Form 10-Q
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D. C. 20549
QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OF 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Quarter Ended September 27, 1997 Commission File Number 0-1989
Seneca Foods Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
New York 16-0733425
(State or other jurisdiction of (I. R. S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
1162 Pittsford-Victor Road, Pittsford, New York 14534
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code 716/385-9500
Not Applicable
Former name, former address and former fiscal year,
if changed since last report
Check mark indicates whether registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be
filed by Section 13 of 15(d) of the Securities Act of 1934 during the preceding
12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file
such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past
90 days.
Yes X No
The number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock
at the latest practical date are:
Class Shares Outstanding at October 31, 1997
Common Stock Class A, $.25 Par 3,143,125
Common Stock Class B, $.25 Par 2,796,555
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION
SENECA FOODS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
(In Thousands of Dollars)
<CAPTION>
9/27/97 3/31/97
------- -------
ASSETS
<S> <C> <C>
Current Assets:
Cash and Short-term Investments $ 3,248 $ 1,584
Accounts Receivable, Net 62,645 36,477
Inventories:
Finished Goods 319,760 75,898
Work in Process 27,860 35,373
Raw Materials 39,525 46,926
------- -------
387,145 158,197
Off-Season Reserve (Note 3) (48,180) -
Deferred Tax Asset (Net) 6,156 6,156
Refundable Income Taxes 1,237 -
Other Current Assets 2,298 4,432
-------------- ---------------
Total Current Assets 414,549 206,846
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net 227,098 207,439
Other Assets 2,621 1,738
-------------- ---------------
$644,268 $416,023
======== ========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Notes Payable $ 53,545 $ 18,000
Accounts Payable 178,989 24,435
Accrued Expenses 48,290 25,615
Income Taxes - 599
Current Portion of Long-Term Debt and Capital
Lease Obligations 9,484 9,465
--------------- ---------------
Total Current Liabilities 290,308 78,114
Long-Term Debt 229,874 214,848
Capital Lease Obligations 9,237 9,280
Deferred Income Taxes 16,080 15,797
Deferred Gain 4,125 4,248
10% Preferred Stock, Series A, Voting, Cumulative,
Convertible, $.025 Par Value Per Share 10 10
10% Preferred Stock, Series B, Voting, Cumulative,
Convertible, $.025 Par Value Per Share 10 10
6% Preferred Stock, Voting, Cumulative, $.25 Par Value 50 50
Common Stock 2,666 2,666
Paid in Capital 5,913 5,913
Net Unrealized Gain on Available-For-Sale Securities 964 435
Retained Earnings 85,031 84,652
--------------- ---------------
Stockholders' Equity 94,644 93,736
--------------- ---------------
$644,268 $416,023
=============== ===============
<FN>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
</FN>
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
SENECA FOODS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)
(In Thousands, except Share Data)
<CAPTION>
Three Months Ended
9/27/97 9/28/96
------- -------
<S> <C> <C>
Net Sales $ 208,990 $ 159,521
Other Income (See Notes) - 1,640
------------------ -----------------
208,990 161,161
Costs and Expenses:
Cost of Product Sold 193,871 143,194
Selling, General, and Administrative 7,936 6,669
Interest Expense 6,890 7,246
------------------ -----------------
Total Costs and Expenses 208,697 157,109
------------------ -----------------
Earnings Before Income Taxes 293 4,052
Income Taxes 106 1,342
------------------ -----------------
Net Earnings $ 187 $ 2,710
================== =================
Net Earnings Applicable to
Common Stock 187 2,704
Weighted Average Common
Shares Outstanding 5,939,680 5,939,680
Primary and Fully Diluted Earnings Per
Share of Common Stock (Exhibit II):
Net Earnings $ .03 $ .46
================== ===============
<FN>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated condensed
financial statements.
</FN>
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
SENECA FOODS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)
(In Thousands, except Share Data)
<CAPTION>
Six Months Ended
9/27/97 9/28/96
------- -------
<S> <C> <C>
Net Sales $ 314,068 $ 283,215
Other Income (See Notes) - 9,141
------------------ -----------------
314,068 292,356
Costs and Expenses:
Cost of Product Sold 284,252 252,600
Selling, General, and Administrative 15,865 13,253
Interest Expense 13,359 14,727
------------------ -----------------
Total Costs and Expenses 313,476 280,580
------------------ -----------------
Earnings Before Income Taxes 592 11,776
Income Taxes 213 4,239
------------------ -----------------
Net Earnings $ 379 $ 7,537
================== =================
Net Earnings Applicable to
Common Stock 379 7,525
Weighted Average Common
Shares Outstanding 5,939,680 5,939,680
Primary and Fully Diluted Earnings Per
Share of Common Stock (Exhibit II):
Net Earnings $ 0.06 $ 1.27
================== ===============
<FN>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated condensed
financial statements.
</FN>
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
SENECA FOODS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
(In Thousands)
<CAPTION>
Six Months Ended
9/27/97 9/28/96
------- -------
<S> <C> <C>
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net Earnings $ 379 $ 7,537
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Earnings to
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities:
Depreciation and Amortization 14,330 12,701
Deferred Income Taxes 1 523
Gain on the Sale - (9,141)
Changes in Working Capital:
Accounts Receivable (22,081) (4,264)
Inventories (200,255) (185,128)
Off-Season Reserve 48,180 54,189
Other Current Assets 2,289 476
Income Taxes (1,836) 4,054
Accounts Payable and
Accrued Expenses 173,583 102,774
------------------ -----------------
Net Cash Provided (Used)
by Operations 14,590 (16,279)
------------------ -----------------
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Acquisitions (53,672) -
Proceeds from the Sale of Assets - 15,511
Additions to Property, Plant,
and Equipment (9,729) (9,245)
------------------ -----------------
Net Cash Provided (Used) in Investing
Activities (63,401) 6,266
------------------ -----------------
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Notes Payable 35,545 8,780
Long-Term Borrowing 15,106 1,745
Payments and Current Portion of Long-Term
Debt and Capital Lease Obligations (104) (836)
Other (72) 56
Dividends - -
------------------ -----------------
Net Cash Provided in
Financing Activities 50,475 9,745
------------------ -----------------
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Short-
Term Investments 1,664 (268)
Cash and Short-Term Investments,
Beginning of Period 1,584 1,297
------------------ -----------------
Cash and Short-Term Investments,
End of Period $ 3,248 $ 1,029
================== ==================
<FN>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed financial
statements.
</FN>
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
SENECA FOODS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 27, 1997
1. Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements
In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated
condensed financial statements contain all adjustments, which are normal
and recurring in nature, necessary to present fairly the financial
position of the Registrant as of September 27, 1997 and March 31, 1997
and results of operations for the three and six month periods ended
September 27, 1997 and September 28, 1996. All significant intercompany
transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation. The
March 31, 1997 balance sheet was derived from audited financial
statements.
The results of operations for the three and six month periods ended
September 27, 1997 and September 28, 1996 are not necessarily indicative
of the results to be expected for the full year.
The accounting policies followed by the Registrant are set forth in the
Notes to the Registrant's financial statements in the 1997 Seneca Foods
Corporation Annual Report and 10-K.
Other footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements
prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
have been condensed or omitted. It is suggested that these consolidated
condensed financial statements be read in conjunction with the financial
statements and notes included in the Registrant's March 31, 1997
financial report.
2. Primary earnings per share are based on the weighted average number of
common shares outstanding, as the effect of common stock equivalents is
immaterial. The difference between primary and fully diluted earnings
per share is immaterial.
3. Off-Season Reserve is the excess of absorbed expenses over incurred
expenses to date. The seasonal nature of the Registrant's Food Processing
business results in a timing difference between expenses (primarily
overhead expenses) incurred and absorbed into product cost. All
Off-Season Reserve balances are zero at fiscal year end.
4. On April 18, 1997 the Registrant acquired certain assets of the Aunt
Nellie's Farm Kitchens from the Pillsbury Company, an indirect subsidiary
of Grand Metropolitan plc, for approximately $24 million (referred to as
"Aunt Nellie's"). Aunt Nellie's produces, markets, and sells fruit and
vegetable products from plants in the Midwest. Its 1996 sales were
approximately $59 million. The Registrant purchased the plants,
inventories, accounts receivable, and trademarks of the business. Aunt
Nellie's includes facilities located in Clyman, Wisconsin; Covington,
Kentucky; and Buckley, Michigan. This acquisition was funded primarily
out of working capital.
<PAGE>
SENECA FOODS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 27, 1997
5. On May 5, 1997 the Registrant acquired certain assets of the Curtice
Burns Foods, Inc. ("Curtice Burns"), a wholly owned subsidiary of
Pro-Fac Cooperative, Inc., used in the canned vegetable business of
Curtice Burns. The purchase price was approximately $29 million. The
1996 sales of the acquired assets were approximately $37 million. The
Registrant purchased two plants, inventories, and trademarks of the
business. Assets purchased include a warehouse located in LeRoy, New
York and a processing plant located in Leicester, New York.
In conjunction with the acquisition, the Registrant and Curtice Burns
entered into a long-term strategic alliance, combining their New York
agricultural departments into one organization, now managed by Curtice
Burns.
This acquisition was funded primarily out of working capital. A $15
million long-term debt financing to fund the long-term assets of this
acquisition and the Aunt Nellie's acquisition described above was
completed in September 1997. The debt requires principal payments of $3
million beginning September 2000 and carries an interest rate of 9.17%.
6. The following summary, prepared on a pro forma basis, combines the
consolidated results of operations as if Aunt Nellie's and Curtice Burns
were acquired at the beginning of the periods presented:
Six Months Six Months
9/27/97 9/28/96
Net Sales $320,985 $346,996
Net Earnings 371 5,549
Net Earnings per Share .06 .93
7. During the first quarter of the prior year, the Registrant sold its
investment in Moog, Inc. Class A Common Stock back to Moog. This resulted
in a Pre-Tax gain of $7,501,000.
8. The Financial Accounting Standards Board recently issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 130 on "Reporting Comprehensive
Income and SFAS No. 131 on "Disclosures about Segments of Enterprise and
Related Information." SFAS No. 130 changes the reporting of certain items
currently reported in the common stock equity section of the balance
sheet and is not expected to have a material effect on the Registrant's
financial statements. This standard is effective for fiscal years
beginning after December 15, 1997.
SFAS No. 131 requires that public companies report certain information
about operating segments in their interim financial statements. It also
establishes related disclosures about products and services, geographic
areas, and major customers. The Registrant is currently evaluating what
impact this standard will have on its disclosures. This standard is
effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1997.
<PAGE>
SENECA FOODS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 27, 1997
9. During the second quarter, the Registrant completed a modification to its
Revolving Credit Facility. Under this agreement, which has been extended
to June 30, 1999, there is a new cleandown provision where the Registrant
must reduce its Notes Payable to below $30 million for a 30-day period
during each year. In addition, the total available credit reduces from
$150 million to $130 million on December 1, 1997. The Registrant expects
it will be able to comply with the cleandown provision of the Revolving
Credit Facility in the current fiscal year and will have adequate
liquidity for its anticipated operations through the balance of this
fiscal year.
<PAGE>
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
September 27, 1997
Results of Operations:
Sales:
Sales reflect an increase of 10.9% for the first six months versus 1996. The
sales were higher in spite of lower canned vegetables quantities sold under the
Alliance with Pillsbury. Under this Alliance Net Sales were $116,524,000 for six
months ended September 1997 versus $135,162,000 for the comparable period in the
previous year. Non-Alliance vegetable sales quantities were up 75.8% while juice
and fruit sales quantities were down 4.9%. The vegetable sales increase was
largely due to the acquisition of the Curtice Burns and Aunt Nellie's canned
vegetable businesses described above.
Costs and Expenses:
The following table shows cost and expenses as a percentage of sales:
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
9/27/97 9/28/96 9/27/97 9/28/96
------- ------- ------- -------
Cost of Product Sold 92.8% 89.8% 90.5% 89.3%
Selling 2.9 3.2 4.0 3.6
Administrative 0.9 1.0 1.1 1.1
Interest Expense 3.3 4.5 4.3 5.2
--------------------------------------------------
99.9% 98.5% 99.9% 99.2%
==================================================
Higher Cost of Product Sold percentages (i.e. lower Gross Margins) reflect, in
part, lower selling prices in the canned vegetable business than the prior year.
This was partially offset by better margins in the juice and fruit business
during the same period.
Income Taxes:
The effective tax rate used in 1998 and 1997 is 36%.
<PAGE>
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
September 27, 1997
Financial Condition:
The financial condition of the Registrant is summarized in the following table
and explanatory review (In Thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
For the Quarter For the Year
Ended September Ended March
1997 1996 1997 1996
---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Working Capital Balance $124,241 $118,035 $128,732 $108,761
Quarter Change 19,000 10,116 - -
Notes Payable 53,545 121,780 18,000 113,000
Long-Term Debt 239,111 233,559 224,128 226,574
Current Ratio 1.43:1 1.39:1 2.65:1 1.57:1
Inventory (Average) Turnover 2.1 1.6 3.5 2.5
</TABLE>
The change in the working capital for the quarter from the prior year is largely
due to issuance of $15 million of debt related to the two acquisitions in the
current year (see footnotes for details).
As part of the Alliance with Pillsbury (see 1997 Annual Report for details),
Pillsbury takes Green Giant inventory as it needs it or at least by the
take-or-pay date (varies by commodity).
The Registrant was in compliance with its debt covenants related to short-term
and long-term Debt.
See Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for further details.
Forward-Looking Statements
When used in this discussion, the words, "believes", "anticipates", "expects",
and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements.
Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause
actual results to differ materially from those projected, including among other
things decreases in the prices of packaged food products or increases in the
cost of the Registrant's raw materials (particularly fruit and vegetable
produce) resulting from oversupply or undersupply, respectively, reflecting
growing conditions in the U.S. and overseas regions from which the Registrant
obtains its produce and from other factors affecting food costs and production.
These risks insofar as they have affected results of operations in the past
three years are discussed under "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Conditions and Results of Operations" in Exhibit No. 13 of the
Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for its Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
1997, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Results of
operations in any past period should not be considered indicative of the results
to be expected for future periods.
<PAGE>
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
None.
Item 2. Changes in Securities
None.
Item 3. Defaults on Senior Securities
None.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
None.
Item 5. Other Information
None.
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
(a) Exhibit 4 - (4a) Instrument defining the rights of any
holder of Long-Term Debt related to the Master
Reimbursement Agreement and between SENECA FOODS
CORPORATION and GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION dated
September 15, 1997 filed herewith.
(b) Exhibit 4 - (4b) Instrument defining the rights of any
holder of Long-Term Debt related to the Credit Agreement
by and among SENECA FOODS CORPORATION, THE BANKS SIGNATORY
THERETO AND THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK AS AGENT as amended
and restated as of September 24, 1997 to be filed when
available.
(c) Exhibit 11 - (11) Computation of earnings per share
(d) Exhibit 27 - (27) Financial Data Schedules
(e) Reports on Form 8-K - two 8-K's were filed during July
1997, which related to the two acquisitions during this
year.
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
Seneca Foods Corporation
(Registrant)
/s/Kraig H. Kayser
November 7, 1997 Kraig H. Kayser
President and
Chief Executive Officer
/s/Jeffrey L. Van Riper
November 7, 1997 Jeffrey L. Van Riper
Controller and
Chief Accounting Officer
<PAGE>
806754.7/LCB/19556/019 11/10/97
Exhibit 4a
MASTER REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT
Dated as of September 15, 1997
between
SENECA FOODS CORPORATION
as Borrower,
and
GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION,
as Lender
<PAGE>
iii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. LETTERS OF CREDIT..................................................
1.1 Letters of Credit.........................................
1.2 Loans Automatic...........................................
1.3 Prepayment................................................
1.4 Interest and Applicable Margins...........................
1.5 Prepayment; Termination Fees..............................
1.6 Receipt of Payments.......................................
1.7 Application and Allocation of Payments....................
1.8 Loan Account and Accounting...............................
1.9 Indemnity.................................................
1.10 Access....................................................
1.11 Taxes.....................................................
1.12 Capital Adequacy; Increased Costs; Illegality.............
1.13 Single Obligation.........................................
2. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT...............................................
2.1 Conditions to the Issuance of the Letters of Credit.......
3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.....................................
3.1 Incorporation, Good Standing and Due Qualification........
3.2 Executive Offices; FEIN...................................
3.3 Corporate Power, Authorization, Enforceable Obligations...
3.4 Financial Statements and Projections......................
3.5 Material Adverse Effect...................................
3.6 Ownership of Property; Liens..............................
3.7 Labor Matters.............................................
3.8 Ventures, Subsidiaries and Affiliates; Outstanding Stock
and Indebtedness..........................................
3.9 Government Regulation.....................................
3.10 Margin Regulations........................................
3.11 Taxes.....................................................
3.12 ERISA.....................................................
3.13 No Litigation.............................................
3.14 Brokers...................................................
3.15 Full Disclosure...........................................
3.16 Environmental Matters.....................................
3.17 Insurance.................................................
3.18 Agreements and Other Documents............................
3.19 Solvency..................................................
3.20 Bond Documentation........................................
3.21 PACA Compliance...........................................
3.22 Operation of Business.....................................
3.23 No Default on Outstanding Judgments or Orders.............
3.24 No Defaults on Other Agreements...........................
3.25 Partnerships..............................................
3.26 No Forfeiture.............................................
3.27 Pillsbury Transactions; Other Agreements..................
4. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND INFORMATION...............................
4.1 Reports and Notices.......................................
4.2 Communication with Accountants............................
5. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS..............................................
5.1 Maintenance of Existence and Conduct of Business..........
5.2 Payment of Obligations....................................
5.3 Books and Records.........................................
5.4 Insurance; Damage to or Destruction of Collateral.........
5.5 Compliance with Laws......................................
5.6 Supplemental Disclosure...................................
5.7 Environmental Matters.....................................
5.8 Further Assurances........................................
5.9 Notices...................................................
5.10 Appraisals................................................
5.11 Environmental Reports.....................................
5.12 Pillsbury Documents; Insurance Company Loan Documents;
Chase Agreements..........................................
6. NEGATIVE COVENANTS.................................................
6.1 Mergers...................................................
6.2 Investments; Loans and Advances...........................
6.3 Indebtedness..............................................
6.4 Affiliate Transactions....................................
6.5 Capital Structure and Business............................
6.6 Guaranteed Indebtedness...................................
6.7 Liens.....................................................
6.8 Sale of Stock and Assets..................................
6.9 ERISA.....................................................
6.10 Hazardous Materials.......................................
6.11 Sale-Leasebacks...........................................
6.12 Cancellation of Indebtedness..............................
6.13 Dividends; Distributions..................................
6.14 Change of Corporate Name or Location; Change of Fiscal
Year......................................................
6.15 No Impairment of Intercompany Transfers...................
6.16 Acquisitions..............................................
6.17 No Activities Leading to Forfeiture.......................
6.18 No Prepayment of Insurance Company Financing..............
6.19 Amendment of Pillsbury Documents; Insurance Company
Loan Documents............................................
6.20 Financial Covenants.......................................
7. TERM...............................................................
7.1 Termination...............................................
7.2 Survival of Obligations Upon Termination of Financing
Arrangements..............................................
8. EVENTS OF DEFAULT: RIGHTS AND REMEDIES.............................
8.1 Events of Default.........................................
8.2 Remedies..................................................
8.3 Waivers by Borrower.......................................
9. PARTICIPATIONS.....................................................
9.1 Participations............................................
10. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.............................................
10.1 Successors and Assigns....................................
11. MISCELLANEOUS......................................................
11.1 Complete Agreement; Modification of Agreement.............
11.2 Amendments and Waivers....................................
11.3 Fees and Expenses.........................................
11.4 No Waiver.................................................
11.5 Remedies..................................................
11.6 Severability..............................................
11.7 Conflict of Terms.........................................
11.8 Confidentiality...........................................
11.9 GOVERNING LAW.............................................
11.10 Notices...................................................
11.11 Section Titles............................................
11.12 Counterparts..............................................
11.13 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL......................................
11.14 Press Releases............................................
11.15 Reinstatement.............................................
11.16 Advice of Counsel.........................................
11.17 No Strict Construction....................................
<PAGE>
INDEX OF APPENDICES
Schedule 3.2 Executive Offices; FEIN
Schedule 3.4(A) Financial Statements
Schedule 3.6 Real Estate and Leases
Schedule 3.7 Labor Matters
Schedule 3.8 Ventures, Subsidiaries and Affiliates; Outstanding Stock
Schedule 3.12 ERISA Plans
Schedule 3.16 Hazardous Materials
Schedule 3.17 Insurance
Schedule 3.18 Material Agreements
Schedule 6.3 Indebtedness
Schedule 6.7 Existing Liens
Schedule 6.8 Properties Permitted to be Sold
Annex A (Recitals) Definitions
Annex B (Section 1.2) Letters of Credit
Annex C (Section 2.1(a)) Schedule of Additional Closing Documents Annex D
(Section 4.1(a)) Financial Statements and Projections - Reporting Annex E
(Section 4.1(b)) Collateral Reports Annex F (Section 11.10) Notice Addresses
Annex G (Section 6.20) Financial Covenants
<PAGE>
47
MASTER REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT, dated as of August __, 1997 between
SENECA FOODS CORPORATION, a New York corporation ("Borrower") and GENERAL
ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION, a New York corporation (in its individual
capacity, "GE Capital"), as Lender.
RECITALS
WHEREAS, Borrower desires that Lender cause the issuance of four
irrevocable letters of credit in favor of Norwest Bank Minnesota, National
Association, as trustee, to secure the payment of principal and interest, when
and as due, on the Bonds (as hereafter defined) and Lender is willing to do so
upon the terms and conditions set forth herein; and
WHEREAS, Borrower desires to secure all of its obligations under the
Loan Documents (as hereinafter defined) by granting to Lender a security
interest in and lien upon certain of its existing and after-acquired personal
and real property; and
WHEREAS, capitalized terms used in this Agreement shall have the
meanings ascribed to them in Annex A. All Annexes, Disclosure Schedules,
Exhibits and other attachments (collectively, "Appendices") hereto, or expressly
identified to this Agreement, are incorporated herein by reference, and taken
together, shall constitute but a single agreement. These Recitals shall be
construed as part of the Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual
covenants hereinafter contained, and for other good and valuable consideration,
the parties hereto agree as follows:
1. LETTERS OF CREDIT
. 1.1. Letters of Credit
(a) Issuance. Subject to and in accordance with the terms and
conditions contained herein and in Annex B, Lender agrees to cause the issuance
of each Letter of Credit in its respective Original Stated Amount and incur
Letter of Credit Obligations in respect thereof.
(b) Drawings under the Letters of Credit. The Trustee or the
Tender Agent, as the case may be, upon delivery of written notice to Lender and
the L/C Issuer, is authorized to make the following types of drawings under each
Letter of Credit in accordance with its respective terms:
(i) As provided in Section 6.4 of each Indenture, on
the Business Day immediately preceding an Interest Payment Date, the Trustee
shall make an Interest Drawing under the applicable Letter of Credit in an
amount sufficient to pay interest due and payable on such Interest Payment
Date on the applicable Bonds then Outstanding (other than Borrower Bonds
and Pledged Bonds).
(ii) As provided in Section 6.4 of each Indenture, on
the Business Day immediately preceding any redemption date, the Trustee
shall make a Redemption Drawing under the applicable Letter of Credit in an
amount sufficient to pay (1) the principal amount of any Bonds (other than
Borrower Bonds and Pledged Bonds) to be redeemed on such redemption date in
accordance with Section 3.1(a), (c) or (d) of such Indenture plus (2)
interest accrued on such Bonds to the date of redemption, provided that in
the event the date of redemption coincides with an Interest Payment Date on
such Bonds, the Redemption Drawing shall not include any accrued interest on
such Bonds (which interest shall be payable pursuant to an Interest Drawing).
(iii) As provided in Section 6.9(c) of each
Indenture, in the event Bonds (other
than Borrower Bonds and Pledged Bonds) shall have been tendered for purchase
pursuant to Section 4.1 or Section 4.2 of such Indenture and the Remarketing
Agent shall not have remarketed all or part of such Bonds as provided in such
Indenture or payment of the purchase price of such Bonds has not been received
by 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the purchase date of such Bonds, the
Trustee by 11:30 a.m., New York City time, shall make a Liquidity Drawing under
the applicable Letter of Credit in an amount sufficient to purchase any Bonds
(other than Borrower Bonds and Pledged Bonds) (or part thereof) tendered by the
holders thereof, provided that in the event that the purchase date coincides
with an Interest Payment Date on such Bonds, the Liquidity Drawing shall not
include any accrued interest on such Bonds (which interest shall be payable
pursuant to an Interest Drawing).
(iv) As provided in Section 9.2 of each Indenture, if
an "event of default" under
any Indenture shall have occurred and be continuing and if the principal amount
of all Bonds then Outstanding under such Indenture and all interest accrued
thereon have become immediately due and payable in accordance therewith, the
Trustee shall make an Acceleration Drawing under the applicable Letter of Credit
for (1) the principal amount of all such Bonds then Outstanding (other than
Borrower Bonds and Pledged Bonds) plus (2) interest accrued on such Bonds to the
date of drawing.
(v) As provided in Section 6.4 of each Indenture, on
the Business Day immediately
preceding the Stated Maturity of any Bonds, the Trustee shall make a Stated
Maturity Drawing for the principal amount of all such Bonds then Outstanding
(other than Borrower Bonds and Pledged Bonds).
