1
LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT Exhibit 10.1
This Loan and Security Agreement is entered into as of March 4 , 1998, by
and between Silicon Valley Bank, a California-chartered bank, with its
principal place of business at 0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000
and with a loan production office located at Wellesley Office Park, 00 Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 000, Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000, doing business under the
name "Silicon Valley East" ("Bank") and Stericycle, Inc., a Delaware
corporation with its principal place of business at 0000 Xxxx Xxxx Xxxx, Xxxxx
0 00, Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000 ("Borrower").
Recitals
Borrower wishes to obtain credit from time to time from Bank, and Bank
desires to extend credit to Borrower This Agreement sets forth the terms on
which Bank will advance credit to Borrower, and Borrower will repay the amounts
owing to Bank.
Agreement
The parties agree as follows:
1. Definitions and Construction
1.1 Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall
have the following definitions:
"Accounts" means all presently existing and hereafter arising
accounts, contract rights, and all other forms of obligations owing to Borrower
arising out of the sale or lease of goods (including, without limitation, the
licensing of software and other technology) or the rendering of services by
Borrower, whether or not earned by performance, and any and all credit
insurance, guaranties, and other security therefor, as well as all merchandise
returned to or reclaimed by Borrower and Borrower's Books relating to any of
the foregoing.
"Advance" or "Advances" means a loan advance under the Committed
Revolving Line.
"Affiliate" means, with respect to any Person, any Person that owns or
controls directly or indirectly such Person, any Person that controls or is
controlled by or is under common control with such Person, and each of such
Person's senior executive officers, directors, partners and, for any Person
that is a limited liability company, such Persons, managers and members.
"Agreement" means this Loan and Security Agreement.
"Bank Expenses" means all reasonable costs or expenses (including
reasonable attorneys' fees and enforcement of the expenses) incurred in
connection with the preparation, negotiation, administration, and enforcement
of the Loan Documents; and Bank's reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses
incurred in amending, enforcing or defending the Loan Documents, (including
fees and expenses of appeal or review, or those incurred in any Insolvency
Proceeding) whether or not suit is brought.
"Borrower's Books" means all of Borrower's books and records
including, without limitation: ledgers; records concerning Borrower's assets or
liabilities, the Collateral, business operations or financial condition; and
all computer programs, or tape files, and the equipment, containing such
information.
"Borrowing Base" means an amount equal to (i) Seventy-Five percent
(75.0 %) of Eligible Accounts, as determined by Bank with reference to the most
recent Borrowing Base Certificate delivered by Borrower.
1
2
"Business Day" means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or other
day on which banks in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts are authorized or
required to close.
"Closing Date" means the date of this Agreement.
"Code" means the Massachusetts Uniform Commercial Code.
"Collateral" means the property described on Exhibit A attached
hereto.
"Committed Revolving Line" means a credit extension of up to Seven
Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($7,500,000.00).
"Contingent Obligation" means, as applied to any Person, any direct or
indirect liability, contingent or otherwise, of that Person with respect to (i)
any indebtedness, lease, dividend, letter of credit or other obligation of
another, including, without limitation, any such obligation directly or
indirectly guaranteed, endorsed, co-made or discounted or sold with recourse by
that Person, or in respect of which that Person is otherwise directly or
indirectly liable; (ii) any obligations with respect to undrawn letters of
credit issued for the account of that Person; and (iii) all obligations arising
under any interest rate, currency or commodity swap agreement, interest rate
cap agreement, interest rate collar agreement, or other agreement or
arrangement designated to protect a Person against fluctuation in interest
rates, currency exchange rates or commodity prices; provided, however, that the
term "Contingent Obligation" shall not include endorsements for collection or
deposit in the ordinary course of business. The amount of any Contingent
Obligation shall be deemed to be an amount equal to the stated or determined
amount of the primary obligation in respect of which such Contingent Obligation
is made or, if not stated or determinable, the maximum reasonably anticipated
liability in respect thereof as determined by such Person in good faith;
provided, however, that such amount shall not in any event exceed the maximum
amount of the obligations under the guarantee or other support arrangement.
"Copyrights" means any and all copyright rights, copyright
applications, copyright registrations and like protections in each work or
authorship and derivative work thereof, whether published or unpublished and
whether or not the same also constitutes a trade secret, now or hereafter
existing, created, acquired or held.
"Credit Extension" means each Advance, Letter of Credit or any other
extension of credit by Bank for the benefit of Borrower hereunder.
"Current Liabilities" means, as of any applicable date, all amounts
that should, in accordance with GAAP, be included as current liabilities on the
consolidated balance sheet of Borrower and its Subsidiaries, as at such date,
plus, to the extent not already included therein, all outstanding Credit
Extensions made under this Agreement, including all Indebtedness that is
payable upon demand or within one year from the date of determination thereof
unless such Indebtedness is renewable or extendable at the option of Borrower
or any Subsidiary to a date more than one year from the date of determination,
but excluding Subordinated Debt.
"Eligible Accounts" means those Accounts that arise in the ordinary
course of Borrower's business that comply with all of Borrower's
representations and warranties to Bank set forth in Section 5.4. Unless
otherwise agreed to by Bank in writing, Eligible Accounts shall not include the
following:
(a) Accounts that the account debtor has failed to pay within
ninety (90) days of invoice date;
(b) Accounts with respect to an account debtor, fifty percent
(50%) of whose Accounts the account debtor has failed to pay within
ninety (90) days of invoice date;
(c) Accounts with respect to an account debtor, including
Affiliates, whose total obligations to Borrower exceed twenty-five
percent (25%) of all Accounts, to the extent such obligations exceed
the aforementioned percentage, except as approved in writing by Bank;
2
3
(d) Accounts with respect to which the account debtor does not
have its principal place of business in the United States;
(e) Accounts with respect to which the account debtor is a
federal, state, or local governmental entity or any department,
agency, or instrumentality thereof to the extent Accounts of such
account debtors in the aggregate exceed Two Hundred Fifty Thousand
Dollars ($250,000.00), except for those Accounts of the United States
or any department, agency or instrumentality thereof as to which the
payee has assigned its rights to payment thereof to Bank and the
assignment has been acknowledged, pursuant to the Assignment of Claims
Act of 1940, as amended (31 U.S.C. 3727);
(f) Accounts with respect to which Borrower is liable to the
account debtor, but only to the extent of any amounts owing to the
account debtor (sometimes referred to as "contra" accounts, e.g.
accounts payable, customer deposits, credit accounts etc.);
(g) Accounts generated by demonstration or promotional equipment,
or with respect to which goods are placed on consignment, guaranteed
sale, sale or return, sale on approval, xxxx and hold, or other terms
by reason of which the payment by the account debtor may be
conditional;
(h) Accounts with respect to which the account debtor is an
Affiliate, officer, employee, or agent of Borrower; and
(i) Accounts with respect to which the account debtor disputes
liability (but only to the extent of the amount subject to such
dispute or claim), or is subject to any Insolvency Proceeding, or
becomes insolvent, or goes out of business.
"Equipment" means all present and future machinery, equipment, tenant
improvements, furniture, fixtures, vehicles, tools, parts and attachments in
which Borrower has any interest.
"ERISA" means the Employment Retirement Income Security Act of 1974,
as amended, and the regulations thereunder.
"GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles as in effect in
the United States from time to time.
"Indebtedness" means (a) all indebtedness for borrowed money or the
deferred purchase price of property or services, including without limitation
reimbursement and other obligations with respect to surety bonds and letters of
credit, (b) all obligations evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures or similar
instruments, (c) all capital lease obligations and (d) all Contingent
Obligations.
"Insolvency Proceeding" means any proceeding commenced by or against
any person or entity under any provision of the United States Bankruptcy Code,
as amended, or under any other bankruptcy or insolvency law, including
assignments for the benefit of creditors, formal or informal moratoria,
compositions, extension generally with its creditors, or proceedings seeking
reorganization, arrangement, or other relief.
"Intellectual Property Collateral " means
(a) Copyrights, Trademarks, Patents, and Mask Works;
(b) Any and all trade secrets, and any and all intellectual
property rights in computer software and computer software products
now or hereafter existing, created, acquired or held;
3
4
(c) Any and all design rights which may be available to Borrower
now or hereafter existing, created, acquired or held;
(d) Any and all claims for damages by way of past, present and
future infringement of any of the rights included above, with the
right, but not the obligation, to xxx for and collect such damages for
said use or infringement of the intellectual property rights
identified above;
(e) All licenses or other rights to use any of the Copyrights,
Patents, Trademarks, or Mask Works, and all license fees and royalties
arising from such use to the extent permitted by such license or
rights;
(f) All amendments, renewals and extensions of any of the
Copyrights, Trademarks, Patents, or Mask Works; and
(g) All proceeds and products of the foregoing, including without
limitation all payments under insurance or any indemnity or warranty
payable in respect of any of the foregoing.
