CRAFTMADE INTERNATIONAL,
INC.,
LOAN AND SECURITY
AGREEMENT
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Page
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Section 1. DEFINITIONS; RULES OF
CONSTRUCTION
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1
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1
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20
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1.3. Uniform Commercial Code
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20
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1.4. Certain Matters of Construction
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21
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Section 2. CREDIT
FACILITIES
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21
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21
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22
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2.3. Letter of Credit Facility
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22
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Section 3. INTEREST, FEES AND
CHARGES
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23
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23
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25
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3.3. Computation of Interest, Fees, Yield
Protection
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25
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3.4. Reimbursement Obligations
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25
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26
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3.6. Inability to Determine Rates
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26
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3.7. Increased Costs; Capital
Adequacy
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26
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27
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27
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27
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Section 4. LOAN
ADMINISTRATION
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27
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4.1. Manner of Borrowing and Funding
Loans
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27
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4.2. Number and Amount of LIBOR Loans;
Determination of Rate
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28
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4.3. Effect of Termination
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28
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29
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5.1. General Payment Provisions
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29
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29
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29
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5.4. Payment of Other Obligations
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29
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5.5. Marshaling; Payments Set Aside
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29
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5.6. Application of Payments
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29
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5.7. Loan Account; Account Stated
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30
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30
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30
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Section 6. CONDITIONS
PRECEDENT
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34
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6.1. Conditions Precedent to Initial
Loans
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34
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6.2. Conditions Precedent to All Credit
Extensions
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35
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6.3. Limited Waiver of Conditions
Precedent
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36
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36
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7.1. Grant of Security Interest
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36
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7.2. Lien on Deposit Accounts; Cash
Collateral
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37
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7.3. Real Estate Collateral
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37
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37
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7.5. No Assumption of Liability
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38
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7.6. Further Assurances; Extent of
Liens
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38
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7.7. Foreign Subsidiary Stock
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38
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Page
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Section 8. COLLATERAL
ADMINISTRATION
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38
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8.1. Borrowing Base Certificates
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38
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8.2. Administration of Accounts
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39
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8.3. Administration of Inventory
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39
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8.4. Administration of Equipment
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40
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8.5. Administration of Deposit
Accounts
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40
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41
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42
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Section 9. REPRESENTATIONS AND
WARRANTIES
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42
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9.1. General Representations and
Warranties
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42
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46
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Section 10. COVENANTS AND CONTINUING
AGREEMENTS
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47
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10.1. Affirmative Covenants
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47
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50
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10.3. Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio
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53
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Section 11. EVENTS OF DEFAULT;
REMEDIES ON DEFAULT
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53
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53
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11.2. Remedies upon Default
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55
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55
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55
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11.5. Remedies Cumulative; No Waiver
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56
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Section 12. MISCELLANEOUS
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56
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12.1. Consents, Amendments and
Waivers
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56
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56
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12.3. Notices and Communications
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56
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12.4. Performance of Loan Parties’
Obligations
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57
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57
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57
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12.7. Cumulative Effect; Conflict of
Terms
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57
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57
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58
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12.10. No Control; No Advisory or Fiduciary
Responsibility
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58
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58
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59
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59
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12.14. Waivers by Loan Parties
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59
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12.15. Patriot Act Notice
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59
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59
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Woodard
Facility
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Deposit
Accounts
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Business
Locations
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Names and
Capital Structure
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Patents,
Trademarks, Copyrights and Licenses
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Environmental
Matters
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Restrictive
Agreements
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Litigation
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Pension
Plans
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Existing
Debt
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Existing
Liens
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Existing
Affiliate Transactions
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(ii)
LOAN AND SECURITY
AGREEMENT
THIS LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT
is dated as of July 8, 2009
(this “ Agreement ”, among CRAFTMADE
INTERNATIONAL, INC. , a Delaware corporation (“
Borrower ”), the other Loan Parties identified on the
signature pages to this Agreement or otherwise from time to time
party hereto, and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. , a national banking
association (“ Lender ”).
Borrower has requested that Lender provide a
credit facility to Borrower to finance its business enterprise.
Lender is willing to provide the credit facility on the terms and
conditions set forth in this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE , for valuable consideration hereby
acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:
SECTION 1.
DEFINITIONS; RULES OF CONSTRUCTION
1.1. Definitions .
As used herein, the following terms
have the meanings set forth below:
Account : as defined in the UCC, including all rights to
payment for goods sold or leased, or for services
rendered.
Account Debtor : a Person who is obligated under an Account,
Chattel Paper or General Intangible.
Accounts Formula Amount : the sum of (a) the lesser of (i)
$5,000,000 and (ii) with respect to any other Extended Terms
Accounts, 65% of the Value of Extended Terms Accounts constituting
Eligible Accounts, plus (b) 85% of the Value of Standard Terms
Accounts and Unbilled Accounts, in each case, constituting Eligible
Accounts; provided , however , that, in
Lender’s Permitted Discretion, each such percentage shall be
reduced by 1.0% for each whole percentage point (or portion
thereof) that the Dilution Percent exceeds 5.0%.
Affiliate : 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. “ 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 correlative meanings.
Allianz : Allianz Life Insurance Company of North
America, a Minnesota corporation, and it successors and
assigns.
Allianz Debt : Debt owed by CM Real Estate to Allianz in the
original principal amount of $11,000,000 with an outstanding
balance of $9,780,359 as of the Closing Date, evidenced by that
certain Promissory Note dated November 14, 2007, executed by
CM Real Estate in favor of Allianz and secured or supported by that
certain (i) Deed of Trust, Mortgage and Security Agreement
made by CM Real Estate dated as of November 14, 2007, to
Patrick M. Arnold, as trustee for the benefit of Allianz,
(ii) Assignment of Rents and Leases dated as of
November 14, 2007, between Borrower and Allianz,
(iii) Environmental Indemnity dated as of November 14,
2007, from CM Real Estate and Borrower in favor of Allianz and
(iv) Guaranty Agreement dated as of November 14, 2007,
from Borrower to Allianz guaranteeing payment of the Allianz Debt,
in each case as in effect on the date hereof.
Allocable Amount : as defined in Section 5.9.3
.
Anti-Terrorism Laws : any laws relating to terrorism or money
laundering, including the Patriot Act.
Applicable Law : all laws, rules, regulations and governmental
guidelines applicable to the Person, conduct, transaction,
agreement or matter in question, including all applicable statutory
law, common law and equitable principles, and all provisions of
constitutions, treaties, statutes, rules, regulations, orders and
decrees of Governmental Authorities.
Applicable Margin : with respect to any Type of Loan, the margin
set forth below, as determined by the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio
for the last Fiscal Quarter:
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Base Rate
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LIBOR
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Level
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Ratio
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Loans
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Loans
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> 1.75
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0.75
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%
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3.00
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%
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> 1.25 < 1.75
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1.25
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%
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3.50
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%
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< 1.25
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1.25
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%
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4.00
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%
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Until
June 30, 2009, margins shall be determined as if Level I were
applicable. At all times after June 30, 2009, the margins
shall be subject to increase or decrease upon receipt by Lender
pursuant to Section 10.1.2 of the financial statements
and corresponding Compliance Certificate for the last Fiscal
Quarter, which change shall be effective on the first day of the
calendar month following receipt. If, by the first day of a month,
any financial statements and Compliance Certificate due in the
preceding month have not been received, then, at the option of
Lender, the margins shall be determined as if Level III were
applicable, from such day until the first day of the calendar month
following actual receipt.
Applicable Rate : for any month the average daily balance of
Loans and stated amount of Letters of Credit is less than fifty
percent (50%) of the Commitment, 0.50% per annum, and for any other
month 0.25% per annum.
Asset Disposition : a sale, lease, license, transfer or other
disposition of Property of an Obligor, including a disposition of
Property in connection with a sale-leaseback transaction or
synthetic lease.
Availability : the Borrowing Base minus the principal balance
of all Loans.
Availability Reserve : the sum (without duplication) of (a) $155,0000
or such other greater or lesser amount as Lender, in its sole
discretion, elects to impose from time to time; (b) the Inventory
Reserve; (c) the Rent and Charges Reserve; (d) the LC
Reserve; (e) the Bank Product Reserve; (f) all accrued
Royalties, whether or not then due and payable by any Loan Party;
(g) the aggregate amount of liabilities secured by Liens upon
Collateral that are senior to Lender’s Liens (but imposition
of any such reserve shall not waive an Event of Default arising
therefrom); and (h) such additional reserves, in such amounts and
with respect to such matters, as Lender in its Permitted Discretion
may elect to impose from time to time.
Bank Product : any of the following products, services or
facilities extended to any Loan Party or Subsidiary by Lender or
any of its Affiliates: (a) Cash Management Services; (b)
products under Hedging Agreements; (c) commercial credit card
and merchant card services; and (d) leases and other banking
products or services as may be requested by any Loan Party or
Subsidiary, other than Letters of Credit.
Bank Product Debt : Debt and other obligations of an Obligor
relating to Bank Products.
Bank Product Reserve : the aggregate amount of reserves established
by Lender from time to time in its Permitted Discretion in respect
of Bank Product Debt.
-2-
Bankruptcy Code : Title 11 of the United States Code.
Base Rate : for any day, a per annum rate equal to the
greater of (a) the Prime Rate for such day; (b) the
Federal Funds Rate for such day, plus 0.50%; or (c) LIBOR for
a 30 day interest period as determined on such day, plus
1.0%.
Base Rate Loan : any Loan that bears interest based on the Base
Rate.
Board of Governors : the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System.
Borrowed Money : with respect to any Obligor, without
duplication, its (a) Debt that (i) arises from the
lending of money by any Person to such Obligor, (ii) is
evidenced by notes, drafts, bonds, debentures, credit documents or
similar instruments, (iii) accrues interest or is a type upon
which interest charges are customarily paid (excluding trade
payables owing in the Ordinary Course of Business), or
(iv) was issued or assumed as full or partial payment for
Property; (b) Capital Leases; (c) reimbursement
obligations with respect to letters of credit; and
(d) guaranties of any Debt of the foregoing types owing by
another Person.
Borrowing : a group of Loans of one Type that are made on
the same day or are converted into Loans of one Type on the same
day.
