SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D. C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For quarter ended JULY 3, 1999
Commission file number 1-9273
PILGRIM'S PRIDE CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE 75-1285071
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
110 SOUTH TEXAS, PITTSBURG, TX 75686-0093
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
(903) 855-1000
(Telephone number of principal executive offices)
Not Applicable
Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last
report.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter periods 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 the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes
of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Class A Common Stock, $.01 Par Value --- 13,794,529 shares as of August 2,
1999
Class B Common Stock, $.01 Par Value --- 27,589,250 shares as of August 2,
1999
<PAGE>
INDEX
PILGRIM'S PRIDE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1: Financial Statements (Unaudited):
Condensed consolidated balance sheets:
July 3, 1999 and September 26, 1998
Consolidated statements of income:
Three months and nine months ended July 3, 1999 and June 27,
1998
Consolidated statements of cash flows:
Nine months ended July 3, 1999 and June 28, 1998
Notes to condensed consolidated financial statements--July 3, 1999
Item 2: Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations.
Item 3: Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Item 4: Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
SIGNATURES
<PAGE>
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
PILGRIM'S PRIDE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(UNAUDITED)
ITEM 1: FINANCIAL STATEMENTS :
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
July 3, September 26,
1999 1998
ASSETS (Unaudited)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 5,643 $ 25,125
Trade accounts and other receivables,
less allowance for doubtful accounts 99,122 81,813
Inventories 174,325 141,684
Deferred income taxes 4,773 7,010
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 4,711 2,902
Total Current Assets 288,574 258,534
Other Assets 12,051 11,757
Property, Plant and Equipment 611,255 562,099
Less accumulated depreciation 253,906 230,951
357,349 331,148
$ 657,974 $ 601,439
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable 77,638 70,069
Accrued expenses 44,150 35,536
Current maturities of long-term debt 7,928 5,889
Total Current Liabilities 129,716 111,494
Long-Term Debt, less current maturities 195,283 199,784
Deferred Income Taxes 53,639 58,401
Minority Interest in Subsidiary 889 889
Stockholders' Equity:
Preferred stock, $.01 par value, authorized 5,000,000
shares; none issued -- --
Common stock - Class A, $.01 par value, authorized
100,000,000 shares; none issued -- --
Common stock - Class B, $.01 par value, authorized
60,000,000 shares; 27,589,250 issued and outstanding in
1999 and 1998 276 276
Additional paid-in capital 79,763 79,763
Retained earnings 198,408 150,832
Total Stockholders' Equity 278,447 230,871
$ 657,974 $ 601,439
</TABLE>
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
<PAGE>
PILGRIM'S PRIDE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(UNAUDITED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS ENDED NINE MONTHS ENDED
JULY 3, 1999 JUNE 27, 1998 JULY 3, 1999 JUNE 27, 1998
(40 weeks) (39 weeks)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net Sales $ 344,160 $ 328,500 $ 1,010,142 $ 990,833
Costs and Expenses:
Cost of sales 294,745 295,764 870,564 901,856
Selling, general
and administrative 20,203 13,693 58,888 43,166
314,948 309,457 929,452 945,022
Operating income 29,212 19,043 80,690 45,811
Other Expenses (Income):
Interest expense, net 4,308 5,195 13,131 15,325
Foreign exchange
(gain) loss (179) 413 (432) 1,515
Miscellaneous, net (191) (535) (364) (1,487)
3,938 5,073 12,335 15,353
Income before
income taxes 25,274 13,970 68,355 30,458
Income tax expense 6,957 2,135 19,538 739
Net income $ 18,317 $ 11,835 $ 48,817 $ 29,719
Net income
per common share $ .44 $ .29 $ 1.18 $ .72
Dividends
per common share $ .01 $ .01 $ .03 $ .03
Weighted average
shares outstanding 41,383,779 41,383,779 41,383,779 41,383,779
</TABLE>
See Notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
<PAGE>
PILGRIM'S PRIDE CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Nine Months Ended
JULY 3, 1999 JUNE 27, 1998
(40 weeks) (39 weeks)
(In Thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net income $48,817 $29,719
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash
provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 25,990 24,493
Loss on property disposals 47 16
Provision for doubtful accounts 1,840 (335)
Deferred income taxes (2,525) (542)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts and other receivables (19,149) (4,920)
Inventories (32,641) 6,702
Prepaid expenses and
other current assets (1,809) (2,723)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 16,183 (19,699)
Other (227) (479)
Cash Flows Provided by
Operating Activities 36,526 32,232
Investing Activities:
Acquisitions of property,
plant and equipment (52,170) (39,434)
Proceeds from property disposals 992 840
Other, net (1,018) 1,472
Net Cash Used In Investing Activities (52,196) (37,122)
Financing Activities:
Proceeds from notes payable to banks 14,000 35,500
Repayment of notes payable to banks (14,000) (35,500)
Proceeds from long-term debt 15,259 21,125
Payments on long-term debt (17,886) (29,196)
Cash dividends paid (1,241) (1,241)
Cash Used In Financing Activities (3,868) (9,312)
Effect of exchange rate changes
on cash and cash equivalents 56 (271)
Decrease in cash and cash
equivalents (19,482) (14,473)
Cash and cash equivalents
at beginning of year 25,125 20,339
Cash and cash equivalents
at end of period 5,643 $5,866
Supplemental disclosure information:
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest (net of amount capitalized) 11,016 $13,043
Income Taxes 22,463 $1,004
</TABLE>
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
NOTE A--BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have
been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for
interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and
Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the
information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles
for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all
adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for
a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the period ended
July 3, 1999 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected
for the year ended October 2, 1999. For further information, refer to the
consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in Pilgrim's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 26, 1998.
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Pilgrim's and its
wholly and majority owned subsidiaries. Significant intercompany accounts and
transactions have been eliminated.
The Company reports on the basis of a 52/53-week fiscal year, which ends on the
Saturday closest to September 30. Interim periods also end on the Saturday
closest to the end of the applicable month. As a result, the nine months ended
July 3, 1999 had 40 weeks, while the nine months ended June 27, 1998 had 39
weeks.
The assets and liabilities of the foreign subsidiaries are translated at end-
of-period exchange rates, except for any non-monetary assets which are
translated at equivalent dollar costs at dates of acquisition using historical
rates. Operations of foreign subsidiaries are translated at average exchange
rates in effect during the period.
NOTE B--NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE
Earnings per share for the periods ended July 3, 1999 and June 27, 1998 are
based on the weighted average shares outstanding for the periods, as adjusted
for the stock split referred to in Note E.
NOTE C--INVENTORIES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Inventories consist of the following:
JULY 3, 1999 SEPTEMBER 26, 1998
(in thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Live chickens and hens $ 73,853 $ 61,295
Feed, eggs and other 49,836 46,199
Finished chicken products 50,636 34,190
$ 174,325 $ 141,684
</TABLE>
NOTE D--LONG TERM DEBT
On March 30, 1999 the Company borrowed $15 million from an existing secured
term borrowing facility at 7.07% interest. Principal and interest are payable
in monthly installments of $138,000, plus one balloon payment at maturity on
February 28, 2006.
On June 29, 1999, the Camp County Industrial Development Corporation ("the
Corporation") issued $25.0 million of variable-rate environmental facilities
revenue bonds supported by letters of credit obtained by the Company. The
Company may borrow from these proceeds over the construction period of its new
sewage and solid waste water disposal facilities at a poultry by-products plant
to be built in Camp County, Texas. Amounts borrowed from these funds will be
reflected as debt when received from the Corporation, and will be due in 2029.
Any amounts not borrowed by June 2002 will not be available to the Company.
The interest rate on amounts borrowed will approximate the tax-exempt
commercial paper rates.
NOTE E--COMMON STOCK
On July 2, 1999, the Company's board of directors declared a stock dividend of
the Company's Class A common stock. Stockholders of record on July 20, 1999
received one share of the Company's Class A common stock for every two shares
of the Company's Class B common stock held as of that date. The additional
shares were issued on July 30, 1999. All historical share and per share
amounts have been restated to give effect to the stock dividend.
<PAGE>
Item 2: Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations
GENERAL
Profitability in the chicken industry can be materially affected by the
commodity prices of chicken, chicken parts and feed ingredients. Those
commodity prices are determined largely by supply and demand. As a result, the
chicken industry as a whole has been characterized by cyclical earnings. These
cyclical fluctuations in earnings of individual chicken companies can be
mitigated somewhat by: (i) business strategy, (ii) product mix, (iii) sales
and marketing plans, and (iv) operating efficiencies.
In an effort to reduce price volatility and to generate higher, more consistent
profit margins, the Company has concentrated on the production and marketing of
prepared food products. Prepared food products generally have higher margins
than the Company's other products. Also, the production and sale in the U.S.
of prepared foods products reduces the impact of the cost of feed ingredients
the Company's profitability. Feed ingredient purchases are the single largest
component of the Company's cost of goods sold, representing approximately 31.0%
of U.S. cost of goods sold in 1998. The production of feed ingredients is
positively or negatively affected primarily by weather patterns throughout the
world, the global level of supply inventories and the agricultural policies of
the United States and foreign governments. As further processing is performed,
feed ingredient costs become a decreasing percentage of a product's total
production cost, thereby reducing their impact on profitability.
As discussed in Note A to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, the
Company's accounting cycle resulted in 40 weeks of operations in the first nine
months of fiscal 1999 compared to 39 weeks in the first nine months of fiscal
1998.
The following table presents certain information regarding the Company's U.S
and Mexico operations.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Net Sales Net Sales
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
July 3, June 27, July 3, June 27,
1999 1998 1999 1998
(40 weeks) (39 weeks)
(In Thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Sales to unaffiliated
customers:
United States $281,255 $261,375 $821,571 $775,294
Mexico 62,905 67,125 188,571 215,539
Operating Income:
United States $ 22,076 $ 8,435 $ 62,558 $ 14,011
Mexico 7,136 10,608 18,132 31,800
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
The following table presents certain items as a percentage of net sales for the
periods indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Percentage of Net Sales Percentage of Net Sales
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
July 3, June 27, July 3, June 27,
1999 1998 1999 1998
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net Sales 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
Cost of Sales 85.6% 90.0% 86.2% 91.0%
Gross Profit 14.4% 10.0% 13.8% 9.0%
Selling, General and
Administrative Expense 5.9% 4.2% 5.8% 4.4%
Operating Income 8.5% 5.8% 8.0% 4.6%
Interest Expense 1.3% 1.6% 1.3% 1.5%
Income before Income Taxes 7.3% 4.3% 6.8% 3.1%
Net Income 5.3% 3.6% 4.8% 3.0%
</TABLE>
Results of Operations
THIRD QUARTER 1999 COMPARED TO THIRD QUARTER 1998:
NET SALES. Consolidated net sales were $344.2 million for the third quarter of
fiscal 1999, an increase of $15.7 million, or 4.8% from the third quarter of
fiscal 1998. The increase in consolidated net sales resulted from a $26.1
million increase in U.S. chicken sales to $254.8 million offset by a $6.2
million decrease of sales of other U.S. products to $26.5 million and a $4.2
million decrease in Mexico chicken sales to $62.9 million. The increase in U.S.
chicken sales was due primarily to a 9.6% increase in dressed pounds produced
and a 1.7% increase in total revenue per dressed pound. The higher average
selling prices resulted primarily from the continuing shift of the Company's
sales mix to higher-value prepared food products. The decrease in Mexico
chicken sales was due primarily to a 17.7% decrease in revenue per dressed
pound offset partially by a 13.8% increase in dressed pounds sold.
COST OF SALES. Consolidated cost of sales remained relatively stable at $294.7
million in the third quarter of fiscal 1999, a decrease of $1.0 million, or
0.3% compared to the third quarter of fiscal 1998. The decrease resulted
primarily from a $2.1 million decrease in the cost of sales in Mexico
operations offset partially by a $1.1 million increase in the cost of sales of
U.S. operations. The $2.1 million cost of sales decrease in Mexico operations
was due primarily to a 18.3% decrease in feed ingredient purchases per pound,
partially offset by a 13.8% increase in dressed pounds produced. The cost of
sales increase in U.S. operations of $1.1 million was due primarily to a 9.6%
increase in dressed pounds produced partially offset by a 28.3% decrease in
feed ingredient costs per pound.
GROSS PROFIT. Gross profit was $49.4 million for the third quarter of fiscal
1999, an increase of $16.7 million, or 51.0% over the same period last year.
Gross profit as a percentage of sales increased to 14.4% in the third quarter
of fiscal 1999 from 10.0% in the third quarter of fiscal 1998. The increased
gross profit resulted primarily from lower feed ingredient costs per pound and
higher production volumes.
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES. Consolidated selling, general
and administrative expenses were $20.2 million in the third quarter of fiscal
1999 and $13.7 million in the third quarter of fiscal 1998. Consolidated
selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales increased
in the third quarter of fiscal 1999 to 5.9% compared to 4.2% in the third
quarter of fiscal 1998 due to higher administrative expenses resulting from
higher sales volumes and increased retirement and variable compensation costs
which are dependent upon U.S. profits.
OPERATING INCOME. Consolidated operating income was $29.2 million for the
third quarter of fiscal 1999, an increase of $10.2 million, or 53.4% when
compared to the third quarter of fiscal 1998, resulting primarily from lower
feed ingredient costs per pound and higher production volumes.
INTEREST EXPENSE. Consolidated net interest expense decreased to $4.3 million,
or 17.1% in the third quarter of fiscal 1999, when compared to $5.2 million for
the third quarter of fiscal 1998, due primarily to lower average outstanding
debt levels.
INCOME TAX EXPENSE. Consolidated income tax expense in the third quarter of
fiscal 1999 increased to $7.0 million compared to $2.1 million in the third
quarter of fiscal 1998. This increase resulted from higher U.S. earnings in
the third quarter of fiscal 1999 than in the third quarter of fiscal 1998.
NINE MONTHS ENDED JULY 3, 1999 COMPARED TO
NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 27, 1998:
The Company's accounting cycle resulted in 40 weeks of operations in the first
nine months of fiscal 1999 compared to 39 weeks in the first nine months of
fiscal 1998.
NET SALES. Consolidated net sales were $1.0 billion for the first nine months
of fiscal 1999, an increase of $19.3 million, or 1.9% from the first nine
months of fiscal 1998. The increase in consolidated net sales resulted from a
$46.5 million increase in U.S. chicken sales to $714.3 million offset by a
$27.0 million decrease in Mexico chicken sales to $188.6 million and a $0.2
million decrease of sales of other U.S. products to $107.3 million. The
increase in U.S. chicken sales was due primarily to a 8.0% increase in dressed
pounds produced partially offset by a .9% decrease in total revenue per dressed
pound. The decrease in Mexico chicken sales was due primarily to an 18.1%
decrease in revenue per dressed pound partially offset by a 6.8% increase in
dressed pounds sold.
COST OF SALES. Consolidated cost of sales was $870.6 million in the first nine
months of fiscal 1999, a decrease of $31.3 million, or 3.5% compared to the
first nine months of fiscal 1998. The decrease resulted primarily from a $16.6
million decrease in cost of sales of U.S. operations and a $14.7 million
decrease in the cost of sales in Mexico operations. The cost of sales decrease
in U.S. operations of $16.6 million was due to a 24.3% decrease in the cost of
feed ingredient purchases per pound produced, partially offset by a 8.0%
increase in dressed pounds produced. The $14.7 million cost of sales decrease
in Mexico operations was due primarily to a 17.7% decrease in feed ingredient
costs per pound, offset partially by a 6.8% increase in dressed pounds
produced.
GROSS PROFIT. Gross profit was $139.6 million for the first nine months of
fiscal 1999, an increase of $50.6 million, or 56.9% over the same period last
year. Gross profit as a percentage of sales increased to 13.8% in the first
nine months of fiscal 1999 from 9.0% in the first nine months of fiscal 1998.
The increased gross profit resulted primarily from lower feed ingredient costs
per pound and higher production volumes.
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES. Consolidated selling, general
and administrative expenses were $58.9 million in the first nine months of
fiscal 1999 and $43.2 million in the first nine months of fiscal 1998.
Consolidated selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of
sales increased in the first nine months of fiscal 1999 to 5.8% compared to
4.4% in the first nine months of fiscal 1998 due to increased retirement and
variable compensation costs which are dependent upon U.S. profits.
Operating Income. Consolidated operating income was $80.7 million for the
first nine months of fiscal 1999, an increase of $34.9 million, or 76.1% when
compared to the first nine months of fiscal 1998, resulting primarily from
lower feed ingredient costs per pound and higher production volumes.
INTEREST EXPENSE. Consolidated net interest expense decreased to $13.1
million, or 14.3% in the first nine months of fiscal 1999, compared to $15.3
million for the first nine months of fiscal 1998, due to lower average
outstanding debt levels.
INCOME TAX EXPENSE. Consolidated income tax expense in the first nine months
of fiscal 1999 increased to $19.5 million compared to $0.7 million in the first
nine months of fiscal 1998. This increase resulted from higher U.S. earnings
in the first nine months of fiscal 1999 than in the first nine months of fiscal
1998.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The Company maintains $70 million in revolving credit facilities and a $30
million secured term borrowing facility. The credit facilities provide for
interest at rates ranging from LIBOR plus one and three-eighths percent to
LIBOR plus one and three-quarters percent and are secured by inventory and
fixed assets, or are unsecured. As of July 15, 1999, $63.3 million was
available under the revolving credit facilities and $28.2 million was available
under the term borrowing facility. In March 1999, the Company borrowed $15
million on a pre-existing secured-term borrowing facility, the proceeds of
which were used primarily to acquire additional production facilities.
On June 26, 1998, the Company entered into an asset sales agreement to sell up
to $60 million of accounts receivable. Under this agreement, the Company
sells, on a revolving basis, certain accounts receivable to a special purpose
corporation, which in turn may sell a percentage ownership interest in the
receivables to third parties. As of July 21, 1999, no interest in sold
accounts receivable were outstanding and the entire facility was available for
sales of qualifying accounts receivable.
On June 29, 1999, the Camp County Industrial Development Corporation issued
$25.0 million of variable-rate environmental facilities revenue bonds supported
by letters of credit obtained by the Company. The Company may borrow from
these proceeds over the construction period of its new sewage and solid waste
disposal facilities at a poultry by-products plant to be built in Camp County,
Texas. The Company is not required to borrow the full amount of the proceeds
from the bonds and any amounts not borrowed by June 2002 will not be available.
All amounts borrowed from these funds will be due in 2029, and will be
reflected as debt when received. The interest rates on amounts borrowed will
closely follow the tax-exempt commercial paper rates.
At July 3, 1999, the Company's working capital increased to $158.9 million and
its current ratio was 2.22 to 1, compared with working capital of $147.0
million and a current ratio of 2.32 to 1 at September 26, 1998.
Trade accounts and other receivables were $99.1 million at July 3, 1999, a
$17.3 million increase from September 26, 1998. The 21.2% increase was due
primarily to an increase in sales of prepared foods products, which normally
have longer credit terms than fresh chicken sales.
Inventories were $174.3 million at July 3, 1999, compared to $141.7 million at
September 26, 1998. The $32.6 million, or 23.0% increase was due primarily to
the continuing shift in the Company's sales mix toward prepared foods products,
which require a higher level of inventory relative to sales.
