MASTER ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT dated
as of March 29, 2000 among SYBRON CHEMICALS INC., (together with its successors,
the “Borrower”), COMERICA BANK, FLEET BANK, N.A. (the
“Continuing Lenders”), DLJ CAPITAL FUNDING, INC. AND NATIONAL
CITY BANK (the “New Lenders”, together with the Continuing
Lenders, the “Post-Effective Lenders”), BHF (U.S.A.) CAPITAL
CORPORATION, CITIZENS BANK OF MASSACHUSETTS, HIBERNIA BANK, INVESCO (consisting
of CERES FUNDING LTD., STRATA FUNDING LTD. AND OASIS COLLATERALIZED HIGH
INCOME), KZH III LLC, OXFORD STRATEGIC INCOME FUND, EATON VANCE INSTITUTIONAL
SENIOR LOAN FUND and SENIOR DEBT PORTFOLIO, ING CAPITAL (consisting of
ARCHIMEDES FUNDING II, LTD.), KZH ING-2 LLC, MERRILL LYNCH ASSET MANAGEMENT, AND
VAN KAMPEN (consisting of SENIOR FLOATING RATE) and MELLON BANK, N.A. (the
“Exiting Lenders”, together with the Continuing Lenders, the
“Pre-Effective Lenders”), MELLON BANK, N.A., as administrative
agent for the Pre-Effective Lenders (the “Pre-Effective Administrative
Agent”), FLEET BANK, N.A., as administrative agent gent for the
Post-Effective Lenders (the “Post-Effective Administrative
Agent”), and DLJ CAPITAL FUNDING, INC. (the “Syndication
Agent”). ;).
W I T N E S S E T H
WHEREAS, this
Assignment and Assumption Agreement (the “Agreement”) relates
to the Credit Agreement dated as of July 31, 1998 (the “Existing Credit
Agreement”) among the Borrower, the Continuing Lenders, the Exiting
Lenders, the Pre-Effective Administrative Agent, the Syndication Agent and
Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, as Documentation Agent;
WHEREAS,
immediately prior to the effectiveness of this Agreement each Pre-Effective
Lender has (i) outstanding Loans of each Class in an aggregate outstanding
principal amount equal to the respective amount set forth opposite the name of
such Pre-Effective Lender in Schedule A hereto under the captions “Term
A Loans”, “Term B Loans” and “Revolving
Loans” and (ii) a Revolving Commitment in the amount set forth opposite
the name of such Pre-Effective Lender in Schedule A hereto under the caption
“Revolving Commitment”;
WHEREAS, the
Exiting Lenders and certain of the Continuing Lenders propose to assign and
transfer all (in the case of the Exiting Lenders) or a portion (in the case of
such Continuing Lenders) of their Loans, Revolving Commitments and the
corresponding rights under the Existing Credit Agreement and the Collateral
Documents and the New Lenders and certain of the Continuing Lenders propose to
accept such assignment of such Loans, Revolving Commitments and rights and to
assume the corresponding obligations under the Existing Credit Agreement and the
Collateral Documents, all as hereinafter provided;
WHEREAS, at the
date hereof immediately upon the effectiveness of this Agreement, the
Post-Effective Lenders propose to make certain tain amendments to the Existing
Credit Agreement as set forth in the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the
“Amended and Restated ted Credit Agreement”) dated as of March
29, 2000 among the Borrower, the Post-Effective Lenders, the Pre-Effective
Administrative Agent and the Post-Effective Administrative Agent;
WHEREAS, the
Pre-Effective Administrative Agent wishes to resign as administrative agent
under the Existing Credit Agreement and the Post-Effective Administrative Agent
wishes to be appointed as successor administrative agent under the Existing
Credit Agreement and each of the Pre-Effective Lenders and the Post-Effective
Lenders consents to such resignation and appointment;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual agreements contained herein, the parties hereto agree as
follows:
Section 1.Definitions. All capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings set forth
in the Existing Credit Agreement. The following additional term as used herein has the following meaning:
“Lenders” means Continuing Lenders, Exiting Lenders and New Lenders.
Section 2.