"Inventory" means all present and future inventory in which Borrower
has any interest, including merchandise, raw materials, parts, supplies,
packing and shipping materials, work in process and finished products intended
for sale or lease or to be furnished under a contract of service, of every kind
and description now or at any time hereafter owned by or in the custody or
possession, actual or constructive, of Borrower, including such inventory as is
temporarily out of its custody or possession or in transit and including any
returns upon any accounts or other proceeds, including insurance proceeds,
resulting from the sale or disposition of any of the foregoing and any
documents of title representing any of the above.
"Investment" means any beneficial ownership of (including stock,
partnership interest or other securities) any Person, or any loan, advance or
capital contribution to any Person.
"IRC" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the
regulations thereunder.
"Letter of Credit" means a letter of credit or similar undertaking
issued by Bank pursuant to Section 2.1.2.
"Letter of Credit Reserve" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.2.
"Lien" means any mortgage, lien, deed of trust, charge, pledge,
security interest or other encumbrance.
"Loan Documents" means, collectively, this Agreement, any note or
notes executed by Borrower, and any other present or future agreement entered
into between Borrower and/or for the benefit of Bank in connection with this
Agreement, all as amended, extended or restated from time to time.
"Mask Works" means all mask work or similar rights available for the
protection of semiconductor chips, now owned or hereafter acquired;
"Material Adverse Effect" means a material adverse effect on the
ability of Borrower to repay the Obligations or otherwise perform its
obligations under the Loan Documents.
"Maturity Date" means the date which is one day prior to one year from
the Closing Date.
"Negotiable Collateral" means all of Borrower's present and future
letters of credit of which it is a beneficiary, notes, drafts, instruments,
securities, documents of title, and chattel paper.
4
5
"Obligations" means all debt, principal, interest, Bank Expenses and
other amounts owed to Bank by Borrower pursuant to this Agreement or any other
agreement, whether absolute or contingent, due or to become due, now existing
or hereafter arising, including any interest that accrues after the
commencement of an Insolvency Proceeding and including any debt, liability, or
obligation owing from Borrower to others that Bank may have obtained by
assignment or otherwise.
"Patents" means all patents, patent applications and like protections
including without limitation improvements, divisions, continuations, renewals,
reissues, extensions and continuations-in-part of the same.
"Payment Date" means the first calendar day of each month commencing
on the first such date after the Closing Date and ending on the Maturity Date.
"Permitted Indebtedness" means:
(a) Indebtedness of Borrower in favor of Bank arising under this
Agreement or any other Loan Document;
(b) Indebtedness existing on the Closing Date and disclosed in the
Schedule;
(c) Subordinated Debt;
(d) Indebtedness to trade creditors incurred in the ordinary
course of business; and
(e) Indebtedness secured by Permitted Liens.
"Permitted Investment" means:
(a) Investments existing on the Closing Date disclosed in the
Schedule; and
(b) (i) marketable direct obligations issued or unconditionally
guaranteed by the United States of America or any agency or any State
thereof maturing within one (1) year from the date of acquisition
thereof, (ii) commercial paper maturing no more than one (1) year from
the date of creation thereof and currently having the highest rating
obtainable from either Standard & Poor's Corporation or Xxxxx'x
Investors Service, Inc., and (iii) certificates of deposit maturing no
more than one (1) year from the date of investment therein issued by
Bank.
"Permitted Liens" means the following:
(a) Any Liens existing on the Closing Date and disclosed in the
Schedule or arising under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents;
(b) Liens for taxes, fees, assessments or other governmental
charges or levies, either not delinquent or being contested in good
faith by appropriate proceedings and as to which adequate reserves are
maintained on Borrower's Books in accordance with GAAP, provided the
same have no priority over any of Bank's security interests;
(c) Liens (i) upon or in any Equipment acquired or held by Borrower
or any of its Subsidiaries to secure the purchase price of such
Equipment or indebtedness incurred solely for the purpose of financing
the acquisition of such Equipment, or (ii) existing on such equipment
at the time of its acquisition, provided that the Lien is confined
solely to the property so acquired and improvements thereon, and the
proceeds of such equipment;
(d) Purchase money security interests which are properly perfected
under state law, up to a maximum aggregate amount of $1,000,000.00;
5
6
(e) Security Interests in any assets other than Accounts which
assets are purchased by Borrower in connection with a transaction
which complies with Section 7.3 hereof and which security interests
secure obligations of Borrower to the seller of such assets, provided
that the indebtedness secured thereby is expressly subordinated to the
Obligations, in form and substance satisfactory to Bank;
(f) Leases or subleases and licenses or sublicenses granted to
others in the ordinary course of Borrower's business not interfering
in any material respect with the business of Borrower and its
Subsidiaries taken as a whole, and any interest or title of a lessor,
licensor or under any lease or license provided that such leases,
subleases, licenses and sublicenses do not prohibit the grant of the
security interest granted hereunder; and
(g) Liens incurred in connection with the extension, renewal or
refinancing of the indebtedness secured by Liens of the type described
in clauses (a) through (e) above, provided that any extension, renewal
or replacement Lien shall be limited to the property encumbered by the
existing Lien and the principal amount of the indebtedness being
extended, renewed or refinanced does not increase.
"Person" means any individual, sole proprietorship, partnership,
limited liability company, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization,
association, corporation, institution, public benefit corporation, firm, joint
stock company, estate, entity or governmental agency.
"Prime Rate" means the variable rate of interest, per annum, most
recently announced by Bank as its "prime rate, "whether or not such announced
rate is the lowest rate available from Bank.
"Quick Assets" means, as of any applicable date, the consolidated
cash, cash equivalents, accounts receivable and investments with maturities of
fewer than 90 days of Borrower determined in accordance with GAAP.
"Responsible Officer" means each of the Chief Executive Officer, the
President or the Chief Financial Officer of Borrower.
"Schedule" means the schedule of exceptions attached hereto, if any.
"Subordinated Debt" means any debt incurred by Borrower that is
subordinated to the debt owing by Borrower to Bank on terms acceptable to Bank
(and identified as being such by Borrower and Bank).
"Subsidiary" means with respect to any Person, a corporation,
partnership, company association, joint venture, or any other business entity
of which more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting stock or other equity
interests is owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by such Person or one
or more Affiliates of such Person.
"Total Liabilities" means as of any applicable date, any date as of
which the amount thereof shall be determined, all obligations that should, in
accordance with GAAP be classified as liabilities on the consolidated balance
sheet of Borrower, including in any event all Indebtedness, but specifically
excluding Subordinated Debt.
"Trademarks" means any trademark and servicemark rights, whether
registered or not, applications to register and registrations of the same and
like protections, and the entire goodwill of the business of Assignor connected
with and symbolized by such trademarks.
1.2 Accounting and Other Terms. All accounting terms not specifically
defined herein shall be construed in accordance with GAAP and all calculations
and determinations made hereunder shall be made in accordance with GAAP. When
used herein, the term "financial statements" shall include the notes and
schedules thereto. The terms "including"/ "includes" shall always be read as
meaning "including (or includes) without limitation" when used herein or in any
other Loan Document.
6
7
2. Loan and Terms of Payment
2.1 Credit Extensions. Borrower promises to pay to the order of Bank, in
lawful money of the United States of America, the aggregate unpaid principal
amount of all Credit Extensions made by Bank to Borrower hereunder. Borrower
shall also pay interest on the unpaid principal amount of such Credit
Extensions at rates in accordance with the terms hereof.
2.1.1
(a) Subject to and upon the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, Bank agrees to make Advances to Borrower in an aggregate outstanding
amount not to exceed (i) the Committed Revolving Line or the Borrowing Base,
whichever is less, minus (ii) the face amount of all outstanding Letters of
Credit (including drawn but unreimbursed Letters of Credit). Subject to the
terms and conditions of this Agreement, amounts borrowed pursuant to this
Section 2.1 may be repaid and reborrowed at any time during the term of this
Agreement.
