SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
[ X ] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended September 30, 1995
or
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from __________ to ___________
Commission File No. 1-6620
GRIFFON CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE 11-1893410
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
100 JERICHO QUADRANGLE, JERICHO, NEW YORK 11753
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (516) 938-5544
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
NAME OF EACH EXCHANGE ON
TITLE OF CLASS WHICH REGISTERED
-------------- ------------------------
COMMON STOCK, $.25 PAR VALUE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE
SECOND PREFERRED STOCK, SERIES I
$.25 PAR VALUE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
NONE
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No
--- ---
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item
405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K [ X ].
State the aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates
of the registrant. (The aggregate market value shall be computed by reference
to the price at which the stock was sold, or the average bid and asked prices
of such stock, as of a specified date within 60 days prior to the date of
filing.) As of November 15, 1995 -- approximately $247,000,000.
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant's
classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date (applicable only to
corporate registrants). As of November 15, 1995 -- 30,918,723.
Documents incorporated by reference: Part III - Registrant's definitive
proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934.
PART I
ITEM ONE - BUSINESS
General
Griffon Corporation ("the Company") is a diversified manufacturer with
operations in three business segments: Home and Commercial Products, Specialty
Plastic Films and Electronic Information and Communication Systems. The
Company's shareholders approved changing the name from Instrument Systems
Corporation, effective March 1995.
Home and Commercial Products
Management believes that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Clopay, is among the
largest manufacturers of residential garage doors in the United States. Clopay
sells a broad line of steel and wood garage doors for residential and commercial
use which are manufactured in stock sizes and styles as well as special order
to customer specifications.
Clopay's strategy is to produce a broad line of high quality garage doors
for distribution throughout North America to retail, professional installer and
wholesale channels. Clopay has focused on increasing its market share by
introducing new products, expanding its distribution, sales and marketing
programs and through strategic acquisitions. In October 1995 Clopay acquired
the Atlas Roll-Lite Door Corporation, a manufacturer of heavy duty rolling steel
doors, grilles and counter shutters for industrial and commercial markets;
sectional garage doors for residential applications; and doors and components
for the self-storage market. Atlas Roll-Lite has annual sales of approximately
$60,000,000.
Clopay sells residential garage doors to a large number of retailers
throughout North America, including home centers and building material
cooperative buying groups. Significant customers include The Home Depot Inc.,
Menards, Inc., Lowe's Companies, Inc., Payless Cashways, Inc., Builders Square,
Inc., Hechinger Company, Home Base, Wickes Lumber Company, Wolohan Lumber Co.,
84 Lumber and Grossman's Inc. Residential and commercial garage doors and
related products for professional installation are sold directly to a national
network of installation specialists.
Clopay distributes garage doors directly from its manufacturing facilities
and through its network of 37 company-owned distribution centers throughout the
United States and in Canada. Under Clopay's "installed sales" program,
consumers purchase garage doors through local retailers and Clopay distribution
centers manage the installation through authorized installing dealers.
Clopay continues to make substantial capital investments in its
manufacturing facilities and believes that its automated continuous production
plants enable it to produce garage doors cost effectively. Wood garage doors
are produced from kiln dried lumber and are constructed for ease of operation
and durability. Steel garage doors, including insulated doors, are fabricated
from pre-painted, galvanized steel, specially selected for rust resistance and
low maintenance. The lumber and steel used in the manufacturing operations are
generally available from a variety of sources. All products are designed for
safe operation, building code compliance and easy specification by architects
and contractors.
The garage door market is characterized by several large national
manufacturers including Clopay and many smaller regional and local
manufacturers. In addition to price, Clopay believes that it competes favorably
on the basis of diversity of product line, quality, service and merchandising
capability.
Clopay also operates a service company that installs and services garage
doors and openers, manufactured fireplaces and a range of related products.
This part of Clopay's business grew substantially in 1995 with the acquisition
of businesses which added in excess of $30,000,000 in revenues and expanded the
scope of the operations into new markets. Management believes that the service
business is now one of the country's leading fireplace dealers.
The Company also manufactures and sells a broad line of specialty hardware
primarily for the food service industry under the name "Standard-Keil" and
components for beverage dispensing equipment under the name "Tap-Rite."
Specialty hardware products include commercial refrigeration fittings, locks,
hinges and lighting components for coolers, walk-in refrigeration equipment,
environmental control units and filters used to contain grease. The beverage
dispensing equipment includes carbon dioxide regulators, beer faucets, picnic
pumps and tavern taps.
The Company also manufactures and sells synthetic batting. Batting is
material used in layers or sheeting for lining, as a furniture filling, for
packaging and as filters.
Specialty Plastic Films
Clopay is a leading manufacturer of customized plastic film and laminates
made from plastic resin and non-woven fabrics for use in consumer and health-
care products. Clopay's strategy is to offer technologically advanced products
for use in niche markets to major consumer and health-care product companies.
Clopay believes that its research and development activities and capital
investment in related equipment enable it to efficiently manufacture products
in large volume and meet changing consumer needs. These factors, together with
its technical expertise, allow Clopay to compete favorably in its markets.
Clopay sells its products primarily throughout the United States with sales also
in Canada, Latin America and the Pacific Rim.
Clopay manufactures thin gauge embossed barrier films and coated laminates
of plastic film and non-woven fabrics to customer specifications for sale to
consumer product and other companies. These products are used primarily as the
backsheet barrier in disposable diapers as well as the moisture barrier in adult
incontinent products and sanitary napkins. These products are differentiated
by strength, barrier and other properties. A substantial portion of the
specialty plastic film sales over the last five years have been to The Procter
& Gamble Company. The loss of this customer would have a material adverse
effect on the Company's business.
Clopay also manufactures plastic films and laminates for a wide variety of
disposable health-care products including surgical drapes, patient care
underpads and medical garments. These plastic products are also sold for use
in garments worn by workers in hazardous industrial environments.
Clopay manufactures these products on high speed equipment to meet
stringent tolerances. The manufacturing process consists of melting a mixture
of plastic resins (primarily polyolefins) and additives, and forcing this
mixture through a computer controlled die and rollers to produce embossed films.
In addition, the process can involve extruding the melted plastic film directly
onto a non-woven fabric to form a laminate. Certain products involve further
processes such as a secondary lamination of the film to a non-woven material.
Through statistical process control methods, Clopay personnel monitor and
control the entire production process. The plastic resins used in Clopay's
products are commodities generally available from several sources.
Clopay is engaged in several joint efforts with the research and
development departments of its major specialty plastic film customers. Clopay
employs chemists, scientists and engineers at a technical center to study
polymers and manufacturing processes that will assist in the development of its
specialty plastic film products. Clopay's research and development efforts have
resulted in inventions covering embossing patterns, improved processing methods
and other proprietary technology. Clopay's research and development costs for
this business amounted to approximately $1,600,000, $1,700,000 and $1,800,000
in 1993, 1994 and 1995, respectively.
Electronic Information and Communication Systems
The Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, Telephonics, founded in 1933 and
acquired by the Company in 1962, is an electronics systems company specializing
in advanced information and communications systems for government, aerospace,
civil, industrial and commercial markets. In recent years, Telephonics has
expanded its customer base with increasing emphasis in non-military markets.
These efforts have resulted in a series of new contract awards in the transit
industry as well as international air traffic control projects.
Telephonics designs, manufactures and logistically supports advanced
military communications systems, avionics for commercial airlines, transit
communication systems, wireless products, command and control systems, strategic
communications systems, VLSI/LSI circuits, microwave components, test
instrumentation, microwave landing systems, maritime surveillance radars and air
traffic control systems. A substantial portion of Telephonics' sales
(approximately 54% for 1995) were to agencies of the U.S. Government or to prime
contractors or subcontractors on government, military or aerospace programs.
Telephonics' funded backlog at September 30, 1995 was approximately $91 million
as compared to $125 million at September 30, 1994. Approximately 65% of the
September 30, 1995 backlog is expected to be shipped within twelve months.
Telephonics participates in approximately 40 government, aerospace and
commercial programs. Approximately 70% of Telephonics' sales for 1995 were
attributable to upgrades, enhancements and follow-on options to existing long-
term products and programs.
Some of the major programs under which Telephonics participates include the
following:
Description of
Program Customer Product Purpose
- -------------- -------- ------- -------
C-17 (Air Force Cargo McDonnell Integrated Radio Centralized digitally
Transport) Douglas Management System controlled audio
distribution system
Wireless Intercomm System Wireless communication
system
Transponder Test Unit On-board test
equipment
LAMPS MARK III Loral Multi-Mode Radar Upgraded avionics for
(Antisubmarine Warfare (MMR) the LAMPS MARK III
Helicopter) Intercommunication Helicopter with
and Radio Management maritime surveillance
System radar with identifi-
Identification Friend cation friend/or foe
or Foe (IFF) capability and inter-
communication and
radio management
systems
Joint-STARS (Airborne Northrop- Distributed Digital Manages all inter-
Surveillance System) Grumman Intercommunications and communication and
Corporation Radio Control System radio transmissions
AATC (Amphibious U.S. Navy Amphibious Air Traffic Processing and display
Assault Ships) Control equipment used for air
traffic control
SEPTA ABB Traction Communications, Wayside Car-borne
Video Surveillance communications for rail
Systems cars
Zhuhai Guangdong Air Traffic Control System Manage air traffic at
Machinex Zhuhai, China Airport
Corporation
Long Island Rail Road Kawasaki Communications, Vehicle Car-borne
Health Monitoring communications for
rail cars
AWACS Boeing IFF System Upgrade IFF equipment
for AWACS aircraft
Telephonics also designs and produces custom large-scale integrated
circuits, which replace conventional circuits and components with a single
microchip. Telephonics provides microchips to manufacturers of complex control
circuitry for military airborne interior communication systems,
telecommunications signal processing equipment, security systems, home
appliances, automated hand tools, and fast down windows, fuel monitoring and air
bag sensors for automobiles. Telephonics also provides specialized design
services which supplement customers' in-house capabilities. Telephonics also
produces a wide variety of microwave components and test instruments.
Headsets, microphones, earphones and cables manufactured by Telephonics are
used in military and commercial aircraft and ground vehicles, especially in high
noise environments.
Telephonics' commercial products include contracts with Kawasaki, ABB
Traction, Long Island Rail Road and other rail suppliers under which Telephonics
produces communication equipment which provides passenger and crew interior
communications among train cars, radio communications between the train and the
central control facility, automated voice announcement, passenger information
signage and vehicle performance monitoring systems. Telephonics also supplies
and logistically supports multiplex in-flight passenger entertainment and
service systems for wide-bodied aircraft which permit various audio channels to
be transmitted simultaneously over a single line and distributed as separate
channels to each passenger. Telephonics is under contract with McDonnell
Douglas to produce passenger and cabin address intercom systems for the MD-80
and MD-95 aircraft.
Government programs in which Telephonics is involved frequently provide for
purchases under a series of independently priced contracts, each calling for
delivery of a lot, consisting of a portion of the units in the overall program.
Each contract is treated separately and there is no requirement that upon
delivery of the lot which is the subject of one contract, the government must
contract to purchase, or the supplier must contract to sell, additional lots.
Telephonics accounts for its long-term contracts using the
percentage-of-completion method. Under this method, the Company recognizes
revenues and gross profit based upon the costs incurred as a percentage of the
total estimated cost.
Most of Telephonics' production contracts are fixed price, which means that
Telephonics generally bears the risk of cost overruns. In a fixed price
contract, progress payments are received during performance as stages are
reached for which fixed payments are established in the contract.
In accordance with Department of Defense and NASA procedures, all contracts
involving government programs permit the government to terminate the contract
at any time, at its convenience, without cause. In the event of such
termination, Telephonics is entitled to reimbursement for its costs and to
receive a proportionate share of its profits, if any, on the work performed
prior to termination.
Telephonics' staff of approximately 215 engineers and marketing personnel,
many of whom have technical backgrounds, advise government and commercial
planning and design personnel in an attempt to include Telephonics' products in
their programs.
Telephonics competes on the basis of technology, design, price and
performance. The products sold by Telephonics utilize technologies which are
constantly changing. Telephonics' expertise in these technologies enables it
to compete with several major manufacturers of electronic information and
communications systems which have greater financial resources than Telephonics.
Telephonics also competes with several smaller manufacturers of similar
products.
A major part of Telephonics' product development is performed under
government contracts under which such costs are generally recoverable. Research
and development costs not recoverable under contractual arrangements are charged
to expense as incurred. These costs were approximately $1,600,000, $1,400,000
and $1,600,000 for 1993, 1994 and 1995, respectively.
Employees
The Company has approximately 3,600 employees located throughout the United
States and in Canada at its various plants, warehouses and offices.
Approximately 400 of its employees are covered by collective bargaining
agreements, primarily with affiliates of the AFL-CIO. The Company believes its
relationships with employees are satisfactory.
Officers of the Registrant
Served as Positions and
Name Age Officer Since Offices
---- --- ------------- -------------
Harvey R. Blau 60 1983 Chairman of the Board
Robert Balemian 56 1976 President
Patrick L. Alesia 47 1979 Vice President and Treasurer
Susan E. Rowland 37 1983 Secretary
ITEM TWO - PROPERTIES
The Company occupies approximately 2,400,000 square feet of general office,
factory and warehouse space and showrooms throughout the United States and in
Canada. The following table sets forth certain information as to each of the
Company's major facilities:
Approximate Owned
Square or
Location Business Segment Primary Use Footage Leased
-------- ---------------- ----------- ----------- ------
Jericho, NY Corporate Headquarters Office 10,000 Leased
Farmingdale, NY Electronic Information Manufacturing 167,000 Owned
and Communication
Systems
Huntington, NY Electronic Information Manufacturing 89,000 Owned
and Communication
Systems
Huntington, NY Electronic Information Manufacturing 41,000 Leased
and Communication
Systems
Carson, CA Home and Commercial Products Manufacturing 125,000 Owned
Allenwood, NJ Home and Commercial Products Manufacturing 144,000 Owned
Cincinnati, OH Home and Commercial Products Office 36,000 Leased
Specialty Plastic Films
Cincinnati, OH Specialty Plastic Films Research and 38,000 Leased
Development
Russia, OH Home and Commercial Products Manufacturing 274,000 Leased
Baldwin, WI Home and Commercial Products Manufacturing 216,000 Leased
Norcross, GA Home and Commercial Products Distribution 102,000 Leased
Augusta, KY Specialty Plastic Films Manufacturing 143,000 Owned
Nashville, TN Specialty Plastic Films Manufacturing 86,000 Leased
Fresno, CA Specialty Plastic Films Manufacturing 37,000 Leased
Orlando, FL Home and Commercial Products Manufacturing 160,000 Leased
Chandler, AZ Home and Commercial Products Manufacturing 79,000 Leased
Nesbitt, MS Home and Commercial Products Manufacturing 40,000 Owned
The Company has aggregate minimum annual rental commitments under real
estate leases of approximately $6,700,000. The majority of the leases have
escalation clauses related to increases in real property taxes on the leased
property and some for cost of living adjustments. Certain of the leases have
renewal options. The Company also leases space for the home and commercial
products segment's distribution centers in numerous facilities throughout the
United States which aggregate approximately 535,000 square feet. All plants and
equipment of the Company are believed to be in adequate condition and contain
sufficient space for current needs.
ITEM THREE - LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
A. Warwick Administrative Group, et al. v. Avon Products, et al. By way
of background, in February 1989, Lightron Corporation ("Lightron"), a wholly-
owned subsidiary of the Company, initially received notification from the EPA
that it was being named as one of several potentially responsible parties who
could be liable for cleanup and natural resource damages relating to a landfill
located in the Town of Warwick, Orange County, New York (the "Site").
Subsequently, the EPA conducted a remedial investigation and feasibility study
at the Site to determine the extent of the contamination and the various
alternative measures which are appropriate for remediation. On June 27, 1991,
a Record of Decision was signed setting forth the selected course of remediation
for the Site. Thereafter, pursuant to an Administrative Order issued by the EPA
which directed them to do so, the potentially responsible parties named in the
Order (the "Warwick Group") agreed to undertake to perform a second operable
unit Remediation Investigation and Feasibility Study.
In January 1993, the Warwick Group instituted the within action in the
United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against
Lightron and several other potentially responsible parties. According to their
complaint, the plaintiffs are seeking, inter alia, a declaratory judgment
decreeing that Lightron and the other defendants are jointly and severally
responsible under CERCLA to contribute their share of the actual response costs
already incurred and the future response costs to be incurred by the plaintiffs
in connection with the remediation of the Site.
Consistent with its contention that it did not dump or have delivered or
carted to the Site for disposal any hazardous or toxic wastes, Lightron has
served and filed an answer to the amended pleadings in which it generally denies
the plaintiffs' allegations and asserted several affirmative defenses to
liability, as well as counterclaims against the plaintiffs. Lightron also has
entered into a Stipulation with the other defendants regarding the implicit
assertion of mutual cross-claims among the several defendants.
B. Department of Environmental Conservation with Lightron Corporation
(Peekskill). Lightron once conducted operations at a location in Peekskill in
the Town of Cortlandt, New York owned by ISC Properties, Inc., a wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Company (the "Peekskill Site"). ISC Properties, Inc. sold the
Peekskill Site in November 1982.
Subsequently, the Company was advised by the New York State Department of
Environmental Conservation ("DEC") that random sampling at the Peekskill Site
and in a creek near the Peekskill Site indicated concentrations of solvents and
other chemicals common to Lightron's prior plating operations. Based upon these
findings, ISC Properties, Inc. is involved in the negotiation of a consent order
which the DEC will provide for the performance of a field investigation and
feasibility study at the Peekskill Site.
C. Linke Enterprises of Oregon, Inc. v. Champion Laboratories, Inc. and
Instrument Systems Corporation. In September 1990, a private cost recovery
action under federal and state environmental statutes was commenced in the
United States District Court of the District of Oregon. Plaintiff sought to
recover from the Company response costs in an amount exceeding $250,000 which
the plaintiff allegedly had expended to investigate and remediate an existing
environmental problem at the Site. The Site was previously leased by one of the
Company's former subsidiaries, Sun Battery, Inc., for the period from 1966 to
1971. According to the terms of the settlement agreement which resolved the
action, the Company was obligated to contribute to the plaintiff's remediation
costs the sum of $97,992.87. Champion Laboratories, Inc. also was required to
make a contribution to the plaintiff's remediation costs in the amount of
$49,011.13. In consideration of these contributions, both the Company and
Champion Laboratories, Inc. have been indemnified by the plaintiff against any
further liability with regard to the environmental matter, except to the extent
that either the EPA or the comparable state environmental agency initiates
enforcement proceedings or prosecutes a claim for environmental damages.
In June 1992, the Company was notified pursuant to the settlement agreement
that the State of Oregon had renewed its investigation of the Site and that such
investigation could lead to a final determination that further cleanup actions
will be necessary.
D. Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO) v. Current Controls, et al. By way
of background, the Atlantic Richfield Company ("ARCO") initially notified the
company in 1991 that based upon ARCO's investigation of the groundwater at the
Sinclair Refinery Superfund Site in Wellsville, New York, a portion of which
("Operable Unit II") allegedly is owned currently by an indirect, wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Company, ISC Development Corp., the shallow aquifer underlying
the Site was found to be contaminated with various hazardous substances. It is
ARCO's contention that manufacturing operations conducted at ISC Development
Corp.'s premises (which were leased to a third party) may have contributed to
this contamination, and that as an owner and/or operator, the Company would be
jointly and severally liable as a responsible party for the costs of remediation
under Section 107 of CERCLA.
On or about January 26, 1994, ARCO served the Company with a summons and
complaint in this action pending in the United States District Court for the
Western District of New York. The Company has been named as one of several
defendants whom the plaintiff claims should be held jointly and severally liable
for the costs incurred and to be incurred by ARCO in the remediation and cleanup
of portions of the Sinclair Refinery Superfund Site.
E. The Town of New Windsor v. Tesa Tuck, et al. In or about March 1993,
the Town of New Windsor instituted an action in the United States District Court
for the Southern District of New York against Lightron Corporation and other
defendants in which it is seeking, inter alia, a declaratory judgment decreeing
that Lightron and the other defendants are jointly and severally responsible to
contribute to the response costs incurred and to be incurred by the plaintiff
in connection with the remediation of a landfill located in the Town of New
Windsor, New York (the "Site"). The plaintiff's claim against Lightron is
premised upon its contention that Lightron of Cornwall, Inc., a former division
of Lightron Corporation, allegedly disposed of full and empty drums of lacquer
paints and thinners at the Site. The plaintiff has alleged in its complaint
that total response costs for the Site are estimated to be approximately
$8,000,000. Lightron has served and filed an answer denying the material
allegations of the complaint and asserting several affirmative defenses to
liability, as well as cross-claims against the other defendants and
counterclaims against the plaintiff. Also, the original defendants recently
have impleaded as third party defendants several other parties whom the
defendants are claiming have contributed to the contamination found to exist at
the Site.
Management believes, based on facts presently known to it, that the outcome
of the litigation proceedings described above will not have a material adverse
effect on the Company's consolidated financial position or results of
operations.
ITEM FOUR - SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO
A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth
quarter of the fiscal year.
PART II
ITEM FIVE - MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY
AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The Company's Common Stock and Second Preferred Stock, Series I, are listed
for trading on the New York Stock Exchange. As of November 1, 1995 there were
approximately 18,000 record holders of the Company's Common Stock. The
following table shows for the periods indicated the quarterly range in the high
and low sales prices for these securities.
SECOND PREFERRED
COMMON STOCK STOCK, SERIES I
----------------- -----------------
FISCAL QUARTER ENDED HIGH LOW HIGH LOW
-------------------- ------ ------ ------ ------
December 31, 1993 $9 1/8 $8 $9 $8 1/4
March 31, 1994 9 3/4 7 3/4 9 3/4 8 3/4
June 30, 1994 9 6 5/8 9 1/8 7 1/8
September 30, 1994 8 1/8 6 7/8 8 1/8 7 1/4
December 31, 1994 8 5/8 7 3/8 8 5/8 7 7/8
March 31, 1995 9 1/2 8 1/8 9 1/2 8 1/4
June 30, 1995 8 3/4 7 5/8 9 1/4 8 1/8
September 30, 1995 8 7/8 7 1/2 9 1/8 7 5/8
ITEM SIX - SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
1995 1994 1993 1992 1991
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Net sales $546,359,000 $488,957,000 $436,949,000 $398,761,000 $343,343,000
============ ============ ============ ============ ============
Income from
continuing
operations $ 23,807,000 $ 29,705,000 $ 26,560,000 $ 21,594,000 $ 13,443,000
============ ============ ============ ============ ============
Per share $ .71 $ .80 $ .70 $ .59 $ .45
============ ============ ============ ============ ============
Total assets $285,616,000 $293,215,000 $270,270,000 $246,750,000 $303,592,000
============ ============ ============ ============ ============
Long-term
obligations $ 16,074,000 $ 15,538,000 $ 26,147,000 $ 28,406,000 $ 79,738,000
============ ============ ============ ============ ============
No dividends on Common Stock were declared or paid during the five years ended
September 30, 1995.
ITEM SEVEN - MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Fiscal 1995 Compared to Fiscal 1994
Net sales for all business segments were $546.4 million, an increase of
$57.4 million or 11.7% over 1994. Net sales of the home and commercial products
segment increased by $59.0 million or 21.0% compared to last year. Acquired
companies accounted for $35.6 million of the increase with the remainder of the
increase primarily attributable to increased unit sales of garage doors ($12.1
million) and price increases ($9.3 million). Higher market share and expanded
distribution were the principal reasons for the unit sales increase. Net sales
of the specialty plastic films segment were $111.2 million compared to $114.6
million last year. As previously reported, a major customer of the specialty
plastic films segment made a design change which substantially phased out the
segment's thin laminate program during 1995. The decreased sales of this
laminate ($21.9 million) were partially offset by the effects of higher selling
prices ($8.6 million) and increased sales of other film products ($9.9 million).
Net sales of the electronic information and communication systems segment were
$95.8 million compared to $94.0 million last year.
Operating income for all business segments was $44.3 million compared to
$55.4 million in 1994. Operating income of the home and commercial products
segment in 1995 increased $1.1 million over 1994. Increased profitability in
the beginning of the year was partly offset by lower than anticipated garage
door sales in the latter half due to weakness in the construction and related
retail markets. Operating results of this segment were also negatively impacted
($2.4 million) by an unprofitable product line (passage doors) that was
discontinued, and by increased raw material and operating costs. Operating
income of the specialty plastic films segment was $9.0 million in 1995 compared
to $20.8 million in 1994. The decrease was primarily due to the phaseout of
the thin laminate program, delays in receipt of anticipated orders and
substantial raw material (polyethylene resin) cost increases. The Company has
generally been able to pass on such increases to customers in the past.
However, the specialty plastic films industry experienced a period of soft
demand and excess production capacity. As a result, although the Company
implemented selling price increases, due to the magnitude of the cost increases
and the economic conditions, such selling price adjustments did not fully
compensate for the cost increases. Raw material costs declined toward the end
of the year. Although further cost decreases are anticipated, the Company
cannot predict the extent of any such decreases or the amount that will be
retained by the business. Toward the end of the year the specialty plastic
films segment was successful in introducing new products in its diaper and
health-care markets, including a new program with its major customer, which are
anticipated to positively impact operating results in subsequent periods.
Operating income of the electronic information and communication systems segment
was $9.1 million in 1995 compared to $9.6 million last year.
Fiscal 1994 Compared to Fiscal 1993
Net sales for all business segments were $489.0 million, an increase of
$52.0 million over 1993. Net sales of the home and commercial products segment
increased by $49.5 million or 21.5% in 1994 compared to 1993. The increase is
principally attributable to higher unit sales of garage doors ($40.8 million)
due to expanded distribution and increased market share. Net sales of the
specialty plastic films segment increased by $1.3 million or 1.2% in 1994
compared to 1993 primarily due to increased unit sales. Net sales of the
electronic information and communication systems segment increased by $1.2
million or 1.3% in 1994 compared to 1993 due to new contract awards.
Operating income for all business segments was $55.4 million, an increase
of $5.6 million or 11.3% over 1993. Operating income of the home and commercial
products segment increased by $3.5 million or 16.4% in 1994 compared to 1993
principally due to the increased garage door sales partly offset by increased
distribution costs and start-up expenses for a new garage door product line.
Operating income of the specialty plastic films segment increased by $2.0
million or 10.8% compared to 1993 primarily due to the increased sales and
production efficiencies. Operating income of the electronic information and
communication systems segment increased slightly compared to 1993 due to the
effect of the higher net sales offset by increased bid and proposal
expenditures.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Cash flow provided by operations was $12.0 million. The reduction in
operating cash flows compared to last year reflects the lower net income and
higher working capital levels. In December 1994, the Company completed a self-
tender offer for 3,002,840 shares of its Common Stock at a price of $8.75 per
share. During the year a total of $28.2 million was used to acquire 3.1 million
shares of Common Stock. These purchases were funded by existing cash and
marketable securities, which decreased due to the stock purchases and $7.8
million used for two acquisitions for the building products business.
In June 1995, the Company entered into a $60 million eight-year loan
agreement with two banks that provides revolving credit for three years after
which outstanding borrowings may be converted into a five-year term loan.
Borrowings bear interest at rates based upon the London Interbank Offered Rate
or at the prime rate and may be used for general corporate purposes, including
business acquisitions. Subsequent to the end of the year, the Company acquired
for its home and commercial products segment a manufacturer of heavy rolling
doors, sectional garage doors, grilles and other door products for commercial,
industrial and residential applications with annual sales of approximately $60
million. The business was acquired for approximately $19 million and the
purchase was financed under the above-mentioned loan agreement.
The Company rents various real property and equipment through
noncancellable operating leases. Related future minimum lease payments due in
1996 aggregate $14.7 million and are expected to be funded through operating
cash flows. There are no material commitments for future capital expenditures
though it is likely that cash outflows for business acquisitions, capital
expenditures and leases will continue.
Anticipated cash flows from operations, together with existing cash and
marketable securities and lease line availability, should be adequate to finance
presently anticipated working capital and capital expenditure requirements and
to repay long-term debt as it matures.
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 121, "Accounting for Long-
Lived Assets and Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of," establishes financial
accounting and reporting standards for long-lived assets and is effective for
the fiscal year beginning October 1, 1996. Adoption of this standard will not
have a material effect on the Company's financial position or results of
operations.
ITEM EIGHT - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
The financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries and the report
thereon of Arthur Andersen LLP, dated November 6, 1995 are included herein:
- Report of Independent Public Accountants.
- Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 1995 and 1994.
- Consolidated Statements of Income, Cash Flows and Shareholders'
Equity for the years ended September 30, 1995, 1994, 1993.
- Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
To Griffon Corporation:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Griffon
Corporation (a Delaware corporation, formerly Instrument Systems Corporation)
and subsidiaries as of September 30, 1995 and 1994 and the related consolidated
statements of income, shareholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the three
years in the period ended September 30, 1995. These financial statements are
the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to
express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of Griffon Corporation and
subsidiaries as of September 30, 1995 and 1994 and the results of their
operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended
September 30, 1995 in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
Our audits were made for the purpose of forming an opinion on the basic
financial statements taken as a whole. The schedule listed in the index to
consolidated financial statements and schedules is presented for purposes of
complying with the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and is not part
of the basic financial statements. This schedule has been subjected to the
auditing procedures applied in the audits of the basic financial statements and,
in our opinion, fairly states in all material respects the financial data
required to be set forth therein in relation to the basic financial statements
taken as a whole.
Roseland, New Jersey Arthur Andersen LLP
November 6, 1995
GRIFFON CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
SEPTEMBER 30,
1995 1994
------------ ------------
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 9,656,000 $ 28,659,000
Marketable securities (Note 1) 12,197,000 29,727,000
Accounts receivable, less allowance
for doubtful accounts of $3,727,000
in 1995 and $3,659,000 in 1994
(Note 1) 71,461,000 59,191,000
Contract costs and recognized income
not yet billed (Note 1) 31,490,000 29,194,000
Inventories (Note 1) 78,823,000 68,918,000
Prepaid expenses and other current
assets 8,419,000 6,987,000
------------ ------------
Total current assets 212,046,000 222,676,000
------------ ------------
Property, Plant and Equipment, at
cost, net of depreciation and
amortization (Note 1) 48,401,000 49,890,000
------------ ------------
Other Assets:
Costs in excess of fair value of
net assets of businesses acquired,
net (Note 1) 21,267,000 18,240,000
Other 3,902,000 2,409,000
------------ ------------
25,169,000 20,649,000
------------ ------------
$285,616,000 $293,215,000
============ ============
GRIFFON CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (CONTINUED)
SEPTEMBER 30,
1995 1994
------------ ------------
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Notes payable and current portion of
long-term debt (Note 2) $ 7,073,000 $ 9,542,000
Accounts payable 40,032,000 33,704,000
Accrued liabilities (Note 1) 45,911,000 48,058,000
Federal income taxes 4,790,000 10,324,000
------------ ------------
Total current liabilities 97,806,000 101,628,000
------------ ------------
Long-Term Debt (Note 2) 16,074,000 15,538,000
------------ ------------
Commitments and Contingencies
(Note 4)
Shareholders' Equity (Note 3):
Preferred stock, par value $.25 per
share, authorized 3,000,000 shares --
Second Preferred Stock, Series I,
authorized 1,950,000 shares,
issued 1,669,537 shares in 1995
and 1,677,129 shares in 1994
(liquidation value $16,695,000
and $16,771,000, respectively) 417,000 419,000
Common stock, par value $.25 per share,
authorized 85,000,000 shares, issued
31,081,499 shares in 1995 and
33,887,739 shares in 1994 7,770,000 8,472,000
Capital in excess of par value 52,149,000 78,614,000
Retained earnings 113,101,000 89,711,000
------------ ------------
173,437,000 177,216,000
Less --
Deferred compensation (424,000) (900,000)
Treasury shares, at cost, 162,796
common shares in 1995 and 34,500
common shares in 1994 (1,277,000) (267,000)
------------ ------------
Total shareholders' equity 171,736,000 176,049,000
------------ ------------
$285,616,000 $293,215,000
============ ============
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral
part of these statements.
GRIFFON CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
1995 1994 1993
------------ ------------ ------------
Net sales $546,359,000 $488,957,000 $436,949,000
Cost of sales 402,658,000 344,485,000 308,711,000
------------ ------------ ------------
143,701,000 144,472,000 128,238,000
Selling, general and administrative
expenses 104,058,000 94,529,000 83,979,000
------------ ------------ ------------
39,643,000 49,943,000 44,259,000
------------ ------------ ------------
Other income (expense):
Interest expense (2,192,000) (1,803,000) (1,942,000)
Interest income 1,312,000 1,885,000 929,000
Other, net 265,000 322,000 1,020,000
------------ ------------ ------------
(615,000) 404,000 7,000
------------ ------------ ------------
Income from continuing operations
before income taxes 39,028,000 50,347,000 44,266,000
------------ ------------ ------------
Provision for income taxes (Note 1):
State and foreign 2,483,000 3,558,000 3,330,000
Federal 12,738,000 17,084,000 14,376,000
------------ ------------ ------------
15,221,000 20,642,000 17,706,000
------------ ------------ ------------
Income from continuing operations 23,807,000 29,705,000 26,560,000
------------ ------------ ------------
Discontinued operations, net of
income tax effect (Note 5):
Operating loss --- --- (537,000)
Provision for loss on disposal --- --- (7,938,000)
------------ ------------ ------------
--- --- (8,475,000)
------------ ------------ ------------
Net income $ 23,807,000 $ 29,705,000 $ 18,085,000
============ ============ ============
Income per share of common stock
(Note 1):
Continuing operations $ .71 $ .80 $ .70
Discontinued operations -- -- (.22)
------------ ------------ ------------
Net income $ .71 $ .80 $ .48
============ ============ ============
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of
these statements.
GRIFFON CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
1995 1994 1993
------------ ------------ ------------
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income $ 23,807,000 $ 29,705,000 $ 18,085,000
------------ ------------ ------------
Adjustments to reconcile net income
to net cash provided by operating
activities:
Depreciation and amortization 8,670,000 9,754,000 9,458,000
Provision for losses on accounts
receivable 990,000 805,000 627,000
Deferred income taxes 1,396,000 (133,000) (1,593,000)
Loss from discontinued operations --- --- 10,681,000
Change in assets and liabilities:
Increase in accounts receivable
and contract costs and recognized
income not yet billed (12,059,000) (1,477,000) (16,922,000)
Increase in inventories (6,431,000) (12,385,000) (8,702,000)
(Increase) decrease in prepaid
expenses and other assets (111,000) (429,000) 513,000
Increase (decrease) in accounts
payable, accrued liabilities and
Federal income taxes (3,205,000) 10,185,000 7,274,000
Other changes, net (1,103,000) (26,000) 195,000
------------ ------------ ------------
Total adjustments (11,853,000) 6,294,000 1,531,000
------------ ------------ ------------
Net cash provided by operating
activities 11,954,000 35,999,000 19,616,000
------------ ------------ ------------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Net (increase) decrease in marketable
securities 17,530,000 (18,632,000) (4,676,000)
Acquisition of property, plant and
equipment (8,080,000) (9,241,000) (8,438,000)
Net proceeds from sale of stock of
affiliate --- 11,615,000 ---
Acquired businesses (7,758,000) (1,946,000) ---
(Increase) decrease in equipment lease
deposits and other (801,000) 1,294,000 2,639,000
------------ ------------ ------------
Net cash provided by (used in)
investing activities 891,000 (16,910,000) (10,475,000)
------------ ------------ ------------
GRIFFON CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED)
YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30,
1995 1994 1993
------------ ------------ ------------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Purchase of treasury shares (28,233,000) (15,415,000) (1,562,000)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term
debt --- 7,100,000 4,500,000
Payment of long-term debt (9,528,000) (8,464,000) (3,580,000)
Increase in short-term borrowings 6,500,000 --- ---
Other, net (587,000) (117,000) (40,000)
------------ ------------ ------------
Net cash used in financing
activities (31,848,000) (16,896,000) (682,000)
------------ ------------ ------------
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH
EQUIVALENTS (19,003,000) 2,193,000 8,459,000
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING
OF YEAR 28,659,000 26,466,000 18,007,000
------------ ------------ ------------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR $ 9,656,000 $ 28,659,000 $ 26,466,000
============ ============ ============
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these
statements.