Conditions to Effectiveness. This Agreement will become effective as of
the date hereof when all of the following conditions shall have been fulfilled
to the satisfaction of the Syndication Agent:
| |
(a)
Notes. The Syndication Agent shall have received new Notes for each
Post-Effective Lender, duly completed to reflect the effectiveness of this
Agreement and executed by the Borrower.
|
| |
(b)
Counterparts. The Syndication Agent shall have received counterparts
hereof, executed and delivered by or on behalf of each of the parties hereto
(or, in the case of any party as to which the Syndication Agent shall not have
received such a counterpart, the Syndication Agent shall have received in form
reasonably satisfactory to it of telegraphic, telex or other written
confirmation from such party of the execution of a counterpart hereof by such
party).
|
| |
(c)
Payments by Certain Lenders and by the Borrower. The Pre-Effective
Administrative Agent shall have received at its address specified in or pursuant
to Section 9.01 of the Existing Credit Agreement in immediately available funds
(i) from each New Lender (and, to the extent applicable, from each Continuing
Lender) an amount equal to the principal amount of outstanding Loans being
purchased by, and transferred and assigned to, such Lender, and (ii) from the
Borrower an amount equal to a principal amount of $500,000 plus an amount equal
to the aggregate amount of interest, fees and other amounts payable to the
Pre-Effective Lenders and the Pre-Effective Administrative Agent, as applicable,
pursuant to clauses (i)(B) and (C) of subsection (d) below as set forth in
Schedule C hereto.
|
| |
(d)
Payments to Exiting Lenders and Certain Lenders. Upon receipt of the
amounts specified in clause (c) above, the Pre-Effective Administrative Agent
shall (i) transfer to an account specified by each Pre-Effective Lender an
amount of immediately available funds equal to (A) the principal amount, if any,
of the outstanding Loans being transferred and assigned by such Lender
plus (B) an amount equal to the aggregate amount of unpaid interest, fees
and other amounts that have accrued to, but excluding, the Effective Date with
respect to the Loans and Revolving Commitments plus (C) an amount equal
to the amount, if any, that would be payable by the Borrower under Section 2.11
of the Existing Credit Agreement if all outstanding Loans were prepaid by the
Borrower on the Effective Date; and (ii) retain for its own account all fees,
costs, expenses and other amounts payable to the Pre-Effective Administrative
Agent.
|
| |
(e)
Additional Conditions. The conditions specified in Sections 3.01(a) through (l) of the Amended and
Restated Credit Agreement shall have been satisfied.
|
Section 3. Consequences of Effectiveness. Upon the effectiveness of this Agreement, without any further action by any
party:
| |
(a)
The balance of the outstanding Loans of each Class and Type and the Revolving
Commitments outstanding immediately prior to the effectiveness of this Agreement
shall continue to be outstanding immediately after such effectiveness, but such
Loans and Revolving Commitments shall be allocated among the Post-Effective
Lenders (with the Exiting Lenders and (to the extent necessary) the Continuing
Lenders transferring and assigning Loans and Revolving Commitments and the New
Lenders and (to the extent necessary) Continuing Lenders accepting such
assignments of Loans and assuming such Commitments), such that (i) each
Post-Effective Lender shall have Loans of each Class in an aggregate outstanding
principal amount equal to the respective amounts set forth opposite the name of
such Lender in Schedule B hereto under the captions “Term A
Loans”, “Term B Loans” and “Revolving
Loans”, and (ii) each Post-Effective Lender shall have a Revolving
Commitment in an amount equal to the amount set forth opposite the name of such
Lender in Schedule B hereto under the caption “Revolving
Commitment”.
|
| |
(b)
Each Exiting Lender shall be released from its obligations under this Agreement,
the Existing Credit Agreement, the Notes and the Collateral Documents.
|
| |
(c)
The Notes of the Pre-Effective Lenders issued prior to the effectiveness of
this Agreement (the “Existing Notes”) will be
superseded and replaced by (but not in payment, satisfaction or cancellation of
the outstanding indebtedness evidenced thereby) the Notes issued to the
Post-Effective Lenders upon the effectiveness hereof and thereupon will be of no
further force or effect. Upon receipt of its new Notes, each Pre-Effective
Lender will cancel its Existing Notes and return them to the Borrower or certify
to the Borrower that they have been destroyed.
|
| |
(d)
The Pre-Effective Administrative Agent shall have resigned as Administrative
Agent under the Existing Credit Agreement and the Post-Effective Administrative
Agent shall have been appointed, and hereby accepts its appointment, as
successor Administrative Agent under the Existing Credit Agreement.
|
| |
(e)
The Pre-Effective Administrative Agent, in its capacity as the Pre-Effective
Administrative Agent and as the Existing Administrative Agent as more fully
described in that certain Assignment of and Amendment to the Security Agreement,
shall be released by the Borrower, the Syndication Agent, the Pre-Effective
Lenders and the Post-Effective Lenders (collectively, the “Release
Parties”), from all claims, liabilities, damages and losses with
respect to all actions, decisions and conduct as of and prior to the date hereof
and by execution of this Agreement, each of the Release Parties hereby so
releases the Pre-Effective Administrative Agent.
|
Section 4.