(b) Whenever Borrower desires an Advance, Borrower will notify
Bank by facsimile transmission or telephone no later than 3:00 p.m. Pacific
time, on the Business Day that the Advance is to be made. Each such
notification shall be promptly confirmed by a Payment/Advance Form in
substantially the form of Exhibit B hereto. Bank is authorized to make Advances
under this Agreement, based upon instructions received from a Responsible
Officer or a designee of a Responsible Officer, or without instructions if in
Bank's discretion such Advances are necessary to meet Obligations which have
become due and remain unpaid. Bank shall be entitled o rely on any telephonic
notice given by a person who Bank reasonably believes to be a Responsible
Officer or a designee thereof, and Borrower shall indemnify and hold Bank
harmless for any damages or loss suffered by Bank as a result of such reliance.
Bank will credit the amount of Advances made under this Section 2. 1 to
Borrower's deposit account.
(c) The Committed Revolving Line shall terminate on the Maturity
Date, at which time all Advances under this Section 2.1 and other amounts due
under this Agreement (except as otherwise expressly specified herein) shall be
immediately due and payable.
2.1.2 Letters of Credit.
(a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Bank
agrees to issue or cause to be issued Letters of Credit for the account of
Borrower in an aggregate outstanding face amount not to exceed (i) the lesser
of the Committed Revolving Line or the Borrowing Base, whichever is less, minus
(ii) the then outstanding principal balance of the Advances; provided that the
face amount of outstanding Letters of Credit (including drawn but unreimbursed
Letters of Credit and any Letter of Credit Reserve) shall not in any case
exceed Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000.00). Each Letter of Credit shall have
an expiry date no later than one hundred eighty (180) days after the Maturity
Date provided that Borrower's Letter of Credit reimbursement obligation shall
be secured by cash on terms acceptable to Bank at any time after the Maturity
Date if the term of this Agreement is not extended by Bank. All Letters of
Credit shall be, in form and substance, acceptable to Bank in its sole
discretion and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of Bank's form of
standard Application and Letter of Credit Agreement.
(b) The obligation of Borrower to immediately reimburse Bank for
drawings made under Letters of Credit shall be absolute, unconditional and
irrevocable, and shall be performed strictly in accordance with the terms of
this Agreement and such Letters of Credit, under all circumstances whatsoever.
Borrower shall indemnify, defend, protect, and hold Bank harmless from any
loss, cost, expense or liability, including, without limitation, reasonable
attorneys' fees, arising out of or in connection with any Letters of Credit,
except to the extent that a final court of competent jurisdiction finds that
such loss occurred as a result of the Bank's gross negligence or willful
misconduct.
7
8
(c) Borrower may request that Bank issue a Letter of Credit
payable in a currency other than United States Dollars. If a demand for payment
is made under any such Letter of Credit, Bank shall treat such demand as an
Advance to Borrower of the equivalent of the amount thereof (plus cable
charges) in United States currency at the then prevailing rate of exchange in
San Francisco, California, for sales of that other currency for cable transfer
to the country of which it is the currency.
(d) Upon the issuance of any letter of credit payable in a
currency other than United States Dollars, Bank shall create a reserve under
the Committed Revolving Line for letters of credit against fluctuations in
currency exchange rates, in an amount equal to ten percent (10%) of the face
amount of such letter of credit. The amount of such reserve may be amended by
Bank from time to time to account for fluctuations in the exchange rate. The
availability of funds under the Committed Revolving Line shall be reduced by
the amount of such reserve for so long as such letter of credit remains
outstanding.
2.2 Overadvances. If, at any time or for any reason, the amount of
Obligations owed by Borrower to Bank pursuant to Sections 2. 1. 1 and 2.1.2 of
this Agreement is greater than the lesser of (i) the Committed Revolving Line
or (ii) the Borrowing Base, Borrower shall immediately pay to Bank, in cash,
the amount of such excess.
2.3 Interest Rates, Payments, and Calculations.
(a) Interest Rate. Except as set forth in Section 2.3(b), any
Advances shall bear interest in accordance with the LIBOR Supplement to
Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit E.
(b) Default Rate. All Obligations shall bear interest, from and after
the occurrence of an Event of Default, at a rate equal to three (3) percentage
points above the interest rate applicable immediately prior to the occurrence
of the Event of Default.
(c) Payments. Interest hereunder shall be due and payable on each
Payment Date. Borrower hereby authorizes Bank to debit any accounts with Bank,
including, without limitation, Account Number ________ for payments of
principal and interest due on the Obligations and any other amounts owing by
Borrower to Bank. Bank will notify Borrower of all debits which Bank has made
against Borrower's accounts. Any such debits against Borrower's accounts in no
way shall be deemed a set-off. Any interest not paid when due shall be
compounded by becoming a part of the Obligations, and such interest shall
thereafter accrue interest at the rate then applicable hereunder.
(d) Computation. In the event the Prime Rate is changed from time to
time hereafter, the applicable rate of interest hereunder shall be increased or
decreased effective as of 12:01 a.m. on the day the Prime Rate is changed, by
an amount equal to such change in the Prime Rate. All interest chargeable under
the Loan Documents shall be computed on the basis of a three hundred sixty
(360) day year for the actual number of days elapsed.
2.4 Crediting Payments. Prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default,
Bank shall credit a wire transfer of funds, check or other item of payment to
such deposit account or Obligation as Borrower specifies. After the occurrence
of an Event of Default, the receipt by Bank of any wire transfer of funds,
check, or other item of payment whether directed to Borrower's deposit account
with Bank or to the Obligations or otherwise, shall be immediately applied to
conditionally reduce Obligations, but shall not be considered a payment in
respect of the Obligations unless such payment is of immediately available
federal funds or unless and until such check or other item of payment is
honored when presented for payment. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained herein, any wire transfer or payment received by Bank after 12:00
noon Pacific time shall be deemed to have been received by Bank as of the
opening of business on the immediately following Business Day. Whenever any
payment to Bank under the Loan Documents would otherwise
8
9
be due (except by reason of acceleration) on a date that is not a Business Day,
such payment shall instead be due on the next Business Day, and additional fees
or interest, as the case may be, shall accrue and be payable for the period of
such extension.
2.5 Fees. Borrower shall pay to Bank the following:
(a) Facility Fee. A Facility Fee equal to Twenty Thousand Dollars
($20,000.00), which fee shall be due on the Closing Date and shall be fully
earned and non-refundable;
(b) Letter of Credit Fee. A Letter of Credit Fee equal to: (i) one
percent (1.0%) for any Standby Letter of Credit in an amount no greater than
Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000.00), individually, and (ii) one half of one
percent (0.5 %) of any Standby Letter of Credit greater than Two Million
Dollars ($2,000,000.00), individually. The fees for all other Letters of Credit
shall be based upon the Bank's standard fee schedule. The Letter of Credit Fee
shall be due and fully earned upon Borrower's request for such Letters of
Credit.
(c) Financial Examination and Appraisal Fees. Bank's customary fees
and out-of-pocket expenses for Bank's audits of Borrower's Accounts, and for
each appraisal of Collateral and financial analysis and examination of Borrower
performed from time to time by Bank or its agents;
(d) Bank Expenses. Upon demand from Bank, including, without
limitation, upon the date hereof, all Bank Expenses incurred through the date
hereof, including reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses and, after the date
hereof, all Bank Expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses,
as and when they become due.
2.6 Additional Costs. In case any law, regulation, treaty or official
directive or the interpretation or application thereof by any court or any
governmental authority charged with the administration thereof or the
compliance with any guideline or request of any central bank or other
governmental authority (whether or not having the force of law):
(a) subjects Bank to any tax with respect to payments of principal or
interest or any other amounts payable hereunder by Borrower or otherwise with
respect to the transactions contemplated hereby (except for taxes on the
overall net income of Bank imposed by the United States of America or any
political subdivision thereof);
(b) imposes, modifies or deems applicable any deposit insurance,
reserve, special deposit or similar requirement against assets held by, or
deposits in or for the account of, or loans by, Bank; or
(c) imposes upon Bank any other condition with respect to its
performance under this Agreement,and the result of any of the foregoing is to
increase the cost to Bank, reduce the income receivable by Bank or impose any
expense upon Bank with respect to any loans, Bank shall notify Borrower thereof.
Borrower agrees to pay to Bank the amount of such increase in cost, reduction in
income or additional expense as and when such cost, reduction or expense is
incurred or determined, upon presentation by Bank of a statement of the amount
and setting forth Bank's calculation thereof, all in reasonable detail, which
statement shall be deemed true and correct absent manifest error.