GRIFFON CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
For the Years Ended September 30, 1995, 1994 and 1993
SECOND PREFERRED CAPITAL IN
STOCK, SERIES I COMMON STOCK EXCESS OF RETAINED DEFERRED TREASURY SHARES
SHARES PAR VALUE SHARES PAR VALUE PAR VALUE EARNINGS COMPENSATION SHARES COST
Balances, September 30, 1992 1,680,561 $420 39,109,878 $9,777 $99,637 $ 42,761 $1,875 3,457,884 $6,359
Amortization of deferred
compensation --- --- --- --- --- --- (577) --- ---
Cash dividend on Second
Preferred Stock, Series I
(Note 3) --- --- --- --- --- (420) --- --- ---
Purchase of treasury shares
(Note 3) --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 249,400 1,562
Exercise of stock options
(Note 3) --- --- 186,500 47 302 --- --- --- ---
Retirement of treasury shares --- --- (3,504,384) (876) (5,700) --- --- (3,504,384) (6,576)
Other (70) --- 11,350 3 (80) --- --- --- ---
Net income --- --- --- --- --- 18,085 --- --- ---
--------- ---- ---------- ------ ------- -------- ------ ---------- ------
Balances, September 30, 1993 1,680,491 420 35,803,344 8,951 94,159 60,426 1,298 202,900 1,345
Amortization of deferred
compensation --- --- --- --- --- --- (563) --- ---
Cash dividend on Second
Preferred Stock, Series I
(Note 3) --- --- --- --- --- (420) --- --- ---
Purchase of treasury shares
(Note 3) --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 1,930,600 15,415
Exercise of stock options
(Note 3) --- --- 114,500 29 152 --- --- --- ---
Retirement of treasury shares --- --- (2,099,000) (525) (15,968) --- --- (2,099,000) (16,493)
Other (3,362) (1) 68,895 17 271 --- 165 --- ---
Net income --- --- --- --- --- 29,705 --- --- ---
--------- ---- ---------- ------ ------- -------- ------ ---------- -------
Balances, September 30, 1994 1,677,129 419 33,887,739 8,472 78,614 89,711 900 34,500 267
Amortization of deferred
compensation --- --- --- --- --- --- (570) --- ---
Cash dividend on Second
Preferred Stock, Series I
(Note 3) --- --- --- --- --- (417) --- --- ---
Purchase of treasury shares
(Note 3) --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 3,131,136 28,233
Exercise of stock options
(Note 3) --- --- 236,000 59 427 --- --- --- ---
Retirement of treasury shares --- --- (3,002,840) (751) (26,472) --- --- (3,002,840) (27,223)
Other (7,592) (2) (39,400) (10) (420) --- 94 --- ---
Net income --- --- --- --- --- 23,807 --- --- ---
--------- ---- ---------- ------ ------- -------- ------ ---------- -------
Balances, September 30, 1995 1,669,537 $417 31,081,499 $7,770 $52,149 $113,101 $ 424 162,796 $ 1,277
========= ==== ========== ====== ======= ======== ====== ========== =======
The accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements are an integral part of these statements.
GRIFFON CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:
Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Griffon
Corporation (formerly Instrument Systems Corporation) and all subsidiaries. All
significant intercompany items have been eliminated in consolidation.
Cash flows, investments and credit risk
Marketable securities consist primarily of U.S. government obligations and
are carried at amortized cost which approximates market. Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 115, "Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and
Equity Securities," establishes financial accounting and reporting standards for
investments and was effective for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 1994.
Adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on the Company's
financial position or results of operations. The Company considers all highly
liquid debt instruments purchased with a maturity of three months or less to be
cash equivalents. Cash payments for interest expense were $2,162,000,
$1,824,000 and $1,875,000 in 1995, 1994 and 1993, respectively.
A substantial portion of the Company's trade receivables are from customers
of the home and commercial products segment whose financial condition is
dependent on the construction and related retail sectors of the economy.
Accounting for long-term contracts
The Company records sales and gross profits on its long-term contracts on
a percentage-of-completion basis. The Company determines sales and gross
profits by (1) relating costs incurred to current estimates of total
manufacturing costs of such contracts or (2) based upon a unit of shipment
basis. General and administrative expenses are expensed as incurred. Revisions
in estimated profits are made in the period in which the circumstances requiring
the revision become known. Provisions are made currently for anticipated losses
on uncompleted contracts.
"Contract costs and recognized income not yet billed" consists of
recoverable costs and accrued profit on long-term contracts for which billings
had not been presented to the customers because the amounts were not billable
at the balance sheet date.
Inventories
Inventories, stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out or average)
or market, include material, labor and manufacturing overhead costs, and are
comprised of the following:
SEPTEMBER 30,
1995 1994
----------- -----------
Finished goods $22,824,000 $16,664,000
Work in process 31,048,000 26,674,000
Raw materials and supplies 24,951,000 25,580,000
----------- -----------
$78,823,000 $68,918,000
=========== ===========
Property, plant and equipment
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment is provided primarily on a
straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets.
Leasehold improvements are amortized over the life of the lease or life of
the improvement, whichever is shorter.
Property, plant and equipment consists of the following:
SEPTEMBER 30,
1995 1994
----------- -----------
Land, buildings and building
improvements $25,113,000 $27,304,000
Machinery and equipment 63,370,000 59,454,000
Leasehold improvements 8,251,000 7,975,000
----------- -----------
96,734,000 94,733,000
Less--Accumulated
depreciation and
amortization 48,333,000 44,843,000
----------- -----------
$48,401,000 $49,890,000
=========== ===========
Maintenance and repair expense was $8,938,000, $8,208,000 and $8,096,000
in 1995, 1994 and 1993, respectively.
Acquisitions and costs in excess of fair value of net assets of businesses
acquired ("Goodwill").
Goodwill is being amortized on a straight-line basis over a period of forty
years. At September 30, 1995 and 1994, accumulated amortization of goodwill was
$4,245,000 and $3,618,000, respectively.
In 1995 the Company acquired two companies involved in the installation of
building products for an aggregate purchase price of $7,758,000. These
acquisitions have been accounted for as purchases and resulted in an increase
in goodwill of $3,650,000.
Subsequent to the end of fiscal 1995, the Company acquired a manufacturer
of heavy rolling doors, sectional garage doors, grilles and other door products
for commercial, industrial and residential applications. The business was
acquired for approximately $19,000,000 and has annual sales of approximately
$60,000,000.
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 121, "Accounting for Long-
Lived Assets and Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of," establishes financial
accounting and reporting standards for long-lived assets and is effective for
the fiscal year beginning October 1, 1996. Adoption of this standard will not
have a material effect on the Company's financial position or results of
operations.
Income taxes
The components of income tax expense included in continuing operations were
as follows:
1995 1994 1993
----------- ----------- -----------
Current $13,825,000 $20,775,000 $17,093,000
Deferred 1,396,000 (133,000) 613,000
----------- ----------- -----------
$15,221,000 $20,642,000 $17,706,000
=========== =========== ===========
The primary components of deferred taxes result from differences in the
reporting of depreciation, the allowance for doubtful accounts, and other non-
deductible accruals.
Cash payments for income taxes were $19,882,000, $16,809,000 and
$15,151,000 in 1995, 1994 and 1993, respectively.
The following table indicates the significant elements contributing to the
difference between the U.S. Federal statutory tax rate and the effective tax
rate:
1995 1994 1993
---- ---- ----
U.S. Federal statutory
tax rate 35.0% 35.0% 34.8%
State and foreign
income taxes 4.1 4.6 4.9
Other (.1) 1.4 .3
---- ---- ----
Effective tax rate 39.0% 41.0% 40.0%
==== ==== ====
Research and development costs
Research and development costs not recoverable under contractual
arrangements are charged to expense as incurred. Approximately $4,400,000,
$4,000,000 and $3,600,000 for 1995, 1994 and 1993, respectively, was incurred
on such research and development.
Accrued liabilities
At September 30, 1995 and 1994, accrued liabilities included $12,931,000
and $13,856,000, respectively, for payroll and other employee benefits.
Income per share of Common Stock
Income per share is calculated using the weighted average number of shares
of Common Stock outstanding during each period, adjusted to reflect the dilutive
effect of shares issuable for common stock equivalents. Shares used in
computing income per share were 33,629,000 in 1995, 37,102,000 in 1994 and
37,989,000 in 1993.
2. NOTES PAYABLE AND LONG-TERM DEBT:
At September 30, 1995 the Company had outstanding notes payable to banks
of $6,500,000 under short-term lines of credit. Borrowings under the lines bear
interest at rates (7.5% as of September 30, 1995) based on the London Interbank
Offered Rate ("LIBOR"), or the prime rate.
The Company's long-term debt outstanding at September 30, 1995 relates
primarily to real estate mortgages, with interest rates ranging from 8.0% to
8.7% and maturities through 2004.
The following are the maturities of long-term debt outstanding at
September 30, 1995 for each of the succeeding five years:
1996 $ 573,000
1997 8,927,000
1998 279,000
1999 265,000
2000 265,000
During 1995 the Company entered into an eight-year loan agreement with two
banks. The agreement provides for up to $60,000,000 of revolving credit for
three years after which outstanding borrowings may be converted into a five-year
term loan. Borrowings bear interest at rates based upon LIBOR or at the prime
rate and are secured by the capital stock of one of the company's wholly-owned
subsidiaries and the capital stock of newly acquired subsidiaries financed by
borrowings under the loan agreement. In October 1995, $19,000,000 was drawn
down under this credit agreement in connection with an acquisition (see Note 1).
3. SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
In connection with its stock repurchase program covering up to 7,000,000
shares of common and preferred stock, the Company acquired 249,400 shares of
Common Stock in 1993 for $1,562,000, 1,930,600 shares of Common Stock in 1994
for $15,415,000 and 3,131,136 shares of Common Stock in 1995 for $28,233,000.
The 1995 purchases include approximately 3,000,000 shares of Common Stock
acquired under a self-tender offer at a price of $8.75 per share.
The Company's Second Preferred Stock, Series I --
a) is convertible into Common Stock on the basis of one share of Common
Stock for each share of Second Preferred Stock, Series I, subject to
certain adjustments;
b) is redeemable at $10.00 per share at the option of the Company;
c) has a liquidation value of $10.00 per share; and
d) has the same voting rights and privileges as Common Stock.
The holders of Second Preferred Stock, Series I are entitled to receive for
each share of Second Preferred Stock, an annual dividend of --
a) $.25 in cash; or
b) shares of Common Stock of the Company having a market value of $.25,
but in no event more than one-quarter of a share of Common Stock per
share of Second Preferred Stock.
The Board of Directors, at the time of the dividend declaration, shall
determine (in its discretion) whether the dividend shall be in cash or Common
Stock.
The Company has an Employee Stock Ownership Plan ("ESOP") which covers most
of the Company's nonunion employees. The ESOP has a loan agreement, which is
guaranteed by the Company, the proceeds of which were used to purchase equity
securities of the Company. The outstanding balance of the loan has been
reflected as a liability in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets with
a like amount of deferred compensation recorded as a reduction of shareholders'
equity.
The Company has three stock option plans under which options for an
aggregate of 3,000,000 shares of Common Stock may be granted. The plans provide
for the granting of options at an exercise price of not less than 100% of the
fair market value per share at date of grant. Options generally expire five or
ten years after date of grant and become exercisable in installments as
determined by the Board of Directors. Transactions under the plans are as
follows:
NUMBER OPTION
OF SHARES PRICE
---------- ----------------
Outstanding at September 30,
1993 1,051,000 $1.00 to $7.00
Granted 907,000 $7.125 to $9.125
Exercised (114,500) $1.00 to $7.00
Terminated (1,500) $7.00
---------
Outstanding at September 30,
1994 1,842,000 $1.50 to $9.125
Granted 713,000 $7.50 to $8.625
Exercised (236,000) $1.625 to $7.00
Terminated (22,250) $7.00 to $8.625
---------
Outstanding at September 30,
1995 2,296,750 $1.50 to $9.125
=========
The outstanding options expire at various dates through 2005. Options for
844,500 shares are exercisable at September 30, 1995 at $1.50 to $9.125 per
share. Outstanding options include grants in 1994 covering 680,000 shares of
stock that do not become exercisable unless the market price of the Common Stock
has attained an average price of $10 per share for 10 consecutive trading days,
or 60 days before the options expire, whether or not the price target has been
met. As of September 30, 1995, options for 638,750 shares were available for
future grants.
The Company has an Outside Director Stock Award Plan (the "Outside Director
Plan"), which was approved by the shareholders in 1994, under which 300,000
shares may be issued to non-employee directors. Annually, each eligible
director is awarded shares of the Company's Common Stock having a value of
$10,000 which vests over a three-year period. For shares issued under the
Outside Director Plan, the fair market value of the shares at the date of
issuance will be amortized to compensation expense over the vesting period. The
related deferred compensation has been reflected as a reduction of shareholders'
equity. In 1995 and 1994, 11,630 and 10,770 shares, respectively, were issued
under the Outside Director Plan.
In April 1986, the Board of Directors declared a dividend distribution of
one Common Stock purchase Right for each outstanding share of Common Stock. The
Rights were amended in November 1994. These Rights will expire in 1996 unless
redeemed earlier and, initially, will trade with the Common Stock. They are not
presently exercisable and have no voting power. In the event a person acquires
15% or more, or makes a tender offer which if consummated would result in such
person owning 15% or more of the Common Stock, the Rights detach from the Common
Stock and become exercisable and entitle a holder to buy one-half of one share
of Common Stock for $6.00 (adjustable to prevent dilution). If a person or
group acquires beneficial ownership of 15% or more of the Company's outstanding
Common Stock, each Right will entitle its holder (other than such person or
group) to purchase, at the then-current exercise price of the Right, a number
of shares of the Company's Common Stock having a market value of twice the then-
current exercise price of the Right. In addition, if the Company is acquired
in a merger or other business combination, each Right will entitle its holder
to purchase, at the then-current exercise price, a number of the acquiring
company's common shares having a market value of twice the then-current exercise
price of the Right. Prior to the acquisition by a person or group of beneficial
ownership of 15% or more of the Company's outstanding Common Stock, the Rights
are redeemable for $.01 per Right at the option of the Board of Directors.
As of September 30, 1995, shares of the Company's authorized but unissued
Common Stock were reserved in connection with the following:
SHARES
---------
Conversion of outstanding Second
Preferred Stock, Series I 1,669,537
Stock option and award plans 3,213,100
Exercise of Common Stock purchase
warrants 226,414
Exercise of Common Stock purchase
Rights 18,013,877
----------
23,122,928
==========
4. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:
The Company and its subsidiaries rent real property and equipment under
operating leases expiring at various dates. Most of the real property leases
have escalation clauses related to increases in real property taxes.
Future minimum payments under noncancellable operating leases consisted of
the following at September 30, 1995:
1996 $14,700,000
1997 12,800,000
1998 9,200,000
1999 7,400,000
2000 4,200,000
Later years 3,300,000
Rent expense for all operating leases, net of subleases, totalled
approximately $18,900,000, $18,600,000 and $16,900,000 in 1995, 1994 and 1993,
respectively.
The Company is subject to various laws and regulations concerning the
environment, and is currently participating in administrative or court
proceedings involving several sites under these laws, usually as one of a group
of potentially responsible parties. These proceedings are at a preliminary
stage, and it is impossible to estimate with any certainty the amount of the
liability, if any, of the Company alone or in relation to that of any other
responsible parties, or the total cost of remediation and the timing and extent
of remedial actions which may ultimately be required by governmental
authorities.
In view of the inherent difficulty in predicting the outcome of litigation
and governmental proceedings, management cannot state what the eventual outcome
of such litigation and proceedings will be. However, management believes, based
on facts presently known to it, that the outcome of such litigation and
proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's
consolidated financial position or results of operations.
Two officers of the Company have employment agreements, as amended, for a
term ending in 2000. The agreements provide for salary and, under certain
conditions, incentive bonuses. The agreements also provide that in the event
there is a change in the control of the Company, as defined therein, the
officers have the option to terminate the agreements and receive a lump sum
payment based upon the compensation payable over the balance of the agreements.
As of September 30, 1995, the amount payable in the event of such termination
would be approximately $32,000,000.
5. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS:
During 1993, the Company decided to withdraw from the apparel business and
sell its 25% interest in Oneita Industries, Inc.. The sale of the investment
was completed in October 1993 for approximately $11,600,000 and the financial
statements reflect a related charge in 1993 of $7,938,000 (net of income tax
effect of $1,930,000).
6. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED):
Quarterly results of operations for the years ended September 30, 1995 and
1994 are as follows:
QUARTERS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, JUNE 30, MARCH 31, DECEMBER 31,
1995 1995 1995 1994
------------- ------------ ------------ ------------
Net sales $157,410,000 $135,238,000 $120,149,000 $133,562,000
Gross profit 39,783,000 34,257,000 31,315,000 38,346,000
Net income 7,782,000 5,052,000 3,251,000 7,722,000
Income per share of
common stock $ .24 $ .15 $ .10 $ .22
============ ============ ============ ============
QUARTERS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, JUNE 30, MARCH 31, DECEMBER 31,
1994 1994 1994 1993
------------- ------------ ------------ ------------
Net sales $141,658,000 $125,287,000 $105,857,000 $116,155,000
Gross profit 42,185,000 36,621,000 31,299,000 34,367,000
Net income 10,603,000 7,371,000 4,926,000 6,805,000
Income per share of
common stock $ .29 $ .20 $ .13 $ .18
============ ============ ============ ============
7. BUSINESS SEGMENTS:
The Company's principal business segments are as follows -- Home and
Commercial Products (manufacture and sale of garage doors and other building
products, hardware primarily for the food service industry, and synthetic
batting); Electronic Information and Communication Systems (communication and
information systems for government and commercial markets); and Specialty
Plastic Films (manufacture and sale of plastic films for baby diapers, adult
incontinence care products and disposable surgical and patient care products).
Information on the Company's business segments is as follows:
SEPTEMBER 30,
1995 1994 1993
------------ ------------ ------------
Net sales --
Home and commercial products $339,333,000 $280,342,000 $230,809,000
Electronic information and
communication systems 95,816,000 94,001,000 92,835,000
Specialty plastic films 111,210,000 114,614,000 113,305,000
------------ ------------ ------------
$546,359,000 $488,957,000 $436,949,000
============ ============ ============
Operating income --
Home and commercial products $ 26,177,000 $ 25,103,000 $ 21,569,000
Electronic information and
communication systems 9,145,000 9,577,000 9,514,000
Specialty plastic films 9,006,000 20,752,000 18,737,000
------------ ------------ ------------
Total operating income 44,328,000 55,432,000 49,820,000
General corporate expenses (4,420,000) (5,167,000) (4,541,000)
Interest income (expense), net (880,000) 82,000 (1,013,000)
------------ ------------ ------------
Income from continuing operations
before income taxes $ 39,028,000 $ 50,347,000 $ 44,266,000
============ ============ ============
Identifiable assets --
Home and commercial products $127,087,000 $112,799,000 $ 96,198,000
Electronic information and
communication systems 99,138,000 86,962,000 89,264,000
Specialty plastic films 40,003,000 43,205,000 41,592,000
Corporate 19,388,000 50,249,000 43,216,000
------------ ------------ ------------
$285,616,000 $293,215,000 $270,270,000
============ ============ ============
Capital expenditures --
Home and commercial products $ 4,719,000 $ 6,446,000 $ 2,831,000
Electronic information and
communication systems 2,320,000 1,941,000 2,231,000
Specialty plastic films 929,000 793,000 3,374,000
Corporate 112,000 61,000 2,000
------------ ------------ ------------
$ 8,080,000 $ 9,241,000 $ 8,438,000
============ ============ ============
Depreciation and amortization --
Home and commercial products $ 3,668,000 $ 3,284,000 $ 2,799,000
Electronic information and
communication systems 2,533,000 3,150,000 3,277,000
Specialty plastic films 2,273,000 3,169,000 3,194,000
Corporate 196,000 151,000 188,000
------------ ------------ ------------
$ 8,670,000 $ 9,754,000 $ 9,458,000
============ ============ ============
Sales to the United States Government and its agencies, either as a prime
contractor or subcontractor, aggregated approximately $52,000,000 for 1995,
$62,000,000 for 1994 and $60,000,000 for 1993, all of which are included in the
electronic information and communication systems segment. Sales between
business segments are not material. In computing operating income, none of the
following have been added or deducted -- general corporate expenses, net
interest income or expense and income taxes. Assets by business segment are
those identifiable assets that are used in the Company's operations in each
segment. Corporate assets are principally cash and marketable securities.
Included in capital expenditures in 1994 of the home and commercial products
segment was $4,200,000 for the purchase of a building that was previously
leased.
ITEM NINE - DISAGREEMENTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL
DISCLOSURE
None.
PART III
The information required by Part III is incorporated by reference to the
Company's definitive proxy statement in connection with its Annual Meeting of
Stockholders scheduled to be held in February, 1996, to be filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days following the end of the
Company's fiscal year ended September 30, 1995. Information relating to the
officers of the Registrant appears under Item I of this report.
PART IV
ITEM FOURTEEN - EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
The following consolidated financial statements of Griffon Corporation and
subsidiaries are included in Item 8:
(a) 1. Financial Statements
Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30,
1995 and 1994...............................................
Consolidated Statements of Income for the Years
Ended September 30, 1995, 1994 and 1993.....................
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the
Years Ended September 30, 1995, 1994 and 1993...............
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity
for the Years Ended September 30, 1995, 1994
and 1993....................................................
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.......................
(a) 2. Schedule
II Valuation and Qualifying Accounts..................
(1) Schedules other than those listed are omitted because they are not
applicable or because the information required is included in the
consolidated financial statements.
(b) Reports on Form 8-K:
None.
(c) Exhibits:
Exhibit No.
3.1 Restated Certificate of Incorporation
3.2 By-laws as amended (Exhibit 3 of Current Report on Form 8-K
dated November 8, 1994)
4.1 Amendment to Rights Agreement dated as of November 8, 1994
between Registrant and American Stock Transfer Company (Exhibit
4.1 of Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 8, 1994)
4.2 Loan Agreement dated June 8, 1995 between the Registrant and
lending institutions
10.1 Employment Agreement dated March 1, 1983 between the Registrant
and Robert Balemian, as amended (Exhibit 10 of Current Report on
Form 8-K dated March 1, 1983, Exhibit 10 of Current Report on
Form 8-K dated March 2, 1983, Exhibit 10(a) of Current Report on
Form 8-K dated March 15, 1984, Exhibit 10 of Current Report on
Form 8-K dated May 4, 1987, Exhibit 10(a) of Current Report on
Form 8-K dated February 13, 1989, Exhibit 10 of Current Report
on Form 8-K dated February 28, 1990, Exhibit 10 of Current
Report on Form 8-K dated February 25, 1991 and Exhibit 10 of
Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 28, 1991)
10.2 Employment Agreement dated March 1, 1983 between the Registrant
and Harvey R. Blau, as amended (Exhibit 10 of Current Report on
Form 8-K dated March 1, 1983, Exhibit 10 of Current Report on
Form 8-K dated March 2, 1983, Exhibit 10(b) of Current Report on
Form 8-K dated March 15, 1984, Exhibit 10 of Current Report on
Form 8-K dated May 4, 1987, Exhibit 10(a) of Current Report on
Form 8-K dated February 13, 1989, and Exhibit 10 of Current
Report on Form 8-K dated February 28, 1990, Exhibit 10 of
Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 25, 1991 and Exhibit
10 of Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 28, 1991)
10.3 Form of Trust Agreement between the Registrant and U.S. Trust
Company of California, N.A., as Trustee, relating to the
Company's Employee Stock Ownership Plan (Exhibit 10.3 of Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 1994)
10.4 Warrant Agreement to Officer (Exhibit 28 of Current Report on
Form 8-K dated March 2, 1983)
10.5 1992 Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan (Exhibit 10.10 of Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 1993)
10.6 Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan (Exhibit 10.12 of Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 1988)
10.7 Form of Indemnification Agreement between the Registrant and its
officers and directors (Exhibit 28 to Current Report on Form 8-K
dated May 3, 1990)
10.8 Outside Director Stock Award Plan (Exhibit 4 of Form S-8
Registration Statement No. 33-52319)
10.9 1995 Stock Option Plan (Exhibit 4 of Form S-8 Registration
Statement No. 33-57683)
21 The following lists the Company's significant subsidiaries all
of which are wholly-owned by the Company. The names of certain
subsidiaries which do not, when considered in the aggregate
constitute a significant subsidiary, have been omitted.
State of
Name of Subsidiary Incorporation
------------------ -------------
Clopay Corporation Delaware
Telephonics Corporation Delaware
Standard-Keil Industries, Inc. Delaware
Lightron Corporation Delaware
23 Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP
27 Financial Data Schedule (for electronic submission only)
99 Additional Exhibit
The following undertakings are incorporated into the Company's Registration
Statements on Form S-8 (Registration Nos. 2-82183, 2-99536, 33-14259, 33-39090,
33-62966, 33-52319 and 33-57683).
(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made,
a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
Securities Act of 1933;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any fact or events arising after the
effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective
amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a
fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement;
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of
distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any
material change to such information in the registration statement;
Provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply
if the registration statement is on Form S-3 or Form S-8, and the information
required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is
contained in periodic reports filed by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or
Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by
reference in the registration statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to
be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and
the offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any
of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the
offering.
(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit
plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall
be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(i) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant
has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission
such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is,
therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against
such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred
or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication
of such issue.
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the Company has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized on the 17th day of
November, 1995.
GRIFFON CORPORATION
By: Harvey R. Blau
---------------------
Harvey R. Blau
Chairman of the Board
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed below on November 17, 1995 by the following persons in
the capacities indicated:
Harvey R. Blau Chairman of the Board
- ------------------------ (Principal Executive Officer)
Harvey R. Blau
Robert Balemian President and Director
- ------------------------ (Principal Operating and Financial Officer)
Robert Balemian
Patrick L. Alesia Vice President and Treasurer
- ------------------------ (Chief Accounting Officer)
Patrick L. Alesia
Henry A. Alpert Director
- ------------------------
Henry A. Alpert
Bertrand M. Bell Director
- ------------------------
Bertrand M. Bell
Robert Bradley Director
- ------------------------
Robert Bradley
Abraham M. Buchman Director
- ------------------------
Abraham M. Buchman
Clarence A. Hill, Jr. Director
- ------------------------
Clarence A. Hill, Jr.
Ronald J. Kramer Director
- ------------------------
Ronald J. Kramer
James W. Stansberry Director
- ------------------------
James W. Stansberry
Martin S. Sussman Director
- ------------------------
Martin S. Sussman
William H. Waldorf Director
- ------------------------
William H. Waldorf
Lester L. Wolff Director
- ------------------------
Lester L. Wolff
SCHEDULE II
GRIFFON CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE II -- VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1995, 1994 AND 1993
Additions Deductions
------------------------- ----------
Balance at Charged to Charged to Accounts Balance at
Beginning Profit and Other Written End
Description of Period Loss Accounts Off of Period
- -------------------------------------- ---------- ---------- ------------ ---------- ----------
FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1995:
Allowance for doubtful accounts $3,659,000 $990,000 $179,000 (1) $1,101,000 $3,727,000
========== ======== ======== ========== ==========
FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1994:
Allowance for doubtful accounts $3,860,000 $805,000 $ 95,000 (2) $1,101,000 $3,659,000
========== ======== ======== ========== ==========
FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1993:
Allowance for doubtful accounts $3,913,000 $627,000 $ 38,000 (2) $ 718,000 $3,860,000
========== ======== ======== ========== ==========
(1) Principally related to an acquired company.
(2) Recoveries of amounts previously written off.
RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS CORPORATION
* * * * *
INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS CORPORATION, a corporation organized
and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, hereby
certifies as follows:
1. The name of the corporation is INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS
CORPORATION. The name under which the corporation was originally
incorporated in Delaware is INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS CORPORATION. The
date of filing the corporation's original Certificate of
Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware
was December 29, 1970.
2. The text of the Certificate of Incorporation of the
corporation as amended or supplemented herewith is hereby restated
to read as herein set forth in full:
"FIRST: The name of the corporation is
INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS CORPORATION.
SECOND: The registered office of the corporation in the
State of Delaware is located at 1209 Orange Street, in the City of
Wilmington, County of New Castle. The name and address of its
registered agent is The Corporation Trust Company, Corporation
Trust Center, 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19801.
THIRD: The purpose of the corporation is to engage in
any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized
under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
FOURTH: The total number of shares of all classes of
stock which the corporation shall have the authority to issue is
eighty-eight million (88,000,000) shares. Of these (i) eighty-five
million (85,000,000) shares shall be shares of Common Stock of the
par value of Twenty-Five Cents ($.25) per share; (ii) three million
(3,000,000) shares shall be Serial Preferred Stock of the par value
of Twenty-Five Cents ($.25) per share, of which thirty-seven
thousand (37,000) shares shall consist of Series A Preferred Stock,
Twenty-Five Cents ($.25) par value, and one million nine hundred
fifty thousand (1,950,000) shares shall consist of Second Preferred
Stock, Twenty-Five Cents ($.25) par value. One million nine
hundred fifty thousand (1,950,000) shares of such Second Preferred
Stock shall be Second Preferred Stock - Series I.
The relative rights, powers, preferences and privileges
of the Series A Preferred Stock, Twenty-Five Cents ($.25) par
value, Second Preferred Stock, Twenty-Five Cents ($.25) par value,
and Second Preferred Stock - Series I, Twenty-Five Cents ($.25) par
value, shall be as follows:
PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK
A. The number of shares which shall constitute the
authorized shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be thirty-seven
thousand (37,000) and such number shall not be increased.
B. The Series A Preferred Stock shall be entitled to
receive dividends of $.01 per share per annum.
C. The corporation may, at its option, at any time and
from time to time, redeem the whole or any part of the Series A
Preferred Stock at a price of One Hundred and 00/100 Dollars
($100.00) per share in cash. The corporation shall, on or prior to
any date of redemption of Series A Preferred Stock, deliver to the
Series A Preferred Stock Agent designated in paragraph G hereof
(the "Series A Preferred Stock Agent") to be held by such Agent in
trust for the account of the holders of the shares of Series A
Preferred Stock so to be redeemed, all funds necessary for such
redemption; and, thereupon, all shares of Series A Preferred Stock
with respect to which such delivery shall have been made shall no
longer be deemed to be outstanding and all rights with respect to
such shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall forthwith upon such
delivery cease and terminate, except only the right of the holders
thereof to receive from the Series A Preferred Stock Agent, at any
time on or after the redemption date, the cash which constitutes
the consideration for the redemption of such shares so to be
redeemed, upon surrender of the certificate therefor by the Series
A Preferred Stock Agent. Payment by the corporation in any
redemption of Series A Preferred Stock shall be effected by the
payment to the Series A Preferred Stock Agent of such sum by
certified or bank cashier's check payable to the order of the
Series A Preferred Stock Agent in New York Clearing House funds.
Unless all the holders of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock
outstanding otherwise agree in writing, shares of Series A
Preferred Stock shall be redeemed pro rata.
D. In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of the corporation, whether voluntary of involuntary,
before any distribution or payment shall be made to the holders of
any other class of capital stock, the holders of the shares of
Series A Preferred Stock shall be entitled to be paid out of the
assets of the corporation available for distribution to its
shareholders, the sum on One Hundred and 00/100 Dollars ($100.00)
per share in cash and thereafter, the holders of the shares of
Series A Preferred Stock shall be entitled to no further payment or
distribution. The holders of the shares of Series A Preferred
Stock shall rank pari passu with the holders of shares of Preferred
Stock of the corporation having the most senior preference in any
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the corporation. The
sale or lease of the properties and assets of the corporation
substantially as an entirety shall not be deemed to be a
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the corporation.
E. The corporation may consolidate or merge into any
other corporation or convey or transfer its properties and assets
substantially as an entirety to any person without the consent of
the holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock only if such
holders shall be entitled at their option, exercisable in the
manner set forth below, to exchange the Series A Preferred Stock in
any such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer for either
(i) shares of a Preferred Stock of any such successor corporation
containing substantially the same rights, powers, preferences,
privileges, qualifications, limitations and restrictions as the
Series A Preferred Stock, or (ii) the stock securities or other
property which such holders would have been entitled to receive
upon such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer if such
holders had held immediately prior to such consolidation, merger,
conveyance or transfer, a number of shares of Common Stock of the
corporation having an aggregate Market Value equal to the aggregate
redemption value of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock then
outstanding. Promptly after the execution of any agreement
providing for the consolidation or merger of the corporation or the
conveyance or transfer of its properties or assets substantially as
an entirety, the corporation shall deliver to the Series A
Preferred Stock Agent an executed counterpart thereof. The option
shall be exercised within thirty days after the receipt of said
Agreement by the Series A Preferred Stock Agent. For the purpose
of this paragraph E, Market Value of the shares of Common Stock of
the corporation shall mean the average of the closing prices of
such shares on the New York or American Stock Exchange during the
twenty-day period preceding the date of any such consolidation,
merger, conveyance or transfer or, if such shares are not traded on
either such Exchange, the average of the bid prices for such shares
during such twenty-day period as reported by the National Stock
Quotation Bureau.
At least ten (10) days prior to the effective or closing
date of any consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer, notice
shall be given by the corporation to the Series A Preferred Stock
Agent by registered mail. The exchange shall be effected by the
surrender to the corporation by the Series A Preferred Stock Agent
of the certificate or certificates representing the shares of
Series A Preferred Stock to be exchanged, accompanied by a written
request for the exchange of such shares into the securities for
which they are being exchanged and a written instrument of transfer
in form reasonably satisfactory to the corporation, duly executed
by the Series A Preferred Stock Agent. As promptly as practicable
after such surrender, the corporation shall deliver to or upon the
written order of the Series A Preferred Stock Agent certificates,
debentures, bonds or such other instruments representing the
securities for which such shares of Series A Preferred Stock are
being exchanged. Such exchange shall be deemed to have been made
at the close of business on the date that such Series A Preferred
Stock shall have been surrendered for exchange, so that the rights
of the holder of such Series A Preferred Stock as a Preferred
stockholder shall cease at such time and the person or persons
entitled to receive the securities to be issued or delivered upon
exchange of such Series A Preferred Stock shall be treated for all
purposes as having become the record holder or holders of such
securities on such date.
No fractional shares or scrip representing fractional
shares or denominations of debentures less than One Thousand Dollar
($1,000.00) shall be issued upon the exchange of any Series A
Preferred Stock. If the exchange on any such Series A Preferred
Stock results in a fractional share or in a fraction of a One
Thousand Dollar ($1,000.00) debenture, an amount equal to such
fraction multiplied by the Market Value of such share or One
Thousand Dollar ($1,000.00) debenture shall be paid to the Series
A Preferred Stock Agent for the benefit of the holder in cash by
the Corporation. The issuance or delivery of securities in
exchange for Series A Preferred Stock shall be made without charge
to the exchanging shareholder for any tax in respect of the
issuance or delivery of such securities, and such securities shall
be issued in the respective names of, or in such names as may be
directed by, the Series A Preferred Stock Agent.
F. Each share of Series A Preferred Stock shall have
the right and power to vote on any question or in any proceeding
and to be represented at and to receive notice of any meeting of
shareholders of the Corporation. On any matters on which the
holders of the Series A Preferred Stock shall be entitled to vote,
they shall be entitled to one (1) vote for each share held. The
holders of the Series A Preferred Stock and the Common Stock of the
Corporation shall vote together and not as separate classes except
as otherwise herein specifically provided and except that the
holders of Series A Preferred Stock shall be entitled to vote as a
class for the approval or rejection of those matters which under
the provisions of the laws of the State of Delaware governing
business corporations require approval of a designated portion of
the shares of such class or series.
So long as any of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock
are outstanding, the corporation shall not, without the consent of
the holders of seventy-five percent (75%) of the total number of
outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock, by affirmative vote
of such holders voting as one (1) class in person or by proxy at a
meeting duly called for that purpose, (i) authorize the issuance of
any class of capital stock having a par value greater than Twenty-
five Cents ($.25) per share provided, however, that such
restriction shall not be deemed to apply to the authorized and
outstanding series of capital stock issued by a successor
corporation which through consolidation, merger, conveyance or
transfer has acquired all of the outstanding capital stock of, or
the properties and assets substantially as an entirety of the
corporation, if such successor corporation shall have assumed all
of the obligations of the corporation hereunder and has succeeded
to and has been substituted for the corporation with the same
effect as if it had been named herein in lieu of the corporation,
and provided further, that such successor corporation shall not
prior to any such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer
directly or indirectly control or be controlled by or be under
direct or indirect common control with the corporation, or (ii)
amend, alter or repeal any of the provisions hereof, or take any
such other actions which adversely affect the rights, powers,
privileges or preferences of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock
or the holders thereof.
G. The holders of the Series A Preferred Stock hereby
initially appoint Seymour I. Gussack as Series A Preferred Stock
Agent, hereby granting to said Agent and his successors full power
and authority to: (i) give any and all requests, directions, orders
and demands as may be required or as in his sole discretion seems
appropriate under any of the provisions herein, and (ii) make all
such other determinations as the Series A Preferred Stock Agent
shall deem necessary or desirable to carry out the provisions
herein; and the corporation shall be required to look only to any
such requests, directions, orders, demands and determinations;
provided, however, that the corporation may rely, shall be
protected in, and shall incur no liability to the holders of the
Series A Preferred Stock for acting or refraining from acting upon
any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion,
report, notice, request, consent, order or other paper or document
delivered by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented
by the Series A Preferred Agent. Any request, direction, order,
demand or determination of the Series A Preferred Stock Agent
mentioned herein shall be sufficiently evidenced by an instrument
in writing signed by the Series A Preferred Stock Agent.
