UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): March 1, 1999
BENCHMARK ELECTRONICS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
TEXAS 1-10560 74-2211011
(State or other jurisdiction (Commission (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation) File Number) Identification No.)
3000 TECHNOLOGY DRIVE, ANGLETON, TEXAS 77515
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (409) 849-6550
<PAGE>
ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS.
On March 1, 1999 Benchmark Electronics, Inc. ("Company") and its
subsidiary BEI Electronics Ireland Limited ("BEI Ireland") completed the
previously announced purchase of certain inventory and equipment from Stratus
Computer Ireland ("Stratus"), a subsidiary of Ascend Communications, Inc.
("Ascend"). In consideration of the assets, BEI Ireland paid $48 million, an
amount representing the estimated book value of the assets being purchased as of
the closing date. The amount of the closing date payment is subject to
adjustment to actual book value within 60 days of closing.
After the purchase, Benchmark will provide systems integration and
testing services to both Ascend and Stratus Holdings Limited, the former
Enterprise Computer Division of Stratus Computer Inc. being divested by Ascend,
for a three year period. In connection with the closing BEI Ireland has hired
260 employees of Stratus.
Financing for the purchase was provided by a group of banks led by
Chase Bank Texas, N.A., as administrative agent (the "Agent"), pursuant to an
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated February 26, 1999 between the
Company, the Agent and certain other financial institutions (the "Credit
Agreement"). The Credit Agreement establishes a $105 million credit facility in
favor of the Company, of which $40 million is a term loan and $65 million is a
revolving credit facility. The Credit Agreement replaces the Company's former
$65 million facility dated February 23, 1998, of which $25 million had been a
revolving credit facility and $40 million had been a term loan.
The term loan portion of the Credit Agreement, which was carried
forward from the Company's former credit agreement, matures March 31, 2003.
Principal on the term loan is payable in quarterly installments of $2.0 million
and payments commenced June 30, 1998. The term loan bears interest, at the
Company's option, at either the Agent's Eurodollar rate plus .875% to 1.625%, or
its prime rate, and is payable quarterly. The margin on the Eurodollar rate is
determined by reference to the Company's ratio of debt to earnings before taxes,
depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA"), and increases from .875% (when the
debt ratio is less than 1.00) to 1.625% (when the debt ratio is equal to or
greater than 2.00). Currently, $24 million is outstanding under the term loan,
bearing interest at rates ranging from 6.25% to 7.75% per annum.
The revolving loan portion of the Credit Facility matures March 31,
2004. The Company is entitled to borrow under the revolving credit portion of
the Credit Agreement an amount equal to the lesser of $65 million or the sum of
75% of its eligible accounts receivable and 25% of its eligible inventories.
Interest on revolving credit borrowings is payable quarterly. Revolving credit
borrowings bear interest, at the Company's option, at either the Agent's
Eurodollar rate plus a margin of .875% to 1.625%, or its prime rate. The margin
on the Eurodollar rate applicable to revolving credit loans is determined by
reference to the Company's ratio of debt to EBITDA, in the
-2-
<PAGE>
same manner as the term loan. Currently, $25 million in revolving loans is
outstanding under the Credit Agreement, bearing interest at rates ranging from
6.25% to 6.375% per annum.
The Credit Agreement contains numerous affirmative and negative
business and financial covenants affecting the operation of the Company. These
covenants require, among other things, that the Company within 45 days of
closing pledge as security for the loan 65% of the ownership interest of BEI
Ireland. These covenants also require that the Company maintain certain
financial ratios, including (a) Consolidated Tangible Net Worth (as defined) for
each fiscal year beginning in 1998 of at least the sum of $60 million, plus 50%
of the Company's Consolidated Net Income (as defined) after December 31, 1997,
and plus 75% of the net proceeds from the issuance of equity securities, (b) a
Current Ratio (as defined) of more than 1.50 to 1.00 at any time, (c) a Fixed
Charge Coverage Ratio (as defined) of at least 1.10 to 1.00 as of the end of
each period, (d) a Debt Ratio (as defined) of less than 2.5 to 1.0 through
December 31, 2000, and 2.0 to 1.0 for each period thereafter, and (e) an
Interest Coverage Ratio (as defined) of at least 2.5 to 1.0 as of the end of
each period. The Credit Agreement also restricts without the consent of the
lenders the incurrence of additional indebtedness, the creation of liens on
assets of the Company and the payment of dividends and other Restricted Payments
(as defined) unless, at the time of the payment and after giving effect thereto
the Company is not in default and the total amount of such payments after
January 1, 1998 is less than the sum of $5.0 million plus Consolidated Net
Income from January 1, 1998.
If the Company fails to comply with the payment and other terms of
the Credit Agreement, then an event of default would occur under the Credit
Agreement subject, as to certain provisions to notice and an opportunity to cure
the default. In addition, the Credit Agreement provides that (a) the occurrence
of a default under other indebtedness of the Company exceeding $2.5 million in
amount and (b) the occurrence of a "Change of Control" of the Company also
constitute an event of default. A "Change of Control" shall have occurred if any
person becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of
the total voting power of all outstanding voting stock of the Company.
This report contains certain forward-looking statements regarding the
Company's business operations. The words "expect," "estimate," "anticipate,"
"predict," and similar expressions are intended to identify these
forward-looking statements. Such statements involve risks, uncertainties and
assumptions, including but not limited to industry and economic conditions and
customer actions discussed in the Company's filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, and the risk of receipt of government approvals and the
satisfaction of the other conditions to closing the transaction. Should one or
more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying
assumptions prove incorrect, actual outcomes may vary materially from those
indicated.
-3-
<PAGE>
ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.
(c) Exhibits.
The following materials are filed as exhibits to this Current Report
on Form 8-K.
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION
--------- -------------
2.1 Purchase and Sale Agreement by and between
Stratus Computer Ireland, Ascend
Communications, Inc., BEI Electronics
Ireland Limited and Benchmark Electronics,
Inc. dated January 22, 1999. (Incorporated
by reference to the Company's Current Report
on Form 8-K dated January 22, 1999 filed
February 5, 1999.)
10.1 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of
February 26, 1999 among Benchmark Electronics,
Inc., and Chase Bank of Texas, N.A., as
Administrative Agent, and the Financial
Institutions named therein.
-4-
<PAGE>
S I G N A T U R E
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 hereunto duly authorized.
BENCHMARK ELECTRONICS, INC.
Dated: March 12, 1999 By: /s/ DONALD E. NIGBOR
Donald E. Nigbor
President
-5-
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT INDEX
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION
- ------- -----------
2.1 Purchase and Sale Agreement by and between Stratus
Computer Ireland, Ascend Communications, Inc., BEI
Electronics Ireland Limited and Benchmark Electronics,
Inc. dated January 22, 1999. (Incorporated by reference
to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated
January 22, 1999 filed February 5, 1999.)
10.1 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of
February 26, 1999 among Benchmark Electronics, Inc., and
Chase Bank of Texas, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and
the Financial Institutions named therein.
-6-
EXHIBIT 10.1
AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT
dated as of
February 26, 1999
among
BENCHMARK ELECTRONICS, INC.,
as the Company,
and
CHASE BANK OF TEXAS, N.A.,
Individually, as Issuing Bank and as Administrative Agent,
and
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS,
NOW OR HEREAFTER PARTIES HERETO
$65,000,000 Revolving Credit Facility
$40,000,000 Term Loan Facility
-------------------------------
CHASE SECURITIES INC.,
as Arranger
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE NO.
--------
ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS; CONSTRUCTION
Section 1.1 DEFINITIONS......................................................1
Section 1.2 ACCOUNTING TERMS AND DETERMINATIONS.............................17
Section 1.3 OTHER DEFINITIONAL TERMS........................................17
ARTICLE 2
AMOUNT AND TERMS OF LOANS
Section 2.1 LOANS AND COMMITMENTS...........................................17
Section 2.2 BORROWING REQUESTS..............................................18
Section 2.3 LETTERS OF CREDIT...............................................18
Section 2.4 DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS...........................................22
Section 2.5 NOTES AND AMORTIZATION..........................................23
Section 2.6 INTEREST........................................................24
Section 2.7 INTEREST PERIODS................................................24
Section 2.8 REPAYMENT OF LOANS..............................................25
Section 2.9 VOLUNTARY TERMINATION OR REDUCTION OF COMMITMENTS...............26
Section 2.10 PREPAYMENTS.....................................................26
Section 2.11 CONTINUATION AND CONVERSION OPTIONS.............................27
Section 2.12 FEES............................................................27
Section 2.13 PAYMENTS, ETC...................................................28
Section 2.14 INTEREST RATE NOT ASCERTAINABLE, ETC............................28
Section 2.15 ILLEGALITY......................................................29
Section 2.16 INCREASED COSTS.................................................29
Section 2.17 CHANGE OF LENDING OFFICE........................................31
Section 2.18 FUNDING LOSSES..................................................31
Section 2.19 SHARING OF PAYMENTS, ETC........................................31
Section 2.20 TAXES...........................................................31
Section 2.21 PRO RATA TREATMENT..............................................32
Section 2.22 REPLACEMENT OF LENDERS..........................................33
ARTICLE 3
CONDITIONS TO BORROWINGS
Section 3.1 CLOSING.........................................................33
Section 3.2 CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO ALL LOANS AND LETTERS OF CREDIT.........34
Section 3.3 CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO INCREASED BORROWING.....................35
ARTICLE 4
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
Section 4.1 CORPORATE EXISTENCE.............................................35
Section 4.2 CORPORATE POWER AND AUTHORIZATION...............................35
Section 4.3 BINDING OBLIGATIONS.............................................35
Section 4.4 NO LEGAL BAR OR RESULTANT LIEN..................................36
Section 4.5 NO CONSENT......................................................36
Section 4.6 FINANCIAL INFORMATION...........................................36
Section 4.7 INVESTMENTS AND GUARANTIES......................................36
Section 4.8 LITIGATION......................................................36
Section 4.9 USE OF PROCEEDS.................................................37
Section 4.10 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS...............................................37
i
<PAGE>
Section 4.11 TAXES; GOVERNMENTAL CHARGES.....................................37
Section 4.12 TITLES, ETC.....................................................38
Section 4.13 DEFAULTS........................................................38
Section 4.14 CASUALTIES; TAKING OF PROPERTIES................................38
Section 4.15 COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAW.........................................38
Section 4.16 NO MATERIAL MISSTATEMENTS.......................................38
Section 4.17 INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT..........................................38
Section 4.18 PUBLIC UTILITY HOLDING COMPANY ACT..............................39
Section 4.19 SUBSIDIARIES....................................................39
Section 4.20 INSURANCE.......................................................39
Section 4.21 ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS...........................................39
Section 4.22 SOLVENCY........................................................40
Section 4.23 EMPLOYEE MATTERS................................................40
Section 4.24 YEAR 2000 REPRESENTATION........................................41
ARTICLE 5
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
Section 5.1 MAINTENANCE AND COMPLIANCE, ETC.................................41
Section 5.2 PAYMENT OF TAXES AND CLAIMS, ETC................................41
Section 5.3 FURTHER ASSURANCES..............................................41
Section 5.4 PERFORMANCE OF OBLIGATIONS......................................41
Section 5.5 INSURANCE.......................................................41
Section 5.6 ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS............................................42
Section 5.7 RIGHT OF INSPECTION.............................................42
Section 5.8 OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF PROPERTY...........................42
Section 5.9 [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED].........................................42
Section 5.10 REPORTING COVENANTS.............................................42
Section 5.11 PLEDGE AGREEMENT................................................44
ARTICLE 6
NEGATIVE COVENANTS
Section 6.1 FINANCIAL COVENANTS.............................................45
Section 6.2 INDEBTEDNESS....................................................45
Section 6.3 LIENS...........................................................46
Section 6.4 MERGERS, SALES, ETC.............................................47
Section 6.5 DIVIDENDS, ETC..................................................47
Section 6.6 INVESTMENTS, LOANS, ETC.........................................47
Section 6.7 SALES AND LEASEBACKS............................................48
Section 6.8 NATURE OF BUSINESS..............................................48
Section 6.9 ERISA COMPLIANCE................................................48
Section 6.10 SALE OR DISCOUNT OF RECEIVABLES.................................49
Section 6.11 NEGATIVE PLEDGE AGREEMENTS......................................49
Section 6.12 TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES....................................50
Section 6.13 UNCONDITIONAL PURCHASE OBLIGATIONS..............................50
Section 6.14 MODIFICATIONS TO SENIOR NOTES...................................50
Section 6.15 INTERCOMPANY TRANSACTIONS.......................................50
Section 6.16 ACQUISITIONS; CREATION OF SUBSIDIARIES..........................50
Section 6.17 SALE OF PROPERTIES..............................................51
Section 6.18 ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS...........................................51
ii
<PAGE>
Section 6.19 PROCEEDS OF NOTES...............................................51
ARTICLE 7
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
Section 7.1 PAYMENTS........................................................51
Section 7.2 COVENANTS WITHOUT NOTICE........................................51
Section 7.3 OTHER COVENANTS.................................................51
Section 7.4 OTHER FINANCING DOCUMENT OBLIGATIONS............................51
Section 7.5 REPRESENTATIONS.................................................52
Section 7.6 NON-PAYMENTS OF OTHER INDEBTEDNESS..............................52
Section 7.7 DEFAULTS UNDER OTHER AGREEMENTS.................................52
Section 7.8 BANKRUPTCY......................................................52
Section 7.9 MONEY JUDGMENT..................................................52
Section 7.10 DISCONTINUANCE OF BUSINESS......................................53
Section 7.11 FINANCING DOCUMENTS.............................................53
Section 7.12 CHANGE OF CONTROL...............................................53
ARTICLE 8
THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Section 8.1 APPOINTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT.............................53
Section 8.2 LIMITATION OF DUTIES OF ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT....................54
Section 8.3 LACK OF RELIANCE ON THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT....................54
Section 8.4 CERTAIN RIGHTS OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT......................54
Section 8.5 RELIANCE BY ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT................................54
Section 8.6 INDEMNIFICATION OF ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT.........................54
Section 8.7 THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY.............55
Section 8.8 MAY TREAT LENDER AS OWNER.......................................55
Section 8.9 SUCCESSOR ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT..................................55
ARTICLE 9
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 9.1 NOTICES.........................................................56
Section 9.2 AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS..........................................56
Section 9.3 NO WAIVER; REMEDIES CUMULATIVE..................................57
Section 9.4 PAYMENT OF EXPENSES, INDEMNITIES, ETC...........................57
Section 9.5 RIGHT OF SETOFF.................................................59
Section 9.6 BENEFIT OF AGREEMENT............................................59
Section 9.7 SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS; PARTICIPATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS..........59
Section 9.8 GOVERNING LAW; SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION; ETC..................61
Section 9.9 INDEPENDENT NATURE OF LENDERS' RIGHTS...........................62
Section 9.10 INVALIDITY......................................................62
Section 9.11 RENEWAL, EXTENSION OR REARRANGEMENT.............................62
Section 9.12 CONFIDENTIALITY.................................................62
Section 9.13 INTEREST........................................................62
Section 9.14 EXISTING CREDIT AGREEMENT.......................................63
Section 9.15 ENTIRE AGREEMENT................................................63
Section 9.16 ATTACHMENTS.....................................................63
Section 9.17 COUNTERPARTS....................................................63
Section 9.18 SURVIVAL OF INDEMNITIES.........................................63
Section 9.19 HEADINGS DESCRIPTIVE............................................64
Section 9.20 SATISFACTION REQUIREMENT........................................64
iii
<PAGE>
Section 9.21 EXCULPATION PROVISIONS..........................................64
iv
<PAGE>
ANNEXES
Annex I - Loans and Commitments
SCHEDULES
Schedule 4.7 - Investments
Schedule 4.19 - Subsidiaries
Schedule 5.11 - Non-Domestic Subsidiaries
Schedule 6.2 - Indebtedness
Schedule 6.3 - Liens
EXHIBITS
Exhibit A - Form of Revolving Note
Exhibit B - Form of Term Note
Exhibit C - Form of Borrowing Request
Exhibit D - Form of Opinion of Bracewell & Patterson, L.L.P.
Exhibit E - Form of Guaranty Agreement
Exhibit F - Form of Assignment and Acceptance
Exhibit G - Form of Borrowing Base Report
Exhibit H - Form of Compliance Certificate
iv
<PAGE>
AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT
THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT (this "AGREEMENT") is made and
entered into as of this 26th day of February, 1999, among BENCHMARK ELECTRONICS,
INC., a Texas corporation ("COMPANY"), CHASE BANK OF TEXAS, N.A., individually,
as a Lender, as Issuing Bank and as Administrative Agent, and each of the
lenders that is a signatory hereto or which becomes a party hereto as provided
in Section 9.7 (individually, a "LENDER" and, collectively, the "LENDERS").
RECITALS:
A. The Company and Chase Bank of Texas, N.A., individually as a Lender and
as Administrative Agent, entered into that certain Credit Agreement dated as of
February 23, 1998, whereby, pursuant to the terms and conditions contained
therein, Chase Bank of Texas, N.A. agreed to make loans and to extend credit on
behalf of the Company (as amended, the "EXISTING CREDIT AGREEMENT") up to the
aggregate principal amount of $65,000,000 (the "EXISTING CREDIT FACILITY").
B. Pursuant to that Purchase and Sale Agreement dated January 22, 1999
(the "PURCHASE AGREEMENT") by and between the Company, BEI Electronics Ireland
Limited, a private limited liability company organized under the laws of the
Republic of Ireland and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company ("BEI"), Ascend
Communications, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("ASCEND"), and Stratus Computer
Ireland, a private unlimited liability company organized under the laws of the
Republic of Ireland and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ascend ("STRATUS"), the
Company will purchase certain assets and transfer certain employees from Stratus
(the "ACQUISITION").
C. The Company, the Administrative Agent, and the Lenders desire to amend
and restate the Existing Credit Agreement in order to finance the general
purposes of the Company and the Acquisition.
D. Credit Lyonnais, New York Branch, no longer desires to be a Lender
under this Agreement, and is being replaced by Compass Bank.
AGREEMENT:
In consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained,
the Company, the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders agree as
follows:
ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS; CONSTRUCTION
Section 1.1 DEFINITIONS. As used herein, the following terms shall have
the meanings herein specified (to be equally applicable to both the singular and
plural forms of the terms defined). Reference to any party to a Financing
Document means that party and its successors and assigns.
"ACQUISITION" shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals
hereof.
"ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT" shall mean Chase Bank of Texas, N.A., acting
in the manner and to the extent described in Article 8.
"ADVANCE NOTICE" shall mean written or telecopy notice (with
telephonic confirmation in the case of telecopy notice), which in each case
shall be irrevocable, from the Company to be received by the
1
<PAGE>
Administrative Agent before 11:00 a.m. (Houston, Texas time), by the number of
Business Days in advance of any Borrowing, conversion, continuation or
prepayment of any Loan or Loans pursuant to this Agreement as respectively
indicated below:
(a) Eurodollar Loans - 3 Business Days; and
(b) Base Rate Loans - Same Business Day.
For the purpose of determining the respectively applicable Loans in the case of
the conversion from one Type of Loan into another, the Loans into which there is
to be a conversion shall control. The Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and
each Lender are entitled to rely upon and act upon telecopy notice made or
purportedly made by the Company, and the Company hereby waives the right to
dispute the authenticity and validity of any such transaction once the
Administrative Agent or any Lender has advanced funds or the Issuing Bank has
issued Letters of Credit, absent manifest error.
"AFFILIATE" shall mean any Person controlling, controlled by or
under common control with any other Person. For purposes of this definition,
"control" (including "controlled by" and "under common control with") means the
possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to either (a) vote 10% or more
of the securities having ordinary voting power for election of directors of such
Person or (b) direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of
such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities or otherwise.
"AGGREGATE REVOLVING CREDIT EXPOSURE" shall mean the sum of all of
the Lenders' Revolving Credit Exposures.
"AGREEMENT" shall mean this Credit Agreement, as amended, modified
or supplemented from time to time.
"APPLICABLE COMMITMENT FEE PERCENTAGE" shall mean, on any day and
with respect to any Revolving Credit Loan, the applicable per annum percentage
set forth at the appropriate intersection in the table shown below, based on the
Debt Ratio for the Rolling Period ending on the most recent Quarterly Date with
respect to which the Company is required to deliver the Current Information
(said calculation to be made by the Administrative Agent as soon as practicable
after receipt by the Administrative Agent of all required Current Information
for the applicable period):
DEBT RATIO APPLICABLE COMMITMENT
FEE PERCENTAGE
- -----------------------------------------------
Greater than or equal to 1.50 0.30%
Greater than or equal to 1.00
and less than 1.50 0.25%
Less than 1.00 0.20%
Each change in the Applicable Commitment Fee Percentage based on a change in the
Current Information (or the Company's failure to deliver the Current
Information) shall be effective as of the date the financial statements are due
pursuant to Sections 5.10(a) or (b) (but based upon Current Information for the
immediately preceding Rolling Period), or if such day is not a Business Day,
then the first Business Day thereafter. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (A) for
the period from the Closing Date through the date the
2
<PAGE>
financial statements are due for the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 1999, the
initial Applicable Commitment Fee Percentage will be 0.30% and (B) if at any
time after the date the financial statements are due for the fiscal quarter
ending March 31, 1999, the Company fails to deliver Current Information on or
before the date required pursuant to Section 5.10 (without regard to grace
periods), the Applicable Commitment Fee Percentage will be 0.30% from the date
such Current Information is due pursuant to Section 5.10 (without regard to
grace periods) through the date the Administrative Agent receives all Current
Information then due pursuant to Section 5.10.
"APPLICABLE MARGIN" shall mean, on any day and with respect to any
Loan, the applicable per annum percentage set forth at the appropriate
intersection in the table shown below, based on the Debt Ratio for the Rolling
Period ending on the most recent Quarterly Date with respect to which the
Company is required to deliver the Current Information (said calculation to be
made by the Administrative Agent as soon as practicable after receipt by the
Administrative Agent of all required Current Information for the applicable
period):
DEBT RATIO EURODOLLAR LOAN BASE RATE LOAN
APPLICABLE MARGIN APPLICABLE
PERCENTAGE MARGIN PERCENTAGE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
Greater than or equal to 2.00 1.625% 0.00%
Greater than or equal to 1.50
but less than 2.00 1.250% 0.00%
Greater than or equal to 1.00
but less than 1.50 1.000% 0.00%
Less than 1.00 0.875% 0.00%
Each change in the Applicable Margin based on a change in the Current
Information (or the Company's failure to deliver the Current Information) shall
be effective as of the date the financial statements are due pursuant to
Sections 5.10(a) or (b) (but based upon Current Information for the immediately
preceding Rolling Period), or if such day is not a Business Day, then the first
Business Day thereafter. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (A) for the period from
the Closing Date through the date the financial statements are due for the
fiscal quarter ending March 31, 1999, the initial Eurodollar Loan Applicable
Margin will be 1.25% and the initial Base Rate Loan Applicable Margin will be
0.00% and (B) if at any time after the date the financial statements are due for
the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 1999, the Company fails to deliver Current
Information on or before the date required pursuant to Section 5.10 (without
regard to grace periods), the Eurodollar Loan Applicable Margin will be 1.625%
and the Base Rate Loan Applicable Margin will be 0.00% from the date such
Current Information is due pursuant to Section 5.10 (without regard to grace
periods) through the date the Administrative Agent receives all Current
Information then due pursuant to Section 5.10.
"APPLICABLE PERCENTAGE" shall mean, with respect to any Lender, such
Lender's Revolving Credit Percentage and/or such Lender's Term Loan Percentage,
as applicable.
"APPLICATION" shall mean an "Application and Agreement for Letters
of Credit," or similar instruments or agreements, entered into between the
Company and the Issuing Bank in connection with any Letter of Credit.
"ARRANGER" shall mean Chase Securities, Inc.
3
<PAGE>
"ASCEND" shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals hereof.
"ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE" shall have the meaning provided in
Section 9.7.
"BANKRUPTCY CODE" shall have the meaning provided in Section 7.8.
"BASE RATE" shall have the meaning provided in Section 2.6(a).
"BASE RATE LOAN" shall mean a Revolving Credit Loan or a Term Loan
bearing interest at the rate provided in Section 2.6(a).
"BEI" shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals hereof.
"BORROWING" shall mean a borrowing pursuant to a Borrowing Request
or a continuation or a conversion pursuant to Section 2.11 consisting, in each
case, of the same Type of Loans having, in the case of Eurodollar Loans, the
same Interest Period (except as otherwise provided in Sections 2.14 and 2.15)
and made previously or being made concurrently by all of the Lenders.
"BORROWING BASE" shall mean at any time the amount equal to the sum
of 75% of Eligible Accounts PLUS 25% of Eligible Inventory.
"BORROWING BASE REPORT" shall mean the report of the Company
concerning the amount of the Borrowing Base, to be delivered pursuant to Section
5.10(d), substantially in the form attached as EXHIBIT G.
"BORROWING REQUEST" shall mean a request for a Borrowing pursuant to
Section 2.2, substantially in the form attached as EXHIBIT C.
"BUSINESS DAY" shall mean any day excluding Saturday, Sunday and any
other day on which banks are required or authorized to close in Houston, Texas
AND, if the applicable Business Day relates to Eurodollar Loans, on which
trading is carried on by and between banks in Dollar deposits in the applicable
interbank Eurodollar market.
"CAPITAL EXPENDITURES" shall mean, for any period, all expenditures
(whether paid in cash or accrued as a liability, including the portion of
Capital Lease Obligations originally incurred during such period that are
capitalized on the consolidated balance sheet of the Company) by the Company and
its Subsidiaries during such period, that, in conformity with GAAP, are included
in "capital expenditures," "additions to property, plant or equipment" or
comparable items in the consolidated financial statements of the Company, but
excluding expenditures for the restoration, repair or replacement of any fixed
or capital asset that was destroyed or damaged, in whole or in part, in an
amount equal to any insurance proceeds received in connection with such
destruction or damage.
"CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS" shall mean, as to any Person, the
obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under a lease of (or
other agreement conveying the right to use) real and/or personal property which
obligations are required to be classified and accounted for as a liability for a
capital lease on a balance sheet of such Person and, for purposes of this
Agreement, the amount of such obligations shall be the capitalized amount
thereof.
"CASH INTEREST EXPENSE" shall mean as of the date of determination
thereof the sum of all cash payments of interest and prepayment charges, if any,
including, without limitation, all net amounts
4
<PAGE>
payable (or receivable) under interest rate protection agreements and all
imputed interest in respect of capital lease obligations paid by the Company and
its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis during such period.
"CHANGE OF CONTROL" shall mean any of the following events or
circumstances: if any person (as such term is used in section 13(d) and section
14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act as in effect on the Closing Date) or related
persons constituting a group (as such term is used in Rule 13d-5 under the
Exchange Act as in effect on the Closing Date) become the "beneficial owners"
(as such term is used in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act as in effect on the
date of the Closing Date), directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of the total
voting power of all outstanding Voting Stock of the Company.
"CHASE" shall mean Chase Bank of Texas, N.A., in its individual
capacity or as the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, and not as Administrative
Agent.
"CLOSING DATE" shall mean the "as of" date of this Agreement set
forth in the first paragraph hereof.
"CODE" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and
any successor statute.
"COMMITMENTS" shall mean, for any Lender, such Lender's Revolving
Credit Commitment and Term Loan Commitment.
"COMPANY" shall have the meaning set forth in the initial paragraph
hereof.
"CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME" shall mean, for the period of
determination thereof, the net income (or loss) of the Company and its
Subsidiaries during such period, calculated and consolidated or combined in
accordance with GAAP; PROVIDED that there shall be excluded from such net income
(to the extent otherwise included therein) the following: (i) any extraordinary
gains or losses, including gains or losses attributable to Property sales not in
the ordinary course of business, and (ii) the cumulative effect of a change in
accounting principals and any gains or losses attributable to writeups or
writedowns of assets.
"CONSOLIDATED NET TANGIBLE ASSETS" shall mean the total assets of
the Company and its Subsidiaries less, without duplication, (i) intangible
assets including, without limitation, goodwill, research and development costs,
trademarks, trade names, patents, franchises, copyrights, licenses and like
general intangibles, experimental or organizational expense, the excess of the
equity in any Subsidiary over the cost of the investment in such Subsidiary,
unamortized debt discount and expense carried as an asset, all reserves and any
write-up in the book of value of assets made after the Closing Date (as defined
in the Existing Credit Agreement) (other than write-ups of assets of a going
concern business made within 12 months after the acquisition of such business),
net of accumulated amortization and (ii) all reserves for depreciation and other
asset valuation reserves (but excluding reserves for federal, state and other
income taxes).
"CONSOLIDATED TANGIBLE NET WORTH" shall mean, at any time,
(a) the total assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries which
would be shown as assets on a consolidated balance sheet of the
Company and its Subsidiaries as of such time prepared in accordance
with GAAP, after eliminating all amounts properly attributable to
minority interests, if any, in the stock and surplus of
Subsidiaries, MINUS
5
<PAGE>
(b) the total liabilities of the Company and its Subsidiaries
which would be shown as liabilities on a consolidated balance sheet
of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of such time prepared in
accordance with GAAP, MINUS
(c) the net book amount of all assets of the Company and its
Subsidiaries (after deducting any reserves applicable thereto) that
would be shown as intangible assets on a consolidated balance sheet
of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of such time prepared in
accordance with GAAP.
"COVER" when required by this Agreement for Letter of Credit
Liabilities, shall be effected by paying to the Administrative Agent in
immediately available funds an amount equal to the maximum amount of each
applicable Letter of Credit available for drawing at any time, to be held by the
Administrative Agent in a collateral account maintained by the Administrative
Agent at its Payment Office, which the Company hereby collaterally assigns to
the Administrative Agent as security for the Lender Indebtedness. Such amount
shall be retained by the Administrative Agent in such collateral account (as
security for the Lender Indebtedness) until such time as the applicable Letter
of Credit shall have expired and the Reimburse ment Obligations, if any, with
respect thereto shall have been fully satisfied.
"CURRENT ASSETS" shall mean all assets of a Person which under GAAP
would be classified as current assets (excluding any cash or cash equivalents
but only to the extent same are outstanding under the Revolving Credit Notes and
shown as cash on the Company's balance sheet).
"CURRENT INFORMATION" shall mean, as of any day, the financial
statements and other related information for any applicable period most recently
required to be delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Sections
5.10(a), 5.10(b) and 5.10(c).
"CURRENT LIABILITIES" shall mean all liabilities of a Person which
under GAAP would be classified as current liabilities, other than current
maturities of long term debt and the obligation to repay the Revolving Credit
Loans.
"CURRENT RATIO" shall mean, on any day, the ratio of (a) Current
Assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis to (b)
Current Liabilities of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.
"DEBT RATIO" shall mean, on any day, the ratio of (a) Indebtedness
of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis as of the date of
determination to (b) EBITDA for the Rolling Period ending on the most recent
Quarterly Date as of the date of determination.
"DEBT SERVICE" shall mean the sum of (a) Cash Interest Expense and
(b) scheduled principal payments on Indebtedness for the applicable period.
"DEFAULT" shall mean an Event of Default or any condition or event
which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of
Default.
"DOCUMENTARY LETTER OF CREDIT" shall mean a letter of credit issued
pursuant to this Credit Agreement that supports payment or performance for a
single identified purchase or exchange of products in the ordinary course of
business of the Company or its Subsidiaries.
"DOLLAR" and the sign "$" shall mean lawful money of the United
States of America.
6
<PAGE>
"EBITDA" shall mean, as to the Company and its Subsidiaries on a
consolidated basis and for any period, without duplication, the amount equal to
Consolidated Net Income, PLUS to the extent deducted from net income, Interest
Expense, depreciation, amortization, other non-cash charges and income tax
expenses.
"ELIGIBLE ACCOUNT" shall mean at any time the invoice or ledger
amount owing on each account (which shall mean (a) any "account" as such term is
defined in Section 9.106 of the UCC and (b) any "chattel paper" as such term is
defined in Section 9.105(a)(2) of the UCC) of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries (net of any credit balance, returns, trade discounts, or unbilled
amounts or retention) for which each of the following statements is accurate and
complete (and the Company by including such account in any computation of the
Borrowing Base shall be deemed to represent and warrant to the Administrative
Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders the accuracy and completeness of such
statements):
(1) Said account is a binding and valid obligation of the obligor
thereon in full force and effect;
(2) Said account is genuine as appearing on its face or as
represented in the books and records of Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, as applicable;
(3) Said account is free from claims regarding rescission,
cancellation or avoidance, whether by operation of law or otherwise;
(4) Payment of said account is less than 90 days past due as
determined by the due date stated on the invoice therefor (or, if said
account is not paid by reference to an invoice in the ordinary course of
business but instead by reference to the terms of the agreements creating
said account, said account has not remained unpaid beyond 90 days after
the due date therefor) or, if said account is a right to payment for goods
that have been shipped to the purchaser thereof, but for which such
purchaser has not yet been billed for payment, such goods were not shipped
more than 10 days prior to the date of determination;
(5) Said account is net of concessions, offset or understandings
with the obligor thereon that in any way could reasonably be expected to
adversely affect the payment of said account;
(6) If such account and other accounts are owed by a creditor of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries, the amount of all such accounts
included as Eligible Accounts shall be the amount by which all such
accounts exceeds the aggregate accounts payable owed by the Company or
such Subsidiary to such creditor;
(7) The obligor on said account is not (a) an Affiliate of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or (b) an employee of the Company or
any of the Subsidiaries;
(8) Said account arose in the ordinary course of business of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries, as applicable;
(9) Said account is not payable by an obligor who is more than 91
days past due with regard to 20% or more of the total accounts owed to the
Company or its Subsidiaries by such obligor or any of its Affiliates;
(10) All consents, licenses, approvals or authorizations of, or
registrations or declarations with, any Governmental Authority required to
be obtained, effected or given in connection with the
7
<PAGE>
execution, delivery and performance of said account by each party
obligated thereunder have been duly obtained, effected or given and are in
full force and effect;
(11) The obligor on said account is not the subject of any
bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding, has not had a trustee or receiver
appointed for all or a substantial part of its property, has not made an
assignment for the benefit of creditors, admitted its inability to pay its
debts as they mature or suspended its business;
(12) In the case of the sale of goods, the subject goods have been
sold to an obligor on a true sale basis on open account, or subject to
contract, and not on consignment, on approval or on a "sale or return"
basis or subject to any other repurchase or return agreement, no material
part of the subject goods has been returned, rejected, lost or damaged,
and said account is not, evidenced by chattel paper or an instrument of
any kind; and
(13) In the case of accounts owed by account debtors which are not
wholly-owned subsidiaries of a company domiciled in the United Sates of
America which have their principal place of business outside of the United
States of America ("FOREIGN ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE"), such Foreign Accounts
Receivable shall not collectively constitute greater than 10% of Eligible
Accounts (exclusive of any Foreign Accounts Receivable which is backed by
a letter of credit reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent);
PROVIDED THAT, if any Eligible Account, when added to all other accounts
that are obligations of the same obligor and its Affiliates, results in a
total sum that exceeds 25% of the total balance then due on all Eligible
Accounts (without giving effect to any reduction in Eligible Accounts
pursuant to this proviso), the amount of said account in excess of 25% of
such total balance then due shall be excluded from Eligible Accounts.