Consent of the Borrower, the Syndication Agent and the Pre-effective
Administrative Agent. This Agreement is conditioned upon the consent of the
Borrower, the Syndication Agent and the Pre-Effective Administrative Agent in
its capacity as Issuer and Swingline Bank pursuant to Section 9.06 of the
Existing Credit Agreement. The execution of this Agreement by the Borrower, the
Syndication Agent and the Pre-Effective Administrative Agent is evidence of this
consent.
Section 5.
Non-reliance. The Syndication Agent, the Pre-Effective Administrative
Agent and the Pre-Effective Lenders make no representation or warranty in
connection with, and shall have no responsibility with respect to, the solvency,
financial condition, or statements of the Borrower, or the validity and
enforceability of the obligations of the Borrower in respect of the Existing
Credit Agreement or any Loan Document. Each Post-Effective Lender acknowledges
that it has, independently and without reliance on the Syndication Agent, the
Pre-Effective Administrative Agent or any Pre-Effective Lender, and based on
such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit
analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement and will continue to be
responsible for making its own independent appraisal of the business, affairs
and financial condition of the Borrower and each other Obligor. The transfers
and assignments made hereunder are made without recourse or liability to any
Exiting Lender (or Continuing Lender, to the extent applicable). For the
avoidance of doubt, it is agreed that the obligations of the Borrower to the
Exiting Lenders under Sections 2.11, 8.03, 8.04 and 9.03 of the Existing Credit
Agreement shall survive after the Effective Date.
Section 6. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of
New York.
Section 7.
Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts,
each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures
thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.
IN WITNESS
WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered by
their duly authorized officer as of the date first above written.
SYBRON CHEMICALS INC.
By _________________________
Name:
Title:
MELLON BANK, N.A., as Pre-Effective
Administrative Agent
By _________________________
Name:
Title:
FLEET BANK, N.A., as Post-Effective
Administrative Agent
By _________________________
Name:
Title:
DLJ CAPITAL FUNDING, INC., as
Syndication Agent
By _________________________
Name:
Title:
CONTINUING LENDERS
COMERICA BANK
By:_________________________________
Name:
Title:
FLEET BANK, N.A.
By:_________________________________
Name:
Title:
NEW LENDERS
DLJ CAPITAL FUNDING, INC.
By:_________________________________
Name:
Title:
NATIONAL CITY BANK
By:_________________________________
Name:
Title:
EXITING LENDERS
BHF (U.S.A) CAPITAL CORPORATION
By:_________________________________
Name:
Title:
By:_________________________________
Name:
Title:
CITIZENS BANK OF MASSACHUSETTS
By:_________________________________
Name:
Title:
HIBERNIA BANK
By:_________________________________
Name:
Title:
INVESCO CERES FUNDING LTD.
By:_________________________________
Name:
Title:
STRATA FUNDING LTD.
By:_________________________________
Name:
Title:
OASIS COLLATERALIZED HIGH
INCOME
By:_________________________________
Name:
Title:
KZH III LLC
By:_________________________________
Name:
Title:
MELLON BANK, N.A.