Borrower Bonds and Pledged Bonds shall not be
entitled to the benefit of any Letter of Credit.
(vi) All drawings to be made under any Letter of
Credit shall be made by
presentation in person, or by telecopy, tested telex or other facsimile
telecommunication in the form of the appropriate certificate submitted by the
Trustee addressed to the L/C Issuer's office (or such other place as the L/C
Issuer may from time to time specify) with a copy to Lender and no further
presentation of documentation, including any original Letter of Credit, need be
made; it being understood that the certificate personally delivered or the
telecopied, tested telex or other facsimile telecommunication of said
certificate, as the case may be, shall, in all events, be considered to be the
sole operative instrument of drawing. Lender and the L/C Issuer may rely upon
any such personally delivered certificate or telecopied, tested telex or other
facsimile telecommunication of said drawing certificate, as the case may be,
which it, in good faith, believes to have been dispatched by the Trustee or its
authorized agent.
. In the event that Lender shall make any payment on or pursuant to any Letter
of Credit Obligation, such payment shall then be deemed automatically to
constitute a Loan to Borrower.
(a) Interest Drawings; Acceleration Drawings; Stated Maturity
Drawings. Borrower shall immediately reimburse Lender for the full amount of any
Loan by Lender resulting from an Accelerated Drawing, Interest Drawing or Stated
Maturity Drawing made under any Letter of Credit on the date of each such
drawing. If Borrower fails to make reimbursement on such date, such Loan shall
bear interest at the Index Rate plus the Applicable Loan Index Margin until paid
in full.
(b) Redemption Drawings. No later than one (1) Business Day
prior to a redemption, Borrower shall provide Lender with cash in an amount
equal to the contemplated Redemption Drawing to by held by Lender in a special
interest bearing cash collateral account ("Redemption Cash Collateral Account")
maintained at a bank or financial institution acceptable to Lender. The
Redemption Cash Collateral Account shall be in the name of Borrower, pledged to
and subject to the control of Lender, in a manner satisfactory to Lender.
Borrower hereby pledges and grants to Lender a security interest in all such
funds held in the Redemption Cash Collateral Account from time to time, all
interest thereon and all proceeds thereof as security for the payment of all
Obligations hereunder whether or not then due. Upon the making of a Loan by
Lender resulting from a Redemption Drawing, Lender shall immediately reimburse
itself from the Redemption Cash Collateral Account. So long as no Event of
Default has occurred and be continuing, Lender shall pay to Trustee any funds in
the Redemption Cash Collateral Account remaining after said reimbursement for
deposit by Trustee in the Bond Fund created under the applicable Indenture for
application in accordance with the terms thereof.
(c) Liquidity Drawings. Each Liquidity Loan will amortize over
a period commencing with the sixtieth calendar day following such Liquidity
Drawing and ending on the Commitment Termination Date and shall be payable in
consecutive equal monthly installments commencing on the first day of the first
month following the sixtieth calendar day following the Liquidity Drawing and on
the first day of each month thereafter with the balance payable on the
Commitment Termination Date, subject to acceleration upon the occurrence of an
Event of Default hereunder or upon the remarketing or reissuance of all or part
of the applicable tendered Bonds.
. 1.3. Prepayment
(a) Voluntary Prepayments. Borrower may (i) at any time on at
least five (5) days' prior written notice to Lender voluntarily prepay all or
part of the outstanding Liquidity Loans and/or (ii) at any time on at least ten
(10) days' prior written notice to Lender reduce or terminate the Commitment in
the event the Bonds are redeemed, provided that upon such reduction or
termination all Liquidity Loans and other outstanding Obligations shall be (x)
immediately due and payable in full, in the case of a termination and (y)
immediately repaid in an amount not equal to the requested reduction. Any such
voluntary prepayment and any such reduction or termination of the Commitment
must be accompanied by the payment of the fee required by Section 1.5, if any.
Upon any such prepayment and/or reduction or termination of the Commitment,
Borrower's right to request that Letter of Credit Obligations be incurred,
Letters of Credit be issued or Loans be advanced on its behalf, shall
simultaneously be permanently reduced or terminated, as the case may be. Each
notice of reduction shall designate the Letter of Credit to be terminated or
reduced and/or Liquidity Loan or other Obligations to which any prepayment is to
be applied.
(b) Application of Prepayments from Insurance Proceeds.
Prepayments from insurance proceeds in accordance with Section 5.4(c) shall be
first, applied to the Liquidity Loans and or other Obligations then outstanding,
second, in the event no Liquidity Loans or other Obligations are outstanding,
deposited in the Cash Collateral Account. The Commitment shall not be
permanently reduced by the amount of any such prepayments.
(a) Borrower shall pay interest to Lender in arrears on each applicable Loan
Interest Payment Date with respect to the outstanding Loans at a per annum rate
equal to the Index Rate plus the Applicable Loan Index Margin. The Letter of
Credit Fee shall be payable as set forth in Annex B. The Applicable Loan Index
Margin and Applicable L/C Margin will be 2% and 1-1/2% per annum, respectively.
(b) If any payment on any Loan becomes due and payable on a
day other than a Business Day, the maturity thereof will be extended to the next
succeeding Business Day and, with respect to payments of principal, interest
thereon shall be payable at the then applicable rate during such extension.
(c) All computations of Fees calculated on a per annum basis
and interest shall be made by Lender on the basis of a three hundred and sixty
(360) day year, in each case for the actual number of days occurring in the
period for which such interest and Fees are payable. The Index Rate shall be
determined each day based upon the Index Rate as in effect each day. Each
determination by Lender of an interest rate hereunder shall be conclusive,
absent manifest error.
(d) So long as any Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing, and at the election of Lender after written notice from Lender to
Borrower, the Letter of Credit Fees shall be increased by two percentage points
(2%) per annum above the rates of interest or the rate of such Fees otherwise
applicable hereunder ("Default Rate"). Letter of Credit Fees at the Default Rate
shall accrue from the initial date of such Event of Default until that Event of
Default is cured or waived and shall be payable upon demand.
(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this
Section 1.4, if a court of competent jurisdiction determines in a final order
that the rate of interest payable hereunder exceeds the highest rate of interest
permissible under law (the "Maximum Lawful Rate"), then so long as the Maximum
Lawful Rate would be so exceeded, the rate of interest payable hereunder shall
be equal to the Maximum Lawful Rate; provided, however, that if at any time
thereafter the rate of interest payable hereunder is less than the Maximum
Lawful Rate, Borrower shall continue to pay interest hereunder at the Maximum
Lawful Rate until such time as the total interest received by Lender is equal to
the total interest which would have been received had the interest rate payable
hereunder been (but for the operation of this paragraph) the interest rate
payable since the Closing Date as otherwise provided in this Agreement.
Thereafter, interest hereunder shall be paid at the rate(s) of interest and in
the manner provided in this Section 1.4, unless and until the rate of interest
again exceeds the Maximum Lawful Rate, and at that time this paragraph shall
again apply. In no event shall the total interest received by Lender pursuant to
the terms hereof exceed the amount which Lender could lawfully have received had
the interest due hereunder been calculated for the full term hereof at the
Maximum Lawful Rate. If the Maximum Lawful Rate is calculated pursuant to this
paragraph, such interest shall be calculated at a daily rate equal to the
Maximum Lawful Rate divided by the number of days in the year in which such
calculation is made. If, notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 1.4(e),
a court of competent jurisdiction shall finally determine that Lender has
received interest hereunder in excess of the Maximum Lawful Rate, Lender shall,
to the extent permitted by applicable law, promptly apply such excess in the
order specified in Section 1.7 and thereafter shall refund any excess to
Borrower or as a court of competent jurisdiction may require.
. If any Letter of Credit is terminated or reduced, whether voluntarily or
involuntarily and whether before or after acceleration of the Obligations,
Borrower shall pay to Lender as liquidated damages and compensation for the
costs of being prepared to make funds available hereunder an amount determined
by multiplying the Applicable Percentage (as defined below) by the face amount
of each Letter of Credit to be terminated or reduced (without giving effect to
such reduction or termination). As used herein, the term "Applicable Percentage"
shall mean (x) one percent (1%), in the case of a termination on or prior to the
first anniversary of the Closing Date and (y) one half percent (1/2%), in the
case of a termination after the first anniversary of the Closing Date but on or
prior to the second anniversary.
. Borrower shall make each payment under this Agreement not later than 2:00 p.m.
(New York time) on the day when due in immediately available funds in Dollars to
the Collection Account. For purposes of computing interest and Fees as of any
date, all payments shall be deemed received on the day of receipt of immediately
available funds therefor at the Collection Account prior to 2:00 p.m. New York
time. Payments received after 2:00 p.m. New York time on any Business Day shall
be deemed to have been received on the following Business Day.
. Borrower hereby irrevocably waives the right to direct the application of any
and all payments received from or on behalf of Borrower, and Borrower hereby
irrevocably agrees that Lender shall have the continuing exclusive right to
apply any and all such payments against the Obligations as Lender may deem
advisable. In the absence of a specific determination by Lender with respect
thereto, payments shall be applied to amounts then due and payable in the
following order: (1) to Fees and Lender's expenses reimbursable hereunder; (2)
to interest on the Loans, ratably in proportion to the interest accrued as to
each Loan; (3) to principal payments on the Loans and to the Cash Collateral
Account in the manner described in Annex B, ratably to the aggregate, combined
principal balance of the Loans and Letter of Credit Obligations; and (4) to all
other Obligations to the extent reimbursable hereunder.
. Lender shall maintain a loan account (the "Loan Account") on its books to
record: (a) all Loans, (b) all Letters of Credit, (c) Letter of Credit
Obligations, (c) all payments made by Borrower, and (d) all other debits and
credits as provided in this Agreement with respect to the Loans or any other
Obligations. All entries in the Loan Account shall be made in accordance with
Lender's customary accounting practices as in effect from time to time. The
entries in the Loan Account, as recorded on Lender's most recent printout or
other written statement, shall be presumptive evidence of the amounts due and
owing or Obligations outstanding to Lender by Borrower; provided that any
failure to so record or any error in so recording shall not limit or otherwise
affect Borrower's duty to pay the Obligations. Lender shall render to Borrower a
monthly accounting of transactions with respect to the Loans setting forth the
balance of the Loan Account. Unless Borrower notifies Lender in writing of any
objection to any such accounting (specifically describing the basis for such
objection), within thirty (30) days after the date thereof, each and every such
accounting shall (absent manifest error) be deemed final, binding and conclusive
upon Borrower in all respects as to all matters reflected therein. Only those
items expressly objected to in such notice shall be deemed to be disputed by
Borrower.
. Borrower indemnifies and holds harmless each of Lender and its Affiliates, and
each such Person's respective officers, directors, employees, attorneys, agents
and representatives (each, an "Indemnified Person"), from and against any and
all suits, actions, proceedings, claims, damages, losses, liabilities and
expenses (including attorneys' fees and disbursements and other costs of
investigation or defense, including those incurred upon any appeal) which may be
instituted or asserted against or incurred by any such Indemnified Person as the
result of credit having been extended, suspended or terminated under this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents and the administration of such credit,
and in connection with or arising out of the transactions contemplated hereunder
and thereunder and any actions or failures to act in connection therewith,
including any and all Environmental Liabilities and legal costs and expenses
arising out of or incurred in connection with disputes between or among any
parties to any of the Loan Documents (collectively, "Indemnified Liabilities");
provided, that Borrower shall not be liable for any indemnification to an
Indemnified Person to the extent that any such suit, action, proceeding, claim,
damage, loss, liability or expense results solely from that Indemnified Person's
gross negligence or willful misconduct, as finally determined by a court of
competent jurisdiction. NO INDEMNIFIED PERSON SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE TO
ANY OTHER PARTY TO ANY LOAN DOCUMENT, ANY SUCCESSOR, ASSIGNEE OR THIRD PARTY
BENEFICIARY OF SUCH PERSON OR ANY OTHER PERSON ASSERTING CLAIMS DERIVATIVELY
THROUGH SUCH PARTY, FOR INDIRECT, PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES
WHICH MAY BE ALLEGED AS A RESULT OF CREDIT HAVING BEEN EXTENDED, SUSPENDED OR
TERMINATED UNDER ANY LOAN DOCUMENT OR AS A RESULT OF ANY OTHER TRANSACTION
CONTEMPLATED HEREUNDER OR THEREUNDER.
. (a) Borrower shall, during normal business hours, from time to time upon one
(1) Business Day's prior notice as frequently as Lender reasonably determines to
be appropriate: (i) provide Lender and any of its officers, employees and agents
access to its properties, facilities, advisors and employees (including
officers) of Borrower and to the Collateral, (ii) permit Lender, and any of its
officers, employees and agents, to inspect, audit and make extracts from
Borrower's books and records, and (iii) permit Lender, and its officers,
employees and agents, to inspect, review and evaluate the Collateral. If a
Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, Borrower
shall provide such access at all times and without advance notice. Borrower
shall make available to Lender and its counsel, as quickly as is possible under
the circumstances, originals or copies of all books and records which Lender may
reasonably request. Borrower shall deliver any document or instrument necessary
for Lender, as it may from time to time reasonably request, to obtain records
from any service bureau or other Person which maintains records for Borrower,
and shall maintain duplicate records or supporting documentation on media,
including computer tapes and discs owned by Borrower.
(b) Borrower shall pay Lender a Fee of $650 per day per
individual (plus all out-of-pocket costs and expenses) in connection with
Lender's field examinations permitted under Section 1.10(a) above; provided, so
long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing Borrower's
obligations with respect to the foregoing fees (excluding out-of-pocket costs
and expenses)shall not exceed $7,500 per fiscal year.
. (a) Any and all payments by Borrower hereunder shall be made, in accordance
with this Section 1.11, free and clear of and without deduction for any and all
present or future Taxes. If Borrower shall be required by law to deduct any
Taxes from or in respect of any sum payable hereunder, (i) the sum payable shall
be increased as much as shall be necessary so that after making all required
deductions (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable under
this Section 1.11) Lender receives an amount equal to the sum it would have
received had no such deductions been made, (ii) Borrower shall make such
deductions, and (iii) Borrower shall pay the full amount deducted to the
relevant taxing or other authority in accordance with applicable law. Within
thirty (30) days after the date of any payment of Taxes, Borrower shall furnish
to Lender the original or a certified copy of a receipt evidencing payment
thereof.
(b) Borrower shall indemnify and, within ten (10) days of
demand therefor, pay Lender for the full amount of Taxes (including any Taxes
imposed by any jurisdiction on amounts payable under this Section 1.11) paid by
Lender, and any liability (including penalties, interest and expenses) arising
therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes were correctly or
legally asserted.
. (a)If Lender shall have determined that the adoption after the date hereof of
any law, treaty, governmental (or quasi-governmental) rule, regulation,
guideline or order regarding capital adequacy, reserve requirements or similar
requirements or compliance by Lender with any request or directive regarding
capital adequacy, reserve requirements or similar requirements (whether or not
having the force of law) from any central bank or other Governmental Authority
increases or would have the effect of increasing the amount of capital, reserves
or other funds required to be maintained by Lender and thereby reducing the rate
of return on Lender's capital as a consequence of its obligations hereunder,
then Borrower shall from time to time upon demand by Lender pay to Lender
additional amounts sufficient to compensate Lender for such reduction. A
certificate as to the amount of that reduction and showing the basis of the
computation thereof submitted by Lender to Borrower shall, absent manifest
error, be final, conclusive and binding for all purposes.
(b) If, due to either (i) the introduction of or any change in
any law or regulation (or any change in the interpretation thereof) or (ii) the
compliance with any guideline or request from any central bank or other
Governmental Authority (whether or not having the force of law), there shall be
any increase in the cost to Lender of agreeing to make or making, funding or
maintaining any Loan, then Borrower shall from time to time, upon demand by
Lender, pay to Lender additional amounts sufficient to compensate Lender for
such increased cost. A certificate as to the amount of such increased cost,
submitted to Borrower by Lender, shall be conclusive and binding on Borrower for
all purposes, absent manifest error. Lender agrees that, as promptly as
practicable after it becomes aware of any circumstances referred to above which
would result in any such increased cost, Lender shall, to the extent not
inconsistent with Lender's internal policies of general application, use
reasonable commercial efforts to minimize costs and expenses incurred by it and
payable to it by Borrower pursuant to this Section 1.12(b).
. All Loans to Borrower, Letters of Credit caused to be issued on Borrower's
behalf hereunder, Letter of Credit Obligations and all of the other Obligations
of Borrower arising under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall
constitute one general obligation of Borrower secured, until the Termination
Date, by all of the Collateral.
2. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
. 2.1. Conditions to the Issuance of the Letters of Credit
Lender shall not be obligated to cause the issuance of any Letter of
Credit or incur any Letter of Credit Obligations on the Closing Date, or to
take, fulfill, or perform any other action hereunder, until the following
conditions have been satisfied or provided for in a manner satisfactory to
Lender, in Lender's sole discretion, or waived in writing by Lender:
(a) Master Reimbursement Agreement; Loan Documents. This
Agreement or counterparts hereof shall have been duly executed by, and delivered
to, Borrower and Lender; and Lender shall have received such documents,
instruments, agreements and legal opinions as Lender shall request in connection
with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Loan
Documents, including all those listed on Annex C hereto and in the Closing
Checklist, each in form and substance satisfactory to Lender;
(b) Repayment of Prior Lender Obligations; Satisfaction of
Outstanding L/C's. Lender shall have received a fully executed original of a
pay-off letter satisfactory to Lender confirming that all letters of credit
issued or guaranteed by Prior Lender shall have been terminated or cash
collateralized, as mutually agreed upon by Lender, Borrower and Prior Lender.
(c) Approvals. Lender shall have received (i) satisfactory
evidence that the Borrower has obtained all required consents and approvals of
all Persons including all requisite Governmental Authorities, to the execution,
delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or (ii)
an officer's certificate in form and substance satisfactory to Lender affirming
that no such consents or approvals are required.
(d) Payment of Fees. Borrower shall have paid any Fees
required to be paid on the Closing Date and shall have reimbursed Lender for all
fees, costs and expenses of closing presented as of the Closing Date.
(e) Other Indebtedness. The terms and conditions of all
outstanding Indebtedness of Borrower shall be acceptable to Lender in its sole
discretion.
(f) Pledge. Lender shall have received evidence of the
effective pledge by the Issuer of the Trust Estate to secure the interest of
Lender hereunder and thereunder and of the Bondholders under each Indenture.
(g) Issuer Existence. Lender shall have received evidence of
the status of each Issuer as a duly organized and validly existing municipality,
body corporate, politic and/or public benefit corporation under the Constitution
and laws of its respect State, as the case may be.
(h) Delivery of Bonds. Lender shall have received evidence
that each Issuer shall have duly executed, issued and delivered the Bonds to the
Trustee.
(i) Appointments. Lender shall have received evidence that
each Remarketing Agent, Paying Agent and Tender Agent has acknowledged and
accepted in writing its appointment as Remarketing Agent, Paying Agent and
Tender Agent, respectively, under the applicable Indenture and its duties and
obligations thereunder.
(j) Laws. No law, regulation, ruling or other action of the
United States or the state of any Issuer or any political subdivision or
authority therein or thereof shall be in effect or shall have occurred, the
effect of which would be to prevent Lender or Borrower from fulfilling its
obligations under this Agreement, any Loan Documents or any other Bond Documents
to which it is a party.
(k) Requirements. All legal requirements provided herein
incident to the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, the Loan
Documents, the Indentures, the Sale Agreements, the Bonds and the other Bond
Documents and the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, shall be
reasonably satisfactory to Lender and its counsel.
(l) PACA Claims. Lender shall have received a certificate from
Borrower's Vice President, Finance indicating that there are no outstanding PACA
claims as of the Closing Date which individually or in the aggregate exceed
$250,000.
3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
To induce Lender to make the Loans, cause the issuance of the Letters
of Credit and to incur Letter of Credit Obligations, Borrower makes the
following representations and warranties to Lender, each and all of which shall
survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement.
. Borrower is duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the
laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation, has the corporate power and
authority to own its assets and to transact the business in which it is now
engaged or proposed to be engaged, and is duly qualified as a foreign
corporation and in good standing under the laws of each other jurisdiction in
which such qualification is required, except where the failure to so qualify
would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
. As of the Closing Date, the current location of Borrower's chief executive
office and principal place of business is set forth in Disclosure Schedule
(3.2), and none of such locations have changed within the twelve (12) months
preceding the Closing Date. In addition, Disclosure Schedule (3.2) lists the
federal employer identification number of Borrower.
. The execution, delivery and performance by Borrower of the Loan Documents has
been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action and do not and will not:
(a) require any consent or approval of its stockholders; (b) contravene its
charter or by-laws; (c) violate any provision of, or require any filing,
registration, consent or approval under, any law, rule, regulation (including,
without limitation, Regulation U), order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree,
determination or award presently in effect having applicability to such Person;
(d) result in a breach of or constitute a default or require any consent under
any indenture or loan or credit agreement or any other agreement, lease or
instrument to which Borrower is a party or by which it or its properties may be
bound or affected; (e) result in, or require, the creation or imposition of any
Lien, upon or with respect to any of the properties now owned or hereafter
acquired by Borrower, except for the Liens granted hereunder or pursuant to the
Security Agreement; or (f) cause Borrower (or any Significant Subsidiary or
Affiliate, as the case may be) to be in default under any such law, rule,
regulation, order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree, determination or award or
any such indenture, agreement, lease or instrument. Each Loan Document is, or
when delivered under this Agreement will be, a legal, valid and binding
obligation of Borrower enforceable against such Person in accordance with its
terms, except to the extent that such enforcement may be limited by applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency and other similar laws affecting creditors' rights
generally.
. All Financial Statements concerning Borrower and its Subsidiaries which are
referenced below have been prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied
throughout the periods covered (except as disclosed therein and except, with
respect to unaudited Financial Statements, for the absence of footnotes and
normal year-end audit adjustments) and present fairly in all material respects
the financial position of the Persons covered thereby as at the dates thereof
and the results of their operations and cash flows for the periods then ended.
The audited consolidated and consolidating balance sheets at March 31, 1997 and
the related statements of income and cash flows of Borrower and its Subsidiaries
for the Fiscal Year then ended, certified by Borrower's independent certified
public accountants have been attached hereto as Disclosure Schedule (3.4(A))
have been delivered on the date hereof.
. Between March 31, 1997 and the Closing Date, (a) Borrower has not incurred any
obligations, contingent or non-contingent liabilities, liabilities for Charges,
long-term leases or unusual forward or long-term commitments which have not been
disclosed in writing to Lender and which, alone or in the aggregate, could
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (b) no contract, lease
or other agreement or instrument has been entered into by Borrower or has become
binding upon Borrower's assets and no law or regulation applicable to Borrower
has been adopted which has had or could reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect, and (c) Borrower is not in default and to the best of
Borrower's knowledge no third party is in default under any material contract,
lease or other agreement or instrument, which alone or in the aggregate could
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Between March 31, 1997
and the Closing Date no event has occurred, which alone or together with other
events, could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
. As of the Closing Date, the real estate ("Real Estate") listed on Disclosure
Schedule (3.6) constitutes real property owned or leased, by Borrower and being
pledged as Collateral. Borrower owns good and marketable fee simple or leasehold
title Real Estate described on Disclosure Schedule (3.6). Borrower also has good
and marketable title to, or valid leasehold interests in, all of its personal
properties and assets. As of the Closing Date, none of the properties and assets
of Borrower are subject to any Liens other than Permitted Encumbrances, and
there are no facts, circumstances or conditions known to Borrower that may
result in any Liens (including Liens arising under Environmental Laws) other
than Permitted Encumbrances. Borrower has received all deeds, assignments,
waivers, consents, non-disturbance and recognition or similar agreements, bills
of sale and other documents, and has duly effected all recordings, filings and
other actions necessary to establish, protect and perfect Borrower's right,
title and interest in and to all such Real Estate and other properties and
assets. Disclosure Schedule (3.6) also describes any purchase options, rights of
first refusal or other similar contractual rights pertaining to any Real Estate.
As of the Closing Date, no portion of Borrower's Real Estate has suffered any
material damage by fire or other casualty loss which has not heretofore been
repaired and restored in all material respects to its original condition or
otherwise remedied. As of the Closing Date, all material permits required enable
the Real Estate to be lawfully occupied and used for all of the purposes for
which they are currently occupied and used have been lawfully issued and are in
full force and effect.