"ELIGIBLE INVENTORY" shall mean, at any time, all "inventory" (as
such term is defined in Section 9.109(4) of the UCC) of the Company and its
Subsidiaries for which each of the following statements is accurate and complete
(and the Company by including such inventory in any computation of the Borrowing
Base shall be deemed to represent and warrant to the Administrative Agent, the
Issuing Bank and each Lender the accuracy and completeness of such statements):
(a) Said inventory shall be valued on the lower of cost (determined
on a FIFO basis) or market in accordance with GAAP and (1) shall include
raw materials and finished goods but (2) shall not include goods that are
classified as work-in-progress;
(b) Said inventory is in good condition, meets all standards imposed
by any Governmental Authority having regulatory authority over it or its
use and/or sale and is either currently usable or currently salable in the
normal course of business of the Company and its Subsidiaries;
(c) Said inventory is in possession of the Company or its
Subsidiaries;
(d) Said inventory does not include goods that are not owned by the
Company or its Subsidiaries or that are held by the Company or its
Subsidiaries pursuant to a consignment agreement or that are used for
demonstrations and display.
"ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS" shall mean any and all laws, statutes,
ordinances, rules, regulations, orders, or determinations of any Governmental
Authority pertaining to health or the environment in effect
8
<PAGE>
in any and all jurisdictions in which the Company or its Subsidiaries are
conducting or at any time have conducted business, or where any Property of the
Company or its Subsidiaries is located, or where any hazardous substances
generated by or disposed of by the Company or its Subsidiaries are located,
including but not limited to the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 ("OPA"), the Clean
Air Act, as amended, the Comprehensive Environmental, Response, Compensation,
and Liability Act of 1980 ("CERCLA"), as amended, the Federal Water Pollution
Control Act, as amended, the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, as
amended, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 ("RCRA"), as
amended, the Safe Drinking Water Act, as amended, the Toxic Substances Control
Act, as amended, the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, as
amended, and other environmental conservation or protection laws. The term "oil"
shall have the meaning specified in OPA; the terms "hazardous substance,"
"release" and "threatened release" have the meanings specified in CERCLA, and
the terms "solid waste" and "disposal" (or "disposed") have the meanings
specified in RCRA; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, in the event either CERCLA or RCRA is
amended so as to change the meaning of any term defined thereby, such changed
meaning shall apply subsequent to the effective date of such amendment, and
PROVIDED, FURTHER, that, to the extent the laws of the state in which any
Property of the Company or its Subsidiaries is located establish a meaning for
"oil," "hazardous substance," "release," "solid waste" or "disposal" which is
broader than that specified in either OPA, CERCLA or RCRA, such broader meaning
shall apply.
"EQUITY" means shares of capital stock or a partnership, profits,
capital or member interest, or options, warrants or any other right to
substitute for or otherwise acquire the capital stock or a partnership, profits,
capital or member interest of the Company or any of the Company's Subsidiaries.
"ERISA" shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
1974, as amended, and any successor statute.
"ERISA AFFILIATE" shall mean each trade or business (whether or not
incorporated) which together with the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company
would be deemed to be a "single employer" within the meaning of Section
4001(b)(1) of ERISA or Subsections 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code.
"ERISA TERMINATION EVENT" shall mean (a) a "Reportable Event"
described in Section 4043 of ERISA and the regulations issued thereunder (other
than a "Reportable Event" not subject to the provision for 30-day notice to the
PBGC under Subsections .14, .18, .19 or .20 of Part 2615 of the PBGC
regulations), (b) the withdrawal of the Company, a Subsidiary of the Company or
any ERISA Affiliate from a Plan during a plan year in which it was a
"substantial employer" as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA, (c) the filing
of a notice of intent to terminate a Plan or the treatment of a Plan amendment
as a termination under Section 4041(c) of ERISA, (d) the institution of
proceedings to terminate a Plan by the PBGC, or (e) any other event or condition
which could reasonably be expected to constitute grounds under Section 4042 of
ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any
Plan.
"EURODOLLAR LOAN" shall mean a Revolving Credit Loan or a Term Loan
a bearing interest at the rate provided in Section 2.6(b).
"EURODOLLAR RATE" shall mean, with respect to any Borrowing of
Eurodollar Loans for any Interest Period, the product of (a) (1) the interest
rate per annum shown on page 3750 of the Dow Jones & Company Telerate screen or
any successor page as the composite offered rate for London interbank deposits
with a period comparable to the Interest Period for such Eurodollar Loan, as
shown under the heading "USD" at 11:00 A.M. (London time) two Business Days
prior to the first day of such Interest Period or (2) if the rate in clause (1)
of this definition is not shown for any particular day, the average interest
rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the next 1/16th of 1%) offered
to the Reference Banks in the interbank Eurodollar market for Dollar deposits of
amounts in funds comparable to the principal amount of the
9
<PAGE>
Eurodollar Loan to which such Eurodollar Rate is to be applicable with
maturities comparable to the Interest Period for which such Eurodollar Rate will
apply as of approximately 10:00 a.m. (Houston, Texas time) two Business Days
prior to the commencement of such Interest Period, times (b) Statutory Reserves.
"EVENT OF DEFAULT" shall have the meaning provided in Article 7.
"EXCLUDED TAXES" means, with respect to the Administrative Agent,
any Lender, the Issuing Bank or any other recipient of any payment to be made by
or on account of any obligation of the Company hereunder, (a) income or
franchise taxes imposed on (or measured by) its net income by the United States
of America, or by the jurisdiction under the laws of which such recipient is
organized or in which its principal office is located or, in the case of any
Lender, in which its applicable lending office is located, (b) any branch
profits taxes imposed by the United States of America or any similar tax imposed
by any other jurisdiction in which the Company is located, and (c) in the case
of a Foreign Lender any withholding tax that is imposed on amounts payable to
such Foreign Lender at the time such Foreign Lender becomes a party to this
Agreement (or designates a new lending office) or is attributable to such
Foreign Lender's failure to comply with Section 2.20(f), except to the extent
that such Foreign Lender (or its assignor, if any) was entitled, at the time of
designation of a new lending office (or assignment), to receive additional
amounts from the Company with respect to such withholding tax pursuant to
Section 2.20(a).
"EXISTING CREDIT AGREEMENT" shall have the meaning set forth in the
recitals hereof.
"EXISTING CREDIT FACILITY" shall have the meaning set forth in the
recitals hereof.
"FEDERAL FUNDS EFFECTIVE RATE" shall mean, for any day, the per
annum rate equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds
transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal
funds brokers, as published for such day (or, if such day is not a Business Day,
for the next preceding Business Day) by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York,
or, if such rate is not so published for any day which is a Business Day, the
average of the quotations for such day on such transactions received by the
Administrative Agent from three Federal funds brokers of recognized standing
selected by it.
"FEE LETTER" shall mean the letter agreement dated January 22, 1999,
regarding fees, executed by Chase and Arranger and accepted and agreed to by the
Company as of January 22, 1999.
"FIFO" shall mean first in first out.
"FINANCIAL STATEMENTS" shall mean the audited consolidated financial
statements of the Company for the Fiscal Year ended December 31, 1998, and the
unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Company for the Fiscal
Quarters ended March 31, 1998, June 30, 1998, and September 30, 1998.
"FINANCING DOCUMENTS" shall mean this Agreement, the Notes, the
Guaranty Agreements, the Applications, Letters of Credit, Borrowing Requests,
Borrowing Base Reports, the Fee Letter, and the other documents, instruments or
agreements described in Sections 3.1 and 3.2, together with any other document,
instrument or agreement (other than participation, agency or similar agreements
among the Lenders or between any Lender and any other bank or creditor with
respect to any indebtedness or obligations of the Company or its Subsidiaries
hereunder or thereunder) now or hereafter entered into in connection with the
Loans or the Lender Indebtedness, as such documents, instruments or agreements
may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.
10
<PAGE>
"FISCAL QUARTER" shall mean the fiscal quarter of the Company,
ending on the last day of each March, June, September and December of each year.
"FISCAL YEAR" shall mean the fiscal year of the Company, ending on
December 31st of each year.
"FIXED CHARGE COVERAGE RATIO" shall mean the ratio for the relevant
period of (i) EBITDA plus operating lease and rental expenses and less cash
taxes to (ii) Debt Service plus Capital Expenditures plus operating lease and
rental expenses.
"FOREIGN LENDER" means any Lender that is organized under the laws
of a jurisdiction other than the United States of America, each State thereof,
or the District of Columbia.
"GAAP" shall mean generally accepted accounting principles as
applied in accordance with Section 1.2.
"GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY" shall mean any (domestic or foreign)
federal, state, province, county, city, municipal or other political subdivision
or government, department, commission, board, bureau, court, agency or any other
instrumentality of any of them, which exercises jurisdiction over the Company,
or any Subsidiary of the Company, or any Property (including, but not limited
to, the use and/or sale thereof) of the Company or any such Subsidiary, or any
Plan.
"GOVERNMENTAL REQUIREMENT" shall mean any law, statute, code,
ordinance, order, rule, regulation, judgment, decree, injunction, franchise,
permit, certificate, license, authorization or other direction or requirement
(including but not limited to any of the foregoing which relate to Environmental
Laws, energy regulations and occupational, safety and health standards or
controls) of any Governmental Authority.
"GUARANTY AGREEMENTS" shall mean, collectively the Subsidiary
Guaranties.
"HIGHEST LAWFUL RATE" shall mean, with respect to each Lender, the
maximum nonusurious interest rate, if any, that at any time or from time to time
may be contracted for, taken, reserved, charged or received on the Notes or on
other Lender Indebtedness, as the case may be, owed to it under the law of any
jurisdiction whose laws may be mandatorily applicable to such Lender
notwithstanding other provisions of this Agreement, or law of the United States
of America applicable to such Lender and the Transactions, which would permit
such Lender to contract for, charge, take, reserve or receive a greater amount
of interest than under such jurisdiction's law.
"INDEBTEDNESS" of any Person shall mean:
(a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money and
obligations evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar
instruments;
(b) all obligations of such Person (whether contingent or otherwise)
in respect of bankers' acceptances, letters of credit, surety or other
bonds and similar instruments;
(c) all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred purchase
price of Property or services (other than for borrowed money);
11
<PAGE>
(d) all Capital Lease Obligations in respect of which such Person is
liable, contingently or otherwise, as obligor, guarantor or otherwise, or
in respect of which obligations such Person otherwise assures a creditor
against loss;
(e) all guaranties (direct or indirect), and other contingent
obligations of such Person in respect of, or obligations to purchase or
otherwise acquire or to assure payment of, Indebtedness (as described in
the other clauses of this definition) of other Persons;
(f) Indebtedness (as described in the other clauses of this
definition) of others secured by any Lien upon Property owned by such
Person, whether or not assumed;
(g) all obligations or undertakings of such Person to maintain or
cause to be maintained the financial position or financial covenants of
other Persons; and
(h) the net amount of obligations of such Person under agreements of
the types described in the definition of Interest Rate Swap Agreements.
"INDEMNIFIED TAXES" means Taxes other than Excluded Taxes.
"INTERCOMPANY INDEBTEDNESS" shall mean any Indebtedness owed to and
held by the Company or any Wholly Owned Subsidiary; PROVIDED that any subsequent
issuance or transfer of any capital stock or similar equity interest which
results in any such Wholly Owned Subsidiary ceasing to be a Wholly Owned
Subsidiary or any subsequent transfer of such Indebtedness (other than to the
Company or another Wholly Owned Subsidiary) shall be deemed, in each case, to
constitute the incurrence of such Indebtedness by the issuer thereof.
"INTEREST COVERAGE RATIO" shall mean, on any day, the ratio of (a)
EBITDA less Capital Expenditures for the Rolling Period ending on the then most
recent Quarterly Date to (b) Cash Interest Expense during such Rolling Period.
"INTEREST EXPENSE" shall mean, as to the Company and its
Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis and for any period, without duplication,
total interest expenses, whether paid or accrued as liabilities (including the
interest component of Capital Lease Obligations), with respect to all
outstanding Indebtedness, including, without limitation, all commissions,
discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to any financing or
letters of credit and net costs under any Interest Rate Swap Agreement to the
extent that such costs are included within interest expense under GAAP.
"INTEREST PERIOD" shall mean, with respect to each Borrowing of
Eurodollar Loans, an interest period complying with the terms and provisions of
Section 2.7.
"INTEREST RATE SWAP AGREEMENT" shall mean any rate swap, rate cap,
rate floor, rate collar, forward rate agreement, futures or other rate
protection agreement or option with respect to any such transaction, designed to
hedge against fluctuations in interest rates.
"ISSUING BANK" shall mean, for each Letter of Credit, Chase, as the
issuing bank for such Letter of Credit.
"LENDER" and "LENDERS" shall have the respective meaning set forth
in the opening paragraph hereof.
12
<PAGE>
"LENDER INDEBTEDNESS" shall mean any and all amounts owing or to be
owing by the Company to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank or the
Lenders with respect to or in connection with the Loans, any Letter of Credit
Liabilities, the Notes, any Interest Rate Swap Agreement, this Agreement, or any
other Financing Document and, as to Interest Rate Swap Agreements, any and all
amounts owing or to be owing by the Company thereunder to any Affiliate of any
Lender that has entered into an Interest Rate Swap Agreement with the Company.
"LENDING OFFICE" shall mean for each Lender the office specified
opposite such Lender's name on the signature pages hereof, or in the Assignment
and Acceptance pursuant to which it became a Lender, with respect to each Type
of Loan, or such other office as such Lender may designate in writing from time
to time to the Company and the Administrative Agent with respect to such Type of
Loan.
"LETTERS OF CREDIT" shall have the meaning assigned such term in
Section 2.3(a).
"LETTER OF CREDIT LIABILITIES" shall mean, at any time and in
respect of any Letter of Credit, the sum of (a) the amount available for
drawings under such Letter of Credit as of the date of determination plus (b)
the aggregate unpaid amount of all Reimbursement Obligations due and payable as
of the date of determination in respect of previous drawings made under such
Letter of Credit.
"LIEN" shall mean any interest in Property securing an obligation
owed to, or a claim by, a Person other than the owner of the Property, whether
such interest is based on contract, constitutional, common, or statutory law,
and including but not limited to the lien or security interest arising from a
mortgage, encumbrance, pledge, security agreement, conditional sale or trust
receipt or a lease, consignment or bailment for security purposes. For the
purposes of this Agreement, the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company shall
be deemed to be the owner of any Property which it has acquired or holds subject
to a conditional sale agreement, financing lease or other arrangement pursuant
to which title to the Property has been retained by or vested in some other
Person for security purposes.
"LOAN" shall mean a Revolving Credit Loan or a Term Loan and "LOANS"
shall mean collectively the Revolving Credit Loans or the Term Loans or one or
more of them as provided herein.
"MARGIN STOCK" shall have the meaning provided in Regulations U and
X.
"MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT" shall mean any material and adverse effect
on (a) the business, operations, assets, liabilities, condition (financial or
otherwise), or results of operations of the Company, on an individual basis, or
the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (b) the ability of the
Company on an individual basis to carry out its business or of the Company and
its Subsidiaries taken as a whole to carry out their business, or (c) the
ability of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to perform the
obligations under the Notes, this Agreement or the other Financing Documents in
accordance with their respective terms.
"MAXIMUM AVAILABLE AMOUNT" shall mean, at any date, an amount equal
to the lesser of (a) the aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments as of such date,
and (b) the Borrowing Base as of such date.
"NET WORTH" shall mean, at any time and from time to time, the net
worth of the Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, determined in
accordance with GAAP.
"NOTE PURCHASE AGREEMENT" shall mean that certain Note Purchase
Agreement dated July 30, 1996, executed by the Company and The Northwestern
Mutual Life Insurance Company in connection with the Senior Notes, and any and
all amendments and supplements thereto.
13
<PAGE>
"NOTES" shall mean the Revolving Credit Notes and the Term Notes.
"OTHER TAXES" means any and all present or future stamp or
documentary taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar
levies arising from any payment made hereunder or from the execution, delivery
or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement.
"PAYMENT OFFICE" shall mean the Administrative Agent's office
located at 1111 Fannin Street, Houston, Texas 77002; Attention: Gale Manning (or
such other office or individual as the Administrative Agent may hereafter
designate in writing to the other parties hereto).
"PBGC" shall mean the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, or any
successor thereto.
"PERSON" shall mean any individual, partnership, firm, corporation
(including, but not limited to the Company), association, joint venture, trust
or other entity, or any government or political subdivision or agency,
department or instrumentality thereof; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, for the purpose of the
definition of "Change of Control," "PERSON" shall mean a "person" or group of
persons within the meaning of Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
"PLAN" shall mean any employee pension benefit plan, as defined in
Section 3(2) of ERISA (including, but not limited to, an employee pension
benefit plan, such as a foreign plan, which is not subject to the provisions of
ERISA), which (a) is currently or hereafter sponsored, maintained or contributed
to by the Company, a Subsidiary of the Company or an ERISA Affiliate, or (b) was
at any time during the six preceding Fiscal Years sponsored, maintained or
contributed to by the Company, a Subsidiary of the Company or an ERISA
Affiliate.
"PLEDGE AGREEMENT" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.11.
"PRIME RATE" shall mean the rate which the Administrative Agent
announces from time to time as its prime rate, effective as of the date
announced as the effective date of any change in such prime rate. Without notice
to the Company or any other Person, the Prime Rate shall change automatically
from time to time as and in the amount by which such prime rate shall fluctuate.
The Prime Rate is a reference rate and does not necessarily represent the lowest
or best rate actually charged to any customer. The Administrative Agent may make
commercial loans or other loans at rates of interest at, above or below the
Prime Rate.
"PROPERTY" shall mean any interest in any kind of property or asset,
whether real, personal or mixed, or tangible or intangible.
"PURCHASE AGREEMENT" shall have the meaning set forth in the
recitals hereof.
"QUARTERLY DATES" shall mean the last day of each March, June,
September and December in each year.
"REFERENCE BANKS" shall mean the Administrative Agent.
"REGISTER" shall have the meaning assigned in Section 9.7(c).
"REGULATION D", "REGULATIONS U AND X" shall mean, respectively,
Regulation D, Regulation U and Regulation X of the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System, as such regulations are from time to time in effect and
any successor regulations thereto.
14
<PAGE>
"REIMBURSEMENT OBLIGATIONS" shall mean, at any date, the obligations
of the Company then outstanding in respect of the Letters of Credit, to
reimburse the Administrative Agent for the account of the Issuing Bank for the
amount paid by the Issuing Bank in respect of any drawings under the Letters of
Credit.
"REQUIRED LENDERS" shall mean at any time, the Lenders having 66
2/3% or more of the combined aggregate amount at such time of Term Loans then
outstanding and the Revolving Credit Commitments, or in the case of the
termination or expiration of the Revolving Credit Commitments, the aggregate
amount of Revolving Credit Loans then outstanding.
"RESPONSIBLE OFFICER" shall mean, with respect to any corporation,
the chairman of the board, the president, any vice president, the chief
executive officer or the chief operating officer, or any equivalent officer
(regardless of his or her title), and, in respect of financial or accounting
matters, the chief financial officer, the vice president of finance, the
treasurer, the controller, or any equivalent officer (regardless of his or her
title). Unless otherwise specified, all references to a Responsible Officer
herein shall mean a Responsible Officer of the Company.
"RESTRICTED PAYMENT" shall mean (i) the declaration of any dividend
on, or the incurrence of any liability to make any other payment or distribution
in respect of, capital stock (other than payment of distribution, or incurrence
of a liability therefor to the extent payable among the affiliated companies or
in capital stock) or (ii) distribution on account of the purchase, redemption or
other retirement of any such capital stock (other than any payment, redemption
or retirement among Affiliates or in capital stock).
"REVOLVING CREDIT COMMITMENT" shall have the meaning assigned such
term in Section 2.1(c).
"REVOLVING CREDIT EXPOSURE" shall mean, at any time and as to each
Lender, the sum of (a) the aggregate principal amount of the Revolving Credit
Loans made by such Lender outstanding as of such date plus (b) such Lender's
Revolving Credit Percentage of the aggregate amount of all Letter of Credit
Liabilities as of such date.
"REVOLVING CREDIT LOAN" shall have the meaning provided in Section
2.1(a); the Revolving Credit Loans shall not include any Letter of Credit
Liabilities.
"REVOLVING CREDIT MATURITY DATE" shall mean March 31, 2004.
"REVOLVING CREDIT NOTE" shall mean a promissory note of the Company
described in Section 2.5(a) payable to any Lender and being substantially in the
form of EXHIBIT A, evidencing the aggregate Indebtedness of the Company to such
Lender resulting from Revolving Credit Loans made by such Lender.
"REVOLVING CREDIT PERCENTAGE" shall mean as to any Lender, the
percentage of the aggregate Revolving Credit Commitments constituted by its
Revolving Credit Commitment (or, if the Revolving Credit Commitments have
terminated or expired, the percentage which such Lender's Revolving Credit
Exposure at such time constitutes of the Aggregate Revolving Credit Exposure at
such time).
"ROLLING PERIOD" shall mean any period of four consecutive Fiscal
Quarters (or, if less, the number of full Fiscal Quarters subsequent to the
Closing Date).
"SENIOR NOTES" shall mean the 8.02% Senior Notes, due July 31, 2006,
issued by the Company pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement in an amount of up
to $30,000,000.
15
<PAGE>
"SOLVENT" shall mean with respect to any Person on a particular
date, the condition that, on such date, (a) the fair value of the property of
such Person is greater than the total amount of liabilities, including, without
limitation, contingent liabilities, of such Person, (b) the present fair salable
value of the assets of such Person is not less than the amount that will be
required to pay the probable liabilities of such Person on its debts as they
become absolute and matured, (c) such Person does not intend to, and does not
believe that it will, incur debts or liabilities beyond such Person's ability to
pay as such debts and liabilities mature, and (d) such Person is not engaged in
business or a transaction, and is not about to engage in business or a
transaction, for which such Person's property would constitute an unreasonably
small amount of capital.
"STANDBY LETTER OF CREDIT" shall mean a letter of credit that (a) is
used in lieu or in support of performance guarantees or performance, surety or
other similar bonds (but expressly excluding stay and appeal bonds) arising in
the ordinary course of business, (b) is used in lieu or in support of stay or
appeal bonds, (c) supports the payment of insurance premiums for reasonably
necessary casualty insurance carried by the Company or any of its consolidated
Subsidiaries, or (d) supports payment or performance for identified purchases or
exchanges of products in the ordinary course of business.
"STATUTORY RESERVES" shall mean a fraction (expressed as a decimal),
the numerator of which is the number one and the denominator of which is the
number one minus the aggregate of the maximum applicable reserve percentages,
including any marginal, special, emergency or supplemental reserves (expressed
as a decimal) established by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System and any other banking authority to which the Lenders are subject for
Eurocurrency Liabilities (as defined in Regulation D) or any other category of
deposits or liabilities by reference to which the Eurodollar Rate is determined.
Such reserve percentages shall include those imposed pursuant to Regulation D.
Eurodollar Loans shall be deemed to constitute Eurocurrency Liabilities and to
be subject to such reserve requirements without benefit of or credit for
proration, exemptions or offsets that may be available from time to time to any
Lender under such Regulation D. Statutory Reserves shall be adjusted
automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in any reserve
percentage.
"STRATUS" shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals hereof.
"SUBSIDIARY" of any Person shall mean a corporation, limited
liability company, partnership or other entity of which a majority of the
outstanding shares of stock of each class having ordinary voting power or other
equity interests is owned by such Person, by one or more Subsidiaries of such
Person, or by such Person and one or more of its Subsidiaries.
"SUBSIDIARY GUARANTY" shall mean any and all Guaranty Agreements
executed by each domestic Subsidiary of the Company, in form and substance
satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, as amended, modified, renewed,
supplemented or restated from time to time.
"SUBSIDIARY INDEBTEDNESS" as to any Subsidiary, shall mean (a)
Intercompany Indebtedness, and (b) other Indebtedness (other than Subsidiary
Indebtedness) of such Subsidiary permitted by Section 6.2.
"TAXES" means any and all present or future taxes, levies, imposts,
duties, deductions, charges or withholdings imposed by any Governmental
Authority.
"TERM LOAN" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a).
"TERM NOTE" shall mean a promissory note of the Company described in
Section 2.5(b) payable to any Lender, being substantially in the form of EXHIBIT
B and executed on February 23, 1998,
16
<PAGE>
evidencing the aggregate Indebtedness of the Company to such Lender resulting
from the Term Loans made by such Lender.
"TERM LOAN COMMITMENT" shall have the meaning assigned such term in
Section 2.1(d).
"TERM LOAN MATURITY DATE" shall mean March 31, 2003.
"TERM LOAN PERCENTAGE" shall mean as to any Lender, at any time
after the Closing Date, the percentage which such Lender's Term Loans then
outstanding constitutes of the Term Loans then outstanding.
"TRANSACTIONS" shall mean the transactions provided for in and
contemplated by this Agreement and the other Financing Documents.
"TYPE" of Loan shall mean a Base Rate Loan or Eurodollar Loan.
"UCC" shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as from time to time in
effect in the State of Texas or, where applicable as to specific Collateral, any
other relevant state.
"VOTING STOCK" of any Person shall mean capital stock of such Person
which ordinarily has voting power for the election of directors (or persons
performing similar functions) of such Person, whether at all times or only so
long as no senior class of securities has such voting power by reason of any
contingency.
"WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY" shall mean any Subsidiary of the Company
all the capital stock or other equity interests of which (other than directors'
qualifying shares and shares held by other than the Persons to the extent such
shares are required by applicable law to be held by a Person other than the
Company or one of its Subsidiaries) is owned by the Company or one or more
Wholly Owned Subsidiaries.
Section 1.2 ACCOUNTING TERMS AND DETERMINATIONS. Unless otherwise defined
or specified herein, all accounting terms shall be construed herein, all
accounting determinations hereunder shall be made, all financial statements
required to be delivered hereunder shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP
applied on a basis consistent with the Financial Statements (except for changes
concurred with by the Company's independent public accountant).
Section 1.3 OTHER DEFINITIONAL TERMS. The words "hereof," "herein" and
"hereunder" and words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer
to this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this
Agreement, and article, section, schedule, exhibit and like references are to
this Agreement unless otherwise specified.
ARTICLE 2
AMOUNT AND TERMS OF LOANS
Section 2.1 LOANS AND COMMITMENTS.
(a) LOANS. Subject to the terms and conditions and relying on the
representations and warranties contained herein (1) each Lender has made,
pursuant to the Existing Credit Agreement, a term loan pursuant to its Term Loan
Commitment (each a "TERM LOAN") to the Company, and (2) on any Business Day on
and after the Closing Date, but prior to the Revolving Credit Maturity Date,
each Lender severally
17
<PAGE>
agrees to make revolving credit loans (each a "REVOLVING CREDIT LOAN") to the
Company. Except for in connection with a continuation or conversion pursuant to
Section 2.11, any Term Loan that is repaid or prepaid may not be reborrowed.
(b) TYPES OF LOANS. The Revolving Credit Loans and the Term Loans
made pursuant hereto by each Lender shall, at the option of the Company, be
either Base Rate Loans or Eurodollar Loans and may be continued or converted
pursuant to Section 2.11, provided that, except as otherwise specifically
provided herein, all Loans made pursuant to the same Borrowing shall be of the
same Type.
(c) REVOLVING CREDIT COMMITMENTS. Each Lender's Revolving Credit
Exposure shall not exceed at any one time the amount set forth opposite such
Lender's name on Annex I under the caption "Revolving Credit Commitment" (as the
same may be reduced pursuant to Section 2.9 or otherwise from time to time
modified pursuant to Section 9.7, its "REVOLVING CREDIT COMMITMENT," and
collectively for all Lenders, the "REVOLVING CREDIT COMMITMENTS"); PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that the Aggregate Revolving Credit Exposure at any one time
outstanding shall not exceed the Maximum Available Amount in effect at such
time; and, PROVIDED, FURTHER, the aggregate principal amount of all Revolving
Credit Loans at any one time outstanding shall not exceed the difference between
(1) the Maximum Available Amount in effect at such time, and (2) the aggregate
amount of all Letter of Credit Liabilities at such time. There may be more than
one Borrowing with respect to Revolving Credit Loans on any day. Within the
foregoing limits and subject to the conditions set out in Article 3, the Company
may obtain Borrowings of Revolving Credit Loans, repay or prepay such Revolving
Credit Loans, and reborrow such Revolving Credit Loans.
(d) TERM LOAN COMMITMENTS. The Term Loans made pursuant hereto by
each Lender shall not exceed in aggregate principal amount outstanding the
amount set forth opposite such Lender's name on Annex I under the caption "Term
Loan Commitment" (its "TERM LOAN COMMITMENT," and collectively for all Lenders,
the "TERM LOAN COMMITMENTS"). Any portion of each such Lender's Term Loan
Commitment not utilized on the Closing Date, as defined in the Existing Credit
Agreement, shall be permanently canceled. Any Term Loans that are repaid or
prepaid may not be reborrowed.
(e) AMOUNTS OF BORROWINGS, ETC. The aggregate principal amount of
each Borrowing (1) of Eurodollar Loans shall be not less than $500,000 and shall
be in an integral multiple of $500,000, and (2) of Base Rate Loans hereunder
shall be not less than $500,000 and shall be in an integral multiple of
$500,000, except that any Borrowing of Revolving Credit Loans that are Base Rate
Loans may be in the aggregate amount of the unused Maximum Revolving Credit Loan
Amount in effect at such time. Borrowings of more than one Type may be
outstanding at the same time; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Company shall not be
entitled to request any Borrowing that, if made, would result in an aggregate of
more than five (5) separate Borrowings of Eurodollar Loans being outstanding at
any one time. For purposes of the foregoing, Borrowings having different
Interest Periods, regardless of whether they commence on the same date, shall be
considered separate Borrowings.
Section 2.2 BORROWING REQUESTS.
(a) BORROWING REQUESTS. Whenever the Company desires to make a
Borrowing hereunder, it shall give Advance Notice in the form of a Borrowing
Request, specifying, subject to the provisions hereof (1) the aggregate
principal amount of the Revolving Credit Loans to be made pursuant to such
Borrowing, (2) the date of Borrowing (which shall be a Business Day), (3)
whether the Revolving Credit Loans being made pursuant to such Borrowing are to
be Base Rate Loans or Eurodollar Loans, and (4) in the case of Eurodollar Loans,
the Interest Period to be applicable thereto.
18
<PAGE>
(b) NOTICE BY ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT. The Administrative Agent shall
promptly give each Lender telecopy or telephonic notice (and, in the case of
telephonic notices, confirmed by telecopy or otherwise in writing) of the
proposed Borrowing, of such Lender's Applicable Percentage thereof and of the
other matters covered by the Advance Notice. The Company hereby waives the right
to dispute the Administrative Agent's record of the terms of such telephonic
notice, absent manifest error.
Section 2.3 LETTERS OF CREDIT.
(a) ISSUANCE OF LETTERS OF CREDIT. Subject to the terms and
conditions hereof, the Company shall have the right, in addition to Revolving
Credit Loans provided for in Section 2.1, to utilize the Revolving Credit
Commitments from time to time prior to the Revolving Credit Maturity Date by
obtaining the issuance of either Documentary Letters of Credit or Standby
Letters of Credit for the account of the Company by the Issuing Bank if the
Company shall so request in the notice referred to in Section 2.3(b)(1) (such
letters of credit being collectively referred to as the "LETTERS OF CREDIT");
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Aggregate Revolving Credit Exposure at any one time
outstanding shall not exceed the Maximum Available Amount in effect at such time
and the aggregate of all Letter of Credit Liabilities at any one time
outstanding shall not exceed $5,000,000. The Letters of Credit shall be
denominated in Dollars and may be issued to support the obligations of the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries. Upon the date of the issuance of a Letter of
Credit, the Issuing Bank shall be deemed, without further action by any party
hereto, to have sold to each Lender, and each Lender shall be deemed, without
further action by any party hereto, to have purchased from the Issuing Bank, a
participation, to the extent of such Lender's Revolving Credit Percentage, in
such Letter of Credit and the related Letter of Credit Liabilities. No Letter of
Credit issued pursuant to this Agreement shall have an expiry date beyond the
earlier of one year after the date of issuance or five days prior to the
Revolving Credit Maturity Date. Any Letter of Credit may give the beneficiary
thereof either the right to draw upon the Letter of Credit upon its expiry date
or the right to automatically extend the expiry date thereof for periods of up
to one year per extension; PROVIDED that no such extension shall extend the
expiry date beyond five days prior to the Revolving Credit Maturity Date.