The holders of the Series A Preferred Stock who own more
than seventy-five percent (75%) of the Series A Preferred Stock
outstanding may at any time remove the Series A Preferred Stock
Agent and, in the event of the removal, death, disability or
resignation of such Agent, the holders who own more than 75% of the
Series A Preferred Stock outstanding shall within thirty days
thereafter appoint, either by designation in writing or by vote of
the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock at a meeting called for
such purpose on ten (10) days' notice to the holders of the Series
A Preferred Stock at their respective addresses as the same shall
appear on the Series A Preferred Stock Registry Book, a new Series
A Preferred Stock Agent by serving a copy of such designation or of
the results of the vote at such meeting on the Corporation, and
such designation shall be binding upon the corporation and the
holders of the Series A Preferred Stock outstanding, and the Series
A Preferred Stock Agent so designated shall have and may exercise
all of the rights and powers of the initial Series A Preferred
Stock Agent designated herein and the corporation may rely on,
shall be fully protected, and incur no liability in respect of any
request, direction, order, demand and determination of any such
successor Series A Preferred Stock Agent as aforesaid.
PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE SECOND PREFERRED STOCK
A. The Second Preferred Stock may be issued from time to
time in one or more series, each of such series to have such terms
as are stated and expressed herein and in the resolution or
resolutions providing for the issue of such series adopted by the
Board of Directors as hereinafter provided.
B. The Board of Directors, subject to the provisions
hereof, may classify or reclassify into a series any unissued
shares of the Second Preferred Stock by fixing or altering in any
one or more respects, from time to time before issuance of such
unissued shares:
(i) The distinctive designation of such series
and the number of shares to constitute such series, provided that,
unless otherwise stated in any such resolution or resolutions, such
number of shares may be decreased by the Board of Directors in
connection with any classification or reclassification of unissued
shares of the Second Preferred Stock and such number of shares may
be increased by the Board of Directors in connection with any
classification or reclassification of unissued shares of the Second
Preferred Stock;
(ii) Whether or not the shares of such series
shall pay dividends;
(iii) Whether or not the dividends on the shares
of such series shall accumulate;
(iv) The annual dividend rate (if any) on the
shares of such series and the date or dates from which dividends
shall (if at all) accumulate thereon;
(v) The times and prices of redemption (if
any) of the shares of such series which the holders of shares of
such series shall be entitled to receive upon the redemption
thereof, which prices may vary at different redemption dates and
may also be different with respect to shares redeemed through the
operation of any retirement or sinking fund than with respect to
shares otherwise redeemed;
(vi) The amount which the holders of shares of
such series shall be entitled to receive upon the liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of the corporation;
(vii) Whether or not the shares of such series
shall be subject to the operation of a retirement or sinking fund,
and, if so, the extent to and the manner in which the fund shall be
applied to the purchase or redemption of the shares of such series
for retirement or to other corporate purposes and the terms and
provisions relative to the operation thereof;
(viii) The limitations and restrictions, if any,
to be effective while any shares of such series are outstanding,
upon the payment of dividends or making of other distributions on,
and upon the purchase, redemption or other acquisition by the
corporation, or any subsidiary, of the Common Stock or any other
class of stock of the corporation ranking junior to the shares of
such series;
(ix) Such other preferences and relative,
participating, optional or other special rights, and
qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof as shall not be
inconsistent herewith.
C. All shares of any one series of the Second Preferred
Stock shall be identical with each other in all respects, except
that shares of any one series issued at different times may differ
as to the date from which dividends thereon shall be cumulative;
and all series shall rank equally and be identical in all respects,
except as permitted by the foregoing provisions of paragraph B
hereof.
D. In addition to the voting powers provided in
paragraph N hereof, the holders of the Second Preferred Stock shall
be entitled to cast one (1) vote for each share of the Second
Preferred Stock held by them on all matters upon which stockholders
have the right to vote, such vote to be counted together with those
for any other shares of the capital stock having general voting
powers and not separately as a class or group.
E. (i) Subject to any requirements for the
listing of the Common Stock issuable on conversion with the
American Stock Exchange (or any securities exchange with which the
Common Stock of the corporation is then listed, hereinafter the
"Exchange"), if such listing is required, the shares of the Second
Preferred Stock may be converted at any time, or from time to time
into the corporation's fully paid and nonassessable Common Stock,
as hereinafter set forth: At the election of the holders thereof,
each share of the Second Preferred Stock may be converted into the
corporation's fully paid and nonassessable Common Stock, at a
conversion rate equivalent to one (1) share of the Second Preferred
Stock for ten (10) shares of Common Stock.
(ii) The conversion rate shall be subject to
adjustment from time to time as follows, which adjustment shall be
made to the nearest one hundredth (1/100th) of a share of Common
Stock:
(a) If the Corporation shall pay to
the holders of the Common stock a dividend in
shares of Common Stock, the conversion rate in
effect immediately prior to such dividend
shall be proportionately adjusted, effective
at the opening of business on the next fol-
lowing full business day after payment of such
dividend.
(b) If the shares of Common Stock shall
be subdivided into a greater or combined into a lesser
number of shares of Common Stock (whether with or without
par value), the conversion rate in effect immediately
prior to such subdivision or combination shall be
proportionately adjusted, effective at the opening of
business on the next following full business day after
the effective date of such subdivision or combination.
The surrender of shares of the Second Preferred Stock for
conversion shall be made by the holder thereof to the
corporation at its principal office, and such holder
shall give written notice to the corporation at such
office that he elects to convert said shares in
accordance with the provisions hereof. Such notice shall
also state the name or names (with addresses) in which
the certificate or certificates for Common Stock which
shall be issuable on such conversion shall be issued. As
soon as practicable after receipt of such notice and
shares of the Second Preferred Stock, the corporation
shall issue and shall deliver at said office to the
person for whose account such shares were so surrendered,
or on his written order, a certificate or certificates
for the number of full shares of Common Stock issuable
upon the conversion of such shares. In the event that
the number of shares of Common Stock into which each
share of the Second Preferred Stock shall be converted by
any one holder at any one time shall include a fraction
of a share of Common Stock, unless the Board of Directors
shall otherwise determine, no certificates for fractional
shares of Common Stock shall be issued, but in lieu
thereof, the corporation may either round up such
fractional shares to the next whole share or pay in cash
at a price proportional to the then Market Value of one
(1) share of the corporation's Common Stock. The
calculation of any fractional share interest shall be
made to the nearest one hundredth (1/100th) of one (1)
share of Common Stock for the aggregate number of shares
of the Second Preferred Stock surrendered for conversion
by any one holder thereof at any one time. For the
purpose of this subparagraph (ii), the term "Market
Value" shall mean the last reported sales price for
shares of Common Stock of the corporation on the American
Stock Exchange on such date. In the event there was no
reported sale of the corporation's Common Stock on such
date, "Market Value" shall mean the mean between the bid
and ask quotations for the corporation's common stock at
the close of trading on the American Stock Exchange on
such date. Any such conversion shall be deemed to have
been effected on the date on which the corporation shall
have received such notice and such shares, and the person
or persons in whose name or names any certificate or
certificates for Common Stock shall be issuable upon such
conversion shall be deemed to have become on said date
the holder or holders of record of the shares represented
thereby; provided, however, that any such surrender on
any date when the stock transfer books of the corporation
shall be closed shall not be deemed to constitute the
person or persons in whose name or names the certificates
for such Common Stock are to be issued as the record
holder or holders thereof for any purpose until the close
of business on the next succeeding day on which such
stock transfer books shall be opened. If shares of the
Second Preferred Stock shall be called for redemption,
the right to convert said shares shall terminate and
expire on the close of business on the date fixed for its
redemption, unless the corporation shall default in the
payment of the redemption price of such shares.
(c) Whenever at any time and from time to
time there shall occur any event calling for an
adjustment of the conversion rate, as provided in this
subparagraph (ii), the corporation shall promptly file
with the Transfer Agent for the shares of the Second
Preferred Stock a certificate signed by its President or
a Vice-President and its Treasurer or an Assistant
Treasurer setting forth in detail the computation of such
adjustment and the new adjusted conversion rate.
(d) In no event upon any conversion of
the shares of the Second Preferred Stock into Common
Stock shall any allowance or adjustment be made for
dividends on the shares of the Second Preferred Stock,
whether accrued, accumulated or unpaid. Also, no
adjustment shall be made in respect of dividends
(whenever declared or paid), except stock dividends as
hereinabove provided in paragraph E (ii)(a) hereof, on
the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion.
(iii) (a) In case of any capital reorganization
or any reclassification of the shares of Common Stock of
the corporation or in case of a consolidation or merger
of the corporation into another corporation, or in case
of any sale, lease or conveyance to another corporation
of all or substantially all of the assets of the
corporation as an entirety, then as part of such
reorganization, reclassification then as part of such
reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, merger,
sale, lease or conveyance, as the case may be, lawful
provision shall be made so that the holders of the shares
of the Second Preferred Stock shall have the right to
convert each share thereof into the kind and amount of
shares of stock or other securities or property to which
a holder of a share of Common Stock of the corporation
(into which such share of the Second Preferred Stock is
convertible might have been converted, if such share of
the Second Preferred Stock had been surrendered for
conversion immediately prior to such reorganization,
reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, lease or
conveyance) is entitled upon such reorganization,
reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, lease or
conveyance. The above provision of this clause (a) of
this paragraph E (iii) shall similarly apply to
successive capital reorganizations, or reclassifications
of the corporation and to successive reorganizations or
reclassifications, consolidations, mergers, sales, leases
or conveyances of or by any such successor or purchasing
corporation or corporations. Any such capital
reorganizations, reclassification, consolidation, merger,
sale, lease or conveyance shall not be deemed a
liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the
corporation within the meaning of clause (c) of this
paragraph E (iii).
(b) In the event of any payment of
dividends or making of any distribution on the Common
Stock of the corporation, the corporation shall give at
least 20 days' prior notice thereof to each holder of
record of shares of the Second Preferred Stock. Such
notice shall state the date on which such dividends or
distribution is proposed to be effected.
(c) In the case of any liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of the corporation, whether
voluntary or involuntary, all conversion rights of any
holders of shares of the Second Preferred Stock shall
terminate on a date to be fixed by the Board of
Directors, such date so fixed to be not less than 10 days
nor more than 30 days prior to the date such liquidation,
dissolution or winding up is to become effective.
(d) In the case of the liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of the corporation, notice
thereof shall be given at least 30 days prior to the date
fixed by the Board of Directors for the termination of
the conversion rights of the shares of the Second
Preferred Stock as above provided. Such notice shall
state the date on which all conversion rights of the
holders of the shares of the Second Preferred Stock shall
terminate prior to liquidation, dissolution or winding up
of the corporation, as hereinabove, provided, and the
date on which such liquidation, dissolution or winding up
shall take place.
(iv) The Corporation will pay any and all issue
and other taxes which may be payable in respect of any issue or
delivery of shares of the Common Stock on conversion of the Second
Preferred Stock pursuant hereto. The Corporation shall not,
however, be required to pay any tax which may be payable in respect
of any transfer involved in the issue and delivery of the Common
Stock in the name other than that in which the Second Preferred
Stock was converted or registered, and no such issue or delivery
shall be made unless and until the person requesting such issue has
paid to the Corporation the amount of any such tax or has
established to the satisfaction of the corporation that such tax
has been paid.
F. Before any dividends on any series of the Second
Preferred Stock which does not have an annual dividend fixed in the
Board of Directors' resolution or resolutions providing for the
issue of such series or on any class of stock of the corporation
ranking junior to the Second Preferred Stock as to dividends, shall
be declared or paid or set apart for payment, the holders of shares
of the Second Preferred Stock of each series having an annual
dividend fixed in the Board of Directors' resolution or resolutions
providing for the issue of such series, shall be entitled to
receive dividends, but only when and as declared by the Board of
Directors out of funds legally available therefor, at the annual
rate, and no more, fixed in the Board of Directors' resolution or
resolutions providing for the issue of such series payable annually
in each year on such dates as may be fixed in the Board of
Directors' resolution or resolutions providing for the issue of
such series to holders of record on the respective dates not
exceeding 40 days preceding such dividend payment dates as may be
determined by the Board of Directors in advance of the payment of
each particular dividend. With respect to each series of the
Second Preferred Stock having an annual dividend fixed in the Board
of Directors' resolution or resolutions providing for the issue of
such series, such dividends shall be cumulative from the date or
dates fixed in the Board of Directors' resolution or resolutions
providing for the issue of such series. No dividends shall be
declared on any series of the Second Preferred Stock having an
annual dividend fixed in the Board of Directors' resolution or
resolutions providing for the issue of such series in respect of
any annual dividend period unless there shall likewise be or have
been declared on all shares of the Second Preferred Stock of each
other series having an annual dividend fixed in the Board of
Directors' resolution or resolutions providing for the issue of
such series at the time outstanding dividends for all annual
dividend periods coinciding with or ending before such annual
dividend period, ratably in proportion to the respective annual
dividend rates per annum fixed therefor as hereinbefore provided.
Accruals of dividends shall not bear interest.
G. In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of the Corporation, before any payment or distribution
of the assets of the Corporation (whether capital or surplus) shall
be made to or set apart for the holders of any class of stock of
the Corporation ranking junior to the Second Preferred Stock upon
liquidation, the holders of the shares of the Second Preferred
Stock shall be entitled to receive the amount payable on
liquidation for such series as fixed by the resolutions
establishing such series, plus an amount equal to all dividends
(whether or not earned or declared) accrued and unpaid thereon (if
any) to the date of final distribution to such holders; but they
shall be entitled to no further payment. If, upon any
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the corporation, the
assets of the corporation, or proceeds thereof, distributable among
the holders of the shares of the Second Preferred Stock shall be
insufficient to pay in full the preferential amount aforesaid, then
such assets, or the proceeds thereof, shall be distributed among
such holders ratably in accordance with the respective amounts
which would be payable on such shares if all amounts payable
thereon were paid in full. For the purposes of this paragraph G,
the voluntary sale, lease, exchange or transfer (for cash, shares
of stock, securities, or other consideration) of all or
substantially all of its property or assets to, or a consolidation
or merger of the corporation with, one or more corporations, shall
not be deemed to be a liquidation, dissolution or winding up,
voluntary or involuntary.
H. The corporation at the option of the Board of
Directors may, at any time permitted by the resolution or
resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors providing for the
issue of any series of the Second Preferred Stock and at the
redemption price or prices (if any) stated in said resolution or
resolutions, redeem the whole or any part of the shares of series
at the time outstanding (the total sum so payable on any such
redemption being herein referred to as the "redemption price").
Notice of every such redemption shall be mailed to the holders of
record of the shares of the Second Preferred Stock so to be
redeemed at their respective addresses as the same shall appear on
the books of the corporation. Such notice shall be mailed at least
thirty (30) days in advance of the date designated for such
redemption to the holders of records of shares so to be redeemed.
In case of the redemption of a part only of any series of the
Second Preferred Stock at the time outstanding, the shares of such
series so to be redeemed shall be selected by lot or in such other
manner as the Board of Directors may determine.
I. If, on the redemption date specified in such notice,
the funds necessary for such redemption shall have been set aside
by the corporation, separate and apart from its other funds, in
trust for the pro rata benefit of the holders of the shares so
called for redemption, then, notwithstanding that any certificates
for shares of the Second Preferred Stock so called for redemption
shall not have been surrendered for cancellation, the shares
represented thereby shall no longer be deemed outstanding, the
right to receive dividends thereon shall cease to accrue from and
after the date of redemption so designated and all rights of
holders of the shares of the Second Preferred Stock so called for
redemption shall forthwith, after such redemption date, cease and
terminate, excepting only the right of the holders thereof to
receive the redemption price therefor but without interest. Any
moneys so set aside by the Corporation and unclaimed at the end of
six (6) years from the date designated for such redemption shall
revert to the general funds of the Corporation, after which
reversion the holders of such shares so called for redemption shall
look only to the corporation for payment of the redemption price,
and such shares shall still not be deemed to be outstanding.
J. If, after the giving of such notice but before the
redemption date specified therein, the Corporation shall deposit
with a bank or trust company, in the Borough of Manhattan, City of
New York, having a capital and surplus of at least Five Million
Dollars ($5,000,000), in trust to be applied to the redemption of
the shares of the Second Preferred Stock so called for redemption
the funds necessary for such redemption, then from and after the
date of such deposit all the rights of the holders of the shares of
the Second Preferred Stock so called for redemption shall cease and
terminate, excepting only the right to receive the redemption price
therefor, but without interest, and the right to exercise on or
before the date designated for redemption privileges or conversion
or exchange, if any, not theretofore expired, and such shares shall
not be deem to be outstanding. Any funds so deposited which shall
not be required for such redemption because of the exercise of any
such right of conversion or exchange subsequent to the date of such
deposit shall be returned to the corporation. In case the holders
of shares of the Second Preferred Stock which shall have been
called for redemption shall not, within six (6) years after the
date fixed for redemption, claim the amount deposited with respect
to the redemption thereof, any such bank or trust company shall,
upon demand, pay over to the corporation such unclaimed amounts and
thereupon such bank or trust company shall be relieved of all
responsibility in respect thereof to such holder and such holder
shall look only to the corporation for the payment of the
redemption price. Any interest accrued on funds so deposited shall
be paid to the corporation from time to time.
K. Shares of any series of the Second Preferred Stock
which have been issued and reacquired in any manner by the
corporation (excluding, until the corporation elects to retire
them, shares which are held as treasury shares but including shares
redeemed, shares purchased and retied [whether through the
operation of a retirement or sinking fund or otherwise] and shares
which, if convertible or exchangeable, have been converted into or
exchanged for shares of stock of any other class or corporation)
shall have the status of authorized and unissued shares of the
Second Preferred Stock and may be reissued as a part of the series
of which they were originally a part or may be reclassified and
reissued as part of a new series of the Second Preferred Stock to
be created by resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors
or as part of any other series of the Second Preferred Stock, all
subject to the conditions or restrictions on issuance set forth in
any resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors
providing for the issue of any series of the Second Preferred
Stock.
L. So long as any of the Second Preferred Stock is
outstanding, the corporation will not:
(i) declare, or pay, or set apart for payment,
any dividends or make any distribution, on any other class or
classes of stock of the corporation ranking junior to the Second
Preferred Stock either as to dividends or upon liquidation and will
not redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire, or permit any subsidiary
to purchase or otherwise acquire, any shares of any such junior
class if at the time of making such declaration, payment,
distribution, redemption, purchase or acquisition the corporation
shall be in default with respect to any dividend payable on, or any
obligation to retire, shares of the Second Preferred Stock,
provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the corporation may
at any time redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire shares of stock
of any such junior class in exchange for, or out of the net cash
proceeds from the sale of, other shares of stock of any junior
class;
(ii) without the affirmative vote or consent of
the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%)
of the Second Preferred Stock at the time outstanding,regardless of
series, given in person or by proxy, either in writing or by
resolution adopted at a special meeting called for the purpose, (a)
create any other class or classes of stock ranking prior to the
Second Preferred Stock, either as to dividends or upon liquidation,
or increase the authorized number of shares of any such other class
of stock, or (b) amend, alter or repeal any of the provisions
hereof so as materially adversely to affect the preferences,
rights, or powers of the Second Preferred Stock;
(iii) without the affirmative vote or consent of
the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%)
of any series of the Second Preferred Stock at the time
outstanding, given in person or by proxy, either in writing or by
resolution adopted at a special meeting called for the purpose, the
holders of such series of the Second Preferred Stock consenting or
voting (as the case may be) separately as a class, amend, alter or
repeal any of the provisions hereof specifically applicable to such
series or in the resolution or resolutions hereafter adopted by the
Board of Directors providing for the issue of such series so as
materially adversely to affect the preferences, rights or powers of
such series of the Second Preferred Stock;
(iv) without the affirmative vote or consent of
the holders of at least a majority of the Second Preferred Stock at
the time outstanding, regardless of series, given in person or by
proxy, either in writing or by resolution adopted at a meeting
called for the purpose, (a) increase the authorized amount of the
Second Preferred Stock, or (b) create any other class or classes of
stock ranking on a parity with the Second Preferred Stock either as
to dividends or upon liquidation.
M. Whenever dividends payable on the Second Preferred
Stock shall be in default for two (2) consecutive years, the number
of directors constituting the Board of Directors of the Corporation
shall be increased by two, and the holders of the Second Preferred
Stock shall have, in addition to any other voting rights, the
exclusive and special right, voting separately as a group and
without regard to series, to elect two directors of the corporation
to fill such newly created directorships. Whenever such right of
the holders of the Second Preferred Stock shall have vested, such
right may be exercised initially either at a special meeting of
such holders of the Second Preferred Stock called as provided in
paragraph N, or at any annual meeting of stockholders, and
thereafter at annual meetings of stockholders. The right of the
holders of the Second Preferred Stock voting separately as a group
and without regard to series to elect members of the Board of
Directors of the corporation as aforesaid shall continue until such
time as all dividends accumulated on the Second Preferred Stock to
the dividend payment date next preceding the date of any such
determination shall have been paid in full, at which time the
special right of the holders of the Second Preferred Stock so to
vote separately as a group for the election of directors shall
terminate, subject to revesting in the event of each and every
subsequent default in the payment of cash dividends lasting two (2)
years.
N. At any time when such special voting power shall
have vested in the holders of the Second Preferred Stock as
provided in paragraph M, a proper officer of the corporation shall,
upon the written request of the holders of record of at least
twenty percent (20%) of the Second Preferred Stock then
outstanding, regardless of series, addressed to the Secretary of
the corporation, call a special meeting of the holders of the
Second Preferred Stock for the purpose of electing directors
pursuant to paragraph M. Such meeting shall be held at the
earliest practicable date at the office of the corporation,
Wilmington, Delaware. If such meeting shall not be called by the
proper officers of the corporation within twenty (20) days after
personal service of said written request upon the Secretary of the
Corporation, or within sixty (60) days after mailing the same
within the United States of America, by registered or certified
mail addressed to the Secretary of the corporation at its principal
office, then the holders of record of at least twenty percent (20%)
of the Second Preferred Stock then outstanding, regardless of
series, may designate in writing one of their number to call such
meeting at the expense of the corporation, and such meeting may be
called by such person so designated upon the notice required for
annual meetings of stockholders and shall be held at the office of
the corporation, Wilmington, Delaware. Any holder of the Second
Preferred Stock so designated shall have access to the stock books
of the corporation for the purpose of causing meetings of
stockholders to be called pursuant to these provisions.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this paragraph N, no such special
meeting shall be called during the period within ninety (90) days
immediately preceding the date fixed for the next annual meeting of
stockholders.
O. At any meeting held for the purpose of electing
directors, at which the holders of the Second Preferred Stock shall
have the special right, voting separately as a group and without
regard to series, to elect directors as provided in Section M, the
presence, in person or by proxy, of the holders of fifty percent
(50%) of the Second Preferred Stock shall be required to constitute
a quorum of such group for the election of any director by the
holders of the Second Preferred Stock as a group. At any such
meeting or adjournment thereof, (a) the absence of a quorum of the
Second Preferred Stock shall not prevent the election of directors
other than those to be elected by the Second Preferred Stock voting
as a group, and the absence of a quorum for the election of such
other directors shall not prevent the election of the directors to
be elected by the Second Preferred Stock voting as a group, and (b)
in the absence of either or both such quorums, a majority of the
holders present in person or by proxy of the stock or stocks which
lack a quorum shall have power to adjourn the meeting for the
election of directors which they are entitled to elect from time to
time without notice other than announcement at the meeting until a
quorum shall be present.
P. During any period the holders of the Second
Preferred Stock have the right to vote as a group for directors as
provided in paragraph M, the directors so elected by the holders of
the Second Preferred Stock shall continue in office until the next
succeeding annual meeting or until their successors, if any, are
elected by such holders and qualify or, unless required by
applicable law to continue in office for a longer period, until
termination of the right of the holders of the Second Preferred
Stock to vote as a group for directors. If and to the extent
permitted by applicable law, immediately upon any termination of
the right of the holders of the Second Preferred Stock to vote as
a group for directors as provided in paragraph M, the term of
office of the directors then in office so elected by the holders of
the Second Preferred Stock shall terminate. Whenever the term of
office of the directors elected by the holders of the Second
Preferred Stock shall end and the special voting power vested in
the holders of the Second Preferred Stock as provided in paragraph
M shall have expired, the number of directors shall revert to that
number which would have otherwise been applicable had not the
increase in directors been made pursuant to the provisions of
paragraph M.
Q. If in any case the amounts payable with respect to
any obligations to retire shares of the Second Preferred Stock are
not paid in full in the case of all series with respect to which
such obligations exist, the number of shares of the various series
to be retired shall be in proportion to the respective amounts
which would be payable on account of such obligations if all
amounts payable were discharged in full.
R. For the purposes hereof and of any subsequent
resolution or resolutions of the Board of Directors providing for
the classification or reclassification of any shares of the Second
Preferred Stock or of any certificate filed with the Secretary of
State of the State of Delaware (unless otherwise provided in any
such subsequent resolution or certificate):
(i) The term "outstanding" when used in
reference to shares of stock shall mean issued shares, excluding
shares held by the corporation or a subsidiary and shares called
for redemption, funds for the redemption of which shall have been
deposited in trust;
(ii) The amount of dividends "accrued" on any
share of the Second Preferred Stock of any series as at any
dividend date shall be deemed to be the amount of any unpaid
dividends accumulated thereon to and including such dividend date,
whether or not earned or declared, and the amount of dividends
"accrued" on any share of the Second Preferred Stock of any series
as at any date other than a dividend date shall be calculated as
the amount of any unpaid dividends accumulated thereon to and
including the last preceding dividend date, whether or not earned
or declared, plus an amount equivalent to the pro rata portion of
such dividend at the dividend rate fixed for the shares of such
series for the period after such last preceding dividend date to
and including the date as of which the calculation is made. No
dividends shall accrue on any series of the Second Preferred Stock
which is noncumulative unless and until the Board of Directors has
declared a dividend thereon;
(iii) Any class or classes of stock of the
corporation shall be deemed to rank:
(a) prior to the Second Preferred Stock
either as to dividends or upon liquidation, if the
holders of such class or classes shall be entitled to
receipt of dividends or of amounts distributable upon
liquidation, dissolution or winding up, as the case may
be, in preference or priority to the holders of the
Second Preferred Stock;
(b) on a parity with the Second Preferred
Stock either as to dividends or upon liquidation, whether
or not the dividend rates, dividend payment dates, or
redemption or liquidation prices per share thereof be
different from those of the Second Preferred Stock, if
the holders of such class or classes of stock shall be
entitled to the receipt of dividends or of amounts
distributable upon liquidation, dissolution, winding up,
as the case may be, in proportion to their respective
dividend rates or liquidation prices, without preference
or priority one over the other as between the holders of
such class or classes of stock and the Second Preferred
Stock; and
(c) junior to the Second Preferred Stock
either as to dividends or upon liquidation if the rights
of the holders of such class or classes shall be subject
or subordinate to the rights of the holders of the Second
Preferred Stock in respect of the receipt of dividends or
of amounts distributable upon liquidation, dissolution or
winding up, as the case may be;
(iv) Shares of Common Stock, and any other
shares of Preferred Stock of the corporation hereafter authorized
which are junior to the Second Preferred Stock, shall rank junior
to the Second Preferred Stock as to cash dividends and upon
liquidation;
(v) Any series of the Second Preferred Stock
which does not have an annual dividend fixed in the Board of
Directors' resolution or resolutions authorizing the issuance of
such series shall not rank prior to or on parity with the Common
Stock as to the payment of dividends unless otherwise provided in
such resolution or resolutions or other resolutions of the Board of
Directors.
S. No holders of the Second Preferred Stock shall be
entitled as a matter of right to subscribe for or purchase any part
of any new or additional issue of shares, or securities convertible
into shares of any kind whatsoever, whether now or hereafter
authorized and whether issued for cash, property, services, by way
of dividends or otherwise.
T. The corporation shall at all times reserve and keep
available out of its authorized but unissued Common Stock, the full
number of shares deliverable upon conversion of all the then
outstanding Second Preferred Stock and shall take such action to
obtain all such permits or orders as may be necessary to enable the
corporation lawfully to issue such Common Stock upon the conversion
of the Second Preferred Stock.
PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE
SECOND PREFERRED STOCK - SERIES I
A. (i) The holders of shares of the Second
Preferred Stock - Series I, shall be entitled to receive, as and
when declared by the Board of Directors, either:
(a) cash dividends at the rate of Twenty-
Five Cents ($.25) per share per annum, and no more in
each year; or
(b) out of available authorized Common
Stock of the Corporation, an annual dividend of shares of
Common Stock of the corporation having a Market Value (as
determined pursuant to subparagraph (iv) of this
paragraph A) of Twenty-Five Cents ($.25) for each share
of Second Preferred Stock - Series I, but in no event
more than one-fourth (1/4) of a share of Common Stock per
share of Second Preferred Stock - Series I.
(ii) Such dividend shall be payable on June
30th of each year commencing June 30, 1975 to the holders of record
on such dates not exceeding forty (40) days preceding such dividend
payment date as determined by the Board of Directors in advance of
the payment of each particular dividend.
(iii) The dividends referred to in clauses (a)
or (b) of subparagraph (i) of this paragraph A shall be cumulative
from July 1, 1974 so that if such dividends shall not have been
paid or declared and set apart for the Second Preferred Stock -
Series I, the deficiency shall be fully made up before any other
cash dividend or stock dividend payable in Common Stock shall be
declared or set apart for payment on the Common Stock of the
corporation or on any other series of Preferred Stock of the
corporation which is junior to the Second Preferred Stock - Series
I.
(iv) Market Value for the purposes of clause
(b) of subparagraph (i) of this paragraph A shall mean the closing
price of one (1) share of the corporation's Common Stock on the
American Stock Exchange or any national securities exchange with
which the Common Stock of the Corporation is then listed, or, if
such stock is not then listed on any such exchange, then the
average of the lowest bid and highest asked price on any over-the-
counter market on which it is then traded, of such Common Stock on
the last trading day preceding the date of the declaration of the
stock dividends referred to in clause (b) of subparagraph (i) of
this paragraph A.
(v) No certificates for fractions of a share
of Common Stock shall be issued under a stock dividend. As soon as
practicable after the issuance of such fractional interest becomes
necessary, the corporation or its representatives will either sell
for cash the shares of Common Stock of the corporation applicable
to any fractional interest for the account of any shareholder or
purchase the fractional interest required to entitle such
shareholder to one (1) full share of Common Stock of the
corporation. Shareholders electing to purchase the additional
fractional interest required to entitle them to one (1) full share
of Common Stock will be required to pay the corporation the
purchase price of such fractional interest upon being billed
therefor. The corporation, acting as agent for such shareholders
who either have indicated their desire to sell for cash the
fractional interests in the shares or have not indicated whether
they desire fractional interests purchased or sold for their
account, will sell at the current market prices, the full shares
representing the fractional interests then outstanding. Buying and
selling orders may be offset, but they will be executed at prices
determined by market transactions. Thereafter, the corporation
will pay in cash the prorated portion of the proceeds of sales to
those shareholders who are entitled to the fractional interest
sold. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this
subparagraph (v), the Board of Directors may, in its discretion,
elect to pay in cash for fractional shares at a price proportional
to the Market Value (as defined in subparagraph (iv) of this
paragraph A) of one full share of Common Stock.
B. The shares of the Second Preferred Stock - Series I
shall be redeemable at the option of the corporation on and after
March 1, 1981, on thirty (30) days' prior notice and the redemption
price shall be Ten Dollars ($10.00) per share plus any accrued and
unpaid dividends thereon.
C. Subject to the provisions of the Certificate of
Incorporation, in the event of any liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of the corporation, before any payment or distribution
of the assets of the corporation (whether capital or surplus) shall
be made or set apart to the holders of any class or classes of
stock of the corporation ranking junior to the Second Preferred
Stock - Series I upon liquidation, the holders of the Second
Preferred Stock - Series I shall be entitled to receive payment at
the rate of Ten Dollars ($10.00) per share plus an amount equal to
all dividends accrued and unpaid thereon to the date of final
distribution to such holders, but they shall be entitled to no
further payment.
* * *
The Board of Directors is hereby authorized to issue
additional Series of the Serial Preferred Stock with such voting
powers, full or limited, or no voting powers, and such
designations, preferences and relative, participating, option or
other special rights and qualifications, limitations or
restrictions thereof as shall be stated and expressed in the
resolution or resolutions providing for the issue of Serial
Preferred Stock adopted by the Board of Directors.
FIFTH: The number of directors of the corporation
shall be not less than twelve (12) nor more than fourteen (14) and
the number to be chosen within such limits shall be determined in
the manner prescribed by the by-laws of this corporation. No
director need be a stockholder of the corporation. Any director
may be removed from office with cause at any time by the
affirmative vote of stockholders of record holding a majority of
the outstanding shares of stock of the corporation entitled to
vote, given at a meeting of the stockholders called for that
purpose.
The Board of Directors shall be divided into three (3)
classes as nearly equal in number as possible, and no class shall
include less than four (4) directors. The terms of office of the
directors initially classified shall be as follows: that of Class
I shall expire at the next annual meeting of shareholders in 1972,
Class II at the second succeeding annual meeting of shareholders in
1973 and Class III at the third succeeding annual meeting of
shareholders in 1974. The foregoing notwithstanding, each director
shall serve until his successor shall have been duly elected and
qualified, unless he shall resign, become disqualified, disabled or
shall otherwise be removed. Whenever a vacancy occurs on the Board
of Directors, a majority of the remaining directors have the power
to fill the vacancy by electing a successor director to fill that
portion of the unexpired term resulting from the vacancy.
At each annual meeting of shareholders after such initial
classification, directors chosen to succeed those whose terms then
expire at such annual meeting shall be elected for a term of office
expiring at the third succeeding annual meeting of shareholders
after their election. When the number of directors is increased by
the Board of Directors and any newly created directorships are
filled by the Board of Directors, there shall be no classification
of the additional directors until the next annual meeting of
shareholders. Directors elected, whether by the Board of Directors
or by the shareholders, to fill a vacancy, subject to the
foregoing, shall hold office for a term expiring at the annual
meeting at which the term of the Class to which they shall have
been elected expires. Any newly created directorships or any
decrease in directorships shall be so apportioned among the classes
as to make all classes as nearly equal in number as possible.
SIXTH: The corporation is to have perpetual
existence.
SEVENTH: In furtherance and not in limitation of
the powers conferred by statute, the Board of Directors is
expressly authorized:
To make, alter, or repeal the by-laws of the corporation.
To authorize and cause to be executed mortgages and liens
upon the real and personal property of the corporation.
To set apart out of any of the funds of the corporation
available for dividends a reserve or reserves for any proper
purpose and to abolish any such reserve in the manner in which it
was created.
By a majority of the whole Board to designate one or more
committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the
Directors of the corporation. The Board may designate one or
more Directors as alternate members of any committee, who may
replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of
the committee. The by-laws may provide that in the absence or
disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or
members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified
from voting, whether or not he or they constitute a quorum,
may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of
Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such
absent or disqualified member. Any such committee, to the
extent provided in the resolution of the Board of Directors,
or in the by-laws of the corporation, shall have and may
exercise all the powers and authority of the Board of
Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the
corporation, and may authorize the seal of the corporation to
be affixed to all papers which may require it; but no such
committee shall have the power or authority in reference to
amending the Certificate of Incorporation, adopting an
agreement of merger or consolidation, recommending to the
stockholders the sale, lease or exchange of all or
substantially all of the corporation's property and assets,
recommending to the stockholders a dissolution of the
corporation or a revocation of a dissolution, or amending the
by-laws of the corporation; and, unless the resolution or by-
laws expressly so provide, no such committee shall have the
power or authority to declare a dividend or to authorize the
issuance of stock.
When and as authorized by the stockholders in accordance
with statute, to sell, lease, or exchange all or substantially
all of the property and assets of the corporation, including
its good will and its corporate franchises, upon such terms
and conditions and for such consideration, which may consist
in whole or in part of money or property including shares of
stock in, and/or other securities of, any other corporation or
corporations, as its Board of Directors shall deem expedient
and for the best interest of the corporation.
EIGHTH: Meetings of stockholders may be held
within or without the State of Delaware as the by-laws may provide.
The books of the corporation may be kept (subject to any provision
contained in the statutes) outside the State of Delaware at such
place or places as may be designated from time to time by the Board
of Directors or in the by-laws of the corporation. Elections of
directors need not be by written ballot unless the by-laws of the
corporation shall so provide.
NINTH: Subject to the provisions contained in
Article THIRTEENTH hereof, the corporation reserves the right to
amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this
Certificate of Incorporation, in the manner now or hereafter
prescribed by statute, and all rights conferred upon stockholders
herein are granted subject to this reservation.
TENTH: No action required to be taken or which
may be taken at any annual or special meeting of stockholders of
the corporation may be taken without a meeting, and the power of
stockholders to consent in writing to the taking of any action is
specifically denied.
ELEVENTH: Special meetings of stockholders may be
called by the Chairman of the Board, President, or Board of
Directors or at the written request of stockholders owning at least
sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the entire voting
power of the corporation's capital stock.
