Indenture – Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.
Goodyear Dunlop Tires Europe B.V.,
as Issuer
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company,
as Parent Guarantor
and
The Subsidiary Guarantors from time to time party hereto,
as Subsidiary Guarantors
6 3/4% Senior Notes due 2019
___________________________
INDENTURE
Dated as of April 20, 2011
___________________________
Deutsche Trustee Company Limited,
as Trustee
Deutsche Bank Luxembourg S.A.,
as Registrar
Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch,
as Principal Paying Agent and Transfer Agent
The Bank of New York Mellon (Luxembourg), S.A.,
as Luxembourg Paying Agent and Transfer Agent
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Page |
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ARTICLE 1 |
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Definitions and Incorporation by Reference |
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SECTION 1.01. Definitions |
1 |
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SECTION 1.02. Other Definitions |
34 |
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SECTION 1.03. Rules of Construction |
34 |
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ARTICLE 2 |
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The Notes |
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SECTION 2.01. Form and Dating |
35 |
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SECTION 2.02. Execution and Authentication |
36 |
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SECTION 2.03. Registrar, Transfer Agent and Paying Agent |
36 |
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SECTION 2.04. Deposits of Money; Paying Agent To Hold Deposits in Trust |
38 |
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SECTION 2.05. Lists of Holders of Notes |
38 |
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SECTION 2.06. Transfer and Exchange |
38 |
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SECTION 2.07. Replacement Notes |
39 |
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SECTION 2.08. Outstanding Notes |
40 |
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SECTION 2.09. Temporary Notes |
40 |
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SECTION 2.10. Cancellation |
40 |
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SECTION 2.11. Defaulted Interest |
40 |
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SECTION 2.12. Common Codes and ISINs |
41 |
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SECTION 2.13. Issuance of Additional Notes |
41 |
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SECTION 2.14. Agents Interest |
41 |
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ARTICLE 3 |
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Redemption |
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SECTION 3.01. Notices to Trustee |
42 |
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SECTION 3.02. Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed |
42 |
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SECTION 3.03. Notice of Redemption |
43 |
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SECTION 3.04. Effect of Notice of Redemption |
44 |
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SECTION 3.05. Deposit of Redemption Price |
44 |
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SECTION 3.06. Notes Redeemed in Part |
45 |
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ARTICLE 4 |
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Covenants |
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SECTION 4.01. Payment of Notes |
45 |
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SECTION 4.02. SEC Reports |
45 |
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i
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Page |
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SECTION 4.03. Limitation on Indebtedness |
46 |
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SECTION 4.04. Limitation on Restricted Payments |
49 |
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SECTION 4.05. Limitation on Restrictions on Distributions from Restricted |
52 |
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SECTION 4.06. Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock |
54 |
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SECTION 4.07. Limitation on Transactions with Affiliates |
59 |
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SECTION 4.08. Change of Control |
60 |
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SECTION 4.09. Limitation on Liens |
61 |
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SECTION 4.10. Limitation on Sale/Leaseback Transactions |
62 |
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SECTION 4.11. Future Subsidiary Guarantors |
62 |
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SECTION 4.12. Suspension of Certain Covenants |
63 |
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SECTION 4.13. Compliance Certificate |
64 |
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SECTION 4.14. Further Instruments and Acts |
64 |
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SECTION 4.15. Maintenance of Listing |
64 |
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SECTION 4.16. Payment of Additional Amounts |
65 |
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ARTICLE 5 |
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Successor Company |
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SECTION 5.01. When Issuer and Note Guarantors May Merge or Transfer Assets |
67 |
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ARTICLE 6 |
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Defaults and Remedies |
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SECTION 6.01. Events of Default |
69 |
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SECTION 6.02. Acceleration |
71 |
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SECTION 6.03. Other Remedies |
72 |
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SECTION 6.04. Waiver of Past Defaults |
72 |
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SECTION 6.05. Control by Majority |
72 |
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SECTION 6.06. Limitation on Suits |
72 |
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SECTION 6.07. Rights of Holders to Receive Payment |
73 |
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SECTION 6.08. Collection Suit by Trustee |
73 |
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SECTION 6.09. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim |
73 |
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SECTION 6.10. Priorities |
74 |
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SECTION 6.11. Undertaking for Costs |
74 |
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SECTION 6.12. Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws |
74 |
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ARTICLE 7 |
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Trustee |
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SECTION 7.01. Duties of Trustee |
75 |
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SECTION 7.02. Rights of Trustee |
76 |
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SECTION 7.03. Individual Rights of Trustee |
77 |
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SECTION 7.04. Trustee153s Disclaimer |
77 |
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ii
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Page |
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SECTION 7.05. Notice of Defaults |
77 |
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SECTION 7.06. [Reserved] |
78 |
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SECTION 7.07. Compensation and Indemnity |
78 |
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SECTION 7.08. Replacement of Trustee |
79 |
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SECTION 7.09. Successor Trustee by Merger |
80 |
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SECTION 7.10. Eligibility; Disqualification |
80 |
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ARTICLE 8 |
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Discharge of Indenture; Defeasance |
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SECTION 8.01. Discharge of Liability on Notes; Defeasance |
80 |
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SECTION 8.02. Conditions to Defeasance |
81 |
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SECTION 8.03. Application of Trust Money |
82 |
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SECTION 8.04. Repayment to Issuer |
83 |
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SECTION 8.05. Indemnity for Government Obligations |
83 |
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SECTION 8.06. Reinstatement |
83 |
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ARTICLE 9 |
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Amendments |
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SECTION 9.01. Without Consent of Holders |
83 |
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SECTION 9.02. With Consent of Holders |
84 |
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SECTION 9.03. Revocation and Effect of Consents and Waivers |
85 |
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SECTION 9.04. Notation on or Exchange of Notes |
86 |
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SECTION 9.05. Trustee To Sign Amendments |
86 |
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SECTION 9.06. Payment for Consent |
86 |
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ARTICLE 10 |
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Guarantees |
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SECTION 10.01. Guarantees |
87 |
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SECTION 10.02. Limitation on Liability |
88 |
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SECTION 10.03. Successors and Assigns |
88 |
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SECTION 10.04. No Waiver |
88 |
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SECTION 10.05. Modification |
89 |
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SECTION 10.06. Release of Subsidiary Guarantor |
89 |
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SECTION 10.07. Contribution |
90 |
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ARTICLE 11 |
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Miscellaneous |
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SECTION 11.01. [Reserved] |
90 |
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SECTION 11.02. Notices |
90 |
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SECTION 11.03. [Reserved] |
92 |
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iii
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Page |
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SECTION 11.04. Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent |
92 |
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SECTION 11.05. Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion |
92 |
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SECTION 11.06. When Notes Disregarded |
93 |
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SECTION 11.07. Rules by Trustee and Agents |
93 |
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SECTION 11.08. Legal Holidays |
93 |
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SECTION 11.09. Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction; Service |
93 |
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SECTION 11.10. Judgment Currency |
94 |
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SECTION 11.11. No Recourse Against Others |
94 |
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SECTION 11.12. Successors |
94 |
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SECTION 11.13. Multiple Originals |
95 |
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SECTION 11.14. Table of Contents; Headings |
95 |
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Appendix A |
Provisions Relating to Notes |
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Exhibit 1 |
: |
Form of Note |
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Exhibit 2 |
: |
Form of Certificate of Transfer |
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Exhibit 3 |
: |
Form of Supplemental Indenture |
iv
INDENTURE dated as of April 20, 2011, among Goodyear Dunlop Tires Europe
B.V., a Dutch private company with limited liability (besloten vennootschap met
beperkte aansprakelijkheid), The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, an Ohio
corporation, the Subsidiary Guarantors listed on the signature pages hereto,
Deutsche Trustee Company Limited, as Trustee, Deutsche Bank Luxembourg S.A., as
registrar, Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch, as principal paying agent and
transfer agent, and The Bank of New York Mellon (Luxembourg), S.A., as
Luxembourg paying agent and transfer agent.
Each party agrees as follows for the benefit of the other parties and for the
equal and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Notes:
ARTICLE 1
Definitions and Incorporation by Reference
SECTION 1.01. Definitions. For all purposes of this Indenture, the
following terms shall have the following meanings:
“Additional Assets” means:
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(1) |
any property or assets (other than Indebtedness and Capital Stock) to be used |
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(2) |
the Capital Stock of a Person that becomes a Restricted Subsidiary as a |
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(3) |
Capital Stock constituting a minority interest in any Person that at such |
provided, however, that any such Restricted Subsidiary
described in clauses (2) or (3) above is primarily engaged in a Permitted
Business.
“Additional Notes” means Notes issued under this Indenture after the Closing
Date and in compliance with Sections 2.13, 4.03 and 4.09, it being understood
that any Notes issued in exchange for or replacement of any Note issued on the
Closing Date shall not be an Additional Note.
“Affiliate” of any specified Person means any other Person, directly or
indirectly, controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common
control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition,
“control” when used with respect to any Person means the power to direct the
management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, whether through
the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms
“controlling” and “controlled” have meanings correlative to the foregoing. For
purposes of Section 4.06 and Section 4.07 only,
“Affiliate” shall also mean any beneficial owner of shares representing 10%
or more of the total voting power of the Voting Stock (on a fully diluted basis)
of the Company or of rights or warrants to purchase such Voting Stock (whether
or not currently exercisable) and any Person who would be an Affiliate of any
such beneficial owner pursuant to the first sentence hereof.
“Agent” means any one of the Registrar, co-registrar, Transfer Agent, Paying
Agent or additional paying agent and “Agents” shall mean all of them.
“Asset Disposition” means any sale, lease, transfer or other disposition (or
series of sales, leases, transfers or dispositions that are part of a common
plan) by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, including any disposition by
means of a merger, consolidation, or similar transaction (each referred to for
the purposes of this definition as a “disposition”), of:
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(1) |
any shares of Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary (other than directors153 |
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(2) |
all or substantially all the assets of any division or line of business of |
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(3) |
any other assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary outside of the |
other than, in the case of clauses (1), (2) and (3) above,
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(A) |
a disposition by a Restricted Subsidiary to the Company or by the Company or |
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(B) |
for purposes of Section 4.06 only, a disposition subject to Section 4.04; |
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(C) |
a disposition of assets with a Fair Market Value of less than $10,000,000; |
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(D) |
a sale of accounts receivable and related assets of the type specified in the |
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(E) |
a transfer of accounts receivable and related assets of the type specified in |
2
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(F) |
a disposition of all or substantially all the Company153s assets (as determined |
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(G) |
any Specified Asset Sale. |
“Attributable Debt” means, with respect to any Sale/Leaseback Transaction
that does not result in a Capitalized Lease Obligation, the present value
(computed in accordance with GAAP) of the total obligations of the lessee for
rental payments during the remaining term of the lease included in such
Sale/Leaseback Transaction (including any period for which such lease has been
extended). In the case of any lease which is terminable by the lessee upon
payment of a penalty, the Attributable Debt shall be the lesser of:
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(1) |
the Attributable Debt determined assuming termination upon the first date |
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(2) |
the Attributable Debt determined assuming no such termination. |
“Average Life” means, as of the date of determination, with respect to any
Indebtedness or Preferred Stock, the quotient obtained by dividing:
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(1) |
the sum of the products of the number of years from the date of determination |
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(2) |
the sum of all such payments. |
“Bank Indebtedness” means all obligations under the U.S. Bank Indebtedness
and European Bank Indebtedness.
“Board of Directors” means the board of directors of the Company or any
committee thereof duly authorized to act on behalf of the board of directors of
the Company.
“Business Day” means each day which is not a Legal Holiday.
“Capital Markets Indebtedness” means Indebtedness (other than Refinancing
Indebtedness in respect of European Bank Indebtedness or any Qualified
Receivables Transaction of the Issuer or any of its Subsidiaries) in aggregate
principal amount in excess of 100 million in the form of, or represented by,
bonds (other than surety bonds, indemnity bonds, performance bonds or bonds of a
similar nature) or other securities that is, or is of the type that is, quoted,
listed or purchased and sold on any
3
stock exchange, automated securities trading system or over-the-counter
securities market or other similar securities market (including, without
prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, the market for securities eligible
for resale pursuant to Rule 144A or Regulation S under the Securities Act).
“Capital Stock” of any Person means any and all shares, interests, rights to
purchase, warrants, options, participations or other equivalents of or interests
in (however designated) equity of such Person, including any Preferred Stock,
but excluding any debt securities convertible into such equity.
“Capitalized Lease Obligations” means an obligation that is required to be
classified and accounted for as a capitalized lease for financial reporting
purposes in accordance with GAAP, and the amount of Indebtedness represented by
such obligation shall be the capitalized amount of such obligation determined in
accordance with GAAP.
“Change of Control” means the occurrence of any of the following events:
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(1) |
any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the |
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(2) |
during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning |
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(3) |
the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of the |
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(4) |
the merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another Person or the |
4
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transaction such securities are changed into or exchanged for, in addition to |
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(5) |
the Company ceases to own, directly or indirectly, at least a majority of |
“Clearstream” means Clearstream Banking, soci t anonyme, or any successor
securities clearing agency.
“Closing Date” means April 20, 2011.
“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
“Company” means The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, an Ohio corporation,
until a successor replaces it and, thereafter, means the successor.
“Consolidated Coverage Ratio” as of any date of determination means the ratio
of:
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(1) |
the aggregate amount of EBITDA for the period of the most recent four |
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(2) |
Consolidated Interest Expense for such four fiscal quarters; |
provided, however, that:
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(A) |
if the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary has Incurred any Indebtedness |
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(B) |
if the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary has repaid, repurchased, defeased |
5
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Indebtedness is to be repaid, repurchased, defeased or otherwise discharged |
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(C) |
if since the beginning of such period the Company or any Restricted |
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(D) |
if since the beginning of such period the Company or any Restricted |
6
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such Investment or acquisition occurred on the first day of such period; and |
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(E) |
if since the beginning of such period any Person that subsequently became a |
For purposes of this definition, whenever pro forma effect is to be given to
an acquisition of assets, Asset Disposition or other Investment, the amount of
income, EBITDA or earnings relating thereto and the amount of Consolidated
Interest Expense associated with any Indebtedness Incurred in connection
therewith, the pro forma calculations shall be determined in good faith by a
responsible Financial Officer of the Company and shall comply with the
requirements of Rule 11-02 of Regulation S-X, as it may be amended or replaced
from time to time, promulgated by the SEC.
If any Indebtedness bears a floating rate of interest and is being given pro
forma effect, the interest expense on such Indebtedness shall be calculated as
if the rate in effect on the date of determination had been the applicable rate
for the entire period (taking into account any Interest Rate Agreement
applicable to such Indebtedness if such Interest Rate Agreement has a remaining
term as at the date of determination in excess of 12 months). If any
Indebtedness is Incurred or repaid under a revolving credit facility and is
being given pro forma effect, the interest on such Indebtedness shall be
calculated based on the average daily balance of such Indebtedness for the four
fiscal quarters subject to the pro forma calculation.
“Consolidated Interest Expense” means, for any period, the total interest
expense of the Company and its Consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries, plus, to
the extent Incurred by the Company and its Consolidated Restricted Subsidiaries
in such period but not included in such interest expense, without duplication:
|
(1) |
interest expense attributable to Capitalized Lease Obligations and the |
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(2) |
amortization of debt discount and debt issuance costs; |
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(3) |
capitalized interest; |
7
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(4) |
non-cash interest expense; |
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(5) |
commissions, discounts and other fees and charges attributable to letters of |
|
(6) |
interest accruing on any Indebtedness of any other Person to the extent such |
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(7) |
net payments made pursuant to Hedging Obligations in respect of interest |
|
(8) |
dividends paid in cash or Disqualified Stock in respect of (A) all Preferred |
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(9) |
interest Incurred in connection with investments in discontinued operations; |
|
(10) |
the cash contributions to any employee stock ownership plan or similar trust |
and less, to the extent included in such total interest expense, (A) any
breakage costs of Hedging Obligations terminated in connection with the offering
of the Notes on the Closing Date and the application of the net proceeds
therefrom and (B) the amortization during such period of capitalized financing
costs; provided, however, that, for any financing consummated
after the Closing Date, the aggregate amount of amortization relating to any
such capitalized financing costs deducted in calculating Consolidated Interest
Expense shall not exceed 5% of the aggregate amount of the financing giving rise
to such capitalized financing costs.
“Consolidated Net Income” means, for any period, the net income of the
Company and its Consolidated Subsidiaries for such period; provided,
however, that there shall not be included in such Consolidated Net
Income:
|
(1) |
any net income of any Person (other than the Company) if such Person is not a |
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(A) |
subject to the limitations contained in clause (4) below, the Company153s |
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8
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dividend or other distribution (subject, in the case of a dividend or other |
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(B) |
the Company153s equity in a net loss of any such Person for such period shall |
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(2) |
any net income (or loss) of any Person acquired by the Company or a |
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(3) |
any net income of any Restricted Subsidiary if such Restricted Subsidiary is |
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(A) |
subject to the limitations contained in clause (4) below, the Company153s |
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(B) |
the net loss of any such Restricted Subsidiary for such period shall not be |
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(4) |
any gain (or loss) realized upon the sale or other disposition of any asset |
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(5) |
any extraordinary gain or loss; and |
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(6) |
the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles. |
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9
Notwithstanding the foregoing, for the purpose of Section 4.04 only, there
shall be excluded from Consolidated Net Income any dividends, repayments of
loans or advances or other transfers of assets from Unrestricted Subsidiaries to
the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary to the extent such dividends, repayments
or transfers increase the amount of Restricted Payments permitted under Section
4.04(a)(3)(iv).
“Consolidation” means, unless the context otherwise requires, the
consolidation of (1) in the case of the Company, the accounts of each of the
Restricted Subsidiaries with those of the Company and (2) in the case of a
Restricted Subsidiary, the accounts of each Subsidiary of such Restricted
Subsidiary that is a Restricted Subsidiary with those of such Restricted
Subsidiary, in each case in accordance with GAAP consistently applied;
provided, however, that “Consolidation” will not include
consolidation of the accounts of any Unrestricted Subsidiary, but the interest
of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary in an Unrestricted Subsidiary will
be accounted for as an investment. The term “Consolidated” has a correlative
meaning.
“Credit Agreements” means the U.S. Credit Agreements and the European Credit
Agreement.
“Currency Agreement” means with respect to any Person any foreign exchange
contract, currency swap agreements or other similar agreement or arrangement to
which such Person is a party or of which it is a beneficiary.
“Default” means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time or
both would be, an Event of Default.
“Designated Non-cash Consideration” means non-cash consideration received by
the Company or one of its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with an Asset
Sale that is designated by the Company as Designated Non-cash Consideration,
less the amount of cash or cash equivalents received in connection with a
subsequent sale of such Designated Non-cash Consideration, which cash and cash
equivalents shall be considered Net Available Cash received as of such date and
shall be applied pursuant to Section 4.06.
“Disqualified Stock” means, with respect to any Person, any Capital Stock
which by its terms (or by the terms of any security into which it is convertible
or for which it is exchangeable or exercisable) or upon the happening of any
event:
|
(1) |
matures or is mandatorily redeemable pursuant to a sinking fund obligation or |
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|
(2) |
is convertible or exchangeable for Indebtedness or Disqualified Stock |
|
(3) |
is redeemable at the option of the holder thereof, in whole or in part; |
10
in the case of each of clauses (1), (2) and (3), on or prior to 180 days
after the Stated Maturity of the Notes; provided, however, that
any Capital Stock that would not constitute Disqualified Stock but for
provisions thereof giving holders thereof the right to require such Person to
repurchase or redeem such Capital Stock upon the occurrence of an “asset sale”
or “change of control” occurring prior to the first anniversary of the Stated
Maturity of the Notes shall not constitute Disqualified Stock if the “asset
sale” or “change of control” provisions applicable to such Capital Stock are not
more favorable in any material respect to the holders of such Capital Stock than
the provisions of Section 4.06 and Section 4.08; provided further,
however, that if such Capital Stock is issued to any employee or to any
plan for the benefit of employees of the Company or its Subsidiaries or by any
such plan to such employees, such Capital Stock shall not constitute
Disqualified Stock solely because it may be required to be repurchased by the
Company in order to satisfy applicable statutory or regulatory obligations or as
a result of such employee153s termination, death or disability.
The amount of any Disqualified Stock that does not have a fixed redemption,
repayment or repurchase price will be calculated in accordance with the terms of
such Disqualified Stock as if such Disqualified Stock were redeemed, repaid or
repurchased on any date on which the amount of such Disqualified Stock is to be
determined pursuant to this Indenture; provided, however, that if
such Disqualified Stock could not be required to be redeemed, repaid or
repurchased at the time of such determination, the redemption, repayment or
repurchase price will be the book value of such Disqualified Stock as reflected
in the most recent financial statements of such Person.
“EBITDA” for any period means the Consolidated Net Income for such period,
plus, without duplication, the following to the extent deducted in calculating
such Consolidated Net Income:
|
(1) |
income tax expense of the Company and its Consolidated Restricted |
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|
(2) |
Consolidated Interest Expense; |
|
(3) |
depreciation expense of the Company and its Consolidated Restricted |
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|
(4) |
amortization expense of the Company and its Consolidated Restricted |
|
(5) |
all other non-cash charges of the Company and its Consolidated Restricted |
11
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the provision for taxes based on the income or
profits of, and the depreciation and amortization and non-cash charges of, a
Restricted Subsidiary of the Company shall be added to Consolidated Net Income
to compute EBITDA only to the extent (and in the same proportion) that the net
income of such Restricted Subsidiary was included in calculating Consolidated
Net Income and only if (A) a corresponding amount would be permitted at the date
of determination to be dividended to the Company by such Restricted Subsidiary
without prior approval (that has not been obtained), pursuant to the terms of
its charter and all agreements, instruments, judgments, decrees, orders,
statutes, rules and governmental regulations applicable to such Restricted
Subsidiary or its shareholders or (B) in the case of any Foreign Subsidiary, a
corresponding amount of cash is readily procurable by the Company from such
Foreign Subsidiary (as determined in good faith by a Financial Officer of the
Company) pursuant to intercompany loans, repurchases of Capital Stock or
otherwise, provided that to the extent cash of such Foreign Subsidiary
provided the basis for including the net income of such Foreign Subsidiary in
Consolidated Net Income pursuant to clause (3) of the definition of
“Consolidated Net Income”, such cash shall not be taken into account for the
purposes of determining readily procurable cash under this clause (B).
“Equity Offering” means a public or private offering of Capital Stock (other
than Disqualified Stock) of the Company.
“euro” or ” ” means the single currency of participating member states of the
European Monetary Union.
“Euro Equivalent” means with respect to any monetary amount in a currency
other than euros, at any time of determination thereof, the amount of euros
obtained by converting such foreign currency involved in such computation into
euros at the spot rate for the purchase of euros with the applicable foreign
currency as published in The Wall Street Journal in the “Exchange
Rates” column under the heading “Currency Trading” on the date two Business Days
prior to such determination. Except as described in Section 4.03, whenever it is
necessary to determine whether the Company or the Issuer has complied with any
covenant in this Indenture or a Default has occurred and an amount is expressed
in a currency other than euros, such amount will be treated as the Euro
Equivalent determined as of the date such amount is initially determined in such
currency.
“Euro MTF” means the alternative market of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange.
“Euroclear” means the Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V. or any successor securities
clearing agency.
“European Bank Indebtedness” means any and all amounts payable under or in
respect of the European Credit Agreement and any Refinancing Indebtedness with
respect thereto or with respect to such Refinancing Indebtedness, as amended
from time to time, including principal, premium (if any), interest (including
interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for
reorganization relating to the
12
Company whether or not a claim for post-filing interest is allowed in such
proceedings), fees, charges, expenses, reimbursement obligations and all other
amounts payable thereunder or in respect thereof.
“European Credit Agreement” means the Amended and Restated Revolving Credit
Agreement, dated as of April 20, 2007 (as amended on July 18, 2008, August 22,
2008, December 18, 2009 and December 15, 2010), among the Company, the Issuer,
Goodyear Dunlop Tires Germany GmbH, Goodyear GmbH & Co. KG (now merged into
Goodyear Dunlop Tires Germany GmbH), Dunlop GmbH & Co. KG (now merged into
Goodyear Dunlop Tires Germany GmbH), Goodyear Dunlop Tires Operations S.A., the
lenders party thereto, J.P. Morgan Europe Limited, as Administrative Agent,
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Collateral Agent, and the Mandated Lead Arrangers
and Joint Bookrunners identified therein, as amended, restated, supplemented,
waived, replaced (whether or not upon termination, and whether with the original
lenders or otherwise), refinanced, restructured or otherwise modified from time
to time (except to the extent that any such amendment, restatement, supplement,
waiver, replacement, refinancing, restructuring or other modification thereto
would be prohibited by the terms of this Indenture, unless otherwise agreed to
by the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of Notes at
the time outstanding).
“European Government Obligations” means any security that is (i) a direct
obligation of Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Germany, Ireland or any other
country that is a member of the European Monetary Union, for the payment of
which the full faith and credit of such country is pledged or (ii) an obligation
of a person controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or
instrumentality of any such country the payment of which is unconditionally
guaranteed as a full faith and credit obligation by such country, which, in
either case under the preceding clause (i) or (ii), is not callable or
redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof.
“European Union” means the European Union, including the countries of
Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Finland, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy,
Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom, but
not including any country which becomes a member of the European Union after the
Closing Date.
“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
“Fair Market Value” means, with respect to any asset or property, the price
which could be negotiated in an arm153s-length, free market transaction, for cash,
between a willing seller and a willing and able buyer, neither of whom is under
undue pressure or compulsion to complete the transaction as such price is,
unless specified otherwise in this Indenture, determined in good faith by a
Financial Officer of the Company or by the Board of Directors.
“Financial Officer” means the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer or the
Chief Accounting Officer of the Company.
13
“Foreign Subsidiary” means any Restricted Subsidiary of the Company that is
not organized under the laws of the United States of America or any state
thereof or the District of Columbia, other than Goodyear Canada.
“GAAP” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of
America as in effect as of the Closing Date set forth in:
|
(1) |
the opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the |
||
|
(2) |
statements and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board, |
|
(3) |
such other statements by such other entities as approved by a significant |
||
|
(4) |
the rules and regulations of the SEC governing the inclusion of financial |
All ratios and computations based on GAAP contained in this Indenture shall
be computed in conformity with GAAP.
“Goodyear Canada” means Goodyear Canada Inc., an Ontario corporation, and its
successors and permitted assigns.
“Guarantee” means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of any Person
directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Indebtedness of any other Person and any
obligation, direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such Person:
|
(1) |
to purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment |
||
|
(2) |
entered into for purposes of assuring in any other manner the obligee of such |
provided, however, that the term “Guarantee” shall not include
endorsements for collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business. The
term “Guarantee” used as a verb has a corresponding meaning. The term
“Guarantor” shall mean any Person Guaranteeing any obligation.
14
“Guaranteed Obligations” means the principal of and interest, if any, on the
Notes when due, whether at Stated Maturity, by acceleration or otherwise, and
all other obligations, monetary or otherwise, of the Company under this
Indenture and the Notes (including expenses and indemnification).
“Hedging Obligations” of any Person means the obligations of such Person
pursuant to any Interest Rate Agreement, Currency Agreement or raw materials
hedge agreement.
“Holder” means the Person in whose name a Note is registered on the
Registrar153s books.
“Incur” means issue, assume, Guarantee, incur or otherwise become liable for;
provided, however, that any Indebtedness or Capital Stock of a
Person existing at the time such Person becomes a Subsidiary (whether by merger,
consolidation, acquisition or otherwise) shall be deemed to be Incurred by such
Person at the time it becomes a Subsidiary. The term “Incurrence” when used as a
noun shall have a correlative meaning. The accretion of principal of a
non-interest bearing or other discount security shall not be deemed the
Incurrence of Indebtedness.
“Indebtedness” means, with respect to any Person on any date of
determination, without duplication:
|
(1) |
the principal of and premium (if any) in respect of indebtedness of such |
||
|
(2) |
the principal of and premium (if any) in respect of obligations of such |
|
(3) |
all obligations of such Person for the reimbursement of any obligor on any |
||
|
(4) |
all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred and unpaid purchase price |
|
(5) |
all Capitalized Lease Obligations and all Attributable Debt of such Person; |
15
|
(6) |
the amount of all obligations of such Person with respect to the redemption, |
||
|
(7) |
all Indebtedness of other Persons secured by a Lien on any asset of such |
||||
|
(A) |
the Fair Market Value of such asset at such date of determination and |
||||
|
(B) |
the amount of such Indebtedness of such other Persons; |
||||
|
(8) |
Hedging Obligations of such Person; and |
||||
|
(9) |
all obligations of the type referred to in clauses (1) through (8) of other |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in connection with the purchase by the Company
or any Restricted Subsidiary of any business, the term “Indebtedness” shall
exclude post-closing payment adjustments to which the seller may become entitled
to the extent such payment is determined by a final closing balance sheet or
such payment depends on the performance of such business after the closing;
provided, however, that, at the time of closing, the amount of any
such payment is not determinable and, to the extent such payment thereafter
becomes fixed and determined, the amount is paid within 30 days thereafter.
