ASH Ashland Inc

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D. C. 20549

 

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FORM 8-K

 

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CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

 

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported):  June 23, 2015

 

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ASHLAND INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

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(859) 815-3333

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

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Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

 

 

 

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Item 1.01.  Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement

On June 23, 2015, Ashland Inc. (the “Company”) entered into a Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) among the Company, as Borrower, The Bank of Nova Scotia, as administrative agent, and each lender party thereto and the other agents party thereto.  The Credit Agreement provides for a five-year senior unsecured revolving credit facility in an aggregate amount of $1.2 billion (the “Revolving Credit Facility”), which includes a $250 million letter of credit sublimit and a $100 million swing line loan sublimit, and a five-year senior unsecured term loan facility in an aggregate principal amount of $1.1 billion (the “Term Loan Facility”, and together with the Revolving Credit Facility, the “Senior Credit Facilities”).  A portion of the proceeds of the Term Loan Facility were used to prepay all of the Company’s outstanding loans under the existing credit agreement dated as of March 14, 2013 (as amended, the “Existing Credit Agreement”), among the Company, The Bank of Nova Scotia, as administrative agent, each lender party thereto and the other agents party thereto.  Proceeds from the Term Loan Facility were also used to repurchase in the Tender Offer (as defined below) a portion of the Company’s 3.000% Senior Notes due 2016, and proceeds will be used to fund certain underfunded pension obligations of the Company and for other general corporate purposes.

The Senior Credit Facilities are not guaranteed and are unsecured.

On June 23, 2015, after giving effect to the rollover of letters of credit outstanding under the Existing Credit Agreement, the Company had approximately $1.128 billion of availability under the Revolving Credit Facility, which may be used to provide ongoing working capital and for other general corporate purposes.

At the Company’s option, loans issued under the Credit Agreement will bear interest at either LIBOR or an alternate base rate, in each case plus the applicable interest rate margin.  Loans will initially bear interest at LIBOR plus 1.75% per annum, in the case of LIBOR borrowings, or at the alternate base rate plus 0.75%, in the alternative, through and including the date of delivery of a Compliance Certificate (as defined in the Credit Agreement) for the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2015, and thereafter the interest rate will fluctuate between LIBOR plus 1.375% per annum and LIBOR plus 2.50% per annum (or between the alternate base rate plus 0.375% per annum and the alternate base rate plus 1.50% per annum), based upon the Company’s corporate credit ratings or the Consolidated Gross Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) (whichever yields a lower applicable interest rate margin) at such time.  In addition, the Company will initially be required to pay fees of 0.25% per annum on the daily unused amount of the Revolving Credit Facility through and including the date of delivery of a Compliance Certificate for the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2015, and thereafter the fee rate will fluctuate between 0.175% per annum and 0.40% per annum, based upon the Company’s corporate credit ratings or the Consolidated Gross Leverage Ratio (whichever yields a lower fee rate).

The Senior Credit Facilities may be prepaid at any time without premium. The Term Loan Facility will amortize at a rate of 5% per annum in each of the first and second years after funding (payable in equal quarterly installments), 10% per annum in each of the third and fourth years after funding (payable in equal quarterly installments), and 5% per quarter for each of the first three calendar quarters during the fifth year after funding, with the outstanding balance of the Term Loan Facility to be paid on the fifth anniversary of funding.

The Credit Agreement contains usual and customary representations and warranties, and usual and customary affirmative and negative covenants, including limitations on liens of the Company, additional subsidiary indebtedness, restrictions on subsidiary distributions, investments, restricted payments, asset sales and mergers.  The financial covenants include maintenance of a maximum consolidated leverage ratio (with certain step-downs) and a minimum consolidated interest coverage ratio. The Senior Credit Facilities also contain usual and customary events of default, including non-payment of principal, interest, fees and other amounts, material breach of a representation or warranty, non-performance of covenants and obligations, default on other material debt, bankruptcy or insolvency, material judgments, incurrence of certain material ERISA liabilities, impairment of loan documentation, and change of control.

 

 

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The foregoing summary of the Credit Agreement does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the Credit Agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 hereto and incorporated herein by reference.

A copy of the news release announcing entry into the Credit Agreement is hereby incorporated by reference and attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

Item 1.02.  Termination of a Material Definitive Agreement

On June 23, 2015, in connection with the closing of the Credit Agreement, the Company terminated all outstanding commitments under the Existing Credit Agreement and repaid all outstanding loans thereunder.  As of June 23, 2015, the aggregate principal amount of the loans outstanding under the Existing Credit Agreement was $40 million.  All outstanding letters of credit under the Existing Credit Agreement were rolled over as letters of credit outstanding under the Credit Agreement.

Item 2.03.  Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant

The information set forth under “Item 1.01.  Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement” is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 8.01.  Other Events

Tender Offer

On June 23, 2015, the Company announced the expiration, as of 5:00 P.M., New York City time, on June 22, 2015, of its previously announced cash tender offer (the “Tender Offer”) for any and all of its 3.000% Senior Notes due 2016 (the “Notes”) (CUSIP No. 044209 AH7; ISIN No. US044209AH73).

A copy of the news release announcing the expiration of the Tender Offer is hereby incorporated by reference and attached hereto as Exhibit 99.2.

Redemption

On June 23, 2015, the Company also announced that it has delivered a notice to redeem all Notes that remain outstanding after consummation of the Tender Offer.  The redemption will be made in accordance with the terms of the indenture governing the Notes and the terms of the notice of redemption.

The remaining Notes will be redeemed on July 23, 2015 at a redemption price equal to (1) the greater of (x) 100% of the principal amount of the Notes and (y) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on the Notes to be redeemed (exclusive of interest accrued to the redemption date) from the redemption date through the scheduled maturity date of the Notes, discounted to the date of redemption on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the treasury rate plus 50 basis points, plus (2) accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the redemption date.

 

 

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Item 9.01.  Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d)  Exhibits

 

 

Forward Looking Statements

This Current Report on Form 8-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Ashland has identified some of these forward-looking statements with words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “expects,” “estimates,” “is likely,” “predicts,” “projects,” “forecasts,” “may,” “will,” “should” and “intends” and the negative of these words or other comparable terminology. In addition, Ashland may from time to time make forward-looking statements in its annual report, quarterly reports and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), news releases and other written and oral communications. These forward-looking statements are based on Ashland’s expectations and assumptions, as of the date such statements are made, regarding Ashland’s future operating performance and financial condition, the economy and other future events or circumstances. Ashland’s expectations and assumptions include, without limitation, internal forecasts and analyses of current and future market conditions and trends, management plans and strategies, operating efficiencies and economic conditions (such as prices, supply and demand, cost of raw materials, and the ability to recover raw-material cost increases through price increases), and risks and uncertainties associated with the following: Ashland’s substantial indebtedness (including the possibility that such indebtedness and related restrictive covenants may adversely affect Ashland’s future cash flows, results of operations, financial condition and its ability to repay debt), the impact of acquisitions and/or divestitures Ashland has made or may make (including the possibility that Ashland may not realize the anticipated benefits from such transactions), the global restructuring program (including the possibility that Ashland may not achieve the anticipated revenue and earnings growth, cost reductions and other expected benefits from the program), Ashland’s ability to generate sufficient cash to finance its stock repurchase plans, severe weather, natural disasters, and legal proceedings and claims (including environmental and asbestos matters). Various risks and uncertainties may cause actual results to differ materially from those stated, projected or implied by any forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, risks and uncertainties affecting Ashland that are described in its most recent Form 10-K (including Item 1A Risk Factors) filed with the SEC, which is available on Ashland’s website at http://investor.ashland.com or on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Ashland believes its expectations and assumptions are reasonable, but there can be no assurance that the expectations reflected herein will be achieved.  Unless legally required, Ashland undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements made in this Form 8-K whether as result of new information, future event or otherwise.

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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 hereunto duly authorized.

		ASHLAND INC.
		(Registrant)
June 23, 2015	By:	/s/ Peter J. Ganz
		Name:  Peter J. Ganz
		Title:    Senior Vice President, General Counsel and              Secretary of the Company

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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CREDIT AGREEMENT

Dated as of June 23, 2015,

among

ASHLAND INC.,

as the Borrower,

THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA,

as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender

and an L/C Issuer,

CITIBANK, N.A.,

as Syndication Agent,

BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.,

DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES INC.

and

PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

as Co-Documentation Agents,

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.,

MIZUHO BANK LTD.,

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, and

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

 as Managing Agents

and

The Other Lenders Party Hereto

CITIGROUP GLOBAL MARKETS INC.,

THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA,

MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH INCORPORATED,

DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES INC. and

PNC CAPITAL MARKETS LLC,

as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Book Managers

 

 

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Page
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS
1.01	Defined Terms	1
1.02	Other Interpretive Provisions	31
1.03	Accounting Terms	31
1.04	Rounding	32
1.05	Times of Day	32
1.06	Letter of Credit Amounts	32
1.07	Currency Equivalents Generally	32
ARTICLE II
THE COMMITMENTS AND CREDIT EXTENSIONS
2.01	The Loans	32
2.02	Borrowings, Conversions and Continuations of Loans	33
2.03	Letters of Credit	34
2.04	Swing Line Loans	42
2.05	Prepayments	45
2.06	Termination or Reduction of Commitments	46
2.07	Repayment of Loans	47
2.08	Interest	47
2.09	Fees	48
2.10	Computation of Interest and Fees; Retroactive Adjustments of Applicable Rate	48
2.11	Evidence of Debt	49
2.12	Payments Generally; Administrative Agent’s Clawback	49
2.13	Sharing of Payments by Lenders	51
2.14	Increase in Facility	52
2.15	Defaulting Lenders	54
2.16	Extended Loans and Commitments	56
ARTICLE III
TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY
3.01	Taxes	58
3.02	Illegality	62
3.03	Inability to Determine Rates	62
3.04	Increased Costs; Reserves on Eurodollar Rate Loans	62
3.05	Compensation for Losses	64
3.06	Mitigation Obligations; Replacement of Lenders	64
3.07	Survival	64
ARTICLE IV
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CREDIT EXTENSIONS
4.01	Conditions of Initial Credit Extension	65
4.02	Conditions to All Credit Extensions	66

Page
ARTICLE V
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
5.01	Existence, Qualification and Power	67
5.02	Authorization; No Contravention	67
5.03	Governmental Authorization; Other Consents	68
5.04	Binding Effect	68
5.05	Financial Statements; No Material Adverse Effect	68
5.06	Litigation	68
5.07	No Default	69
5.08	Ownership of Property; Liens; Investments	69
5.09	Environmental Matters	69
5.10	Insurance	70
5.11	Taxes	70
5.12	ERISA Compliance	70
5.13	Equity Interests; Charter Documents	71
5.14	Margin Regulations; Investment Company Act	71
5.15	Disclosure	71
5.16	Compliance with Laws	72
5.17	Intellectual Property; Licenses, Etc.	72
5.18	Solvency	72
5.19	Casualty, Etc.	72
5.20	Labor Matters	72
5.21	Reportable Transactions	72
5.22	Designated Senior Debt	73
5.23	USA Patriot Act	73
5.24	Anti-Money Laundering Laws	73
5.25	Sanctions and Anti-Corruption	73
ARTICLE VI
AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS
6.01	Financial Statements	74
6.02	Certificates; Other Information	74
6.03	Notices	76
6.04	Payment of Obligations	77
6.05	Preservation of Existence, Etc.	77
6.06	Maintenance of Properties	77
6.07	Maintenance of Insurance	77
6.08	Compliance with Laws	78
6.09	Books and Records	78
6.10	Inspection Rights	78
6.11	Use of Proceeds	78
6.12	Compliance with Environmental Laws	78
6.13	Preparation of Environmental Reports	79
6.14	Designation as Senior Debt	80
6.15	Designation of Unrestricted Subsidiaries	80
6.16	Compliance with Anti-Terrorism Laws; Anti-Corruption Laws and Sanctions	80

Page
ARTICLE VII
NEGATIVE COVENANTS
7.01	Liens	81
7.02	Indebtedness	84
7.03	Investments	85
7.04	Fundamental Changes	87
7.05	Dispositions	87
7.06	Restricted Payments	88
7.07	Change in Nature of Business	89
7.08	Transactions with Affiliates	89
7.09	Restrictions on Distributions by Subsidiaries	89
7.10	Use of Proceeds	90
7.11	Financial Covenants	90
7.12	Amendments of Organization Documents	90
7.13	Accounting Changes	90
ARTICLE VIII
EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES
8.01	Events of Default	90
8.02	Remedies upon Event of Default	92
8.03	Application of Funds	93
ARTICLE IX
ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
9.01	Appointment and Authority	94
9.02	Rights as a Lender	94
9.03	Exculpatory Provisions	94
9.04	Reliance by Administrative Agent	95
9.05	Delegation of Duties	95
9.06	Resignation of Administrative Agent	95
9.07	Non-Reliance on Administrative Agent and Other Lenders	96
9.08	No Other Duties, Etc.	96
9.09	Administrative Agent May File Proofs of Claim	96
9.10	Withholding	97
ARTICLE X
MISCELLANEOUS
10.01	Amendments, Etc.	98
10.02	Notices; Effectiveness; Electronic Communications	99
10.03	No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies; Enforcement	101
10.04	Expenses; Indemnity; Damage Waiver	102
10.05	Payments Set Aside	103
10.06	Successors and Assigns	104
10.07	Treatment of Certain Information; Confidentiality	108
10.08	Right of Setoff	109
10.09	Interest Rate Limitation	109
10.10	Counterparts; Integration; Effectiveness	109