(b) ADDITIONAL LETTER OF CREDIT PROVISIONS. The following additional
provisions shall apply to each Letter of Credit:
(1) The Company shall give the Administrative Agent and the
Issuing Bank at least three Business Days' prior notice (effective upon
receipt), or in each case, such shorter period as may be agreed to by the
Administrative Agent and the Issuing Bank, specifying the date such Letter
of Credit is to be issued (which shall be a Business Day) and describing:
(A) the face amount of the Letter of Credit, (B) the expiration date of
the Letter of Credit, (C) the name and address of the beneficiary, (D)
information concerning the transaction proposed to be supported by such
Letter of Credit as the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank may
reasonably request, (E) such other information and documents relating to
the Letter of Credit as the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank may
reasonably request, and (F) a precise description of documents and the
verbatim text of any certificate to be presented by the beneficiary,
which, if presented prior to the expiry date of the Letter of Credit,
would require the Issuing Bank to make payment under the Letter of Credit;
PROVIDED that the Issuing Bank, in its reasonable judgment, may require
changes in such documents and certificates; and PROVIDED FURTHER that the
Issuing Bank shall not be required to issue any Letter of Credit that on
its terms requires payment thereunder prior to the next Business Day
following receipt by the Issuing Bank of such documents and certificates.
Each such notice shall be accompanied by the Issuing Bank's Application
and by a certificate executed by a Responsible Officer setting forth
calculations evidencing availability for such Letter of Credit pursuant to
Section 2.3(b)(2) and stating that all conditions precedent to such
issuance have been satisfied. Each Letter of Credit shall, to the extent
not inconsistent with the express terms hereof or the applicable
19
<PAGE>
Application, be subject to, as applicable, either the Uniform Customs and
Practice for Documentary Credits (1993 Revision), International Chamber of
Commerce Publication No. 500 or International Standby Practices (ISP98)
International Chamber of Commerce Publication No. 590 (together with any
subsequent revisions thereof approved by a Congress of the International
Chamber of Commerce, the "UCP"), and shall, as to matters not governed by
the UCP, be governed by, and construed and interpreted in accordance with,
the laws of the State of Texas.
(2) No Letter of Credit may be issued if after giving effect
thereto the Aggregate Revolving Credit Exposure would exceed the Maximum
Available Amount. On each day during the period commencing with the
issuance of any Letter of Credit and until such Letter of Credit shall
have expired or have been terminated, the Revolving Credit Commitment of
each Lender shall be deemed to be utilized for all purposes hereof in an
amount equal to such Lender's Revolving Credit Percentage of the amount of
the Letter of Credit Liabilities related to such Letter of Credit.
(3) Upon receipt from the beneficiary of any Letter of Credit
of any demand for payment thereunder, the Issuing Bank shall promptly
notify the Company and the Administrative Agent of such demand (provided
that the failure of the Issuing Bank to give such notice shall not affect
the Reimbursement Obligations of the Company hereunder) and the Company
shall immediately, and in any event no later than 10:00 a.m. (Houston,
Texas time) on the date of such drawing, reimburse the Administrative
Agent for the account of the Issuing Bank for any amount paid by the
Issuing Bank upon any drawing under any Letter of Credit, without
presentment, demand, protest or other formalities of any kind in an
amount, in same day funds, equal to the amount of such drawing. Unless
prior to 10:00 a.m. (Houston, Texas time) on the date of such drawing, the
Company shall have either notified the Issuing Bank and the Administrative
Agent that the Company intends to reimburse the Administrative Agent for
the account of the Issuing Bank for the amount of such drawing with funds
other than the proceeds of Revolving Credit Loans or delivered to the
Administrative Agent a Borrowing Request for Revolving Credit Loans in an
amount equal to such drawing, the Company will be deemed to have given a
Borrowing Request to the Administrative Agent requesting that the Lenders
make Revolving Credit Loans which shall be Base Rate Loans on the date on
which such drawing is honored in an amount equal to the amount of such
drawing; PROVIDED THAT such Loans shall be subject to (A) the satisfaction
of the conditions in Article 3 and (B) the existence of Revolving Credit
Loan availability pursuant to Section 2.1(c) hereof (after giving effect
to repayment of the applicable Reimbursement Obligations with the proceeds
of the proposed Revolving Credit Loans). Subject to the preceding
sentence, if so requested by the Administrative Agent, each of the Lenders
shall, on the date of such drawing, make such Revolving Credit Loans in an
amount equal to such Lender's Revolving Credit Percentage of such drawing
or the full amount of the unused Revolving Credit Loan available pursuant
to Section 2.1(c), as applicable, the proceeds of which shall be applied
directly by the Administrative Agent to reimburse the Issuing Bank to the
extent of such proceeds.
(4) If the Company fails to reimburse the Issuing Bank as
provided in clause (3) above for any reason, including, but not limited
to, failure to satisfy the conditions in Article 3 or insufficient unused
Revolving Credit Loan availability pursuant to Section 2.1(c), the Issuing
Bank shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent and the Administrative
Agent shall notify each Lender of the unreimbursed amount of such drawing
and of such Lender's respective participation therein based on such
Lender's Revolving Credit Percentage. Each Lender will pay to the
Administrative Agent for the account of the Issuing Bank on the date of
such notice an amount equal to such Lender's Revolving Credit Percentage
of such unreimbursed drawing (or, if such notice is made after 1:00 p.m.
(Houston, Texas time) on such date, on the next succeeding Business Day).
If any Lender fails to make available to the Issuing Bank the amount of
such Lender's participation
20
<PAGE>
in such Letter of Credit as provided in this clause (4), the Issuing Bank
shall be entitled to recover such amount on demand from such Lender
together with interest at the Federal Funds Effective Rate for one
Business Day and thereafter at the Base Rate. Nothing in this clause (4)
shall be deemed to prejudice the right of any Lender to recover from the
Issuing Bank any amounts made available by such Lender to the Issuing Bank
pursuant to this clause (4) if it is determined by a court of competent
jurisdiction that the payment with respect to a Letter of Credit by the
Issuing Bank was wrongful and such wrongful payment was the result of
gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Issuing Bank.
The Issuing Bank shall pay to the Administrative Agent and the
Administrative Agent to each Lender such Lender's Revolving Credit
Percentage of all amounts received from the Company for payment, in whole
or in part, of the Reimbursement Obligation in respect of any Letter of
Credit, but only to the extent such Lender has made payment to the Issuing
Bank in respect of such Letter of Credit pursuant to this clause (4).
(5) The issuance by the Issuing Bank of each Letter of Credit
shall, in addition to the conditions precedent set forth in Article 3, be
subject to the conditions precedent that such Letter of Credit shall be in
the form and contain such terms as shall be reasonably satisfactory to the
Issuing Bank, and that the Company shall have executed and delivered such
other instruments and agreements relating to the Letter of Credit as the
Issuing Bank shall have reasonably requested and that are not inconsistent
with the terms of this Agreement including the Issuing Bank's Application
therefor. In the event of a conflict between the terms of this Agreement
and the terms of any Application, the terms of this Agreement shall
control.
(6) AS BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND THE ISSUING BANK, THE COMPANY
ASSUMES ALL RISKS OF THE ACTS AND OMISSIONS OF OR MISUSE OF THE LETTERS OF
CREDIT ISSUED BY THE ISSUING BANK BY THE RESPECTIVE BENEFICIARIES OF SUCH
LETTERS OF CREDIT. IN FURTHERANCE AND NOT IN LIMITATION OF THE FOREGOING,
THE ISSUING BANK SHALL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE: (A) FOR THE FORM, VALIDITY,
SUFFICIENCY, ACCURACY, GENUINENESS OR LEGAL EFFECT OF ANY DOCUMENT
SUBMITTED BY ANY PERSON IN CONNECTION WITH THE APPLICATION FOR OR ISSUANCE
OF SUCH LETTERS OF CREDIT, EVEN IF IT SHOULD IN FACT PROVE TO BE IN ANY OR
ALL RESPECTS INVALID, INSUFFICIENT, INACCURATE, FRAUDULENT OR FORGED; (B)
FOR THE VALIDITY OR SUFFICIENCY OF ANY INSTRUMENT TRANSFERRING OR
ASSIGNING OR PURPORTING TO TRANSFER OR ASSIGN ANY SUCH LETTER OF CREDIT OR
THE RIGHTS OR BENEFITS THEREUNDER OR PROCEEDS THEREOF, IN WHOLE OR IN
PART, WHICH MAY PROVE TO BE INVALID OR INEFFECTIVE FOR ANY REASON; (C) FOR
ERRORS, OMISSIONS, INTERRUPTIONS OR DELAYS IN TRANSMISSION OR DELIVERY OF
ANY MESSAGES, BY MAIL, CABLE, TELEGRAPH, TELEX OR OTHERWISE, WHETHER OR
NOT THEY ARE IN CIPHER; (D) FOR ERRORS IN INTERPRETATION OF TECHNICAL
TERMS; (E) FOR ANY LOSS OR DELAY IN THE TRANSMISSION OR OTHERWISE OF ANY
DOCUMENT REQUIRED IN ORDER TO MAKE A DRAWING UNDER ANY SUCH LETTER OF
CREDIT OR OF THE PROCEEDS THEREOF; (F) FOR THE MISAPPLICATION BY THE
BENEFICIARY OF ANY SUCH LETTER OF CREDIT OF THE PROCEEDS OF ANY DRAWING
UNDER SUCH LETTER OF CREDIT; AND (G) FOR ANY CONSEQUENCES ARISING FROM
CAUSES BEYOND THE CONTROL OF THE ISSUING BANK, INCLUDING, WITHOUT
LIMITATION, THE ACTIONS OF ANY GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY. NONE OF THE ABOVE
SHALL AFFECT, IMPAIR, OR PREVENT THE VESTING OF ANY OF THE ISSUING BANK'S
RIGHTS OR POWERS HEREUNDER. NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY
CONTAINED IN THIS CLAUSE (G), THE COMPANY SHALL NOT ASSUME ANY RISK, AND
SHALL HAVE NO OBLIGATION TO INDEMNIFY THE ISSUING BANK, IN RESPECT OF ANY
LIABILITY INCURRED BY THE ISSUING BANK ARISING PRIMARILY OUT OF THE GROSS
NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OF THE ISSUING BANK, AS DETERMINED BY A
COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION.
21
<PAGE>
(7) The Issuing Bank will send to the Company and the
Administrative Agent immediately upon issuance of any Letter of Credit, or
an amendment thereto, a true and complete copy of such Letter of Credit,
or such amendment thereto. Upon issuance of any Letter of Credit or an
amendment thereto, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each
Lender of the terms of such Letter of Credit or amendment thereto, and of
such Lender's Revolving Credit Percentage of the amount of such Letter of
Credit or amendment thereto, and the Administrative Agent shall provide to
each Lender a copy of such Letter of Credit or such amendment thereto.
Upon cancellation or termination of any Letter of Credit, the Issuing Bank
shall promptly notify the Administrative Agent and the Company, and the
Administrative Agent will then promptly notify each Lender, of such
cancellation or termination.
(8) The obligation of the Company to reimburse the Issuing
Bank for Reimbursement Obligations with regard to the Letters of Credit
issued by it and the obligations of the Lenders under clause (4) shall be
unconditional and irrevocable and shall be paid strictly in accordance
with the terms of this Agreement and under all circumstances including,
without limitation, the following circumstances:
(A) any lack of validity or enforceability of any
Letter of Credit;
(B) the existence of any claim, set-off, defense or
other right that the Company may have at any time
against a beneficiary or any transferee of any
Letter of Credit (or any Persons for whom any such
transferee may be acting), any Lender or any other
Person, whether in connection with this Agreement,
the transactions contemplated herein or any
unrelated transaction (including any underlying
transaction between the Company or one of its
Subsidiaries and the beneficiary for which the
Letter of Credit was procured) other than a
defense based on the gross negligence (AS OPPOSED
TO ORDINARY NEGLIGENCE) or willful misconduct of
the Issuing Bank, as determined by a court of
competent jurisdiction;
(C) any draft, demand, certificate or any other
document presented under any Letter of Credit is
proved to be forged, fraudulent, invalid or
insufficient in any respect or any statement
therein is untrue or inaccurate in any respect;
(D) any adverse change in the condition (financial or
otherwise) of the Company;
(E) any breach of this Agreement or any other
Financing Document by the Company, Administrative
Agent or any Lender (other than the Issuing Bank);
(F) any other circumstance or happening whatsoever
which is similar to any of the foregoing; PROVIDED
that such other occurrence or happening is not the
result of the gross negligence (AS OPPOSED TO
ORDINARY NEGLIGENCE) or willful misconduct of the
Issuing Bank, as finally judicially determined by
a court of competent jurisdiction; or
22
<PAGE>
(G) the fact that a Default shall have occurred and be
continuing.
Section 2.4 DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS.
(a) AVAILABILITY. No later than 11:00 a.m. (or, in the case of Base
Rate Loans, 1:00 p.m.) (Houston, Texas time) on the date of each Borrowing, each
Lender will make available to the Administrative Agent such Lender's Applicable
Percentage of the amount (if any) by which the principal amount of the Borrowing
requested to be made on such date by such Lender exceeds the principal amount of
Loans (if any) of such Lender maturing on such date, in Dollars and in
immediately available funds at the Payment Office. The Administrative Agent will
make available to the Company at the Payment Office the aggregate of the amounts
(if any) so made available by the Lenders by depositing such amounts, in
immediately available funds, to an account of the Company at the Administrative
Agent designated by the Company for such purpose. To the extent that Revolving
Credit Loans mature or Reimbursement Obligations are due and owing on the date
of a requested Borrowing of Revolving Credit Loans, the Lenders shall apply the
proceeds of the Revolving Credit Loans then being made, to the extent thereof,
to the repayment of such maturing Revolving Credit Loans or Reimbursement
Obligations, such Revolving Credit Loans or Reimbursement Obligations and
repayments intended to be a contemporaneous exchange.
(b) FUNDS TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT. Unless the Administrative
Agent shall have been notified by any Lender prior to the date of a Borrowing
that such Lender does not intend to make available to the Administrative Agent
such Lender's Applicable Percentage of the Borrowing to be made on such date,
the Administrative Agent may assume that such Lender has made such amount
available to the Administrative Agent on such date, and the Administrative Agent
may make available to the Company a corresponding amount. If such corresponding
amount is not in fact made available to the Administrative Agent by such Lender
on the date of a Borrowing, the Administrative Agent shall be entitled to
recover such corresponding amount on demand from such Lender together with
interest at the Federal Funds Effective Rate. If such Lender does not pay such
corresponding amount forthwith upon the Administrative Agent's demand therefor,
the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Company, and the Company
shall immediately pay such corresponding amount to the Administrative Agent
together with interest at the rate specified for the Borrowing which includes
such amount paid. Nothing in this Section shall be deemed to relieve any Lender
from its obligation to fulfill its Commitments hereunder or to prejudice any
rights which the Company may have against any Lender as a result of any default
by such Lender hereunder.
(c) LENDERS' RESPONSIBILITIES. No Lender shall be responsible for
any default by any other Lender in its obligation to make Loans hereunder, and
each Lender shall be obligated to make only such Loans provided to be made by it
hereunder, regardless of the failure of any other Lender to fulfill its
Commitment hereunder.
Section 2.5 NOTES AND AMORTIZATION.
(a) REVOLVING CREDIT NOTES. The Company's obligation to pay the
principal of, and interest on, the Revolving Credit Loans made by each Lender
shall be further evidenced by the Company's issuance, execution and delivery of
a Revolving Credit Note payable to the order of each such Lender in the amount
of such Lender's Revolving Credit Commitment and shall be dated as of the date
of issuance of such Revolving Credit Note. The principal amount of each
Revolving Credit Note shall be payable on or before the Revolving Credit
Maturity Date.
(b) TERM NOTES AND AMORTIZATION. The Company's obligation to pay the
principal of, and interest on, the Term Loans maintained outstanding by each
Lender has been evidenced by the Company's issuance, execution and delivery of a
Term Note payable to the order of each such Lender in the
23
<PAGE>
amount of such Lender's Term Loan Commitment (if issued prior to February 23,
1998) or in the principal amount of such Lender's Term Loans (if issued after
February 23, 1998), and dated as of the date of issuance of such Term Note. The
aggregate principal amount of the Term Notes applicable to the aggregate Term
Loans of all Lenders shall be payable in quarterly installments of the amounts
set forth below:
QUARTERLY DATE AMOUNT
-------------- ------
June 30, 1998 $2,000,000
September 30, 1998 $2,000,000
December 31, 1998 $2,000,000
March 31, 1999 $2,000,000
June 30, 1999 $2,000,000
September 30, 1999 $2,000,000
December 31, 1999 $2,000,000
March 31, 2000 $2,000,000
June 30, 2000 $2,000,000
September 30, 2000 $2,000,000
December 31, 2000 $2,000,000
March 31, 2001 $2,000,000
June 30, 2001 $2,000,000
September 30, 2001 $2,000,000
December 31, 2001 $2,000,000
March 31, 2002 $2,000,000
June 30, 2002 $2,000,000
September 30, 2002 $2,000,000
December 31, 2002 $2,000,000
March 31, 2003 the aggregate unpaid
principal balance owing
under the Term Notes.
The first such quarterly installment shall be payable on June 30, 1998, and the
remaining quarterly installments shall be payable on each Quarterly Date
thereafter, with the final installment in the amount of the aggregate unpaid
principal balance then owing being payable on or before the Term Loan Maturity
Date.
Section 2.6 INTEREST. In all cases subject to Section 9.13:
(a) BASE RATE LOANS. Subject to Section 2.6(c), the Company agrees
to pay interest in respect of the unpaid principal amount of each Base Rate Loan
from the date thereof until payment in full thereof at a rate per annum which
shall be, for any day, equal to the sum of the Applicable Margin plus the Base
Rate in effect on such day, but in no event to exceed the Highest Lawful Rate.
The term "BASE RATE" shall mean, for any day, the highest of (1) the Prime Rate
in effect on such day, and (2) one-half of one percent (1/2%) plus the Federal
Funds Effective Rate in effect for such day (rounded upwards, if necessary, to
the nearest 1/16th of 1%), but in no event to exceed the Highest Lawful Rate.
For purposes of this Agreement, any change in the Base Rate due to a change in
the Federal Funds Effective Rate or the Prime Rate shall be effective as of the
opening of business on the effective date of such change in the Federal Funds
Effective Rate or the Prime Rate, as the case may be. If for any reason the
Administrative Agent shall have determined (which determination shall be
conclusive and binding, absent manifest error) that it is unable to ascertain
the Federal Funds Effective Rate for any reason, including but not limited to
the inability of the Administrative Agent to obtain sufficient bids or
publications in accordance with the terms hereof, the Base Rate shall be the
Prime Rate until the circumstances giving rise to such inability no longer
exist.
24
<PAGE>
(b) EURODOLLAR LOANS. Subject to Section 2.6(c), the Company agrees
to pay interest in respect of the unpaid principal amount of each Eurodollar
Loan from the date thereof until payment in full thereof at a rate per annum
which shall be the sum of the relevant Applicable Margin plus the Eurodollar
Rate, but in no event to exceed the Highest Lawful Rate.
(c) DEFAULT INTEREST. If the Company shall default in the payment of
the principal of or interest on any Loan or any other amount becoming due
hereunder or under any Financing Document, by acceleration or otherwise, the
Company shall on demand from time to time pay interest, to the extent permitted
by law, on such defaulted amount to but excluding the date of actual payment
(after as well as before judgment) at a rate per annum equal to (1) in the case
of any Eurodollar Loan, the rate that would be applicable under Section 2.6(b)
to such Eurodollar Loan, plus 2% per annum, and (2) in the case of any other
amount, the rate that would be applicable under Section 2.6(a) to a Base Rate
Loan, plus 2% per annum, but in no event to exceed the Highest Lawful Rate.
(d) INTEREST PAYMENT DATES. Interest on each Loan shall accrue from
and including the date of such Loan to but excluding the date of payment in full
thereof. Interest on each Eurodollar Loan shall be payable on the last day of
each Interest Period applicable thereto and, in the case of an Interest Period
in excess of three months, on each day which occurs every three months after the
initial date of such Interest Period, and on any prepayment (on the amount
prepaid), at maturity (whether by acceleration or otherwise) and, after
maturity, on demand. Interest on each Base Rate Loan shall be payable on each
Quarterly Date, commencing on the first of such days to occur after such Loan is
made, at maturity (whether by acceleration or otherwise) and, after maturity, on
demand.
(e) NOTICE BY THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT. The Administrative Agent,
upon determining the Eurodollar Rate for any Interest Period, shall promptly
notify by telecopy or telephone (in the case of telephonic notices, confirmed by
telecopy or otherwise in writing) or in writing the Company and the Lenders.
Section 2.7 INTEREST PERIODS. In connection with each Borrowing of
Eurodollar Loans, the Company shall elect an Interest Period to be applicable to
such Borrowing, which Interest Period shall begin on and include, as the case
may be, the date selected by the Company pursuant to Section 2.2(a), the
conversion date or the date of expiration of the then current Interest Period
applicable thereto, and end on but exclude the date which is either one, two,
three or six months thereafter, as selected by the Company; PROVIDED that:
(a) BUSINESS DAYS. If any Interest Period would otherwise expire on
a day which is not a Business Day, such Interest Period shall expire on the next
succeeding Business Day, PROVIDED, FURTHER, that if any Interest Period (other
than in respect of a Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans the Interest Period of which
is expiring pursuant to Section 2.15(b) hereof) would otherwise expire on a day
which is not a Business Day but is a day of the month after which no further
Business Day occurs in such month, such Interest Period shall expire on the next
preceding Business Day;
(b) MONTH END. Any Interest Period which begins on the last Business
Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically
corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period)
shall, subject to Section (c) below, end on the last Business Day of a calendar
month;
(c) PAYMENT LIMITATIONS. No Interest Period shall extend beyond any
date that any principal payment or prepayment is scheduled to be due unless the
aggregate principal amount of Borrowings which are Borrowings of Base Rate Loans
or which have Interest Periods which will expire on or before such
25
<PAGE>
date, less the aggregate amount of any other principal payments or prepayments
due during such Interest Period, is equal to or in excess of the amount of such
principal payment or prepayment; and
(d) MATURITY DATES. No Interest Period with regard to Revolving
Credit Loans shall extend beyond the Revolving Credit Maturity Date and no
Interest Period with regard to Term Loans shall extend beyond the Term Loan
Maturity Date.
Section 2.8 REPAYMENT OF LOANS.
(a) The Company hereby unconditionally promises to pay to the
Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender (1), the then unpaid
principal amount of each Revolving Credit Loan of such Lender on the Revolving
Credit Maturity Date (or such earlier date on which the Revolving Credit Loans
become due and payable pursuant to Article 7); and (2) the amounts specified in
Section 2.5(b), on the dates specified in Section 2.5(b) (or such earlier date
on which the Term Loans become due and payable pursuant to Article 7). The
Company hereby further agrees to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of
the Loans from time to time outstanding from the date hereof until payment in
full thereof at the rates per annum, and on the dates, set forth in Section 2.6.
(b) Each Lender shall maintain in accordance with its usual practice
an account or accounts evidencing indebtedness of the Company to such Lender
resulting from each Loan of such Lender from time to time, including, without
limitation, the amounts of principal and interest payable and paid to such
Lender from time to time under this Agreement.
(c) The Administrative Agent shall maintain the Register pursuant to
Section 9.7(d), and a subaccount therein for each Lender, in which shall be
recorded (1) the amount of each Loan made hereunder, the Type thereof and each
Interest Period, if any, applicable thereto, (2) the amount of any principal or
interest due and payable or to become due and payable from the Company to each
Lender hereunder and (3) both the amount of any sum received by the
Administrative Agent hereunder from the Company and each Lender's Applicable
Percentage thereof.
(d) The entries made in the Register and the accounts of each Lender
maintained pursuant to Section 2.8(c) shall, to the extent permitted by
applicable law, be PRIMA FACIE evidence of the existence and amounts of the
obligations of the Company therein recorded; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the failure
of any Lender or the Administrative Agent to maintain the Register or any such
account, or any error therein, shall not in any manner affect the obligation of
the Company to repay (with applicable interest) the Loans made to the Company by
such Lender in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
Section 2.9 VOLUNTARY TERMINATION OR REDUCTION OF COMMITMENTS. The Company
may, upon at least three (3) Business Days' notice to the Administrative Agent,
terminate entirely at any time, or partially reduce from time to time by an
aggregate amount of $5,000,000 or any larger multiple of $5,000,000, the unused
portions of the Revolving Credit Commitments, provided that any such reduction
shall apply proportionately to the Revolving Credit Commitment of each Lender.
If the Revolving Credit Commitments are terminated in their entirety, all
accrued commitment fees with respect thereto shall be payable on the effective
date of such termination.
26
<PAGE>
Section 2.10 PREPAYMENTS AND MANDATORY COMMITMENT REDUCTIONS.
(a) MANDATORY PREPAYMENTS AND COMMITMENT REDUCTIONS. If at any time
the Aggregate Revolving Credit Exposure is in excess of the Maximum Available
Amount, the Company shall immediately pay to the Administrative Agent, for the
account of the Lenders, the amount of such excess to be applied (A) as a
prepayment of the Revolving Credit Loans and Reimbursement Obligations
outstanding and (B) after payment in full of the Revolving Credit Loans and
Reimbursement Obligations outstanding, as Cover for the Letter of Credit
Liabilities in an amount of such remaining excess. Any such prepayment or Cover
resulting from a termination or reduction of the Commitments pursuant to Section
2.9, shall be payable or provided in full on the date on which such reduction or
termination of the Commitments becomes effective.
(b) VOLUNTARY PREPAYMENTS. The Company may, at its option, at any
time and from time to time, prepay the Loans and the Reimbursement Obligations,
in whole or in part, upon giving, in the case of any Eurodollar Loan, three
Business Days' prior written notice to the Administrative Agent, and, in the
case of any Base Rate Loan, prior written notice on the same Business Day to the
Administrative Agent. Such notice shall specify (1) in the case of any
prepayment of Loans, the date and amount of prepayment and whether the
prepayment is (A) of Term Loans or Revolving Credit Loans, or a combination
thereof and (B) of Eurodollar Loans, Base Rate Loans or a combination thereof,
and, in each case if a combination thereof, the principal amount allocable to
each; and (2) in the case of any prepayment of Reimbursement Obligations, the
date and amount of prepayment, the identity of the applicable Letter of Credit
or Letters of Credit and the amount allocable to each of such Reimbursement
Obligations. Upon receipt of such notice, the Administrative Agent shall
promptly notify each Lender of the contents thereof and of such Lender's
Applicable Percentage of such prepayment. If any such notice is given, the
amount specified in such notice shall be due and payable on the date specified
therein, together with (if a Eurodollar Loan is prepaid other than at the end of
the Interest Period applicable thereto) any amounts payable pursuant to Section
2.18 and, in the case of prepayments of the Term Loans only, accrued interest to
such date on the amount prepaid. Prepayments of (A) the Term Loans pursuant to
this Section 2.10(b) shall be applied ratably to the remaining scheduled
installment payments of the Term Loans required pursuant to Section 2.5(b); and
(B) the Revolving Credit Loans and the Reimbursement Obligations pursuant this
Section shall (unless the Company otherwise directs) be applied, FIRST, to
payment of the Revolving Credit Loans then outstanding, SECOND, to payment of
any Reimbursement Obligations then outstanding and, LAST, to Cover any
outstanding Letter of Credit Liability. Each prepayment of Base Rate Loans shall
be in the minimum principal amount of $500,000 and in integral multiples of
$500,000 and each prepayment of Eurodollar Loans shall be in the minimum
principal amount of $500,000 and in integral multiples of $500,000 or, in the
case of either Base Rate Loans or Eurodollar Loans, the aggregate principal
balance outstanding on the Term Loans or on the Revolving Credit Loans and the
Reimbursement Obligations, as applicable.
(c) NOTICE BY ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT. Upon receipt of a notice of
prepayment pursuant to this Section, the Administrative Agent shall promptly
notify each Lender of the contents thereof and of such Lender's ratable share of
such prepayment.
Section 2.11 CONTINUATION AND CONVERSION OPTIONS.
(a) CONTINUATION. The Company may elect to continue all or any part
of any Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans beyond the expiration of the then current
Interest Period relating thereto by giving Advance Notice (which shall be
irrevocable) to the Administrative Agent of such election, specifying the
Eurodollar Loans or portion thereof to be continued and the Interest Period
therefor. In the absence of such a timely and proper election with regard to
Eurodollar Loans, the Company shall be deemed to have elected to convert such
Eurodollar Loans to Base Rate Loans pursuant to Section 2.11(d).
27
<PAGE>
(b) AMOUNT OF CONTINUATIONS. All or part of any Eurodollar Loans may
be continued as provided herein, provided that any continuation of such Loans
shall not be (as to each Borrowing of such Loans as continued for an applicable
Interest Period) less than $500,000 and shall be in an integral multiple of
$500,000.
(c) CONTINUATION OR CONVERSION UPON DEFAULT. If no Default shall
have occurred and be continuing, each Eurodollar Loan may be continued or
converted as provided in this Section. If a Default shall have occurred and be
continuing, the Company shall not have the option to elect to continue any such
Eurodollar Loan pursuant to Section 2.11(a) or to convert Base Rate Loans to
Eurodollar Loans pursuant to Section 2.11(e).
(d) CONVERSION TO BASE RATE. The Company may elect to convert any
Eurodollar Loan on the last day of the then current Interest Period relating
thereto to a Base Rate Loan by giving Advance Notice to the Administrative Agent
of such election.
(e) CONVERSION TO EURODOLLAR RATE. The Company may elect to convert
any Base Rate Loan at any time or from time to time to a Eurodollar Loan by
giving Advance Notice (which shall be irrevocable) to the Administrative Agent
of such election, specifying each Interest Period therefor.
(f) AMOUNTS OF CONVERSIONS. All or any part of the outstanding Loans
may be converted as provided herein, provided that any conversion of such Loans
shall not result in a Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans in an amount less than
$500,000 and in integral multiples of $500,000.
Section 2.12 FEES.
(a) REVOLVING CREDIT COMMITMENTS. The Company shall pay to the
Administrative Agent for the account of and distribution to each Lender in
accordance with its Revolving Credit Percentage a commitment fee for the period
commencing on the Closing Date, to and including the Revolving Credit Maturity
Date (or such earlier date as the Revolving Credit Commitments shall have been
terminated entirely) computed at a rate per annum equal to the Applicable
Commitment Fee Percentage on the average daily excess amount of the Revolving
Credit Commitments over the Revolving Credit Exposure. The commitment fees on
the Revolving Credit Commitments earned from and after the Closing Date shall be
payable in arrears on each Quarterly Date, commencing on the first Quarterly
Date to occur after the Closing Date.
(b) LETTERS OF CREDIT.
(1) As consideration for acting as the Issuing Bank with
respect to any Letter of Credit, the Company will pay to the Issuing Bank
a fee computed at a rate per annum equal to 1/8% of 1% on the daily
average amount available for drawing on the applicable Letter of Credit,
payable in arrears on each Quarterly Date. The Company shall also pay to
the Issuing Bank, with respect to any issuance, amendment, transfer, or
cancellation prior to expiration of any Letter of Credit and for each
drawing made thereunder, documentary and processing charges in accordance
with the Issuing Bank's standard schedule for such charges in effect at
the time of, and payable at the time of, such issuance, amendment,
transfer, cancellation or drawing, as the case may be. All fees payable
pursuant to this clause (1) shall be retained by the Issuing Bank.
(2) The Company will pay to the Administrative Agent for the
account of and pro rata distribution to each Lender a fee on the daily
average amount available for drawings under each Letter of Credit, in each
case for the period from and including the date of issuance of such Letter
of Credit to and excluding the date of expiration or termination thereof
computed at a per
28
<PAGE>
annum rate for each day equal to the greater of $500 or the Applicable
Margin for Revolving Credit Loans that are Eurodollar Loans multiplied by
the amount of the Letter of Credit. Such fees shall be payable in arrears
on each Quarterly Date.
(c) FEE LETTER. The Company shall pay to the Administrative Agent
and to Arranger such fees as are set forth in the Fee Letter, as the same has
been or may be hereafter amended or supplemented, on the dates and in the manner
specified therein.
Section 2.13 PAYMENTS, ETC.
(a) WITHOUT SETOFF, ETC. Except as otherwise specifically provided
herein, all payments under this Agreement shall be made to the Administrative
Agent for the account of the Lenders without defense, set-off or counterclaim to
the Administrative Agent not later than 11:00 a.m. Houston, Texas time on the
date when due and shall be made in Dollars in immediately available funds at the
Payment Office. The Administrative Agent will promptly thereafter distribute
funds in the form received relating to the payment of principal or interest or
commitment fees ratably to the Lenders for the account of their respective
Lending Offices, and funds in the form received relating to the payment of any
other amount payable to any Lender to such Lender for the account of its
applicable Lending Office.
(b) NON-BUSINESS DAYS. Whenever any payment to be made hereunder or
under any Note shall be stated to be due on a day which is not a Business Day,
the due date thereof shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day
(except as otherwise provided in Section 2.7 hereof) and, with respect to
payments of principal, interest thereon shall be payable at the applicable rate
during such extension.