Accounts payable were $77.6 million at July 3, 1999, a $7.6 million increase
from September 26, 1998. The 10.8% increase was due primarily to higher levels
of purchases needed to support the increased production levels now experienced
and normal seasonal variations in accounts payable.
Cash flows provided by operating activities were $36.5 million and $32.2
million for the nine months ended July 3, 1999 and June 27, 1998, respectively.
The increase in cash flows provided by operating activities for the nine months
ended July 3, 1999 when compared to the nine months ended June 27, 1998 was due
primarily to increased net income, accounts payable and accrued expenses.
Capital expenditures for the first nine months of fiscal 1999 were $52.2
million and were primarily incurred to acquire and expand certain facilities,
improve efficiencies, and for routine replacement of equipment. The Company
has budgeted an aggregate of approximately $100 million for capital
expenditures in each of fiscal years 1999, 2000 and 2001, primarily to increase
capacity through either building or acquiring new facilities, to improve
efficiencies and for the routine replacement of equipment. However, actual
levels of capital expenditures in any fiscal year may be greater or less than
those budgeted. Such capital expenditures are expected to be financed with
available operating cash flows and long-term financing.
At July 3, 1999, the Company's stockholders' equity increased to $278.4 million
from $230.9 million at September 26, 1998. Total debt to capitalization
decreased to 42.2% at July 3, 1999 compared to 47.1% at September 26, 1998.
IMPACT OF YEAR 2000
The Year 2000 Issue is the result of computer programs being written using two
digits rather than four to define the applicable year. Any of the Company's
computer programs that have date-sensitive software may recognize a date using
"00" as the year 1900 rather than the Year 2000. This could result in a system
failure or miscalculations causing disruptions of operations, including among
other things, a temporary inability to process transactions, send invoices, or
engage in similar normal business activities.
The Company began assessment of its future business system requirements in
1996. As part of the Company's review, it determined that it would be required
to modify or replace portions of its software and hardware so that its computer
systems will function properly with respect to dates in the Year 2000 and
thereafter.
To date, the Company has tested the identified systems and updated those
systems in the U.S., including the software and hardware components deemed
necessary to insure the uninterrupted fulfillment of the Company's core
business processes as they relate to the timely, accurate, and quality
production and delivery of our products to our customers, the processing of
accounting information, and the associated processing and reporting of
information as required by our business partners, banks, and government
agencies. The Company is in the process of updating its systems in Mexico and
anticipates completing the remaining portion of its Year 2000 project by
October, 1999. The Company presently believes that with these modifications
and replacements, the Year 2000 Issue will not pose significant operational
problems for its computer systems.
The Company has reviewed Year 2000 disclosures of the packaged software
applications it uses to insure Year 2000 readiness. The suppliers of these
software products have provided some approach for the Company to insure
compliance of core software, either through program options, upgrades or new
products. These solutions are already in place, with the exception of the
hourly employee time keeping system, which will be implemented by October 1999.
The Company regularly upgrades and replaces hardware platforms such as database
and application servers as well as its telephone systems. The Company
currently believes that all of its servers are Year 2000 ready and 100 percent
of our core personal computers are Year 2000 compliant. There are 18 core
telephone switching systems, all of which are Year 2000 ready.
The embedded technology in the production environment, such as programmable
logic controllers, computer-controlled valves and other equipment, has been
inventoried and all issues identified have been resolved. Based on current
evidence, the Company believes there will be no significant exposure with
regard to production equipment.
Systems assessments and minor system modifications were completed using
existing internal resources and, as a result, incremental costs were minimal.
System replacements, consisting primarily of capital projects, were initiated
for other business purposes while at the same time achieving Year 2000
compliance. System replacement projects were completed primarily using
external resources. The total cost of the Year 2000 project is not expected to
have a material effect on the Company's results of operations.
Additionally, the Company has initiated communications with all of its
significant suppliers and large customers to determine the extent to which the
Company's interface systems are vulnerable to those third parties' failure to
remediate their own Year 2000 Issues. To date the significant suppliers, such
as fuel, electrical, water, rail, grain and container, have responded
favorably. Other key vendor and customer assessments are 90% complete with the
remainder anticipated to be completed by the end of the third quarter 1999.
However, there can be no assurance that the systems of other parties upon which
the Company relies will be converted on a timely basis. The Company's
business, financial condition, or results of operations could be materially
adversely impacted by the failure of its systems and applications or those
operated by others to properly operate or manage dates beyond 1999.
The Company has instituted a two-fold approach to Contingency Planning;
technical and business continuity. The technical contingency planning took
place in conjunction with the implementation of the Company's new information
systems in the U.S., and will continue through the third quarter of 1999
picking up the non-core hardware and support technology in both the U.S. and
Mexico. Business contingency planning is currently underway and the Company
will establish contingency plans, if needed, based on supplier evaluation and
assessment of risk.
The Company believes that its initiatives and its existing business recovery
plans are adequate to reasonably address likely Year 2000 issues; if unforeseen
circumstances arise, the Company will attempt to develop contingency plans for
these situations.
IMPACT OF INFLATION
Due to moderate inflation in the U.S. and the Company's rapid inventory
turnover rate, the results of operations have not been significantly affected
by inflation during the past three-year period.
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for
forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of the Company. Except for
historical information contained herein, Management's Discussion and Analysis
of Results of Operations and Financial Condition and other discussions
elsewhere in this Form 10-Q contain forward-looking statements that are
dependent upon a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual
results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements.
These risks and uncertainties include changes in commodity prices of feed
ingredients and chicken, the Company's substantial indebtedness, risks
associated with the Company's foreign operations, including currency exchange
rate fluctuations, trade barriers, exchange controls, expropriation and changes
in laws and practices, the impact of current and future laws and regulations,
the impact of year 2000, and the other risks described in the Company's SEC
filings. The Company does not intend to provide updated information about the
matters referred to in these forward looking statements, other than in the
context of Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and
Financial Condition contained herein and other disclosures in the Company's SEC
filings.
ITEM 3: QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
IMPACT OF MEXICO PESO EXCHANGE RATE
The Company's earnings are affected by foreign exchange rate fluctuations
related to the Mexico peso net monetary position of its Mexico subsidiaries.
The company primarily manages this exposure by attempting to minimize its
Mexico peso net monetary position, but has also from time to time considered
executing hedges to help minimize this exposure. However, such instruments have
historically not been economically feasible. The Company is also exposed to
the effect of potential exchange rate fluctuations to the extent that amounts
are repatriated from Mexico to the United States. However, the Company
currently anticipates that the cash flows of its Mexico subsidiaries will
continue to be reinvested in its Mexico operations. In addition, the Mexico
peso exchange rate can directly and indirectly impact the Company's results of
operations and financial position in several manners, including potential
economic recession in Mexico resulting from a devalued peso. The impact on the
Company's financial position and results of operations of a hypothetical change
in the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the Mexico peso cannot be
reasonably estimated. Foreign currency exchange gains and losses, representing
the change in the U.S. dollar value of the net monetary assets of the Company's
Mexico subsidiaries, were a gain of $0.4 million in the first nine months of
fiscal 1999 and a loss of $1.5 million in the first nine months of fiscal 1998.
On July 30, 1999, the Mexico peso closed at 9.41 to 1 U.S. dollar,
strengthening from 10.24 at September 26, 1998. No assurance can be given as
to the future valuation of the Mexico peso and how further movements in the
peso could affect future earnings of the Company.
ITEM 4: SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
Pilgrim's Pride Corporation held a Special Meeting of Shareholders on July 20,
1999. The meeting was held to amend the Company's Certificate of Incorporation
to permit dividends of either Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock of
the Company, as specified by the Board of Directors of the Company, to holders
of the Company's Class B Common Stock. The number of shares represented at the
meeting was 20,885,680 with 417,713,600 votes. The amendment was passed with
381,515,040 voting for the amendment, 36,149,000 voting against the amendment
and 49,560 votes abstaining. The measure passed and the articles are now
amended.
PART II
OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
The Company filed a Form 8-K dated July 20, 1999, to report the amending of the
Articles of Incorporation to permit dividends of either of its Class A Common
Stock or Class B Common Stock to holders of its Class B Common Stock.
EXHIBITS NUMBER
3.2 Amended and Restated Corporate Bylaws of Pilgrim's Pride Corporation, a
Delaware Corporation, effective May 14, 1999.
10.37 Second Amendment to Amended and Restated Secured Credit Agreement between
Pilgrim's Pride Corporation and Harris Trust and Savings Bank, U.S.
Bancorp Ag Credit, Inc., CoBank, ACB, SunTrust Bank and Credit Agricole
Indosuez.
10.38 Third Amendment to Amended and Restated Secured Credit Agreement between
Pilgrim's Pride Corporation and Harris Trust and Savings Bank, U.S.
Bancorp Ag Credit, Inc., CoBank, ACB, SunTrust Bank and Credit Agricole
Indosuez.
10.39 Fourth Amendment to Amended and Restated Secured Credit Agreement between
Pilgrim's Pride Corporation and Harris Trust and Savings Bank, U.S.
Bancorp Ag Credit, Inc., CoBank, ACB, SunTrust Bank and Credit Agricole
Indosuez.
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
PILGRIM'S PRIDE CORPORATION
/s/ Richard A. Cogdill
Date: 8/2/99 Richard A. Cogdill
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer and
Secretary and Treasurer
in his respective capacity as such
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* * * * *
AMENDED AND RESTATED
CORPORATE BYLAWS
OF
PILGRIM'S PRIDE CORPORATION
(A DELAWARE CORPORATION)
* * * * *
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
AMENDED AND RESTATED
CORPORATE BYLAWS OF
PILGRIM'S PRIDE CORPORATION
(a Delaware corporation)
SECTION SUBJECT MATTER PAGE
ARTICLE 1 NAME AND OFFICES 1
1.1 Name 1
1.2 Registered Office and Agent 1
(a) Registered Office 1
(b) Registered Agent 1
(c) Change of Registered Office or Agent 1
1.3 Other Offices 2
ARTICLE 2 STOCKHOLDERS 2
2.1 Place of Meetings 2
2.2 Annual Meetings 2
2.3 Special Meetings 2
2.4 Notice 2
2.5 Voting List 3
2.6 Quorum 4
2.7 Requisite Vote 4
2.8 Withdrawal of Quorum 5
2.9 Voting at Meeting 5
(a) Voting Power 5
(b) Exercise of Voting Power; Proxies 5
(c) Election of Directors 6
2.10 Record Date 6
2.11 Action Without Meetings 6
2.12 Record Date for Action Without Meetings 7
2.13 Preemptive Rights 8
2.14 Stockholder Proposals 8
ARTICLE 3 DIRECTORS 10
3.1 Management Powers 10
3.2 Number and Qualification 10
3.3 Election and Term 11
3.4 Voting on Directors 11
3.5 Vacancies and New Directorships 11
3.6 Removal 12
3.7 Meetings 12
(a) Place 12
(b) Annual Meeting 12
(c) Regular Meetings 12
(d) Special Meetings 13
(e) Notice and Waiver of Notice 13
(f) Quorum 13
(g) Requisite Vote 13
3.8 Action Without Meetings 13
3.9 Committees 13
(a) Designation and Appointment 14
(b) Members; Alternate Members; Terms 14
(c) Authority 14
(d) Records 14
(e) Change in Number 14
(f) Vacancies 14
(g) Removal 14
(h) Meetings 14
(i) Quorum; Requisite Vote 14
(j) Compensation 15
(k) Action Without Meetings 15
(l) Responsibility 15
3.10 Compensation 15
3.11 Maintenance of Records 15
3.12 Interested Directors and Officers 16
ARTICLE 4 NOTICES 17
4.1 Method of Notice 17
4.2 Waiver 17
ARTICLE 5 OFFICERS AND AGENTS 18
5.1 Designation 18
5.2 Election of Officers 18
5.3 Qualifications 18
5.4 Term of Office 18
5.5 Authority 19
5.6 Removal 19
5.7 Vacancies 19
5.8 Compensation 19
5.9 Chairman of the Board 19
5.10 Vice Chairman 20
5.11 Chief Executive Officer 20
5.12 Chief Financial Officer 21
5.13 Chief Operating Officer 21
5.14 President 21
5.15 Vice Presidents 22
5.16 Secretary 22
5.17 Assistant Secretaries 23
5.18 Treasurer 23
5.19 Assistant Treasurers 24
ARTICLE 6 INDEMNIFICATION 24
6.1 Mandatory Indemnification 24
6.2 Determination of Indemnification 25
6.3 Advance of Expenses 26
6.4 Permissive Indemnification 27
6.5 Nature of Indemnification 27
6.6 Insurance 27
6.7 Notice 29
ARTICLE 7 STOCK CERTIFICATES AND TRANSFER REGULATIONS 29
7.1 Description of Certificates 29
7.2 Entitlement to Certificates 30
7.3 Signatures 30
7.4 Issuance of Certificates 30
7.5 Payment for Shares 31
(a) Consideration 31
(b) Valuation 31
(c) Effect 31
(d) Allocation of Consideration 31
7.6 Subscriptions 31
7.7 Record Date 31
7.8 Registered Owners 32
7.9 Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates 33
(a) Proof of Loss 33
(b) Timely Request 33
(c) Bond 33
(d) Other Requirements 33
7.10 Registration of Transfers 33
(a) Endorsement 33
(b) Guaranty and Effectiveness of Signature 34
(c) Adverse Claims 34
(d) Collection of Taxes 34
(e) Additional Requirements Satisfied 34
7.11 Restrictions on Transfer and Legends on Certificates 34
(a) Shares in Classes or Series 34
(b) Restriction on Transfer 34
(c) Unregistered Securities 35
ARTICLE 8 GENERAL PROVISIONS 35
8.1 Dividends 35
(a) Declaration and Payment 35
(b) Record Date 36
8.2 Reserves 36
8.3 Books and Records 36
8.4 Annual Statement 36
8.5 Contracts and Negotiable Instruments 37
8.6 Fiscal Year 37
8.7 Corporate Seal 37
8.8 Resignations 38
8.9 Amendment of Bylaws 38
8.10 Construction 38
8.11 Telephone Meetings 38
8.12 Table of Contents; Captions 39
(i)
<PAGE>
AMENDED AND RESTATED
CORPORATE BYLAWS
OF
PILGRIM'S PRIDE CORPORATION
(a Delaware Corporation)
ARTICLE 1
NAME AND OFFICES
1.` NAME. The name of the Corporation is PILGRIM'S PRIDE
CORPORATION, hereinafter referred to as the "Corporation."
2.` REGISTERED OFFICE AND AGENT. The Corporation shall establish,
designate and continuously maintain a registered office and agent in the
State of Delaware, subject to the following provisions:
(a) REGISTERED OFFICE. The Corporation shall establish and
continuously maintain in the State of Delaware a registered office
which may be, but need not be, the same as its place of business.
(b) REGISTERED AGENT. The Corporation shall designate and
continuously maintain in the State of Delaware a registered agent,
which agent may be either an individual resident of the State of
Delaware whose business office is identical with such registered
office, or a domestic corporation or a foreign corporation authorized
to transact business in the State of Delaware, having a business
office identical with such registered office.
(c) CHANGE OF REGISTERED OFFICE OR AGENT. The Corporation may
change its registered office or change its registered agent, or both,
upon the filing in the Office of the Secretary of State of Delaware of
a statement setting forth the facts required by law, and executed for
the Corporation by its President, a Vice President or other duly
authorized officer.
3.c OTHER OFFICES. The Corporation may also have offices at such
other places within and without the State of Delaware as the Board of
Directors may, from time to time, determine the business of the Corporation
may require.
ARTICLE 2
STOCKHOLDERS
1.c PLACE OF MEETINGS. Each meeting of the stockholders of the
Corporation is to be held at the principal offices of the Corporation or at
such other place, either within or without the State of Delaware, as may be
specified in the notice of the meeting or in a duly executed waiver of
notice thereof.
2.c ANNUAL MEETINGS. The annual meeting of the stockholders for the
election of Directors and for the transaction of such other business as may
properly come before the meeting shall be held within one hundred twenty
(120) days after the close of the fiscal year of the Corporation on a day
during such period to be selected by the Board of Directors; provided,
however, that the failure to hold the annual meeting within the designated
period of time or on the designated date shall not work a forfeiture or
dissolution of the Corporation.
3.c SPECIAL MEETINGS. Special meetings of the stockholders, for any
purpose or purposes, may be called by the Board of Directors, Chairman of
the Board, Vice Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer or
President. The notice of a special meeting shall state the purpose or
purposes of the proposed meeting and the business to be transacted at any
such special meeting of stockholders, and shall be limited to the purposes
stated in the notice therefor.
4.c NOTICE. Written or printed notice of the meeting stating the
place, day and hour of the meeting, and in the case of a special meeting,
the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called, shall be delivered
not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the
meeting, either personally or by mail, by or at the direction of the Board
of Directors, Chairman of the Board, Vice Chairman of the Board, Chief
Executive Officer, President, or Secretary, to each stockholder of record
entitled to vote at such meeting as determined in accordance with the
provisions of Section 2.10 hereof. If mailed, such notice shall be deemed
to be delivered when deposited in the United States Mail, with postage
thereon prepaid, addressed to the stockholder entitled thereto at his
address as it appears on the stock transfer books of the Corporation.
5.c VOTING LIST. The officer or agent having charge and custody of
the stock transfer books of the Corporation, shall prepare, at least ten
(10) days before each meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the
stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting, arranged in alphabetical
order and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares
having voting privileges registered in the name of each stockholder. Such
list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose
germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours for a period of not
less than ten (10) days prior to such meeting either at the principal
office of the Corporation or at a place within the city where the meeting
is to be held, which place shall be specified in the notice of the meeting,
or, if not so specified, at the place where the meeting is to be held.
Such list shall also be produced and kept open at the time and place of the
meeting and shall be subject to the inspection of any stockholder during
the entire time of the meeting. The original stock ledger or transfer
book, or a duplicate thereof, shall be prima facie evidence as to identity
of the stockholders entitled to examine such list or stock ledger or
transfer book and to vote at any such meeting of the stockholders. The
failure to comply with the requirements of this Section shall not affect
the validity of any action taken at said meeting.
6.c QUORUM. The holders of a majority of the combined voting power
of the capital stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote thereat,
represented in person or by proxy, shall be requisite and shall constitute
a quorum at all meetings of the stockholders for the transaction of
business except as otherwise provided by statute, the Certificate of
Incorporation or these Bylaws. The holders of the Class A Common Stock and
the Class B Common stock shall vote as a single class on all matters
submitted to a vote of the stockholders, with each share of Class A Common
Stock being entitled to one (1) vote and each share of Class B Common Stock
being entitled to twenty (20) votes. If, however, such quorum shall not be
present or represented at any such meeting of the stockholders, the
stockholders entitled to vote thereat, present in person, or represented by
proxy, shall have the power to adjourn the meeting, from time to time,
without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum shall
be present or represented. At such reconvened meeting at which a quorum
shall be present or represented, any business may be transacted which might
have been transacted at the meeting as originally notified. If the
adjournment is for more than thirty (30) days, or if after the adjournment
a new record date is fixed for the reconvened meeting, a notice of said
meeting shall be given to each stockholder entitled to vote at said
meeting.
7.c REQUISITE VOTE. If a quorum is present at any meeting, the vote
of the holders of a majority of the total outstanding combined voting power
of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, present in person or
represented by proxy, shall determine any question brought before such
meeting, unless the question is one upon which, by express provision of the
Certificate of Incorporation or of these Bylaws, a different vote shall be
required, in which case such express provision shall govern and control the
determination of such question.