Page
10.11	Survival of Representations and Warranties	110
10.12	Severability	110
10.13	Replacement of Lenders	110
10.14	Governing Law; Jurisdiction; Etc.	111
10.15	WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL	111
10.16	No Advisory or Fiduciary Responsibility	112
10.17	Electronic Execution of Assignments and Certain Other Documents	112
10.18	USA PATRIOT Act	112
SIGNATURES		S-1

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SCHEDULES
1.01	Unrestricted Subsidiaries
1.02	Immaterial Domestic Subsidiaries
2.01	Commitments and Applicable Percentages
2.03(a)	Existing Letters of Credit
5.06	Litigation
5.09	Environmental Matters
5.11	Tax Sharing Agreements
5.12	ERISA Compliance
5.20	Labor Matters
7.01	Existing Liens
7.02	Existing Indebtedness
7.03	Existing Investments
7.09	Restrictions on Distributions by Subsidiaries
10.02	Administrative Agent’s Office, Account, Certain Addresses for Notices
EXHIBITS
Form of
A-1	Committed Loan Notice
A-2	Swing Line Loan Notice
B-1	Term A Note
B-2	Revolving Credit Note
B-3	Swing Line Note
C	Compliance Certificate
D-1	Assignment and Assumption
D-2	Administrative Questionnaire
E-1	Opinion Matters – Counsel to the Borrower
E-2	Opinion Matters – In-house Counsel
E-3	Opinion Matters – Local Counsel to the Borrower
F	Report of Letter of Credit Information
G	Non-Bank Certificate

 

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CREDIT AGREEMENT

This CREDIT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of June 23, 2015, among ASHLAND INC., a Kentucky corporation (the “Borrower”), each lender from time to time party hereto (collectively, the “Lenders” and individually, a “Lender”), THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA, as Administrative Agent, Swing Line Lender and an L/C Issuer, CITIBANK, N.A., as Syndication Agent, and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., DEUTSCHE BANK SECURITIES INC. and PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Co-Documentation Agents.

In connection with (a) the refinancing of all of the Borrower’s outstanding loans and commitments under its existing Credit Agreement, dated as of March 14, 2013, as amended by the Amendment Agreement, dated as of February 5, 2014, and Amendment No. 2, dated as of February 27, 2015 (as further amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Existing Credit Agreement”), among the Borrower, The Bank of Nova Scotia, as administrative agent, each lender party thereto and the other agents party thereto (the “Bank Refinancing”), (b) the repurchase in a tender offer, redemption, defeasance, satisfaction and discharge or other repayment of all or a portion of the Borrower’s outstanding 3.000% Senior Notes due 2016 (the “Notes Refinancing” and, together with the Bank Refinancing, collectively, the “Refinancing”), and (c) the funding of certain underfunded pension obligations of the Borrower (the “Pension Funding,” and together with the Bank Refinancing and the Notes Refinancing, and all other transactions related thereto (including, without limitation, the payment of related fees and expenses), the “Transactions”), the Borrower has requested that, from time to time, (i) the Term A Lenders (as hereinafter defined) make term loans to the Borrower, (ii) the Revolving Credit Lenders (as hereinafter defined) make revolving credit loans to the Borrower, (iii) the Swing Line Lender (as hereinafter defined) issue swing line loans to the Borrower and (iv) each L/C Issuer (as hereinafter defined) issue letters of credit for the account of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (as hereinafter defined), in each case to provide ongoing working capital and for other general corporate purposes of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (including investments and acquisitions permitted hereunder) and to pay transaction fees and expenses and to finance, in part, the Refinancing.

In furtherance of the foregoing, the Borrower has requested that the Lenders provide the Term A Facility (as hereinafter defined) and the Revolving Credit Facility (as hereinafter defined), and the Lenders and Swing Line Lender have indicated their willingness to lend and each L/C Issuer has indicated its willingness to issue letters of credit, in each case, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.

In consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, the parties hereto covenant and agree as follows:

 

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS

 

“Administrative Agent” means Scotiabank in its capacity as administrative agent under any of the Loan Documents, or any successor administrative agent.

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“Administrative Agent’s Office” means the Administrative Agent’s address and, as appropriate, account as set forth on Schedule 10.02, or such other address or account as the Administrative Agent may from time to time notify to the Borrower and the Lenders.

“Administrative Fee Letter” means the fee letter agreement, dated June 4, 2015, among the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

“Administrative Questionnaire” means an Administrative Questionnaire in substantially the form of Exhibit D-2 or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.

“Affiliate” means, with respect to any Person, another Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, Controls or is Controlled by or is under common Control with the Person specified.

“Agent Parties” has the meaning specified in Section 10.02(c).

“Aggregate Commitments” means, at any time, the Commitments of all the Lenders at such time.

“Agreement” has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph hereto.

“Anti-Corruption Laws” means all laws, rules, and regulations of any jurisdiction applicable to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries from time to time concerning or relating to bribery or corruption.

“Anti-Money Laundering Laws” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.24.

“Anti-Terrorism Laws” has the meaning assigned to such term in Section 5.23.

“Applicable Fee Rate” means the “Applicable Fee Rate” as determined pursuant to the definition of the term “Applicable Rate.”

“Applicable Percentage” means (a) in respect of the Term A Facility, with respect to any Term A Lender at any time, the percentage (carried out to the ninth decimal place) of the Term A Facility represented by the principal amount of such Term A Lender’s Term A Loans at such time and (b) in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility, with respect to any Revolving Credit Lender at any time, the percentage (carried out to the ninth decimal place) of the Revolving Credit Facility represented by such Revolving Credit Lender’s Revolving Credit Commitment at such time.  If the Commitment of each Revolving Credit Lender to make Revolving Credit Loans and the obligation of the L/C Issuers to make L/C Credit Extensions have been terminated pursuant to Section 2.06 or Section 8.02, or if the Revolving Credit Commitments have expired, then the Applicable Percentage of each Revolving Credit Lender in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility shall be determined based on the Applicable Percentage of such Revolving Credit Lender in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility most recently in effect, giving effect to any subsequent assignments.  The initial Applicable Percentage of each Lender in respect of each Facility is set forth opposite the name of such Lender on Schedule 2.01 or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender becomes a party hereto, as applicable, as such amount may be adjusted from time to time in accordance with this Agreement.

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“Applicable Rate” means (i) for each day from the Closing Date until a Compliance Certificate is first delivered hereunder pursuant to Section 6.02, 0.75% per annum for Base Rate Loans, 1.75% per annum for Eurodollar Rate Loans and Letter of Credit Fees and 0.25% per annum for the Applicable Fee Rate and (ii) for each day thereafter, the applicable percentage per annum set forth in the table below, with the applicable Tier for such day being the higher Tier determined by reference to (x) the Consolidated Gross Leverage Ratio as set forth in the most recent Compliance Certificate received by the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 6.02(b) and (y) the higher of the corporate credit rating of the Borrower from S&P or Moody’s, in each case then in effect; provided that if the then applicable corporate credit rating from S&P is at least two Tiers higher than the then applicable corporate credit rating from Moody’s, or vice versa, then the applicable corporate credit rating for purposes of determining the Applicable Rate shall be one Tier higher than the lower of the two corporate credit ratings; provided, further, that if the Tier determined pursuant to clause (x) above is at least two Tiers higher than the Tier determined pursuant to clause (y) above, or vice versa, then the applicable Tier for purposes of determining the Applicable Rate shall be one Tier higher than the lower of the two Tiers:

 

Tier	Corporate Credit Rating of the Borrower		Consolidated Gross  Leverage Ratio	Applicable Rate (Eurodollar Rate and Letter of  Credit Fees)	Applicable Rate (Base Rate)	Applicable Fee Rate
	S&P	Moody’s
I	≥ BBB-	≥ Baa3	≤ 1.5x	1.375%	0.375%	0.175%
II	≥ BBB-	≥ Baa3	> 1.5x but ≤ 3.0x	1.50%	0.50%	0.20%
III	BB+	Ba1	> 3.0x but ≤ 3.75x	1.75%	0.75%	0.25%
IV	BB	Ba2	> 3.75x but ≤ 4.00x	2.00%	1.00%	0.30%
V	≤ BB-	≤ Ba3	> 4.00x	2.50%	1.50%	0.40%

 

Any increase or decrease in the Applicable Rate resulting from a change in the Consolidated Gross Leverage Ratio or corporate credit rating shall become effective as of the first Business Day immediately following the date a Compliance Certificate is delivered pursuant to Section 6.02(b) or a change in the corporate credit rating of the Borrower, as applicable; provided, however, that if a Compliance Certificate is not delivered within three Business Days after the date when due in accordance with such Section, then Tier V shall apply as of the first Business Day after the date on which such Compliance Certificate was required to have been delivered and shall remain in effect until the date on which such Compliance Certificate is delivered.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this definition, the determination of the Applicable Rate for any period shall be subject to the provisions of Section 2.10(b).

“Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage” means with respect to any Revolving Credit Lender at any time, such Revolving Credit Lender’s Applicable Percentage in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility at such time.

“Appropriate Lender” means, at any time, (a) with respect to any of the Term A Facility or the Revolving Credit Facility, a Lender that has a Commitment with respect to such Facility or holds a Term A Loan or a Revolving Credit Loan, respectively, at such time, (b) with respect to the Letter of Credit Sublimit, (i) the L/C Issuers and (ii) if any Letters of Credit have been issued pursuant to Section 2.03(a), the Revolving Credit Lenders and (c) with respect to the Swing Line Sublimit, (i) the Swing Line Lender and (ii) if any Swing Line Loans are outstanding pursuant to Section 2.04(a), the Revolving Credit Lenders.

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“Approved Fund” means any Fund that is administered or managed by (a) a Lender, (b) an Affiliate of a Lender or (c) an entity or an Affiliate of an entity that administers or manages a Lender.

“Arrangers” means, collectively, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Scotiabank, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. and PNC Capital Markets LLC, each in their respective capacities as joint lead arranger and joint book manager.

“Assignee Group” means two or more Eligible Assignees that are Affiliates of one another or two or more Approved Funds managed by the same investment advisor.

“Assignment and Assumption” means an assignment and assumption entered into by a Lender and an Eligible Assignee (with the consent of any party whose consent is required by Section 10.06(b)), and accepted by the Administrative Agent, in substantially the form of Exhibit D-1 or any other form approved by the Administrative Agent.

“Attributable Indebtedness” means, on any date, but without duplication, (a) in respect of any Capitalized Lease of any Person, the capitalized amount thereof that would appear on a balance sheet of such Person prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP, (b) in respect of any Synthetic Lease Obligation, the capitalized amount of the remaining lease or similar payments under the relevant lease or other applicable agreement or instrument that would appear on a balance sheet of such Person prepared as of such date in accordance with GAAP if such lease or other agreement or instrument were accounted for as a Capitalized Lease and (c) all Synthetic Debt of such Person.

“Audited Financial Statements” means the audited consolidated balance sheet and the related consolidated statements of income or operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows, including the notes thereto, of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries, each for the fiscal years of the Borrower ended September 30, 2012, September 30, 2013 and September 30, 2014.

“Available Amount” means, on any date, an amount equal to (a) the sum of (i) (A) 50% of the Consolidated Net Income for all fiscal quarters of the Borrower for which Consolidated Net Income is positive and that have ended on or after September 30, 2011 and prior to such date for which financial statements shall have been delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or 6.01(b) (treated as one continuous accounting period), less (B) 100% of the Consolidated Net Income for all fiscal quarters of the Borrower for which Consolidated Net Income is negative and that have ended on or after September 30, 2011 and prior to such date for which financial statements shall have been delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or 6.01(b) (treated as one continuous accounting period), plus (ii) the net cash proceeds from the issuance of common stock of the Borrower after August 23, 2011, other than any such issuance to a Subsidiary, to an employee stock ownership plan or to a trust established by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries for the benefit of their employees, minus (b) without duplication, the sum of (i) the portion of the Available Amount previously utilized pursuant to Section 7.03(k) and/or 7.06(g) and (ii) the portion of the Available Amount (as defined in the Existing Credit Agreement) previously utilized pursuant to Section 7.03(k) and/or 7.06(g) of the Existing Credit Agreement (or pursuant to Section 7.03(k), 7.06(g) and/or 7.14(e) of the Existing Credit Agreement (as such term is defined in the Existing Credit Agreement)).

“Availability Period” means, in respect of the Revolving Credit Facility, the period from and including the Closing Date to the earliest of (i) the Business Day prior to the Maturity Date for the Revolving Credit Facility, (ii) the date of termination of the Revolving Credit Commitments pursuant to Section 2.06, and (iii) the date of termination of the commitment of each Revolving Credit Lender to make Revolving Credit Loans and of the obligation of each L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions pursuant to Section 8.02.

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“Bank Refinancing” has the meaning specified in the Preliminary Statements.