(c) COMPUTATIONS. All computations of interest shall be made on the
basis of a year of 360 days (unless such calculation would result in a usurious
rate, in which case interest shall be calculated on the basis of a year of 365
or 366 days, as the case may be) in the case of Eurodollar Loans or Base Rate
Loans that are based upon the Federal Funds Effective Rate, and 365 or 366 days
(as the case may be) in the case of Base Rate Loans that are based upon the
Prime Rate, and all computations of fees shall be made on the basis of a year of
360 days (unless such calculation would result in a usurious rate, in which case
interest shall be calculated on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as the
case may be), in each case for the actual number of days (including the first
day but excluding the last day) occurring in the period for which such interest
or fees are payable. Each determination by the Administrative Agent of an
interest rate or fee hereunder shall, except for manifest error, be final,
conclusive and binding for all purposes, provided that such determination shall
be made in good faith in a manner generally consistent with the Administrative
Agent's standard practice. If the Administrative Agent and the Company determine
that manifest error exists, said parties shall correct such error by way of an
adjustment to the payment due on the next Quarterly Date.
Section 2.14 INTEREST RATE NOT ASCERTAINABLE, ETC. In the event that
the Administrative Agent shall have determined (which determination shall be
reasonably exercised and shall, absent manifest error, be final, conclusive and
binding upon all parties) that on any date for determining the Eurodollar Rate
for any Interest Period, by reason of any changes arising after the date of this
Agreement affecting the interbank Eurodollar market, or any Lender's position in
such market, adequate and fair means do not exist for ascertaining the
applicable interest rate on the basis provided for in the definition of
Eurodollar Rate, then, and in any such event, the Administrative Agent shall
forthwith give notice (by telephone confirmed in writing) to the Company and to
the Lenders of such determination. Until the Administrative Agent notifies the
Company that the circumstances giving rise to the suspension described herein no
longer exist, the obligations of the Lenders to make Eurodollar Loans shall be
immediately suspended; any Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans that is requested (by
continuation, conversion or otherwise) shall instead be made as a
29
<PAGE>
Borrowing of Base Rate Loans, and any outstanding Eurodollar Loan shall be
converted, on the last day of the then current Interest Period applicable
thereto, to a Base Rate Loan.
Section 2.15 ILLEGALITY.
(a) DETERMINATIONS OF ILLEGALITY. In the event that any Lender shall
have determined (which determination shall be reasonably exercised and shall,
absent manifest error, be final, conclusive and binding upon all parties) at any
time that the making or continuance of any Eurodollar Loan has become unlawful
as a result of compliance by such Lender in good faith with any applicable law,
governmental rule, regulation, guideline or order (whether or not having the
force of law and whether or not failure to comply therewith would be unlawful),
then, in any such event, the Lender shall give prompt notice (by telephone
confirmed in writing) to the Company and to the Administrative Agent of such
determination (which notice the Administrative Agent shall promptly transmit to
the other Lenders).
(b) EURODOLLAR LOANS SUSPENDED. Upon the giving of the notice to the
Company referred to in Section 2.15(a) above, (1) the Company's right to request
(by continuation, conversion or otherwise) and such Lender's obligation to make
Eurodollar Loans shall be immediately suspended, and thereafter, any requested
Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans shall, as to such Lender only, be deemed to be a
request for a Base Rate Loan, and (2) if the affected Eurodollar Loan or Loans
are then outstanding, the Company shall immediately, or if permitted by
applicable law, no later than the date permitted thereby, upon at least one
Business Day's written notice to the Administrative Agent and the affected
Lender, convert each such Eurodollar Loan into a Base Rate Loan, provided that
if more than one Lender is affected at any time, then all affected Lenders must
be treated the same pursuant to this subsection.
Section 2.16 INCREASED COSTS.
(a) EURODOLLAR REGULATIONS, ETC. If, by reason of (x) the
introduction of or any change (including, but not limited to, any change by way
of imposition or increase of reserve requirements) in or in the interpretation
of any law or regulation, or (y) the compliance with any guideline or request
issued by any central bank or other governmental authority or quasi-governmental
authority exercising control over banks or financial institutions generally
(whether or not having the force of law):
(1) any Lender (or its applicable Lending Office) shall be
subject to any tax, duty or other charge with respect to its Eurodollar
Loans or its obligation to make Eurodollar Loans, or shall change the
basis of taxation of payments to any Lender of the principal of or
interest on its Eurodollar Loans or its obligation to make Eurodollar
Loans (except for changes in the rate of tax on the overall net income or
gross receipts of such Lender or its applicable Lending Office imposed by
the jurisdiction in which such Lender's principal executive office or
applicable Lending Office is located); or
(2) any reserve (including, but not limited to, any imposed by
the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, but excluding any
such reserve requirement that is reflected in the Eurodollar Rate),
special deposit or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with or
for the account of, or credit extended by, any Lender or its applicable
Lending Office shall be imposed or deemed applicable or any other
condition affecting its Eurodollar Loans or its obligations to make
Eurodollar Loans shall be imposed on any Lender or its applicable Lending
Office or the interbank Eurodollar market or the secondary certificate of
deposit market;
and as a result thereof there shall be any increase in the cost to such Lender
of agreeing to make or making, funding or maintaining Eurodollar Loans (except
to the extent already included in the determination of the
30
<PAGE>
applicable Eurodollar Rate) or there shall be a reduction in the amount received
or receivable by such Lender or its applicable Lending Office, then the Company
shall from time to time, upon written notice from and demand by such Lender
(with a copy of such notice and demand to the Administrative Agent), pay to such
Lender on demand additional amounts determined by such Lender in a reasonable
manner to be sufficient to indemnify such Lender against such increased cost. A
certificate as to the amount of such increased cost and the calculation thereof,
submitted to the Company and the Administrative Agent by such Lender, shall,
except for manifest error, be final, conclusive and binding for all purposes.
(b) COSTS. If any Lender shall advise the Administrative Agent that
at any time, because of the circumstances described in clauses (x) or (y) in
Section 2.16(a) or any other circumstances affecting such Lender or the
interbank Eurodollar market or such Lender's position in such market, the
Eurodollar Rate, as determined in good faith by the Administrative Agent, will
not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Lender of funding its
Eurodollar Loans, then, and in any such event:
(1) the Administrative Agent shall forthwith give notice (by
telephone confirmed in writing) to the Company and to the Lenders of such
advice;
(2) the Company's right to request a Borrowing of Eurodollar
Loans from such Lender and such Lender's obligation to make Eurodollar
Loans shall be immediately suspended, any such Borrowing of Eurodollar
Loans that is requested (by continuation, conversion or otherwise) shall,
as to such Lender only, be deemed to be a request for a Base Rate Loan,
and any such outstanding Eurodollar Loan from such Lender shall be
converted, on the last day of the then current Interest Period applicable
thereto, to a Base Rate Loan.
(c) CAPITAL ADEQUACY. If, by reason of (1) the introduction of or
any change (including, but not limited to, any change by way of imposition or
increase of reserve requirements) in or in the interpretation of any law or
regulation, or (2) the compliance with any guideline or request issued by any
central bank or other governmental authority or quasi-governmental authority
exercising control over banks or financial institutions generally (whether or
not having the force of law), affects or would affect the amount of capital
required to be maintained by any Lender or any corporation controlling such
Lender, and the amount of such capital is increased by or based upon the
existence of such Lender's Loans or such Lender's commitment to lend hereunder
and other commitments of this type or of the Letters of Credit (or similar
contingent obligations), then, upon written request therefor by such Lender
(with a copy of such request to the Administrative Agent), the Company shall pay
to such Lender, from time to time as specified by such Lender, additional
amounts sufficient to compensate such Lender for the increased cost of such
additional capital in light of such circumstances, to the extent that such
Lender reasonably determines such increase in capital to be allocable to the
existence of such Lender's Loans or such Lender's commitment to lend hereunder
or to the issuance or maintenance of the Letters of Credit. A certificate as to
such amounts and the calculation thereof, submitted to the Company and the
Administrative Agent by such Lender, shall be conclusive and binding for all
purposes, absent manifest error.
(d) ISSUING BANK. The rights and benefits of the Lenders under this
Section 2.16 shall also apply to the Issuing Bank in its capacity as such.
(e) TIME LIMIT. The Company shall not compensate any Lender or the
Administrative Agent for any costs payable under this Section 2.16(e) accruing
prior to one hundred eighty (180) days before such lender or the Administrative
Agent requests compensation.
Section 2.17 CHANGE OF LENDING OFFICE. Each Lender agrees that it will use
reasonable efforts to designate an alternate Lending Office with respect to any
of its Eurodollar Loans affected by the
31
<PAGE>
matters or circumstances described in Sections 2.14, 2.15 or 2.16 to reduce the
liability of the Company or avoid the results provided thereunder, so long as
such designation is not disadvantageous to such Lender as determined by such
Lender in its sole discretion; provided that such Lender shall have no
obligation to so designate an alternate Lending Office located in the United
States.
Section 2.18 FUNDING LOSSES. The Company shall compensate each Lender,
upon its written request (which request shall set forth the basis for requesting
such amounts and shall, absent manifest error, be final, conclusive and binding
upon all of the parties hereto), for all losses, expenses and liabilities
(including, but not limited to, any interest paid by such Lender to lenders of
funds borrowed by it to make or carry its Eurodollar Loans to the extent not
recovered by the Lender in connection with the re-employment of such funds,
which the Lender may sustain: (a) if for any reason (other than a default by
such Lender) a Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans does not occur on the date
specified therefor in a Borrowing Request (whether or not withdrawn), including,
but not limited to a failure by the Company to fulfill on the date of any
Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans the conditions set forth in Article 3, or to
convert or continue any Eurodollar Loan hereunder after irrevocable notice of
such conversion or continuation has been given pursuant to Section 2.11; (b) if
any payment, prepayment or conversion of any of its Eurodollar Loans required or
permitted by any other provision of this Agreement or otherwise, or any
assignment of a Eurodollar Loan pursuant to Section 2.22, in each case is made
or deemed made on a date which is not the last day of the Interest Period
applicable thereto; or (c) if, for any reason, the Company defaults in its
obligation to repay its Eurodollar Loans or interest accrued thereon as and when
due and payable (at the due date thereof, whether at scheduled maturity, by
acceleration, irrevocable notice of prepayment or otherwise).
Section 2.19 SHARING OF PAYMENTS, ETC. If any Lender shall obtain any
payment or reduction (including, but not limited to, any amounts received as
adequate protection of a deposit treated as cash collateral under the Bankruptcy
Code) of any obligation of the Company hereunder (whether voluntary,
involuntary, through the exercise of any right of set-off, or otherwise) in
excess of its ratable share of payments or reductions on account of such
obligations obtained by all the Lenders, such Lender shall forthwith (a) notify
each of the other Lenders and the Administrative Agent of such receipt, and (b)
purchase from the other Lenders such participations in the affected obligations
as shall be necessary to cause such purchasing Lender to share the excess
payment or reduction, net of costs incurred in connection therewith, ratably
with each of them, provided that if all or any portion of such excess payment or
reduction is thereafter recovered from such purchasing Lender or additional
costs are incurred, the purchase shall be rescinded and the purchase price
restored to the extent of such recovery or such additional costs, but without
interest. The Company agrees that any Lender so purchasing a participation from
another Lender pursuant to this Section may, to the fullest extent permitted by
law, exercise all its rights of payment (including the right of set-off) with
respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were the direct
creditor of the Company in the amount of such participation.
Section 2.20 TAXES.
(a) PAYMENTS FREE AND CLEAR. Any and all payments by or on account
of any obligation of the Company hereunder shall be made free and clear of and
without deduction for any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes; PROVIDED that if the
Company shall be required to deduct any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes from
such payments, then (1) the sum payable shall be increased as necessary so that
after making all required deductions (including deductions applicable to
additional sums payable under this Section) the Administrative Agent, Lender or
Issuing Bank (as the case may be) receives an amount equal to the sum it would
have received had no such deductions been made, (2) the Company shall make such
deductions, and (3) the Company shall pay the full amount deducted to the
relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.
32
<PAGE>
(b) OTHER TAXES. In addition, the Company shall pay any Other Taxes
to the relevant Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.
(c) INDEMNIFICATION. The Company shall indemnify the Administrative
Agent, each Lender and the Issuing Bank, upon written demand therefor, for the
full amount of any Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes paid by the Administrative
Agent, such Lender or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, on or with respect
to any payment by or on account of any obligation of the Company hereunder
(including Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes imposed or asserted on or
attributable to amounts payable under this Section) and any penalties, interest
and reasonable expenses arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or
not such Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally imposed or
asserted by the relevant Governmental Authority. A certificate as to the amount
of such payment or liability delivered to the Company by a Lender or the Issuing
Bank, or by the Administrative Agent on its own behalf or on behalf of a Lender
or the Issuing Bank, shall be conclusive absent manifest error.
(d) RECEIPTS. As soon as practicable after any payment of
Indemnified Taxes or Other Taxes by the Company to a Governmental Authority, the
Company shall deliver to the Administrative Agent the original or a certified
copy of a receipt issued by such Governmental Authority evidencing such payment,
a copy of the return reporting such payment or other evidence of such payment
reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
(e) SURVIVAL. Without prejudice to the survival of any other
agreement contained herein, the agreements and obligations contained in this
Section 2.20 shall survive the payment in full of principal and interest
hereunder.
(f) LENDER REPRESENTATIONS AND AGREEMENTS. Any Foreign Lender that
is entitled to an exemption from or reduction of withholding tax under the law
of the jurisdiction in which the Company is located, or any treaty to which such
jurisdiction is a party, with respect to payments under this Agreement shall
deliver to the Company (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), at the time or
times prescribed by applicable law, such properly completed and executed
documentation prescribed by applicable law or reasonably requested by the
Company as will permit such payments to be made without withholding or at a
reduced rate.
Section 2.21 PRO RATA TREATMENT. Subject to Section 2.4(b), each Borrowing
of Revolving Credit Loans shall be made, each payment on account of any
commitment fee in respect of the Revolving Credit Commitments hereunder shall be
allocated by the Administrative Agent, and any reduction of the Revolving Credit
Commitments of the Lenders shall be allocated by the Administrative Agent, PRO
RATA according to the relevant Revolving Credit Percentages of the Lenders.
Subject to Section 2.4(b), each payment (including each prepayment) on account
of principal of and interest on any Revolving Credit Loans shall be allocated by
the Administrative Agent PRO RATA according to the respective outstanding
principal amounts of such Revolving Credit Loans then held by the Lenders. Each
payment on account of principal of and interest on any Term Loans shall be
allocated by the Administrative Agent PRO RATA according to the respective
outstanding principal amounts of such Term Loans then held by the Lenders. All
proceeds (including proceeds from the realization upon the Collateral) received
after acceleration of the maturity of the Loans, shall be applied FIRST to
reimbursement of expenses and indemnities provided for in this Agreement and the
Financing Documents; SECOND, to other Lender Indebtedness (including, without
limitation, Letter of Credit Liabilities) until repaid in full PRO RATA to each
Lender; and, THIRD, to any other Person entitled to receive such proceeds in
accordance with applicable law.
Section 2.22 REPLACEMENT OF LENDERS. If any Lender does not make a
Eurodollar Loan pursuant to Section 2.15, is subject to increased costs pursuant
to Section 2.16, fails to designate an alternate
33
<PAGE>
Lending Office pursuant to Section 2.17, or is owed or reasonably anticipates
being owed additional amounts pursuant to Section 2.20, the Company shall have
the right, if no Default then exists, to replace such Lender with another bank
or financial institution with the consent of the Administrative Agent, which
consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, provided that (a) the obligations of
the Company owing to the Lender being replaced (including such increased costs)
that are not being assigned to the replacement lender shall be paid in full to
the Lender being replaced concurrently with such replacement lender, (b) the
replacement lender shall execute an Assignment and Acceptance pursuant to which
it shall become a party hereto as provided in Section 9.7, and (c) upon
compliance with the provisions for assignment provided in Section 9.7 and the
payment of amounts referred to in clause (a), the replacement lender shall
constitute a "Lender" hereunder and the Lender being so replaced shall no longer
constitute a "Lender" hereunder.
ARTICLE 3
CONDITIONS TO BORROWINGS
Section 3.1 CLOSING. This Agreement shall become effective and the
Existing Agreement shall be amended and restated as provided in this Agreement
upon (x) receipt by the Administrative Agent of the following items which are to
be delivered, in form and substance satisfactory to each Lender, with a copy
(except for the Notes and this Agreement) for each Lender and (y) the
satisfaction of the following conditions:
(a) REVOLVING CREDIT NOTES. A duly completed and executed Revolving
Credit Note for each Lender and in each case dated as of the Closing Date, and
payable to the order of such Lender.
(b) GUARANTY AGREEMENTS. The Guaranty Agreements, duly completed and
executed by the Subsidiaries other than EMD - Foreign Sales Corporation and BEI.
(c) RESOLUTIONS AND INCUMBENCY CERTIFICATES.
(1) certified copies of the resolutions of the Board of
Directors of the Company dated as of the Closing Date and approving, as
appropriate, the Loans, the Notes, this Agreement and the other Financing
Documents, and all other documents, if any, to which the Company is a
party and evidencing corporate authorization with respect to such
documents;
(2) a certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary
of the Company dated as of the Closing Date and certifying (A) the name,
title and true signature of each officer of such Person authorized to
execute the Notes, this Agreement, Applications and the other Financing
Documents to which it is a party, (B) the name, title and true signature
of each officer of such Person authorized to provide the certifications
required pursuant to this Agreement including, but not limited to,
certifications required pursuant to Section 5.10, Borrowing Requests, and
Borrowing Base Reports, and (C) that attached thereto is a true and
complete copy of the articles of incorporation and the bylaws of the
Company, each as amended to date, and a recent good standing certificate
from the Comptroller of Public Accounts for the State of Texas and a
recent certificate of existence from the Texas Secretary of State;
(3) certified copies of the resolutions of the Board of
Directors of each Subsidiary executing a Subsidiary Guaranty dated as of
the Closing Date and approving the Financing Documents to which such
Subsidiary is a party, and all other documents, if any, to which such
Subsidiary is a party and evidencing corporate authorization with respect
to such documents; and
34
<PAGE>
(4) a certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary
of each Subsidiary executing a Subsidiary Guaranty dated as of the Closing
Date and certifying (A) the name, title and true signature of each officer
of such Subsidiary authorized to execute the Financing Documents to which
such Subsidiary is a party, and (B) that attached thereto is a true and
complete copy of the articles of incorporation and the bylaws of such
Subsidiary, each as amended to date, and a recent good standing
certificate from the Comptroller of Public Accounts for the State of Texas
and a recent certificate of existence from the Texas Secretary of State.
(e) OPINIONS OF COUNSEL. An opinion of Bracewell & Patterson,
L.L.P., counsel to the Company dated as of the Closing Date and substantially in
the form of EXHIBIT D hereto, addressed to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing
Bank and the Lenders and covering such matters as the Administrative Agent, the
Issuing Bank or the Lenders may reasonably request.
(f) INSURANCE. Within fifteen (15) days after the Closing Date, a
certificate of insurance coverage, dated as of the Closing Date evidencing that
the Company and its Subsidiaries are carrying insurance in accordance with
Section 5.5 hereof.
(g) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND PROJECTIONS. The financial condition of
the Company reflected in the financial information and projections of the
Company that were delivered to the Lenders as of September 30, 1998 and January
31, 1999, respectively, by the Company, have not changed as of the Closing Date
in such a way as to materially and adversely affect the prospects of the Company
or otherwise cause or result in a Material Adverse Effect.
(h) CERTIFICATE OF TREASURER. A certificate of the Treasurer of the
Company dated as of the Closing Date and certifying that no Default exists under
the Existing Credit Agreement.
(i) CORPORATE STRUCTURE. Each Lender shall be satisfied in its sole
judgment with the corporate, capital, legal and management structure and tax
liabilities of the Company.
(j) LIEN SEARCHES. Lien searches reflecting no Liens on the Property
of the Company or its Subsidiaries other than Liens permitted hereunder.
(k) FEES AND EXPENSES. Payment and/or reimbursement of (1)
Administrative Agent's counsel's fees and expenses rendered through the Closing
Date, to the extent invoiced, and (2) fees or expenses required to be paid
pursuant to the Fee Letter.
(l) DOCUMENTATION. The Administrative Agent shall have received such
other documents as the Administrative Agent (or any Lender acting through the
Administrative Agent) may reasonably request, all in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.
Section 3.2 CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO ALL LOANS AND LETTERS OF CREDIT. The
obligation of each Lender to make each Loan hereunder and the obligation of the
Issuing Bank to issue each Letter of Credit is subject to fulfillment of the
following conditions immediately prior to or contemporaneously with each such
Loan or issuance:
(a) REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. All representations and
warranties contained herein and in the other Financing Documents executed and
delivered on or after the Closing Date shall be true and correct in all material
respects with the same effect as though such representations and warranties had
been made on and as of the date of such Loan (unless such representation and
warranty is expressly limited to an earlier date).
35
<PAGE>
(b) NO DEFAULT. There shall not exist a Default or Event of Default
hereunder.
(c) MAXIMUM AVAILABLE AMOUNT. The Aggregate Revolving Credit
Exposure, after giving effect to such proposed Loan or Letter of Credit, shall
not exceed the Maximum Available Amount then in effect.
Section 3.3 CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO INCREASED BORROWING. The obligation of
each Lender to make any Loan hereunder and the obligation of the Issuing Bank to
issue any Letter of Credit that would cause the outstanding Revolving Credit
Loans and Letter of Credit exposure to exceed $25 million is subject to
fulfillment of the following conditions prior to or contemporaneously with each
such Loan or issuance:
(a) DELIVERY OF PURCHASE AGREEMENT AND CONSUMMATION OF THE
ACQUISITION. (1) The Purchase Agreement shall have been duly completed and
executed by the parties thereto, and (2) the Acquisition shall have been
consummated on terms and conditions acceptable to the Lenders, including, but
not limited to, the aggregate cost of the Acquisition not having exceeded
$50,000,000 as adjusted for changes in working capital as provided in the
Purchase Agreement.
(b) CERTIFICATE OF TREASURER. In the case of a Loan, the proceeds of
which would be used to fund the Acquisition, the Administrative Agent shall have
received a certificate of the Treasurer of the Company dated as of the closing
date of the Acquisition and certifying before and after giving effect to the
Acquisition and before and after the making of the Loans in connection therewith
and the issuance any Letters of Credit in connection therewith, that no Default
then exists.
ARTICLE 4
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
The Company represents and warrants to the Lenders (which representations
and warranties (a) will survive the delivery of the Notes, and (b) made by the
Company as of the Closing Date, were made assuming that the Acquisition had
occurred on or before the Closing Date) that:
Section 4.1 CORPORATE EXISTENCE. The Company and each of its Subsidiaries
are duly organized, legally existing and in good standing under the laws of the
jurisdictions in which they are formed or incorporated and are duly qualified as
foreign corporations in all jurisdictions wherein the Property owned or the
business transacted by them makes such qualification necessary, except where the
failure to be so qualified would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 4.2 CORPORATE POWER AND AUTHORIZATION. The Company is authorized
and empowered to create and issue the Notes; the Company and each of its
Subsidiaries that is party to a Subsidiary Guaranty are duly authorized and
empowered to execute, deliver and perform the Financing Documents, including
this Agreement, to which they respectively are parties; and all corporate action
on the Company's part requisite for the due creation and issuance of the Notes
on the Company's and each of such Subsidiaries' respective part requisite for
the due execution, delivery and performance of the Financing Documents,
including this Agreement, to which the Company and each of such Subsidiaries
respectively are parties has been duly and effectively taken.
Section 4.3 BINDING OBLIGATIONS. This Agreement does, and the Notes and
other material Financing Documents to which the Company and each of its
Subsidiaries respectively are parties upon their creation, issuance, execution
and delivery will, when issued and delivered under this Agreement, constitute
legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company and each such Subsidiary
that is a party thereto,
36
<PAGE>
respectively, and will be enforceable in accordance with their respective terms
(except that enforcement may be subject to any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency
or similar laws generally affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights and
subject to the availability of equitable remedies).
Section 4.4 NO LEGAL BAR OR RESULTANT LIEN. The execution, delivery and
performance of the Notes and the other Financing Documents, including this
Agreement, to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party do not and
will not violate or create a default under any provisions of the articles or
certificate of incorporation or bylaws or other charter document of the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries, or any material contract, agreement, instrument or
Governmental Requirement to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is
subject, or result in the creation or imposition of any Lien upon any Properties
of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
Section 4.5 NO CONSENT. The Company's and each of its Subsidiaries'
respective execution, delivery and performance of the Notes and the other
Financing Documents, including this Agreement, to which the Company and each
such Subsidiary respectively are parties, do not require notice to or filing or
registration with, or the authorization, consent or approval of or other action
by any other Person, including, but not limited to, any Governmental Authority,
except those obtained or made or where the failure to do so could not reasonably
be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 4.6 FINANCIAL INFORMATION.
(a) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND PROJECTIONS. The audited consolidated
balance sheets of the Company and its Subsidiaries as of December 31,
1997, and the related audited consolidated statements of income, retained
earnings and cash flow for the fiscal year ended on said date, with the
opinion of KPMG Peat Marwick, L.L.P., heretofore delivered to the Lenders,
fairly present the consolidated financial condition of the Company and its
Subsidiaries as at said date and the consolidated results of operations
for the fiscal year ended on said date, in accordance with GAAP applied on
a consistent basis.
(b) UNAUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. The September 30, 1998,
unaudited consolidated balance sheets of the Company and its Subsidiaries,
and the related consolidated statements of income, retained earnings and
cash flow, including in each case the related schedules and notes,
heretofore delivered to the Lenders were prepared consistent with GAAP and
fairly present the consolidated financial condition of the Company and its
Subsidiaries at such date and the consolidated results of operations for
the nine-month period then ended.
(c) NO MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT. Since December 31, 1997, there has
been no event or occurrence that could reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect.
Section 4.7 INVESTMENTS AND GUARANTIES. Neither the Company nor any of its
Subsidiaries has made investments in or advances to any Person or guaranties of
the obligations of any Person that is not a Subsidiary of the Company, except
those reflected in the Financial Statements or in SCHEDULE 4.7 or otherwise
permitted by this Agreement.
Section 4.8 LITIGATION. There is no action, suit or proceeding, or any
governmental investigation or any arbitration, in each case pending or, to the
knowledge of the Company, threatened against the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries or any Property of any thereof before any court or arbitrator or
any Governmental Authority which (a) challenges the validity of this Agreement,
any Note, any Application, any Guaranty Agreement or any of the other Financing
Documents or (b) could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
37
<PAGE>
Section 4.9 USE OF PROCEEDS. The Company will use the proceeds of the
Loans only for the purposes specified in the Recitals to this Agreement. The
Letters of Credit will be used only for the purposes provided in Section 2.3.
Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is engaged principally, or as
one of its important activities, in the business of extending credit for the
purpose, whether immediate, incidental or ultimate, of buying or carrying Margin
Stock and no part of the proceeds of any Loan hereunder will be used to buy or
carry any Margin Stock in violation of Regulation U or X. Neither the Company
nor any Person acting on behalf of the Company has taken or will take any action
which could reasonably be expected to cause the Notes or any of the Financing
Documents, including this Agreement, to violate Regulations U or X or any other
regulation of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, in each case
as now in effect or as the same may hereinafter be in effect.
Section 4.10 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS.
(a) (1) the Company, its Subsidiaries and each ERISA Affiliate have
complied in all material respects with all applicable laws regarding each Plan;
(2) each Plan is, and has been, maintained and administered in substantial
compliance with its terms, applicable collective bargaining agreements, and all
applicable laws; and (3) no act, omission or transaction has occurred which
could result in an imposition on the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company or
any ERISA Affiliate (whether directly or indirectly) of (A) either a civil
penalty assessed pursuant to Subsections (c), (i) or (l) of Section 502 of ERISA
or a tax imposed pursuant to Chapter 43 of Subtitle D of the Code or (B) breach
of fiduciary duty liability damages under Section 409 of ERISA which has a
Material Adverse Effect.
(b) There exists no outstanding liability of the Company, any of its
Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate with respect to any Plan that has been
terminated. No material liability to the PBGC (other than for the payment of
current premiums which are not past due) by the Company, any Subsidiary of the
Company or any ERISA Affiliate has been or is expected by the Company, any
Subsidiary of the Company or any ERISA Affiliate to be incurred with respect to
any Plan. No ERISA Termination Event with respect to any Plan has occurred or is
reasonably expected to occur.
(c) Full payment when due has been made of all amounts which the
Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate is required under the
terms of each Plan or applicable law to have paid as contributions to such Plan
(excluding any nonpayment involving an amount that is not material), and no
accumulated funding deficiency (as defined in Section 302 of ERISA and Section
412 of the Code), whether or not waived, exists with respect to any Plan.
(d) The actuarial present value of the benefit liabilities (computed
on an accumulated benefit obligation basis in accordance with GAAP) under all
Plans in the aggregate that are subject to Title IV of ERISA does not, as of the
end of the most recently ended fiscal year of such Plans, exceed the current
value of the assets of all Plans in the aggregate that are allocable to such
benefit liabilities. The term "actuarial present value of the benefit
liabilities" shall have the meaning specified in Section 4041 of ERISA.
(e) Neither the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company nor any ERISA
Affiliate sponsors, maintains or contributes to, or has at any time in the
preceding six-year period sponsored, maintained or contributed to, any
"multiemployer plan" (as defined in Section 3(37) or 4001(a)(3) of ERISA).
(f) Neither the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company nor any ERISA
Affiliate is required to provide security to a Plan pursuant to Section
401(a)(29) of the Code.
Section 4.11 TAXES; GOVERNMENTAL CHARGES. The Company and its Subsidiaries
have filed all tax returns and reports required to be filed and have paid all
taxes, assessments, fees and other
38
<PAGE>
governmental charges levied upon any of them or upon any of their respective
Properties or income which are due and payable, including interest and
penalties, except where failure to so pay or file would not have a Material
Adverse Effect, or have provided adequate reserves for the payment thereof if
required in accordance with GAAP for the payment thereof, except such interest
and penalties as are being contested in good faith by appropriate actions or
proceedings and for which adequate reserves for the payment thereof as required
by GAAP have been provided.
Section 4.12 TITLES, ETC. The Company and its Subsidiaries have good title
to their respective material Properties, and with respect to leased Properties,
indefeasible title to the leasehold estate with respect thereto, pursuant to
valid and enforceable leases, free and clear of all Liens except Liens otherwise
permitted or contemplated by this Agreement or the other Financing Documents.
Section 4.13 DEFAULTS. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is
in default nor has any event or circumstance occurred which, but for the passage
of time or the giving of notice, or both, would constitute a default (in any
respect that could individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse
Effect) under any loan or credit agreement, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust,
security agreement or other instrument or agreement evidencing or pertaining to
any Indebtedness of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries including, without
limitation, the Note Purchase Agreement, or under any agreement or instrument to
which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries is bound, including, without limitation, the Purchase
Agreement. No Default hereunder has occurred and is continuing. To the best of
the Company's knowledge, the Purchase Agreement is in full force and effect.
Section 4.14 CASUALTIES; TAKING OF PROPERTIES. Neither the business nor
the Properties of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries have been affected in a
manner that has had or could have a Material Adverse Effect as a result of any
fire, explosion, earthquake, flood, drought, windstorm, accident, strike or
other labor disturbance, embargo, requisition or taking of Property or
cancellation of contracts, permits or concessions by any domestic or foreign
government or any agency thereof, riot, activities of armed forces or acts of
God or of any public enemy.
Section 4.15 COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAW. Neither the Company nor any of its
Subsidiaries:
(a) is in violation of any Governmental Requirement; and
(b) has failed to obtain any license, permit, right-of-way,
franchise or other right or governmental authorization necessary to the
ownership of any of their respective Properties or the conduct of their
respective business;
which violation or failure could, individually or in the aggregate, have (in the
event that such a violation or failure were asserted by any Person through
appropriate action) a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 4.16 NO MATERIAL MISSTATEMENTS. No written information, exhibit,
schedule or report prepared by or on behalf of the Company and furnished to the
Administrative Agent or the Lenders by or at the direction of the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries in connection with the negotiation of this Agreement
contained any material misstatement of fact or, when such statement is
considered with all other written statements furnished to the Lenders in that
connection, omitted to state a material fact or any fact necessary, when taken
as a whole, to make the statement contained therein not misleading; PROVIDED,
THAT, the financial information with respect to the Company's projections,
copies of which have been furnished to each Lender prior to the Closing Date,
were prepared in good faith on the basis of the assumptions stated
39
<PAGE>
therein, which assumptions were believed by the Company to be reasonable in all
material respects at the time made.
Section 4.17 INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT. The Company is not an "investment
company" or a company "controlled" by an "investment company" that is
incorporated in or organized under the laws of the United States or any "State,"
as those terms are defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
The execution and delivery by the Company and its Subsidiaries of this Agreement
and the other Financing Documents to which they respectively are parties and
their respective performance of the obligations provided for therein, will not
result in a violation of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
Section 4.18 PUBLIC UTILITY HOLDING COMPANY ACT. The Company is not a
"holding company," or a "subsidiary company" of a "holding company," or an
"affiliate" of a "holding company" or of a "subsidiary company" of a "holding
company," or a "public utility" within the meaning of the Public Utility Holding
Company Act of 1935, as amended.
Section 4.19 SUBSIDIARIES. Except as set forth on SCHEDULE 4.19, as
amended and supplemented from time to time by the Company and forwarded to the
Administrative Agent in accordance with this Agreement, the Company has no
Subsidiaries other than EMD - Foreign Sales Corporation and BEI.
Section 4.20 INSURANCE. All policies of fire, liability, workmen's
compensation, casualty, flood, business interruption and other forms of
insurance owned or held by the Company, and each of its Subsidiaries are
sufficient for compliance with all requirements of law and of all agreements to
which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party; are valid, outstanding
and enforceable policies; provide adequate insurance coverage in at least such
amounts and against at least such risks (but including in any event public
liability) as are usually insured against in the same general area by companies
engaged in the same or a similar business for the assets and operations of the
Company and each of its Subsidiaries; and will not in any way be affected by, or
terminate or lapse by reason of, the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement. All such policies are in full force and effect, all premiums with
respect thereto have been paid in accordance with their respective terms, and no
notice of cancellation or termination has been received with respect to any such
policy. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries maintains any formalized
self-insurance program with respect to its assets or operations or risks with
respect thereto other than health insurance and other than as timely
communicated to the Administrative Agent by the Company in writing from time to
time. The certificate of insurance to be delivered to the Lenders pursuant to
Section 3.1(g) contains an accurate and complete description of all policies of
insurance owned or held by the Company and each of its Subsidiaries on the
Closing Date.