; Acts of God. As of the Closing Date (a) no strikes or other material labor
disputes against Borrower are pending or, to Borrower's knowledge, threatened;
(b) hours worked by and payment made to employees of Borrower comply with the
Fair Labor Standards Act and each other federal, state, local or foreign law
applicable to such matter; (c) all payments due from Borrower for employee
health and welfare insurance have been paid or accrued as a liability on the
books of Borrower; (d) except as set forth in Disclosure Schedule (3.7),
Borrower is not a party to or bound by any collective bargaining agreement,
management agreement, consulting agreement or any employment agreement (and upon
Lender's request, true and complete copies of any agreements described on
Disclosure Schedule (3.7) will be delivered to Lender); (e) except as set forth
in Disclosure Schedule (3.7), there is no organizing activity involving Borrower
pending or, to Borrower's knowledge, threatened by any labor union or group of
employees; (f) there are no representation proceedings pending or, to Borrower's
knowledge, threatened with the National Labor Relations Board, and no labor
organization or group of employees of Borrower has made a pending demand for
recognition; and (g) except as set forth in Disclosure Schedule (3.7), there are
no complaints or charges against Borrower pending or, to the knowledge of
Borrower, threatened to be filed with any Governmental Authority or arbitrator
based on, arising out of, in connection with, or otherwise relating to the
employment or termination of employment by Borrower of any individual. Neither
the business nor the properties of Borrower has been affected by any fire,
explosion, accident, drought, storm, hail, earthquake, embargo, act of God or of
the public enemy or other casualty (whether or not covered by insurance), which
has or may reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
. Except as set forth in Disclosure Schedule (3.8), Borrower has no
Subsidiaries, is not engaged in any joint venture or partnership with any other
Person, and is not an Affiliate of any other Person. Disclosure Schedule (3.8)
set forth the ownership interests of each stockholder having greater than a 5%
interest in Borrower. There are no outstanding rights to purchase, options,
warrants or similar rights or agreements pursuant to which Borrower may be
required to issue, sell, repurchase or redeem any of its Stock or other equity
securities or any Stock or other equity securities of its Subsidiaries. All
outstanding Indebtedness of Borrower as of the Closing Date is described in
Section 6.3 (including Disclosure Schedule (6.3)).
. Borrower is not an "investment company" or an "affiliated person" of, or
"promoter" or "principal underwriter" for, an "investment company," as such
terms are defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended. Borrower is
not subject to regulation under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935,
the Federal Power Act, or any other federal or state statute that restricts or
limits its ability to incur Indebtedness or to perform its obligations
hereunder. The making of the Loans by Lender to Borrower, the incurrence of the
Letter of Credit Obligations on behalf of Borrower, the application of the
proceeds thereof and repayment thereof and the consummation of the Related
Transactions will not violate any provision of any such statute or any rule,
regulation or order issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
. Borrower is not engaged, nor will it engage, principally or as one of its
important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose of
"purchasing" or "carrying" any "margin security" as such terms are defined in
Regulation U or G of the Federal Reserve Board as now and from time to time
hereafter in effect (such securities being referred to herein as "Margin
Stock"). Borrower does not own any Margin Stock (except for the capital stock of
Moog Inc. referenced in Section 6.2 (f) hereof), and none of the proceeds of the
Loans or other extensions of credit under this Agreement will be used, directly
or indirectly, for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any Margin Stock, for
the purpose of reducing or retiring any Indebtedness which was originally
incurred to purchase or carry any Margin Stock or for any other purpose which
might cause any of the Loans or other extensions of credit under this Agreement
to be considered a "purpose credit" within the meaning of Regulation G, T, U or
X of the Federal Reserve Board. Borrower will not take or permit to be taken any
action which might cause any Loan Document to violate any regulation of the
Federal Reserve Board.
. Borrower has filed all tax returns (federal, state and local) required to be
filed and has paid all taxes, assessments and governmental charges and levies
shown thereto to be due, including interest and penalties, except for those
being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings, and for which
adequate financial reserves have been established by Borrower. The federal
income tax liability of Borrower has been audited by the Internal Revenue
Service and has been finally determined and satisfied for all taxables years up
to and including the year ended 1993.
. (a) Disclosure Schedule (3.12) lists and separately identifies all Title IV
Plans, Multiemployer Plans, ESOPs and Retiree Welfare Plans. Copies of all such
listed Plans, together with a copy of the latest form 5500 for each such Plan,
have been delivered to Lender. Each Qualified Plan has been determined by the
IRS to qualify under Section 401 of the IRC, and the trusts created thereunder
have been determined to be exempt from tax under the provisions of Section 501
of the IRC, and nothing has occurred which would cause the loss of such
qualification or tax-exempt status. Each Plan is in compliance with the
applicable provisions of ERISA and the IRC, including the filing of reports
required under the IRC or ERISA. Neither Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has
failed to make any contribution or pay any amount due as required by either
Section 412 of the IRC or Section 302 of ERISA or the terms of any such Plan.
Neither Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has engaged in a prohibited
transaction, as defined in Section 4975 of the IRC, in connection with any Plan,
which would subject Borrower to a material tax on prohibited transactions
imposed by Section 4975 of the IRC.
(b) Except as set forth in Disclosure Schedule (3.12): (i) no
Title IV Plan has any Unfunded Pension Liability; (ii) no ERISA Event or event
described in Section 4062(e) of ERISA with respect to any Title IV Plan has
occurred or is reasonably expected to occur; (iii) there are no pending, or to
the knowledge of Borrower, threatened claims (other than claims for benefits in
the normal course), sanctions, actions or lawsuits, asserted or instituted
against any Plan or any Person as fiduciary or sponsor of any Plan; (iv) neither
Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred or reasonably expects to incur any
liability as a result of a complete or partial withdrawal from a Multiemployer
Plan; (v) within the last five years no Title IV Plan with Unfunded Pension
Liabilities has been transferred outside of the "controlled group" (within the
meaning of Section 4001(a)(14) of ERISA) of Borrower or ERISA Affiliate; and
(vi) no liability under any Title IV Plan has been satisfied with the purchase
of a contract from an insurance company that is not rated AAA by the Standard &
Poor's Corporation or the equivalent by another nationally recognized rating
agency.
. No action, claim, lawsuit, demand, investigation or proceeding is now pending
or, to the knowledge of Borrower, threatened against Borrower, before any
Governmental Authority or before any arbitrator or panel of arbitrators
(collectively, "Litigation"), (a) which challenges Borrower's right or power to
enter into or perform any of its obligations under the Loan Documents to which
it is a party, or the validity or enforceability of any Loan Document or any
action taken thereunder, or (b) which has a reasonable risk of being determined
adversely to Borrower and which, if so determined, could have a Material Adverse
Effect.
. No broker or finder acting on behalf of Borrower brought about the obtaining,
making or closing of the Loans or the Related Transactions, and Borrower has no
obligation to any Person in respect of any finder's or brokerage fees in
connection therewith.
. No information contained in this Agreement, any of the other Loan Documents,
Financial Statements or Collateral Reports or other reports from time to time
delivered hereunder or any written statement furnished by or on behalf of
Borrower to Lender pursuant to the terms of this Agreement contains or will
contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omits or will omit to state a
material fact necessary to make the statements contained herein or therein not
misleading in light of the circumstances under which they were made. The Liens
granted to Lender pursuant to the Collateral Documents will at all times be
fully perfected first priority Liens in and to the Collateral described therein,
subject, as to priority, only to Permitted Encumbrances.
. (a) Except as set forth in Disclosure Schedule (3.16), as of the Closing Date:
(i) the Real Estate is free of contamination from any Hazardous Material except
for such contamination that would not adversely impact the value or
marketability of such Real Estate and which would not result in Environmental
Liabilities which could reasonably be expected to exceed $250,000; (ii) Borrower
has not caused or suffered to occur any Release of Hazardous Materials on, at,
in, under, above, to, from or about any of its Real Estate; (iii) the Borrower
is and has been in compliance with all Environmental Laws, except for such
noncompliance which would not result in Environmental Liabilities which could
reasonably be expected to exceed $250,000; (iv) the Borrower has obtained, and
is in compliance with, all Environmental Permits required by Environmental Laws
for the operations of their respective businesses as presently conducted or as
proposed to be conducted, except where the failure to so obtain or comply with
such Environmental Permits would not result in Environmental Liabilities which
could reasonably be expected to exceed $250,000, and all such Environmental
Permits are valid, uncontested and in good standing; (v) Borrower is not
involved in operations or knows of any facts, circumstances or conditions,
including any Releases of Hazardous Materials, that are likely to result in any
Environmental Liabilities of Borrower which could reasonably be expected to
exceed $250,000, and Borrower has not permitted any current or former tenant or
occupant of the Real Estate to engage in any such operations; (vi) Borrower's
estimated costs of compliance as of the Closing Date with Environmental Laws and
Environmental Permits for each of the two Fiscal Years following the Closing
Date are $250,000 and $250,000, respectively; (vii) there is no Litigation
arising under or related to any Environmental Laws, Environmental Permits or
Hazardous Material which seeks damages, penalties or fines in excess of $250,000
or injunctive relief, or which alleges criminal misconduct by Borrower; (viii)
no notice has been received by Borrower identifying it as a "potentially
responsible party" or requesting information under CERCLA or analogous state
statutes, and to the knowledge of Borrower, there are no facts, circumstances or
conditions that may result in Borrower being identified as a "potentially
responsible party" under CERCLA or analogous state statutes; and (ix) Borrower
has provided to Lender copies of all existing environmental reports, reviews and
audits and all written information pertaining to actual or potential
Environmental Liabilities, in each case relating to Borrower.
(b) Borrower hereby acknowledges and agrees that Lender (i) is
not now, and has not ever been, in control of any of the Real Estate or
Borrower's affairs, and (ii) does not have the capacity through the provisions
of the Loan Documents or otherwise to influence Borrower's conduct with respect
to the ownership, operation or management of any of its Real Estate or
compliance with Environmental Laws or Environmental Permits.
. Disclosure Schedule (3.17) lists all insurance policies of any nature
maintained, as of the Closing Date, for current occurrences by Borrower, as well
as a summary of the terms of each such policy.
. As of the Closing Date, Borrower has provided to Lender or its counsel
accurate and complete copies (or summaries) of all of the following agreements
or documents to which any it is subject and each of which are listed on
Disclosure Schedule (3.18): (a) any lease of Equipment located at any of the
Real Estate having a remaining term of one year or longer and requiring
aggregate rental and other payments in excess of $500,000 per annum; (b)
licenses and permits held by Borrower, the absence of which could be reasonably
likely to have a Material Adverse Effect; (c) instruments or documents
evidencing Indebtedness in excess of $750,000 of Borrower and any security
interest granted by Borrower with respect thereto; and (d) instruments and
agreements evidencing the issuance of any equity securities, warrants, rights or
options to purchase equity securities of Borrower.
. Both before and after giving effect to the Loans, the issuance of the Letters
of Credit and the incurrence of the Letter of Credit Obligations to be made or
extended on the Closing Date or such other date as Loans and Letter of Credit
Obligations requested hereunder are made, caused to be made or extended and the
payment and accrual of all transaction costs in connection with the foregoing,
Borrower is Solvent.
. The representations and warranties of Borrower and the Issuer in the Bond
Documents and the Placement Memorandum were true and correct when made, and
Borrower has furnished Lender a true, accurate, correct and complete copy of all
the Bond Documents and Placement Memorandum as in effect on the date hereof.
. Borrower has purchased and shall continue to purchase PACA Goods and apply the
proceeds of their sale in a manner which will preclude the imposition of the
"PACA Trust" on any of the Collateral.
. Borrower possesses all licenses, permits, franchises, patents, copyrights,
trademarks and tradenames or rights thereto, necessary to conduct its business
substantially as now conducted and as presently proposed to be conducted, and
Borrower is not in violation of any valid rights of others with respect to any
of the foregoing, which violation may reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect.
. Borrower has satisfied all judgments and Borrower is not in default with
respect to any judgment, writ, injunction, decree, law, rule or regulation of
any court, arbitrator or federal, state, municipal or other governmental
authority, commission, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality, domestic or
foreign, which default has or may reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect.
. To Borrower's knowledge, Borrower is not a party to any indenture, loan or
credit agreement or any lease or other agreement or instrument or subject to any
charter or corporate restriction which Borrower reasonably anticipates will have
a Material Adverse Effect. Borrower is not in default in any respect in the
performance, observance or fulfillment of any of the obligations, covenants or
conditions contained in any agreement or instrument material to its business to
which it is a party, which default has or may reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect.
. Borrower is not a partner in any partnership.
. Neither Borrower nor any Affiliate of Borrower is engaged in or proposes to be
engaged in the conduct of any business or activity which could result in a
Forfeiture Proceeding and no Forfeiture Proceeding against any of them is
pending or threatened.
. Neither Borrower nor, to Borrower's knowledge, Pillsbury or Grand Metropolitan
PLC, has in any material respect failed to perform or otherwise breached or
defaulted, under any provision of any Pillsbury Documents; no event of default,
or condition or event which with notice or lapse of time or both would
constitute an event of default, under any of the Pillsbury Documents, Chase
Agreements or Insurance Company Loan Documents has occurred and is continuing;
no amount of principal or interest has been paid, credited or otherwise
satisfied (whether by payment, offset or any other method) prior to the due date
thereof, or in violation of the Pillsbury Note or of this Agreement; and no
notice or termination has been given, and no event has occurred which would
entitle either party to terminate, under Article XIX of the Pillsbury Alliance
Agreement.
4. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND INFORMATION
. (a) Borrower hereby agrees that from and after the Closing Date and until the
Termination Date, it shall deliver to Lender the Financial Statements, notices
and other information at the times, to the Persons and in the manner set forth
in Annex D.
(b) Borrower agrees that from and after the Closing Date and
until the Termination Date, it shall deliver to Lender the Collateral Reports at
the times, to the Persons and in the manner set forth in Annex E.
. Borrower authorizes Lender to communicate directly with its independent
certified public accountants including Deloitte & Touche LLP and authorizes and
shall instruct those accountants and advisors to disclose and make available to
Lender any and all Financial Statements and other supporting financial
documents, schedules and information relating to Borrower (including copies of
any issued management letters) with respect to the business, financial condition
and other affairs of Borrower.
5. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
Borrower agrees that from and after the date hereof and until the
Termination Date:
. (a) Except as otherwise permitted pursuant to this Agreement, preserve and
maintain, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to preserve and maintain, its
corporate existence and good standing in the jurisdiction of its incorporation,
and qualify and remain qualified; and cause each of its Subsidiaries to qualify
and remain qualified, as a foreign corporation in each jurisdiction in which
such qualification is required, except where the failure to so qualify would not
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (b) continue, and
cause each of its Subsidiaries to continue, to engage in a business of the same
general type as conducted by it on the date of this Agreement; and (c) maintain
and cause each of its Significant Subsidiaries to maintain all of its properties
(tangible and intangible) necessary in the proper conduct of its business in
good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear expected.
. (a) Subject to Section 5.2(b), Borrower shall pay and discharge or cause to be
paid and discharged promptly all Charges payable by it, including (A) Charges
imposed upon it, its income and profits, or any of its property (real, personal
or mixed) and all Charges with respect to tax, social security and unemployment
withholding with respect to its employees, and (B) lawful claims for labor,
materials, supplies and services or otherwise, before any thereof shall become
past due.
(b) Borrower may in good faith contest, by appropriate
proceedings, the validity or amount of any Charges or claims described in
Section 5.2(a); provided, that (i) at the time of commencement of any such
contest no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, (ii) adequate
reserves with respect to such contest are maintained on the books of Borrower,
in accordance with GAAP, (iii) such contest is maintained and prosecuted
continuously and with diligence and operates to suspend collection or
enforcement of such Charges or claims or any Lien in respect thereof, (iv) none
of the Collateral becomes subject to forfeiture or loss as a result of such
contest, (v) no Lien shall be imposed to secure payment of such Charges or
claims other than Permitted Encumbrances, (vi) Borrower shall promptly pay or
discharge such contested Charges or claims and all additional charges, interest,
penalties and expenses, if any, and shall deliver to Lender evidence acceptable
to Lender of such compliance, payment or discharge, if such contest is
terminated or discontinued adversely to Borrower or the conditions set forth in
this Section 5.2(b) are no longer met, and (vii) Lender has not advised Borrower
in writing that Lender reasonably believes that nonpayment or nondischarge
thereof could have or result in a Material Adverse Effect.
. Borrower shall keep adequate books and records with respect to its business
activities in which proper entries, reflecting all financial transactions, are
made in accordance with GAAP and on a basis consistent with the Financial
Statements attached as Disclosure Schedule (3.4(A)).
. (a) Borrower shall, at its sole cost and expense, maintain the policies of
insurance described on Disclosure Schedule (3.17) in form and with insurers
acceptable to Lender. If Borrower at any time or times hereafter shall fail to
obtain or maintain any of the policies of insurance required above or to pay all
premiums relating thereto, Lender may at any time or times thereafter obtain and
maintain such policies of insurance and pay such premiums and take any other
action with respect thereto which Lender deems advisable. Lender shall have no
obligation to obtain insurance for Borrower or pay any premiums therefor. By
doing so, Lender shall not be deemed to have waived any Default or Event of
Default arising from Borrower's failure to maintain such insurance or pay any
premiums therefor. All sums so disbursed, including attorneys' fees, court costs
and other charges related thereto, shall be payable on demand by Borrower to
Lender and shall be additional Obligations hereunder secured by the Collateral.
(b) Lender reserves the right at any time upon any change in
Borrower's risk profile (including any change in the product mix maintained by
Borrower or any laws affecting the potential liability of Borrower) to require
additional forms and limits of insurance to, in Lender's opinion, adequately
protect both Lender's interests in all or any portion of the Collateral and to
ensure that Borrower is protected by insurance in amounts and with coverage
customary for its industry. If requested by Lender, Borrower shall deliver to
Lender from time to time a report of a reputable insurance broker, satisfactory
to Lender, with respect to its insurance policies but shall have no obligation
to provide such a report more often than once each year.
(c) Borrower shall deliver to Lender, in form and substance
satisfactory to Lender, endorsements to (i) all "All Risk" and business
interruption insurance naming Lender as loss payee with respect to insurance
covering the Collateral, and (ii) all general liability and other liability
policies naming Lender as additional insured. Borrower irrevocably makes,
constitutes and appoints Lender (and all officers, employees or agents
designated by Lender), so long as any Event of Default shall have occurred and
be continuing or the anticipated insurance proceeds exceed $250,000, as
Borrower's true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact for the purpose of making,
settling and adjusting claims with respect to the Collateral under such "All
Risk" policies of insurance, endorsing the name of Borrower on any check or
other item of payment for the proceeds of such "All Risk" policies of insurance
and for making all determinations and decisions with respect to such "All Risk"
policies of insurance. Lender shall have no duty to exercise any rights or
powers granted to it pursuant to the foregoing power-of-attorney. Borrower shall
promptly notify Lender of any loss, damage, or destruction to the Collateral in
the amount of $250,000 or more, whether or not covered by insurance. After
deducting from such proceeds the expenses, if any, incurred by Lender in the
collection or handling thereof, Lender may, at its option, apply such proceeds
to the reduction of the Obligations, or permit or require Borrower to use such
money, or any part thereof, to replace, repair, restore or rebuild the
Collateral in a diligent and expeditious manner with materials and workmanship
of substantially the same quality as existed before the loss, damage or
destruction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the casualty giving rise to such
insurance proceeds would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect and such insurance proceeds do not exceed $250,000 in the aggregate,
Lender shall permit Borrower to replace, restore, repair or rebuild the
property; provided that if Borrower has not completed or entered into binding
agreements to complete such replacement, restoration, repair or rebuilding
within 180 days of such casualty, Lender may apply such insurance proceeds to
the Obligations in accordance with the provisions of Section 1.8. All insurance
proceeds which are to be made available to Borrower to replace, repair, restore
or rebuild the Collateral shall be deposited in the Cash Collateral Account.
Thereafter, such funds shall be made available to Borrower to provide funds to
replace, repair, restore or rebuild the Collateral as follows: (i) Borrower
shall request a release of funds from the Cash Collateral Account; and (ii) so
long as no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and is continuing
Borrower shall provide Lender with evidence that the funds shall in fact be used
to repair, replace or restore the Collateral in a manner satisfactory to Lender,
Lender shall release the requested funds and the Cash Collateral Account shall
be reduced by the amount of funds released. To the extent not used to replace,
repair, restore or rebuild the Collateral within 180 days of such casualty, such
insurance proceeds shall be applied to the Obligations by Lender in accordance
with the provisions of Section 1.8.
. Borrower shall comply with all federal, state, local, and foreign laws and
regulations applicable to it, including those relating to PACA, licensing, ERISA
and labor matters and Environmental Laws and Environmental Permits, except to
the extent that the failure to comply, individually or in the aggregate, could
not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
. From time to time as may be requested by Lender (which request will not be
made more frequently than once each year absent the occurrence and continuance
of a Default or an Event of Default), Borrower shall supplement each Disclosure
Schedule hereto, or any representation herein or in any other Loan Document,
with respect to any matter hereafter arising which, if existing or occurring at
the date of this Agreement, would have been required to be set forth or
described in such Disclosure Schedule or as an exception to such representation
or which is necessary to correct any information in such Disclosure Schedule or
representation which has been rendered inaccurate thereby (and, in the case of
any supplements to any Disclosure Schedule, such Disclosure Schedule shall be
appropriately marked to show the changes made therein); provided that (a) no
such supplement to any such Disclosure Schedule or representation shall be or be
deemed a waiver of any Default or Event of Default resulting from the matters
disclosed therein, except as consented to by Lender in writing; and (b) no
supplement shall be required as to representations and warranties that relate
solely to the Closing Date.
. Borrower shall and shall cause each Person within its control to: (a) conduct
its operations and keep and maintain its Real Estate in compliance with all
Environmental Laws and Environmental Permits other than noncompliance which
could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (b)
implement any and all investigation, remediation, removal and response actions
which are appropriate or necessary to maintain the value and marketability of
the Real Estate or to otherwise comply with Environmental Laws and Environmental
Permits pertaining to the presence, generation, treatment, storage, use,
disposal, transportation or Release of any Hazardous Material on, at, in, under,
above, to, from or about any of its Real Estate; (c) notify Lender promptly
after Borrower becomes aware of any violation of Environmental Laws or
Environmental Permits or any Release on, at, in, under, above, to, from or about
any Real Estate which is reasonably likely to result in Environmental
Liabilities in excess of $250,000; (d) notify Lender promptly after Borrower
becomes aware that the estimated costs of compliance with Environmental Laws and
Environmental Permits would exceed the amounts set forth in Section 3.16 hereof;
and (e) promptly forward to Lender a copy of any order, notice, request for
information or any communication or report received by Borrower in connection
with any such violation or Release or any other matter relating to any
Environmental Laws or Environmental Permits that could reasonably be expected to
result in Environmental Liabilities in excess of $250,000, in each case whether
or not the Environmental Protection Agency or any Governmental Authority has
taken or threatened any action in connection with any such violation, Release or
other matter. If Lender at any time has a reasonable basis to believe that there
may be a violation of any Environmental Laws or Environmental Permits by
Borrower or any Environmental Liability arising thereunder, or a Release of
Hazardous Materials on, at, in, under, above, to, from or about any of its Real
Estate, which, in each case, could reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect, then Borrower shall, upon Lender's written request (i) cause the
performance of such environmental audits including subsurface sampling of soil
and groundwater, and preparation of such environmental reports, at Borrower's
expense, as Lender may from time to time reasonably request, which shall be
conducted by reputable environmental consulting firms reasonably acceptable to
Lender and shall be in form and substance reasonably acceptable to Lender, and
(ii) permit Lender or its representatives to have access to all Real Estate for
the purpose of conducting such environmental audits and testing as Lender
reasonably deems appropriate, including subsurface sampling of soil and
groundwater. Borrower shall reimburse Lender for the costs of such audits and
tests and the same will constitute a part of the Obligations secured hereunder.
. Borrower agrees that it shall at Borrower's expense and upon request of
Lender, duly execute and deliver, or cause to be duly executed and delivered, to
Lender such further instruments and do and cause to be done such further acts as
may be necessary or proper in the reasonable opinion of Lender to carry out more
effectually the provisions and purposes of this Agreement or any other Loan
Document.
. Borrower shall give prompt notice in writing to Lender of (a) the occurrence
of (i) any Default or Event of Default, (ii) any material default under any
other material agreement to which Borrower is a party, and (iii) any
development, financial or otherwise, which may be reasonably expected to
adversely affect the business, properties or affairs or the ability of Borrower
to perform its obligations as set forth in the Loan Documents or under any of
the Bond Documents and (b) any amendment to the Credit Facility Documents,
together with a copy of such amendment.
. At any time reasonably requested by Lender, Borrower shall obtain and deliver
to Lender appraisals as to all Real Estate which shall be in form and substance
satisfactory to Lender.
. At any time reasonably requested by Lender, Borrower shall deliver to Lender
Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Reports, consistent with American Society
for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Standard E 1527-94 and applicable state
requirements, on all of the Real Estate, dated no more than 6 months prior to
the date of such delivery, prepared by environmental engineers satisfactory to
Lender, all in form and substance satisfactory to Lender, in its sole
discretion; and Borrower shall deliver to Lender such further environmental
review and audit reports, including Phase II reports, with respect to the Real
Estate of Borrower as Lender shall reasonably request. In connection with the
delivery of such environmental reports, Borrower shall deliver to Lender letters
executed by the environmental firms preparing such environmental reports, in
form and substance satisfactory to Lender, authorizing Lender to rely on such
reports.
. Comply in all material respects with all of its material obligations under
each of the Pillsbury Documents, Insurance Company Loan Documents and Chase
Agreements, and notify the Agent as soon as possible, and in any event within
twenty (20) days, with respect to Pillsbury Documents, and within ten (10) days
with respect to Insurance Company Loan Documents or Chase Agreements, after the
Borrower knows or has reason to know (i) of any material failure to perform,
breach or default by Pillsbury or Borrower, or any other event of default, under
any of the Pillsbury Documents, or (ii) of any event of default, or any event or
condition which with notice or lapse of time or both would constitute an event
of default, under the Insurance Company Loan Documents or Chase Agreements.