2.7 Term. Except as otherwise set forth herein, this Agreement shall
become effective on the Closing Date and, subject to Section 12.7, shall
continue in full force and effect for a term ending on the Maturity Date.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Bank shall have the right to terminate its
obligation to make Credit Extensions under this Agreement immediately and
without notice upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of
Default. Notwithstanding termination of this Agreement, Bank's lien on the
Collateral shall remain in effect for so long as any Obligations are
outstanding.
9
10
3. Conditions of Loans
3.1 Conditions Precedent to Initial Credit Extension. The obligation of
Bank to make the initial Credit Extension is subject to the condition precedent
that Bank shall have received, in form and substance satisfactory to Bank, the
following:
(a) an audit of Borrower's Accounts;
(b) this Agreement;
(c) a certificate of the Secretary of Borrower with respect to
articles, bylaws, incumbency and resolutions authorizing the execution and
delivery of this Agreement;
(d) an intellectual property security agreement;
(e) subordination agreements by certain Persons;
(f) an opinion of Borrower's counsel;
(g) financing statements (Forms UCC-1);
(h) insurance certificate;
(i) payment of the fees and Bank Expenses then due specified in
Section 2.5 hereof;
(j) Certificate of Foreign Qualification (if applicable); and
(k) such other documents, and completion of such other matters, as
Bank may reasonably deem necessary or appropriate.
3.2 Conditions Precedent to all Credit Extensions. The obligation of Bank
to make each Credit Extension, including the initial Credit Extension, is
further subject to the following conditions:
(a) timely receipt by Bank of the Payment/Advance Form as provided in
Section 2. 1; and
(b) the representations and warranties contained in Section 5 shall be
true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date of such
Payment/Advance Form and on the effective date of each Credit Extension as
though made at and as of each such date, and no Event of Default shall have
occurred and be continuing, or would result from such Credit Extension. The
making of each Credit Extension shall be deemed to be a representation and
warranty by Borrower on the date of such Credit Extension as to the accuracy of
the facts referred to in this Section 3.2(b).
4. Creation of Security Interest
4.1 Grant of Security Interest. Borrower grants and pledges to Bank a
continuing security interest in all presently existing and hereafter acquired
or arising Collateral in order to secure prompt payment of any and all
Obligations and in order to secure prompt performance by Borrower of each of
its covenants and duties under the Loan Documents. Except as set forth in the
Schedule, such security interest constitutes a valid, first priority security
interest in the presently existing Collateral, and will constitute a valid,
first priority security interest in Collateral acquired after the date hereof.
Borrower acknowledges that Bank may place a "hold" on any Deposit Account
pledged as Collateral to secure the Obligations. Notwithstanding termination of
this Agreement, Bank's Lien on the Collateral shall remain in effect for so
long as any Obligations are outstanding.
10
11
4.2 Delivery of Additional Documentation Required. Borrower shall from
time to time execute and deliver to Bank, at the request of Bank, all
Negotiable Collateral, all financing statements and other documents that Bank
may reasonably request, in form satisfactory to Bank, to perfect and continue
perfected Bank's security interests in the Collateral and in order to fully
consummate all of the transactions contemplated under the Loan Documents.
4.3 Right to Inspect. Bank (through any of its officers, employees, or
agents) shall have the right, upon reasonable prior notice, from time to time
during Borrower's usual business hours, to inspect Borrower's Books and to make
copies thereof and to check, test, and appraise the Collateral (with respect to
Equipment, only after the occurrence of an Event of Default) in order to verify
Borrower's financial condition or the amount, condition of, or any other matter
relating to, the Collateral.
5. Representations and Warranties
Borrower represents and warrants as follows:
5.1 Due Organization and Qualification. Borrower and each Subsidiary is a
corporation duly existing and in good standing under the laws of its state of
incorporation and qualified and licensed to do business in, and is in good
standing in, any state in which the failure to so qualify would have a Material
Adverse Effect.
5.2 Due Authorization; No Conflict. The execution, delivery, and
performance of the Loan Documents are within Borrower's powers, have been duly
authorized, and are not in conflict with nor constitute a breach of any
provision contained in Borrower's Articles/Certificate of Incorporation or
Bylaws, nor will they constitute an event of default under any material
agreement to which Borrower is a party or by which Borrower is bound. Borrower
is not in default under any agreement to which it is a party or by which it is
bound, which default could have a Material Adverse Effect.
5.3 No Prior Encumbrances. Borrower has good and indefeasible title to
the Collateral, free and clear of Liens, except for Permitted Liens.
5.4 Bona Fide Eligible Accounts. The Eligible Accounts are bona fide
existing obligations. The service or property giving rise to such Eligible
Accounts has been performed or delivered to the account debtor or to the
account debtor's agent for immediate shipment to and unconditional acceptance
by the account debtor. Borrower has not received notice of actual or imminent
Insolvency Proceeding of any account debtor whose accounts are included in any
Borrowing Base Certificate as an Eligible Account.
5.5 Merchantable Inventory. All Inventory is in all material respects of
good and marketable quality,free from all material defects.
5.6 Intellectual Property. Borrower is the sole owner of the Intellectual
Property Collateral, except for non- exclusive licenses granted by Borrower to
its customers in the ordinary course of business. Each of the Patents is valid
and enforceable, and no part of the Intellectual Property Collateral has been
judged invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, and no claim has been
made that any part of the Intellectual Property Collateral violates the rights
of any third party. Except for and upon the filing with the United States
Patent and Trademark Office with respect to the Patents and Trademarks and the
Register of Copyrights with respect to the Copyrights and Mask Works necessary
to perfect the security interests created hereunder, and except as has been
already made or obtained, no authorization, approval or other action by, and no
notice to or filing with, any United States governmental authority or United
States regulatory body is required either (i) for the grant by Borrower of the
security interest granted hereby or for the execution, delivery or performance
of Loan Documents by Borrower in the United States or (ii) for the perfection
in the United States or the exercise by Bank of its rights and remedies
hereunder.
11
12
5.7 Name; Location of Chief Executive Office. Except as disclosed in the
Schedule, Borrower has not done business and will not without at least thirty
(30) days prior written notice to Bank do business under any name other than
that specified on the signature page hereof. The chief executive office of
Borrower is located at the address indicated in Section 10 hereof.
5.8 Litigation. Except as set forth in the Schedule, there are no actions
or proceedings pending, or, to Borrower's knowledge, threatened by or against
Borrower or any Subsidiary before any court or administrative agency in which
an adverse decision could be reasonably projected to have a Material Adverse
Effect or reasonably projected to a material adverse effect on Borrower's
interest or Bank's security interest in the Collateral.
5.9 No Material Adverse Change in Financial Statements. All consolidated
financial statements related to Borrower and any Subsidiary that have been
delivered by Borrower to Bank fairly present in all material respects
Borrower's consolidated financial condition as of the date thereof and
Borrower's consolidated results of operations for the period then ended. Except
as set forth in the Schedule relative to certain recent acquisitions made by
Borrower, there has not been a material adverse change in the consolidated
financial condition of Borrower since the date of the most recent of such
financial statements submitted to Bank on or about the Closing Date.
5.10 Solvency. Borrower is able to pay its debts (including trade debts) as
they mature.
5.11 Regulatory Compliance. Borrower and each Subsidiary has met the
minimum funding requirements of ERISA with respect to any employee benefit
plans subject to ERISA. No event has occurred resulting from Borrower's failure
to comply with ERISA that is reasonably likely to result in Borrower's
incurring any liability that could have a Material Adverse Effect. Borrower is
not an "investment company" or a company "controlled" by an "investment
company" within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940. Borrower is
not engaged principally, or as one of its important activities, in the business
of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock
(within the meaning of Regulations G, T and U of the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System). Borrower has complied with all the provisions of the
Federal Fair Labor Standards Act. Borrower has not violated any statutes, laws,
ordinances or rules applicable to it, violation of which could have a Material
Adverse Effect.