8.c WITHDRAWAL OF QUORUM. If a quorum is present at the time of
commencement of any meeting, the stockholders present at such duly convened
meeting may continue to transact any business which may properly come
before said meeting until adjournment thereof, notwithstanding the
withdrawal from such meeting of sufficient holders of the shares of capital
stock entitled to vote thereat to leave less than a quorum remaining.
9.c VOTING AT MEETING. Voting at meetings of stockholders shall be
conducted and exercised subject to the following procedures and
regulations:
(a) VOTING POWER. In the exercise of voting power with respect to
each matter properly submitted to a vote at any meeting of stockholders,
each holder of the Class A Common Stock of the Corporation having voting
power shall be entitled to one (1) vote for each such share held in his
name on the books of the Corporation, and each holder of the Class B Common
Stock of the Corporation having voting power shall be entitled to twenty
(20) votes for each such share held in his name on the books of the
Corporation except to the extent otherwise specified by the Certificate of
Incorporation or Certificate of Designations pertaining to a series of
preferred stock.
(b) EXERCISE OF VOTING POWER; PROXIES. Each stockholder entitled to
vote at a meeting or to express consent or dissent to corporate action in
writing without a meeting may vote either in person or authorize another
person or persons to act for him by proxy duly appointed by instrument in
writing subscribed by such stockholder or by his duly authorized attorney-
in-fact; provided, however, no such appointment of proxy shall be valid,
voted or acted upon after the expiration of three (3) years from the date
of execution of such written instrument of appointment, unless otherwise
stated therein. A proxy shall be revocable unless expressly designated
therein as irrevocable and coupled with an interest. Proxies coupled with
an interest include the appointment as proxy of: (a) a pledgee; (b) a
person who purchased or agreed to purchase or owns or holds an option to
purchase the shares voted; (c) a creditor of the Corporation who extended
its credit under terms requiring the appointment; (d) an employee of the
Corporation whose employment contract requires the appointment; or (e) a
party to a voting agreement created under Section 218 of the General
Corporation Law of Delaware, as amended. Each proxy shall be filed with
the Secretary of the Corporation prior to or at the time of the meeting.
Any vote may be taken by voice vote or by show of hands unless someone
entitled to vote at the meeting objects, in which case written ballots
shall be used.
(c) ELECTION OF DIRECTORS. In all elections of Directors cumulative
voting shall be prohibited.
10.c RECORD DATE. As more specifically provided in Article 7, Section
7.7 hereof, the Board of Directors may fix in advance a record date for the
purpose of determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a
meeting of stockholders, which record date shall not precede the date upon
which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of
Directors, and which record date shall not be less than ten (10) nor more
than sixty (60) days prior to such meeting. In the absence of any action
by the Board of Directors fixing the record date, the record date for
determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of
stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day before the day on
which notice of the meeting is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close
of business on the day before the meeting is held.
11.c ACTION WITHOUT MEETINGS. Any action permitted or required to be
taken at a meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation may be taken
without a meeting, without prior notice, and without a vote, if a consent
or consents in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed
by the holder or holders of the outstanding stock having not less than the
minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such
action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were
present and voted, and such written consent shall have the same force and
effect as the requisite vote of the stockholders thereon. Any such
executed written consent, or an executed counterpart thereof, shall be
placed in the minute book of the Corporation. Every written consent shall
bear the date of signature of each stockholder who signs the consent. No
written consent shall be effective to take the action that is the subject
of the consent unless, within sixty (60) days after the date of the
earliest dated consent delivered to the Corporation in the manner required
under Section 2.12 hereof, a consent or consents signed by the holders of
the minimum number of shares of the capital stock issued and outstanding
and entitled to vote on and approve the action that is the subject of the
consent are delivered to the Corporation. Prompt notice of the taking of
any action by stockholders without a meeting by less than unanimous written
consent shall be given to those stockholders who did not consent in writing
to the action.
12.c RECORD DATE FOR ACTION WITHOUT MEETINGS. Unless a record date
shall have previously been fixed or determined by the Board of Directors as
provided in Section 2.10 hereof, whenever action by stockholders is
proposed to be taken by consent in writing without a meeting of
stockholders, the Board of Directors may fix a record date for the purpose
of determining stockholders entitled to consent to that action, which
record date shall not precede, and shall not be more than ten (10) days
after, the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted
by the Board of Directors. If no record date has been fixed by the Board
of Directors and the prior action of the Board of Directors is not required
by statute or the Certificate of Incorporation, the record date for
determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing
without a meeting shall be the first date on which a signed written consent
setting forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to the
Corporation by delivery to its registered office, its principal place of
business, or an officer or agent of the Corporation having custody of the
books in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded.
Delivery shall be by hand or by certified or registered mail, return
receipt requested. Delivery to the Corporation's principal place of
business shall be addressed to the Chairman of the Board of the
Corporation. If no record date shall have been fixed by the Board of
Directors and prior action of the Board of Directors is required by
statute, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent
to corporate action in writing without a meeting shall be at the close of
business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts a resolution
taking such prior action.
13.c PREEMPTIVE RIGHTS. No holder of shares of capital stock of the
Corporation shall, as such holder, have any right to purchase or subscribe
for any capital stock of any class which the Corporation may issue or sell,
whether or not exchangeable for any capital stock of the Corporation of any
class or classes, whether issued out of unissued shares authorized by the
Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, or out of shares of capital stock
of the Corporation acquired by it after the issue thereof; nor shall any
holder of shares of capital stock of the Corporation, as such holder, have
any right to purchase, acquire or subscribe for any securities which the
Corporation may issue or sell whether or not convertible into or
exchangeable for shares of capital stock of the Corporation of any class or
classes, and whether or not any such securities have attached or
appurtenant thereto warrants, options or other instruments which entitle
the holders thereof to purchase, acquire or subscribe for shares of capital
stock of any class or classes.
14.c STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS. At the annual meeting of stockholders of
the Corporation, only such business shall be conducted, and only such
proposals shall be acted upon, as shall have been properly brought before
such annual meeting. To be properly brought before an annual meeting,
business or proposals must (i) be specified in the notice relating to the
meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the
Board of Directors in accordance with these Bylaws or (ii) be properly
brought before the meeting by a stockholder of the Corporation who (A) is a
stockholder of record at the time of the giving of such stockholder's
notice provided for herein, (B) shall be entitled to vote at the annual
meeting and (C) complies with the requirements of this Section, and
otherwise be proper subjects for stockholder action and be properly
introduced at the annual meeting. For a proposal to be properly brought
before the annual meeting by a stockholder of the Corporation, in addition
to any other applicable requirements, such stockholder must have given
timely advance notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the
Corporation. To be timely, such stockholder's notice must be delivered to,
or mailed and received at, the principal executive offices of the
Corporation not less than 120 days nor more than 270 days prior to the
scheduled annual meeting date, regardless of any postponements, deferrals
or adjournments of such annual meeting to a later date. Any such
stockholder's notice to the Secretary of the Corporation shall set forth as
to each matter such stockholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting
(i) a description of the proposal desired to be brought before the annual
meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting,
(ii) the name and address, as they appear on the Corporation's books, of
such stockholder proposing such business and any other stockholders of the
Corporation known by such stockholder to be in favor of such proposal,
(iii) the number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation owned by
such stockholder on the date of such notice and (iv) any material interest
of such stockholder in such proposal. The presiding officer of the meeting
of stockholders of the Corporation shall determine whether the requirements
of this Section have been met with respect to any stockholder proposal. If
the presiding officer determines that any stockholder proposal was not made
in accordance with the terms of this Section, he shall so declare at the
meeting and any such proposal shall not be acted upon at the meeting. At a
special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation, only such business
shall be conducted, and only such proposals shall be acted upon, as shall
have been properly brought before such special meeting. To be properly
brought before such a special meeting, business or proposals must (i) be
specified in the notice relating to the meeting (or any supplement thereto)
given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors in accordance with
these Bylaws or (ii) constitute matters incident to the conduct of the
meeting as the presiding officer of the meeting shall determine to be
appropriate. In addition to the foregoing provisions of this Section, a
stockholder of the Corporation shall also comply with all applicable
requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated
thereunder with respect to the matters set forth in this Section.
ARTICLE 3
DIRECTORS
1.c MANAGEMENT POWERS. The powers of the Corporation shall be
exercised by or under the authority of, and the business and affairs of the
Corporation shall be managed under the direction of its Board of Directors
which may exercise all such powers of the Corporation and do all such
lawful acts and things as are not by statute, the Certificate of
Incorporation or these Bylaws directed or required to be exercised or done
by the stockholders.
2.c NUMBER AND QUALIFICATION. The Board of Directors shall consist
of not less than one (1) member. The number of Directors shall initially
be fixed by the incorporator and thereafter from time to time by the Board
of Directors. Directors need not be residents of the State of Delaware nor
stockholders of the Corporation. Each Director shall qualify as a Director
following election as such by agreeing to act or acting in such capacity.
The number of Directors shall be fixed, and may be increased or decreased,
from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors without the
necessity of a written amendment to the Bylaws of the Corporation;
provided, however, no decrease shall have the effect of shortening the term
of any incumbent Director.
3.c ELECTION AND TERM. Members of the Board of Directors shall hold
office until the annual meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation and
until their successors shall have been elected and qualified. At the
annual meeting of stockholders, the stockholders entitled to vote in an
election of Directors shall elect Directors to hold office until the next
succeeding annual meeting of the stockholders. Each Director shall hold
office for the term for which he is elected, and until his successor shall
be elected and qualified or until his death, resignation or removal, if
earlier.
4.c VOTING ON DIRECTORS. Directors shall be elected by the vote of
the holders of a plurality of the shares entitled to vote in the election
of Directors and represented in person or by proxy at a meeting of
stockholders at which a quorum is present. Cumulative voting in the
election of Directors is expressly prohibited.
5.c VACANCIES AND NEW DIRECTORSHIPS. Vacancies and newly created
directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of
Directors elected by all the stockholders having the right to vote as a
single class may be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of the
Directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by a sole
remaining Director, or by the requisite vote of the stockholders at an
annual meeting of the stockholders or at a special meeting of the
stockholders called for that purpose, and the Directors so elected shall
hold office until their successors are elected and qualified. If the
holders of any class or classes of stock or series of stock of the
Corporation are entitled to elect one or more Directors by the Certificate
of Incorporation or Certificate of Designations applicable to such class or
series, vacancies and newly created directorships of such class or classes
or series may be filled by a majority of the Directors elected by such
class or classes or series thereof then in office, or by a sole remaining
Director so elected, and the Directors so elected shall hold office until
the next election of the class for which such Directors shall have been
chosen, and until their successors shall be elected and qualified. For
purposes of these Bylaws, a "vacancy" shall be defined as an unfilled
directorship arising by virtue of the death, resignation or removal of a
Director theretofore duly elected to serve in such capacity in accordance
with the relevant provisions of these Bylaws.
6.c REMOVAL. Any Director may be removed either for or without cause
at any duly convened special or annual meeting of stockholders, by the
affirmative vote of a majority in number of shares of the stockholders
present in person or by proxy at any meeting and entitled to vote for the
election of such Director, provided notice of intention to act upon such
matter shall have been given in the notice calling such meeting.
7.c MEETINGS. The meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held
and conducted subject to the following regulations:
(a) PLACE. Meetings of the Board of Directors of the Corporation,
annual, regular or special, are to be held at the principal office or place
of business of the Corporation, or such other place, either within or
without the State of Delaware, as may be specified in the respective
notices, or waivers of notice, thereof.
(b) ANNUAL MEETING. The Board of Directors shall meet each year
immediately after the annual meeting of the stockholders, at the place
where such meeting of the stockholders has been held (either within or
without the State of Delaware), for the purpose of organization, election
of officers, and consideration of any other business that may properly be
brought before the meeting. No notice of any kind to either old or new
members of the Board of Directors for such annual meeting shall be
required.
(c) REGULAR MEETINGS. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may
be held without notice at such time and at such place or places as shall
from time to time be determined and designated by the Board.
(d) SPECIAL MEETINGS. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may
be called by the Chairman of the Board, Vice Chairman of the Board, Chief
Executive Officer or President of the Corporation on notice of two (2) days
to each Director either personally or by mail or by telegram, telex or
facsimile transmission and delivery. Special meetings of the Board of
Directors shall be called by the Chairman of the Board, Vice Chairman of
the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President or Secretary in like manner
and on like notice on the written request of two (2) Directors.
(e) NOTICE AND WAIVER OF NOTICE. Attendance of a Director at any
meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where a
Director attends for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of
any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.
Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular
meeting of the Board of Directors need be specified in the notice or waiver
of notice of such meeting.
(f) QUORUM. At all meetings of the Board of Directors, a majority of
the number of Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of
business, unless a greater number is required by law or by the Certificate
of Incorporation. If a quorum shall not be present at any meeting of
Directors, the Directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting, from time
to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a
quorum shall be present.
(g) REQUISITE VOTE. The act of a majority of the Directors present
at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board
of Directors unless the act of a greater number is required by statute, the
Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws.
8.g ACTION WITHOUT MEETINGS. Unless otherwise restricted by the
Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, any action required or
permitted by law to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors, or
any committee thereof, may be taken without a meeting, if prior to such
action a written consent thereto is signed by all members of the Board or
of such committee, as the case may be, and such written consent is filed in
the minutes or proceedings of the Board of Directors or committee.
9.g COMMITTEES. Committees designated and appointed by the Board of
Directors shall function subject to and in accordance with the following
regulations and procedures:
(a) DESIGNATION AND APPOINTMENT. The Board of Directors may, by
resolution adopted by a majority of the entire Board, designate and appoint
one or more committees under such name or names and for such purpose or
function as may be deemed appropriate.
(b) MEMBERS; ALTERNATE MEMBERS; TERMS. Each committee thus
designated and appointed shall consist of one or more of the Directors of
the Corporation, one of whom, in the case of the Executive Committee, shall
be the Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The Board of Directors may
designate one or more of its members as alternate members of any committee,
who may, subject to any limitations imposed by the entire Board, replace
absent or disqualified members at any meeting of that committee. The
members or alternate members of any such committee shall serve at the
pleasure of and subject to the discretion of the Board of Directors.
(c) AUTHORITY. Each committee, to the extent provided in the
resolution of the Board creating same, shall have and may exercise such of
the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the
business and affairs of the Corporation as the Board of Directors may
direct and delegate, except, however, those matters which are required by
statute to be reserved unto or acted upon by the entire Board of Directors.
(d) RECORDS. Each such committee shall keep and maintain regular
records or minutes of its meetings and report the same to the Board of
Directors when required.
(e) CHANGE IN NUMBER. The number of members or alternate members of
any committee appointed by the Board of Directors, as herein provided, may
be increased or decreased (but not below two) from time to time by
appropriate resolution adopted by a majority of the entire Board of
Directors.
(f) VACANCIES. Vacancies in the membership of any committee
designated and appointed hereunder shall be filled by the Board of
Directors, at a regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors, in a
manner consistent with the provisions of this Section 3.9.
(g) REMOVAL. Any member or alternate member of any committee
appointed hereunder may be removed by the Board of Directors by the
affirmative vote of a majority of the entire Board, whenever in its
judgment the best interests of the Corporation will be served thereby.
(h) MEETINGS. The time, place and notice (if any) of committee
meetings shall be determined by the members of such committee.
(i) QUORUM; REQUISITE VOTE. At meetings of any committee appointed
hereunder, a majority of the number of members designated by the Board of
Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The
act of a majority of the members and alternate members of the committee
present at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of
such committee, except as otherwise specifically provided by statute, the
Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws. If a quorum is not present
at a meeting of such committee, the members of such committee present may
adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than an
announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is present.
(j) COMPENSATION. Appropriate compensation for members and alternate
members of any committee appointed pursuant to the authority hereof may be
authorized by the action of a majority of the entire Board of Directors
pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.10 hereof.
(k) ACTION WITHOUT MEETINGS. Any action required or permitted to be
taken at a meeting of any committee may be taken without a meeting if a
consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, is signed by all
members of such committee. Such consent shall have the same force and
effect as a unanimous vote at a meeting. The signed consent, or a signed
copy, shall become a part of the record of such committee.
(l) RESPONSIBILITY. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary
herein, the designation and appointment of a committee and the delegation
of authority to it shall not operate to relieve the Board of Directors, or
any member thereof, of any responsibility imposed upon it or him by law.
10.l COMPENSATION. By appropriate resolution of the Board of
Directors, the Directors may be reimbursed their expenses, if any, of
attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors and may be paid a
fixed sum (as determined from time to time by the vote of a majority of the
Directors then in office) for attendance at each meeting of the Board of
Directors or a stated salary as Director, or both. No such payment shall
preclude any Director from serving the Corporation in another capacity and
receiving compensation therefor. Members of special or standing committees
may, by appropriate resolution of the Board of Directors, be allowed
similar reimbursement of expenses and compensation for attending committee
meetings.
11.l MAINTENANCE OF RECORDS. The Directors may keep the books and
records of the Corporation, except such as are required by law to be kept
within the State, outside the State of Delaware or at such place or places
as they may, from time to time, determine.
12.l INTERESTED DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS. No contract or other
transaction between the Corporation and one or more of its Directors or
officers, or between the Corporation and any firm of which one or more of
its Directors or officers are members or employees, or in which they are
interested, or between the Corporation and any corporation or association
of which one or more of its Directors or officers are stockholders,
members, directors, officers, or employees, or in which they are
interested, shall be void or voidable solely for this reason, or solely
because of the presence of such Director or Directors or officer or
officers at the meeting of the Board of Directors of the Corporation, which
acts upon, or in reference to, such contract, or transaction, if (a) the
material facts of such relationship or interest shall be disclosed or known
to the Board of Directors and the Board of Directors shall, nevertheless in
good faith, authorize, approve and ratify such contract or transaction by a
vote of a majority of the Directors present, such interested Director or
Directors to be counted in determining whether a quorum is present, but not
to be counted in calculating the majority of such quorum necessary to carry
such vote; (b) the material facts of such relationship or interest as to
the contract or transaction are disclosed or are known to the stockholders
entitled to vote thereon, and the contract or transaction is specifically
approved in good faith by the vote of the stockholders; or (c) the contract
or transaction is fair to the Corporation as of the time it is authorized,
approved or ratified by the Board of Directors, a committee thereof or the
stockholders. The provisions of this Section shall not be construed to
invalidate any contract or other transaction which would otherwise be valid
under the common and statutory law applicable thereto.
ARTICLE 4
NOTICES
1.l METHOD OF NOTICE. Whenever under the provisions of the General
Corporation Law of Delaware or of the Certificate of Incorporation or of
these Bylaws, notice is required to be given to any Director or
stockholder, it shall not be construed to mean personal notice, but such
notice may be given in writing and delivered personally, through the United
States mail, by a recognized delivery service (such as Federal Express) or
by means of telegram, telex or facsimile transmission, addressed to such
Director or stockholder, at his address or telex or facsimile transmission
number, as the case may be, as it appears on the records of the
Corporation, with postage and fees thereon prepaid. Such notice shall be
deemed to be given at the time when the same shall be deposited in the
United States Mail or with an express delivery service or when transmitted
by telex or facsimile transmission or personally delivered, as the case may
be.