The amount of Indebtedness of any Person at any date shall be the outstanding
balance at such date of all unconditional obligations as described above;
provided, however, that in the case of Indebtedness sold at a
discount, the amount of such Indebtedness at any time will be the accreted value
thereof at such time.
“Indenture” this Indenture, as amended or supplemented from time to time in
accordance with the terms hereof.
“Interest Rate Agreement” means, with respect to any Person, any interest
rate protection agreement, interest rate future agreement, interest rate option
agreement, interest rate swap agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest
rate collar agreement, interest rate hedge agreement or other similar agreement
or arrangement to which such Person is party or of which it is a beneficiary.
“Investment” in any Person means any direct or indirect advance, loan or
other extension of credit (including by way of Guarantee or similar arrangement)
or capital contribution to (by means of any transfer of cash or other property
to others or any
16
payment for property or services for the account or use of others), or any
purchase or acquisition of Capital Stock, Indebtedness or other similar
instruments issued by, such Person. For purposes of the definition of
“Unrestricted Subsidiary” and Section 4.04:
|
(1) |
“Investment” shall include the portion (proportionate to the Company153s equity |
||||
|
(A) |
the Company153s “Investment” in such Subsidiary at the time of such |
||||
|
(B) |
the portion (proportionate to the Company153s equity interest in such |
||||
|
(2) |
any property transferred to or from an Unrestricted Subsidiary shall be |
||||
In the event that the Company sells Capital Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary
such that after giving effect to such sale, such Restricted Subsidiary would no
longer constitute a Restricted Subsidiary, any Investment in such Person
remaining after giving effect to such sale shall be deemed to constitute an
Investment made on the date of such sale of Capital Stock.
“Investment Grade Rating” means a rating equal to or higher than Baa3 (or the
equivalent) by Moody153s and BBB- (or the equivalent) by Standard & Poor153s, or
an equivalent rating by any other Rating Agency.
“Issuer” means Goodyear Dunlop Tires Europe B.V., a Dutch private company
with limited liability (besloten vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid),
until a successor replaces it and thereafter, means the successor.
“Legal Holiday” means a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which the Trustee or
banking institutions are not required by law or regulation to be open in the
State of New York or any city in which a Paying Agent maintains its office.
“Lien” means any mortgage, pledge, security interest, encumbrance, lien or
charge in the nature of an encumbrance of any kind (including any conditional
sale or other title retention agreement or lease in the nature thereof).
“Moody153s” means Moody153s Investors Service, Inc. and any successor to its
rating business.
17
“Net Available Cash” from an Asset Disposition means cash payments received
(including any cash payments received by way of deferred payment of principal
pursuant to a note or installment receivable or otherwise and proceeds from the
sale or other disposition of any securities received as consideration, in each
case only as and when received, but excluding any other consideration received
in the form of assumption by the acquiring Person of Indebtedness or other
obligations relating to the properties or assets that are the subject of such
Asset Disposition or received in any other non-cash form) therefrom, in each
case net of:
|
(1) |
all legal, accounting, investment banking, title and recording tax expenses, |
||
|
(2) |
all payments made on any Indebtedness which is secured by any assets subject |
|
(3) |
all distributions and other payments required to be made to minority interest |
||
|
(4) |
appropriate amounts to be provided by the seller as a reserve, in accordance |
“Net Cash Proceeds”, with respect to any issuance or sale of Capital Stock,
means the cash proceeds of such issuance or sale net of attorneys153 fees,
accountants153 fees, underwriters153 or placement agents153 fees, listing fees,
discounts or commissions and brokerage, consultant and other fees actually
incurred in connection with such issuance or sale and net of taxes paid or
payable as a result thereof.
“Note Guarantee” means each of the Parent Guarantee and the Subsidiary
Guarantees.
“Note Guarantor” means the Company and each of the Subsidiary Guarantors.
“Notes” means the 6 3/4% Senior Notes due 2019 issued pursuant to this
Indenture.
18
“Obligations” means with respect to any Indebtedness, all obligations for
principal, premium, interest, penalties, fees, indemnifications, reimbursements,
and other amounts payable pursuant to the documentation governing such
Indebtedness.
“Offering Memorandum” means the Offering Memorandum, dated April 15, 2011,
relating to the offering of the Notes, as supplemented or amended and including
all documents incorporated by reference therein.
“Officer” means the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the
Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Accounting Officer, the President, any Vice
President, the Treasurer or the Secretary of the Company. “Officer” of a
Subsidiary Guarantor has a correlative meaning. “Officer” of the Issuer means a
director (bestuurder) of the Issuer.
“Officers153 Certificate” means (1) for the Issuer, a certificate signed by two
Officers or by a duly authorized attorney-in-fact and (2) for any other Person,
a certificate signed by two Officers.
“Opinion of Counsel” means a written opinion from legal counsel who may be an
employee of or counsel to the Company, the Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor, or
other counsel who is acceptable to the Trustee.
“Parent Guarantee” means the Guarantee of the Obligations with respect to the
Notes issued by the Company pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.
“Permitted Business” means any business engaged in by the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary on the Closing Date and any Related Business.
“Permitted Investment” means an Investment by the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary in:
|
(1) |
the Company, a Restricted Subsidiary or a Person that will, upon the making |
||
|
(2) |
another Person if as a result of such Investment such other Person is merged |
|
(3) |
Temporary Cash Investments; |
||
|
(4) |
receivables owing to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary if created or |
19
|
(5) |
payroll, travel and similar advances to cover matters that are expected at |
||
|
(6) |
loans or advances to employees made in the ordinary course of business of the |
||
|
(7) |
stock, obligations or securities received in settlement of disputes with |
||
|
(8) |
any Person to the extent such Investment represents the non-cash portion of |
||
|
(9) |
a Receivables Entity or any Investment by a Receivables Entity in any other |
||
|
(10) |
any Person to the extent such Investments consist of prepaid expenses, |
||
|
(11) |
any Person to the extent such Investments consist of Hedging Obligations |
||
|
(12) |
any Person to the extent such Investment in such Person existed on the |
||
|
(13) |
advances to, and Guarantees for the benefit of, customers, dealers or |
||
|
(14) |
any Person to the extent such Investment, when taken together with all other |
||
20
|
Section 4.04(a)(3)(iv)and which excluded amounts are not otherwise included |
|||
|
“Permitted Liens” means, with respect to any Person: |
|||
|
(1) |
Liens to secure Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Section 4.03(b)(1); |
||
|
(2) |
Liens to secure Indebtedness permitted pursuant to Sections 4.03(b)(11) and |
||
|
(3) |
pledges or deposits by such Person under workers153 compensation laws, |
||
|
(4) |
Liens imposed by law, such as carriers153, warehousemen153s and mechanics153 Liens, |
||
|
(5) |
Liens for taxes, assessments or other governmental charges not yet due or |
||
|
(6) |
Liens in favor of issuers of surety or performance bonds or letters of |
||
|
(7) |
survey exceptions, encumbrances, easements or reservations of, or rights of |
21
|
properties or materially impair their use in the operation of the business of |
|||
|
(8) |
Liens securing Indebtedness Incurred to finance the construction, purchase or |
||
|
(9) |
Liens existing on the Closing Date (other than Liens referred to in the |
||
|
(10) |
Liens on property or shares of stock of another Person at the time such other |
||
|
(11) |
Liens on property at the time such Person or any of its Subsidiaries acquires |
||
|
(12) |
Liens securing Indebtedness or other obligations of a Subsidiary of such |
||
|
(13) |
Liens securing Hedging Obligations so long as such Hedging Obligations are |
||
|
(14) |
Liens on assets of Foreign Subsidiaries securing Indebtedness Incurred under |
22
|
(15) |
Liens to secure any Refinancing (or successive Refinancings) as a whole, or |
||||
|
(A) |
such new Lien shall be limited to all or part of the same property that |
||||
|
(B) |
the Indebtedness secured by such Lien at such time is not increased to any |
||||
|
(i) |
the outstanding principal amount or, if greater, committed amount of the |
|||||
|
(ii) |
an amount necessary to pay any fees and expenses, including premiums, related |
|||||
|
(16) |
Liens on accounts receivables and related assets of the type specified in the |
|||||
|
(17) |
judgment Liens not giving rise to an Event of Default so long as any |
|||||
|
(18) |
Liens arising from Uniform Commercial Code financing statement filings |
|||||
|
(19) |
leases and subleases of real property which do not materially interfere with |
|||||
|
(20) |
Liens which constitute bankers153 Liens, rights of set-off or similar rights |
|||||
|
(21) |
Liens on specific items of inventory or other goods and proceeds of any |
|||||
23
|
(22) |
Liens on specific items of inventory or other goods and related documentation |
||
|
(23) |
other Liens to secure Indebtedness as long as the amount of outstanding |
“Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability
company, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated
organization, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any
other entity.
“Preferred Stock”, as applied to the Capital Stock of any Person, means
Capital Stock of any class or classes (however designated) that is preferred as
to the payment of dividends, or as to the distribution of assets upon any
voluntary or involuntary liquidation or dissolution of such Person, over shares
of Capital Stock of any other class of such Person.
“principal” of a Note means the principal of the Note plus the premium, if
any, payable on the Note which is due or overdue or is to become due at the
relevant time.
“Purchase Money Indebtedness” means Indebtedness:
|
(1) |
consisting of the deferred purchase price of property, plant or equipment, |
||
|
(2) |
Incurred to finance such acquisition, construction or improvement by the |
provided, however, that such Indebtedness is Incurred within
180 days after such acquisition or the completion of such construction or
improvement.
24
“Purchase Money Note” means a promissory note of a Receivables Entity
evidencing a line of credit, which may be irrevocable, from the Company or any
Subsidiary of the Company to a Receivables Entity in connection with a Qualified
Receivables Transaction, which note
|
(1) |
shall be repaid from cash available to the Receivables Entity, other than |
||||
|
(A) |
amounts required to be established as reserves; |
||||
|
(B) |
amounts paid to investors in respect of interest; |
||||
|
(C) |
principal and other amounts owing to such investors; and |
||||
|
(D) |
amounts paid in connection with the purchase of newly generated receivables |
||||
|
(2) |
may be subordinated to the payments described in clause (1). |
“Qualified Receivables Transaction” means any transaction or series of
transactions that may be entered into by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries
pursuant to which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries may sell, convey or
otherwise transfer to:
|
(1) |
a Receivables Entity (in the case of a transfer by the Company or any of its |
||
|
(2) |
any other Person (in the case of a transfer by a Receivables Entity), |
or may grant a security interest in, any accounts receivable (whether now
existing or arising in the future) of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries,
and any assets related thereto including, without limitation, all collateral
securing such accounts receivable, all contracts and all Guarantees or other
obligations in respect of such accounts receivable, proceeds of such accounts
receivable and other assets which are customarily transferred or in respect of
which security interests are customarily granted in connection with asset
securitization transactions involving accounts receivable; provided,
however, that the financing terms, covenants, termination events and
other provisions thereof shall be market terms (as determined in good faith by a
Financial Officer of the Company).
The grant of a security interest in any accounts receivable of the Company or
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to secure Bank Indebtedness shall not be
deemed a Qualified Receivables Transaction.
“Rating Agency” means Standard & Poor153s and Moody153s or if Standard &
Poor153s or Moody153s or both shall not make a rating on the Notes publicly
available, a nationally recognized statistical rating agency or agencies, as the
case may be, selected by the Company (as certified by a resolution of the Board
of Directors) which shall be substituted for Standard & Poor153s or Moody153s or
both, as the case may be.
25
“Receivables Entity” means a (a) Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Company which
is designated by the Board of Directors (as provided below) as a Receivables
Entity or (b) another Person engaging in a Qualified Receivables Transaction
with the Company which Person engages in the business of the financing of
accounts receivable, and in either of clause (a) or (b):
|
(1) |
no portion of the Indebtedness or any other obligations (contingent or |
||||
|
(A) |
is Guaranteed by the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company (excluding |
||||
|
(B) |
is recourse to or obligates the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company in |
||||
|
(C) |
subjects any property or asset of the Company or any Subsidiary of the |
||||
|
(2) |
which is not an Affiliate of the Company or with which neither the Company |
||
|
(3) |
to which neither the Company nor any Subsidiary of the Company has any |
Any such designation by the Board of Directors shall be evidenced to the
Trustee by filing with the Trustee a certified copy of the resolution of the
Board of Directors giving effect to such designation and an Officers153
Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the foregoing
conditions.
“Reference Date” means May 11, 2009.
“Refinance” means, in respect of any Indebtedness, to refinance, extend,
renew, refund, repay, prepay, redeem, defease or retire, or to issue other
Indebtedness in exchange or replacement for, such Indebtedness, including, in
any such case from time to time, after the discharge of the Indebtedness being
Refinanced. “Refinanced” and “Refinancing” shall have correlative meanings.
26
“Refinancing Indebtedness” means Indebtedness that is Incurred to Refinance
(including pursuant to any defeasance or discharge mechanism) any Indebtedness
of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary existing on the Closing Date or
Incurred in compliance with this Indenture (including Indebtedness of the
Company that Refinances Refinancing Indebtedness); provided,
however, that:
|
(1) |
the Refinancing Indebtedness has a Stated Maturity no earlier than the Stated |
||
|
(2) |
the Refinancing Indebtedness has an Average Life at the time such Refinancing |
||
|
(3) |
such Refinancing Indebtedness is Incurred in an aggregate principal amount |
||
|
(4) |
if the Indebtedness being Refinanced is subordinated in right of payment to |
provided further, however, that Refinancing Indebtedness
shall not include:
|
(A) |
Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary that is not a Subsidiary Guarantor |
||
|
(B) |
Indebtedness of the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary that Refinances |
“Related Business” means any business reasonably related, ancillary or
complementary to the businesses of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries
on the Closing Date.
|
“Restricted Payment” in respect of any Person means: |
|||
|
(1) |
the declaration or payment of any dividend, any distribution on or in respect |
27
|
Stock or, in the case of a Restricted Subsidiary, Preferred Stock) and (B) |
|||
|
(2) |
the purchase, repurchase, redemption, retirement or other acquisition |
||
|
(3) |
the Purchase for value, prior to scheduled maturity, of any scheduled |
||
|
(4) |
any Investment (other than a Permitted Investment) in any Person. |
“Restricted Subsidiary” means (i) the Issuer and (ii) any other Subsidiary of
the Company other than an Unrestricted Subsidiary. The Issuer may never be
designated as an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
“Sale/Leaseback Transaction” means an arrangement relating to property, plant
or equipment now owned or hereafter acquired by the Company or a Restricted
Subsidiary whereby the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary transfers such
property to a Person and the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary leases it
from such Person, other than (i) leases between the Company and a Restricted
Subsidiary or between Restricted Subsidiaries or (ii) any such transaction
entered into with respect to any property, plant or equipment or any
improvements thereto at the time of, or within 180 days after, the acquisition
or completion of construction of such property, plant or equipment or such
improvements (or, if later, the commencement of commercial operation of any such
property, plant or equipment), as the case may be, to finance the cost of such
property, plant or equipment or such improvements, as the case may be.
“SEC” means the Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Secured Indebtedness” means any Indebtedness secured by a Lien.
“Securities” means Securities issued under this Indenture.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules
and regulations promulgated thereunder.
28
“Senior Indebtedness” of the Company, the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor,
as the case may be, means the principal of, premium (if any) and accrued and
unpaid interest, if any, on (including interest accruing on or after the filing
of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization of the Company, the Issuer
or any Subsidiary Guarantor, as applicable, regardless of whether or not a claim
for post-filing interest is allowed in such proceedings), and fees and other
amounts owing in respect of, Bank Indebtedness, the Notes (in the case of the
Issuer), the Note Guarantees (in the case of the Note Guarantors) and all other
Indebtedness of the Company, the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor, as
applicable, whether outstanding on the Closing Date or thereafter Incurred,
unless in the instrument creating or evidencing the same or pursuant to which
the same is outstanding it is provided that such obligations are subordinated in
right of payment to the Notes or such Note Guarantor153s Note Guarantee, as
applicable; provided, however, that Senior Indebtedness of the
Company, the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor shall not include:
|
(1) |
any obligation of the Company to any Subsidiary of the Company or of such |
||
|
(2) |
any liability for Federal, state, local or other taxes owed or owing by the |
||
|
(3) |
any accounts payable or other liability to trade creditors arising in the |
||
|
(4) |
any Indebtedness or obligation of the Company (and any accrued and unpaid |
||
|
(5) |
any obligations with respect to any Capital Stock; or |
||
|
(6) |
any Indebtedness Incurred in violation of this Indenture. |
“Significant Subsidiary” means any Restricted Subsidiary that would be a
“Significant Subsidiary” of the Company within the meaning of Rule 1-02 under
Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC.
“Specified Asset Sale” means the sale of all or a portion of the Company153s
properties in Akron, Summit County, Ohio held on the date hereof.
“Standard & Poor153s” means Standard & Poor153s, a division of The
McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., and any successor to its rating business.
29
“Standard Securitization Undertakings” means representations, warranties,
covenants and indemnities entered into by the Company or any Subsidiary of the
Company which, taken as a whole, are customary in an accounts receivable
transaction.
“Stated Maturity” means, with respect to any security, the date specified in
such security as the fixed date on which the final payment of principal of such
security is due and payable, including pursuant to any mandatory redemption
provision (but excluding any provision providing for the repurchase of such
security at the option of the holder thereof upon the happening of any
contingency beyond the control of the issuer unless such contingency has
occurred).
“Subordinated Obligation” means any Indebtedness of the Company (whether
outstanding on the Closing Date or thereafter Incurred) that by its terms is
subordinate or junior in right of payment to the Note Guarantee of the Company.
“Subordinated Obligation” of the Issuer or a Subsidiary Guarantor has a
correlative meaning.
“Subsidiary” of any Person means any corporation, association, partnership or
other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares
of Capital Stock or other interests (including partnership interests) entitled
(without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in the election of
directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled,
directly or indirectly, by:
|
(1) |
such Person, |
||
|
(2) |
such Person and one or more Subsidiaries of such Person or |
||
|
(3) |
one or more Subsidiaries of such Person. |
“Subsidiary Guarantee” means each Guarantee of the Obligations with respect
to the Notes issued by a Subsidiary of the Company pursuant to the terms of this
Indenture.
“Subsidiary Guarantor” means any Subsidiary that has issued a Subsidiary
Guarantee.
“Temporary Cash Investments” means any of the following:
|
(1) |
direct obligations of, or obligations the principal of and interest on which |
||
|
(2) |
investments in commercial paper maturing within 270 days from the date of |
30
|
(3) |
investments in certificates of deposit, banker153s acceptances and time |
||
|
(4) |
fully collateralized repurchase agreements with a term of not more than 30 |
||
|
(5) |
money market funds that (A) comply with the criteria set forth in SEC Rule |
||
|
(6) |
in the case of any Foreign Subsidiary, (A) marketable direct obligations |
“TIA” means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (15 U.S.C. § §
77aaa-77bbbb), as in effect on the Closing Date.
31
“Trade Payables” means, with respect to any Person, any accounts payable or
any indebtedness or monetary obligation to trade creditors created, assumed or
Guaranteed by such Person arising in the ordinary course of business in
connection with the acquisition of goods or services.
“Trust Officer” means the Chairman of the Board, the President or any other
officer or assistant officer of the Trustee assigned by the Trustee to
administer its corporate trust matters, and any other officer of the Trustee to
whom a matter arising under this Indenture may be referred.
“Trustee” means Deutsche Trustee Company Limited, until a successor replaces
it and, thereafter, means the successor.
“Uniform Commercial Code” means the New York Uniform Commercial Code as in
effect from time to time.
“Unrestricted Subsidiary” means:
|
(1) |
any Subsidiary of the Company, other than the Issuer, that at the time of |
||
|
(2) |
any Subsidiary of an Unrestricted Subsidiary. |
The Board of Directors may designate any Subsidiary of the Company, other
than the Issuer, (including any newly acquired or newly formed Subsidiary of the
Company) to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary unless such Subsidiary or any of its
Subsidiaries owns any Capital Stock or Indebtedness of, or owns or holds any
Lien on any property of, the Company or any other Subsidiary of the Company that
is not a Subsidiary of the Subsidiary to be so designated; provided,
however, that either:
|
(A) |
the Subsidiary to be so designated has total Consolidated assets of $1,000 or |
||
|
(B) |
if such Subsidiary has Consolidated assets greater than $1,000, then such |
The Board of Directors may designate any Unrestricted Subsidiary to be a
Restricted Subsidiary; provided, however, that immediately after
giving effect to such designation:
|
(x) |
(1) the Company could Incur $1.00 of additional Indebtedness under Section |
||
|
(y) |
no Default shall have occurred and be continuing. |
32
Any such designation of a Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary or
Unrestricted Subsidiary by the Board of Directors shall be evidenced to the
Trustee by promptly filing with the Trustee a copy of the resolution of the
Board of Directors giving effect to such designation and an Officers153
Certificate certifying that such designation complied with the foregoing
provisions.
“U.S. Bank Indebtedness” means any and all amounts payable under or in
respect of the U.S. Credit Agreements and any Refinancing Indebtedness with
respect thereto or with respect to such Refinancing Indebtedness, as amended
from time to time, including principal, premium (if any), interest (including
interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for
reorganization relating to the Company whether or not a claim for post-filing
interest is allowed in such proceedings), fees, charges, expenses, reimbursement
obligations and all other amounts payable thereunder or in respect thereof.
“U.S. Credit Agreements” means (i) the Amended and Restated First Lien Credit
Agreement, dated as of April 20, 2007, among the Company, the lenders party
thereto, the issuing banks party thereto, Citicorp USA, Inc., as Syndication
Agent, Bank of America, N.A., BNP Paribas, The CIT Group/Business Credit, Inc.,
General Electric Capital Corporation, GMAC Commercial Finance LLC, Wells Fargo
Foothill, as Documentation Agents, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as
Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent, and (ii) the Amended and Restated
Second Lien Credit Agreement, dated as of April 20, 2007, among the Company, the
lenders party thereto, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as Collateral
Agent, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, each as amended,
restated, supplemented, waived, replaced (whether or not upon termination, and
whether with the original lenders or otherwise), refinanced, restructured or
otherwise modified from time to time (except to the extent that any such
amendment, restatement, supplement, waiver, replacement, refinancing,
restructuring or other modification thereto would be prohibited by the terms of
this Indenture, unless otherwise agreed to by the Holders of at least a majority
in aggregate principal amount of Notes at the time outstanding).
“U.S. Dollar Equivalent” means with respect to any monetary amount in a
currency other than U.S. dollars, at any time for determination thereof, the
amount of U.S. dollars obtained by converting such foreign currency involved in
such computation into U.S. dollars at the spot rate for the purchase of U.S.
dollars with the applicable foreign currency as published in The Wall Street
Journal in the “Exchange Rates” column under the heading “Currency Trading”
on the date two Business Days prior to such determination.
“Voting Stock” of a Person means all classes of Capital Stock or other
interests (including partnership interests) of such Person then outstanding and
normally entitled (without regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote
in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof.
33
“Wholly Owned Subsidiary” means a Restricted Subsidiary of the Company all
the Capital Stock of which (other than directors153 qualifying shares) is owned by
the Company or another Wholly Owned Subsidiary.
SECTION 1.02. Other Definitions.
|
Defined in |
||
|
Term |
Section |
|
|
“Additional Amounts” |
4.16(b) |
|
|
“Affiliate Transaction” |
4.07(a) |
|
|
“Authentication Agent” |
2.02 |
|
|
“Authentication Order” |
2.02 |
|
|
“Bankruptcy Law” |
6.01 |
|
|
“Change of Control Offer” |
4.08(b) |
|
|
“covenant defeasance option” |
8.01(b) |
|
|
“Custodian” |
6.01 |
|
|
“Duplicate Register” |
2.03(b) |
|
|
“Event of Default” |
6.01 |
|
|
“Global Notes” |
Appendix A |
|
|
“Initial Lien” |
4.09 |
|
|
“Judgment Currency” |
11.10 |
|
|
“legal defeasance option” |
8.01(b) |
|
|
“Luxembourg Paying Agent” |
2.03(b) |
|
|
“Offer” |
4.06(c) |
|
|
“Offer Amount” |
4.06(d)(3) |
|
|
“Offer Period” |
4.06(d)(3) |
|
|
“Paying Agent” |
2.03(a) |
|
|
“Principal Paying Agent” |
2.03(b) |
|
|
“Purchase Date” |
4.06(d)(2) |
|
|
“Registrar” |
2.03(a) |
|
|
“Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction” |
4.16(a) |
|
|
“Reversion Date” |
4.12(b) |
|
|
“Required Currency” |
11.10 |
|
|
“Successor Company” |
5.01(a)(1) |
|
|
“Successor Guarantor” |
5.01(d)(1) |
|
|
“Successor Issuer” |
5.01(b)(1) |
|
|
“Suspended Covenants” |
4.12(a) |
|
|
“Suspension Date” |
4.12(a) |
|
|
“Suspension Period” |
4.12(b) |
|
|
“Taxes” |
4.16(a) |
|
|
“Transfer Agent” |
2.03(a) |
SECTION 1.03. Rules of Construction. Unless the context otherwise
requires:
34
|
(1) |
a term has the meaning assigned to it; |
||
|
(2) |
an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to it in |
||
|
(3) |
“or” is not exclusive; |
||
|
(4) |
“including” means including without limitation; |
||
|
(5) |
words in the singular include the plural and words in the plural include the |
||
|
(6) |
unsecured Indebtedness shall not be deemed to be subordinate or junior to |
||
|
(7) |
secured Indebtedness shall not be deemed to be subordinate or junior to any |
||
|
(8) |
the principal amount of any non-interest bearing or other discount security |
||
|
(9) |
the principal amount of any Preferred Stock shall be (A) the maximum |
||
|
(10) |
all references to the date the Notes were originally issued shall refer to |
ARTICLE 2
The Notes
SECTION 2.01. Form and Dating. Provisions relating to the Notes are
set forth in Appendix A attached hereto (the “Appendix”) which is hereby
incorporated in, and expressly made part of, this Indenture. The Notes and the
Trustee153s certificate of authentication shall be substantially in the form of
Exhibit 1 to this Indenture, which is hereby incorporated in and expressly made
a part of this Indenture. The Notes may have notations, legends or endorsements
required by law, stock exchange rule, agreements to which the Issuer is subject,
if any, or usage (provided that any such notation, legend or endorsement is in a
form acceptable to the Issuer). Each Note shall be dated the date of its
authentication. The terms of the Notes set forth in Appendix A and
35
Exhibit 1 are part of the terms of this Indenture. The Notes shall be
issuable only in registered form without interest coupons and only in
denominations of 100,000 and integral multiples of 1,000 in excess thereof.
SECTION 2.02. Execution and Authentication. Two Officers or a duly
authorized attorney-in-fact shall sign the Notes for the Issuer by manual or
facsimile signature.
If an Officer whose signature is on a Note no longer holds that office at the
time the Trustee authenticates the Note, the Note shall be valid nevertheless.
A Note shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the Trustee
manually signs the certificate of authentication on the Note. The signature
shall be conclusive evidence that the Note has been authenticated under this
Indenture.
The Trustee shall, upon receipt of a written order of the Issuer (an
“Authentication Order”), authenticate and make available for delivery Notes as
set forth in Appendix A.
The Trustee may appoint an authentication agent (an “Authentication Agent”)
reasonably acceptable to the Company to authenticate the Notes. Unless limited
by the terms of such appointment, an Authentication Agent may authenticate Notes
whenever the Trustee may do so. Each reference in this Indenture to
authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent. An
Authentication Agent has the same rights as any Registrar, Paying Agent or agent
for service of notices and demands. The Trustee hereby initially appoints
Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch, who accepts such appointment, as its
Authentication Agent. The Issuer confirms that such appointment is acceptable to
it.
SECTION 2.03. Registrar, Transfer Agent and Paying Agent. (a) The
Issuer shall maintain an office or agency in Luxembourg where Notes may be
presented for registration (the “Registrar”) and an office or agency in London
and Luxembourg (for so long as the Notes are listed on the Official List of the
Luxembourg Stock Exchange and admitted to trading on the Euro MTF and the rules
of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange so require) where Notes may be presented for
transfer or exchange (the “Transfer Agent”) or payment (the “Paying Agent”). The
Registrar shall keep a register of the Notes and of their transfer and exchange.
The Issuer may have one or more co-registrars and one or more additional
transfer and paying agents. The terms “Paying Agent” and “Transfer Agent”
include any additional paying agent or transfer agent, as applicable, and the
term “Registrar” includes any co-registrars.