“Base Rate” means for any date of determination and subject to Section 3.03, a rate per annum equal to the highest of (a) the Federal Funds Rate on such day plus 1/2 of 1%, (b) the rate of interest in effect for such day as publicly announced from time to time by Scotiabank as its “prime rate” and (c) the Eurodollar Rate for an Interest Period of one month beginning on such day (or if such day is not a Business Day, the immediately preceding Business Day) plus 1% per annum (provided that if such rate is less then zero then such percentage per annum shall be deemed to be 0% per annum).  The “prime rate” is a rate set by Scotiabank based upon various factors including Scotiabank’s costs and desired return, general economic conditions and other factors, and is used as a reference point for pricing some loans, which may be priced at, above, or below such announced rate.  Any change in such rate announced by Scotiabank shall take effect at the opening of business on the day specified in the public announcement of such change.

“Base Rate Loan” means a Revolving Credit Loan or a Term A Loan that bears interest based on the Base Rate.

“Borrower” has the meaning specified in the introductory paragraph hereto.

“Borrower Materials” has the meaning specified in Section 6.02.

“Borrowing” means a Revolving Credit Borrowing, a Swing Line Borrowing or a Term A Borrowing, as the context may require.

“Business Day” means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York City are authorized or required by law to remain closed and, if such day relates to any Eurodollar Rate Loan, means any such day on which dealings in Dollar deposits are conducted by and between banks in the London interbank eurodollar market.

“Capitalized Leases” means all leases that have been or should be, in accordance with GAAP, recorded as capitalized leases.

“Cash Collateralize” means to pledge and deposit with or deliver to the Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Administrative Agent, one or more of the L/C Issuers and the Lenders, as collateral for L/C Obligations or obligations of Lenders to fund participations in respect of the L/C Obligations, cash or deposit account balances or, if the applicable L/C Issuer benefiting from such collateral shall agree in its sole discretion, other credit support, in each case pursuant to documentation in form and substance satisfactory to (a) the Administrative Agent and (b) each applicable L/C Issuer.  “Cash Collateral” shall have a meaning correlative to the foregoing and shall include the proceeds of such cash collateral and other credit support.

“Cash Equivalents” means any of the following:

 

 

 

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“Change in Law” means the occurrence, after the date of this Agreement, of any of the following:  (a) the adoption or taking effect of any law, rule, regulation or treaty, (b) any change in any law, rule, regulation or treaty or in the administration, interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority or (c) the making or issuance of any request, guideline or directive (whether or not having the force of law) by any Governmental Authority; provided, however, that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and all requests, rules, guidelines, requirements and directives thereunder, issued in connection therewith or in implementation thereof, and (ii) all requests, rules, guidelines, requirements and directives promulgated by the Bank for International Settlements, the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (or any successor or similar authority) or the United States or foreign regulatory authorities, in each case pursuant to Basel III, shall in each case be deemed to be a “Change in Law” regardless of the date enacted, adopted, issued or implemented.

“Change of Control” means an event or series of events by which:

 

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“Class” means, (i) with respect to any Loan, whether such Loan is a Revolving Credit Loan, a Term A Loan or an Extended Maturity Loan and (ii) with respect to any Commitment, whether such Commitment is a Revolving Credit Commitment, a Term A Commitment, or an Extended Maturity Commitment.    Extended Maturity Loans that have different terms and conditions (together with the Extended Maturity Commitments in respect thereof) shall be construed to be in different Classes.

“Closing Date” means June 23, 2015.

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

“Commitment” means a Term A Commitment or a Revolving Credit Commitment, as the context may require, and, in the event of the creation of an Incremental Term Loan Commitment pursuant to Section 2.14 or an Extended Maturity Commitment pursuant to Section 2.16, shall also include the commitments to such Incremental Term Loan Commitment or such Extended Maturity Commitment, as the case may be.

“Commitment Letter” means the commitment letter agreement, dated as of May 26, 2015, among the Borrower, and Citigroup Global Markets Inc., as the Arranger, as supplemented by the Joinder to the Commitment Letter, dated as of June 4, 2015, among the Borrower, The Bank of Nova Scotia, Bank of America, N.A., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., PNC Bank, National Association and PNC Capital Markets LLC.

“Committed Loan Notice” means a notice of (a) a Revolving Credit Borrowing, (b) a Term A Borrowing, (c) a conversion of Loans from one Type to the other, or (d) a continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans, pursuant to Section 2.02(a), which, if in writing, shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1.

“Compliance Certificate” means a certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit C.

“Consolidated EBITDA” means, for any Measurement Period, an amount equal to Consolidated Net Income for such Measurement Period plus (a) proceeds of business interruption insurance received during such period, but only to the extent not included in Consolidated Net Income plus (b) the following to the extent deducted in calculating such Consolidated Net Income, but without duplication and in each case for such Measurement Period:  (i) Consolidated Interest Charges (not calculated on a Pro Forma Basis), (ii) the provision for Federal, State, local and foreign income taxes payable, (iii) depreciation and amortization expense, (iv) asset impairment charges, (v) expenses reimbursed by third parties (including through insurance and indemnity payments), (vi) fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Transactions, any Permitted Receivables Facility, any proposed or actual issuance of any Indebtedness or Equity Interests (including upfront fees and original issue discount), or any proposed or actual acquisitions, investments, asset sales or divestitures permitted hereunder, in each case that are expensed, (vii) non-cash restructuring and integration charges and cash restructuring and integration charges; provided that the aggregate amount of all cash restructuring and integration charges shall not exceed $100,000,000 in any twelve month period, (viii) non-cash stock expense and non-cash equity compensation expense, (ix) other expenses or losses, including purchase accounting entries such as the inventory adjustment to fair value, reducing such Consolidated Net Income which do not represent a cash item in such period or any future period, (x) expenses or losses in respect of discontinued operations of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, (xi) any unrealized losses attributable to the application of “mark to market” accounting in respect of Swap Contracts and (xii) with respect to any Disposition for which pro forma effect is required to be given pursuant to the definition of Pro Forma Basis, any loss thereon, and minus (c) the following to the extent included in calculating such Consolidated Net Income, but without duplication and in each case for such Measurement Period:  (i) Federal, State, local and foreign income tax credits, (ii) all non-cash gains or other items increasing Consolidated Net Income, (iii) gains in respect of discontinued operations of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, (iv) any unrealized gains for such period attributable to the application of “mark to market” accounting in respect of Swap Contracts and (v) with respect to any Disposition for which pro forma effect is required to be given pursuant to the definition of Pro Forma Basis, any gain thereon.  For all purposes hereunder, Consolidated EBITDA shall be calculated on a Pro Forma Basis unless otherwise specified.

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“Consolidated Gross Leverage Ratio” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Indebtedness as of such date to (b) Consolidated EBITDA of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for the most recently completed Measurement Period.

“Consolidated Indebtedness” means, at any date of determination, for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, the sum of, without duplication (a) the outstanding principal amount of all obligations (as calculated under GAAP), whether current or long-term, for borrowed money (including Obligations in respect of the Loans hereunder), reimbursement obligations for amounts drawn under letters of credit and all obligations evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes, loan agreements or other similar instruments, (b) all purchase money Indebtedness, (c) all direct (but, for the avoidance of doubt, not contingent) obligations arising under bankers’ acceptances and bank guaranties, (d) all obligations in respect of the deferred purchase price of property or services (other than (i) trade accounts payable in the ordinary course of business, (ii) any earn-out or similar obligation that is a contingent obligation or that is not reasonably determinable as of the applicable date of determination and (iii) any earn-out or similar obligation that is not a contingent obligation and that is reasonably determinable as of the applicable date of determination to the extent that (A) such Person is indemnified for the payment thereof by a solvent Person reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent or (B) amounts to be applied to the payment therefor are in escrow), (e) all Attributable Indebtedness, and (f) without duplication, all Guarantees with respect to outstanding Indebtedness of the types specified in clauses (a) through (e) above of Persons other than the Borrower or any Subsidiary.  For purposes hereof, the Consolidated Indebtedness of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries shall include any of the items in clauses (a) through (f) above of any other entity (including any partnership in which the Borrower or any consolidated Subsidiary is a general partner) to the extent the Borrower or such consolidated Subsidiary is liable therefor as a result of such Person’s ownership interest in or other relationship with such entity, except to the extent the terms of that item expressly provide that such Person is not liable therefor.  For all purposes hereunder, Consolidated Indebtedness shall (i) be calculated on a Pro Forma Basis unless otherwise specified, (ii) not include the Defeased Debt and (iii) include all outstandings of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries under any Permitted Receivables Facility (but excluding the intercompany obligations owed by a Special Purpose Finance Subsidiary to the Borrower or any other Subsidiary in connection therewith).  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the principal amount outstanding at any time of any Indebtedness included in Consolidated Indebtedness issued with original issue discount shall be the principal amount of such Indebtedness less the remaining unamortized portion of the original issue discount of such Indebtedness at such time as determined in conformity with GAAP, but such Indebtedness shall be deemed incurred only as of the date of original issuance thereof.

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“Consolidated Interest Charges” means, for any Measurement Period, the excess of (a) the sum, without duplication, of (i) all interest, premium payments, debt discount, fees, charges and related expenses in connection with borrowed money (including capitalized interest) or in connection with the deferred purchase price of assets, in each case to the extent treated as interest in accordance with GAAP, (ii) cash payments made in respect of obligations referred to in clause (b)(ii) below, (iii) the portion of rent expense under Capitalized Leases that is treated as interest in accordance with GAAP, in each case, of or by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for such Measurement Period and (iv) all interest, premium payments, debt discount, fees, charges and related expenses in connection with the Permitted Receivables Facility, minus (b) to the extent included in such consolidated interest expense for such Measurement Period, the sum, without duplication, of (i) extinguishment charges relating to the early extinguishment of Indebtedness or obligations under Swap Contracts, (ii) noncash amounts attributable to the amortization of debt discounts or accrued interest payable in kind, (iii) noncash amounts attributable to amortization or write-off of capitalized interest or other financing costs paid in a previous period, (iv) interest income treated as such in accordance with GAAP and (v) fees and expenses, original issue discount and upfront fees, in each case of or by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for such Measurement Period.  For all purposes hereunder, Consolidated Interest Charges shall be calculated on a Pro Forma Basis unless otherwise specified.

“Consolidated Interest Coverage Ratio” means, at any date of determination, the ratio of (a) Consolidated EBITDA of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis to (b) Consolidated Interest Charges, in each case for the most recently completed Measurement Period for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 6.01.

“Consolidated Leverage Ratio” means, as of any date of determination, the ratio of (a) Consolidated Indebtedness as of such date minus the amount of the Borrower’s and its Subsidiaries’ unrestricted cash and Cash Equivalents as of such date that are or would be included on a balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of such date to (b) Consolidated EBITDA of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for the most recently completed Measurement Period for which financial statements have been delivered pursuant to Section 6.01.

“Consolidated Net Income” means, at any date of determination, the net income (or loss) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for the most recently completed Measurement Period; provided that Consolidated Net Income shall exclude (a) the net income of any Subsidiary during such Measurement Period to the extent that the declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by such Subsidiary of such income is not permitted by operation of the terms of its Organization Documents or any agreement, instrument or Law applicable to such Subsidiary during such Measurement Period (unless such restrictions on dividends or similar distributions have been legally and effectively waived), except that the Borrower’s equity in any net loss of any such Subsidiary for such Measurement Period shall be included in determining Consolidated Net Income, (b) any after-tax income (or after-tax loss) for such Measurement Period of any Person if such Person is not a Subsidiary, except that the Borrower’s equity in such income of any such Person for such Measurement Period shall be included in Consolidated Net Income up to the aggregate amount of cash actually distributed by such Person during such Measurement Period to the Borrower or a Subsidiary as a dividend or other distribution (and in the case of a dividend or other distribution to a Subsidiary, such Subsidiary is not precluded from further distributing such amount to the Borrower as described in clause (a) of this proviso), (c) any after-tax gain or after-tax loss realized as a result of the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles or the implementation of new accounting standards related to revenue and lease accounting, (d) any after-tax gain or after-tax loss attributable to any foreign currency hedging arrangements or currency fluctuations, (e) after-tax extinguishment charges relating to the early extinguishment of Indebtedness and obligations under Swap Contracts and after-tax extinguishment charges relating to upfront fees and original issue discount on Indebtedness and (f) any pension or other post-retirement after-tax gain or after-tax expense for such Measurement Period; provided, further, that Consolidated Net Income shall be reduced by the amount of any cash payments made during such Measurement Period relating to pension and other post-retirement costs (except for any payments made in respect of the Pension Funding in excess of the amount of required regulatory contributions for such Measurement Period (as reasonably determined by the Borrower)).

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“Contractual Obligation” means, as to any Person, any provision of any security issued by such Person or of any agreement, instrument or other undertaking to which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its property is bound.

“Control” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of a Person, whether through the ability to exercise voting power, by contract or otherwise.  “Controlling” and “Controlled” have meanings correlative thereto.

“Corrective Extension Amendment” has the meaning specified in Section 2.16(d).

“Credit Extension” means each of the following:  (a) a Borrowing or (b) an L/C Credit Extension.

“Debt Rating” means the Borrower’s corporate credit rating without third party credit enhancement; provided that the Debt Rating in effect on any date is that in effect at the close of business on such date.