By:_________________________________
Name:
Title:
EATON VANCE OXFORD STRATEGIC INCOME FUND
by EATON VANCE MANAGEMENT
as INVESTMENT ADVISOR
By:_________________________________
Name:
Title:
EATON VANCE INSTITUTIONAL
SENIOR LOAN FUND
by EATON VANCE MANAGEMENT
as INVESTMENT ADVISOR
By:_________________________________
Name:
Title:
SENIOR DEBT PORTFOLIO
by BOSTON MANAGEMENT AND RESEARCH,
as INVESTMENT ADVISOR
By:_________________________________
Name:
Title:
ING CAPITAL ARCHIMEDES FUNDING II
By:_________________________________
Name:
Title:
KZH ING-2 LLC
By:_________________________________
Name:
Title:
MERRILL LYNCH ASSET
MANAGEMENT
By:_________________________________
Name:
Title:
VAN KAMPEN SENIOR FLOATING RATE
By:_________________________________
Name:
Title:
SCHEDULE A
------------------------------- ------------------- ------------------- --------------- -------------------------
Revolving
Name of Pre-Effective Lender Term A Loans Term B Loans Loans Revolving Commitment
------------------------------- ------------------- ------------------- --------------- -------------------------
------------------------------- ------------------- ------------------- --------------- -------------------------
BHF(USA)Capital $6,194,118 $0 $0 $6,117,647
------------------------------- ------------------- ------------------- --------------- -------------------------
------------------------------- ------------------- ------------------- --------------- -------------------------
Citizens Bank of Massachusetts $6,194,118 $0 $0 $6,117,647
------------------------------- ------------------- ------------------- --------------- -------------------------
------------------------------- ------------------- ------------------- --------------- -------------------------
Comerica Bank $6,194,118 $0 $0 $6,117,647
------------------------------- ------------------- ------------------- --------------- -------------------------
------------------------------- ------------------- ------------------- --------------- -------------------------
Fleet $6,194,118 $0 $0 $6,117,647
------------------------------- ------------------- ------------------- --------------- -------------------------
------------------------------- ------------------- ------------------- --------------- -------------------------
Hibernia Bank $6,194,118 $0 $0 $6,117,647
------------------------------- ------------------- ------------------- --------------- -------------------------
------------------------------- ------------------- ------------------- --------------- -------------------------
Mellon Bank $9,529,412 $0 $0 $9,411,765
------------------------------- ------------------- ------------------- --------------- -------------------------
------------------------------- ------------------- ------------------- --------------- -------------------------
Oxford Strategic Income Fund $0 $1,800,000 $0 $0
------------------------------- ------------------- ------------------- --------------- -------------------------
------------------------------- ------------------- ------------------- --------------- -------------------------
Eaton Vance Institutional $0 $947,368 $0 $0
Senior Loan Fund
------------------------------- ------------------- ------------------- --------------- -------------------------
------------------------------- ------------------- ------------------- --------------- -------------------------
Senior Debt Portfolio $0 $18,402,632 $0 $0
------------------------------- ------------------- ------------------- --------------- -------------------------
------------------------------- ------------------- ------------------- --------------- -------------------------
ING Capital-Archimedes $0 $9,000,000 $0 $0
Funding II, Ltd.
------------------------------- ------------------- ------------------- --------------- -------------------------
------------------------------- ------------------- ------------------- --------------- -------------------------
KZH ING-2 LLC $0 $9,000,000 $0 $0
------------------------------- ------------------- ------------------- --------------- -------------------------
------------------------------- ------------------- ------------------- --------------- -------------------------
Invesco-Ceres Funding Ltd. $0 $4,500,000 $0 $0
------------------------------- ------------------- ------------------- --------------- -------------------------
------------------------------- ------------------- ------------------- --------------- -------------------------
Invesco-Strata Funding Ltd. $0 $4,500,000 $0 $0
------------------------------- ------------------- ------------------- --------------- -------------------------
------------------------------- ------------------- ------------------- --------------- -------------------------
Stanfield-Oasis $0 $2,700,000 $0 $0
Collateralized High Income
------------------------------- ------------------- ------------------- --------------- -------------------------
------------------------------- ------------------- ------------------- --------------- -------------------------
KZH III LLC $0 $4,500,000 $0 $0
------------------------------- ------------------- ------------------- --------------- -------------------------
------------------------------- ------------------- ------------------- --------------- -------------------------
MLAM-Prime Rate Portfolio $0 $9,000,000 $0 $0
------------------------------- ------------------- ------------------- --------------- -------------------------
------------------------------- ------------------- ------------------- --------------- -------------------------
MLAM-Senior Floating Rate $0 $9,000,000 $0 $0
------------------------------- ------------------- ------------------- --------------- -------------------------
------------------------------- ------------------- ------------------- --------------- -------------------------
Van Kampen-Senior Floating $0 $16,650,000 $0 $0
Rate
------------------------------- ------------------- ------------------- --------------- -------------------------
------------------------------- ------------------- ------------------- --------------- -------------------------
Total: $40,500,000 $90,000,000 $0 $40,500,000
------------------------------- ------------------- ------------------- --------------- -------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SCHEDULE B
------------------------------- ------------------- ------------------- --------------- -------------------------
Revolving
Name of Post-Effective Lender Term A Loans Term B Loans Loans Revolving Commitment
------------------------------- ------------------- ------------------- --------------- -------------------------
------------------------------- ------------------- ------------------- --------------- -------------------------
------------------------------- ------------------- ------------------- --------------- -------------------------
------------------------------- ------------------- ------------------- --------------- -------------------------
Comerica Bank $3,555,556 $4,500,000 $0 $4,444,444
------------------------------- ------------------- ------------------- --------------- -------------------------
------------------------------- ------------------- ------------------- --------------- -------------------------
National City Bank $5,333,333 $5,000,000 $0 $6,666,667
------------------------------- ------------------- ------------------- --------------- -------------------------
------------------------------- ------------------- ------------------- --------------- -------------------------
Fleet Bank $11,111,111 $0 $0 $13,888,889
------------------------------- ------------------- ------------------- --------------- -------------------------
------------------------------- ------------------- ------------------- --------------- -------------------------
DLJ $0 $100,500,000 $0 $0
------------------------------- ------------------- ------------------- --------------- -------------------------
------------------------------- ------------------- ------------------- --------------- -------------------------
Total: $20,000,000 $110,000,000 $0 $25,000,000
------------------------------- ------------------- ------------------- --------------- -------------------------
SCHEDULE C
Information Provided by Mellon Bank, N.A.