The Issuer shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Agent
not a party to this Indenture. Such agreement shall implement the provisions of
this Indenture that relate to such agent. The Issuer shall notify the Trustee of
the name
36
and address of any such agent. If the Issuer fails to maintain a Registrar,
Paying Agent or Transfer Agent, the Trustee shall act as such and shall be
entitled to appropriate compensation therefor pursuant to Section 7.07. The
Issuer, the Company or any Wholly Owned Subsidiary may act as Registrar, Paying
Agent or Transfer Agent.
The Registrar may require a Holder, among other things, to furnish
appropriate endorsements and transfer documents, and the Issuer may require a
Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by this Indenture.
The Registrar need not register transfer or exchanges of Notes selected for
redemption (except, in the case of Notes to be redeemed in part, the portion
thereof not to be redeemed) or any Notes for a period of 15 days before a
selection of Notes to be redeemed, or any Notes for a period of 15 days before a
selection of an interest payment date. The Holder of a Note may be treated as
the owner of such Note for all purposes.
(b) The Issuer initially appoints Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch, in London,
and The Bank of New York Mellon (Luxembourg), S.A., in Luxembourg, who each
accept such appointments, as (i) principal Paying Agent (the “Principal Paying
Agent”) and Luxembourg Paying Agent (the “Luxembourg Paying Agent”),
respectively, and (ii) Transfer Agents. The Issuer initially appoints Deutsche
Bank Luxembourg S.A., in Luxembourg, who accepts such appointment, as Registrar.
In addition, the Issuer undertakes that it will ensure, to the extent
practicable, that it maintains a Paying Agent in a member state of the European
Union that is not obliged to withhold or deduct tax pursuant to European Council
Directive 2003/48/EC regarding the taxation of savings income or any other
directive implementing the conclusions of the ECOFIN Council meeting of 26 and
27 November 2000 on the taxation of savings income, or any law implementing or
complying with, or introduced in order to conform to, such directives. Each time
the register is amended or updated, the Registrar shall send a copy of the
register to the Issuer who will keep an updated copy of the register at its
registered office (the “Duplicate Register”). In the event of inconsistency
between the register and the Duplicate Register, the Duplicate Register shall,
for purposes of Luxembourg law, prevail.
(c) The Issuer may change any Agent upon written notice to such Agent and to
the Trustee, without prior notice to the Holders; provided,
however, that no removal of any Agent required under this Indenture shall
become effective until (i) acceptance of an appointment by a successor as
evidenced by an appropriate agreement entered into by the Issuer and such
successor Agent and delivered to the Trustee or (ii) notification to the Trustee
that the Trustee shall serve as the applicable Agent until the appointment of a
successor in accordance with clause (i) above. Any Agent may resign by providing
30 days153 written notice to the Issuer and the Trustee. In addition, for so long
as the Notes are listed on the Official List of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange
and admitted to trading on the Euro MTF and the rules of the Luxembourg Stock
Exchange so require, the Issuer shall publish notice of the change in Agent in
Luxembourg in a daily newspaper having general circulation in Luxembourg (which
is expected to be the Luxemburger Wort) or, to the extent and in the
manner permitted by such rules, post such notice on the official website of the
Luxembourg Stock Exchange (www.bourse.lu).
37
SECTION 2.04. Deposits of Money; Paying Agent To Hold Deposits in
Trust. Prior to 5:00 p.m., London time, one Business Day prior to each due
date of the principal of and interest on any Note, the Issuer shall deposit with
the relevant Paying Agent(s) (or if the Issuer, the Company or a Wholly Owned
Subsidiary is acting as Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust for the
benefit of Holders entitled thereto) a sum sufficient to pay such principal and
interest when so becoming due. The Issuer shall require each Paying Agent (other
than the Trustee) to agree in writing (and each Paying Agent party to this
Indenture agrees) that the relevant Paying Agent(s) shall hold in trust for the
benefit of Holders or the Trustee all money held by such Paying Agent for the
payment of principal of or interest on the Notes and shall notify the Trustee of
any default by the Company in making any such payment. If the Issuer, the
Company or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary acts as Paying Agent, it shall segregate
the money held by it as Paying Agent and hold it as a separate trust fund. The
Issuer at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held by it to the
Trustee and to account for any funds disbursed by the Paying Agent. Subject to
actual receipt of such funds as provided by this Section 2.04 by the designated
Paying Agent, such Paying Agent shall make payments on the Notes in accordance
with the provisions of this Indenture. Upon complying with this Section, the
relevant Paying Agent(s) shall have no further liability for the money delivered
to the Trustee. For the avoidance of doubt, each Paying Agent and the Trustee
shall be held harmless and have no liability with respect to payments or
disbursements to be made by such Paying Agent and Trustee for which payment
instructions are not made or that are not otherwise deposited by the due dates
set forth in this Section 2.04.
SECTION 2.05. Lists of Holders of Notes. The Registrar shall preserve
in as current a form as is reasonably practicable the most recent list available
to it of the names and addresses of Holders. If neither the Trustee nor an
Affiliate of the Trustee is the Registrar, the Issuer shall furnish to the
Trustee, in writing at least five Business Days before each interest payment
date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a list in
such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the names
and addresses of Holders.
SECTION 2.06. Transfer and Exchange. (a) The Notes shall be issued in
registered form and shall be transferable only in compliance with Appendix A and
upon the surrender of a Note for registration of transfer. When a Note is
presented to the Registrar or a Transfer Agent with a request to register a
transfer, the Registrar shall register the transfer as requested if the
requirements of this Indenture and Section 8-401(1) of the Uniform Commercial
Code are met. When Notes are presented to the Registrar or a Transfer Agent with
a request to exchange them for an equal principal amount of Notes of other
38
denominations, the Registrar shall make the exchange as requested if the same
requirements are met.
(b) To permit registration of transfers and exchanges, the Issuer shall
execute and the Trustee shall authenticate Notes at the Registrar153s request. The
Issuer may require payment of a sum sufficient to pay all taxes, assessments or
other governmental charges in connection with any transfer or exchange pursuant
to this Section. The Issuer shall not be required to make and the Registrar need
not register transfer or exchanges of Notes selected for redemption in
accordance with the terms of this Indenture (except, in the case of Notes to be
redeemed in part, the portion thereof not to be redeemed) or any Notes for a
period of 15 days before a selection of Notes to be redeemed or any Notes for a
period of 15 days before an interest payment date.
Prior to the due presentation for registration of transfer of any Note, the
Issuer, the Note Guarantors, the Trustee, the Paying Agent and the Registrar may
deem and treat the Person in whose name a Note is registered as the absolute
owner of such Note for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and
(subject to paragraph 2 of the Notes) interest, if any, on such Note and for all
other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Note is overdue, and none of the
Issuer, any Note Guarantor, the Trustee, any Paying Agent, or the Registrar
shall be affected by notice to the contrary.
Any Holder of a beneficial interest in a Global Note shall, by acceptance of
such beneficial interest, agree that transfers of beneficial interest in such
Global Note may be effected only through a book-entry system maintained by (a)
the Holder of such Global Note (or its agent) or (b) any Holder of a beneficial
interest in such Global Note, and that ownership of a beneficial interest in
such Global Note shall be required to be reflected in a book entry.
All Notes issued upon any transfer or exchange pursuant to the terms of this
Indenture shall evidence the same Indebtedness and shall be entitled to the same
benefits under this Indenture as the Notes surrendered upon such transfer or
exchange.
SECTION 2.07. Replacement Notes. If a mutilated Note is surrendered to
the Registrar or at the office of a Transfer Agent or if the Holder of a Note
claims that the Note has been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken, the Issuer
shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a replacement Note if the
requirements of Section 8-405 of the Uniform Commercial Code are met and the
Holder satisfies any other reasonable requirements of the Trustee. If required
by the Trustee or the Issuer, such Holder shall furnish an indemnity bond
sufficient in the judgment of the Issuer and the Trustee to protect the Issuer,
the Note Guarantors, the Trustee and any Agent from any loss which any of them
may suffer if a Note is replaced. The Issuer and the Trustee may charge the
Holder for their expenses in replacing a Note.
Every replacement Note is an additional Obligation of the Issuer. The
provisions of this Section 2.07 are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent
lawful) all
39
other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of
mutilated, lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken Notes.
SECTION 2.08. Outstanding Notes. Notes outstanding at any time are all
Notes authenticated by the Trustee except for those canceled by it, those
delivered to it for cancellation and those described in this Section as not
outstanding. Subject to Section 11.06, a Note does not cease to be outstanding
because the Issuer or the Company or an Affiliate of the Issuer or the Company
holds the Note.
If a Note is replaced pursuant to Section 2.07, it ceases to be outstanding
unless the Trustee and the Issuer receive proof satisfactory to them that the
replaced Note is held by a bona fide purchaser.
If the Paying Agents segregate and hold in trust, in accordance with this
Indenture, on a redemption date or maturity date money sufficient to pay all
principal and interest payable on that date with respect to the Notes (or
portions thereof) to be redeemed or maturing, as the case may be, then on and
after that date such Notes (or portions thereof) cease to be outstanding and
interest on them ceases to accrue.
SECTION 2.09. Temporary Notes. Until definitive Notes are ready for
delivery, the Issuer may prepare and the Trustee, upon receipt of an
Authentication Order, shall authenticate temporary Notes. Temporary Notes shall
be substantially in the form of definitive Notes but may have variations that
the Issuer considers appropriate for temporary Notes. Without unreasonable
delay, the Issuer shall prepare and the Trustee shall authenticate definitive
Notes and deliver them in exchange for temporary Notes upon surrender of such
temporary Notes at the office or agency of the Issuer, without charge to the
Holder.
SECTION 2.10. Cancellation. The Issuer at any time may deliver Notes
to the Trustee for cancellation. Each Agent shall forward to the Trustee any
Notes surrendered to it for registration of transfer, exchange or payment. The
Trustee and no one else shall cancel all Notes surrendered for registration of
transfer, exchange, replacement, payment or cancellation and deliver a
certificate of such cancellation to the Issuer upon request. The Trustee shall
retain all canceled securities in accordance with its standard procedures
(subject to the record retention requirements of the Exchange Act). The Issuer
may not issue new Notes to replace Notes it has redeemed, paid or delivered to
the Trustee for cancellation. The Trustee shall not authenticate Notes in place
of cancelled Notes other than pursuant to the terms of this Indenture.
SECTION 2.11. Defaulted Interest. If the Issuer defaults in a payment
of interest on the Notes, the Issuer shall pay defaulted interest (plus interest
on such defaulted interest to the extent lawful) in
40
any lawful manner. The Issuer may pay the defaulted interest to the persons
who are Holders on a subsequent special record date. The Issuer shall fix or
cause to be fixed any such special record date and payment date to the
reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee and shall promptly give notice to each
Holder that states the special record date, the payment date and the amount of
defaulted interest to be paid.
SECTION 2.12. Common Codes and ISINs. The Issuer in issuing the Notes
may use Common Codes and ISINs (if then generally in use) and, if so, the
Trustee shall use Common Codes and ISINs in notices as a convenience to Holders;
provided, however, that any such notice may state that no
representation is made as to the correctness of such numbers either as printed
on the Notes or as contained in any notice (including a notice of redemption)
and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed
on the Notes, and any such notice or notice of redemption shall not be affected
by any defect in or omission of such numbers. The Issuer will promptly notify
the Trustee of any change in the Common Codes or ISINs.
SECTION 2.13. Issuance of Additional Notes. After the Closing Date,
the Issuer shall be entitled, subject to its compliance, at the time of and
after giving effect to such issuance, with Section 4.03 and Section 4.09, to
issue Additional Notes under this Indenture, which Notes shall have identical
terms as the Notes issued on the Closing Date, other than with respect to the
date of issuance and issue price; provided that any such Additional Notes will
be treated, for U.S. Federal income tax purposes, as fungible with the Notes.
All the Notes issued under this Indenture (including any Additional Notes) shall
be treated as a single class for all purposes of this Indenture, including in
respect of any amendment, waiver, other modification or optional redemption by
the Issuer.
With respect to any Additional Notes, the Issuer shall set forth in an
Officers153 Certificate, a copy of which shall be delivered to the Trustee (along
with a copy of the resolutions of the board of directors of the Issuer
authorizing the Additional Notes), the following information:
(1) the aggregate principal amount of such Additional Notes to be
authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture and the provision of
Section 4.03 that the Issuer is relying on to issue such Additional Notes; and
(2) the issue price, the issue date, the Common Code and ISIN of such
Additional Notes.
SECTION 2.14. Agents Interest. The rights, powers, duties and
obligations and actions of each Agent under this Indenture are
41
several and not joint or joint and several. The Issuer and the Paying Agents
acknowledge and agree that during the continuance of an Event of Default, the
Trustee may, by notice in writing to each of the Issuer and the Paying Agents,
require that the Paying Agents act as agents of, and take instructions
exclusively from, the Trustee.
ARTICLE 3
Redemption
SECTION 3.01. Notices to Trustee. If the Issuer elects to redeem Notes
pursuant to paragraphs 6 or 7 of the Notes, it shall notify the Trustee in
writing of the redemption date, the principal amount of Notes to be redeemed,
the redemption price, the ISIN numbers and Common Codes and the paragraph of the
Notes pursuant to which the redemption will occur.
The Issuer shall give each notice to the Trustee provided for in this Section
at least 45 days before the redemption date unless the Trustee consents to a
shorter period. Such notice shall be accompanied by an Officers153 Certificate to
the effect that such redemption will comply with the conditions herein. Any such
notice may be cancelled by the Issuer at any time prior to notice of such
redemption being given to any Holder and shall thereby be void and of no effect
unless the Trustee has sent the notice of redemption pursuant to Section 3.03
below.
In the case of a redemption provided for by paragraph 7 of the Notes, prior
to the publication or delivery of any notice of redemption of any series of
Notes pursuant to such paragraph, the Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee (a) an
Officers153 Certificate to the effect that the Issuer or the Note Guarantors, as
the case may be, cannot avoid the obligation to pay Additional Amounts with
respect to the Notes or the Guarantees by taking reasonable measures available
to it and (b) an opinion of counsel of independent legal counsel of recognized
standing stating that such Issuer or Note Guarantor would be obligated to pay
Additional Amounts as a result of a change in tax laws or regulations or the
application or interpretation of such laws or regulations. The Trustee shall
accept such Officers153 Certificate and opinion of counsel as sufficient evidence
of the existence and satisfaction of the conditions precedent as described
above, in which event it will be conclusive and binding on the Holders. Any such
notice may be canceled at any time prior to notice of such redemption being
given to any Holder and shall thereby be void and of no effect. For the
avoidance of doubt, the implementation of European Council Directive 2003/48/EC
or any other directive implementing the conclusions of the ECOFIN Council
meeting of November 26 and 27, 2000 on the taxation of savings income or any law
implementing or complying with or introduced in order to conform to, such
directives will not be a change or amendment for such purposes.
SECTION 3.02. Selection of Notes to Be Redeemed. If fewer than all the
Notes are to be redeemed, the Trustee shall select the Notes to be redeemed pro
rata or by lot or by a method (including by
42
pool factor) that complies with applicable legal and securities exchange
requirements, if any, and that the Trustee in its sole discretion shall deem to
be fair and appropriate, unless otherwise required by applicable law or
applicable stock exchange or depositary requirements. The Trustee shall make the
selection from outstanding Notes not previously called for redemption. The
Trustee may select for redemption portions of the principal amount of Notes that
have denominations larger than 100,000. Notes and portions of them the Trustee
selects shall be in principal amounts of 100,000 or a whole multiple of 1,000
in excess thereof. Provisions of this Indenture that apply to Notes called for
redemption also apply to portions of Notes called for redemption. The Trustee
shall notify the Issuer promptly of the Notes or portions of Notes to be
redeemed.
SECTION 3.03. Notice of Redemption. At least 30 days but not more than
60 days before a date for redemption of Notes, the Issuer, or the Trustee (at
the direction of the Issuer), shall give notice to each Holder of Notes to be
redeemed. For Notes which are represented by global certificates held on behalf
of Euroclear or Clearstream, notices may be given by delivery of the relevant
notices to Euroclear or Clearstream for communication to entitled account
holders. In addition, for so long as any Notes are listed on the Official List
of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange and admitted to trading on the Euro MTF and the
rules of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange so require, any such notice to the
Holders of the relevant Notes shall also be published in a newspaper having a
general circulation in Luxembourg (which is expected to be the Luxemburger
Wort) or, to the extent and in the manner permitted by such rules, post
such notice on the official website of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange
(www.bourse.lu), and, in connection with any redemption, the Issuer will notify
the Luxembourg Stock Exchange of any change in the principal amount of Notes
outstanding. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any Note,
where this Indenture or any Note provides for notice of any event (including any
notice of redemption) to a Holder of a Note in global form (whether by mail or
otherwise), such notice shall be sufficiently given if given to the depositary
for such Note (or its designee) pursuant to the customary procedures of such
depositary.
The notice shall identify the Notes to be redeemed and shall state:
(1) the redemption date;
(2) the redemption price;
(3) the name and address of the relevant Paying Agent(s);
43
(4) that Notes called for redemption must be surrendered to the relevant
Paying Agent(s) to collect the redemption price;
(5) if fewer than all the outstanding Notes are to be redeemed, the
identification and principal amounts of the particular Notes to be redeemed;
(6) that, unless the Issuer defaults in making such redemption payment,
interest on Notes (or portion thereof) called for redemption ceases to accrue on
and after the redemption date; and
(7) that no representation is made as to the correctness or accuracy of the
Common Code or ISIN, if any, listed in such notice or printed on the Notes.
At the Issuer153s request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in
the Issuer153s name and at the Issuer153s expense. In such event, the Issuer shall
provide the Trustee with the information required by this Section.
SECTION 3.04. Effect of Notice of Redemption. Once notice of
redemption is given to Holders, Notes called for redemption shall become due and
payable on the redemption date and at the redemption price stated in the notice.
Upon surrender to a Paying Agent, such Notes shall be paid at the redemption
price stated in the notice, plus accrued interest to the redemption date
(subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date to
receive interest due on the related interest payment date if the redemption date
is after a regular record date and on or prior to the interest payment date).
Failure to give notice or any defect in the notice to any Holder shall not
affect the validity of the notice to any other Holder.
SECTION 3.05. Deposit of Redemption Price. Prior to 11:00 a.m., London
time, on the redemption date, the Issuer shall deposit with the relevant Paying
Agent(s) (or, if the Issuer, the Company or a Subsidiary is the Paying Agent,
shall segregate and hold in trust) money sufficient to pay the redemption price
of and accrued interest on all Notes or portions thereof to be redeemed on that
date other than Notes or portions of Notes called for redemption which have been
delivered by the Issuer to the Trustee for cancellation. Interest shall cease to
accrue on Notes or portions thereof called for redemption on and after the date
the Issuer has deposited with the relevant Paying Agent(s) funds sufficient to
pay the principal of, plus accrued and unpaid interest on, the Notes to be
redeemed, unless such Paying Agent(s) is prohibited from making such payment
pursuant to the terms of this Indenture. For the avoidance of doubt, each Paying
Agent and the Trustee shall be held harmless and have no liability with respect
to payments or disbursements to be made by such Paying Agent and Trustee for
which payment instructions are not made or that are not otherwise deposited by
the date set forth in this Section 3.05.
44
SECTION 3.06. Notes Redeemed in Part. Upon surrender of a Note that is
redeemed in part, the Issuer shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate
for the Holder (at the Issuer153s expense) a new Note equal in principal amount to
the unredeemed portion of the Note surrendered.
ARTICLE 4
Covenants
SECTION 4.01. Payment of Notes. The Issuer shall promptly pay the
principal of and interest on the Notes on the dates and in the manner provided
in the Notes and in this Indenture. Principal and interest shall be considered
paid on the date due if on such date the Trustee or the relevant Paying Agent(s)
holds in accordance with this Indenture money sufficient to pay all principal
and interest then due.
The Issuer shall pay interest on overdue principal at the rate specified
therefor in the Notes, and it shall pay interest on overdue installments of
interest at the same rate to the extent lawful.
SECTION 4.02. SEC Reports. Notwithstanding that the Company may not be
subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange
Act, so long as the Company is a Note Guarantor, the Company shall file with the
SEC and provide the Trustee and Holders and prospective Holders (upon request)
within 15 days after it files them with the SEC, copies of its annual report and
the information, documents and other reports that are specified in Sections 13
and 15(d) of the Exchange Act. In addition, the Company shall furnish to the
Trustee and the Holders, promptly upon their becoming available, copies of the
annual report to shareholders and any other information provided by the Company
to its public shareholders generally. Delivery of such reports, information and
documents to the Trustee hereunder is for informational purposes only and the
Trustee153s receipt of such does not constitute constructive notice of any
information contained therein or determinable from information contained
therein, including the Company153s compliance with any of its covenants hereunder
(as to which the Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers153
Certificates or certificates delivered pursuant to Section 4.13). In addition,
the Issuer shall furnish to the Holders of the Notes and to prospective
investors (upon request) any information required to be delivered pursuant to
Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act so long as the Notes are not freely
transferable under the Securities Act. For so long as the Notes are listed on
the Official List of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange and admitted to trading on
the Euro MTF and the rules of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange so require, the
information in this
45
Section 4.02 shall also be made available in Luxembourg through the offices
of the Paying Agent in Luxembourg.
SECTION 4.03. Limitation on Indebtedness. (a) The Company shall not,
and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, Incur, directly or
indirectly, any Indebtedness; provided, however, that the Company,
the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor may Incur Indebtedness if on the date of
such Incurrence and after giving effect thereto and the application of the
proceeds therefrom the Consolidated Coverage Ratio would be greater than
2.0:1.0.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing paragraph (a), the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries may Incur the following Indebtedness:
|
(1) |
(x) U.S. Bank Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed the |
||
|
(2) |
Indebtedness of the Company owed to and held by any Restricted Subsidiary or |
||
|
(3) |
Indebtedness (A) represented by the Notes issued on the Closing Date (not |
46
|
Indebtedness described in clauses (1) and (2) above), and (C) consisting of |
|||
|
(4) |
(A) Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary Incurred and outstanding on or |
||
|
(5) |
Indebtedness (A) in respect of performance bonds, bankers153 acceptances, |
||
|
(6) |
Purchase Money Indebtedness, Capitalized Lease Obligations and Attributable |
||
|
(7) |
Indebtedness Incurred by a Receivables Entity in a Qualified Receivables |
47
|
(8) |
Indebtedness arising from the honoring by a bank or other financial |
|||
|
(9) |
any Guarantee (other than the Note Guarantees) by the Company or a Restricted |
|||
|
(10) (A) |
Indebtedness of Foreign Subsidiaries in an aggregate principal amount that, |
|||
|
(B) |
Indebtedness of Foreign Subsidiaries Incurred in connection with a Qualified |
||||
|
(11) |
Indebtedness constituting unsecured Indebtedness or Secured Indebtedness in |
||||
|
(12) |
Indebtedness of the Company and the Restricted Subsidiaries in an aggregate |
||||
(c) For purposes of determining the outstanding principal amount of any
particular Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to this Section 4.03:
|
(1) |
Outstanding Indebtedness Incurred pursuant to any of the Credit Agreements |
||
|
(2) |
Indebtedness permitted by this Section 4.03 need not be permitted solely by |
48
|
one or more other provisions of this covenant permitting such Indebtedness; |
|||
|
(3) |
in the event that Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one of the |
||
(d) For purposes of determining compliance with any U.S. dollar or euro
denominated restriction on the Incurrence of Indebtedness where the Indebtedness
Incurred is denominated in a different currency, the amount of such Indebtedness
will be the U.S. Dollar Equivalent or Euro Equivalent, as the case may be,
determined on the date of the Incurrence of such Indebtedness; provided,
however, that if any such Indebtedness denominated in a different
currency is subject to a Currency Agreement with respect to U.S. dollars or
euros, as the case may be, covering all principal, premium, if any, and interest
payable on such Indebtedness, the amount of such Indebtedness expressed in U.S.
dollars or euros will be as provided in such Currency Agreement. The principal
amount of any Refinancing Indebtedness Incurred in the same currency as the
Indebtedness being Refinanced will be the U.S. Dollar Equivalent or Euro
Equivalent, as appropriate, of the Indebtedness Refinanced determined on the
date of the Incurrence of such Indebtedness, except to the extent that (1) such
U.S. Dollar Equivalent or Euro Equivalent was determined based on a Currency
Agreement, in which case the Refinancing Indebtedness will be determined in
accordance with the immediately preceding sentence, and (2) the principal amount
of the Refinancing Indebtedness exceeds the principal amount of the Indebtedness
being Refinanced, in which case the U.S. Dollar Equivalent or Euro Equivalent,
as appropriate, of such excess will be determined on the date such Refinancing
Indebtedness is Incurred.
SECTION 4.04. Limitation on Restricted Payments. (a) The Company shall
not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, to
make any Restricted Payment if at the time the Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary makes any Restricted Payment:
|
(1) |
a Default shall have occurred and be continuing (or would result therefrom); |
||
|
(2) |
the Company could not Incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness under |
49
|
(3) |
the aggregate amount of such Restricted Payment and all other Restricted |
||||
|
(i) |
50% of the Consolidated Net Income accrued during the period (treated as one |
||||
|
(ii) |
100% of the aggregate Net Cash Proceeds received by the Company from the |
||||
|
(iii) |
the amount by which Indebtedness of the Company or its Restricted |
||||
|
(iv) |
an amount equal to the sum of (x) the net reduction in the Investments (other |
||||
50
|
each case realized by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary, and (y) to |
(b) The provisions of Section 4.04(a) shall not prohibit:
(1) any Restricted Payment made out of the Net Cash Proceeds of the
substantially concurrent sale of, or made by exchange for, Capital Stock of the
Company (other than Disqualified Stock and other than Capital Stock issued or
sold to a Subsidiary of the Company or an employee stock ownership plan or to a
trust established by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for the benefit of
their employees to the extent such sale to such an employee stock ownership plan
or trust is financed by loans from or guaranteed by the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary unless such loans have been repaid with cash on or prior
to the date of determination) or a substantially concurrent cash capital
contribution received by the Company from its shareholders; provided,
however, that:
|
(A) |
such Restricted Payment shall be excluded in the calculation of the amount of |
||
|
(B) |
the Net Cash Proceeds from such sale applied in the manner set forth in |
(2) any prepayment, repayment or Purchase for value of Subordinated
Obligations of the Company made by exchange for, or out of the proceeds of the
substantially concurrent sale of, other Subordinated Obligations or Indebtedness
Incurred under Section 4.03(a); provided, however, that such
prepayment, repayment or Purchase for value shall be excluded in the calculation
of the amount of Restricted Payments;
(3) dividends paid within 60 days after the date of declaration thereof if at
such date of declaration such dividends would have complied with this covenant;
provided, however, that such dividends shall be included in the
calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments;
51
(4) any Purchase for value of Capital Stock of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries from employees, former employees, directors or former directors of
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (or permitted transferees of such
employees, former employees, directors or former directors), pursuant to the
terms of agreements (including employment agreements) or plans (or amendments
thereto) approved by the Board of Directors under which such individuals
purchase or sell or are granted the option to purchase or sell, shares of such
Capital Stock; provided, however, that the aggregate amount of
such Purchases for value will not exceed $10,000,000 in any calendar year;
provided further, however, that any of the $10,000,000 permitted
to be applied for Purchases under this Section 4.04(b)(4) in a calendar year
(and not so applied) may be carried forward for use in the following two
calendar years; provided further, however, that such
Purchases for value shall be excluded in the calculation of the amount of
Restricted Payments;
(5) so long as no Default has occurred and is continuing, payments of
dividends on Disqualified Stock issued after the Reference Date pursuant to
Section 4.03; provided, however, that such dividends shall be
included in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments;
(6) repurchases of Capital Stock deemed to occur upon exercise of stock
options if such Capital Stock represents a portion of the exercise price of such
options; provided, however, that such Restricted Payments shall be
excluded in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments;
(7) so long as no Default has occurred and is continuing, any prepayment,
repayment or Purchase for value of Subordinated Obligations from Net Available
Cash to the extent permitted under Section 4.06; provided,
however, that such prepayment, repayment or Purchase for value shall be
excluded in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments;
(8) payments to holders of Capital Stock (or to the holders of Indebtedness
that is convertible into or exchangeable for Capital Stock upon such conversion
or exchange) in lieu of the issuance of fractional shares; provided,
however, that such payments shall be excluded in the calculation of the
amount of Restricted Payments; or
(9) any Restricted Payment in an amount which, when taken together with all
Restricted Payments made after the Reference Date pursuant to this Section
4.04(b)(9), does not exceed $600,000,000; provided, however, that
(A) at the time of each such Restricted Payment, no Default shall have occurred
and be continuing (or result therefrom) and (B) such Restricted Payments shall
be excluded in the calculation of the amount of Restricted Payments.