5.12 Environmental Condition. None of Borrower's or any Subsidiary's
properties or assets has ever been used by Borrower or any Subsidiary or, to
the best of Borrower's knowledge, by previous owners or operators, in the
disposal of, or to produce, store, handle, treat, release, or transport, any
hazardous waste or hazardous substance other than in accordance with applicable
law; to the best of Borrower's knowledge, none of Borrower's properties or
assets has ever been designated or identified in any manner pursuant to any
environmental protection statute as a hazardous waste or hazardous substance
disposal site, or a candidate for closure pursuant to any environmental
protection statute; no lien arising under any environmental protection statute
has attached to any revenues or to any real or personal property owned by
Borrower or any Subsidiary; and neither Borrower nor any Subsidiary has
received a summons, citation, notice, or directive from the Environmental
Protection Agency or any other federal, state or other governmental agency
concerning any action or omission by Borrower or any Subsidiary resulting in
the release, or other disposition of hazardous waste or hazardous substances
into the environment.
5.13 Taxes. Borrower and each Subsidiary has filed or caused to be filed
all tax returns required to be filed on a timely basis, and has paid, or has
made adequate provision for the payment of, all taxes reflected therein, except
those being contested in good faith by proper proceedings with adequate
reserves under GAAP.
5.14 Subsidiaries. Except as provided in the Schedule, Borrower does not
own any stock, partnership interest or other equity securities of any Person,
except for Permitted Investments.
5.15 Government Consents. Borrower and each Subsidiary has obtained all
material consents, approvals and authorizations of, made all declarations or
filings with, and given all notices to, all governmental authorities that are
necessary for the continued operation of Borrower's business as currently
conducted.
12
13
5.16 Full Disclosure. No representation, warranty or other statement made
by Borrower in any certificate or written statement furnished to Bank contains
any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact
necessary in order to make the statements contained in such certificates or
statements not misleading.
6. Affirmative Covenants
Borrower covenants and agrees that, until payment in full of all
outstanding Obligations, and for so long as Bank may have any commitment to
make a Credit Extension hereunder, Borrower shall do all of the following:
6.1 Good.Standing. Borrower shall maintain its and each of its
Subsidiaries' corporate existence and good standing in its jurisdiction of
incorporation and maintain qualification in each jurisdiction in which the
failure to so qualify could have a Material Adverse Effect. Borrower shall
maintain, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to maintain, to the extent
consistent with prudent management of Borrower's business, in force all
licenses, approvals and agreements, the loss of which could have a Material
Adverse Effect.
6.2 Government Compliance. Borrower shall meet, and shall cause each
Subsidiary to meet, the minimum funding requirements of ERISA with respect to
any employee benefit plans subject to ERISA. Borrower shall comply, and shall
cause each Subsidiary to comply, with all statutes, laws, ordinances and
government rules and regulations to which it is subject, noncompliance with
which could have a Material Adverse Effect or a material adverse effect on the
Collateral or the priority of Bank's Lien on the Collateral.
6.3 Financial Statements, Reports, Certificates. Borrower shall deliver
to Bank: (a) as soon as available, but in any event within forty-five (45)
days after the end of each month, a company prepared consolidated balance sheet
and income statement covering Borrower's consolidated operations during such
period, in a form and certified by an officer of Borrower reasonably acceptable
to Bank; (b) as soon as available, but in any event within ninety days after
the end of Borrower's fiscal year, audited consolidated financing statements of
Borrower prepared in accordance with GAAP, consistently applied, together with
an unqualified opinion on such financial statements of an independent certified
public accounting firm reasonably acceptable to Bank; (c) within five (5) days
of filing, copies of all statements, reports and notices sent or made available
generally by Borrower to its security holders or to any holders of Subordinated
Debt and all reports on Form 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission; (d) promptly upon receipt of notice thereof, a report of
any legal actions pending against Borrower or any Subsidiary that could result
in damages or costs to Borrower or any Subsidiary of Two Hundred Thousand
Dollars ($200,000) or more; (e) prompt notice of any material change in the
composition of the Intellectual Property Collateral, including, but not limited
to, any subsequent ownership right of the Borrower in or to any Copyright,
Patent or Trademark not specified in any intellectual property security
agreement between Borrower and Bank or knowledge of an event that materially
adversely effects the value of the Intellectual Property Collateral; and (f)
such annual budgets, or other financial information as Bank may reasonably
request from time to time.
Within fifteen (15) days after the last day of any month in which any
Credit Extension is outstanding hereunder, and/or for the most recent month for
which information is available with respect to any Advance requested hereunder,
Borrower shall deliver to Bank a Borrowing Base Certificate signed by a
Responsible Officer in substantially the form of Exhibit C hereto, together
with aged listings of accounts receivable and accounts payable.
Within thirty (30) days after the last day of each quarter, Borrower shall
deliver to Bank a Compliance Certificate signed by a Responsible Officer in
substantially the form of Exhibit D hereto.
13
14
Bank shall have a right from time to time hereafter to audit Borrower's
Accounts at Borrower's expense, provided that such audits will be conducted no
more often than every twelve (12) months unless an Event of Default has
occurred and is continuing.
6.4 Inventory; Returns. Borrower shall keep all Inventory in good and
marketable condition, free from all material defects. Returns and allowances,
if any, as between Borrower and its account debtors shall be on the same basis
and in accordance with the usual customary practices of Borrower, as they exist
at the time of the execution and delivery of this Agreement. Borrower shall
promptly notify Bank of all returns and recoveries and of all disputes and
claims, where the return, recovery, dispute or claim involves more than Fifty
Thousand Dollars ($50,000).
6.5 Taxes. Borrower shall make, and shall cause each Subsidiary to make,
due and timely payment or deposit of all material federal, state, and local
taxes, assessments, or contributions required of it by law, and will execute
and deliver to Bank, on demand, appropriate certificates attesting to the
payment or deposit thereof; and Borrower will make, and will cause each
Subsidiary to make, timely payment or deposit of all material tax payments and
withholding taxes required of it by applicable laws, including, but not limited
to, those laws concerning, F. I.C.A., F. U. T. A., state disability, and local,
state, and federal income taxes, and will, upon request, furnish Bank with
proof satisfactory to Bank indicating that Borrower or a Subsidiary has made
such payments or deposits; provided that Borrower or a Subsidiary need not make
any payment if (i) the amount or validity of such payment is contested in good
faith by appropriate proceedings, (ii) Borrower or Subsidiary, as the case may
be, has established proper reserves (to the extent required by GAAP) and (iii)
no lien other than a Permitted Lien results.
6.6 Insurance.
(a) Borrower, at its expense, shall keep the Collateral insured
against loss or damage by fire, theft, explosion, sprinklers, and all other
hazards and risks, and in such amounts, as ordinarily insured against by other
owners in similar businesses conducted in the locations where Borrower's
business is conducted on the date hereof. Borrower shall also maintain
insurance relating to Borrower's ownership and use of the Collateral in amounts
and of a type that are customary to businesses similar to Borrower's.
(b) All such policies of insurance shall be in such form, with such
companies, and in such amounts as are reasonably satisfactory to Bank. All such
policies of property insurance shall contain a lender's loss payable
endorsement, in a form satisfactory to Bank, showing Bank as an additional loss
payee thereof and all liability insurance policies shall show the Bank as an
additional insured, and shall specify that the insurer must give at least
twenty (20) days notice to Bank before canceling its policy for any reason. At
Bank's request, Borrower shall deliver to Bank certified copies of such
policies of insurance and evidence of the payments of all premiums therefor.
All proceeds payable under any such policy shall, at the option of Bank, be
payable to Bank to be applied on account of the Obligations.
6.7 Principal Depository. Borrower shall maintain its principal
depository and operating accounts with Bank. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
Borrower may maintain an account at another bank for Borrower's payroll and
local vendor/xxxxx cash purposes.
6.8 Quick Ratio; Operating Profit. Borrower shall maintain, as of the
last day of each fiscal quarter, at least one of the following: (i) a ratio of
Quick Assets to Current Liabilities of at least 1. 10 to 1.0 for such fiscal
quarter, or (ii) a minimum operating profit (earnings before interest, taxes,
and extraordinary income or expense) of One Million Two Hundred Thousand
Dollars ($1,200,000.00) for such fiscal quarter.
6.9 Total Liabilities -Shareholders' Equity. Borrower shall maintain, as
of the last day of each fiscal quarter, a ratio of Total Liabilities less
Subordinated Debt to shareholders' equity of not more than 0.75 to 1.0.
6.10 Minimum Net Income. Borrower shall have minimum net income of Two
Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00) for each fiscal quarter.