Borrowing Base : on any date of determination, an amount equal
to the lesser of (a) the Commitment, minus the LC
Reserve; or (b) the sum of the Accounts Formula Amount,
plus the Inventory Formula Amount, minus the
Availability Reserve, minus the EBITDA Reserve;
provided that, from the date of any Dolan Acquisition until
the date Lender completes its review of the assets so acquired, the
increase (if any) in the Borrowing Base attributable to such assets
shall not exceed $1,500,000.
Borrowing Base Certificate
: a certificate, in form and
substance satisfactory to Lender, by which Borrower certifies
calculation of the Borrowing Base.
Business Day : any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other
day on which commercial banks are authorized to close under the
laws of, or are in fact closed in, North Carolina or Texas, and if
such day relates to a LIBOR Loan, any such day on which dealings in
Dollar deposits are conducted between banks in the London interbank
Eurodollar market.
Capital Expenditures : all liabilities incurred, expenditures made or
payments due (whether or not made) by a Loan Party or Subsidiary
for the acquisition of any fixed assets, or any improvements,
replacements, substitutions or additions thereto with a useful life
of more than one year, including the principal portion of Capital
Leases.
Capital Lease : any lease that is required to be capitalized
for financial reporting purposes in accordance with
GAAP.
Cash Collateral : cash, and any interest or other income earned
thereon, that is delivered to Lender to Cash Collateralize any
Obligations.
Cash Collateral Account : a demand deposit, money market or other
account maintained with Lender and subject to Lender’s
Liens.
Cash Collateralize : the delivery of cash to Lender, as security
for the payment of Obligations, in an amount equal to (a) with
respect to LC Obligations, 105% of the aggregate LC Obligations,
and (b) with respect to any inchoate, contingent or other
Obligations (including Obligations arising under Bank Products),
Lender’s good faith estimate of the amount due or to become
due, including all fees and other amounts relating to such
Obligations. “ Cash Collateralization ” has a
correlative meaning.
-3-
Cash Equivalents : (a) marketable obligations issued or
unconditionally guaranteed by, and backed by the full faith and
credit of, the United States government, maturing within
12 months of the date of acquisition; (b) certificates of
deposit, time deposits and bankers’ acceptances maturing
within 12 months of the date of acquisition, and overnight
bank deposits, in each case which are issued by a commercial bank
organized under the laws of the United States or any state or
district thereof, rated A-1 (or better) by S&P or P-1 (or
better) by Moody’s at the time of acquisition, and (unless
issued by Lender) not subject to offset rights; (c) repurchase
obligations with a term of not more than 30 days for
underlying investments of the types described in clauses
(a) and (b) entered into with any bank meeting the
qualifications specified in clause (b); (d) commercial paper rated
A-1 (or better) by S&P or P-1 (or better) by Moody’s, and
maturing within nine months of the date of acquisition; and
(e) shares of any money market fund that has substantially all
of its assets invested continuously in the types of investments
referred to above, has net assets of at least $500,000,000 and has
the highest rating obtainable from either Moody’s or
S&P.
Cash Management Services : any services provided from time to time by
Lender or any of its Affiliates to any Loan Party or Subsidiary in
connection with operating, collections, payroll, trust, or other
depository or disbursement accounts, including automated
clearinghouse, e-payable, electronic funds transfer, wire transfer,
controlled disbursement, overdraft, depository, information
reporting, lockbox and stop payment services.
CERCLA : the Comprehensive Environmental Response
Compensation and Liability Act (42 U.S.C. § 9601 et
seq .).
Change in Law : the occurrence, after the date hereof, of
(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.
Change of Control : (a) any “person” or
“group” (as such terms are used in sections 13(d) and
14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, but
excluding any employee benefit plan of such person and its
subsidiaries, and any person or entity acting in its capacity as
trustee, agent or other fiduciary or administrator of any such
plan), excluding the Permitted Holders, shall become the
“beneficial owner” (as defined in rules 13(d)-3 and
13(d)-5 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended),
directly or indirectly, of more than the greater of (x) 30% or
more of the then outstanding equity securities of Borrower entitled
to vote for members of the board of directors or equivalent
governing body or (y) the percentage of equity securities of
Borrower entitled to vote for members of the board of directors or
equivalent governing body, or (b) the board of directors of
Borrower ceases to consist of a majority of the Continuing
Directors.
Claims : all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages,
penalties, judgments, proceedings, interest, costs and expenses of
any kind (including remedial response costs, reasonable
attorneys’ fees and Extraordinary Expenses) at any time
(including after Full Payment of the Obligations) incurred by or
asserted against any Indemnitee in any way relating to (a) any
Loans, Letters of Credit, Loan Documents, or the use thereof or
transactions relating thereto, (b) any action taken or omitted to
be taken by any Indemnitee in connection with any Loan Documents,
(c) the existence or perfection of any Liens, or realization
upon any Collateral, (d) exercise of any rights or remedies
under any Loan Documents or Applicable Law, or (e) failure by
any Obligor to perform or observe any terms of any Loan Document,
in each case including all costs and expenses relating to any
investigation, litigation, arbitration or other proceeding
(including an Insolvency Proceeding or appellate proceedings),
whether or not the applicable Indemnitee is a party
thereto.
-4-
Closing Date : the date on which (a) each of the
conditions set forth in Section 6.1 is satisfied and
(b) the initial Loans are made hereunder.
CM Real Estate : CM Real Estate, LLC, a Texas limited liability
company and wholly-owned Subsidiary of Borrower, and its successors
and assigns.
Code :
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
Collateral : all Property described in
Section 7.1 , all Property described in any Security
Documents as security for any Obligations, and all other Property
that now or hereafter secures (or is intended to secure) any
Obligations.
Commitment : Lender’s obligation to make Loans and to
issue Letters of Credit in an amount up to $40,000,000 in the
aggregate.
Commitment Termination Date
: the earliest to occur of
(a) the Termination Date; (b) the date on which Borrower
terminates the Commitment pursuant to Section 2.1.3 ;
or (c) the date on which the Commitment is terminated pursuant
to Section 11.2 .
Compliance Certificate : a certificate, in form and substance
satisfactory to Lender, by which Borrower certifies compliance with
Sections 10.2.3 and 10.3 , lists, upon
Lender’s request, certain outstanding Bank Products and
calculates the applicable Level for the Applicable
Margin.
Contingent Obligation : any obligation of a Person arising from a
guaranty, indemnity or other assurance of payment or performance of
any Debt, lease, dividend or other obligation (“ primary
obligations ”) of another obligor (“ primary
obligor ”) in any manner, whether directly or indirectly,
including any obligation of such Person under any
(a) guaranty, endorsement, co-making or sale with recourse of
an obligation of a primary obligor; (b) obligation to make
take-or-pay or similar payments regardless of nonperformance by any
other party to an agreement; and (c) arrangement (i) to
purchase any primary obligation or security therefor, (ii) to
supply funds for the purchase or payment of any primary obligation,
(iii) to maintain or assure working capital, equity capital,
net worth or solvency of the primary obligor, (iv) to purchase
Property or services for the purpose of assuring the ability of the
primary obligor to perform a primary obligation, or
(v) otherwise to assure or hold harmless the holder of any
primary obligation against loss in respect thereof. The amount of
any Contingent Obligation shall be deemed to be the stated or
determinable amount of the primary obligation (or, if less, the
maximum amount for which such Person may be liable under the
instrument evidencing the Contingent Obligation) or, if not stated
or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated liability with
respect thereto.
Continuing Directors : the directors of Borrower on the Closing Date
and each other director, if, in each case, such other
directors’ nomination for election to the board of directors
of Borrower is recommended by a majority of the then Continuing
Directors of such other director receives the vote of the Permitted
Holders in his or her election by the stockholders of
Borrower.
Coppell Facility : the real estate located at 650 South Royal
Lane, Coppell, Texas.
Covenant Condition : the following conditions with respect to each
transaction or event to which such conditions apply: (a) both
immediately before and immediately after giving effect to such
transaction or event, Availability is greater than $6,000,000
(b) on a pro forma basis, Availability would not have been
less than $6,000,000 on any day during the 30 day period
immediately preceding the date of such transaction or event if the
transaction or event had occurred at the beginning of such
30 day period, (c) on a pro forma basis and after giving
effect to such transaction or event, Availability will not be less
than $6,000,000 on any day during the 30 day period
immediately following the date of such transaction or event;
(d) no Default or Event of Default exists both before and
after giving effect to such transaction; (e) as of the end of
each of the two months immediately preceding the date of such
transaction or event for which Lender has received the financial
statements and corresponding Compliance Certificate required under
Section 10.1.2 , the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for
the trailing twelve month period then ending is at least 1.25 to
1.00; and (f) a Senior Officer of Borrower shall have
certified in writing to Lender, not less than five Business Days
prior to the date of such transaction or event, that all of the
conditions set forth in the foregoing clauses (a) through
(e) have been or will be satisfied on the date of such
transaction or event accompanied by calculations setting forth in
reasonable detail, compliance with such conditions.
-5-
CWA :
the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. §§ 1251 et
seq .).
Debt :
as applied to any Person, without duplication, (a) all items
that would be included as liabilities on a balance sheet in
accordance with GAAP, including Capital Leases, but excluding trade
payables incurred and being paid in the Ordinary Course of
Business; (b) all Contingent Obligations; (c) all
reimbursement obligations in connection with letters of credit
issued for the account of such Person; and (d) in the case of
Borrower and the other Loan Parties, the Obligations. The Debt of a
Person shall include any recourse Debt of any partnership in which
such Person is a general partner or joint venturer.
Default : an event or condition that, with the lapse of
time or giving of notice, would constitute an Event of
Default.
Default Rate : for any Obligation (including, to the extent
permitted by law, interest not paid when due), 2% plus the interest
rate otherwise applicable thereto.
Deposit Account Control Agreements
: the Deposit Account control
agreements to be executed by each institution maintaining a Deposit
Account for any Loan Party, in favor of Lender, as security for the
Obligations.
Design Trends : Design Trends, LLC, a Delaware limited
liability company together with its successors and permitted
assigns.
Dilution Percent : the percent, determined for Borrower’s
most recent Fiscal Quarter, for the Loan Parties, taken as a whole,
equal to (a) without duplication, bad debt write-downs or
write-offs, discounts, returns, promotions, credits, credit memos
and other dilutive items with respect to Accounts, divided
by (b) gross sales.