2.l WAIVER. Whenever any notice whatever is required to be given
under the provisions of the General Corporation Law of Delaware or under
the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, a
waiver thereof in writing signed by the person or persons entitled to such
notice, whether before or after the time stated therein, shall be deemed
equivalent to the giving of such notice. Attendance by such person or
persons, whether in person or by proxy, at any meeting requiring notice
shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except where such
person attends the meeting for the express purpose of objecting to the
transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or
convened.
ARTICLE 5
OFFICERS AND AGENTS
1.l DESIGNATION. The officers of the Corporation shall be chosen by
the Board of Directors and shall consist of the offices of:
(a) Chairman of the Board, Vice Chairman of the Board, Chief
Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer,
President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary; and
(b) Such other offices and officers (including one or more additional
Vice Presidents) and assistant officers and agents as the Board of
Directors shall deem necessary.
2.b ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Each officer designated in Section 5.1(a)
hereof shall be elected by the Board of Directors on the expiration of the
term of office of such officer, as herein provided, or whenever a vacancy
exists in such office. Each officer or agent designated in Section 5.1(b)
above may be elected by the Board of Directors at any meeting.
3.b QUALIFICATIONS. No officer or agent need be a stockholder of the
Corporation or a resident of Delaware. No officer or agent is required to
be a Director, except the Chairman of the Board. Any two or more offices
may be held by the same person.
4.b TERM OF OFFICE. Unless otherwise specified by the Board of
Directors at the time of election or appointment, or by the express
provisions of an employment contract approved by the Board, the term of
office of each officer and each agent shall expire on the date of the first
meeting of the Board of Directors next following the annual meeting of
stockholders each year. Each such officer or agent, unless elected or
appointed to an additional term, shall serve until the expiration of the
term of his office or, if earlier, his death, resignation or removal.
5.b AUTHORITY. Officers and agents shall have such authority and
perform such duties in the management of the Corporation as are provided in
these Bylaws or as may be determined by resolution of the Board of
Directors not inconsistent with these Bylaws.
6.b REMOVAL. Any officer or agent elected or appointed by the Board
of Directors may be removed with or without cause by the Board of Directors
whenever in its judgment the best interests of the Corporation will be
served thereby. Such removal shall be without prejudice to the contract
rights, if any, of the person so removed. Election or appointment of an
officer or agent shall not of itself create contract rights.
7.b VACANCIES. Any vacancy occurring in any office of the
Corporation (by death, resignation, removal or otherwise) shall be filled
by the Board of Directors.
8.b COMPENSATION. The compensation of all officers and agents of the
Corporation shall be fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors.
9.b CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD. The Chairman of the Board shall be chosen
from among the Directors. The Chairman of the Board shall have the power
to call special meetings of the stockholders and of the Directors for any
purpose or purposes, and he shall preside at all meetings of the
stockholders and Board of Directors, unless he shall be absent or unless he
shall, at his election, designate the Vice Chairman to preside in his
stead. The Chairman of the Board shall advise and counsel the Vice
Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer and other officers of
the Corporation and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as
shall be assigned to or required of him from time to time by the Board of
Directors. The Chairman of the Board shall be authorized to execute
promissory notes, bonds, mortgages, leases and other contracts requiring a
seal, under the seal of the Corporation, except where required or permitted
by law to be otherwise executed and except where the execution thereof
shall be expressly delegated by the Board of Directors to some other
officer or agent of the Corporation.
10.b VICE CHAIRMAN. The Vice Chairman shall have the power to call
special meetings of the stockholders and of the Directors for any purpose
or purposes, and, in the absence of the Chairman of the Board, the Vice
Chairman shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors. The Vice
Chairman shall advise and counsel the other officers of the Corporation and
shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as shall be assigned to
or required of him from time to time by the Board of Directors. The Vice
Chairman shall be authorized to execute promissory notes, bonds, mortgages,
leases and other contracts requiring a seal, under the seal of the
Corporation, except where required or permitted by law to be otherwise
executed and except where the execution thereof shall be expressly
delegated by the Board of Directors to some other officer or agent of the
Corporation.
11.b CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER. The Chief Executive Officer shall have
general supervision, management, direction and control of the business and
affairs of the Corporation and shall see that all orders and resolutions of
the Board of Directors are carried into effect. The Chief Executive
Officer shall be authorized to execute promissory notes, bonds, mortgages,
leases and other contracts requiring a seal, under the seal of the
Corporation, except where required or permitted by law to be otherwise
executed and except where the execution thereof shall be expressly
delegated by the Board of Directors to some other officer or agent of the
Corporation. In the absence of the Chairman of the Board and the Vice
Chairman, the Chief Executive Officer shall preside at all meetings of the
stockholders and the Board of Directors. The Chief Executive Officer shall
have the general powers and duties of management usually vested in the
office of chief executive officer of a corporation and shall perform such
other duties and possess such other authority and powers as the Board of
Directors may from time to time prescribe.
12.b CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER. The Chief Financial Officer shall have
general financial supervision, management, direction and control of the
business and affairs of the Corporation and shall see that all financial
orders and resolutions of the Board of Directors are carried into effect.
The Chief Financial Officer shall be authorized to execute promissory
notes, bonds, mortgages, leases and other contracts requiring a seal, under
the seal of the Corporation, except where required or permitted by law to
be otherwise executed and except where the execution thereof shall be
expressly delegated by the Board of Directors to some other officer or
agent of the Corporation. The Chief Financial Officer shall have the
general financial powers and duties of management usually vested in the
office of the Chief Financial Officer of a corporation and shall perform
such other duties and possess such other authority and powers as the
Chairman of the Board and Board of Directors may from time to time
prescribe.
13.b CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER. The Chief Operating Officer shall have
general supervision of the day to day operations of the Corporation. The
Chief Operating Officer shall have the general powers and duties of
management usually vested in the office of chief operating officer of a
corporation and shall perform such other duties and possess such other
authority and powers as the Chairman of the Board and Board of Directors
may from time to time prescribe.
14.b PRESIDENT. In the absence or disability of the Chief Operating
Officer, the President shall perform all of the duties of the Chief
Operating Officer and when so acting shall have all the powers and be
subject to all the restrictions upon the Chief Operating Officer, including
the power to sign all instruments and to take all actions which the Chief
Operating Officer is authorized to perform by the Board of Directors or the
Bylaws. The President shall have the general powers and duties vested in
the office of President as the Board of Directors may from time to time
prescribe or as the Chief Executive Officer may from time to time delegate.
15.b VICE PRESIDENTS. The Vice President, or if there shall be more
than one, the Vice Presidents in the order determined by the requisite vote
of the Board of Directors, shall, in the prolonged absence or disability of
the President, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the President
and shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board
of Directors may from time to time prescribe or as the Chief Executive
Officer may from time to time delegate. The Board of Directors may
designate one or more Vice Presidents as Executive Vice Presidents or
Senior Vice Presidents.
16.b SECRETARY. The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the Board
of Directors and all meetings of the stockholders of the Corporation and
record all proceedings of the meetings of the Corporation and of the Board
of Directors in a book to be maintained for that purpose and shall perform
like duties for the standing committees when required. The Secretary shall
give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the stockholders and
special meetings of the Board of Directors, and shall perform such other
duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors, Chairman of the
Board, Vice Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial
Officer, Chief Operating Officer or President. The Secretary shall have
custody of the corporate seal of the Corporation, and he, or an Assistant
Secretary, shall have authority to affix the same to any instrument
requiring it and when so affixed, it may be attested by his signature or by
the signature of such Assistant Secretary. The Board of Directors may give
general authority to any other officer to affix the seal of the Corporation
and to attest the affixing by his signature.
17.b ASSISTANT SECRETARIES. The Assistant Secretary, or if there be
more than one, the Assistant Secretaries in the order determined by the
Board of Directors, shall in the absence or disability of the Secretary,
perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Secretary and shall
perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of
Directors may from time to time prescribe or as the Chief Executive Officer
may from time to time delegate.
18.b TREASURER. The Treasurer shall be the Chief Financial Officer of
the Corporation and shall have the custody of the corporate funds and
securities and shall keep full and accurate accounts of receipts and
disbursements in books belonging to the Corporation and shall deposit all
moneys and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the
Corporation in such depositories as may be designated by the Board of
Directors. The Treasurer shall disburse the funds of the Corporation as
may be ordered by the Board of Directors, taking proper vouchers for such
disbursements, and shall render to the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman
of the Board and the Board of Directors, at its regular meetings, or when
the Board of Directors so requires, an account of all his transactions as
Treasurer and of the financial condition of the Corporation. If required
by the Board of Directors, the Treasurer shall give the Corporation a bond
in such sum and with such surety or sureties as shall be satisfactory to
the Board of Directors for the faithful performance of the duties of his
office and for the restoration to the Corporation, in case of his death,
resignation, retirement or removal from office, of all books, papers,
vouchers, money, and other property of whatever kind in his possession or
under his control owned by the Corporation. The Treasurer shall perform
such other duties and have such other authority and powers as the Board of
Directors may from time to time prescribe or as the Chief Executive Officer
may from time to time delegate.
19.b ASSISTANT TREASURERS. The Assistant Treasurer, or, if there
shall be more than one, the Assistant Treasurers in the order determined by
the Board of Directors, shall, in the absence or disability of the
Treasurer, perform the duties and exercise the powers of the Treasurer and
shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of
Directors may from time to time prescribe or as the Chief Executive Officer
may from time to time delegate.
ARTICLE 6
INDEMNIFICATION
1.b MANDATORY INDEMNIFICATION. Each person who was or is made a
party or is threatened to be made a party, or who was or is a witness
without being named a party, to any threatened, pending or completed
action, claim, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative
or investigative, any appeal in such an action, suit or proceeding, and any
inquiry or investigation that could lead to such an action, suit or
proceeding (a "Proceeding"), by reason of the fact that such individual is
or was a Director or officer of the Corporation, or while a Director or
officer of the Corporation is or was serving at the request of the
Corporation as a director, officer, partner, venturer, proprietor, trustee,
employee, agent or similar functionary of another corporation, partnership,
trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, shall be indemnified and
held harmless by the Corporation from and against any judgments, penalties
(including excise taxes), fines, amounts paid in settlement and reasonable
expenses (including court costs and attorneys' fees) actually incurred by
such person in connection with such Proceeding if it is determined that he
acted in good faith and reasonably believed (i) in the case of conduct in
his official capacity on behalf of the Corporation that his conduct was in
the Corporation's best interests, (ii) in all other cases, that his conduct
was not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and (iii) with
respect to any Proceeding which is a criminal action, that he had no
reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful; provided, however,
that in the event a determination is made that such person is liable to the
Corporation or is found liable on the basis that personal benefit was
improperly received by such person, the indemnification is limited to
reasonable expenses actually incurred by such person in connection with the
Proceeding and shall not be made in respect of any Proceeding in which such
person shall have been found liable for willful or intentional misconduct
in the performance of his duty to the Corporation. The termination of any
Proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of
nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself be determinative of
whether the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which he
reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
Corporation, and, with respect to any Proceeding which is a criminal
action, had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful. A
person shall be deemed to have been found liable in respect of any claim,
issue or matter only after the person shall have been so adjudged by a
court of competent jurisdiction after exhaustion of all appeals therefrom.
2.b DETERMINATION OF INDEMNIFICATION. Any indemnification under the
foregoing Section 6.1 (unless ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction)
shall be made by the Corporation only upon a determination that
indemnification of such person is proper in the circumstances by virtue of
the fact that it shall have been determined that such person has met the
applicable standard of conduct. Such determination shall be made (1) by a
majority vote of a quorum consisting of Directors who at the time of the
vote are not named defendants or respondents in the Proceeding; (2) if such
quorum cannot be obtained, by a majority vote of a committee of the Board
of Directors, designated to act in the matter by a majority of all
Directors, consisting of two or more Directors who at the time of the vote
are not named defendants or respondents in the Proceeding; (3) by special
legal counsel (in a written opinion) selected by the Board of Directors or
a committee of the Board by a vote as set forth in Subsection (1) or (2) of
this Section, or, if such quorum cannot be established, by a majority vote
of all Directors (in which Directors who are named defendants or
respondents in the Proceeding may participate); or (4) by the stockholders
of the Corporation in a vote that excludes the shares held by Directors who
are named defendants or respondents in the Proceeding.
3.b ADVANCE OF EXPENSES. Reasonable expenses, including court costs
and attorneys' fees, incurred by a person who was or is a witness or who
was or is named as a defendant or respondent in a Proceeding, by reason of
the fact that such individual is or was a Director or officer of the
Corporation, or while a Director or officer of the Corporation is or was
serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, partner,
venturer, proprietor, trustee, employee, agent or similar functionary of
another corporation, partnership, trust, employee benefit plan or other
enterprise, shall be paid by the Corporation at reasonable intervals in
advance of the final disposition of such Proceeding, and without the
determination set forth in Section 6.2, upon receipt by the Corporation of
a written affirmation by such person of his good faith belief that he has
met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification under this
Article 6, and a written undertaking by or on behalf of such person to
repay the amount paid or reimbursed by the Corporation if it is ultimately
determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation as
authorized in this Article 6. Such written undertaking shall be an
unlimited obligation of such person and it may be accepted without
reference to financial ability to make repayment.
4.b PERMISSIVE INDEMNIFICATION. The Board of Directors of the
Corporation may authorize the Corporation to indemnify employees or agents
of the Corporation, and to advance the reasonable expenses of such persons,
to the same extent, following the same determinations and upon the same
conditions as are required for the indemnification of and advancement of
expenses to Directors and officers of the Corporation.
5.b NATURE OF INDEMNIFICATION. The indemnification and advancement
of expenses provided hereunder shall not be deemed exclusive of any other
rights to which those seeking indemnification may be entitled under the
Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws, any agreement, vote of
stockholders or disinterested Directors or otherwise, both as to actions
taken in an official capacity and as to actions taken in any other capacity
while holding such office, shall continue as to a person who has ceased to
be a Director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation and shall
inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such
person.
6.b INSURANCE. The Corporation shall have the power and authority to
purchase and maintain insurance or another arrangement on behalf of any
person who is or was a Director, officer, employee or agent of the
Corporation, or who is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as
a director, officer, partner, venturer, proprietor, trustee, employee,
agent, or similar functionary of another foreign or domestic corporation,
partnership, joint venture, sole proprietorship, trust, employee benefit
plan or other enterprise, against any liability, claim, damage, loss or
risk asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such
capacity or arising out of the status of such person as such, irrespective
of whether the Corporation would have the power to indemnify and hold such
person harmless against such liability under the provisions hereof. If the
insurance or other arrangement is with a person or entity that is not
regularly engaged in the business of providing insurance coverage, the
insurance or arrangement may provide for payment of a liability with
respect to which the Corporation would not have the power to indemnify the
person only if including coverage for the additional liability has been
approved by the stockholders of the Corporation. Without limiting the
power of the Corporation to procure or maintain any kind of insurance or
other arrangement, the Corporation may, for the benefit of persons
indemnified by the Corporation, (1) create a trust fund; (2) establish any
form of self-insurance; (3) secure its indemnity obligation by grant of a
security interest or other lien on the assets of the Corporation; or (4)
establish a letter of credit, guaranty, or surety arrangement. The
insurance or other arrangement may be procured, maintained, or established
within the Corporation or with any insurer or other person deemed
appropriate by the Board of Directors regardless of whether all or part of
the stock or other securities of the insurer or other person are owned in
whole or part by the Corporation. In the absence of fraud, the judgment of
the Board of Directors as to the terms and conditions of the insurance or
other arrangement and the identity of the insurer or other person
participating in the arrangement shall be conclusive and the insurance or
arrangement shall not be voidable and shall not subject the Directors
approving the insurance or arrangement to liability, on any ground,
regardless of whether the Directors participating in the approval is a
beneficiary of the insurance or arrangement.
7.b NOTICE. Any indemnification or advance of expenses to a present
or former Director or officer of the Corporation in accordance with this
Article 6 shall be reported in writing to the stockholders of the
Corporation with or before the notice or waiver of notice of the next
stockholders' meeting or with or before the next submission of a consent to
action without a meeting and, in any case, within the next twelve month
period immediately following the indemnification or advance.
ARTICLE 7
STOCK CERTIFICATES AND TRANSFER REGULATIONS
1.b DESCRIPTION OF CERTIFICATES. The shares of the capital stock of
the Corporation shall be represented by certificates in the form approved
by the Board of Directors and signed in the name of the Corporation by the
Chairman of the Board, Vice Chairman of the Board, President or a Vice
President or Treasurer and the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the
Corporation, and sealed with the seal of the Corporation or a facsimile
thereof. Each certificate shall state on the face thereof the name of the
holder, the number and class of shares, the par value of shares covered
thereby or a statement that such shares are without par value, and such
other matters as are required by law. At such time as the Corporation may
be authorized to issue shares of more than one class, every certificate
shall set forth upon the face or back of such certificate a statement of
the designations, preferences, limitations and relative rights of the
shares of each class authorized to be issued, as required by the laws of
the State of Delaware, or may state that the Corporation will furnish a
copy of such statement without charge to the holder of such certificate
upon receipt of a written request therefor from such holder.
2.b ENTITLEMENT TO CERTIFICATES. Every holder of the capital stock
in the Corporation shall be entitled to have a certificate signed in the
name of the Corporation by the Chairman of the Board, Vice Chairman of the
Board, President or a Vice President or Treasurer and the Secretary or an
Assistant Secretary of the Corporation, certifying the class of capital
stock and the number of shares represented thereby as owned or held by such
stockholder in the Corporation.
3.b SIGNATURES. The signatures of the Chairman of the Board, Vice
Chairman of the Board, President, Vice President or Treasurer, Secretary or
Assistant Secretary upon a certificate may be facsimiles. In case any
officer or officers who have signed, or whose facsimile signature or
signatures have been placed upon any such certificate or certificates,
shall cease to serve as such officer or officers of the Corporation,
whether because of death, resignation, removal or otherwise, before such
certificate or certificates are issued and delivered by the Corporation,
such certificate or certificates may nevertheless be adopted by the
Corporation and be issued and delivered with the same effect as though the
person or persons who signed such certificate or certificates or whose
facsimile signature or signatures have been used thereon had not ceased to
serve as such officer or officers of the Corporation.
4.b ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATES. Certificates evidencing shares of its
capital stock (both treasury and authorized but unissued) may be issued for
such consideration (not less than par value, except for treasury shares
which may be issued for such consideration) and to such persons as the
Board of Directors may determine from time to time. Shares shall not be
issued until the full amount of the consideration, fixed as provided by
law, has been paid.
5.b PAYMENT FOR SHARES. Consideration for the issuance of shares
shall be paid, valued and allocated as follows:
(a) CONSIDERATION. The consideration for the issuance of shares
shall consist of money paid, labor done (including services actually
performed for the Corporation), or property (tangible or intangible)
actually received. Neither promissory notes nor the promise of future
services shall constitute payment of consideration for shares.
(b) VALUATION. In the absence of fraud in the transaction, the
determination of the Board of Directors as to the value of consideration
received shall be conclusive.
(c) EFFECT. When consideration, fixed as provided by law, has been
paid, the shares shall be deemed to have been issued and shall be
considered fully paid and nonassessable.
(d) ALLOCATION OF CONSIDERATION. The consideration received for
shares shall be allocated by the Board of Directors, in accordance with
law, between the stated capital and capital surplus accounts.