SECTION 4.05. Limitation on Restrictions on Distributions from Restricted
Subsidiaries. The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted
Subsidiary to, create or otherwise cause or
52
permit to exist or become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction
on the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to:
(1) pay dividends or make any other distributions on its Capital Stock or pay
any Indebtedness or other obligations owed to the Company;
(2) make any loans or advances to the Company; or
(3) transfer any of its property or assets to the Company, except:
|
(A) |
any encumbrance or restriction pursuant to applicable law, rule, regulation |
||||
|
(B) |
any encumbrance or restriction with respect to a Restricted Subsidiary |
||||
|
(C) |
any encumbrance or restriction pursuant to an agreement effecting a |
||||
|
(D) |
in the case of Section 4.05(3), any encumbrance or restriction |
||||
|
(i) |
that restricts in a customary manner the subletting, assignment or transfer |
||||
|
(ii) |
contained in mortgages, pledges and other security agreements securing |
||||
53
|
Subsidiary to the extent such encumbrance or restriction restricts the |
|||||
|
(E) |
with respect to a Restricted Subsidiary, any restriction imposed pursuant to |
||||
|
(F) |
any encumbrance or restriction existing under or by reason of Indebtedness or |
||||
|
(G) |
purchase money obligations for property acquired in the ordinary course of |
||||
|
(H) |
provisions with respect to the disposition or distribution of assets or |
||||
|
(I) |
restrictions on cash or other deposits or net worth imposed by customers, |
||||
|
(J) |
with respect to any Foreign Subsidiary, any encumbrance or restriction |
||||
|
(i) |
the encumbrance or restriction applies only in the event of a payment default |
||
|
(ii) |
at the time such Indebtedness is Incurred, such encumbrance or restriction is |
SECTION 4.06. Limitation on Sales of Assets and Subsidiary Stock.
(a) The Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to,
make any Asset Disposition unless:
54
(1) the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary receives consideration
(including by way of relief from, or by any other Person assuming sole
responsibility for, any liabilities, contingent or otherwise) at the time of
such Asset Disposition at least equal to the Fair Market Value of the shares and
assets subject to such Asset Disposition;
(2) at least 75% of the consideration thereof received by the Company or such
Restricted Subsidiary is in the form of cash or Additional Assets; and
(3) an amount equal to 100% of the Net Available Cash from such Asset
Disposition is applied by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case
may be:
|
(A) |
first, to the extent the Company elects (or is required by the terms |
||
|
(B) |
second, to acquire Additional Assets (or otherwise to make capital |
||
|
(C) |
third, to the extent of the balance of such Net Available Cash after |
||
|
(D) |
fourth, to the extent of the balance of such Net Available Cash |
55
|
provided, however, that in connection with any prepayment, |
|||
|
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 4.06(a)(3), the |
|||
(b) For the purposes of this covenant, the following are deemed to be cash:
(1) the assumption of Indebtedness or other obligations of the Company (other
than obligations in respect of Disqualified Stock of the Company) or any
Restricted Subsidiary (other than obligations in respect of Disqualified Stock
and Preferred Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary that is the Issuer or a
Subsidiary Guarantor) and the release of the Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary from all liability on such Indebtedness or obligations in connection
with such Asset Disposition;
(2) any Designated Non-cash Consideration having an aggregate Fair Market
Value that, when taken together with all other Designated Non-cash Consideration
received pursuant to this clause and then outstanding, does not exceed at the
time of the receipt of such Designated Non-cash Consideration (with the Fair
Market Value of each item of Designated Non-cash Consideration being measured at
the time received and without giving effect to subsequent changes in value) the
greater of (1) $200,000,000 and (2) 1.5% of the total Consolidated assets of the
Company as shown on the most recent balance sheet of the Company filed with the
SEC;
(3) securities, notes or similar obligations received by the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary from the transferee that are promptly converted by the
Company or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash; and
(4) Temporary Cash Investments.
(c) In the event of an Asset Disposition that requires the purchase of Notes
pursuant to Section 4.06(a)(3)(C), the Company (or the Issuer) shall be required
56
(i) to purchase Notes tendered pursuant to an offer for the Notes (the
“Offer”) at a purchase price of 100% of their principal amount plus accrued and
unpaid interest to the date of purchase (subject to the right of Holders of
record on the relevant date to receive interest due on the relevant interest
payment date) in accordance with the procedures (including prorating in the
event of oversubscription), set forth in Section 4.06(d) and (ii) to purchase
other Senior Indebtedness of the Company on the terms and to the extent
contemplated thereby; provided that in no event shall the offer to
purchase such Senior Indebtedness be made at a purchase price in excess of 100%
of its principal amount (without premium) or, unless otherwise provided for in
such Senior Indebtedness, the accreted amount, if issued with original issue
discount, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon. If the aggregate purchase
price of Notes (and Senior Indebtedness) tendered pursuant to the Offer is less
than the Net Available Cash allotted to the purchase of the Notes (and other
Senior Indebtedness), the Company (or the Issuer) shall apply the remaining Net
Available Cash in accordance with Section 4.06(a)(3)(D). The Company (or the
Issuer) shall not be required to make an Offer for Notes (and Senior
Indebtedness) pursuant to this covenant if the Net Available Cash available
therefor (after application of the proceeds as provided in Section 4.06(a)(3)(A)
and Section 4.06(a)(3)(B)) is less than $25,000,000 for any particular Asset
Disposition (which lesser amount will be carried forward for purposes of
determining whether an Offer is required with respect to the Net Available Cash
from any subsequent Asset Disposition).
(d) (1) If the aggregate purchase price of Notes (and other Senior
Indebtedness) tendered pursuant to the Offer exceeds the Net Available Cash
allotted to their purchase, the Company (or the Issuer) shall select the Notes
(and other Senior Indebtedness) to be purchased on a pro rata basis (with such
adjustments as may be deemed appropriate by the Company (or the Issuer) so that
only Notes in denominations of 100,000 and integral multiples of 1,000 in
excess thereof and other Senior Indebtedness in denominations of $1,000 and
integral multiples thereof, shall be purchased).
(2) Promptly, and in any event within 10 days after the Company (or the
Issuer) becomes obligated to make an Offer, the Company (or the Issuer) shall
deliver to the Trustee and each Holder notice stating that the Holder may elect
to have his Notes purchased by the Company (or the Issuer) either in whole or in
part (subject to prorating as described in Section 4.06(d)(1) in the event the
Offer is oversubscribed) in denominations of 100,000 and integral multiples of
1,000 in excess thereof of principal amount at the applicable purchase price.
The notice shall specify a purchase date not less than 30 days nor more than 60
days after the date of such notice (the “Purchase Date”).
(3) Not later than the date upon which written notice of an Offer is
delivered to the Trustee as provided below, the Company (or the Issuer) shall
deliver to the Trustee an Officers153 Certificate as to (A) the amount of the
Offer (the “Offer Amount”), including information as to any other Senior
Indebtedness included in the Offer for repurchase, (B) the allocation of the Net
Available Cash from the Asset Dispositions pursuant to which such Offer is being
made and (C) the compliance of such allocation with the provisions of Section
4.06(a)
57
and (c). By 11:00 a.m. London time on the Purchase Date, the Company (or the
Issuer) shall irrevocably deposit with the Trustee or with the relevant Paying
Agent(s) (or, if the Issuer, the Company or a Wholly Owned Subsidiary is acting
as its own Paying Agent, segregate and hold in trust) in Temporary Cash
Investments, maturing on the last day prior to the Purchase Date or on the
Purchase Date if funds are immediately available by open of business, an amount
equal to the Offer Amount to be held for payment in accordance with the
provisions of this Section 4.06. If the Offer includes other Senior
Indebtedness, the deposit described in the preceding sentence may be made with
any other paying agent pursuant to arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee.
Upon the expiration of the period for which the Offer remains open (the “Offer
Period”), the Company (or the Issuer) shall deliver to the Trustee for
cancellation the Notes or portions thereof which have been properly tendered to
and are to be accepted by the Company (or the Issuer). The Trustee shall, on the
Purchase Date, mail or deliver payment (or cause the delivery of payment) to
each tendering Holder in the amount of the purchase price. In the event that the
aggregate purchase price of the Notes delivered by the Company (or the Issuer)
to the Trustee is less than the Offer Amount applicable to the Notes, the
Trustee shall deliver the excess to the Company (or the Issuer) immediately
after the expiration of the Offer Period for application in accordance with this
Section 4.06.
(4) Holders electing to have a Note purchased shall be required to surrender
the Note, with an appropriate form duly completed, to the Company (or the
Issuer) at the address specified in the notice at least three Business Days
prior to the Purchase Date. A Holder shall be entitled to withdraw its election
if the Trustee or the Company (or the Issuer) receives not later than one
Business Day prior to the Purchase Date, a telex, facsimile transmission or
letter setting forth the name of such Holder, the principal amount of the Note
which was delivered for purchase by such Holder and a statement that such Holder
is withdrawing its election to have such Note purchased. Holders whose Notes are
purchased only in part shall be issued new Notes equal in principal amount to
the unpurchased portion of the Notes surrendered.
(5) At the time the Company (or the Issuer) delivers Notes to the Trustee
which are to be accepted for purchase, the Company (or the Issuer) shall also
deliver an Officers153 Certificate stating that such Notes are to be accepted by
the Company (or the Issuer) pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of this
Section 4.06. A Note shall be deemed to have been accepted for purchase at the
time the Trustee, directly or through an agent, mails or delivers payment
therefor to the surrendering Holder.
(e) The Company (and the Issuer) shall comply, to the extent applicable, with
the requirements of Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and any other securities
laws or regulations, including the laws of Luxembourg, in connection with the
purchase of Notes pursuant to this Section 4.06. To the extent that the
provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with provisions of
this Section 4.06, the Company (and the
58
Issuer) shall comply with the applicable securities laws and regulations and
shall not be deemed to have breached its obligations under this Section 4.06 by
virtue thereof.
SECTION 4.07. Limitation on Transactions with Affiliates. (a) The
Company shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly
or indirectly, enter into or conduct any transaction or series of related
transactions (including the purchase, sale, lease or exchange of any property or
the rendering of any service) with any Affiliate of the Company (an “Affiliate
Transaction”) unless such transaction is on terms:
(1) that are no less favorable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary,
as the case may be, than those that could be obtained at the time of such
transaction in arm153s-length dealings with a Person who is not such an Affiliate,
(2) that, in the event such Affiliate Transaction involves an aggregate
amount in excess of $25,000,000,
|
(A) |
are set forth in writing, and |
||
|
(B) |
have been approved by a majority of the members of the Board of Directors |
(3) that, in the event such Affiliate Transaction involves an amount in
excess of $75,000,000, have been determined by a nationally recognized
appraisal, accounting or investment banking firm to be fair, from a financial
standpoint, to the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries.
(b) The provisions of Section 4.07(a) will not prohibit:
(1) any Restricted Payment permitted to be paid pursuant to Section 4.04,
(2) any issuance of securities, or other payments, awards or grants in cash,
securities or otherwise pursuant to, or the funding of, employment arrangements,
stock options and stock ownership plans approved by the Board of Directors,
(3) the grant of stock options or similar rights to employees and directors
of the Company pursuant to plans approved by the Board of Directors,
(4) loans or advances to employees in the ordinary course of business of the
Company,
(5) the payment of reasonable fees and compensation to, or the provision of
employee benefit arrangements and indemnity for the benefit of,
59
directors, officers and employees of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business,
(6) any transaction between or among any of the Company, any Restricted
Subsidiary or any joint venture or similar entity which would constitute an
Affiliate Transaction solely because the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary owns
an equity interest in or otherwise controls such Restricted Subsidiary, joint
venture or similar entity,
(7) the issuance or sale of any Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock)
of the Company,
(8) any agreement as in effect on the Closing Date and described in the
Offering Memorandum or in the Company153s SEC filings as filed on or prior to the
Closing Date, or any renewals, extensions or amendments of any such agreement
(so long as such renewals, extensions or amendments are not less favorable in
any material respect to the Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries) and the
transactions evidenced thereby,
(9) transactions with customers, clients, suppliers or purchasers or sellers
of goods or services in each case in the ordinary course of business and
otherwise in compliance with the terms of this Indenture which are fair to the
Company or its Restricted Subsidiaries, in the reasonable determination of the
Board of Directors or the senior management thereof, or are on terms at least as
favorable as could reasonably have been obtained at such time from an
unaffiliated party, or
(10) any transaction effected as part of a Qualified Receivables Transaction.
SECTION 4.08. Change of Control. (a) Upon the occurrence of a Change
of Control, each Holder shall have the right to require the Issuer to purchase
all or any part of such Holder153s Notes at a purchase price in cash equal to 101%
of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of
purchase (subject to the right of Holders of record on the relevant record date
to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment date), in accordance
with Section 4.08(b).
(b) Within 30 days following any Change of Control, the Issuer shall give
notice to each Holder with a copy to the Trustee (the “Change of Control
Offer”), stating:
(1) that a Change of Control has occurred and that such Holder has the right
to require the Issuer to purchase all or a portion of such Holder153s Notes at a
purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus
accrued and unpaid interest to the date of purchase (subject to the right of
Holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest on the
relevant interest payment date);
60
(2) the circumstances and relevant facts and financial information regarding
such Change of Control;
(3) the purchase date (which shall be no earlier than 30 days nor later than
60 days from the date such notice is given); and
(4) the instructions determined by the Issuer, consistent with this Section
4.08, that a Holder must follow in order to have its Notes purchased.
(c) The Issuer shall not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a
Change of Control if a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the
manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set forth
in this Section 4.08 applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by the Issuer
and purchases all Notes validly tendered and not withdrawn under such Change of
Control Offer. In addition, the Issuer shall not be required to make a Change of
Control Offer upon a Change of Control if the Notes have been called for
redemption to the extent that the Issuer gives a valid notice of redemption to
Holders prior to the Change of Control, and thereafter redeems all Notes called
for redemption in accordance with the terms set forth in such redemption notice.
(d) (1) If and for so long as the Notes are listed on the Official List of
the Luxembourg Stock Exchange and admitted to trading on the Euro MTF and the
rules of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange so require, the Issuer shall publish
notices relating to the Change of Control Offer in a leading newspaper of
general circulation in Luxembourg (which is expected to be the Luxemburger Wort)
or, to the extent and in the manner permitted by such rules, post such notice on
the official website of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange (www.bourse.lu).
|
(2) |
The Issuer shall comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of |
(e) On the purchase date, all Notes purchased by the Issuer under this
Section 4.08 shall be delivered by the Issuer to the Trustee for cancellation,
and the Issuer shall pay the purchase price plus accrued and unpaid interest, if
any, to the Holders entitled thereto.
SECTION 4.09. Limitation on Liens. The Company shall not, and shall
not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, Incur or permit
to exist any Lien (the “Initial Lien”) of any nature whatsoever on any of its
property or assets (including Capital
61
Stock of a Restricted Subsidiary), whether owned at the Closing Date or
thereafter acquired securing any Indebtedness, other than Permitted Liens,
without effectively providing that the Notes shall be secured equally and
ratably with (or prior to) the obligations so secured for so long as such
obligations are so secured.
Any Lien created for the benefit of the Holders pursuant to the preceding
sentence shall provide by its terms that such Lien shall be automatically and
unconditionally released and discharged upon the release and discharge of the
Initial Lien.
SECTION 4.10. Limitation on Sale/Leaseback Transactions. The Company
shall not, and shall not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into any
Sale/Leaseback Transaction with respect to any property unless:
|
(1) |
(A) the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary would be entitled to: |
|||||
|
(i) |
Incur Indebtedness with respect to such Sale/Leaseback Transaction pursuant |
|||||
|
(ii) |
create a Lien on such property securing such Indebtedness without equally and |
|||||
|
(B) |
the gross proceeds payable to the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary in |
||||
|
(C) |
the transfer of such property is permitted by, and, if applicable, the |
||||
|
(2) |
the Sale/Leaseback Transaction is with respect to all or a portion of the |
||||
SECTION 4.11. Future Subsidiary Guarantors. The Company shall cause
(i) each Restricted Subsidiary that Guarantees any Indebtedness of the Company
or any Subsidiary Guarantor, and (ii) each Restricted Subsidiary that Guarantees
any Capital Markets Indebtedness of the Issuer, to become a Subsidiary
Guarantor, and if applicable, execute and deliver to the Trustee a supplemental
indenture in the form set forth in Exhibit 3 hereto pursuant to which such
Subsidiary shall Guarantee payment of the Notes. Each Subsidiary Guarantee shall
be limited (x) to an amount not to exceed the maximum amount that can be
62
Guaranteed by that Subsidiary Guarantor, without (A) rendering the Subsidiary
Guarantee, as it relates to such Subsidiary Guarantor voidable under applicable
law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer or similar laws
affecting the rights of creditors generally or (B) subjecting any officers or
directors of the Subsidiary Guarantor to a material risk of personal liability,
and (y) by applicable corporate benefit or similar laws.
SECTION 4.12. Suspension of Certain Covenants. (a) Following the first
day (the “Suspension Date”) that:
|
(1) |
the Notes have an Investment Grade Rating from both of the Rating Agencies, |
||
|
(2) |
no Default has occurred and is continuing hereunder with respect to the |
the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries will not be subject to Sections
4.03, 4.04, 4.05, 4.06, 4.07, 4.11 and Section 5.01(a)(3)(collectively, the
“Suspended Covenants”). In addition, the Company may elect to suspend the
Subsidiary Guarantees.
(b) In the event that the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries are not
subject to the Suspended Covenants for any period of time as a result of the
foregoing and on any subsequent date (the “Reversion Date”) one or both of the
Rating Agencies withdraws its Investment Grade Rating or downgrades the rating
assigned to such Notes below an Investment Grade Rating, then the Company and
its Restricted Subsidiaries shall thereafter again be subject to the Suspended
Covenants with respect to future events and the Subsidiary Guarantees shall be
reinstated. The period of time between the Suspension Date and the Reversion
Date is referred to herein as the “Suspension Period.”
(c) Notwithstanding that the Suspended Covenants may be reinstated, no
Default shall be deemed to have occurred as a result of a failure to comply with
the Suspended Covenants during the Suspension Period. During any Suspension
Period, the Company shall not designate any Subsidiary to be an Unrestricted
Subsidiary unless the Company would have been permitted to designate such
Subsidiary to be an Unrestricted Subsidiary if a Suspension Period had not been
in effect for any period.
(d) On the Reversion Date, all Indebtedness Incurred during the Suspension
Period shall be classified to have been Incurred pursuant to Section 4.03(to the
extent such Indebtedness would be permitted to be Incurred thereunder as of the
Reversion Date and after giving effect to Indebtedness Incurred prior to the
Suspension Period and outstanding on the Reversion Date). To the extent such
Indebtedness would not be so permitted to be Incurred pursuant to Section
4.03(a) or Section 4.03(b), such Indebtedness shall be deemed to have been
outstanding on the Closing Date, so that it is classified as permitted under
Section 4.03(b)(3)(B). Calculations made after the Reversion Date of the amount
available to be made as Restricted Payments under Section 4.04 shall be made as
though Section 4.04 had been in effect since the Closing Date and
63
throughout the Suspension Period. Accordingly, Restricted Payments made
during the Suspension Period shall reduce the amount available to be made as
Restricted Payments under Section 4.04(a) and the items specified in Section
4.04(a)(3) shall increase the amount available to be made under Section 4.04(a).
For purposes of determining compliance with Section 4.06(a) and Section 4.06(b),
the Net Available Cash from all Asset Dispositions not applied in accordance
with Section 4.06 shall be deemed to be reset to zero after the Reversion Date.
(e) In addition, without causing a Default or Event of Default, the Company
and the Restricted Subsidiaries may honor any contractual commitments to take
actions after a Reversion Date as long as such contractual commitments were
entered into during a Suspension Period and not in anticipation of such Notes no
longer having an Investment Grade Rating from both of the Rating Agencies.
(f) The Company shall provide written notice to the Trustee of the occurrence
of any Suspension Date or Reversion Date and of any election made pursuant to
this Section; provided, that the failure to provide such notice shall not
affect the operation of this Section 4.12 or the Company153s rights hereunder.
SECTION 4.13. Compliance Certificate. The Issuer or the Company shall
deliver to the Trustee within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the
Issuer a certificate signed by a Financial Officer stating (i) that a review of
the activities of the Company and its Subsidiaries during the preceding fiscal
year has been made with a view to determining whether the Company, the Issuer
and the Subsidiary Guarantors have fulfilled their obligations under this
Indenture and (ii) that, to the knowledge of such Financial Officer, no Default
or Event of Default occurred during such period (or, if a Default or Event of
Default hereunder shall have occurred, describing all such Defaults or Events of
Default hereunder of which such Financial Officer may have knowledge and what
action the Issuer has taken, is taking and/or proposes to take with respect
thereto).
SECTION 4.14. Further Instruments and Acts. Upon request of the
Trustee, the Issuer and the Note Guarantors will execute and deliver such
further instruments and do such further acts as may be reasonably necessary or
proper to carry out more effectively the purpose of this Indenture.
SECTION 4.15. Maintenance of Listing. Each of the Company and the
Issuer shall use its reasonable efforts to maintain the listing of the Euro MTF
for so long as such Notes are outstanding; provided, however, that
if at any time the Company or the Issuer determines that it will not maintain
such listing, it will obtain prior to the delisting of the Notes from the Euro
MTF, and thereafter use its reasonable efforts to maintain, a listing of such
Notes on another internationally recognized stock exchange. If and so long as
the Notes
64
are listed on the Official List of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange and admitted
to trading on the Euro MTF and the rules of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange so
require, the Issuer shall maintain a listing, paying and transfer agent in
Luxembourg with respect to the Notes.
SECTION 4.16. Payment of Additional Amounts. (a) All payments made by
or on behalf of the Issuer or the Note Guarantors under or with respect to the
Notes or the Note Guarantees shall be made free and clear of, and without
withholding or deduction for or on account of, any present or future tax, duty,
levy, impost, assessment or other governmental charge (including penalties,
interest and other liabilities related thereto) (hereinafter “Taxes”) imposed or
levied by or on behalf of the Netherlands or any political subdivision or any
authority or agency therein or thereof having power to tax, or within any other
jurisdiction in which the Issuer or any Note Guarantor (or any successor Person)
is, organized or otherwise resident for tax purposes or any jurisdiction from or
through which payment is made (each a “Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction”), unless
the withholding or deduction of such Taxes is required by law or by the
interpretation or administration thereof.
(b) If the Issuer or any Note Guarantor is so required to withhold or deduct
any amount for or on account of Taxes imposed by a Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction,
or if a Holder actually pays such Taxes where the Issuer or the Note Guarantor
failed to withhold or deduct Taxes required to be held or deducted, from any
payment made under or with respect to the notes or the Note Guarantees, the
Issuer or the relevant Note Guarantor, as applicable, will be required to pay
such additional amounts (“Additional Amounts”) as may be necessary so that the
net amount received by the Holders (including Additional Amounts) after such
withholding or deduction (including any Taxes on such Additional Amounts) will
not be less than the amount the Holders would have received if such Taxes had
not been withheld or deducted; provided, however, that the
foregoing obligation to pay Additional Amounts does not apply to (1) any Taxes
that would not have been so imposed but for the existence of any present or
former connection between the relevant Holder (or between a fiduciary, settlor,
beneficiary, member or shareholder of, or possessor of power over the relevant
Holder, if the relevant Holder is an estate, nominee, trust or corporation) and
the Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction (other than the mere receipt of such payment or
the ownership or holding of such Note); (2) any estate, inheritance, gift,
sales, excise, transfer, personal property tax or similar tax, assessment or
governmental charge; or (3) any Taxes withheld, deducted or imposed on a payment
to an individual and which are required to be made pursuant to European Council
Directive 2003/48/EC or any other directive implementing the conclusions of the
ECOFIN Council meeting of November 26 and 27, 2000 on the taxation of savings
income or any law implementing or complying with or introduced in order to
conform to such directives; nor will the Issuer or any Note Guarantor pay
Additional Amounts (a) if the payment could have been made without such
deduction or withholding if the beneficiary of the payment had presented the
Note for payment within 30 days after the date on which such payment or such
Note became due and payable or the date on which payment thereof is duly
provided for, whichever is later (except to the
65
extent that the Holder would have been entitled to Additional Amounts had the
Note been presented on the last day of such 30-day period), or (b) with respect
to any payment of principal of (or premium, if any, on) or interest on such Note
to any Holder who is a fiduciary or partnership or any person other than the
sole beneficial owner of such payment, to the extent that a beneficiary or
settlor with respect to such fiduciary, a member of such a partnership or the
beneficial owner of such payment would not have been entitled to the Additional
Amounts had such beneficiary, settlor, member or beneficial owner been the
actual holder of such Note.
(c) If an Officer of the Issuer or any Note Guarantor becomes aware that it
will be obligated to pay Additional Amounts with respect to any payment under or
with respect to the Notes or the Note Guarantees, the Issuer, the Company or the
relevant Subsidiary Guarantor shall deliver to the Trustee on a date that is at
least 30 days prior to the date of that payment (unless the obligation to pay
Additional Amounts arises after the 30th day prior to that payment date, in
which case the Issuer, the Company or the relevant Guarantor shall notify the
Trustee promptly thereafter) an Officers153 Certificate stating the fact that
Additional Amounts will be payable and the amount estimated to be so payable.
The Officers153 Certificate must also set forth any other information reasonably
necessary to enable the Paying Agents to pay Additional Amounts to Holders on
the relevant payment date. The Trustee shall be entitled to rely solely on such
Officers153 Certificate as conclusive proof that such payments are necessary. Upon
request, the Issuer, the Company or the relevant Subsidiary Guarantor shall also
provide the Trustee with official receipts or other documentation satisfactory
to the Trustee evidencing the payment of the Taxes with respect to which
Additional Amounts are paid.
(d) Whenever in this Indenture there is mentioned, in any context:
(1) the payment of principal;
(2) purchase prices in connection with a purchase of Notes;
(3) interest; or
(4) any other amount payable on or with respect to any of the Notes, such
reference shall be deemed to include payment of Additional Amounts as described
in this Section to the extent that, in such context, Additional Amounts are,
were or would be payable in respect thereof.
(e) The Issuer and the Note Guarantors shall pay any present or future stamp,
court or documentary taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or
similar levies that arise in any jurisdiction from the execution, delivery,
enforcement or registration of the Notes, the Note Guarantees, this Indenture or
any other document or instrument in relation thereof, or the receipt of any
payments with respect to the Notes or the Note Guarantees, excluding such taxes,
charges or similar levies imposed by any jurisdiction outside of the
jurisdiction of organization of the Issuer or any of the Note Guarantors, or the
jurisdiction of organization of any successor of the Issuer or any Note
Guarantor, or any jurisdiction in which a Paying Agent is located, and the
Issuer and the
66
Note Guarantors shall agree to indemnify the Holders for any such taxes paid
by such Holders.
(f) The obligations described in this Section shall survive any termination,
defeasance or discharge of this Indenture and shall apply mutatis
mutandis to any jurisdiction in which any successor Person to the Issuer
or any Note Guarantor is organized or any political subdivision or taxing
authority or agency thereof or therein.
ARTICLE 5
Successor Company
SECTION 5.01. When Issuer and Note Guarantors May Merge or Transfer
Assets. (a) The Company shall not, directly or indirectly, consolidate with
or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all its
assets, in one or a series of related transactions, to, any Person, unless:
(1) the resulting, surviving or transferee Person (the “Successor Company”)
shall be a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United
States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia and the
Successor Company (if not the Company) shall expressly assume, by a supplemental
indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory to the
Trustee, all the obligations of the Company under the Notes and this Indenture;
(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction (and treating any
Indebtedness which becomes an obligation of the Successor Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such transaction as having been Incurred by
the Successor Company or such Restricted Subsidiary at the time of such
transaction), no Default shall have occurred and be continuing;
(3) immediately after giving effect to such transaction, (A) the Successor
Company would be able to Incur an additional $1.00 of Indebtedness under Section
4.03(a) or (B) the Consolidated Coverage Ratio for the Successor Company would
be greater than such ratio for the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries
immediately prior to such transaction; and
(4) the Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers153 Certificate
and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or
transfer and such supplemental indenture (if any) comply with this Indenture.
(b) The Issuer shall not, directly or indirectly, consolidate with or merge
with or into, or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all its assets
in one or a series of related transactions to, any Person, unless:
67
|
(1) |
the resulting, surviving or transferee Person (the “Successor Issuer”) shall |
||
|
(2) |
immediately after giving effect to such transaction (and treating any |
||
|
(3) |
the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers153 Certificate and |
(c) The Successor Company or Successor Issuer, as applicable, shall succeed
to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the
Company or the Issuer, as applicable, under this Indenture. The predecessor
Issuer, other than in the case of a lease, shall be released from the obligation
to pay the principal of and interest on the Notes, and the predecessor company
shall be released from its obligations under the Note Guarantee.