RE: SYBRON CHEMICALS INC. CREDIT AGREEMENT
WITH MELLON BANK, N.A. AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
SUBJECT: $40,000,000.00 REVOLVING CREDIT
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- -------------------------
INTEREST (3/29/00) FEE (3/29/00)
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- -------------------------
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- -------------------------
MELLON $0.00 $11,633.97
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- -------------------------
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- -------------------------
BHF USA CAPITAL CORP $0.00 $7,562.09
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- -------------------------
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- -------------------------
COMERICA $0.00 $7,562.09
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- -------------------------
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- -------------------------
FLEET $0.00 $7,562.09
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- -------------------------
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- -------------------------
HIBERNIA $0.00 $7,562.09
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- -------------------------
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- -------------------------
STATE STREET (CITIZENS BANK) $0.00 $7,562.09
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- -------------------------
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- -------------------------
Total $0.00 $49,444.42
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- -------------------------
SUBJECT: $45,000,000.00 TERM LOAN A
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- -------------------------
INTEREST (3/29/00) FEE (3/29/00)
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- -------------------------
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- -------------------------
MELLON $18,225.65 $0.00
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- -------------------------
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- -------------------------
BHF USA CAPITAL CORP $11,846.67 $0.00
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- -------------------------
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- -------------------------
COMERICA $11,846.67 $0.00
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- -------------------------
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- -------------------------
FLEET $11,846.67 $0.00
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- -------------------------
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- -------------------------
HIBERNIA $11,846.67 $0.00
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- -------------------------
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- -------------------------
STATE STREET (CITIZENS BANK) $11,846.67 $0.00
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- -------------------------
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- -------------------------
Total $77,459.00 $0.00
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- -------------------------
SUBJECT: $100,000,000.00 TERM LOAN B
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- -------------------------
INTEREST (3/29/00) FEE (3/29/00)
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- -------------------------
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- -------------------------
SR DEBT PORTFOLIO $35,196.29 $0.00
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- -------------------------
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- -------------------------
OXFORD STRATEGIC $3,442.62 $0.00
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- -------------------------
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- -------------------------
ML SR FLOATING RATE $17,213.11 $0.00
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- -------------------------
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- -------------------------
ML PRIME RATE PORTFOLIO $17,213.11 $0.00
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- -------------------------
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- -------------------------
STRATA FUNDING LTD. $8,606.56 $0.00
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- -------------------------
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- -------------------------
CERES FUNDING LTD. $8,606.56 $0.00
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- -------------------------
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- -------------------------
KZH ING 2 $17,213.11 $0.00
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- -------------------------
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- -------------------------
KZH HOLDING CORP III $8,606.56 $0.00
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- -------------------------
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- -------------------------
VANKAMPEN AMERICAN $31,844.26 $0.00
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- -------------------------
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- -------------------------
ARCHIMEDES $17,213.11 $0.00
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- -------------------------
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- -------------------------
OASIS HIGH INCOME $5,163.93 $0.00
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- -------------------------
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- -------------------------
EV INSTITUTIONAL $1,811.91 $0.00
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- -------------------------
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- -------------------------
Total $172,131.13 $0.00
---------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- -------------------------