Section 4.21 ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS.
(a) ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS, ETC. Neither any Property of the Company or
its Subsidiaries nor the operations conducted thereon violate any
applicable order of any court or Governmental Authority or Environmental
Laws, which violation could reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect or which could reasonably be expected to result in remedial
obligations having a Material Adverse Effect assuming disclosure to the
applicable Governmental Authority of all relevant facts, conditions and
circumstances, if any, pertaining to the relevant Property.
(b) NO LITIGATION. Without limitation of Section (a) above, no
Property of the Company or its Subsidiaries nor the operations currently
conducted thereon or by any prior owner or operator of such Property or
operation, are in violation of or subject to any existing, pending or
threatened action, suit, investigation, inquiry or proceeding by or before
any court or Governmental Authority
40
<PAGE>
or to any remedial obligations under Environmental Laws, which violation,
action, suit, investigation, inquiry or proceeding could reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or which could reasonably be
expected to result in remedial obligations having a Material Adverse
Effect assuming disclosure to the applicable Governmental Authority of all
relevant facts, conditions and circumstances, if any, pertaining to the
relevant Property.
(c) NOTICES, PERMITS, ETC. All notices, permits, licenses or similar
authorizations, if any, required to be obtained or filed by the Company or
its Subsidiaries in connection with the operation or use of any and all
Property of the Company or its Subsidiaries, including but not limited to
past or present treatment, storage, disposal or release of a hazardous
substance or solid waste into the environment, have been duly obtained or
filed except to the extent the failure to obtain or file such notices,
permits, licenses or similar authorizations could not reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or which could reasonably be
expected to result in remedial obligations having a Material Adverse
Effect assuming disclosure to the applicable Governmental Authority of all
relevant facts, conditions and circumstances, if any, pertaining to the
relevant Property.
(d) HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES CARRIERS. All hazardous substances or solid
waste generated at any and all Property of the Company or its Subsidiaries
have in the past been transported, treated and disposed of only by
carriers maintaining valid permits under RCRA and any other Environmental
Law, except to the extent the failure to have such substances or waste
transported, treated or disposed by such carriers could not reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and only at treatment, storage
and disposal facilities maintaining valid permits under RCRA and any other
Environmental Law, which carriers and facilities have been and are
operating in compliance with such permits, except to the extent the
failure to have such substances or waste treated, stored or disposed at
such facilities, or the failure of such carriers or facilities to so
operate, could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect or which could reasonably be expected to result in remedial
obligations having a Material Adverse Effect assuming disclosure to the
applicable Governmental Authority of all relevant facts, conditions and
circumstances, if any, pertaining to the relevant Property.
(e) HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES DISPOSAL. The Company and its Subsidiaries
have taken all reasonable steps necessary to determine and have determined
that no hazardous substances or solid waste have been disposed of or
otherwise released and there has been no threatened release of any
hazardous substances on or to any Property of the Company or its
Subsidiaries except in compliance with Environmental Laws, except to the
extent the failure to do so could not reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect or which could reasonably be expected to result in
remedial obligations having a Material Adverse Effect assuming disclosure
to the applicable Governmental Authority of all relevant facts, conditions
and circumstances, if any, pertaining to the relevant Property.
(f) NO CONTINGENT LIABILITY. The Company and its Subsidiaries have
no contingent liability in connection with any release or threatened
release of any hazardous substance or solid waste into the environment
other than such contingent liabilities at any one time and from time to
time for which adequate reserves for the payment thereof as required by
GAAP have not been provided, or which could reasonably be expected to
result in remedial obligations having a Material Adverse Effect assuming
disclosure to the applicable Governmental Authority of all relevant facts,
conditions and circumstances, if any, pertaining to such release or
threatened release.
41
<PAGE>
Section 4.22 SOLVENCY. The Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole,
and the Company and each of its material Subsidiaries are Solvent, both before
and after taking into account the Acquisition.
Section 4.23 EMPLOYEE MATTERS. None of the Company or its Subsidiaries ,
or any of their respective employees, is subject to any collective bargaining
agreement, except as timely notified to the Administrative Agent in writing by
the Company from time to time. There are no strikes, slowdowns, work stoppages
or controversies pending or, to the best knowledge of the Company, threatened
against the Company or its Subsidiaries, or their respective employees, which
could reasonably be expected to have, either individually or in the aggregate, a
Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is
subject to an employment contract as of the Closing Date.
Section 4.24 YEAR 2000 REPRESENTATION. The Company has conducted testing
and a thorough review of its internal computer systems. The Company represents
to the best of its knowledge that no systems will cause a failure that will
result in a Material Adverse Effect. To the Company's knowledge, the cost to the
Company of such reprogramming and testing and of the reasonably foreseeable
consequences of year 2000 to the Company (including, without limitation,
reprogramming errors and the failure of others' systems or equipment) will not
result in a Default or a Material Adverse Effect. Except for such of the
reprogramming referred to in the preceding sentence as may be necessary, to the
Company's Knowledge, the computer and management information systems of the
Company and its Subsidiaries are and, with ordinary course upgrading and
maintenance, will continue to be, sufficient to permit the Company to conduct
its business without Material Adverse Effect.
ARTICLE 5
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
So long as any Lender has any Commitment hereunder or any Loan
remains unpaid or any Revolving Credit Exposure remains outstanding, the Company
will at all times comply with the following covenants:
Section 5.1 MAINTENANCE AND COMPLIANCE, ETC. Except as permitted by
Section 6.4, the Company will and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to (a)
preserve and maintain its corporate existence and (b) except where failure to do
so could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, observe
and comply with all Governmental Requirements, and (c) comply with all terms,
conditions and provisions contained in all material agreements to which it is a
party, including, without limitation, the Note Purchase Agreement, except where
the failure to do so would not cause a Material Adverse Effect.
Section 5.2 PAYMENT OF TAXES AND CLAIMS, ETC. The Company will pay, and
cause each of its Subsidiaries to pay, (a) all material taxes, assessments and
governmental charges imposed upon it or upon its Property, and (b) all material
claims (including, but not limited to, claims for labor, materials, supplies or
services) which could reasonably be expected, if unpaid, to become a Lien upon
its Property, unless, in each case, the validity or amount thereof is being
contested in good faith by appropriate action or proceedings and the Company has
established adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP with respect thereto.
Section 5.3 FURTHER ASSURANCES. The Company will and will cause each of
its Subsidiaries to cure promptly any defects in the creation and issuance of
the Notes, and the execution and delivery of the Financing Documents, including
this Agreement. The Company at its expense will, as promptly as practical,
execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank upon request
42
<PAGE>
all such other and further documents, agreements and instruments (or cause any
of its Subsidiaries to take such action) in compliance with or performance of
the covenants and agreements of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in the
Financing Documents, including this Agreement, or to correct any omissions in
the Financing Documents.
Section 5.4 PERFORMANCE OF OBLIGATIONS. The Company will pay the Notes
according to the reading, tenor and effect thereof and in accordance with this
Agreement.
Section 5.5 INSURANCE. The Company will and will cause each of its
Subsidiaries to maintain or cause to be maintained, with financially sound and
reputable insurers, insurance with respect to their respective Properties and
business against such liabilities, casualties, risks and contingencies and in
such types (including business interruption insurance and flood insurance) and
amounts as is customary in the case of Persons engaged in the same or similar
businesses and similarly situated and in accordance with any Governmental
Requirement.
Section 5.6 ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS. The Company will keep and will cause
each of its Subsidiaries to keep proper books of record and account in
accordance with GAAP.
Section 5.7 RIGHT OF INSPECTION. The Company will permit and will cause
each of its Subsidiaries to permit any officer, employee or agent of the
Administrative Agent or any Lender to visit and inspect any of the Properties of
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, examine the Company's or any such
Subsidiary's books of record and accounts, take copies and extracts therefrom,
and discuss the affairs, finances and accounts of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries with the Company's or such Subsidiary's officers, accountants and
auditors, as often and all at such reasonable times during normal business hours
as may be reasonably requested by the Administrative Agent or any of the
Lenders.
Section 5.8 OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF PROPERTY. The Company will, and
will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, operate its Properties or cause its
Properties to be operated and maintained (a) in accordance with prudent industry
practice in all material respects and in compliance in all material respects
with the terms and provisions of all applicable leases, contracts and agreements
and (b) except where the noncompliance therewith could not reasonably be
expected to cause or result in a Material Adverse Effect, in compliance with all
applicable laws of the jurisdiction in which such Properties may be situated,
and all applicable laws, rules and regulations of every other Governmental
Authority from time to time constituted to regulate the ownership and operation
of such Properties.
Section 5.9 [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]
Section 5.10 REPORTING COVENANTS. So long as any Lender has any Commitment
hereunder or any Loan remains unpaid or any Revolving Credit Exposure remains
outstanding, the Company will furnish the following to each of the Lenders:
(a) ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. As soon as available and in any
event within 90 days after the end of each Fiscal Year, a consolidated balance
sheet of the Company and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such year and the
related consolidated statements of income, retained earnings and cash flows of
the Company and its Subsidiaries for such Fiscal Year, setting forth in each
case in comparative form the figures for the previous Fiscal Year, all in
reasonable detail and accompanied by a report thereon of independent public
accountants of recognized national standing, which such report shall state that
such consolidated financial statements present fairly the consolidated financial
condition as at the end of such Fiscal Year, and the consolidated results of
operations and cash flows for such Fiscal Year, of the Company and its
Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP, applied on a consistent basis.
43
<PAGE>
(b) QUARTERLY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. As soon as available and in any
event within 45 days after the end of each Fiscal Quarter (other than the fourth
Fiscal Quarter), a consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its
Subsidiaries as at the end of such quarter and the related consolidated
statements of income, retained earnings and cash flows of the Company and its
Subsidiaries for such Fiscal Quarter and for the portion of the Company's Fiscal
Year ended at the end of such quarter, setting forth in each case in comparative
form the figures for the corresponding quarter and the corresponding portion of
the Company's previous Fiscal Year, all in reasonable detail and certified by a
Responsible Officer that such financial statements are complete and correct and
fairly present the consolidated financial condition as at the end of such Fiscal
Quarter, and the consolidated results of operations and cash flows for such
Fiscal Quarter and such portion of the Company's Fiscal Year, of the Company and
its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP (subject to normal, year-end
adjustments).
(c) NO DEFAULT/COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE. Together with the financial
statements required pursuant to Sections 5.10(a) and 5.10(b) above, a
certificate of the Company, signed by a Responsible Officer (1) stating that a
review of such financial statements during the period covered thereby and of the
activities of the Company and its Subsidiaries has been made under such
Responsible Officer's supervision with a view to determining whether the Company
and its Subsidiaries have fulfilled all of their obligations under this
Agreement, the other Financing Documents, and the Notes (or, if any obligations
have not been fulfilled, specifying which obligations have not been fulfilled);
(2) stating that the Company and its Subsidiaries have fulfilled their
obligations under such instruments and that all representations made in this
Agreement continue to be true and correct (or, if not correct, specifying the
nature of any change), or if there shall be a Default or Event of Default,
specifying the nature and status thereof and the Company's proposed response
thereto; (3) demonstrating in reasonable detail as at the end of such Fiscal
Year or such Fiscal Quarter calculations of Sections 6.1(a), 6.1(b), 6.1(c),
6.1(d) and 6.1(e); (4) stating the Applicable Margin to be in effect until the
next redetermination thereof pursuant to the terms set forth in the definition
of Applicable Margin, and (5) containing or accompanied by such financial or
other details, information and material as the Administrative Agent may
reasonably request to evidence such compliance.
(d) BORROWING BASE REPORTS. As soon as available and in any event by
the 20th day following the close of each calendar month when there are any
outstanding Revolving Credit Loans and prior to new borrowings, a Borrowing Base
Report dated and reflecting amounts as of the close of business on the last day
of the preceding calendar month.
(e) NOTICE OF CERTAIN EVENTS. Promptly after the Company learns of
the receipt or occurrence of any of the following, a certificate of the Company,
signed by a Responsible Officer specifying (1) any official notice of any
violation, possible violation, non-compliance or possible non-compliance, or
claim made by any Governmental Authority pertaining to all or any part of the
Properties of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries which could reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (2) any event which constitutes a
Default or Event of Default, together with a detailed statement specifying the
nature thereof and the steps being taken to cure such Default or Event of
Default; (3) the receipt of any notice from, or the taking of any other action
by, the holder of any promissory note, debenture or other evidence of
indebtedness in excess of $1,000,000 of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
with respect to a claimed default, together with a detailed statement specifying
the notice given or other action taken by such holder and the nature of the
claimed default and what action the Company or its Subsidiary is taking or
proposes to take with respect thereto; (4) any default or noncompliance of any
party to any of the Financing Documents with any of the terms and conditions
thereof or any notice of termination or other proceedings or actions which could
reasonably be expected to adversely affect any of the Financing Documents; (5)
the creation, dissolution, merger or acquisition of any Subsidiary of the
Company with material operations; (6) any event or condition not previously
disclosed to the Administrative Agent, which violates any Environmental Law and
which could have a Material Adverse Effect; (7) any material amendment to,
termination of, or default
44
<PAGE>
under any material contract or any execution of, or material amendment to,
termination of, or material default under, any material collective bargaining
agreement; or (8) any event or condition which may reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect.
(f) SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS, FILINGS. Promptly upon the mailing,
filing, or making thereof, copies of all registration statements, periodic
reports and other documents (excluding the related exhibits except to the extent
expressly requested by the Administrative Agent) filed by the Company with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (or any successor thereto) or any national
securities exchange.
(g) LITIGATION. Promptly after the occurrence thereof, notice of the
institution of or any material adverse development in any action, suit or
proceeding or any governmental investigation or any arbitration, before any
court or arbitrator or any governmental or administrative body, agency or
official, against the Company, Holding, or any Subsidiary or any material
Property of any thereof, in which the amount involved is material and is not
covered by insurance or which, if adversely determined, would have a Material
Adverse Effect.
(h) ERISA. Promptly after (1) the Company's obtaining knowledge of
the occurrence thereof, notice that an ERISA Termination Event or a "prohibited
transaction," as such term is defined in Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of
the Code, with respect to any Plan has occurred, which such notice shall specify
the nature thereof, the Company's proposed response thereto (and, if applicable,
the proposed response thereto of any Subsidiary of the Company and of any ERISA
Affiliate) and, where known, any action taken or proposed by the Internal
Revenue Service, the Department of Labor or the PBGC with respect thereto, (2)
the Company's obtaining knowledge thereof, copies of any notice of the PBGC's
intention to terminate or to have a trustee appointed to administer any Plan,
and (3) the filing thereof with any Governmental Authority (if requested by the
Administrative Agent), copies of each annual and other report (including
applicable schedules) with respect to each Plan or any trust created thereunder.
(i) INSURANCE COVERAGE. Annually upon renewal, a revised or updated
certificate evidencing the insurance coverages of the Company and its
Subsidiaries in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative
Agent; and upon request of the Administrative Agent, copies of the applicable
policies.
(j) NOTICES TO HOLDERS OF SENIOR NOTES. Copies of any financial or
other report or notice delivered to, or received from, any holders of Senior
Notes, which report or notice has not been delivered to the Lenders hereunder.
(k) BUDGET PROJECTION. As soon as available, but in any event on or
before January 31 of each Fiscal Year, a budget projection (including balance
sheet, income statement and cash flow) of the Company and its Subsidiaries,
setting forth, in reasonable detail, the projected revenues and expenses of the
Company and its Subsidiaries for the following Fiscal Year.
(l) OTHER INFORMATION. With reasonable promptness, such other
information about the business and affairs and financial condition of the
Company or its Subsidiaries as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request
from time to time, including, without limitation, monthly accounts receivable
aging and reconciliation, accounts payable aging and reconciliation, sales
reports and inventory designations.
Section 5.11 PLEDGE AGREEMENT. The Company shall, within forty-five (45)
days after the Closing Date, deliver to the Administrative Agent a Pledge
Agreement (the "Pledge Agreement") executed by the Company pledging 65% of the
entire membership interest in BEI and
45
<PAGE>
all other non-domestic Subsidiaries (as listed in Schedule 5.11), in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent as security for
the repayment of the Lender Indebtedness.
ARTICLE 6
NEGATIVE COVENANTS
So long as any Lender has any Commitment hereunder or any Loan remains
unpaid or any Revolving Credit Exposure remains outstanding, the Company will
not:
Section 6.1 FINANCIAL COVENANTS.
(a) Permit Consolidated Tangible Net Worth to be for each Fiscal
Year beginning with the fiscal year commencing January 1, 1998, the sum of (1)
$60,000,000, plus (2) 50% of the Company's Consolidated Net Income (but only to
the extent such amount is positive) subsequent to December 31, 1997, plus (3)
75% of the net proceeds (cash or non-cash) from the issuance of any Equity.
(b) Permit the Current Ratio to be less than 1.50 to 1.00 at any
time.
(c) Permit the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio to be less than 1.10 to
1.00 as of the last day of each Rolling Period for such Rolling Period.
(d) Permit the Debt Ratio at any time to be more than the ratio for
each Rolling Period indicated below:
PERIOD RATIO
------ -----
Each Rolling Period during the period 2.50 to 1.00
beginning on the Closing Date through
December 31, 2000 Each
Rolling Period thereafter 2.00 to 1.00
(e) Permit the Interest Coverage Ratio to be less than 2.50 to 1.00
as of the last day of each Rolling Period for such Rolling Period.
The Company shall be deemed to be in compliance with the covenants
contained in this Section 6.1 at any time so long as the then most recent
financial statements prepared by the Company (for internal use or otherwise) and
made available to the Lenders show, or provide a basis for ascertaining, such
compliance and no Responsible Officer has obtained any information that causes
such Responsible Officer to reasonably conclude that the Company is not in
compliance with the covenants contained in this Section 6.1.
Section 6.2 INDEBTEDNESS. Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist, or
permit any of its Subsidiaries to create, incur, assume or suffer to exist, any
Indebtedness, other than:
(a) the Lender Indebtedness;
(b) Indebtedness outstanding on the date hereof which is set forth
on SCHEDULE 6.2;
(c) accounts payable (for the deferred purchase price of Property or
services) from time to time incurred in the ordinary course of business (which,
if greater than 90 days past due date are being
46
<PAGE>
contested in good faith if reserves adequate under GAAP shall have been
established therefor), and guaranties by the Company in the ordinary course of
business of any such obligations incurred by any Subsidiary;
(d) obligations for current taxes, assessments and other
governmental charges and taxes, assessments or other governmental charges which
are not yet due or are being contested in good faith by appropriate action or
proceeding promptly initiated and diligently conducted, if reserves as shall be
required by GAAP shall have been made therefor;
(e) Indebtedness evidenced by the Senior Notes, up to the aggregate
principal amount of $30,000,000;
(f) Indebtedness owing pursuant to Interest Rate Swap Agreements
entered into in the ordinary course of business with the Agent or as approved by
the Required Lenders for the purpose of hedging against fluctuations in interest
rates (on money borrowed by the Company);
(g) Capital Lease Obligations incurred after the date hereof not to
exceed $2,000,000;
(h) Indebtedness under purchase money debt (as required to be
reported on the financial statements of the Company pursuant to GAAP) not to
exceed the purchase price of the property acquired;
(i) other Indebtedness of the Company and its Subsidiaries which
does not exceed in the aggregate $2,800,000 at any one time outstanding; and
(j) Subsidiary Indebtedness; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, the aggregate amount
of all Subsidiary Indebtedness (other than Intercompany Indebtedness) at any one
time outstanding shall not exceed 5% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets.
Section 6.3 LIENS. Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist, or permit any
of its Subsidiaries to create, incur, assume or suffer to exist, any Lien on any
of its Property now owned or hereafter acquired to secure any Indebtedness of
the Company, any Subsidiary or any other Person, other than:
(a) Liens existing on the date hereof and set forth on SCHEDULE 6.3;
(b) Liens (if any) securing the Lender Indebtedness, and Liens in
the membership interest in BEI and all other non-domestic Subsidiaries (as
listed in Schedule 5.11) to secure the Lender Indebtedness and to ratably secure
the Senior Notes;
(c) Liens for taxes, assessments or other governmental charges or
levies not yet due or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate
action or proceedings and with respect to which adequate reserves are being
maintained;
(d) statutory Liens of landlords and Liens of operators, vendors,
carriers, warehousemen, mechanics, materialmen, repairmen, workmen, and other
Liens imposed by law created in the ordinary course of business for amounts
which are not past due for more than 90 days or which are being contested in
good faith by appropriate action or proceedings and with respect to which
adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP are being maintained;
(e) Liens incurred or deposits or pledges made in the ordinary
course of business in connection with workers' compensation, unemployment
insurance and other types of social security, old age
47
<PAGE>
or other similar obligations, or to secure the performance of tenders, statutory
obligations, surety and appeal bonds, bids, leases, government contracts,
performance and return-of-money bonds and other similar obligations (exclusive
of obligations for the payment of borrowed money);
(f) any obligations or duties affecting any of the Property of the
Company or its Subsidiaries to any municipality or public authority with respect
to any franchise, grant, license or permit which do not materially impair the
use of such Property for the purposes for which it is held;
(g) Liens securing Capital Lease Obligations allowed under Section
6.2(g) but only on the Property under lease;
(h) Liens securing purchase money debt allowed under Section 6.2(h)
but only on the Property purchased with such purchase money debt; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, (i) the Indebtedness secured thereby does not exceed the purchase price
of such property and (ii) such Liens are created within six (6) months after the
Company acquires such Property;
(i) Liens existing on acquired Property prior to acquisition
thereof;
(j) Liens securing Intercompany Indebtedness; and
(k) extensions, renewals or replacements of any Lien referred to in
Sections 6.3(a), (g) and (h), provided that the principal amount of the
Indebtedness or obligation secured thereby is not increased and that any such
extension, renewal or replacement is limited to the Property originally
encumbered thereby.
Section 6.4 MERGERS, SALES, ETC. Neither the Company nor any Subsidiary
will merge into or with or consolidate with any other Person, or sell, lease or
otherwise dispose of (whether in one transaction or in a series of transactions)
all or substantially all of its Property or assets to any other Person, except
as permitted by Section 6.17 hereof; provided, however, that (A) the Company or
any Subsidiary may consolidate or merge with any other Person if (i) the Company
or such Subsidiary is the survivor of such consolidation or merger, and (ii) at
the time of such consolidation or merger and after giving effect thereto, no
Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; or (B) the Company or
any Subsidiary may consolidate or merge with another Person if (i) the survivor
Person is a United States Person, (ii) the surviving Person assumes the
obligation under this Agreement and the Notes and (iii) at the time of such
consolidation or merger and after giving effect thereto, no Event of Default
shall have occurred and be continuing.
Section 6.5 DIVIDENDS, ETC. Make, or permit any Subsidiary to make, any
Restricted Payment PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Company and its Subsidiaries may
make Restricted Payments if at the time of such Restricted Payment and after
giving effect thereto (i) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing, and (ii) the total aggregate amount of such payments since January
1, 1998, is less than the sum of (a) $5,000,000 plus (b) Consolidated Net Income
from January 1, 1998.
Section 6.6 INVESTMENTS, LOANS, ETC. Make or permit any loans to or
investments in any Person, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to make or permit
any loans to or investments in any Person, other than:
(a) investments, loans or advances, the material details of which
have been set forth on SCHEDULE 4.7;
48
<PAGE>
(b) investments in direct obligations of, or obligations the
principal of and interest on which are unconditionally guaranteed by, the United
States of America (or by any agency thereof to the extent such obligations are
backed by the full faith and credit of the United States of America), in each
case maturing within one year from the date of acquisition thereof;
(c) investments in certificates of deposit of maturities less than
one year, issued by commercial banks in the United States having capital and
surplus in excess of $500,000,000 and having short-term credit ratings of at
least A1 and P1 by Standard & Poor's Ratings Group and Moody's Investors
Service, Inc., respectively;
(d) investments in commercial paper of maturities less than one
year, rated the highest credit rating obtainable from Standard & Poor's Ratings
Group and Moody's Investors Service, Inc.;
(e) investments in securities that are obligations of the United
States government purchased by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company
under fully collateralized repurchase agreements pursuant to which arrangements
are made with selling financial institutions (being a financial institution
having unimpaired capital and surplus of not less than $500,000,000 and with
short-term credit ratings of at least A1 and P1 by Standard & Poor's Ratings
Group and Moody's Investors Service, Inc., respectively) for such financial
institutions to repurchase such securities within 30 days from the date of
purchase by the Company or such Subsidiary, and other similar short-term
investments made in connection with the Company's or any of its Subsidiary's
cash management practices; PROVIDED THAT the Company shall take possession of
all securities purchased by the Company or any Subsidiary under repurchase
agreements and shall adhere to customary margin and mark-to-market procedures
with respect to fluctuations in value;
(f) accounts receivable arising in the ordinary course of business;
(g) stock or other securities received in the settlement of Debt
created in the ordinary course of business and permitted under Section 6.2(c);
(h) deposits in money market funds investing exclusively in
investments described in Sections 6.6(b), (c) or (d);
(i) investments, loans or advances by the Company to or in its
Subsidiaries, and by any Subsidiary to one another or to the Company;
(j) investments or loans of a newly acquired company (the
acquisition of which is permitted under this Agreement) and existing on the date
of such acquisition;
(k) reasonable advances to officers and employees of the Company and
any Subsidiary for travel arising in the ordinary course of business;
(l) investments by the Company in the capital stock of the
Subsidiaries;
(m) loans to officers and employees of the Company or any
Subsidiary, not to exceed $100,000 in the aggregate at any one time outstanding;
and
(n) investments, loans or advances in or in respect of a Person
engaged primarily in a line of business activity directly related to the
business of the Company not to exceed a total of $5,000,000 in the aggregate at
any one time outstanding; provided, however, such $5,000,000 limitation shall
not be
49
<PAGE>
applicable to investments in such a Person which becomes a wholly-owned
Subsidiary of the Company or a Subsidiary contemporaneous with such investment.
Section 6.7 SALES AND LEASEBACKS. Enter into, or permit any of its
Subsidiaries to enter into, any arrangement, directly or indirectly, with any
Person whereby the Company or any such Subsidiary shall sell or transfer any
Property, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, and whereby the Company or
any such Subsidiary shall then or thereafter rent or lease as lessee such
Property or any part thereof or other Property which the Company or any such
Subsidiary intends to use for substantially the same purpose or purposes as the
Property sold or transferred.
Section 6.8 NATURE OF BUSINESS. Permit any material change to be made in
the character of its business or the business of any Subsidiary as carried on at
the date hereof, other than entering into lines of business that are reasonably
related to the lines of business in existence on the Closing Date.
Section 6.9 ERISA COMPLIANCE.
(a) Engage in, or permit a Subsidiary of the Company or any ERISA
Affiliate to engage in, any transaction in connection with which the Company, a
Subsidiary of the Company or any ERISA Affiliate could be subjected to either a
civil penalty assessed pursuant to Sections 502(c), (i) or (l) of ERISA or a tax
imposed by Chapter 43 of Subtitle D of the Code having a Material Adverse
Effect.
(b) Terminate, or permit a Subsidiary of the Company or any ERISA
Affiliate to terminate, any Plan in a manner, or take any other action with
respect to any Plan, which could reasonably be expected to result in any
material liability of the Company, a Subsidiary of the Company or any ERISA
Affiliate to the PBGC or any other Governmental Authority;
(c) Fail to make, or permit a Subsidiary of the Company or any ERISA
Affiliate to fail to make, full payment when due of all amounts which, under the
provisions of any Plan, agreement relating thereto or applicable law, the
Company, a Subsidiary of the Company or any ERISA Affiliate is required to pay
as contributions thereto;
(d) Permit to exist, or allow a Subsidiary of the Company or any
ERISA Affiliate to permit to exist, any accumulated funding deficiency within
the meaning of Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code, whether or not
waived, with respect to any Plan;
(e) Contribute to or assume an obligation to contribute to, or
permit a Subsidiary of the Company or any ERISA Affiliate to contribute to or
assume an obligation to contribute to, any "multiemployer plan" as such term is
defined in Section 3(37) or 4001(a)(3) of ERISA;
(f) Acquire, or permit a Subsidiary of the Company or any ERISA
Affiliate to acquire, an interest in any Person that causes such Person to
become an ERISA Affiliate with respect to the Company or a Subsidiary of the
Company or with respect to any ERISA Affiliate of the Company or a Subsidiary of
the Company if such Person sponsors, maintains or contributes to, or at any time
in the six-year period preceding such acquisition has sponsored, maintained, or
contributed to, any "multiemployer plan" as such term is defined in Section
3(37) or 4001(a)(3) of ERISA;
(g) Fail to pay, or cause to be paid, to the PBGC in a timely
manner, and without incurring any late payment or underpayment charge or
penalty, all premiums required pursuant to Sections 4006 and 4007 of ERISA;
50
<PAGE>
(h) Amend, or permit a Subsidiary of the Company or any ERISA
Affiliate to amend, a Plan resulting in an increase in current liability such
that the Company, a Subsidiary of the Company or any ERISA Affiliate is required
to provide security to such Plan under Section 401(a)(29) of the Code;
(i) Incur, or permit a Subsidiary of the Company or any ERISA
Affiliate to incur, a material liability to or on account of a Plan under
Sections 515, 4062, 4063, 4064, 4201 or 4204 of ERISA; or
(j) Permit, or allow a Subsidiary of the Company or any ERISA
Affiliate to permit, the actuarial present value of the benefit liabilities
(computed on an accumulated benefit obligation basis in accordance with GAAP)
under all Plans in the aggregate to exceed the current value of the assets of
all Plans in the aggregate that are allocable to such benefit liabilities.
Section 6.10 SALE OR DISCOUNT OF RECEIVABLES. Sell, with or without
recourse, for discount or otherwise, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to
discount or sell, with or without recourse, for discount or otherwise, any notes
or accounts receivable.
Section 6.11 NEGATIVE PLEDGE AGREEMENTS. Create, incur, assume or suffer
to exist, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to create, incur, assume or suffer
to exist, any contract, agreement or understanding (other than this Agreement
and the other Financing Documents) which in any way prohibits or restricts the
granting, conveying, creation or imposition of any Lien on any Property of the
Company or its Subsidiaries in favor of the Lenders to secure obligations under
this Agreement, or which requires the consent of other Persons in connection
therewith, except for (i) the Note Purchase Agreement and (ii) capital lease
agreements and purchase money agreements which pertain to specific items of
Property of the Company or any Subsidiary and not all or substantially all of
the Property of the Company or any Subsidiary.
Section 6.12 TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES. Enter into any transaction or
series of transactions, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to enter into any
transaction or series of transactions, with Affiliates of the Company or its
Subsidiaries which involve an outflow of money or other Property from the
Company or its Subsidiaries to an Affiliate of the Company or its Subsidiaries,
including but not limited to repayment of Indebtedness, management fees,
compensation, salaries, asset purchase payments or any other type of fees or
payments similar in nature except for those which are in the ordinary course of
business of the Company and are on fair and reasonable terms no less favorable
than would be obtained in a comparable arm's length transaction with a Person
not an Affiliate.
Section 6.13 UNCONDITIONAL PURCHASE OBLIGATIONS. Enter into or be a party
to, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to enter into or be a party to, any
material contract for the purchase of materials, supplies or other property or
services, if such contract requires that payment be made by it regardless of
whether or not delivery is ever made of such materials, supplies or other
property or services.
Section 6.14 MODIFICATIONS TO SENIOR NOTES.
(a) Amend, modify, or waive any covenant contained in the Senior
Notes or the Note Purchase Agreement if the effect of such amendment,
modification, or waiver would be to make the terms of the Senior Notes or the
Note Purchase Agreement materially more onerous to the Company; or
(b) Amend, modify, or waive any provision of the Senior Notes or the
Note Purchase Agreement if the effect of such amendment, modification or waiver
(1) subjects the Company to any additional material obligation, (2) increases
the principal of or rate of interest on any Senior Note, (3) accelerates the
date fixed for any payment of principal or interest on any Senior Note, or (4)
would change
51
<PAGE>
the percentage of holders of such Senior Notes required for any such amendment,
modification, or waiver from the percentage required on the Closing Date.
Section 6.15 INTERCOMPANY TRANSACTIONS. Create and will not permit any of
its Subsidiaries to, create or otherwise cause or permit to exist or become
effective, except as may be expressly permitted or required by the Financing
Documents, any consensual encumbrance or restriction of any kind on the ability
of any such Subsidiary to (a) pay dividends or make any other distribution to
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in respect of such Subsidiary's capital
stock or with respect to any other interest or participation in, or measured by,
its profits, (b) pay any indebtedness owed to the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, (c) make any loan or advance to the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, or (d) sell, lease or transfer any of its Property to the Company
or any of its Subsidiaries.
Section 6.16 ACQUISITIONS; CREATION OF SUBSIDIARIES. Create or acquire, or
permit any of its Subsidiaries to create or acquire, any Subsidiary without
first giving five (5) Business Days' prior written notice to the Administrative
Agent. In every case (i) each new domestic Subsidiary shall promptly execute a
written instrument of guaranty, unconditionally guaranteeing payment of all
Lender Indebtedness, and (ii) the Company shall deliver to Administrative Agent
and the Lenders a revised Schedule with respect to each new Subsidiary which
shall be automatically upon delivery an amendment to the prior Schedule. The
Company shall not and shall not permit any Subsidiary to sell or to issue any
stock of a Subsidiary or any interest in a partnership. The Company shall not
permit any Subsidiary to issue any stock except to the Company.
