
(ii) stating that they have examined the Officers' Certificate
delivered in connection with such annual financial statements
pursuant to subdivision (c) of this Section for such fiscal year,
and, based upon their annual audit examination, nothing has come to
their attention which causes them to believe that the information
contained in such Officers' Certificate is not correct or that the
matters set forth in such Officers' Certificate pursuant to
subdivisions (c)(ii) and (c)(iii) of this Section have not been
properly stated in accordance with the terms of this Agreement;
(e) COMMISSION AND OTHER REPORTS. Promptly upon their becoming
available (and in any event within five Business Days thereafter),
copies of (i) all financial statements, reports, notices, proxy
statements and other information sent or made available generally by the
Company to any class of its security holders or by any Subsidiary to any
class of its security holders other than the Company or another
Subsidiary, (ii) all regular and periodic reports (including reports on
Form 8-K) and all registration statements (other than those on Form S-8
or a successor form relating to the registration of securities pursuant
to an employee benefit plan) and prospectuses filed by the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries with any securities exchange or with the
Commission, and (iii) all press releases and other statements made
available generally by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to the
public concerning material developments in the business of the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries;
(f) AUDIT REPORTS. Promptly upon receipt thereof (and in any event
within five Business Days thereafter), copies of reports submitted to
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries by independent certified public
accountants in connection with any annual, interim or special audit of
the Company or any Subsidiary made by such accountants;
(g) DEFAULTS, ETC. Promptly upon any Responsible Officer of the
Company obtaining knowledge of any condition or event which constitutes
a Default or an Event of Default (and in any event within 15 calendar
days after any Responsible Officer has obtained knowledge thereof, if
such condition or event constitutes a Default but shall not have become
an Event of Default, or within five Business Days thereafter, if such
condition or event constitutes or shall have become an Event of
Default), and promptly upon any Responsible Officer becoming aware that
the holder of any Note has given any notice or taken any other action
with respect to a claimed Default or Event of Default or that any Person
has given any notice to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or taken
any other action with respect to a claimed default under or in respect
of any Debt referred to in SECTION 8.1(e) or with respect to the
occurrence or existence of any
-11-
<PAGE>
event or condition of the type referred to in SECTION 8.1(f) OR 8.1(g)
(and in any event within five Business Days after any Responsible
Officer has become aware thereof), an Officers' Certificate specifying
in reasonable detail the nature and period of existence thereof and what
action the Company has taken or is taking or proposes to take with
respect thereto;
(h) ERISA. Promptly (and in any event within five Business Days)
after any Company Group Member or any plan administrator of any Plan (i)
knows of the occurrence of any Termination Event, (ii) receives with
respect to any Multiemployer Plan notice as prescribed in ERISA of any
withdrawal liability assessed against any Company Group Member or of a
determination that any Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization or
insolvent (both within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA), (iii) knows
that a prohibited transaction (as defined in Section 406 of ERISA or
Section 4975 of the Code) for which a statutory or administrative
exemption is not available or a breach of fiduciary responsibility has
occurred in connection with which any Company Group Member could
reasonably be subject to any material liability under Section 406, 409,
502(i) or 502(i) of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, or under any
agreement or other instrument pursuant to which such Company Group
Member has agreed or is required to indemnify any Person against any
such liability or (iv) knows that there has been a material adverse
change in the funding status of any Plan, a description of such event or
a copy of such notice and a statement by the principal financial officer
of the Company of the action which has been or is being taken or is
proposed to be taken by the Company with respect thereto;
(i) LITIGATION, ETC. Promptly (and in any event within 15 calendar
days) after any Responsible Officer of the Company obtains knowledge of
any litigation, administrative proceeding or judgment (i) relating to
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (whether or not considered by the
Company to be covered by insurance) and which could, if adversely
determined, have a Material Adverse Effect, or (ii) relating in any way
to this Agreement, the Other Agreements or the Notes, an Officers'
Certificate specifying in each case in reasonable detail the facts and
circumstances surrounding such litigation, proceeding or judgment;
(j) RULE 144A INFORMATION. Promptly upon request therefor (and in
any event within five Business Days thereafter) by any holder of Notes
or by any prospective purchaser of any Notes designated by the holder
thereof, all information, statements, reports, descriptions of business,
products and services, financial statements and other information as
such holder may reasonably determine to be required to be delivered in
order to comply with the requirements of Rule 144A (or any successor
rule) promulgated by the Commission under the Securities Act; and
(k) REQUESTED INFORMATION. Promptly upon request therefor (and in
any event within ten Business Days thereafter), such other information
as to
-12-
<PAGE>
the Business or Condition of the Company or its Subsidiaries as may from
time to time be reasonably requested by the holders of any of the Notes.
5. INSPECTION OF PROPERTIES AND BOOKS. So long as you, your
nominee or any other institutional investor shall be obligated to purchase or
shall hold any Note, your or such other institutional holder's representative
or representatives may, at the Company's cost and expense (excluding,
however, salary and other overhead expenses of any holder and the travel,
lodging and related expenses of such holder's representative, all of which
shall, except as hereinafter provided, be borne by such holder) visit and
inspect any of the properties of the Company and its Subsidiaries, including
their respective books of account, records, reports and other papers, make
copies and extracts therefrom, and discuss their affairs, finances and
accounts with their respective officers, employees and independent public
accountants (and the Company hereby authorizes and directs each such officer,
employee and independent public accountant to engage in such discussions),
all at such reasonable times and as often as may be reasonably requested upon
at least five days advance notice to the Company or the relevant Subsidiary,
as applicable, PROVIDED that, during the continuance of any Event of Default,
all reasonable travel and lodging costs and related expenses relating to any
such visit or inspection which would otherwise be required by the foregoing
provisions of this Section to be borne by a holder of Notes shall be borne by
the Company.
6. COVENANTS. The Company covenants and agrees that from the
date of this Agreement through the Series A Closing Date, and thereafter so
long as any Note shall be outstanding, the Company will perform and comply
with each the following covenants:
6.1. PAYMENT OF NOTES. The Company will duly and punctually pay
the principal of, Makewhole Amount, if any, and interest on the Notes in
accordance with the terms of the Notes and this Agreement.
6.2. MAINTENANCE OF CERTAIN FINANCIAL CONDITIONS.
(a) FIXED CHARGE COVERAGE RATIO. The Company will maintain
Consolidated Net Income Available for Fixed Charges of at least 150% of
Consolidated Fixed Charges during the Coverage Period with respect to each
Determination Date.
(b) CONSOLIDATED NET WORTH. The Company will not permit
Consolidated Net Worth as of any Testing Date to be less than the Net Worth
Minimum as of such date.
6.3. DEBT; MAXIMUM FUNDED DEBT AND CURRENT DEBT. (a) The Company
will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly,
create, assume, incur, issue, agree to purchase or repurchase, or provide
funds in respect of, or otherwise become or remain liable in respect of, by
way of Guaranty or otherwise, any Funded Debt or Current Debt, except that
the Company may become and remain liable in respect of the Funded Debt
evidenced by the Notes and except that:
-13-
<PAGE>
(i) the Company may remain liable in respect of the Debt
outstanding on the date hereof and described on SCHEDULE III, PROVIDED
that no such Debt described on SCHEDULE III may be modified, extended,
renewed, refunded or refinanced except as otherwise permitted by another
provision of this SECTION 6.3(a) and except that, the Company may from
time to time, to the extent permitted by the Existing IDB Documents,
procure the issuance of letters of credit for delivery in substitution
for the letter of credit then in effect under and as contemplated by the
Existing IDB Documents so long as the Debt, if any, incurred by the
Company in connection with such substitute letters of credit is
permitted by another provision of this Section;
(ii) any Subsidiary may become and remain liable in respect of Debt
of such Subsidiary owing to the Company or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary;
(iii) the Company may become and remain liable in respect of
unsecured Funded Debt in accordance with the terms of the Credit
Agreement in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding
not exceeding $25,000,000;
(iv) the Company may become and remain liable in respect of Funded
Debt relating to an equivalent principal amount of IDB Debt secured by
Liens permitted by subdivision (h) of SECTION 6.4 and in respect of
Funded Debt secured by Liens permitted by subdivision (i) or (j) of
SECTION 6.4, and any Subsidiary may become and remain liable in respect
of Subsidiary Secured Debt, if at the time of incurrence of any such
Funded Debt or Subsidiary Secured Debt and after giving effect to such
incurrence and to the concurrent retirement or incurrence of any other
Debt by the Company and its Subsidiaries and to the application of the
proceeds of all such incurred Debt, the aggregate principal amount
outstanding of all Debt of the Company and its Subsidiaries secured by
Liens permitted by subdivision (g), (h), (i) or (j) of SECTION 6.4 shall
not exceed 20% of Consolidated Net Worth, PROVIDED that, the Subsidiary
Secured Debt permitted by this subdivision (a)(iv) for which any one
Subsidiary may become and remain liable shall not at any one time exceed
$500,000 in aggregate principal amount outstanding; and
(v) the Company may become and remain liable (including, without
limitation, subject to SECTION 6.12, by way of Guaranties) in respect of
unsecured Funded Debt and unsecured Current Debt in addition to that
permitted by the foregoing clauses (i) through (iv) of this SECTION
6.3(A);
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that neither the Company nor any Subsidiary shall be
permitted pursuant to the foregoing clauses (i) through (v) of this SECTION
6.3(a) to become or to remain liable on any date in respect of any Funded
Debt or Current Debt the incurrence or existence of which would cause the
Company to be in violation of SECTION 6.3(b).
-14-
<PAGE>
(b) The Company will not on any date permit (a) the sum of (1)
Consolidated Funded Debt PLUS (2) Consolidated Current Debt plus (3) if (but
only if) such date shall occur prior to the issuance and sale of the Series B
Notes as contemplated hereby, $25,000,000 to exceed (b) 55% of the sum of (1)
Total Capitalization PLUS (2) if (but only if) such date shall occur prior to
the issuance and sale of the Series B Notes as contemplated hereby,
$25,000,000.
(c) For all purposes of this SECTION 6.3, (1) in the event the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall extend, renew, refund or refinance
any Debt, the Company or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, shall be deemed
to have created, assumed or incurred such Debt at the time of such extension,
renewal, refunding or refinancing and (2) any Person becoming a Subsidiary
after the date of this Agreement shall be deemed to have created, assumed or
incurred all of its then outstanding Debt at the time it becomes a
Subsidiary. The Company will not in any event incur, create, assume or
permit to exist any Funded Debt or Current Debt of the Company owing to any
of its Subsidiaries.
6.4. LIENS. The Company will not, and will not permit any of its
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or permit to
exist any Lien on or with respect to any property or asset of any character
of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (whether held on the date hereof or
hereafter acquired) or any interest therein or any income or profits
therefrom except, subject to compliance with the penultimate paragraph of
this Section:
(a) Liens (other than Liens created or imposed under ERISA) for
taxes, assessments or governmental charges or levies either not yet due
or the payment of which is not at the time required by SECTION 6.16;
(b) Liens of landlords, carriers, warehousemen, mechanics,
materialmen and other similar Persons incurred in the ordinary course of
business for sums either not yet due or the payment of which is not at
the time required by SECTION 6.16;
(c) Liens (other than Liens created or imposed under ERISA)
incurred or deposits made in the ordinary course of business in
connection with workers' compensation, unemployment insurance and other
types of social security, or to secure the performance of tenders,
statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, bids, leases, government
contracts, performance and return-of-money bonds and other similar
obligations (exclusive in any case of obligations incurred in connection
with the borrowing of money or the obtaining of advances or credit);
(d) Liens incidental to the conduct of business or to the
ownership or improvement of property of a character which customarily
exist on properties of corporations engaged in similar activities and
similarly situated and which were not incurred in connection with the
borrowing of money or the obtaining of advances or credit, and which do
not, individually or in the aggregate, interfere
-15-
<PAGE>
with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries or detract from the value or use of the properties subject
to any such Liens, PROVIDED that, the aggregate amount of monetary
liabilities of the Company and its Subsidiaries secured by all such
Liens (exclusive of all such liabilities covered by insurance maintained
with sound and reputable insurers) shall not at any time exceed
$1,000,000;
(e) any attachment, judgment or other similar Lien arising in
connection with court proceedings, so long as (i) the execution or other
enforcement of such Lien is effectively stayed and the claims secured
thereby are being actively contested in good faith and by appropriate
proceedings diligently conducted and effective to prevent the forfeiture
or sale of any property of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any
interference with the ordinary use thereof by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, and (ii) such reserve or other appropriate provision, if
any, in the amount and of the type as shall be required by GAAP shall be
maintained therefor, PROVIDED that, the aggregate amount of monetary
liabilities, including interest and penalties, if any, of the Company
and its Subsidiaries secured by all such Liens (exclusive of all such
liabilities covered by insurance maintained with sound and reputable
insurers) shall not at any time exceed $1,000,000;
(f) Liens on assets of any Subsidiary securing Debt or other
obligations of such Subsidiary owing to the Company or to a Wholly Owned
Subsidiary;
(g) the Lien existing on the date of this Agreement and securing
the Debt listed as Item 12 on SCHEDULE III; PROVIDED that, (i) such Lien
shall not at any time be extended to or cover any property of the
Company or any Subsidiary other than (A) the equipment and other
collateral subject to such Lien on the date hereof (the "EXISTING
WISCONSIN COLLATERAL") and (B) equipment substituted for equipment
included in the Existing Wisconsin Collateral (or other equipment
previously substituted therefor as permitted by this clause (B)) so long
as, concurrently with any such substitution, the equipment for which
such substitution is made shall be released from such Lien and, after
giving effect to any such substitution, neither the aggregate fair
market value nor the aggregate book value of all equipment subject to
such Lien shall exceed 110% of the aggregate principal amount of the
Debt secured thereby; and (ii) the principal amount of the Debt secured
by such Lien shall not be increased, or extended, renewed, refunded or
refinanced, except as permitted by SECTION 6.3;
(h) Liens securing IDB Debt, the Debt of the Company relating to
which is permitted to be incurred and to be outstanding pursuant to
SECTION 6.3, PROVIDED that no such Lien shall at any time extend to or
cover any asset of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries other than the
equipment and facilities acquired or constructed with the proceeds of
such IDB Debt, real property
-16-
<PAGE>
appurtenant to such facilities, and proceeds of such equipment,
facilities and real property;
(i) Liens (including Capital Leases) created solely to secure the
deferred purchase price of fixed assets useful and intended to be used
in carrying on the business of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
acquired or constructed by the Company or any Subsidiary after the date
hereof, or any Lien (including a Capital Lease) created to secure Debt
(other than IDB Debt) incurred solely for the purpose of financing the
acquisition or construction, as the case may be, of any such asset (if
such Debt is incurred at the time of or within 90 days after such
acquisition or the completion of such construction) or any Lien existing
on acquired assets at the time of acquisition thereof, or, in the case
of any Person which hereafter becomes a Subsidiary, any Lien in respect
of its property existing at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary,
PROVIDED that:
(i) in the case of an acquisition of assets or a Person
becoming a Subsidiary, such Lien was not created in contemplation
of such event,
(ii) no such Lien shall at any time extend to or cover any
asset of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries other than the
acquired assets on which it was originally imposed and improvements
thereto and proceeds thereof, and
(iii) the aggregate principal amount of all Debt secured
by all such Liens on any such asset shall at no time exceed an
amount equal to the fair market value of such asset as determined
in good faith by the Board of Directors at the time such Lien was
created or incurred; and
(j) Liens extending, renewing or replacing any Lien permitted by
subdivision (g), (h) or (i) of this Section, PROVIDED that (i) no such
Lien shall be extended to any other asset of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries and (ii) the principal amount of the Debt secured by any
such Lien shall not be increased in connection with such extension,
renewal, refunding or refinancing.
It shall be a further condition to the creation, incurrence,
assumption, extension, renewal, refunding or refinancing of any Lien
otherwise permitted by subdivision (h), (i) or (j) of this Section that, on
the date on which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries proposes to take any
such action and immediately after giving effect thereto, to the substantially
concurrent incurrence of any Debt and the substantially concurrent retirement
of any other Debt and to the application of the proceeds of all such Debt,
the Company or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, shall be permitted to
incur and remain liable in respect of at least $1.00 of additional secured
Funded Debt pursuant to subdivision (a)(iv) of SECTION 6.3. For all purposes
of this Section, (A) Liens existing on or with respect to any assets of any
Person at the time it becomes a Subsidiary shall be deemed to have been
created at the time it becomes a Subsidiary, (B) any extension, renewal,
refunding or refinancing of any Lien by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries
-17-
<PAGE>
shall be deemed to be an incurrence of such Lien at the time of such
extension, renewal, refunding or refinancing, and (C) any Lien existing on
any property at the time it is acquired by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries shall be deemed to have been created at the time of such
acquisition.
In the event that any property or assets of the Company or any
Subsidiary shall become or be subject to a Lien not permitted by the
foregoing subdivisions (a) through (j) of this Section, the Company shall
make or cause to be made effective provision satisfactory to the holders of
the outstanding Notes whereby the Notes will be secured equally and ratably
with all other obligations secured by such Lien, and in any event, the Notes
shall have the benefit, to the full extent that (and with such priority as)
the holders thereof may be entitled under applicable law, of an equitable
Lien on such property or assets; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that any violation of
this Section shall constitute a Default whether or not the Company shall have
made effective provision to secure the Notes equally and ratably with any
such other obligations or the holders of Notes shall be entitled to such
equal and ratable security or any such equitable Lien.
6.5. INVESTMENTS, ETC. The Company will not, and will not permit
any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly (through a Subsidiary or
otherwise), make or own any Investments except:
(a) the Company and its Subsidiaries may make and own Investments
in (i) readily marketable direct obligations of the United States of
America or of any agency or instrumentality thereof the obligations of
which are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States of
America or readily marketable obligations unconditionally guaranteed by
the United States of America or by any such agency or instrumentality,
in each case maturing within one year from the date of acquisition
thereof, (ii) certificates of deposit, time deposits or bankers'
acceptances maturing within one year from the date of acquisition
thereof issued by, or demand deposit accounts maintained with, any
commercial bank or trust company which is a member of the Federal
Reserve System, the long-term debt obligations of which are rated at
least A by Moody's Investors Service Inc. ("MOODY'S") or Standard &
Poor's Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
("S&P") and which has combined capital and surplus of at least
$250,000,000 (any such bank or trust company, an "ELIGIBLE BANK"), (iii)
repurchase agreements with respect to securities of the type referred to
in the foregoing subdivision (a)(i) transacted with Eligible Banks,
PROVIDED that each such repurchase agreement obligates an Eligible Bank
to repurchase the securities which are the subject thereof no later than
30 days after the acquisition of such repurchase agreement; (iv)
money-market preferred stock or money-market auction notes, in each case
maturing or redeemable at the option of the holder thereof no more than
one year after the date of acquisition thereof and having a rating of at
least A3 by Moody's or at least A- by S&P, and Tax Exempt Obligations
(as hereinafter defined) in the form of auction rate reset notes that
reset within one year from the date of acquisition thereof; (v)
obligations, the interest with respect to which is exempt from federal
income taxation under
-18-
<PAGE>
Section 103 of the Code, having a long term rating of at least A3 or A-, or
a short term rating of at least P-1 or A-1, by Moody's or S&P,
respectively, and having a maturity of less than two years ("TAX EXEMPT
OBLIGATIONS"), in addition to those described in the foregoing
subdivision (a)(iv); (vi) open market commercial paper of United States
corporations maturing not later than 270 days after the issuance thereof
and having a rating of at least P-2 by Moody's or at least A-2 by S&P, and
(vii) debt securities of United States corporations having a long term
rating of at least A3 by Moody's or at least A- by S&P and having a
maturity of less than two years;
(b) the Company and its Subsidiaries may make and own Investments in
any mutual fund registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended, the portfolio of which is limited to Investments of the character
described in the foregoing subdivision (a);
(c) the Company and its Subsidiaries may continue to own
(i) Investments in Subsidiaries of the Company existing on the date hereof,
and (ii) other Investments existing on the date hereof and described in
SCHEDULE V;
(d) the Company and its Subsidiaries may make and own (i) Investments
in any Subsidiary of the Company (other than HTI Export) or in any Person
which simultaneously therewith becomes a Subsidiary; and (ii) Investments
in HTI Export (so long as it shall be a Subsidiary) in the form of
(A) advances from the Company to HTI Export for the purpose of meeting
foreign sales corporation transaction requirements arising under the Code
in an aggregate amount at any one time outstanding not exceeding
$20,000,000, with a duration for each such advance not exceeding one
Business Day, and (B) other Investments of the Company in an aggregate
amount at any one time outstanding not exceeding $200,000;
(e) the Company and its Subsidiaries may make and own Investments
consisting of travel and other like advances in the ordinary course of
business to their officers and employees;
(f) the Company may make and own Investments consisting of (i) loans
to its officers, directors and employees, not in excess of an aggregate for
all such loans of $2,000,000 at any one time outstanding, in order to
enable such individuals to exercise options granted to them by the Company
to purchase shares of the Company's stock, and (ii) loans in the ordinary
course of business to officers and employees rendering services to the
Company outside the United States of America on a substantially permanent
basis not in excess of $10,000 in any one case and not in excess of an
aggregate for all such loans of $100,000 at any one time outstanding; and
the Company and its Subsidiaries may make and own Investments consisting of
loans and advances in the ordinary course of business to their officers,
directors and employees, in addition to the loans otherwise permitted by
this subdivision (f) and the advances otherwise permitted
-19-
<PAGE>
by the foregoing subdivision (e), not in excess of $10,000 in any
one case and not in excess of an aggregate for all such additional loans
and advances by the Company and all of its Subsidiaries of $200,000
at any one time outstanding;
(g) the Company and its Subsidiaries may become and remain liable in
respect of Guaranties of the obligations of other Persons to the extent
permitted by SECTION 6.12;
(h) the Company and its Subsidiaries may make and own Investments
consisting of (i) insurance policies issued by United States stock or
mutual insurance companies rated A or better by A. M. Best Company, Inc. to
the extent such policies are used to fund deferred compensation, pension,
retirement or similar obligations, (ii) progress payments and like advances
under construction, equipment purchase and other contracts entered into in
the ordinary course of business and, (iii) prepaid rent and security
deposits under leases entered into in the ordinary course of business; and
(i) in addition to the Investments permitted by the foregoing
subdivisions (a) through (h) of this Section, the Company may make and own
other Investments, PROVIDED, that, the aggregate unliquidated amount of all
such other Investments made pursuant to this subdivision (i) and
outstanding at any time shall not exceed 10% of Consolidated Net Worth.
For purposes of this Section, Investments owned by any Person or for which it is
obligated at the time it becomes a Subsidiary shall be deemed to be made at the
time such Person becomes such a Subsidiary.
6.6. RESTRICTED PAYMENTS. The Company will not, directly or
indirectly (through a Subsidiary or otherwise), declare, order, pay, distribute,
make, or set apart any sum or property for any Restricted Payment unless, in the
case of any such action, both at the time of and immediately after effect has
been given thereto, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing.
6.7. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES; REMUNERATION. (a) The Company
will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or
indirectly, enter into or be a party to any transaction or arrangement
(including, without limitation, the contribution, transfer, purchase, sale or
exchange of property, or the rendering of any service, or the payment of
management or other service fees) with any Affiliate unless such transaction or
arrangement is otherwise permitted under this Agreement and is entered into
pursuant to the reasonable requirements and in the ordinary course of the
Company's or such Subsidiary's business and upon terms that are fair and
reasonable and no less favorable to the Company or such Subsidiary, as the case
may be, than those which might be obtained at the time on an arm's-length basis
from any Person which is not such an Affiliate; PROVIDED that, nothing in this
SECTION 6.7(A) shall prevent the Company or any of its Subsidiaries from making
Compensation Payments as and to the extent permitted by SECTION 6.7(B).
-20-
<PAGE>
(b) The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries
to, make payments, directly or indirectly, of any form of compensation or
remuneration to any of its officers, directors, employees or stockholders,
whether by way of salaries, bonuses, participations in pension or profit sharing
plans, fees under management contracts or for professional services, grants of
stock options, or otherwise, and whether in cash or other property (any of the
foregoing, "COMPENSATION PAYMENTS"), except for Compensation Payments in amounts
which represent, in the Company's reasonable business judgment, no more than
reasonable compensation for services actually performed for the benefit of the
Company or one of its Subsidiaries.
6.8. SUBSIDIARY STOCK AND DEBT. The Company will not, and will not
permit any Subsidiary to, issue, sell or otherwise dispose or part with control
of any shares of stock or any Debt or any other securities (or warrants, rights
or options to acquire stock or other securities) of any Subsidiary, except to
the Company or another Wholly Owned Subsidiary, and except that all shares of
stock and all Debt and other securities of any Subsidiary at the time owned by
or owed to the Company and all Subsidiaries may be sold as an entirety for a
consideration which represents the fair value (as determined in good faith by
the Board of Directors) at the time of sale of the shares of stock and Debt and
other securities so sold; PROVIDED that, (i) such Subsidiary being sold does not
at that time own, directly or indirectly, any Debt or stock or other security of
any other Subsidiary which is not also being simultaneously sold as an entirety
as permitted by this Section or any Debt of the Company, (ii) the assets of such
Subsidiary represented by the equity interest to be so transferred are such that
the sale of such assets would then be permitted by SECTION 6.9 (in which case
such transaction shall be considered and deemed a disposition of assets for the
purposes of SECTION 6.9), and (iii) at the time of the consummation of such
transaction and after giving effect thereto, no Default or Event of Default
shall have occurred and be continuing.
6.9. CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE OF ASSETS, ETC. The Company will not,
and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, voluntarily liquidate or
dissolve, or consolidate or merge with or into any other Person, or permit any
other Person to consolidate with or merge with or into it, or participate in a
share exchange with or sell, lease, transfer, contribute or otherwise dispose of
any of its assets to any other Person (other than sales of inventory and worn
out and obsolete assets in the ordinary course of business as such business is
conducted in compliance with SECTION 6.13), except that, subject in any event to
compliance with the last paragraph of this Section:
(a) any Subsidiary may (i) consolidate with or merge into the Company
or any Wholly Owned Subsidiary if the Company or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary
shall be the continuing or surviving corporation or (ii) consolidate or
merge with any other corporation if such Subsidiary shall be the continuing
or surviving corporation;
(b) any Subsidiary may sell, lease, transfer, contribute or otherwise
dispose of its assets in whole or in part to the Company or any Wholly
Owned
-21-
<PAGE>
Subsidiary, and may, following any such disposition in whole, liquidate
and dissolve;
(c) the Company may consolidate or merge or enter into a share
exchange with any other Person if the Company shall be the continuing or
surviving corporation; and
(d) the Company or any Subsidiary, in addition to making any sale,
lease, transfer, contribution or other disposition permitted by the
foregoing provisions of this Section, may sell any of its assets for a
consideration at least equal to the fair market value thereof (as
determined in good faith by the Board of Directors) at the time of such
sale but only if the assets so sold, when taken together with all other
assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries then being or theretofore so
sold (including deemed dispositions pursuant to SECTION 6.8) during the
period from and including the first day of the then current fiscal year of
the Company to and including the date of such sale shall not have an
aggregate fair market value or an aggregate book value (such fair market
value and such book value to be determined in the case of any such asset as
of the date of sale or proposed sale thereof) which shall exceed 10% of
Consolidated Net Worth as at the end of the then most recently completed
prior fiscal year of the Company.
No consolidation, merger, sale, lease, transfer, contribution or other
disposition referred to in subdivisions (a) through (d) of this Section shall be
permitted unless at the time of and immediately after giving effect to any such
transaction, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing. Nothing contained in this Section shall permit the disposition of
assets consisting of Debt, stock or similar interests or other securities (or
warrants, rights or options to acquire stock or other securities) of any
Subsidiary unless such disposition is also made in compliance with SECTION 6.8.
6.10. RESTRICTIONS ON LONG TERM LEASES. The Company will not, and
will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly become or
remain liable as lessee or as guarantor or other surety with respect to any Long
Term Lease unless, after giving effect to such Long Term Lease, (i) the
aggregate amount of all Long Term Lease Rentals for which the Company and its
Subsidiaries shall be liable in any one fiscal year (including the then current
and each future fiscal year) under all Long Term Leases shall not exceed 10% of
Consolidated Net Worth as at the end of the then most recently completed fiscal
quarter of the Company, and (ii) the aggregate amount of Long Term Lease Rentals
for which all such Subsidiaries shall be liable in any one fiscal year
(including the then current and each future fiscal year) under all Long Term
Leases shall not exceed $200,000.
6.11. SUBORDINATION OF CLAIMS. The Company will not, and will not
permit any of its Subsidiaries to, subordinate or permit to be subordinated any
claim against, or obligation of, any other Person held or owned by the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries to any other claim against, or obligation of, such
other Person.
-22-
<PAGE>
6.12. GUARANTIES. The Company will not, and will not permit any
of its Subsidiaries to, become or remain liable under any Guaranty of the
obligations of any other Person (other than, subject to SECTION 6.3, obligations
of the Company and its Subsidiaries) except that (a) the Company may become and
remain liable in respect of Guaranties of IDB Debt if and for so long as the
Funded Debt of the Company relating to such IDB Debt is permitted pursuant to
SECTION 6.3 and the Liens, if any, securing such IDB Debt are permitted by
SECTION 6.4(H), and (b) the Company and its Subsidiaries may become and remain
liable under Guaranties of other obligations not in excess of $1,000,000 in the
aggregate (provided that nothing in this Section shall limit or prevent the
Company from remaining liable in respect of its obligations to indemnify its
officers and directors arising under the Company's Articles of Incorporation,
By-Laws or applicable law).
6.13. NATURE OF BUSINESS. The Company will not, and will not
permit any of its Subsidiaries to, (a) alter the nature of the business in which
the Company and its Subsidiaries (viewed on a consolidated basis) are engaged on
the date hereof as described in the Memorandum (it being understood that the
continued development of critical care devices and other products for the
medical market, including, without limitation, products of that character
described in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended
September 24, 1995, and the conduct of activities incident to or arising out of
such development shall not for purposes hereof be deemed an alteration of such
business), or (b) invest, directly or indirectly, in any substantial amount of
assets or property other than assets or property useful and to be used in such
business as now conducted or as conducted in the future in compliance with the
foregoing provisions of this Section (the "CORE BUSINESS"); PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
that nothing in this Section shall prohibit the Company from acquiring, through
merger or consolidation with, or purchase from, any other Person, assets or
other property not used or useful in the Core Business so long as (i) such
assets or other property are used or useful in a line or lines of business which
are related or reasonably complementary to the Core Business or which entail the
application of technological expertise utilized in the Core Business, or
adaptations thereof, to new or additional products and (ii) after giving effect
to any such acquisition the value of all such assets or other property of the
Company and its Subsidiaries not used or useful in the Core Business shall not
exceed 25% of Consolidated Tangible Assets.
6.14. BOOKS AND RECORDS; FISCAL YEAR. The Company will, and will
cause each of its Subsidiaries to, (a) keep proper books of record and account
in which full, true and correct entries will be made of all its material
business dealings and transactions in accordance with GAAP applied on a
consistent basis and (b) maintain a system of accounting established and
administered in accordance with GAAP, and set aside on its books from its
earnings for each fiscal year all proper reserves, accruals and provisions
which, in accordance with GAAP, should be set aside from such earnings in
connection with its business, including, without limitation, provisions for
depreciation, obsolescence and/or amortization and accruals for taxes for such
period. The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to,
change the basis on which its fiscal year is at present determined.
-23-
<PAGE>
6.15. CORPORATE EXISTENCE; LICENSES. The Company will, and will
cause each of its Subsidiaries to, do or cause to be done all things necessary
to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence (except as
otherwise permitted by SECTION 6.9) and its rights (charter and statutory) and
Licenses; except that, subject to compliance with SECTIONS 6.8 AND 6.9 and the
next succeeding sentence of this Section, the rights and Licenses of the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries may be abandoned, modified or terminated if in the
good faith judgment of the Board of Directors such abandonment, modification or
termination is in the best interests of the Company and is not disadvantageous
to the holders of Notes. The Company will, and will cause each of its
Subsidiaries to, in any event maintain the validity of all Licenses necessary in
any material respect for the conduct of the business of the Company and its
Subsidiaries as now conducted and as proposed to be conducted.
6.16. PAYMENT OF TAXES, CLAIMS FOR LABOR AND MATERIALS, ETC. The
Company will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, promptly pay and
discharge or cause to be promptly paid and discharged when due and before the
same shall become delinquent (a) all taxes, assessments and governmental charges
or levies imposed upon it or upon its income or profits or upon any of its
franchises, Licenses, business or property, or upon any part thereof, and
(b) all claims of landlords, carriers, warehousemen, mechanics, materialmen and
other similar Persons for labor, materials, supplies and rentals which, if
unpaid, might by law become a Lien or charge upon any of its property; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that the failure of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to pay any
such tax, assessment, charge, levy or claim shall not constitute a default
hereunder if and for so long as the amount, applicability or validity thereof
shall concurrently be contested in good faith by appropriate and timely actions
or proceedings diligently pursued, and if such reserve or other appropriate
provision, if any, as shall be required by GAAP shall have been made therefor
and neither the Company's nor any such Subsidiary's title to or right to the use
of any of its property is impaired in any material respect by reason of such
contest.
6.17. MAINTENANCE OF PROPERTIES. The Company will, and will cause
each of its Subsidiaries to, maintain and keep, or cause to be maintained and
kept, in good repair, working order and condition (ordinary wear and tear
excepted) all material properties (whether owned or leased) used or useful in
the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, and from time to time make or
cause to be made all necessary and proper repairs, renewals, replacements and
improvements thereof so that the business carried on in connection therewith may
be properly and advantageously conducted consistent with past practices of the
Company.
6.18. INSURANCE. The Company will, and will cause each of its
Subsidiaries to, keep adequately insured, by financially sound and reputable
insurers, all of its property of a character customarily insured by prudent
corporations engaged in the same or a similar business and similarly situated
against loss or damage of the kinds and in amounts customarily insured against
by such corporations, and with deductibles or coinsurance no greater than is
customary, and carry, with such insurers in customary amounts, such other
insurance, including public liability insurance and insurance against
-24-
<PAGE>
claims for any violation of applicable law, as is customarily carried by prudent
corporations of established reputation engaged in the same or a similar business
and similarly situated.
6.19. COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. The Company will, and will cause each
of its Subsidiaries to, promptly comply in all material respects with all laws,
statutes, rules, regulations and ordinances and all Orders of, and restrictions
imposed by, any court, arbitrator or Governmental Body in respect of the conduct
of its business and the ownership of its properties (including, without
limitation, applicable laws, statutes, rules, regulations, ordinances and Orders
relating to occupational health and safety standards, consumer protection and
equal employment opportunities), except to the extent that the applicability or
validity of any such law, statute, rule, regulation, ordinance or Order is being
contested in good faith by appropriate and timely actions or proceedings
diligently pursued, and for which such reserve or other appropriate provision,
if any, as shall be required by GAAP shall have been made, so long as such
actions or proceedings are effective to prevent the imposition of any material
penalty on the Company or such Subsidiary and neither the Company's nor any such
Subsidiary's title to or right to the use of any of its property is impaired in
any material respect by reason of such contest.
6.20. ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS. (a) The Company will, and will
cause each of its Subsidiaries to, (i) obtain and maintain in full force and
effect all Environmental Permits that may be required from time to time under
any Environmental Laws applicable to the Company or any such Subsidiary and
(ii) be and remain in compliance in all material respects with all terms and
conditions of all such Environmental Permits and with all other limitations,
restrictions, conditions, standards, prohibitions, requirements, obligations,
schedules and timetables contained in all applicable Environmental Laws.
(b) The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries
to, (i) cause or allow (A) any Hazardous Substance to be present at any time on,
in, under or above the Company Premises or any part thereof or (B) the Company
Premises or any part thereof to be used at any time to manufacture, generate,
refine, process, distribute, use, sell, treat, receive, store, dispose of,
transport, arrange for transport of, handle, or be involved in any other
activity involving, any Hazardous Substance, or (ii) conduct any such activities
described in the foregoing clause (i)(B) on the Company Premises or anywhere
else, except, in each case referred to in the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), in
a manner that is in compliance in all material respects with all applicable
Environmental Laws and Environmental Permits and to an extent that will not have
a Material Adverse Effect.
6.21. MAINTENANCE OF OFFICE. Until the principal, Makewhole
Amount, if any, and interest on the Notes shall have been paid in full to the
registered holders thereof, the Company will maintain its principal office at a
location in the United States of America where notices, presentations and
demands in respect of this Agreement and the Notes may be made upon it, and will
notify each holder of a Note in writing of any
-25-
<PAGE>
change of location of such office at least 30 days prior to such change of
location. Such office shall first be maintained at 40 West Highland Park,
Hutchinson, Minnesota 55350.
7. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY. The Company
represents and warrants to you that:
7.1. ORGANIZATION AND AUTHORITY OF THE COMPANY, ETC. The Company is a
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of the State of Minnesota and has all requisite legal right, power and authority
to own or hold under lease the property it purports to own or hold under lease,
to carry on its business as now conducted and as proposed to be conducted, to
enter into this Agreement and the Other Agreements, to issue and sell the Notes
and to carry out the terms of the Agreements and the Notes. The Company has, by
all necessary corporate action (no action of its shareholders being required in
connection therewith), duly authorized the execution and delivery of this
Agreement and the Other Agreements, the issuance and sale of the Notes and the
performance of its obligations under the Agreements and the Notes.
7.2. SUBSIDIARIES. SCHEDULE II lists all existing Subsidiaries of the
Company and correctly sets forth, as to each Subsidiary (a) its name, (b) its
jurisdiction of organization, (c) the percentage of its issued and outstanding
shares of capital stock of each class owned by the Company or one of its
Subsidiaries (specifying each such Subsidiary), and (d) the name of each Person,
if any, other than the Company or one of its Subsidiaries owning outstanding
shares of capital stock of any class of such Subsidiary and the percentage of
each such class of stock owned by such Person. Each Subsidiary is a corporation
duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
jurisdiction of its organization and has all requisite legal right, power and
authority to own or hold under lease the property it purports to own or hold
under lease and to carry on its business as now conducted and as proposed to be
conducted. All of the outstanding shares of capital stock of each such
Subsidiary have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and
non-assessable and all shares of capital stock indicated on SCHEDULE II as owned
by the Company or any other Subsidiary are owned beneficially and of record by
the Company or such other Subsidiary, as the case may be, free and clear of any
Lien. There are no outstanding rights, options, warrants, conversion rights or
agreements for the purchase or acquisition from the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries of any shares of capital stock or similar interests or other
securities of any such Subsidiary.
7.3. QUALIFICATION. The Company is, and each of its Subsidiaries is,
duly qualified or licensed and in good standing as a foreign corporation duly
authorized to do business in each jurisdiction (other than the jurisdiction of
its organization) in which the nature of its activities or the character of the
properties it owns or leases makes such qualification or licensing necessary and
in which the failure to so qualify or be licensed would have a Material Adverse
Effect. SCHEDULE II sets forth as to the Company and each of its Subsidiaries
the jurisdictions (other than the jurisdiction of its
-26-
<PAGE>
organization) in which it is qualified or licensed to do business or in which
any substantial part of its assets is located.
7.4. BUSINESS AND PROPERTY; FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, ETC. The Company
has furnished to you a true and complete copy of the Confidential Offering
Memorandum, dated May 1996 (together with the schedules, exhibits and
attachments thereto, the "MEMORANDUM"), prepared by First Chicago Capital
Markets, Inc. (the "PLACEMENT AGENT"), in connection with the offering by the
Placement Agent, on behalf of the Company, of the Notes. The Memorandum
correctly describes in all material respects, as of its date, the business
and material properties of the Company and its Subsidiaries and the nature of
their respective operations. The Memorandum contains, among other things,
(i) a pro forma capitalization table and (ii) selected financial data for the
six month periods ended March 1995 and 1996, respectively. The Company has
also delivered to you (A) audited consolidated financial statements of the
Company and its Subsidiaries as at the end of and for the fiscal years of the
Company ended September 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994 and 1995, respectively,
accompanied in each case by the report thereon of the Company's certified
independent public accountants, (B) its Annual Report on Form 10-K for its
fiscal year ended September 24, 1995, (C) its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q
for its fiscal quarters ended December 24, 1995 and March 24, 1996,
respectively, and (D) the Projections. The financial statements described in
clause (A) of the preceding sentence and all related schedules and notes have
been prepared in accordance with GAAP, in each case applied on a consistent
basis throughout the periods specified (except for changes specifically noted
therein), are correct and complete in all material respects and present
fairly the financial position of the corporation or corporations to which
they relate as at the respective dates thereof and the results of operations
and cash flows of such corporation or corporations for the respective periods
specified. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements
included in the reports described in clause (C) of said sentence have been
prepared, and in connection with such preparation certain information and
footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in
accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted, pursuant to the rules
and regulations of the Commission, and the information furnished therein
includes normal recurring adjustments and reflect all adjustments which are,
in the opinion of management of the Company, necessary for a fair
presentation of such financial statements. The Projections include certain
forecasted financial information for each of three alternative case
scenarios. Each such set of forecasted financial information was prepared
based on assumptions which were made in good faith at the time of such
preparation and for which, in the context of the particular case scenario to
which each such set relates, a reasonable basis existed at such time and, to
the extent relating to forecasted financial information for periods
subsequent to the Company's fiscal year ending in September, 1996, continues
to exist on the date hereof (it being understood, however, that nothing
herein shall be deemed a representation or warranty on the part of the
Company as to the attainability of the financial results included or implicit
in the Projections or any other particular financial results). The Company
has no material liabilities, contingent or otherwise, of a character
required, in accordance with GAAP, to be reflected in its financial
statements which are not described in the most recent audited financial
statements referred to in this Section or in the notes thereto.
-27-
<PAGE>
7.5. CHANGES, ETC. Since the date of the balance sheet included in
the most recent audited financial statements referred to in SECTION 7.4,
(a) there has been no change in the Business or Condition of the Company which
has been, either in any one case or in the aggregate, Materially Adverse, and
(b) there has been no occurrence or development, whether or not insured against,
which has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
7.6. COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS, OTHER INSTRUMENTS, ETC. (a) Neither the
Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in violation of any term of its corporate
charter or by-laws or any agreement, indenture, mortgage, instrument or License
to which it is a party or by which it or any of its properties may be bound or
affected or any existing statute, law, governmental rule, regulation or
ordinance, or any Order of any court, arbitrator or Governmental Body applicable
to it (including, without limitation, any statute, law, rule, regulation,
ordinance or Order relating to occupational health and safety standards,
consumer protection or equal employment practice requirements), the consequences
of which violation, either in any one case or taken together with all other such
violations, has had or could have a Material Adverse Effect.
(b) Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Other
Agreements or the Notes nor the performance of the terms and provisions hereof
or thereof nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or
thereby will result in any breach of or be in conflict with or constitute a
default (or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become a
default) under, or give to others any right of termination, amendment,
acceleration or cancellation of, or result in a loss of any benefit to which the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries is entitled under, or result in (or require)
the creation of any Lien upon any property of the Company under, any term of,
the corporate charter or by-laws of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or
any agreement, indenture, mortgage, instrument or License to which the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company, any such
Subsidiary or any of their respective properties may be bound or affected, or
any existing statute, law, rule, regulation or ordinance or any Order of any
court, arbitrator or Governmental Body applicable to the Company, any such
Subsidiary or any of their respective properties.
7.7. CONSENTS AND APPROVALS. No Approval by, from or with, and no
other action in respect of, any Governmental Body or any other Person (including
any trustee, or any holder of any indebtedness, securities or other obligations
of the Company) is required (a) for or in connection with the valid execution
and delivery by the Company of or the performance by the Company of its
obligations under this Agreement, the Other Agreements or the Notes or the
consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby,
including the offer, issuance, sale and delivery by the Company of the Notes, or
(b) as a condition to the legality, validity or enforceability as against the
Company of this Agreement, the Other Agreements or the Notes.
7.8. DEBT, ETC. SCHEDULE III correctly lists all secured and
unsecured Funded Debt and Current Debt of the Company and each of its
Subsidiaries outstanding
-28-
<PAGE>
on the date hereof and shows, as to each item of Debt listed thereon, the
obligor and obligee, the aggregate principal amount outstanding on the date
hereof, whether the same constitutes Funded Debt or Current Debt, to what
extent, if any, the same will be reduced or repaid out of the proceeds of the
Notes and a brief description of any security therefor. No default or event
of default or basis for acceleration exists or, after giving effect to the
issuance and sale of the Notes pursuant to this Agreement and the Other
Agreements, will exist (or, but for the waiver thereof, would exist) under
any instrument or agreement evidencing, providing for the issuance or
securing of, or otherwise relating to any such Debt. The Company is not a
party to or bound by any charter provision, by-law, agreement, indenture,
mortgage, lease, instrument or License (other than this Agreement and the
Other Agreements) which contains any restriction on the incurrence by it of
any Debt, except for the Credit Agreement, the Notes Purchase Agreement,
dated as of July 9, 1987, among the institutional investors identified
therein and the Company, the Notes Purchase Agreement, dated as of October
28, 1988, among the institutional investors identified therein and the
Company, and the several Note Purchase Agreements, each dated as of April 20,
1994, among the respective institutional investors identified therein and the
Company, a true and correct copy of each of which has been delivered to you
or your special counsel and pursuant to each of which the Company is
permitted to incur the Debt to be evidenced by the Notes.
7.9. TITLE TO PROPERTY; LEASES; INVESTMENTS. (a) The Company and
its Subsidiaries have good and marketable title to their real properties and
good title to the other properties they purport to own, including those
reflected in the balance sheet included in the most recent audited financial
statements referred to in SECTION 7.4 or purported to have been acquired by
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries after the date of such balance sheet
(other than any such properties disposed of since such date in the ordinary
course of business), subject in the case of all such property to no Liens
other than Liens permitted by SECTION 6.4. The Company and its Subsidiaries
enjoy peaceful and undisturbed possession under all leases of all personal
and all real property necessary in any material respect to their respective
operations, all such leases are valid and subsisting and in full force and
effect, and neither the Company nor any such Subsidiary is in default in any
material respect in the performance or observance of its obligations
thereunder. SCHEDULE IV includes a general description of all Long Term
Leases under which the Company or a Subsidiary is a lessee, and sets forth
with respect to each such lease, (i) the name of the lessor thereunder, (ii)
a general description of the property leased, and (iii) the annual rental
obligations payable thereunder.
(b) SCHEDULE V correctly lists all Investments of the Company and
its Subsidiaries existing on the date hereof other than Investments in
Subsidiaries.
7.10. LITIGATION. There are no actions, suits or proceedings
pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against or affecting the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties (and no
basis therefor is known to the Company) in any court or before any arbitrator of
any kind or before or by any Governmental Body, which (a) question the validity
or legality of this Agreement, the
-29-
<PAGE>
Other Agreements or the Notes or any action taken or to be taken pursuant
hereto or thereto or (b) could reasonably be expected to result, either in
any one case or in the aggregate, in a Material Adverse Change.
7.11. TAXES. The Company and its Subsidiaries have filed all tax
returns which are required by law to have been filed by them in any jurisdiction
and have paid all taxes, assessments, fees and charges of each Governmental Body
shown to be owing on such returns to the extent the same have become due and
payable and before they have become delinquent other than those presently
payable without penalty or interest and those being contested in good faith by
appropriate and timely actions or proceedings diligently pursued with respect to
which adequate reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP. The
Federal income tax returns of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries have
been examined and reported on by applicable taxing authorities or closed by
applicable statute for all fiscal years through the fiscal year ended in 1990.
The Company does not know of any additional assessment or proposed assessment
for any fiscal year, and no material controversy in respect of additional
Federal or state income taxes is pending or to the knowledge of the Company is
threatened. In the opinion of the Company, all tax liabilities (including taxes
for all open years and for its current fiscal period) are adequately provided
for on the books of the Company in accordance with GAAP.
7.12. COMPLIANCE WITH ERISA. (a) No Termination Event has
occurred, and to the best knowledge of the Company no event or condition has
occurred or exists as to which any Termination Event could reasonably be
expected to occur, with respect to any Plan, and no accumulated funding
deficiency (as defined in Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code),
whether or not waived, has occurred with respect to any Plan. The present value
of all accrued benefits under each Plan which is not a Multiemployer Plan (based
on those assumptions used to fund such Plan, which assumptions are reasonable)
did not, as of the most recent valuation date, which for any such Plan was not
earlier than twelve months prior to the date as of which this representation is
made, exceed the then current value of the assets of such Plan allocable to such
benefits.
(b) No Company Group Member has incurred, or is reasonably expected
to incur, any withdrawal liability to any Multiemployer Plan and the Company has
no present intention of withdrawing from any Multiemployer Plan. No Company
Group Member has received any notification that any Multiemployer Plan is in
reorganization (as defined in Section 4241 of ERISA), is insolvent (as defined
in Section 4245 of ERISA) or has been terminated, within the meaning of Title IV
of ERISA, and to the best knowledge of the Company no Multiemployer Plan is
reasonably expected to be in reorganization, insolvent or to be terminated.
(c) To the best knowledge of the Company, no prohibited transaction
(as defined in Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) or material
breach of fiduciary responsibility has occurred which has subjected or may
subject any Company Group Member to any liability under Section 406, 409, 502(i)
or 502(l) of ERISA or
-30-
<PAGE>
Section 4975 of the Code, or under any agreement or other instrument pursuant
to which such Company Group Member has agreed or is required to indemnify any
Person against any such liability. No Company Group Member has incurred, or
is reasonably expected to incur, any liability to the PBGC (other than for
insurance premiums, which will be paid in the ordinary course when due).
(d) Full payment has been made on or before the due date thereof of
all amounts which any Company Group Member is or was required under the terms of
any Plan to have paid as contributions to such Plan as of the date hereof.
(e) No Lien imposed under the Code or ERISA on the assets of any
Company Group Member exists or is reasonably likely to arise on account of any
Plan.
(f) No welfare plan (as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA) maintained
by any Company Group Member provides medical or death benefits with respect to
current or former employees beyond their termination of employment (other than
coverage mandated by law). To the best knowledge of the Company, each such plan
to which Sections 601-609 of ERISA and Section 4980B of the Code apply has been
administered in compliance with such sections.
(g) Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the
Other Agreements nor the issuance and sale of the Notes as herein contemplated
will involve any transaction which is subject to the prohibitions of Section 406
of ERISA or in connection with which a tax could be imposed pursuant to
Section 4975 of the Code. The representation by the Company in the preceding
sentence is made in reliance upon and subject to the accuracy of your
representation in SECTION 1.6.
7.13. PRIVATE OFFERING. Neither the Company nor the Placement
Agent (the only Person authorized or employed by the Company to act on its
behalf in connection with the offer and sale of the Notes or any similar
securities of the Company) nor any other Person has offered the Notes or any
similar securities of the Company for sale to, or solicited any offer to buy any
of the same from, or otherwise approached or negotiated in respect thereof with,
any Person other than you, the Other Purchasers and 46 other institutional
investors, each of which was offered the Notes at private sale for investment.
Neither the Company nor any other Person acting on its behalf has taken, or will
take, any action which would subject the issuance or sale of the Notes to
Section 5 of the Securities Act or to the registration or qualification
requirements of any securities or blue sky law of any applicable jurisdiction.
7.14. USE OF PROCEEDS; MARGIN REGULATIONS. The Company will apply
the proceeds from the sale of the Notes under the Agreements as provided in
SECTION 1.4. No part of the proceeds from the sale of the Notes will be used,
directly or indirectly, for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any "margin
stock" within the meaning of Regulation G of the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System (12 CFR 207, as amended), or for the purpose of
purchasing or carrying or trading in any securities under such circumstances as
to involve the Company in a violation of Regulation X of
-31-
<PAGE>
said Board (12 CFR 224, as amended) or to involve any broker or dealer in a
violation of Regulation T of said Board (12 CFR 220, as amended). No Debt
being reduced or retired out of the proceeds of the sale of the Notes was
incurred for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any margin stock within
the meaning of such Regulation G or any "margin security" within the meaning
of such Regulation T. The assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries do not
consist on the date hereof of, and neither the Company nor any of its
Subsidiaries has any present intention of acquiring directly or indirectly,
any such margin stock or any such margin security. None of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement (including, without limitation, the direct or
indirect use of the proceeds from the sale of the Notes) will violate or
result in a violation of Section 7 of the Exchange Act or any regulations
issued pursuant thereto, including, without limitation, said Regulation G,
Regulation T and Regulation X.
7.15. LICENSES, PATENTS, TRADEMARKS, AUTHORIZATIONS, ETC. The
Company and each of its Subsidiaries owns, possesses or has the right to use
(without any known conflict with the rights of others) all permits, franchises,
patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights, licenses, permits
and governmental or other authorizations or the like (collectively, "LICENSES")
which are necessary in any material respect to the conduct of its businesses as
conducted on the date hereof and as proposed to be conducted. Each such License
is in full force and effect, and the Company or its applicable Subsidiary, as
the case may be (whichever shall own, possess or have the right to use the
same), has fulfilled and performed in all material respects its obligations with
respect thereto to the extent required to be performed or observed on or prior
to the date hereof. No default in the performance or observance by the Company
or any such Subsidiary of its obligations thereunder has occurred (and, so far
as is known to the Company no other event has occurred) which permits, or after
notice or lapse of time or both would permit, the revocation or termination of
any such License or which has had a Material Adverse Effect or in the future may
(so far as the Company can now reasonably foresee) have a Material Adverse
Effect.
7.16. STATUS UNDER CERTAIN STATUTES; OTHER REGULATIONS. The
Company is not an "investment company" or a Person directly or indirectly
"controlled" by or "acting on behalf of" an "investment company" within the
meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. The Company is
not 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," as such terms are defined in the Public Utility Holding
Company Act of 1935, as amended. The Company is not a "public utility," as
such term is defined in the Federal Power Act, as amended. The Company is
not subject to regulation under any Federal or state law, statute, rule,
regulation or ordinance which limits its ability to incur Debt.
7.17. LABOR MATTERS. There are no labor disputes between the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries on the one hand and any of their respective
employees or representatives of such employees on the other hand which in the
aggregate might have a Material Adverse Effect, and the Company and its
Subsidiaries are in compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws
respecting employment and employment
-32-
<PAGE>
practices, terms and conditions of employment, tax withholding on behalf of
employees and wages and hours, and are not engaged in any unfair labor
practices which, either in any one case or taken together, has had or could
have a Material Adverse Effect.
7.18. FULL DISCLOSURE. Neither this Agreement nor the
Memorandum nor any other document, certificate or instrument delivered to you
by or on behalf of the Company in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement contains any untrue statement of a material
fact or omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the
statements contained herein or therein, in light of the circumstances under
which the same were made, not misleading. There is no fact known to the
Company which has had a Material Adverse Effect or in the future may (so far
as the Company can now reasonably foresee) have a Material Adverse Effect
which has not been set forth or reflected in this Agreement, the Memorandum
or in the other documents, certificates and instruments referred to herein
and delivered to you by or on behalf of the Company on or prior to the date
hereof in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
7.19. ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS. (a) The Company and its
Subsidiaries currently hold and at all times heretofore the Company and its
Subsidiaries held all Environmental Permits required under all Environmental
Laws except to the extent failure to have any such Environmental Permit has
not had and will not have a Material Adverse Effect.
(b) The Company and its Subsidiaries currently are, and at all
times heretofore the Company and its Subsidiaries have been, in compliance
with all terms and conditions of all such Environmental Permits and all other
limitations, restrictions, conditions, standards, prohibitions, requirements,
obligations, schedules and timetables contained in all applicable
Environmental Laws except to the extent failure to comply therewith, in any
one case or in the aggregate, has not had and will not have a Material
Adverse Effect.
(c) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has ever
received, and, so far as is known to the Company, no predecessor in interest of
the Company or any such Subsidiary in respect of any of the Company Premises has
ever received, from any Governmental Body or other Person any notice of, and the
Company has no knowledge of, any events, conditions or circumstances that could
prevent continued compliance in all material respects with the Environmental
Permits referred to in subdivision (b) of this Section or any scheduled renewals
thereof or any applicable Environmental Laws currently in effect, or that could
give rise to any liability on the part of the Company or any such Subsidiary or
otherwise form the basis of any claim, action, demand, request, notice, suit,
proceeding, hearing, study or investigation (collectively, "ENVIRONMENTAL
CLAIMS") involving the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, based on or related
to (i) a violation of any applicable Environmental Laws currently in effect or
(ii) the manufacture, generation, refining, processing, distribution, use, sale,
treatment, receipt, storage, disposal, transport, arranging for transport or
handling, or the emission, discharge, release or threatened release into the
environment, of any Hazardous
-33-
<PAGE>
Substance in violation of any applicable Environmental Laws currently in
effect, other than liabilities or Environmental Claims referred to in this
subdivision (c) that have not had and will not have, either in any one case
or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
8. EVENTS OF DEFAULT; REMEDIES.
8.1. EVENTS OF DEFAULT DEFINED; ACCELERATION OF MATURITY. If any of
the following conditions or events (each herein called an "EVENT OF DEFAULT")
shall occur and be continuing (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and
whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or come about or be effected by
operation of law or pursuant to or in compliance with judicial or governmental
or administrative order or action or otherwise):
(a) default shall be made in the due and punctual payment of all or
any part of the principal of or Makewhole Amount, if any, on any Note when
and as the same shall become due and payable, whether on a date fixed for
prepayment, at stated maturity, by acceleration or declaration, or
otherwise; or
(b) default shall be made in the due and punctual payment of any
interest on any Note when and as such interest shall become due and
payable, and such default shall have continued for a period of three days;
or
(c) default shall be made in the due performance or observance of any
covenant, provision, agreement or condition contained in SECTION 4(G) or
any of SECTIONS 6.2 THROUGH 6.13, both inclusive, and, except in the case
of any such default under SECTION 4(G), subdivision (a) of SECTION 6.3,
SECTION 6.8, SECTION 6.9 or SECTION 6.10, such default shall have continued
for a period of ten days after the earlier of (x) the date on which a
Responsible Officer of the Company first has knowledge of such default and
(y) the giving of notice to the Company of such default by any holder or
holders of a Note or Notes; or
(d) default shall be made in the due performance or observance of any
other covenant, provision, agreement or condition contained in this
Agreement (other than any default referred to in the foregoing
subdivisions (a), (b) and (c) of this SECTION 8.1) and such default shall
have continued for a period of 30 days after the earlier of (x) the date on
which any Responsible Officer of the Company first has knowledge of such
default and (y) the giving of notice to the Company of such default by any
holder or holders of a Note or Notes; or
(e) (i) default shall be made in the payment of any amount due,
whether on an interest payment date or on a date fixed for prepayment, at
stated maturity, by acceleration or declaration or otherwise, under or in
respect of any Funded Debt or Current Debt of the Company (other than the
Notes) or any Subsidiary, and such default shall continue beyond the period
of grace, if any,
-34-
<PAGE>
allowed with respect thereto; or (ii) default shall be made in
the due performance or observance of any covenant, provision,
agreement or condition contained in any document evidencing or providing
for the issuance or securing of any such Funded Debt or Current Debt, if
the effect of any such default referred to in this clause (ii) is to cause
or to permit the holder or holders of such Debt (or a trustee or agent on
behalf of such holders) to cause any payment or payments in respect of any
such Debt to become due prior to the scheduled due date thereof; or
(f) the Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall (i) apply for or
consent to the appointment of, or the taking of possession by, a receiver,
custodian, trustee or liquidator of itself or of all or a substantial part
of its property, (ii) become insolvent or be generally unable to or shall
generally fail or admit in writing its inability to pay its debts as such
debts become due, (iii) make a general assignment for the benefit of its
creditors, (iv) commence a voluntary case under the Federal Bankruptcy Code
(as now or hereafter in effect), (v) file a petition seeking to take
advantage of any bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization or
other similar law affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally,
(vi) acquiesce in writing to, or fail to controvert in a timely or
appropriate manner, any petition filed against it in an involuntary case
under such Bankruptcy Code, (vii) take any action under the laws of any
jurisdiction (foreign or domestic) analogous to any of the foregoing, or
(viii) take any action in furtherance of any of the foregoing; or
(g) a proceeding or case shall be commenced in respect of the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries, without its application or consent, in any
court of competent jurisdiction, seeking (i) the liquidation,
reorganization, moratorium, dissolution, winding up, or composition or
readjustment of its debts, (ii) the appointment of a trustee, receiver,
custodian, liquidator or the like of it or of all or any substantial part
of its assets, or (iii) similar relief in respect of it under any law
providing for the relief of debtors, and such proceeding or case described
in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) shall continue undismissed, or unstayed and in
effect, for a period of 30 days, or an order for relief shall be entered in
an involuntary case under the Federal Bankruptcy Code (as now or hereafter
in effect) against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and shall
continue undismissed, or unstayed and in effect, for a period of 15 days;
or action under the laws of any jurisdiction (foreign or domestic)
analogous to any of the foregoing shall be taken with respect to the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries and shall continue undismissed, or
unstayed and in effect, for a period of 15 days; or
(h) a final judgment or decree for the payment of money shall be
rendered by a court of competent jurisdiction against the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries which, either alone or together with other outstanding
judgments or decrees against the Company or any one or more of its
Subsidiaries, shall aggregate more than $500,000, and the Company or such
Subsidiary, as the case may be, shall not discharge the same or provide for
its discharge in accordance
-35-
<PAGE>
with its terms within 45 days from the date of entry thereof or
within such longer period during which execution of such judgment
shall have been stayed; or
(i) any representation or warranty made by the Company in this
Agreement or in any certificate or other instrument delivered hereunder or
pursuant hereto or in connection with any provision hereof shall prove to
have been false or incorrect or breached in any material respect on the
date as of which made; or
(j) (i) any Company Group Member shall fail to pay when due any
amount which it shall have become liable to pay to the PBGC or to a Plan
under Title IV of ERISA; (ii) any Company Group Member shall withdraw from
a Multiple Employer Plan during a plan year in which it is a substantial
employer (as such term is defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA), or shall
be treated as having so withdrawn under Section 4062(e) of ERISA, or any
Multiple Employer Plan shall be terminated; (iii) notice of intent to
terminate a Plan or Plans shall be filed under Title IV of ERISA by any
Company Group Member, any plan administrator or any combination of the
foregoing; (iv) the PBGC shall institute proceedings under Title IV of
ERISA to terminate or to cause a trustee to be appointed to administer any
Plan or Plans; (v) any Company Group Member shall withdraw from any
Multiemployer Plan ; (vi) any Plan (with the exception of any Multiemployer
Plan) shall have an Unfunded Current Liability; or (vii) any prohibited
transaction (as defined in Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the
Code) or breach of fiduciary responsibility shall occur which may subject
any Company Group Member to any liability under Section 406, 409, 502(i)
or 502(l) of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, or under any agreement or
other instrument pursuant to which such Company Group Member has agreed or
is required to indemnify any Person against any such liability; and there
shall result from any such event or events referred to in the foregoing
subdivisions (i) through (vii) a Material Adverse Effect;
then (i) upon the occurrence on any date of any Event of Default described in
clause (f) or (g) of this Section with respect to the Company, the unpaid
principal amount of all Notes, together with the interest accrued thereon in
accordance with the terms thereof and hereof (which interest shall be deemed
matured) and all other amounts payable by the Company hereunder, plus (to the
extent permitted by applicable law) the Makewhole Amount (determined as of such
date in respect of such principal amount of the Notes) shall automatically
become immediately due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest, notice
of intention to accelerate, notice of acceleration, or other requirements of any
kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Company, and (ii) upon the
occurrence on any date or during the continuance of any other Event of Default,
the holder or holders of not less than 51% of the unpaid principal amount of the
Notes at the time outstanding may, by written notice to the Company, declare the
unpaid principal amount of all Notes to be, and the same shall forthwith become,
due and payable, together with the interest accrued thereon in accordance with
the terms thereof and hereof (which interest shall be deemed matured) and all
other amounts payable by the Company
-36-
<PAGE>
hereunder, plus (to the extent permitted by applicable law) the Makewhole
Amount (determined as of the date of such declaration in respect of such
principal amount of Notes), without presentment, demand, protest, notice or
other requirements of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by
the Company; PROVIDED that, upon the occurrence on any date or during the
continuance of an Event of Default described in clause (a) or (b) of this
Section with respect to any Note, the holder of such Note may, by written
notice to the Company, declare the unpaid principal amount of such Note to
be, and the same shall forthwith become, due and payable, together with the
interest accrued thereon in accordance with the terms thereof and hereof
(which interest shall be deemed matured) and all other amounts payable by the
Company hereunder to the holder of such Note, plus (to the extent permitted
by applicable law) the Makewhole Amount (determined as of the date of such
declaration in respect of such principal amount of such Note), without
presentment, demand, protest, notice or other requirements of any kind, all
of which are hereby expressly waived by the Company. If any holder of any
Note shall exercise the option specified in the proviso to the preceding
sentence, the Company will forthwith give written notice thereof to the
holders of all other outstanding Notes and each such holder may (whether or
not such notice is given or received), by written notice to the Company,
declare the principal amount of all Notes held by it to be, and the same
shall forthwith become, due and payable, together with interest accrued
thereon in accordance with the terms thereof and hereof (which interest shall
be deemed matured) and all other amounts payable by the Company hereunder to
the holder of such Notes, plus (to the extent permitted by applicable law)
the Makewhole Amount (determined as of the date of such declaration in
respect of such principal amount of such Notes), without presentment, demand,
protest, notice or other requirements of any kind, all of which are hereby
expressly waived by the Company.