6.d SUBSCRIPTIONS. Unless otherwise provided in the subscription
agreement, subscriptions of shares, whether made before or after
organization of the Corporation, shall be paid in full in such installments
and at such times as shall be determined by the Board of Directors. Any
call made by the Board of Directors for payment on subscriptions shall be
uniform as to all shares of the same class and series. In case of default
in the payment of any installment or call when payment is due, the
Corporation may proceed to collect the amount due in the same manner as any
debt due to the Corporation.
7.d RECORD DATE. For the purpose of determining stockholders
entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders, or any
adjournment thereof, or entitled to receive a distribution by the
Corporation (other than a distribution involving a purchase or redemption
by the Corporation of any of its own shares) or a share dividend, or in
order to make a determination of stockholders for any other proper purpose,
the Board of Directors may fix a record date for any such determination of
stockholders, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the
resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and
which record date shall not be more than sixty (60) days, and in the case
of a meeting of stockholders, not less than ten (10) days prior to the date
on which the particular action requiring such determination of stockholders
is to be taken. If no record date is fixed for the determination of
stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders,
or stockholders entitled to receive a distribution (other than a
distribution involving a purchase or redemption by the Corporation of any
of its own shares) or a share dividend, the date before the date on which
notice of the meeting is mailed or the date on which the resolution of the
Board of Directors declaring such distribution or share dividend is
adopted, as the case may be, shall be the record date for such
determination of stockholders. When a determination of stockholders
entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders has been made as provided
in this Section, such determination shall be applied to any adjournment
thereof.
8.d REGISTERED OWNERS. Prior to due presentment for registration of
transfer of a certificate evidencing shares of the capital stock of the
Corporation in the manner set forth in Section 7.10 hereof, the Corporation
shall be entitled to recognize the person registered as the owner of such
shares on its books (or the books of its duly appointed transfer agent, as
the case may be) as the person exclusively entitled to vote, to receive
notices and dividends with respect to, and otherwise exercise all rights
and powers relative to such shares; and the Corporation shall not be bound
or otherwise obligated to recognize any claim, direct or indirect, legal or
equitable, to such shares by any other person, whether or not it shall have
actual, express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by
the laws of Delaware.
9.d LOST, STOLEN OR DESTROYED CERTIFICATES. The Corporation shall
issue a new certificate in place of any certificate for shares previously
issued if the registered owner of the certificate satisfies the following
conditions:
(a) PROOF OF LOSS. Submits proof in affidavit form satisfactory to
the Corporation that such certificate has been lost, destroyed or
wrongfully taken;
(b) TIMELY REQUEST. Requests the issuance of a new certificate
before the Corporation has notice that the certificate has been acquired by
a purchaser for value in good faith and without notice of an adverse claim;
(c) BOND. Gives a bond in such form, and with such surety or
sureties, with fixed or open penalty, as the Corporation may direct, to
indemnify the Corporation (and its transfer agent and registrar, if any)
against any claim that may be made or otherwise asserted by virtue of the
alleged loss, destruction, or theft of such certificate or certificates;
and
(d) OTHER REQUIREMENTS. Satisfies any other reasonable requirements
imposed by the Corporation.
In the event a certificate has been lost, apparently destroyed or
wrongfully taken, and the registered owner of record fails to notify the
Corporation within a reasonable time after he has notice of such loss,
destruction, or wrongful taking, and the Corporation registers a transfer
(in the manner hereinbelow set forth) of the shares represented by the
certificate before receiving such notification, such prior registered owner
of record shall be precluded from making any claim against the Corporation
for the transfer required hereunder or for a new certificate.
10.d REGISTRATION OF TRANSFERS. Subject to the provisions hereof, the
Corporation shall register the transfer of a certificate evidencing shares
of its capital stock presented to it for transfer if:
(a) ENDORSEMENT. Upon surrender of the certificate to the
Corporation (or its transfer agent, as the case may be) for transfer, the
certificate (or an appended stock power) is properly endorsed by the
registered owner, or by his duly authorized legal representative or
attorney-in-fact, with proper written evidence of the authority and
appointment of such representative, if any, accompanying the certificate;
(b) GUARANTY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF SIGNATURE. The signature of such
registered owner or his legal representative or attorney-in-fact, as the
case may be, has been guaranteed by a national banking association or
member of the New York Stock Exchange, and reasonable assurance in a form
satisfactory to the Corporation is given that such endorsements are genuine
and effective;
(c) ADVERSE CLAIMS. The Corporation has no notice of an adverse
claim or has otherwise discharged any duty to inquire into such a claim;
(d) COLLECTION OF TAXES. Any applicable law (local, state or
federal) relating to the collection of taxes relative to the transaction
has been complied with; and
(e) ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS SATISFIED. Such additional conditions
and documentation as the Corporation (or its transfer agent, as the case
may be) shall reasonably require, including without limitation thereto, the
delivery with the surrender of such stock certificate or certificates of
proper evidence of succession, assignment or other authority to obtain
transfer thereof, as the circumstances may require, and such legal opinions
with reference to the requested transfer as shall be required by the
Corporation (or its transfer agent) pursuant to the provisions of these
Bylaws and applicable law, shall have been satisfied.
11.e RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER AND LEGENDS ON CERTIFICATES.
(a) SHARES IN CLASSES OR SERIES. If the Corporation is authorized to
issue shares of more than one class, the certificate shall set forth,
either on the face or back of the certificate, a full or summary statement
of all of the designations, preferences, limitations, and relative rights
of the shares of each such class and, if the Corporation is authorized to
issue any preferred or special class in series, the variations in the
relative rights and preferences of the shares of each such series so far as
the same have been fixed and determined, and the authority of the Board of
Directors to fix and determine the relative rights and preferences of
subsequent series. In lieu of providing such a statement in full on the
certificate, a statement on the face or back of the certificate may provide
that the Corporation will furnish such information to any stockholder
without charge upon written request to the Corporation at its principal
place of business or registered office and that copies of the information
are on file in the office of the Secretary of State.
(b) RESTRICTION ON TRANSFER. Any restrictions imposed by the
Corporation on the sale or other disposition of its shares and on the
transfer thereof must be copied at length or in summary form on the face,
or so copied on the back and referred to on the face, of each certificate
representing shares to which the restriction applies. The certificate may
however state on the face or back that such a restriction exists pursuant
to a specified document and that the Corporation will furnish a copy of the
document to the holder of the certificate without charge upon written
request to the Corporation at its principal place of business.
(c) UNREGISTERED SECURITIES. Any security of the Corporation,
including, among others, any certificate evidencing shares of the capital
stock of the Corporation or warrants to purchase shares of capital stock of
the Corporation, which is issued to any person without registration under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Blue Sky laws of any state,
shall not be transferable until the Corporation has been furnished with a
legal opinion of counsel with reference thereto, satisfactory in form and
content to the Corporation and its counsel, to the effect that such sale,
transfer or pledge does not involve a violation of the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, or the Blue Sky laws of any state having jurisdiction.
The certificate representing the security shall bear substantially the
following legend:
THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN
REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR ANY
APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAW BUT HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED FOR THE
PRIVATE INVESTMENT OF THE HOLDER HEREOF AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED,
SOLD OR TRANSFERRED UNTIL EITHER (i) A REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER SUCH SECURITIES ACT OR SUCH APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES
LAWS SHALL HAVE BECOME EFFECTIVE WITH REGARD THERETO, OR (ii) THE
CORPORATION SHALL HAVE RECEIVED AN OPINION OF COUNSEL ACCEPTABLE
TO THE CORPORATION AND ITS COUNSEL THAT REGISTRATION UNDER SUCH
SECURITIES ACT OR SUCH APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS IS NOT
REQUIRED IN CONNECTION WITH SUCH PROPOSED OFFER, SALE OR
TRANSFER.
ARTICLE 8
GENERAL PROVISIONS
1.c DIVIDENDS. Subject to the provisions of the General Corporation
Law of Delaware, as amended, and the Certificate of Incorporation,
dividends of the Corporation shall be declared and paid pursuant to the
following regulations:
(a) DECLARATION AND PAYMENT. Dividends on the issued and outstanding
shares of capital stock of the Corporation may be declared by the Board of
Directors at any regular or special meeting and may be paid in cash, in
property, or in shares of capital stock. Such declaration and payment
shall be at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
(b) RECORD DATE. The Board of Directors may fix in advance a record
date for the purpose of determining stockholders entitled to receive
payment of any dividend, such record date to be not more than sixty (60)
days prior to the payment date of such dividend, or the Board of Directors
may close the stock transfer books for such purpose for a period of not
more than sixty (60) days prior to the payment date of such dividend. In
the absence of action by the Board of Directors, the date upon which the
Board of Directors adopt the resolution declaring such dividend shall be
the record date.
2.b RESERVES. There may be created by resolution of the Board of
Directors out of the surplus of the Corporation such reserve or reserves as
the Board of Directors from time to time, in its discretion, think proper
to provide for contingencies, or to repair or maintain any property of the
Corporation, or for such other purposes as the Board of Directors shall
think beneficial to the Corporation, and the Board of Directors may modify
or abolish any such reserve in the manner in which it was created.
3.b BOOKS AND RECORDS. The Corporation shall maintain correct and
complete books and records of account and shall prepare and maintain
minutes of the proceedings of its stockholders, its Board of Directors and
each committee of its Board of Directors. The Corporation shall keep at
its registered office or principal place of business, or at the office of
its transfer agent or registrar, a record of original issuance of shares
issued by the Corporation and a record of each transfer of those shares
that have been presented to the Corporation for registration or transfer.
Such records shall contain the names and addresses of all past and present
stockholders and the number and class of the shares issued by the
Corporation held by each.
4.b ANNUAL STATEMENT. The Board of Directors shall present at or
before each annual meeting of stockholders a full and clear statement of
the business and financial condition of the Corporation, including a
reasonably detailed balance sheet and income statement under current date.
5.b CONTRACTS AND NEGOTIABLE INSTRUMENTS. Except as otherwise
provided by law or these Bylaws, any contract or other instrument relative
to the business of the Corporation may be executed and delivered in the
name of the Corporation and on its behalf by the Chairman of the Board,
Vice Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating
Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer or President of the
Corporation. The Board of Directors may authorize any other officer or
agent of the Corporation to enter into any contract or execute and deliver
any contract in the name and on behalf of the Corporation, and such
authority may be general or confined to specific instances as the Board of
Directors may determine by resolution. All bills, notes, checks or other
instruments for the payment of money shall be signed or countersigned by
such officer, officers, agent or agents and in such manner as are permitted
by these Bylaws and/or as, from time to time, may be prescribed by
resolution of the Board of Directors. Unless authorized to do so by these
Bylaws or by the Board of Directors, no officer, agent or employee shall
have any power or authority to bind the Corporation by any contract or
engagement, or to pledge its credit, or to render it liable pecuniarily for
any purpose or to any amount.
6.b FISCAL YEAR. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall end on the
Saturday closest to September 30.
7.b CORPORATE SEAL. The Corporation seal shall be in such form as
may be determined by the Board of Directors. The seal may be used by
causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or in any
manner reproduced.
8.b RESIGNATIONS. Any Director, officer or agent may resign his
office or position with the Corporation by delivering written notice
thereof to the Chairman of the Board, Vice Chairman of the Board, Chief
Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, President or Secretary. Such
resignation shall be effective at the time specified therein, or
immediately upon delivery if no time is specified. Unless otherwise
specified therein, an acceptance of such resignation shall not be a
necessary prerequisite of its effectiveness.
9.b AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS. These Bylaws may be altered, amended, or
repealed and new Bylaws adopted at any meeting of the Board of Directors or
stockholders at which a quorum is present, by the affirmative vote of a
majority of the Directors or stockholders, as the case may be, present at
such meeting, provided notice of the proposed alteration, amendment, or
repeal be contained in the notice of such meeting.
10.b CONSTRUCTION. Whenever the context so requires herein, the
masculine shall include the feminine and neuter, and the singular shall
include the plural, and conversely. If any portion or provision of these
Bylaws shall be held invalid or inoperative, then, so far as is reasonable
and possible: (1) the remainder of these Bylaws shall be considered valid
and operative, and (2) effect shall be given to the intent manifested by
the portion or provision held invalid or inoperative.
11.b TELEPHONE MEETINGS. Stockholders, Directors or members of any
committee may hold any meeting of such stockholders, Directors or committee
by means of conference telephone or similar communications equipment which
permits all persons participating in the meeting to hear each other and
actions taken at such meetings shall have the same force and effect as if
taken at a meeting at which persons were present and voting in person. The
Secretary of the Corporation shall prepare a memorandum of the action taken
at any such telephonic meeting.
12.b TABLE OF CONTENTS; CAPTIONS. The table of contents and captions
used in these Bylaws have been inserted for administrative convenience only
and do not constitute matter to be construed in interpretation.
IN DUE CERTIFICATION WHEREOF, the undersigned, being the Secretary of
PILGRIM'S PRIDE CORPORATION, confirms the adoption and approval of the
foregoing Bylaws, effective as of the 14th day of May, 1999.
___________________________________________
RICHARD A. COGDILL, Secretary
BYLAWS - Page 1
PILGRIM'S PRIDE CORPORATION
SECOND AMENDMENT TO AMENDED AND RESTATED SECURED CREDIT AGREEMENT
AND WAIVER
Harris Trust and Savings Bank
Chicago, Illinois
U.S. Bancorp Ag Credit, Inc.
(formerly known as FBS Ag Credit, Inc.)
Denver, Colorado
CoBank, ACB
Wichita, Kansas
ING (U.S.) Capital Corporation ("ING ")
New York, New York
Credit Agricole Indosuez, Chicago Branch (successor by
merger to Caisse Nationale de Credit Agricole, Chicago Branch)
Chicago, Illinois
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Reference is hereby made to that certain Amended and Restated Secured
Credit Agreement dated as of August 11, 1997, as amended (the "CREDIT
AGREEMENT") among the undersigned, Pilgrim's Pride Corporation, a Delaware
corporation (the "COMPANY"), you (the "BANKS") and Harris Trust and Savings
Bank, as agent for the Banks (the "AGENT"). All defined terms used herein
shall have the same meanings as in the Credit Agreement unless otherwise
defined herein.
The Company, the Agent and the Banks now wish to amend the Credit
Agreement to increase the aggregate amount of dividends the Company may pay
on its capital stock and to waive compliance by the Company with
Section 7.14 of the Credit Agreement for its Fiscal Year 1998, all on the
terms and conditions and in the manner set forth in this Amendment.
1. AMENDMENTS.
Upon satisfaction of all of the conditions precedent set forth in
Section 3 hereof, the Credit Agreement shall be amended as follows:
1.1. Section 7.15(i) of the Credit Agreement shall be amended by
replacing the figure "$1,700,000" appearing therein with the figure
"$3,400,000".
2. WAIVER.
2.1. Section 7.14 of the Credit Agreement limits the amount of capital
expenditures the Company may make or commit to make in any Fiscal Year.
The Company was not in compliance with Section 7.14 of the Credit Agreement
for its Fiscal Year 1998 and has requested that the Required Banks waive,
and the Required Banks hereby waive, the requirements of Section 7.14 of
the Credit Agreement for its Fiscal Year 1998.
2.2. The waiver contained in Section 2.1 of this Amendment is limited
to the matters set forth in that Section, and the Company agrees that it
remains obligated to comply with the terms of the Credit Agreement and the
other Loan Documents and that the Banks shall not be obligated in the
future to waive any provision of the Credit Agreement or the other Loan
Documents as a result of having provided the waivers contained herein.
3. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT.
The effectiveness of the Amendment is subject to the satisfaction of
all of the following conditions precedent:
3.1. The Company and each of the Banks shall have executed this
Amendment (such execution may be in several counterparts and the several
parties hereto may execute on separate counterparts).
3.2. Each of the representations and warranties set forth in Section 5
of the Credit Agreement shall be true and correct.
3.3. The Company shall be in full compliance with all of the terms and
conditions of the Credit Agreement and no Event of Default or Potential
Default shall have occurred and be continuing thereunder or shall result
after giving effect to this Amendment.
3.4. All legal matters incident to the execution and delivery hereof
and the instruments and documents contemplated hereby shall be satisfactory
to the Banks.
4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.
4.1. The Company, by its execution of this Amendment, hereby represents
and warrants the following:
(a) each of the representations and warranties set forth in
Section 5 of the Credit Agreement is true and correct as of the date
hereof, except that the representations and warranties made under
Section 5.3 shall be deemed to refer to the most recent annual report
furnished to the Banks by the Company; and
(b) the Company is in full compliance with all of the terms and
conditions of the Credit Agreement and no Event of Default or
Potential Default has occurred and is continuing thereunder.
5. MISCELLANEOUS.
5.1. The Company has heretofore executed and delivered to the Agent
that certain Security Agreement Re: Accounts Receivable, Farm Products and
Inventory dated as of May 27, 1993, as amended (the "SECURITY AGREEMENT")
and the Company hereby agrees that the Security Agreement shall secure all
of the Company's indebtedness, obligations and liabilities to the Agent and
the Banks under the Credit Agreement as amended by this Amendment, that
notwithstanding the execution and delivery of this Amendment, the Security
Agreement shall be and remain in full force and effect and that any rights
and remedies of the Agent thereunder, obligations of the Company thereunder
and any liens or security interests created or provided for thereunder
shall be and remain in full force and effect and shall not be affected,
impaired or discharged thereby. Nothing herein contained shall in any
manner affect or impair the priority of the liens and security interests
created and provided for by the Security Agreement as to the indebtedness
which would be secured thereby prior to giving effect to this Amendment.
5.2. Except as specifically amended herein the Credit Agreement and the
Notes shall continue in full force and effect in accordance with their
original terms. Reference to this specific Amendment need not be made in
any note, document, letter, certificate, the Credit Agreement itself, the
Notes, or any communication issued or made pursuant to or with respect to
the Credit Agreement, any reference to the Credit Agreement being
sufficient to refer to the Credit Agreement as amended hereby.
5.3. The Company agrees to pay all out-of-pocket costs and expenses
incurred by the Agent and Banks in connection with the preparation,
execution and delivery of this Amendment and the documents and transactions
contemplated hereby, including the fees and expenses of Messrs. Chapman and
Cutler.
5.4. This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, and
by the different parties on different counterparts, all of which taken
together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. Any of the parties
hereto may execute this Amendment by signing any such counterpart and each
of such counterparts shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original.
5.5. (A) THIS AMENDMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF THE PARTIES
HERETO, SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND DETERMINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL
LAWS OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT PROVIDED IN
SECTION 5.5(b) HEREOF AND TO THE EXTENT THAT THE FEDERAL LAWS OF THE UNITED
STATES OF AMERICA MAY OTHERWISE APPLY.
(b) NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING IN SECTION 5.5(a) HEREOF TO THE CONTRARY,
NOTHING IN THIS AMENDMENT, THE CREDIT AGREEMENT, THE NOTES, OR THE OTHER
LOAN DOCUMENTS SHALL BE DEEMED TO CONSTITUTE A WAIVER OF ANY RIGHTS WHICH
THE COMPANY, THE AGENT OR ANY OF THE BANKS MAY HAVE UNDER THE NATIONAL BANK
ACT OR OTHER APPLICABLE FEDERAL LAW.
<PAGE>
Dated as of November ___, 1998.
PILGRIM'S PRIDE CORPORATION
By
Its Chief Financial Officer
Accepted and Agreed to as of the day and year last above written.