TWELFTH: In the event that it is proposed that the
corporation enter into a merger or consolidation with any other
corporation and such other corporation or its affiliates singly or
in the aggregate own or control directly or indirectly five percent
(5%) or more of the outstanding voting power of the capital stock
of this corporation, or that the corporation sell substantially all
of its assets or business to such other corporation, the
affirmative vote of the holders of not less than sixty-six and two-
thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the total voting power of all
outstanding shares of capital stock of this corporation shall be
required for the approval of any such proposal; provided, however,
that the foregoing shall not apply to any such merger,
consolidation or sale of assets or business which was approved by
resolutions of the Board of Directors of this corporation prior to
the acquisition of the ownership or control of five percent (5%) of
the outstanding shares of this corporation by such other
corporation or its affiliates, nor shall it apply to any such
merger, consolidation or sale of assets or business between this
corporation and another corporation, fifty percent (50%) or more of
the total voting power of which is owned by this corporation. For
the purposes hereof, an "affiliate" is any person (including a
corporation, partnership, trust, estate or individual) who directly
or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is
controlled by, or is under common control with, the person
specified; and "control" means the possession, directly or
indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of
management and policies of a person, whether through the ownership
of voting securities, by contract, or otherwise.
THIRTEENTH: The provisions set forth in Articles
FIFTH, TENTH, ELEVENTH and TWELFTH above may not be altered,
amended or repealed in any respect unless such alteration,
amendment or repeal is approved by the affirmative vote of the
holders of not less than sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%)
of the total voting power of all outstanding shares of capital
stock of the corporation.
3. This Restated Certificate of Incorporation shall
become effective upon filing with the Secretary of State.
4. The capital of the corporation will not be reduced
under or by reason of the amendments adopted by the adoption of
this Restated Certificate of Incorporation.
5. This Restated Certificate of Incorporation was duly
adopted by the Board of Directors without vote of the stockholders
of the corporation in accordance with the provisions of Section 245
of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and only
restates and integrates and does not further amend the provisions
of the corporation's Certificate of Incorporation as theretofore
amended or supplemented, and there is no discrepancy between those
provisions and the provisions of this Restated Certificate of
Incorporation.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, said INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS CORPORATION
has caused its corporate seal to be hereto affixed and this
Restated Certificate of Incorporation to be signed by Robert
Balemian, its President, and attested by Susan Reilly, its
Secretary, this 1st day of October, 1986.
INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS CORPORATION
By: Robert Balemian
--------------------------
Robert Balemian
President
(Corporate Seal)
ATTEST:
Susan Reilly
- -----------------------
Susan Reilly, Secretary
CERTIFICATE OF THE DESIGNATIONS, PREFERENCES AND RELATIVE,
PARTICIPATING, OPTIONAL OR OTHER SPECIAL RIGHTS OF THE $12.50
CUMULATIVE REDEEMABLE EXCHANGEABLE PREFERRED STOCK, PAR VALUE $.25
PER SHARE, OF INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS CORPORATION, AND THE
QUALIFICATIONS, LIMITATIONS OR RESTRICTIONS THEREOF, WHICH HAVE NOT
BEEN SET FORTH IN THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION.
-------------------------------
Pursuant to Section 151 of the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware
-------------------------------
We, the undersigned, Harvey R. Blau and Robert Balemian, the
Chairman of the Board and President, respectively, of Instrument
Systems Corporation, a corporation organized and existing under the
General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (hereinafter
called the "Corporation"), in accordance with the provisions of
Section 151 thereof, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that the Board of Directors
of the Corporation duly adopted the following resolution on
November 13, 1986:
RESOLVED, that pursuant to the authority expressly granted to
and vested in the Board of Directors of the Corporation by the
provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation
this Board of Directors hereby creates a series of the Preferred
Stock, par value $.25 per share, of the Corporation, to consist of
575,000 shares of such Preferred Stock, and this Board of Directors
hereby fixes the designations, preferences and relative,
participating, optional or other special rights of the shares of
such series, and the qualifications, limitations, or restrictions
thereof (in addition to the designations, preferences and relative,
participating, optional or other special rights, and the
qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, set forth in
the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation which are
applicable to Preferred Stock of all series) as follows:
I. DESIGNATION
The designation of the series of Preferred Stock created by
this resolution shall be "$12.50 Cumulative Redeemable Exchangeable
Preferred Stock" (hereinafter called the "Preferred Stock").
II. CASH DIVIDENDS ON PREFERRED STOCK
(a) The holders of shares of the Preferred Stock will be
entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Corporation's
Board of Directors out of funds of the Corporation legally
available therefor, cumulative cash dividends at the rate of $12.50
per annum per share through and including November 15, 1988, $13.00
per annum per share thereafter through and including November 15,
1990, and $13.50 per annum per share thereafter, payable in cash in
equal quarterly payments on February 15, May 15, August 15 and
November 15 in each year, commencing February 15, 1987. Such
dividends shall be cumulative from the date of original issue of
such shares. Each such dividend shall be paid to the holders of
record of shares of the Preferred Stock as they appear on the stock
register of the Corporation on such record date, which shall be not
more than 30 days nor less than 10 days preceding the dividend
payment date thereof, as shall be fixed by the Board of Directors
of the Corporation or a duly authorized committee thereof.
Dividends in arrears on the Preferred stock shall accrue dividends
at the dividend rate payable on the Preferred Stock.
(b) If dividends are not paid in full or declared in full and
sums set apart for the payment thereof upon the Preferred Stock and
any other preferred stock of the Corporation ranking on a parity as
to dividends with the Preferred Stock, all dividends declared upon
shares of Preferred Stock and any other preferred stock of the
Corporation ranking on a parity as to dividends shall be declared
pro rata so that in all cases the respective amounts of dividends
declared per share on the Preferred Stock and such other preferred
stock of the Corporation shall bear to each other the same ratio
that accumulated dividends per share, including dividends accrued
on amounts in arrears, if any, on the shares of Preferred Stock and
such other preferred stock of the Corporation bear to each other.
Except as provided in the preceding sentence, unless full
cumulative dividends on the Preferred Stock have been paid or
declared in full and sums set aside for the payment thereof, no
dividends shall be declared or paid or set aside for payment or
other distribution made upon the common stock, par value $.25 per
share, of the Corporation (the "Common Stock"), or any other
capital stock of the Corporation ranking junior to or on a parity
with the Preferred Stock as to dividends or liquidation rights, nor
shall any Common Stock, or any other capital stock of the
Corporation ranking junior to or on a parity with the Preferred
Stock as to dividends or upon liquidation be redeemed, purchased or
otherwise acquired for any consideration (or any payment made to or
available for a sinking fund for the redemption of any shares of
such stock) by the Corporation or any subsidiary of the Corporation
(Except by conversion into or exchange for stock of the Corporation
ranking junior to the Preferred Stock as to dividend and
liquidation rights).
The term "dividends accrued or in arrears" whenever used
herein with reference to the Preferred Stock shall be deemed to
mean an amount which shall be equal to dividends thereon at the
annual dividend rates per share for the respective series from the
date or dates on which such dividends commence to accrue to the end
of the then current quarterly dividend period for such Preferred
Stock (or, in the case of redemption, to the date of redemption),
less the amount of all dividends paid, or declared in full and sums
set aside for the payment thereof, upon such Preferred Stock.
(c) Dividends payable on the Preferred stock for any period
less than a full quarterly dividend period shall be computed on the
basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months and the actual
number of days elapsed in the period for which payable.
(d) The Corporation will not claim any deduction from gross
income for dividends paid on the Preferred Stock or any other
shares of preferred stock in any Federal income tax return, claim
for refund, or other statement, report or submission made to the
Internal Revenue Service (except to the extent that there may be no
reasonable basis in law to do otherwise); and the Corporation will
make any election (or take any similar action) which may become
necessary to comply with this sentence. At the reasonable request
of any holder of shares of Preferred Stock (and at the expense of
such holder), the Corporation will join in the submission to the
Internal Revenue Service of a request for a ruling that the
dividends paid on the Preferred Stock will be eligible for the
dividends received deduction under Section 243(a)(1) of the
Internal Revenue Code (or any successor provision). In addition,
the Corporation will cooperate with any holder of Preferred Stock
(at the expense of such holder) in any litigation, appeal, or other
proceeding relating to the eligibility for the dividends received
deduction under Section 243(a)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code (or
any successor provision) of any dividends (within the meaning of
Section 316(a) of the Internal Revenue Code or any successor
provision) paid on the Preferred Stock. To the extent possible,
the principles of this paragraph shall also apply with respect to
State and local taxes.
(e) The Corporation will use its best efforts to ensure that
distributions made with respect to the Preferred Stock are treated
as dividends within the meaning of Section 316(a) of the Internal
Revenue Code (or any successor provision). Such best efforts shall
include (but not be limited to) the following: (1) the Corporation
will make or cause to be made a timely and valid protective
carryover election under Treas. Reg. Sec. 1.338-4T(f)(6) (or any
successor provision) with respect to any qualified stock purchase
of the Corporation; and (2) the Corporation will not merge into (or
transfer all or substantially all of its assets to) any other
corporation, unless such other corporation succeeds under Section
381(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code (or any successor provision)
to the accumulated earnings and profits of the Corporation.
III. REDEMPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK
(a) The Preferred Stock will be redeemable at the option of
the Corporation by resolution of its Board of Directors, at any
time in whole or from time to time in part, after November 15,
1988, subject to the limitations set forth below, at the following
redemption prices per share plus, in each case, all dividends
accrued and unpaid on the Preferred Stock up to the date fixed for
redemption, upon giving notice as provided hereinbelow, if redeemed
during the twelve-month period beginning November 15 of the years
indicated below:
Price
-------
1988 $106.25
1989 104.69
1990 103.13
1991 101.56
1992 100.00
(b) If less than all of the outstanding shares of Preferred
Stock are to be redeemed, the shares to be redeemed shall be
determined pro rata or by lot.
(c) The Corporation will redeem on November 15, 1993 all of
the then outstanding shares of Preferred Stock at a redemption
price of one hundred dollars ($100.00) per share plus all dividends
accrued and unpaid on the Preferred Stock to the date of
redemption.
(d) At least 15 days but not more than 60 days prior to the
date fixed for the redemption of shares of the Preferred Stock, a
written notice shall be mailed to each holder of record of shares
of Preferred Stock to be redeemed in a postage prepaid envelope
addressed to such holder at his post office address as shown on the
records of the Corporation, notifying such holder of the election
of the Corporation to redeem such shares, stating the date fixed
for redemption thereof (hereinafter referred to as the "Redemption
Date"), and calling upon such holder to surrender to the
Corporation on the Redemption Date at the place designated in such
notice his certificate or certificates representing the number of
shares specified therein. On or after the Redemption Date, each
holder of shares of Preferred Stock to be redeemed shall present
and surrender his certificate or certificates for such shares to
the Corporation at the place designated in such notice and
thereupon the redemption price of such shares shall be paid to or
on the order of the person whose name appears on such certificate
or certificates as the owner thereof and each surrendered
certificate shall be cancelled. In case less than all the shares
represented by any such certificate are redeemed, a new certificate
shall be issued representing the unredeemed shares. From and after
the Redemption Date (unless the Corporation defaults in payment of
the redemption price) all dividends on the shares of Preferred
Stock designated for redemption in such notice shall cease to
accrue, and all rights of the holders thereof as stockholders of
the Corporation, except the right to receive the redemption price
thereof (including all accrued and unpaid dividends up to the
Redemption Date) upon the surrender of certificates representing
the same, shall cease and terminate and such shares shall not
thereafter be transferred (except with the consent of the
Corporation) on the books of the Corporation, and such shares shall
not be deemed to be outstanding for any purpose whatsoever. At its
election, the Corporation, prior to the Redemption Date, may
deposit the redemption price (including all accrued and unpaid
dividends up to the Redemption Date) of the shares of Preferred
Stock so called for redemption in trust for the holders thereof
with a bank or trust company (having a capital, surplus and
undivided profits aggregating not less than $50,000,000) in the
Borough of Manhattan, City and State of New York, or in any other
city in which the Corporation at the time shall maintain a transfer
agency with respect to such stock, in which case such notice to
holders of the Preferred Stock to be redeemed shall (i) state the
date of such deposit, (ii) specify the office of such bank or trust
company as the place of payment of the redemption price, and (iii)
call upon such holders to surrender the certificates representing
such shares at such price on or after the date fixed in such
redemption notice (which shall not be later than the Redemption
Date) against payment of the redemption price (including al accrued
and unpaid dividends up to the Redemption Date). From and after
the making of such deposit, the shares of Preferred Stock so
designated for redemption shall not be deemed to be outstanding for
any purpose whatsoever, and the rights of the holders of such
shares shall be limited to the right to receive the redemption
price of such shares (including all accrued and unpaid dividends up
to the redemption date), without interest, upon surrender of the
certificates representing the same to the Corporation at said
office of such bank or trust company. Any interest accrued on such
funds shall be paid to the Corporation from time to time. Any
moneys so deposited which shall remain unclaimed by the holders of
such Preferred Stock at the end of two years after the Redemption
Date shall be returned by such bank or trust company to the
Corporation, after which the holders of the Preferred Stock shall
have no further interest in such moneys.
(e) Shares of the Preferred Stock retired pursuant to the
provisions of this Article III shall not be reissued.
IV. VOTING RIGHTS
(a) The holders of the Preferred Stock shall not, except as
otherwise required by law or as set forth herein, have any right or
power to vote on any question or in any proceeding or to be
represented at, or to receive notice of, any meeting of the
Corporation's stockholders. On any matters on which the holders of
the Preferred Stock shall be entitled to vote, they shall be
entitled to one vote for each share held.
(b) In case at any time the equivalent of six or more full
quarterly dividends (whether consecutive or not) on the Preferred
Stock shall be in arrears, then during the period (hereinafter in
this paragraph (b) called the "Voting Period") commencing with such
time and ending with the time when all arrears in dividends on the
Preferred Stock shall have been paid and the full dividend on the
Preferred Stock for the then current quarterly dividend period
shall have been paid or declared and set apart for payment, at any
meeting of the stockholders of the Corporation held for the
election of directors during the Voting Period, the holders of a
majority of the outstanding shares of Preferred Stock represented
in person or by proxy at said meeting shall be entitled, as a
class, to the exclusion of the holders of all other classes or
series of stock of the Corporation, to elect two directors of the
Corporation.
Any director who shall have been elected by holders of
Preferred Stock may be removed at any time during a Voting Period,
either for or without cause, by, and only by, the affirmative votes
of the holders of record of a majority of the outstanding shares of
Preferred Stock given at a special meeting of such stockholders
called for the purpose, and any vacancy thereby created may be
filled during such Voting Period by the holders of Preferred Stock,
present in person or represented by proxy at such meeting. Any
director elected by holders of Preferred Stock who dies, resigns,
or otherwise ceases to be a director shall be replaced by the
affirmative vote of the holders of record of a majority of the
outstanding shares of Preferred Stock at a special meeting of
stockholders called for that purpose. At the end of the Voting
Period, the holders of Preferred Stock shall be automatically
divested of all voting power vested in them under this paragraph
(b) but subject always to the subsequent vesting hereunder of
voting power in the holders of Preferred Stock in the event of any
similar cumulated arrearage in payment of quarterly dividends
occurring thereafter. The term of all directors elected pursuant
to the provisions of this paragraph (b) shall in all events expire
at the end of the Voting Period.
V. PRIORITY OF PREFERRED STOCK IN EVENT OF DISSOLUTION
In the event of any liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of
the affairs of the Corporation, whether voluntary or otherwise,
after payment or provision for payment of the debts and other
liabilities of the Corporation, the holders of the Preferred Stock
shall be entitled to receive, out of the remaining net assets of
the Corporation, the amount of one hundred dollars ($100.00) in
cash for each share of Preferred Stock, plus an amount equal to all
dividends accrued and unpaid on each such share up to the date
fixed for distribution, before any distribution shall be made to
the holders of Common Stock or any other capital stock of the
Corporation ranking (as to any such distribution) junior to the
Preferred Stock. If upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding
up of the Corporation, the assets distributable among the holders
of any series of preferred stock of the Corporation ranking (as to
any such distribution) on a parity with the Preferred Stock shall
be insufficient to permit the payment in full to the holders of all
such series of preferred stock of the Corporation (including the
Preferred Stock) of all preferential amounts payable to all such
holders, then the entire assets of the Corporation thus
distributable shall be distributed ratably among the holders of all
series of the preferred stock of the Corporation ranking (as to any
such distribution) on a parity with the Preferred Stock (including
the Preferred Stock) in proportion to the respective amounts that
would be payable per share if such assets were sufficient to permit
payment in full.
For purposes of this Article V, a distribution of assets in
any dissolution, winding up or liquidation shall not include (i)
any consolidation or merger of the Corporation with or into any
other corporation, (ii) any dissolution, liquidation, winding up,
or reorganization of the Corporation immediately followed by
reincorporation of another corporation or (iii) a sale or other
disposition of all or substantially all of the Corporation's assets
to another corporation; provided that, in each case, effective
provision is made in the certificate of incorporation of the
resulting and surviving corporation or otherwise for the protection
of the rights of the holders of Preferred Stock.
VI. EXCHANGE
(a) The outstanding shares of Preferred Stock are
exchangeable at the option of the Corporation, in whole or from
time to time in part, on any dividend payment date commencing
November 15, 1988, subject to certain conditions stated below, for
the Corporation's 12-1/2% Subordinated Debentures due 1997 (the
"Debentures") to be issued pursuant to an indenture (the
"Indenture") substantially in the form of Exhibit 4(a) to the
Registration Statement of the Corporation on Form S-2 (Registration
No. 33-9655) as amended, declared effective by the Securities and
Exchange Commission on November 18, 1986; provided that on the date
of exchange, (i) the Indenture shall have been qualified under the
Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended from time to time, (ii)
there shall be no dividend arrearage on the Preferred Stock and the
dividend payable on the date of exchange shall have been paid and
(iii) the conditions precedent to the exchange contained in Section
2.02 of the Indenture shall have been met to the satisfaction of
the Trustee.
(b) If less than all of the outstanding shares of Preferred
Stock are to be exchanged, the shares to be exchanged shall be
determined pro rata or by lot in such usual manner and subject to
such regulations as the Board of Directors in its sole discretion
shall prescribe.
(c) The Corporation will mail to each holder of record of
shares of Preferred Stock to be exchanged, in a postage prepaid
envelope addressed to such holder at his post office address as
shown on the records of the Corporation, written notice of its
intention to exchange not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior
to the date fixed for exchange (the "Exchange Date"). Such notice
shall state: (i) the Exchange Date; (ii) the number of shares of
the holder that will be exchange; (iii) the place or places where
certificates for such shares of Preferred Stock are to be
surrendered for exchange into Debentures; and (iv) that dividends
on the shares of Preferred Stock to be exchanged will cease to
accrue on the Exchange Date. On or after the Exchange Date each
holder of shares of Preferred Stock shall present and surrender his
certificate or certificates for such shares to be exchanged to the
Corporation at the place designated in such notice. Such shares
shall be exchanged by the Corporation into Debentures at the rate
of one hundred dollars ($100.00) principal amount of Debentures in
exchange for each share of Preferred Stock to be exchanged. In the
event that such exchange would result in the issuance of a
Debenture in a principal amount which is not an integral multiple
of $1,000, the difference between such principal amount and the
highest integral multiple of $1,000 which is less than such
principal amount shall be paid in cash. In case less than all the
shares represented by any such certificate are exchanged, a new
certificate shall be issued representing the unexchanged shares.
(d) Prior to giving notice of intention to exchange, the
Corporation shall execute and deliver with a bank or trust company
selected by the Corporation, an qualify under the Trust Indenture
Act of 1939, as amended from time to time, the Indenture. The form
of the Indenture may not be amended or supplemented before the
initial Exchange Date without the affirmative vote or consent of
the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Preferred
Stock, except for those changes which would not adversely affect
the legal rights of the holders. The Corporation will cause the
Debentures to be authenticated on the date on which any exchange is
effective, and the Corporation will pay interest on the Debentures
at the rate and on the dates specified in the Indenture from the
Exchange Date.
(e) If notice has been mailed as aforesaid, from and after
the Exchange Date (unless default shall be made by the Corporation
in issuing Debentures in exchange for the shares of Preferred Stock
that are properly presented for exchange or in paying any accrued
dividends on such Preferred Stock), dividends on the shares of
Preferred Stock to be exchanged shall cease to accrue, and said
shares shall no longer be deemed to be issued and outstanding, and
all rights of the holders thereof as stockholders of the
Corporation (except the right to receive Debentures from the
Corporation) shall cease and terminate.
VII. LIMITATIONS
So long as any shares of Preferred Stock are outstanding, the
Corporation shall not, without the affirmative vote, or the written
consent as provided by law, of the holders of at least two-thirds
(2/3) of the outstanding shares of Preferred Stock, voting as a
class,
(a) create, authorize or issue any class or series of stock
ranking either as to payment of dividends or distribution of assets
prior to or on a parity with the Preferred Stock or reclassify any
shares of stock ranking junior to the Preferred Stock into shares
of stock ranking either as to payment of dividends or distribution
of assets prior to or on a parity with the Preferred Stock or
reclassify any shares of preferred stock ranking on a parity with
the Preferred Stock into shares of stock ranking either as to
payment of dividends or distribution of assets prior to the
Preferred Stock; or
(b) change the preferences, rights or powers with respect to
the Preferred Stock so as to affect such stock adversely;
but nothing herein contained shall require such a class vote or
consent (i) in connection with any increase in the total number of
authorized shares of Common Stock, or (ii) in connection with the
authorization or increase of any class or series of stock ranking
junior to the Preferred Stock; provided, however, that no such vote
or written consent of the holders of the Preferred Stock shall be
required if, at or prior to the time when the issuance of any such
stock ranking prior to or on a parity with the Preferred Stock is
to be made or any such change is to take effect, as the case may
be, provision is made for the redemption of all shares of Preferred
Stock at the time outstanding, and further provided, that the
provisions of this Article VII shall not in any way limit the right
and power of the Corporation to issue the presently authorized but
unissued shares of its capital stock, or bonds, notes, mortgages,
debentures, and other obligations, and to incur indebtedness to
banks and to other lenders.
VIII. RANKING
With regard to rights to receive dividends and distributions
upon dissolution of the Corporation, the Preferred Stock will rank
junior to the Corporation's Section Preferred Stock, Series I. The
Preferred Stock ranks prior to all other capital stock of the
Corporation outstanding at the time of issuance of the Preferred
Stock. Without the requisite vote of holders of the Preferred
Stock as described in Article VII, no class or series of capital
stock can be created ranking senior to or on a parits with the
preferred stock as to dividend rights or liquidation preference.
IX. CHANGE OF CONTROL
In the event of any Change of Control (as hereinafter defined)
of the Corporation will, at the option of each holder of Preferred
Stock, buy all or any part of the holders' Preferred Stock, on the
date (the "Repurchase Date") that is 100 calendar days after the
date of such Change of Control at the redemption price set forth in
Article IV plus accrued and unpaid dividends to the Repurchase
Date.
On or before the twenty-eighth calendar day after the Change
of Control, the Corporation will mail to all holders of record of
the Preferred Stock a notice regarding the Change of Control, the
date before which the repurchase right must be exercised and the
procedure which the holder must follow to exercise this right. The
Corporation shall cause a copy of such notice to be published in a
newspaper of general circulation in the Borough of Manhattan, New
York. To exercise this right, the holder of any shares of
Preferred Stock must deliver on or before the ninetieth calendar
day after the Change of Control written notice to the Corporation
(or an agent designated by the Corporation for such purpose) of the
holder's exercise of such right, together with the certificates
evidencing the Preferred Stock with respect to which the right is
being executed, duly endorsed for transfer.
As used herein, (i) "Acquiring Person" means any person who is
or becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 10% or
more of the outstanding Common Stock of the Corporation; (ii) a
"Change in Control" of the Corporation shall be deemed to have
occurred at such time as (a) any person or group of persons acting
together is or becomes the beneficial owner, directly or
indirectly, of 20% or more of the outstanding Common Stock or (b)
individuals who constitute the Continuing Directors cease for any
reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board of Directors;
provided, however, that in the case of either (a) or (b) a Change
of Control shall not be deemed to have occurred if the event shall
have been approved for purposes of the Preferred Stock by a
majority of the Continuing Directors; and (iii) "Continuing
Director" means any member of the Board of Directors who is not
affiliated with an Acquiring Person and who was a member of the
Board of Directors immediately prior to the time that the Acquiring
Person became an Acquiring Person and any successor to a Continuing
Director who is not affiliated with the Acquiring Person and is
recommended to succeed a Continuing Director by a majority of
Continuing Directors who are then members of the Board of
Directors.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS CORPORATION has caused
this certificate to be made under the seal of the Corporation,
signed by its Chairman of the Board and attested by its President
this 20th day of November, 1986.
INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS CORPORATION
[Corporate Seal] By: Harvey R. Blau
--------------------------
Harvey R. Blau
Chairman of the Board
Attest:
Robert Balemian
- ---------------------
Robert Balemian
President
CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION FILED TO CORRECT
A CERTAIN ERROR IN THE CERTIFICATE OF STOCK
DESIGNATION OF INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS CORPORATION
FILED IN THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF
STATE OF DELAWARE ON NOVEMBER 21, 1986
INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS CORPORATION, a corporation organized
and existing under and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of
the State of Delaware, DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:
1. The name of the corporation is: INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS
CORPORATION.
2. That a Certificate of Stock Designation was filed by
the Secretary of State of Delaware on November 21, 1986 and that
said certificate requires correction as permitted by subsection (f)
of Section 103 of The General Corporation Law of the State of
Delaware.
3. The inaccuracy or defect of said certificate to be
corrected is as follows:
The Certificate of Stock Designations incorrectly sets
forth in Article IX the cross reference to Article IV, which should
be Article III. Article IX incorrectly omits the redemption price
applicable to a repurchase date prior to November 15, 1988.
4. Article IX of the certificate is corrected to read
as follows:
IX. CHANGE OF CONTROL
In the event of any Change of Control (as hereinafter
defined), the Corporation will, at the option of each holder of
Preferred Stock, buy all or any part of the holder's Preferred
Stock on the date (the "Repurchase Date") that is 100 calendar days
after the date of such Change of Control at the redemption price
set forth in Article III plus accrued and unpaid dividends to the
Repurchase Date; the November 15, 1988 redemption price shall apply
for any Repurchase Date prior to such date.
On or before the twenty-eighth calendar day after the
Change of Control, the Corporation will mail to all holders of
record of the Preferred Stock a notice regarding the Change of
Control, the date before which the repurchase right must be
exercised and the procedure which the holder must follow to
exercise this right. The Corporation shall cause a copy of such
notice to be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the
Borough of Manhattan, New York. To exercise this right, the holder
of any shares of Preferred Stock must deliver on or before the
ninetieth calendar day after the Change of Control written notice
to the Corporation (or an agent designated by the Corporation for
such purpose) of the holder's exercise of such right, together with
the certificates evidencing the Preferred Stock with respect to
which the right is being executed, duly endorsed for transfer.
As used herein, (i) "Acquiring Person" means any person
who is or becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of
10% or more of the outstanding Common Stock of the Corporation;
(ii) a "Change of Control" of the Corporation shall be deemed to
have occurred at such time as (a) any person or group of persons
acting together is or becomes the beneficial owner, directly or
indirectly, of 20% or more of the outstanding Common Stock or (b)
individuals who constitute the Continuing Directors cease for any
reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board of Directors;
provided, however, that in the case of either (a) or (b) a Change
of Control shall not be deemed to have occurred if the event shall
have been approved for purposes of the Preferred Stock by a
majority of the Continuing Directors; and (iii) "Continuing
Director" means any member of the Board of Directors who is not
affiliated with an Acquiring Person and who was a member of the
Board of Directors immediately prior to the time that the Acquiring
Person became an Acquiring Person and any successor to a Continuing
Director who is not affiliated with the Acquiring Person and is
recommended to succeed a Continuing Director by a majority of
Continuing Directors who are then members of the Board of
Directors.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, said INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS CORPORATION
has caused this Certificate to be signed by its Chairman of the
Board, and attested by its Secretary this 5th day of February,
1987.
INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS CORPORATION
By: Harvey R. Blau
--------------------------
Harvey R. Blau
Chairman of the Board
ATTEST:
Susan Reilly
- ------------------------
Susan Reilly, Secretary
CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT OF
THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF
INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS CORPORATION
INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS CORPORATION, a corporation organized
and existing under and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of
the State of Delaware, DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:
FIRST: That at a meeting of the Board of
Directors of INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS CORPORATION, resolutions were
adopted setting forth a proposed amendment to the Certificate of
Incorporation of said corporation, declaring said amendment to be
advisable and calling a meeting of the stockholders of the
corporation for consideration thereof.
SECOND: That thereafter, pursuant to resolution of
its Board of Directors, the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of said
corporation was duly called and held, upon notice in accordance
with Section 222 of the General Corporation Law of the State of
Delaware at which meeting the necessary number of shares as
required by statute were voted in favor of the following amendment:
RESOLVED, that the Certificate of Incorporation be
amended by adding ARTICLE "FOURTEENTH" so that, as
amended, said ARTICLE FOURTEENTH shall be and read as
follows:
"FOURTEENTH: No person who is or was at any time a
director of the corporation shall be personally liable to
the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages
for any breach of fiduciary duty by such person as a
director; provided, however, that, unless and except to
the extent otherwise permitted from time to time by
applicable law, the provisions of this Article FOURTEENTH
shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director
(i) for breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the
corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for any act or
omission by the director which is not in good faith or
which involves intentional misconduct or a knowing
violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the Delaware
Law, (iv) for any transaction from which the director
derived an improper personal benefit or (v) for any act
or omission occurring prior to the date the Liability
Amendment becomes effective. No amendment to or repeal
of this Article FOURTEENTH shall apply to or have any
effect on the liability or alleged liability of any
director of the corporation for or with respect to any
act or omission of such director occurring prior to such
amendment or repeal."
THIRD: That said amendment was duly adopted in
accordance with the provisions of Section 242 of the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, said INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS CORPORATION
has caused this certificate to be signed by Harvey R. Blau, its
Chairman and attested by Susan Reilly, its Secretary, this 27th day
of February, 1987.
INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS CORPORATION
By: Harvey R. Blau
--------------------------
Harvey R. Blau, Chairman
ATTEST:
Susan Reilly
- ----------------------
Susan Reilly, Secretary
CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT OF THE
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF
INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS CORPORATION
* * * * * * * *
INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS CORPORATION, a corporation organized and
existing under and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the
State of Delaware, DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:
FIRST: That at a meeting of the Board of Directors of
INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS CORPORATION, resolutions were adopted setting
forth a proposed amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of
said corporation, declaring said amendment to be advisable and
calling a meeting of the stockholders of the corporation for
consideration thereof.
SECOND: That thereafter, pursuant to resolution of its
Board of Directors, the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of said
corporation was duly called and held, upon notice in accordance
with Section 222 of the General Corporation Law of the State of
Delaware at which meeting the necessary number of shares as
required by statute were voted in favor of the following amendment:
RESOLVED, that the Certificate of Incorporation of this
Corporation be amended by changing the Article thereof
number "FIRST" so that, as amended, said Article shall be
and read as follows:
FIRST: The name of the corporation is:
GRIFFON CORPORATION
THIRD: That said amendment was duly adopted in
accordance with the provisions of Section 242 of the General
Corporation Law.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, said INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS CORPORATION
has caused this certificate to be signed by Robert Balemian, its
President and attested by Susan Rowland, its Secretary, this 7th
day of February, 1995.
INSTRUMENT SYSTEMS CORPORATION
By: Robert Balemian
--------------------------
Robert Balemian, President
ATTEST:
Susan Rowland
- ------------------------
Susan Rowland, Secretary
LOAN AGREEMENT
by and among
GRIFFON CORPORATION,
NATWEST BANK N.A., individually
and as Collateral Agent
and
CHEMICAL BANK
Dated June 8, 1995
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Article 1. Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Article 2. Commitments; Loans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Section 2.1 Loans. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Section 2.2 Notices Relating to Loans. . . . . . . . .
Section 2.3 Disbursement of Loan Proceeds. . . . . . .
Section 2.4 Notes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Section 2.5 Repayment of Principal of Loans. . . . . .
Section 2.6 Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Section 2.7 Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Section 2.8 Voluntary Changes in
Commitment; Prepayments After
Commitment Termination Date . . . . .
Section 2.9 Use of Proceeds of Loans . . . . . . . . .
Section 2.10 Computations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Section 2.11 Minimum Amounts of Borrowings,
Conversions, Prepayments
and Interest Periods. . . . . . . . .
Section 2.12 Time and Method of Payments. . . . . . . .
Section 2.13 Lending Offices. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Section 2.14 Several Obligations. . . . . . . . . . . .
Section 2.15 Pro Rata Treatment Between Banks . . . . .
Section 2.16 Sharing of Payments
and Set-Off Among Banks . . . . . . .
Section 2.17 Conversions of Loans . . . . . . . . . . .
Section 2.18 Additional Costs; Capital Requirements . .
Section 2.19 Limitation on Types of Loans . . . . . . .
Section 2.20 Illegality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Section 2.21 Certain Conversions pursuant
to Sections 2.18 and 2.20 . . . . . .
Section 2.22 Indemnity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Section 2.23 Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Article 3. Representations and Warranties. . . . . . . . . .
Section 3.1 Organization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Section 3.2 Power, Authority, Consents . . . . . . . .
Section 3.3 No Violation of Law or Agreements. . . . .
Section 3.4 Due Execution, Validity, Enforceability. .
Section 3.5 Properties, Priority of Liens. . . . . . .
Section 3.6 Judgments, Actions, Proceedings. . . . . .
Section 3.7 No Defaults, Compliance With Laws. . . . .
Section 3.8 Burdensome Documents . . . . . . . . . . .
Section 3.9 Financial Statements; Projections. . . . .
Section 3.10 Tax Returns. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Section 3.11 Intangible Assets. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Section 3.12 Regulation U . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Section 3.13 Name Changes, Mergers, Acquisitions. . . .
Section 3.14 Full Disclosure. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Section 3.15 Licenses and Approvals . . . . . . . . . .
Section 3.16 Labor Disputes; Collective Bargaining
Agreements; Employee Grievances. . . .
Section 3.17 Condition of Assets. . . . . . . . . . . .
Section 3.18 ERISA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Article 4. Conditions to the Loans . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Section 4.1 Conditions to Initial Loans. . . . . . . .
Section 4.2 Conditions to Subsequent Loans . . . . . .
Article 5. Delivery of Financial Reports,
Documents and Other Information. . . . . . .
Section 5.1 Annual Financial Statements. . . . . . . .
Section 5.2 Quarterly Financial Statements . . . . . .
Section 5.3 Projections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Section 5.4 Compliance Information . . . . . . . . . .
Section 5.5 No Default Certificate . . . . . . . . . .
Section 5.6 Certificate of Accountants . . . . . . . .
Section 5.7 Accountants' Reports . . . . . . . . . . .
Section 5.8 Copies of Documents. . . . . . . . . . . .
Section 5.9 Certain Notices. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Section 5.10 ERISA Notices and Requests . . . . . . . .
Section 5.11 Permitted Acquisition Deliveries . . . . .
Article 6. Affirmative Covenants . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Section 6.1 Books and Records. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Section 6.2 Inspections and Audits . . . . . . . . . .
Section 6.3 Maintenance and Repairs. . . . . . . . . .
Section 6.4 Continuance of Business. . . . . . . . . .
Section 6.5 Copies of Corporate Documents. . . . . . .
Section 6.6 Perform Obligations. . . . . . . . . . . .
Section 6.7 Notice of Litigation . . . . . . . . . . .
Section 6.8 Insurance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Section 6.9 Financial Covenants. . . . . . . . . . . .
Section 6.10 Notice of Certain Events . . . . . . . . .
Section 6.11 Comply with ERISA. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Section 6.12 Environmental Compliance . . . . . . . . .
Section 6.13 Pledge of Clopay Capital Stock . . . . . .
Article 7. Negative Covenants. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Section 7.1 Indebtedness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Section 7.2 Liens. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Section 7.3 Guaranties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Section 7.4 Mergers, Acquisitions. . . . . . . . . . .
Section 7.5 Redemptions; Distributions . . . . . . . .
Section 7.6 Stock Issuance . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Section 7.7 Changes in Business and
Sales or Pledges of Assets. . . . . .
Section 7.8 Investments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Section 7.9 Fiscal Year. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Section 7.10 ERISA Obligations. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Section 7.11 Rental Obligations . . . . . . . . . . . .
Section 7.12 Transactions with Affiliates . . . . . . .
Section 7.13 Hazardous Material . . . . . . . . . . . .
Section 7.14 Regulation U . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Article 8. Events of Default . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Section 8.1 Payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Section 8.2 Certain Covenants. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Section 8.3 Other Covenants. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Section 8.4 Other Defaults . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Section 8.5 Representations and Warranties . . . . . .