8.2. DEFAULT REMEDIES. If any Event of Default shall have occurred
and be continuing, the holder of any Note may proceed to protect and enforce
its rights under this Agreement or such Note, either by suit in equity or by
action at law or both, whether for specific performance of any covenant or
agreement contained in this Agreement or in aid of the exercise of any power
granted in this Agreement, or the holder of any Note may proceed to enforce
the payment of all sums due upon such Note or under this Agreement or to
enforce any other legal or equitable right available to the holder of such
Note. The Company covenants that if it shall default in the making of any
payment due under any Note or in the performance or observance of any
covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement, it will pay to each holder
of a Note such further amounts, to the extent lawful, as shall be sufficient
to pay the reasonable costs and expenses of collection or of otherwise
enforcing such holder's rights, including, without limitation, reasonable
counsel fees and disbursements. The obligations of the Company pursuant to
the immediately preceding sentence shall survive the transfer or payment in
full of the Notes.
8.3. REMEDIES CUMULATIVE. No remedy herein conferred upon you or the
holder of any Note is intended to be exclusive of any other remedy and each and
every such remedy shall be cumulative and shall be in addition to every other
remedy
-37-
<PAGE>
given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or by
statute or otherwise.
8.4. REMEDIES NOT WAIVED. No course of dealing between the Company
and you or the holder of any Note and no delay or failure in exercising any
rights hereunder or under any Note in respect thereof shall operate as a waiver
of or otherwise prejudice any of your rights or the rights of any holder of any
Note.
9. DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION.
9.1. DEFINED TERMS. Except as otherwise specified or as the
context may otherwise require, the following terms have the respective
meanings set forth below whenever used in this Agreement (terms defined in
the singular to have a correlative meaning when used in the plural and VICE
VERSA):
AFFILIATE: with respect to any designated Person, any other Person
(a) directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controlling
or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such
designated Person, (b) which beneficially owns or holds 5% or more of the
shares of any class of Voting Stock (or in the case of a Person which is not
a corporation, 5% or more of the equity interest) of such designated Person,
(c) 5% or more of any class of the Voting Stock (or in the case of a Person
which is not a corporation, 5% or more of the equity interest) of which is
beneficially owned or held by such designated Person, or (d) who is an
officer or director of such Person. For purposes of this definition,
"CONTROL" (including, with correlative meanings, the terms "CONTROLLED BY"
and "UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH"), as used with respect to any Person, shall
mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause
the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through
the ownership of Voting Stock (or other equity interest) or by contract or
otherwise.
AGREEMENTS: as defined in SECTION 1.2(B).
APPROVALS: as defined in SECTION 2.8.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS: the Board of Directors of the Company or a
duly authorized committee of directors lawfully exercising the relevant
powers of such Board of Directors.
BUSINESS DAY: any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or any other day
on which commercial banks are required or authorized by law or regulation to be
closed in New York, New York, Chicago, Illinois or Minneapolis, Minnesota.
BUSINESS OR CONDITION: of any Person, the business, operations,
assets, properties, earnings, condition (financial or other) or reasonably
foreseeable prospects of such Person, PROVIDED that such term, when used without
reference to any particular
-38-
<PAGE>
Person, shall mean the Business or Condition of the Company and of the
Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
CAPITAL LEASE: as applied to any Person, any lease of any property
(whether real, personal or mixed) by such Person as lessee which would, in
accordance with GAAP, be required to be classified and accounted for as a
capital lease on the balance sheet of such Person or in the notes thereto, other
than, in the case of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, any such lease
under which the Company or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary is the lessor.
CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATION: as at any date, with respect to any Capital
Lease, the amount of the obligation of the lessee thereunder which would, in
accordance with GAAP, appear on a balance sheet of such lessee or in the notes
thereto in respect of such Capital Lease.
CLOSING: as defined in SECTION 1.3.
CLOSING DATE: as defined in SECTION 1.3.
CODE: the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any
successor statute thereto, as interpreted by the rules and regulations issued
thereunder, in each case as in effect from time to time.
COMMISSION: the Securities and Exchange Commission and any other
similar or successor agency of the Federal government administering the
Securities Act and the Exchange Act.
COMPANY: as defined in the opening paragraph of this Agreement.
COMPANY GROUP MEMBER: the Company, each Subsidiary, and each of their
respective predecessors and (a) each corporation that is or was at any time a
member of the same controlled group of corporations (within the meaning of
Section 414(b) of the Code) as the Company or any Subsidiary, or any of their
respective predecessors, (b) each trade or business, whether or not
incorporated, that is or was at any time under common control (within the
meaning of Section 414(c) of the Code) with the Company or any Subsidiary, or
any of their respective predecessors, and (c) each trade or business, whether or
not incorporated, that is or was at any time a member of the same affiliated
service group (within the meaning of Sections 414(m) and (o) of the Code) as the
Company or any Subsidiary, or any of their respective predecessors.
COMPANY PREMISES: real property in which the Company, any Subsidiary,
or any Person which has been a Subsidiary at any time has or ever had any direct
or indirect interest, including, without limitation, ownership thereof, or any
arrangement for the lease, rental or other use thereof, or the retention or
claim of any mortgage or security interest therein or thereon.
-39-
<PAGE>
COMPENSATION PAYMENTS: as defined in SECTION 6.7.
CONSOLIDATED CURRENT DEBT: as at any date of determination, the total
of all Current Debt of the Company and its Subsidiaries determined in accordance
with GAAP on a consolidated basis after eliminating all inter-company items.
CONSOLIDATED FIXED CHARGES: for any period, the sum of the following
amounts for the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis after
eliminating all inter-company transactions: (a) Consolidated Interest Expense
for such period, PLUS (b) the aggregate amount of Long Term Lease Rentals
accrued (whether or not actually paid) during such period.
CONSOLIDATED FUNDED DEBT: as at any date of determination, the total
of all Funded Debt of the Company and its Subsidiaries determined in accordance
with GAAP on a consolidated basis after eliminating all inter-company items.
CONSOLIDATED INTEREST EXPENSE: for any period, the sum of the
following amounts for the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis
after eliminating all inter-company transactions: (a) the aggregate amount of
all interest accrued (whether or not actually paid and whether deducted or
capitalized) during such period on Debt (including, without limitation, imputed
interest on Capital Lease Obligations), PLUS (b) amortization of debt discount
and expense during such period, PLUS (c) all fees or commissions payable in
connection with any letters of credit during such period.
CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME: for any period, the net income (or deficit)
of the Company and its Subsidiaries for such period (taken as a cumulative
whole) after deducting, without duplication, operating expenses, provisions for
all taxes and reserves (including reserves for deferred income taxes) and all
other proper deductions, all determined in accordance with GAAP on a
consolidated basis, after eliminating all inter-company items and after
deducting portions of income properly attributable to outside minority
interests, if any, in the stock and surplus of any Subsidiary; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that there shall in any event be excluded from Consolidated Net Income
(without duplication):
(a) the income (or deficit) of any Person accrued prior to the date
it becomes a Subsidiary or is merged into or consolidated with the Company
or a Subsidiary;
(b) any amount representing the interest of the Company or any
Subsidiary in the earnings of any Person other than a Subsidiary, except to
the extent that any such earnings have been actually received by the
Company or such Subsidiary in the form of cash dividends or similar
distributions;
(c) any portion of the net income of a Subsidiary which for any
reason is unavailable for the payment of dividends to the Company or
another Subsidiary;
-40-
<PAGE>
(d) any deferred credit or amortization thereof from the acquisition
of any properties or assets of any Person;
(e) any gain during such period arising from (i) the sale, exchange
or other disposition of capital assets (such term to include all fixed
assets, whether tangible or intangible, and all securities) to the extent
the aggregate gains from such transactions exceed losses during such period
from such transactions, (ii) any reappraisal, revaluation or write-up of
assets after the date of the most recent audited financial statements
referred to in SECTION 7.4, (iii) the acquisition of any securities of the
Company or a Subsidiary or (iv) the termination of any Plan;
(f) the proceeds of any life insurance policy; and
(g) any item properly classified as extraordinary in accordance with
GAAP.
CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME AVAILABLE FOR FIXED CHARGES: for any period,
Consolidated Net Income for such period, plus all amounts deducted in arriving
at such Consolidated Net Income in respect of (a) Consolidated Fixed Charges and
(b) provisions for taxes imposed on or measured by income or excess profits.
CONSOLIDATED NET WORTH: as at any date of determination, the excess
of (a) the sum of common stock (but excluding stock subscribed for but unissued)
and surplus (including retained earnings and additional paid-in capital)
accounts of the Company and its Subsidiaries appearing on a consolidated balance
sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries prepared in accordance with GAAP as of
such date of determination, after eliminating all inter-company transactions and
all amounts properly attributable to outside minority interests in Subsidiaries
OVER (b) the aggregate amount which would, in accordance with GAAP, appear on
such balance sheet in respect of all assets other than those included in
Consolidated Tangible Assets.
CONSOLIDATED TANGIBLE ASSETS: as at any date of determination, the
Tangible Assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in
accordance with GAAP, after eliminating all inter-company items and making
appropriate deductions for outside minority interests.
COVERAGE PERIOD: with respect to any Determination Date, a period
(considered as one accounting period) consisting of either:
(a) if such Determination Date shall occur at or prior to the end of
the Company's fiscal year ending in 1998, four fiscal quarters (no more
than three of which may be consecutive) selected by the Company from among
the seven consecutive fiscal quarters of the Company ending on such
Determination Date; or
-41-
<PAGE>
(b) if such Determination Date shall occur subsequent to the end of
the Company's fiscal year ending in 1998, four fiscal quarters (which may
but need not be consecutive) selected by the Company from among the six
consecutive fiscal quarters of the Company ending on such Determination
Date.
CREDIT AGREEMENT: the Credit Agreement, dated as of December 8, 1995,
by and among the Company, the Lenders identified (and as that term is defined)
therein and The First National Bank of Chicago, as agent for said Lenders, as
the same may be amended, modified and in effect from time to time.
CURRENT DEBT: as applied to any Person, as of any date of
determination, all Debt of such Person for borrowed money other than any such
Debt which constitutes Funded Debt as of such date.
DEBT: as applied to any Person, as of any date of determination, all
obligations of such Person (other than capital, surplus, reserves for deferred
income taxes and, to the extent not constituting obligations, other deferred
credits and reserves) which would be classified on a balance sheet of such
Person prepared in accordance with GAAP as of such date as liabilities,
including in any event (without duplication):
(a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money or evidenced by
bonds, debentures, notes, drafts or similar instruments;
(b) all obligations of such Person for all or any part of the
deferred purchase price of property or services or for the cost of property
constructed or of improvements;
(c) all obligations secured by any Lien on or payable out of the
proceeds of production from property owned or held by such Person even
though such Person has not assumed or become liable for the payment of such
obligations;
(d) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person;
(e) all obligations of such Person, contingent or otherwise, in
respect of any letter of credit facilities, bankers' acceptance facilities
or other similar credit facilities (but only to the extent, in the case of
any of the foregoing obligations referred to in this clause, the same does
not support another obligation of such Person which either is otherwise
included in Debt or consists of current accounts payable incurred in the
ordinary course of business); and
(f) all Guaranties by such Person of or with respect to obligations
of the character referred to in the foregoing clauses (a) through (e) of
another Person;
-42-
<PAGE>
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that in determining the Debt of any Person, (i) all
liabilities for which such Person is jointly and severally liable with one or
more other Persons (including, without limitation, all liabilities of any
partnership or joint venture of which such Person is a general partner or co-
venturer) shall be included at the full amount thereof without regard to any
right such Person may have against any such other Persons for contribution or
indemnity, and (ii) no effect shall be given to deposits, trust arrangements or
similar arrangements which, in accordance with GAAP, extinguish Debt for which
such Person remains legally liable.
DEFAULT: any condition or event which, with notice or lapse of time
or both, would become an Event of Default.
DETERMINATION DATE: each date which shall be the last day of a fiscal
quarter of the Company.
ENVIRONMENTAL CLAIMS: as defined in SECTION 7.19.
ENVIRONMENTAL LAW: any past, present or future Federal, state, local
or foreign statutory or common law, or any regulation, ordinance, code, plan,
Order, permit, grant, franchise, concession, restriction or agreement issued,
entered, promulgated or approved thereunder, relating to (a) the environment,
human health or safety, including, without limitation, emissions, discharges,
releases or threatened releases of Hazardous Substances into the environment, or
(b) the manufacture, generation, refining, processing, distribution, use, sale,
treatment, receipt, storage, disposal, transport, arranging for transport, or
handling of Hazardous Substances.
ENVIRONMENTAL PERMITS: collectively, any and all permits, consents,
licenses, approvals and registrations of any nature at any time required
pursuant to or in order to comply with any Environmental Law.
ERISA: the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended, and any successor statute thereto, as interpreted by the rules and
regulations thereunder, all as the same may be in effect from time to time.
References to sections of ERISA shall be construed also to refer to any
successor sections.
EVENT OF DEFAULT: as defined in SECTION 8.1.
EXCHANGE ACT: the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or any similar
Federal statute, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, all
as the same shall be in effect from time to time.
EXISTING IDB DEBT: the Funded Debt of the Company described in
Item 11 on SCHEDULE III.
-43-
<PAGE>
EXISTING IDB DOCUMENTS: collectively, the Trust Indenture between the
City of Hutchinson, Minnesota ("Issuer") and National City Bank of Minneapolis,
as trustee, the Loan Agreement between the Issuer and the Company, and the
Remarketing Agreement between the Remarketing Agent referred to in said Trust
Indenture and the Company, each dated as of March 1, 1993 and relating to the
Existing IDB Debt, together with the Bonds issued under said Trust Indenture.
FUNDED DEBT: as applied to any Person, as of any date of
determination thereof, all Debt of such Person which would be classified upon a
balance sheet of such Person prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP as
long term or funded debt, including in any event (without duplication) all Debt
of such Person, whether secured or unsecured, having a final maturity (or which,
pursuant to the terms of a revolving credit agreement or otherwise, is renewable
or extendable at the option of such Person for a period ending) more than one
year after the date of creation thereof, notwithstanding the fact that
(a) payments in respect thereof (whether installment, serial maturity or sinking
fund payments or otherwise) are required to be made by such Person on demand or
within one year after the creation thereof or (b) all or any part of the amount
thereof is at the time also included in current liabilities of such Person.
GAAP: generally accepted accounting principles as from time to time
set forth in the opinions of the Accounting Principles Board of the American
Institute of Certified Public Accountants and in statements by the Financial
Accounting Standards Board or in such opinions and statements of such other
entities as shall be approved by a significant segment of the accounting
profession in the United States of America.
GOVERNMENTAL BODY: any Federal, state, municipal, local or other
governmental department, commission, board, bureau, agency, instrumentality,
political subdivision or taxing authority, of any country.
GUARANTY: as applied to any Person, any direct or indirect liability,
contingent or otherwise, of such Person with respect to any indebtedness, lease,
dividend or other obligation of another, including, without limitation, any such
obligation directly or indirectly guaranteed, endorsed (otherwise than for
collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business) or discounted or sold
with recourse by such Person, or in respect of which such Person is otherwise in
any manner directly or indirectly liable, including, without limitation, any
such obligation in effect guaranteed by such Person through any agreement
(contingent or otherwise) to (a) purchase, repurchase or otherwise acquire such
obligation or any security therefor, or to provide funds for the payment or
discharge of such obligation (whether in the form of loans, advances, stock
purchases, capital contributions or otherwise), or (b) maintain the solvency or
any balance sheet or other financial condition of the obligor of such
obligation, or (c) make payment for any products, materials or supplies or for
any transportation or services regardless of the non-delivery or non-furnishing
thereof, in any such case if the purpose or intent of such agreement is to
provide assurance that such obligation will be paid or discharged, or that any
agreements relating thereto will be complied with, or that the holders of such
obligation will be protected against loss in respect thereof. For purposes
of all
-44-
<PAGE>
computations made under this Agreement the amount of any Guaranty shall be
equal to the amount of the obligation guaranteed or, if not stated or
determined, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof
(assuming such Person is required to perform thereunder) as determined by
such Person in good faith.
HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES: shall mean and include those substances
included within the definitions of "hazardous substances," "hazardous
materials," "toxic substances" or "solid waste" in the Comprehensive
Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. Section
9601 ET SEQ.) , as amended by Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of
1986 (Pub. L. 99-499 100 Stat. 1613), the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
of 1976 (42 U.S.C. Section 6901 ET SEQ.) and the Hazardous Materials
Transportation Act, (49 U.S.C. Section 1801 ET SEQ.), and in the regulations
promulgated pursuant to said laws, all as amended; and in any event shall
include medical wastes, infectious wastes, asbestos, paint containing lead, and
urea formaldehyde.
HTI EXPORT: HTI Export, Ltd., a Barbados corporation and, on the date
hereof, a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Company.
IDB DEBT: Funded Debt issued by municipal, state or Federal
authorities secured by Liens of the character permitted by SECTION 6.4(H) and
incurred for the benefit of the Company to finance the construction or
acquisition of industrial or pollution control facilities pursuant to Federal,
state or local law, the interest borne by which Funded Debt is, at the time of
incurrence thereof, at a rate per annum less than the rate per annum the Company
would at the time be required to pay in respect of funds borrowed by it from
capital market sources then available to it, with the same or comparable
security, in a comparable principal amount and with a comparable maturity.
INDEMNIFIED LIABILITIES: as defined in SECTION 15.11.
INDEMNITEES: as defined in SECTION 15.11.
INVESTMENT: as applied to any designated Person, any direct or
indirect purchase or other acquisition by such designated Person for cash or
other property of stock, debt or other securities of any other Person, or any
direct or indirect loan, advance, extension of credit or capital contribution by
such designated Person to any other Person or any Guaranty by such designated
Person with respect to the Debt of such other Person, including all Debt of and
accounts receivable from any such other Person which are not current assets or
did not arise from sales to such other Person in the ordinary course of
business. In computing the amount involved in any Investment, (i) undistributed
earnings of, and interest accrued in respect of Debt owing by, any such other
Person accrued after the date of such Investment shall not be included,
(ii) there shall not be deducted from the amounts invested in any such other
Person any amounts received as earnings (in the form of dividends, interest or
otherwise) on such Investment or as loans or advances from such other Person,
and (iii) unrealized increases or
-45-
<PAGE>
decreases in value, or write-ups, write-downs or write-offs, of Investments
in any such other Person shall be disregarded.
LICENSES: as defined in SECTION 7.15.
LIEN: as to any Person, any mortgage, lien (statutory or other),
pledge, assignment, hypothecation, adverse claim, charge, security interest or
other encumbrance in or on, or any interest or title of any vendor, lessor,
lender or other secured party to or of such Person under any conditional sale,
trust receipt or other title retention agreement or Capital Lease with respect
to, any property or asset of such Person, or the signing or filing of a
financing statement which names such Person as debtor, or the signing of any
security agreement authorizing any other party as the secured party thereunder
to file any financing statement which names such Person as debtor. For purposes
of this Agreement, a Person shall be deemed to be the owner of any property
which it has placed in trust for the benefit of holders of Debt of such Person
which Debt is deemed to be extinguished under GAAP but for which such Person
remains legally liable, and such trust shall be deemed to be a Lien.
LONG TERM LEASE: any lease of property (real, personal or mixed)
having an original term (including terms of renewal or extension at the option
of the lessor or the lessee, whether or not any such option has been exercised)
of more than one year, other than (a) a Capital Lease and (b) in the case of any
Subsidiary, any such lease under which the Company or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary
is the lessor.
LONG TERM LEASE RENTALS: as applied to the Company and its
Subsidiaries for any period, the total amount (whether designated as rentals or
additional or supplemental rentals or otherwise) payable as lessee under all
Long Term Leases during such period, including amounts so payable during such
period by reason of a lease termination or a surrender of property but excluding
amounts so payable on account of maintenance, ordinary repairs, insurance,
taxes, assessments and other similar charges.
MAKEWHOLE AMOUNT: applicable in respect of any prepayment of all or
any portion of the principal amount of any Note of any series pursuant to
SECTION 3.2 or the acceleration of the payment of the principal amount of any
Note of any series pursuant to SECTION 8.1 (such prepaid or accelerated
principal amount of any Note of any series being hereinafter referred to as the
"PREPAID PRINCIPAL"), the greater of (a) zero and (b) the excess of:
(i) the sum of the respective present values as of the date such
Makewhole Amount becomes due and payable of (A) each prepayment of
principal, if any, required to be made with respect to such Prepaid
Principal during the remaining term to maturity of the Notes of such
series, (B) the payment of principal balance required to be made at final
maturity with respect to such Prepaid Principal, and (C) each payment of
interest which would be required to be paid during the remaining term to
maturity of the Notes of such
-46-
<PAGE>
series with respect to such Prepaid Principal from time to time
outstanding, determined, in the case of each such required prepayment,
principal payment at final maturity and interest payment, by
discounting the amount thereof (on a semiannual basis) from the
date fixed therefor back to the date such Makewhole Amount becomes due and
payable at the Reference Rate (assuming for such purpose that all such
payments and prepayments of principal and payments of interest with respect
to such Prepaid Principal were made when due pursuant to the terms hereof
and of the Notes of such series, and that no other payment or prepayment
with respect to such Prepaid Principal was made),
OVER
(ii) the amount of such Prepaid Principal.
For purposes hereof, the "REFERENCE RATE" applicable in respect of any Note
shall mean a per annum rate equal to the sum of (x) 0.50% PLUS (y) the Treasury
Rate.
MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE; MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT; MATERIALLY ADVERSE:
in, on or to, as appropriate, any Person, a material adverse change in such
Person's Business or Condition, a material adverse effect on such Person's
Business or Condition or an event which is materially adverse to such Person's
Business or Condition; PROVIDED that, (a) any such term, when used without
reference to any particular Person, shall mean such change in or effect on or
event adverse to, as the case may be, the Company or the Company and its
Subsidiaries taken as a whole, and (b) any impairment of the ability of the
Company to pay the principal of, Makewhole Amount, if any, and interest on the
Notes in accordance with the terms thereof and hereof, or any impairment in a
material respect of the ability of the Company to perform its other obligations
under the Notes or this Agreement, shall in any case be deemed to have resulted
in a material adverse change in, to have a material adverse effect on, and to be
materially adverse to, the Company's Business or Condition.
MEMORANDUM: as defined in SECTION 7.4.
MOODY'S: as defined in SECTION 6.5.
MULTIEMPLOYER PLAN: a plan defined as such in Section 3(37) of ERISA
to which any Company Group Member is making or incurring an obligation to make,
or has made or incurred an obligation to make, contributions.
MULTIPLE EMPLOYER PLAN: a Plan subject to Title IV of ERISA to which
any Company Group Member, and at least one employer other than a Company Group
Member, is making or incurring an obligation to make contributions or has made
or incurred an obligation to make contributions.
NET WORTH MINIMUM: as of any Testing Date, the sum of
(a) $96,625,000, PLUS (b) an aggregate amount equal to 50% of Consolidated Net
Income
-47-
<PAGE>
for each fiscal quarter of the Company ended on or prior to such Testing
Date and for which Consolidated Net Income shall be positive, beginning with the
fiscal quarter of the Company ending September 29, 1996.
NOTE REGISTER: as defined in SECTION 10.1.
NOTES: as defined in SECTION 1.1.
OFFICERS' CERTIFICATE: a certificate executed on behalf of the
Company by two of its officers, one of whom shall be its Chairman of the Board
of Directors (if an officer) or its Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating
Officer or President or one of its Vice Presidents or its Secretary, and one of
whom shall be its Chief Financial Officer or Treasurer or an Assistant
Treasurer.
ORDER: any order, writ, injunction, decree, judgment, award,
determination, direction or demand.
OTHER AGREEMENTS: as defined in SECTION 1.2(B).
OTHER PURCHASERS: as defined in SECTION 1.2(B).
OUTSTANDING: when used with reference to the Notes as of a particular
time, all Notes theretofore issued as provided in this Agreement, except
(a) Notes theretofore reported as lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed, or
surrendered for transfer, exchange or replacement, in respect of which
replacement Notes have been issued, (b) Notes theretofore paid in full, and
(c) Notes theretofore cancelled by the Company or delivered to the Company for
cancellation; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, for the purpose of determining whether
holders of the requisite principal amount of the Notes have made or concurred in
any amendment, waiver, consent, approval, declaration, notice or other
communication under this Agreement, Notes owned by the Company, any Subsidiary
of the Company or any Affiliates thereof shall not be deemed to be outstanding.
PBGC: the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation established pursuant
to Subtitle A of Title IV of ERISA and any successor thereof.
PERSON: any individual, corporation, association, partnership, joint
venture, trust or estate, organization, business, government or agency or
political subdivision thereof, or any other entity.
PLACEMENT AGENT: as defined in SECTION 7.4.
PLAN: any employee pension benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(2)
of ERISA) maintained or contributed to at any time by any Company Group Member.
-48-
<PAGE>
PREPAID PRINCIPAL: as defined in the definition of the term
"Makewhole Amount."
PROJECTIONS: the forecasted financial information (A) for the
Company's fiscal years ending in 1996 through 1999 consisting of (i) the
forecasted consolidated statement of operations, balance sheet and statement of
cash flows, dated June 17, 1996, and the assumptions relating thereto, dated
June 17, 1996, (ii) the forecasted consolidated statement of operations, balance
sheet and statement of cash flows, dated June 25, 1996, and the assumptions
relating thereto, dated June 30, 1996, and (iii) the forecasted consolidated
statement of operations, balance sheet and statement of cash flows, dated June
27, 1996, and the assumptions relating thereto, dated June 27, 1996, and (B) for
the Company's fiscal years ending in 1997 through 1999 consisting of capital
spending breakouts, dated June 25, 1996, all of which forecasted financial
information is legended "Confidential Restricted Information: For use by TIAA
and Metropolitan Life Insur. Co. in discussions on the $50M Placement only" and
which was heretofore delivered to you and each of the Other Purchasers together
with a certificate of the Chief Financial Officer of the Company dated as of
July 26, 1996.
REFERENCE RATE: as defined in the definition of the term "Makewhole
Amount."
REPORTABLE EVENT: any of the events set forth in Section 4043(b) of
ERISA or the regulations thereunder.
RESPONSIBLE OFFICER: any officer of the Company who shall be
permitted to sign an Officers' Certificate (as provided in the definition of
that term set forth in this Section) and any other officer of the Company,
regardless of title, who shall either (a) at any time hereafter perform
substantially the same duties as are performed on the date hereof by any such
officer permitted to sign an Officers' Certificate or (b) be charged with
responsibility for monitoring or administering the Company's compliance with any
of the provisions of this Agreement.
RESTRICTED PAYMENT: any payment or distribution or the incurrence of
any liability to make any payment or distribution, in cash, property or other
assets (other than shares of common stock of the Company) upon or in respect of
any share of any class of capital stock of the Company or any warrants, rights
or options evidencing a right to purchase or acquire any securities of the
Company, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, payments
or distributions as dividends and payments or distributions for the purpose of
purchasing, acquiring, retiring or redeeming any such shares of stock (or any
warrants, rights or options to purchase or acquire any such securities) or the
making of any other distribution in respect of any such shares of stock (or any
warrants, rights or options evidencing a right to purchase or acquire any such
securities).
-49-
<PAGE>
SECURITIES ACT: the Securities Act of 1933, or any similar Federal
statute, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, all as the
same shall be in effect from time to time.
SERIES: as defined in SECTION 1.1.
SERIES A CLOSING DATE: as defined in SECTION 1.3.
SERIES A NOTES: as defined in SECTION 1.1.
SERIES B CLOSING DATE: as defined in SECTION 1.3.
SERIES B NOTES: as defined in SECTION 1.1.
S&P: as defined in SECTION 6.5.
SUBSIDIARY: with respect to any Person, any corporation more than 80%
of the Voting Stock of which is at the time owned by such Person and/or one or
more of its other Subsidiaries. Unless otherwise specified, any reference to a
Subsidiary is intended as a reference to a Subsidiary of the Company.
SUBSIDIARY SECURED DEBT: any Funded Debt of a Subsidiary secured by
Liens of the character permitted by SECTION 6.4(I) or Liens extending, renewing
or replacing Liens of that character permitted by SECTION 6.4(J).
TANGIBLE ASSETS: of any Person, as at any date of determination, the
aggregate book value which would, in accordance with GAAP, be shown on the books
of such Person of all assets of any character, but exclusive of good will,
patents, patent applications, trade marks, trade names, copyrights, franchises,
licenses, permits, organizational and experimental expense, unamortized debt
discount and expense, all other assets which under GAAP are deemed intangible,
and treasury stock, less the sum (without duplication) of (a) all depreciation,
depletion, obsolescence, amortization and other reserves set aside in connection
with the business conducted by such Person (other than general contingency
reserves not allocated to any particular purpose and reserves representing mere
appropriations of surplus), (b) the excess of the cost of shares acquired over
the book value of related assets, and (c) in the case of the Company or any
Subsidiary, the amount of any write-up in the book value of any asset resulting
from the revaluation thereof subsequent to the date of the most recent audited
financial statements referred to in SECTION 7.4.
TERMINATION EVENT: (a) with respect to any Plan, the occurrence of a
Reportable Event or an event described in Section 4062(e) of ERISA, or (b) the
withdrawal of any Company Group Member from a Multiple Employer Plan during a
plan year in which it was a substantial employer (as such term is defined in
Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA), or the termination of a Multiple Employer Plan, or
(c) the
-50-
<PAGE>
distribution of a notice of intent to terminate a Plan or Multiemployer Plan
pursuant to Section 4041(a)(2) or 4041A of ERISA or the treatment of a Plan
amendment as a termination under Section 4041 or 4041A of ERISA, or (d) the
institution of proceedings to terminate a Plan or Multiemployer Plan by the
PBGC under Section 4042 of ERISA, or (e) any other event or condition which
might constitute grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of,
or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Plan or Multiemployer Plan
or (f) the complete or partial withdrawal of any Company Group Member from a
Multiemployer Plan.
TESTING DATE: each of the following dates: (a) any Determination
Date; (b) any date on which the Company shall, directly or indirectly, declare,
order, pay, distribute, make or set apart any sum or property for any Restricted
Payment; (c) any date on which the Company or any Subsidiary shall issue, sell
or otherwise dispose or part with control of any shares of stock or any Debt or
any other securities (or warrants, rights or options to acquire stock or other
securities) of any Subsidiary (except to the Company or a Wholly Owned
Subsidiary) the assets of which, represented by the equity interest transferred,
shall have an aggregate fair market value or an aggregate book value greater
than or equal to $5,000,000; (d) any date on which the Company or any Subsidiary
shall take any action described in subdivision (a), (b), (c) or (d) of
SECTION 6.9 as a result of or after giving effect to which Consolidated Net
Worth shall be reduced by an amount greater than or equal to $5,000,000; and
(e) any date on which the Company or any Subsidiary shall take or suffer the
taking of any action, or on which any event shall occur, as a result of or after
giving effect to which Consolidated Net Worth shall be reduced by an amount
greater than or equal to $10,000,000.
THIS AGREEMENT: this Note Purchase Agreement (together with the
Schedules and Exhibits hereto), as from time to time amended, modified or
supplemented in accordance with its terms.
TOTAL CAPITALIZATION: as at any date of determination, the sum as of
such date of (a) Consolidated Net Worth, PLUS (b) Consolidated Funded Debt PLUS
(c) Consolidated Current Debt.
TREASURY RATE: for purposes of any determination of the Makewhole
Amount in respect of any principal amount of any Note of any series, the yield
to maturity for the actively traded marketable United States Treasury fixed
interest rate securities with a maturity equal to the remaining Weighted Average
Life to Maturity (rounded to the nearest month) of the Notes of such series as
of the date such Makewhole Amount becomes due and payable, as set forth on page
"USD" of the Bloomberg Financial Markets Service (or, if not available, any
other nationally recognized trading screen reporting on-line intraday trading in
United States Treasury fixed interest rate securities) at 9:00 A.M. (New York
City time) as of the third Business Day preceding the date such Makewhole Amount
becomes due and payable. In the event that no such nationally recognized
trading screen reporting on-line trading in United States Treasury fixed
interest rate securities is available, "Treasury Rate" shall mean the arithmetic
mean of the yields reported as weekly averages for the two most recently ended
weeks so
-51-
<PAGE>
reported under the heading "Week Ending" published in the Statistical Release
under the caption "Treasury Constant Maturities" for the maturity
corresponding to the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity (rounded to
the nearest month) of the Notes of such series as of the date such Makewhole
Amount becomes due and payable. For purposes of calculating the Treasury
Rate, the most recent Statistical Release published prior to the date of
determination of the Makewhole Amount shall be used. If no possible maturity
for United States Treasury fixed interest rate securities exactly corresponds
to such rounded Weighted Average Life to Maturity, yields for the two most
closely corresponding published maturities shall be calculated and the
Treasury Rate shall be interpolated from such yields on a straight-line
basis, rounding in each of such relevant periods to the nearest month. For
purposes hereof, "STATISTICAL RELEASE" shall mean the statistical release
designated "H.15(519)" (or any successor publication which is published
weekly by the Federal Reserve System and which establishes yields on actively
traded United States Treasury fixed interest rate securities adjusted to
constant maturities) or, if such statistical release is not published at the
time of any determination hereunder, then such other reasonably comparable
index which shall be designated by the holders of at least 66-2/3% in
aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding.
UNFUNDED CURRENT LIABILITY: of any Plan means the amount, if any, by
which the present value of the accrued benefits under such Plan (based on those
assumptions used to fund such Plan) as of the close of its most recent plan year
exceeds the then current value of the assets of such Plan allocable to such
benefits.
VOTING STOCK: capital stock of a corporation the holders of which are
ordinarily, in the absence of contingencies, entitled to elect a majority of the
corporate directors (or persons performing similar functions) of such
corporation.
WEIGHTED AVERAGE LIFE TO MATURITY: as applied to any indebtedness at
any date, the number of years (or portions of years) obtained by dividing
(a) the then outstanding principal amount of such indebtedness into (b) the
total of the products obtained by multiplying (i) the amount of each then
remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payment
of principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect thereof, by
(ii) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) which will
elapse between such date and the date on which such payment is to be made.
WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY: any Subsidiary of the Company all of the
outstanding shares of capital stock and other equity securities of any class or
classes of which, other than directors' qualifying shares, shall at the time be
owned by the Company either directly or through one or more Wholly Owned
Subsidiaries.
9.2. ACCOUNTING TERMS, ETC. Except as specifically provided herein,
all accounting terms used herein which are not expressly defined in this
Agreement have the meanings given to them in accordance with GAAP and all
computations made pursuant to this Agreement shall be made in accordance with
GAAP. All balance sheets
-52-
<PAGE>
and other financial statements delivered pursuant to SECTION 4 shall be
prepared in accordance with GAAP.
9.3. DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY. Where any provision of this Agreement
refers to actions to be taken by any Person, or which such Person is prohibited
from taking, such provision shall be applicable whether the action in question
is taken directly or indirectly by such Person.
10. REGISTRATION, TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE OF NOTES.
10.1. NOTE REGISTER. The Company will keep, at its office
maintained pursuant to SECTION 6.21, a register (the "NOTE REGISTER") in which,
at its expense, it will provide for the registration and registration of
transfer of the Notes.
10.2. TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE. Whenever any Note or Notes shall be
surrendered at the office of the Company referred to in SECTION 10.1 for
exchange or for registration of transfer, duly endorsed, or accompanied by a
written instrument of transfer duly executed by the registered holder of such
Note or such holder's attorney duly authorized in writing, the Company will, at
its expense, execute and deliver in exchange therefor a new Note or Notes, as
the case may be, of the same series as such surrendered Note or Notes, in
denominations of at least $1,000,000 (except that one Note may be issued in a
lesser principal amount if the unpaid principal amount of the surrendered Note
is not evenly divisible by, or is less than, $1,000,000), as may be requested by
such holder or the transferee, in the same aggregate unpaid principal amount as
the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Note or Notes so surrendered. Each
such new Note shall be made payable to and registered in the name of the Person
or Persons requested by such holder. Any Note issued in exchange for any other
Note or upon transfer thereof shall carry the rights to unpaid interest and
interest to accrue which were carried by the Note so exchanged or transferred,
and neither gain nor loss of interest shall result from any such transfer or
exchange.
10.3. OWNERS AND HOLDERS OF NOTES. The Company and any agent of
the Company may treat the Person in whose name any Note is registered as the
owner and holder of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of the
principal of and Makewhole Amount, if any, and interest on such Note and for all
other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Note shall be overdue.
11. LOST, ETC. NOTES. Upon receipt by the Company of evidence
reasonably satisfactory to it of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of
any Note, and (in case of loss, theft or destruction) of indemnity or security
in form reasonably satisfactory to it, or, if mutilated, upon surrender of such
Note for cancellation, the Company will, at its expense, issue and deliver in
lieu of such Note a new Note of the same series, of like tenor in a like unpaid
principal amount, dated so that there will be no loss of interest on such lost,
stolen, destroyed or mutilated Note. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions
of this Section, if any Note of which you are, or any other
-53-
<PAGE>
institutional holder (or your or any such other holder's nominee), is the
owner is lost, stolen or destroyed, then your or such other holder's (or your
or its nominee's) written statement by an authorized officer as to such loss,
theft or destruction shall be accepted as satisfactory evidence thereof, and
no indemnity or security shall be required as a condition to the execution
and delivery by the Company of a new Note in lieu of such Note (or as a
condition to the payment thereof, if due and payable) other than your or such
institutional holder's unsecured written agreement to indemnify the Company.
12. AMENDMENT AND WAIVER. (a) Any term, provision, covenant,
agreement or condition of this Agreement or of the Notes may, with the written
consent of the Company, be amended or modified, or compliance therewith may be
waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or
prospectively), by one or more substantially concurrent written instruments
signed by the holder or holders of not less than 66-2/3% in aggregate unpaid
principal amount of all Notes at the time outstanding; PROVIDED, that
(i) no such amendment, modification or waiver shall be effective
prior to the Series B Closing Date without your consent and the consent of
the Other Purchasers,
(ii) without the consent of the holders of all Notes at the time
outstanding, no such amendment, modification or waiver shall (A) change the
principal of, or change the rate of interest or change the time of payment
of principal, or Makewhole Amount, if any, or interest on any of the Notes,
(B) modify any of the provisions of this Agreement or of the Notes with
respect to the payment or prepayment thereof (including, without
limitation, amending or modifying the definition of the term "Makewhole
Amount", "Prepaid Principal", "Reference Rate", "Statistical Release" or
"Treasury Rate"), (C) change the percentage of holders of Notes required to
accelerate the Notes, or (D) modify any provision of this Section, and
(iii) no such amendment, modification or waiver shall extend to or
affect any obligation not expressly waived or impair any right consequent
thereon.
(b) Any amendment, modification or waiver pursuant to this Section
shall apply equally to all holders of the Notes and shall be binding upon them,
upon each future holder of any Note and upon the Company, in each case whether
or not a notation thereof shall have been placed on any Note. Promptly after
any amendment, modification or waiver pursuant to this Section has become
effective, the Company shall deliver to each holder of a Note a true and
complete copy of the written instruments pursuant to which such amendment,
modification or waiver was effected, signed by the holder or holders of the
requisite percentage of outstanding Notes and setting forth any such amendment
or modification or the terms of any such waiver.
(c) The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries
or Affiliates, directly or indirectly, to solicit, request or negotiate for or
with respect to
-54-
<PAGE>
any proposed amendment, modification or waiver of any of the provisions of
this Agreement or the Notes unless each holder of Notes (irrespective of the
amount of Notes then owned by it) shall be informed thereof by the Company
and shall be afforded the opportunity of considering the same and shall be
supplied by the Company with sufficient information to enable it to make an
informed decision with respect thereto. The Company will not, and will not
permit any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, directly or indirectly, to
offer or pay any remuneration, whether by way of supplemental or additional
interest, fee or otherwise, to any holder of Notes in order to obtain such
holder's consent to any amendment, modification or waiver of any term or
provision of this Agreement or the Notes unless such remuneration is
concurrently paid on the same terms proportionately to each holder of Notes
then outstanding regardless of whether or not such holder consents to such
amendment, modification or waiver.
13. DIRECT PAYMENT. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this
Agreement or the Notes, so long as you or any nominee designated by you shall be
the holder of any Note, the Company shall promptly and punctually pay all
amounts which become due and payable on such Note or hereunder to you at your
address and in the manner set forth in SCHEDULE I, or at such other place within
the United States of America and in such other manner as you may designate for
the purpose by notice to the Company, without presentation or surrender of such
Note or the making of any notation thereon, except that any Note paid or prepaid
in full shall, following such payment or prepayment, be surrendered to the
Company for cancellation, upon its written request therefor, at its office
maintained pursuant to SECTION 6.21 or at the place of payment specified in the
Notes. You agree that prior to the sale, transfer or other disposition of any
such Note, you will make a notation thereon of the portion of the principal
amount paid or prepaid and the date to which interest has been paid thereon, or
surrender the same in exchange for a Note or Notes of the same series
aggregating the same principal amount as the unpaid principal amount of the Note
so surrendered. The Company shall enter into an agreement similar to that
contained in the first sentence of this Section with any other institutional
holder of outstanding Notes (or nominee thereof) who shall make with the Company
an agreement similar to that contained in the second sentence of this Section.
14. LIABILITIES OF THE PURCHASER. Neither this Agreement nor any
disposition of any of the Notes shall be deemed to create any liability or
obligation on your part or that of any other holder of any Note to enforce any
provision hereof or of any of the Notes for the benefit or on behalf of any
other Person who may be the holder of any Note.
15. MISCELLANEOUS.
15.1. EXPENSES. Whether or not the transactions contemplated
hereby are consummated, the Company shall: (a) directly pay the fees and
disbursements of your special counsel for any services rendered in connection
with such transactions or in connection with any actual or proposed amendment,
waiver or consent requested by the Company pursuant to the provisions hereof,
including, without limitation, any
-55-
<PAGE>
amendments, waivers or consents, resulting from any work-out negotiation or
restructuring relating to the performance by the Company of its obligations
under this Agreement and the Notes (whether or not the same becomes
effective), and all other reasonable expenses in connection therewith
(including, without limitation, document production and reproduction expenses
and the cost of obtaining a private placement number from the CUSIP Service
Bureau); (b) reimburse you for your reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in
connection with such transactions and the exercise of your rights hereunder,
and each such actual or proposed amendment, waiver or consent requested by
the Company pursuant to the provisions hereof (whether or not the same
becomes effective), and any items of the character referred to in clause (a)
which shall have been paid by you, and pay the cost of transmitting Notes
(insured to your satisfaction) to you upon the issuance thereof; (c) pay, and
save you and each subsequent holder of any Note harmless from and against,
any and all liability and loss with respect to or resulting from the
nonpayment or delayed payment of any and all placement fees and other
liability to pay any agent or finder in connection with the sale of the Notes
to you; and (d) pay all documentary, stamp or similar taxes (including
interest and penalties) which may be payable in respect of the execution and
delivery or issuance (but not the transfer) of any of the Notes or of any
amendment of, or waiver or consent under or with respect to, this Agreement
or any of the Notes and save you and all subsequent holders of the Notes
harmless from and against any loss or liability resulting from nonpayment or
delay in payment of any such tax. The obligations of the Company under this
Section shall survive payment and transfer of any Notes.
15.2. RELIANCE ON AND SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS. All
agreements, covenants, representations and warranties of the Company herein or
of (or on behalf of) the Company in any certificates or other instruments
delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall (a) be deemed to be material and to
have been relied upon by you, notwithstanding any investigation heretofore or
hereafter made by you or on your behalf, and (b) survive the execution and
delivery of this Agreement and the delivery of the Notes to you and any
investigation made at any time by you or on your behalf or any disposition of
any of the Notes.
15.3. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. All covenants and agreements in
this Agreement by or on behalf of the respective parties hereto shall bind and
inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that you shall not be obligated to purchase Notes hereunder from any
Person other than the existing Hutchinson Technology Incorporated, a Minnesota
corporation. The provisions of this Agreement are intended to be for the
benefit of all holders from time to time of the Notes, and shall be enforceable
by any such holder, whether or not an express assignment to such holder of
rights under this Agreement has been made by you or your successor or assign.
15.4. NOTICES. Unless otherwise expressly provided in this
Agreement, all notices, opinions and other communications provided for herein
shall be in writing and delivered by hand or mailed, first class postage
prepaid, or sent by overnight courier, or by confirmed telefax transmission
(confirmed by hand-delivered, mailed or
-56-
<PAGE>
overnight courier copy) addressed (a) if to the Company, to the address set
forth at the head of this Agreement, marked for the attention of the Chief
Financial Officer, or at such other address as the Company may hereafter
designate by notice to each holder of any Note at the time outstanding, or
(b) if to you or any Other Purchaser, at your or such Other Purchaser's
address, as the case may be, as set forth in SCHEDULE I or at such other
address as you or such Other Purchaser may hereafter designate by notice to
the Company; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that a notice to you by overnight courier
shall only be effective if delivered to you at a street address designated
for such purpose in SCHEDULE I, and notice to you by facsimile communication
shall only be effective if by confirmed transmission to you at a telephone
number designated for such purpose in SCHEDULE I, or (c) if to any other
holder of any Note, at the address of such holder as it appears on the Note
Register.
15.5. LAW GOVERNING. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE NOTES AND ALL
AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS, MODIFICATIONS, WAIVERS AND CONSENTS RELATING HERETO OR
THERETO SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE
LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO CONTRACTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED
IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
15.6. SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. THE
COMPANY HEREBY CONSENTS TO THE JURISDICTION OF ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT
LOCATED WITHIN THE COUNTY OF NEW YORK, STATE OF NEW YORK, AND IRREVOCABLY AGREES
THAT ALL ACTIONS OR PROCEEDINGS RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE NOTES MAY BE
LITIGATED IN SUCH COURTS, AND THE COMPANY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION WHICH IT MAY HAVE
BASED ON IMPROPER VENUE OR FORUM NON CONVENIENS TO THE CONDUCT OF ANY PROCEEDING
IN ANY SUCH COURT AND WAIVES PERSONAL SERVICE OF ANY AND ALL PROCESS UPON IT,
AND CONSENTS THAT ALL SUCH SERVICE OF PROCESS BE MADE BY MAIL OR MESSENGER
DIRECTED TO IT AS PROVIDED IN SECTION 15.4 AND THAT SERVICE SO MADE SHALL BE
DEEMED TO BE COMPLETED UPON THE EARLIER OF ACTUAL RECEIPT OR FIVE BUSINESS DAYS
AFTER THE SAME SHALL HAVE BEEN MAILED TO THE COMPANY IN ACCORDANCE HEREWITH.
NOTHING CONTAINED IN THIS SECTION SHALL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY HOLDER OF NOTES
TO SERVE LEGAL PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR TO BRING ANY
ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION AGAINST THE COMPANY OR TO
ENFORCE A JUDGMENT OBTAINED IN THE COURTS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION. THE
COMPANY ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE TIME AND EXPENSE REQUIRED FOR TRIAL BY JURY EXCEED
THE TIME AND EXPENSE FOR A BENCH TRIAL AND HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE EXTENT
PERMITTED BY LAW, TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR
RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, THE NOTES OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
-57-
<PAGE>
15.7. HEADINGS, ETC. The section and other subdivision headings
in this Agreement and the table of contents hereto are for convenience of
reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning or
construction of any of the terms hereof.
15.8. SUBSTITUTION OF PURCHASER. You shall have the right to
substitute a subsidiary wholly owned by you as a purchaser of any or all of the
Notes to be purchased by you on any Closing Date by written notice delivered to
the Company, which notice shall be signed by you and such subsidiary and shall
contain such subsidiary's agreement to be bound by this Agreement; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that such agreement may contain a statement to the effect that such
subsidiary at all times has the right to sell the Notes being purchased by it to
you. The Company agrees that, upon the Company's receipt of such notice and
except to the extent otherwise specified therein, wherever the word "you" is
used in this Agreement (other than in this Section), such word shall be deemed
to refer to such subsidiary in lieu of you. If any subsidiary has been
substituted as a purchaser of any Notes and shall subsequently transfer such
Notes to you, then you will thereafter be entitled to all the rights and
benefits of the purchaser of such Notes under this Agreement.
15.9. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement embodies the entire
agreement and understanding between you and the Company and supersedes all prior
agreements and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof.
15.10. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but all of which together
shall constitute one instrument.
15.11. INDEMNIFICATION. In consideration of the execution and
delivery of this Agreement by you, the Company hereby agrees to indemnify,
defend and hold you and each holder from time to time of any Notes, and your and
their respective officers, directors and trustees, general and limited partners
(and directors, officers and trustees thereof), employees and agents (herein
called the "INDEMNITEES") free and harmless from and against any and all claims,
actions, causes of action, suits or other proceedings (whether or not such
Indemnitee is a party thereto), losses, liabilities and damages, and expenses in
connection therewith, including, without limitation, reasonable fees and
disbursements of counsel, consultants and experts (herein called the
"INDEMNIFIED LIABILITIES," which term shall not include, however, liabilities
incurred by an Indemnitee by reason of the gross negligence or willful
misconduct of such Indemnitee) incurred by the Indemnitees or any of them as a
result of, or arising out of, or relating to (a) any transaction financed or to
be financed in whole or in part directly or indirectly with proceeds from the
sale of any Note, or (b) the execution, delivery, performance or enforcement of
this Agreement or the Notes or any instrument contemplated hereby by any of the
Indemnitees, or (c) any failure of any representation or warranty set forth in
SECTION 7 to be true and correct when made or any failure by the Company to
comply with any of its covenants or agreements set forth in this Agreement. If
and to the extent that the foregoing undertaking may be unenforceable for any
reason, the Company hereby agrees to make the maximum contribution to the
payment of each
-58-
<PAGE>
of the Indemnified Liabilities which is permissible under applicable law.
The provisions of, and obligations of the Company under, this Section shall
survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the delivery, payment
or transfer of any Note, the enforcement of any provision hereof or thereof,
the consummation of the transactions to occur on any Closing Date, and any
amendments or waivers and shall be enforceable by each Indemnitee separately
or together without necessity of accelerating the maturity of any Notes; and
any such Indemnitee seeking to enforce the indemnification provided for
hereunder may initially proceed directly against the Company without first
resorting to any other rights of indemnification or otherwise that it may
have.
-59-
<PAGE>
If you are in agreement with the foregoing, please sign the form of
acceptance on the accompanying counterparts of this Agreement and return one of
the same to the Company, whereupon this Agreement shall become a binding
agreement between you and the Company.
Very truly yours,
HUTCHINSON TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
By /s/ John A. Ingleman
-------------------------------
Name: John A. Ingleman
Title: Chief Financial Officer
The foregoing Agreement is
hereby accepted and agreed to
as of the date hereof.
METROPOLITAN INSURANCE AND ANNUITY COMPANY
By /s/ James A. Wiviott
----------------------------
Name: James A. Wiviott
Title: AVP
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE I
INFORMATION CONCERNING PURCHASERS
Principal Amount
Name, Address and Payment and Series of Notes Applicable
Provisions of Purchaser to be Purchased Closing Date
- ------------------------- ------------------- -------------
METROPOLITAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY $10,000,000 Series A
Series A Notes Closing Date
(1) All payments to the above
Purchaser on any Note shall be
made by wire transfer of
immediately available funds
before 12:00 noon, Eastern time,
to the account of Metropolitan
Life Insurance Company Corporate
Investments,
Account No. 002-2-410591 at:
The Chase Manhattan Bank
(National Association)
ABA #021000021
Metropolitan Branch 33
East 23rd Street
New York, N.Y. 10010
For Account of: Metropolitan
Life Insurance Company
(2) Address for all other
communications:
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
Fixed Income Investments
334 Madison Avenue
Convent Station, N.J. 07936
Attention: Vice President
Telephone: (201) 254-3222
With a copy to:
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
One Lincoln Centre
Suite 800
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
Attention: Vice President
Facsimile: (708) 916-2575
<PAGE>
Principal Amount
Name, Address and Payment and Series of Notes Applicable
Provisions of Purchaser to be Purchased Closing Date
- ------------------------- ------------------- -------------
METROPOLITAN INSURANCE AND ANNUITY $15,000,000 Series A
COMPANY Series A Notes Closing Date
(1) All payments to the above
Purchaser on any Note shall be
made by wire transfer of
immediately available funds
before 12:00 noon, Eastern time,
to the account of Metropolitan
Insurance and Annuity Company
Corporate Investments,
Account No. 002-1-072301
The Chase Manhattan Bank
(National Association)
ABA #021000021
Metropolitan Branch 33
East 23rd Street
New York, N.Y. 10010
For Account of: Metropolitan
Insurance and Annuity Company
(2) Address for all other
communications:
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
Fixed Income Investments
334 Madison Avenue
Convent Station, N.J. 07936
Attention: Vice President
Telephone: (201) 254-3222
With a copy to:
Metropolitan Life Insurance
Company
One Lincoln Centre
Suite 800
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
Attention: Vice President
Facsimile: (708) 916-2575
-2-
<PAGE>
Principal Amount
Name, Address and Payment and Series of Notes Applicable
Provisions of Purchaser to be Purchased Closing Date
- ------------------------- ------------------- -------------
TEACHERS INSURANCE AND ANNUITY $25,000,000 Series B Closing
ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA Series B Notes Date
(1) All payments on account of the
Series B Notes shall be made in
immediately available funds at
the opening of business on the
due date by electronic funds
transfer (identifying each as
"HUTCHINSON TECHNOLOGY
INCORPORATED, private placement
number 448407 B@ 4, 8.07% Senior
Notes due 2006, principal,
premium or interest") through
the Automated Clearing House
System to:
Morgan Guaranty Trust Company
of New York
ABA No. 021-000-238
23 Wall Street
New York, New York 10015
Account of: Teachers Insurance
and Annuity Association of
America,
Account Number: 121-85-001,
On order of: HUTCHINSON
TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
(2) Contemporaneous with the above
electronic funds transfer,
advice setting forth (a) the
full name, private placement
number, interest rate and
maturity date of the Series B
Notes, (b) the allocation of
payment between principal,
interest, premium or any other
payment, and (c) the name and
address of the bank from which
payment was made, shall be
delivered, mailed or telefaxed
to:
-3-
<PAGE>
Principal Amount
Name, Address and Payment and Series of Notes Applicable
Provisions of Purchaser to be Purchased Closing Date
- ------------------------- ------------------- -------------
Teachers Insurance and Annuity
Association of America
730 Third Avenue
New York, New York 10017
Attention: Securities
Accounting Division
Phone: (212) 916-4188
Facsimile: (212) 916-6955
(3) All other communications shall
be delivered, mailed or
telefaxed to:
Teachers Insurance and Annuity
Association of America
730 Third Avenue
New York, New York 10017
Attention: Securities Division,
Private Placements
Phone: (212) 916-4395
(Marie A. Shmaruk) or
(212) 490-9000
(general number)
Facsimile: (212) 916-6583
-4-
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE II
INFORMATION CONCERNING SUBSIDIARIES AND QUALIFICATION
PART A
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
% of Capital Stock Other Jurisdictions Jurisdictions
Jurisdiction of Owned by Owner(s) in which Assets where
Name of Subsidiary Organization Company of Capital Stock Located Qualified
- ----------------- --------------- ------------------ ---------------- --------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Hutchinson Technology Minnesota 100%-Company N/A MN MN
Asia, Inc. ("MN") Singapore Singapore
HTI Export Ltd. Barbados 100%-Company N/A Barbados Barbados
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
PART B
Jurisdictions Jurisdictions
In Which Company Where Company
Assets Located Qualified
---------------- --------------
Minnesota, South Dakota, Wisconsin Minnesota, South Dakota,
Netherlands, Wisconsin, California
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE III
EXISTING DEBT OF THE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FUNDED
("F")
OR
CURRENT OUTSTANDING DESCRIPTION
("C") PRINCIPAL OF
DESCRIPTION OBLIGEE OBLIGOR GUARANTOR DEBT AMOUNT COLLATERAL
----------- ------- ------- --------- ----- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1). Notes Purchase Northwestern Hutchinson N/A F $120,000.06 Unsecured
Agreement for National Life Technology
$2,000,000 Incorporated
2). Notes Purchase Northwestern Hutchinson N/A F 1,237,500.00 Unsecured
Agreement for National Life Technology
$3,750,000 Incorporated
3). Notes Purchase Northern Life Hutchinson N/A F 135,000.05 Unsecured
Agreement for Insurance Co. Technology
$2,250,000 Incorporated
4). Notes Purchase Northern Life Hutchinson N/A F 1,072,500.00 Unsecured
Agreement for Insurance Co. Technology
$3,250,000 Incorporated
5). Notes Purchase North Atlantic Life Hutchinson N/A F 60,000.03 Unsecured
Agreement for Insurance Company Technology
$1,000,000 (now held by J. Incorporated
Romeo & Co.)
6). Notes Purchase North Atlantic Life Hutchinson N/A F 660,000.00 Unsecured
Agreement for Insurance Company Technology
$2,000,000 Incorporated
7). Notes Purchase Ministers Life (now Hutchinson N/A F 45,000.04 Unsecured
Agreement for held by VAR & CO.) Technology
$750,000 Incorporated
8). Notes Purchase FB Annuity Co. Hutchinson N/A F 29,999.98 Unsecured
Agreement for Technology
$500,000 Incorporated
9). Notes Purchase Farm Bureau Life Hutchinson N/A F 29,999.98 Unsecured
Agreement for Insurance Co. Technology
$500,000 Incorporated
10). Notes Purchase American Investors Hutchinson N/A F 330,000.00 Unsecured
Agreement for Life Insurance Co. Technology
$1,000,000 (Now held by Incorporated
Northwestern National
Life)
<PAGE>
FUNDED
("F")
OR
CURRENT OUTSTANDING DESCRIPTION
("C") PRINCIPAL OF
DESCRIPTION OBLIGEE OBLIGOR GUARANTOR DEBT AMOUNT COLLATERAL
----------- ------- ------- --------- ----- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
11). Revenue Bonds City of Hutchinson, Hutchinson N/A F 1,600,000.00 Unsecured
for $2,000,000 MN Variable Rate Technology
Demand Industrial Incorporated
Development Revenue
Refunding Bonds; The
First National Bank
of Chicago under the
Credit Agreement
(item 16, below)
12). Major Economic Wisconsin Department Hutchinson N/A F 500,000.00(1) Secured by one
Development of Development Technology Clean Line and
Fund Agreement Incorporated one Dual Line
for $1,000,000 Continuous Feed
Forming Press
and by amounts
owing to
Company from
Obligee
13). Note Purchase Teachers Insurance Hutchinson N/A F 20,000,000.00 Unsecured
Agreement for and Annuity Technology
$20,000,000 Association of Incorporated
America
14). Note Purchase Central Life Hutchinson N/A F 5,000,000.00 Unsecured
Agreement for Assurance Company Technology
$5,000,000 (now held by Salked Incorporated
& Co.)
15). Note Purchase Modern Woodmen of Hutchinson N/A F 5,000,000.00 Unsecured
Agreement for America Technology
$5,000,000 Incorporated
16). Credit Agreement The First National Hutchinson N/A F 0.00 Unsecured
for $25,000,000 Bank of Chicago Technology
Incorporated
--------------
TOTAL $35,820,000.14
</TABLE>
- ------------------------------
(1) This loan provides a covenant for forgiveness of principal in an amount
equal to $500 per full-time position created and maintained by a Wisconsin
resident until December 31, 1999, after four hundred full time positions have
been created. The Company expects to achieve the maximum amount of
forgiveness allowable ($500,000) and has therefore recorded such amount as a
deferred credit at this time.
-2-
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE IV
EXISTING LEASES OF THE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Expiration
of term
(assuming
exercise of
Commencement optional Property Annual
Lessor Lessee Guarantor of Term renewals) Leased Rental
- ------ ------ --------- ------------ ------------ --------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE V
EXISTING INVESTMENTS OF THE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NONE
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT A-1
TO
NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT
FORM OF SERIES A NOTE
HUTCHINSON TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
7.85% Senior Note due 2003
No. R- [Date]
$ New York, New York
Private Placement No.: 448407 B* 6
HUTCHINSON TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED, a corporation organized under the
laws of the State of Minnesota (herein, together with its successors and
assigns, the "COMPANY"), for value received, hereby promises to pay to
______________________________, or registered assigns, the principal amount of
_____________ DOLLARS ($__________) (or so much thereof as shall not have been
prepaid) on July 26, 2003, with interest (computed on the basis of a 360-day
year of twelve 30-day months) on the unpaid balance of such principal amount at
the rate of 7.85% per annum from the date hereof, payable semiannually in
arrears on January 26 and July 26 of each year, commencing January 26, 1997,
until such unpaid balance shall become due and payable (whether at final
maturity, at a date fixed for prepayment or by declaration, acceleration or
otherwise), and with interest on any overdue principal (including any overdue
required or optional prepayment of principal) and any overdue Makewhole Amount
(as that term is defined in the Note Purchase Agreements referred to below), if
any, and (to the extent permitted by applicable law) any overdue interest at the
rate of 9.85% per annum until paid, such overdue interest, if any, to be payable
semiannually as aforesaid or, at the option of the registered holder hereof, on
demand. Payments of principal, Makewhole Amount, if any, and interest on this
Note shall be made in lawful money of the United States of America at the
principal office in New York, New York of Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New
York, or at such other place as may be provided pursuant to the Note Purchase
Agreements referred to below or, in certain circumstances, to the holder of this
Note as provided in Section 13 of said Note Purchase Agreements. If any payment
or prepayment of principal, Makewhole Amount, if any, or interest on or with
respect to this Note becomes due and payable on any day that is not a Business
Day, the amount of such payment shall be payable on the next succeeding Business
Day and with respect to any such payment of principal, interest shall continue
to accrue during any such extension period at the applicable rate of interest in
effect immediately prior to such extension. "BUSINESS DAY" means any day other
than a Saturday, Sunday or any other day on which commercial banks are required
or authorized by law or regulation to be closed in New York, New York, Chicago,
Illinois or Minneapolis, Minnesota.
This Note is one of the duly authorized 7.85% Senior Notes due 2003 of
the Company (the "SERIES A NOTES") which, together with the 8.07% Senior Notes
due 2006 of
<PAGE>
the Company (collectively, together with the Series A Notes, the "NOTES"),
are originally issuable in the aggregate principal amount of $50,000,000
pursuant to three separate Note Purchase Agreements, each dated as of July
26, 1996, between the Company and Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association
of America, Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, and Metropolitan Insurance
and Annuity Company, respectively. The holder of this Note is entitled to
the rights and benefits of said Note Purchase Agreements and may on the terms
therein set forth enforce the agreements of the Company contained therein and
exercise the remedies provided for thereby or otherwise available in respect
thereof. Reference is hereby made to said Note Purchase Agreements for a
statement of such rights and benefits.
As provided in said Note Purchase Agreements, this Note is subject to
required and optional prepayments, in whole and in part, in certain cases with a
Makewhole Amount, all as specified in said Note Purchase Agreements.
Upon surrender of this Note for registration of transfer, duly
endorsed, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer duly executed, by
the registered holder hereof or such holder's attorney duly authorized in
writing, a new Series A Note or Series A Notes aggregating a like outstanding
principal amount will be issued to and registered in the name of the transferee.
The Company and any agent of the Company may treat the person in whose name this
Note is registered as the holder and owner hereof for the purpose of receiving
payments and for all other purposes.
In case an Event of Default (as defined in said Note Purchase
Agreements) shall occur and be continuing, the principal of this Note, together
with interest and Makewhole Amount, in certain circumstances shall become due
and payable and in other circumstances may be declared and become due and
payable in the manner and with the effect provided in said Note Purchase
Agreements.
THIS NOTE IS MADE AND DELIVERED IN NEW YORK, NEW YORK, AND SHALL BE
GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE
STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO CONTRACTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED IN THE STATE
OF NEW YORK.
HUTCHINSON TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
By_________________________________________
Name:
Title:
-2-
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT A-2
TO
NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT
FORM OF SERIES B NOTE
HUTCHINSON TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
8.07% Senior Note due 2006
No. R- [Date]
$ New York, New York
Private Placement No.: 448407 B@ 4
HUTCHINSON TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED, a corporation organized under the
laws of the State of Minnesota (herein, together with its successors and
assigns, the "COMPANY"), for value received, hereby promises to pay to
______________________________, or registered assigns, the principal amount of
_____________ DOLLARS ($__________) (or so much thereof as shall not have been
prepaid) on November 26, 2006, with interest (computed on the basis of a 360-day
year of twelve 30-day months) on the unpaid balance of such principal amount at
the rate of 8.07% per annum from the date hereof, payable semiannually in
arrears on May 26 and November 26 of each year, commencing May 26, 1997, until
such unpaid balance shall become due and payable (whether at final maturity, at
a date fixed for prepayment or by declaration, acceleration or otherwise), and
with interest on any overdue principal (including any overdue required or
optional prepayment of principal) and any overdue Makewhole Amount (as that term
is defined in the Note Purchase Agreements referred to below), if any, and (to
the extent permitted by applicable law) any overdue interest at the rate of
10.07% per annum until paid, such overdue interest, if any, to be payable
semiannually as aforesaid or, at the option of the registered holder hereof, on
demand. Payments of principal, Makewhole Amount, if any, and interest on this
Note shall be made in lawful money of the United States of America at the
principal office in New York, New York of Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New
York, or at such other place as may be provided pursuant to the Note Purchase
Agreements referred to below or, in certain circumstances, to the holder of this
Note as provided in Section 13 of said Note Purchase Agreements. If any payment
or prepayment of principal, Makewhole Amount, if any, or interest on or with
respect to this Note becomes due and payable on any day that is not a Business
Day, the amount of such payment shall be payable on the next succeeding Business
Day and with respect to any such payment of principal, interest shall continue
to accrue during any such extension period at the applicable rate of interest in
effect immediately prior to such extension. "BUSINESS DAY" means any day other
than a Saturday, Sunday or any other day on which commercial banks are required
or authorized by law or regulation to be closed in New York, New York, Chicago,
Illinois or Minneapolis, Minnesota.