Distribution : any declaration or payment of a distribution,
interest or dividend on any Equity Interest (other than
payment-in-kind); any distribution, advance or repayment of Debt to
a holder of Equity Interests; or any purchase, redemption, or other
acquisition or retirement for value of any Equity
Interest.
Dolan Acquisition : any acquisition (subject to Lender’s
prior written consent) by any Loan Party on or after the Closing
Date of membership interests in Design Trends from Dolan Northwest,
LLC, an Oregon limited liability company, and assets from A-boy
Supply Co., Inc., an Oregon corporation, d/b/a Dolan
Designs.
Dollars : lawful money of the United States.
Dominion Account : a special account established by Borrower at
Lender or a bank acceptable to Lender, over which Lender has
exclusive control for withdrawal purposes.
Dominion Date : the first date on which Borrower satisfies the
requirements of Section 10.1.10 .
DT LLC Agreement that certain Limited Liability Company Agreement
of Design Trends, dated August 3, 1999 as in effect on the
date hereof and as thereafter amended, modified or supplemented
with the prior written consent of Lender.
-6-
EBITDA : determined on a consolidated basis for
Borrower and Subsidiaries, net income, calculated before interest
expense, provision for income taxes, depreciation and amortization
expense, stock compensation expense, minority interest adjustments
in respect of Design Trends, gains or losses arising from the sale
of capital assets, gains arising from the write-up of assets, and
any extraordinary gains (in each case, to the extent included in
determining net income), plus the aggregate transaction costs and
expenses incurred by Borrower and the other Loan Parties in
connection with closing this Agreement, provided that such
add-back shall not include any such costs and expenses incurred
more than 60 days following the Closing Date.
EBITDA Reserve : an amount equal to $500,000 until such time as
Borrower delivers a Compliance Certificate pursuant to
Section 10.1.2(c) for any period ending on or after
August 31, 2009 certifying that no Default or Event of Default
exists and that the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of the Borrower is
greater than 1.00 to 1.0, at which time the EBITDA Reserve shall be
an amount equal to $0.
Eligible Account : Account owing to a Loan Party that arises in
the Ordinary Course of Business from the sale of goods
, is payable in Dollars and is deemed by Lender, in
its Permitted Discretion, to be an Eligible Account. Without
limiting the foregoing, no Account shall be an Eligible Account if
(a) it is unpaid for more than (i) in the case of
Extended Terms Accounts, 30 days after the original due date, or
more than 200 days after the original invoice date,
(ii) in the case of Standard Terms Accounts, 60 days
after the original due date or more than 120 days after the
original invoice date or (iii) in the case of Unbilled
Accounts, it is not billed or invoiced, in Dollars, within
30 days after the date such Unbilled Account was generated;
(b) 50% or more of the Accounts owing by the Account Debtor
are not Eligible Accounts under the foregoing clause; (c) when
aggregated with other Accounts owing by the Account Debtor (other
than Lowes or Wal-Mart), it exceeds 15% of the aggregate Eligible
Accounts (or such higher percentage as Lender may establish for the
Account Debtor from time to time), provided , however
, that (x) only that portion of the Account which, when
aggregated with the other Eligible Accounts of the applicable
Account Debtor, exceeds the applicable percentage shall be excluded
from the calculation of Eligible Accounts, and (y) Accounts of
the applicable Account Debtor which, in the aggregate, exceed the
limits set forth above shall be deemed to constitute Eligible
Accounts (subject to compliance with all other standards of
eligibility) if the Accounts exceeding such limits are backed or
secured by a letter of credit reasonably satisfactory to Lender in
all respects and such letter of credit has been assigned to Lender
on terms acceptable to Lender in its sole discretion; (d) the
Account Debtor of such Account is Lowes or Wal-Mart and such
Account when aggregated with all other Accounts owing by Lowes or
Wal-Mart, as applicable exceeds 30% of the total of the Accounts of
all Credit Parties (or such higher percentage as Lender may
establish for Lowes or Wal-Mart from time to time) ),
provided , however , that (x) only that portion
of the Account which, when aggregated with the other Eligible
Accounts of the Lowes or Wal-Mart, as applicable, exceeds the
applicable percentage shall be excluded from the calculation of
Eligible Accounts, and (y) Accounts of Lowes or Wal-Mart
which, in the aggregate, exceed the limits set forth above shall be
deemed to constitute Eligible Accounts (subject to compliance with
all other standards of eligibility) if the Accounts exceeding such
limits are backed or secured by a letter of credit reasonably
satisfactory to Lender in all respects and such letter of credit
has been assigned to Lender on terms acceptable to Lender in its
sole discretion; (e) it does not conform with a covenant or
representation herein; (f) it is owing by a creditor or
supplier, or is otherwise subject to a potential offset,
counterclaim, dispute, deduction, discount, recoupment, reserve,
defense, chargeback, credit or allowance (but ineligibility shall
be limited to the amount thereof); (g) an Insolvency
Proceeding has been commenced by or against the Account Debtor; or
the Account Debtor has failed, has suspended or ceased doing
business, is liquidating, dissolving or winding up its affairs, or
is not Solvent; or the applicable Loan Party is not able to bring
suit or enforce remedies against the Account Debtor through
judicial process; (h) the Account Debtor is organized or has
its principal offices or assets outside the United States or
Canada; (i) it is owing by a Government Authority, unless the
Account Debtor is the United States or any department, agency or
instrumentality thereof and the Account has been assigned to Lender
in compliance with the Assignment of Claims Act; (j) it is not
subject to a duly perfected, first priority Lien in favor of
Lender, or is subject to any other Lien (other than the Lien
securing the Lackey Earn-Out so long as such Lien is at all times
junior to Lender’s Lien); (k) the goods giving rise to
it have not been delivered to and accepted by the Account Debtor,
the services giving rise to it have not been accepted by the
Account Debtor, or it otherwise does not represent a final sale;
(l) it is evidenced by Chattel Paper or an Instrument of any
kind, or has been reduced to judgment; (m) its payment has
been extended, the Account Debtor has made a partial payment, or it
arises from a sale on a cash-on-delivery basis; (n) it arises
from a sale to an Affiliate, from a sale on a bill-and-hold,
guaranteed sale, sale-or-return, sale-on-approval, consignment, or
other repurchase or return basis, or from a sale to a Person for
personal, family or household purposes; (o) it represents a
progress billing or retainage; or (p) it includes a billing
for interest, fees or late charges, but ineligibility shall be
limited to the extent thereof. In calculating delinquent portions
of Accounts under clauses (a) and (b), credit balances more
than 120 days old in the case of Standard Terms Accounts and
200 days old in the case of Extended Terms Accounts will be
excluded.
-7-
Eligible In-Transit Inventory
: Inventory owned by a Loan Party
that would be Eligible Inventory if it were not subject to a
Document and in transit from a foreign location to a location of a
Loan Party within the United States, and that Lender, in its
Permitted Discretion, deems to be Eligible In-Transit Inventory.
Without limiting the foregoing, no Inventory shall be Eligible
In-Transit Inventory unless it (a) is subject to a negotiable
Document showing Lender (or, with the consent of Lender, the
applicable Loan Party) as consignee, which Document is in the
possession of Lender or such other Person as Lender shall approve;
(b) is fully insured in a manner satisfactory to Lender;
(c) has been identified to the applicable sales contract and
title has passed to a Loan Party; (d) is not sold by a vendor
that has a right to reclaim, divert shipment of, repossess, stop
delivery, claim any reservation of title or otherwise assert Lien
rights against the Inventory, or with respect to whom any Loan
Party is in default of any obligations; (e) is subject to
purchase orders and other sale documentation satisfactory to
Lender; (f) is shipped by a common carrier that is not
affiliated with the vendor; and (g) is being handled by a
customs broker, freight-forwarder or other handler that has
delivered a Lien Waiver.
Eligible Inventory : Inventory owned by a Loan Party that Lender,
in its Permitted Discretion, deems to be Eligible Inventory.
Without limiting the foregoing, no Inventory shall be Eligible
Inventory unless it (a) is finished goods or raw materials,
and not work-in-process, packaging or shipping materials, labels,
samples, display items, bags, replacement parts or manufacturing
supplies; (b) is not held on consignment, nor subject to any
deposit or downpayment; (c) is in new and saleable condition
and is not damaged, defective, shopworn or otherwise unfit for
sale; (d) is not slow-moving, obsolete or unmerchantable, and
does not constitute returned or repossessed goods; (e) meets
all standards imposed by any Governmental Authority, and does not
constitute hazardous materials under any Environmental Law;
(f) conforms with the covenants and representations herein;
(g) is subject to Lender’s duly perfected, first
priority Lien, and no other Lien; (h) is within the
continental United States or Canada, is not in transit except
between locations of Loan Parties, and is not consigned to any
Person; (i) is not subject to any warehouse receipt or
negotiable Document; (j) is not subject to any License or
other arrangement that restricts such Borrower’s or
Lender’s right to dispose of such Inventory, unless Lender
has received an appropriate Lien Waiver; and (k) is not
located on leased premises or in the possession of a warehouseman,
processor, repairman, mechanic, shipper, freight forwarder or other
Person, unless the lessor or such Person has delivered a Lien
Waiver or an appropriate Rent and Charges Reserve has been
established; and (l) is Eligible In-Transit Inventory or is or
would be reflected in the details of a current perpetual inventory
report.
Enforcement Action : any action to enforce any Obligations or Loan
Documents or to realize upon any Collateral (whether by judicial
action, self-help, notification of Account Debtors, exercise of
setoff or recoupment, or otherwise).
Environmental Agreement : each agreement of a Loan Party with respect to
any Real Estate subject to a Mortgage, pursuant to which such Loan
Party agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Lender from liability
under any Environmental Laws.
-8-
Environmental Laws : all Applicable Laws (including all programs,
permits and guidance promulgated by regulatory agencies), relating
to public health (but excluding occupational safety and health, to
the extent regulated by OSHA) or the protection or pollution of the
environment, including CERCLA, RCRA and CWA.