(d) The Company shall not permit any Subsidiary Guarantor to, directly or
indirectly, consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey, transfer or lease
all or substantially all of its assets, in one or a series of related
transactions, to any Person unless:
(1) except in the case of a Subsidiary Guarantor (A) that has been disposed
of in its entirety to another Person (other than to the Company or an Affiliate
of the Company), whether through a merger, consolidation or sale of Capital
Stock or assets or (B) that, as a result of the disposition of all or a portion
of its Capital Stock, ceases to be a Subsidiary, the resulting, surviving or
transferee Person (the “Successor Guarantor”) shall be a corporation organized
and existing under the laws of the United States of America, any state thereof
or the District of Columbia, a member state of the European Union or any other
jurisdiction under which such Subsidiary Guarantor was organized, and such
Person (if not such Subsidiary Guarantor) shall expressly assume, by a
supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form
satisfactory to the Trustee, all the obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor
under its Subsidiary Guarantee;
68
(2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction (and treating any
Indebtedness which becomes an obligation of the Successor Guarantor or any
Restricted Subsidiary as a result of such transaction as having been Incurred by
the Successor Guarantor or such Restricted Subsidiary at the time of such
transaction), no Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and
(3) the Issuer shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers153 Certificate
and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or
transfer and such supplemental indenture (if any) comply with this Indenture.
(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing:
(1) any Restricted Subsidiary may Consolidate with, merge into or transfer
all or part of its properties and assets to the Company, the Issuer or any
Subsidiary Guarantor and
(2) the Company or the Issuer may merge with an Affiliate incorporated solely
for the purpose of reincorporating the Company in a jurisdiction within the
United States of America, any state thereof or the District of Columbia, or, in
the case of the Issuer, any member state of the European Union, to realize tax
or other benefits.
ARTICLE 6
Defaults and Remedies
SECTION 6.01. Events of Default. An “Event of Default” occurs if:
(1) the Issuer defaults in any payment of interest on any Note when the same
becomes due and payable, and such default continues for 30 days;
(2) the Issuer defaults in the payment of principal of any Note when the same
becomes due and payable at its Stated Maturity, upon optional redemption or
required repurchase, upon declaration of acceleration or otherwise;
(3) the Company, the Issuer or any Subsidiary Guarantor fails to comply with
its obligations under Section 5.01;
(4) the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary fails to comply with Section
4.03, 4.04, 4.05, 4.06, 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.10, 4.11, 4.12 or 4.15 (in each
case, other than a failure to purchase Notes) and such failure continues for 30
days after the notice from the Trustee or the Holders specified below;
(5) the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary fails to comply with its
covenants or agreements with respect to such Notes contained in this Indenture
(other than those referred to in clauses (1), (2), (3) or (4) above) and such
failure
69
continues for 60 days after the notice from the Trustee or the Holders
specified below;
(6) the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary fails to pay any Indebtedness
(other than Indebtedness owing to the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) within
any applicable grace period after final maturity or the acceleration of any such
Indebtedness by the holders thereof because of a default if the total amount of
such Indebtedness unpaid or accelerated exceeds $100,000,000 or its foreign
currency equivalent;
(7) the Company, the Issuer or any Significant Subsidiary pursuant to or
within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law:
(A) commences a voluntary case;
(B) consents to the entry of an order for relief against it in an involuntary
case;
(C) consents to the appointment of a Custodian of it or for any substantial
part of its property; or
(D) makes a general assignment for the benefit of its creditors;
or takes any comparable action under any foreign laws relating to insolvency;
(8) a court of competent jurisdiction enters an order or decree under any
Bankruptcy Law that:
(A) is for relief against the Company, the Issuer or any Significant
Subsidiary in an involuntary case;
(B) appoints a Custodian of the Company, the Issuer or any Significant
Subsidiary or for any substantial part of its property; or
(C) orders the winding up or liquidation of the Company, the Issuer or any
Significant Subsidiary;
or any similar relief is granted under any foreign laws and the order or
decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 days;
(9) any final and nonappealable judgment or decree (not covered by insurance)
for the payment of money in excess of $100,000,000 or its foreign currency
equivalent (treating any deductibles, self-insurance or retention as not so
covered) is rendered against the Company, the Issuer or a Significant Subsidiary
and such final judgment or decree remains outstanding and is not satisfied,
discharged or waived within a period of 60 days following such judgment; or
70
(10) any Note Guarantee ceases to be in full force and effect in all material
respects (except as contemplated by the terms thereof) or any Note Guarantor
denies or disaffirms such Note Guarantor153s obligations under this Indenture or
any Note Guarantee and such Default continues for 10 days after receipt of the
notice specified below.
The foregoing shall constitute Events of Default whatever the reason for any
such Event of Default and whether such Event of Default is voluntary or
involuntary or is effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment,
decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any
administrative or governmental body.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a default under Section 6.01(4), 6.01(5),
6.01(6), 6.01(9) or 6.01(10) (and under Section 6.01(10) only with respect to
any Subsidiary Guarantor that is not a Significant Subsidiary) shall not
constitute an Event of Default until the Trustee notifies the Issuer or the
Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes notify the
Issuer and the Trustee of the default and the Company, the Issuer or the
Subsidiary, as applicable, does not cure such default within any applicable time
specified in Section 6.01(4), 6.01(5), 6.01(6), 6.01(9) or 6.01(10) hereof after
receipt of such notice.
The term “Bankruptcy Law” means Title 11, United States Code, or any similar
Federal or state law for the relief of debtors. The term “Custodian” means any
receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator, custodian or similar official under any
Bankruptcy Law.
The Issuer shall deliver to the Trustee, within 30 days after the occurrence
thereof, written notice of any Event of Default under Section 6.01(6) or
6.01(10) and any event which with the giving of notice or the lapse of time
would become an Event of Default under Section 6.01(4), 6.01(5) or 6.01(9), its
status and what action the Company is taking or proposes to take with respect
thereto.
SECTION 6.02. Acceleration. If an Event of Default (other than an
Event of Default specified in Section 6.01(7) or 6.01(8)) occurs and is
continuing, the Trustee by notice to the Issuer or the Holders of at least 25%
in principal amount of the outstanding Notes by notice to the Company and the
Trustee may declare the principal of and accrued but unpaid interest on all the
Notes to be due and payable. Upon such a declaration, such principal and
interest will be due and payable immediately. If an Event of Default specified
in Section 6.01(7) or 6.01(8) with respect to the Company or the Issuer occurs,
the principal of and interest on all the Notes shall become immediately due and
payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any
Holders. The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes by notice to
the Trustee may rescind an acceleration and its consequences if the rescission
would not conflict with any judgment or decree and if all existing Events of
Default have been cured or waived except nonpayment of principal or interest
that has become due solely because of
71
acceleration. No such rescission shall affect any subsequent Default or
impair any right consequent thereto.
SECTION 6.03. Other Remedies. If an Event of Default occurs and is
continuing, the Trustee may pursue any available remedy to collect the payment
of principal of or interest on the Notes or to enforce the performance of any
provision of the Notes or this Indenture.
The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the
Notes or does not produce any of them in the proceeding. A delay or omission by
the Trustee or any Holder in exercising any right or remedy accruing upon an
Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or constitute a waiver of
or acquiescence in the Event of Default. No remedy is exclusive of any other
remedy. All available remedies are cumulative.
SECTION 6.04. Waiver of Past Defaults. The Holders of a majority in
principal amount of the Notes by notice to the Trustee may waive an existing
Default and its consequences except (a) a Default in the payment of the
principal of or interest on a Note (b) a Default arising from the failure to
redeem or purchase any Note when required pursuant to this Indenture or (c) a
Default in respect of a provision that under Section 9.02 cannot be amended
without the consent of each Holder affected. When a Default is waived, it is
deemed cured, but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other Default
or impair any consequent right.
SECTION 6.05. Control by Majority. The Holders of a majority in
principal amount of the Notes may direct the time, method and place of
conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or of
exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee. However, the Trustee may
refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or this Indenture or that
the Trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other Holder
(it being understood that the Trustee does not have an affirmative duty to
ascertain whether or not any such directions are unduly prejudicial to such
Holders), subject to Section 7.01, or that would involve the Trustee in personal
liability; provided, however, that the Trustee may take any other
action deemed proper by the Trustee that is not inconsistent with such
direction. Subject to Section 7.01, if an Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing, the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the
rights or powers under this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the
Holders, unless such Holders have offered to the Trustee indemnity satisfactory
to the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense which might be incurred by
it in compliance with such request or direction.
SECTION 6.06. Limitation on Suits. Except to enforce the right to
receive payment of principal of or interest when due, no
72
Holder may pursue any remedy with respect to this Indenture or the Notes
unless:
(1) the Holder gives to the Trustee written notice stating that an Event of
Default is continuing;
(2) the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding Notes
make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;
(3) such Holder or Holders offer to the Trustee indemnity satisfactory to the
Trustee against any loss, liability or expense;
(4) the Trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after receipt
of the request and the offer of indemnity; and
(5) the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes do not give
the Trustee a direction inconsistent with the request during such 60-day period.
A Holder may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of another Holder
or to obtain a preference or priority over another Holder.
SECTION 6.07. Rights of Holders to Receive Payment. Notwithstanding
any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any Holder to receive
payment of principal of and interest on the Notes held by such Holder, on or
after the respective due dates expressed in the Notes, or to bring suit for the
enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective dates, shall not be
impaired or affected without the consent of such Holder.
SECTION 6.08. Collection Suit by Trustee. If an Event of Default
specified in Section 6.01(1) or 6.01(2) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee
may recover judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against
the Company for the whole amount then due and owing (together with interest on
any unpaid interest to the extent lawful) and the amounts provided for in
Section 7.07.
SECTION 6.09. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim. The Trustee may file
such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as may be necessary or
advisable in order to have the claims of the Trustee and the Holders allowed in
any judicial proceedings relative to the Issuer, its creditors or its property
and, unless prohibited by law or applicable regulations, may vote on behalf of
the Holders in any election of a trustee in bankruptcy or other Person
performing similar functions, and any Custodian in any such judicial proceeding
is hereby authorized by each Holder to make payments to the Trustee and, in the
event that the Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to
the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any amount due it for the reasonable
compensation,
73
expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and its
counsel, and any other amounts due the Trustee under Section 7.07.
SECTION 6.10. Priorities. If the Trustee collects any money or
property pursuant to this Article 6, it shall pay out the money or property in
the following order:
FIRST: to the Trustee for amounts due under Section 7.07;
SECOND: to Holders for amounts due and unpaid on the Notes for principal and
interest ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the
amounts due and payable on the Notes for principal and interest respectively;
and
THIRD: to the Issuer.
The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to Holders
pursuant to this Section. At least 15 days before such record date, the Issuer
or the Company shall deliver to each Holder and the Trustee a notice that states
the record date, the payment date and amount to be paid.
SECTION 6.11. Undertaking for Costs. In any suit for the enforcement
of any right or remedy under this Indenture or in any suit against the Trustee
for any action taken or omitted by it as Trustee, a court in its discretion may
require the filing by any party litigant in the suit of an undertaking to pay
the costs of the suit, and the court in its discretion may assess reasonable
costs, including reasonable attorneys153 fees, against any party litigant in the
suit, having due regard to the merits and good faith of the claims or defenses
made by the party litigant. This Section does not apply to a suit by the
Trustee, a suit by a Holder pursuant to Section 6.07 or a suit by Holders of
more than 10% in principal amount of the Notes.
SECTION 6.12. Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws. The Issuer (to the
extent it may lawfully do so) shall not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in
any manner whatsoever claim or take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or
extension law wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may
affect the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and the Issuer (to
the extent that it may lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or
advantage of any such law, and shall not hinder, delay or impede the execution
of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but shall suffer and permit the
execution of every such power as though no such law had been enacted.
74
ARTICLE 7
Trustee
SECTION 7.01. Duties of Trustee. (a) If an Event of Default has
occurred and is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise the rights and powers
vested in it by this Indenture and use the same degree of care and skill in
their exercise as a prudent Person would exercise or use under the circumstances
in the conduct of such Person153s own affairs.
(b) Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:
(1) the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties as are
specifically set forth in this Indenture and no implied covenants or obligations
shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and
(2) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively
rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions
expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and
conforming to the requirements of this Indenture. However, the Trustee shall
examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they conform
to the requirements of this Indenture.
(c) The Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its own negligent
action, its own negligent failure to act or its own wilful misconduct, except
that:
(1) this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this
Section;
(2) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good
faith by a Trust Officer unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent in
ascertaining the pertinent facts; and
(3) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or
omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it
pursuant to Section 6.05.
(d) Every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the Trustee
is subject to paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section 7.01.
(e) The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by it
except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Issuer.
(f) Money held in trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other
funds except to the extent required by law.
(g) No provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or
risk its own funds or otherwise incur financial liability in the performance of
any of its
75
duties hereunder or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it
shall have reasonable grounds to believe that repayment of such funds or
adequate indemnity against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to
it.
SECTION 7.02. Rights of Trustee. (a) The Trustee may rely on any
document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by
the proper person. The Trustee need not investigate any fact or matter stated in
the document.
(b) Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an
Officers153 Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel or both. The Trustee shall not be
liable for any action it takes or omits to take in good faith in reliance on the
Officers153 Certificate or Opinion of Counsel.
(c) The Trustee may act through agents and shall not be responsible for the
misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care.
(d) The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to take
in good faith which it believes to be authorized or within its rights or powers;
provided, however, that the Trustee153s conduct does not constitute
wilful misconduct or negligence.
(e) The Trustee may consult with counsel, and the advice or opinion of
counsel with respect to legal matters relating to this Indenture and the Notes,
including any Opinion of Counsel, shall be full and complete authorization and
protection from liability in respect to any action taken, omitted or suffered by
it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with the advice or opinion of such
counsel, including any Opinion of Counsel.
(f) The Trustee shall not be required to give any bond or surety in respect
of the performance of its powers and duties hereunder.
(g) The Trustee shall not be bound to ascertain or inquire as to the
performance or observance of any covenants, conditions, or agreements on the
part of the Issuer, except as otherwise set forth herein, but the Trustee may
require of the Issuer full information and advice as to the performance of the
covenants, conditions and agreements contained herein.
(h) The permissive rights of the Trustee to do things enumerated in this
Indenture shall not be construed as a duty and, with respect to such permissive
rights, the Trustee shall not be answerable for other than its negligence or
willful misconduct;
(i) Except for a default under Sections 6.01(1)or (2) hereof, the Trustee
shall not be deemed to have notice or be charged with knowledge of any Default
or Event of Default unless a Trust Officer shall have received from the Issuer
or the Holders of not less than 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes
then outstanding written notice thereof at its address set forth in Section
11.02 hereof, and such notice references the Notes and this Indenture. In the
absence of any such notice, the Trustee may conclusively assume that no Default
or Event of Default exists.
76
(j) The Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights or
powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of the
Holders pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered to
the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses
and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or
direction.
(k) The rights, privileges, protections, immunities and benefits given to the
Trustee, including, without limitation, its right to be indemnified, are
extended to, and shall be enforceable by, the Trustee and each Agent.
(l) In no event shall the Trustee be responsible or liable for any failure or
delay in the performance of its obligations hereunder arising out of or caused
by, directly or indirectly, forces beyond its control, including, without
limitation, strikes, work stoppages, accidents, acts of war or terrorism, civil
or military disturbances, nuclear or natural catastrophes or acts of God, and
interruptions, loss or malfunctions of utilities, communications or computer
(software and hardware) services; it being understood that the Trustee shall use
reasonable efforts which are consistent with accepted practices in the banking
industry to resume performance as soon as practicable under the circumstances.
SECTION 7.03. Individual Rights of Trustee. (a) The Trustee in its
individual or any other capacity may become the owner or pledgee of Notes and
may otherwise deal with the Issuer or its Affiliates with the same rights it
would have if it were not Trustee. Any Paying Agent, Registrar, co-registrar or
co-paying agent may do the same with like rights. However, the Trustee must
comply with Section 7.10.
(b) The Trustee shall be permitted to engage in other transactions;
however, if it acquires any conflicting interest it must eliminate such
conflict within 90 days or resign as Trustee.
SECTION 7.04. Trustee153s Disclaimer. The Trustee shall not be
responsible for and makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of
this Indenture or the Notes or the Subsidiary Guarantees, it shall not be
accountable for the Issuer153s use of the proceeds from the Notes, and it shall
not be responsible for any statement of the Issuer in this Indenture or the
Offering Memorandum or in any other document issued in connection with the sale
of the Notes or in the Notes other than the Trustee153s certificate of
authentication.
SECTION 7.05. Notice of Defaults. If a Default occurs and is
continuing and is actually known to a Trust Officer, the Trustee shall mail to
each Holder notice of the Default within the earlier of 90 days after it occurs
or 30 days after it is actually known to a Trust Officer or written notice of it
is received by the Trustee. Except in the case of a Default in the payment of
principal of or interest on any Note (including payments pursuant to the
redemption provisions of such Note), the
77
Trustee may withhold notice if and so long as a committee of its Trust
Officers in good faith determines that withholding notice is in the interests of
the Holders.
SECTION 7.06. [Reserved].
SECTION 7.07. Compensation and Indemnity. The Issuer or the Company
shall pay to the Trustee and Agents from time to time reasonable compensation
for their services as shall be agreed to in writing from time to time by the
Issuer and the Trustee and Agents, as applicable. The Trustee153s and Agents153
compensation shall not be limited by any law on compensation of a trustee of an
express trust. The Issuer shall reimburse the Trustee and Agents upon request
for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred or made by them, including
costs of collection, in addition to the compensation for their services. Such
expenses shall include the reasonable compensation and expenses, disbursements
and advances of the Trustee153s and Agents153 agents, counsel, accountants and
experts. The Issuer shall indemnify the Trustee and Agents, their agents,
representatives, officers, directors, employees and attorneys against any and
all loss, liability or expense (including reasonable compensation and expenses,
disbursements and advances of the Trustee153s and Agents153 counsel) incurred by
them in connection with the administration of this trust and the performance of
their duties or in connection with the exercise or performance of any of their
rights or powers hereunder. Such indemnified party shall notify the Issuer
promptly of any claim for which it may seek indemnity. Failure by such
indemnified party to so notify the Issuer shall not relieve the Issuer of its
obligations hereunder. The Issuer shall defend the claim and such indemnified
party shall provide reasonable cooperation in such defense. Such indemnified
party may have separate counsel and the Issuer shall pay the fees and expenses
of such counsel reasonably acceptable to the Issuer, provided,
however, that the Issuer shall not be required to pay such fees and
expenses if the Issuer assumes such defense unless there is a conflict of
interest between the Issuer and such indemnified party in connection with such
defense as determined by such indemnified party in consultation with counsel.
The Issuer need not reimburse any expense or indemnify against any loss,
liability or expense incurred by the Trustee or Agents through the Trustee153s or
Agents153 own wilful misconduct, negligence or bad faith.
In no event shall the Trustee or any Agent be responsible or liable for any
special, indirect or consequential loss or damage of any kind (including,
without limitation, loss of business, goodwill, opportunity or profit of any
kind) of the Issuer or any Note Guarantor, even if advised of it in advance and
even if foreseeable and regardless of the form of action.
78
To secure the Issuer153s payment obligations in this Section, the Trustee and
Agents shall have a lien prior to the Notes on all money or property held or
collected by the Trustee or Agents other than money or property held in trust to
pay principal of and interest on particular Notes.
The Issuer153s payment obligations pursuant to this Section shall survive the
resignation or removal of the Trustee and Agents and the discharge of this
Indenture. When the Trustee and Agents incur expenses after the occurrence of a
Default specified in Section 6.01(7) or (8) with respect to the Issuer, the
expenses are intended to constitute expenses of administration under the
Bankruptcy Law.
SECTION 7.08. Replacement of Trustee. The Trustee may resign at any
time by so notifying the Issuer. The Holders of a majority in principal amount
of the Notes may remove the Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and may appoint
a successor Trustee. The Issuer shall remove the Trustee if:
(1) the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10;
(2) the Trustee is adjudged bankrupt or insolvent;
(3) a receiver or other public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its
property; or
(4) the Trustee otherwise becomes incapable of acting.
If the Trustee resigns, is removed by the Issuer or by the Holders of a
majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes and such Holders do not
reasonably promptly appoint a successor Trustee, or if a vacancy exists in the
office of Trustee for any reason (the Trustee in such event being referred to
herein as the retiring Trustee), the Issuer shall promptly appoint a successor
Trustee.
A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to
the retiring Trustee and to the Issuer. Thereupon the resignation or removal of
the retiring Trustee shall become effective, and the successor Trustee shall
have all the rights, powers and duties of the Trustee under this Indenture. The
successor Trustee shall deliver a notice of its succession to Holders. The
retiring Trustee shall promptly transfer all property held by it as Trustee to
the successor Trustee, subject to the lien provided for in Section 7.07.
If a successor Trustee does not take office within 60 days after the retiring
Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee or the Holders of 10% in
principal amount of the outstanding Notes may petition any court of competent
jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.
If the Trustee fails to comply with Section 7.10, any Holder may petition any
court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and the
appointment of a successor Trustee.
79
Notwithstanding the replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section, the
Issuer153s obligations under Section 7.07 shall continue for the benefit of the
retiring Trustee.
SECTION 7.09. Successor Trustee by Merger. If the Trustee consolidates
with, merges or converts into, or transfers all or substantially all its
corporate trust business or assets to, another corporation or banking
association, the resulting, surviving or transferee corporation without any
further act shall be the successor Trustee.
In case at the time such successor or successors by merger, conversion or
consolidation to the Trustee shall succeed to the trusts created by this
Indenture any of the Notes shall have been authenticated but not delivered, any
such successor to the Trustee may adopt the certificate of authentication of any
predecessor trustee, and deliver such Notes so authenticated; and in case at
that time any of the Notes shall not have been authenticated, any successor to
the Trustee may authenticate such Notes either in the name of any predecessor
hereunder or in the name of the successor to the Trustee; and in all such cases
such certificates shall have the full force which it is anywhere in the Notes or
in this Indenture provided that the certificate of the Trustee shall have.
SECTION 7.10. Eligibility; Disqualification. The Trustee shall have a
combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000 as set forth in its most
recent published annual report of condition.
ARTICLE 8
Discharge of Indenture; Defeasance
SECTION 8.01. Discharge of Liability on Notes; Defeasance. (a) When
(1) the Issuer delivers to the Trustee all outstanding Notes (other than Notes
replaced pursuant to Section 2.07) for cancellation or (2) all outstanding Notes
have become due and payable, whether at maturity or on a redemption date as a
result of the delivery of a notice of redemption pursuant to Article 3 hereof
and, in the case of clause (2), the Issuer irrevocably deposits with the Trustee
cash in euro or euro-denominated European Government Obligations, or any
combination thereof, sufficient to pay at maturity or upon redemption all
outstanding Notes, including premium, if any, and interest thereon to maturity
or such redemption date (other than Notes replaced pursuant to Section 2.07),
and if in either case the Issuer pays all other sums payable under this
Indenture by the Issuer, then this Indenture shall, subject to Section 8.01(c),
cease to be of further effect. Upon satisfaction of the above conditions, the
Trustee shall acknowledge satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture.
(b) Subject to Sections 8.01(c) and 8.02, the Issuer at any time may
terminate (1) all its obligations under the Notes and this Indenture with
respect to any
80
Notes (“legal defeasance option”) or (2) the obligations under Sections 4.02,
4.03, 4.04, 4.05, 4.06, 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.10, 4.11, 4.12 and 4.15 and the
operation of Sections 6.01(4), 6.01(6), 6.01(7), 6.01(8) and 6.01(9) (but, in
the case of Sections 6.01(7) and (8), with respect only to Significant
Subsidiaries) and the limitations contained in Section 5.01(a)(3) (“covenant
defeasance option”). The Issuer may exercise its legal defeasance option
notwithstanding its prior exercise of its covenant defeasance option.
If the Issuer exercises its legal defeasance option, payment of the Notes may
not be accelerated because of an Event of Default. If the Issuer exercises its
covenant defeasance option, payment of the Notes may not be accelerated because
of an Event of Default specified in Sections 6.01(4), 6.01(5) (with respect only
to the Company153s obligations under Section 4.02), 6.01(6), 6.01(7), 6.01(8) and
6.01(9) (but, in the case of Sections 6.01(7) and (8), with respect only to
Significant Subsidiaries) or because of the failure of the Company to comply
with Section 5.01(a)(3). In the event that the Issuer exercises its legal
defeasance option or its covenant defeasance option, each Subsidiary Guarantor
will be released from all of its obligations with respect to its Subsidiary
Guarantee.
Upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth herein and upon request of the
Issuer accompanied by an Officers153 Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel
complying with Section 11.04, the Trustee shall acknowledge in writing the
discharge of those obligations that the Issuer terminates.
(c) Notwithstanding clauses (a) and (b) above, the Issuer153s obligations in
Sections 2.03, 2.04, 2.05, 2.06, 2.07, 2.08, 7.07 and 7.08 and in this Article 8
shall survive until the Notes have been paid in full. Thereafter, the Issuer153s
obligations in Sections 7.07, 8.04 and 8.05 shall survive.
SECTION 8.02. Conditions to Defeasance. The Issuer may exercise its
legal defeasance option or its covenant defeasance option only if:
(1) the Issuer irrevocably deposits in trust with the Trustee cash in euro or
euro-denominated European Government Obligations, the principal of and interest
on which shall be sufficient, or a combination thereof sufficient to pay the
principal of, premium (if any) and interest in respect of the Notes to
redemption or maturity, as the case may be;
(2) the Issuer delivers to the Trustee a certificate from an internationally
recognized investment bank, appraisal firm or firm of independent accountants
expressing their opinion that the payments of principal and interest when due
and without reinvestment on the deposited European Government Obligations plus
any deposited money without investment will provide cash at such times and in
such amounts as will be sufficient to pay principal and interest when due on all
the Notes to maturity or redemption, as the case may be;
81
(3) 91 days pass after the deposit is made and during the 91-day period no
Default specified in Sections 6.01(7) or (8) with respect to the Issuer occurs
which is continuing at the end of the period;
(4) the deposit does not constitute a default under any other material
agreement binding on the Issuer;
(5) the Issuer delivers to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect
that the trust resulting from the deposit does not constitute, or is qualified
as, a regulated investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940;
(6) in the case of the legal defeasance option, the Issuer shall have
delivered to the Trustee (A) an Opinion of Counsel stating that (i) the Issuer
has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service
a ruling, or (ii) since the date of this Indenture there has been a change in
the applicable U.S. Federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that,
and based thereon such Opinion of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders will
not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. Federal income tax purposes as a
result of such deposit and defeasance and will be subject to U.S. Federal income
tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have
been the case if such deposit and defeasance had not occurred and (B) an Opinion
of Counsel in the jurisdiction of organization of the Issuer to the effect that
Holders will not recognize income, gain or loss for income tax purposes in such
jurisdiction as a result of such deposit and defeasance and will be subject to
income tax in such jurisdiction on the same amounts and in the same manner and
at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and defeasance had
not occurred; and
(7) in the case of the covenant defeasance option, the Issuer shall have
delivered to the Trustee (A) an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the
Holders will not recognize income, gain or loss for U.S. Federal income tax
purposes as a result of such deposit and covenant defeasance and will be subject
to U.S. Federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the
same times as would have been the case if such deposit and covenant defeasance
had not occurred and (B) an Opinion of Counsel in the jurisdiction of
organization of the Issuer to the effect that Holders will not recognize income,
gain or loss for income tax purposes in such jurisdiction as a result of such
deposit and defeasance and will be subject to income tax in such jurisdiction on
the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been
the case if such deposit and defeasance had not occurred.
Before or after a deposit, the Issuer may make arrangements satisfactory to
the Trustee for the redemption of Notes at a future date in accordance with
Article 3.
SECTION 8.03. Application of Trust Money. The Trustee shall hold in
trust cash in euro or euro-denominated European Government Obligations deposited
with it pursuant to this Article 8. It
82
shall apply the deposited cash in euro or euro-denominated European
Government Obligations, as the case may be, through the relevant Paying Agent(s)
and in accordance with this Indenture to the payment of principal of and
interest on the Notes.
SECTION 8.04. Repayment to Issuer. The Trustee and the relevant Paying
Agent(s) shall promptly turn over to the Issuer upon request any excess money or
securities held by them at any time.
Subject to any applicable abandoned property law, the Trustee and the
relevant Paying Agent(s) shall pay to the Issuer upon request any money held by
them for the payment of principal or interest that remains unclaimed for two
years, and, thereafter, Holders entitled to the money must look to the Issuer
for payment as general creditors.
SECTION 8.05. Indemnity for Government Obligations. The Issuer shall
pay and shall indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or other charge imposed
on or assessed against deposited European Government Obligations or the
principal and interest received on such European Government Obligations.
SECTION 8.06. Reinstatement. If the Trustee or the relevant Paying
Agent(s) is unable to apply any cash in euro or euro-denominated European
Government Obligations in accordance with this Article 8 by reason of any legal
proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental
authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the
Issuer153s and each Note Guarantor153s obligations under this Indenture and each
Note Guarantee with respect to such Notes shall be revived and reinstated as
though no deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article 8 until such time as the
Trustee or the relevant Paying Agent(s) is permitted to apply all such cash in
euro or euro-denominated European Government Obligations in accordance with this
Article 8; provided, however, that, if the Issuer has made any
payment of interest on or principal of any Notes because of the reinstatement of
its obligations, the Issuer shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of
such Notes to receive such payment from the cash in euro or euro-denominated
European Government Obligations held by the Trustee or the relevant Paying
Agent(s).