Section 6.17 SALE OF PROPERTIES. Sell, assign, convey or otherwise
transfer any interest in any, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to sell, assign,
convey or otherwise transfer any interest in, Property except for (i) assets
sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of business,
including obsolete assets; and (ii) other assets sold, transferred, terminated
or otherwise disposed of in any year; provided that the proceeds realized from
such sale, transfer, termination or disposition in any applicable year in excess
of the greater of (a) 10% of the Consolidated Net Tangible Assets of the Company
as of the beginning of such year or (b) 10% of Consolidated Net Income for such
year, are either reinvested within one year in similar assets or used to repay
the Lender Indebtedness of the Company. Until the net proceeds of such sale,
transfer or other disposition are reinvested or applied against the Lender
Indebtedness, , the funds may be invested pursuant to Section 6.6(b), (c), (d)
and (h).
Section 6.18 ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS. Cause or permit any of its Property to
be, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to cause or permit any of their respective
Property to be, in violation of, or do anything or permit anything to be done
which will subject any such Property to any remedial obligations under any
Environmental Laws, assuming disclosure to the applicable Governmental Authority
of all relevant facts, conditions and circumstances, if any, pertaining to such
Property where such violations or remedial obligations would have a Material
Adverse Effect.
Section 6.19 PROCEEDS OF NOTES. Permit the proceeds of the Notes to be
used for any purpose other than those permitted by Section 4.9.
52
<PAGE>
ARTICLE 7
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any of the following
specified events (each an "EVENT OF DEFAULT"):
Section 7.1 PAYMENTS. (a) The Company shall fail to pay when due
(including, but not limited to, by mandatory prepayment required pursuant to
Section 2.10) any principal of any Loan or any Note, or any Reimbursement
Obligation, or (b) the Company shall fail to pay when due any interest on any
Loan or any Note, or any fee or any other amount payable hereunder or under the
Fee Letter or any other Financing Document, and such failure continues
unremedied for a period of five (5) Business Days; or
Section 7.2 COVENANTS WITHOUT NOTICE. The Company shall fail to observe or
perform any covenant or agreement contained in Sections 5.1, 5.5, 5.7, 5.9,
5.10(e) or Article 6; or
Section 7.3 OTHER COVENANTS. The Company shall fail to observe or perform
any covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement, other than those referred
to in Sections 7.1 or 7.2 and, if capable of being remedied, such failure shall
remain unremedied for 30 days after the earlier of (a) the Company's obtaining
knowledge thereof, or (b) written notice thereof shall have been given to the
Company by any Lender, any Issuing Bank or the Administrative Agent; or
Section 7.4 OTHER FINANCING DOCUMENT OBLIGATIONS. Default is made in the
due observance or performance by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company of
any of the covenants or agreements contained in any Financing Document other
than this Agreement, and such default continues unremedied beyond the expiration
of any applicable grace period which may be expressly allowed under such
Financing Document; or
Section 7.5 REPRESENTATIONS. Any representation, warranty or statement
made or deemed to be made by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or any
of such Company's, or Subsidiary's officers herein or in any other Financing
Document, or in any certificate, request or other document furnished pursuant to
or under this Agreement or any other Financing Document, shall have been
incorrect in any material respect as of the date when made or deemed to be made;
or
Section 7.6 NON-PAYMENTS OF OTHER INDEBTEDNESS. The Company or any of its
Subsidiaries shall fail to make any payment or payments of principal of or
interest on any Indebtedness of the Company or such Subsidiary (other than (a)
the Lender Indebtedness and (b) any trade account subject to a bona fide dispute
and the trade creditor has neither filed a lawsuit nor caused a Lien to be
placed upon any Property of the Company or such Subsidiary) in excess of
$2,500,000 in the aggregate when due (whether at stated maturity, by
acceleration, on demand or otherwise) after giving effect to any applicable
grace period; or
Section 7.7 DEFAULTS UNDER OTHER AGREEMENTS. The Company or any of its
Subsidiaries shall fail to observe or perform any covenant or agreement
contained in any agreement(s) or instrument(s) relating to Indebtedness of the
Company or such Subsidiary of $2,500,000 or more in the aggregate within any
applicable grace period, or any other event shall occur, if the effect of such
failure or other event is to accelerate, or, with respect to the Company and its
Subsidiaries, to permit the holder of such Indebtedness or any other Person to
accelerate, the maturity of $2,500,000 or more in the aggregate of such
Indebtedness; or $2,500,000 or more in the aggregate of any such Indebtedness
shall be, or if as a result of such failure or
53
<PAGE>
other event may be, required to be prepaid (other than prepayments resulting
from excess cash flow) in whole or in part prior to its stated maturity; or
Section 7.8 BANKRUPTCY. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall
commence a voluntary case concerning itself under Title 11 of the United States
Code entitled "Bankruptcy" as now or hereafter in effect, or any successor
thereto (the "BANKRUPTCY CODE"); or an involuntary case is commenced against the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries and the petition is not controverted within
10 days, or is not stayed or dismissed within 60 days, after commencement of the
case; or a custodian (as defined in the Bankruptcy Code) is appointed for, or
takes charge of, all or any substantial part of the property of the Company or
any of its Subsidiaries; or the Company or any of its Subsidiaries commences any
other proceeding under any reorganization, arrangement, adjustment of debt,
relief of debtors, dissolution, insolvency or liquidation or similar law of any
jurisdiction whether now or hereafter in effect relating to the Company or such
Subsidiary or there is commenced against the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
any such proceeding which remains unstayed or undismissed for a period of 60
days; or the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is adjudicated insolvent or
bankrupt; or any order of relief or other order approving any such case or
proceeding is entered; or the Company or any of its Subsidiaries suffers any
appointment of any custodian or the like for it or any substantial part of its
Property to continue undischarged or unstayed for a period of 60 days; or the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries makes a general assignment for the benefit of
creditors; or the Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall fail to pay, or shall
state in writing that it is unable to pay, or shall be unable to pay, its debts
generally as they become due; or the Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall by
any act or failure to act indicate its consent to, approval of or acquiescence
in any of the foregoing; or any corporate action is taken by the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries for the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing; or
Section 7.9 MONEY JUDGMENT. Judgments or orders for the payment of money
involving in the aggregate at any time a liability (net of any insurance
proceeds or indemnity payments actually received in respect thereof prior to or
within 60 days from the entry thereof, or to be received in respect thereof in
the event any appeal thereof shall be unsuccessful) of more than $5,000,000, or
that would otherwise have a Material Adverse Effect shall be rendered against
the Company or any of it Subsidiaries and such judgment or order shall continue
unsatisfied in accordance with the terms of such judgment or order (in the case
of a money judgment) and in effect for a period of 60 days during which
execution shall not be effectively stayed or deferred (whether by action of a
court, by agreement or otherwise); or
Section 7.10 DISCONTINUANCE OF BUSINESS. The Company or any material
Subsidiary shall cease to be principally engaged in the businesses and
operations in which the Company and its then existing Subsidiaries were
principally engaged on the Closing Date; or
Section 7.11 FINANCING DOCUMENTS. Any Material Provision of any of the
Financing Documents after delivery thereof shall for any reason, except to the
extent permitted by the terms thereof, cease to be in full force and effect and
valid, binding and enforceable (except as enforceability may be limited as
stated in Section 4.3) in accordance with its terms, or the Company or any of
its Subsidiaries shall so state in writing. As used in this Section 7.11,
"MATERIAL PROVISION" shall mean (a) with respect to this Agreement, the Notes,
or any Guaranty Agreement, any material term, covenant, or agreement set forth
therein, and (b) with respect to any other Financing Document, any provision if
the validity and enforceability thereof is necessary for such Financing Document
to accomplish its stated, or clearly intended, purpose or otherwise necessary in
order for any Lender to enforce any material right or remedy under any Financing
Document; or
Section 7.12 CHANGE OF CONTROL. The occurrence of a Change of Control;
54
<PAGE>
then, and in any such event, and at any time thereafter, if any Event of Default
shall then be continuing, the Administrative Agent, upon the written or telex
request of the Required Lenders, shall, by written notice to the Company, take
any or all of the following actions, without prejudice to the rights of the
Administrative Agent, any Lender or the holder of any Note, to enforce its
claims against the Company: (a) declare the Revolving Credit Commitment and
other lending obligations, if any, terminated, whereupon the Revolving Credit
Commitment and other lending obligations, if any, of each Lender shall terminate
immediately; or (b) declare the entire principal amount of and all accrued
interest on all Lender Indebtedness then outstanding to be, whereupon the same
shall become, forthwith due and payable without presentment, demand, protest,
notice of protest or dishonor, notice of acceleration, notice of intent to
accelerate or other notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived
by the Company, and thereupon take such action as it may deem desirable under
and pursuant to the Financing Documents; provided, that, if an Event of Default
specified in Section 7.8 shall occur, the result which would occur upon the
giving of written notice by the Administrative Agent to the Company, as
specified in clauses (a) and (b) above, shall occur automatically without the
giving of any such notice; or (c) if any Letter of Credit shall then be
outstanding, demand Cover which the Company shall immediately pay to the
Administrative Agent for deposit in an account established and maintained at the
Agent as cash collateral securing any such Letter of Credit; and the Company
hereby grants to and its deposit with the Administrative Agent grants to the
Administrative Agent a security interest in such cash Collateral.
ARTICLE 8
THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Section 8.1 APPOINTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT. Each Lender (and each
Affiliate by and through its affiliated Lender) and the Issuing Bank hereby
designates Chase Bank of Texas, N.A., as Administrative Agent to act as herein
specified and as specified in the other Financing Documents. Each Lender (and
each Affiliate by and through its affiliated Lender) and the Issuing Bank hereby
irrevocably authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such action on its
behalf under the provisions of this Agreement, the Notes, and the other
Financing Documents and to exercise such powers and to perform such duties
hereunder and thereunder as are specifically delegated to or required of the
Administrative Agent by the terms hereof and thereof and such other powers as
are reasonably incidental thereto. The Administrative Agent may perform any of
its duties hereunder by or through its agents or employees.
Section 8.2 LIMITATION OF DUTIES OF ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT. The
Administrative Agent shall have no duties or responsibilities except those
expressly set forth with respect to the Administrative Agent in this Agreement
and as specified in the other Financing Documents. Neither the Administrative
Agent nor any of its officers, directors, employees or agents shall be liable
for any action taken or omitted by it as such hereunder or in connection
herewith, unless caused by its or their gross negligence or willful misconduct.
The duties of the Administrative Agent shall be mechanical and administrative in
nature; the Administrative Agent shall not have by reason of this Agreement a
fiduciary relationship in respect of any Lender; and nothing in this Agreement,
expressed or implied, is intended to or shall be so construed as to impose upon
the Administrative Agent any obligations in respect of this Agreement except as
expressly set forth herein.
Section 8.3 LACK OF RELIANCE ON THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT.
(a) INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION. Independently and without reliance
upon the Administrative Agent, each Lender, to the extent it deems appropriate,
has made and shall continue to make (1) its own independent investigation of the
financial condition and affairs of the Company in connection with the taking or
not taking of any action in connection herewith, and (2) its own appraisal of
the creditworthiness
55
<PAGE>
of the Company, and, except as expressly provided in this Agreement, and the
other Financing Documents, the Administrative Agent shall have no duty or
responsibility, either initially or on a continuing basis, to provide any Lender
with any credit or other information with respect thereto, whether coming into
its possession before the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein
or at any time or times thereafter.
(b) ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT NOT RESPONSIBLE. The Administrative Agent
shall not be responsible to any Lender or the Issuing Bank for any recitals,
statements, information, representations or warranties herein or in any
document, certificate or other writing delivered in connection herewith or for
the execution, effectiveness, genuineness, validity, enforceability,
collectibility, priority or sufficiency of this Agreement, the Notes, the
Letters of Credit or the other Financing Documents or the financial condition of
the Company or be required to make any inquiry concerning either the performance
or observance of any of the terms, provisions or conditions of this Agreement,
the Notes or the other Financing Documents, or the financial condition of the
Company, or the existence or possible existence of any Default or Event of
Default.
Section 8.4 CERTAIN RIGHTS OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT. If the
Administrative Agent shall request instructions from the Required Lenders with
respect to any act or action (including the failure to act) in connection with
this Agreement, the Notes and the other Financing Documents, the Administrative
Agent shall be entitled to refrain from such act or taking such action unless
and until the Administrative Agent shall have received instructions from the
Required Lenders; and the Administrative Agent shall not incur liability to any
Person by reason of so refraining. Without limiting the foregoing, no Lender
shall have any right of action whatsoever against the Administrative Agent as a
result of the Administrative Agent acting or refraining from acting under this
Agreement, the Notes and the other Financing Documents in accordance with the
instructions of the Required Lenders, or to the extent required by Section 9.2,
all of the Lenders.
Section 8.5 RELIANCE BY ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT. The Administrative Agent
shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in relying, upon any
note, writing, resolution, notice, statement, certificate, telex, teletype or
telecopier message, cablegram, radiogram, order or other documentary
teletransmission or telephone message believed by it to be genuine and correct
and to have been signed, sent or made by the proper Person. The Administrative
Agent may consult with legal counsel (including counsel for the Company),
independent public accountants and other experts selected by it and shall not be
liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in
accordance with the advice of such counsel, accountants or experts.
Section 8.6 INDEMNIFICATION OF ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT. TO THE EXTENT THE
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT IS NOT REIMBURSED AND INDEMNIFIED BY THE COMPANY, EACH
LENDER WILL REIMBURSE AND INDEMNIFY THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT ON A PRO RATA
BASIS, FOR AND AGAINST ANY AND ALL LIABILITIES, OBLIGATIONS, LOSSES, DAMAGES,
PENALTIES, ACTIONS, JUDGMENTS, SUITS, COSTS, EXPENSES (INCLUDING REASONABLE
COUNSEL FEES AND DISBURSEMENTS) OR DISBURSEMENTS OF ANY KIND OR NATURE
WHATSOEVER WHICH MAY BE IMPOSED ON, INCURRED BY OR ASSERTED AGAINST THE
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT IN PERFORMING ITS DUTIES HEREUNDER, IN ANY WAY RELATING TO
OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT AND BY REASON OF THE ORDINARY NEGLIGENCE OF THE
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT; PROVIDED THAT NO LENDER SHALL BE LIABLE TO THE
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT FOR ANY PORTION OF SUCH LIABILITIES, OBLIGATIONS, LOSSES,
DAMAGES, PENALTIES, ACTIONS, JUDGMENTS, SUITS, COSTS, EXPENSES OR DISBURSEMENTS
RESULTING FROM, AS TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT'S GROSS
NEGLIGENCE OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT.
Section 8.7 THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY. With
respect to their obligations under this Agreement, the Loans made by it and the
Notes issued to it, the Administrative Agent
56
<PAGE>
shall have the same rights and powers hereunder as any other Lender or holder of
a Note and may exercise the same as though it were not performing the duties, if
any, specified herein; and the terms "Lenders," "Required Lenders," "holders of
Notes" or any similar terms shall, unless the context clearly otherwise
indicates, include the Administrative Agent in its individual capacity. The
Administrative Agent may accept deposits from, lend money to, and generally
engage in any kind of banking, trust, financial advisory or other business with
the Company or any affiliate of the Company as if it were not performing the
duties, if any, specified herein, and may accept fees and other consideration
from the Company for services in connection with this Agreement and otherwise
without having to account for the same to the Lenders.
Section 8.8 MAY TREAT LENDER AS OWNER. The Company, the Administrative
Agent and the Issuing Bank may deem and treat each Lender as the owner of such
Lender's Note for all purposes hereof unless and until a written notice of the
assignment or transfer thereof shall have been filed with the Administrative
Agent. Any request, authority or consent of any Person who at the time of making
such request or giving such authority or consent is the owner of a Note shall be
conclusive and binding on any subsequent owner, transferee or assignee of such
Note or any promissory note or notes issued in exchange therefor.
Section 8.9 SUCCESSOR ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT.
(a) ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT RESIGNATION. The Administrative Agent may
resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Lenders, the Issuing
Bank and the Company and may be removed at any time with or without cause by the
Required Lenders. Upon any such resignation or removal, the Required Lenders
shall have the right, upon five days' notice to the Company, to appoint a
successor Administrative Agent, subject to the approval of the Company, such
approval not to be unreasonably withheld. If no successor Administrative Agent
shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders, and shall have accepted
such appointment, within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent's
giving of notice of resignation or the Required Lenders' removal of the retiring
Administrative Agent, then, upon five days' notice to the Company, the retiring
Administrative Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders, appoint a successor
Administrative Agent (subject to approval of the Company, such approval not to
be unreasonably withheld), which shall be a bank which maintains an office in
the United States, or a commercial bank organized under the laws of the United
States of America or of any State thereof, or any Affiliate of such bank, having
a combined capital and surplus of at least $250,000,000.
(b) RIGHTS, POWERS, ETC. Upon the acceptance of any appointment as
Administrative Agent hereunder by a successor Administrative Agent, such
successor Administrative Agent shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with
all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Administrative
Agent, and the retiring Administrative Agent shall be discharged from its duties
and obligations under this Agreement. After any retiring Administrative Agent's
resignation or removal hereunder as Administrative Agent, the provisions of this
Article 8 shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be
taken by it while it was Administrative Agent under this Agreement.
ARTICLE 9
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 9.1 NOTICES. All notices, requests and other communications to any
party hereunder shall be in writing (including, telecopy or similar
teletransmission or writing) and shall be given to such party at its address or
telecopy number set forth on the signature pages hereof or such other address or
telecopy number as such party may hereafter specify by notice to the
Administrative Agent and the Company. Each such notice, request or other
communication shall be effective (a) if given by mail, 72 hours
57
<PAGE>
after such communication is deposited in the mails with first class postage
prepaid, addressed as aforesaid, or (b) if given by any other means (including,
but not limited to, by air courier), when delivered at the address specified in
this Section; provided that notices to the Administrative Agent shall not be
effective until actually and physically received.
Section 9.2 AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS. Neither this Agreement nor any other
Financing Document, nor any terms hereof or thereof, may be amended,
supplemented or modified except in accordance with the provisions of this
Section. The Required Lenders may, or, with the written consent of the Required
Lenders, the Administrative Agent shall, from time to time, (x) enter into with
the Company, written amendments, supplements or modifications hereto and to the
other Financing Documents for the purpose of adding any provisions to this
Agreement or to the other Financing Documents or changing in any manner the
rights or obligations of the Lenders or the Company hereunder or thereunder or
(y) waive at the Company's request, on such terms and conditions as the Required
Lenders or the Administrative Agent, as the case may be, may specify in such
instrument, any of the requirements of this Agreement or the other Financing
Documents or any Default and its consequences; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that no such
waiver and no such amendment, supplement or modification shall:
(a) reduce the amount or extend the scheduled date of maturity of
any Loan or any Reimbursement Obligation or of any scheduled installment thereof
or reduce the stated rate of any interest or fee payable hereunder or extend the
scheduled date of any payment thereof or modify any provision that provides for
the ratable sharing by the Lenders of any payment or prepayment of Lender
Indebtedness to provide for a non-ratable sharing thereof or increase the amount
or extend the expiration date of any Lender's Revolving Credit Commitment or
Term Loan Commitment or amend, modify or waive any provision of Section 2.19, in
each case without the prior written consent of each Lender directly affected
thereby;
(b) change the currency in which any Loan or Reimbursement
Obligation is payable or amend, modify or waive any provision of this Section
9.2 or reduce the percentage specified in the definition of Required Lenders, in
each case without the written consent of all of the Lenders;
(c) release any Guarantor from its obligations under its Guaranty
Agreement;
(d) amend, modify or waive any provision of Article 8 without the
written consent of the Administrative Agent; or
(e) amend, modify or waive (1) any Letter of Credit Liability
without the written consent of the Issuing Bank or (2) any Letter of Credit
without the consent of each Lender if such Letter of Credit, after giving effect
to such amendment, modification or waiver, would no longer satisfy the
requirements hereof if such Letter of Credit was being issued AB INITIO at such
time, PROVIDED THAT in all cases other than clauses (1) or (2), only the consent
of the Issuing Bank shall be required to amend, modify or waive any Letter of
Credit.
Any waiver and any amendment, supplement or modification pursuant to
this Section 9.2 shall apply to each of the Lenders and shall be binding upon
the Company, the Lenders, the Administrative Agent and all future holders of the
Loans. In the case of any waiver, the Company, the Lenders and the
Administrative Agent shall be restored to their former position and rights
hereunder and under the other Financing Documents, and any Default waived shall
be deemed to be cured and not continuing; but no such waiver shall extend to any
subsequent or other Default, or impair any right consequent thereon.
Section 9.3 NO WAIVER; REMEDIES CUMULATIVE. No failure or delay on the
part of the Company or the Administrative Agent or any Lender or any holder of
any Note in exercising any right or
58
<PAGE>
remedy under this Agreement or any other Financing Document and no course of
dealing between the Company and the Administrative Agent or any Lender or any
holder of any Note shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or
partial exercise of any right or remedy under the Notes, this Agreement or any
other Financing Document preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the
exercise of any other right or remedy under the Notes, this Agreement or any
other Financing Document. The rights and remedies herein expressly provided are
cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies which the Company, the
Administrative Agent or any Lender would otherwise have. No notice to or demand
on the Company not required under the Notes, this Agreement or any other
Financing Document in any case shall entitle the Company to any other or further
notice or demand in similar or other circumstances or constitute a waiver of the
rights of the Administrative Agent or the Lenders to any other or further action
in any circumstances without notice or demand.
Section 9.4 PAYMENT OF EXPENSES, INDEMNITIES, ETC. The Company agrees to
(and shall be liable for):
(a) EXPENSES. Whether or not the transactions hereby contemplated
are consummated, pay all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses of the
Administrative Agent, and the Issuing Bank in the administration (both before
and after the execution hereof and including advice of counsel for the
Administrative Agent as to the rights and duties of the Administrative Agent and
the Lenders with respect thereto) of, and in connection with the preparation,
execution and delivery of, recording or filing of, preservation of rights under,
enforcement of, and, after a Default, refinancing, renegotiation or
restructuring of, this Agreement, the Notes, and the other Financing Documents
and any amendment, waiver or consent relating thereto (including, but not
limited to, the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the
Administrative Agent and in the case of enforcement for any of the Lenders) and
promptly reimburse the Administrative Agent for all amounts expended, advanced,
or incurred by the Administrative Agent or the Lenders to satisfy any obligation
of the Company, Holding, or the Subsidiaries under this Agreement or any other
Financing Document;
(B) INDEMNIFICATION. INDEMNIFY THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, THE ISSUING
BANK AND EACH LENDER, EACH OF THEIR RESPECTIVE OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES,
REPRESENTATIVES, AGENTS AND AFFILIATES FROM, HOLD EACH OF THEM HARMLESS AGAINST,
AND PROMPTLY UPON DEMAND PAY OR REIMBURSE EACH OF THEM FOR, ANY AND ALL ACTIONS,
SUITS, PROCEEDINGS (INCLUDING ANY INVESTIGATIONS, LITIGATION OR INQUIRIES),
CLAIMS, COSTS, LOSSES, LIABILITIES, DAMAGES OR EXPENSES OF ANY KIND OR NATURE
WHATSOEVER WHICH MAY BE INCURRED BY OR ASSERTED AGAINST OR INVOLVE ANY OF THEM
(WHETHER OR NOT ANY OF THEM IS DESIGNATED A PARTY THERETO) AS A RESULT OF,
ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY RELATED TO (1) ANY ACTUAL OR PROPOSED USE BY THE
COMPANY OR ANY SUBSIDIARY OF THE COMPANY OF THE PROCEEDS OF ANY OF THE LOANS; OR
(2) ANY OTHER ASPECT OF THIS AGREEMENT, THE NOTES, AND THE FINANCING DOCUMENTS,
INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE REASONABLE FEES AND DISBURSEMENTS OF COUNSEL
(INCLUDING ALLOCATED COSTS OF INTERNAL COUNSEL) AND ALL OTHER EXPENSES INCURRED
IN CONNECTION WITH INVESTIGATING, DEFENDING OR PREPARING TO DEFEND ANY SUCH
ACTION, SUIT, PROCEEDING (INCLUDING ANY INVESTIGATIONS, LITIGATION OR INQUIRIES)
OR CLAIM, AND INCLUDING ALL ACTIONS, SUITS, PROCEEDINGS (INCLUDING ANY
INVESTIGATIONS, LITIGATION OR INQUIRIES), CLAIMS, COSTS, LOSSES, LIABILITIES,
DAMAGES OR EXPENSES ARISING BY REASON OF ORDINARY NEGLIGENCE OF ANY OF THE
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, THE ISSUING BANK AND EACH LENDER, EACH OF THEIR RESPECTIVE
OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, REPRESENTATIVES, AGENTS AND AFFILIATES;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION 9.4(B) SHALL NOT APPLY TO ANY
ACTION, SUITS, PROCEEDINGS, CLAIMS, COSTS, LOSSES, LIABILITIES, DAMAGES, OR
EXPENSES TO THE EXTENT, BUT ONLY TO THE EXTENT, CAUSED BY THE GROSS NEGLIGENCE
OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OF THE PARTY SEEKING INDEMNIFICATION;
59
<PAGE>
(C) ENVIRONMENTAL INDEMNIFICATION. INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS FROM
TIME TO TIME THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, THE ISSUING BANK AND THE LENDERS, EACH
PERSON CLAIMING BY, THROUGH, UNDER OR ON ACCOUNT OF ANY OF THE FOREGOING AND THE
RESPECTIVE DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, COUNSEL, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, AFFILIATES,
SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS OF EACH OF THE FOREGOING FROM AND AGAINST ANY AND ALL
LOSSES, CLAIMS, COST RECOVERY ACTIONS, ADMINISTRATIVE ORDERS OR PROCEEDINGS,
DAMAGES AND LIABILITIES (WHICH RELATE TO OR ARISE AS A RESULT OF THE LOANS, THE
LETTERS OF CREDIT OR ANY FINANCING DOCUMENT) TO WHICH ANY SUCH PERSON MAY BECOME
SUBJECT AND INCLUDING ANY AND ALL LOSSES, CLAIMS, COST RECOVERY ACTIONS,
ADMINISTRATIVE ORDERS OR PROCEEDINGS, DAMAGES AND LIABILITIES (WHICH RELATE TO
OR ARISE AS A RESULT OF THE LOANS, THE LETTERS OF CREDIT OR ANY FINANCING
DOCUMENT) ARISING BY REASON OF THE ORDINARY NEGLIGENCE OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE
AGENT, THE ISSUING BANK AND THE LENDERS, EACH PERSON CLAIMING BY, THROUGH, UNDER
OR ON ACCOUNT OF ANY OF THE FOREGOING AND THE RESPECTIVE DIRECTORS, OFFICERS,
COUNSEL, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, AFFILIATES, SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS OF EACH OF THE
FOREGOING (1) UNDER ANY ENVIRONMENTAL LAW APPLICABLE TO THE COMPANY OR ANY OF
ITS SUBSIDIARIES OR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE PROPERTIES, INCLUDING WITHOUT
LIMITATION, THE TREATMENT OR DISPOSAL OF HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES ON ANY OF THEIR
RESPECTIVE PROPERTIES, (2) AS A RESULT OF THE BREACH OR NON-COMPLIANCE BY THE
COMPANY OR ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES WITH ANY ENVIRONMENTAL LAW APPLICABLE TO THE
COMPANY OR ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES, (3) DUE TO PAST OWNERSHIP BY THE COMPANY OR
ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES OF ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE PROPERTIES OR PAST ACTIVITY
ON ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE PROPERTIES OR PAST ACTIVITY ON ANY OF THEIR
RESPECTIVE PROPERTIES WHICH, THOUGH LAWFUL AND FULLY PERMISSIBLE AT THE TIME,
COULD RESULT IN PRESENT LIABILITY, (4) THE PRESENCE, USE, RELEASE, STORAGE,
TREATMENT OR DISPOSAL OF HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES ON OR AT ANY OF THE PROPERTIES
OWNED OR OPERATED BY THE COMPANY OR ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES, OR (5) ANY OTHER
ENVIRONMENTAL, HEALTH OR SAFETY CONDITION IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT, THE
NOTES OR ANY OTHER FINANCING DOCUMENT; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, NO INDEMNITY SHALL BE
AFFORDED UNDER THIS SECTION 9.4(C) IN RESPECT OF ANY PROPERTY FOR ANY OCCURRENCE
ARISING PRIMARILY FROM THE ACTS OR OMISSIONS OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT OR ANY
LENDER DURING THE PERIOD AFTER WHICH SUCH PERSON, ITS SUCCESSORS OR ASSIGNS
SHALL HAVE OBTAINED ACTUAL PHYSICAL POSSESSION OF SUCH PROPERTY (WHETHER BY
FORECLOSURE OR DEED IN LIEU OF FORECLOSURE, AS MORTGAGEE-IN-POSSESSION OR
OTHERWISE); AND
(d) ENVIRONMENTAL WAIVER. WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING PROVISIONS,
THE COMPANY HEREBY DOES WAIVE, RELEASE AND COVENANT NOT TO BRING AGAINST ANY OF
THE PERSONS INDEMNIFIED IN THIS SECTION 9.4 ANY DEMAND, CLAIM, COST RECOVERY
ACTION OR LAWSUIT THEY MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE OR ACCRUE (WHICH RELATE TO OR
ARISE AS A RESULT OF THE LOANS, THE LETTERS OF CREDIT OR ANY FINANCING DOCUMENT)
ARISING FROM (1) ANY ENVIRONMENTAL LAW NOW OR HEREAFTER ENACTED (INCLUDING THOSE
APPLICABLE TO THE COMPANY OR ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES) UNLESS THE ACTS OR
OMISSIONS OF ANY SUCH PERSON OR THEIR RESPECTIVE SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS ARE THE
PRIMARY CAUSE OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES GIVING RISE TO SUCH DEMAND, COST RECOVERY
ACTION OR LAWSUIT, (2) THE PRESENCE, USE, RELEASE, STORAGE, TREATMENT OR
DISPOSAL OF HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES ON OR AT ANY OF THE PROPERTIES OWNED OR
OPERATED BY THE COMPANY OR ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES, OR (3) THE BREACH OR
NON-COMPLIANCE BY THE COMPANY WITH ANY ENVIRONMENTAL LAW OR ENVIRONMENTAL
COVENANT APPLICABLE TO THE COMPANY OR ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES, UNLESS THE
ACTS OR OMISSIONS OF SUCH PERSON, ITS SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS ARE THE PRIMARY
CAUSE OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES GIVING RISE TO SUCH DEMAND, CLAIM, COST RECOVERY
ACTION OR LAWSUIT.
60
<PAGE>
If and to the extent that the obligations of the Company under this Section 9.4
are unenforceable for any reason, the Company hereby agrees to make the maximum
contribution to the payment and satisfaction of such obligations which is
permissible under applicable law. The Company's obligations under this Section
shall survive any termination of this Agreement and the payment of the Notes.
Section 9.5 RIGHT OF SETOFF. In addition to and not in limitation of all
rights of offset that any Lender or the Issuing Bank may have under applicable
law, each Lender or other holder of a Note, or any other Lender Indebtedness
shall, upon the occurrence of any Event of Default and at any time during the
continuance thereof and whether or not such Lender, the Issuing Bank or such
holder has made any demand or the Company's obligations are matured, have the
right at any time and from time to time, without notice to the Company (any such
notice being expressly waived by the Company) to set-off and apply any and all
deposits (general or special, time or demand, provisional or final) at any time
held and other indebtedness at any time owing by any Lender or the Issuing Bank
to or for the credit or the account of the Company against any and all of the
Lender Indebtedness owing to such Lender or the Issuing Bank then outstanding,
subject to the provisions of Section 2.19.
Section 9.6 BENEFIT OF AGREEMENT. The Notes, this Agreement and the other
Financing Documents shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of and be
enforceable by the respective successors and assigns of the parties hereto,
provided that the Company may not assign or transfer any of its interest
hereunder or thereunder without the prior written consent of the Lenders.
Section 9.7 SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS; PARTICIPATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS.
(a) The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure
to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns
permitted hereby (including any Affiliate of the Issuing Bank that issues any
Letter of Credit), except that the Company may not assign or otherwise transfer
any of its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written consent of
each Lender (and any attempted assignment or transfer by the Company without
such consent shall be null and void). Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or
implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties
hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby (including any
Affiliate of the Issuing Bank that issues any Letter of Credit) and, to the
extent expressly contemplated hereby, the Related Parties of each of the
Administrative Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders) any legal or equitable
right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.
(b) Any Lender may assign to one or more assignees all or a portion
of its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion
of its Commitment and the Loans at the time owing to it); PROVIDED that (i)
except in the case of an assignment to a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender,
each of the Company and the Administrative Agent (and, in the case of an
assignment of all or a portion of a Commitment or any Lender's obligations in
respect of its Revolving Credit Exposure, the Issuing Bank) must give their
prior written consent to such assignment (which consent shall not be
unreasonably withheld), (ii) except in the case of an assignment to a Lender or
an Affiliate of a Lender or an assignment of the entire remaining amount of the
assigning Lender's Commitment, the amount of the Commitment of the assigning
Lender subject to each such assignment (determined as of the date the Assignment
and Acceptance with respect to such assignment is delivered to the
Administrative Agent) shall not be less than $5,000,000 unless each of the
Company and the Administrative Agent otherwise consent, (iii) each partial
assignment shall be made as an assignment of a proportionate part of all the
assigning Lender's rights and obligations under this Agreement, (iv) the parties
to each assignment shall execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent an
Assignment and Acceptance, together with a processing and recordation fee of
$3,500, and (v) the assignee, if it shall not be a Lender, shall deliver to the
Administrative Agent an Administrative Questionnaire; and PROVIDED FURTHER that
any consent of the Company otherwise required under this paragraph shall not be
61
<PAGE>
required if an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing. Subject to
acceptance and recording thereof pursuant to Section 9.7(d), from and after the
effective date specified in each Assignment and Acceptance the assignee
thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of the interest assigned
by such Assignment and Accep tance, have the rights and obligations of a Lender
under this Agreement, and the assigning Lender thereunder shall, to the extent
of the interest assigned by such Assignment and Acceptance, be released from its
obliga tions under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment and
Acceptance covering all of the assigning Lender's rights and obligations under
this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be a party hereto but shall continue
to be entitled to the benefits of Sections 2.16, 2.18, 2.20 and 9.4). Any
assignment or transfer by a Lender of rights or obligations under this Agreement
that does not comply with this paragraph shall be treated for purposes of this
Agreement as a sale by such Lender of a participation in such rights and
obligations in accordance with this Section 9.7(b).