Environmental Notice : a notice (whether written or oral) from any
Governmental Authority or other Person of any possible
noncompliance with, investigation of a possible violation of,
litigation relating to, or potential fine or liability under any
Environmental Law, or with respect to any Environmental Release,
environmental pollution or hazardous materials, including any
complaint, summons, citation, order, claim, demand or request for
correction, remediation or otherwise.
Environmental Release : any spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring,
emitting, discharging, dumping or disposing into the environment of
any hazardous substance (as defined in CERCLA) or any pollutant,
contaminant, material or substance that is regulated under any
applicable Environmental Law.
Equity Interest : the interest of any (a) shareholder in a
corporation; (b) partner in a partnership (whether general,
limited, limited liability or joint venture); (c) member in a
limited liability company; or (d) other Person having any
other form of equity security or ownership interest.
ERISA : the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
1974.
ERISA Affiliate : any trade or business (whether or not
incorporated) under common control with an Obligor 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 : (a) a Reportable Event with respect to a
Pension Plan; (b) a withdrawal by any Obligor or 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 any
Obligor or ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan or
notification that a Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization;
(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) any Obligor or ERISA Affiliate fails
to meet any funding obligations with respect to any Pension Plan or
Multiemployer Plan, or requests a minimum funding waiver;
(f) an event or condition which might reasonably be expected
to constitute grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the
termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any
Pension Plan or Multiemployer Plan; or (g) the imposition of
any liability under Title IV of ERISA, other than for PBGC premiums
due but not delinquent under Section 4007 of ERISA, upon any
Obligor or ERISA Affiliate.
Event of Default : as defined in Section 11
.
Excluded Tax : with respect to Lender or any other recipient
of a payment to be made by or on account of any Obligation,
(a) taxes imposed on or measured by its overall net income
(however denominated), and franchise taxes imposed on it (in lieu
of net income taxes), by the jurisdiction (or any political
subdivision thereof) under the laws of which such recipient is
organized or in which its principal office is located or, in the
case of Lender, in which its applicable lending office is located;
and (b) any branch profits taxes imposed by the United States
or any similar tax imposed by any other jurisdiction in which any
Loan Party is located.
-9-
Extended Terms Account : Any Account arising from the sale of inventory
in the ordinary course of business of any Loan Party for which the
original due date specified for such Account is more than
90 days after the original invoice date.
Extraordinary Expenses : all costs, expenses or advances that Lender
may incur during a Default or Event of Default, or during the
pendency of an Insolvency Proceeding of an Obligor, including those
relating to (a) any audit, inspection, repossession, storage,
repair, appraisal, insurance, manufacture, preparation or
advertising for sale, sale, collection, or other preservation of or
realization upon any Collateral; (b) any action, arbitration
or other proceeding (whether instituted by or against Lender, any
Obligor, any representative of creditors of an Obligor or any other
Person) in any way relating to any Collateral (including the
validity, perfection, priority or avoidability of Lender’s
Liens with respect to any Collateral), Loan Documents, Letters of
Credit or Obligations, including any lender liability or other
Claims; (c) the exercise, protection or enforcement of any rights
or remedies of Lender in, or the monitoring of, any Insolvency
Proceeding; (d) settlement or satisfaction of any taxes,
charges or Liens with respect to any Collateral; (e) any
Enforcement Action; and (f) negotiation and documentation of
any modification, waiver, workout, restructuring or forbearance
with respect to any Loan Documents or Obligations. Such costs,
expenses and advances include transfer fees, Other Taxes, storage
fees, insurance costs, permit fees, utility reservation and standby
fees, legal fees, appraisal fees, brokers’ fees and
commissions, auctioneers’ fees and commissions,
accountants’ fees, reasonable environmental study fees, wages
and salaries paid to employees of any Obligor or independent
contractors in liquidating any Collateral, and travel
expenses.
Federal Funds Rate : (a) the weighted average of interest
rates on overnight federal funds transactions with members of the
Federal Reserve System arranged by federal funds brokers on the
applicable Business Day (or on the preceding Business Day, if the
applicable day is not a Business Day), as published by the Federal
Reserve Bank of New York on the next Business Day; or (b) if
no such rate is published on the next Business Day, the average
rate (rounded up, if necessary, to the nearest 1/8 of 1%) charged
to Lender on the applicable day on such transactions, as determined
by Lender.
Fee Letter : the letter agreement, dated July 8, 2012
between Borrower and Lender.
Fiscal Quarter : each period of three months, commencing on the
first day of a Fiscal Year.
Fiscal Year : the fiscal year of Borrower and Subsidiaries
for accounting and tax purposes, ending on June 30 of each
year.
Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio
: for any period, the ratio,
determined on a consolidated basis for Loan Parties and
Subsidiaries as of the last day of the period ending on such date,
of (a) EBITDA for such period, to (b) Fixed Charges for
such period.
Fixed Charges : the sum of interest expense (other than
payment-in-kind), principal payments made on Borrowed Money,
Capital Expenditures (except those financed with Borrowed Money
other than Loans), cash taxes, and Distributions made to any Person
other than a Loan Party.
FLSA :
the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938.
Foreign Plan : any employee benefit plan or arrangement
(a) maintained or contributed to by any Obligor or Subsidiary
that is not subject to the laws of the United States; or (b)
mandated by a government other than the United States for employees
of any Obligor or Subsidiary.
Foreign Subsidiary : a Subsidiary that is a “controlled
foreign corporation” under Section 957 of the Code, such
that a guaranty by such Subsidiary of the Obligations or a Lien on
the assets of such Subsidiary to secure the Obligations would
result in material tax liability to Borrower.
Frost : The Frost National Bank.
-10-
Frost Account : the deposit account maintained by Borrower at
Frost with an account number ending in 2490.
Frost Debt : Debt owed by Woodard to Frost in the original
principal amount of $3,500,000 evidenced by that certain Term Loan
Agreement dated as of July 8, 2009, by and among Borrower,
Woodard and Frost and that certain Term Loan Note (Floating Rate)
dated as of July 8, 2009, executed by Woodard in favor of
Frost, as secured or supported by the other Frost
Documents.
Frost Documents : that certain (a) Term Loan Agreement
dated as of July 8, 2009, by and among Borrower, Woodard and
Frost, (b) that certain Term Loan Note (Floating Rate) dated
as of July 8, 2009, executed by Woodard in favor of Frost,
(c) Mortgage dated as of July 8, 2009, made by Woodard
for the benefit of Frost, (d) Guaranty Agreement dated as of
July 8, 2009, made by Borrower in favor of Frost,
(e) Guaranty Agreement dated as of July 8, 2009, made by
Trade Source in favor of Frost, (f) Guaranty Agreement dated
as of July 8, 2009, made by Durocraft International, Inc., a
Texas corporation, in favor of Frost, (g) Guaranty Agreement
dated as of July 8, 2009, made by C/D/R Incorporated, a
Delaware corporation, in favor of Frost, (h) Guaranty
Agreement dated as of July 8, 2009, made by Prime/Home
Impressions, LLC, a North Carolina limited liability company, in
favor of Frost and (i) Guaranty Agreement dated as of
July 8, 2009, made by Design Trends in favor of
Frost.
Full Payment : with respect to any Obligations, (a) the
full and indefeasible cash payment thereof, including any interest,
fees and other charges accruing during an Insolvency Proceeding
(whether or not allowed in the proceeding); (b) if such
Obligations are LC Obligations or inchoate or contingent in nature,
Cash Collateralization thereof (or delivery of a standby letter of
credit acceptable to Lender in its discretion, in the amount of
required Cash Collateral); and (c) a release of any Claims of
Obligors against Lender arising on or before the payment date. The
Loans shall not be deemed to have been paid in full until the
Commitment has expired or been terminated.
GAAP :
generally accepted accounting principles in effect in the United
States from time to time.
Governmental Approvals : all authorizations, consents, approvals,
licenses and exemptions of, registrations and filings with, and
required reports to, all Governmental Authorities.
Governmental Authority : any federal, state, municipal, foreign or
other governmental department, agency, commission, board, bureau,
court, tribunal, instrumentality, political subdivision, or other
entity or officer exercising executive, legislative, judicial,
regulatory or administrative functions for or pertaining to any
government or court, in each case whether associated with the
United States, a state, district or territory thereof, or a foreign
entity or government.
Guarantor Payment : as defined in Section 5.9.3
.
Guarantors : Woodard; Trade Source International, Inc., a
Delaware corporation; Durocraft International, Inc., a Texas
corporation; C/D/R Incorporated, a Delaware corporation; Prime/Home
Impressions, LLC, a North Carolina limited liability company;
Design Trends, and each other Person who guarantees payment or
performance of any Obligations.
Guaranty : each guaranty agreement executed by a
Guarantor in favor of Lender.
Hedging Agreement : an agreement relating to any swap, cap, floor,
collar, option, forward, cross right or obligation, or combination
thereof or similar transaction, with respect to interest rate,
foreign exchange, currency, commodity, credit or equity
risk.
Indemnified Taxes : Taxes other than Excluded Taxes.
Indemnitees : Lender and its officers, directors, employees,
Affiliates, agents and attorneys.
-11-
Initial Woodard Appraisal
: as defined in
Section 6.1 .
Insolvency Proceeding : any case or proceeding commenced by or against
a Person under any state, federal or foreign law for, or any
agreement of such Person to, (a) the entry of an order for
relief under the Bankruptcy Code, or any other insolvency, debtor
relief or debt adjustment law; (b) the appointment of a
receiver, trustee, liquidator, administrator, conservator or other
custodian for such Person or any part of its Property; or
(c) an assignment or trust mortgage for the benefit of
creditors.
Insurance Assignment : each collateral assignment of insurance
pursuant to which an Obligor assigns to Lender such Obligor’s
rights under key-man life, business interruption or other insurance
policies as Lender deems appropriate, as security for the
Obligations.
Intellectual Property : all intellectual and similar Property of a
Person, including inventions, designs, patents, copyrights,
trademarks, service marks, trade names, trade secrets, confidential
or proprietary information, customer lists, know-how, software and
databases; all embodiments or fixations thereof and all related
documentation, applications, registrations and franchises; all
licenses or other rights to use any of the foregoing; and all books
and records relating to the foregoing.