This Note is one of the duly authorized 8.07% Senior Notes due 2006 of
the Company (the "SERIES B NOTES") which, together with the 7.85% Senior Notes
due 2003 of
<PAGE>
the Company (collectively, together with the Series B Notes, the "NOTES"),
are originally issuable in the aggregate principal amount of $50,000,000
pursuant to three separate Note Purchase Agreements, each dated as of July
26, 1996, between the Company and Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association
of America, Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, and Metropolitan Insurance
and Annuity Company, respectively. The holder of this Note is entitled to
the rights and benefits of said Note Purchase Agreements and may on the terms
therein set forth enforce the agreements of the Company contained therein and
exercise the remedies provided for thereby or otherwise available in respect
thereof. Reference is hereby made to said Note Purchase Agreements for a
statement of such rights and benefits.
As provided in said Note Purchase Agreements, this Note is subject to
required and optional prepayments, in whole and in part, in certain cases with a
Makewhole Amount, all as specified in said Note Purchase Agreements.
Upon surrender of this Note for registration of transfer, duly
endorsed, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer duly executed, by
the registered holder hereof or such holder's attorney duly authorized in
writing, a new Series B Note or Series B Notes aggregating a like outstanding
principal amount will be issued to and registered in the name of the transferee.
The Company and any agent of the Company may treat the person in whose name this
Note is registered as the holder and owner hereof for the purpose of receiving
payments and for all other purposes.
In case an Event of Default (as defined in said Note Purchase
Agreements) shall occur and be continuing, the principal of this Note, together
with interest and Makewhole Amount, in certain circumstances shall become due
and payable and in other circumstances may be declared and become due and
payable in the manner and with the effect provided in said Note Purchase
Agreements.
THIS NOTE IS MADE AND DELIVERED IN NEW YORK, NEW YORK, AND SHALL BE
GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE
STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO CONTRACTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED IN THE STATE
OF NEW YORK.
HUTCHINSON TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
By______________________________________
Name:
Title:
-2-
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT B
to
Note Purchase Agreement
FORM OF OPINION OF COMPANY'S COUNSEL
[Letterhead of Faegre & Benson]
[Applicable Closing Date]
To Each Note Purchaser Listed
on the Attached Schedule
Re: Hutchinson Technology Incorporated --
$25,000,000 7.85% Senior Notes due 2003
$25,000,000 8.07% Senior Notes due 2006
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as special counsel to Hutchinson Technology
Incorporated, a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Minnesota
(the "COMPANY"), in connection with (a) the execution and delivery of the three
separate Note Purchase Agreements, each dated as of July 26, 1996 (the "NOTE
AGREEMENTS"), between the Company and each of Metropolitan Life Insurance
Company and Metropolitan Insurance and Annuity Company (each, a "Series A
Purchaser) and Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America (the
"SERIES B PURCHASER"), respectively, providing for the issuance by the Company
and the purchase by the Series A Purchasers of the Company's 7.85% Senior Notes
due 2003 (the "SERIES A NOTES") and the issuance by the Company and the purchase
by the Series B Purchaser of the Company's 8.07% Senior Notes due 2006 (the
"SERIES B NOTES"), and (b) [the sale by the Company and the purchase by each
Series A Purchaser today of the principal amount of Series A Notes set forth
opposite its name on Schedule I to the Note Agreements] [the sale by the Company
and the purchase by the Series B Purchaser today of Series B Notes in the
aggregate principal amount of $25,000,000]. This opinion is delivered to you
pursuant to Section 2.2(a) of the Note Agreements. Certain capitalized terms
used and not otherwise defined herein have the respective meanings attributed
thereto in the Note Agreements.
In so acting, we have participated in the preparation of and are
familiar with the Note Agreements and the Series [A] [B] Notes being purchased
by and delivered to the Series [A] [B] Purchaser[s] today (the "NOTES"). In
addition, we have examined such records, documents, and other instruments and
such certificates of public officials and of officers of the Company, and have
made such investigations of law, as in our
<PAGE>
judgment are necessary or appropriate to enable us to render the opinions
expressed below. As to certain questions of fact material to the opinions
expressed below that have not been independently established by us we have
relied upon such certificates of public officials and officers of the
Company, copies of which have been delivered to you on or prior to the date
hereof, and upon the representations and warranties contained in and made
pursuant to the Note Agreements.
We have assumed the genuineness of all signatures (other than the
signature of the Company) on all documents examined by us, the authenticity of
all documents submitted to us as originals (other than the Note Agreements and
the Notes), the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to
us as photostatic or certified copies, and the authenticity of the originals of
such latter documents.
Based on the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:
1. The Company is a corporation duly organized, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Minnesota and
has all requisite power and authority to own or hold under lease the
property it purports to own or hold under lease, to carry on its business
as now conducted and as proposed to be conducted, to enter into the Note
Agreements, to issue and sell the Series A Notes and the Series B Notes,
and to perform its obligations under, and to consummate the transactions
contemplated by the Note Agreements and the Series A Notes and the Series B
Notes. The Company is duly qualified or licensed and in good standing as a
foreign corporation duly authorized to do business in each jurisdiction
(other than the jurisdiction of its incorporation) in which the nature of
its activities or the character of the properties owned or leased by it
makes such qualification or licensing necessary.
2. Each Subsidiary of the Company is a corporation duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
jurisdiction of its incorporation and has all requisite power and authority
to own or hold under lease the property it purports to own or hold under
lease and to carry on its business as now conducted and as proposed to be
conducted. The Company owns, beneficially and of record, all the
outstanding capital stock of each of its Subsidiaries, in each case free of
any Lien and not subject to any warrant or option, and all such capital
stock has been duly authorized and validly issued and is fully paid and
non-assessable. Each Subsidiary of the Company is duly qualified or
licensed and in good standing as a foreign corporation duly authorized to
do business in each jurisdiction (other than the jurisdiction of its
incorporation) in which the nature of its activities or the character of
the properties owned or leased by it makes such qualification or licensing
necessary.
3. The execution and delivery by the Company of the Note
Agreements and the Series A Notes and the Series B Notes, the performance
by the Company of its obligations thereunder and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated thereby (including the issuance and sale of the
Series A
-2-
<PAGE>
Notes and the Series B Notes) have been duly authorized by all
necessary corporate action on the part of the Company (no action of its
shareholders being required therefor).
4. The Note Agreements and the Notes have been duly executed
and delivered by duly authorized officers of the Company and constitute the
legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against
the Company in accordance with their respective terms, except as such
enforceability may be limited by (a) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium or similar laws from time to time in effect
affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally and (b) general
equitable principles, regardless of whether such enforceability is
considered in a proceeding in equity or at law. The Notes are entitled to
the benefits of the Note Agreements.
5. To the best of our knowledge there are no actions, suits,
proceedings or investigations pending or threatened against the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties in any court
or before any arbitrator of any kind or before or by any Governmental Body
except actions, suits or proceedings of the character normally incident to
the kind of business conducted by the Company and its Subsidiaries which
(a) do not question the validity or enforceability of the Note Agreements
or the Notes or any action taken or to be taken pursuant thereto or
contemplated thereby and (b) in the aggregate, if adversely determined,
would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
6. Neither the execution and delivery by the Company of the
Note Agreements and the Notes nor the performance of the terms and
provisions thereof nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated
thereby will result in any breach of or be in conflict with or constitute a
default (or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both would
become a default) under, or give to others any right of termination,
amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, or result in a loss of any
benefit to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is entitled under,
or result in (or require) the creation of any Lien in respect of any
property of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under, the charter or
by-laws of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any agreement,
indenture, mortgage, instrument or License to which the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties may be bound or
affected, or any existing statute, law, rule, regulation or ordinance, or
any Order known to us of any court, arbitrator or Governmental Body
applicable to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their
respective properties.
7. No Order, consent, approval or authorization of, or
registration, filing or declaration with, or the taking of any other action
in respect of, any Governmental Body or any other Person is required
(a) for or in connection with the valid execution and delivery by the
Company of or the performance by the Company of its obligations under the
Note Agreements or the
-3-
<PAGE>
Notes or the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated
thereby, including the offer, issuance, sale and delivery by the Company
of the Notes, or (b) as a condition to the legality, validity or
enforceability as against the Company of the Note Agreements or the Notes.
8. It is not necessary, in connection with the offer, issuance,
sale and delivery of the Notes under the circumstances contemplated by the
Note Agreements, to register the Notes under the Securities Act or to
qualify an indenture in respect of the Notes under the Trust Indenture Act
of 1939, as amended.
9. Neither the issuance, sale and purchase of the Notes nor the
application of the proceeds of the Notes, in each case under the
circumstances contemplated by the Note Agreements, nor the execution and
delivery of the Note Agreements and the Notes, involve any violation of
Regulation G (12 CFR 207), T (12 CFR 220), U (12 CFR 221) or X (12 CFR 224)
of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or any other
regulation of said Board, or Section 7 of the Exchange Act.
10. The Company is not an "investment company" or a Person
directly or indirectly "controlled" by or acting on behalf of an
"investment company" within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended. The Company is not 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", as such terms are
defined in the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended. The
Company is not a "public utility" a such term is defined in the Federal
Power Act, as amended. The Company is not subject to regulation under any
Federal or state law, statute, rule, regulation or ordinance which limits
its ability to incur Debt.
Coudert Brothers, your special counsel in connection with the
transactions contemplated by the Note Agreements, may rely on this opinion for
purposes of rendering their opinion to you required by Section 2.2(b) of the
Note Agreements.
Very truly yours,
-4-
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE OF ADDRESSEES
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
334 Madison Avenue
Convent Station, New Jersey 07936
ATTENTION: Vice President
Metropolitan Insurance and Annuity Company
334 Madison Avenue
Convent Station, New Jersey 07936
ATTENTION: Vice President
Teachers Insurance and Annuity
Association of America
730 Third Avenue
New York, New York 10017
ATTENTION: Securities Division, Private Placements
<PAGE>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HUTCHINSON TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
______________________________
NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT
Dated as of July 26, 1996
______________________________
$25,000,000 7.85% Senior Notes due 2003
$25,000,000 8.07% Senior Notes due 2006
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section Page
- ------- ----
1. THE NOTES; THE CLOSINGS; ETC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1.1. Authorization and Description of Notes. . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1.2. Sale and Purchase of Notes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1.3. Closings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.4. Application of Proceeds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.5. Purchase for Investment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.6. Source of Funds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2. CONDITIONS TO CLOSING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2.1. Proceedings Satisfactory. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2.2. Opinions of Counsel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.3. Representations and Warranties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.4. Performance; No Default . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.5. Compliance Certificate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.6. Legal Investment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.7. Absence of Certain Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.8. Consents and Approvals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.9. Fees Payable at Closing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.10. Private Placement Number. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.11. Related Transactions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
3. PAYMENT AND PREPAYMENT OF NOTES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
3.1. Required Annual Prepayments and Payments at Maturity. . . . . . 7
3.2. Optional Prepayments with Makewhole Amount. . . . . . . . . . . 7
3.3. Notice of Optional Prepayments; Calculation of Makewhole
Amount. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3.4. Allocation of Partial Prepayments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3.5. Maturity; Surrender, etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3.6. Limitation on Prepayment and Acquisition of Notes . . . . . . . 8
3.7. Payments Due on Other than a Business Day . . . . . . . . . . . 8
4. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS; INFORMATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
5. INSPECTION OF PROPERTIES AND BOOKS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
6. COVENANTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
6.1. Payment of Notes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
6.2. Maintenance of Certain Financial Conditions . . . . . . . . . . 13
6.3. Debt; Maximum Funded Debt and Current Debt. . . . . . . . . . . 13
6.4. Liens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
6.5. Investments, etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
6.6. Restricted Payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
6.7. Transactions with Affiliates; Remuneration. . . . . . . . . . . 20
-i-
<PAGE>
Section Page
- ------- ----
6.8. Subsidiary Stock and Debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
6.9. Consolidation, Merger, Sale of Assets, etc. . . . . . . . . . . 21
6.10. Restrictions on Long Term Leases. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
6.11. Subordination of Claims . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
6.12. Guaranties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
6.13. Nature of Business. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
6.14. Books and Records; Fiscal Year. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
6.15. Corporate Existence; Licenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
6.16. Payment of Taxes, Claims for Labor and Materials, etc.. . . . . 24
6.17. Maintenance of Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
6.18. Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
6.19. Compliance with Laws. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
6.20. Environmental Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
6.21. Maintenance of Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
7. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
7.1. Organization and Authority of the Company, etc. . . . . . . . . 26
7.2. Subsidiaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
7.3. Qualification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
7.4. Business and Property; Financial Statements, etc. . . . . . . . 27
7.5. Changes, etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
7.6. Compliance with Laws, Other Instruments, etc. . . . . . . . . . 28
7.7. Consents and Approvals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
7.8. Debt, etc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
7.9. Title to Property; Leases; Investments. . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
7.10. Litigation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
7.11. Taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
7.12. Compliance with ERISA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
7.13. Private Offering. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
7.14. Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
7.15. Licenses, Patents, Trademarks, Authorizations, etc. . . . . . . 32
7.16. Status Under Certain Statutes; Other Regulations. . . . . . . . 32
7.17. Labor Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
7.18. Full Disclosure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
7.19. Environmental Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
8. EVENTS OF DEFAULT; REMEDIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
8.1. Events of Default Defined; Acceleration of Maturity . . . . . . 34
8.2. Default Remedies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
8.3. Remedies Cumulative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
8.4. Remedies Not Waived . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
9. DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
9.1. Defined Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
-ii-
<PAGE>
Section Page
- ------- ----
9.2. Accounting Terms, etc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
9.3. Directly or Indirectly. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
10. REGISTRATION, TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE OF NOTES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
10.1. Note Register . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
10.2. Transfer and Exchange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
10.3. Owners and Holders of Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
11. LOST, ETC. NOTES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
12. AMENDMENT AND WAIVER. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
13. DIRECT PAYMENT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
14. LIABILITIES OF THE PURCHASER. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
15. MISCELLANEOUS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
15.1. Expenses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
15.2. Reliance on and Survival of Representations . . . . . . . . . . 56
15.3. Successors and Assigns. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
15.4. Notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
15.5. LAW GOVERNING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
15.6. SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. . . . . . . . 57
15.7. Headings, etc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
15.8. Substitution of Purchaser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
15.9. Entire Agreement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
15.10. Counterparts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
15.11. Indemnification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
SIGNATURE PAGE
SCHEDULE I Information Concerning Purchasers
SCHEDULE II Information Concerning Subsidiaries and Qualification
SCHEDULE III Existing Debt of the Company and Subsidiaries
SCHEDULE IV Existing Leases of the Company and Subsidiaries
SCHEDULE V Existing Investments of the Company and Subsidiaries
EXHIBIT A-1 Form of Series A Note
-iii-
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT A-2 Form of Series B Note
EXHIBIT B Form of Opinion of Company's Counsel
-iv-
<PAGE>
HUTCHINSON TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
40 West Highland Park
Hutchinson, Minnesota 55350
Re: $25,000,000 7.85% Senior Notes due 2003
$25,000,000 8.07% Senior Notes due 2006
as of July 26, 1996
To the Institutional Investor Identified
on the Signature Page of this Agreement
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The undersigned, HUTCHINSON TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED, a corporation
organized under the laws of the State of Minnesota (the "COMPANY"), hereby
agrees with you as follows:
1. THE NOTES; THE CLOSINGS; ETC.
1.1. AUTHORIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF NOTES. The Company has duly
authorized the issuance and sale of
(a) $25,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of its 7.85% Senior
Notes due 2003 (the "SERIES A NOTES", such term to include any such
notes delivered in accordance with the terms hereof and of the Other
Agreements referred to below in substitution, replacement or exchange
for any such notes previously issued hereunder or thereunder), each of
which shall (i) bear interest from the date thereof on the unpaid
principal amount thereof at the rate of 7.85% per annum (computed on the
basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months), payable semiannually
in arrears on January 26 and July 26 of each year, commencing on January
26, 1997, and with interest on any overdue principal (including any
overdue required or optional prepayment of principal) and Makewhole
Amount, if any, and (to the extent permitted by applicable law) any
overdue interest, at the rate of 9.85% per annum until paid, such
overdue interest, if any, to be payable semiannually as aforesaid or, at
the option of the registered holder of such Note, on demand, (ii) be
subject to required prepayment in the amounts and on the dates specified
in SECTION 3.1(A), (iii) mature and be payable as to the entire
remaining unpaid principal amount thereof on July 26, 2003, and (iv) be
in substantially the form of EXHIBIT A-1; and
(b) $25,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of its 8.07% Senior
Notes due 2006 (the "SERIES B NOTES", such term to include any such notes
<PAGE>
delivered in accordance with the terms hereof and of said Other
Agreements in substitution, replacement or exchange for any such notes
previously issued hereunder or thereunder), each of which shall (i) bear
interest from the date thereof on the unpaid principal amount thereof at
the rate of 8.07% per annum (computed on the basis of a 360-day year of
twelve 30-day months), payable semiannually in arrears on May 26 and
November 26 of each year, commencing on May 26, 1997, and with interest
on any overdue principal (including any overdue required or optional
prepayment of principal) and Makewhole Amount, if any, and (to the
extent permitted by applicable law) any overdue interest, at the rate of
10.07% per annum until paid, such overdue interest, if any, to be
payable semiannually as aforesaid or, at the option of the registered
holder of such Note, on demand, (ii) be subject to required prepayment
in the amounts and on the dates specified in SECTION 3.1(B), (iii)
mature and be payable as to the entire remaining unpaid principal amount
thereof on November 26, 2006 and (iv) be in substantially the form of
EXHIBIT A-2.
The Series A Notes and the Series B Notes are sometimes referred to herein
collectively as the "NOTES" and separately as a "SERIES" of Notes. Except as
the context may otherwise require, terms used and not otherwise defined
herein shall have the respective meanings attributed thereto in SECTION 9.
Unless otherwise specified, any reference in this Agreement to a particular
section or other subdivision, or to a particular schedule or exhibit, shall
be considered a reference to that section or other subdivision of, or to that
schedule or exhibit to, this Agreement.
1.2. SALE AND PURCHASE OF NOTES. (a) The Company will issue and
sell to you and, subject to the terms and conditions hereof and in reliance
on the representations and warranties of the Company contained herein and the
representations and warranties otherwise made by or on behalf of the Company
in writing in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, you will
purchase from the Company, at one of the Closings provided for in SECTION
1.3, as specified in SCHEDULE I, Notes of the series and in the aggregate
principal amount shown opposite your name on SCHEDULE I at the purchase price
of 100% of such principal amount.
(b) The Company represents and warrants that contemporaneously
herewith it is entering into separate Note Purchase Agreements (the "OTHER
AGREEMENTS") identical with this Agreement (except for the name and signature
of the purchaser at the end thereof) with each of the other institutional
purchasers (the "OTHER PURCHASERS") named in SCHEDULE I, providing for the
issuance and sale to each of the Other Purchasers at one of such Closings, as
specified in SCHEDULE I, of Notes of the series and in the aggregate
principal amount shown opposite its name on said SCHEDULE I at the purchase
price of 100% of such principal amount. This Agreement and the Other
Agreements are to be separate agreements and the purchase of Notes by you and
each of the Other Purchasers are to be separate and several purchases. This
Agreement and the Other Agreements are herein sometimes collectively referred
to as the "AGREEMENTS".
-2-
<PAGE>
1.3. CLOSINGS. The sale and purchase of the Notes to be purchased
by you and the Other Purchasers shall take place on two dates (each herein
called a "CLOSING DATE", and the closing held hereunder on each such date
herein called a "CLOSING"), namely (a) July 26, 1996, or such subsequent
Business Day not later than July 31, 1996 as you, the Other Purchasers and
the Company shall agree (the "SERIES A CLOSING DATE"), and (b) November 26,
1996, or such subsequent Business Day not later than December 15, 1996 as
you, the Other Purchasers and the Company shall agree (the "SERIES B CLOSING
DATE"). Each Closing shall take place at the offices of Coudert Brothers,
1114 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10036-7794, commencing at
9:30 A.M., New York City time. At the Closing on the Closing Date at which
you are scheduled to purchase Notes, the Company will deliver to you the
Notes to be purchased by you in the form of one or more Notes (as you may
designate), dated such Closing Date and registered in your name (or the name
of your nominee), against delivery by you to the Company of the purchase
price therefor by wire transfer of the amount thereof to the Company's
account No. 07-55-817 maintained at Norwest Bank Minnesota, National
Association, ABA No. 091000019. If at such Closing the Company shall fail to
tender such Notes to you as provided herein, or if at such Closing any of the
conditions specified in SECTION 2 shall not have been fulfilled to your
satisfaction, you shall, at your election, be relieved of all further
obligations under this Agreement, without thereby waiving any other rights
you may have by reason of such failure or such non-fulfillment.
1.4. APPLICATION OF PROCEEDS. The Company will apply the proceeds
from the sale of the Notes (subject in any event to the provisions of SECTION
7.14) as follows:
(a) approximately $35,000,000 of such proceeds will be applied to the
payment of costs incurred in the construction of the Company's photoetching
facility in Eau Claire, Wisconsin; and
(b) the balance of such proceeds will be used for capital
expenditures and other general corporate purposes of the Company.
1.5. PURCHASE FOR INVESTMENT. You represent to the Company that on
the Closing Date on which you purchase Notes you will acquire such Notes for
your own account and not with a view to, or for sale in connection with, the
distribution (as such term is used in Section 2(11) of the Securities Act) of
any part thereof, PROVIDED that the disposition of your property shall at all
times be and remain within your control. You and the Company each
acknowledge that each Note is a "security" as defined in Section 2(1) of the
Securities Act and Section 3(a)(10) of the Exchange Act.
1.6. SOURCE OF FUNDS. (a) You represent to the Company that at
least one of the following statements is an accurate representation as to
each source of funds to be used by you to pay the purchase price of the Notes
to be purchased by you hereunder:
-3-
<PAGE>
(i) no part of such funds constitutes assets allocated to any
separate account maintained by you in which any employee benefit plan
(or its related trust) has any interest; or
(ii) to the extent that any part of such funds constitutes assets
allocated to any separate account maintained by you, you have disclosed
to the Company the name of each employee benefit plan whose assets in
such account exceed 10% of the total assets of such account as of the
date of such purchase (and for the purposes of this clause (ii), all
employee benefit plans maintained by the same employer or employee
organization are deemed to be a single plan); or
(iii) such funds constitute assets of one or more specific
employee benefit plans which you have identified in writing to the
Company; or
(iv) no part of such funds constitutes assets of any employee
benefit plan.
(b) If your source of funds includes assets of your insurance
company general account (as defined in Section V(e) of Prohibited Transaction
Class Exemption ("PTCE") 95-60), you represent to the Company that no
employee benefit plan or employee benefit plans maintained by a single
employer (including an "affiliate" thereof, as defined in Section V(a) of
PTCE 95-60) or employee organization hold an interest or interests either as
contractholders or as the beneficial owners of contracts in such general
account, the reserves and liabilities for which exceed 10% of the sum of all
reserves and liabilities of such general account plus your surplus, such
reserves and liabilities and such surplus in each case being calculated in
accordance with the applicable provisions of PTCE 95-60.
(c) As used in this Section, the terms "employee benefit plan" and
"separate account" shall have the respective meanings assigned to such terms
in Section 3 of ERISA.
2. CONDITIONS TO CLOSING. Your obligation to purchase and pay
for the Notes to be purchased by you hereunder at the Closing on the Closing
Date on which you are scheduled to purchase such Notes is subject to the
fulfillment to your satisfaction, prior to or at such Closing, of each of the
following conditions:
2.1. PROCEEDINGS SATISFACTORY. All proceedings taken in connection
with the authorization, issuance and sale of the Notes to be issued on such
Closing Date and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and
all documents and papers relating thereto shall be satisfactory in form,
scope and substance to you and your special counsel, and you and your special
counsel shall have received copies (executed or certified as may be
appropriate) of such documents and papers as you or they may reasonably
request in connection therewith.
-4-
<PAGE>
2.2. OPINIONS OF COUNSEL. You shall have received favorable
opinions, each dated such Closing Date, addressed to you and satisfactory in
form, scope and substance to you, from (a) Faegre & Benson LLP, special
counsel to the Company, substantially in the form of EXHIBIT B and covering
such other matters as you or your special counsel may reasonably request, and
(b) Coudert Brothers, your special counsel in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, covering such matters as you may
reasonably request.
2.3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. All representations and
warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement or otherwise made by or
on behalf of the Company in writing in connection with the transactions
contemplated hereby shall be true and correct when made and (except as
affected by the consummation of such transactions) as of the time of such
Closing with the same effect as though such representations and warranties
had been made on and as of such Closing Date.
2.4. PERFORMANCE; NO DEFAULT. The Company shall have performed all
agreements and complied with all conditions contained herein required to be
performed or complied with by it prior to or at such Closing, and at the time
of such Closing (and after giving effect to the sale of the Notes to be
issued and sold by it at such Closing and the application of the proceeds of
such sale) no condition or event shall exist which constitutes a Default or
an Event of Default.
2.5. COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE. The Company shall have delivered to
you an Officers' Certificate, dated such Closing Date, certifying that the
conditions specified in SECTIONS 2.3 AND 2.4 have been fulfilled.
2.6. LEGAL INVESTMENT. On such Closing Date the Notes to be
purchased by you hereunder shall be and qualify as a legal investment for you
under the laws and regulations of each jurisdiction to which you may be
subject (without resort to any basket or leeway provisions of said laws, such
as New York Insurance Law Section 1405(a)(8)) and the purchase thereof shall
not subject you to any penalty or other onerous condition pursuant to any
such law or regulation; and you shall have received such certificates or
other evidence as you may request demonstrating the satisfaction of this
condition.
2.7. ABSENCE OF CERTAIN EVENTS. There shall not have occurred any
Material Adverse Change in the Business or Condition of the Company or of the
Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole from that reflected in the most
recent audited financial statements of the Company referred to in SECTION
7.4, copies of which shall have been delivered to you. Subsequent to the
date of the balance sheet included in such financial statements and prior to
the Series A Closing Date, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries
shall have consolidated or merged with or into, or participated in a share
exchange with, any Person, or sold, leased or otherwise disposed of any
assets or properties other than in the ordinary course of business, except
that HTI Export, Ltd., a United States Virgin Islands corporation and a
former Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the
-5-
<PAGE>
Company, shall have transferred its assets to HTI Export and shall have
thereafter been dissolved.
2.8. CONSENTS AND APPROVALS. All actions, approvals, consents,
waivers, exemptions, Orders, authorizations, registrations, declarations,
filings and recordings (collectively, "APPROVALS"), if any, which are
required to be taken, given, obtained, filed or recorded, as the case may be,
by or from or with (a) any Governmental Body, (b) any trustee or holder of
any indebtedness, obligation or securities of the Company, or (c) any other
Person, in connection with the legal and valid execution and delivery by the
Company of this Agreement and the Other Agreements and the consummation of
the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (including the issuance and
sale of the Notes to be issued on such Closing Date), shall have been duly
taken, given, obtained, filed or recorded, as the case may be, and all such
Approvals shall be final, subsisting and in full force and effect on such
Closing Date, and shall not be subject to any further proceedings or appeals
or any conditions subsequent not approved by you. Certified copies or other
appropriate evidence of all such Approvals, in form, scope and substance
satisfactory to you and your special counsel, shall have been delivered to
you and your special counsel.
2.9. FEES PAYABLE AT CLOSING. The Company shall have paid, or made
arrangements satisfactory to you for the payment of, the legal fees and other
expenses of your special counsel referred to in SECTION 15.1 and all other
fees and expenses for which the Company is obligated pursuant to SECTION 15.1
and for which the Company shall have received invoices on or prior to the
Business Day preceding such Closing Date.
2.10. PRIVATE PLACEMENT NUMBER. A Private Placement Number
shall have been assigned to the Notes of each series by S&P's CUSIP Service
Bureau and you shall have received a copy of a letter from S&P confirming the
same.
2.11. RELATED TRANSACTIONS. In the case of the Closing on the
Series A Closing Date, each of the Other Agreements shall have been duly
executed and delivered by the Company and the Other Purchaser party thereto,
and the Company shall contemporaneously issue and sell, on such Closing Date,
the entire principal amount of Series A Notes (if any) to be issued and sold
to each Other Purchaser pursuant to each of the Other Agreements and shall
have received payment in full of the purchase price therefor. In the case of
the Closing on the Series B Closing Date, the Company shall have theretofore
issued and sold, on the Series A Closing Date, the Notes to have been issued
and sold on the Series A Closing Date as specified in SCHEDULE I.
-6-
<PAGE>
3. PAYMENT AND PREPAYMENT OF NOTES.
3.1. REQUIRED ANNUAL PREPAYMENTS AND PAYMENTS AT MATURITY.
(a) SERIES A NOTES. On July 26 in each of the years 2001 and 2002
(so long as any Series A Notes shall remain outstanding), the Company will
prepay, and there shall become due and payable, $8,333,333.00 in principal
amount of the Series A Notes (or such lesser principal amount of Series A
Notes as shall then be outstanding). Each such prepayment pursuant to this
SECTION 3.1(a) shall be at 100% of the principal amount so to be prepaid
together with interest accrued thereon to the date of such prepayment,
without premium. On July 26, 2003, the Company will pay, and there shall
become due and payable, the entire remaining unpaid principal amount of
Series A Notes, together with all interest accrued thereon. No prepayment of
less than all the Series A Notes pursuant to SECTION 3.2 shall relieve the
Company of its obligation to make (nor shall it reduce the amount of) the
prepayments of principal of the Series A Notes required by this SECTION
3.1(a).
(b) SERIES B NOTES. On November 26 in each of the years 2001
through 2005 (so long as any Series B Notes shall remain outstanding), the
Company will prepay, and there shall become due and payable, $4,166,667.00 in
principal amount of the Series B Notes (or such lesser principal amount of
Series B Notes as shall then be outstanding). Each such prepayment pursuant
to this SECTION 3.1(b) shall be at 100% of the principal amount so to be
prepaid together with interest accrued thereon to the date of such
prepayment, without premium. On November 26, 2006, the Company will pay, and
there shall become due and payable, the entire remaining unpaid principal
amount of Series B Notes, together with all interest accrued thereon. No
prepayment of less than all the Series B Notes pursuant to SECTION 3.2 shall
relieve the Company of its obligation to make (nor shall it reduce the amount
of) the prepayments of principal of the Series B Notes required by this
SECTION 3.1(b).
3.2. OPTIONAL PREPAYMENTS WITH MAKEWHOLE AMOUNT. The Notes shall
not be subject to prepayment at the option of the Company except as
hereinafter provided in this SECTION 3.2. The Company may, at its option,
upon notice as provided in SECTION 3.3, on the date specified in such notice,
prepay the Notes at any time in whole or from time to time in part (in a
minimum principal amount of at least $1,000,000 and in integral multiples of
$1,000 in excess thereof), each such optional prepayment to be made at 100%
of the principal amount of the Notes so to be prepaid together with interest
accrued on such principal amount to the date of prepayment, plus the
Makewhole Amount determined in respect of such principal amount; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that (i) so long as Notes of more than one series shall remain
outstanding, the Company shall not prepay any Notes at its option on any date
pursuant to this SECTION 3.2 unless the principal amount of Notes to be
prepaid shall be allocated among the series in proportion to the aggregate
principal amount of each series outstanding immediately prior to such
prepayment; and (ii) the Company shall not prepay any Series A Notes prior to
issuance and sale of the Series B Notes on the Series B Closing Date.
-7-
<PAGE>
3.3. NOTICE OF OPTIONAL PREPAYMENTS; CALCULATION OF MAKEWHOLE
AMOUNT. The Company will give each holder of a Note, with respect to each
optional prepayment, (a) written notice thereof (which notice shall be
irrevocable) at least 30 and not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed
for such prepayment, specifying (i) such date of prepayment and the principal
amount of each Note held by such holder so to be prepaid, (ii) accrued
interest payable to such holder in respect of such prepayment, and (iii) the
Company's estimate as of the date of such notice of the Makewhole Amount
applicable in respect of such prepayment, showing in reasonable detail the
calculation thereof and setting forth the Treasury Rate used in such
calculation, and (b) further written notice (a copy of which shall be
telefaxed by the Company to each such holder concurrently with the sending
thereof) two Business Days prior to such date of prepayment, specifying such
Makewhole Amount, showing in reasonable detail the calculation thereof and
setting forth the Treasury Rate used in such calculation.
3.4. ALLOCATION OF PARTIAL PREPAYMENTS. In the case of each
prepayment, whether required or optional, of less than the entire unpaid
principal amount of all outstanding Notes of any series, the principal amount
of the Notes so to be prepaid shall be allocated among all of the Notes of
such series at the time outstanding in proportion, as nearly as practicable,
to the respective principal amounts thereof not theretofore prepaid. The
amount of each such optional prepayment so allocated to the Notes of any
series shall be credited against the remaining required prepayments and
payment at final maturity of the Notes of such series in the inverse order of
such required prepayments and payment at final maturity.
3.5. MATURITY; SURRENDER, ETC. In the case of each prepayment of
Notes, the principal amount of each Note to be prepaid shall become due and
payable on the date fixed for such prepayment in this Agreement (if such
prepayment is to be made pursuant to SECTION 3.1) or in the notice of such
prepayment pursuant to SECTION 3.3 (if such prepayment is to be made pursuant
to SECTION 3.2), together with interest accrued on such principal amount to
such date and the Makewhole Amount, if any, payable in connection with such
prepayment. Any Note paid or prepaid in full shall thereafter be surrendered
to the Company upon its written request therefor and cancelled and not
reissued.
3.6. LIMITATION ON PREPAYMENT AND ACQUISITION OF NOTES. The
Company will not, and will not permit any of its Affiliates or Subsidiaries
to, pay, prepay, purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, directly or
indirectly, any Note except by way of payment or prepayment by the Company in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
3.7. PAYMENTS DUE ON OTHER THAN A BUSINESS DAY. If any payment or
prepayment of principal, Makewhole Amount, if any, or interest on or with
respect to any Note or Notes becomes due and payable on any day that is not a
Business Day, the amount of such payment shall be payable on the next
succeeding Business Day and with respect to any such payment of principal,
interest shall continue to accrue thereon
-8-
<PAGE>
during any such extension period at the applicable rate of interest in effect
immediately prior to such extension.
4. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS; INFORMATION. The Company will furnish
(in duplicate) to you, so long as you or your nominee shall be obligated to
purchase or shall hold any of the Notes, and to each other institutional
holder of outstanding Notes (and, in the case of the information referred to
in subdivision (j) of this Section, to any prospective purchaser of Notes
which is identified to the Company):
(a) QUARTERLY STATEMENTS. As soon as available and in any event
within 45 days after the end of each of the first three quarterly fiscal
periods in each fiscal year of the Company, a consolidated balance sheet
of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such quarterly
fiscal period and the related consolidated statements of operations and
cash flows of the Company and its Subsidiaries for such quarterly fiscal
period and (except in the case of the first such quarterly fiscal period
in each fiscal year) for the portion of the fiscal year ended with the
last day of such quarterly fiscal period, setting forth in comparative
form, in the case of each such statement of operations or cash flows,
the respective figures for the corresponding period of the previous
fiscal year, all in reasonable detail and certified by the principal
financial officer of the Company as complete and correct in all material
respects, subject to changes resulting from normal year-end audit
adjustments;
(b) ANNUAL STATEMENTS. As soon as available and in any event
within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, a
consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the
end of such fiscal year and the related consolidated statements of
operations, shareholders' investment and cash flows of the Company and
its Subsidiaries for such fiscal year, setting forth in each case in
comparative form the respective figures as of the end of and for the
previous fiscal year, all in reasonable detail and accompanied by an
opinion thereon of Arthur Andersen LLP or other independent certified
public accountants of recognized national standing selected by the
Company and reasonably satisfactory to the holders of outstanding Notes,
which opinion shall not be made in reliance upon the opinion of any
other accountant, shall be made without qualification or modification,
shall comply with generally accepted auditing standards at the time in
effect and shall state that such financial statements present fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of the Company and its
Subsidiaries as at the dates indicated and the results of their
operations and their cash flows for the periods indicated in conformity
with GAAP, that the audits of such accountants were conducted in
accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and that such
accountants believe such audits provide a reasonable basis for their
opinion;
(c) OFFICERS' CERTIFICATES. Concurrently with each delivery of
financial statements pursuant to subdivision (a) or (b) of this Section,
an Officers' Certificate:
-9-
<PAGE>
(i) stating that the signatories thereto have reviewed the
terms of the Agreements and of the Notes and have made, or caused
to be made under their supervision, a review in reasonable detail
of the transactions and conditions of the Company and its
Subsidiaries during the accounting period covered by such financial
statements, and that such review has not disclosed the existence
during or at the end of such accounting period, and that such
signatories do not have knowledge of the existence as at the date
of such Officers' Certificate, of any condition or event which
constitutes a Default or an Event of Default, or, if any such
condition or event existed or exists, specifying the nature and
period of existence thereof and what action the Company has taken
or is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto;
(ii) setting forth (A) as of the date of the consolidated
balance sheet included in such financial statements, (1) the
respective amounts of Consolidated Net Worth, the Net Worth
Minimum, Funded Debt outstanding under the Credit Agreement,
Consolidated Funded Debt, Consolidated Current Debt, Total
Capitalization, and Consolidated Tangible Assets and (2) the
aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Debt of the Company
and its Subsidiaries secured by Liens permitted by subdivision (g),
(h), (i) or (j) of SECTION 6.4, and the aggregate principal amount
outstanding for each Subsidiary of Subsidiary Secured Debt, (B) the
respective amounts of Consolidated Net Income Available for Fixed
Charges and Consolidated Fixed Charges for the Coverage Period with
respect to the Determination Date occurring on the date of such
consolidated balance sheet (and showing Consolidated Interest
Expense and Long Term Lease Rentals accrued for such Coverage
Period), and (C) the highest aggregate amount of Long Term Lease
Rentals for which the Company and its Subsidiaries shall be liable
in any one fiscal year (including the then current and each future
fiscal year), and the highest aggregate amount thereof for which
all such Subsidiaries (shown separately) shall be liable, under all
Long Term Leases; and
(iii) setting forth facts or computations in reasonable
detail demonstrating compliance during and at the end of such
accounting period with the covenants and restrictions contained in
SECTIONS 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, 6.9, 6.10 AND 6.12;
(d) ACCOUNTANT'S CERTIFICATES. Together with each delivery of
annual financial statements pursuant to subdivision (b) of this Section,
a written statement addressed to the holders of the Notes from the
independent certified public accountants referred to in said subdivision
(b) who have reported on such financial statements:
(i) stating whether, in the course of their audit
examination, anything has come to their attention concerning the
existence during the
-10-
<PAGE>
fiscal year covered by such financial statements (and whether they
have knowledge of the existence as of the date of such written
statement) of any condition or event which constitutes a Default or
an Event of Default, and, if so, specifying the nature and period
of existence thereof; and
(ii) stating that they have examined the Officers' Certificate
delivered in connection with such annual financial statements
pursuant to subdivision (c) of this Section for such fiscal year,
and, based upon their annual audit examination, nothing has come to
their attention which causes them to believe that the information
contained in such Officers' Certificate is not correct or that the
matters set forth in such Officers' Certificate pursuant to
subdivisions (c)(ii) and (c)(iii) of this Section have not been
properly stated in accordance with the terms of this Agreement;
(e) COMMISSION AND OTHER REPORTS. Promptly upon their becoming
available (and in any event within five Business Days thereafter),
copies of (i) all financial statements, reports, notices, proxy
statements and other information sent or made available generally by the
Company to any class of its security holders or by any Subsidiary to any
class of its security holders other than the Company or another
Subsidiary, (ii) all regular and periodic reports (including reports on
Form 8-K) and all registration statements (other than those on Form S-8
or a successor form relating to the registration of securities pursuant
to an employee benefit plan) and prospectuses filed by the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries with any securities exchange or with the
Commission, and (iii) all press releases and other statements made
available generally by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to the
public concerning material developments in the business of the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries;
(f) AUDIT REPORTS. Promptly upon receipt thereof (and in any event
within five Business Days thereafter), copies of reports submitted to
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries by independent certified public
accountants in connection with any annual, interim or special audit of
the Company or any Subsidiary made by such accountants;
(g) DEFAULTS, ETC. Promptly upon any Responsible Officer of the
Company obtaining knowledge of any condition or event which constitutes
a Default or an Event of Default (and in any event within 15 calendar
days after any Responsible Officer has obtained knowledge thereof, if
such condition or event constitutes a Default but shall not have become
an Event of Default, or within five Business Days thereafter, if such
condition or event constitutes or shall have become an Event of
Default), and promptly upon any Responsible Officer becoming aware that
the holder of any Note has given any notice or taken any other action
with respect to a claimed Default or Event of Default or that any Person
has given any notice to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or taken
any other action with respect to a claimed default under or in respect
of any Debt referred to in SECTION 8.1(e) or with respect to the
occurrence or existence of any
-11-
<PAGE>
event or condition of the type referred to in SECTION 8.1(F) OR 8.1(G)
(and in any event within five Business Days after any Responsible
Officer has become aware thereof), an Officers' Certificate specifying
in reasonable detail the nature and period of existence thereof and what
action the Company has taken or is taking or proposes to take with
respect thereto;
(h) ERISA. Promptly (and in any event within five Business Days)
after any Company Group Member or any plan administrator of any Plan (i)
knows of the occurrence of any Termination Event, (ii) receives with
respect to any Multiemployer Plan notice as prescribed in ERISA of any
withdrawal liability assessed against any Company Group Member or of a
determination that any Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization or
insolvent (both within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA), (iii) knows
that a prohibited transaction (as defined in Section 406 of ERISA or
Section 4975 of the Code) for which a statutory or administrative
exemption is not available or a breach of fiduciary responsibility has
occurred in connection with which any Company Group Member could
reasonably be subject to any material liability under Section 406, 409,
502(i) or 502(l) of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, or under any
agreement or other instrument pursuant to which such Company Group
Member has agreed or is required to indemnify any Person against any
such liability or (iv) knows that there has been a material adverse
change in the funding status of any Plan, a description of such event or
a copy of such notice and a statement by the principal financial officer
of the Company of the action which has been or is being taken or is
proposed to be taken by the Company with respect thereto;
(i) LITIGATION, ETC. Promptly (and in any event within 15 calendar
days) after any Responsible Officer of the Company obtains knowledge of
any litigation, administrative proceeding or judgment (i) relating to
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (whether or not considered by the
Company to be covered by insurance) and which could, if adversely
determined, have a Material Adverse Effect, or (ii) relating in any way
to this Agreement, the Other Agreements or the Notes, an Officers'
Certificate specifying in each case in reasonable detail the facts and
circumstances surrounding such litigation, proceeding or judgment;
(j) RULE 144A INFORMATION. Promptly upon request therefor (and in
any event within five Business Days thereafter) by any holder of Notes
or by any prospective purchaser of any Notes designated by the holder
thereof, all information, statements, reports, descriptions of business,
products and services, financial statements and other information as
such holder may reasonably determine to be required to be delivered in
order to comply with the requirements of Rule 144A (or any successor
rule) promulgated by the Commission under the Securities Act; and
(k) REQUESTED INFORMATION. Promptly upon request therefor (and in
any event within ten Business Days thereafter), such other information
as to
-12-
<PAGE>
the Business or Condition of the Company or its Subsidiaries as may from
time to time be reasonably requested by the holders of any of the Notes.
5. INSPECTION OF PROPERTIES AND BOOKS. So long as you, your
nominee or any other institutional investor shall be obligated to purchase or
shall hold any Note, your or such other institutional holder's representative
or representatives may, at the Company's cost and expense (excluding,
however, salary and other overhead expenses of any holder and the travel,
lodging and related expenses of such holder's representative, all of which
shall, except as hereinafter provided, be borne by such holder) visit and
inspect any of the properties of the Company and its Subsidiaries, including
their respective books of account, records, reports and other papers, make
copies and extracts therefrom, and discuss their affairs, finances and
accounts with their respective officers, employees and independent public
accountants (and the Company hereby authorizes and directs each such officer,
employee and independent public accountant to engage in such discussions),
all at such reasonable times and as often as may be reasonably requested upon
at least five days advance notice to the Company or the relevant Subsidiary,
as applicable, PROVIDED that, during the continuance of any Event of Default,
all reasonable travel and lodging costs and related expenses relating to any
such visit or inspection which would otherwise be required by the foregoing
provisions of this Section to be borne by a holder of Notes shall be borne by
the Company.
6. COVENANTS. The Company covenants and agrees that from the
date of this Agreement through the Series A Closing Date, and thereafter so
long as any Note shall be outstanding, the Company will perform and comply
with each the following covenants:
6.1. PAYMENT OF NOTES. The Company will duly and punctually pay
the principal of, Makewhole Amount, if any, and interest on the Notes in
accordance with the terms of the Notes and this Agreement.
6.2. MAINTENANCE OF CERTAIN FINANCIAL CONDITIONS.
(a) FIXED CHARGE COVERAGE RATIO. The Company will maintain
Consolidated Net Income Available for Fixed Charges of at least 150% of
Consolidated Fixed Charges during the Coverage Period with respect to each
Determination Date.
(b) CONSOLIDATED NET WORTH. The Company will not permit
Consolidated Net Worth as of any Testing Date to be less than the Net Worth
Minimum as of such date.
6.3. DEBT; MAXIMUM FUNDED DEBT AND CURRENT DEBT. (a) The Company
will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly,
create, assume, incur, issue, agree to purchase or repurchase, or provide
funds in respect of, or otherwise become or remain liable in respect of, by
way of Guaranty or otherwise, any Funded Debt or Current Debt, except that
the Company may become and remain liable in respect of the Funded Debt
evidenced by the Notes and except that:
-13-
<PAGE>
(i) the Company may remain liable in respect of the Debt
outstanding on the date hereof and described on SCHEDULE III, PROVIDED
that no such Debt described on SCHEDULE III may be modified, extended,
renewed, refunded or refinanced except as otherwise permitted by another
provision of this SECTION 6.3(a) and except that, the Company may from
time to time, to the extent permitted by the Existing IDB Documents,
procure the issuance of letters of credit for delivery in substitution
for the letter of credit then in effect under and as contemplated by the
Existing IDB Documents so long as the Debt, if any, incurred by the
Company in connection with such substitute letters of credit is
permitted by another provision of this Section;
(ii) any Subsidiary may become and remain liable in respect of Debt
of such Subsidiary owing to the Company or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary;
(iii) the Company may become and remain liable in respect of
unsecured Funded Debt in accordance with the terms of the Credit
Agreement in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding
not exceeding $25,000,000;
(iv) the Company may become and remain liable in respect of Funded
Debt relating to an equivalent principal amount of IDB Debt secured by
Liens permitted by subdivision (h) of SECTION 6.4 and in respect of
Funded Debt secured by Liens permitted by subdivision (i) or (j) of
SECTION 6.4, and any Subsidiary may become and remain liable in respect
of Subsidiary Secured Debt, if at the time of incurrence of any such
Funded Debt or Subsidiary Secured Debt and after giving effect to such
incurrence and to the concurrent retirement or incurrence of any other
Debt by the Company and its Subsidiaries and to the application of the
proceeds of all such incurred Debt, the aggregate principal amount
outstanding of all Debt of the Company and its Subsidiaries secured by
Liens permitted by subdivision (g), (h), (i) or (j) of SECTION 6.4 shall
not exceed 20% of Consolidated Net Worth, PROVIDED that, the Subsidiary
Secured Debt permitted by this subdivision (a)(iv) for which any one
Subsidiary may become and remain liable shall not at any one time exceed
$500,000 in aggregate principal amount outstanding; and
(v) the Company may become and remain liable (including, without
limitation, subject to SECTION 6.12, by way of Guaranties) in respect of
unsecured Funded Debt and unsecured Current Debt in addition to that
permitted by the foregoing clauses (i) through (iv) of this SECTION
6.3(a);
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that neither the Company nor any Subsidiary shall be
permitted pursuant to the foregoing clauses (i) through (v) of this SECTION
6.3(a) to become or to remain liable on any date in respect of any Funded
Debt or Current Debt the incurrence or existence of which would cause the
Company to be in violation of SECTION 6.3(b).
-14-
<PAGE>
(b) The Company will not on any date permit (a) the sum of (1)
Consolidated Funded Debt plus (2) Consolidated Current Debt plus (3) if (but
only if) such date shall occur prior to the issuance and sale of the Series B
Notes as contemplated hereby, $25,000,000 to exceed (b) 55% of the sum of (1)
Total Capitalization plus (2) if (but only if) such date shall occur prior to
the issuance and sale of the Series B Notes as contemplated hereby,
$25,000,000.
(c) For all purposes of this SECTION 6.3, (1) in the event the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall extend, renew, refund or refinance
any Debt, the Company or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, shall be deemed
to have created, assumed or incurred such Debt at the time of such extension,
renewal, refunding or refinancing and (2) any Person becoming a Subsidiary
after the date of this Agreement shall be deemed to have created, assumed or
incurred all of its then outstanding Debt at the time it becomes a
Subsidiary. The Company will not in any event incur, create, assume or
permit to exist any Funded Debt or Current Debt of the Company owing to any
of its Subsidiaries.
6.4. LIENS. The Company will not, and will not permit any of its
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or permit to
exist any Lien on or with respect to any property or asset of any character
of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (whether held on the date hereof or
hereafter acquired) or any interest therein or any income or profits
therefrom except, subject to compliance with the penultimate paragraph of
this Section:
(a) Liens (other than Liens created or imposed under ERISA) for
taxes, assessments or governmental charges or levies either not yet due
or the payment of which is not at the time required by SECTION 6.16;
(b) Liens of landlords, carriers, warehousemen, mechanics,
materialmen and other similar Persons incurred in the ordinary course of
business for sums either not yet due or the payment of which is not at
the time required by SECTION 6.16;
(c) Liens (other than Liens created or imposed under ERISA)
incurred or deposits made in the ordinary course of business in
connection with workers' compensation, unemployment insurance and other
types of social security, or to secure the performance of tenders,
statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, bids, leases, government
contracts, performance and return-of-money bonds and other similar
obligations (exclusive in any case of obligations incurred in connection
with the borrowing of money or the obtaining of advances or credit);
(d) Liens incidental to the conduct of business or to the
ownership or improvement of property of a character which customarily
exist on properties of corporations engaged in similar activities and
similarly situated and which were not incurred in connection with the
borrowing of money or the obtaining of advances or credit, and which do
not, individually or in the aggregate, interfere
-15-
<PAGE>
with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries or detract from the value or use of the properties subject
to any such Liens, PROVIDED that, the aggregate amount of monetary
liabilities of the Company and its Subsidiaries secured by all such
Liens (exclusive of all such liabilities covered by insurance maintained
with sound and reputable insurers) shall not at any time exceed
$1,000,000;
(e) any attachment, judgment or other similar Lien arising in
connection with court proceedings, so long as (i) the execution or other
enforcement of such Lien is effectively stayed and the claims secured
thereby are being actively contested in good faith and by appropriate
proceedings diligently conducted and effective to prevent the forfeiture
or sale of any property of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any
interference with the ordinary use thereof by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, and (ii) such reserve or other appropriate provision, if
any, in the amount and of the type as shall be required by GAAP shall be
maintained therefor, PROVIDED that, the aggregate amount of monetary
liabilities, including interest and penalties, if any, of the Company
and its Subsidiaries secured by all such Liens (exclusive of all such
liabilities covered by insurance maintained with sound and reputable
insurers) shall not at any time exceed $1,000,000;
(f) Liens on assets of any Subsidiary securing Debt or other
obligations of such Subsidiary owing to the Company or to a Wholly Owned
Subsidiary;
(g) the Lien existing on the date of this Agreement and securing
the Debt listed as Item 12 on SCHEDULE III; PROVIDED that, (i) such Lien
shall not at any time be extended to or cover any property of the
Company or any Subsidiary other than (A) the equipment and other
collateral subject to such Lien on the date hereof (the "EXISTING
WISCONSIN COLLATERAL") and (B) equipment substituted for equipment
included in the Existing Wisconsin Collateral (or other equipment
previously substituted therefor as permitted by this clause (B)) so long
as, concurrently with any such substitution, the equipment for which
such substitution is made shall be released from such Lien and, after
giving effect to any such substitution, neither the aggregate fair
market value nor the aggregate book value of all equipment subject to
such Lien shall exceed 110% of the aggregate principal amount of the
Debt secured thereby; and (ii) the principal amount of the Debt secured
by such Lien shall not be increased, or extended, renewed, refunded or
refinanced, except as permitted by SECTION 6.3;
(h) Liens securing IDB Debt, the Debt of the Company relating to
which is permitted to be incurred and to be outstanding pursuant to
SECTION 6.3, PROVIDED that no such Lien shall at any time extend to or
cover any asset of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries other than the
equipment and facilities acquired or constructed with the proceeds of
such IDB Debt, real property
-16-
<PAGE>
appurtenant to such facilities, and proceeds of such equipment,
facilities and real property;
(i) Liens (including Capital Leases) created solely to secure the
deferred purchase price of fixed assets useful and intended to be used
in carrying on the business of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
acquired or constructed by the Company or any Subsidiary after the date
hereof, or any Lien (including a Capital Lease) created to secure Debt
(other than IDB Debt) incurred solely for the purpose of financing the
acquisition or construction, as the case may be, of any such asset (if
such Debt is incurred at the time of or within 90 days after such
acquisition or the completion of such construction) or any Lien existing
on acquired assets at the time of acquisition thereof, or, in the case
of any Person which hereafter becomes a Subsidiary, any Lien in respect
of its property existing at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary,
PROVIDED that:
(i) in the case of an acquisition of assets or a Person
becoming a Subsidiary, such Lien was not created in contemplation
of such event,
(ii) no such Lien shall at any time extend to or cover any
asset of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries other than the
acquired assets on which it was originally imposed and improvements
thereto and proceeds thereof, and
(iii) the aggregate principal amount of all Debt secured
by all such Liens on any such asset shall at no time exceed an
amount equal to the fair market value of such asset as determined
in good faith by the Board of Directors at the time such Lien was
created or incurred; and
(j) Liens extending, renewing or replacing any Lien permitted by
subdivision (g), (h) or (i) of this Section, PROVIDED that (i) no such
Lien shall be extended to any other asset of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries and (ii) the principal amount of the Debt secured by any
such Lien shall not be increased in connection with such extension,
renewal, refunding or refinancing.
It shall be a further condition to the creation, incurrence,
assumption, extension, renewal, refunding or refinancing of any Lien
otherwise permitted by subdivision (h), (i) or (j) of this Section that, on
the date on which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries proposes to take any
such action and immediately after giving effect thereto, to the substantially
concurrent incurrence of any Debt and the substantially concurrent retirement
of any other Debt and to the application of the proceeds of all such Debt,
the Company or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, shall be permitted to
incur and remain liable in respect of at least $1.00 of additional secured
Funded Debt pursuant to subdivision (a)(iv) of SECTION 6.3. For all purposes
of this Section, (A) Liens existing on or with respect to any assets of any
Person at the time it becomes a Subsidiary shall be deemed to have been
created at the time it becomes a Subsidiary, (B) any extension, renewal,
refunding or refinancing of any Lien by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries
-17-
<PAGE>
shall be deemed to be an incurrence of such Lien at the time of such
extension, renewal, refunding or refinancing, and (C) any Lien existing on
any property at the time it is acquired by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries shall be deemed to have been created at the time of such
acquisition.
In the event that any property or assets of the Company or any
Subsidiary shall become or be subject to a Lien not permitted by the
foregoing subdivisions (a) through (j) of this Section, the Company shall
make or cause to be made effective provision satisfactory to the holders of
the outstanding Notes whereby the Notes will be secured equally and ratably
with all other obligations secured by such Lien, and in any event, the Notes
shall have the benefit, to the full extent that (and with such priority as)
the holders thereof may be entitled under applicable law, of an equitable
Lien on such property or assets; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that any violation of
this Section shall constitute a Default whether or not the Company shall have
made effective provision to secure the Notes equally and ratably with any
such other obligations or the holders of Notes shall be entitled to such
equal and ratable security or any such equitable Lien.
6.5. INVESTMENTS, ETC. The Company will not, and will not permit
any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly (through a Subsidiary or
otherwise), make or own any Investments except:
(a) the Company and its Subsidiaries may make and own Investments
in (i) readily marketable direct obligations of the United States of
America or of any agency or instrumentality thereof the obligations of
which are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States of
America or readily marketable obligations unconditionally guaranteed by
the United States of America or by any such agency or instrumentality,
in each case maturing within one year from the date of acquisition
thereof, (ii) certificates of deposit, time deposits or bankers'
acceptances maturing within one year from the date of acquisition
thereof issued by, or demand deposit accounts maintained with, any
commercial bank or trust company which is a member of the Federal
Reserve System, the long-term debt obligations of which are rated at
least A by Moody's Investors Service Inc. ("MOODY'S") or Standard &
Poor's Ratings Services, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
("S&P") and which has combined capital and surplus of at least
$250,000,000 (any such bank or trust company, an "ELIGIBLE BANK"), (iii)
repurchase agreements with respect to securities of the type referred to
in the foregoing subdivision (a)(i) transacted with Eligible Banks,
PROVIDED that each such repurchase agreement obligates an Eligible Bank
to repurchase the securities which are the subject thereof no later than
30 days after the acquisition of such repurchase agreement; (iv)
money-market preferred stock or money-market auction notes, in each case
maturing or redeemable at the option of the holder thereof no more than
one year after the date of acquisition thereof and having a rating of at
least A3 by Moody's or at least A- by S&P, and Tax Exempt Obligations
(as hereinafter defined) in the form of auction rate reset notes that
reset within one year from the date of acquisition thereof; (v)
obligations, the interest with respect to which is exempt from federal
income taxation under
-18-
<PAGE>
Section 103 of the Code, having a long term rating of at least A3 or A-,
or a short term rating of at least P-1 or A-1, by Moody's or S&P,
respectively, and having a maturity of less than two years ("TAX EXEMPT
OBLIGATIONS"), in addition to those described in the foregoing
subdivision (a)(iv); (vi) open market commercial paper of United States
corporations maturing not later than 270 days after the issuance thereof
and having a rating of at least P-2 by Moody's or at least A-2 by S&P,
and (vii) debt securities of United States corporations having a long
term rating of at least A3 by Moody's or at least A- by S&P and having a
maturity of less than two years;
(b) the Company and its Subsidiaries may make and own Investments
in any mutual fund registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940,
as amended, the portfolio of which is limited to Investments of the
character described in the foregoing subdivision (a);
(c) the Company and its Subsidiaries may continue to own (i)
Investments in Subsidiaries of the Company existing on the date hereof,
and (ii) other Investments existing on the date hereof and described in
SCHEDULE V;
(d) the Company and its Subsidiaries may make and own (i)
Investments in any Subsidiary of the Company (other than HTI Export) or
in any Person which simultaneously therewith becomes a Subsidiary; and
(ii) Investments in HTI Export (so long as it shall be a Subsidiary) in
the form of (A) advances from the Company to HTI Export for the purpose
of meeting foreign sales corporation transaction requirements arising
under the Code in an aggregate amount at any one time outstanding not
exceeding $20,000,000, with a duration for each such advance not
exceeding one Business Day, and (B) other Investments of the Company in
an aggregate amount at any one time outstanding not exceeding $200,000;
(e) the Company and its Subsidiaries may make and own Investments
consisting of travel and other like advances in the ordinary course of
business to their officers and employees;
(f) the Company may make and own Investments consisting of (i)
loans to its officers, directors and employees, not in excess of an
aggregate for all such loans of $2,000,000 at any one time outstanding,
in order to enable such individuals to exercise options granted to them
by the Company to purchase shares of the Company's stock, and (ii) loans
in the ordinary course of business to officers and employees rendering
services to the Company outside the United States of America on a
substantially permanent basis not in excess of $10,000 in any one case
and not in excess of an aggregate for all such loans of $100,000 at any
one time outstanding; and the Company and its Subsidiaries may make and
own Investments consisting of loans and advances in the ordinary course
of business to their officers, directors and employees, in addition to
the loans otherwise permitted by this subdivision (f) and the advances
otherwise permitted
-19-
<PAGE>
by the foregoing subdivision (e), not in excess of $10,000 in any one
case and not in excess of an aggregate for all such additional loans and
advances by the Company and all of its Subsidiaries of $200,000 at any
one time outstanding;
(g) the Company and its Subsidiaries may become and remain liable
in respect of Guaranties of the obligations of other Persons to the
extent permitted by SECTION 6.12;
(h) the Company and its Subsidiaries may make and own Investments
consisting of (i) insurance policies issued by United States stock or
mutual insurance companies rated A or better by A. M. Best Company, Inc.
to the extent such policies are used to fund deferred compensation,
pension, retirement or similar obligations, (ii) progress payments and
like advances under construction, equipment purchase and other contracts
entered into in the ordinary course of business and, (iii) prepaid rent
and security deposits under leases entered into in the ordinary course
of business; and
(i) in addition to the Investments permitted by the foregoing
subdivisions (a) through (h) of this Section, the Company may make and
own other Investments, PROVIDED, that, the aggregate unliquidated amount
of all such other Investments made pursuant to this subdivision (i) and
outstanding at any time shall not exceed 10% of Consolidated Net Worth.
For purposes of this Section, Investments owned by any Person or for which it
is obligated at the time it becomes a Subsidiary shall be deemed to be made
at the time such Person becomes such a Subsidiary.
6.6. RESTRICTED PAYMENTS. The Company will not, directly or
indirectly (through a Subsidiary or otherwise), declare, order, pay,
distribute, make, or set apart any sum or property for any Restricted Payment
unless, in the case of any such action, both at the time of and immediately
after effect has been given thereto, no Default or Event of Default shall
have occurred and be continuing.
6.7. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES; REMUNERATION. (a) The Company
will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or
indirectly, enter into or be a party to any transaction or arrangement
(including, without limitation, the contribution, transfer, purchase, sale or
exchange of property, or the rendering of any service, or the payment of
management or other service fees) with any Affiliate unless such transaction
or arrangement is otherwise permitted under this Agreement and is entered
into pursuant to the reasonable requirements and in the ordinary course of
the Company's or such Subsidiary's business and upon terms that are fair and
reasonable and no less favorable to the Company or such Subsidiary, as the
case may be, than those which might be obtained at the time on an
arm's-length basis from any Person which is not such an Affiliate; PROVIDED
that, nothing in this SECTION 6.7(a) shall prevent the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries from making Compensation Payments as and to the extent permitted
by SECTION 6.7(b).
-20-
<PAGE>
(b) The Company will not, and will not permit any of its
Subsidiaries to, make payments, directly or indirectly, of any form of
compensation or remuneration to any of its officers, directors, employees or
stockholders, whether by way of salaries, bonuses, participations in pension
or profit sharing plans, fees under management contracts or for professional
services, grants of stock options, or otherwise, and whether in cash or other
property (any of the foregoing, "COMPENSATION PAYMENTS"), except for
Compensation Payments in amounts which represent, in the Company's reasonable
business judgment, no more than reasonable compensation for services actually
performed for the benefit of the Company or one of its Subsidiaries.
6.8. SUBSIDIARY STOCK AND DEBT. The Company will not, and will not
permit any Subsidiary to, issue, sell or otherwise dispose or part with
control of any shares of stock or any Debt or any other securities (or
warrants, rights or options to acquire stock or other securities) of any
Subsidiary, except to the Company or another Wholly Owned Subsidiary, and
except that all shares of stock and all Debt and other securities of any
Subsidiary at the time owned by or owed to the Company and all Subsidiaries
may be sold as an entirety for a consideration which represents the fair
value (as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors) at the time of
sale of the shares of stock and Debt and other securities so sold; PROVIDED
that, (i) such Subsidiary being sold does not at that time own, directly or
indirectly, any Debt or stock or other security of any other Subsidiary which
is not also being simultaneously sold as an entirety as permitted by this
Section or any Debt of the Company, (ii) the assets of such Subsidiary
represented by the equity interest to be so transferred are such that the
sale of such assets would then be permitted by SECTION 6.9 (in which case
such transaction shall be considered and deemed a disposition of assets for
the purposes of SECTION 6.9), and (iii) at the time of the consummation of
such transaction and after giving effect thereto, no Default or Event of
Default shall have occurred and be continuing.
6.9. CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE OF ASSETS, ETC. The Company will
not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, voluntarily liquidate or
dissolve, or consolidate or merge with or into any other Person, or permit
any other Person to consolidate with or merge with or into it, or participate
in a share exchange with or sell, lease, transfer, contribute or otherwise
dispose of any of its assets to any other Person (other than sales of
inventory and worn out and obsolete assets in the ordinary course of business
as such business is conducted in compliance with SECTION 6.13), except that,
subject in any event to compliance with the last paragraph of this Section:
(a) any Subsidiary may (i) consolidate with or merge into the
Company or any Wholly Owned Subsidiary if the Company or a Wholly Owned
Subsidiary shall be the continuing or surviving corporation or (ii)
consolidate or merge with any other corporation if such Subsidiary shall
be the continuing or surviving corporation;
(b) any Subsidiary may sell, lease, transfer, contribute or
otherwise dispose of its assets in whole or in part to the Company or
any Wholly Owned
-21-
<PAGE>
Subsidiary, and may, following any such disposition in whole, liquidate
and dissolve;
(c) the Company may consolidate or merge or enter into a share
exchange with any other Person if the Company shall be the continuing or
surviving corporation; and
(d) the Company or any Subsidiary, in addition to making any sale,
lease, transfer, contribution or other disposition permitted by the
foregoing provisions of this Section, may sell any of its assets for a
consideration at least equal to the fair market value thereof (as
determined in good faith by the Board of Directors) at the time of such
sale but only if the assets so sold, when taken together with all other
assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries then being or theretofore so
sold (including deemed dispositions pursuant to SECTION 6.8) during the
period from and including the first day of the then current fiscal year
of the Company to and including the date of such sale shall not have an
aggregate fair market value or an aggregate book value (such fair market
value and such book value to be determined in the case of any such asset
as of the date of sale or proposed sale thereof) which shall exceed 10%
of Consolidated Net Worth as at the end of the then most recently
completed prior fiscal year of the Company.