Section 8.6 Bankruptcy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Section 8.7 Judgments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Section 8.8 ERISA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Section 8.9 Liens. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Section 8.10 Change of Control. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Article 9. Miscellaneous Provisions. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Section 9.1 Fees and Expenses; Indemnity . . . . . . .
Section 9.2 Taxes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Section 9.3 Payments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Section 9.4 Survival of Agreements and
Representations; Construction . . . .
Section 9.5 Lien on and Set-off of Deposits. . . . . .
Section 9.6 Modifications, Consents and
Waivers; Entire Agreement . . . . . .
Section 9.7 Remedies Cumulative. . . . . . . . . . . .
Section 9.8 Further Assurances . . . . . . . . . . . .
Section 9.9 Notices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Section 9.10 Counterparts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Section 9.11 Severability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Section 9.12 Binding Effect; No Assignment
or Delegation by Borrower . . . . . .
Section 9.13 Assignments and Participations by Banks . .
Section 9.14 Relief From Bankruptcy Stay. . . . . . . .
Section 9.15 Governing Law; Consent to Juris-
diction; Waiver of Trial by Jury. . .
EXHIBITS
A-1. Form of Note to NatWest
A-2. Form of Note to Chemical
A-3. Form of Pledge Agreement
B. States of Incorporation and Qualification, and Capitalization
and Ownership of Stock, of Borrower and Subsidiaries
C. Consents, Waivers, Approvals; Violation of Agreements
D. Permitted Security Interests, Liens and Encumbrances
E. Judgments, Actions, Proceedings
F. Defaults; Compliance with Laws, Regulations, Agreements
G. Burdensome Documents
H. Name Changes, Mergers, Acquisitions
I. Labor Disputes; Collective Bargaining Agreements; Employee
Grievances
J. Pension Plans
K. Permitted Contingent Obligations and Guaranties
L. Form of Assignment and Acceptance
M. Form of Collateral Agent Agreement
LOAN AGREEMENT
THIS LOAN AGREEMENT, made this 8th day of June, 1995 (this
"Agreement"), is by and among:
GRIFFON CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (the "Borrower");
NATWEST BANK N.A., a national banking association, and
CHEMICAL BANK, a New York banking corporation (individually, a
"Bank" and, collectively, the "Banks"); and
NATWEST BANK N.A., in its capacity as Collateral Agent (as
hereinafter defined);
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Borrower wishes to obtain loans from the Banks in
the aggregate principal sum of up to Sixty Million Dollars
($60,000,000), and the Banks are willing to make such loans to the
Borrower in an aggregate principal amount of up to such sum on the
terms and conditions hereinafter set forth;
NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:
Article 1. Definitions.
As used in this Agreement, in addition to the other terms
defined herein, the following terms shall have the following
meanings:
"Additional Costs" is defined in subsection 2.18(b)
hereof.
"Affected Loans" is defined in Section 2.21 hereof.
"Affected Type" is defined in Section 2.21 hereof.
"Affiliate" means, as to any Person, any other Person
that directly or indirectly controls, or is under common control
with, or is controlled by, such Person. As used in this
definition, "control" (including, with its correlative meanings,
"controlled by" and "under common control with") shall mean
possession, directly or indirectly, of power to direct or cause the
direction of management or policies (whether through ownership of
securities or partnership or other ownership interests, by contract
or otherwise), provided that, in any event: (i) any Person that
owns directly or indirectly 10% or more of the securities having
ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other
governing body of a corporation or 10% or more of the partnership
or other ownership interests of any other Person (other than as a
limited partner of such other Person) will be deemed to control
such corporation or other Person; and (ii) each director and
officer of the Borrower shall be deemed to be an Affiliate of the
Borrower.
"Applicable Lending Office" means, with respect to each
Bank, with respect to each type of Loan, the Lending Office as
designated for such type of Loan below its name on the signature
pages hereof or such other office of such Bank or of an affiliate
of such Bank as such Bank may from time to time specify to the
Borrower as the office at which its Loans of such type are to be
made and maintained.
"Applicable Margin" means, as at any date of determina-
tion thereof, (i) if the Funded Debt to Cash Flow Ratio is less
than 1.00 to 1.00, then with respect to any Prime Rate Loans, 0%,
and with respect to any Eurodollar Loans, 0.625%; (ii) if the
Funded Debt to Cash Flow Ratio is less than 1.50 to 1.00 but equal
to or greater than 1.00 to 1.00, then with respect to any Prime
Rate Loans, 0%, and with respect to any Eurodollar Loans, 0.875%;
(iii) if the Funded Debt to Cash Flow Ratio is less than 2.50 to
1.00 but equal to or greater than 1.50 to 1.00, then with respect
to any Prime Rate Loans, 0%, and with respect to any Eurodollar
Loans, 1.25%; (iv) if the Funded Debt to Cash Flow Ratio is less
than 3.50 to 1.00 but equal to or greater than 2.50 to 1.00, then
with respect to any Prime Rate Loans, 0.25%, and with respect to
any Eurodollar Loans, 1.75%; and (v) if the Funded Debt to Cash
Flow Ratio is equal to or greater than 3.50 to 1.00, then with
respect to any Prime Rate Loans, 0.50%, and with respect to any
Eurodollar Loans, 2.00%. The determination of the applicable
percentage set forth above shall be made on a quarterly basis based
on an examination of the financial statements of the Borrower
delivered pursuant to and in compliance with Section 5.1 or Section
5.2 hereof; provided, however, that the applicable percentages as
of the date of this Agreement shall be as set forth in clause (i)
above until adjusted pursuant to this definition; and provided
further, that upon the occurrence and during the continuance of a
Default or an Event of Default, the Applicable Margin shall be as
set forth in clause (v) above, unless the Funded Debt to Cash Flow
Ratio is equal to or greater than 3.50 to 1:00, in which event the
Applicable Margin shall be 1.00% with respect to any Prime Rate
Loans and 2.50% with respect to any Eurodollar Loans. Each
determination of the Applicable Margin shall be effective as of (a)
January 15 of each year with respect to financial statements to be
delivered pursuant to Section 5.1 hereof and (b) the first day of
the calendar quarter following the date on which the financial
statements on which such determination was based were to be
delivered pursuant to Section 5.2 hereof. In the event that
financial statements for the four full fiscal quarters most recently
completed prior to such date of determination either: (i)
have not been delivered to the Banks in compliance with Section 5.1
or 5.2 hereof, or (ii) if delivered, do not comply in form or
substance with Section 5.1 or 5.2 hereof (in the sole judgement of
the Banks), then the Banks may determine, in their reasonable
judgment, the ratio referred to above that would have been in
effect as at such date, and, consequently, the Applicable Margin
in effect for the period commencing on such date.
"Assessment Rate" means, at any time, the rate (rounded
upwards, if necessary, to the nearest 1/100 of 1%) then charged by
the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (or any successor) to the
applicable Principal Office for deposit insurance for Dollar time
deposits with such Principal Office as determined by such Principal
Office.
"Assignment and Acceptance" - an agreement in the form
of Exhibit L hereto.
"Borrowing Notice" is defined in Section 2.2 hereof.
"Business Day" means, any day other than Saturday, Sunday
or any other day on which commercial banks in New York City are
authorized or required to close under the laws of the State of New
York.
"Capitalized Lease" means, any lease the obligations to
pay rent or other amounts under which constitute Capitalized Lease
Obligations.
"Capitalized Lease Obligations" means, as to any Person,
the obligations of such Person to pay rent or other amounts under
a lease of (or other agreement conveying the right to use) real
and/or personal property which obligations are required to be
classified and accounted for as a capital lease on a balance sheet
of such Person under generally accepted accounting principles and,
for purposes of this Agreement, the amount of such obligations
shall be the capitalized amount thereof, determined in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles.
"Cash" means, as to any Person, such Person's cash and
cash equivalents, as defined in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles consistently applied.
"Change of Control" means (a) the acquisition by any
Person, or two or more Persons acting in concert, of beneficial
ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the Securities and
Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) of
30% or more of the outstanding shares of voting stock of the
Borrower, or (b) during any period of 25 consecutive calendar
months, commencing on the date of this Agreement, the ceasing of
those individuals (the "Continuing Directors") who (i) were
directors of the Borrower on the first day of each such period or
(ii) subsequently became directors of the Borrower and whose
initial election or initial nomination for election subsequent to
that date was approved by a majority of the Continuing Directors
then on the board of directors of the Borrower, to constitute a
majority of the board of directors of the Borrower.
"Chemical" means Chemical Bank, a New York banking
corporation, in its capacity as a Bank hereunder.
"Clopay" means Clopay Corporation, a Delaware
corporation.
"Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as it may
be amended from time to time.
"Collateral Agent" means NatWest Bank N.A., a national
banking association, in its capacity as Collateral Agent pursuant
to the terms and conditions of the Collateral Agent Agreement, and
any successor thereto.
"Collateral Agent Agreement" means that certain
Collateral Agent Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit M
hereto, dated as of the date hereof between NatWest and Chemical,
including all amendments, modifications and supplements thereto.
"Commitment" means, as to each Bank, the amount set forth
opposite such Bank's name on the signature pages hereof under the
caption "Commitment" as such amount is subject to reduction in
accordance with the terms hereof.
"Commitment Fee" is defined in subsection 2.7(a) hereof.
"Commitment Termination Date" means May 31, 1998.
"Compliance Certificate" means a certificate executed by
the president or chief financial officer of the Borrower to the
effect that: (i) as of the effective date of the certificate, no
Default or Event of Default under this Agreement exists or would
exist after giving effect to the action intended to be taken by the
Borrower as described in such certificate, including, without
limitation, that the covenants set forth in Section 6.9 hereof
would not be breached after giving effect to such action, together
with a calculation in reasonable detail, and in form and substance
satisfactory to the Banks, of such compliance, and (ii) the
representations and warranties contained in Article 3 hereof are
true and with the same effect as though such representations and
warranties were made on the date of such certificate, except for
changes in the ordinary course of business none of which, either
singly or in the aggregate, have had a material adverse effect on
the business, operations or financial conditions of the Borrower or
any of its Subsidiaries.
"Contingent Obligation", as applied to any Person, means
any direct or indirect liability, contingent or otherwise, of that
Person, without duplication: (a) with respect to any indebtedness,
lease, dividend or other obligation of another Person if the
primary purpose or intent of the Person incurring such liability,
or the primary effect thereof, is to provide assurance to the
obligee of such liability that such liability will be paid or
discharged, or that any agreements relating thereto will be
complied with, or that the holders of such liability will be
protected (in whole or in part) against loss with respect thereto;
(b) with respect to any letter of credit issued for the account of
that Person or as to which that Person is otherwise liable for
reimbursement of drawings; (c) under any interest rate swap
agreement, interest rate cap agreement, interest rate collar
agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement designed to
protect that Person against fluctuations in interest rates; or (d)
under any foreign exchange contract, currency swap agreement or
other similar agreement or arrangement designed to protect that
Person against fluctuations in currency values. Contingent
Obligations shall include (i) the direct or indirect guaranty,
endorsement (other than for collection or deposit in the ordinary
course of business), co-making, discounting with recourse or sale
with recourse by such Person of the obligation of another, (ii) the
obligation to make take-or-pay or similar payments if required
regardless of nonperformance by any other party or parties to an
agreement, and (iii) any liability of such Person for the
obligations of another through any agreement to purchase,
repurchase or otherwise acquire such obligation or any property
constituting security therefor, to provide funds for the payment or
discharge of such obligation or to maintain the solvency, financial
condition or any balance sheet item or level of income of another.
The amount of any Contingent Obligation shall be equal to the
amount of the obligation so guaranteed or otherwise supported or,
if not a fixed and determined amount, the maximum amount so
guaranteed.
"Controlled Group" means all members of a controlled
group of corporations and all trades or businesses (whether or not
incorporated) under common control which, together with the
Borrower, are treated as a single employer under Section 414(b),
414(c) or 414(m) of the Code and Section 4001(a)(14) of ERISA.
"Current Assets" means current assets as determined in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles,
consistently applied; provided, however, that any of such assets
that are subject to a pledge, lien or security interest held by any
Person to secure payment of any Indebtedness that is not included
in Current Liabilities shall be excluded from Current Assets to the
extent of such Indebtedness.
"Current Liabilities" means current liabilities as
determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles, consistently applied, and shall include, as of the date
of determination thereof: (i) all Indebtedness payable on demand
or maturing within one year after such date without any option on
the part of the obligor to extend or renew beyond such year, (ii)
final maturities, installments and prepayments of Indebtedness
required to be made within one year after such date, (iii) the
unpaid principal balance of the Notes due within one year after
such date, and (iv) all other items (including taxes accrued as
estimated and reserves for deferred income taxes) that in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, would be
included on a balance sheet as current liabilities.
"Debt Instrument" is defined in subsection 8.4(a) hereof.
"Default" means an event which with notice or lapse of
time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default.
"Defined Contribution Plan" means a plan which is not
covered by Title IV of ERISA or subject to the minimum funding
standards of Section 412 of the Code and which provides for an
individual account for each participant and for benefits based
solely on the amount contributed to the participant's account, and
any income, expenses, gains and losses, and any forfeitures of
accounts of other participants which may be allocated to such
participant's account.
"Dollars" and "$" means lawful currency of the United
States of America.
"Eligible Assignee" - (a) any of the following that have
been approved by the Majority Banks: (i) a commercial bank
organized under the laws of the United States, or any state
thereof; (ii) a savings and loan association or savings bank
organized under the laws of the United States, or any state
thereof; (iii) a commercial bank organized under the laws of any
other country that is a member of the OECD or has concluded special
lending arrangements with the International Monetary Fund
associated with its General Arrangements to Borrow, or a political
subdivision of any such country, so long as such bank is acting
through a branch or agency located in the country in which it is
organized or another country that is described in this clause
(iii); (iv) the central bank of any country that is a member of the
OECD which bank has assumed the assets and liabilities of a Bank;
and (v) a finance company, insurance company or other financial
institution or fund (whether a corporation, partnership, trust or
other entity) that is engaged in making, purchasing or otherwise
investing in commercial loans in the ordinary course of its
business; (b) any other Person approved by the Majority Banks; and
(c) a Bank or an Affiliate of a Bank.
"Employee Benefit Plan" means any employee benefit plan
within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA which (a) is maintained
for employees of Borrower or any of its ERISA Affiliates or (b) has
at any time within the preceding six (6) years been maintained for
employees of the Borrower or any current ERISA Affiliate while an
ERISA Affiliate.
"Employee Welfare Benefit Plan" means any employee
benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(1) of ERISA.
"Environmental Laws and Regulations" means all environ-
mental, health and safety laws, regulations, resolutions, and
ordinances applicable to the Borrower or any Subsidiary, or any of
their respective assets or properties, including, without
limitation: (i) all regulations, resolutions, ordinances, decrees,
and other similar documents and instruments of all courts and
governmental authorities, bureaus and agencies, domestic and
foreign, whether issued by environmental regulatory agencies or
otherwise, and (ii) all laws, regulations, resolutions, ordinances
and decrees relating to Environmental Matters.
"Environmental Liability" means any liability under any
applicable law for any release of a hazardous substance caused by
the seeping, spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting,
emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching, dumping or
disposing of hazardous wastes or other chemical substances,
pollutants or contaminants into the environment, and any liability
for the costs of any clean-up or other remedial action including,
without limitation, costs arising out of security fencing,
alternative water supplies, temporary evacuation and housing and
other emergency assistance undertaken by any environmental
regulatory body having jurisdiction over the Borrower or any
Subsidiary to prevent or minimize any actual or threatened release
by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of any hazardous wastes or other
hazardous substances, pollutants and contaminants into the
environment that would endanger the public health or the
environment.
"Environmental Matter(s)" means a release of any toxic or
hazardous waste or other hazardous substance, pollutant or contam-
inant into the environment or the generation, treatment, storage or
disposal of any toxic or hazardous wastes or other hazardous
substances.
"Environmental Proceeding" means any judgment, action,
proceeding or investigation pending before any court or govern-
mental authority, bureau or agency, including, without limitation,
any environmental regulatory body, with respect to, or to the best
of Borrower's knowledge threatened against, the Borrower or any
Subsidiary or relating to the assets or liabilities of any of them,
including, without limitation, in respect of any "facility" owned,
leased or operated by any of them under the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as
amended, or under any state, local or municipal statute, ordinance
or regulation in respect thereof, in connection with any release of
any toxic or hazardous waste or other chemical substance, pollutant
or contaminant into the environment, or with the generation,
storage or disposal of any toxic or hazardous wastes or other
chemical substances.
"ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act
of 1974, as it may be amended from time to time, and the regu-
lations promulgated thereunder.
"ERISA Affiliate" means as applied to the Borrower, any
corporation, person or trade or business which is a member of the
Borrower's Controlled Group.
"Eurodollar Business Day" means a Business Day on which
dealings in Dollar deposits are carried out in the Eurodollar
interbank market.
"Eurodollar Loans" means Loans the interest on which is
determined on the basis of rates referred to in subparagraph (a) of
the definition of "Fixed Base Rate" in this Article 1.
"Event of Default" is defined in Article 8 hereof.
"Facility Fee" is defined in subsection 2.7(b) hereof.
"Federal Funds Rate" means, for any day, the weighted
average of the rates on overnight federal funds transactions with
member banks of the Federal Reserve System arranged by federal
funds brokers as published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York
for such day, or if such day is not a Business Day, for the next
preceding Business Day (or, if such rate is not so published for
any such day, the average rate charged to each Bank on such day on
such transactions as reasonably determined by the Banks).
"Fee(s)" is defined in subsection 2.7(c) hereof.
"Financial Statements" means, with respect to the
Borrower: (i) its consolidated audited Balance Sheet as at
September 30, 1994, together with the related audited Income
Statement, Statement of Shareholders' Equity and Statement of Cash
Flows for the fiscal year then ended, (ii) its consolidated
unaudited Balance Sheet as at March 31, 1995, together with the
related unaudited Income Statement and Statement of Cash Flows for
the 3-month period then ended, and (iii) each of the financial
statements delivered to the Banks pursuant to subsections 5.1 and
5.2 hereof.
"Fixed Base Rate" means, with respect to any Eurodollar
Loan for any Interest Period therefor, the rate per annum equal to
the offered rate for deposits in Dollars, for a period comparable
to the Interest Period and in an amount substantially equal to the
principal amount of the Eurodollar Loan to be made by each Bank to
which such Interest Period relates, appearing on the Reuters Screen
LIBO Page as of 11:00 a.m. London time (or as soon thereafter as
practicable) on the day that is two (2) Eurodollar Business Days
prior to the first day of such Interest Period. If two or more of
such rates appear on the Reuters Screen LIBO Page, the rate shall
be the arithmetic mean of such rates. If the foregoing rate is
unavailable from the Reuters Screen for any reason, then such rate
shall be determined by each Bank from Telerate Page 3750 or, if
such rate is also unavailable on such service, then from any other
interest rate reporting service of recognized standing designated
in writing by each Bank to the Borrower and the other Bank.
"Fixed Rate" means, for any Eurodollar Rate Loan for any
Interest Period therefor, the rate per annum (rounded upwards, if
necessary, to the nearest 1/100 of 1%) equal to (x) the Fixed Base
Rate for such Loan for such Interest Period; divided by (y) 1 minus
the Reserve Requirement for such Loan for such Interest Period.
Each Bank shall use its best efforts to advise the Borrower upon
its request of the Fixed Rate for each Interest Period as soon as
practicable after each change in the Fixed Rate; provided, however,
that the failure of either Bank to so advise the Borrower on any
one or more occasions shall not affect the rights of either Bank or
the obligations of the Borrower hereunder.
"Funded Debt to Cash Flow Ratio" means, for any period,
the ratio of (a) Long-term Indebtedness of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries plus, without duplication, any Indebtedness for money
borrowed of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries which will be due and
payable during the immediately succeeding twelve month period, in
each case outstanding as of the last day of such period, to (b) the
sum of net income of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (determined
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
consistently applied) for the most recently completed four fiscal
quarters, plus extraordinary and unusual non-cash losses for such
period, plus depreciation and amortization expense for such period,
minus extraordinary and unusual non-cash gains for such period,
minus capital expenditures for such period.
"Indebtedness" means, with respect to any Person, all:
(i) liabilities or obligations, direct and contingent, which in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles would be
included in determining total liabilities as shown on the liability
side of a balance sheet of such Person at the date as of which
Indebtedness is to be determined, including, without limitation,
contingent liabilities that in accordance with such principles,
would be set forth in a specific Dollar amount on the liability
side of such balance sheet, and Capitalized Lease Obligations of
such Person; (ii) liabilities or obligations of others for which
such Person is directly or indirectly liable, by way of guaranty
(whether by direct guaranty, suretyship, discount, endorsement,
take-or-pay agreement, agreement to purchase or advance or keep in
funds or other agreement having the effect of a guaranty) or
otherwise; (iii) liabilities or obligations secured by Liens on any
assets of such Person, whether or not such liabilities or obliga-
tions shall have been assumed by it; and (iv) liabilities or
obligations of such Person, direct or contingent, with respect to
letters of credit (other than documentary letters of credit used in
connection with the purchase of goods) issued for the account of
such Person and bankers acceptances created for such Person.
"Interest Period" means, with respect to any Eurodollar
Loan, each period commencing on the date such Loan is made or
converted from a Loan or Loans of another type, or the last day of
the next preceding Interest Period with respect to such Loan, and
ending on the same day in the first, second, third or sixth
calendar month thereafter, as the Borrower may select as provided
in Section 2.2 hereof, except that each such Interest Period that
commences on the last Eurodollar Business Day of a calendar month
(or on any day for which there is no numerically corresponding day
in the appropriate subsequent calendar month) shall end on the last
Eurodollar Business Day of the appropriate subsequent calendar
month. Notwithstanding the foregoing: (i) each Interest Period
that would otherwise end on a day that is not a Business Day shall
end on the next succeeding Business Day (or, in the case of an
Interest Period for Eurodollar Loans, if such next succeeding
Eurodollar Business Day falls in the next succeeding calendar
month, on the next preceding Eurodollar Business Day); (ii) no more
than five (5) Interest Periods for Eurodollar Rate Loans shall be
in effect at the same time; (iii) any Interest Period for any type
of Loan that commences before the Commitment Termination Date shall
end no later than the Commitment Termination Date; and (iv)
notwithstanding clause (iii) above, no Interest Period shall have
a duration of less than one month (in the case of Eurodollar
Loans). In the event that the Borrower fails to select the
duration of any Interest Period for any Loan within the time period
and otherwise as provided in Section 2.2 hereof, such Loans will be
automatically converted into a Prime Rate Loan on the last day of
the preceding Interest Period for such Loan.
"Investment" means, by any Person:
(a) the amount paid or committed to be paid, or the
value of property or services contributed or committed to be
contributed, by such Person for or in connection with the acqui-
sition by such Person of any stock, bonds, notes, debentures,
partnership or other ownership interests or other securities of any
other Person; and
(b) the amount of any advance, loan or extension of
credit by such Person, to any other Person, or guaranty or other
similar obligation of such Person with respect to any Indebtedness
of such other Person, and (without duplication) any amount
committed to be advanced, loaned, or extended by such Person to any
other Person, or any amount the payment of which is committed to be
assured by a guaranty or similar obligation by such Person for the
benefit of, such other Person.
"IRS" means the Internal Revenue Service.
"Latest Balance Sheet" is defined in subsection 3.9(a)
hereof.
"Leases" means leases and subleases (other than
Capitalized Leases), licenses for the use of real property,
easements, grants, and other attachment rights and similar
instruments under which the Borrower has the right to use real or
personal property or rights of way.
"Lien" means any mortgage, deed of trust, pledge,
security interest, encumbrance, lien or charge of any kind
(including any agreement to give any of the foregoing), any
conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in
the nature of any of the foregoing, and the filing of or agreement
to give any financing statement under the Uniform Commercial Code
of any jurisdiction.
"Lightron" means Lightron Corporation, a Delaware
corporation.
"Loan(s)" is defined in Section 2.1 hereof. Loans of
different types made or converted from Loans of other types on the
same day (or of the same type but having different Interest
Periods) shall be deemed to be separate Loans for all purposes of
this Agreement.
"Loan Documents" means this Agreement, the Notes, the
Pledge Agreements and all other documents required to be executed
and delivered in connection herewith or therewith, including all
amendments, modifications and supplements of or to all such
documents.
"Loan Party" means the Borrower and any Subsidiary which
hereafter executes and delivers to the Banks any Loan Document.
"Long-term Indebtedness" means:
(i) any Indebtedness payable more than one year
from the date of creation thereof (including, without limitation
and without duplication, any portion thereof payable on demand or
maturing within one year after such date), which under generally
accepted accounting principles is shown on the balance sheet as a
liability (including Capitalized Lease Obligations but excluding
reserves for deferred income taxes and other reserves to the extent
that such reserves do not constitute an obligation), and
(ii) Indebtedness payable more than one year from
the date of creation thereof (including, without limitation and
without duplication, any portion thereof payable on demand or
maturing within one year after such date), which is secured by any
Lien on property owned by the Borrower or any Subsidiary, whether
or not the indebtedness secured thereby shall have been assumed by
the Borrower or such Subsidiary.
Any obligation shall be treated as Long-term Indebtedness,
regardless of its term if such obligation is renewable pursuant to
the terms thereof or of a revolving credit or similar agreement
effective for more than one year after the date of the creation of
such obligation, or may be payable out of the proceeds of a similar
obligation pursuant to the terms of such obligation or of any such
agreement.
"Majority Banks" means, at any time while no Loans are
outstanding hereunder, Banks having at least 66-2/3% of the
aggregate amount of the Commitments and, at any time while Loans
are outstanding hereunder, Banks holding at least 66-2/3% of the
outstanding aggregate principal amount of the Loans hereunder.
"Material Adverse Effect" means any matter which would
result in liability to the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate in an
amount which would materially adversely affect the business or
financial condition of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a
consolidated basis.
"Monthly Dates" means the first day of each calendar
month, the first of which shall be the first day of the first
calendar month following the date of this Agreement.
"Multiemployer Plan" means a "multiemployer plan" as
defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA which is a Pension Plan and
to which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is making, or is
accruing an obligation to make, contributions or has made, or been
obligated to make, contributions within the preceding six (6) years
while an ERISA Affiliate.
"NatWest" means NatWest Bank N.A., a national banking
association, in its capacity as a Bank hereunder.
"New Type Loans" is defined in Section 2.21 hereof.
"Note(s)" is defined in Section 2.4 hereof.
"Obligations" means, collectively, all of the
Indebtedness, liabilities and obligations of the Borrower to the
Banks, whether now existing or hereafter arising, whether or not
currently contemplated, arising under the Loan Documents.
"PBGC" means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.
"Pension Plan" means at any time an employee pension
benefit plan that is covered by Title IV of ERISA or subject to the
minimum funding standards under Section 412 of the Code and is
either: (i) maintained by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate for
employees of the Borrower, or by the Borrower for employees of any
ERISA Affiliate, or (ii) maintained pursuant to a collective
bargaining agreement or any other arrangement under which more than
one employer makes contributions and to which the Borrower or any
ERISA Affiliate is then making or accruing an obligation to make
contributions or has, while an ERISA Affiliate, within the
preceding five plan years made contributions.
"Permitted Acquisition" means the acquisition by the
Borrower or any Subsidiary of any Person or of any division or line
of business of any Person (whether a Person, or division or line of
business, an "Eligible Business"), either by merger, consolidation,
purchase of stock, or purchase of all or a substantial part of the
assets of such Eligible Business (any such type of transaction is
referred to in this Agreement as an "acquisition" and the principal
agreement relating thereto, whether a stock purchase agreement, an
asset purchase agreement, a merger agreement or otherwise, is
referred to in this Agreement as the "acquisition agreement");
provided that (i) the aggregate Permitted Acquisition Purchase
Price of all such Permitted Acquisitions during the term of this
Agreement does not exceed One Hundred Million Dollars
($100,000,000) in the aggregate, (ii) no Default or Event of
Default shall exist immediately before and after giving affect to
such Permitted Acquisition or result from the consummation thereof,
and (iii) each of the following conditions shall have been
satisfied:
(a) such transaction shall not be a "hostile"
acquisition or other "hostile" transaction (i.e., such transaction
shall not be opposed by the Board of Directors of the Eligible
Business), provided that in the event the Borrower proposes to
initiate such transaction as a hostile transaction with the intent
to subsequently obtain the approval of the Board of Directors of
the Eligible Business, the Borrower may notify each Bank in writing
in advance of the initiation of such proposed transaction together
with any information concerning such transaction as any Bank may
request, and, provided that each Bank shall have approved such
transaction in writing prior to the initiation of such transaction,
with the approval of each Bank being based on any possible conflict
of any kind or other policy considerations of such Bank concerning
such proposed acquisition and with such approval not to be
unreasonably withheld, the Borrower may proceed with such
transaction so long as the transaction ultimately is approved by
the Board of Directors of the Eligible Business (and a majority of
which were members of such Board of Directors at the time such
transaction was initiated) and is otherwise in accordance with the
terms of this Agreement;
(b) such acquisition (1) if such acquisition is a
stock acquisition, shall be of greater than 50% of the issued and
outstanding capital stock of such Eligible Business, whether by
purchase or as a result of merger or consolidation (provided that
the Borrower shall be the surviving corporation in any such merger
or consolidation in which it is directly involved), and in any
event shall consist of shares of capital stock with sufficient
voting rights which entitles the Borrower to elect a majority of
the directors of such Eligible Business and to control the outcome
of any shareholder votes with respect to the shareholders of such
Eligible Business, and (2) if such acquisition is an asset
acquisition, shall be of all or a substantial part of an Eligible
Business; and
(c) the Borrower or its Subsidiaries shall have (1)
pledged to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Banks all of
the issued and outstanding capital stock acquired by the Borrower
or any Subsidiary of (A) any Eligible Business the capital stock of
which is to be acquired pursuant to such acquisition in which the
Permitted Acquisition Purchase Price is greater than $15,000,000,
and (B) any new Subsidiary created as an acquisition vehicle with
respect to such acquisition, (2) delivered to the Collateral Agent,
simultaneously with consummation of such acquisition, all of the
stock certificates representing such shares, together with stock
powers executed in blank and proxies with respect thereto and (3)
caused to be delivered to the Banks from any new Subsidiary
customary corporate documents (including certified certificate of
incorporation, by-laws and good standing certificates).
"Permitted Acquisition Purchase Price" means, with
respect to any Permitted Acquisition, collectively, without
duplication, (i) all Cash paid by the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries in connection with such Permitted Acquisition,
including in respect of transaction costs, fees and other expenses
incurred by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in connection
with such Permitted Acquisition, (ii) all Indebtedness created, and
all Indebtedness assumed, by the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries in connection with such Permitted Acquisition,
including, without limitation, the maximum amount of any purchase
price to be paid pursuant to any "earn out" provision contained in
the agreements related to any Permitted Acquisition, (iii) the
value of all capital stock issued by the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries in connection with such Permitted Acquisition and
(iv) any deferred portion of the purchase price or any other costs
paid by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with
such Permitted Acquisition.
"Permitted Liens" means, as to any Person: (i) pledges
or deposits by such Person under workers' compensation laws,
unemployment insurance laws, social security laws, or similar
legislation, or good faith deposits in connection with bids,
tenders, contracts (other than for the payment of Indebtedness of
such Person), or leases to which such Person is a party, or
deposits to secure public or statutory obligations of such Person
or deposits of Cash or United States Government Bonds to secure
surety, appeal, performance or other similar bonds to which such
Person is a party, or deposits as security for contested taxes or
import duties or for the payment of rent; (ii) Liens imposed by
law, such as carriers', warehousemen's, materialmen's and
mechanics' liens, or Liens arising out of judgments or awards
against such Person with respect to which such Person at the time
shall currently be prosecuting an appeal or proceedings for review;
(iii) Liens for taxes not yet subject to penalties for non-payment
and Liens for taxes the payment of which is being contested as
permitted by Section 6.6 hereof; and (iv) minor survey exceptions,
minor encumbrances, easements or reservations of, or rights of,
others for rights of way, highways and railroad crossings, sewers,
electric lines, telegraph and telephone lines and other similar
purposes, or zoning or other restrictions as to the use of real
properties, or Liens incidental to the conduct of the business of
such Person or to the ownership of such Person's property that were
not incurred in connection with Indebtedness of such Person, all of
which Liens referred to in the preceding clause (iv) do not in the
aggregate materially detract from the value of the properties to
which they relate or materially impair their use in the operation
of the business taken as a whole of such Person, and as to all the
foregoing only to the extent arising and continuing in the ordinary
course of business.
"Person" means an individual, a corporation, a
partnership, a joint venture, a trust or unincorporated organiza-
tion, a joint stock company or other similar organization, a
government or any political subdivision thereof, a court, or any
other legal entity, whether acting in an individual, fiduciary or
other capacity.
"Pledge Agreements" means that certain Pledge Agreement
substantially in the form of Exhibit A-3 hereto, dated as of the
date hereof between the Borrower and the Banks, and any other
pledge agreement executed and delivered by the Borrower or any
Subsidiary from time to time in connection herewith, including all
amendments, modifications and supplements of or to all such
agreements.
"Post-Default Rate" means (i) in respect to principal of
or interest on any Loans not paid when due (whether at stated
maturity, by acceleration or otherwise), a rate per annum during
the period commencing on the due date until such unpaid principal
is paid in full equal to: (x) if such Loans are Prime Rate Loans,
2% above the Prime Rate as in effect from time to time plus the
Applicable Margin for Prime Rate Loans (but in no event less than
the interest rate in effect on the due date), or (y) if such Loans
are Eurodollar Rate Loans, 2% above the rate of interest in effect
thereon at the time of such default until the end of the then
current Interest Period therefor and, thereafter, 2% above the
Prime Rate as in effect from time to time plus the Applicable
Margin for Prime Rate Loans (but in no event less than the interest
rate in effect on the due date); and (ii) in respect of other
amounts payable by the Borrower hereunder (other than interest) not
paid when due (whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or
otherwise), a rate per annum during the period commencing on the
due date until such other amounts are paid in full equal to 2%
above the Prime Rate as in effect from time to time plus the
Applicable Margin for Prime Rate Loans (but in no event less than
the interest rate in effect on the due date).
"Prime Rate" means with respect to Prime Rate Loans made
by NatWest, the interest rate established from time to time by
NatWest as its prime rate at its Principal Office, and (ii) with
respect to Prime Rate Loans made by Chemical, the interest rate
publicly announced by Chemical at its Applicable Lending Office as
its prime rate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower
acknowledges that the Banks may regularly make domestic commercial
loans at rates of interest less than the rate of interest referred
to in the preceding sentence. Each change in any interest rate
provided for herein based upon the Prime Rate resulting from a
change in the Prime Rate shall take effect at the time of such
change in the Prime Rate.
"Prime Rate Loans" means Loans that bear interest at a
rate based upon the Prime Rate.
"Principal Office" means (i) with respect to NatWest, the
principal office presently located at 175 Water Street, New York,
New York 10038, and (ii) with respect to Chemical, 270 Park Avenue,
New York, New York 10017.
"Principal Subsidiary" means Clopay, Telephonics or
Lightron.
"Projections" means (i) the Griffon Corporation Statement
of Operations for the years ended September 30, 1995 through 1999,
and delivered to the Banks on or prior to the date of this
Agreement (which includes projected income statements and balance
sheets), and (ii) the projections delivered to the Banks pursuant
to Section 5.3 hereof.
"Purchase Money Security Interest" is defined in
subsection 7.2(c) hereof.
"Quarterly Dates" means the first day of each March,
June, September and December of each year, the first of which shall
be the first such day after the date of this Agreement, provided
that, if any such date is not a Eurodollar Business Day, the
relevant Quarterly Date shall be the next succeeding Eurodollar
Business Day (or, if the next succeeding Eurodollar Business Day
falls in the next succeeding calendar month, then on the next
preceding Eurodollar Business Day).
"Quick Ratio" means as at any date, the ratio of Current
Assets (excluding inventories) to Current Liabilities.
"Real Property" is defined in Section 7.13 hereof.
"Regulation D" means Regulation D of the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System, as the same may be amended
or supplemented from time to time.
"Regulatory Change" means, as to any Bank, any change
after the date of this Agreement in United States federal, state or
foreign laws or regulations (including Regulation D and the laws or
regulations that designate any assessment rate relating to
certificates of deposit or otherwise (including the "Assessment
Rate" if applicable to any Loan)) or the adoption or making after
such date of any interpretations, directives or requests applying
to a class of banks, including such Bank, of or under any United
States federal, state or foreign laws or regulations (whether or
not having the force of law) by any court or governmental or
monetary authority charged with the interpretation or adminis-
tration thereof.