6. NEGATIVE COVENANTS
Borrower agrees that, without the prior written consent of Lender, from
and after the date hereof until the Termination Date:
. Borrower shall not merge or consolidate with, or sell, assign, lease or
otherwise of (whether in one transaction or in a series of transactions) all or
substantially all of its assets (whether now owned or hereafter acquired) to any
Person, or acquire all or substantially all of the assets or the business of any
Person (or enter into any agreement to do any of the foregoing), or permit any
of its Significant Subsidiaries to do so except that: (a) any such Subsidiary
may merge into or transfer assets to the Borrower; (b) any Subsidiary may merge
into or consolidate with or transfer assets to any other Subsidiary; (c) the
Borrower may effect any Acceptable Acquisition permitted by Section 6.16; and
(d) Borrower may dispose of assets as permitted pursuant to Section 6.8.
. Borrower shall not make, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to make, any loan
or advance to any Person, (including any Subsidiary) or purchase or otherwise
acquire, or permit any such Subsidiary to purchase or otherwise acquire, any
capital stock, assets, obligations or other securities of, make any capital
contribution to, or otherwise invest in, or acquire an interest in, any Person,
except: (a) direct obligations of the United States of America or any agency
thereof with maturities of one year or less from the date of acquisition; (b)
commercial paper of a domestic issuer rated at least "A-1" by Standard & Poor's
Corporation or "P-1" by Moody's Investors Service, Inc.; (c) certificates of
deposit denominated in Dollars, with maturities of one year or less from the
date of acquisition and issued by any commercial bank organized under the laws
of the United States, or any foreign bank operating within the United States of
America, or any Canadian bank (in any case having capital and surplus in excess
of $500,000,000 or the Canadian dollar equivalent, and a short term debt rating
of A-1 or P-1 and a long term debt rating of A or higher, or with respect to any
Canadian bank, the rating equivalent thereof); (d) stock, obligations or
securities received in settlement of debts (created in the ordinary course of
business) owing to the Borrower or any such Subsidiary; (e) any Acceptable
Acquisition permitted by Section 6.16; (f) capital stock of Moog Inc. with a
cost basis of $6,079,000; and (g) investments in the obligations, stock or
securities of any other Person, provided that the aggregate amount so invested
after the date hereof does not exceed the amount available for such purposes
pursuant to clause (c) of Section 6.13.
. Borrower shall not create, incur, assume or suffer to exist, or permit any of
its Subsidiaries to create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness,
except:
(a) Indebtedness of the Borrower under this Agreement;
(b) Indebtedness described in Disclosure Schedule (6.3),
including renewals, extensions or refinancings thereof, provided that the
principal amount thereof does not increase;
(c) Indebtedness of the Borrower subordinated on terms
satisfactory to Lender to the Borrower's obligations under this Agreement;
(d) Indebtedness of the Borrower to any Subsidiary; or
Indebtedness of any Subsidiary to the Borrower or another such Subsidiary, to
the extent permitted by Section 6.2;
(e) Indebtedness in respect of letters of credit issued for
the account of the Borrower (other than under this Agreement) or any Subsidiary
in an aggregate face amount outstanding at any time of up to $26,500,000;
(f) Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Subsidiary secured by
purchase money Liens permitted by Section 6.7;
(g) Additional Indebtedness for borrowed money, provided that
the aggregate amount of "priority" Indebtedness does not exceed 10% of
Consolidated Tangible Net Worth; for the purposes of this Section 6.3(g),
"priority" Indebtedness shall mean all unsecured Funded Indebtedness of any
Subsidiary and all secured Indebtedness of Borrower and its Consolidated
Subsidiaries other than (x) Indebtedness secured by Liens permitted under
clauses (a) through (i) and clause (k) of Section 6.7 and (xx) Indebtedness
listed on Disclosure Schedule (6.3) without giving effect to any amendment,
modification, supplement, increase, extension, renewal or refunding after the
Closing Date; and
(h) Individual financings to support facilities expansion in
New York State associated with supplying product under the Pillsbury Alliance
Agreement, from any combination of industrial development agencies and other
governmental agencies and authorities, provided, that the total principal amount
of all such financings does not exceed $12,000,000 and that each individual
borrowing is less than $10,000,000 in principal amount.
. Borrower shall not enter into any transaction, including, without limitation,
the purchase, sale or exchange of property or the rendering of any service, with
any Affiliate or permit any of its Subsidiaries to enter into any transaction,
including, without limitation, the purchase, sale or exchange of property or the
rendering of any service, with any Affiliate, except in the ordinary course of
and pursuant to the reasonable requirements of the Borrower's or such
Subsidiary's business and upon fair and reasonable terms no less favorable to
the Borrower or such Subsidiary than would obtain in a comparable arm's length
transaction with a Person not an Affiliate.
. Borrower shall not (a) make any changes in any of its business objectives,
purposes or operations which could in any way adversely affect the repayment of
the Loans or any of the other Obligations or could have or result in a Material
Adverse Effect, (b) make any change in its capital structure from that in
existence on the Closing Date, including the issuance of any shares of Stock,
warrants or other securities convertible into Stock or any revision of the terms
of its outstanding Stock, except that Borrower may make a Qualified Public
Offering of its common Stock so long as no Change of Control occurs after giving
effect thereto, or (c) amend its charter or bylaws in a manner which would
adversely affect Lender or Borrower's duty or ability to repay the Obligations.
Borrower shall not engage in any business other than the businesses currently
engaged in by it or businesses reasonably related thereto.
. Borrower shall not assume, guarantee, endorse or otherwise be or become
directly or contingently responsible or liable, or permit any of its
Subsidiaries to assume, guarantee, endorse or otherwise be or become directly or
indirectly responsible or liable (including, but not limited to, an agreement to
purchase any obligation, stock, assets, goods or services or to supply or
advance any funds, asset, goods or services, or an agreement to maintain or
cause such Person to maintain a minimum working capital or net worth or
otherwise to assure the creditors of any Person against loss) for the
obligations of any Person, except (i) for guaranties by endorsement of
negotiable instruments for deposit or collection or similar transactions in the
ordinary course of business, and (ii) for Indebtedness of the kind described
above that is either listed in Disclosure Schedule (6.3) or permitted by Section
6.3 or Section 6.2.
. Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to
create, incur, assume or suffer to exist, any Lien, upon or with respect to any
of its properties, now owned or hereafter acquired, except:
(a) Liens pursuant to this Agreement, the Mortgages or the
Security Agreement securing the Obligations hereunder;
(b) Liens for taxes or assessments or other government charges
or levies if not yet due and payable or if due and payable if they are being
contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which appropriate
reserves are maintained;
(c) Liens imposed by law, such as mechanic's, materialmen's,
landlord's, warehousemen's and carrier's Liens, and other similar Liens,
securing obligations incurred in the ordinary course of business which are not
past due for more than 30 days, or which are being contested in good faith by
appropriate proceedings and for which appropriate reserves have been
established;
(d) Liens under workers' compensation, unemployment insurance,
social security or similar legislation (other than ERISA);
(e) Liens, deposits or pledges to secure the performance of
bids, tenders, contracts (other than contracts for the payment of money), leases
(permitted under the terms of this Agreement), public or statutory obligations,
surety, stay, appeal, indemnity, performance or other similar bonds, or other
similar obligations arising in the ordinary course of business;
(f) judgment and other similar Liens for amounts aggregating
less than $5,000,000 arising in connection with court proceedings; provided that
the execution or other enforcement of such Liens is effectively stayed and the
claims secured thereby are being actively contested in good faith and by
appropriate proceedings;
(g) easements, rights-of-way, restrictions and other similar
encumbrances which, in the aggregate, do not materially interfere with the
occupation, use and enjoyment by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the property
or assets encumbered thereby in the normal course of its business or materially
impair the value of the property subject thereto;
(h) Liens securing obligations of a Subsidiary to the
Borrower or another Subsidiary;
(i) Liens pursuant to the security agreement and mortgages
described in clause (vi) of the definition of Pillsbury Documents, securing
Borrower's obligations under the Pillsbury Documents, but not the extension of
such Liens to other property, or the granting of such Liens to secure the
extension of the maturity, refunding or modification of such obligations, in
whole or in part;
(j) purchase money Liens on any property hereafter acquired or
any Lien on property existing at the time of such acquisition, whether or not
assumed, or a Lien incurred in connection with any conditional sale or other
title retention agreement or a Capital Lease; provided that:
(i) any property subject to any of the foregoing is
acquired by the Borrower or any Subsidiary in the
ordinary course of its business and the Lien on any
such property is created contemporaneously with or
prior to such acquisition;
(ii) the obligation secured by any Lien so created,
assumed or existing shall not exceed 100% of the
lesser of cost or fair market value as of the time of
acquisition of the property covered thereby to the
Borrower or such Subsidiaries acquiring the same;
(iii) each such Lien shall attach only to the
property so acquired and fixed improvements thereon;
(iv) the aggregate amount of the Indebtedness secured
by all such Liens shall not exceed the amount of
Indebtedness permitted under Section 6.3(g), at any
time outstanding in the aggregate; and
(v) the obligations secured by such Lien are
permitted by the provisions of Section 6.3;
(k) Liens on property not constituting Collateral, not located
at the Real Property and not in any manner affecting the Collateral; and
(l) Existing Liens described in Disclosure Schedule (6.7), but
not the extension of such Liens to other property, or the granting of such Liens
to secure the refunding of the obligations secured thereby ((a) through (l)
collectively, "Permitted Encumbrances").
. Borrower shall not sell, lease, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of, or
permit any of its Subsidiaries to sell, lease, assign, transfer or otherwise
dispose of, any of its now owned or hereafter acquired assets (including,
without limitation, shares of stock and indebtedness of such Subsidiaries,
receivables and leasehold interests), except: (a) for inventory disposed of in
the ordinary course of business; (b) for the sale or other disposition of assets
no longer used or useful in the conduct of its business; (c) that any such
Subsidiary may sell, lease, assign, or otherwise transfer its assets to the
Borrower; (d) that Borrower may sell or otherwise dispose of for fair
consideration, in the judgment of Borrower's Board of Directors, all or any of
the shares of Moog Inc. described in clause (f) of Section 6.3 and the
properties described in Disclosure Schedule (6.8); (e) for (i) sales of assets
constituting Collateral up to an aggregate sum of $250,000 from the Closing Date
through the Termination Date and (ii) sales of assets constituting Collateral in
excess of $250,000 in the aggregate from the Closing Date through the
Termination Date provided that the proceeds of any such sale are used to acquire
replacement assets constituting Collateral which is subject to Lender's first
priority security interest for an amount (excluding all engineering,
installation and other soft costs) equal to at least the fair market value of
the assets sold; and (f) for dispositions of assets other than Collateral, so
long as of any date, the aggregate net value of all such assets so disposed of
subsequent to the date hereof constitutes less than 10% of Consolidated Tangible
Net Worth as of the end of the Fiscal Year then most recently ended, and that as
of the date of any disposition, the assets so disposed of contributed less than
10% of the net income of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, as
determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, for any of the three
Fiscal Years then most recently ended. In addition, Borrower shall not sell or
otherwise dispose of any shares of capital stock of any of its Significant
Subsidiaries, except in connection with a transaction permitted under Section
6.3, or permit any such Subsidiary to issue any additional shares of its capital
stock, except directors' qualifying shares.
. Borrower shall not nor shall it cause or permit any ERISA Affiliate to, cause
or permit to occur an event which could result in the imposition of a Lien under
Section 412 of the IRC or Section 302 or 4068 of ERISA.
. Borrower shall not cause or permit a Release of any Hazardous Material on, at,
in, under, above, to, from or about any of the Real Estate where such Release
would (a) violate in any respect, or form the basis for any Environmental
Liabilities under, any Environmental Laws or Environmental Permits or (b)
otherwise adversely impact the value or marketability of any of the Real Estate
or any of the Collateral, other than such violations or impacts which could not
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.
. Borrower shall not engage in any sale-leaseback, synthetic lease or
similar transaction involving any of its assets.
. Borrower shall not cancel any claim or debt owing to it, except for reasonable
consideration negotiated on an arm's-length basis and in the ordinary course of
its business consistent with past practices.
. Borrower shall not declare or pay any dividends, purchase, redeem, retire or
otherwise acquire for value any of its capital stock now or hereafter
outstanding, or make any distribution of assets to its stockholders as such
whether in cash, assets or in obligations of the Borrower, or allocate or
otherwise set apart any sum for the payment of any dividend or distribution on,
or for the purchase, redemption or retirement of any shares of its capital
stock, or make any other distribution by reduction of capital or otherwise in
respect of any shares of its capital stock or permit any of its Subsidiaries to
purchase or otherwise acquire for value any stock of the Borrower or another
such Subsidiary, except that: (a) the Borrower may declare and deliver dividends
and make distributions payable solely in common stock of the Borrower; (b) the
Borrower may purchase or otherwise acquire shares of its capital stock by
exchange for or out of the proceeds received from a substantially concurrent
issue of new shares of its capital stock; (c) Borrower may declare and pay cash
dividends with respect to, and purchase or redeem, the shares of its outstanding
capital stock, provided that no Default or Event of Default then exists or would
be created thereby and provided further that, after giving effect to any
proposed dividend, investment, or purchase or redemption of shares, the total of
(i) the aggregate amount of all dividends and other distributions declared or
paid after July 31, 1994, plus (ii) the aggregate amount of investments made
after July 31, 1994 of the kind described in clause (g) of Section 6.3, plus
(iii) the excess of the aggregate amount expended, directly or indirectly, after
July 31, 1994, for the redemption, purchase or other acquisition of any shares
of its stock over the aggregate amount received after July 31, 1994 as the net
cash proceeds of the sale of any shares of its stock, shall not exceed the sum
of $1,000,000 plus 50% (or minus 100% in the case of a deficit) of the net
income of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, as determined on a
consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, for the period commencing on August
1, 1994 and terminating at the end of the last Fiscal Quarter preceding the date
of any proposed dividend declaration or payment, investment, or purchase or
redemption, as the case may be and (d) so long as no Default or Event of Default
then exists or would be created thereby Borrower may pay (i) accrued but unpaid
dividends on its 6% Cumulative Preferred Stock, par value $.25 per share
(200,000 shares outstanding) and its 10% Cumulative Preferred Stock, par value
$.25 per share (807,240 shares outstanding) in the amount of $43,362.00
($11,590.50 accrued as of each January, 1996, July, 1996, January, 1997 and
July, 1997; and (ii) future semi-annual dividends on such shares at the same
rate. There shall not be included in the above computations, (x) dividends paid,
or distributions made, in stock of the Borrower; or (xx) exchanges of stock of
one or more classes of the Borrower for other stock of the Borrower, except to
the extent that cash or other value is involved in such exchange.
. Borrower shall not (a) change its corporate name, or (b) change its chief
executive office, principal place of business, corporate offices or warehouses
or locations at which Collateral is held or stored, or the location of its
records concerning the Collateral, in any case without at least thirty (30) days
prior written notice to Lender and after Lender's written acknowledgment that
any reasonable action requested by Lender in connection therewith, including to
continue the perfection of any Liens in favor of Lender in any Collateral, has
been completed or taken, and provided that any such new location shall be in the
continental United States. Without limiting the foregoing, Borrower shall not
change its name, identity or corporate structure in any manner which might make
any financing or continuation statement filed in connection herewith seriously
misleading within the meaning of Section 9-402(7) of the Code or any other then
applicable provision of the Code except upon prior written notice to Lender and
after Lender's written acknowledgment that any reasonable action requested by
Lender in connection therewith, including to continue the perfection of any
Liens in favor of Lender in any Collateral, has been completed or taken.
Borrower shall not change its Fiscal Year.
. Borrower shall not directly or indirectly enter into or become bound by any
agreement, instrument, indenture or other obligation (other than this Agreement
and the other Loan Documents) which could directly or indirectly restrict,
prohibit or require the consent of any Person with respect to the payment of
dividends or distributions or the making or repayment of intercompany loans by a
Subsidiary of Borrower to Borrower.
. Without the prior written consent of the Lender, which consent may not be
unreasonably withheld, make any Acquisition other than an Acceptable
Acquisition.
"Acceptable Acquisition" means any separate individual Acquisition
which has been either (a) approved by the Board of Directors or management of
the corporation which is the subject of such Acquisition or (b) recommended by
such Board to the shareholders of such corporation, and in each case (i) does
not involve the acquisition of (x) fixed assets whose purchase price aggregates
more than $10,000,000 or (y) assets whose purchase price aggregates more than
$25,000,000, and (ii) is made under circumstances in which no Event of Default
will either exist or result therefrom.
"Acquisition" means any transaction pursuant to which the Borrower or
any of its Subsidiaries (a) acquires equity securities (or warrants, options or
other rights to acquire such securities) of any corporation other than the
Borrower or any corporation which is not then a Subsidiary of the Borrower,
pursuant to a solicitation of tenders therefor, or in one or more negotiated
block, market or other transactions not involving a tender offer, or a
combination of any of the foregoing, or (b) makes any corporation a Subsidiary
of the Borrower, or causes any such corporation to be merged into the Borrower
or any of its Subsidiaries, in any case pursuant to a merger, purchase of assets
or any reorganization providing for the delivery or issuance to the holders of
assets or any reorganization providing for the delivery or issuance to the
holders of such corporation's then outstanding securities, in exchange for such
securities, of cash or securities of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or
a combination thereof, or (c) purchases all or substantially all of the business
or assets of any corporation.
. Neither the Borrower nor any of its Significant Subsidiaries or Affiliates
shall engage in the conduct of any business or activity which could result in a
Forfeiture Proceeding.
. Pay any amount of principal or interest owed pursuant to any of the Insurance
Company Loan Documents, or permit it to be paid, credited or otherwise satisfied
(whether by payment, offset or any other method and whether by voluntary or
mandatory prepayment or otherwise prior to the regularly scheduled payment date
therefor set forth in the Insurance Company Loan Documents, as the same may be
amended as permitted under Section 6.19, provided that (i) Borrower may make
such prepayments with the proceeds of refinancings or of replacement loans
borrowed from the same lenders, as long as the maturity date thereof occurs
after the Termination Date, and (ii) in addition, Borrower may make unscheduled
prepayments totalling not more than $12,500,000 in any Fiscal Year, as long as
no Default or Event of Default then exists or would result therefrom.
. Without the express prior written consent of the Lender, Borrower shall not
(i) agree to any alteration or amendment of any of the Insurance Company Loan
Documents, or any replacement therefor resulting from a prepayment permitted
pursuant to Section 6.18, that changes the maturity dates of the loans made
thereunder to any new maturity date that occurs on or prior to the Termination
Date; or (ii) amend, modify, supplement or waive any term, condition or other
provision of the Pillsbury Note, the security agreement and mortgages referred
to in clause (vi) of the definition of Pillsbury Documents (except for mortgage
modifications contemplated by Section 10.06 of the Pillsbury Asset Purchase
Agreement and except amendments which reduce indebtedness under the Pillsbury
Note by forgiveness or conversion of an indebtedness to equity securities) or
Article XIX or any other material provision, of the Pillsbury Alliance
Agreement; or (iii) consent, pursuant to the third sentence of the first
paragraph of Section 22.1 of the Pillsbury Alliance Agreement, to an assignment
by Pillsbury of the Pillsbury Alliance Agreement to an assignee that does not
have long term debt that is rated BBB or better by Standard and Poors
Corporation or Baa or better by Moody's Investor Services, Inc.
. Borrower shall not breach or fail to comply with any of the Financial
Covenants (the "Financial Covenants") set forth in Annex G.
7. TERM
. The financing arrangements contemplated hereby shall be in effect until the
Commitment Termination Date, and the Loans and all other Obligations shall be
automatically due and payable in full on such date.
. Except as otherwise expressly provided for in the Loan Documents, no
termination or cancellation (regardless of cause or procedure) of any financing
arrangement under this Agreement shall in any way affect or impair the
obligations, duties and liabilities of Borrower or the rights of Lender relating
to any unpaid portion of the Loans or any other Obligations, due or not due,
liquidated, contingent or unliquidated or any transaction or event occurring
prior to such termination, or any transaction or event, the performance of which
is required after the Commitment Termination Date. Except as otherwise expressly
provided herein or in any other Loan Document, all undertakings, agreements,
covenants, warranties and representations of or binding upon Borrower, and all
rights of Lender, all as contained in the Loan Documents, shall not terminate or
expire, but rather shall survive any such termination or cancellation and shall
continue in full force and effect until the Termination Date; provided, however
that in all events the provisions of Section 11, the payment obligations under
Sections 1.9 and 1.12, and the indemnities contained in the Loan Documents shall
survive the Termination Date.
8. EVENTS OF DEFAULT: RIGHTS AND REMEDIES
. The occurrence of any one or more of the following events (regardless of the
reason therefor) shall constitute an "Event of Default" hereunder:
(a) Borrower (i) fails to make any payment of principal of, or
interest on, or Fees owing in respect of, the Loans, the Letters of Credit, or
any of the other Obligations or (ii) fails to pay or reimburse Lender for any
expense reimbursable hereunder or under any other Loan Document within ten (10)
days following Lender's demand for such reimbursement or payment of expenses.
(b) Borrower shall fail or neglect to perform, keep or observe
any of the provisions of Sections 5.4 or 6.
- ------------ -
(c) Borrower shall fail or neglect to perform, keep or observe
any of the provisions of Section 4 or any provisions set forth in Annexes D or
E, respectively, and the same shall remain unremedied for three (3) days or
more.
(d) Borrower shall fail or neglect to perform, keep or observe
any other provision of this Agreement or of any of the other Loan Documents
(other than any provision embodied in or covered by any other clause of this
Section 8.1) and the same shall remain unremedied for thirty (30) consecutive
days after any Financial Officer obtains actual knowledge thereof.
(e) (i) An Event of Default as defined in the Bond Documents
shall occur under any of the Bond Documents or (ii) Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries shall: (x) fail to pay any Indebtedness including but not limited
to Indebtedness for borrowed money (other than the payment obligations described
in (a) above), of the Borrower or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, or any
interest or premium thereon, when due (whether by scheduled maturity, required
prepayment, acceleration, demand or otherwise) or within any applicable
grace-period; or (y) fail to perform or observe any term, covenant or condition
on its part to be performed or observed under any agreement or instrument
relating to any such Indebtedness, when required to be performed or observed, if
the effect of such failure to perform or observe is to accelerate, or to permit
the acceleration of, after the giving of notice or passage of time, or both, the
maturity of such Indebtedness, whether or not such failure to perform or observe
shall be waived by the holder of such Indebtedness; or any such Indebtedness
shall be declared to be due and payable, or required to be prepaid (other than
by a regularly scheduled requirement prepayment), prior to the stated maturity
thereof.
(f) Any representation or warranty herein or in any Loan
Document or in any written statement, report, financial statement, document,
opinion, or certificate made or delivered to Lender by Borrower is untrue or
incorrect in any material respect as of the date when made or deemed made.
(g) any event or condition shall occur or exist with respect
to any Plan or Multiemployer Plan and as a result of such event or condition,
together with all other such events or conditions, the Borrower or any ERISA
Affiliate has incurred or in the opinion of Lender is reasonably likely to incur
a liability to a Plan, a Multiemployer Plan, the PBGC, or a Section 4042 Trustee
(or any combination of the foregoing) which is material in relation to the
financial position of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated
basis; or the Unfunded Pension Liabilities of one or more Plans have increased
after the date of this Agreement in an amount which is material.
(h) (i) A case or proceeding shall have been commenced against
Borrower seeking a decree or order in respect of Borrower (x) under Title 11 of
the United States Code, as now constituted or hereafter amended or any other
applicable federal, state or foreign bankruptcy or other similar law, (y)
appointing a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee or sequestrator
(or similar official) for Borrower or of any substantial part of any such
Person's assets, or (z) ordering the winding-up or liquidation of the affairs of
Borrower, and such case or proceeding shall remain undismissed or unstayed for
sixty (60) days or more or such court shall enter a decree or order granting the
relief sought in such case or proceeding or (ii) assets of Borrower with a fair
market value of $5,000,000 or more shall be attached, seized, levied upon or
subjected to a writ or distress warrant, or come within the possession of any
receiver, trustee, custodian or assignee for the benefit of the creditors of
Borrower and such condition continues for thirty (30) days or more.
(i) Borrower (i) shall file a petition seeking relief under Title 11 of
the United States Code, as now constituted or hereafter amended, or any other
applicable federal, state or foreign bankruptcy or other similar law, (ii) shall
fail to contest in a timely and appropriate manner or shall consent to the
institution of proceedings thereunder or to the filing of any such petition or
to the appointment of or taking possession by a custodian, receiver, liquidator,
assignee, trustee or sequestrator (or similar official) of Borrower or of any
substantial part of any such Person's assets, (iii) shall make an assignment for
the benefit of creditors, or (iv) shall take any corporate action in furtherance
of any of the foregoing, or (v) shall admit in writing its inability to, or
shall be generally unable to, pay its debts as such debts become due.
(j) A final judgment or judgments for the payment of money in
excess of $5,000,000 in the aggregate at any time outstanding shall be rendered
against Borrower and the same shall not, within thirty (30) days after the entry
thereof, have been discharged or execution thereof stayed or bonded pending
appeal, or shall not have been discharged prior to the expiration of any such
stay.