No consolidation, merger, sale, lease, transfer, contribution or
other disposition referred to in subdivisions (a) through (d) of this Section
shall be permitted unless at the time of and immediately after giving effect
to any such transaction, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred
and be continuing. Nothing contained in this Section shall permit the
disposition of assets consisting of Debt, stock or similar interests or other
securities (or warrants, rights or options to acquire stock or other
securities) of any Subsidiary unless such disposition is also made in
compliance with SECTION 6.8.
6.10. RESTRICTIONS ON LONG TERM LEASES. The Company will not,
and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly become
or remain liable as lessee or as guarantor or other surety with respect to
any Long Term Lease unless, after giving effect to such Long Term Lease, (i)
the aggregate amount of all Long Term Lease Rentals for which the Company and
its Subsidiaries shall be liable in any one fiscal year (including the then
current and each future fiscal year) under all Long Term Leases shall not
exceed 10% of Consolidated Net Worth as at the end of the then most recently
completed fiscal quarter of the Company, and (ii) the aggregate amount of
Long Term Lease Rentals for which all such Subsidiaries shall be liable in
any one fiscal year (including the then current and each future fiscal year)
under all Long Term Leases shall not exceed $200,000.
6.11. SUBORDINATION OF CLAIMS. The Company will not, and will
not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, subordinate or permit to be
subordinated any claim against, or obligation of, any other Person held or
owned by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to any other claim against,
or obligation of, such other Person.
-22-
<PAGE>
6.12. GUARANTIES. The Company will not, and will not permit
any of its Subsidiaries to, become or remain liable under any Guaranty of the
obligations of any other Person (other than, subject to SECTION 6.3,
obligations of the Company and its Subsidiaries) except that (a) the Company
may become and remain liable in respect of Guaranties of IDB Debt if and for
so long as the Funded Debt of the Company relating to such IDB Debt is
permitted pursuant to SECTION 6.3 and the Liens, if any, securing such IDB
Debt are permitted by SECTION 6.4(h), and (b) the Company and its
Subsidiaries may become and remain liable under Guaranties of other
obligations not in excess of $1,000,000 in the aggregate (provided that
nothing in this Section shall limit or prevent the Company from remaining
liable in respect of its obligations to indemnify its officers and directors
arising under the Company's Articles of Incorporation, By-Laws or applicable
law).
6.13. NATURE OF BUSINESS. The Company will not, and will not
permit any of its Subsidiaries to, (a) alter the nature of the business in
which the Company and its Subsidiaries (viewed on a consolidated basis) are
engaged on the date hereof as described in the Memorandum (it being
understood that the continued development of critical care devices and other
products for the medical market, including, without limitation, products of
that character described in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for its
fiscal year ended September 24, 1995, and the conduct of activities incident
to or arising out of such development shall not for purposes hereof be deemed
an alteration of such business), or (b) invest, directly or indirectly, in
any substantial amount of assets or property other than assets or property
useful and to be used in such business as now conducted or as conducted in
the future in compliance with the foregoing provisions of this Section (the
"CORE BUSINESS"); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that nothing in this Section shall
prohibit the Company from acquiring, through merger or consolidation with, or
purchase from, any other Person, assets or other property not used or useful
in the Core Business so long as (i) such assets or other property are used or
useful in a line or lines of business which are related or reasonably
complementary to the Core Business or which entail the application of
technological expertise utilized in the Core Business, or adaptations
thereof, to new or additional products and (ii) after giving effect to any
such acquisition the value of all such assets or other property of the
Company and its Subsidiaries not used or useful in the Core Business shall
not exceed 25% of Consolidated Tangible Assets.
6.14. BOOKS AND RECORDS; FISCAL YEAR. The Company will, and
will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, (a) keep proper books of record and
account in which full, true and correct entries will be made of all its
material business dealings and transactions in accordance with GAAP applied
on a consistent basis and (b) maintain a system of accounting established and
administered in accordance with GAAP, and set aside on its books from its
earnings for each fiscal year all proper reserves, accruals and provisions
which, in accordance with GAAP, should be set aside from such earnings in
connection with its business, including, without limitation, provisions for
depreciation, obsolescence and/or amortization and accruals for taxes for
such period. The Company will not, and will not permit any of its
Subsidiaries to, change the basis on which its fiscal year is at present
determined.
-23-
<PAGE>
6.15. CORPORATE EXISTENCE; LICENSES. The Company will, and
will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, do or cause to be done all things
necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate
existence (except as otherwise permitted by SECTION 6.9) and its rights
(charter and statutory) and Licenses; except that, subject to compliance with
SECTIONS 6.8 AND 6.9 and the next succeeding sentence of this Section, the
rights and Licenses of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries may be
abandoned, modified or terminated if in the good faith judgment of the Board
of Directors such abandonment, modification or termination is in the best
interests of the Company and is not disadvantageous to the holders of Notes.
The Company will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, in any event
maintain the validity of all Licenses necessary in any material respect for
the conduct of the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries as now
conducted and as proposed to be conducted.
6.16. PAYMENT OF TAXES, CLAIMS FOR LABOR AND MATERIALS, ETC.
The Company will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, promptly pay
and discharge or cause to be promptly paid and discharged when due and before
the same shall become delinquent (a) all taxes, assessments and governmental
charges or levies imposed upon it or upon its income or profits or upon any
of its franchises, Licenses, business or property, or upon any part thereof,
and (b) all claims of landlords, carriers, warehousemen, mechanics,
materialmen and other similar Persons for labor, materials, supplies and
rentals which, if unpaid, might by law become a Lien or charge upon any of
its property; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the failure of the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries to pay any such tax, assessment, charge, levy or claim shall
not constitute a default hereunder if and for so long as the amount,
applicability or validity thereof shall concurrently be contested in good
faith by appropriate and timely actions or proceedings diligently pursued,
and if such reserve or other appropriate provision, if any, as shall be
required by GAAP shall have been made therefor and neither the Company's nor
any such Subsidiary's title to or right to the use of any of its property is
impaired in any material respect by reason of such contest.
6.17. MAINTENANCE OF PROPERTIES. The Company will, and will
cause each of its Subsidiaries to, maintain and keep, or cause to be
maintained and kept, in good repair, working order and condition (ordinary
wear and tear excepted) all material properties (whether owned or leased)
used or useful in the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, and from
time to time make or cause to be made all necessary and proper repairs,
renewals, replacements and improvements thereof so that the business carried
on in connection therewith may be properly and advantageously conducted
consistent with past practices of the Company.
6.18. INSURANCE. The Company will, and will cause each of its
Subsidiaries to, keep adequately insured, by financially sound and reputable
insurers, all of its property of a character customarily insured by prudent
corporations engaged in the same or a similar business and similarly situated
against loss or damage of the kinds and in amounts customarily insured
against by such corporations, and with deductibles or coinsurance no greater
than is customary, and carry, with such insurers in customary amounts, such
other insurance, including public liability insurance and insurance against
-24-
<PAGE>
claims for any violation of applicable law, as is customarily carried by
prudent corporations of established reputation engaged in the same or a
similar business and similarly situated.
6.19. COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. The Company will, and will cause
each of its Subsidiaries to, promptly comply in all material respects with
all laws, statutes, rules, regulations and ordinances and all Orders of, and
restrictions imposed by, any court, arbitrator or Governmental Body in
respect of the conduct of its business and the ownership of its properties
(including, without limitation, applicable laws, statutes, rules,
regulations, ordinances and Orders relating to occupational health and safety
standards, consumer protection and equal employment opportunities), except to
the extent that the applicability or validity of any such law, statute, rule,
regulation, ordinance or Order is being contested in good faith by
appropriate and timely actions or proceedings diligently pursued, and for
which such reserve or other appropriate provision, if any, as shall be
required by GAAP shall have been made, so long as such actions or proceedings
are effective to prevent the imposition of any material penalty on the
Company or such Subsidiary and neither the Company's nor any such
Subsidiary's title to or right to the use of any of its property is impaired
in any material respect by reason of such contest.
6.20. ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS. (a) The Company will, and will
cause each of its Subsidiaries to, (i) obtain and maintain in full force and
effect all Environmental Permits that may be required from time to time under
any Environmental Laws applicable to the Company or any such Subsidiary and
(ii) be and remain in compliance in all material respects with all terms and
conditions of all such Environmental Permits and with all other limitations,
restrictions, conditions, standards, prohibitions, requirements, obligations,
schedules and timetables contained in all applicable Environmental Laws.
(b) The Company will not, and will not permit any of its
Subsidiaries to, (i) cause or allow (A) any Hazardous Substance to be present
at any time on, in, under or above the Company Premises or any part thereof
or (B) the Company Premises or any part thereof to be used at any time to
manufacture, generate, refine, process, distribute, use, sell, treat,
receive, store, dispose of, transport, arrange for transport of, handle, or
be involved in any other activity involving, any Hazardous Substance, or (ii)
conduct any such activities described in the foregoing clause (i)(B) on the
Company Premises or anywhere else, except, in each case referred to in the
foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), in a manner that is in compliance in all
material respects with all applicable Environmental Laws and Environmental
Permits and to an extent that will not have a Material Adverse Effect.
6.21. MAINTENANCE OF OFFICE. Until the principal, Makewhole
Amount, if any, and interest on the Notes shall have been paid in full to the
registered holders thereof, the Company will maintain its principal office at
a location in the United States of America where notices, presentations and
demands in respect of this Agreement and the Notes may be made upon it, and
will notify each holder of a Note in writing of any
-25-
<PAGE>
change of location of such office at least 30 days prior to such change of
location. Such office shall first be maintained at 40 West Highland Park,
Hutchinson, Minnesota 55350.
7. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY. The Company
represents and warrants to you that:
7.1. ORGANIZATION AND AUTHORITY OF THE COMPANY, ETC. The Company
is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under
the laws of the State of Minnesota and has all requisite legal right, power
and authority to own or hold under lease the property it purports to own or
hold under lease, to carry on its business as now conducted and as proposed
to be conducted, to enter into this Agreement and the Other Agreements, to
issue and sell the Notes and to carry out the terms of the Agreements and the
Notes. The Company has, by all necessary corporate action (no action of its
shareholders being required in connection therewith), duly authorized the
execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Other Agreements, the
issuance and sale of the Notes and the performance of its obligations under
the Agreements and the Notes.
7.2. SUBSIDIARIES. SCHEDULE II lists all existing Subsidiaries of
the Company and correctly sets forth, as to each Subsidiary (a) its name, (b)
its jurisdiction of organization, (c) the percentage of its issued and
outstanding shares of capital stock of each class owned by the Company or one
of its Subsidiaries (specifying each such Subsidiary), and (d) the name of
each Person, if any, other than the Company or one of its Subsidiaries owning
outstanding shares of capital stock of any class of such Subsidiary and the
percentage of each such class of stock owned by such Person. Each Subsidiary
is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under
the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization and has all requisite legal
right, power and authority to own or hold under lease the property it
purports to own or hold under lease and to carry on its business as now
conducted and as proposed to be conducted. All of the outstanding shares of
capital stock of each such Subsidiary have been duly authorized and validly
issued and are fully paid and non-assessable and all shares of capital stock
indicated on SCHEDULE II as owned by the Company or any other Subsidiary are
owned beneficially and of record by the Company or such other Subsidiary, as
the case may be, free and clear of any Lien. There are no outstanding
rights, options, warrants, conversion rights or agreements for the purchase
or acquisition from the Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any shares of
capital stock or similar interests or other securities of any such Subsidiary.
7.3. QUALIFICATION. The Company is, and each of its Subsidiaries
is, duly qualified or licensed and in good standing as a foreign corporation
duly authorized to do business in each jurisdiction (other than the
jurisdiction of its organization) in which the nature of its activities or
the character of the properties it owns or leases makes such qualification or
licensing necessary and in which the failure to so qualify or be licensed
would have a Material Adverse Effect. SCHEDULE II sets forth as to the
Company and each of its Subsidiaries the jurisdictions (other than the
jurisdiction of its
-26-
<PAGE>
organization) in which it is qualified or licensed to do business or in
which any substantial part of its assets is located.
7.4. BUSINESS AND PROPERTY; FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, ETC. The Company
has furnished to you a true and complete copy of the Confidential Offering
Memorandum, dated May 1996 (together with the schedules, exhibits and
attachments thereto, the "MEMORANDUM"), prepared by First Chicago Capital
Markets, Inc. (the "PLACEMENT AGENT"), in connection with the offering by the
Placement Agent, on behalf of the Company, of the Notes. The Memorandum
correctly describes in all material respects, as of its date, the business
and material properties of the Company and its Subsidiaries and the nature of
their respective operations. The Memorandum contains, among other things,
(i) a pro forma capitalization table and (ii) selected financial data for the
six month periods ended March 1995 and 1996, respectively. The Company has
also delivered to you (A) audited consolidated financial statements of the
Company and its Subsidiaries as at the end of and for the fiscal years of the
Company ended September 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994 and 1995, respectively,
accompanied in each case by the report thereon of the Company's certified
independent public accountants, (B) its Annual Report on Form 10-K for its
fiscal year ended September 24, 1995, (C) its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q
for its fiscal quarters ended December 24, 1995 and March 24, 1996,
respectively, and (D) the Projections. The financial statements described in
clause (A) of the preceding sentence and all related schedules and notes have
been prepared in accordance with GAAP, in each case applied on a consistent
basis throughout the periods specified (except for changes specifically noted
therein), are correct and complete in all material respects and present
fairly the financial position of the corporation or corporations to which
they relate as at the respective dates thereof and the results of operations
and cash flows of such corporation or corporations for the respective periods
specified. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements
included in the reports described in clause (C) of said sentence have been
prepared, and in connection with such preparation certain information and
footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in
accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted, pursuant to the rules
and regulations of the Commission, and the information furnished therein
includes normal recurring adjustments and reflect all adjustments which are,
in the opinion of management of the Company, necessary for a fair
presentation of such financial statements. The Projections include certain
forecasted financial information for each of three alternative case
scenarios. Each such set of forecasted financial information was prepared
based on assumptions which were made in good faith at the time of such
preparation and for which, in the context of the particular case scenario to
which each such set relates, a reasonable basis existed at such time and, to
the extent relating to forecasted financial information for periods
subsequent to the Company's fiscal year ending in September, 1996, continues
to exist on the date hereof (it being understood, however, that nothing
herein shall be deemed a representation or warranty on the part of the
Company as to the attainability of the financial results included or implicit
in the Projections or any other particular financial results). The Company
has no material liabilities, contingent or otherwise, of a character
required, in accordance with GAAP, to be reflected in its financial
statements which are not described in the most recent audited financial
statements referred to in this Section or in the notes thereto.
-27-
<PAGE>
7.5. CHANGES, ETC. Since the date of the balance sheet included in
the most recent audited financial statements referred to in SECTION 7.4, (a)
there has been no change in the Business or Condition of the Company which
has been, either in any one case or in the aggregate, Materially Adverse, and
(b) there has been no occurrence or development, whether or not insured
against, which has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect.
7.6. COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS, OTHER INSTRUMENTS, ETC. (a) Neither
the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in violation of any term of its
corporate charter or by-laws or any agreement, indenture, mortgage,
instrument or License to which it is a party or by which it or any of its
properties may be bound or affected or any existing statute, law,
governmental rule, regulation or ordinance, or any Order of any court,
arbitrator or Governmental Body applicable to it (including, without
limitation, any statute, law, rule, regulation, ordinance or Order relating
to occupational health and safety standards, consumer protection or equal
employment practice requirements), the consequences of which violation,
either in any one case or taken together with all other such violations, has
had or could have a Material Adverse Effect.
(b) Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the
Other Agreements or the Notes nor the performance of the terms and provisions
hereof or thereof nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby or thereby will result in any breach of or be in conflict with or
constitute a default (or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both
would become a default) under, or give to others any right of termination,
amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, or result in a loss of any
benefit to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is entitled under, or
result in (or require) the creation of any Lien upon any property of the
Company under, any term of, the corporate charter or by-laws of the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries or any agreement, indenture, mortgage, instrument
or License to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by
which the Company, any such Subsidiary or any of their respective properties
may be bound or affected, or any existing statute, law, rule, regulation or
ordinance or any Order of any court, arbitrator or Governmental Body
applicable to the Company, any such Subsidiary or any of their respective
properties.
7.7. CONSENTS AND APPROVALS. No Approval by, from or with, and no
other action in respect of, any Governmental Body or any other Person
(including any trustee, or any holder of any indebtedness, securities or
other obligations of the Company) is required (a) for or in connection with
the valid execution and delivery by the Company of or the performance by the
Company of its obligations under this Agreement, the Other Agreements or the
Notes or the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated
hereby and thereby, including the offer, issuance, sale and delivery by the
Company of the Notes, or (b) as a condition to the legality, validity or
enforceability as against the Company of this Agreement, the Other Agreements
or the Notes.
7.8. DEBT, ETC. SCHEDULE III correctly lists all secured and
unsecured Funded Debt and Current Debt of the Company and each of its
Subsidiaries outstanding
-28-
<PAGE>
on the date hereof and shows, as to each item of Debt listed thereon, the
obligor and obligee, the aggregate principal amount outstanding on the date
hereof, whether the same constitutes Funded Debt or Current Debt, to what
extent, if any, the same will be reduced or repaid out of the proceeds of the
Notes and a brief description of any security therefor. No default or event
of default or basis for acceleration exists or, after giving effect to the
issuance and sale of the Notes pursuant to this Agreement and the Other
Agreements, will exist (or, but for the waiver thereof, would exist) under
any instrument or agreement evidencing, providing for the issuance or
securing of, or otherwise relating to any such Debt. The Company is not a
party to or bound by any charter provision, by-law, agreement, indenture,
mortgage, lease, instrument or License (other than this Agreement and the
Other Agreements) which contains any restriction on the incurrence by it of
any Debt, except for the Credit Agreement, the Notes Purchase Agreement,
dated as of July 9, 1987, among the institutional investors identified
therein and the Company, the Notes Purchase Agreement, dated as of October
28, 1988, among the institutional investors identified therein and the
Company, and the several Note Purchase Agreements, each dated as of April 20,
1994, among the respective institutional investors identified therein and the
Company, a true and correct copy of each of which has been delivered to you
or your special counsel and pursuant to each of which the Company is
permitted to incur the Debt to be evidenced by the Notes.
7.9. TITLE TO PROPERTY; LEASES; INVESTMENTS. (a) The Company and
its Subsidiaries have good and marketable title to their real properties and
good title to the other properties they purport to own, including those
reflected in the balance sheet included in the most recent audited financial
statements referred to in SECTION 7.4 or purported to have been acquired by
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries after the date of such balance sheet
(other than any such properties disposed of since such date in the ordinary
course of business), subject in the case of all such property to no Liens
other than Liens permitted by SECTION 6.4. The Company and its Subsidiaries
enjoy peaceful and undisturbed possession under all leases of all personal
and all real property necessary in any material respect to their respective
operations, all such leases are valid and subsisting and in full force and
effect, and neither the Company nor any such Subsidiary is in default in any
material respect in the performance or observance of its obligations
thereunder. SCHEDULE IV includes a general description of all Long Term
Leases under which the Company or a Subsidiary is a lessee, and sets forth
with respect to each such lease, (i) the name of the lessor thereunder, (ii)
a general description of the property leased, and (iii) the annual rental
obligations payable thereunder.
(b) SCHEDULE V correctly lists all Investments of the Company and
its Subsidiaries existing on the date hereof other than Investments in
Subsidiaries.
7.10. LITIGATION. There are no actions, suits or proceedings
pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against or affecting
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties
(and no basis therefor is known to the Company) in any court or before any
arbitrator of any kind or before or by any Governmental Body, which (a)
question the validity or legality of this Agreement, the
-29-
<PAGE>
Other Agreements or the Notes or any action taken or to be taken pursuant
hereto or thereto or (b) could reasonably be expected to result, either in
any one case or in the aggregate, in a Material Adverse Change.
7.11. TAXES. The Company and its Subsidiaries have filed all
tax returns which are required by law to have been filed by them in any
jurisdiction and have paid all taxes, assessments, fees and charges of each
Governmental Body shown to be owing on such returns to the extent the same
have become due and payable and before they have become delinquent other than
those presently payable without penalty or interest and those being contested
in good faith by appropriate and timely actions or proceedings diligently
pursued with respect to which adequate reserves have been established in
accordance with GAAP. The Federal income tax returns of the Company and its
consolidated Subsidiaries have been examined and reported on by applicable
taxing authorities or closed by applicable statute for all fiscal years
through the fiscal year ended in 1990. The Company does not know of any
additional assessment or proposed assessment for any fiscal year, and no
material controversy in respect of additional Federal or state income taxes
is pending or to the knowledge of the Company is threatened. In the opinion
of the Company, all tax liabilities (including taxes for all open years and
for its current fiscal period) are adequately provided for on the books of
the Company in accordance with GAAP.
7.12. COMPLIANCE WITH ERISA. (a) No Termination Event has
occurred, and to the best knowledge of the Company no event or condition has
occurred or exists as to which any Termination Event could reasonably be
expected to occur, with respect to any Plan, and no accumulated funding
deficiency (as defined in Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code),
whether or not waived, has occurred with respect to any Plan. The present
value of all accrued benefits under each Plan which is not a Multiemployer
Plan (based on those assumptions used to fund such Plan, which assumptions
are reasonable) did not, as of the most recent valuation date, which for any
such Plan was not earlier than twelve months prior to the date as of which
this representation is made, exceed the then current value of the assets of
such Plan allocable to such benefits.
(b) No Company Group Member has incurred, or is reasonably
expected to incur, any withdrawal liability to any Multiemployer Plan and the
Company has no present intention of withdrawing from any Multiemployer Plan.
No Company Group Member has received any notification that any Multiemployer
Plan is in reorganization (as defined in Section 4241 of ERISA), is insolvent
(as defined in Section 4245 of ERISA) or has been terminated, within the
meaning of Title IV of ERISA, and to the best knowledge of the Company no
Multiemployer Plan is reasonably expected to be in reorganization, insolvent
or to be terminated.
(c) To the best knowledge of the Company, no prohibited
transaction (as defined in Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code)
or material breach of fiduciary responsibility has occurred which has
subjected or may subject any Company Group Member to any liability under
Section 406, 409, 502(i) or 502(l) of ERISA or
-30-
<PAGE>
Section 4975 of the Code, or under any agreement or other instrument pursuant
to which such Company Group Member has agreed or is required to indemnify any
Person against any such liability. No Company Group Member has incurred, or
is reasonably expected to incur, any liability to the PBGC (other than for
insurance premiums, which will be paid in the ordinary course when due).
(d) Full payment has been made on or before the due date thereof
of all amounts which any Company Group Member is or was required under the
terms of any Plan to have paid as contributions to such Plan as of the date
hereof.
(e) No Lien imposed under the Code or ERISA on the assets of any
Company Group Member exists or is reasonably likely to arise on account of
any Plan.
(f) No welfare plan (as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA)
maintained by any Company Group Member provides medical or death benefits
with respect to current or former employees beyond their termination of
employment (other than coverage mandated by law). To the best knowledge of
the Company, each such plan to which Sections 601-609 of ERISA and Section
4980B of the Code apply has been administered in compliance with such
sections.
(g) Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the
Other Agreements nor the issuance and sale of the Notes as herein
contemplated will involve any transaction which is subject to the
prohibitions of Section 406 of ERISA or in connection with which a tax could
be imposed pursuant to Section 4975 of the Code. The representation by the
Company in the preceding sentence is made in reliance upon and subject to the
accuracy of your representation in SECTION 1.6.
7.13. PRIVATE OFFERING. Neither the Company nor the Placement
Agent (the only Person authorized or employed by the Company to act on its
behalf in connection with the offer and sale of the Notes or any similar
securities of the Company) nor any other Person has offered the Notes or any
similar securities of the Company for sale to, or solicited any offer to buy
any of the same from, or otherwise approached or negotiated in respect
thereof with, any Person other than you, the Other Purchasers and 46 other
institutional investors, each of which was offered the Notes at private sale
for investment. Neither the Company nor any other Person acting on its behalf
has taken, or will take, any action which would subject the issuance or sale
of the Notes to Section 5 of the Securities Act or to the registration or
qualification requirements of any securities or blue sky law of any
applicable jurisdiction.
7.14. USE OF PROCEEDS; MARGIN REGULATIONS. The Company will
apply the proceeds from the sale of the Notes under the Agreements as
provided in SECTION 1.4. No part of the proceeds from the sale of the Notes
will be used, directly or indirectly, for the purpose of purchasing or
carrying any "margin stock" within the meaning of Regulation G of the Board
of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (12 CFR 207, as amended), or for
the purpose of purchasing or carrying or trading in any securities under such
circumstances as to involve the Company in a violation of Regulation X of
-31-
<PAGE>
said Board (12 CFR 224, as amended) or to involve any broker or dealer in a
violation of Regulation T of said Board (12 CFR 220, as amended). No Debt
being reduced or retired out of the proceeds of the sale of the Notes was
incurred for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any margin stock within
the meaning of such Regulation G or any "margin security" within the meaning
of such Regulation T. The assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries do not
consist on the date hereof of, and neither the Company nor any of its
Subsidiaries has any present intention of acquiring directly or indirectly,
any such margin stock or any such margin security. None of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement (including, without limitation, the direct or
indirect use of the proceeds from the sale of the Notes) will violate or
result in a violation of Section 7 of the Exchange Act or any regulations
issued pursuant thereto, including, without limitation, said Regulation G,
Regulation T and Regulation X.
7.15. LICENSES, PATENTS, TRADEMARKS, AUTHORIZATIONS, ETC. The
Company and each of its Subsidiaries owns, possesses or has the right to use
(without any known conflict with the rights of others) all permits,
franchises, patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights,
licenses, permits and governmental or other authorizations or the like
(collectively, "LICENSES") which are necessary in any material respect to the
conduct of its businesses as conducted on the date hereof and as proposed to
be conducted. Each such License is in full force and effect, and the Company
or its applicable Subsidiary, as the case may be (whichever shall own,
possess or have the right to use the same), has fulfilled and performed in
all material respects its obligations with respect thereto to the extent
required to be performed or observed on or prior to the date hereof. No
default in the performance or observance by the Company or any such
Subsidiary of its obligations thereunder has occurred (and, so far as is
known to the Company no other event has occurred) which permits, or after
notice or lapse of time or both would permit, the revocation or termination
of any such License or which has had a Material Adverse Effect or in the
future may (so far as the Company can now reasonably foresee) have a Material
Adverse Effect.
7.16. STATUS UNDER CERTAIN STATUTES; OTHER REGULATIONS. The
Company is not an "investment company" or a Person directly or indirectly
"controlled" by or "acting on behalf of" an "investment company" within the
meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. The Company is
not 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," as such terms are defined in the Public Utility Holding
Company Act of 1935, as amended. The Company is not a "public utility," as
such term is defined in the Federal Power Act, as amended. The Company is
not subject to regulation under any Federal or state law, statute, rule,
regulation or ordinance which limits its ability to incur Debt.
7.17. LABOR MATTERS. There are no labor disputes between the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries on the one hand and any of their
respective employees or representatives of such employees on the other hand
which in the aggregate might have a Material Adverse Effect, and the Company
and its Subsidiaries are in compliance in all material respects with all
applicable laws respecting employment and employment
-32-
<PAGE>
practices, terms and conditions of employment, tax withholding on behalf of
employees and wages and hours, and are not engaged in any unfair labor
practices which, either in any one case or taken together, has had or could
have a Material Adverse Effect.
7.18. FULL DISCLOSURE. Neither this Agreement nor the
Memorandum nor any other document, certificate or instrument delivered to you
by or on behalf of the Company in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement contains any untrue statement of a material
fact or omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the
statements contained herein or therein, in light of the circumstances under
which the same were made, not misleading. There is no fact known to the
Company which has had a Material Adverse Effect or in the future may (so far
as the Company can now reasonably foresee) have a Material Adverse Effect
which has not been set forth or reflected in this Agreement, the Memorandum
or in the other documents, certificates and instruments referred to herein
and delivered to you by or on behalf of the Company on or prior to the date
hereof in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
7.19. ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS. (a) The Company and its
Subsidiaries currently hold and at all times heretofore the Company and its
Subsidiaries held all Environmental Permits required under all Environmental
Laws except to the extent failure to have any such Environmental Permit has
not had and will not have a Material Adverse Effect.
(b) The Company and its Subsidiaries currently are, and at all
times heretofore the Company and its Subsidiaries have been, in compliance
with all terms and conditions of all such Environmental Permits and all other
limitations, restrictions, conditions, standards, prohibitions, requirements,
obligations, schedules and timetables contained in all applicable
Environmental Laws except to the extent failure to comply therewith, in any
one case or in the aggregate, has not had and will not have a Material
Adverse Effect.
(c) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has ever
received, and, so far as is known to the Company, no predecessor in interest
of the Company or any such Subsidiary in respect of any of the Company
Premises has ever received, from any Governmental Body or other Person any
notice of, and the Company has no knowledge of, any events, conditions or
circumstances that could prevent continued compliance in all material
respects with the Environmental Permits referred to in subdivision (b) of
this Section or any scheduled renewals thereof or any applicable
Environmental Laws currently in effect, or that could give rise to any
liability on the part of the Company or any such Subsidiary or otherwise form
the basis of any claim, action, demand, request, notice, suit, proceeding,
hearing, study or investigation (collectively, "ENVIRONMENTAL CLAIMS")
involving the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, based on or related to (i)
a violation of any applicable Environmental Laws currently in effect or (ii)
the manufacture, generation, refining, processing, distribution, use, sale,
treatment, receipt, storage, disposal, transport, arranging for transport or
handling, or the emission, discharge, release or threatened release into the
environment, of any Hazardous
-33-
<PAGE>
Substance in violation of any applicable Environmental Laws currently in
effect, other than liabilities or Environmental Claims referred to in this
subdivision (c) that have not had and will not have, either in any one case
or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
8. EVENTS OF DEFAULT; REMEDIES.
8.1. EVENTS OF DEFAULT DEFINED; ACCELERATION OF MATURITY. If any
of the following conditions or events (each herein called an "EVENT OF
DEFAULT") shall occur and be continuing (whatever the reason for such Event
of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or come about or
be effected by operation of law or pursuant to or in compliance with judicial
or governmental or administrative order or action or otherwise):
(a) default shall be made in the due and punctual payment of all
or any part of the principal of or Makewhole Amount, if any, on any Note
when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether on a date
fixed for prepayment, at stated maturity, by acceleration or
declaration, or otherwise; or
(b) default shall be made in the due and punctual payment of any
interest on any Note when and as such interest shall become due and
payable, and such default shall have continued for a period of three
days; or
(c) default shall be made in the due performance or observance of
any covenant, provision, agreement or condition contained in SECTION
4(G) or any of SECTIONS 6.2 THROUGH 6.13, both inclusive, and, except in
the case of any such default under SECTION 4(G), subdivision (a) of
SECTION 6.3, SECTION 6.8, SECTION 6.9 or SECTION 6.10, such default
shall have continued for a period of ten days after the earlier of (x)
the date on which a Responsible Officer of the Company first has
knowledge of such default and (y) the giving of notice to the Company of
such default by any holder or holders of a Note or Notes; or
(d) default shall be made in the due performance or observance of
any other covenant, provision, agreement or condition contained in this
Agreement (other than any default referred to in the foregoing
subdivisions (a), (b) and (c) of this SECTION 8.1) and such default
shall have continued for a period of 30 days after the earlier of (x)
the date on which any Responsible Officer of the Company first has
knowledge of such default and (y) the giving of notice to the Company of
such default by any holder or holders of a Note or Notes; or
(e) (i) default shall be made in the payment of any amount due,
whether on an interest payment date or on a date fixed for prepayment,
at stated maturity, by acceleration or declaration or otherwise, under
or in respect of any Funded Debt or Current Debt of the Company (other
than the Notes) or any Subsidiary, and such default shall continue
beyond the period of grace, if any,
-34-
<PAGE>
allowed with respect thereto; or (ii) default shall be made in the due
performance or observance of any covenant, provision, agreement or
condition contained in any document evidencing or providing for the
issuance or securing of any such Funded Debt or Current Debt, if the
effect of any such default referred to in this clause (ii) is to cause
or to permit the holder or holders of such Debt (or a trustee or agent
on behalf of such holders) to cause any payment or payments in respect
of any such Debt to become due prior to the scheduled due date thereof;
or
(f) the Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall (i) apply for or
consent to the appointment of, or the taking of possession by, a
receiver, custodian, trustee or liquidator of itself or of all or a
substantial part of its property, (ii) become insolvent or be generally
unable to or shall generally fail or admit in writing its inability to
pay its debts as such debts become due, (iii) make a general assignment
for the benefit of its creditors, (iv) commence a voluntary case under
the Federal Bankruptcy Code (as now or hereafter in effect), (v) file a
petition seeking to take advantage of any bankruptcy, insolvency,
moratorium, reorganization or other similar law affecting the
enforcement of creditors' rights generally, (vi) acquiesce in writing
to, or fail to controvert in a timely or appropriate manner, any
petition filed against it in an involuntary case under such Bankruptcy
Code, (vii) take any action under the laws of any jurisdiction (foreign
or domestic) analogous to any of the foregoing, or (viii) take any
action in furtherance of any of the foregoing; or
(g) a proceeding or case shall be commenced in respect of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries, without its application or consent,
in any court of competent jurisdiction, seeking (i) the liquidation,
reorganization, moratorium, dissolution, winding up, or composition or
readjustment of its debts, (ii) the appointment of a trustee, receiver,
custodian, liquidator or the like of it or of all or any substantial
part of its assets, or (iii) similar relief in respect of it under any
law providing for the relief of debtors, and such proceeding or case
described in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) shall continue undismissed, or
unstayed and in effect, for a period of 30 days, or an order for relief
shall be entered in an involuntary case under the Federal Bankruptcy
Code (as now or hereafter in effect) against the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries and shall continue undismissed, or unstayed and in effect,
for a period of 15 days; or action under the laws of any jurisdiction
(foreign or domestic) analogous to any of the foregoing shall be taken
with respect to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and shall
continue undismissed, or unstayed and in effect, for a period of 15
days; or
(h) a final judgment or decree for the payment of money shall be
rendered by a court of competent jurisdiction against the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries which, either alone or together with other
outstanding judgments or decrees against the Company or any one or more
of its Subsidiaries, shall aggregate more than $500,000, and the Company
or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, shall not discharge the same or
provide for its discharge in accordance
-35-
<PAGE>
with its terms within 45 days from the date of entry thereof or within
such longer period during which execution of such judgment shall have
been stayed; or
(i) any representation or warranty made by the Company in this
Agreement or in any certificate or other instrument delivered hereunder
or pursuant hereto or in connection with any provision hereof shall
prove to have been false or incorrect or breached in any material
respect on the date as of which made; or
(j) (i) any Company Group Member shall fail to pay when due any
amount which it shall have become liable to pay to the PBGC or to a Plan
under Title IV of ERISA; (ii) any Company Group Member shall withdraw
from a Multiple Employer Plan during a plan year in which it is a
substantial employer (as such term is defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of
ERISA), or shall be treated as having so withdrawn under Section 4062(e)
of ERISA, or any Multiple Employer Plan shall be terminated; (iii)
notice of intent to terminate a Plan or Plans shall be filed under Title
IV of ERISA by any Company Group Member, any plan administrator or any
combination of the foregoing; (iv) the PBGC shall institute proceedings
under Title IV of ERISA to terminate or to cause a trustee to be
appointed to administer any Plan or Plans; (v) any Company Group Member
shall withdraw from any Multiemployer Plan ; (vi) any Plan (with the
exception of any Multiemployer Plan) shall have an Unfunded Current
Liability; or (vii) any prohibited transaction (as defined in Section
406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) or breach of fiduciary
responsibility shall occur which may subject any Company Group Member to
any liability under Section 406, 409, 502(i) or 502(l) of ERISA or
Section 4975 of the Code, or under any agreement or other instrument
pursuant to which such Company Group Member has agreed or is required to
indemnify any Person against any such liability; and there shall result
from any such event or events referred to in the foregoing subdivisions
(i) through (vii) a Material Adverse Effect;
then (i) upon the occurrence on any date of any Event of Default described in
clause (f) or (g) of this Section with respect to the Company, the unpaid
principal amount of all Notes, together with the interest accrued thereon in
accordance with the terms thereof and hereof (which interest shall be deemed
matured) and all other amounts payable by the Company hereunder, plus (to the
extent permitted by applicable law) the Makewhole Amount (determined as of
such date in respect of such principal amount of the Notes) shall
automatically become immediately due and payable, without presentment,
demand, protest, notice of intention to accelerate, notice of acceleration,
or other requirements of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived
by the Company, and (ii) upon the occurrence on any date or during the
continuance of any other Event of Default, the holder or holders of not less
than 51% of the unpaid principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding
may, by written notice to the Company, declare the unpaid principal amount of
all Notes to be, and the same shall forthwith become, due and payable,
together with the interest accrued thereon in accordance with the terms
thereof and hereof (which interest shall be deemed matured) and all other
amounts payable by the Company
-36-
<PAGE>
hereunder, plus (to the extent permitted by applicable law) the Makewhole
Amount (determined as of the date of such declaration in respect of such
principal amount of Notes), without presentment, demand, protest, notice or
other requirements of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by
the Company; PROVIDED that, upon the occurrence on any date or during the
continuance of an Event of Default described in clause (a) or (b) of this
Section with respect to any Note, the holder of such Note may, by written
notice to the Company, declare the unpaid principal amount of such Note to
be, and the same shall forthwith become, due and payable, together with the
interest accrued thereon in accordance with the terms thereof and hereof
(which interest shall be deemed matured) and all other amounts payable by the
Company hereunder to the holder of such Note, plus (to the extent permitted
by applicable law) the Makewhole Amount (determined as of the date of such
declaration in respect of such principal amount of such Note), without
presentment, demand, protest, notice or other requirements of any kind, all
of which are hereby expressly waived by the Company. If any holder of any
Note shall exercise the option specified in the proviso to the preceding
sentence, the Company will forthwith give written notice thereof to the
holders of all other outstanding Notes and each such holder may (whether or
not such notice is given or received), by written notice to the Company,
declare the principal amount of all Notes held by it to be, and the same
shall forthwith become, due and payable, together with interest accrued
thereon in accordance with the terms thereof and hereof (which interest shall
be deemed matured) and all other amounts payable by the Company hereunder to
the holder of such Notes, plus (to the extent permitted by applicable law)
the Makewhole Amount (determined as of the date of such declaration in
respect of such principal amount of such Notes), without presentment, demand,
protest, notice or other requirements of any kind, all of which are hereby
expressly waived by the Company.
8.2. DEFAULT REMEDIES. If any Event of Default shall have occurred
and be continuing, the holder of any Note may proceed to protect and enforce
its rights under this Agreement or such Note, either by suit in equity or by
action at law or both, whether for specific performance of any covenant or
agreement contained in this Agreement or in aid of the exercise of any power
granted in this Agreement, or the holder of any Note may proceed to enforce
the payment of all sums due upon such Note or under this Agreement or to
enforce any other legal or equitable right available to the holder of such
Note. The Company covenants that if it shall default in the making of any
payment due under any Note or in the performance or observance of any
covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement, it will pay to each holder
of a Note such further amounts, to the extent lawful, as shall be sufficient
to pay the reasonable costs and expenses of collection or of otherwise
enforcing such holder's rights, including, without limitation, reasonable
counsel fees and disbursements. The obligations of the Company pursuant to
the immediately preceding sentence shall survive the transfer or payment in
full of the Notes.
8.3. REMEDIES CUMULATIVE. No remedy herein conferred upon you or
the holder of any Note is intended to be exclusive of any other remedy and
each and every such remedy shall be cumulative and shall be in addition to
every other remedy
-37-
<PAGE>
given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or by
statute or otherwise.
8.4. REMEDIES NOT WAIVED. No course of dealing between the Company
and you or the holder of any Note and no delay or failure in exercising any
rights hereunder or under any Note in respect thereof shall operate as a
waiver of or otherwise prejudice any of your rights or the rights of any
holder of any Note.
9. DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION.
9.1. DEFINED TERMS. Except as otherwise specified or as the
context may otherwise require, the following terms have the respective
meanings set forth below whenever used in this Agreement (terms defined in
the singular to have a correlative meaning when used in the plural and vice
versa):
AFFILIATE: with respect to any designated Person, any other Person
(a) directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controlling
or controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such
designated Person, (b) which beneficially owns or holds 5% or more of the
shares of any class of Voting Stock (or in the case of a Person which is not
a corporation, 5% or more of the equity interest) of such designated Person,
(c) 5% or more of any class of the Voting Stock (or in the case of a Person
which is not a corporation, 5% or more of the equity interest) of which is
beneficially owned or held by such designated Person, or (d) who is an
officer or director of such Person. For purposes of this definition,
"CONTROL" (including, with correlative meanings, the terms "CONTROLLED BY"
and "UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH"), as used with respect to any Person, shall
mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause
the direction of the management and policies of such Person, whether through
the ownership of Voting Stock (or other equity interest) or by contract or
otherwise.
AGREEMENTS: as defined in SECTION 1.2(B).
APPROVALS: as defined in SECTION 2.8.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS: the Board of Directors of the Company or a
duly authorized committee of directors lawfully exercising the relevant
powers of such Board of Directors.
BUSINESS DAY: any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or any other
day on which commercial banks are required or authorized by law or regulation
to be closed in New York, New York, Chicago, Illinois or Minneapolis,
Minnesota.
BUSINESS OR CONDITION: of any Person, the business, operations,
assets, properties, earnings, condition (financial or other) or reasonably
foreseeable prospects of such Person, PROVIDED that such term, when used
without reference to any particular
-38-
<PAGE>
Person, shall mean the Business or Condition of the Company and of the
Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
CAPITAL LEASE: as applied to any Person, any lease of any property
(whether real, personal or mixed) by such Person as lessee which would, in
accordance with GAAP, be required to be classified and accounted for as a
capital lease on the balance sheet of such Person or in the notes thereto,
other than, in the case of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, any such
lease under which the Company or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary is the lessor.
CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATION: as at any date, with respect to any
Capital Lease, the amount of the obligation of the lessee thereunder which
would, in accordance with GAAP, appear on a balance sheet of such lessee or
in the notes thereto in respect of such Capital Lease.
CLOSING: as defined in SECTION 1.3.
CLOSING DATE: as defined in SECTION 1.3.
CODE: the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any
successor statute thereto, as interpreted by the rules and regulations issued
thereunder, in each case as in effect from time to time.
COMMISSION: the Securities and Exchange Commission and any other
similar or successor agency of the Federal government administering the
Securities Act and the Exchange Act.
COMPANY: as defined in the opening paragraph of this Agreement.
COMPANY GROUP MEMBER: the Company, each Subsidiary, and each of
their respective predecessors and (a) each corporation that is or was at any
time a member of the same controlled group of corporations (within the
meaning of Section 414(b) of the Code) as the Company or any Subsidiary, or
any of their respective predecessors, (b) each trade or business, whether or
not incorporated, that is or was at any time under common control (within the
meaning of Section 414(c) of the Code) with the Company or any Subsidiary, or
any of their respective predecessors, and (c) each trade or business, whether
or not incorporated, that is or was at any time a member of the same
affiliated service group (within the meaning of Sections 414(m) and (o) of
the Code) as the Company or any Subsidiary, or any of their respective
predecessors.
COMPANY PREMISES: real property in which the Company, any
Subsidiary, or any Person which has been a Subsidiary at any time has or ever
had any direct or indirect interest, including, without limitation, ownership
thereof, or any arrangement for the lease, rental or other use thereof, or
the retention or claim of any mortgage or security interest therein or
thereon.
-39-
<PAGE>
COMPENSATION PAYMENTS: as defined in SECTION 6.7.
CONSOLIDATED CURRENT DEBT: as at any date of determination, the
total of all Current Debt of the Company and its Subsidiaries determined in
accordance with GAAP on a consolidated basis after eliminating all
inter-company items.
CONSOLIDATED FIXED CHARGES: for any period, the sum of the
following amounts for the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated
basis after eliminating all inter-company transactions: (a) Consolidated
Interest Expense for such period, plus (b) the aggregate amount of Long Term
Lease Rentals accrued (whether or not actually paid) during such period.
CONSOLIDATED FUNDED DEBT: as at any date of determination, the
total of all Funded Debt of the Company and its Subsidiaries determined in
accordance with GAAP on a consolidated basis after eliminating all
inter-company items.
CONSOLIDATED INTEREST EXPENSE: for any period, the sum of the
following amounts for the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated
basis after eliminating all inter-company transactions: (a) the aggregate
amount of all interest accrued (whether or not actually paid and whether
deducted or capitalized) during such period on Debt (including, without
limitation, imputed interest on Capital Lease Obligations), plus (b)
amortization of debt discount and expense during such period, plus (c) all
fees or commissions payable in connection with any letters of credit during
such period.
CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME: for any period, the net income (or
deficit) of the Company and its Subsidiaries for such period (taken as a
cumulative whole) after deducting, without duplication, operating expenses,
provisions for all taxes and reserves (including reserves for deferred income
taxes) and all other proper deductions, all determined in accordance with
GAAP on a consolidated basis, after eliminating all inter-company items and
after deducting portions of income properly attributable to outside minority
interests, if any, in the stock and surplus of any Subsidiary; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that there shall in any event be excluded from Consolidated Net
Income (without duplication):
(a) the income (or deficit) of any Person accrued prior to the
date it becomes a Subsidiary or is merged into or consolidated with the
Company or a Subsidiary;
(b) any amount representing the interest of the Company or any
Subsidiary in the earnings of any Person other than a Subsidiary, except
to the extent that any such earnings have been actually received by the
Company or such Subsidiary in the form of cash dividends or similar
distributions;
(c) any portion of the net income of a Subsidiary which for any
reason is unavailable for the payment of dividends to the Company or
another Subsidiary;
-40-
<PAGE>
(d) any deferred credit or amortization thereof from the
acquisition of any properties or assets of any Person;
(e) any gain during such period arising from (i) the sale,
exchange or other disposition of capital assets (such term to include
all fixed assets, whether tangible or intangible, and all securities) to
the extent the aggregate gains from such transactions exceed losses
during such period from such transactions, (ii) any reappraisal,
revaluation or write-up of assets after the date of the most recent
audited financial statements referred to in SECTION 7.4, (iii) the
acquisition of any securities of the Company or a Subsidiary or (iv) the
termination of any Plan;
(f) the proceeds of any life insurance policy; and
(g) any item properly classified as extraordinary in accordance
with GAAP.
CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME AVAILABLE FOR FIXED CHARGES: for any
period, Consolidated Net Income for such period, plus all amounts deducted in
arriving at such Consolidated Net Income in respect of (a) Consolidated Fixed
Charges and (b) provisions for taxes imposed on or measured by income or
excess profits.
CONSOLIDATED NET WORTH: as at any date of determination, the
excess of (a) the sum of common stock (but excluding stock subscribed for but
unissued) and surplus (including retained earnings and additional paid-in
capital) accounts of the Company and its Subsidiaries appearing on a
consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries prepared in
accordance with GAAP as of such date of determination, after eliminating all
inter-company transactions and all amounts properly attributable to outside
minority interests in Subsidiaries over (b) the aggregate amount which would,
in accordance with GAAP, appear on such balance sheet in respect of all
assets other than those included in Consolidated Tangible Assets.
CONSOLIDATED TANGIBLE ASSETS: as at any date of determination, the
Tangible Assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis
in accordance with GAAP, after eliminating all inter-company items and making
appropriate deductions for outside minority interests.
COVERAGE PERIOD: with respect to any Determination Date, a period
(considered as one accounting period) consisting of either:
(a) if such Determination Date shall occur at or prior to the end
of the Company's fiscal year ending in 1998, four fiscal quarters (no
more than three of which may be consecutive) selected by the Company
from among the seven consecutive fiscal quarters of the Company ending
on such Determination Date; or
-41-
<PAGE>
(b) if such Determination Date shall occur subsequent to the end
of the Company's fiscal year ending in 1998, four fiscal quarters (which
may but need not be consecutive) selected by the Company from among the
six consecutive fiscal quarters of the Company ending on such
Determination Date.
CREDIT AGREEMENT: the Credit Agreement, dated as of December 8,
1995, by and among the Company, the Lenders identified (and as that term is
defined) therein and The First National Bank of Chicago, as agent for said
Lenders, as the same may be amended, modified and in effect from time to time.
CURRENT DEBT: as applied to any Person, as of any date of
determination, all Debt of such Person for borrowed money other than any such
Debt which constitutes Funded Debt as of such date.
DEBT: as applied to any Person, as of any date of determination,
all obligations of such Person (other than capital, surplus, reserves for
deferred income taxes and, to the extent not constituting obligations, other
deferred credits and reserves) which would be classified on a balance sheet
of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP as of such date as
liabilities, including in any event (without duplication):
(a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money or evidenced
by bonds, debentures, notes, drafts or similar instruments;
(b) all obligations of such Person for all or any part of the
deferred purchase price of property or services or for the cost of
property constructed or of improvements;
(c) all obligations secured by any Lien on or payable out of the
proceeds of production from property owned or held by such Person even
though such Person has not assumed or become liable for the payment of
such obligations;
(d) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person;
(e) all obligations of such Person, contingent or otherwise, in
respect of any letter of credit facilities, bankers' acceptance
facilities or other similar credit facilities (but only to the extent,
in the case of any of the foregoing obligations referred to in this
clause, the same does not support another obligation of such Person
which either is otherwise included in Debt or consists of current
accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of business); and
(f) all Guaranties by such Person of or with respect to
obligations of the character referred to in the foregoing clauses (a)
through (e) of another Person;
-42-
<PAGE>
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that in determining the Debt of any Person, (i) all
liabilities for which such Person is jointly and severally liable with one or
more other Persons (including, without limitation, all liabilities of any
partnership or joint venture of which such Person is a general partner or
co-venturer) shall be included at the full amount thereof without regard to
any right such Person may have against any such other Persons for
contribution or indemnity, and (ii) no effect shall be given to deposits,
trust arrangements or similar arrangements which, in accordance with GAAP,
extinguish Debt for which such Person remains legally liable.
DEFAULT: any condition or event which, with notice or lapse of
time or both, would become an Event of Default.
DETERMINATION DATE: each date which shall be the last day of a
fiscal quarter of the Company.
ENVIRONMENTAL CLAIMS: as defined in SECTION 7.19.
ENVIRONMENTAL LAW: any past, present or future Federal, state,
local or foreign statutory or common law, or any regulation, ordinance, code,
plan, Order, permit, grant, franchise, concession, restriction or agreement
issued, entered, promulgated or approved thereunder, relating to (a) the
environment, human health or safety, including, without limitation,
emissions, discharges, releases or threatened releases of Hazardous
Substances into the environment, or (b) the manufacture, generation,
refining, processing, distribution, use, sale, treatment, receipt, storage,
disposal, transport, arranging for transport, or handling of Hazardous
Substances.
ENVIRONMENTAL PERMITS: collectively, any and all permits,
consents, licenses, approvals and registrations of any nature at any time
required pursuant to or in order to comply with any Environmental Law.
ERISA: the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended, and any successor statute thereto, as interpreted by the rules and
regulations thereunder, all as the same may be in effect from time to time.
References to sections of ERISA shall be construed also to refer to any
successor sections.
EVENT OF DEFAULT: as defined in SECTION 8.1.
EXCHANGE ACT: the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or any similar
Federal statute, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder,
all as the same shall be in effect from time to time.
EXISTING IDB DEBT: the Funded Debt of the Company described in
Item 11 on SCHEDULE III.
-43-
<PAGE>
EXISTING IDB DOCUMENTS: collectively, the Trust Indenture between
the City of Hutchinson, Minnesota ("Issuer") and National City Bank of
Minneapolis, as trustee, the Loan Agreement between the Issuer and the
Company, and the Remarketing Agreement between the Remarketing Agent referred
to in said Trust Indenture and the Company, each dated as of March 1, 1993
and relating to the Existing IDB Debt, together with the Bonds issued under
said Trust Indenture.
FUNDED DEBT: as applied to any Person, as of any date of
determination thereof, all Debt of such Person which would be classified upon
a balance sheet of such Person prepared as of such date in accordance with
GAAP as long term or funded debt, including in any event (without
duplication) all Debt of such Person, whether secured or unsecured, having a
final maturity (or which, pursuant to the terms of a revolving credit
agreement or otherwise, is renewable or extendable at the option of such
Person for a period ending) more than one year after the date of creation
thereof, notwithstanding the fact that (a) payments in respect thereof
(whether installment, serial maturity or sinking fund payments or otherwise)
are required to be made by such Person on demand or within one year after the
creation thereof or (b) all or any part of the amount thereof is at the time
also included in current liabilities of such Person.
GAAP: generally accepted accounting principles as from time to
time set forth in the opinions of the Accounting Principles Board of the
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and in statements by the
Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such opinions and statements of
such other entities as shall be approved by a significant segment of the
accounting profession in the United States of America.
GOVERNMENTAL BODY: any Federal, state, municipal, local or other
governmental department, commission, board, bureau, agency, instrumentality,
political subdivision or taxing authority, of any country.
GUARANTY: as applied to any Person, any direct or indirect
liability, contingent or otherwise, of such Person with respect to any
indebtedness, lease, dividend or other obligation of another, including,
without limitation, any such obligation directly or indirectly guaranteed,
endorsed (otherwise than for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of
business) or discounted or sold with recourse by such Person, or in respect
of which such Person is otherwise in any manner directly or indirectly
liable, including, without limitation, any such obligation in effect
guaranteed by such Person through any agreement (contingent or otherwise) to
(a) purchase, repurchase or otherwise acquire such obligation or any security
therefor, or to provide funds for the payment or discharge of such obligation
(whether in the form of loans, advances, stock purchases, capital
contributions or otherwise), or (b) maintain the solvency or any balance
sheet or other financial condition of the obligor of such obligation, or (c)
make payment for any products, materials or supplies or for any
transportation or services regardless of the non-delivery or non-furnishing
thereof, in any such case if the purpose or intent of such agreement is to
provide assurance that such obligation will be paid or discharged, or that
any agreements relating thereto will be complied with, or that the holders of
such obligation will be protected against loss in respect thereof. For
purposes of all
-44-
<PAGE>
computations made under this Agreement the amount of any Guaranty shall be
equal to the amount of the obligation guaranteed or, if not stated or
determined, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof
(assuming such Person is required to perform thereunder) as determined by
such Person in good faith.
HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES: shall mean and include those substances
included within the definitions of "hazardous substances," "hazardous
materials," "toxic substances" or "solid waste" in the Comprehensive
Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C.
Section 9601 et seq.) , as amended by Superfund Amendments and
Reauthorization Act of 1986 (Pub. L. 99-499 100 Stat. 1613), the Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 (42 U.S.C. Section 6901 et seq.) and
the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, (49 U.S.C. Section 1801 et seq.),
and in the regulations promulgated pursuant to said laws, all as amended; and
in any event shall include medical wastes, infectious wastes, asbestos, paint
containing lead, and urea formaldehyde.
HTI EXPORT: HTI Export, Ltd., a Barbados corporation and, on the
date hereof, a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Company.
IDB DEBT: Funded Debt issued by municipal, state or Federal
authorities secured by Liens of the character permitted by SECTION 6.4(H) and
incurred for the benefit of the Company to finance the construction or
acquisition of industrial or pollution control facilities pursuant to
Federal, state or local law, the interest borne by which Funded Debt is, at
the time of incurrence thereof, at a rate per annum less than the rate per
annum the Company would at the time be required to pay in respect of funds
borrowed by it from capital market sources then available to it, with the
same or comparable security, in a comparable principal amount and with a
comparable maturity.
INDEMNIFIED LIABILITIES: as defined in SECTION 15.11.
INDEMNITEES: as defined in SECTION 15.11.
INVESTMENT: as applied to any designated Person, any direct or
indirect purchase or other acquisition by such designated Person for cash or
other property of stock, debt or other securities of any other Person, or any
direct or indirect loan, advance, extension of credit or capital contribution
by such designated Person to any other Person or any Guaranty by such
designated Person with respect to the Debt of such other Person, including
all Debt of and accounts receivable from any such other Person which are not
current assets or did not arise from sales to such other Person in the
ordinary course of business. In computing the amount involved in any
Investment, (i) undistributed earnings of, and interest accrued in respect of
Debt owing by, any such other Person accrued after the date of such
Investment shall not be included, (ii) there shall not be deducted from the
amounts invested in any such other Person any amounts received as earnings
(in the form of dividends, interest or otherwise) on such Investment or as
loans or advances from such other Person, and (iii) unrealized increases or
-45-
<PAGE>
decreases in value, or write-ups, write-downs or write-offs, of Investments
in any such other Person shall be disregarded.
LICENSES: as defined in SECTION 7.15.
LIEN: as to any Person, any mortgage, lien (statutory or other),
pledge, assignment, hypothecation, adverse claim, charge, security interest
or other encumbrance in or on, or any interest or title of any vendor,
lessor, lender or other secured party to or of such Person under any
conditional sale, trust receipt or other title retention agreement or Capital
Lease with respect to, any property or asset of such Person, or the signing
or filing of a financing statement which names such Person as debtor, or the
signing of any security agreement authorizing any other party as the secured
party thereunder to file any financing statement which names such Person as
debtor. For purposes of this Agreement, a Person shall be deemed to be the
owner of any property which it has placed in trust for the benefit of holders
of Debt of such Person which Debt is deemed to be extinguished under GAAP but
for which such Person remains legally liable, and such trust shall be deemed
to be a Lien.
LONG TERM LEASE: any lease of property (real, personal or mixed)
having an original term (including terms of renewal or extension at the
option of the lessor or the lessee, whether or not any such option has been
exercised) of more than one year, other than (a) a Capital Lease and (b) in
the case of any Subsidiary, any such lease under which the Company or a
Wholly Owned Subsidiary is the lessor.
LONG TERM LEASE RENTALS: as applied to the Company and its
Subsidiaries for any period, the total amount (whether designated as rentals
or additional or supplemental rentals or otherwise) payable as lessee under
all Long Term Leases during such period, including amounts so payable during
such period by reason of a lease termination or a surrender of property but
excluding amounts so payable on account of maintenance, ordinary repairs,
insurance, taxes, assessments and other similar charges.
MAKEWHOLE AMOUNT: applicable in respect of any prepayment of all
or any portion of the principal amount of any Note of any series pursuant to
SECTION 3.2 or the acceleration of the payment of the principal amount of any
Note of any series pursuant to SECTION 8.1 (such prepaid or accelerated
principal amount of any Note of any series being hereinafter referred to as
the "PREPAID PRINCIPAL"), the greater of (a) zero and (b) the excess of:
(i) the sum of the respective present values as of the date such
Makewhole Amount becomes due and payable of (A) each prepayment of
principal, if any, required to be made with respect to such Prepaid
Principal during the remaining term to maturity of the Notes of such
series, (B) the payment of principal balance required to be made at
final maturity with respect to such Prepaid Principal, and (C) each
payment of interest which would be required to be paid during the
remaining term to maturity of the Notes of such
-46-
<PAGE>
series with respect to such Prepaid Principal from time to time
outstanding, determined, in the case of each such required prepayment,
principal payment at final maturity and interest payment, by discounting
the amount thereof (on a semiannual basis) from the date fixed therefor
back to the date such Makewhole Amount becomes due and payable at the
Reference Rate (assuming for such purpose that all such payments and
prepayments of principal and payments of interest with respect to such
Prepaid Principal were made when due pursuant to the terms hereof and of
the Notes of such series, and that no other payment or prepayment with
respect to such Prepaid Principal was made),
over
(ii) the amount of such Prepaid Principal.
For purposes hereof, the "REFERENCE RATE" applicable in respect of any Note
shall mean a per annum rate equal to the sum of (x) 0.50% plus (y) the
Treasury Rate.
MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE; MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT; MATERIALLY
ADVERSE: in, on or to, as appropriate, any Person, a material adverse change
in such Person's Business or Condition, a material adverse effect on such
Person's Business or Condition or an event which is materially adverse to
such Person's Business or Condition; PROVIDED that, (a) any such term, when
used without reference to any particular Person, shall mean such change in or
effect on or event adverse to, as the case may be, the Company or the Company
and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, and (b) any impairment of the ability
of the Company to pay the principal of, Makewhole Amount, if any, and
interest on the Notes in accordance with the terms thereof and hereof, or any
impairment in a material respect of the ability of the Company to perform its
other obligations under the Notes or this Agreement, shall in any case be
deemed to have resulted in a material adverse change in, to have a material
adverse effect on, and to be materially adverse to, the Company's Business or
Condition.
MEMORANDUM: as defined in SECTION 7.4.
MOODY'S: as defined in SECTION 6.5.
MULTIEMPLOYER PLAN: a plan defined as such in Section 3(37) of
ERISA to which any Company Group Member is making or incurring an obligation
to make, or has made or incurred an obligation to make, contributions.
MULTIPLE EMPLOYER PLAN: a Plan subject to Title IV of ERISA to
which any Company Group Member, and at least one employer other than a
Company Group Member, is making or incurring an obligation to make
contributions or has made or incurred an obligation to make contributions.
NET WORTH MINIMUM: as of any Testing Date, the sum of (a)
$96,625,000, plus (b) an aggregate amount equal to 50% of Consolidated Net
Income
-47-
<PAGE>
for each fiscal quarter of the Company ended on or prior to such Testing Date
and for which Consolidated Net Income shall be positive, beginning with the
fiscal quarter of the Company ending September 29, 1996.
NOTE REGISTER: as defined in SECTION 10.1.
NOTES: as defined in SECTION 1.1.
OFFICERS' CERTIFICATE: a certificate executed on behalf of the
Company by two of its officers, one of whom shall be its Chairman of the
Board of Directors (if an officer) or its Chief Executive Officer, Chief
Operating Officer or President or one of its Vice Presidents or its
Secretary, and one of whom shall be its Chief Financial Officer or Treasurer
or an Assistant Treasurer.
ORDER: any order, writ, injunction, decree, judgment, award,
determination, direction or demand.
OTHER AGREEMENTS: as defined in SECTION 1.2(B).
OTHER PURCHASERS: as defined in SECTION 1.2(B).
OUTSTANDING: when used with reference to the Notes as of a
particular time, all Notes theretofore issued as provided in this Agreement,
except (a) Notes theretofore reported as lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed,
or surrendered for transfer, exchange or replacement, in respect of which
replacement Notes have been issued, (b) Notes theretofore paid in full, and
(c) Notes theretofore cancelled by the Company or delivered to the Company
for cancellation; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, for the purpose of determining
whether holders of the requisite principal amount of the Notes have made or
concurred in any amendment, waiver, consent, approval, declaration, notice or
other communication under this Agreement, Notes owned by the Company, any
Subsidiary of the Company or any Affiliates thereof shall not be deemed to be
outstanding.
PBGC: the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation established
pursuant to Subtitle A of Title IV of ERISA and any successor thereof.
PERSON: any individual, corporation, association, partnership,
joint venture, trust or estate, organization, business, government or agency
or political subdivision thereof, or any other entity.
PLACEMENT AGENT: as defined in SECTION 7.4.
PLAN: any employee pension benefit plan (as defined in Section
3(2) of ERISA) maintained or contributed to at any time by any Company Group
Member.
-48-
<PAGE>
PREPAID PRINCIPAL: as defined in the definition of the term
"Makewhole Amount."
PROJECTIONS: the forecasted financial information (A) for the
Company's fiscal years ending in 1996 through 1999 consisting of (i) the
forecasted consolidated statement of operations, balance sheet and statement
of cash flows, dated June 17, 1996, and the assumptions relating thereto,
dated June 17, 1996, (ii) the forecasted consolidated statement of
operations, balance sheet and statement of cash flows, dated June 25, 1996,
and the assumptions relating thereto, dated June 30, 1996, and (iii) the
forecasted consolidated statement of operations, balance sheet and statement
of cash flows, dated June 27, 1996, and the assumptions relating thereto,
dated June 27, 1996, and (B) for the Company's fiscal years ending in 1997
through 1999 consisting of capital spending breakouts, dated June 25, 1996,
all of which forecasted financial information is legended "Confidential
Restricted Information: For use by TIAA and Metropolitan Life Insur. Co. in
discussions on the $50M Placement only" and which was heretofore delivered to
you and each of the Other Purchasers together with a certificate of the Chief
Financial Officer of the Company dated as of July 26, 1996.
REFERENCE RATE: as defined in the definition of the term
"Makewhole Amount."
REPORTABLE EVENT: any of the events set forth in Section 4043(b)
of ERISA or the regulations thereunder.
RESPONSIBLE OFFICER: any officer of the Company who shall be
permitted to sign an Officers' Certificate (as provided in the definition of
that term set forth in this Section) and any other officer of the Company,
regardless of title, who shall either (a) at any time hereafter perform
substantially the same duties as are performed on the date hereof by any such
officer permitted to sign an Officers' Certificate or (b) be charged with
responsibility for monitoring or administering the Company's compliance with
any of the provisions of this Agreement.
RESTRICTED PAYMENT: any payment or distribution or the incurrence
of any liability to make any payment or distribution, in cash, property or
other assets (other than shares of common stock of the Company) upon or in
respect of any share of any class of capital stock of the Company or any
warrants, rights or options evidencing a right to purchase or acquire any
securities of the Company, including, without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, payments or distributions as dividends and payments or
distributions for the purpose of purchasing, acquiring, retiring or redeeming
any such shares of stock (or any warrants, rights or options to purchase or
acquire any such securities) or the making of any other distribution in
respect of any such shares of stock (or any warrants, rights or options
evidencing a right to purchase or acquire any such securities).
-49-
<PAGE>
SECURITIES ACT: the Securities Act of 1933, or any similar Federal
statute, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, all as
the same shall be in effect from time to time.
SERIES: as defined in SECTION 1.1.
SERIES A CLOSING DATE: as defined in SECTION 1.3.
SERIES A NOTES: as defined in SECTION 1.1.
SERIES B CLOSING DATE: as defined in SECTION 1.3.
SERIES B NOTES: as defined in SECTION 1.1.