(c) The Administrative Agent, acting for this purpose as an agent of
the Company, shall maintain at one of its offices in Houston, Texas a copy of
each Assignment and Acceptance delivered to it and a register for the
recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders, and the Commitment of,
and principal amount of the Loans and Reimbursement Obligations owing to, each
Lender pursuant to the terms hereof from time to time (the "REGISTER"). The
entries in the Register shall be conclusive, and the Company, the Administrative
Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Lenders may treat each Person whose name is
recorded in the Register pursuant to the terms hereof as a Lender hereunder for
all purposes of this Agreement, notwithstanding notice to the contrary. The
Register shall be available for inspection by the Company, the Issuing Bank and
any Lender, at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior
notice.
(d) Upon its receipt of a duly completed Assignment and Acceptance
executed by an assigning Lender and an assignee, the assignee's completed
Administrative Questionnaire (unless the assignee shall already be a Lender
hereunder), the processing and recordation fee referred to in Section 9.7(b) and
any written consent to such assignment required by Section 9.7(b), the
Administrative Agent shall accept such Assignment and Acceptance and record the
information contained therein in the Register. No assignment shall be effective
for purposes of this Agreement unless it has been recorded in the Register as
provided in this paragraph.
(e) Any Lender may, without the consent of the Company, the
Administrative Agent or the Issuing Bank, sell participations to one or more
banks or other entities (a "PARTICIPANT") in all or a portion of such Lender's
rights and obligations under this Agreement (including all or a portion of its
Commitment and the Loans and Reimbursement Obligations owing to it); PROVIDED
that (i) such Lender's obligations under this Agreement shall remain unchanged,
(ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for
the performance of such obligations and (iii) the Company, the Administrative
Agent, the Issuing Bank and the other Lenders shall continue to deal solely and
directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender's rights and
obligations under this Agreement. Any agreement or instrument pursuant to which
a Lender sells such a participation shall provide that such Lender shall retain
the sole right to enforce this Agreement and to approve any amendment,
modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement; PROVIDED that such
agreement or instrument may provide that such Lender will not, without the
consent of the Participant, agree to any amendment, modification or waiver
described in Sections 9.2(a) or 9.2(b) that affects such Participant. Subject to
this Section 9.7(e), the Company agrees that each Participant shall be entitled
to the benefits of Sections 2.16, 2.18 and 2.20 to the same extent as if it were
a Lender and had acquired its interest by assignment pursuant to Section 9.7(b).
To the extent permitted by law, each Participant also shall be entitled to the
benefits of Section 9.5 as though it were a Lender, provided such Participant
agrees to be subject to Section 2.19 as though it were a Lender.
(f) A Participant shall not be entitled to receive any greater
payment under Section 2.18 or 2.20 than the applicable Lender would have been
entitled to receive with respect to the participation sold
62
<PAGE>
to such Participant, unless the sale of the participation to such Participant is
made with the Company's prior written consent. A Participant that would be a
Foreign Lender if it were a Lender shall not be entitled to the benefits of
Section 2.20 unless the Company is notified of the participation sold to such
Participant and such Participant agrees, for the benefit of the Company, to
comply with Section 2.20(f) as though it were a Lender.
(g) Any Lender may at any time pledge or assign a security interest
in all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement to secure obligations
of such Lender, including any pledge or assignment to secure obligations to a
Federal Reserve Bank, and this Section 9.7 shall not apply to any such pledge or
assignment of a security interest; PROVIDED that no such pledge or assignment of
a security interest shall release a Lender from any of its obligations hereunder
or substitute any such pledgee or assignee for such Lender as a party hereto.
(h) The Company authorizes each Lender to disclose to any
participant or Assignee (each, a "TRANSFEREE") and any prospective Transferee
any and all information in such Lender's possession concerning the Company and
its Affiliates which has been delivered to such Lender by or on behalf of the
Company pursuant to this Agreement or which has been delivered to such Lender by
or on behalf of the Company in connection with such Lender's credit evaluation
of the Company and its Affiliates prior to becoming a party to this Agreement.
No assignment or participation made or purported to be made to any Transferee
shall be effective without the prior written consent of the Company if it would
require it to make any filing with any Governmental Authority or qualify any
Loan or Note under the laws of any jurisdiction, and the Company shall be
entitled to request and receive such information and assurances as it may
reasonably request from any Lender or any Transferee to determine whether any
such filing or qualification is required or whether any assignment or
participation is otherwise in accordance with applicable law.
Section 9.8 GOVERNING LAW; SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION; ETC.
(A) GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF
THE PARTIES HEREUNDER AND UNDER THE NOTES SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH
AND BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS AND, TO THE EXTENT
CONTROLLING, LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
(B) SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION. ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING WITH
RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT, THE NOTES OR THE OTHER FINANCING DOCUMENTS MAY BE
BROUGHT IN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF TEXAS OR OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS, AND, BY EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF THIS
AGREEMENT, THE COMPANY, LENDER AND AGENT HEREBY ACCEPTS FOR ITSELF AND IN
RESPECT OF ITS PROPERTY, GENERALLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY, THE JURISDICTION OF THE
AFORESAID COURTS. THE COMPANY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION,
INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY OBJECTION TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OR BASED ON
THE GROUNDS OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS, WHICH IT MAY NOW OR HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE
BRINGING OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN SUCH RESPECTIVE JURISDICTIONS.
(C) WAIVER OF CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES. TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT ALLOWED
BY APPLICABLE LAW, EACH OF THE COMPANY, THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, THE ISSUING
BANK AND THE LENDERS (I) IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO CLAIM OR
RECOVER IN ANY SUCH LITIGATION ANY SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, PUNITIVE OR CONSEQUENTIAL
DAMAGES, OR DAMAGES OTHER THAN, OR IN ADDITION TO, ACTUAL DAMAGES; (II)
CERTIFIES THAT NO PARTY HERETO NOR ANY REPRESENTATIVE OR COUNSEL FOR ANY PARTY
HERETO HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, OR IMPLIED THAT SUCH PARTY WOULD
NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER; AND (IV)
ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS
63
<PAGE>
AGREEMENT, THE OTHER FINANCING DOCUMENTS AND THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED
HEREBY AND THEREBY BASED UPON, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND
CERTIFICATIONS CONTAINED IN THIS SECTION.
Section 9.9 INDEPENDENT NATURE OF LENDERS' RIGHTS. The amounts payable at
any time hereunder to each Lender shall be a separate and independent debt, and
each Lender shall be entitled to protect and enforce its rights arising out of
this Agreement, and it shall not be necessary for any other Lender to be joined
as an additional party in any proceeding for such purpose.
Section 9.10 INVALIDITY. In the event that any one or more of the
provisions contained in the Notes, this Agreement or in any other Financing
Document shall, for any reason, be held invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any
respect, (a) the Company agrees that such invalidity, illegality or
unenforceability shall not affect any other provision of the Notes, this
Agreement or any other Financing Document and (b) the Company and the
Administrative Agent (acting on behalf and at the direction of the Lenders) will
negotiate in good faith to amend such provision so as to be legal, valid, and
enforceable.
Section 9.11 RENEWAL, EXTENSION OR REARRANGEMENT. All provisions of this
Agreement and of any other Financing Documents relating to the Notes or other
Lender Indebtedness shall apply with equal force and effect to each and all
promissory notes hereafter executed which in whole or in part represent a
renewal, extension for any period, increase or rearrangement of any part of the
Lender Indebtedness originally represented by the Notes, or of any part of such
other Lender Indebtedness.
Section 9.12 CONFIDENTIALITY. Each of the Administrative Agent, the
Issuing Bank and the Lenders agrees to maintain the confidentiality of the
Information (as defined below), except that Information may be disclosed (a) to
its and its Affiliates' directors, officers, employees and agents, including
accountants, legal counsel and other advisors (it being understood that the
Persons to whom such disclosure is made will be informed of the confidential
nature of such Information and instructed to keep such Information
confidential), (b) to the extent requested by any regulatory authority, (c) to
the extent required by applicable laws or regulations or by any subpoena or
similar legal process, (d) to any other party to this Agreement, (e) in
connection with the exercise of any remedies hereunder or any suit, action or
proceeding relating to this Agreement or the enforcement of rights hereunder,
(f) subject to an agreement containing provisions substantially the same as
those of this Section, to any assignee of or Participant in, or any prospective
assignee of or Participant in, any of its rights or obligations under this
Agreement, (g) with the consent of the Company or (h) to the extent such
Information (i) becomes publicly available other than as a result of a breach of
this Section or (ii) becomes available to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing
Bank or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than the
Company. For the purposes of this Section, "INFORMATION" means all information
received from the Company relating to the Company or its business, other than
any such information that is available to the Administrative Agent, the Issuing
Bank or any Lender on a nonconfidential basis prior to disclosure by the
Company; PROVIDED that, in the case of information received from the Company
after the date hereof, such information is clearly identified at the time of
delivery as confidential. Any Person required to maintain the confidentiality of
Information as provided in this Section shall be considered to have complied
with its obligation to do so if such Person has exercised the same degree of
care to maintain the confidentiality of such Information as such Person would
accord to its own confidential information.
Section 9.13 INTEREST. It is the intention of the parties hereto to
conform strictly to usury laws applicable to the Administrative Agent, the
Issuing Bank and the Lenders (collectively, the "FINANCING PARTIES") and the
Transactions. Accordingly, if the Transactions would be usurious as to any
Financing Party under laws applicable to it, then, notwithstanding anything to
the contrary in the Notes, this Agreement or in any other Financing Document or
agreement entered into in connection with the Transactions or as security
64
<PAGE>
for the Notes, it is agreed as follows: (a) the aggregate of all consideration
which constitutes interest under law applicable to any Financing Party that is
contracted for, taken, reserved, charged or received by such Financing Party
under the Notes, this Agreement or under any of such other Financing Documents
or agreements or otherwise in connection with the Transactions shall under no
circumstances exceed the maximum amount allowed by such applicable law, (b) in
the event that the maturity of the Notes is accelerated for any reason, or in
the event of any required or permitted prepayment, then such consideration that
constitutes interest under law applicable to any Financing Party may never
include more than the maximum amount allowed by such applicable law, and (c)
excess interest, if any, provided for in this Agreement or otherwise in
connection with the Transactions shall be canceled automatically by such
Financing Party and, if theretofore paid, shall be credited by such Financing
Party on the principal amount of the Company's Indebtedness to such Financing
Party (or, to the extent that the principal amount of the Company's Indebtedness
to such Financing Party shall have been or would thereby be paid in full,
refunded by such Financing Party to the Company). The right to accelerate the
maturity of the Notes does not include the right to accelerate any interest
which has not otherwise accrued on the date of such acceleration, and the
Financing Parties do not intend to collect any unearned interest in the event of
acceleration. All sums paid or agreed to be paid to the Financing Parties for
the use, forbearance or detention of sums included in the Lender Indebtedness
shall, to the extent permitted by law applicable to such Financing Party, be
amortized, prorated, allocated and spread throughout the full term of the Notes
until payment in full so that the rate or amount of interest on account of the
Lender Indebtedness does not exceed the applicable usury ceiling, if any. As
used in this Section, the terms "APPLICABLE LAW" or "LAWS APPLICABLE TO ANY
FINANCING PARTY" shall mean the law of any jurisdiction whose laws may be
mandatorily applicable notwithstanding other provisions of this Agreement, or
law of the United States of America applicable to any Financing Party and the
Transactions which would permit such Financing Party to contract for, charge,
take, reserve or receive a greater amount of interest than under such
jurisdiction's law. To the extent that Section 346 of the Texas Finance Code is
relevant to any Financing Party for the purpose of determining the Highest
Lawful Rate, such Financing Party hereby elects to determine the applicable rate
ceiling under such Article by the indicated (weekly) rate ceiling from time to
time in effect, subject to such Financing Party's right subsequently to change
such method in accordance with applicable law.
Section 9.14 EXISTING CREDIT AGREEMENT. This Agreement amends and restates
in its entirety the Existing Credit Agreement, and the "Commitments" (as defined
in the Existing Credit Agreement) of the lenders party to the Existing Credit
Agreement are hereby terminated.
Section 9.15 ENTIRE AGREEMENT. THE NOTES, THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER
FINANCING DOCUMENTS EMBODY THE ENTIRE AGREEMENT AND UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, THE ISSUING BANK OR THE LENDERS AND THE OTHER RESPECTIVE
PARTIES HERETO AND THERETO AND SUPERSEDE ALL PRIOR AGREEMENTS AND UNDERSTANDINGS
BETWEEN SUCH PARTIES RELATING TO THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF AND THEREOF AND MAY
NOT BE CONTRADICTED BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS AGREEMENTS OF THE
PARTIES. THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE PARTIES.
Section 9.16 ATTACHMENTS. The exhibits, schedules and annexes attached to
this Agreement are incorporated herein and shall be considered a part of this
Agreement for the purposes stated herein, except that in the event of any
conflict between any of the provisions of such exhibits and the provisions of
this Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement shall prevail.
Section 9.17 COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts and by the different parties hereto on separate counterparts, each
of which when so executed and delivered shall be an original but all of which
shall together constitute one and the same instrument.
65
<PAGE>
Section 9.18 SURVIVAL OF INDEMNITIES. The Company's obligations under
Sections 2.16, 2.18, 2.20 and 9.4 shall survive the payment in full of the Loans
and the Letter of Credit Liabilities.
Section 9.19 HEADINGS DESCRIPTIVE. The headings of the several sections
and subsections of this Agreement, and the Table of Contents are inserted for
convenience only and shall not in any way affect the meaning or construction of
any provision of this Agreement.
Section 9.20 SATISFACTION REQUIREMENT. If any agreement, certificate,
instrument or other writing, or any action taken or to be taken, is by the terms
of this Agreement required to be satisfactory to any party, the determination of
such satisfaction shall be made by such party in its sole and exclusive judgment
exercised reasonably and in good faith.
Section 9.21 EXCULPATION PROVISIONS. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO
SPECIFICALLY AGREES THAT IT HAS A DUTY TO READ THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER
FINANCING DOCUMENTS AND AGREES THAT IT IS CHARGED WITH NOTICE AND KNOWLEDGE OF
THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER FINANCING DOCUMENTS; THAT IT HAS IN
FACT READ THIS AGREEMENT AND IS FULLY INFORMED AND HAS FULL NOTICE AND KNOWLEDGE
OF THE TERMS, CONDITIONS AND EFFECTS OF THIS AGREEMENT; THAT IT HAS BEEN
REPRESENTED BY LEGAL COUNSEL OF ITS CHOICE THROUGHOUT THE NEGOTIATIONS PRECEDING
ITS EXECUTION OF THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER FINANCING DOCUMENTS; AND HAS
RECEIVED THE ADVICE OF ITS ATTORNEYS IN ENTERING INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND THE
OTHER FINANCING DOCUMENTS; AND THAT IT RECOGNIZES THAT CERTAIN OF THE TERMS OF
THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER FINANCING DOCUMENTS RESULT IN ONE PARTY ASSUMING
THE LIABILITY INHERENT IN SOME ASPECTS OF THE TRANSACTION AND RELIEVING THE
OTHER PARTY OF ITS RESPONSIBILITY FOR SUCH LIABILITY. EACH PARTY HERETO AGREES
AND COVENANTS THAT IT WILL NOT CONTEST THE VALIDITY OR ENFORCEABILITY OF ANY
EXCULPATORY PROVISION OF THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER FINANCING DOCUMENTS ON THE
BASIS THAT THE PARTY HAD NO NOTICE OR KNOWLEDGE OF SUCH PROVISION OR THAT THE
PROVISION IS NOT "CONSPICUOUS."
[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.]
66
<PAGE>
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be
duly executed as of the date first above written.
COMPANY: BENCHMARK ELECTRONICS, INC.
By:_______________________________
Name:__________________________
Title:_________________________
Address: 3000 Technology Drive
Angleton, TX 77515
Attention: Ms. Gayla Delly
Telephone: (409) 848-5304
Telecopy: (409) 848-5269
Signature Page - 1
<PAGE>
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, CHASE BANK OF TEXAS, N.A., individually, as
DOCUMENTATION AGENT, ISSUING Issuing Bank and as Administrative Agent
BANK AND THE LENDERS:
By:____________________________________
Name: James R. Dolphin
Title: Senior Vice President
Address: 712 Main Street
Houston, TX 77002
Attention: Mr. James R. Dolphin
Telephone: (713) 216-5347
Telecopy: (713) 216-6004
Signature Page - 2
<PAGE>
BANK OF TOKYO-MITSUBISHI, LTD. HOUSTON
AGENCY, individually
By:_______________________________
Name:__________________________
Title:_________________________
Address: 1100 Louisiana, Suite 2800
Houston, TX 77002
Attention:________________________
Telephone:________________________
Telecopy:_________________________
Signature Page - 3
<PAGE>
COMERICA BANK, individually
By:________________________________
Name: Reginald M. Goldsmith, III
Title: Vice President
Address: 4100 Spring Valley Rd., Suite 900
Dallas, TX 75244
Attention:________________________
Telephone:________________________
Telecopy:_________________________
Signature Page - 4
<PAGE>
COMPASS BANK, individually
By:________________________________
Name: John D. Green
Title: Vice President
Address: 24 Greenway Plaza, 14th Floor
Houston, TX 77046
Attention: Mr. John D. Green
Telephone: (713) 968-8210
Telecopy: (713) 968-8211
Signature Page - 5
<PAGE>
NATIONAL CITY BANK OF KENTUCKY,
individually
By:________________________________
Name: Glenn E. Nord
Title: Vice President
Address: 101 South Fifth Street, 8th Floor
Louisville, KY 40202
Attention: Mr. Glenn Nord
Telephone: (502) 581-7319
Telecopy: (502) 581-5122
Signature Page - 6
<PAGE>
SUNTRUST BANK-ATLANTA, individually
By:_______________________________
Name:__________________________
Title:_________________________
By:_______________________________
Name:__________________________
Title:_________________________
Address: 25 Park Place, 24th Floor (30303)
Mail Code 120 (30302) Atlanta, GA
Attention:________________________
Telephone:________________________
Telecopy:_________________________
Signature Page - 7
<PAGE>
ANNEX I
REVOLVING CREDIT TERM LOAN
LENDER COMMITMENT COMMITMENT
- ------ ----------- ----------
Chase Bank of Texas, N.A. $14,269,231 $4,615,384
Comerica Bank $14,269,231 $4,615,384
Sun Trust $11,307,692 $3,692,308
Compass Bank $10,000,000 $3,692,308
Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi $ 3,846,154 $3,692,308
National City Bank $11,307,692 $3,692,308
Annex I - 1
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT A
FORM OF REVOLVING CREDIT NOTE
$__________ __________, 1999
BENCHMARK ELECTRONICS, INC. a Texas corporation (the "COMPANY"), for value
received, promises and agrees to pay to (the "LENDER"), or order, at the Payment
Office of CHASE BANK OF TEXAS, N.A. (the "ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT"), at 712 Main
Street, Houston, Texas 77002, the principal sum of _____________________________
DOLLARS ($___________________), or such lesser amount as shall equal the
aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Revolving Credit Loans made by Lender
hereunder to the Company under the Credit Agreement, as hereafter defined, in
lawful money of the United States of America and in immediately available funds,
on the dates and in the principal amounts provided in the Credit Agreement
referred to below, and to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount as
provided in the Credit Agreement for such Revolving Credit Loans made by the
Lender to the Company under the Credit Agreement, at such office, in like money
and funds, for the period commencing on the date of each such Revolving Credit
Loan until such Revolving Credit Loan shall be paid in full, at the rates per
annum and on the dates provided in the Credit Agreement.
In addition to and cumulative of any payments required to be made against
this note pursuant to the Credit Agreement, this note, including all principal
and accrued interest then unpaid, shall be due and payable on the Revolving
Credit Maturity Date. All payments shall be applied first to accrued interest
and the balance to principal, except as otherwise expressly provided in the
Credit Agreement. Prepayments on this note shall be applied in the manner set
forth in the Credit Agreement.
This note is one of the Revolving Credit Notes referred to in the Amended
and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of February 26, 1999, by and among the
Company, Chase Bank of Texas, N.A., individually, as Issuing Bank and as
Administrative Agent, and the other financial institutions (including Lender)
parties thereto (such Credit Agreement, together with all amendments or
supplements thereto, being the "CREDIT AGREEMENT"). This note evidences the
Revolving Credit Loans made by the Lender thereunder and shall be governed by
the Credit Agreement. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this note and
which are defined in the Credit Agreement shall have the meanings herein as are
assigned in the Credit Agreement.
The Lender is hereby authorized by the Company to endorse on SCHEDULE A
(or a continuation thereof) attached to this note, the amount and date of each
payment or prepayment of principal of each Revolving Credit Loan received by the
Lender, and interest rates applicable to each Revolving Credit Loan, provided
that any failure by the Lender to make any such endorsement shall not affect the
obligations of the Company under the Credit Agreement or under this note in
respect of such Revolving Credit Loans.
Except only for any notices which are specifically required by the Credit
Agreement or the other Financing Documents, the Company and any and all
co-makers, endorsers, guarantors and sureties severally waive notice (including
but not limited to notice of intent to accelerate and notice of acceleration,
notice of protest and notice of dishonor), demand, presentment for payment,
protest, diligence in collecting and the filing of suit for the purpose of
fixing liability, and consent that the time of payment hereof may be extended
and reextended from time to time without notice to any of them. Each such person
agrees that his, her or its liability on or with respect to this note shall not
be affected by any release of or change in any guaranty or security at any time
existing or by any failure to perfect or maintain perfection of any lien against
or
A-1
<PAGE>
security interest in any such security or the partial or complete enforceability
of any guaranty or other surety obligation, in each case in whole or in part,
with or without notice and before or after maturity.
The Credit Agreement provides for the acceleration of the maturity of this
note upon the occurrence of certain events and for prepayment of Revolving
Credit Loans upon the terms and conditions specified therein. Reference is made
to the Credit Agreement for all other pertinent purposes.
This note is issued pursuant to and is entitled to the benefits of the
Credit Agreement and is secured by the Security Instruments.
THIS NOTE SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND BE GOVERNED BY THE LAW
OF THE STATE OF TEXAS AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA FROM TIME TO TIME IN
EFFECT.
BENCHMARK ELECTRONICS, INC.
By:_______________________________
Name:__________________________
Title:_________________________
A-2
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE A
This Note evidences Revolving Credit Loans made by the Lender under the
within-described Credit Agreement to the Company, which Revolving Credit Loans
are in the principal amounts, at the interest rates (and interest periods), and
were made and repaid or prepaid on the dates set forth below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Principal
Amount of Type Date of Amount
Date REVOLVING of Interest Interest Maturity Payment or Paid or Balance
MADE LOAN LOAN PERIOD RATE DATE PREPAYMENT PREPAID OUTSTANDING
- ---- ---- ---- ------ ---- ---- ---------- ------- -----------
</TABLE>
Schedule A-1
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT B
FORM OF TERM NOTE
$---------- -------------------
BENCHMARK ELECTRONICS, INC., a Texas corporation (the "COMPANY"),
for value received, promises and agrees to pay to (the "LENDER"), or order, at
the Payment Office of CHASE BANK OF TEXAS, N.A., at 712 Main Street, Houston,
Texas 77002, the principal sum of ___________________________________ DOLLARS
($___________________), in lawful money of the United States of America and in
immediately available funds, in installments on the dates and in the principal
amounts provided in the Credit Agreement referred to below, and to pay interest
on the unpaid principal amount of the Term Loans made by the Lender to the
Company under the Credit Agreement, at such office, in like money and funds, for
the period commencing on the date of such Term Loans until such Term Loans shall
be paid in full, at the rates per annum and on the dates provided in the Credit
Agreement.
In addition to and cumulative of any payment required to be made
against this note pursuant to the Credit Agreement, this note, including all
principal and accrued interest then unpaid thereon, shall be due and payable on
the Term Loan Maturity Date. All payments shall be applied first to accrued
interest and the balance to principal, except as otherwise expressly provided in
the Credit Agreement. Prepayments on this note shall be applied in the manner
set forth in the Credit Agreement.
This note is one of the Term Notes referred to in the Amended and
Restated Credit Agreement dated as of February ___, 1998, by and among the
Company, Chase Bank of Texas, N.A., individually, as Issuing Bank, and as
Administrative Agent, and the other financial institutions (including Lender)
parties thereto (such Credit Agreement, together with all amendments or
supplements thereto, being the "CREDIT AGREEMENT"). This note evidences the Term
Loans made by the Lender thereunder and shall be governed by the Credit
Agreement. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this note and which are
defined in the Credit Agreement shall have the meanings herein as are assigned
in the Credit Agreement.
The Lender is hereby authorized by the Company to endorse on
SCHEDULE A (or a continuation thereof) attached to this note, the amount and
date of each payment or prepayment of principal of the Term Loans received by
the Lender and the interest rates applicable to the Term Loans, provided that
any failure by the Lender to make any such endorsement shall not affect the
obligations of the Company under the Credit Agreement or under this note in
respect of the Term Loans.
Except only for any notices which are specifically required by the
Credit Agreement or the other Financing Documents, the Company and any and all
co-makers, endorsers, guarantors and sureties severally waive notice (including
but not limited to notice of intent to accelerate and notice of acceleration,
notice of protest and notice of dishonor), demand, presentment for payment,
protest, diligence in collecting and the filing of suit for the purpose of
fixing liability, and consent that the time of payment hereof may be extended
and re-extended from time to time without notice to any of them. Each such
person agrees that his, her or its liability on or with respect to this note
shall not be affected by any release of or change in any guaranty or security at
any time existing or by any failure to perfect or maintain perfection of any
lien against or security interest in any such security or the partial or
complete enforceability of any guaranty or other surety obligation, in each case
in whole or in part, with or without notice and before or after maturity.
B-1
<PAGE>
The Credit Agreement provides for the acceleration of the maturity
of this note upon the occurrence of certain events and for prepayment of Term
Loans upon the terms and conditions specified therein. Reference is made to the
Credit Agreement for all other pertinent purposes.
This note is issued pursuant to and is entitled to the benefits of
the Credit Agreement and is secured by the Security Instruments.
THIS NOTE SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND BE GOVERNED BY
THE LAW OF THE STATE OF TEXAS AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA FROM TIME TO TIME
IN EFFECT.
BENCHMARK ELECTRONICS, INC.
By:_______________________________
Name:__________________________
Title:_________________________
B-2
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE A
This Note evidences Term Loans made by the Lender under the within-described
Credit Agreement to the Company, which Term Loans are in the principal amounts,
at the interest rates (and interest periods), and were made and repaid or
prepaid on the dates set forth below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Principal Type Date of Amount
Date Amount of Interest Interest Maturity Payment or Paid or Balance
MADE OF LOAN LOAN PERIOD RATE DATE PREPAYMENT PREPAID OUTSTANDING
- ---- ------- ---- ------ ---- ---- ---------- ------- -----------
</TABLE>
Schedule A-1
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT C
FORM OF BORROWING, CONTINUATION AND CONVERSION REQUEST
-----------------
BENCHMARK ELECTRONICS, INC., a Texas corporation (the "COMPANY"), pursuant
to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of [February 26, 1999]
(together with all amendments or supplements thereto, the "CREDIT AGREEMENT")
among the Company, CHASE BANK OF TEXAS, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and the
financial institutions now or hereafter parties thereto (the "LENDERS"), and
hereby makes the requests indicated below (unless otherwise defined herein,
capitalized terms are defined in the Credit Agreement):
[ ] 1. Term Loan:
(a) Aggregate amount of Term Loan to be $40,000,000.00 [fully funded,
$24,000,000 outstanding on the Closing Date);
(b) $______________________ of such borrowings are to be Eurodollar
Loans;
$______________________ of such borrowings are to be Base Rate
Loans; and
(c) Length of Interest Period for Eurodollar Loans is:
-----------------------.
[ ] 2. Revolving Credit Loans:
(a) Aggregate amount of new Loans to be $_______________;
(b) Requested funding date is _____________, ____;
(c) $______________________ of such borrowings are to be Eurodollar
Loans;
$______________________ of such borrowings are to be Base Rate
Loans; and
(d) Length of Interest Period for Eurodollar Loans is:
-----------------------.
[ ] 3. Eurodollar Loan Continuation for Eurodollar Loans maturing on
---------------------------:
(a) Aggregate amount to be continued as Eurodollar Loans is
$___________________;
(b) Aggregate amount to be converted to Base Rate Loans is
$____________________;
(c) Length of Interest Period for continued Eurodollar Loans is
___________________.
C-1
<PAGE>
[ ] 4. Conversion of Outstanding Base Rate Loans to Eurodollar Loans:
Convert $_________________ of the outstanding Base Rate Loans to
Eurodollar Loans on _________________________ with an Interest
Period of _____________________.
[ ] 5. Conversion of outstanding Eurodollar Loans to Base Rate Loans:
Convert $___________________ of the outstanding Eurodollar Loans
with Interest Period maturing on ___________________________, 199_,
to Base Rate Loans.
The undersigned certifies that he/she is the ___________________ of the
Company, and that as such he/she is authorized to execute this certificate on
behalf of the Company. The undersigned further certifies, represents and
warrants on behalf of the Company that the Company is entitled to receive the
requested borrowing, continuation or conversion under the terms and conditions
of the Credit Agreement.
BENCHMARK ELECTRONICS, INC.
By:____________________________
Name:____________________
Title:___________________
C-2
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT D
FORM OF OPINION OF
BRACEWELL & PATTERSON, L.L.P.
D-1
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT E
FORM OF
GUARANTY AGREEMENT
BY
-----------------------------------
IN FAVOR OF
CHASE BANK OF TEXAS, N.A., AS
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
FEBRUARY 26, 1999
E-1
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
----
ARTICLE 1
GENERAL TERMS
Section 1.1 TERMS DEFINED ABOVE........................................3
Section 1.2 CERTAIN DEFINITIONS........................................3
Section 1.3 CREDIT AGREEMENT DEFINITIONS...............................5
ARTICLE 2
THE GUARANTY
Section 2.1 LIABILITIES GUARANTEED.....................................5
Section 2.2 NATURE OF GUARANTY.........................................5
Section 2.3 AGENT'S RIGHTS.............................................5
Section 2.4 GUARANTOR'S WAIVERS........................................5
Section 2.5 MATURITY OF LIABILITIES; PAYMENT...........................6
Section 2.6 AGENT'S EXPENSES...........................................6
Section 2.7 LIABILITY..................................................6
Section 2.8 EVENTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES NOT REDUCING OR DISCHARGING
GUARANTOR'S OBLIGATIONS....................................6
Section 2.9 RIGHT OF SUBROGATION AND CONTRIBUTION......................8
ARTICLE 3
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
Section 3.1 BY GUARANTOR...............................................8
Section 3.2 NO REPRESENTATION BY LENDERS...............................9
Section 3.3 INCORPORATION OF CREDIT AGREEMENT REPRESENTATIONS,
WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS...................................9
ARTICLE 4
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 4.1 SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.....................................9
Section 4.2 NOTICES....................................................9
Section 4.3 BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION.........................9
Section 4.4 CONSTRUCTION...............................................9
Section 4.5 INVALIDITY................................................10
Section 4.6 ENTIRE AGREEMENT..........................................10
E-2
<PAGE>
GUARANTY AGREEMENT
THIS GUARANTY AGREEMENT by ___________________________ (hereinafter called
"GUARANTOR"), is in favor of CHASE BANK OF TEXAS, N.A., as Administrative Agent
(the "AGENT") for the lenders (the "LENDERS") that are or become parties to the
Credit Agreement defined below.
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, on February 26, 1999, Benchmark Electronics, Inc., a Texas
corporation (hereinafter called "COMPANY"), the Agent and the Lenders have
entered into that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (as the same may
be amended from time to time, the "CREDIT AGREEMENT"); and
WHEREAS, one of the terms and conditions stated in the Credit Agreement
for the making of the loans and extensions of credit described therein is the
execution and delivery to the Agent for the benefit of the Lenders of this
Guaranty Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, (i) in order to comply with the terms and conditions of
the Credit Agreement, (ii) to induce the Lenders, at any time or from time to
time, to loan monies or extend credit, with or without security, to or for the
account of the Company in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement,
(iii) at the special insistence and request of the Lenders, and (iv) for other
good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby
acknowledged, Guarantor hereby agrees as follows:
ARTICLE 1
GENERAL TERMS
Section 1.1 TERMS DEFINED ABOVE. As used in this Guaranty Agreement, the
terms "Agent", "Company", "Credit Agreement", "Guarantor" and "Lenders" shall
have the meanings indicated above.
Section 1.2 CERTAIN DEFINITIONS. As used in this Guaranty Agreement, the
following terms shall have the following meanings, unless the context otherwise
requires:
"CONTRIBUTION OBLIGATION" shall mean an amount equal, at any time and from
time to time and for each respective Subsidiary Guarantor, to the product
of (i) its Contribution Percentage times (ii) the sum of all payments made
previous to or at the time of calculation by all Subsidiary Guarantors in
respect of the Liabilities, as a Subsidiary Guarantor (less the amount of
any such payments previously returned to any Subsidiary Guarantor by
operation of law or otherwise, but not including payments received by any
Subsidiary Guarantor by way of its rights of subrogation and contribution
under Section 2.9 of the other Guaranty Agreements), provided, however,
such Contribution Obligation for any Subsidiary Guarantor shall in no
event exceed such Subsidiary Guarantor's Maximum Guaranteed Amount, as
defined in the respective Guaranty Agreement of such Subsidiary Guarantor.