"Reserve Requirement" means, for any Eurodollar Rate
Loans for any quarterly period (or, as the case may be, shorter
period) as to which interest is payable hereunder, the average
maximum rate at which reserves (including any marginal,
supplemental or emergency reserves) are required to be maintained
during such period under Regulation D by member banks of the
Federal Reserve System in New York City with deposits exceeding one
billion Dollars against "Eurocurrency liabilities" (as such term is
used in Regulation D). Without limiting the effect of the
foregoing, the Reserve Requirement shall reflect any other reserves
required to be maintained by such member banks by reason of any
Regulatory Change against: (i) any category of liabilities that
includes deposits by references to which the Fixed Rate for
Eurodollar Loans is to be determined as provided in the definition
of "Fixed Base Rate" in this Article 1, or (ii) any category of
extensions of credit or other assets that include Eurodollar Loans.
"Revolving Credit Period" means the period commencing on
the date of this Agreement and ending on the Commitment Termination
Date.
"Security Documents" is defined in subsection 2.23(b)
hereof.
"Standard-Keil" means Standard-Keil Industries, Inc., a
Delaware corporation.
"Subordinated Debt" means unsecured Indebtedness for
money borrowed that is subordinated upon terms and in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to the Banks, as evidenced by the
Banks' written consent thereto given prior to the creation of such
Indebtedness.
"Subsidiary" means, with respect to any Person, any
corporation, partnership or joint venture whether now existing or
hereafter organized or acquired: (i) in the case of a corporation,
of which a majority of the securities having ordinary voting power
for the election of directors (other than securities having such
power only by reason of the happening of a contingency) are at the
time owned by such Person and/or one or more Subsidiaries of such
Person, or (ii) in the case of a partnership or joint venture in
which such Person is a general partner or joint venturer or of
which a majority of the partnership or other ownership interests
are at the time owned by such Person and/or one or more of its
Subsidiaries. Unless the context otherwise requires, references in
this Agreement to "Subsidiary" or "Subsidiaries" shall be deemed to
be references to a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries of the Borrower.
"Tangible Net Worth" means the sum of capital surplus,
earned surplus and capital stock, minus deferred charges
(including, but not limited to, unamortized debt discount and
expense, organization expenses and experimental and development
expenses, but excluding prepaid expenses and deferred income tax
assets), intangibles and treasury stock, all as determined in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
consistently applied.
"Telephonics" means Telephonics Corporation, a Delaware
corporation.
"Termination Date" means May 31, 2003.
"Termination Event" means (a) a "Reportable Event"
described in Section 4043 of ERISA and the regulations issued
thereunder for which the 30-day notice requirement is not waived by
the regulations; or (b) the withdrawal of the Borrower or any ERISA
Affiliate from a Pension Plan during a plan year in which it was a
"substantial employer" as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA or
was deemed such under Section 4068(f) of ERISA; or (c) the
termination of a Pension Plan subject to Title IV of ERISA, the
filing of a notice of intent to terminate a Pension Plan subject to
Title IV of ERISA, or the treatment of a Pension Plan amendment as
a termination under Section 4041 of ERISA; or (d) the institution
of proceedings to terminate a Pension Plan by the PBGC; or (e) any
other event or condition which would constitute grounds under
Section 4042(a) of ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment
of a trustee to administer, any Pension Plan subject to such
Section 4042(a); or (f) the partial or complete withdrawal of the
Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a Multiemployer Plan; or (g)
the imposition of a Lien pursuant to Section 412 of the IRC or
Section 302 of ERISA; or (h) any event or condition which results
in the reorganization or insolvency of a Multiemployer Plan under
Section 4241 or Section 4245 of ERISA, respectively; or (i) any
event or condition which results in the termination of a
Multiemployer Plan under Section 4041A of ERISA or the institution
by the PBGC of proceedings to terminate a Multiemployer Plan under
Section 4042 of ERISA.
"Unsubordinated Liabilities" means, with respect to any
Person, all Indebtedness as defined in clause (i) of the definition
of "Indebtedness" but excluding any Subordinated Debt.
"Unused Commitment" means, as at any date, for each Bank,
the difference, if any, between: (i) the amount of such Bank's
Commitment as in effect on such date, and (ii) the then aggregate
outstanding principal amount of all Loans made by such Bank.
"Western Synthetic" means Western Synthetic Felt Company,
a division of Lightron.
Any accounting terms used in this Agreement that are not specif-
ically defined herein shall have the meanings customarily given to
them in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles as
in effect on the date of this Agreement, except that references in
Article 5 to such principles shall be deemed to refer to such
principles as in effect on the date of the financial statements
delivered pursuant thereto.
Article 2. Commitments; Loans.
Section 2.1 Loans.
Each Bank hereby severally agrees, on the terms and
subject to the conditions of this Agreement, to make loans
(individually a "Loan" and, collectively, the "Loans") to the
Borrower during the Revolving Credit Period to and including the
Commitment Termination Date in an aggregate principal amount at any
one time outstanding up to, but not exceeding, the Commitment of
such Bank as then in effect. Subject to the terms of this
Agreement, during the Revolving Credit Period the Borrower may
borrow, repay (provided that repayment of Eurodollar Loans shall be
subject to the provisions of Section 2.22 hereof) and reborrow up
to the amount of each Bank's Commitment (after giving effect to the
mandatory and voluntary reductions required and permitted herein)
by means of Prime Rate Loans or Eurodollar Loans, and during such
period and thereafter until the date of the payment in full of all
of the Loans, the Borrower may convert Loans of one type into Loans
of another type (as provided in Section 2.17 hereof).
Section 2.2 Notices Relating to Loans.
The Borrower shall give each Bank written notice of
each termination or reduction of the Commitments, each borrowing,
conversion and prepayment of each Loan and of the duration of each
Interest Period applicable to each Eurodollar Rate Loan (in each
case, a "Borrowing Notice"). Each such written notice shall be
irrevocable and shall be effective only if received by each Bank
not later than 11 a.m., New York City time, on the date that is:
(a) in the case of each notice of termination or
reduction and each notice of borrowing or prepayment of, or
conversion into, Prime Rate Loans, the same as the date of the
related termination, reduction, borrowing, prepayment or
conversion; and
(b) in the case of each notice of borrowing or
prepayment of, or conversion into, Eurodollar Loans, or the
duration of an Interest Period for Eurodollar Loans, three (3)
Eurodollar Business Days prior to the date of the related borrow-
ing, prepayment, or conversion or the first day of such Interest
Period.
Each such notice of termination or reduction shall specify the
amount thereof. Each such notice of borrowing, conversion or
prepayment shall specify the amount (subject to Section 2.1 hereof)
and type of Loans to be borrowed, converted or prepaid (and, in the
case of a conversion, the type of Loans to result from such conver-
sion), the date of borrowing, conversion or prepayment (which shall
be: (x) a Business Day in the case of each borrowing or prepayment
of Prime Rate Loans and (y) a Eurodollar Business Day in the case
of each borrowing or prepayment of Eurodollar Loans and each
conversion of or into a Eurodollar Loan). Each such notice of the
duration of an Interest Period shall specify the Loans to which
such Interest Period is to relate.
Section 2.3 Disbursement of Loan Proceeds.
The Borrower shall give the Banks notice of each
borrowing hereunder as provided in Section 2.2 hereof. Not later
than 3:00 p.m., New York City time, on the date specified for each
borrowing hereunder, each Bank shall transfer to the Borrower the
amount of the Loan to be made by it on such date by depositing the
amount thereof in an account of the Borrower maintained with such
Bank.
Section 2.4 Notes.
(a) The Loans made by NatWest shall be evidenced by
a single promissory note of the Borrower in substantially the form
of Exhibit A-1 hereto and the Loans made by Chemical shall be
evidenced by a single promissory note of the Borrower in
substantially the form of Exhibit A-2 hereto (each, a "Note" and
collectively, the "Notes"). Each Note shall be dated the date of
this Agreement, shall be payable to the order of such Bank in a
principal amount equal to such Bank's Commitment as originally in
effect, and shall otherwise be duly completed. The Notes shall be
payable as provided in Sections 2.1 and 2.5 hereof.
(b) Each Bank shall enter on a schedule attached to
its Note a notation with respect to each Loan made hereunder of:
(i) the date and principal amount thereof, (ii) each payment and
prepayment of principal thereof, (iii) whether the interest rate is
initially to be determined in accordance with subsection 2.6(a)(i)
or 2.6(a)(ii) hereof, and (iv) the Interest Period, if applicable.
The failure of any Bank to make a notation on the schedule to its
Note as aforesaid shall not limit or otherwise affect the
obligation of the Borrower to repay the Loans in accordance with
their respective terms as set forth herein.
Section 2.5 Repayment of Principal of Loans.
(a) The Commitments of the Banks to make additional
Loans shall terminate on the Commitment Termination Date and the
Borrower shall pay to each Bank the principal of the Loans made by
such Bank outstanding on the close of business on the Commitment
Termination Date in twenty (20) consecutive quarterly installments
on the Quarterly Dates, commencing on September 1, 1998 and with
the final installment payable on the Termination Date (provided
that the last such payment shall be in an amount sufficient to
repay in full the principal amount of such Loans), with the amount
of the installment paid on each Payment Date to be equal to five
percent (5.0%) of the principal of such Loans outstanding at the
close of business on the Commitment Termination Date.
(b) The Loans: (i) shall be repaid as and when
necessary to cause the aggregate principal amount of the Loans
outstanding not to exceed each Bank's Commitment, as reduced
pursuant to Section 2.8 hereof, and (ii) may be repaid at any time
and from time to time, in whole or in part, without premium or
penalty (except as otherwise provided in Section 2.22 hereof), upon
prior written notice to each Bank as provided in Section 2.2
hereof, in a minimum amount of $250,000 and in integral multiples
of $50,000 in the case of Prime Rate Loans, and in a minimum amount
of $1,250,000 and in integral multiples of $50,000 in the case of
Eurodollar Rate Loans, except as otherwise provided in Section 2.11
hereof, and any amount so repaid may, subject to the terms and
conditions hereof, including the borrowing limitation imposed by
the Commitments, be reborrowed hereunder during the Revolving
Credit Period; provided, however, that: (A) Eurodollar Rate Loans
may be repaid only on the last day of an Interest Period for such
Loans, and (B) all repayments of Loans or any portion thereof shall
be made together with payment of all interest accrued on the amount
repaid through the date of such repayment.
(c) Except as set forth in Sections 2.18, 2.19 and
2.21 hereof, all payments and repayments made pursuant to the terms
hereof shall be applied first to Prime Rate Loans, and shall be
applied to Eurodollar Rate Loans only to the extent any such
payment exceeds the principal amount of Prime Rate Loans
outstanding at the time of such payment.
(d) The Borrower may request a Eurodollar Rate Loan
only if compliance with the payment schedule set forth in
subsection 2.5(a) hereof (with the payments provided for therein
being applied in accordance with subsection 2.5(c) hereof) would
not result in any portion of the principal amount of such
Eurodollar Rate Loan being paid prior to the last day of the
Interest Period applicable thereto.
Section 2.6 Interest.
(a) The Borrower shall pay to each Bank interest on
the unpaid principal amount of each Loan made by such Bank for the
period commencing on the date of such Loan until such Loan shall be
paid in full, at the following rates per annum:
(i) During such periods that such Loan is a
Prime Rate Loan, the Prime Rate plus the Applicable Margin; and
(ii) During such periods that such Loan is a
Eurodollar Loan, for each Interest Period relating thereto, the
Fixed Rate for such Loan for such Interest Period plus the
Applicable Margin.
(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower
shall pay interest on any Loan or any installment thereof, and on
any other amount payable by the Borrower hereunder (to the extent
permitted by law) that shall not be paid in full when due (whether
at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) for the period
commencing on the due date thereof until the same is paid in full
at the applicable Post-Default Rate.
(c) Except as provided in the next sentence,
accrued interest on each Loan shall be payable: (i) in the case of
a Prime Rate Loan, monthly in arrears on the Monthly Dates, (ii) in
the case of a Eurodollar Rate Loan, on the last day of each
Interest Period for such Loan (and, if such Interest Period exceeds
one month in duration, monthly, on the Monthly Dates), and (iii) in
the case of any Loan, upon the payment or prepayment thereof or the
conversion thereof into a Loan of another type (but only on the
principal so paid, prepaid or converted). Interest that is payable
at the Post-Default Rate shall be payable from time to time on
demand of either Bank. Promptly after the establishment of any
interest rate provided for herein or any change therein, each Bank
will notify the Borrower thereof, provided that the failure of
either Bank to so notify the Borrower shall not affect the
obligations of the Borrower hereunder or under either of the Notes
in any respect.
(d) Anything in this Agreement or either of the
Notes to the contrary notwithstanding, the obligation of the
Borrower to make payments of interest shall be subject to the
limitation that payments of interest shall not be required to be
made to either Bank to the extent that such Bank's receipt thereof
would not be permissible under the law or laws applicable to such
Bank limiting rates of interest that may be charged or collected by
such Bank. Any such payments of interest that are not made as a
result of the limitation referred to in the preceding sentence
shall be made by the Borrower to such Bank on the earliest interest
payment date or dates on which the receipt thereof would be
permissible under the laws applicable to such Bank limiting rates
of interest that may be charged or collected by such Bank. Such
deferred interest shall not bear interest.
Section 2.7 Fees.
(a) The Borrower shall pay to each Bank for the
account of each Bank a commitment fee (the "Commitment Fee") on the
daily average amount of such Bank's Unused Commitment, for the
period from the date hereof to and including the earlier of the
date such Bank's Commitment is terminated or the Commitment Ter-
mination Date, at the rate of one-quarter of one (0.25%) percent
per annum on the total Unused Commitment for such Bank. The
accrued Commitment Fee shall be payable quarterly in arrears on the
Quarterly Dates, commencing with September 1, 1995, and on the
earlier of the date the Commitments are terminated or the Commit-
ment Termination Date, and, in the event the Borrower reduces the
Commitment as provided in Section 2.8 hereof, on the effective date
of such reduction.
(b) Simultaneously with the execution and delivery
of this Agreement, the Borrower shall pay to each Bank pro rata
according to their respective Commitments, a non-refundable
facility fee (the "Facility Fee") in an amount equal to One Hundred
Fifty Thousand ($150,000) Dollars in the aggregate.
(c) The Commitment Fee and the Facility Fee are
hereinafter sometimes referred to individually as a "Fee" and
collectively as the "Fees".
Section 2.8 Voluntary Changes in
Commitment; Prepayments After
Commitment Termination Date.
Subject to Section 2.15 hereof, the Borrower shall
be entitled to terminate or reduce the Banks' Commitments provided
that the Borrower shall give notice of such termination or
reduction to the Banks as provided in Section 2.2 hereof and that
any partial reduction of the Commitments shall be in an aggregate
amount equal to $500,000 or an integral multiple thereof. Any such
termination or reduction shall be permanent and irrevocable.
Section 2.9 Use of Proceeds of Loans.
The proceeds of the Loans hereunder may be used by
the Borrower solely for its working capital purposes and for other
corporate purposes permitted hereunder (including, without
limitation, Permitted Acquisitions and the repurchase, redemption,
retirement or acquisition of the Borrower's capital stock not
prohibited by Section 7.5 hereof).
Section 2.10 Computations.
Interest on all Loans and each Fee shall be computed
on the basis of a year of 360 days and actual days elapsed
(including the first day but excluding the last) occurring in the
period for which payable.
Section 2.11 Minimum Amounts of Borrowings,
Conversions, Prepayments
and Interest Periods.
Except for borrowings, conversions and prepayments
that exhaust the full remaining amount of either Commitment (in the
case of borrowings) or result in the conversion or prepayment of
all Loans of a particular type (in the case of conversions or
prepayments) or conversions made pursuant to Section 2.18 or
Section 2.20 hereof, each borrowing from each Bank, each conversion
of Loans of one type into Loans of another type and each prepayment
of principal of Loans hereunder shall be in an amount at least
equal to $250,000 and in integral multiples of $50,000 in the case
of Prime Rate Loans, and in an amount at least equal to $1,250,000
and in integral multiples of $50,000 in the case of Eurodollar Rate
Loans (borrowings, conversions and prepayments of different types
of Loans at the same time hereunder to be deemed separate
borrowings, conversions and prepayments for purposes of the
foregoing, one for each type).
Section 2.12 Time and Method of Payments.
All payments of principal, interest, Fees and other
amounts (including indemnities) payable by the Borrower hereunder
shall be made in Dollars, in immediately available funds, to each
Bank at its Applicable Lending Office not later than 11:00 a.m.,
New York City time, on the date on which such payment shall become
due (and any Bank for whose account any such payment is to be made
may, but shall not be obligated to, debit the amount of any such
payment that is not made by such time to any ordinary deposit
account of the Borrower with such Bank). Additional provisions
relating to payments are set forth in Section 9.3 hereof.
Section 2.13 Lending Offices.
The Loans of each type made by each Bank shall be
made and maintained at such Bank's Applicable Lending Office for
Loans of such type.
Section 2.14 Several Obligations.
The failure of either Bank to make any Loan to be
made by it on the date specified therefor shall not relieve the
other Bank of its respective obligations to make its Loans on such
date, but neither Bank shall be responsible for the failure of the
other Bank to make Loans to be made by such other Bank.
Section 2.15 Pro Rata Treatment Between Banks.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary provided
herein: (i) each borrowing from the Banks under Section 2.1 hereof
will be made from the Banks and each payment of each Fee shall be
made to the Banks pro rata according to each Bank's respective
Commitment (without giving effect to the termination thereof,
whether pursuant to subsection 2.5(a), Article 8 or otherwise);
(ii) each partial reduction of the Commitments shall be applied to
the Commitments of the Banks pro rata according to each Bank's
respective Commitment; (iii) each conversion of Loans of a
particular type under Section 2.17 hereof (other than conversions
provided for by Section 2.20 or 2.21 hereof) will be made pro rata
between the Banks holding Loans of such type according to the
respective principal amounts of such Loans held by such Banks;
(iv) each payment and prepayment of principal of or interest on
Loans of a particular type will be made to the Banks pro rata in
accordance with the respective unpaid principal amounts of such
Loans held by such Banks; and (v) each borrowing from the Banks
under Section 2.1 hereof will be made from the Banks at the same
Interest Period (if applicable) with respect to each such
borrowing.
Section 2.16 Sharing of Payments
and Set-Off Among Banks.
The Borrower hereby agrees that, in addition to (and
without limitation of) any right of set-off, banker's lien or
counterclaim a Bank may otherwise have, each Bank shall be
entitled, at its option, to offset balances held by it at any of
its offices against any principal of or interest on any of its
Loans hereunder, or any Fee payable to it, that is not paid when
due (regardless of whether such balances are then due to the
Borrower), in which case it shall promptly notify the Borrower
and the other Bank thereof, provided that its failure to give such
notice shall not affect the validity thereof. If a Bank shall
effect payment of any principal of or interest on Loans held by it
under this Agreement through the exercise of any right of set-off,
banker's lien, counterclaim or similar right, it shall promptly
purchase from the other Bank participations in the Loans held by
the other Bank in such amounts, and make such other adjustments
from time to time as shall be equitable, to the end that each Bank
shall share the benefit of such payment pro rata in accordance with
the unpaid principal and interest on the Loans held by each of
them. To such end the Banks shall make appropriate adjustments
between themselves (by the resale of participations sold or other-
wise) if such payment is rescinded or must otherwise be restored.
The Borrower agrees that such Bank so purchasing a participation in
the Loans held by the other Bank may, to the fullest extent
permitted by law, exercise all rights of payment (including the
rights of set-off, banker's lien, counterclaim or similar rights)
with respect to such participation as fully as if such Bank were a
direct holder of Loans in the amount of such participation.
Nothing contained herein shall require either Bank to exercise any
such right or shall affect the right of either Bank to exercise and
retain the benefits of exercising, any such right with respect to
any other indebtedness or obligation of the Borrower.
Section 2.17 Conversions of Loans.
The Borrower shall have the right to convert Loans
of one type into Loans of another type from time to time, provided
that: (i) the Borrower shall give the Banks notice of each such
conversion as provided in Section 2.2 hereof; (ii) Eurodollar Rate
Loans may be converted only on the last day of an Interest Period
for such Loans; and (iii) except as required by Sections 2.18 or
2.21 hereof, no Prime Rate Loan may be converted into a Eurodollar
Rate Loan if on the proposed date of conversion a Default or an
Event of Default exists. The Banks shall use their best efforts to
notify the Borrower of the effectiveness of such conversion, and
the new interest rate to which the converted Loans are subject, as
soon as practicable after the conversion; provided, however, that
any failure to give such notice shall not affect the Borrower's
obligations, or the Banks' rights and remedies, hereunder in any
way whatsoever.
Section 2.18 Additional Costs; Capital Requirements.
(a) In the event that any existing or future law or
regulation, guideline or interpretation thereof, by any court or
administrative or governmental authority charged with the
administration thereof, or compliance by either Bank with any
request or directive (whether or not having the force of law) of
any such authority shall impose, modify or deem applicable or
result in the application of, any capital maintenance, capital
ratio or similar requirement against loan commitments made by
either Bank hereunder, and the result of any event referred to
above is to impose upon either Bank or increase any capital
requirement applicable as a result of the making or maintenance of,
such Bank's Commitment or the obligation of the Borrower hereunder
with respect to such Commitment (which imposition of capital
requirements may be determined by each Bank's reasonable allocation
of the aggregate of such capital increases or impositions), then,
upon demand made by such Bank as promptly as practicable after it
obtains knowledge that such law, regulation, guideline,
interpretation, request or directive exists and determines to make
such demand, the Borrower shall immediately pay to such Bank from
time to time as specified by such Bank additional commitment fees
which shall be sufficient to compensate such Bank for such
imposition of or increase in capital requirements together with
interest on each such amount from the date demanded until payment
in full thereof at the Post-Default Rate. A certificate setting
forth in reasonable detail the amount necessary to compensate such
Bank as a result of an imposition of or increase in capital
requirements submitted by such Bank to the Borrower shall be
conclusive, absent manifest error, as to the amount thereof. For
purposes of this Section 2.18: (i) in calculating the amount
necessary to compensate any Bank for any imposition of or increase
in capital requirements, such Bank shall be deemed to be entitled
to a rate of return on capital (after federal, state and local
taxes) of fifteen percent per annum, and (ii) all references to any
"Bank" shall be deemed to include any participant in such Bank's
Commitment.
(b) In the event that any Regulatory Change shall:
(i) change the basis of taxation of any amounts payable to any Bank
under this Agreement or the Notes in respect of any Loans
including, without limitation, Eurodollar Rate Loans (other than
taxes imposed on the overall net income of such Bank for any such
Loans by the United States of America or the jurisdiction in which
such Bank has its Principal Office); or (ii) impose or modify any
reserve, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation premium or
assessment, special deposit or similar requirements relating to any
extensions of credit or other assets of, or any deposits with or
other liabilities of, such Bank (including any of such Loans or any
deposits referred to in the definition of "Fixed Base Rate" in
Article 1 hereof); or (iii) impose any other conditions affecting
this Agreement in respect of Loans, including, without limitation,
Eurodollar Rate Loans (or any of such extensions of credit, assets,
deposits or liabilities); and the result of any event referred to
in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above shall be to increase such Bank's
costs of making or maintaining any Loans, including, without
limitation, Eurodollar Rate Loans, or its Commitment, or to reduce
any amount receivable by such Bank hereunder in respect of any of
its Eurodollar Rate Loans, or its Commitment (such increases in
costs and reductions in amounts receivable are hereinafter referred
to as "Additional Costs") in each case, only to the extent that
such Additional Costs are not included in the Fixed Base Rate
applicable to such Eurodollar Rate Loans, then, upon demand made by
such Bank as promptly as practicable after it obtains knowledge
that such a Regulatory Change exists and determines to make such
demand, the Borrower shall pay to such Bank from time to time as
specified by such Bank, additional commitment fees or other amounts
which shall be sufficient to compensate such Bank for such
increased cost or reduction in amounts receivable by such Bank from
the date of such change, together with interest on each such amount
from the date demanded until payment in full thereof at the Post-
Default Rate. All references to any "Bank" shall be deemed to
include any participant in such Bank's Commitment.
(c) Without limiting the effect of the foregoing
provisions of this Section 2.18, in the event that, by reason of
any Regulatory Change, either Bank either: (i) incurs Additional
Costs based on or measured by the excess above a specified level of
the amount of a category of deposits or other liabilities of such
Bank which includes deposits by reference to which the interest
rate on Eurodollar Rate Loans is determined as provided in this
Agreement or a category of extensions of credit or other assets of
such Bank which includes Eurodollar Rate Loans, or (ii) becomes
subject to restrictions on the amount of such a category of
liabilities or assets that it may hold, then, if such Bank so
elects by notice to the Borrower (with a copy to the other Bank),
the obligation of such Bank to make, and to convert Loans of any
other type into, Loans of such type hereunder shall be suspended
until the date such Regulatory Change ceases to be in effect (and
all Loans of such type then outstanding shall be converted into
Prime Rate Loans or into Eurodollar Rate Loans of another duration,
as the case may be, in accordance with Sections 2.17 and 2.21
hereof).
(d) Determinations by any Bank for purposes of this
Section 2.18 of the effect of any Regulatory Change on its costs of
making or maintaining Loans or on amounts receivable by it in
respect of Loans, and of the additional amounts required to
compensate such Bank in respect of any Additional Costs, shall be
set forth in writing in reasonable detail and shall be conclusive,
absent manifest error.
Section 2.19 Limitation on Types of Loans.
Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, if,
on or prior to the determination of an interest rate for any
Eurodollar Loans for any Interest Period therefor, either Bank
determines (which determination shall be conclusive):
(a) by reason of any event affecting the Eurodollar
interbank market, quotations of interest rates for the relevant
deposits are not being provided in the relevant amounts or for the
relevant maturities for purposes of determining the rate of
interest for such Loans under this Agreement; or
(b) the rates of interest referred to in the
definition of "Fixed Base Rate" in Article 1 hereof upon the basis
of which the rate of interest on any Eurodollar Loans for such
period is determined, do not accurately reflect the cost to the
Banks of making or maintaining such Loans for such period;
then such Bank shall give the Borrower and the other Bank prompt
notice thereof (and shall thereafter give the Borrower and such
other Bank prompt notice of the cessation, if any, of such
condition), and so long as such condition remains in effect, the
Banks shall be under no obligation to make Loans of such type or to
convert Loans of any other type into Loans of such type and the
Borrower shall, on the last day(s) of the then current Interest
Period(s) for the outstanding Loans of the affected type either
prepay such Loans in accordance with Section 2.8 hereof or convert
such Loans into Loans of another type in accordance with Section
2.17 hereof.
Section 2.20 Illegality.
Notwithstanding any other provision in this
Agreement, in the event that it becomes unlawful for either Bank or
its Applicable Lending Office to: (i) honor its obligation to make
Eurodollar Loans hereunder, or (ii) maintain Eurodollar Loans
hereunder, then such Bank shall promptly notify the Borrower
thereof (with a copy to the other Bank), describing such illegality
in reasonable detail (and shall thereafter promptly notify the
Borrower and the other Bank of the cessation, if any, of such ille-
gality), and such Bank's obligation to make Eurodollar Loans and to
convert other types of Loans into Eurodollar Loans hereunder shall,
upon written notice given by such Bank to the Borrower, be
suspended until such time as such Bank may again make and maintain
Eurodollar Loans and such Bank's outstanding Eurodollar Loans shall
be converted into Prime Rate Loans in accordance with Sections 2.17
and 2.21 hereof.
Section 2.21 Certain Conversions pursuant
to Sections 2.18 and 2.20.
If the Loans of any Bank of a particular type (Loans
of such type are hereinafter referred to as "Affected Loans" and
such type is hereinafter referred to as the "Affected Type") are to
be converted pursuant to Section 2.18 or 2.20 hereof, such Bank's
Affected Loans shall be converted into Prime Rate Loans, or
Eurodollar Rate Loans of another type, as the case may be (the "New
Type Loans") on the last day(s) of the then current Interest
Period(s) for the Affected Loans (or, in the case of a conversion
required by subsection 2.18(c) or Section 2.20 hereof, on such
earlier date as such Bank may specify to the Borrower with a copy
to the other Bank) and, until such Bank gives notice as provided
below that the circumstances specified in Section 2.18 or 2.20
hereof that gave rise to such conversion no longer exist:
(a) to the extent that such Bank's Affected Loans
have been so converted, all payments and prepayments of principal
that would otherwise be applied to such Affected Loans shall be
applied instead to its New Type Loans; and
(b) all Loans that would otherwise be made by such
Bank as Loans of the Affected Type shall be made instead as New
Type Loans and all Loans of such Bank that would otherwise be
converted into Loans of the Affected Type shall be converted
instead into (or shall remain as) New Type Loans.
Section 2.22 Indemnity.
The Borrower hereby agrees to indemnify each Bank
against any loss or expense which either Bank may sustain or incur
as a consequence of any of the following:
(a) the failure of the Borrower to borrow a
Eurodollar Rate Loan after agreement shall have been reached on the
amount, interest rate and Interest Period thereof;
(b) the receipt or recovery by either Bank, whether
by voluntary prepayment, acceleration or otherwise, of all or any
part of a Eurodollar Rate Loan prior to the last day of an Interest
Period applicable thereto; or
(c) the conversion, prior to the last day of an
applicable Interest Period, of a Eurodollar Rate Loan into a Prime
Loan.
Without limiting the effect of the foregoing, the
amount to be paid by the Borrower to either Bank in order to so
indemnify such Bank for any loss occasioned by any of the events
described in the preceding paragraph, and as liquidated damages
therefor, shall be equal to the excess, discounted to its present
value as of the date paid to such Bank, of (i) the amount of
interest which otherwise would have accrued on the principal amount
so received, recovered, converted or not borrowed during the period
(the "Indemnity Period") commencing with the date of such receipt,
recovery, conversion, or failure to borrow to the last day of the
applicable Interest Period for such Eurodollar Rate Loan at the
rate of interest applicable to such Loan (or the rate of interest
agreed to in the case of a failure to borrow) provided for herein
(prior to default) over (ii) the amount of interest which would be
earned by such Bank during the Indemnity Period if it invested the
principal amount so received, recovered, converted or not borrowed
at the rate per annum determined by such Bank as the rate it would
bid in the London interbank market for a deposit of eurodollars in
an amount approximately equal to such principal amount for a period
of time comparable to the Indemnity Period.
A certificate as to any additional amounts payable pursuant to this
Section 2.22 setting forth the basis and method of determining such
amounts shall be conclusive, absent manifest error, as to the
determination by such Bank set forth therein if made reasonably and
in good faith. The Borrower shall pay any amounts so certified to
it by such Bank within 10 days of receipt of any such certificate.
For purposes of this Section 2.22, all references to the "Bank"
shall be deemed to include any participant in such Bank's
Commitment and/or Loans.
The indemnities set forth herein shall survive
payment in full of all Eurodollar Rate Loans and all other Loans
made pursuant to this Agreement.
Section 2.23 Security.
(a) In order to secure the due payment and
performance by the Borrower of the Obligations, simultaneously with
the execution and delivery of this Agreement (or such later date as
referenced below) the Borrower shall:
(A) Grant to the Collateral Agent for the
ratable benefit of the Banks a first Lien on, and pledge to the
Collateral Agent for the ratable benefit of the Banks, all of the
issued and outstanding shares of the capital stock of Telephonics
by the execution and delivery to the Collateral Agent of a Pledge
Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit A-3 hereto;
(B) Grant to the Collateral Agent for the
ratable benefit of the Banks a first Lien on, and pledge to the
Collateral Agent for the ratable benefit of the Banks, all of the
issued and outstanding shares of the capital stock of Clopay at
such time as required by Section 6.13 hereof by the execution and
delivery to the Collateral Agent of a Pledge Agreement
substantially in the form of Exhibit A-3 hereto;
(C) Grant to the Collateral Agent for the
ratable benefit of the Banks a first Lien on, and pledge to the
Collateral Agent for the ratable benefit of the Banks, all of the
issued and outstanding shares of the capital stock of any Eligible
Business acquired after the date hereof in a Permitted Acquisition;
and
(D) Execute and deliver or cause to be
executed and delivered such other agreements, instruments and
documents as the Collateral Agent of any Bank may reasonably
require in order to effect the purposes of the Pledge Agreements,
this Section 2.23 and this Agreement.
(b) All of the agreements, instruments and
documents provided for or referred to in this Section 2.23 are
hereinafter sometimes referred to collectively as the "Security
Documents".
Article 3. Representations and Warranties.
The Borrower hereby represents and warrants to the Banks
that:
Section 3.1 Organization.
(a) Each of the Borrower and each Subsidiary is
duly organized and validly existing under the laws of its state of
organization and has the power to own its assets and to transact
the business in which it is presently engaged and in which it
proposes to be engaged. Exhibit B hereto accurately and completely
lists, as to the Borrower and each Principal Subsidiary: (i) the
state of incorporation or organization, and the type of legal
entity that each of them is, and (ii) the classes and number of
authorized and outstanding shares of capital stock of each such
corporation, and the owners of such outstanding shares of capital
stock (other than with respect to the Borrower). All of the shares
of capital stock of the Borrower and each Subsidiary or other
equity interests that are issued and outstanding have been duly and
validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable, and are owned
by the Persons (other than with respect to the Borrower and any
Subsidiary that is not a Principal Subsidiary) referred to on
Exhibit B, free and clear of any Lien except as otherwise provided
for herein. Except as set forth on Exhibit B, there are no
outstanding warrants, options, contracts or commitments of any kind
entitling any Person to purchase or otherwise acquire any shares of
capital stock or other equity interests of any Subsidiary nor are
there outstanding any securities that are convertible into or
exchangeable for any shares of capital stock or other equity
interests of any Subsidiary. Except as set forth on Exhibit B,
neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary has any Subsidiary.
(b) Each of the Borrower and each Subsidiary is in
good standing in its state of organization and in each state in
which it is qualified to do business. There are no jurisdictions
other than as set forth on Exhibit B hereto in which the character
of the properties owned or proposed to be owned by the Borrower or
any Principal Subsidiary or in which the transaction of the
business of the Borrower or any Principal Subsidiary as now
conducted or as proposed to be conducted requires or will require
the Borrower or any Principal Subsidiary to qualify to do business
and as to which failure so to qualify could have a material adverse
effect on the business, operations, financial condition or
properties of the Borrower or any Principal Subsidiary on a
consolidated basis.
Section 3.2 Power, Authority, Consents.
The Borrower and each Loan Party has the power to
execute, deliver and perform the Loan Documents. The Borrower has
the power to borrow hereunder and has taken all necessary corporate
action to authorize the borrowing hereunder on the terms and
conditions of this Agreement. The Borrower and each Loan Party has
taken all necessary action, corporate or otherwise, to authorize
the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan Documents. No
consent or approval of any Person (including, without limitation,
any stockholder of the Borrower), no consent or approval of any
landlord or mortgagee, no waiver of any Lien or right of distraint
or other similar right and no consent, license, certificate of
need, approval, authorization or declaration of any governmental
authority, bureau or agency, is or will be required in connection
with the execution, delivery or performance by the Borrower or any
Loan Party, or the validity, enforcement or priority, of the Loan
Documents or any Lien created and granted thereunder, except as set
forth on Exhibit C hereto, each of which either has been duly and
validly obtained on or prior to the date hereof and is now in full
force and effect, or is designated on Exhibit C as waived by the
Majority Banks.
Section 3.3 No Violation of Law or Agreements.
The execution and delivery by the Borrower and each
Subsidiary of each Loan Document to which it is a party and
performance by it hereunder and thereunder, will not violate any
provision of law applicable to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
and will not, except as set forth on Exhibit C hereto, conflict
with or result in a breach of any order, writ, injunction,
ordinance, resolution, decree, or other similar document or
instrument of any court or governmental authority, bureau or
agency, domestic or foreign applicable to the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries, or any certificate of incorporation or by-laws of the
Borrower or any Subsidiary or create (with or without the giving of
notice or lapse of time, or both) a default under or breach of any
agreement, bond, note or indenture to which the Borrower or any
Subsidiary is a party, or by which it is bound or any of its
properties or assets is affected, or result in the imposition of
any Lien of any nature whatsoever upon any of the properties or
assets owned by or used in connection with the business of the
Borrower or any Subsidiary.
Section 3.4 Due Execution, Validity, Enforceability.
This Agreement and each other Loan Document has been
duly executed and delivered by the Borrower and each Loan Party and
each constitutes the valid and legally binding obligation of the
Borrower and each Loan Party, enforceable in accordance with its
terms, except as such enforcement may be limited by applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or other
similar laws, now or hereafter in effect, relating to or affecting
the enforcement of creditors' rights generally and except that the
remedy of specific performance and other equitable remedies are
subject to judicial discretion.
Section 3.5 Properties, Priority of Liens.
All of the properties and assets owned by the
Borrower and each Subsidiary that is executing a Security Document
are owned by each of them, respectively, free and clear of any Lien
of any nature whatsoever, except as provided for in the Security
Documents, and as permitted by Section 7.2 hereof. The Liens that
have been created and granted by the Security Documents constitute
valid perfected first Liens on the properties and assets covered by
the Security Documents, subject to no prior or equal Lien except as
permitted by Section 7.2 hereof.
Section 3.6 Judgments, Actions, Proceedings.