ARTICLE 9
Amendments
SECTION 9.01. Without Consent of Holders. The Issuer, the Note
Guarantors and the Trustee may amend this Indenture or the Notes without notice
to or consent of any Holder:
(1) to cure any ambiguity, omission, defect or inconsistency;
83
(2) to provide for the assumption by a successor corporation of the
obligations of the Issuer or any Note Guarantor under this Indenture in
compliance with Article 5;
(3) to provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of
certificated Notes; provided, however, that the uncertificated
Notes are issued in registered form for purposes of Section 163(f) of the Code
or in a manner such that the uncertificated Notes are described in Section
163(f)(2)(B) of the Code;
(4) to add Guarantees with respect to the Notes or to confirm and evidence
the release, termination or discharge of any Note Guarantee when such release,
termination or discharge is permitted under this Indenture;
(5) to add to the covenants of the Company or the Issuer for the benefit of
the Holders or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the Company
or the Issuer;
(6) to make any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any
Holder in any material respect, subject to the provisions of this Indenture;
(7) to comply with any requirement of the SEC in connection with qualifying,
or maintaining the qualification of, this Indenture under the TIA;
(8) to make any amendment to the provisions of this Indenture relating to
form, authentication, transfer and legending of Notes; provided,
however, that (A) compliance with this Indenture as so amended would not
result in Notes being transferred in violation of the Securities Act or any
other applicable securities law, and (B) such amendment does not materially
affect the rights of Holders to transfer Notes;
(9) to provide for the issuance of Additional Notes in accordance with the
terms of this Indenture; or
(10) to convey, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge as security for the
Notes any property or assets in accordance with Section 4.09.
For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this Indenture shall be construed to
require any consent of any Holder to amend or supplement this Indenture in any
manner that does not relate to the Notes.
After an amendment under this Section becomes effective, the Issuer shall
deliver to Holders a notice briefly describing such amendment. The failure to
give such notice to all Holders, or any defect therein, shall not impair or
affect the validity of an amendment under this Section.
SECTION 9.02. With Consent of Holders. (a) The Issuer, the Note
Guarantors and the Trustee may amend this Indenture with respect to the Notes
with the written consent of the Holders of at
84
least a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding voting as
a single class (including consents obtained in connection with a tender offer or
exchange for such Notes). Any existing Default or compliance with any provisions
of this Indenture with respect to the Notes may be waived with the consent of
the Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Notes then
outstanding voting as a single class, subject to the restrictions of Section
6.04 and this Section 9.02. Notwithstanding the foregoing, without the consent
of each Holder affected thereby, an amendment or waiver may not:
(1) reduce the amount of Notes whose Holders must consent to an amendment;
(2) reduce the rate of or extend the time for payment of interest on any
Note;
(3) reduce the principal of or extend the Stated Maturity of any Note;
(4) reduce the premium payable upon the redemption of any Note or change the
time at which such Note may be redeemed pursuant to Article 3 hereto or
paragraph 6 of the Notes;
(5) make any Note payable in money other than that stated in such Note;
(6) impair the right of any Holder to receive payment of principal of and
interest on such Holder153s Notes on or after the due dates therefor or to
institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to such
Holder153s Notes;
(7) make any change in Section 6.04 or 6.07 or the second sentence of this
Section 9.02; or
(8) make any change in, or release other than in accordance with this
Indenture, any Note Guarantee that would adversely affect the Holders.
(b) It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this
Section to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, but it shall
be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.
After an amendment under this Section becomes effective, the Company shall
deliver to Holders a notice briefly describing such amendment. The failure to
give such notice to all Holders, or any defect therein, shall not impair or
affect the validity of an amendment under this Section.
SECTION 9.03. Revocation and Effect of Consents and Waivers. A consent
to an amendment or a waiver by a Holder of a Note shall bind the Holder and
every subsequent Holder of that Note or
85
portion of the Note that evidences the same debt as the consenting Holder153s
Note, even if notation of the consent or waiver is not made on the Note.
However, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent or waiver
as to such Holder153s Note or portion of the Note if the Trustee receives the
notice of revocation before the date the amendment or waiver becomes effective.
After an amendment or waiver becomes effective, it shall bind every Holder. An
amendment or waiver becomes effective upon the execution of such amendment or
waiver by the Trustee.
The Issuer or the Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record
date for the purpose of determining the Holders entitled to give their consent
or take any other action described above or required or permitted to be taken
pursuant to this Indenture. If a record date is fixed, then notwithstanding the
immediately preceding paragraph, those Persons who were Holders at such record
date (or their duly designated proxies), and only those Persons, shall be
entitled to give such consent or to revoke any consent previously given or to
take any such action, whether or not such Persons continue to be Holders after
such record date. No such consent shall be valid or effective for more than 120
days after such record date.
SECTION 9.04. Notation on or Exchange of Notes. If an amendment
changes the terms of a Note, the Trustee may require the Holder of the Note to
deliver it to the Trustee. The Trustee may place an appropriate notation on the
Note regarding the changed terms and return it to the Holder. Alternatively, if
the Issuer, the Company or the Trustee so determines, the Issuer in exchange for
the Note shall issue and the Trustee shall authenticate a new Note that reflects
the changed terms. Failure to make the appropriate notation or to issue a new
Note shall not affect the validity of such amendment.
SECTION 9.05. Trustee To Sign Amendments. The Trustee shall sign any
amendment authorized pursuant to this Article 9 if the amendment does not
adversely affect the rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee.
If it does, the Trustee may but need not sign it. In signing such amendment the
Trustee shall be entitled to receive indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it and
to receive, and (subject to Section 7.01) shall be fully protected in relying
upon, an Officers153 Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel stating that such
amendment is authorized or permitted by this Indenture.
SECTION 9.06. Payment for Consent. Neither the Issuer nor any
Affiliate of the Issuer shall, directly or indirectly, pay or cause to be paid
any consideration, whether by way of interest, fee or otherwise, to any Holder
for or as an inducement to any consent, waiver or amendment of any of the terms
or provisions of this Indenture or the Notes unless such consideration is
offered to be paid to all Holders that
86
so consent, waive or agree to amend in the time frame set forth in
solicitation documents relating to such consent, waiver or agreement.
ARTICLE 10
Guarantees
SECTION 10.01. Guarantees. (a) Each Note Guarantor hereby irrevocably
and unconditionally guarantees, as a primary obligor and not merely as a surety,
the due and punctual payment and performance of all of the Guaranteed
Obligations of such Note Guarantor, jointly with the other Note Guarantors and
severally. Each of the Note Guarantors further agrees that its Guaranteed
Obligations may be extended or renewed, in whole or in part, without notice to
or further assent from it, and that it will remain bound upon its guarantee
notwithstanding any extension or renewal of any such Guaranteed Obligation. Each
of the Note Guarantors waives presentment to, demand of payment from and protest
to the Issuer or any Note Guarantor of any of its Guaranteed Obligations, and
also waives notice of acceptance of its guarantee, notice of protest for
nonpayment and all similar formalities.
(b) Each of the Note Guarantors further agrees that its guarantee hereunder
constitutes a guarantee of payment when due and not of collection, and waives
any right to require that any resort be had by the Trustee or any Holder to any
security held for the payment of its Guaranteed Obligations or to any balance of
any deposit account or credit on the books of the Trustee or any Holder in favor
of the Company.
(c) Except for termination of a Subsidiary Guarantor153s obligations hereunder
or a release of such Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to Section 10.06, to the
fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the obligations of each Note
Guarantor hereunder shall not be subject to any reduction, limitation,
impairment or termination for any reason, including any claim of waiver,
release, surrender, alteration or compromise, and shall not be subject to any
defense or set-off, counterclaim, recoupment or termination whatsoever by reason
of the invalidity, illegality or unenforceability of the Guaranteed Obligations
of such Note Guarantor or otherwise. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the obligations of
each Note Guarantor hereunder shall not be discharged or impaired or otherwise
affected by (i) the failure of the Trustee or any Holder to assert any claim or
demand or to enforce any right or remedy under the provisions of this Indenture
or otherwise; (ii) any rescission, waiver, amendment or modification of, or any
release from any of the terms or provisions of, this Indenture or any other
agreement, including with respect to any other Note Guarantor under this
Agreement; (iii) any default, failure or delay, wilful or otherwise, in the
performance of the Guaranteed Obligations of such Note Guarantor; or (iv) any
other act or omission that may or might in any manner or to any extent vary the
risk of such Note Guarantor or otherwise operate as a discharge of such Note
Guarantor as a matter of law or equity (other than the indefeasible payment in
full in cash of all the Guaranteed Obligations of such Note Guarantor).
87
(d) To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each Note Guarantor
waives any defense based on or arising out of any defense of the Company or any
other Note Guarantor or the unenforceability of the Guaranteed Obligations of
such Note Guarantor or any part thereof from any cause, or the cessation from
any cause of the liability of the Issuer or any other Note Guarantor, other than
the indefeasible payment in full in cash of all the Guaranteed Obligations of
such Note Guarantor. The Trustee may, at its election, compromise or adjust any
part of the Guaranteed Obligations, make any other accommodation with the Issuer
or any Note Guarantor or exercise any other right or remedy available to them
against the Issuer or any Note Guarantor, in each case without affecting or
impairing in any way the liability of any Note Guarantor hereunder except to the
extent the Guaranteed Obligations of such Note Guarantor have been fully and
indefeasibly paid in full in cash. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable
law, each Note Guarantor waives any defense arising out of any such election
even though such election operates, pursuant to applicable law, to impair or to
extinguish any right of reimbursement or subrogation or other right or remedy of
such Note Guarantor against the Issuer or any other Note Guarantor, as the case
may be.
(e) Each of the Note Guarantors agrees that its guarantee hereunder shall
continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time
payment, or any part thereof, of any Guaranteed Obligation of such Note
Guarantor is rescinded or must otherwise be restored by the Trustee upon the
bankruptcy or reorganization of the Issuer, any other Note Guarantor or
otherwise.
SECTION 10.02. Limitation on Liability. Any term or provision of this
Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, the maximum aggregate amount of the
Guaranteed Obligations guaranteed hereunder by any Note Guarantor shall not
exceed the maximum amount that can be hereby guaranteed without rendering this
Indenture, as it relates to such Note Guarantor, voidable under applicable law
relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer or similar laws
affecting the rights of creditors generally.
SECTION 10.03. Successors and Assigns. This Article 10 shall be
binding upon each Note Guarantor and its successors and assigns and shall inure
to the benefit of the successors, transferees and assigns of the Trustee and the
Holders and, in the event of any transfer or assignment of rights by any Holder
or the Trustee, the rights and privileges conferred upon that party in this
Indenture and in the Notes shall automatically extend to and be vested in such
transferee or assignee, all subject to the terms and conditions of this
Indenture.
SECTION 10.04. No Waiver. Neither a failure nor a delay on the part of
either the Trustee or the Holders in exercising any right, power or privilege
under this Article 10 shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall a single or
partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise of any right,
power or privilege. The rights, remedies and benefits of the Trustee and the
Holders herein expressly specified are
88
cumulative and not exclusive of any other rights, remedies or benefits which
either may have under this Article 10 at law, in equity, by statute or
otherwise.
SECTION 10.05. Modification. No modification, amendment or waiver of
any provision of this Article 10, nor the consent to any departure by any Note
Guarantor therefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in
writing and signed by the Trustee, and then such waiver or consent shall be
effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given. No
notice to or demand on any Note Guarantor in any case shall entitle such Note
Guarantor to any other or further notice or demand in the same, similar or other
circumstances.
SECTION 10.06. Release of Subsidiary Guarantor. A Subsidiary Guarantor
shall be released from its obligations under this Article 10 (other than any
obligation that may have arisen under Section 10.07):
(1) upon the sale (including any sale pursuant to any exercise of remedies by
a holder of Indebtedness of the Issuer or of such Subsidiary Guarantor) or other
disposition (including by way of consolidation or merger) of such Subsidiary
Guarantor;
(2) upon the sale or disposition of all or substantially all the assets of
such Subsidiary Guarantor;
(3) upon the designation of such Subsidiary Guarantor as an Unrestricted
Subsidiary in accordance with the terms of this Indenture;
(4) unless there is then existing an Event of Default, at such time and for
so long as any such Subsidiary Guarantor that became a Subsidiary Guarantor
after the Closing Date pursuant to Section 4.11 does not Guarantee any
Indebtedness that would have required such Subsidiary Guarantor to enter into a
Indenture pursuant to Section 4.11 and the Issuer provides an Officers153
Certificate to the Trustee certifying that no such Guarantee is outstanding and
the Issuer elects to have such Subsidiary Guarantor released from this Article
10;
(5) at any time during a Suspension Period if the Issuer provides an
Officers153 Certificate to the Trustee stating that the Issuer elects to have such
Subsidiary Guarantor released from this Article 10; or
(6) upon the exercise by the Issuer of its legal defeasance option or its
covenant defeasance option or if the Obligations of the Issuer under this
Indenture and the Notes are discharged pursuant to Article 8;
provided, however, that in the case of clauses (1) and (2)
above, (i) such sale or other disposition is made to a Person other than the
Company or a Subsidiary of the Company,
89
(ii) such sale or disposition is otherwise permitted by this Indenture and
(iii) the Company complies with its obligations under Section 4.06.
At the request of the Issuer, the Trustee shall execute and deliver an
appropriate instrument evidencing such release.
SECTION 10.07. Contribution. Each Note Guarantor that makes a payment
under its Note Guarantee shall be entitled upon payment in full of all
Guaranteed Obligations under this Indenture to a contribution from each other
Note Guarantor in an amount equal to such other Note Guarantor153s pro
rata portion of such payment based on the respective net assets of all
the Note Guarantors at the time of such payment determined in accordance with
GAAP.
ARTICLE 11
Miscellaneous
SECTION 11.01. [Reserved].
SECTION 11.02. Notices. Any notice or communication shall be in
writing in the English language and delivered in person or mailed by first-class
mail addressed as follows:
if to the Issuer:
Goodyear Dunlop Tires Europe B.V.
Park Lane Culliganlaan 2A
1831 Diegem, Brussels
Belgium
fax: 0032-2-761 1879
Attention of: Vice President Finance EMEA
if to the Company:
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
1144 East Market Street
Akron, Ohio 44316
fax: 330-796-6502
Attention of: Treasurer
if to the Trustee:
Deutsche Trustee Company Limited
Winchester House
1 Great Winchester Street
London EC2N 2DB
United Kingdom
fax: +44 (0) 20 7547 6149
Attention of: Trustee & Securities Services
90
if to the Registrar:
Deutsche Bank Luxembourg S.A.
2 Boulevard Konrad Adenauer
L-1115, Luxembourg
fax: +352 473 136
Attention of: Coupon Paying Department
if to the Principal Paying Agent and Transfer Agent:
Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch
Winchester House
1 Great Winchester Street
London EC2N 2DB
United Kingdom
fax: +44 (0) 207 547 6149
Attention of: Managing Director
if to the Luxembourg Paying Agent and Transfer Agent:
The Bank of New York Mellon (Luxembourg), S.A.
Vertigo Building : Polaris
2-4 rue Eug ¨ne Ruppert
L-2453, Luxembourg
fax: + 352 2452 4204
Attention of: Structured Product Services
Each of the Issuer, the Company, the Trustee and the agents set forth in the
immediately preceding paragraph by notice to the other may designate additional
or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.
Any notice or communication mailed to a Holder shall be mailed to the Holder
at the Holder153s address as it appears on the registration books of the Registrar
and shall be sufficiently given if so mailed within the time prescribed.
For Notes which are represented by global certificates held on behalf of
Euroclear or Clearstream, notices may be given by delivery of the relevant
notices to Euroclear or Clearstream for communication to entitled account
holders. So long as any Notes are listed on the Official List of the Luxembourg
Stock Exchange and admitted to trading on the Euro MTF and the rules of the
Luxembourg Stock Exchange so require, any such notice to the Holders of the
relevant notes shall also be published in a newspaper having a general
circulation in Luxembourg (which is expected to be the Luxemburger
Wort) or, to the extent and in the manner permitted by such rules, post
such
91
notice on the official website of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange
(www.bourse.lu), and, in connection with any redemption, the Issuer shall notify
the Luxembourg Stock Exchange of any change in the principal amount of Notes
outstanding.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture or any Note, where this
Indenture or any Note provides for notice of any event (including any notice of
redemption) to a Holder of a Note in global form (whether by mail or otherwise),
such notice shall be sufficiently given if given to the depositary for such Note
(or its designee) pursuant to the customary procedures of such depositary.
Failure to deliver a notice or communication to a Holder or any defect in it
shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Holders. If a notice or
communication is delivered in the manner provided above, it is duly given,
whether or not the addressee receives it.
In no event, shall Agents be liable for any losses arising from Agents
receiving and acting on any instructions from the Issuer or Note Guarantor via
any non-secure method of transmission or communication, including, without
limitation, by facsimile or email.
SECTION 11.03. [Reserved].
SECTION 11.04. Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.
Upon any request or application by the Issuer to the Trustee to take or refrain
from taking any action under this Indenture, the Issuer shall furnish to the
Trustee, to the extent reasonably requested by the Trustee:
(1) an Officers153 Certificate in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to
the Trustee stating that, in the opinion of the signers, all conditions
precedent, if any, provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed
action have been complied with; and
(2) an Opinion of Counsel in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to
the Trustee stating that, in the opinion of such counsel, all such conditions
precedent have been complied with (provided, however, that such
counsel may rely as to matters of fact on Officers153 Certificates).
SECTION 11.05. Statements Required in Certificate or Opinion. Each
certificate (other than a certificate delivered pursuant to Section 4.13) or
opinion with respect to compliance with a covenant or condition provided for in
this Indenture shall include:
(1) a statement that the individual making such certificate or opinion has
read such covenant or condition;
92
(2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or
investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such
certificate or opinion are based;
(3) a statement that, in the opinion of such individual, he has made such
examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an
informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been
complied with; and
(4) a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such individual, such
covenant or condition has been complied with.
SECTION 11.06. When Notes Disregarded. In determining whether the
Holders of the required principal amount of Notes have concurred in any
direction, waiver or consent, Notes owned by the Issuer or by any Person
directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect
common control with the Issuer shall be disregarded and deemed not to be
outstanding, except that, for the purpose of determining whether the Trustee
shall be protected in relying on any such direction, waiver or consent, only
Notes which the Trustee knows are so owned shall be so disregarded. Also,
subject to the foregoing, only Notes outstanding at the time shall be considered
in any such determination.
SECTION 11.07. Rules by Trustee and Agents. The Trustee may make
reasonable rules for action by or a meeting of Holders. Each Agent may make
reasonable rules for its functions.
SECTION 11.08. Legal Holidays. If a payment date is a Legal Holiday,
payment shall be made on the next succeeding day that is not a Legal Holiday,
and no interest shall accrue for the intervening period. If a regular record
date is a Legal Holiday, the record date shall not be affected.
SECTION 11.09. Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction; Service. (a)
This Indenture and the Notes shall be governed by, and construed in accordance
with, the laws of the State of New York without giving effect to applicable
principles of conflicts of law to the extent that the application of the law of
another jurisdiction would be required thereby. The provisions of Articles 86 to
94-8 of the Luxembourg Law on Commercial Companies of August 10, 1915 (as
amended) regarding the representation of noteholders and noteholders153 meetings
shall not apply to the Notes.
(b) The Company, the Issuer and each Subsidiary Guarantor irrevocably submit
to the jurisdiction of any state or federal court located in The Borough of
93
Manhattan, City of New York in relation to any legal action or proceeding
arising out of, related to or in connection with this Indenture, the Notes and
the Note Guarantees.
(c) The Issuer and each Subsidiary Guarantor appoint the Company as its agent
for service of process in any such action or proceeding.
SECTION 11.10. Judgment Currency. Any payment on account of an amount
that is payable in euros (the “Required Currency”) which is made to or for the
account of any Holder or the Trustee in lawful currency of any other
jurisdiction (the “Judgment Currency”), whether as a result of any judgment or
order or the enforcement thereof or the liquidation of the Company, the Issuer
or any Subsidiary Guarantor, shall constitute a discharge of the Company153s, the
Issuer153s or the Subsidiary Guarantor153s obligation under this Indenture and the
Notes, as the case may be, only to the extent of the amount of the Required
Currency which such Holder or the Trustee, as the case may be, could purchase in
the London foreign exchange markets with the amount of the Judgment Currency in
accordance with normal banking procedures at the rate of exchange prevailing on
the first Business Day following receipt of the payment in the Judgment
Currency. If the amount of the Required Currency that could be so purchased is
less than the amount of the Required Currency originally due to such Holder or
the Trustee, as the case may be, under this Indenture or the Notes, the Company,
the Issuer and the Subsidiary Guarantors shall indemnify and hold harmless the
Holder or the Trustee, as the case may be, from and against all loss sustained
by such recipient as a result of such deficiency. This indemnity shall
constitute an obligation separate and independent from the other obligations
contained in this Indenture or the Notes, shall give rise to a separate and
independent cause of action, shall apply irrespective of any indulgence granted
by any Holder or the Trustee from time to time and shall continue in full force
and effect notwithstanding any judgment or order for a liquidated sum in respect
of an amount due under this Indenture, the Notes or any judgment or order.
SECTION 11.11. No Recourse Against Others. A director, officer,
employee or shareholder, as such, of the Issuer or any Note Guarantor shall not
have any liability for any obligations of the Issuer under the Notes or this
Indenture or of such Note Guarantor under its Note Guarantee or this Indenture,
or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or
their creation. By accepting a Note, each Holder shall waive and release all
such liability. The waiver and release shall be part of the consideration for
the issue of the Notes.
SECTION 11.12. Successors. All agreements of the Company in this
Indenture and the Notes shall bind its successors. All agreements of the Trustee
in this Indenture shall bind its successors.
94
SECTION 11.13. Multiple Originals. The parties may sign any number of
copies of this Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them
together represent the same agreement. One signed copy is enough to prove this
Indenture.
SECTION 11.14. Table of Contents; Headings. The table of contents,
cross-reference sheet and headings of the Articles and Sections of this
Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference only, are not intended
to be considered a part hereof and shall not modify or restrict any of the terms
or provisions hereof.
95
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Identure to be duly executed
as of the date first written above.
|
GOODYEAR DUNLOP TIRES EUROPE |
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|
by |
/s/ Olivier Rousseau |
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|
Name: |
Mr.Olivier Rousseau |
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|
Title: |
Director and CFO |
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|
by |
/s/ Arthur de Bok |
|||
|
Name: |
Mr.Arthur de Bok |
|||
|
Title: |
Director, Chairman and President |
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[Signature Pages to Indenture for 6 3/4% senior notes due
2019]
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PARENT GUARANTOR THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER |
||||
|
by |
/s/ Scott A. Honnold |
|||
|
Name: |
Scott A. Honnold |
|||
|
Title: |
Vice President and Treasurer |
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[Signature Pages to Indenture for 6 3/4% senior notes due
2019]
|
SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS CELERON CORPORATION |
|||||
|
by |
/s/ Scott A. Honnold |
||||
|
Name: |
Scott A. Honnold |
||||
|
Title: |
Vice President and Treasurer |
||||
|
DAPPER TIRE CO., INC. |
|||||
|
by |
/s/ Scott A. Honnold |
||||
|
Name: |
Scott A. Honnold |
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|
Title: |
Vice President and Treasurer |
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DIVESTED COMPANIES HOLDING COMPANY |
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|
by |
/s/ Todd M. Tyler |
||||
|
Name: |
Todd M. Tyler |
||||
|
Title: |
Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary |
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|
by |
/s/ Randall M. Loyd |
||||
|
Name: |
Randall M. Loyd |
||||
|
Title: |
Vice President and Assistant Secretary |
||||
[Signature Pages to Indenture for 6 3/4% Senior Notes due
2019]
|
DIVESTED LITCHFIELD PARK |
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|
By |
/s/ Todd M. Tyler |
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|
Name: |
Todd M. Tyler |
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|
Title: |
Vice President, Treasurer and |
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|
By |
/s/ Randall M. Loyd |
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|
Name: |
Randall M. Loyd |
|||
|
Title: |
Vice President and Assistant |
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GOODYEAR CANADA INC. |
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By: |
/s/ Douglas S. Hamilton |
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|
Name: |
Douglas S. Hamilton |
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|
Title: |
President |
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|
By: |
/s/ Robin M. Hunter |
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|
Name: |
Robin M. Hunter |
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|
Title: |
Secretary |
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|
GOODYEAR CANADA INC. |
||||
|
By: |
/s/ Scott A. Honnold |
|||
|
Name: |
Scott A. Honnold |
|||
|
Title: |
Vice President and Treasurer |
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[Signature Pages to Indenture for 6 3/4% Senior Notes due
2019]
|
GOODYEAR FARMS, INC |
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|
By: |
/s/ Scott A. Honnold |
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|
Name: |
Scott A. Honnold |
|||
|
Title: |
Vice President and Treasurer |
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|
GOODYEAR INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION |
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|
By: |
/s/ Scott A. Honnold |
|||
|
Name: |
Scott A. Honnold |
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|
Title: |
Vice President and Treasurer |
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GOODYEAR WESTERN HEMISPHERE CORPORATION |
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By: |
/s/ Scott A. Honnold |
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Name: |
Scott A. Honnold |
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|
Title: |
Vice President and Treasurer |
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[Signature Pages to Indenture for 6 3/4% Senior Notes due
2019]
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WHEEL ASSEMBLIES INC. |
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By: |
/s/ Scott A. Honnold |
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Name: |
Scott A. Honnold |
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Title: |
Vice President and Treasurer |
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WINGFOOT COMMERCIAL TIRE |
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By: |
/s/ Scott A. Honnold |
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|
Name: |
Scott A. Honnold |
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|
Title: |
Vice President and Treasurer |
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[Signature Pages to Indenture for 6 3/4% Senior Notes due
2019]
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DEUTSCHE TRUSTEE COMPANY |
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|
by |
/s/ K. MARTIN |
/s/ R. BIBB |
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Name: |
K. MARTIN |
R. BIBB |
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Title: |
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR |
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR |
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DEUTSCHE BANK LUXEMBOURG S.A., |
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by |
/s/ K. MARTIN |
/s/ R. BIBB |
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Name: |
K. MARTIN |
R. BIBB |
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Title: |
ATTORNEY |
ATTORNEY |
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DEUTSCHE BANK AG, LONDON |
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by |
/s/ M. KEELER |
/s/ R. BIBB |
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Name: |
M. KEELER |
R. BIBB |
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Title: |
Director |
VP |
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THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON |
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by |
/s/ Paul Cattermole |
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Name: |
Paul Cattermole |
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Title: |
Vice President |
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APPENDIX A
PROVISIONS RELATING TO NOTES
1. Definitions
1.1 Definitions
Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined in this Appendix A shall
have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture. For the purposes of this
Appendix A the following terms shall have the meanings indicated below:
“Applicable Procedures” means, with respect to any transfer or transaction
involving a Regulation S Global Note or beneficial interest therein, the rules
and procedures of Euroclear and Clearstream, in each case to the extent
applicable to such transaction and as in effect from time to time.
“Definitive Registered Note” means a certificated Note that does not include
the Global Notes Legend.
“Depositary” means Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch, as common depositary of
Euroclear and Clearstream, or another Person designated as common depositary by
the Issuer.
“QIB” means a “Qualified Institutional Buyer” as defined in Rule 144A.
“Regulation S” means Regulation S under the Securities Act.
“Regulation S Notes” means all Notes offered and sold outside the United
States in reliance on Regulation S.
“Restricted Period”, with respect to any Notes, means the period of 40
consecutive days beginning on and including the later of (a) the day on which
such Notes are first offered to persons other than distributors (as defined in
Regulation S) in reliance on Regulation S, notice of which day shall be promptly
given by the Issuer to the Trustee, and (b) the Closing Date with respect to
such Notes.
“Rule 144A” means Rule 144A under the Securities Act.
“Rule 144A Notes” means all Notes offered and sold to QIBs in reliance on
Rule 144A.
“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules
and regulations promulgated thereunder, as amended.
“Transfer Restricted Notes” means Definitive Registered Notes and any other
Notes that bear or are required to bear the Restricted Notes Legend.