“Debtor Relief Laws” means the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, and all other liquidation, conservatorship, bankruptcy, assignment for the benefit of creditors, moratorium, rearrangement, receivership, insolvency, reorganization, or similar debtor relief Laws of the United States or other applicable jurisdictions from time to time in effect and affecting the rights of creditors generally.

“Default” means any event or condition that constitutes an Event of Default or that, with the giving of any notice, the passage of time, or both, would be an Event of Default.

“Default Rate” means (a) when used with respect to Obligations other than Loans or Letter of Credit Fees, an interest rate equal to (i) the Base Rate plus (ii) the Applicable Rate applicable to Base Rate Loans under the Revolving Credit Facility plus (iii) 2% per annum; (b) when used with respect to a Loan, an interest rate equal to the interest rate (including any Applicable Rate) otherwise applicable to such Loan plus 2% per annum; and (c) when used with respect to Letter of Credit Fees, a rate equal to the Applicable Rate plus 2% per annum.

“Defaulting Lender” means, subject to Section 2.15(b), any Lender that (a) has failed to perform any of its funding obligations hereunder, including in respect of its Term A Loans, Revolving Credit Loans or participations in L/C Obligations or Swing Line Loans, within two Business Days of the date required to be funded by it hereunder, unless such obligation is the subject of a good faith dispute, (b) has notified the Borrower, or the Administrative Agent or any Lender that it does not intend to comply with its funding obligations or has made a public statement to that effect with respect to its funding obligations hereunder or under other agreements in which it commits to extend credit, (c) has failed, within three Business Days after request by the Administrative Agent, to confirm in a manner satisfactory to the Administrative Agent that it will comply with its funding obligations, or (d) has, or has a direct or indirect parent company that has, (i) become the subject of a proceeding under any Debtor Relief Law, (ii) had a receiver, conservator, trustee, administrator, assignee for the benefit of creditors or similar Person charged with reorganization or liquidation of its business or a custodian appointed for it, or (iii) taken any action in furtherance of, or indicated its consent to, approval of or acquiescence in any such proceeding or appointment; provided that, for the avoidance of doubt, a Lender shall not be a Defaulting Lender solely by virtue of (i) the ownership or acquisition of any Equity Interest in such Lender or any direct or indirect parent company thereof by a Governmental Authority or (ii) in the case of a Solvent Person, the precautionary appointment of an administrator, guardian, custodian or other similar official by a Governmental Authority under or based on the Law of the country where such Person is subject to home jurisdiction supervision if applicable Law requires that such appointment not be publicly disclosed, in any such case, where such action does not result in or provide such Person with immunity from the jurisdiction of courts within the United States of America or from the enforcement of judgments or writs of attachment on its assets or permit such Person (or such Governmental Authority) to reject, repudiate, disavow or disaffirm any contracts or agreements made by such Person.

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“Defeased Debt” means (a) the Indebtedness of the Borrower ($5,000,000 as of March 31, 2015) for its 9.35% medium-term notes due 2019 that is the subject of a covenant defeasance pursuant to Section 4.03 of the indenture therefor dated August 15, 1989, as amended and restated as of August 15, 1990 and (b) any other Indebtedness of the Borrower or any Subsidiary that, as of the applicable date of determination, is the subject of a legal or covenant defeasance pursuant to the applicable provisions of the indenture or other instrument governing such Indebtedness or pursuant to which such Indebtedness was issued or incurred.

“Disposition” or “Dispose” means the sale, transfer, license, lease or other disposition (including any sale and leaseback transaction) of any property by any Person (or the granting of any option or other right to do any of the foregoing), including any sale, assignment, transfer or other disposal, with or without recourse, of any notes or accounts receivable or any rights and claims associated therewith.

“Disqualified Equity Interests” means any Equity Interest which, by its terms (or by the terms of any security or other Equity Interest into which it is convertible or for which it is exchangeable), or upon the happening of any event or condition (i) matures or is mandatorily redeemable (other than solely for Equity Interests which are not otherwise Disqualified Equity Interests) pursuant to a sinking fund or otherwise, (ii) is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof (other than solely for Equity Interests which are not otherwise Disqualified Equity Interests) in whole or in part, (iii) provides for scheduled payments of dividends to be made in cash, or (iv) is or becomes convertible into or exchangeable for Indebtedness or any other Equity Interests that would constitute Disqualified Equity Interests, in each case prior to the date that is 91 days after the latest maturity date of the Loans and Commitments then outstanding, except, in the cases of clauses (i) and (ii), if as a result of a change of control or asset sale, but only if any rights of the holders thereof upon the occurrence of such change of control or asset sale are subject to the prior payment in full of all Obligations (other than contingent indemnification obligations), the cancellation or expiration of all Letters of Credit and the termination of the Aggregate Commitments.

“Dollar” and “$” mean lawful money of the United States.

“Domestic Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that is organized under the Laws of the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia.

“Eligible Assignee” means any Person that meets the requirements to be an assignee under Section 10.06(b)(iii), (v) and (vi) (subject to such consents, if any, as may be required under Section 10.06(b)(iii)).

“Environment” means ambient air, indoor air, surface water, groundwater, land surface and subsurface strata and natural resources such as wetlands, flora and fauna.

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“Environmental Audit” has the meaning specified in Section 6.13(c).

“Environmental Claim” has the meaning specified in Section 5.09(iv).

“Environmental Laws” means the common law and any and all Federal, State, local, and foreign statutes, laws, regulations, ordinances, rules, judgments, orders, decrees, permits, licenses, agreements or governmental restrictions relating to pollution or the protection of the Environment or human health (to the extent related to exposure to Hazardous Materials) or the generation, handling, use, storage, treatment, transport, Release or threat of Release of any Hazardous Materials, including those related to hazardous substances or wastes, air emissions and discharges to waste or public systems.

“Environmental Liability” means any liability, contingent or otherwise (including any liability for damages, costs of environmental remediation, fines, penalties or indemnities), of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries directly or indirectly resulting from or based upon (a) violation of any Environmental Law, (b) the generation, use, handling, transportation, storage or treatment of any Hazardous Materials, (c) exposure to any Hazardous Materials, (d) the Release or threatened Release of any Hazardous Materials or (e) any contract, agreement or other consensual arrangement pursuant to which liability is assumed or imposed with respect to any of the foregoing.

“Environmental Permit” means any permit, approval, identification number, license or other authorization required under any Environmental Law.

“Equity Interests” means, with respect to any Person, all of the shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, all of the warrants, options or other rights for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person, all of the securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of capital stock of (or other ownership or profit interests in) such Person or warrants, rights or options for the purchase or acquisition from such Person of such shares (or such other interests), and all of the other ownership or profit interests in such Person (including partnership, member or trust interests therein), whether voting or nonvoting, and whether or not such shares, warrants, options, rights or other interests are outstanding on any date of determination; provided that Equity Interests shall not include any securities to the extent constituting “Indebtedness” for purposes of this Agreement.

“ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.

“ERISA Affiliate” means any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) under common control with the Borrower or any Subsidiary solely within the meaning of Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code (and Sections 414(m) and (o) of the Code for purposes of provisions relating to Section 412 of the Code).

 

“ERISA Event” means (a) a Reportable Event with respect to a Pension Plan; (b) a withdrawal by the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate from a Pension 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) or a cessation of operations that is treated as such a withdrawal under Section 4062(e) of ERISA; (c) a complete or partial withdrawal by the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan, the receipt by the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate of any notice concerning the imposition of withdrawal liability (as defined in Part 1 of Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA) or notification that a Multiemployer Plan is, or is expected to be, insolvent or in reorganization or in “endangered” or “critical” status (within the meaning of Section 432 of the Code or Section 305 of ERISA); (d) the filing of a notice of intent to terminate, the treatment of a Plan amendment as a termination under Section 4041 or 4041A of ERISA, or the commencement of proceedings by the PBGC to terminate a Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan, (e) with respect to a Pension Plan, the failure to satisfy the minimum funding standard of Section 412 of the Code; (f) the failure to make by its due date a required contribution under Section 430(j) of the Code with respect to any Pension Plan or the failure to make any required contribution to a Multiemployer Plan; (g) the occurrence of a nonexempt prohibited transaction (within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Code or Section 406 of ERISA) which could result in liability to the Borrower or any Subsidiary; or (h) the imposition by the PBGC of any liability under Title IV of ERISA, other than for PBGC premiums due but not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA, upon the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate.

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“Eurodollar Rate”  means,

provided that if the Eurodollar Rate provided for in clauses (a) or (b) is less than zero, then the Eurodollar Rate shall be deemed to be 0%.

“Eurodollar Rate Loan” means a Revolving Credit Loan or a Term A Loan that bears interest at a rate based on the Eurodollar Rate.

“Event of Default” has the meaning specified in Section 8.01.

“Excluded Taxes” means, with respect to the Administrative Agent, any Lender, the L/C Issuer or any other recipient of any payment to be made by or on account of any obligation of the Borrower under any Loan Document, (a) Taxes imposed on or measured by its net income (however denominated), and franchise, capital, gross receipts or net worth Taxes imposed on it in lieu of net income Taxes (other than any such gross receipts Taxes that are withholding Taxes), in each case as a result of such recipient being organized under the laws of, or having its applicable Lending Office located in, the jurisdiction imposing such Taxes (or any political subdivision thereof) or as a result of any other present or former connection between such recipient and the jurisdiction imposing such Taxes (other than any such connection arising solely from such recipient having executed, delivered, or become a party to, performed its obligations or received payments under, received or perfected a security interest under, entered into any other transaction pursuant to or enforced any Loan Documents), (b) any branch profits Taxes under Section 884(a) of the Code, or any similar Tax, in each case imposed by a jurisdiction described in clause (a), (c) any backup withholding Tax that is required by the Code to be withheld from amounts payable to such Lender or L/C Issuer, (d) in the case of a Lender or L/C Issuer (other than with respect to any interest in any Loan or Commitment acquired pursuant to an assignment request by the Borrower under Section 10.13), any U.S. Federal withholding Tax that is required to be imposed on amounts payable to or for the account of such Lender or L/C Issuer pursuant to the Laws in force at the time such Lender or L/C Issuer becomes a party hereto (or designates a new Lending Office) or, with respect to any additional interest in any Commitment, or any Loan not funded pursuant to a Commitment by such Lender or L/C Issuer, acquired after such Lender or L/C Issuer becomes a party hereto, at the time such additional interest was acquired by such Lender or L/C Issuer, except to the extent that such Lender or L/C Issuer (or its assignor, if any) was entitled, immediately prior to the designation of a new Lending Office or the acquisition of such interest (or additional interest) by assignment, as applicable, to receive additional amounts from the Borrower with respect to such withholding tax pursuant to Section 3.01(a)(2), (e) any Tax that  is attributable to such Lender’s or L/C Issuer’s failure to comply with Section 3.01(e) and (f) any U.S. Federal withholding Tax imposed pursuant to FATCA.

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“Existing Class” has the meaning specified in Section 2.16(a).

“Existing Credit Agreement” has the meaning specified in the Preliminary Statements.

“Existing Letters of Credit” means the letters of credit listed on Schedule 2.03(a).

“Existing Senior Notes” means (i) the 3.000% Senior Notes due 2016, (ii) the 3.875% Senior Notes due 2018, (iii) the 4.750% Senior Notes due 2022 and (iv) the 6.875% Senior Notes due 2043 (in each case, issued by the Borrower).

“Existing Senior Notes Documents” means any indenture among the Borrower, as issuer, any guarantors party thereto and a trustee with respect to the Existing Senior Notes, the Existing Senior Notes and all other agreements, instruments and other documents pursuant to which the Existing Senior Notes have been or will be issued or otherwise setting forth the terms of the Existing Senior Notes.

“Extended Maturity Commitments” has the meaning specified in Section 2.16(a).

“Extended Maturity Loans” has the meaning specified in Section 2.16(a).

“Extending Lender” has the meaning specified in Section 2.16(b).

“Extension Amendment” has the meaning specified in Section 2.16(c).

“Extension Election” has the meaning specified in Section 2.16(b).

“Extension Maximum Amount” has the meaning specified in Section 2.16(b).

“Extension Request” has the meaning specified in Section 2.16(a).

“Facility” means the respective facility and commitments used in making Loans and credit extensions hereunder, it being understood that as of the date of this Agreement there are four Facilities, i.e., the Term A Facility, the Revolving Credit Facility, the Swing Line Sublimit and the Letter of Credit Sublimit.

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 “FATCA” means Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code, as of the date of this Agreement (or any amended or successor version that is substantively comparable and not materially more onerous to comply with), and any current and future regulations or other official interpretations thereof, any agreements entered into pursuant to Section 1471(b) of the current Code (or any amended or successor version described above) and, for the avoidance of doubt, any intergovernmental agreements in respect thereof (and any legislation, regulations or other official guidance adopted by a Governmental Authority implementing such intergovernmental agreements).

“Federal Funds Rate” means, for any day, the rate per annum equal to the weighted average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers on such day, as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York on the Business Day next succeeding such day; provided that (a) if such day is not a Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be such rate on such transactions on the next preceding Business Day as so published on the next succeeding Business Day, and (b) if no such rate is so published on such next succeeding Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such day shall be the average rate (rounded upward, if necessary, to a whole multiple of 1/100 of 1%) charged to Scotiabank on such day on such transactions as determined by the Administrative Agent.