"CONTRIBUTION PERCENTAGE" shall mean for any Subsidiary Guarantor for any
applicable date as of which such percentage is being determined, an amount
equal to the quotient of (i) the Net Worth of such Subsidiary Guarantor as
of such date, divided by (ii) the sum of the Net Worth of all the
Subsidiary Guarantors as of such date.
"GUARANTOR CLAIMS" shall have the meaning indicated in Section 5.1 hereof.
E-3
<PAGE>
"GUARANTY AGREEMENT" shall mean this Guaranty Agreement, and where the
context indicates, the Guaranty Agreement of any other Subsidiary
Guarantor, as the same may from time to time be amended or supplemented.
"LIABILITIES" shall mean (a) any and all indebtedness, obligations and
liabilities of the Company pursuant to the Credit Agreement, including
without limitation, the unpaid principal of and interest on the Notes,
including without limitation, interest accruing subsequent to the filing
of a petition or other action concerning bankruptcy or other similar
proceeding, and performance of all letter of credit reimbursement
agreements executed from time to time by the Company under or pursuant to
the Credit Agreement and all reimbursement obligations for drawn or
undrawn portions under any Letter of Credit now outstanding or hereafter
issued under or pursuant to the Credit Agreement; (b) any additional loans
made by the Lenders to the Company; (c) payment of and performance of any
and all present or future obligations of the Company to the Agent or any
Lender according to the terms of any present or future Interest Rate Swap
Agreement entered into between the Company and the Agent; (d) any and all
other indebtedness consisting of obligations with respect to overdrafts
created on accounts of the Company at the Agent or any one of the Lenders;
and (e) all renewals, rearrangements, increases, extensions for any
period, amendments or supplement in whole or in part of the Notes or any
documents evidencing the above.
"MAXIMUM GUARANTEED AMOUNT" shall mean, for the Guarantor, the greater of
(i) the "reasonably equivalent value" or "fair consideration" (or
equivalent concept) received by the Guarantor in exchange for the
obligation incurred hereunder, within the meaning of any applicable state
or federal fraudulent conveyance or transfer laws; or (ii) the lesser of
(A) the maximum amount that will not render the Guarantor insolvent, or
(B) the maximum amount that will not leave the Guarantor with any property
deemed an unreasonably small capital. Clauses (A) and (B) are and shall be
determined pursuant to and as of the appropriate date mandated by such
applicable state or federal fraudulent conveyance or transfer laws and to
the extent allowed by law take into account the rights to contribution and
subrogation under Section 2.9 in each Guaranty Agreement so as to provide
for the largest Maximum Guaranteed Amount possible.
"NET PAYMENTS" shall mean an amount equal, at any time and from time to
time and for each respective Subsidiary Guarantor, to the difference of
(i) the sum of all payments made previous to or at the time of calculation
by such Subsidiary Guarantor in respect to the Liabilities, as a
Subsidiary Guarantor, and in respect of its obligations contained in this
Guaranty Agreement, less (ii) the sum of all such payments previously
returned to such Subsidiary Guarantor by operation of law or otherwise and
including payments received by such Subsidiary Guarantor by way of its
rights of subrogation and contribution under Section 2.9 of the other
Guaranty Agreements.
"NET WORTH" shall mean for any Subsidiary Guarantor, calculated on and as
of any applicable date on which such amount is being determined, the
difference between (i) the sum of all such Subsidiary Guarantor's
property, at a fair valuation and as of such date, minus (ii) the sum of
all such Subsidiary Guarantor's debts, at a fair valuation and as of such
date, excluding the Liabilities.
"SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS" shall mean the Guarantors as defined in the Credit
Agreement, including the Guarantor.
E-4
<PAGE>
Section 1.3 CREDIT AGREEMENT DEFINITIONS. Unless otherwise defined herein,
all terms beginning with a capital letter which are defined in the Credit
Agreement shall have the same meanings herein as therein.
ARTICLE 2
THE GUARANTY
Section 2.1 LIABILITIES GUARANTEED. Guarantor hereby irrevocably and
unconditionally guarantees the prompt payment of the Liabilities when due,
whether at maturity or otherwise, provided, however, that, notwithstanding
anything herein or in any other Financing Document to the contrary, the maximum
liability of Guarantor hereunder shall in no event exceed the Maximum Guaranteed
Amount.
Section 2.2 NATURE OF GUARANTY. This Guaranty Agreement is an absolute,
irrevocable, completed and continuing guaranty of payment and not a guaranty of
collection, and no notice of the Liabilities or any extension of credit already
or hereafter contracted by or extended to Company need be given to Guarantor.
This Guaranty Agreement may not be revoked by Guarantor and shall continue to be
effective with respect to debt under the Liabilities arising or created after
any attempted revocation by Guarantor and shall remain in full force and effect
until the Liabilities are paid in full and the Commitments are terminated,
notwithstanding that from time to time prior thereto no Liabilities may be
outstanding. The Company and the Lenders may modify, alter, rearrange, extend
for any period and/or renew from time to time, the Liabilities, and the Lenders
may waive any Default or Events of Default without notice to the Guarantor and
in such event Guarantor will remain fully bound hereunder on the Liabilities.
This Guaranty Agreement shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the
case may be, if at any time any payment of the Liabilities is rescinded or must
otherwise be returned by any of the Lenders upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or
reorganization of the Company or otherwise, all as though such payment had not
been made. This Guaranty Agreement may be enforced by the Agent and any
subsequent holder of any of the Liabilities and shall not be discharged by the
assignment or negotiation of all or part of the Liabilities. Except as
specifically required in this Guaranty, Guarantor hereby expressly waives
presentment, demand, notice of non-payment, protest and notice of protest and
dishonor, notice of Default or Event of Default, notice of intent to accelerate
the maturity and notice of acceleration of the maturity and any other notice in
connection with the Liabilities, and also notice of acceptance of this Guaranty
Agreement, acceptance on the part of the Lenders being conclusively presumed by
the Lenders' request for this Guaranty Agreement and delivery of the same to the
Agent.
Section 2.3 AGENT'S RIGHTS. Guarantor authorizes the Agent, without notice
or demand and without affecting Guarantor's liability hereunder, to take and
hold security for the payment of this Guaranty Agreement and/or the Liabilities,
and exchange, enforce, waive and release any such security; and to apply such
security and direct the order or manner of sale thereof as the Agent in its
discretion may determine; and to obtain a guaranty of the Liabilities from any
one or more Persons and at any time or times to enforce, waive, rearrange,
modify, limit or release any of such other Persons from their obligations under
such guaranties.
Section 2.4 GUARANTOR'S WAIVERS.
(a) GENERAL. Guarantor waives any right to require any of the
Lenders to (i) proceed against the Company or any other person liable on
the Liabilities, (ii) enforce any of their rights against any other
guarantor of the Liabilities, (iii) proceed or enforce any of their rights
against or exhaust any security given to secure the Liabilities, (iv) have
the Company joined with Guarantor in any suit arising out of this Guaranty
Agreement and/or the Liabilities, or (v) pursue any other remedy in the
Lenders' powers whatsoever. The Lenders shall not be required to mitigate
damages
E-5
<PAGE>
or take any action to reduce, collect or enforce the Liabilities.
Guarantor waives any defense arising by reason of any disability, lack of
corporate authority or power, or other defense of the Company or any other
guarantor of the Liabilities, and shall remain liable hereon regardless of
whether the Company or any other guarantor be found not liable thereon for
any reason. Whether and when to exercise any of the remedies of the
Lenders under any of the Financing Documents shall be in the sole and
absolute discretion of the Agent, and no delay by the Agent in enforcing
any remedy, including delay in conducting a foreclosure sale, shall be a
defense to the Guarantor's liability under this Guaranty Agreement.
(b) SUBROGATION. Until the Liabilities have been paid in full, the
Guarantor waives all rights of subrogation or reimbursement against the
Company, whether arising by contract or operation of law (including,
without limitation, any such right arising under any federal or state
bankruptcy or insolvency laws) and waives any right to enforce any remedy
which the Lenders now have or may hereafter have against the Company, and
waives any benefit or any right to participate in any security now or
hereafter held by the Agent or any Lender.
Section 2.5 MATURITY OF LIABILITIES; PAYMENT. Guarantor agrees that if the
maturity of any of the Liabilities is accelerated by bankruptcy or otherwise,
such maturity shall also be deemed accelerated for the purpose of this Guaranty
Agreement without demand or notice to Guarantor. Guarantor will, forthwith upon
notice from the Agent, pay to the Agent the amount due and unpaid by the Company
and guaranteed hereby. The failure of the Agent to give this notice shall not in
any way release Guarantor hereunder.
Section 2.6 AGENT'S EXPENSES. If Guarantor fails to pay the Liabilities
after notice from the Agent of the Company's failure to pay any Liabilities at
maturity, and if the Agent obtains the services of an attorney for collection of
amounts owing by Guarantor hereunder, or obtaining advice of counsel in respect
of any of their rights under this Guaranty Agreement, or if suit is filed to
enforce this Guaranty Agreement, or if proceedings are had in any bankruptcy,
probate, receivership or other judicial proceedings for the establishment or
collection of any amount owing by Guarantor hereunder, or if any amount owing by
Guarantor hereunder is collected through such proceedings, Guarantor agrees to
pay to the Agent the Agent's reasonable attorneys' fees.
Section 2.7 LIABILITY. It is expressly agreed that the liability of the
Guarantor for the payment of the Liabilities guaranteed hereby shall be primary
and not secondary.
Section 2.8 EVENTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES NOT REDUCING OR DISCHARGING
GUARANTOR'S OBLIGATIONS. Guarantor hereby consents and agrees to each of the
following to the fullest extent permitted by law, and agrees that Guarantor's
obligations under this Guaranty Agreement shall not be released, diminished,
impaired, reduced or adversely affected by any of the following, and waives any
rights (including without limitation rights to notice) which Guarantor might
otherwise have as a result of or in connection with any of the following:
(a) MODIFICATIONS, ETC. Any renewal, extension, modification,
increase, decrease, alteration or rearrangement of all or any part of the
Liabilities, or of the Notes, or the Credit Agreement or any instrument
executed in connection therewith, or any contract or understanding between
the Company and any of the Lenders, or any other Person, pertaining to the
Liabilities;
(b) ADJUSTMENT, ETC. Any adjustment, indulgence, forbearance or
compromise that might be granted or given by any of the Lenders to the
Company or Guarantor or any Person liable on the Liabilities;
E-6
<PAGE>
(c) CONDITION OF COMPANY OR GUARANTOR. The insolvency, bankruptcy
arrangement, adjustment, composition, liquidation, disability,
dissolution, death or lack of power of the Company or Guarantor or any
other Person at any time liable for the payment of all or part of the
Liabilities; or any dissolution of the Company or Guarantor, or any sale,
lease or transfer of any or all of the assets of the Company or Guarantor,
or any changes in the shareholders, partners, or members of the Company or
Guarantor; or any reorganization of the Company or Guarantor;
(d) INVALIDITY OF LIABILITIES. The invalidity, illegality or
unenforceability of all or any part of the Liabilities, or any document or
agreement executed in connection with the Liabilities, for any reason
whatsoever, including without limitation the fact that the Liabilities, or
any part thereof, exceed the amount permitted by law, the act of creating
the Liabilities or any part thereof is ULTRA VIRES, the officers or
representatives executing the documents or otherwise creating the
Liabilities acted in excess of their authority, the Liabilities violate
applicable usury laws, the Company has valid defenses, claims or offsets
(whether at law, in equity or by agreement) which render the Liabilities
wholly or partially uncollectible from the Company, the creation,
performance or repayment of the Liabilities (or the execution, delivery
and performance of any document or instrument representing part of the
Liabilities or executed in connection with the Liabilities, or given to
secure the repayment of the Liabilities) is illegal, uncollectible,
legally impossible or unenforceable, or the Credit Agreement or other
documents or instruments pertaining to the Liabilities have been forged or
otherwise are irregular or not genuine or authentic;
(e) RELEASE OF OBLIGORS. Any full or partial release of the
liability of the Company on the Liabilities or any part thereof, of any
co-guarantors, or any other Person now or hereafter liable, whether
directly or indirectly, jointly, severally, or jointly and severally, to
pay, perform, guarantee or assure the payment of the Liabilities or any
part thereof, it being recognized, acknowledged and agreed by Guarantor
that Guarantor may be required to pay the Liabilities in full without
assistance or support of any other Person, and Guarantor has not been
induced to enter into this Guaranty Agreement on the basis of a
contemplation, belief, understanding or agreement that other parties other
than the Company will be liable to perform the Liabilities, or the Lenders
will look to other parties to perform the Liabilities.
(f) OTHER SECURITY. The taking or accepting of any other security,
collateral or guaranty, or other assurance of payment, for all or any part
of the Liabilities;
(g) RELEASE OF COLLATERAL, ETC. Any release, surrender, exchange,
subordination, deterioration, waste, loss or impairment (including without
limitation negligent, willful, unreasonable or unjustifiable impairment)
of any collateral, property or security, at any time existing in
connection with, or assuring or securing payment of, all or any part of
the Liabilities;
(h) CARE AND DILIGENCE. The failure of the Lenders or any other
Person to exercise diligence or reasonable care in the preservation,
protection, enforcement, sale or other handling or treatment of all or any
part of such collateral, property or security;
(i) PAYMENTS RESCINDED. Any payment by the Company to the Lenders is
held to constitute a preference under the bankruptcy laws, or for any
reason the Lenders are required to refund such payment or pay such amount
to the Company or someone else; or
E-7
<PAGE>
(j) OTHER ACTIONS TAKEN OR OMITTED. Any other action taken or
omitted to be taken with respect to the Credit Agreement, the Liabilities,
or the security and collateral therefor, whether or not such action or
omission prejudices Guarantor or increases the likelihood that Guarantor
will be required to pay the Liabilities pursuant to the terms hereof; it
being the unambiguous and unequivocal intention of Guarantor that
Guarantor shall be obligated to pay the Liabilities when due,
notwithstanding any occurrence, circumstance, event, action, or omission
whatsoever, whether contemplated or uncontemplated, and whether
or not otherwise or particularly described herein, except for the full and
final payment and satisfaction of the Liabilities.
Section 2.9 RIGHT OF SUBROGATION AND CONTRIBUTION. If Guarantor makes a
payment in respect of the Liabilities, it shall be subrogated to the rights of
the Lenders against the Company with respect to such payment and shall have the
rights of contribution against the other Subsidiary Guarantors set forth in
Section 2.9 of the Subsidiary Guarantors' Guaranty Agreements; provided that
Subsidiary Guarantor shall not enforce its rights to any payment by way of
subrogation or by exercising its rights of contribution or reimbursement or the
right to participate in any security now or hereafter held by or for the benefit
of the Lenders until the Liabilities have been paid in full. The Guarantor
agrees that after all the Liabilities have been paid in full that if its then
current Net Payments are less than the amount of its then current Contribution
Obligation, Guarantor shall pay to the other Subsidiary Guarantors an amount
(together with any payments required of the other Subsidiary Guarantors by
Section 2.9 of each other Guaranty Agreement) such that the Net Payments made by
all Subsidiary Guarantors in respect of the Liabilities shall be shared among
all of the Subsidiary Guarantors in proportion to their respective Contribution
Percentage.
ARTICLE 3
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
Section 3.1 BY GUARANTOR. The Guarantor represents and warrants to the
Lenders (which representations and warranties will survive the creation of the
Liabilities and any extension of credit thereunder) that:
(a) BENEFIT TO GUARANTOR. Guarantor's guaranty pursuant to this
Guaranty Agreement reasonably may be expected to benefit, directly or
indirectly, Guarantor.
(b) CORPORATE EXISTENCE. Guarantor is duly organized, legally
existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of
______________ and is duly qualified as a foreign Person in all
jurisdictions wherein the property owned or the business transacted by it
makes such qualification necessary and where failure to so qualify would
have a Material Adverse Effect.
(c) CORPORATE POWER AND AUTHORIZATION. Guarantor is duly authorized
and empowered to execute, deliver and perform this Guaranty Agreement and
all action on Guarantor's part requisite for the due execution, delivery
and performance of this Guaranty Agreement has been duly and effectively
taken.
(d) BINDING OBLIGATIONS. This Guaranty Agreement constitutes valid
and binding obligations of Guarantor, enforceable in accordance with its
terms (except that enforcement may be subject to any applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency or similar laws generally affecting the enforcement
of creditors' rights).
E-8
<PAGE>
(e) NO LEGAL BAR OR RESULTANT LIEN. This Guaranty Agreement will not
violate any provisions of Guarantor's articles or certificate of
incorporation or bylaws or other charter document, or any contract,
agreement, law, regulation, order, injunction, judgment, decree or writ to
which Guarantor is subject, or result in the creation or imposition of any
Lien upon any Properties of Guarantor.
(f) NO CONSENT. Except for consents which have been obtained,
Guarantor's execution, delivery and performance of this Guaranty Agreement
does not require the consent or approval of any other Person, including
without limitation any regulatory authority or governmental body of the
United States or any state thereof or any political subdivision of the
United States or any state thereof.
(g) SOLVENCY. The Guarantor hereby represents that (i) it is not
insolvent as of the date hereof and will not be rendered insolvent as a
result of this Guaranty Agreement, (ii) it is not engaged in business or a
transaction, or about to engage in a business or a transaction, for which
any property or assets remaining with such Guarantor is unreasonably small
capital, and (iii) it does not intend to incur, or believe it will incur,
debts that will be beyond its ability to pay as such debts mature.
Section 3.2 NO REPRESENTATION BY LENDERS. Neither the Lenders nor any
other Person has made any representation, warranty or statement to the Guarantor
in order to induce the Guarantor to execute this Guaranty Agreement.
Section 3.3 INCORPORATION OF CREDIT AGREEMENT REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES
AND COVENANTS. The Guarantor hereby represents and warrants that the matters
contained in each of the applicable representations and warranties contained in
Article 4 of the Credit Agreement pertaining to the Guarantor or its Properties
are true and correct as of the date of this Guaranty Agreement, and covenants
and agrees, so long as any of the Liabilities or Commitment remains outstanding,
to comply with the applicable covenants contained in Articles 5 and 6 of the
Credit Agreement pertaining to the Guarantor or its Properties. The guarantor
hereby acknowledges that it has been furnished a copy of the Credit Agreement
and that it is thoroughly familiar with the representations, warranties and
covenants which are incorporated herein by virtue of this Section 3.3.
ARTICLE 4
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 4.1 SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. This Guaranty Agreement is and shall
be in every particular available to the successors and assigns of the Lenders
and is and shall always be fully binding upon the successors and assigns of
Guarantor, notwithstanding that some or all of the monies, the repayment of
which this Guaranty Agreement applies, may be actually advanced after any
bankruptcy, receivership, reorganization, death, disability or other event
affecting Guarantor.
Section 4.2 NOTICES. Any notice or demand to Guarantor under or in
connection with this Guaranty Agreement may be given and shall conclusively be
deemed and considered to have been given and received in accordance with Section
9.1 of the Credit Agreement, addressed to Guarantor at the address on the
signature page hereof or at such other address provided to the Agent in writing.
Section 4.3 BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION. The Guarantor will
promptly furnish to the Agent and the Lenders from time to time upon request
such information regarding the business and affairs and financial condition of
the Guarantor and its subsidiaries as the Agent and the Lenders may reasonably
request.
E-9
<PAGE>
Section 4.4 CONSTRUCTION. This Guaranty Agreement is a contract made under
and shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State
of Texas.
Section 4.5 INVALIDITY. In the event that any one or more of the
provisions contained in this Guaranty Agreement shall, for any reason, be held
invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or
unenforceability shall not affect any other provision of this Guaranty
Agreement.
Section 4.6 ENTIRE AGREEMENT. THIS WRITTEN GUARANTY AGREEMENT EMBODIES THE
ENTIRE AGREEMENT AND UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE LENDERS AND THE GUARANTOR AND
SUPERSEDES ALL OTHER AGREEMENTS AND UNDERSTANDINGS BETWEEN SUCH PARTIES RELATING
TO THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF AND THEREOF. THIS WRITTEN GUARANTY AGREEMENT
REPRESENTS THE FINAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARTIES AND MAY NOT BE CONTRADICTED
BY EVIDENCE OF PRIOR, CONTEMPORANEOUS, OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS OF THE
PARTIES. THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE PARTIES.
E-10
<PAGE>
WITNESS THE EXECUTION HEREOF, as of this the ____ day of _____________.
--------------------------------------------
By:_________________________________________
Name:_________________________________
Title:________________________________
Address:____________________________________
____________________________________
Telecopier No.:_____________________________
Telephone No.:______________________________
Attention:__________________________________
E-11
<PAGE>
Accepted as of the ____ day of _____________.
CHASE BANK OF TEXAS, N.A., as Administrative Agent
By:_______________________________
Name:_____________________________
Title:____________________________
E-12
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT F
FORM OF ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE
Reference is made to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as
of February 26, 1999 (as amended, supplemented, waived or otherwise modified
from time to time, the "CREDIT AGREEMENT"), among BENCHMARK ELECTRONICS, INC.,
as the Company, and CHASE BANK OF TEXAS, N.A., individually, as Issuing Bank,
and as Administrative Agent, and the Lenders now or hereafter parties thereto.
Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used
herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.
______________________ (the "ASSIGNOR") and _________________ (the
"ASSIGNEE") agree as follows:
1. The Assignor hereby irrevocably sells and assigns to the Assignee
without recourse to the Assignor, and the Assignee hereby irrevocably purchases
and assumes from the Assignor without recourse to the Assignor, as of the
Transfer Effective Date (as defined below), a percentage interest (the "ASSIGNED
INTEREST") as set forth in SCHEDULE 1 in and to all the Assignor's rights and
obligations under the Credit Agreement and the other Financing Documents with
respect to the credit facilities provided for in the Credit Agreement (the
"ASSIGNED FACILITIES"), in a principal amount for each Assigned Facility as set
forth on SCHEDULE 1.
2. The Assignor (a) makes no representation or warranty and assumes no
responsibility with respect to any statements, warranties or representations
made in or in connection with the Credit Agreement, any other Financing Document
or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant thereto or the execution,
legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the
Credit Agreement, any other Financing Document or any other instrument or
document furnished pursuant thereto, other than that it has not created any
adverse claim upon the interest being assigned by it hereunder and that such
interest is free and clear of any such adverse claim; (b) makes no
representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to the
financial condition of the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any other obligor
or the performance or observance by the Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any
other obligor of any of their respective obligations under the Credit Agreement,
any other Financing Document or any other instrument or document furnished
pursuant hereto or thereto; and (c) attaches the Notes held by it evidencing the
Assigned Facilities and requests that the Administrative Agent exchange such
Notes for new Notes payable to the Assignee and (if the Assignor has retained
any interest in the Assigned Facilities) new Notes payable to the Assignor in
the respective amounts which reflect the assignment being made hereby (and after
giving effect to any other assignments which have become effective on the
Transfer Effective Date).1
3. The Assignee (a) represents and warrants that it is legally authorized
to enter into this Assignment and Acceptance; (b) confirms that it has received
a copy of the Credit Agreement together with copies of the Financial Statements
and/or such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make
its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Assignment and
Acceptance; (c) agrees that it will, independently and without reliance upon the
Assignor, the Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on such
documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to
make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Credit
Agreement, the other Financing Documents or any other instrument or document
furnished pursuant hereto or thereto; (d) appoints and
- --------
(1) Notes should only be requested when specifically required by the
Assignee and/or the Assignor, as the case may be.
F-1
<PAGE>
authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such action as agent on its behalf
and to exercise such power and discretion under the Credit Agreement, the other
Financing Documents or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant
hereto or thereto as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms
thereof, together with such powers as are incidental thereto; (e) hereby affirms
the acknowledgments of such Assignee as a Lender contained in Section 8.3 of the
Credit Agreement; and (f) agrees that it will be bound by the provisions of the
Credit Agreement and will perform in accordance with the terms of the Credit
Agreement all the obligations which by the terms of the Credit Agreement are
required to be performed by it as a Lender, including, but not limited to, if it
is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction outside the United States, its
obligations pursuant to Section 2.20(f) of the Credit Agreement.
4. The effective date of this Assignment and Acceptance shall be
_________________ (the "TRANSFER EFFECTIVE DATE"). Following the execution of
this Assignment and Acceptance, it will be delivered to the Administrative Agent
for acceptance by it and recording by the Administrative Agent pursuant to
Section 9.7 of the Credit Agreement, effective as of the Transfer Effective Date
(which shall not, unless otherwise agreed to by the Administrative Agent, be
earlier than five Business Days after the date of such acceptance and recording
by the Administrative Agent).
5. Upon such acceptance and recording, from and after the Transfer
Effective Date, the Administrative Agent shall make all payments in respect of
the Assigned Interest (including payments of principal, interest, fees and other
amounts) to the Assignee whether such amounts have accrued prior to the Transfer
Effective Date or accrued subsequent to the Transfer Effective Date. The
Assignor and the Assignee shall make all appropriate adjustments in payments by
the Administrative Agent for the periods prior to the Transfer Effective Date or
with respect to the making of this assignment directly between themselves.
6. From and after the Transfer Effective Date, (a) the Assignee shall be a
party to the Credit Agreement and, to the extent provided in this Assignment and
Acceptance, have the rights and obligations of a Lender thereunder and under the
other Financing Documents and shall be bound by the provisions thereof and (b)
the Assignor shall, to the extent provided in this Assignment and Acceptance,
relinquish its rights and be released from its obligations under the Credit
Agreement, but shall nevertheless continue to be entitled to the benefits of
Sections 2.16, 2.18, 2.20 and 9.4 thereof.
7. Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, if the consents of the
Company and the Administrative Agent hereto are required under Section 9.7 of
the Credit Agreement, this Assignment and Acceptance shall not be effective
unless such consents shall have been obtained.
8. This Assignment and Acceptance shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Texas without regard to the principles
of conflict of laws thereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Assignment
and Acceptance to be executed as of the date first above written by their
respective duly authorized officers on SCHEDULE 1 hereto.
F-2
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE 1
TO THE
ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE
Re: Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of February 26, 1999,
among BENCHMARK ELECTRONICS, INC., as the Company, and Chase Bank of
Texas, N.A., Individually, as Issuing Bank, and as Administrative Agent
and, the Lenders Now or Hereafter parties thereto
Name of Assignor:
Name of Assignee:
Transfer Effective Date of Assignment:
Percentage of
Assignor's
Interest in
Credit Credit Principal Commitment
Facility Facility Amount Percentage
ASSIGNED ASSIGNED ASSIGNED ASSIGNED
- -------- -------- -------- --------
--------% $-------- --.----%
[NAME OF ASSIGNEE] [NAME OF ASSIGNOR]
By:__________________________ By:__________________________
Title: Title:
Accepted for recording in the Consented To:
Register:
CHASE BANK OF TEXAS, N.A., BENCHMARK ELECTRONICS, INC.
as Administrative Agent
By:__________________________ By:__________________________
Title: Title:
Schedule 1-1
<PAGE>
CHASE BANK OF TEXAS, N.A., as
Administrative Agent
By:_______________________________
Title:
Schedule 1-2
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT G
FORM OF BORROWING BASE REPORT
The undersigned hereby certifies that he/she is the ______________________ of
BENCHMARK ELECTRONICS, INC., a Texas corporation (the "COMPANY"), and that as
such he/she is authorized to executes this certificate on behalf of the Company.
With reference to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated February 26,
1999 (together with all amendments, supplements, restatements, or other
modifications thereto, herein called the "AGREEMENT"), by and between the
Company and CHASE BANK OF TEXAS, N.A., as Agent for the lenders (the "LENDERS")
which are or become a party thereto, and such Lenders, the undersigned hereby
certifies, represents and warrants as follows (each capitalized term used herein
having the same meaning given to it in the Agreement unless otherwise
specified):
1. Total Accounts Receivable $_____________
(net of credit balance, returns, trade discounts
unbilled amounts or retention)
2. Ineligible accounts receivable (as set forth in the definition of Eligible
Accounts Receivable)
(a) $____________ (20% Rule)
(b) $____________ (accounts unpaid for 91 days)
(c) $____________ (trade discounts, returns, allowances, etc.)
(d) $____________ (contra accounts, setoffs, defenses, etc.)
(e) $____________ (amount billed for retainage until all
prerequisites have been satisfied)
(f) $____________ (amounts owed by insolvent account debtors)
(g) $____________ (all accounts owed by any Person in which the
Company has an equity interest)
(h) $____________ (all accounts with a due date more than 90 days
after the invoice date)
(i) $____________ (all accounts of the same obligor that in
aggregate exceeds 25% of the total of all
Eligible Accounts)
$-----------------
3. Eligible Accounts Receivable
$--------------
(line 1 minus line 2)
4. 75% of Eligible Accounts Receivable $________________
5. Total Inventory $________________
G-1
<PAGE>
6. Ineligible inventory (as set forth in the definition of Eligible
Inventory)
(a) $_______________ (work in progress)
(b) $_______________ (reserve for obsolescence)
(c) $_______________ (reserve for slow moving inventory)
(d) $_______________ (any other contra account to inventory)
(e) $_______________ (consigned inventory)
$________________
7. Eligible Inventory
(line 5 minus line 6) $________________
8. 25% of Eligible Inventory $________________
9. Borrowing Base
(line 4 PLUS line 8) $________________
----
10. Outstanding balance of Loans
as of report date $________________
11. Available for further advances (lesser of (i)
Aggregate Commitment and (ii) line 9
minus line 10) $________________
Executed and delivered on this the ____ day of _______________,__________.
BENCHMARK ELECTRONICS, INC.
By:________________________________
Name:
Title:
G-2
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT H
FORM OF COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
The undersigned hereby certifies that he/she is the ________________ of
BENCHMARK ELECTRONICS, INC., a Texas corporation (the "BORROWER"), and that as
such he/she is authorized to execute this certificate on behalf of the Borrower.
With reference to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of February
26, 1999 (together with all amendments or supplements thereto being the
"AGREEMENT") among the Borrower, CHASE BANK OF TEXAS, N.A., as Administrative
Agent (in such capacity, the "AGENT") for the lenders (the "LENDERS") which are
or become a party thereto, and such Lenders, the undersigned represents and
warrants on behalf of the Borrower as follows (each capitalized term used herein
having the same meaning given to it in the Agreement unless otherwise
specified):
(a) Except as may have been previously reported in writing prior to
the date of this Compliance Certificate to the Agent, as applicable, or
except as set forth on Schedule I to this Compliance Certificate, the
representations and warranties of the Borrower contained in Article 4 of
the Agreement and otherwise made in writing by or on behalf of the
Borrower pursuant to the Agreement were true and correct in all material
respects when made, and are repeated at and as of the time of delivery
hereof and are true and correct in all material respects at and as of the
time of delivery hereof, except to the extent such representations and
warranties are expressly limited to an earlier date or the Required
Lenders have expressly consented in writing to the contrary.
(b) Except as may have been previously reported in writing prior to
the date of this Compliance Certificate to the Agent, or except as set
forth on Schedule I to this Compliance Certificate, the Borrower has
performed and complied with all agreements and conditions contained in the
Agreement required to be performed or complied with by it prior to or at
the time of delivery hereof.
(c) Except as may have been previously reported in writing prior to
the date of this Compliance Certificate to the Agent, or except as set
forth on Schedule I to this Compliance Certificate, there exists no
Default.
(d) Schedule II to this Compliance Certificate sets forth (i)
calculations of Sections 6.1(a), (b), (c), (d) and (e) as of the end of
the [fiscal quarter][fiscal year] ending _____________, and (ii) the
Applicable Margin to be in effect for the period on and after
________________, until the next redetermination thereof pursuant to the
terms of the Agreement.
<PAGE>
EXECUTED AND DELIVERED this ____ day of ______________.
BENCHMARK ELECTRONICS, INC.
By:____________________________________
Name:____________________________
Title:___________________________
Exhibit H - Page 2
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE I
DISCLOSURES
Schedule I - Page 1
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE II
1. COVENANT COMPUTATIONS [as of the end of the fiscal [quarter] [year] ending
_______________].
(a) Section 6.1(a)
(b) Section 6.1(b)
(c) Section 6.1(c)
(d) Section 6.1(d)
(e) Section 6.1(e)
2. Applicable Margin for the period on and after _________________ until the
next redetermination is:
(a) ______% for Eurodollar Loans
(b) ______% for Base Rate Loans
Schedule II - Page 1
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE 4.7
INVESTMENTS
NONE
Schedule 4.7 - Page 1
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE 6.2
INDEBTEDNESS
BALANCE AS OF
CREDITOR 12/31/98 COLLATERAL COMMENT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hewlett Packard $ 181,174 HP3075E tester Capital Lease secured
by specific equipment
City of Goodview $ 129,382 none Tax Increment
Financing Agreement
Northwest Mutual Life 8.02% Senior Notes
Insurance $30,000,000 none due July 31, 2006
Schedule 6.2 - Page 1
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE 6.3
LIENS
CREDITOR BALANCE AS OF
12/31/98 COLLATERAL COMMENT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HEWLETT PACKARD $ 181,174 HP3075E TESTER CAPITAL LEASE SECURED
BY SPECIFIC EQUIPMENT
Schedule 6.3 - Page 1
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE 4.19
SUBSIDIARIES
1. EMD - Foreign Sales Corporation
2. BEI Electronics Ireland, Limited
Schedule 4.19 - Page 1
<PAGE>
SCHEDULE 5.11
NON-DOMESTIC SUBSIDIARIES
1. BEI Electronics Ireland, Limited
Schedule 5.11 - Page 1