14
15
6.11 Registration of Intellectual Property Rights.
(a) Borrower shall register or cause to be registered (to the extent
not already registered) with the United States Patent and Trademark Office or
the United States Copyright Office, as applicable, those intellectual property
rights listed on Exhibits A, B and C to the Intellectual Property Security
Agreement delivered to Bank by Borrower in connection with this Agreement
within thirty (30) days of the date of this Agreement. Borrower shall register
or cause to be registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office or
the United States Copyright office, as applicable, those additional
intellectual property rights developed or acquired by Borrower from time to
time in connection with any product prior to the sale or licensing of such
product to any third party, including without limitation revisions or additions
to the intellectual property rights listed on such Exhibits A, B and C.
(b) Borrower shall execute and deliver such additional instruments and
documents from time to time as Bank shall reasonably request to perfect Bank's
security interest in the Intellectual Property Collateral.
(c) Borrower shall (i) protect, defend and maintain the validity and
enforceability of the Trademarks, Patents, Copyrights, and Mask Works, (ii) use
its best efforts to detect infringements of the Trademarks, Patents, Copyrights
and Mask Works and promptly advise Bank in writing of material infringements
detected and (iii) not allow any Trademarks, Patents, Copyrights, or Mask Works
to be abandoned, forfeited or dedicated to the public without the written
consent of Bank, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, unless Bank
determines that reasonable business practices suggest that abandonment is
appropriate.
(d) Bank shall have the right, but not the obligation, to take, at
Borrower's sole expense, any actions that Borrower is required under this
Section 6.11 to take but which Borrower fails to take, after fifteen (15) days'
notice to Borrower. Borrower shall reimburse and indemnify Bank for all
reasonable costs and reasonable expenses incurred in the reasonable exercise of
its rights under this Section 6. 11.
6.12 Further Assurances. At any time and from time to time Borrower shall
execute and deliver such further instruments and take such further action as
may reasonably be requested by Bank to effect the purposes of this Agreement.
7. Negative Covenants
Borrower covenants and agrees that, so long as any Credit Extension
hereunder shall be available and until payment in full of the outstanding
Obligations or for so long as Bank may have any commitment to make any
Advances, Borrower will not do any of the following, without the Bank's prior
written consent:
7.1 Dispositions. Convey, sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of
(collectively, a "Transfer"), or permit any of its Subsidiaries to Transfer,
all or any part of its business or property, other than Transfers: (i) of
inventory in the ordinary course of business, (ii) of licenses and similar
arrangements for the use of the property of Borrower or its Subsidiaries in the
ordinary course of business; (iii) that constitute payment of normal and usual
operating expenses in the ordinary course of business; (iv) of worn-out or
obsolete Equipment; or (v) Equipment sold at or above the book value for such
Equipment, up to the maximum aggregate amount of $500,000.00.
7.2 Changes in Business Ownership, or Management, Business Locations.
Engage in any business, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to engage in any
business, other than the businesses currently engaged in by Borrower and any
business substantially similar or related thereto (or incidental thereto), or
suffer a material change in Borrower's management. Borrower will not, without
at least thirty (30) days prior written notification to Bank, relocate its
chief executive office or add any new offices or business locations.
15
16
7.3 Mergers or Acquisitions. Merge or consolidate, or permit any of its
Subsidiaries to merge or consolidate, with or into any other business
organization, or acquire, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to acquire, all or
substantially all of the capital stock or property of another Person unless:
(i) there is no Event of Default hereunder, and (ii) that such merger,
consolidation or acquisition will not result, on a prospective basis, in the
breach of any of the covenants, terms and conditions hereunder, and (iii) that
such merger, consolidation or acquisition is in the same or similar line of
business as the Borrower, and (iv) the purchase price for each transaction will
be a maximum amount of $5,000,000.00 (inclusive of any indebtedness of the
acquired company assumed by the Borrower in connection with the transaction)
for each transaction, or $22,000,000.00 in the aggregate for all such
transactions, and (v) the Borrower is the surviving legal entity, and (vi) no
indebtedness (either direct or contingent) is assumed by the Borrower in
connection with such transaction with the exception of indebtedness (A) in such
amounts which when added to the purchase price shall not exceed the limits set
forth in clause (iv) of this Section 7.3 and (B) which consists only of either
trade payables of the acquired company or promissory notes payable to Persons
who have sold assets to Borrower in connection with the transaction which
notes, if any, shall be subordinated in form and substance acceptable to Bank.
7.4 Indebtedness. Except for Indebtedness incurred or assumed which
complies with the conditions provided in Section 7.3 hereinabove, create,
incur, assume or be or remain liable with respect to any Indebtedness, or
permit any Subsidiary so to do, other than Permitted Indebtedness.
7.5 Encumbrances. Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien with
respect to any of its property,including the sale of any Accounts, or permit
any of its Subsidiaries so to do, except for Permitted Liens.
7.6 Distributions. Pay any dividends or make any other distribution or
payment an account of or in redemption, retirement or purchase of any capital
stock.
7.7 Investments. Except as specifically provided in Section 7.3
hereinabove, directly or indirectly acquire or own, or make any Investment in
or to any Person, or permit any of its Subsidiaries so to do, other than
Permitted Investments.
7.8 Transactions with Affiliates. Directly or indirectly enter into or
permit to exist any material transaction with any Affiliate of Borrower except
for transactions that are in the ordinary course of Borrower's business, upon
fair and reasonable terms that are no less favorable to Borrower than would be
obtained in an arm's length transaction with a nonaffiliated Person.
7.9 Intellectual Property Agreements. Borrower shall not permit the
inclusion in any material contract to which it becomes a party of any
provisions that could or might in any way prevent the creation of a security
interest in Borrower's rights and interests in any property included within the
definition of the Intellectual Property Collateral acquired under such
contracts, except to the extent that such provisions are necessary in
Borrower's exercise of its reasonable business judgement.
7.10 Subordinated Debt. Make any payment in respect of any Subordinated
Debt, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to make any such payment, except in
compliance with the terms of such Subordinated Debt, or amend any provision
contained in any documentation relating to the Subordinated Debt without Bank's
prior written consent.
7.11 Inventory. Except for Inventory sold in the ordinary course of
business or otherwise permitted, and except for such other locations as Bank
may approve in writing, Borrower shall keep the Inventory only at the location
set forth in Section 10 hereof and such other locations of which Borrower gives
Bank prior written notice and as to which Borrower signs and files a financing
statement where needed to perfect Bank's security interest.
16
17
7.12 Compliance. Become an "investment company" or a company controlled by
an "investment company," within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of
1940, or become principally engaged in, or undertake as one of its important
activities, the business of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or
carrying margin stock, or use the proceeds of any Advance for such purpose;
fail to meet the minimum funding requirements of ERISA; permit a Reportable
Event or Prohibited Transaction, as defined in ERISA, to occur; fail to comply
with the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act or violate any other law or
regulation, which violation could have a Material Adverse Effect or a material
adverse effect on the Collateral or the priority of Bank's Lien on the
Collateral; or permit any of its Subsidiaries to do any of the foregoing.
8. Events of Default
Any one or more of the following events shall constitute an Event of
Default by Borrower under this Agreement:
8.1 Payment Default. If Borrower fails to pay, when due, any of the
Obligations.