Intellectual Property Claim
: any claim or assertion (whether in
writing, by suit or otherwise) that a Loan Party’s or
Subsidiary’s ownership, use, marketing, sale or distribution
of any Inventory, Equipment, Intellectual Property or other
Property violates another Person’s Intellectual
Property.
Intellectual Property Security
Agreement : each
trademark security agreement pursuant to which an Obligor grants a
Lien to Lender on such Obligor’s interests in trademarks,
patents, copyrights, other Intellectual Property and intellectual
property rights, as security for the Obligations.
Interest Period : as defined in Section 3.1.3
.
Inventory : as defined in the UCC, including all goods
intended for sale, lease, display or demonstration; all work in
process; and all raw materials, and other materials and supplies of
any kind that are or could be used in connection with the
manufacture, printing, packing, shipping, advertising, sale, lease
or furnishing of such goods, or otherwise used or consumed in a
Loan Party’s business (but excluding Equipment).
Inventory Formula Amount : the lesser of (a) $15,000,000; (b) the
sum of (i) 60% of the Value of Eligible Inventory (other than
Woodard Eligible Inventory), plus (ii) 65% of the Value of
Woodard Eligible Inventory constituting finished goods, plus
(iii) 19% of the Value of Woodard Eligible Inventory
constituting raw materials; plus (iv) 60% of the Value of
Eligible In-Transit Inventory (other than Woodard Eligible
In-Transit Inventory), plus (v) 19% of Woodard Eligible
In-Transit Inventory; and (c) 85% of the NOLV Percentage of
the Value of Eligible Inventory.
Inventory Reserve : reserves established by Lender to reflect
factors that may negatively impact the Value of Inventory,
including change in salability, obsolescence, seasonality, theft,
shrinkage, imbalance, change in composition or mix, markdowns and
vendor chargebacks.
Investment : any acquisition of all or substantially all
assets of a Person; any acquisition of record or beneficial
ownership of any Equity Interests of a Person; or any advance or
capital contribution to or other investment in a Person.
IRS :
the United States Internal Revenue Service.
Lackey Earn-Out : the amounts required to be paid by Trade
Source and Borrower to Robert Lackey pursuant to Section 2.04
of the Lackey Stock Purchase Agreement.
-12-
Lackey Stock Purchase Agreement
: that certain Stock Purchase
Agreement dated as of September 15, 2006 and effective as of
July 1, 2006, among Trade Source, Robert Lackey and
Borrower.
LC Application : an application by Borrower to Lender for
issuance of a Letter of Credit, in form and substance satisfactory
to Lender.
LC Conditions : the following conditions necessary for
issuance of a Letter of Credit: (a) each of the conditions set
forth in Section 6 ; (b) after giving effect to
such issuance, total LC Obligations do not exceed the Letter of
Credit Subline, no Overadvance exists and, if no Loans are
outstanding, the LC Obligations do not exceed the Borrowing Base
(without giving effect to the LC Reserve for purposes of this
calculation); (c) the expiration date of such Letter of Credit
is (i) no more than 365 days from issuance, in the case
of standby Letters of Credit, (ii) no more than 120 days
from issuance, in the case of documentary Letters of Credit, and
(iii) at least 20 Business Days prior to the Termination Date;
(d) the Letter of Credit and payments thereunder are
denominated in Dollars; and (e) the purpose and form of the
proposed Letter of Credit is satisfactory to Lender in its
discretion.
LC Documents : all documents, instruments and agreements
(including LC Requests and LC Applications) delivered by Borrower
or any other Person to Lender in connection with issuance,
amendment or renewal of, or payment under, any Letter of
Credit.
LC Obligations : the sum (without duplication) of (a) all
amounts owing by Borrower for any drawings under Letters of Credit;
(b) the stated amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit;
and (c) all fees and other amounts owing with respect to
Letters of Credit.
LC Request : a request for issuance of a Letter of Credit,
to be provided by Borrower, in form satisfactory to
Lender.
LC Reserve : the aggregate of all LC Obligations, other
than (a) those that have been Cash Collateralized; and
(b) if no Default or Event of Default exists, those
constituting charges owing to Lender.
Lender Professionals : attorneys, accountants, appraisers, auditors,
business valuation experts, environmental engineers or consultants,
turnaround consultants, and other professionals and experts
retained by Lender.
Letter of Credit : any standby or documentary letter of credit
issued by Lender for the account of a Loan Party, or any indemnity,
guarantee, exposure transmittal memorandum or similar form of
credit support issued by Lender for the benefit of a Loan
Party.
Letter of Credit Subline : $5,000,000.
LIBOR : for any Interest Period with respect to a
LIBOR Loan, the per annum rate of interest (rounded up, if
necessary, to the nearest 1/8th of 1%), determined by Lender at
approximately 11:00 a.m. (London time) two Business Days prior
to commencement of such Interest Period, for a term comparable to
such Interest Period, equal to (a) the British Bankers
Association LIBOR Rate (“ BBA LIBOR ”), as
published by Reuters (or other commercially available source
designated by Lender); or (b) if BBA LIBOR is not available
for any reason, the interest rate at which Dollar deposits in the
approximate amount of the LIBOR Loan would be offered by
Lender’s London branch to major banks in the London interbank
Eurodollar market. If the Board of Governors imposes a Reserve
Percentage with respect to LIBOR deposits, then LIBOR shall be the
foregoing rate, divided by 1 minus the Reserve
Percentage.
LIBOR Loan : each set of Loans having a common length and
commencement of Interest Period.
-13-
License : any license or agreement under which an
Obligor is authorized to use Intellectual Property in connection
with any manufacture, marketing, distribution or disposition of
Collateral, any use of Property or any other conduct of its
business.
Licensor : any Person from whom an Obligor obtains the
right to use any Intellectual Property.
Lien :
any Person’s interest in Property securing an obligation owed
to, or a claim by, such Person, whether such interest is based on
common law, statute or contract, including liens, security
interests, pledges, hypothecations, statutory trusts, reservations,
exceptions, encroachments, easements, rights-of-way, covenants,
conditions, restrictions, leases, and other title exceptions and
encumbrances affecting Property.
Lien Waiver : an agreement, in form and substance
satisfactory to Lender, by which (a) for any material Collateral
located on leased premises, the lessor waives or subordinates any
Lien it may have on the Collateral, and agrees to permit Lender to
enter upon the premises and remove the Collateral or to use the
premises to store or dispose of the Collateral; (b) for any
Collateral held by a warehouseman, processor, shipper, customs
broker or freight forwarder, such Person waives or subordinates any
Lien it may have on the Collateral, agrees to hold any Documents in
its possession relating to the Collateral as agent for Lender, and
agrees to deliver the Collateral to Lender upon request;
(c) for any Collateral held by a repairman, mechanic or
bailee, such Person acknowledges Lender’s Lien, waives or
subordinates any Lien it may have on the Collateral, and agrees to
deliver the Collateral to Lender upon request; and (d) for any
Collateral subject to a Licensor’s Intellectual Property
rights, the Licensor grants to Lender the right, vis-à-vis
such Licensor, to enforce Lender’s Liens with respect to the
Collateral, including the right to dispose of it with the benefit
of the Intellectual Property, whether or not a default exists under
any applicable License.
Loan :
a loan made pursuant to Section 2.1 .
Loan Account : the loan account established by Lender on its
books pursuant to Section 5.7 .
Loan Documents : this Agreement, Other Agreements and Security
Documents.
Loan Party : Borrower and any Subsidiary of Borrower that
is a Guarantor.
Loan Year : each 12 month period commencing on the
date hereof and on each anniversary of the date hereof.
Lowes : Lowes Companies, Inc., a North Carolina
corporation, and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates.
Margin Stock : as defined in Regulation U of the Board
of Governors.
Material Adverse Effect : the effect of any event or circumstance that,
taken alone or in conjunction with other events or circumstances,
(a) has or could be reasonably expected to have a material
adverse effect on the business, operations, Properties, or
financial condition of the Loan Parties, taken as a whole, on the
value of any material Collateral, on the enforceability of any Loan
Documents, or on the validity or priority of Lender’s Liens
on any Collateral; (b) impairs the ability of the Loan
Parties, taken as a whole, to perform any obligations under the
Loan Documents, including repayment of any Obligations; or
(c) otherwise impairs in any material respect the ability of
Lender to enforce or collect any Obligations or to realize upon any
Collateral.
Material Contract : any agreement or arrangement to which a Loan
Party or Subsidiary is party (other than the Loan Documents)
(a) that is deemed to be a material contract under any
securities law applicable to such Obligor, including the Securities
Act of 1933; (b) for which breach, termination, nonperformance
or failure to renew could reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect; or (c) that relates to Subordinated Debt, or
Debt in an aggregate amount of $1,000,000 or more.
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Moody’s : Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., and its
successors.
Mortgage : each mortgage, deed of trust or deed to secure
debt pursuant to which an Obligor grants a Lien to Lender on the
Real Estate owned by such Obligor, as security for the
Obligations.
Multiemployer Plan : any employee benefit plan of the type
described in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA, to which any Obligor or
ERISA Affiliate makes or is obligated to make contributions, or
during the preceding five plan years, has made or been obligated to
make contributions.
Net Proceeds : with respect to an Asset Disposition, proceeds
(including, when received, any deferred or escrowed payments)
received by a Loan Party or Subsidiary in cash from such
disposition, net of (a) reasonable and customary costs and
expenses actually incurred in connection therewith, including legal
fees and sales commissions; (b) amounts applied to repayment
of Debt secured by a Permitted Lien senior to Lender’s Liens
on Collateral sold; (c) transfer or similar taxes; and
(d) reserves for indemnities, until such reserves are no
longer needed.
NOLV Percentage : the net orderly liquidation value of
Inventory, expressed as a percentage, expected to be realized at an
orderly, negotiated sale held within a reasonable period of time,
net of all liquidation expenses, as determined from the most recent
appraisal of Borrower’s Inventory performed by an appraiser
and on terms satisfactory to Lender.
Notice of Borrowing : a Notice of Borrowing to be provided by
Borrower to request a Borrowing of Loans, in form satisfactory to
Lender.
Notice of Conversion/Continuation
: a Notice of
Conversion/Continuation to be provided by Borrower to request a
conversion or continuation of any Loans as LIBOR Loans, in form
satisfactory to Lender.