S&P: as defined in SECTION 6.5.
SUBSIDIARY: with respect to any Person, any corporation more than
80% of the Voting Stock of which is at the time owned by such Person and/or
one or more of its other Subsidiaries. Unless otherwise specified, any
reference to a Subsidiary is intended as a reference to a Subsidiary of the
Company.
SUBSIDIARY SECURED DEBT: any Funded Debt of a Subsidiary secured
by Liens of the character permitted by SECTION 6.4(I) or Liens extending,
renewing or replacing Liens of that character permitted by SECTION 6.4(J).
TANGIBLE ASSETS: of any Person, as at any date of determination,
the aggregate book value which would, in accordance with GAAP, be shown on
the books of such Person of all assets of any character, but exclusive of
good will, patents, patent applications, trade marks, trade names,
copyrights, franchises, licenses, permits, organizational and experimental
expense, unamortized debt discount and expense, all other assets which under
GAAP are deemed intangible, and treasury stock, less the sum (without
duplication) of (a) all depreciation, depletion, obsolescence, amortization
and other reserves set aside in connection with the business conducted by
such Person (other than general contingency reserves not allocated to any
particular purpose and reserves representing mere appropriations of surplus),
(b) the excess of the cost of shares acquired over the book value of related
assets, and (c) in the case of the Company or any Subsidiary, the amount of
any write-up in the book value of any asset resulting from the revaluation
thereof subsequent to the date of the most recent audited financial
statements referred to in SECTION 7.4.
TERMINATION EVENT: (a) with respect to any Plan, the occurrence of
a Reportable Event or an event described in Section 4062(e) of ERISA, or (b)
the withdrawal of any Company Group Member from a Multiple Employer Plan
during a plan year in which it was a substantial employer (as such term is
defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA), or the termination of a Multiple
Employer Plan, or (c) the
-50-
<PAGE>
distribution of a notice of intent to terminate a Plan or Multiemployer Plan
pursuant to Section 4041(a)(2) or 4041A of ERISA or the treatment of a Plan
amendment as a termination under Section 4041 or 4041A of ERISA, or (d) the
institution of proceedings to terminate a Plan or Multiemployer Plan by the
PBGC under Section 4042 of ERISA, or (e) any other event or condition which
might constitute grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of,
or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Plan or Multiemployer Plan
or (f) the complete or partial withdrawal of any Company Group Member from a
Multiemployer Plan.
TESTING DATE: each of the following dates: (a) any Determination
Date; (b) any date on which the Company shall, directly or indirectly,
declare, order, pay, distribute, make or set apart any sum or property for
any Restricted Payment; (c) any date on which the Company or any Subsidiary
shall issue, sell or otherwise dispose or part with control of any shares of
stock or any Debt or any other securities (or warrants, rights or options to
acquire stock or other securities) of any Subsidiary (except to the Company
or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary) the assets of which, represented by the equity
interest transferred, shall have an aggregate fair market value or an
aggregate book value greater than or equal to $5,000,000; (d) any date on
which the Company or any Subsidiary shall take any action described in
subdivision (a), (b), (c) or (d) of SECTION 6.9 as a result of or after
giving effect to which Consolidated Net Worth shall be reduced by an amount
greater than or equal to $5,000,000; and (e) any date on which the Company or
any Subsidiary shall take or suffer the taking of any action, or on which any
event shall occur, as a result of or after giving effect to which
Consolidated Net Worth shall be reduced by an amount greater than or equal to
$10,000,000.
THIS AGREEMENT: this Note Purchase Agreement (together with the
Schedules and Exhibits hereto), as from time to time amended, modified or
supplemented in accordance with its terms.
TOTAL CAPITALIZATION: as at any date of determination, the sum as
of such date of (a) Consolidated Net Worth, plus (b) Consolidated Funded Debt
plus (c) Consolidated Current Debt.
TREASURY RATE: for purposes of any determination of the Makewhole
Amount in respect of any principal amount of any Note of any series, the
yield to maturity for the actively traded marketable United States Treasury
fixed interest rate securities with a maturity equal to the remaining
Weighted Average Life to Maturity (rounded to the nearest month) of the Notes
of such series as of the date such Makewhole Amount becomes due and payable,
as set forth on page "USD" of the Bloomberg Financial Markets Service (or, if
not available, any other nationally recognized trading screen reporting
on-line intraday trading in United States Treasury fixed interest rate
securities) at 9:00 A.M. (New York City time) as of the third Business Day
preceding the date such Makewhole Amount becomes due and payable. In the
event that no such nationally recognized trading screen reporting on-line
trading in United States Treasury fixed interest rate securities is
available, "Treasury Rate" shall mean the arithmetic mean of the yields
reported as weekly averages for the two most recently ended weeks so
-51-
<PAGE>
reported under the heading "Week Ending" published in the Statistical Release
under the caption "Treasury Constant Maturities" for the maturity
corresponding to the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity (rounded to
the nearest month) of the Notes of such series as of the date such Makewhole
Amount becomes due and payable. For purposes of calculating the Treasury
Rate, the most recent Statistical Release published prior to the date of
determination of the Makewhole Amount shall be used. If no possible maturity
for United States Treasury fixed interest rate securities exactly corresponds
to such rounded Weighted Average Life to Maturity, yields for the two most
closely corresponding published maturities shall be calculated and the
Treasury Rate shall be interpolated from such yields on a straight-line
basis, rounding in each of such relevant periods to the nearest month. For
purposes hereof, "STATISTICAL RELEASE" shall mean the statistical release
designated "H.15(519)" (or any successor publication which is published
weekly by the Federal Reserve System and which establishes yields on actively
traded United States Treasury fixed interest rate securities adjusted to
constant maturities) or, if such statistical release is not published at the
time of any determination hereunder, then such other reasonably comparable
index which shall be designated by the holders of at least 66-2/3% in
aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the time outstanding.
UNFUNDED CURRENT LIABILITY: of any Plan means the amount, if any,
by which the present value of the accrued benefits under such Plan (based on
those assumptions used to fund such Plan) as of the close of its most recent
plan year exceeds the then current value of the assets of such Plan allocable
to such benefits.
VOTING STOCK: capital stock of a corporation the holders of which
are ordinarily, in the absence of contingencies, entitled to elect a majority
of the corporate directors (or persons performing similar functions) of such
corporation.
WEIGHTED AVERAGE LIFE TO MATURITY: as applied to any indebtedness
at any date, the number of years (or portions of years) obtained by dividing
(a) the then outstanding principal amount of such indebtedness into (b) the
total of the products obtained by multiplying (i) the amount of each then
remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required
payment of principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect
thereof, by (ii) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth)
which will elapse between such date and the date on which such payment is to
be made.
WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY: any Subsidiary of the Company all of the
outstanding shares of capital stock and other equity securities of any class
or classes of which, other than directors' qualifying shares, shall at the
time be owned by the Company either directly or through one or more Wholly
Owned Subsidiaries.
9.2. ACCOUNTING TERMS, ETC. Except as specifically provided
herein, all accounting terms used herein which are not expressly defined in
this Agreement have the meanings given to them in accordance with GAAP and
all computations made pursuant to this Agreement shall be made in accordance
with GAAP. All balance sheets
-52-
<PAGE>
and other financial statements delivered pursuant to SECTION 4 shall be
prepared in accordance with GAAP.
9.3. DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY. Where any provision of this Agreement
refers to actions to be taken by any Person, or which such Person is
prohibited from taking, such provision shall be applicable whether the action
in question is taken directly or indirectly by such Person.
10. REGISTRATION, TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE OF NOTES.
10.1. NOTE REGISTER. The Company will keep, at its office
maintained pursuant to SECTION 6.21, a register (the "NOTE REGISTER") in
which, at its expense, it will provide for the registration and registration
of transfer of the Notes.
10.2. TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE. Whenever any Note or Notes shall
be surrendered at the office of the Company referred to in SECTION 10.1 for
exchange or for registration of transfer, duly endorsed, or accompanied by a
written instrument of transfer duly executed by the registered holder of such
Note or such holder's attorney duly authorized in writing, the Company will,
at its expense, execute and deliver in exchange therefor a new Note or Notes,
as the case may be, of the same series as such surrendered Note or Notes, in
denominations of at least $1,000,000 (except that one Note may be issued in a
lesser principal amount if the unpaid principal amount of the surrendered
Note is not evenly divisible by, or is less than, $1,000,000), as may be
requested by such holder or the transferee, in the same aggregate unpaid
principal amount as the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Note or
Notes so surrendered. Each such new Note shall be made payable to and
registered in the name of the Person or Persons requested by such holder.
Any Note issued in exchange for any other Note or upon transfer thereof shall
carry the rights to unpaid interest and interest to accrue which were carried
by the Note so exchanged or transferred, and neither gain nor loss of
interest shall result from any such transfer or exchange.
10.3. OWNERS AND HOLDERS OF NOTES. The Company and any agent
of the Company may treat the Person in whose name any Note is registered as
the owner and holder of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of the
principal of and Makewhole Amount, if any, and interest on such Note and for
all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Note shall be overdue.
11. LOST, ETC. NOTES. Upon receipt by the Company of evidence
reasonably satisfactory to it of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation
of any Note, and (in case of loss, theft or destruction) of indemnity or
security in form reasonably satisfactory to it, or, if mutilated, upon
surrender of such Note for cancellation, the Company will, at its expense,
issue and deliver in lieu of such Note a new Note of the same series, of like
tenor in a like unpaid principal amount, dated so that there will be no loss
of interest on such lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated Note.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section, if any Note of
which you are, or any other
-53-
<PAGE>
institutional holder (or your or any such other holder's nominee), is the
owner is lost, stolen or destroyed, then your or such other holder's (or your
or its nominee's) written statement by an authorized officer as to such loss,
theft or destruction shall be accepted as satisfactory evidence thereof, and
no indemnity or security shall be required as a condition to the execution
and delivery by the Company of a new Note in lieu of such Note (or as a
condition to the payment thereof, if due and payable) other than your or such
institutional holder's unsecured written agreement to indemnify the Company.
12. AMENDMENT AND WAIVER. (a) Any term, provision, covenant,
agreement or condition of this Agreement or of the Notes may, with the
written consent of the Company, be amended or modified, or compliance
therewith may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and
either retroactively or prospectively), by one or more substantially
concurrent written instruments signed by the holder or holders of not less
than 66-2/3% in aggregate unpaid principal amount of all Notes at the time
outstanding; PROVIDED, that
(i) no such amendment, modification or waiver shall be effective
prior to the Series B Closing Date without your consent and the consent
of the Other Purchasers,
(ii) without the consent of the holders of all Notes at the time
outstanding, no such amendment, modification or waiver shall (A) change
the principal of, or change the rate of interest or change the time of
payment of principal, or Makewhole Amount, if any, or interest on any of
the Notes, (B) modify any of the provisions of this Agreement or of the
Notes with respect to the payment or prepayment thereof (including,
without limitation, amending or modifying the definition of the term
"Makewhole Amount", "Prepaid Principal", "Reference Rate", "Statistical
Release" or "Treasury Rate"), (C) change the percentage of holders of
Notes required to accelerate the Notes, or (D) modify any provision of
this Section, and
(iii) no such amendment, modification or waiver shall extend to
or affect any obligation not expressly waived or impair any right
consequent thereon.
(b) Any amendment, modification or waiver pursuant to this Section
shall apply equally to all holders of the Notes and shall be binding upon
them, upon each future holder of any Note and upon the Company, in each case
whether or not a notation thereof shall have been placed on any Note.
Promptly after any amendment, modification or waiver pursuant to this Section
has become effective, the Company shall deliver to each holder of a Note a
true and complete copy of the written instruments pursuant to which such
amendment, modification or waiver was effected, signed by the holder or
holders of the requisite percentage of outstanding Notes and setting forth
any such amendment or modification or the terms of any such waiver.
(c) The Company will not, and will not permit any of its
Subsidiaries or Affiliates, directly or indirectly, to solicit, request or
negotiate for or with respect to
-54-
<PAGE>
any proposed amendment, modification or waiver of any of the provisions of
this Agreement or the Notes unless each holder of Notes (irrespective of the
amount of Notes then owned by it) shall be informed thereof by the Company
and shall be afforded the opportunity of considering the same and shall be
supplied by the Company with sufficient information to enable it to make an
informed decision with respect thereto. The Company will not, and will not
permit any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, directly or indirectly, to
offer or pay any remuneration, whether by way of supplemental or additional
interest, fee or otherwise, to any holder of Notes in order to obtain such
holder's consent to any amendment, modification or waiver of any term or
provision of this Agreement or the Notes unless such remuneration is
concurrently paid on the same terms proportionately to each holder of Notes
then outstanding regardless of whether or not such holder consents to such
amendment, modification or waiver.
13. DIRECT PAYMENT. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in
this Agreement or the Notes, so long as you or any nominee designated by you
shall be the holder of any Note, the Company shall promptly and punctually
pay all amounts which become due and payable on such Note or hereunder to you
at your address and in the manner set forth in SCHEDULE I, or at such other
place within the United States of America and in such other manner as you may
designate for the purpose by notice to the Company, without presentation or
surrender of such Note or the making of any notation thereon, except that any
Note paid or prepaid in full shall, following such payment or prepayment, be
surrendered to the Company for cancellation, upon its written request
therefor, at its office maintained pursuant to SECTION 6.21 or at the place
of payment specified in the Notes. You agree that prior to the sale,
transfer or other disposition of any such Note, you will make a notation
thereon of the portion of the principal amount paid or prepaid and the date
to which interest has been paid thereon, or surrender the same in exchange
for a Note or Notes of the same series aggregating the same principal amount
as the unpaid principal amount of the Note so surrendered. The Company shall
enter into an agreement similar to that contained in the first sentence of
this Section with any other institutional holder of outstanding Notes (or
nominee thereof) who shall make with the Company an agreement similar to that
contained in the second sentence of this Section.
14. LIABILITIES OF THE PURCHASER. Neither this Agreement nor any
disposition of any of the Notes shall be deemed to create any liability or
obligation on your part or that of any other holder of any Note to enforce
any provision hereof or of any of the Notes for the benefit or on behalf of
any other Person who may be the holder of any Note.
15. MISCELLANEOUS.
15.1. EXPENSES. Whether or not the transactions contemplated
hereby are consummated, the Company shall: (a) directly pay the fees and
disbursements of your special counsel for any services rendered in connection
with such transactions or in connection with any actual or proposed
amendment, waiver or consent requested by the Company pursuant to the
provisions hereof, including, without limitation, any
-55-
<PAGE>
amendments, waivers or consents, resulting from any work-out negotiation or
restructuring relating to the performance by the Company of its obligations
under this Agreement and the Notes (whether or not the same becomes
effective), and all other reasonable expenses in connection therewith
(including, without limitation, document production and reproduction expenses
and the cost of obtaining a private placement number from the CUSIP Service
Bureau); (b) reimburse you for your reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in
connection with such transactions and the exercise of your rights hereunder,
and each such actual or proposed amendment, waiver or consent requested by
the Company pursuant to the provisions hereof (whether or not the same
becomes effective), and any items of the character referred to in clause (a)
which shall have been paid by you, and pay the cost of transmitting Notes
(insured to your satisfaction) to you upon the issuance thereof; (c) pay, and
save you and each subsequent holder of any Note harmless from and against,
any and all liability and loss with respect to or resulting from the
nonpayment or delayed payment of any and all placement fees and other
liability to pay any agent or finder in connection with the sale of the Notes
to you; and (d) pay all documentary, stamp or similar taxes (including
interest and penalties) which may be payable in respect of the execution and
delivery or issuance (but not the transfer) of any of the Notes or of any
amendment of, or waiver or consent under or with respect to, this Agreement
or any of the Notes and save you and all subsequent holders of the Notes
harmless from and against any loss or liability resulting from nonpayment or
delay in payment of any such tax. The obligations of the Company under this
Section shall survive payment and transfer of any Notes.
15.2. RELIANCE ON AND SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS. All
agreements, covenants, representations and warranties of the Company herein
or of (or on behalf of) the Company in any certificates or other instruments
delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall (a) be deemed to be material and
to have been relied upon by you, notwithstanding any investigation heretofore
or hereafter made by you or on your behalf, and (b) survive the execution and
delivery of this Agreement and the delivery of the Notes to you and any
investigation made at any time by you or on your behalf or any disposition of
any of the Notes.
15.3. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. All covenants and agreements in
this Agreement by or on behalf of the respective parties hereto shall bind
and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that you shall not be obligated to purchase Notes
hereunder from any Person other than the existing Hutchinson Technology
Incorporated, a Minnesota corporation. The provisions of this Agreement are
intended to be for the benefit of all holders from time to time of the Notes,
and shall be enforceable by any such holder, whether or not an express
assignment to such holder of rights under this Agreement has been made by you
or your successor or assign.
15.4. NOTICES. Unless otherwise expressly provided in this
Agreement, all notices, opinions and other communications provided for herein
shall be in writing and delivered by hand or mailed, first class postage
prepaid, or sent by overnight courier, or by confirmed telefax transmission
(confirmed by hand-delivered, mailed or
-56-
<PAGE>
overnight courier copy) addressed (a) if to the Company, to the address set
forth at the head of this Agreement, marked for the attention of the Chief
Financial Officer, or at such other address as the Company may hereafter
designate by notice to each holder of any Note at the time outstanding, or
(b) if to you or any Other Purchaser, at your or such Other Purchaser's
address, as the case may be, as set forth in SCHEDULE I or at such other
address as you or such Other Purchaser may hereafter designate by notice to
the Company; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that a notice to you by overnight courier
shall only be effective if delivered to you at a street address designated
for such purpose in SCHEDULE I, and notice to you by facsimile communication
shall only be effective if by confirmed transmission to you at a telephone
number designated for such purpose in SCHEDULE I, or (c) if to any other
holder of any Note, at the address of such holder as it appears on the Note
Register.
15.5. LAW GOVERNING. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE NOTES AND ALL
AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS, MODIFICATIONS, WAIVERS AND CONSENTS RELATING HERETO
OR THERETO SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE
WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO CONTRACTS MADE AND TO
BE PERFORMED IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
15.6. SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. THE
COMPANY HEREBY CONSENTS TO THE JURISDICTION OF ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT
LOCATED WITHIN THE COUNTY OF NEW YORK, STATE OF NEW YORK, AND IRREVOCABLY
AGREES THAT ALL ACTIONS OR PROCEEDINGS RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE
NOTES MAY BE LITIGATED IN SUCH COURTS, AND THE COMPANY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION
WHICH IT MAY HAVE BASED ON IMPROPER VENUE OR FORUM NON CONVENIENS TO THE
CONDUCT OF ANY PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT AND WAIVES PERSONAL SERVICE OF
ANY AND ALL PROCESS UPON IT, AND CONSENTS THAT ALL SUCH SERVICE OF PROCESS BE
MADE BY MAIL OR MESSENGER DIRECTED TO IT AS PROVIDED IN SECTION 15.4 AND THAT
SERVICE SO MADE SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE COMPLETED UPON THE EARLIER OF ACTUAL
RECEIPT OR FIVE BUSINESS DAYS AFTER THE SAME SHALL HAVE BEEN MAILED TO THE
COMPANY IN ACCORDANCE HEREWITH. NOTHING CONTAINED IN THIS SECTION SHALL
AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY HOLDER OF NOTES TO SERVE LEGAL PROCESS IN ANY OTHER
MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN THE COURTS OF
ANY JURISDICTION AGAINST THE COMPANY OR TO ENFORCE A JUDGMENT OBTAINED IN THE
COURTS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION. THE COMPANY ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE TIME AND
EXPENSE REQUIRED FOR TRIAL BY JURY EXCEED THE TIME AND EXPENSE FOR A BENCH
TRIAL AND HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY
LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, THE NOTES OR
THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
-57-
<PAGE>
15.7. HEADINGS, ETC. The section and other subdivision
headings in this Agreement and the table of contents hereto are for
convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the
meaning or construction of any of the terms hereof.
15.8. SUBSTITUTION OF PURCHASER. You shall have the right to
substitute a subsidiary wholly owned by you as a purchaser of any or all of
the Notes to be purchased by you on any Closing Date by written notice
delivered to the Company, which notice shall be signed by you and such
subsidiary and shall contain such subsidiary's agreement to be bound by this
Agreement; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that such agreement may contain a statement to
the effect that such subsidiary at all times has the right to sell the Notes
being purchased by it to you. The Company agrees that, upon the Company's
receipt of such notice and except to the extent otherwise specified therein,
wherever the word "you" is used in this Agreement (other than in this
Section), such word shall be deemed to refer to such subsidiary in lieu of
you. If any subsidiary has been substituted as a purchaser of any Notes and
shall subsequently transfer such Notes to you, then you will thereafter be
entitled to all the rights and benefits of the purchaser of such Notes under
this Agreement.
15.9. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement embodies the entire
agreement and understanding between you and the Company and supersedes all
prior agreements and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof.
15.10. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in any number
of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one instrument.
15.11. INDEMNIFICATION. In consideration of the execution and
delivery of this Agreement by you, the Company hereby agrees to indemnify,
defend and hold you and each holder from time to time of any Notes, and your
and their respective officers, directors and trustees, general and limited
partners (and directors, officers and trustees thereof), employees and agents
(herein called the "INDEMNITEES") free and harmless from and against any and
all claims, actions, causes of action, suits or other proceedings (whether or
not such Indemnitee is a party thereto), losses, liabilities and damages, and
expenses in connection therewith, including, without limitation, reasonable
fees and disbursements of counsel, consultants and experts (herein called the
"INDEMNIFIED LIABILITIES," which term shall not include, however, liabilities
incurred by an Indemnitee by reason of the gross negligence or willful
misconduct of such Indemnitee) incurred by the Indemnitees or any of them as
a result of, or arising out of, or relating to (a) any transaction financed
or to be financed in whole or in part directly or indirectly with proceeds
from the sale of any Note, or (b) the execution, delivery, performance or
enforcement of this Agreement or the Notes or any instrument contemplated
hereby by any of the Indemnitees, or (c) any failure of any representation or
warranty set forth in SECTION 7 to be true and correct when made or any
failure by the Company to comply with any of its covenants or agreements set
forth in this Agreement. If and to the extent that the foregoing undertaking
may be unenforceable for any reason, the Company hereby agrees to make the
maximum contribution to the payment of each
-58-
<PAGE>
of the Indemnified Liabilities which is permissible under applicable law.
The provisions of, and obligations of the Company under, this Section shall
survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the delivery, payment
or transfer of any Note, the enforcement of any provision hereof or thereof,
the consummation of the transactions to occur on any Closing Date, and any
amendments or waivers and shall be enforceable by each Indemnitee separately
or together without necessity of accelerating the maturity of any Notes; and
any such Indemnitee seeking to enforce the indemnification provided for
hereunder may initially proceed directly against the Company without first
resorting to any other rights of indemnification or otherwise that it may
have.
-59-
<PAGE>
If you are in agreement with the foregoing, please sign the form of
acceptance on the accompanying counterparts of this Agreement and return one
of the same to the Company, whereupon this Agreement shall become a binding
agreement between you and the Company.
Very truly yours,
HUTCHINSON TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
By /s/ John A. Ingleman
-------------------------------------
Name: John A. Ingleman
Title: Chief Financial Officer
The foregoing Agreement is
hereby accepted and agreed to
as of the date hereof.
METROPOLITAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
By /s/ James A. Wiviott
--------------------------------
Name: James A. Wiviott
Title: AVP
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE I
INFORMATION CONCERNING PURCHASERS
Principal Amount
Name, Address and Payment and Series of Notes Applicable
Provisions of Purchaser to be Purchased Closing Date
- ------------------------- ------------------- ------------
METROPOLITAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY $10,000,000 Series A
Series A Notes Closing Date
(1) All payments to the above
Purchaser on any Note shall be
made by wire transfer of
immediately available funds
before 12:00 noon, Eastern time,
to the account of Metropolitan
Life Insurance Company Corporate
Investments,
Account No. 002-2-410591 at:
The Chase Manhattan Bank
(National
Association)
ABA #021000021
Metropolitan Branch 33
East 23rd Street
New York, N.Y. 10010
For Account of: Metropolitan
Life Insurance Company
(2) Address for all other
communications:
Metropolitan Life Insurance
Company
Fixed Income Investments
334 Madison Avenue
Convent Station, N.J. 07936
Attention: Vice President
Telephone: (201) 254-3222
With a copy to:
Metropolitan Life Insurance
Company
One Lincoln Centre
Suite 800
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
Attention: Vice President
Facsimile: (708) 916-2575
<PAGE>
Principal Amount
Name, Address and Payment and Series of Notes Applicable
Provisions of Purchaser to be Purchased Closing Date
- ------------------------- ------------------- ------------
METROPOLITAN INSURANCE AND ANNUITY $15,000,000 Series A
COMPANY Series A Notes Closing Date
(1) All payments to the above
Purchaser on any Note shall be
made by wire transfer of
immediately available funds
before 12:00 noon, Eastern time,
to the account of Metropolitan
Insurance and Annuity Company
Corporate Investments,
Account No. 002-1-072301
The Chase Manhattan Bank
(National
Association)
ABA #021000021
Metropolitan Branch 33
East 23rd Street
New York, N.Y. 10010
For Account of: Metropolitan
Insurance and Annuity Company
(2) Address for all other
communications:
Metropolitan Life Insurance
Company
Fixed Income Investments
334 Madison Avenue
Convent Station, N.J. 07936
Attention: Vice President
Telephone: (201) 254-3222
With a copy to:
Metropolitan Life Insurance
Company
One Lincoln Centre
Suite 800
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
Attention: Vice President
Facsimile: (708) 916-2575
-2-
<PAGE>
Principal Amount
Name, Address and Payment and Series of Notes Applicable
Provisions of Purchaser to be Purchased Closing Date
- ------------------------- -------------------- ------------
TEACHERS INSURANCE AND ANNUITY $25,000,000 Series B Closing
ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA Series B Notes Date
(1) All payments on account of the
Series B Notes shall be made in
immediately available funds at
the opening of business on the
due date by electronic funds
transfer (identifying each as
"HUTCHINSON TECHNOLOGY
INCORPORATED, private placement
number 448407 B@ 4, 8.07% Senior
Notes due 2006, principal,
premium or interest") through
the Automated Clearing House
System to:
Morgan Guaranty Trust Company
of New York
ABA No. 021-000-238
23 Wall Street
New York, New York 10015
Account of: Teachers Insurance
and Annuity Association of
America,
Account Number: 121-85-001,
On order of: HUTCHINSON
TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
(2) Contemporaneous with the above
electronic funds transfer,
advice setting forth (a) the
full name, private placement
number, interest rate and
maturity date of the Series B
Notes, (b) the allocation of
payment between principal,
interest, premium or any other
payment, and (c) the name and
address of the bank from which
payment was made, shall be
delivered, mailed or telefaxed
to:
-3-
<PAGE>
Principal Amount
Name, Address and Payment and Series of Notes Applicable
Provisions of Purchaser to be Purchased Closing Date
- ------------------------- -------------------- ------------
Teachers Insurance and Annuity
Association of America
730 Third Avenue
New York, New York 10017
Attention: Securities
Accounting Division
Phone: (212) 916-4188
Facsimile: (212) 916-6955
(3) All other communications shall
be delivered, mailed or
telefaxed to:
Teachers Insurance and Annuity
Association of America
730 Third Avenue
New York, New York 10017
Attention: Securities Division,
Private Placements
Phone: (212) 916-4395
(Marie A. Shmaruk) or
(212) 490-9000
(general number)
Facsimile: (212) 916-6583
-4-
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE II
INFORMATION CONCERNING SUBSIDIARIES AND QUALIFICATION
PART A
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
% of Capital Stock Other Jurisdictions Jurisdictions
Jurisdiction of Owned by Owner(s) of in which Assets where
Name of Subsidiary Organization Company Capital Stock Located Qualified
- ------------------ --------------- ------------------ ------------- --------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Hutchinson Technology Asia, Inc. Minnesota ("MN") 100%-Company N/A MN Singapore MN Singapore
HTI Export Ltd. Barbados 100%-Company N/A Barbados Barbados
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
PART B
Jurisdictions Jurisdictions
In Which Company Where Company
Assets Located Qualified
----------------- --------------
Minnesota, South Dakota, Wisconsin Minnesota, South Dakota,
Netherlands, Wisconsin, California
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE III
EXISTING DEBT OF THE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FUNDED ("F")
OR
CURRENT OUTSTANDING DESCRIPTION
("C") PRINCIPAL OF
DESCRIPTION OBLIGEE OBLIGOR GUARANTOR DEBT AMOUNT COLLATERAL
----------- ------- ------- --------- ------------ ----------- -----------
<C> <S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1). Notes Purchase Northwestern Hutchinson N/A F $120,000.06 Unsecured
Agreement for National Life Technology
$2,000,000 Incorporated
2). Notes Purchase Northwestern Hutchinson N/A F 1,237,500.00 Unsecured
Agreement for National Life Technology
$3,750,000 Incorporated
3). Notes Purchase Northern Life Hutchinson N/A F 135,000.05 Unsecured
Agreement for Insurance Co. Technology
$2,250,000 Incorporated
4). Notes Purchase Northern Life Hutchinson N/A F 1,072,500.00 Unsecured
Agreement for Insurance Co. Technology
$3,250,000 Incorporated
5). Notes Purchase North Atlantic Life Hutchinson N/A F 60,000.03 Unsecured
Agreement for Insurance Company Technology
$1,000,000 (now held by J. Incorporated
Romeo & Co.)
6). Notes Purchase North Atlantic Life Hutchinson N/A F 660,000.00 Unsecured
Agreement for Insurance Company Technology
$2,000,000 Incorporated
7). Notes Purchase Ministers Life (now Hutchinson N/A F 45,000.04 Unsecured
Agreement for held by VAR & CO.) Technology
$750,000 Incorporated
8). Notes Purchase FB Annuity Co. Hutchinson N/A F 29,999.98 Unsecured
Agreement for Technology
$500,000 Incorporated
9). Notes Purchase Farm Bureau Life Hutchinson N/A F 29,999.98 Unsecured
Agreement for Insurance Co. Technology
$500,000 Incorporated
10). Notes Purchase American Investors Hutchinson N/A F 330,000.00 Unsecured
Agreement for Life Insurance Co. Technology
$1,000,000 (Now held by Incorporated
Northwestern National
Life)
<PAGE>
FUNDED ("F")
OR
CURRENT OUTSTANDING DESCRIPTION
("C") PRINCIPAL OF
DESCRIPTION OBLIGEE OBLIGOR GUARANTOR DEBT AMOUNT COLLATERAL
----------- ------- ------- --------- ------------ ----------- -----------
11). Revenue Bonds City of Hutchinson, Hutchinson N/A F 1,600,000.00 Unsecured
for $2,000,000 MN Variable Rate Technology
Demand Industrial Incorporated
Development Revenue
Refunding Bonds; The
First National Bank of
Chicago under the
Credit Agreement
(item 16, below)
12). Major Economic Wisconsin Department Hutchinson N/A F 500,000.00(1) Secured by one
Development of Development Technology Clean Line and
Fund Agreement Incorporated one Dual Line
for $1,000,000 Continuous Feed
Forming Press
and by amounts
owing to
Company from
Obligee
13). Note Purchase Teachers Insurance Hutchinson N/A F 20,000,000.00 Unsecured
Agreement for and Annuity Technology
$20,000,000 Association of Incorporated
America
14). Note Purchase Central Life Hutchinson N/A F 5,000,000.00 Unsecured
Agreement for Assurance Company Technology
$5,000,000 (now held by Salked Incorporated
& Co.)
15). Note Purchase Modern Woodmen of Hutchinson N/A F 5,000,000.00 Unsecured
Agreement for America Technology
$5,000,000 Incorporated
16). Credit The First National Hutchinson N/A F 0.00 Unsecured
Agreement for Bank of Chicago Technology
$25,000,000 Incorporated
------------
TOTAL $35,820,000.14
</TABLE>
- -------------------------------------------------------
1 This loan provides a covenant for forgiveness of principal in an amount equal
to $500 per full-time position created and maintained by a Wisconsin resident
until December 31, 1999, after four hundred full time positions have been
created. The Company expects to achieve the maximum amount of forgiveness
allowable ($500,000) and has therefore recorded such amount as a deferred
credit at this time.
-2-
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE IV
EXISTING LEASES OF THE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Expiration
of term
(assuming
exercise of
Commencement optional Property Annual
Lessor Lessee Guarantor of Term renewals) Leased Rental
- ------ ------ -------- ------------ ----------- -------- ------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE V
EXISTING INVESTMENTS OF THE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NONE
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT A-1
TO
NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT
FORM OF SERIES A NOTE
HUTCHINSON TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
7.85% Senior Note due 2003
No. R- [Date]
$ New York, New York
Private Placement No.: 448407 B* 6
HUTCHINSON TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED, a corporation organized under the
laws of the State of Minnesota (herein, together with its successors and
assigns, the "COMPANY"), for value received, hereby promises to pay to
______________________________, or registered assigns, the principal amount of
_____________ DOLLARS ($__________) (or so much thereof as shall not have been
prepaid) on July 26, 2003, with interest (computed on the basis of a 360-day
year of twelve 30-day months) on the unpaid balance of such principal amount at
the rate of 7.85% per annum from the date hereof, payable semiannually in
arrears on January 26 and July 26 of each year, commencing January 26, 1997,
until such unpaid balance shall become due and payable (whether at final
maturity, at a date fixed for prepayment or by declaration, acceleration or
otherwise), and with interest on any overdue principal (including any overdue
required or optional prepayment of principal) and any overdue Makewhole Amount
(as that term is defined in the Note Purchase Agreements referred to below), if
any, and (to the extent permitted by applicable law) any overdue interest at the
rate of 9.85% per annum until paid, such overdue interest, if any, to be payable
semiannually as aforesaid or, at the option of the registered holder hereof, on
demand. Payments of principal, Makewhole Amount, if any, and interest on this
Note shall be made in lawful money of the United States of America at the
principal office in New York, New York of Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New
York, or at such other place as may be provided pursuant to the Note Purchase
Agreements referred to below or, in certain circumstances, to the holder of this
Note as provided in Section 13 of said Note Purchase Agreements. If any payment
or prepayment of principal, Makewhole Amount, if any, or interest on or with
respect to this Note becomes due and payable on any day that is not a Business
Day, the amount of such payment shall be payable on the next succeeding Business
Day and with respect to any such payment of principal, interest shall continue
to accrue during any such extension period at the applicable rate of interest in
effect immediately prior to such extension. "BUSINESS DAY" means any day other
than a Saturday, Sunday or any other day on which commercial banks are required
or authorized by law or regulation to be closed in New York, New York, Chicago,
Illinois or Minneapolis, Minnesota.
This Note is one of the duly authorized 7.85% Senior Notes due 2003 of
the Company (the "SERIES A NOTES") which, together with the 8.07% Senior Notes
due 2006 of
<PAGE>
the Company (collectively, together with the Series A Notes, the "NOTES"),
are originally issuable in the aggregate principal amount of $50,000,000
pursuant to three separate Note Purchase Agreements, each dated as of July
26, 1996, between the Company and Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association
of America, Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, and Metropolitan Insurance
and Annuity Company, respectively. The holder of this Note is entitled to
the rights and benefits of said Note Purchase Agreements and may on the terms
therein set forth enforce the agreements of the Company contained therein and
exercise the remedies provided for thereby or otherwise available in respect
thereof. Reference is hereby made to said Note Purchase Agreements for a
statement of such rights and benefits.
As provided in said Note Purchase Agreements, this Note is subject to
required and optional prepayments, in whole and in part, in certain cases with a
Makewhole Amount, all as specified in said Note Purchase Agreements.
Upon surrender of this Note for registration of transfer, duly
endorsed, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer duly executed,
by the registered holder hereof or such holder's attorney duly authorized in
writing, a new Series A Note or Series A Notes aggregating a like outstanding
principal amount will be issued to and registered in the name of the
transferee. The Company and any agent of the Company may treat the person in
whose name this Note is registered as the holder and owner hereof for the
purpose of receiving payments and for all other purposes.
In case an Event of Default (as defined in said Note Purchase
Agreements) shall occur and be continuing, the principal of this Note, together
with interest and Makewhole Amount, in certain circumstances shall become due
and payable and in other circumstances may be declared and become due and
payable in the manner and with the effect provided in said Note Purchase
Agreements.
THIS NOTE IS MADE AND DELIVERED IN NEW YORK, NEW YORK, AND SHALL BE
GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE
STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO CONTRACTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED IN THE STATE
OF NEW YORK.
HUTCHINSON TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
By_________________________________________
Name:
Title:
-2-
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT A-2
TO
NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT
FORM OF SERIES B NOTE
HUTCHINSON TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
8.07% Senior Note due 2006
No. R- [Date]
$ New York, New York
Private Placement No.: 448407 B@ 4
HUTCHINSON TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED, a corporation organized under the
laws of the State of Minnesota (herein, together with its successors and
assigns, the "COMPANY"), for value received, hereby promises to pay to
______________________________, or registered assigns, the principal amount of
_____________ DOLLARS ($__________) (or so much thereof as shall not have been
prepaid) on November 26, 2006, with interest (computed on the basis of a 360-day
year of twelve 30-day months) on the unpaid balance of such principal amount at
the rate of 8.07% per annum from the date hereof, payable semiannually in
arrears on May 26 and November 26 of each year, commencing May 26, 1997, until
such unpaid balance shall become due and payable (whether at final maturity, at
a date fixed for prepayment or by declaration, acceleration or otherwise), and
with interest on any overdue principal (including any overdue required or
optional prepayment of principal) and any overdue Makewhole Amount (as that term
is defined in the Note Purchase Agreements referred to below), if any, and (to
the extent permitted by applicable law) any overdue interest at the rate of
10.07% per annum until paid, such overdue interest, if any, to be payable
semiannually as aforesaid or, at the option of the registered holder hereof, on
demand. Payments of principal, Makewhole Amount, if any, and interest on this
Note shall be made in lawful money of the United States of America at the
principal office in New York, New York of Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New
York, or at such other place as may be provided pursuant to the Note Purchase
Agreements referred to below or, in certain circumstances, to the holder of this
Note as provided in Section 13 of said Note Purchase Agreements. If any payment
or prepayment of principal, Makewhole Amount, if any, or interest on or with
respect to this Note becomes due and payable on any day that is not a Business
Day, the amount of such payment shall be payable on the next succeeding Business
Day and with respect to any such payment of principal, interest shall continue
to accrue during any such extension period at the applicable rate of interest in
effect immediately prior to such extension. "BUSINESS DAY" means any day other
than a Saturday, Sunday or any other day on which commercial banks are required
or authorized by law or regulation to be closed in New York, New York, Chicago,
Illinois or Minneapolis, Minnesota.
This Note is one of the duly authorized 8.07% Senior Notes due 2006 of
the Company (the "SERIES B NOTES") which, together with the 7.85% Senior Notes
due 2003 of
<PAGE>
the Company (collectively, together with the Series B Notes, the "NOTES"),
are originally issuable in the aggregate principal amount of $50,000,000
pursuant to three separate Note Purchase Agreements, each dated as of July
26, 1996, between the Company and Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association
of America, Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, and Metropolitan Insurance
and Annuity Company, respectively. The holder of this Note is entitled to
the rights and benefits of said Note Purchase Agreements and may on the terms
therein set forth enforce the agreements of the Company contained therein and
exercise the remedies provided for thereby or otherwise available in respect
thereof. Reference is hereby made to said Note Purchase Agreements for a
statement of such rights and benefits.
As provided in said Note Purchase Agreements, this Note is subject to
required and optional prepayments, in whole and in part, in certain cases with a
Makewhole Amount, all as specified in said Note Purchase Agreements.
Upon surrender of this Note for registration of transfer, duly
endorsed, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer duly executed,
by the registered holder hereof or such holder's attorney duly authorized in
writing, a new Series B Note or Series B Notes aggregating a like outstanding
principal amount will be issued to and registered in the name of the
transferee. The Company and any agent of the Company may treat the person in
whose name this Note is registered as the holder and owner hereof for the
purpose of receiving payments and for all other purposes.
In case an Event of Default (as defined in said Note Purchase
Agreements) shall occur and be continuing, the principal of this Note, together
with interest and Makewhole Amount, in certain circumstances shall become due
and payable and in other circumstances may be declared and become due and
payable in the manner and with the effect provided in said Note Purchase
Agreements.
THIS NOTE IS MADE AND DELIVERED IN NEW YORK, NEW YORK, AND SHALL BE
GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE
STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO CONTRACTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED IN THE STATE
OF NEW YORK.
HUTCHINSON TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
By______________________________________
Name:
Title:
-2-
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT B
to
Note Purchase Agreement
FORM OF OPINION OF COMPANY'S COUNSEL
[Letterhead of Faegre & Benson]
[Applicable Closing Date]
To Each Note Purchaser Listed
on the Attached Schedule
Re: Hutchinson Technology Incorporated --
$25,000,000 7.85% Senior Notes due 2003
$25,000,000 8.07% Senior Notes due 2006
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as special counsel to Hutchinson Technology
Incorporated, a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Minnesota
(the "COMPANY"), in connection with (a) the execution and delivery of the three
separate Note Purchase Agreements, each dated as of July 26, 1996 (the "NOTE
AGREEMENTS"), between the Company and each of Metropolitan Life Insurance
Company and Metropolitan Insurance and Annuity Company (each, a "SERIES A
PURCHASER) and Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America (the
"SERIES B PURCHASER"), respectively, providing for the issuance by the Company
and the purchase by the Series A Purchasers of the Company's 7.85% Senior Notes
due 2003 (the "SERIES A NOTES") and the issuance by the Company and the purchase
by the Series B Purchaser of the Company's 8.07% Senior Notes due 2006 (the
"SERIES B NOTES"), and (b) [the sale by the Company and the purchase by each
Series A Purchaser today of the principal amount of Series A Notes set forth
opposite its name on Schedule I to the Note Agreements] [the sale by the Company
and the purchase by the Series B Purchaser today of Series B Notes in the
aggregate principal amount of $25,000,000]. This opinion is delivered to you
pursuant to Section 2.2(a) of the Note Agreements. Certain capitalized terms
used and not otherwise defined herein have the respective meanings attributed
thereto in the Note Agreements.
In so acting, we have participated in the preparation of and are
familiar with the Note Agreements and the Series [A] [B] Notes being purchased
by and delivered to the Series [A] [B] Purchaser[s] today (the "NOTES"). In
addition, we have examined such records, documents, and other instruments and
such certificates of public officials and of officers of the Company, and have
made such investigations of law, as in our
<PAGE>
judgment are necessary or appropriate to enable us to render the opinions
expressed below. As to certain questions of fact material to the opinions
expressed below that have not been independently established by us we have
relied upon such certificates of public officials and officers of the
Company, copies of which have been delivered to you on or prior to the date
hereof, and upon the representations and warranties contained in and made
pursuant to the Note Agreements.
We have assumed the genuineness of all signatures (other than the
signature of the Company) on all documents examined by us, the authenticity of
all documents submitted to us as originals (other than the Note Agreements and
the Notes), the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to
us as photostatic or certified copies, and the authenticity of the originals of
such latter documents.
Based on the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:
1. The Company is a corporation duly organized, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Minnesota and
has all requisite power and authority to own or hold under lease the
property it purports to own or hold under lease, to carry on its business
as now conducted and as proposed to be conducted, to enter into the Note
Agreements, to issue and sell the Series A Notes and the Series B Notes,
and to perform its obligations under, and to consummate the transactions
contemplated by the Note Agreements and the Series A Notes and the Series B
Notes. The Company is duly qualified or licensed and in good standing as a
foreign corporation duly authorized to do business in each jurisdiction
(other than the jurisdiction of its incorporation) in which the nature of
its activities or the character of the properties owned or leased by it
makes such qualification or licensing necessary.
2. Each Subsidiary of the Company is a corporation duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
jurisdiction of its incorporation and has all requisite power and authority
to own or hold under lease the property it purports to own or hold under
lease and to carry on its business as now conducted and as proposed to be
conducted. The Company owns, beneficially and of record, all the
outstanding capital stock of each of its Subsidiaries, in each case free of
any Lien and not subject to any warrant or option, and all such capital
stock has been duly authorized and validly issued and is fully paid and
non-assessable. Each Subsidiary of the Company is duly qualified or
licensed and in good standing as a foreign corporation duly authorized to
do business in each jurisdiction (other than the jurisdiction of its
incorporation) in which the nature of its activities or the character of
the properties owned or leased by it makes such qualification or licensing
necessary.
3. The execution and delivery by the Company of the Note
Agreements and the Series A Notes and the Series B Notes, the performance
by the Company of its obligations thereunder and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated thereby (including the issuance and sale of the
Series A
-2-
<PAGE>
Notes and the Series B Notes) have been duly authorized by all
necessary corporate action on the part of the Company (no action of its
shareholders being required therefor).
4. The Note Agreements and the Notes have been duly executed
and delivered by duly authorized officers of the Company and constitute the
legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against
the Company in accordance with their respective terms, except as such
enforceability may be limited by (a) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium or similar laws from time to time in effect
affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally and (b) general
equitable principles, regardless of whether such enforceability is
considered in a proceeding in equity or at law. The Notes are entitled to
the benefits of the Note Agreements.
5. To the best of our knowledge there are no actions, suits,
proceedings or investigations pending or threatened against the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties in any court
or before any arbitrator of any kind or before or by any Governmental Body
except actions, suits or proceedings of the character normally incident to
the kind of business conducted by the Company and its Subsidiaries which
(a) do not question the validity or enforceability of the Note Agreements
or the Notes or any action taken or to be taken pursuant thereto or
contemplated thereby and (b) in the aggregate, if adversely determined,
would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
6. Neither the execution and delivery by the Company of the
Note Agreements and the Notes nor the performance of the terms and
provisions thereof nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated
thereby will result in any breach of or be in conflict with or constitute a
default (or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both would
become a default) under, or give to others any right of termination,
amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, or result in a loss of any
benefit to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is entitled under,
or result in (or require) the creation of any Lien in respect of any
property of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under, the charter or
by-laws of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any agreement,
indenture, mortgage, instrument or License to which the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties may be bound or
affected, or any existing statute, law, rule, regulation or ordinance, or
any Order known to us of any court, arbitrator or Governmental Body
applicable to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their
respective properties.
7. No Order, consent, approval or authorization of, or
registration, filing or declaration with, or the taking of any other action
in respect of, any Governmental Body or any other Person is required
(a) for or in connection with the valid execution and delivery by the
Company of or the performance by the Company of its obligations under the
Note Agreements or the
-3-
<PAGE>
Notes or the consummation by the Company of the transactions
contemplated thereby, including the offer, issuance, sale and
delivery by the Company of the Notes, or (b) as a condition to the
legality, validity or enforceability as against the Company of the Note
Agreements or the Notes.
8. It is not necessary, in connection with the offer, issuance,
sale and delivery of the Notes under the circumstances contemplated by the
Note Agreements, to register the Notes under the Securities Act or to
qualify an indenture in respect of the Notes under the Trust Indenture Act
of 1939, as amended.
9. Neither the issuance, sale and purchase of the Notes nor the
application of the proceeds of the Notes, in each case under the
circumstances contemplated by the Note Agreements, nor the execution and
delivery of the Note Agreements and the Notes, involve any violation of
Regulation G (12 CFR 207), T (12 CFR 220), U (12 CFR 221) or X (12 CFR 224)
of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or any other
regulation of said Board, or Section 7 of the Exchange Act.
10. The Company is not an "investment company" or a Person
directly or indirectly "controlled" by or acting on behalf of an
"investment company" within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended. The Company is not 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", as such terms are
defined in the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended. The
Company is not a "public utility" a such term is defined in the Federal
Power Act, as amended. The Company is not subject to regulation under any
Federal or state law, statute, rule, regulation or ordinance which limits
its ability to incur Debt.
Coudert Brothers, your special counsel in connection with the
transactions contemplated by the Note Agreements, may rely on this opinion for
purposes of rendering their opinion to you required by Section 2.2(b) of the
Note Agreements.
Very truly yours,
-4-
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE OF ADDRESSEES
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
334 Madison Avenue
Convent Station, New Jersey 07936
ATTENTION: Vice President
Metropolitan Insurance and Annuity Company
334 Madison Avenue
Convent Station, New Jersey 07936
ATTENTION: Vice President
Teachers Insurance and Annuity
Association of America
730 Third Avenue
New York, New York 10017
ATTENTION: Securities Division, Private Placements
<PAGE>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HUTCHINSON TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
______________________________
NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT
Dated as of July 26, 1996
______________________________
$25,000,000 7.85% Senior Notes due 2003
$25,000,000 8.07% Senior Notes due 2006
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Section Page
- ------- ----
<S> <C> <C>
1. THE NOTES; THE CLOSINGS; ETC.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1.1. Authorization and Description of Notes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1.2. Sale and Purchase of Notes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1.3. Closings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.4. Application of Proceeds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.5. Purchase for Investment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.6. Source of Funds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2. CONDITIONS TO CLOSING. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2.1. Proceedings Satisfactory. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2.2. Opinions of Counsel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.3. Representations and Warranties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.4. Performance; No Default . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.5. Compliance Certificate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.6. Legal Investment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.7. Absence of Certain Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.8. Consents and Approvals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.9. Fees Payable at Closing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.10. Private Placement Number. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.11. Related Transactions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
3. PAYMENT AND PREPAYMENT OF NOTES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
3.1. Required Annual Prepayments and Payments at Maturity. . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
3.2. Optional Prepayments with Makewhole Amount. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
3.3. Notice of Optional Prepayments; Calculation of Makewhole Amount . . . . . . . 8
3.4. Allocation of Partial Prepayments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3.5. Maturity; Surrender, etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3.6. Limitation on Prepayment and Acquisition of Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3.7. Payments Due on Other than a Business Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
4. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS; INFORMATION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
5. INSPECTION OF PROPERTIES AND BOOKS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
6. COVENANTS
6.1. Payment of Notes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
6.2. Maintenance of Certain Financial Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
6.3. Debt; Maximum Funded Debt and Current Debt. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
6.4. Liens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
6.5. Investments, etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
6.6. Restricted Payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
6.7. Transactions with Affiliates; Remuneration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
-i-
<PAGE>
Section Page
- ------- ----
6.8. Subsidiary Stock and Debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
6.9. Consolidation, Merger, Sale of Assets, etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
6.10. Restrictions on Long Term Leases. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
6.11. Subordination of Claims . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
6.12. Guaranties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
6.13. Nature of Business. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
6.14. Books and Records; Fiscal Year. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
6.15. Corporate Existence; Licenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
6.16. Payment of Taxes, Claims for Labor and Materials, etc.. . . . . . . . . . . . 24
6.17. Maintenance of Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
6.18. Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
6.19. Compliance with Laws. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
6.20. Environmental Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
6.21. Maintenance of Office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
7. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
7.1. Organization and Authority of the Company, etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
7.2. Subsidiaries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
7.3. Qualification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
7.4. Business and Property; Financial Statements, etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
7.5. Changes, etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
7.6. Compliance with Laws, Other Instruments, etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
7.7. Consents and Approvals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
7.8. Debt, etc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
7.9. Title to Property; Leases; Investments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
7.10. Litigation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
7.11. Taxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
7.12. Compliance with ERISA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
7.13. Private Offering. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
7.14. Use of Proceeds; Margin Regulations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
7.15. Licenses, Patents, Trademarks, Authorizations, etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
7.16. Status Under Certain Statutes; Other Regulations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
7.17. Labor Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
7.18. Full Disclosure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
7.19. Environmental Matters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
8. EVENTS OF DEFAULT; REMEDIES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
8.1. Events of Default Defined; Acceleration of Maturity . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
8.2. Default Remedies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
8.3. Remedies Cumulative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
8.4. Remedies Not Waived . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
9. DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
9.1. Defined Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
-ii-
<PAGE>
Section Page
- ------- ----
9.2. Accounting Terms, etc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
9.3. Directly or Indirectly. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
10. REGISTRATION, TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE OF NOTES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
10.1. Note Register . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
10.2. Transfer and Exchange . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
10.3. Owners and Holders of Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
11. LOST, ETC. NOTES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
12. AMENDMENT AND WAIVER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
13. DIRECT PAYMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
14. LIABILITIES OF THE PURCHASER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
15. MISCELLANEOUS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
15.1. Expenses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
15.2. Reliance on and Survival of Representations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
15.3. Successors and Assigns. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
15.4. Notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
15.5. LAW GOVERNING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
15.6. SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
15.7. Headings, etc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
15.8. Substitution of Purchaser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
15.9. Entire Agreement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
15.10. Counterparts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
15.11. Indemnification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
</TABLE>
SIGNATURE PAGE
SCHEDULE I Information Concerning Purchasers
SCHEDULE II Information Concerning Subsidiaries and Qualification
SCHEDULE III Existing Debt of the Company and Subsidiaries
SCHEDULE IV Existing Leases of the Company and Subsidiaries
SCHEDULE V Existing Investments of the Company and Subsidiaries
EXHIBIT A-1 Form of Series A Note
-iii-
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT A-2 Form of Series B Note
EXHIBIT B Form of Opinion of Company's Counsel
-iv-
<PAGE>
HUTCHINSON TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
40 West Highland Park
Hutchinson, Minnesota 55350
Re: $25,000,000 7.85% Senior Notes due 2003
$25,000,000 8.07% Senior Notes due 2006
as of July 26, 1996
To the Institutional Investor Identified
on the Signature Page of this Agreement
Ladies and Gentlemen:
The undersigned, HUTCHINSON TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED, a corporation
organized under the laws of the State of Minnesota (the "COMPANY"), hereby
agrees with you as follows:
1. THE NOTES; THE CLOSINGS; ETC.
1.1. AUTHORIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF NOTES. The Company has duly
authorized the issuance and sale of
(a) $25,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of its 7.85% Senior
Notes due 2003 (the "SERIES A NOTES", such term to include any such notes
delivered in accordance with the terms hereof and of the Other Agreements
referred to below in substitution, replacement or exchange for any such
notes previously issued hereunder or thereunder), each of which shall
(i) bear interest from the date thereof on the unpaid principal amount
thereof at the rate of 7.85% per annum (computed on the basis of a 360-day
year of twelve 30-day months), payable semiannually in arrears on January
26 and July 26 of each year, commencing on January 26, 1997, and with
interest on any overdue principal (including any overdue required or
optional prepayment of principal) and Makewhole Amount, if any, and (to the
extent permitted by applicable law) any overdue interest, at the rate of
9.85% per annum until paid, such overdue interest, if any, to be payable
semiannually as aforesaid or, at the option of the registered holder of
such Note, on demand, (ii) be subject to required prepayment in the amounts
and on the dates specified in SECTION 3.1(A), (iii) mature and be payable
as to the entire remaining unpaid principal amount thereof on July 26,
2003, and (iv) be in substantially the form of EXHIBIT A-1; and
(b) $25,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of its 8.07% Senior
Notes due 2006 (the "SERIES B NOTES", such term to include any such notes
<PAGE>
delivered in accordance with the terms hereof and of said Other Agreements
in substitution, replacement or exchange for any such notes previously
issued hereunder or thereunder), each of which shall (i) bear interest from
the date thereof on the unpaid principal amount thereof at the rate of
8.07% per annum (computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day
months), payable semiannually in arrears on May 26 and November 26 of each
year, commencing on May 26, 1997, and with interest on any overdue
principal (including any overdue required or optional prepayment of
principal) and Makewhole Amount, if any, and (to the extent permitted by
applicable law) any overdue interest, at the rate of 10.07% per annum until
paid, such overdue interest, if any, to be payable semiannually as
aforesaid or, at the option of the registered holder of such Note, on
demand, (ii) be subject to required prepayment in the amounts and on the
dates specified in SECTION 3.1(B), (iii) mature and be payable as to the
entire remaining unpaid principal amount thereof on November 26, 2006 and
(iv) be in substantially the form of EXHIBIT A-2.
The Series A Notes and the Series B Notes are sometimes referred to herein
collectively as the "NOTES" and separately as a "SERIES" of Notes. Except as
the context may otherwise require, terms used and not otherwise defined herein
shall have the respective meanings attributed thereto in SECTION 9. Unless
otherwise specified, any reference in this Agreement to a particular section or
other subdivision, or to a particular schedule or exhibit, shall be considered a
reference to that section or other subdivision of, or to that schedule or
exhibit to, this Agreement.
1.2. SALE AND PURCHASE OF NOTES. (a) The Company will issue and sell
to you and, subject to the terms and conditions hereof and in reliance on the
representations and warranties of the Company contained herein and the
representations and warranties otherwise made by or on behalf of the Company in
writing in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, you will
purchase from the Company, at one of the Closings provided for in SECTION 1.3,
as specified in SCHEDULE I, Notes of the series and in the aggregate principal
amount shown opposite your name on SCHEDULE I at the purchase price of 100% of
such principal amount.
(b) The Company represents and warrants that contemporaneously
herewith it is entering into separate Note Purchase Agreements (the "OTHER
AGREEMENTS") identical with this Agreement (except for the name and signature of
the purchaser at the end thereof) with each of the other institutional
purchasers (the "OTHER PURCHASERS") named in SCHEDULE I, providing for the
issuance and sale to each of the Other Purchasers at one of such Closings, as
specified in SCHEDULE I, of Notes of the series and in the aggregate principal
amount shown opposite its name on said SCHEDULE I at the purchase price of 100%
of such principal amount. This Agreement and the Other Agreements are to be
separate agreements and the purchase of Notes by you and each of the Other
Purchasers are to be separate and several purchases. This Agreement and the
Other Agreements are herein sometimes collectively referred to as the
"AGREEMENTS".
-2-
<PAGE>
1.3. CLOSINGS. The sale and purchase of the Notes to be purchased by
you and the Other Purchasers shall take place on two dates (each herein called a
"CLOSING DATE", and the closing held hereunder on each such date herein called a
"CLOSING"), namely (a) July 26, 1996, or such subsequent Business Day not later
than July 31, 1996 as you, the Other Purchasers and the Company shall agree (the
"SERIES A CLOSING DATE"), and (b) November 26, 1996, or such subsequent Business
Day not later than December 15, 1996 as you, the Other Purchasers and the
Company shall agree (the "SERIES B CLOSING DATE"). Each Closing shall take
place at the offices of Coudert Brothers, 1114 Avenue of the Americas, New York,
New York 10036-7794, commencing at 9:30 A.M., New York City time. At the
Closing on the Closing Date at which you are scheduled to purchase Notes, the
Company will deliver to you the Notes to be purchased by you in the form of one
or more Notes (as you may designate), dated such Closing Date and registered in
your name (or the name of your nominee), against delivery by you to the Company
of the purchase price therefor by wire transfer of the amount thereof to the
Company's account No. 07-55-817 maintained at Norwest Bank Minnesota, National
Association, ABA No. 091000019. If at such Closing the Company shall fail to
tender such Notes to you as provided herein, or if at such Closing any of the
conditions specified in SECTION 2 shall not have been fulfilled to your
satisfaction, you shall, at your election, be relieved of all further
obligations under this Agreement, without thereby waiving any other rights you
may have by reason of such failure or such non-fulfillment.
1.4. APPLICATION OF PROCEEDS. The Company will apply the proceeds
from the sale of the Notes (subject in any event to the provisions of
SECTION 7.14) as follows:
(a) approximately $35,000,000 of such proceeds will be applied to the
payment of costs incurred in the construction of the Company's photoetching
facility in Eau Claire, Wisconsin; and
(b) the balance of such proceeds will be used for capital
expenditures and other general corporate purposes of the Company.
1.5. PURCHASE FOR INVESTMENT. You represent to the Company that on
the Closing Date on which you purchase Notes you will acquire such Notes for
your own account and not with a view to, or for sale in connection with, the
distribution (as such term is used in Section 2(11) of the Securities Act) of
any part thereof, PROVIDED that the disposition of your property shall at all
times be and remain within your control. You and the Company each acknowledge
that each Note is a "security" as defined in Section 2(1) of the Securities Act
and Section 3(a)(10) of the Exchange Act.
1.6. SOURCE OF FUNDS. (a) You represent to the Company that at least
one of the following statements is an accurate representation as to each source
of funds to be used by you to pay the purchase price of the Notes to be
purchased by you hereunder:
-3-
<PAGE>
(i) no part of such funds constitutes assets allocated to any
separate account maintained by you in which any employee benefit plan (or
its related trust) has any interest; or
(ii) to the extent that any part of such funds constitutes assets
allocated to any separate account maintained by you, you have disclosed to
the Company the name of each employee benefit plan whose assets in such
account exceed 10% of the total assets of such account as of the date of
such purchase (and for the purposes of this clause (ii), all employee
benefit plans maintained by the same employer or employee organization are
deemed to be a single plan); or
(iii) such funds constitute assets of one or more specific
employee benefit plans which you have identified in writing to the Company;
or
(iv) no part of such funds constitutes assets of any employee benefit
plan.
(b) If your source of funds includes assets of your insurance company
general account (as defined in Section V(e) of Prohibited Transaction Class
Exemption ("PTCE") 95-60), you represent to the Company that no employee benefit
plan or employee benefit plans maintained by a single employer (including an
"affiliate" thereof, as defined in Section V(a) of PTCE 95-60) or employee
organization hold an interest or interests either as contractholders or as the
beneficial owners of contracts in such general account, the reserves and
liabilities for which exceed 10% of the sum of all reserves and liabilities of
such general account plus your surplus, such reserves and liabilities and such
surplus in each case being calculated in accordance with the applicable
provisions of PTCE 95-60.
(c) As used in this Section, the terms "employee benefit plan" and
"separate account" shall have the respective meanings assigned to such terms in
Section 3 of ERISA.
2. CONDITIONS TO CLOSING. Your obligation to purchase and pay for
the Notes to be purchased by you hereunder at the Closing on the Closing Date on
which you are scheduled to purchase such Notes is subject to the fulfillment to
your satisfaction, prior to or at such Closing, of each of the following
conditions:
2.1. PROCEEDINGS SATISFACTORY. All proceedings taken in connection
with the authorization, issuance and sale of the Notes to be issued on such
Closing Date and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and
all documents and papers relating thereto shall be satisfactory in form, scope
and substance to you and your special counsel, and you and your special counsel
shall have received copies (executed or certified as may be appropriate) of such
documents and papers as you or they may reasonably request in connection
therewith.
-4-
<PAGE>
2.2. OPINIONS OF COUNSEL. You shall have received favorable opinions,
each dated such Closing Date, addressed to you and satisfactory in form, scope
and substance to you, from (a) Faegre & Benson LLP, special counsel to the
Company, substantially in the form of EXHIBIT B and covering such other matters
as you or your special counsel may reasonably request, and (b) Coudert Brothers,
your special counsel in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, covering such matters as you may reasonably request.
2.3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. All representations and
warranties of the Company contained in this Agreement or otherwise made by or on
behalf of the Company in writing in connection with the transactions
contemplated hereby shall be true and correct when made and (except as affected
by the consummation of such transactions) as of the time of such Closing with
the same effect as though such representations and warranties had been made on
and as of such Closing Date.
2.4. PERFORMANCE; NO DEFAULT. The Company shall have performed all
agreements and complied with all conditions contained herein required to be
performed or complied with by it prior to or at such Closing, and at the time of
such Closing (and after giving effect to the sale of the Notes to be issued and
sold by it at such Closing and the application of the proceeds of such sale) no
condition or event shall exist which constitutes a Default or an Event of
Default.
2.5. COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE. The Company shall have delivered to you
an Officers' Certificate, dated such Closing Date, certifying that the
conditions specified in SECTIONS 2.3 AND 2.4 have been fulfilled.
2.6. LEGAL INVESTMENT. On such Closing Date the Notes to be purchased
by you hereunder shall be and qualify as a legal investment for you under the
laws and regulations of each jurisdiction to which you may be subject (without
resort to any basket or leeway provisions of said laws, such as New York
Insurance Law Section 1405(a)(8)) and the purchase thereof shall not subject you
to any penalty or other onerous condition pursuant to any such law or
regulation; and you shall have received such certificates or other evidence as
you may request demonstrating the satisfaction of this condition.
2.7. ABSENCE OF CERTAIN EVENTS. There shall not have occurred any
Material Adverse Change in the Business or Condition of the Company or of the
Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole from that reflected in the most
recent audited financial statements of the Company referred to in SECTION 7.4,
copies of which shall have been delivered to you. Subsequent to the date of the
balance sheet included in such financial statements and prior to the Series A
Closing Date, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries shall have
consolidated or merged with or into, or participated in a share exchange with,
any Person, or sold, leased or otherwise disposed of any assets or properties
other than in the ordinary course of business, except that HTI Export, Ltd., a
United States Virgin Islands corporation and a former Wholly Owned Subsidiary of
the
-5-
<PAGE>
Company, shall have transferred its assets to HTI Export and shall have
thereafter been dissolved.
2.8. CONSENTS AND APPROVALS. All actions, approvals, consents,
waivers, exemptions, Orders, authorizations, registrations, declarations,
filings and recordings (collectively, "APPROVALS"), if any, which are required
to be taken, given, obtained, filed or recorded, as the case may be, by or from
or with (a) any Governmental Body, (b) any trustee or holder of any
indebtedness, obligation or securities of the Company, or (c) any other Person,
in connection with the legal and valid execution and delivery by the Company of
this Agreement and the Other Agreements and the consummation of the transactions
contemplated hereby and thereby (including the issuance and sale of the Notes to
be issued on such Closing Date), shall have been duly taken, given, obtained,
filed or recorded, as the case may be, and all such Approvals shall be final,
subsisting and in full force and effect on such Closing Date, and shall not be
subject to any further proceedings or appeals or any conditions subsequent not
approved by you. Certified copies or other appropriate evidence of all such
Approvals, in form, scope and substance satisfactory to you and your special
counsel, shall have been delivered to you and your special counsel.
2.9. FEES PAYABLE AT CLOSING. The Company shall have paid, or made
arrangements satisfactory to you for the payment of, the legal fees and other
expenses of your special counsel referred to in SECTION 15.1 and all other fees
and expenses for which the Company is obligated pursuant to SECTION 15.1 and for
which the Company shall have received invoices on or prior to the Business Day
preceding such Closing Date.