Except as set forth on Exhibit E hereto, there are
no outstanding judgments, actions or proceedings, including,
without limitation, any Environmental Proceeding, pending before
any court or governmental authority, bureau or agency, with respect
to or, to the best of the Borrower's knowledge, threatened against
or affecting the Borrower or any Subsidiary involving, in the case
of any court proceeding, a claim in excess of $200,000, nor, to the
best of the Borrower's knowledge, is there any reasonable basis for
the institution of any material action or proceeding that is
probable of assertion, nor are there any such actions or
proceedings in which the Borrower or any Subsidiary is a plaintiff
or complainant.
Section 3.7 No Defaults, Compliance With Laws.
Except as set forth on Exhibit F hereto, neither the
Borrower nor any Subsidiary is in default under any agreement,
ordinance, resolution, decree, bond, note, indenture, order or
judgment to which it is a party or by which it is bound, or any
other agreement or other instrument by which any of the properties
or assets owned by it or used in the conduct of its business is
affected, which default could have a material adverse effect on the
business, operations, financial condition or properties of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis or on the
ability of the Borrower to perform its obligations under the Loan
Documents. The Borrower and each Subsidiary has complied and is in
compliance in all respects with all applicable laws, ordinances and
regulations, resolutions, ordinances, decrees and other similar
documents and instruments of all courts and governmental author-
ities, bureaus and agencies, domestic and foreign, including,
without limitation, all applicable Environmental Laws and
Regulations, non-compliance with which could have a material
adverse effect on the business, operations, financial condition or
properties of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated
basis or on the ability of the Borrower to perform its obligations
under the Loan Documents.
Section 3.8 Burdensome Documents.
Except as set forth on Exhibit G hereto, neither the
Borrower nor any Subsidiary is a party to or bound by, nor are any
of the properties or assets owned by the Borrower or any Subsidiary
used in the conduct of their respective businesses affected by, any
agreement, ordinance, resolution, decree, bond, note, indenture,
order or judgment, including, without limitation, any of the
foregoing relating to any Environmental Matter, that materially and
adversely affects their respective businesses, assets or
conditions, financial or otherwise, on a consolidated basis.
Section 3.9 Financial Statements; Projections.
(a) Each of the Financial Statements is correct and
complete and presents fairly the consolidated financial position,
the consolidated results of operations and changes in financial
position of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, as at and for its
date, and has been prepared in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles consistently applied. Neither the Borrower
nor any Subsidiary has any material obligation, liability or
commitment, direct or contingent (including, without limitation,
any Environmental Liability and any Contingent Obligation), that is
required to be but is not reflected in the Financial Statements.
There has been no material adverse change in the financial position
or operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a
consolidated basis since the date of the latest balance sheet
included in the Financial Statements (the "Latest Balance Sheet").
The Borrower's fiscal year is the twelve-month period ending on
September 30th in each year.
(b) The Projections reflect as of the date thereof
the Borrower's good faith projections, after reasonable analysis,
of the matters set forth therein.
Section 3.10 Tax Returns.
Each of the Borrower and each of the Subsidiaries
has filed all federal, state and local tax returns required to be
filed by it and has not failed to pay any taxes, or interest and
penalties relating thereto, on or before the due dates thereof.
Except to the extent that reserves therefor are reflected in the
Financial Statements: (i) there are no material federal, state or
local tax liabilities of the Borrower or any Subsidiary due or to
become due for any tax year ended on or prior to the date of the
Latest Balance Sheet relating to such entity, whether incurred in
respect of or measured by the income of such entity, that are not
properly reflected in the Latest Balance Sheet relating to such
entity, and (ii) there are no material claims pending or, to the
knowledge of the Borrower, proposed or threatened against the
Borrower or any Subsidiary for past federal, state or local taxes,
except those, if any, as to which proper reserves are reflected in
the Financial Statements.
Section 3.11 Intangible Assets.
Each of the Borrower and each Subsidiary possesses
all patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names, and
copyrights, and rights with respect to the foregoing, necessary to
conduct its business as now conducted and as proposed to be
conducted, without any conflict with the patents, trademarks,
service marks, trade names, and copyrights and rights with respect
to the foregoing, of any other Person.
Section 3.12 Regulation U.
No part of the proceeds received by the Borrower
from the Loans will be used directly or indirectly for: (a) any
purpose other than as set forth in Section 2.9 hereof, or (b) the
purpose of purchasing or carrying, or for payment in full or in
part of Indebtedness that was incurred for the purposes of
purchasing or carrying, any "margin stock", as such term is defined
in 221.3 of Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System, 12 C.F.R., Chapter II, Part 221, other than
purchases made in compliance with Regulation U.
Section 3.13 Name Changes, Mergers, Acquisitions.
Except as set forth on Exhibit H hereto, neither the
Borrower nor any Principal Subsidiary has within the six-year
period immediately preceding the date of this Agreement changed its
name, been the surviving entity of a merger or consolidation, or
acquired all or substantially all of the assets of any Person,
where the value of the assets acquired in such merger,
consolidation or acquisition was material in relation to the total
assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated
basis.
Section 3.14 Full Disclosure.
None of the Financial Statements, the Projections,
nor any certificate, opinion, or any other statement made or
furnished in writing to the Banks by or on behalf of the Borrower
or any Subsidiary in connection with this Agreement or the
transactions contemplated herein, contains any untrue statement of
a material fact, or omits to state a material fact necessary in
order to make the statements contained therein or herein not
misleading, as of the date such statement was made. There is no
fact known to the Borrower that has, or would in the forseeable
future have, a material adverse effect on the Borrower or any of
its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, which fact has not been
set forth herein, or in the Financial Statements, the Projections,
or any certificate, opinion or other written statement so made or
furnished to the Banks.
Section 3.15 Licenses and Approvals.
The Borrower and each of the Subsidiaries has all
material licenses, permits and governmental authorizations,
including, without limitation, licenses, permits and authorizations
relating to Environmental Matters, to own and operate its
properties and to carry on its business as now conducted.
Section 3.16 Labor Disputes; Collective Bargaining
Agreements; Employee Grievances.
Except as set forth on Exhibit I hereto: (a) no
collective bargaining agreement or other labor contract will expire
during the term of this Agreement; (b) to the Borrower's knowledge,
no union or other labor organization is seeking to organize, or to
be recognized as bargaining representative for, a bargaining unit
of employees of the Borrower or any Subsidiary; (c) there is no
pending or threatened strike, work stoppage, material unfair labor
practice claim or charge, arbitration or other material labor
dispute against or affecting the Borrower or any Subsidiary or
their representative employees, in each case the consequences of
which could reasonably be expected to affect aggregate business
(regardless of division or entity) of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries which business generated gross revenues in excess of
$50,000,000 individually or in the aggregate in the prior fiscal
year; and (d) there are no actions, suits, charges, demands,
claims, counterclaims or proceedings pending or, to the best of the
Borrower's knowledge, threatened against the Borrower or any of the
Subsidiaries, by or on behalf of, or with, its employees, other
than any such actions, suits, charges, demands, claims,
counterclaims or proceedings arising in the ordinary course of
business that are not, in the aggregate, material.
Section 3.17 Condition of Assets.
All of the assets and properties of the Borrower and
the Subsidiaries that are reasonably necessary for the operation of
their respective businesses, are in good working condition,
ordinary wear and tear excepted, and are able to serve the function
for which they are currently being used.
Section 3.18 ERISA.
(a) Except as disclosed on Exhibit J hereto, no
Pension Plan or Defined Contribution Plan which is an Employee
Benefit Plan including, without limitation, any Multiemployer Plan,
exists or has ever, within the six-year period immediately
preceding the date of this Agreement, existed and neither the
Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate is a participating employer in any
Pension Plan which is an Employee Benefit Plan in which more than
one employer makes contributions as described in Sections 4063 and
4064 of ERISA. Except as disclosed on Exhibit J, neither the
Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has any contingent liability with
respect to any post-retirement benefit under any Employee Welfare
Benefit Plan which is a welfare plan (as defined in Section 3(1) of
ERISA), other than liability for health plan continuation coverage
described in Part 6 of Title I of ERISA, which together with any
disclosed liability on Exhibit J, will not have a Material Adverse
Effect. The Borrower has given, made available, or upon request
will deliver, to the Banks true and complete copies of all the
following: each Pension Plan or Defined Contribution Plan which is
an Employee Benefit Plan and related trust agreement (including all
amendments and commitments with respect to such Employee Benefit
plan or trust) which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate maintains
or is committed to contribute to as of the date hereof and the most
recent summary plan description, actuarial report, determination
letter issued by the Internal Revenue Service and Form 5500 filed
in respect of each such Employee Benefit Plan; a listing of all of
the Multiemployer Plans to which the Borrower or any ERISA
Affiliate contributes or is committed to contribute and the
aggregate amount of the most recent annual contributions required
to be made to each such Multiemployer Plan, and any information
which has been provided to the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate
regarding withdrawal liability under any Multiemployer Plan and the
collective bargaining agreement pursuant to which such contribution
is required to be made.
(b) Each Employee Benefit Plan complies, in both
form and operation in all material respects, with its terms, ERISA
and the Code including, without limitation, Code Section 4980B, and
no condition exists or event has occurred with respect to any such
plan which would result in the incurrence by the Borrower or any
ERISA Affiliate of any material liability, fine or penalty.
Neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has incurred any
liability to the PBGC which remains outstanding other than the
payment of premiums, and there are no premiums which have become
due which are unpaid. Neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate
has engaged in any transaction which could subject it to material
liability under Section 4069 or Section 4212(c) of ERISA. Each
Employee Benefit Plan, related trust agreement, arrangement and
commitment of the Borrower and each ERISA Affiliate is legally
valid and binding and in full force and effect. Except as provided
on Exhibit J and subject to amendment and submission for a
determination letter with regard to the Tax Reform Act of 1986
requirements and other post 1986 requirements, each Employee
Benefit Plan that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a)
of the Code has been determined by the Internal Revenue Service to
be so qualified, and each trust related to such plan has been
determined to be exempt under Section 501(a) of the Code. To the
knowledge of the Borrower, nothing has occurred or is expected to
occur that would adversely affect the qualified status of the
Employee Benefit Plan or any related trust subsequent to the
issuance of such determination letter. No Employee Benefit Plan is
being audited or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, investigated by
any government agency or subject to any pending or threatened claim
or suit.
(c) Each Pension Plan currently meets the minimum
funding standard of Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the
Code (without regard to any funding waiver). All contributions or
payments due and owing as required by Section 302 of ERISA, Section
412 of the Code or the terms of any Pension Plan have been made by
the due date for such contributions or payments. With respect to
each Multiemployer Plan, the Borrower and each ERISA Affiliate has
paid or accrued all contributions pursuant to the terms of the
applicable collective bargaining agreement required to be paid or
accrued by it and neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has
incurred any withdrawal liability in connection with a complete
withdrawal or partial withdrawal from any Multiemployer Plan that
has not been discharged. With respect to each Pension Plan, the
market value of assets (exclusive of any contribution due to the
Pension Plan) equals or exceeds or is not more than $250,000 below
the present value of benefit liabilities (FAS 35) (assuming such
Plan were to continue in existence) as of the latest actuarial
valuation date for such plan (but not prior to 24 months prior to
the date hereof), determined on the basis of such Pension Plan's
actuarial assumptions set forth in the most recent actuarial
report, and since its last valuation date, there have been no
amendments to such plan that materially increased the present value
of accrued benefits nor any other material adverse changes in the
funding status of such plan. Neither the Borrower nor any ERISA
Affiliate is required to provide security to a Pension Plan
pursuant to Section 307 of ERISA or Section 401(a)(29) of the Code.
(d) Neither the Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate,
nor, to the best of the Borrower's knowledge, any fiduciary of any
Employee Benefit Plan, has engaged in a prohibited transaction
under Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code with regard
to any such Employee Benefit Plans. The execution, delivery and
carrying out of the terms of any agreements that are related to
this transaction will not constitute a prohibited transaction under
the aforementioned sections.
(e) No Termination Event has occurred or is
reasonably expected to occur.
(f) None of the following "reportable events" which
are subject to the 30-day notice requirement of Section 4043(b) of
ERISA in respect of any of the Pension Plans has occurred: (i) an
inability to pay benefits when due, (ii) bankruptcy or insolvency
of the sponsor of the Pension Plan, (iii) liquidation or
dissolution of the sponsor of the Pension Plan, (iv) a failure to
meet the minimum funding standards, or (v) certain transactions
involving a change of employer. The Borrower has not received any
notice from the PBGC that any of the Pension Plans is being
involuntarily terminated or from the Secretary of the Treasury that
any partial or full termination of any of the Employee Benefit
Plans has occurred and no event shall have occurred, and there
shall exist as of the date hereof no condition or set of
circumstances which present a material risk of the involuntary
termination of any of the Pension Plans.
(g) All references to the Borrower in this Section
3.18 or in any other Section of this Agreement relating to ERISA
shall be deemed to refer to the Borrower, and any other entity
which is considered an ERISA Affiliate.
(h) All references in this Section 3.18, and in
other provisions of this Agreement relating to ERISA, to
materiality or material liability or similar phrases shall be
deemed to refer to the event or matter described both individually
and when taken together in the aggregate with respect to all other
events and matters referred to in this Agreement relating to ERISA
as to which a materiality standard applies.
Article 4. Conditions to the Loans.
Section 4.1 Conditions to Initial Loans.
The obligation of each Bank to make the initial Loan
to be made by it hereunder shall be subject to the fulfillment of
the following conditions precedent:
(a) The Borrower shall have executed and delivered
to each Bank its Note.
(b) The Borrower shall have executed and delivered
to the Banks the Pledge Agreement together with the certificates
evidencing the capital stock of Telephonics, accompanied by stock
powers duly endorsed in blank and undated, and irrevocable proxies
relating thereto;
(c) The Borrower shall have paid to the Banks the
Facility Fee.
(d) Blau, Kramer, Wactlar & Lieberman, P.C.,
general counsel to the Borrower and the Subsidiaries shall have
delivered its opinion to, and in form and substance satisfactory
to, the Banks.
(e) The Banks shall have received copies of the
following:
(i) All of the consents, approvals and waivers
referred to on Exhibit C hereto (except only those which, as stated
on Exhibit C, shall not be delivered);
(ii) The certificate of incorporation of the
Borrower and each Principal Subsidiary certified by the Secretary
of State of its state of incorporation;
(iii) The by-laws of the Borrower and each
Principal Subsidiary certified by its secretary or assistant
secretary;
(iv) All corporate action taken by the Borrower
to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of the Loan
Documents and the transactions contemplated thereby, certified by
its secretary or assistant secretary, including, without
limitation, resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Borrower;
(v) Good standing certificates as of dates not
more than forty (40) prior to the date of the initial Loan, with
respect to the Borrower and each Principal Subsidiary from the
Secretary of State of its state of incorporation and each state in
which it is qualified to do business;
(vi) An incumbency certificate (with specimen
signatures) with respect to the Borrower; and
(vii) Lien searches from such jurisdictions and
in such names as the Banks may request.
(f) (i) The Borrower and each Subsidiary shall
have complied and shall then be in compliance with all of the
terms, covenants and conditions of this Agreement;
(ii) After giving effect to the initial Loan,
there shall exist no Default or Event of Default hereunder; and
(iii) The representations and warranties
contained in Article 3 hereof and in the other Loan Documents shall
be true and correct on the date hereof;
and the Banks shall have received a Compliance Certificate dated
the date hereof certifying, inter alia, that the conditions set
forth in this subsection 4.1(f) are satisfied on such date.
(g) The Banks shall have executed and delivered the
Collateral Agent Agreement.
(h) All legal matters incident to the initial Loans
shall be satisfactory to counsel to each Bank.
Section 4.2 Conditions to Subsequent Loans.
The obligation of each Bank to make each Loan
subsequent to its initial Loan shall be subject to the fulfillment
of the condition precedent that each Bank shall have received a
Borrowing Notice in accordance with Section 2.2 hereof, containing,
in addition to the notice of borrowing, a representation by the
Borrower (signed by the president or chief financial officer of the
Borrower) that no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing.
Article 5. Delivery of Financial Reports,
Documents and Other Information.
While the Commitments are outstanding, and, in the event
any Loan remains outstanding, so long as the Borrower is indebted
to the Banks under this Agreement, and until payment in full of the
Notes and full and complete performance of all of its other
obligations arising hereunder, the Borrower shall deliver to each
Bank:
Section 5.1 Annual Financial Statements.
Annually, as soon as available, but in any event
within one hundred (100) days after the last day of each of its
fiscal years, a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and the
Subsidiaries as at such last day of the fiscal year, and
consolidated statements of income, shareholders' equity and cash
flows, for such fiscal year, each prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied, in
reasonable detail, and certified without a "going concern" or like
qualification or exception, or qualification arising out of the
scope of the audit by Arthur Andersen LLP or another firm of
independent certified public accountants satisfactory to the Banks,
which shall state that such consolidated financial statements
present fairly the consolidated financial position, the
consolidated results of operations and cash flows of the Borrower
as at and for the year ending on its date and as having been
prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting prin-
ciples.
Section 5.2 Quarterly Financial Statements.
As soon as available, but in any event within (i)
seventy (70) days after the end of each of the Borrower's first
three fiscal quarterly periods and (ii) one hundred (100) days
after the end of each of the Borrower's fourth fiscal quarterly
periods, a consolidated and consolidating balance sheet of the
Borrower and the Subsidiaries as of the last day of such quarter
and consolidated and consolidating statements of income and cash
flows, for such quarter, and on a comparative basis figures for the
corresponding period of the immediately preceding fiscal year, all
in reasonable detail, each such statement to be certified in a
certificate of the president or chief financial officer of the
Borrower and the Subsidiaries as fairly presenting the consolidated
and consolidating financial position, the consolidated and
consolidating results of operations and cash flows of the Borrower
as at its date and for such quarter and as having been prepared in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consis-
tently applied (subject to year-end audit adjustments).
Section 5.3 Projections.
Annually, as soon as available, but in any event
within 60 days after the last day of each of the Borrower's fiscal
years, consolidated and consolidating projections of the Borrower
and the Subsidiaries for the following five (5) fiscal years of the
Borrower.
Section 5.4 Compliance Information.
Promptly after a written request therefor, such
other financial data or information evidencing compliance with the
requirements of this Agreement, the Notes and the other Loan
Documents, as any Bank may reasonably request from time to time.
Section 5.5 No Default Certificate.
At the same time as it delivers the financial
statements required under the provisions of Section 5.2 hereof, a
certificate of the president or chief financial officer of the
Borrower to the effect that no Default or Event of Default
hereunder and that no default under any other agreement to which
the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries is a party or by which it
is bound, or by which, to the best knowledge of the Borrower or any
Subsidiary any of its properties or assets, taken as a whole, may
be materially adversely affected, and no event which, with the
giving of notice or the lapse of time, or both, would constitute
such an Event of Default or default, exists, or, if such cannot be
so certified, specifying in reasonable detail the exceptions, if
any, to such statement. Such certificate shall be accompanied by
a detailed calculation indicating compliance with the covenants
contained in Sections 6.9, 7.3, 7.4, 7.8 (other than 7.8(a)) and
7.11 hereof.
Section 5.6 Certificate of Accountants.
At the same time as it delivers the financial
statements required under the provisions of Section 5.1 hereof, a
certificate of the independent certified public accountants of the
Borrower to the effect that during the course of their audit of the
operations of the Borrower and its condition as of the end of the
fiscal year, nothing has come to their attention which would
indicate that the Borrower was not in compliance with any of the
terms, covenants, provisions or conditions of Section 6.9 or
Article 7 insofar as they relate to accounting matters, or, if such
cannot be so certified, specifying in reasonable detail the
exceptions, if any, to such statement.
Section 5.7 Accountants' Reports.
Promptly upon receipt thereof, copies of all other
reports submitted to the Borrower by its independent certified
public accountants in connection with any annual or interim audit
or review of the books of the Borrower made by such accountants.
Section 5.8 Copies of Documents.
(a) Promptly upon their becoming available, copies
of any: (i) financial statements, projections, and requests for
waivers, in each case, delivered by the Borrower or any of the
Subsidiaries to any lending institution other than the Banks;
(ii) correspondence or notices received by the Borrower from any
federal, state or local governmental authority that regulates the
operations of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or relating
to an actual or threatened change or development that would be
materially adverse to the Borrower or any Subsidiary; (iii) regis-
tration statements and any amendments and supplements thereto, and
any regular and periodic reports, if any, filed by the Borrower or
any of its Subsidiaries with any securities exchange or with the
Securities and Exchange Commission or any governmental authority
succeeding to any or all of the functions of the said Commission;
and (iv) any other items which the Banks may reasonably request.
(b) Promptly upon request by any Bank, copies of
all acquisition agreements, exhibits, schedules, documents and
other agreements relating to any Permitted Acquisition (as and when
available and whether in draft or final form).
Section 5.9 Certain Notices.
Promptly, notice of the occurrence of any Default or
Event of Default, or any event that would constitute or cause a
material adverse change in the condition, financial or otherwise,
or the operations of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries on a
consolidated basis.
Section 5.10 ERISA Notices and Requests.
Notice of any of the following within twenty (20)
days after such event or occurrence:
(a) the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate knowing or
having reason to know that a Termination Event has occurred or that
a Defined Contribution Plan has been terminated or partially
terminated, and a written statement by the appropriate chief
financial officer setting forth the details of such event;
(b) the filing of a request for a funding waiver by
the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate with respect to any Pension
Plan, and a copy of such request and all communications received by
the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate with respect to such request;
(c) receipt by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate
of a notice of the PBGC's intent to terminate a Pension Plan, and
a copy of such notice;
(d) the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate failing to
make a required installment or payment under Section 302 of ERISA
or Section 412 of the Code by the due date, and a written notice of
such failure;
(e) the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate knowing or
having reason to know that a prohibited transaction (as defined in
Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code) has occurred with
respect to any Employee Benefit Plan, and a written statement of
the appropriate chief financial officer describing such transaction
and the action taken;
(f) the establishment of a Pension Plan and written
notice of such occurrence;
(g) receipt by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate
of any disqualification notice from the Internal Revenue Service
regarding the qualification of a Pension Plan under Section 401(a)
of the Code and a copy of such letter;
(h) upon the request of either Bank, the filing of
an annual report (Form 5500 series), including Schedule B thereto,
filed by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate with respect to a
Employee Benefit Plan, and a copy of such report;
(i) upon request of either Bank, receipt by the
Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of an actuarial report for any
Pension Plan, and a copy of such report;
(j) receipt by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate
of all correspondence from the PBGC, the Secretary of Labor or any
representative of the IRS with respect to any Employee Benefit
Plans, relating to an actual or threatened change or development
which would have a materially adverse effect on Borrower's
business; and
(k) receipt by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate
of any correspondence from a Multiemployer Plan with respect to
withdrawal liability.
Section 5.11 Permitted Acquisition Deliveries.
Not later than ten (10) Business Days after the
consummation of a Permitted Acquisition, (i) on a pro forma basis
after giving effect to the proposed acquisition and based on
reasonable assumptions made by the Borrower in good faith, a
consolidated and consolidating balance sheet of the Borrower, its
Subsidiaries and each Eligible Business, and a related consolidated
and consolidating statement of income and statements of cash flow
for the three (3) fiscal years following the date of such
acquisition, each such statement (1) to show all deferred and
contingent payments which the Borrower or the Eligible Business, as
applicable, directly or indirectly, would be required to make based
on the Eligible Business' projected pro forma results of
operations, and (2) to be accompanied by a certificate of the chief
financial officer of the Borrower certifying that after giving
effect to the acquisition, no Default or Event of Default has
occurred and is continuing, which certificate shall be accompanied
by a list of Liens, Indebtedness, guaranties and letters of credit
incurred or otherwise assumed in connection with such acquisition
and such other information as any Bank may reasonably request.
Article 6. Affirmative Covenants.
While the Commitments are outstanding, and, in the event
any Loan remains outstanding, so long as the Borrower is indebted
to the Banks under this Agreement, and until payment in full of the
Notes and full and complete performance of all of its other
obligations arising hereunder, the Borrower shall and shall cause
each Subsidiary to:
Section 6.1 Books and Records.
Keep proper books of record and account in which
full, true and correct entries shall be made of all dealings or
transactions in relation to its business and activities.
Section 6.2 Inspections and Audits.
Permit the Banks (i) to make or cause to be made
(and, after the occurrence of and during the continuance of an
Event of Default, at the Borrower's expense), inspections and
audits of any books, records and papers of the Borrower and each of
its Subsidiaries and to make extracts therefrom and copies thereof
and (ii) make inspections and examinations of any properties and
facilities of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries on reasonable
notice, at all such reasonable times and as often as either Bank
may reasonably require, in order to assure each Bank that the
Borrower is and will be in compliance with its obligations under
the Loan Documents or to evaluate either Bank's investment in the
then outstanding Notes.
Section 6.3 Maintenance and Repairs.
Maintain in good repair, working order and condi-
tion, subject to normal wear and tear, all material properties and
assets from time to time owned by it and used in or necessary for
the operation of its business, and make all reasonable repairs,
replacements, additions and improvements thereto.
Section 6.4 Continuance of Business.
Do, or cause to be done, all things reasonably
necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its
corporate existence and all permits, rights and privileges
necessary for the proper conduct of its business and continue to
engage in the same line of business and comply in all material
respects with all applicable laws, regulations and orders.
Section 6.5 Copies of Corporate Documents.
Promptly deliver to the Banks copies of any amend-
ments or modifications to its and any Subsidiary's certificate of
incorporation and by-laws, certified with respect to the
certificate of incorporation by the Secretary of State of its state
of incorporation and, with respect to the by-laws, by the secretary
or assistant secretary of such corporation.
Section 6.6 Perform Obligations.
Pay and discharge all of its obligations and
liabilities, including, without limitation, all taxes, assessments
and governmental charges upon its income and properties when due,
unless and to the extent only that such obligations, liabilities,
taxes, assessments and governmental charges shall be contested in
good faith and by appropriate proceedings and that, to the extent
required by generally accepted accounting principles then in
effect, proper and adequate book reserves relating thereto are
established by the Borrower, or, as the case may be, by the
appropriate Subsidiary and then only to the extent that a bond is
filed in cases where the filing of a bond is necessary to avoid the
creation of a Lien, other than a Permitted Lien, against any of its
properties.
Section 6.7 Notice of Litigation.
Promptly notify the Banks in writing of any
litigation, legal proceeding or dispute (including, without
limitation, any Environmental Proceeding), other than disputes in
the ordinary course of business or, whether or not in the ordinary
course of business, involving amounts in excess of One Million
($1,000,000) Dollars, affecting the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any
Eligible Business whether or not fully covered by insurance, and
regardless of the subject matter thereof (excluding, however, any
actions relating to workers' compensation claims or negligence
claims relating to use of motor vehicles, if fully covered by
insurance, subject to deductibles).
Section 6.8 Insurance.
(a) (i) Maintain with responsible insurance
companies such insurance on such of its properties, in such amounts
and against such risks as is customarily maintained by similar
businesses; (ii) file with each of the Banks upon its request a
detailed list of the insurance then in effect, stating the names of
the insurance companies, the amounts and rates of the insurance,
the dates of the expiration thereof and the properties and risks
covered thereby; and (iii) within ten (10) days after notice in
writing from the Banks, obtain such additional insurance as either
Bank may reasonably request; provided, that, the Borrower may
maintain self-insurance consistent with its past practices and
policies; and
(b) Carry all insurance available through the PBGC or
any private insurance companies covering its obligations to the
PBGC.
Section 6.9 Financial Covenants.
Have or maintain, on a consolidated basis:
(a) A Quick Ratio of not less than 1.10:1.00 at all
times.
(b) Tangible Net Worth at not less than
$120,000,000 at all times, provided that for purposes of
calculating Tangible Net Worth for this subsection 6.9(b), any net
loss after-income tax up to an aggregate amount of $6,000,000
recognized by the Borrower from the sale or other disposition of
Standard-Keil or Western Synthetic shall be excluded.
(c) As of the end of each fiscal quarter, a Funded
Debt to Cash Flow Ratio for the most recently completed four fiscal
quarters at not more than 4.00 to 1.00.
(d) The ratio of (a) Unsubordinated Liabilities of
the Borrower and its Subsidiaries to (b) the sum of Tangible Net
Worth plus Subordinated Debt of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
at not more than 1.25 to 1.00 at all times.
Section 6.10 Notice of Certain Events.
(a) Promptly notify the Banks in writing of the
occurrence of any "Reportable Event", as defined in Section 4043 of
ERISA, if a notice of such Reportable Event is required under ERISA
to be delivered to the PBGC within 30 days after the occurrence
thereof, together with a description of such Reportable Event and
a statement of the action the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate
intends to take with respect thereto, together with a copy of the
notice thereof given to the PBGC.
(b) Promptly notify the Banks in writing of the
receipt by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate of an assessment of
withdrawal liability in connection with a complete or partial
withdrawal with respect to any Multiemployer Plan, which liability
of the Borrower and/or any ERISA Affiliate may exceed $1,000,000 in
aggregate amount, and a statement of the action that the Borrower
or any ERISA Affiliate intends to take with respect thereto.
(c) Promptly notify the Banks in writing if the
Borrower or any Subsidiary receives: (i) any notice of any
violation or administrative or judicial complaint or order having
been filed or about to be filed against the Borrower or such
Subsidiary alleging violations of any Environmental Law and Regula-
tion which could reasonably be expected to result in liability to
the Borrower or any Subsidiary in excess of $1,000,000, or (ii) any
notice from any governmental body or any other Person alleging that
the Borrower or such Subsidiary is or may be subject to any
Environmental Liability in excess of $1,000,000; and promptly upon
receipt thereof, provide the Banks with a copy of such notice
together with a statement of the action the Borrower or such
Subsidiary intends to take with respect thereto.
Section 6.11 Comply with ERISA.
Materially comply with all applicable provisions of
ERISA and the Code now or hereafter in effect.
Section 6.12 Environmental Compliance.
Operate all property owned or leased by it such that
no obligation, including a clean-up obligation, shall arise under
any Environmental Law and Regulation, which obligation would
constitute a Lien on any property of the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries; provided, however, that in the event that any such
claim is made or any such obligation arises, the Borrower or such
Subsidiary shall, at its own cost and expense:
(a) provide the Banks with prompt written notice
with respect to any suit or claim initiated or threatened against
the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries involving liability in
excess of $1,000,000; and
(b) either: (i) immediately satisfy such claim or
obligation; or (ii) contest such claim by appropriate proceedings
and upon final judgment (subject to no further appeal) immediately
satisfy such judgment; provided, however, that, in all such cases,
the Borrower shall file a bond when necessary to avoid the creation
of a Lien against any of its or any of its Subsidiaries'
properties; and provided, further, that the Borrower shall
indemnify and hold harmless the Banks from any liability,
responsibility or obligation in respect thereof or in respect of
any clean-up or any other liability, as successor, secured party or
otherwise for any reason, including, without limitation, the
enforcement of the Banks' rights under any Loan Document or by
operation of law.
Section 6.13 Pledge of Clopay Capital Stock.
Pledge to the Banks all of the issued and
outstanding capital stock of Clopay at such time as the outstanding
principal amount of the Loans exceeds $20,000,000, pursuant to a
pledge agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit A-3 hereto,
and deliver to the Banks all of the stock certificates representing
such shares, together with stock powers duly executed in blank and
undated, and proxies with respect thereto.
Article 7. Negative Covenants.
While the Commitments are outstanding, and, in the event
any Loan remains outstanding, so long as the Borrower is indebted
to the Banks under this Agreement, and until payment in full of the
Notes and full and complete performance of all of its other
obligations arising hereunder, the Borrower shall not and shall not
permit any of its Subsidiaries to do or agree to do, or permit to
be done, any of the following:
Section 7.1 Indebtedness.
Create, incur, permit to exist or have outstanding
any Indebtedness that would violate the terms of this Agreement.
Section 7.2 Liens.
Create, or assume or permit to exist, any Lien on
any of the properties or assets of the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries whether now owned or hereafter acquired, except:
(a) Permitted Liens;
(b) Liens in favor of the Banks under the Loan
Documents;
(c) Purchase money mortgages or security interests,
conditional sale arrangements and other similar security interests,
on property acquired by the Borrower or any Subsidiary (hereinafter
referred to individually as a "Purchase Money Security Interest")
with the proceeds of Indebtedness; provided, however, that:
(i) The transaction in which any Purchase
Money Security Interest is proposed to be created is not then
prohibited by this Agreement;
(ii) Any Purchase Money Security Interest shall
attach only to the property or asset acquired in such transaction
and shall not extend to or cover any other assets or properties of
the Borrower or, as the case may be, a Subsidiary;
(iii) The Indebtedness secured or covered by any
Purchase Money Security Interest is secured solely by such Purchase
Money Security Interest and shall not exceed the cost of the
property or asset acquired; and
(iv) Such Indebtedness may be refinanced
provided that the principal amount of such outstanding Indebtedness
is not increased;
(d) The interests of the lessor under any Capi-
talized Lease as permitted hereunder;
(e) Liens on specifically identified inventory and
accounts receivable covered by bankers acceptances resulting from
import letters of credit which do not cover any assets other than
those financed with such bankers acceptances;
(f) Liens securing Indebtedness permitted to exist
in accordance with the terms of Section 7.4 hereof in connection
with a Permitted Acquisition, provided that (i) such Liens were
existing prior to the Permitted Acquisition in which such
Indebtedness was assumed or acquired and not created in
contemplation of such Permitted Acquisition, and (ii) such Liens
shall only attach to or encumber the property and assets acquired
in the Permitted Acquisition in which such Indebtedness was assumed
or acquired and shall not attach to or encumber any other property
or assets of the Borrower or any Subsidiary (including, without
limitation, any Eligible Business); and
(g) As set forth on Exhibit D hereto.
Section 7.3 Guaranties.
Except (i) as set forth on Exhibit K hereto, (ii)
guarantees of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries not in excess of an
aggregate of $5,000,000 at any one time outstanding, (iii)
guarantees by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of obligations of the
Subsidiaries, (iv) guarantees by a Subsidiary of obligations of the
Borrower under leases for real or personal property, provided, that
such Subsidiary will utilize all or a portion of such property, and
(v) other Contingent Obligations not described in the preceding
clauses (i) through (iv) of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries not
in excess of an aggregate amount of 20% of the consolidated
Tangible Net Worth of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (as
computed at any time as shown on the Borrower's Financial
Statements most recently delivered to the Banks) at any one time
outstanding, assume, endorse, be or become liable for, or
guarantee, (a) the obligations of any Person, except by the
endorsement of negotiable instruments for deposit or collection in
the ordinary course of business, or (b) any Contingent Obligations.
For the purposes hereof, the term "guarantee" shall include any
agreement, whether such agreement is on a contingency or otherwise,
to purchase, repurchase or otherwise acquire Indebtedness of any
other Person, or to purchase, sell or lease, as lessee or lessor,
property or services, in any such case primarily for the purpose of
enabling another person to make payment of Indebtedness, or to make
any payment (whether as an advance, capital contribution, purchase
of an equity interest or otherwise) to assure a minimum equity,
asset base, working capital or other balance sheet or financial
condition, in connection with the Indebtedness of another Person,
or to supply funds to or in any manner invest in another Person in
connection with such Person's Indebtedness.
Section 7.4 Mergers, Acquisitions.
Merge or consolidate with any Person (whether or not
the Borrower or any Subsidiary is the surviving entity), or acquire
all or substantially all of the assets or any of the capital stock
of any Person; provided, however, that (i) any Subsidiary may merge
with and into any other Subsidiary or the Borrower (so long as the
Borrower or a wholly-owned Subsidiary is the surviving entity) and
(ii) the Borrower or any Subsidiary may make Permitted
Acquisitions.
Section 7.5 Redemptions; Distributions.
Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of a
Default or Event of Default or, if any Default or Event of Default
would exist after giving effect to any of the following:
(a) Purchase, redeem, retire or otherwise acquire,
directly or indirectly, or make any sinking fund payments with
respect to, any shares of any class of stock of the Borrower now or
hereafter outstanding or set apart any sum for any such purpose; or
(b) Declare or pay any dividends or make any
distribution of any kind on the Borrower's outstanding stock, or
set aside any sum for any such purpose, except that the Borrower
may declare or pay any dividend payable solely in shares of its
capital stock.
Section 7.6 Stock Issuance.
Issue any additional shares or any right or option
to acquire any shares, or any security convertible into any shares,
of the capital stock of any Subsidiary, except (a) in connection
with stock dividends permitted under subsection 7.5(b) hereof and
(b) to the Borrower.
Section 7.7 Changes in Business and
Sales or Pledges of Assets.