(k) Any material provision of any Loan Document or any Bond
Document shall for any reason cease to be valid, binding and enforceable in
accordance with its terms (or Borrower shall challenge the enforceability of any
Loan Document or any Bond Document or shall assert in writing, or engage in any
action or inaction based on any such assertion, that any provision of any of the
Loan Documents or any Bond Document has ceased to be or otherwise is not valid,
binding and enforceable in accordance with its terms), or any security interest
created under any Loan Document shall cease to be a valid and perfected first
priority security interest or Lien (except as otherwise permitted herein or
therein) in any of the Collateral purported to be covered thereby.
(l) any Person or two or more Persons acting in concert shall
have acquired beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rules 13d-3 of the
Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) of
30% or more of the outstanding shares of voting stock of the Borrower; or (ii)
during any period of 12 consecutive months, commencing before or after the date
of this Agreement, individuals who at the beginning of such 12 month period were
directors of the Borrower cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the
board of directors of the Borrower.
(m) (i) any Forfeiture Proceeding shall have commenced or the
Borrower shall have given Lender written notice of the commencement of any
Forfeiture Proceeding or (ii) Lender has a good faith basis to believe that a
Forfeiture Proceeding has been threatened or commenced.
(n) Pillsbury shall in any material respect fail to perform or
otherwise breach or default under any provision of either the Pillsbury
Subordination Agreement, the ss. 1111(b) Agreement or the Consent and Agreement
or any provision of the Pillsbury Note applicable to or binding on Pillsbury;
any amount of principal or interest is paid, credited or otherwise satisfied
(whether by payment, offset or any other method, and whether by voluntary or
mandatory prepayment) other than by Permitted Payments (as defined in the
Pillsbury Note), either prior to the regularly scheduled payment date therefor
under the Pillsbury Note, or in violation of the Pillsbury Note, of the
Pillsbury Subordination Agreement or of this Agreement; Pillsbury, Borrower or
any other Person denies or contests, including the bringing of any action or
proceeding to contest, the effectiveness or validity of the subordination or
non-recourse provisions of the Pillsbury Note, or any of such provisions is
declared invalid or unenforceable; or any notice of termination is given under
the Pillsbury Alliance Agreement or the Pillsbury Alliance Agreement is in fact
terminated.
(o) A seller of PACA Goods shall have asserted a material
claim under PACA and such claim shall not have been terminated within 30 days
after notice thereof to the Borrower.
. (a) If any Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, Lender may
(i) without notice, suspend this facility with respect to further Loans and/or
the incurrence of further Letter of Credit Obligations whereupon any further
Loans and Letter of Credit Obligations or other Obligations shall be made or
extended in Lender's sole discretion so long as such Event of Default is
continuing, and (ii) without notice except as otherwise expressly provided
herein, increase the Letter of Credit Fees to the Default Rate.
(b) If any Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing, Lender may, without notice, (i) terminate this facility with respect
to further Loans or further Letter of Credit Obligations; (ii) declare all or
any portion of the Obligations, including all or any portion of any Loans to be
forthwith due and payable, and require that the Letter of Credit Obligations be
cash collateralized as provided in Annex B, all without presentment, demand,
protest or further notice of any kind, all of which are expressly waived by
Borrower; and (iii) exercise any rights and remedies provided to Lender under
the Loan Documents and/or at law or equity, including all remedies provided
under the Code; provided, however, that upon the occurrence of an Event of
Default specified in Sections 8.1(h) or (i), all of the Obligations, including
any outstanding Loans, shall become immediately due and payable without
declaration, notice or demand by any Person.
. Except as otherwise provided for in this Agreement or by applicable law,
Borrower waives: (a) presentment, demand and protest and notice of presentment,
dishonor, notice of intent to accelerate, notice of acceleration, protest,
default, nonpayment, maturity, release, compromise, settlement, extension or
renewal of any or all commercial paper, accounts, contract rights, documents,
instruments, chattel paper and guaranties at any time held by Lender on which
Borrower may in any way be liable, and hereby ratifies and confirms whatever
Lender may do in this regard, (b) all rights to notice and a hearing prior to
Lender's taking possession or control of, or to Lender's replevy, attachment or
levy upon, the Collateral or any bond or security which might be required by any
court prior to allowing Lender to exercise any of its remedies, and (c) the
benefit of all valuation, appraisal and exemption laws.
9. PARTICIPATIONS
. (a) Borrower consents to Lender's sale of participations in, at any time or
times, any Commitment or any portion thereof or interest therein. Any
participation by Lender of all or any part of its Commitments shall be in an
amount at least equal to $5,000,000, and with the understanding that all amounts
payable by Borrower hereunder shall be determined as if Lender had not sold such
participation, and that the holder of any such participation shall not be
entitled to require Lender to take or omit to take any action hereunder except
actions directly affecting (i) any reduction in the principal amount of, or
interest rate or Fees payable with respect to, any Loan in which such holder
participates, (ii) any extension of the scheduled amortization of the principal
amount of any Loan in which such holder participates or the final maturity date
thereof, and (iii) any release of all or substantially all of the Collateral
(other than in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, the Collateral
Documents or the other Loan Documents). For purposes of any of the
indemnification provisions of this Agreement, Borrower acknowledges and agrees
that a participation shall give rise to a direct obligation of Borrower to the
participant and the participant shall be considered to be a "Lender". Except as
set forth in the preceding sentence Borrower shall not have any obligation or
duty to any participant.
(b) Borrower executing this Agreement shall assist Lender as
reasonably required to enable Lender to effect any such participation,
including, if requested by Lender, the participation of management in meetings
with potential participants. Borrower shall certify the correctness,
completeness and accuracy of all descriptions of the Borrower and its affairs
contained in any selling materials provided by it and all other information
provided by it and included in such materials.
(c) Lender may furnish any information concerning Borrower in
the possession of Lender from time to time to participants (including
prospective participants). Lender shall obtain from participants confidentiality
covenants substantially equivalent to those contained in Section 11.8 hereof.
10. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS
. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be binding on and shall
inure to the benefit of Borrower, Lender and their respective successors and
assigns (including, in the case of Borrower, a debtor-in-possession on behalf of
Borrower), except as otherwise provided herein or therein. Borrower may not
assign, transfer, hypothecate or otherwise convey its rights, benefits,
obligations or duties hereunder or under any of the other Loan Documents without
the prior express written consent of Lender. Any such purported assignment,
transfer, hypothecation or other conveyance by Borrower without the prior
express written consent of Lender shall be void. The terms and provisions of
this Agreement are for the purpose of defining the relative rights and
obligations of Borrower and Lender with respect to the transactions contemplated
hereby and no Person shall be a third party beneficiary of any of the terms and
provisions of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents.
11. MISCELLANEOUS
. The Loan Documents constitute the complete agreement between the parties with
respect to the subject matter thereof and may not be modified, altered or
amended except as set forth in Section 11.2 below. Any letter of interest,
commitment letter and/or confidentiality agreement between Borrower and Lender
or any of their respective affiliates, predating this Agreement and relating to
a financing of substantially similar form, purpose or effect shall be superseded
by this Agreement.
. No amendment, modification, termination or waiver of any provision of this
Agreement ,or any consent to any departure by Borrower therefrom, shall in any
event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by Lender and
Borrower.
Upon indefeasible payment in full in cash and performance of all of the
Obligations (other than indemnification Obligations under Section 1.9),
termination of the Commitments and a release of all claims against Lender, and
so long as no suits, actions proceedings, or claims are pending or threatened
against any Indemnified Person asserting any damages, losses or liabilities that
are Indemnified Liabilities, Lender shall deliver to Borrower termination
statements, mortgage releases and other documents necessary or appropriate to
evidence the termination of the Liens securing payment of the Obligations.
. Borrower shall reimburse Lender for all out-of-pocket expenses incurred in
connection with the preparation of the Loan Documents (including the reasonable
fees and expenses of all of its special loan counsel, advisors, consultants and
auditors retained in connection with the Loan Documents and advice in connection
therewith). Borrower shall reimburse Lender for all fees, costs and expenses,
including the reasonable fees, costs and expenses of counsel or other advisors
(including environmental and management consultants and appraisers) for advice,
assistance, or other representation in connection with:
(a) the forwarding to Borrower or any other Person on behalf
of Borrower by Lender of the proceeds of the Loans;
(b) any amendment, modification or waiver of, or consent with
respect to, any of the Loan Documents or Bond Documents or advice in connection
with the administration of the Loans made pursuant hereto or its rights
hereunder or thereunder;
(c) any litigation, contest, dispute, suit, proceeding or
action (whether instituted by Lender, Borrower or any other Person) in any way
relating to the Collateral, any of the Loan Documents or any other agreement to
be executed or delivered in connection therewith or herewith, whether as party,
witness, or otherwise, including any litigation, contest, dispute, suit, case,
proceeding or action, and any appeal or review thereof, in connection with a
case commenced by or against Borrower or any other Person that may be obligated
to Lender by virtue of the Loan Documents; including any such litigation,
contest, dispute, suit, proceeding or action arising in connection with any
work-out or restructuring of the Loans during the pendency of one or more Events
of Default;
(d) any attempt to enforce any remedies of Lender against
Borrower or any other Person that may be obligated to Lender by virtue of any of
the Loan Documents; including any such attempt to enforce any such remedies in
the course of any work-out or restructuring of the Loans during the pendency of
one or more Events of Default;
(e) any work-out or restructuring of the Obligations
during the pendency of one or more Events of Default;
(f) efforts to (i) monitor the Obligations, (ii) evaluate,
observe or assess Borrower or its affairs, and (iii) verify, protect, evaluate,
assess, appraise, collect, sell, liquidate or otherwise dispose of any of the
Collateral;
including, without limitation, all attorneys' and other professional and service
providers' fees arising from such services, including those in connection with
any appellate proceedings; and all expenses, costs, charges and other fees
incurred by such counsel and others in any way or respect arising in connection
with or relating to any of the events or actions described in this Section 11.3
shall be payable, on demand, by Borrower to Lender. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, such expenses, costs, charges and fees may include:
fees, costs and expenses of accountants, environmental advisors, appraisers,
investment bankers, management and other consultants and paralegals; court costs
and expenses; photocopying and duplication expenses; court reporter fees, costs
and expenses; long distance telephone charges; air express charges; telegram or
telecopy charges; secretarial overtime charges; and expenses for travel, lodging
and food paid or incurred in connection with the performance of such legal or
other advisory services.
. Lender's failure, at any time or times, to require strict performance by
Borrower of any provision of this Agreement and any of the other Loan Documents
shall not waive, affect or diminish any right of Lender thereafter to demand
strict compliance and performance therewith. Any suspension or waiver of an
Event of Default shall not suspend, waive or affect any other Event of Default
whether the same is prior or subsequent thereto and whether the same or of a
different type. None of the undertakings, agreements, warranties, covenants and
representations of Borrower contained in this Agreement or any of the other Loan
Documents and no Default or Event of Default by Borrower shall be deemed to have
been suspended or waived by Lender, unless such waiver or suspension is by an
instrument in writing signed by an officer of or other authorized employee of
Lender and directed to Borrower specifying such suspension or waiver.
. Lender's rights and remedies under this Agreement shall be cumulative and
nonexclusive of any other rights and remedies which Lender may have under any
other agreement, including the other Loan Documents, by operation of law or
otherwise. Recourse to the Collateral shall not be required.
. Wherever possible, each provision of this Agreement and the other Loan
Documents shall be interpreted in such a manner as to be effective and valid
under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement shall be prohibited
by or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective to the
extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of
such provision or the remaining provisions of this Agreement.
. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement or any of the other Loan
Documents by specific reference to the applicable provisions of this Agreement,
if any provision contained in this Agreement is in conflict with, or
inconsistent with, any provision in any of the other Loan Documents, the
provision contained in this Agreement shall govern and control.
. Lender agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts (equivalent to the
efforts Lender applies to maintain as confidential its own confidential
information) to maintain as confidential all confidential information provided
to it by the Borrower and designated as confidential for a period of two (2)
years following receipt thereof, except that Lender may disclose such
information (a) to Persons employed or engaged by Lender in evaluating,
approving, structuring or administering the Loans and the Commitments; (b) to
any bona fide participant or potential participant that has agreed to comply
with the covenant contained in this Section 11.8 (and any such bona fide
participant or potential participant may disclose such information to Persons
employed or engaged by them as described in clause (a) above); (c) as required
or requested by any Governmental Authority or reasonably believed by Lender to
be compelled by any court decree, subpoena or legal or administrative order or
process; (d) as, in the opinion of Lender's counsel, required by law; (e) in
connection with the exercise of any right or remedy under the Loan Documents or
in connection with any Litigation to which Lender is a party, or (f) which
ceases to be confidential through no fault of Lender.
. EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY PROVIDED IN ANY OF THE LOAN DOCUMENTS, IN ALL
RESPECTS, INCLUDING ALL MATTERS OF CONSTRUCTION, VALIDITY AND PERFORMANCE, THE
LOAN DOCUMENTS AND THE OBLIGATIONS SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND
ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK APPLICABLE TO
CONTRACTS MADE AND PERFORMED IN THAT STATE AND ANY APPLICABLE LAWS OF THE UNITED
STATES OF AMERICA. BORROWER HEREBY CONSENTS AND AGREES THAT THE STATE OR FEDERAL
COURTS LOCATED IN NEW YORK COUNTY, CITY OF NEW YORK, NEW YORK SHALL HAVE
EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION TO HEAR AND DETERMINE ANY CLAIMS OR DISPUTES BETWEEN
BORROWER AND LENDER PERTAINING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE OTHER LOAN
DOCUMENTS OR TO ANY MATTER ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY
OF THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS, PROVIDED, THAT LENDER AND BORROWER ACKNOWLEDGE THAT
ANY APPEALS FROM THOSE COURTS MAY HAVE TO BE HEARD BY A COURT LOCATED OUTSIDE OF
NEW YORK COUNTY, CITY OF NEW YORK, NEW YORK AND, PROVIDED, FURTHER NOTHING IN
THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE DEEMED OR OPERATE TO PRECLUDE LENDER FROM BRINGING SUIT
OR TAKING OTHER LEGAL ACTION IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION TO REALIZE ON THE
COLLATERAL OR ANY OTHER SECURITY FOR THE OBLIGATIONS, OR TO ENFORCE A JUDGMENT
OR OTHER COURT ORDER IN FAVOR OF LENDER. BORROWER EXPRESSLY SUBMITS AND CONSENTS
IN ADVANCE TO SUCH JURISDICTION IN ANY ACTION OR SUIT COMMENCED IN ANY SUCH
COURT, AND BORROWER HEREBY WAIVES ANY OBJECTION WHICH BORROWER MAY HAVE BASED
UPON LACK OF PERSONAL JURISDICTION, IMPROPER VENUE OR FORUM NON CONVENIENS AND
HEREBY CONSENTS TO THE GRANTING OF SUCH LEGAL OR EQUITABLE RELIEF AS IS DEEMED
APPROPRIATE BY SUCH COURT. BORROWER HEREBY WAIVES PERSONAL SERVICE OF THE
SUMMONS, COMPLAINT AND OTHER PROCESS ISSUED IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR SUIT AND
AGREES THAT SERVICE OF SUCH SUMMONS, BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL ADDRESSED
TO BORROWER AT THE ADDRESS SET FORTH IN ANNEX F OF THIS AGREEMENT AND THAT
SERVICE SO MADE SHALL BE DEEMED COMPLETED UPON THE EARLIER OF BORROWER'S ACTUAL
RECEIPT THEREOF OR FIVE (5) DAYS AFTER DEPOSIT IN THE U.S. MAILS, PROPER POSTAGE
PREPAID.
. Except as otherwise provided herein, whenever it is provided herein that any
notice, demand, request, consent, approval, declaration or other communication
shall or may be given to or served upon any of the parties by any other parties,
or whenever any of the parties desires to give or serve upon any other parties
any communication with respect to this Agreement, each such notice, demand,
request, consent, approval, declaration or other communication shall be in
writing and shall be deemed to have been validly served, given or delivered (a)
upon the earlier of actual receipt and five (5) days after deposit in the United
States Mail, registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, with proper
postage prepaid, (b) upon transmission, when sent by telecopy or other similar
facsimile transmission (with such telecopy or facsimile promptly confirmed by
delivery of a copy by personal delivery or United States Mail as otherwise
provided in this Section 11.10), (c) one (1) Business Day after deposit with a
reputable overnight courier with all charges prepaid or (d) when delivered, if
hand-delivered by messenger, all of which shall be addressed to the party to be
notified and sent to the address or facsimile number indicated on Annex F or to
such other address (or facsimile number) as may be substituted by notice given
as herein provided. The giving of any notice required hereunder may be waived in
writing by the party entitled to receive such notice. Failure or delay in
delivering copies of any notice, demand, request, consent, approval, declaration
or other communication to any Person (other than Borrower or Lender) designated
on Annex F to receive copies shall in no way adversely affect the effectiveness
of such notice, demand, request, consent, approval, declaration or other
communication.
. The Section titles and Table of Contents contained in this Agreement are and
shall be without substantive meaning or content of any kind whatsoever and are
not a part of the agreement between the parties hereto.
. This Agreement may be executed in any number of separate counterparts, each of
which shall collectively and separately constitute one agreement.
. BECAUSE DISPUTES ARISING IN CONNECTION WITH COMPLEX FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS ARE
MOST QUICKLY AND ECONOMICALLY RESOLVED BY AN EXPERIENCED AND EXPERT PERSON AND
THE PARTIES WISH APPLICABLE STATE AND FEDERAL LAWS TO APPLY (RATHER THAN
ARBITRATION RULES), THE PARTIES DESIRE THAT THEIR DISPUTES BE RESOLVED BY A
JUDGE APPLYING SUCH APPLICABLE LAWS. THEREFORE, TO ACHIEVE THE BEST COMBINATION
OF THE BENEFITS OF THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM AND OF ARBITRATION, THE PARTIES HERETO
WAIVE ALL RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, SUIT, OR PROCEEDING BROUGHT TO
RESOLVE ANY DISPUTE, WHETHER SOUNDING IN CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, BETWEEN
LENDER AND BORROWER ARISING OUT OF, CONNECTED WITH, RELATED TO, OR INCIDENTAL TO
THE RELATIONSHIP ESTABLISHED AMONG THEM IN CONNECTION WITH, THIS AGREEMENT OR
ANY OF THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS OR THE TRANSACTIONS RELATED THERETO.
. Borrower agrees that neither it nor its Affiliates will in the future issue
any press releases or other public disclosure using the name of GE Capital or
its affiliates or referring to this Agreement, the other Loan Documents or the
Related Transactions Documents without at least two (2) Business Days' prior
notice to GE Capital and without the prior written consent of GE Capital unless
(and only to the extent that) Borrower or Affiliate is required to do so under
law and then, in any event, Borrower or Affiliate will consult with GE Capital
before issuing such press release or other public disclosure. Borrower consents
to the publication by Lender of a tombstone or similar advertising material
relating to the financing transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
. This Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and continue to be
effective should any petition be filed by or against Borrower for liquidation or
reorganization, should Borrower become insolvent or make an assignment for the
benefit of any creditor or creditors or should a receiver or trustee be
appointed for all or any significant part of Borrower's assets, and shall
continue to be effective or to be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time
payment and performance of the Obligations, or any part thereof, is, pursuant to
applicable law, rescinded or reduced in amount, or must otherwise be restored or
returned by any obligee of the Obligations, whether as a "voidable preference,"
"fraudulent conveyance," or otherwise, all as though such payment or performance
had not been made. In the event that any payment, or any part thereof, is
rescinded, reduced, restored or returned, the Obligations shall be reinstated
and deemed reduced only by such amount paid and not so rescinded, reduced,
restored or returned.
. Each of the parties represents to each other party hereto that it has
discussed this Agreement and, specifically, the provisions of Sections 11.9 and
11.13, with its counsel.
. The parties hereto have participated jointly in the negotiation and drafting
of this Agreement. In the event an ambiguity or question of intent or
interpretation arises, this Agreement shall be construed as if drafted jointly
by the parties hereto and no presumption or burden of proof shall arise favoring
or disfavoring any party by virtue of the authorship of any provisions of this
Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly executed as of the
date first written above.
SENECA FOODS CORPORATION, as Borrower
By: _/s/Philip G. Paras________________
Name: Philip G. Paras
Title: Vice President, Finance
GENERAL ELECTRIC CAPITAL CORPORATION, as Lender
By: _/s/Christopher A. Arnold__________
Name: Christopher A. Arnold
Title: Duly Authorized Signatory
<PAGE>
A-22
ANNEX A (Recitals)
to
MASTER REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT
DEFINITIONS
Capitalized terms used in the Loan Documents shall have
(unless otherwise provided elsewhere in the Loan Documents) the following
respective meanings and all section references in the following definitions
shall refer to Sections of the Agreement:
"Acceleration Drawing" shall mean a drawing under any Letter
of Credit resulting the presentation of a certificate in the form of "Exhibit F"
to such Letter of Credit.
"Affiliate" shall mean, with respect to any Person, (a) each
Person that, directly or indirectly, owns or controls, whether beneficially, or
as a trustee, guardian or other fiduciary, ten percent (10%) or more of the
Stock having ordinary voting power in the election of directors of such Persons,
(b) each Person that controls, is controlled by or is under common control with
such Person, (c) each of such Person's officers, directors, joint venturers and
partners and (d) in the case of Borrower, the immediate family members, spouses
and lineal descendants of individuals who are Affiliates of Borrower. For the
purposes of this definition, "control" of a Person shall mean the possession,
directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of its
management or policies, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by
contract or otherwise; provided, however, that the term "Affiliate" shall
specifically exclude Lender.
"Agreement" shall mean the Master Reimbursement Agreement by
and between Borrower and Lender.
"Appendices" shall have the meaning assigned to it in the
recitals to the Agreement.
"Applicable Margins" means collectively the Applicable L/C
Margin and the Applicable Loan Index Margin.
"Applicable L/C Margin" shall mean the per annum rate from
time to time in effect and payable with respect to outstanding Letter of Credit
Obligations, as determined by reference to Section 1.4(a) of the Agreement.
"Applicable Loan Index Margin" shall mean the per annum
interest rate from time to time in effect and payable in addition to the Index
Rate applicable to the Loans, as set forth in Section 1.4(a) of the Agreement.
"Available Amount" shall have the same meaning herein as in
each Letter of Credit.
"Bond Documents" shall mean, collectively, the Indentures, the
Sale Agreements and the Bonds.
"Bond Fund" shall have the same meaning herein as in each
Indenture.
"Bondholder" shall mean the person or persons in whose name
any Bond is registered.
"Bonds" shall mean, collectively, the Ontario Bonds, Wayne
Bonds, Janesville Bonds and Rochester Bonds.
"Borrower" shall have the meaning assigned thereto in the
recitals to the Agreement.
"Borrower Bonds" shall mean Bonds owned or held (a) by the
Borrower and registered in the Borrower's name or in the name of a nominee
designated by the Borrower or (b) by the Trustee or its agents, or (c) by the
Tender Agent or its agents, or (d) by any affiliate of the Borrower, or (e) by
the Issuer, in each case for the account of the Borrower or any affiliate of the
Borrower.
"Business Day" shall mean any day that is not a Saturday, a
Sunday or a day on which banks are required or permitted to be closed in the
State of New York.
"Capital Lease" means any lease which has been or should be
capitalized on the books of the lessee in accordance with GAAP.
"Cash Collateral Account" shall have the meaning given to it
in Annex B.
"Change of Control" means (a) any Person or two or more
Persons acting in concert (other than the Wolcott or Kayser Families) shall have
acquired beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the
Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1934) of capital
Stock possessing (i) thirty percent (30%) or more of the total number of votes
which Borrower's shareholders shall be entitled to cast on matters submitted to
such shareholders or (ii) the right to elect thirty percent (30%) or more of the
Borrower's Board of Directors; or (b) during any twelve consecutive months,
commencing before or after the date of this Agreement, individuals who at the
beginning of such twelve month period were directors of the Borrower cease for
any reason other than death or disability to constitute a majority of the Board
of Directors of the Borrower.
"Charges" shall mean all federal, state, county, city,
municipal, local, foreign or other governmental taxes (including taxes owed to
the PBGC at the time due and payable), levies, assessments, charges, liens,
claims or encumbrances upon or relating to (a) the Collateral, (b) the
Obligations, (c) the employees, payroll, income or gross receipts of Borrower,
(b) Borrower's ownership or use of any properties or other assets, or (e) any
other aspect of Borrower's business.
"Chase Documents" shall mean the Credit Agreement dated as of
February 23, 1995 among Borrower, the banks signatory thereto and The Chase
Manhattan Bank, as Agent, as same is in effect on the Closing Date and all
documents, instruments and agreements executed in connection therewith.
"Closing Date" shall mean September 15, 1997.
"Closing Checklist" shall mean the schedule, including all
appendices, exhibits or schedules thereto, listing certain documents and
information to be delivered in connection with the Agreement, the other Loan
Documents and the transactions contemplated thereunder, substantially in the
form attached hereto as Annex C.
"Code" shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as the same may,
from time to time, be enacted and in effect in the State of New York; provided,
however, in the event that, by reason of mandatory provisions of law, as enacted
and in effect in a jurisdiction other than the State of New York, the term
"Code" shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as enacted and in effect in such
other jurisdiction solely for purposes of the provisions hereof relating to such
attachment, perfection or priority and for purposes of definitions related to
such provisions.
"Collateral" shall mean the property covered by the Security
Agreement, the Mortgages and the other Collateral Documents and any other
property, real or personal, tangible or intangible, now existing or hereafter
acquired, that may at any time be or become subject to a security interest or
Lien in favor of Lender to secure the Obligations.