“Foreign Government Scheme or Arrangement” has the meaning specified in Section 5.12(d).

“Foreign Lender” means any Lender (including such a Lender when acting in the capacity of an L/C Issuer) that is not a United States person as that term is defined in Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code.

“Foreign Plan” has the meaning specified in Section 5.12(d).

“Foreign Subsidiary” means a Subsidiary organized under the Laws of a jurisdiction other than the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia.

“FRB” means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System of the United States.

“Fronting Exposure” means, at any time there is a Defaulting Lender, (a) with respect to any L/C Issuer, such Defaulting Lender’s Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage of the outstanding L/C Obligations other than L/C Obligations as to which such Defaulting Lender’s participation obligation has been reallocated to other Lenders or Cash Collateralized in accordance with the terms hereof, and (b) with respect to the Swing Line Lender, such Defaulting Lender’s Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage of Swing Line Loans other than Swing Line Loans as to which such Defaulting Lender’s participation obligation has been reallocated to other Lenders.

“Fund” means any Person (other than a natural person) that is (or will be) engaged in making, purchasing, holding or otherwise investing in commercial loans and similar extensions of credit in the ordinary course of its activities.

“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States set forth in the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board or such other principles as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting profession in the United States, that are applicable to the circumstances as of the date of determination, consistently applied.

“Governmental Authority” means the government of the United States or any other nation, or of any political subdivision thereof, whether state, local, county, province or otherwise and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government (including any supra-national bodies such as the European Union or the European Central Bank).

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“Guarantee” means, as to any Person, any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of such Person guaranteeing or having the economic effect of guaranteeing any Indebtedness or other obligation payable or performable by another Person (the “primary obligor”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, and including any obligation of such Person, direct or indirect, (i) to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such Indebtedness or other obligation, (ii) to purchase or lease property, securities or services for the purpose of assuring the obligee in respect of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment or performance of such Indebtedness or other obligation, (iii) to maintain working capital, equity capital or any other financial statement condition or liquidity or level of income or cash flow of the primary obligor so as to enable the primary obligor to pay such Indebtedness or other obligation, or (iv) entered into for the purpose of assuring in any other manner the obligee in respect of such Indebtedness or other obligation of the payment or performance thereof or to protect such obligee against loss in respect thereof (in whole or in part).  The amount of any Guarantee shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the stated or determinable amount of the related primary obligation, or portion thereof, in respect of which such Guarantee is made or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof as determined by the guaranteeing Person in good faith.  The term “Guarantee” as a verb has a corresponding meaning.

“Hazardous Materials” means all explosive or radioactive substances or wastes and all other substances, wastes, pollutants, chemicals, compounds, materials, or contaminants of any nature and in any form, including petroleum or petroleum distillates, asbestos or asbestos-containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls and radon gas regulated pursuant to, or which can give rise to liability under, any Environmental Law.

“Immaterial Domestic Subsidiary” means any Immaterial Subsidiary that is organized under the Laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia.  As of the Closing Date, the Immaterial Domestic Subsidiaries are those set forth on Schedule 1.02, and the determination of Immaterial Domestic Subsidiaries as of the Closing Date shall be based on the net income and assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as set forth in (i) the unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower, dated as of March 31, 2015, and (ii) the unaudited consolidated net income statement of the Borrower, dated as of March 31, 2015.

“Immaterial Subsidiary” means, as of any date of determination, any Subsidiary that, together with its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, during (or, in the case of assets, as of the last day of) the twelve months preceding such date of determination accounts for (or to which may be attributed) 2.5% or less of the net income or assets (determined on a consolidated basis) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries during (or, in the case of assets, as of the last day of) such twelve month period; provided that, as of any date of determination, the aggregate consolidated net income or assets for all Immaterial Subsidiaries during (or, in the case of assets, as of the last day) of the twelve months preceding such date of determination shall not exceed 5.0% of the total net income or assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries during (or, in the case of assets, as of the last day of) such twelve month period, and if the aggregate consolidated net income or assets for all Immaterial Subsidiaries during (or, in the case of assets, as of the last day) of such period so exceeds such threshold, then one or more of the Immaterial Subsidiaries (as determined by the Borrower) shall for all purposes of this Agreement be deemed to be Material Subsidiaries until such excess shall have been eliminated.

“Increase Effective Date” has the meaning specified in Section 2.14(c).

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“Incremental Revolving Commitments” has the meaning specified in Section 2.14(a).

“Incremental Revolving Loans” has the meaning specified in Section 2.14(d).

“Incremental Term Loan Commitment” has the meaning specified in Section 2.14(a).

“Incremental Term Loans” has the meaning specified in Section 2.14(a).

“Indebtedness” means, as to any Person at a particular time, without duplication, all of the following, whether or not included as indebtedness or liabilities in accordance with GAAP:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For all purposes hereof, the Indebtedness of any Person shall include the Indebtedness of any other entity (including any partnership in which such Person is a general partner) to the extent such Person is liable therefor as a result of such Person’s ownership interest in or other relationship with such entity, except to the extent the terms of such Indebtedness expressly provide that such Person is not liable therefor.  The amount of any net obligation under any Swap Contract on any date shall be deemed to be the Swap Termination Value thereof as of such date.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the principal amount outstanding at any time of any Indebtedness issued with original issue discount shall be the principal amount of such Indebtedness less the remaining unamortized portion of the original issue discount of such Indebtedness at such time as determined in conformity with GAAP, but such Indebtedness shall be deemed incurred only as of the date of original issuance thereof.

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“Indemnified Taxes” means all Taxes other than Excluded Taxes.

“Indemnitee” has the meaning specified in Section 10.04(b).

“Information” has the meaning specified in Section 10.07.

“Interest Payment Date” means, (a) as to any Eurodollar Rate Loan, the last day of each Interest Period applicable to such Loan and the Maturity Date of the Facility under which such Loan was made; provided, however, that if any Interest Period for a Eurodollar Rate Loan exceeds three months, the respective dates that fall every three months after the beginning of such Interest Period shall also be Interest Payment Dates; and (b) as to any Base Rate Loan or Swing Line Loan, the last Business Day of each March, June, September and December and the Maturity Date of the Facility under which such Loan was made (with Swing Line Loans being deemed made under the Revolving Credit Facility for purposes of this definition).

“Interest Period” means, as to each Eurodollar Rate Loan, the period commencing on the date such Eurodollar Rate Loan is disbursed or converted to or continued as a Eurodollar Rate Loan and ending on the date that is (x) one, two, three or six months thereafter, as selected by the Borrower in its Committed Loan Notice, or twelve months thereafter, upon (in the case of twelve months) approval of all Lenders under the applicable Facility, or (y) such other period thereafter that is twelve months or less, as requested by the Borrower and approved by all of the Lenders under the applicable Facility,

; provided that:

 

 

 

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the initial Interest Period or Interest Periods for the Credit Extensions to be made on the Closing Date may, at the election of the Borrower, end on the last day of a calendar month, as indicated in the applicable Committed Loan Notice.

“Investment” means, as to any Person, any acquisition or investment by such Person, whether by means of (a) the purchase or other acquisition of Equity Interests of another Person, (b) a loan, advance or capital contribution to, Guarantee or assumption of debt of, or purchase or other acquisition of any other debt or interest in, another Person, or (c) the purchase or other acquisition (in one transaction or a series of transactions) of assets of another Person that constitute a business unit or all or a substantial part of the business of, such Person.  For purposes of covenant compliance, the amount of any Investment shall be the amount actually invested, without adjustment for subsequent increases or decreases in the value of such Investment.

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“IP Rights” has the meaning specified in Section 5.17.

“IRS” means the United States Internal Revenue Service.

“ISP” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the “International Standby Practices 1998” published by the Institute of International Banking Law & Practice, Inc. (or such later version thereof as may be in effect at the time of issuance).

“Issuer Documents” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, collectively, the Letter of Credit Application relating to such Letter of Credit and all other documents, agreements and instruments entered into by the applicable L/C Issuer and the Borrower (or any Subsidiary) or in favor of such L/C Issuer and relating to such Letter of Credit.

“Laws” means, collectively, all international, foreign, Federal, State and local statutes, treaties, rules, guidelines, regulations, ordinances, codes and administrative or judicial precedents or authorities, including the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority charged with the enforcement, interpretation or administration thereof, and all applicable administrative orders, directed duties, requests, licenses, authorizations and permits of, and agreements with, any Governmental Authority, in each case whether or not having the force of law.

“L/C Advance” means, with respect to each Revolving Credit Lender, such Lender’s funding of its participation in any L/C Borrowing in accordance with its Applicable Revolving Credit Percentage.

“L/C Borrowing” means an extension of credit resulting from a drawing under any Letter of Credit which has not been reimbursed on the date when made or refinanced as a Revolving Credit Borrowing.

“L/C Credit Extension” means, with respect to any Letter of Credit, the issuance thereof or extension of the expiry date thereof, or the increase of the amount thereof.

“L/C Issuer” means each of (i) Scotiabank, (ii) Bank of America, N.A., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and PNC Bank, National Association, each solely with respect to their respective Existing Letters of Credit and any amendment, renewal or extension thereof, or pursuant to a separate agreement between such L/C Issuer and the Borrower and (iii) each other Lender (or an Affiliate thereof) designated by the Borrower from time to time (with the consent of such Lender or Affiliate) and reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent, in such Lender’s or Affiliate’s capacity as issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder, or any successor issuer of Letters of Credit hereunder; provided that any L/C Issuer may agree to be an L/C Issuer with respect to up to a face amount of Letters of Credit less than the Letter of Credit Sublimit pursuant to a separate agreement between such L/C Issuer and the Borrower.

“L/C Obligations” means, at any date of determination, the aggregate amount available to be drawn under all outstanding Letters of Credit plus the aggregate of all Unreimbursed Amounts, including all L/C Borrowings.  For purposes of computing the amount available to be drawn under any Letter of Credit, the amount of such Letter of Credit shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.06.  For all purposes of this Agreement, if on any date of determination a Letter of Credit has expired by its terms but any amount may still be drawn thereunder by reason of the operation of Rule 3.14 of the ISP, such Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be “outstanding” in the amount so remaining available to be drawn.

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“Lender” and “Lenders” have the meanings specified in the introductory paragraph hereto (other than any such Person that ceases to be a party hereto pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption) and, as the context requires, includes the Swing Line Lender.

“Lending Office” means, as to any Lender, the office or offices of such Lender described as such in such Lender’s Administrative Questionnaire, or such other office or offices as a Lender may from time to time notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent.

“Letter of Credit” means any letter of credit issued hereunder and shall include the Existing Letters of Credit.  A Letter of Credit may be a commercial letter of credit or a standby letter of credit.

“Letter of Credit Application” means an application and agreement for the issuance or amendment of a Letter of Credit in the form from time to time in use by an L/C Issuer.

“Letter of Credit Expiration Date” means the day that is seven days prior to the Maturity Date then in effect for the Revolving Credit Facility (or, if such day is not a Business Day, the next preceding Business Day).

“Letter of Credit Fee” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(i).

“Letter of Credit Sublimit” means an amount equal to $250,000,000.  The Letter of Credit Sublimit is part of, and not in addition to, the Revolving Credit Facility.

“Lien” means any mortgage, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or other), charge, or preference, priority or other security interest or preferential arrangement in the nature of a security interest of any kind or nature whatsoever (including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement and any financing lease having substantially the same economic effect as any of the foregoing).

“Loan” means an extension of credit by a Lender to the Borrower under Article II in the form of a Term A Loan, a Revolving Credit Loan or a Swing Line Loan.

“Loan Documents” means, collectively, (a) this Agreement and any amendment, waiver or consent under this Agreement in accordance with Section 10.01, (b) the Notes, (c) the Administrative Fee Letter and (d) each Issuer Document.

“Majority in Interest”, when used in reference to Lenders of any Class, means, at any time, (a) in the case of the Revolving Credit Lenders, Lenders holding more than 50% of the sum of the Total Outstandings with respect to the Revolving Credit Facility (with the aggregate amount of each Revolving Credit Lender’s risk participation and funded participation in L/C Obligations and Swing Line Loans being deemed “held” by such Revolving Credit Lender and not by the Letter of Credit Issuer or the Swing Line Lender for purposes of this definition) and  the aggregate unused Revolving Credit Commitments at such time and (b) in the case of the Term A Lenders, Lenders holding more than 50% of the Total Outstandings with respect to the Term A Facility at such time; provided that, in each case, the unused Revolving Credit Commitments of, and the portion of the Total Outstandings held or deemed held by, any Defaulting Lender shall be excluded for purposes of making a determination of Majority in Interest.

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“Material Adverse Effect” means (a) a material adverse change in, or a material adverse effect upon, the operations, business, properties, liabilities (actual or contingent), or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole; (b) a material impairment of the rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent or any Lender under any Loan Document, or of the ability of the Borrower to perform its obligations under any Loan Document to which it is a party; or (c) a material adverse effect upon the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability against the Borrower of any Loan Document to which it is a party.

“Material Domestic Subsidiary” means any Material Subsidiary that is organized under the Laws of the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia.