8.2 Covenant Default.
(a) If Borrower falls to perform any obligation under Sections 6.3,
6.6, 6.7, 6.8, 6.9, 6. 10 or 6. 11 or violates any of the covenants contained
in Article 7 of this Agreement; or
(b) If Borrower fails or neglects to perform, keep, or observe any
other material term, provision, condition, covenant, or agreement contained in
this Agreement, in any of the Loan Documents, or in any other present or future
agreement between Borrower and Bank and as to any default under such other
term, provision, condition, covenant or agreement that can be cured, has failed
to cure such default within ten (10) days after the occurrence thereof;
provided, however, that if the default cannot by its nature be cured within the
ten (10) day period or cannot after diligent attempts by Borrower be cured
within such ten (10) day period, and such default is likely to be cured within
a reasonable time, then Borrower shall have an additional reasonable period
(which shall not in any case exceed thirty (30) days) to attempt to cure such
default, and within such reasonable time period the failure to have cured such
default shall not be deemed an Event of Default (provided that no Advances will
be required to be made during such cure period);
8.3 Material Adverse Change. If there (i) occurs a material adverse
change in the business, operations, or condition (financial or otherwise) of
the Borrower, or (ii) is a material impairment of the prospect of repayment of
any portion of the Obligations or (iii) is a material impairment of the
priority of Bank's security interests in the Collateral;
8.4 Attachment. If any material portion of Borrower's assets is
attached, seized, subjected to a writ or distress warrant, or is levied upon,
or comes into the possession of any trustee, receiver or person acting in a
similar capacity and such attachment, seizure, writ or distress warrant or levy
has not been removed, discharged or rescinded within thirty (30) days, or if
Borrower is enjoined, restrained, or in any way prevented by court order from
continuing to conduct all or any material part of its business affairs, or if a
judgment or other claim becomes a lien or encumbrance upon any material portion
of Borrower's assets, or if a notice of lien, levy, or assessment is filed of
record with respect to any of Borrower's assets by the United States
Government, or any department, agency, or instrumentality thereof, or by any
state, county, municipal, or governmental agency, and the same is not paid
within thirty (30) days after Borrower receives notice thereof, provided that
none of the foregoing shall constitute an Event of Default where such action or
event is stayed or an adequate bond has been posted pending a good faith
contest by Borrower (provided that no Credit Extensions will be required to be
made during such cure period);
8.5 Insolvency. If Borrower becomes insolvent, or if an Insolvency
Proceeding is commenced by Borrower, or if an Insolvency Proceeding is
commenced against Borrower and is not dismissed or stayed within 30 days
(provided that no Advances will be made prior to the dismissal of such
Insolvency Proceeding);
17
18
8.6 Other Agreement. If there is a default in any agreement to which
Borrower is a party with a third party or parties resulting in a right by such
third party or parties, whether or not exercised, to accelerate the maturity of
any Indebtedness in an amount in excess of Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars
($250,000) or that could have a Material Adverse Effect;
8.7 Subordinated Debt. If Borrower makes any payment on account of
Subordinated Debt, except to the extent such payment is allowed under any
subordination agreement entered into with Bank;
8.8 Judgments. If a judgment or judgments for the payment of money in an
amount, individually or in the aggregate, of at least Two Hundred Fifty
Thousand Dollars ($250,000) shall be rendered against Borrower and shall remain
unsatisfied and unstayed for a period of ten (10) days (provided that no Credit
Extensions will be made prior to the satisfaction or stay of such judgment); or
8.9 Misrepresentations. If any material misrepresentation or material
misstatement exists now or hereafter in any warranty or representation set
forth herein or in any certificate or writing delivered to Bank by Borrower or
any Person acting on Borrower's behalf pursuant to this Agreement or to induce
Bank to enter into this Agreement or any other Loan Document.
9. Bank's Rights and Remedies
9.1 Rights and Remedies. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance
of an Event of Default, Bank may, at its election, without notice of its
election and without demand, do any one or more of the following, all of which
are authorized by Borrower:
(a) Declare all Obligations, whether evidenced by this Agreement, by
any of the other Loan Documents, or otherwise, immediately due and payable
(provided that upon the occurrence of an Event of Default described in Section
8.5 all Obligations shall become immediately due and payable without any action
by Bank);
(b) Cease advancing money or extending credit to or for the benefit of
Borrower under this Agreement or under any other agreement between Borrower and
Bank;
(c) Demand that Borrower (i) deposit cash with Bank in an amount equal
to the amount of any Letters of Credit remaining undrawn, as collateral
security for the repayment of any future drawings under such Letters of Credit,
and Borrower shall forthwith deposit and pay such amounts, and (ii) pay in
advance all Letters of Credit fees scheduled to be paid or payable over the
remaining term of the Letters of Credit;
(d) Settle or adjust disputes and claims directly with account debtors
for amounts, upon terms and in whatever order that Bank reasonably considers
advisable;
(e) Without notice to or demand upon Borrower, make such payments and
do such acts as Bank considers necessary or reasonable to protect its security
interest in the Collateral. Borrower agrees to assemble the Collateral if Bank
so requires, and to make the Collateral available to Bank as Bank may
designate. Borrower authorizes Bank to enter the premises where the Collateral
is located, to take and maintain possession of the Collateral, or any part of
it, and to pay, purchase, contest, or compromise any encumbrance, charge, or
lien which in Bank's determination appears to be prior or superior to its
security interest and to pay all expenses incurred in connection therewith.
With respect to any of Borrower's premises, Borrower hereby grants Bank a
license to enter such premises and to occupy the same, without charge;
(f) Without notice to Borrower set off and apply to the Obligations
any and all (i) balances and deposits of Borrower held by Bank, or (ii)
indebtedness at any time owing to or for the credit or the account of Borrower
held by Bank;
18
19
(g) Ship, reclaim, recover, store, finish, maintain, repair, prepare
for sale, advertise for sale, and sell (in the manner provided for herein) the
Collateral. Bank is hereby granted a non-exclusive, royalty-free license or
other right, solely pursuant to the provisions of this Section 9. 1, to use,
without charge, Borrower's labels, patents, copyrights, mask works, rights of
use of any name, trade secrets, trade names, trademarks, service marks, and
advertising matter, or any property of a similar nature, as it pertains to the
Collateral, in completing production of, advertising for sale, and selling any
Collateral and, in connection with Bank's exercise of its rights under this
Section 9. 1, Borrower's rights under all licenses and all franchise agreements
shall inure to Bank's benefit;
(h) Sell the Collateral at either a public or private sale, or both,
by way of one or more contracts or transactions, for cash or on terms, in such
manner and at such places (including Borrower's premises) as Bank determines is
commercially reasonable, and apply the proceeds thereof to the Obligations in
whatever manner or order it deems appropriate;
(i) Bank may credit bid and purchase at any public sale, or at any
private sale as permitted bylaw; and
(j) Any deficiency that exists after disposition of the Collateral as
provided above will be paid immediately by Borrower.
(k) Bank shall have a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use the
Intellectual Property Collateral to the extent reasonably necessary to permit
Bank to exercise its rights and remedies upon the occurrence of an Event of
Default.
9.2 Power of Attorney. Effective only upon the occurrence and during the
continuance of an Event of Default, Borrower hereby irrevocably appoints Bank
(and any of Bank's designated officers, or employees) as Borrower's true and
lawful attorney to: (a) send requests for verification of Accounts or notify
account debtors of Bank's security interest in the Accounts; (b) endorse
Borrower's name on any checks or other forms of payment or security that may
come into Bank's possession; (c) sign Borrower's name on any invoice or xxxx of
lading relating to any Account, drafts against account debtors, schedules and
assignments of Accounts, verifications of Accounts, and notices to account
debtors; (d) make, settle, and adjust all claims under and decisions with
respect to Borrower's policies of insurance; and (e) settle and adjust disputes
and claims respecting the accounts directly with account debtors, for amounts
and upon terms which Bank determines to be reasonable; (f) modify, in its sole
discretion, any intellectual property security agreement entered into between
Borrower and Bank without first obtaining Borrower's approval of or signature
to such modification by amending Exhibit A, Exhibit B, Exhibit C, and Exhibit
D, thereof, as appropriate, to include reference to any right, title or
interest in any Copyrights, Patents, Trademarks, Mask Works acquired by
Borrower after the execution hereof or to delete any reference to any right,
title or interest in any Copyrights, Patents, Trademarks, or Mask Works in
which Borrower no longer has or claims any right, title or interest; (g) file,
in its sole discretion, one or more financing or continuation statements and
amendments thereto, relative to any of the Collateral without the signature of
Borrower where permitted by law; and (h) transfer the Intellectual Property
Collateral into the name of Bank or a third party to the extent permitted under
the Massachusetts Uniform Commercial Code provided Bank may exercise such power
of attorney to sign the name of Borrower on any of the documents described in
Section 4.2 regardless of whether an Event of Default has occurred. The
appointment of Bank as Borrower's attorney in fact, and each and every one of
Bank's rights and powers, being coupled with an interest, is irrevocable until
all of the Obligations have been fully repaid and performed and Bank's
obligation to provide advances hereunder is terminated.
9.3 Accounts Collection. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance
of an Event of Default, Bark may notify any Person owing funds to Borrower of
Bank's security interest in such funds and verify the amount of such Account.
Borrower shall collect all amounts owing to Borrower for Bank, receive in trust
all payments as Bank's trustee, and if requested or required by Bank,
immediately deliver such payments to Bank in their original form as received
from the account debtor, with proper endorsements for deposit.