"Collateral Documents" shall mean the Security Agreement, the
Pledge Agreements, the Mortgages, and all similar agreements entered into
guaranteeing payment of, or granting a Lien upon property as security for
payment of, the Obligations.
"Collateral Reports" shall mean the reports with respect to
the Collateral referred to in Annex E.
"Collection Account" shall mean that certain account of
Lender, account number 502-328-54 in the name of Lender at Bankers Trust Company
in New York, New York.
"Commitment" shall mean Twenty Three Million Five Hundred
Thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($23,500,000) on the Closing Date, as such amount
may be adjusted, if at all, from time to time in accordance with the Agreement.
"Commitment Termination Date" shall mean the close of Lender's
business on the earliest to occur of (a) the Stated Termination Date; (b) the
date which is fifteen (15) days following the Conversion Date; (c) the date
which is fifteen (15) days following the Lender's receipt of written notice from
the Trustee in form of "Exhibit B" to any Letter of Credit; (d) the date on
which an Acceleration Drawing is honored by the L/C Issuer; (e) the date which
is fifteen (15) days following the Trustee's receipt of a notice from Lender of
the occurrence of an Event of Default and directing the Trustee to accelerate
the Bonds; and (f) the date on which the Trustee surrenders any Letter of Credit
to Lender for cancellation upon the Trustee's receipt of a substitute letter of
credit in accordance with any Indenture and the provisions of Annex B, hereof.
"Compliance Certificate" shall have the meaning assigned to it
in Annex D.
"Consolidated Current Assets" means Current Assets of the
Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, as determined on a consolidated
basis in accordance with GAAP.
"Consolidated Current Liabilities" means Current Liabilities
of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, as determined on a
consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.
"Consolidated Funded Indebtedness" means Funded Indebtedness
of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, as determined on a
consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.
"Consolidated Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary whose accounts
are or are required to be consolidated with the accounts of the Borrower in
accordance with GAAP.
"Consolidated Tangible Net Worth" means Tangible Net Worth of
the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, as determined on a consolidated
basis in accordance with GAAP.
"Consolidated Total Liabilities" means the total liabilities
of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, as determined on a
consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.
"Contracts" shall mean all "contracts," as such term is
defined in the Code, now owned or hereafter acquired by Borrower, in any event,
including all contracts, undertakings, or agreements (other than rights
evidenced by Chattel Paper, Documents or Instruments) in or under which Borrower
may now or hereafter have any right, title or interest, including any agreement
relating to the terms of payment or the terms of performance of any Account.
"Conversion Date" shall mean the effective date for conversion
to a fixed interest rate as such date is specified in the certificate of the
Trustee in the form of "Exhibit A" to each Letter of Credit.
"Credit Facility Documents" shall mean the Credit Agreement
dated as of February 23, 1995 among Borrower and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as
agent for the Banks (as defined therein), as same has been amended from time to
time and such other documents and agreements as shall have been executed and
delivered in connection therewith.
"Current Assets" means all assets of the Borrower treated as
current assets in accordance with GAAP.
"Current Liabilities" means all liabilities of Borrower
treated as current liabilities in accordance with GAAP, including without
limitation (a) all obligations payable on demand or within one year after the
date in which the determination is made and (b) installment and sinking fund
payments required to be made within one year after the date on which the
determination is made, but excluding all such liabilities or obligations which
are renewable or extendable at the option of the Borrower to a date more than
one year from the date of determination.
"Default" shall mean any event which, with the passage of time
or notice or both, would, unless cured or waived, become an Event of Default.
"Default Rate" shall have the meaning assigned to it in
Section 1.4(d).
"Disclosure Schedules" shall mean the Schedules prepared by
Borrower and denominated as Disclosure Schedules 3.2 through 6.7 in the Index to
the Agreement.
"Documents" shall mean any "documents," as such term is
defined in the Code, now owned or hereafter acquired by Borrower, wherever
located.
"Dollars" or "$" shall mean lawful currency of the United
States of America.
"Environmental Laws" shall mean all applicable federal, state,
local and foreign laws, statutes, ordinances, codes, rules, standards and
regulations, now or hereafter in effect, and in each case as amended or
supplemented from time to time, and any applicable judicial or administrative
interpretation thereof, including any applicable judicial or administrative
order, consent decree, order or judgment, imposing liability or standards of
conduct for or relating to the regulation and protection of human health,
safety, the environment and natural resources (including ambient air, surface
water, groundwater, wetlands, land surface or subsurface strata, wildlife,
aquatic species and vegetation). Environmental Laws include the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C.
ss.ss. 9601 et seq.) ("CERCLA"); the Hazardous Materials Transportation
Authorization Act of 1994 (49 U.S.C. ss.ss. 5101 et seq.); the Federal
Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C. ss.ss. 136 et seq.); the
Solid Waste Disposal Act (42 U.S.C. ss.ss. 6901 et seq.); the Toxic Substance
Control Act (15 U.S.C. ss.ss. 2601 et seq.); the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. ss.ss.
7401 et seq.); the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. ss.ss. 1251 et
seq.); the Occupational Safety and Health Act (29 U.S.C. ss.ss. 651 et seq.);
and the Safe Drinking Water Act (42 U.S.C. ss.ss. 300(f) et seq.), each as from
time to time amended, and any and all regulations promulgated thereunder, and
all analogous state, local and foreign counterparts or equivalents and any
transfer of ownership notification or approval statutes.
"Environmental Liabilities" shall mean, with respect to any
Person, all liabilities, obligations, responsibilities, response, remedial and
removal costs, investigation and feasibility study costs, capital costs,
operation and maintenance costs, losses, damages, punitive damages, property
damages, natural resource damages, consequential damages, treble damages, costs
and expenses (including all fees, disbursements and expenses of counsel, experts
and consultants), fines, penalties, sanctions and interest incurred as a result
of or related to any claim, suit, action, investigation, proceeding or demand by
any Person, whether based in contract, tort, implied or express warranty, strict
liability, criminal or civil statute or common law, including any arising under
or related to any Environmental Laws, Environmental Permits, or in connection
with any Release or threatened Release or presence of a Hazardous Material
whether on, at, in, under, from or about or in the vicinity of any real or
personal property.
"Environmental Permits" shall mean all permits, licenses,
authorizations, certificates, approvals, registrations or other written
documents required by any Governmental Authority under any Environmental Laws.
"Equipment" shall mean all "equipment," as such term is
defined in the Code, now owned or hereafter acquired by Borrower, located at the
Real Estate and, in any event, including all Borrower's machinery and equipment,
including processing equipment, conveyors, machine tools, data processing and
computer equipment with software and peripheral equipment, and all engineering,
processing and manufacturing equipment, automotive equipment, trailers, trucks,
forklifts, molds, dies, stamps, motor vehicles, rolling stock and other
equipment of every kind and nature, trade fixtures and fixtures not forming a
part of real property, all whether now owned or hereafter acquired, and situated
at the Real Estate, together with all additions and accessions thereto,
replacements therefor, all parts therefor, all substitutes for any of the
foregoing, fuel therefor, and all manuals, drawings, instructions, warranties
and rights with respect thereto, and all products and proceeds thereof and
condemnation awards and insurance proceeds with respect thereto.
"ERISA" shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act
of 1974 (or any successor legislation thereto), as amended from time to time,
and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
"ERISA Affiliate" shall mean, with respect to Borrower, any
trade or business (whether or not incorporated) which, together with Borrower,
are treated as a single employer within the meaning of Sections 414(b), (c), (m)
or (o) of the IRC.
"ERISA Event" shall mean, with respect to Borrower or any
ERISA Affiliate, (a) any event described in Section 4043(c) of ERISA with
respect to a Title IV Plan; (b) the withdrawal of Borrower or ERISA Affiliate
from a Title IV Plan subject to Section 4063 of ERISA during a plan year in
which it was a substantial employer, as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA;
(c) the complete or partial withdrawal of Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from
any Multiemployer Plan; (d) the filing of a notice of intent to terminate a
Title IV Plan or the treatment of a plan amendment as a termination under
Section 4041 of ERISA; (e) the institution of proceedings to terminate a Title
IV Plan or Multiemployer Plan by the PBGC; (f) the failure by Borrower or ERISA
Affiliate to make when due required contributions to a Multiemployer Plan or
Title IV Plan unless such failure is cured within 30 days; (g) any other event
or condition which might reasonably be expected to constitute grounds under
Section 4042 of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to
administer, any Title IV Plan or Multiemployer Plan or for the imposition of
liability under Section 4069 or 4212(c) of ERISA; (h) the termination of a
Multiemployer Plan under Section 4041A of ERISA or the reorganization or
insolvency of a Multiemployer Plan under Section 4241 of ERISA; or (i) the loss
of a Qualified Plan's qualification or tax exempt status.
"ESOP" shall mean a Plan which is intended to satisfy the
requirements of Section 4975(e)(7) of the IRC.
"Event of Default" shall have the meaning assigned to it in
Section 8.1.
"Federal Funds Rate" shall mean, for any day, a floating rate
equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds
transactions among members of the Federal Reserve System, as determined by
Lender.
"Federal Reserve Board" shall mean the Board of Governors of
the Federal Reserve System, or any successor thereto.
"Fees" shall mean any and all fees payable to Lender pursuant
to the Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents.
"Financial Officer" shall mean any of the chief executive
officer, treasurer, vice president-finance or chief accounting officer of
Borrower.
"Financial Statements" shall mean the consolidated and
consolidating income statements, statements of cash flows and balance sheets of
Borrower delivered in accordance with Section 3.4 of the Agreement and Annex D
to the Agreement.
"Fiscal Month" shall mean any of the monthly accounting
periods of Borrower.
"Fiscal Quarter" shall mean any of the quarterly accounting
periods of Borrower, ending on June 30, September 30, December 31 and March 31
of each year.
"Fiscal Year" shall mean any of the annual accounting periods
of Borrower ending on March 31 of each year.
"Fixed Rate" shall have the meaning herein as in the Indenture
"Fixtures" shall mean any "fixtures" as such term is defined
in the Code, now owned or hereafter acquired by Borrower located at the Real
Estate.
"Forfeiture Proceeding" means any action, proceeding or
investigation affecting the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates
before any court, governmental department, commission, board, bureau, agency or
instrumentality, domestic or foreign, or the receipt of notice by any such party
that any of them is a suspect in or a target of any governmental inquiry or
investigation, which may result in an indictment of any of them or the seizure
of forfeiture of any of their property which could reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect.
"Funded Indebtedness" means, with respect to any Person, all
Indebtedness of such Person for money borrowed which by its terms matures more
than one year from the date as of which such Funded Indebtedness is incurred,
and any Indebtedness of such Person for money borrowed maturing within one year
from such date which is renewable or extendable at the option of the obligor to
a date beyond one year from such date (whether or not theretofore renewed or
extended), including any such indebtedness renewable or extendable at the option
of obligor under, or payable from the proceeds of other indebtedness which may
be incurred pursuant to, the provisions of any revolving credit agreement or
other similar agreement.
"GAAP" shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in
the United States of America as in effect on the Closing Date, consistently
applied as such term is further defined in Annex G to the Agreement.
"Governmental Authority" shall, and any agency, department or
other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or
administrative functions of or pertaining to government.
"Hazardous Material" shall mean any substance, material or
waste which is regulated by or forms the basis of liability now or hereafter
under, any Environmental Laws, including any material or substance which is (a)
defined as a "solid waste," "hazardous waste," "hazardous material," "hazardous
substance," "extremely hazardous waste," "restricted hazardous waste,"
"pollutant," "contaminant," "hazardous constituent," "special waste," "toxic
substance" or other similar term or phrase under any Environmental Laws, (b)
petroleum or any fraction or by-product thereof, asbestos, polychlorinated
biphenyls (PCB's), or any radioactive substance.
"Indebtedness" means, with respect to any Person: (a)
indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money; (b) indebtedness for the
deferred purchase price of property or services (except trade payables in the
ordinary course of business); (c) Unfunded Benefit Liabilities of such Person
(if such Person is not the Borrower, determined in a manner analogous to that of
determining Unfunded Benefit Liabilities of the Borrower); (d) the amount
available for drawing under any outstanding standby letters of credit issued for
the account of such Person, less the principal amount of any other Indebtedness
secured by such letters of credit; (e) obligations arising under acceptance
facilities; (f) guaranties, endorsements (other than for collection in the
ordinary course of business) and other contingent obligations to purchase, to
provide funds for payment, to supply funds to invest in any Person, or otherwise
to assure a creditor against loss; (g) obligations secured by any Lien on
property of such Person; and (h) obligations of such Person as lessee under
Capital Leases.
"Indentures" shall mean collectively, the Ontario Indenture,
Wayne Indenture, Janesville Indenture and Rochester Indenture.
"Indemnified Liabilities" shall have the meaning assigned to
it in Section 1.9.
"Index Rate" shall mean, for any day, a floating rate equal to
the higher of (i) the rate publicly quoted from time to time by The Wall Street
Journal as the "prime rate on corporate loans at large U.S. money center
commercial banks" (or, if The Wall Street Journal ceases quoting a prime rate of
the type described, the highest per annum rate of interest published by the
Federal Reserve Board in Federal Reserve statistical release H.15 (519) entitled
"Selected Interest Rates" as the Bank prime loan rate or its equivalent), and
(ii) the Federal Funds Rate plus fifty (50) basis points per annum. Each change
in any interest rate provided for in the Agreement based upon the Index Rate
shall take effect at the time of such change in the Index Rate.
"Index Rate Loan" shall mean a Loan or portion thereof bearing
interest by reference to the Index Rate.
"Instruments" shall mean any "instrument," as such term is
defined in the Code, now owned or hereafter acquired by Borrower, wherever
located, and, in any event, including all certificated securities, all
certificates of deposit, and all notes and other, without limitation, evidences
of indebtedness, other than instruments that constitute, or are a part of a
group of writings that constitute, Chattel Paper.
"Insurance Company Financing" shall mean the loan transactions
described in the Insurance Company Loan Documents.
"Insurance Company Loan Documents" shall mean the Insurance
Company Note Agreement and each promissory note and other document executed in
connection therewith.
"Insurance Company Note Agreement" shall mean the Note
Agreement dated February 23, 1995 between Borrower and The Prudential Insurance
Company of America and John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company.
"Interest Drawing" shall mean a drawing under any Letter of
Credit resulting from the presentation of a certificate in the form of "Exhibit
C" to any Letter of Credit.
"Interest Expense" shall mean, for any period, the sum, for
the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries (determined on a consolidated
basis without duplication in accordance with GAAP), of the following:
(a) all interest in respect of Indebtedness
accrued or capitalized during such period (whether or not actually paid during
such period), minus
(b) all interest income during such period.
"Interest Payment Date" shall mean (a) while the Bonds bear
interest at a Variable Rate, (i) for the Rochester Bonds, the first day of each
January, April, July and October occurring after the Closing Date and commencing
with October 1, 1997 and for the Ontario Bonds, Wayne Bonds and Jamesville Bonds
the first day of each March, June, September and December occurring after the
Closing Date and commencing with September 1, 1997 and (ii) the Conversion Date
and (b) after the Conversion Date, the first day of each March and September
occurring after the Conversion Date.
"Inventory" shall mean any "inventory," as such term is
defined in the Code, now or hereafter owned or acquired by Borrower, wherever
located, and in any event including inventory, merchandise, goods and other
personal property which are held by or on behalf of Borrower for sale or lease
or are furnished or are to be furnished under a contract of service, or which
constitute raw materials, work in process or materials used or consumed or to be
used or consumed in Borrower's business or in the processing, production,
packaging, promotion, delivery or shipping of the same, including other
supplies.
"IRC" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended, and any successor thereto.
"IRS" shall mean the Internal Revenue Service, or any
successor thereto.
"Issuer" shall mean as applicable, (i) with respect to the
Ontario Bonds, the Ontario Bounty Industrial Development Agency, a corporate
governmental agency constituting a body corporate and a public benefit
corporation of the State of New York, located in Ontario County, New York and
any successor body to the duties of functions of such Issuer, (ii) with respect
to the Janesville Bonds, the City of Janesville, Wisconsin, a municipality
organized and existing under the constitution and laws of the State of Wisconsin
and any successor body to the duties or functions of such Issuer, (iii) with
respect to the Rochester Bonds, the City of Rochester, Minnesota, a municipal
corporation of the State of Minnesota and any successor body to the duties or
functions of such Issuer and (iv) with respect to the Wayne Bonds, the Wayne
County Industrial Development Agency, a corporate governmental agency
constituting a body corporate and politic and a public benefit corporation of
the State of New York, located in Wayne County, New York and any successor body
to the duties or functions of such Issuer.
"Janesville Bonds" shall mean the Industrial Development
Refunding Revenue Bonds (Seneca Foods Corporation Project) Series 1992 of the
City of Janesville, in the original principal amount of Seven Million Seven
Hundred Ten Thousand Dollars ($7,710,000).
"Janesville Indenture" shall mean that certain Indenture of
Trust, dated as of October 1, 1992, between the Trustee and the applicable
Issuer, relating to the Bonds, as amended or supplemented in accordance with the
terms hereof and thereof.
"Janesville Letter of Credit" shall mean the irrevocable
transferable letter of credit that Lender has caused to be issued in favor of
Trustee for the benefit of the applicable Bondholders, in the form of Appendix I
hereto.
"L/C Issuer" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
Annex B.
"Lender" shall mean GE Capital.
"Letter of Credit Fees" shall have the meaning given to such
phrase in Annex B of this Agreement.
"Letter of Credit Obligations" shall mean all outstanding
obligations incurred by Lender at the request of Borrower, whether direct or
indirect, contingent or otherwise, due or not due, in connection with the
issuance of a reimbursement agreement or guaranty by Lender with respect to any
Letter of Credit.
"Letter of Credit" or Letters of Credit" shall mean,
individually and collectively, the Ontario Letter of Credit, Wayne Letter of
Credit, Janesville Letter of Credit and Rochester Letter of Credit.
"License" shall mean any license of rights or interests now
held or hereafter acquired by Borrower.
"Lien" shall mean any mortgage or deed of trust, pledge,
hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, lien, charge, claim, security
interest, easement or encumbrance, or preference, priority or other security
agreement or preferential arrangement of any kind or nature whatsoever
(including any lease or title retention agreement, any financing lease having
substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing, and the filing
of, or agreement to give, any financing statement perfecting a security interest
under the Code or comparable law of any jurisdiction).
"Litigation" shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section
3.13.
"Liquidity Loan" shall mean each Loan made by Lender with
respect to a Liquidity Drawing.
"Liquidity Drawing" shall mean a drawing under any Letter of
Credit resulting from the presentation of a certificate in the form of "Exhibit
E" to each Letter of Credit.
"Loan Account" shall have the meaning assigned to it in
Section 1.8.
"Loan Documents" shall mean the Agreement, the Collateral
Documents, the Pledge Agreements, the Sale Agreements and all other agreements,
instruments, documents and certificates identified in the Closing Checklist
executed and delivered to, or in favor of, Lender and including all other
pledges, powers of attorney, consents, assignments, contracts, notices, and all
other written matter whether heretofore, now or hereafter executed by or on
behalf of Borrower, or any employee of Borrower, and delivered to Lender in
connection with the Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby. Any
reference in the Agreement or any other Loan Document to a Loan Document shall
include all appendices, exhibits or schedules thereto, and all amendments,
restatements, supplements or other modifications.
"Loan Interest Payment Date" means the first Business Day of
each month to occur while such Loan is outstanding, provided, that, in addition
to the foregoing, each of (x) the date upon which the Commitment has been
terminated and the Loans have been paid in full and (y) the Commitment
Termination Date shall be deemed to be an "Interest Payment Date" with respect
to any interest which is then accrued under the Agreement.
"Loans" shall mean, at any time, the aggregate amount of
payments by Lender with respect to Letter of Credit Obligations or other
advances or financial accommodations provided to Borrower by Lender.
"Material Adverse Effect" shall mean a material adverse effect
on (a) the business, assets, operations, prospects or financial or other
condition of the Borrower considered as a whole, (b) Borrower's ability to pay
any of the Loans or any of the other Obligations in accordance with the terms of
the Agreement, (c) the Collateral or Lender's Liens on the Collateral or the
priority of such Liens, or (d) Lender's rights and remedies under the Agreement
and the other Loan Documents.
"Moody's" shall mean Moody's Investors Service, Inc., a
corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, it
successors and assigns.
"Mortgaged Properties" shall have the meaning assigned to it
in Annex C.
"Mortgages" shall mean each of the mortgages, deeds of trust,
leasehold mortgages, leasehold deeds of trust, collateral assignments of leases
or other real estate security documents delivered by Borrower to Lender with
respect to the Mortgaged Properties, all in form and substance satisfactory to
Lender.
"Multiemployer Plan" shall mean a "multiemployer plan" as
defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, and to which Borrower or ERISA Affiliate
is making, is obligated to make, has made or been obligated to make,
contributions on behalf of participants who are or were employed by any of them.
"Notice of Extension" shall have the meaning specified in
Annex B hereof.
"Obligations" shall mean all loans, advances, debts,
liabilities and obligations, for the performance of covenants, tasks or duties
or for payment of monetary amounts (whether or not such performance is then
required or contingent, or such amounts are liquidated or determinable) owing by
Borrower to Lender, and all covenants and duties regarding such amounts, of any
kind or nature, present or future, whether or not evidenced by any note,
agreement or other instrument, arising under the Agreement or any of the other
Loan Documents. This term includes all principal, interest (including all
interest which accrues after the commencement of any case or proceeding in
bankruptcy after the insolvency of, or for the reorganization of Borrower,
whether or not allowed in such proceeding), Fees, Charges, expenses, attorneys'
fees and any other sum chargeable to Borrower under the Agreement or any of the
other Loan Documents.
"Ontario Bonds" shall mean the Industrial Development
Refunding Revenue Bonds (Seneca Foods Corporation Project) Series 1992 of the
Ontario County Industrial Development Agency, in the original principal amount
of Five Million One Hundred Eighty Five Thousand Dollars ($5,185,000).
"Ontario Indenture" shall mean that certain Indenture of
Trust, dated as of August 1, 1992, between the Trustee and the applicable
Issuer, relating to the Bonds, as amended or supplemented in accordance with the
terms hereof and thereof.
"Ontario Letter of Credit" shall mean the irrevocable
transferable letter of credit that Lender has caused to be issued in favor of
Trustee for the benefit of the applicable Bondholders, in the form of Appendix
II hereto.
"Operating Cash Flow" shall mean, for any period, the sum, for
the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries (determined on a consolidated
basis without duplication in accordance with GAAP), of the following:
(a) Net operating income (calculated before
taxes, interest income, Interest Expense, extraordinary and unusual items and
income or loss attributable to equity in Affiliates) for such period plus
(b) depreciation and amortization (to the extent
deducted in determining net operating income) for such period.
"Original Purchase Price" shall have the meaning specified in
each Letter of Credit.
"Original Stated Amount" shall mean (i) $7,996,431.78 with
respect to the Janesville Letter of Credit, (ii) $5,377,626.30 with respect to
the Ontario Letter of Credit, (iii) $4,848,679.45 with respect to the Rochester
Letter of Credit and (iv) $5,247,982.47 with respect to the Wayne Letter of
Credit.
"Outstanding" or "Bonds outstanding" shall have the meaning
herein as in the Indentures.
"PACA" shall mean the Perishable Agriculture Commodities Act,
as amended, 7 U.S.C. ss.ss.499 a-s.
"PACA Goods" shall mean Inventory consisting of "perishable
agricultural commodities" as such term is defined in PACA.
"Paying Agent" shall have the same meaning herein as in the
Indenture.
"PBGC" shall mean the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or
any successor thereto.
"Permitted Encumbrances" shall have the meaning specified in
Section 6.7(k).
"Person" shall mean any individual, sole proprietorship,
partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization, association,
corporation, limited liability company, institution, public benefit corporation,
other entity or government (whether federal, state, county, city, municipal,
local, foreign, or otherwise, including any instrumentality, division, agency,
body or department thereof).
"Pillsbury" means The Pillsbury Company, a Delaware corporation.
"Pillsbury Alliance Agreement" means the agreement dated
December 8, 1994 between Pillsbury and Borrower, executed pursuant to the
Pillsbury Asset Purchase Agreement, and providing for the sale by Borrower and
the purchase by Pillsbury of certain products as provided therein, as the same
has been amended pursuant to the First Amendment to Alliance Agreement dated as
of February 10, 1995.
"Pillsbury Asset Purchase Agreement" means that certain Asset
Purchase Agreement dated December 8, 1994, between Pillsbury and Borrower and
providing for the purchase by Borrower from Pillsbury of certain plants and
related assets owned by Pillsbury, as the same has been amended pursuant to
First Amendment to Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of February 10, 1995.
"Pillsbury Documents" means, collectively, (i) the Pillsbury
Alliance Agreement, (ii) the Pillsbury Asset Purchase Agreement, (iii) the
Pillsbury Note, (iv) the Pillsbury Subordination Agreement, (v) the ss. 1111(b)
Agreement, (vi) the Security Agreement and each Mortgage, Security Agreement and
Fixture Financing Statement between Borrower and Pillsbury, each executed
pursuant to the Pillsbury Asset Purchase Agreement, and (vii) the Consent and
Agreement.