Obligations : all (a) principal of and premium, if any,
on the Loans, (b) LC Obligations and other obligations of
Obligors with respect to Letters of Credit, (c) interest,
expenses, fees and other sums payable by Obligors under Loan
Documents, (d) obligations of Obligors under any indemnity for
Claims, (e) Extraordinary Expenses, (f) Bank Product
Debt, and (g) other Debts, obligations and liabilities of any
kind owing by any Obligor to Lender, whether now existing or
hereafter arising, whether evidenced by a note or other writing,
whether allowed in any Insolvency Proceeding, whether arising from
an extension of credit, issuance of a letter of credit, acceptance,
loan, guaranty, indemnification or otherwise, and whether direct or
indirect, absolute or contingent, due or to become due, primary or
secondary, or joint or several.
Obligor : Borrower, each Guarantor, or each other Person
that is liable for payment of any Obligations or that has granted a
Lien in favor of Lender on its assets to secure any
Obligations.
Ordinary Course of Business
: the ordinary course of business of
any Loan Party or Subsidiary, consistent with past practices and
undertaken in good faith.
Organic Documents : with respect to any Person, its charter,
certificate or articles of incorporation, bylaws, articles of
organization, limited liability agreement, operating agreement,
members agreement, shareholders agreement, partnership agreement,
certificate of partnership, certificate of formation, voting trust
agreement, or similar agreement or instrument governing the
formation or operation of such Person.
OSHA :
the Occupational Safety and Hazard Act of 1970.
Other Agreement : each LC Document; Lien Waiver ;
Real Estate Related Document; Borrowing Base Certificate,
Compliance Certificate, financial statement or report delivered
hereunder; or other document, instrument or agreement (other than
this Agreement or a Security Document) now or hereafter delivered
by an Obligor or other Person to Lender in connection with any
transactions relating hereto.
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Other Taxes : all present or future stamp or documentary
taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar
levies arising from any payment made under any Loan Document or
from the execution, delivery or enforcement of, or otherwise with
respect to, any Loan Document.
Overadvance : as defined in Section 2.1.4
.
Patriot Act : the Uniting and Strengthening America by
Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct
Terrorism Act of 2001, Pub. L. No. 107-56, 115 Stat. 272
(2001).
Payment Item : each check, draft or other item of payment
payable to a Loan Party, including those constituting proceeds of
any Collateral.
PBGC :
the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.
Pension Plan : 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 any Obligor or ERISA Affiliate or to
which the Obligor or 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 preceding five plan
years.
Permitted Acquisition : subject to Section 10.2.20 and the
satisfaction of each Covenant Condition as of the date such
acquisition is consummated, acquisitions by any Loan Party of
assets of another Person.
Permitted Asset Disposition
: as long as no Default or Event of
Default exists and all Net Proceeds are remitted to Lender, an
Asset Disposition that is (a) a sale of Inventory in the
Ordinary Course of Business; (b) a disposition of Equipment
that, in the aggregate during any 12 month period, has a fair
market or book value (whichever is more) of $250,000 or less;
(c) a disposition of Inventory that is obsolete,
unmerchantable or otherwise unsalable in the Ordinary Course of
Business; (d) a termination of a lease of real or personal
Property that is not necessary for the Ordinary Course of Business,
could not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect
and does not result from an Obligor’s default; or
(e) approved in writing by Lender.
Permitted Contingent Obligations
: Contingent Obligations
(a) arising from endorsements of Payment Items for collection
or deposit in the Ordinary Course of Business; (b) arising
from Hedging Agreements permitted hereunder; (c) existing on
the date hereof, and any extension or renewal thereof that does not
increase the amount of such Contingent Obligation when extended or
renewed; (d) incurred in the Ordinary Course of Business with
respect to surety, appeal or performance bonds, or other similar
obligations; (e) arising from customary indemnification
obligations in favor of purchasers in connection with dispositions
of Equipment permitted hereunder; (f) arising under the Loan
Documents; (g) arising in the Ordinary Course of Business in
respect of obligations of any Loan Party which obligations do not
constitute Debt of the types described in clauses (a), (c) and
(d) of the definition thereof; or (h) in an aggregate
amount of $250,000 or less at any time.
Permitted Discretion : a determination made in good faith and in the
exercise of reasonable (from the perspective of a secured
asset-based lender) business judgment.
Permitted Lien : as defined in Section 10.2.2
.
Permitted Purchase Money Debt
: Purchase Money Debt of the Loan
Parties and Subsidiaries that is unsecured or secured only by a
Purchase Money Lien, as long as the aggregate amount does not
exceed $1,500,000 at any time and its incurrence does not violate
Section 10.2.1 or Section 10.2.3 .
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Person : any individual, corporation, limited liability
company, partnership, joint venture, joint stock company, land
trust, business trust, unincorporated organization, Governmental
Authority or other entity.
Plan :
any employee benefit plan (as such term is defined in
Section 3(3) of ERISA) established by an Obligor or, with
respect to any such plan that is subject to Section 412 of the
Code or Title IV of ERISA, an ERISA Affiliate.
Prime Rate : the rate of interest announced by Lender from
time to time as its prime rate. Such rate is set by Lender on the
basis of various factors, including its 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 rate. Any change in such rate announced by
Lender shall take effect at the opening of business on the day
specified in the public announcement of such change.
Properly Contested : with respect to any obligation of an Obligor,
(a) the obligation is subject to a bona fide dispute regarding
amount or the Obligor’s liability to pay; (b) the
obligation is being properly contested in good faith by appropriate
proceedings promptly instituted and diligently pursued;
(c) appropriate reserves have been established in accordance
with GAAP; (d) non-payment could not have a Material Adverse
Effect, nor result in forfeiture or sale of any assets of the
Obligor; (e) no Lien is imposed on assets of the Obligor,
unless bonded and stayed to the satisfaction of Lender; and
(f) if the obligation results from entry of a judgment or
other order, such judgment or order is stayed pending appeal or
other judicial review.
Property : any interest in any kind of property or asset,
whether real, personal or mixed, or tangible or
intangible.
Purchase Money Debt : (a) Debt (other than the Obligations) for
payment of any of the purchase price of fixed assets; (b) Debt
(other than the Obligations) incurred within 10 days before or
after acquisition of any fixed assets, for the purpose of financing
any of the purchase price thereof; and (c) any renewals,
extensions or refinancings (but not increases) thereof.
Purchase Money Lien : a Lien that secures Purchase Money Debt,
encumbering only the fixed assets acquired with such Debt and
constituting a Capital Lease or a purchase money security interest
under the UCC.
RCRA :
the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (42 U.S.C. §§
6991-6991i).
Real Estate : all right, title and interest (whether as
owner, lessor or lessee) in any real Property or any buildings,
structures, parking areas or other improvements thereon.
Refinancing Conditions : the following conditions for Refinancing Debt:
(a) it is in an aggregate principal amount that does not
exceed the principal amount of the Debt being extended, renewed or
refinanced; (b) it has a final maturity no sooner than, a
weighted average life no less than, and an interest rate no greater
than, the Debt being extended, renewed or refinanced; (c) it
is subordinated to the Obligations at least to the same extent as
the Debt being extended, renewed or refinanced; (d) the
representations, covenants and defaults applicable to it are no
less favorable to any Loan Party or Subsidiary, as applicable, than
those applicable to the Debt being extended, renewed or refinanced;
(e) no additional Lien is granted to secure it; (f) no
additional Person is obligated on such Debt; and (g) upon
giving effect to it, no Default or Event of Default exists;
provided , however , that in the case of clauses
(c) , (d) and (e) , if such Refinancing Debt
relates to the Lackey Earn-Out, such Refinancing Debt shall not be
secured by any Lien.
Refinancing Debt : Borrowed Money that is the result of an
extension, renewal or refinancing of Debt permitted under
Section 10.2.1(b) , (d), (f) or (i)
.
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Reimbursement Date : as defined in Section 2.3.2
.
Related Real Estate Documents
: with respect to any Real Estate
subject to a Mortgage, the following, in form and substance
satisfactory to Lender and received by Lender for review at least
15 days prior to the effective date of the Mortgage:
(a) a mortgagee title policy (or binder therefor) covering
Lender’s interest under the Mortgage, in a form and amount
and by an insurer acceptable to Lender, which must be fully paid on
such effective date; (b) such assignments of leases, estoppel
letters, attornment agreements, consents, waivers and releases as
Lender may require with respect to other Persons having an interest
in the Real Estate; (c) a current, as-built survey of the Real
Estate, containing a metes-and-bounds property description and
flood plain certification based on a “Life-of-Loan”
search, and certified by a licensed surveyor acceptable to Lender;
(d) flood insurance in an amount, with endorsements and by an
insurer acceptable to Lender, if the Real Estate is within a flood
plain; (e) a current appraisal of the Real Estate, prepared by
an appraiser, and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to
Lender; (f) a Phase I environmental site assessment according
to ASTM E1527-05, prepared by environmental consultants acceptable
to Lender, and accompanied by such reports, studies or data as
Lender may reasonably require, which shall all be in form and
substance satisfactory to Lender; and (g) an Environmental
Agreement and such other documents, instruments or agreements as
Lender may reasonably require with respect to any environmental
risks regarding the Real Estate.
Rent and Charges Reserve : the aggregate of (a) all past due rent
and other amounts owing by an Obligor to any landlord,
warehouseman, processor, repairman, mechanic, shipper, freight
forwarder, broker or other Person who possesses any Collateral or
could assert a Lien on any Collateral; and (b) a reserve at
least equal to three months rent and other charges that could be
payable to any such Person, unless it has executed a Lien
Waiver.
Reportable Event : 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.
Reserve Percentage : the reserve percentage (expressed as a
decimal, rounded up to the nearest 1/8th of 1%) applicable to
member banks under regulations issued from time to time by the
Board of Governors for determining the maximum reserve requirement
(including any emergency, supplemental or other marginal reserve
requirement) with respect to Eurocurrency funding (currently
referred to as “Eurocurrency liabilities”).
Restricted Investment : any Investment by any Loan Party or
Subsidiary, other than (a) Investments in Subsidiaries to the
extent existing on the date hereof; (b) Cash Equivalents that
are subject to Lender’s Lien and control, pursuant to
documentation in form and substance satisfactory to Lender;
(c) Permitted Acquisitions; and (d) loans and advances
permitted under Section 10.2.7 .