HARRIS TRUST AND SAVINGS BANK individually
and as Agent
By
Its Vice President
U.S. BANCORP AG CREDIT, INC.
By
Its
COBANK, ACB
By
Its
ING (U.S.) CAPITAL CORPORATION
By
Its
CREDIT AGRICOLE INDOSUEZ, CHICAGO BRANCH
By Its
By Its
PILGRIM'S PRIDE CORPORATION
THIRD AMENDMENT TO AMENDED AND RESTATED SECURED CREDIT AGREEMENT
Harris Trust and Savings Bank
Chicago, Illinois
U.S. Bancorp Ag Credit, Inc.
(formerly known as FBS Ag Credit, Inc.)
Denver, Colorado
CoBank, ACB
Wichita, Kansas
SunTrust Bank, Atlanta
Atlanta, Georgia
Credit Agricole Indosuez, Chicago Branch (successor by
merger to Caisse Nationale de Credit Agricole, Chicago Branch)
Chicago, Illinois
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Reference is hereby made to that certain Amended and Restated Secured
Credit Agreement dated as of August 11, 1997, as amended (the "CREDIT
AGREEMENT") among the undersigned, Pilgrim's Pride Corporation, a Delaware
corporation (the "COMPANY"), you (the "BANKS") and Harris Trust and Savings
Bank, as agent for the Banks (the "AGENT"). All defined terms used herein
shall have the same meanings as in the Credit Agreement unless otherwise
defined herein.
The Company, the Agent and the Banks now wish to amend the Credit
Agreement to extend the Termination Date of the Credit Agreement from
May 31, 2001 to May 31, 2002, provide for the transfer of ownership of the
stock of the Company from Mr. and Mrs. Lonnie A. "Bo" Pilgrim to Pilgrim
Interests, Ltd., a Texas limited partnership (the "GUARANTOR"), to provide
for the substitution of Mr. and Mrs. Lonnie A. "Bo" Pilgrim's Guaranty
Agreement dated May 27, 1993 to the Banks with a guaranty from the
Guarantor and to amend certain covenants contained in the Credit Agreement,
all on the terms and conditions and in the manner set forth in this
Amendment.
1. AMENDMENTS.
Upon satisfaction of all of the applicable conditions precedent set
forth in Section 2 hereof, the Credit Agreement shall be amended, effective
as of the dates specified below, as follows:
1.1. Effective as of April 1, 1999, Section 1.1(a) of the Credit
Agreement shall be amended by replacing the date "May 31, 2001" appearing
therein with the date "May 31, 2002".
1.2. Effective as of April 1, 1999, Section 4 of the Credit Agreement
shall be amended by adding thereto the following definitions:
" "PPAHC" shall mean Pilgrim's Pride Affordable Housing Corp., a
Nevada corporation."
1.3. Effective as of the date (the "GUARANTY SUBSTITUTION DATE") on
which all of the conditions precedent set forth in Section 2.2 of this
Amendment are satisfied, Section 4 of the Credit Agreement shall be amended
by adding thereto the following definitions:
"`GUARANTOR' shall mean Pilgrim Interests, Ltd., a Texas limited
partnership.
"PARTNERSHIP GUARANTY" shall mean the Guaranty Agreement from the
Guarantor to the Banks, as the same may be supplemented and amended
from time to time."
1.4. Effective as of the Guaranty Substitution Date, the definition of
the term "Change in Control" contained in Section 4 of the Credit Agreement
shall be amended to read as follows:
"`CHANGE IN CONTROL' means (a) a sale of all or substantially all
the assets of the Company to any Person or related group of Persons as
an entirety or substantially as an entirety in one transaction or
series of transactions, (b) the merger or consolidation of the Company
with or into another corporation or the merger of another corporation
into the Company with the effect that immediately after such
transaction the stockholders of the Company immediately prior to such
transaction hold less than 50% of the total voting power generally
entitled to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees of
the Person surviving such merger or consolidation, (c) the Guarantor
or the Pilgrim Family shall cease to own more than 50% of the total
voting power generally entitled to vote in the election of directors,
managers or trustees of the Company or more than 50% of all non-voting
classes of Capital Stock of the Company, (d) during any period of two
consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such period
constituted the Board of Directors of the Company (together with any
new directors whose election by such Board or whose nomination for
election by the stockholders of the Company was approved by a vote of
a majority of the directors then still in office who were either
directors at the beginning of such period or whose election or
nomination for election was previously so approved) cease for any
reason to constitute a majority of the Board of Directors of the
Company then in office, or (e) the stockholders of the Company shall
approve any plan for the liquidation or dissolution of the Company."
1.5. Effective as of the Guaranty Substitution Date, the Credit
Agreement shall be amended by adding the following provision thereto as
Section 5.19:
"SECTION 5.19. ORGANIZATION AND QUALIFICATION OF THE GUARANTOR. The
Guarantor is a limited partnership duly organized and existing and in
good standing under the laws of the State of Texas, has full and
adequate partnership power to carry on its business as now conducted,
is duly licensed or qualified in all jurisdictions wherein the nature
of its activities requires such licensing or qualification except
where the failure to be so licensed or qualified would not have a
material adverse effect on the condition, financial or otherwise, of
the Guarantor, has full right and authority to enter into the
Partnership Guaranty, to guaranty the payment when due of the
Company's indebtedness, obligations and liabilities to the Banks under
the Loan Documents pursuant to the Partnership Guaranty and to perform
each and all of the matters and things therein provided for; and the
Partnership Guaranty does not, nor does the performance or observance
by the Guarantor of any of the matters or things provided for in the
Partnership Guaranty, contravene any provision of law or any provision
of the Guarantor's certificate of limited partnership or its limited
partnership agreement or any covenant, indenture or agreement of or
affecting the Guarantor or its Properties."
1.6. Effective as of April 1, 1999, Section 7.4(a) of the Credit
Agreement shall be amended to read as follows:
"(a) as soon as available, and in any event within 45 days after
the close of each quarterly fiscal period of the Company a copy of the
consolidated and consolidating balance sheet, statement of income and
retained earnings, statement of cash flows, and the results of
operations for each division of the Company, for such period of the
Company and its Subsidiaries, together with all such information for
the year to date, all in reasonable detail, prepared by the Company
and certified on behalf of the Company by the Company's chief
financial officer;".
1.7. Effective as of April 1, 1999, Section 7.7 of the Credit Agreement
shall be amended by adding the following phrase immediately before the
period appearing at the end thereof:
", and (d) the guaranties and environmental indemnities
described in Section 7.17(s) hereof."
1.8. Effective as of April 1, 1999, Section 7.8 of the Credit Agreement
shall be amended to read as follows:
"SECTION 7.8. LEVERAGE RATIO. The Company will not permit the
ratio of its Leverage Ratio at any time during each period specified
below to exceed the ratio specified below for such period:
(a) from the last day of Fiscal Year 1998 through the next
to last day of Fiscal Year 1999, 0.625 to 1; and
(b) on the last day of Fiscal Year 1999 and thereafter, 0.60
to 1."
1.9. Effective as of April 1, 1999, Section 7.14 of the Credit
Agreement shall be amended to read as follows:
"SECTION 7.14. Intentionally Omitted."
1.10. Effective as of April 1, 1999, Section 7.16 of the Credit
Agreement shall be amended by deleting the word "and" appearing after the
semi-colon at the end of subsection (o) thereof, by replacing the period at
the end of subsection (p) thereof with the phrase "; and" and by adding the
following provision thereto as subsection (q):
"(q) liens and security interests granted by PPAHC on its real
estate and all buildings and improvements thereon and all rents,
issues and profits thereof securing indebtedness permitted by
Section 7.17(r) hereof."
1.11. Effective as of April 1, 1999, Section 7.17 of the Credit
Agreement shall be amended by deleting the word "and" appearing after the
semi-colon at the end of subsection (p) thereof, by replacing the period at
the end of subsection (q) thereof with the phrase "; and" and by adding the
following provisions thereto as subsections (r) and (s):
"(r) indebtedness of PPAHC to Harris Trust and Savings Bank in an
aggregate principal amount not to exceed $1,750,000 incurred to
finance the construction by PPAHC of an apartment building in Camp
County, Texas, and any indebtedness incurred to refinance such
indebtedness; and
(s) indebtedness of the Company under its guaranty of payment to
Harris Trust and Savings Bank, and any refinancing lender or lenders,
of PPAHC's indebtedness described in subsection (r) above and its
environmental indemnity given to Harris Trust and Savings Bank, and
any refinancing lender or lenders, in connection with PPAHC's
indebtedness described in subsection (r) above."
1.12. Effective as of April 1, 1999, Section 7.18 of the Credit
Agreement shall be amended by deleting the word "and" appearing after the
semi-colon at the end of subsection (k) thereof, by replacing the period at
the end of subsection (l) thereof with the phrase "; and" and by adding the
following provision thereto as subsection (m):
"(m) loans and advances to officers and employees of the Company
and its Subsidiaries made in connection with such officer's and
employee's for housing related expenses or loans associated with the
procurement or sale of personal residences or necessary for the moving
of key personnel, in an aggregate outstanding amount not to exceed
$3,000,000 at any time."
1.13. Effective as of April 1, 1999, Section 7.23 of the Credit
Agreement shall be amended to read as follows:
"SECTION 7.23. CONDUCT OF BUSINESS AND MAINTENANCE OF EXISTENCE. The
Company will, and will cause each Subsidiary to, continue to engage in
business of the same general type as now conducted by it and, in the
case of PPAHC, to engage in no business other than the construction,
acquisition and renting, as landlord, an apartment building in Camp
County, Texas, and the Company will, and will cause each Subsidiary
to, preserve, renew and keep in full force and effect its corporate
existence and its rights, privileges and franchises necessary or
desirable in the normal conduct of business."
1.14. Effective as of April 1, 1999, Section 7.29 of the Credit
Agreement shall be amended to read as follows:
"SECTION 7.29. NEW SUBSIDIARIES. The Company will not, directly or
indirectly, create or acquire any Subsidiary except Funding Corp. and
PPAHC unless (a) after giving effect to any such creation or
acquisition, the total assets (determined in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles, consistently applied) of all such
Subsidiaries would not exceed 5% of the Total Assets of the Company
and its Subsidiaries, and (b) all Inventory and Receivables of such
Subsidiaries are pledged to the Agent for the benefit of the Banks
pursuant to a security agreement substantially identical to the
Security Agreement."
1.15. Effective as of the Guaranty Substitution Date, Section 7.30 of
the Credit Agreement shall be amended to read as follows:
"SECTION 7.30. GUARANTY FEES. The Company will not, and it will not
permit any Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, pay to the Guarantor
or any other guarantor of any of the Company's indebtedness,
obligations and liabilities, any fee or other compensation, but
excluding salary, bonus and other compensation for services rendered
as an employee (collectively the "GUARANTY FEES") in an aggregate
amount in excess of $1,400,000 in any Fiscal Year of the Company. For
purposes of this Section 7.30, any Guaranty Fees paid within 45 days
after the last day of any Fiscal Year shall be deemed to have been
paid during such Fiscal Year."
1.16. Effective as of the Guaranty Substitution Date, Sections 8.1(l),
(m) and (n) of the Credit Agreement shall be amended to read as follows:
"(l) Any shares of the capital stock of the Company owned
legally or beneficially by the Guarantor or Mr. and/or Mrs.
Lonnie A. Pilgrim shall be pledged, assigned or otherwise
encumbered for any reason, other than the pledge of up to
2,000,000 shares to secure personal obligations of Mr. and Mrs.
Lonnie A. Pilgrim or such other personal obligations incurred by
any Person so long as such obligations are not related to the
financing of the Company of any of its Subsidiaries;
(m) the Guarantor or Mr. and Mrs. Lonnie A. Pilgrim and
their descendants and heirs shall for any reason cease to have
legal and/or beneficial ownership of no less than 51% of the
issued and outstanding shares of all classes of capital stock of
the Company;
(n) the Guarantor shall terminate, breach, repudiate or
disavow the Partnership Guaranty or any part thereof, or any
event specified in Sections 8.1(i) or (j) shall occur with regard
to the Guarantor;".
2. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT.
2.1. The effectiveness of Sections 1.1, 1.2, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 1.10,
1.11, 1.12, 1.13 and 1.14 of this Amendment is subject to the satisfaction
of all of the following conditions precedent:
(a) The Company and each of the Banks shall have executed this
Amendment (such execution may be in several counterparts and the several
parties hereto may execute on separate counterparts);
(b) The Agent shall have received, in sufficient counterparts for
distribution to the Banks:
(i) copies (executed or certified as may be appropriate) of
resolutions of the Company's board of directors authorizing the
transactions contemplated by this Amendment and all other legal
documents or proceedings, if any, taken in connection with the
execution and delivery of this Amendment, and the other instruments
and documents contemplated hereby; and
(ii) the opinion of counsel to the Company substantially in the
form of Exhibit C hereto and satisfactory to the Agent, the Banks and
their respective counsel; and
(c) The Agent shall have received for the ratable benefit of the Banks
that execute this Amendment (the "APPROVING BANKS") an amendment fee in an
amount equal to one-eighth of one percent (0.125%) of the maximum amount of
the Revolving Credit Commitment of each of the Approving Banks;
(d) Each of the representations and warranties set forth in Section 5
of the Credit Agreement shall be true and correct;
(e) The Company shall be in full compliance with all of the terms and
conditions of the Credit Agreement, except for its non-compliance with
Section 7.14 of the Credit Agreement as of April 3, 1999 (the " EXISTING
DEFAULT") and no Event of Default or Potential Default, except the Existing
Default, shall have occurred and be continuing thereunder or shall result
after giving effect to this Amendment; and
(f) All legal matters incident to the execution and delivery hereof
and the instruments and documents contemplated hereby shall be satisfactory
to the Banks.
2.2. The effectiveness of Sections 1.3, 1.4, 1.5 and 1.15 of this
Amendment is subject to the satisfaction of all of the following conditions
precedent:
(a) The Agent shall have received, in sufficient counterparts for
distribution to the Banks:
(i) a Guaranty Agreement in the form of Exhibit A hereto executed
by all of the general partners in the Guarantor;
(ii) copies, certified as true and complete by a general partner
in the Guarantor, of the agreement of limited partnership of the
Guarantor and all amendments thereto;
(iii) a copy, certified by the Secretary of State of Texas as of a
date no earlier than 30 days before the date of the Partnership
Guaranty, of the Certificate of Limited Partnership of the Guarantor;
(iv) the opinion of counsel to the Guarantor substantially in the
form of Exhibit B hereto and satisfactory to the Agent, the Banks and
their respective counsel; and
(v) copies (executed or certified as may be appropriate) of
resolutions of all legal documents or proceedings, if any, taken in
connection with the execution and delivery of this Amendment, and the
other instruments and documents contemplated hereby;
(b) Each of the representations and warranties set forth in Section 5
of the Credit Agreement shall be true and correct;
(c) The Company shall be in full compliance with all of the terms and
conditions of the Credit Agreement, except for the Existing Default, and no
Event of Default or Potential Default, except the Existing Default, shall
have occurred and be continuing thereunder or shall result after giving
effect to this Amendment; and
(d) All legal matters incident to the execution and delivery hereof
and the instruments and documents contemplated hereby shall be satisfactory
to the Banks.
3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.
3.1. The Company, by its execution of this Amendment, hereby represents
and warrants the following:
(a) each of the representations and warranties set forth in
Section 5 of the Credit Agreement is true and correct as of the date
hereof, except that the representations and warranties made under
Section 5.3 shall be deemed to refer to the most recent annual report
furnished to the Banks by the Company; and
(b) the Company is in full compliance with all of the terms and
conditions of the Credit Agreement, except for the Existing Default,
and no Event of Default or Potential Default, except for the Existing
Default, has occurred and is continuing thereunder.
4. MISCELLANEOUS.
4.1. The Company has heretofore executed and delivered to the Agent
that certain Security Agreement Re: Accounts Receivable, Farm Products and
Inventory dated as of May 27, 1993, as amended (the "SECURITY AGREEMENT")
and the Company hereby agrees that the Security Agreement shall secure all
of the Company's indebtedness, obligations and liabilities to the Agent and
the Banks under the Credit Agreement as amended by this Amendment, that
notwithstanding the execution and delivery of this Amendment, the Security
Agreement shall be and remain in full force and effect and that any rights
and remedies of the Agent thereunder, obligations of the Company thereunder
and any liens or security interests created or provided for thereunder
shall be and remain in full force and effect and shall not be affected,
impaired or discharged thereby. Nothing herein contained shall in any
manner affect or impair the priority of the liens and security interests
created and provided for by the Security Agreement as to the indebtedness
which would be secured thereby prior to giving effect to this Amendment.
4.2. Except as specifically amended herein the Credit Agreement and the
Notes shall continue in full force and effect in accordance with their
original terms. Reference to this specific Amendment need not be made in
any note, document, letter, certificate, the Credit Agreement itself, the
Notes, or any communication issued or made pursuant to or with respect to
the Credit Agreement, any reference to the Credit Agreement being
sufficient to refer to the Credit Agreement as amended hereby.
4.3. The Company agrees to pay all out-of-pocket costs and expenses
incurred by the Agent and Banks in connection with the preparation,
execution and delivery of this Amendment and the documents and transactions
contemplated hereby, including the fees and expenses of Messrs. Chapman and
Cutler.
4.4. This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, and
by the different parties on different counterparts, all of which taken
together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. Any of the parties
hereto may execute this Amendment by signing any such counterpart and each
of such counterparts shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original.
4.5. (A) THIS AMENDMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF THE PARTIES
HERETO, SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND DETERMINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL
LAWS OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT PROVIDED IN
SECTION 4.5(b) HEREOF AND TO THE EXTENT THAT THE FEDERAL LAWS OF THE UNITED
STATES OF AMERICA MAY OTHERWISE APPLY.
(b) NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING IN SECTION 4.5(a) HEREOF TO THE CONTRARY,
NOTHING IN THIS AMENDMENT, THE CREDIT AGREEMENT, THE NOTES, OR THE OTHER
LOAN DOCUMENTS SHALL BE DEEMED TO CONSTITUTE A WAIVER OF ANY RIGHTS WHICH
THE COMPANY, THE AGENT OR ANY OF THE BANKS MAY HAVE UNDER THE NATIONAL BANK
ACT OR OTHER APPLICABLE FEDERAL LAW.
4.6. Upon the Guaranty Substitution Date Mr. and Mrs. Lonnie A. "Bo"
Pilgrim shall be released from their obligations under the Guaranty
Agreement dated May 27, 1993, without any further action by the Agent, the
Banks or any of them, and such Guaranty Agreement thereafter shall be of no
force or effect.
<PAGE>
Dated as of April 1, 1999.
PILGRIM'S PRIDE CORPORATION
By
Its Chief Financial Officer
Accepted and Agreed to as of the day and year last above written.
HARRIS TRUST AND SAVINGS BANK individually
and as Agent
By
Its Managing Director
U.S. BANCORP AG CREDIT, INC.
By
Its
COBANK, ACB
By
Its
SUNTRUST BANK, ATLANTA
By
Its
By
Its
CREDIT AGRICOLE INDOSUEZ, CHICAGO BRANCH
By
Its
By
Its
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT B
(To Be Retyped On Letterhead Of Counsel
And Dated As Of Date Of Closing)
__________________, 1999
Harris Trust and Savings Bank
Chicago, Illinois
U.S. Bancorp Ag Credit, Inc.