2.10. PRIVATE PLACEMENT NUMBER. A Private Placement Number shall
have been assigned to the Notes of each series by S&P's CUSIP Service Bureau and
you shall have received a copy of a letter from S&P confirming the same.
2.11. RELATED TRANSACTIONS. In the case of the Closing on the
Series A Closing Date, each of the Other Agreements shall have been duly
executed and delivered by the Company and the Other Purchaser party thereto, and
the Company shall contemporaneously issue and sell, on such Closing Date, the
entire principal amount of Series A Notes (if any) to be issued and sold to each
Other Purchaser pursuant to each of the Other Agreements and shall have received
payment in full of the purchase price therefor. In the case of the Closing on
the Series B Closing Date, the Company shall have theretofore issued and sold,
on the Series A Closing Date, the Notes to have been issued and sold on the
Series A Closing Date as specified in SCHEDULE I.
-6-
<PAGE>
3. PAYMENT AND PREPAYMENT OF NOTES.
3.1. REQUIRED ANNUAL PREPAYMENTS AND PAYMENTS AT MATURITY.
(a) SERIES A NOTES. On July 26 in each of the years 2001 and 2002
(so long as any Series A Notes shall remain outstanding), the Company will
prepay, and there shall become due and payable, $8,333,333.00 in principal
amount of the Series A Notes (or such lesser principal amount of Series A Notes
as shall then be outstanding). Each such prepayment pursuant to this
SECTION 3.1(A) shall be at 100% of the principal amount so to be prepaid
together with interest accrued thereon to the date of such prepayment, without
premium. On July 26, 2003, the Company will pay, and there shall become due and
payable, the entire remaining unpaid principal amount of Series A Notes,
together with all interest accrued thereon. No prepayment of less than all the
Series A Notes pursuant to SECTION 3.2 shall relieve the Company of its
obligation to make (nor shall it reduce the amount of) the prepayments of
principal of the Series A Notes required by this SECTION 3.1(A).
(b) SERIES B NOTES. On November 26 in each of the years 2001 through
2005 (so long as any Series B Notes shall remain outstanding), the Company will
prepay, and there shall become due and payable, $4,166,667.00 in principal
amount of the Series B Notes (or such lesser principal amount of Series B Notes
as shall then be outstanding). Each such prepayment pursuant to this
SECTION 3.1(B) shall be at 100% of the principal amount so to be prepaid
together with interest accrued thereon to the date of such prepayment, without
premium. On November 26, 2006, the Company will pay, and there shall become due
and payable, the entire remaining unpaid principal amount of Series B Notes,
together with all interest accrued thereon. No prepayment of less than all the
Series B Notes pursuant to SECTION 3.2 shall relieve the Company of its
obligation to make (nor shall it reduce the amount of) the prepayments of
principal of the Series B Notes required by this SECTION 3.1(B).
3.2. OPTIONAL PREPAYMENTS WITH MAKEWHOLE AMOUNT. The Notes shall not
be subject to prepayment at the option of the Company except as hereinafter
provided in this SECTION 3.2. The Company may, at its option, upon notice as
provided in SECTION 3.3, on the date specified in such notice, prepay the Notes
at any time in whole or from time to time in part (in a minimum principal amount
of at least $1,000,000 and in integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof),
each such optional prepayment to be made at 100% of the principal amount of the
Notes so to be prepaid together with interest accrued on such principal amount
to the date of prepayment, plus the Makewhole Amount determined in respect of
such principal amount; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that (i) so long as Notes of more than
one series shall remain outstanding, the Company shall not prepay any Notes at
its option on any date pursuant to this SECTION 3.2 unless the principal amount
of Notes to be prepaid shall be allocated among the series in proportion to the
aggregate principal amount of each series outstanding immediately prior to such
prepayment; and (ii) the Company shall not prepay any Series A Notes prior to
issuance and sale of the Series B Notes on the Series B Closing Date.
-7-
<PAGE>
3.3. NOTICE OF OPTIONAL PREPAYMENTS; CALCULATION OF MAKEWHOLE AMOUNT.
The Company will give each holder of a Note, with respect to each optional
prepayment, (a) written notice thereof (which notice shall be irrevocable) at
least 30 and not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for such prepayment,
specifying (i) such date of prepayment and the principal amount of each Note
held by such holder so to be prepaid, (ii) accrued interest payable to such
holder in respect of such prepayment, and (iii) the Company's estimate as of the
date of such notice of the Makewhole Amount applicable in respect of such
prepayment, showing in reasonable detail the calculation thereof and setting
forth the Treasury Rate used in such calculation, and (b) further written notice
(a copy of which shall be telefaxed by the Company to each such holder
concurrently with the sending thereof) two Business Days prior to such date of
prepayment, specifying such Makewhole Amount, showing in reasonable detail the
calculation thereof and setting forth the Treasury Rate used in such
calculation.
3.4. ALLOCATION OF PARTIAL PREPAYMENTS. In the case of each
prepayment, whether required or optional, of less than the entire unpaid
principal amount of all outstanding Notes of any series, the principal amount of
the Notes so to be prepaid shall be allocated among all of the Notes of such
series at the time outstanding in proportion, as nearly as practicable, to the
respective principal amounts thereof not theretofore prepaid. The amount of
each such optional prepayment so allocated to the Notes of any series shall be
credited against the remaining required prepayments and payment at final
maturity of the Notes of such series in the inverse order of such required
prepayments and payment at final maturity.
3.5. MATURITY; SURRENDER, ETC. In the case of each prepayment of
Notes, the principal amount of each Note to be prepaid shall become due and
payable on the date fixed for such prepayment in this Agreement (if such
prepayment is to be made pursuant to SECTION 3.1) or in the notice of such
prepayment pursuant to SECTION 3.3 (if such prepayment is to be made pursuant to
SECTION 3.2), together with interest accrued on such principal amount to such
date and the Makewhole Amount, if any, payable in connection with such
prepayment. Any Note paid or prepaid in full shall thereafter be surrendered to
the Company upon its written request therefor and cancelled and not reissued.
3.6. LIMITATION ON PREPAYMENT AND ACQUISITION OF NOTES. The Company
will not, and will not permit any of its Affiliates or Subsidiaries to, pay,
prepay, purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly, any Note
except by way of payment or prepayment by the Company in accordance with the
terms of this Agreement.
3.7. PAYMENTS DUE ON OTHER THAN A BUSINESS DAY. If any payment or
prepayment of principal, Makewhole Amount, if any, or interest on or with
respect to any Note or Notes becomes due and payable on any day that is not a
Business Day, the amount of such payment shall be payable on the next succeeding
Business Day and with respect to any such payment of principal, interest shall
continue to accrue thereon
-8-
<PAGE>
during any such extension period at the applicable rate of interest in effect
immediately prior to such extension.
4. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS; INFORMATION. The Company will furnish (in
duplicate) to you, so long as you or your nominee shall be obligated to purchase
or shall hold any of the Notes, and to each other institutional holder of
outstanding Notes (and, in the case of the information referred to in
subdivision (j) of this Section, to any prospective purchaser of Notes which is
identified to the Company):
(a) QUARTERLY STATEMENTS. As soon as available and in any event
within 45 days after the end of each of the first three quarterly fiscal
periods in each fiscal year of the Company, a consolidated balance sheet of
the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such quarterly fiscal
period and the related consolidated statements of operations and cash flows
of the Company and its Subsidiaries for such quarterly fiscal period and
(except in the case of the first such quarterly fiscal period in each
fiscal year) for the portion of the fiscal year ended with the last day of
such quarterly fiscal period, setting forth in comparative form, in the
case of each such statement of operations or cash flows, the respective
figures for the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year, all in
reasonable detail and certified by the principal financial officer of the
Company as complete and correct in all material respects, subject to
changes resulting from normal year-end audit adjustments;
(b) ANNUAL STATEMENTS. As soon as available and in any event within
90 days after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, a consolidated
balance sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such
fiscal year and the related consolidated statements of operations,
shareholders' investment and cash flows of the Company and its Subsidiaries
for such fiscal year, setting forth in each case in comparative form the
respective figures as of the end of and for the previous fiscal year, all
in reasonable detail and accompanied by an opinion thereon of Arthur
Andersen LLP or other independent certified public accountants of
recognized national standing selected by the Company and reasonably
satisfactory to the holders of outstanding Notes, which opinion shall not
be made in reliance upon the opinion of any other accountant, shall be made
without qualification or modification, shall comply with generally accepted
auditing standards at the time in effect and shall state that such
financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the
financial position of the Company and its Subsidiaries as at the dates
indicated and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the
periods indicated in conformity with GAAP, that the audits of such
accountants were conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards and that such accountants believe such audits provide a
reasonable basis for their opinion;
(c) OFFICERS' CERTIFICATES. Concurrently with each delivery of
financial statements pursuant to subdivision (a) or (b) of this Section, an
Officers' Certificate:
-9-
<PAGE>
(i) stating that the signatories thereto have reviewed the terms
of the Agreements and of the Notes and have made, or caused to be made
under their supervision, a review in reasonable detail of the
transactions and conditions of the Company and its Subsidiaries during
the accounting period covered by such financial statements, and that
such review has not disclosed the existence during or at the end of
such accounting period, and that such signatories do not have
knowledge of the existence as at the date of such Officers'
Certificate, of any condition or event which constitutes a Default or
an Event of Default, or, if any such condition or event existed or
exists, specifying the nature and period of existence thereof and what
action the Company has taken or is taking or proposes to take with
respect thereto;
(ii) setting forth (A) as of the date of the consolidated balance
sheet included in such financial statements, (1) the respective
amounts of Consolidated Net Worth, the Net Worth Minimum, Funded Debt
outstanding under the Credit Agreement, Consolidated Funded Debt,
Consolidated Current Debt, Total Capitalization, and Consolidated
Tangible Assets and (2) the aggregate principal amount of all
outstanding Debt of the Company and its Subsidiaries secured by Liens
permitted by subdivision (g), (h), (i) or (j) of SECTION 6.4, and the
aggregate principal amount outstanding for each Subsidiary of
Subsidiary Secured Debt, (B) the respective amounts of Consolidated
Net Income Available for Fixed Charges and Consolidated Fixed Charges
for the Coverage Period with respect to the Determination Date
occurring on the date of such consolidated balance sheet (and showing
Consolidated Interest Expense and Long Term Lease Rentals accrued for
such Coverage Period), and (C) the highest aggregate amount of Long
Term Lease Rentals for which the Company and its Subsidiaries shall be
liable in any one fiscal year (including the then current and each
future fiscal year), and the highest aggregate amount thereof for
which all such Subsidiaries (shown separately) shall be liable, under
all Long Term Leases; and
(iii) setting forth facts or computations in reasonable
detail demonstrating compliance during and at the end of such
accounting period with the covenants and restrictions contained in
SECTIONS 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, 6.9, 6.10 AND 6.12;
(d) ACCOUNTANT'S CERTIFICATES. Together with each delivery of annual
financial statements pursuant to subdivision (b) of this Section, a written
statement addressed to the holders of the Notes from the independent
certified public accountants referred to in said subdivision (b) who have
reported on such financial statements:
(i) stating whether, in the course of their audit examination,
anything has come to their attention concerning the existence during
the
-10-
<PAGE>
fiscal year covered by such financial statements (and whether they
have knowledge of the existence as of the date of such written
statement) of any condition or event which constitutes a Default or an
Event of Default, and, if so, specifying the nature and period of
existence thereof; and
(ii) stating that they have examined the Officers' Certificate
delivered in connection with such annual financial statements pursuant
to subdivision (c) of this Section for such fiscal year, and, based
upon their annual audit examination, nothing has come to their
attention which causes them to believe that the information contained
in such Officers' Certificate is not correct or that the matters set
forth in such Officers' Certificate pursuant to subdivisions (c)(ii)
and (c)(iii) of this Section have not been properly stated in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement;
(e) COMMISSION AND OTHER REPORTS. Promptly upon their becoming
available (and in any event within five Business Days thereafter), copies
of (i) all financial statements, reports, notices, proxy statements and
other information sent or made available generally by the Company to any
class of its security holders or by any Subsidiary to any class of its
security holders other than the Company or another Subsidiary, (ii) all
regular and periodic reports (including reports on Form 8-K) and all
registration statements (other than those on Form S-8 or a successor form
relating to the registration of securities pursuant to an employee benefit
plan) and prospectuses filed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries with
any securities exchange or with the Commission, and (iii) all press
releases and other statements made available generally by the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries to the public concerning material developments in
the business of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;
(f) AUDIT REPORTS. Promptly upon receipt thereof (and in any event
within five Business Days thereafter), copies of reports submitted to the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries by independent certified public
accountants in connection with any annual, interim or special audit of the
Company or any Subsidiary made by such accountants;
(g) DEFAULTS, ETC. Promptly upon any Responsible Officer of the
Company obtaining knowledge of any condition or event which constitutes a
Default or an Event of Default (and in any event within 15 calendar days
after any Responsible Officer has obtained knowledge thereof, if such
condition or event constitutes a Default but shall not have become an Event
of Default, or within five Business Days thereafter, if such condition or
event constitutes or shall have become an Event of Default), and promptly
upon any Responsible Officer becoming aware that the holder of any Note has
given any notice or taken any other action with respect to a claimed
Default or Event of Default or that any Person has given any notice to the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries or taken any other action with respect
to a claimed default under or in respect of any Debt referred to in
SECTION 8.1(E) or with respect to the occurrence or existence of any
-11-
<PAGE>
event or condition of the type referred to in SECTION 8.1(F) OR 8.1(G)
(and in any event within five Business Days after any Responsible Officer
has become aware thereof), an Officers' Certificate specifying in
reasonable detail the nature and period of existence thereof and what
action the Company has taken or is taking or proposes to take with respect
thereto;
(h) ERISA. Promptly (and in any event within five Business Days)
after any Company Group Member or any plan administrator of any Plan
(i) knows of the occurrence of any Termination Event, (ii) receives with
respect to any Multiemployer Plan notice as prescribed in ERISA of any
withdrawal liability assessed against any Company Group Member or of a
determination that any Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization or insolvent
(both within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA), (iii) knows that a
prohibited transaction (as defined in Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975
of the Code) for which a statutory or administrative exemption is not
available or a breach of fiduciary responsibility has occurred in
connection with which any Company Group Member could reasonably be subject
to any material liability under Section 406, 409, 502(i) or 502(l) of ERISA
or Section 4975 of the Code, or under any agreement or other instrument
pursuant to which such Company Group Member has agreed or is required to
indemnify any Person against any such liability or (iv) knows that there
has been a material adverse change in the funding status of any Plan, a
description of such event or a copy of such notice and a statement by the
principal financial officer of the Company of the action which has been or
is being taken or is proposed to be taken by the Company with respect
thereto;
(i) LITIGATION, ETC. Promptly (and in any event within 15 calendar
days) after any Responsible Officer of the Company obtains knowledge of any
litigation, administrative proceeding or judgment (i) relating to the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries (whether or not considered by the
Company to be covered by insurance) and which could, if adversely
determined, have a Material Adverse Effect, or (ii) relating in any way to
this Agreement, the Other Agreements or the Notes, an Officers' Certificate
specifying in each case in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances
surrounding such litigation, proceeding or judgment;
(j) RULE 144A INFORMATION. Promptly upon request therefor (and in
any event within five Business Days thereafter) by any holder of Notes or
by any prospective purchaser of any Notes designated by the holder thereof,
all information, statements, reports, descriptions of business, products
and services, financial statements and other information as such holder may
reasonably determine to be required to be delivered in order to comply with
the requirements of Rule 144A (or any successor rule) promulgated by the
Commission under the Securities Act; and
(k) REQUESTED INFORMATION. Promptly upon request therefor (and in
any event within ten Business Days thereafter), such other information as
to the
-12-
<PAGE>
Business or Condition of the Company or its Subsidiaries as may from
time to time be reasonably requested by the holders of any of the Notes.
5. INSPECTION OF PROPERTIES AND BOOKS. So long as you, your nominee
or any other institutional investor shall be obligated to purchase or shall hold
any Note, your or such other institutional holder's representative or
representatives may, at the Company's cost and expense (excluding, however,
salary and other overhead expenses of any holder and the travel, lodging and
related expenses of such holder's representative, all of which shall, except as
hereinafter provided, be borne by such holder) visit and inspect any of the
properties of the Company and its Subsidiaries, including their respective books
of account, records, reports and other papers, make copies and extracts
therefrom, and discuss their affairs, finances and accounts with their
respective officers, employees and independent public accountants (and the
Company hereby authorizes and directs each such officer, employee and
independent public accountant to engage in such discussions), all at such
reasonable times and as often as may be reasonably requested upon at least five
days advance notice to the Company or the relevant Subsidiary, as applicable,
PROVIDED that, during the continuance of any Event of Default, all reasonable
travel and lodging costs and related expenses relating to any such visit or
inspection which would otherwise be required by the foregoing provisions of this
Section to be borne by a holder of Notes shall be borne by the Company.
6. COVENANTS. The Company covenants and agrees that from the date
of this Agreement through the Series A Closing Date, and thereafter so long as
any Note shall be outstanding, the Company will perform and comply with each the
following covenants:
6.1. PAYMENT OF NOTES. The Company will duly and punctually pay the
principal of, Makewhole Amount, if any, and interest on the Notes in accordance
with the terms of the Notes and this Agreement.
6.2. MAINTENANCE OF CERTAIN FINANCIAL CONDITIONS.
(a) FIXED CHARGE COVERAGE RATIO. The Company will maintain
Consolidated Net Income Available for Fixed Charges of at least 150% of
Consolidated Fixed Charges during the Coverage Period with respect to each
Determination Date.
(b) CONSOLIDATED NET WORTH. The Company will not permit Consolidated
Net Worth as of any Testing Date to be less than the Net Worth Minimum as of
such date.
6.3. DEBT; MAXIMUM FUNDED DEBT AND CURRENT DEBT. (a) The Company
will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, create,
assume, incur, issue, agree to purchase or repurchase, or provide funds in
respect of, or otherwise become or remain liable in respect of, by way of
Guaranty or otherwise, any Funded Debt or Current Debt, except that the Company
may become and remain liable in respect of the Funded Debt evidenced by the
Notes and except that:
-13-
<PAGE>
(i) the Company may remain liable in respect of the Debt outstanding
on the date hereof and described on SCHEDULE III, PROVIDED that no such
Debt described on SCHEDULE III may be modified, extended, renewed, refunded
or refinanced except as otherwise permitted by another provision of this
SECTION 6.3(A) and except that, the Company may from time to time, to the
extent permitted by the Existing IDB Documents, procure the issuance of
letters of credit for delivery in substitution for the letter of credit
then in effect under and as contemplated by the Existing IDB Documents so
long as the Debt, if any, incurred by the Company in connection with such
substitute letters of credit is permitted by another provision of this
Section;
(ii) any Subsidiary may become and remain liable in respect of Debt of
such Subsidiary owing to the Company or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary;
(iii) the Company may become and remain liable in respect of
unsecured Funded Debt in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement
in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding not exceeding
$25,000,000;
(iv) the Company may become and remain liable in respect of Funded
Debt relating to an equivalent principal amount of IDB Debt secured by
Liens permitted by subdivision (h) of SECTION 6.4 and in respect of Funded
Debt secured by Liens permitted by subdivision (i) or (j) of SECTION 6.4,
and any Subsidiary may become and remain liable in respect of Subsidiary
Secured Debt, if at the time of incurrence of any such Funded Debt or
Subsidiary Secured Debt and after giving effect to such incurrence and to
the concurrent retirement or incurrence of any other Debt by the Company
and its Subsidiaries and to the application of the proceeds of all such
incurred Debt, the aggregate principal amount outstanding of all Debt of
the Company and its Subsidiaries secured by Liens permitted by
subdivision (g), (h), (i) or (j) of SECTION 6.4 shall not exceed 20% of
Consolidated Net Worth, PROVIDED that, the Subsidiary Secured Debt
permitted by this subdivision (a)(iv) for which any one Subsidiary may
become and remain liable shall not at any one time exceed $500,000 in
aggregate principal amount outstanding; and
(v) the Company may become and remain liable (including, without
limitation, subject to SECTION 6.12, by way of Guaranties) in respect of
unsecured Funded Debt and unsecured Current Debt in addition to that
permitted by the foregoing clauses (i) through (iv) of this SECTION 6.3(A);
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that neither the Company nor any Subsidiary shall be
permitted pursuant to the foregoing clauses (i) through (v) of this
SECTION 6.3(A) to become or to remain liable on any date in respect of any
Funded Debt or Current Debt the incurrence or existence of which would cause the
Company to be in violation of SECTION 6.3(B).
-14-
<PAGE>
(b) The Company will not on any date permit (a) the sum of
(1) Consolidated Funded Debt plus (2) Consolidated Current Debt plus (3) if (but
only if) such date shall occur prior to the issuance and sale of the Series B
Notes as contemplated hereby, $25,000,000 to exceed (b) 55% of the sum of
(1) Total Capitalization plus (2) if (but only if) such date shall occur prior
to the issuance and sale of the Series B Notes as contemplated hereby,
$25,000,000.
(c) For all purposes of this SECTION 6.3, (1) in the event the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall extend, renew, refund or refinance any
Debt, the Company or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, shall be deemed to
have created, assumed or incurred such Debt at the time of such extension,
renewal, refunding or refinancing and (2) any Person becoming a Subsidiary after
the date of this Agreement shall be deemed to have created, assumed or incurred
all of its then outstanding Debt at the time it becomes a Subsidiary. The
Company will not in any event incur, create, assume or permit to exist any
Funded Debt or Current Debt of the Company owing to any of its Subsidiaries.
6.4. LIENS. The Company will not, and will not permit any of its
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or permit to
exist any Lien on or with respect to any property or asset of any character of
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (whether held on the date hereof or
hereafter acquired) or any interest therein or any income or profits therefrom
except, subject to compliance with the penultimate paragraph of this Section:
(a) Liens (other than Liens created or imposed under ERISA) for
taxes, assessments or governmental charges or levies either not yet due or
the payment of which is not at the time required by SECTION 6.16;
(b) Liens of landlords, carriers, warehousemen, mechanics,
materialmen and other similar Persons incurred in the ordinary course of
business for sums either not yet due or the payment of which is not at the
time required by SECTION 6.16;
(c) Liens (other than Liens created or imposed under ERISA) incurred
or deposits made in the ordinary course of business in connection with
workers' compensation, unemployment insurance and other types of social
security, or to secure the performance of tenders, statutory obligations,
surety and appeal bonds, bids, leases, government contracts, performance
and return-of-money bonds and other similar obligations (exclusive in any
case of obligations incurred in connection with the borrowing of money or
the obtaining of advances or credit);
(d) Liens incidental to the conduct of business or to the ownership
or improvement of property of a character which customarily exist on
properties of corporations engaged in similar activities and similarly
situated and which were not incurred in connection with the borrowing of
money or the obtaining of advances or credit, and which do not,
individually or in the aggregate, interfere
-15-
<PAGE>
with the ordinary conduct of the business of the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries or detract from the value or use of the properties
subject to any such Liens, PROVIDED that, the aggregate amount of
monetary liabilities of the Company and its Subsidiaries secured
by all such Liens (exclusive of all such liabilities covered by
insurance maintained with sound and reputable insurers) shall not at
any time exceed $1,000,000;
(e) any attachment, judgment or other similar Lien arising in
connection with court proceedings, so long as (i) the execution or other
enforcement of such Lien is effectively stayed and the claims secured
thereby are being actively contested in good faith and by appropriate
proceedings diligently conducted and effective to prevent the forfeiture or
sale of any property of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any
interference with the ordinary use thereof by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, and (ii) such reserve or other appropriate provision, if any,
in the amount and of the type as shall be required by GAAP shall be
maintained therefor, PROVIDED that, the aggregate amount of monetary
liabilities, including interest and penalties, if any, of the Company and
its Subsidiaries secured by all such Liens (exclusive of all such
liabilities covered by insurance maintained with sound and reputable
insurers) shall not at any time exceed $1,000,000;
(f) Liens on assets of any Subsidiary securing Debt or other
obligations of such Subsidiary owing to the Company or to a Wholly Owned
Subsidiary;
(g) the Lien existing on the date of this Agreement and securing the
Debt listed as Item 12 on SCHEDULE III; PROVIDED that, (i) such Lien shall
not at any time be extended to or cover any property of the Company or any
Subsidiary other than (A) the equipment and other collateral subject to
such Lien on the date hereof (the "EXISTING WISCONSIN COLLATERAL") and
(B) equipment substituted for equipment included in the Existing Wisconsin
Collateral (or other equipment previously substituted therefor as permitted
by this clause (B)) so long as, concurrently with any such substitution,
the equipment for which such substitution is made shall be released from
such Lien and, after giving effect to any such substitution, neither the
aggregate fair market value nor the aggregate book value of all equipment
subject to such Lien shall exceed 110% of the aggregate principal amount of
the Debt secured thereby; and (ii) the principal amount of the Debt secured
by such Lien shall not be increased, or extended, renewed, refunded or
refinanced, except as permitted by SECTION 6.3;
(h) Liens securing IDB Debt, the Debt of the Company relating to
which is permitted to be incurred and to be outstanding pursuant to
SECTION 6.3, PROVIDED that no such Lien shall at any time extend to or
cover any asset of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries other than the
equipment and facilities acquired or constructed with the proceeds of such
IDB Debt, real property
-16-
<PAGE>
appurtenant to such facilities, and proceeds of such equipment, facilities
and real property;
(i) Liens (including Capital Leases) created solely to secure the
deferred purchase price of fixed assets useful and intended to be used in
carrying on the business of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries acquired
or constructed by the Company or any Subsidiary after the date hereof, or
any Lien (including a Capital Lease) created to secure Debt (other than IDB
Debt) incurred solely for the purpose of financing the acquisition or
construction, as the case may be, of any such asset (if such Debt is
incurred at the time of or within 90 days after such acquisition or the
completion of such construction) or any Lien existing on acquired assets at
the time of acquisition thereof, or, in the case of any Person which
hereafter becomes a Subsidiary, any Lien in respect of its property
existing at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary, PROVIDED that:
(i) in the case of an acquisition of assets or a Person becoming
a Subsidiary, such Lien was not created in contemplation of such
event,
(ii) no such Lien shall at any time extend to or cover any asset
of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries other than the acquired
assets on which it was originally imposed and improvements thereto and
proceeds thereof, and
(iii) the aggregate principal amount of all Debt secured by
all such Liens on any such asset shall at no time exceed an amount
equal to the fair market value of such asset as determined in good
faith by the Board of Directors at the time such Lien was created or
incurred; and
(j) Liens extending, renewing or replacing any Lien permitted by
subdivision (g), (h) or (i) of this Section, PROVIDED that (i) no such Lien
shall be extended to any other asset of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries and (ii) the principal amount of the Debt secured by any such
Lien shall not be increased in connection with such extension, renewal,
refunding or refinancing.
It shall be a further condition to the creation, incurrence,
assumption, extension, renewal, refunding or refinancing of any Lien
otherwise permitted by subdivision (h), (i) or (j) of this Section that, on
the date on which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries proposes to take any
such action and immediately after giving effect thereto, to the substantially
concurrent incurrence of any Debt and the substantially concurrent retirement
of any other Debt and to the application of the proceeds of all such Debt,
the Company or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, shall be permitted to
incur and remain liable in respect of at least $1.00 of additional secured
Funded Debt pursuant to subdivision (a)(iv) of SECTION 6.3. For all purposes
of this Section, (A) Liens existing on or with respect to any assets of any
Person at the time it becomes a Subsidiary shall be deemed to have been
created at the time it becomes a Subsidiary, (B) any extension, renewal,
refunding or refinancing of any Lien by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
-17-
<PAGE>
shall be deemed to be an incurrence of such Lien at the time of such
extension, renewal, refunding or refinancing, and (C) any Lien existing on
any property at the time it is acquired by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries shall be deemed to have been created at the time of such
acquisition.
In the event that any property or assets of the Company or any
Subsidiary shall become or be subject to a Lien not permitted by the foregoing
subdivisions (a) through (j) of this Section, the Company shall make or cause to
be made effective provision satisfactory to the holders of the outstanding Notes
whereby the Notes will be secured equally and ratably with all other obligations
secured by such Lien, and in any event, the Notes shall have the benefit, to the
full extent that (and with such priority as) the holders thereof may be entitled
under applicable law, of an equitable Lien on such property or assets; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that any violation of this Section shall constitute a Default whether
or not the Company shall have made effective provision to secure the Notes
equally and ratably with any such other obligations or the holders of Notes
shall be entitled to such equal and ratable security or any such equitable Lien.
6.5. INVESTMENTS, ETC. The Company will not, and will not permit any
of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly (through a Subsidiary or
otherwise), make or own any Investments except:
(a) the Company and its Subsidiaries may make and own Investments in
(i) readily marketable direct obligations of the United States of America
or of any agency or instrumentality thereof the obligations of which are
backed by the full faith and credit of the United States of America or
readily marketable obligations unconditionally guaranteed by the United
States of America or by any such agency or instrumentality, in each case
maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof,
(ii) certificates of deposit, time deposits or bankers' acceptances
maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof issued by, or
demand deposit accounts maintained with, any commercial bank or trust
company which is a member of the Federal Reserve System, the long-term debt
obligations of which are rated at least A by Moody's Investors Service Inc.
("MOODY'S") or Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, a division of The
McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. ("S&P") and which has combined capital and
surplus of at least $250,000,000 (any such bank or trust company, an
"ELIGIBLE BANK"), (iii) repurchase agreements with respect to securities of
the type referred to in the foregoing subdivision (a)(i) transacted with
Eligible Banks, PROVIDED that each such repurchase agreement obligates an
Eligible Bank to repurchase the securities which are the subject thereof no
later than 30 days after the acquisition of such repurchase agreement;
(iv) money-market preferred stock or money-market auction notes, in each
case maturing or redeemable at the option of the holder thereof no more
than one year after the date of acquisition thereof and having a rating of
at least A3 by Moody's or at least A- by S&P, and Tax Exempt Obligations
(as hereinafter defined) in the form of auction rate reset notes that reset
within one year from the date of acquisition thereof; (v) obligations, the
interest with respect to which is exempt from federal income taxation under
-18-
<PAGE>
Section 103 of the Code, having a long term rating of at least A3 or A-, or
a short term rating of at least P-1 or A-1, by Moody's or S&P,
respectively, and having a maturity of less than two years ("TAX EXEMPT
OBLIGATIONS"), in addition to those described in the foregoing
subdivision (a)(iv); (vi) open market commercial paper of United States
corporations maturing not later than 270 days after the issuance thereof
and having a rating of at least P-2 by Moody's or at least A-2 by S&P, and
(vii) debt securities of United States corporations having a long term
rating of at least A3 by Moody's or at least A- by S&P and having a
maturity of less than two years;
(b) the Company and its Subsidiaries may make and own Investments in
any mutual fund registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended, the portfolio of which is limited to Investments of the character
described in the foregoing subdivision (a);
(c) the Company and its Subsidiaries may continue to own
(i) Investments in Subsidiaries of the Company existing on the date hereof,
and (ii) other Investments existing on the date hereof and described in
SCHEDULE V;
(d) the Company and its Subsidiaries may make and own (i) Investments
in any Subsidiary of the Company (other than HTI Export) or in any Person
which simultaneously therewith becomes a Subsidiary; and (ii) Investments
in HTI Export (so long as it shall be a Subsidiary) in the form of
(A) advances from the Company to HTI Export for the purpose of meeting
foreign sales corporation transaction requirements arising under the Code
in an aggregate amount at any one time outstanding not exceeding
$20,000,000, with a duration for each such advance not exceeding one
Business Day, and (B) other Investments of the Company in an aggregate
amount at any one time outstanding not exceeding $200,000;
(e) the Company and its Subsidiaries may make and own Investments
consisting of travel and other like advances in the ordinary course of
business to their officers and employees;
(f) the Company may make and own Investments consisting of (i) loans
to its officers, directors and employees, not in excess of an aggregate for
all such loans of $2,000,000 at any one time outstanding, in order to
enable such individuals to exercise options granted to them by the Company
to purchase shares of the Company's stock, and (ii) loans in the ordinary
course of business to officers and employees rendering services to the
Company outside the United States of America on a substantially permanent
basis not in excess of $10,000 in any one case and not in excess of an
aggregate for all such loans of $100,000 at any one time outstanding; and
the Company and its Subsidiaries may make and own Investments consisting of
loans and advances in the ordinary course of business to their officers,
directors and employees, in addition to the loans otherwise permitted by
this subdivision (f) and the advances otherwise permitted
-19-
<PAGE>
by the foregoing subdivision (e), not in excess of $10,000 in any one
case and not in excess of an aggregate for all such additional loans
and advances by the Company and all of its Subsidiaries of $200,000
at any one time outstanding;
(g) the Company and its Subsidiaries may become and remain liable in
respect of Guaranties of the obligations of other Persons to the extent
permitted by SECTION 6.12;
(h) the Company and its Subsidiaries may make and own Investments
consisting of (i) insurance policies issued by United States stock or
mutual insurance companies rated A or better by A. M. Best Company, Inc. to
the extent such policies are used to fund deferred compensation, pension,
retirement or similar obligations, (ii) progress payments and like advances
under construction, equipment purchase and other contracts entered into in
the ordinary course of business and, (iii) prepaid rent and security
deposits under leases entered into in the ordinary course of business; and
(i) in addition to the Investments permitted by the foregoing
subdivisions (a) through (h) of this Section, the Company may make and own
other Investments, PROVIDED, that, the aggregate unliquidated amount of all
such other Investments made pursuant to this subdivision (i) and
outstanding at any time shall not exceed 10% of Consolidated Net Worth.
For purposes of this Section, Investments owned by any Person or for which it is
obligated at the time it becomes a Subsidiary shall be deemed to be made at the
time such Person becomes such a Subsidiary.
6.6. RESTRICTED PAYMENTS. The Company will not, directly or
indirectly (through a Subsidiary or otherwise), declare, order, pay, distribute,
make, or set apart any sum or property for any Restricted Payment unless, in the
case of any such action, both at the time of and immediately after effect has
been given thereto, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing.
6.7. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES; REMUNERATION. (a) The Company
will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or
indirectly, enter into or be a party to any transaction or arrangement
(including, without limitation, the contribution, transfer, purchase, sale or
exchange of property, or the rendering of any service, or the payment of
management or other service fees) with any Affiliate unless such transaction or
arrangement is otherwise permitted under this Agreement and is entered into
pursuant to the reasonable requirements and in the ordinary course of the
Company's or such Subsidiary's business and upon terms that are fair and
reasonable and no less favorable to the Company or such Subsidiary, as the case
may be, than those which might be obtained at the time on an arm's-length basis
from any Person which is not such an Affiliate; PROVIDED that, nothing in this
SECTION 6.7(A) shall prevent the Company or any of its Subsidiaries from making
Compensation Payments as and to the extent permitted by SECTION 6.7(B).
-20-
<PAGE>
(b) The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries
to, make payments, directly or indirectly, of any form of compensation or
remuneration to any of its officers, directors, employees or stockholders,
whether by way of salaries, bonuses, participations in pension or profit sharing
plans, fees under management contracts or for professional services, grants of
stock options, or otherwise, and whether in cash or other property (any of the
foregoing, "COMPENSATION PAYMENTS"), except for Compensation Payments in amounts
which represent, in the Company's reasonable business judgment, no more than
reasonable compensation for services actually performed for the benefit of the
Company or one of its Subsidiaries.
6.8. SUBSIDIARY STOCK AND DEBT. The Company will not, and will not
permit any Subsidiary to, issue, sell or otherwise dispose or part with control
of any shares of stock or any Debt or any other securities (or warrants, rights
or options to acquire stock or other securities) of any Subsidiary, except to
the Company or another Wholly Owned Subsidiary, and except that all shares of
stock and all Debt and other securities of any Subsidiary at the time owned by
or owed to the Company and all Subsidiaries may be sold as an entirety for a
consideration which represents the fair value (as determined in good faith by
the Board of Directors) at the time of sale of the shares of stock and Debt and
other securities so sold; PROVIDED that, (i) such Subsidiary being sold does not
at that time own, directly or indirectly, any Debt or stock or other security of
any other Subsidiary which is not also being simultaneously sold as an entirety
as permitted by this Section or any Debt of the Company, (ii) the assets of such
Subsidiary represented by the equity interest to be so transferred are such that
the sale of such assets would then be permitted by SECTION 6.9 (in which case
such transaction shall be considered and deemed a disposition of assets for the
purposes of SECTION 6.9), and (iii) at the time of the consummation of such
transaction and after giving effect thereto, no Default or Event of Default
shall have occurred and be continuing.
6.9. CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, SALE OF ASSETS, ETC. The Company will not,
and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, voluntarily liquidate or
dissolve, or consolidate or merge with or into any other Person, or permit any
other Person to consolidate with or merge with or into it, or participate in a
share exchange with or sell, lease, transfer, contribute or otherwise dispose of
any of its assets to any other Person (other than sales of inventory and worn
out and obsolete assets in the ordinary course of business as such business is
conducted in compliance with SECTION 6.13), except that, subject in any event to
compliance with the last paragraph of this Section:
(a) any Subsidiary may (i) consolidate with or merge into the Company
or any Wholly Owned Subsidiary if the Company or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary
shall be the continuing or surviving corporation or (ii) consolidate or
merge with any other corporation if such Subsidiary shall be the continuing
or surviving corporation;
(b) any Subsidiary may sell, lease, transfer, contribute or otherwise
dispose of its assets in whole or in part to the Company or any Wholly
Owned
-21-
<PAGE>
Subsidiary, and may, following any such disposition in whole, liquidate
and dissolve;
(c) the Company may consolidate or merge or enter into a share
exchange with any other Person if the Company shall be the continuing or
surviving corporation; and
(d) the Company or any Subsidiary, in addition to making any sale,
lease, transfer, contribution or other disposition permitted by the
foregoing provisions of this Section, may sell any of its assets for a
consideration at least equal to the fair market value thereof (as
determined in good faith by the Board of Directors) at the time of such
sale but only if the assets so sold, when taken together with all other
assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries then being or theretofore so
sold (including deemed dispositions pursuant to SECTION 6.8) during the
period from and including the first day of the then current fiscal year of
the Company to and including the date of such sale shall not have an
aggregate fair market value or an aggregate book value (such fair market
value and such book value to be determined in the case of any such asset as
of the date of sale or proposed sale thereof) which shall exceed 10% of
Consolidated Net Worth as at the end of the then most recently completed
prior fiscal year of the Company.
No consolidation, merger, sale, lease, transfer, contribution or other
disposition referred to in subdivisions (a) through (d) of this Section shall be
permitted unless at the time of and immediately after giving effect to any such
transaction, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing. Nothing contained in this Section shall permit the disposition of
assets consisting of Debt, stock or similar interests or other securities (or
warrants, rights or options to acquire stock or other securities) of any
Subsidiary unless such disposition is also made in compliance with SECTION 6.8.
6.10. RESTRICTIONS ON LONG TERM LEASES. The Company will not, and
will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly become or
remain liable as lessee or as guarantor or other surety with respect to any Long
Term Lease unless, after giving effect to such Long Term Lease, (i) the
aggregate amount of all Long Term Lease Rentals for which the Company and its
Subsidiaries shall be liable in any one fiscal year (including the then current
and each future fiscal year) under all Long Term Leases shall not exceed 10% of
Consolidated Net Worth as at the end of the then most recently completed fiscal
quarter of the Company, and (ii) the aggregate amount of Long Term Lease Rentals
for which all such Subsidiaries shall be liable in any one fiscal year
(including the then current and each future fiscal year) under all Long Term
Leases shall not exceed $200,000.
6.11. SUBORDINATION OF CLAIMS. The Company will not, and will not
permit any of its Subsidiaries to, subordinate or permit to be subordinated any
claim against, or obligation of, any other Person held or owned by the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries to any other claim against, or obligation of, such
other Person.
-22-
<PAGE>
6.12. GUARANTIES. The Company will not, and will not permit any
of its Subsidiaries to, become or remain liable under any Guaranty of the
obligations of any other Person (other than, subject to SECTION 6.3, obligations
of the Company and its Subsidiaries) except that (a) the Company may become and
remain liable in respect of Guaranties of IDB Debt if and for so long as the
Funded Debt of the Company relating to such IDB Debt is permitted pursuant to
SECTION 6.3 and the Liens, if any, securing such IDB Debt are permitted by
SECTION 6.4(H), and (b) the Company and its Subsidiaries may become and remain
liable under Guaranties of other obligations not in excess of $1,000,000 in the
aggregate (provided that nothing in this Section shall limit or prevent the
Company from remaining liable in respect of its obligations to indemnify its
officers and directors arising under the Company's Articles of Incorporation,
By-Laws or applicable law).
6.13. NATURE OF BUSINESS. The Company will not, and will not
permit any of its Subsidiaries to, (a) alter the nature of the business in which
the Company and its Subsidiaries (viewed on a consolidated basis) are engaged on
the date hereof as described in the Memorandum (it being understood that the
continued development of critical care devices and other products for the
medical market, including, without limitation, products of that character
described in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended
September 24, 1995, and the conduct of activities incident to or arising out of
such development shall not for purposes hereof be deemed an alteration of such
business), or (b) invest, directly or indirectly, in any substantial amount of
assets or property other than assets or property useful and to be used in such
business as now conducted or as conducted in the future in compliance with the
foregoing provisions of this Section (the "CORE BUSINESS"); PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
that nothing in this Section shall prohibit the Company from acquiring, through
merger or consolidation with, or purchase from, any other Person, assets or
other property not used or useful in the Core Business so long as (i) such
assets or other property are used or useful in a line or lines of business which
are related or reasonably complementary to the Core Business or which entail the
application of technological expertise utilized in the Core Business, or
adaptations thereof, to new or additional products and (ii) after giving effect
to any such acquisition the value of all such assets or other property of the
Company and its Subsidiaries not used or useful in the Core Business shall not
exceed 25% of Consolidated Tangible Assets.
6.14. BOOKS AND RECORDS; FISCAL YEAR. The Company will, and will
cause each of its Subsidiaries to, (a) keep proper books of record and account
in which full, true and correct entries will be made of all its material
business dealings and transactions in accordance with GAAP applied on a
consistent basis and (b) maintain a system of accounting established and
administered in accordance with GAAP, and set aside on its books from its
earnings for each fiscal year all proper reserves, accruals and provisions
which, in accordance with GAAP, should be set aside from such earnings in
connection with its business, including, without limitation, provisions for
depreciation, obsolescence and/or amortization and accruals for taxes for such
period. The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to,
change the basis on which its fiscal year is at present determined.
-23-
<PAGE>
6.15. CORPORATE EXISTENCE; LICENSES. The Company will, and will
cause each of its Subsidiaries to, do or cause to be done all things necessary
to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence (except as
otherwise permitted by SECTION 6.9) and its rights (charter and statutory) and
Licenses; except that, subject to compliance with SECTIONS 6.8 AND 6.9 and the
next succeeding sentence of this Section, the rights and Licenses of the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries may be abandoned, modified or terminated if in the
good faith judgment of the Board of Directors such abandonment, modification or
termination is in the best interests of the Company and is not disadvantageous
to the holders of Notes. The Company will, and will cause each of its
Subsidiaries to, in any event maintain the validity of all Licenses necessary in
any material respect for the conduct of the business of the Company and its
Subsidiaries as now conducted and as proposed to be conducted.
6.16. PAYMENT OF TAXES, CLAIMS FOR LABOR AND MATERIALS, ETC. The
Company will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, promptly pay and
discharge or cause to be promptly paid and discharged when due and before the
same shall become delinquent (a) all taxes, assessments and governmental charges
or levies imposed upon it or upon its income or profits or upon any of its
franchises, Licenses, business or property, or upon any part thereof, and
(b) all claims of landlords, carriers, warehousemen, mechanics, materialmen and
other similar Persons for labor, materials, supplies and rentals which, if
unpaid, might by law become a Lien or charge upon any of its property; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that the failure of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to pay any
such tax, assessment, charge, levy or claim shall not constitute a default
hereunder if and for so long as the amount, applicability or validity thereof
shall concurrently be contested in good faith by appropriate and timely actions
or proceedings diligently pursued, and if such reserve or other appropriate
provision, if any, as shall be required by GAAP shall have been made therefor
and neither the Company's nor any such Subsidiary's title to or right to the use
of any of its property is impaired in any material respect by reason of such
contest.
6.17. MAINTENANCE OF PROPERTIES. The Company will, and will cause
each of its Subsidiaries to, maintain and keep, or cause to be maintained and
kept, in good repair, working order and condition (ordinary wear and tear
excepted) all material properties (whether owned or leased) used or useful in
the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries, and from time to time make or
cause to be made all necessary and proper repairs, renewals, replacements and
improvements thereof so that the business carried on in connection therewith may
be properly and advantageously conducted consistent with past practices of
the Company.
6.18. INSURANCE. The Company will, and will cause each of its
Subsidiaries to, keep adequately insured, by financially sound and reputable
insurers, all of its property of a character customarily insured by prudent
corporations engaged in the same or a similar business and similarly situated
against loss or damage of the kinds and in amounts customarily insured against
by such corporations, and with deductibles or coinsurance no greater than is
customary, and carry, with such insurers in customary amounts, such other
insurance, including public liability insurance and insurance against
-24-
<PAGE>
claims for any violation of applicable law, as is customarily carried by
prudent corporations of established reputation engaged in the same or a
similar business and similarly situated.
6.19. COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. The Company will, and will cause each
of its Subsidiaries to, promptly comply in all material respects with all laws,
statutes, rules, regulations and ordinances and all Orders of, and restrictions
imposed by, any court, arbitrator or Governmental Body in respect of the conduct
of its business and the ownership of its properties (including, without
limitation, applicable laws, statutes, rules, regulations, ordinances and Orders
relating to occupational health and safety standards, consumer protection and
equal employment opportunities), except to the extent that the applicability or
validity of any such law, statute, rule, regulation, ordinance or Order is being
contested in good faith by appropriate and timely actions or proceedings
diligently pursued, and for which such reserve or other appropriate provision,
if any, as shall be required by GAAP shall have been made, so long as such
actions or proceedings are effective to prevent the imposition of any material
penalty on the Company or such Subsidiary and neither the Company's nor any such
Subsidiary's title to or right to the use of any of its property is impaired in
any material respect by reason of such contest.
6.20. ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS. (a) The Company will, and will
cause each of its Subsidiaries to, (i) obtain and maintain in full force and
effect all Environmental Permits that may be required from time to time under
any Environmental Laws applicable to the Company or any such Subsidiary and
(ii) be and remain in compliance in all material respects with all terms and
conditions of all such Environmental Permits and with all other limitations,
restrictions, conditions, standards, prohibitions, requirements, obligations,
schedules and timetables contained in all applicable Environmental Laws.
(b) The Company will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries
to, (i) cause or allow (A) any Hazardous Substance to be present at any time on,
in, under or above the Company Premises or any part thereof or (B) the Company
Premises or any part thereof to be used at any time to manufacture, generate,
refine, process, distribute, use, sell, treat, receive, store, dispose of,
transport, arrange for transport of, handle, or be involved in any other
activity involving, any Hazardous Substance, or (ii) conduct any such activities
described in the foregoing clause (i)(B) on the Company Premises or anywhere
else, except, in each case referred to in the foregoing clauses (i) and (ii), in
a manner that is in compliance in all material respects with all applicable
Environmental Laws and Environmental Permits and to an extent that will not have
a Material Adverse Effect.
6.21. MAINTENANCE OF OFFICE. Until the principal, Makewhole
Amount, if any, and interest on the Notes shall have been paid in full to the
registered holders thereof, the Company will maintain its principal office at a
location in the United States of America where notices, presentations and
demands in respect of this Agreement and the Notes may be made upon it, and will
notify each holder of a Note in writing of any
-25-
<PAGE>
change of location of such office at least 30 days prior to such change of
location. Such office shall first be maintained at 40 West Highland Park,
Hutchinson, Minnesota 55350.
7. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY. The Company
represents and warrants to you that:
7.1. ORGANIZATION AND AUTHORITY OF THE COMPANY, ETC. The Company is a
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of the State of Minnesota and has all requisite legal right, power and authority
to own or hold under lease the property it purports to own or hold under lease,
to carry on its business as now conducted and as proposed to be conducted, to
enter into this Agreement and the Other Agreements, to issue and sell the Notes
and to carry out the terms of the Agreements and the Notes. The Company has, by
all necessary corporate action (no action of its shareholders being required in
connection therewith), duly authorized the execution and delivery of this
Agreement and the Other Agreements, the issuance and sale of the Notes and the
performance of its obligations under the Agreements and the Notes.
7.2. SUBSIDIARIES. SCHEDULE II lists all existing Subsidiaries of the
Company and correctly sets forth, as to each Subsidiary (a) its name, (b) its
jurisdiction of organization, (c) the percentage of its issued and outstanding
shares of capital stock of each class owned by the Company or one of its
Subsidiaries (specifying each such Subsidiary), and (d) the name of each Person,
if any, other than the Company or one of its Subsidiaries owning outstanding
shares of capital stock of any class of such Subsidiary and the percentage of
each such class of stock owned by such Person. Each Subsidiary is a corporation
duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
jurisdiction of its organization and has all requisite legal right, power and
authority to own or hold under lease the property it purports to own or hold
under lease and to carry on its business as now conducted and as proposed to be
conducted. All of the outstanding shares of capital stock of each such
Subsidiary have been duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and
non-assessable and all shares of capital stock indicated on SCHEDULE II as owned
by the Company or any other Subsidiary are owned beneficially and of record by
the Company or such other Subsidiary, as the case may be, free and clear of any
Lien. There are no outstanding rights, options, warrants, conversion rights or
agreements for the purchase or acquisition from the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries of any shares of capital stock or similar interests or other
securities of any such Subsidiary.
7.3. QUALIFICATION. The Company is, and each of its Subsidiaries is,
duly qualified or licensed and in good standing as a foreign corporation duly
authorized to do business in each jurisdiction (other than the jurisdiction of
its organization) in which the nature of its activities or the character of the
properties it owns or leases makes such qualification or licensing necessary and
in which the failure to so qualify or be licensed would have a Material Adverse
Effect. SCHEDULE II sets forth as to the Company and each of its Subsidiaries
the jurisdictions (other than the jurisdiction of its
-26-
<PAGE>
organization) in which it is qualified or licensed to do business or in which
any substantial part of its assets is located.
7.4. BUSINESS AND PROPERTY; FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, ETC. The Company
has furnished to you a true and complete copy of the Confidential Offering
Memorandum, dated May 1996 (together with the schedules, exhibits and
attachments thereto, the "MEMORANDUM"), prepared by First Chicago Capital
Markets, Inc. (the "PLACEMENT AGENT"), in connection with the offering by the
Placement Agent, on behalf of the Company, of the Notes. The Memorandum
correctly describes in all material respects, as of its date, the business and
material properties of the Company and its Subsidiaries and the nature of their
respective operations. The Memorandum contains, among other things, (i) a pro
forma capitalization table and (ii) selected financial data for the six month
periods ended March 1995 and 1996, respectively. The Company has also delivered
to you (A) audited consolidated financial statements of the Company and its
Subsidiaries as at the end of and for the fiscal years of the Company ended
September 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994 and 1995, respectively, accompanied in each
case by the report thereon of the Company's certified independent public
accountants, (B) its Annual Report on Form 10-K for its fiscal year ended
September 24, 1995, (C) its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for its fiscal
quarters ended December 24, 1995 and March 24, 1996, respectively, and (D) the
Projections. The financial statements described in clause (A) of the preceding
sentence and all related schedules and notes have been prepared in accordance
with GAAP, in each case applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods
specified (except for changes specifically noted therein), are correct and
complete in all material respects and present fairly the financial position of
the corporation or corporations to which they relate as at the respective dates
thereof and the results of operations and cash flows of such corporation or
corporations for the respective periods specified. The unaudited condensed
consolidated financial statements included in the reports described in
clause (C) of said sentence have been prepared, and in connection with such
preparation certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in
financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or
omitted, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Commission, and the
information furnished therein includes normal recurring adjustments and reflect
all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management of the Company,
necessary for a fair presentation of such financial statements. The Projections
include certain forecasted financial information for each of three alternative
case scenarios. Each such set of forecasted financial information was prepared
based on assumptions which were made in good faith at the time of such
preparation and for which, in the context of the particular case scenario to
which each such set relates, a reasonable basis existed at such time and, to the
extent relating to forecasted financial information for periods subsequent to
the Company's fiscal year ending in September, 1996, continues to exist on the
date hereof (it being understood, however, that nothing herein shall be deemed a
representation or warranty on the part of the Company as to the attainability of
the financial results included or implicit in the Projections or any other
particular financial results). The Company has no material liabilities,
contingent or otherwise, of a character required, in accordance with GAAP, to be
reflected in its financial statements which are not described in the most recent
audited financial statements referred to in this Section or in the notes
thereto.
-27-
<PAGE>
7.5. CHANGES, ETC. Since the date of the balance sheet included in
the most recent audited financial statements referred to in SECTION 7.4,
(a) there has been no change in the Business or Condition of the Company which
has been, either in any one case or in the aggregate, Materially Adverse, and
(b) there has been no occurrence or development, whether or not insured against,
which has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
7.6. COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS, OTHER INSTRUMENTS, ETC. (a) Neither the
Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in violation of any term of its corporate
charter or by-laws or any agreement, indenture, mortgage, instrument or License
to which it is a party or by which it or any of its properties may be bound or
affected or any existing statute, law, governmental rule, regulation or
ordinance, or any Order of any court, arbitrator or Governmental Body applicable
to it (including, without limitation, any statute, law, rule, regulation,
ordinance or Order relating to occupational health and safety standards,
consumer protection or equal employment practice requirements), the consequences
of which violation, either in any one case or taken together with all other such
violations, has had or could have a Material Adverse Effect.
(b) Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Other
Agreements or the Notes nor the performance of the terms and provisions hereof
or thereof nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or
thereby will result in any breach of or be in conflict with or constitute a
default (or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become a
default) under, or give to others any right of termination, amendment,
acceleration or cancellation of, or result in a loss of any benefit to which the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries is entitled under, or result in (or require)
the creation of any Lien upon any property of the Company under, any term of,
the corporate charter or by-laws of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or
any agreement, indenture, mortgage, instrument or License to which the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company, any such
Subsidiary or any of their respective properties may be bound or affected, or
any existing statute, law, rule, regulation or ordinance or any Order of any
court, arbitrator or Governmental Body applicable to the Company, any such
Subsidiary or any of their respective properties.
7.7. CONSENTS AND APPROVALS. No Approval by, from or with, and no
other action in respect of, any Governmental Body or any other Person (including
any trustee, or any holder of any indebtedness, securities or other obligations
of the Company) is required (a) for or in connection with the valid execution
and delivery by the Company of or the performance by the Company of its
obligations under this Agreement, the Other Agreements or the Notes or the
consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby,
including the offer, issuance, sale and delivery by the Company of the Notes, or
(b) as a condition to the legality, validity or enforceability as against the
Company of this Agreement, the Other Agreements or the Notes.
7.8. DEBT, ETC. SCHEDULE III correctly lists all secured and
unsecured Funded Debt and Current Debt of the Company and each of its
Subsidiaries outstanding
-28-
<PAGE>
on the date hereof and shows, as to each item of Debt listed thereon, the
obligor and obligee, the aggregate principal amount outstanding on the date
hereof, whether the same constitutes Funded Debt or Current Debt, to what
extent, if any, the same will be reduced or repaid out of the proceeds of the
Notes and a brief description of any security therefor. No default or event
of default or basis for acceleration exists or, after giving effect to the
issuance and sale of the Notes pursuant to this Agreement and the Other
Agreements, will exist (or, but for the waiver thereof, would exist) under
any instrument or agreement evidencing, providing for the issuance or
securing of, or otherwise relating to any such Debt. The Company is not a
party to or bound by any charter provision, by-law, agreement, indenture,
mortgage, lease, instrument or License (other than this Agreement and the
Other Agreements) which contains any restriction on the incurrence by it of
any Debt, except for the Credit Agreement, the Notes Purchase Agreement,
dated as of July 9, 1987, among the institutional investors identified
therein and the Company, the Notes Purchase Agreement, dated as of October
28, 1988, among the institutional investors identified therein and the
Company, and the several Note Purchase Agreements, each dated as of April 20,
1994, among the respective institutional investors identified therein and the
Company, a true and correct copy of each of which has been delivered to you
or your special counsel and pursuant to each of which the Company is
permitted to incur the Debt to be evidenced by the Notes.
7.9. TITLE TO PROPERTY; LEASES; INVESTMENTS. (a) The Company and its
Subsidiaries have good and marketable title to their real properties and good
title to the other properties they purport to own, including those reflected in
the balance sheet included in the most recent audited financial statements
referred to in SECTION 7.4 or purported to have been acquired by the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries after the date of such balance sheet (other than any
such properties disposed of since such date in the ordinary course of business),
subject in the case of all such property to no Liens other than Liens permitted
by SECTION 6.4. The Company and its Subsidiaries enjoy peaceful and undisturbed
possession under all leases of all personal and all real property necessary in
any material respect to their respective operations, all such leases are valid
and subsisting and in full force and effect, and neither the Company nor any
such Subsidiary is in default in any material respect in the performance or
observance of its obligations thereunder. SCHEDULE IV includes a general
description of all Long Term Leases under which the Company or a Subsidiary is a
lessee, and sets forth with respect to each such lease, (i) the name of the
lessor thereunder, (ii) a general description of the property leased, and
(iii) the annual rental obligations payable thereunder.
(b) SCHEDULE V correctly lists all Investments of the Company and its
Subsidiaries existing on the date hereof other than Investments in Subsidiaries.
7.10. LITIGATION. There are no actions, suits or proceedings
pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened against or affecting the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties (and no
basis therefor is known to the Company) in any court or before any arbitrator of
any kind or before or by any Governmental Body, which (a) question the validity
or legality of this Agreement, the
-29-
<PAGE>
Other Agreements or the Notes or any action taken or to be taken pursuant
hereto or thereto or (b) could reasonably be expected to result, either in
any one case or in the aggregate, in a Material Adverse Change.
7.11. TAXES. The Company and its Subsidiaries have filed all tax
returns which are required by law to have been filed by them in any jurisdiction
and have paid all taxes, assessments, fees and charges of each Governmental Body
shown to be owing on such returns to the extent the same have become due and
payable and before they have become delinquent other than those presently
payable without penalty or interest and those being contested in good faith by
appropriate and timely actions or proceedings diligently pursued with respect to
which adequate reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP. The
Federal income tax returns of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries have
been examined and reported on by applicable taxing authorities or closed by
applicable statute for all fiscal years through the fiscal year ended in 1990.
The Company does not know of any additional assessment or proposed assessment
for any fiscal year, and no material controversy in respect of additional
Federal or state income taxes is pending or to the knowledge of the Company is
threatened. In the opinion of the Company, all tax liabilities (including taxes
for all open years and for its current fiscal period) are adequately provided
for on the books of the Company in accordance with GAAP.
7.12. COMPLIANCE WITH ERISA. (a) No Termination Event has
occurred, and to the best knowledge of the Company no event or condition has
occurred or exists as to which any Termination Event could reasonably be
expected to occur, with respect to any Plan, and no accumulated funding
deficiency (as defined in Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code),
whether or not waived, has occurred with respect to any Plan. The present value
of all accrued benefits under each Plan which is not a Multiemployer Plan (based
on those assumptions used to fund such Plan, which assumptions are reasonable)
did not, as of the most recent valuation date, which for any such Plan was not
earlier than twelve months prior to the date as of which this representation is
made, exceed the then current value of the assets of such Plan allocable to such
benefits.
(b) No Company Group Member has incurred, or is reasonably expected
to incur, any withdrawal liability to any Multiemployer Plan and the Company has
no present intention of withdrawing from any Multiemployer Plan. No Company
Group Member has received any notification that any Multiemployer Plan is in
reorganization (as defined in Section 4241 of ERISA), is insolvent (as defined
in Section 4245 of ERISA) or has been terminated, within the meaning of Title IV
of ERISA, and to the best knowledge of the Company no Multiemployer Plan is
reasonably expected to be in reorganization, insolvent or to be terminated.
(c) To the best knowledge of the Company, no prohibited transaction
(as defined in Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) or material
breach of fiduciary responsibility has occurred which has subjected or may
subject any Company Group Member to any liability under Section 406, 409, 502(i)
or 502(l) of ERISA or
-30-
<PAGE>
Section 4975 of the Code, or under any agreement or other instrument pursuant
to which such Company Group Member has agreed or is required to indemnify any
Person against any such liability. No Company Group Member has incurred, or
is reasonably expected to incur, any liability to the PBGC (other than for
insurance premiums, which will be paid in the ordinary course when due).
(d) Full payment has been made on or before the due date thereof of
all amounts which any Company Group Member is or was required under the terms of
any Plan to have paid as contributions to such Plan as of the date hereof.
(e) No Lien imposed under the Code or ERISA on the assets of any
Company Group Member exists or is reasonably likely to arise on account of any
Plan.
(f) No welfare plan (as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA) maintained
by any Company Group Member provides medical or death benefits with respect to
current or former employees beyond their termination of employment (other than
coverage mandated by law). To the best knowledge of the Company, each such plan
to which Sections 601-609 of ERISA and Section 4980B of the Code apply has been
administered in compliance with such sections.
(g) Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the
Other Agreements nor the issuance and sale of the Notes as herein contemplated
will involve any transaction which is subject to the prohibitions of Section 406
of ERISA or in connection with which a tax could be imposed pursuant to
Section 4975 of the Code. The representation by the Company in the preceding
sentence is made in reliance upon and subject to the accuracy of your
representation in SECTION 1.6.
7.13. PRIVATE OFFERING. Neither the Company nor the Placement
Agent (the only Person authorized or employed by the Company to act on its
behalf in connection with the offer and sale of the Notes or any similar
securities of the Company) nor any other Person has offered the Notes or any
similar securities of the Company for sale to, or solicited any offer to buy any
of the same from, or otherwise approached or negotiated in respect thereof with,
any Person other than you, the Other Purchasers and 46 other institutional
investors, each of which was offered the Notes at private sale for investment.
Neither the Company nor any other Person acting on its behalf has taken, or will
take, any action which would subject the issuance or sale of the Notes to
Section 5 of the Securities Act or to the registration or qualification
requirements of any securities or blue sky law of any applicable jurisdiction.
7.14. USE OF PROCEEDS; MARGIN REGULATIONS. The Company will apply
the proceeds from the sale of the Notes under the Agreements as provided in
SECTION 1.4. No part of the proceeds from the sale of the Notes will be used,
directly or indirectly, for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any "margin
stock" within the meaning of Regulation G of the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System (12 CFR 207, as amended), or for the purpose of
purchasing or carrying or trading in any securities under such circumstances as
to involve the Company in a violation of Regulation X of
-31-
<PAGE>
said Board (12 CFR 224, as amended) or to involve any broker or dealer in a
violation of Regulation T of said Board (12 CFR 220, as amended). No Debt
being reduced or retired out of the proceeds of the sale of the Notes was
incurred for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any margin stock within
the meaning of such Regulation G or any "margin security" within the meaning
of such Regulation T. The assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries do not
consist on the date hereof of, and neither the Company nor any of its
Subsidiaries has any present intention of acquiring directly or indirectly,
any such margin stock or any such margin security. None of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement (including, without limitation, the direct or
indirect use of the proceeds from the sale of the Notes) will violate or
result in a violation of Section 7 of the Exchange Act or any regulations
issued pursuant thereto, including, without limitation, said Regulation G,
Regulation T and Regulation X.
7.15. LICENSES, PATENTS, TRADEMARKS, AUTHORIZATIONS, ETC. The
Company and each of its Subsidiaries owns, possesses or has the right to use
(without any known conflict with the rights of others) all permits, franchises,
patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights, licenses, permits
and governmental or other authorizations or the like (collectively, "LICENSES")
which are necessary in any material respect to the conduct of its businesses as
conducted on the date hereof and as proposed to be conducted. Each such License
is in full force and effect, and the Company or its applicable Subsidiary, as
the case may be (whichever shall own, possess or have the right to use the
same), has fulfilled and performed in all material respects its obligations with
respect thereto to the extent required to be performed or observed on or prior
to the date hereof. No default in the performance or observance by the Company
or any such Subsidiary of its obligations thereunder has occurred (and, so far
as is known to the Company no other event has occurred) which permits, or after
notice or lapse of time or both would permit, the revocation or termination of
any such License or which has had a Material Adverse Effect or in the future may
(so far as the Company can now reasonably foresee) have a Material Adverse
Effect.
7.16. STATUS UNDER CERTAIN STATUTES; OTHER REGULATIONS. The
Company is not an "investment company" or a Person directly or indirectly
"controlled" by or "acting on behalf of" an "investment company" within the
meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. The Company is not 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," as such terms are defined in the Public Utility Holding Company Act of
1935, as amended. The Company is not a "public utility," as such term is
defined in the Federal Power Act, as amended. The Company is not subject to
regulation under any Federal or state law, statute, rule, regulation or
ordinance which limits its ability to incur Debt.
7.17. LABOR MATTERS. There are no labor disputes between the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries on the one hand and any of their respective
employees or representatives of such employees on the other hand which in the
aggregate might have a Material Adverse Effect, and the Company and its
Subsidiaries are in compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws
respecting employment and employment
-32-
<PAGE>
practices, terms and conditions of employment, tax withholding on behalf of
employees and wages and hours, and are not engaged in any unfair labor
practices which, either in any one case or taken together, has had or could
have a Material Adverse Effect.