Restrictive Agreement : an agreement (other than a Loan Document) that
conditions or restricts the right of any Loan Party, Subsidiary or
other Obligor to incur or repay Borrowed Money, to grant Liens on
any assets, to declare or make Distributions, to modify, extend or
renew any agreement evidencing Borrowed Money, or to repay any
intercompany Debt.
Royalties : all royalties, fees, expense reimbursement and
other amounts payable by a Loan Party under a License.
S&P : Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services,
a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., and its
successors.
Secured Parties : Lender and providers of Bank
Products.
Security Documents : the Guaranties, Mortgages, Intellectual
Property Security Agreements, Insurance Assignments, Deposit
Account Control Agreements, and all other documents, instruments
and agreements now or hereafter securing (or given with the intent
to secure) any Obligations.
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Senior Officer : the chairman of the board, president, chief
executive officer or chief financial officer of Borrower or, if the
context requires, any Loan Party or other Obligor.
Solvent : as to any Person, such Person (a) owns
Property whose fair salable value is greater than the amount
required to pay all of its debts (including contingent,
subordinated, unmatured and unliquidated liabilities);
(b) owns Property whose present fair salable value (as defined
below) is greater than the probable total liabilities (including
contingent, subordinated, unmatured and unliquidated liabilities)
of such Person as they become absolute and matured; (c) is
able to pay all of its debts as they mature; (d) has capital
that is not unreasonably small for its business and is sufficient
to carry on its business and transactions and all business and
transactions in which it is about to engage; (e) is not
“insolvent” within the meaning of Section 101(32) of
the Bankruptcy Code; and (f) has not incurred (by way of
assumption or otherwise) any obligations or liabilities (contingent
or otherwise) under any Loan Documents, or made any conveyance in
connection therewith, with actual intent to hinder, delay or
defraud either present or future creditors of such Person or any of
its Affiliates. “ Fair salable value ” means the
amount that could be obtained for assets within a reasonable time,
either through collection or through sale under ordinary selling
conditions by a capable and diligent seller to an interested buyer
who is willing (but under no compulsion) to purchase.
Standard Terms Account : any Account arising from the sale of inventory
in the ordinary course of business of any Loan Party other than
Extended Terms Accounts and Unbilled Accounts.
Subordinated Debt : Debt incurred or assumed by a Loan Party that
is expressly subordinate and junior in right of payment to Full
Payment of all Obligations, and is on terms (including maturity,
interest, fees, repayment, covenants and subordination)
satisfactory to Lender.
Subordination Agreement : that certain Subordination Agreement dated as
of the date hereof by and among Robert W. Lackey, as agent for
Robert W. Lackey, Robert W. Lackey, Jr., Imagine One Resources,
LLC, a North Carolina limited liability company, RWL Corporation, a
North Carolina corporation, R.L Products Corporation, a Georgia
corporation, Lender, Trade Source International, Inc., a Delaware
corporation, Prime/Home Impressions, LLC, a North Carolina limited
liability company, and Borrower.
Subsidiary : any entity at least 50% of whose voting
securities or Equity Interests is owned by a Loan Party or any
combination of Loan Parties (including indirect ownership by a Loan
Party through other entities in which such Loan Party directly or
indirectly owns 50% of the voting securities or Equity Interests).
For the avoidance of doubt, Design Trends shall be deemed a
Subsidiary for all purposes of this Agreement.
Subsidiary Guarantor : each Subsidiary of Borrower other than
(x) a Foreign Subsidiary and (y) CM Real Estate (so long
as (i) CM Real Estate engages in no business or activity other
than the ownership, operation, leasing and maintenance of the
Coppell Facility and activities related thereto and
(ii) Borrower remains its sole member).
Taxes : all present or future taxes, levies, imposts,
duties, deductions, withholdings, assessments, fees or other
charges imposed by any Governmental Authority, including any
interest, additions to tax or penalties applicable
thereto.
Termination Date : July 10, 2012.
Trade Source : Trade Source International, Inc., a Delaware
corporation.
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Trigger Period : the period (a) commencing on the day that
an Event of Default occurs, or Availability is less than
$6,000,000; and (b) continuing until, during the preceding 60
consecutive days, no Event of Default has existed and Availability
has been greater than $6,000,000 at all times.
Type :
any type of a Loan (i.e., Base Rate Loan or LIBOR Loan) that has
the same interest option and, in the case of LIBOR Loans, the same
Interest Period.
UCC :
the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the State of Texas or,
when the laws of any other jurisdiction govern the perfection or
enforcement of any Lien, the Uniform Commercial Code of such
jurisdiction.
Unbilled Account : any Account arising from the sale of inventory
in the ordinary course of business of any Loan Party that is
shipped directly from a manufacturer of such inventory located
outside the United States to a customer of a Loan Party,
provided that such Loan Party has received electronic
notification that such inventory has been loaded “free on
board” for shipment to such customer (the date of such
notification being the date such Account is generated) which are
payable in Dollars and which have not been billed or invoiced by
such Loan Party.
Unfunded Pension Liability
: the excess of a Pension
Plan’s benefit liabilities under Section 4001(a)(16) of
ERISA, over the current value of that Pension Plan’s assets,
determined in accordance with the assumptions used for funding the
Pension Plan pursuant to Section 412 of the Code for the
applicable plan year.
Upstream Payment : a Distribution by a wholly-owned Subsidiary of
a Loan Party to such Loan Party.
Value : (a) for Inventory, its value determined
on the basis of the lower of cost or market, calculated on a
first-in, first-out basis, and excluding any portion of cost
attributable to intercompany profit among the Loan Parties and
their Affiliates; and (b) for an Account, its face amount, net
of any returns, rebates, discounts (calculated on the shortest
terms), credits, allowances or Taxes (including sales, excise or
other taxes) that have been or could be claimed by the Account
Debtor or any other Person.
Wal-Mart : Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., a Delaware corporation,
and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates.
Woodard : Woodard—CM, LLC, a Delaware limited
liability company.
Woodard Eligible Inventory
: Eligible Inventory owned by
Woodard.
Woodard Eligible In-Transit Inventory
: Eligible In-Transit Inventory
owned by Woodard.
Woodard Facility : the Real Estate located in Owosso, Michigan,
as described in Schedule 1.1.
1.2. Accounting Terms
. Under the Loan Documents (except
as otherwise specified herein), all accounting terms shall be
interpreted, all accounting determinations shall be made, and all
financial statements shall be prepared, in accordance with GAAP
applied on a basis consistent with the most recent audited
financial statements of Borrower delivered to Lender before the
Closing Date and using the same inventory valuation method as used
in such financial statements, except for any change required or
permitted by GAAP if Borrower’s certified public accountants
concur in such change, the change is disclosed to Lender, and
Section 10.3 is amended in a manner satisfactory to
Lender to take into account the effects of the change.
1.3. Uniform Commercial Code
. As used herein, the following
terms are defined in accordance with the UCC in effect in the State
of Texas from time to time: “Chattel Paper,”
“Commercial Tort Claim,” “Deposit Account,”
“Document,” “Equipment,” “General
Intangibles,” “Goods,” “Instrument,”
“Investment Property,” “Letter-of-Credit
Right” and “Supporting Obligation.”
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1.4. Certain Matters of
Construction . The
terms “herein,” “hereof,”
“hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to
this Agreement as a whole and not to any particular section,
paragraph or subdivision. Any pronoun used shall be deemed to cover
all genders. In the computation of periods of time from a specified
date to a later specified date, “from” means
“from and including,” and “to” and
“until” each mean “to but excluding.” The
terms “including” and “include” shall mean
“including, without limitation” and, for purposes of
each Loan Document, the parties agree that the rule of ejusdem
generis shall not be applicable to limit any provision. Section
titles appear as a matter of convenience only and shall not affect
the interpretation of any Loan Document. All references to
(a) laws or statutes include all related rules, regulations,
interpretations, amendments and successor provisions; (b) any
document, instrument or agreement include any amendments, waivers
and other modifications, extensions or renewals (to the extent
permitted by the Loan Documents); (c) any section mean, unless
the context otherwise requires, a section of this Agreement;
(d) any exhibits or schedules mean, unless the context
otherwise requires, exhibits and schedules attached hereto, which
are hereby incorporated by reference; (e) any Person include
successors and assigns; (f) time of day mean time of day at
Lender’s notice address under Section 12.3.1 ; or
(g) discretion of Lender mean its sole and absolute
discretion. All calculations of Value, fundings of Loans, issuances
of Letters of Credit and payments of Obligations shall be in
Dollars and, unless the context otherwise requires, all
determinations (including calculations of Borrowing Base and
financial covenants) made from time to time under the Loan
Documents shall be made in light of the circumstances existing at
such time. Borrowing Base calculations shall be consistent with
historical methods of valuation and calculation, and otherwise
satisfactory to Lender (and not necessarily calculated in
accordance with GAAP). Borrower shall have the burden of
establishing any alleged negligence, misconduct or lack of good
faith by Lender under any Loan Documents. No provision of any Loan
Documents shall be construed against any party by reason of such
party having, or being deemed to have, drafted the provision.
Whenever the phrase “to the best of Borrower’s
knowledge” or “to the best of any Loan Party’s
knowledge” or words of similar import are used in any Loan
Documents, it means actual knowledge of a Senior Officer, or
knowledge that a Senior Officer would have obtained if he or she
had engaged in good faith and diligent performance of his or her
duties, including reasonably specific inquiries of employees or
agents and a good faith attempt to ascertain the matter to which
such phrase relates.
SECTION 2.
CREDIT FACILITIES
2.1.1. Loans . Lender agrees, on the
terms set forth herein, to make Loans to Borrower in an aggregate
amount up to the Commitment, from time to time through the
Commitment Termination Date. The Loans may be repaid and reborrowed
as provided herein. In no event shall Lender have any obligation to
honor a request for a Loan if the unpaid balance of Loans
outstanding at such time (including the requested Loan) would
exceed the Borrowing Base.