Denver, Colorado
CoBank, ACB
Wichita, Kansas
SunTrust Bank, Atlanta
Atlanta, Georgia
Credit Agricole Indosuez, Chicago Branch
(successor by merger to Caisse Nationale de Credit
Agricole, Chicago Branch)
Chicago, Illinois
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have served as counsel to Pilgrim Interests, Ltd., a Texas limited
partnership (the "GUARANTOR") in connection with the Guarantor guaranteeing
payment of the indebtedness of Pilgrim's Pride Corporation, a Texas
corporation (the "BORROWER"), to you under the Amended and Restated Secured
Credit agreement dated as of August 11, 1997, as amended (the "CREDIT
AGREEMENT"). As such counsel, we have supervised the taking of the
proceedings necessary to authorize the execution and delivery of, and have
examined executed originals of, the Guaranty Agreement dated
__________________, 1999 (the "GUARANTY") executed and delivered by the
Guarantor to you. As counsel to the Guarantor, we are familiar with the
certificate of limited partnership, limited partnership agreement and any
other agreements under which the Guarantor is organized. We have also
examined such other instruments and records and inquired into such other
factual matters and matters of law as we deem necessary or pertinent to the
formulation of the opinions hereinafter expressed.
Based upon the foregoing and upon our examination of the certificate
of limited partnership and limited partnership agreement of the Guarantor,
we are of the opinion that:
1. The Borrower is a limited partnership duly organized and validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Texas with
full and adequate power and authority to carry on its business as now
conducted and is duly licensed or qualified and in good standing in all
jurisdictions wherein the conduct of its business or the assets and
properties owned or leased by it require such licensing or qualification.
2. The Guarantor has full right, power and authority to guarantee the
payment of the Borrower's indebtedness to you, to execute and deliver the
Guaranty executed by it and to observe and perform all the matters and
things therein provided for. The execution and delivery of the Guaranty
executed by the Guarantor does not, nor will the observance or performance
of any of the matters or things therein provided for, contravene any
provision of law or of the certificate of limited partnership or limited
partnership agreement of the Guarantor (there being no other agreements
under which the Guarantor is organized) or, to the best of our knowledge
after due inquiry, of any covenant, indenture or agreement binding upon or
affecting the Borrower or any of its properties or assets.
3. The Guaranty executed by the Guarantor has been duly authorized by
all necessary action, has been executed and delivered by the proper
officers of the Guarantor and constitutes the valid and binding agreement
of the Guarantor enforceable against it in accordance with their respective
terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency and other similar laws affecting
creditors' rights generally and to general principles of equity.
4. No order, authorization, consent, license or exemption of, or
filing or registration with, any court or governmental department, agency,
instrumentality or regulatory body, whether local, state or federal, is or
will be required in connection with the lawful execution and delivery of
the Guaranty or the observance and performance by the Guarantor of any of
the terms thereof.
5. To the best of our knowledge after due inquiry, there is no
action, suit, proceeding or investigation at law or in equity before or by
any court or public body pending or threatened against or affecting the
Guarantor or any of its assets and properties which, if adversely
determined, could result in any material adverse change in the properties,
business, operations or financial condition of the Guarantor.
Respectfully submitted,
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT C
(To Be Retyped On Letterhead Of Counsel
And Dated As Of Date Of Closing)
__________, 1999
Harris Trust and Savings Bank
Chicago, Illinois
U.S. Bancorp Ag Credit, Inc.
(formerly known as FBS Ag Credit, Inc.)
Denver, Colorado
CoBank, ACB
Wichita, Kansas
SunTrust Bank, Atlanta
Atlanta, Georgia
Credit Agricole Indosuez, Chicago Branch (successor by
merger to Caisse Nationale de Credit Agricole, Chicago Branch)
Chicago, Illinois
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have served as counsel to Pilgrim's Pride Corporation, a Delaware
corporation (the "BORROWER"), in connection with the amendment and
extension of the revolving credit facility being made available by you to
the Borrower pursuant to the Amended and Restated Secured Credit Agreement
dated as of August 11, 1997, as amended (the "CREDIT AGREEMENT"), among the
Borrower and you. As such counsel, we have supervised the taking of the
corporate proceedings necessary to authorize the execution and delivery of,
and have examined executed originals of, the Third Amendment to Amended and
Restated Secured Credit Agreement dated as of ___________________, 1999
(the "AMENDMENT") among the Borrower and you. As counsel to the Borrower,
we are familiar with the articles of incorporation, charter, by-laws and
any other agreements under which the Borrower is organized. We have also
examined such other instruments and records and inquired into such other
factual matters and matters of law as we deem necessary or pertinent to the
formulation of the opinions hereinafter expressed.
Based upon the foregoing and upon our examination of the articles of
incorporation, charter and by-laws of the Borrower, we are of the opinion
that:
1. The Borrower is a corporation duly organized and validly existing
and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware with full and
adequate corporate power and authority to carry on its business as now
conducted and is duly licensed or qualified and in good standing in all
jurisdictions wherein the conduct of its business or the assets and
properties owned or leased by it require such licensing or qualification.
2. The Borrower has full right, power and authority to borrow from
you, to mortgage, pledge, assign and otherwise encumber its assets and
properties as collateral security for such borrowings, to execute and
deliver the Amendment executed by it and to observe and perform all the
matters and things therein provided for. The execution and delivery of the
Amendment by the Borrower does not, nor will the observance or performance
of any of the matters or things therein provided for, contravene any
provision of law or of the respective articles of incorporation, charter or
by-laws of the Borrower (there being no other agreements under which the
Borrower is organized) or, to the best of our knowledge after due inquiry,
of any covenant, indenture or agreement binding upon or affecting the
Borrower or any of its properties or assets.
3. The Amendment executed by the Borrower has been duly authorized by
all necessary corporate action (no stockholder approval being required),
has been executed and delivered by the proper officers of the Borrower and
the Credit Agreement, as amended by the Amendment, constitutes a valid and
binding agreement of the Borrower enforceable against it in accordance with
its terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency and other similar laws
affecting creditors' rights generally and to general principles of equity.
4. No order, authorization, consent, license or exemption of, or
filing or registration with, any court or governmental department, agency,
instrumentality or regulatory body, whether local, state or federal, is or
will be required in connection with the lawful execution and delivery of
the Amendment or the observance and performance by the Borrower of any of
the terms of the Credit Agreement as amended by the Amendment.
5. To the best of our knowledge after due inquiry, there is no
action, suit, proceeding or investigation at law or in equity before or by
any court or public body pending or threatened against or affecting the
Borrower or any of its assets and properties which, if adversely
determined, could result in any material adverse change in the properties,
business, operations or financial condition of the Borrower or in the value
of the collateral security for your loans and other credit accommodations
to the Borrower.
6. The rates of interest provided for under the Credit Agreement and
the Loan Documents (as defined in the Credit Agreement) and any other
amounts payable thereunder that would constitute interest would not violate
any usury law of the State of Texas should such laws apply to the Credit
Agreement, any of the Loan Documents or any of the indebtedness,
obligations and liabilities of the Borrower thereunder.
We are admitted to practice law only in the State of Texas and do not
purport to be experts in or qualified to express legal conclusions with
respect to the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Texas or of
the United States of America, except the Business Corporation Act of the
State of Delaware.
Respectfully submitted,
PILGRIM'S PRIDE CORPORATION
FOURTH AMENDMENT TO AMENDED AND RESTATED SECURED CREDIT AGREEMENT
Harris Trust and Savings Bank
Chicago, Illinois
U.S. Bancorp Ag Credit, Inc.
(formerly known as FBS Ag Credit, Inc.)
Denver, Colorado
CoBank, ACB
Wichita, Kansas
SunTrust Bank, Atlanta
Atlanta, Georgia
Credit Agricole Indosuez, Chicago Branch (successor by
merger to Caisse Nationale de Credit Agricole, Chicago Branch)
Chicago, Illinois
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Reference is hereby made to that certain Amended and Restated Secured
Credit Agreement dated as of August 11, 1997, as amended (the "CREDIT
AGREEMENT") among the undersigned, Pilgrim's Pride Corporation, a Delaware
corporation (the "COMPANY"), you (the "BANKS") and Harris Trust and Savings
Bank, as agent for the Banks (the "AGENT"). All defined terms used herein
shall have the same meanings as in the Credit Agreement unless otherwise
defined herein.
The Company, the Agent and the Banks now wish to amend the Credit
Agreement to provide for the issuance by Harris of a letter of credit to
support the Company's obligations relating to certain tax-exempt bonds to
be issued by the Camp County Industrial Development Corporation for the
Company's benefit, to provide for the Banks' risk participation in that
letter of credit, to secure the Company's reimbursement obligation relating
to that letter of credit with the Collateral provided under the Security
Agreement and to amend certain covenants contained in the Credit Agreement,
all on the terms and conditions and in the manner set forth in this
Amendment.
1. AMENDMENTS.
Upon satisfaction of all of the applicable conditions precedent set
forth in Section 2 hereof, the Credit Agreement shall be amended as
follows:
1.1. The Credit Agreement shall be amended by adding the following
provisions thereto as Sections 1.10 through 1.19, inclusive:
"SECTION 1.10. THE BOND LETTER OF CREDIT. Subject to all the
terms and conditions hereof, at the Company's request Harris shall
issue a standby letter of credit (as amended (including any amendments
increasing the amount thereof) and reinstated from time to time, the
"BOND L/C") in an original stated amount of up to $25,239,727.00 (the
"BOND L/C COMMITMENT") for the account of the Company at any time on
or prior to June 29, 1999 (the "BOND L/C FACILITY EXPIRATION DATE").
The Bond L/C Commitment shall be separate and apart from, and in
addition to, the Revolving Credit Commitments. The Bond L/C shall be
issued pursuant to a Reimbursement Agreement (the "REIMBURSEMENT
AGREEMENT" ) in form and substance satisfactory to the Banks and shall
be for the purpose of supporting the Company's obligations relating to
the Bonds. The Bond L/C shall have an expiry date not later than the
Termination Date, subject to extension as provided in the
Reimbursement Agreement. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be
deemed to require the Company to cause the Bonds to be issued, it
being agreed that the issuance of Bonds shall be within the Company's
sole discretion. The Company shall pay Harris for its own account an
annual issuance fee (the "BOND L/C ISSUANCE FEE") in an amount equal
to one-eighth of one percent (0.125%) of the stated amount of the Bond
L/C, payable on the date the Bond L/C is issued by Harris and on each
annual anniversary thereof.
SECTION 1.11. REIMBURSEMENT OBLIGATION. The Company will pay in
immediately available funds to Harris the amount of each demand for
payment made under the Bond L/C immediately upon payment by Harris of
each amount so demanded and on the date of each such payment by Harris
(the obligation of the Company under this Section 1.11 is hereinafter
referred to as a "BOND REIMBURSEMENT OBLIGATION"). If at any time the
Company fails to pay any such Bond Reimbursement Obligation when due,
the unpaid amount of such Bond Reimbursement Obligation shall be due
and payable on demand and shall bear interest at the rate specified in
Section 1.3(d) hereof.
SECTION 1.12. PARTICIPATION IN THE BOND L/C. Each of the Banks
will acquire a risk participation for its own account, without
recourse to or representation or warranty from Harris, in the Bond L/C
upon the issuance thereof ratably in accordance with its Commitment
Percentage. In the event any Bond Reimbursement Obligation is not
immediately paid by the Company pursuant to Section 1.11 hereof, each
Bank will pay to Harris funds in an amount equal to such Bank's
Commitment Percentage of the unpaid amount of such Bond Reimbursement
Obligation. The obligation of the Banks to Harris under this
Section 1.12 shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be
affected or impaired by any Event of Default or Potential Default
which may then be continuing hereunder. Harris shall notify each Bank
by telephone of its Commitment Percentage of such unpaid Bond
Reimbursement Obligation. If such notice has been given to each Bank
by 1:00 p.m., Chicago time, each Bank agrees to pay Harris in
immediately available and freely transferable funds on the same
Business Day. If such notice is received after 1:00 p.m., Chicago
time, each Bank agrees to pay Harris in immediately available and
freely transferable funds no later than the following Business Day.
Funds shall be so made available at the account designated by Harris
in such notice to the Banks. Harris shall share with each Bank on a
pro rata basis relative to its Commitment Percentage a portion of each
payment of a Bond Reimbursement Obligation (whether of principal or
interest) and any Bond L/C Fee (but not the Bond L/C Issuance Fee or
any Bond L/C Administration Fee) payable by the Company. Any such
amount shall be promptly remitted to the Banks when and as received by
Harris from the Company.
SECTION 1.13. REDUCTIONS AND REINSTATEMENTS. The Company and the
Banks recognize, acknowledge and agree that (i) the Bond L/C provides
for automatic reductions and reinstatements as set forth in the
provisions of such Bond L/C, and (ii) the Bond L/C provides for the
beneficiary thereof to reduce from time to time the amounts available
to be drawn thereon. Each Bank acknowledges that, because the
interest component of the Bond L/C may be reinstated at a time when
the Company has not reimbursed Harris in full for an interest drawing
under the Bond L/C, the total may exceed the Bond L/C Commitment
pursuant to Section 1.10 hereof and each Bank agrees to pay Harris its
pro rata share of any drawing under the Bond L/C notwithstanding that
any such payment may result in the aggregate principal amount owing
such Bank hereunder exceeding the Bond L/C Commitment of such Bank.
SECTION 1.14. LIABILITY OF HARRIS. None of the Harris-Related
Persons shall (i) be liable for any action taken or omitted to be
taken by any of them under or in connection with the Reimbursement
Agreement or any Bond Document (except for its own gross negligence or
willful misconduct), or (ii) be responsible in any manner to any of
the Banks for any recital, statement, representation or warranty made
by the Company or any Affiliate of the Company, or any officer
thereof, contained in the Reimbursement Agreement or any Bond
Document, or in any certificate, report, statement or other document
referred to or provided for in, or received by Harris under or in
connection with, the Reimbursement Agreement or any Bond Document, or
for the validity, effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability or
sufficiency of the Reimbursement Agreement or any Bond Document, or
for any failure of the Company or any other party to the Reimbursement
Agreement or any Bond Document to perform its obligations thereunder
(other than for the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Harris).
No Harris-Related Person shall be under any obligation to any Bank to
ascertain or to inquire as to the observance or performance of any of
the agreements contained in, or conditions of, the Reimbursement
Agreement or any Bond Document, or to inspect the properties, books or
records of the Company or any of its Affiliates.
SECTION 1.15. RELIANCE BY HARRIS. Harris shall be entitled to
rely, and shall be fully protected in relying, upon any writing,
resolution, notice, consent, certificate, affidavit, letter, telegram,
facsimile, telex or telephone message, statement or other document or
conversation believed by it to be genuine and correct and to have been
signed, sent or made by the proper Person or Persons, and upon advice
and statements of legal counsel (including counsel to the Company).
Harris shall be fully justified in failing or refusing to take any
action under the Reimbursement Agreement or any Bond Document which
would otherwise require the consent of the Required Banks or all of
the Banks unless it shall first receive such advice or concurrence of
the Required Banks (or, if required by this Agreement, all Banks) as
it deems appropriate and, if it so requests, it shall first be
indemnified to its satisfaction by the Banks against any and all
liability and expense which may be incurred by it by reason of taking
or continuing to take any such action. Harris shall in all cases be
fully protected in acting, or in refraining from acting, under the
Reimbursement Agreement or any Bond Document in accordance with a
request or consent of the Required Banks (or, if required by this
Agreement, all Banks) and such request and any action taken or failure
to act pursuant thereto shall be binding upon all of the Banks.
SECTION 1.16. NOTICE OF DEFAULT. Harris shall not be deemed to
have knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Potential Default or
Event of Default under Section 8.1(1) hereof, unless Harris shall have
received written notice from the Company or any other party to a Bond
Document. Harris shall take such action with respect to such
Potential Default or Event of Default under the Reimbursement
Agreement and the Bond Documents as shall be required pursuant to
Section 8 hereof; PROVIDED that unless and until Harris shall have
received direction under Section 8, Harris may (but shall not be
obligated to) take such action, or refrain from taking such action,
with respect to such Potential Default or Event of Default as it shall
deem advisable and in the best interest of the Banks, except any
action resulting in the acceleration or redemption of any Bonds.
SECTION 1.17. INDEMNIFICATION. The Banks shall indemnify upon
demand the Harris-Related Persons (to the extent not reimbursed by or
on behalf of the Company and without limiting the obligation of the
Company to do so), ratably according to such Bank's Commitment
Percentage from and against any and all liabilities, obligations,
losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses
and disbursements of any kind whatsoever which may at any time
(including at any time following the termination of the Bond L/C) be
imposed on, incurred by or asserted against any such Person and which
are in any way relating to or arising out of this Agreement or any
document contemplated by or referred to herein or the transactions
contemplated hereby or thereby or any action taken or omitted by any
such Person under or in connection with any of the foregoing; PROVIDED
that no Bank shall be liable for the payment to the Harris-Related
Persons of any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses,
damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or
disbursements resulting solely from such Person's gross negligence or
willful misconduct or for the fees and expenses of counsel in
connection with the preparation, execution, delivery, administration,
or modification of the Reimbursement Agreement or any Bond Document or
any amendments thereto. The obligation of the Banks in this Section
shall survive the payment of all amounts owing by the Company
hereunder.
SECTION 1.18. DOCUMENTS AND REPORTS. Harris agrees to deliver to
the Banks promptly upon receipt thereof copies of all documents and
reports delivered to Harris pursuant to the Reimbursement Agreement or
any Bond Document.
SECTION 1.19. AMENDMENTS. Harris may enter into any amendment or
modification of, or may waive compliance with the terms of any Bond
Document (other than an Indenture) without the consent of any Bank;
PROVIDED (a) that without the consent of the Required Banks, Harris
shall not execute any instrument agreeing to any amendment or
modification of, or waiver of compliance with the Reimbursement
Agreement or any Bond Document, which would waive any "EVENT OF
DEFAULT" arising under the Reimbursement Agreement or any Bond
Document, and (b) without the consent of all of the Banks, Harris
shall not execute any instrument agreeing to any amendment or
modification of, or waiver of compliance with the Reimbursement
Agreement or any Bond Document, (i) which would (A) reduce the
principal of, or interest on, any Bond Reimbursement Obligation, (B)
postpone the due date for any payment of principal of, or interest on,
any Bond Reimbursement Obligation, (C) extend the stated expiration
date of the Bond L/C, (D) increase in any material manner (in the
reasonable opinion of Harris) the obligations of the Banks, or
(E) release or otherwise adversely affect the interests of the Banks
in any collateral granted under the Reimbursement Agreement or any
Bond Document, or (ii) after the occurrence of a Potential Default or
Event of Default."
1.2. The definition of the term "BORROWING BASE" contained in Section
4.1 of the Credit Agreement shall be amended to read as follows:
""BORROWING BASE", as determined on the basis of the information
contained in the most recent Borrowing Base Certificate, shall mean an
amount equal to:
(a) 65% of the Value of Eligible Inventory consisting of
feed grains, feed and ingredients, plus
(b) 65% percent of the Value of Eligible Inventory
consisting of live and dressed broiler chickens and commercial
eggs, plus
(c) 65% of the Value of Eligible Inventory consisting of
prepared foods, plus
(d) 100% of the Value of Eligible Inventory consisting of
breeder hens, breeder pullets, commercial hens, commercial
pullets and hatching eggs, plus
(e) 40% of the Value of Eligible Inventory consisting of
packaging materials, vaccines, general supplies, and maintenance
supplies, minus
(f) the aggregate outstanding amount of all Grower Payables
that are more than 15 days past due, minus
(g) the Bond L/C Exposure."