7.18. FULL DISCLOSURE. Neither this Agreement nor the Memorandum
nor any other document, certificate or instrument delivered to you by or on
behalf of the Company in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a
material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained herein or
therein, in light of the circumstances under which the same were made, not
misleading. There is no fact known to the Company which has had a Material
Adverse Effect or in the future may (so far as the Company can now reasonably
foresee) have a Material Adverse Effect which has not been set forth or
reflected in this Agreement, the Memorandum or in the other documents,
certificates and instruments referred to herein and delivered to you by or on
behalf of the Company on or prior to the date hereof in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
7.19. ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS. (a) The Company and its
Subsidiaries currently hold and at all times heretofore the Company and its
Subsidiaries held all Environmental Permits required under all Environmental
Laws except to the extent failure to have any such Environmental Permit has not
had and will not have a Material Adverse Effect.
(b) The Company and its Subsidiaries currently are, and at all times
heretofore the Company and its Subsidiaries have been, in compliance with all
terms and conditions of all such Environmental Permits and all other
limitations, restrictions, conditions, standards, prohibitions, requirements,
obligations, schedules and timetables contained in all applicable Environmental
Laws except to the extent failure to comply therewith, in any one case or in the
aggregate, has not had and will not have a Material Adverse Effect.
(c) Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has ever
received, and, so far as is known to the Company, no predecessor in interest of
the Company or any such Subsidiary in respect of any of the Company Premises has
ever received, from any Governmental Body or other Person any notice of, and the
Company has no knowledge of, any events, conditions or circumstances that could
prevent continued compliance in all material respects with the Environmental
Permits referred to in subdivision (b) of this Section or any scheduled renewals
thereof or any applicable Environmental Laws currently in effect, or that could
give rise to any liability on the part of the Company or any such Subsidiary or
otherwise form the basis of any claim, action, demand, request, notice, suit,
proceeding, hearing, study or investigation (collectively, "ENVIRONMENTAL
CLAIMS") involving the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, based on or related
to (i) a violation of any applicable Environmental Laws currently in effect or
(ii) the manufacture, generation, refining, processing, distribution, use, sale,
treatment, receipt, storage, disposal, transport, arranging for transport or
handling, or the emission, discharge, release or threatened release into the
environment, of any Hazardous
-33-
<PAGE>
Substance in violation of any applicable Environmental Laws currently in
effect, other than liabilities or Environmental Claims referred to in this
subdivision (c) that have not had and will not have, either in any one case
or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.
8. EVENTS OF DEFAULT; REMEDIES.
8.1. EVENTS OF DEFAULT DEFINED; ACCELERATION OF MATURITY. If any of
the following conditions or events (each herein called an "EVENT OF DEFAULT")
shall occur and be continuing (whatever the reason for such Event of Default and
whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or come about or be effected by
operation of law or pursuant to or in compliance with judicial or governmental
or administrative order or action or otherwise):
(a) default shall be made in the due and punctual payment of all or
any part of the principal of or Makewhole Amount, if any, on any Note when
and as the same shall become due and payable, whether on a date fixed for
prepayment, at stated maturity, by acceleration or declaration, or
otherwise; or
(b) default shall be made in the due and punctual payment of any
interest on any Note when and as such interest shall become due and
payable, and such default shall have continued for a period of three days;
or
(c) default shall be made in the due performance or observance of any
covenant, provision, agreement or condition contained in SECTION 4(G) or
any of SECTIONS 6.2 THROUGH 6.13, both inclusive, and, except in the case
of any such default under SECTION 4(G), subdivision (a) of SECTION 6.3,
SECTION 6.8, SECTION 6.9 or SECTION 6.10, such default shall have continued
for a period of ten days after the earlier of (x) the date on which a
Responsible Officer of the Company first has knowledge of such default and
(y) the giving of notice to the Company of such default by any holder or
holders of a Note or Notes; or
(d) default shall be made in the due performance or observance of any
other covenant, provision, agreement or condition contained in this
Agreement (other than any default referred to in the foregoing
subdivisions (a), (b) and (c) of this SECTION 8.1) and such default shall
have continued for a period of 30 days after the earlier of (x) the date on
which any Responsible Officer of the Company first has knowledge of such
default and (y) the giving of notice to the Company of such default by any
holder or holders of a Note or Notes; or
(e) (i) default shall be made in the payment of any amount due,
whether on an interest payment date or on a date fixed for prepayment, at
stated maturity, by acceleration or declaration or otherwise, under or in
respect of any Funded Debt or Current Debt of the Company (other than the
Notes) or any Subsidiary, and such default shall continue beyond the period
of grace, if any,
-34-
<PAGE>
allowed with respect thereto; or (ii) default shall be made in the
due performance or observance of any covenant, provision, agreement
or condition contained in any document evidencing or providing for
the issuance or securing of any such Funded Debt or Current Debt,
if the effect of any such default referred to in this clause (ii)
is to cause or to permit the holder or holders of such Debt (or a
trustee or agent on behalf of such holders) to cause any payment or
payments in respect of any such Debt to become due prior to the
scheduled due date thereof; or
(f) the Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall (i) apply for or
consent to the appointment of, or the taking of possession by, a receiver,
custodian, trustee or liquidator of itself or of all or a substantial part
of its property, (ii) become insolvent or be generally unable to or shall
generally fail or admit in writing its inability to pay its debts as such
debts become due, (iii) make a general assignment for the benefit of its
creditors, (iv) commence a voluntary case under the Federal Bankruptcy Code
(as now or hereafter in effect), (v) file a petition seeking to take
advantage of any bankruptcy, insolvency, moratorium, reorganization or
other similar law affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally,
(vi) acquiesce in writing to, or fail to controvert in a timely or
appropriate manner, any petition filed against it in an involuntary case
under such Bankruptcy Code, (vii) take any action under the laws of any
jurisdiction (foreign or domestic) analogous to any of the foregoing, or
(viii) take any action in furtherance of any of the foregoing; or
(g) a proceeding or case shall be commenced in respect of the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries, without its application or consent, in any
court of competent jurisdiction, seeking (i) the liquidation,
reorganization, moratorium, dissolution, winding up, or composition or
readjustment of its debts, (ii) the appointment of a trustee, receiver,
custodian, liquidator or the like of it or of all or any substantial part
of its assets, or (iii) similar relief in respect of it under any law
providing for the relief of debtors, and such proceeding or case described
in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) shall continue undismissed, or unstayed and in
effect, for a period of 30 days, or an order for relief shall be entered in
an involuntary case under the Federal Bankruptcy Code (as now or hereafter
in effect) against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries and shall
continue undismissed, or unstayed and in effect, for a period of 15 days;
or action under the laws of any jurisdiction (foreign or domestic)
analogous to any of the foregoing shall be taken with respect to the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries and shall continue undismissed, or
unstayed and in effect, for a period of 15 days; or
(h) a final judgment or decree for the payment of money shall be
rendered by a court of competent jurisdiction against the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries which, either alone or together with other outstanding
judgments or decrees against the Company or any one or more of its
Subsidiaries, shall aggregate more than $500,000, and the Company or such
Subsidiary, as the case may be, shall not discharge the same or provide for
its discharge in accordance
-35-
<PAGE>
with its terms within 45 days from the date of entry thereof or within
such longer period during which execution of such judgment shall have
been stayed; or
(i) any representation or warranty made by the Company in this
Agreement or in any certificate or other instrument delivered hereunder or
pursuant hereto or in connection with any provision hereof shall prove to
have been false or incorrect or breached in any material respect on the
date as of which made; or
(j) (i) any Company Group Member shall fail to pay when due any
amount which it shall have become liable to pay to the PBGC or to a Plan
under Title IV of ERISA; (ii) any Company Group Member shall withdraw from
a Multiple Employer Plan during a plan year in which it is a substantial
employer (as such term is defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA), or shall
be treated as having so withdrawn under Section 4062(e) of ERISA, or any
Multiple Employer Plan shall be terminated; (iii) notice of intent to
terminate a Plan or Plans shall be filed under Title IV of ERISA by any
Company Group Member, any plan administrator or any combination of the
foregoing; (iv) the PBGC shall institute proceedings under Title IV of
ERISA to terminate or to cause a trustee to be appointed to administer any
Plan or Plans; (v) any Company Group Member shall withdraw from any
Multiemployer Plan ; (vi) any Plan (with the exception of any Multiemployer
Plan) shall have an Unfunded Current Liability; or (vii) any prohibited
transaction (as defined in Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the
Code) or breach of fiduciary responsibility shall occur which may subject
any Company Group Member to any liability under Section 406, 409, 502(i)
or 502(l) of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, or under any agreement or
other instrument pursuant to which such Company Group Member has agreed or
is required to indemnify any Person against any such liability; and there
shall result from any such event or events referred to in the foregoing
subdivisions (i) through (vii) a Material Adverse Effect;
then (i) upon the occurrence on any date of any Event of Default described in
clause (f) or (g) of this Section with respect to the Company, the unpaid
principal amount of all Notes, together with the interest accrued thereon in
accordance with the terms thereof and hereof (which interest shall be deemed
matured) and all other amounts payable by the Company hereunder, plus (to the
extent permitted by applicable law) the Makewhole Amount (determined as of such
date in respect of such principal amount of the Notes) shall automatically
become immediately due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest, notice
of intention to accelerate, notice of acceleration, or other requirements of any
kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Company, and (ii) upon the
occurrence on any date or during the continuance of any other Event of Default,
the holder or holders of not less than 51% of the unpaid principal amount of the
Notes at the time outstanding may, by written notice to the Company, declare the
unpaid principal amount of all Notes to be, and the same shall forthwith become,
due and payable, together with the interest accrued thereon in accordance with
the terms thereof and hereof (which interest shall be deemed matured) and all
other amounts payable by the Company
-36-
<PAGE>
hereunder, plus (to the extent permitted by applicable law) the
Makewhole Amount (determined as of the date of such declaration in
respect of such principal amount of Notes), without presentment,
demand, protest, notice or other requirements of any kind, all of
which are hereby expressly waived by the Company; PROVIDED that,
upon the occurrence on any date or during the continuance of an
Event of Default described in clause (a) or (b) of this Section
with respect to any Note, the holder of such Note may, by written
notice to the Company, declare the unpaid principal amount of such
Note to be, and the same shall forthwith become, due and payable,
together with the interest accrued thereon in accordance with the
terms thereof and hereof (which interest shall be deemed matured)
and all other amounts payable by the Company hereunder to the
holder of such Note, plus (to the extent permitted by applicable
law) the Makewhole Amount (determined as of the date of such
declaration in respect of such principal amount of such Note),
without presentment, demand, protest, notice or other requirements
of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the
Company. If any holder of any Note shall exercise the option
specified in the proviso to the preceding sentence, the Company
will forthwith give written notice thereof to the holders of all
other outstanding Notes and each such holder may (whether or not
such notice is given or received), by written notice to the
Company, declare the principal amount of all Notes held by it to
be, and the same shall forthwith become, due and payable, together
with interest accrued thereon in accordance with the terms thereof
and hereof (which interest shall be deemed matured) and all other
amounts payable by the Company hereunder to the holder of such
Notes, plus (to the extent permitted by applicable law) the
Makewhole Amount (determined as of the date of such declaration in
respect of such principal amount of such Notes), without
presentment, demand, protest, notice or other requirements of any
kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Company.
8.2. DEFAULT REMEDIES. If any Event of Default shall have occurred
and be continuing, the holder of any Note may proceed to protect and enforce its
rights under this Agreement or such Note, either by suit in equity or by action
at law or both, whether for specific performance of any covenant or agreement
contained in this Agreement or in aid of the exercise of any power granted in
this Agreement, or the holder of any Note may proceed to enforce the payment of
all sums due upon such Note or under this Agreement or to enforce any other
legal or equitable right available to the holder of such Note. The Company
covenants that if it shall default in the making of any payment due under any
Note or in the performance or observance of any covenant or agreement contained
in this Agreement, it will pay to each holder of a Note such further amounts, to
the extent lawful, as shall be sufficient to pay the reasonable costs and
expenses of collection or of otherwise enforcing such holder's rights,
including, without limitation, reasonable counsel fees and disbursements. The
obligations of the Company pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence shall
survive the transfer or payment in full of the Notes.
8.3. REMEDIES CUMULATIVE. No remedy herein conferred upon you or the
holder of any Note is intended to be exclusive of any other remedy and each and
every such remedy shall be cumulative and shall be in addition to every other
remedy
-37-
<PAGE>
given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or by
statute or otherwise.
8.4. REMEDIES NOT WAIVED. No course of dealing between the Company
and you or the holder of any Note and no delay or failure in exercising any
rights hereunder or under any Note in respect thereof shall operate as a waiver
of or otherwise prejudice any of your rights or the rights of any holder of any
Note.
9. DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION.
9.1. DEFINED TERMS. Except as otherwise specified or as the context
may otherwise require, the following terms have the respective meanings set
forth below whenever used in this Agreement (terms defined in the singular to
have a correlative meaning when used in the plural and vice versa):
AFFILIATE: with respect to any designated Person, any other Person
(a) directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controlling or
controlled by or under direct or indirect common control with such designated
Person, (b) which beneficially owns or holds 5% or more of the shares of any
class of Voting Stock (or in the case of a Person which is not a corporation, 5%
or more of the equity interest) of such designated Person, (c) 5% or more of any
class of the Voting Stock (or in the case of a Person which is not a
corporation, 5% or more of the equity interest) of which is beneficially owned
or held by such designated Person, or (d) who is an officer or director of such
Person. For purposes of this definition, "control" (including, with correlative
meanings, the terms "controlled by" and "under common control with"), as used
with respect to any Person, shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly,
of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of
such Person, whether through the ownership of Voting Stock (or other equity
interest) or by contract or otherwise.
AGREEMENTS: as defined in SECTION 1.2(B).
APPROVALS: as defined in SECTION 2.8.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS: the Board of Directors of the Company or a duly
authorized committee of directors lawfully exercising the relevant powers of
such Board of Directors.
BUSINESS DAY: any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or any other day
on which commercial banks are required or authorized by law or regulation to be
closed in New York, New York, Chicago, Illinois or Minneapolis, Minnesota.
BUSINESS OR CONDITION: of any Person, the business, operations,
assets, properties, earnings, condition (financial or other) or reasonably
foreseeable prospects of such Person, PROVIDED that such term, when used without
reference to any particular
-38-
<PAGE>
Person, shall mean the Business or Condition of the Company and of the
Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
CAPITAL LEASE: as applied to any Person, any lease of any property
(whether real, personal or mixed) by such Person as lessee which would, in
accordance with GAAP, be required to be classified and accounted for as a
capital lease on the balance sheet of such Person or in the notes thereto, other
than, in the case of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, any such lease
under which the Company or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary is the lessor.
CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATION: as at any date, with respect to any Capital
Lease, the amount of the obligation of the lessee thereunder which would, in
accordance with GAAP, appear on a balance sheet of such lessee or in the notes
thereto in respect of such Capital Lease.
CLOSING: as defined in SECTION 1.3.
CLOSING DATE: as defined in SECTION 1.3.
CODE: the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any
successor statute thereto, as interpreted by the rules and regulations issued
thereunder, in each case as in effect from time to time.
COMMISSION: the Securities and Exchange Commission and any other
similar or successor agency of the Federal government administering the
Securities Act and the Exchange Act.
COMPANY: as defined in the opening paragraph of this Agreement.
COMPANY GROUP MEMBER: the Company, each Subsidiary, and each of their
respective predecessors and (a) each corporation that is or was at any time a
member of the same controlled group of corporations (within the meaning of
Section 414(b) of the Code) as the Company or any Subsidiary, or any of their
respective predecessors, (b) each trade or business, whether or not
incorporated, that is or was at any time under common control (within the
meaning of Section 414(c) of the Code) with the Company or any Subsidiary, or
any of their respective predecessors, and (c) each trade or business, whether or
not incorporated, that is or was at any time a member of the same affiliated
service group (within the meaning of Sections 414(m) and (o) of the Code) as the
Company or any Subsidiary, or any of their respective predecessors.
COMPANY PREMISES: real property in which the Company, any Subsidiary,
or any Person which has been a Subsidiary at any time has or ever had any direct
or indirect interest, including, without limitation, ownership thereof, or any
arrangement for the lease, rental or other use thereof, or the retention or
claim of any mortgage or security interest therein or thereon.
-39-
<PAGE>
COMPENSATION PAYMENTS: as defined in SECTION 6.7.
CONSOLIDATED CURRENT DEBT: as at any date of determination, the total
of all Current Debt of the Company and its Subsidiaries determined in accordance
with GAAP on a consolidated basis after eliminating all inter-company items.
CONSOLIDATED FIXED CHARGES: for any period, the sum of the following
amounts for the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis after
eliminating all inter-company transactions: (a) Consolidated Interest Expense
for such period, plus (b) the aggregate amount of Long Term Lease Rentals
accrued (whether or not actually paid) during such period.
CONSOLIDATED FUNDED DEBT: as at any date of determination, the total
of all Funded Debt of the Company and its Subsidiaries determined in accordance
with GAAP on a consolidated basis after eliminating all inter-company items.
CONSOLIDATED INTEREST EXPENSE: for any period, the sum of the
following amounts for the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis
after eliminating all inter-company transactions: (a) the aggregate amount of
all interest accrued (whether or not actually paid and whether deducted or
capitalized) during such period on Debt (including, without limitation, imputed
interest on Capital Lease Obligations), plus (b) amortization of debt discount
and expense during such period, plus (c) all fees or commissions payable in
connection with any letters of credit during such period.
CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME: for any period, the net income (or deficit)
of the Company and its Subsidiaries for such period (taken as a cumulative
whole) after deducting, without duplication, operating expenses, provisions for
all taxes and reserves (including reserves for deferred income taxes) and all
other proper deductions, all determined in accordance with GAAP on a
consolidated basis, after eliminating all inter-company items and after
deducting portions of income properly attributable to outside minority
interests, if any, in the stock and surplus of any Subsidiary; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that there shall in any event be excluded from Consolidated Net Income
(without duplication):
(a) the income (or deficit) of any Person accrued prior to the date
it becomes a Subsidiary or is merged into or consolidated with the Company
or a Subsidiary;
(b) any amount representing the interest of the Company or any
Subsidiary in the earnings of any Person other than a Subsidiary, except to
the extent that any such earnings have been actually received by the
Company or such Subsidiary in the form of cash dividends or similar
distributions;
(c) any portion of the net income of a Subsidiary which for any
reason is unavailable for the payment of dividends to the Company or
another Subsidiary;
-40-
<PAGE>
(d) any deferred credit or amortization thereof from the acquisition
of any properties or assets of any Person;
(e) any gain during such period arising from (i) the sale, exchange
or other disposition of capital assets (such term to include all fixed
assets, whether tangible or intangible, and all securities) to the extent
the aggregate gains from such transactions exceed losses during such period
from such transactions, (ii) any reappraisal, revaluation or write-up of
assets after the date of the most recent audited financial statements
referred to in SECTION 7.4, (iii) the acquisition of any securities of the
Company or a Subsidiary or (iv) the termination of any Plan;
(f) the proceeds of any life insurance policy; and
(g) any item properly classified as extraordinary in accordance with
GAAP.
CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME AVAILABLE FOR FIXED CHARGES: for any period,
Consolidated Net Income for such period, plus all amounts deducted in arriving
at such Consolidated Net Income in respect of (a) Consolidated Fixed Charges and
(b) provisions for taxes imposed on or measured by income or excess profits.
CONSOLIDATED NET WORTH: as at any date of determination, the excess
of (a) the sum of common stock (but excluding stock subscribed for but unissued)
and surplus (including retained earnings and additional paid-in capital)
accounts of the Company and its Subsidiaries appearing on a consolidated balance
sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries prepared in accordance with GAAP as of
such date of determination, after eliminating all inter-company transactions and
all amounts properly attributable to outside minority interests in Subsidiaries
over (b) the aggregate amount which would, in accordance with GAAP, appear on
such balance sheet in respect of all assets other than those included in
Consolidated Tangible Assets.
CONSOLIDATED TANGIBLE ASSETS: as at any date of determination, the
Tangible Assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis in
accordance with GAAP, after eliminating all inter-company items and making
appropriate deductions for outside minority interests.
COVERAGE PERIOD: with respect to any Determination Date, a period
(considered as one accounting period) consisting of either:
(a) if such Determination Date shall occur at or prior to the end of
the Company's fiscal year ending in 1998, four fiscal quarters (no more
than three of which may be consecutive) selected by the Company from among
the seven consecutive fiscal quarters of the Company ending on such
Determination Date; or
-41-
<PAGE>
(b) if such Determination Date shall occur subsequent to the end of
the Company's fiscal year ending in 1998, four fiscal quarters (which may
but need not be consecutive) selected by the Company from among the six
consecutive fiscal quarters of the Company ending on such Determination
Date.
CREDIT AGREEMENT: the Credit Agreement, dated as of December 8, 1995,
by and among the Company, the Lenders identified (and as that term is defined)
therein and The First National Bank of Chicago, as agent for said Lenders, as
the same may be amended, modified and in effect from time to time.
CURRENT DEBT: as applied to any Person, as of any date of
determination, all Debt of such Person for borrowed money other than any such
Debt which constitutes Funded Debt as of such date.
DEBT: as applied to any Person, as of any date of determination, all
obligations of such Person (other than capital, surplus, reserves for deferred
income taxes and, to the extent not constituting obligations, other deferred
credits and reserves) which would be classified on a balance sheet of such
Person prepared in accordance with GAAP as of such date as liabilities,
including in any event (without duplication):
(a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money or evidenced by
bonds, debentures, notes, drafts or similar instruments;
(b) all obligations of such Person for all or any part of the
deferred purchase price of property or services or for the cost of property
constructed or of improvements;
(c) all obligations secured by any Lien on or payable out of the
proceeds of production from property owned or held by such Person even
though such Person has not assumed or become liable for the payment of such
obligations;
(d) all Capital Lease Obligations of such Person;
(e) all obligations of such Person, contingent or otherwise, in
respect of any letter of credit facilities, bankers' acceptance facilities
or other similar credit facilities (but only to the extent, in the case of
any of the foregoing obligations referred to in this clause, the same does
not support another obligation of such Person which either is otherwise
included in Debt or consists of current accounts payable incurred in the
ordinary course of business); and
(f) all Guaranties by such Person of or with respect to obligations
of the character referred to in the foregoing clauses (a) through (e) of
another Person;
-42-
<PAGE>
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that in determining the Debt of any Person, (i) all
liabilities for which such Person is jointly and severally liable with one or
more other Persons (including, without limitation, all liabilities of any
partnership or joint venture of which such Person is a general partner or co-
venturer) shall be included at the full amount thereof without regard to any
right such Person may have against any such other Persons for contribution or
indemnity, and (ii) no effect shall be given to deposits, trust arrangements or
similar arrangements which, in accordance with GAAP, extinguish Debt for which
such Person remains legally liable.
DEFAULT: any condition or event which, with notice or lapse of time
or both, would become an Event of Default.
DETERMINATION DATE: each date which shall be the last day of a fiscal
quarter of the Company.
ENVIRONMENTAL CLAIMS: as defined in SECTION 7.19.
ENVIRONMENTAL LAW: any past, present or future Federal, state, local
or foreign statutory or common law, or any regulation, ordinance, code, plan,
Order, permit, grant, franchise, concession, restriction or agreement issued,
entered, promulgated or approved thereunder, relating to (a) the environment,
human health or safety, including, without limitation, emissions, discharges,
releases or threatened releases of Hazardous Substances into the environment, or
(b) the manufacture, generation, refining, processing, distribution, use, sale,
treatment, receipt, storage, disposal, transport, arranging for transport, or
handling of Hazardous Substances.
ENVIRONMENTAL PERMITS: collectively, any and all permits, consents,
licenses, approvals and registrations of any nature at any time required
pursuant to or in order to comply with any Environmental Law.
ERISA: the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended, and any successor statute thereto, as interpreted by the rules and
regulations thereunder, all as the same may be in effect from time to time.
References to sections of ERISA shall be construed also to refer to any
successor sections.
EVENT OF DEFAULT: as defined in SECTION 8.1.
EXCHANGE ACT: the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or any similar
Federal statute, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, all
as the same shall be in effect from time to time.
EXISTING IDB DEBT: the Funded Debt of the Company described in
Item 11 on SCHEDULE III.
-43-
<PAGE>
EXISTING IDB DOCUMENTS: collectively, the Trust Indenture between the
City of Hutchinson, Minnesota ("Issuer") and National City Bank of Minneapolis,
as trustee, the Loan Agreement between the Issuer and the Company, and the
Remarketing Agreement between the Remarketing Agent referred to in said Trust
Indenture and the Company, each dated as of March 1, 1993 and relating to the
Existing IDB Debt, together with the Bonds issued under said Trust Indenture.
FUNDED DEBT: as applied to any Person, as of any date of
determination thereof, all Debt of such Person which would be classified upon a
balance sheet of such Person prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP as
long term or funded debt, including in any event (without duplication) all Debt
of such Person, whether secured or unsecured, having a final maturity (or which,
pursuant to the terms of a revolving credit agreement or otherwise, is renewable
or extendable at the option of such Person for a period ending) more than one
year after the date of creation thereof, notwithstanding the fact that
(a) payments in respect thereof (whether installment, serial maturity or
sinking fund payments or otherwise) are required to be made by such Person on
demand or within one year after the creation thereof or (b) all or any part of
the amount thereof is at the time also included in current liabilities of such
Person.
GAAP: generally accepted accounting principles as from time to time
set forth in the opinions of the Accounting Principles Board of the American
Institute of Certified Public Accountants and in statements by the Financial
Accounting Standards Board or in such opinions and statements of such other
entities as shall be approved by a significant segment of the accounting
profession in the United States of America.
GOVERNMENTAL BODY: any Federal, state, municipal, local or other
governmental department, commission, board, bureau, agency, instrumentality,
political subdivision or taxing authority, of any country.
GUARANTY: as applied to any Person, any direct or indirect
liability, contingent or otherwise, of such Person with respect to any
indebtedness, lease, dividend or other obligation of another, including,
without limitation, any such obligation directly or indirectly guaranteed,
endorsed (otherwise than for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of
business) or discounted or sold with recourse by such Person, or in respect
of which such Person is otherwise in any manner directly or indirectly
liable, including, without limitation, any such obligation in effect
guaranteed by such Person through any agreement (contingent or otherwise) to
(a) purchase, repurchase or otherwise acquire such obligation or any
security therefor, or to provide funds for the payment or discharge of such
obligation (whether in the form of loans, advances, stock purchases, capital
contributions or otherwise), or (b) maintain the solvency or any balance
sheet or other financial condition of the obligor of such obligation, or
(c) make payment for any products, materials or supplies or for any
transportation or services regardless of the non-delivery or non-furnishing
thereof, in any such case if the purpose or intent of such agreement is to
provide assurance that such obligation will be paid or discharged, or that
any agreements relating thereto will be complied with, or that the holders of
such obligation will be protected against loss in respect thereof. For
purposes of all
-44-
<PAGE>
computations made under this Agreement the amount of any Guaranty shall be equal
to the amount of the obligation guaranteed or, if not stated or determined, the
maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof (assuming such
Person is required to perform thereunder) as determined by such Person in good
faith.
HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES: shall mean and include those substances
included within the definitions of "hazardous substances," "hazardous
materials," "toxic substances" or "solid waste" in the Comprehensive
Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. Section
9601 ET SEQ.) , as amended by Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of
1986 (Pub. L. 99-499 100 Stat. 1613), the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
of 1976 (42 U.S.C. Section 6901 ET SEQ.) and the Hazardous Materials
Transportation Act, (49 U.S.C. Section 1801 ET SEQ.), and in the regulations
promulgated pursuant to said laws, all as amended; and in any event shall
include medical wastes, infectious wastes, asbestos, paint containing lead, and
urea formaldehyde.
HTI EXPORT: HTI Export, Ltd., a Barbados corporation and, on the date
hereof, a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Company.
IDB DEBT: Funded Debt issued by municipal, state or Federal
authorities secured by Liens of the character permitted by SECTION 6.4(h) and
incurred for the benefit of the Company to finance the construction or
acquisition of industrial or pollution control facilities pursuant to Federal,
state or local law, the interest borne by which Funded Debt is, at the time of
incurrence thereof, at a rate per annum less than the rate per annum the Company
would at the time be required to pay in respect of funds borrowed by it from
capital market sources then available to it, with the same or comparable
security, in a comparable principal amount and with a comparable maturity.
INDEMNIFIED LIABILITIES: as defined in SECTION 15.11.
INDEMNITEES: as defined in SECTION 15.11.
INVESTMENT: as applied to any designated Person, any direct or
indirect purchase or other acquisition by such designated Person for cash or
other property of stock, debt or other securities of any other Person, or any
direct or indirect loan, advance, extension of credit or capital contribution by
such designated Person to any other Person or any Guaranty by such designated
Person with respect to the Debt of such other Person, including all Debt of and
accounts receivable from any such other Person which are not current assets or
did not arise from sales to such other Person in the ordinary course of
business. In computing the amount involved in any Investment,
(i) undistributed earnings of, and interest accrued in respect of Debt owing
by, any such other Person accrued after the date of such Investment shall not be
included, (ii) there shall not be deducted from the amounts invested in any
such other Person any amounts received as earnings (in the form of dividends,
interest or otherwise) on such Investment or as loans or advances from such
other Person, and (iii) unrealized increases or
-45-
<PAGE>
decreases in value, or write-ups, write-downs or write-offs, of Investments in
any such other Person shall be disregarded.
LICENSES: as defined in SECTION 7.15.
LIEN: as to any Person, any mortgage, lien (statutory or other),
pledge, assignment, hypothecation, adverse claim, charge, security interest or
other encumbrance in or on, or any interest or title of any vendor, lessor,
lender or other secured party to or of such Person under any conditional sale,
trust receipt or other title retention agreement or Capital Lease with respect
to, any property or asset of such Person, or the signing or filing of a
financing statement which names such Person as debtor, or the signing of any
security agreement authorizing any other party as the secured party thereunder
to file any financing statement which names such Person as debtor. For purposes
of this Agreement, a Person shall be deemed to be the owner of any property
which it has placed in trust for the benefit of holders of Debt of such Person
which Debt is deemed to be extinguished under GAAP but for which such Person
remains legally liable, and such trust shall be deemed to be a Lien.
LONG TERM LEASE: any lease of property (real, personal or mixed)
having an original term (including terms of renewal or extension at the option
of the lessor or the lessee, whether or not any such option has been exercised)
of more than one year, other than (a) a Capital Lease and (b) in the case of
any Subsidiary, any such lease under which the Company or a Wholly Owned
Subsidiary is the lessor.
LONG TERM LEASE RENTALS: as applied to the Company and its
Subsidiaries for any period, the total amount (whether designated as rentals or
additional or supplemental rentals or otherwise) payable as lessee under all
Long Term Leases during such period, including amounts so payable during such
period by reason of a lease termination or a surrender of property but excluding
amounts so payable on account of maintenance, ordinary repairs, insurance,
taxes, assessments and other similar charges.
MAKEWHOLE AMOUNT: applicable in respect of any prepayment of all or
any portion of the principal amount of any Note of any series pursuant to
SECTION 3.2 or the acceleration of the payment of the principal amount of any
Note of any series pursuant to SECTION 8.1 (such prepaid or accelerated
principal amount of any Note of any series being hereinafter referred to as the
"PREPAID PRINCIPAL"), the greater of (a) zero and (b) the excess of:
(i) the sum of the respective present values as of the date such
Makewhole Amount becomes due and payable of (A) each prepayment of
principal, if any, required to be made with respect to such Prepaid
Principal during the remaining term to maturity of the Notes of such
series, (B) the payment of principal balance required to be made at final
maturity with respect to such Prepaid Principal, and (C) each payment of
interest which would be required to be paid during the remaining term to
maturity of the Notes of such
-46-
<PAGE>
series with respect to such Prepaid Principal from time to time
outstanding, determined, in the case of each such required prepayment,
principal payment at final maturity and interest payment, by discounting
the amount thereof (on a semiannual basis) from the date fixed therefor
back to the date such Makewhole Amount becomes due and payable at the
Reference Rate (assuming for such purpose that all such payments and
prepayments of principal and payments of interest with respect to such
Prepaid Principal were made when due pursuant to the terms hereof and of
the Notes of such series, and that no other payment or prepayment with
respect to such Prepaid Principal was made),
OVER
(ii) the amount of such Prepaid Principal.
For purposes hereof, the "REFERENCE RATE" applicable in respect of any Note
shall mean a per annum rate equal to the sum of (x) 0.50% PLUS (y) the
Treasury Rate.
MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE; MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT; MATERIALLY ADVERSE:
in, on or to, as appropriate, any Person, a material adverse change in such
Person's Business or Condition, a material adverse effect on such Person's
Business or Condition or an event which is materially adverse to such Person's
Business or Condition; PROVIDED that, (a) any such term, when used without
reference to any particular Person, shall mean such change in or effect on or
event adverse to, as the case may be, the Company or the Company and its
Subsidiaries taken as a whole, and (b) any impairment of the ability of the
Company to pay the principal of, Makewhole Amount, if any, and interest on the
Notes in accordance with the terms thereof and hereof, or any impairment in a
material respect of the ability of the Company to perform its other obligations
under the Notes or this Agreement, shall in any case be deemed to have resulted
in a material adverse change in, to have a material adverse effect on, and to be
materially adverse to, the Company's Business or Condition.
MEMORANDUM: as defined in SECTION 7.4.
MOODY'S: as defined in SECTION 6.5.
MULTIEMPLOYER PLAN: a plan defined as such in Section 3(37) of ERISA
to which any Company Group Member is making or incurring an obligation to make,
or has made or incurred an obligation to make, contributions.
MULTIPLE EMPLOYER PLAN: a Plan subject to Title IV of ERISA to which
any Company Group Member, and at least one employer other than a Company Group
Member, is making or incurring an obligation to make contributions or has made
or incurred an obligation to make contributions.
NET WORTH MINIMUM: as of any Testing Date, the sum of (a)
$96,625,000, plus (b) an aggregate amount equal to 50% of Consolidated Net
Income
-47-
<PAGE>
for
each fiscal quarter of the Company ended on or prior to such Testing Date and
for which Consolidated Net Income shall be positive, beginning with the fiscal
quarter of the Company ending September 29, 1996.
NOTE REGISTER: as defined in SECTION 10.1.
NOTES: as defined in SECTION 1.1.
OFFICERS' CERTIFICATE: a certificate executed on behalf of the
Company by two of its officers, one of whom shall be its Chairman of the
Board of Directors (if an officer) or its Chief Executive Officer, Chief
Operating Officer or President or one of its Vice Presidents or its
Secretary, and one of whom shall be its Chief Financial Officer or Treasurer
or an Assistant Treasurer.
ORDER: any order, writ, injunction, decree, judgment, award,
determination, direction or demand.
OTHER AGREEMENTS: as defined in SECTION 1.2(b).
OTHER PURCHASERS: as defined in SECTION 1.2(b).
OUTSTANDING: when used with reference to the Notes as of a particular
time, all Notes theretofore issued as provided in this Agreement, except
(a) Notes theretofore reported as lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed, or
surrendered for transfer, exchange or replacement, in respect of which
replacement Notes have been issued, (b) Notes theretofore paid in full, and
(c) Notes theretofore cancelled by the Company or delivered to the Company for
cancellation; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that, for the purpose of determining whether
holders of the requisite principal amount of the Notes have made or concurred in
any amendment, waiver, consent, approval, declaration, notice or other
communication under this Agreement, Notes owned by the Company, any Subsidiaryof
the Company or any Affiliates thereof shall not be deemed to be outstanding.
PBGC: the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation established pursuant
to Subtitle A of Title IV of ERISA and any successor thereof.
PERSON: any individual, corporation, association, partnership, joint
venture, trust or estate, organization, business, government or agency or
political subdivision thereof, or any other entity.
PLACEMENT AGENT: as defined in SECTION 7.4.
PLAN: any employee pension benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(2)
of ERISA) maintained or contributed to at any time by any Company Group Member.
-48-
<PAGE>
PREPAID PRINCIPAL: as defined in the definition of the term
"Makewhole Amount."
PROJECTIONS: the forecasted financial information (A) for the
Company's fiscal years ending in 1996 through 1999 consisting of (i) the
forecasted consolidated statement of operations, balance sheet and statement of
cash flows, dated June 17, 1996, and the assumptions relating thereto, dated
June 17, 1996, (ii) the forecasted consolidated statement of operations,
balance sheet and statement of cash flows, dated June 25, 1996, and the
assumptions relating thereto, dated June 30, 1996, and (iii) the forecasted
consolidated statement of operations, balance sheet and statement of cash flows,
dated June 27, 1996, and the assumptions relating thereto, dated June 27, 1996,
and (B) for the Company's fiscal years ending in 1997 through 1999 consisting
of capital spending breakouts, dated June 25, 1996, all of which forecasted
financial information is legended "Confidential Restricted Information: For use
by TIAA and Metropolitan Life Insur. Co. in discussions on the $50M Placement
only" and which was heretofore delivered to you and each of the Other Purchasers
together with a certificate of the Chief Financial Officer of the Company dated
as of July 26, 1996.
REFERENCE RATE: as defined in the definition of the term "Makewhole
Amount."
REPORTABLE EVENT: any of the events set forth in Section 4043(b) of
ERISA or the regulations thereunder.
RESPONSIBLE OFFICER: any officer of the Company who shall be
permitted to sign an Officers' Certificate (as provided in the definition of
that term set forth in this Section) and any other officer of the Company,
regardless of title, who shall either (A) at any time hereafter perform
substantially the same duties as are performed on the date hereof by any such
officer permitted to sign an Officers' Certificate or (B) be charged with
responsibility for monitoring or administering the Company's compliance with any
of the provisions of this Agreement.
RESTRICTED PAYMENT: any payment or distribution or the incurrence of
any liability to make any payment or distribution, in cash, property or other
assets (other than shares of common stock of the Company) upon or in respect of
any share of any class of capital stock of the Company or any warrants, rights
or options evidencing a right to purchase or acquire any securities of the
Company, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, payments
or distributions as dividends and payments or distributions for the purpose of
purchasing, acquiring, retiring or redeeming any such shares of stock (or any
warrants, rights or options to purchase or acquire any such securities) or the
making of any other distribution in respect of any such shares of stock (or any
warrants, rights or options evidencing a right to purchase or acquire any such
securities).
-49-
<PAGE>
SECURITIES ACT: the Securities Act of 1933, or any similar Federal
statute, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, all as the
same shall be in effect from time to time.
SERIES: as defined in SECTION 1.1.
SERIES A CLOSING DATE: as defined in SECTION 1.3.
SERIES A NOTES: as defined in SECTION 1.1.
SERIES B CLOSING DATE: as defined in SECTION 1.3.
SERIES B NOTES: as defined in SECTION 1.1.
S&P: as defined in SECTION 6.5.
SUBSIDIARY: with respect to any Person, any corporation more than 80%
of the Voting Stock of which is at the time owned by such Person and/or one or
more of its other Subsidiaries. Unless otherwise specified, any reference to a
Subsidiary is intended as a reference to a Subsidiary of the Company.
SUBSIDIARY SECURED DEBT: any Funded Debt of a Subsidiary secured by
Liens of the character permitted by SECTION 6.4(i) or Liens extending, renewing
or replacing Liens of that character permitted by SECTION 6.4(j).
TANGIBLE ASSETS: of any Person, as at any date of determination, the
aggregate book value which would, in accordance with GAAP, be shown on the books
of such Person of all assets of any character, but exclusive of good will,
patents, patent applications, trade marks, trade names, copyrights, franchises,
licenses, permits, organizational and experimental expense, unamortized debt
discount and expense, all other assets which under GAAP are deemed intangible,
and treasury stock, less the sum (without duplication) of (a) all
depreciation, depletion, obsolescence, amortization and other reserves set aside
in connection with the business conducted by such Person (other than general
contingency reserves not allocated to any particular purpose and reserves
representing mere appropriations of surplus), (b) the excess of the cost of
shares acquired over the book value of related assets, and (c) in the case of
the Company or any Subsidiary, the amount of any write-up in the book value of
any asset resulting from the revaluation thereof subsequent to the date of the
most recent audited financial statements referred to in SECTION 7.4.
TERMINATION EVENT: (a) with respect to any Plan, the occurrence of
a Reportable Event or an event described in Section 4062(e) of ERISA, or
(b) the withdrawal of any Company Group Member from a Multiple Employer Plan
during a plan year in which it was a substantial employer (as such term is
defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA), or the termination of a Multiple
Employer Plan, or (c) the
-50-
<PAGE>
distribution of a notice of intent to terminate a Plan or Multiemployer Plan
pursuant to Section 4041(a)(2) or 4041A of ERISA or the treatment of a Plan
amendment as a termination under Section 4041 or 4041A of ERISA, or (d) the
institution of proceedings to terminate a Plan or Multiemployer Plan by the PBGC
under Section 4042 of ERISA, or (e) any other event or condition which might
constitute grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the
appointment of a trustee to administer, any Plan or Multiemployer Plan or
(f) the complete or partial withdrawal of any Company Group Member from a
Multiemployer Plan.
TESTING DATE: each of the following dates: (a) any Determination
Date; (b) any date on which the Company shall, directly or indirectly,
declare, order, pay, distribute, make or set apart any sum or property for
any Restricted Payment; (c) any date on which the Company or any Subsidiary
shall issue, sell or otherwise dispose or part with control of any shares of
stock or any Debt or any other securities (or warrants, rights or options to
acquire stock or other securities) of any Subsidiary (except to the Company
or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary) the assets of which, represented by the equity
interest transferred, shall have an aggregate fair market value or an
aggregate book value greater than or equal to $5,000,000; (d) any date on
which the Company or any Subsidiary shall take any action described in
subdivision (a), (b), (c) or (d) of SECTION 6.9 as a result of or after
giving effect to which Consolidated Net Worth shall be reduced by an amount
greater than or equal to $5,000,000; and (e) any date on which the Company or
any Subsidiary shall take or suffer the taking of any action, or on which any
event shall occur, as a result of or after giving effect to which
Consolidated Net Worth shall be reduced by an amount greater than or equal to
$10,000,000.
This AGREEMENT: this Note Purchase Agreement (together with the
Schedules and Exhibits hereto), as from time to time amended, modified or
supplemented in accordance with its terms.
TOTAL CAPITALIZATION: as at any date of determination, the sum as
of such date of (a) Consolidated Net Worth, PLUS (b) Consolidated Funded Debt
PLUS (c) Consolidated Current Debt.
TREASURY RATE: for purposes of any determination of the Makewhole
Amount in respect of any principal amount of any Note of any series, the yield
to maturity for the actively traded marketable United States Treasury fixed
interest rate securities with a maturity equal to the remaining Weighted Average
Life to Maturity (rounded to the nearest month) of the Notes of such series as
of the date such Makewhole Amount becomes due and payable, as set forth on page
"USD" of the Bloomberg Financial Markets Service (or, if not available, any
other nationally recognized trading screen reporting on-line intraday trading in
United States Treasury fixed interest rate securities) at 9:00 A.M. (New York
City time) as of the third Business Day preceding the date such Makewhole Amount
becomes due and payable. In the event that no such nationally recognized
trading screen reporting on-line trading in United States Treasury fixed
interest rate securities is available, "Treasury Rate" shall mean the arithmetic
mean of the yields reported as weekly averages for the two most recently ended
weeks so
-51-
<PAGE>
reported under the heading "Week Ending" published in the Statistical Release
under the caption "Treasury Constant Maturities" for the maturity corresponding
to the remaining Weighted Average Life to Maturity (rounded to the nearest
month) of the Notes of such series as of the date such Makewhole Amount becomes
due and payable. For purposes of calculating the Treasury Rate, the most recent
Statistical Release published prior to the date of determination of the
Makewhole Amount shall be used. If no possible maturity for United States
Treasury fixed interest rate securities exactly corresponds to such rounded
Weighted Average Life to Maturity, yields for the two most closely corresponding
published maturities shall be calculated and the Treasury Rate shall be
interpolated from such yields on a straight-line basis, rounding in each of such
relevant periods to the nearest month. For purposes hereof, "STATISTICAL
RELEASE" shall mean the statistical release designated "H.15(519)" (or any
successor publication which is published weekly by the Federal Reserve System
and which establishes yields on actively traded United States Treasury fixed
interest rate securities adjusted to constant maturities) or, if such
statistical release is not published at the time of any determination hereunder,
then such other reasonably comparable index which shall be designated by the
holders of at least 66-2/3% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes at the
time outstanding.
UNFUNDED CURRENT LIABILITY: of any Plan means the amount, if any, by
which the present value of the accrued benefits under such Plan (based on those
assumptions used to fund such Plan) as of the close of its most recent plan year
exceeds the then current value of the assets of such Plan allocable to such
benefits.
VOTING STOCK: capital stock of a corporation the holders of which are
ordinarily, in the absence of contingencies, entitled to elect a majority of the
corporate directors (or persons performing similar functions) of such
corporation.
WEIGHTED AVERAGE LIFE TO MATURITY: as applied to any indebtedness at
any date, the number of years (or portions of years) obtained by dividing
(a) the then outstanding principal amount of such indebtedness into (b) the
total of the products obtained by multiplying (i) the amount of each then
remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payment
of principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect thereof, by
(ii) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) which will
elapse between such date and the date on which such payment is to be made.
WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY: any Subsidiary of the Company all of the
outstanding shares of capital stock and other equity securities of any class or
classes of which, other than directors' qualifying shares, shall at the time be
owned by the Company either directly or through one or more Wholly Owned
Subsidiaries.
9.2. ACCOUNTING TERMS, ETC. Except as specifically provided herein,
all accounting terms used herein which are not expressly defined in this
Agreement have the meanings given to them in accordance with GAAP and all
computations made pursuant to this Agreement shall be made in accordance with
GAAP. All balance sheets
-52-
<PAGE>
and other financial statements delivered pursuant to SECTION 4 shall be prepared
in accordance with GAAP.
9.3 DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY. Where any provision of this Agreement
refers to actions to be taken by any Person, or which such Person is prohibited
from taking, such provision shall be applicable whether the action in question
is taken directly or indirectly by such Person.
10 REGISTRATION, TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE OF NOTES.
10.1 NOTE REGISTER. The Company will keep, at its office maintained
pursuant to SECTION 6.21, a register (the "NOTE REGISTER") in which, at its
expense, it will provide for the registration and registration of transfer of
the Notes.
10.2. TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE. Whenever any Note or Notes shall be
surrendered at the office of the Company referred to in SECTION 10.1 for
exchange or for registration of transfer, duly endorsed, or accompanied by a
written instrument of transfer duly executed by the registered holder of such
Note or such holder's attorney duly authorized in writing, the Company will, at
its expense, execute and deliver in exchange therefor a new Note or Notes, as
the case may be, of the same series as such surrendered Note or Notes, in
denominations of at least $1,000,000 (except that one Note may be issued in a
lesser principal amount if the unpaid principal amount of the surrendered Note
is not evenly divisible by, or is less than, $1,000,000), as may be requested by
such holder or the transferee, in the same aggregate unpaid principal amount as
the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Note or Notes so surrendered. Each
such new Note shall be made payable to and registered in the name of the Person
or Persons requested by such holder. Any Note issued in exchange for any other
Note or upon transfer thereof shall carry the rights to unpaid interest and
interest to accrue which were carried by the Note so exchanged or transferred,
and neither gain nor loss of interest shall result from any such transfer or
exchange.
10.3. OWNERS AND HOLDERS OF NOTES. The Company and any agent of the
Company may treat the Person in whose name any Note is registered as the owner
and holder of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of the principal of
and Makewhole Amount, if any, and interest on such Note and for all other
purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Note shall be overdue.
11. LOST, ETC. NOTES. Upon receipt by the Company of evidence
reasonably satisfactory to it of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of
any Note, and (in case of loss, theft or destruction) of indemnity or security
in form reasonably satisfactory to it, or, if mutilated, upon surrender of such
Note for cancellation, the Company will, at its expense, issue and deliver in
lieu of such Note a new Note of the same series, of like tenor in a like unpaid
principal amount, dated so that there will be no loss of interest on such lost,
stolen, destroyed or mutilated Note. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions
of this Section, if any Note of which you are, or any other
-53-
<PAGE>
institutional holder (or your or any such other holder's nominee), is the owner
is lost, stolen or destroyed, then your or such other holder's (or your or its
nominee's) written statement by an authorized officer as to such loss, theft or
destruction shall be accepted as satisfactory evidence thereof, and no indemnity
or security shall be required as a condition to the execution and delivery by
the Company of a new Note in lieu of such Note (or as a condition to the payment
thereof, if due and payable) other than your or such institutional holder's
unsecured written agreement to indemnify the Company.
12. AMENDMENT AND WAIVER. (a) Any term, provision, covenant,
agreement or condition of this Agreement or of the Notes may, with the
written consent of the Company, be amended or modified, or compliance
therewith may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and
either retroactively or prospectively), by one or more substantially
concurrent written instruments signed by the holder or holders of not less
than 66-2/3% in aggregate unpaid principal amount of all Notes at the time
outstanding; PROVIDED, that
(i) no such amendment, modification or waiver shall be effective
prior to the Series B Closing Date without your consent and the consent of
the Other Purchasers,
(ii) without the consent of the holders of all Notes at the time
outstanding, no such amendment, modification or waiver shall (A) change
the principal of, or change the rate of interest or change the time of
payment of principal, or Makewhole Amount, if any, or interest on any of
the Notes, (B) modify any of the provisions of this Agreement or of the
Notes with respect to the payment or prepayment thereof (including, without
limitation, amending or modifying the definition of the term "Makewhole
Amount", "Prepaid Principal", "Reference Rate", "Statistical Release" or
"Treasury Rate"), (C) change the percentage of holders of Notes required
to accelerate the Notes, or (D) modify any provision of this Section, and
(iii) no such amendment, modification or waiver shall extend to or
affect any obligation not expressly waived or impair any right consequent
thereon.
(b) Any amendment, modification or waiver pursuant to this
Section shall apply equally to all holders of the Notes and shall be
binding upon them, upon each future holder of any Note and upon the
Company, in each case whether or not a notation thereof shall have been
placed on any Note. Promptly after any amendment, modification or waiver
pursuant to this Section has become effective, the Company shall deliver to
each holder of a Note a true and complete copy of the written instruments
pursuant to which such amendment, modification or waiver was effected,
signed by the holder or holders of the requisite percentage of outstanding
Notes and setting forth any such amendment or modification or the terms of
any such waiver.
(c) The Company will not, and will not permit any of its
Subsidiaries or Affiliates, directly or indirectly, to solicit, request or
negotiate for or with respect to
-54-
<PAGE>
any proposed amendment, modification or waiver of any of the provisions of this
Agreement or the Notes unless each holder of Notes (irrespective of the amount
of Notes then owned by it) shall be informed thereof by the Company and shall be
afforded the opportunity of considering the same and shall be supplied by the
Company with sufficient information to enable it to make an informed decision
with respect thereto. The Company will not, and will not permit any of its
Subsidiaries or Affiliates, directly or indirectly, to offer or pay any
remuneration, whether by way of supplemental or additional interest, fee or
otherwise, to any holder of Notes in order to obtain such holder's consent to
any amendment, modification or waiver of any term or provision of this Agreement
or the Notes unless such remuneration is concurrently paid on the same terms
proportionately to each holder of Notes then outstanding regardless of whether
or not such holder consents to such amendment, modification or waiver.
13. DIRECT PAYMENT. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this
Agreement or the Notes, so long as you or any nominee designated by you shall be
the holder of any Note, the Company shall promptly and punctually pay all
amounts which become due and payable on such Note or hereunder to you at your
address and in the manner set forth in SCHEDULE I, or at such other place within
the United States of America and in such other manner as you may designate for
the purpose by notice to the Company, without presentation or surrender of such
Note or the making of any notation thereon, except that any Note paid or prepaid
in full shall, following such payment or prepayment, be surrendered to the
Company for cancellation, upon its written request therefor, at its office
maintained pursuant to SECTION 6.21 or at the place of payment specified in the
Notes. You agree that prior to the sale, transfer or other disposition of any
such Note, you will make a notation thereon of the portion of the principal
amount paid or prepaid and the date to which interest has been paid thereon, or
surrender the same in exchange for a Note or Notes of the same series
aggregating the same principal amount as the unpaid principal amount of the Note
so surrendered. The Company shall enter into an agreement similar to that
contained in the first sentence of this Section with any other institutional
holder of outstanding Notes (or nominee thereof) who shall make with the Company
an agreement similar to that contained in the second sentence of this Section.
14. LIABILITIES OF THE PURCHASER. Neither this Agreement nor any
disposition of any of the Notes shall be deemed to create any liability or
obligation on your part or that of any other holder of any Note to enforce any
provision hereof or of any of the Notes for the benefit or on behalf of any
other Person who may be the holder of any Note.
15. MISCELLANEOUS.
15.1. EXPENSES. Whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby
are consummated, the Company shall: (a) directly pay the fees and
disbursements of your special counsel for any services rendered in connection
with such transactions or in connection with any actual or proposed amendment,
waiver or consent requested by the Company pursuant to the provisions hereof,
including, without limitation, any
-55-
<PAGE>
amendments, waivers or consents, resulting from any work-out negotiation or
restructuring relating to the performance by the Company of its obligations
under this Agreement and the Notes (whether or not the same becomes effective),
and all other reasonable expenses in connection therewith (including, without
limitation, document production and reproduction expenses and the cost of
obtaining a private placement number from the CUSIP Service Bureau);
(b) reimburse you for your reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in connection
with such transactions and the exercise of your rights hereunder, and each such
actual or proposed amendment, waiver or consent requested by the Company
pursuant to the provisions hereof (whether or not the same becomes effective),
and any items of the character referred to in clause (a) which shall have been
paid by you, and pay the cost of transmitting Notes (insured to your
satisfaction) to you upon the issuance thereof; (c) pay, and save you and each
subsequent holder of any Note harmless from and against, any and all liability
and loss with respect to or resulting from the nonpayment or delayed payment of
any and all placement fees and other liability to pay any agent or finder in
connection with the sale of the Notes to you; and (d) pay all documentary,
stamp or similar taxes (including interest and penalties) which may be payable
in respect of the execution and delivery or issuance (but not the transfer) of
any of the Notes or of any amendment of, or waiver or consent under or with
respect to, this Agreement or any of the Notes and save you and all subsequent
holders of the Notes harmless from and against any loss or liability resulting
from nonpayment or delay in payment of any such tax. The obligations of the
Company under this Section shall survive payment and transfer of any Notes.
15.2. RELIANCE ON AND SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS. All agreements,
covenants, representations and warranties of the Company herein or of (or on
behalf of) the Company in any certificates or other instruments delivered
pursuant to this Agreement shall (a) be deemed to be material and to have been
relied upon by you, notwithstanding any investigation heretofore or hereafter
made by you or on your behalf, and (b) survive the execution and delivery of
this Agreement and the delivery of the Notes to you and any investigation made
at any time by you or on your behalf or any disposition of any of the Notes.
15.3. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. All covenants and agreements in this
Agreement by or on behalf of the respective parties hereto shall bind and inure
to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
that you shall not be obligated to purchase Notes hereunder from any Person
other than the existing Hutchinson Technology Incorporated, a Minnesota
corporation. The provisions of this Agreement are intended to be for the
benefit of all holders from time to time of the Notes, and shall be enforceable
by any such holder, whether or not an express assignment to such holder of
rights under this Agreement has been made by you or your successor or assign.
15.4. NOTICES. Unless otherwise expressly provided in this
Agreement, all notices, opinions and other communications provided for herein
shall be in writing and delivered by hand or mailed, first class postage
prepaid, or sent by overnight courier, or by confirmed telefax transmission
(confirmed by hand-delivered, mailed or
-56-
<PAGE>
overnight courier copy) addressed (a) if to the Company, to the address set
forth at the head of this Agreement, marked for the attention of the Chief
Financial Officer, or at such other address as the Company may hereafter
designate by notice to each holder of any Note at the time outstanding, or
(b) if to you or any Other Purchaser, at your or such Other Purchaser's
address, as the case may be, as set forth in SCHEDULE I or at such other address
as you or such Other Purchaser may hereafter designate by notice to the Company;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that a notice to you by overnight courier shall only be
effective if delivered to you at a street address designated for such purpose in
SCHEDULE I, and notice to you by facsimile communication shall only be effective
if by confirmed transmission to you at a telephone number designated for such
purpose in SCHEDULE I, or (c) if to any other holder of any Note, at the
address of such holder as it appears on the Note Register.
15.5. LAW GOVERNING. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE NOTES AND ALL
AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS, MODIFICATIONS, WAIVERS AND CONSENTS RELATING HERETO
OR THERETO SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE
WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO CONTRACTS MADE AND TO
BE PERFORMED IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
15.6. SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. THE
COMPANY HEREBY CONSENTS TO THE JURISDICTION OF ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT
LOCATED WITHIN THE COUNTY OF NEW YORK, STATE OF NEW YORK, AND IRREVOCABLY
AGREES THAT ALL ACTIONS OR PROCEEDINGS RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE
NOTES MAY BE LITIGATED IN SUCH COURTS, AND THE COMPANY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION
WHICH IT MAY HAVE BASED ON IMPROPER VENUE OR FORUM NON CONVENIENS TO THE
CONDUCT OF ANY PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT AND WAIVES PERSONAL SERVICE OF
ANY AND ALL PROCESS UPON IT, AND CONSENTS THAT ALL SUCH SERVICE OF PROCESS BE
MADE BY MAIL OR MESSENGER DIRECTED TO IT AS PROVIDED IN SECTION 15.4 AND THAT
SERVICE SO MADE SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE COMPLETED UPON THE EARLIER OF ACTUAL
RECEIPT OR FIVE BUSINESS DAYS AFTER THE SAME SHALL HAVE BEEN MAILED TO THE
COMPANY IN ACCORDANCE HEREWITH. NOTHING CONTAINED IN THIS SECTION SHALL
AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY HOLDER OF NOTES TO SERVE LEGAL PROCESS IN ANY OTHER
MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN THE COURTS OF
ANY JURISDICTION AGAINST THE COMPANY OR TO ENFORCE A JUDGMENT OBTAINED IN THE
COURTS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION. THE COMPANY ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE TIME AND
EXPENSE REQUIRED FOR TRIAL BY JURY EXCEED THE TIME AND EXPENSE FOR A BENCH
TRIAL AND HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY
LEGAL PROCEEDING ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, THE NOTES OR
THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.
-57-
<PAGE>
15.7. HEADINGS, ETC. The section and other subdivision headings in
this Agreement and the table of contents hereto are for convenience of reference
only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning or construction of any
of the terms hereof.
15.8. SUBSTITUTION OF PURCHASER. You shall have the right to
substitute a subsidiary wholly owned by you as a purchaser of any or all of the
Notes to be purchased by you on any Closing Date by written notice delivered to
the Company, which notice shall be signed by you and such subsidiary and shall
contain such subsidiary's agreement to be bound by this Agreement; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that such agreement may contain a statement to the effect that such
subsidiary at all times has the right to sell the Notes being purchased by it to
you. The Company agrees that, upon the Company's receipt of such notice and
except to the extent otherwise specified therein, wherever the word "you" is
used in this Agreement (other than in this Section), such word shall be deemed
to refer to such subsidiary in lieu of you. If any subsidiary has been
substituted as a purchaser of any Notes and shall subsequently transfer such
Notes to you, then you will thereafter be entitled to all the rights and
benefits of the purchaser of such Notes under this Agreement.
15.9. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement embodies the entire agreement
and understanding between you and the Company and supersedes all prior
agreements and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof.
15.10. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in any number
of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but all of which together
shall constitute one instrument.
15.11. INDEMNIFICATION. In consideration of the execution and
delivery of this Agreement by you, the Company hereby agrees to indemnify,
defend and hold you and each holder from time to time of any Notes, and your and
their respective officers, directors and trustees, general and limited partners
(and directors, officers and trustees thereof), employees and agents (herein
called the "INDEMNITEES") free and harmless from and against any and all claims,
actions, causes of action, suits or other proceedings (whether or not such
Indemnitee is a party thereto), losses, liabilities and damages, and expenses in
connection therewith, including, without limitation, reasonable fees and
disbursements of counsel, consultants and experts (herein called the
"INDEMNIFIED LIABILITIES," which term shall not include, however, liabilities
incurred by an Indemnitee by reason of the gross negligence or willful
misconduct of such Indemnitee) incurred by the Indemnitees or any of them as a
result of, or arising out of, or relating to (a) any transaction financed or
to be financed in whole or in part directly or indirectly with proceeds from the
sale of any Note, or (b) the execution, delivery, performance or enforcement
of this Agreement or the Notes or any instrument contemplated hereby by any of
the Indemnitees, or (c) any failure of any representation or warranty set forth
in SECTION 7 to be true and correct when made or any failure by the Company to
comply with any of its covenants or agreements set forth in this Agreement. If
and to the extent that the foregoing undertaking may be unenforceable for any
reason, the Company hereby agrees to make the maximum contribution to the
payment of each
-58-
<PAGE>
of the Indemnified Liabilities which is permissible under applicable law. The
provisions of, and obligations of the Company under, this Section shall survive
the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the delivery, payment or transfer
of any Note, the enforcement of any provision hereof or thereof, the
consummation of the transactions to occur on any Closing Date, and any
amendments or waivers and shall be enforceable by each Indemnitee separately or
together without necessity of accelerating the maturity of any Notes; and any
such Indemnitee seeking to enforce the indemnification provided for hereunder
may initially proceed directly against the Company without first resorting to
any other rights of indemnification or otherwise that it may have.
-59-
<PAGE>
If you are in agreement with the foregoing, please sign the form of
acceptance on the accompanying counterparts of this Agreement and return one of
the same to the Company, whereupon this Agreement shall become a binding
agreement between you and the Company.
Very truly yours,
HUTCHINSON TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
By /s/ John A. Ingleman
-------------------------------
Name: John A. Ingleman
Title: Chief Financial Officer
The foregoing Agreement is
hereby accepted and agreed to
as of the date hereof.
TEACHERS INSURANCE AND ANNUITY
ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
By /s/ Charles C. Thompson III
----------------------------------------------
Name: Charles C. Thompson III
Title: Managing Director - Private Placements
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE I
INFORMATION CONCERNING PURCHASERS
Principal Amount
and Series of Notes
Name, Address and Payment to be Purchased Applicable
Provisions of Purchaser ----------------- Closing Date
- ---------------------- ------------
METROPOLITAN LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY $10,000,000 Series A
Series A Notes Closing Date
(1) All payments to the above Purchaser
on any Note shall be made by wire
transfer of immediately available
funds before 12:00 noon, Eastern
time, to the account of Metropolitan
Life Insurance Company Corporate
Investments, Account No.
002-2-410591 at:
The Chase Manhattan Bank (National
Association)
ABA #021000021
Metropolitan Branch 33
East 23rd Street
New York, N.Y. 10010
For Account of: Metropolitan Life
Insurance Company
(2) Address for all other communications:
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
Fixed Income Investments
334 Madison Avenue
Convent Station, N.J. 07936
Attention: Vice President
Telephone: (201) 254-3222
With a copy to:
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
One Lincoln Centre
Suite 800
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
Attention: Vice President
Facsimile: (708) 916-2575
<PAGE>
Principal Amount
and Series of Notes
Name, Address and Payment to be Purchased Applicable
Provisions of Purchaser ----------------- Closing Date
- ---------------------- ------------
METROPOLITAN INSURANCE AND ANNUITY $15,000,000 Series A
COMPANY Series A Notes Closing Date
(1) All payments to the above Purchaser
on any Note shall be made by wire
transfer of immediately available
funds before 12:00 noon, Eastern time,
to the account of Metropolitan
Insurance and Annuity Company
Corporate Investments,
Account No. 002-1-072301
The Chase Manhattan Bank (National
Association)
ABA #021000021
Metropolitan Branch 33
East 23rd Street
New York, N.Y. 10010
For Account of: Metropolitan Insurance
and Annuity Company
(2) Address for all other communications:
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
Fixed Income Investments
334 Madison Avenue
Convent Station, N.J. 07936
Attention: Vice President
Telephone: (201) 254-3222
With a copy to:
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
One Lincoln Centre
Suite 800
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
Attention: Vice President
Facsimile: (708) 916-2575
-2-
<PAGE>
Principal Amount
and Series of Notes
Name, Address and Payment to be Purchased Applicable
Provisions of Purchaser ----------------- Closing Date
- ---------------------- ------------
TEACHERS INSURANCE AND ANNUITY $25,000,000 Series B Closing
ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA Series B Notes Date
(1) All payments on account of the
Series B Notes shall be made in
immediately available funds at the
opening of business on the due
date by electronic funds transfer
(identifying each as "HUTCHINSON
TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED, private
placement number 448407 B@ 4, 8.07%
Senior Notes due 2006, principal,
premium or interest") through
the Automated Clearing House System to:
Morgan Guaranty Trust Company
of New York
ABA No. 021-000-238
23 Wall Street
New York, New York 10015
Account of: Teachers Insurance
and Annuity Association of
America,
Account Number: 121-85-001,
On order of: HUTCHINSON TECHNOLOGY
INCORPORATED
(2) Contemporaneous with the above
electronic funds transfer, advice
setting forth (a) the full name,
private placement number, interest
rate and maturity date of the
Series B Notes, (b) the allocation
of payment between principal, interest,
premium or any other payment, and (c)
the name and address of the bank from
which payment was made, shall be
delivered, mailed or telefaxed to:
-3-
<PAGE>
Principal Amount
and Series of Notes
Name, Address and Payment to be Purchased Applicable
Provisions of Purchaser ----------------- Closing Date
- ---------------------- ------------
Teachers Insurance and Annuity
Association of America
730 Third Avenue
New York, New York 10017
Attention: Securities Accounting
Division
Phone: (212) 916-4188
Facsimile: (212) 916-6955
(3) All other communications shall be
delivered, mailed or telefaxed to:
Teachers Insurance and Annuity
Association of America
730 Third Avenue
New York, New York 10017
Attention: Securities Division,
Private Placements
Phone: (212) 916-4395
(Marie A. Shmaruk) or
(212) 490-9000 (general
number)
Facsimile: (212) 916-6583
-4-
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE II
INFORMATION CONCERNING SUBSIDIARIES AND QUALIFICATION
PART A
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
% of Capital Stock Other Jurisdictions Jurisdictions
Jurisdiction of Owned by Owner(s) of in which Assets where
Name of Subsidiary Organization Company Capital Stock Located Qualified
- ------------------ -------------- ------------- -------------- ---------------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Hutchinson Technology Minnesota 100%-Company N/A MN MN
Asia, Inc. ("MN") Singapore Singapore
HTI Export Ltd. Barbados 100%-Company N/A Barbados Barbados
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
PART B
Jurisdictions Jurisdictions
In Which Company Where Company
Assets Located Qualified
----------------- ------------------
Minnesota, South Dakota, Wisconsin Minnesota, South Dakota,
Netherlands, Wisconsin, California
<PAGE>
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE III
EXISTING DEBT OF THE COMPANY
AND SUBSIDIARIES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FUNDED ("F")
OR
CURRENT OUTSTANDING DESCRIPTION
("C") PRINCIPAL OF
DESCRIPTION OBLIGEE OBLIGOR GUARANTOR DEBT AMOUNT COLLATERAL
----------- ------- ------- --------- ------------ ----------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1). Notes Purchase Northwestern Hutchinson N/A F $ 120,000.06 Unsecured
Agreement for National Life Technology
$2,000,000 Incorporated
2). Notes Purchase Northwestern Hutchinson N/A F 1,237,500.00 Unsecured
Agreement for National Life Technology
$3,750,000 Incorporated
3). Notes Purchase Northern Life Hutchinson N/A F 135,000.05 Unsecured
Agreement for Insurance Co. Technology
$2,250,000 Incorporated
4). Notes Purchase Northern Life Hutchinson N/A F 1,072,500.00 Unsecured
Agreement for Insurance Co. Technology
$3,250,000 Incorporated
5). Notes Purchase North Atlantic Hutchinson N/A F 60,000.03 Unsecured
Agreement for Life Insurance Technology
$1,000,000 Company Incorporated
(now held by J.