“Material Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary that is not an Immaterial Subsidiary.

“Maturity Date” means (a) with respect to the Revolving Credit Facility, the date that is five years after the Closing Date and (b) with respect to the Term A Facility, the date that is five years after the Closing Date; provided, however, that, in either case, if such date is not a Business Day, the Maturity Date shall be the next preceding Business Day.

“Measurement Period” means, at any date of determination, the most recently completed four fiscal quarters of the Borrower.

“Moody’s” means Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and any successor thereto.

“Multiemployer Plan” means any employee benefit plan of the type described in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, to which the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate makes or is obligated to make contributions, or during the preceding five plan years, has made or been obligated to make contributions.

“Note” means a Term A Note, a Revolving Credit Note or a Swing Line Note, as the context may require.

“Notes Refinancing” has the meaning specified in the Preliminary Statements.

“Non-Bank Certificate” has the meaning specified in Section 3.01(e)(2)(ii)(IV).

“Obligations” means all advances to, and debts, liabilities, obligations, covenants and duties of, the Borrower or its Subsidiaries arising under any Loan Document or otherwise with respect to any Loan or Letter of Credit, in each case whether direct or indirect (including those acquired by assumption), absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing or hereafter arising and including interest and fees that accrue after the commencement by or against the Borrower or any Affiliate thereof of any proceeding under any Debtor Relief Laws naming such Person as the debtor in such proceeding, regardless of whether such interest and fees are allowed claims in such proceeding.

“OFAC” has the meaning specified in the definition of “Sanctions”.

“Organization Documents” means, (a) with respect to any corporation, the certificate or articles of incorporation and the bylaws (or equivalent or comparable constitutive documents with respect to any non-U.S. jurisdiction); (b) with respect to any limited liability company, the certificate or articles of formation or organization and operating agreement; and (c) with respect to any partnership, joint venture, trust or other form of business entity, the partnership, joint venture or other applicable agreement of formation or organization and any agreement, instrument, filing or notice with respect thereto filed in connection with its formation or organization with the applicable Governmental Authority in the jurisdiction of its formation or organization and, if applicable, any certificate or articles of formation or organization of such entity.

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“Other Taxes” means all present or future stamp or documentary Taxes or any other excise or property Taxes, charges or similar levies arising from any payment made hereunder or under any other Loan Document or from the execution, delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

“Outstanding Amount” means (a) with respect to Term A Loans, Revolving Credit Loans and Swing Line Loans on any date, the aggregate outstanding principal amount thereof on such date after giving effect to any borrowings and prepayments or repayments of Term A Loans, Revolving Credit Loans and Swing Line Loans, as the case may be, occurring on such date; and (b) with respect to any L/C Obligations on any date, the amount of such L/C Obligations on such date after giving effect to any L/C Credit Extension occurring on such date and any other changes in the aggregate amount of the L/C Obligations as of such date, including as a result of any reimbursements by the Borrower of Unreimbursed Amounts.

“Participant” has the meaning specified in Section 10.06(d).

“Participant Register” has the meaning specified in Section 10.06(d).

“PBGC” means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation and any successor entity performing similar functions.

“Pension Funding” has the meaning specified in the Preliminary Statements.

“Pension Plan” means any “employee pension benefit plan” (as such term is defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA), other than a Multiemployer Plan, that is subject to Title IV of ERISA and is sponsored or maintained by the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate or to which the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate contributes or has an obligation to contribute, or in the case of a multiple employer or other plan described in Section 4064(a) of ERISA, has made contributions at any time during the immediately preceding five plan years.

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“Permitted Refinancing” means, with respect to any Person, any modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal, replacement or extension of any Indebtedness or other obligation of such Person; provided that (a) the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) thereof does not exceed the principal amount (or accreted value, if applicable) of the Indebtedness or other obligation so modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed, replaced or extended except by an amount equal to unpaid accrued interest and premium thereon plus other amounts paid, and fees and expenses reasonably incurred, in connection with such modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal, replacement or extension and by an amount equal to any existing commitments unutilized thereunder, unless such excess is applied against and utilizes an available basket under Section 7.02, (b) if applicable, such modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal, replacement or extension (i) has a final maturity date equal to or later than the earlier of (x) 91 days after the latest maturity date of the Loans and Commitments then outstanding and (y) the final maturity date of the Indebtedness or other obligation being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed, replaced or extended and (ii) has a Weighted Average Life to Maturity (calculated solely for the period between the date of issuance of such Indebtedness or other obligation and the latest maturity date of the Loans and Commitments then outstanding) equal to or greater than the Weighted Average Life to Maturity of the Indebtedness or other obligation being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed, replaced or extended (calculated solely for the period between the date of issuance of such Indebtedness or other obligation and the latest maturity date of the Loans and Commitments then outstanding), (c) at the time thereof, no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing and (d) if such Indebtedness or other obligation being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed, replaced or extended is subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations, (i) to the extent such Indebtedness or other obligation being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed, replaced or extended is subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations, such modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal, replacement or extension is subordinated in right of payment to the Obligations on terms at least as favorable to the Lenders as those contained in the documentation governing the Indebtedness or obligation being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed, replaced or extended, (ii) the terms and conditions (including, if applicable, as to collateral but excluding as to subordination, interest rate and redemption premium) of any such modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed, replaced or extended Indebtedness or other obligation, taken as a whole, are market terms on the date such Indebtedness is incurred (as determined in good faith by the Borrower) or are not materially less favorable to the Borrower or the Lenders than the terms and conditions of the Indebtedness or other obligation being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed, replaced or extended, taken as a whole; provided that a certificate of a Responsible Officer delivered to the Administrative Agent at least five Business Days prior to the incurrence of such Indebtedness or other obligation, together with a reasonably detailed description of the material terms and conditions of such Indebtedness or other obligation or drafts of the documentation relating thereto, stating that the Borrower has determined in good faith that such terms and conditions satisfy the foregoing requirement shall be conclusive evidence that such terms and conditions satisfy the foregoing requirement unless the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower within such five Business Day period that it disagrees with such determination (including a reasonable description of the basis upon which it disagrees) and (iii) such modification, refinancing, refunding, renewal, replacement or extension is incurred by the Person who is the obligor of the Indebtedness being modified, refinanced, refunded, renewed, replaced or extended.

“Permitted Receivables Facility” means any one or more receivables financings of the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof (including any Foreign Subsidiaries of the Borrower) in which the Borrower or such Subsidiary sells, conveys or otherwise contributes Permitted Securitization Transferred Assets to a Special Purpose Finance Subsidiary, which Special Purpose Finance Subsidiary then (i) sells (as determined in accordance with GAAP) any such Permitted Securitization Transferred Assets (or an interest therein) to one or more Receivables Financiers, (ii) borrows from such Receivables Financiers and secures such borrowings by a pledge of such Permitted Securitization Transferred Assets or (iii) otherwise finances its acquisition of such Permitted Securitization Transferred Assets and, in connection therewith, conveys an interest in such Permitted Securitization Transferred Assets (and possibly all of the Special Purpose Finance Subsidiary’s property and assets) to the Receivables Financiers; provided that (1) such receivables financing shall not involve any recourse to the Borrower or any of its other Subsidiaries (other than the Special Purpose Finance Subsidiary) for any reason other than (A) repurchases of non-eligible receivables and related assets, (B) customary indemnifications (which shall in no event include indemnification for credit losses on Permitted Securitization Transferred Assets sold to the Special Purpose Finance Subsidiary) and (C) a customary limited recourse guaranty by the Borrower of the obligations of any Subsidiary thereof becoming an originator under such Permitted Receivables Facility delivered in favor of the Special Purpose Finance Subsidiary, (2) the Administrative Agent shall be reasonably satisfied with the structure of and documentation for any such transaction and that the terms of such transaction, including the discount at which receivables are sold, the term of the commitment of the Receivables Financier thereunder and any termination events, shall be (in the good faith understanding of the Administrative Agent) consistent with those prevailing in the market for similar transactions involving a receivables originator/servicer of similar credit quality and a receivables pool of similar characteristics and (3) the documentation for such transaction shall not be amended or modified in any material respect without the prior written approval of the Administrative Agent, subject, in the case of any such facility under which a Foreign Subsidiary is the seller, conveyor or contributor of Permitted Securitization Transferred Assets, to variances to the foregoing that are customary under the laws and procedures of the foreign jurisdiction to which such facility is subject and that are acceptable to the Administrative Agent.

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“Permitted Securitization Transferred Assets” means, with respect to the Borrower or any Subsidiary (other than a Special Purpose Finance Subsidiary), the Borrower’s or such Subsidiary’s accounts receivable, notes receivable or residuals, together with certain assets relating thereto (including any deposit accounts receiving collection on such receivables) and the right to collections thereon.

“Person” means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, Governmental Authority or other entity.

“Plan” means any “employee benefit plan” (as such term is defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA) established or maintained by the Borrower or any Subsidiary or, with respect to any such plan that is subject to Section 412 of the Code or Title IV of ERISA, any ERISA Affiliate.

“Platform” has the meaning specified in Section 6.02.

“Pro Forma Basis” means, with respect to any calculation or determination for the Borrower for any Measurement Period, that in making such calculation or determination on the specified date of determination (the “Determination Date”):

 

 

 

 

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“Public Lender” has the meaning specified in Section 6.02.

“Rating Agency” means each of Moody’s and S&P.

“Receivables Financier” means one or more Persons who are not Subsidiaries or Affiliates of the Borrower and who are regularly engaged in the business of receivables securitization, which may include one or more asset-backed commercial paper conduits or commercial banks.

“Re-Domestication Requirements” means, with respect to any transaction effecting a re-domestication of the Borrower’s jurisdiction of formation referred to in Section 7.04(d), the following:

 

 

 

 

 

 

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“Refinancing” has the meaning specified in the Preliminary Statements.

“Register” has the meaning specified in Section 10.06(c).

“Related Parties” means, with respect to any Person, such Person’s Affiliates and the partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, trustees and advisors of such Person and of such Person’s Affiliates.

“Release” means any spilling, leaking, seepage, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping, disposing, depositing, dispersing or migrating of any Hazardous Material into or through the Environment, or into, from or through any building, facility or structure.

“Reportable Event” means any of the events set forth in Section 4043(c) of ERISA, other than events for which the 30-day notice period has been waived.

“Request for Credit Extension” means (a) with respect to a Borrowing, conversion or continuation of Term A Loans or Revolving Credit Loans, a Committed Loan Notice, (b) with respect to an L/C Credit Extension, a Letter of Credit Application and (c) with respect to a Swing Line Loan, a Swing Line Loan Notice.

“Required Lenders” means, as of any date of determination, Lenders holding more than 50% of the sum of the (a) Total Outstandings (with the aggregate amount of each Revolving Credit Lender’s risk participation and funded participation in L/C Obligations and Swing Line Loans being deemed “held” by such Revolving Credit Lender and not by the Letter of Credit Issuer or the Swing Line Lender for purposes of this definition) and (b) aggregate unused Commitments; provided that the unused Commitments of, and the portion of the Total Outstandings held or deemed held by, any Defaulting Lender shall be excluded for purposes of making a determination of Required Lenders.

“Responsible Officer” means the chief executive officer, president, chief financial officer, treasurer, assistant treasurer, vice president or manager of debt of the Borrower.  Any document delivered hereunder that is signed by a Responsible Officer shall be conclusively presumed to have been authorized by all necessary corporate, partnership and/or other action on the part of the Borrower and such Responsible Officer shall be conclusively presumed to have acted on behalf of the Borrower.

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“Restricted Payment” means any dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, securities or other property) with respect to any capital stock or other Equity Interest of any Person or any of its Subsidiaries, or any payment (whether in cash, securities or other property), including any sinking fund or similar deposit, on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement, defeasance, acquisition, cancellation or termination of any such capital stock or other Equity Interest, or on account of any return of capital to any Person’s stockholders, partners or members (or the equivalent of any thereof).

“Restricted Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

“Revolving Credit Borrowing” means a borrowing consisting of simultaneous Revolving Credit Loans of the same Type and, in the case of Eurodollar Rate Loans, having the same Interest Period made by each of the Revolving Credit Lenders pursuant to Section 2.01(b).

“Revolving Credit Commitment” means, as to each Revolving Credit Lender, its obligation to (a) make Revolving Credit Loans to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01(b), (b) purchase participations in L/C Obligations and (c) purchase participations in Swing Line Loans in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed the amount set forth opposite such Revolving Credit Lender’s name on Schedule 2.01 under the caption “Revolving Credit Commitment” or opposite such caption in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Revolving Credit Lender becomes a party hereto, as applicable, as such amount may be adjusted from time to time in accordance with this Agreement.  The term “Revolving Credit Commitment” will be deemed to include Incremental Revolving Commitments in the event of the creation of an Incremental Revolving Commitment pursuant to Section 2.14.  As of the Closing Date, the aggregate principal amount of the Revolving Credit Commitments is $1,200,000,000.

“Revolving Credit Facility” means, at any time, the aggregate amount of the Revolving Credit Lenders’ Revolving Credit Commitments at such time.

“Revolving Credit Lender” means, at any time, any Lender that has a Revolving Credit Commitment at such time.