"Pillsbury Note" means the 8% Secured Non-Recourse
Subordinated Promissory Note and any replacement therefor, executed and
delivered by Borrower to Pillsbury in payment of part of the purchase price of
the assets sold to Borrower pursuant to the Pillsbury Asset Purchase Agreement,
as same may be issued in a different principal amount, pursuant to the second
paragraph of Section 1 thereof, in accordance with Section 2.02(a) of the
Pillsbury Asset Purchase Agreement.
"Pillsbury Subordination Agreement" means the Agreement
Regarding Subordination dated as of February 1, 1995 among Pillsbury, Borrower,
The Chase Manhattan Bank, as agent and each Purchaser under and as defined in
the Insurance Company Note Agreement.
"Placement Memorandum" shall mean any official statement,
placement memorandum, offering circular or other disclosure document relating to
the Bonds.
"Plan" shall mean, at any time, an employee benefit plan, as
defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA, which Borrower maintains, contributes to or
has an obligation to contribute to on behalf of participants who are or were
employed by Borrower.
"Pledge Agreements" shall mean collectively, (i) each Pledge
Agreement, dated as of the Closing Date among Borrower, Lender and Norwest Bank
Minnesota, National Association, as escrow agent thereunder, as amended or
supplemented from time to time, or any other such agreement entered into by
Borrower in connection with the issuance of any Letter of Credit, as from time
to time supplemented and amended and (ii) any other pledge agreements delivered
to Lender by Borrower.
"Pledged Bonds" means any and all Bonds which are, at the time
of determination thereof, held by the escrow agent under the Pledge Agreement in
pledge to Lender pursuant to a Pledge Agreement.
"Prior Lender" shall mean ABN Amro Bank N.A., New York Branch.
"Prior Lender Obligations" shall mean all sums due and owing
to Prior Lender as of the date hereof.
"Proceeds" shall mean "proceeds," as such term is defined in
the Code and, in any event, shall include (a) any and all proceeds of any
insurance, indemnity, warranty or guaranty payable to Borrower from time to time
with respect to any of the Collateral, (b) any and all payments (in any form
whatsoever) made or due and payable to Borrower from time to time in connection
with any requisition, confiscation, condemnation, seizure or forfeiture of all
or any part of the Collateral by any Governmental Authority (or any Person
acting under color of governmental authority), (c) any claim of Borrower against
third parties for injury to or any litigation or dispute concerning any of the
Collateral, and (e) any and all other amounts from time to time paid or payable
under or in connection with any of the Collateral, upon disposition or
otherwise.
"Project" shall have the same meaning herein as in each Sale
Agreement.
"Qualified Plan" shall mean a Plan which is intended to be
tax-qualified under Section 401(a) of the IRC.
"Qualified Public Offering" shall mean a firm underwritten
public offering of common stock registered on form S-1, S-2 or S-3 under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, by a nationally recognized investment
banking firm, resulting in net proceeds to the issuer of at least $10,000,000,
and after giving effect to which the issuer shall be qualified for listing on
the NASDAQ National Market, the American Stock Exchange or the New York Stock
Exchange.
"Real Estate" shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section
3.6.
"Redemption Cash Collateral Account" shall have the meaning
assigned to it in Section 1.2(b).
"Redemption Drawing" shall mean a drawing under any Letter of
Credit resulting from the presentation of a certificate in the form of "Exhibit
D" to the Letter of Credit.
"Related Transactions" means the issuance of each Letter of
Credit on the Closing Date, the payment of all fees, costs and expenses
associated with all of the foregoing and the execution and delivery of all of
the Related Transactions Documents.
"Related Transactions Documents" shall mean the Loan Documents
and the Bond Documents.
"Release" shall mean any release, threatened release, spill,
emission, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, escape, injection,
deposit, disposal, discharge, dispersal, dumping, leaching or migration of
Hazardous Material in the indoor or outdoor environment, including the movement
of Hazardous Material through or in the air, soil, surface water, ground water
or property.
"Remarketing Agent" shall have the same meaning herein as in
the Indentures.
"Restricted Payment" shall mean (a) the declaration or payment
of any dividend or the incurrence of any liability to make any other payment or
distribution of cash or other property or assets in respect of a Person's Stock,
(b) any payment on account of the purchase, redemption, defeasance, sinking fund
or other retirement of a Person's Stock or any other payment or distribution
made in respect thereof, either directly or indirectly, (c) any payment or
prepayment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest, fees or other charges
on or with respect to, and any redemption, purchase, retirement, defeasance,
sinking fund or similar payment and any claim for rescission with respect to,
any Subordinated Debt; (d) any payment made to redeem, purchase, repurchase or
retire, or to obtain the surrender of, any outstanding warrants, options or
other rights to acquire Stock of such Person now or hereafter outstanding; (e)
any payment of a claim for the rescission of the purchase or sale of, or for
material damages arising from the purchase or sale of, any shares of such
Person's Stock or of a claim for reimbursement, indemnification or contribution
arising out of or related to any such claim for damages or rescission; (f) any
payment, loan, contribution, or other transfer of funds or other property to any
Stockholder of such Person; and (g) any payment of management fees (or other
fees of a similar nature) by such Person to any Stockholder of such Person or
their Affiliates.
"Retiree Welfare Plan" shall mean, at any time, a Plan that is
a "welfare plan" as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA, that provides for
continuing coverage or benefits for any participant or any beneficiary of a
participant after such participant's termination of employment, other than
continuation coverage provided pursuant to Section 4980B of the IRC and at the
sole expense of the participant or the beneficiary of the participant.
"Rochester Bonds" shall mean the Industrial Development
Refunding, Revenue Bonds (Seneca Foods Corporation Project) Series 1992 of the
City of Rochester, in the original principal amount of Four Million Six Hundred
Seventy Five Thousand Dollars ($4,675,000).
"Rochester Indenture" shall mean that certain Indenture of
Trust, dated as of August 1, 1992, between the Trustee and the applicable
Issuer, relating to the Bonds, as amended or supplemented in accordance with the
terms hereof and thereof.
"Rochester Letter of Credit" shall mean the irrevocable
transferable letter of credit that Lender has caused to be issued in favor of
Trustee for the benefit of the applicable Bondholders, in the form of Appendix
III hereto.
"Sale Agreements" shall mean each Sale Agreement between each
Issuer and Borrower, dated as of the date of each respective Indenture, as from
time to time amended or supplemented in accordance with the terms hereof and
thereof.
"Security Agreement" shall mean the Security Agreement of even
date herewith entered into between Lender and Borrower.
"Significant Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary (i) whose assets
constituted 10% or more of Consolidated Tangible Net Worth as of the end of the
most recent Fiscal Quarter or (ii) which contributed 10% or more of Borrower's
and its Consolidated Subsidiaries' net income, as determined on a consolidated
basis in accordance with GAAP), for any of the three Fiscal Years then most
recently ended.
"Solvent" shall mean, with respect to any Person on a
particular date, that on such date (a) the fair value of the property of such
Person is greater than the total amount of liabilities, including 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
probably liability 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 a business or
transaction, and is not about to engage in a business or transaction, for which
such Person's property would constitute an unreasonably small capital. The
amount of contingent liabilities (such as litigation, guarantees and pension
plan liabilities) at any time shall be computed as the amount which, in light of
all the facts and circumstances existing at the time, represents the amount
which can be reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability.
"Stated Amount" shall have the same meaning herein as in the
Letter of Credit.
"Stated Maturity" shall mean, when used with respect to any
Bonds, the date specified in such Bonds as the fixed date on which the principal
of such Bonds is due and payable.
"Stated Maturity Drawing" shall mean a drawing under any
Letter of Credit resulting from the presentation of a certificate in the form of
"Exhibit G" to the Letter of Credit.
"Stated Termination Date" shall mean September 15, 2000 or such
later date to which the Stated Termination Date may be extended from time to
time pursuant to the terms of the Agreement.
"Stock" shall mean all shares, options, warrants, general or
limited partnership interests or other equivalents (regardless of how
designated) of or in a corporation, partnership or equivalent entity whether
voting or nonvoting, including common stock, preferred stock or any other
"equity security" (as such term is defined in Rule 3a11-1 of the General Rules
and Regulations promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended).
"Subordinated Debt" shall mean Indebtedness of Borrower
subordinated to the Obligations in a manner and form satisfactory to Lender in
its sole discretion, as to right and time of payment and as to any other rights
and remedies thereunder.
"Subsidiary" shall mean, with respect to any Person, (a) any
corporation of which an aggregate of more than fifty percent (50%) of the
outstanding Stock having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board
of directors of such corporation (irrespective of whether, at the time, Stock of
any other class or classes of such corporation shall have or might have voting
power by reason of the happening of any contingency) is at the time, directly or
indirectly, owned legally or beneficially by such Person and/or one or more
Subsidiaries of such Person, or with respect to which any such Person has the
right to vote or designate the vote of fifty percent (50%) or more of such Stock
whether by proxy, agreement, operation of law or otherwise, and (b) any
partnership or limited liability company in which such Person and/or one or more
Subsidiaries of such Person shall have an interest (whether in the form of
voting or participation in profits or capital contribution) of more than fifty
percent (50%) or of which any such Person is a general partner or may exercise
the powers of a general partner.
"Tangible Net Worth" means, at any date of determination
thereof, the excess of total assets of the Borrower over total liabilities of
the Borrower, excluding, however, from the determination of total assets, all
intangible assets required to be classified as such in accordance with GAAP,
such as organization costs, unamortized debt discount and expense, goodwill,
patents, trademarks, copyrights, contractual franchises and research and
development expenses.
"Taxes" shall mean taxes, levies, imposts, deductions, Charges
or withholdings, and all liabilities with respect thereto, excluding taxes
imposed on or measured by the net income of Lender by the jurisdictions under
the laws of which Lender is organized or any political subdivision thereof.
"Tender Agent" shall mean Norwest Bank Minnesota, National
Association, a national banking association, as Tender Agent under each
Indenture, and any successor Tender Agent.
"Termination Date" shall mean the date on which the Loans have
been indefeasibly repaid in full and all other Obligations under the Agreement
and the other Loan Documents have been completely discharged and Letter of
Credit Obligations have been cash collateralized, cancelled or backed by
stand-by letters of credit in accordance with Annex B, and Borrower shall not
have any further right to borrow any monies under the Agreement.
"Title IV Plan" shall mean an employee pension benefit plan,
as defined in Section 3 (2) of ERISA (other than a Multiemployer Plan), which is
covered by Title IV of ERISA, and which Borrower or ERISA Affiliate maintains,
contributes to or has an obligation to contribute to on behalf of participants
who are or were employed by any of them.
"Trust Estate" shall have the same meaning herein as in the
Indentures.
"Trustee" shall mean Norwest Bank Minnesota, National
Association, a national banking association, as Trustee under each Indenture,
and any successor trustee thereunder.
"Unfunded Pension Liability" shall mean, at any time, the
aggregate amount, if any, of the sum of (a) the amount by which the present
value of all accrued benefits under each Title IV Plan exceeds the fair market
value of all assets of such Title IV Plan allocable to such benefits in
accordance with Title IV of ERISA, all determined as of the most recent
valuation date for each such Title IV Plan, and (b) for a period of five (5)
years following a transaction which might reasonably be expected to be covered
by Section 4069 of ERISA, the liabilities (whether or not accrued) that could be
avoided by Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate as a result of such transaction.
"Variable Rate" shall have the same meaning herein as in the
Indenture.
"Wayne Bonds" shall mean the Industrial Development Refunding
Revenue Bonds (Seneca Foods Corporation Project) Series 1992 of the Wayne County
Industrial Development Agency, in the original principal amount of Five Million
Sixty Thousand Dollars ($5,060,000).
"Wayne Indenture" shall mean that certain Indenture of Trust,
dated as of June 1, 1992, between the Trustee and the applicable Issuer,
relating to the Bonds, as amended or supplemented in accordance with the terms
hereof and thereof.
"Wayne Letter of Credit" shall mean the irrevocable
transferable letter of credit that Lender has caused to be issued in favor of
Trustee for the benefit of the applicable Bondholders, in the form of Appendix
IV hereto.
All other undefined terms contained in any of the Loan
Documents shall, unless the context indicates otherwise, have the meanings
provided for by the Code as in effect in the State of New York to the extent the
same are used or defined therein. Unless otherwise specified, reference in the
Agreement or any of the Appendices to a Section, subsection or clause refer to
such Section, subsection or clause as contained in the Agreement. The words
"herein," "hereof" and "hereunder" and other words of similar import refer to
the Agreement as a whole, including all Annexes, Exhibits and Schedules, as the
same may from time to time be amended, restated, modified or supplemented, and
not to any particular section, subsection or clause contained in the Agreement
or any such Annex, Exhibit or Schedule.
Wherever from the context it appears appropriate, each term
stated in either the singular or plural shall include the singular and the
plural, and pronouns stated in the masculine, feminine or neuter gender shall
include the masculine, feminine and neuter genders. The words "including",
"includes" and "include" shall be deemed to be followed by the words "without
limitation"; references to Persons include their respective successors and
assigns (to the extent and only to the extent permitted by the Loan Documents)
or, in the case of governmental Persons, Persons succeeding to the relevant
functions of such Persons; and all references to statutes and related
regulations shall include any amendments of the same and any successor statutes
and regulations. Whenever any provision in any Loan Document refers to the
knowledge (or an analogous phrase) of Borrower has actual knowledge or awareness
of a particular fact or circumstance or that Borrower, if it had exercised
reasonable diligence, would have known or been aware of such fact or
circumstance.
<PAGE>
B-7
ANNEX B (Section 1.2)
to
MASTER REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT
LETTERS OF CREDIT
(a) Issuance. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Agreement,
Lender agrees to incur from time to time prior to the Commitment Termination
Date, upon the request of Borrower and for Borrower's account, Letter of Credit
Obligations by causing Letters of Credit to be issued (by a bank or other
legally authorized Person selected by or acceptable to Lender in its sole
discretion (each, an "L/C Issuer")) for Borrower's account and guaranteed by
Lender; provided, however, that the aggregate amount of all such Letter of
Credit Obligations shall not at any time exceed Twenty Three Million Five
Hundred Thousand and 00/100 Dollars ($23,500,000) (the "L/C Sublimit") minus the
aggregate outstanding principal balance of the Loans. No such Letter of Credit
shall have an expiry date which is more than one year following the date of
issuance thereof, and Lender shall be under no obligation to incur Letter of
Credit Obligations in respect of any Letter of Credit having an expiry date
which is later than the Commitment Termination Date.
(b) Loan Automatic. In the event that Lender shall make any payment on
or pursuant to any Letter of Credit Obligation, such payment shall then be
deemed automatically to constitute a Loan to Borrower under this Agreement
regardless of whether a Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing and notwithstanding Borrower's failure to satisfy the conditions
precedent set forth in Section 2.
(c) Cash Collateral. In addition to the requirements of Section 1.2 of
the Agreement, if Borrower is required to provide cash collateral for any Letter
of Credit Obligations under any other provision of the Agreement, Borrower shall
pay to Lender cash in amounts acceptable to Lender; such funds to be held by
Lender in a cash collateral account ("Cash Collateral Account") maintained at a
bank or financial institution acceptable to Lender or, if any Letter of Credit
Obligations, whether or not then due and payable, shall for any reason be
outstanding on the Commitment Termination Date, Borrower shall either cause (i)
all such Letters of Credit and guaranties thereof to be canceled and returned,
or (ii) deliver a stand-by letter (or letters) of credit in guarantee of such
Letter of Credit Obligations, which stand-by letter (or letters) of credit shall
be of like tenor and duration as, and in an amount equal to 105% of the
aggregate maximum amount then available to be drawn under, the Letters of Credit
to which such outstanding Letter of Credit Obligations relate and shall be
issued by a Person, and shall be subject to such terms and conditions, as are to
be satisfactory to Lender in its sole discretion or (iii) pay to Lender cash, in
an amount equal to 105% of the aggregate maximum amount then available to be
drawn for deposit in the Cash Collateral Account. Any Cash Collateral Account
shall be in the name of Borrower and shall be pledged to, and subject to the
control of, Lender in a manner satisfactory to Lender. Borrower hereby pledges
and grants to Lender a security interest in all such funds held in the Cash
Collateral Account and all proceeds thereof as collateral for payment of all
Obligations, whether or not then due. The Agreement, including this Annex B,
shall constitute a security agreement under applicable law.
From time to time after funds are deposited in the Cash Collateral
Account by Borrower, whether before or after the Commitment Termination Date,
Lender may apply such funds then held in the Cash Collateral Account to the
payment of any amounts, in accordance with the provisions of Section 1.7 of the
Agreement.
No Borrower nor any Person claiming on behalf of or through Borrower
shall have any right to withdraw any of the funds held in the Cash Collateral
Account, except that upon the termination of all Letter of Credit Obligations
and the payment of all amounts payable by Borrower to Lender in respect thereof,
any funds remaining in the Cash Collateral Account shall be applied to other
Obligations when due and owing and upon payment in full of such Obligations, any
remaining amount shall be paid to Borrower or as otherwise required by law.
(d) Fees and Expenses. Borrower agrees to pay to Lender, as
compensation to Lender for Letter of Credit Obligations incurred hereunder, (i)
all costs and expenses incurred by Lender on account of such Letter of Credit
Obligations, and (ii) for each fiscal quarter during which any Letter of Credit
Obligation shall remain outstanding, a fee (the "Letter of Credit Fee") in an
amount equal to the Applicable L/C Margin from time to time in effect multiplied
by the maximum amount available from time to time to be drawn under all
applicable Letters of Credit. Such fee shall be paid to Lender in arrears on the
first day of each fiscal quarter. In addition, Borrower shall pay to any L/C
Issuer, on demand, such fees (including all per annum fees), charges and
expenses of such of each Letter of Credit or otherwise payable pursuant to the
application and related documentation under which each Letter of Credit is
issued.
(e) Obligation Absolute. The obligation of Borrower to reimburse Lender
for payments made with respect to any Letter of Credit Obligation shall be
absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, without necessity of presentment,
demand, protest or other formalities. Such obligations of Borrower shall be paid
strictly in accordance with the terms hereof under all circumstances including
the following circumstances:
(i) any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter
of Credit or the Agreement or the other Loan Documents or any
other agreement;
(ii) the existence of any claim, set-off, defense or other
right which Borrower or any of its Affiliates may at any time
have against a beneficiary or any transferee of any Letter of
Credit (or any Persons or entities for whom any such
transferee may be acting), Lender, or any other Person,
whether in connection with the Agreement, the Letter of
Credit, the transactions contemplated herein or therein or any
unrelated transaction (including any underlying transaction
between Borrower or any of its Affiliates and the beneficiary
for which the Letter of Credit was procured);
(iii) any draft, demand, certificate or any other document
presented under any Letter of Credit proving to be forged,
fraudulent, invalid or insufficient in any respect or any
statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect;
(iv) payment by Lender (except as otherwise expressly provided
in paragraph (g)(ii)(C) below) or any L/C Issuer under any
Letter of Credit or guaranty thereof against presentation of a
demand, draft or certificate or other document which does not
comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit or such
guaranty;
(v) any other circumstance or happening whatsoever,
which is similar to any of the foregoing; or
(vi) the fact that a Default or an Event of Default shall have
occurred and be continuing.
(f) Indemnification; Nature of Lender's Duties. (i) In addition to
amounts payable as elsewhere provided in the Agreement, Borrower hereby agrees
to pay and to protect, indemnify, and save Lender harmless from and against any
and all claims, demands, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, charges and
expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees and allocated costs of internal
counsel) which Lender may incur or be subject to as a consequence, direct or
indirect, of (A) the issuance of any Letter of Credit or guaranty thereof, or
(B) the failure of Lender or of any L/C Issuer to honor a demand for payment
under any Letter of Credit or guaranty thereof as a result of any act or
omission, whether rightful or wrongful, of any present or future de jure or de
facto government or Governmental Authority, in each case other than to the
extent solely as a result of the gross negligence or willful misconduct of
Lender (as finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction).
(ii) As between Lender and Borrower, Borrower assumes all
risks of the acts and omissions of, or misuse of any Letter of Credit by
beneficiaries of any Letter of Credit. In furtherance and not in limitation of
the foregoing, to the fullest extent permitted by law, Lender shall not be
responsible: (A) for the form, validity, sufficiency, accuracy, genuineness or
legal effect of any document issued by any party in connection with the
application for and issuance of any Letter 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 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 failure of the beneficiary
of any Letter of Credit to comply fully with conditions required in order to
demand payment under such Letter of Credit; provided that, in the case of any
payment by Lender under any Letter of Credit or guaranty thereof, Lender shall
be liable to the extent such payment was made solely as a result of its gross
negligence or willful misconduct (as finally determined by a court of competent
jurisdiction) in determining that the demand for payment under such Letter of
Credit or guaranty thereof complies on its face with any applicable requirements
for a demand for payment thereof; (D) for errors, omissions, interruptions or
delays in transmission or delivery of any messages, by mail, cable, telegraph,
telex or otherwise, whether or not they be in cipher; (E) for errors in
interpretation of technical terms; (F) for any loss or delay in the transmission
or otherwise of any document required in order to make a payment under any
Letter of Credit or guaranty thereof or of the proceeds thereof; (G) for the
credit of the proceeds of any drawing under any Letter of Credit or guaranty
thereof; and (H) for any consequences arising from causes beyond the control of
Lender. None of the above shall affect, impair, or prevent the vesting of any of
Lender's rights or powers hereunder or under the Agreement.
(iii) Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to limit or to
expand any waivers, covenants or indemnities made by Borrower in favor of any
L/C Issuer in any letter of credit application, reimbursement agreement or
similar document, instrument or agreement between Borrower and such L/C Issuer.
(g) Reduction and Termination.
(i) The Trustee shall have the right at any time to reduce
permanently, without penalty or premium, the Stated Amount of
any Letter of Credit upon not less than two (2) Business Days'
prior written notice to Lender by the Trustee in the form of
Exhibit D or H to each Letter of Credit, designating the date
(which shall be a Business Day) of such reduction and the
amount of such reduction. Such reduction of the Stated Amount
of any Letter of Credit shall be effective, after receipt of
such notice on the third Business Day following the date of
delivery of such notice. Any reduction other than by virtue of
a payment at maturity shall be in an amount not less than Five
Thousand Dollars ($5,000). After such reduction, the Stated
Amount of any such Letter of Credit shall be not less than the
sum of (i) the amount of principal of the Bonds then
Outstanding, plus (ii) interest on said principal amount at a
maximum rate of twelve percent (12%) per annum for a period of
one hundred thirteen (113) days.
(ii) If the Trustee shall partially reduce the Stated Amount
pursuant to clause (i) above, Lender shall then have the right
to require the Trustee to simultaneously surrender the
outstanding Letter of Credit to the L/C Issuer on the
effective date of such partial reduction of the Stated Amount
and to accept on such date, in substitution for such
outstanding Letter of Credit, a substitute irrevocable Letter
of Credit, dated such date, for an amount equal to the amount
to which the Stated Amount shall have been so reduced but
otherwise having terms identical to such Letter of Credit then
outstanding.
(iii) Fifteen (15) days following receipt by Lender of a
certificate of the Trustee in the form of Exhibit B to any
Letter of Credit, such Letter of Credit shall terminate and no
further drawings will be or need be honored thereunder.
(h) Reinstatement of the Amount of the Letter of Credit.
(i) As set forth in each Letter of Credit, the Available
Amount of any Letter of Credit shall be reduced by an amount
equal to the amount of any drawing made thereunder; provided,
however, that the amount of any Interest Drawing, less the
amount of the reduction in the Stated Amount of any Letter of
Credit attributable to interest as specified in a certificate
in the form of Exhibit D of H to any Letter of Credit, will be
automatically reinstated without further notice to any Person,
unless Lender advises the Trustee by tested telex, telecopy or
in writing within ten (10) calendar days following the date of
any Interest Drawing that (A) Lender has not been reimbursed
in full for such Interest Drawing or (B) any other Event of
Default has occurred and is continuing and as a consequence
thereof the amount of such Interest Drawing will not be
reinstated. After such reinstatement the Stated Amount of such
Letter of Credit shall be no less than the sum of (x) the
amount of principal of the Bonds then outstanding, plus (y)
interest on said principal amount at a maximum rate of twelve
percent (12%) per annum for a period of one hundred thirteen
(113) days.
(ii) Without limiting the automatic reinstatement provisions
in each Letter of Credit regarding Liquidity Drawings, prior
to the Conversion Date upon reimbursement to Lender of the
amount of any Liquidity Drawing prior to any remarketing of
the Bond(s) in respect of which such Liquidity Drawing was
made, plus all accrued interest thereon (provided no Event of
Default shall have occurred and be continuing of which notice
has been given to the Trustee), Lender will cause the
applicable Letter of Credit to be reinstated by an amount
equal to the principal amount of such reimbursed Liquidity
Drawing plus the amount equal to the principal amount of such
reimbursed Liquidity Drawing plus the accrued interest
portion, if any, included in the relevant Liquidity Drawing
when made. In addition, prior to any Conversion Date, in the
event of the remarketing of Pledged Bonds purchased with the
proceeds of a Liquidity Drawing, Lender's obligation to cause
the L/C Issuer to honor drawings under the applicable Letter
of Credit will be automatically reinstated concurrently upon
receipt by Lender, or the Trustee or the Tender Agent on
behalf of Lender, of an amount equal to the principal amount
of and accrued interest on such Bonds (or portions thereof)
arising out of the remarketing of such Bonds. Such
reinstatement shall be in an amount equal to the Original
Purchase Price thereof. In the event that Lender receives an
amount pursuant to this clause in excess of the Obligations
owing to Lender hereunder and no Event of Default or Default
shall have occurred and be continuing, Lender will pay any
such excess to the Trustee for deposit in the Bond Fund
created under the Indenture for application in accordance with
the terms thereof.