Make any material change in its business on a
consolidated basis, or in the nature of its operation, or liquidate
or dissolve itself (or suffer any liquidation or dissolution), or
convey, sell, lease, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of any
of its property, assets or business except in the ordinary course
of business and for a fair consideration or dispose of any shares
of stock (other than sales or issuances of the Borrower's treasury
stock) or any Indebtedness, whether now owned or hereafter
acquired, or discount, sell, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise
dispose of accounts receivable, except in the ordinary course of
business and for fair consideration; provided, however, that the
Borrower or any Subsidiary may convey, sell, lease, assign,
transfer or otherwise dispose of (a) its property and assets the
fair market value of which does not exceed in the aggregate in any
fiscal year five percent (5%) of the consolidated assets of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries as of the end of the immediately
preceding fiscal year for fair consideration, (b) the capital stock
of any Subsidiary (i) the net revenues of which do not exceed five
percent (5%) of the consolidated net revenues of the Borrower and
its Subsidiaries or (ii) the assets of which do not exceed five
percent (5%) of the consolidated assets of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries; provided, however, that in no event may the Borrower
or any Subsidiary convey, sell, lease, assign, transfer or
otherwise dispose of any capital stock that is at any time pledged
to the Banks pursuant to the Security Documents, (c) all or any
portion of the property and assets of Standard-Keil and Western
Synthetic and (d) all or any portion of the capital stock of
Standard-Keil.
Section 7.8 Investments.
Make, or suffer to exist, any Investment in any
Person, including, without limitation, any shareholder, director,
officer or employee of the Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries,
except Investments which do not in the aggregate, exceed $1,000,000
and:
(a) Investments in:
(i) obligations issued or guaranteed by the
United States of America;
(ii) certificates of deposit, bankers accep-
tances and other "money market instruments" issued by any bank or
trust company organized under the laws of the United States of
America or any State thereof and having capital and surplus in an
aggregate amount of not less than $100,000,000;
(iii) open market commercial paper bearing the
highest credit rating issued by Standard & Poor's Corporation or by
another nationally recognized credit rating agency;
(iv) repurchase agreements entered into with
any bank or trust company organized under the laws of the United
States of America or any State thereof and having capital and
surplus in an aggregate amount of not less than $100,000,000
relating to United States of America government obligations;
(v) shares of "money market funds", each
having net assets of not less than $100,000,000; and
(vi) corporate bonds rated at least AA or the
equivalent thereof by Standard & Poor's Corporation or Aa or the
equivalent thereof by Moody's Investors Service, Inc.;
in each case maturing or being due or payable in full not more than
180 days after the Borrower's acquisition thereof;
to the business of the Borrower or any Subsidiary in an aggregate
amount not to exceed $5,000,000;
(c) Investment by the Borrower in any majority-
owned Subsidiary; and
(d) Permitted Acquisitions by the Borrower or any
Subsidiary pursuant to Section 7.4 hereof.
Section 7.9 Fiscal Year.
Change its fiscal year.
Section 7.10 ERISA Obligations.
The Borrower will not:
(a) permit the occurrence of any Termination Event,
or the occurrence of a termination or partial termination of a
Defined Contribution Plan which would have a material adverse
effect on the Borrower; or
(b) permit any accumulated deficiency (as defined
in Section 302 of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code) in excess of
$1,000,000 in the aggregate liability to the Borrower and its ERISA
Affiliates with respect to all Pension Plans, whether or not
waived; or
(c) engage, or permit the Borrower or any ERISA
Affiliate to engage, in any prohibited transaction under Section
406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code for which a civil penalty
pursuant to Section 502(i) of ERISA or a tax pursuant to Section
4975 of the Code which would have a material adverse effect on the
Borrower; or
(d) engage or permit the Borrower or any ERISA
Affiliate to engage, in any breach of fiduciary duty under Part 4
of Title I of ERISA for which 20 percent of the applicable recovery
amount under Section 502(l) of ERISA which would have a material
adverse effect on the Borrower; or
(e) fail, or permit any ERISA Affiliate to fail, to
establish, maintain and operate each Employee Benefit Plan in
compliance in all material respects with the provisions of ERISA,
the Code and all other applicable laws and the regulations and
interpretations thereof.
Section 7.11 Rental Obligations.
Enter into, or permit to remain in effect, any lease
of personal property during any fiscal year (other than Capitalized
Leases), if, after giving effect thereto, the aggregate amount of
all rentals under any such lease, including, without limitation,
all percentage rents, due from the Borrower and the Subsidiaries
thereunder would exceed an amount equal to four (4%) percent of the
gross sales of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated
basis for the preceding fiscal year.
Section 7.12 Transactions with Affiliates.
Except as expressly permitted by this Agreement,
directly or indirectly: (a) make any Investment in an Affiliate;
(b) transfer, sell, lease, assign or otherwise dispose of any
assets to an Affiliate; (c) merge into or consolidate with or
purchase or acquire assets from an Affiliate; or (d) enter into any
other transaction directly or indirectly with or for the benefit of
any Affiliate (including, without limitation, guarantees and
assumptions of obligations of an Affiliate); provided, however,
that: (i) payments on Investments expressly permitted by Section
7.8 hereof may be made, (ii) any Affiliate who is a natural person
may serve as an employee or director of the Borrower and receive
reasonable compensation for his services in such capacity,
(iii) the Borrower may enter into any transaction with an Affiliate
providing for the leasing of property, the rendering or receipt of
services or the purchase or sale of product, inventory and other
assets in the ordinary course of business if the monetary or
business consideration arising therefrom would be substantially as
advantageous to the Borrower as the monetary or business
consideration that would obtain in a comparable arm's length
transaction with a Person not an Affiliate and (iv) the Borrower or
any Subsidiary may make loans to Persons who are stockholders,
officers or directors of the Borrower or a Subsidiary which do not,
in the aggregate, exceed $250,000; provided, however, that for
purposes of this Section 7.12 an Affiliate shall not be deemed to
include a Subsidiary of the Borrower.
Section 7.13 Hazardous Material.
(a) Cause or permit (i) any "Hazardous Material" (as
defined in any applicable Environmental Laws and Regulations) to be
placed, held, located or disposed of, on, under or at any real
property used in connection with the operation of the business of
the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries ("Real Property") or any
part thereof, except for such Hazardous Materials which are
necessary for the Borrower's operation of its business thereon and
which shall be used, stored and disposed of in compliance with all
applicable Environmental Laws and Regulations or (ii) such Real
Property or any part thereof to be used as a collection, storage or
dump site for any Hazardous Material.
(b) The Borrower and each Subsidiary acknowledges and
agrees that the Banks shall have no liability or responsibility for
either:
(i) damage, loss, or injury to human health, the
environment or natural resources caused by the presence,
disposal, release or threatened release of Hazardous Materials
on any part of such real property; or
(ii) abatement and/or clean-up required under any
applicable Environmental Laws and Regulations for a release,
threatened release or disposal of any Hazardous Materials
located at such real property or used by or in connection with
the Borrower's or any Subsidiary's or any such tenant's
business.
Section 7.14 Regulation U.
Not use any part of the proceeds received by the
Borrower from the Loans directly or indirectly for: (a) any
purpose other than as set forth in Section 2.9 hereof, or (b) the
purpose of purchasing or carrying, or for payment in full or in
part of Indebtedness that was incurred for the purposes of
purchasing or carrying, any "margin stock", as such term is defined
in 221.3 of Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System, 12 C.F.R., Chapter II, Part 221, other than
purchases made in compliance with Regulation U.
Article 8. Events of Default.
If any one or more of the following events ("Events of
Default") shall occur and be continuing, the Commitments shall
terminate and the entire unpaid balance of the principal of and
interest on the Notes outstanding and all other obligations and
Indebtedness of the Borrower to each Bank arising hereunder and
under the other Loan Documents shall immediately become due and
payable upon written notice to that effect given to the Borrower by
either Bank upon consent of the Majority Banks (except that in the
case of the occurrence of any Event of Default described in Section
8.6 no such notice shall be required), without presentment or
demand for payment, notice of non-payment, protest or further
notice or demand of any kind, all of which are expressly waived by
the Borrower:
Section 8.1 Payments.
Failure to make (i) any payment or mandatory prepay-
ment of principal under any Note when due or (ii) any payment or
mandatory prepayment of interest upon any Note or to make any
payment of any Fee not later than five (5) days after such payment
or prepayment is due; or
Section 8.2 Certain Covenants.
Failure to perform or observe any of the agreements
of the Borrower contained in Section 6.9, Section 6.13 or Article
7 hereof; or
Section 8.3 Other Covenants.
Failure by the Borrower or any Subsidiary to perform
or observe any other term, condition or covenant of this Agreement
or of any of the other Loan Documents to which it is a party, which
shall remain unremedied for a period of 15 days after notice
thereof shall have been given to the Borrower by either Bank; or
Section 8.4 Other Defaults.
(a) Failure to perform or observe any term,
condition or covenant of any bond, note, debenture, loan agreement,
indenture, guaranty, trust agreement, mortgage or similar
instrument to which the Borrower or any Subsidiary is a party or by
which it is bound, or by which any of its properties or assets may
be affected (a "Debt Instrument"), so that, as a result of any such
failure to perform, the Indebtedness included therein or secured or
covered thereby has been declared due and payable prior to the date
on which such Indebtedness would otherwise become due and payable;
or
(b) Any event or condition referred to in any Debt
Instrument shall occur or fail to occur, so that, as a result
thereof, the Indebtedness included therein or secured or covered
thereby has been declared due and payable prior to the date on
which such Indebtedness would otherwise become due and payable; or
(c) Failure to pay any Indebtedness for borrowed
money when due;
provided, however, that the provisions of this Section 8.4 shall
not be applicable to any Debt Instrument that on the date this
Section 8.4 would otherwise be applicable thereto, relates to or
evidences Indebtedness in a principal amount of less than $500,000;
or
Section 8.5 Representations and Warranties.
Any representation or warranty made in writing to
the Banks in any of the Loan Documents, or any certificate,
statement or report made or delivered in compliance with this
Agreement, shall have been false or misleading in any material
respect when made or delivered; or
Section 8.6 Bankruptcy.
(a) The Borrower or any Subsidiary shall make an
assignment for the benefit of creditors, file a petition in
bankruptcy, be adjudicated insolvent, petition or apply to any
tribunal for the appointment of a receiver, custodian, or any
trustee for it or a substantial part of its assets, or shall
commence any proceeding under any bankruptcy, reorganization,
arrangement, readjustment of debt, dissolution or liquidation law
or statute of any jurisdiction, whether now or hereafter in effect,
or the Borrower or any Subsidiary shall take any corporate action
to authorize any of the foregoing actions; or there shall have been
filed any such petition or application, or any such proceeding
shall have been commenced against it, that remains undismissed for
a period of thirty (30) days or more; or any order for relief shall
be entered in any such proceeding; or the Borrower or any
Subsidiary by any act or omission shall indicate its consent to,
approval of or acquiescence in any such petition, application or
proceeding or the appointment of a custodian, receiver or any
trustee for it or any substantial part of any of its properties, or
shall suffer any custodianship, receivership or trusteeship to
continue undischarged for a period of thirty (30) days or more; or
(b) The Borrower or any Subsidiary shall generally
not pay its debts as such debts become due; or
(c) The Borrower or any Subsidiary shall have
concealed, removed, or permitted to be concealed or removed, any
part of its property, with intent to hinder, delay or defraud its
creditors or any of them or made or suffered a transfer of any of
its property that may be fraudulent under any bankruptcy,
fraudulent conveyance or similar law; or shall have made any
transfer of its property to or for the benefit of a creditor at a
time when other creditors similarly situated have not been paid; or
shall have suffered or permitted, while insolvent, any creditor to
obtain a Lien upon any of its property through legal proceedings or
distraint that is not vacated within thirty (30) days from the date
thereof; or
Section 8.7 Judgments.
Any judgment against the Borrower or any Subsidiary
or any attachment, levy or execution against any of their
properties for any amount in excess of $500,000 shall remain
unpaid, unstayed on appeal, undischarged, unbonded or undismissed
for a period of thirty (30) days or more; or
Section 8.8 ERISA.
(a) The termination of any Pension Plan or the
institution by the PBGC of proceedings for the involuntary
termination of any Pension Plan, in either case, by reason of, or
that results in, a material "accumulated funding deficiency" with
respect to the Borrower and its ERISA Affiliates, individually or
in the aggregate, under Section 412 of the Code; or
(b) Failure by the Borrower to make required
contributions, in accordance with the applicable provisions of
ERISA, to each of the Pension Plans hereafter established or
assumed by it; or
Section 8.9 Liens.
Any of the Liens created and granted to the
Collateral Agent for the ratable benefit of the Banks under the
Security Documents shall fail to be valid, first, perfected Liens,
subject to no prior or equal Lien, except as permitted by
Section 7.2 hereof; or
Section 8.10 Change of Control.
A Change of Control shall occur.
Article 9. Miscellaneous Provisions.
Section 9.1 Fees and Expenses; Indemnity.
The Borrower will on demand pay: (a) all reasonable
costs of each Bank in preparing the Loan Documents and (b) all
costs and expenses of the issuance of the Notes and of the
Borrower's performance and the Subsidiaries' performance of and
compliance with all agreements and conditions contained herein on
its part to be performed or complied with (including, without
limitation, all costs of filing or recording any assignments,
mortgages, financing statements and other documents), and (c) the
fees and expenses and disbursements of special counsel to each Bank
and the Collateral Agent and of examiners and consultants of each
Bank in connection with the preparation, execution and delivery,
review, administration, interpretation and enforcement of the Loan
Documents, the consummation of the transactions contemplated by all
such documents, the negotiation, preparation, execution and
delivery of any amendment, modification or supplement of or to, or
any consent or waiver under, any such document (or any such
instrument which is proposed but not executed and delivered) and
with any claim or action threatened, made or brought against either
Bank or the Collateral Agent arising out of or relating to any
extent to the Loan Documents, or the transactions contemplated
hereby or thereby. In addition, the Borrower will on demand pay
all costs and expenses (including, without limitation, fees and
disbursements of counsel) suffered or incurred by each Bank and the
Collateral Agent in connection with its enforcement of the payment
of the Note held by it or any sum due to it under the Loan
Documents, or any of its other rights hereunder or thereunder. In
addition to the foregoing, the Borrower shall indemnify each Bank
and the Collateral Agent and each of their respective directors,
officers, employees, attorneys, agents and Affiliates against, and
hold each of them harmless from, any loss, liabilities, damages,
claims, costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees
and disbursements) suffered or incurred by any of them arising out
of, resulting from or in any manner connected with, the execution,
delivery and performance of each of the Loan Documents, the Loans
and any and all transactions related to or consummated in
connection with the Loans, including, without limitation, losses,
liabilities, damages, claims, costs and expenses suffered or
incurred by each Bank or the Collateral Agent or any of their
respective directors, officers, employees, attorneys or Affiliates
in investigating, preparing for, defending against, or providing
evidence, producing documents or taking any other action in respect
of any commenced or threatened litigation, administrative
proceeding or investigation under any federal securities law or any
other statute of any jurisdiction, or any regulation, or at common
law or otherwise. The indemnity set forth herein shall be in
addition to any other obligations or liabilities of the Borrower to
each Bank or the Collateral Agent hereunder or at common law or
otherwise. All fees, expenses, costs, charges and other amounts
payable by the Borrower hereunder shall be deemed to be
Obligations, and each Bank or the Collateral Agent may, in its sole
discretion, exercise its rights under Section 9.5 of this Agreement
in respect of any or all thereof. The provisions of this Section
9.1 shall survive the payment of the Notes and the termination of
this Agreement.
Section 9.2 Taxes.
If, under any law in effect on the date of the
closing of any Loan hereunder, or under any retroactive provision
of any law subsequently enacted, it shall be determined that any
Federal, state or local tax is payable in respect of the issuance
of any Note, or in connection with the filing or recording of any
assignments, mortgages, financing statements, or other documents
(whether measured by the amount of Indebtedness secured or
otherwise) as contemplated by this Agreement, then the Borrower
will pay any such tax and all interest and penalties, if any, and
will indemnify each Bank and the Collateral Agent against and save
each of them harmless from any loss or damage resulting from or
arising out of the nonpayment or delay in payment of any such tax.
If any such tax or taxes shall be assessed or levied against either
Bank or the Collateral Agent, such Bank or the Collateral Agent, as
the case may be, may notify the Borrower and make immediate payment
thereof, together with interest or penalties in connection
therewith, and shall thereupon be entitled to and shall receive
immediate reimbursement therefor from the Borrower.
Notwithstanding any other provision contained in this Agreement,
the covenants and agreements of the Borrower in this Section 9.2
shall survive payment of the Notes and the termination of this
Agreement.
Section 9.3 Payments.
As set forth in Article 2 hereof, all payments by
the Borrower on account of principal, interest, fees and other
charges (including any indemnities) shall be made to each Bank or
the Collateral Agent at its Applicable Lending Office, in lawful
money of the United States of America in immediately available
funds, by wire transfer or otherwise, not later than 11:00 A.M. New
York City time on the date such payment is due. Any such payment
made on such date but after such time shall, if the amount paid
bears interest, be deemed to have been made on, and interest shall
continue to accrue and be payable thereon until, the next succeed-
ing Business Day. If any payment of principal or interest becomes
due on a day other than a Business Day, such payment may be made on
the next succeeding Business Day and such extension shall be
included in computing interest in connection with such payment.
All payments hereunder and under the Notes shall be made without
set-off or counterclaim and in such amounts as may be necessary in
order that all such payments shall not be less than the amounts
otherwise specified to be paid under this Agreement and the Notes
(after withholding for or on account of: (i) any present or future
taxes, levies, imposts, duties or other similar charges of whatever
nature imposed by any government or any political subdivision or
taxing authority thereof, other than any tax (except those referred
to in clause (ii) below) on or measured by the net income of the
Bank or the Collateral Agent to which any such payment is due
pursuant to applicable federal, state and local income tax laws,
and (ii) deduction of amounts equal to the taxes on or measured by
the net income of such Bank or the Collateral Agent payable by such
Bank or the Collateral Agent with respect to the amount by which
the payments required to be made under this sentence exceed the
amounts otherwise specified to be paid in this Agreement and the
Notes). Upon payment in full of any Note, the Bank holding such
Note shall mark the Note "Paid" and return it to the Borrower.
Section 9.4 Survival of Agreements and
Representations; Construction.
All agreements, representations and warranties made
herein shall survive the delivery of this Agreement and the Notes.
The headings used in this Agreement and the table of contents are
for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute a part
hereof. All uses herein of the masculine gender or of singular or
plural terms shall be deemed to include uses of the feminine or
neuter gender, or plural or singular terms, as the context may
require.
Section 9.5 Lien on and Set-off of Deposits.
As security for the due payment and performance of
all the Obligations, the Borrower hereby grants to each Bank and
the Collateral Agent a Lien on any and all deposits or other sums
at any time credited by or due from either Bank or the Collateral
Agent to the Borrower, whether in regular or special depository
accounts or otherwise, and any and all monies, securities and other
property of the Borrower, and the proceeds thereof, now or
hereafter held or received by or in transit to either Bank or the
Collateral Agent from or for the Borrower, whether for safekeeping,
custody, pledge, transmission, collection or otherwise, and any
such deposits, sums, monies, securities and other property, may at
any time after the occurrence and during the continuance of any
Event of Default be set-off, appropriated and applied by either
Bank or the Collateral Agent against any of the Obligations,
whether or not any of such Obligations is then due or is secured by
any collateral, or, if it is so secured, whether or not the
collateral held by either Bank or the Collateral Agent is
considered to be adequate, all as set forth in and pursuant to
Section 2.16 hereof.
Section 9.6 Modifications, Consents and
Waivers; Entire Agreement.
No modification, amendment or waiver of or with
respect to any provision of this Agreement, any Notes, the Security
Documents, or any of the other Loan Documents and all other
agreements, instruments and documents delivered pursuant hereto or
thereto, nor consent to any departure by the Borrower from any of
the terms or conditions thereof, shall in any event be effective
unless it shall be in writing and signed by the Majority Banks;
provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, without the
written consent of each Bank and the Collateral Agent, in no event
shall any amendment, modification, waiver or consent:
(a) Be effective with respect to Article 2 or
Article 3 (it being understood that a waiver of any Default or
Event of Default under Section 8.5 hereof shall not constitute an
amendment or modification of any Section therein), or Sections 8.1
or 9.6 hereof or the definitions in Article 1 which are used in any
of the foregoing;
(b) Extend the final maturity of any Loan or Note
(it being understood that any waiver of the application of any
prepayment of or the method of application of any prepayment to the
amortization of, the Loans shall not constitute any such extension)
or reduce the principal amount thereof, or reduce the rate or
extend the time of payment of interest or fees thereon;
(c) Reduce the percentage specified in the
definition of Majority Banks;
(d) Increase the amount of the Commitment of any
Bank hereunder (it being understood that a waiver of any Default or
Event of Default shall not constitute a change in the terms of any
Commitment of any Bank);
(e) Extend the Commitment Termination Date;
(f) Release or permit the release of any asset
pledged under any of the Security Documents; or
(g) Consent to any assignment by the Borrower of
the Obligations.
Any such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific
instance and for the purpose for which given. No consent to or
demand on the Borrower in any case shall, of itself, entitle it to
any other or further notice or demand in similar or other
circumstances. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents embody
the entire agreement and understanding among the Banks, the
Collateral Agent and the Borrower and supersede all prior
agreements and understandings relating to the subject matter
hereof.
Section 9.7 Remedies Cumulative.
Each and every right granted to the Banks and the
Collateral Agent hereunder or under any other document delivered
hereunder or in connection herewith, or allowed it by law or
equity, shall be cumulative and may be exercised from time to time.
No failure on the part of either Bank or the Collateral Agent to
exercise, and no delay in exercising, any right shall operate as a
waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any
right preclude any other or future exercise thereof or the exercise
of any other right. The due payment and performance of the
Obligations shall be without regard to any counterclaim, right of
offset or any other claim whatsoever that the Borrower may have
against either Bank or the Collateral Agent and without regard to
any other obligation of any nature whatsoever that either Bank or
the Collateral Agent may have to the Borrower, and no such counter-
claim or offset shall be asserted by the Borrower in any action,
suit or proceeding instituted by either Bank or the Collateral
Agent for payment or performance of the Obligations.
Section 9.8 Further Assurances.
At any time and from time to time, upon the request
of either Bank or the Collateral Agent, the Borrower shall execute,
deliver and acknowledge or cause to be executed, delivered and
acknowledged, such further documents and instruments and do such
other acts and things as either Bank or the Collateral Agent may
reasonably request in order to fully effect the purposes of this
Agreement, the other Loan Documents and any other agreements,
instruments and documents delivered pursuant hereto or in con-
nection with the Loans.
Section 9.9 Notices.
All notices, requests, reports and other communi-
cations pursuant to this Agreement shall be in writing, either by
letter (delivered by hand or commercial messenger service or sent
by certified mail, return receipt requested, except for routine
reports delivered in compliance with Article 5 hereof which may be
sent by ordinary first-class mail) or telegram or telecopy,
addressed as follows:
(a) If to the Borrower:
Griffon Corporation
100 Jericho Quadrangle
Jericho, New York 11753
Attention: Robert Balemian
Telecopier No.: (516) 938-5644
with a copy to:
Blau, Kramer, Wactlar &
Lieberman, P.C.
100 Jericho Quadrangle
Jericho, New York 11753
Attention: Edward I. Kramer
Telecopier No.: (516) 822-4824
(b) If to Chemical:
Chemical Bank
7600 Jericho Turnpike
Suite 306
Woodbury, NY 11797
Attention: Barbara G. Bertschi
Vice President
Telecopier No.: (516) 364-3307
(c) If to NatWest or the Collateral Agent:
NatWest Bank N.A.
100 Jericho Quadrangle
Jericho, New York 11753
Attention: Christopher J. Mendelsohn
Vice President
Telecopier No.: (516) 349-2098
with a copy (other than in the case
of Borrowing Notices and reports
and other documents delivered in
compliance with Article 5 hereof) to:
Winston & Strawn
175 Water Street
New York, New York 10038
Attention: Susan Berkwitt-Malefakis, Esq.
Telecopier No.: (212) 952-1474
Any notice, request or communication hereunder shall be deemed to
have been given on the day on which it is telecopied to such party
at the telecopier number specified above or delivered by hand or
such commercial messenger service to such party at its address
specified above, or, if sent by mail, on the third Business Day
after the day deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, or in the
case of telegraphic notice, when delivered to the telegraph
company, addressed as aforesaid. Any party may change the person,
address or telecopier number to whom or which notices are to be
given hereunder, by notice duly given hereunder; provided, however,
that any such notice shall be deemed to have been given hereunder
only when actually received by the party to which it is addressed.
Section 9.10 Counterparts.
This Agreement may be signed in any number of
counterparts with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and
hereto were upon the same instrument.
Section 9.11 Severability.
The provisions of this Agreement are severable, and
if any clause or provision hereof shall be held invalid or
unenforceable in whole or in part in any jurisdiction, then such
invalidity or unenforceability shall affect only such clause or
provision, or part thereof, in such jurisdiction and shall not in
any manner affect such clause or provision in any other jurisdic-
tion, or any other clause or provision in this Agreement in any
jurisdiction. Each of the covenants, agreements and conditions
contained in this Agreement is independent and compliance by the
Borrower with any of them shall not excuse non-compliance by the
Borrower with any other. All covenants hereunder shall be given
independent effect so that if a particular action or condition is
not permitted by any of such covenants, the fact that it would be
permitted by an exception to, or be otherwise within the limita-
tions of, another covenant shall not avoid the occurrence of a
Default or an Event of Default if such action is taken or condition
exists.
Section 9.12 Binding Effect; No Assignment
or Delegation by Borrower.
This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to
the benefit of the Borrower and its successors and to the benefit
of the Banks and the Collateral Agent and their respective
successors and assigns. The rights and obligations of the Borrower
under this Agreement shall not be assigned or delegated without the
prior written consent of each Bank and the Collateral Agent, and
any purported assignment or delegation without such consent shall
be void.
Section 9.13 Assignments and Participations by Banks.
(a) Each Bank may assign to one or more banks or
other entities all or a portion of its rights and obligations under
this Agreement (including, without limitation, all or a portion of
its Commitment, the Loans owing to it, and the Note or Notes held
by it); provided, however, that: (i) each such assignment shall be
of a constant, and not a varying, percentage of all of the
assigning Bank's rights and obligations under this Agreement,
(ii) the amount of the Commitment of the assigning Bank being
assigned pursuant to each such assignment (determined as of the
date of the Assignment and Acceptance with respect to such
assignment) shall in no event be less than $5,000,000 and shall be
an integral multiple of $500,000, (iii) each assignee shall agree
in writing satisfactory in form and substance to the Collateral
Agent to be bound by the terms and conditions of the Collateral
Agent Agreement, (iv) each such assignment other than to a Bank or
a banking Affiliate of a Bank shall require the consent of the
Borrower, and (v) each such assignment shall be to an Eligible
Assignee. Upon such execution, delivery, acceptance and recording,
from and after the effective date specified in each Assignment and
Acceptance, which effective date shall be at least five (5)
Business Days after the execution thereof: (x) the assignee
thereunder shall be a party hereto and, to the extent that rights
and obligations hereunder have been assigned to it pursuant to such
Assignment and Acceptance, have the rights and obligations of a
Bank hereunder, and (y) the Bank assignor thereunder shall, to the
extent that rights and obligations hereunder have been assigned by
it pursuant to such Assignment and Acceptance, relinquish its
rights and be released from its obligations under this Agreement
(and, in the case of an Assignment and Acceptance covering all or
the remaining portion of an assigning Bank's rights and obligations
under this Agreement, such Bank shall cease to be a party hereto).
(b) By executing and delivering an Assignment and
Acceptance, the Bank assignor thereunder and the assignee there-
under confirm to and agree with each other and the other parties
hereto as follows: (i) other than as provided in such Assignment
and Acceptance, such assigning Bank makes no representation or
warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to any
statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection
with this Agreement or the execution, legality, validity,
enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of this Agreement
or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant hereto;
(ii) such assigning Bank makes no representation or warranty and
assumes no responsibility with respect to the financial condition
of the Borrower or the performance or observance by the Borrower of
any of its obligations under this Agreement or any other instrument
or document furnished pursuant hereto; (iii) such assignee confirms
that it has received a copy of this Agreement, together with copies
of such financial statements and such other documents and
information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit
analysis and decision to enter into such Assignment and Acceptance;
(iv) such assignee will, independently and without reliance upon
such assigning Bank or any other Bank and based on such documents
and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue
to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action
under this Agreement; (v) such assignee confirms that it is an
Eligible Assignee; and (vi) such assignee agrees that it will
perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations which
by the terms of this Agreement are required to be performed by it
as a Bank.
(c) Upon its receipt of an Assignment and Accep-
tance executed by an assignee representing that it is an Eligible
Assignee, together with any Note subject to such assignment, the
assigning Bank shall: (i) accept such Assignment and Acceptance,
and (ii) give prompt notice thereof to the Borrower and each of the
other Banks. Within five Business Days after its receipt of such
notice, the Borrower, at its own expense, shall execute and deliver
to the assignee Bank in exchange for the surrendered Note a new
Note to the order of such Eligible Assignee in an amount equal to
the Commitment assumed by it pursuant to such Assignment and
Acceptance and, if the assigning Bank has retained a Commitment
hereunder, a new Note to the order of the assigning Bank in an
amount equal to the Commitment retained by it hereunder. Such new
Notes shall be in an aggregate principal amount equal to the
aggregate principal amount of such surrendered Note, shall be dated
the effective date of such Assignment and Acceptance and shall
otherwise be in substantially the form of Exhibits A-1 and A-2
hereto.
(d) Each Bank may, without the prior consent of the
other Bank or the Borrower, sell participations to one or more
banks or other entities in all or a portion of its rights and
obligations under this Agreement (including, without limitation,
all or a portion of its Commitment, the Loans owing to it, and the
Note held by it; provided, however, that: (i) such Bank's
obligations under this Agreement (including, without limitation,
its Commitment hereunder) shall remain unchanged, (ii) such Bank
shall remain solely responsible to the other parties hereto for the
performance of such obligations, (iii) such Bank shall remain the
holder of any such Note for all purposes of this Agreement, and the
Borrower and the other Bank shall continue to deal solely and
directly with such Bank in connection with such Bank's rights and
obligations under this Agreement.
(e) Each Bank may, in connection with any assign-
ment or participation or proposed assignment or participation
pursuant to this Section 9.13, disclose to the assignee or
participant or proposed assignee or participant, any information
relating to the Borrower furnished to such Bank by or on behalf of
the Borrower; provided that, prior to any such disclosure, the
assignee or participant or proposed assignee or participant shall
agree to preserve the confidentiality of any confidential infor-
mation relating to the Borrower received by it from such Bank.
(f) Notwithstanding any other provision contained
in this Agreement or any other Loan Document to the contrary, each
Bank may assign all or any portion of its Loans and its Notes to
any Federal Reserve Bank or the United States Treasury (and its
transferees) as collateral security pursuant to Regulation A of the
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and any Operating
Circular issued by such Federal Reserve Bank, provided that any
payment in respect of such assigned Loan made by the Borrower to or
for the account of the assigning Bank in accordance with the terms
of this Agreement shall satisfy the Borrower's obligations
hereunder in respect of such assigned Loans to the extent of such
payment. No such assignment shall release the assigning Bank from
its obligations hereunder.
Section 9.14 Relief From Bankruptcy Stay.
In the event that the Borrower or any of the persons
or parties constituting the Borrower shall (i) file with any
bankruptcy court of competent jurisdiction or be the subject of any
petition under Title 11 of the U.S. Code, as amended ("Bankruptcy
Code"), (ii) be the subject of any order for relief issued under
the Bankruptcy Code, (iii) file or be the subject of any petition
seeking any reorganization, arrangement, composition, readjustment,
liquidation, dissolution, or similar relief under any present or
future federal or state act or law relating to bankruptcy,
insolvency, or other relief for debtors (collectively, "Insolvency
Law"), (iv) have sought or consented to or acquiesced in the
appointment of any trustee, receiver, conservator, or liquidator,
or (v) be the subject of any order, judgment, or decree entered by
any court of competent jurisdiction approving a petition filed
against such party for any reorganization, arrangement,
composition, readjustment, liquidation, dissolution, or similar
relief under any Insolvency Law, each Bank shall thereupon be
entitled and the Borrower irrevocably consents to immediate and
unconditional relief from any automatic stay imposed by Section 362
of the Bankruptcy Code, or any other stay issued pursuant to the
Bankruptcy Code or any Insolvency Law, on or against the exercise
of the rights and remedies otherwise available to each Bank or the
Collateral Agent as provided in connection herewith and as
otherwise provided by law, and the Borrower hereby irrevocably
waives any right to object to such relief and will not contest any
motion by each Bank or the Collateral Agent seeking relief from
such stay and the Borrower will cooperate with each Bank and the
Collateral Agent, in any manner requested by each Bank or the
Collateral Agent, in its efforts to obtain relief from any such
stay.
Section 9.15 Governing Law; Consent to Juris-
diction; Waiver of Trial by Jury.
(a) THIS AGREEMENT, THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS AND
ALL OTHER DOCUMENTS AND INSTRUMENTS EXECUTED AND DELIVERED IN
CONNECTION HEREWITH AND THEREWITH, SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND
CONSTRUED AND INTERPRETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE
OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO ITS RULES PERTAINING TO CONFLICTS OF
LAWS.
(b) THE BORROWER IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS THAT ANY
LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING AGAINST IT UNDER, ARISING OUT OF OR IN
ANY MANNER RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT, AND EACH OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT
MAY BE BROUGHT IN ANY COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, COUNTY OF NEW
YORK, OR IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN
DISTRICT OF NEW YORK. THE BORROWER, BY THE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY
OF THIS AGREEMENT, EXPRESSLY AND IRREVOCABLY ASSENTS AND SUBMITS TO
THE PERSONAL JURISDICTION OF ANY OF SUCH COURTS IN ANY SUCH ACTION
OR PROCEEDING. THE BORROWER FURTHER IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO THE
SERVICE OF ANY COMPLAINT, SUMMONS, NOTICE OR OTHER PROCESS RELATING
TO ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING BY THE DELIVERY THEREOF TO IT BY HAND OR BY
MAIL IN THE MANNER PROVIDED FOR IN SECTION 9.9 HEREOF. THE BORROWER HEREBY
EXPRESSLY AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY CLAIM OR DEFENSE IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR
PROCEEDING BASED ON ANY ALLEGED LACK OF PERSONAL JURISDICTION, IMPROPER VENUE OR
FORUM NON CONVENIENS OR ANY SIMILAR BASIS. THE BORROWER SHALL NOT BE ENTITLED
IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING TO ASSERT ANY DEFENSE GIVEN OR ALLOWD UNDER THE
LAWS OF ANY STATE OTHER THAN THE STATE OF NEW YORK UNLESS SUCH DEFENSE IS ALSO
GIVEN OR ALLOWED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. ANOTHER IN THIS SECTION
9.15 SHALL AFFECT OR IMPAIR IN ANY MANNER OR TO ANY EXTENT THE RIGHT OF ANY BANK
TO COMMENCE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS OR OTHERWISE PROCEED AGAINST THE BORROWER IN ANY
JURISDICTION OR TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW.
(c) EACH OF THE BORROWER AND EACH BANK WAIVES TRIAL BY JURY IN
ANY LITIGATION IN ANY COURT WITH RESPECT TO, IN CONNECTION WITH, OR ARISING OUT
OF, THIS AGREEMENT, ANY OF THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS, OR ANY INSTRUMENT OR
DOCUMENT DELIVERED PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE VALIDITY, PROTECTION,
INTERPRETATION, COLLECTION OR ENFORCEMENT THEREOF.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed on the date first above written.
GRIFFON CORPORATION
By: Robert Balemian
Name: Robert Balemian
Title: President
[SIGNATURES CONTINUE ON NEXT PAGE]
Commitment:
$36,000,000 NATWEST BANK N.A., individually and
in its capacity as Collateral Agent
By: Christopher Mendelsohn
Name: Christopher Mendelsohn
Title: Vice President
Lending Office for Prime Rate
Loans and Eurodollar Loans:
100 Jericho Quadrangle
Jericho, New York 11753
Attention: Christopher J. Mendelsohn
[SIGNATURES CONTINUE ON NEXT PAGE]
Commitment:
$24,000,000 CHEMICAL BANK
By: Barbara G. Bertsche
Name: Barbara G. Bertsche
Title: Vice President
Lending Office for Prime Rate
Loans and Eurodollar Loans:
7600 Jericho Turnpike
Suite 306
Woodbury, New York 11797
Attention: Barbara G. Bertschi
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation
of our report, dated November 6, 1995, included in this Form 10-K, into the
Company's previously filed Registration Statements on Form S-8 (Nos. 2-82183,
2-99536, 33-14259, 33-39090, 33-62966, 33-52319 and 33-57683).
Arthur Andersen LLP
Roseland, New Jersey
November 17, 1995
5
YEAR
SEP-30-1995
SEP-30-1995
9,656,000
12,197,000
106,678,000
3,727,000
78,823,000
212,046,000
96,734,000
48,333,000
285,616,000
97,806,000
16,074,000
7,770,000
0
417,000
163,549,000
285,616,000
546,359,000
546,359,000
402,658,000
402,658,000
0
990,000
2,192,000
39,028,000
15,221,000
23,807,000
0
0
0
23,807,000
.71
0