“Revolving Credit Loan” has the meaning specified in Section 2.01(b).

“Revolving Credit Note” means a promissory note made by the Borrower in favor of a Revolving Credit Lender evidencing Revolving Credit Loans made by such Revolving Credit Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit B-2.

“Sanctioned Country” means, at any time, a country, region or territory which is itself the subject or target of any Sanctions (which, at the time of this Agreement, include Crimea, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan and Syria).

“Sanctioned Person” means, at any time, (a) any Person listed in any Sanctions-related list of designated Persons maintained by OFAC, the U.S. Department of State, or by the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, any European Union member state where the Borrower maintains manufacturing facilities or Her Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom, (b) any Person operating, organized or resident in a Sanctioned Country or (c) any Person owned or controlled by any such Person or Persons described in the foregoing clause (a) or (b).

“Sanctions” means all economic or financial sanctions or trade embargoes imposed, administered or enforced from time to time by (a) the U.S. government, including those administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department (“OFAC”) or the U.S. Department of State, or (b) the United Nations Security Council, the European Union, any European Union member state where the Borrower maintains manufacturing facilities or Her Majesty’s Treasury of the United Kingdom.

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“S&P” means Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services, a division of McGraw-Hill Financial, Inc., and any successor thereto.

“Scotiabank” means The Bank of Nova Scotia and its successors.

“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission, or any Governmental Authority succeeding to any of its principal functions.

“Solvent” and “Solvency” mean, with respect to any Person on any date of determination, that on such date, and after giving effect to any right of contribution, indemnification, reimbursement or similar right from or with the Borrower, (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 probable 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 such debts and liabilities as they mature, (d) such Person is not engaged in business or a transaction, and is not about to engage in business or a transaction, for which such Person’s property would constitute an unreasonably small capital, and (e) such Person is able to pay its debts and liabilities, contingent obligations and other commitments as they mature in the ordinary course of business.  The amount of contingent liabilities at any time shall be computed as the amount that, in the light of all the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that then meets the criteria for recognition contained in Accounting Standard Codification 450 (formerly Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 5).

“Special Purpose Finance Subsidiary” means any Subsidiary created solely for the purposes of, and whose sole activities shall consist of, acquiring and financing Permitted Securitization Transferred Assets pursuant to a Permitted Receivables Facility, and any other activity incidental thereto.

“Subsidiary” of a Person means a corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company or other business entity of which a majority of the shares of securities or other interests having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other governing body (other than securities or interests having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) are at the time beneficially owned, or the management of which is otherwise controlled, directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, or both, by such Person.  Unless otherwise specified, all references herein to a “Subsidiary” or to “Subsidiaries” shall refer to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Borrower.  The term “Subsidiary” shall not include Unrestricted Subsidiaries designated in compliance with Section 6.15 until re-designated as a Subsidiary in compliance therewith, except for purposes of Sections 5.09, 5.11, 5.12, 5.16, 5.24 and 5.25.

“Swap Contract” means (a) any and all rate swap transactions, basis swaps, credit derivative transactions, forward rate transactions, commodity swaps, commodity options, forward commodity contracts, equity or equity index swaps or options, bond or bond price or bond index swaps or options or forward bond or forward bond price or forward bond index transactions, interest rate options, forward foreign exchange transactions, cap transactions, floor transactions, collar transactions, currency swap transactions, cross-currency rate swap transactions, currency options, spot contracts, or any other similar transactions or any combination of any of the foregoing (including any options to enter into any of the foregoing), whether or not any such transaction is governed by or subject to any master agreement, and (b) any and all transactions of any kind, and the related confirmations, which are subject to the terms and conditions of, or governed by, any form of master agreement published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc., any International Foreign Exchange Master Agreement, or any other master agreement (any such master agreement, together with any related schedules, a “Master Agreement”), including any such obligations or liabilities under any Master Agreement.

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“Swap Termination Value” means, in respect of any one or more Swap Contracts, after taking into account the effect of any legally enforceable netting agreement relating to such Swap Contracts, (a) for any date on or after the date such Swap Contracts have been closed out and termination value(s) determined in accordance therewith, such termination value(s), and (b) for any date prior to the date referenced in clause (a), the amount(s) determined as the mark-to-market value(s) for such Swap Contracts, as determined based upon one or more mid-market or other readily available quotations provided by any recognized dealer in such Swap Contracts (which may include a Lender or any Affiliate of a Lender).

“Swing Line Borrowing” means a borrowing of a Swing Line Loan pursuant to Section 2.04.

“Swing Line Lender” means Scotiabank in its capacity as provider of Swing Line Loans, or any successor swing line lender hereunder.

“Swing Line Loan” has the meaning specified in Section 2.04(a).

“Swing Line Loan Notice” means a notice of a Swing Line Borrowing pursuant to Section 2.04(b), which, if in writing, shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A-2.

“Swing Line Note” means a promissory note made by the Borrower in favor of the Swing Line Lender evidencing Swing Line Loans made by the Swing Line Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit B-3.

“Swing Line Sublimit” means an amount equal to the lesser of (a) $100,000,000 and (b) the Revolving Credit Facility.  The Swing Line Sublimit is part of, and not in addition to, the Revolving Credit Facility.

“Synthetic Debt” means, with respect to any Person as of any date of determination thereof, all obligations of such Person in respect of transactions entered into by such Person that are intended to function primarily as a borrowing of funds (including any minority interest transactions that function primarily as a borrowing) but are not otherwise included in the definition of “Indebtedness” or as a liability on the consolidated balance sheet of such Person and its Subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP.

“Synthetic Lease Obligation” means the monetary obligation of a Person under (a) a so-called synthetic, off-balance sheet or tax retention lease, or (b) an agreement for the use or possession of property (including sale and leaseback transactions), in each case, creating obligations that do not appear on the balance sheet of such Person but which, upon the application of any Debtor Relief Laws to such Person, would be characterized as the indebtedness of such Person (without regard to accounting treatment).

“Taxes” means all present or future taxes, levies, imposts, duties, deductions, withholdings (including backup withholding), assessments, fees or other charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable thereto.

 “Term A Borrowing” means a borrowing consisting of simultaneous Term A Loans of the same Type and, in the case of Eurodollar Rate Loans, having the same Interest Period made by each of the Term A Lenders pursuant to Section 2.01(a).

“Term A Commitment” means, as to each Term A Lender, its obligation to make Term A Loans to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.01(a) in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed the amount set forth opposite such Term A Lender’s name on Schedule 2.01 under the caption “Term A Commitment” or opposite such caption in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Term A Lender becomes a party hereto, as applicable, as such amount may be adjusted from time to time in accordance with this Agreement.  As of the Closing Date, the aggregate principal amount of the Term A Commitments is $1,100,000,000.

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“Term A Facility” means, at any time, the aggregate principal amount of the Term A Commitments and the Term A Loans of all Term A Lenders outstanding at such time.

“Term A Lender” means, at any time, any Lender that holds a Term A Commitment or Term A Loans at such time.

“Term A Loan” means an advance made by any Term A Lender under the Term A Facility.

“Term A Note” means a promissory note made by the Borrower in favor of a Term A Lender evidencing Term A Loans made by such Term A Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit B‑1.

“Threshold Amount” means $100,000,000.

“Total Outstandings” means the aggregate Outstanding Amount of all Loans and all L/C Obligations.

 “Total Revolving Credit Outstandings” means the aggregate Outstanding Amount of all Revolving Credit Loans, L/C Obligations and Swing Line Loans.

“Transactions” has the meaning specified in the Preliminary Statements.

“Type” means, with respect to a Loan, its character as a Base Rate Loan or a Eurodollar Rate Loan.

“United States” and “U.S.” mean the United States of America.

“Unreimbursed Amount” has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(c)(i).

“Unrestricted Subsidiary” means (i) each Subsidiary listed on Schedule 1.01, (ii) any Subsidiary designated by a Responsible Officer as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in accordance with Section 6.15 subsequent to the Closing Date and (iii) each Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.

“USA Patriot Act” means the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)), as amended, and all regulations thereunder.

“Weighted Average Life to Maturity” means, when applied to any Indebtedness or other obligation at any date, the number of years obtained by dividing:  (i) the sum of the products obtained by multiplying (a) the amount of each then remaining installment, sinking fund, serial maturity or other required payments of principal, including payment at final maturity, in respect thereof, by (b) the number of years (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth) that will elapse between such date and the making of such payment; by (ii) the then outstanding principal amount of such Indebtedness or other obligation.

“Withholding Agent” means the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and any other withholding agent within the meaning of Treasury Regulation § 1.1441-7.

 

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ARTICLE II

THE COMMITMENTS AND CREDIT EXTENSIONS

 

 

 

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provided that the foregoing shall not excuse any L/C Issuer from liability to the Borrower or any Subsidiary to the extent of any direct damages (as opposed to consequential damages, claims in respect of which are waived by the Borrower or such Subsidiary to the extent permitted by applicable Law) suffered by the Borrower or such Subsidiary that are caused by such L/C Issuer’s gross negligence or willful misconduct.

The Borrower shall promptly examine a copy of each Letter of Credit and each amendment thereto that is delivered to it and, in the event of any claim of noncompliance with the Borrower’s instructions or other irregularity, the Borrower will immediately notify the applicable L/C Issuer.  The Borrower shall be conclusively deemed to have waived any such claim against such L/C Issuer and its correspondents unless such notice is given as aforesaid.

 

 

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provided, however, that the final principal repayment installment of the Term A Loans shall be repaid on the Maturity Date for the Term A Facility and in any event shall be in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of all Term A Loans outstanding on such date.

 

 

 

 

 

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A notice of the Administrative Agent to any Lender or the Borrower with respect to any amount owing under this subsection (b) shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The Borrower consents to the foregoing and agrees, to the extent it may effectively do so under applicable law, that any Lender acquiring a participation pursuant to the foregoing arrangements may exercise against the Borrower rights of setoff and counterclaim with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were a direct creditor of the Borrower in the amount of such participation.

 

 

 

 

 

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Any Extended Maturity Loans and/or Extended Maturity Commitments converted pursuant to any Extension Request shall be designated a Class of Extended Maturity Loans and/or Extended Maturity Commitments for all purposes of this Agreement; provided that any Extended Maturity Loans and/or Extended Maturity Commitments converted from an Existing Class may, to the extent provided in the applicable Extension Amendment, be designated as an increase in any previously established Class.

 

 

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ARTICLE III

TAXES, YIELD PROTECTION AND ILLEGALITY

 

 

 

 

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and the result of any of the foregoing shall be to increase the cost to such Lender of making or maintaining any Eurodollar Rate Loan (or of maintaining its obligation to make any such Loan), or to increase the cost to such Lender or such L/C Issuer of participating in, issuing or maintaining any Letter of Credit (or of maintaining its obligation to participate in or to issue any Letter of Credit), or to reduce the amount of any sum received or receivable by such Lender or such L/C Issuer hereunder (whether of principal, interest or any other amount) then, upon request of such Lender or such L/C Issuer, the Borrower will pay to such Lender or such L/C Issuer, as the case may be, such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender or such L/C Issuer, as the case may be, for such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.

 

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including any loss or expense arising from the liquidation or reemployment of funds obtained by it to maintain such Loan or from fees payable to terminate the deposits from which such funds were obtained (but excluding any loss of anticipated profits).  The Borrower shall also pay any customary administrative fees charged by such Lender in connection with the foregoing.

For purposes of calculating amounts payable by the Borrower to the Lenders under this Section 3.05, each Lender shall be deemed to have funded each Eurodollar Rate Loan made by it at the Eurodollar Rate for such Loan by a matching deposit or other borrowing in the London interbank eurodollar market for a comparable amount and for a comparable period, whether or not such Eurodollar Rate Loan was in fact so funded.

 

 

 

 

 

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ARTICLE IV

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CREDIT EXTENSIONS

 

 

 

 

 (ii)            a Note executed by the Borrower in favor of each Lender requesting a Note;

 

 

 

 

 

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Without limiting the generality of the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 9.03, for purposes of determining compliance with the conditions specified in this Section 4.01, each Lender that has signed this Agreement shall be deemed to have consented to, approved or accepted or to be satisfied with, each document or other matter required thereunder to be consented to or approved by or acceptable or satisfactory to a Lender.

 

 

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Each Request for Credit Extension (other than a Committed Loan Notice requesting only a conversion of Loans to the other Type or a continuation of Eurodollar Rate Loans) submitted by the Borrower shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty that the conditions specified in Sections 4.02(a) and (b) have been satisfied on and as of the date of the applicable Credit Extension.

 

ARTICLE V

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

 

The Borrower represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders that:

 

 

 

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ARTICLE VI

AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

From and after the Closing Date, so long as any Lender shall have any Commitment hereunder, any Loan or other Obligation hereunder shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied, or any Letter of Credit shall remain outstanding or not otherwise provided for in full in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the applicable L/C Issuer, the Borrower shall, and shall (except in the case of the covenants set forth in Sections 6.01, 6.02, 6.03, 6.11 and 6.15) cause each Subsidiary to:

 

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As to any information contained in materials furnished pursuant to Section 6.02(d), the Borrower shall not be separately required to furnish such information under Section 6.01(a) or (b) above, but the foregoing shall not be in derogation of the obligation of the Borrower to furnish the information and materials described in Sections 6.01(a) and (b) above at the times specified therein.