1.2 Other Definitions
|
Defined in |
||||
|
Term |
Section |
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|
“Agent Members” |
2.1 |
(c) |
||
|
“Definitive Registered Notes Legend” |
2.3(e)(iii) |
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“Global Note” |
2.1 |
(b) |
||
|
“Global Notes Legend” |
2.3(e)(iv) |
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“Permanent Regulation S Global Note” |
2.1 |
(b) |
||
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“Regulation S Global Note” |
2.1 |
(b) |
||
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“Restricted Notes Legend” |
2.3(e)(i) |
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“Rule 144A Global Note” |
2.1 |
(b) |
||
|
“Temporary Regulation S Global Note” |
2.1 |
(b) |
||
|
“Temporary Regulation S Global Notes Legend” |
2.3(e)(ii) |
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2. The Notes
2.1 Form and Dating
(a) The Notes issued on the date hereof will be (i) offered and sold by the
Issuer pursuant to a purchase agreement and (ii) resold initially only to (1)
QIBs in reliance on Rule 144A and (2) Persons outside the United States in
reliance on Regulation S. Such Notes may thereafter be transferred to, among
others, QIBs and purchasers outside the United States in reliance on Regulation
S.
(b) Global Notes. Rule 144A Notes shall be issued initially in the
form of one or more permanent global Notes in fully registered form without
interest coupons (collectively, the “Rule 144A Global Notes”). The Regulation S
Global Notes shall be issued initially in the form of one or more temporary
global Notes in fully registered form without interest coupons (the “Temporary
Regulation S Global Notes”). Beneficial interests in the Temporary Regulation S
Global Notes will be exchanged for beneficial interests in one or more
corresponding permanent global Notes in fully registered form without interest
coupons (the “Permanent Regulation S Global Notes” and, together with the
Temporary Regulation S Global Notes, the “Regulation S Global Notes”) within a
reasonable period after the expiration of the Restricted Period upon delivery of
the certification contemplated by Section 3. The Temporary Regulation S Global
Notes shall also bear the Temporary Regulation S Notes Legend. The Rule 144A
Global Notes and the Regulation S Global Notes shall bear the Global Notes
Legend and the Restricted Notes Legend. The Rule 144A Global Notes and the
Regulation S Global Notes shall be deposited on behalf of the purchasers of the
Notes represented thereby with the Depositary, and registered in the name of the
Depositary or a nominee of such Depositary, duly executed by the Issuer and
authenticated by the Trustee or an Authentication Agent as provided in the
Indenture. The Rule 144A Global Notes and the Regulation S Global Notes are each
referred to herein as a “Global Note” and are collectively referred to herein as
“Global Notes”. The aggregate principal amount of the Global Notes may from time
to time be increased or decreased by adjustments made on
2
the records of the Trustee or Registrar and the Depositary or its nominee and
on the schedules thereto as hereinafter provided, in connection with transfers,
exchanges, redemptions and repurchases of beneficial interests therein.
(c) Book-Entry Provisions. This Section 2.1(c) shall apply only to a
Global Note deposited with or on behalf of the Depositary.
The Issuer shall execute and the Trustee or an Authentication Agent shall, in
accordance with Section 2.02 of the Indenture and Section 2.2 and pursuant to an
Authentication Order, authenticate and deliver initially one or more Global
Notes that (i) shall be registered in the name of the Depositary for such Global
Note or Global Notes or the nominee of such Depositary and (ii) shall be
delivered by the Trustee to such Depositary or pursuant to such Depositary153s
instructions.
Members of, or direct or indirect participants in, Euroclear or Clearstream
(“Agent Members”) shall have no rights under the Indenture with respect to any
Global Note held on their behalf by the Depositary or under such Global Note. So
long as the Depositary or any of its nominees is the registered holder of a
Global Note, the Depositary or such nominee will be treated by the Issuer, the
Trustee and any agent of the Issuer or the Trustee as the sole owner and holder
of such Global Note for all purposes whatsoever. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
nothing herein shall prevent the Issuer, the Trustee or any agent of the Issuer
or the Trustee from giving effect to any written certification, proxy or other
authorization furnished by Euroclear or Clearstream or impair, as between
Euroclear or Clearstream and their respective Agent Members, the operation of
customary practices thereof governing the exercise of the rights of a holder of
a beneficial interest in any Global Note.
(d) Definitive Registered Notes. Except as provided in Section 2.3 or
2.4, owners of beneficial interests in Global Notes will not be entitled to
receive physical delivery of certificated Notes.
2.2 Authentication. The Trustee or an Authentication Agent shall
authenticate and make available for delivery upon receipt of an Authentication
Order of the Issuer signed by two of its Officers or a duly authorized
attorney-in-fact (a) Notes for original issue on the date hereof in an aggregate
principal amount of 250,000,000 and (b) subject to the terms of the Indenture,
Additional Notes in an unlimited aggregate principal amount. Such Authentication
Order shall (x) specify the amount of the Notes to be authenticated and the date
on which the original issue of Notes is to be authenticated, (y) direct the
Trustee or an Authentication Agent to authenticate such Notes and (z) certify,
or be accompanied by an Officers153 Certificate certifying, that all conditions
precedent to the issuance of such Notes have been complied with in accordance
with the terms hereof.
2.3 Transfer and Exchange. (a) Transfer and Exchange of Definitive
Registered Notes. When Definitive Registered Notes are presented to the
Registrar with a request:
3
(i) to register the transfer of such Definitive Registered Notes; or
(ii) to exchange such Definitive Registered Notes for an equal principal
amount of Definitive Registered Notes of other authorized denominations,
the Registrar shall register the transfer or make the exchange as requested
if its reasonable requirements for such transaction are met, provided, however,
that the Definitive Registered Notes surrendered for transfer or exchange:
(1) shall be duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer
in form reasonably satisfactory to the Issuer and the Registrar, duly executed
by the Holder thereof or its attorney duly authorized in writing; and
(2) in the case of Transfer Restricted Notes, are accompanied by the
following additional information and documents, as applicable:
(i) if such Definitive Registered Notes are being delivered to the Registrar
by a Holder for registration in the name of such Holder, without transfer, a
certification from such Holder to that effect (in the form set forth on the
reverse side of the Note); or
(ii) if such Definitive Registered Notes are being transferred to the Issuer,
a certification to that effect (in the form set forth on the reverse side of the
Note); or
(iii) if such Definitive Registered Notes are being transferred pursuant to
an exemption from registration in accordance with Rule 144A or Regulation S or
another available exemption under the Securities Act, (x) a certification to
that effect (in the form set forth on the reverse side of the Note) and (y) if
the Issuer or Registrar so requests, an Opinion of Counsel or other evidence
reasonably satisfactory to it that such transfer is being made pursuant to an
exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration
requirements of the Securities Act.
(b) Restrictions on Transfer of a Definitive Registered Note for a
Beneficial Interest in a Global Note. A Definitive Registered Note may not
be exchanged for a beneficial interest in a Global Note except upon satisfaction
of the requirements set forth below. Upon receipt by the Trustee of a Definitive
Registered Note, duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument of
transfer in form reasonably satisfactory to the Issuer, the Trustee, the
Transfer Agent and the Registrar, together with:
(i) certification (in the form provided in Exhibit 2) that such Definitive
Registered Note is being transferred (1) to a QIB in accordance with Rule 144A
or (2) outside the United States in an offshore transaction within the meaning
of Regulation S and in compliance with Rule 904 under the Securities Act; and
(ii) written instructions directing the Registrar to make, or to direct the
Depositary to make, an adjustment on its books and records with respect to such
Global Note to reflect an increase in the aggregate principal amount of the
Notes represented by the Global Note, such instructions to contain information
regarding the account to be credited with such increase; then the Trustee shall
cancel such Definitive Registered Note
4
and cause, or direct the Depositary to cause the aggregate principal amount
of Notes represented by the Global Note to be increased by the aggregate
principal amount of the Definitive Registered Note to be exchanged and shall
credit or cause to be credited to the account of the Person specified in such
instructions a beneficial interest in the Global Note equal to the principal
amount of the Definitive Registered Note so cancelled. If no Global Notes are
then outstanding and the Global Notes have not been previously exchanged for
Definitive Registered Notes pursuant to Section 2.4, the Issuer shall issue and
the Trustee or an Authentication Agent shall authenticate, upon receipt of an
Authentication Order, a new Global Note in the appropriate principal amount.
(c) Transfer and Exchange of Global Notes.
(i) The transfer and exchange of Global Notes or beneficial interests therein
shall be effected through the Depositary, in accordance with the Indenture
(including applicable restrictions on transfer set forth herein, if any) and the
applicable rules and procedures of Euroclear and Clearstream. A transferor of a
beneficial interest in a Global Note shall deliver to the Registrar a written
order given in accordance with the applicable rules and procedures of Euroclear
and Clearstream containing information regarding the Agent Member account to be
credited with a beneficial interest in such Global Note or another Global Note
and such account shall be credited in accordance with such order with a
beneficial interest in the applicable Global Note and the Agent Member account
from which such transfer is made shall be debited by an amount equal to the
beneficial interest in the Global Note being transferred. Transfers by an owner
of a beneficial interest in a Rule 144A Global Note to a transferee who takes
delivery of such interest through a Regulation S Global Note, whether before or
after the expiration of the Restricted Period, shall be made only upon receipt
by the Registrar of a certification in the form provided in Exhibit 2 from the
transferor to the effect that such transfer is being made in accordance with
Regulation S.
(ii) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Appendix A (other than the
provisions set forth in Section 2.4), a Global Note may not be transferred as a
whole except by the Depositary to a successor Depositary or a nominee of such
successor Depositary.
(d) Restrictions on Transfer of Regulation S Global Note.
(i) Prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, interests in the
Regulation S Global Note may only be held through Euroclear or Clearstream.
During the Restricted Period, beneficial interests in the Temporary Regulation S
Global Note may only be sold, pledged or transferred through Euroclear or
Clearstream in accordance with the Applicable Procedures and only (1) to the
Company or any Subsidiary thereof, (2) so long as such security is eligible for
resale pursuant to Rule 144A, to a person whom the selling holder reasonably
believes is a QIB that purchases for its own account or for the account of a QIB
to whom notice is given that the resale, pledge or transfer is being made in
reliance on Rule 144A and who takes ownership of such beneficial interest
through the Rule 144A Global Note or (3) to non-U.S. Persons in an offshore
transaction in accordance with Regulation S, in each case in accordance with any
applicable securities
5
laws of any state of the United States. Prior to the expiration of the
Restricted Period, transfers by an owner of a beneficial interest in the
Regulation S Global Note to a transferee who takes delivery of such interest
through the Rule 144A Global Note shall be made only in accordance with
Applicable Procedures and upon receipt by the Registrar of a written
certification from the transferor of the beneficial interest in the form
provided in Exhibit 2 to the effect that such transfer is being made to a QIB
within the meaning of Rule 144A in a transaction meeting the requirements of
Rule 144A. Such written certification shall no longer be required after the
expiration of the Restricted Period.
(ii) Upon the expiration of the Restricted Period, beneficial ownership
interests in the Regulation S Global Note shall be transferable in accordance
with applicable law and the other terms of the Indenture.
(iii) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Indenture, in no event
shall a Definitive Registered Note be delivered upon exchange or transfer of a
beneficial interest in a Temporary Regulation S Global Note prior to the end of
the Restricted Period.
(e) Legends.
(i) Each Transfer Restricted Note shall bear the following legend (the
“Restricted Notes Legend”):
“THIS SECURITY HAS NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933,
AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE OR OTHER
JURISDICTION. NEITHER THIS SECURITY NOR ANY INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION HEREIN MAY
BE REOFFERED, SOLD, ASSIGNED, TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED, ENCUMBERED OR OTHERWISE
DISPOSED OF IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR UNLESS SUCH TRANSACTION IS
EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, SUCH REGISTRATION. THE HOLDER OF THIS SECURITY,
BY ITS ACCEPTANCE HEREOF, AGREES ON ITS OWN BEHALF AND ON BEHALF OF ANY INVESTOR
ACCOUNT FOR WHICH IT HAS PURCHASED SECURITIES, TO OFFER, SELL OR OTHERWISE
TRANSFER SUCH SECURITY, PRIOR TO THE DATE (THE “RESALE RESTRICTION TERMINATION
DATE”) THAT IS [IN THE CASE OF RULE 144A NOTES: ONE YEAR AFTER THE LATER OF THE
ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF, THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE OF THE ISSUANCE OF ANY
ADDITIONAL NOTES AND THE LAST DATE ON WHICH EITHER ISSUER OR ANY AFFILIATE OF
THE ISSUER WAS THE OWNER OF THIS SECURITY (OR ANY PREDECESSOR OF SUCH
SECURITY),] [IN THE CASE OF REGULATION S NOTES: 40 DAYS AFTER THE LATER OF THE
ORIGINAL ISSUE DATE HEREOF AND THE DATE ON WHICH THIS SECURITY (OR ANY
PREDECESSOR OF SUCH SECURITY) WAS FIRST OFFERED TO PERSONS OTHER THAN
DISTRIBUTORS (AS DEFINED IN RULE 902 OF REGULATION S) IN RELIANCE ON REGULATION
S], ONLY (A) TO THE COMPANY OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) PURSUANT TO A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT THAT HAS
6
BEEN DECLARED EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT, (C) FOR SO LONG AS THE
SECURITIES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RESALE PURSUANT TO RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES
ACT (“RULE 144A”), TO A PERSON IT REASONABLY BELIEVES IS A “QUALIFIED
INSTITUTIONAL BUYER” AS DEFINED IN RULE 144A THAT PURCHASES FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT
OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER TO WHOM NOTICE IS GIVEN
THAT THE TRANSFER IS BEING MADE IN RELIANCE ON RULE 144A, (D) PURSUANT TO OFFERS
AND SALES TO NON-U.S. PERSONS THAT OCCUR OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE
MEANING OF REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR (E) PURSUANT TO ANOTHER
AVAILABLE EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT,
SUBJECT TO THE ISSUER153S AND THE TRUSTEE153S RIGHT PRIOR TO ANY SUCH OFFER, SALE OR
TRANSFER PURSUANT TO CLAUSES (D) OR (E) TO REQUIRE THE DELIVERY OF AN OPINION OF
COUNSEL, CERTIFICATION AND/ OR OTHER INFORMATION SATISFACTORY TO EACH OF THEM.
THIS LEGEND WILL BE REMOVED UPON THE REQUEST OF THE HOLDER AFTER THE RESALE
RESTRICTION TERMINATION DATE. [IN THE CASE OF REGULATION S NOTES DURING THE
RESTRICTED PERIOD APPLICABLE TO REGULATION S NOTES: BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF,
THE HOLDER HEREOF REPRESENTS THAT IT IS NOT A U.S. PERSON NOR IS IT PURCHASING
FOR THE ACCOUNT OF A U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING THIS SECURITY IN AN OFFSHORE
TRANSACTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.]”
(ii) Each Temporary Regulation S Global Note shall bear the following
additional legend (the “Temporary Regulation S Global Notes Legend”):
“THIS SECURITY IS A TEMPORARY GLOBAL NOTE. PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION OF THE
RESTRICTED PERIOD APPLICABLE HERETO, BENEFICIAL INTERESTS HEREIN MAY NOT BE HELD
BY ANY PERSON OTHER THAN A NON-U.S. PERSON. BENEFICIAL INTERESTS HEREIN ARE NOT
EXCHANGEABLE FOR PHYSICAL SECURITIES OTHER THAN A PERMANENT GLOBAL NOTE IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF THE INDENTURE. TERMS IN THIS LEGEND ARE USED AS
USED IN REGULATION S UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED.”
(iii) Each Definitive Registered Note shall bear the following additional
legend (the “Definitive Registered Notes Legend”):
“IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER, THE HOLDER WILL DELIVER TO THE REGISTRAR
AND TRANSFER AGENT SUCH CERTIFICATES AND OTHER INFORMATION AS SUCH TRANSFER
AGENT MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT THE TRANSFER COMPLIES WITH THE
FOREGOING RESTRICTIONS.”
7
(iv) Each Global Note shall bear the following legend (the “Global Notes
Legend”):
“UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF
EUROCLEAR BANK S.A./N.V., (“EUROCLEAR”), OR CLEARSTREAM BANKING, SOCI 137T 137 ANONYME
(“CLEARSTREAM”), TO THE ISSUER OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER,
EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF ITS
AUTHORIZED NOMINEE, OR SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED
REPRESENTATIVE OF EUROCLEAR OR CLEARSTREAM (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO ITS
AUTHORIZED NOMINEE, OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED
REPRESENTATIVE OF EUROCLEAR OR CLEARSTREAM), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE
HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE
REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, ITS AUTHORIZED NOMINEE, HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.
TRANSFERS OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE SHALL BE LIMITED TO TRANSFERS IN WHOLE, BUT NOT
IN PART, TO NOMINEES OF THE DEPOSITARY OR TO A SUCCESSOR THEREOF OR SUCH
SUCCESSOR153S NOMINEE AND TRANSFERS OF PORTIONS OF THIS GLOBAL NOTE SHALL BE
LIMITED TO TRANSFERS MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RESTRICTIONS SET FORTH IN THE
INDENTURE REFERRED TO ON THE REVERSE HEREOF.”
(f) Cancellation or Adjustment of Global Note. At such time as all
beneficial interests in a Global Note have either been exchanged for Definitive
Registered Notes, transferred, redeemed, repurchased or cancelled, such Global
Note shall be returned by the Depositary to the Trustee for cancellation or
retained and cancelled by the Trustee. At any time prior to such cancellation,
if any beneficial interest in a Global Note is exchanged for Definitive
Registered Notes, transferred in exchange for an interest in another Global
Note, redeemed, repurchased or cancelled, the principal amount of Notes
represented by such Global Note shall be reduced and an adjustment shall be made
on the books and records of the Registrar (if it is then the Depositary for such
Global Note), by the Trustee or the Depositary, to reflect such reduction.
(g) Obligations with Respect to Transfers and Exchanges.
(i) To permit registrations of transfers and exchanges, the Issuer shall
execute and the Trustee or an Authentication Agent shall authenticate,
Definitive Registered Notes and Global Notes at the Registrar153s request.
(ii) No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or
exchange, but the Issuer may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any
transfer tax, assessments, or similar governmental charge payable in connection
therewith (other than any such transfer taxes, assessments or similar
governmental charge payable upon exchange or transfer pursuant to the
Indenture).
8
(iii) Prior to the due presentation for registration of transfer of any Note,
the Issuer, the Trustee, the Paying Agent or the Registrar may deem and treat
the person in whose name a Note is registered as the absolute owner of such Note
for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and interest on such Note
and for all other purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Note is overdue, and
none of the Issuer, the Trustee, the Paying Agent or the Registrar shall be
affected by notice to the contrary.
(iv) All Notes issued upon any transfer or exchange pursuant to the terms of
the Indenture shall evidence the same debt and shall be entitled to the same
benefits under the Indenture as the Notes surrendered upon such transfer or
exchange.
(v) Notwithstanding any statement herein, the Issuer and the Trustee, and
their respective agents and nominees, reserve the right to impose such transfer,
certification, exchange or other requirements, and to require such restrictive
legends on certificates evidencing Notes, as they may determine are necessary to
ensure compliance with the securities laws of the United States and any state
therein and any other applicable laws or as Euroclear or Clearstream may
require.
(h) No Obligation of the Trustee.
(i) The Trustee shall have no responsibility or obligation to any beneficial
owner of a Global Note, a member of, or a participant in the Depositary or any
other Person with respect to the accuracy of the records of the Depositary or
its nominee or of any participant or member thereof, with respect to any
ownership interest in the Notes or with respect to the delivery to any
participant, member, beneficial owner or other Person (other than the
Depositary) of any notice (including any notice of redemption or repurchase) or
the payment of any amount, under or with respect to such Notes. All notices and
communications to be given to the Holders and all payments to be made to Holders
under the Notes shall be given or made only to the Holders (which shall be the
Depositary or its nominee in the case of a Global Note). The rights of
beneficial owners in any Global Note shall be exercised only through the
Depositary subject to the applicable rules and procedures of the Depositary. The
Trustee may rely and shall be fully protected in relying upon information
furnished by the Depositary with respect to its members, participants and any
beneficial owners.
(ii) The Trustee shall have no obligation or duty to monitor, determine or
inquire as to compliance, with any restrictions on transfer imposed under the
Indenture or under applicable law or regulation with respect to any transfer of
any interest in any Note (including, without limitation, any transfers between
or among Depositary participants, members or beneficial owners in any Global
Note) other than to require delivery of such certificates and other
documentation or evidence as are expressly required by, and to do so if and when
expressly required by, the terms of the Indenture, and to examine the same to
determine substantial compliance as to form with the express requirements
hereof.
9
2.4 Definitive Registered Notes.
(a) A Global Note deposited with the Depositary pursuant to Section 2.1 shall
be transferred to the beneficial owners thereof in the form of Definitive
Registered Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount
of such Global Note, in exchange for such Global Note, only if such transfer
complies with Section 2.3 and (i) Euroclear and Clearstream notify the Issuer
they are unwilling or unable to continue as clearing agency and a successor
clearing agency is not appointed by the Issuer within 90 days, (ii) the
Depositary notifies the Issuer that it is unwilling or unable to continue as
Depositary and a successor Depositary is not appointed by the Issuer within 90
days of such notice and (iii) the Issuer, at its option, notifies the Trustee
that the Issuer elects to cause the issuance of definitive Notes in registered
form for all, but not a part of, the Global Notes. Except as provided by the
foregoing, owners of book-entry interests in the Global Notes will not be
entitled to have any portions of such Global Notes registered in their names,
will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of Notes in
certificated form and will not be considered the owners or holders of such
Global Notes (or any notes represented thereby) under the Indenture or the
Notes.
(b) Any Global Note that is transferable to the beneficial owners thereof
pursuant to this Section 2.4 shall be surrendered by the Depositary to the
Trustee, to be so transferred, in whole or from time to time in part, without
charge, and the Trustee or an Authentication Agent shall authenticate and
deliver, upon such transfer of each portion of such Global Note, an equal
aggregate principal amount of Definitive Registered Notes of authorized
denominations. Any portion of a Global Note transferred pursuant to this Section
2.4 shall be executed, authenticated and delivered only in minimum denominations
of 100,000 and integral multiples of 1,000 in excess thereof and registered in
such names as the Depositary shall direct. Any certificated Note in the form of
a Definitive Registered Note delivered in exchange for an interest in the Global
Note shall, except as otherwise provided by Section 2.3(e), bear the Restricted
Notes Legend.
(c) Subject to the provisions of Section 2.4(b), the registered Holder of a
Global Note may grant proxies and otherwise authorize any Person, including
Agent Members and Persons that may hold interests through Agent Members, to take
any action which a Holder is entitled to take under the Indenture or the Notes.
(d) In the event of the occurrence of any of the events specified in Section
2.4(a)(i), (ii) or (iii), the Issuer will promptly make available to the Trustee
a reasonable supply of Definitive Registered Notes in fully registered form
without interest coupons.
3. Form of Certificate to be Delivered upon Termination of Restricted
Period.
[Date]
Goodyear Dunlop Tires Europe B.V.
c/o Deutsche Trustee Company Limited,
10
[ ]
Attention: [ ]
Telecopy: [ ]
Re: Goodyear Dunlop Tires Europe B.V. (the “Issuer”)
6 3/4% Senior Notes due 2019 (the “Notes”)
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This letter relates to Notes represented by a temporary global note (the
“Temporary Regulation S Global Note”). Pursuant to Section 2.1(b) of Appendix A
to the Indenture dated as of April 20, 2011 relating to the Notes (the
“Indenture”), we hereby certify that the persons who are the beneficial owners
of [_______] principal amount of Notes represented by the Temporary Regulation
S Global Note are either non-U.S. persons or U.S. persons who purchased such
interests in a transaction that did not require registration under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Accordingly, you are hereby requested to
issue a Permanent Regulation S Global Note representing the undersigned153s
interest in the principal amount of Notes represented by the Temporary
Regulation S Global Note, all in the manner provided by the Indenture. We
certify that we are not an Affiliate of the Issuer.
You and the Issuer are entitled to rely upon this letter and are irrevocably
authorized to produce this letter or a copy hereof to any interested party in
any administrative or legal proceedings or official inquiry with respect to the
matters covered hereby. Terms used in this letter have the meanings set forth in
Regulation S.
Very truly yours,
[Name of Transferor]
By:____________________________
_______________________________
Authorized Signature
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EXHIBIT 1
[FORM OF FACE OF SECURITY]
6 3/4% Senior Notes due 2019
[Global Notes Legend]
[Restricted Notes Legend]
[Temporary Regulation S Global Notes Legend]
[Definitive Registered Notes Legend]
1
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No. – |
__________ |
6 3/4% Senior Note due 2019
Common Code No. [Reg S/144A] [61523863/61523766]
ISIN No.[Reg S/144A] [XS0615238630/XS0615237665]
GOODYEAR DUNLOP TIRES EUROPE B.V., a Dutch private company with limited
liability (besloten vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid), promises to
pay to [ ], or registered assigns, the principal sum [of ] [listed on the
Schedule of Increases or Decreases in Global Note attached hereto]1
on April 15, 2019.
Interest Payment Dates: April 15 and October 15, commencing October 15, 2011
Record Dates: April 1 or October 1
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1 |
Use the Schedule of Increases and Decreases language if Note is in Global |
2
Additional provisions of this Note are set forth on the other side of this
Note.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this instrument to be duly
executed.
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GOODYEAR DUNLOP TIRES EUROPE B.V., |
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by |
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Name: |
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Title: |
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by |
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Name: |
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Title: |
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Dated:
TRUSTEE153S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION
DEUTSCHE TRUSTEE COMPANY LIMITED,
as Trustee, certifies that this is one of the Notes referred to in the
Indenture.
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By: |
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Authorized Signatory |
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*/ |
If the Note is to be issued in global form, add the Global Notes Legend and |
3
[FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF SECURITY]
6 3/4% Senior Note due 2019
1. Interest
GOODYEAR DUNLOP TIRES EUROPE B.V., a Dutch private company with limited
liability (besloten vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid) (such company,
and its successors and assigns under the Indenture hereinafter referred to,
being called the “Issuer”), promises to pay interest on the principal amount of
this Note at the rate per annum shown above. The Issuer shall pay interest
semi-annually on April 15 and October 15 of each year, commencing on October 15,
2011. Interest on the Notes shall accrue from the most recent date to which
interest has been paid or duly provided for or, if no interest has been paid or
duly provided for, from April 20, 2011 until the principal hereof is due.
Interest shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day
months. The Issuer shall pay interest on overdue principal at the rate borne by
the Notes, and it shall pay interest on overdue installments of interest at the
same rate to the extent lawful.
2. Method of Payment
The Issuer shall pay interest on the Notes (except defaulted interest) to the
Persons who are registered Holders at the close of business on April 1 or
October 1 next preceding the interest payment date even if Notes are canceled
after the record date and on or before the interest payment date. Holders must
surrender Notes to a Paying Agent to collect principal payments. The Issuer
shall pay principal, premium, Additional Amounts, if any, and interest in euros.
Principal, interest, Additional Amounts, and premium, if any, on Global Notes
will be payable at the specified office or agency of the relevant Paying
Agent(s); provided, that all such payments with respect to Notes
represented by one or more Global Notes registered in the name of or held by a
nominee of Euroclear and/or Clearstream will be made by wire transfer of
immediately available funds to the account specified by the Holder or Holders
thereof.
Principal, interest, Additional Amounts and premium, if any, on any
Definitive Registered Notes will be payable at the specified office or agency of
one or more Paying Agents in the City of London and Luxembourg, maintained for
such purposes. In addition, interest on the Definitive Registered Notes may be
paid by check mailed to the person entitled thereto as shown on the register for
the Definitive Registered Notes.
If the due date for any payment in respect of any Note is not a Business Day
at the place in which such payment is due to be paid, the Holder thereof will
not be entitled to payment of the amount due until the next succeeding Business
Day at such place, and will not be entitled to any further interest or other
payment as a result of any such delay.
3. Paying Agent, Transfer Agent and Registrar
Initially, Deutsche Bank Luxembourg S.A., will act as Registrar, Deutsche
Bank AG, London Branch, will act as Transfer Agent and Principal Paying Agent in
London, and The Bank of New York Mellon (Luxembourg), S.A., will act as Transfer
Agent and Paying Agent in Luxembourg. The Issuer may appoint and change any
Paying Agent, Transfer Agent or Registrar without notice. The Issuer, the
Company or any Wholly Owned Subsidiary may act as Paying Agent, Transfer Agent
or Registrar.
4. Indenture
The Issuer issued the Notes under an Indenture dated as of April 20, 2011
(the “Indenture”), among the Issuer, the Note Guarantors, the Trustee, Deutsche
Bank Luxembourg S.A., as Registrar, Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch, as
Principal Paying Agent and Transfer Agent, and The Bank of New York Mellon
(Luxembourg), S.A., as Luxembourg Paying Agent and Transfer Agent. The terms of
the Notes include those stated in the Indenture. Terms defined in the Indenture
and not defined herein have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Indenture. The
Notes are subject to all terms and provisions of the Indenture, and Holders (as
defined in the Indenture) are referred to the Indenture for a statement of such
terms and provisions.
The Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Issuer. This Note is one of
the Notes referred to in the Indenture. The Indenture imposes certain
limitations on the ability of the Issuer, the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, among other things, make certain Investments and other
Restricted Payments, pay dividends and other distributions, incur Indebtedness,
enter into consensual restrictions upon the payment of certain dividends and
distributions by such Restricted Subsidiaries, sell assets, including shares of
capital stock of Restricted Subsidiaries, enter into or permit certain
transactions with Affiliates and create or incur Liens. The Indenture also
imposes limitations on the ability of the Issuer and each Note Guarantor to
consolidate or merge with or into any other Person or convey, transfer or lease
all or substantially all of its property.
Following the first day (the “Suspension Date”) that (i) the Notes have an
Investment Grade Rating from both of the Rating Agencies, and (ii) no Default
with respect to the Notes has occurred and is continuing under the Indenture,
the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries will not be subject to Sections
4.03, 4.04, 4.05, 4.06, 4.07, 4.11 and Section 5.01(a)(3) (collectively, the
“Suspended Covenants”) of the Indenture with respect to the Notes. In addition,
the Company may elect to suspend the Subsidiary Guarantees with respect to the
Notes. Upon and following any Reversion Date, the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries shall again be subject to the Suspended Covenants with respect to
the Notes with respect to future events and the Subsidiary Guarantees with
respect to the Notes shall be reinstated.
5. Guarantee
The payment by the Issuer of the principal of, and premium and interest on,
the Notes is fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and several senior
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unsecured basis by each Note Guarantor to the extent set forth in the
Indenture. The precise terms of the Note Guarantee of the Notes and the
Guaranteed Obligations of the Note Guarantors with respect to the Notes are
expressly set forth in Article 10 of the Indenture.
6. Optional Redemption
Except as set forth below in this paragraph 6 and paragraph 7, the Issuer
will not be entitled to redeem the Notes.
On or after April 15, 2015, the Issuer may redeem the Notes, in whole or in
part, on not less than 30 nor more than 60 days153 prior notice, at the redemption
prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount), plus accrued and unpaid
interest to the redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of record on
the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest
payment date), if redeemed during the 12 month period commencing on April 15 of
the years set forth below:
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Redemption |
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Year |
Price |
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2015 |
103.375 |
% |
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2016 |
101.688 |
% |
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2017 and thereafter |
100.000 |
% |
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In addition, prior to April 15, 2014, the Issuer may, on one or more
occasions, redeem up to a maximum of 35% of the original aggregate principal
amount of the Notes (calculated giving effect to any issuance of Additional
Notes) with the Net Cash Proceeds of one or more Equity Offerings, at a
redemption price equal to 106.75% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued
and unpaid interest to the redemption date (subject to the right of Holders of
record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant
interest payment date); provided, however, that (1) at least 65%
of the original aggregate principal amount of the Notes (calculated giving
effect to any issuance of Additional Notes) remains outstanding after giving
effect to any such redemption and (2) any such redemption by the Issuer is made
within 90 days after the closing of such Equity Offering and is made in
accordance with certain procedures set forth in the Indenture.
In addition, prior to April 15, 2015, the Issuer may at its option redeem the
Notes, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal
amount of the Notes plus the Applicable Premium as of, and accrued and unpaid
interest to, the redemption date (subject to the right of Holders on the
relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment
date). Notice of such redemption must be given to each Holder not less than 30
nor more than 60 days prior to the redemption date.
“Applicable Premium” means, with respect to a Note at any redemption date,
the greater of (1) 1.00% of the principal amount of such Note and (2) the excess
of (A) the present value at such redemption date of (i) the redemption price of
such Note on
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April 15, 2015 (such redemption price being described in the first paragraph
in this section exclusive of any accrued interest), plus (ii) all required
remaining scheduled interest payments due on such Note through April 15, 2015
(but excluding accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date), computed
using a discount rate equal to the Bund Rate plus 50 basis points, over (B) the
principal amount of such Note on such redemption date.
“Bund Rate” means, with respect to any redemption date, the yield to maturity
at the time of computation of direct obligations of the Federal Republic of
Germany (Bunds or Bundesanleihen) with a constant maturity (as
officially compiled and published in the most recent financial statistics that
have become publicly available at least two Business Days (but not more than
five Business Days) prior to the redemption date (or, if such financial
statistics are not so published or available, any publicly available source of
similar market data selected by the Issuer in good faith)) most nearly equal to
the period from such redemption date to April 15, 2015; provided,
however, that if the period from the redemption date to April 15, 2015 is
not equal to the constant maturity of the direct obligation of the Federal
Republic of Germany for which a weekly average yield is given, the Bund Rate
shall be obtained by linear interpolation (calculated to the nearest one-twelfth
of a year) from the weekly average yields of direct obligations of the Federal
Republic of Germany for which such yields are given, except that if the period
from the redemption date to April 15, 2015 is less than a year, the weekly
average yield on actually traded direct obligations of the Federal Republic of
Germany adjusted to a constant maturity of one year shall be used.
7. Redemption Upon Changes in Withholding Taxes
The Issuer is entitled to redeem the Notes, at its option, at any time as a
whole but not in part, upon not less than 30 nor more than 60 days153 notice, at
100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest (if any)
to the date of redemption (subject to the right of Holders of record on the
relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest payment
date), in the event the Issuer has become or would become obligated to pay, on
the next date on which any amount would be payable with respect to the Notes,
any Additional Amounts as a result of:
(a) a change in or an amendment to the laws (including any regulations
promulgated thereunder) of any Relevant Taxing Jurisdiction (or any political
subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein), or
(b) any change in or amendment to any official position regarding the
application or interpretation of such laws or regulations,
which change or amendment is announced or becomes effective on or after April
15, 2011 and the Issuer cannot avoid such obligation by taking reasonable
measures available to it.
Before the Issuer publishes or gives notice of redemption of the Notes as
described above, the Issuer will deliver to the Trustee an Officers153 Certificate
to the effect
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that the Issuer cannot avoid its obligation to pay Additional Amounts by
taking reasonable measures available to it. The Issuer will also deliver an
opinion of independent legal counsel of recognized standing stating that the
Issuer would be obligated to pay Additional Amounts as a result of a change in
tax laws or regulations or the application or interpretation of such laws or
regulations. The Trustee will accept such Officers153 Certificate and opinion of
counsel as sufficient evidence of the existence and satisfaction of the
conditions precedent as described above, in which event it will be conclusive
and binding on the Holders. For the avoidance of doubt, the implementation of
European Council Directive 2003/48/EC or any other directive implementing the
conclusions of the ECOFIN Council meeting of November 26 and 27, 2000 on the
taxation of savings income or any law implementing or complying with or
introduced in order to conform to, such directives will not be a change or
amendment for such purposes.
8. Payment of Additional Amounts
The Issuer is required to make all payments under or with respect to the
Notes free and clear of and without withholding or deduction for or on account
of any present or future Taxes in accordance with Section 4.16 of the Indenture.
9. Sinking Fund
The Notes are not subject to any sinking fund.
10. Notice of Redemption
At least 30 days but not more than 60 days before a date for redemption of
Notes, the Issuer, or the Trustee (at the direction of the Issuer), shall give
notice of redemption to each Holder of Notes to be redeemed. Notes in
denominations larger than 100,000 may be redeemed in part but only in whole
multiples of 1,000. If money sufficient to pay the redemption price of and
accrued and unpaid interest on all Notes (or portions thereof) to be redeemed on
the redemption date is deposited with one or more Paying Agents on or before the
redemption date and certain other conditions are satisfied, on and after such
date interest ceases to accrue on such Notes (or such portions thereof) called
for redemption.
In addition, for so long as any Notes are listed on the Official List of the
Luxembourg Stock Exchange and admitted to trading on the Euro MTF and the rules
of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange so require, any such notice to the Holders of
the relevant Notes shall also be published in a newspaper having a general
circulation in Luxembourg (which is expected to be the Luxemburger
Wort) or, to the extent and in the manner permitted by such rules, post
such notice on the official website of the Luxembourg Stock Exchange
(www.bourse.lu), and, in connection with any redemption, the Issuer will notify
the Luxembourg Stock Exchange of any change in the principal amount of notes
outstanding.
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11. Repurchase of Notes at the Option of Holders
Upon a Change of Control, any Holder of Notes will have the right, subject to
certain conditions specified in the Indenture, to cause the Issuer to repurchase
all or any part of the Notes of such Holder at a purchase price equal to 101% of
the principal amount of the Notes to be repurchased plus accrued and unpaid
interest to the date of repurchase (subject to the right of Holders of record on
the relevant record date to receive interest due on the relevant interest
payment date that is on or prior to the date of purchase) as provided in, and
subject to the terms of, the Indenture.
In accordance with Section 4.06 of the Indenture, the Issuer will be required
to offer to purchase Notes upon the occurrence of certain events.
12. Denominations; Transfer; Exchange
The Notes are in registered form without coupons in denominations of 100,000
and integral multiples of 1,000 in excess thereof. A Holder may transfer or
exchange Notes in accordance with the Indenture. Upon any transfer or exchange,
the Registrar, the Transfer Agent and the Trustee may require a Holder, among
other things, to furnish appropriate endorsements or transfer documents and to
pay any taxes required by law or permitted by the Indenture. The Registrar or
Transfer Agent need not register the transfer or exchange of any Notes selected
for redemption (except, in the case of a Note to be redeemed in part, the
portion of the Note not to be redeemed) or to transfer or exchange any Notes for
a period of 15 days prior to a selection of Notes to be redeemed or for a period
of 15 days prior to an interest payment date.
13. Persons Deemed Owners
Except as provided in paragraph 2 hereof, the registered Holder of this Note
may be treated as the owner of it for all purposes.
14. Unclaimed Money
If money for the payment of principal or interest remains unclaimed for two
years, the Trustee and any Paying Agent shall pay the money back to the Issuer
at its written request unless an abandoned property law designates another
Person. After any such payment, Holders entitled to the money must look to the
Issuer for payment as general creditors and the Trustee and such Paying Agent
shall have no further liability with respect to such monies.
15. Discharge and Defeasance
Subject to certain conditions, the Issuer at any time may terminate some of
or all its obligations under the Notes and the Indenture with respect to the
Notes if the Issuer deposits with the Trustee euro, European Government
Obligations, or any combination thereof, for the payment of principal of, and
interest on the Notes to redemption, or maturity, as the case may be.
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16. Amendment, Waiver
Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture, (i) the Indenture
with respect to the Notes or the Notes may be amended with the written consent
of the Holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of all of
the Notes then outstanding voting as a single class and (ii) any Default with
respect to the Notes may be waived with the written consent of the Holders of at
least a majority in principal amount of all of the Notes then outstanding voting
as a single class.
Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Indenture, without the consent
of any Holder of Notes, the Issuer, the Note Guarantors and the Trustee may
amend the Indenture with respect to the Notes (i) to cure any ambiguity,
omission, defect or inconsistency; (ii) to provide for the assumption by a
successor corporation of the obligations of the Issuer or any Note Guarantor
under the Indenture in compliance with Article 5 of the Indenture; (iii) to
provide for uncertificated Notes in addition to or in place of certificated
Notes; (iv) to add Guarantees with respect to the Notes or to confirm and
evidence the release, termination or discharge of any such Note Guarantee when
such release, termination or discharge is permitted under the Indenture; (v) to
add additional covenants for the benefit of the Holders of the Notes or to
surrender rights and powers conferred on the Company or the Issuer; (vi) to make
any change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Holder of Notes in
any material respect, subject to the provisions of the Indenture; (vii) to
comply with the requirements of the SEC in order to effect or maintain the
qualification of the Indenture under the TIA; (viii) to make any amendment to
provisions of the Indenture relating to form, authentication, transfer and
legending of the Notes; provided, however, that compliance with
the Indenture as so amended would not result in Notes being transferred in
violation of the Securities Act; (ix) to provide for the issuance of Additional
Notes in accordance with the terms of the Indenture; or (x) to convey, transfer,
assign, mortgage or pledge as security for the Notes any property or assets in
accordance with Section 4.09 of the Indenture.
17. Defaults and Remedies
An “Event of Default” with respect to the Notes occurs if: (i) the Issuer
defaults in any payment of interest on any Note when the same becomes due and
payable, and such default continues for 30 days; (ii) the Issuer defaults in the
payment of principal of any Note when the same becomes due and payable at its
Stated Maturity, upon optional redemption or required repurchase, upon
declaration of acceleration or otherwise; (iii) the Company, the Issuer or any
Subsidiary Guarantor fails to comply with its obligations under Section 5.01 of
the Indenture; (iv) the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary fails to comply
with Section 4.03, 4.04, 4.05, 4.06, 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.10, 4.11, 4.12 or 4.15
of the Indenture (in each case, other than a failure to purchase Notes) and such
failure continues for 30 days after the notice from the Trustee or the Holders
specified below; (v) the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary fails to comply
with its covenants or agreements contained in the Notes or the Indenture (other
than those referred to in clauses (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) above) and such
failure continues for 60 days after the notice from the Trustee or the Holders
specified below; (vi) the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary fails to pay any
Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness owing to the
7
Company or a Restricted Subsidiary) within any applicable grace period after
final maturity or the acceleration of any such Indebtedness by the holders
thereof because of a default if the total amount of such Indebtedness unpaid or
accelerated exceeds $100,000,000 or its foreign currency equivalent; (vii)
certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Company, the
Issuer or a Significant Subsidiary under Sections 6.01(7) and (8) of the
Indenture; (viii) any final and nonappealable judgment or decree (not covered by
insurance) for the payment of money in excess of $100,000,000 or its foreign
currency equivalent (treating any deductibles, self-insurance or retention as
not so covered) is rendered against the Company, the Issuer or a Significant
Subsidiary and such final judgment or decree remains outstanding and is not
satisfied, discharged or waived within a period of 60 days following such
judgment; or (ix) any Note Guarantee with respect to the Notes ceases to be in
full force and effect in all material respects (except as contemplated by the
terms thereof) or any Note Guarantor denies or disaffirms such Note Guarantor153s
obligations under the Indenture or any Note Guarantee and such Default continues
for 10 days after receipt of the notice specified below.
The foregoing shall constitute Events of Default whatever the reason for any
such Event of Default and whether such Event of Default is voluntary or
involuntary or is effected by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment,
decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any
administrative or governmental body.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a default under clause (iv), (v), (vi), (viii)
or (ix) (only with respect to any Subsidiary Guarantor that is not a Significant
Subsidiary) shall not constitute an Event of Default until the Trustee notifies
the Issuer or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding
Notes notify the Issuer and the Trustee of the default and the Company, the
Issuer or the Subsidiary Guarantor, as applicable, does not cure such default
within any applicable time specified in clause (iv), (v), (vi), (viii) or (ix)
hereof after receipt of such notice.
If an Event of Default occurs (other than an Event of Default relating to
certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Company) and
is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of
all of the outstanding Notes may declare the principal of and accrued but unpaid
interest on all the Notes to be due and payable. If an Event of Default relating
to certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the Company or
the Issuer occurs, the principal of and interest on all the Notes shall become
immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of
the Trustee or any Holders. Under certain circumstances, the Holders of a
majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes may rescind any such
acceleration with respect to the Notes and its consequences.
18. Trustee Dealings with the Company
The Trustee under the Indenture, in its individual or any other capacity, may
become the owner or pledgee of Notes and may otherwise deal with and collect
obligations owed to it by the Company or its Affiliates and may otherwise deal
with the Company or its Affiliates with the same rights it would have if it were
not Trustee.
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19. No Recourse Against Others
A director, officer, employee or shareholder, as such, of the Issuer or any
Note Guarantor shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Issuer
under the Notes or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of or by
reason of such obligations or their creation. By accepting a Note, each Holder
waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the
consideration for the issue of the Notes.
20. Authentication
This Note shall not be valid until an authorized signatory of the Trustee (or
an authentication agent) manually signs the certificate of authentication on the
other side of this Note.
21. Abbreviations
Customary abbreviations may be used in the name of a Holder or an assignee,
such as TEN COM (=tenants in common), TEN ENT (=tenants by the entireties), JT
TEN (=joint tenants with rights of survivorship and not as tenants in common),
CUST (=custodian), and U/G/M/A (=Uniform Gift to Minors Act).
22. Governing Law
THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE
LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO APPLICABLE PRINCIPLES OF
CONFLICTS OF LAW TO THE EXTENT THAT THE APPLICATION OF THE LAW OF ANOTHER
JURISDICTION WOULD BE REQUIRED THEREBY.
The provisions of Articles 86 to 94-8 of the Luxembourg Law on Commercial
Companies of August 10, 1915 (as amended) regarding the representation of
noteholders and noteholders153 meetings shall not apply to the Notes.
23. Common Codes and ISINs
The Issuer has caused Common Codes and ISINs to be printed on the Notes and
has directed the Trustee to use Common Codes and ISINs in notices as a
convenience to Holders. No representation is made as to the accuracy of such
numbers either as printed on the Notes or as contained in any notice or notice
of redemption and reliance may be placed only on the other identification
numbers placed thereon.
The Issuer will furnish to any Holder of Notes upon written request
and without charge to the Holder a copy of the Indenture which has in it the
text of this Note.
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ASSIGNMENT FORM
To assign this Note, fill in the form below:
I or we assign and transfer this Note to
(Print or type assignee153s name, address and zip code)
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(Insert assignee153s soc. sec. or tax I.D. No.) |
and irrevocably appoint agent to transfer this Note on the books of the
Issuer. The agent may substitute another to act for him.
Date: Your Signature:
Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Note. Signature
must be guaranteed by a participant in a recognized signature guaranty medallion
program or other signature guarantor acceptable to the Trustee.
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[FORM OF CERTIFICATE TO BE DELIVERED UPON EXCHANGE OR
REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER RESTRICTED NOTES]
This certificate relates to ____________ principal amount of Notes held in
definitive registered form by the undersigned.
The undersigned has requested the Trustee by written order to exchange or
register the transfer of a Definitive Registered Note.
In connection with any transfer or exchange of any of the Notes evidenced by
this certificate occurring prior to the time that the Notes may be freely traded
without any limitations and conditions under Rule 144 under the Securities Act,
the undersigned confirms that such Notes are being transferred in accordance
with its terms:
CHECK ONE BOX BELOW
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(1) |
o to the Issuer; or |
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(2) |
o to the Registrar for registration in the name of the Holder, without |
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(3) |
o pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act; |
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(4) |
o inside the United States to a “qualified institutional buyer” (as defined |
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(5) |
o outside the United States in an offshore transaction within the meaning of |
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(6) |
o pursuant to another available exemption from registration provided under |
Unless one of the boxes is checked, the Trustee will refuse to register any
of the Notes evidenced by this certificate in the name of any Person other than
the registered Holder thereof, provided, however, that if box (5)
or (6) is checked, the Trustee may require, prior to registering any such
transfer of the Notes, such legal opinions, certifications and other information
as the Trustee or the Issuer has reasonably requested
11
to confirm that such transfer is being made pursuant to an exemption from, or
in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities
Act.
Date: _____________________
Your Signature:
Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Note.
Signature Guarantee*:
*(Signature must be guaranteed by a participant in a recognized signature
guaranty medallion program or other signature guarantor acceptable to the
Trustee)
TO BE COMPLETED BY PURCHASER IF (4) ABOVE IS CHECKED.
The undersigned represents and warrants that it is purchasing this Note for
its own account or an account with respect to which it exercises sole investment
discretion and that it and any such account is a “qualified institutional buyer”
within the meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act, and is aware that the
sale to it is being made in reliance on Rule 144A and acknowledges that it has
received such information regarding the Issuer as the undersigned has requested
pursuant to Rule 144A or has determined not to request such information and that
it is aware that the transferor is relying upon the undersigned153s foregoing
representations in order to claim the exemption from registration provided by
Rule 144A.
Date:
Signature:
(to be executed by an executive officer of purchaser)
12
[TO BE ATTACHED TO GLOBAL NOTES]
SCHEDULE OF INCREASES OR DECREASES IN GLOBAL NOTE
The initial principal amount of this Global Note is [ ]. The following
increases or decreases in this Global Note have been made:
|
Date of |
Amount of decrease in |
Amount of increase in |
Principal amount of this |
Signature of authorized |
|||||||||
|
Exchange |
Principal Amount of this |
Principal Amount of this |
Global Note following such |
signatory of Trustee or |
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|
Global Note |
Global Note |
decrease or increase |
Principal Paying Agent |
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13
OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE
If you want to elect to have this Note purchased by the Company pursuant to
Section 4.06 (Asset Sale) or 4.08 (Change of Control) of the Indenture, check
the box:
Asset Sale o Change of Control o
If you want to elect to have only part of this Note purchased by the Company
pursuant to Section 4.06 or 4.08 of the Indenture, state the amount ( 100,000
and integral multiples of 1,000 in excess thereof):
__________
Date: __________________ Your Signature: __________________
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of the Note)
Signature Guarantee:_____________________________
Signature must be guaranteed by a participant in a recognized signature
guaranty medallion program or other signature guarantor acceptable to the
Trustee
14
EXHIBIT 2
[FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER]
Deutsche Trustee Company Limited
Winchester House
1 Great Winchester Street
London EC2N 2DB
United Kingdom
Re: 6 3/4% Senior Notes due 2019 of Goodyear Dunlop Tires Europe
B.V. (the “Notes”)
Reference is hereby made to the Indenture dated as of April 20, 2011, among
Goodyear Dunlop Tires Europe B.V., a Dutch private company with limited
liability (besloten vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid) (the “Issuer”),
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, an Ohio corporation (the “Company”), the
Subsidiary Guarantors listed on the signature pages thereto, Deutsche Trustee
Company Limited, as Trustee (the “Trustee”), Deutsche Bank Luxembourg S.A., as
registrar, Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch, as principal paying agent and
transfer agent, and The Bank of New York Mellon (Luxembourg), S.A., as
Luxembourg paying agent and transfer agent (the “Indenture”).
Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given
to them in the Indenture.
________________, (the “Transferor”) owns and proposes to transfer the
Note/Notes or interest in such Note/Notes (the “Book-Entry Interest”) specified
in Annex A hereto, in the principal amount of ______________ in such
Note/Notes or interests (the “Transfer”), to _______________ (the “Transferee”),
as further specified in Annex A hereto. In connection with the Transfer,
the Transferor hereby certifies that:
[CHECK ALL THAT APPLY]
1. o Check if Transfer is Pursuant to Rule 144A. The
Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 144A under
the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”), and, accordingly, the
Transferor hereby further certifies that the Book-Entry Interest or Definitive
Registered Note is being transferred to a Person that the Transferor reasonably
believed and believes is purchasing the Book-Entry Interest or Definitive
Registered Note for its own account, or for one or more accounts with respect to
which such Person exercises sole investment discretion, and such Person and each
such account is a “qualified institutional buyer” within the meaning of Rule
144A to whom notice was given that the Transfer was being made in reliance on
Rule 144A and such Transfer is in compliance with any applicable securities laws
of any state of the United States or any other jurisdiction. Upon consummation
of the proposed Transfer in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, the
transferred Book-Entry Interest or Definitive Registered Note will be subject to
the restrictions on transfer enumerated in the Restricted Notes Legend printed
on the Rule 144A Global Note and/or the Rule 144A Definitive Registered Note (as
applicable) and in the Indenture, the Securities Act and any applicable
securities laws of any state of the United States or any other jurisdiction.
2. o Check if Transfer is pursuant to Regulation S.
The Transfer is being effected pursuant to and in accordance with Regulation S
under the Securities Act and, accordingly, the Transferor hereby further
certifies that (i) the Transfer is not being made to a person in the United
States and (A) at the time the buy order was originated, the Transferee was
outside the United States or such Transferor and any Person acting on its behalf
reasonably believed and believes that the Transferee was outside the United
States or (B) the transaction was executed in, on or through the facilities of a
designated offshore securities market and neither such Transferor nor any Person
acting on its behalf knows that the transaction was prearranged with a buyer in
the United States; (ii) no directed selling efforts have been made in
contravention of the requirements of Regulation S under the Securities Act;
(iii) the transaction is not part of a plan or scheme to evade the registration
requirements of the U.S. Securities Act; and (iv) if the Transfer is being made
prior to the expiration of the Restricted Period, the transfer is not being made
to a U.S. Person or for the account or benefit of a U.S. Person. Upon
consummation of the proposed transfer in accordance with the terms of the
Indenture, the transferred beneficial interest or Definitive Registered Note
will be subject to the restrictions on transfer printed on the Regulation S
Global Note and/or the Regulation S Definitive Registered Note (as applicable)
and in the Indenture and any applicable securities laws of any jurisdiction.
This certificate and the statements contained herein are made for your
benefit and the benefit of the Issuer and the Trustee.
|
[Insert Name of Transferor] |
||||
|
By: |
||||
|
Name: |
||||
|
Title: |
||||
Dated:
2
ANNEX A TO CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER
The Transferor owns and proposes to transfer the following:
[CHECK ONE]
o a Book-Entry Interest held through Euroclear Account No. _______ or
Clearstream Banking Account No._____, in the:
o Rule 144A Global Note (ISIN/COMMON CODE _________); or
o Regulation S Global Note (ISIN/COMMON CODE ________); or
o a Rule 144A Definitive Registered Note; or
oa Regulation S Definitive Registered Note.
After the Transfer the Transferee will hold:
[CHECK ONE]
o a Book-Entry Interest through Euroclear Account No. _________ or
Clearstream Banking Account No. ______ in the:
o Rule 144A Global Note (ISIN/COMMON CODE _________); or
o Regulation S Global Note (ISIN/COMMON CODE ________); or
o a Rule 144A Definitive Registered Note; or
oa Regulation S Definitive Registered Note.
3
EXHIBIT 3
[FORM OF SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE]
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE (this “Supplemental Indenture”) dated as of , among
[GUARANTOR] (the “New Guarantor”), a subsidiary of THE GOODYEAR TIRE &
RUBBER COMPANY (or its successor), an Ohio corporation (the “Company”), GOODYEAR
DUNLOP TIRES EUROPE B.V., a Dutch private company with limited liability
(besloten vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid) (the “Issuer”), the
subsidiary guarantors listed on the signature pages hereto (the “Subsidiary
Guarantors”) and DEUTSCHE TRUSTEE COMPANY LIMITED, as trustee under the
indenture referred to below (the “Trustee”).
W I T N E S S E T H :
WHEREAS the Issuer and the Note Guarantors (the “Existing Guarantors”) have
heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee the Indenture dated as of April
20, 2011 (the “Indenture”), providing for the issuance of the Issuer153s 6 3/4%
Senior Notes due 2019 (the “Notes”), initially in the aggregate principal amount
of 250,000,000.
WHEREAS Section 4.11 of the Indenture provides that under certain
circumstances the Company is required to cause the New Guarantor to execute and
deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture pursuant to which the New
Guarantor shall unconditionally guarantee all the Issuer153s obligations under the
Notes pursuant to a Subsidiary Guarantee on the terms and conditions set forth
herein; and
WHEREAS pursuant to Section 9.01 of the Indenture, the Trustee, the Issuer
and the Existing Guarantors are authorized to execute and deliver this
Supplemental Indenture;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and for other good and
valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the New
Guarantor, the Issuer, the Existing Guarantors and the Trustee mutually covenant
and agree for the equal and ratable benefit of the holders of the Notes as
follows:
1. Agreement to Guarantee. The New Guarantor hereby agrees, jointly
and severally with all Existing Guarantors, to unconditionally guarantee the
Issuer153s obligations under the Notes on the terms and subject to the conditions
set forth in Article 10 of the Indenture and to be bound by all other applicable
provisions of the Indenture with respect to the Notes and of the Notes
themselves.
EXHIBIT 3
2. Ratification of Indenture; Supplemental Indentures Part of
Indenture. Except as expressly amended hereby, the Indenture with respect
to the Notes only is in all respects ratified and confirmed and all the terms,
conditions and provisions thereof shall remain in full force and effect. This
Supplemental Indenture shall form a part of the Indenture with respect to the
Notes only for all purposes, and every holder of Notes heretofore or hereafter
authenticated and delivered shall be bound hereby.
3. Governing Law. THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY,
AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
4. Trustee Makes No Representation. The Trustee makes no
representation as to the validity or sufficiency of this Supplemental Indenture.
5. Counterparts. The parties may sign any number of copies of this
Supplemental Indenture. Each signed copy shall be an original, but all of them
together represent the same agreement.
6. Effect of Headings. The Section headings herein are for convenience
only and shall not effect the construction thereof.
EXHIBIT 3
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental
Indenture to be duly executed as of the date first above written.
|
[NEW GUARANTOR], |
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|
by |
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Name: |
||||
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Title: |
||||
|
THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER |
||||
|
by |
||||
|
Name: |
||||
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Title: |
||||
|
GOODYEAR DUNLOP TIRES EUROPE |
||||
|
by |
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|
Name: |
||||
|
Title: |
||||
|
[EXISTING GUARANTORS], |
||||
|
by |
||||
|
Name: |
||||
|
Title: |
||||
|
DEUTSCHE TRUSTEE COMPANY |
||||
|
by |
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Name: |
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Title: |
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