19
20
9.4 Bank Expenses. If Borrower fails to pay any amounts or furnish any
required proof of payment due to third persons or entities, as required under
the terms of this Agreement, then Bank may do any or all of the following: (a)
make payment of the same or any part thereof; (b) set up such reserves under
the Committed Revolving Line as Bank deems necessary to protect Bank from the
exposure created by such failure; or (c) obtain and maintain insurance policies
of the type discussed in Section 6.6 of this Agreement, and take any action
with respect to such policies as Bank deems prudent. Any amounts so paid or
deposited by Bank shall constitute Bank Expenses, shall be immediately due and
payable, and shall bear interest at the then applicable rate hereinabove
provided, and shall be secured by the Collateral. Any payments made by Bank
shall not constitute an agreement by Bank to make similar payments in the
future or a waiver by Bank of any Event of Default under this Agreement.
9.5 Bank's Liability for Collateral. So long as Bank complies with
reasonable banking practices, Bank shall not in any way or manner be liable or
responsible for: (a) the safekeeping of the Collateral; (b) any loss or damage
thereto occurring or arising in any manner or fashion from any cause; (c) any
diminution in the value thereof; or (d) any act or default of any carrier,
warehouseman, bailee, forwarding agency, or other person whomsoever. All risk
of loss, damage or destruction of the Collateral shall be borne by Borrower.
9.6 Remedies Cumulative. Bank's rights and remedies under this Agreement,
the Loan Documents, and all other agreements shall be cumulative. Bank shall
have all other rights and remedies not expressly set forth herein as provided
under the Code, by law, or in equity. No exercise by Bank of one right or
remedy shall be deemed an election, and no waiver by Bank of any Event of
Default on Borrower's part shall be deemed a continuing waiver. No delay by
Bank shall constitute a waiver, election, or acquiescence by it. No waiver by
Bank shall be effective unless made in a written document signed on behalf of
Bank and then shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the
specific purpose for which it was given.
9.7 Demand; Protest. Borrower waives demand, protest, notice of protest,
notice of default or dishonor, notice of payment and nonpayment, notice of any
default, nonpayment at maturity, release, compromise, settlement, extension, or
renewal of accounts, documents, instruments, chattel paper, and guarantees at
any time held by Bank on which Borrower may in any way be liable.
10. Notices
Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, all notices or demands by any
party relating to this Agreement or any other agreement entered into in
connection herewith shall be in writing and (except for financial statements
and other informational documents which may be sent by first-class mail,
postage prepaid) shall be personally delivered or sent by a recognized
overnight delivery service, by certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt
requested, or by telefacsimile to Borrower or to Bank, as the case may be, at
its addresses set forth below:
If to Borrower Stericycle, Inc.
0000 Xxxx Xxxx Xxxx, Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000
Attn: Chief Financial Officer
FAX: (000) 000-0000
If to Bank Silicon Valley Bank
00 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx - Xxxxx 000
Xxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attn: Xx. Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Assistant
Vice President FAX: (000) 000-0000
with a copy to: Xxxxxx & Xxxxxxxxxx
Xxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attn: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Esquire
FAX: (000) 000-0000
20
21
The parties hereto may change the address at which they are to receive
notices hereunder, by notice in writing in the foregoing manner given to the
other.
11. Choice of Law and Venue; Jury Waiver
The laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts shall apply to this
Agreement. BORROWER ACCEPTS FOR ITSELF AND IN CONNECTION WITH ITS PROPERTIES,
UNCONDITIONALLY,THE NON- EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT
OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS IN ANY ACTION,
SUIT, OR PROCEEDING OF ANY KIND, AGAINST IT WHICH ARISES OUT OF OR BY REASON OF
THIS AGREEMENT; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT IF FOR ANY REASON BANK CANNOT AVAIL
ITSELF OF THE COURTS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS, BORROWER ACCEPTS
JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS AND VENUE IN SANTA XXXXX COUNTY, CALIFORNIA.
BORROWER AND BANK EACH HEREBY WAIVE THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL
OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF ANY OF THE LOAN
DOCUMENTS OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED THEREIN, INCLUDING CONTRACT
CLAIMS, TORT CLAIMS, BREACH OF DUTY CLAIMS, AND ALL OTHER COMMON LAW OR
STATUTORY CLAIMS. EACH PARTY RECOGNIZES AND AGREES THAT THE FOREGOING WAIVER
CONSTITUTES A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT FOR IT TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT. EACH
PARTY REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS THAT IT HAS REVIEWED THIS WAIVER WITH ITS LEGAL
COUNSEL AND THAT IT KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY WAIVES ITS JURY TRIAL RIGHTS
FOLLOWING CONSULTATION WITH LEGAL COUNSEL.
12. General Provisions
12.1 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall bind and inure to the
benefit of the respective successors and permitted assigns of each of the
parties; provided, however, that neither this Agreement nor any rights
hereunder may be assigned by Borrower without Bank's prior written consent,
which consent may be granted or withheld in Bank's sole discretion. Bank shall
have the right without the consent of or notice to Borrower to sell, transfer,
negotiate, or grant participation in all or any part of, or any interest in,
Bank's obligations, rights and benefits hereunder.
12.2 Indemnification. Borrower shall indemnify, defend, protect and hold
harmless Bank and its officers, employees, and agents against: (a) all
obligations, demands, claims, and liabilities claimed or asserted by any other
party in connection with the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents;
and (b) all losses or Bank Expenses in any way suffered, incurred, or paid by
Bank as a result of or in any way arising out of, following, or consequential
to transactions between Bank and Borrower whether under the Loan Documents, or
otherwise (including without limitation reasonable attorneys fees and
expenses), except for losses caused by Bank's gross negligence or willful
misconduct.
12.3 Time of Essence. Time is of the essence for the performance of all
obligations set forth in this Agreement.
12.4 Severability of Provisions. Each provision of this Agreement shall be
severable from every other provision of this Agreement for the purpose of
determining the legal enforceability of any specific provision.
12.5 Amendments in Writing; Integration. This Agreement cannot be amended
or terminated except by a writing signed by Borrower and Bank. All prior
agreements, understandings, representations, warranties,
21
22
and negotiations between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter
of this Agreement, if any, are merged into this Agreement and the Loan
Documents.
12.6 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts and by different parties on separate counterparts, each of which,
when executed and delivered, shall be deemed to be an original, and all of
which, when taken together, shall constitute but one and the same Agreement.
12.7 Survival. All covenants, representations and warranties made in this
Agreement shall continue in full force and effect so long as any Obligations
remain outstanding. The obligations of Borrower to indemnify Bank with respect
to the expenses, damages, losses, costs and liabilities described in Section
12.2 shall survive until all applicable statute of limitations periods with
respect to actions that may be brought against Bank have run; provided that so
long as the obligations referred to in the first sentence of this Section 12.7
have been satisfied, and Bank has no commitment to make any Credit Extensions
or to make any other loans to Borrower, Bank shall release all security
interests granted hereunder and redeliver all Collateral held by it in
accordance with applicable law.
12.8 Confidentiality. In handling any confidential information Bank shall
exercise the same degree of care that it exercises with respect to its own
proprietary information of the same types to maintain the confidentiality of
any non-public information thereby received or received pursuant to this
Agreement except that disclosure of such information may be made (i) to the
subsidiaries or affiliates of Bank in connection with their present or
prospective business relations with Borrower, (ii) to prospective transferees
or purchasers of any interest in the Loans, provided that they have entered
into a comparable confidentiality agreement in favor of Borrower and have
delivered a copy to Borrower, (iii) as required by law, regulations, rule or
order, subpoena, judicial order or similar order, (iv) as may be required in
connection with the examination, audit or similar investigation of Bank, and
(v) as Bank may deem appropriate in connection with the exercise of any
remedies hereunder. Confidential information hereunder shall not include
information that either: (a) is in the public domain or in the knowledge or
possession of Bank when disclosed to Bank, or becomes part of the public domain
after disclosure to Bank through no fault of Bank; or (b) is disclosed to Bank
by a third party, provided Bank does not have actual knowledge that such third
party is prohibited from disclosing such information.
12.9 Countersignature. This Agreement shall become effective only when it
shall have been executed by Borrower and Bank (provided, however, in no event
shall this Agreement become effective until signed by an officer of Bank in
California).
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
executed as of the date first above written.
STERICYCLE, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxxx X.X. ten Xxxxx
------------------------------------------------
Name: Xxxxx X.X. ten Brink
Title: Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
SILICON VALLEY BANK, d/b/a SILICON VALLEY EAST
By: /s/ Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx
------------------------------------------------
Name: Xxxx Xxxxxxxxx
Title: Assistant Vice President
22
23
SILICON VALLEY BANK
By: /s/ Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
------------------------------
Name: Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
Title: Assistant Vice President
23