 

 

 

 

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Documents required to be delivered pursuant to Section 6.01(a) or (b) or Section 6.02(d) (to the extent any such documents are included in materials otherwise filed with the SEC) may be delivered electronically and, if so delivered, shall be deemed to have been delivered on the date (i) on which the Borrower posts such documents, or provides a link thereto on the Borrower’s website on the Internet at the website address, http://www.ashland.com/, or (ii) on which such documents are posted on the Borrower’s behalf on an Internet or intranet website, if any, to which each Lender and the Administrative Agent have access (whether a commercial, third-party website or whether sponsored by the Administrative Agent); provided that the Borrower shall deliver paper copies of such documents to the Administrative Agent or any Lender that makes a written request to the Borrower to deliver such paper copies until a written request to cease delivering paper copies is given by the Administrative Agent or such Lender.  Notwithstanding anything contained herein, in every instance the Borrower shall be required to provide paper copies of the Compliance Certificates required by Section 6.02(b) to the Administrative Agent.  Except for such Compliance Certificates, the Administrative Agent shall have no obligation to request the delivery or to maintain copies of the documents referred to above, and in any event shall have no responsibility to monitor compliance by the Borrower with any such request for delivery, and each Lender shall be solely responsible for requesting delivery to it or maintaining its copies of such documents.

The Borrower hereby acknowledges that (a) the Administrative Agent and/or the Arrangers will make available to the Lenders and the L/C Issuers materials and/or information provided by or on behalf of the Borrower hereunder (collectively, “Borrower Materials”) by posting the Borrower Materials on Intralinks or another similar electronic system (the “Platform”) and (b) certain of the Lenders (each, a “Public Lender”) may have personnel who do not wish to receive material non-public information with respect to the Borrower or its Affiliates, or the respective securities of any of the foregoing, and who may be engaged in investment and other market-related activities with respect to such Persons’ securities.  The Borrower hereby agrees that it will use commercially reasonable efforts to identify that portion of the Borrower Materials that may be distributed to the Public Lenders and that (w) all such Borrower Materials shall be clearly and conspicuously marked “PUBLIC” which, at a minimum, shall mean that the word “PUBLIC” shall appear prominently on the first page thereof; (x) by marking Borrower Materials “PUBLIC,” the Borrower shall be deemed to have authorized the Administrative Agent, the Arrangers, the L/C Issuers and the Lenders to treat such Borrower Materials as not containing any material non-public information (although it may be sensitive and proprietary) with respect to the Borrower or its securities for purposes of United States Federal and state securities laws (provided, however, that to the extent such Borrower Materials constitute Information, they shall be treated as set forth in Section 10.07); (y) all Borrower Materials marked “PUBLIC” are permitted to be made available through a portion of the Platform designated “Public Side Information”; and (z) the Administrative Agent and the Arrangers shall be entitled to treat any Borrower Materials that are not marked “PUBLIC” as being suitable only for posting on a portion of the Platform not designated “Public Side Information.”

 

 

 

 

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Each notice pursuant to Section 6.03 (other than Section 6.03(e)) shall be accompanied by a statement of a Responsible Officer setting forth details of the occurrence referred to therein and stating what action the Borrower has taken and proposes to take with respect thereto.  Each notice pursuant to Section 6.03(a) shall describe with particularity any and all provisions of this Agreement and any other Loan Document that have been breached.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

in the case of each of (a), (b) and (c), except where the failure to do so would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

 

 

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ARTICLE VII

NEGATIVE COVENANTS

From and after the Closing Date, so long as any Lender shall have any Commitment hereunder, any Loan or other Obligation hereunder shall remain unpaid or unsatisfied, or any Letter of Credit shall remain outstanding or not otherwise provided for in full in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the applicable L/C Issuer, the Borrower shall not, nor shall it permit any Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly:

 

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provided that, no Subsidiary shall Guarantee any of the Existing Senior Notes or any Permitted Refinancing thereof unless, for so long as such Existing Senior Notes or such Permitted Refinancing shall be so Guaranteed, the Obligations under this Agreement shall be Guaranteed on an equal and ratable basis with (or, at the option of the Borrower, prior to) the Guarantees of such Existing Senior Notes or such Permitted Refinancing thereof by such Subsidiaries.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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provided, however, that any of the foregoing Dispositions (other than any Disposition pursuant to clause (a), (d), (e)(i) or (k) of this Section 7.05) shall be for fair market value, as determined reasonably and in good faith by, as the case may be, the Borrower or the applicable Subsidiary.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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ARTICLE VIII

EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

 

 

 

 

 

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provided, however, that upon the occurrence of an actual or deemed entry of an order for relief with respect to the Borrower under the Bankruptcy Code of the United States, the obligation of each Lender to make Loans and any obligation of any L/C Issuer to make L/C Credit Extensions shall automatically terminate, the unpaid principal amount of all outstanding Loans and all interest and other amounts as aforesaid shall automatically become due and payable, and the obligation of the Borrower to Cash Collateralize the L/C Obligations as aforesaid shall automatically become effective, in each case without further act of the Administrative Agent or any Lender.

 

 

First, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities, expenses and other amounts (including fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the Administrative Agent and amounts payable under Article III) payable to the Administrative Agent in its capacity as such;

 

Second, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting fees, indemnities and other amounts (other than principal, interest and Letter of Credit Fees) payable to the Lenders and the L/C Issuers (including fees, charges and disbursements of counsel to the respective Lenders and the applicable L/C Issuer) arising under the Loan Documents and amounts payable under Article III, ratably among them in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Second payable to them;

 

Third, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting accrued and unpaid Letter of Credit Fees and interest on the Loans, L/C Borrowings and other Obligations arising under the Loan Documents, ratably among the Lenders and the L/C Issuers in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Third payable to them;

 

Fourth, to payment of that portion of the Obligations constituting unpaid principal of the Loans and L/C Borrowings and to Cash Collateralize that portion of L/C Obligations comprised of the aggregate undrawn amount of Letters of Credit, ratably among the Lenders and the L/C Issuers in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause Fourth held by them; and

 

Last, the balance, if any, after all of the Obligations have been indefeasibly paid in full, to the Borrower or as otherwise required by Law;

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Subject to Section 2.03(c), amounts used to Cash Collateralize the aggregate undrawn amount of Letters of Credit pursuant to clause Fourth above shall be applied to satisfy drawings under such Letters of Credit as they occur.  If any amount remains on deposit as Cash Collateral after all Letters of Credit have either been fully drawn or expired, such remaining amount shall be applied to the other Obligations, if any, in the order set forth above and, if no Obligations remain outstanding, delivered to the Borrower.

 

ARTICLE IX

ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Any resignation by Scotiabank as Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section shall also constitute its resignation as L/C Issuer and Swing Line Lender, if applicable.  Upon the acceptance of a successor’s appointment as Administrative Agent hereunder, (i) such successor shall succeed to and become vested with all of the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring L/C Issuer and Swing Line Lender, (ii) the retiring L/C Issuer and Swing Line Lender shall be discharged from all of their respective duties and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents, and (iii) the successor L/C Issuer shall issue letters of credit in substitution for the Letters of Credit, if any, outstanding at the time of such succession or make other arrangements satisfactory to the retiring L/C Issuer to effectively assume the obligations of the retiring L/C Issuer with respect to such Letters of Credit.

 

 

 

 

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(b)            to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same in accordance with this Agreement; and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Lender and each L/C Issuer to make such payments to the Administrative Agent and, if the Administrative Agent shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Lenders and the L/C Issuers, to pay to the Administrative Agent any amount due for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the Administrative Agent and its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the Administrative Agent under Sections 2.09 and 10.04.

Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to authorize the Administrative Agent to authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Lender or any L/C Issuer any plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Obligations or the rights of any Lender or any L/C Issuer to authorize the Administrative Agent to vote in respect of the claim of any Lender or any L/C Issuer or in any such proceeding.

 

 

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ARTICLE X

MISCELLANEOUS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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and provided, further, that (i) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by Majority in Interest of the Revolving Credit Lenders in addition to the Lenders required above, waive or modify any condition precedent to the funding of Revolving Credit Loans set forth in Section 4.02 (it being understood and agreed that any amendment or waiver of, or any consent with respect to, any provision of this Agreement (other than any waiver or amendment expressly relating to Section 4.02) or any other Loan Document, including any amendment of an affirmative or negative covenant set forth herein or in any other Loan Document or any waiver of a Default or an Event of Default, shall not be deemed to be a waiver or modification of any condition precedent to funding of Revolving Credit Loans set forth in Section 4.02), (ii) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the L/C Issuers in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of the L/C Issuers under this Agreement or any Issuer Document relating to any Letter of Credit issued or to be issued by it; (iii) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Administrative Agent in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of the Administrative Agent under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; (iv) no amendment, waiver or consent shall, unless in writing and signed by the Swing Line Lender in addition to the Lenders required above, affect the rights or duties of the Swing Line Lender under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; and (v) any fee letter may only be amended, and the rights or privileges thereunder may only be waived, in a writing executed by each of the parties thereto.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no Defaulting Lender shall have any right to approve or disapprove any amendment, waiver or consent hereunder (and any amendment, waiver or consent which by its terms requires the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender may be effected with the consent of the applicable Lenders other than Defaulting Lenders), except that (x) (i) the Commitment or any Loan of such Lender may not be increased or extended (or reinstated, to the extent terminated pursuant to Section 8.02), (ii) no date fixed by this Agreement or any other Loan Document for any payment (excluding mandatory prepayments) of principal, interest, fees or other amounts due to such Lender may be postponed and/or (iii) neither the principal of, nor the rate of interest specified herein on, any Loan or L/C Borrowing, or (subject to clause (v) of the third proviso to this Section 10.01) any fees or other amounts payable hereunder or under any other Loan Document to such Lender may be reduced, in each case without the consent of such Lender (it being understood that a waiver of any condition precedent set forth in Section 4.01 or 4.02 or the waiver of any Default, Event of Default or mandatory prepayment shall not constitute an extension or increase of any Commitment of any Lender) and (y) any waiver, amendment or modification requiring the consent of all Lenders or each affected Lender that by its terms affects any Defaulting Lender more adversely than other affected Lenders shall require the consent of such Defaulting Lender.

If any Lender does not consent to a proposed amendment, waiver, consent or release with respect to any Loan Document that requires the consent of each Lender and that has been approved by the Required Lenders, the Borrower may replace such non-consenting Lender by an assignment of such Lender’s Loans and Commitments at par in accordance with Section 10.13; provided that such amendment, waiver, consent or release can be effected as a result of the assignment contemplated by such Section (together with all other such assignments required by the Borrower to be made pursuant to this paragraph).

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, any Loan Document may be waived, amended, supplemented or modified pursuant to an agreement or agreements in writing entered into by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent (without the consent of any Lender) solely to cure a defect or error.

 

 

 

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Notices and other communications sent by hand or overnight courier service, or mailed by certified or registered mail, shall be deemed to have been given when received; notices and other communications sent by telecopier shall be deemed to have been given when actually received (except that, if not given during normal business hours for the recipient, shall be deemed to have been given at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient).  Notices and other communications delivered through electronic communications to the extent provided in subsection (b) below shall be effective as provided in such subsection (b).

 

Unless the Administrative Agent otherwise prescribes, (i) notices and other communications sent to an e-mail address shall be deemed received upon the sender’s receipt of an acknowledgement from the intended recipient (such as by the “return receipt requested” function, as available, return e-mail or other written acknowledgement); provided that if such notice or other communication is not sent during the normal business hours of the recipient, such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been sent at the opening of business on the next Business Day for the recipient, and (ii) notices or communications posted to an Internet or intranet website shall be deemed received upon the deemed receipt by the intended recipient at its e-mail address as described in the foregoing clause (i) of notification that such notice or communication is available and identifying the website address therefor.

 

 

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Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in any other Loan Document, the authority to enforce rights and remedies hereunder and under the other Loan Documents against the Borrower or any of them shall be vested exclusively in, and all actions and proceedings at law in connection with such enforcement shall be instituted and maintained exclusively by, the Administrative Agent in accordance with Section 8.02 for the benefit of all the Lenders and the L/C Issuers; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not prohibit (a) the Administrative Agent from exercising on its own behalf the rights and remedies that inure to its benefit (solely in its capacity as Administrative Agent) hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, (b) each L/C Issuer and the Swing Line Lender from exercising the rights and remedies that inure to its benefit (solely in its capacity as L/C Issuer or Swing Line Lender, as the case may be) hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, (c) any Lender from exercising setoff rights in accordance with Section 10.08 (subject to the terms of Section 2.13), or (d) any Lender from filing proofs of claim or appearing and filing pleadings on its own behalf during the pendency of a proceeding relative to the Borrower under any Debtor Relief Law; and provided, further, that if at any time there is no Person acting as Administrative Agent hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, then (i) the Required Lenders shall have the rights otherwise ascribed to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 8.02 and (ii) in addition to the matters set forth in clauses (b), (c) and (d) of the preceding proviso and subject to Section 2.13, any Lender may, with the consent of the Required Lenders, enforce any rights and remedies available to it and as authorized by the Required Lenders.

 

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