2.1.2. Use of Proceeds . The proceeds of
Loans shall be used by Borrower solely (a) to satisfy existing
Debt; (b) to pay fees and transaction expenses associated with
the closing of this credit facility; (c) to pay Obligations in
accordance with this Agreement; and (d) for working capital
and other lawful corporate purposes of the Loan Parties.
2.1.3. Voluntary Reduction or Termination of
Commitment.
(a) The Commitment shall terminate on the
Termination Date, unless sooner terminated in accordance with this
Agreement. Upon at least 45 days prior written notice to
Lender at any time after the first Loan Year, Borrower may, at its
option, terminate the Commitment and this credit facility. Any
notice of termination given by Borrower shall be irrevocable,
provided that a notice of termination of the Commitment delivered
by Borrower may state that such notice is conditioned upon the
effectiveness of other credit facilities, the proceeds of which
will be used to pay in full the amounts due under the Loan
Documents, in which case such notice may be revoked by Borrower (by
notice to Lender on or prior to the specified effective date) if
such condition is not satisfied. On the Termination Date, Borrower
shall make Full Payment of all Obligations.
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(b) Borrower may permanently reduce the
Commitment upon at least 45 days prior written notice to
Lender, which notice shall specify the amount of the reduction and
shall be irrevocable once given. Each reduction shall be in a
minimum amount of $5,000,000, or an increment of $1,000,000 in
excess thereof.
(c) Concurrently with any reduction in or
termination of the Commitment, for whatever reason (including an
Event of Default) during the first Loan Year, Borrower shall pay to
Lender, as liquidated damages for loss of bargain (and not as a
penalty), an amount equal to 1.0% of the Commitment being reduced
or terminated.
2.1.4. Overadvances . If the aggregate
Loans exceed the Borrowing Base (“ Overadvance
”) or the Commitment at any time, the excess amount shall be
payable by Borrower on demand by Lender, but all such Loans
shall nevertheless constitute Obligations secured by the Collateral
and entitled to all benefits of the Loan Documents. Any funding or
sufferance of an Overadvance shall not constitute a waiver of the
Event of Default caused thereby.
2.3. Letter of Credit Facility
.
2.3.1. Issuance of Letters of Credit .
Lender agrees to issue Letters of Credit from time to time until
30 days prior to the Termination Date (or until the Commitment
Termination Date, if earlier), on the terms set forth herein,
including the following:
(a) Borrower acknowledges that
Lender’s willingness to issue any Letter of Credit is
conditioned upon its receipt of a LC Application with respect to
the requested Letter of Credit, as well as such other instruments
and agreements as Lender may customarily require for issuance of a
letter of credit of similar type and amount. Lender shall have no
obligation to issue any Letter of Credit unless (i) it
receives a LC Request and LC Application at least three Business
Days prior to the requested date of issuance; and (ii) each LC
Condition is satisfied.
(b) Letters of Credit may be requested by
Borrower only (i) to support obligations of Borrower or any
other Loan Party incurred in the Ordinary Course of Business; or
(ii) for other purposes as Lender may approve from time to
time in writing. The renewal or extension of any Letter of Credit
shall be treated as the issuance of a new Letter of Credit, except
that delivery of a new LC Application shall be required at the
discretion of Lender.
(c) Borrower assumes all risks of the acts,
omissions or misuses of any Letter of Credit by the beneficiary. In
connection with issuance of any Letter of Credit, Lender shall not
be responsible for the existence, character, quality, quantity,
condition, packing, value or delivery of any goods purported to be
represented by any Documents; any differences or variation in the
character, quality, quantity, condition, packing, value or delivery
of any goods from that expressed in any Documents; the form,
validity, sufficiency, accuracy, genuineness or legal effect of any
Documents or of any endorsements thereon; the time, place, manner
or order in which shipment of goods is made; partial or incomplete
shipment of, or failure to ship, any goods referred to in a Letter
of Credit or Documents; any deviation from instructions, delay,
default or fraud by any shipper or other Person in connection with
any goods, shipment or delivery; any breach of contract between a
shipper or vendor and a Loan Party; errors, omissions,
interruptions or delays in transmission or delivery of any
messages, by mail, cable, telegraph, telex, telecopy, e-mail,
telephone or otherwise; errors in interpretation of technical
terms; the misapplication by a beneficiary of any Letter of Credit
or the proceeds thereof; or any consequences arising from causes
beyond the control of Lender, including any act or omission of a
Governmental Authority. Lender shall be fully subrogated to the
rights and remedies of each beneficiary whose claims against Loan
Parties are discharged with proceeds of any Letter of
Credit.
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(d) In connection with its administration
of and enforcement of rights or remedies under any Letters of
Credit or LC Documents, Lender shall be entitled to act, and shall
be fully protected in acting, upon any certification, documentation
or communication in whatever form believed by Lender, in good
faith, to be genuine and correct and to have been signed, sent or
made by a proper Person. Lender may consult with and employ legal
counsel, accountants and other experts to advise it concerning its
obligations, rights and remedies, and shall be entitled to act
upon, and shall be fully protected in any action taken in good
faith reliance upon, any advice given by such experts. Lender may
employ agents and attorneys-in-fact in connection with any matter
relating to Letters of Credit or LC Documents, and shall not be
liable for the negligence or misconduct of agents and
attorneys-in-fact selected with reasonable care.
2.3.2. Reimbursement . If Lender honors
any request for payment under a Letter of Credit, Borrower shall
pay to Lender, on the same day (“ Reimbursement Date
”), the amount paid under such Letter of Credit, together
with interest at the interest rate for Base Rate Loans from the
Reimbursement Date until payment by Borrower. The obligation of
Borrower to reimburse Lender for any payment made under a Letter of
Credit shall be absolute, unconditional, and irrevocable, and shall
be paid without regard to any lack of validity or enforceability of
any Letter of Credit or the existence of any claim, setoff, defense
or other right that Borrower or any other Loan Party may have at
any time against the beneficiary. Whether or not Borrower submits a
Notice of Borrowing, Borrower shall be deemed to have requested a
Borrowing of Base Rate Loans in an amount necessary to pay all
amounts due on any Reimbursement Date.
2.3.3. Cash Collateral . If any LC
Obligations, whether or not then due or payable, shall for any
reason be outstanding at any time (a) that an Event of Default
exists, (b) that Availability is less than zero,
(c) after the Commitment Termination Date, or (d) within
20 Business Days prior to the Termination Date, then Borrower
shall, at Lender’s request, Cash Collateralize the stated
amount of all outstanding Letters of Credit and pay to Lender the
amount of all other LC Obligations. If Borrower fails to provide
Cash Collateral as required herein, Lender may advance, as Loans,
the amount of the Cash Collateral required.
SECTION 3.
INTEREST, FEES AND CHARGES
3.1.1. Rates and Payment of
Interest.
(a) The Obligations shall bear interest
(i) if a Base Rate Loan, at the Base Rate in effect from time
to time, plus the Applicable Margin; (ii) if a LIBOR Loan, at
LIBOR for the applicable Interest Period, plus the Applicable
Margin; and (iii) if any other Obligation (including, to the
extent permitted by law, interest not paid when due), at the Base
Rate in effect from time to time, plus the Applicable Margin for
Base Rate Loans. Interest shall accrue from the date the Loan is
advanced or the Obligation is incurred or payable, until paid by
Borrower. If a Loan is repaid on the same day made, one day’s
interest shall accrue.
(b) During an Insolvency Proceeding with
respect to any Loan Party, or during any other Event of Default if
Lender in its discretion so elects, Obligations shall bear interest
at the Default Rate (whether before or after any judgment).
Borrower acknowledges that the cost and expense to Lender due to an
Event of Default are difficult to ascertain and that the Default
Rate is a fair and reasonable estimate to compensate Lender for
this.
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(c) Interest accrued on the Loans shall be
due and payable in arrears, (i) on the first day of each
month; (ii) on any date of prepayment, with respect to the
principal amount of Loans being prepaid; (iii) with respect to
LIBOR Loans, on the last day of any Interest Period; and
(iv) on the Commitment Termination Date. Interest accrued on
any other Obligations shall be due and payable as provided in the
Loan Documents and, if no payment date is specified, shall be due
and payable on demand . Notwithstanding the foregoing,
interest accrued at the Default Rate shall be due and payable on
demand .
3.1.2. Application of LIBOR to Outstanding
Loans.
(a) Borrower may on any Business Day,
subject to delivery of a Notice of Conversion/Continuation, elect
to convert any portion of the Base Rate Loans to, or to continue
any LIBOR Loan at the end of its Interest Period as, a LIBOR Loan.
During any Default or Event of Default, Lender may declare that no
Loan may be made, converted or continued as a LIBOR
Loan.
(b) Whenever Borrower desires to convert or
continue Loans as LIBOR Loans, Borrower shall give Lender a Notice
of Conversion/Continuation, no later than 11:00 a.m. at least
three Business Days before the requested conversion or continuation
date. Each Notice of Conversion/Continuation shall be irrevocable,
and shall specify the amount of Loans to be converted or continued,
the conversion or continuation date (which shall be a Business
Day), and the duration of the Interest Period (which shall be
deemed to be 30 days if not specified). If, upon the
expiration of any Interest Period in respect of any LIBOR Loans,
Borrower shall have failed to deliver a Notice of
Conversion/Continuation, it shall be deemed to have elected to
convert such Loans into Base Rate Loans.
3.1.3. Interest Periods . In connection
with the making, conversion or continuation of any LIBOR Loans,
Borrower shall select an interest period (“ Interest
Period ”) to apply, which interest period shall be 30,
60, or 90 days; provided , however ,
that:
(a) the Interest Period shall commence on
the date the Loan is made or continued as, or converted into, a
LIBOR Loan, and shall expire on the numerically corresponding day
in the calendar month at its end;
(b) if any Interest Period commences on a
day for which there is no corresponding day in the calendar month
at its end or if such corresponding day falls after the last
Business Day of such month, then the Interest Period shall expire
on the last Business Day of such month; and if any Interest Period
would expire on a day that is not a Business Day, the period shall
expire on the next Business Day; and
(c) no Interest Period shall extend beyond
the Termination Date.
3.1.4. Interest Rate Not Ascertainable .
If Lender shall determine that on any date for determining LIBOR,
due to any circumstance affecting the London interbank market,
adequate and fair means do not exist for ascertaining such rate on
the basis provided
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