1.3. The definition of the term "LOAN DOCUMENTS" contained in Section
4.1 of the Credit Agreement shall be amended by adding the phrase ", THE
REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT" immediately after the phrase "THE L/C AGREEMENTS"
appearing therein.
1.4. Subsection (c) of the definition of the term "Change of Control"
contained in Section 4.1 of the Credit Agreement shall be amended to read
as follows:
"(c) the Guarantor or the Pilgrim Family shall cease to own more
than 51% of the total voting power generally entitled to vote in the
election of directors, managers or trustees of the Company,".
1.5. Section 4.1 of the Credit Agreement shall be amended by adding the
following definitions thereto:
" "ALTERNATIVE CREDIT FACILITY" shall mean any irrevocable letter
of credit, surety bond, insurance policy or other similar instruments,
other than the Bond L/C, issued by any Person to support the Company's
obligations with respect to the Bonds.
"BONDS" shall mean the $25,000,000 aggregate principal amount of
the Issuer's Environmental Facilities Reserve Bonds (Pilgrim's Pride
Corporation Project), Series 1999.
"BOND DOCUMENTS" shall mean the Indenture and any other
instrument and documents relating to the issuance and sale of the
Bonds.
"BOND L/C" shall have the meaning specified in Section 1.10
hereof.
"BOND L/C ADMINISTRATIVE FEES" shall mean the fees payable by the
Company pursuant to Sections 2.4(b) and (c) of the Reimbursement
Agreement.
"BOND L/C COMMITMENT" shall have the meaning specified in Section
1.10 hereof.
"BOND L/C EXPOSURE" shall mean, as of any date of determination,
the sum of (a) the unused amount of the Bond L/C Commitment, if any,
(b) the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding Bond L/C
Reimbursement Obligations, if any, and (c) the maximum amount
available to be drawn under the Bond L/C (after giving effect to any
reductions thereof as provided in the Bond L/C), each determined on
such date.
"BOND L/C FACILITY EXPIRATION DATE" shall have the meaning
specified in Section 1.10 hereof.
"BOND L/C FEE" shall mean the fee payable by the Company pursuant
to Section 2.4(a) of the Reimbursement Agreement.
"BOND REIMBURSEMENT OBLIGATION" shall have the meaning specified
in Section 1.11 hereof.
"HARRIS - RELATED PERSONS" shall mean Harris, together with its
Affiliates, and the officers, directors, employees, agents and
attorneys-in-fact of Harris and such Affiliates.
"INDENTURE" shall mean the Trust Indenture dated as of June 15,
1999 between the Issuer and the Trustee, relating to the Bonds, as
amended.
"ISSUER" shall mean the Camp County Industrial Development
Corporation, a nonstock, nonprofit industrial development corporation
existing under the laws of the State of Texas.
"REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT" shall have the meaning specified in
Section 1.10 hereof.
"TRUSTEE" shall mean Harris Trust and Savings Bank, as Trustee
under the Indenture, and any successor trustee thereunder."
1.6. Section 7.16 of the Credit Agreement shall be amended by deleting
the word "and" appearing after the semi-colon at the end of subsection (p)
thereof, by replacing the period at the end of subsection (s) thereof with
the phrase "; and" and by adding the following provisions thereto as
subsection (r):
"(r) (i) liens, pledges, mortgages, security interests, or other
charges granted to the Agent to secure the Bond L/C or the Bond
Reimbursement Obligations, and (ii) liens, pledges, mortgages,
security interests or other charges in Property other than the
Collateral granted to the issuer of an Alternate Credit Facility to
secure the Company's obligations to such issuer with respect to the
Alternate Credit Facility."
1.7. Section 7.17 of the Credit Agreement shall be amended by deleting
the word "and" appearing after the semi-colon at the end of subsection (r)
thereof, by replacing the period at the end of subsection (s) thereof with
the phrase "; and" and by adding the following provisions thereto as
subsection (t):
"(t) indebtedness of the Company relating to the Bonds, the Bond
L/C and any Alternate Credit Facility."
1.8. Section 8.1(a) of the Credit Agreement shall be amended by adding
the phrase ", Bond Reimbursement Obligation" immediately after the word
"Note" appearing in the second line thereof.
1.9. Sections 8.1(m) of the Credit Agreement shall be amended to read
as follows:
"(m) the Guarantor or Mr. and Mrs. Lonnie A. Pilgrim and
their descendants and heirs shall for any reason cease to have
legal and/or beneficial ownership of shares of capital stock of
the Company having more than 51% of the total voting power
generally entitled to vote in the election of directors, managers
or trustees of the Company;".
1.10. Section 8.1 of the Credit Agreement shall be amended by deleting
the word "and" appearing after the semi-colon at the end of subsection (n)
thereof, by replacing the period appearing at the end of subsection (o)
thereof with the phrase "; and" and by adding the following provision
thereto as subsection (q):
"(q) The existence of any condition or the occurrence of any event
specified as an "Event of Default" under the Reimbursement Agreement."
1.11. Sections 8.2, 8.3 and 8.4 of the Credit Agreement shall be amended
to read as follows:
"SECTION 8.2. REMEDIES FOR NON-BANKRUPTCY DEFAULTS. When any
Event of Default, other than an Event of Default described in
subsections (i) and (j) of Section 8.1 hereof, has occurred and is
continuing, the Agent, if directed by the Required Banks, shall give
notice to the Company and take any or all of the following actions:
(i) terminate the remaining Revolving Credit Commitments and the Bond
L/C Commitment, if any, hereunder on the date (which may be the date
thereof) stated in such notice, (ii) declare the principal of and the
accrued interest on the Notes, unpaid Bond Reimbursement Obligations
and unpaid Reimbursement Obligations to be forthwith due and payable
and thereupon the Notes, unpaid Bond Reimbursement Obligations and
unpaid Reimbursement Obligations including both principal and
interest, shall be and become immediately due and payable without
further demand, presentment, protest or notice of any kind, and (iii)
proceed to foreclose against any Collateral under any of the Security
Documents, take any action or exercise any remedy under any of the
Loan Documents or exercise any other action, right, power or remedy
permitted by law. Any Bank may exercise the right of set off with
regard to any deposit accounts or other accounts maintained by the
Company with any of the Banks.
SECTION 8.3. REMEDIES FOR BANKRUPTCY DEFAULTS. When any Event of
Default described in subsections (i) or (j) of Section 8.1 hereof has
occurred and is continuing, then the Notes, unpaid Bond Reimbursement
Obligations and all Reimbursement Obligations shall immediately become
due and payable without presentment, demand, protest or notice of any
kind, and the obligation of the Banks to extend further credit
pursuant to any of the terms hereof shall immediately terminate.
SECTION 8.4. L/Cs. Promptly following the acceleration of the
maturity of the Notes pursuant to Section 8.2 or 8.3 hereof, the
Company shall immediately pay to the Agent for the benefit of the
Banks the full aggregate amount of all outstanding L/Cs and the Bond
L/C. The Agent shall hold all such funds and proceeds thereof as
additional collateral security for the obligations of the Company to
the Banks under the Loan Documents. The amount paid under any of the
L/Cs or the Bond L/C for which the Company has not reimbursed the
Banks shall bear interest from the date of such payment at the default
rate of interest specified in Section 1.3(d) hereof."
1.12. The Credit Agreement shall be amended by adding the following
provision thereto as Section 8.5:
"SECTION 8.5. REMEDIES UNDER THE BONDS DOCUMENTS. In addition to
the foregoing, Harris shall have all of the remedies provided to
Harris in the Bond Documents upon the occurrence of an Event of
Default."
1.13. Section 11.1 of the Credit Agreement shall be amended by adding
the following proviso immediately before the period at the end thereof:
"; and PROVIDED FURTHER, that (x) any amendments of the
Reimbursement Agreement or the Bond Documents by Harris
shall be subject to the provisions of Section 1.19 of
this Agreement, and (y) Sections 1.10 through 1.19,
both inclusive, of this Agreement may only be amended,
modified or waived with the consent of Harris."
1.14. Exhibit G to the Credit Agreement shall be replaced by Exhibit G
to this Amendment.
2. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT.
The effectiveness of this Amendment is subject to the satisfaction of
all of the following conditions precedent:
2.1. The Company and each of the Banks shall have executed this
Amendment (such execution may be in several counterparts and the several
parties hereto may execute on separate counterparts).
2.2. The Agent shall have received, in sufficient counterparts for
distribution to the Banks:
(a) executed counterparts of the Third Amendment to Security
Agreement re: Accounts Receivable, Farm Products and Inventory in the
form of Exhibit A hereto;
(b) executed counterparts of the Reimbursement Agreement in the
form of Exhibit B hereto;
(c) copies (executed or certified as may be appropriate) of
resolutions of the Company's board of directors authorizing the
transactions contemplated by this Amendment and all other legal
documents or proceedings, if any, taken in connection with the
execution and delivery of this Amendment and the other instruments and
documents contemplated hereby; and
(d) the opinion of counsel to the Company substantially in the
form of Exhibit C hereto and satisfactory to the Agent, the Banks and
their respective counsel.
2.3. The Guaranty Agreement dated as of May 27, 1993 from Mr. and Mrs.
Lonnie A. Pilgrim or, if applicable, the Guaranty Agreement of Pilgrim
Interests, Ltd. shall be amended to include the Bond Reimbursement
Obligations in the indebtedness guarantied thereby and, if Pilgrim
Interests, Ltd. is the guarantor, the Agent shall have received such legal
opinions and other instruments and documents as it may request, all in form
and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent.
2.4. The Agent shall have received for the ratable benefit of the Banks
that execute this Amendment (the "APPROVING BANKS") an amendment fee in an
amount equal to one-eighth of one percent (0.125%) of the maximum amount of
the Bond L/C Commitment of each of the Approving Banks.
2.5. Each of the representations and warranties set forth in Section 5
of the Credit Agreement shall be true and correct.
2.6. The Company shall be in full compliance with all of the terms and
conditions of the Credit Agreement and no Event of Default or Potential
Default shall have occurred and be continuing thereunder or shall result
after giving effect to this Amendment.
2.7. All legal matters incident to the execution and delivery hereof
and the instruments and documents contemplated hereby shall be satisfactory
to the Banks.
3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.
3.1. The Company, by its execution of this Amendment, hereby represents
and warrants the following:
(a) each of the representations and warranties set forth in
Section 5 of the Credit Agreement is true and correct as of the date
hereof, except that the representations and warranties made under
Section 5.3 shall be deemed to refer to the most recent annual report
furnished to the Banks by the Company; and
(b) the Company is in full compliance with all of the terms and
conditions of the Credit Agreement, except for the Existing Default,
and no Event of Default or Potential Default has occurred and is
continuing thereunder.
4. MISCELLANEOUS.
4.1. The Company has heretofore executed and delivered to the Agent
that certain Security Agreement Re: Accounts Receivable, Farm Products and
Inventory dated as of May 27, 1993, as amended (the "SECURITY AGREEMENT")
and the Company hereby agrees that the Security Agreement shall secure all
of the Company's indebtedness, obligations and liabilities to the Agent and
the Banks under the Credit Agreement as amended by this Amendment, that
notwithstanding the execution and delivery of this Amendment, the Security
Agreement shall be and remain in full force and effect and that any rights
and remedies of the Agent thereunder, obligations of the Company thereunder
and any liens or security interests created or provided for thereunder
shall be and remain in full force and effect and shall not be affected,
impaired or discharged thereby. Nothing herein contained shall in any
manner affect or impair the priority of the liens and security interests
created and provided for by the Security Agreement as to the indebtedness
which would be secured thereby prior to giving effect to this Amendment.
4.2. Except as specifically amended herein the Credit Agreement and the
Notes shall continue in full force and effect in accordance with their
original terms. Reference to this specific Amendment need not be made in
any note, document, letter, certificate, the Credit Agreement itself, the
Notes, or any communication issued or made pursuant to or with respect to
the Credit Agreement, any reference to the Credit Agreement being
sufficient to refer to the Credit Agreement as amended hereby.
4.3. The Company agrees to pay all out-of-pocket costs and expenses
incurred by the Agent and Banks in connection with the preparation,
execution and delivery of this Amendment and the documents and transactions
contemplated hereby, including the reasonable fees and expenses of Messrs.
Chapman and Cutler.
4.4. This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, and
by the different parties on different counterparts, all of which taken
together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. Any of the parties
hereto may execute this Amendment by signing any such counterpart and each
of such counterparts shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original.
4.5. (A) THIS AMENDMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF THE PARTIES
HERETO, SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND DETERMINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL
LAWS OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT PROVIDED IN
SECTION 4.5(b) HEREOF AND TO THE EXTENT THAT THE FEDERAL LAWS OF THE UNITED
STATES OF AMERICA MAY OTHERWISE APPLY.
(b) NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING IN SECTION 4.5(a) HEREOF TO THE CONTRARY,
NOTHING IN THIS AMENDMENT, THE CREDIT AGREEMENT, THE NOTES, OR THE OTHER
LOAN DOCUMENTS SHALL BE DEEMED TO CONSTITUTE A WAIVER OF ANY RIGHTS WHICH
THE COMPANY, THE AGENT OR ANY OF THE BANKS MAY HAVE UNDER THE NATIONAL BANK
ACT OR OTHER APPLICABLE FEDERAL LAW.
<PAGE>
Dated as of June ____, 1999.
PILGRIM'S PRIDE CORPORATION
By
Its Chief Financial Officer
Accepted and Agreed to as of the day and year last above written.
HARRIS TRUST AND SAVINGS BANK individually
and as Agent
By
Its Managing Director
U.S. BANCORP AG CREDIT, INC.
By
Its
COBANK, ACB
By
Its
SUNTRUST BANK, ATLANTA
By
Its
By
Its
CREDIT AGRICOLE INDOSUEZ, CHICAGO BRANCH
By
Its
By
Its
<PAGE>
Exhibit G
PILGRIM'S PRIDE CORPORATION
BORROWING BASE CERTIFICATE
as of _____________________
($000's omitted)
This Borrowing Base Certificate is furnished to Harris Trust and
Savings Bank, as agent (the "AGENT"), pursuant to that certain Amended and
Restated Secured Credit Agreement dated as of August 11, 1997, as amended,
by and among Pilgrim's Pride Corporation (the "COMPANY"), Harris Trust and
Savings Bank and the other Bank parties thereto (the "AGREEMENT"). Unless
otherwise defined herein, the terms used in this Borrowing Base Certificate
have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Agreement.
THE UNDERSIGNED HEREBY CERTIFIES THAT:
1. I am the duly elected Chief Financial Officer of the Company.
2. I have reviewed the terms of the Agreement and I have made,
or have caused to be made under my supervision, the attached
computation of the Borrowing Base as defined in Section 4.1 of the
Agreement.
3. No change of name, corporate identity or address of the chief
executive office of the Company has occurred.
4. I have reviewed the terms of the Agreement and, pursuant to
such review, I have no knowledge of the existence of any condition or
event which would constitute a Potential Default or Event of Default,
except as set forth below (detailing the nature of the condition or
event, the period during which it has existed and the action which the
Company has taken, is taking or proposes to take with respect to each
such condition or event):
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
<PAGE>
5. The information above and any attached exhibits do not
contain any untrue statement of material fact or omit a material fact,
either individually or in aggregate, that would make the information
or any attached exhibits misleading.
PILGRIM'S PRIDE CORPORATION
By
Its
<PAGE>
SUMMARY OF COLLATERAL POOL
Dated as of ___________, 199__
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INVENTORY ADVANCE
UNITS VALUE VALUE
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1.) Live Broiler
__________ $_________ $__________
2.) Breeder Hens
__________ $_________ $__________
3.) Breeder Pullets
__________ $_________ $__________
4.) Commercial Hens
__________ $_________ $__________
5.) Commercial Pullets
__________ $_________ $__________
6.) Grain Feed (Field)
__________ $_________ $__________
7.) Eggs (Hatching/In Transit)
__________ $_________ $__________
8.) Dressed Broilers
__________ $_________ $__________
9.) Prepared Foods
__________ $_________ $__________
10.) Eggs (Commercial)
__________ $_________ $__________
11.) Grain (Feedmills)
__________ $_________ $__________
12.) Branch Inventory of Packaged $_________ $__________
Items
13.) Packaging, Vaccines, $_________ $__________
Supplies
SUBTOTAL (lines 1-13)
__________ $_________ $__________
14.) Less Grower Payables Greater ($__________)
than 15 days
15.) Less Bond L/C Exposure ($__________)
TOTAL COLLATERAL POOL $_________ $__________
13.) Less O/S Indebtedness as of: _________ $__________
TOTAL AVAILABLE CREDIT: $__________
</TABLE>
COLLATERAL VALUE COMPUTATIONS
Dated as of __________, 199__
COLLATERAL POOL:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
GROSS VALUE COMPUTATION Advance
VALUE
<S> <C> <C> <C>
1) Live Broiler Value
Number of Head __________ Head
(-) Death/Reject Rate (4%) __________ Head
(x) Avg. Weight per Bird (2 __________ Lbs.
Lbs.)
(x) ________________________ _________ cents/lb.
as of ___________ __________ x 65% ____________
2) Breeder Hen Value:
Number of Head __________ Head
(x) Loan Value @ $1.50/bird ________ @ 100% ____________
3) Breeder Pullet Value:
Number of Head __________ Head
(x) Loan Value @ $1.00/bird ________ @ 100% ____________
4) Commercial Hen Value:
Number of Head __________ Head
(x) Loan Value @ $0.70/bird ________ @ 100% ____________
5) Commercial Pullet Value:
Number of Head __________ Head
(x) Loan Value @ $0.40/bird ________ @ 100% ____________
6) Grain Feed Value (Field):
Number of Head (NET) __________ Head
(x) 0.75 Lbs/day (/) 2,000 __________ Tons
(x) Feed Cost/Ton ____________ __________ x 65% ____________
7) Eggs (Hatching & In Transit):
Number of Dozens __________ Dozen
(x) $1.25/Doz ________ @ 100% ____________
8) Dressed Broilers (All Locations):
Number of pounds __________ Lbs
(x) Price/Lb. computed ____________ __________ x 65% ____________
9) Prepared Foods (All Locations)
Number of pounds ___________ Lbs.
(x) Price/Lb. computed _____________ __________ x 65% ____________
10) Eggs (Commercial)
Number of Dozens __________ Dozen
(x) ____________/dozen __________ x 65% ____________
11) Grain Value (Feedmills):
Corn: ______ x ______ __________ x 65% ____________
Cost/Ton
Soybean Meal: ______ x ______ _________ x 65% ____________
Cost/Ton
Feed Supplements: ______ x ______ __________ x 65% ____________
Cost/Ton
Finished Feeds: ______ x ______ __________ x 65% ____________
Cost/Ton
Total Tons: ______ __________ x 65% ____________
12) Branch Inventory of Packaged Items
(@ Cost) __________ x 65% ____________
13) Packaging, Vaccines, Supplies (@ __________ x 40% ____________
Cost)
</TABLE>
TOTAL COLLATERAL POOL