Romeo & Co.)
6). Notes Purchase North Atlantic Hutchinson N/A F 660,000.00 Unsecured
Agreement for Life Insurance Technology
$2,000,000 Company Incorporated
7). Notes Purchase Ministers Life Hutchinson N/A F 45,000.04 Unsecured
Agreement for (now held by VAR Technology
$750,000 & CO.) Incorporated
8). Notes Purchase FB Annuity Co. Hutchinson N/A F 29,999.98 Unsecured
Agreement for Technology
$500,000 Incorporated
9). Notes Purchase Farm Bureau Life Hutchinson N/A F 29,999.98 Unsecured
Agreement for Insurance Co. Technology
$500,000 Incorporated
10). Notes Purchase American Investors Hutchinson N/A F 330,000.00 Unsecured
Agreement for Life Insurance Co. Technology
$1,000,000 (Now held by Incorporated
Northwestern
National Life)
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FUNDED ("F")
OR
CURRENT OUTSTANDING DESCRIPTION
("C") PRINCIPAL OF
DESCRIPTION OBLIGEE OBLIGOR GUARANTOR DEBT AMOUNT COLLATERAL
----------- ------- ------- --------- ------------ ----------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
11). Revenue Bonds City of Hutchinson N/A F 1,600,000.00 Unsecured
for $2,000,000 Hutchinson, MN Technology
Variable Rate Incorporated
Demand Industrial
Development
Revenue Refunding
Bonds; The First
National Bank of
Chicago under the
Credit Agreement
(item 16, below)
12). Major Economic Wisconsin Hutchinson N/A F 500,000.00(1) Secured by one
Development Department of Technology Clean Line and
Fund Agreement Development Incorporated one Dual Line
for $1,000,00 Continuous Feed
Forming Press
and by amounts
owing to
Company From
Obligee
13). Note Purchase Teachers Insurance Hutchinson N/A F 20,000,000.00 Unsecured
Agreement for and Annuity Technology
$20,000,000 Association of Incorporated
America
14). Note Purchase Central Life Hutchinson N/A F 5,000,000.00 Unsecured
Agreement for Assurance Company Technology
$5,000,000 (now held by Incorporated
Salked & Co.)
15). Note Purchase Modern Woodmen of Hutchinson N/A F 5,000,000.00 Unsecured
Agreement for America Technology
$5,000,000 Incorporated
16). Credit The First National Hutchinson N/A F 0.00 Unsecured
Agreement for Bank of Chicago Technology
$25,000,000 Incorporated
-------------
TOTAL $35,820,000.14
</TABLE>
- -------------------------------
(1) This loan provides a covenant for forgiveness of principal in an amount
equal to $500 per full-time position created and maintained by a
Wisconsin resident until December 31, 1999, after four hundred full time
positions have been created. The Company expects to achieve the maximum
amount of forgiveness allowable ($500,000) and has therefore recorded
such amount as a deferred credit at this time.
-2-
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE IV
EXISTING LEASES OF THE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Expiration
of term
(assuming
exercise of
Commencement optional Property Annual
Lessor Lessee Guarantor of Term renewals) Leased Rental
- ------ ------ --------- ------------------ ----------- --------- ------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE V
EXISTING INVESTMENTS OF THE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NONE
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT A-1
TO
NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT
FORM OF SERIES A NOTE
HUTCHINSON TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
7.85% Senior Note due 2003
No. R- [Date]
$ New York, New York
Private Placement No.: 448407 B* 6
HUTCHINSON TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED, a corporation organized under the
laws of the State of Minnesota (herein, together with its successors and
assigns, the "COMPANY"), for value received, hereby promises to pay to
______________________________, or registered assigns, the principal amount of
_____________ DOLLARS ($__________) (or so much thereof as shall not have been
prepaid) on July 26, 2003, with interest (computed on the basis of a 360-day
year of twelve 30-day months) on the unpaid balance of such principal amount at
the rate of 7.85% per annum from the date hereof, payable semiannually in
arrears on January 26 and July 26 of each year, commencing January 26, 1997,
until such unpaid balance shall become due and payable (whether at final
maturity, at a date fixed for prepayment or by declaration, acceleration or
otherwise), and with interest on any overdue principal (including any overdue
required or optional prepayment of principal) and any overdue Makewhole Amount
(as that term is defined in the Note Purchase Agreements referred to below), if
any, and (to the extent permitted by applicable law) any overdue interest at the
rate of 9.85% per annum until paid, such overdue interest, if any, to be payable
semiannually as aforesaid or, at the option of the registered holder hereof, on
demand. Payments of principal, Makewhole Amount, if any, and interest on this
Note shall be made in lawful money of the United States of America at the
principal office in New York, New York of Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New
York, or at such other place as may be provided pursuant to the Note Purchase
Agreements referred to below or, in certain circumstances, to the holder of this
Note as provided in Section 13 of said Note Purchase Agreements. If any payment
or prepayment of principal, Makewhole Amount, if any, or interest on or with
respect to this Note becomes due and payable on any day that is not a Business
Day, the amount of such payment shall be payable on the next succeeding Business
Day and with respect to any such payment of principal, interest shall continue
to accrue during any such extension period at the applicable rate of interest in
effect immediately prior to such extension. "BUSINESS DAY" means any day other
than a Saturday, Sunday or any other day on which commercial banks are required
or authorized by law or regulation to be closed in New York, New York, Chicago,
Illinois or Minneapolis, Minnesota.
This Note is one of the duly authorized 7.85% Senior Notes due 2003 of
the Company (the "SERIES A NOTES") which, together with the 8.07% Senior Notes
due 2006 of
<PAGE>
the Company (collectively, together with the Series A Notes, the "NOTES"), are
originally issuable in the aggregate principal amount of $50,000,000 pursuant to
three separate Note Purchase Agreements, each dated as of July 26, 1996, between
the Company and Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America,
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, and Metropolitan Insurance and Annuity
Company, respectively. The holder of this Note is entitled to the rights and
benefits of said Note Purchase Agreements and may on the terms therein set forth
enforce the agreements of the Company contained therein and exercise the
remedies provided for thereby or otherwise available in respect thereof.
Reference is hereby made to said Note Purchase Agreements for a statement of
such rights and benefits.
As provided in said Note Purchase Agreements, this Note is subject to
required and optional prepayments, in whole and in part, in certain cases with a
Makewhole Amount, all as specified in said Note Purchase Agreements.
Upon surrender of this Note for registration of transfer, duly
endorsed, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer duly executed,
by the registered holder hereof or such holder's attorney duly authorized in
writing, a new Series A Note or Series A Notes aggregating a like outstanding
principal amount will be issued to and registered in the name of the
transferee. The Company and any agent of the Company may treat the person in
whose name this Note is registered as the holder and owner hereof for the
purpose of receiving payments and for all other purposes.
In case an Event of Default (as defined in said Note Purchase
Agreements) shall occur and be continuing, the principal of this Note, together
with interest and Makewhole Amount, in certain circumstances shall become due
and payable and in other circumstances may be declared and become due and
payable in the manner and with the effect provided in said Note Purchase
Agreements.
THIS NOTE IS MADE AND DELIVERED IN NEW YORK, NEW YORK, AND SHALL BE
GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE
STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO CONTRACTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED IN THE STATE
OF NEW YORK.
HUTCHINSON TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
By
--------------------------------
Name:
Title:
-2-
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT A-2
TO
NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT
FORM OF SERIES B NOTE
HUTCHINSON TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
8.07% Senior Note due 2006
No. R- [Date]
$ New York, New York
Private Placement No.: 448407 B@ 4
HUTCHINSON TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED, a corporation organized under the
laws of the State of Minnesota (herein, together with its successors and
assigns, the "COMPANY"), for value received, hereby promises to pay to
______________________________, or registered assigns, the principal amount of
_____________ DOLLARS ($__________) (or so much thereof as shall not have been
prepaid) on November 26, 2006, with interest (computed on the basis of a 360-day
year of twelve 30-day months) on the unpaid balance of such principal amount at
the rate of 8.07% per annum from the date hereof, payable semiannually in
arrears on May 26 and November 26 of each year, commencing May 26, 1997, until
such unpaid balance shall become due and payable (whether at final maturity, at
a date fixed for prepayment or by declaration, acceleration or otherwise), and
with interest on any overdue principal (including any overdue required or
optional prepayment of principal) and any overdue Makewhole Amount (as that term
is defined in the Note Purchase Agreements referred to below), if any, and (to
the extent permitted by applicable law) any overdue interest at the rate of
10.07% per annum until paid, such overdue interest, if any, to be payable
semiannually as aforesaid or, at the option of the registered holder hereof, on
demand. Payments of principal, Makewhole Amount, if any, and interest on this
Note shall be made in lawful money of the United States of America at the
principal office in New York, New York of Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New
York, or at such other place as may be provided pursuant to the Note Purchase
Agreements referred to below or, in certain circumstances, to the holder of this
Note as provided in Section 13 of said Note Purchase Agreements. If any payment
or prepayment of principal, Makewhole Amount, if any, or interest on or with
respect to this Note becomes due and payable on any day that is not a Business
Day, the amount of such payment shall be payable on the next succeeding Business
Day and with respect to any such payment of principal, interest shall continue
to accrue during any such extension period at the applicable rate of interest in
effect immediately prior to such extension. "BUSINESS DAY" means any day other
than a Saturday, Sunday or any other day on which commercial banks are required
or authorized by law or regulation to be closed in New York, New York, Chicago,
Illinois or Minneapolis, Minnesota.
This Note is one of the duly authorized 8.07% Senior Notes due 2006 of
the Company (the "SERIES B NOTES") which, together with the 7.85% Senior Notes
due 2003 of
<PAGE>
the Company (collectively, together with the Series B Notes, the "NOTES"), are
originally issuable in the aggregate principal amount of $50,000,000 pursuant to
three separate Note Purchase Agreements, each dated as of July 26, 1996, between
the Company and Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America,
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, and Metropolitan Insurance and Annuity
Company, respectively. The holder of this Note is entitled to the rights and
benefits of said Note Purchase Agreements and may on the terms therein set forth
enforce the agreements of the Company contained therein and exercise the
remedies provided for thereby or otherwise available in respect thereof.
Reference is hereby made to said Note Purchase Agreements for a statement of
such rights and benefits.
As provided in said Note Purchase Agreements, this Note is subject to
required and optional prepayments, in whole and in part, in certain cases with a
Makewhole Amount, all as specified in said Note Purchase Agreements.
Upon surrender of this Note for registration of transfer, duly
endorsed, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer duly executed,
by the registered holder hereof or such holder's attorney duly authorized in
writing, a new Series B Note or Series B Notes aggregating a like outstanding
principal amount will be issued to and registered in the name of the
transferee. The Company and any agent of the Company may treat the person in
whose name this Note is registered as the holder and owner hereof for the
purpose of receiving payments and for all other purposes.
In case an Event of Default (as defined in said Note Purchase
Agreements) shall occur and be continuing, the principal of this Note, together
with interest and Makewhole Amount, in certain circumstances shall become due
and payable and in other circumstances may be declared and become due and
payable in the manner and with the effect provided in said Note Purchase
Agreements.
THIS NOTE IS MADE AND DELIVERED IN NEW YORK, NEW YORK, AND SHALL BE
GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE
STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO CONTRACTS MADE AND TO BE PERFORMED IN THE STATE
OF NEW YORK.
HUTCHINSON TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
By
-------------------------------
Name:
Title:
-2-
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT B
to
Note Purchase Agreement
FORM OF OPINION OF COMPANY'S COUNSEL
[Letterhead of Faegre & Benson]
[Applicable Closing Date]
To Each Note Purchaser Listed
on the Attached Schedule
Re: Hutchinson Technology Incorporated --
$25,000,000 7.85% Senior Notes due 2003
$25,000,000 8.07% Senior Notes Due 2006
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as special counsel to Hutchinson Technology
Incorporated, a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Minnesota
(the "COMPANY"), in connection with (a) the execution and delivery of the three
separate Note Purchase Agreements, each dated as of July 26, 1996 (the "NOTE
AGREEMENTS"), between the Company and each of Metropolitan Life Insurance
Company and Metropolitan Insurance and Annuity Company (each, a "SERIES A
PURCHASER) and Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America (the
"SERIES B PURCHASER"), respectively, providing for the issuance by the Company
and the purchase by the Series A Purchasers of the Company's 7.85% Senior Notes
due 2003 (the "SERIES A NOTES") and the issuance by the Company and the purchase
by the Series B Purchaser of the Company's 8.07% Senior Notes due 2006 (the
"SERIES B NOTES"), and (B) [the sale by the Company and the purchase by each
Series A Purchaser today of the principal amount of Series A Notes set forth
opposite its name on Schedule I to the Note Agreements] [the sale by the Company
and the purchase by the Series B Purchaser today of Series B Notes in the
aggregate principal amount of $25,000,000]. This opinion is delivered to you
pursuant to Section 2.2(a) of the Note Agreements. Certain capitalized terms
used and not otherwise defined herein have the respective meanings attributed
thereto in the Note Agreements.
In so acting, we have participated in the preparation of and are
familiar with the Note Agreements and the Series [A] [B] Notes being purchased
by and delivered to the Series [A] [B] Purchaser[s] today (the "NOTES"). In
addition, we have examined such records, documents, and other instruments and
such certificates of public officials and of officers of the Company, and have
made such investigations of law, as in our
<PAGE>
judgment are necessary or appropriate to enable us to render the opinions
expressed below. As to certain questions of fact material to the opinions
expressed below that have not been independently established by us we have
relied upon such certificates of public officials and officers of the Company,
copies of which have been delivered to you on or prior to the date hereof, and
upon the representations and warranties contained in and made pursuant to the
Note Agreements.
We have assumed the genuineness of all signatures (other than the
signature of the Company) on all documents examined by us, the authenticity of
all documents submitted to us as originals (other than the Note Agreements and
the Notes), the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to
us as photostatic or certified copies, and the authenticity of the originals of
such latter documents.
Based on the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:
1. The Company is a corporation duly organized, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Minnesota and
has all requisite power and authority to own or hold under lease the
property it purports to own or hold under lease, to carry on its business
as now conducted and as proposed to be conducted, to enter into the Note
Agreements, to issue and sell the Series A Notes and the Series B Notes,
and to perform its obligations under, and to consummate the transactions
contemplated by the Note Agreements and the Series A Notes and the Series B
Notes. The Company is duly qualified or licensed and in good standing as a
foreign corporation duly authorized to do business in each jurisdiction
(other than the jurisdiction of its incorporation) in which the nature of
its activities or the character of the properties owned or leased by it
makes such qualification or licensing necessary.
2. Each Subsidiary of the Company is a corporation duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
jurisdiction of its incorporation and has all requisite power and authority
to own or hold under lease the property it purports to own or hold under
lease and to carry on its business as now conducted and as proposed to be
conducted. The Company owns, beneficially and of record, all the
outstanding capital stock of each of its Subsidiaries, in each case free of
any Lien and not subject to any warrant or option, and all such capital
stock has been duly authorized and validly issued and is fully paid and
non-assessable. Each Subsidiary of the Company is duly qualified or
licensed and in good standing as a foreign corporation duly authorized to
do business in each jurisdiction (other than the jurisdiction of its
incorporation) in which the nature of its activities or the character of
the properties owned or leased by it makes such qualification or licensing
necessary.
3. The execution and delivery by the Company of the Note
Agreements and the Series A Notes and the Series B Notes, the performance
by the Company of its obligations thereunder and the consummation of the
transactions contemplated thereby (including the issuance and sale of the
Series A
-2-
<PAGE>
Notes and the Series B Notes) have been duly authorized by all necessary
corporate action on the part of the Company (no action of its shareholders
being required therefor).
4. The Note Agreements and the Notes have been duly executed
and delivered by duly authorized officers of the Company and constitute the
legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against
the Company in accordance with their respective terms, except as such
enforceability may be limited by (a) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium or similar laws from time to time in effect
affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally and (b) general
equitable principles, regardless of whether such enforceability is
considered in a proceeding in equity or at law. The Notes are entitled to
the benefits of the Note Agreements.
5. To the best of our knowledge there are no actions, suits,
proceedings or investigations pending or threatened against the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties in any court
or before any arbitrator of any kind or before or by any Governmental Body
except actions, suits or proceedings of the character normally incident to
the kind of business conducted by the Company and its Subsidiaries which
(a) do not question the validity or enforceability of the Note Agreements
or the Notes or any action taken or to be taken pursuant thereto or
contemplated thereby and (b) in the aggregate, if adversely determined,
would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
6. Neither the execution and delivery by the Company of the
Note Agreements and the Notes nor the performance of the terms and
provisions thereof nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated
thereby will result in any breach of or be in conflict with or constitute a
default (or an event which with notice or lapse of time or both would
become a default) under, or give to others any right of termination,
amendment, acceleration or cancellation of, or result in a loss of any
benefit to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is entitled under,
or result in (or require) the creation of any Lien in respect of any
property of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under, the charter or
by-laws of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any agreement,
indenture, mortgage, instrument or License to which the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries or any of their respective properties may be bound or
affected, or any existing statute, law, rule, regulation or ordinance, or
any Order known to us of any court, arbitrator or Governmental Body
applicable to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their
respective properties.
7. No Order, consent, approval or authorization of, or
registration, filing or declaration with, or the taking of any other action
in respect of, any Governmental Body or any other Person is required
(a) for or in connection with the valid execution and delivery by the
Company of or the performance by the Company of its obligations under the
Note Agreements or the
-3-
<PAGE>
Notes or the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated
thereby, including the offer, issuance, sale and delivery by the Company of
the Notes, or (b) as a condition to the legality, validity or enforceability
as against the Company of the Note Agreements or the Notes.
8. It is not necessary, in connection with the offer, issuance,
sale and delivery of the Notes under the circumstances contemplated by the
Note Agreements, to register the Notes under the Securities Act or to
qualify an indenture in respect of the Notes under the Trust Indenture Act
of 1939, as amended.
9. Neither the issuance, sale and purchase of the Notes nor the
application of the proceeds of the Notes, in each case under the
circumstances contemplated by the Note Agreements, nor the execution and
delivery of the Note Agreements and the Notes, involve any violation of
Regulation G (12 CFR 207), T (12 CFR 220), U (12 CFR 221) or X (12 CFR 224)
of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or any other
regulation of said Board, or Section 7 of the Exchange Act.
10. The Company is not an "investment company" or a Person
directly or indirectly "controlled" by or acting on behalf of an
"investment company" within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended. The Company is not 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", as such terms are
defined in the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended. The
Company is not a "public utility" a such term is defined in the Federal
Power Act, as amended. The Company is not subject to regulation under any
Federal or state law, statute, rule, regulation or ordinance which limits
its ability to incur Debt.
Coudert Brothers, your special counsel in connection with the
transactions contemplated by the Note Agreements, may rely on this opinion for
purposes of rendering their opinion to you required by Section 2.2(b) of the
Note Agreements.
Very truly yours,
-4-
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE OF ADDRESSEES
Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
334 Madison Avenue
Convent Station, New Jersey 07936
ATTENTION: Vice President
Metropolitan Insurance and Annuity Company
334 Madison Avenue
Convent Station, New Jersey 07936
ATTENTION: Vice President
Teachers Insurance and Annuity
Association of America
730 Third Avenue
New York, New York 10017
ATTENTION: Securities Division, Private Placements
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 11.1
HUTCHINSON TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
STATEMENT REGARDING COMPUTATION
OF NET INCOME PER SHARE
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED
-------------------------------------
1996 1995 1994
--------- --------- ---------
NET INCOME $13,802 $21,078 $5,880
--------- --------- ---------
--------- --------- ---------
NET INCOME PER SHARE - PRIMARY:
Weighted average common
shares outstanding 5,450 5,358 5,332
Dilutive effect of stock
options outstanding after
application of treasury
stock method 152 135 114
--------- --------- ---------
5,602 5,493 5,446
--------- --------- ---------
--------- --------- ---------
PRIMARY NET INCOME
PER SHARE $2.46 $3.84 $1.08
--------- --------- ---------
--------- --------- ---------
NET INCOME PER SHARE - FULLY DILUTED:
Weighted average common
shares outstanding 5,450 5,358 5,332
Dilutive effect of stock
options outstanding after
application of treasury
stock method 152 181 114
--------- --------- ---------
5,602 5,539 5,446
--------- --------- ---------
--------- --------- ---------
FULLY DILUTED NET INCOME
PER SHARE $2.46 $3.81 $1.08
--------- --------- ---------
--------- --------- ---------
20
<PAGE>
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION
The following table sets forth the Company's Consolidated Statements
of Operations as a percentage of net sales and the percentage change
in the amount of such items from period to period.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Percentage of Net Sales Percentage Change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1996 1995 1994 1996 TO 1995 1995 to 1994
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
NET SALES 100% 100% 100% 18% 26%
COST OF SALES 77 75 84 21 13
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GROSS PROFIT 23 25 16 8 88
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES 8 5 4 84 74
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES 10 10 9 13 30
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS 5 10 3 (37) 272
OTHER INCOME -- -- -- (21) 25
INTEREST EXPENSE -- (1) -- (20) 165
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES 5 9 3 (38) 249
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES 1 2 1 (48) 212
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET INCOME 4 7 2 (35) 258
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
MARKET TRENDS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Company expects that the expanding use of smaller computers,
increasingly complex software and the emergence of new applications for
disk storage that have contributed to the historical year-to-year increases
in disk drive production will continue for the foreseeable future. The
Company also believes demand for disk drives will continue to be subject,
as it has in the past, to rapid short-term changes resulting from, among
other things, changes in disk drive inventory levels, responses to
competitive price changes and unpredicted high or low market acceptance of
new drive models.
As in past years, disk drives continue to be the storage device of choice
for applications requiring low access times and higher capacities because
of their speed and low cost per megabyte of stored data. The cost of
storing data on disk drives continues to decrease primarily due to
increasing areal density, the amount of data which can be stored on
magnetic disks. Improvements in areal density have been attained by
lowering the fly height of the read/write head, using smaller read/write
heads and using new read/write head types such as those of magneto-
resistive (MR) design. The move to MR heads, which require more electrical
leads, and the transition to smaller or pico-sized heads, may compel drive
manufacturers to use newer suspension technologies, such as the Company's
TSA-TM- suspensions. Although customer interest in TSA-TM- suspensions is
growing, the Company expects that conventional suspensions will continue to
make up a majority of its shipments for the next couple years.
19
<PAGE>
The introduction of new types or sizes of read/write heads and new disk
drive designs tends to decrease customers' yields with the result that the
Company may experience temporary elevations of demand for some types of
suspension assemblies. The advent of new heads and new drive designs may
require rapid development and implementation of new suspension types which
temporarily may reduce the Company's manufacturing yields and efficiencies.
There can be no assurance that such changes will not continue to affect
the Company.
The Company generally experiences declining selling prices due to product
maturity and competitive pricing pressures. These forces may be temporarily
offset when the Company's new products, having initially higher selling
prices, enter the market.
FISCAL 1996 OPERATIONS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net sales for 1996 were $353,186,000, an increase of $53,188,000 or 18%
compared to 1995. This increase was attributable primarily to the Company
shipping approximately 36% more suspension assemblies during 1996 than
1995, partially offset by a lower average selling price due to selling
higher volumes of lower-priced suspensions.
Gross profit for 1996 was $79,570,000, an increase of $5,807,000 or 8%
compared to 1995, and gross profit as a percent of net sales decreased from
25% to 23%. In addition to the sales volumes of lower-priced suspensions
noted above, the decrease in gross profit as a percent of net sales was
also due to reduced shipments during the fourth quarter resulting in an
increase in fixed costs as a percent of sales.
Research and development expenses for 1996 were $27,651,000, an increase
of $12,610,000 or 84% compared to 1995. The majority of the higher expenses
were due to increased TSA-TM- suspensions development efforts of
approximately $7,100,000 and a charge of $5,500,000 related to the
technology sharing agreement with IBM (see Liquidity, Capital Resources and
Other Matters below), compared to a $2,500,000 charge for the technology
sharing agreement during 1995.
Selling, general and administrative expenses for 1996 were $33,716,000,
an increase of $3,915,000 or 13% compared to 1995. The increased expenses
were due primarily to an increase in recruitment and relocation expenses of
$1,722,000, mainly related to the start-up of the Eau Claire assembly
manufacturing facility, increases in professional services of $1,418,000
and labor of $1,141,000, partially offset by reduced profit sharing
expenses of $1,167,000. As a percentage of net sales, selling, general and
administrative expenses remained at 10%.
The income tax provision for 1996 was based on an effective tax rate for
the year of 20% which was below the statutory federal rate primarily due to
the large portion of sales that qualifies for the benefit of the Company's
Foreign Sales Corporation.
Net income for 1996 was $13,802,000, a decrease of $7,276,000 compared to
1995. As a percent of net sales, net income decreased from 7% to 4%
primarily due to lower gross profit margins, noted above, and increased
research and development efforts.
20
<PAGE>
FISCAL 1995 OPERATIONS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net sales for 1995 were $299,998,000, an increase of $61,204,000 or 26%
compared to 1994. This increase was primarily attributable to the Company
shipping approximately 31% more suspension assemblies during 1995 than
1994.
Gross profit for 1995 was $73,763,000, an increase of $34,517,000 or
88% compared to 1994, and gross profit as a percent of net sales increased
from 16% to 25%. The increase in gross profit and gross profit as a
percent of net sales was primarily due to improving manufacturing
efficiencies and higher sales volume, as noted above.
The majority of the research and development expenses are attributable
to the development of new suspension assembly types to meet customers'
changing requirements. Research and development expenses for 1995 were
$15,041,000, an increase of $6,415,000 or 74% compared to 1994. The
higher expenses were primarily due to a charge of $2,500,000 related
to the technology sharing agreement with IBM and increased labor
expenses of $1,841,000.
Selling, general and administrative expenses for 1995 were
$29,801,000, an increase of $6,961,000 or 30% compared to 1994. The
increased expenses were primarily due to additional profit sharing
expenses of $2,198,000 and increased labor expenses of $2,197,000. As
a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses
increased from 9% to 10%.
Other income for 1995 was $1,462,000, an increase of $291,000 or 25%
compared to 1994. The increase was primarily a result of a $1,324,000
increase in interest income as a result of a higher average investment
balance offset partially by a $825,000 decrease in income derived from
licensing agreements.
Interest expense for 1995 was $2,636,000, an increase of $1,641,000
as a result of higher outstanding debt and lower capitalization of
interest.
The income tax provision for 1995 was based on an effective tax rate for
the year of 24% which was below the statutory federal rate primarily due to
the large portion of sales that qualifies for the benefit of the Company's
Foreign Sales Corporation.
Net income for 1995 was $21,078,000, an increase of $15,198,000 compared
to 1994. The increase was primarily due to improving manufacturing
efficiencies and higher sales volume, as noted above.
FISCAL 1994 OPERATIONS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net sales for 1994 were $238,794,000, an increase of $40,060,000 or 20%
compared to 1993. This increase was primarily attributable to the Company
shipping approximately 35% more suspension assemblies during 1994 than
1993, offset somewhat by a lower average selling price due to shifts in
product mix.
Gross profit for 1994 was $39,246,000, a decrease of $5,177,000 or 12%
compared to 1993, and gross profit as a percent of net sales decreased from
22% to 16%. The decrease in gross profit and gross profit as a percent of
net sales was primarily due to an $18,232,000 increase in labor expenses,
a $7,328,000 increase in depreciation expense and lower production yields
and efficiencies on newer suspension assembly types.
21
<PAGE>
Research and development expenses for 1994 were $8,626,000, a decrease of
$1,220,000 or 12% compared to 1993. The lower expenses were primarily in
medical products development as a result of a narrower product focus.
Selling, general and administrative expenses for 1994 were $22,840,000, a
decrease of $1,776,000 or 7% compared to 1993. The decreased expenses were
primarily due to decreased profit sharing expense. As a percentage of net
sales, selling, general and administrative expenses decreased from 12% to
9%.
Other income for 1994 was $1,171,000, a decrease of $232,000 or 17%
compared to 1993. The decrease was primarily a result of a $959,000
decrease in interest income as a result of a lower average investment
balance offset in part by $712,000 in income derived from licensing
agreements.
Interest expense for 1994 was $995,000, an increase of $741,000 as a
result of additional outstanding debt.
The income tax provision for 1994 was based on an effective tax rate for
the year of 26% which was below the statutory federal rate primarily due to
the large amount of sales that qualifies for the benefit of the Company's
Foreign Sales Corporation.
Net income for 1994 was $5,880,000, a decrease of $2,674,000 compared to
1993. The decrease was primarily due to higher labor and depreciation
expenses and lower production yields and efficiencies, as noted above.
LIQUIDITY, CAPITAL RESOURCES AND OTHER MATTERS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Principal sources of liquidity are cash flow from operations, cash balances
and additional financing capacity. The Company's cash and cash equivalents
decreased to $22,884,000 at September 29, 1996 compared to $30,479,000 at
September 24, 1995. The Company generated cash from operating activities of
$34,662,000 in fiscal 1996 compared to $57,814,000 in fiscal 1995 and
$11,967,000 in fiscal 1994.
Cash used for capital expenditures totaled $77,065,000 in fiscal 1996
compared to $44,472,000 in fiscal 1995 and $29,540,000 in fiscal 1994. The
expenditures in fiscal 1996 were primarily for manufacturing and support
equipment, the completion of an assembly manufacturing facility and initial
construction costs of a photoetch facility at the Eau Claire site. The
Company anticipates, but is not contractually committed to, fiscal 1997
expenditures of approximately $90,000,000 primarily for manufacturing and
support equipment and construction of the Company's photoetch facility at
the Eau Claire site. Financing of these capital expenditures will be
principally from internally generated funds, cash balances and/or
additional financing capacity.
The Company established a $25,000,000 unsecured credit facility with The
First National Bank of Chicago during the first quarter of fiscal 1996. At
September 29, 1996 the Company had a letter of credit under this facility
of $1,625,000 as security for its variable rate demand note with the City
of Hutchinson. During the second quarter of fiscal 1996, the Company
obtained $15,300,000 from a sale/leaseback transaction of its Eau Claire,
Wisconsin suspension assembly manufacturing building, with a term of 15
years.
22
<PAGE>
During the fourth quarter of fiscal 1996, the Company completed a
$50,000,000 private debt placement, of which $25,000,000 was issued in July
1996 as a senior unsecured note having a fixed rate of 7.85%, annual
principal payments of $8,333,000 beginning on July 26, 2001 and maturing in
July 2003. The Company issued the remaining $25,000,000 during the first
quarter of fiscal 1997 as a senior unsecured note having a fixed rate of
8.07%, annual principal payments of $4,167,000 beginning on November 26,
2001 and maturing in November 2006. The Company's maturities of long-term
debt for the five years subsequent to September 29, 1996 are $5,760,000,
$5,340,000, $4,620,000, $4,000,000, and $12,333,000, respectively. The
Company's financing agreements contain various restrictive covenants. As of
September 29, 1996, the Company was in compliance with all such covenants.
The Company entered into a Technology Transfer and Development Agreement
(the "Technology Sharing Agreement") and a Patent License Agreement with
IBM during fiscal 1995. Under the Technology Sharing Agreement, IBM made
available to the Company the results of many years of research by IBM into
a new type of suspension, called an integrated lead suspension. The Company
itself had devoted substantial efforts independent of IBM to the research
and development of TSA-TM- suspensions, and contributed its existing
TSA-TM- suspension technology to the joint effort. The Company and IBM
will continue to pursue joint research and development efforts to complete
the commercialization of integrated lead suspension designs. All amounts
due under the Technology Sharing Agreement have been expensed and a related
liability has been recorded by the Company. As of September 29, 1996, the
Company had made payments totaling $1,500,000 to IBM and will make
additional payments over the next three fiscal years totaling $6,500,000.
The Company believes that its cash and cash equivalents, cash to be
generated from operations, existing bank facilities and additional
financing capacity will be sufficient to meet the Company's current and
long-term liquidity, debt installments and capital requirements.
The Company is involved in certain legal matters which may result in
additional future cash requirements. See the discussion of these matters in
Note 6, "Commitments and Contingencies," in the notes to the consolidated
financial statements.
The statements above under the heading "Market Trends" about demand for
disk drives and suspension assemblies, including TSA-TM- suspensions,
manufacturing yields, and selling prices, and the statements under the
heading "Liquidity, Capital Resources and Other Matters" about anticipated
capital expenditures and capital resources, are forward-looking statements
based on current expectations. These statements are subject to risks and
uncertainties, including those discussed above. These factors, as well as
the factors described in the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed
October 1, 1996, may cause the Company's actual future results to differ
materially from historical earnings and from the financial performance of
the Company presently anticipated.
INFLATION
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Management believes inflation has not had a material effect on the
Company's operations or on its financial condition. There can be no
assurance, however, that the Company's business will not be affected by
inflation in the future.
23
<PAGE>
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
HUTCHINSON TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1996 1995 1994
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
NET SALES $353,186 $299,998 $238,794
COST OF SALES 273,616 226,235 199,548
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GROSS PROFIT 79,570 73,763 39,246
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES 27,651 15,041 8,626
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES 33,716 29,801 22,840
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS 18,203 28,921 7,780
OTHER INCOME 1,158 1,462 1,171
INTEREST EXPENSE (2,108) (2,636) (995)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES 17,253 27,747 7,956
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES 3,451 6,669 2,076
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET INCOME $ 13,802 $ 21,078 $ 5,880
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET INCOME PER COMMON AND
COMMON EQUIVALENT SHARE $ 2.46 $ 3.84 $ 1.08
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON AND
COMMON EQUIVALENT SHARES OUTSTANDING 5,602 5,493 5,446
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
24
<PAGE>
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (IN THOUSANDS)
HUTCHINSON TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
September 29, September 24,
Assets 1996 1995
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
CURRENT ASSETS:
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS $ 22,884 $ 30,479
SECURITIES AVAILABLE FOR SALE 3,064 1,190
TRADE RECEIVABLES, NET 46,803 37,058
OTHER RECEIVABLES 9,475 3,625
INVENTORIES 17,235 13,298
PREPAID TAXES AND OTHER EXPENSES 9,204 4,842
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 108,665 90,492
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, AT COST:
LAND, BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS 39,888 35,371
EQUIPMENT 189,989 150,866
CONSTRUCTION IN PROGRESS 34,801 22,804
LESS: ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION (142,972) (115,225)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT 121,706 93,816
OTHER ASSETS 8,612 6,590
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 238,983 $ 190,898
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liabilities and Shareholders Investment
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
CURRENT MATURITIES OF LONG-TERM DEBT $ 5,760 $ 4,255
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED EXPENSES 23,008 13,907
ACCRUED COMPENSATION 12,187 13,628
ACCRUED INCOME TAXES 5,608 4,418
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 46,563 36,208
LONG-TERM DEBT 53,185 33,445
OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES 5,551 1,500
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (NOTE 6)
SHAREHOLDERS' INVESTMENT:
COMMON STOCK, $.02 PAR VALUE, 15,000,000 SHARES AUTHORIZED,
5,452,000 AND 5,447,000 ISSUED AND OUTSTANDING 109 109
ADDITIONAL PAID-IN CAPITAL 43,398 43,261
RETAINED EARNINGS 90,177 76,375
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' INVESTMENT 133,684 119,745
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$238,983 $190,898
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
25
<PAGE>
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (IN THOUSANDS)
HUTCHINSON TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1996 1995 1994
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
NET INCOME $ 13,802 $ 21,078 $ 5,880
ADJUSTMENTS TO RECONCILE NET INCOME
TO CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION 33,565 28,174 23,974
DEFERRED TAX BENEFIT (6,085) (2,498) (1,493)
LOSS ON DISPOSAL OF ASSETS 344 403 49
CHANGES IN OPERATING ASSETS AND
LIABILITIES (NOTE 7) (6,964) 10,657 (16,443)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES 34,662 57,814 11,967
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES (77,065) (44,472) (29,540)
PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE OF BUILDING/EQUIPMENT 15,300 - 66
PURCHASES OF MARKETABLE SECURITIES (4,944) (3,080) -
SALES OF MARKETABLE SECURITIES 3,070 1,890 3,547
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASH USED FOR INVESTING ACTIVITIES (63,639) (45,662) (25,927)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
PROCEEDS FROM ISSUANCE OF LONG-TERM DEBT 25,500 - 43,500
REPAYMENTS OF LONG-TERM DEBT (4,255) (2,380) (15,880)
NET PROCEEDS FROM ISSUANCE
OF COMMON STOCK 137 2,137 50
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASH PROVIDED BY (USED FOR) FINANCING ACTIVITIES 21,382 (243) 27,670
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND
CASH EQUIVALENTS (7,595) 11,909 13,710
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF YEAR 30,479 18,570 4,860
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR $ 22,884 $ 30,479 $ 18,570
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
26
<PAGE>
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' INVESTMENT (IN THOUSANDS)
HUTCHINSON TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Additional
Common Stock Paid-In
----------------------- Retained
Shares Amount Capital Earnings
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance, September 26, 1993 5,331 $107 $39,165 $49,417
Exercise of stock options 2 - 50 -
Net income - - - 5,880
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, September 25, 1994 5,333 107 39,215 55,297
Exercise of stock options 115 2 4,067 -
Common stock issuance - - 12 -
Common stock retirements (1) - (33) -
Net income - - - 21,078
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, September 24, 1995 5,447 109 43,261 76,375
Exercise of stock options 5 - 128 -
Common stock issuance - - 9 -
Net income - - - 13,802
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BALANCE, SEPTEMBER 29, 1996 5,452 $109 $43,398 $90,177
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
27
<PAGE>
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (COLUMNAR DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN
THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
HUTCHINSON TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
1 SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION - The consolidated financial
statements include the accounts of Hutchinson Technology
Incorporated and its subsidiaries (the Company), all of
which are wholly owned. All significant intercompany
accounts and transactions have been eliminated in
consolidation.
RECLASSIFICATIONS - Certain reclassifications have been made
in the 1995 and 1994 financial statements to conform with
1996 presentation. Such reclassifications had no effect on
1996 results of operations or shareholders' investment.
USE OF ESTIMATES - The preparation of financial statements
in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles
requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date
of the financial statements and the reported amounts of
revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Ultimate
results could differ from those estimates.
FISCAL YEAR - The Company's fiscal year is the fifty-
two/fifty-three week period ending on the last Sunday in
September. The fiscal year ended September 29, 1996 is a
fifty-three week period and fiscal years ended September 24,
1995 and September 25, 1994 are fifty-two week periods.
REVENUE RECOGNITION AND CUSTOMERS - The Company recognizes
revenue upon the shipment of completed products. An analysis
of customer sales is as follows:
1996 1995 1994
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Seagate Technology Incorporated 35% 36% 31%
Yamaha Corporation 16 13 9
SAE Magnetics, Ltd. 14 9 7
Read-Rite Corporation 13 19 23
IBM 9 9 5
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales to the Company's five largest customers constituted
87%, 86% and 75% of net sales for fiscal 1996, 1995 and
1994, respectively.
Sales to foreign locations were as follows:
1996 1995 1994
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Foreign-based enterprises $63,898 $46,075 $29,394
Foreign subsidiaries of U.S. corporations 51,564 54,398 14,126
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$115,462 $100,473 $43,520
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
28
<PAGE>
The majority of these foreign location sales were to the
Pacific Rim region. In addition, the Company had significant
sales to U.S. corporations which used the Company's products
in their offshore manufacturing sites.
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - Cash equivalents consist of all
highly liquid investments with original maturities of ninety
days or less.
SECURITIES AVAILABLE FOR SALE - Securities available for
sale consist of U.S. Treasury bills. The Company follows the
provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
No. 115, "Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and
Equity Securities." The securities available for sale have
been pledged for certain self-insured reserves.
TRADE RECEIVABLES - The Company grants credit to customers,
but generally does not require collateral or any other
security to support amounts due. Trade receivables are net
of allowances of $2,148,000 at September 29, 1996 and
$1,924,000 at September 24, 1995.
INVENTORIES - All inventories are stated at the lower of
last-in, first-out (LIFO) cost or market. Inventories
consist of the following at September 29, 1996 and September
24, 1995:
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1996 1995
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Raw materials $4,137 $3,019
Work in process 5,558 3,159
Finished goods 7,830 7,455
LIFO reserve (290) (335)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$17,235 $13,298
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PROPERTY AND DEPRECIATION - Property, plant and equipment
are stated at cost. Costs of renewals and betterments are
capitalized and depreciated. Maintenance and repairs are
charged to expense as incurred.
Property is depreciated using primarily accelerated
methods for both financial and tax reporting purposes.
Estimated useful lives for financial reporting purposes are
as follows:
Buildings 20 to 25 years
Leasehold improvements 5 to 10 years
Equipment 3 to 8 years
ENGINEERING AND PROCESS DEVELOPMENT - The Company's
engineers and technicians are responsible for the
development of new products and process technologies and
implementation of process improvements. Expenditures related
to these activities totaled $51,212,000 in 1996, $32,567,000
in 1995 and $25,663,000 in 1994. Of these amounts,
approximately $27,651,000 in 1996, $15,041,000 in 1995 and
$8,626,000 in 1994 are classified as research and
development expenses.
INCOME TAXES - Deferred taxes are provided at currently
enacted tax rates on all significant temporary differences.
NET INCOME PER SHARE - Net income per share, which is
approximately equivalent on both a primary and fully diluted
basis, is based, to the extent dilutive, on the weighted
average number of common and common equivalent shares
outstanding.
29
<PAGE>
2 FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LONG-TERM DEBT 1996 1995
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SENIOR UNSECURED NOTE, 7.46%, PAYABLE IN VARYING
SEMI-ANNUAL INSTALLMENTS THROUGH FEBRUARY 2004 $28,125 $30,000
SENIOR UNSECURED NOTE, 7.85%, PAYABLE IN VARYING
ANNUAL INSTALLMENTS THROUGH JULY 2003 25,000 --
SENIOR UNSECURED NOTE, 10.3% PAYABLE IN VARYING
ANNUAL INSTALLMENTS THROUGH OCTOBER 1998 3,300 4,640
VARIABLE RATE DEMAND NOTE, CITY OF HUTCHINSON, PAYABLE
IN VARYING ANNUAL INSTALLMENTS THROUGH JUNE 2004 1,600 1,700
MAJOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUND AGREEMENT, 4%, PAYABLE
IN VARYING ANNUAL INSTALLMENTS THROUGH MARCH 2006 500 --
SENIOR UNSECURED NOTE, 10.1%, PAYABLE IN VARYING
ANNUAL INSTALLMENTS THROUGH JULY 1997 420 1,360
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
58,945 37,700
LESS CURRENT MATURITIES (5,760) (4,255)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$53,185 $33,445
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Company established a $25,000,000 unsecured credit
facility with The First National Bank of Chicago during the
first quarter of fiscal 1996 which has an effective interest
rate of the CD or LIBOR plus a variable spread based on the
Company's financial position, maturing on December 8, 1998.
At September 29, 1996, the Company had a letter of credit
under this facility of $1,625,000 as security for its
variable rate demand note with the City of Hutchinson.
On July 26, 1996, the Company completed a $50,000,000
private debt placement, of which $25,000,000 was issued as a
senior unsecured note having a fixed rate of 7.85%, annual
principal payments of $8,333,000 beginning on July 26, 2001
and maturing July 26, 2003. The Company issued the remaining
$25,000,000 on November 26, 1996 as a senior unsecured note
having a fixed rate of 8.07%, annual principal payments of
$4,167,000 beginning on November 26, 2001 and maturing
November 26, 2006. The Company's financing agreements
contain certain restrictive covenants which require the Company,
among other things, to maintain specified levels of net income,
working capital, tangible net worth and financial ratios, and
also impose limitations on capital expenditures, additional
indebtedness, leases, guarantees and the payment of dividends.
The Company was in compliance with all such covenants of the
above agreements as of September 29, 1996.
Maturities of long-term debt for the five years subsequent to
September 29, 1996 are as follows:
- ------------------------------------------------------
1997 $ 5,760
1998 5,340
1999 4,620
2000 4,000
2001 12,333
THEREAFTER 26,892
- ------------------------------------------------------
$58,945
- ------------------------------------------------------
30
<PAGE>
3 INCOME TAXES
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The provision for income taxes consists of the following:
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1996 1995 1994
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CURRENT:
FEDERAL $8,204 $8,142 $3,123
STATE 1,332 1,025 446
DEFERRED (6,085) (2,498) (1,493)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$3,451 $6,669 $2,076
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The deferred benefit is composed of the following:
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1996 1995 1994
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSET BASES, LIVES AND DEPRECIATION METHODS $(895) $(552) $(1,002)
RESERVES AND ACCRUALS NOT CURRENTLY DEDUCTIBLE (5,888) (1,534) (60)
TAX CREDITS 698 (407) (427)
OTHER, NET -- (5) (4)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$(6,085) $(2,498) $(1,493)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A reconciliation of the federal statutory tax rate to the
effective tax rate is as follows:
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1996 1995 1994
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statutory federal income tax rate 35% 35% 34%
Effect of:
State income taxes, net of federal income
tax benefits 3 2 4
Tax benefits of the Foreign Sales Corporation (19) (12) (12)
Other, net 1 (1) --
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20% 24% 26%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of
temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets
and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the
amounts used for income tax purposes. At September 29, 1996,
the Company had unused tax credits of $2,738,000, all of
which can be carried forward indefinitely. A valuation
allowance of $738,000 has been recognized to offset the
related deferred tax assets due to the uncertainty of
realizing the benefit of certain tax credits. The following
is a table of the significant components of the Company's
deferred tax assets as of September 29, 1996:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred Tax Assets SEPTEMBER 29, 1996 September 24, 1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current deferred tax assets:
Sales and accounts receivables $ 873 $ 702
Inventories 5,419 1,830
Accruals and other reserves 2,367 1,783
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total current deferred tax assets $ 8,659 $ 4,315
Long-term deferred tax assets (liabilities):
Property, plant and equipment 3,753 2,858
Accruals and other reserves 2,146 602
Tax credits 2,738 4,933
Valuation allowance (738) (2,235)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total long-term deferred tax assets $ 7,899 $ 6,158
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total deferred tax assets $16,558 $10,473
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
31
<PAGE>
4 FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following methods and assumptions were used to
estimate the fair value of each class of financial
instruments for which it is practicable to estimate
that value:
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - The carrying amount
approximates fair value because of the short maturity
of these instruments.
SECURITIES AVAILABLE FOR SALE - The fair value of these
instruments is based on quoted market prices.
LONG-TERM DEBT - The fair value of the Company's long-
term debt is estimated based on the discounted value of
the future cash flows expected to be paid on the loans.
The discount rate used to estimate the fair value of
the loans is the rate currently available to the
Company for loans with similar terms and maturities.
The estimated fair values of the Company's financial
instruments are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1996 1995
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Carrying Amount Fair Value Carrying Amount Fair Value
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Cash and cash equivalents $22,884 $22,884 $30,479 $30,479
Securities available for sale 3,064 3,064 1,190 1,190
Long-term debt 58,945 59,619 37,700 37,593
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
5 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stock Options - In January 1995, the shareholders
approved an amendment to the 1988 Stock Option
Plan under which up to 1,000,000 common shares are
reserved for issuance, of which options repre-
senting 777,515 common shares have been granted as of
September 29, 1996. Options may be granted
to any employee, including officers and directors of
the Company, prior to May 31, 1998, at a price
not less than the fair market value of the Company's
common stock at the date the options are granted. The plan
limits the number of shares for which any single employee
may be granted options in any one calendar year to 100,000
and options generally expire ten years from the date of
grant or at an earlier date as determined by the committee
of the Board of Directors that administers the plan.
Options granted under the 1988 Stock Option Plan may not
be exercised for at least six months from the date of grant.
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
1988 STOCK OPTION PLAN
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, September 26, 1993 301,850
Granted at $31.00 53,800
Exercised at $7.75 to $24.50 (2,400)
Expired (25)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, September 25, 1994 353,225
Granted at $23.25 127,420
Exercised at $6.00 to $31.00 (115,003)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, September 24, 1995 365,642
Granted at $49.00 146,170
Exercised at $11.75 to $23.25 (5,270)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
BALANCE, SEPTEMBER 29, 1996 506,542
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
32
<PAGE>
Employee Benefit Plans - The Company has a defined
contribution plan covering its employees. The Company's
contributions to the plan were $6,463,000 in 1996,
$3,979,000 in 1995 and $2,241,000 in 1994.
The Company sponsors a comprehensive medical and
dental plan for qualified employees that
is funded by contributions from both the Company and
plan participants. Contributions are made through a
Voluntary Employee's Benefit Association Trust. The
Company recognized expense related to these plans of
$13,439,000 in 1996, $10,427,000 in 1995 and
$10,001,000 in 1994.
6 COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Company is committed under various operating lease
agreements. Total rent expense under these operating
leases was $7,502,000 in 1996, $4,866,000 in 1995 and
$4,199,000 in 1994. Future minimum payments for all
operating leases with initial or remaining terms of one
year or more subsequent to September 29, 1996 are as
follows:
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
1997 $8,573
1998 7,381
1999 5,199
2000 3,540
2001 AND THEREAFTER 22,119
- ------------------------------------------------------------------
On May 1, 1996, the Company obtained $15,300,000 from
a sale/leaseback transaction of its Eau Claire,
Wisconsin assembly manufacturing building, which has a
term of 15 years.
The Company entered into a Technology Transfer and
Development Agreement (the "Technology Sharing
Agreement") and a Patent License Agreement with IBM
during fiscal 1995. Under the Technology Sharing
Agreement, IBM made available to the Company the
results of many years of research by IBM into a new
type of suspension, called an integrated lead
suspension. The Company itself had devoted substantial
efforts independent of IBM to the research and
development of TSA-TM- suspensions, and contributed its
existing TSA-TM- suspension technology to the joint
effort. The Company and IBM will continue to pursue
joint research and development efforts to complete the
commercialization of integrated lead suspension designs.
As of September 29, 1996, the Company had made payments
to IBM totaling $1,500,000 and will make additional
payments over the next three fiscal years totaling
$6,500,000, all of which has been reflected as an
expense, $2,500,000 during the third quarter of fiscal
1995 and $5,500,000 resulting from an amendment during
the first quarter of fiscal 1996.
The Company and certain users of the Company's
products have from time to time received, and
may in the future receive, communications from third
parties asserting patents against the Company
or its customers which may relate to certain of the
Company's manufacturing equipment or products or to
products which include the Company's products as a
component. Although the Company has not been a party
to any material intellectual property litigation,
certain of its customers have been sued on patents
having claims closely related to products sold by the
Company. In the event any third party were to make a
valid infringement claim and a license were not
available on terms acceptable to the Company, the
Company's operating results could be adversely
affected.
The Company is party to certain other claims arising
in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of
management, the outcome of such claims will not
materially affect the Company's current or future
financial position or results of operations.
33
<PAGE>
7 SUPPLEMENTARY CASH FLOW INFORMATION
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1996 1995 1994
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
CHANGES IN OPERATING ASSETS AND LIABILITIES:
TRADE RECEIVABLES, NET $(9,745) $(642) $(14,529)
OTHER RECEIVABLES (5,850) (926) (2,266)
INVENTORIES (3,937) (3,769) (1,630)
PREPAID TAXES AND OTHER EXPENSES (334) (1,231) 1,023
ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED LIABILITIES 8,850 15,725 959
OTHER NONCURRENT LIABILITIES 4,052 1,500 --
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$(6,964) $10,657 $(16,443)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASH PAID FOR:
INTEREST (NET OF AMOUNT CAPITALIZED) $1,703 $2,655 $767
INCOME TAXES 8,405 7,792 6,055
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
Capitalized interest was $1,206,000 in 1996, $512,000 in 1995 and
$1,142,000 in 1994.
8 SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
The following table summarizes unaudited financial data for fiscal years 1996 and 1995:
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1996 by Quarter 1995 by Quarter
First Second Third Fourth First Second Third Fourth
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net sales $83,332 $86,546 $91,418 $91,890 $63,495 $67,889 $81,892 $86,722
Gross profit 21,444 17,879 21,786 18,461 12,988 15,239 21,895 23,641
Income from operations 3,828 5,592 6,878 1,905 3,474 5,678 8,113 11,656
Income before income taxes 3,669 5,553 6,663 1,368 3,178 5,282 7,886 11,401
Net income 2,862 4,332 5,199 1,409 2,345 4,084 5,988 8,661
Net income per share 0.51 0.77 0.93 0.25 0.43 0.75 1.09 1.55
Price range per share:
High 65.500 51.484 58.375 43.120 28.750 31.750 44.000 89.000
Low 45.500 36.500 38.250 30.750 23.000 24.250 28.500 42.250
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
The price range per share, reflected above, is the
highest and lowest closing prices as quoted on The
NASDAQ National Market during each quarter.
34
<PAGE>
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
TO HUTCHINSON TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED:
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of
Hutchinson Technology Incorporated (a Minnesota corporation) and
Subsidiaries as of September 29, 1996 and September 24, 1995, and the
related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders' investment
and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September
29, 1996. These financial statements are the responsibility of the
Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free
of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis,
evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used
and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the
overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits
provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Hutchinson
Technology Incorporated and Subsidiaries as of September 29, 1996 and
September 24, 1995, and the results of their operations and their cash
flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 29, 1996 in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
October 31, 1996
35
<PAGE>
ELEVEN-YEAR SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA AND
NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES)
HUTCHINSON TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ANNUAL GROWTH
5-YEAR 10-YEAR 1996 1995 1994
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOR THE YEAR:
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
20% 22% NET SALES $353,186 $299,998 $238,794
23 24 GROSS PROFIT 79,570 73,763 39,246
PERCENT OF NET SALES 23% 25% 16%
20 24 INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS $ 18,203 $ 28,921 $ 7,780
PERCENT OF NET SALES 5% 10% 3%
25 18 NET INCOME (LOSS) $ 13,802 $ 21,078 $ 5,880
PERCENT OF NET SALES 4% 7% 2%
34 31 CAPITAL EXPENDITURES $ 77,065 $ 44,472 $ 29,540
46 39 RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES 27,651 15,041 8,626
24 24 DEPRECIATION EXPENSE 33,565 28,174 23,974
15 17 CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 34,662 57,814 11,967
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AT YEAR END:
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
25% 23% RECEIVABLES, NET $ 56,278 $ 40,683 $ 39,115
30 19 INVENTORIES 17,235 13,298 9,529
28 26 WORKING CAPITAL 62,102 54,284 51,996
29 21 NET PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT 121,706 93,816 77,887
29 23 TOTAL ASSETS 238,983 190,898 151,148
25 30 TOTAL DEBT 58,945 37,700 40,080
TOTAL DEBT AS A PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL
CAPITALIZATION 31% 24% 30%
32 21 SHAREHOLDERS' INVESTMENT $133,684 $119,745 $ 94,619
RETURN ON SHAREHOLDERS' INVESTMENT 11% 20% 6%
14 16 NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 5,479 4,858 4,600
7 4 SHARES OF STOCK OUTSTANDING 5,452 5,447 5,333
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PER COMMON SHARE:
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
17% 13% NET INCOME (LOSS) $ 2.46 $ 3.84 $ 1.08
24 17 SHAREHOLDERS' INVESTMENT (BOOK VALUE) 24.52 21.98 17.74
PRICE RANGE
37 18 HIGH 65.500 89.000 39.875
38 20 LOW 30.750 23.000 21.750
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
36
<PAGE>
<CAPTION>
ANNUAL GROWTH
5-YEAR 10-YEAR 1993 1992 1991
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOR THE YEAR:
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
20% 22% NET SALES $198,734 $160,340 $ 143,260
23 24 GROSS PROFIT 44,423 40,261 27,920
PERCENT OF NET SALES 22% 25% 19%
20 24 INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS $ 9,961 $ 13,581 $ 7,265
PERCENT OF NET SALES 5% 8% 5%
25 18 NET INCOME (LOSS) $ 8,554 $ 12,849 $ 4,499
PERCENT OF NET SALES 4% 8% 3%
34 31 CAPITAL EXPENDITURES $ 46,768 $ 20,492 $ 17,747
46 39 RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES 9,846 5,770 4,208
24 24 DEPRECIATION EXPENSE 15,737 12,908 11,253
15 17 CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 22,449 19,397 16,944
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AT YEAR END:
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
25% 23% RECEIVABLES, NET $ 22,320 $ 25,454 $ 18,499
30 19 INVENTORIES 7,899 5,638 4,580
28 26 WORKING CAPITAL 26,238 49,018 18,083
29 21 NET PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT 72,419 41,513 34,304
29 23 TOTAL ASSETS 116,639 109,126 65,992
25 30 TOTAL DEBT 12,460 16,755 19,354
TOTAL DEBT AS A PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL 12% 18% 37%
CAPITALIZATION
32 21 SHAREHOLDERS' INVESTMENT $ 88,689 $ 77,025 $ 33,512
RETURN ON SHAREHOLDERS' INVESTMENT 10% 23% 14%
14 16 NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 4,108 3,332 2,798
7 4 SHARES OF STOCK OUTSTANDING 5,331 5,173 3,969
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PER COMMON SHARE:
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
17% 13% NET INCOME (LOSS) $ 1.58 $ 2.72 $ 1.12
24 17 SHAREHOLDERS' INVESTMENT (BOOK VALUE) 16.64 14.88 8.44
PRICE RANGE
37 18 HIGH 49.750 32.000 13.750
38 20 LOW 20.500 9.500 6.125
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
ANNUAL GROWTH
5-YEAR 10-YEAR 1990 1989 1988
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOR THE YEAR:
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
20% 22% NET SALES $122,444 $ 92,321 $113,714
23 24 GROSS PROFIT 26,107 7,696 19,329
PERCENT OF NET SALES 21% 8% 17%
20 24 INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS $ 8,528 $ (7,221) $ 6,540
PERCENT OF NET SALES 7% (8%) 6%
25 18 NET INCOME (LOSS) $ 5,338 $ (5,693) $ 4,267
PERCENT OF NET SALES 4% (6%) 4%
34 31 CAPITAL EXPENDITURES $ 6,794 $ 9,568 $ 18,820
46 39 RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES 3,959 4,065 2,774
24 24 DEPRECIATION EXPENSE 9,719 12,305 8,047
15 17 CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 15,174 6,871 7,291
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AT YEAR END:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
25% 23% RECEIVABLES, NET $ 20,216 $ 15,932 $ 19,166
30 19 INVENTORIES 5,913 3,898 5,119
28 26 WORKING CAPITAL 22,768 15,767 13,716
29 21 NET PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT 27,618 30,419 36,494
29 23 TOTAL ASSETS 64,669 55,775 63,095
25 30 TOTAL DEBT 20,550 21,756 19,469
TOTAL DEBT AS A PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL
CAPITALIZATION 42% 48% 40%
32 21 SHAREHOLDERS' INVESTMENT $ 28,834 $ 23,426 $ 28,888
RETURN ON SHAREHOLDERS' INVESTMENT 20% (22%) 16%
14 16 NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 2,648 2,327 2,830
7 4 SHARES OF STOCK OUTSTANDING 3,948 3,941 3,878
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PER COMMON SHARE:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
17% 13% NET INCOME (LOSS) $ 1.34 $ (1.44) $ 1.08
24 17 SHAREHOLDERS' INVESTMENT (BOOK VALUE 7.30 5.94 7.45
PRICE RANGE
37 18 HIGH 13.500 15.250 22.000
38 20 LOW 5.000 6.250 9.000
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<CAPTION>
ANNUAL GROWTH
5-YEAR 10-YEAR 1987 1986
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOR THE YEAR:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
20% 22% NET SALES $ 77,756 $ 47,166
23 24 GROSS PROFIT 15,673 9,422
PERCENT OF NET SALES 20% 20%
20 24 INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS $ 6,400 $ 2,139
PERCENT OF NET SALES 8% 5%
25 18 NET INCOME (LOSS) $ 4,665 $ 2,710
PERCENT OF NET SALES 6% 6%
34 31 CAPITAL EXPENDITURES $ 10,955 $ 5,346
46 39 RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES 1,396 998
24 24 DEPRECIATION EXPENSE 5,650 3,958
15 17 CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 6,996 7,395
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AT YEAR END:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
25% 23% RECEIVABLES, NET $ 11,759 $ 6,997
30 19 INVENTORIES 4,205 3,044
28 26 WORKING CAPITAL 10,210 6,322
29 21 NET PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT 25,315 18,026
29 23 TOTAL ASSETS 45,577 29,056
25 30 TOTAL DEBT 10,899 4,125
TOTAL DEBT AS A PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL
CAPITALIZATION 31% 17%
32 21 SHAREHOLDERS' INVESTMENT $24,392 $ 19,695
RETURN ON SHAREHOLDERS' INVESTMENT 21% 15%
14 16 NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES 2,074 1,208
7 4 SHARES OF STOCK OUTSTANDING 3,812 3,810
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PER COMMON SHARE:
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
17% 13% NET INCOME (LOSS) $ 1.20 $ 0.71
24 17 SHAREHOLDERS' INVESTMENT (BOOK VALUE 6.40 5.17
PRICE RANGE
37 18 HIGH 24.500 13.000
38 20 LOW 7.875 5.125
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
37
<PAGE>
SHAREHOLDERS' INFORMATION
ANNUAL SHAREHOLDERS' MEETING
Wednesday, January 29, 1997, at 1:30 p.m.
The Minneapolis Marriott City Center Hotel
30 South Seventh Street
Minneapolis, Minnesota
COMMON STOCK LISTING
Traded in The NASDAQ National Market
Trading symbol: HTCH
Shareholders of record as of
November 11, 1996: 725
DIVIDEND POLICY
The Company has never paid any cash div-
idends on its common stock. The Company
currently intends to retain all earnings for
use in its business and does not anticipate
paying cash dividends in the foreseeable
future. Any future determination as to pay-
ment of dividends will depend upon the
financial condition and results of operations
of the Company and such other factors as
are deemed relevant by the Board of Directors.
LEGAL COUNSEL
Faegre & Benson LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
Arthur Andersen LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
TRANSFER AGENT
Norwest Bank Minnesota, National Association
161 North Concord Exchange
P.O. Box 738
South St. Paul, Minnesota 55075-0738
(612) 450-4064
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Shareholder Information
Todd J. Bradley
Hutchinson Technology Incorporated
40 West Highland Park
Hutchinson, Minnesota 55350
(800) 689-0755
World Wide Web: www.htch.com
E-Mail: [email protected]
39
<PAGE>
Exhibit 21.1
SUBSIDIARIES
Name Jurisdiction
- ---- ------------
HTI Export Ltd. Barbados
Hutchinson Technology Asia, Inc. Minnesota
21
<PAGE>
Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation of our
reports included or incorporated by reference in this Form 10-K into the
Company's previously filed Registration Statement File No. 33-26145.
ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota,
December 17, 1996
22
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS OF
HUTCHINSON TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED FOR THE FIFTY-THREE WEEKS ENDED SEPTEMBER 29,
1996 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> SEP-29-1996
<PERIOD-START> SEP-25-1995
<PERIOD-END> SEP-29-1996
<CASH> 22,884,000
<SECURITIES> 3,064,000
<RECEIVABLES> 58,426,000
<ALLOWANCES> 2,148,000
<INVENTORY> 17,235,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 108,665,000
<PP&E> 264,678,000
<DEPRECIATION> 142,972,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 238,983,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 46,563,000
<BONDS> 53,185,000
0
0
<COMMON> 109,000
<OTHER-SE> 133,575,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 238,983,000
<SALES> 353,186,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 353,186,000
<CGS> 273,616,000
<TOTAL-COSTS> 273,616,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 27,651,000<F1>
<LOSS-PROVISION> 1,835,000
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 2,108,000
<INCOME-PRETAX> 17,253,000
<INCOME-TAX> 3,451,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 13,802,000
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 13,802,000
<EPS-PRIMARY> 2.46
<EPS-DILUTED> 2.46
<FN>
<F1>OTHER EXPENSES REFLECT RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES.
</FN>
</TABLE>