(iii) Lender will promptly notify the Trustee, the Issuer and
the Remarketing Agent of any reinstatement of the Letter of
Credit pursuant to clause (ii) above but failure to provide
such notice shall not affect the reinstatement of the Letter
of Credit as provided above.
(iv) Borrower hereby irrevocably and unconditionally instructs
Lender to cause the Letter of Credit to be reinstated, in
accordance with clauses (i) and (ii) above and in accordance
with the terms of each Letter of Credit.
(i) Substitute Letter of Credit. Notwithstanding any provisions of any
Indenture to the contrary, Borrower agrees not to replace any Letter of Credit
prior to September 15, 2000; provided that if (x)Lender makes demand for payment
for additional amounts pursuant to Section 1.12 of this Agreement, such amounts
are paid and Borrower gives Lender written notice of its election to terminate
the Letters of Credit not later than ninety (90) days following such demand for
payment or (y) following Lender's receipt of a written request from Borrower in
which Borrower requests Lender to extend the Stated Termination Date, Lender
shall have notified Borrower in writing that it elects not to extend the Stated
Termination Date, then Borrower may, if no Pledged Bonds and Bonds owned by
Lender remain outstanding and all payment obligations owed to Lender by Borrower
under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, respectively, shall have been
paid in full, provide the Trustee with a substitute or replacement letter of
credit meeting the requirements of each Indenture and instruct the Trustee to
terminate the Letters of Credit (or any Letter of Credit issued in respect of
the Bonds) and to surrender the same to Lender for termination and cancellation.
(j) Disbursement of Drawing. Borrower hereby directs Lender to cause
payments under the Letter of Credit to be made in the manner set forth therein.
The Trustee may change the disbursal instruction by notice in writing to Lender
and the same shall become effective upon actual receipt of such notice by
Lender.
(k) Section 3.1(a) Redemptions. Upon receipt by Lender of funds in
connection with a redemption of Bonds under Section 3.1(a) of the Indenture,
Lender shall notify the Trustee of such fact and its consent to said Section
3.1(a) redemption to the extent of such amount.
<PAGE>
C-4
ANNEX C
to
MASTER REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT
SCHEDULE OF ADDITIONAL CLOSING DOCUMENTS
In addition to, and not in limitation of, the conditions described in Section
2.1 of the Agreement, pursuant to Section 2.1, the following items must be
received by Lender in form and substance satisfactory to Lender on or prior to
the Closing Date (each capitalized term used but not otherwise defined herein
shall have the meaning ascribed thereto in Annex A to the Agreement):
A. Appendices. All Appendices to the Agreement, in form and
substance satisfactory to Lender.
B. Security Agreement. Duly executed originals of each
Security Agreement, dated the Closing Date, and all instruments, documents and
agreements executed pursuant thereto.
C. Insurance. Satisfactory evidence that the insurance policies
required by Section 5.4 are in full force and effect, together with appropriate
evidence showing loss payable and/or additional insured clauses or endorsements,
as requested by Lender, in favor of Lender.
D. Security Interests and Code Filings. (a) Evidence satisfactory to
Lender that Lender has a valid and perfected first priority security interest in
the Collateral, including (i) such documents duly executed by Borrower
(including financing statements under the Code and other applicable documents
under the laws of any jurisdiction with respect to the perfection of Liens) as
Lender may request in order to perfect its security interests in the Collateral
and (ii) copies of Code search reports listing all effective financing
statements that name Borrower as debtor, together with copies of such financing
statements, none of which shall cover the Collateral, except for those relating
to the Prior Lender Obligations (all of which shall be terminated) and other
financing statements filed in favor of Borrower with respect to each location,
if any, at which Inventory may be consigned.
(b) Control Letters from (i) all issuers of uncertificated
securities and financial assets held by Borrower, (ii) all securities
intermediaries with respect to all securities accounts and securities
entitlements of Borrower, and (iii) all futures commission agents and clearing
houses with respect to all commodities contracts and commodities accounts held
by Borrower.
E. Payoff Letter; Termination Statements. Copies of a duly executed
payoff letter, in form and substance satisfactory to Lender, by and between all
parties to the Prior Lender loan documents evidencing repayment in full of all
Prior Lender Obligations, together with UCC-3 or other appropriate termination
statements, in form and substance satisfactory to Lender, manually signed by the
Prior Lender releasing all liens of Prior Lender upon any of the personal
property of Borrower.
F. Letter of Direction. Duly executed originals of a letter of
direction from Borrower addressed to Lender with respect to the issuance on the
Closing Date of the Letters of Credit and the incurrence of the Letter of Credit
Obligations.
G. Charter and Good Standing. For Borrower, such Person's (a) charter
and all amendments thereto, (b) good standing certificates (including
verification of tax status) in its state of incorporation and (c) good standing
certificates (including verification of tax status) and certificates of
qualification to conduct business in Wisconsin and Minnesota, each dated a
recent date prior to the Closing Date and certified by the applicable Secretary
of State or other authorized Governmental Authority.
H. Bylaws and Resolutions. For Borrower, (a) such Person's bylaws,
together with all amendments thereto and (b) resolutions of such Person's Board
of Directors approving and authorizing the execution, delivery and performance
of the Loan Documents to which such Person is a party and the transactions to be
consummated in connection therewith, each certified as of the Closing Date by
such Person's corporate secretary or an assistant secretary as being in full
force and effect without any modification or amendment.
I. Incumbency Certificates. For Borrower, signature and incumbency
certificates of the officers of each such Person executing any of the Loan
Documents, certified as of the Closing Date by such Person's corporate secretary
or an assistant secretary as being true, accurate, correct and complete.
J. Opinions of Counsel. Duly executed originals of opinions of Jaeckle
Fleischmann & Mugel, LLP, counsel for the Borrower, together with any local
counsel opinions requested by Lender, each in form and substance satisfactory to
Lender and its counsel, dated the Closing Date.
K. Pledge Agreements. Duly executed originals of each of the
Pledge Agreements with respect to the Pledged Bonds in form and substance
satisfactory to Lender.
L. Accountants' Letter. A letter authorizing the independent certified
public accountants of the Borrower to communicate with Lender in accordance with
Section 4.2 and acknowledging Lender's reliance on the auditor's certification
of past and future Financial Statements.
M. Appointment of Agent for Service. An appointment of CT
Corporation as Borrower's agent for service of process.
N. Officer's Certificate. Lender shall have received duly executed
originals of a certificate of the Chief Executive Officer and Vice
President-Finance of Borrower, dated the Closing Date, stating that, since March
31, 1997 (a) no event or condition has occurred or is existing which could
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (b) no Litigation has
been commenced which, if successful, would have a Material Adverse Effect or
could challenge any of the transactions contemplated by the Agreement and the
other Loan Documents; (c) there have been no Restricted Payments made by
Borrower; and (d) there has been no material increase in liabilities, liquidated
or contingent, and no material decrease in assets of Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries.
O. Mortgages. Mortgages covering all of the Real Estate (the "Mortgaged
Properties") together with: (a) title insurance policies, current as-built
surveys, zoning letters and certificates of occupancy, in each case satisfactory
in form and substance to Lender, in its sole discretion; (b) evidence that
counterparts of the Mortgages have been recorded in all places to the extent
necessary or desirable, in the judgment of Lender, to create a valid and
enforceable first priority lien (subject to Permitted Encumbrances) on each
Mortgaged Property in favor of Lender (or in favor of such other trustee as may
be required or desired under local law); and (c) an opinion of counsel in each
state in which any Mortgaged Property is located in form and substance and from
counsel satisfactory to Lender.
P. Subordination and Intercreditor Agreements. Lender shall have
received any and all subordination and/or intercreditor agreements, all in form
and substance reasonably satisfactory to Lender, in its sole discretion, as
Lender shall have deemed necessary or appropriate with respect to any
Indebtedness of Borrower.
Q. Appraisals. Lender shall have received appraisals as to all
Equipment which shall be in form and substance satisfactory to Lender.
R. Audited Financials; Financial Condition. Lender shall have received
Borrower's final Financial Statements for its Fiscal Year ended March 31, 1997,
audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP. Borrower shall have provided Lender with its
current operating statements, a consolidated and consolidating balance sheet and
statement of cash flows with respect to Borrower certified by its Chief
Financial Officer, in each case in form and substance satisfactory to Lender,
and Lender shall be satisfied, in its sole discretion, with all of the
foregoing. Lender shall have further received a certificate of the Chief
Executive Officer and/or the Chief Financial Officer of Borrower containing such
other statements with respect to the solvency of Borrower and matters related
thereto as Lender shall request.
S. Other Documents. Such other certificates, documents and
agreements respecting Borrower as Lender may, in its sole discretion, request.
<PAGE>
D-3
ANNEX D (Section 4.1(a)
to
MASTER REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PROJECTIONS AND OTHER REPORTING
Borrower shall deliver or cause to be delivered to Lender the
following:
(a) Quarterly Financials. As soon as available and in any
event within forty five (45) days after the end of each of the first three
Fiscal Quarters of each Fiscal Year of the Borrower, a consolidated balance
sheet of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries as of the end of such
Fiscal Quarter and a consolidated income statement and statements of cash flows
and changes in stockholders' equity, of the Borrower and its Consolidated
Subsidiaries for the period commencing at the end of the previous Fiscal Year
and ending with the end of such Fiscal Quarter, all in reasonable detail and
stating in comparative form the respective consolidated figures for the
corresponding date and period in the previous Fiscal Year and all prepared in
accordance with GAAP and certified by a Financial Officer of the Borrower
(subject to year-end adjustments); provided, however, that delivery (within the
time period specified above) of the Quarterly Report of the Borrower on Form
10-Q for such Fiscal Quarter filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
shall be deemed to satisfy the requirements of this Section (a);
(b) Operating Plan. As soon as available, but not later than
thirty (30) days after the end of each Fiscal Year, an annual operating plan for
Borrower, approved by the Board of Directors of Borrower, for the following
year, which will include a statement of all of the material assumptions on which
such plan is based, will include monthly balance sheets and a monthly budget for
the following year and will integrate sales, gross profits, operating expenses,
operating profit, and cash flow projections all prepared on the same basis and
in similar detail as that on which operating results are reported (and in the
case of cash flow projections, representing management's good faith estimates of
future financial performance based on historical performance), and including
plans for personnel, capital expenditures and facilities;
(c) Annual Audited Financials. As soon as available and in any
event within ninety (90) days after the end of each Fiscal Year of the Borrower,
a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries
as of the end of such Fiscal Year and a consolidated income statement and
statements of cash flows and changes in stockholders' equity of the Borrower and
its Consolidated Subsidiaries for such Fiscal Year, all in reasonable detail and
stating in comparative form the respective consolidated figures for the
corresponding date and period in the prior Fiscal Year and all prepared in
accordance with GAAP and accompanied by an opinion thereon acceptable to the
Agent and each of the Banks by Deloitte & Touche or other independent
accountants of national standing selected by the Borrower; provided, however,
that delivery (within the time period specified above) of the Annual Report of
the Borrower on Form 10-K for such Fiscal Year filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission shall be deemed to satisfy the requirements of this Section
(c).
(d) simultaneously with the delivery of the financial
statements referred to above, a certificate of a Financial Officer of the
Borrower (i) certifying that to the best of his knowledge no Default or Event of
Default has occurred and is continuing or, if a Default or Event of Default has
occurred and is continuing, a statement as to the nature thereof and the action
which is proposed to be taken with respect thereto, (ii) and with computations
demonstrating compliance with the financial covenants contained in Annex G;
(e) simultaneously with the delivery of the annual financial
statements referred to in clause (c), a certificate of the independent public
accountants who audited such statements to the effect that, in making the
examination necessary for the audit of such statements, they have obtained no
knowledge of any condition or event which constitutes a Default or Event of
Default, or if such accountants shall have obtained knowledge of any such
condition or event, specifying in such certificate each such condition or event
of which they have knowledge and the nature and status thereof.
(f) Management Letters. Within five (5) Business Days after
receipt thereof by Borrower, copies of all management letters, exception reports
or similar letters or reports received by Borrower from its independent
certified public accountants;
(g) Default Notices. As soon as practicable, and in any event
within ten (10) days after an executive officer of Borrower has actual knowledge
of, any event which has had a Material Adverse Effect, telephonic or telecopied
notice specifying the nature of such Default or Event of Default or other event,
including the anticipated effect thereof and the action proposed to be taken,
which notice, if given telephonically, shall be promptly confirmed in writing on
the next Business Day;
(h) SEC Filings and Press Releases. Promptly upon their
becoming available, copies of: (i) all Financial Statements, reports, notices
and proxy statements made publicly available by Borrower to its security
holders; (ii) all regular and periodic reports and all registration statements
and prospectuses, if any, filed by Borrower with any securities exchange or with
the Securities and Exchange Commission or any governmental or private regulatory
authority; and (iii) all press releases and other statements made available by
Borrower to the public concerning material adverse changes or developments in
the business of any such Person;
(i) Debt and Equity Notices. As soon as practicable, copies of
all material written notices given or received by Borrower with respect to any
Subordinated Debt, Insurance Company Loan Documents, Pillsbury Notes, the Credit
Facility Documents or Stock of any Person, and, within two (2) Business Days
after Borrower obtains knowledge of any matured or unmatured event of default
with respect to any Senior Notes, the Credit Facility or Subordinated Debt,
notice of such event of default;
(j) Supplemental Schedules. Supplemental disclosures,
if any, required by Section 5.6 of the Agreement;
(k) Litigation. Promptly upon learning thereof, written notice
of any Litigation commenced or threatened against Borrower that (i) seeks
damages in an amount in excess of $300,000, (ii) seeks injunctive relief, (iii)
is asserted or instituted against any Plan, its fiduciaries or its assets or
against Borrower or ERISA Affiliate in connection with any Plan, (iv) alleges
criminal misconduct by Borrower, or (v) alleges the violation of any law
regarding, or seeks remedies in connection with, any Environmental Liabilities;
(l) Insurance Notices. Disclosure of losses or casualties
required by Section 5.4 of the Agreement;
(m) Copies of (i) any and all default notices received under
or with respect to any leased location or public warehouse where Collateral is
located, and (ii) such other notices or documents as Lender may request in its
reasonable discretion; and
(n) Other Documents. Such other financial and other
information respecting Borrower's business or financial condition as Lender
shall, from time to time, reasonably request.
<PAGE>
E-1
ANNEX E (Section 4.1(b))
to
MASTER REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT
COLLATERAL REPORTS
Borrower shall deliver or cause to be delivered to Lender the
following:
(a) Borrower, at its own expense, shall deliver to Lender such
appraisals of its assets as Lender may request at any time after the occurrence
and during the continuance of a Default or an Event of Default, such appraisals
to be conducted by an appraiser, and in form and substance, satisfactory to
Lender;
(b) (i) No later than 90 days following the end of each fiscal
year and (ii) not later than 45 days following the end of the second fiscal
quarter of each fiscal year, reports setting forth in detail reasonably
satisfactory to Lender all Collateral acquired, sold, transferred or otherwise
disposed of by Borrower during the six month fiscal period then being report
upon; and
(c) Such other reports, statements and reconciliations with
respect to the Collateral as Lender shall from time to time request in its
reasonable discretion.
<PAGE>
F-8
ANNEX F (Section 11.10)
to
MASTER REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT
NOTICE ADDRESSES
(A) If to Lender, at
General Electric Capital Corporation
201 High Ridge Road
Stamford, Connecticut 06927-5100
Attention: Seneca Foods Account Manager
Telecopier No.: (203) 316-7823
Telephone No.: (203) 316-7500
with copies to:
Hahn & Hessen LLP
350 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10118
Attention: Linda C. Berman, Esq.
Telecopier No.: (212) 594-7167
Telephone No.: (212) 736-1000
and
General Electric Capital Corporation
201 High Ridge Road
Stamford, Connecticut 06927-5100
Attention: Corporate Counsel - Commercial Finance
Telecopier No.: (203) 316-7889
Telephone No.: (203) 316-7552
(B) If to Borrower, at
Seneca Foods Corporation
1162 Pittsford-Victor Road
Pittsford, New York 14534
Attention: Philip G. Paras
Telecopier No.: (716) 385-4249
Telephone No.: (716) 383-4643
(C.) If to the Issuer, to
Ontario County Industrial Development Agency
5297 Parkside Drive
Canandaigua, New York 14425-9650
Attention: Chairman
or
City of Rochester
City Hall
224 First Avenue, S.W.
Rochester, Minnesota 55902
Attention: Terry L. Adkins, City Attorney
or
Wayne County Industrial Development Agency
16 Williams Street
Lyons, New York 14489
Attention: Chairman
or
City of Janesville
Municipal Building
18 North Jackson Street
P.O. Box 5005
Janesville, Wisconsin 53547
Attention: Wald Klimczyk, City Attorney
(D) If to the Remarketing Agent, to
Blunt Perrish & Company
P.O. Box 5212
Montgomery, Alabama 36103
Attention: James D. Reynolds, Jr.
(E) If to the Tender Agent, to
Norwest Bank Minnesota, National Association
Norwest Center
Sixth and Marquette
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55479-0069
Attention: Corporate Trust Department
(F) If to the Paying Agent, to
Norwest Bank Minnesota, National Association
Norwest Center
Sixth and Marquette
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55479-0069
Attention: Corporate Trust Department
(G) If to the Trustee, to
Norwest Bank Minnesota, National Association
Norwest Center
Sixth and Marquette
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55479-0069
Attention: Corporate Trust Department
<PAGE>
ANNEX G (Section 6.20)
to
MASTER REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT
FINANCIAL COVENANTS
Borrower shall not breach or fail to comply with any of the
following financial covenants, each of which shall be calculated in accordance
with GAAP consistently applied:
(a) Maximum Consolidated Funded Indebtedness. Borrower shall
have at the end of each Fiscal Quarter set forth below, with respect to the four
Fiscal Quarters then ended a ratio of (I) the average Consolidated Funded
Indebtedness outstanding at the end of each of the four Fiscal Quarters then
ended to (II) Operating Cash Flow of not more than the amounts set forth below
opposite the date corresponding thereto:
Fiscal Quarter Ended Ratio
June 30, 1997 5.5 to 1.0
September 30, 1997 5.5 to 1.0
December 31, 1997 5.5 to 1.0
March 31, 1998 and each 5.0 to 1.0
Fiscal Quarter thereafter
(b) Maximum Leverage Ratio. Borrower shall have, at the end of
each Fiscal Quarter set forth below a ratio of Consolidated Total Liabilities to
Consolidated Tangible Net Worth not greater than the amounts set forth below
opposite the date corresponding thereto:
Fiscal Quarter Ended Ratio
June 30, 1997 5.00 to 1.0
September 30, 1997 6.00 to 1.0
December 31, 1997 4.75 to 1.0
March 31, 1998 4.00 to 1.0
June 30, 1998 4.75 to 1.0
September 30, 1998 6.00 to 1.0
December 31, 1998 4.75 to 1.0
March 31, 1999 4.00 to 1.0
June 30, 1999 4.75 to 1.0
September 30, 1999 6.00 to 1.0
December 31, 1999 4.75 to 1.0
March 31, 2000 4.00 to 1.0
June 30, 2000 4.75 to 1.0
(c) Minimum Tangible Net Worth. Borrower shall maintain at the
end of each Fiscal Quarter a Consolidated Tangible Net Worth equal to or greater
than the amounts set forth below opposite the dates corresponding thereto:
Fiscal Quarter Ended Amount
June 30, 1997 $82,000,000
September 30, 1997 $86,000,000
December 31, 1997 $86,000,000
March 31, 1998 and thereafter $90,000,000
(d) Minimum Interest Coverage Ratio. Borrower shall have at
the end of each Fiscal Quarter then ended a ratio of Operating Cash Flow to
Interest Expense with respect to the four Fiscal Quarters of not less than the
amounts set forth below opposite the dates corresponding thereto:
Fiscal Quarter Ended Ratio
June 30, 1997 1.75 to 1.0
September 30, 1997 1.75 to 1.0
December 31, 1997 1.75 to 1.0
March 31, 1998 and thereafter 2.0 to 1.0
(e) Minimum Current Ratio. Borrower shall maintain at the end
of each Fiscal Quarter a ratio of Consolidated Current Assets to Consolidated
Current Liabilities of not less than the amounts set forth below opposite the
dates corresponding thereto:
Fiscal Quarter Ended Ratio
June 30, 1997 1.50 to 1.0
September 30, 1997 1.25 to 1.0
December 31, 1997 1.25 to 1.0
March 31, 1998 1.50 to 1.0
June 30, 1998 1.50 to 1.0
September 30, 1998 1.25 to 1.0
December 31, 1998 1.50 to 1.0
March 31, 1999 1.50 to 1.0
June 30, 1999 1.50 to 1.0
September 30, 1999 1.25 to 1.0
December 31, 1999 1.50 to 1.0
March 31, 2000 1.50 to 1.0
June 30, 2000 1.50 to 1.0
(f) Minimum Working Capital. Borrower shall maintain at the
end of each Fiscal Quarter an excess of Consolidated Current Assets over
Consolidated Current Liabilities of not less than $90,000,000.
Unless otherwise specifically provided herein, any accounting
term used in the Agreement shall have the meaning customarily given such term in
accordance with GAAP, and all financial computations hereunder shall be computed
in accordance with GAAP consistently applied. That certain items or computations
are explicitly modified by the phrase "in accordance with GAAP" shall in no way
be construed to limit the foregoing. If any "Accounting Changes" (as defined
below) occur and such changes result in a change in the calculation of the
financial covenants, standards or terms used in the Agreement or any other Loan
Document, then Borrower and Lender agree to enter into negotiations in order to
amend such provisions of the Agreement so as to equitably reflect such
Accounting Changes with the desired result that the criteria for evaluating
Borrower's and its Subsidiaries' financial condition shall be the same after
such Accounting Changes as if such Accounting Changes with the desired result
that the criteria for evaluating borrower's and its Subsidiaries' financial
condition shall be the same after such Accounting Changes as if such Accounting
Changes had not been made. "Accounting Changes: means (a) changes in accounting
principles required by the promulgation of any rule, regulation, pronouncement
or opinion by the Financial Accounting Standards Board of the American Institute
of Certified Public Accountants (or successor thereto or any agency with similar
functions), (b) changes in accounting principles concurred in by Borrower's
certified public accountants; (c) purchase accounting adjustments under A.P.B.
16 and/or 18 and EITF 88-16, and the application of the accounting principles
set forth in FASB 109, including the establishment of reserves pursuant thereto
and any subsequent reversal (in whole or in part) of such reserves; and (d) the
reversal of any reserves established as a result of purchase accounting
adjustments. All such adjustments resulting from expenditures made subsequent to
the Closing Date (including capitalization of costs and expenses or payment of
pre-Closing Date liabilities) shall be treated as expenses in the period the
expenditures are made and deducted as part of the calculation of EBITDA in such
period. If Borrower and Lender agree upon the required amendments, then after
appropriate amendments have been executed and the underlying Accounting Change
with respect thereto has been implemented, any reference to GAAP contained in
the Agreement or in any other Loan Document shall, only to the extent of such
Accounting change, refer to GAAP, consistently applied after giving effect to
the implementation of such Accounting Change. If Borrower and Lender cannot
agree upon the required amendments within thirty (30) days following the date of
implementation of any Accounting Change, then all Financial Statements delivered
and all calculations of financial covenants and other standards and terms in
accordance with the Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be prepared,
delivered and made without regard to the underlying Accounting Change.
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
EXHIBIT 11
SENECA FOODS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMPUTATION OF EARNINGS PER SHARE
(In thousands except share data)
<CAPTION>
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
------------------ ----------------
9/27/97 9/28/96 9/27/97 9/28/96
------- ------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net Earnings Applicable to Common Stock:
Net Earnings $ 187 $ 2,710 $ 379 $ 7,537
Deduct Preferred Cash Dividends - 6 - 12
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Net Earnings Applicable to
Common Stock $ 187 $ 2,704 $ 379 $ 7,525
=================================================================
Weighted Average Common
Shares Outstanding 5,939,680 5,939,680 5,939,680 5,939,680
Effect of Common Stock Equivalents - - - -
----------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted Average Common Shares Out-
standing for Primary 5,939,680 5,939,680 5,939,680 5,939,680
================================================================
Primary and Fully Diluted
Earnings Per Share $ .03 $ .46 $ .06 $ 1.27
================================================================
<PAGE>
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
Commercial and Industrial Companies
Article 5 of Regulation S-X
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> MAR-31-1998
<PERIOD-END> SEP-27-1997
<CASH> 3248
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 62862
<ALLOWANCES> 217
<INVENTORY> 387145
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 414549
<PP&E> 389024
<DEPRECIATION> 161926
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 644268
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 290308
<BONDS> 239111
0
70
<COMMON> 2666
<OTHER-SE> 91908
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 644268
<SALES> 314068
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 314068
<CGS> 284252
<TOTAL-COSTS> 284252
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 15865
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 13359
<INCOME-PRETAX> 592
<INCOME-TAX> 213
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 379
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 379
<EPS-PRIMARY> 0.06
<EPS-DILUTED> 0.06
<FN>
Other Expenses is Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
</FN>
</TABLE>
